Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

* King Harold.

HArolde the seconde sonne of Earle Godwine, and laste king of the Saxons: notwithstanding that diuers of the nobles went with Edgar Adeling, the next heire after Edmund Ironside: yet he through force and might con∣temning the young age of Edgar, and forgetting also his promise made to duke William, toke vpon him to be king of England, An. 1066. When Harolde Harefager, sonne of Canutus, king of Norway & Dēmark, heard of the death of king Edward, he came into England with 300. shippes or mo: who, then ioyning w^t Tostius, brother to the sayde Harold king of England, entred into the North partes, & claimed the land after the death of Edwarde. But y^e Lords of the countrey arose and gaue them battail, notwithstan∣ding the Danes had y^e victory. And therfore Harold king of Englād prepared toward them in all hast, & gaue them an other strōg battel, and there had the victory, where also Harold the Dane was slaine, by the hand of Harold king of Englande. And Tostius was also slaine in the battell. After this victorie, Harold waxed proude & couetous: and would not deuide the praies to his Knightes that had de∣serued it, but kept it to himselfe whereby he lost the fauour of many of his knights and people.

In this meane time William Duke of Normādy, sent Ambassades to Harolde king of Englande, admonishing him of the couenauntes that were agreed betweene them: which was, to haue kept the land to his vse after the death of Edwarde. But because that the daughter of Duke Wil∣liam (that was promised to Harolde) was dead: Harolde thought him thereby discharged, and sayd, that such a nice foolish promise ought not to be holden (concerning an o∣thers land) without the consent of the Lordes of the same: and especially for that hee was thereunto, for neede or for dread compelled.

Upon these answeres receaued, Duke William, in the while that the messengers went and came: gathered his knightes, and prepared his name, and had the assent of the Lordes of his lande to aide and assist him in his iourney.And ouer that sending vnto Rome to pope Alexander, cō∣cerning his title & viage into england: the pope cōfirmeth him in the same, and sent vnto him a banner, willing him to heare it in the ship, wherein himselfe should saile. Thus Duke William, being purueied of al things cōcerning his iourney: sped him to the sea side, and tooke shipping at the hauen off. Ualery: where he taried a lōg time, or he might haue a conuenient winde. For the which his souldiours murmured (saying) it was a woodnesse, & a thing displea∣sing God, to desire to haue an others mans kingdome by strength, and namely whē God was against it in sending contrary wind. &c. At the last the winde shortly after came about, and they tooke shipping with a great cōpanie, and landed at Hastings in Sussex.

For three causes Duke William entred thys lande, to subdue Harold. One was, for that it was to him geuen by king Edward his nephew. The secōd was to take wreke, for the cruell murther of his nephewe Alfrede, King Ed∣wardes brother, and of the Normands, which deede he as∣cribed chiefly to Harolde. The thirde was, to reuenge the wrong done to Robert Archbishop of Canterbury, which was exiled by the meanes & labour of Harold, in the time of king Edward.

Thus, while Harold was in the North: Duke Willi∣am made so great spede that he came to London before the King: out of which he was holden, till he had made good

surety, that he & his people should passe through the Citie without tarying: which promise he well obseruing, passed the bridge, and went ouer vnto Sussex. From whence he sent a Monke vnto Harold, & profered to him three maner of wayes. 1. Either to render to him the possession of the land, and so to take it againe of hym vnder tribute, raig∣ning vnder him. 2. or els to abide and stand to the Popes arbitrement betwixt them both: or thirdly to defende hys quarel in his own person against the Duke, and they two onely to trie the matter by dinte of sworde, wythout any other bloudsheding.

But Harold refused all these offers, saying: it should be tried by dinte of swordes, & not by one sworde. And so ga∣thered his people, & ioyned battaile with the Normands, in the place where afterwarde was builded the Abbey of Battaile in Sussex. In the beginning of which fight the englishmen kept them in good array, like to vanquishe the Normandes. Wherefore Duke William caused hys men to geue backe, as though they fled: wherby the englishmē followed fast and brake their array. Then the Normanes fiercely geuing a charge vpon them, in cōclusion obtained the victorie, through the iust prouidence of God. Where king Harolde, who before had murdered Alfrede the true heire of the Crowne, with his company of Normandes so cruelly: was now wounded of the Normandes, in the left eye with an arrow, and therof incontinent died: although Gerardus sayeth, hee fled away to Chester, and liued after that a Monke in the monasterie of S. Iames. Whyche is not like, but rather that he was there slaine, after that he had raigned nine moneths, and was buried at Waltham (which prooueth that he died not at Chester) and so was he the last that raigned in England of the bloud of Saxons: the which continued (to recken from Hengistus his firste raigne in Kent) by the space of 591. yeres. And if it be recke∣ned from the yeares of the Westsaxons, then it endured the space of 565. yeres.

This William Duke, and king Edward, were by the fathers side, cousin germaines remoued. For Richard the first of that name, which was the thirde duke of Norman∣dy after Rollo: was father to Duke Richard the second of that name, & brother to Emma mother to king Edward. Which Duke Richarde the seconde, was father to Duke Robert, this Duke Williams father.

