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 first Emperor of the Turkes.

The wickednesse of men being come to the fulnesse of all impietie, Ottomanus a Turk began to raigne about this time, and raigned 28. yeares. He began by litle and litle to vsurpe vp∣on Europe. The occasion was, for that the Emperours of Greece demanded helpe of the said Turkes against the Bulgarians. But they seeing the Countrey fit for them, vsurped vpon the Em∣perour, first in Thrace, and after in Misia, superiour and infe∣riour, Macedonia, Achaia, Peloponesus, Epirus, Dalmacia, and a great part of Illyria and Pannonia; and finally into Hun∣garia.

[ 1306] The yeare of Christ, 1306. the first League of Swissers was made of three Cantons, namely Suits, Vry, and Ʋnderuald. Naucler.

Peter Casiodore an Italian, a Noble man, and well instruc∣ted in pietie, was in this time. Hee writ vnto the Enghsh men

not to carrie the importable yoake of the Romane Antechrist, shewing the extortions and extreame seruitude of England which the Popes of that time had multiplied. The Epistle be∣ginneth Cui comparabo te, &c. which I haue here inserted, tran∣scribed, and translated out of an old booke found in the church of S. Albans in England.

To the noble Church of England, which serueth in bon∣dage, Peter the sonne of Cassiodore, a Catholique souldier and deuout Champion of Iesus Christ, desireth saluation and deliuerance from the yoake of captiuitie, and to receiue the price and reward of libertie.

The Scribes and Pharisies placed themselues in Moyses Chaire, &c. It followeth after: To whom shal I compare thee?* 1.1 or to whom shal I say thou art like thou daughter of Ierusalem? to whom shall I equall thee thou virgin daughter of Sion? For thy ruine is great as the Sea: thou art become sollitarie, and without any sollace, being all the day ouerwhelmed wilh hea∣uinesse. Thou art deliuered into the hands of him from whence thou canst not relieue thy selfe, without the aide of some one which will lift theee vp. For the Scribes and Pharisies beeing set vpon Moyses Chaire, that is to say,* 1.2 the Romane Princes be∣ing thy enemies, are vpon thy head, and enlarging their Phi∣lacteries, and desiring to inrich themselues with the marrowe of thy bones, impose heauie and insupportable burthens vpon the shoulders of thee and thy Ministers, and bring thee vnmeasu∣rably vnder the charge of paying tribure, thou which euer hast bene free.

Let all occasion and matter of maruelling cease: For thy mother which had rule ouer the people, hauing espowsed her subiect, hath appointed thee for a Father, and before all others hath eleuated thee Bishop of Rome, who in no paternall act sheweth himselfe to be such an one. Very true is is that hee spreadeth out his skirtes, and sheweth by experience that he is thy mothers husband. For often he bringeth to memorie in his heart this sentence of the Prophet. Take thee a great volume and write therein as with a touchstone, after the maner of men. Hast•• thee to the spoile, dispatch thee of pilling and spoiling.

When the Apostle said, Euery high Priest beeing taken of men, is constituted for men in things which are concerning God. Doth not this shewe that men must not occupie themselues with spoiles and rapines, to impose censors, and annuall rents, nor to destroy men; but to the end he might offer gifts and sacrifices for sinnes? and that he might haue compassion of the ignorant and sinners? And also we read of Peter who was a Fi∣sher (whose successor he saith he is) that after the resurrection of Iesus Christ,* 1.3 he returned to his fishing againe with the other Apostles: who when he could take nothing on the left side of the ship, by the commaundement of Iesus Christ he turned himselfe towards the right hand, and drew the Nets to ground full of fish. Profitable then it is to exercise the Ministerie of the Church in the right part, by which misterie the diuell is vanquished, and a great number of soules is brought to Iesus Christ:* 1.4 but surely it is not so of the labour which is taken on the left hand of the ship: for therein faith staggereth, and he∣uinesse ruleth when men finde not that which they seeke. For who will beleeue that one man can serue God and Mam∣mon both together and please his will, sticke to reuelations of the flesh and of bloud, and offer to Christ gifts and presents, such as appertaine vnto him?* 1.5 And without doubt the sheep∣heard which watcheth not for the edifying of the Flocke, prepareth an other way a roaring Lyon, which seeketh euery way whom he may deuour.

