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 doctrine of the Waldois.

After that Waldo and his company were driuen from Lyons, one company drew towards Lombardie, where they multiplied greatly: In so much that their doctrine began to be dispearced through Italie, and came euen to Sicilie: As the Patents of Frederic the second giuen against them when he raigned, wit∣nesseth.

By the recitall of such as writ against them, and likewise by one Reinerius, who liued and and writ a litle after this time, it may be gathered that this was their doctrine. That we must beleeue the scriptures onely in that which concerneth saluation: and that no other thing ought to bee receiued but that which God commaundeth vs. That there is but one onely Media∣tor, and therefore we must not inuocate Saints. That there is no purgatorie; but that all men iustified by Christ, goe to eternall life; and such as do not beleeue, goe to eternall death. And that there is neither third nor fourth place.

They receiue and allowe two Sacraments. Baptisme, and Communion.

They said that all Masses, and chiefly such as were inuented for the dead, were abhominable and damned, and therefore ought to be abolished.

All humane traditions ought to be reiected without hol∣ding.

them for necessarie to saluation. That singing, and reci∣tall of the officiall, and fastings tyed to certaine dayes, super∣fluous feasts, the difference of meates, as well of degrees and or∣ders of Priests, Monkes, and Nuns; as blessings and consecrati∣ons of creatures, vowes, pilgrimages, and all the confusion and great heap of ceremonies before inuēted ought to be abolshed.

They denied the Popes supremacie, & aboue all the power he had vsurped vpon pollicies. And they admitted no degrees but Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

That the Romane seate is very Babilon, and that the Pope is the fountaine of all euils at this day.

That the marriage of Priests is good and necessarie in the Church.

That such as heare the word of God and haue a right know∣ledge thereof, are the true Church: to which Iesus Christ hath giuen the keyes to cause Sheepe to enter, and driue away Wolues.

See briefly the doctrine of the Waldois, which the enemies haue impugned, and for which (by their owne witnesse) they were persecuted in this time.

Mathias Illiricus in the Catalogue which he gathered of the witnesses of the truth, saith that he hath by him the consul∣tations of certaine Aduocates of Auignon. Also of three Arch∣bishops, of Narbone, of Arles, and of Aix, and likewise of the Bi∣shop of Alban to roote out the Waldois, written past 300. yeares: by which it appeareth that then and before there were a great number of the faithfull heere and there dispearced through∣out all France. It may also be collected by the consultations of the said Archbishops, that as the number was very great, the persecution was very cruell. For in the end of them, there is thus found written. Who is so new in France that is ignorant of the condemnation of these Heretikes Waldois made of long time so iustly? A thing so famous, so publike as hath cost so great expences, sweats, and trauells for the Catholique, and hath bene sealed with so many condemnations and deathes of those wicked Infidells, can it be called into doubt?

It appeareth then what a butcherie in this time was made of the faithfull, and what crueltie the supporters of the Ro∣mane Antechrist exercise against the good.

Nicholas 3. borne at Rome, of the house of Vrsins,* 1.1 called be∣fore Iohn de Gauette, (the election being deferred vntill the sixt moneth, not wthout great debate and contentions amongst the Cardinalls) occupied the papall seate.

Charles king of Sicilie, as Senator of Rome,* 1.2 had the charge of the Conclaue, who insisted much that some of the French Nation might be chosen. After then that Nicholas had taken possession of the Popedome, meaning to diminish the credit and power of Charles, tooke from him the Vicariatship of Tus∣cane, and filled all Italie with vprores and tumults of warre: and to the end he might prouide well for his businesses,* 1.3 he perswa∣ded Peter King of Arragon (these be old Popish trickes) to re∣demaund the Kingdome of Sicilie, shewing him that by right of heritage it belonged vnto him, because of Constance his wife. Which counsell pleased Peter well. But what fruite wrought the counsell of this S. Peter? Peter hauing gotten into his power a puissant Armie for the sea, came vnto Sardeigne, and there attended till there was some stirre in Sicilie.* 1.4 For the Sicilians hauing coniured against Charles, and the French had assigned a day to sley them all, yea without hauing respect vn∣to Sexe, or condition of any person, so soone as the sound of Bell should bee heard at euening, as shall bee said heere∣after. But this cruell and horrible acte was not executed in the time of Nicholas, but vnder Martin the fourth of that name, his successor.

