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.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, Servus servorum, &c. Dilecto filio fratri Jo∣hanni* 1.1 Ordinis Minorum, Nuncio nostro in Anglia salutem, & Apostolicam Bene∣dictionem. Nostris est nuper auribus intimatum, quod plerique Ecclesiarum Praelati regni Angliae, non attendentes ad humanos usus non debere transferri, quae juribus sunt a∣scripta divinis, jure patronatus, & advocationis quae in aliquibus Ecclesiis obtinebant, in personas laicas concessionis vel alienationis titulo, seu alias, pro suae voluntatis arbitrio transtulerunt, Capitulorum suorum aliquando interveniente consensu, & Diocesanorum, quod vix credimus accedente favore. Nonnulli quoque Abbates & Priores diversorum ordinum tàm exempti quàm non exempti regni praefati propris Commodis per modos illici∣tos inhiantes (as this Pope and his agents really did) in Ecclesiis Parochialibus jus Patronatus exemptionis titulo, vel aliis perversis contractibus assequuntur. Et sic eas∣dem Ecclesias quandoque de suorum Diocesanorum consensu, quandoque motu proprio non verentur suis, vel membrorum suorum contra Deum & Canonic as Sanctiones, usibus ap∣plicare. Quidam vero Executores super Clericorum Provisionibus dudum in eodem regno a sede Apostolica deputati, cum aliqua be∣neficia Ecclesiastica, de quibus eisdem Clericis provideri poterit, vacare contigerit, in alienis negotiis suae fidei confidenter commis∣sis, privata commoda infideliter prosequuntur, dum Abbates et Priores aliosque Ecclesiarum Patronos, ad quorum praesentatio∣nem noscuntur eadem beneficia pertinere, excommunicant et sus∣pendunt, ipsosque taliter impeditos, ad ordinationes Ecclesiarum suarum procedere non permittunt, donec sibi ipsis vel aliis suis consanguineis vel amicis, non autem illis quibus provideri manda∣vimus, a patronis eisdem, minis et dolis interdum inductis, eadem beneficia seu provisiones Annuae assignentur. Aliqui etiam executores hujusmodi, se nuncios nostros in Regno Angliae asserentes (quanquam alium praeter te in codem regno nos habere nuncium nesciamus) mandati nostri praetextu quo eis in aliquibus Clericis in eodem regno de beneficiis Ecclesiasticis, quae tanto tempore vacaverunt, quod ad nos est collatio secundum Lateranensis statutum Concilii devo∣luta, providere procurent, dicuntur injunxisse religiosos viros super Ecclesiis qua sibi concessas in usus proprios per longissima tempora pacifice possiderunt, infeffant, nec ab eorum super hiis infestatione desistunt, donec iidem religio∣si aliqua summa pecuniae, vel assignatione annuae pensionis, vexa∣tionem suam redimere compellantur. Cum igitur haec non sint sub dissi∣mulationis

silentio trans••undae, discretioni tuae in virtute obedientiae districtè praecipiendo mandamus, quatenus per te ac alios seculares, vel cujuscunque religionis vel professionis viros, quos ad hoc in diversis locis ejusdem regni vice nostra, quam tibi super hoc praesen∣tium authoritate concedimus, duxeris deputandos, super praemissis diligentiùs veritate, hu∣jusmodi alienationes, venditiones, seu emptiones, de patronatibus vel advocatiis Eccle∣siarum, quae cum spiritualibus sint annexae, vendi vel emi taliter nequeunt, à quibuscun∣que praesumptas vel in posterum praesumendas, quas irritas esse decernimus; denuncians nullas esse eas, & quicquid ex ipsis vel ob eas circa Ecclesiarum Parochialium statum in∣veneris temerè immutatum, in statum debitum de plano & absque judicii strepitu re∣vocare procures. Executores verò praedictos, ad resignanda & restituenda quaecun{que} ips••s inveneris de praedictarum concussionum scelere percepisse, authoritate nostra per te ac ali∣os quos ad hoc (ut praediximus) deputabis, qua convenit districtione compellas, redditurus nos nihilominus de illis quos de hiis deliquisse compereris, per tuas literas continentes meram & plenam rerum seriem, certiores, ut circa eos prout culpae qualitas exegerit procedamus. Contradictores per censuras Ecclesiae Apostolicae appellatione postposita com∣pescendo, non obstante si aliquibus sit ab Apostolica sede concessum, quod excommunicari, suspendi, vel interdici non possint per literas Apostolicas, non facientes plenam et expressam ac de verbo ad ver∣bum de indulto hujusmodi mentionem, seu quod ad susceptionem causarum vel executionum, quae sibi authoritate sedis ejusdem committi contingit, minime teneantur, vel constitutione de dua∣bus dietis edita in Concilio generali. Datum Laterani quinto Idus Januarii, Pontificatus nostri Anno undecimo.

