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.

The beginning of the mischiefes and extreame calamities of Croysades against the Turkes, vnder a shewe of reco∣uering Ierusalem.

Benno a Crdinall, rehearseth the history folowing.* 1.1 One day (saith he) as Gregorie came frō Albe to Rome, he forgot to bring with him a booke of Negromancie which he held very deare, and without the which hee neuer went, or at least very seldome. Whereof remembring himselfe at the doore of Laterane, hee called hastily two of his most familiars which accustomed to serue him in all his wickednesse and villanies: and commaun∣ded them that they should bring him the said booke with all expedition, straightly charging them that they should not pre∣sume so much as to open the booke by the way, and that vpon curiositie they should not enquire vppon the secrets thereof. But the more he commanded them, the more inflamed he their

curiositie diligently to seeke the secrets thereof. As then re∣turning, they had opened the booke, and had curiously read the diuellish commaundements of that Art, suddenly the Angells of Sathan presented themselues: the multitude of which, and the horror of them, brought those two young men almost out of their wits, that with much adoo could they come to themselues. And as they themselues rehearsed it, those euil spirits insisted strongly, saying. Wherefore haue you called vs? wherefore haue you disquietted vs? Commaund vs quickly what you will haue vs to doo, else we will fall vpon you if you keepe vs any longer here. One of the young men then answe∣red; cast vs downe these walles straight. And saying so, hee shewed thē with the hand certaine high walles nigh the towne of Rome, which in a moment these euill spirits ouerthrew to the earth.

They then thus terrified, trembling & almost out of breath, scantly could come to Rome vnto their maister. Behold what Benno saith, who was in that time.

Gregorie being come to the papall dignitie, began inconti∣nently to sollicite that the Canons which his predecessors had made by his cautelous Councell, touching Simonie and singlenesse of life in Priests and Monkes, should be obserued: not to the end hee might wholy abolish the wicked and dete∣stable marchandise which was made of Ecclesiasticall Bene∣fices: but that vnder some colour of honestie, hee might take from Princes the power to conferre and bestow them, and to the end that by that meane all Bishops might be reduced and brought vnder the power and authoritie of the Romane seate; which because of the right of Inuesture, were obliged and beholding vnto Princes, more then vnto the Pope of Rome. And although that the Emperour Henry were the greatest of all Princes, yet this arrogant and proud marchant iudged it best,* 1.2 first to touch and deale with him tragically for the cause of Simonie. Hee assembled a Councell at Rome in the place of Laterane, touching these things: but the Em∣perour beeing hindered because of his warres, could not in∣tend to debate his right in the Sinode. The Pope notwith∣standing

had taken the matter so at heart, that for that cause he ceased not to vse both treasons and murders, and that more is, he stirred in many places intestine and inward warres, which engendred all maner of calamities. For first he laide ambushes for the Emperour, hee sought by diuers meanes to cause him to die. In so much as hee sought to haue slaine him euen in the Church as he should be at his prayers.

The Cardinall Benno rehearseth thus the Historie. The Emperour (saith he) had a custome often to goe make his pray∣ers in the Church of S. Marke, in the Mount Auentine. As then, Hildebrand enquired diligently by certaine spies,* 1.3 of all that he did: hee gaue charge to marke the place wherein the Emperour prayed oftnest either standing or on his knees, and suborned one, promising him a great summe of money, to lay great stones on the beames or vpper lofts of the Church (see the holy councell of this Pope) and that he should lay thē so wel, that when the Emperour should make his prayers, he might let them fall on his head to dash out his braines. But as he which had enterprised such a villanie, was at hand to accomplish it, and went about to handle and remoue a stone, the heauie for him, the stone by the waight deceiued him: and the scaffold which was on the beames being broken, the stone and the poore mi∣serable man, by a iust iudgement of God, fell vpon the paue∣ment of the Temple, & was all burst with the same stone. After the Romanes vnderstood how all things was past, they bound the feet of that wicked villaine, and by the space of 3. daies trai∣led him through the streets of the towne. But vsing their accu∣stomed humanitie, commaunded he should be buried.

