A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

CHAP. IV. (Book 4)

An Account of the Popes and of the Church of Rome, from the time of Silvester II. to Gregory VII.

GERBERT, who goes under the Name of Silvester II. had the Possession of the Pa∣pal Chair only Five Years, from the Year, 999. to the Year, 1003. During this * 1.1 time he did not do much worth the mentioning, nor did he write so much as he had acted before. We have only Three Letters of his, written whilst he was Pope. The First is directed to Azolin Bishop of Laon, who was accus'd by King Robert of being disloyal to him. He had been cited before a Council held at Compiegne, where he had acknowledg'd his Fault, begg'd Pardon for it, given Hostages for a Security of his Allegiance, and pro∣mis'd to restore the Forts of Laon to the King. But afterwards he went back from his Word, would have taken the Arch-bishop of Rheims Prisoner, under a Pretence of restoring to him the Citadel of Laon; and kept those Men Prisoners who were sent to take Possession thereof. The Pope upbraids him with this Perfidiousness, and cites him to a Council to be held at Rome in the Easter-week; giving him to understand, That if he did not make his Appearance, he would pronounce Sentence against him, without admitting his Excuse of the Dangers of Travelling, since there was no more Danger in the Kingdom of Lorrain than in Italy; And whereas he might perhaps alledge Sickness as an Excuse, the Pope adds, That if he made use of that Shift, he must send some to testifie the Truth of it, and to answer to the Accusations which were preferr'd against him.

We have already mention'd his Second Letter, directed to Arnulphus Arch-bishop of Rheims, by which he confirms him in that Arch-bishoprick.

The Third is a Bull or Grant, which confirms and ratifies the Privileges of the Abbey of Vezelai.

We may likewise add to these Letters., his Tract against the Simonists, which he made in the beginning of his Popedom. Ademar makes mention of one Action of Silvester, which, if true, is an Instance of unheard-of Severity. He says, That Guy, the Count of Limoges, having imprison'd Grimoald Bishop of that City, for taking Possession of the Monastery of Brantome, which that Bishop demanded of him; and having afterwards releas'd him upon certain Conditions, this Bishop went to Rome, and having complain'd of this Usage to Sil∣vester, that Pope had cited Guy to Rome; where, his Cause being heard in an Assembly held on Easter-day, he had been condemn'd by the Pope and Senate to be ty'd by the Feet to wild Horses Tails, and to be drawn and torn to pieces: But that being committed to the Bishop's Custody, he adjusted Matters with him, and that they both fled from Rome, and return'd good Friends to their own Country again. 'Tis very probable that all this was done by Consent; for otherwise how can one excuse the Cruelty of this Sentence so dis∣agreable

to the Spirit and Character of the Church, which breaths out nothing but Gen∣tleness and Peace, and which desires not the Death, but the * 1.2 Amendment of a Sinner?

The two Popes, who immediately succeeded Silvester II. were both Johns. The first of * 1.3 these, who according to our Account is John XVI. and according to others John XVIII. sirnam'd the Meager, was only four Months and some Days upon the Chair: The other held it almost six Years. He sent a Legat into Germany to confirm the Priviledges and Preroga∣tives of the Church of Magdebourg, and to raise the Church of Bamberg into a Bishoprick. This was done with the consent of the Arch-bishop of Mayence, and other Prelates of Ger∣many in a Council held at Francfort, which approv'd of the Pope's Bull, which advanc'd the Church of Bamberg to be a Bishoprick. He gave the Pall to S. Elphege Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and sent Bruno his Missionary into Poland. He renew'd Communion with the Greek Church. S. Fulbert Bishop of Chartres wrote him a Letter, wherein he bestows great Commendations upon him, and prays him to be well advis'd before he granted Absolution to Count Radulphus.

Sergius IV. succeeded John XVII. and was call'd before Os Porci. If Ditmar may be * 1.4 credited in the Case, he chang'd his Name into that of Sergius, and was the first who made a Law to authorise the changing of Names; however, there are instances of this Na∣ture more ancient, as we have already observ'd. Authors say in general a great deal in Commendation of this Pope; but they have not mention'd any one of his Actions in particu∣lar, and we have none of his Letters by us. He was not upon the Chair above two Years, eight Months, and thirteen Days, for he dy'd May 13. in the Year 1012.

After his Death there was a Schism in the Church of Rome, between Benedict VIII. Son to * 1.5 Gregory the Count of Frescati, who was first Elected by his Father's interest; and one Gre∣gory, who was Elected by some Romans, who outed Benedict. He fled to Henry King of Germany, who immediately rais'd Forces, and march'd into Italy to re-establish him. As soon as the King arriv'd, Gregory fled for it, and Benedict was receiv'd without any Op∣position. He confer'd the imperial Crown on that Prince, and on Queen Chunegonda his Wife. Under his Pontificate the Norman Lords who had drove the Sarazens out of Sicily, drove likewise the Greeks out of a great many of those places which they held in Italy, be∣ing assisted by the Emperor Henry, who came thither a second time at the instance of the Pope. Benedict dy'd in the Year 1024. and some Authors say that after his Death, he ap∣pear'd mounted on a black Horse, and that he strew'd the place, where he had deposited a Treasure, that so it might be distributed to the Poor, and that by these Alms, and the Pray∣ers of S. Odilo, he was deliver'd from the Torments of the other Life. We have only one Bull of his in Favour of the Abbey of Cluny.

This Pope held a Council at Pavia, in which after he had discours'd at large against the * 1.6 Incontinence of the Clergy, he publish'd eight Decrees. The first and second, prohibite the Clergy from having any Concubines, and from living with Women. The third and fourth import, that the Children of such Clergy-men as are Slaves of the Church, shall be Slaves to the Church for ever, tho' born of a Mother that is Free. And the three last import, that such Clergy as are Slaves to the Church, can neither purchase nor possess any thing of their own, even tho' they should be born of a Mother that is Free. These Decrees were Sign'd by the Pope, by the Arch-bishop of Milan, and by five Bishops, and afterwards ratified by the Emperor's Authority, who at the Pope's Request, publish'd an Edict consisting of the same Articles, to give them the force of a Law.

