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

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

It is written alſo, that Henrie 2. gaue to the Church of Rome, for the death of Becket, 40000. markes of ſiluer, and 5000. markes of gold, an. 1187.

In the fiue and thirty yeare of his reigne, the king died at the Caſtle of Whiuen, in Normandie: at whoſe death, they that were preſent, were ſo greedie of the ſpoile, that they left the body of the king naked, and not ſo much could be found as a cloth to couer it: till a Page comming in, and ſeing the king lie ſo ignominiouſly, threw his cloke vponupon his neither partes.

Anno 1189. Richard the eldeſt ſonne of Henry the 2. ſuccéeded his Father: at which time Pope Clement Pope Clementſat at Rome, ſuccéeding Gregory, that died a little before for ſorrow.

Iewes deſtroyed.In the time of the Coronation of the king, the Iewes were deſtroied, almoſt all the land ouer.

The king in part of ſatiſfaction for his treſpaſſe againſt his father, agreed with Phillip the French king, to take vpō them the recouery of the holy lande: and for the ſame, ſolde and let out much, and gathered diuers waies, great treaſures for the iourney. Beſides, by the commaundement of Pope Clement the third, a tenth was exacted of the whole Realme: in ſuch ſort, as the Chriſtians ſhould make to the King 70000. A Biſh. Chancellour. A Biſh. chiefe iuſtice of England.pound, and the Iewes ſixe thouſand. For the gouernment of his Realme in his abſence, the King ſet ouer principall in his abſence, the Biſhop of Ely his Chauncellour, and the the Biſhop of Durham: whom he ordained to be chiefe Iuſtice of England, the one to hauehave the cuſtody of the Tower, with the ouerſight of all other partes of the land on this ſide of Humber. The other, which was the biſhoppe of Durham, to hauehave charge ouer all other his dominions beyond Humber: ſending moreouer to Pope Clement, in the behalfe of William, Biſhoppe of Ely, to bée made the Popes Legate through all England, and Scotlande: which alſo was obtained. Theſe thinges thus ordered,The iourney for the holie land. the K. about the time of Eaſter, ſayled into France, & there deferred their iourney til after Midſommer.

They confirmed their agréemēt of the enterpriſe by oath, the forme of which oath was this. That either of thē ſhould mainteine the honor of the other,The forme of the oath for the holy land. and beare true fidelitie of life, members, and worldly honor: and that neither of them ſhould faile one the other in their affaires, &c. But theſe couenants were not performed on the French kings part: for at Meſſana, hée ſuffered the kings part to be abuſed,The French breaketh his oth. by the inhabitants of the citie, and picked quarrels againſt the Engliſhmen, and wrought treaſon againſt the king, by ſending letters to the king of Cicill Tancredus, by the duke of Burgundy: the contents whereof were, that the king of Englād was a falſe traitour, and would neuer keepe the peace that was betwixt them: and if the ſaid Tancredus would warre againſt him, or ſecréetly by night would inuade him, hée with all his power would aſſiſt him, and ioine with him to the deſtruction of him, and all his armie: which letters Tancredus ſhewed vntounto king Richard at Cathmenſium a citie, where the king found Tancredus: who gaue him very good intertainment thrée daies & thrée nights: and at his departing gaue him foure great ſhips, and 15. gallies, and furthermore he himſelfe would néeds accompany him the ſpace of two daies iourney, to a place called Tauernium.

After the king of England had vnderſtood ſo much by Tancredus, and had alſo receiued of him the very letters, he would ſhewe the French king from thenceforth no louing countenance as before. King Richard hauing won Cipres, departed with the French king toward the ſiege of Achon, & the 6. of Iune croſſing the ſeas, he met with a great barke fraught with men of warre being Saracens, and furniſhed with wild fire and vnknowen ſerpents, to the defence of Achon, whom he vanquiſhed, and the 7. of Iune came to Achon: which in ſhort ſpace after was rendered vntounto the chriſtians, the 12. of Iuly, and the captaines of the Pagans vponupon agréement, reſorted vntounto the tents of the Templars to common with the king, touching peace, & giuing vp of their citie The ſum of which peace was this, that y^e kings ſhould hauehave the citie of Achon, fréely & fully deliuered vntounto them, with all that was therein, and 500. Captaines of the Chriſtians ſhould bée reſtored, which were in Achon: alſo the holy croſſe ſhould be rendered vntounto thē, & 1000. chriſtian captains, with 200. horſemen, whom ſoeuer they thēſelues would chooſe out of al them that were in the power of Saladine. Moreouer they ſhould giuegive to the kings 200000. byſants, ſo that they themſelues would remaine as pledges in the K. hands for performāce hereof: that if within 40. daies theſe couenaunts were not accompliſhed,Achon wonne by the Chriſtians. they would abide the kings mercy touching life and lims. Theſe couenaunts beyng agréed vponupon, the kings ſent their ſouldiers and ſeruants to the citie, to take an 100. of the richeſt and beſt in the citie, to cloſe them vp in towers vnderunder ſtrong kéeping.

