Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright — John Foxe

Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright · John Foxe

After his conſecration, he gaue many great giftes,Gifts to the Church of Rome. & aſſured by his charter, to the church of Rome, the dukedome of Fundanum: hée gaue moreouer, and remitted what conſtitutions the Pope would deſire: whereby what ſoeuer he were, which for the diminution of the liberties of the church were excommunicated, and ſo continued a yéeres ſpace, that then he ſhould be within daunger of proſcription, and not be releaſed without ſatiſfactiō made, and that he were admitted by the Pope to the Church againe.

A while after Frederike departing from Rome, certain conſpirators, both biſhops, & others, againſt the emperor, fled to Honorius for ſuccour. Which when Frederik vnderſtood, he began to expoſtulate with the B. conſidering the vnſéemlineſſe of that his fact: the pope on the other ſide,Honorius curſeth the Emp. Frederike. thundered out his curſes, and excommunications againſt him.

Nicholaus Ciſnerus affirmeth, that whileſt Frederike the Emperor was in Sicilia, his wife Conſtantia died at Catrana, or Catana. In the meane time, the Chriſtiās with a great many, ſailed into Egypt, & took the Citie Heliopolis, commonly called Damatia, & long ago named Peluſinū: being in good hope to hauehave driuē Sultanus y^e Soldan, out of Egypt,) had a great, and marueylous ouerthrow, by the conueying of the water of Nylus (which then ouerflowed) into their Campe, and were faine to accorde an vnprofitable truce with the Soldan, for certaine yeres, and to deliuer the Citie againe. Whereupon, king Iohn, ſurnamed Brennius King of Ieruſalem, arriued in Italie, and deſired helpe of Emperor againſt his enemies.

And from thence he went to Rome, to the Pope, declaring vntounto him their calamitie, and preſent perill, deſiring ayde therein. By whoſe meanes, the Emperour (as ſaith Ciſnerus) was reconciled with the Pope and made friends.The Emp. reconciled with the pope. To whom alſo king Iohn gaue Ioell his daughter in mariage, which came of the daughter of Conradus king of Ieruſalem, as right heyre therevnto by her mother: by whom alſo he obtained the kingdomes of Naples, and Sicill, and promiſed he would in his owne perſon with all ſpéede, aſſay to recouer the kingdome of Ieruſalem. Honorius that lately was reconciled vntounto him,Honorius dieth. purpoſed to hauehave made againſt him ſome great and ſecret attempt: but was by death preuented. After whom ſuccéeded Gregory the 9. as great an enimy to Fredericke as Honorius: Pope Gregory the 9.which Gregory came of the race of him whom the Emperour had condemned of treaſon,The Pope threatneth the Emperour. wrought againſt himſelfe. This Gregorie was ſcarcely ſetled in his papacie, when that hee threatned him with excommunication, vnleſſe he would prepare himſelfe into Aſia (according to his promiſe) vntounto king Iohn: which was onelyonly (the Emperour being abſent) that he might bring ſome purpoſes againſt him to paſſe. Fazellus a Sicilian writer, ſaith: that the chiefeſt cauſe of the Emperors ſtay, was for the oath of truce and peace, during certaine yeres: which was made betwixt the Saracens, & chriſtians, that yet was not expired

When K. Iohns daughter of Hieruſalem, was brought to Rome, and the Emperor and the Pope reconciled together, to celebrate the marriage:The Pope offended with the Emp. for not kiſſing his foot but his knee. Gregorie (as the manner was) offered his right foote to the Emperor to kiſſe, who ſtouped not ſo low, but ſcarce kiſſed the vpper part of his knée, and would not kiſſe his foote: whereat the Pope was greatly offended, and purpoſed to reuenge it, as occaſion ſhoulde ſerue.

Afterwarde, the Emperor prepared himſelfe to the iourney againſt the Saracens, and recouerie of Ieruſalem, but was ſtayed by ſicknes, all other things being in a readines. Who, after he had recouered himſelfe, procéeded in his iourney: and when hee came to the ſtraights of Peloponeſus, and Creta. His diſeaſe grew vponupon him againe, and ſodainlie he fell ſicke: whereof the Pope hearing, thundered againſt him excommunications, and curſes, laying moſt foule, & falſe crimes to his charge. In ſo much, that the Emperour was fayne to purge himſelfe by his letters, vntounto the Chriſtian Princes: eſpecially, of Germanie, and the Nobles of y^e Empire, his Ambaſſadors not being ſuffered to approach the P. preſence.

But now, being recouered of his ſicknes, he prouided all things neceſſarie for the warre: and came to Ioppa, and ſo vſed the matter, that the Saracens graunted his demaunds right profitable for the Chriſtian Common-wealth, and a peace was concluded for tenne yeares, and confirmed by ſolemne oath on both ſides:The iourny againſt the Sara. the forme and condition of which peace, was thus. Firſt, that Frederick ſhould bee crowned K. of Ieruſalem Secondly, that all the landes and poſſeſſions which were ſituate betwixt Ieruſalem,The P. falſe accuſation of the Emperor. and Ptolemaida, and the greateſt part of Paleſtina, the Cities of Tirus and Sidon, which were in Siria, and all other territories, which Baldwinus the fourth at any time had, and occupied there, ſhould be deliuered vntounto him: onelyonly, certaine Caſtles reſerued. Thirdly, that he might fortifie, and builde, what Fortreſſes, and Caſtles he thought good, Cities and townes in all Siria, and Paleſtina. Fourthly, that all Priſoners in Saracens hands, ſhould be fréelie ſet at libertie: and againe, that the Saracens might hauehave leaue (without armour) to come into the Temple, where the Sepulchre of the Lorde is, to pray, and that they ſhould keepe ſtill Cratum, and the kings mount.

Theſe things obteined, Frederick deſireth the Pope,The Emperor craueth the P. fauour. that for as much as he had now accompliſhed his promiſe, neither was there any cauſe, why he ſhould now be offended with him, that he might be reconciled, and obteyne his fauour. In the meane ſeaſon, the Emperor, with all his armie, marcheth to Ieruſalem: where, vponupon Eaſter day, anno 1259. hee was crowned king. OnelyOnly, the Patriarch of Cypres, and Oliue, the Maſter, or Captaine of the temple, repining thereat.The Emperor crowned K. of Ieruſalem. The P practiſeth againſt the Emperor whiles he warreth with the Saracens. In the time of the Emperors being in Aſia, the Pope practiſeth againſt him at home. And firſt, cauſed the Souldiers which the Emperor ſent for out of Germanie, to the mainteyning of the holye warres, to bée ſtayed, paſſing through Italie, and cauſed them to be ſpoiled of all ſuch prouiſion as they had: and ſent letters into Aſia, to the Patriarch of Ieruſalem, and Souldiers, that kept the Temple, and Hoſpitall, inciting them to rebell againſt the Emperour. And furthermore, diſſwaded the Princes of the Saracens, that they ſhould make no league with Frederike, neither deliuer vp vntounto him the Crowne,The P practiſeth with the Saracens. and Kingdome of Ieruſalem: Which letters fell into the hands of the Emperour.

Beſides theſe practiſes, he alſo excited his father in law, Iohn Brennius; and the French king, to inuade his Dominions: which ioyntly they did.

Thus, while the Pope practiſed in the dominions of Frederike, he receiued the letters of his good ſucceſſe in Aſia: which greatly vexed his holines, ſo farre of was he from reioyſing therat. Wherby it may appeare, that his deſire was, to hauehave the Emperor take that dangerous iourney, there to miſcarie, and periſhe. But the Pope (that hee might hauehave ſome pretence) blamed the Emperour, for that he had ſuffered the Saracens (although without armour and weapon) to enter vntounto the Sepulchre of Chriſt,A quarrel to the Emperor. and had left for them a lodging, néere vntounto the place.

The Pope alſo cauſed a rumor to be ſpread, of the death of the Emperor, to the end he might allure vntounto him, the fidelitie of thoſe cities in the kingdome of Naples (which yet kept their alleagance vntounto Frederike) of whom they ſhoulde now hope for no longer refuge.

The Emp. returneth and winneth towns from the pope in Italy.The Emperour now vnderſtanding what ſtirre the P. kept in his Dominions, returned w^t ſuch power, & ſucceſſe, that he winneth in Italie as many townes, as the Pope had, euen almoſt to Rome, and after that Vmbria and Picena: yet for Chriſtian and publicke tranquillitie ſake, hée ſendeth vntounto him his Legates to entreate a peace, declaring that hée would (if no other conceyued grudge were then pretended) make to him an accompt voluntarily of all things that hée had doone in his life:The Emp. offereth to giuegive accompt of his things to the Pope. and that hée would and was contented to ſubmit himſelfe vntounto the Church: and that for this cauſe hée willingly offered vntounto him both dutie and obſeruancie, and ſent him Princes and Dukes of the Empyre to entreate for this peace: yet was the popes inſolencie ſuch, that hée would not that yéere be brought to any agréement, but the next yéere after with much adoe,Peace betwixt the Emp. and the pope. a peace was made and concluded betwixt them by the helpe and induſtrie of Leopaldus of Auſtria, and Hermannus Captaine of the Duitch ſouldiers, and the Preſident of Meſſana. The Pope then abſoluing the Emperour of his excommunication, tooke therefore of him an hundred and twentie thouſand ounces of golde,120000. ounces of gold to the Pope for the Emperours abſolution. and promiſed him the titles both of the empire, and alſo of his kingdomes: yet kept he not promiſe with him, for beſides other breaches, he neither reſtored the cuſtoms in the land of Sicil, neither yet the city Caſtellana. Yet notwithſtanding, Frederike for peace ſake, bare the iniury, and ſtudied by liberall giftes to make the Pope his truſtie frend. But no meanes would ſerue: ſo that he moued Henrie, the Emperors ſonne in his abſence, to rebell againſt his father:The P. moueth the Emp. ſonne to rebel againſt his father. beſides other conſpiracies procured againſt the Emperor: who returning into Italie, to puniſh thoſe that had rebelled with his ſonne. The P. admoniſhed thoſe that were faultie, to ioyne themſelues together, and to furniſh their Townes, and Cities, with gariſons, & to ſend for ayde to their frendes, and to prouide weapons méete for war. And furthermore, ſendeth his Ambaſſador to y^e Emp. to whō (vnderunder pretence of peace) he ſendeth out commandemēt, to interdict him and his land, ſo ſoone as he came within the borders of Italie, yet the Emperour marcheth forth into Italie, notwithſtanding the Popes forbidding, and brought vnderunder the cities that rebelled, as Mantua, The Emp. preuaileth for all the Popes curſe.Verona, Terniſium, Patauium, and others, & ouerthrew the Popes confederates, whereat the pope being ſomewhat diſmaid, began to feare the Emperor, and now goeth about to depriue him: which hée vnderſtanding, ſendeth foure Legates vntounto him, that might anſwere, and refute the crimes layd againſt him. With which Embaſſadours the Pope refuſeth to ſpeake, and at a day appointed pronounceth the ſentence of proſcription againſt the Emperour:The pope pronounceth the ſentence of proſcription againſt the Emperour. depriuing him of all his dignities, honours, titles, prerogatiues, kingdomes, and the whole empire, and and ſollicited againſt him Tewepolus the Venetian, who yet ſtood faſt and faithfull to the Emperour. Yet certaine princes of Germanie, by the Popes meanes, reuolted from the Emperour, as Otho the Gouernour of Rhemes, and Duke Boiora, who alſo cauſed thrée other Princes and Dukes,Reuolt from the Emperour to the Pope. to reuolt from the Emperour to the Pope: as Vuenceſlaus, and Belus, Princes of che Hungarians, and Henrie, Duke of Polonia: to whom alſo came Fredericus Auſtriacus his ſonne. Theſe gathering a Councell, (when they had thought to hauehave tranſlated the empire vntounto the kings ſonne of Denmarke) deſired to hauehave the Popes Legates to be ſent from him to the effect of that election.