Albeit in this matter, other some may gather otherwise and better, perchance, yet if I may say what I thinke, ve∣rely I suppose, that there is no consanguinitie so muche here the cause, why God of hys vnknowen iudgementes suffered the Normandes here to preuaile: as was rather the cruell murder of Alfred, & of the innocent Normands, wrought by the cruel despight of Harold and the english∣men, as is before declared. The which merciles murther, God here iustly in this conquest recompensed.

Now remaineth also to these forein affaires of kings & Princes, to adde somthing likewise concerning the conti∣nuation of the Archbishops of Caunterburie, beginning there where we last left: that is with Elphegus, whome we declared a little before to be stoned by the Danes at Grenewich. After which Elphegus next succeeded Linin∣gus, after him Egelnothus also aboue mentioned. Then Robertus a Normand, a great doer (as is declared) about king Edward, and a faithfull counsailer vnto him: but he abode not long. After whom, Stigandus inuaded the sea (as they report) by simony: being both Archbishop of Cāt. Byshop of Winchester, and also Abbot in an other place. Wherin he cōtinued a great space, gathering and heaping goodes together, till at length Duke William clapt him in prison, and there kept him: placing in his roume, Lancfrā∣cus a Lombard borne, of whom more shall follow (Christ willing) hereafter to be declared.

¶ Although the Church of Christ, and state of religion first founded and groūded by Christ and his Apostles, did not continually altogether remaine in his primatiue per∣fection, wherein it was first instituted: But in processe of time, began from better to worse, to decrease & decline into much superstition & incōuenience: partly through the com¦ming in of Mahumet, partly through y^e increase of wealth and riches, partly through the decrease of knowledge & di∣ligence in such as should be the guides of Christes flocke: yet the infection & corruption of that time (though it were great) did not so abounde in such excessiue measure, as af∣terwarde in the other latter times nowe following, about the thousand yeares expired after Christ: whereof we haue to intreat, Christ so permitting. About the which time and yeare came Siluester the seconde of that name, who next succeeded after Gregorie the v. before mentioned. pag. 159. and occupied the sea of Rome about the yere of our Lorde 1000. lacking one or two.

This Siluester was a Sorcerer, which after the sorte of them, that worke by familiars (as they cal them) and by cōiuration▪ cōpacted with the deuil, to be made pope. And so he was (through the operation of Sathan) according to his request, Which thing some histories say, he did greatly repent before his death. But for a more ample declaration heereof, I will bring in the wordes of Ioannes Stella, a Uenetian, translated from Latin into English, cōcerning the said Siluester: to the entent that our inchaunters and sorcerers now a dayes (wherof there be to many in Eng∣land) may the better through his example be admonished. The words of Stella be these, agreeing also with the nar∣ration of Benno, Platina and many other. Siluester the second of that name, being Pope, and a Frenchman, called Gibertus: sate in his Papacie iiij. yeares, one moneth and viij. dayes. He entred into his Papacie, through wicked & vnlawful meanes: who from his youth being a monke, and leauing his monasterie, gaue himself wholy to the de∣uill, to obtaine that which he required. And first comming to Hispalis a City in Spayne, there applied his booke and profited there in somuch, y^t he was made Doctour, hauing amongst his auditours, Otho the Emperours sonne, and Robert the French King, Lotharius Archbyshop of Se∣non, with diuers other moe. By whose aduauncement he was promoted, first Bishop of Rheme, afterward Bishop of Rauenna, and at last through the operation of Sathan, was exalted to the Papacy of Rome; vpon this condition, that after his death, he should geue himselfe to the deuil, by whose procuremēt, he came to that promotion. Upō a cer∣taine time he demanded an answer of the deuill, how long he should enioy his Popedome, to whom he answered a∣gaine: vntill thou say Masse in Ierusalem thou shalt liue. At length the iiij. yeare of his Popedome, saying Masse at Lent time, in the temple of the holy crosse being called then Ierusalem, there he knewe the time was come, when hee should die. Wherupon being stroke with repentance, con∣fessed his fault openly before the people: desiring al men to cut his body al in peeces (being so seduced by deceits of the deuil) & so being hewen in peeces, they woulde lay it vpon a cart, and bury it there, where soeuer the horses wold ca∣ry it of their accorde. And so the saying is to be, that by the prouidence of God (whereby the wicked may learne yet hope of remission w^t God, so that they will repent them in their life) the horses of their own accord staid at the church of Laterane, and there he was buried: wheras commonly by the ratling of his bones within the tomb, is portended the death of Popes as the common reporte goeth. Thus much out of Ioannes Stella, concerning Siluester. By whō our sorcerers and inchanters, or magicians may learne to beware of the deceitfull operation of Sathan: who, at the ende deceiueth and frustateth al them, that haue to do with him: as the ende of all such doth declare commonly, which vse the like art or trade. The Lorde and God of al mercye, through the spirite of Iesus our redemer, dissolue y^e works of Sathan, and preserue the hartes of our nobles, and of al other Englishmen from such infection. Amen.