The 13. day the two kings deuided the ſpoile of the citie betwixt them: whereat the ſouldiers grudged, and with ſomewhat adoo were appeaſed.

The 20. of Iuly K. Richard deſired the French king, that they with their armies would bind themſelues by oth, to remaine there ſtill in the land of Ieruſalē 3. yéeres, for the recouering of thoſe coūtries: but he would ſweare (he ſaid) no ſuch oth, & about the beginning of Auguſt the French K. departed from Achon to Tirus, leauing his halfe part of y^e citie of Achon to Cōradus the Marques. After whoſe departure, the Pagans refuſed to kéepe their couenants made, and neither would reſtore the holy croſſe, nor the monie, nor the captiues: ſending word that if king Richard did behead the pledges left with him at Achon, they would chop of the heads of ſuch chriſtian captiues as they had in their hands. Shortly after this the Saladine ſending great gifts to king Richard, requeſted the time limited for the beheading of the captiues to bée proroged, but the King refuſed to take his giftes, or to graunt his requeſt. Wherevpon the Saladine cauſed all the Chriſtian captiues within his poſſeſſion forthwith to be beheaded: which was the 18. of Auguſt. And albeit the king vnderſtood it, yet he would not preuent the time limitted for the execution of his pryſoners, beyng the twentith day of Auguſt: vppon which day hée cauſed them openly; in the ſight of the Saladines army to bee beheaded, to the number of 2500. ſauing hée reſerued certaine of the principall for purpoſes, eſpecially to make exchange for the holie croſſe, and certaine other of the chriſtian captiues.

After this, King Richard purpoſed to beſiege the City of Ioppe, where, by the way betwéene Ioppe, and Achon, néere to a towne called Aſhur, Saladine put to flight.Saladin encountring the king was put to flight, and the chaſe followed thrée miles by the chriſtians: ſo that he had not ſuch a loſſe in 40. yeres before: and but one Chriſtian captaine, called Iames Auernus in that conflict was ouerthrown. From thence king Richard went to Ioppe, & then to Aſcalon, where he foūd Ioppe forſaken, & Aſcalon thrown to the ground, and the whole land of Syria forſaken: throughout all which countrey, the king had frée paſſage without reſiſtance.

In the meane ſpace of the kings abſence, William, B. William ruffleth in the kings abſence.the B. of Ely ruffled, and began to ſuſpend the Canons, Clearks, & vicars of the church, as of S. Peter in Yorke, becauſe they receiued him not with proceſſion. VnderUnder which interdiction, he held them, til they were fain at laſt to to fal down at his feet, cauſing al their bels to be let down out of y^e ſtéeple.1500. horſe the Biſhops traine He commonly neuer rode vnderunder 1500. horſes, of chaplens, prieſts, & other ſeruing men waiting vponupon him. He was couetous, giuen to wantonnes, and intollerable pride: and ſo long as it laſted, held all vnderunder him; but it laſted not long.

King Richard, at his ſetting out toward Hieruſalem, left order that Earle Iohn, and Gefferey his brethren, ſhoulde not enter into England, the ſpace of 3. yéeres, but Iohn was releaſed afterward of that bond. Alſo the K. being at Meſſana in Sicily, ſent his mother Alinor to y^e Pope for his brother Geffery, elected before to the ſea of Yorke, to be cōſecrated Archb. but as ſhe was trauelling to Rome,Clement dieth pope Clemēt died the 6. day of April:Celeſtine Pope. in whoſe roome ſuccéeded Celeſtinus the third, who the next day after his conſecration came from Laterane to S. Peters Church. Where ſtanding vponupon the ſtaires before the churchdoore of S. Peter, he receiued an oath of Henricus king of the Almanes, that he ſhould defend the Church of God, and al the liberties thereof, & mainteine iuſtice: alſo to reſtore againe the patrimony of S. Peter, ful and whole. And finally, ſurrender againe to the Church of Rome, the city of Tuſculanum, &c.