This pretended reformer of these Simoniacal practices, and former Nuncioes abuses, rapines, armed with so many Papal Bulls, proved as bad yea worse an exactor, and oppressor, then any of his predecessors. Whereupon

Per idem tempus, Dominus Rex comperiens Regnum suum enormi∣ter* 1.2 periclitari, jussit omnem totius Regni Nobilitatem convocari, ut de statu ipsius, tam manifeste periclitantis Oxonii die qua can∣tatur, Quasi modo geniti, diligenter contrectarent. Praelatos autem maxime ad hoc Parliamentum vocavit arctius, quia videbat eos Do∣minus Rex tam frequenter depauperari per Papales extorsiones, et thesaurus Angliae tam frequenter asportabatur, nullumque com∣modum inde provenit Ecclesiae, imo multimodum incommodum ge∣neravit. Vnde veraciter perpendebatur, quod talis extorsio summo quamplurimum displicuit Creatori. Sperebatur autem certissime, aliquid salubre Ecclesiae, et Regno ibidem statuendum, quod tamen omnes hoc sperantes fefellit: Nam cum antea aliqui Praelatorum praetactae contributioni praeposuissent contradicere, ibidem omnes in contributionem undecim Millium Marcarum consenserunt; excep∣tis Exemptis, et tribus Clericis. Ipsi igitur Clerici per hanc im∣petrationem toti regno se suspectos reddiderunt, (and that deser∣vedly, such was their sordid cowardice, treachery to the King, Kingdom, Nobles, Church of England, and their own interest.) Pecunia autem memorata per manus Wintoniensis & Norwicensis Episcoporum armatorum authoritate Papali soluta est & recepta, & Clerus compulsus est ad plenariam solutionem ejusdem faciendam. Expone∣bantur autem exempti Papali arbitrio, qui eis minimè pepercit; sed per fratrem saepe∣dictum Iohannem tot jacturis et injuriis, ut praenotatur, fatigavit. Nee idcirco mitius cum Abbate Sancti Albani egit Dominus Papa, quo anno proximò praeterito ipsi Octoginta Marcas transmisit. Timebatur autem, ne Dominus Rex, ex permissione mutua & consensu relativo, inter ipsum et Papam Ecclesiam et eti∣am Regnum consimili exactione foret compulsurus. Sicut nuper pro Rege Dominus Papa scripserat Angliae Magnatibus, in pecu∣nia colligenda promovendo.

