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.

CHAP. I.

Conteining Evidences of King Johns Supream Jurisdiction over all Bishops Religious and Ecclesiastical Persons, Causes, Bishopricks, Monasteries, Tithes, Advousons, in granting Licenses to elect, and to approve or reject Bishops, Abbots, when elected; exami∣ning the Jurisdictions of all Ecclesiastical Courts; Imprisoning, Banishing Bishops, Clergy-men; seizing their Bishopricks, Spiri∣tualties; Confiscating their Goods, Benefices, for their Contempts, and Obedience to the Popes Interdicts, and unjust Commands, with other particulars; and his strenuous vigilant defence of the Rights of his Crown, against Provisions, and other Papal and Prelatical Usurpations in England and Ireland, till the 15. year of his Reign.

IT is very observable, that King John at his Coronation in Westminster Abby,* 1.1 June 9. Anno Dom. 1199. was sworn in the first place by Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury (as (a 1.2) Matthew Paris and others relate:) Quod sanctam Ec∣clesiam & ejus ordinatos diligeret; & eam ob incursione malignatium INDEM∣NEM CONSERVARET; & Dignitates illius bonafide et sine malo ingenio SER∣VABIT ILLAESAS, as (b 1.3) Roger Hoveden expresseth it. This Archbishop with all the Bishops, Abbots, Nobles present at, and consenting to this Oath, and doing Homage and Fealty to him, thereby declared him to be Supream Governour, Patron, Protector, and Head on Earth of the Church of England, as well in Ecclesiastical as Temporal affairs, else this Oath had been Nugatory.

The 13. of June following, he was solemnly divorced in Normandy, in the pre∣sence of 3. of his Norman Bishops from the Duke of Gloucesters daughter: Unde magnam Summi Pontificis Innocentii tertii, & Curiae Romanae indignationem in∣currit, praesumens temere contra Leges & Canones dissolvere, quod eorum suerat Auctoritate Colligatum, as (c 1.4) Radulfus de Diceto informs us: But he no more valuing their Indignation then he did their Canons and Laws, soon after mar∣ried Isabel sole daughter and heir of the Earl of Engolesme, who was crowned Queen, Octob. 8. by Archbishop Hubert; this Pope and Cardinals not daring to question, or null his marriage.

Immediately after (d 1.5) Pope Innocent the 3d. sent his Legate to King John, desiring him to release Philip Bishop of B••lvoire, (taken Prisoner by King Richard the first in the Field, and kept Prisoner by him all his life, notwithstanding this and other Popes importunate Letters for his enlargement) ƲNDER PAIN OF AN INTERDICT, who had-then by the space of two years been detained under most cruel Imprisonment; (some months in his very Armes, in which he was taken fighting, not suffered to be put off day or night) But because the said Bishop was taken in Armes as a Souldier and Plunderer, against the Dignity of his Order, the King (notwithstand∣ing this Popes intreaties and menaces) would not enlarge him untill he had paid 6000. marks of sterling money to his Exchequer, and 2000. marks for his expences, during his Imprisonment under King Richard and himself; which he accordingly paid: And till he had also taken an Oath before the Cardinals and other Bishops, never thereafter to bear Armes, during his life, against any Christians.

In the year 1177. no lesse then 30. Nuns of the Monastery of Ambresbery, were accused and convicted at one time for their Ʋnclean Lives, to the dissolution and infa∣my of their Order, whereof they had been publickly defamed: Whereupon Rex (King Henry the 2d. by power of his Regal Prerogative) expulsis Sanctimonialibus, de Abbatia de Ambresberie, propter Incontinentiam, & per alios domos Religiosos, in arctiore custodia distributis, expelling the Nuns from this Abby for their Incon∣tinency, distributed them throughout other Religious houses, in stricter custody, (by way of pennance) and gave it to the Abbesse and Nuns of Fount-Everoit, for a perpetual possession; who sending a Covent of Nuns thither from Fount-Everoit, Richard Archbishop of Canterbury inducted them into the Abby of Am∣bresbery, on the 1. of the Kalends of June, (being the Lords day) King Henry the Father, Bartholomew Bishop of Exeter, John Bishop of Norwich; and many other of the Clergy and people being then present, as (* 1.6) Roger de Hoveden relates in pre∣cise termes: And by his Charter, Anno 1179. confirmed the Lands of this Abby to them, with many Liberties, and that by advice and consent of the Archbishop of Can∣terbury, and many other Bishops, Great men, and Barons of the Realm. King John in the first year of his Reign, by his Charter, reciting all the premises in the Prologue, confirmed this Charter of his Father, ratified these Nuns Deprivations and Impri∣sonments in other Monasteries, for their Incontinency, by his Father, with consent of his Bishops, Nobles, and request of Pope Alexander, transferring this Abby, and all Lands thereto belonging, from one rank of Nuns to another, takes both these Nuns Persons, Lands into his Royal protection, as if they were his own demesnes, grants them several Tithes, Churches, large Priviledges, and prohibits BY HIS REGAL AUTHORITY, GRANTED TO HIM FROM GOD, that none of his Officers or Subjects should disturbe them therein, nor im∣plead them, but in the presence of himself and his Heirs. The Charter it self runs in these words.

JOhannes Dei gratia rex Angliae, dominus Hiberniae, &c. Sciatis Moniales de* 1.7 Ambresburia, circiter xxx. propter vitae suae turpiditudinem, & ordinis sui disso∣lutionem, & infamiam quae divulgabatur publicè, mandato domini papae Alexandri, voluntate etiam domini regis Henerici patris nostri, consilio quoque & prudentia Richardi Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, apostolicae sedis legati, & Joselini, Sarum, & Bartho∣lomei, Exoniensis, & Rogeri Wigornensis, & G. Londonensis, & aliorum plurimorum Epis∣coporum, & Magnatum, & Baronum nostrorum, a monasterio suo fuisse amotas, & in aliis monasteriis collocatas, & moniales de ordine Fontis Ebrardi ibidem, ad serviendum Deo introductas. Quamobrem concedimus, & presenti cartâ confirma∣mus, ordini & religioni Fontis Ebrardi, pro salute animae regis Henerici patris mei, & religionis honestate, pro salute nostra, & omnium antecessorum nostrorum, donationem quam dominus rex Henricus, pater noster, fecit ecclesiae prefatae Fontis Ebrardi, scilicet, ecclesiam sanctae Mariae, & sancti Melori de Ambres∣bery, cum omnibus rebus quae ad eam pertinent, tam in ecclesiasticis quam in mun∣danis possessionibus, ut ordo & instituta ecclesiae Fontis Ebrardi ibidem quiete con∣serventur, & conventus monialium multo major quam fuerat, sub custodia Prio∣rissae, secundum ordinem praefatae ecclesiae Deo famuletur. Hanc ecclesiam, cum▪ omnibus rebus quae ad eam pertinent, & omnes possessiones Fontis Ebrardi, sciatis nos velle manutenere, & defendere, & liberas & quietas esse ab omni seculari ser∣vitio & exactione, & gravamine, & accepisse in manu nostra & defensione, & protectione contra omnes homines sicut propriam nostram & domini regis Henerici, patris nostri, & antecessorum nostrorum elemosinam, &c. (with sundry other Lands)

Quare volumus & firmiter praecipimus quod praedictae moniales, & earum ministri, & servientes, omnes possessiones suas, & elemosinas habeant; & teneant, cum sacha & socha, & Tol & Theam, & Infangenethef & Utfangenethef, & cum omnibus libertatibus, & liberis consuetudinibus, & quietantiis suis in bos∣co, & plano, in pascuis, & pratis, & pasturis, in aquis & molendinis, in viis & semitis, in stagnis & vivariis, in mariscis & piscariis, in grangiis & vergultis, in∣fra burgum & extra, & in omnibus rebus, solutas, liberas, & quietas, de siris & hundredis, de placitis & querelis, & de pecunia pro murdris & latrociniis, & de Hamscka & de Forstall & de Wapentake, & Hidagiis, Geldis, Denegeldis, Hornegeldis, Fornageldis, & assartis factis ante confirmationem domini Regis patris

nostri factam, anno scilicet incarnationis Domini MCLXXIX. & de assisis, & donis, & Scotis, & auxiliis, & operationibus castellorum, domorum, wallorum, parco∣rum, vivariorum, pontium, fossarum, & flegwita, & hengewita, & flemanfrem∣tha, & summagio, & warpeni, & averpeni, & Theingpeny, & hunderedespeni, & de Mischening, & blodewite, & ••ithwite. Et sint in perpetuum quietae per∣totam terram nostram, citra mare, & ultra mare, tam per terram, quam per a∣quam de theoloneo, & passagio, & pontagio, & tallagio, lestagio, stallagio, & de omni consuetudine & omnibus occasionibus quae ad nos, vel ad haeredes nostros, vel successores nostros pertinent vel pertinere possunt, excepta sola justitia mortis & membrorum. Prohibemus etiam regia authoritate a Deo nobis concessa, ne aliquis hominum, sive minister noster, sive alius, in tota terra nostra prae••ato mo∣nasterio, vel ullis rebus ad ipsum pertinentibus, molestiam sive in juriam, sive con∣tumeliam inferat, nec res, vel jura sua, nec nativos, vel fugitivos suos, vel ca∣talla earum, pro consuetudine aliqua, vel servitio aut exactione pro aliqua causa dis∣turbet de rebus suis, quas homines earum affidare poterunt suas esse proprias; nec de aliqua possessione sua in placitum ponatur nisi in praesentia nostra, vel haeredum nostrorum, sicut carta domini regis Henrici patris nostri, & regis Richardi fratris nostri testantur. Testibus Willeilmo comite Arundelliae, R. comite Leicestriae, W. de Stagno, B. camerario, W. de Clapam, W. de Cantilupo, R. de Wanci, W. de Ewla. R. de Montebegun. Dat-per manus Huberti Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, cancella∣rii nostri, xxx. die Augusti apud Rupem Andel. Anno regni nostri primo.

This Patent of King John is recited and confirmed by an Inspeximus, Pat. 22. H. 6. pars 1. m. 14. wherein I shall desire all Romish Votaries to consider, the notorious incontinency of these professed Virgin-Nuns in this age, no lesse then 30. of them in one Abby were notoriously defamed, condemned, thrust out of their Abby, and sent Prisoners to other Houses by Pope Alexander the third his direction, King Henry the second, the Archbishop and Bishops, his Nobles and Barons joynt assents, ratifi∣ed by, and related in 3. Charters, under the Great Seal of England, in three Kings Reigns, (Henry 2. King John, and Henry 6.) as well as related by Roger de Hoveden, therefore no fiction, but an undoubted truth; for which the King, Bishops, and most of his Peers gave their judgement against them: (as King (g 1.8) Edward the Confessor formerly did in a like case, against the Abbesse and Nuns of Berkley) Neither were or are the Nunneries and Nuns in foreign parts more chaste then these were, as (h 1.9) Nicholaus de Clemangiis (Archdeacon of Baion Anno Dom. 1417.) attests in these words. Restant nunc solae Moniales: De his autem plura dicere verecundia prohibet, ne non de caetu Virginum, sed magis de Lupanaribus, de dolis & proca••••a Meretricum, de stupris & incestuosis operibus dandum sermonem, prolixe trahamus. Nam quid obsercro aliud sunt hoc tempore puellarum Monasteria, nisi quedam, non dico Dei Sanctuaria, sed veneris execranda prostibula? Sed lascivorum et impudicorum juvenum ad libidines explendas receptacula, ut idem hodie sit puellam velare, quod et publice ad scortandum exponere. The like is affirmed, attested by (i 1.10) Episcopus Chemnensis, (k 1.11) Cornelius Agrippa, (l 1.12) Claudius Espencaeus, (m 1.13) Alvarus Pelagius, with sundry other Romanists, as well as by our learned John Bale, Bishop of Ossery, for England, in his Acts of English Votaries. But of this enough.

The same first year of his Reign, the Abbot of Westminster dying, the Monks by King Iohns license elected Ralph Arundel, Prior of Harle, for their Abbot; after which electioni facto, Dominus Rex qui praesens aderat assensum praebuit: Whereupon he* 1.14 was consecrated Abbot; No Bishops, Abbots, Priors, or other Ecclesiastical persons being elected to any Dignities, but by the Kings previous license, and subsequent as∣sent to the person elected, who might approve or reject him at his Royal pleasure.

In the second year of his Reign, the Dean and Chapter of Lexoven, within this* 1.15 Kings Hereditary Dominions in France, presuming to elect a Bishop without his con∣sent, he sent this memorable Prohibition to them, to preserve this antient right of the Crown, descended to him from his Ancestors.

JOhannes Rex, &c. W. Decano & Capitulo Lexovi, Satis novit discretio vestra* 1.16 quid juris & dignitatis antecessores nostri & Nos similiter in ordinandis Ecclesiis Ca∣thedralibus vacantibus in potestate nostra constitutis huc usque optinuimus, & quod prae∣dictis Ecclesiis cum eis vacare contigerit, non nisi de voluntate et assensu

nostro potest nec debet in Pastoribus provideri. Verum cum jam Lexov. vacet Ecclesia & illius ordinatio de nostro velut de sui Principis ex antiqua consuetudine & ratione multiplici voluntate pendeat & assensu, volentes jus suum in omnibus conser∣vare illaesum, ne quid per aliquorum malitiam in hac parte de iure nostro depereat, aut quicquam in praeiudicium iuris nostri et despendium dignitatis nostrae ab aliquo statuatur; ad Dominum Papam solemniter appellavimus, & per praesentes li∣teras, & earum latores Appellationem illam innovamus. Mandantes vobis et fir∣miter prohibentes, ne aliquatinus in Pastorem Ecclesiae vestrae aliquem, nisi de vo∣luntate et assensu nostro eligere praesumatis, quod Nos nullo modo posse fieri permitteremus. Verum cum Clerici & fideles nostri sitis, vobis mandamus qua∣tinus sic iuris et dignitatis nostrae indempnitati prospiciatis, sicut volueritis, quod juri & Dignitati Ecclesiae vestrae prospiciamus, ad quod Deo teste salvo iure nostro promptam & pronam gerimus voluntatem. Teste G. Filio Petri, &c. apud Nottingham, decimo octavo die Novembris.

This Kings appeal to the Pope, mentioned in this Prohibition, was not to make him Judge of his Right, but meerly to preserve it from the Popes and others invasions on it, by any clandestine machinations, or extraordinary means that might be used to in∣terrupt or defraud him of it.

The same year this King by his Charter commanded all Clerks then imprisoned for offences throughout England, to be delivered to Hubert Archbp. of Canterbury, upon his demand of them; the original ground and warrant (as I apprehend) of all Bishops demanding Clerks, imprisoned, arraigned for Felony, and criminal offences, to be delivered to them, to make their Purgations; before which Charter they had no power to demand, nor others to deliver them to their Ordinaries, when demand∣ed as their Clerks. A pregnant evidence of the Kings Supremacy over all Ecclesiasti∣cal persons, Clerks.

REX &c. Omnibus &c. Sciatis nos concessisse venerabili Patri nostro, H. Can∣tuariensi* 1.17 Archiepiscopo, Custodiam omnium Clericorum Captivorum pro quocunque forisfacto fuerint capti vel detenti, unde vobis firmiter precipimus quod eidem Archiepiscopo reddatis omnes Clericos quos in custodia vestra habeatis si quos in custodia habebitis, vel quos vos pro aliquo forisfacto quodcum{que} sit contigerit habere. Et prohibemus ne quis aliquem Clericum pro quocunque forisfacto detinere praesumat postquam praefatus Archiepiscopus ipsum requisiverit. Teste Willielmo Maresc. apud Argentem, sexto die Junii.

This King as Supream Patron of the Bishoprick of Norwch, granted the Bishop this memorable Charter to recover all Lands and Tenements thereto belonging, un∣justly alienated by his Predecessors.

REX Justiciariis, Vicecomitibus & omnibus Ballivis & Ministris suis, salutem:* 1.18 Sciatis Nos concessisse Venerabili Patri nostro in Christo J. Norwicensi Episco∣po, quod omnes Terras, Tenementa, & Possessiones, tempore praedecessorum suorum ab Ecclesia sua injuste alienatas, juste possit revocare. Et si in illis revocandis consilio Curiae nostrae indiguerit: Volumus & concedimus quod idem Episcopus, si voluerit Curiam suam in Curia nostra ponat, ut loquelae suae quas ibi posuerit, per Judicium Curiae nostrae & consuetudinem Regni terminenter. Teste W. Briwer. apud Esseleg. deci∣mo quarto die Octobris.

In the second year of his Reign, Ieoffery Plantaginet, Archbishop of York,* 1.19 King Iohns base Brother, opposed, obstructed the levying of Carvage, (de∣manded and granted to the King by common consent, paid by all others) on the demesne Lands of his Church or Tenants, beating the Sheriff of Yorks Servants, excommunicating the Sheriff himself by name, with all his Ayders, and in∣terdicted his whole Province of York for attempting to levy it; Whereupon the King, much incensed for these intollerable affronts, summoned him to answer these high contempts, his not going over with him into Normandy when sum∣moned, and also to pay him 3000. marks, due to his Brother King Richard; and by his Writs commanded all the Archbishops Servants, wherever they were found,

to be imprisoned, as they were, for beating the Sheriffs Officers, and denying to give the King any of the Archbishops Wine, passing through York, summoned Jeoffry into his Court to answer all these contempts, and issued Writs to the Sheriff of York∣shire, to seize all his Goods, Temporalties, and to return them into the Exchequer, which was executed accordingly. The King and Queen repairing to York the next Mid-lent, the Archbishop upon soberer thoughts made his peace with him, submit∣ting to pay such a fine for his offences as 4. Bishops, and 4. Barons elected by them, should adjudge, and absolved William de Stutvill, the Sheriff, and James de Poterna, whom he had excommunicated, and recalled his former Interdict.

The same year there fell out a great b 1.20 difference between this Archbishop, the Dean and Chapter of York, and the Archdeacon of Richmond. The Pracentors place at York falling void, the Dean and Chapter would not suffer him to present Ralph de Kyme, his Official, to it, but themselves gave it to Hugh Murdac, Archdeacon of Cliveland, the day after he had given it to Kyme; and when the Archbishop would have put him into the Praecentors stall, the Dean told him, It belonged not to him to put any man into a stall, neither shall you there in place him, because we have given it by authority of the Concil of Lateran: Whereupon when the Archbishop could not have his will, he excommunicated Murdac; he likewise injured Honorius, Archdeacon of Richmond, by challenging to himself the Institutions of Churches and Synodals, against the antient Dignities and Customs of the Archdeaconry, which the Archbishop pretended Hono∣rius had resigned and confirmed to him by his Charter, which he denyed. The Dean and Chapter, and Honorius, severally complained of these injuries to the King, who thereupon issued these Patents and Writs for their relief, against his violence, to the Sheriff, and Dean and Chapter of York.

REX, &c. Vicecomiti & Ballivis suis, &c. Mandamus vobis & praecipimus,* 1.21 quod dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum R. de Sancto Eadmundo, Archi∣diaconum Richmond. custodiatis, protegatis & defendatis. Et non sustineatis quod de Archidiaconatu suo Richmond. per Clericum vel Laicum aliqua ei fiat violentia vel injuria. Teste meipso apud Eborum, secundo die Marcii.

REX, &c. S. Decano & Capitulo Eborum, &c. Sciatis, quod pro debitis quae Eborum Archiepiscopus nobis debet, & pro defaltis & aliis causis rationabi∣libus cepimus in manum nostram Baroniam et Regalia quae Archiepiscopus Eborum, de nobis tenet, & hoc fecimus per iudicium Curiae nostrae Nos autem contra eundem Archiepiscopum ad Dominum Papam appellavimus pro nobis & no∣stris, & pro statu Regni nostri. Teste G. Filio Petri, Comitat. Essex. apud Cunesburgh. quinto die Marcii.

This Honorius Archdeacon of Richmond, complained to the Pope as well as the* 1.22 King, of the injurious encroachments of this Archbishop, who suspended some of his Clerks, interdicted some Churches within his Archdeaconry, and excommunica∣ted the Archdeacon; all which the Pope in a special Letter requires him to retract, as null and void: He also sent three Epistles more, the first to the Dean and Chapter of York, the second to the Bishop of Ely, and Archdeacon of Northampton, the third to King John himself, to defend Honorius his rights, against the Archbishops injuries and encroachments, recorded at large by Hoveden: That to the King is short but sweet, acknowledging his Supream Ecclesiastical power.

INNOCENTIUS, Episcopus servus servorum Dei, illustri Regi Anglorum, &c.* 1.23 Interest Regiae Cels••t••di••is Ecclesias, et viros Ecclesiasticos in suo iure tueri, et malignantium impetus ab eorum molestationibus potenter et regulariter Effrenaere. Cum itaque dilectus filius Magister Honorius Archidiaconus Richmondiae, usque a Deo vir literatus, & honestus existat, ut ex scientia & honestate ipsius non solum Ebora∣censi Ecclesiae honor accrescat, sed & tibi etiam utile possit obsequium pervenire. Se∣renitatem tuam rogamus, modemus et exhortamur in Domino, eo attencius, quod non minus diligenter quam fideliter negotiis a tua serenitate sibi injunctis in curia nostra cognoscimus indulsisse, quatinus eum in sua justitia manuteneas, & defendas, nec per∣mittas ipsum vel Clericos suos contra libertates Archidiaconatus Richmondiae, per alicujus inquietantiam aggravari. Vale.

That to himself is very observable, manifesting by this Popes own Testimony, how little this Archbishop esteemed the Popes power, or Appeals to Rome, being then newly introduced and made use of by this Bishop, (though capacitated to be an Archbishop, confirmed, consecrated by the Popes order) against former customs and priviledges of this Realm, will appear by this ranting Letter of Pope Innocent to him.

INNOCENTIUS, a 1.24 Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Episcopo Eboraci, Salutem & Apostolicum benedictionem. St Magisterium recognosceres Apostolicae sedis, et debitam ei reverentiam et obedientiam exhiberes, non praesumeres plenitudini potesta∣tis ipsius, et privilegio dignitatis in aliquo derogare, cum ab ea in partem sollicitudi∣nis evocatus, ipsam in tuis necessitatibus, in quas temere teipsam induxeras, senseris saepius adjutricem. Non enim excusare te potes, ut debes, quod illud privilegium igno∣raris per quod omnibus injuste gravatis facultas patet ad sedem Apostolicam appel∣landi, cum et tu ipse aliquando ad nostram audientiam appellaris, et a tuis gravamini∣bus non semel, sed saepius ad nos fueris appellatum, nec ipsum privilegium te licuerit ignorare. Verum ut cessent caetera, ex eo solo ad invocationem nostri nominis a subditorum tuorum molestatiombus debueras abstinere, quod in multis & arduis ne∣goti••s, & petisti & obtinuisti favorem tibi Apostolicum exhiberi. Sed ut rerum mon∣strat effectus. nec authoritatem nostram attendis, nec factam tibi gratiam recognoscis, nec appellationibus defers, quae interponuntur ad sedem Apostolicam aggravatos. Ecce enim cum d••iectus filius noster Magister Honorius, Richmondi Archidiaconus, in plena possessione Libertatum Archidiaconatus Richmondi existens, cum Clericis suis a te propter manifesta gravamina, & varias injurias ad sedem Apostolicam appellave∣rat, tu nihilominus in eum, et quosdam Clericos suos suspensionis et aliquas Ecclesias Archidiaconatus ejusdem interdicti sententiam promulgasti. Nec hoc contentus exces∣su, postquam ipse iter arripuit ad sedem Apostolicam veniendi, suspensis quibusoam Clerici, ejus, et Ecclestis interdictis, et excommunicatis quibusdam, de facto fantum quia de jure non potuisti, certam a caeteris extorsisti pecuniae quantitatem, statum ejus et Clericorum suorum turbans in pluribus et confundens. Quia vero tantae praesumptio∣nis excessum, incorrectum nec volumus, nec debemus relinquere tuae fraternitati, per Apostolica scripta Mandamus, atque praecipimus, quod taliter, quae praedicta sunt cor∣rigas per teipsum, quod adversum te nos non cogas durius commoveri, qui tollera∣vimus hactenas temeritatem tuam in multis. Alioquin noveris nos Venerabili fratri Eliensi Episcopo dilecto filio Abbati de Waltham, per scripta nostra praecipiendo man∣dasse, et ut praedictus excommunicationis suspensionis, et interdicti sententias talfter a te illatas nullas esse denuncient, et te ad restitutionem eorum quae vel a Clericis, vel ab Eceles••is Archidiaconatus ejusdem post appellationem ad nos legitime interpositam extorsisti, et recompensationem damnorum per Censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatio∣ne remota compellerint, et quicquid per te vel tuos in prejudicium ejus, vel suorum invenerint immutatum, in statum pristinum nostra freti authoritate reducant, et sub praemissa te districtione compescant, ne Archidiaconum vel ejus Clericos injuste mo∣lestes, aut statum vel libertates eorum audeas perturbare. Sciturus procerto, quod cum durum sit tibi contra stimulum calcitrare, nisi abstineas ab hujusmodi, et mandatis no∣stris reverenter obedias, manus nostras in te ultra forte quam timeas curabimus ag∣gravare, ne tui nobis imputentur excessus. Datum Laterani, 3. Nonas Februar••••, Pontificatus nostri anno.

