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. X. (Book 10)

A Relation of the several Contests that Thomas Becket Arch-bishop of Canterbury had with Henry II. King of England.

THOMAS BECKET was a Native of the City of London, the Capital of England: His Father was nam'd Gilbert and his Mother Matilda. Gilbert, in his Youth, took * 1.1 upon him the Cross for the Holy War, but upon his arrival at Jerusalem, he was taken Prisoner and made a Slave by the Saracens. During his Imprisonment, he found means to obtain the favour of the Admiral's Daughter, in whose House he was confin'd, and she conceiv'd so great an Affection for him, that Gilbert having at last made his Escape, she tra∣vell'd to London on purpose to meet him; was baptiz'd there, and afterwards marry'd to Gilbert, by whom she had our Thomas, who was born A. D. 1119. Before his Birth, Gil∣bert return'd to the Holy Land, where he continu'd three Years and a half, having left his Wife in England: This Gentlewoman took great care of the Education of her Son, who in the very first blooming of his Youth, shew'd the marks of what might be expected from him in a riper Age. He began his Studies at London, and after having lost both his Father and Mother, compleated them at Paris. Upon his return to England, he was employ'd in the management of Affairs, and put himself into the Service of Theobald Arch-bishop of Canter∣bury. At that time, Henry Bishop of Winchester, Brother to King Stephen, was Legate in England, who abus'd his Quality and Authority, treating the other Bishops, and even his Me∣tropolitan, with intolerable Arrogancy. Thomas advis'd Theobald to shake off the Yoke, and was sent by him to Pope Celestin II. to obtain a Revocation of Henry's Commission; inso∣much, that being arriv'd at Rome, he negotiated that Affair so successfully, that the Pope de∣priv'd Henry of his Dignity▪ and conferr'd it on the Arch-bishop of Canterbury. Thomas was no sooner return'd to England, but Theobald entrusted him with the management of the Affairs of his Church, made him Arch-deacon of it some time after, and bestow'd on him many Be∣nefices. Afterwards King Stephen dying, and Henry II. Duke of Normandy succeeding him. Thomas was constituted Chancellor of England, A. D. 1158. and obtain'd the Administration of the publick Affairs of the whole Kingdom.

At last he was nominated by the King to the Arch-bishoprick of Canterbury in 1161. after the Death of Theobald, and was ordain'd on Whit-sunday in the same Year. This Prelate was no * 1.2 sooner advanc'd to that high Station, but he vigorously apply'd himself to the maintaining of the Interests and Liberties of the Church. In the beginning of his Government, he found means to wrest the Ecclesiastical Revenues out of the Hands of the Noble-men who had usurp'd them, and persuaded the King to fill up the Episcopal Sees of Hereford and Worcester, which had been vacant for a long time. But it was difficult for him who had undertaken stifly to maintain the Rights of the Church, to avoid falling out with his Prince about particular Inte∣rests; upon which account, he was oblig'd to resign the Office of Chancellor. After that step, he made a demand again, with much resolution, of the Revenues and Rights which he

pretended to belong to the Church of Canterbury, and which were in the possession of the King and of the Nobility: He vehemently oppos'd the Outrages and Exactions, with which the great Lords were wont to oppress the People and the Clergy: He endeavour'd to abolish the Custom that was introduc'd in England, of adjudging to Princes the Revenues of vacant Churches, and of deferring to supply those Churches with Ministers, in order to enjoy them longer; and he asserted, That Clergy-men, guilty of Misdemeanours, were not under the Ju∣risdiction of Civil Magistrates; but that they ought to be brought before the Bishop, to be degraded and condemned to Ecclesiastical Penalties, without delivering them up to the Secular Power; nevertheless, if in process of time they committed new Crimes▪ the Temporal Ju∣stice might then apprehend them, because they were no longer to be look'd upon as Clergy-men.

The obstinate defence of the last Article, chiefly caus'd Thomas to incur the King's displea∣sure, * 1.3 and gave occasion to the Quarrel: For a Canon of Bedford nam'd Philip Brock having abus'd one of the King's Officers, before whom he was summon'd, that Prince determin'd to bring him to condign Punishment. The Arch-bishop suspended the Canon from his Eccle∣siastical Functions and Benefice for several Years, but the King not being satisfied with those proceedings, requir'd that he might be put into the Hands of the Secular Justice: Upon the Arch-bishop's refusal to do it, the King held an Assembly of the Bishops of his Kingdom, in the Abbey of Westminster; where he made a Remonstrance, that it was expedient for the pub∣lick Benefit, that Clergy-men should be tryed by the Civil Magistrates and condemned to afflictive Punishments, by reason that the scandal of Degradation did not at all move those, whom the Sanctity of their Function could not restrain from the committing of Crimes. Tho∣mas, who was at the Head of that Assembly, after having debated with the other Bishops, re∣ply'd to the King, That the Bishops could not relinquish a Right, which was granted to them by Henry I. his Grand-Father, and confirm▪d by the solemn promise of King Stephen; and that they entreated his Majesty to call to Mind the Oath that he took on the Day of his Corona∣tion, to maintain the Church in its Liberty and Rights. Whereupon the King demanded whether they were disposed to observe the Customs and Constitutions of his Kingdom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tho∣mas reply'd, that they were ready to do it, provided their Rights were secur'd, Salvo Ordine Suo, and all the Prelates made the same Answer, except the Bishop of Chichester nam'd Henry, who chang'd the last Words, and said, that he would punctually observe those Customs.

