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.

REX Episcopo Lincoln. salutem. Ex querela multorum accepimus* 1.1 tam Magnatum de Diocaesi vestra quam aliorum, per quosdam Clericos vestros et Decanos quosdam citari facitis passim, et in∣differenter pauperes homines de Diocaesi vestra, et quosdam libe∣ros homines cujuscunque sint homines, et trahitis eos de locis va∣riis ad loca varia, et eos artari faciatis, per poenam Excommunica∣tionis, ad comparendum coram praedictis Clericis et subditis vestris ad loca varia, et eis honerosa, dum vacare deberent agrorum cul∣tur•• et aliis Temporalibus agendis suis necessariis, per quod depau∣perantur indebite, et enormiter vexantur. Et insuper quod inau∣ditum est, eos jurare compellunt praedicti scrutatores vestri de pri∣vatis peccatis aliorum, quae non sunt, ut dicitur, publica cohercione purganda; pro quo multi Christiani, forte praeter merita turpiter dif∣famantur. Et quia hujusmodi vexationes contra longam Consue∣tudinem Regni nostri sunt excogitatae, et duplex populo per eas im∣minet periculum, tum propter laborum necessariorum amissionem, tum propter Sacramentum praestitum super privatis factis aliorum, in quibus homines decipiuntur, per quod reatum perjurii de facili possunt incurrere; Vobis prohibemus, ne de caetero hujusmodi con∣vocationes populi fieri faciatis in Diocaesi vestra, contra Regni no∣stri Consuetudinem et usum longaevum. Nec etiam audivimus, quod Ecclesia consueverit aliquem ad testimonium perhibendum compellere, nisi in certis causis, et nisi quis se gratia, odio vel ti∣more subtraxerit a testimonio perhibendo. Et sciatis, quod nisi a praedictis inusitatis populi ac indebitis vexationibus desistatis, nos sustinere non poterimus ulterius, quin ad hoc manus Regias appo∣nemus. Teste Rege apud Windes. 14. die Junii.

By these premised passages and Regal Writs of Prohibition, it is most evident:

1. That Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, by colour of a pretended Priviledge and Grant from the Pope, (not King) was the first Introducer of Inquisitions upon Oath, and Oathes in private causes, into the Church, Realm of England, in the 30. year of King Henry the 3d. there being no warrant nor president (for ought I can find upon my strictest search) in Histories or Records, of any such Inquisitions or Oathes used in England or elsewhere, by Bishops or Ecclesiastical persons in their Visitations or Consistories. And no wonder, since a 1.2 Origen, b 1.3 Athanasius, c 1.4 Ambrose, d 1.5 Jerome, e 1.6 Chrysostome, f 1.7 Hilary, g 1.8 Epiphanius, h 1.9 Cromatius Aquili•• Episcopus, i 1.10 Euthymi••s, k 1.11 Oecumenius, l 1.12 Theophylactus, and other Ancients collected by m 1.13 Sixtus Senensis, from Mat. 5. 34, to 38. But I say unto you, swear not at all, &c. but let your com∣munication be Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay, for whatsoever is more then these cometh of evil: and Jam. 5. 12. But above all things my Brethren swear not, &c. but let your Yea be Yea, and your Nay, Nay, le••t you fall into condemnation: and the n 1.14 Waldenses, with sundry modern Commentators, condemned the usual imposing of Oathes (in∣terdicted to Christians under the Gospel) as dangerous, and not to be enforced upon any, (unless in extraordinary cases of necessity, for ending controversies) especially by, or on Clergymen: Whence the Author of the imperfect Work on Matthew (attributed to St. Chrysostome) thus admonished Clerks who tendred Oathes to others: o 1.15 Audite

Clerici, qui exigentibus▪ Evangelia Sancta porrigatis; quomodo potestis ab illo Jura∣mento esse securi, qui occasionem perjurii datis? Si erat benè jurare justum, justè dice∣batis; Quia de dimus illis Evangelium, ut jurent, non ut perjurent: nunc autem, cum sciatis, quia & benè jurare peccatum est: quomodo potestis esse liberi, qui occasionem datis peccandi in Deum? Haec de illis dicta sunt, qui jurant per Deum; eorum autem, qui jurant per elementa, execrabilior iniquitas est. Those Fathers and Godly Bishops then, who writ thus * 1.16 against the ordinary imposing of Oathes under the Gospel, did never doubtless prescribe or enforce them on any in their Consistories or Visitations. Besides, it is most apparent, that antient Councils and Popes were very carefull to inhibit the imposing of Oathes upon Clergymen or Laymen, to prevent Perjury: Hence the p 1.17 Council of Cavailon under the Emperor Charles the Great, about the year 813. prohibited Bishops from exacting an Oath of Canonical obedience from Clergymen; or any Oath from Laymen in cases of Tythes, by these expresse Canons. Can. 13. Dictū est de quibusdam Fratribus, quod eos quos ordinaturi sunt, jurare cogunt, quod digni sint, et contra Canones non sint facturi, et obedientes sint Episcopo, qui eos ordinat, et Ecclesiae, in qua ordinantur: Quod juramentum, quia periculosum est, omnes una inhibendum statui∣mus. And Can. 18. Qui verò Decimas post crebras admonitiones & praedicationes Sacerdotum dare neglexerint, Excommunicentur, Iuramento vero eos con∣stringi nolumus propter periculum perjurii. And our q 1.18 Statutes of Magna Charta, c. 28. of Marlbridge, 51 H. 3. c. 22. 3 E. 1. c. 30. & 2 E. 6. c. 13. prohibite Oathes of Parties and Champions upon the like account, to prevent Perjury. Pope Cornelius (as r 1.19 Gratian attests) affirmed in one of his Decrees, Nos ab Episcopis Sacramentum nescimus oblatum, (therefore not then used in their Courts or Visitations) nec unquam fieri debet nisi pro recta fide. Yea, Pope Honorius the 2. Pope Eugenius the 2. and the s 1.20 Council of Lateran under Pope Alexander the 3d. Anno 1180. expresly decreed and resolved according to former Canons, and Justinians Laws, Ʋt jurare Clerici omnino non audeant; Dignum est ut totus Clericalis ordo à praestando juramento immunis esse proculdubio censeatur. Nos itaque utriusque legis divinae & humanae intentione servata, decrevimus, ut non Episcopus, non Presbyter, non cujuslibet Ordinis Clericus, non Abbas, non Monachus, non Sanctimonialis, in quacunque causa vel controversia, sive crimi∣nali sive civili, jusjurandum compellatur qualibet ratione subire. Verum cum hac moderatione, ut Episcopus inconsulto Romano Pontifice, vel quilibet Praelatus inconsulto Praelato suo, minime jurare audeat: Et si quis in hanc constitu∣tionem commiserit, veniam sibi deinceps noverit denegari. If then no Bishop, Monk, Clergyman, may be compelled by Judges or Laymen to swear, much lesse then should they compel Laymen or Clergymen to swear before themselves. Moreover▪ Pope * 1.21 Eugenius resolves, Canones Juramentum calumniae nulli prorsus indicunt. Sanè Romana Ecclesia in quibus causis de Decimis Ecclesiarum & rebus spiritualibus tantum agitur, Iuramentum calumniae nec dare, nec recipere consuevit: nor yet the Church of England, till Otto the Popes Legate introduced it in a Council at London An. 1237. forecited p. 439. much lesse then did the Church of Rome or England use or enjoyn any such Visitation, Inquisition, or Ex Officio Oathes as these Writs pro∣hibited. Finally, Pope Paschal the 2. and the whole t 1.22 Council of Rome An. 1112. with other Councils, Popes since, resolve, That Oathes imposed by force, and taken by con∣straint against mens wills, are not only unlawfull, but also void and unobliging: Therefore the enforced Visitation & other Oathes of Bishop Grosthead, his Archdeacons, Deans, Officials were such, and justly prohibited, suppressed by the King and his Courts at their first introduction. The u 1.23 Council of Friburge under Arnulphus the Emperor A••▪ 893. c. 11. De querimonia inter Presbyterum & Laicum, resolves, Laicus praejuramento, si necesse sit, constringatur; Presbyter vero vice praejuramenti per sanctam consecrationem interrogetur, quia Sacerdotes ex levi cau∣sa jurare non debent. Manus enim per quam corpus & sanguis Christi conficitur (& will not the self-same reason hold in a Laymans hand, per quam corpus & sanguis Christi recipitur) juramento polluetur? Absit, cum Dominus in Evangelio Disci∣pulus suis (quorum vicem nos gerimus in Ecclesia) dicat, Nolite omnino jurare, sit* 1.24 autem sermo vester, Est, Est, & Non, Non; quod autem his abundantius est, à malo