Nicholas transported to himselfe the dignitie of the Senator of Rome, which Clement the fourth had giuen vnto e foresaid King Charles,* 1.5 and ordained for a perpetuall Edict that from thence forth no King or Prince should dare to demaund such an estate, or to take such a charge vpon him. By the disloyaltie of this Pope it came to passe that all Flammina with the towne, of Bolongne it selfe, and the Exarchate of Rauenna, (which things had long time bene in the Seignorie and domination of the Emperors) were reduced vnder the puissance of the Ro∣mish Sinagogue.

And besides, hee alone tooke vpon him the charge (as Stella saith) of the office of Senator: which the Church had accusto∣med to giue vnto Kings and Princes.

* 1.6He inriched the Towne of Rome with new edifice; and amongst others, he builded an house very commodious for S. Peter: and a Parke for Hares or Conneys, which hee enuiro∣ned with high walles. Wherein he himselfe often hunted. He reedified the Churches of S. Peter and S. Paul, which fell with age. Hee atchieued and ended a certaine house in Laterane, which had long time before bene commenced. Hee builded from the bottome to the top the Church called Sancta Sancto∣rum, and set there the Apostles keyes in siluer chaines. When this Hypocrite sung Masse, the teares fell from his eyes. Hee carried such fauour vnto the Friars, that hee declared certaine doubtes which were in the rule of the Sect, by a Decretall Epi∣stle. He made many ordinances for the profit and vtilitie of the Cleargie, (not of Christian people) and made many Cardi∣nalls of the order of begging Friars. He droue from him cer∣taine Notaires, commaunding vnder paine of Excommunica∣tion, that in what place souer, Magistrates should bee but An∣nalls for a yeare. Many reprooued him for that hee had made his Nephew called Berthand,* 1.7 Count or Earle of Romagnole, and had sent Latin Cardinall Iacobin his other Nephew, or rather Bastard, Legate into Tuscane. For Platina, Stella, & others say, that he loued his owne too much. In so much that whatsoeuer hee got from others, hee gaue it without reason or measure. For he tooke by force from certaine Romane Gentlemen, their Castles, and gaue them to his friends, and amongst others, one called Surien.

* 1.8After he had euery where set vp the Gibellins, (a sort of mu∣tinous and rebellious people) into their first estate, to the end they might maintaine his tirannies, he placed in Florence as in other places, Magistrates at his pleasure, and many other do∣mages he did vnto them.

This Pope had also determined to haue made two Kings of the house of Ʋrsini, and to haue placed one in Tuscane, and an other in Lombardie. But as he purposed to put all these

things in effect being in the Towne called Sutry,* 1.9 he was taken with an Apoplexie of which he died suddenly and without speaking, the yeare of our Lord, 1291. And after some, the 4. of his Popedome, although by his good complection it see∣med he would haue liued much longer.

Some say his death was foretold by one which sawe a great Invndation or ouerflowing of the Riuer of Tiber. Som say also he engendred vpon a Concubine of his a bastard,* 1.10 whose haire and nailes were like a Beares. See what Iohn de Noyan saith in his Illustrations of Beda.

William Durand a subtill man, made at this time his booke Intituled Rationale diuinorum officiorum.

Albert the great, Bishop of Ratisbone, died in this time.

Martin the 4. of that name,* 1.11 borne in France in the Towne of Tours, named before Simon, and Cardinal Priest of S. Cecile, [ 1282] ruled 2. yeares and 8 monethes.

Being chosen by the French Cardinalls which then were in greatest number, would not be crowned at Viterbe, because he tooke that Towne to be interdicted for a rowte they made against the Cardinalls. For they of Ʋiterbe following one cal∣led Richard Hanniball, Captaine of all such as tooke part with the Italians, entered into the Conclaue, tooke the Cardinalls and put them in prison, after hauing not onely dispised, but also giuen the chase to all them of the house of Vrsins.

This Pope Martin then being come into the old towne, which commonly is called Oruieto, vsed all the solemnities and created 8. Cardinalls that same day,* 1.12 that he might be strongest when he came vnto combat. But hee not onely receiued very courteously the King Charles comming towards him, but also yeelded him the dignitie of Senator, whereof he was depriued by Nicholas. This euery man found not good, for that it seemed it should stirre vp great seditions in the Towne, seeing the Vr∣sins were alreadie returned, and such as were of Hanniballs facti∣on chased away. For Charles was a great aduersarie of the Ʋr∣sins, for the hatred he conceiued against Nicholas. Yet Martin subtillly casting his affaires, had in great estimation Mathew d'Aquasporta, of the order of his bretheren Friars, Cardinall

and Bishop of Port, of the house of Vrsins.

