Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright, Volume 1 · Book 3 – Printer to the reader

Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright · Volume 1 · Book 3 – Printer to the reader

p. 85About the beginning of Egberts reigne, was Cutbert, Archb. of Canterburie, who conuented a great Synode of Biſhops and Prelates, in the yere of our Lorde 747. in the p. 86monethmonth of September néere to the place called Cloneſho: in the which Synode aſſembled, theſe articles were enacted.

Firſt, that Biſhops ſhould be more diligent in looking to their office, & admoniſhing the people of their faults. 2. That they ſhould liue in a peaceable mind one w^t another. 3. That euerie Biſhop once in a yere, ſhould goe about all the Pariſhes of his Dioces. 4. That the Biſhops ſhould admoniſh their Abbots and Monkes, to liue regularly: and that Prelates ſhould not oppreſſe their inferiors, but louelove them. 5. That they ſhould teach the Monaſteries which the Secular men had inuaded, and could not be taken from them, to liue regularlie. 6. That none ſhould be admitted to orders, before his life were examined. 7. That in Monaſteries, the reading of holy Scriptures ſhould be more frequented. 8. That Prieſtes ſhould be no diſpoſers of ſecular buſines. 9. That they ſhould take no money for baptizing of infants 10. The L praier and Creed, in the Engliſh tongue.That they ſhould both learn, & teach, the Lords prayer, and the Créede, in the Engliſh tongue. 11. That al ſhould ioyne together after one vniforme order, in their Miniſterie. 12. That with a modeſt voyce, they ſhould ſing in the Church. 13. That all Holidayes ſhould be celebrated at one time. 14. That the Sabboth day be reuerently obſerued. 15. That the ſeuen houres Canonicall, be eueryevery day obſerued. 16. That the Rogation dayes, both greater and leſſer, ſhould not be omitted. 17. That the feaſt of Saint Gregorie, and Saint Auguſtine our Patron, ſhould be obſerued. 18. That the Feaſt of the foure times ſhoulde be kept. 19. That Monks and Nunnes, ſhould goe regularlie apparrelled. 20. That Biſhops ſhould ſée theſe Decrées not to be neglected. 21. That the Churchmen ſhould not geue themſelues to drunkennes. 22. That the communion ſhoulde not be neglected of the Churchmen. 23. That the ſame alſo ſhould be obſerued of the Lay men, as time required. 24. That Lay men ſhoulde firſt be wel tried, before they enter into Monkerie. 25. That almes p. 87be not neglected. 26 That Biſhops ſhould ſée theſe decrées notified to the people. 27 They diſputed alſo of the profite of almeſſe. 28 Of the profite of ſinging Pſalmes. 29 That the congregation ſhould be conſtitute after the habilitie of their goods. 30 That Monkes ſhould not dwell among lay men. 31 That the publike prayer ſhould be made for Kings and Princes. Theſe decrées among them concluded, Cutbert Cutbert.the Archbiſhop ſendeth the copie thereof to Boniface, Boniface the Pope, an Engliſhman.otherwiſe called Winfride an Engliſh man, that was then Archbiſhop of Mentz.

This Boniface wrote a letter to Ethelbald, who was preſent at y^e former Synod,Boniface a great maintainer of nunnes. admoniſhing him of his vicious life, & of his Nobles wantonnes euen with the Nunnes, of which order this Boniface was a great ſetter vp & maintainer afterward. This Ethelbald, after the departing of K. Celulph to his monkery, ſpoiled the country of Northumberland, and exerciſed mortall warre a great while againſt Cudred of ſome called Cutbert K. of Weſt-ſaxons, who encountering with Ethelbald that had the greater power, by means of a certaine warriour, a Conſull called Edellim ouerthrew him. Notwithſtanding the next yéere he renewed battell, & was ſlaine of one Beornered after he had raigned 41. yéeres in Mercia, where Beornered raigned after in that dition but a ſmall time. For Offa nephew to the ſaid Ethelbald expulſed Beornered, and ſuccéeded king in that prouince of Mercia, after he had raigned 39. yéeres.

Boniface before mētioned,Religious fathers permitted to carry Nunnes about with them a preaching. permitted religious fathers to carry about nunnes with them a preaching, & founded many monaſteries, & canonized many Saints. Among other he founded the great monaſtery of Fulde in Germany of Engliſh monkes, into the which no women might enter, but Libda & Tecla Libda & Tecla.two Engliſh nunnes. He depoſed Childericus king of Fraunce by authoritie from Pope Zacharie, Childerike depoſed by the Pope.and Pipinus the betrayer of his Maiſter was confirmed. From this Boniface procéeded that deteſtable doctrine that p. 88although the Pope led with him innumerable ſoules into Hell,A deteſtable doctrine of Boniface. yet ought no man to rebuke him.

In the time of this Archbiſhop, Pope Gregory the ſecond,Great maiſteries wrought againſt the Greeke Emp. by Popes. Philippicus the Emp. loſt both his eyes and Empyre. alſo Gregory the third, and pope Zacharie: and before theſe, Pope Conſtantine the firſt, wrought great maiſteries againſt the Gréeke Emperours, Philippicus, and Leo, and others, for the maintayning of Images to be ſet vp in the Churches, of whom Philippicus loſt both his eies and his Empire. Leo for the ſame cauſe was excommunicated of Gregory the third. This Gregory the third, is like to be he which wrote the 4. bookes of Dialogs in Gréeke, falſly bearing the name of Gregory the firſt: which bookes afterward Zacharie his ſucceſſor tranſlated into Latine. Alſo this Gregory the third brought into the Maſſe Canon,The clauſe for reliques, the memoriall, and offerings for the dead. the clauſe for Reliques, beginning Quorum ſolemnitates hodie in conſpectu &c. Item he brought into the ſame the memoriall, the offering and ſacrifice for the dead: Like as Zacharie brought in the Prieſts veſture and ornaments. And Conſtantinus the firſt,The Prieſts veſture. was he that gaue his féete to be kiſſed of the Emperour.

Conſtantinus the firſt, gaue his feete to be kiſſed of the Emperour.In the time of Egbert king of Northumberland, Sigibert or Sigbert, raigned in the Weſt Saxonie, and was for his cruelty depoſed, and wandering in a wood alone without comfort, was ſlaine by the Swineherd of the earle Combranus; whome hée before had ſlaine, for giuing him counſell to gouerne his people, and himſelfe after a better ſort.

This Sigebert beyng ſlaine, in his place ſuccéeded Kenulphus Anno 748. 748who with the agréement of the Weſt-ſaxons, was one of the chéefe doers againſt Sigebert his maſter. Kenulphus reigned 31. yéeres, till hée reſorted to a paramour of his, whō he kept at Merton, where he was beſet, and ſlaine by a kinſman of Sigebert, named Clito or Cliton. Moreouer in the raigne of the foreſaid Egbert king of Northumberland, and the eight yéere of Kenulphus king p. 89of Weſt Saxons, Offa, after he had ſlaine the tyrant Beornredus. (who before had ſlaine Ethelwald king of Mercia, & vncle to this foreſaid Offa) reigned king of that prouince.

Offa had ſuch diſpleaſure againſt the citizens of Canterburie, that he remoued the Arthbiſhops ſea, and the lands of Lambrith Archbiſh. of Canterbury (by the agréement of Pope Adrian) vntounto Lichfield.Lambrith to Lichfield.

About the later time of the raigne of Offa king of Mercia, Ethelbert king of Eaſtangels, came to ſue to marrye with Offas daughter, but the Quéene ſuſpecting worſe matter (without cauſe) cauſed him to be beheaded, hauing trained him into a conuenient place, by one Gnimbertus, the yeere 793. but the Quéene liued not thrée moneths after: and at her death, was ſo tormented, that ſhée bit, and rent her tongue aſunder, with her téeth.The K. giueth the tenth of his goods to the Church. And Offa vnderſtanding of the innocencie of this king, gaue the tenth part of his owne good to holye Churche, and to the Church of Hereford (in remembrance of this Ethelbert) he beſtowed great lands. Moreouer, hee builded the abbey of Saint Albones, &c: and went after to Rome to doe penance, where he gaue to the Church of Saint Peter, a peny through eueryevery houſe in his dominion, which was commonly called Romeſcot or Peter-pence,Romeſcot or Peter-pence. and there at length was tranſformed from a King to a Monke, Anno 794. 794with Kenredus king of Northumberland, although ſome denie that hée was a Monke.

After Offa, when he had reigned 39. yéeres, ſuccéeded Egfretus his ſonne, who raigned but foure monethes: next Egfret, ſuccéeded Kenulphus in the kingdom of Mercia, who made warre againſt the Cantuarites, and tooke Egbert their king called Wren: whom he bound, and led priſoner to Mercia: but vponupon the dedication of a Church, which hee builded, he releaſed him out of priſon.

Next to Pope Zacharie, followed Pope Stephen the ſecond: to whom Pipinus the French king, to gratifie the p. 90Pope gaue to the ſea of Rome, the princedome of Rauenna, the kingdome of the Lombards, and manie other great poſſeſſions of Italie,The donation of Pipine the traitor and murtherer. Inuention of Organs. with all the cities thereto, adioyning vntounto the borders of Venice: and this is like to the donation which (they ſay) was giuen of Conſtantine.

To this Pipinus, was ſent into France the inuention of Organs out of Gréece, by Coſtantine Emperour of Conſtantinople. Anno 757.

Next to Stephen the ſecond, ſuccéeded Paul the firſt, in the Papacie, who thundered againſt Conſtantine the emperor of Conſtantinople, for abrogating of images, but hee continued conſtant in his purpoſe, notwithſtanding, to the end of his life.

Theſe came to bee Popes, Conſtantinus the ſeconde, a Laie man,Pope depoſed, & his eies out. and brother to Deſiderius the king of Lombardie, for the which cauſe, hée was ſhortly depoſed and thruſt into a Monaſterie, hauing his eyes put out. In whoſe ſteade, ſucceeded Stephen the third, who condemned the ſeuenth Councell of Conſtantinople for hereticall, becauſe in that Councell, the woorſhipping of Images was condemned,Pope ſtriueth for images. and contrarily cauſed them to be worſhipped and incenſed.

At this time, Charles the great beganne to raigne, by whom the Pope cauſed Deſiderius, the Lombard king, to bee depriued. Next vntounto Stephen ſucceeded Hadrianus the firſt, who gaue more veneration to images, then any before him writing a booke in commendation, and vtilitie of their adoration,Images, laie mens kalender. commaunding them to be taken for lay mens kalenders, holding a ſynode at Rome againſt Felix, and al other that ſpake againſt images: and as Paul the firſt before him, had made much of the body of Petronella, S. Peters daughter. So this Hadrian, clothed the body of S. Peter all in ſiluer,Coſt vponupon Images. and couered the altar of S. Paul with a pall of gold.

This Hadrian did confirme the order of Saint Gregories p. 91Maſſe, before the order of S. Ambroſe: for vntounto the time 800. Strife for Gregories maſſe.the Liturge of S. Ambroſe was more vſed in the Italian Churches, but this Biſhop burnt the bookes of Ambroſe ſeruice into aſhes, and threwe into priſon many prieſts that would not conſent vntounto him. Now Eugenius cō ming 3. daies after the councell ended, perſwaded the pope to call the councell againe, & agréed that both the bookes of Gregory and Ambroſe ſhould be laied vponupon the altar of Peter and Paule, and the Church dores ſhut and ſealed, they ſhould all the night giuegive themſelues to prayer, that God might giuegive a token whether were more to be allowed. Now, on the morning,A miracle falſly interpreted. they found Gregories maſſe booke plucked one péece from another, and ſcattered ouer all the Church, and onelyonly Ambroſes booke open vponupon the altar, where they had laide it. This miracle, Pope Adrian did interprete on his owne ſide ſide, that as the leaues were ſcattered ouer the Church, ſo ſhould Gregories booke bée vſed through the worlde, and Ambroſe his book ſhould onelyonly be kept at his owne Church, at Mediolanum, where hee ſometime was Biſhop.