est: Non dixit, quod amplius est, malum est, sed à malo; id est, a mals homine de cujus incredulitate cogimur jurare. And if those who presse others to swear be evil uncredulous men, by this Councils and our * 1.25 Venerable Beda his Exposition on this Text, then Bishop Grosthead, his and all other Ecclesiastical Offi∣cers, compelling Laymen to swear as aforesaid, were evil uncredulous men, and their Inquisitions, Oathes most justly inhibited by the King, his Courts, Counsil, and op∣posed by the Nobility, Laity of his Diocesse, and the whole Realm, as a dangerous Innovation, not formerly practised in our Church or Realm.

2ly. It is evident by the premises, that both the Kings, Nobles, and Commonalty of England and France in that age, magnanimously, unanimously and strenuously oppugned the Usurpations, Encroachments, Innovations of the Pope, Prelates, Cler∣gy, upon the Rights, Priviledges of the Crown, and Liberties, Consciences of the Subject, against their extravagant Visitations, Inquisitions, Oathes, Excommunicati∣ons, Canons, and new Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions, to preserve themselves from per∣jury, slavery, and unjust vexations.

3ly. That these Inquisitions, Oathes, and the enforcing of them by Ecclesiastical Censures on the Subjects, by these Bishops and their Officers, were generally, fre∣quently opposed, and publickly complained against to the King, as well by the No∣bility as Commonalty, and most strictly prohibited by special Writs of Prohibition, successively issued by the King, his Counsil, Courts, Judges, who all resolved these Oathes and Inquisitions to be, 1. New illegal grievances, then first introduced, contrary to the Custome and long-continued usage of this Realm. 2ly. Very pre∣judicial to the Kings Crown and Royal Dignity. 3ly. New devised intollerable vexations, grievances, oppressions to his Subjects, and that in four respects: 1. Be∣cause they tended to the enormous defamation, and intollerable scandal of many of his Subjects of all ranks, and of both sexes. 2ly. Because they occasioned great schisms and divisions amongst his people. 3ly. Because they withdrew them from their Husbandry, and other necessary temporal occasions, to dance attendance from time to time, and place to place on them and their Officers, to their grand vexation and impoverishing. 4ly. Because they involved them in the danger or guilt of perjury, by enforcing them to swear concerning the secret, private actions of others, wherein they might easily be mistaken. All which reasons remain still in full force, against all such like Oathes, Inquisitions, Innovations, Vexations of Bishops, Archdeacons, Rural Deans, Officials, and other Ecclesiastical Officers: which the King, his Courts, Judges, Counsil, may and ought by Law to prohibite, redresse from time to time by like Writs of Prohibition for the Subjects relief upon all occa∣sions; as is evident by these six antient successive Writs, the Register of Writs, part 2. f. 36. Fitzherbert Natura Brevium, f. 41. a. Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Tit. Prohibition, sect. 5. and x 1.26 other Law-books concurring with these Writs.

4ly. That Bishops, Archdeacons, Officials, and other Ecclesiastical Officers and Courts, had then no legal authority by the antient Laws, usage, Custom of this Realm, to administer any Oath to Laymen, except only in causes of Matrimony and Testament, as these Prohibitions, with sundry others hereafter cited in their due Chronological order, the Statutes of 2 H. 5 c. 3. 2 E. 6. c. 13. and the last recited Lawbooks, resolve.

5ly. That y 1.27 Bishops have been and may be legally attached, and their Temporal∣ties seized into the Kings hands, if they prejudice the Kings Crown, Dignity, or vex his Subjects by administring, enforcing illegal Oathes and Articles of Inquiry upon them by Excommunications and other Ecclesiastical Censures, contrary to the Laws and antient Custom of the Realm.

6ly. That by the z 1.28 antient Laws and Custom of this Realm, no new Oathes what∣soever may or ought to be framed, imposed on any of the Kings Subjects, by any Bi∣shops, Ecclesiastical, or other persons whatsoever▪ nor any old legal Oathes altered, but by special Acts of Parliament, prescribing both the forme, words of the Oathes themselves, and the persons who shall take and administer them, who must be specially authorized either by express words in the Acts themselves, or by special Commissions from the King under the Great Seal of England, to administer them when made, and not otherwise. This is most apparent by all the Oathes heretofore prescribed to Justi∣ces of the Kings Courts, Justices of Oyer and Terminer, and of the Peace, Barons and Officers of the Exchequer, Sheriffs, Under-Sheriffs, the Officers of the Court of Wards