Theſe newes being brought to the Emperor, at Patauium: hee purgeth himſelfe of the crimes, to the Chriſtian Princes, and denounceth a ſolemne Councell of all y^e princes, and other Nobilitie of the Empire, at Aegera: to whom reſorted diuers States,The Church ſpoiled to maintaine the popes warres. and Nobles. The pope, on the other ſide, ſoliciting againſt the Emperor all that hee might: ſo that ſome had tithes geuen them to fight againſt the Emperor: other, Glebe-lands, and benefices: other, the ſpoyle of ſuch Colledges, and Monaſteries, as tooke not part with the Pope: And to ſome other were geuen Colledges, and Monaſteries themſelues: yea there were certaine of the popes owne birdes that had their eccleſiaſticall tithes taken from them, and other ſome had the rentes and reuenewes of their Colleges pluckt away by force,The Emp. preuaileth. to the maintenaunce of the popes quarrell againſt the Emperour. But the Emperour preuayled and came to Viterbium, which draue the Pope into a feare, leaſt he would alſo come to Rome: wherefore he cauſed a ſupplicatiō to be drawne, pourtraying about the ſame the heads of Peter and Paule, Euerlaſting life promiſed to ſuch as wold fight againſt the Emperor.and with a ſharpe and cō tumelious Oration, he much defaced the Emperour, promiſing them euerlaſting life, and giuing the badge of the croſſe to as many as would arme themſelues and fight againſt the Emperour, as againſt the moſt wicked enemy of God and his church, yet the Emperour by Gods bleſſing preuailed and ſubdued the popes confederates.

Now while this ſtir was betwixt the Emperour and the pope, Ochodarius the Emperour of the Tartarians ſonne, with a great power inuaded y^e borders next adioyning vntounto him, & there wan Ropolanum, Rodolium, Mūdanum, with diuerſe other cities & townes, killing man, woman, & child, and deſtroyed all Hungarie, & made great ſpoile in both the Pannonias, Meſiarum, Bulgaria, & Seruia. When Belus the king of Hungarie had gotten to Pola, a citie of Hiſtria: vntounto Otho duke of Dalmatia, hée ſent his Legates to Fredericke the Emperour, promiſing, if that he would ſend him aid to expell the Tartars, Hungarie ſhould euer after bée vnderunder the iuriſdiction of the Empire. The Emperour was in reſpect of the common cauſe of Chriſtians,The pope hindereth the defence of chriſtendome. very willing to ſatiſfie his requeſt, but the pope with his confederats hindered the ſame, as he ſignified to the king of Hungarie by his letters. Notwithſtanding he ſent Conradus Caeſar king of Bohemia, and other Princes more of Germanie, to withſtand the enemy, as much as lay in them to doo. But y^e great armie and number of ſouldiers that ware the croſſe, by the Popes aſſignement, differed their iourney agaynſt the Tartarians, and had commaundement giuen them by Albertus the Popes procurator, to abide at home, till they ſhould be called for in battle to fight againſt the Emperour: and notwithſtanding this ſpoile and hauocke of Polonia, Bohemia, and Hungaria, by the Tartarians, it was determined that at Libuſſa the Princes confederate ſhould be aſſembled, about the depoſing of the Emperour, and creating an other: & the league with him and the French king by the popes means,The Emp. waſteth about Rome. either was vtterly infringed or elſe in variable ſuſpence. Wherefore Fredericke now ſeing no other remedie, proſecuteth his warre to the vttermoſt, and waſteth all the countrie about Rome,The pope dieth for anger. wherewith the Pope was ſo diſmaide, that beyng in diſpaire to obtaine his purpoſe, hée died for very anger and thought.

This Gregory brought into the Church much horrible impietie, blaſphemy, & wickednes, & among others brought in that moſt deteſtable Canticle,Salue Regina brought into the Church. Salue Regina: in which hée attributeth the honour and worſhippe onelyonly due to Ieſus Chriſt, vntounto the virgin his mother. This is hée, in whoſe name the booke of the DecretalsThe decretals. was ſet out, a ſinke of folly and impietie.

Pope Celeſtine. Pope dieth.After this Gregory was placed Celeſtine, borne in Mediolanum, among the Caſtellians: who (as Blondus declared) by fained promiſes, offered a league with Fredericke, and the 18. day after he was created, he died.

Now Fredericke thinking himſelfe void of feare, lenieth an army againſt the Tartarians,An army againſt the Tartarians. for the reliefe of the Chriſtians, who hearing of the comming of the Emperour, returned another way, by the riuer Danubius to Tanricia, and ſo through the fennes of Meotida, and by the riuer Tanaum into Sarmatia Aſiatica.

After Celeſtine, the cardinals made choyſe of Simbaldus a Genouais for pope, whom they called Innocentius the 4. Innocentius 4.which election Fredericke was well pleaſed with: as hée ſignified by letters and Legates gratulatorie to the pope.

The legats of Frederick, with the furtherance of Baldronius Emperour of Conſtantinople, laboured very diligently for concluſion of promiſed peace: but all in vaine, for while the Emperours legats attended for anſwer of peace, Ramerus the Cardinall went ſecretly and tooke Viterbium which was on the Emperours part. The Emperour (notwithſtanding there ſéemed no hope of peace) doubted not but if he might himſelfe ſpeake with the Pope, he vponupon reaſonable conditions ſhould well inough accord with him: wherefore he deſired him by his legats to appoint a place where the Emperour might ſpeake with him.The Emperour ſeeketh peace. The Pope will none. The Pope ſéemed to be content therewith, but on a ſudden went to Lyons, and called a councell, and with a lowd voice ſommoneth Frederick, and appointing him a day commaunded him there perſonally to appeare to pleade his cauſe. The Emperour agréed, but required conuenient time to trauaile thether. The pope would not ſo much as graunt 3. dayes, but being both iudge and accuſer,Pope iudge accuſer. condemneth him before he could come thether without proofe of any crime, or his cauſe ſuffered to be pleaded. But Gods iudgement failed him not: for the writers of the annals accord, that when Frederick the Emperour, and Conradus his ſonne were dead and the pope gaping for the inheritance of Naples and Sicil, and thinking by force to ſubdue the ſame, coming to Naples w^t a great armie of men, there was heard manifeſtly in the Popes court a voice, pronouncing theſe wordes. Thou wretch, come to receiue thy iudgemēt.A voice heard. Thou wretch, come and receiue thy iudgement. And the next day the pope was found dead all blacke and blew, as though he had bin beaten with battes.

When the Emperour had vnderſtanding of this cruell ſentence, he ſignified the iniurie to all Chriſtian Princes by his letters, and prouided eueryevery way to withſtand the P. and his confederats: and after diuers aduenturs & variablenes of thinges,The Emp. dieth. hee came into a certaine caſtle of his in Apulia, called Florentinum, where hee fell ſicke of an ague, and died. Hauing had purpoſe, as Pandolphus Colonuthius writeth, of ſome maruellous exploite, & great attempt. Frederike died willingly, and gladly, in the yéere 1240. the 13. day of December, the 57. yéere of his age, and 37. of his raigne, and was buried at Panorium. The pope counted him an enemie of the Church: and ſo both Innocentius the fourth pronounced him, and the ſame ſentence hauehave other Popes regiſtred in their 6. Booke of decretals, and eſtabliſhed the ſame for a law, that he ought to bee taken for no leſſe.

In the Countrey of Sueuia, about the time of Frederike the ſecond, anno 1240. or néere about the ſame, were manie preachers,Preachers bold againſt Pope. which preached fréely againſt the Pope, & preached that he was an heretike, and that his biſhops & Prelats were Simoniakes, and heretikes, and that the inferiour prieſtes had no authoritie to binde and looſe, but were ſeducers: and that ſuch cities and countries as were then vnderunder the popes curſe, might notwithſtanding lawfully reſort to the receiuing of the ſacrament, as wel as before. Item, that Friers, Dominick & Franciſcan did ſubuert the church with their preaching, &c. And not long after theſe, roſe vp Arnoldus de noua villa, Arnoldus de noua villa was condemned.a Spaniard, a man famouſly learned, & a great writer, ann. 1250. whom y^e pope condemned amōg heretikes, for holding, and writing againſt the corrupt errors of the popiſh church. His teaching was, that chriſtiā people are led by the pope into hel. Item, that cloiſterers are voyd of charitie, and denyed that maſſes are not to be celebrated, & that they ought not to do ſacrifice for the dead, &c. And as this Arnoldus was condemned, ſo likewiſe the ſame time, Iohannes Seneca, Iohannes Seneca appealeth from the pope to a Councell.the gloſewriter of the popes decrées, and prouoſt of Halberſter, was excommunicated, and depriued of of his prouoſtſhip, for reſiſting Pope Clement the fourth, gathering certaine exactions in Germanie, and therefore hée appealed from the Pope to a generall Councell; and had manie great fauourers on his ſide: till at laſt, both the Pope and he died.

After this, folowed Guilielmus de ſancto amore, G. de ſancto amore againſt the Pope.a Maſter of Paris, and a chiefe Ruler then of that Vniuerſitie. Al teſtimonies of Scripture, that make againſt Antichriſt, he applyeth them againſt the cleargie of Prelates, and againſt the popes ſpiritualtie.

The ſame Guilielmus is thought to be the author of the Booke which is attributed to the Schoole of Paris, and intituled, De periculis eccleſiae, De periculis Eccleſiae.where he proueth by thirtie and nine arguments, that friers be falſe Apoſtles.39. arguments that Friers be falſe Apoſtles. Hee was by Antichriſt, and his rablement, condemned for an heretike, exiled, and his bookes burned.

In the dayes of this Guilielmus, there was a moſt deteſtable, and blaſphemous booke, ſet foorth by the Friers, mē tioned alſo in Matthias Pariſienſis, which they called Euangelium aeternum Spiritus ſancti, Euangelium aeternum ſpiritus ſancti.the euerlaſting Goſpell, or the Goſpell of the holie Ghoſt. In which booke, many abhominable errors of the Papiſtes were conteyned, ſo that the Goſpel of Ieſus Chriſt was vtterly defaced. Which ſayde booke, was not to be compared to this euerlaſting Goſpel, no more then the ſhell was to be compared to the kernel,The ſhell to the kernell. or the darkeneſſe to light, &c.

Moreouer, that the Goſpell of Chriſt ſhould be preached no more but fiftie yeares, and then this euerlaſting Goſpell ſhould rule the Church, &c.