Carolus magnus did confirme his fathers gift and deuotion to the Pope, adding moreouer, therevnto the Citie and dominion of Venice, Hiſtria, the Dukedome of Foroiulienſe, the Dukedome Spoletanū, and Beneuentanum, and other poſſeſſions mo, to the patrimonie of ſaint Peter: and the Pope, to requite him, made him Patricium Romanum, and ordeined him onelyonly to be taken for Emperour of Rome.

Carolus being proclaymed Emperour, the Empire was tranſlated from the Grecians to the Frenchmen, an. 801. The Empire tranſlated to the French. A B C Monaſteries.and continued ſo 102. yeres, or thereabout, till the comming of Conradus, and his Neuew Otho, which were Germās.

This Charles builded ſo many Monaſteries as there bée letters in the A.B.C. He helde a Councell at Franckforde, wherein was condemned, the Councell of Nice, and Irene, p. 92for ſetting vp, and worſhipping of Images.

Anno 784. 784Irene Empreſſe of the Gréekes, through the meanes of Pope Hadrian, tooke vp the body of Conſtantine Emperour of Conſtantinople,Irene the Greeke Empreſſe a maintainer of Images. her owne huſbandes father, and when ſhe had burned the ſame, ſhe cauſed the aſhes to be caſt into the Sea, becauſe he diſanulled Images. Afterward ſhe raigned with her ſonne Conſtantine the ſixt, ſonne to Leo the fourth:The cruell Irene. who was alſo excommunicated for taking away Images, and being at diſſention with him, ſhe cauſed him to be taken, and laid in priſon: and afterward (through power of fréends being reſtored) was at the laſt againe caſt into priſon,The Emp. eies pulled out by his mother. and had his eyes pulled out ſo cruelly, that within ſhort ſpace he died. After this, the Empreſſe by the counſel of Theraſius, Biſhop of Conſtantinople, held a Counſell at Nicea, wherin it was decreed, that Images again ſhould be reſtored to the Church: which Charles afterward repealed at Frankford. At length ſhée was depoſed by Nicephorus, who ſucceeded her, and ended her life in much penurie.

Monaſteries erected and founded in England.In the ſpace of 200, yéeres, theſe monaſteries following, began to be founded in the land.

Paules Churche at London was founded by Ethelbert King of Kent, and Sigebert king of Eſſex, about the yéere 604.

The firſt Croſſe, & Altar, was ſet vp in the North parts, in Heuenfield, vponupon occaſion of Oſwalde, King of Northū berlandes fighting againſt Cadwall: where he in the ſame place ſet vp the ſigne of the Croſſe, knéeling & praying there for victorie, an. 635.

The Church of Wincheſter was firſt begun, and founded by Kinigilſus, king of Mercia, hauing nine myles about it. And afterwarde finiſhed by his Sonne Kewalcus, where Owen, of Engliſhmen, was the firſt Biſhop. Anno 636.

The Church of Lincolne, was firſt founded by Paulinus p. 93Biſhop, an. 629.

The Church of Weſtminſter began firſt by a certaine citizen of London, through the inſtigation of Ethelbert, king of Kent, which before was an Ile full of Thornes, anno 614.

The common Schooles were firſt erected at Cambridge,Common ſchooles at Cambridge. by Sigebert, king of Eaſt-angles, an. 636.

The Abbey of Knoniſburie buylded by Furceus the Eremite, an. 637

The Monaſterie of Malmſburie, by one Meldulſus, a Scot, an. 640. And after enlarged by Agilbert, Biſhop of Wincheſter.

The Abbey of Gloceſter firſt buylded by Offricus, king of Mercia, as Ceſtrenſis ſaith. But as William Malmſburie wryteth, by Vlferus, and Etheldred, brethren to Kineburga, Abbeſſe of the ſame houſe, in the yere of our Lord 679

The Monaſterie of Mayleroſe, by the riuer of Twide, by Aydanus, a Scottiſh Biſhop.

The Nunnerie of Theorduton, by Heuy, who was y^e firſt Nun in Northumberland.

The Monaſterie of Heteſey,The firſt Nun in Northumberland. by Oſwy king of Northumberland, who alſo, with his daughter Elfred, gaue poſſeſſiōs for xij. Monaſteries, from the partes of Northumberlande, anno 650

The Monaſterie of Saint Martin in Douer, by Whitered, king of Kent

The Abbey of Leſtingeye, by Ceadda, whom they call Saint Cedde, through the graunt of Oſwald, ſonne to ſaint Oſwald, king of Northumberland, an. 651

The Monaſterie of Whitbie, otherwiſe called Strenhalt, by Hilda, daughter to the Nephue of Edwin, king of Northumberland, an. 657. Alſo, another Monaſterie called Hacanus, not farre from the ſame place, builded by the ſame Hilda, the ſame yere.

p. 94The Abbey of Abingtō buylded by Ciſſa, king of Southſex, an. 666

Alſo, an Abbey in the Eaſt ſide of Lincolne, called Ioanno, by S. Botolph, an. 654

The Monaſterie of Ely, buylded by Etheldred, or Edeldrida, daughter of Anna, king of Eaſt-angles, and the wife of Elfride, king of Northumberland, in the yere ſix hundred ſeuentie foure.

The Monaſterie of Chertſey, in Southerie, by Erkēwald B. of London, an. 674. throwen down by the Danes, & reedified by king Edgar.

The Nunnerie of Barking, edified by the ſame Erkenwaldus, B. of London, about the ſame time.

The Abbey of Peterborough, otherwiſe called Madehamſted, founded by king Ethelwald, king of Mercia, anno 675

Badney Abbey, by Etheldredus, king of Mercia, an. 700 Glaſtenburie, by Iua, K. of the Weſt-ſaxons, and after repaired, and enriched by king Edgar, an. 701

Ramſey, in the time of king Edgar, by one Alwinus, a noble man, an. 673

K. Edg. builded 40. Abbeies.K. Edgar buylded in his time xl. Monaſteries. He raigned an. 601

The Nunnerie of Winburne, by Cuthburga, ſiſter to Inſus, K. Iuaes brother, an. 717

The Monaſterie of Sealeſey, néere to the Ile of Wight, by Wilfridus, B. of Yorke, an. 678

The Monaſterie of Wincombe, by Kenulphus, king of Mercia, an. 737

S. Albons, buylded by Offa, K. of Mercia, an. 755

The Abbey of Eueſam, by Egwinus, an. 691

Ripon in the North, by Wilfridus, B. an. 709

The Abbey of Echelinghey, by K. Aluredus, an. 691

The Nunnerie of Shafteſburie, by the ſame Aluredus, the ſame yere.

p. 95King Ethelbald freed the churches monaſteries,The Church freed from tributes. &c. from all manner tributes, and granted them great liberties. Diuerſe of the Saxon kings became mōkes: as Knigilſus king of Weſt-ſaxons: Iue king of Weſt-ſex.Diuerſe Saxō kings become monkes. Celulfus king of Northūberland, Eadbertus king of Northumb. Ethelredus of Mercia, Kemedus of Mercia, Offa of Eaſt-ſaxons, Selly of Eaſt-ſaxons, Sigebertus king of Eaſt-angles.

There became alſo Quéenes & kings daughters,Queenes became nunnes. with other noble women Nuns: as Hilda daughter to the nephew of Edwin king of Northumberland, Abbeſſe of the houſe of Ely. Erchengoda with her ſiſter Ermenilda, daughter of Erkembertus K. of Kent, which Erchengoda was profeſſed in Brigets order in Fraunce. Alſo Edelberga, wife and Quéene to king Edwin of Northumberland, and daughter of king Anna, who was alſo in the ſame houſe made a Nunne. Etheldreda, whom they tearme Saint Eldred, wife to king Egfred of Northumberland, was profeſſed Nunne at Helinges, Werburga, daughter of Vlferus, king of Mercians, was made Nunne at Ely, Kinreda, Siſter of king Vlferus, and Kinſwida her ſiſter, were both profeſſed Nunnes. Sexburga daughter of king Anna King of Mercia, and wife of Ercombert, king of Kent, was Abbeſſe at Ely,, Elfrida daughter of Oſwe, King of Northumberlande, was Abbeſſe at Whitney. Mildreda, Wilburga, and Milginda, all thrée daughters of Merwaldus, K. of Weſt-mercians, became Nunnes: Bridburga, the wife of of Alfride, K. of Northumberland, and ſiſter to Ofricus, K. of Mercia, and daughter of king Penda, was profeſſed Abbeſſe in the Monaſterie of Gloceſter: Elfleda, daughter of K. Oſwy, & wife of king Penda his ſonne, became alſo a Nun: Likewiſe Alfritha, wife to king Edgar, and Editha, daughter to the ſame king Edgar, with Wolfrith her mother, and ſo forth.

As in the Britans time,VnderUnder the Britons, the Metropolitane ſea at London, and by the Saxons after the comming of Auſtin tranſlated to Canterbury. the Metropolitan Sea was at London, ſo in the time of the Saxons, after the comming p. 96of Auſtin, it was remoued to Canterbury: y^e names & yéeres of which Metropolitanes till Egbert from Auſtin are theſe: Auguſtinus 16. Laurentius 5. Mellitus 5. Iuſtus 3. Honorius 25. Deus dedit 10. Theodorus 22. all theſe were Italians. Bertnaldus Engliſh 37. in whoſe time the monaſterie of S. Martin was builded in Doroberne by Witredus and his brother kings of Kent. Tacunius 3. Nothelinus 5. Cutbert forbiddeth funerals to be made for him.Cuthbertus 17. He after his death forbad all funerals, exequies, or funerall lamentations to be made. Lambrithus or Lambertus 27. In whoſe time king Offa tranſlated the Metropolitane ſea from Canterburie to Lichfield, by the graunt of Pope Adrian, being ouercome with apoſtolicall arguments, as ſaith Flores hiſtoriarum, that is, with money.In the time of 17. Archb. 34 Popes. Ethelardus 13. who by his Epiſtles to Pope Leo, obtained the Metrapolitan ſea againe to Canterburie. Vlfredus 28, Fegeldus 3, Celnocus 41. During the time of theſe ſeuentéene Archbiſhops, there were 34. Popes of Rome.

Anno 826. 826Egbert, notwithſtanding he had ſixe, or eight againſt one of his men, ouerthrew Bernulphus K. of Mercia,The lande brought into one monarchy, and called Anglia. with other kings, & ſubdued the reſt of the land into one monarchy, and hauing called a counſel of his Lords at Wincheſter, was by their aduiſes crowned king ouer all the land, and cauſed the inhabitants to be called Angles, and the Land Anglia.

This king (when he had ruled the Weſt-ſaxons, and ouer the more part of England, xxxvij. yeres) died, and was buried at Wincheſter: leauing his kingdome to Ethelwolfe, which firſt was Biſhop of Wincheſter, 874and after, vponupon neceſſitie, made king, through the diſpenſation of Gregorie the fourth.A B made king of England.

He gaue to the Church, and Religious orders, the tithes of al his goods and lands in Weſt-ſaxons,Lands geuen to y^e Church. with libertie, and fréedome from all ſeruage, 844and ciuill charges. Much like the donation of Ethelbaldus, king of Mercia. The ground of al p. 97their good workes and donations was remiſſion of ſinnes, which they thought thereby to procure) This doone, taking his iourney to Rome with Alured his yoongeſt ſonne, committed him to the bringing vp of pope Leo y^e fourth. Where he alſo reedified the Engliſh ſchoole at Rome: which being founded by king Offa or rather Iue King of Mercia, was in the tyme of King Egbert his Father conſumed with fire.

Beſides,Peterpence throughout all England. he granted to Rome of eueryevery fire houſe a penny to bée payd throughout the land, as king Iue in his dominion had doone before. Alſo he gaue and graunted to be paid to Rome yéerely thrée hundred markes: that is, to the maintayning of the light of Saint Peter one hundreth markes: to the light of Saint Paule an other hundreth; to the vſe of the Pope an other hundreth. This doone he returned by France into England, and married with the daughter of Carolus Caluus, whoſe name was Iudith. Hée had to his chiefe councellors two Biſhops, Adelſtanus B. of Schireborne, more ſkilfull in ciuill matters then in diuinitie: and the other Swithinus biſhop of Wincheſter, beyng of a contrarie diſpoſition.