The Count of Frescati, that the Popedom might be still in his Family, caus'd his other * 1.7 Son to be Elected in the room of Benedict VIII. tho' he was not then in Orders. He was ordain'd and call'd John, which according to us is the Eighteenth of that Name, but accord∣ing to others the Twentieth. 'Tis said, that sometime after this Pope being sensible that his Election was Vicious and Simoniacal, he withdrew into a Monastery there to suffer Pen∣nance, and that he forbore performing any part of his Function, till such time as he was chosen again by the Clergy. The Emperor Henry dy'd at the beginning of this Popedom, and Conrad was Elected King of Germany in his place, in the Year 1024. and Crown'd Em∣peror three years after by this Pope. The Greeks having dispatch'd an Embassy to Rome, to get the Pope's Grant that the Church of Constantinople should be call'd the Universal Church, were oppos'd by the French Prelates; and William Abbot of S. Benign of Dijon, wrote a Letter to John XVIII. to divert him from that Design; which Letter is mentioned by Glaber. This Pope wrote a Letter to the Bishop of Limoges, by which he declares, that S. Mar∣tial shall have the Character of Apostle; and another Letter to Odilo Abbot of Cluny, where∣in he blames him for having refus'd to accept of the Arch-bishoprick of Lions. He sent Let∣ters of Absolution to the Bishop of Auxerre, who had sent him his Confession in Writing. Canutus King of England came to Rome in the Year 1031. where he was very kindly re∣ceived by Pope John and the Emperor. He complain'd that they exacted too great Summs of his Arch-bishops for the Grant of their Palls, and it was order'd that for the future they

should not be so serv'd. He likewise obtain'd, That his Subjects might have free Access to Rome, and that they should be exempt from Customs. This is what the King acquaints the Peers of his Kingdom in his Letter, mention'd by William of Malmsbury.

John XVIII. dying November 7. in the Year, 1033. Alberic Count of Frescati caus'd his Son to be seated on S. Peter's Chair. He was Nephew to the two last Popes the Count's * 1.8 Brothers, and was not above Eighteen Years of Age at the most. He chang'd his Name of Theophylact into that of Benedict IX. Peter Damien speaks of him as a Man that liv'd very disorderly, and was very unworthy of that Dignity to which he had been advanc'd by the Tyranny of his Father. However, he enjoy'd the Popedom very quietly for Ten Years together; but at last the Romans, weary of his abominable Irregularities, outed him, and put up in his Place the Bishop of S. Sabina, who took upon him the Name of Silvester III. He * 1.9 enjoy'd his Diginty but three Months; for tho' Benedict voluntarily resign'd the Popedom, yet he return'd to Rome, and with the Assistance of Frescati's Party, drove out his Compe∣titor, and re-assum'd the Papal Chair. But being altogether uncapable of Governing it, and having nothing more in his Thoughts than the gratifying of his Brutal Appetite, he made a Bargain about the Popedom with John Gracian Arch-priest of the Church of Rome, and made it over to him for a Sum of Mony, reserving to himself the Revenues due from Eng∣land to the Holy See. This Gracian took upon him the Name of Gregory VI. In the * 1.10 mean time King Henry, who had succeeded his Father Conrad in the Year, 1039. being in∣cens'd against Benedict, who had sent the Imperial Crown to the King of Hungary, after he had defeated that Prince, resolv'd to march into Italy, to put an end to that Schism. After he came thither, he caus'd these three Popes to be depos'd in several Synods, as Usurpers, Simonists and Criminals. Benedict fled for it; Gregory VI. was apprehended and after∣wards banish'd; and Silvester III. was sent back to his Bishoprick of S. Sabina. He caus'd Suidger Bishop of Bamberg to be Elected in their stead, who took upon him the Name of Cle∣ment II. and was acknowledg'd as lawful Pope by all the World. He crown'd Henry Empe∣ror; * 1.11 and as he was waiting upon him home to Germany, he dy'd beyond the Alps, Octob. 7. in the Year, 1047. Nine Months after his Election. Immediately upon this Benedict IX. returns to Rome, and a third time remounts the Papal Chair; which he held for Eight Months, notwithstanding the Emperor had sent from Germany, Poppo Bishop of Bresse, who was consecrated Pope under the Title of Damasus II. but he did not long enjoy that Dig∣nity, * 1.12 for he dy'd of Poyson, as 'tis suppos'd, at Palestrina, Three and twenty Days after his Consecration.

It is no Wonder that these Popes have not left us the least Monument of their Pastoral Vigilance, either in Councils or by Letters, since all their Care and Aim was how to gratify their Ambition and the rest of their Passions, without watching over the Flock of JESUS CHRIST. Clement II. must be excepted out of that Number; for though he had been Pope but a very short time, yet the first thing he did after his Advancement, was to hold a Council at Rome against the Simoniacal, in which he endeavoured to put a stop to the further progress of Simony, which was then so common at Rome, that almost all the Ecclesiasticks were guilty of it. He wrote likewise a Letter to John, Arch-bishop of Salerno Elect, by which he approves of his Translation, after he had examin'd whether it had been done by Intrigue or Simony; and being satisfied that it was only for the Benefit and Good of the Church, and that the Clergy and Laity of Salerno had elected him freely, he granted him the Pall, confirm'd him in the Arch-bishoprick, and gave him a Power to ordain and conse∣crate the Bishops of seven Diocesses mention'd in that Letter.