Item, that whatſoeuer was in the whole Bible,A blaſphemous goſpel of the Friers. was in the ſame Goſpell conteyned. At the length, this Friers goſpell was accuſed to the Pope: and ſo ſixe perſons choſen of the whole Vniuerſitie, to peruſe, and iudge of this booke: as, Chriſtianus, Canonicus, Beluacenſis, Ododoaco, Nicholaus de Baro, Iohannes de ſicca vella, Anglus, Iohannes Belim, Gallus. Among whom, this Guilielmus alſo was one, who mightely impugned this peſtiferous, & deuilliſh booke. Theſe ſixe (after the peruſing of this booke) were ſent to Rome. The friers alſo ſent their meſſengers withal: where they were refuted, and the errors of the booke condemned: but ſo, that the pope, with the Cardinals commanded y^e ſaid booke to be aboliſhed, and condemned, not publikely (tendering the eſtimatiō of the religious orders) but y^e they ſhould be burned ſecretly, and the bookes of the foreſaid Guilielmꝰ to be burned withall. Among other beſides of y^e age-which withſtood the B. of Rome, and his antichriſtian errors, was one Laurence, Laurence.an Engliſhman, and maſter of Paris: another was Petrus Ioannes, P. Iohannes. P antichriſt Rome Babylon. Dead bones burned.a Minorite. Laurence was about the yere 1290. who proued the Pope to be Antichriſt, & the Sinagogue of Rome great Babylon. The Pope, after his death cauſed his bones to be taken vp, and burned. To theſe is to be added, Robertus Gallus, an. 1290. who being born of right noble Parentage, for deuotion ſake, was made a dominike Frier.R. Gallus. He had diuers viſions againſt the Pope,Viſions againſt the pope. and Sea of Rome. Hee called the Pope an Idoll. He forewarned (as is in a certaine Chronicle declared) how God would puniſh the ſimonie, and auarice of the Cleargie, with ſuch a plague, that riuers ſhould run with bloud. It is ſaide, there is remayning a great volume of his viſions.

To theſe fathers is to be ioyned Rob. Groſted, B. of Lincolne,R. Groſted, B. of Lincolne. a man famouſlie learned in the iij. tongues, & in philoſophie. He wrote diuers bookes, and one ſpeciall Sermon, he exhibited in foure ſundrie ſcrowles to the Pope, and other foure Cardinals: beginning, Dominus noſter Ieſus Chriſtꝰ, &c. He wrote diuers Inuectiues againſt the Pope.Inuectiues againſt the Pope.

The Pope (amongſt his other intollerable exactions) had a certain neuew (ſo the popes are wont to cal their ſonnes) named Frederike, being yet vnderunder age, whome Innocent would néedes preferre to be a Chanon, or Prebende, in the Church of Lincolne: and directed downe his letters, to certaine his factors here in England, for execution of the ſame. Wherewith Groſted was greatly offended, and maketh a quick, and ſharpe anſwere to the Pope: whereat he fretting and fuming, anſwered with a proud looke, and fierce mind, what old doting franticke wretch is this, ſo boldly and raſhly to iudge of my doings? By ſwéete S. Peter and S. Paule, were it not but vponupon our owne clemencie and good nature we are conſtrained, we would hurle him downe to ſuch confuſion, that we would make him a fable, a gaſing ſtocke, an example and wonderment to all the world:K. of England the popes manciple, vaſſall page. for is not the king of England our vaſſall, and to ſay more, our manciple and page, which may at our pleaſure and becke impriſon him, and put him to vtter ſhame.

This when the Pope had in rage vttered, ſcarſe were his Cardinals able to appeaſe him with gentle and milde wordes, declaring vntounto him the inconuenience, if he ſhould ſo procéede, beſides giuing great commēdation of Groſteds learning and godlineſſe. Theſe wordes ſpake Lord Giles a Spaniſh Cardinall to the pope, and this Councell gaue the reſt vntounto him, that hée ſhould winke at theſe things,Manifeſt and knowne that once ſhould come a defection from Rome. leaſt ſome tumult might ariſe thereof, eſpecially ſeing this is manifeſt and knowne to all men, that once muſt come a defection and parting from the church of Rome.

Not long after, this Robert Groſted died at Budgen. In time of his ſickneſſe, he called vntounto him a Preaching frier, one Iohn Giles, and did greatly complaine of the diſorders of the Friers, and of the Romane clergie, prouing the Pope to be an Hereticke:The pope an hereticke. declaring and reprouing manifold abuſes of the church of Rome, and ſaid that this old verſe may truly be verified vponupon it.

Eius auaritiae totus vix ſufficit orbis.

Eius luxuriae meretrix non ſufficit vna.

Romane vertues.that is: The whole world doth ſcarſe ſatiſfie his couetouſneſſe, neither doth one harlot ſuffiſe for his leacherie: and in the end propheſied:R. Groſted propheſieth againſt Rome, and dieth. Neither (ſaith hée) ſhall the Church be deliuered from the ſeruitude of Egypt, but by violence and force, and by the blouddy ſword. So ſcarſe able to vtter his words, with ſighing, ſobbing, & wéeping, his tongue & breath failed, and ſo finiſhed his daies. He departed, An. 1253. Of his deceaſe: thus writeth Math. Pariſ. pag. 278. Out of the priſon and baniſhment of this world which he neuer loued, was taken the holy biſhop of Lincolne, Robert, at his Mannor of Buckdune on the éeuen of S. Dioniſe:The vertues of R. Groſted. who was an open reproouer of the pope, and of the king: a rebuker, of the Prelates: inſtructer of the clarks: fauourer of ſcholers: preacher to the people: perſecutor to the incontinent: a diligent ſearcher of the Scriptures: a maule to the Romans,A maule of the Romans. and a contemner to their dooings, &c.

This Robert Groſted cauſed to be viewed, and conſidered diligently of his clerkes, what the reuenew of forrenners and ſtraungers ſet in by the pope came to by the yéere, and it was found,Pope Innocēt the 4. a great impoueriſher of chriſtendome. and euidently tried, that pope Innocent the fourth, did impoueriſh the vniuerſall Church of Chriſtendome, more then all his predeceſſors from the time the pope firſt began: ſo that the reuenewes of forreners & clerks placed by him here in England,70000. markes reuenewes of forreners placed in the land by the Pope. mounted to the ſumme of 70. thouſand markes and aboue: whereas the méere reuenewes of the crowne came not to 30. thouſand.

Mathias Pariſienſis reporteth, that pope Innocentius, an. 1254. being maruellous angry with Groſted, contrary to the mind of his Cardinals, would hauehave his bones to be caſt out of the church: and purpoſed to bring him into ſuch ſpite, that he ſhould be counted an Ethnicke, a rebell, & diſobedient perſon throughout the world: and therevpon cauſed his letters to be ſent to the king of England, knowing that the king would gladly ſerue his turne therein, to hauehave the ſpoile of the biſhop and his Church. But the night following Groſted appéered vntounto him comming in his Pontificalibus, Groſted appeereth in a viſiō to the pope.and with a ſeuere countenaunce, and terrible voice ſpeaketh vntounto him beyng in his reſt, and ſmiteth him on the ſide vehemently with his croſſeſtaffe, ſaying: O thou ſcurffie lazie, old, bald, lowſie, wretched, doting Pope, haſt thou purpoſed to caſt my bones out of the Church, to the ſlaunder and ſhame of mée, how came this raſhe wilfulneſſe into thy head? it were more méete for thée to make much of the zealous ſeruantes of God, although departed:Groſted ſtriketh the Pope. with other wordes of reproofe, and ſo departed from him, leauing him ſtroken, and halfe dead: ſo that hée neuer enioyed anie proſperous day, or could hauehave anie quiet night til the morning, vntounto his death: which happened ſhortly after, hee being at Naples, ann. 1255. or as N. Treuet recordeth, 1254.

After Innocent the 4. ſuccéeded in the Popedome,Innocent dieth. Alexander the 3.Alexander 3.

After this, about the yéere 1260. fell debate betwixt the King and his Nobles: but ſo was it compounded, that the King and the Lords did ſweare at Oxford, that what lawes and decrées in the ſame aſſembly, ſhoulde bée prouided to the profit of the King and the Realme, the ſame vniuerſally ſhoulde be kept and obſerued, to the honour of God, and peace of the Realme Beſides the king and the Lordes, there were alſo 9. Biſhops, which ſwearing to the ſame end, excommunicated all ſuch as ſhould gainſtand the ſaid prouiſions there made. Wherevppon, diuers wholeſome lawesWholeſome lawes. were enacted, which miſliked the King, in ſuch ſort, that he required of the Pope for himſelfe, and his ſonne Edward, to be diſpenſed with of their othes, Anno 1261. Which being eaſily obtained,The Pope diſpenſeth with othes. Pope dieth. the king ſteps back from all that was before concluded.

The ſame yéere died pope Alexander: after whom ſuccéeded Vrban the 4. who alſo reuiued and renewed the releaſement of the kings oath aforeſaid: wherevpon grew war betwixt the king and the Barons.P. Vrban 4 War betwixt the king and the Barons.

Anno 1264. died Pope Vrban, and after him ſuccéeded Clement 4. Clement 4.who, (as Nicholas Riuet affirmeth) was firſt a married man, & had wife and children, and was the ſollicitor and Counſeller to the French K. then after the death of his wife, was Biſhop, intituled: Padienſis. after that,Vrban dieth. Archb. of Narbourn, and at laſt, made Cardinall: who being ſent of Pope Vrban in legacie for reformation of peace, in his abſence, was elected Pope by the Cardinalles.

Thomas of Aquine Bonauenture.About this time floriſhed Thomas of Aquine Reader at Paris among the Dominick Fryers: and Bonauenture among the Franciſcan Friers, ex Nichol. Riuet.

Anno 1265 the pope graunted that the Church of England ſhould pay tenthes of all reuenewes, as well temporall as ſpiritual, to the King, to continue thrée yeares ſpace: & the yeare after,Tenthes to the Kinge. the popes Legate, Octobonus, cauſed to be proclaimed a new graunt of pope Clement to the King and Quéene of all the tenthes for 7 yeares to come.

Anno 1267 peace was concluded betwéene the King & the Barons, and Octobonus departed the land. This Octobonus enrolled to perpetuall memorie,Peace betwixt the K. and the Barons. the valuation of all the Churches in the realme of England, ſo narrowly as by any meanes he might enquire the certainty thereof.

Cathedrall churches popes penſions.The ſame was he that made al the Cathedral & conuentuall churches to pay penſions: ſo that thoſe churches that gaue not the vacancie of their benefices to their Clerkes and ſtraungers, ſhould pay vntounto them a certaine yearly penſion during the vacancie of the benefices they ſhould hauehave.

Clement 4. diethThe ſame yeare dyed pope Clement the 4. after whoſe death the church of Rome was vacant 2. yeares: and then was choſen an Archdeacon Pope, whoſe name was Theardus, as he was taking his iourney into the holy land, and called him Gregory the tenth.Gregory 10.

During the raigne of King Henry the 3. Edward the Kinges ſonne was one that made a generall expedition againſt the SaracensAgainſt the Saracens. to Ieruſalem, and in the yeare 1270, in the monethmonth of May he ſet forward in his iourney.

