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.

AN HISTORY OF THE CONTROVERSIES AND OTHER Ecclesiastical Affairs Transacted in the Fifteenth Century. (Book 1)

CHAP. I. (Book 1)

The History of the Councils of Pisa, Perpignan and Udine; and of the Popes, until the Council of Constance.

IN the Year 1408. three Councils were appointed concerning the Schism which then disturb'd * 1.1 the Church of Rome: The first at Perpignan, by the Bull of Benedict XIII, dated June 15th. The second in the Province of Aquileia, by the Bull of Gregory XII. dated July 2d, which was to meet on Whitsunday the next Year: And the third at Pisa, by the Letters of the Cardinals of the two Obediences, assembled at Leghorn, dated July 14th, in the Year 1408. which was to meet on the 25th of March in the next Year.

Benedict being more diligent than the rest, open'd his Council November 1st, of the same Year, * 1.2 with a Discourse of Alphonsus the Patriarch of Constantinople, Administrator of the Church of Sevil, to the Prelats there present; after which the Council was prorogued until the 15th of the same Month. On the 14th Benedict gave the Title of Archbishop of Antioch to the Treasurer of Mague∣lone, Administrator of the Church of Aske, and the Title of Patriarch of Jerusalem to Francis Xi∣menes of the Order of Friars Minors, who were Consecrated the 20th of the same Month. The second Session of the Council was not held till the 17th, and then nothing else was done, save that Benedict read a Profession of Faith, and declar'd to the Council that he believ'd it. In the third Session, which was held the 21st, a Report was made to the Assembly of all that Benedict had done since his advancement to the Papal Dignity, and the Progress he had made towards obtaining the Peace of the Church. The Council was then made up of the Bishops of Castile, Arragon and Navar, and some Prelats of France, Gascony and Savoy, being in all about 120, besides the 4 Arch-bishops, honour'd with the Titles of Patriarchs, and the Archbishops of Toledo, Sarragosa, and Tar∣ragona. They spent 5 Sessions in examining the Account of what had been done by Benedict for restoring Peace, and the extirpation of the Schism. In fine, in the Session held the 5th of De∣cember, Benedict desir'd their Advice, as to the Means which were most proper to obtain Union, and to remove the Scandal, Errors and Schisms. It was not easy for them to decide this Question in their present Circumstances, and the Bishops of the Council were perplex'd and divided into

several Opinion•• about it. Some were of Opinion, That Benedict should immediately grant Power to his Legats to renounce the Papal Dignity; others thought that it were better to delay it for some time longer; a third sort proposed other Expedients. After th••s Difference arose, which lasted a long while, the greatest part of the Bishops withdrew from Perpignan, and the Council was reduc'd to the number of 18; but at last the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Prelats that remained, gave him their Opinion on February the first of the following Year, viz. That the Council did hold and acknowledge him for the true Pope, the Catholick and lawful Vicar of Je∣sus Christ; That they did believe him to be very far from being a Heretick or Schismatick, or a Favourer of Hereticks or Schismaticks; That they thank'd him for the Offers his Holiness had made towards an Union, and pr••y'd G•…•… to direct him, and make the Design successful for his own Glory. But withal they hu••bly bes•…•…h'd his Holiness and •…•…is'd hi••, 1. To pursue effectu∣ally, in sp••te of all manner of H•…•…drance ••or Persecutions, the Design of ••niting the Church by the way of Renunciation, which they preferr'd to all other ways, yet without excluding any. 2. To enlarge the Offer he had made of Renouncing, if the Intruder should renounce or happen to die, to this Case further; If the Intruder should be really and actually depos'd with the consent of those of his own Obedience. 3. To send Nuncio's in his Name to the Intruder, to the Anti-Cardinals, and the Cardinals at Pisa, with full Power to treat and agree upon the Place where his Holiness himself may be present in Person to execute what shall be agreed upon, or to send some Persons t•…•…ther authoriz'd by Deputation from him to d•• i•• and even to resign the Papal Dig∣nity if there shall be occasion. 4. To draw up this Instrument of Deputation in the largest and best Form that can be contriv'd. 5. To make Provision, in case he should happen to die, that no stop be put to the Design of Union, nor any new Schism be suffered to arise. 6. To make Constitu∣tions forbidding all Persons, under certain Penalties, to raise a new Schism. This Writing, sign'd by the Prelats who were still at Perpignan, was presented by the Patriarch of Constantinople to Pope Benedict, who agreed to it, and accep••ed the Conditions contain'd in it▪ and promis'd to make choice of fit Persons▪ for execu••ing this Agreement, in a solemn Session hel•• February 12th: And accordingly he nam'd s••veh L••gats on the 9th of March, whom he sent to Pis••, to see on what Conditions a Peace might be concluded.

While these Things were transacted in Arragon, the Cardinals of the two Colleges being as∣sembled * 1.3 at Pisa, were labouring earnestly to persuade all Christian Princes to acknowledge their Council, and approve what they should do. The King of France of his own accord was very well affected towards them, and had already congratulated them by Letters in the Design they had in hand a 1.4, and exhorted them to choose a Pope for all Christendom, assuring them that he should be acknowledg'd by all Christian Princes, and that for his own part he would not only acknowledge him, and cause him to be ac∣knowledg'd in his Kingdom, but that he would employ his whole Power and Authority to support him. England also was very much inclin'd to own the Pope that should be chosen by the Council of Pisa, and the Cardinal of Bourdeaux who was sent thither by the Car∣dinals found no Enemies there b 1.5. There remain'd only Germany where Gregory was supported by Robert Duke of Bavaria, King of the Romans; and thither the Cardinals sent in the beginning of the Year 1409, Landolph Cardinal of Bar, who came to Frankfort to hold there an Assembly of the Prelats and Princes of Germany, that he might persuade them to come or send Deputies to the Council of Pisa, and his Cardinal was kindly received by the Princes. Gregory also sent the Cardinal Anthony his Nephew, who being present with the Car∣dinal of Bar at the Assembly of Frankfort, endeavour'd to ju∣stify his Uncle, and made bitter Invectives against the Cardinal of Bar; which displeas'd the greater part of the Princes: But the King of the Romans, who favour'd Gregory, would suffer no other Resolve to be taken hereupon, but the Ambassador should be sent into Italy to labour after an Union. Robert chose for this Embassy the▪ Arch-bishop of Riga, and the Bishop of Worms, then newly elected to the Bishoprick of Ferden. Gregory persuaded this latter to go to Pisa in the Name of his Master, for there were already a great number of Prelats assembled, and to present unto them some Articles which con∣tain'd among other Things, That if the Cardinals would make choice of another place, that was secure for Gregory and themselves, Gregory himself would come thither; and whether Peter de Lima should come or no, he would resign up his Papal Dignity at such time as the Council should prescribe unto him. But when the Cardinal refus'd to accept of this Propo∣sal, the Bishop of Ferden appeal'd in the Name of King Robert, and signify'd in his Act of Appeal, That it belong'd to the King of the Romans to call the Council; and declar'd▪ That since the Coun∣cil of Pisa was assembled against his Will and without his Order, it could Decree nothing against Gregory. This Appeal he caus'd to be fix'd upon the Gates of the Church, and then retir'd sud∣denly and secretly.