This Pope Martin published sentence of excommunica∣tion against Peter King of Arragon, who ordeined an Army by Sea to come into Sicilie against Charles, and exposed his Kingdome for a pray to the first that could get it, declaring his subiects absolued of the oath of fidelitie which they had pro∣mised him, naming him an vsurper of Ecclesiasticall goods, and leuied an armie against him, of such as had taken the Croi∣sado.

All the pastime of Popes and their supporters, is to stirre vp warre and dissention amongst the Princes of this world.

* 1.13Yet Peter making no account of all this, obtained the king∣dome of Sicilie with the helpe of Paleologus Emperour of Con∣stantinople: who was also excommunicated, as making no ac∣count of that he had promised at the Councell of Lions aboue.

* 1.14Moreouer, the Sicilians not being able longer to beare the pride and whoredomes of the French: at the perswasion of Iohn Prochita, coniured against Charles, and slew them all at the sound of a Bell, without hauing any regard to Sexe, and from thence came the Prouerbe, when one wisheth the death of many, that they may say, The Euensong of Sicilie, as hath beene touched a litle before.

Besides, this Martin amongst other acts worthy of a Pope, graunted to the Romanes that they might chuse two Sena∣tors of the Nobilitie, and excommunicated Paleologus Empe∣rour of Greece. He made warre against them of Forley, and graunted many priuiledges vnto Begging Friars, which hee knew to be like horses prepared vnto the battle, and all this was still to munite and fortifie the more his tirannie. But as once he [ 1285] was taking his ordinarie refection with his Captaines, (as Casu∣lanus reciteth it) the yeare of our Lord, 1285. he was taken with a secret malladie of which hee died, after hauing said hee endured much griefe: although the Phisitians founde not in him any signe of death, and was buried at Peruse.

Some Authors, which Thomas Cooper one very learned followeth in his abridgement of Chronicles, haue left in wri∣ting, that the first yeare of his Popedome, hee tooke as the

Prouerbe is, to bread and to potte,* 1.15 the concubine of his Prede∣cessor Nicholas. But for feare such an accident should happen vnto him as did vnto the other, namely, that if he had a childe, it should be like vnto a Beare, he commanded that all the Beares which had bene painted in the Pallace by a Pope of the house of Vrsins, should be defaced and cleane taken away: because he knew well that the figure of things vpon which women think when they conceiue their children, oftentimes is certaine im∣printed in them.

It appeares well that this Pope was herein very expert, but he tooke no heed that such a monster shewed to the world, what sanctetie there is in Popes singlenesse.

Giles of Rome, Bishop of Bourges,* 1.16 disciple of S. Thomas d'A∣quin, liued in this time.

Phillip le Bell 45. King of France, and of Nauarre,* 1.17 raigned after his father Phillip the third, the yeare 1225. The Pallace was sumptuously builded in the Ile which Sene maketh. Eu∣guerrant de Marigni, the Kings Councellor, and President des Finances, had the charge thereof. In this Pallace the Court of Parliament had his seate distributed into chambers. The king dwelt there.

The Colledge of Nauarre was builded by the Queene Ioane, at the entry of the raigne of this king.

Honorius, 4. of that name, borne at Rome,* 1.18 of the house of Sabellius, which is a noble race, called before Iames, and beeing Cardinall Deacon, after he had bene chosen by the Cardinals, tooke possession of the Popedome, and ruled 2. yeares. Naucl.

He had a brother called Pandulphe,* 1.19 which was then Senator of Rome, who greatly punished theeues, homicides, and other such like.

This Pope dwelt in Mount Auentine, where he builded a new house, and incited many others to do the like.

He excommunicated Peter King of Arragon,* 1.20 who then occupied the Kingdome of Sicilie against Charles, and confir∣med the Interdict published against him by his predecessor Martin, because hee would not permit that the Popes seate should enioy that Region.

The Florentines and they of Luke obtained by siluer of Rodolphe the Emperour, libertie for their Common-wealthes. The Florentines gaue 6000. skutes, and the Luquets 12000. skutes.

* 1.21The Venetians also obtained licence to forge Ducats of Gold at Venice.

The Geneuois got themselues franchis and libertie. Chro. of the Emp. Tom. 2.

This Emperor was noted of couetousnesse.

[ 1287] A childe called Rodolphe, was martired at Berne by the Iewes, whereby they of Berne put the Iewes to death. And therefore the Emperour Rodolphe assembled thirtie thousand souldiers and besieged Berne, but profited nothing, as is aboue said.

The Colledge of Collets at Paris, was founded by Iohn Col∣let Priest, Cardinall of S. Cecilie, Legate in France, borne in Beauoisin, saith the Sea of Histories.