About the time when Prince Edward was preparing his iourney towardes Aſia, Boniface the Archb of Canterbury ended his life in the countrie of Sebaudia, going belyke to Rome, or comming thence. In whoſe ſtead Gregory the tenth placed Robert Kilwardly, neither according to the minde of the Monkes, who agréed vponupon the Prior of their houſe named Adam Chelendine, nor of the king, who ſpake in the behalfe of Robert Burnell there Chancellor.

About this time came out the great Concordances,Great Concordances. by an Engliſh frier, called Derminghton. Ex Eulogio.

Anno 1273. Pope Gregory the tenth called a generall CouncellA generall Councell. at Lions, about the controuerſie betwixt the Gréeke Church and the Latine, and for the vacancie of the ſea apoſtolicall.

This yéere in the monethmonth of Aprill, Richard King of Almaigne, died at the Caſtle of Barthamſtéed, and was buried at the Abbey of Hailes,Abbey of Hailes. King dyeth. which hée buylded from the ground.

This yeare 1273. dyed King Henry, the 16. day before the calendes of December, in the 56. yeare of his raigne,Weſtminſter church. & was buryed at Weſtminſter. The ſtéeple and church wherof in his life time he began to build, but did not fully finiſh the ſame before his death.

After Henry the 3. ſuccéeded his ſonne Edward, and was crowned anno 1274.

Anno. 1276. began the foundation of the Black fryers by Ludgate.Blackfryers by Ludgate. And in the yeare 1285. the new worke of y^e church of Weſtminſter that began in the 3. year of Henry the third was finiſhed: which was 66 yeares in edifying.

An. 1291. The Iewes were vtterly baniſhed the realm: for which, the Commons gaue to the K. a Fiftéene.

King Edward had ſharpe warre with the Scottes,Iewes baniſhed y^e realm vtterly. and ſubdued them thrée times: who ſéeing they could not make their partie good againſt the King, ſent priuilie to P. Boniface for his ayde, and councell: who immediatly ſendeth downe his precept to the king, that he ſhould herafter ceaſe to moleſt the Scottes, for that they were a people exempt,The Scots pertain to the Popes chappell. and properly pertayning vntounto his Chappell: and therefore it coulde not otherwiſe bee, but that the Citie of Ieruſalem muſt néedes defende her owne Citizens: and as the mount Sion maintaine ſuch as truſt in the Lord. Wherevnto the king made anſwere with an oth, that hée would mainteine that which was his right euidently knowne to all the world.

The next yéere after, which was the 29. of the kings raigne, the Pope directeth his letters to the king againe, wherein he chalengeth the kingdome of Scotland, to be proper to the Church of Rome, and not ſubiect to the king of England, and therefore it was againſt God, &c. for him to hold any dominion ouer the ſame:Scots conuerted by the reliques of S. Peter. Among other reaſons, one was becauſe the kingdome of Scotland was conuerted by the reliques of S. Peter to the faith of Chriſt, and therefore if hée woulde claime any right to the ſame Church, or anie part thereof, he ſhould ſend vp his procurators, ſpecially to the ſame appointed, with all that he could for himſelfe alleadge vntounto the ſea apoſtolike, there to receiue, what reaſon and right would require.

The king calling a parlement Ann. 1301. anſwereth the popes letters, and ſo did the Lords temporall, and the whole Baronry of England.

The yéere 1303. Pope Boniface the 8. ſtirred vp Edward, king of England, to fight againſt the French king Philip, with whom the Pope had taken diſpleaſure.

After the biſhopricke of Rome had béene long voyde, thorough the diſſention of the cardinals, for the ſpace of two yeares, and thrée moneths. At the length Celeſtinus was choſen Succeſſor to Pope Nicholas the fourth. Which Celeſtinus, in his firſt Conſiſtorie, began to reforme the clergie of Rome,Celeſtine beginneth to reforme y^e church of Rome. thinking to make the ſame an example to all other Churches. Whereby, he procured to himſelfe ſuch hatred of the Clergie-men, that this Boniface being called Benedictus, ſpeaking through a Réede, by his chamber wall in the night ſeaſon, admoniſhed him (as it had béene a voice from heauen) that he ſhould geue ouer his Papacie, as a burthen greater then he could beare. Ex Maſſ.

Which in déede after ſixe monethes he did (partly for the voice ſpoken before,Boniface a crafty knaue. P. thruſt into priſon. Bon-pope of Rome. and partly for feare) being tolde of certaine, which were craftely ſuborned in his chamber, that if he did not reſigne, he ſhould loſe his life. And, when hee had reſigned, Boniface thruſt him into perpetuall priſon, and ſo he died. Wherfore, this Boniface was worthilie called the viij. Nero: of whom it was rightly ſaide, he came in like a Foxe; reigned like a Lion; and died like a dog.

This Boniface, inuading after Celeſtinus, behaued himſelfe ſo imperiouſly, that he put down Princes, excommunicated Kings, ſuch as did not take their confirmation at his hands. Diuers of his Cardinals he draue away for feare: ſome of them (as Schiſmatiks) he depoſed, and ſpoyled them of all their ſubſtance.The pope curſeth y^e frēch king to the 4. generation. Philip the French king he excommunicated, for not ſuffering his money to goe out of his realm, and therfore curſed him and his to the fourth generation.

Albertus the Emperor, not once, or twiſe, but thriſe ſought at his hands to be confirmed, and yet was reiected: neither could obteine, except he would promiſe to driue the French king out of his Realme.

The factious diſcord in Italie, betwixt the Gulephs, and the Gibellines, he greatly ſet on fire: in ſo much, that vponupon Aſhwedneſday, when Porchetus, an Archbiſhop, came, and knéeled downe before him, to receiue aſhes,The pope ſcoffeth &c. the Pope (looking vponupon him, and perceiuing that he was one of the Gibellines part) caſt a handful of aſhes in his eyes: ſaying, Memento homo, quod Gibellinus es, &c. Remember man, that a Gibellin thou art, and to aſhes thou ſhalt goe.

This P. (moreouer) ordeyned firſt the IubilieThe firſt Iubilie. in Rome: in the ſolemnizing whereof, the firſt day he ſhewed himſelfe in his Pontificalibus, and gaue frée remiſſion of ſinnes, to as many as came to Rome, out of all partes in the world. The ſecond day, being wayted on with Emperial enſignes, he cauſed a naked ſword to be caried before him,The power of both ſwords. & ſaid with a loud voice, Ecce poteſtatem vtriuſque gladij. Lo here the power, and authoritie of both ſwordes, &c.

By this P. diuers conſtitutions, extrauagantes of his predeceſſors,Extrauagant conſtitutions. Sextus Nicholaus. Pardons and indulgences. were collected together: with many of his own lewdly added thereto, and ſo made the booke, called Sextus Decretals: by whom alſo ſprang vp firſt, pardons, and indulgences from Rome.

Now, the cauſe of quarell betwixt the Pope, and the French king, (according to N. Riuet,) was this. Anno 1301 the Biſhop of Oppanuham (being accuſed for a conſpiracie againſt the French king) was brought vp to his Court,The quarrel betwixt the P. and French king. and ſo committed to priſon. The Pope hearing of this, ſendeth worde to the King by his Legat, to ſet him at libertie: which the king did, and withall, diſcharged both him, and the Legat, commanding them to auoyde his Realme.

Whereupon, Boniface reuoked all the priuiledges granted by him or his predeceſſors before to the kingdome of Fraunce, and not long after thundred out the ſentence of his curſe againſt him: citeth all the Prelates, al Deanes and Lawiers, both Ciuill and Canon to appeare perſonally before him at Rome, and at a certaine day, which was the firſt of Nouember.

The king of France forbiddeth to carrie treaſure to Rome.Againſt this citation the king againe prouideth by ſtraight proclamation, that no maner of perſon ſhould export out of the Realme of Fraunce, either gold, ſiluer, or any other maner of ware or merchandize, prouiding withall the waies and paſſages diligētly to be kept, that none might paſſe vnſearched: alſo, he defeated the Pope of giuing Benefices, Prebendaries, and other Eccleſiaſticall liuings: for which cauſe, moſt ſharpe letters paſſed betwixt them. Boniface beginning thus:The Popes proud ſtile to the French K. Boniface the ſeruant of Gods ſeruāts, &c. Feare God, and obſerue his commandements: we will thee to vnderſtand, that thou art ſubiect vntounto vsus, both in ſpirituall thinges, and in temporall. The king anſwereth, w^t this ſalutation: To Boniface, bearing himſelfe for chiefe B. little health, or none at all. Let thy fooliſhnes know, that, &c.

In the yéere 1303. Maiſter William Nagareta made declaration againſt the Pope, with appellation made at Paris,Nagareta againſt y^e pope Foure articles againſt the pope. afore the King and his Councell in the Church at Paris. This William Nagareta propounded foure Articles againſt the Pope, that he was an vſurper, an Hereticke, an horrible ſymoniacall, and a blaſphemer of the way of truth, and required of the king and prelates to call a councell, that prouiſion might be made for the bettering of the eſtate of the church: and afterward laid out in 28. 28. Articles againſt the popearticles more at large the villanies of this Boniface, as that he beléeued not the immortalitie of the ſoule: that he ſhould ſay, whoredome is no ſinne: that he cauſed his images to be made of ſiluer and to be ſet vp in churches. That he had a priuate deuill. That he was a witch. That he was a Sodomite, a murtherer, &c. Which thinges the King vnderſtanding, with the Archbiſhops and Biſhops made appellation to a councel for the matters. Thenames of the prelates were theſe: the archbiſhops of Nicoſien, Remen, Senoren, Narbonen, Turonen: the Biſhops of Landuiren, Belnacen, Catolacen, Antiſiodoren, Meldimen, Nurmen, Carnoten, Aurelianen, Ambiauen, Mornen, Silanen, Andeganen, Abricen, Conſtant, Ebroicen, Lexonicon, Sagien, Caloromont, Lemonicen, Auicen, Maſcicoren &c. With Abbots, &c. This appeale was made the 9. yeare of Bonifaces popedome at Lupara in Paris.

After theſe things thus in the Parlement agréed, the Prelates of the Cleargie, conſulting among themſelues what was beſt to be done in ſo doubtfull a matter, and dreading the Popes diſpleaſure for that which was done alredy, to cléere themſeues in the matter, they contriued a letter to the Pope, partly, to certifie him what there was done, and partly to admoniſh him what he ſhould doe.

