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.

Diuisions in Religion in the Country of Boheme.

We haue abouesaid that the Emperour Charles the fourth instituted the Vniuersitie of Prage, and prouided it of learned men: and as a Prince giuen to Letters, adorned often with his presence the disputations made in Schooles. But because the Teutonians in that Vniuersitie seemed to carry away the prise and honour there in disputations aboue the Bohemians,* 1.1 they were greatly ashamed that straungers should surmount them: It came to passe that one of the Bohemians hauing recouered the bookes of Wickliffe, communicated them to his compani∣ons, and they drewe out of them great arguments, which the Teutonians could not resist, wherevpon many dissentions fell amongst them, euen to batteries and murthers. The Teuto∣nians seeing this, forsooke the place; Insomuch that more then 2000. Schollers on one day went out of Prage, the yeare 1048. and came to Lipse, where they begun an Vniuersitie after leaue obtained.

Iohn Hus then had the greatest renowne,* 1.2 a man that came out of a village called Hus, which signifieth an Hen, whereof he tooke his name. He was of a great and quicke spirit, and well spoken, beginning to recommend the doctrine of Wicliffe to the people. The Bohemians instructed with this doctrine, be∣gan first to set against the Pope, esteeming him no more ho∣nourable nor greater then other Bishops or Priests. And there∣vpon reformed the doctrine by the conclusions and Articles following.

* 1.3

• 1 That the dignitie makes not the Priest or Bishop hono∣rable, but sanctitie of life and good doctrine.
• 2 That soules seperate from bodies, goe right vnto eternall paines, or straigth obtaine happie life.
• 3 That there is no witnesse in all the scripture wherby can be proued that there is Purgatory after this life.
• 4 To make oblations and sacrifices for the dead, is an in∣uention of the couetousnes of Priests.
• 5 Images of God or of Saints: benedictions of waters and such like things, are forged of men against the word of God.
• 6 That the orders of begging Friars were inuented by di∣uels.
• ...

• 7 That Baptisme ought to be administred with water, with∣out creame, oyle, spittle, and such pollutions.
• 8 That the Temple of God, is the world▪ That such as build Churches, Monasteries, and Oratories, therein to enclose him, do enclose Maiestie which is incomprehensible.
• 9 That the ornaments of Priests, Chasubles, Corporals, Chalices, Plates, Vestments and Aultars, are all but vanitie.
• ...

  10 That in vaine we implore the helpe of Saints, and that it is time lost to sing the Canonicke houres.

  That fastings merit nothing.

• 11 That the Eucharist ought to be administred vnder both kindes.
• 12 They reiected the Masse, and receiued onely the Com∣munion of the supper, the word and prayer, and many other Articles drawne from the holy scripture.

* 1.4Gregorie 12. of that name, borne at Venice, called before [ 1406] Angelus Corrarius, Patriarke of Constantinople, and Cardinall, Priest of the order of S. Marke, was chosen at Rome after the death of Innocent: but vpon this condition, that if the profit and vtilitie of the Church required it, he should giue ouer his Papall dignitie, because of Benet 13. named Peter de la Lune, who suc∣ceeded Clement 7. in Auignon.

The Venetians tooke of one named Franciscus Curiario Vicar of the Empire, two Imperiall Cities, Verone and Padua, after, the said Francis was sent prisoner to Venice, where finally he was slaine in prison. So after they vsurped traiterously the Towne of Rauenna, which was the Romane Churches Patri∣monie. They sent to summon with great magnificence the Gouernour Hostasius Polentan, his wife and his sonne, and pray∣ed them that they would come and take their pastime at Venice at a certaine great Feast and solemnitie which was made there. But whilest he was at Ʋenice, they tooke Rauenna by treason, and sent the said Lord, his wife, and his child, into perpetuall exile into the Ile of Candie, where they died poorely. Iohn le Maire.

[ 1407] Lewis Duke of Orleance, comming from the Queenes house about eight of the Clocke at night, was murdred at Paris by

Apostate people, which first threw him off his Mule, & when he was fallen on the earth, an Almaine his Squire fell vpon him thinking to saue him, who was also put to death with his Maister. Iohn Duke of Burgongne caused him to be slaine: who after the case was knowne, fled incontinently from Paris and came to Arras, riding 42. Leagues that day. See the Annales of France by M. Nichol. Gille.

This Pope Gregorie approoued the Sects of the Monkes of Mount Oliuet and Hieronymites,* 1.5 with the congregation of them of Venice, which were named of S. George de Alga.