In the mean time, Benedict being still in Possession of the Church of Rome, was guilty of strange Exorbitances there, which oblig'd the Romans to send fresh Deputies to the Emperor * 1.13 Henry, desiring he would grant them a Man fit to be advanc'd to S. Peter's Chair. He made choice of one Bruno Bishop of Toul, whom he sent to Rome with the Pontifical Purple Habit upon him. 'Tis reported, That in going through France, at Cluny he met with Hildebrand Clerk of the Church of Rome, who having been carried away with Gregory VI. stay'd in France after his Death, and withdrew to Cluny, where he was Prior. This Hildebrand at∣tended Bruno to Rome, and persuaded him to lay aside his Purple Robes, and to leave the Romans to a free Liberty of Election; assuring him, That this would promote and further his Design. He attain'd his End, according as he had promis'd him. Bruno was very kindly receiv'd by the Romans, elected Pope unanimously, and ordain'd February 13. in the Year, 1049. under the Name of Leo IX. Benedict was likewise oblig'd to submit, and by Hilde∣brand's Persuasion he acknowledg'd Leo as Pope, and ingratiated himself to him. Leo hav∣ing settled the Affairs of Rome and Italy, cross'd the Mountains twice and went into Germany. The second time he went to beg the Emperor's Assistance against the Normans of Pozzuolo, with whom he was then at War. Having obtain'd his Desire he return'd into Italy, and march'd against them. They surpriz'd his Forces, defeated them, and took him Prisoner. However, they us'd him very kindly; and having treated him with a great deal of Respect, conducted him to Benevento. He liv'd there a Year, from whence they dismissed him, with∣out exacting any thing for his Ransom, attended with a great Train of Coaches, which con∣ducted him to Rome, where he dy'd within a short time after. Peter Damien very vehe∣mently

upbraids this Pope for having wag'd this War, born Arms, and appear'd in Person at the Head of his Forces. Benno assures us, That he undertook this War by the Advice and Instigation of Benedict and Hildebrand, and that they were the Persons who betray'd him to the Normans. However it was, Leo IX. in the rest of his Actions, shew'd a great deal of Prudence and Piety; and his Letters are an eternal Monument of his Learning, and of the Love he bore to Religion and Church-Discipline.

The First is directed to Leo Arch-bishop of Acride, and to the Patriarch of Constanti∣nople, who had condemn'd the Custom of the Latin Church about Unleavened Bread, which it made use of in the Holy Mysteries. He therein raises the Dignity of the Church of Rome, founded by S. Peter. He says, That 'tis this Church which has refuted, convinc'd and condemn'd all Heresies, and which has confirm'd other Churches in the Faith of S. Peter, which has and will always remain in the Church of Rome. He reckons up Fourscore and ten Heresies sprung up in the Greek Church, among which he places the Presumption of John the Faster, who took upon him the Quality and Title of Universal Patriarch: He not only defends the Spiritual Authority of the Popes, but likewise their Temporal Sovereignty, which he founds upon a supposititious Donation of the Emperor Constantine. He upbraids the Grecks with the Constantinopolitan Council under Constantine Capronymus, and with the Affair of Photius. He adds, That in Contempt of the Canons of the Nicene Council, they had advanc'd Eunuchs to the Patriarchal See of Constantinople. Afterwards, comparing the Church of Rome with that of Constantinople, he says, That the former is as ancient as Chri∣stianity it self, and that it has undergon all manner of Persecutions; whereas the latter is wholly New, and sprung up in Pleasures: That the one is the Mother, the other the Daughter: That upon this Account the Latter ought to pay a due Respect to the Former, and not to be so ungrateful, as it is to that Church, from which it deriv'd its first Birth. He reproves, in parti∣cular, Leo of Acride, and the Patriarch, for having shut up all the Latin Churches, and taken away the Monasteries from the Monks and Abbots, till such time as they should conform them∣selves to the Greek Customs.

The Church of Rome (says he) acts with a great deal more Moderation and Prudence. For tho' there are several Greek Monasteries and Churches both within and out of Rome, yet they have no Disturbance, but are permitted to live according to the Custom of their Ancestors, and are not constrain'd to relinquish their Customs: On the contrary, they are admonish'd and advis'd to observe them.

To conclude, he enlarges very much on the Presumption of the Patriarchs of Constantinople, and on the Dignity of the Church of Rome.

Leo's second Letter is directed to the Bishops of the Provinces of Venice and Istria, whom he gives to understand, That Dominick Patriarch of Grado or Aquileia Nova, came to a Council held at Rome in the Year, 1053. wherein he had been ordain'd: That the Town of Grado should always be esteem'd the Metropolis of Venice and Istria, and that the Bishop of Foro-Julio or old Aquileia, should have no Power or Jurisdiction out of Lombardy, according to the Grant of Gregory II. and the Restriction of Gregory III. He thereupon orders these Bishops to submit to the Patriarch of Grado, as to their Metropolitan.

The Third is an Answer directed to Thomas a Bishop in Africa, who had ask'd the Pope's Advice about the Dignity of the Church of Carthage. He at first lets him know how deeply he is concern'd to understand, by his Letter, that the Church of Africa, where there were formerly so many Bishops, that in the Canons we read of Two hundred and five who were present at a Council held at Carthage, was now reduc'd to the Government of only five Bi∣shops, and that even they could not live friendly together. Afterwards he congratulates him for having apply'd himself to the Church of Rome for the Resolution of his Doubts. Lastly, he declares to him, That the Bishop of Carthage is Primate and Metropolitan of all Africa; and that the Bishop about whom he wrote (whoever he were) ought not to conse∣crate Bishops, nor to depose them, nor to call a Provincial Council, nor to do any Thing, unless what concerns his own Diocess, without the Consent and Permission of the Arch-bishop of Carthage. He adds, by way of Advice, That they could not call a General Council, nor determine any thing about Bishops, without the Authority of the Holy See.

The Fourth Letter is directed to two other Bishops of Africa, call'd Peter and John. After a Preamble, very much like that of the former Letter, he gave them the same Answer concerning the Arch-hishop of Carthage, and the determining of Matters relating to Bishops; and thereto adds several Extracts out of the false Decretals, concerning the Institution of Metropolitans.

In the Fifth, he congratulates Peter Bishop of Antioch his Advancement to that Dignity, speaks of the Prerogatives of the Church of Rome, exhorts him to maintain the third Rank among the Patriarchs, approves of the Form of Faith which he had sent him, and makes another like it, declaring, That he wish'd that the Latin and Greek Churches were happily united, and it was no Fault of his that they were not.