and Liveries, the Court of Augmentations, Customers, Searchers, Commissioners of Sewers, of Castles and Holds, Conservators of the Truce, Bayliffs of Franchises, Coroners, Sheriffs Clerks, Attornies, the Kings Privy Counsil, Knights of Shires, Burgesses of Parliament, Champions, Clerks of the Council, Mayors, and other Officers; by the several Oathes of Fealty, Allegiance and Supremacy, made from time to time for the necessary preservation of the Sacred Persons of our Kings, the safety of the Kingdom, and defence of the Rights, Priviledges, Jurisdiction of the Crown against all Papal Usurpations, and Treasonable practises whatsoever, all made, prescribed by * 1.29 special Acts of Parliament, as these ensuing resolve us: 9 H. 3. c. 28. 51 H. 3. c. 14. 3 E. 1. c. 40. 6 E. 1. c. 8. 13 E. 1. c. 43. 13 E. 1. Stat. of Winchester c. 6. 13 E. 1. Stat. Merchant, and Articles of Inquisition upon the Statute of Winche∣ster, 34 E. 1. Statute of Liberties, c. 6. Totles Magna Charta, 1556. f. 164, to 168. Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Coroners sect. 3. 9. E. 2. Statute of Sheriffs, 17 E. 2. c. 4. 1 E. 3. Parl. 1. c. 8. Parl. 2. c. 4. 5 E. 3. c. 2. 9 E. 3. of Money, c. 9. 15 E. 3. c. 3, 4. 15 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 10, 20, 28, 37, 41, 42, 17 E. 3. Rot. Parl. n. 11. 18 E. 3. Star. 3. 20 E. 3. c. 1, 2, 3. & Rot. Parl. num. 25. Rastal Justice and Justices, sect. 2, 3, 4. and Clerks of the Chancery, sect. 1. 21 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 7. 25 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 10. 25 E. 3. Stat. 1. c. 5. Stat. 4. c. 1. Stat. 7. of levying the Quin∣disme, 27 E. 3. Stat. 2. c. 1, 15, 16, 23, 24, 26. 31 E. 3. Stat. 2. 5 R. 2. Stat. 1. c. 11, 13, 14. 5 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 74. 6 R. 2. c. 12. 7 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 27. 9 R. 2. c. 3. 11 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 23. 12 R. 2. c. 8. 13 R. 2. c. 7. 14 R. 2. c. 3. 17 R. 2. c. 9. 17 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 18. 21 R. 2. c. 5. 21 R. ••. Rot. Parl. num. 21, 37, to 44, 51, 52, 53, 89. 1 H. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 38. 4 H. 4. c. 10, 18, 20, 21. 8 H. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 66. 11 H. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 14, 39, 63. 1 H. 5. c. 6. 2 H. 5. c. 4, 6, 7. 4 H. 5. c. 2, 4. 1 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 62. 2 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 17. 2 H. 6. c. 10. 11 H. 6. c. 8. 11 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 14, 15, 16. 18 H. 6. c. 4, 10. 20 H. 6. c. 10. 23 H. 6. c. 2. 33 H. 6. c. 3, 5. 39 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 25, 26, 29. 3 E. 4. c. 3. 7 E. 4. c. 1. 8 E. 4. c. 2. 12 E. 4. c. 2, 3. 17 E. 4. c. 2. 1 R. 3. c. 6. 19 H. 7. c. 7. 22 H. 8. c. 8, 14. 23 H. 8. c. 5. 25 H. 8. c. 22. 26 H. 8. c. 2. 28 H. 8. c. 7. 10, 16. 31 H. 8. c. 14. 32 H. 8. c. 46. 33 H. 8. c. 22. 2 & 3 Phil. & Mar. c. 1. 1 Eliz. c. 11. 5 Eliz. c. 1. 8 Eliz. c. 1. 13 Eliz. c. 7. 18 Eliz. c. 6. 27 Eliz. c. 12. 29 Eliz. c. 4. 43 Eliz. c. 1, 2. 1 Jac. c. 9. 3 Jac. c. 4. 7 Jac. c. 2, 6, 8. ••1 Jac. c. 7. 20, 33. 1 Car. 1. c. 1. 2 Car. 1. c. 1. The Petition of Right 3 Car. 1. 17 Car. 1. An Act for repeal of the Branch of the Statute of 1 Eliz. c. 1. (a meer Declaration of the an∣tient Common Law of England in point of administring Oaths by Ecclesiastical Courts and Persons) and the Act for Explanation of a Clause therein 13 Car. 2. p. 66, 67. The Acts for well Governing and Regulating of Corporations, An. 13 Car. 2. p. 11. 12, 13, 14, 15. The Act against Quakers and others refusing to take lawfull Oathes, p. 3, 4, 5, 7. The Act for Ordering the forces in the several Counties of this Kingdom, p. 53, 54. An Act for the Uniformity of publike Prayers, &c. p 73, 77, 80. An Act for Regulating the making of Stuffs in Norfolke and Norwich, p. 49, 108, 110. An Act for Distribution and supply of Threescore thousand pounds, &c. for relief of Poor and maimed Officers and Soldiers, p. 178, 188. An Act for preventing Frauds, and regulating Abuses in his Majesties Customs, p. 210, 219, 238, 239. An Act for regulating the Trade of Silkthrowing, p. 290. An Additional Act concerning matters of Assurances used among Merchants, p. 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, An Act for repairing of Dover Harbour, p. 389, 392. An Act for the better Regulating of the Manufacture of Broad Wollen Cloth within the West riding of the County of Yorke, p. 411, 413, Anno 13 Caroli 2. with sundry other Acts made since, resolve. As all these Acts in general, so more particularly, The late Act for Safety and Preser∣vation of his Majesties Person and Government, against Treasonable and Seditious Practices and Attempts, Anno 13 Caroli 2. p. 6. resolves and declares, That the Oath usually called. The Solemne League and Covenant, (being not made by Act of Parliament, and without the Kings Royal Assent) was in it selfe an un∣lawfull Oath, and imposed upon the Subjects of this Realm against the Fundamental Lawes and Liberties of this King∣dom; and that all Orders and Ordinances of both or either Houses of Parliament. (though all the Bishops as well as Temporal Lords be Members of, and present in them: much more then of any Council, Synod, Arch∣bishop,