I find not that this Archbishop was any wayes daunted with this high menacing Epistle, but proceeded still against Honorius, till restrained by the Kings Writs, Ap∣peals to Rome being but then in their very Infancy, and that not as to a Supream Ju∣dicature, but only by way of complaint, as a Voluntary perswading Arbitrator, and that by the Kings license first obtained, as Learned * 1.25 Sir Roger Twisden truly observes.

This Pope in his Epistle to the Bishop of Ely, (who did nought therein) relates, That K. Henry the I. when he would create a new Bishoprick at Karleol, because the Archdeaconry of Richmond would be prejudiced thereby, obtained from the then Archbishop of York some Privileges, in recompence of part of the Archdeaconry then substracted from it, which the Archdeacons enjoyed ever since, which Jeoffry then endeavoured to substract, confessing hereby that the King had an inherent power without the Pope, to create new Bishopricks, substract, alter the Diocesse, Privileges both of Archbishops, Bishops, & Archdeacons, so as to bind their successors thereby.

In this second year of King John, b 1.26 Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, against the Kings Royal Prerogative, intending to celebrate a generall Council at Westminster, without the Kings special Writ, thereupon (the King being then in Normandy)

Geoffry Fitz Peter, Earl of Essex, being then chief Justice of England, sent a Prohibi∣tion to inhibit it; yet the Archbishop, contra Prohibition em Gaufridi, held the Council, wherein he made and promulged severall Decrees, statuens ea a suis subditis inviolabiliter observari. Two of them are very memorable:

The first prohibiting Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacons or Deans, in their Visi∣tations, c 1.27 Ne subditos suos talliis & exactionibus gravare praesumant, sustinemus au∣tem pro multis necessitatibus, quae aliquotiens superveniunt, si manifesta & rationabilis causa extiterit, cum charitate modicum ab eis valeaent auxilium postulare. Cum enim dicit Apostolus, Non debent filii Thesaurizare parentibus, sed parentes filiis, multo longe a paterna pietate videtur, si praepositi subditis suis graves existant, quos in cunctis necessitatibus pastoris more debent fovere. Archidiaconi, aut sui Decani nullas exactiones vel tallias in Presbyteros seu Clericos exercere praesumant.

The second, Sicut in Lateranensi Concilio salubriter a sanctis Patribus est provisum, inhibemus, ne a personis Ecclesiasticis deducendis ad sedem, vel Sacerdotibus, vel aliis Clericis instituendis, aut sepelendis mortuis, aut benedicandis nubentibus, seupro chrismate, seu quibuslibet aliis Sacramentis aliquid exigatur. His adjicimus, ne pro licentia celebrandi divina a Sacerdotibus, vel docendi a Magistris aliquid exigatur, & si solutum fuerit, repetatur: De ejusdem etiam Concilii auctoritate prohibemus, ne novi census ab Episcopis, vel Abbatibus aliisve Praelatis imponantur Ecclesiis, nec veteres augeantur; Si quis autem contra hoc venire praesumpserit, portionem cum Gihezi, se noverit habiturum, cujus factum exactione turpi muneris imitatur. By what Law such exactions of Pro∣curations, Fees for Orders, Institutions, Inductions, Licences of Ministers and Schismaticks, are since taken and claimed as duties, I cannot yet discover. It seems these Decrees were not esteemed obligatory, nor regarded, (Lyndwood, Aton, and most Histories taking no notice of them) because made against the Kings Prohibi∣tion, and Bishops and their Officers profit, though much for the peoples ease.

Geoffry Archbishop of York, having the year before (as you * 1.28 heard) much incen∣sed the King against him, for opposing the levying of Carvage, for which he com∣pounded and made his peace with the King; the Sheriff and his Officers having ex∣ceeded their Commission, not only in spoyling him of all the Goods and Mannors of his Archbishoprick, but likewise violently entring into the Lands, and taking away the Goods of other Clerks and Religious persons: Upon their fore-mentioned agreement, and the Archbishops humiliation and submission, the King issued forth this Writ to preserve the Rights of his See of York.

JOhannes Dei gratia, &c. Venerabili Patri E. eadem gratia Elyensi Episcopo, Abba∣ti* 1.29 Rufford, & Archidiacono Northampton. Meminimus quod durante discordia inter Nos, & Venerabilem Patrem in Christo, & Fratrem Charissimum, G. Eborum Archi∣episcopum, quedam per Ballivos nostros in damnum ipsius Archiepiscopi sunt at∣temptata, quae ob rancorem tempore discordiae conceptum fieri sustinuimus; verum pace postmodum apud Porcestriam, inter nos reformata, omnia in praejudicium ju∣ris ipsius tempore discordiae attemptata cassavimus, & adhuc cassamus. Nolumus enim quod occasione eorum quae durante discordia in dispendium juris ipsius Archi∣episcopi vel Ecclesiae suae facta fuerint, idem Archiepiscopus vel Ecclesia sua damp∣num sustineat, vel aliquod detrimentum incurrat, Teste meipso apud Bangy, duo∣decimo die Januarii.

This King in the same year and Patent Roll, issued forth these two memorable Patents in the behalf of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, for his Justices to assist him in his Courts, for the recovery of the demesne Lands unjustly alienated from his Archbishoprick, by due course of Law.

JOhannes Dei gratia Capitali Justiciario Angliae, & Justiciariis de Banco, &c. Volu∣mus* 1.30 quod cum Venerabilis Pater noster in Christo, Hubertus Cantuariensis Archi∣episcopus, voluerit revocare in Curia sua ea quae injuste alienata fuerint ab Archiepisco∣patu Cantuariensi, unus vel duo de vobis qui fueritis Justiciarii de Banco, in Curiam suam veniatis, cum ex parte sua requisiti fueritis, ad auxilium ei impendendum in hiis quae ad Curiam suam pertinent, quod ea possit sicut justum fuerit revocare. Et ideo vo∣bis mandamus & firmiter praecipimus quod ita faciatis. Teste meipso apud Toarc, decimo quinto die Februarii.

REX, &c. Capitali Justiciario suo, & aliis Justiciariis suis Angliae, &c. Volumus* 1.31 quod Venerabilis Pater noster in Christo Hubertus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus revocet in Curia sua secundum consuetudinem & libertatem Curiae suae omnia domi∣nica sua injuste alienata, per Sacramentum liberorum & legalium hominum de Visneto. Volumus etiam quod si requisierit duo de Justiciariis nostris, in Curiam suam mit∣tantur ad illud videndum, & auxilium ei impendendum si necesse fuerit, salva dignitate nostra. Et ideo vobis mandamus & firmiter praecipimus quod ita faciatis. Teste meipso apud Vernol. sexto die Marcii.

In this third year of King John, the Dean and Chapter of Sagion, (within his Do∣minions* 1.32 in France) knowing that no Bishop ought to be elected or admitted but by his previous consent, nominated four persons to him, petitioning his Majesty to elect one of them for their Bishop, which he did by this Record.

REX Capitulo Sagiensi, &c. Accesserunt ad nos quidam Canonici vestri apud* 1.33 Andel. pro electione Episcopi vestri, & ex parte Universitatis vestrae nominave∣runt nobis has personas, scilicet, Abbatem Sancti Edrulfi, Abbatem de Trepa, Johan∣nem de Oilleya, Herbertum filium Radulfi, Labbe, postulantes ut ex hiis nominatis re∣ciperemus ad Episcopatum Sagiensem quem vellemus et idoneum videre∣mus. Nos autem Communicato Consilio virorum magnorum & prudentium con∣sensum in personam Herberti filii Radulfi nominatam, qui inter caeteras personas, Nobis magis sdoneus videbatur et potius secundum Deum eligendus. Man∣damus igitur vobis ut eundem Herbertum, in quem jam consensimus, in electum ve∣strum gratanter recipiatis, & ejus electionem sollempniter celebretis, intendentes ei sicut electo vestro de cetero. Teste meipso apud Andet. vicesimo nono die Marcii.

The same year of King John, Geoffry (as some records) or Gilardus Archdeacon of Brechunon, as Hovedon stiles him, pretending himself to be elected Bishop of St. Davids in Wales, with the Kings consent, by Provision from Pope Innocent the 3d. in∣truded himself into possession of the Temporalties thereof, and likewise endea∣voured to make it an Archbishoprick, as antiently it was, to the prejudice of the Archbishop of Canterbury, citing Hubert Archbishop to Rome, and procuring a precept to him to consecrate him Bishop of St. Davids. This being the first Papal Provision of any Bishoprick I meet with; I shall recite the whole proceedings of the Pope & Car∣dinals therein, & the Archbishops and Kings opposition against it. The story whereof is thus related at large by * 1.34 Roger de Hoveden, Gervasius Dorobernensis, & our Records.

EOdem Anno Magister Gilardus Menevensis Electus, suscitavit controversiam super jure Metropolitico Ecclesiae Menevensis, jus ejusdem Ecclesiae, & pristinam Metropolitani dignitatem coram Domino Innocentio Papa tertio, & Cardinalibus vi∣delicet, Octaviano Hostiensi, & Portuensi, & Johanne Albanensi, Episcopis Cardinali∣bus, & Jordano de Fossa Nova, & Sephredo, & Johanne de S. Paulo, & Johanne de Salerno, & Gratiano, & Hughelno, & Huguncione Cardinalibus, publice prote∣stando: Est autem * 1.35 sciendum quod Postquam Beatus Dubricius, urbis Legionum Ar∣chiepiscopus heremum eligens, Beato David suae dignitatis cessit honorem; Bea∣tus David extunc sedem Archiepiscopalem usque Meneviam transtulit, & ibidem Ar∣chiepiscopus factus est, & post Illum Vigenti quatuor ibidem pallio usi sunt, & plena Metropolitica dignitate, quorum ultimus fuit sanctus Samson, qui propter Ictericiam passionem qua peste catervatim homines in Wallia tunc temporis occubu∣erunt, navigio in Armonicam Britaniam transiens in Ecclesia Dolensi, tunc forte va∣cante praefectus est, & Pallio S. David quod secum asportaverat, ibidem usus est, qua occasione illa Dolensis Ecclesia continue Turouensi Ecclesie pallium affectando re∣bellis extiterat usque ad tempore praedicti Innocentii Papae tertii; cujus anno secundo * 1.36 causa est decisa, & illa adventitia Dignitas Dolensi Ecclesia est adjudicata Menevensis autem Ecclesia eadem occasione, vel propter ignaviam, vel paupertatem pallio semper hactenus caruerunt. Omnes tamen Episcopi Menevensis Ecclesiae, scilicet. Novemdecim Episcopi a discessu Samsonis usque ad tempus Henrici Regis Angliae primi, omni dignitate Archiepiscopali usi sunt, * 1.37 excepto pallio, et habuerunt sussraganeos septem, scilicet Landavensem, & de Sancto Paterno in Ker dikan. quae sedes, quia Parochiani pastorem suum interfecerunt, olim obsolevit, & Menevensi

Diocesi est adunata, & Bangorensem, & de S. Asaf, in Wallia, vero ab Anglis dudum occupata; trans Sabrinum Cestrensem, & Herefordensem, & Wigornensem. Praedictus vero Rex Henricus Walliam suo Regno subjugavit, & (d 1.38) ideo praedictam Meneven∣sem Ecclesiam, et alias Walliae Ecclesias suffraganeas Menevensis Ecclesiae, Ecclesiae regni sui scilicet Cantuariae subjicere cupiens, Bernardum Clericum de Camera sua, quem in Menevensi Ecclesia Wilfrido Epiicopo subrogari procuravit, & apud Cantuariam, per regiam (e 1.39) violentiam consecrari fecit: Et hic suit pri∣mus Menevensis Ecclesiae Episcopus a Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo consecratus; & post eum David, & Petrus, a Regibus Angliae compulsi, similiter a Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo sunt consecrati, praestitis Sacramentis contra Canones extortis de non suscitanda lite super iure Metropolitico contra Cantuariensem Ecclesi∣am in perpetuum. Bernardus tamen defuncto Henrico Rege primo, movit questio∣nem super jure Ecclesiae suae Metropolitico contra Theoballum, Cantuariensem Archi∣episcopum: Unde Papa Eugenius in hac forma scripsit Theobaldo Cantuariensi Archi∣episcopo.

Epistola Eugenii de Dignitate Metropolitanae Ecclesiae Sancti David.

EƲGENIƲS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Venerabili Fratri Theobaldo Can∣tuariensi Archiepiscopo, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Venerabilis Frater noster Bernardus, Episcopus S. David, ad nostram praesentiam veniens, Eccle∣siam S. David, olim Metropolin fuisse asseruit, viva voce, & eandem dignitatem sibi a nobis restitui postulavit. Cum autem circa petitionem istam invigilans diu in Curia nostra commoratus esset, tu Frater Archiepiscope, tandem eo praesente ex adver∣so consurgens, in praesentia nostra adversus eum querelam deposuisti, quod debitam tanquam primo Metropolitano obedientiam subtraxisset, tibique inobedient, & rebellis ex∣isteret, cum a Predecessore tuo tanquam a Metropolitano primo consecratus esset & viva voce, & scripto Cantuariensi Ecclesiae professionem fecisset & in multis postea, tanquam alii suffraganei, tibi obedisset, & astitisset. Ille vero consecrationem negare non po∣tuit, sed professionem se fecisle, & obedientiam exhibuisse omnino negavit: Quod tu au∣diens, duos testes in medium produxisti testimonium perhibe••tes; quod ipse illis videnti∣bus, & audientibus post consecrationem suam, & viva voce, & scristo Cantuariensi Ec∣clesiae (f 1.40) professionem fecisset. Nos igitur auditis utriusque partis rationibus, & di∣ligentius inquisitis, & testibus tuis studiose examinatis communicato fratrum nostro∣rum Consilio, juramenta eorum recipimus, et ut ipse Episcopus tibi tanquam pri∣mo Metropolitano obedientiam & reverentiam exhibeat, iustitia dictante praecipimus. (Here the Pope and his Cardinals approve what the King had done without their privity, concerning this Welch Archbishoprick.) Unde quoniam singulis Ecclesiis & Eccle∣siasticis personis suam dignitatem & justitiam volumus conservare, Beati Lucae Festi∣vitate proximi sequentis Anni tibi & ipsi diem praefiximus, ut tunc praesentibus parti∣bus de dignitate Ecclesiae S. David, & libertate sua, rei veritatem cognoscamus, & quod justum fuerit authore Domino exinde statuamus. Datum Meldis, 3. Kal. Julii.

Epistolam autem istam praedictus Magister Gilardus, invenit in Registro Eugenii Papae. Cujus rei occasione, & ad praedicti Gilarili instantiam, jus Ecclesiae suaepubli∣ce in Curia Romana protestant is. (being the first president of this kind.) Innocentius Papa, Hubertum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum super statu Menevensis Ecclesiae, & dignitate Metropolitica literis suis Citavit: (The first citation of this nature, who re∣fused or neglected to appear thereon:) quas etiam literas praedictus Gilandus, ad per∣petuam rei gestae memoriam, m eiusdem Papae Registro scribi procuravit. Praecepit etiam idem Papa praedicto Archiepiscopo, quatinus supradicto Gilardo Mene∣vensi electo ita consecrationem impenderet, quod sacramentum illicitum, quale extor∣quere solebant praedecessores sui ab Episcopis S. David, scilicet de non prosequendo jure Me∣tropolitico contra Cantuariensem Ecclesiam, non exigeret, sed tantum Canonicam obedien∣tiam juxta communem formam facere. Praecepit etiam idem Papa, Lincolniensi, Dunel∣mensi, & Eliensi Episcopis, quod si Archiepiscopus Cantuariae saepe dictum Gilardum, consecrare differret, ipsi Apostolica authoritate freti illum consecrare non differrent.

But neither the Archbishop nor other Bishops obeyed these his Papal Injunctions to them, but oppugned them in the highest degree, for instead of consecrating him Bishop, the Archbishop cancelled his election, upon this account, because it was made at Rome: Thus related at large by (g 1.41) Gervasius Dorobernensis, in his life.

COntroversiam quam in odium & contemptum Archiepiscopi suscitaverat Gilar∣dus Menevensis Archidiaconus, ipse Archiepiscopus prudentissime redegit ad ni∣chilum, ut ipse G. qui paulo ante Menevensis Ecclesiae Archiepiscopus esse volebat, & Ecclesiae Cantuariensi subjectionem debitam septem Episcoporum subtrahere molie∣batur, ad pedes Archiepiscopi pronus accederet, satisfaciens humiliter de tam iniqua praesumptione, et eidem Archiepiscopo suum resignavit Archidiacona∣tum. Archiepiscopus autem post temporis intervallum eidem G. dedit Ecclesiam, 25. Marcarum, & Clericus Archiepiscopt iuratus factus est qui ante fuerat hostis iniquus. Et quia idem G. Menevensis Ecclesiae in Curia Romana se dicebat electum, hoc ipsum cassavit Archiepiscopus, & alium ••acravit Canonice electum. Dicantaln quod voluerint de operibus Huberti, ego istud maximum cen∣seo quod Episcopos 7. in subjectione retinuit Cantuariensis Ecclesiae, et Rebellem Gilardi contrivit astutiam.

How highly King John himself (though then in Normandy with his Queen) was incensed against Gilardus, for procuring Pope Innocents Procuration and Provision to elect him Bishop of St. Davids, taking possession of the Temporalties thereof by colour of it, without his privity, election, or Royal assent, and endeavouring to new make it an Archbishoprick, to the grand prejudice and derogation of the antient Rights and Prerogative of his Crown, descended to him from his Ancestors, both to assent or disassent to all Bishops elections within his Dominions, and enjoy their Temporalties during their vacancy, till restored to the Successor by his special order, will appear by these four successive Writs & Proclamations of his, directed to all the Clergy and Laity both of England and Wales in general, and the Chapter of St. Da∣vids in special, strictly enjoyning them all upon their duty and allegiance to him, in defence of the Rights and Prerogatives of his Crown, against this Archdeacons and Popes Usurpations, as they tendred his honour, and the publick peace and safety of the Church and Realm, to oppose and resist Gilardus his rash, turbulent, disloyal at∣tempts and Innovations against him, to their power, according to their Allegiance, and no wayes to ayd or countenance him therein, by advice or otherwise, it being unjust to do it. Three of them are thus recorded one after another in the Patent Roll of 3. Johannis, and the other in the 5th. year following.

REx, &c. Omnibus, &c. Audivimus quod G. Archidiaconus de Brechunon in* 1.42 grave, et manifestum dispendium dignitatis nosirae, & Ecclesiae Cantuari∣ensis, in Episcopatu Menevensi Archiepiscopum constituere, & super hoc faciendo di∣cit, se nostrum impetrasse assensum; unde scire vos volumus quod nunquam in hoc assensum prebuimus, nec unquam ei consentiemus, set ei in hoc penitus deficimus. Mandantes vobis et in fide qua nobis tenemini precipientes qua∣tenus nullatenus ei in hoc temerario proposito suo assistatis, bel ei in hoc consilium vel auxilium prestetis, set viis omnibus quibus poteritis pro∣cessum suum impediatis sicut dignitatem nostram diligitis. Teste meipso apud Vernol. Octavo die Marcii.

REx, &c. Omnibus; &c, sciatis quod G. Archidiaconus de Brech. manifeste* 1.43 operatur contra Coronam et dignitatem nostram, qui se gerit Electum Menevensem; cum Nos in eum eligendum nunquam prebuimus assen∣sum. Et inde trahit in causam. W. Abbatem Sancti Dogmaelis in cujus electio∣nem consensimus Temporalia etiam Episcopatus Menevensis quae va∣cante sede debent in nostra manu esse, ex diuturna et Approbata Regni nostri consuetudine, contra Coronam et Dignitatem nostram sibi committi * 1.44 procuravit; haec et alia contra nos impudenter per∣quirendo qualia nullus alius post coronationem nostram contra nos attemptavit. Et quoniam haec nulla ratione sustinebimus, mandamus

vobis, quod sicut honorem nostrum et dignitatem diligitis, quam sicut fideles nostri fovere et manutenere tenemini, predicto G. Archi∣diacano in nullo ad hoc consilium, vel auxilium, vel assensum prestetis, set predictum Abbatem sancti Dogmaelis quantum poteritis adiu∣vando, predicto G. Archidiacono in quantum poteritis resistatis, Quicunque autem aliter fecerit manifestum erit ipsum nobis et dig∣nitati nostrae adversari. Teste meiplo apud Rupem Aurmall, Decimo die Aprilis.

JOhannes Dei Gratiâ, &c. Omni Clero, et Populo Angliae, &c. Universita∣tem* 1.45 vestram scimus non latere, quod Custodiae Episcopatuum, et Abbatia∣rum vacantium in Regno nostro in temporalibus, omnibus Anteces∣soribus nostris et nobis hactenus ex diuturna et approbata consue∣tudine Regni nostri consueverunt competere. Verum quia Galfridus Archidiaconus de Brichunon, qui se gerit Electum Menevensem, et ••u••us Electioni non consentimus, nec unquam consensimus, Custodiam tempora∣lium Episcopatus Menevensis in damnum et dispendium dignita∣tis nostrae Coronae presumit usurpare, quod nos nulla ratione salva dignitate nostra sustinere possumus, vel debemus; Vobis man∣damus, et firmiter precipimus, ne quis vestrum predicto G. in tem∣poralibus, quae ad jam dictam Ecclesiam spectant respondere, vel ip∣sum ad ea optinenda promovere, aut manutenere presumat, sicut no∣stram diligit fidelitatem, et Coronae dignitatem. Sciatis e∣nim quod si quisquam vestrum in contrarium pro eodem G. aliquid attemptaret, pro manifesto habebimus ipsum dignitati nostrae et Coronae inimicari, Teste meipso apud Rothomag. Decimo Septimo die Decembris.

Sub eadem forma scribitur Capitulo Menevensi.

This turbulent Arch-deacon notwithstanding all his pretended submission to the Arch-Bishop proceeding afresh in the Court of Rome (most likely by the Popes encouragement) to obtain his ends; thereupon the King issued out this severe Pro∣clamation against him as a publick enemy and disturber of the peace of his Kingdom.

REx, &c. Omnibus Baronibus, & fidelibus per Episcopatum Menevensem consti∣tutis, &c. Quot et quantis Machinationibus nos et opprimere, et dig∣nitatem* 1.46 Coronae nostrae expugnares et regni nostri consuetudines ab antiquis temporibus in Electionibus Episcoporum optentas; G. Ar∣chidiaconus de Brecnuno pro posse laboraverit extinguere, tam in Curia Romana quam alibi, satis norunt universi; per eum enim non stetit quod pravis suggestionibus ejus et dilationibus maliciosis et venenosis, non solum pax parcium vestrarum, immo totius Regni no∣stri tranquilitas turbaretur, maxime cum inimicis nostris nequiter communicando talia confixerit quae nobis et regno nostro manife∣stum importarent dispendium, si iniquitas ejus prevaleret, et pro voto praecessisset in actum, unde non immerito ipsum inter inimicos nostros duximus numerandum, vobis & omnibus nos diligentibus mandantes, et districte prohibentes, ne ejus promotioni aliquo modo consentiatis, immo ejus promotio∣nem pro posse impediatis. Non enim justum est quod ille fidelibus nostr••s dili∣gatur vel promoveatur qui in damnum, et dispendium dignitatis Regis et juris regni perturbationem anesat. Teste meipso apud Tastnu. Undecimo die Septembris.