King Henry, was extremely incens'd at the restriction they put on their Promise, after he had so often press'd them to no purpose, to engage absolutely to observe the Customs of the Kingdom without any limitation, and left the Assembly, quite transported with Anger. The next Day, he sent to demand of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, the Grants for all the Governments that were conferr'd on him, whilst he was Chancellor of England, and speedily departed from London, shewing evident marks of his high displeasure against the Bi∣shops. Insomuch that their dread of his Anger and of the ill effects that it might produce, and the sollicitations which that Prince caus'd to be made, induc'd many of them to yield to give satisfaction to his Majesty, and these us'd their utmost endeavours to bring the others to the same Temper. Thomas stood to his Resolution for a long time, but being at last overcome by the frequent and pressing entreaties of the Prelates and of his best Friends, he suffer'd him∣self to be prevail'd upon; went to meet the King at Oxford, and promis'd to observe the Customs of the Kingdom for the future, without any manner of Restriction.

The King to render this Declaration more Authentick, call'd an Assembly of the Bishops * 1.4 and Noble-men of the Kingdom at Clarenden, A. D. 1164. in which he oblig'd the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and the other Prelates to take an Oath, that they would carefully observe the Customs of the Kingdom, and at the same time, caus'd a verbal Process to be drawn up con∣taining the Articles of those Customs that were to be acknowledg'd by the Bishops, and which were sixteen in Number. The First imports, That when any Contests arise between the Laity and Clergy, about the presentation to Benefices, they ought to be regulated in the King's Court: The Second, That the Revenues of Mannors depending on the King's Demeans cannot be made over to Churches, without his Majesty's Concession: The Third, That the Clergy-men acqused or impeached by the King's Officers, shall be oblig'd to repair to his Court, to the and that enquiry may be made, whether they ought to be tried there, or whe∣ther they ought to be sent back to the Ecclesiastical Courts of Judicature; and that being thus sent back, the King's Chief Justice, shall depute a Person to be Witness of the Proceedings of that Court: That if the Clergy-man be convicted, or confess his Crime, the Church cannot have a Right any longer to protect him. The fourth Article declares▪ That the Arch-bishops, Bishops, and the King's other Subjects cannot depart the Kingdom, without his Majesty's leave, and in case it be granted, they shall give him good assurance, that they will not act contrary to his Interest: The Fifth, That excommunicated Persons shall not be obliged to give security, for their continuing in the Country, but only to stand to the Judgment of the Church▪ when it shall be thought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to grant them Absolution: The Sixth, That no other Informers or Wit∣nesses shall be admitted against Laicks, but such as are allow'd by the Laws. The Seventh, That all those who hold any Lands of the King, or are of the number of his Officers, cannot be excommunicated, nor their Territories suspended from Divine Service, unless due notice be

first given to the King or to his Chief Justice, to the end that that which belongs to the Ju∣risdiction of the King's Court, may be tried there, and that which ought to be tryed in the Ecclesiastical, may be referr'd to it: The Eighth, That an Appeal may be brought from the Arch-deacon's Court to the Bishop's, and from the latter to that of the Arch-bishop, and if the Arch-bishop has not done Justice, application may be made to the King, to the end that the Cause may be decided in the Arch-bishop's Court, without liberty to enter an Appeal, unless by his Majesty's special allowance: The Ninth, That in case a Contest arise, between a Clerk and a Lay-man, about an Estate, which one asserts to depend on the Church and the other on a temporal Lordship, the Chief Justice shall send for twelve Assistants, to examine to what Jurisdiction it ought to be appropriated; that if they judge it to belong to the Church, the Cause shall be tried in the Ecclesiastical Court, but if they find it to belong to the Lay-Fee, it shall be referr'd to the cognizance of the Lord of the Mannor. The Tenth, That if any Person be cited by his Arch-deacon or his Bishop to answer to an Accusation, and he refuse to appear, he may be suspended, but cannot be excommunicated, till the Chief Justice of the Place has summon'd him to make his appearance; and that if that Judge should neglect to do his Duty, the King shall take the matter in Hand: The Eleventh does not relate to Eccle∣siastical Affairs: The Twelfth ordains, That the King shall enjoy the Revenues of the Arch-bishopricks, Bishopricks, Abbeys and Priories during a Vacancy; that to fill it up the King shall issue out a Conge d'Elire to the most eminent Men of the Place, who shall carry on the Election in his Chappel, with the King's Consent, and by the Advice of the Lords, who shall be conven'd for that purpose, and that the Person elected shall do Homage to the King be∣fore he be ordain'd: The Thirteenth Article imports, That the King shall cause Justice to be done to the Bishops, and the Bishops to the King: The Fourteenth, That Cattel seiz'd on for a Trespass shall not be detain'd by the Clergy, but put into the Custody of the Officers of the Royal Court: The Fifteenth, That Courts of Judicature shall be kept by the King's Justices: The Sixteenth, That the Sons of the Peasants shall not be ordain'd, but with the Consent of their Lords. These Articles were not sign'd by the Bishops, but were acknowledg'd in the Assembly, and three Copies of them were taken, viz. one for the King, the Second for the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and the Third for the Arch-bishop of York.

The Arch-bishop of Canterbury being retir'd, his Friends and Domesticks began to murmur: Some of them excus'd him, in regard that he could not act otherwise, by reason of so unhap∣py * 1.5 a Conjuncture of Affairs, and others complain'd on the contrary, That all the Immunities of the Church of England were ruin'd by that compliance. His Cross-bearer who was more bold than the rest, presum'd to make a remonstrance to that effect, and the Arch-bishop being perswaded that he had done ill, was affected with a sensible grief, took a resolution to do Pennance, and abstain'd from celebrating Divine Service, till Pope Alexander III. who then resided at Sens, wrote to him not to do it any longer, and gave him Absolution for the Of∣fence he might have committed, upon condition that he should confess it to a Priest.