Not long after, to promote the Popes Exactions, and drain the English Clergies

purses, Applicuit in Anglia Episcopus Sabinensis, Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalis, itu∣rus* 1.3 in partes Boreales Legatus, Norwegiam, Dac••am, & Suetiam; & Regem Nor∣wegiae Haconem in Regem inuncturus & coronaturu••. Qui tamen in Angliam zin∣gressurus, primo difficultatem de licentia a Rege invenit, quia semper solent Legati quales quales, et omnes nuncii Papales, Regna quae ingrediuntur depauperare, vel aliquo modo perturbare, donec ju∣rasset in anima sua, quod ob nullum Regis vel Regni, vel Ecclesiae detrimentum, in Angliam veniret: nisi tantummodo tranquillum transitum faceret per ipsam terram de Portu Doverae ad portum Lennae, ad Regna ulteriora statim tempore opportuno, et obtento vento prospero, migraturus. Sed postquàm licentiam benignè dicto modo obtinuisset, intrepidus intravit, & Domino Rege salutato, & muneribus gratuit••s ac∣ceptis ab eodem, ad Lennam iter maturavit, et ibidem per tres ferè menses commorans, non potuit Romanis innatam cupiditatem cohibere, quin ad Epis∣copos et Abbates, et Priores nuncios furtivos, ad uberes mitteret postulando procurationes, et munera preciosa, in domibus Mane∣rii Episcopi Norwicensis, quod Geywudae dicitur, commorando, ita quod quaestus sui, ad quatuormillia Marcarum ascendere diceba∣tur: veruntamen ut sub specie sanctitatis omnia palliaret, crebro ser∣monem faciebat populo. Et cum navem ascensurus fuisset, quem opulentissimè communiverat multo frumento & doliis quàmplurimis vino plenis praeelecto, & aliis vi∣ctualibus, jussit cuidam fratri de ordine Praedicatorum in ipsa Missam celebrare, quod & factum est, non sine multorum, qui hoc non praeviderant, admiratione. Habebat namque in ipsa navi, ficut de Arca Noë legitur, (such was his Pomp and Pride) diverticula & tristegas, cameras & conclavia, quae specialiter propter ipsum artificia∣liter fuerunt composita. Et sic vento flante prospero, dataque Angliae, & suis Anglis prodigis benedictione, pelago septentrionali sese dives factus commisit. How he fleeced and preyed upon the Northern kingdoms for the Popes and his own advantage, as his Confederates had done the English and French, * 1.4 Matthew Paris informs us. Coronatus est Rex Hacon, & in Regem inunctus solenniter apud Bergas, ab Episcopo Sabinensi, Legato tunc in partibus illis existen••e. Pro cujus honoris et beneficii exhibitione, Papae Dominus Rex quindecim millia marcarum ester∣lingorum numeravit. Legatus vero acceptis donativis impreciabi∣libus quingentas extorsit marcas ab Ecclesiis Regni illius. Verunta. men idem Rex cruce signatus à Domino Papa impetravit recipere tertiam partem proven∣tuum à viris Ecclesiasti••is Regni sui, ad suae viatica peregrinationis; The transactions and Letters passed between the King of France and Haco concerning this his pre∣tended pilgrimage to Jerusalem (worthy perusal) you may read more at large in this Historian.

The Pope not contented thus to extort money in all places by Croysadoes, Procurations, and such like Exactions, made a very gainfull Trade of selling Arch∣bishopricks, Bishopricks, and other Ecclesiastical Preferments to ambitious persons who would give most for them, as Matthew Paris thus insmuates in one memo∣rable instance, of Odo Archbishop of Rhoan, of whom * 1.5 before.

Anno quoque sub eodem Odo Archiepiscopus Rothomagensis, quondam Abbas San∣cti* 1.6 Dionys••••, divino, ut creditur, percussus judicio, subito obiit; cum jam vix per an∣num sophisticè sede Archiepiscopali praesidens, nomen tantum et officium sibi te∣mere usurpasset, & Petro suo antecessori fructus Archiepiscopatus distribuisset. Ip∣se enim Anglicus Natione, Abbas extiterat Sancti Dionysii, quem ambitio et su∣perbia adeo ad Archiepiscopatus praedicti dignitatem infoeliciter at∣traxerant, ut domum suam irremediabiliter aere alieno obligatam dereliquerit, et dignitatem praetextatam, symoniace in sui perniciem consequebatur▪ as most other Archbishops, Bishops and Abbots did in that Simo∣niacal age.