This was the memorable, vigilant, prudent, gallant opposition made by King John against the first provision of Pope Innocent, who * 1.47 to eclipse the Kings prerogative, first endeavoured to introduce them aswell in France as in Wales, Ireland and England.

Pope Innocent the 3d. a man of a haughty Antichristian Spirit (like Hildebrand his predecessor) the better to invade the Rights of Christian Kings and their Sub∣jects, especially of England and France, under a specious pious pretext (set on foot by some of his preceding Pontifs) of sending them and their Nobles out of their Realms, to rescue the Holy Land out of the Saracens and Infidels hands, and raising monies as well from the Laity as Clergy to maintain this holy Warr, that * 1.48 so he and his Legates in their absence might usurp their Regal Authority and Supream Government both in Church, State, and impoverish them and their Subjects to en∣rich themselves with a great part of the moneys raised for this end; in the 3d. year of King John sent forth this general Letter De Subventione facienda terrae Jerusolo∣mitanae, recorded at large by * 1.49 Hoveden.

INNOCENTIƲS Episcopus, Servus Servorum Dei, Universis Sanctae Matris Ecclesiae Praelatis, ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint, salutem, & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Graves Orientalis terrae miserias & necessitates urgentes jam po∣tius, peccatis exigentibus deflere cogimur quam referre, &c. Verum quia id quasi modicum, immo vero modicum ad tot necessitates ipsius Provinciae sufficere nulla∣tenus reputamus. Universitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta Mandamus, & ex parte Dei omnipotentis in virtute Spiritus Sancti sub interminatione divini Judicii distri∣cte praecipimus, quatenus singuli vestrum Quadragesimam partem omnium Ecclesia∣si icorum reddituum & proventuum suorum, prius tamen deductis usuris, quarum solutio vitari non possit, in Subsidium Terrae sanctae convertunt. Omnibus Clericis tam Subsi∣diis quam Praelatis qui Quadragesimam ipsam sponte ac fideliter solverint de Dei omnipotentis Misericordia & beatorum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli Authoritate con∣fisi Quartam partem injunctae sibi poenitentiae relaxamus, dummodo nulla fraus in∣terveniat, & pia devotio suffragetur. Scita autem se culpabiliter, duriter et dure in∣culpabilem, qui tantillum subsidium in tanta necessitate Creatori et Redemptori suo negaverit exhibere, a quo Corpus & animam & universa bona quae habet, accepit, & nos qui (licet indigni) vices ejus exercemus in terris, hujus culpae duritiem nullatenus dissimulare possemus. Nec aliquo modo credatis, quod per hoc in dis∣pendium vestrum legem vobis imponere intendamus, ut a vobis in posterum quadragesima, quasi debita et consuetudinaria requiratur; immo nullum ex hoc vobis prejudicium volumus generari, qui tan∣tae necessitatis Articulum nobis, et vobis supervenisse dolemus, et quod simile de cetero non contingat optamus. Volumus etiam & nihilo∣minus vobis precipiendo Mandamus, quatinus vos fratres Archiepiscopi & in Epis∣copis, in Metropolitana Ecclesia, vel si hoc ibi fieri propter hostilitatem vel aliud evi∣dens impedimentum non poterit, in duobus vel tribus locis provinciae vestrae sine dilatione convenire; & curetis inter vos juxta formam mandati Apostolici de ipsius terrae subventione tractare, et post reversionem suam qui∣libet vestrum in sua diocesi, Concilium convocet sine mora, autho∣r••tate nostra precipiens Abbatibus, & Prioribus, tam exemptis quam aliis Archidia∣conibus, & Decanis Universis omnino Clericis in ejus Diocaesi constitutis, justa ae∣stimatione proventus et redditus suos taxent et infra tres menses post factam eis denuntiationem Quadragessimam partem valoris eo∣rum sub ipsius Episcopi testimonio, et aliquot Religiosorum viro∣rum, adhibitis nihilominus ad cautelam aliquibus fidelibus Laicis et discretis, in locum idoneum, ejusdem Diocaesis non differetur consignare. Quod & nos vobis fratres Archiepiscopis, & Episcopis sub eadem districte Man∣damus. Ab hac autem generalitate monachos Cistercienses, &c. excepimus.

Here this Pope takes upon him upon pretext of necessity for relief of the holy Land only to advise and recommend to all the Prelates of the holy Church the le∣vying of the fortieth part of their Estates and Benefices, and in what manner to levy it, not absolutely to impose it to their prejudice. Whence * Matthew Paris, & Mat∣thew* 1.50 Westminster thus expresse it; Ad instantiam Innocentiae Papae, Data est qua∣dragesima pars redditum omnium Ecclesiarum ad subsidium terrae

promissionis: Therefore a free Gift, not an imposed Tax. Neither would the King of England or France suffer it to be levyed in their Realms by the Popes Authority, but only by their Royal Order, grant and assent thereto, as * Hoveden thus expresly relates.* 1.51

PApa Innocentius, misit unum Cardinalem ad Regem Franciae, & ad Regem Angliae, postulans subsidium fieri de terris earum ad subventionem terrae Jerosolomi∣tanae. Ad cujus mandatum, ipsi Reges concesserunt se daturos ad sub∣ventionem prefatae terrae Quadragesimam partem omnium reddi∣tuum* 1.52 suorum de uno Anno; (and no more they stinting the sums and duration of it.) Et Rex Angliae hoc ipsum mandavit fieri de redditibus et Er∣caetis, et Wardis suis Angliae, et praecepit, ut omnes laici terrarum suarum simili modo quadragessimam partem reddituum suorum da∣rent in Eleemosynam ad subventionem terrae Ierosolomitanae. Unde Galfridus filius Petri, tunc temporis summus Justitiarius Angliae in hac forma scripsit Vicecomitibus, Ballivis Angliae; evidencing this Almes to be imposed, granted not by the Popes or Kings meer absolute power, but the free grant and advise of his Nobles and Peers, as a meer Almes, Gift and Benevolence.

GAlfridus filius Petri Comes Essex, Universis Vicecomitibus Balliae suae, salutem▪ Sciatis quod dominus Rex Angliae ad instantiam, & praedicationem cujusdam Cardinalis a summo Pontifice missi in Franciam, de consilio Magnatum suo∣rum de partibus transmarinis concessit, ad sanctae Ierusalem subsi∣dium, quadragessimam partem valoris omnium redituum, et terra∣rum suarum unius Anni, tam de Wardis, quam de Excaetis in ma∣nu sua existentibus. Quod etiam ipsi Magnates sui ultra mare volun∣tarie concesserunt; Ad eorum etiam instantiam scripsit Dominus Rex omnibus Angliae Magnatibus per literas patentes, rogans et inducens eos, quatenus puro Corde et Charitatis intuitu, idem il∣lud de valore omnium reddituum et terrarum suarum unius Anni concederent, * 1.53 quod quidem nec de debito, nec de consuetudine, nec de coactione, nec de aliqua alia Authoritate Apostolica conceditur vel postulatur. Unde precepit quod omnes Comites et Barones de qualibet Ballia in primis admoneantur, inducantur diligenter, qua∣tenus pro se hanc collectam faciant in terris suis hoc modo, scilicet ut quilibet qua∣dragesimam partem valoris cujuslibet Villae suae, sicut posset poni ad firmam per an∣num. Et si in eadem Villa fuerint per servitium militare tenentes, dent quadragesi∣mam portionem modo praedicto; si autem fuerint libere tenentes, similirer dent eandem portionem modo praedicto, computato reditu quem Dominis suis solverint per annum. Hanc autem collectam, colligi faciant per tam discretos, & legales qui ad hoc possint & sciant sufficere, qui eam recipiant tam de Comitibus, quam de Baronibus praedictis. Et postquam per manus eorum, fuerit collecta, receptores predictae collectae faciant in scriptum redigi distincte & aperte, quantum de quolibet receperint tam de Comitibus quam de Baronibus & Militibus, & libere tenentibus, & nomina singulorum, & Villarum, quantumcun{que} de singulis Villis & quorum quae∣libet sit, imbreviari faciant. Summam autem de Dominicis, & de Wardis, & excaeris, & redditibus Domini Regis faciant separatim imbreviari. Si quis vero Clericus Lai∣cum Feodum habuerit in Ballia aliqua, vel homines tenentes Laicum Feodum in eo∣rum terris, fiat haec collecta per praedictos collectores modo praedicto. De terris autem Cruce signatorum praedicta Collecta fiat modo praedicto; Ita tamen quod eorum pecunia seperatim reponetur ab alia, & summa pecuniae, & nomina singu∣lorum, quorum ipsa pecunia fuerit subscribantur, ut illi, qui iter arripuerint pecu∣niam suam prompte recipiant. Provideatur autem quod pecunia illa sit collecta; ita quod unusquisque Vicecomes simul cum Collectoribus habeat eam apud Novum Templum Londoniae a die S. Hillarii in quindecim Dies, & imbreviamentum modo predicto ordinatum. Viz de summa pecuniae & nominibus eorum qui eam deberint,

& nominibus Villarum, de quibus data fuerit pecunia praedicta, & quantum de qua∣libet datum fuerit. Si qui autem contradixerint huic collectae assensum praebere, nomina eorum imbrevientur, et coram nobis represententur, apud Lundonium, ad terminum praedictum, & hoc breve, & nomina collectorum ibi∣dem habeantur. Valete.

This therefore was but a voluntary precarious Almes and Collection, left arbitrary by the Pope to the King, who by advise of his Nobles and Barons beyond Seas, re∣duced it to a certainty, and recommended it to the Nobles and Barons of England by way of intreaty, with directions how to levy it in the proportion he had fixed on, as a thing not granted, nor required by the King out of debt, duty or custome, or by any Apostolical authority, but meerly as a voluntary Almes and Benevolence, which other Nobles beyond Sea had voluntarily granted, and the King at their re∣quest did by his Letters Patents intreat the English Nobles and Barons out of meer charity to imitate. So as this is a most pregnant evidence against the Popes pretended Jurisdiction to impose any such Tax upon King, Clergy, or Subjects, (as some Popes and Pontificians would thence inferr) from this Usurping Popes Letters, whose Agent embezelled much of this coyn for the Popes own private Coffers, as our Historians observe. Indeed this Pope by his special * 1.54 Letter to all the Archbishops and Bishops of England, commanded them to admonish all those who had formerly taken the Crosse upon them, and afterwards laid it down, to resume it, and repair forthwith to the Earl of Flanders, notwithstanding any Papal Dispensation fraudulently obtained to the contrary from his Predecessors, or else after admonition given them, publikely to excom∣municate them by name (if known) on every Lords day and Holy day, with Bell, Book, and Candle, and likewise to interdict them, without admitting any appeal, and to seclude them from all Divine Offices wheresoever they came. But that any Archbishop or Bi∣shop put this Antichristian severe command of his in execution, I find not in our Historians, who barely recite it, and the premises prove it was never put in execution.

In the fourth year of King John, some Irish Bishops and Archdeacons, Suffragans* 1.55 to the Archbishop of Dublin, endeavoured without this Kings precedent license and assent, to elect an Archbishop, and get him confirmed at Rome by the Pope, against the Kings right and dignity: Whereupon he entred this Appeal against them before himself, to preserve his right and dignity therein.

VEnerabili Patri in Christo J. Dei gratia titulo Sancti Stephani, in Caelio monte,* 1.56 Presbytero Cardinali, & Apostolicae sedis legato J. eadem gratia, &c. Et debi∣tam reverentiam. Cum accepissemus Clocharen. & Cloanen. & Cenanen. Ardacen. Episcopos & Archidiaconum Ardmac. & quosdam Alios velle manifeste operari contra ius et dignitatem nostram super Ecclesia Ardmacana, Appellavimus. Et ne ab illis vel ab aliis super praefata Ecclesia contra jus, et dignitatem nostrum aliquid statuatur, Appellationem illam coram nobis per has literas nostras Patentes, & per nuncios nostros innovamus. Teste meipso apud Cenom. decimo quinto die Augusti.

These Suffragans proceeding to elect an Archbishop without the King, contrary to his Inhibition and Appeal, he going to Rome to get approbation, consecration, and possession of it by the Popes authority, the King thereupon the next year issued out Writs to all his Suffragans and Subjects within the Archbishoprick, commanding them to make the like Appeal against him as he had done, as one that acted against the rights and dignity of his Crown, and was his Enemy, and by no means to receive him for their Archbishop upon his return into Ireland.

REX, &c. Suffraganeis sedis Armacanae, &c. Propositum est nobis quod Eug.* 1.57 dictus electus Armacanae Ecclesiae contra assensum nostrum et post appellationem nostram ad Dominum Papam, a nobis interpositam Romam profectus est, ut in Archiepiscopum Armacanum contra dig∣nitatem nostram promoveatur. Et quia manifestum est, ipsum E. sicut inimicum nostrum contra dignitatem nostram operari. Vobis

mandamus quatinus cum appellaverimus & appellationem nostram per has literas nostras Patentes & per latorem praesentium adhuc innovemus una Nobiscum pro statu Ecclesiae vestrae, et dignitate nostra appelletis, sicut nos et hono∣rem nostrum diligitis. Et si dictus electus in terram nostram Hyberniae re∣dierit, nullatenus eum in Archiepiscopum recipiatis. Teste meipso apud Rothomagum, Vicesimo secundo die Maii.

Sub eadem forma scribitur omnibus fidelibus in Archiepiscopatu Armacan. constitutis.

Pope Innocent being so vigilantly and strenuously opposed by King Johns Patents and Prohibitions, in this business of conferring the Archbishopricks of St. Davids and Ardmagh, on persons elected without his consent, by his own Papal Consecrations of them, and Provisions to them, contrived how to usher in Provisions by degrees, without any observation; to which purpose he imployed the Archbishop of Ragu∣sium, whom he discharged from that Church for fear of death, to move King John to bestow a Bishoprick and other Benefices on him in England▪ to relieve his ne∣cessities and support his dignity; whereupon the King out of his Royal bounty be∣stowed the Bishoprick of Karliol, and the Archbishop of York the Church of Mele∣burn upon him. The Pope being informed thereof, sent a Letter to King John, wherein he took upon him by his Apostolical Sees benignity, to grant this Bishoprick and Benefice to him, to supply his wants; admonishing and exhorting the King at his Pontifical request, to confirm this Bishoprick on him, which the King accordingly did at his Petition by this Patent, reciting the Popes Letter.

REX, &c. Venerabili Patri in Christo, & Fratri Charissimo J. Dei gratia Eborum* 1.58 Archiepiscopo, J. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, Dux Norm. Aquitan. Comes Andeg. salutem. Literas Domini Papae suscepimus in haec verba▪

INNOCENTIƲS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei, Dilecto filio Johanni, Il∣lustri Regi Angliae, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ad supplicationem instantem Venerabilis Fratris nostri Ragusini Archiepiscopi, eum a Cura, & sollicitu∣dine qua tenebatur Ecclesiae Ragusinae duximus absolvendum, eo videlicet quod ibi non poterat secure morari, & si accessum haberet ad illam mortis sibi periculum im∣minebat. Ne vero idem Archiepiscopus in vituperium Ministerii nostri defectum in temporalibus paciatur, Episcopatum Karliolensem, et Ecclesiam de Meleburne, cum omnibus pertinentiis eorum de munificentia ac li∣beralitate tua, ac concessione Venerabilis fratris nostri Eborum Ar∣chiepiscopi ei benigne collatis, de sedis Apostolicae benignitate conce∣dimus ad ipsius indigentiam sublevandam: Serenitatem Regiam mo∣nentes attentius et hortantes, quatenus eundem Archiepiscopum nostrarum praecum optentu, sic officialii pontificalis intuitu recommendatum velis habere, ejus necessitati compatiens & ipsius subveniens paupertati, & dona praesentia per illu∣strem munificentiam sic reddens ampliora, ut per hoc Regi Regum, qui Sacerdos in aeternum videaris obsequium exhibere, cum illud quod Ministris ejus impenditur sibi protestatur impendi. Datum Ferentin. Idus Maii. Pontificatus nostri Anno sexto. Nos autem juxta petitionem Domini Papae praescriptam ipsi Ar∣chiepiscopo Ragusin. praedictum Episcopatum Karleolensem de munificen∣tia et libertate Regia (not by the Popes Authority or Provision) ei con∣cessimus, mandantes vobis quatenus ei tanquam Pastori et Episco∣po nostro in omnibus intendatis. Teste Domino Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, apud Merleb. Decimo die Januarii.

Sub eadem forma scribitur Abbatibus, Prioribus, Archidiaconis, & omnibus Clericis Episcopatus Karliolensis.

The same year there being many contests between the Dean and Canons, and Geoffry Archbishop of York, who by his Archiepiscopal Authority and violence, did much oppresse them; the King upon their complaint, by his Royal Authority, and Letters Patents granted them this protection against him and his Instruments, for the Churches peace.

REX, &c. Omnibus, &c. Sciatis nos suscepisse in pacem, custodiam, & protectio∣nem* 1.59 nostram Decanum & Canonicos Sancti Petri Ebor. & omnes homines, res, redditus & possessiones eorum. Et ideo vobis mandamus & firmiter praecipimus quod praedictos Decanum & Canonicos, & omnes homines, terras, res, redditus & possessi∣ones eorum manu-teneatis, custodiatis, & protegatis, & defendatis sicut nostra do∣minica: & Prohibemus ne praedicti Decanus & Canonici ponantur in placitum de aliquo quod in pace tenuerint tempore Regis H. Patris nostri, vel Regis Richardi fratris nostri, vel tempore nostro, quamdiu controversia duraverit inter Archiepiscopum Eborac. et ipsos: Etsi Archiepiscopus Eborac. vel aliquis Clericus, vel Laicus, praedictis Decano et Canonicis, vel Clericis, vel hominibus suis, in aliquo fortiam aliquam intulerit, vel eos in aliquo molestaverit: Praecipimus quod fortiam illam sta∣tim facias amoveri, et id quod eis forisfactum fuerit, sine dilatione emendari: Et corpora armatorum qui inventi fuerint, in rebus vel redditibus eorum qui fortiam aliquam eis fecerunt sine dilatione ca∣piatis, nec dimmitatis sine mandato nostro, vel Capitalis Iusticiarii nostri. Teste G. filio Petri, &c. Willielmo Briggner, Hugone de Nevill, apud Ebora∣cum, Anno Regni nostri quinto.

This year * 1.60 Godfrid Bishop of Winchester deceasing, Petrus de Rupibus, a Knight and great Souldier, vir equestris ordinis & in rebus bellicis eruditus, Procurante Rege Johanne, ad Episcopatum electus, succeeded him, who going to Rome, Ʋbi magnis Zeniis liberaliter collatis, ad Ecclesiam Wintoniensem, maturavit Episcopus consecrari, write Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster.

In the 6. year of King John, the Bishop, Dean and Chapter of Durham, the Dean* 1.61 and Chapter of York, with sundry other Deans and Chapters, Abbots and Priors, within the Province of York, to prevent the unjust arbitrary Excommunications, Suspensions, and Interdicts of Geoffry Archbishop of York, against their own Per∣sons, Tenants, Lands, and Possessions, by reason of some differences between them concerning their Jurisdictions and Ecclesiastical Priviledges, which they complained the Archbishop invaded, appearing before the King at York, did there in the Kings own presence appeal him before the Apostolick See, prefixing a certain day, to which the King by these Letters Patents gave his Royal testimony and assent, they not daring to appeal without his license.

REX, &c. Omnibus, &c. Noverit universitas vestra, quod cum Dominus Phil.* 1.62 Dunolmensis Episcopus, Decanus & Capitulum Sanctae Mariae Eborac▪ de Seleby, de Witeby, de Fontibus, de Riveal, de Rupe, de Ruchford, Abbates de Bridlinton, de Wirk∣sope, de Blithe, de Novo Burgo, de Kirkham, de Marton, de Beolton, de Sancto Oswaldo, Priores, coram nobis apud Eboracum, essent constituti, in praesentia nostra proposue∣runt, quod in omnibus erant parati Domino Archiepiscopo Eborac. Canonicam obe∣dien••••••m exhibere, salva reverentia quam debent * 1.63 Romanae Ecclesiae, & salvis privile∣giis suis & libertatibus Ecclesiarum suarum. Ne autem praedictus Archiepiscopus motu propriae voluntatis in terram nostram sive homines nostros, sive in ipsos vel homi∣nes suos, vel possessiones eorum aliquam sententiam excommunicationis, suspensi∣onis, vel interdicti poneret, coram nobis ad sedem Apostolicam appellarunt, termi∣num in Octabis Sancti Andreae, appellationi prosequendae praefigentes. Et quia ap∣pellatio illa coram nobis interposita, eidem per literas nostras testimonium per∣hibemus. Acta sunt ista apud Eborum, sexto die Marcii. Anno, &c. Sexto.

To conclude the story of this turbulent Archbishop of York, about two years after (Anno Dom. 1207.) * 1.64 King John and his Nobles meeting at Winchester, placing his hope and strength in his Treasures, required and received through all England, the 13. part of all movables and other things, as well of the Laity as of all other Ecclesiastical

persons and Prelates; all of them murmuring at it, imprecating and * 1.65 wishing an ill event to such rapine, but not daring to contradict it. Only Geoffry Archbishop of York, not consenting, but openly contradicting it, privily departed from England, and in his recesse, Anathematis sententia innodavit, actually excommunicated all men specially within his Archbishoprick, making this rapine and levying this Tax, and in general all In∣vaders of the Church or Ecclesiastical things, for non-payment of this Tax. Wherewith the King was so highly offended, that he seized his temporalties, and ba∣nished him the Realm till his death, about 7. years after; postquam per s••ptennium pro libertate Ecclesiae & executione justitiae exilium passus est, write * 1.66 Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster. Such was this Archbishops opposition to the Kings Preroga∣tive and legal aydes esteemed by the disloyal Monks and Clergy of that age.

I am now arrived in my Chronological Method at the original occasion of the highest, longest-lasting, and most tragical contests between King John, and his trai∣terous perjured Monks, Bishops, Clergy, and the Pope confederating with them, and their most notorious Usurpations upon the undoubted Prerogatives of the Crown; King, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, ever acted on our English Theater in any age: the summe whereof is this.