As soon as the King understood, that the Arch-bishop repented of what he had done, he fell into a strange Passion against him. In the mean while Thomas being inform'd thereof, re∣tir'd * 1.6 to his Abbey of Alintere situated near the Sea-shore, and embark'd twice to pass over into France; but the Wind continuing contrary, he return'd to Canterbury, and presum'd even to present himself before the King▪ by whom, he was very ill treated. At last that Prince de∣spairing to bring over the Arch-bishop to his Interest, made application to the Pope, to com∣pass * 1.7 his Design; to which purpose, he sent the Bishop of Lisieux and the Arch-deacon of Poitiers to prevail with him to constitute the Arch-bishop of York his Legate in England, and to order Thomas and the other Prelates to observe the Customs of his Kingdom. The Pope having refus'd to do both, the King sent new Deputies to demand the same thing again with greater importunity, and to entreat him to confirm the Customs and Privileges of his King∣dom, by the authority of the Holy See. The Pope absolutely deny'd the latter request, but to amuse him, he conferr'd the Dignity of Legate on the Arch-bishop of York, nevertheless up∣on condition, that he should not have any jurisdiction over the Person or Arch-bishoprick of Thomas, and without exempting the Bishops of England from the Obedience they ow'd to their Primate. Forasmuch as this Restriction render'd the authority of the Arch-bishop of York useless with respect to the King's design, which was to depose Thomas, he sent back the Let∣ter to the Pope, with indignation.

The Pope wrote another Letter to divert him from making any further attempts on the Rights of the Churches of his Kingdom; but that Prince instead of submitting to his Admo∣nitions, caus'd the Arch-bishop of Canterbury to be summon'd to appear in Person before his Majesty, to answer to divers Informations that were brought against him. Thomas on the other side, entreated the King not to take it ill, that he stood to the Privileges of his Dignity, which exempted him from appearing before Secular Judges. The King being much more ex∣asperated by that excuse, gave Orders to the Bishops and Temporal Lords of his Kingdom * 1.8 to meet together in his Royal Castle at Northampton, and compell'd the Arch-bishop of Can∣terbury to repair thither in quality of a Criminal rather than of a Judge. The First thing done in the Assembly, was to pronounce Sentence against him for neglecting to make a per∣sonal

appearance, when he receiv'd a Summons from the King, and his Estate, Goods and Chattels were Confiscated, upon condition nevertheless, that the execution of that Sentence should depend on his Majestys pleasure. Afterwards he was convey'd into one of the Halls of the Court, where he being lock'd in, an Account was demanded of him of the Revenues of the vacant Bishopricks and Abbeys, that he had enjoy'd for several years, when he was Chancellor. He reply'd, That he would take advice about the matter. Henry Bishop of Win∣chester said, that he remember'd, that when Thomas Becket was chosen Arch-bishop, he had a general Discharge. Gilbert Bishop of London propos'd that he should resign his Arch-bishop∣rick to appease the King's Anger, and the other Prelates, except the Bishop of Winchester, were of the same Opinion. Thomas would not hearken to that proposal, but to be set at Li∣berty, he express'd his desire to speak with two Lords, who were with the King; when they were come, he desir'd that he might be allow'd time till the next day, and said, that then he would make such an Answer as God should direct him. Whereupon the Assembly deputed the Bishops of London and Rochester to deliver that Message to the King; but the former said, that the Arch-bishop was desirous to have time, in order to look over his Papers, and to pre∣pare to give an account to his Majesty. The King being satisfy'd with that Declaration, sent him word by the two Lords, with whom he desir'd to speak, That he was willing to grant him the time he sued for, provided that he kept his word, in giving an account of the things that were committed to his Charge. Thomas forthwith declar'd that he never made such a promise: However, he was permitted to depart, and that very Night he was seiz'd with a violent fit of the Colick, which hindred him from rising the next Morning.

The King sent two Lords of his Court to enquire whether he were Sick, and at the same time to give him a Summons. He excus'd himself for the present, by reason of his Indispo∣sition, of which they were Witnesses, and promis'd to appear the next day. In the mean while a report was spread abroad, that if he went to the Royal Palace, he would be Assassi∣nated or arrested, the next day several Bishops us'd their utmost endeavours to perswade him to make a resignation of his Arch-bishoprick and of all his Possessions to the King, in regard that they were much afraid lest he should lose his Life if he did not submit. He did not seem to be at all concern'd at their Remonstrance, but forbid all the Bishops to assist at the Proceed∣ings that were to be carried on against him, and declar'd that he appeal'd to the Holy See. The Bishop of London protested against the Prohibition ••he then made, and retir'd with all the Bi∣shops, except those of Winchester and Salisbury, who continu'd with Thomas Becket. How∣ever that Prelate after having Celebrated Mass went to the Palace, bearing his Crosier Staff himself. The King refus'd to admit him into his Presence, and retiring into a private Chamber, sent for the other Bishops, and made great complaints to them against Thomas Becket. The Bishops approv'd the King's Resentments, avouching that that Arch-bishop was a perjur'd Traytor, and that it was requisite to proceed against him as guilty of High Treason. How∣ever they durst not bring him to a Formal Tryal, but only sent him word by Hilary Bishop of Chichester, That forasmuch as after having promis'd Obedience to the King, and Sworn to observe the Customs of the Kingdom, he acted contrary to his Oath, they did not take themselves to be any longer obliged to obey him, that therefore they put their Persons and Churches under the Popes Protection, and cited him to his Tribunal.