VponUpon this graunt, the pope tooke him to the Church, and annointed him for Emperour, and his wife for Empreſſe: who there ſitting in his chaire pontificiall held the crowne of gold betwéene his féete:The pope ſetteth the crown vppon the Emperors head with his feete, and daſheth it off againe & ſo the Emperour bowing down his head to the popes féete, receaued the Crowne: and the Empreſſe likewiſe. The crowne béeing thus ſette vppon his head, the Pope eftſoones with his foote ſtroke it off againe, declaring thereby, that hée had power to depoſe him, (if hée deſerued it.) Then the Cardinals taking vp the crowne ſet it on his head againe.

Now Geffery being cōſecrated, through licence of the pope Celeſtine, by the Archb. of Turon, came into England. After his conſecration, the Biſhoppe of Ely hearing thereof, charged him not to enter,, and to remember his oath made to the king, at his ſetting forward toward Hieruſalem: moreouer, he threatned to apprehend him. The Archbiſhop notwithſtanding, arriued at Douer in the monethmonth of September: where the Chauncellors men ſtood ready to apprehend him, from whom he eſcaped, and came to the monkes houſe of Douer. Which houſe, the Chancellors men beſet, ſo that he could not eſcape: and on a day when he had ſayde maſſe, as hee was ſtanding at the Altar with his garments yet about him, they ruſhed in, and layde handes vppon him, bounde him, and drewe him through the dyrt,The Archbiſh. rudely handled and ſo committed him to Mathewe Clarke theyr Conſtable to bee kept. Theſe thinges beeyng brought to his Brothers eare, the Earle Iohn, hee the twelfth of October, and the Archbiſhoppe of Roan, with all the Biſhops, Earles, and Barons, and Citizens of London, aſſembled together in Paules-churche: where,Ruffeling W. depoſed. for his great enormities, they agreed to depoſe William, the ruffeling Chauncellour, and to place in his roome the Archbiſhop of Roan.

The third day after this, the Chancellor came to Douer, where he remained a few dayes, and (contrarie to his promiſe) purpoſed to take ſhipping, to paſſe ouer the Seas: and diſguiſed himſelfe in the apparel of a woman, hauing in his hand a meat-wand, and on his arme a péece of linnen cloth. And thus, as he was ſitting vponupon a rocke, wayting for his ſhip, a certaine Fiſherman eſpying him,W. is taken diſguiſed like a woman. and ſuppoſing him to be an harlot, came to him, and ſo with ſtriuing with him found him to be a man, whereat hee wondred, and began to make an outcrie againſt him. Whereupon, came great multitudes, wondring at him, haling, and drawing him by the collar, and ſléeues, through ſtones, and rockes: and at length laid him in a darke celler, in ſteade of a priſon. Now, Earle Iohn hearing of this, within viij. dayes after, ſent word that they ſhould deliuer him, and let him goe.W. goeth ouer Sea. So he went ouer Sea, and directed letters to the Pope of the iniuries done vntounto him, and alſo into Siria, vntounto king Richard. Vpō which complaint, Pope Celeſtine wrote a thundering letter vntounto the prelates of England, that they ſhould with book, bell, and candle procéed againſt earle Iohn, and other his adherents, with no leſſe ſeueritie, then if the iniuries had béene done vntounto his owne perſon, &c. But none could be got to execute the commandement of the Pope: And the other part wrote likewiſe to king Richard, complayning of the abuſes of the Chancellor.

This Biſhop of Elie wrote vntounto him, that the French king ſet vp Iohn, his brother, to poſſeſſe his kingdome, being councelled thereunto by the Templars. Whereupon, the K. ſéeing the Duke of Burgundie,The K taketh truce with the Saracens. & the Frenchmen ſhrinke from him, toke truce, offered by the Saracens, vponupon the condition, that if the king would reſtore vntounto him againe Silauonia, in as good ſtate, as it was when he tooke it, he would graunt to him, and to all Chriſtians in the lande of Ieruſalem, truce for thrée yeres.