Theſe things thus done, anno 1304. about the natiuitie of the Virgin Marie, came a gariſon of harneſſed Souldiers well appoynted, ſent partly by the French king, partly by the Cardinals, Columpna whom the Pope before had depoſed vntounto the gates of Auragum, where the Pope did hide himſelfe,The pope hideth himſelfe. becauſe he was borne in the towne, the captaines of which armie was one Schaira brother to the foreſaid cardinals, and another William de Longareto, high ſteward to the French king, who inuading the Popes towne, and finding the gates open, gaue aſſault to the Popes Frontier, where hée with his Nephew or Marques, and foure other Cardinals were immured. The towneſmen ſéeing all their ſtrength to be bent againſt the pope, cauſed the common bell to be rong, and ſo aſſembling themſelues in a common counſell, ordeined Adulphus Adulphus.one of the chiefeſt rulers of the towne for their Captaine, who (vnknowen to them) was a great aduerſary to the Pope. This Adulphus bringing with him Reginaldus de Supina, Reginaldus de Supina.a great Lorde in Campania, and the two ſons of Iohn Chitan, a noble man, whoſe Father the Pope had then in priſon: at length ioyned him with the French companie againſt the Pope, and ſo beſet his palace on eueryevery ſide: and firſt ſetting vppon the pallaces of the thrée Cardinals, which were then chiefe about the Pope,The cardinals goods rifeled. rifeled, and ſpoyled all their goodes: the Cardinals by a backe doore, hardly eſcaped their hands. But the popes palace, through munition and ſtrength of the Marques, was ſomething better defended. At length, the Pope perceiuing himſelfe not able to make his partie good, deſired truce with Schaira and his company,Pope craueth truce. which was granted him from one of the clock till nine.

During which time of truce, the Pope ſendeth priuily to the Townſmen of Aruagum, deſiring them to ſaue his life: which if they would doe, he promiſed to enrich them, that they ſhould all hauehave cauſe neuer to forget,The Pope reiected. or to repent the benefite beſtowed. To this they made anſwere againe (excuſing themſelues) that it lay not in their power to doe him any good, for that the whole power of the Towne lay with the Captaine.

Then the pope all deſtitute & deſolate ſendeth to Schaira, beſéeching him to draw out in Articles wherein hée had offended him,The pope glad to make amends. Conditions offered to the Pope. and he would make him amendes to the vttermoſt. Schaira maketh anſwere againe, that hée ſhould not eſcape with life but vponupon thrée conditions.

Firſt, to reſtore againe the two Cardinals of Columpna his brethren, whom he had before depriued, with all other of their ſtocke, and kinred.

Secondly, that after their reſtitution hee ſhould renounce his papacie.

Thirdly, his body to remaine in his power and cuſtodie.

Theſe cōditions the pope would none of:The gates of the popes paface fired. ſo that the time of truce expired, the captaines and ſouldiers firſt fired the gates of the palace, whereby the army hauing a full entrance, fell to rifle, and ſpoile the houſe: at length they burſt in to the pope, whom they put to choiſe, either preſently to leaue his life, or to forgo the popedome. But that hée denied ſtifly to doo, rather chooſing to die for it, ſaying:The pope rather would die then renounce his popedome. Lo here my neck, lo here my head, proteſting that he would neuer while hée liued renounce his papacie. Then Schaira went about, and was ready to ſlay him, but by certaine that were about him hée was ſtayed: the Souldiers in the meane time did lade themſelues with gold and treaſure, that as Robert Auesb. reporteth,The pope ſpoiled of infinite treaſure. all the Kinges of the earth together were not able to diſburſe ſo much out of their treaſurie in a whole yéere, as then was taken and carried out of the Popes palace, and of the palaces of the thrée Cardinals, and Marques.

Thus Boniface bereaued of al his goods, remained in their hands thrée daies: during the which ſpace, they had ſet him on a wild and vnbroken colt,The Pope homely vſed. his face turned to the horſe tayle, cauſing the horſe to runne and courſe, while the Pope almoſt was breathleſſe:The pope almoſt ſtarued. moreouer they kept him ſo without meat, that hée was thereby almoſt famiſhed to death. After the three daies the Aruagians with 10000. ſouldiers ſlue the kéeper,The pope deliuered, almoſt famiſhed. & burſt into priſon, and deliuered Boniface almoſt famiſhed, whom the people refreſhed with vittaile, and receiued his bleſſing. From thence he tooke his iourney to Rome, beyng accompanied with a great number of harneſſed ſouldiers: where ſhortly after, partly for feare which he was in, partly for famine, & partly for ſorrow of his ineſtimable treaſure loſt;Pope dieth. Benedict 9. he died. After whom ſuccéeded Benedict the 9. of whom theſe verſes are written.

A re nomen habe, Benedic, Bene fac, Benedicte.

Aut rem peruerte, Maledic, Malefac, Maledicte.

Boniface afore mentioned was the Author of the Decretals.Decretals. About this time in the daies of king Edward, Boniface directed a Bull to Iohn Peckham archbiſhop of Canterburie (whom he had placed againſt the minde of the king and Church of Canterburie) as alſo vntounto all other quarters of the Church vniuerſall: in which was decréed that no Church, nor Eccleſiaſticall perſon, ſhould hencefoorth yéeld to his king or temporall magiſtrate, eyther any giuing, or lending, or promiſing of tribute, ſubſidies, or portion, whatſoeuer of the goods and poſſeſſions vntounto him belonging, but ſhould be cléerely exempted and diſcharged of ſuch ſubiection or tallage,Clergy exempt from ſubſidie. to be exacted of thē in the behoofe of the prince, and his affaires.

Not long after, the King held his Parlement at Saint Edmunſburie, where was graunted vntounto him of all Cities and Boroughs, an eight, and of the commons a twelfth of their goods: onelyonly the clergy by reaſon of the bull ſtood ſtout, wherevpon the king likewiſe ſecludeth them from vnderunder his protection,The clergy out of the kings protection. and ſauegard of his lawes: and becauſe the Archbiſhop was more ſtout, and an inciter of the reſt, hée ſeiſed vponupon his goods, and cauſed an Inuentory of the ſame to be enrolled in the excheker.

After the death of Iohn Peckham, ſuccéeded Robert Winchelſy, with whom the king had like variance, as with the other Peckham: and accuſed him to the Pope for breaking of peace, and taking part with them that rebelled againſt the king about vſages and liberties of the realme: wherefore the king being cited vp to the court of Rome, was there ſuſpended, till hee had purchaſed his abſolution againe.The King of England troubled with the ſea of Canter. And as this King was troubled with Archbiſhops: ſo from Hildebrand, and the time of Lanfrancus, eueryevery King in his time had ſomewhat to do with that ſea.

By Peckham before mentioned,No benefices but one. it was ordeined that no ſpirituall miniſter ſhoulde hauehave more benefices then one: which alſo was decreed by the conſtitutions of Octo and Octobonus, the Popes Legate the ſame time in England.

The Kinges mother was a profeſſed Nunne in Ameſburie. In the later yeare of this kinges raigne, Caſſianus K. of the TartariansCaſſanus K. of the Tartariās. (of whom come theſe which now are Turkes, fighting againſt the Souldan,The Tartarians chriſtened. king of the Saracens in the plaine of Damaſcus ſlue a 100000 of Saracens: and againe at Babilon fighting with the ſaid ſouldan, flue him in the field, & 200000. of his Saracens, & calling vponupon the helpe of Chriſt, and thereupon became Chriſtian. The ſame Caſſianus his brother alſo afterward was chriſtned him ſelfe and all his houſe.

In the raigne of this King, Walter Merto Biſhop of Rocheſter builded Merton Colledge in Oxford:Merton Colledge in Oxford. in whoſe raigne alſo liued Henricus de Gandano, Henr. de Gandano. De villa noua. Scotus, Duns. Clement 5. The court of Rome to Auinion. The P. reigne as Emp. ſede vacante.Arnoldus de villa noua. Dantes Scotus called Duns, and other mo.

After pope Benedict ſucceeded Clement the 5. who tranſlated the Popes court to Auinion in Fraunce.

By this Clement it was ordeined, that the Emperour, although he might be called K. of the Romaines before, yet he might not enioy the title of Emperor before he was by him confirmed: and that the Emperours ſeat being vacant, y^e P. might raigne as Emperour vntil anew were created. By him the orders of the templars which (at that time were too abhominable) were put downe at the councell of Vienna:Templars put downe. He alſo ordained, and confirmed the feaſt of Corpus Chriſti, Corpus Chriſti day. The Clementine decretals.aſſigning indulgences to ſuch as heard the ſeruice therof: and alſo compiled the 7. book of the decretals, called of his name the Clementines.

In the time of this Pope, Henricus the ſixt of that name,The Emp. poiſoned by a mōk in the chalice. Emperour, was poyſoned, receiuing the Sacrament, by a falſe diſſembling monke, called Bernard, which was thought not to bee done, without the conſent of the Popes Legate. For the which fact, although he eſcaped, yet diuers of his order after that, with fire, and ſworde, were ſlaine.

The Emp. of Conſtantinople excommunicated.This Pope excommunicated Andronicus Paleologus, Emperor of Conſtantinople, anno 1327. declaring him to be a ſchiſmatike, and heretike, becauſe hee would not ſuffer the Grecians to make their appeale from the Gréek church to the Pope, neither would acknowledge him to be his ſuperiour, &c: from which, the Gréek church was exempted, ſauing the ſpace of 58. yéeres, during the time of the French Emperours, al which time the French Emperors, with the Gréeke Church, were ſubiect to the church of Rome: but afterward, ſuch was their hate againſt the Romanes, that becauſe Michael Paleologus, and the Grecians, being called vp by Gregorie the tenth, to a Councell at Lyons, about the controuerſie of procéeding of the holy Ghoſt, &c. did ſubmit themſelues to the Church of Rome: the Gréeke monks and Prieſtes denied him the due honour, and place of buriall.

P. Iohn 22.After Clement the 5. ſuccéeded pope Iohn the 22. with whom Lodouike the Emperor had much trouble: after whō, ſuccéeded Benedict the 12.P. Benedict.

This Benedict, on a certaine time being deſired to make certaine new Cardinals,This worlde made for the Cardinals. anſwereth againe, that he gladly would ſo do, if he alſo could make a new world. For this world (ſaid he) is for theſe Cardinals, that be made already. Ex ſcripto Engethuſenſis.

An. 1307. The xxxiiij. yeare of the reigne of the king, in the beginning of Hillarie Tearme, the King kept a Parlement at Carlil,Complaint againſt the P. for oppreſſing England. where great complaintes were brought in by the Nobles, and Ancientes of the lande, concerning the oppreſſion of the Church, by the Popes Legat, William Teſta, otherwiſe called mala Tecta: who came by reaſon the P. (hauing tranſlated his court to Auinion) was denyed by the princes of Rome, S. Peters patrimonie, & liued then barely: hee had of contribution, and beneuolence, within the firſt yeare, nine thouſand, and fiue hundred markes of ſiluer, and all his other charges, and expences, (which he largely y^t yere beſtowed) cléerely borne, beſides the benefite of Bulles, ſent by the ſaid Teſta, and the firſt fruits of al churches being vacant, at any time, or by any man, within the realm of England, Scotland, Wales, & Ireland. And alſo, the firſt fruites of all Abbeis, and Priories, within the ſaid Realmes, &c.

Whereupon, the king, in the ſame Parlement, withſtood the Legate, charging him (with the conſent of the Earles, & Barons) to abſtaine from ſuch exactions: and ſaid, he would ſende to the pope about the matter: which he did, and thereupon the Pope changed his purpoſe touching Abbeis: and after that, the firſt fruites of Engliſh Churches was granted vntounto the king for two yeres. In which ſpace, he obteined the fruites of the foreſaid Churches, &c.