The King likewise sent him word by Robert Earl of Leicester, that he expected an account * 1.9 of the Things committed to his Charge. Thomas protested that he was discharg'd by the King's Son, when he was made Arch-bishop of Canterbury. Afterwards he refus'd to submit to the Judgment of the King, Bishops and other Lords of the Kingdom; declar'd that he would acknowledge no other Judge but the Pope; and cited the Bishops before him. After having made this Declaration, he went out of the Palace, the Doors of which he open'd, with the Keys that were found hanging on the Wall, and was accompanied to his House by a crowd of poor People. On that very Night he took a resolution to retire, and to the end that it might be done more secretly, he feign'd an inclination to lie in the Church, and made his escape, having chang'd his Cloaths and Name, but before he embark'd he took some turns about the Coasts of England to avoid being apprehended: Then he pass'd over into Flanders, arriv'd at Graveline, and retir'd from thence to the Abby of St. Berthin, where he discover'd himself and sent Deputies to Lewis VII. King of France, to inform him of his pre∣sent distress, and to entreat his Majesty to permit him to stay in his Kingdom. They were prevented by the Deputies of the King of England; but the French King did not receive them favourably, and declar'd on behalf of Thomas Becket even before the arrival of his Deputies. These last were kindly entertain'd, and the King promis'd all manner of Protection to the Arch-bishop, in his Kingdom, and said that in that Point, he only follow'd the Custom of the Kings his Predecessors, who by a very peculiar Privilege, were always in a capacity to af∣ford a Sanctuary in their Dominions, to Persecuted Bishops, and to defend them against all their Enemies.

The Deputies of the King of England, and those of the Arch-bishop, went to the Pope, * 1.10 who was then at Sens; The former brought over some of the Cardinals to their side, but the Pope stood for the Arch-bishop, nevertheless he gave Audience to the Deputies of the King of England, who press'd him to oblige the Arch-bishop to return to England, and entreat∣ed

him to send a Legate a latere to take cognizance of that Affair; and to accommodate it, or to determine it without Appeal. The Pope refus'd to do any thing till the Arch-bishop arriv'd in Person; and having declar'd his resolution to the Deputies, they departed very much dissatisfy'd. A little after, Thomas Becket accompanied by the Arch-bishop of Trier, and the Abbot of Berthin came to Soissons, where King L••wis admitted him into his Presence, and re-iterated the promises he had made to his Deputies. Afterwards he went to Sens to meet the Pope, whom he soon made sensible of the Justice of his Cause, by shewing him the Articles that were drawn up at Clarendon▪ which with common consent were found contrary to the Inte∣rest and Liberty of the Church. The next day, he proffer'd to quit his Metropolitical Digni∣ty, and entreated his Holiness to nominate another Person to supply his place. But the Pope would by no means allow it, order'd him to keep his Arch-bishoprick, and recommended him to the Abbot of Pontigny, into whose Monastery he retir'd.

The King of England being informed of the Pope's Answer by his Deputies, consiscated the w••ole Estate and Goods of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, with those of his Relations and Friends; banish'd them from his Kingdom, and publish'd new Ordinances more prejudicial to the Liberty of the Church, than the former. Thomas Becket wrote to him, as also to some Bishops of England about that Matter; but those Remonstrances prov'd ineffectual. How∣ever he propos'd a Conference in which the Pope was to assist; but his Holiness being return'd to Rome, the King sent Deputies to him, whom he caus'd to pass through Germany, where they assisted in the Assembly of Wurtzburg against Pope Alexander, and bound themselves by an Oath, with the Bishops of Germany, to stand for Paschal the Antipope; nevertheless they did not forbear to continue their Journey, and to meet Alexander, to whom they deliver'd the Letter of their Prince, who threaten'd to withdraw himself from his Obedience, if he did not give him satis∣faction as to the affair of Thomas Becket.

The Pope to advance a Person, whom the King thought fit to depress, constituted him Le∣gate * 1.11 of the Holy See throughout the whole Kingdom of England, except the Province of York. Thomas being Invested with this new Dignity, thought himself obliged to sh••w the effects of it. Therefore he condemn'd and abolish'd the Customs, that were publish'd at Clarendon; Excommunicated all those who observ'd e'm, or caus'd 'em to be observ'd by others; sent word to the Bishops, that they were by no means oblig'd to the Oath they had taken, and threaten'd the King of England with an Anathema. On the other side, the King to prevent him, appeal'd to the Holy See, by the advice of the Prelates of Normandy, and dispatch'd John of Oxford to Rome, to entreat the Pope to send a Legate a latere into England, to the end that they might determine or make up the Business. However, he threatn'd the Monks of Cisteaux to destroy all the Monasteries that they had in his Dominions, if they entertain'd the Arch-bishop any longer at Pontigny. Therefore he was forc'd to depart from thence and made choice of the Monastery of St. Columba in the City of Sens for the place of his abode. He Excommunicated many Persons of the Kingdom of England and some Bishops, more especially the Bishop of London his greatest Enemy.

In the mean while John of Oxford having gain'd the favour of part of the Court of Rome, by his Presents, assur'd the Pope, That the King of England, would no longer in••ist upon the * 1.12 Customs that he caus'd to be receiv'd in the Assembly of Clarendon, and procur'd William Car∣dinal Bishop of Pavia, to be nominated Legate, to determine the Affair of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury; but in regard, that he might be surpriz'd, by reason of the intimate Correspon∣dence that there was between him and the King of England, the Pope appointed Cardinal Otho to be his Collegue. He also gave Absolution in particular to John of Oxford, whom Thomas Becket had Excommunicated, granted him the Deanry of Salisbury, and Suspended Thomas's Authority, till the arrival of his Legates. These advantages, which it seems, the King of England obtain'd at the Court of Rome▪ startled the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and his Friends; insomuch that Peter Lombard wrote about it to the Pope, as well as Thomas Becket, who excepted against the Judgment of the Cardinal of Pavia. These two Legates being arriv'd in France, inform'd the Arch-bishop of the occasion of their being sent by the Pope, and the Cardinal of Pavia told him, that he came to put an end to the Difference be∣tween him and the King of England. Thomas had prepar'd a very sharp Answer, but he sup∣press'd it by the advice of William of Salisbury, and wrote to him with greater Mode∣ration.