Gregory the fourth aboue mentioned, was the third Pope that ſuccéeded after Pope Paſchalis the firſt: beyng but foure yéeres betwixt them: who ſuccéeded after Stephen the fourth which followed Leo the third, next Pope vntounto Hadrian, in the time of Charles the great. From the time of that Hadrian the firſt, vntounto Pope Hadrian the third, the Emperours had ſome ſtroke in the election (at leaſt in the confirmation of the Romane Pope) notwithſtanding there were diuerſe practiſes to the contrary. Wherefore by the commaundement of Ludouicus the Emperour in the time of Gregory the fourth,Generall counſels called by the Emperour. a generall Synode was comenced at Aquiſgraue, where it was decreed by Gregory and his aſſiſtants, that eueryevery Church ſhould hauehave ſufficient of his proper landes and reuenewes to find the p. 98Prieſts therof. That none of the Clergy, of what degrée ſoeuer he were, ſhould vſe any veſture or any pretious, or any Scarlet colour,Againſt the exceſſe of apparel in the Clergy. neyther ſhould weare ringes on their fingers, except it be when Prelates be at Maſſe, or giuegive their conſecrations.

Item, that prelates ſhould not kéepe too great portes or families, nor kéepe great horſes, vſe dice, or kéepe harlots: and the Monkes ſhould not excéede meaſure in gluttony or riot.Againſt the dicing & whoring of the Popes Clergie. Item, that none of the Clergy beyng eyther annoynted or ſhauen, ſhould vſe eyther golde or ſiluer, eyther in their ſhooes, ſlippers, or girdles, like to Heliogabalus. They ſhould were no ſiluer in their ſhooes, nor gold.Moreouer, by him (at the commaundement of Ludouicus the Emperour) the feaſt of Alſaints was firſt brought into the Church.

Feaſt of Alſaints firſt erected.After this pope came Sergius the ſecond, who firſt brought in the altering of the Popes names, becauſe hée was named before Os porci, that is, Swines ſnout: which alſo ordained the Agnus thriſe to be ſong at the Maſſe,Alteration of Popes names. Swines ſnout. and the hoſt to be deuided into thrée partes. After him was Pope Leo the fourth: to whom this king Ethelwolfus did commit the tuition of his ſonne Alured.

By this Pope Leo, it was firſt enacted by a Councell of his, that no Biſhop ſhould bée condemned, vnderunder thrée ſcore and twelue witneſſes, alſo (contrary to the lawe of Gregory the fourth his predeceſſor) he commaunded and ordained the croſſe, all to beſet with gold and pretious ſtones, and to be carried before him.

After this Leo ſuccéeded a woman Pope, named Gilberta, Gilberta a woman Pope.and was called Ioan the eight. She was a dutchwoman of Magunce, who went with an Engliſh monke out of the Abbey of Fulda to Athens, in mans apparell: where ſhée prooued excellently learned: and obtained the Popedome, and ſat two yéeres and ſix moneths:The Pope trauaileth with childe. and at laſt openly in the face of a generall proceſſion, fell in labour and trauell of childe, and ſo died. By reaſon whereof the Cardinals at this p. 99day doo auoid to come néere that ſtréete where that ſhame was taken.

By Benedictus the 3. that ſuccéeded next in the whoriſh ſea, was firſt enacted (as moſt writers record) the Dirge to be ſaid for the dead:The dirge for the dead. albeit Gregory the third, had doone in that matter worthely for his part already.

After him ſat Pope Nicholas the firſt, who enlarged the Popes decrées with many conſtitutions, equalling the authoritie of them with the wrytings of the Apoſtles.Popes decrees equall with the Apoſtles writing. He ordained that no ſecular Prince, nor the Emperour himſelfe, ſhould be preſent at their Councels, vnleſſe in matters concerning the faith. Alſo that no Lay man ſhould ſit in Iudgement vponupon the Clergy men, or reaſon vppon the Popes power.

Item, that no Chriſtian magiſtrate ſhould hauehave any power ouer any prelate: alledging that a prelate is called God.A prelat called God. Alſo that all Church ſeruice ſhould be in Latine, except the Polonians and Sclauonians;Polonians & Sclauonians exempt from Latine ſeruice. to whom he permitted the vſe of their owne tounge.

Sequences in the Maſſe, were by him firſt allowed. By this Pope prieſtes began firſt to be debarred marriage:Againſt prieſts marriages. Huldrich of Auſpourgh. whereof Huldrich Biſhop of Auſpourgh ſendeth a letter to the Pope, reclaiming and confuting his procéedings in the matter, grauely and learnedly: ſhewing the decrée to be an impious tyrannie, contrary to the lawes of God, and Nature. The epiſtle ſéemeth rather to belong to the time of Nicholas the ſecond, or third.

After this pope Nicholas, ſuccéeded Hadrianus the ſecond, Ioannes 9. Martinus 2. After theſe came Hadrian the third, and Stephen the fifth: By this Hadrian it was decréed, that no Emperour after that time ſhould intermeddle in the election of the Pope: and thus began the Emperour firſt to decay, and the Pope to ſwell.The Emp. beginneth to decay, and Pope to ſwell.

Ethelwolfe after hée had doone valiantly agaynſt the Danes (that greatly inuaded and moleſted the land) died, p. 100and left behind him foure ſonnes, which raigned eueryevery one in his order (after the deceaſe of their father:) whoſe names were, Ethelbaldus, Ethelbrightus, Ethelredus, and Aluredus.

About the latter time of the raigne of Ethelred, Anno 870. 870the Danes hauing to their Captains Inguar & Hubbar, landed in Norfolke, and forced Edm. the vnderunder king of that Prouince, to flée to Franingham caſtle, and commaunded him to ſubmit himſelfe vntounto them, and to raigne vnderunder Inguar, Prince of the Danes. Whervpon, by perſwaſion of one of his Biſhops, being his ſecretary, he pauſed; and made anſwere, that Edmund, a Chriſtian king, for louelove of temporal life, will not ſubmit himſelfe to a Pagan Duke,K. Edm. ſlaine of the Danes. vnleſſe hée would before be a Chriſtian. Wherefore, hauing apprehended him at S. Edmondeſbury, he bound him vntounto a trée, and cauſed him to be ſhot to death, for that he woulde not denie Chriſt, and his lawes. Laſtly, they cauſed his head to bee ſmitten off, and caſt it into the thicke buſhes, which was by his friends at the ſame time taken vp, and ſolemnly buried at S. Edmondeſbury: whoſe brother named Edwoldus, (notwithſtanding of right the kingdome fel to him) ſetting apart the worlde, became an Hermite, at the abbey of Cerum, in the county of Dorſet.

King Ethebald hauing had great conflicts with y^e Danes, and perplexed with the miſerable ſtate of his countrey, after he had raigned fiue or eight yéeres, deceaſſed. During which time, of his raigne (notwithſtanding many troubles) he builded the colledge of Canons at Exeter, and was buried at the Abbey of Winburne, or Woburne. After whoſe deceaſe, for lacke of iſſue, the land fell to his brother Alured or Alfred, ann. 872. who firſt of the Engliſh kings,Alfred of the Engliſh K. taketh his vnctiō from the Pope, tooke his, crowne, and vnction of Pope Leo at Rome. Hee after great alteration, and diuers troubles forced the Danes to ſéeke for peace: which was concluded vponupon certaine couenants: wherof one, and the principall was that Gutrum p. 101their K. ſhould be chriſtened. The other, that ſuch as would not be chriſtened, ſhould depart the Realme. VponUpon theſe couenants, Gutrum comming to Wincheſter,The king of the Danes chriſtened. was there chriſtened, with xx. of his great Nobles. To the which Gutrū K. Alured being his Godfather at the baptiſme, named him Athelſtane, and gaue him diuers Countreys: as, of Eaſt-anglia: conteyning Norfolke and Suffolke, and part of Cambridgeſhire: and graunted to the Danes that were chriſtened, the Countrey of Northumberland: the reſt voyding the land. Athelſtane raigned xi. or xij. yeres.

Alfred buylded diuers houſes of Religion: as, the houſe of Nunnes at Shafteſburie, and the religious houſes at Etheling. Alſo, another at Wincheſter, named the new Monaſterie, and endued richly the Church of Saint Cutbert, at Durham. Hee ſent alſo into India, to pay, and performe his vowes to ſaint Thomas of India, which he promiſed in the time of his diſtreſſe, againſt the Danes. After hee had reigned nine and twentie yeres, and ſixe monethes: he changed this mortall life, and deuided his goods into two equall partes, the one to vſes ſecular, the other to vſes Eccleſiaſticall: Of the which, the firſt he deuided into thrée portions: the firſt, for behoofe of his familie: the ſecond, vponupon his buildings: the third vponupon ſtrangers. The other ſecond into foure partes: the one to the reliefe of the poore,Alfred a notable king. an other to monaſteries, the third to the Schooles of Oxford, for the maintening of good letters, the fourth he ſent to forraine Churches without the Realme.

He deuided the day and the night into thrée partes. Eight houres (if he were not let by warres,A notable ſpē ding of y^e time by the king. and other affaires) hée ſpent in ſtudie and learning. Other eight in praier & almes déedes. And the other eight in natural reſt, ſuſtenance of his bodie, and néedes of the Realme.

He eſpecially prouided againſt robbing, and théeues, by ſeuere execution. In ſuch ſorte, that he cauſed to be ſet vp through his Dominion, gilded brooches, and none ſo hardie, p. 102neither by day nor night, to take them downe. His vertues were many: he was learned; wiſe; religious; and valeaunt: eſpeciallie about the Weſt part of the land he erected Schooles, and mainteyned Students, although among the Britaines, in the towne of Cheſter, in Southwales, long before that, in the time of King Arthure, as Galfridus wryteth) both Grāmer, and Philoſophie, with the tongues, were taught.

In the time of Egbert, king of Kent, ſome writers affirme, y^t this land began to flouriſh with Philoſophie. About which time, alſo, ſome thinke that the Vniuerſity of Grantcheſter, néere to that which is now called Cambridge, began to be founded by Beda, Grantcheſter founded by Beda.following this coniecture therein, for that Alcuinus, who went to Rome, and from thence into Fraunce, in the time of Charles the great (where he firſt began the Vniuerſitie of Paris) was firſt traded vp in y^e ſame Schoole of Grantcheſter.Paris began from Grantcheſter.

Bed. lib. 3. cap. 18. writing alſo of Sigebert, king of the Eaſt-angles, declared how Sigebert returning out of Frāce into Englād, (according to the examples which he did there ſée) ordered, and diſpoſed Schooles of learning, through the meanes of Felix, then Biſhoppe: and placed in them Teachers, after the manner of the Cantuarites. And yet before theſe times, it is thought there were two Schooles, or Vniuerſities within the Realme: the one for Gréek, at the town of Greglade, which was after called Kirklade: the other for Latine, which was then called Latinlade, afterward Lethelade, néere to Oxford.

Alfrede very learned.This King Alfrede was eleuen yeres of age before hee began to learne Letters, hauing to his Maſter Pleimundus, (afterwarde made Biſhoppe of Canterburie,) and grew ſo in knowledge, that he trāſlated diuers latin works: as, Oroſius, Paſtorale Gregorij, the hiſtories of Bede, Boetius de Conſolat. philoſophiae: alſo, an Enchiridion of his owne making.

p. 103He compiled alſo an Hiſtorie in the Saxon tongue called the hiſtorie of Alfred. He ſuffered no man to aſpire to any dignitie in his Court, except he were learned, and cauſed all his Nobles to ſet their children to learning: if they had no ſonnes, then their ſeruaunts. He began alſo to tranſlate the Pſalter into Engliſh,The Pſalter tranſlated by king Alfred. and had almoſt finiſhed the ſame, had not death preuented him. Theſe endeuours he tooke in hand, that the Engliſh nation might be furniſhed with knowledge, which was decayed before, by the innumerable volumes burned by the Danes.The king carefull to furniſh the land with knowledge. He vſed chiefly the wiſe counſell of Neotus, Neotus.who was counted then an holy man, and was Abbot of a certaine monaſtery of Cornewall: by whoſe aduiſe hée ſent for Grimbaldus a learned monke out of Fraunce, and for Aſſerion an other learned man out of Wales, whome hée made Biſhop of Schireborne: alſo out of Mercia hée ſent for Werefrithus Biſhop of Worceſter, to whom hée put the Dialogues of Gregory to be trā ſlated. By the aduiſement of Neotus he ordained certaine ſchooles of diuerſe artes, firſt at Oxford: and fraunchiſed the ſame with many great Libraries.