He mooued a maruellous warre against Guy Feltron, who occupied the Townes of Flaminia, and ouercomming him, hee annexed vnto the seignorie of Rome all that Countrey.

This Pope confirmed the Sect of the Augustines, which was not yet receiued at Paris, but was by many impugned, be∣cause it was not well allowed by the Councell of Lateran, and graunted them many priuiledges. And besides hee would that the Carmes leauing their coloured apparell with barres, should take the white habit,* 1.22 and ordained they should be na∣med the bretheren of the Virgin Marie. After which good∣ly deeds, he liued not long: but being dead, the yeare 1288. hee was carried from the Church of S. Sabine in the Mount A∣uentine, into the Church of S. Peter, where hee was buried with great pompe.

After the death of Honorius, the seate was vacant tenne moneths. For the Cardinalls beeing in the Conclaue, died vp∣on sudden malladies, euen when great earthquakes terrified them, and so the election was deferred vntill an other time.

* 1.23Nicholas Pope, 4. of that name, Minister generall of the Friars, called Ierome, borne at Marke d'Ancone, ruled at Rome

foure yeares and one moneth, Naucler. or 6. yeares, 8. moneths, and 16. dayes, after some. He succeeded the foresaid Honorius 10. moneths after his death: yet the Cardinalls were not all of one opinion.

This Pope superstitiously deuout dwelt nigh vnto the Church called S. Marie the greater,* 1.24 or ad praesepe because they forged that lie, that the Crib where the Virgin Marie laid Iesus Christ after hee was borne into the world is there, and adorned it with edifices and rich paintings. Hee created Cardinalls of all sorts of Monkes, for the profit of the King∣dome of Abaddon: to the end they might be light-horses, pre∣pared to the battaile, and might haue teeth like Lyons, & tailes like Scorpions, wherewith they might hurt men. For as Pla∣tina sayeth, he loued all alike, and thought not himselfe any thing more bound to his parents and kinsfolke, then vnto o∣thers.

Hee caused the Croisado to be preached, and sent at his owne charges many souldiers into Asia to keepe the Towne of Ptolemais. Supp. Chron.

There hapned in his time many ciuill warres, murders, dissentions, and brawles at Rome, vppon his occasion, giuing more countenance to the one part then to the other. And this contention endured the space of two yeares and an halfe. Fasci. temp.

Many Hauens of the sea were lost, the Christians were rooted out of Ierusalem and Siria,* 1.25 by a long and great dissenti∣on of the Venetians, Geneuois, & Pisans, which then were (for Communalties) the mightiest by Sea. It is said their contenti∣on was for an Abbey, which each of them said to be theirs: and this quarrell endured thirtie yeares. In so much that the Popes, Alexander the fourth, Ʋrbain the fourth, Clement the fourth, and the Kings of Fraunce and Sicilie, were greatly bu∣sied to agree them, and yet did no good. In the meane while the Empire of Constantinople was vsurped by others, and the French and Italians cast out of Greece. The Ports of Tyre and Ptolemais were also taken from the aforesaid Conten∣dants.

The last yeare of the Empire of Rodolphe, Charles Prince of Salerne, and sonne of Charles King of Sililie, was deliuered from the prisons of the King of Arragon: and after came to Rome, and on the day of Pentecost was crowned King of Si∣cilie [ 1291] by the Pope Nicholas, and absolued from the oathe hee had made to the King of Arragon. See the Historie of France.

The yeare of Christ 1291. three thousande Christians were slaine by the Sarrazens in the Countrey of Syria: the rest for feare retired. Chron. Euseb.

Acha, according to Naucl. was taken by the Souldan, with fifteene other Townes, twelue Castles, and a great number of Christians slaine: and this happened by the dissention of the Christians, and rashnesse of such as were Crossed saith Fascic. tempo.

There was mortall warre betwixt the Geneuois and they of Pise, for the Ile of Corsike: but finally the Pisans were vanquished vpon the sea, and more then twelue or sixteene thousand men slaine, with a losse of fortie eight Gallies. Fasci. Temp. And other ships besides them were sunke and drowned. Suppl. Chron.

The Tartarians got hold of the kingdome of Constantinople and a great part of that Empire. The same.

[ 1291] Nicholas Pope, dyed of griefe that all things happened not after his wish, seeing so manifold calamities all ouer, and espe∣cially at Rome. The Cardinals after his death retired to Peruse, that their election might be more sure: but in two yeares and three moneths they could not accord. Suppl. Chron.