Upon the death of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno Dom: 1205. (the 6.* 1.67 of King Johns reign) there fell out an unhappy difference about the Election of a new Archbishop without the Kings license, against his Prerogative Royal, and after∣wards upon a double election, which Pope Innocent the 3d. taking advantage of, vaca∣ted both, & forced the Monks at Rome against their wills, oaths, to elect Stephen Lang∣ton a Cardinal (his creature) whom he recommended to them, and consecrated Archbi∣shop against the Kings consent; who refusing to admit him Archbishop, thereupon the Pope interdicted the whole Kingdom several years, next excommunicated, after that deposed the King from his Crown, which he gave to the King of France, absolved all his Subjects from their allegiance, and at last by force, menaces, and subtil perswa∣sions, induced the King to resign his Crown, kingdoms to the Pope, and resume them from him as his feudatory. The Monks, Bishops, Popes Antimonarchical gradual Proceedings herein, with this Kings strenuous Oppositions against them for 8. whole years space, are briefly recorded by a 1.68 many of our Historians, but most fully by Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster, from whom they extract their Narra∣tives; whose relations thereof I shall present you with at large in their own stile, en∣larged with additional Records not extant in them or other Historians, because the ground of all subsequent over-bold Papal and Prelatical Usurpations on the Crown, Kings, Kingdom, Church of England and Ireland.

b 1.69 DEfuncto ita{que} Archiepiscopo Huberto tertio Idus Maii, antequam corpus ejus sepulturae traderetur, adolescentes quidam de conventu Cantuariensis Eccle∣siae, (timentes ne Rex more suo electionem suam impediret, adds Matthew Westminster) Rege non inquisito, so one; or as another of them expresseth it, Regis consensu * 1.70 non requisito, Reginaldum Subpriorem suum in Archiepiscopum eligerunt, & media de nocte post factam electionem, Hymno, Te Deum Laudamus cantato, prius super majus altare, ac deinde in Archiepiscopali Cathedra posuerunt; Ve∣rebantur enim, quod si electio sine Regis consensu ad ipsius aures per∣venisset, ipse processum negotii impedire laboraret: (as he had cause) Unde nocte eadem idem Subprior, praestita cautione juratoria, quod sine licentia & literis specialibus Conventus se electum non gereret, vel literas Conventus de rato quas habebat, alicui promulgaret, assumptis secum de Conventu quibusdam Monachis, Curiam Romanam adivit. Hoc autem totum factum est, ut electio illa Regem lateret, donec probarent si rem inchoatam in Curia Ro∣mana possent perducere ad effectum. Sed electus praefatus, statim ut in Flandriam applicuisset, spreto quod fecerat juramento, se Ca••t••ariensem esse electum, clara voce confitetur; & ad hoc Romanam se adire Curiam, ut factam electionem confir∣maret. Literas insuper Conventus, quas de rato habebat, quibuslibet ostendit; cre∣dens in hoc causae suae meritum non mediocriter promoveri. Tandem vero Ro∣mam perveniens, Electionem suam Domino Papae, & ejus Cardinalibus illico pub∣licavit, literasque suas de rato palam omnibus ostendens, constanter a Domino Papa exegit, ut electionem factam, benignitate Apostolica confirmaret. Papa vero cum

festinatione respondens; dixit se velle deliberare donec majorem haberet certitudi∣nem de premissis, being glad of such an opportunity to wrest the disposition of this fat Archbishoprick out of the Monks and Kings hands too, to subject both the Church and Crown of England to his usurping power, which King John so strenu∣ously opposed. To carry on this businesse, with as much art and disguise as was possi∣ble; Per idem tempus ad Monachos Ecclesiae Cantuariensis contuendos, Papa Innocen∣tius ejusdem Ecclesiae suffraganeis scripsit sub hac forma.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei. Venerabilibus fratribus V∣niversis* 1.71 suffraganeis Cantuariensis Eeclesiae salutem, & Apostolicam benedictio∣nem; Cum tempore Legis Mosaicae, quae legitur ad perfectum neminem adduxisse, carnales parentes apud Carnalem populum in ea reverentia•• fuerunt & honore, ut qui eis malediceret, morte mori de mandato Domini juberetur, multo magis sub lege Gratiae constitutos, quae preciocissimo Christi sanguine rubriata portas aperit Paradysi, ne legis transgrediendo mandata, mortis damnationem incurrant; tanto convenit diligentius praecavere, quanto noscitur amplius formidandum animae quam Corporis incurrere detrimentum. Si ergo Carnales Parentes tanta sint reve∣rentia prosequendi; quid est de spiritualibus praesumendum? nisi sicut corpus spi∣ritus sup rat dignitate, sic reverentia & honore spirituales parentes Carnalibus prae∣ferantur. Haec autem nos fracres praemississe noveritis, quia cum vestram debea∣mus desiderare salutem, veremur ne presens tribulatio, quae vobis (ut dicitur) procurantibus suscitata est, Matrem Cantuariensem Ecclesiam, quam utique velut matrem tenemini revereri, vobis periculum generet animarum, & eidem Ecclesiae tantum pariat detrimentum, ut quod dispendiosa contentio generabit, vix possit prolixi∣ori temporum spatio restaurari. Quocirca universitatem vestram monemus atten∣tius & hortamur in Domino, & per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus diligentius attendentes, quid super his honori vestro expediat & saluti, non molestetis inde∣bite Cantuariensem Ecclesiam matrem vestram: cujus honores & jura fidelitatis de∣bito tenemini defensare, ne de vobis merito conqueratur & dicat; Filios enutrivi & exaltavi, ipsi vero me non solummodo non cognoscunt, sed & severissime persequun∣tur. Non autem perea quae premissimus, vos a vestra prosequenda justitia de∣hortamur, sed Pia nos facit affectio trepidare, ne terminis statutis a patribus non contenti, alii faciatis injuriam ea occasione reperta quod velitis prosequi jura ve∣stra. De caetero fratres, omnipotens Dominus illuminet mentes vestras, ut remota omni contentionis materia, debitum matri vestrae non negetis obedientiam, vel ho∣norem,* 1.72 nec contra divinum, nec naturale mandatum aliis faciatis, quod vobis fieri non vilitis. Datum Romae; apud Sanctum Petrum sexto Idus Decembris, Pontificatus no∣stri Anno Octavo.

Monachi interea Cantuarienses, cum de Suppriore suo cognovissent, quod vio∣lato Juramento quod fecerat, statim ut in Flandriam applicuisset se Electum gesse∣rat eorum detegendo secretum, commoti sunt vehementer contra eum, & conti∣nuo quosdam de Conventu Monachos miserunt ad Regem, requirentes abeo licentiam Pastorem sibi idoneum eligendi. Quibus Rex protinus, abs{que} omni conditione, benigue annuit quod petebant, et secre∣tius eis alsoquens ostendit eis Episcopum Norwicensem, * 1.73 magna sibi familiaritate conjunctum fore, ipsum{que} solum ex omnibus Angliae Prelatis secretorum suorum esse conscium. Unde sibi et regno suo magnum asierebat provenire commodum, si eum ad Archiepis∣copatum Cantuariensem transferre potuissent. Rogavit igitur Mo∣nachos, ut una cum Clericis suis, quos missurus erat ad conventum, hanc petitio∣nem suam exponerent illis, multos Conventui promittens honores si ipsum exau∣dire decrevissent. Monachi vero ad propria reversi, Conventui, per ordinem re∣tulerunt ea quae sibi a Rege fuerant impetrata. Conventus autem ut Regem quem offenderant sibi reconciliarent, convenientes in Capi∣tulo Johannem Norwicensem Episcopum unammiter elegerunt; & illico quosdam de Conventu Monachos ad Electum dirigentes (qui tunc pro agendis rebus Regis apud Eboracum erat) mandantes ei, ut Cantuariam cum festinatione veniret. Nuntii quo{que} praepositum iter expedientes Episcopum jam dictum apud Noting∣ham invenerunt, qui Regis expletis negotis ad partes Australes properabat, veniens∣que

ad Regem, Cantuariam simul profecti sunt: atque die sequenti maxima mul∣titudine in Ecclesia Metropolitana concurrente, Prior Cantuariensis, Rege pre∣sente Electionem factam de Johannis de Gray Episcopo Norwicensi, palam cun∣ctis pronunciavit, & assumentes eum Monachi, cum Hymno Te Deum Laudamus, portaverunt ad majus Altare, tandemin Cathedra Archiepiscopali illum collocan∣tes: & hoc fuit seminarium totius sequentis discordiae quae per secula detrimentum, Angliae generavit, & damnum irrestaurabile. Quo facto, Rex videntibus cunctis misit electum illum in possessionem rerum omnium ad Archiepiscopatum pertinen∣tium, & sic singuli ad propria sunt reversi. Sicque in hac electione factus est novissi∣mus error pejor priore, sicut rerum exitus evidenter ostendit.

The next year, 1206. Rex misit ad Curiam Romanam quosdam Cantuariensis Ec∣clesiae* 1.74 Monachos, inter quos precipuus, erat Magister Helias de Brantefeld; qui∣bus de fisco copiosas e 1.75 Rex ministravit expensas, ut electionem de Episcopo Norwicensi factam, impetrarent a Domino Papa confirmari. Miserunt autem eodem tempore, Episcopi Cantuariensis Ecclesiae suffraganei procuratores Romam, gra∣vem coram Domino Papa querelam proponentes, Quod videlicet Monachi Cantua∣rienses sine illis electionem temere Archiepiscopi praesumpsissent celebrare. Cum ipsi una cum illis de jure communi & consuetudine antiqua electioni interesse de∣buissent Allegarunt etiam procuratores memorati super premissis Decreta & ex∣empla, quosdam testes producentes, & literas testimoniales exhibentes, quibus o∣stendere nitebantur, quod ipsi suffraganei una cum Monachis tres Metropolitanos eligerunt. Monachi vero e contrario asserebant, quod privilegio speciali Romano∣rum Pontificum, & de consuetudine approbata, & antiqua, sine Episcopis Electiones facere consueverant, quod etiam per testes idoneos docete promiserunt. Auditis hinc inde allegationibus, testibus{que} admissis & diligenter examinatis, prefixus est dies a Domino Papa partibus, duodecimo scilicet Calend. Januarii ad pronuncian∣dum, ut tunc venient, quod jus dictaverit recepturi.

Eodem Anno f 1.76 Johannes Ferentius Apostolicae sedis Legatus Veniens in An∣gliam, eam{que} perlustrans, magnam pecuniae summam congessit, & tandem apud Raddin∣gum in Crastino Sancti Lucae Evangelistae Concilium celebravit. Quo facto, sarcinulis cum magna cautela dispositis & prudenter commendatis, festinus viator ad mare perve∣niens Angliam a tergo salutavit: his business being only to exact mony. g 1.77 Circa dies istos, Papa Innocentius suffraganeis Cantuariensis Ecclesiae Episcopis sententiam dissini∣tivam sub hac forma direxit. Majores Ecclesiae causas ad sedem Apostolicam re∣ferendas, & Canonica tradit authoritas, & approbata * 1.78 consuetudo declarat: cum igitur inter vos, & dilectos filios nostros Priorem, & Monachos Cantuariensis Ecclesiae, super jure illius Archiepiscopi eligendi controversia verteretur, pro∣ponentibus vobis quod tum ex jure communi, tum ex antiqua consuetudine, una cum illis debetis ipsius Archiepiscopi electionem celebrare. Illis autem e contrario respondentibus, quod de jure communi & privilegio speciali; & de consuetudine approbata & antiqua Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum eligere deberent sine vobis, lite coram nobis per procuratores idoneos super hoc legitime contestata, diligenter au∣divimus, quae partes in presentia nostra proponere curaverunt. Pars siquidem vestra & decreta pariter & exempla studuit allegare, quosdam testes producens, & testimoniales literas exhibens quibus ostendere nitebatur, quod vos tres Metropo∣litanos elegeratis una cum illis: cum per literas & attestationes sit probatum vos & alio loco & alio tempore non sine illis, electiones hujusmodi celebrasse. Testes autem producti ex parte Monachorum, legitime probaverunt, quod Prior & Con∣ventus Cantuariensis Ecclesiae a longis retro temporibus electiones Episcoporum in Capitulo suo, sine vobis us{que} ad haec tempora celebrarunt, & easdem obtinuerunt a sede Apostolica confirmari. A nobis etiam & predecessoribus nostris, per privile∣gii paginam est statutum, ut decedente Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, nullus ibi quali∣bet surreptionis astutia seu violentia proponatur, nisi quem communi consilio, ma∣jor pars Monachorum sanioris consilii, secundum Dominum & sacrorum Canonum sanctiones providerit eligendum. Nos igitur his & aliis, quae coram nobis allegata sunt, auditis & perspicaciter intellectis, quia constat evidenter, quod vos sine illis secundum assertionem vestram eligere non debetis, Monachis exclusis vestra non valet electio; & electio Monachorum sine vobis celebrata, quia a sede Apo∣stolica meruit confirmari valebat. Cumque necessarium fuerit alterutrum confir∣mare, de communi fratrum nostrorum consilio vobis & successoribus vestris super jure

Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum eligendi, silentium perpetuum imponimus, & Mona∣chos Cantuarienses ab impetitione ac molestatione vestra, & successorum vestrorum per sententiam diffinitivam absolvimus, Authoritate Apostolica decernentes, ut Monachi Can∣tuariensis Ecclesiae & successores eorum de caetero Archiepiscopum eligant sine vobis. Da∣tum Romae apud Sanctum Petrum Duodecimo Kalendas Januarii, Pontificatus no∣stri Anno Nono.

The King in the mean time writes Letters of thanks to all the Notaries, Chaplains, and other Officers of the Pope at Rome, for their assistance, and advice to his Agents in this businesse, and likewise imparts his mind to the suffragans of Canterbury con∣cerning it by his chief Justice, not mentioned by our Historians.

REX dilectis Amicis suis Venerabi libus viris suis omnibus Domini Papae Nota∣ri••s* 1.79 & Capellanis, &c. Grates vobis referimus multiplices, eo quod ad negotia no∣stra in Curia promovenda nunciis nostris auxilium & consilium benigne prestatis, qui se multum laudant de vobis. Remittimus autem ad Curiam fideles nostros Abbatem de Bello loco, Thomam de Ardinton, & Aufridum de Dena, dilectionem vestram ro∣gantes attencius, quatinus eis subveniatis in negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae promovendo, ••uxta dignitatem nostram et consuetudinemregni nostri vobis saepius expositam, ita quod de Devotis vobis efficiamur devotiores. Teste Domino Petro Wintoniensi E∣piscopo apud Rochingham Vicessimo die Februarii.

VEnerabilibus Patribus in Christo, Ʋniversis Episcopis Cantuariensis Ecclesiae suf∣fraganeis,* 1.80 J. Dei gratia, &c. Rogamus vos attencius quatinus sicut honorem & utilitatem Regni nostri & Ecclesiae Anglicanae diligitis & desideratis, ea quae Justitiarius noster vobis ex parte nostra proponet super provisione Ecclesiae Cantuariensis diligenter & celeriter exequi studeatis, quia negotium illud magnam instantiam desiderat. Teste me∣ipso apud Porec. Vicesimo Sexto die Maii. What this business was is not expressed in particular, but in general, it was to preserve the rights and Dignity of the Crown, in relation to the See of Canterbury, to own him only for Archbishop, who was ele∣cted by his Royal assent.

Not long after, the Pope summoned the Monks of Canterbury the second time before him concerning the election of the Arch-bishop, to vacat both Elections, and enforce them to a new; thus related by * Matthew Paris.

Circa dies istos, steterunt Romae coram Domino Papa, Monachi Cantuariensis* 1.81 Ecclesiae, turpem admodum causam ad invicem agitantes. Nam quaedam pars eorum per literas Conventus de rato presentaverunt Reginaldum Suppriorem Cantuariensem, sicut multoties fecerant Electum ad Archiepiscopopatum, instantius postulantes, ut ejus electio confirmaretur. Altera vero pars eorundem Monachorum per literas similiter de Rato, presentaverunt Johannem Episcopum Norwicensem mul∣tis rationibus ostendentes, electionem de Suppriore nulla esse, tum quia facta erat de nocte, et sine solempnitate et assensu Regio, tum quia a majori & saniori parte Conventus non fuerat celebrata, sicque his rationibus propositis, petierunt ut illa electio confirmaretur, quae clara luce diei. Rege presente et consentiente, cum testibus ido∣neis extitit celebrata. His auditis & perspicaciter intellectis, procurator Suppri∣oris allegavit, secundam electionem irritam esse & inanem, quia qualiscun{que} esset pri∣ma electio, sive justa, sive injusta, debuerat prima Cassari, antequam secunda celebra∣retur electio. Unde constanter postulabat, ut prima electio rata haberetur. Denique post longas hinc & inde disceptationes, cum Dominus Papa intellexisset partes in uni∣cam personam non posse convenire, atque utramque electionem vitiose & non secundum sa∣crorum Cano••um sanctiones celebratam fuisse, de consilio Cardinalium suorum ambas cassavit, partibus diffinitione Apostolica interdicens, & per sententiam diffinitivam statuens, ne de cetero ad Archiepiscopatus honores alteruter Electorum aspiret. Sum∣matim hac fuit causa & seminarium Erroris. Rex posuerat verbum suum in ore duo∣decim Monachorum Cantuariensium, ut quemcun{que} eligerent, ipse acceptaret. Con∣venerat autem inter Regem & eos, prestito juramento, & fidei interpositione, quod nullo modo alium, quam Johannem Episcopum Norwicensem eligerent. Habebant & similiter Literas Regis.

This crafty Pope vacated both these Elections on purpose to force the Monks to elect whom ever he should commend unto them, against the right of the Kings Crown, to grant Licences to elect, and approve the Arch-bishop when elected, that so having wrested out of his hands, the disposition of the See of the Primat and Metro∣politan of all England to confer it on his own creatures; he might rule both the Church and Kingdom at his pleasure; in pursuance of which design the perfidious Monks com∣plyed with him against the King: as the Historian thus relates. * 1.82 Sed ipsi Monachi, post∣quam intellexerunt electionem dicti Johannis Papae nimis displic••re & cassari, sugge∣rentibus Cardinalibus & Domino Papa; & affirmantibus licere eis eligere, quem∣cun{que} vellent, ut secrete electionem celebrarent, si strenuum & precipue Anglicum eligerent, elegerunt per consilium Papae Magistrum Stephanum de Langeton Cardina∣lem, quo non erat major in Curia, imo nec ei parem moribus & scientia. Ex tunc igitur non potuit ei Papa in multiformi tribulatione deesse.

CAssatis itaque Electionibus memoratis Dominus Papa nolens diutius susti∣nere,* 1.83 ut gregi dominico cura deesset Pastoralis (the ground of all sub∣sequent provisions to Bishopricks) persuasit Monachis Cantuariensis, qui procura∣tores coram eo constituti fuerant pro negotio Ecclesiae Cantuariensis, ut eligerent Ma∣gistrum Stephanum de Langeton, Presbyterum Cardinalem, virum in literali scientia* 1.84 tum discretum, & moribus ornatum, asserens ipsius promotionem, tam ips•• Regi, quam universae Ecclesiae Anglicanae plurimum profuturam. Monachi vero adhaec respondentes asserebant, non licere praeter Consensum Re∣gium et sui Conventus Canonicam electionem celebrare. At Papa, quasi rapiens verbum ex Ore ipsorum dixit: sciatis vos plenariam habere in Eccle∣sia Cantuariensi potestatem, nec et super electionibus apud sedem Apostoli∣cam celebratis, * 1.85 solet assensus Principum expectari. Vnde vobis qui tot & tales estis, quod plene su••••icitis ad electionem, in virtute obedientiae, et sub paena anathematis precipimus, ut illum in Archiepiscopum eligatis, quem Nos damus vobis in Patrem et Pastorem anima∣rum vestrarum. Monachi quo{que} excommunicationis sententiam in∣currere metuentes, licet inviti et cum murmuratione assensum ta∣men praebuerunt. Solus ex omnibus Monachis Magister Helias de Brantefeld, qui pro parte Regis & Episcopi Norwicensis advenerat, noluit consentire. Caeteri au∣tem omnes cum Hymno Te Deum Laudamus, electum memoratum ad Altare de∣tulerunt. Deinde Decimo Quinto Kalendas Julii in Civitate Viterbii, a Papa prefato munus consecrationis suscepit. The Pope to salve this grand encroachment on King John and the Crown of England, endeavoured by gifts and complements to pacifie and court him out of it: To which purpose,

Sub eisdem diebus, Innocentius Papa cupiens in proposito suo Regem* 1.86 Iohannem habere favorabilem, quia cognoverat eundem Johannem cu∣pidum esse, & diligentem inquisitorem & acquisitorem Gemmarum pretiosarum, * 1.87 misit ei hanc Epistolam cum tali Xenio quod in eadem potest perpendi. Innocen∣tius Papa tertius, Johanni Regi Anglorum: &c. Inter opes terrenas, quas mortalis oculus concupiscit, & quasi clariora desiderat, aurum, obrizum & lapides pretiosas principatum credimus obtinere. Licet autem his & aliis divitiis vestra regalis abundet excellentia, in signum tamen dilectionis & gratiae, quatuor Annulos Aureos cum di∣versis lapidibus pretiosis, tuae magnitudini, destinamus. In quibus te volumus spe∣cialiter intelligere, formam, numerum, materiam, & colorem, ut mysterium potius quam donum attendas. Rotunditas enim Eternitatem significat, quae initio caret & fine. Habet ergo Regalis discretio quod in forma requirat, ut de terrenis transeat ad caelestia, de temporalibus ad aeterna procedat. Quaternarius autem qui numerus est quadratus, constantiam mentis significavit, quae nec deprimi debet in adversis, nec in prosperis elevari, quod tunc laudabiliter adimplebit, cum quatuor virtutibus principalibus fuerit ordinata, viz. Justitia, Fortitudine, Prudentia, Temperantia. In∣telligas ergo in primo, Justitiam quam exerceas in judiciis. In seenndo; Forti∣tudinem quam exhibeas in adversis. In tertio, Prudentiam quam observes in dubiis. In quarto, Temperantiam quam in prosperis non demittas. Per aurum vero sapien∣tia designatur, Quia sicut Aurum praeeminet metallis universis, sic sapientia donis

omnibus antecellit. Propheta testante. Requiescet super eum spiritus sapientiae, &c. Nihil est autem quod Regem magis oportet habere. Unde Rex ille pacificus Solo∣mon, ••olo a Domino sapientiam postulavit, ut populum sibi commissum perinde sci∣ret gubernare. Porro Smaragdi Viriditas fidem, Saphiri serenitas spem, Gran••ti rubicundit••s Charitatem. Topatii Claritas operationem bonam significat, de qua Dominus; Luceat Lux vestra. Habes igitur in Smaragdo quod credas, in Saphiro quod speras, in Gran••to quod diligas, in Topatio quod exerceas, ut de virtute in vir∣tutem ascendas donec Dominum Deorum videas in Sion. Haec autem cum ad Re∣gis presentiam pervenissent, primo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ei complacuerunt, sed post non mul∣tos dies subsequentes aurum, obr••zum, in s••oriam, & derisum, gemmae in gemitus amor in rancorem, sicut sequens sermo declarabit, sunt flebiliter commutata, ut ex sequentibus constiterit.

* 1.88 His ita gestis Papa Innocentius Reg•• Anglorum literas direxit, exhortans humiliter & devote, ut Magistrum Stepha〈◊〉〈◊〉 •••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉getune, Sancti Chrysogoni Presbyterum Cardinalem, ad Archiepiscop〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Canonice electum, benigne susci∣peret, & qui de Regno suo originem 〈◊〉〈◊〉. non solum in saecularium scientia lite∣rarum Magistri nomen prome••uit, sed & Doctor ••sse in Theologicis disciplinis. Et cum praecipue vita ipsius & mores scientiae magnitudinem excedant, ejus persona tam anim•• suae quam corpori erit non mediocriter profutura. Denique cum multis in hu••c modum verbis tam blandis quam persuasoriis Regem ad consensum induce∣re p••rstitisset, Priori & Monachi Cantuariensibus, per literas in virtute Sanctae obedi∣entiae praecep••, ut Archiepiscopum jam dictum in pastorem susciperent, eique in tem∣po〈◊〉〈◊〉 simul & spiritualibus humiliter obedirent. * 1.89 Cumque tandem Literae Do∣〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ad Regis Anglorum notitiam pervenissent, ••ratus est Rex vehementer de promotione Magistri 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ••ari••er & Norwicensis cassatione, crimenque proditi∣onis in Monachos Cantuarienses refundere sa••ege••at. Dixit enim quod in praejudicium ••uae libe〈◊〉〈◊〉, ••••••e ipsius licentia Suppriorem suam e••egerant, & post∣modum, ut quod ma•••• gesserunt, quasi sibi satisfaciendo palliarent, eligerunt Epis∣copum Norwicensem, & pecuniam de fisco accipientes ad itineris expensas, ut electionem de Episcopo memorat•• factam apud sedem Apostolicam impetrarent confirmari, in cumulum iniquitatis suae elegerunt ibi Stephanum de Langetune, inimicum suum publicum, eumque fecerunt in Archiepiscopum consecrari: Ob hanc quoque causam idem Rex in furorem versus, et indignationem, misit Fulco∣nem de Cantelou, & Henricum de Cornhelle, Milites Crudelissimos et humanitatis ignaros cum ministris armatis, ut Monachos Can∣tuarienses, sicut crimine laesae majestatis reos, a Regno Angliae ex∣pellerent, vel sententia Capitali condemnarent. Illi autem manda∣tum Domini sui non segniter exequentes, Cantuariam sunt profecti, et nudatis Ensibus Monasterium ingressi, voce furiosa Priori et Mo∣nachis ex parte Regis praeceperunt, ut velut Proditores Regiae Ma∣jestatis, incontinenti de Regno Angliae exirent. Et si hoc facere* 1.90 noluissent, affirmaverunt cum Iuramento, quod ipsi injecto igne, tam in ipso Monasterio, quam in aliis officinis omnes illos cum ip∣sis aedificiis concremarent. Monachi vero nimis inconsulte a∣gentes, sine violentia et omni manuum injectione, recesserunt omnes praeter Tredecim valetudinarios; qui in domo infirmorum jacentes, incedere non valebant. Et protinus trajecti in Flandriam, in Abbatia Sancti Bertini honorifice recepti sunt, & in aliis Monasteriis transmarinis. Deinde jubente Rege substituti sunt in Ecclesia Cantuariensi Monachi quidam de Sancto Augustino, ad Ministrandum ibidem, Fulcone prefato procurante, imo omnia bona corundem Monachorum distrahente, et confiscante, ter∣ris tam Archiepiscopi quam Monachorum remanentibus incultis. Exierunt autem Monachi saepe dicti, de Monasterio suo in exilium.

a 1.91 Exclusis hoc ordine Monachis Cantuariensibus, b 1.92 Rex Anglorum Johannes ad Papam nuncios cum literis direxit, in quibus expresse et quasi comminando ip∣sum arguebat, quod electione Norwicensis Episcopi turpiter repulsa, Stephanum quendam de Langetuna sibi penitus ignotum, et in Regno Francorum inter

hostes suos publicos diutissime conversatum, fecerat in Cantuari∣ensem Episcopum consecrari. Et quod magis in prejudicium, et subversionem Libertatum ad Coronam suam spectantium redundat, ipsius Consensu a Monachis qui illum postulasse debuerant, nec rite requisito, eundem Stephanum temere promovere praesumpsit. Unde asserebat se sufficienter admirari non posse, quod tam ipse Pa∣pa quam universa Curia Romana ad memoriam non reducunt, in quantum ejus dilectio Romanae sedi fuerit hactenus necessaria, in hoc rationis oculum non figentes, quod uberiores sibi fructus per∣veniant de Regno suo Angliae quam de omnibus Regionibus ci∣tra Alpes constitutis. Addit insuper, quod pro Libertatibus Co∣ronae suae stabit si necesse fuerit, usque ad mortem; immutabiliter af∣firmans* 1.93 se non posse ab electione simul et promotione Norwicensis Episcopi quam sibi utilem intelligit, revocari. Tandem negotii sum∣mam in hoc conclusit, quod si de premissis non fuerit exauditus, omni∣bus Romam petentibus maris semitas angustabit: ne terra sua diutius evacuata ipsi minus ad hostes ab ea depellendos sufficiat. Et cum Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, et alii Ecclesiarum Prelati, tam de Regno Angliae, quam aliarum terrarum suarum, in omnium scien∣tiarum plenitudine sufficienter abundent, si necessitas coegerit, ex∣tra* 1.94 terras suas Iustitiam vel Iudicium ab alienigenis non Emen∣dicabit: A most royal; heroick, just and equal resolution.

