made some abode in the Diocese of Colen, where he had been accused of eating flesh in Lent. But because the accusers Proofs were not absolutly convincing, therefore the Bi∣shops in those parts would not pronounce sentence against him. Notwithstanding they thought not fitt he should stay any longer among them, by reason of the scandall given by such an Offence, and least others should by his example learn to neglect that holy Fast. So they thought best he should be sent into his own countrey, to be iudged by his own Bishops. To facilitate his iourney therefore King Charles desired King Offa to take care for his safe conveyance into Scotland from whence he first came, where he hoped that the Ecclesiasticall Canons were well observed.
4. In a second Letter he signified to him that free leave should be given to all En∣glish pilgrims to passe through France to Rome, but if any upon a pretence of de∣votion shall bring prohibited merchandise into France, or defraud the Kings customes there, that should not be suffred. He fur∣ther told him that he had sent sacred Vest∣ments to severall Churches in Brittany, desi∣ring that in consideration thereof there should be made Prayers for Pope Hadrian then newly dead: for though he did not doubt but his soule was in rest, yet he de∣sired this to testify his cordial affection to his most dear freind.
The same day that Pope Hadrian dyed, there was chosen his Successour Pope Leo▪ the third of that name. The suddennes of his election, and the unanimous consent of his Electours argued an eminent esteem of his sanctity and abilities. He was chosen both to doe and suffer many things. By him the Empire was restored to the Western parts.
6. A little before Pope Hdrian dyed, King Offa being safe returned from Rome, accor∣ding to his order assembled a Synod at Ve∣rulam, near which place he had built the famous Monastery of Saint Alban. What was acted in that Synod is breifly related by Sir H. Spelman out of an ancient Manuscript of the Life of S. Alban in this manner; King Offa having then assembled at Verulam a Coun∣cil of his Bishops and Nobles, by their unani∣mous consent and out of his great affection to Saint Alban, he conferred on that Monastery very large possessions, considering that great hospitali∣ty was to be kept there: Because near thereto lyes the broad high way called Watlingstrete, by which men came from the Northern parts and returned. Therefore he esteemed it a pious thing that tra∣vellours might find there a house to be entertaind freely. For this reason he addicted that place to the Monastery, which he dignified with many Priviledges and immunities. Moreover he ga∣thered a Congregation of Monks out of severall houses where Regular Observance was kept with best care, especially from the Monastery of Becc in Neustria (or Normandy in France) and or∣dained an Abbot over them named Willigode, a man who was indeed according to his Name, of good Will: He was descended of the Royall family, being near of kin to King Offa.
7. The particular possessions given by the King at this time to the said Monastery are spe∣cified in his Charter which remains to this day. And besides the Priviledges before re∣lated he added these, that what soever exactions or for feytures due to the King from any criminall person within the liberties of the same Monastery, should be payed thereto. That the Abbot or Monk who was Arch deacon, under him should exercise Episcopall Iurisdiction over all persons, both Preists and Laymen living within their possessions: and that they should pay subiection neither to Arch∣bishop nor Legat, but to the Pope alone. In a word the said Church as it had all Royall rights from the King, so did it likewise enioy Episcopall orna∣ments from the Pope.
8. This Charter the King sent to Rome to be confirmed by Pope Hadrian: and this seems to have been one of the last actions performed by the same worthy Pope. Who having sate in S. Peters chair twenty three years, ten months and seaventeen days, was notwith∣standing esteemed by all good men to have quitted the government of the Church imma∣turely. Particularly King Charles for the respect which he bore him, distributed alms not only through the Churches in Provinces subiect to him, but also in forrain countreys for his soule, as we have declared in his Letter sent to King Offa.
9. The same year Higbert, or Humbert the first Archbishop of Lichfeild dying, there suc∣ceeded him Aldulf, to whom a Pall was sent from Rome: notwithstanding before he dyed he was obliged to lay aside that Archiepisco∣pall ornament, and to content himself with the simple Title of Bishop. Likewise to Ead∣bald Bishop of London the same year suc∣ceeded Heathobert, and to Egbald Bishop of Winchester, Dudda.