Benet the 13. beeing in Auignon, the king Charles the sixt sent in Embassage towards him, the Dukes of Bourgongne, of Berry & of Orleance: to the end to perswade him to giue place to his right for the good and vnion of the Church: and that on the other part Gregorie the 12. would do the like. Wherevnto the said Benet gaue no answere, but left the said Princes with∣out bidding them farewell,* 1.6 and retired into Spaine for feare he should be compelled to renounce the Popedome, and held a Councell at Parpignan, and after went to remaine in the Castle of Panisole, to be there more assured.

In this time was a Councell held at Pise,* 1.7 to revnite the Vni∣uersall Church, wherevnto Gregorie and Benet were cited, but they had no care to appeare, but derided it. And so thinking to do well, they made a double schisme and diuision. Before there was two Popes, and now three. For at the said Councell Gre∣gorie and Benet were deposed, and one called Alexander was in∣stituted. During the said Councell of Pise, Gregorie the 12. fled also into Austrich: but fearing not to be there in suretie, he re∣turned into Italie, and dwelt in the Citie of Arinunum, vnder the protection of a Baron called Malateste. To the said deposi∣tion of the two Popes, as it were all Christian Nations consen∣ted, except a part of Spaine, and the Count Arnimake, and the kingdome of Scotland, which fauoured the said Benet the 11.

What shall we say of this schisme of three Popes, but that it is a token that that seate of Babilon shall bee diuided in three parts: as it is said in the Apocalips, and that from thence shall come the ruine of Antichrist and his end?

* 1.8 [ 1409] The yeare of Christ, 1409. Chrisebeles or Calephin, the first, the fift Emperour of the Turkes, obtained victorie against Sigismond. This Calephin raigned sixe yeares, & left two sonnes, Orchanes and Mahomet: but Orchanes was slaine by his Vn∣cle Moyses, who was after slaine by Mahomet the first of that name.

Alexander Pope, fift of that name, was elected at the Coun∣cell of Pise, borne in the Ile of Candie, of the order of Friars, cal∣led before Peter Philarge, or of Candie: First Bishop of Nauarre, after Archbishop of Millaine; and consequently Cardinall, Priest of the title of the Church of the 12. Apostles, and succee∣ded Gregorie in the Popedome.

* 1.9After that the two old Popes Gregorie and Benet were de∣posed at the Councell of Pise as is said, this was chosen by the consent of all the Cardinalls, vnto which degree and dignitie he being come (as Platina saith) it was with good right that they called him Alexander: Seeing he that before was but a poore begging Friar might be compared to any Prince whatsoeuer, in matter of prodigall and superfluous expences, and in great∣nesse of courage.

Herehence it comes that that Graspopper in times past of small and base condition, did obtaine in the Kingdome of A∣baddon, a face like a mans, and teeth like to them of a Lyon.

This Pope also vsed commonly to say as hee played, that hee had bene a rich Bishop, a poore Cardinall, and a begging Pope.

* 1.10This Alexander was of so great boldnesse, that in the Coun∣cell of Pise with the consent of the Priests that were there pre∣sent, he tirannously depriued of the right of his father the king∣dome Ladislaus then king of Naples and of Pouille: who occu∣pied certaine seignories which the Church had ill gotten: And vniustly adiudged it to Lewis Duke d' Aniou.

After that this Councell of Pise was finished, this Pope went to Bolongne: of which Towne a wicked Sodomite called Balthasar Cosse, Cardinall of S. Eustache, had the gouernment: whom Alexander confirmed in his election, because through his subtill deuises that Councell had bene assembled: And

also for that hee was a man meete encounter at any time with such as would seise vpon any goods of the Church.* 1.11

There was in this man (as Platina saith) more fiercenesse, boldnesse and secularitie (if I may say so) then his estate requi∣red. His life was esteemed like a man of warres, giuen altoge∣ther vnto crueltie. In such sort that in this holy singlenesse of life, he thought that many things were lawfull vnto him, which ought not so much as to be named. See what Platina saith.

Amongst other acts worthy of a Pope,* 1.12 this Alexander published certain Bulles touching the Stigmates or markes and wounds of S. Francis his Idoll, that they might be placed in the ranke of the Articles of the Christian faith: and ordained them a solemne Feast that they might be honoured of the faithfull.

As this good Pope began to be sicke of a poysoned drinke which was giuen him by Marcillus of Parma, a Phisitian whom Balthasar had hired to do it for a great summe of money (as Panetius reciteth it in his 56. Sermon) And knowing that his death was nigh, he exhorted the Cardinalls as they came to∣wards him to mutuall concord, and to maintaine the libertie of the Church.

That is to say, to make peace amongst the wicked, and to maintain the Papall pompe and seate, that Iesus Christ may be troden vnder foote.