Bishop, Archdeacon, Co••missary, or other Ecclesiastical person or officer out of Parliament) FOR IMPOSING OF OATHES, to which the Kings Royal assent either in person or by Commission was not expresly had or given (and by consequence all other Oaths hereafter so made or imposed in or out of Parl.) were in their first creation and making, and still are, & so shall be taken to BE NULL AND VOID TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES WHATSOEVER. And Sir Edward Cooke in his * 1.30 4. Institutes, from the considerati∣on of some of these Acts, asserts, That an Oath is so sacred, and so deeply concerneth the consciences of Christian men, as the same cannot be ministred to any, unless the same be * 1.31 allowed by the Common Law, or by some Act of Parliament: That no old Oath allowed by the Common Law, or an Act of Parliament, can be altered, nor any New Oath raised without an Act of Parliament, nor any Oath administred by any that have not allowance by the Common Law, or by an Act of Parliament. And so was it resolved in Parliament, Anno 26 Elizabeth. in the case of the Ʋndersheriff, and in the case of Commissioners for Policies of Assurance; in which Parliament I attended (writes he) as Attorney General. Whereunto he subjoynes, That Oathes which have no warrant by Law, are rather Nova Tormenta, quàm Sacramenta: and that it is an high contempt to* 1.32 administer any (old, much more then to make or impose a New) Oath, without warrant of Law, to be punished by Fine and Imprisonment: And therefore Commissioners that sit by force of any Commission that is not allowed by the Com∣mon Law, nor warranted by Authority of Parliament, (much lesse then such who have no Commission at all from the King under the Great Seal, but only from a Bishop,* 1.33 Archdeacon, or other Subject) that ministreth any Oath whatsoever, are guil∣ty of an high contempt, and for the same are to be fyned and imprisoned: And no Commissions are legal but such as are allowed by the Common Law, or warranted by some Act of Parliament: And therefore Commissions (much more Articles) of new Inqui∣ries, or of Novel Inventions are against Law, and ought not to be put in Exe∣cution. Dors. Claus. An. 19 R. 2. n. 17. Certain poor Christians that had spoken a∣gainst the worshipping of Images, were by the Bishops inquired of, and sworn to worship Images, which Oath was against the express Law of God, and against the Lawes of the Land, for that they had no warrant to minister the same. And in his 12. Report, f. 26, 27. Pasch. 4 Jacobi, He reports, That upon a motion made by the Commons in Parliament, in what cases the Ordinary may examine any person upon Oath? Chief Justice Popham and himself upon a reference and de∣mand from the Lords of the Counsil, touching this question, upon good considera∣tion and view of the Books resolved, That the Ordinary cannot constrain any Eccle∣siastical or temporal person upon their Oathes to answer in cases of Infamy, Adultery, In∣continency, Felony, Simony, hearing of Masse, Heresie, &c. but only of Matrimony, and Testaments, it being not only against the antient Lawes of the Realm, but also in prejudice of the Kings Crown and Diginty, as they proved by the forecited Books and Prohibitions. After these Prohibitions, I do not find by our Histories or Records, that any Bishops made Inquisitions upon Oath in their Visitations or Consistories from 36 H. 3. till Queen Maries dayes, when * 1.34 Bishop Boner introduced them: Yea b 1.35 William Lindewood our greatest Canonist and Advocate for Episcopal Ju∣risdiction, and the Canon Law, flourishing and made Bishop in King Henry the 6. his reign, writing of Episcopal Inquisitions, asserts, That solemn preparatory Inquisitions are regularly made, sine exactione Iuramenti, without exaction of an Oath; That from the beginning, when a general Inquisition is to be made (by Archbishops, Bishops, or Archdeacons in their Visitations,) non debet exigi Iuramentum, an Oath ought not to be exacted, especially by which any one shall be constrained to detect another mans secret finne or offence. And Angelus de Elavasio a famous Canonist, writing about the year of our Lord, 1480. in his * 1.36 Summa Angelica, resolves, That Bishops and other Visitors in their Visitations, ought first to preach the word of God, and afterwards Inquirat et sine Iuramento et coactione, they are to inquire of those things which belong to their office to correct, without an Oath and coaction, inducing the people to reform those things that are amisse, by wholesome connsels and gentle perswasions, or

or by reprehentions, as they shall deem meet. This course was observed in all the Vi∣sitations of our Archbishops of Canterbury recorded by d 1.37 Matthew Parker, or God∣win in their Lives, out of our Historians, and their own Registers, wherein I finde no mention of any Inquiry or presentations upon Oath; witnesse the Visita∣tions of Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Kylwarby, John Peckham, Wal∣ter Raynolds, John Stratford, Simon Islippe, William Courtney, Thomas Arundell, Thomas Bourgchier, John Morton, and others. All which I thought fit from these pre∣sidents to demonstrate, for vindication of the Kings Prerogative, the antient Laws, Customs of the Realm, the Subjects Liberties, and others information. I now re∣turn to my former Chronological method and theam.

K. Henry the 3. not only to evidence his Devotion, (though Superstitious) but Ec∣clesiastical* 1.38 Jurisdiction in Spiritual and Religious things, Feasts, and Reliques, as they were then reputed: Circa idem tempus, scripsit Dominus Rex omnibus Regni sui Magnatibus, ut in festo Sancti Aedvardi, videlicet translatione, quae celebratur in Quindena Sancti Michaelis, jubens ut omnes ibidem convenirent, ut joeundissimos cujusdam Sancti beneficii coelitus Anglis nuper collati, rumores exaudirent: Et prae∣tereà, ut tam gloriosi Regis & Martyris translationem venerarentur: tertio, ut Willielmi de Valentia fratris sui uterini, quem ipse Rex ea die baltheo cincturus erat militari, cum quibusdam Nobilibus juvenibus, interessent tyroeinio: ut sie festum multiplex praesentia ipsorum Magnatum, tàm Praelatorum, quàm aliorum, jocundi∣or, ad Regis & Regni honorem, serenaretur. Die igitur praefixo convenientes apud Westmonasterium, certificati de die Sancti Aedvardi, & dicti Willielmi tyrocinio, sciscitabantur, quinam essent illi jocundi rumores, quos ibidem forent audituri? Qui relati fuerunt fideles, & omni acceptione digni. Magister enim Templi & Hospi∣talis, cum testimonio quamplurimorum sigillorum, videlicet Patriarchae Hierosolymi∣tani, Archiepiscoporum quoque & Episcoporum, Abbatum & aliorum Praelatorum & Magnatum de Terra Sancta, miserant quandam portionem sanguinis Dominici, quem pro salute mundi fudit in cruce, in quodam vase crystallino venustissimo, per quendam fratrem Templarium benè notum. Dominus autem Rex, utpote Princeps Christianissimus, ab Augusto Heraclio victoriosissimo ac piissimo Imperatore, crucem Sanctam exaltante, & à Rege Francorum, tune superstite, crucem eandem, ut prae∣scribitur, Parisiis honorante, sumens exemplum; devoto spiritu ac contrito in vi∣gilia Sancti Aedmundi, in pane & aqua jejunans, & nocte vigilans, cum ingenti lu∣mine, & devotis orationibus, se ad crastinam solennitatem prudenter praeparavit.

Praecepit igitur Dominus Rex, ut omnes Presbyteri Londinenses festivè vestiti su∣perpelliciis* 1.39 & capis, cum suis Clericis decenter vestitis, cum vexillis, crucibus, & cereis accensis, die crastina, videlicet Sancti Aedvardi, summo mane ordinatè & re∣verenter convenirent apud Sanctum Paulum. Quo & ipse Rex venit, & cum sum∣mo honore & reverentia ac timore accipiens illud vasculum cum Thesauro memora∣to, tulit illud ferens in propatulo supra faciem suam iens pedes, habens humilem ha∣bitum: scilicet pauperem capam sine caputio, praecedentibus vestitis praedictis, sine pausatione, usque ad Ecclesiam Westmonasteriensem, quae distat ab Ecclesia Sancti Pauli circiter uno milliari. Nec praetermittendum, quod ambabus manibus illud de∣ferens, cum per stratam salebrosam & inaequalem pergeret, semper vel in coelum vel in ipsum vas lumina tenebat defixa. Supportatur autem palla per 4. hastas. Sup∣portabantque duo coadjutores brachia sua, ne in tanto fortè labore deficeret. Con∣ventus autem Westmonasteriensis, cum omnibus qui convenerant, Episcopis, Abbati∣bus, & Monachis, qui plùs quàm centum aestimabantur, canentes & exultantes in Spiritu Sancto & lachrymis, occurrebant eidem Domino Regi sic adventanti, usque ad portam Curiae Episcopi Dunelmensis. Tunc autem reversi sicut ierant, videlicet processionaliter, ad Ecclesiam Westmonasteriensem, vix in ea prae copiosa turbae mul∣titudine continebantur. Nec adhuc cessabat Dominus Rex, quin indefessus ferens illud vas, ut prius, circuiret Ecclesiam, Regiam, & thalamos suos. Demùm illud quasi donum impreciabile, & quod Angliam illustraverat, donavit & obtulit Deo & Ecclesiae Sancti Petri Westmonasterii: & charo suo Aedvardo, & sacro Conventui, qui ibidem Deo & Sanctis suis ministrant.