Not long after, an. 1193. the next Spring, hee returned: and in his iourney (by the tempeſtes of weather) about the partes of Hiſtria,The K taken in his returne from the Saracens warre, and ſold to the Emperour Chalices croſſes, and ſhrines ſold to redeem the king. in a Towne called Sinaca, was there taken by Lympold, Duke of the ſame Countrey, and ſo ſolde to the Emperor for 60000. markes: and was kept by him in cuſtodie, a yere and thrée monethes: and at length releaſed for 14000. Poundes: which Summe of money was here gathered and made in England, of Chalices, Croſſes, Shrines and other Church plate: and this was about the 5. yere of his reigne, and then it was obteyned of the P. that Prieſts might celebrate with Chalices of latin, and tinne:Chalices of lattin & tinne. which continued long after.

In the time of the kinges captiuitie, Philip the French K. incenſed Iohn, the brother of king Richard, to take on him the kingdome of his brother. For which fact, Ioh. at his brothers returne, ſubmitted himſelfe vntounto him, and craued pardon: which the king graunted.

About this time, there was one Fulco Fulco.(ſome ſay hée was Archb. of Roan called Gualter) who came vntounto the king, and tolde him,The kings three daughters beſtowed. he had three daughters to beſtow, willing him to beſtow them in time: that is, pride, couetouſnes, and luxuriouſnes. Which words the king tooke in good part, & calling his Lords, declared vntounto them what Fulco had councelled him: and ſaid, I geue my daughter ſwelling pride to be wife to the proude Templars: My greedy daughter auarice to the couetous order of y^e Ciſtercian mōks: And laſt of al my filthy daughter Lururie to the riotous prelates of the Church.

The king laying ſiege to a caſtle called Galuz, belonging to the Lord Bemonice in little Brittaine, thinking there to hauehave obtained great ſubſtaunce of treaſure, was ſhot into the arme by a ſouldier named Beytādus Cordomi: K Richard ſlaine.wherevpon the yron remaining and feſtering in the wound, the king within nine daies after died, hauing firſt forgiuen the ſouldier before his death.

After the death of king Richard, King Iohn.raigned his brother Iohn Earle of Morton.

An. 1200. Diuorce was made betwixt king Iohn and his wife, becauſe they were in the 3. degrée of kinred.

An. 1205. Hubert archb. of Canterbury deceaſed Before his body was yet committed to the earth, the yoonger ſort of the monks elected Reignold their ſuperiour: and placed him in the Metropolitane ſea without the Kings licence and knowledge. Who being ſent vntounto by the elder ſort of mōks, requiring his gratious licenſe to chooſe their Archb. conſented therevnto: requiring them alſo inſtantly at his requeſt they would ſhew fauour to Iohn Gray biſhop of Norwich, which they alſo did, electing him into that ſea. And for the full eſtabliſhing, the king ſent of his owne charges, to hauehave the matter ratified by the Pope.

The two Suffraganes of Canterbury not beyng made acquainted with the matter, ſent ſpéedily to Rome, to hauehave both the elections ſtopped, wherevpon grew great tumult: for the Pope condemning both their elections, created Stephen Langton with his owne hand, in the high Church of Viterby: vponupon which occaſion the king conceiued an excéeding diſpleaſure againſt the Clergy, and Monks of Canterbury, and baniſhed 64. of them out of the land: and doth alſo ſharply expoſtulate by letters with the Pope, for that he had choſen Stephen Langton, a man brought vp amongſt his enimies a long time, in the kingdome of France: beſides the derogation to the liberties of his crowne threatning except he would fauour the kings liking of the B. of Norwich,The king threatneth the Pope. hée would cut of the trade to Rome, and the profites that came thether from the land.