Cumque haec omnia ad Domini Papae audientiam, per Regis nuntios pervenissent* 1.95 Regi Anglorum scripsit in haec verba, which are very High, arrogant, menacing, and Antimonarchical, displaying his Antichristian pride and spirit.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo Filio, Johanni illustri Anglorum Regi salutem, & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Cum su∣per negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae nos tibi scripserimus, humiliter, diligenter, benigne exhortando ac rogando, tu nobis (ut salva pace tua loquar) rescripsisti quasi com∣minando, et exprobando contumaciter et proterve. Et cum nos tibi supra jus deferre curemus, tu nobis secundum jus deferre non curas, mi∣nus quam deceret attendens, quod si tua nobis devotio plurimum est necessaria, nostra tamen tibi non parum est opportuna. Cumque nos in tali Ca∣su tantum honorem nulli Principum detulimus quantum tibi, tu nostro tantum derogare attendis honori, quantum in simili casu nullus Princeps de∣rogare presumpsit, quasdam Frivolas occasiones pretendens, qui∣bus asseris, quod Electioni de dilecto filio nostro Magistro Stephano, titulo Sancti Chrysogoni Presbytero Cardinali a Monachis Cantuariensibus celebratae, non potes portare consensum, quia videlicet inter tuos est conversatus inimicos, et persona ejus est tibi prorsus ignota. Porro juxta proverbium Solomonis, frustra jacitur rete ante oculos pennatorum, cum intelligamus illud, ei non esse imputandum ad culpam, sed ad gloriam potius adscribendum, quod Pa∣risiis diu vacans liberalibus studiis, in tantum profecit, ut meruerit esse Doctor, non solum in liberalibus facultatibus, verum & in Theologicis disciplinis. Ac si per hoc cum vita concordet Doctrinae, dignus est habitus praebendam obtinere Parisiensem. Unde mirabile gerimus, si vir tanti nominis de tuo regno ducens originem, tibi po∣tuit esse saltem quoad famam ignotus, praesertim cum ter scripsisses illi postquam nobis extitit in Cardinalem promotus: quod licet disposueris eum ad tuae familiaritatis obsequium evocare, gaudebas tamen quod ad majus erat officium sublimatus. Sed illud potius te attendere decuisset, quod in terra tua natus est, de parentibus tibi fidelibus ac devotis, quodque in Eboracensi Ecclesia fuerat Prebendatus, quae longe major & dignior quam Pariacensis existit. Unde non solum ratione carnis & san∣guinis, verum & obtentu ecclesiastici beneficii & officii, te ac regnum tuum af∣fectu sincero diligere comprobatur. Nuncii vero tui causam nobis aliam expresse∣runt, quare non prestitisti ejus electioni consensum, quia videlicet

nunquam fuerat requisitus ab illis, qui eum a te debuerunt postu∣lare, asserentes quod literae illae quibus mandavimus, ut super hoc negotio pro∣curatores ad nos idoneos destinares, ad te minime pervenerunt. Et Monachi Can∣tuarienses, quamvis pro aliis negotiis ad tuam presentiam accessissent, pro postulan∣do tamen consensu nec literas, nec nuncios direxerunt; Unde iidem nuncii cum multa instantia nobis supplicarunt, quatinus ex quo nobis complacuit hanc tibi honorificentiam reservare, ut Monachi e Cantuarienses regium postularunt assensum, quoniam hoc factum non erat, dilationem con∣gruam concedere dignaremur, infra quam posset id fieri, ne juri tuo contingeret derogari. Contra personam Electi quiddam ad ultimum proponen∣tes, quod cum manifeste factum sit, Ostium oris claudere debuissent, presertim cum si verum esset, promotionem ejus jam impedire non posset. Licet autem super* 1.96 Electionibus apud sedem Apostolicam celebratis, non consueverit as∣sensus Principum expectari, Duo tamen Monachi fuerunt specialiter deputati; ut ad te pro requirendo assensu venirent, qui apud Ydivoriam fuerunt retenti, ut injunctum sibi mandatum exequi non valerent, & praefatae literae de procuratoribus ad nostram praesentiam destinandis, tuis fuerunt Nuntiis assignatae, ut eas tibi fideli∣ter praesentarent. Nos quoque qui super eandem Ecclesiam Cantu∣ariensem plenitudinem potestatis habemus, regium super hoc dig∣nati sumus implorare favorem. Et Cursor noster qui Apostolicas tibi Literas presentavit, literas quoque Prioris ac Monachorum, qui ex mandato totius Capituli Cantuariensis Celebraverunt electionem memoratam, super assensu prae∣tendo, Regiae sublimitati porrexit. Ideoque non vidimus oportere denuo post haec omnia regium postulare consensum. Sed illud Agere disposuimus, non declinantes ad dextram vel ad sinistram, quod Sanctorum Patrum Canonicae sanctiones, statuunt faciendum, ut videlicet nihil morae vel difficultatis re∣ctis dispositionibus auferatur ne gregi Dominico diu desit cura Pastoralis. Quocirca vel discretioni tuae vel Regali Prudentiae suggeratur a quoquam, quod aliquatinus valeat a consummatione hujus officii revocari, quoniam absque * 1.97 vi & dolo canonica sit Electio de persona idmea concorditer celebrata, sine damno famae & periculo consci∣entiae differre non possemus. Tu ergo Fili Charissime, cujus honori supra jus de∣ferri curavimus secundum jus, nostro studeatis honori deferre, ut gratiam divinam & nostram uberius merearis, ne forte si secus egeris, in eam te difficulta∣tem inducas, de qua non facile valeas expediri, cum tandem opporteat eum vincere, * 1.98 cu•• ••lectitur omne genu Coelestium, terrestrium & infernorum, cujus nos vices in terris, licet immeriti exercemus. Ne igitur eorum consiliis adquiescas, qui tuam femper turbationem desiderant, ut melius possint in aqua turbida piscari, sed nostro beneplacato te committas, quod utique tibi cedet ad laudem, gloriam et honorem. Quia non esset tibi tutum in hac causa Deo et Ecclesiae repugnare, pro qua beatus Martyr et Pontifex Gloriosus Thomas sangui∣nem suum recenter effudit, presertim ex quo Pater et Frater tuus clarae memorie tunc Reges Anglorum in manibus Legatorum A∣postolicae sedis illam pravam consuetudinem abjurarunt. Nos autem si nobis humiliter acquieveris, sufficienter tibi & tuis providere curabimus, ne su∣per hoc valeat vobis aliquod prejudicium generari. Datum Laterani, Pontificatus nostri Anno Decimo.

King John being no wayes courted out of, nor terrified from his Royal Rights* 1.99 and Dignities by the courtship or menaces of Pope Innocent, thereupon Anno Dom. 1208. he thus most injuriously proceeded against him.

INNOCENTIUS Papa, cum Regis Johannis Anglorum cor adeo induratum didi∣cerat* 1.100 (when as his own heart rather was thus hardned) quod nec blandis ejus ad∣monitionibus nec asperis comminationibus adquiesceret, ut Stephanum Cantuarien∣sem Archiepiscopum recipere vellet, tactus dolore cordis intrinsecus Willielmo Lon∣dinensi,

Eustachio Elyensi, & Malger•• Wigorniensi Episcopis, de consilio Cardinalium suorum dedit in mandatis, ut accedentes ad Regem memoratum, ipsum pia sollicitu∣dine pro negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae convenirent, salubriter exhortantes in Do∣mino, quatenus eo pacto se vinci à Deo permitteret, ut victus Domini vinceret, ipsumque cui servire, regnare est, in sui favorem provocaret. Quod si forte ipsum contuma∣cem, sicut hactenus extitit, invenirent et Rebellem, Regnum Angliae totum sub Interdicto concluderent, Authoritate ei Apostolica denunci∣antes: Quod si per hoc pertinaciam suam non duceret corrigendam, ipse manum adhibere curaret Graviorem, cum necesse sit eum vince∣re, qui pro salute Ecclesiae Sanctae Diabolum, et ejus Angelos de∣bellams, claustra Tartarea spoliavit. Suffraganeis quoque Cantuariensis Ecclesiae Episcopis, aliisque illius Diocaesis Praelatis in virtute obedientiae per sedis Apostolicae lite∣ras expressit, ut Archiepiscopum praefatum in Patrem susciperent & Pastorem, eique cha∣ritate debita obedire curarent. Hereupon Londoniensis, Elyensis, atque Wigorniensis Episcopi, ex injuncto sibi delegationis Officio, (being more obsequious to the Popes illegal, then their Kings lawfull mandates) Regem Johannem adeuntes, mandatum∣que sibi Apostolicum per ordinem exponentes, humiliter lacrymisque profusis sup∣plicabant, quatenus Dominum habens prae oculis, Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem & Monachos ad Ecclesiam suam revocaret, honoraret, & eos charitate perfecta diligeret, scandalum interdicti evitare curaret; ut per hoc retributor meritorum & potentiam sibi multiplicare dignaretur temporalem, & gloriam post Mortem largiretur sine fine men∣suram. Cumque idem Episcopi pro ejus salute vellent protrahere sermonem, Rex quasi in furiam versus, contra Dominum Papam et ejus Car∣dinales in verba blasphemiae prorupit, jurans per dentes Dei, quod si ipsi vel alii quicunque ausu temerario terras suas supponerent Inter∣dicte,* 1.101 ipse incontinenti universos Angliae Praelatos, Clericos pari∣ter et ordinatos, ad Papam mitteret, et bona eorum omnia confisca∣ret. Addit etiam, quod Romanos quoscunque sive in quibuscunque terris suis reperiri potuissent, erutis oculis naribusque praecisis, Ro∣mam destinaret: Vt hiis intersignis a caeteris possent nationibus ibidem discerni. Ipsis insuper Episcopis expresse praecepit, quate∣nus cum summa festnatione a suo conspectu recederent, si suorum corporum vellent scandali discrimine evitare. A most Heroick, Royal resolution, worthy a King of England, thus affronted by a Tyrannizing Usurping Pope, and perfidious Bishops.

The King before this final harsh Answer given to them, had condescended as far as possible to gratifie the Pope in receiving Stephen Langhton to be Archbishop of Canterbury, upon these Bishops first acquainting him with the Popes mandate to them, promising to do any thing therein which his Council should think fit and rea∣sonable, saving in all things to him and his Heirs the right and dignity of the Crown belonging to them, as appears by his Letters Patents to these Bishops, attested by 7. Earls, and 3. Barons, (which our Monkish Historians conceale) near 3. months before the Interdict.

REX, &c. Londoniensi, Elyensi, & Wygorniensi Episcopis salutem. Sciatis quod pa∣rati* 1.102 sumus obedire Domino Papae sicut debemus, & mandatum ejus super negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae ad vos directum, quod nobis ostendist implere, cum concilio fidelium nostrorum sicut decet secundam rationem: Salvis nobis in omnibus et heraedibus nostris, jure nostro, et dignitate nostra, et libertatibus nostris. Testibus G. filio Petri, Comite Essex, R. Comite Cestriae, W. Comite Arundell, W. Comite Sarisburiens. fratre nostro, R. Comite de Clara, S. Co∣mite Winton, A. Comite Oxon, R. filio Rogeri, R. Constab. Cestriae, W. Briewer. apud Lameli. Vicesimo primo die Januarii.

But the Bishops would admit of no such terms or conditions, but the King must absolutely part with his Right, that so the Pope from thenceforth might dis∣pose

of the Archbishoprick of Canterbury and all other Bishopricks in England, Wales and Ireland (by this President) if submitted to, at his pleasure. Whereup∣on the King commanded them to deliver these his Letters Patents to his chief Ju∣stice, saving his right and dignity, before the Interdict pronounced by them, as this Record informs us.

REX, &c. W. London. Episcopo, &c. Mandamus vobis quod literas nostras Pa∣tentes* 1.103 quas fecimus vobis & soc••••s vestris executoribus mandati Apostolici su∣per negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae adimplendo, salvo jure et dignitate nostra, tra∣datis Justiciario nostro G. filio Petri. Et in hujus rei Testimonium vobis has lite∣ras nostras Patentes inde mittimus. Teste meipso apud Suhant, Vicesimo tertio die Marcii.

During the Kings Treaty with the Bishops, Simon Langeton the pretended Arch∣bishops Brother, repaired to the King at Winchester, intreating him in the presence of the Bishops to admit his Brother to the Archbishoprick, which he proffering to do, saving only his right and dignity: So soon as ever the King began to mention it, he presently replyed in an insolent manner, That he would do nought for the King there∣in, unlesse he would wholly referre himself into his hands, without any such saving. Which he and the Bishops concealing from the people, and raising false scandalous rumors touching the Kings proceedings herein, to alienate his Subjects affections from him, the King thereupon was enforced by his Letters Patents and Proclamations, to pub∣lish the truth thereof to all his Subjects in Kent, (most concerned therein, being un∣der the Archbishops Jurisdiction, and most of them Tenants to the Archbishoprick) to undeceive them.

REX, &c. Omnibus hominibus totius Kanciae, &c. Sciatis quod Magister Simon* 1.104 de Langeton, venit ad nos apud Wintoniam, die Mercurii proximo ante mediam quadragesimam, & coram Episcopis nostris rogavit nos, quod Magistrum S. de Langeton, Fratrem suum reciperemus in Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem: Et cum loqueremur eide salvanda nobis in hoc dignitate nostra, dixit nobis, quod nichil nobis inde faceret nisi ex toto poneremus nos in manum suam. Hoc autem vobis mandamus, ut sciatis malum et injuriam nobis in hac parte factam. Et mandamus vobis quod credatis hiis quae Regin. Cornehull, vobis dixerit ex parte nostra, de facto praefato ibidem inter nos et praedictos Episcopos et ipsum Simonem facto, et de facienda super hoc praeceptum nostrum. Teste meipso apud Winton. De∣cimo quarto die Marcii.

The King during this Treaty with the Bishops, to preserve the Rights of his Crown, committed the custody of the Temporalties of the Priory of Christ-Church, and Archbishoprick of Canterbury, to certain Commissioners during his Royal pleasure, by these Patents.

REX, &c. Fulconi de Kantilupo, & Reginaldo de Cornubia, &c. Sciatis quod com∣missimus* 1.105 Magistro Radulpho de Sancto Martino, & Roberto de London. custodiam Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis, cum omnibus quae ad interiora ejusdem Ecclesiae spec∣tant, & commissimus eidem Roberto, & Henrico de Sandwico, custodiam omnium Ma∣neriorum Prioratus ejusdem Ecclesiae cum omnibus pertinentiis suis. Et commissi∣mus praedictis Magistro Radulpho, & Roberto, & Radulpho de Arden. custodiam omni∣um Maneriorum Archiepiscopatus Cantuariensis, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis quamdiu nobis placuerit. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ea illis tanquam custodi∣bus nostris statim visis literis istis ita liberari faciatis, & bene imbreviari omnia quae eis liberaveritis. Teste G. filio Petri, apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo tertio die Ja∣nuarii, Anno Regni nostri Nono.

REX, &c. Omnibus tenentibus de Archiepiscopatu Cantuariense, & Prioratus,* 1.106 &c. tam Militibus quam aliis, &c. Sciatis quod commissimus R. de Cornehull, custodiam praedicti Archiepiscopatus & praedicti Prioratus cum omnibus quae ad eos∣dem

Archiepiscopatum & Prioratum pertinent, & vobis mandamus quod ei tanquam custodi nostro sitis in omnibus intendentes & respondentes quamdiu nobis placuerit. Teste meipso apud Winton. Decimo quarto die Marcii.

The Bishops after the Kings final peremptory Answer to them, formerly recited, resolved to enforce the King to quit his Royal right and dignity, by an Antichristi∣an Interdict of his Kingdom, which they could not perswade him to part with by their Treaty; thus related by * 1.107 Matthew Paris.

REcedentes autem Episcopi memorati, cum fructum penitentiae in Rege non invene∣runt, in Quadragesima sequenti, executionem sibi a summo Pontifice demandatam, exequi non verentes, prima die Lunae in passione Domini, quae tunc contigit decimo Kalendas Aprilis, sub generali Interdicto totam Angliam incluserunt: quod si∣cut in Autentico Domini Papae, expressum habetur, non obstantibus privilegiis, ab omnibus est inviolabiliter observatum. Cessaverunt itaque in Anglia omnia Ecclesiastica Sacramenta, praeter solummo∣do confessionem et viaticum in ultima necessitate, et Baptisma par∣vulorum; (Quod ex callida indulgentia Papae concessum est ut abalienatis a Rege sibique conciliatis Regni subditis tam Regnum quam Regem sibi subiiceret, adds * 1.108 Matthew Parker.) corpora quoque defunctorum de Civitatibus et villis efferebantur, et more canum in biviis et fossatis sine orationi∣bus et Sacerdotum ministerio sepeliebantur. † 1.109 Trevisa, Fabian, Caxton, Fox, Speed, with others adde, That all the doors of Churches and other places where Divine Service before was used, first in London, and after in all places throughout the Land, were shut up with Keys, Walls, and other fastenings, no publick Prayers, Masses, or Divine Service must be once celebrated within them for sundry years en∣suing; by which unchristian Interdict this flourishing Church of England was pub∣likely deprived for many years together of the very Face of Christianity, even by Pope Innocent, Christs pretended Vicar, who acted here like Julian his professed Ene∣my, immuring up the doors of all Christian Temples, in despite of their God, and for the Kings bare crossing of his unjust Papal Usurpations, in defence of his Prerogative Royal, censured even God and Christ himself, to lose their publick Worship, and all the People, Bishops, Clergy to hazard their souls, living like Infidels, without Gods Service and blessed Sacraments, yea and dying, like Dogs to be tumbled into every ditch without Christian buriall: So well did he pursue our Saviours trebled precept to Peter, whereon he founded his Papal Soveraignty, John 22. 16, 17. Feed my Sheep, Feed my Lambs. Matthew Paris subjoyns, Quid plura? Recesserunt latenter ab Anglia, Willielmus Londinensis, Eustachius Elyensis, Malgerus Wygorniensis, Jozelinus Bathoniensis, & Eg idius Herefordensis Episcopi, (chief Actors in this unchristian Tra∣gedy) satius Arbitrantes sevitiam commoti Regis ad tempus declinare, quam in terra Interdicta sine fructu residere. † 1.110 But before their departure they excommunicated all the Kings Officers, who seized their Temporalties and Goods for this their Trea∣sonable and Antichristian proceedings, not only against himself, but his whole Realm, though not guilty of any contempt against the Pope.

The King hereupon out of just indignation and retaliation, thus rigorously pro∣ceeded against these Trayterous Prelates, and all the Clergy confederating with the Pope and them, against his Rights and Soveraignty, banishing the chief Actors, and seizing the Possessions and Goods of the rest. Thus registred by * 1.111 Matthew Paris.

REX igitur Anglorum ob causa Interdicti mente nimis confusus. misit Vice∣comites suos & alios iniquitatis ministros in omnes ••ines Angliae, praecipiens tam Praelatis singulis quam eorum subjectis cum comminatione terrifi∣ca, ut incontinenter a Regno exirent, et super hac injuria peterent sibi a Papa justitiam exhiberi. Episcopatus insuper, Abbatias, Pri∣oratus, sub Laicorum custodia deputans, universos redditus Eccle∣siasticos confiscari praecepit. Sed in hoc sibi caute prospiciebant Praelati generali∣ter omnes totius Regni, quod de monasteriis suis exire noluerunt, nisi per violentiam

expellerentur, Quod cum a Regiis Ministris suisset compertum, Noluerunt alicui ingerere violentiam, sicut nec a Rege praeceptum habuerunt: sed bona eorum omnia in usus Regis convertentes, victum eis & vestitum parce ex rebus propriis ministrabant. Horrea Clericorum Rege jubente, ob∣serata sunt ubi{que} & ad commodum fisci distracta, Presbyterorum & Clericorum focariae per totam Angliam a Ministris Regis captae sunt, & graviter ad se redimendum compulsae: viri religiosi sive quicun{que} ordinati qui itinerantes reperti sunt in via ab equis suis projicieban∣tur, spoliabantur, & a satellitibus Regis turpiter tractabantur, nec fuit qui eis iustitiam exhiberet. Venerunt ea tempestate in confinio Walliae ad regem, m••n••••r•• cujusdam vicecomitis, ducentes praedonem unum, manibus a tergo vinctis qui sacerdotem quendam in via spoliaverat & interfecerat, quaerentes a Rege quid super tali eventu sibi fieri placeret. Quibus incontinenter respondit dicens,: Ini∣micum meum interemit, solvite illum & sinite abire, * 1.112 Parentes quo{que} Arche∣episcopi & Episcoporum qui Angliam sub interdicto posuerunt, ju∣bente Rege capiebantur, atque bonis omnibus spoliati in carcerem trudebantur. Inter hec omnia mala perendenabant Pontifices prefati in par∣tibus Transmarinis, omnimodis viventes in delicius, & sese murum pro domo Domini non opponentes, secundum Redemptoris sententiam, cum Lupum viderunt venientem di∣miserunt oves, & fagerunt. Such was the Piety and Sobriety, as well as Loyalty of* 1.113 these Ghostly Fathers, who made all to fast from Gods publicke Worship.