Behold say I, the straunge and before vnheard deedes of him which is called thy father;* 1.6 who taketh from the sheep∣foldes the good sheepheards, and in their places setteth his Ne∣phewes and parents, and others ignorant of Letters, dumbe and deafe, which vnderstand not the bleating of the sheepe, nei∣ther care for the byting of the wolues, which like hirelings car∣rie away the fleeces, reape others haruests, the hands of whom also serue to the pottes, and their backes turne away from bur∣thens.

Hereby it plainely appeareth the Priests office was left, the seruice due vnto God was subtracted, and the custome to giue Almes abolished: by which things the holy deuotion of Kings,

Princes, & Christans are abolished. This then is a thing which ought to be found very strange in the iudgement of euery one,* 1.7 that whereas Iesus Christ commaunded to pay tribute vnto Kings for himselfe & for Peter this man against his will (whose Vicar he saith he is) who hath cast backe from himsselfe the kingdomes and iudgements of the world, seekes to subiect vn∣der his domination, Kings and Princes, vnder the title of his stile: because all that he hath set downe in writing to be his, he attributeth vnto himselfe.

Nay what doth he more with thee ô daughter? Behold he draweth from thee whatsoeuer he thinketh good: and yet hee holdeth not himselfe contented to take of thee the tenth part of thy grounds, but euen the first fruites of the Benefices of thy Ministers: to the end that as well for himselfe, as for such as are of his bloud, he might constitute a new patrimonie of good and holy wills of the founders.

Moreouer,* 1.8 he alreadie imposeth other execrable things for the wages of his Curriers which he sendeth into England, which carrie away not onely the victualls of thee and thine, but also rent of their skinnes and their flesh like dogges. Meriteth he not to be compared to Nabuchodonozor, who destroyed the Temple, and spoiled it of the vessells of Gold? For that which he did, this doth he also. He spoiled the Ministers of the house of God, and depriued them of that which was necessarie for his seruice. And this here doth as much. And surely the con∣dition of them which are slaine by the sword, is better then the condition of such, as be any thing bitten with hunger. For the first are straight dead, but the other is consumed by the stirrili∣tie of the earth.

Let all such as passe by thy way (ô daughter) haue compas∣sion on thee: for no sorrowe is like to thine.* 1.9 For alreadie be∣cause of thy great dolour and teares which thou hast shead, thy face is blacker then coales: in so much as thou art no more knowne in the streetes. Thy father hath set thee in clowdie and darke places, he hath made thee drunke with wormewood and gall. Lord see the affliction of thy people,* 1.10 harken vnto their sobbings and come downe. For the heart of this man is

harder then the heart of Phaua••, who would not suffer that thy people should goe a•• libertie, but onely in the force of thy hand. But this afflicted and plagueth not onely vpon earth, but also after death. For after death he deuoureth the goods of all Christians, vnder colour that they died without making testa∣ments.

The Church of England doth sufficienly know, that the French men casting the eyes of their concupiscence vpon that kingdome, sought in time past to haue reduced it vnder theyr power▪ but it is to be feared that, that which they could not hitherto bring to passe, is now supplied by the coniuration of that man, as of a new enemie. For if the treasures of the King∣dome faile, and that the Priesthood be ouerthrowne, verily it shall he made lesse puissant against the enemies.

* 1.11To the end that thou ô daughter, and thy Priest, should not fall into a miserie of any longer endurance, it is expedient for the saluation and safetie of thee and thine, that thou ô Christi∣an King, and the great Lords of thy kingdome, (which haue a∣dorned thee with great and excellent Benefices, and which in such a case ought to maintaine and defend both thee and those Benefices) should resist the coniurations and conspirations of that man: who not hauing regard to God, but for the aforesaid things, and to enrich his parents, and for his owne nest, lifting himselfe vp as an Eagle, by the aforesaid things, and other Im∣postes by him imposed, he hath collected all the siluer of Eng∣land by a new domination.