The Sixth is directed to Michael Patriarch of Constantinople. He declares to him the In∣clination he had for Peace, and was glad to find the Patriarch of the same Mind too. However he reproves him, (1.) Because he being a Novice, had all of a sudden been made Patriarch. (2.) Because he was minded to make the Patriarchs of Alexandria and Antioch

submit to his Jurisdction. (3.) Because he took upon him the Title of Universal Patriarch, which the Popes of Rome had never allow'd of, and says, That S. Peter was never stil'd Universal Apostle, tho' he had been made the Prince of the Apostles; and that the Council of Calcedon had granted that Title to S. Leo and his Successors. (4.) Because he calumniated the Latin Church, and anathematiz'd and persecuted all those who made use of Unleaven'd Bread in the Eucharist. In the close of this Letter, he exhorts him to put an end to this Schism. This Letter bears date January, Indictio septima, which is the Year 1054.

The Seventh is writ to the Emperor Constantine Monomachus, on whom he bestows great Commendations for his being so desirous of Peace and Union between the two Churches. He exhorts him to imitate the Piety of Constantine the Great, and the respect he bore to the Holy See, and to grant him his Protection. He complains to him that Patriarch Michael had done many unjust things, even whilst he pretended to be desirous of a Peace.

The Eighth is directed to all the Bishops of Italy, and contains an Injunction which he made to put a stop to the Avarice of Abbots and Monks, who converted all the Pious Donations to the use of their own Monasteries, without allowing any share thereof to the Churches. He injoyns that all those who should hereafter grant such Donations, shall leave the one Moyety of what they give to the Church where they live, and the other to the Monastery.

The Ninth, directed to the Bishops of France, has relation to the Council of Rheims, to which it is referr'd.

The Tenth is against those who rifle Bishops Houses after their Decease.

In the Eleventh he confirms the Right of Metropolitan to the Arch-bishop of Salerno.

In the Twelfth directed to the Princes of Bretagne, he Excommunicates the Bishops of that Province, because they would not submit themselves to the Arch-bishop of Tours, and because they were Guilty of Simony. However, he gave them leave to come and clear themselves if they could at the Council of Verceil. He pronounces the same Sentence against those who had ordain'd them.

One may likewise reckon among the Letters of Pope Leo, the Bulls which he has granted upon several Occasions, viz. The Bull by which he grants to the Vatican Church the Tenths of the Offerings: That by which he declares that the Body of S. Dennis is at Ratisbonne, and not at S. Dennis in France, where there are only the Bodies of S. Rusticus and S. Eleutherus; (but 'tis a question whether this Bull be genuine or no): That which relates to the Bishop of Porto: The Bulls confirming the Privileges of the Abbies of Cluny, of S. Sophia at Bene∣vento, and of the Monastery of Peter Damien, to whom he wrote likewise a Letter, where∣in he approves of one of his Works.

There is no question to be made, but that this Pope made several Laws in several Coun∣cils, tho' we have not an entire one left us. Authors make mention only of a Council of * 1.14 Rome held in the Year 1049. wherein he confirm'd the Decree of his Predecessor Clement II. concerning those who were Guilty of Simony: Of another Council held the same year at Pavia: Of a Council held at Rheims, wherein Hugh of Langres was depos'd, the Acts of which we have by us: Of a Council held the next year at Mayence, against a Bishop charg'd with Adultery: Of another Council held the same year at Rome against Berenger: Of ano∣ther held at Siponta against two Simoniacal Arch-bishops: Of a third Council held at Rome after Easter in the Year 1051. wherein Gregory Bishop of Verceil was depos'd for Adultery, and wherein several Laws were made against Simoniacal and Incontinent Clerks: Of another Council begun the year following at Mantua, which was disturb'd by a Sedition of the People; without making any mention of that which was held at Rome in the Year 1054. about the Contest which happen'd between the the Arch-bishops of Grado and Aquileia. This Pope dy'd April 15. in the Year 1054. after he had presided over the Church of Rome for five Years and some Months.

After his Death Benedict endeavourd again to seize upon the Papal Chair; but the Ro∣mans sent Hildebrand to the Emperor, to desire a Pope of him. He nominated to them * 1.15 Gebehard Bishop of Eichstat, who was Elected and Consecrated in the Year 1055. under the Name of Victor II. 'Tis said that he met with some disturbance in the beginning of his Pon∣tificate, and that a Sub-deacon would have Poison'd him, by mixing Poison with the Wine in the Chalice; which was discover'd by a Miracle: For after it was Consecrated, he could not lift up the Chalice, and the Sub-deacon who had done this wicked Thing, was immediately possess'd by an evil Spirit. He call'd a Council at Florence, in which he de∣pos'd several Bishops convicted of Simony; and order'd Laws to be made to prohibit the Alienating of the Revenues of the Church. He sent Hildebrand his Legat into France, who held there several Councils; among the rest one at Lions, in which a Bishop convicted by a Miracle, of Simony, was depos'd: And that at Tours against Berenger. In the Year 1056. Victor went to Germany, being call'd thither by the Emperor Henry III. whom he found at the Point of Death. This Prince before his Death, caus'd his Son Henry to be Elected King, who was scarce five Years old, and recommended him at his Death to the Pope and the Church of Rome. Victor did not long survive the Emperor, for being return'd into Italy, after he

had held a Council at Rome, he dy'd at Florence, July 28. in the Year 1057. We have only one Letter of this Popes, by which in favour of Cardinal Humbert, he confirms and augments the Privileges granted to the Church of Blancheselve.