The 25th of March, which was the Day appointed for the meeting of the Council, being come, it was open'd in the Cathedral of Pisa, by the Cardinals of Palestrina, Albano, Ostia, Puy, Tuzi,

Saluces and St. Angelo, of the Obedience of Benedict; and by the Cardinals of Naples, Aquileia, * 1.6 Colonna, Ursini, of Brancacio, Ravenna, Landi and St. Angelo, who were of the Obedience of Gregory. The Bishop of Meaux was present there in the Quality of Ambassador from the King of France, and the Bishop of Gap in the Name of the King of Sicily, with two Knights and a Se∣cretary. One Knight, one Doctor and one Clergy-man, were present from the King of England. The Cardinals were plac'd on high Seats at the right Hand of the Entry into the Quire, the Bishops and Abbots on both sides of the Nave of the Church, and the Deputies of Chapters and Mona∣steries underneath them; and the Ambassadors who were not Prelats, and the Doctors, in the Body of the Church. The Processions, the solemn Mass, and other usual Prayers being ended, two Cardinal-Deacons, two Archbishops, and two Bishops, together with some Doctors and Notaries, went by Order of the Council to the Gate of the Church, and ask'd with a loud Voice, Whether Peter de Luna and Angelus Corarius, Competitors for the Papal Dignity, were present, or any one for them? And no Person appearing, they made their Report to the Council, who nominated some Managers or Proctors in the Name of the Universal Church, to plead, enquire, and do whatever should be necessary or expedient for the Extirpation of Schism, against the two Compe∣titors for the Pontificat, and for the Union of the Church. These Officers, nam'd by the Council, presently accused them, and requir'd that they should be declar'd Contumacious in the Matter of Schism and of Faith, and that they should be prouounc'd in Contempt. They caus'd to be read the Acts by which the two Competitors had been summon'd, and the Verbal Process of the Citation. But the Council, notwithstanding the Affair was now ripe, put off any further Consulation about it until the next Session, which was to be held to Morrow: And then the Council caus'd them to be cited again as they were at first; and when no Body appear'd for them, they put off this Affair until the 30th of the next Month. When this Day was come, the Competitors being call'd again, and no Body appearing for them, they were declar'd Contumacious in Matters of Faith and of Schism, and the Sentence was pronounc'd against them by the Cardinal of Palestrina, (otherwise call'd, of Poitiers) with the unanimous Consent of the Fathers of the Council; and the further Prosecution of this Affair was deferr'd till the 15th of April. On this Day it was ordain'd, That the Cardinal of Todi should be cited as adhering to Gregory, and the Cardinals of St. Sabine, St. Adrian, St. Mary in via lata of Flisque, and Challont, as adhering to Benedict; and that if the two Competitors and the Cardinals should not appear at this time, they should proceed further against them. The Car∣dinals of Milan and Bar, who had been at the Assembly of Frankfort, arriv'd in Pisa at this Ses∣sion, and brought with him ninety, partly Archbishops and Bishops, partly Abbots and Doctors, who had not been present at the preceding Sessions.

The Ambassadors of Robert Duke of Bavaria, Elect King of the Romans, appear'd at the Fourth Session, and proposed several Objections against the Authority of the Council, and requir'd that it should be remov'd and assembled in another place, at which Gregory offer'd to appear. Their Rea∣sons were demanded in Writing, and Time was given them till the 24th of the same Month to bring in their Answer. Charles Malatesta of Rimini made the same Demand of the Council on behalf of Gregory, and propos'd more Difficulties. Two Cardinals of each Obedience were de∣puted to confer with him, who gave him to understand, that he could not hope to obtain what he demanded, and answer'd his Objections. Notwithstanding this Remonstrance they went on with the Process, and after they had ask'd at the Church-gate if any of the two Competitors were come, they were declar'd anew to be Contumacious, and the next Session was put off to the 24th. In this Session the Advocate of the Council alledg'd all the Facts concerning the Schism from its first beginning, and from thence prov'd the Collusion, the erroneous Proceedings and the unworthiness of the two Competitors, in 57 Articles; and requir'd, in the Name of the Proctor of the Council, That the Assembly should declare that the Union of the two Colleges was lawful and just, that the Cardinals had Power to appoint the General Council, and that the City of Pisa was a fit Place for holding the Assembly; That the Citations given to the two Competitors should be confirm'd, and that they should be reputed Contumacious, and their Favourers and Adherents should be depriv'd of all their Dignities, Benefices and Offices, and that it should be lawful for the Secular Judges to punish and chastise them in case they should oppose the Decree that was to pass against them; and that Kings and Princes should be absolv'd from their Oaths, and from any Obligation of Obedi∣ence to the two Competitors. He added, That altho' the Facts alledg'd against them were noto∣rious, yet he requir'd that the Council should name Commissioners to inform themselves more fully about them. The Council from this Day declar'd that the College of Cardinals, being united, had Power to call the Council, and that in the present Circumstances they had the Right to do it; That this General Council, representing the Church Universal, was lawfully assembled, and had Power to proceed to a Definitive Sentence; That the number of Prelats now assembled was sufficient; That the City of Pisa was a place very commodious; That Peter de Luna and Angelus Corarius had been sufficiently summon'd and cited to the Council. The Remainder was put off to the next Session, which was appointed to be held on the last Day of March.