The sonne of Benno saith here yet further: that Iohn Bi∣shop of Port, who was Hildebrands Secretarie and great fami∣liar, comming into the Pulpit which was in S. Peters Church, said amongst many other things, in the hearing of the people and Cleargie, Hildebrand hath done such a thing, and we also as deseruers, should all bee burned aliue:* 1.4 meaning to giue to vnderstand that which hee had done of the Sacrament of the body of our Lord. Whereof Hildebrand demaunding Coun∣cell of a certaine thing (as of old the Painims did of their Idols)

cast it into the fire, because it gaue him do answere, although the Cardinalls which were then present spake against his deed.

This is a beginning of the fruite of that cursed decree of Transubstantiation, applied vnto Charmes and Inchaunt∣ments.

* 1.5He excommunicated also the said Emperour Henry, with∣out lawfull accusation, without Canonicall appellation, with∣out forme of iustice: yea euen for that he was but too obedi∣ent vnto him. Hee diuided also from him the Princes of the Empire, and sought by secret treasons to destroy him, but God preserued him. O straunge treason proceeding from the sanctuarie, or rather frō him who seemed to be the high Priest to gouerne the Church, to haue superintendancie ouer Iudges and Elders. By menaces also he constrained Bishops to sweare that they should not defend his cause, neither should they fa∣uour or helpe him in any thing, drawing violently the scrip∣ture to make them serue his false dealing. Notwithstanding (saith Benno) so soone as hee arose vp from his seate to excom∣municate the Emperour, the seate (which had lately bene made of new and strong wood) by the will of God, of it selfe brake in many peeces in a terrible maner. In such sort as it gaue to know, that he that did sit vpō it, would sowe terrible schismes against the Church, by so arrogant and presumptuous a maner of excommunication. This saith Benno.

But when he sawe that all his Ambushes could serue him for nothing, he beganne to vse open force and emnities, and after he had excommunicated Henry, declaring all his subiects acquited of their oath of fidelitie, which they had deliuered him, he sent the Crowne of the Empire vnto Rodolphe Sauoic, with this Latine verse, such as it is.

Petra dedit Petro, Petrus diàdema Rodolpho.

That is to say, the Rocke hath giuen the Diademe vnto

Peter, and Peter giueth it vnto Rodolphe. Henry then being for this cause sore troubled, laid downe his royall apparell and came towards him into the Towne of Canuse, with his wife and litle sonne, in the time of a strong and sharpe winter, & through a very daungerous way. Being before the gate of the Citie (sayth Benno) from morning till night, without hauing eyther meate or drinke, in apparell of cloath, and barefooted, beeing made a spectacle for Angels and men, hee required pardon in all humilitie. He endured three whole dayes in a very lamen∣table affliction; In so much that Hildebrand (who tooke his pleasure the meane while with his whores and Monkes) moc∣ked him. He desired sore that he might haue entry into the Citie, but it was refused him: And as with great instance he de∣maunded it by the space of three dayes, he was answered that the Pope had no leisure to speake with him. Henry taking not in euill part that they would not suffer him to come into the Ci∣tie, remained in the suburbes not without great grieuance. For the winter was sharper then of custome. Yet to the end he would offend no person, he kept 3. whole dayes there without departing. Finally, the fourth day, at the request of the Coun∣tesse Matilde (who as Histories say, loued a litle too much the Pope) and of the Abbot of Clugny, and of the Earle of Sauoy, called Adelrans, he was permitted to enter of the Pope. But when he demaunded pardon of the Pope,* 1.6 setting his Crowne betwixt his hands and in his power, he would neither pardon nor absolue him of excommunication, vnlesse first he promised to purge himselfe in a ful Sinode of his fault, with other vnlaw∣ful and vnreasonable conditions. All which things he promi∣sed and confirmed them by estate: yet would they not remit him into his Kingdome.