Rodolphe the Emperour dyed also the yeare of his age 73. of our saluation 1291. & of his Empire 18. He had for his wife Anne Countesse of Hohemberg: which was buried at Basle, with her sonne Herman, who was drowned in Rhene.

* 1.26 Adolphe Count of Nassau, was chosen Emperour by cer∣taine of the Electors, and Albert Duke of Astrishe by other: yet Adolphe was crowned at Aix the Chappell. His brother who was Archbishop of Magunce helped him much. He raigned sixe yeares, and after was deposed by the Electors; For besides that

he was not puissaunt enough in domestical faculties to sustaine that Imperiall dignitie,* 1.27 he also despised the Princes of the Em∣pire, and dignified diuer without merite. He committed adul∣terers, violated Virgines, Nunnes and Widowes: he enterpri∣sed warre against Fraunce, because of the kingdome of Arles: but he executed no memorable thing, sauing that he ledde an Armie into Thuringe and Misne, to pacifie contentions be∣twixt Albert Lantgraue of Thuringe, and his sonne Dietere and others.

Celestine fift of that name,* 1.28 an Esermen by Nation (which is a place nigh the Towne of Sulme) by profession an Heremite, and before called Peter Moron: after that briberies of the Car∣dinalls which had endured the space of two yeares, had taken ende, by the fauour of Charles the second of that name King of Naples, and of the Cardinall Latin, was declared Pope.

Incontinently after his election he went to Aigle, and cau∣sed to come before him all the Cardinalls, and created new, to the number of twelue, amongst which there were two Her∣mites. Ptolomie and Laques haue written, that at his installing were two hundreth thousand men.

In the first Consistory he held (saith Christian Masseus) as he went about to reforme the Romane church,* 1.29 to the ende the Cleargy therof might serue for an example to others, he incur∣red so the maleuolence & indignation of many, that grinding their teeth against him, they called him sot, and dotard. One of these companions called Benet, suborned an other, who making a crany or hole in his Chamber, many nights cried as it had bin an Angel from heauen. Celestine, Celestine, renounce thy Papa∣cie: For that charge exceedeth thy Forces. Some also in the day time counselled him to giue ouer his Popedome, and prouide for his saluation.

The king Charles was aduertised of these things,* 1.30 & getting their Pope to come to him, he praied him as much as was possi∣ble, that he would not reiect such a dignity which was giue him from heauen: wherevnto he answered: I wil do what God will.

As hee returned from Naples, it may bee hauing no rest in his conscience, on the Vigile of Saint Luce, he dismissed

himselfe of that charge,* 1.31 and hasted to returne into his Hermi∣tage.* 1.32 All this rehearseth Masseus: yet first he made a constituti∣on by the consent of all▪ that it should be lawfull for a Pope to giue ouer such a charge. Which constitution Boniface 8. his suc∣cessor, a man subtill and malicious, confirmed and placed if in the 6, booke of his Decretalls. Moreouer the said Boniface his successor fearing that the people despising him would cleaue vnto Celestine, he caused him to be put in close prison, where he kept him euen till his death. He died then in prison, the yeare of our Lord, 1295. the 10. day of May, two yeares and fiue mo∣neths after he had bene chosen Pope.

* 1.33The Sect of Monkes called Celestines, had their name and originall of him.

Arlot general of the order of Friars, who made the Concor∣dances vpon the Bible, liued in this time. Abb. Trit.

* 1.34Boniface, 8. of that name, borne in Campania in the Towne of Anagnia, called before Benet de Gauete, one of the chiefe Councellors of Celestine his predecessor, beeing at Naples, was thrust into his place by a maruellous treason. Being Cardinall, Priest of S. Martin in the Mountaines, he desired so to come vnto the Papall dignitie, that he left nothing behind, either of ambition or fraud, that he thought might bring his purpose to passe. Againe, hee was so arrogant, that he despised almost all men in respect of himselfe.

* 1.35This is he of whom it is commonly spoken; That he entred as a Foxe, raigned as a Lyon, and died as a dogge. For it was he that sollicited Celestine to depose himselfe, and so hee entered like a Foxe; he gouerned like a Lyon, in so much that hee was so arrogant and cruell to the end: so that he called himselfe Lord of all the world: but he died like a dogge. For his end was miserable, and all his deeds were reprooued, as may be seene by his Historie.

He said (as Marius witnesseth) that he shut Celestine in prison not for any enmitie towards him, but for feare the au∣thors of sedition by his conduction should do him and the Ro∣mane Church any domage.

