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.

A Councell assembled at Constance.

To put end to the aforesaid discords and slaunders, they were forced to assemble a general Councel, for which, the place was assigned at Constance. This was against the Pope Iohns wil, who desired it might be held in such a place wherein hee had more powre then the Emperour. See Naucler. & Leonard Are∣tin, who were in this time.

In the said Councell finally appeared Pope Iohn the 24. of that name, and arriued at Constance vpon S. Simon and Iudes euen. Anno. 1414.

Likewise the Emperour Sigismond came thither on Christ∣mas euen after midnight, with the Empresse his wife, and many other Princes, Counts, Barons and Nobles, which were in number about 30940. persons Courtiers, saith the Sea of Histories.

With the Pope Iohn arriued foure Patriarkes, twentie and nine Cardinalls, 47. Archbishops, and 160. Bishops. See Naucler.

On Christmas day the Pope sung three Masses, one at

midnight, one in the morning, and one at noone: and Sigismond attired Deacon like, sung the Gospell, Exijt edictum a Cesare, &c. Naucler.

This Councell endured three yeares and seuen weekes after some, or about foure yeares after Naucler. and there was 46. Sessions. See the 2. volume of Councells.

* 1.1The yeare 1414. the king of France laid siege before Champaine, and it was taken by composition. Hee tooke Sois∣sons, and after laid siege before Arras: but a peace was made by the Duchesse of Holland, sister of the Duke of Burgongne. The Sea of Hist.

The Friday after Candlemas day, (as they call it) there arri∣ued at the Councell sixe Cardinalls of Pope Gregories the 12. which approoued the Councell by the authoritie of the said Gregorie. Naucler.

* 1.2The yeare 1415. was the battaile of Blangy, betwixt the English and French, wherein the chiefe bloud of Fraunce was shead: and it was commonly called La male Iournee. The Sea of Histo.

In this time Wencelaus king of Boheme, was required by the Councell to send Iohn Hus, who went thither with the Empe∣rours safe conduct.* 1.3 There went with him also Ierome of Prage, with one onely Clarke. They were admonished and greatly sollicited to desist from their opinions, but they were constant. They maintained that they were true in their propositions and reasons, being founded on the truth of the holy Gospell. And contrary, that the Romane Church had withdrawne it selfe from the truth and the Apostles doctrine, &c.

See a more ample declaration of this Historie, in the first part of the booke of Martyrs.

* 1.4They were both condemned to be burned. Iohn Hus was first executed about the fourth day of the moneth of Iuly, the yeare 1415. and a good while after, Ierome of Prage was also burnt in the moneth of September. They endured death con∣stantly, and merily went to the fire glorifying the Lord, euen in the middest of the flame. Their Ashes were cast into the Lake of Constance.

The Bohemians vnderstanding what was done at Constance against their Doctors, sacked and spoiled all the Couents and Monasteries of the Countrey, and fired them: and from that time withdrew themselues from the subiection of the Romane Pope, as is said.

In the said Councell Iohn Wickliffe an English man,* 1.5 was condemned an heretike: and although dead, yet his bones were condemned to be vnburied.

Also Lay-people were inhibited to communicate the Sa∣crament vnder both kindes.

There was also a Decree that the Councell was aboue the Pope, and not contrarie.

That the Councell hath full power to correct, iudge, and depose the Pope, yea to ordaine of all things, and not the Pope to Iudge, correct, or chaunge Decrees and Statutes of the Councell.

Iohn 24. Pope, seeing that in the said Councell many crimes were obiected against him,* 1.6 fled away in a disguised ha∣bit, by the helpe of the Duke of Austrich, Frederic, and by the [ 1415] Councell of the Archbishop of Magunce: although the Em∣perour did all he could to hinder it. Naucler. He fledde first to Shaffufe, and from thence to Lusemberge, and after to Fribourge, to take his way towards the Duke of Bourgongne if hee could get thither. Naucler.

The Duke Frederic was cyted in full Councell by the Emperour and that many times: And for that hee appeared not, the Emperour absolued his subiects of the oath of disobe∣dience which they ought vnto the Duke. Also hee depriued him of all his riches and goods; and gaue his goods to such as could take and occupie them. This gaue many occasion to assaile his person and his goods, whereof yet at this day the Cantons and the Valesans hold many places, as Bade, Me∣lingen, Prenigarten, Wallestat, Diossenhosen, which they got by force of Armes. Others occupied other Townes and places. See Naucler.