Can any body haue haue a more liuely portraite of the Image of An∣tichrist?

The Princes of Italy, after they knew this,* 1.7 were exceedingly offended that the Emperour had so made his agreement with Hildebrand, and that so dishonestly and vilely he had submitted himselfe to him, who had inuaded the Papacie by wicked prac∣tises, and who had polluted and defiled all with murders and adulteries. &c.

After this, the Pope with his Cardinalls glorying that he had brought the Emperour into seruitude, durst now aduen∣ture to enterprise greater things. But the Emperour afterward tooke courage, and straightway dispatched all that, by taking Armes:* 1.8 And after many sharp and hard warres he vanquished Rodolphe in battaile. Who hauing his right hand cut off, made call all the Bishops and Priests on his side. Which being come, after one had brought him his hand, he spake in this sort. I con∣fesse that this is worthily come vnto me, and wel bestowed vp∣on me.* 1.9 Behold the hand wherewith I haue deliuered the oath of fidelitie to my Lord Henry: but at the sollicitation of you, I haue so many times vnluckily fought against him, and also falsi∣fied my faith vnto him: and therefore I haue receiued a reward such as my periurie meriteth. See if you haue guided mee in a right way. So then and now keepe to your Prince the fidelitie which you haue promised vnto him. As for me, I goe to my Fathers: and incontinently after, Rodolphe yeelded vp the spirit.

After this man was dead, they elected an other by the com∣mandement of the Pope: namely, Herman of Saxonie, Count, or Earle of Lucenbourg, who not without the Lords will, was slaine by a woman, who let fall a great stone vpon his head as he assailed a Castle in Almaine. And the malice of this cruel ti∣rant could not be repressed, but it stirred vp a third Competi∣tor to this good Prince:* 1.10 namely one Egbert, Earle of Misue, his parent: but being surprised by the Emperors people, he was miserably put to death.

What man would not bee mooued by such iudgements of God, to obey his Magistrate, and abhorre all rebellion and sedition: yet this Romane seate was neuer stirred therewith: but finally wrought the Emperours sonne Henry to rebell a∣gainst his father.

The writings of Henry the 4. sent to the King of France, by which he complaineth of his sonnes iniuries, and of such as drew him on to do them, do at large declare this tragedie, and at this day are to be seene.

Matilde Countesse, kept ordinarie company with the

Pope, and neuer departed from him, as his harlot,* 1.11 despising A∣ron her husband, Marquesse of Est. In so much that shee was commonly called S. Peter his daughter. Shee was diuorced by the Romane seate for some affinitie that was pretended to be betwixt them. From thence came it as Lambert Hirsuelden∣sis hath left in writing, that all people accused them, that there was a villainous and dishonest loue betwixt them: and euerie one said she lay with the Pope, and had vnlawfull company of him which had taken frō Priests holy & honest marriage. The Abbot of Ʋrsperge, called Conrade de Lihtenaw, addeth this in his Chronicle. Certaine it is that Hildebrand was not chosen of God, but brought in of himselfe by fraud and force of siluer, who ouerthrew the Ecclesiasticall order, troubled the King∣dome of the Christian Empire, procured the death of a peacea∣ble King, maintained periuries, entertained noyses and dissen∣tions, sowed disorders, stirred scandalles, made diuorces, and shooke and ouerthrewe all which seemed well ordained a∣mongst them which liued holily, &c. First, he was a great hypo∣crite, who with force of excommunications, depriued Ministers of the Church, of their wiues, and filled the world with an infi∣nit number of buggeries. In such sort, that that great Citie which is spiritually called Sodome and Egipt: that is to say, the Romane Church, was made after this time, a true Sodome and Egipt, his buggeries and Idolatries.

In the meane time he mooued maruellous tragedies in I∣talie, France, Almaine, and England,* 1.12 which would be too long to rehearse in this place; and such dealing displeased many per∣sons and wise men which were in that time. For to speake nei∣ther of England nor Italie, as well in Almaine as in France, there was 24. Bishops and more, which together with their Clear∣gie were married, and defended, and constantly maintained their marriage.