The Pope writeth in the behalfe of R. Langton a froward and arrogant letter, and not long after ſendeth a commandement and charge into England to certaine biſhops, that if the king would not yéeld, they ſhould interdict him through his realme. For the executiō whereof foure biſhops were appointed: William B. of London, Euſtace biſhop of Ely, Walter biſhop of Wincheſter, and Giles biſhop of Hereford. Which foure biſhops went to him, ſhewing their cō miſſion,The king interdicted. & willing him to conſent: which the king refuſing, they went and pronounced the generall interdiction through out the realme, and ſo the Church dores were ſhut vp, with keies, walles, and other faſtnings, &c. Which with other demeanour ſo incenſed the king, that hée tooke all the poſſeſſions of the foure Biſhops into his handes, appointing certaine men to kéepe the liuing of the Clergie throughout the realme, and that they ſhould inioy no part thereof: he alſo proclaimed, that all thoſe that had Church liuing, and went ouer the ſea, ſhould returne at a certaine day, or elſe loſe their liuings for euer: and charged all Sheriffes to inquire if any churchman receiued any commaundement that came from the Pope,The king againſt the Clergie. and that they ſhould take their bodies and bring them before him, and alſo that they ſhould take into their hands for the kings vſe, all the church lands that were giuen to any man by the Archbiſhop Stephen, or by the priors of Canterburie, from the time of the election of the Archbiſhop: and further charged, that all the woods that were the Archbiſhops, ſhould be cut downe, and ſold.

Which things the pope hearing of, ſendeth two Legates Pandulph and Durance, Pandulph and Durance Legates.to charge the king to make reſtitution, and ceaſe from thoſe wrongs doone to the church: which when he refuſed to doo, he procéeded to excommunicate him, & to aſſoile all his ſubiects from their oth of obedience,Subiects aſſoiled of their oth of obediēce. aſſoiling alſo all thoſe of their ſins, that would riſe againſt the K. And a while after vponupon the Legats returne the Pope ſummoned all biſhops,The king accurſed of the Pope. abbots, & clarkes to repaire to Rome, to cōſult what was to be doone therin, where he accurſed the K. and ſent vntounto the French king vponupon remiſſiō of all his ſins, and of all that went with him, that he ſhould take with him all the power that he might, and ſo inuade the Realme of England, to deſtroy king Iohn. Moreouer, he gaue ſentēce, that the K. ſhould be depoſed, & another put in his place: appointing the depoſing to y^e french K Philip: The pope giueth England to the French king.promiſing to giuegive him remiſſion of al his ſins, and the cléere poſſeſſion of all the Realme of England, to him, & his heires, if he did either kill him, or expel him. Whervpō, the next yere 1212. the Frēch K. begā to inuade: but the Engliſhmen took 300. of his ſhips, wel ladē with al prouiſion, & burnt another hundred within the hauen: and tooke the ſpoile: yet the K. conſidering the conſpiracies of the pope, and the ſharpe inuaſion of y^e French K. with the treaſons at home, by reaſon of the popes diſpenſation with the oath of obediēce, in the 13. yéere of his raign ſent Embaſſadors to the pope, requiring peace:The king ſubmitteth to the Pope. promiſing to ſatiſfie him in al things with due ſatiſfaction: whervpon the pope ſent Pandulph again into Englād, with other Embaſſadors. To whō, in the behalfe of y^e court of Rome, the K. ſubmitted himſelf, & reſigning, gaue vp his dominiōs of England, & Ireland frō him & his heires, that ſhould come of him for euermore: with this condition, that he ſhold take theſe 2. dominions of the pope again to farm,The Realme of England and Ireland farmed of y^e Pope. paying yéerly therfore to the court of Rome, 1000. marks of ſiluer. Thē took the K. the crown from his head, knéeling vponupon his knées, in y^e preſence of al his lords, & Barons, & gaue it to Pandulph, the legate, ſaying on this wiſe: Here I reſign vp the crown of the Realme of England into the popes hands, Inocent the 3: & put me wholly in his mercy, & ordinance.The king reſigneth y^e crown to the Popes Legate. Then took Pādulph the crowne of K. Iohn, and kept it 5. daies, as a poſſeſſion, & ſeiſin taking of the 2. Realmes England, and Ireland: which alſo the king confirmed by a chart obligatory. Whervpon, he was the 2. of Iuly, diſcharged from the interdiction. wherein he had continued 6. yéeres & 3. moneths. Moreouer, thoſe that did ſtick to the K, of the meaner ſort, they wer alſo fain to reſort to the legate for abſolutiō: the other being faine to ſéeke to the pope. Nowe notwithſtanding this ſubmiſſion of the K yet did the Cleargy pretend farther againſt him, and incenſed his Barons: inſomuch that diuers of them deſired of Philip, the French king, that he would giuegive them Lodouike, his eldeſt ſonne whom they would make their K. ſo that the king was faine to vſe the popes aide, againſt diuers conſpiracies,The Duke of Milaine. and attempts againſt him: till at the laſt, the Barons vnderſtanding by the vicount of Millain, who lay on his death bed at London, how Lodouike had ſworne, moſt cruelly to vſe the Engliſh nation if he preuailed: they ſought for y^e kings fauor, & recōciliation: which they obtained.