During which Parlement before ſpecified, as mē were talking many things of the Popes oppreſſion, ſodeinly fell downe (as it were from heauen) among them,An Epiſtle of Caſſ. to the Church of England. a paper with this ſuperſcriptiō. An epiſtle of Caſsiodorus, to the church of England, concerning the abuſes of the Romiſh church. To the noble church of England, ſeruing in clay, & brick, as the Iewes did in times paſt, vnderunder the tyrannie of the Egyptians: Peter, the ſonne of Caſsiodore, a Catholick ſouldier, and deuoute Champion of Chriſt, ſendeth greeting, and wiſheth to caſt of the yoke of bondage, and to receiue the reward of libertie, &c.

What effect this letter wrought in them to whom it was directed,The P. ſtil reteineth his exactions. it is not in ſtories expreſſed: by the ſequele it may be coniectured, that whatſoeuer was ſaid, the P. retained ſtil his exactions.

Anno 1329. The King of France called a parlement at Paris, about the beginning of December, to conferre of the iuriſdiction of the Pope, both in Spiritual, and Temporal things.

In which Parlement, a certain wiſe Nobleman, called Peter de Cugnerijs, P. de Cugneriis.being one of the kinges Councell, roſe vp, and ſpake on the kings behalfe, taking for his Theame, Render vntounto Caeſar that which is his, and vntounto God that which is Gods: which he proſecuted very effectuallie, and deliuered a bil of 64. articles, wherin the Spiritualty vſurped vponupon the temporaltie: and gaue the Prelates time to deliberate:64. Articles againſt the ſpiritualtie. which was, til the Friday next enſuing.

On which day, the B. Edwine, and Archb. of S. Senon, elect, in the name of the whole Clergie, anſwered for them all before the King, and endeuoured to proue, that a perſon eccleſiaſticall, might hauehave temporall iuriſdiction, by the example of Melchizedech, who was k of Salem, & Prieſt, &c. And in the concluſion of his replie, ſaid, becauſe a byl of many articles was exhibited, parte whereof did infringe the whole Eccleſiaſticall iuriſdiction: to the defence wherof, wée wil ſtand vntounto y^e death (ſaid he:) ſome other of them, contain onelie certayne abuſes, which we beléeue none ſuch to be: but if there be, we will ſée redreſſe therein, to the quietneſſe of the people, and praiſe of almightie God.

The next Friday following, the Biſhop of Eduen (taking the Pſalme 89. Lord, thou art our refuge,) extolled the kings perſon, ſitting with his Barons and Counſellers about him, and proſecuted an anſwere to the Lord Peter of Cugners oration, and proued both ſwordes to belong vntounto the Pope: and anſwered particularlie the Articles aboue mentioned.

The next Friday after this the Prelates aſſembled againe at Vicenas before the king, to heare their anſwere, where the Lord Peter of Cugner (beyng Prolocutor for the king) tooke for his Theame, I am peace vntounto you, doo not feare: wherevpon he ſignified that they ſhould hauehave no feare nor be troubled for any thing that there had béene ſpoken: for that the entent of the King was to kéepe the rites of the Church and Prelates, which they had by law, and by good and reaſonable cuſtome, but yet proued that the knowledge of ciuill cauſes belonged not to them,Knowledge of ciuill cauſes belongeth not to the clergy. which notwithſtanding, he ſaid, the K. was ready to heare the informatiō of thē that would inſtruct him of any cuſtome: and thoſe cuſtomes which were good & reaſonable he would obſerue: which anſwere liked not the B. Edwin, but he replied again in y^e prelates defence: and in cōcluſion beſéeched the K. that it would pleaſe him, to giuegive them a more comfortable anſwere, & that they might not depart from his preſence all penſiue and ſad, whereby occaſion might be giuen to the Laitie, to impugne the rites and liberties of the Church. It was anſwered againe, that the kings intent was not to impugne the cuſtomes of the Church.

The Sunday followyng at Vicenas, they had anſwere and aſſurance from the King, that they ſhould ſuffer no damage in his tyme: yea, and that hée would defend their rightes and cuſtomes, becauſe it ſhould not bée ſayd that hée would giuegive examples to others to impugne the Church, and that if the Biſhoppes and Prelates would ſée reformation of thoſe things, that were to be amended,Reformation to be doone. whereabout he would take reſpite betwéene this and Chriſtmaſſe next following, his grace would innouate nothing: and if in the foreſayd ſpace, they would not reforme that which was amiſſe, his Maieſtie would appoynt ſuch order as ſhould be acceptable to God, and his ſubiects. After this, the Prelates and Cleargie had leaue of the King to depart, and went home. This Parlement of the French is to be referred to the yéere, 1329.

Anno 1307. King Edward marching toward Scotland died: after whom ſuccéeded his ſonne Edward the ſecond.The K. dieth. About the yéere 1310. or the next following, came in firſt the Crooched friers,Crooched friers. and alſo began firſt the Knights of the order of Iohn Baptiſt, called otherwiſe the Knights of the Rhodes,Knights of the Rhodes. for that they by manly knighthood put y^e Turks out of the Rhodes.

54. Templars burned at Paris.This yéere the French K. cauſed to be burned 54. Templars at Paris, with the great Maiſter of the order: and by his procurement Pope Clement the fifth, who ſuccéeded Benedict, called a Councell at Vienna, where the whole order and ſect of Templars beyng condemned, was ſhortly after, by the conſent of all Chriſtian kings, depoſed all in one day.The Tēplars put downe vniuerſally. The cauſe why thoſe vngodly Tēplars were put downe, was ſo abhominable and filthy, that it is not with modeſtie to be named.

After the depoſing of the Templars, the King of France thought to make his ſonne king of Ieruſalem, and to conuert to him all the landes of the Templars: but Pope Clement would not thereto agrée, tranſferring all their landes to the order of the Hoſpitallers,The Pope ſelleth the Templars landes. for a great ſumme of mony giuen for the ſame.

In the ſame Councell it was alſo decréed by Pope Clement, that all religious orders exempted, ſhould be ſubiect vnderunder the common lawes, as other were: but the Ciſtercian Monkes with mony and great giftes redéemed their priuiledges, and exemptions of the Pope, and ſo had them graunted.Ciſtercian monks exēpt. Rob. Auesb.

But the Franciſcans ſped vnhappily with their ſuite: of which Franciſcans, when certaine had offered vntounto the Pope Clement foure thouſand Florens of gold, beſide other ſiluer, that the Pope would diſpence with them to hauehave landes and poſſeſſions againſt their rule, the Pope aſked them where that mony was, and they anſwered in the marchauntes handes. The Pope abſolued the marchauntes of their bondes, and commaunded all that money to bée imployed to his vſe: declaring vntounto the Friers, that hée woulde not infringe the rule of Saint Francis, The pope conſeneth the Frā ciſcan Frierslately canonized, neyther ought hee to doe it for anie money. Thus the Friers loſt their money, and their indulgence. Ex eodem.

Sabellicus writeth, that Clement the fift excommunicated the Venetians,The Venetiās curſed of the popa. for ayding and preferring of Aroda vntounto the eſtate of Ferrarie: and wrote his letters throughout all Europe, condemning them as enemies of the church, and giuing their goodes as a lawfull pray vntounto all men: which cauſed them to ſuſtayne great harme. So that Fancis Dandulus, a noble man of Venice beeing Embaſſadour,A monſtrous tyrannie. was fayne ſo to humble himſelfe before this proude tyrannicall Prelate, that hée ſuffered a chayne of yron to bee tyed about his necke, and to lye downe flat before his table, and ſo to catch the bones and fragmentes that fell, as if he had béene a dogge, til the Popes fury was toward them aſſwaged.

About this time, Rob. Winchelſey Archb. of Canterbury (whom the kings father had baniſhed before) was releaſed, and returned home from Rome.

Great diſturbance roſe betwixt the king, and the nobles: who hauing their power lying about Dunſtable, ſent meſſage vntounto the king at London, to hauehave their former acts confirmed: at which time came two Cardinalles from Rome, with letters ſent vntounto the nobles from the pope. The nobles anſwered to the meſſage of the Cardinals, that as touching themſelues, they ſhould be at all times welcome vntounto them, but as for their letters (foraſmuch as they were men vnlettered, and onelyonly brought vp in feats of warre) therfore cared they not for ſéeing the ſame: neither would they ſpeak with the Legates concerning their buſines. Yet at the laſt, through the mediation of the Archb and the Earle of Gloceſter, the matter was taken vp betwixt the King and the Nobles.

Anno 1313 Robert Winchelſey died, in whoſe roome Robert Cobham was elected by the King and Church of Canterbury: but the Pope did fruſtrate that election, and placed Walter Renald Walter Renald.Biſhop of Worceſter.

About this time died Pope Clement the 5. Clement 5. dieth.who kéeping in Fraunce, neuer came to the ſea of Rome: after whoſe death the Papacie ſtood voide two yeares.

Papacie voide two yeares.After Clement ſuccéeded pope Iohn the 22. who ſent two Legates from Rome vnderunder pretence to ſet agréement betwixt the king of Englād and the Scots: they for their charges and expēces required of eueryevery ſpiritual perſon iiii d. in eueryevery mark:Iohn 22. Pope maketh profite of the variance of princes.but all in vaine. For the legates as they were in the North partes about Derlington with their whole familie and traine, were robbed & ſpoiled of their horſes, treaſure, apparel, and whatſoeuer elſe they had: and ſo with an euil fauoured handling, retired backe againe to Dureſme: where they ſtaied a while waiting for an anſwere from the Scots. But when neither y^e popes legacie, neither his curſe, would take any place with the Scots, they returned againe to London, where they firſt excommunicated and curſed as blacke as ſoote all thoſe arrogant and preſumptuous robbers of Northumberland. Secondly for ſupplying of y^e loſſes receiued, they exacted of the clergie to be giuen vntounto them 8. pence in eueryevery marke. But the Clergie thereunto would not agrée: ſéeing it was their owne couetouſnes, as they ſaid that made them venture farther then they néeded:viii d. in eueryevery marke only they were contented to relieue them after 4. pence in the marke: further they would not graunt. And ſo they departed to the popes court againe.

Michael houſe founded in Cambridge.In the time of this king the Colledge in Cambridge, called Michaell houſe was founded by Sir Henry Stanton knight. About the ſame time alſo was Nicholaus de Lyra, Nicholaus de lyra.which wrote the ordinarie gloſſe of the Bible: alſo Guilielmus Occham Guilielmus Occham.a worthie deuine, of a right ſincere iudgement, as the times then would eyther giuegive or ſuffer.

Among others which the King did trouble, and take reuenge of, for the rebellion of the Barons, was one Adam Adam.Biſhoppe of Hereford, who beyng appeached of treaſon, with other more, was at length arreſted in the Parlement, to appeare, and anſwere to that ſhould be layd againſt him. To which the Biſhop anſwered: I, an humble miniſter and member of the Church of God, and Biſhop conſecrate (albeit vnworthy) can not, neyther ought to anſwere, to theſe ſo high matters, without the authoritie of the Archbiſhop of Canterbury my direct iudge, and next vnderunder the high Biſhoppe of Rome, whoſe ſuffragane alſo I am, and the conſent likewiſe of other my fellow Biſhops. After which woordes, the Archbiſhop and other Biſhops made humble ſute for him to the King.