* 1.12Let not then thy dissembling simplicitie in this case cause the ruine of thy kingdome and thy selfe, and take heed thy re∣medie come not too late. The Lord God take the vaile frō off the heart of this man, and giue him a contrite and humble hart, and make him knowe the traces of the true God, whereby hee may be drawne frō darknesse, and constrained to forsake those wicked labours wherof we haue spoken, & that the vine which the right hand of God hath planted, may be filled with good grapes. For take heed vnto the Lords words, & to the Prophe∣sie of Ieremie, to put back such enterprises: who saith thus. Thou sheepheard which hast dispersed my people,* 1.13 & put thē out of their ha∣bitations,

behold I will visit vpon thee the malice of thy into prises, and no man of thy seed shall sit vpon the seat of Dauid, nor haue more power in Iuda. Let thy neast be made barran, and ruinated as So-Some and Gomorrhe.

But if it so fall out that being nothing feared by these words he cease not his enterprises, nor make restitution of that which he hath taken: then let thē sing for him that shall be so wicked∣ly hardned, the 108. Psalme. As for vs, we will each day openly sing praises through Iesus Christ, to him vnto whom all things serue.

Thus the light by litle and litle came forward, and ouer∣came the mightie darknesse.

Clement, 5. ruled in Auignon 8. yeares and 10. monethes.* 1.14

This Pope was a Gascoin, sonne of Bernand, a warrior and a Gentleman, borne in Burdeaux, before called Bextrand Goth, Bishop of Coseran, and Archbishop of Burdeaux, he being ab∣sent in France, was chosen at Peruse, by the Cardinalls there resident. Iohn le Maire saith it was at the instance of Phillip le Bell.

After he was aduertised of his election, he departed from Burdeaux and came to Lyons, and sent word that all the Cardi∣nalls then in Italie, should appeare there, wherevnto they all o∣beyed without delay or contradiction, and the coronation of the said Pope was made publike and solemne in the Church of S. Iust. But this ioy and pompe was troubled.* 1.15 For as an innu∣merable people were mounted vpon an old wall of S. Iust to see this great pompe and noblenes, the said wall fell, and flew duke Iohn of Britaine: the King was there wounded, and the Pope throwne ouer his horse and rudely troden vnder feete, in so much that he lost a rich Carbuncle out of his triple crowne, esteemed at 6000. Florents of Gold: and more then 12. other notable persons were there wounded and died.

After the Pope Clement was crowned the king tooke leaue of him, and went to marrie his sonne Lays Hutin to the daugh∣ter of the Duke of Burgongne, called Margarite. The Pope on the other side left Lion, and made his residencie in Auignon. This was the first of the Popes, that kept there his Romane

Court, where it abode the space of 73. yeares before it retur∣ned to Rome. Iohn le Maire.

After the end of this solemne pompe, and that all things were appeased, he created many French Cardinalls. But hee made not one Italian: onely he restored that dignitie of a Car∣dinall to Iohn and Iames of the house of Colomnois. Moreouer he sent to Rome three Cardinalls, with the power of Senators, by whose direction the Towne and all Italie was gouerned. He gaue to Frederic king of Sicilie the Ile of Sardeigne, which was occupied by the Sarrasins, vpon this condition, that in cha∣sing them away he might incontinently recouer it.

[ 1306] The yeare 1306. the Iewes were pilled and reiected Fraunce.

[ 1308] Albert the Emperour, riding in the fieldes about noone, was slaine by his Nephewe and other Princes of Austrich, his companions. Munster.

* 1.16This iudgement might bee, because in warre he had per∣secuted the Emperour Adolphe, who although he was his infe∣riour vnto him in power, yet was he ordained of God and ought him obedience. But such murthers remaine not vnpu∣nished.

Hiero. Marius adding to the words of Platina, sayth thus. Clement the fift because he desired not to serue others as Iesus Christ commaunded his disciples, but rather to be serued e∣uen of Emperors, ordained that Emperours chosen in Almaine, although they tooke the name of King of the Romanes, yet they should receiue of the Pope the rights and name of the Emperour, Moreouer that when the Emperour should bee dead, whilest the Empire was vacant, the gouernment of the townes of Italie subiect to the Emperor, should be in the Popes power.