He commaunded Clarkes to vow singlenes, that is to say, not to marry: briefly, the most tiranically that could be, he for∣bad Priests marriages, commanding them to leaue theyr wiues; or otherwise to be depriued of their offices & prebēds. He wil∣led that from henceforth none be admitted to Ecclesiasticall

orders, vnlesse he first promise and vowe chastitie.

Also he ordained that none should heare Masse of a Priest that had a concubine.

He forbad Monkes to eate flesh at any time. De consec. dist. 5. c. Carinum.

He commanded that no Christian should eat flesh on the Saterday. De consec. dist. 5. Carinum. 36.

Why doo not Monkes obserue that commaundement as well as they pretend to obserue their vow of chastitie? For they are for like power.

He ordained the offering of the Masse.

He Canonized one named Liberius an Arrian, and com∣maunded his Feast should be celebrated, as Benno witnesseth. He commanded tenthes should be paid to Priests. And tooke from the King of Poloigne his Crowne, interdicting his King∣dome. Hee condemned the opinion of Berengarius touching the Sacrament, & was the first they say, that preached Transub∣stantiation. He condemned as sacriledge, a Lay-man possessing Tithes. Him that gaue Inuestures of Benefices, as an heretike: and he that receiued them of a Lay-man, as an Idolater. So by this meanes made he the Popes leaden dagger so strong as her power was able to driue backe the Iron force of the Empire.

[ 1083] The Emperour Henry opposed himselfe against the force and enterprises of the said Hildebrand, and the yeare of our Lord, 1083. in a Sinode that he caused to assemble at Bresse, af∣ter all crimes were laid against him, before the assēbly by good right he was deposed from his Papall seate, and so appointed in his place an other Pope,* 1.13 which they named Clement the third. He sent straight his Army to Rome, driue out Gregorie, and to bring in Clement. The towne was by him brought vnto such pouertie, that the Inhabitants were constrained to purchase peace. But Hildebrand not thinking to be in presence of the Em∣peror, & being abandoned & reiected of the Romanes, fled vn∣to Salerne, the yeare of the Lord, 1086. where hee finished his life in exile, which had caused so many to die, by the sworde,

by famine, by poysons, and other sorts of deaths.

Yet the Papists made a brute runne, that after his death he wrought many miracles: yea euen after, a Priest of Saxo∣ny, (as Sigebert witnesseth) as he died, had seene him tor∣mented in hell.

Antonine and Vincent rehearse that this Hildebrand being at the article and point of death, readie to yeeld vp his soule, cal∣led to him a Cardinall his familiar, vnto whom hee confessed both to God and S. Peter, and to all the Church, that he had greeuously sinned, and had not done his office and dutie in the Apostolicke state, and that by the perswasion of the diuel, he stirred hatreds, enmities and warres amongst many through the world. Hee commaunded the said Cardinall to transport him towards the Emperour Henry the fourth, and to crie him mercy for the faults he had committed against him, and that he should deliuer him from the excommunication, and likewise all his, as well aliue as dead. Anto. and R. Barnes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Historie of Hilde∣brand his Negromancie.
• * 1.2

  A Councell at Rome.
• * 1.3

  What treason is there that Popes will not excogitate?
• * 1.4

  The Host cast into the fire by Gregorie the seuenth.
• * 1.5

  The Emperor excommu∣nicated.
• * 1.6

  Arrogance diabolicall.
• * 1.7

  Sledan reci∣teth it in his 3. booke of the 4 Monarchies.
• * 1.8

  Warres be∣tweene the Emperor and Rodolphe.
• * 1.9

  Rodolphe his repentance.
• * 1.10

  Egbert of Misue slaine
• * 1.11

  Matilde the Popes harlot, named the daughter of S. Peter.
• * 1.12

  Troubles on all sides stir∣red by the Pope.
• * 1.13

  Clement. 3.