After Siluester succeeded Ioannes .xix. by whom was brought in (as Volateran sayth) the feast of all soules, an. 1004. through the meanes and instigation of one Odilo Abbot of Cluniake, to be celebrate; next after the feast of all Saintes. This Monke Odilo, thinking that Purgatory (as he heard) should be in the mount Aetna: dreamed vpō a time in the countrey of Sicile, that he by his Masses had deliuered diuers soules from thēce: saying moreouer, that he did heare the voyces and lamētations of deuils crying out, for that the soules were taken frō them by the Masses & Dirges funerall. Ex Bakenthorpo. in prolo. 4. Lib. Sentent. And not lōg after him came Iohn the xx. and Sergius the iiij. After whom succeeded Benedictus the viij. then Iohn the 21. who being promoted by art magike of Theoyhilact his nephew, Gratianus, Brazutus and other Sorcerers brought in first the fast of the euē of Iohn Baptist and S. Laurēce. After him followed pope Benedictus the 9. like∣wise aspiring to his Papacy, by like magike, practising in∣chauntmentes and coniuration in woodes, after horrible maner. Who resisting the Emperor Henricus 3. sonne to Conradus, and placing in his rowme. Petrus the king of Hungarie wyth this verse. Petra dedit Romam Petro, tibi Papa coronam: Afterward for feare of Henricus preuailing in battaile; hee was faine to sell his seate to his successoure Gratianus, called Gregorius vi. for 1500. poundes. At which time were 3. Popes together in Rome, raigning & raging one against an other. Benedictus ix. Siluester 3. & Gregorius vi. For the whych cause Henricus surnamed Niger; the Emperour, comming to Rome: displaced these 3. monsters at one time, placing for them, Clemens 2. and

thereupon inacting, that there should no bishop of Rome henceforth be chosen, but by the consent and confirmation of the Emperour. Which constitution though it was both agreable & also necessary for publike trāquilitie of that ci∣tie, yet the Cardinals would not suffer it long to stand, but did impugne it afterward by subtile practise and open vio∣lence, as in processe (the Lord permitting) shal appeare, in the time of Henricus the 4. and 5. In the time of this Cle∣ment, the Romanes made an othe to the Emperour, con∣cerning the election of the Byshops, themselues to enter∣meddle no farther therein, but as the assent of the Empe∣rour should goe with all. Howbeit the Emperour depar∣ting thence into Germanie againe, by and by they forgote their othe, and within 9. monethes after poysoned the Bi∣shop. Which fact some impute to Stephen his successour, called Damasus 2. Some impute it to Brazutus, who (as histories record) within 13. yeares poysoned 6. popes, that is, Clemens 2. Damasus. 2. Leo. 9. Uictor. 2. Stephanus 9. Nicolaus the 2.

Thus Clement being poysoned, after him succeeded Damasus 2. neither by consent of the people, nor of the em∣perour elected: but by force and inuasion, who a••so within 23. daies being poisoned. An. 1049. much contention and striuing began in Rome about the Papal seat. Wherupon the Romans, through the counsel of the Cardinals, sent to the foresaid Emperor, desiring to geue them a bishop, and so he did, whose name was Bruno an Almain, and bishop of Colle••, afterwarde called Leo 9. This Bruno being a simple man and easie to be led with euil counsel, comming from the Emperour towards Rome in his pontificall ap∣parell like a Pope: meeteth him by the way the Abbot of Cluniake, and Hildebrand a monke. Who seing him so in his pontificalibus, begā to rate him, laying to his charge, that he would so take his authoritie of the Emperour, and not rather of the Clergy of Rome & the people thereof, as other his predecessors were wont to doe: and so counselled him, to lay downe that apparel, and to enter in w^t his own habite, till he had hys election by them. Bruno following their counsel, and confessing his fault before the Clergie of Rome, obtained their fauor, and so was nominate Leo 9. wherby Hildebrand was made a Cardinall, & put in high rowme. Under this Pope Leo were two Councels, one kept at Uercellis, where the doctrine of Berengarius a∣gainst the reall substance in the Sacrament was first con∣demned, although Berengarius yet recanted not, whych neuerthelesse was done after in the Councel of Lateran••, vnder Nicolas 2. An. M.lx. The other was kept at Mo∣guntia, where amongst many other decrees was enacted, priests to be excluded and debarred vtterly from mariage▪ Item, that no lay men might geue benefice, or bishoprick, or any spirituall promotion. &c.

This Leo, being at Wormes w^t the Emperour vpon Christmas day, did excommunicate the subdeacon because in reading the Epistle, he did it not in the Romane tune, he being there present. The Archbishop moued therewith, departed from the altare (being then at Masse) saying, he woulde not proceede no farther in his seruice, vnlesse hys subdeacon were restored. Wherupon the Pope commāded him to be released, & so they went forward in their seruice.

After the death of Leo, whom Brazutus poysoned the first yere of his popedome. Theophilactus did striue to be Pope: but Hildebrand to defeat him, went to the emperor, (partly also being sent by y^e Romanes for feare of the Em∣perours displeasure) who assigned an other bishop, a Ger∣maine, called Uictor 2. This Uictor hauing a Councell at Florence, deposed diuers Bishops and Priestes, for simo∣ny and fornicatiō. For simony, in that they tooke of secular men their dignities for money: for fornication, in that con∣trary to their Canon, they were maried. &c. The 2. yeare of his papacie and little more, this Pope also followed his predecessours being poysoned by the foresaide Brazutus, through the procurement of Hildebrand and his maister.