Some time after Simon de Cra••aut Patriarch of Constantinople, the Deputies of the Universities, the Ambassadors of the Dukes of Brabant, Holland and Liege, those of the King of England * 1.7, the Archbishops of Mayence and Collen, arriv'd at Pisa.

In the 6th Session, the Bishop of Salisbury, Ambassador from the King of England, made a Discourse to the Council, taking for his Text the Words of the 83d Psalm, Justice and Judgment are the preparation of your Throne; from which he exhorted the Fathers of the Council to Peace, and said he had full Power from the King his Master as to all things, which were to be treated of in the Council. Nothing else was done in this Session, and the next was appointed to be May the 4th: In the mean time, the Cardinals of Bourdeaux and Spain, arriv'd at Pisa.

The Council being Assembled on the Day appointed, Peter de Ancharano, a Dr. of Bologne, made a Discourse, wherein he answered some Questions propos'd by the Ambassadors of the King of the Romans, altho' they were absent (for they had withdrawn themselves from the 21st of April, after they had publish'd on the 9th of the same Month, an Act of Appeal against all that the Council had done, or should do) and show'd, That the Objections were of no Force; That the Competitors had been lawfully Summon'd; That the Council had Power to proceed against them; That the Intention was to procure the Peace of the Church; and on the contrary, the Design of the Ambassadors of the Duke of Bavaria was to hinder it. In this Session, Commissioners were Nam'd, to receive and examine the Depositions of Witnesses, that should be produc'd by the Proctor of the Council, who were the Cardinals of Landi, and St. Angelo for the two Colleges; the Bishops of Liseaux, and the three Drs. for France, and one Dr. for England. It was also or∣dain'd, That the Council should send Deputies to Laodislaus, who call'd himself the King of Sicily, to pacifie him. The next Session was put off to the 10th of May.

In a Congregation, which was held before the General Assembly of the 8th Session, the Coun∣cil nam'd Deputies to assist in the Assemblies of the College of Cardinals, that all things might be done by common Agreement. The same Day the Cardinal of Albano told the Assembly, That he was inform'd that the Ambassadors of Peter de Luna wou'd quickly come to Pisa, and that they must consider how they should be receiv'd. About this, there was a Consultation the next Day, being the 9th of May, and on the Day following, being that of the Session, the Proctor of the Council requir'd, That they should Decree, that the Union of the two Colleges was lawfully made; That they were now become but one College; That they should declare the Calling of the Council to be Legal by them; That the Council was held in a secure and fit place; That it represented the Church Universal, and that the Cognizance and Decision of what concern'd the Union and Peace of the Church, and the Extirpation of the Schism belong'd to them. When it was demanded, If all of them were of this Opinion, the greater part answer'd affirmatively; But the Bishops of Salisbury and Evreux remonstrated as to the first Head of this Demand, That there could not be an Union of the two Colleges, as long as the Cardinals of Benedict obey'd him as they did, while all the rest refus'd to acknowledge Gregory the 12th; That it was necessary, there should be a general withdrawing of Obedience from them. Many more Things were said upon this Subject. The Patriarchs of Alexandria, the Germans and French were of this Opinion; but the Cardinals of Benedict, who had not yet withdrawn their Obedience from him, could hardly be brought to any Resolution in this Case. In fine, the Proctor of the Council, having mounted into a Pulpit, demanded still, That in consideration of the Contumacy of the two Competitors, who were notoriously guilty of continuing a Schism in the Church by their Collusion, contrary to the Oaths they had taken, the Council would pronounce and de∣clare, That from the time it had been manifest, the two Competitors had no mind to procure the Peace of the Church by the means they had sworn to make use of, it had been lawful to subtract Obedience from them, and that now they ought no more to be obey'd. He ask'd if this was the Opinion of the whole Council, and every one answer'd in the Affirmative with Joy, except two Bishops, the one of England, and the other of Germany. But notwithstanding their Opinion, the Matter was determin'd according to the Demand of the Proctor, and the Pa∣triarch of Alexandria, having mounted into a Pulpit, together with the Bishop of Salisbury, pro∣nounc'd the Definitive Sentence by the Authority of the Council. The Proctor demanded, That it should be drawn up in the Form of an authentick Act, which was granted him, and the next Session was put off to the 8th Day, that the Commissioners might have time to examine Witnesses.

The 9th Session was held the 17th of May, and the Act of Subtraction which had been drawn up by some Doctors, and review'd in private Congregations, was then presented, and the Proctor demanded that it should be read in full Council. The Patriarch took the Act, mounted into the Pulpit and read it with a loud Voice. It contain'd, That the Council judg'd it had been law∣ful to subtract Obedience from the two Competitors, ever since it was evidently prov'd, That they had no mind to procure Union by the way of Resignation, as they had sworn to do; That all Christians ought to subtract the Obedience from them; That the Council did Null and make Void all Sentences which the Competitors might have given, or should give against those that did subtract Obedience from them; That those who were Judges in the Council might be Witnesses against them; That the Commissioners might draw up Articles of Accusation, and a Verbal process of Interrogatories, as they should think convenient.

In the 10th Session, which was held the 22d of the same Month, the Proctor caus'd the Advo∣cate to inform the Council, That the Commissioners had heard Witnesses, and put the Depositions, in Order, and that they were ready to make the Report of them to the Council by the Mouth of the Archbishop of Pisa. The Council agreed to this Proposal, and Deputies were sent to the Church-gate, to know if any of the two Competitors, who had been cited to hear the Deposi∣tions

of Witnesses, would appear; but they not being present, nor any one for them, they were declar'd Contumacious, and it was ordain'd, That the Prosecutors might proceed further to draw up a Process against them, and publish the Depositions of the Witnesses. After this, the Arch-bishop of Pisa went up into the Pulpit, and caus'd to be read the Articles propos'd against the Competitors in the 10th Session, and observ'd upon each Article by how many Witnesses it was prov'd, and of what Quality they were. Twenty Articles were made ready this Session, and the rest in the next, which was held the Day after: After which, the Advocate of the Council mounted into a Pulpit, and required in the pain of the Proctors and Managers of the Council, That all the Facts alledg'd might be declar'd notorious, manifest and well prov'd, and that now they might proceed further. The Council deferr'd the Consultation about this Demand until the 25th of the Month, which was appointed for the next Session, in which they agreed with the Conclusions of the Advocate, the Sentence about them was publish'd, and the Power of the Commissioners was recall'd. The next Session was put off to the 29th of May, at which they were to declare the Day when they should give a Definitive Sentence. The Council was then made up of 140, partly Cardinals, partly Archbishops, Bishops and Mitred Abbots, of 26 Do∣ctors of Divinity, of 300 Doctors of Civil and Canon Law, and of Ambassadors from the Kings of France, England, Jerusalem, Cicily, Cyprus, Poland, from the Dukes of Brabant, Austria, Bavaria, from the Count of Cleves, the Marquiss of Brandenburgh and Moravia, from the Arch-bishops of Collen, Mayence and Saltzburgh, from the Bishop of Utrecht, the Master of the Order of Prussia, from the Patriarch of Aquileia, and many Princes of Italy: There were also Deputies present from the University of Paris.