The Romane Court transported into France, where it re∣mained 74. yeares.

* 1.17This Clemens who was a publike whoremonger, and a great maintainer of harlots, Chron. Herm. and Paralip. Vrsp. placed the papall seate in Auignon, to the end the better to en∣ioy his delights and pleasures.

He celebrated the generall Councell of Ʋienne,* 1.18 the yeare of our Lord. 1311. wherein he cruelly abolished the order of the Templers, to the end to confiscate their goods, & with their spoiles raised vp the Hospitaliers into dignities, called the knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem, which had conquered the Ile of Rhodes vpon the Sarrasins.

The Knights of the Rhodes succeeded in the goods of the Templers.

The Pope excommunicated the Venetians because they had vsurped Ferrare, which was of the Churches patrimonie,* 1.19 and caused the Croisado to be published against them in Italie, till they were constrained to yeeld the said seignorie of Fer∣rare, which they had vsurped of a Lord called Frisius Estensis, who had slaine his father to gouerne at Ferrare, being notwith∣standing aided by the Venetians to doo that wicked act. Item he excommunicated the Florentines and them of Luques.

Henry the 7. would needes make himselfe to be crowned at Rome, but it was not without great contradiction and effu∣sion of bloud. Robert King of Sicilie, sonne of Charles the se∣cond, King of Pouille, was condemned of the said Henry to bee beheaded.

Clement graunted to all such as coiced themselues against the Turke, that at their pleasures and will, foure soules should be deliuered from purgatorie: But the Theologians of Paris detested this, and reprooued it, saith Agrip. de vanit.

This Pope persecuted such as they named Fratricelli, and one called Dulcinus of Navarre; and published against thē the Croisado, for that purpose seruing themselues with the Iacobins.

The Dulcins were named of that Dulcinus, who was exe∣cuted with his wife Margarite. Naucler. He had bene taught of one called Gerard. They which detested them and haue written their maner of doings, say that they wore white Man∣tles, & long haires: sometimes walking barefooted, sometimes shod. Item, that they named themselues the order of the Apo∣stles, and they preached saying. Repent, for the kingdome of heauē is at hand. Moreouer, they said that the authoritie which Christ gaue vnto his Church was expired for the malice of the

Prelates.* 1.20 And that the Romane Church was reprooued be∣cause it was an whore. Also that they were the Church & fol∣lowed the rule of the Apostles. That all the Popes since Silue∣ster were Preuaricators and vsurpers because they liued not in true humilitie, and that therefore men ought not to giue them Tythes.

Many of Dulcius adherents were taken, to the number of 114. persons, dwelling in the Mountains of Verseil in Piemont.

Rhodes in this time wes reconquered of the knights of the Rhodes, which before were driuen away.

* 1.21Henry 7. of that name, sonne of Henry Count of Luxem∣bourg, and of Beatrix his wife, was chosen Emperour. He was not rich of goods that his father had left him, but he was the ex∣cellentest Prince of his time, as well in prudence as in the glory of praise-worthy deeds.

From the death of Frederic the 2. vntill the yeare 1308. wherein this man was elected, the Kings of the Romanes had not entred into Italie, namely Rodolphe, Adolphe, and Albert, and therefore almost all the townes of Italie subiect to the Em∣pire, were reuolted.

After Henry was crowned at Aix, he determined to enter Italie to be sacred of the Pope, but it was not without great dan∣ger, for great Ambushes which were laid for a him at Millaine by Guido Turrian. See the Chronicles of the Emperours.

* 1.22Many Templers of the kingdome of France, by the com∣maundement of the Pope and King, for certaine accusations were condemned and burnt without Paris. Twelue or nine Articles contrary to the faith, were imposed vpon them: which notwithstanding Iohn Bocace a Florentine excuseth in his 21. Chapter of his 2. booke, of the cases of vnfortunate Nobles. Their order endured 184. yeares: all their goods were confis∣cated and giuen to the knights of the Rhodes. Others say that the best part of their goods was giuen to the king by the Popes consent. Chron. of the French Kings.