But who will not say that this Boniface was an horrible monster, and an ignorant person, hauing circumuented,* 1.36 de∣spoiled, and finally murdred in prison a simple man, which was his father?

After that the Princes of Almaine had chosen Albert Duke of Austrich, Adolphe hauing on his side Otho Duke of Baui∣ers Raoul Count Palatin, and certaine Imperiall Cities, gaue battaile against Albert nigh Spire, which was sharpe and cruell, wherein Adolphus was slaine, the yeare of his Empire, 6. or 8. after some.

Albert Duke of Austrich, sonne of Rodolphe the Emperor,* 1.37 was againe chosen by the Electors, and crowned at Aix the [ 1298] Chapple, the yeare, 1298. Hee gaue the gouernment of the Duchie of Austrich to his sonne Rodolphe, and gaue him in mar∣riage Blanch the sister of Phillip king of France.

He made many warres. That against the Bishop of Salisbu∣rie, was for certaine Salt-wells. For this Bishop being prouo∣ked by Albert, caused to be destroyed the place where the Salt was made. The Emperor who could not be ouercome, was im∣poysoned: but the Phisitians gaue him such remedies, that the venome came out at his mouth and nosthrills. The force thereof was so great that it wasted one of his eyes, and hee was called Borgne. Hee was a magnanimous and valiant Prince.

He demaunded of Boniface to be crowned, but he refused him, saying hee was vnworthy of the Empire, because hee had slaine his naturall Lord in battaile. And the said Boniface hol∣ding a Crowne vpon his head, and a Sworde at his side, answe∣red: I am Caesar.

The yeare 1298. Boniface published the sixt booke of Decretalls, and sent them to the Students of Bolongne, and to other Vniuersities, commanding them to vse them in all iudge∣ments and schooles.

This proud and arrogant Pope,* 1.38 ordained that all king of the earth which would not hold their Kingdomes of his sanc∣tetie or rather tirannie, should bee excommunicated and de∣posed.

He excommunicated Phillip king of France,* 1.39 because he would not suffer his money to be carried out of his kingdome, and cursed both him and all his, euen to the fourth generation, yea with his reliques and crosses.

He would not confirme the Emperour Albert, whom hee had alreadie reiected twise or thrise, but vpon this condition, that he would occupie the kingdome of France, and depose Phillip.

* 1.40He declared Alphonsus king of Arragon absolued, and gaue him the kingdome of Sardeigne, vnder certaine conditions.

Iohn Duns, surnamed the Scot, a Frier, called the subtil Doc∣tor, was in this time. He died of an Apoplexie. Some say hee was buried aliue. Supp. Chron.

Dinus the Legist, Petrus de bella pertica, Iacobus de arena, Io∣hannes de sancto, Geminiano Iacobin, Ihones Andrea, and Dantes Aliger Florentin, were in this time.

[ 1300] * 1.41The yeare of Christ, 1300. this Pope instituted a Iubile: giuing full remission of all sinnes to such as from an hundreth to an hundreth yeares would visit by vow of Pilgrimage, the Churches of S. Peter and S. Paul in the Citie of Rome. He then celebrated the first Iubile, and opened the Faire for indulgen∣ces, and made them serue euen for such as were in purgatorie. Agrip. de vanita. scien.

* 1.42Such as they called in Italie Fratricelli, are condemned and persecuted. Historiographers say, that they vsed carnall pleasure, contrarie to the honestie of marriage: and this they did in the night time after they had celebrated their misteries. Supp. Chron.

One called Aerman, chiefe amongst them, was vnburied 20. yeares after his death at Ferrare, (although before hee was ac∣counted as a Saint) and his bones were burnt. A woman cal∣led Guillaume. which was very renowned, and her husband An∣dre, were also vnburied, and their bones burnt.

The Chroniclers rehearse how those of this Sect were dis∣closed, namely, by a Marchant of Millain called Conrad, whose wife in the night time haunted these assemblies, and that the candles being put out, they abused one an other brutally, and

such or like, which haue rather an appearance of affable then of a true narration.

This Pope nourished discords & the dissentions which were amongst the factions of Italie, and sought alwaies to maintaine them. He prohibited that the Cleargie should pay no tribute to Princes, without his leaue & licence. He gloried in his pride to be the key-keeper of heauen; and published that hee ought not to be iudged of any person, no not though he led an infinit number of soules into hell with him: because it is lawfull for him to do all things.

O Infernall Decree, and execrable blasphemie.

He eleuated his parents into dignities: two of his Ne∣phewes very young he made Cardinalls: also his Vncle, Hee made some, Counts or Earles, and left them great treasures, by meanes of which, after they would auenge his death. Naucler.