Ann. 1215. Innocent 3. held a ſynode at Rome, called the councel of Lateran, wherin he eſtabliſhed by publike decree y^t the pope ſhold hauehave frō thēceforth the correction of al chriſtian princes,Strange decrees of the Pope. & that no emperor ſhold be admitted except he were ſworn before, & alſo crowned of him: he ordeined moreuer, that whoſoeuer he were, that ſpake euil of the pope, hée ſhould be puniſhed in hell with eternall damnation.

He then ordained a pixe for to couer the hoſt, and a Bell when he goeth abroad,Tranſubſtantiation. Pope dieth. and made the maſſe equal with Chriſtes Goſpel. In this councell was alſo brought in tranſubſtantiation: he continued alſo the act of abiuring the wiues of prieſtes.

Anno 1216. died Pope Innocent 3. the 17 day of Iuly, and was buried at Peruſium in Italy.

After, him ſucceeded one Cintucus, otherwiſe called Honorius Honorius.3. a man of very great age: yet liued he ten yéers, and a halfe in the papacie, and more.

The ſame yéere alſo, king Iohn was poiſoned (as moſt writers teſtify) at Swinſted abbey,K. Ioh. poiſoned by a mōke of that abbey, of the order of the Ciſtercians, or S Bernards brethrē, called Simon of Swinſted. The monk did firſt conſult with his abbot,The propeſie of Caiphas. & ſhewed him what he minded to do, alleaging for him ſelf, the porphecy of Caiphas, 11. of Iohn, ſaying: It is better that one man ſhould die, then the whole people periſh.

I am well contented (ſaith he) to looſe my life, & ſo become a martyr, that I may vtterly deſtroy this tyrant: with that y^e Abbot did wéepe for gladnes, & much cōmended his feruent zeale. The Monke then being abſolued of his Abbot for doing this fact, went ſecretly into the garden on the backſide, & finding there a moſt venemous toad, did ſo pricke him, and preſſe him with his pēknife, that he made him vomit all the poiſon y^t was within him: this doone he conueyed it into a cup of wine, & with a flattering & ſmiling countenance, he ſaid to the K. If it ſhall pleaſe your princely maieſtie, here is ſuch a cup of wine, as you neuer dranke better in your life time: I truſt this waſſall ſhall make all Englād glad, & with that he dranke a great draught thereof: the King pledged him. The monk anon went to the priuie, and there died:The monke dieth. (his guts guſhing out of his belly) and had cōtinually from thenceforth 3 monks to ſing maſſe for him, cōfirmed by their general chapter. The K. within a ſhort ſpace after, feeling great griefe in his body, aſked for Simon the monk: anſwere was made, he was dead: thē God hauehave mercy on me ſaid y^e K. ſo went he to Newark vpō Trēt, & there died: & was buried in y^e cathedral church at Worceſter, betwixt S. Oſwald & S. Wolſtane, K. Iohn dieth.an. 1216. the 19. of October, after that he had béene much vexed with the cleargy 18. yeeres, ſixe moneths, and odde daies.

In the raigne of this king, the Citizens of London firſt obteined of the K. to chooſe yerely a Mayor.

Next vntounto King Iohn, ſuccéeded his ſonne. Hen. 3. Mayor in London.being ix. yeres of age, and was crowned, an. 1216. at Gloceſter, (which was thē coūted the ſafeſt place in the land) by Swallow the Popes Legate. Yet notwithſtanding, Lewes the French kings ſonne, greatly moleſted him, with certayne Lords and B. who hated his father K. Iohn. til 1219 Lewes loſt y^e field, & was driuen to ſéek peace. & ſo receued, and abſolued by the Cardinal, who before had curſed him, and all that took part w^t him: and had geuen him 1000. l. in ſiluer for his charges, & ſo departed. After the departure of Lewes, Swal the Legate looketh to his harueſt: and maketh inquiſition for all thoſe Biſhops that had taken againſt Henry the third, and held with Lewes, and cauſed them to fine for their fault and recouery of their ſeates: Hugo of Lincolne 1000. markes, and an 100. to Swalo the Legate.