After this general seisure of the Bishops and Clergies Temporalties and goods, such of them as submitted to the King, and refused to comply with the Interdict, celebrating Divine Service, and administring the Sacramentsto the people accord∣ing to their duties both to God, the King and people, the King by special writs restored their Temporalties, chattles, goods to them, retaining in his hands the Lands and goods of all Abbots, Priors, Religious houses and Clerks, who sub∣mitted to the Interdict, as is evident by these two Patents for restoring the Pos∣sessions, lands and goods of the Bishops of Winchester, and Norwich, who com∣plyed with the King, as did Philip Bishop of Duresme, heartning him to contemne the Popes causelesse curse, though at last, when the King surrendred his Crown, they were all enforced to cry peccavi for it, as * 1.114 Godwin observes,

REx, &c. Roberto Lupe, & G. de Serland, Sciatis quod reddidimus domino Wintoniensi Episcopo, Episcopatum Winton. & omnes terras, res, redditus & possessiones suas, & Wardas suas, & omnia sua capta in manum Domini Regis, occasione Interdicti, Custodienda per manum suam. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ei Episcopatum suum, & omnia sua in Balliva tua habere faciatis, & in pace terrae saciatis, Retentis in manu nostra, terris, redditibus & rebus omnium Abbatum, Priorum, & domorum Religiosorum, & etiam Clericorum de Episcopatu suo. Teste W. Briwer. apud Waverle, Quinto die Aprilis. Per eundem.

Sub eadem forma scribitur, aliis in quorum Ballivis habet terras, res vel tenementa.

MAndatum est Roberto de Burgata, quod faciat habere Episcopo Norwicensi,* 1.115 totum Regale, quod ad Episcopatum suum pertinet, & omnia Maneria sua, & omnes terras & Wardas suas, & omnia sua capta in manu Domini Regis occasione interdicti, retentis in manu Domini Regis omnibus terris, redditibus, & rebus omni∣um Abbatum, Prioram, & virorum Religiosorum, & etiam Clericorum de Episco∣patu suo. Mandatum est etiam eidem quod faciat habere.—Rogero omnes red∣ditus, & res Clericorum habentium redditus de feudo suo, & donatione sua, & omnes terras, redditus, & res Abbatum de feudo suo, si alicujus crociae habent de dono suo, & Priorum seu cujuscunque domus religiosae si sit de dono suo, quia ipse domino Regi inde respondebit.

The King was so just in these his proceedings, as not to seise the lands or goods of any Religious Persons or Clerks, but those who refused to celebrate Divine Service, from and after a certain day prefixed to them, as is evident by this Re∣cord, touching the Religious Persons and Clerks within the Bishopricks of Lin∣coln and Ely.

REx omnibus de Episcopatu Linc. Clericis & Laicis salutem. Sciatis quod a* 1.116 die Lunae proxima ante Florid Pasch. commissimus W. de Cornhull Archid. Huntingdon & Gerd. de Camvill, omnes terras & res Abbatum & Priorum, & omnium Religiosorum, & etiam Clericorum de Episcopatu Lincolniae, qui divina extunc celebrare noluerint, & mandamus vobis quod eis extunc sicut Ballivis nostris sitis intendentes. Sub eadem forma scribitur omnibus de Episcopatu Eliensi quod sint intendentes ab illa die com. Surr.

Yea, this King was so indulgent, as to permit all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Religious persons and Clerks throughout England, to sell their corne by sums, till the feast of St. Katherine, after their barnes were shut up, as appears by this Writ issued to all Sheriffs of England.

MAnsatum est omnibus Uicecomitibus Angliae, quod permittant Ar∣chiepiscopos,* 1.117 Episcopos, Abbates, Priores, & omnes viros religiosos, & omnes clerios Uendece blada sua per summas, usque ad festum Sanctae Ka∣terinae.

Matthew Paris informs us, that John Abbot of St. Albons, being specially* 1.118 commanded by the King to celebrate divine service during the Interdict, called all his Moncks into the Chapter-house, perswading them to obey God (mean∣ing the Pope) rather then man (the King) and patiently to endure the Kings an∣ger, which God in due time would bring to an end. For which high contempt, the King seised all the Temporalties of the Abby, prosecuted this Abbot, put out the Officers of the Abby, and placed his own in their steads, till this Abbot at last complyed, and payd six hundred markes to the King, to purchase his peace and take off the sequestration.

HIc in interdicto multas pressuras, & tribulationes perpessus est, quarum unam huic libello duximus inserendam; significavit ei Rex Johannes, ut spre to Papali mandato in Interdicto divina celebraret. Et super hoc, habito consilio in Capitulo, ait, Fratres oportet obedire magis Deo, (the celebrating of Divine Service as he commanded, had been to obey God, not to intermit it on the Popes Inhibition, when both God and the King commanded it) quam hominibus; sustineamus iram principis, dabit Deus his quo{que} finem. Et sic Domino Papae obediens, quamvis Magister Alexander filius Cementarii (tunc Minister Regis) consuluisset in contrarium, noluit Regi in hoc casu obedire, Iratus igitur Rex vehementer de contemptu sui man∣dati (accipiens sic sponte malignandi occasionem) occupavit in manu sua totam Abbatiam.

Et ejectis nostris suos per omnia apposuit custodes seculares videlicet, Magistrum Robertum Londoniensem, Clericum suum superiorem, virum versutum & per omnia Regi Johanni Domino suo conformem, qui etiam inter ipsum Regem & admira∣bilem Murmelinum, Crebra internuncia & secreta (de Apostasia ut dicitur) inter∣means detulerat Ipse igitur Robertus, ejecto & deposito nostro Cellerario institu∣it suum, quendam scilicet secularem, virum versutum, & avarum nimis, suae quae dum potuit avaritiae consulentem. Similiter ignominiose nostro janitore ejecto, subrogavit alium, Robertum nomine, qui sustigatis ingredientibus & egredienti∣bus, & perscrutatis, erat conventui quasi spina in oculo. Aegre igitur nimis haec ferens Abbas Johannes, ut videlicet tam libera, tam nobilis domus in suo tem∣pore, tali Laicorum jugo praemeretur, Regem (imo Tyrannum) justus injustum, agnus adiit Leopardnm (thus doth the venemous Monck••bespatter King John) de∣ditque sexcentas Marcas, ut Custodes nos opprimentes amoveret, & liberam in pace cum suis pertinentibus totam sineret Abbatiam.

The same year the white Monks complyed with God and the King, in saying* 1.119 divine service, for which presumption this Antichristian Pope suspended them the second time. Albi Monachi in principio Interdicti cessantes, postea ad mandatum sui principalis Divina celebrare presumpserunt, sed haec praesumptio cum ad summi Pontificis noticiam pervenisset, ad sui maiorem confusionem denuo sunt suspensi.

And when as the next year (1209.) procurante Stephano Cautuariensi Arciepiscopo, indultum est Ecclesiis conventualibus in Anglia (but not to parish Churches, on pur∣pose to please the Monks, and engage them on the Popes and Archbishops side, against the King who sequestred their lands, for not celebrating Divine Service, according to the Charters of their foundation and rules of their respective orders) ••emel in hebdomada celebrare Divina, * 1.120 Albi autem Monachi hoc privabantur indulgentia, eo quod in principio interdicti cessantes postea ad iussionem sui Ab∣batis principalis, Papa inconsulto, celebrare praesumpserint: Most partial Pa∣pal Justice.

The King perceiving that the Pope, and Bishops, intended not only to seduce but to absolve his Subjects from their alleagiance to him, like a wise Prince, re∣quired pledges from all the great men he suspected, to be delivered to him for their future fidelity, which most of them submitted to, others refused, thus re∣lated and aggravated by our Moncks to render him odious.

INter haec & consimilia opera Impietatis, Rex Johannes in se reversus metuebat, ne* 1.121 Dominus Papa post Interdictum, manus in eum extenderet graviores, illum nomina∣tim excommunicando, vel Magnates Angliae ab ejus fidelitate absolvendo. Vnde ne Regni iura amittere videretur, misit manum militarem ad omnes Regni poten∣tes, & quos praecipue suspectos habebat, exigens obsides ab eis, quibus posset eos, si forte processu temporis ab ejus fidelitate absolverentur, ad debitum revocare obse∣quium; Adquieverunt multi Regis jussionibus, & alii filios, alii vero nepotes & carna∣liter propinquos nunciis tradebant. Venientes tandem ad Willielmum de Brause virum nobilem, & obsides ab eo, sicut ab aliis fecerat exigentes, repagulum conditionis in∣venerunt. Matildis enim uxor ejusdem Willielmi procacitate muliebri verbum ra∣piens ex ore viri, nunciis respondit. Pueros meos Domino vestro Regi Johanni non tra∣dam, quia Arthurum Nepotem suum quem honorifice custodisse debuerat, turpiter interfe∣cit. Quod verbum, cum vir ejus audisset, increpavit eam & dixit: Quasi una ex stultis mulieribus contra Dominum nostrum Regem, locuta es. Nam si ipsum in aliquo offendi; paratus sum & ero Domino meo, & sine obsidibus satisfacere, secundum judicium Curiae suae & Baronum parium meorum, certo mihi assignato die & loco. Nuncii autem ad Regem reversi, cum ei quae audierant, retulissent, Rex graviter perturbatus, misit Milites suos & servientes latenter, qui ipsum Willielmum cum tota sua familia com∣prehenderent, & sibi sub omni festinatione praesentarent. Sed idem Willielmus ab amicis suis praemonitus, cum uxore sua, & filiis & propinquis ad Hyberniam aufu∣gito. * 1.122 Matthew Westminster (exceeding all bounds of truth and modesty) su∣peradds, Rex vero interim nunc hunc, nunc illum, de magnatibus Regni, vel pecunia injuste mulctavit, vel libertatibus, aut possessionibus spoliavit, nonnullos uxoribus suis Zelotipavit, filias defloravit, ita quod manifeste tam Deo, quam hominibus exo∣sus videretur & detestabilis. Insuper ut appareret ejus insatiabilis avaritia, gulae in∣extinguibilis sicut & corporis libido, capturam avium prohibuit, & nobilium arctavit venationes, unde non tantum amorem omnium amisit, imo odium incurrit inexora∣bile, etiam exosum eum habuit uxor propria, quam de adulterio adulter defamavit, & suspectos eidem familiares, ignominiose necavit, & in arcta custodia ipsam jussit custodiri: & inter caetera ipsius flagitia, apud Nottingham, quamplures obsides pueros in∣nocentes, alter Herodes patibulo fecit suspendi. Ʋnde tam Anglici, quam alieni desub∣jugo intollerabili talis tyranni cupientes jam excurrere, caeperunt districte cogitare ad cujus principis sinum aliquod refugium possent invenire. But this doubtlesse is a meer Monkish forgery, contrary to all rules of Policy, as well as Justice, and his Subjects adhering to him in such a time of danger.

In the midst of these contests and Interdicts, the Subprior and Monks of Monte∣acute acknowledged his Soveraign Jurisdiction over them, which he exercised at their request, in removing their Prior for his misgovernment and dilapidations, and commanding another to be placed in his room, by this memorable Record.

REX, &c. Omnibus, &c. Monstraverunt nobis Supprior & Monachi de Monte* 1.123 Acuto, quod Durandus qui Prior fuit ejusdem loci, male & inutiliter gessit se in regimine Prioratus illius, & illum adeo intus & extra destruxit, quod inde meruit amo∣veri. Nos vero tam istas quam alias multas, & graves quaerelas audientes de eo, &

injurias, cum domus illa de speciali elemosina nostra sit et honori et dignitati nostrae congruat ut utiliter tractetur; Mandavimus vene∣rabili Patri nostro J. Bathoniensi Episcopo, ut accitis secum quos viderit expedire diligentem, super hiis faciat inquisitionem: Volentes quod si idem Episcopus, ita esse invenerit & per literas suas patentes id testificatus fuerit, praedictus de Priora∣tu illo in nullo de caetero se intromittat, quia volumus quod domui illi de alia persona honesta, et utili provideat. Ita quod dignitas nostra quam in illo Prioratu, et aliis habemus in nulla minuatur. Teste meipso apud Odiham, Vicesimo primo die Decembris, Anno Regni no∣stri Nono.

Yea several Bishopricks and Abbies becoming void during the Interdict, thereup∣on the King granted Licences to elect new Bishops, Abbots, Priors, such as he re∣commended and approved, who were accordingly admitted to them, and discharged their spiritual functions in them, notwithstanding the Popes Inhibition, when * 1.124 some of the Bishops, and others of the Rebellions Clergy who fled beyond Seas, dyed of severall di∣seases, by the just Judgement of God, during the Interdict they pronounced.

The King being exasperated against the Rebellious Clergy, took all just and legal occasions to exercise his severity against some of them, to reduce others to obedi∣ence; which Matthew Paris thus relates, in odium Regis, (if we may credit him) in* 1.125 one signal example at Oxford.

PEr id tempus, Clericus quidam apud Oxoniam, liberalibus vacans disciplinis, mu∣lierem* 1.126 quandam casu interfecit, quam cum mortuam deprehendisset; per fugam sibi consuluit. Praefectus autem urbis & multi alii accurrentes cum mulierem exani∣mem invenerunt, ceperunt quaerere homicidam illam in hospitio suo, quod cum tri∣bus sociis suis Clericis locaverat, & facti reum non invenientes, ceperunt tres socios ejus Clericos memoratos, & de homicidio penitus nescios, & eos in carcerem retru∣serunt. Deinde post dies paucos, Rege Anglorum jubente, in con∣temptum Ecclesiasticae libertatis, extra villam educti suspendio peri∣erunt. Quod cum factum fuisset, recesserunt ab Oxonia ad tria Millia Clericorum tam Magistri quam Discipuli, ita quod nec unus ex omni Universitate remansit; quo∣rum quidam apud Cantebrigiam, quidam vero apud Radingum, liberalibus studiis va∣cantes, Villam Oxoniae vacuam reliquerunt. Yet, Eodem anno Hugo Archidiaconus Wellensis, & Regis Cancellarius, ad Episcopatum Lincolniensem, eodem Rege procu∣rante, electus est, qui continuo post factam Electionem, totius Episcopatus a Rege li∣beram dispositionem accepit: And was consecrated by the Archbishop of Rohan, so as the King during the Interdict disposed of his Bishopricks as before, to such who were loyall and obedient to him.

Whereupon the Pope considering how much his Interdicts were generally slighted throughout England, proceeded one degree further, to excommunicate the King by name in all Conventual Churches, every Lords day and Holy day, though no Divine Service must be used in Parish Churches; such was his daring Impiety, thus related by his Creatures.

* 1.127 SUb his denique diebus, cum Rex Anglorum Johannes, jam fere per biennium, ut dictum est, generaliter per totam Angliam persecutionem gravissimam ratione. Interdictitam contra viros Ecclesiasticos, quam La••cos nonnullos infatigabiliter continu∣asset, & de correctione simul & satisfactione omnibus spem omnimodam ademisset: Papa Innocentius ipsius Rebellionem diutius inultam dissimulare non potuit: (though he could not only dispence with, but countenance his Bishops and Monks Rebellions against the King.) Vnde de consilio fratrum ••uorum Cardinalium ad extirpandum radicitus Ecclesiae scandalum, Londoniensi, Helyensi, & Wygorniensi Episcopis, dedit in mandatis, Vt Regem memoratum nominatim ex∣communicatum pronunciarent, et sententiam singulis diebus domi∣nicis et festivis in omnibus Ecclesiis Conventualibus per totam An∣gliam solemniter publicantes, ipsum facerent ab omnibus arctius

evitari. Sed cum Episcopi jam dicti confratribus suis, qui in Anglia remanserant Episcopis, alii que Ecclesiarum Praelatis publicationem sententiae Authoritate Apostolica commisissent: (they being willing to sleep in a whole skin, and translate this dan∣gerous businesse to others. But they like prudent and loyal subjects slighting the Popes commands:) effecti sunt universi metu Regio vel favore, canes muti; non audentes latrare. Vnde injunctum sibi officium exequi dissimulantes, in mandatis Apostolicis secundum juris ordinem mi∣nime processerunt. Veruntamen sententia in brevi facta omnibus notissima in viis, plateis, necnon in aliis hominum conventiculis, confabulatione licet secretissima, omnium ora replevit. Inter quos cum die quadam sederet apud Westmonasterium ad Scaccarium Gaufridus Archidiaconus Norwicensis, Regiis intendens negotiis, caepit secretius sermocinari cum sociis suis assidentibus de sententia in Regem lata, dicens, non esse tutum viris beneficiatis in obsequio Regis excommunicati ulterius immorari. Et his dictis, ad propria, non licentiatus recessit. Sed cum post paululum, ea quae facta fuerunt, ad Regis notitiam pervenissent, non mediocriter perturbatus, misit Williel∣mum Talbot Militem cum Armata manu, qui ipsum Archidiaconum comprehen∣sum, et vinculis asperimis constrictum sub Carcerali Custodia re∣cluserunt, ubi post dies paucos Rege praefato jubente, * 1.128 Capa indu∣tus plumbea, tam victualium penuria, quam ipsius Capae ponderosi∣tate compressus, migravit ad Dominum. A just reward for such a signal and singular Traytor.

During this Interdict and Excommunication, Alexander Abbot of the Benedic∣tines, vir corpore elegantissimus, facie venerabilis, literarum plenitudine imbutus, ita ut Parisiis celebris haberetur, Magister, et Rector, et Lector in Theologia, (as (a 1.129) Matthew Westminster, (b 1.130) Thomas Sprot, (c 1.131) Baelaeus, and (d 1.132) others inform us) openly pleaded and fomented the Kings cause against the Pope, out of Ambition, write the Monks, but in truth out of true grounds of Conscience and Re∣ligion, as Matthew Paris his relation (though partial) discovers.

(e 1.133) INgessit se lae Interdicti tempestate consiliis Regi••s Pseudotheologus, quidam Magister Alexander, dictus Cementarius, qui suis iniquis praedicationibus Re∣gem non mediocriter ad crudelitatem commovit. Dixit enim illud generale fla∣gellum Angliae, non ex culpa Regis, sed ex subditorum flagitiis pro venisse: Affirmavit etiam ipsum Regem virgam esse furoris Domi∣ni, et ad hoc principem constitutum, ut regat populos aliosque sub∣ditos in virga ferrea, & tanquam vas figuli confringat universos, ad alligandos po∣tentes in compedibus, & nobiles suos manicis ferreis. Ad Papam quoque non pertinere de Regum, sive de quorumlibet potentum laica possessione, vel subditorum regimine,(* 1.134 judicare) verisimilibus quibusdam probavit Argumentis: Cum praecipue principi Apostolorum Petro, nihil a Do∣mino nisi Ecclesiae tantum, ac rerum Ecclesiasticarum sit collata po∣testas. His igitur & his similibus fallaciis, Regis adeo favorem promeruit, ut pluri∣ma a viris Religiosis Beneficia per Regis violentiam, obti∣neret. Sed cum tandem ipsius perversitas ad summi Pontificis aures pervolasset, ipso Papa procurante, bonis ac Beneficiis omnibus spoliatus, ad tantam demum miseriam per ductus est, ut in habitu pauperimo & cultu, ne∣cessitate compulsus sit panem suum cum dolore ostiatim mendicare. Quem videntes multi subsannando dixerunt; Ecce homo, qui non posuit Dominum adjutorem suum dum steravit in multitudine divitiarum suarum, & prevaluit in vanitate sua. Fiat ergo nunc contra Dominum semper, & dispereat de terra memoria e∣jus, proco quod non est recordatus ut faceret misericordiam. Propterea Deus destruet eum in finem, & oratio ejus erit in peccatum, ut eradatur habitatio ejus de terra viventium. Which might have been more properly applyed to the exiled Trayterous Bishops and Monks, then to this (f 1.135) Theologiae Doctor eximius tam Seculari quam Ecclesiastica

sapientia imbutus & Regis connutritius, as Thomas Sprot describes him. (g 1.136) Balaeus in his life informes us, that he was Abbot of the Benedictines in Canterbury, and for his eminent Learning sent by King John Anno 1206. with his solemn Messengers to Rome, Ʋt cum magnis illis proceribus, super sceptri sui jure & authoritate Regia in Anglorum Regno disceptaret: Quoniam Romani Pontifices, Tyrannide plus quam Pharao∣nica in Regnis Christianorum omnia confundebant, Regnum (ut facturum esse Anti∣christum Paulus admonuit) super omne quod dicitur Deus usurpantes, Probabat igitur ra∣tionibus & scripturis coram Rabbinis illis, Non esse in Regnis a Deo constitutis, potestate Regia Dominationem majorem: Episcoporum vero nullum esse temporale Regimen dicebat, cum Christi Regnum de hoc mundo non sit. Allega vitquae Gregorii magni dicta ad Augustinum monachum, de Anglorum Ecclesiae ab omni servi∣tutis jugo immunitate, atque contra omnes in ea conflictatione praevalebat. He writ 3. Books against the Popes Usurpations and Power, viz. De Cessione Papali, De Ecclesiae Potestate, De Potestate Ʋicaria, in defence of his Soveraign King John; for which his Loyalty he was afterwards by the Popes power deprived of all his Be∣nefices, by Pandulphus the Popes Legat, (after King Johns surrender of his Crown) and thus enforced to beg his bread, when the Arch-traytors to the King were resto∣red to their Bishopricks, with all the profits of them and damages sustained, during their banishment for their Treasons. Thus

Dat••veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas.

This severity of the Pope against the Kings loyal Clerks and Champions, might justly excuse his severity against his disloyal perjured Bishops, Monks, and Traytors, especially against Hugh Bishop of Lincoln, to which Bishoprick he caused him to be elected, advanced, yet proved Treacherous to him.

EOdem tempore Hugo Lincolniensis electus, impetrata a Rege licentia ad* 1.137 partes transfretandi Gallicanas, ut ab Archiepiscopo Rothomagensi consecratio∣nem acciperet, continuo ut Normanniam applicuit, contulit se ad Stephanum Ar∣chiepiscopum Cantuariensem, & facta ei Canonica obedientia, Decimo tertio Kalendas Januarii, munus ab eo consecrationis accepit. Sed cum id a Rege compertum fuisset, suscepit in manu sua Episcopatum iam dictum: Atque omnia illius emolumen∣ta in usus suos converut. Waltero quoque de Gray sigillum suum tradens, Rex facit eum Cancellarium suum, qui in omnibus regni Agendis, Regis studuit facere volunta∣tem.

What little regard or dread the Nobility of England then had of the Popes Interdict, or personal excommunication of King John, though they had general notice thereof, will appear by all their attendance on and communication with him at Windsor, during Christs Nativity: Of which Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster take special notice, and thus relate.* 1.138

ANno Dominicae Nativitatis Millessimo ducentessimo Decimo, Rex Johannes* 1.139 fuit ad Natale apud Windleshores, presentibus omnibus Angliae Magna∣tibus, & communicantibus ei, non obstante sententia qua fuerat innodatus, quae licet non pu••licata, omnium tamen partium Angliae climata pervolavit, & aures subintravit. This they did for the most part out of loyalty, but others out of fear. Omnibus enim sese subtrahentibus Rex nocive insidebatur.

How injurious Pope Innocents Interdict and excommunications were against King John, may be evidenced by his excomunicating his Nephew Otho the Emperor, his confederate, just about the same time, with some others upon the like account, (Only for executing his coronation Oath, which this Pope himself had given him, in rescuing the Castles and Lands of the Empire out of his usurping Pow∣ers) thus impartially recorded by Mat: Paris, not impertinent to our English affairs.

Circa dies istos Otho Romanorum Imperator memor Sacramenti quod fecerat, cum à* 1.140 Papa ad Imperium fuerat sublimatus, quod videlicet dignitates Imperii conservaret, & jura dispersa pro possibilitate suarevocaret, fecit per Sacramentum legalium hominum

imperii Dominica Castella sua, & alia jura ad dignitatem imperialem spectantia per qui∣ri, & quaecun{que} per recognitionem ad jus imperii spectare didicerat, in usus suos con∣vertere laborabat. Hac autem de causa Orta est dissensio gravissima inter dominum Papam & Imperatorem memoratum, eo quod tempore quo vacabat Imperium, Idem * 1.141 Papa Castella plurima cum rebus aliis occupaverat quae ad dignitatem imperii pertinebant. Vnde Impe∣rator quia quod suum erat revocare studuit, ipsum Papam sine me∣rito ad odium provocavit. Fredericum quo{que} Regem Siciliae, idem Imperator graviter persequutus est, qui similiter dum vacaret imperium quasdam mu∣nitiones occupatas detinuit. Ʋnde Papa memoratus ipsum Imperatorem per Nuncios, & literas frequenter admonere studuit; ut eum * 1.142 a persequutione Romanae Ec∣clesiae, quam a Regis Siciliae ac tutelae commissae sedi Apostolicae exheredatione, cessaret. Imperator autem Nunciis domini Papae tale perhibetur dedisse responsum, Si, inquit summus Pontifex Imperii jura injuste possidere desiderat, a Sa∣cramento quod tempore Consecrationis meae ad dignitatem Impe∣rialemme jurare compulit, absolvat; quod videlicet dispersa Im∣perii jura revocarem. Denique cum Papa ipsum Imperatorem a prestito juramento, quod omnes Imperatores in sua consecra∣tione, inspectis sacrosanctis Evangeliis jurare tenentur, absolvere noluit, & Imperatore contra Imperii Iura, quae jam parte maxi∣ma, in manu potenti revocaverat, reddere contempsit: idem Papa in ipsum Imperatorem, * 1.143 sententian excommunicatonis tulit, atque Vniversos, tam Alemanniae quam Imperii Romani Magna∣tes, ab ejus fidelitate absolvit. Et hoc odium Regis Johannis, & iram essicaciter obduravit. This being just King Johns case, in relation to the Archbishop∣rick of Canterbury. And was he here in either the Vicar of Christ or St. Peters succes∣sor? or could the Devil himself, had he sate in his chair, have given a more unjust di∣abolical sentence in such a case as this, pronounced by a misnamed Innocent?

