John X.
WE have three Letters of John X. which relate to the Affairs of France. The two first are about the Affair of Hilduin, whom Charles the Simple had turn'd out of the Bi∣shoprick of Leige. This Hilduin being supported by Giselbert, who held part of Lorrain a∣gainst Charles the Simple, and by Henry the Fowler, King of Germany, was ordain'd Bishop of Tongres, or Liege, by Herman Archbishop of Cologne, plac'd into the possession thereof, and rifled the effects of it. Charles the Simple nominated Richerus to this Bishoprick, and caus'd him to be elected by a party of the Clergy and Laity of Liege, who were come to him to complain of the extravagances of Hilduin. This Prince thereupon wrote a Letter to all the Bishops of his Kingdom, wherein he made it appear by the Registers and Ca∣nons, that Hilduin was not fit to be a Bishop. (1.) Because he was a Rebel and Traytor against his Prince. (2.) Because he procur'd himself to be ordain'd by Faction and Vio∣lence. (3.) Because he rifled the Treasures of the Church of Liege, to bestow on those who were the Instruments of his Ordination. (4.) Because he had pretended that the King had conferr'd on him the Bishoprick of Liege. (5.) Because being cited thrice by Herman, to make his appearance before the Synod, he had not complied therewith. Af∣ter this remonstrance, Charles exhorts the Bishops of his Kingdom to joyn with him, in turning this Usurper out of the Bishoprick of Liege.
'Tis very probable that he wrote likewise to Pope John X. upon this very subject, and that this gave occasion to that Pope to write to Herman, citing him, and Hilduin, and Richerus to come to Rome, that he might decide this difference; of which he inform'd Charles the Simple in another Letter. The two Competitors obey'd, and came both to Rome, where the Cause was decided in favour of Richerus, who was ordain'd Bishop of Liege by the Pope, and Hilduin was excommunicated. This contest began in the year 920, and ended in the year 922.
The third Letter of Pope John X. is directed to the Bishops of the upper Narbonnois. The Church of Narbonne which was the Metropolis of that Country, being vacant, Agius had been elected into it according to the Canon; but a powerful man named Gerard, pos∣sess'd himself of that Archbishoprick, having counterfeited Letters from the Pope. John X. disowns them in this Letter, and declares that he would not give him a grant thereof when he came to Rome, tho he was ignorant of his Treachery and Knavery: but that being since fully inform'd of the matter, he orders them not to acknowledge him any longer for Bishop, since he had been neither elected by the Clergy and Laity of that Town,