Moreouer, beſides other learned men which were about Alfred, hiſtories make mention of Iohannes Scotus, Iohannes Scotus.a godly deuine, and a learned Philoſopher, but not that Scotus whō we call Duns, (who came after this many yéeres.) This Iohannes Scotus at the requeſt of Carolus Caluus, the French king, tranſlated the booke of Dyoniſius, intituled De Hierarchia, out of Gréeke into Latine, word by word. Hée wrote alſo a booke, De corpore & ſanguine Domni: which was after condemned by the Pope,Scotus booke De Corpore condemned. In concilio Vercellenſi.

He wrote alſo a booke De naturae diuiſione, wherein he accorded not with the Romiſh religion: whervpon the Pope writing to Charles of this Scotus, complained of him: ſo he was conſtrained to remoue out of France, and came into Engl. to Alured (as ſome ſay) by y^e letters of Alfred, of whō p. 104he had great intertainment till he went to Malmeſburie, where he was ſlaine of his owne ſchollers (whō he taught) with their penkniues.Scotus ſlaine of his ſcholers.

King Alfred had by his wife two ſonnes, Edward, and Ethelward, and thrée daughters Elflena, Ethelgora, & Ethelginda, which all he cauſed to be inſtructed in learning. Edward ſuccéeded in the kingdome; Ethelward died before his father; Ethelgora was made a Nunne; the other two were maried the one in Merceland, the other to y^e Earle of Flaunders. He raigned 29. yéeres, & ſix moneths: he departed this life, v. Kal. Nouemb. & lieth buried at Wincheſter, an. 901. 901Whereſoeuer he was, or whether ſoeuer he went, he bare in his boſome or pocket a litle booke, cōtaining the Pſalmes of Dauid, Dauids pſalms alwaies with the king.and certaine other prayers of his owne collecting, wherevpon he was continually either reading, or praying, whenſoeuer he had leaſure therevnto.

Pleymundus ſchoolemaiſter to Alfred, ſuccéeded Etheredus in the Biſhopricke of Canterburie, and gouerned that ſea 34. yéeres. After him ſuccéeded Athelmus and ſat 12. yéeres: after him came Vlfelmus, and ſat 13. yéeres: him followed Odo a Dane borne, and gouerned 20. yéeres.

After the death of Pope Stephen the fifth, was much broyle in the election of the Biſhops of Rome, one contending againſt another: in ſo much that in the ſpace of nine yéeres, there were nine Popes: of the which, firſt was Formoſus, who ſuccéeded Stephen, being made pope againſt the minde of certaine in Rome, that would rather Sergius, then Deacon of the Church of Rome, ſhould bée Pope: not withſtanding Mars and mony preuayled on Formoſus part, by the aid of king Arnulphus, who came to Rome and beheaded Formoſus aduerſaries, whom the Pope in recompence bleſſed & crowned Emp. This Formoſus had once ſworne neuer to reiterate or take to him againe eccleſiaſticall order, but was abſolued againe of Pope Martin, who ſat foure or fiue yéeres: after whom in 9. yéeres, there were nine Popes.In nine yeeres nine Popes. p. 105After him ſucceded Boniface the 6, who continued 25. daies, then came Stephen the 6. who abrogated all the decrées of Formoſus. and taking vp his body after it was buried,Pope Stephen rageth againſt the dead bodie of Formoſus. cut two fingers of his right hand, and commaunded them to bée caſt into Tiber, and then buried the bodie in a Laye mans ſepulchre. He raigned one yéere, and him ſuccéeded Rhemanus, & ſate 3. months, repealing the decrées of his predeceſſor againſt Formoſus, next whom came Theodorus the 2. who like wiſe taking part with Formoſus, raigned but 20. daies, then ſate Pope Iohn, who fought againſt y^e Romans, and (to confirme the cauſe of Formoſus more ſurely) did hold a ſynode at Rauenna of 72. Biſhops, with the French king Endo, and his Archbiſhops, preſent at the ſame: where all the decrées of Formoſus, were confirmed, and thoſe of Stephen the 6. burned.

This Pope liued not Pope full twoo yéeres: after whom ſuccéeded Benedictus the fourth, who kept the chaire thrée yéeres: after whom Leo the fift was Pope, who within 40. daies of his papacie, was with ſtrong hand taken and caſt in priſon by one Chriſtopher, his owne houſholde Chaplaine, whom he had long time nouriſhed in his houſe: which Chriſtopher, being Pope about the ſpace of ſeuen moneths, was alſo horſed from his ſeate by Sergius, as hée had done to the other before, who after hée had thrown downe Chriſtopher, ſhore him monke into a monaſterie, and occupied the ſea ſeuen yéeres. This Sergius, a rude man,Sergius baebarous cruelty againſt Formoſus, now dead and buried. and vnlearned, very proude and cruell, had before time beene put backe from the Popedome by Formoſus aboue mentioned: by reaſon whereof to reuenge himſelfe of Formoſus againe, (béeing nowe in his papacie) cauſed his bodie to bée taken vp, and afterward ſetting it in the Papall ſea (as in his Pontificalibus) firſt diſgraded him, then commaunded his head to bée ſmitten off, with the other thrée fingers which were left: which done he cauſed his body to be throwne into Tiber, depoſing alſo all ſuch as had béene p. 106inueſted by Formoſus.

By this Pope Sergius, firſt came vp the bearing of candles on Candlemas day,Candles on Candlemas day. for the purifying of the bleſſed virgin.

After Sergius entred Pope Anaſtaſius: who after he had ſate 2. yéers, folowed pope Lando, the father (as ſome think) of pope Iohn: which Iohn is ſaid to hauehave beene Paramour of Theodora, a famous harlot of Rome,A pope ſet vp of Theodora, a famous harlot. & ſet vp by the ſame harlot, either againſt Lando, or after Lando his father, to ſuccéede in his roome.

There is a ſtory writer called Liuthprandus, who writing de imperatoribus, lib. 2. cap. 13. maketh mention of this Theodora, and Iohn the eleuenth: and ſaith, that this Theodora had a daughter named Marozia, which had by Pope Sergius aboue mentioned, a ſonne who afterwarde was pope Iohn the 12. The ſame Marozia, afterward married with the marques Guido of Tuſcia, through whoſe means and his friends at Rome, ſhe brought to paſſe that this pope Iohn the eleuenth was ſmothered with a pillow laid to his mouth,Pope ſmothered. after he had raigned 13. yéeres, and ſo Iohn the 12. her ſonne raigned in his ſtéed: but becauſe the cleargie, and people of Rome did not agree to the election, therefore was Pope Leo the 6. ſet vp in his roome.

Thus pope Iohn the ſonne of Sergius, and Marozia, being reiected, raigned pope Leo, 7. moneths: after him pope Stephen 2. yéeres: who being poiſoned,Pope poiſoned then was pope Iohn the 12. aboue rehearſed, ſet vp againe, where hee raigned néere the ſpace of 5. yeeres.

After Iohn the twelfth, followed pope Stephen, thrée yeeres. Leo thrée yéeres and foure moneths: Stephen the eight, thrée yéeres, foure moneths: Martine 3. yéers, 6. moneths: After him, Agapetus, eight yéeres and ſixe moneths: about whoſe time, or a little before, beganne the order of monks called, Ordo Cluniacenſis.The Monkes Cluniacenſes.

It may appeare, in thoſe times, that the authoritye of p. 107beſtowing biſhoprikes in England, and alſo in preſcribing lawes to Churchmen was in the hands of the kings of the land, and not onelyonly in the handes of the Pope: as it is manifeſt by King Alfredus lawes: If any one lie with an other mans wife, &c. If any that hath taken orders, ſteale, &c.

After Alfred ſuccéeded his ſonne Edward called the elder, giuing alſo teſtimonie of the ſame. Who with Pleymundus archbiſhop of Canterbury, and with other Biſhops in a Synod aſſembled, elected ſeuen Biſhops, in ſeuen Metropolitane churches, whoſe names were 1. Freidſtane, 2. Adelſtane, 3. Werſtane, 4. Addlelin, 5. Edulphus, 6. Dernegus, 7. Kenulphus. In which election, the kings authority alone ſéemed then ſufficient.The kings authority in electing of biſhops ſufficient.

This Edward raigned 24. yéers: 925his daughters he ſet to ſpinning,The K. daughters ſet to ſpinning. and to the néedle: his ſonnes he ſet to the ſtudie of learning: to the end that they being Philoſophers firſt, might bee made more expert to gouerne the common wealth.The king maketh his ſonnes firſt Philoſophers, and then Gouernours.

Ethelſtane ſuccéeded his father in the kingdome, and being baſe born of Egwin, before the king was married to her, and fearing his next brother Edwine, being rightly borne, cauſed him to be put in an old rotten boate in the broad ſea, onelyonly with one Eſquier with him: who being perplexed with the rage of the Sea, and wearie of his life, threw him ſelfe into the Sea. This act Ethelſtane lamented vij. yeres, and buylded the two Monaſteries, of Middleton, and of Michelendes, for his brothers ſake, or (as the Stories ſay) for his ſoule.

About this time, the Empire began to be tranſlated from Fraunce (where it had continued about an hundred yeres,) into Germanie,The Empire tranſlated out of France into Germanie. where it hath euer ſince remayned.

This king gaue his thirde Siſter to Henricus Duke of main, for his ſonne Otho, the firſt Emperour of the Ger-Almanes.

p. 108This king ſet foorth diuerſe lawes for the gouernment of the clergy: he preſcribed alſo conſtitutions touching tithes geuing. And among his lawes, to the number of 35. diuerſe things are comprehended, pertaining as well to the ſpiritualtie, as to the temporaltie. Out of the lawes of this king firſt ſprong vp y^e attachment of théeues, y^t ſuch as ſtole aboue 12. d.Attaching of theeues. Stealing aboue twelue pence. and were aboue twelue yéeres old, ſhould not be ſpared. He raigned about the ſpace of 16. yéeres, and died without iſſue. Anno 940.

After him ſuccéeded his brother Edmund ſonne of Edward the elder, by his third wife, being of the age of twentie yéeres. About this time Mōkery came into England.Monkery commeth into England. There was at that time, and before a monaſterie in France, called Floriake, after the order of Benedict: from the which monaſtery did ſpring the greateſt part of our Engliſh monkes, who being there profeſſed, and after returning into England, did gather men daily to their profeſſion: & ſo at length grew in fauour with kings and princes, who founded them houſes, mainteined their rules, and enlarged them with poſſeſſions. Among the Monkes that came from Floriake, eſpecially was one Oſwaldus, firſt a monke of Floriake, then Biſhop of Worceſter, and Yorke: a great patrone, and ſetter vp of monkery.Oſwaldus a monke, a great Patrone of monkery.

This king builded and furniſhed the abbey of Glaſtenburie, and made Dunſtan abbot thereof.

He was ſlaine of a felon with a knife. He ordeyned lawes alſo for the Spiritualtie, touching tithes, againſt deflouring of Nunnes, touching reparation of Churches, &c. In the time of this Edmund, was Odo, Archbiſhoppe of Caunterburie, who was the firſt from the comming of the Saxons, till this time, that was Archb. being no Monke, for all before him were Monkes: of whom, a great part had béen Italians, vntounto Berctualdus. Notw^tſtanding, after he ſayled into France, and receiued that order at Flo-riake. Vlſtan biſhop of York, at the ſame time is noted to differ in habite p. 109from other Biſhops.