The two Legates could not immediately execute their Commission, by reason that they were oblig'd to mediate a Peace between the Kings of England and France. The Cardinal * 1.13 of Pavia openly maintain'd the Interest of the former, and gave occasion of complaint to the other; nay the Pope upon his sollicitation, prohibited Thomas to pronounce any Sentence of Excommunication against the Person of the King of England, or of Suspension against his Dominions. At last the Legates gave notice to the Arch-bishop, to make his appearance on Novemb. 10th. A. D. 1168. on the Frontiers of the two Kingdoms; but he desir'd and ob∣tain'd a delay for seven days, to get together again the Companions of his Exile. At last he appear'd with a numerous retinue at Gisors, the place appointed for the Conference, and there met with the two Legates, accompanied by the Arch-bishop of Rouen, who represented to him the inflexibility of the King of England, and the Calamities that the Church endur'd by

the Persecution, of which he was the Cause. Afterwards they insisted upon the Grandeur and Power of that Prince, the Kindness and Respect that he always express'd for the Holy See, and the extraordinary Favours that he had Conferr'd on the Arch-bishop of Canterbury: They rela∣ted with exaggeration the complaints that he made against him, accusing him of having induc'd the King of France and the Count of Flanders to make War with his Majesty. Lastly they ex∣horted the Arch-bishop to humble himself, and to testifie his Obedience to his Sovereign, by making a voluntary submission, and by suppressing his Anger, and the fierceness of his natural Disposition.

Thomas Becket resolutely made his defence, and clear'd himself from the suspicions, that the King of England had conceiv'd against him, and more especially, as to the particular accu∣sation, that he had excited the War between that Prince and the King of France, who con∣descended so far as to give Testimony to his Innocence, by declar••ng upon Oath, that it was not true, that he sollicited him to undertake that War. The A••ch bishop of Canterbu••y ad∣ded that he was well persuaded, that a Bishop ought not to have recourse to those sorts of means; That he was ready to shew to the King all manner of submission and deference, pro∣vided that the Glory of God, the Honour of the Apos••olick See, the ••iberty of the Church, the Dignity of the Priesthood, and the Church-Revenues might receive no detriment. They propos'd that he should promise the King to observe all the Customs that were in use, in the time of the Arch-bishops his Predecessors, or at least that he should tolerate them, and con∣ceal his resentments: But he would not engage to do either, no not so much as to keep si∣lence. Then they insisted that he should resign his Archbishoprick, in case the King could be prevail'd with, to renounce the Customs that were contested, but he likewise rejected that Proposal. Lastly the Legates asked him, whether he were willing to acknowledge them as competent Judges for the deciding of the Differences between him and the King or not. He was somewhat perplex'd at this Demand; for on the one side, he was unwilling openly to dis∣own their Authority, and on the other side, he did not look upon it as safe, that he should be tryed in any other Tribunal but that of the Pope himself. Therefore he reply'd; That when the Goods and Chattels, of which he was depriv'd, were restor'd to him, he would readily submit to the Judgment of the Pope, or to that of any other Persons to whom he should grant a Commission to be his Judges. Thus ended this Conference, which had no effect.

Thomas Becket gave an account of all these particular Circumstances to the Pope in a Letter, and the two Legates went to Communicate them to the King of England: Whereupon that Prince and the Prelates of his Kingdom demanded of the Legates, whether they had not re∣ceiv'd Orders from the Pope to bring Thomas Becket to his Tryal, or whether they were not impower'd to do it, by vertue of their Office? They declar'd that they had no such Power, and that all that they could do, was only to cause the Pope's Letters to be read publickly; by which he prohibited the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, to Excommunicate the King, or to pass any Sentence of Suspension on his Kingdom; as also to inform him of the purport of them, with a prohibition to attempt any thing to the prejudice of that Order; and to confirm the Absolu∣tions that were given to the Bishops, and other Excommunicated Persons, under pretence, that the Pope allow'd that such Absolution should be granted them, in case they were in dan∣ger of Death, and that those Persons being constrain'd by the King's Orders to pass over the Sea, ran the hazard of losing their Lives. But the Pope having permitted it only upon Condition, that they should restore the Church-Revenues, and the greatest part of them not having done it, Thomas Becket wrote to the Legates, that they ought to oblige them to make restitution, if they were desirous that their Absolution should be ratify'd. The Pope himself likewise wrote to the same effect; but the Cardinal of Pavia eluded that Order; alledging, that he could not put it in execution without offending the King.

In the mean while Thomas Becket made great complaints against those Proceedings, and sent word to the Court of Rome at the same time, entreating the Pope to recall those two Le∣gates, who shewed too much partiality; insomuch that his Holiness not being able to with∣stand the importunity, of those who adher'd to the Interest of that Arch-bishop at Rome, immediately sent for the Legates and depriv'd them of all manner of Authority. Cardinal Otho before his departure us'd his utmost endeavours to induce the King of England to do Justice to the Arch-bishop, whereupon his Majesty reply'd, that he would consent that that Prelate should return to Canterbury, and possess his Church in Peace, and that he for his part would renounce the Customs, that were not in use in the time of his Predecessors; but that he would not hear talk of doing him Justice, and those of his Party, as to the Estates they en∣joy'd for a long time, pretending that they had put them to a good use. The Cardinal in like manner spoke to the King much to the same effect, but all their Remonstrances serv'd only to draw upon them the displeasure of that Prince, who complain'd when they came to take leave of him, that he was betray'd by the Pope and threatn'd to yield him Obedience no lon∣ger, if he did not take care to do him Justice with respect to the Arch-bishop of Can∣terbury.