Dominus Episcopus Norwicensis, qui & Missam eadem die solenniter celebravit,* 1.40 populo praedicando asseruit, quod inter sacra quae inter mortales habentur, sacratiss∣mum est sanguis Christi. Est enim pretium mundi, & ejus effusio, salus generis hu∣mani; & ut condignè illud magnificaret amplius, addidit illud Philosophi; Omne

propter quod, dignius quàm illud quod. Revera crux Sancta, sanctissimam quid est. Sed ipsa sacra fuit, propter sacratioris sanguinis aspersionem; non sanguis sacer, propter crucem. Et haec eum dixisse credimus, ut in possessione tanti Thesauri non minus gaudeat & glorietur Anglia, quam Francia in adeptione sanctae crucis; quam Dominus Rex Francorum non immerito diligit, & super aurum & topazion amplectitur & veneratur. Et addidit, quod pro maxima Domini Regis Angliae, qui dignoscitur esse inter omnes Christianitatis Principes Christianissimus, missus fuit ille Thesaurus impreciabilis ex parte Domini Patriarchae Hierosolymitani; cujus rei cer∣titudo sufficienter examinatur, reverentia & sanctitate, ut plus in Anglia venerare∣tur, quàm Syria, quae jam paenè derelinquitur desolata; viget enim ibi plus fides et sanctitas, ut novit mundus, quam in aliqua alia regione per toti∣us mundi latitudinem. Cum autem examinaretur, & alii tardi cordis ad creden∣dum adhuc * 1.41 haesitarent, ait Dominus Theodoricus, Prior Hospitalis Hierosolymitani, Episcopis & aliis circumsedentibus: Domini charissimi, quid adhuc fluctuatis? Exi∣git ne ob hoc beneficium aliquis nostrum, vel Templarius, vel Hospitalarius, vel eti∣am frater qui portavit, vel de Domino Rege, vel alio, vel aliquo, aliquam in auro vel argento retributionem, vel quantulumcunque praemium? Et Rex: Nequaquam. Et Frater: * 1.42 Quare ergo in damnationem animae suae tot & tanti viri, tali assertioni perhiberent testimonium, apponentes signa sua, quae sunt fidei pignora manifesta? Et approbata fuerunt verba, licet Laici, ab universis, tàm Episcopis quàm auditori∣bus. Sed nunc ad propositum redeamus. Cum satis autem eleganter dictus Epis∣copus in sermone perorasset, annunciavit populo exultanti, quod quicunque ad sa∣cratissimum sanguinem illic habitum, venerandum convenirent, gratuita ex * 1.43 con∣cessione omnium, qui illuc venerant Praelatorum, sex annorum, & 140. dierum ve∣niam de injuncta sibi poenitentia liberè consequerentur. Et cum inter loquen∣dum, aliqui de assidentibus obgrunuirent haesitantes, quaestionem hanc moverent: Quomodo cum plenè & integraliter tertia die post passionem re∣surrexerit Dominus, sanguinem in terra reliquerit? Quae quaestio ab Episcopo Lin∣colniensi ad unguem tunc determinabatur, prout habetur scriptum in libro Addita∣mentorum; prout hujus paginae scriptor audivit, & de verbo ad verbum satis dilucidè scripsit. Such was the strange superstition, delusion, credulity of that age, as to be∣lieve this Relique to be the very blood of Christ, upon the Testimony of those Im∣postors, who under their hands and seals thus confidently attested it, though not present at Christs passion, and living 1200. years after it. But let us hear Bishop Grostheads Legend, Argument evincing it to be Christs blood, in answer to the premised Objections.

Cum autem quod sacratissimus foret Domini nostri Jesu Christi sanguis, quem* 1.44 Rex Henricus tertius die Sancti Edwardi, videlicet die Translationis ejus, Anno Gratiae 1247. indiciis, probationibus & examinationibus constaret evidentissimis, & omni acceptione dignissimis; tamen ab aliquibus qui tardicordes erant ad creden∣dum, adhuc dubitabatur utrum verus sanguis Christi fuisset? Quibus haec relatio satisfecit inventa in Apocryphis, quibus non dissidet, imò concordat * 1.45 textus Evange∣licae veritatis. Quod videlicet cum Joseph ab Arimathia nobilis decurio, qui sic dicebatur quia decem militibus praefuit, vel decurio, id est, de Curia & de numero Curialium, fuisset unus de auditoribus Jesu, & potius de discipulis, & amator spe∣cialis; compatiebatur ei, & sollicitabatur qualiter corpus conservari posset tam ve∣nerabile à furore Judaeorum. Erat enim amicissimus Jesu, sicut & Nicodaemus. Sed hii & alii divites occulti, propter metum Judaeorum; ne accusati, jacturam incurre∣rent & odium amicorum. Magnum enim vinculum servitutis in se habent divitiae. Crucifixo igitur Jesu & mortuo, postulavit Joseph corpus Jesu, ingrediens ad eum audacter (per quod creditur fuisse potens) & concessum est ei. Ipse igitur (licet obmurmurassent Judaei) cum omni honore & reverentia, ipsum corpus sanctissimum deposuit de cruce saucium & multiformiter cruentatum, habensque linteamen subtile dependens à collo & humeris (ne indignè tam dignum corpus nudis manibus con∣trectaret) ipsa sacra vulnera adhuc madida ac distillantia, sedulo ac devoto detersit officio. Imò etiam loca clavorum extractorum tincta cruore in ipso crucis patibu∣lo, exhausit abstergendo; utens vice spongiae ipso linteamine. Cum autem jam non procul à Golgotha, id est loco Calvariae (loco videlicet crucifixionis) corpus Christi detulisset dictus Joseph tumulandum, in loco ubi nunc sepulchrum adoratur, in sepulchro novo in quo nullum adhuc corpus positum erat, non ignobiliter inciso, quod

& ipse comparaverat, lavit corpus illud, quia multipliciter ut jam dictum dignosce∣batur, saucium & cruentatum, tum propter sudorem ipsius, de quo scribitur, * 1.46 Factus est sudor ejus quasi guttae sanguinis decurrentis in terra▪ tum propter flagella quibus caesus fuit asperrimè usque ad livorem & cruorem, tum propter coronam spineam quam Judaei plectentes violenter capiti ejus impresserunt▪ (cujus multi aculei caput & frontem non tantum pungerent & laederent, imò potius vulnerarent & cruenta∣rent) tum propter clavorum per mediam manuum & pedum perforationem▪ tum propter militis lanceam qua ipse latus Jesu non tantum vulneravit sed aperuit; am∣plum enim fecit & hiatum patulum fortè saepius, vel saltem semel fecit impingendo▪ Memoratus igitur venerabilis decurio Joseph corpus ipsum lavit; hic enim erat Ju∣daeorum consuetudo, & adhuc est aliquorum honestorum Christianorum, maximè re∣ligiosorum. Lavit, inquam, quia condiendum. Lavit, quia sanè arbitrabatur & religiosè dignum censuit sanguinem ipsum sibi prorsus vendicandum, & ut Thesau∣rum vel medicamen preciosissimum reservandum. Ipsamque aquam loturae rubi∣cundam, & sanguine mixtam & tinctam, non projiciendam excepit in vase mundissi∣mo. Reverentius tamen, ipsum purum sanguinem à vulneribus manuum & pedum distillatum; maximo autem timore & honore ipsum sanguinem cum aqua quem cen∣suit praecordialem, à latere dextro foeliciter eliquatum & expressum, in vase recepit nobilissimo tanquam Thesaurum impreciabilem, sibi & successoribus suis specialiter reservandum. Manifestum est igitur, quadruplicem ibidem fuisse liquorem.

