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.

EOdem Anno, circa Festum Sancti Michaelis, venit in Angliam Nicholaus Thuscu∣lanensis* 1.1 Episcopus, & Apostolicae sedis Legatus, ut dissensiones inter Regnum et Sacerdotium authoritate Apostolica reformaret? Et licet terra Interdicta fuisset, ubique tamen cum processione sollemni & cantuum modulatione & indumentis festi∣vis, honorifice receptus est. Cumque ad Westmonasterium pervenisset, Willielmum Abba∣tem dilapidationis & incontinentiae a Monachis suis accusatum illico degradavit. Ve∣nerunt autem ad eum Oxoniae Burgenses quorum instinctu & praesumptione duo Cle∣rici (de quibus superius fecimus mentionem) suspensi fuerant absolutionem postulan∣tes. Quibus indicta poenitentia inter caetera praecepit, ut ad singulas Civitatis Eccle∣sias, depositis indumentis, pedibusque nudis flagella portantes in manibus euntes, a Presbyte∣ris Parochianis absolutionis beneficium cum Psalmo Quinquagesimo impetrarent. Nec licuit eis nisi diebus singulis, singulas petere Ecclesias, ut tam ipsi quam aliitalia praesumere formidarent. Legatus itaque cum septem tantum equitaturis in Angliam veniens, * 1.2 quin∣quaginta in brevi & familia multa stipatus incessit. Conveniente tandem Archiepis∣copo Cantuariensi, cum Episcopis, & Magnatibus Regni Londonii, in praesentia Regis & Cardinalium, tractatum est ibidem, pec triduum inter Regnum et Sa∣cerdotium de damnis Episcoporum et Ablatis, facta ex parte Regis oblatione Episcopis praefatis ad plenariam restitutionem? Centum Mille Marcarum argenti continno numerandarum? (A vast sum, besides what they formerly received.) Etsi vero post inquisitionem investi∣gari possit, Custodes Ecclesiarum, aliosve Regis Ministros am∣plius abstulisse, Iuratoriam obtulit Rex et fide jussoriam cautionem,

quod pro Episcoporum, et ipsius Legati arbitrio, infra sequens Pas∣cha satisfactionem plenam omnibus faceret ablatorum. Ad hoc au∣tem Legatus consensit, (being most just and satisfactory) volens instanter hoc fieri, indigne ferens quod non statim suscepta fuit oblatio. Vnde protinus suspicatum est, Legatum plus aequo parti Regis consentire. Episcopi quoque negotium protrahentes, ablatis conditionibus obviabant. Habito consilio, ut prius inquirerent de ablatis & damnis, & summam diligentius Regi inquisitam ostende∣rent, & sic simul acciperent quod quaerebant. (Such was their unsatiable avarice and perversenesse, thus to continue the Interdict on the whole Realm on this account.) Audiens itaque Rex dilationem sibi dilectam, praebuit illico consensum. Et sic eo die, infecto negotio recesserunt.

The next dayes proceedings clearly demonstrate that the true design of this meet∣ing by secret compact between the Legate, Archbishop, and Bishops, under pretext of satisfying their damages, and releasing the Interdict, was only to decoy and en∣force the King to a new resignation of his Crown, in the presence of the Archbishop, Bishops and Clergy, (not present at the first resignation, if really made) and procure a second Charter of surrender of his Kingdoms of England and Ireland, to the Pope and his Successors, and resumtion of them from him under an annual rent, and new Oath of Homage to him, the first Charter being either forged, or not really sealed or delivered, and a meer nullity. Which last Charter though the Archbishop, Bi∣shops and Barons totally disliked, disclaimed, and never assented to, after it was seal∣ed and delivered, yet they covertly promoted, and never disswaded him from it, to render him odious and despicable to all his Subjects, and foreign Princes, to effect their own designs upon him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 236, 237.
• * 1.2

  A very Roy∣al Guard.