Iohn Bauiers Bishop of Liege, the Duke of Bauiers his bro∣ther, Lord of Holland, and Count of Hainaut, being chased from the Towne, demanded helpe against the Liegeior of the Duke of Burgongne that married his sister:* 1.13 who fighting against them of Liege, hee slew more then fortie thousand of them, burnt their Citie, Churches and Monasteries. The Priests slew and put to death their women and children. Fascic. Temp.

The Vniuersitie of Lipse or Lypizen, was set vp by the Maisters of the Vniuersitie of Prage, by the aide of Frederic Marquis of Misne, and after Duke of Saxonie.

Sigismond sonne of Charles the fourth,* 1.14 King of Hungarie and of Boheme, brother of Wencelaus, after the death of Albert was chosen Emperour of Rome by the consent of all. He per∣forming

the dutie of a true Emperour,* 1.15 was very renowned in wisedome, knowledge, and bountie: Hee loued vertuous peo∣ple and such as were learned, and raised them vp vnto honour and dignitie: yet he was vanquished by Amurathes Emperour of the Turkes, and lost a great battaile, and his Tents & Pauili∣ons. He went by the space of three yeares through Europe, to set order, and to roote out the great schisme so damageable to all Christendome. Therfore hauing reiected three Popes, schis∣matikes and vnlegitimate, and which held the seate at Barione, Oddo Columnius was made Pope by the consent of all.

* 1.16Iohn Pope, 24. of that name, succeeded Alexander, and ru∣led at Bolongne fiue yeares or thereabouts: hee was before cal∣led Balthasar Cosse, or Ihea de Coza, after the Sea of Histories, Cardinall of Eustache.

Some there are, euen of such as approoue the Popish ty∣rannie, which affirme that he came vnto the Popedome rather by force and violence, then by free and Canonicke election. For (as Stella saith) being at Bolongne rather as a Lord and Mai∣ster then as a Legate, when the Fathers were there assembled to chuse a new Pope, he exceedingly threatned them if they elected not such an one as pleased him. Therefore many were presented whereof hee would not approoue one. Then said the Cardinalls vnto him; Name him of whom you can like. And he answered; Giue me S. Peters Mantle and Pontificall habit, and I will giue them vnto him whom I would to bee Pope. When hee had the habit hee put it vpon himselfe, and saide, it is I that am Pope. But although it displeased the others which were there present, yet they must needs dis∣semble it, so furious, terrible, and enuironed with souldiers was hee.

* 1.17After his election he remained a certaine time at Bolongne, then went he to Rome, it beeing the chiefe of his enterprise. There he assembled a Sinode, to the end to giue the Imperiall Crowne to Sigismond.

* 1.18In the first Session of this Sinode, as the aforesaid Iohn was sitting on an high seate, after the Masse of the holy Ghost was sung, there came an Owle, who placing her self vpon one of the

balkes of the Temple, and looking directly vpon the Pope, sa∣luted him in a straunge maner with his fearefull song. Such as were there present began to wonder, looking one at an other: and also casting their view vpon the Pope, they could scant keepe themselues from laughing. As for Iohn hee began to bee much ashamed, to sweate, and to bee sore anguished and tor∣mented in himselfe. Finally finding no other meane whereby hee might remedie his so great confusion, after hee had giuen leaue to such as were there assembled, he rose vp and retired. There was an other Session after this, wherein came the like. For this Owle could not bee chased away neyther for any cryes, no nor yet for stones and staues which were cast at him.

There were then many which by this spectacle were indu∣ced to beleeue that such spirituall pillers haue long time go∣uerned the Church of Rome. Nicholas Clemengis Archdeacon of Baieux, reciteth this Historie in his Epistles.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Teutonians or Almaines.
• * 1.2

  Iohn Hus.
• * 1.3

  Articles of the doctrine of the Bohemiās.
• * 1.4

  Gregorie. 12.
• * 1.5

  Monkes of Mount Oli∣uet.
• * 1.6

  Benet in the Castle of Pa∣nisole or Pe∣ninsole.
• * 1.7

  A Councell at Pise.
• * 1.8

  Alexāder 5.
• * 1.9

  Two Popes deposed.
• * 1.10

  Ladislaus depriued of his kingdome.
• * 1.11

  Robert.
• * 1.12

  A Bull of the Stigmates of S. Francis.
• * 1.13

  16000. after the Chron. of France, and 36000. after the Chron. of Almaine.
• * 1.14

  Sigismond.
• * 1.15

  Sigismond.
• * 1.16

  Iohn. 24.
• * 1.17

  A Sinode at Rome.
• * 1.18

  Historie of the Owle.