Hermanus saith, that the Pope Clement in fauour of the king, noted them of heresie and infamie, wrongfully and vpon enuie. Paral. Vrsper.

Some thinke that the kings of France, of England and of Spaine, conspired against them for the possessions and Castles which they had in their kingdomes.

The yeare 1309. the Sarabits (Monkes which came out of Egipt) began in England. Their garments were of Oxe and Swines skinnes, and they were tyed with cordes. Iohn Clyn Hy∣bernus.

The order of Paulins entred into England, and placed thē∣selues at Glocester, the yeare 1310. Chron. Caletense.

This Pope Clement in a well leaded Bull (which is yet at this day kept by Copie at Vienna, at Limoge, and at Poiters,* 1.23 in the Coffers of priuiledges) commanded the Angels of Heauen to carrie into the Ioyes of Paradice, and draw out of Purgato∣rie the soule of him, whosoeuer should die in the way, going in Pilgrimage to Rome. Moreouer (saith he) we will that the paines of hell shal no way be inflicted vpon them. Agrip. de vanit. sciēt.

Iean wife of Lewis king of Fraunce, after the death of her husband, went to Rome, and resigned the kingdome of Naples, deliuering it into Pope Clements hand, who after made a gift of it to Lewis duke of Angiou, brother of Charles the fift king of France, sauing the profits to the vse of the said Iean for her life. But he enioyed it not: for he died with fiue thousand men in conquering it against Charles Nephew of the said Lewis King of Hungaria, who occupied the kingdome, and held it foure yeares, and left a sonne called Ladislaus, who raigned 29. yeares at Naples by the helpe of Pope Vrbain the 6.

This Pope condemned the Beghards or Begnins,* 1.24 which would not worship the Bread of the Eucharist.

He commaunded that the great Maister of the Templers should be burned at Paris, with one of his cōpanions, in the pre∣sence of Cardinals, & made certain ordinances against the inso∣lencies of the Iewes, after hauing confiscated their goods.

He ordained that oathes deliuered by Princes,* 1.25 were not oathes of subiection, but of fidelitie: and commanded that the goods of the Church should not be alienated.

Hee ordained that Clarkes which occupied temporall traffiques, and wore precious garments, should be punished; and

forbad Monkes all kinde of huntings, as well of beastes as birdes.

He confirmed the Feast instituted in the honour of the bread of the Eucharist, which the Papists commonly called, La feste dieu. God his Feast.

* 1.26He gathered in his volume the Constitutions called Cle∣mentius, and pronounced that the reliques of Saints ought to be greatly honoured.

He gouerned the affaires of Italie by Neapolion and Pela∣gura Cardinalls, his Legates: and added Celestine the fift to the number of Popish Confessors. He set in order the constituti∣ons of Monkes, and againe declared the rule of Friars.

Finally this Clement being tormented one while with a flux of the belley, and an other with a paine of the stomack & sides, deceased in a Castle called Rocquemaure, vpon Rosue, the yeare of the Lord, 1314. his body was carried into Gascoin, and the Papall seate was emptie euen till the third yeare.

This yeare it selfe that he died, as Henry of Lucembourg Em∣peror determined to draw to him by force of Armes the king∣dome of Sicilie, vnto which he was called, hee was traiterously brought to death by a wicked Monke, called Bernard du Mont, Polician of Domcastre: who was of the conspiration of the Guelphes, and yet made a countenance that he was the Empe∣rours friend. He gaue a poysoned host to this good Prince: who as soone as he felt the mischiefe,* 1.27 aduertised this traitor Monke to flie away, saying vnto him; Away, away, for if the Almanes perceiue any thing, and such as doo affect mee, you shall die. So this wicked Iudas withdrawing himselfe to Sienes, recei∣ued the siluer that had bene promised him, for the reward of his treason; but hereby hee deliuered not his bretheren Ia∣cobins. For many of them perished by fire and sword with their houses, as wel in Tuscane as in Lombardie, and many other places.

* 1.28The Vniuersitie of Orleance was instituted in this time. Chron. of the Kings of France.