Here now began the Church and Clergie of Rome, to wring out of the emperours hand the election of the pope: electing Stephen the 9. for pope, contrary to their oth and to the Emperours assignement. Here was the Churche of Millan first brought to obedience of the Romish Church, by this Stephanus the 9. bishop of Rome. Who also sha∣med not to accuse the Emperor Henry (of whom mention is made before) of heresy: for minishing the authority of the Romane sea. So this was their heresie at that time, not to maintaine the ambitious proceedings of the Romish pre∣late. And simonie they called this, to take & enioy any spi∣rituall liuing at a secular mans hand. Wherefore Stephen hearing this simonie to raigne in diuers places, namely in the Churches of Burgundy and Italy, sent foorth the Cardinal Hildebrand to reforme the matter: who was no lesse earnest in that kinde of commission to help the matter forwarde.

In the meane time Stephanus y^e pope, tasting of Bra∣zutus cup fel sick. Hildebrand hearing that, applieth home w^t all post speede. So being returned to Rome, assembleth all the companies and orders of the Clergy together, ma∣king thē to sweare: that they should admit none to be By∣shop, but which should be appointed by the publike cōsent of them altogether. This being done, Hildebrande taketh his iorney to Florēce (belike to fetch the bishop of Florēce) to stal him bishop: the clergy swearing to him, that no bi∣shop shuld be ordained before his returne againe. But the people of Rome not suffering the election to stand so long, after the death of Stephan: elected one of their owne citie, called Benedictus the 10. Hildebrand hearing of this, was not a little offended: wherefore returning to Rome wyth one Gerhardus bishop of Florēce, caused y^e clergy to pro∣cede to a newe election, saying: that Benedictus was not lawfully called but came in by force & bribing. But y^e cler∣gie not daring to attempt any new election at Rome, wēt to Sene, and there elected this Garhardus bishop of Flo∣rence, whome Hildebrande brought with him. So were 2. popes in Rome together: But Garhardus named Ni∣colaus 2. holding a councel at Sutrium, through the helpe of Duke Godfride and Guibert, and other bishops about Italie, caused the other Pope to be deposed. Benedictus vnderstanding them to be set against him through y^e means of Hildebrand, vnpoped himself, and went to Uelitras, li∣uing there more quietly thē he shuld haue done at Rome.

Here is to be touched by the way, the error of the glose vpon the 23. dist. which falsly alledgeth out of the Chroni∣cles, y^t Benedictus 10. which succeeded Stephen, was de∣posed: after whō came Ioannes bishop of Sabine for mo∣ney, & he againe deposed. Benedictus was then restored, and after displaced againe, and then Ioannes Archdeacon ad portam latinam, was made Pope, and he againe deposed by the Emperor, and all this w^tin one yere. Which history neither is founde in any Chronicle, nor agreeth vpon any Benedictus, saue only that Benedictus 9. was deposed, & then reigned 3. popes together, Benedictus 9. Siluester 3. & Gregorius 6. which before was called Ioannes ad portam latinam, whome the Emperor deposed (all three together.) But that Benedict neither was the 10. neither did hee suc∣ceede pope Stephen, as the glose recordeth. Nicolas thus being set vp without the minde both of the emperour, & of the people of Rome, after his fellow Pope was driuen a∣way: brake vp the Synode of Sutrium, & came to Rome, where he assembled an other councel, called concilium Late∣ranum. In which councel first was promulgate the terrible sentence of excommunication mentioned in the decrees, & beginneth: In nomine Domini nostri. &c. The effect whereof is this. First, that he after a subtile practise (as farre and as plainly as he durst speake) vndermindeth the Emperours iurisdiction, and transferreth to a few Cardinals, and cer∣taine Catholike persons, the full authoritie of chusing the Pope. Secondly, against all such as do creepe into the seat of Peter, by money or fauoure w^tout the full consent of the Cardinals: he thūdreth with terrible blasts of excommu∣nication, accursing them and their children with deuils, as wicked persons to the anger of almighty god, geuing also authoritie and power to Cardinals, with the Clergie and laitie, to depose all such persons, and cal a councel general, wheresoeuer they wil against them.

Item, in the sayde Councell of Laterane, vnder Pope Nicholas the seconde, Berengarius Andegauensis, an Arch∣deacon was driuen to the recantation of his doctrine, de∣nying the reall substance of Christes holy body and bloud to be in the Sacrament, otherwise then sacramentally and in mysterie.

In the same councell also was hatched & inuented, the new found deuise and terme of Transubstantiation.

It were to long heere to declare the confederation be∣twixt this Nicholas, and Robertus Guiscardus: whome this pope (cōtrary to all right and good law, displacing the right heire) made Duke of Apulia, Calabria, Sicilia, and captain general of S. Peters lands: that through his force of armes and violence, he might the better subdue all such as should rebell to his obedience, and so did. Nowe let all men iudge & vnderstand (which be godly wise) howe this standeth w^t the doctrine of Christ, the example of Peter, or the spirit of a christen bishop, by ourward armes & violēce to conquer christen men & countreis, vnder the obedience of a bishops sea. Thus Pope Nicolas the 2. well aunswe∣ring to his Greeke name: by might and force continued 3. yeres and a halfe. But at length he mette with Brazutus cup, and so turned vp his heeles.