Afterwards, the King of France interceded at the sollicitation of the Pope to accommodate * 1.14 that Business with the King of England, and procur'd an Interview, during which the Arch-bishop of Canterbury threw himself at King Henry's Feet, and after having implor'd his Clemency, declar'd that he would resign to him, every thing that had occasion'd the differen∣ces between them, provided that the Glory of God might be indemnify'd. His Majesty re∣ceiv'd that Restriction, with a great deal of dissatisfaction, and propos'd to the King of France, that he would leave Thomas in the quiet possession of the See of Canterbury, saying, That he expected to enjoy'd the Rights that were enjoy by the Kings his Precedessors in the time of the Predecessors of the Arch-bishop; who should likewise enjoy the Immunities that his Predecessors had actually enjoy'd. This proposal seem'd reasonable to the Assistants, and even to the King of France; nevertheless Thomas Becket, would not accept of it, alledging, that his Predecessors had Tolerated some Abuses, which his Adversaries would fain compel him to approve against his Conscience. This refusal caus'd a murmuring among the Lords of both Nations, and gave no manner of satisfaction to the two Kings. The Enemies of the Arch-bishop accus'd him of Arrogancy, and even many of his Friends did not approve his Inflexibility. However the King of France soon alter'd his Mind, commended the constancy of that Pre∣late, and instead of Banishing him out of his Dominions, as it was expected, he admitted him into his Presence, suffer'd him to reside at Sens, and continu'd to assist him. King Henry sent Envoys to complain to that Prince, that he treated a Rebel so kindly, who had refus'd to accept of Peace upon reasonable Terms; but perceiving that the French King, was resolv'd not to abandon him, he sollicited the Pope again by two Deputations, and prevail'd with the King of Sicily, and the Estates of Italy to joyn their entreaties to his, against the Arch-bishop of Canterbury.

However all that could be obtain'd of the Pope, was, that he would send two other Le∣gates to endeavour again to procure a Reconciliation between them. Gratian the Nephew * 1.15 of Pope Eugenius III. and Vivian Advocate of the Church of Rome, were chosen for that pur∣pose. The Pope deliver'd to them the Articles of the Agreement ready drawn up, and ob∣lig'd them to take an Oath, not to go beyond the Orders he had given them. He pro∣hibited them to receive any thing of the King of England, till the conclusion of the Treaty, and order'd them to declare to that Prince, that if he neglected to make Peace upon the Con∣ditions prescribed by him, he would enjoyn the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, to make use of the Authority of the Church against him. These Legates manag'd divers Negotiations in the Year 1169, but none of them took Effect. King Henry offer'd to permit Thomas Becket to return to England, and to re-establish him in his Arch-bishoprick, and in the possession of his Estate, but would have this Condition annexed, Provided always that the Rights of the King∣dom be maintain'd; but the Legates refus'd to admit that Clause, unless this were also Inserted Provided that the Liberties of the Church be not infringed. There was also an Interview at St. Denis between the two Kings, the Legates and the Arch-bishop which prov'd ineffectual, So that the Legates return'd without coming to any manner of Agreement. The King of Eng∣land who was not well satisfy'd with these Legates, demanded others of the Pope, with much importunity, and even with Menaces. His Holiness was not of Opinion that his request ought to be deny'd; and even Suspended the Arch-bishop's Authority till the Differences were final∣ly determin'd. He nominated Simon Prior of Mont Dieu and Bernard de Corila, to be his Legates, on that occasion, and gave them two Letters for King Henry, viz. one full of Ex∣hortations and gentle Admonitions, and the other of severe Reprimands and Threats, with Orders to deliver the former at first; and in case he obstinately persisted in his Resolution, to add the second. These two Legates conducted the Arch-bishop to the Place appointed for the Interview, where the two Kings were Present, and admonish'd him to humble himself be∣fore his Sovereign: He followed their Advice, and only insisted that the Glory of God might be secur'd in these Terms, Ad honorem Dei. King Henry was offended at that Expression, and requir'd, That the Arch-bishop should promise and bind himself by Oath, as a Priest, and a Bishop in the presence of the whole Assembly, sincerely to observe the Customs, that were follow'd by the Reverend Arch-bishops, under the Kings his Predecessors, which he had also engag'd to do upon another occasion. The Arch-bishop promis'd to be faithful to him in every particular, as far as it was possible, Salvo ordine suo, and added, That for Peace sake, he would engage to observe, as far as his Dignity would allow, such Customs as were in use amongst his Reverend Predecessors. The King peremptorily insisted, That he should promise to observe the Customs of his Kingdom, without any manner of Restriction; but the Arch-bishop would by no means consent to it, and upon that refusal his Majesty departed out of the Assembly. The Legates having exhorted him to re-admit the Arch-bishop to his Favour, and to Restore him to his Church, he reply'd, That perhaps he might one day be prevail'd upon to do the latter, but that he would take care never to make him his Confident. During a second interview between the two Princes, they presented to King Henry, the Pope's menacing Letter, but he was not at all concern'd at it, and always insisted upon the Promise that the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had made to act conformably to the Customs of the Kingdom, which the Arch-bishops his Predecessors had observ'd before him: Thomas Becket made Answer, That he was ready to obey his Majesty, as far as it could be done, without infringing the Privi∣leges

of his Dignity, and thus this Negotiation took no more effect than the others; inso∣much, that the Pope being wearied with the delays of the King of England, revok'd the Suspension of the Arch-bishop's Authority, and left him at liberty to act as he should think fit.