He depriued two Cardinalls Colonnois, Peter and Iames,* 1.43 of their Benefices, yea and of their fathers goods: because that du∣ring Celestins life they had written that he was no lawful Pope, but that Celestine was he. He imputed also vnto them, that they had pilled the treasure of the former Popes.

In a full Councell he excommunicated Sarra the said Car∣dinalls Vncle, and honourable Prince, with all the Collonois. Supp. Chron.

He exercised such enmitie against the Gibellins, that vn∣derstanding that some of them were retired to Genes, he himself went thither also; to the end to ouerthrowe them altogether. And as one day vpon an Ashwednesday hee gaue Ashes vnto the people, according to the custome, Porchat Archbishop of the town, presented himselfe before him (but he vnderstood of many that he was of the faction of the Gibellins) falling on his knees, with his head vncouered: which when Boniface marked, without hauing any regard to the day, or to the place, or to the people present, or to religion, became angry against the Arch∣bishop, & casting a great sort of Ashes in his eies, said, Remem∣ber that thou art a Gibellin, and that with the Gibellins thou shalt bee brought to ashes; and straight depriued the Archbi∣shop of his dignitie: although afterwards he remitted him into his former estate. Plat. & Cor. Abb.

But being ingratefull for the good (saith Iohn Marie) that his predecessors had receiued of France,* 1.44 he rose vp in such pride against the King Phillip, that it were an hard thing to beleeue. He sent to signifie vnto the king, in maner of a commaunde∣ment by the Bishop of Appaine his Legate, that incontinent∣ly and without delay he should prepare himselfe to go beyond the sea. Vnto which thing then the King could not well har∣ken, for the great warres hee had against the Flemmings. The Legate seeing that he could not obtaine an answere accor∣ding to his appetite, he began to vse great menaces, saying that if he did not obey the Pope, he would depriue him of his king∣dome: by which two rigorous words, the King beeing much grieued, caused the said Legate to be detained a prisoner. But when these things came to the notice of the proud Pope, hee dispatched the Archdeacon of Narbone, with Letters of com∣maund, forbidding the King, that in no case he should enter∣meddle to take any subsidie vpon the lands and reuenewes of the Church, (which thing King Phillip le bel had bene constrai∣ned to doo, because of great warres that he sustained for the good and defence of the Kingdome) and moreouer that for the Kings contumacie, and for that he had detained prisoner his Embassador against the common right of all Nations, the king∣dome of France was deuolued & fallen to the Romane church: And if he did not obey the commaundements and defences of the Pope, he should bee held in the number of heretikes, with all his fauourers and adherents. This Archdeacon cyted many Bishops, Abbots, Theologians, and Decretists, at a certaine day named to be before the Pope at Rome, and annihilated all the indulgences and priuiledges giuen to the French men by the Pope of Rome his predecessors. This rigour perceiued, the king in the presence of his Barons and of all his Councell, com∣maunded vpon good deliberation of the Assembly, that the first Legate who had outraged the King, should bee de∣liuered, and that they both without delay should voyd his kingdome. Soone after he caused to assemble a Councell of all the Prelates and Barrons of France in the Citie of Paris. In the saide Councell, the King did sit, and reciting the out∣rages

and iniuries which he had receiued of the Pope Boniface, he vttered how ambitiously and wickedly he came to be Pope. He demaunded of the Ecclesiasticall Lords vpon whom they had the foundations and reuenewes of their Churches and Be∣nefices. After he turned him towards the Princes, Barons, and Knights, and said vnto them. And you Nobles and Vassalls, what hold you for your King? All they which were there an∣swered with one voyce, that they held their lands and their goods vnder the kings hand. Then the king replied and said: Yet you see what force and tirannie Boniface practiseth, as if you and all the Realme of France were subiect vnto the Ro∣mane Church; as now he vsurpeth the title of the Emperour of Almaine: and hauing three times the said Duke Albert of Austrich, saith himselfe is Emperour and Lord of all the world, and in token thereof, hee hath newly giuen the Empire to the Duke Albert, yea euen the title of the Crowne of France.

