for that purpose. As soon as the Bishops of France •…•…, They k••••w (says Glaber) that it was the effect of 〈…〉〈…〉 which having inclin'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈…〉〈…〉 Church, had likewise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon the Pope to accept of th••se Presents which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which he had un∣lawfully seiz'd upon; and that by this means 〈…〉〈…〉 ris•• to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fresh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Church of Rome. They all abomin••ted this proc••edings looking upon 〈…〉〈…〉 Action▪ tha•• he who govern'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Holy Apostolical See should violate the first Order establish'd by the Apostles and by the Canons, the Custom of the Church, founded on a great many Authorities of Antiquity▪ which forbids Bishops to exercise any Juris•• diction in anothers Diocess, unl••ss the Bishop of that Diocess intreat him, or permit him to do it. For tho' the Pope of Rome be most rever'd upon the account of the Dignity of the Holy Apostolick See, yet he is not permitted in any case whatsoever to violate the Rules prescrib'd by the Canons. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 each Bishop of the Catholick Church is the H••••band of his own Church, and the Representative of our Lord: So it is not allowable to any man to undertake any thing in •…•…rs Diocess. Glaber adds, that Fulcus notwith∣standing these Remonstrances, having caus'd this Church to be dedicated, had no Bishops present but those of his own Dominions, who assisted at it much against their wills; and that it was no sooner finish'd, but the Fabrick was blown down by a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which is attributed to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this proceeding.
In the year 989▪ a Council was held in the Abbey of S. Saviour of Charr••••x, in the Diocess of Poi∣tiers, at which assisted the Archbishop of B••••deaux, and the Bishops of Poitiers, L•…•…ges, Perigueux, Saintes, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. There was nothing else done there but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against those who should rob the Churches of their Revenues, de•…•… the Poor of their D•…•…, o•• should by force apprehend or abuse a Clerk, not bearing Arms, before he were try'd by his Bishop.
Ten years after there was another Council held in the City of Poitiers, which 〈…〉〈…〉 called by Wil∣liam Count of Poitiers, and consisted of the Archbishop of Bordeaux, and the Bishops of Poitiers, Li∣m••ges, Ang•…•…, and Saintes. They therein confirm'd the Order made in the Council of Ch••rr••ux against the Usurpators of the Revenue of Churches and of private Persons. And for the putting is in execution▪ it was order'd that all the Grandees and Judges should cause full Restitution to be made to every one, who had any thin•• taken from them▪ and that those who wo••••d not submit to their Determinations, should be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to do it by force. They therein likewise forbid Bishops the exacting any thing for the Administration of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Confirmation▪ and renew'd the Prohibition made so often against Ecclesiasticks keeping Company with Women.
We shall reckon among the Councils of France the Synod held at Ravenna under Gerbert▪ ••ecause we look upon that Archbishop a•• a 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and because it was ••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who •…•…e the following Institution in an Assembly of his Clergy, held the first of May in the year 997.
The first is a Prohibition of a great Abuse which prevail'd in the Church of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, according to which they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Bishops, at the time of their Consecration, the Body of JESUS CHRIST, and the Holy Chrism to the Arch-Priests of the Diocess. The Eucharist which he speaks of in this place, was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Consecrated Loaf, which was given whole to the Bishop on the Day of his Consecrati∣on, and which he kept by him to Communicate thereof for forty days together, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 observ'd in the Roman Decretal.
The second imports, that all the Arch-Priests shall pay to the Sub-Deacons of Ravenna, as an ac∣knowledgment of that Church, an yearly Pension of Two pence.
The third renews the Ancient Canons concerning the necessary qualifications of those who are to be admitted into Holy Orders, and prohibits Bishops from Consecrating Churches out of their own Dio∣cess, without leave from the Bishop of the place; and from entertaining or keeping those who be∣long to anothers Diocess▪ till they have Letters Dimissory from their Bishop. He likewise forbids the receiving any thing for the Burial of the Dead, unless their Friends or R•…•…ons ••••ould give any thing voluntarily.
Lastly we shall refer to this place that which happen'd in France and at Rome about the Marriage and Divorce of King Robert and Queen Bertha.
About the end of this Century, that Prince being a Widdower by the Death of Queen Lutgard•• his first Wife, had marry'd Bertha, Sister to Radulphus the Simple, King of Burgundy, who was the Widow of Eudes the first, Count of Chartres. But forasmuch as she was his Kinswoman, and he had formerly stood Godfather to one of her Children, tho' he had taken the Advice of several Bishops of his Kingdom about it, yet the Pope oppos'd this Marriage as being Null, and contracted between Persons, who according to Law could not marry together. Robert did what he could to confirm this Marriage, and spoke about it to Leo Pope Gregory the Fifth's Legat in France, who made him believe that he would obtain of the Pope what he desir'd, provided he would cause Arnulphus to be re-establish'd in the Archbishoprick of Rheims. In the mean time notwithstanding the Judgment which was pass'd i•…•… favour of that Archbishop, Pope Gregory V. held 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Council at Rome in the year 998. in the presen•…•… of the Emperor Otho III. at which assisted Gerbert, at that time Archbishop of Ravenna, and seven and twenty Bishops of Italy. In this Council he declar'd that King Robert ought to part from his Kinswoman Bertha, whom he had marry'd contr••••y to the Laws, and do Pennance for seven years together, according to the Degrees set down by the Canons; and if he would not, he should be Auathematiz'd: That Bertha should submit to the same Penalty; and he Excommunicated Arch•…•…bold Archbishop of T•…•…rs, who had celebrated that Marriage, and the Bishops of France, who had either Assisted or Consented thereto, till such time as they should come and give the Holy-See sa∣tisfaction. This Sentence of the Pope made such an Impression on the minds of Men (if we will be∣lieve