Odo continued Biſhop the ſpace of twentie yeres: after whom, Elſinus was elected, and ordeyned by the king, to ſuccéede through fauour and money: but going to Rome for the Popes pall, in his iourney through the Alpes, he died for colde: after whom ſuccéeded Dunſtan.

This Edmund gaue to ſaint Edmund the Martir, aboue mentioned, the towne of Bredrichcepworth, now called S. Edmondſburie,Saint Edmondſburie. with great reuenues, and landes belonging to the ſame. He was buried at Glaſſenburie by Dunſtane. He left two ſonnes behinde him; Edwine, and Edgar, by his wife Elgina: But the children beeing vnderunder age, Edred brother to the king, was made Protector in the mean time, who faithfully behaued him ſelfe towardes the young children.

In his time Dunſtane was promoted by the meanes of Odo, from Abbot of Glaſſenbure, to be Biſhop of Worceſter, and after of London. By this Dunſtan, Edred was much ruled. So that he is reported in ſtories, too much to ſubmitte himſelfe to fonde penance layde vponupon him by Dunſtane.

After his Vncle Edred, Edwin the eldeſt ſonne of King Edmund beganne his raigne, anno 955. 955being crowned at Kingſton by Odo, Archbiſhop of Canterburie. He is reported the firſt day of his Coronation, to hauehave departed from y^e company of his Lords, into a ſecret chamber, to the diſorderly companie of a woman, whoſe huſband he had ſlain. Now, Dunſtan (being yet but Abbot of Glaſſenburie) followed the king into the chamber, and brought him out by the hand, and accuſed him to Odo the Archb. and cauſed him to be ſeparated from the ſaid woman, and to be ſuſpēded out of y^e church by the ſame Odo. Whereupon, the king being offended w^t Dunſtane, D. cauſeth the king to be ſuſpended for adulterie.baniſhed him, and forced him for a ſeaſon to flie into Flaunders, where he was in the Monaſterie of Saint Amandus.

p. 110About the ſame ſeaſon, the Monaſticall order of S. Benedict, or (as they call them) blacke monkes, began to increaſe in England: in ſo much, that other Prieſtes & Chanons were diſplaced, and they ſet in their roomes. But king Edwine (for diſpleaſure he bare to Dunſtan) did vexe al that order of Monkes, ſo that in Malmſburie, Glaſſenburie, & other places, he thruſt out the Monkes, & ſet Secular prieſts in their roomes.

In the end, being hated for his euill demeanor, hee was depoſed from the Crowne,The K depoſed. and his brother Edgar receiued in his roome, ſo that the riuer of Thames deuided both their kingdomes. Edwine (when he had raigned foure yeres) departed, leauing no iſſue of his bodie. Wherefore; the rule of the land fell vntounto Edgar his younger brother, in the yere of the Lorde, nine hundred fiftie and nine; 959he (being about the age of ſixtéene yeres, but hee was not crowned till fourtéene yeares after.

In the beginning of his reigne he called home Dunſtane whom Edwine before had exiled. Then was Dunſtane, (before Abbot of Glaſſenbury) made B. of Worceſter, and after of London.

Not long after this, Odo, the Archbiſhop of Canterburie deceaſed, after he had gouerned the Church xxxiiij. yeres. After whom, Brithelinus Biſhoppe of Wincheſter, was firſt elected: but becauſe he was thought vnſufficient, Dunſtan was choſen, and the other ſent home againe to his own Church. So Dunſtan being made Archbiſhoppe by the K. went to Rome for his Pall, to Pope Iohn the thirtéenth: which was about the beginning of the Kinges raigne. Dū ſtan hauing obteined his Pall, returned and obteined of the king, that Oſwaldus, who was made a Monke at Floriake, was created B. of Worceſter: and not long after, through the meanes of Dunſtan Ethelwoldus, firſt Monke of Glaſſenburie, then Abbot of Abbindon, was made Biſhoppe of Wincheſter.

p. 111Theſe thrée biſhops were great vpholders of Monks: by whoſe councell king Edgar is recorded in hiſtories to hauehave builded either new out of the groūd, or cauſed to be reedified monaſteries decaied by the Danes, more then fortie. Moreouer thorough the inſtigation of them, the king in diuerſe Cathedrall Churches, where Prebendaries and Prieſtes were before, diſplaced them, and ſette in Monkes and Nunnes.Prieſts diſplaced, and monks placed.

After that the kings minde was thus perſwaded to aduance Monkery, Oſwaldus biſhop of Worceſter, alſo made Archbiſhop of Yorke, after the death of Oſkitellus, hauing his ſea in the Cathedrall Church there of S. Peter; after he had firſt aſſaied the Canons and prieſts by faire meanes to become monkes, and not preuailing, néere to the ſame Church of S. Peter in the Churchyard, he builded another Church of our Lady, which when he had repleniſhed with monks, there he continually frequented: and ſo the people left the other Church naked. Wherevpon the prieſts did eyther become monks, or depart from the place. So did Ethelwold driue out the Canons and prieſts from the new monaſterie in Wincheſter, afterward called Hida, and placed his monks. The cauſe was pretēded for that they were thought ſlacke, and negligent in their Church ſeruice, and ſet in Vicars in their ſtéed. Then the K. gaue to the ſame Vicars, the land which belonged before to the Prebendaries: who alſo, not long after ſhewed them ſelues as negligent as the other. Wherefore, king Edgar (by the conſent of Pope Iohn) voyded cléerelie the Prieſtes: and ordeyned there Monkes. Which Monkes, did greatly differ, and doe at this day diſagrée with the auncient Monkes of olde time, that were Lay men onelyonly,The new mōks differ from the olde, who were lay men. and were forbidden by the Councell of Chalcedon, in any ſorte to deale with matters of the Church: and were ſuch, as by the Tyranny of Perſecution, were either conſtrained to hide themſelues in ſolitarie places, or els of their owne voluntarie deuotion, withdrewe themſelues p. 112from company, hauing nothing proper of their owne, or all things common with other.

Afterward Bonifacius the fourth made a decrée, Anno 606. 606that Monkes might vſe the office of preachyng, of baptizing, and hearing confeſſion, and aſſoiling them of their ſinnes: and in proceſſe of time they ſo incroched vponupon the office of miniſters, that at length prieſtes were diſcharged out of their cathedrall Churches, and Monkes placed in their roomes.

King Edgar a mainteiner of learning.King Edgar was a great mainteiner of religion, and learning. To auoid exceſſiue drinking by the example, of the Danes, which dwelt in diuerſe places of the realme, he ordained certaine cups with pinnes or nailes, ſet in them, adding thereto a law, y^t what perſon did drinke paſt that mark, at one draught, ſhould forfeite a certaine pennie: the halfe part whereof ſhould fall to the accuſer, the other to the ruler of the towne, where the offence was done. He was a noble Prince, wiſe, and victorious, but fauoured the monkiſh ſuperſtition ouermuch, and is reported by ſome to hauehave builded ſo many monaſteries for them, as there are Sundaies in the yéere, or as Edmer reporteth 48. 48. monaſteries builded by K. Edgar.Notwithſtanding he was much giuen to adulterie, and fornication, and vſed among others, Egelfleda or Elfleda, called the white daughter of Duke Odorere: of whom he begate Edward in baſtardie: for the which he was enioyned by Dunſtan, ſeuen yeres penance, and kept back from his Coronation ſo long, till the one and thirtie yere of his age, anno 974 although he began his Raigne at ſixtéene.

His penance appoynted by Dunſtane, The K. enioyned penance by Dunſtan.was, that he ſhould weare on his head no crowne, 874for the ſpace of ſeuen yeares: that he ſhould faſt twiſe in the wéeke; that he ſhould diſtribute the tribute left him by his anceſters, liberally vntounto the poore; that he ſhould build a Monaſterie of Nuns at Shaftſburie: Moreouer, he ſhould expell Clarkes of euill life (meaning ſuch Prieſtes as had wiues and children) out of Churches p. 113and places, couents of Monkes, &c. He raigned ſixtéene yeeres, & was crowned onelyonly thrée yeeres. He adopted to ſuccéede him, Edward that was borne of the harlot.

Among other lawes of this king, he ordained that the Sunday ſhould be ſolemnized from Saturday at nine of the clocke, till Munday morning.The Saboth to be ſolemniſed from Saturday nine of the clocke, till Munday morning.

By reaſon of the diſplacing of the Prieſtes before, there aroſe a great contention after Edgars death, one part ſtanding with them, ſo that they called alſo the crowne in queſtion: another part fauouring Edward, Great ſtrife betwixt prieſts and monkes.the other Egfride the lawfull ſonne: in which ſturre Dunſtan Archbiſhop of Canterburie, and Oſwald of Yorke, with diuerſe other Biſhops, Dukes, and Lordes aſſembled a Councell: where Dunſtan comming with his croſſe in his hand, and bringing Edward with him, ſo perſwaded the Lordes, that Edward was receiued king, whom Dunſtan hoped would become a patron of Monkery, and aduaunce that eſtate; but it fell out contrary to his expectation. For ſhortly after the coronation, Duke Alferus of Mercia droue out the Monkes from the Cathedrall Churches, and reſtored the Prieſtes with their wiues. In the end, vponupon this controuerſie was holden a Councell of Biſhops, and other of the Clergie: firſt at Wincheſter, where the greater part of nobles & commons iudged the Prieſts to hauehave great wrong, and ſought by all meanes to redreſſe it, anno 977. 977Yet notwithſtanding the ſtrife ceaſed not: in ſo much that a new aſſembly of clergy men, & other was appointed afterward, in a place called the ſtréete of Calue, where the Councell was kept on an vpper loft, where diuerſe cōplaints were made againſt Dunſtan; but he preuailed notwithſtanding.

Not long after, about the fourth yéere he was ſlaine with a dagger, drinking on horſebacke, by the procurement of the mother of Egelred, (whom he came to viſite,) & his brother her ſonne Egelred. He was buried not beyng knowne who he was, at the towne of Warham: & thrée yéeres after p. 114was taken vp by Duke Alfere, and with honor was remooued to the Minſter of Shaftſbury, & there beſtowed in the place called Edwardſtow. This Edward they hold for a martyr, and ſay that the Quéene in repentance of her fact builded after two nunneries, one at Ameſbury by Saliſbury: the other at Werewell, where ſhe kept her ſelfe in continuall repentance, all the dayes of her life.

Him ſuccéeded Egelredus his brother.

Pope Iohn the thirtinth (of whom Dunſtan Archbiſhop of Canterbury receiued his pall) is noted to be monſtrouſly vitious:A monſterous vitious pope. he was an whoremaſter, adulterous, inceſtuous, libidinous: a gameſter, an extorcioner, periured, a fighter, a murtherer, cruell, and tyrannous: of his Cardinals ſome he put out their eies, from ſome he cut out their tounges, ſome their fingers, ſome their noſes, &c. In a generall councell before Otho the firſt Emperour of the Germanes, theſe obiections were articulate againſt him: firſt, that he neuer ſaid his ſeruice: that in ſaying his Maſſe he did not communicate: that he ordained Deacons in a ſtable: that hée committed inceſt with two of his ſiſters: that playing at dice, he called for the Diuell to help: that for mony he made boies biſhops: that he defloured virgins and ſtraungers: that of the palace of Laterane he made a ſtewes: & that he lay with Stephana his fathers concubine: likewiſe with Ramera, and with Anna, and her néece: that he put out the eies of biſhop Benedict: that he cauſed houſes to be ſet on fire: that he broke open houſes: that he dranke to the Diuell: that hée neuer croſſed himſelfe, &c. For the which cauſes he was depoſed by the conſent of the Emperour, and the Prelates: and Pope Leo placed in his roome. But after, thorough the harlots of Rome,Pope reſtored by harlots. and their great promiſes, hée was reſtored againe, and Leo put out. At length, about the tenth yéere of this Pope, he being found without the citie with another mans wife, was ſo wounded of her huſband, that within eight dayes after he died.Pope killed in adultery.

p. 115After him, the Romans elected Pope Benedictus the fift, without the conſent of the emperor: whervppon Otho beſieged Rome, and ſet vp Pope Leo againe, the eight of that name. Which Leo, to gratifie him again, crowned Otho for Emperor, and entituled him Auguſtus: alſo the power which Carolus magnus gaue to the Cleargy and people of Rome touching the election of the B. of Rome, this Leo by a ſynodall decrée gaue to the Emperour and his ſucceſſors.The election of the Pope giuen to the Emperour by the Pope. The Emperour againe reſtored to the Sea of Rome al ſuch poſſeſſions, which Carolus magnus tooke from the Lombards, and gaue to them.