Primò, Aquam rubicundam, scilicet loturam; quam ipse amicis infirmantibus di∣stribuit efficaciter medicinalem.

Secundò, Sanguinem puncturarum in capite & fronte, & scissurarum per flagella inflictarum cum sudore. Isti duo liquores, ex pluribus mixti dignoscuntur.

Tertiò, Sanguis ex vulneribus manuum & pedum, qui purus fuit & impermixtus emanavit.

Quartò, Ille formidabilis tremendae & reverendissimae recordationis cruor prae∣cordialis, qui ex ipso corde Christi, vel saltem latere constat effluxisse.

Praeter quos quatuor liquores, aquam cum sanguine de ipso latere scimus ema∣nasse. Haec ergo cum piè & prudenter perfecisset Joseph, & corpus jam esset con∣diturus, supervenit Nicodemus eodem tactus spiritu pietatis, multum commendavit diligentiam Joseph. Erat antem Nicodemus nobilis & potens sicut & Joseph, unde in Evangelio dicitur fuisse Princeps Judaeorum. Et factus est ipsi Joseph in adjutorium & solatium. Isti namque duo nobiles ac religiosi viri, erant de discipulis Jesu, audi∣entes eum clam; de noctibus videlicet, ne commoverent seditionem in populo, & plenius ab ipso eruditi expectabant Regnum Dei. Iste igitur Nicodemus prout prae∣libatum est, ut exequiarum tantarum decus adaugeret, & sua praesentia fide & de∣votione plenius prosequeretur: attulit (ut testatur * 1.47 Johannes in Evangelio suo) mixturam myrrae & aloes quasi libras centum, ad condiendum corpus tantae auctorita∣tis. Erant enim devoti ac stabiles in fide, quia viderant multa ejus in vita miracula, necnon & in morte: quia terraemotum & tenebras universales (quod erat supra naturam cum tunc fuisset luna panselenos) aquamque de latere ejus (quod erat insolitum & miraculosum) distillasse. Loquitur igitur Johannes Evangelista exin pluraliter, propter associationem supervenientis Nicodemi; dicens, Acceperunt ergo corpus Jesu. Porrò, praeter illam myrram aloem quam attulerat Nicodemus; apposita sunt illi confectioni etiam aromata Joseph. Dicit enim Johannes, Ligaverunt linteis corpus ipsum cum aromatibus. Et sic conditum & involutum aptaverunt, & ordinatè posuerunt in monumento novo: quod compositum fuit per modum clibani▪ Ita videlicet, ut ibi plura corpora reponi potuissent. In ipso quoque sepulchro, nondum quis, nec postea, ponebatur. Decuit enim quod sicut in uterum virginis descendit, & ex virgine natus fuit primogenitus (id est unigenitus) & per clausam portam exivit: sic & in novo sepulchro in quo nullus positus vel ponendus erat, Christus dignè collocaretur. Et apposuerunt ostium ad os monumenti: lapidem quippe magnum. Unde * 1.48 Matthaeus Evangelista vocat illud Saxum magnum. Et mulieres quae licet tres fuissent (quae postea venerunt, ut ungerent Jesum) nesci∣entes quod jam unctus esset, sollicitarentur quomodo ab ostio monimenti revolve∣retur. Quo facto, recesserunt Joseph & Nicodemus, & qui eos sequentes, ipsis assistebant. Posteà verò accesserunt Judaei versuti & in odio obstinati: & ex per∣missione Pilati, * 1.49 lapidem memoratum signaverunt, apponentes militum custodiam. Et cum inde recessissent Joseph & Nicodemus, partiti sunt inter se (ratione amicitiae

& condiscipulatus) liquores memoratos: utpote pretiosam adquisitionem. Sic igitur devoluta fuit hujus charissimae rei possessio, de patribus in filios, & de amicis ad amicos. Videlicet inter nobilissimos, quod post multorum annorum curricula devenit ad possessionem Patriarchae Jerosolymitani, utpote Thesaurus Ecclesiae, cui praeesse Patriarcha dignoscitur, Anno Gratiae 1247. Qui tum propter discrimen Terrae Sanctae quam tunc timuerunt amittere Christiani, tum propter hoc, quod Regem Angliae Christianissimum cognoverunt, & ipsam terram Christianissimam: memoratus Patriarcha de Consilio suorum Suffraganeorum Magistrorumque militiae Templi & Hospitaliorum, & aliorum nobilium transmarinorum, qui in testimonium veritatis vel sigilla sua apposuerunt, vel assertionem mandati transmiserunt, saepe∣dictum Thesaurum sanguinis memorati, piissimo Regi Angliae Henrico tertio, ut sub ejus tutela dignius veneraretur et tutius reservaretur, prudenter duxit transmittendum, & non pro alicujus commercii retributione, imo in merae charitatis liberalitate conferendum. Unde asserunt nonnulli, quod gene∣rosiori modo possidet illud munus Rex Angliae Henricus, tantaeque dignitatis reli∣quias quàm Rex Francorum suas, quas paucis antea annis evolutis, institoriè adquisi∣vit. Et si Sancta nimis sit crux vera, propter contactum Sancti corporis Christi; & corona, & lancea, & clavi; multo sanctior fuit sanguis ipse Christi, pretium vide∣licet humanae redemptionis, quia propter cruorem & in cruore sanctificata est crux & caetera, & non cruor propter crucem, vel propter alia passionis instrumenta. Sed quia tardi cordes & oblocutores solent sic objicere & dicere, quod cum Christus tertio* 1.50 die resurrexisset cum corporis integritate, & non exanguis, qualiter esse posset quod sanguinem suum post se reliquerit in terra. Responsum fuit sufficienter. Duo sunt sanguines, vel genera sanguinum. Unus enim sanguis est, qui ex nutrimentis gene∣ratur, qui aliquando ita superfluit, ut à naribus sponte prorumpat, vel aliquem alium exitum, ut minutione indigeat sic repletus. Et de tali sanguine Christi, habemus in terra, licet sanè non fuisset sanguinolentus; Deo sic volente, ut videlicet habea∣tur recentior memoria dominicae passionis. Est & alius sanguis, qui corpori anima∣to substantialis. De quo dicitur, quod ptysis est consumptio substantialis humidi∣tatis, id est sanguinis vitae necessarii. Qui secundum physicos dicitur amicus naturae, & de quo dicit * 1.51 Moyses, quod in sanguine sedes est animae. Sed ille sanguis reponi∣tur in triclinio cordis, sine quo non posset quis vivere. De illo Christi sanguine, non habemus fortè in terris: Fortè dico, quia omnia quaecumque voluit, Dominus fecit. Surrexit enim Deus, & quicquid fuit de substantia corporis sui & decoris ple∣nitudine, cum ipso, & quod de veritate humanae fuit naturae cum ipso, id est sanguis eidem consubstantialis. Alius verò qui distillavit habetur hic. Et nos quidem sic resurgemus, videlicet sine aliqua corporis vel mutilatione vel deformitate. Qualis∣cumque enim extiterit homo in hoc mundo, contractus, gibbosus, vel leprosus, vel nanus, vel abortivus, in resurrectione sibi plenè restaurabitur. Revera in corporis Christi, suorum * 1.52 vulnerum stigmata, post resurrectionem suam, recentium, & adhue hiantium, quod apparuerunt, & quod se Christus post resurrectionem & glorificatio∣nem corporis palpabilem praebuit, & ad suum bene placitum visibilem, vel vulneratum monstravit, miraculosum & obstupendum. Ut sic videlicet dubitantium fides robo∣raretur, quia tam duri & tardi fuerunt quidam discipulorum ad credendum resur∣rectionem, quod postquam viderant, non crediderunt, & ut benedictio non verius & tamen credituris, largius donaretur. Tertia causa fuit & potissima, ut scilicet sic sciretur quod omnipotens fuit, ut contra consuetum usum & naturalem foret corpus ejus, qui fuit Dominus naturae, ad suum nutum & beneplacitum monstrabile, & pal∣pabile, & saucium cerneretur, qui tamen ad discipulos intravit foribus obseratis. Et sic omnium cessare debent morsus detractatorum.