Iohn was taken and brought to Constance, and there detei∣ned prisoner at Richman.

After they prooued against him 40. criminall Articles. He was deposed by all the Councell, the Wednesday of Tri∣nitie, 14. and 15. and hee himselfe approoued his deposition. In the second Volume of Councels there is mention made that more then 54. Articles were proposed and proued against him, to euery of which he answering cryed; Ah I haue yet com∣mitted a greater crime; namely, I haue passed the Alpes, and am come into Almaine. After his condemnation hee was gi∣uen vnto the Count Palatin, who kept him three yeares in Men∣hen: he was not suffered to haue any Italian with him, no not his Chamberlaine: his Gard were all Almaines, and he spake vnto them by signes onely. Naucler.

After the deposition of Pope Iohn, they proceeded also a∣gainst Pope Gregorie the 12. who was cyted to appeare in per∣son, but he would not come there: yet either by faire meanes or force, hee sent Malateste, Lord of Armenia, with an ample procuration and power to resigne the said right hee had in the the Papall dignitie into the hands of the said Councell. The which was done, and the said Gregorie 12. was created Legate in the Marquesdome of Ancone, where he died soone after with mourning in the Towne of Racany, which is a Port of the Adriatike Sea. Iohn le Maeire.

There remaineth yet the third Antipope, Peter de la Lune. Of him it was that Gerson often said: We must needs take away this man of the Moone (called Benet the 13.) who would not obey the Councell, but died obstinately in the Kingdome of Arragon: and commaunded his Cardinalls on his death-bed, that as soone ar he was dead they should elect an other, which they did, and elected Clement the 8. borne at Barselone, where∣in they profited litle. For the Pope Martin (as shall bee saide) had the Popedome whole, and had the obedience of all the Princes in Christendome: yet the saide Clement the eight was after made Bishop of Maiorque. See Iohn le Maire.

[ 1416] That Pope Benet troubled much the Emperour Sigismond, For seeing hee would not consent to any agreement, the said Emperour was constrained in person first to goe into

France vnto the King, then to the King of England, to make an attonement betwixt those two Kings. Item, towards the King of Arragon in Spaine, with certaine Embassadors deputies of the saide Councell, to exhort them to hold the hand to the vnion of the Church, and to perswade the said Pope to doo as others did, which hee would neuer be brought vnto. Then the Princes of Spaine, the Arragonians, the Cathelains, Armignaes, and the Kings of Fraunce and England seeing his obstinacie, followed the opinion of the Councell, and withdrew themselues from the obedience of Pope Benet the thirteenth, which Sigismond signified to the said Councell. Naucler.

Sigismond returned after to Constance about Candlemas, [ 1417] and the Councell with burning Candles excommunicated and depriued the said Benet of his Popedome, & after declared him an heretike & a schismatike, the 18. day of March. 1417. Naucl.

This Pope Iohn whilest he was placed in the Romane seate, amongst other Ieasts of a Pope, he did that which followeth in diuers Authors. He had stirred maruellous warres against the king Ladislaus, and assembled a Councell at Rome to find means to driue him from his kingdome. He also commanded to make a procession with the head of S. Iohn Baptist, for that subtilly and cautelously he had determined to sell it to the Florentins.

He approoued the Sect of such as named themselues De la Chemise, or Frisonniers,* 1.7 which lifted themselues vp in the terri∣torie of Luques: and admitted the congregation of that new reformation in the Monasterie of S. Iustine, commenced at Pa∣doue by Lewis Barbe.

As Pope Martin the fift was at Florence, this Pope bee∣ing deliuered from prison (contrarie to the opinion of all, so that all that were present maruelled thereat) came thither to∣wards him, and after he had kissed his feete, acknowledged him as his Pope, the successor of S. Peter, & saluted him as if he had bin some earthly God. Martin mooued with affection, certain daies after receiued him into the number of Cardinals, and hee made him Bishop of Tusculū: but after certain moneths he fini∣shed his life sad and grieuous, the yeare of the Lord, 1419.

in the same Towne of Florence: where he was honourably bu∣ried with great pompe in the Temple of S. Iohn Baptist by Cosme de Medicis, who euer bore him great loue.