Some time after, King Henry designing to Crown his eldest Son, appointed the Arch-bi∣shop of York to perform that Ceremony; but the Pope being inform'd of his Intention, pro∣hibited that Arch-bishop and all others, under pain of Suspension, to make any attempt up∣on a Right that apparently belong'd to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury. Thomas Becket like∣wise wrote to the Arch-bishop of York and to his Collegues to notifie to them the same Prohi∣bition; whereupon the King was so extremely incens'd, that he took a resolution to oblige his Subjects to take an Oath, That they would not obey the Pope, nor the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and caus'd his Son to be actually Crown'd by the Arch-bishop of York at Westminster, in a Church belonging to the Jurisdiction of Canterbury. The young King in like manner took an Oath, to observe the Customs of the Kingdom, that were publish'd at Clarendon: In the mean while the Pope being press'd by the Remonstrances of the King of France, of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and of William Arch-bishop of Sens, declar'd the Arch-bishop of York suspended from all manner of Ecclesiastical Functions, and pronounc'd the same Sentence against all the Bishops who assisted at that Ceremony. He sent word at the same time to Rotrou Arch-bishop of Rouen, and to Bertrand Bishop of Nevers to meet the King of England, in order to admonish him the last time in his Name to make Peace; and in case he refus'd to do it, to suspend all his Dominions from Divine Service, that were situated on the hither side, or beyond the Sea. At the same time, he dispatch'd a smart Re∣primand to the King of England, requiring him in the Name of God, and by Virtue of the Apostolick Authority, to be reconciled with the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and to give Peace to the Church, if he design'd to avoid an Anathema, like to that which was pronounc'd against the Emperor Frederick; insomuch, that those urgent Threats oblig'd King Henry to bethink himself seriously of an Accommodation, and personally to entreat the Legates to use their utmost endeavours to procure it.

Whereupon Thomas Becket went to meet the King, accompanied with the Arch-bishop of * 1.16 Sens; and his Majesty receiv'd him with such particular Marks of Kindness, as he never shew'd him since their falling out. The Arch-bishop demanded Justice for the Indignities put upon the Church of Canterbury, and more especially for the injury he had lately done him, by the Coronation of his Son: The King promis'd to give Orders that that Prince should be Crown'd again, and then Thomas Becket caus'd Intercession to be made by the Arch-bishop of Sens (who began to speak,) that his Majesty would vouchsafe, to restore to him the Church of Canterbury, with all the Revenues belonging to it, and to do him Justice, as to what relates to the Coronation of the Prince his Son; he for his part, engaging at the same time, to yield to his Majesty, all the Respect, Obedience and Submission, that is due from an Arch-bishop to his Sovereign Prince, according to the Ordinance of God. The King accepted of those Terms, and thus the Peace was at last effectually concluded. Afterwards the Arch-bishop of Canterbury humbly entreated the King his Master, that he might have liberty to take leave of the King of France, to return Thanks for the many signal Favours he had receiv'd from him. He also continu'd some time longer in France, with a design not to pass over into England, till he had receiv'd Information, that those Persons were actually put in Possession of the Re∣venues of the Church of Canterbury, whom he sent thither for that purpose. In the mean while, the Arch-bishop of York and the Bishops of London and Salisbury, us'd all possible means to break off the Agreement, and further, to incense King Henry against the Arch-bi∣shop. At that time, one Renulphus, who was the Minister of the Arch-bishop of York's Fury, made no difficulty to pillage the Revenues of the Church of Canterbury; but neither that In∣jury nor the Coldness with which the King then treated Thomas Becket, were sufficient to divert him from the resolution he had taken to return to England, notwithstanding the Advice of his Friends to the contrary, and the Threats of his Enemies.

Therefore he embarked at Calice in the end of the Year 1170. and arriv'd at Sandwich; but * 1.17 before his departure, he sent into England, the Letter that the Pope had directed to him and which he kept till that time. By vertue of that Letter, his Holiness suspended the Arch-bishop of York with the Bishops, who assisted at the Coronation of the young King, and ex∣communicated or suspended for divers Causes, a great part of the Prelates of the Kingdom. The publication of that Sentence extremely exasperated the Minds of the Prelates and Eng∣lish Nobility. The Arch-bishop upon his arrival, met with divers Persons who attempted to take away his Life; and he was no sooner at Canterbury, but some of the King's Officers ac∣companied * 1.18 with Renulphus and three Clergy-men, came (according to the Order they had re∣ceiv'd from the Arch-bishop of York and two other Prelates) to require him in his Majesty's Name to absolve all the Bishops who were suspended or excommunicated; alledging, That what he had done against them, was prejudicial to the King himself, ruin'd the Customs of the Kingdom, and was contrary to the Tranquillity of the State. They promis'd at the same time, That when the Suffragan Bishops of the Metropolitan See of Canterbury were absolved, they would readily submit to his Injunctions, as far as they could do it, without impairing

the Dignity of the Crown. The Arch-bishop reply'd, That it did not lie in his power to repeal a Sentence passed by the Holy Apostolick See; but they persisted in pressing him more earnestly, and threaten'd that if he refus'd to do it, the King would revenge the Indignity on the whole Church. Thomas Becket proffer'd, That if the excommunicated or suspended Bishops would take an Oath in his presence, in due Form, to submit to what he should think fit to ordain, for the sake of Peace and upon account of the Respect that he bore to his Ma∣jesty, he would do all that he could in their favour. But they could by no means be per∣suaded to take such an Oath, without informing the King of its purport, nor to submit in such a manner to the Will and Pleasure of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury.