Americus againſt images. Priuat tithes. Receiuing at Eaſter. The bell and candle before the Sacramēt. The Maſſe as from the pope.Pope Innocent the third, condemned Americus a learned biſhop, for an heretike, for teaching againſt Images. Alſo he brought into the Church the paying of priuate tithes, and receiuing once a yéere at Eaſter: he ordeined the reſeruation of the Sacrament, and the going with the bell and light before the Sacrament: he ordeined alſo in the Councell of Laterane, that the Canon of the Maſſe ſhould be receiued with equal authority, as if it procéeded from the Apoſtles themſelues: he brought in tranſubſtantiation. Alſo hee ordeined that none ſhould marry within the third degrée.

The Pope ſtirreth vp diſſention in y^e worldHe ſtirred vp Otho againſt the Emp. Philip, becauſe Philip was made Emperor againſt his will: and afterward againſt the ſaid Otho, (whom he made Emperour) he rayſed vp Fredericke king of Cecil, and depoſed Otho, becauſe he ſaid, he held certaine cities belonging vntounto him.

Correction of Princes belō geth to y^e pope.He ordained alſo, if any prince offended one another, the correction ſhould appertaine vntounto the Pope.

In the hiſtory of Hermannus Mutius, it is recorded, that an. 1212. in this Popes time, diuers noble men, and other in the Countrey of Alſatia,100. Alſatians burned in one day by the P. did holde that eueryevery day was frée for eating of fleſh, ſo it be done ſoberly. Alſo, that they did wickedly, which reſtrayned Miniſters from their lawfull wiues: For which cauſe, this Pope and his Biſhops, cauſed an hundred of them to be burned in one day. Nauclerus reporteth, that at the ſame time, many were in the Citie of Millan, of the ſaid doctrine, which vſed to ſende Collects vntounto the foreſaid Saints of Alſatia.

The Rablement of Religious Orders in the Popiſh Church.

AVſtinians.

Ambroſians. two ſortes, 490

Antonians heremites, 324

Auſtines heremites, 498

Auſtines obſeruants, 490

Armenians ſect.

Ammonites, and Moabites.

Baſilius order, 384

Benets order, 324

Bernardes order, 1120

Barefooted friers, 1222

Brigets order, 1370

Beghart, or white Spirites, 1399

Brethren of Ieruſalem, 1103

Brethren of S. Iohn, de ciuitate, black friers, 1220

Brethren of wilful pouertie,

Cluniacenſis order, 913

Canons of S. Auguſtine, 7080

Charterhouſe order, 1086

Ciſtercian order, 1098

Croſſebearers, or Croſſed friers, 1216

Carmelites, or white friers, 1212

Clares order, 1225

Celeſtines order, 1297

Camaldulenſis order, 950

Croſtarred brethren,

Conſtantino politaniſh order

Croſſe-bearers,

Chapter monkes.

Duch order, 1216

Dominick black friers, 1220

Franciſcans, 1224

Grandmontenſis order, 1076

Gregorian order, 594

Georges order 1407

Guilhelmites, 1246

Gerundineſis order.

Galileans,

Heremites.

Helenes brethren,

Humiliati, 1166

Hoſpitall brethren.

Holy Ghoſt order.

Ieroms order, two ſorts. 1412

Iohns heremites.

Iuſtines order, 1432

Iohannites, or knights of the Rhodes, 380

Inieſuati, 1308

Ieromes heremites, 1365

Ioſephs order, 490

Iacobites ſect.

Iames brethrens order.

Iames brethren with the ſword.

Indians order.

Katherin of Senes order, 1455

Keyed mōks, K. of the Rhodes.

Lazarites, or Marimagdalins, or our Ladies brethren. 1034

Lords of Vngarie.

Minorires, which be deuided into

Conuentuales.

Obſeruants.