* 1.8In the said Councell the Counts of Cleues and Sauoy were erected to Duchez by the Emperour Sigismond.

Things being effected as is said, the Emperours will was that there should now be an handling to correct the maners of Ecclesiasticall persons, and to reforme the Church: but it was said that this could not well bee done during the vacation of the Apostolike seate: wherefore it was concluded to proceed to a new election of a Pope. Naucler.

* 1.9Martin Pope, fift of that name, called Otho, a Romane [ 1417] Cardinal Deacon of the house of Colonnois, of one same accord and will, by the consent of all was chosen of 33. Cardinalls, at the Councell of Constance: and was called Martin, because hee was consecrated on S. Martins day, hee gouerned fourteene yeares.

The Emperour Sigismond very ioyfull that the Cardinalls had chosen such a Pope and so necessarie to the Christian com∣mon-wealth, entred into the Conclaue, where without regar∣ding his dignitie, falling on his knees before the Pope, in great reuerence hee kissed his feete. On the other part the Empe∣rour receiued him beningly, and heartily thanked him for the diligence and paines which he had taken to establish the vnion of the Church. Naucler.

After that the Emperour had long time trauelled to assem∣ble this Councell of Constance, desiring to see the particular re∣formation of the Church, excused it that Rome had bene long without an head, and the time would not permit to begin a re∣formation, for the Councell had long endured. Wherefore an other Councell should bee assigned at Basil where that should be done, and so the Emperour was frustrate of his purpose and hope for seeing a reformation in the Church-people.

In the said Councell was dispatched Letters and Bulls to Lewis Duke d' Aniou, to goe take possession of the kingdome of Pouille for him and his. Naucler.

Martin Pope returning from Constance to Rome, remained two yeares at Florence, and for recompence of his entertaine∣ment, he ordained that the Bishop of that place should bee a Metropolitane, and subiected there vnto the Church of Ʋo∣laterre, Pistorie and Fesides.

The Hussites came vp at this time,* 1.10 which reiected all hu∣mane traditions, more purely preaching the doctrine of Iesus Christ, which engendred many contentions betwixt Lay-men and Clarkes.

A pestilence was at Florence, where died more then 16. [ 1418] thousand men. Chron. Euseb.

Mahomet Emperour of the Turkes, died after he had raig∣ned [ 1419] 14. yeares.

Wencelaus died taken with feare, because of a tumult raised [ 1420] at Prage: hee fell into an Apoplexie, and from that euill into a palsie, which within 18. daies tooke away his life, the yeare of his raigne 20.

Charles 7. of that name, king of France, the onely sonne of Charles the 6. succeeded his father. Hee was assailed by the English and Bourgonions, and hauing lost as it were all the Countrey of the Frontiers, tooke his recourse into Bourges, and there remained a certaine time, and therefore the enemies in mockerie called him king of Bourges. Henry sonne of Charles his sister, called himself in his titles, king of England & of France: and at Paris was crowned king of France.

A pucell or maide plaide the part of a man at Armes,* 1.11 and gaue succours to Orleance which was besieged, constrained the enemies to leaue the siege: conducted the king Charles to bee crowned at Rheims, passing through the places which the ene∣mies held. The English after were driuen from Paris.

The Taberlites, Adamites, Orebites, heretikes in Boheme were in this time. See Naucler.

Sigismond with the Pope and Almaine, banded themselues together to make war against the Bohemian Hussites, but they got nothing, but were faine to leaue them. Naucler.

Iohn Gerson maintained in this time that wee must ra∣ther beleeue the sentence and opinion of one Doctor ap∣prooued

and confirmed by the Canonicke Scripture, then the Popes declaration. Item that wee ought rather to beleeue a Doctor well learned in the holy scriptures and alleadging a Ca∣tholick authoritie, then a generall Councell.

A Councell began at Pauie, but the pestilence became so [ 1424] great there, that they were constrained the place and time, and was ordained at Pise the yeare 1424. and from thence remit∣ted to Basill seuen yeares after in the yeare of Christ, 1430.