But when the King would not be woon, nor turned with any ſupplication: the Biſhops together with the Archbiſhops and Clergie, comming with their croſſes, tooke him away, chalenging him for the church without any further anſwere making: charging moreouer vnderunder the cenſures of the church, and excommunication, none to preſume to lay any further handes vponupon him.

The king commanded, notwithſtanding, to procéede in iudgement, and the iurie of twelue men to goe vponupon the inquiſition of his cauſe: who finding, and pronouncing the biſhop to be guiltie, the king cauſed immediatlie, all his goods and poſſeſſions to be confiſcate to himſelfe. Moreouer, made his plate, and all his houſhold ſtuffe, to be throwen out of his houſe, into the ſtreete. But yet he remayned ſtill vnderunder the protection of the Archbiſhop.

This Archb. was called W. Winchelſey, after whom ſuccéeded S. Mepham, Anno, one thouſand, thrée hundred,Simon M. and twentie ſeuen. R. Auesb.

After P. Clement v. (by whoſe deceaſe the Romane Sea ſtood vacant two yéeres and thrée moneths. Next was elected pope Iohn 22. Clement 5.a Ciſtercian Monke, who ſat in the papacie 18. yéeres, a man ſo ſtout, inflexible, and giuen much to heaping vp of riches,A great hereſie. that he proclaimed them Heretikes, that taught that Chriſt, & his Apoſtles, had no poſſeſſions of their owne in the world.

At this time was Emperour Ludouicus Bauarus Ludouicus Bauarus Emperour.a worthy man: who with this Pope and other that followed him, had no leſſe contention then had Fredericus before:Contention betwixt the pope & Emp. 24. yeeres. in ſomuch that this contention continued 24. yéeres. The cauſe thereof roſe of the conſtitution of Clement 5. predeceſſor to this Pope: by whom it was ordeined that Emperours elected by the Germanine princes, might be called kings of the Romanes: but might not enioy the title and right of the empire, without their confirmation, giuen by the pope. Wherfore, this Emperour, becauſe he vſed the imperiall dignitie in Italie: (before he was authorized by the P) he excommunicated him: and notwithſtāding, the Emperour did oftentimes offer vp himſelf to make intreatie of peace,Pope hath full power to create and depoſe Emperors at his pleaſure. yet the inflexible pope would not bend, mainteining that he had full power to create, and depoſe kings and Emperours at his pleaſure.

In the ſame time were diuers learned men, who did greatly diſallow the B. of Romes doings: among whō was Guilielmus Occham, whoſe Tractations were afterwarde condemned by the Pope, for writing againſt the Temporal iuriſdiction of their Sea: and another named Marſilinꝰ Patauinus, Marſilius Patauinus.who wrote the booke, called Defenſor pacis, Defenſor pacis.giuen vp to the handes of the Emperor: wherein, the controuerſie of the Popes vſurped iuriſdiction, in thinges Temporall, is largely diſputed, & the vſurping authoritie of the ſame ſea, ſet foorth to the vttermoſt.

At length, when the Emperor (after much ſuite at Auinion) could not obteine his Coronation. Cōming to Rome, he was there receaued with great honor, where he, with his wife, were both crowned, by the ful conſent of all the Lords and Cardinals there, and another Pope there ſet vp, called Nicholas the fifte.

After which things,Pope Nicholas v. the Pope (not long after) died at Auinion in France: whome ſuccéeded Benedictus the twelft,Benedict xii. a Monke of Benedictus order, and reigned vij. yeres. Who by the councell of Philip, the French king, confirmed, and proſecuted the cenſures that Iohn his predeceſſor had publiſhed againſt Lewes the Emperor: and depriued him, both of his Emperiall Crowne, & Dukedome of Bauaria:Emperor depriued. that he ſtode excommunicate, till time that variance fell betwixt this P. Benedict, and the French K. Wherfore, to hauehave ſome friēds to flie to, he began to pretend fauor and abſolution. And not long after, died. After whom folowed Clement vi. a man moſt furious, and cruell.Variance betwixt the P. and french K.

This Clement vi. renuing againe the former excommunications of his predeceſſors) cauſed his letters to be ſet vp on Church dores: wherein he threatened, and denounced, moſt terrible thunderboltes againſt the Emperor, except within thrée dayes he would renounce the Emperiall poſſeſſion of the crowne: and (reſigning vp his Empire into his handes) would ſubmitte himſelfe, his children, and all his goods, to the will and pleaſure of the B. with promiſe, that he would not receaue any part thereof, but vponupon his good grace, as his will ſhould be to referre it ouer.

And beſides, the Pope ſendeth to the Emperor, a certain forme of a bill, conteyned in writing,The Emp. muſt reſigne all to the P. with certain conditions, that hee commaunded to be geuen to the handes of the Emperor. Which he gently receiued, and, not onelie with his ſeale confirmed it,The frintharted pope. but alſo ſweareth to obſerue all the conditions thereof. Which the Pope hearing, greatly marueyled at it, but was nothing mollified.

The Princes, and Electors ſéeing the bill, with the articles, and conditions, deſired the Emperor that hee woulde ſtande to the defence of the Emperiall Dignitie, as hee had begun, promiſing their aſſiſtance, and ayde, And thereupon, were letters ſent to the Pope, deſiring him to abſtaine from ſuch manner of articles againſt the State, and Maieſtie of the Empire.

VponUpon this, the Pope, vponupon Maundie Thurſday, bluſtereth out moſt black curſes againſt him,Black curſes againſt the Emperor. and alſo, reneweth all the former Proceſſes: as, both againſt an Heretike, and a Schiſmatike.

Commandinge (moreouer,) all the Princes Electors, to procéede in chuſing a newe Emperour. Which the Archbiſhop of Mentz refuſed to doe,Archbiſhop of Mentz depriued. and therefore was by the Pope, depriued of all his dignities.

The Archbiſhop of Colen took eight thouſand markes and the Duke of Saxonie two thouſand, and were corrupted by Iohn, King of Bohem, and elected Charles his ſonne to be Emperour, whom Pope Clement in his Conſiſtorie, did approoue: but hee was repulſed at Aquiſgraue, where they were wont to be crowned.

This Charles, with the French King, and the King of Boheme,Warre with the king of England. by the ſetting on of the Pope, made warre againſt the King of England; but were all by him put to flight.

The Emperor geueth ouer to the P.Lodowicke (notwithſtanding the States of Germanie aſſembled at Spires, promiſed to ſtick vntounto him) remembring his oath made before to the Popes Bull, willingly gaue ouer his Emperiall dignitie, and went to Bulgaria.The Em. poyſoned. Where ſhortly after, through the practiſe of Clement (as Hieronimus Martius doeth wryte) he was poyſoned.

The Princes then hearing of his death, aſſembled themſelues to make a newe election: who refuſing Charles, Gunterus de monte nigro choſen Emp.elected for Emperour, Gunterus de Monte nigro: who ſhortlie afterwarde falling ſicke at Frankford, by one of his Phiſitions Seruauntes, was alſo poyſoned, whom Charles had hired to worke that feat, and not dying thereof, for auoiding bloudſhed, thorough councell of the Germans, hée gaue ouer his Empire to Charles: who to hauehave his ſonne ſet vp after him,Charles choſen Emperour. graunted to the Princes electors of Germany, all the publicke taxes and tributes of the Empire.

This pope Clement firſt reduced the yéere of Iubile to eueryevery fiftie yéere,The Iubile eueryevery 50. yeere. From Auinion to Rome. which firſt was kept but eueryevery hundreth yéere: and ſo he beyng abſent at Auinion, which hée purchaſed with his mony to the ſea of Rome, cauſed it to be celebrated at Rome. Anno 1350. In the which yéere were numbred of Peregrines going in and comming out, to the number of 50000. Praemoſtr.50000. Pilgrims.

The Bull of Pope Clement geuen out for this preſent yeare of Iubile, procéedeth in theſe woordes as followeth.

What perſon or perſons ſoeuer for deuotion ſake ſhall take their peregrination to the holy Cittie:The forme of the Bull of Iubile. the ſame day when he ſetteth forth out of his howſe, he may chooſe vntounto him ſelfe what confeſſor or confeſſors, either in the way, or where elſe he luſteth: vntounto the which confeſſors wee graunt by our authority full power to abſolue all caſes papall, as fully, as if we were in our proper perſon there preſent.

Item wee graunt, that whoſoeuer being truly confeſſed, ſhall chaunce by the way to dye,The pope commandeth the angels. he ſhall be quite and and abſolued of all his ſinnes. Moreouer, we commande the Angels of Paradiſe to take his ſoule out of his bodie (being abſolued) and to carrie it into Paradiſe, &c. And in another Bull: we will (ſaith he) that no paine of hell ſhal touch him: graunting (moreouer) to all and ſingular perſon, and perſons, which are ſigned with the holy-Croſſe, power, and authoritie, to deliuer, and releaſe thrée or foure Soules, (whom they liſt them ſelues) out of the paines of Purgatorie, &c.

This Clement (as ſaith Auesb.) tooke vponupon him ſo prodigallie in his popedome, that he gaue vntounto the Cardinals of Rome, biſhoprickes, and benefices, which then were vacant in England, and began to geue them new titles for the ſame liuings, which he gaue them in Englād: wherwith the K. was offended, & vndid all the prouiſions of the pope within his realme: commaunding vnderunder paine of impriſonment and life,Againſt prouiſions from Rome. no man to be ſo hardy as to bring in any ſuch prouiſions of the Pope, and vnderunder the ſame puniſhment charged the two Cardinals to void the realme. Anno 1343. And in the ſame yéere all the tenths, as well of the Templars,Tenths to the King. as alſo of other ſpirituall men, were giuen and payd to the king through the whole realme.

King Edward the ſecond builded two houſes in Oxford for good letters, Oriall Colledge, and Saynt Marie hall.Oriall colledge and S. Mary hall.

Anno 1326. the townes men of Berry ſpoiled the Abbey, of treaſure ineſtimable, and almoſt burnt vp the whole houſe:The Abby of Bury ſpoyled by the townes men. and in one wéeke burnt vp 22. mannors belonging to the ſame, carriyng away goodes to the valure of 9220. pounds, fiue ſhillings and eleuen pence, beſides other ineſtimable treaſure. While the Abbot all this ſpace was at London at the Parlement. For which fact, thirtie tartes full of townes men were carried to Norwich; of whom, ninetéene were there hanged, and diuers conuict, were put in priſon.

The whole Towneſhippe was condemned in ſixe ſcore thouſand pound,The Towne of Bury fined at 120000. poūd. to be paide for damages of the houſe. Iohn Berton, Alderman, with two and thirtie Prieſtes, thirtéene women, and one hundreth, thirtie and eight others, of the ſame Towne, were outlawed: of whom, certaine confederated, & priuilie in the night, burſt to the Abbot of Chemington,The Abbat of Cheuington. and tooke him, and ſecretelie conueyed him ouer Sea, to Diſt in Brabant, where they kept him in great penurie and miſerie: till at length, being knowen where he was, hee was brought home with proceſſion, and reſtored to his houſe againe. Nich. Trimet. & Flor. hiſt.