After Pope Leo had raigned a yéere, and thrée moneths, ſuccéeded Pope Iohn the 14. Againſt whom, for holding with the Emperor, Petrus the head captain of the citie, with two Conſuls, and twelue Aldermen, & diuers other nobles, gathering their power together, laid handes vppon him in the Church of Laterane, and clapt the pope in priſon eleuen moneths.The Pope put in priſon. Whereof the Emperour hearing, ſped him to Rome, and did execution vponupon the offenders, and committed Petrus to the Popes arbitrement:The cruell reuenge of the Pope. whom he cauſed firſt to be ſtript naked, then his beard being ſhauen, to be hanged by the haire a whole day together, after that, to be ſet vponupon an Aſſe, his face turned backward, and his handes bounde vnderunder the Aſſes tayle, to be led through the Citie: that done, to be ſcourged with roddes, and ſo baniſhed the citie. And thus the holy father loued his enemy according to the rule of the Goſpel.

From this Pope, procéeded firſt the chriſtening of bels,The chriſtning of belles. 971. 971After him, followed Pope Benedictus the 6, who was in like maner apprehended by Cinthius, a captain of Rome, and caſt in priſon, where he was ſtrangled,The Pope ſtrangled. or as ſome ſay, famiſhed for lacke of meat. Then came Pope Donus the 2, after whom, Bonifacius the 7. was pope, who was conſtrained to hide himſelfe, for feare of the Citizens conſpiracie, & ſéeing no place for his ſafety, tooke the treaſure of Saint p. 116Peters Church, & ſo priuily ſtole to Conſtantinople: in whoſe ſtéed the people ſet vp Pope Iohn the fiftéenth. Not long after, Boniface returning againe from Conſtantinople, by his money procured a garriſon to take his part, by whoſe meanes Pope Iohn was taken, his eies put out, and ſo throwen in priſon,The popes eies put out, & he famiſhed in priſō. where he was as (ſome ſay) famiſhed, ſome ſay he was ſlaine by Feruchus. Neither did Boniface liue many daies after, but ſodainly died: whoſe carkas after his death, was drawne by the féete through the ſtréetes of Rome,The dead body of the Pope drawn through the ſtreets. the people ſhriking, and exclaiming againſt him, An. 276. Next Pope after him was Benedictus the ſeuenth, by the conſent of the Emperour Otho the ſecond: and raigned 19. 676yéeres.

In the time of this Pope, Hugh Cappet, the French king tooke Charles the right heire to the crowne, by treaſon of the Biſhop of Laon, and when he had impriſoned him, hée alſo impriſoned Arnoldus, Archbiſhoppe of Rames, and placed in his roome Gilbertus, a Necromancer, who was Schoolemaiſter to D. Robert the kings ſonne; but Pope Benedictus calling a councel at Rhemes, reſtored Arnoldus againe, and diſplaced Gilbertus,

After Benedictus, ſuccéeded in y^e ſea of Rome, Pope Iohn the 16. and died the 8. monethmonth of his papacie, next to whom came Iohn the ſeuentéenth, and after him Gregory the fift, ann, 995. 995This Gregory called before Bruno, was a Germaine borne, and therefore more maliced the Cleargie, and people of Rome. Whervpon, Creſcentius with the people and cleargy, agréeing againſt the ſame Gregory, ſet vp pope Iohn the 18. wherevpon Gregory went to Otho the third, who vponupon his complaint, came to Rome, & tooke in the city of Rome both Creſcentius the conſul, & Iohn the pope. Which Iohn hauing his eies put out,The popes eies put out. was after depriued of his life. Creſcentius the Conſul was ſet vppon a wilde horſe, hauing his noſe and eares cut of,Crueltie and ſo was ledde through the Cittie, his face turned to the horſe tayle: and after p. 117hauing his Members cutte off, was hanged vponupon a Gibbet.

Pope Gregorie being thus reſtored to his former ſtate, raigned foure yeres in his Papacie, although ſome ſay, but two yeares. During which time, he aſſembled a Councell at Rome,A Councell at Rome. wherein (to eſtabliſh the Empire in his owne coū trey, by the conſent, and councell of Otho,) he ordeyned ſeuen Princes of Germanie, to be Electors of the Emperor:The ſeuen Electors of the Empire. thrée Biſhoppes, and thrée Princes: the Palatine; the Duke of Saxony; and the Marques Brandenbourge: vntounto whome was added the king of Boheme, to geue a caſting voice, if néede ſo required. The Biſhoppes were, of Magunce; of Treuers; and of Colone. This conſtitution being firſt begun in the yere of our Lord, nine hundred ninetie ſeuen, 997was afterward eſtabliſhed in Germanie, by Otho the Emperor, an. 1002.

Now, concerning king Egelred, or Elred, the ſonne of Alfrith. He raigned 38. yeres. Our Engliſh Cronicles report his raigne to be vngracious in the beginning;A ſtrāge reign of a king. wretched in the middle; and hatefull in the end.

There fell a variance betwixt this king, and the Biſhop of Rocheſter, ſo that he made warre againſt him, & beſieged the Citie till the Biſhop offered him an C.l. of golde, which he receiued, and ſo departed.

The Danes, in the time of this king, did much moleſt the Lande: in ſo much, that the King was gladde to graunt vntounto them great ſummes of money, for peace.Peace bought for money of the Danes.

For the aſſurance of which peace, Analeffe, the Captaine of the Danes, became a Chriſtian, and ſo departed the Countrey.

About the xi. or as ſome ſay, the ix. yere of this kings reign, died Dunſtan: after whome ſucceeded Ethelgarus, or, as Iornalenſis ſaith, Stilgarus. After him Elfricus, as ſayeth Guilielmus, lib. 1. de Pontif. But as Polidorus ſaith, Sirifius. After him, Elfricus came, but after the minde of Williā, p. 118lib. 1. Siricius. But Polidorus ſaith, Aluritius, then Elphegus, &c.

About the ſame time, Anno 995. 995Aldwinus, Biſhoppe, tranſlated the bodie of Saint Cutbert from Cheſter (which firſt was in a Northerne Iland, then at Rocheſter,) to Durelind,The Sea of Durham began. or Durelin, whereupon the Biſhoppes Sea of Dureſine firſt began.

This king was greatly vexed with the Danes, and was faine to redéeme peace with great ſummes of money, yerelie, which was called Dane-gelt, Danegelt.from x. thouſand, to xl. thouſand a yere. An. 1000. In the xxi. of his reigne, he married with Emma, 874daughter to Richard D. of Normandie, which cauſed the king to hauehave great confidence in himſelfe: and by preſumption thereof, ſent ſecrete, and ſtraight Commiſſions, to the Rulers of euerie towne in the lande, that vponupon Saint Brices day, at a certaine houre appointed, the Danes ſhould be ſodenly ſlaine,Danes ſlaine. which was in like manner performed. But the Danes, and their king, hearing thereof, entered againe, and made great waſte. In ſo much, that the king was fayne to take peace with them: and gaue to King Swanus, thirtie thouſand poundes: whereupon he returned. But the peace laſted not long, for the next yeare, one named Turkillus, Turkillus, a Dane. Great vexation of y^e Danes.a Prince of the Danes, inuaded againe, and was fayne to be pleaſed with giftes. So the inuaſion of the Danes, and the moleſting of Engliſhmen by them, neuer ceaſed: wherewith the Countrey was brought to great miſerie.

After this, Swanus, the king of Danes, who had made a couenant of peace before with the K. brake it: and hearing of the increaſe of his people in the land, came, and landed in Northumberlande, and there proclaymed himſelfe king of the Land.

After much deſtruction in other places, at length he came to Canterburie, which he beſieged, and was reſiſted twenty dayes: but at laſt, by treaſon of a Deacon,Treaſon of a Deacon. called Almaricus, p. 119(whom the Biſhop had preſerued from death before) wan it, and tooke the goods of the people, and ſet the towne on fire: and tithed the Monkes of Saint Auguſtines abbey:Monkes tithed by the Danes. killing nine by cruell torment, and kéeping the tenth aliue, for ſlaues. So they ſlue there of religious men, to the number of nine hundred: of other men, women, and children, they ſlue aboue eight thouſand. And finally, when they had kept the Biſhop Elphegus in ſtraight pryſon, the ſpace of eight moneths: (becauſe he would not agrée to giuegive them thrée thouſand poundes) after many villanies doone vntounto him, at Gréenewich they ſtoned him to death.Elphegus ſtoned by the Danes.

The K. Egelred in the meane time fearing the end of this perſecution, ſent his wife Emma, with his two ſonnes Alphred, and Edward, to the Duke of Normandie, with whom alſo he ſent the biſhop of London, whether alſo himſelfe went: after he had ſpent a great parte of the Winter in the Ile of Wight, whether hée was chaſed of the Danes.The king chaſed of the Danes. Whereof Swanus hearing, and inflamed with pride, reared great exactions vppon the people: and among other, hée required a great ſumme of monie of Saint Edmunds landes: which the people there clayming to bee frée from kings tributes, denied to pay.

For this, Swanus entred the territory of S. Edmund, & waſted the country, and deſpiſed the holy martyr: menacing alſo the place of his ſepulcher: wherefore the men of y^e country, fell to faſting & prayer.Faſting and prayer. Shortly after, Swanus died ſuddainly, crying, and yelling, among his knights. In feare whereof Canutus his ſonne, that ruled after him, graunted them the fréedome of al their libertie: and moreouer, ditched their land with a déepe ditch, and granted to the inhabitants thereof great fréedome; quitting them from all tributes; and after builded a Church ouer the place of his Sepulture: ordained there an houſe of monks: and endewed them with rich poſſeſſions. And after that time, it was vſed, that kings of Englād when they were crowned, ſent their crownes for p. 120an offering to S. Edmunds ſhrine,The crowne of England offered to S. Edmunds ſhrine. and redéemed the ſame afterward with a condigne price.

King Egelred hearing of the death of Swanus, made prouiſion, and returned into England: for whoſe ſuddaine comming Canutus being vnprouided, fled to Sandwich, and there cutting of the noſes, and the handes of the pledges which his father left with him, ſailed into Denmarke: and the next yeare returned againe with a great nauie: and landed in the South countrie, and entered the countrie of Weſt-ſaxon, forcing the people to bée ſworne to him, and to giuegive pledges. In this ſeaſon king Egelred beyng at London, was taken with ſickeneſſe, and there died: and was buried in the Northſide of Paules Church behind the quire, after that he had raigned vnproſperouſly ſix & thirtie yéeres, leauing behind him his eldeſt ſonne Edmund Ironſide, and Alphred and Edward, which were in Normandy. This king with his councell gaue foorth wholeſome lawes and precepts for iudges: and it is recorded, that he depoſed or depriued from all poſſeſſions, a certaine iudge or iuſtice named Walgeatus, A falſe iudge depoſed, whom the king loued. Edmund ſlain.the ſonne of one Leonet, for falſe iudgement, and other prowde doings: whom notwithſtanding he loued aboue all other.

After the death of Egelred, variance fell betwixt the Engliſhmen for the election of the king: the one part ſtanding for Edwin the eldeſt ſonne of Egelred; the other for Canutus, the ſonne of Swanus the Dane. By means wherof there were diuerſe battels fought betwéene them, and in the end the Princes thēſelues tried the matter hand to hand: and when they had aſſaied each other a while; by the motion of Canutus, haſtely, they were agréed, and kiſſed each other to the comfort of both hoſtes: and ſhortly after agreed vponupon partition of the land, and loued as brethren.

