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The Council of NORTHUMBERLAND.

POPE Adrian having sent two Legates into England, Gregory of Ostia, and Theophylactus, Bi∣shop * 1.1 of Todi, they were very well entertained by the Kings, and the Bishops of the Country, and held a Council in Northumberland (An. 787.) in which they made the fol∣lowing Canons to be received.

1st. That the Faith of the Nicene Council should be maintained, even to the laying down of their Lives in the Defence of it, if need were.

2d. That Baptism should be administred only according to the Order, and at the time appointed by the Canons, except in Case of Necessity; that all Persons should be obliged to learn the Creed and the Lord's Prayer; that the Sureties should be put in mind of the Obligation they had taken upon themselves, to take care that those whom they undertake for at the Font, be instructed in the Creed and the Lord's Prayer.

3d. That every year two Councils should be held; that the Bishops should visit their Dioceses, and watch carefully over their Flock.

4th. That they should take care to see their Clerks live Canonically, and their Monks regularly; that they wear different Garments; that Clerks be clad modestly and plain, and that of this, the Bishops, Abbots and Abbesses ought to be Examples to such as are under their Care.

5th. That after the Death of an Abbot or an Abbess, they should choose others in their Room, with the Bishop's Advice, and that they ought to be chosen out of the Monastery, if there were any fit for that Place; if not, that they are to be taken out of another Monastery.

6th. That Bishops shall Ordain none Presbyters or Deacons, but Men of an exemplary Life, and such as are able to discharge their Functions well; that they that are Ordained, shall remain in the Title and Degree, to which they are destined; and that no Clerk of another Church shall be received without Cause, and without Letters from his Bishop.

7th. That in all Churches, Divine Service shall be performed at the usual time, and with Reverence.

8th. That the old Priviledges granted to Churches shall be preserved; but if any of them be found made against the Canonical Constitutions, at the Suit and Request of wicked Men, they shall be abrogated.

9th. That Clerks shall not eat by themselves, and in private.

The 10th. That none shall come near the Altar, but reverently, and in decent Cloathing, that the Oblations of the People shall be a whole Loaf of Bread, and not a bare Crust; that no Cha∣lice or Patin shall be made of an Ox-horn, and that Bishops shall not undertake to judge in Secu∣lar Affairs.

In the 11th, Kings are exhorted to perform their Duty, and to Govern like Christians.

The 12th, Recommends Obedience due to Kings, and detests them that attempt any thing a∣gainst their Life.

The 13th, exhorts the Grandees and the Rich to do Justice.

In the 14th, Fraud, Violence and Exactions are forbidden, and Concord, Peace, Union and Charity are recommended.

The 15th, Prohibits illegitimate Marriages upon Pain of Anathema.

The 16th, Deprives Bastards of the Right of Succession.

The 17th, Enjoyns paying of Tythes, and forbids Usury.

The 18th, Ordains that Christians shall perform their Vows.

The 19th, Prohibits certain Customs, which seemed to them some Remainders of Heathenism, such, as to Cut and Slash themselves, to decide Controversies by Lot, to eat Horse-flesh, &c.

The 20th, Enjoyns Confessing of Sins, and receiving the Sacrament, and declares, that those shall not be pray'd for, who die without Confession.

These Articles were proposed in Northumberland by Adrian's Legates, in the Presence of Osred II. King of Northumberland, of the Arch-Bishop of York, The Bishops, the Abbots and Lords, who received them, and promised to keep them, and subscribed them. From thence they were car∣ried to Offa, King of the Mercians, and read in his Presence, in an Assembly, at which the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was present, with the Bishops, Abbots, and great Lords, who also received and subscribed them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Council of Northum∣berland.