On the 29th of May, the 12th Session was held, in which Peter Pluen, Dr. of Divinity of the Faculty of Paris, mounted into the Pulpit, and made a Discourse wherein he proved by many Reasons, That the Church was superior to the Pope, and made it appear, That Peter de Luna was an obstinate Schismatick, and even a Heretick; that he had fal'n from the Right of the Pontifical Dignity, of which the Council should immediately deprive him; He said, That this was the Opinion not only of the University of Paris, but also of the Universities of Angiers, Orleans and Tholouse. An Italian Bishop Ascended after him into the Pulpit, and read the Opi∣nion of 300 Doctors of the University of Bononia, which agreed with that of the University of Paris. In fine, the Advocate of the Council demanded, That a Day might be appointed for passing the Definitive Sentence against the two Competitors, and required that it might be Wed∣nesday next, being the 5th of June, and that in the mean time a Congregation should be held on Saturday next, to hear new Depositions against the two Competitors. This was granted him, and on the 1st Day of June, an Assembly was held, wherein the Archbishop of Pisa repeated all the Articles, and upon each of them he declar'd the number and Quality of the Witnesses that depos'd it, and gave publick notice, That all those who would see the Depositions entire, might do it on Monday or Tuesday next, in the Convent of the Carmelites, where they should find Car∣melites that would show them to any one that desir'd it.

In fine, at the 14th Session which was held on Wednesday, being the 5th of June, the Advo∣cate of the Council demanded, That they would proceed to a Definitive Sentence against the two Competitors. They were call'd for again several times at the Church-gate, and seeing nei∣ther of them appear'd, nor any Person for them, the Council order'd, That the Patriarch of A∣lexandria should publish the Definitive Sentence against them, and in pursuance of this Order, this Patriarch assisted by the Patriarchs of Antioch and Jerusalem, pronounc'd with a loud Voice in the presence of the Assembly and the People, who were now suffer'd to come into the Church, the Definitive Sentence, which was to this effect, That this Holy General Council representing the whole Church, to whom belong'd the Cognizance and Decision of this Cause, having ex∣amin'd all Matters relating to the Union of the Church, and the Schism between Peter de Luna, call'd Benedict the 13th, and Angelus Corarius, otherwise call'd Gregory the 12th, upon mature Deliberation, have declar'd with an unanimous consent, That all the Facts alledg'd against them by the Proctors of the Council, are true and notorious, and that the two Competitors are mani∣festly Schismaticks, Favourers of Schism, Hereticks, guilty of Perjury, and of the Violation of their Oaths; that they give a Scandal to the whole Church by their manifest Obstinateness and Contumacy; that they are unworthy of all Honour and Dignity, and particularly of the Ponti∣fical, and that they are fal'n from it, depriv'd of it, and separate from the Church, ipso facto; That nevertheless the Church does now deprive them by this Definitive Sentence, and forbids them to use the Title of Sovereign Pontiffs; declares, That the Church of Rome is vacant, absolves all Christians from the Obedience which they may have promis'd them, and forbids any Person to obey them, to help or conceal them for the future; Ordains, That those who shall not obey this Sentence shall be punish'd by the Secular Powers; declares all the Judgments or Sen∣tences which they have given or shall give, to be Null and Void, as well as the Nominations of Cardinals, which have been made by them some time ago, viz. those of Angelus Corarius, since the 3d of May, and those of Peter de Luna, since the 15th of June, in the Year, 1408. And lastly, to the end, That the Decrees made by the Competitors to the prejudice of Union may be Null'd, and what concerns the Promotions they have made may be Regulated, the Council appointed a Session on Monday next, being the 10th of June.

On this Day, the Archbishop of Pisa read an Instrument in Writing, by which the Cardinals promis'd, That whoever among them should be chosen Pope, should continue the Council, and

not dissolve it, nor suffer it to be dispers'd, until it had made a Reformation of the Universal Church, and of its present State, both in the Head and the Members; and that in case any one of the Cardinals that was absent should be chosen, they should bind them by a Promise of suffi∣cient Force and Validity, to execute what they had before, and did now at present approve, viz. the Continuation of the Council during the vacancy of the See. Nothing else was done in this Session, and the Council was adjourn'd to Thursday, the 13th of June.

In this, a Writing was read, by which the Council consented, and ordain'd, That the two Colleges of Cardinals should proceed according to the usual Forms, to the Election of a Pope.

The next Day, the Ambassadors from the King of Arragon, and those of Peter de Luna, pre∣sented themselves to the Council: The former were heard, and desir'd to be inform'd of what had pass'd in the Council, and tho' they protested that they did not hear with a Design to ap∣prove their Actions; yet Answer was made, That Deputies should be nam'd to inform them: But as to the Ambassadors of Peter de Luna, they were answer'd that they came too late, and that they were not to be heard. Nevertheless, out of respect to the King of Arragon, it was resolv'd, That some part of what they had to say should be heard; but they could not endure that this King's Ambassadors should give him the Title of Pope Benedict the 13th; And when the Archbishop of Tarragona, and the other Ambassadors of Peter de Luna entred, a great Tumult was made: But John de Costa, who had formerly been Bishop of Mende, being their Orator, did first of all remonstrate, That there being an Agreement between the Florentines and Cardinals, by which every one is forbidden to oppose any thing that had been done in a Council, he could not propose what he had to say, unless assurance were given him, That he might speak with freedom, notwithstanding this Agreement. The Council answer'd him, That they could not dispense with this Law, yet he might say what he thought was to the purpose. Hereupon the Ambassadors of the King of Arragon, and of Peter de Luna, desir'd to see the Articles of that Agreement, and that this Matter might be delay'd till the Morrow; which was granted them; but the Ambassadors of Peter de Luna withdrew without demanding Audience.