How unsatisfactory this Legend, these Testimonies are to evidence this Relique to be Christs very blood to any pious Christian, all men may judge; yet such was the Ignorance and Superstition of that age, that the King, Prelates, Clergy, and ge∣nerality of the people received and really adored it as Christs very blood where∣with they were redeemed, not only at first Anno 1247. but the next ensuing years, by the Kings special Summons, prohibiting all Faires or sales of Wares in Lon∣don and elsewhere, to draw multitudes of people to Westminster to adore this false Relique, and enrich the Abbot, Monks, and Inhabitants by the profits of this Faire, which undid many Merchants resorting to it with their Wares, as Matthew Paris there present thus relates.

* 1.53 Anno quoque sub eodem, Dominus Rex cum Londinum properaret ad festum Sancti Edwardi, quod est de translatione ejusdem Sancti, in Quindena scilicet Sancti Micha∣elis, tertio Idus Octobris, quamplurimis Praelatis, Magnatibusque sub obtentu amicitiae ec devotionis significavit, ut praesentiali∣ter cum ipso apud Westmonasterium beati Edwardi festum solenniter ac devote concelebrarent. Venerunt igitur illuc vocati Comes Richardus, Co∣mes Rogerus Bigod Marescallus, Comes Herefordiae, & Barones praeelecti cum Militibus nonnullis, Episcopi autem Wintoniensis, Londinensis, Elyensis, Wy∣gorniensis, Karleolensis. Abbates autem & Priores quamplurimi. Jussit autem Dominus Rex denunciari, & voce praconia, fecit per totam Civitatem Londini, & alibi acclamari, quod constituit Nundinas novas exerceri plenè apud Westmonasterium per quindenam duraturas; omnes quoque Nundinas quae solent per tantum tempus per Ang∣liam exerceri, utpote Nundinas Elyenses, & alias, & omnem mercaturam, quae solet Londini haberi, & extra tectum vel sub recto exerceri, sub poena magnae forisfacturae & jacturae praecisè interdixit, ut sic Nundinae Westmonasteriales populis & mercibus co∣piosius abundarent. Ʋnde factum est ut illic innumerabilis populus undique velut ad celeberrimas Nundinas conflueret, ibidemque translatio beati Edwardi, et sanguis Christi a populo illuc tracto et ibi congregato, inopinabiliter venera∣retur. Verum omnes illic mercimonia sua emptui exponentes, cum non haberent tecta, nisi de panniculis tentoria, magnis incommodis premebantur, quia variis procellis aereis, ut tunc temporis solet, ingruentibus, algebant, madebant, esuri••bant, sitiebant merca∣tores; Pedes luto sordebant, mercimonia eorum imbribus contabuerunt. Ʋbi n••mque ad mensam pransuri sedebant, qui ad caminos refici consueverunt prandentes in medio fa∣miliae suae, penitus sic egere nescierunt. Episcopus autem Elyensis, pro jactura nundi∣narum suarum Elyensium, edicto Regio suspensarum, graviter conquestus est Domino Regi super hoc, qui tales adinvenit in gravamen subditorum novitates; Sed nihil nisi inania verba mulcentis promissionis & futurae consolationis reportavit. After this Anno 1249. the King by his Letters summoned his Nobles and Prelates magnificently to* 1.54 lebrate the Feast of St. Edward in St. Peters at Westminster, * 1.55 Congregati sunt igitur ibi quamplurimi, tum pro devotione & amore Sancti, tum pro Domini Regis ipsos v••cantis reverentia, tum pro veneratione sancti sanguinis Christi nuper adepti, et venia concessa ibidem obtinenda: Such was their blind anniversary devotion ••and superstition. For evincing whereof, I shall only subjoyne, That Our learned Thomas Beacon in his * 1.56 Reliques of Rome, and others relate; That in the Church of Lateran in Rome (amongst other reliques) they have the water and bloud which flowed out of Christs side when he hanged on the Crosse; And that part of his fore∣skin which was cut away when he was circumcised. That in the 7th principal Church they have Two Cups, of the which one is full of the bloud of Christ; the other full of the milke of the blessed Virgin Mary, (the Reliques of whose milke, and hair, are shewed in above 20 other places) That S. Swoll the Daughter of Fulco King of Jerusalem, and Wife of King Theodoricus, by the Consent of her Husband, became a Nun, or* 1.57 Religious woman at Jerusalem, where she found (as they write) a good quantity of Christs bloud, which Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea got out of the Wounds of Christ when they washed his body, and she sent it to her Husband; which bloud (as they say) is at this day kept * 1.58 at Bruges, and is there shewed to the people on the Third day of May: Besides this Viol of his Bloud, sent into England; which he likewise menti∣ons. If the Reliques of the bloud of Christ shed on the Crosse, be extant in so ma∣ny places; then it could be no such peculiar blessing to England, as was then pre∣tended, yea being found out only by this Nunne above a thousand years after Christs death, it must doubtlesse be a Grosse Imposture, as it was afterwards resolved, de∣clared; and those most audatious false Witnesses, who durst thus publickly attest the truth and reality of it under their Hands and seals upon her single evidence, yea this our devout King, his Nobles, Prelates, Clergy were strongly deluded to be∣lieve lyes, who annually adored this bloud with such solemn Devotions, Processions, and used such artifices to induce the people to adore it, as you have already heard.