[ 1427] The Venetians corrupted with store of siluer, the Captaine generall of the Duke of Millaine called Carmagnolle, a valiant man, but a Traitor: who stole from the said Duke the strong Towne of Brixe,* 1.12 and the yeare following the Towne of Per∣gamum and their appendances: which places, King Lewis the 12. recouered, the yeare 1509. after that the Venetians against all right and reason had avowed themselues to be right possessors thereof the space of 80. years. Iohn le Maire.

* 1.13The Pucelle or Maide aboue mentioned, called of Orle∣ance, borne in Lorraine, called Iane, did things incredible in war∣like affaires for the King of France his succour. Finally hauing found meanes by force and subtiltie to enter into the Towne of Campaigne, (which was besieged) making sallies vpon the e∣nemies, was taken by Iohn de Luxembourge, and from thence sent to Roane to the Duke of Sommer set where hauing beene kept certaine time, she was burnt. She was accused to be an En∣chauntresse. See the Annales of France.

[ 1431] The Pope Martin of the age of 63. yeares, died at Rome of an Apoplexie. He commanded before his death to assemble the Councell of Basill: For in the Councell of Constance, it was concluded that from 10. yeares to 10. yeares, there should be held an Vniuersall Councell of the Church; which was not ob∣serued.

* 1.14Eugenius 4. of that name, borne at Venice, of the order of Ce∣lestines, called before Gabriel Condelmer, the sonne of one cal∣led Angelus, being Cardinall, Priest of the title of S. Clement, obtained the Papall dignitie in the place called Minerua, (as Platina saith) by this meanes. When Gregorie the 12. who was of the house of Corrariens, and Venetians by Nation, was

chosen Pope, being before Canon of the Celestines of the con∣gregation of S. George in the place of Alga, he carried with him this Gabriel, who was of his profession,

Henry King of England of the age of 12. yeares was crow∣ned in the great Temple of Paris as King, by the Cardinall of Winchester.

Sigismond went to Rome and was Crowned Emperour by the Pope Eugenius, after he had raigned 23. yeares. Chron. Euseb.

At the instance of certaine reporters and flatrerers which said that Martin his predecessor had bene very curious to ga∣ther great treasures: some brought this man into such a rage, that he caused his Vice-chauncellor, with all his familiars and Nephewes to be taken and dispoiled of their goods.

After this, the Romanes applying themselues to recouer their auntient libertie, crying let vs goe to Armes, and hauing driuen away all Eugenius his officers, and taken Francis Condel∣mer, his Nephewe or bastard, and his Chamberlaine, they crea∣ted new Magistrates, which they called Gouernours, and had power of death and life ouer all.

Eugenius amongst so many troubles being vncertain what to doo, began to thinke to flie away:* 1.15 hauing then chaunged his habit and taking a Monkes frocke onely with a Monke called Arsennius, put himselfe in a fishers boate; and without that they which kept him perceiued he retired to Ostia by the Riuer Tiber, Then when certaine of the Romanes knew that he was fled, they assailed him as well as they could with stones and shot. From thence he went vnto Pise, and after vnto Flo∣rence in certaine Gallies which purposely had beene prepa∣red for that purpose. Where making his residence certaine yeares hee made sixteene Cardinalls, amongst which there were were two Grecians, namely, Bessaron, who was a cun∣ning man in Philosophie, borne at Nice, and Isidorus of Russia, and Guillam de Stouteuile, Archbishop of Rouan.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Champaine besieged.
• * 1.2

  The Iourney of Blangy.
• * 1.3

  Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prage.
• * 1.4

  The death of Iohn Hus & Ierome of Prage.
• * 1.5

  Wickliffe burnt after his death.
• * 1.6

  Iohn 24.
• * 1.7

  The Friso∣niers, or de la Chemise.
• * 1.8

  Cleues Sauoy.
• * 1.9

  Martin. 5.
• * 1.10

  The Hussites
• * 1.11

  Iane the Pucelle.
• * 1.12

  Ambition of the Venetians
• * 1.13

  The Pucelle of Orleans.
• * 1.14

  Eugenius. 4.
• * 1.15

  Eugenius fli∣eth away.