On Saturday, the 19th of the same Month of June, the Bishop of Navarre having made a Dis∣course upon these Words, in Ch. 10. of the 4th Book of Kings, Choose ye one better, and set him upon the Throne: The Cardinals towards the Evening, entred into the Conclave to the Number * 1.8 of 24, and there continued until the 26th of the same Month; in which time they chose Unani∣mously for Pope, Peter Philaret of Candie, the Cardinal of Milan, of the Order of Friars Minors, who assum'd the Name of Alexander the 5th, and immediately appointed a Session of the Council on the first of July next.

He presided in Person at this Session, being seated on a high Chair among the Five Patriarchs, and having read the Decree of his Election, he made a Discourse to the Council, and then or∣der'd the Cardinal of Bononia to read a Decree; whereby First, He approv'd and ratisied all the Processes Sentences and Regulations which had been made by the Cardinals for the Union of the Church, since the 5th of May, 1408. and all that had been done in the General Council, provided the Errors either in Matter of Right and Fact were corrected, if any such there were, as much as was necessary. Secondly, He United the two Colleges of Cardinals into one only. Thirdly, He dissolv'd the Difficulty concerning the Benefices of Cardinal Challant, who had con∣tinued longer with Peter de Luna than the rest, by remitting to him any Impediment he might have contracted by his slowness in forsaking that Faction. He added, That he would so order Matters, that the Prelats who had come to the Council, should return with contentment; that he would labour hard for the Reformation of the Church, as he had promis'd; and that he would chuse Persons of Probity and Vertue to consult with the Cardinals about it. After this, it was order'd, That he should be Crown'd the next Sunday, and then the Council adjourn'd till Wednes∣day, the 10th of July.

In the 21st Session, the Pope was Complemented in the Name of the Florentines, and those of Siena, and order'd a Decree to be publish'd, wherein he declares to be Null, and perfectly makes Void all the Sentences that had been given by the two Competitors during the time of the Schism, against those that were not of their Obedience; or who had embrac'd Neutrality, while the Difficulty lasted of determining which of the two was the true Pope and Vicar of Jesus Christ. The next Session was put off to the Wednesday following, and after that the Council was Pro∣rogu'd to the 27th of July, upon the account of the Arrival of Louis of Anjou, King of Sicily.

In this Session, the Pope caus'd the Cardinal Challant to publish a Decree, wherein he ap∣prov'd and ratify'd all the Collations, Provisions, Promotions, Translations of Bishopricks, Dig∣nities, Benefices, Ecclesiastical Offices, all the Consecrations of Bishops, Ordinations of Clergy-men, and other Acts done by the two Competitors, or their Predecessors, or by their Order, or their Authority, in such Places where Obedience was freely paid them; provided they were done Canonically, and that those who were promoted had been in peaceable Possession, excepting what had been done to the prejudice of the Union, or of those that adhere'd to the Council, particularly since the 3d of May, in 1408. with respect to Angelus Corarius, and since the 15th of July, in the same Year, with respect to Peter de Luna. He confirm'd also all the Elections, Postulations, Presentations, Institutions, Collations, &c. made Canonically by the Electors, Ordi∣naries, Patrons, &c. to those who adher'd to the Council; he maintain'd all those who were in peaceable Possession of Benefices, to which they had been promoted by the ordinary ways, yet

without derogating from the Regulations which had been made at Paris, in the last Assembly of * 1.9 the Clergy of France, or from the Rights of the Cardinals, and particularly the Cardinal of Al∣bano. He declar'd, That he would proceed against the Favourers of Peter de Luna and An∣gelus Corarius; and ordain'd, that he or his Successor, shall appoint another General Council to meet in the Year 1412. in the Month of April, at a convenient place which shall be fix'd a Year before their meeting. He declar'd also, That if the Cardinal de Flisque will return within two Months, he shall be received in the Quality of Cardinal, and enjoy the Benefices he had before the 15th of June 1408. He confirm'd also the Dispensations and Absolutions in Reserv'd Cases, agreed upon by the Bishops during the Neutrality. He caus'd the Archbishop of Pisa to publish, That he remitted to all the Churches the Arrears of great and mean Services which were due to the Apostolick Chamber until the Day of his Election; That he did not intend to heap up to himself the Spoils of dead Bishops, nor the Profits which should arise out of vacant Benefices. He pray'd the Cardinals to make the same Allowance to all the Churches and Ecclesiasticks; which was approv'd by all the Prelats of the Council, except the Cardinal of Albano who opposed it. These Regulations being finish'd, the next Session was deferred till the 7th of August.

This was the last Session of the Council of Pisa, wherein the Pope ordain'd, That the Revenues of the Church of Rome and other Churches, should neither be alienated nor mortgaged by the Pope or other Prelats, until the next Council; That in the mean time the Archbishops and Bishops should call their Provincial Councils, the Monks and Canons Regular should hold their General and Provincial Chapters; That the Pope should make no Translation against the Will of the Parties concerned; That Ambassadors should be sent to Kings and Christian Princes, to notify the Acts of the Council, and cause them to execute what had been ordained in it. He granted a Plenary Indulgence and Absolution both from Pain and Guilt to all those who had assisted at this Council, and adher'd to what had been determin'd in it. In fine he declar'd, That having a De∣sign to Reform the Church in its Head and Members, and having taken much Pains already to that purpose, but not being able to finish it because of the Departure of some Prelats and Ambassa∣dors, he did therefore delay this Reformation until the next Council, whereof the time was already prefixed, leaving all those who had been called to this Council at liberty to return to their own Homes.