At the beginning of this Nicolas, or somewhat before,

about the yere of our Lorde 1057. Henricus the 4. after the decease of Henrie the 3. was made Emperour being but a childe, & raigned 50. yeres: but not without great molesta∣tiō and much disquietnes, and all through the vngracious wickednesse of Hildebrand, as hereafter (the Lord so per∣mitting) shalbe declared.

Here, by the way commeth to be noted, an exāple, wher∣by all Princes may learne and vnderstand, how the pope is to be handled, whosoeuer loketh to haue any goodnesse at his hand. If a man stand in feare of his curse, he shall be made his slaue, but if he be despised of you, ye shal haue him as you list. For the Popes curse may well be assimiled to Domicianus thunder: If a man geue eare to the noise and cracke, it semeth a terrible thing: but if ye consider the cau∣ses and effect therof, it is a most vaine ridicle.

In the reigne of this Nicolas, An. 1060. Aldredus By∣shop of Worcester, after y^e decease of Kinsius his predeces∣sor shuld be made Archbishop of Yorke, who comming to Rome with Tostius erle of Northumberlād, for his palle (as the maner was) could not obtein it, but was depriued of all his dignitie (for some default, I can not tell what) in his aunswer. And furthermore, after his reuersion home, was spoyled also of all that he brought w^t him. Whereupon he returning againe to Rome with Tostius the foresayde Erle, there made his complaint, but could not be heard: til Tostius, a man of stout courage, taking y^e matter in hand, tolde the Pope to his face, that his curse was not to be fea∣red in farre countre••s, which his owne neighbours, yea & most vile vacabonds derided and despised at home. Wher∣fore he required the Pope, either to restore Aldredus again to his goods lost, or els it should be known, that they were lost through his meanes and subtlery. And furthermore, it would come to passe, that y^e king of England hearing this, would debar him of s. Peters tribute, taking it for a great shame to him & his realme, if Aldredus should come from Rome both depriued of dignity, & spoiled also of his goods. &c. In fine, the Pope thus perswaded by the argument of his purse, was content to sende home Aldredus with his palle, according to his request.

After the death of Nicholas, the Lombardes being op∣pressed before by pope Nicholas, and brought vnder fear, were the more desirous, and thought it good to haue a Bi∣shop of their company: and so elected the bishop of Parniē called Cadolus, to be Pope: sending to the emperour and desiring his fauour and supportation therein. For the e∣lection of the Pope (sayd they) most properly apperteined vnto him.

The emperor wel pleased and content, geueth his good leaue and voice w^tal. Hildebrandus, no lesse a wicked Ne∣cromancer, then a stoute mainteiner of popish liberties a∣gainst good emperors, hearing this: setteth vp by a cōtra∣ry faction, an other bishop, Anselmus, after called Alexan∣der the 2. Cadolus thus elected by the emperor & the Car∣dinals, setteth forwarde to Rome with a sufficient army & strength of mē. Alexander also no les prepared, there recei∣ueth him with an other army, where they had a great con∣flict, & many slaine on both sides. But Cadolus as he had the better cause, so had he the worse fortune: who being re∣pelled, yet repaired himself and came again with a greater power. Albeit, he preuailed not. The Emperor seeing this hurly burly: to take vp the matter, sent thither his embas∣sador Otho, Archbishop of Colen: who cōming to Rome, beginneth sharply to chide the pope for taking so vpō him without the leaue or knowledge of the emperor, declaring how y^e election of that sea ought chiefly to appertein to the right of the emperor, as it hath done for y^e most part in the time of his predecessors tofore. But Hildebrande all set on wickednes and ambition, and also puft vp not a litle, with his late victories: not suffering the embassador to tel to the end, interrupted him in the middle of his tale, affirming, y^t if they should stand to law and custome, the libertie of that election shuld rather belong to the clergy, then to the Em∣peror. To make short, Otho the embassador bearing (be∣like) more with the Clergie, then with the emperour, was content to be perswaded: onely required this in the empe∣rors name, a coūcell to be had, to decide the matter: wherat the emperor should be present himselfe. And so he was: In the which councel being kept at Mantua, Alexander was declared pope, the other had his pardon graunted. In this councell amongst many other cōsiderations, was conclu∣ded concerning priests to haue no wiues: such as haue cō∣cubines to say no masse: priests children not to be secluded from holy orders: no benefices to be bought for mony. Al∣leluya to be suspended in time of Lent out of the church. &c. This also was decreed (which made most for Hildebrandus purpose) that no spirituall man, whatsoeuer he be, shoulde enter in any Church, by a secular persone, & that the Pope should be elected onely by the Cardinals, &c. Benno Cardi∣nalis wryteth thus of Alexander, that after he perceiued the frauds of Hildebrande, and of other the Emperours ene∣mies: and vnderstanding that he was set vp and inthro∣nised, but onely for a purpose: being at his Masse, as he was preaching to the people, told them, he wold not sit in y^e place, vnlesse he had the licence of the Emperour. Which when Hildebrandus heard, he was stroken in suche a furie, that scarsly he could keepe his handes of him, while Masse was done. After the Masse being finished, by force of sol∣diours & strength of men he had him into a chamber, and there all to be pomild Pope Alexander with his fistes, ra∣ting and rebuking him for that he would seeke for fauoure of the Emperor. Thus Alexander being kept vp in custo∣dy, and being stinted to a certaine allowance, as about v. groates a day. Hildebrand incrocheth all the whole reue∣nues of the Church to him selfe, procuring thereby muche treasure. At length Alexander vnder the miserable endu∣rance of Hildebrand, died at euentide after 11. yeares & half▪ of his popedome. And thus much of Romish matters.