Moreover this avaritious Simoniacal Pope made a gain of his very Bulls for canonizing and translating Popish Saints, as he did this year by his long deferred Canonization and translation of St. Edmund, Bishop of Canterbury, (the Bull

and History whereof, you may read at leisure in * 1.7 Matthew Paris, Matthew West∣minster, Henry de Knyghton, Matthew Parker, and Godwin in his Life, (to omit all o∣thers) from whom this Popes predecessors had extorted vast summs of money, and so much vexed, discontented (notwithstanding his pretended Sanctity and miracles) that he left his Bishoprick, and * 1.8 died for meer grief.

And to adde oppression to oppression, this Aegyptian Papal Taxmaster to gratifie Richard Earl of Cornwall, William de Longa Spata, and other English Nobles, to abate or take off their oppositiō against his insufferable exactions, granted thē special Bulls (as he had done to the King of France, and Haco, who had taken up the Crosse, under pretext of ayding them in their voyage to the Holy Land, for which they had crossed themselves) to exact monies from the English, to their great oppression.

Eodem quoque Anno Episcopus Wygorniae, & Willielmus Longa Spata, & Gal∣fridus* 1.9 de Lucy, in Episcopatu Wigorniensi, & multi alii Nobiles de Regno Angliae, exemplo Regis Francorum, & Nobilium de Regno Francorum armati, cruce signaban∣tur circa tempora Rogationum. Willielmus autem Longa Spata, ut de Crucesignatis emolumentum metens ubi non seminavit, prudenter ad instar Comitis Richardi, colligeret, Romanam Curiam adiit, & super negotio suo alloquens Dominum Papam, ait; Domine, videtis quod cruce signor, & in procinctu itineris paratus sum eum Domino Rege Franco∣rum militare Deo peregrinando. Magnum nomen habeo et notum, Willielmus scilicet Longa Spata, sed subest res parva. Dominus enim Rex Angliae meus cognatus, & Dominus naturalis, nomen mihi Comitis cum substantia abstulit: hoc tamen judicialiter & non in ira sua fecit, vel impetu voluntatis, quapropter ipsum non criminor. Ne∣cesse habeo ad sinum misericordiae vestrae paternum refugere, auxilium à vobis in hac ne∣cessitate petiturus. Videmus namque nobilem virum Comitem Richardum, qui licet cru∣ce non signetur, per obtentum gratiae vestrae in hac parte nimis fructiferae, à cruce signato populo non minimam pecuniam vindemiare in Regno Angliae, & ego ex eo spem consequen∣ter accipiens, cruce signatus & indigens, eandem mihi postulo concedendam. Considerans igitur Dominus Papa loquentis facundiam, rationis efficaciam, corporis elegentiam, se ip∣si favorabilem exhibuit, concedens ei in parte quae postulavit, latam videlicet ex aliena cute corrigiam.

* 1.10 Tunc etiam temporis Comes Richardus, authoritate Domini Papae, cujus in∣digentiae clàm & cautè satisfecerat, a cruce signatis infinitam collegit pecuniam, ita quod ab uno Archidiaconatu dicitur sexcentas libras reportasse, harum literarum fretus auctoritate. Consimilique cautela Willus Longa Spata mille marcas et amplius de cruce signatis, ut praescrip∣tum est, reportavit; besides what Archbishop Boniface (qui in partibus transmari∣nis Domino Papae militabat) violently extorted by Excommunications from the Bishops and Clergie of his Province at the same time; of which before.

In regard of the manifold Extortions this year both at home and abroad by the Pope and his agents principally to raise and maintain Wars against the Emperor, Mat. Paris and Matthew Westminster render us this Epitome, and brief character thereof.* 1.11

Transiit igitur annus ille uberrimus in frugibus, in fructibus autem sterilis, Angliae nocivus, Walliae dominator Tyrannicus, Terrae Sanctae inimicus, suspe∣ctus et formidabilis, Ecclesiae nocivus universali, et spoliator turbu∣lentus, Italiae cruentus, Imperio et Curiae Romanae infamis et inimi∣cus, et praecipue Regno Alemanniae martius et hostilis; Regnis Francorum et Anglorum exactor hostilis et praedator turbulentus; odium generans in cordibus Praelatorum, et aliorum plurium contra Pa∣pam, eo quod Patronis violenter spoliatis, suspendit a beneficio∣rum collatione, quod est hactenus inauditum, et contra Dominum Regem, eo quod talia toleravit.