This is what was done in the Council of Pisa, the Acts of which have been publish'd by Father Dom. Luc Dachery in the 6th Tome of his Spicilegium, and whereof we had nothing before but an Abridgment, containing the Names and Titles of those who were present, being in number 22 Cardinals, 67 Ambassadors, partly Ecclesiastical, partly Laical, from Kings or Sovereign Princes, 4 Patriarchs, 2 Prothonotaries, 12 Archbishops, 67 Bishops in Person, and 85 by Deputies, a very great number of Abbots, of Generals, Ministers, and Proctors of Orders, and Convent-Priors, of Deputies from the Universities of Paris, of Angiers and Montpellier, and of Proctors of an infinite number of Abbies and Monasteries, of Chapters, Cities, Provinces, and other Communities. Alexander V. confirm'd the Acts of this Council by his Bull, dated the last of January 1410. Gregory and Benedict seeing themselves abandon'd by the Old Cardinals, created some new ones: Benedict made 12 of Spaniards or Arragonese, and Gregory also created some out of the Prelats who were of his Obedience, among whom was Gabriel Condolmier, who was afterward Pope under the Name of Eugenius IV.

Gregory XII. by a second Bull, dated December 18. in the Year 1408. had fix'd the precise * 1.10 Place where his Council was to meet, which was Udine, a City of the Province of Aquileia, in Friuli. Thither he came at the time appointed, and open'd the Council on the Festival-day of Corpus Christi, in the Year 1409. by solemn Processions; but there being scarce any Prelats pre∣sent, he put off the next Session to the 22d of June, and invited the Bishops anew to come thi∣ther. This second Session was not more numerous than the former, nevertheless he gave order to declare, That the Elections and Enthronements of Urban VI. Boniface IX. Innocent X. his Prede∣cessors, and his own, were Canonical, and that they ought to be acknowledg'd for true and real Popes; and on the contrary, That the Election of Robert of Geneva, of Peter de Luna, and Peter de Candie, who was lately chosen, were temerarious, unlawful and sacrilegious, and that they were Schismaticks and Usurpers; That they had no Right to the Papal Dignity, and that whatever they had done or should do was Null and Void. In fine, in the third Session, on the Fifth of September, or rather in a Congregation of a small number of Prelats which he had about him, he made a Declaration importing, That he was ready to resign the Pontifical Dignity really and actu∣ally, provided that Peter de Luna and Peter of Candy, would also personally resign at the same place, their pretended Rights to that Dignity, according to the Form prescribed in the Conclave; on condition nevertheless, that to make the Election of a new Pope valid, he must have two thirds of the Suffrages of the Cardinals of the two Obediences; and for appointing a place of meeting, that Power be given to Robert King of the Romans, and Laodislaus King of Jerusalem, and Sigis∣mund King of Hungary, to make choice of the place: And in case his Adversaries would not ac∣cept of this Proposal, he gave Power also to Princes to call a General Council, at which he pro∣inises to be present, and to stand to the Judgment which shall be there given by the greater part of each Obedience. This last Clause render'd the Execution of this Project impossible; for Sigis∣mund, Laodislaus and Robert, were at War with one another, and therefore could act nothing by common Consent, in an Affair about which their Interests were quite different.

However Gregory might put a good Face upon the Matter, he was really very much perplex'd with the present State of Affairs, for he fear'd lest the Venetians should abandon him, or cause him to be apprehended, in Obedience to the Decree of the Council of Pisa, which exhorted all Secular Powers to oblige the Competitors to submit to the Determination of that Council; and this he fear'd the rather because the Patriarch of Aquileia, whom he would have depriv'd of his Dignity, appear'd very vigorously against him, and the Cardinals whom he had newly created. Upon this * 1.11 account he took up a Resolution to retire from Udine, but he could not easily put it in Execution, because the Venetians had guarded the Passes, lest he should escape. He wrote to King Laodislaus, who sent him two Gallies, and fifty Men for a Convoy. But this small number being too weak to force the Passes which were guarded by strong Troops, he made his Escape all alone on Horse∣back, being disguis'd in the Habit of a Merchant, with two Footmen, and got to the two Gal∣lies. In the mean time, the Guards stop'd Paul his Chamberlain, who Travell'd in a Red Habit with his Equipage; and it was very unhappy for this poor Ecclesiastick that he counterfeited the Pope, for he was taken Prisoner, robb'd, and receiv'd many Bastinadoes. By these Blows they Extorted from him a Confession, that he had 500 Florins sow'd up in his Shirt, which were taken from him, and the next Day one of these that had robb'd him, in derision of Gregory, put on the Pontifical Habit which Paul had, and being Cloath'd with it, went on Horseback into the City of Udine, giving the Benediction to the People by the way. The Equipage of Gregory was sold, Paul was put in Prison, some of those that belong'd to his Court were abus'd; and others fearing the same Treatment, lay hid in the City, until they found a favourable opportunity to retire. In the mean time, Gregory arriv'd at Abruzzo, and took up his Residence at Caiete, under the protection of Laodislaus, having a very small Court, because no place acknowledg'd him but Apulia, and part of Tuscany, and Liguria, and Emilia.

Alexander V. who was chosen at Pisa, by the Cardinals of the two Colleges, was a Greek, born in the Isle of Candie: He never knew his Father or Mother, but while he was yet very young, * 1.12 and went about begging his Bread, he was taken up and entertain'd by an Italian Monk of the Order of Friars Minors, who was in that Isle, who having taught him Latin, made him take the Habit of his Order, and carried him with him into Italy. From Italy he was sent into Eng∣land, to study at the University of Oxford, from whence he went to Paris, and took his De∣grees, and commenc'd Dr. in Divinity. After this he went into Lombardy, and there falling into the Acquaintance of John Galeas, he was made by his Interest Bishop of Vicenza, and afterwards Archbishop of Milan, then Cardinal, and at last Pope. He was of a generous and liberal Dis∣position, and lov'd to make good Entertainments; at his Election he was Seventy Years Old. Balthazar Cossa, the Cardinal Deacon, who held the City and Country of Bononia, in the quality of Legat from the Holy See, had a greater share than any Man in all the Transactions at the Council of Pisa; by his Interest he procur'd him to be chosen Pope, but did himself really in effect govern during his Pontificat. He made no Reformation, but on the contrary he granted extraordinary Favours to all sorts of Persons, created new Officers in his Court, gave Dispensations contrary to Order, united and disunited a great many Benefices, and permitted some to possess a great many of them, tho' they were incompatible. Theodorick de Niem, who gives us this Testimony of him, adds, That he was not a fit Man for Business, or managing Affairs, and upon that account he scarce ever heard the Advocates plead in the publick Consistories, as the Popes had usully done; That he had such a fondness for the Clergy that were about him, that instead of distributing the Petitions among the ordinary Officers of Chancery, to make an Abridgment of them, he gave them to these Clergy-men, that they might have the profit of them; and because they understood, nothing of these Matters, many Errors were committed during his Pontificate, which threw the Dataries Office into great Confusion. The same Author observes also, That this Pope favour'd the Friars Minors after an extraordinary manner, by giving them publick and gainful Offices and bestowing upon them vacant Bishopricks and Benefices as much as he could. He renew'd in their Favours the Priviledges of Preaching and Confessing, granted to the Mendicant Orders, by Boniface the 8th, and John the 22d, and condemn'd some Propositions that prejudic'd and dimi∣nish'd their Power, by his Bull dated October the 10th, 1409. which made a great noise in the University of Paris, who threatned to cut off the Mendicant Orders from their Body, unless they would renounce this Bull; against which Gerson made a publick Discourse at a General Procession.