These things thus discoursed concerning the matters of Rome (now returning againe to our owne country sto∣ry) the order therof would require to enter againe into the reigne of William Conqueror, the next king following in England. But as a certain oration of K. Edgarus, which should haue bene placed before, chanced in the meane time to come to my hands, not vnworthy to be read: I thought by the way in the ende of this booke, to insert the same (al∣though out of order) yet better I iudge it out of order, then out of the booke.

The oration of king Edgar to the Clergie.

BEcause God hath shewed his great mercy to worke with vs: it is meete (most reuerend Fathers) that with worthy works we should answer his innumerable benefites. For we possesse not the land by our owne sworde, and our owne arme hath not saued vs: but his right hande and his holy arme, because he hath bene de∣lighted in vs. Therfore it is meete that we should submit both our selues and our soules to him that hath subiected all these thinges vnder our gouernement: and that we ought stoutly to laboure, that they whome he hath made subiect to vs, might be subiect to his lawes. It belongs to me to rule the lay people with the lawe of equitie, to doe iust iudgement betwene man and his neighbour, to punish Church robbers, to holde vnder rebelles to deliuer the helplesse from the hande of the stronger, the needye also and the poore from them that robbe them. It belongs also to my care to prouide necessary things to the ministers of the Churches, to the flockes of the Monkes, to the company of virgins, and to prouide for their peace and quiet. The examining of all whose maners be∣longeth vnto vs: whether they liue chastly, if they behaue them∣selues honestly towarde them that be without, whether they be diligent at Gods seruice, if they be earnest to teache the people if they be sober in eating and drinking, if they keepe measure in ap∣parell, and if they be discreete in iudgement. If ye had regarded these thinges with a triall of them (O reuerende fathers, by your leaues I speake) suche horrible and abhominable thinges of the Clearkes, shoulde not haue come vnto our eares. I omit to speake how their crowne is not broad, nor their rounding conuenient, the wantonnesse in your life, your pryde in your gesture, the fil∣thinesse in your wordes, doe declare the euill of the inward man.

Furthermore what negligence is in Gods seruice, when scarce they will be present at the holy vigils? And when they come to masse, they seeme rather to be gathered to play and laugh, then to sing. I will tell that, that good men be sory for, and the euil laugh at. I will speake with sorrow (if so be I may expresse it) how they be riotous in banquetings, in chambering dronkennes, and vn∣shamefastnes: that now clerkes houses may be thought to be a stewes of harlots, and a couent of players. There be dice, there is dancing, and singing, there is watching to midnight, with crying and shouting. Thus the goods of kinges, the almes of princes, yea (and that more is) the price of that precious bloud is not estee∣med. Haue our fathers thē spent their treasures for this purpose▪ Hath the kinges cofers decayed by taking awaye many reue∣nues, for this cause? Hath the kinges liberalitie geuen landes and possessions to Christes Churches for this intent, that Clarkes harlots shoulde be decked with the same? that riotous feastes might be dressed? that houndes and haukes and such other toyes might be gotten? The souldiours crye out of these thinges, the people grudge minstrels sing and daunce, and yet ye regard it not, ye spare it, ye dissemble it. Where is the sworde of Leuy, and the zeale of Simeon, whiche killed the Sichemites, and the Circumcised, which bare the figure of them that defile Christes Churche, with filthy deedes, because they abused Iacobes daughter as a harlot? Where is Moyses spirite whiche spa∣red not hys owne kinsfolke that worshipped the head of the Calfe?