As the Pope thus vexed, oppressed the Clergy and Religious persons on the one hand this year; so Bishop Grosthead and his Ecclesiastical Officers, vexed, oppressed the Nobility and Laity on the other hand, by Bulls & Priviledges obtained at a dear rate from this Pope, as our Historians and Records inform us: For this Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne after a long contest and suit at Rome, Anno Dom. 1245. purcha∣sing from Pope Innocent the 4th. a Priviledge * 1.12 forecited) to visit the Dean, Chap∣ter, Canons, Clerks, Ministers of the Quire, and Cathedral Church of Lincolne, and all

the Ministers, Chaplains, Churches and Parishioners belonginging to the Churches within his Diocesse; et ad correctionem excessorum ac morum reformationem libere admittendum. And likewise, that the Canons of Lincolne should yield and render to him Canonical obedience and reverence; Obligare se tamen ad hoc Iuramento ma∣nuali praestatione, seu promissione minime tēneantur, cum ad hoc con∣suetudine non juveris. The next year (Anno. 1246.) he visited his Diocesse in pursuance of this priviledge, by his Archdeacons, Deans and Officials, and (at the suggestion of the Friers Minorites and Predicants) in his Visitations and Consistories made strict Inquisitions concerning the continency and manners as well of the Noble as ignoble, to the enormous defamation and scandal of many, compelling Laymen to present and give in testimony in these cases upon Oath; an Innovation never used in the Realmes before: The King upon complaint thereof, issued forth Writs to the Sheriff of Lincoln, to inhibit any Lay persons within his County to appear before them to make any Inquisitions, or take any Oath at the will of the Bishop, except only in causes of Matrimony and Testament; which * 1.13 Matthew Paris thus records to posterity, living at that time, within this Diocesse, and taking special Notice of these proceedings.

His quoque diebus cum Episcopus Lincolniensis, supra quàm deceret vel expediret* 1.14 in Subjectos suos, ad suggestionem, ut dicitur, Praedicatorum & Minorum, desaeviret, ita scilicet, ut faceret Inquisitiones districtas per Archidiaconos et De∣canos suos in Episcopatu suo, de continentia et moribus tam No∣bilium quam Ignobilium, in enormem laesionem famae multorum et scandalum, QUOD NUNQUAM FIERI CONSUEVERAT, Dominus Rer audiens super hoc populi graves quaerimonias, CONSILIO CURIAE SUAE, scripsit Vicecomiti Hertfordiae in haec verba,

Henricus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Praecipimus tibi, quod sicut teipsum et omnia tua diligis, non permittas, quod aliqui Laici in Balliva tua ad voluntatem Episcopi Lincolniensis, Archidiaconorum, Offi∣cialium seu Decanorum ruralium in aliquo loco conveniant de cae∣tero AD COGNITIONES PER SACRAMENTUM EORUM, VEL ATTESTA∣TIONES ALIQUAS FACIENDAS, nisi in Causis Matrimonialibus vel Te∣stamentartis. Quod cum audisset Episcopus, asserebat, Dominum Regem quorundam Conspiratorum qui jam in Francia in consimilem audaciam proruperunt, vestigia secu∣rum. An insolent undutifull answer of a furious turbulent wilfull Prelate.

The Conspiracie of the Nobility and Commonalty of France which Grostheads words related to, is thus recorded by Mat. Paris; They being intollerably oppressed by the Insolencies, usurpations of the Pope, French Bishops, and Clergy upon their antient Liberties, Rights, Priviledges, by citing them into their Ecclesiastical Courts for Temporal Matters and causes belonging to the Civil Jurisdiction; judging them by new Canons and Constitutions made by themselves alone, without com∣mon consent in their Parliaments; when as they ought rather to be Judged by the Nobles and Laity, by whose Valour and Liberality they enjoyed all their Ecclesia∣stical Priviledges and possessions; Excommunicating, interdicting, enforcing them to take new Oathes, and tyrannizing over them at their pleasures, as if they were slaves, and vassals, rather then Freemen, they thereupon after all other fruitlesse complaints entred into a Solemne League and Confederacy against them, to vindicate and regain their antient Rights and Priviledges.