These things thus proposed and brought to deliberation, the king interiected an appellation from the Pope to the gene∣rall Councell, and ordained by publike Edict vpon great pains that none should bee so hardie to drawe or transport any gold or siluer out of his kingdome for the affaires of the Romane Court: and caused to guard all the Bridges, Portes, and passa∣ges. On the other side, Boniface the eight sought by Ecclesia∣sticall censors, enmitie betwixt the Emperour and the King. Yet notwithstanding they accorded, meeting together in the plaines of Ʋuancoulers. But the end was this, that to tame the arrogancie and malice of this Pope, the king secretly dispatched two hundreth men of Armes vnder the conduction of one na∣med Sarra Colonnois, a Romane, and of an other Captain called Nogaret: which secretly passed from Marceille, and by night tooke the Pope in his house, which was in Anagnia, in the king∣dome of Naples,* 1.45 and carried him prisoner with the aide of the Gibelins to Rome, where he died 24. dayes after, or 35. dayes, after Chron. Abb. of griefe and age: and all his goods and trea∣sures went to pillage, Iohn le Maire.

Iohn the Monke Cardinall, the founder of the Colledge [ 1300] of Picars at Paris, came into France at the Popes commande∣ment. The Sea of Histories.

The memorable battaile of Courtray in Flaunders which the French lost, and wherin a great part of the Nobilitie of France perished. The Sea of Histories.

[ 1303] Benet 11. of that name, a Lombard by Nation, borne at Tre∣uis,* 1.46 called before Nicholas, of the order of Iacobius, borne of parents of base condition, his father was a sheepheard: after he was made Cardinall of Ostia, he was chosen Pope: a man of a cautellous and subtill spirit, and therefore pleased Boniface ex∣ceedingly.

Incontinently after he was come vnto the Papaltie, hee sought to pacifie Italie, and therefore went to Peruse, but hee fell sicke there and deceased, and was buried in the Iacobins. A certaine Abbesse presented vnto him poysoned figges where∣of he died. This was after prooued. And Leander affirmeth that he died of poyson.

The seate was emptie about a yeare.

[ 1304] The yeare of Christ, 1304. Phillip le bel King of France, founded in the honour of S. Lewis, the Abbey of Poisy, where hee placed Nunnes of the order of the Friars preachers, and after his death his heart was carried thither and buried. The Sea of Histories.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Nicholas. 3.
• * 1.2

  The charge of the Con∣claue.
• * 1.3

  The kingdom of Sicilie redemanded by the Pope.
• * 1.4

  The treason of the Siciliās.
• * 1.5

  The Exarchat of Rauenna brought vnder the Pope.
• * 1.6

  The Popes pleasures.
• * 1.7

  The Pope in∣riched his Nephew.
• * 1.8

  Papal subtilty.
• * 1.9

  The Popes death the cause of great good.
• * 1.10

  A monstrous Popes bastard
• * 1.11

  Martin. 4.
• * 1.12

  Charles S. Lewis his brother who was made Ki. of Sicilie by Clement. 4.
• * 1.13

  Peter de Ar∣ragon ex∣cōmunicated.
• * 1.14

  The French slaine all in an houre in Sicilie.
• * 1.15

  Martin succeeded in the concubine of his prede∣cossor.
• * 1.16

  Egidius de Roma.
• * 1.17

  The Pallace of Paris.
• * 1.18

  Honorius. 4.
• * 1.19

  Pandulphe Senator of Rome.
• * 1.20

  Peter of Ar∣ragon ex∣cōmunicated.
• * 1.21

  Venice Du∣cats.
• * 1.22

  The Carmes called the bretheren of the Virgin Marie.
• * 1.23

  Nicholas. 4.
• * 1.24

  Apoc. 8.9.10.
• * 1.25

  The occasion of the discord betwixt the Venetians, Geneuois and Pisans.
• * 1.26

  Adolphe Emperor.
• * 1.27

  Adolphe.
• * 1.28

  Celestine. 5.
• * 1.29

  Rome can a∣bide no refor∣mation.
• * 1.30

  He was too simple for a Pope.
• * 1.31

  Adolphus.
• * 1.32

  An ordinance to giue ouer the Pope∣dome.
• * 1.33

  The order of Celestines.
• * 1.34

  Boniface. 8.
• * 1.35

  Intrauit vt vulpes reg∣nauit vt Leo mortuus est vt Canis.
• * 1.36

  Albert.
• * 1.37

  Albert.
• * 1.38

  The sixt of Decretalls.
• * 1.39

  Phillip king of France, excommuni∣cated.
• * 1.40

  Alphonsus of Arragon. The Friars Vado in pace.
• * 1.41

  The first Iubile.
• * 1.42

  Fratricelli.
• * 1.43

  He raigned as a Lyon.
• * 1.44

  Note a deuel∣lish arrogancy
• * 1.45

  He died as a dogge.
• * 1.46

  Benet. 11.