Where is Phinies the priestes dagger, which pacified Gods anger by his holy zeale, when he killed him that plaied the harlote with the Madianite? Where is Peters spirite, by whose power co∣uetousnes is destroied, & simonical heresie is condemned? Be ear∣nest ye Priests, be earnest, to followe the waies of the Lord, & the righteousnes of our God. It is time to doe against them that haue broken the law of God. I haue Constantines sword, and yee haue Peters sworde in your hands, let vs ioyne right hands, let vs cou∣ple sword to sword, that the lepers may be cast out of the tēples, that the holy place of the Lord may be purged, and the sonnes of Leuie may minister in the temple, who said to his father and mo∣ther I know you not, and to his brothers I know not you. Goe to diligently I pray you, least we repent to haue done that, that we haue done, & to haue geuen that, that we geue. If we shall see that to be spent not in Gods seruice, but on the riotousnes of wicked men, through vile and corrupt liberty of life for lacke of chastise∣ment: let the reliques of holy saintes which they despise, and the holy altars, before which they play the madde men, mooue you. Let the great deuotion of our ancetours moue you, whose almes the madnesse of the Clearkes doeth abuse. My great graundfa∣ther (as yee know) gaue the tenth parte of all hys landes to Churches and Abbeys. My greate greate graundfather Alfre∣dus of holy memorie, thoughte it not meete to spare hys Trea∣sures, his goodes, no costes, nor rentes, that he might enriche the Church. My grandfather the elder, Edward, your fatherhoode is not ignoraunt, howe great things he gaue to the Churches It be∣commeth you to remember with what gifts my father & his bro∣thers did enrich Christes altars. O father of fathers Dunstane, be∣holde I pray thee the eyes of my father looking on thee, from that bright place of heauen. Harken his complaining words, sounding in thine eares thus pitifully lamenting. O father Dunstane, thou, thou I say, geuest me counsell to builde Abbaies and Churches, thou wast my helper and fellow worker in all things. I chose thee as a shepheard and bishop of my soule, and a keper of my maners. Whē did I not obey thee? what treasures did I preferre in respect of thy counsels? What possessions did I not despise, if thou badde me? If thou thought meete to geue any thing to the poore, I was ready. If thou thought meete to geue any thing to Churches, I de∣ferred not. If thou complained that Monkes or Clearkes wanted any thing, I supplied. Thou saidest that almes lasted for euer, and that there was none more fruitfull then that which was geuen to Abbeis or Churches. For with that, both Gods seruaunts are su∣stained, and that which remaineth is geuen to the poore. O wor∣thy almes. O worthy price of the soule. Oh wholesome remedie for our sinnes, which nowe doeth stincke in the sweete furres of priests lemmans, wherwith they adorne their eares & decke their fingers, apparelling their delicate bodies with silke and purple. O father, is this the fruite of mine almes, is this the effect of my de∣sire, and of thy promise? What wilt thou answer to this complaint of my fathers? I know, I know, when thou didst see a thiefe, thou runnest not with him, neither hast thou put thy portion with ad∣ulterers. Thou hast rebuked, thou hast exhorted, thou hast blamed them, but wordes haue bene despised. Nowe we must come to stripes of correction, thou hast here with thee the worshipfull fa∣ther Edward bishop of Winchester. Thou hast the reuerend Pre∣late Oswold bishop of Worcester, I commit this businesse to you, that both by Bishoply correction, and the kings authority the fil∣thy liues may be cast out of the Churches, and they that liue or∣derly may be brought in. &c.

In this Oration of K. Edgar aboue prefixed, 3. things are chiefly to be noted & considered, to them y^t haue iudge∣ments to marke and vnderstand, to witte: The religious zeale and deuotion of kings, both in geuing to the church, & also in correcting the maners of churchmen. 2. Second∣ly, the dissolute behauiour and wantonnesse of the clergie, then abusing the great donatiōs and patrimonies of prin∣ces bestowed vpon them. 3. Thirdly, the blinde ignorance and superstition of that time in both states, as well Eccle∣siastical as temporal, in esteeming Christes religion chief∣ly to consist in geuing to Churches, and in maintaining of Monkery, falsly being perswaded that remission of theyr sinnes, & remedy of their soules therein did lie in building monasteries, erecting churches and cloysters, and in pla∣cing monks in the same, and such other almes deedes, and workes of deuotion. Wherin appeareth how ignorāt that time was of the true doctrine of Christes faith, and of free grace of the Gospell, which promiseth life, remedy, and iu∣stification, not by any deuout merits of oures, nor by any workes either of the lawe of God, or of the inuentions of man, but onely and freely by our faith vpon Christ Iesus the sonne of God, in whom only consisteth al the promises of God. Amen.

Nowe remaineth as in the former booke before, so in this likewise, to prosecute the order & race of Archbishops of Canterbury, as we haue done the race of kings, begin∣ning with Etheredus, who succeded next after Celnocke, the seuententh Archbishop of that Sea mentioned, where we last left before, Pag. 131.

The names and order of the Archbishops of Caunter∣burie, from the time of king Egbert to William Conquerour.