Alexander V. was acknowledg'd for Pope by all Christendom, except Apulia, and some part of Italy, which had not yet abandon'd Gregory, and the Kingdoms of Arragon, Castile and Scot∣land, and the States of Count Armagnac, who acknowledg'd Benedict. Germany was divided, for Robert King of the Romans oppos'd the owning of Alexander for Pope, because in many of his Letters he gave the Title of King of the Romans, to Wenceslaus, King of Bohemia; tho' he him∣self had Possession of the Estate. But Alexander V. found a means to gain the Archbishop of Mayence, by making him Legatus Natus * 1.13 to the Holy See in his own Province; and the other Prelates of Germany he gain'd to his side, by granting them all the Favours and Benefices they desir'd of him, as also the German Lords by granting them any Dispensations for Marriage that they had a mind to. As to Italy, Rome was still under the Power of Laodislaus, when Alexander V. was chosen; but Balthazar Cossa having sat down before it with an Army in September, 1409. strengthned the Party of Paul of Ursini, gain'd the Governor of the Castle of St. Angelo, and so order'd Matters, That the Officers of Laodislaus were driven away, and the City of Rome in ap∣pearance

was reduc'd to the Obedience of Alexander, but in effect was under the Government of Paul of Ursins. The Court of Pope Alexander was then at Pistoya, and he thought himself oblig'd to go to Rome, where the Romans expected him: But Balthazar Cossa would carry him to Bohemia, under pretence that he was oblig'd to bring him thither, but really upon Design as 'tis thought, that himself might be chosen Pope after his Death (which he foresaw would quickly happen) the Cardinals being then in a City whereof he was Master. Howsoever this was, 'tis certain the thing happen'd after this manner, for Alexander V. dying at Bohemia, May the 3d, 1410. Balthazar Cossa, who besides his own Interest, had a Recommendation from * 1.14 Louis of Anjou, King of Sicily, was chosen Pope a few Days after, and took upon him the Name of John XXIII.

This Pope was of a considerable Family in Naples; he had been Cardinal, and was ap∣pointed Legate of the Holy See at Bohemia, by Boniface the 9th. He amass'd together great Riches in this Employment, by the Exactions and Tyrannies which he exercis'd in the City and Country of Bohemia, which he govern'd as an absolute Sovereign. He contributed very much to the Meeting of the Council of Pisa, and the Election of Alexander V. and govern'd in his Name during his Pontificate.

The first Design which John XXIII. undertook, after he was advanc'd to the Holy See, was * 1.15 to deprive Laodislaus of the Kingdom of Naples, (which he had had a great mind to do for a long time, because Laodislaus had been the cause of condemning his Brethren to Death) and to put Louis Duke of Anjou in Possession of that Kingdom. For this end he rais'd an Army, and having join'd it with the Troops of this Prince, he march'd towards Capua. Laodislaus met them with an Army, and gave them Battle in May 1411. The Forces of Laodislaus were bea∣ten; but the Conquerors being diverted with gathering the Spoil and Booty, gave an oppor∣tunity to Laodislaus, to escape into a Castle, and to the remainder of his Forces to make a Retreat. In the mean time, John XXIII. returning Triumphantly into Rome, and to show his Contempt of his Enemies, he caus'd their Ensigns which he had taken, to be dragg'd thro' the Dirt after a Solemn Procession which he made. But Louis of Anjou was no sooner re∣turn'd into France, than Laodislaus repair'd his Losses, and strengthned his Interest, by gain∣ing to his Party the principal Commanders of the Pope's Army, and then he sent an Army in the time of Harvest to the very Gates of Rome, which was beat back at the first Onset: But John XXIII. despairing of reducing Laodislaus by force, resolv'd to gain him by Money: And therefore he entred upon a secret Treaty with him, which being concluded, Laodislaus gave Order to Angelus Corarius to depart out of his Dominions. He was forc'd to obey, and therefore he fled to Marca Ancona, to shelter himself under the protection of Charles Malatesta, who was the only Person that continued faithful to him.

The War being quickly kindled again between Laodislaus and John XXIII. the former * 1.16 came with an Army to the Gates of Rome, in May 1413. which meeting with no Resistance entred into the City; for the Romans hated the Pope, who had drawn great sums of Mo∣ney from the richest Men in the City. John XXIII. and all his Courtiers fled, and escap'd with all speed to Sutri, Viterbo and Montefiascone; and the Pope not thinking himself safe here, continued his Journey thro' Siena, as far as Florence, where he resided until Morning; and af∣terwards passing thro' Bohemia, he came the last Day of this Month into Lombardy, to treat about the Meeting of a Council with Sigismund King of Hungary, who had been chosen King of the Romans by one Party of the Electors of the Empire, after the Death of Robert of Ba∣varia, which happen'd May 18th, 1410. The other Party of the Electors had chosen Jesse, Marquiss of Moravia; but he dying in a short time after, all their Suffrages were united in favour of Sigismund.

John XXIII. having sent at the beginning of his Pontificate the Archbishop of Pisa's Le∣gate into France, together with Nicolas de Robertis a Knight, and Jeffery de Peyrusse a Doctor, to raise Money there for the Procurations and Depradations of the Ecclesiasticks Deceas'd; The University of Paris oppos'd him herein, and maintain'd the Disposal that was made of * 1.17 them by the King's Edict, in 1406. and solicited the Prelates, and other Universities to join with them in defeating this Design. But notwithstanding these Efforts, it was resolv'd that the Clergy of France should grant the Pope a charitable Subsidy of half the Tenths of the Re∣venues of their Benefices; the Prelates consented to it, and the University yielded, because this Subsidy was granted after that manner which it had offer'd at first.