It is very observable what Glorious Victories, and admirable successes, without effusion of blood, both in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, God gave to King John whiles under the Popes Interdict, curse, and excommunication, (as not offended with him) which the Monks his greatest enemies thus relate.

EOdem Anno, Rex Anglorum Iohannes, apud Pembroc. in Wallia copioso Exer∣citu* 1.144 congregato, profectus est in Hiberniam, & ibi applicuit Octavo Idus Junii. Cum{que} venisset ad Dublinensem Civitatem, occurrerunt ei ibidem plus quam viginti Reguli illius regionis, qui omnes timore maximo perterriti, homagium ei & fidelitatem fecerunt. Pauci tamen ex regulis supersederunt, qui ad Regem venire contempserunt, eo quod in locis inexpugna∣bilibus habitabant. Fecit quo{que} Rex ibidem construere leges & consuetudines Angli∣canas, ponens Vicecomites alios{que} Ministros, qui populum regni illius juxta leges Ang∣licanas judicarent.

Hoc ita gestis Rex in manu forti progrediens, cepit plurimum hostium suorum munitiones, fugientibus a facie ejus Waltero de Lasci viro nobili, cum aliis multis, qui in manus ejus incidere metuebant. Tandem veniens in Provinciam Regionis il∣lius, quae Mide nuncupatur, Matildam Uxorem Willielmi de Brause, & Williel∣mum filium ejus cum uxore sua, in quadam munitione obsedit & caepit, a quo clam evadentes, & postea rursus capti in Insula de Maij, Regi sunt presentati, vinculis constrictos asperrimis, misit in Angliam, & in Castello de Windleshores, sub arcta custodia deputavit: qui omnes Rege jubente fame perierunt. Rex deni{que} Johannes cum in parte maxima de tota Hybernia pro libitu suo disposuisset, Na∣ves cum triumpho ingressus, in Angliam applicuit tertio Kalendas Septembris. De∣inde Londonias cum festinatione properans, fecit omnes Angliae Prelatos in sua presentia conuenire. Venerunt autem ad hanc generalem voca∣tionem Abbates, Priores, Abbatissae, Templarii, Hospitilarii,

Custodes Villarum ordinis Cluniacensis, et aliarum Regi∣onum Transmarinarum, cujuscunque dignitatis et ordinis, (notwithstanding the Popes Interdict, and his own personal Excommunication) qui omnes ad tam gravem compulsi sunt redemptionem, ac rerum Ecclesiasticarum dilapidationem, quod summa extortae pecuniae ex∣crevisse fertur ad Centum Millia Librarum sterlingorum. Albi quo∣que Monachi de Regno Angliae aliis exceptis, Quadraginta Millia Argenti in hoc tallagio (vellent nollent) cassatis privilegiis, Regi persolverunt. Cujus rei seriem siquis plenius prosequeretur, lachrymas excuteret tyrannorum, & animos audientium perturbaret: Writes this disloyal partial Monk; when as the Popes Taxes and proceedings against the King should rather do it.

He likewise * 1.145 entred into a league with Otho the Emperor, and forced John King of Scots, who received his Fugitives and run-away Subjects, and harboured them in his Kingdom, out of meer fear of his Army, valour and successes, to intercede and send to him for peace, to pay him 11000. marks to purchase his peace with him, and to put in Hostages for his fidelity, without any fight between them; Yea the Welsh∣men themselves, formerly Rebellious, soon after his return from Scotland, vo∣luntarily repaired to him at Woodstock, (Quod temporibus anteactis fuerat inauditum, as our Monks affirm) and there did Homage to him. After which, Anno 1211. he entring into Wales with a puissant Army as far as Snowdune, Reges omnes et Nobiles sine contradictione subjugavit. De subjectione in posterum obsides viginti octo suscepit, et inde cum prosperitate ad Albuni Monasterium remeavit, Le∣wellin Prince of Northwales being enforced to render himself to his mercy, without any battel or fight at all.

These admirable successes, with his Lords, Nobles, Subjects constant attendance on, and adherence to him, notwithstanding the Popes Interdict, Curse, Thunder∣bolts; thereupon the Pope attempts to decoy him out of his Royalties and Resoluti∣ons by a Treaty, to which end he dispatched two Nuncioes to the King, who in his victorious return from Wales, * 1.146 veniens apud Northamptonam, Nuncios Domini Papae ibidem cum mandatis Apostolicis obvios habuit. Pandulphum videlicet Subdiaconum & Domini Papae familiar ssimum, ac de militia Templi fratrem Durandum: Qui ad hoc venerunt, ut pacem inter Regnum, & Sacerdotium reformarent. Rex autem ad ex∣hortationem Nunciorum gratanter concessit, ut Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, & Mo∣nachi atque omnes Episcopi ab Anglia proscripti, cum pace sua redirent ad propria. Sed quia de damnis datis, & de bonis eorum confiscatis, Rex, Archiepiscopo & Episcopis sa∣tisfacere noluit, (having no reason to do it, these Bishops putting him to so vast ex∣pences both at Rome, and in his Wars against those they stirred up against him) Nuncii infecto negotio ad Gallias remearunt.

The Chronicle compiled by the School-master of St. Albans, in the last year of K. Henry the 4th. and then printed by him, reprinted by Winkynde Worde 1502. by William Caxtons appointment, whose Title it bears, adds much to this relation, of a conferrence first between the King and exiled Bishops, and soon after between these Nuncioes and the King, relating their insolent speeches and behaviour towards him, omitted by other Historians, (transcribed in part by Mr. Fox) which I shall here insert.

* 1.147 These foure Byshops (who Interdicted the Kingdom, and cursed all them that put or should meddle with holy Chirche goods, agenst the will of them that ought theym) went over the Sea, and came to the Byshop of Canterbury, and told him all the thing. And the Archbyshop to them said, that they should goe againe to Canterbury, and hee should come thither to them, or else hee would send unto them certaine persons in his stead that should doe as much as if hee himselfe were there. And when the By∣shops heard this, they turned againe into England, and came unto Canterbury: The tydings came to the King that the Byshops were come againe to Canterbury, and himselfe might not come thither that tyme, hee sent thither Byshops, Earles, and Abbots, for to treat with them, that the King should receive the Archbyshop Ste∣phen, and the Priour, and all the Monkes of Canterbury, that hee should never after that tyme nothing take of holy Chirche agenst the will of them that oweth the goodes. And that

the King should make full amends to them of whom hee had any goodes taken. And the holy Chirche should have all Fraunchise as far forth as they had in Saint Edwards tyme the holy Confessour.

So when the fourme of accordment thus was ordeined; it was in a paire of Inden∣tures, and they put their Seales to that one part, and they that came in the Kings name put their Seales to that other part of the Indentures. And foure Bishops a∣boyesaid took the one part of the Indentures to them, and that other part of the In∣dentures they bare with them to shew to the King. When the King saw the fourme and understood, he held him full well appaid of all manner of things as they had ordeined, saving as touching restitution of the goods for to make agen. To that thing hee would not accord, and so hee sent word agen to the foure Byshops, that they should do out and put away that one poynt of restitution. * 1.148 But they answered, That they would not doe one word out. Tho sent the King to the Archbyshop by the foure Byshops, that hee should come to Canterbury for to speake with him there, and sent unto him safe conduct under Pledges. That is to say, his Justices, Gilbert Peyteum, William de la Brener, and John Fitz Hugh, that in their con∣duct safely hee should come and goe agen at his owne will: And thus in this manner the Archbyshop Stephen came to Canterbury. When the Archbyshop was come, the King came to Chilhaz, for hee would no nighe Canterbury at that tyme. But hee sent by his Tresorer Byshop of Winchester, that hee should doe out of the Indentures the clause of restitution for to make of the goodes. And the Archbyshop made his * 1.149 Dathe, that hee would not never doe out oo word thereof, ne yet it change, of that the Byshops had spo∣ken and ordeined. And tho the Archbyshop yede agen to Rome, without any more doing. King Iohn was then * 1.150 wrother then ever hee was before, and let make a common cry throughout all England, that all those that had holy Chirche Rents, and went over the Sea, that they should come againe into England at a certain day, or else they should loose their Rents for evermore. And that he commanded to every She∣riffe throughout all England, that they should enquire if any Byshop, Abbot or Priour, or any other Prelate of holy Chirche, fro that day afterward receive any Commandement that cometh fro the Pope, that they should take the body and bring it before him, and that they should take into the Kings hands all their Lands of holy Chirche, that were gave to any man by the Archbyshop or by the Priour of Canter∣bury, from the tyme of the Election of the Archbyshop. And com∣manded that all the Woodes that were the Archbyshops should be cast down unto the ground, and all sould. Andin the same yeare the * 1.151 Irishmen began to Warre upon King John, and the King ordeined him for to goe into Ireland, and lete arear an huge Tax throughout all England, that is for to say, Thirty Thou∣sand Marks; And thus hee sent throughout all England unto the Monks of the Or∣der of C steaux, that they should help him of Six Thousand Marke of Silver. And they answered and said, That they durst nothing doe without their chiefe Abbot of Ciste∣aux. Wherefore King John when hee came agen from Ireland, did them soe much sorrow and care, that they wist not whyder to abide, for hee took soe much raunsome of every house, and the sumine amounted to Nine Thousand and Three Hundred Marke, soe that they were cleane lost and destroyed, and voyded their houses and their londs throughout all England. And the Abbot of Waversay drade soe much his menace, that hee forsooke all the Abby and went thence, and privily ordeined him over the See to the house of Cisteaux. When the tydings came to the Pope, that the King had done soe much malice, then hee was towards the King full wroth, and sent two Legates unto the King, that one was called Pandulfe, and that other Dur••unt, that they should warne the King in the Popes name, that hee should cease of his Persecution that hee did unto holy Chirche, and amend the wrong and the trespasse that hee had done to the Archbyshop of Canterbury,

and to the Priour, and to the Monkes of Canterbury, and to all the Clergy of England. And that hee should restore all the goodes agen that hee had taken of them agenst their will, and else they should curse him by name. And to do this thing and to confirm the Pope toke them his Letters in Bulles Patents. These two Legates came into Englond, and came to the King to Northampton, there that hee held his Parliament, and full courteously they him salewed, and said, Syr we come from the Pope of Rome, the peace of the holy Chirche, and the Lond to amend. And wee admonish you first in the Popes half, that yee make full restitution of the goodes that yee have ravished and taken of holy Chirche, and of the Lond, and that yee receive Stephen Archbyshop of Canterbury into his Dignitee, and the Priour of Canterbury and his Monkes, and that yee yeld agen unto the Archbyshop all his Londs and Rents without any withhoulding. And Syr yet moreover, That yee shall make restitu∣tion unto all holy Chirche, whereof they shall hould them well apaid. Tho † 1.152 answered the King, as touching the Priour and his Monkes of Canterbury, all that yee have said I will doe gladly, and all things that yee will ordeine; But as touching the Archbyshop, I shall tell you in my hert as it lyes, That the Archbyshop leave his Archby∣shoprick, and that the Pope then for him would pray, and then upon a venture mee should lyke some other Byshoprick to give him in Eng∣lond: And upon this condition I will him accept and receive And neverthelesse, as Archbyshop in England if hee abyde, hee shall never have soe good safe conduyte, but that hee shall be take. Tho said Pan∣dulph unto the King, Sir, holy Chirche was wont never to discharge an Archbyshop without cause reasonable: But it * 1.153 ever hath heene wont to chastize Princes, that to God and holy Chirche were disobedyent. What how now said the King, menace yee mee? Nay said Pandulph, But yee now have openly tould, as it standeth in your heart. And to you wee will tell what is the * 1.154 Popes will; And thus it standeth, that hee hath you hooly enterdyted and accursed for the wrongs that yee have done to holy Chirche, and to the Clergy. And forasmuch as yee dwell, and heth in will to abyde in malice and in wretchednesse, and will not come out thereof ne to amend, yee shall understond, that this time afterward the sentence is upon you geven, and houldeth stede and strength, and upon all tho that with you hath communed before this time, whether they bene Earles, Barons or Knights, or any other whatsoever that they bee, wee them assoylle safely unto this day. And from this tyme afterward, of what condition soever they bene, wee them accurse, that with you comyne ony word, and doe wee sentence upon them openly and specially. And wee assoylle clene Earles, Barons, Knights, and all other men of their homages, services and feautees, that they should unto you doe. And this tydynge to conferme, wee geve plaine power to the Byshop of Winchester, and to the Byshop of Norwich; And the same power wee geve into Scotland, to the Byshops of Rochester and of Salisbury: And in Wales wee geve the same power to the Byshop of Saint Davids, and of Landaff, and of Saint Asse; And moreover wee sente thrughout all Chrysten∣dome, that all the Byshops beyond the Sea, that they doe accurse all those that helpe you, or any Counsell giveth you in any manner nede that yee have to doe in any part of the World. And wee assoylle them alsoe all by authoryte of the Pope, and commaund them alsoe

with you for to fight, as with him that is Enemy to all holy Chirche. Tho answered the King, What may yee doe more to mee? Tho answered Pan∣dulph, Wee say to you in the * 1.155 word of God, that yee, ne no Heyre that yee have never after this day may be Crowned. Tho said the King, By him that is Almighty God, and I had wift this ere that yee came into my Londe, that yee had brought mee such tydings, I should have made you ride all one year. Tho answered Pandulph, Full well wende wee at our first com∣inge, that yee would have beene obedyent to God, and holy Chirche, and have fullfilled the Popes Commandement; And now wee have shewed unto you, and pronounced the Popes will, as wee were charged therewith. And as now yee have said, that if yee had wist the cause of our coming, that yee would have do us to ryde all au hoole yeare. And as well yee might have said, that yee would have taken an hoole yeare of respyte by the Popes leave. But for to suffer what dethe yee could ordeyne, wee shall not spare for to tell you hooly all the Popes Message, and his will that wee were charged with.

And anone tho commaunded the King, the Shyriffs, and Baylyffs of Northamp∣ton, that were in the Kings presence, that they should bring forth all the Prysoners, that they might bee done to death before Pandulph, for bycause the King wened that they would have gaynsaid their deeds for cause of the Dethe, all thing that they had spoken afore. When the Prysoners were come before the King, the King commanded some to bee hanged, and some to bee drawne, and some to drawe out their Eyne out of their head. And among all other there was a Clerke that had falsyde the Kings mo∣neye, and the King commanded that hee should be hanged and drawed. And when Pandulph heard this Commandement of the King, hee sterte him upright quickly, and anone * 1.156 axed a Booke and a Candle, and would have cursyd the King, and all them that would set upon the Clerke any hand; And Pandulph himselfe went for to seeke a Crosse. And the King followed him and delivered him the Clerke by the hond, that hee should doe with him what hee would; and thus was the Clerke delivered, and went thens. And Pandulph and Duraunt his fellow, wente from the King, and came agen to the Pope of Rome, and tould him, that King Iohan would not amended bee, but ever abode soe accursyd. And neverthelesse the Pope graunted that yeare throughout all England, that Priests might sing Masse in covenable Churches, and con∣secrate our Lords body, and give it to syck men which were likely to passe out of this World; and alsoe that men might Chrysten Children over all the Londe. And when the Pope wift and saw that the King would not bee under the rule of holy Chirche for no manner thing, the Pope then sente to the King of Fraunce in remission of his sinnes, that hee should take with him all the power that he might, and goe into Englond for to destroy the King Iohn. Thus far this Chronicle.

Can any Christian or Loyal Subject, though the most passionate Votary to the Church of Rome, read these proceedings without the highest detestation and abomi∣nation of them, as diametrically repugnant to the practise and precepts of Christ, of St. Peter, all the Apostles, and to the principles of Christian Religion? or at least not acknowledge with * 1.157 Parsons the Jesuit, (no friend to our Kings or Monarchy) That many godly wise men at that time did wish, that Pope Innocent had not stood so hard with King John in such a point as this was, for contenting him with a person gratefull to him in that See: The dismal effects whereof both to the King and Kingdom, Lords and Commons, Bishops and Clergy themselves, being most gastly, rufull, execrable to all godly sober minded Christians, and moral Heathens.

But to return to Matthew Paris his relation of some of these proceedings.

EOdem Anno (1211.) Innocentius Papa cum Rex Anglorum Johannes, Nunciis ejus* 1.158 sibi monita praedicantibus salubria, acquiescere contempsisset, multimodam ipsius contumaciam supra modum admirans, (instead of ordering and reforming his own) Reges et alios omnes tam pauperes, quam potentes ad Coronam

Angliae spectantes, a Regis fidelitate et subjectione absolvit, districte et sub poena excommunicationis prohibens universis et singulis qua∣tinus ipsum, in mensa, consilio, et colloquio arctius evitarent, (which few or none submitted to.) Habuit autem Rex hac Interdicti tempestate consiliarios * 1.159 iniquissimos, (or fautores & consiliarios praecipuos in hoc errore & pertinatia, so Matthew Westminster) quorum nomina pro parte hic ponere non omit∣tam. Willielmus quoque frater Regis, & Comes Sarisburiensis, Albericus de Veer, Co∣mes Oxoniensis, Gaufridus filius Petri, Angliae Justitiarius; Tres Episcopi Cu∣riales, Philippus Dunelmensis, Petrus Wintoniensis, et Iohan∣nes Norwicensis, Richardus de Marisco, Regis Cancellarius, Hugo de Nevilla, Proto-forrestarius, Willielmus de Wortham, Custos Portuum Maris, Robertus de Veteri Ponte, & Yvo Frater ejus, Brienus de Insula, & Gaufridus de Luci, Hugo de Bailul, & Bernardus Frater ejus, Willielmus de Cantelu, & Willielmus Filius ejus, Fulco de Can∣telu, & Riginaldus de Cornhelle, Vicecomes Kanciae, Robertus de Braibroc, & Henri∣cus Filius ejus, Philippus de Ʋletotes, & Johannes de Bassingburne, Philippus Marci, Castellanus de Nottingham, Petrus de Maulei, & Robertus de Gaugi, Gerardus de Ati••, & Ingelardus Nepos ejus, Falco & Willielmus Brivere, Petrus Filius Hereberti, & Thomas Basset, & alii multi quos longum esset enumerare, qui Regi in omni∣bus placere cupientes, consilium non pro ratione, sed pro voluntate (or impetu voluntatis perniciosum, as Matthew Westminster) dederunt. Thus the defaming pencils of every Monk did brand those faithfull Counsellors and Subjects then adhe∣ring to the King, against the Usurping Pope, Trayterous Bishops, and their Brother Monks of Canterbury.

When this Antichristian absolution of the Nobles and all other Subjects from the Kings allegiance would not shake his most magnanimous resolution, nor his peoples Loyalty, the Popes Legates, and Popish Prelates forged new devises to effect their designs by fraud and terrour; to which purpose they procured sundry Letters from severall quarters to be brought to him, whiles he sate at dinner at Nottingham, in∣tending to invade and extirpate the Welshmen with a formidable Army, (whom they had stirred up to Rebell against him, and invade England) to divert him from his de∣sign, all to this effect, That there was a secret Plot laid to betray and destroy him: which he causing to be read to him after dinner, he adhuc spretis hiis comminationibus, marched to Chester, where he met with new Letters to the like effect, which caused him to dismisse his Army and design against the Welshmen.

ITerum venerunt ad eum nuncii & literae, quod videlicet Rex, si bellum aggrede∣retur* 1.160 incaeptum, aut a suis magnatibus perimeretur, aut hostibus ad perdendum traderetur. Rex autem cum talia audisset, perturbatus est valde, & animo conster∣natus, atque cum intellexisset Magnates Angliae, a suo esse fidelitate absolutos, ma∣jorem literis sibi destinatis fidem adhibuit. Unde propositum utiliter commutans, jussit omnem exercitum ad propria remeare, veniensque ad Urbem Londoniarum, misit nuncios ad magnates universos, sibi de fidelitate suspectos, exigens obsides ab eis, ut probaret qui vellent & qui nollent, ejus obtemperare praeceptis. Illi vero Regiis Jusso∣ribus resistere non audentes, remiserunt Filios, Nepotes, & Cognatos suos, ad libitum Regis Et sic indignatio ejus aliquantulum conquievit. Veruntamen Eustachius de Vesci, & Robertus filius Walteri, de proditione memorata accusati & Regi nimis suspecti, reces∣serunt ab Anglia, Eustachius videlicet in Scotiam, & Robertus ad Gallias divertentes.

Besides, the Prelates and Priests suborned and set up one Peter an Hermit, a* 1.161 counterfeit Prophet, to terrifie the King, and alienate the peoples hearts from him by his false Prophecies, thus reported by Mathew Paris and others.

SUB hiis quoque diebus, erat in provincia Eboracensi, Heremita quidam Pe∣trus* 1.162 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.

* 1.163 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. * 1.164 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.

Circa hos denique dies, Maugerus Bishop of Worcester one of the Rebellious* 1.165 Bishops dying in exile at Pontiniac (ob libertatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae, & ex∣ecutionem Justitiae write our malicious partial Monks,) Stephanus Archiepisco∣pus Cantuariensis, Willielmus Londinensis, & Elias Eliensis Episcopi Romam pro∣fecti, innuerunt Domino Papae multimodas rebelliones, & enormitates quas fecerat▪ Rex Anglorum Johannes (they should rather have remembred and re∣pented of their own manifold Treasons, and Rebellions against their King) a tempore interdicti usque in presentem diem manus s••vitiae et crudelitatis con∣tra Dominum sanctum{que} Ecclesiam infatigabiliter aggravando. Unde humiliter Domino Papae supplicabant ut Anglicanae Ecclesiae ••am quasi in extremis laboranti dignareturi pie miserationis intuitu subvenire. Tunc Papa gravi maerore propter desolationem regni Angliae confectus, de consilio Cardi∣nalium, Episcoporum, et aliorum virorum prudentium, sen∣tentialiter definivit, ut Rex Anglorum Johannes a solio regni de∣poneretur, et alius Papa procurante, succederet, qui dignior ha∣beretur. Ad hujus quo{que} sententiae executionem scripsit Dominus Papa poten∣tissimo Regi Francorum Phelippo, quatenus in remissionem omnium suorum peccaminum, hunc laborem assumeret, ut Rege Anglorum a solio Regni expulso, ipse et successores sui regnum Angliae jure perpetuo possiderent. Scripsit insuper omnibus Magnatibus, militibus, aliisque bellatoribus per diversas nationes constitu∣tis, ut ad Regis Anglorum dejectionem sese cruce signarent, Regem∣que Francorum in hac expeditione ducem sequentes, vindicare injuriam Universalis Ecclesiae laborarent. Statuit preterea ut qui∣cunque ad expugnandum Regem illum contumacem opus im∣penderint vel auxilium, sicut illi qui sepulchrum Domini visitant, tam in rebus, quam in personis, et animarum suffragiis in pace Ecclesiae securi permaneant. His ita gestis, misit Dominus Papa a latere suo Pandulphum subdiaconum ad partes Gallicanas, cum Archiepiscopo & Epis∣copis supradictis, ut in ipsius presentia, ea quae superius digesta sunt, exequa∣tur. Sed Pandulphus a Papa recedens, remotis omnibus secretissima allocutione sciscitatus est, (of purpose to overreach and trepan both the Kings of England and France, and work his own designs on both) si forte in Rege Anglorum Fructum poenitentiae inveniret it a quod vellet satisfacere Domino, & Ecclesiae Romanae, at{que} aliis omnibus illud negotium spectantibus, quid sibi inde fieri placeret? Tunc Papa Pandulpho quandam pacis formam evidenter expressit, cui si Rex assentire decreverit, apud sedem Apostolicam poterit gratiam invenire. Haec autem pacis forma inferius descripta continetur. Per idem tempus Rex capi fecit Galfridum de Norwic. clericum suum fidelem, prudentem, & elegantem, & in Castro de Nottingham paena excogitata usque mortem torqueri. Quod videns Magister Williemus de Neccoto socius dicti Galfridi, vir non minoris valoris, fugit in Franciam, & apud Curbolium diu latitavit, ne sicut Galfridus immerito necaretur.