After Victor's Death, Frederic Abbot of Mount Cassin was advanc'd to the Holy See. He * 1.16 descended from a noble Family of Lorrain, and had been Chancellor and Arch-deacon of the Church of Rome. Pope Leo had sent him on an Embassy to Constantinople. At his Return he became one of the Religious of Mount Cassin▪ under his Brother Richerus, who was Ab∣bot of the Place; and after his Death Cardinal Humbert got him to be Elected Abbot of that Monastery in the Year 1057. having constrain'd the Person, whom the Monks had Elected without the Knowledge and Consent of the Holy See, to lay down that Prefer∣ment. Some time after, Victor created him Cardinal under the Name of S. Chrysogone; and that Pope dying, he was Elected in his place, and Consecrated on S. Stephen's day, in the Year 1057. from whence he took upon him the Name of Stephen IX. He immediately set upon reforming the Clergy of the Church of Rome, and made several Statutes against the Clerks who kept Concubines. He brought the Church of Milan to submit to that of Rome, after it had for several years withdrawn from its Jurisdiction; and sent an Embassy into the East, to re-unite the two Churches. He went to Florence in the beginning of the Year 1058. where he dy'd on the 29th of March. We have one Letter of his left us, directed to the Arch-bishop of Rheims, by which after he had Complimented him for the submission he expres'd towards the Holy See, he inform'd him of the Council which was to be held at Rheims, that he wonder'd he had not sent him word whether the King had consented to it or no. He wrote to him about the Arch-bishop of Bourges, that nothing could be determin'd upon his business in the absence of Hildebrand; that he would come with him, and that they would settle this and other Affairs together. He exhorts him vigorously to defend the Interests of the Holy See and the Church; and order'd him to be at a Council which was to be held at Rome, a Fortnight after Easter. There is likewise ano∣ther Letter writ by this Pope to Pandu▪phus Bishop of Marsi, by which he re-unites that Bishoprick, which had been divided into two.

The News of the Pope's Death being brought to Rome, the Count of Frescati and the * 1.17 Roman Lords plac'd by force on the Papal Cha••r Mincius Bishop of Velitra, to whom they gave the Name of Benedict X. Peter Damien and the other Cardinals who had no hand in this Election, withdrew from Rome after they had protested against it: And being met at Sienne, they Elected for their Pope Gerard Arch-bishop of Florence, a Burgundian by Nation. They immediately sent Embassadors to the Empress Agnes, to prevail upon King Henry to confirm this Election. They had their request granted, and the Empress order'd Godfrey Marquiss of Tuscany to place Gerard in Possession of the Holy See, and to turn out Benedict. In the mean time Gerard held a Council at Sutri to depose Benedict; but he perceiving his Interest to decline, thought fit to retire to his own House, and relinquish the Chair. Gerard being inform'd of this, came to Rome with the Bishops and Cardinals, was there acknowledg'd as lawful Pope, and ordain'd in the beginning of January 1059. by the Name of Nicholas II. Within a few days after, Mincius waited upon him to ask him Pardon, and having solemnly declar'd that he had been basely us'd, and own'd himself Guilty of Perjury, for being put in Possession of the Holy See before the return of Hildebrand, contrary to the Oath which he had taken to him, he was for ever suspended from all his Ecclesiastical Functions: And to prevent such disturbances for the future, which might happen upon the Election of Popes; it was Enacted in a Synod of an Hundred and thirteen Bishops, held at Rome in the Year 1059. That the Cardinals should have the greatest share in the Election of a Pope, and * 1.18 that if any one should intrude into the Papal Chair without being Unanimously and Cano∣nically Elected by the Cardinals, and with the consent of the other Orders, both of Clergy and Laity, he should not be look'd upon as an Apostolick Pope, but as an Apostate. This is the First Act of that Council. The Second imports, That at the Death of a Pope, or any other Bishop, no Body should make a seizure on their Estates, but they should be re∣serv'd to their Successors. The Third is, That no Person shall be present at the Ma••s of a Priest, whom he knows keeps a Concubine. The Fourth imports, That the Canons or Pre∣bendaries shall hold all things in Common. The Fifth, That the Tenths and other Offerings shall be at the disposal of the Bishop. The Sixth, That no Peason shall be entitled to any Church at the Presentation of Laicks. The Seventh, That no Person shall take upon him the Habit of a Monk, upon the promise or hopes of being made Abbot. The Eighth, That no Priest shall hold two Churches at once. The Ninth, That Laicks shall not be the Judges of the Clergy. The Tenth, That no Person shall be ordain'd by Simony. The Eleventh, That no Person shall Marry his Relation, to the seventh Generation, or so long as the Kindred may be known. The Twelfth, That a Laick who has a Wife, and keeps a Concubine shall be Excommunicated. The Thirteenth, That Laicks shall not be advanc'd all of the sudden to Ecclesiastical Degrees, but shall be try'd for some considerable time, after they have lay'd aside their secular Habit. These Acts are follow'd by a Decree against those who are guilty of Si∣mony, by which it is order'd, That those who have been formerly ordain'd by Persons guilty of Simony, without having given Money for their Ordination, may continue in those Ecclesia∣stical

Degrees to which they have been advanc'd; but that for the future, those who shall be ordain'd by Persons whom they know to be guilty of Simony, shall be depos'd. With reference to Popes 'tis added, That those who shall take Possession of the Papal Chair, either by Bribery, or by Intrigue, or by Force, without being Unanimously and Canonically Elect∣ed by the Cardinal-bishops, and the rest of the Clergy, shall be look'd upon not as Apostolick Popes, but as Apostates: And that it shall be lawful for the Cardinal-bishops, and any other Persons of known Piety, whether Clerks or Laicks, to turn out such an one, who shall thus seize upon the Holy See, by Excommunicating him, and by calling in to their Assistance the secular Power. And that if they cannot do this in Rome, they shall meet together out of that City, in what place they please, to Choose one whom they shall judge more worthy to fill the Chair: And that the Person whom they shall Choose, shall be look'd upon as Lawful Pope; Salvo omnino Imperatoris Privilegio, as 'tis worded in that very Decree concerning the Election of a Pope. It was in this Council that Berenger retracted his Error, as we have said before.