Cum vero dierum istorum fluenta prolaberentur, tepuit devotio fidelium,* 1.15 et filialis affectus Charitatis, quem quilibet Christianus adversus Patrem nostrum spiritualem, videlicet Dominum Papam gerere teneretur, non sine animarum periculo, laesus deperiit, imo et in o∣dium execrabile, et maledictiones occultas est conversus. Vide∣bant enim omnes et singuli, et videntes sentiebant, ipsum Domi∣num Papam pecuniae et pecuniarum rapinis, in multorum damnum, et depauperationem insatiabiliter inhiare. Nec credebant jam multi ipsum potestatem beato Petro concessam coelitus, videlicet, ligandi et solvendi obtinere, qui penitus beato Petro dissimilis pro∣babatur.

Resolutum est igitur os magna loquentium et obloquen∣tium* 1.16 ubique locorum, et praecipue in Francia. In qua quidem multi Nobiles in ipsum Papam et Ecclesiam, quod nunquam memini∣mus evenisse, conspirabant, sicut in hac Chartula quae Gallica lin∣gua conscribitur, quia sic ad notitiam nostram pervenit, poterit considerari.

A tous ceux qui ces lettres verront, nous tous desquels les seaux pendent en cest pre∣sent escript, faisons scavoir, que nous par la foy de nos corps avons fiance tant nous comme nos eirs a tousiours, a aydder les uns aux autres, et a tous ceux de nos terres, et d'autres terres, qui vouldront estre de ceste compagnie, a pourchasser et a requirir et a defendre nos droitz et les leurs en bonne fay envers la Clergie. Et pour ce qe serroit grieve chose nous tous assembler pour ceste besoigne, nous avons eslu par le common assent et octory de nous tous, le Duc de Bur∣goine, le Conte Perrun de Bretagne, le Conte de Angulesme, et le Con∣te de S. Pol, a ce que si aucuns de ceste communite avoit a faire en∣vers la Clergie, tel ayd comme ces quatre devantdits esgarderoi∣ent que un homme luy deust faire, nous luy ferious. Et cest a sca∣voir, que a se defendre, pourchasser et requerir, chascun de ceste com∣munite mettre la centiesme part par son serment de la vaillance de un an de la terre quil tiendra. Ct chascun riche homme de ceste com∣pagnie fera lever ces deneers chascun an a son povoir a la Purifi∣fication nostre Dame, et les deliura ou il sera mestier pour ceste besoigne, par les letres pendantes de ces quatre avout nommez, ou des deux de eux. Et il aucun avoit tort, et il ne vouloit laisser par ces quatre avant nommez, il ne serroit pas ayde de la Communi∣te. Et si aucun de ceste compagnie estoit excommunie par tort, cognu par ces quatre, que la Clergie luy feist, il ne lasseroit aller son droit ne sa querele pour les Communiment, ne pour autre chose qu'on luy face, si ce n'est par l'accord de ces quatre, ou de deux de eux, ains poursuiveroit sa droiture. Et si les deux des quatre moureroient ou alloient hors de la terre, les autres deux qui demuroient, mettroi∣ent autres deux en lieu de ces deux, qui auroient tel pouoir que est a devant divi∣se. Et sil advenoit que les trois, & les quatre allassent hors de la terre, ou mouris∣sent, les douze ou les dix des riches de ceste communite esliront autres quatre, qui auront ce mesme pouvoir que les quatre devant ditz. Et si ces quatre, ou aucun de la Communite par le Commandement de ces quatre, faisent aucune besoigne, qui appertensist a ceste Communite, la Communite l'en delivreroit.