These Clerks then secretly confederated with the Bishops to depose the King; who

to secure himself against their confederates by special Writs (issued to all the Sheriffs of England, remaining on Record though not printed in our Historians) banished all those out of the Realm, who had received any Churches, or Rents from the Archbishops or Bishops of England, or Priour of Canterbury then beyond the Seas, who deprived of him his Crown, and to seise their Churches and rents to his use, and return them into his Exchequer.

REX Vicecomiti Middlesex, &c. Praecipimus tibi, quod capias in manum* 1.166 nostram omnes Ecclesias & redditus quos Archiepiscopi vel Episcopi Ang∣liae, vel prior Cantuariae, qui ultra mare sunt, dederunt in Balliva tua in absentia sua, & praecipias omnibus illis qui ea de dono eorum receperunt, quod sine dilatione exeant de terra nostra. Et scire facias distincte in crastino sancti Johannis Baptistae, Anno Regni nostri Decimo Quarto, Baronibus nostris de scaccario ubi fuerint redditus illi & qui illi sint qui eos receperunt. Teste W. Brigwer apud Westmonasterium Quinto die Junii, per breve de privato sigillo. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Vicecomitibus Angliae.

The next year, Anno Domini Millesimo Ducentisimo Decimo tertio Mense* 1.167 Januario, redierunt a Curia Romana Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, Willielmus Londonensis, & Elyensis Episcopi, & habito in partibus tran∣smarinis Concilio., Regi. Francorum, & Episcopis Gallicanis cum Clero pa∣riter & populo, sententiam, quae in Regem Anglorum Romae pro Contumacia lata fuerat, solenniter promulgarunt. Deinde ex∣parte Domini Papae, tam Regi Francorum, quam caeteris universis in remis∣sionem suorum peccaminum injunxerunt, ut omnes pariter ad Angli∣am hostiliter accedentes, Iohannem Regem a Regni solio de∣ponerent, et alium qui dignus efset authoritate Apostolica subro∣garent. Tunc Rex Francorum rem diu desideratam intelligens, accinxit se ad pugnam, at{que} omnes suae ditionis homines, Duces videlicet, Comites et Barones, Milites et servientes, cum equis et Armis jussit in Octavis Paschae, sub nomine Culvertagii apud Rothomagum, ita potenter convenire, ne crimine laesae Majestatis damnum exhe∣redationis incurrere viderentur, vulgariter sub nomine Felonis. Fecit praeterea omnes naves suae potestatis, & alias multas quas colligere pote∣rat frumento, vino, carne & diversis armamentis optime munire, ut in omnium copiam rerum tam numerosus excercitus abundaret. Tunc temporis quo{que} Rex vulpina calliditate ab omnibus Religiosorum domibus ad excusandum excusationes in peccatis, chartas exegit, quibus testarentur se gratis contulisse, quaecun{que} ab eis vio∣lenter extorsit. Upon those great Preparations of the French against England.

REX Anglorum Johannes, de omnibus quae in transmarinis partibus agebantur, per exploratores edoctus, cogitavit qualiter callide insidiis sibi paratis re∣sistere potuisset. Fecit itaque mense Martio idem Rex inbreviare omnes Naves de universis portubus totius Angliae per hoc Breve, quod singulis portuum Ballivis in haec verba direxit.

JOhannes Rex Angliae, &c. Precipimus tibi quatenus statim visis literis ist is, eas in propria persona, una cum Ballivis portuum ad singulos Portus de Balliva tua, & facias diligenter inbreviare omnes naves ibi inventas, quae possunt ferre sex equos, vel plures, & praecipias exparte nostra magistris omnium navium illarum, & illis quo∣rum naves sunt; quod sicut se, & Naves suas, & omnia sua diligunt habeant illas apud Portesm: in media Quadr agessima, bene adornatas bonis & probis Marinellis & bene armatis, qui ituri sunt in servitium nostrum ad liberationes nostras; & tunc habeas ibi memoriter & distincte inbreviatum quot naves in singulis portubus in∣veneris, & quorum ipsae sint, & quot equos quaelibet ferre possit. Et tunc facias nobis scire quot & quae naves non fuerint in portubus suis die dominica proxima post cineres sicut preceperamus, & habeas hoc breve. Teste meipso apud Novum Templum, tertia die Martii.

His ita gestis de Navibus, misit Rex alias Literas ad omnes Vicecomites Regni sui sub hac forma.

JOhannes Rex Angliae, &c. Summone per bonos summonitores Comites, Barones, Milites, & omnes liberos homines & servientes vel quicunque sint, & de quo∣cunque teneant, qui arma habere debeant, vel arma habere possint; & qui homagium nobis vel ligantiam fecerunt, quod sicut nos, & seipsos & omnia sua diligunt, sint apud Doveram ad instans clausum Pascha, bene parati cum equis & armis, & cum toto posse suo, ad defendendum caput nostrum, et capita sua, et terram Angliae, et quod nullus remaneat, qui arma portare possit, sub nomine * 1.168 Culvertagii et perpetuae servitutis. Et unusquisque sequaetur Dominum suum, & qui terram non habent, & armahabere possint, illunc veniant ad capiendum soliditas nostras: Et tu omnem attractum victualium, & omnia mercata Ballivarum tuarum venire facias, ut sequantur excercitum nostrum, ita quod nullum mercatum de Ballivis tuis alibi teneatur, & tu ipse tunc sis ibi cum praedictis sum∣monitionibus. Et scias quod scire volumus quomodo venerint de Ballivis tuis, & qui venerint & qui non. Et videas quod tu ita effortiate venias cum equis & armis, & haec ita ex∣equaris ne inde ad corpus tuum nos capere debeamus. Et tu inde habeas rotulum tuum ad nos certificandum qui remanserint.

His ergo literis per Angliam divulgatis convenerunt ad maritima in locis di∣versis & Regi magis suspectis, videlicet apud Doveram, Ferversham, & Gipeswi∣cum, homines diversae conditionis & aetatis, nihil magis quam opprobrium Cul∣vertagii metuentes. Sed cum post dies paucos tantae multitudini victus defuisset, re∣miserunt ad propria Principes Militiae ex inermi vulgo multitudinem copiosam, milites solummodo, servientes & liberos homines cum Balistariis & sagitariis juxta mari∣tima retinentes. Venit praeterea de Hibornia Johannes Episcopus Norwicensis, cum militibus quingentis & equitibus multis ad Regem, & ab ipso gratanter susceptus est. Omnibus igitur congregatis ad pugnam, aestimati sunt in exerci∣tu apud Barham donam inter milites electos, & servientes strenuos & bene armatos, sexaginta millia virorum fortium, quibus si er∣ga Regem Angliae et defensionem Patriae cor fuisset et anima una, non fuisset Princeps sub Coelo, contra quem regnum Ang∣liae se non defenderet. Constituit preterea Rex cum adversariis, navale praelium conferre, ut eos pelago submergeret antequam terram occuparent. Habebat nam{que} classem uberiorem quam Rex Francorum, unde maximam securitatem con∣cepit hostibus resistendi.

What, King John in point of prudence, Policy, Valour, Warre, Justice, Conscience, could have done more then he did to protect and defend the invaded Rights of his Crown, Kingdom, people, Church of England against the mani∣fold unparalleld Treasons, Policies, Stratagems, Usurpations, affronts, unjust demands, Interdict, excomunication, dijudication from his Crown and Kingdomes, and intended invasions of this insolent Pope and his Agents, his own perjured Trayterous Bishops, Monks, Clergy, and their domestick confederats; his French and other forraign enemies, with admirable courage, gallantry, prudence, success, for 8. years space together, transcends my understanding to define; the times and circumstances duly considered, for which he really deserved more honour, thanks from the Crown, Church, Realm and people of England, then all of his predecessors, had he still persevered in his former unshaken magnanimous Re∣solutions, and not been decoyed by Pandulphus; must strangly to fail in his last act∣ings, his Army and Navy then raised, through Gods assistance being able to have encountred all the forces raised against him, and dissipated them like a mist be∣fore the Sun.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An. Dom. 1199
• a 1.2

  Hist. Angl. p. 190. Holin∣shed, Speed, Daniel.
• b 1.3

  Annalium pars posterior, p. 793.
• c 1.4

  Ymagines Historiari, col. 706. Mat. Pa∣ris, Mat. West. Hoveden, Hen∣ry de Knygh∣ton, Holinshed, Daniel, Graf∣ton, Speed, in Johan. Annis 1199, 1200.
• d 1.5

  Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 191. Hoveden Annal pars po∣sterior, p. 793, 770, 771, 768. Neubrigensis Hist. Angl. l. 5. c. 21. Mat. Westm. Anno 1196. p. 71. Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 140. Holinshed p▪ 150, 151.
• * 1.6

  Annalium pars posterior, Francofurti 1601. p. 1601. p. 560, 561. Monast. Angl. pars 1. p. 191.
• * 1.7

  Cartae An. 1. Johannis Reg. nu. 103. Car∣tae Antiquae lit. B. nu. 8. Monas∣ticon Anglica∣num Vol. 1. p. 191. Vol. 2. p. 868.
• g 1.8

  Gualt. Mapes & Cambdens Britania in Glostershire, Berkley Castle
• h 1.9

  De Corrupto Ecclesiae statu, c. 23. De im∣impudita vita & conversatio∣ne Monialum; quae fuerant ex Monasteriis Prostituta, & ex puella velata, Scortum publi∣licum, Lugdun. 1613. p. 22.
• i 1.10

  Onus Eccle∣siae, cap. 21, 22, 23.
• k 1.11

  De Vanitate Scientiarum, c. 63.
• l 1.12

  De Continen∣tia, l. 4. c. 11. l. 5. c. 7, 8. l. 6. c. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. See my Histrioma∣stix, p. 214, 445, 880, 881 882.
• m 1.13

  De Planctu Ecclesiae, l. 2. Artic. 3. & 28
• * 1.14

  n Radulphus de Diceto, Yma∣gines Histor. col. 708.
• * 1.15

  Anno Dom. 1200.
• * 1.16

  Cartae 2 Jo∣hannis Regis, m. 19. dorso.
• * 1.17

  Cartae 2 Jo∣hannis Regis m. 33. dorso.
• * 1.18

  Chartae Anno 2. Johannis Regis memb. 27. Dorso.
• * 1.19

  a Hoveden An∣nal. pars poste∣rior. p. 811, 817. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 1••6. 157. 194. Holinsh p. 143, 147, 163, 170. Godwin in his Life, p. 517, 518.
• b 1.20

  Hoveden An∣nal. pars poste∣rior, p. 817, &c
• * 1.21

  Chartae 2. Jo∣hannis Regis m. 12. dorso.
• * 1.22

  •• Hoveden An∣nal pars poste∣rior, p. 817, 818, 823, 824, 825, 826.
• * 1.23

  Hoveden p. 825
• a 1.24

  Hoveden An∣nal. pars poste∣rior. p. 817, 818.
• * 1.25

  An Historical Vindication of the Church of England, in point of Schism p. 28, to 40.
• b 1.26

  Hoveden An∣nal. pars poste∣rior, p. 806, 807, 808.
• c 1.27

  See Octoboni Constitutiones apud Johan. de Aton, f. 88, 89. De procuratio∣nibus non ex∣igendis.
• * 1.28

  Here p. 230, 231.
• * 1.29

  Pat. 3. Johan, Regis m. 25
• * 1.30

  Pat. 3. Johan. Regis m. 5. n. 24.
• * 1.31

  Pat. 3. Johan. Regis, in. 4. n. 20.
• * 1.32

  An. Dom. 1201
• * 1.33

  Pat. 3. Johan. Regis m. 3. intus.
• * 1.34

  Annal. pars posterior, p. ••97, 798, 799.
• * 1.35

  See Giraldus Cambrensis, Itin. Cambriae l. 2. c. 1.
• * 1.36

  Recorded at large by Hove∣den, Annalium pars posterior, p. 797. Mat. Paris p. 191.
• * 1.37

  Therefore a Pall from the Pope was not necessary to the creating or es∣sence of an Archbishop.
• d 1.38

  Therefore it was then the Kings (not Popes) Prero∣gative to put down, create Archbishops, Bishopricks, enlarge, divide or unite their Provinces and Diocesses.
• e 1.39

  Praerogativam had been truer, fitter.
• f 1.40

  O the little truth and faith of this ambiti∣ous Prelates Allegation.
• g 1.41

  Acta Pontifi∣cum Cantuar. col. 1682.
• * 1.42

  Pat. 3. Johan. Regis m. 7. n. 18.
• * 1.43

  Pat. 3. Johan. Regis m. 2.
• * 1.44

  To wit, by Pope Innocents procuration.
• * 1.45

  Pat. 3. Johan∣nis Regis m 7. intus n. 28.
• * 1.46

  Pat. 5. Johan∣nis, m. 7. intus▪
• * 1.47

  Additamenta Mat. Paris M••. f. 135. Sir Ro∣ger Twisdens historical vindi∣cation of the Church of Eng∣land. p. 58. 59.
• * 1.48

  See Mr. Wil∣liam Tynda••s practice of Po∣pish Prelates
• * 1.49

  Annal. pars posterior, p. 799, 800.
• * 1.50

  Anno 1201. p. 199. Mat. Westm: p. 77.
• * 1.51

  Annal, pa••s po∣ste••ior, p. 828. 829.
• * 1.52

  An Intreaty only, not pe∣rempto y com∣mand.
• * 1.53

  Note this me∣morable clause▪
• * 1.54

  Hoveden An∣nal. pars poste∣rior, p. 819, 820.
• * 1.55

  An. Dom. 1202
• * 1.56

  Pat. 4. Johan. Regis, m. 10.
• * 1.57

  Pat. 5. Johan. Regis, m. 10. n. 21.
• * 1.58

  Pat. 5. Johan. Regis, m. 4. n. 11.
• * 1.59

  Pat. 5. Johan. Regis, m. 2. intus.
• * 1.60

  Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. 1204. p. 204. Mat. Westm. p. 81. Godwin in his Life, p. 173.
• * 1.61

  Anno Domini 1205.
• * 1.62

  Pat. 6. Johan. Regis m. 3.
• * 1.63

  The Bishop of Durham being formerly Ex∣empted by Pope Clements Bull from obedience to him, to whom Pope Ce∣lestine with a Non obstante, by another Bull commanded him to submit. Chron. Johannis Brompton, Col. 1224.
• * 1.64

  Mat. Westm. An. 1207. Mat. Paris An. 1207. p. 212. Thomas Stubs Actus Pontif. Ebor. col. 1724. Holinshed, p. 163, 170. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 587, 588.
• * 1.65

  They had forgotten Rom. 13. 6, 7, 8.
• * 1.66

  Hist. Angl. An. 1213. p. 224. Mat. Westm. p. 92.
• * 1.67

  Anno Domini 1205.
• a 1.68

  Henry de Knyghton, de eventibus An∣gliae, l. 2. col. 2414, to 2424 Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. and God∣win in the Life of Stephen Langhton, Mr. Fox Acts and Monuments, Edit. 1640. vol. 1. p. 3••0, to 333. the ful∣lest of all o∣thers. Fabian, Holinshed, Caxton, Cr••f∣ton, Daniel, Speed, Stow, Baker, and o∣thers in the life of King John.
• b 1.69

  Mat. Paris, Anno 1205. p. 204, 205. Mat. Westm. p. 82.
• * 1.70

  No•• is omitted in the printed Copies of Mat. Paris.
• * 1.71

  Mat. Paris, Hist. p. 204.
• * 1.72

  * This Pope much forgot these Laws himself in this affair.
• * 1.73

  The King had then good cause to make choise of such a one.
• * 1.74

  Anno D 1206.
• e 1.75

  Mat. Paris p. 205. Mat. Westminster, p. 82. 83.
• f 1.76

  Mat. Paris, p. 206.
• g 1.77

  Mat. Paris p. 206. 207.
• * 1.78

  That custom was then very new: see Ber∣nard de consi∣deratione ad Eugenium Pa∣pam, l, 3.
• * 1.79

  Pat. 8. Johan. m. 2. intus.
• * 1.80

  Pat. Johan. Re∣gi; m. 4.
• * 1.81

  Historiae An∣gliae p. 212. 213. Mat. West. 84. 85.
• * 1.82

  Mat. Paris, p. 213.
• * 1.83

  Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 213. 214. Mat. Westm. p. 85. 86.
• * 1.84

  Mat. Parker on the life of Stephen Lang∣ton.
• * 1.85

  This Pope could produce no Pre••ident to prove this pre∣tended custom.
• * 1.86

  Mat. Paris, p. 214. 215.
• * 1.87

  Munera qui∣dem magna misit, sed misit in hamo.
• * 1.88

  Mat. Paris, p. 214.
• * 1.89

  Mat Paris, p 215, 216. Mat. Westm. p. 86.
• * 1.90

  Nota.
• a 1.91

  Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 215, 216.
• b 1.92

  See Fox Acts & Monuments vol. 1. p. 325.
• * 1.93

  Nota.
• * 1.94

  Nota.
• * 1.95

  Mat. Paris p. 215, 216. Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 325, 326.
• * 1.96

  Nota.
• * 1.97

  The contrary appeared in both.
• * 1.98

  Phil. 2. 9, 10.
• * 1.99

  An. Dom. 1208
• * 1.100

  Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 216, 217.
• * 1.101

  Nota.
• * 1.102

  Pat. 9. Johan. Regis, m. 3: n. 22.
• * 1.103

  R Pat. 9 Johan. 7 ••gis, m. 2. n.
• * 1.104

  Pat. 9. Johan. Regis, m. 2. n. 15.
• * 1.105

  Pat. 9. Johan. Regis, m. 3. n. 21.
• * 1.106

  Ibidem.
• * 1.107

  Hist. Angliae p. 217, 218.
• * 1.108

  Antiqu. Ec∣cles. Brit. p. 148.
• † 1.109

  In their Chronicles and Histories.
• † 1.110

  William Cax∣tons Chronicle part 7.
• * 1.111

  Hist. Angliae p. 217, 218.
• * 1.112

  The King might more justly punish the parents of the Arch∣bishop and Bishops who In∣terdicted Eng∣land, then they his Subjects, and whole Realm for his pretended dis∣obedience to the Pope.
• * 1.113

  Nota.
• * 1.114

  See Speeds Chronicle. Book 9. Chap. 8. Sect. 40. p. 971. God∣wins Catalo∣gue of Bishops, in the Life of Peter de la Roche Bishop of Win∣chester. p. 173. in the Life of Philip of Poitiers Bishop of Dur∣h••un. p. 511. Claus. 9. Johan. Regis mem. 5.
• * 1.115

  Ibidem.
• * 1.116

  Pat. 9 Regis 11.
• * 1.117

  Claus. 9. Johan Regis, m. 10. dors.
• * 1.118

  Additamenta Veta. 23. Abbat∣tum Sancti. Al∣bani. p. 109. 110. Speeds. Hist. p. p. 570. 571.
• * 1.119

  An. Dom. 1201. Mat. Paris, p. 218. Mat. West. p. 86. 87. Speeds History. Book. 9. ch. 8. Sect. 40. p. 571
• * 1.120

  Mat. Paris, p. 218.
• * 1.121

  Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 218. Mat. Westm. p. 86, 87.
• * 1.122

  Anno 1208.
• * 1.123

  Pat. 9. Johan. Regis m. 4. in∣tus, n. 23.
• * 1.124

  Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 328.
• * 1.125

  Anno Domini 1209.
• * 1.126

  Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 218, 219. Mat. Westm. p. 88.
• * 1.127

  Mat. Paris, p 218, 219, 220. Mat. Westm. p. 88.
• * 1.128

  A Cooie, or Cap of Lead, Speeds Chroni∣cle, p. 571.
• a 1.129

  Anno 1209. p. 88.
• b 1.130

  Ms.
• c 1.131

  Centuria 3. Scriptorum Brit. c. 57.
• d 1.132

  Speeds Histo∣ry p. 571.
• e 1.133

  Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 219, 220.
• * 1.134

  Omitted in Printed Copies.
• f 1.135

  Ms. & Speeds History, p. 571. Mat. Paris An. 1207. p. 212.
• g 1.136

  Centur. 3. Scriptorum Brit. sect. 57. p. 249.
• * 1.137

  Anno 1209. Mat. Paris, Hist Angl. p. 229. Edit. Lond, 1640.
• * 1.138

  Anno. 1210.
• * 1.139

  Mat. Paris. Edit. London. 1640. p. 229. Mat. Westm p. 88.
• * 1.140

  Historiae Ang∣liae. Edit. Londi. 1640. p. 229, 230.
• * 1.141

  Behold the Popes Justice.
• * 1.142

  It is a perse∣cution in this Popes Judgment for the Emperor to demand re∣stitution of his unjust Rapines, according to his Oath.
• * 1.143

  Excellent Pa∣pal Justice.
• * 1.144

  An. Dom. 1210. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angliae p. 220, 221. Mat. West. Holinsh∣ed, Speed, Graf∣ton, Stow, Anno. 1210.
• * 1.145

  Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 227, 228, 229, 230, 231. Mat. Westm. p. 87.
• * 1.146

  Mat. Paris, Ibidem.
• * 1.147

  Caxtons Chro∣nicles, pars 7. King John, and Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 326, 327, 328.
• * 1.148

  An undutifull obstinate An∣swer.
• * 1.149

  A strangedis∣loyal Oath, & insolent Answer
• * 1.150

  Had he not just cause?
• * 1.151

  By the Popes and Bishops in∣stigation, See Speeds Chro∣nicle, p. 571, 572.
• † 1.152

  A Royal and Gracious An∣swer.
• * 1.153

  A most ise•• lent Reply.
• * 1.154

  A strange un∣parallel'd An••∣christian Anti∣monarchical Message and Sentence, deli∣vered to theface of a King in his Kingdom, & in the presences of his own Parlia∣ment.
• * 1.155

  He tells us not where it is written.
• * 1.156

  A strange un∣parallel'd inso∣lency & contu∣macy.
• * 1.157

  Answer to Cook, part 2. c. 9. Speed p. 571.
• * 1.158

  An. Dom. 1211 Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 221, 222. Mat. Westm. p. 89, 90.
• * 1.159

  Equissimos had been bet∣ter, truer.
• * 1.160

  Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 222.
• * 1.161

  Anno 1212.
• * 1.162

  Hist. Angl. p. 22••. 223. Mat. Westm. p. 92.
• * 1.163

  Acts and Monuments, vol. I. p. 328.
• * 1.164

  Note the fruits of this Popes Interdict.
• * 1.165

  An. Dom. 1212. Mat. Paris Hist, Angl. p. 223. Mat. Westm, p. 91, 92.
• * 1.166

  Claus. 14. Joh. Rs. m. 8. dorso.
• * 1.167

  Anno Domini. 1213. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 223. 224. Mat. Westm. p. 92. 93.
• * 1.168

  Of being re∣puted a Turn-Tayle, or Run∣away, for which offence, he not only became for ever infa∣mous, but like∣wife forfeited all his lands, goods, hand, and life too in some cases; s••e Leges Canuti, pars 2. c. 12. 14. Concil: Aen∣hamens. c. 24. Leges Cont••s∣soris cap. De Heraetochiis & Hom. •• c. 10. Gulielmi S••m∣neri Glossarium Tit. Fridwita. Spelmanni Glos∣sarium, and Dr. Wats his Glos∣sarium. Tit. cnl. vertagium.