This same Pope being reconcil'd to the Normans of Pozzuolo, held a Council at Amalfi, where he depos'd the Bishop of Trani; and another Council at Benevento, wherein he ad∣justed * 1.19 a difference concerning an Hospital depending upon the Monastery of S. Vincent of Volaterra, upon which one Albert a Monk had seiz'd.

The Letters of this Pope do almost all of them relate to the Affairs of France.

The Four first are directed to Gervais Arch-bishop of Rheims. In the First he gives that * 1.20 Bishop to understand, that there was a flying Report of his being a favourer of his Adver∣sary: That however, he was willing to believe the contrary upon the Testimony which he had receiv'd of him by a very creditable Person. He exhorts him to maintain the Rights of the Church, and to admonish the King of France not to hearken to the evil Counsels which were given him, nor to oppose the Holy See, particulary with relation to the Person whom he would have to be ordain'd Bishop of Mascon. He assures him that he has a particular Res∣pect and Kindness for that Prince; and let him do as he pleas'd, yet he would always Pray for Him and his Army. In the Second, He enjoyns that Arch-bishop to interdict the Bishops of Beauvais and Senlis, in case it appear'd that they had been ordain'd by Simony, as he was assur'd. In the Third, He orders that Arch-bishop to give Satisfaction to the Church of Verdun for the Injuries he had done it, and to release the Prebendaries whom he had caus'd to be apprehended. In the Fourth, He lets him know how well satisfied he was with those signs of Submission which he had express'd to him; that he granted him what he desir'd for the Bishop of Senlis, because it was nothing but what was reasonable; and that he could not tell whether he should come to France or no.

We have likewise a Letter of Gervais, directed to this Pope, in which he thanks him for the kind Entertainment he gave to his Deputies, and for the Charity he shew'd to one * 1.21 of them who dy'd at Rome. He acquaints him of the Death of King Henry, tells him how earnestly he wish'd to see him in France; and assures him in very express Terms of the Sub∣mission and Respect which he bore to the Holy See. This doubtless is the Letter which Ni∣cholas answer'd by the foregoing.

The Fifth Letter of this Pope is a Privilege, granted to the Monastery of the Religious of S. Felicity near Florence.

The Sixth, directed to Edward King of England, is a confirmation of the Privileges grant∣ed to the Church of Westminster.

The Seventh, directed to Ann Queen of France, is a Tract of Peter Damien's, which was among his Letters.

The Eighth is directed to the Bishops of France, Aquitain, and Gascogne. He informs them of the Decrees made in the Council of Rome, against the Clerks and Monks who kept Concubines, or were Apostates; against those who abuse Ecclesiasticks, or seize up∣on the Revenues of the Church; and concerning the Compass of the Courts and Church-Yards.

In the Ninth, directed to the Count of Rouergue, he exhorts him to take the Churches and Poor under his Protection; and in particular, to restore to the Monastery of S. Peter of Verdun, the Lands and Revenues which he had in his Country, threatning to Excommuni∣cate him, if he detain'd them any longer. This Pope dy'd at Florence, July 3. in the Year 1061.

After his Death there were great Contests about the Popedom, occasion'd by the two power∣ful Factions which were then in Rome: Namely, the Faction of Hildebrand, and that of the * 1.22 Counts of Frescati and Galera, and of other Lords of Rome. Both Factions sent Deputies to King Henry's Court, to obtain his Vote in favour of some one of their own Party. Gerard Count of Galera deputed by the Lord's Faction, having presented King Henry with a Crown of Gold, and offer'd him the Title of a Roman Peer, insinuated so far into his favour, that Stephen a Cardinal-Priest deputed by Hildebrand and the other Cardinals, could not so much as get Audience, but return'd without doing any thing. After his return the Cardinals in October, Elected for their Pope one Anselm a Native of Milan, and Bishop of Lucca, who took upon him the Name of Alexander II. They believ'd he would prove agreeable enough to

the Court. But King Henry looking upon this Election as a breach of his Prerogative, caus'd Cadalous Bishop of Parma to be Elected Pope, who was acknowledg'd as such by the Bishops and Princes on the other side the Alpes. He intending to take Possession of the the Papal Chair by Force, sat down with an Army before Rome; but was beaten off by the Forces of Godfrey Marquis of Tuscany, and of Matilda his Wife, who had enter'd into the Interests of Alexander. This first attempt proving very unsuccessful, he return'd a second time with greater strength, and became Master of the Town Leonina, and of the Church of S. Peter; but he was outed thence also, and his Forces put into such a Consternation, that he himself had like to have been taken, and was forced to throw himself into a Castle, from whence he very narrowly made his Escape, by giving Mony to those who Besieg'd him. Some time after Anno Arch-bishop of Cologne, who had the greatest hand in the Administra∣tion of the Affairs of Germany, ever since the Empress Agnes was remov'd, being come in∣to Italy, and alledging that the Election of Pope Alexander was invalid, because it was carry'd on without the Emperor's Approbation, and because he lay under a suspicion of having given Mony for to be Elected: It was agreed upon to call a Council at Mantua, to adjust this difference. Alexander and Cadalous met there, with Peter Damien, Hildebrand, and several other Bishops of Italy, Lombardy and Spain. Alexander did there very stiffly de∣fend his Election; Cadalous had not the face to maintain his pretended Right, and so with∣drew. The former likewise clear'd himself by Oath of the Accusation of Simony, which was lay'd to his Charge; so that Anno and the Bishops of Lombardy acknowledg'd him alone to be Lawful Pope. But the Emperor's Prerogative was preserv'd for the future, and Alex∣ander was oblig'd to Pardon Cadalous, and to make Guitbert Grand Signior of Parma, Chan∣cellor to King Henry, and formerly the Popes greatest Enemy, Arch-bishop of Ravenna. This Council was held in the Year 1064. and put an end to a Schism which would have been the Cause of very great disturbances in the Church of Rome, if it had continued as it had begun.