Quia Clericorum superstitio, non attendens quod bellis et quo∣rundam sanguine sub Carolo Magno et aliis, Regnum Franclae de Erro∣re* 1.17 gentilium ad fidem Catholicam sit conversum, primo quadam humilitate nos seduxit, quasi vulpes se nobis opponentes, ex ipso∣rum castrorum reliquiis, quae a nobis habuerunt fundamentum, ju∣risdictionem secularium Principum sic absorbent, ut filii servorum secundum suas leges judicent liberos et filios liberorum, quam∣vis secundum leges priorum Triumphatorum, deberent a nobis potius judicari, et per Novas Constitutiones non deberet Ante∣cessorum nostrorum consuetudinibus derogari, cum nos deterioris conditionis faciant, quam Deus etiam voluit esse Sentiles, cum dixerit, Reddite quae sunt Caesaris Caesari, & quae sunt Dei Deo. Nos omnes Regni majores attento animo percipientes, quod regnum non per jus scriptum, nec per Clericorum arrogantiam, sed per sudores bellicos fuerit adquisitum, praesenti decreto omnium jura∣mento statuimus et sancimus, ut nullus Clericus vel Laicus ali∣um

de caetero trahat in causam coram ordinario Judice, vel Dele∣gato, nisi super Haeresi, matrimonio, vel usuris, amissione omnium bonorum, et unius membri multilatione transgressionibus immi∣nente, certis a nobis super hoc Executoribus deputatis, ut sic Ju∣risdictio nostra resuscitata respiret, et ipsi hactenus ex nostra de∣pauperatione ditati, quibus Dominus propter eorum superbiam prophanas voluit revelare contentiones, reducantur ad statum Ec∣clesiae primitivae, et in contemplatione viventes, nobis sicut decet activam vitam ducentibus, ostendant miracula, quae dudum a se∣culo recesserunt.

Haec cum audisset Papa, ingemuit spiritu perturbato, & cupiens eorum emollire corda, & constantiam enervare, admonitione praemissa eos minis perterruit, nec se sic sensit praevalere. Contulit igitur multis consanguineorum eorum multa benefi∣cia Ecclesiastica, & licentiam* 1.18 plura obtinendi cum indulgentiis multis, necnon & plura ipsis Nobilibus contulit donativa, & sic multos eorum à praedicta praesumpti∣one revocavit. Multos tamen perterruit hujusmodi tenor Epistolae, credebaturque haec a consensu Frederici emanasse, maximè cum hujusmodi clausula finalis concor∣det Epistolae Frederici quam multis misit Principibus. in cujus fine sic dicit, Semper fuit nostrae intentio voluntatis, Clericos cujuscunque ordinis ad ••oc inducere, & maximè maximos, ut tales perseberarem in fine, quales fuerunt in Ecclesia primitiva Apostolicam vitam ducentes humilitatem Dominicam unitantes. Tales nam∣que Clerici solebant Angelos intueri, miraculis coruscare, &c. Require in anno 1245 in Epistola Frederici ad Regem Angliae missa & singulis Principibus.

That the Kings, Nobles, and Parliaments of France and Normandy▪, somewhat be∣fore and after this, declared, protested in sundry notable Writings and Declarations, That neither the Pope nor his Legates had any right or power at all to Interdict, or Excommunicate the Realm or Kings of France; neither he, nor the Archbishops, Bishops, or Clergy of France, any Jurisdiction to Excommunicate or inflict any Ec∣clesiastical Censures upon the Kings Barons, Ministers, Officers, without the Kings Royal assent; that they commanded Bishops and Ecclesiastical Courts to absolve their Subjects when Excommunicated; allowed them power to hold Plea of Chat∣tels only in three cases, you may read at large in Preuves des Libertez de Leglise Gallicane, cap. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, &c. I shall recite but two instances, the first re∣lating to Normandy whiles subject to the Kings of England.

Extraict d'un Acte des Barons de Normandie, qui declare les Droicts du Roy sur* 1.19 les Eglises & personnes Ecclesiastiques de Normandie, An. D m. 1205.