Then the three Prelates above-mention'd, went to meet the King, implor'd his Assistance, and represented to him, that the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had disturb'd the Peace of the Kingdom by his Arrival, openly accusing him of Arrogancy and Tyranny. The King being highly provoked by that Discourse, said in a Passion, That he was unfortunate in meeting with none that could take Vengeance of one single Prelate, who created him more Trouble, than all his other Subjects, and endeavour'd by all manner of Means to make void his Royal Authority. The letting fall of these Words, gave occasion to four of his Courtiers to form a Conspiracy * 1.19 against the Arch-bishop's Life: For they immediately set out, and being arriv'd in England, shew'd him an Order from the King, to absolve the excommunicated or suspended Bishops, and to take an Oath of Allegeance. But the Arch-bishop having refus'd it, they took up Arms, enter'd the Cathedral Church of Canterbury, where he was Officiating, and Assassinat∣ed him at the Altar, one of the last days of the Year, 1170. which was the 52 of his Age, and the 9th since his promotion to the Metropolitan Dignity. As soon as the News of that base Act was brought to King Henry, he express'd a great deal of Trouble for his Death, and sent Deputies to Rome to assure the Pope, That he was by no means consenting to the Fact. The Pope was transported with Grief and Indignation; but the King's Deputies having depos'd upon Oath, that their Master was not at all accessory to that Murder, and that he was ready to clear himself by Oath; his Holiness contented himself only to excommuni∣cate the Assassins and their Accomplices, and sent the Cardinals Theodin of St. Vitalis, and Al∣bert of St. Laurence, to receive the King's Oath, and to oblige him to give Satisfaction to the Church.

These two Legates being arriv'd in Normandy, found the King altogether dispos'd to submit to every thing that the Church should enjoyn him. He took an Oath upon the Holy Gospels, That he neither commanded nor was desirous, that the Arch-bishop of Canterbury should be kill'd, and that he was more sensible of Grief at his Death, than at that of the King his Father; but he confess'd, that he had been in some Measure the cause of it, by reason of the Animosity which he so often express'd against his Person, and that therefore he was ready to undergo such Penance, as the Legates should think fit to impose on him. The two Cardinals or∣der'd him, 1. To maintain 200 Soldiers during a whole Year, for the defence of the Holy Land. 2. To revoke all Customs and Ordinances introduc'd under his Reign to the prejudice of the Church, and to reform by the Pope's advice, such as were establish'd. 3. To restore to the Church of Canterbury all its Revenues and Territories, and to make the same restitution to all others that were pillaged. 4. and lastly, To deliver Spain from the Oppression of the Infidels, in case it were requir'd by his Holiness. They likewise privately enjoyn'd him, Fasting, Alms-giving and some other particular Penances. The King accepted of all those Conditions, with the Marks of an extraordinary Humility, and the Legates gave him Abso∣lution at the Church-door. The young King took an Oath to observe the same things, oblig∣ing himself, that if his Father died without fulfilling his Penance, to perform, what was ordain'd, in his stead.

Afterwards Thomas Becket was canoniz'd for a Saint, A. D. 1173. and King Henry being * 1.20 attack'd by his unnatural Son, who rebell'd against him, implor'd his Assistance, going bare-footed to his Tomb, as it were an humble Suppliant.

There are still extant Six Books of the Letters of this Prelate, and of those that were written to him during his Troubles, which were collected by John of Salisbury, published by Christi∣anus Lupus, and printed at Bruxels in Quarto, A. D. 1682. with a Relation of his Life, taken out of four contemporary Authors, viz. Herbert his Clerk, William of Canterbury, the Abbot Alanus and John of Salisbury. The Life and Actions of that famous Man, sufficiently shew his Character, viz. That he was resolute, of an undaunted Courage, and inflexible to the highest degree; and his Letters, that he was eloquent, had the Art of stirring up the Affections, and was endu'd with pious and generous Principles.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Life of Tho∣mas Beck∣et, before he was Arch-bishop of Canter∣bury.
• * 1.2

  Election of Thomas Arch-bi∣shop of Canterbu∣ry.
• * 1.3

  The origi∣nal of the Contests between the King of England and Tho∣mas Bec∣ket.
• * 1.4

  An Assembly at Claren∣don.
• * 1.5

  The Arch-bishop of Canterbu∣ry repents of having sign'd the Articles.
• * 1.6

  The retreat of Thomas Becket.
• * 1.7

  Negotiati∣ons between the King and the Pope.
• * 1.8

  An Assem∣bly at Nor∣thampton against Thomas Becket.
• * 1.9

  Thomas Becket's Retreat to France.
• * 1.10

  The Pope's Declarati∣on in his Favour.
• * 1.11

  Thomas Becket ma••e Le∣gate of the Holy See in Eng∣land.
• * 1.12

  John of Oxford's Negotiation at Rome.
• * 1.13

  The Nego∣tiations of the Pope's Legates in England.
• * 1.14

  An Inter∣view be∣between Thomas Becket and King Hen. I••. in the presence of the King of France.
• * 1.15

  Other Le∣gates sent into Eng∣land and their Nego∣tiation.
• * 1.16

  The King of Eng∣land recon∣ciled to Thomas Becket.
• * 1.17

  Thomas Becket's return to England
• * 1.18

  New Broils
• * 1.19

  A Conspi∣racy against Thomas Becket, and his Death.
• * 1.20

  The Cano∣nization of Thomas Becket. His Letters.