The year before, Alexander had held a Council at Rome, consisting of above One hun∣dred * 1.23 Bishops, wherein he had reviv'd the Decrees of his Predecessors, Leo IX. and Ni∣cholas II. against those who were guilty of Simony, against those who kept Concubines, against such of the Laity who seiz'd on the Revenues of the Church, against those who Marry'd their Kindred till after the seventh Degree, and against the Apostate Clergy and Monks. This is only a renewal of the Council held under Nicholas II.

In two other Councils held at Rome the year following, Alexander Condemn'd those who maintain'd, that the Degrees of Consanguinity ought to reach no farther than to Cou∣sin-Germans, which he calls the Heresy of the Nicolaitans. He likewise Condemn'd those who had maintain'd, that one may without being guilty of Simony, give Mony to Princes to be instituted into the Revenues of the Church. He makes use of Peter Damien to con∣fute these Errors; and sent him to Milan to reform the Clergy of that City; into France, to relieve the Monks of Cluny; and to Florence, to put an end to the Schism of the Church, be∣longing to that City.

Whilst Peter Damien was employ'd in Reforming the Church, Hildebrand Arch-deacon of Rome, who had the sole Administration of Affairs relating to the Holy See, made use of his utmost endeavours to advance the temporal Power thereof. With the Assistance of God∣frey Marquiss of Tuscany, and the Princess Matilda, he repuls'd the Normans of Pozzuolo, and oblig'd them to surrender several places. He engag'd several Lords of Burgundy and France to bind themselves by Oath to defend the Church of Rome. He exhorted William Duke of Normandy to take upon him the Kingdom of England, vacant by the Death of King Edward. Lastly, From the Pontificate of Alexander he began the Contest with King Henry about the Right of Investitures, and caus'd him to be cited to Rome upon that Sub∣ject. We attribute all this to Hildebrand, because 'tis evident that it was he who Govern'd under the Name of Alexander II. who led a reserv'd and a retir'd Life, and spent more of his time at Lucca and Mount Cassin than at Rome. However he dy'd in that City, April 22. in the Hear 1073.

Since this Pope was eleven Years and some Months on the Chair, we may very well ex∣pect * 1.24 a great many Letters written in his Name. We have Five and Forty of them compleat, and the Fragments of several Acts related by Ives of Chartres and by Gra∣tian.

His First Letter is directed to the Clergy and Laity of Milan, whom he exhorts to lead a Christian Life.

The Second is directed to Harold King of Norway, whom he exhorts to own the Arch-bi∣shop of Breme as Vicar of the Holy See, and to submit to him as such. He reproves him for that the Bishops of his Kingdom, were either not Consecrated, or else had given Mony to be Consecrated.

By the Third, directed to the King of Denmark, he demands of that Prince the payment of what was due from that Kingdom to the Holy See.

By the Fourth, directed to the Arch-bishop of Dalmatia and Sclavonia, he sends him the Pall, and gives him some Instructions concerning his Office.

The Fifth is the Decree of the Council of Rome, of which we have already spo∣ken.

In the Sixth, directed to Gervais Arch-bishop of Rheims, he writes to him against Cadalous, congratulates him of the endeavours he us'd for the extirpation of Simony; and intrusts him and the Arch-bishop of Sens with the Tryal of the Bishop of Orleans, who was Charg'd with Simony, and orders him to turn out the Abbot of S. Medard of Soissons, Excommuni∣cated long before, and to Elect another in his Place.

This Letter is follow'd by a Decree made at Milan by two Cardinal Legats of the Holy See, against the Clergy who were either guilty of Simony, or kept Concubines.

The Seventh Letter is directed to the Bishops of Denmark, whom he injoyns to be pre∣sent at the Synod held by the Bishop of Hamburgh.

In the Eighth he exhorts William King of England to pay him the Peter-pence which were due to him.

In the Ninth he grants to Anno Arch-bishop of Cologne, a Privilege which he had beg'd of him in the behalf of a Monastery.

The Tenth is directed to William King of England: He exhorts him to take into his Protection the Ecclesiasticks of his Kingdom; and advises him to follow Lanfrank's di∣rections, to whom he committed the Determination of the Bishop of Chester's Cause, and of the Dispute on foot between the Arch-bishop of York, and the Bishop of Dorche∣ster.

In the Eleventh, directed to Landulphus, he determines that the Man who had Vow'd to take upon him the Monastick Life and had forc'd his Wife to consent to it, ought not to be made a Monk, till she should give her voluntary consent thereto.

The Twelfth is directed to Gervais Arch-bishop of Rheims: He assures him that he was deeply concern'd for what had befaln him, and invites him to come to a Synod held at Rome.

In the Thirteenth, directed to the same Arch-bishop, he admonishes him to put an end to the difference on foot between Him and two Clerks of his own Church, and that in the presence of the Legats of the Holy See, and of the Bishop of Laon, whom he had Com∣mission'd for that purpose: And he lets him know that he has written to the Lords who mo∣lested him, either to do him Justice in the presence of his Legats, or else to appear before his Synod.

In the Fourteenth, he admonishes him again to put an end to the Affair of those two Clerks, about whom he had already written.

In the Fifteenth, he enjoyns him to Excommunicate those who had unlawfully seiz'd upon the Revenues belonging to a Monastery.

In the Sixteenth, he gives the same Arch-bishop to understand how deeply he was concern'd for the Afflictions which the Church of Rheims labour'd under, and promises to send him a Legat to his Assistance.

In the Seventeenth, he exhorts him to assist the Bishop of Laon, in doing Justice to an Ab∣bess, who was turn'd out of her Monastery of S. John of Laon.

In the Eighteenth, he forbids him to Ordain Josselin Bishop of Soissons, who was mani∣festly guilty of Simony; and orders him to punish the Bishop of Beauvais for the outrages he had committed, and to oblige the Bishop of Amiens, to let the Abbot of Corby live in quiet.

In the Nineteenth, he informs him, That he had confirm'd the Privilege of the Abbey of Corbey, and adjusted the difference which was between the Abbot, and the Bishop of Amiens, who had given him satisfaction in the Synod. He refers to him the other Contests which might be between them, and orders him to give the Holy Chrism and other Rites to the Monastery of Corby, if that Bishop refus'd to give it them.