Notum facimus universis, ad quos praesens scriptum pervenerit, quod nos juravimus super Sacrosancta Evangelia, quod jura quae Henricus & Richardus quondam Reges Angliae habuerunt in Normannia, adversus Clerum & apud Lexovaeum & alibi, & jura nostra diceremus.

Item diximus per Sacramentum nostrum, quod Archiepiscopus vel Epis∣copus, vel alia inferior Ecclesiastica persona, non debet ferre sen∣tentiam Excommunicationis in Barones, vel in Ballivos, aut in Servientes Domini Regis, aut in Clericos domus suae, Rege non requisito, vel suo Senescallo.

Item diximus per Sacrament um nostrum, quod nulla Ecclesiastica persona debet aliquem trahere in causam pro fide, vel pro Sacramento quod fiat de feodo Laico, vel Castello hominis Laici, sed si fides data fuerit de Catallo Maritagii, vel de Legato Mortui, vel Catallo Clerici, vel Crucesignati, de causa illa bene possunt judicare.

Item diximus per Sacramentum nostrum, quod in feoda terrae Gornaii et fe∣ritatis, et Goellenfontis non debet Archiepiscopus tenere nisi tria tau∣tum placita, scilicet de Maritagio, et Legato Martui, et de Catallo Clerici. Actum Rothomagi Anno gratiae 1205. mense Novembris, Dominica post Octavem Festi Omnium Sanctorum, cum viginti Sigillis.

This was the only Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction the Clergy of Normandy enjoyed▪ whiles under our English Kings.

The second is this memorable Declaration, Prohibition, Arrest of King Charles the 5th. of France, and his Parliament, declaring the antient Priviledge of the Kings of France enjoyed time out of minde, (agreeing with this in Matthew Paris) That the Kings Officers and Subjects ought not to be cited, vexed, excommunicated, in∣terdicted by any Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacons, or other Ecclesiastical persons for executing their Offices; commanding them to revoke their illegal Excommuni∣cations and Interdicts denounced against them, for not delivering Clerks imprisoned for Murder upon their Ordinaries demands, and seising their Temporalties, and summoning them to answer their contempts therein.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mandatum Pa∣pae fratri Jo∣hanni de Ordi∣ne Minorum.
• * 1.2

  Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. p. 707, 708, 709 Convocatio Nobilium Ang∣liae ad Parlia∣mentum.
• * 1.3

  Matth. Paris p. 708. Applicat in Angliam Sabi∣nensis Episco∣pus Cardinalis Legatus.
• * 1.4

  Page 716.
• * 1.5

  Here, p. 686▪
• * 1.6

  * Hist. Angl. p 709. Odo Archie∣piscopus Ro∣thomagus obiit.
• * 1.7

  Hist. Angl. p. 607, to 612. 696. Additamenta, p. 158. Anno 1246, 1247. De E∣ventibus Ang∣liae, l. 2. c. 14.
• * 1.8

  Here p. 563, 564.
• * 1.9

  * Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 709. Willielmus de Longa Spata, cum aliis No∣bilibus cruce signatur.
• * 1.10

  Mat. Paris, p. ••11. ••••degit Co∣mes Richardus pecuniam de Cruce signatis.
• * 1.11

  * Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. An. 1247. p. 717. Mat. Westm. p. 216. Brevis totius Anni descriptio
• * 1.12

  Here, p. 629, 630. Mat. Pa∣ris, p. 667, 668
• * 1.13

  Hist. Angl. Angliae. p. 693, 694.
• * 1.14

  Rex prohibet Inquisitiones ab Episcopo Lincolniensi Institutas.
• * 1.15

  * Mat. Paris p. 697, 698. Preuves des Li∣bertez de Leg∣lise Gallicane, p. 229, 230. Conspiratio quorundam Nobilium Franciae contra Papam.
• * 1.16

  Nota.
• * 1.17

  Aliud Scriptum contra Clerum.
• * 1.18

  Licenses for Pluralities how introduced.
• * 1.19

  Preuves des Li∣bertez de Leg∣lise Gallicane, cap. 4. p. 165. & cap. 35. P. 1263.