After Edward the 2. ſuccéeded his ſonne Edward 3. K. Edward 3.about the age of 15. and raigned 50. yéeres.

An. 1344. The clergy of England graunted to the king a tenth for thrée yéeres: for the which the king againe in recompence graunted vntounto them his charter,A charter from the king to the clergy. contayning theſe priuiledges. That no Archbiſhop or Biſhop ſhould be arraigned before his iuſtices, Siue ad ſectam ſuam, ſiue partis. If the ſaid clarke doo ſubmit and claime his clergie, profeſſing himſelfe to be a member of the holy Church, who ſo doing ſhall not bée bound to come to his anſwere before the Iuſtices, and if it ſhall be layd vntounto them to hauehave married two wiues, or to hauehave married a widow, the Iuſtices ſhall hauehave no power to procéede againſt them, to inquire for the matter, ſo that the cauſe ſhall bée reſerued to the ſpirituall court, &c.

About this age (as before) God rayſed vp learned men, who layd open the abuſes of the Church, as Gregorius Arminenſis, Gregorius Arminenſis.according to Trithemius, who diſſented from the Papiſtes and Sophiſters, as wée doo in doctrine of Fréewill, counting the Papiſtes and Sophiſters in that point worſe then the Pelagians. Taulerus Taulerus.a preacher of Germany in Argentine taught, anno 1350. againſt mens merites, and inuocation of Saints, and was an enemy to all ſuperſtition: to whom may be added Franciſcus Petrarcha Franciſcus Petrarcha.of the ſame age, who calleth Rome the whore of Babilon, the mother of errour, the Temple of Hereſie, &c. and higher, in the yéere one thouſand, thrée hundred, and fortie, Iohannes de rupe Sciſſa, Iohannes de rupe Sciſſa.was caſt in pryſon for rebuking the Spiritualtie of their great enormities: hée called the Church of Rome the whore of Babylon,Rome the whore of Babilon. and the Pope the miniſter of Antichriſt, and the Cardinals falſe Prophetes: beyng in pryſon hée wrote a booke of propheſtes, touching the affliction that honge ouer the heades of the Spiritualtie, calling his Booke, Vade mecum in tribulatione.Vade mecum in tribulatione.

About the yéere 1340. in the citie of Herbipone, was one named Maiſter Conradus Hager, M. Conradus Hager.who is recorded to hauehave maintained and taught the ſpace of foure and twentie yéeres, the Maſſe to be no manner of Sacrifice: for which his doctrine hée was taken, and incloſed in pryſon. Not long after this, about the yéere 1350. Gerhardus Rhiddor, Gerhardus Rhiddor.wrot againſt the Monkes and Friers, a booke intituled Lachrima Eccleſiae.Lachryma Eccleſiae.

About the yéere 1322. liued Michaell Ceſenas, Michael Cefenas.principall of the Grayfriers, and Petrus de Corbana; of whom writeth Antonius in quarta parte ſummae, and ſaith they were condemned in the extrauagant of Pope Iohn, with one Iohannes de Poliaco. Iohannes de Poliaco.Their opinions were, that Peter was no more the head of the Church, then the other Apoſtles, that the Pope hath no authoritie to depoſe Emperours: that Prieſts are equall in authoritie. Michaell wrote againſt the pryde, tyrannie, and primacie of the Pope, accuſing him to be Antichriſt, and the Church of Rome the whore of Babylon, drunken with the bloud of Saints,Rome Babylon drunken with the blood of the Saints. &c. For this cauſe hée was depriued of his dignitie, and condemned of the Pope: hée left behind him many followers, of whom a great parte were ſlayne by the pope, ſome were burned: as Iohannes de Caſtilion, Iohannes de Caſtilion.and Franciſcus de Alcatara. Franciſcus de Alcatara.In extrauag. Iohannis 23. With the foreſaid Michaell was alſo condemned, Iohannes de Poliaco, (whoſe aſſertions were that eueryevery Paſtor in his owne Church ought to ſuffice to heare confeſſion: that paſtors and biſhops had their authoritie immediatly from Chriſt and his Apoſtles, and not from the Pope, &c.

After Simon Mepham Archbiſhop of Canterburie (who liued not long,) ſuccéeded Iohn Stretford: after whome came Iohn Offord, and liued but ten moneths, in whoſe roome ſuccéeded Thomas, and raigned but one yéere, Anno 1350. and after him ſuccéeded Simō Iſelip Simon Iſelip.which was made by Pope Clement 6. who ſat ſeuentéene yéeres, and builded Canterbury Colledge in Oxforde:Canterbury Colledge in Oxford. which Simon Iſelip ſuccéeded the Biſhoppe of Ely, named Simon Langham, who within two yéeres, was made Cardinall. In whoſe ſteade, Pope Vrban the 5. ordeyned William Witleſey, Biſhop of Worceſter, to be archbiſhop of Canterbury, ann. 1366. In which yéere, William, Biſhoppe of Wincheſter,The new Colledge in Oxford. founded the new Colledge in Oxford.

In the order of Popes, next vntounto Clement the ſixt, ann. 1353. ſuccéeded pope Innocent the ſixt. In the firſt yéere of which Pope, two Friers Minors, or Franciſcans,P. Innocent 6. were put to death at Auinion, for certaine opinions, that ſéemed to the Pope and his Cardinals erroneous: whoſe names were one, Iohannes Rochetailada, or Hayabalus, who béeyng a Frier minorite, beganne firſt in time of Pope Clement the ſixt, Anno 1345. to preach, that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon,Rome the whore of Babylon. and the Pope with his Cardinalles to be very Antichriſt, &c. In the meane time of his accuſation, it happened, that a certaine prieſt comming before the Pope, caſt the Popes bull downe before his féete, ſaying: Loe heere take the Bull vntounto you, for it doeth me no good at all. I hauehave laboured nowe theſe thrée yéeres with it, and yet cannot get my right. The pope hearing this, cauſed the poore Prieſt to bée ſcourged, and impriſoned with the Frier. Of Fryer Rachetailada, Froyſſard maketh mention in his firſt volume, chap. 211. and ſayth, that Pope Innocent the ſixt helde him in priſon in the Caſtle of Baignour, for ſhewing that manie thinges ſhoulde fall on the Prelates of the Churche for greate ſuperfluitie and pride then vſed amongeſt them.

About the ſame time, happened a contention betwéene the Frenche Prelates and the Friers of Paris,Contention betwixt the French prelates and the Friers. becauſe they preached, and hearde Confeſſions: and after much adoo, in fine, the matter comming vntounto open diſputation, it was concluded by maiſter Giles, one of the Auguſtine Friers, that after his iudgement, the Prelates were more on the truthes ſide, &c. Ex Godfrido de Fontanis.

About this time, anno 1354. the Townes men of Oxford ſpoyled the ſchollers,The townes men of Oxford ſpoile the ſchollers. and brake vp twentie of the doores of their halles, and wounded many of them, and ſlew and threw into priuies, and cutte their bookes and billes into pieces, and carried away much of their goodes: this was done the twelfth of February: wherefore the whole Towne was interdicted by the Biſhoppe of Lincolne. At which time alſo was graunted to the Vicechauncelour, or Commiſſarie, to hauehave the aſſiſe of Bread, Ale, Wine, and all other victualles: the Mayor of the towne béeing excluded. Alſo it was decréed, that the Commons of the towne ſhoulde giuegive vntounto the Studentes, 251. poundes ſtarling, in part of ſatiſfaction: reſeruing notwithſtanding to euerie one of the Students his ſeuerall action againſt any ſeuerall perſon of the Towne, &c. The cauſe of the broyle, was, for that a Student powred the wine on his hoſtes head: and broke his head with the pot in a certayne brawle.

Simon Iſlip archbiſhop of Canterbury, mentioned before with his letters patent, directed to all parſons, and Vicars within his prouince, ſtraightly charged them and their pariſhioners, vponupon payne of excommunication, not to abſtaine from bodily labour vppon certaine Saintes dayes:Idle holidaies which were woont before to bée hallowed and conſecrated to vnthriftie idleneſſe.A prieſts wager. Item, that no Prieſt ſhould hauehave giuen vntounto him more than three 3. pounds, ſixe ſhillings eight pence, for his yéerly ſtipend, which made diuers of them to robbe and ſteale. Anno 1362.

After Simon Iſlip, ſuccéeded in the ſea of Canterbury Simon Langham, then William Wittleſey: after whom ſuccéeded Simon Sudbury.

About the yéere 1360. the Nunnes of Saint Brigets order beganne:S. Bridgets Nunnes. Queenes colledge in Oxford. about which time alſo was buylded the Quéenes Colledge in Oxford, by Quéen Philip of England, wife to K. Edward the the third.

Alſo, in the time of this Pope Innocent, Frier Iohn, Biſhop of Elie, moued with certain iniuries (as he thought) done vntounto him by the Ladie Blanche, made his complaint to the Pope: who ſending downe his curſe to the Biſhop of Lincolne, and other Prelates, to be executed vponupon the aduerſaries of the Biſhop of Elie, commaunded them, that if they did know any of the ſaid aduerſaries dead and buried, yet they ſhoulde cauſe the ſame to be taken vp: which alſo they perfourmed accordingly. Of whom, ſome had béene of the kings Councell.

Wherewithall the king being ſore diſpleaſed, did moleſt againe the ſaid Prelates: which comming to the popes hearing, certaine were directed downe from the court of Rome, in the behalfe of the Biſhop of Elie: who méeting with the Biſhop of Rocheſter, the Kings Treaſourer, deliuered vntounto him Letters from the Pope, the tenure whereof was not knowen. Which done, they incontinently auoyded away. But certaine of the kinges Seruantes purſued after, and did ouertake them: of whom, ſome they impriſoned, and other ſome they brought to Iuſtices, and ſo were condemned to be burned.

This Pope Innocent ordeyned the feaſt of holy ſpeare,Holy ſpeare. and holy nayles.Holy nayles.

The names of the Biſhops of Canterburie, from Lanfrancus, and their continuance, was this.The order of the Biſhops of Cant.

34 Lanfrancus, ninetéene yeares. 35 Anſelmus, twentie. 36 Radulphus, eight. 37 Guilielmus Curboyle, thirtéen. 38 Theobaldus, twenty foure. 39 Becket, nine, 40 Richardus, tenne. 41 Baldwinus, ſeuen. 42 Hubertus, fourteene. 43 Stephanus Lancthon, two and twentie. 44 Richardus, foure. 45 Edmond of Abenden, ſeuen. 46 Bonifacius, fiue and twentie. 47 Kilwarbie, Frier, ſixe.

48 Pecham, Frier, thirtéene. 49 Winchelſey, ninetéen. 50 Reinold, The order of the biſhops of Cant.fiftéene. 51 Stratforde, twentie nine.

52 Offord, tenne moneths. 53 Bradwarden, one. 54 Iſlep, fourtie ſeuen,

About this time beginneth the loſing of Sathan, who had béene ſhutte vp now 1000. yeares.

The ende of the fift Booke.

Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright, Volume 1 · Book 4 (3 of 3)