In the year 1248. (32 H. 3.) the Bishop of Durham presuming upon the Privi∣ledges* 1.59 of his Bishoprick (being a County Palatine) granted by our Kings favour, op∣pressing the Prior of Tynemouth against the Liberties granted to the Priory by the Kings royal predecessors, and the Lawes of the Realm, and refusing upon two for∣mer

Letters sent unto him by the King, intreating him in a fair and friendly manner to desist from oppressing the Prior, in respect he was under his special protection; the Bishop notwithstanding most contemptuously and ungratefully persevering in his illegal vexations, aud slighting the Kings former Letters; he therupon by his roy∣al Prerogative sent this special Writ and Mandate to him, to do justice to the Prior, or else he would do him justice himself, notwithstanding his Liberties, and punish the injuries done unto him, which he could not, yea ought not any longer to endure.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Claus. 36 H. 3. ••••. 14. d••••so.
• a 1.2

  Tract. 35. in Mat.
• b 1.3

  In Sermone de Passione & Cruce Domini.
• c 1.4

  In Exposit. in Psal. 118.
• d 1.5

  Comment. in cap. 5. Matth. in cap. 4. Jer. & Comment. in Zach. cap. 8.
• e 1.6

  Homil. 15. •••• Gen. Hom. in Psal. 5. Hom. 17 in Matth. Hom. 9. in Act. Apost. Hom. 8. & 19. ad Pop. Antioch. Hom. in Psal. 109. & lib. 1. De compunctione cordis.
• f 1.7

  Can. 4. in Matth. 5.
• g 1.8

  Lib. 1. Panacii contr. Ossenos.
• h 1.9

  Comment. in. Mat. 5.
• i 1.10

  Comment. in Mat. cap. 5.
• k 1.11

  Comment. in cap. 5. Jacobi.
• l 1.12

  Enar. in cap. 5. Mat.
• m 1.13

  Sixtus Senensis Bibl. Sanctae, l. 6. Annot. 26. p: 433, 434, &c.
• n 1.14

  Pelich∣dorffius contra Waldenses, c. 36. Bibl. Patrum Tom. 13. p. 331. See here Book 1. ch. 5. p. 369, 370, 374, 375.
• o 1.15

  Homil. 12. Tom. 2. p. 707.
• * 1.16

  Et quia peju∣rare non potest, qui non jurat, ideo ra••ò & non nisi necessitate▪ utamur jura∣mento, &c. Beda in Mat. Evang. c. 6▪ Tom. 5. col. 13.
• p 1.17

  Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 3. p. 280.
• q 1.18

  See Bracton l. 3. f. 106. Mirror des Ju∣stias, l. 2. c. 2. Cooks 2 Instit. f. 44. 142.
• r 1.19

  Caus. 2. qu. 5.
• s 1.20

  Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 3. p. 682.
• * 1.21

  Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 3. p. 682.
• t 1.22

  Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 3. p. 51••, 607, 674. Here, Book ••. p. 336, to 340. Book▪ 3. p. 327, 328.
• u 1.23

  Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 3. p. 561.
• * 1.24

  Mat. 5.
• * 1.25

  Id est ab illi infirmitate à quo cogeris ju∣rare: Et haec infirmitas ma∣lum est; tu au∣tem benè facis, qui bene jura∣tione uteris, ut al••••ri persuade∣as, quod utili. ter suades, Beda in Mat. c. 5. Tom. 5. col. 13.
• x 1.26

  See Cooks 12 Reports, p. 26, 27, 28, 29.
• y 1.27

  See Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Prohibition 5.
• z 1.28

  Cooks 3 In∣stit. p. 149, 164, 165.
• * 1.29

  See an Exact Abridgement of the Records in the Tower, p. 30, 33, 34, 37, 48, 51, 74, 88, 202, 294, 318, 323, 353, 369, 371, 372, 387, 456, 471, 473, 475, 565, 568, 608, 612, 667.
• * 1.30

  c. 74, p. 164, 165.
• * 1.31

  To wit, by prescription & usage time out of minde.
• * 1.32

  3 Institutes, c. 74. p. 161.
• * 1.33

  See the Au∣thorities he there quotes in his Margin. Exact Abridge∣ment of the Records of the Tower, p. 13, 18, 32, 34, 35, 44, 48, 53, 62, 66, 109, 406, 466, 443. See Rastal, tit. Purveyors.
• * 1.34

  Fox Acts & Monuments, London, 1610. p. 1339.
• b 1.35

  Provinc. Con∣stit. l. 1. De cap. Extern. habitus, f. 13. a. De Jurejuran∣do, l. ••. cap. Evenit, f. 80. b.
• * 1.36

  Visitatio 2. See Gratian, caus. ••. qu. 5.
• d 1.37

  Mat. Parker, Antiq. Eccles. p. 185, 186, 187, 196, 199, 200, 204, 205, 225, 226, 227, 235, 267, 268, 309, &c.
• * 1.38

  Anno 1247. Mat. Paris, p. 712, 713. Quaedam por∣tio sanguinis Christi Londi∣num allata.
• * 1.39

  Rex Angli•• defert sangui∣nem Christi ad S. Petrum Westmonaster.
• * 1.40

  Episcopus Nor∣wicensis conci∣onatur populo de dignitate sanguinis Chri∣sti.
• * 1.41

  Had they not good cause to doubt?
• * 1.42

  Let themselves resolve this Question.
• * 1.43

  It seems this bloody Relique was not suffici∣ent to purchase such a Pardon, without this su∣peradded Bi∣shops indul∣gence.
• * 1.44

  Additamenta Matthaei Paris. p. 161, 162, 163.
• * 1.45

  The Evange∣lists in the Hi∣story of Christs death relate no such things as this fabulous Legend super∣addes there∣unto.
• * 1.46

  Luc. 22▪ 44.
• * 1.47

  Joan. 19. 39, 40, 41, 42.
• * 1.48

  Mat. 27. 60. c. 28. 2.
• * 1.49

  Mat. 27. 6••▪ 66.
• * 1.50

  Nota.
• * 1.51

  Gen. 9. 4. L. vit. 17. 14.
• * 1.52

  Joan. 20. 25, 27, &c.
• * 1.53

  Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 726. Novae Nun∣dinae constitutae apud Westimo∣nasterium.
• * 1.54

  Anno 1249.
• * 1.55

  Mat. Paris, p. 7••••. Mat. West. p. 236, 237.
• * 1.56

  Chapter of the Reliques; Third Part of his Works, fol. 182, 185.
• * 1.57

  Anno 804.
• * 1.58

  Fortè sangui∣nis ex imagine crucifixi Salva∣toris in Syria effusi portio delata Mantuam fuerat: eaque multis editis miraculis om∣nium Christia∣norum pectora incredibili re∣ligione perfude▪ rat. Sigonius de Regno Italiae, l. 4. p. 101.
• * 1.59

  Anno 1248. * Mat Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 720, 721.