The Council of London, held, A. D. 1102.
ARch-bishop Lanfranc continu'd to celebrate divers other Councils in England in his Life-time, the Canons of which are not as yet come to our Hands; but after his Death, much time pass'd ere any could be conven'd, and St. Anselm his Successour in vain impor∣tun'd the Kings of England to that purpose, till at last he held a solemn Synod at London, * 1.1 A. D. 1102. the Constitutions of which were transmitted to us by Eadmer: The Arch-bishop of York and twelve Bishops of England assisted in this Council, and made the following Con∣stitutions.
By the first, they condemn'd Simony, and depos'd several Abbots, who were convicted of that Crime.
The Second forbids Bishops to exercise the Functions of Civil Magistrates, and enjoyns them to wear Habits suitable to their Profession.
In the Third, it is prohibited to let out Arch-deaconries to Farm, or to confer them on any other Persons than Deacons.
The Fourth revives the Constitutions about Celibacy.
In the Fifth, Clergy-men are forbidden to undertake the Management of secular Affairs, or to sit as Judges in Criminal Causes, and to drink in Victualling Houses or Places of publick Resort: They are also enjoyn'd to wear Habits of one single Colour, and to have their Crowns shav'd.
The Seventh declares, That Tithes ought only to be paid to the Churches.
The Eighth is a Prohibition to build new Chappels without the consent of the Bishops, and without raising a sufficient Fund for the Maintenance of the Priest and Church.
In the Ninth, Abbots are prohibited to bear Arms, and enjoyn'd to reside in their Mona∣steries, with their Monks.
The Tenth prohibits that Monks should administer Penance without the consent of their Abbot, and that Abbots should impose it on other Persons than those, who are under their Tuition.
In the Eleventh, Monks are forbidden to hold Farms; to stand as God-fathers; to get Churches into their Possession without the consent of the Bishops; or to take the Revenues of those that are granted to them, without allowing a competent Maintenance for the Priests who serve in them, and a sufficient Fund for the keeping them in repair.
The Twelfth declares the Promises of Marriage, made without Witnesses, to be Null, if it be deny'd by one of the Parties.
The Thirteenth enjoyns the Cutting of the Hair short, so that part of the Ears and the Eyes may be discover'd.
The Fourteenth prohibits Marriages, to the seventh Degree of Consanguinity.
The Fifteenth forbids to bury the Dead without the Bounds of their Parish, unless the ac∣customed Duties be paid to the Curate; and to honour their Memory, without the Bishop's Authority.
In the Sixteenth, it is prohibited to make Merchandise of Men, by selling them for Slaves as it was often practis'd. Lastly, Sodomy is forbidden under very severe Penalties, and this Case is reserv'd to the Cognizance of the Bishops. These Constitutions were confirm'd by the Authority of the See of Rome.
In the Year 1108. St. Anselm held another Council at London, in which he made Ten * 1.2 very rigid Canons against Priests and Deacons, who were marry'd or liv'd incontinently.