Soone after, a ſonne of wicked Edericus, by the means of his father, eſpying Edmund at the draught, thruſt him into the fundament with a ſpeare and ſlue him, after that he had p. 121raigned two yéeres. He left behind him two ſons, Edmund, and Edward: whom Edrick the wicked Duke, after y^e death of their father, tooke from their mother, not knowing yet of the death of her huſband, and preſented them to King Canutus, and ſaluted him, haile king alone. Canutus being King alone, ſent the ſonnes of Edmund to his brother Swanus, king of Sweueland, to be ſlaine: who abhorring that déede, ſent them to Salomon, king of Hungary, where Edmund being married to the K. daughter, died. Edward was married to Agatha, daughter of his brother Henrie the 4. Emperor. Canutus being eſtabliſhed King,A promiſe well performed. & hauing promiſed the falſe Duke to make him higher then all the Lordes of the land, cauſed his head to be ſtricken of: and to be ſet vppon London bridge, and his body to be caſt into the town ditch: other ſay, he cauſed him to be bound, and throwen into the Thames.The reward of Traitors. Likewiſe Canutus did diſdaine all thoſe whom he knewe to hauehave dealt falſely againſt Edmund, and his heires.

In the meane time Swanus king of Denmarke, brother to Canutus died, wherefore that land fell to Canutus; who anon after ſailed thither, and tooke the poſſeſſion, and returned into England, & married Emma, late wife of Egelred, and by her had a ſonne called Herdeknight, or Hardiknoutus: He aſſembled a parlement at Oxford, wherin was agréed that Engliſh men, and Danes, ſhould hold the lawes made by king Edgar, King Edgars lawes.as moſt good, & reaſonable. Thus, the Danes being in England, beganne by little and litle to bée chriſtened, and Canutus went to Rome, and ſo returning againe to England, gouerned the land 20. yéers, leauing behind him two ſonnes, Harold, & Hardiknoutus, which Hardiknoutus was made K of Denmarke in his fathers time: Harold for his ſwiftnes, called Harefoot, (ſon to Canutus by Eligna his firſt wife) began his raign ouer Englād, an. 1039 1039He baniſhed his ſtepmother Emma, & took her goods, & iewels from her. He raigned but 4. yéeres, & the kingdome fell to p. 122Hardeknoutus king of Denmarke his brother: who when he had raigned 2. yéeres,Hardeknoutus dieth. being merry at Lambith, ſodainly was ſtricken dumme, and fel down to the ground, and within 8. daies after died without iſſue of his body, and was the laſt that raigned of the blood of the Danes.The laſt K. of the Danes. For the Earles and Barons agréed, that none of that blood ſhould after bée king, for the deſpite and hurt the Danes had done to y^e Engliſh nation, and ſent into Normandy for the 2. brethren, Alfred & Edward, ſonnes of king Egelred, entending to make Alfred king of England: but Earle Godwin a Weſtſaxon, who had married the daughter of Hardeknoutus, thought to ſlay the two brethren comming into England, & to make Harold his ſonne king: which ſonne, he had by the daughter of Hardeknoutus, y^e Dane King. The meſſengers that went for the brethren, founde but Alfred the elder: for Edward the younger was gone into Hungary, to ſpeake with his couſin the outlaw, which was Edward Ironſides ſonne. So the traitor Godwin met with Alfride, & the Normans attending vponupon him, and when they came to Guilde doune, he commanded his men to ſlea all that were of Alfrides company, and after that, to take Alfred, and to leade him to the yle of Ely, where they ſhould put out both his eies: which they did,Alfred cruelly murthered, & that done, they opened his body, and tooke out his bowels, ſet a ſtake into the ground, and faſtned an end of his bowels thereto, and with néedles of yron they pricked his tender body, thereby cauſing him to go about the ſtake till al his bowels were drawne out. After this treaſon the wicbed Duke fled into Denmark, and loſt al his lands in England, and kept him there 4. yéeres, and more.

The ſtories record, that this Canutus folowing much the ſuperſtition of Achelnotus, Archb. of Canterbury, went on Pilgrimage to Rome, and there founded an Hoſpitall for Engliſh Pilgrims: hée gaue the Pope pretious giftes, and burdened the land with a yéerely tribute, called Romeſhotte.Romeſhot. He ſhrined the body of Bernius, and gaue greate p. 123landes to the Cathedrall Church of Wincheſter: he builded Saints Benets in Northfolke, which was before an heremitage. Alſo S. Edmundſburie,S. Edmundſburie turned from prieſtes to monkes. which king Ethelſtane ordeined before for a colledge of prieſts, he turned to an abbey of Monkes of S. Benets order.

This king Canutus beyng prouoked to go to Wincheſter by Egelnothus Archbiſhop of Canterburie, reſigned his regall crowne to the rood,A Rood crowned king of England. and made the roode king ouer the land.

He ordained lawes of his owne, touching matters eccleſiaſticall (although at the beginning hée vſed Edgars lawes) as touching paying for opening the earth at funerals: he forbad alſo all faires and markets vponupon Sundayes: and all ſecular actions, but vponupon vrgent neceſſitie.A good law againſt adultery He ordained to receaue the communion thriſe a yéere. That married woman that had committed adultery, ſhould hauehave her eares and noſe cut off. Alſo that no widow ſhould marrie within xij. moneths after the death of her huſband, elſe to loſe her ioynture, &c.

Thus ended the Daniſh kings: which Danes had vexed and waſted the land, the time of 255. yéeres.The land vexed by y^e Danes 255. yeeres.

Next vntounto Canutus the ſecond, or Hardiknoute, ſuccéeded Edward, the younger ſonne of Egelred, and Emma, who was long baniſhed in Normandy. He came ouer with a few Normans, and was crowned at Wincheſter, anno 943. by Edeſius, thē Archbiſhop of Canterburie: and not long after, he married Goditha, or Editha, daughter of Earle Godwin: with whom he neither dealt fleſhly, nor yet put her from his bed. He gouerned the land with great wiſdome & peace xxiiij yeres.

In the time of this K. came William, Duke of Normandie, with a goodly companie, to ſée K. Edward: to whom (it is ſaid) Edw. promiſed (if he died without iſſue) to leaue the Crowne. In this K. reigne liued Marianus Scotus, M. Scotus.the ſtorie wryter.

p. 124About the 13. yéere of this kings raigne, he ſent Aldred biſhop of Worceter, to the Emperour Henricus the fourth, praying him that he would ſend to the king of Hungarie, that his cooſin Edward, ſonne of Edmund Ironſide, might come into England, for ſo much as he entended to make him king after him (who was called Edward outlaw). This was fulfilled, and he came into England with his wife Agatha, and with his children Edgar Adeling, Margaret, and Chriſtina: but the yéere after his returne he died at London, & was buried at Weſtminſter, or as Iornalenſis ſaith, at Paules church in London. After whoſe deceaſe the king receiued Edgar Adeling his ſonne as his owne child, thinking to make him his heire; but fearing the mutabilitie of the Engliſhmen, and the pride, and malice of Harold the ſonne of Godwin, directed Embaſſadours to William, Duke of Normandy,William Duke of Normandy appointed heire of the crowne. his kinſeman, aſſigning him to bée lawfull heire after him. After the death of Godwin, his ſon Harold grew in great fauour with the king. He ſayled into Flaunders, and in the courſe of his ſayling, he was driuen by force of weather into the prouince of Pomilitie, where he was taken priſoner, and ſent to William, Duke of Normandie: to whom he was made to ſweare, that he in time following, ſhould marry his daughter, and that after the death of King Edward, Harold ſweareth to Duke William.he ſhould kéepe the land of England to his behoofe, according to the minde and will of Edward: (after ſome Writers) and ſo to liue in honor next to him, in the Realme. Thus he returned home, and ſhewed to the king what he had done. Wherewith he was very wel contented.

Leofricuss Earle of Cheſter, and of Mercia, who was alſo very faithfull to king Edward, with his wife Godina, builded the Abbey of Couentrée,The Abbey of Couentrie. and endued the ſame with great lands and riches.

King Edward (after hee had reigned thrée and twentie yeares, and ſeuen monethes) died;K. Edw. dieth. and was buried in the p. 125Monaſterie of Weſtminſter, which he had greatly augmented, and repayred.

Diuers lawes were before in diuers Countryes of this land vſed: as, the Law firſt of Danwallo, Molunicius, with the lawes of Mercia, called Mercinelega, then the lawes of Weſt-ſaxon kings: as, of Iue, Offa, Alfrede, &c. which was called Weſtſaxonilega. The thirde were the lawes of Canutus, and of Danes, called Danelega. Of al theſe lawes, K. Edward compiled one vniuerſal, and common law,K. Edwarde beginneth the cō mon law. for all y^e people through his land, which were called King Edwards Lawes, ſo iuſt, and ſeruing the publike weale of all Eſtates, that the people did long after rebell againſt their heads, to hauehave the ſame lawes againe, being takē frō them, but could not obteine them. For though Duke William did ſweare to the maintenance of them, yet he forſware himſelfe: and abrogating them, brought in much worſe, & more obſcure: yet was he compelled (through the clamor of the people) to take ſome of Edwards Lawes,The law at this day. Duke W. contrarie to his oath, ouerthroweth y^e lawes. but omitted y^e moſt part, contrarie to his oath at his coronation, placing y^e moſt of his own lawes, in his owne Language, to ſerue his purpoſe: and ſo they remaine to this day.

Harold, the ſecond ſonne of Earle Godwin, tooke on him (through force and might) to ſuccéede Edward: notwithſtanding his oath to Duke William of Normandie, an. 1066. 1066wherof he hearing, ſent Embaſſadors, admoniſhing him of couenants, which Harold refuſed to performe. Whereupō, D. William prepared to inuade: and ſent to Rome, to Pope Alexāder, touching his title, and voiage into England. The Pope confirmeth the ſame: and ſent vntounto him a Banner; willing him to beare it in the ſhippe, wherein hee him ſelfe ſhould ſayle. So he tooke ſhipping at the hauen of ſaint Valeria, and landed at Haſtings in Suſſex. From whence he ſent a monke to Harold, and offered him thrée conditions.Conditions of peace offered by D. Wil. to Harold. 1 Either to render vntounto him poſſeſſion of the land, and ſo to take it againe of him vnderunder tribute, raigning vnderunder him.

p. 1262 Or els to ſtand to the Popes arbitrement betwéen them.

3 Or els to defend his quarrell in his owne perſon, againſt the Duke, without any further bloudſhed.

All which conditions he refuſed, and ioyning battayll w^t the Normans, was ſhotte into the left eye with an arrowe, and died, after he had reigned ix. moneths: and ſo was he the laſt that reigned of the Saxons. Which (reckoning from Hengiſtus firſt reigne in Kent) was the ſpace of 591. yeres. And if it be reckoned from the yeres of the Weſt-ſaxons,Saxons ende after 591. or 560. yeres. then it endured the ſpace of 565. yeres.

Now, after Elfegus, whom the Danes ſtoned at Gréenwich, Liningus ſuccéeded in the Sea of Canterburie:Archb of Canterburie. and after him Egelnothus: then Robertus, a Norman: after whō, Stigandus (as they ſay) inuaded the Sea by Simonie, being both Archbiſhop of Canterburie, biſhop of Wincheſter, and Abbotte of another place. Where hee continued a long ſpace, till Duke William caſt him into priſon, & there kept him, placing in his roome Lanfrancus, a Lombard borne.

1000About the yere of our Lord one thouſand, lacking one or two, Silueſter the ſecond ſuccéeded after Gregorie the fift, in the Sea of Rome. This Silueſter was a Sorcerer, and compacted with the deuill to be made Pope. He ſate four yeres, one monethmonth, and eight dayes.

