The first-[third] tome of an exact chronological vindication and historical demonstration of our British, Roman, Saxon, Danish, Norman, English kings supreme ecclesiastical jurisdiction from the original planting, embracing of Christian religion therein, and reign of Lucius, our first Christian king, till the death of King Richard the First, Anno Domini 1199 ... / by William Prynne, Esq.

SUB hiis quoque diebus, erat in provincia Eboracensi, Heremita quidam Pe∣trus nomine, qui eo quod multis futura multa praedixerat, sapiens dicebatur. Hic inter alia quae spiritu cunctis astantibus, & audire volentibus, illud praedi∣cando publice asserebat, quod non foret Rex in die Dominicae Ascen∣sionis proximo sequentis nec deinceps, sed die illa coronam Angliae, ad altum transferri praedixit. Cujus assertio cum ad Regis notitiam devenissit,

& ipso jubente, ad ejus praesentiam adductus fuisset: Quaesivit ab eo Rex, si die illo esset moriturus, vel quo ordine a regni solio privaretur? Qui respondit: Noveritis certissime, quod die predicta Rex non eris. Et si de mendacio convictus fuero, de me quod placuerit faciatis. Cui Rex, fiat, inquit, secundum verbum tu∣um. Tunc Rex tradidit illum Willielmo de Harecurt custodiendum, quem idem Willielmus, Custodibus & Arctioribus vinculis constrictum, apud Corruum incarcaverit, donec probaret quem exitum res haberet. Quod verbum in brevi per remotas provincia; ita disseminatum est, quod fere omnes, qui hoc audi••runt, dictis ejus adeo fidemadhibuerunt, ac si assertio illius de Coelo sonuisset.

Mr. Fox, and some other Historians observe, that this false counterfeit Pro∣phet, set up by the Prelates and Priests, called Peter Wakefield of Poiz, was an idle gadder about, and a pratling Merchant: This Peter they made to Prophecy lyes, rumouring his Prophecyes abroad, to bring the King out of all credit with his people. They noised it daily amongst the Commons of the Realm, that Christ had twice appeared to this Prophet of theirs in shape of a Child between the Priests hands, once at York, another time at Pomfret, and that he had breathed on him thrice, saying, Peace, Peace, Peace, and teaching many things which hee anon after declared to the Bishops, and bid the people amend their naughty living. Being rapt also in spirit, they said, hee beheld the Joyes of Heaven, and sorrowes of Hell. For scant were there three (saith the Chronicle) a∣mong a thousand that lived Christianly. This counterfeit soothsayer prophecyed of King John, that he should raigne no longer then the Ascention day, within the yeare of our Lord 1213. which was the 14^th. from his Coronation, and this (hee said) hee had by Revelation. Then was it of him demanded, whether hee should, be slaine or expelled, or should of himself give over the Crown? He answered, hee could not tell, but of this he was sure (he said) that neither hee, nor any of his Stock or Linage should raigne, that day once finished. The King hearing of this laughed much at it, and made but a scoffe thereof: Tush (saith hee) it it is but an Ideot Knave, and such a one as lacketh his right wits;

But when this foolish Prophet had so escaped the danger of the Kings displeasure, and that he made no more of it, he got him abroad and prated thereof at large (as hee was a very idle vagabond) and used to tatle, and talk more then enough: so that they which loved the King caused him a non after to bee ap∣prehended as a Malefactor, and to bee thrown into prison, the King not knowing thereof.

Anon after, the fame of this phantasticall Prophet went all the Realme over, and his name was known every where (as foolishnesse is much regarded of peo∣ple where Wisdome is not in place) specially because hee was then imprisoned for the matter, the rumor was the larger; their wonderings were the wantoner, their practicing the foolisher, their busie talks and other idle occupyings the greater, continually from thence (as the rude manner of people is) old Gossips tales went abroad, new tales were invented, Fables were added to Fables, and lies grew upon lies: so that every day new slanders were raeised on the King, and not one of them true; Rumors arose, blasphemyes were spread, the enemyes re∣joyced, And treasons by the Preists were maintained, and what likewise was surmised, or other subtilty practised, all then was Fathered upon this foolish Prophet: As, Thus saith Peter Wakefeild, thus hath he Prophecyed, and this shall come to passe, yea many times when hee thought nothing lesse. When the Ascension day was come which was Prophecyed of before, King John Com∣manded his Regall Tent to be spread abroad in the open field, passing that day with his Noble Councel, and men of Honour, in the greatest solemnity that ever hee did a∣fore, solacing himself with Musicall instruments and songs, most in sight amongst his trusty friends. When that day was past in all prosperity and mirth, his ene∣mies being confounded, turned all to an Allegorical understanding, to make the Prophecy good, and said He is no longer King, for the Pope raigneth, and not hee, yet hee raigned still and his son after him to proove that Prophet a lyer. Then was the King by his Councel perswaded that this false Prophet had troubled all the Realm, perverted the hearts of the people, and raised the Commons against him. For his words went over the Sea by the help of his Prelates, and came to the French Kings ear, and gave unto him a great encouragement to invade the Land, he had

not else done it so suddenly. But hee was most fouly deceived▪ as all they are and shall bee, that put their trust in such Dark drowsie dreams of Hy∣pocrites. The King therefore commanded that he should be drawn, and hanged like a Traitor.

When these false Prophecies would not work the King to comply with their ends, the Pope, at the Bishops petition, having proceeded to the utmost extremity, judi∣cally to depose him, and to give his Crown to his enemie the King of France, com∣manded him with force of armes to seise upon his Kingdom, exciting all Souldiers and Warriers in divers Nations to take up armes against him, under the self same In∣dulgences as those that visited the Holy land, and fought against the Saracens in which Treasonable proceedings his English Bishops were imployed as principal actors, thus related by Matthew Paris.

Notes

• Hist. Angl. p. 22••. 223. Mat. Westm. p. 92.
• Acts and Monuments, vol. I. p. 328.
• Note the fruits of this Popes Interdict.