The Legate came to Paris, and presented to them a Bull of the Pope, wherein he declares after what manner he was chosen, and his good Intention to promote the Peace of the Church, and pray'd the Court to assist him. This Bull being read by the Clerk, Jeffery of Peryusse gave an account of the Expences the Pope had been at, to serve Louis Duke of Anjou, and assur'd them, That his Intention was to endeavour an Union of the Greek Church to the Latin, and to make Peace between the Kings of France and England, and to hold a Council at the time appointed by that of Pisa, to reform the Church both in its Head and Members. Upon the prospect of this Council, the Clergy of France was Assembled at Paris, by Order of the King, to draw up some Memoirs which were to be carried to the Council, containing a Com∣plaint of the excessive Taxes wherewith the Clergy of France were oppress'd. The Assembly was held in the Palace, where Benedict Gentian a Monk of St. Denis, spoke smartly against the Trouble which was given them by the Court of Rome; and particularly against the Pen∣sions

which the Cardinals rais'd upon the Churches of the Kingdom; against the Appeals to * 1.18 the Court of Rome, and about the Promotions of Strangers to Benesices; and show'd, That these were the ways made use of to draw Money out of France. He beseech'd the Assembly to con∣sider of these things; and Memorials of them were drawn up, which were entrusted with those that were sent to Constance.

While these things were a doing, a Letter from the Legate to the Pope's Secretary was in∣tercepted, wherein he acquaints him, That the Members of Parliament pretended to be Ex∣empt from Subsidies for the Benefices which they possess'd, and to have a Priviledge for this Exemption from the Holy See; and that the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction was wholly abolish'd, because the Parliament took cognizance of Ecclesiastical Causes belonging to the Right of Pos∣session between Ecclesiastical Persons, the Regulars, Bishops, and even Cardinals themselves. The Court was much offended with this Letter, order'd that an Information should be drawn against it, and that the King's Advocate should make a Discourse against it in the presence of His Majesty and the Legate; and at last determin'd, That the Priviledge of not paying Tenths or Subsidies to the Pope should be search'd for in the Treasury of the King's Papers; and that some should remonstrate to His Majesty of what great Consequence the pretension of the Legate was, that so for the future he might be forbid to maintain, That the King and his Judges, and particularly the Parliament, could not take cognizance of Causes belonging to the Right of possessing Benefices; and that, lastly, the King should be entreated to write about this Matter to the Pope and Cardinals. This is what past in the beginning of the Year 1411.

The next Year, the King, upon the Complaint of the University renew'd his Letters, by which he maintain'd those that had been promoted to Benefices during the Neutrality: And to the end he might hinder the Traffick which had been made of the Benefices of the Kingdom by the Court of Rome; he, by the Advice of his Clergy and Universities ordain'd, That all Provisions and Commendams of Churches should be superseded in his Kingdom, and sent an Express to Pope John, for the redressing of this Grievance; which he neglecting to do, upon the Demand of the Proctor-General, and at the Solicitation of the Provost and Sheriffs of Paris, the Parliament and all the Courts of Justice being Assembled, with many Prelates and Members of the University, ordain'd, That the Edict made in the Month of February, 1406. should be put in Execution, as to Elective Benefices; And this Decree of the Court was confirmed by the King's Council. This is what past in France, concerning the Pretensions of the Court of Rome, from the Sitting of the Council of Pisa, to the Meeting of the Council of Constance, of which we are to give an account in the next Chapter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Councils appointed about the Schism in the year, 1408.
• * 1.2

  The Coun∣cil of Per∣pignan un∣der Bene∣dict XIII.
• * 1.3

  Prepa••a∣tives of the Council of Pisa.
• a 1.4

  [He had withdrawn his Obedience from Benedictus by a Decree of the Parliament of Paris, forbidden all the Pope's Servants to gather any First-Fruits; and when two of them brought Bulls which thunder'd Excom∣munication against the King and his Princes, they were crown'd with Mitres of Paper, and disgracefully dragg'd about the City in a Dung. Cart. Carol. Molin. de Monarch. Franc. n. 140, 141, &c.]
• b 1.5

  [Henry IV. of England had with∣drawn his Obedience from Gregory XII. after his Cardinals were forc'd to fly to Pisa for promoting the Union, who wrote into Eng∣land, that the vast Sums, of Mony which were yearly brought thence, was the grea•• cause why the Cardinals were so ambitious of the Papal Dignity, and so ••e••acious of it when once they were advanc'd to it; whereupon by the King's Command, it was decreed in a Synod-held this year 1408. at London, That no Mony should be raised out of Bishopricks or Benefices, to be paid into the Exchequer of Rome. Spelman's Councils, Vol. 2d.]
• * 1.6

  The Coun∣cil of Pisa.
• * 1.7

  Viz. Ro∣bert Hal∣lum Bishop of Salis∣bury, Henry Chichely Bishop of St. Davids, and the Prior of Canterbury, who were chosen Ambassadors in a Synod held as Lon∣don the beginning of the Year 1409, and arriv'd at Pisa April 25th; with whom were sent also, Thomas an Abbot, the Earl of Suffolk, John Colme Kt. and Richard Canyngston Doctor of the Laws. Dachery's Spicileg. Tom. 6. p. 346.
• * 1.8

  The Electi∣on of Alex∣ander the V.
• * 1.9

  The Coun∣cil of A∣quileia.
• * 1.10

  The Council of Aqui∣leia under Gregory XII.
• * 1.11

  The flight of Gregory into the Kingdom of Naples.
• * 1.12

  Alexan∣der V.
• * 1.13

  i. e. One whose Le∣gantine Power was annex'd to his Office of Archbishop.
• * 1.14

  John the 23d Pope.
• * 1.15

  War be∣tween Lao∣dislaus and John the 2••d.
• * 1.16

  John the 23d driven from Rome.
• * 1.17

  The Designs of John the 23d re∣jected in France.
• * 1.18

  The Council of Con∣st••nce.