The yeare at Crist, 1313. the King of Fraunce Phillip le bel became a Leper, and therefore he caused all the Leapers

of France and Flaunders, as well men as women, to bee burnt. For he vnderstood that they had infected the waters. And the Chroniclers of Almaine say that the said king became a Leper, because he made the Templers die.

Arnold de Villa Noua, an excellent Phisitian,* 1.29 and Mathe∣matician, (some say of Chalon, others of Narbone) was iudged an heretike, because he said that Sathan had made all Christi∣an people stray from the truth. Item, that the faith of Christi∣ans of his time, was no other then such as diuels haue. Item, that such as are in Cloisters are out of Charitie, and condemne themselues in falsifying the doctrine of Iesus Christ, & leading Christians into hell. Item, that the Theologians haue malici∣ously mingled the Dreames of Philosophers with the holy scripture. Item, that in the sacrifice of the Aultar the Priest offereth nothing to God, and that Masses profiteth neither quick nor dead. He prooued by Daniel and by Sibilla Erithra, that Antichrist in a full tirannie should persecute the faithfull after the yeare, 1300.

Besides his Phisicke bookes, he writ against the Iacobins,* 1.30 that it was lawfull to eate flesh: The cutting sword against the Thomistes: The admonition of Iesus Christ to Christians: Of the subtilties of false Prophets: Of the misterie of the Chur∣ches Cymballs: Of the consummation of the world, and other bookes. He was iudged an heretike by the Iacobins at Tarra∣eon. Finally being sent to the Pope by Frederic king of Sicilie, he died in the way, and was buried at Genés, a true champion of the Lord.

Margarite Queene of Nauarre,* 1.31 daughter of the Duke of Burbon, Iean daughter of the Count of Bourgongne, and wife of the Count of Poiters, Blanche second daughter of the said Count of Bourgongne, wife of the Count de la Marshe, were ta∣ken by the kings commaundement and condemned to conti∣nuall prison, for their fornications and adulteries against them manifestly prooued. Yet afterward Iean Countesse of Poiters, returned with her husband. For it was knowne that she was not culpable of all that which was imposed on her.* 1.32 The Adul∣terers, that is, Phillip d'Annoy which kept the Queene, and his

brother.* 1.33 Gualter de Annoy which kept the said Blanch knights, were scorched, there genitories cut off, and they drawne and hanged.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mat. 23. a. 2.
• * 1.2

  The Chaire of Moyses.
• * 1.3

  Iohn. 21.2.
• * 1.4

  The right side and left of his kingdome.
• * 1.5

  Good sheep∣heards taken form the sheepfold. Psal. 81.7.
• * 1.6

  The office of Priests ouer∣throwne.
• * 1.7

  The Pope op∣posed against Iesus Christ.
• * 1.8

  The wages of the Popes Curriers.

  A comparison of the Pope to Nabuchodo∣nozer.
• * 1.9

  Ier. Chap. 1. of the same, 12.
• * 1.10

  A true descrip¦tion of the Pope.
• * 1.11

  Exhortation to the King∣dome of England.
• * 1.12

  The simplici∣tie of the world.
• * 1.13

  Ier. 22.30.
• * 1.14

  Clement. 5.
• * 1.15

  The Popes corronation hanselled with dead men.
• * 1.16

  An example of Gods pu∣nishment.
• * 1.17

  Auignon the Papall seate.
• * 1.18

  Generall Councell of Vienne.
• * 1.19

  Ferrare.
• * 1.20

  Henry. 7.
• * 1.21

  Henry. 7.
• * 1.22

  Templers burnt.
• * 1.23

  The Pope cō∣mandeth the Angels.
• * 1.24

  Beghards or Begnins.
• * 1.25

  Oathes of Princes.
• * 1.26

  Clementius.
• * 1.27

  The kindnesse of the Empe∣rour.
• * 1.28

  Vniuersitie of Orleance.
• * 1.29

  Arnold de Villa Noua a true & faith∣full man.
• * 1.30

  The bookes of Doctor Arnold.
• * 1.31

  The Sea of Histories.
• * 1.32

  Adulterie punished.
• * 1.33

  Schisme in the Empire.