18. Ethelredus. 18
19 Pleimūdus. 29	This Pleimundus was schole∣master to king Altrede.
20. Athelmus. 12.
21. Vlfelmus. 23
22. Odo. 20.	By the players of thys Oddo, the Monkish stories say, that the sworde of King Ethelstane was brought again into his scabberd. As touching the Epistle of thys Odo, sent to other Byshoppes, vide pag. 251.
23. Elfius, or Elfi∣nus. 1	This Elfius first bishop of Win∣chester, came to the sea of Cant. by the commaundement of King Edgar, some say by bribes, con∣trary to the mind of Odo. Wher∣upon in the first day of hys con∣secration, he insulting vppon the tomb of Odo, with despite, short∣ly after wēt to Rome for his pal, where in his iorny vpon the alps he died for colde, in so much that his horses being killed, & he put in their warme bellies, yet could get no heate. Malms.
24 Dunstan. 20.	Of this Dunstane many mon∣kish miracles be fained, as of the harpe vpon the wall playing by it self, Gaudent in Coelis, &c. of our ladie with her companie appea∣ring to him singing, Cantemus domino sociae, Cantemus honorem. Dulcis amor christi personet ore pio. Also of the Angels singing Kyrie∣leyson, &c. Item, of holding the Deuill by the nose with a paire of tonges, tempting him with wo∣men. Malmes. Item of seeing the holy Ghost at his masse in like∣nesse of a Doue. Item, in deliue∣ring the soule of Edwine from the Deuill. Item, in foresee∣ing the death of King Edred, by the death and falling of his horse. Item, of his mother being great with Dustane, when all the can∣dels of others went out, her one∣ly candle remained light, & ma∣ny other like fables, &c.
¶Polydorus ma∣keth Dunstane to be the 23. archb.
25. Ethelgarus. 1	This Siricus was the coun∣seller to king Egelred, to redeme peace of the Danes, with a great tribute.
26. Elfricus. 11
27. Siricius. 5
28. Elphegus. 6	Elphegus because he denied to paye to the Danes a tribute, was stoned to death at Greene∣wich, & of some is called a mar∣tyr.
29. Liuingus. 7
30. Egenoldus. 17
31. Edsius. 11
32. Robertus. 2	This Robertus caused God∣wine and his sonnes to be bani∣shed, accusing them of Treason. But afterward they being resto∣red, he went to Rome, and at his returne died.
33. Stigandus. 17	Stigandus being an English man, in the time of W. Conque∣rour the Normane, was by the craft of the sayd William conuei∣ed into Normandie, where a while with great honour he was entertained. At length the sayde William procured secreately the popes letters to depose him, that hee might place Lanfrancus in his roume. This Stigandus di∣ed at length in prison.
34 Lanfrancus. 19

Notes

• Anno. 1066.
• Harold 〈◊〉〈◊〉 K. of Sax∣ons.
• Harold king of Den∣marke and Tostius slayne.
• The Pope sendeth a banner to Duke W. vpon bone v••age into England.
• Duke Wil∣liam lan∣deth at H••∣stinges.
• Three cau∣ses why Duke Wil∣liam entred England.
• Three con∣ditions offe∣red to Ha∣rold by D. William.
• The fight betweene Harold and Duke Wil∣liam.
• K. Harold slayne.
• The con∣sanguinitie betweene K. Edward and Willi∣am Con∣querour.
• Murther iustly re∣compen∣sed.
• Archbi∣shops of Caunterb.
• Liningus. Egelmo∣thus. Robertus. Stigandus.
• The decay of the Church.
• Pope Silue∣ster. 2.
• Siluester the. 2▪ a soule sorcerer.
• Ioannes Stella. Platina. Petrus Praemo∣stratensis. Nancle••us. Antoninus. Robertus Bar∣nus. Ioannes Baleus.
• Ex Ioan Stella.
• An admonition for sorcerers and wicked coniu∣••ers.
• The feast of all soules brou••ht into the church▪
• Benedictus the 9.
• Gregorius the 6.
• A constitution no pope to be chosen but by the confirmati∣on of the Em∣perour.
• Pope Clemens the. 2.
• Pope Dama∣sus the 2.
• Pope Leo the 9.
• Concilium Mo∣guntinum. Nauclerus Crantz.
• Alb. Cranz. Saxo. lib. 4. Cap. 45.
• Pope victor the 2.
• Concilium Flo∣rentinum.
• Pope Stephan the ix.

  The Church of Millan first brought vnder the Church of Rome.

  The Emperour accused of he∣resie.
• Hildebrand sent in commis∣sion for simonie.
• Hildeb•••••••• beginne•••• to stune▪
• Pope Be∣nedictus. 10.
• Pope Nico∣laus the 2. Two Popes together at Rome.

  Pope Ben•• vnpopeth himselfe.
• The glose of the popes decrees ••••∣futed.
• Concilium Lateranū.
• Anno 1059.
• Dist. 23. cap. In no.
• A terrible curse of Pope Nico∣laus.
• Berengarius driuen to recantation.
• Transub∣stantiation brought in∣to the Church.
• Nauclerus. Platina. Eneas Sil.
• Potentia papa Coa∣ctina stan∣deth not with the Gospell.
• Anno. 1062.
• Henricus. 4. Emperour.
• The Popes curse com∣pared to Domicianus thunder.
• Aldredus Archbishop of Yorke.
• Tostius how he perswaded the Pope.
• Cadolus a Lombard made Pope by the Em∣perour.
• Pope Alex∣ander the .2.
• Two bat∣tayles be∣twixt two Popes for S. Peters seate.
• Concilium Mantuanū.
• Alleluya suspended in the time of Lent.
• A decree that no secular man should geue a spirituall pro∣motion.

  Benno Cardi∣nalis.
• Pope Alexan∣der knockt a∣bout the pa••e by Hildebrand.
• Psal. 43.
• Gene ••4. Exod. 32.
• Nume. 25. Actes. 5.8.
• Deut. 33.
• The ignora••nce and superstition of the tyme of K. Edgar noted.
• The doctrine of iustification vn∣knowne.
• Iustification by fayth in Christ.
• S. Dun∣stanes harpe vpon the wall, fast by a pinne did hang •• Without mans helpe with lye and all, and by it self did twang••.