Siiueſter couenanteth with the deuil for the popedome.He vponupon a certaine time demaunded of the deuill an anſwere, how long he ſhould enioy the Popedome: to whō hée anſwered againe: vntill thou ſay maſſe at Ieruſalem, thou ſhalt liue. At length, the fourth yere of his Popedome, ſaying Maſſe in the Lent time, at the temple of the holy croſſe, being then called Ieruſalem, there he knew the time was come that he muſt die: whereupon (being ſtroken with repentance) he confeſſed his fault before the people: deſiring them to cut his bodie in péeces (which he before had vowed to the deuil:Silueſter is deceiued by the deuil.) and ſo being hewē in péeces, they would lay it on a cart, and burie it there, where the horſes would ſtay of their owne accord. So the horſes ſtayed at the church of Lateran, p. 127& there he was buried, wheras commonly by the ratling of his bones within the tombe,The ratling of Sylueſters bones. is portended the death of Popes, as the common report goeth. Iohannes Stellas.

After Silueſter ſuccéeded Iohannes 19. by whom was brought in the feaſt of Alſoules,The feaſt of Alſoules. as Volaterane ſaith, Anno 1004. 1004Through the meanes of one Odilo abbot of Cluniake, to be celebrated next to the feaſt of Alſaints.

Not long after came Iohannes 20. and Sergius the 4. after whom ſuccéeded Benedictus the eight, then Iohn 21. who (beyng promoted by arte Magicke, through Theophilact his Nephew, Gratianus, Brazutus, and other ſorcerors) brought in firſt the faſt of the éeuen of S. Iohn Baptiſt, and and S. Laurence: after him Benedictus the 9. by magick alſo, who reſiſting the Emperour, Henricus the 3. ſon to Conradus, The Popedom ſolde.and placing in his roome Petrus the king of Hungary, with this verſe: Petra dedit Romam. Petra dedit, &cPetro tibi Papa coronam, after for feare of Henricus, preuailing in battell, hee was faine to ſel his ſeate to his ſucceſſour Gratianus, called Gregorius 6. for 1500. pounds. At which time, were thrée Popes together in Rome, one raging againſt another. Benedictus 9. Silueſter 3. Gregorius 6. Three Popes together.For the which cauſe Henricus, ſurnamed Niger the Emperour, comming to Rome, diſplaced theſe 3. monſters at one time, placing for them Clemens the 2. and therevpon enacted, that no Pope thencefoorth, ſhould be choſen without confirmation of the Emperour.No P. without the Emperor. The Romans alſo made an oath to the Emperor, that they would not intermeddle in the election of the Biſhoppes, further then the Emperors aſſent ſhould agree withall. But within ix. moneths after, they forgat their oth, and poyſoned the B. Which fact ſome impute to Steuen his ſucceſſor, called Damaſus the ſecond: ſome to Brazutus, who (as hiſtories record) w^tin xiij. yeres, poiſoned 6. popes:One poyſoneth ſixe popes. Clemēs y^e ſecōd; Damaſus 2; Leo 9; Victor 2; Steph. 9; Nicolaꝰ 2.

Damaſus entred, neither by conſent of the people, nor election of the Emperor, but by plain inuaſiō: and w^tin 23. daies p. 128being poiſoned An. 1049. 1049much contention was at Rome about the papall ſea: ſo that the Romanes by conſent of the Cardinals, deſired the Emperour to giuegive them a Biſhop: which he did, one named Bruno an Almaigne, and Biſhop of Collen, afterward named Leo the ninth, who comming from the Emperour to Rome in his Pontificalibus, was met of the Abbot of Cluniake, and Hildebrande a monke, that al to rated him, becauſe he would take his authoritie of the Emperour rather then of the Clergie; and councelled him to lay downe that apparell, and to enter in with his owne habite, till he had his election by them: which he did, confeſſing his fault, and was called Leo the ninth. By him Hildebrand Hildebrand.was made a Cardinal, and put in great authoritie.

VnderUnder this Pope, were twoo councels, one kept at Vercellis,A councell at Vercellis. A councell at Laterane. where the doctrine of Berengarius, touching the real preſence, was firſt condemned, although Berengarius as yet recanted not; but afterward, in y^e councel of Laterane, vnderunder Nicholas 2. Anno 1060. 1060The other was kept at Maguntia, where was enacted, that Prieſts ſhould be excluded vtterly from marriage:Prieſts may not marrie. and that no lay man ſhoulde giuegive benefice or any ſpirituall promotion.

This Leo being at Wormes with the Emperour on Chriſtmas day, did excommunicate the ſubdeacon, becauſe in reading the Epiſtle he did it not in the Roman tune, hee being there preſent. The Archbiſhop moued therewith, departed from the Altar (being at maſſe) ſaying,The pope, and Archb. fal out at maſſe. he would not procéed in his ſeruice, vnleſſe his Subdeacon were reſtored. Whereupon, the Pope commanded him to be releaſed, and ſo they went forward in their ſeruice.

Brazutus the poyſoner.After the death of Leo (whom Brazutus poyſoned the firſt yere of his Popedome) Theophilactus did ſtriue to be pope, But Hildebrande (to defeate him) went to the Emperor, that aſſigned another, a German, Victor 2. Who hauing a Councell at Florence, depriued many biſhops for Simony, p. 129and fornication: that is for being maried. In the ſecond yéere of his popedome, he was alſo poyſoned by Brazutus, thorough the procurement of Hildebrand and his Maiſter.

After him ſuccéeded Stephen the 9. by the election of the Clergie of Rome, contrary to their othe made to the Emperour. By this Stephen the Church of Millain was firſt brought vnderunder the ſubiection of the Romiſh Church: and ſhamed not to accuſe the Emperour of hereſie, for miniſhing the authoritie of the Romane ſea: and at that time it was counted ſimonie, to enioy any ſpirituall liuing at a temporall mans hand. Which Stephen hearing to raigne in diuerſe churches, eſpecially of Burgundie and Italy, ſent foorth the Cardinall Hildebrand to reforme the matter, hée himſelfe alſo earneſt therein. In the meane while Stephanus taſting of Brazutus cup, fell ſicke: whereof Hildebrand hearing, haſted to Rome, & aſſembling the orders of the Clergie together, made them ſweare, that they ſhould admit none biſhop, but ſuch as ſhould be by the conſent of all. This doone, Hildebrand taketh his iourney to Florence, belike to fetch the B. of Florence to enſtall him: the clergy hauing ſworne vntounto him, that none ſhould be choſen B. before his returne: but the people in his abſence, elected one of their owne citie called Benedictus the 10. Whereof Hildebrand hearing, was greatly offended, & returning without Gerardus B. of Florence, cauſed the clergy to procéed to a new election: whervpon (they being afraid to doo it at Rome) went to Sene, and there elected Gerardus biſhop of Florence, named Nicolaus 2. who holding a councell at Sutriū, through the helpe of duke Godfride and Gilbert, and other biſhops in Italie, depoſed the other Pope. Benedictus vnderſtanding himſelfe to be ſet againſt by Hildebrād, vnpoped himſelfe, and went and dwelt at Velitras.

Nicholas being thus ſet vp againſt the mind of the Emperour, or conſent of the people of Rome, after his fellow Pope was driuen away, brake vp the Synod of Sutrium, p. 130and came to Rome, where he aſſembled another Councell called Lateranum: in which firſt was ſette forth the terrible ſentence of Excommunication,The terrible ſentence of excōmunication. mentioned in the decrées, and beginning In nomine Domini noſtri, &c. The effecte of the Councell was, that a few Cardinals, and certaine Catholike perſons might chooſe the Pope without the Emperour.The Pope to be elected only by y^e cardinall. Secondly, againſt theſe that créepe into the ſeate of Peter by ſimonie, without conſent of the Cardinals. In the ſame Councell alſo Berengarius Andeuangenſis, Berengarius recanteth.an Archdeacon, was driuen to recant his doctrine agaynſt the reall preſence. In the ſame Councell was alſo hatched the new found tearme of tranſubſtantiation.Tranſubſtantiatiō hatched.

This Pope made Robert Guichard (diſplacing the right heire) Duke of Apulia, Calabria, Sycilia, and Captaine generall of Saint Peters landes: that through his force hee might ſubdue thoſe that rebelled againſt him. At length hee met with Brazutus cup, after hee had ſet thrée yéeres and an halfe, Anno 1062.

At the beginning of this Nicholas, or ſomewhat before, An. 1057. was Henricus 4. made Emperour, after Henricus the third, and raigned fiftie yéeres.

In the raigne of this Nicholas, An. 1060. 1060Alredus biſhop of Worceſter, after the deceaſe of Kniſius his predeceſſor ſhould be made archbiſhop of Yorke: who comming to Rome with Toctius Earle of Northumberland, for his pall, was depriued: till the Pope beyng threatned by Toctius The Pope threatned by Toctius.with the loſſe of S. Peters tribute, was cōtent to ſend home Aldredus with his pall.

After the death of Nicholas, the Lombards being oppreſſed before of him, deſired to hauehave a Biſhop of their company, and ſo elected the biſhop Parmen called Cadolus, to be Pope with the Emp. licence, to whom they ſent concerning the ſame. Hildebrādus hearing this ſetteth vp another, Anſelmus, afterward called Alexander the 2. ſo that the two popes met, & fought together,Two Popes fight. Alexander getting the vpper p. 131hand. The Emp. hearing of this, ſēt his Embaſſador, Otho Archb. of Collen to Rome: who did chide the pope, for taking ſo vponupon him without the emperors leaue. Againſt whō, Hilbrand on the other ſide, very ſtoutly behaued himſelfe in the maintenance of the cleargy: ſo that Otho was content to be perſwaded: onelyonly requiring in the Emperors name, a counſel to be had to decide the matter, whereat the Emperour ſhould bee preſent himſelfe, and ſo hee was. In which Councel, kept at Mantua, Alexander was declared Pope, and the other had his pardon granted him. In this Councel, it was concluded, that prieſts ſhould hauehave no wiues, & ſuch as had Concubines, to ſay no maſſe: prieſts children not to be ſecluded from holy orders: no benefices to be ſold for money; Alleluia to be ſuſpended out of the Church in time of Lent, &c. It was alſo decréed, that no ſpiritual man ſhould enter into any Church by a ſecular man, and that the pope ſhould be elected onelyonly by the Cardinals. Benno Cardinalis writeth, that Alexander being at maſſe, (hauing perceiued the fraudes of Hildebrand as he was preaching) told him hée would not ſit in that ſeat without the licence of the Emperour. Wherevpon after maſſe, Hildebrand by force had him into a chamber, and pummelled the pope with his fiſtes:The pope pummeled by Hildebrand. rating him, for that he would ſéeke fauour of the Emperour. Thus he was kept in cuſtody, and ſtinted at xx. d. a day:The P. ſtinted at xx. pence a day. Hildebrand in the meane time encroching to himſelfe the treaſure of the Church.Hildebrand encrocheth the Church treaſure.

p. 132The names and order of the Archbiſhops of Canterburie, from the time of king Egbert, to William the Conquerour.

18 ETheredus 18. 19. Pleimundus 29.20. Athelmus 12. 21. Vlfelmus 13.22. Odo 20. 23. Elfius or Elfinus. 1. 24. Dunſtane. 20. Polydorus maketh Dunſtane the 23.25, Ethelgarus, 1.26. Elfricus, 11.27. Siricius 5.28. Elphegus, 6. 29. Liuingus, 7. 30. Egelnodus 17.31. Edſius, 11. 32. Robertus 2.33, Stigandus 17.34. Lanfrancus 19.

The Printer to the Reader.

NOte gentle Reade, that whereas (by means our written copie had not obſerued the ſame) we vnawares hauehave omitted certaine diſtinctions, that wee purpoſed to hauehave made betweene each of the 3. parts, or bookes of this former volume abridged, according as in the firſt volume of acts & monuments, at large is diſtinguiſhed: thou ſhalt vnderſtand, that the firſt of thoſe former bookes conteyneth the 300. yeres next after Chriſt, vntil Lucius his daies. The 2. booke beginneth pag. 68. and conteineth the next 300. yeeres; viz. from Lucius to king Egbert. The 3. muſt be reckoned from pag. 85. containing the next 300. yeeres, viz. to the time of William the Conqueror: which here followeth.