In the Twentieth, he lets him know, that he has confirm'd the Privileges of the Abbey of S. Dennis of France, and put an end to the difference between the Abbot and the Bishop of Paris, after he had heard both Parties at Rome.

The One and twentieth directed to the Arch-bishops of France, is the Letter of Legation which he grants to Peter Damien, when he sent him into France.

In the Two and twentieth directed to Gervais Arch-bishop of Rheims, he confirms the Ex∣communication made by that Arch-bishop and by Peter Damien against the Abbot of S. Ma∣dard, and orders him to turn him out.

In the Three and twentieth, he thanks that Arch-bishop and the King of France, for having turn'd out the Arch-bishop of Chartres, who was Convicted of Simony; and he desires that they would do the same with respect to the Bishop of Orleans.

In the Four and twentieth, he refers the Tryal of the Divorce between Count Radulphus and his Wife, to the Arch-bishops of Rheims and of Sens, and to their Suffragans.

In the Five and twentieth, he orders the Arch-bishop of Rheims to cause the Bishop of Cha∣lons to restore to the Church of S. Menne the Body of that Saint, which he had by force taken away.

In the Six and twentieth, directed to the Arch-bishop of Treves, and the Bishop of Verdun, he orders, that a Priest who in his Sickness had vow'd to turn Monk, and was of another mind after his Recovery, should be restor'd to the Benefices which he held be∣fore.

In the Seven and twentieth written to the Clergy of Naples, he determines that the De∣grees of Kindred ought to be reckon'd according to the Number of the Generations.

In the Eight and twentieth, that he who Marries a Relation of his Concubine, who is pro∣mis'd in Marriage to another, ought to restore her to him.

In the Nine and twentieth, he injoyns a Priest, who had kill'd another Priest, four years Pennance, and suspends him for ever.

In the Thirtieth he imposes ten years Pennance on a Laick who had kill'd a Priest, tho' the Priest had been the first Aggressor.

In the One and thirtieth he moderates the Pennance impos'd by the Bishop of Constance upon an Abbot, who had given his Servant a blow with a Stick, of which he dy'd within six Months after.

In the Two and thirtieth, he determines, that a Man who was ordain'd Deacon and Priest, without having been made Sub-deacon, shall forbear performing his Ministerial Functions, till such time as he had been ordain'd Sub-deacon.

In the Three and thirtieth, he moderates the Pennance impos'd on a Man who had been the occasion of Homicide, tho' he had not been an Instrument thereof.

In the Four and thirtieth, directed to the Bishops of Spain, he declares that they ought not to put the Jews to death for their Religion.

In the Five and thirtieth, he orders the Clergy and Laity of Lucca, not to sell the Offices be∣longing to the Church.

In the Six and thirtieth, he adjuges that a Priest, who is subject to the Falling Sickness, ought to abstain from Celebrating Mass.

By the Seven and thirtieth, he declares that he had impos'd seven years Pennance on a Man who had kill'd his own Son involuntarily.

In the Eight and thirtieth he explains the manner of reckoning the Degrees of Consangui∣nity.

In the Nine and thirtieth, which is among Lanfrank's Letters, he confirms the Privilege of the English Monks, to officiate in Cathedral Churches.

The Fortieth is the Privilege granted to the Abbey of Vendom.

The One and Fortieth is the Privilege granted to the Monastery of Peter Damien.

In the Two and fortieth, he enjoyns the Bishop of Amiens to forbear disturbing the Monks of Corby; otherwise he would Suspend and Excommunicate him, till such time as he should give them satisfaction in the presence of the Arch-Bishop of Rheims.

The Three and fortieth, directed to the Monks of Cluny, is a Privilege which he grants to them, that they should not be Excommunicated or Interdicted, but by the Sentence of the Holy See.

By the Four and fortieth he permits Gebehard Arch-bishop of Salzbourgh, to erect a Bishop∣rick in his Diocess.

By the Five and fortieth he confirms the Establishment made by the Bishop of Passaw, that the Regular Canons should hold all things in Common.

The greatest part of the Fragments of his other Letters, are his Judgments preferr'd against the Clerks who were guilty of Simony and Fornication; or else his Determinations upon se∣veral Points of Discipline, particularly concerning the Degrees of Consanguinity. We like∣wise gather from them, that an Excommunicated Person cannot Excommunicate ano∣ther: That a Priest ought to Celebrate but one Mass a day; tho' some say one for the day, and another for a deceased Person, when 'tis necessary: That those who offer any Violence to Bishops, shall be Excommunicated; and that those who offer any to Priests, or to any other Clergy-men, shall be injoyn'd Pennance.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Silvester II.
• * 1.2

  [Here we may see how much Dupin, though a true Romanist, abbors those bloody Principles upon which the Inquisition, and other unhear'd of severities of the Church of Rome are founded.]
• * 1.3

  John XVI. and John XVII.
• * 1.4

  Sergius IV.
• * 1.5

  Benedict VIII.
• * 1.6

  The Coun∣cil of Pa∣via under Benedict VII.
• * 1.7

  John XVIII.
• * 1.8

  Benedict IX.
• * 1.9

  Silvester III.
• * 1.10

  Gregory VI.
• * 1.11

  Clement II.
• * 1.12

  Damasus II.
• * 1.13

  Leo IX.
• * 1.14

  The Coun∣cil held un∣der Leo IX.
• * 1.15

  Victor II.
• * 1.16

  Stephen IX.
• * 1.17

  Nicholas II.
• * 1.18

  The Coun∣cil held un∣der Nicho∣las II. in the Year 1059.
• * 1.19

  The other Councils under Ni∣cholas II.
• * 1.20

  The Let∣ters of Ni∣cholas II.
• * 1.21

  The Let∣ter of Ger∣vais Arch-bishop of Rheims, to Pope Ni∣cholas II.
• * 1.22

  Alexander II.
• * 1.23

  The Coun∣cils under Alexander II.
• * 1.24

  The Let∣ters of Alexander II.