Reformate.

Collectane.

De Capucio.

De Euangelio.

Amedes.

Clarini, &c.

Minorites 1224

Maries ſeruants, 1304

Monks of mount Oliuet, 1046

Marouinies ſect

Monorites ſect.

Monache, & Monachi.

Morbonei, & Mereſtei.

Menalaiſh, & Iaſoniſh ſect.

New chanons of S. Auſtin, 1430

Neſtorini.

Nalhart brethren.

New order of our Ladie.

Nazarei.

Paules heremites. 345

Premonſtratenſis order, 1119

Preachers order, or black friers,

Peter the Apoſtles order, 1009

Purgatorie brethren

Rechabites.

Sarrabites.

Sambanites, 1199

Scourgers, the firſt ſect, 1266

Souldiers of Ieſus Chriſt, 1323

Scopenites, or ſaint Saluators order, 1367

Specularii, or Glaſſe order.

Sepulchres order.

Shere order.

Swerds order.

Starrid monkes.

Starrid friers.

Sclauonie order.

Scourgers, the ſecond ſecte, called Niniuites.

Stoole brethren.

Scotland brethren order.

Sicarii.

S. Sophis order.

Templars order, 1110

Templar knights 1120

The vale of Ioſaphats order

Vallis Vmbroſae, 1400

Waldenſis ſect.

Wentzelaus order.

Wilhelmes order.

White monkes of mount Oliuet. 1406

Zelotes order.

IN the daies of pope Innocent the 3. began the two ſects of Friers, one called the Preachers order,Dominicks. Minorits friers. or blacke friers of S. Dominicks, the other called the Minorits of S. Francis. The Preachers order began of one Dominicke a Spaniard, about the partes of Tholouſe, who after he had laboured 10. yéeres, in preaching againſt the Albingenſes, afterward comming vp to the Councell with Fulco B. of Tholouſe, deſired the pope to hauehave his order of preaching cōfirmed: which the pope a great while refuſed, till at length thorough a dreame he dreamed, he perſwadeth the Pope. His dreame was, that Laterane Church was ready to fall, & he with his ſhoulders was faine to hold it: wherevpon Dominick had his petitition granted. The rule which they folow, ſéemeth to be taken out of S. Auguſt. Their profeſſion ſtādeth vpō 3. ſpecial point. 1. Hauing charity. 2 Holding humility. 3. Poſſeſſing wilful pouerty: their habit, & clothing is blacke.

The minorities deſcend from one Francis, an Italian, of the citie of Aſſiſſium, who hearing that Chriſt ſent forth his diſciples to preach, thought to imitate the ſame in himſelfe, & his diſciples: and ſo left of ſhoes, had but one coate,The perfection of the Goſpel. and that of a coorſe cloth, in ſtéed of a latchet to his ſhoe, and a girdle, tooke a Hempen cord, and apparrelled his diſciples, teaching them (as he ſaid) the perfection of the Goſpel, to apprehend pouerty, and to walke in the way of holy ſimplicity. He left in wryting to his Diſciples, and followers, his rule, which he called the Rule of the Goſpell. He was very ſeuere in outward chaſtiſing of him ſelfe, ſo that in Winter, he couered his bodie with iſe, and ſnowe. He called pouertie, his Ladie. He kept nothing ouer night. So deſirous he was of martirdome, that he went into Siria, to the Souldan, who receiued him honorablie: for he tolde him not the trueth, as Iohn Baptiſt did to Herod. Many ſectes of FranciſcansThe Franciſcans be deuided into many Sectes: ſome goe in tréene ſhooes, or pattins, ſome barefooted, ſome regular Frāciſcās, or obſeruāts, ſome minors, ſome minimi, other of y^e goſpel, other de caputio.

About the ſame time ſprang vp the Crooched friers,Crooched friers. taking their originall of Innocent the 3. who raiſed vp an army ſigned with the croſſe on their breſt, to fight againſt the Albingenſes, whom the Pope and his ſect accompted for heretiks, about the part of Tholouſe. The Albingenſes denied the Popes authoritie and his traditions: they were againſt Images, pardons, purgatorie: and chiefly they were abhorred of the Pope, becauſe they ſet vp a contrary pope againſt him in the coaſtes of Burgarorum. Of theſe Albingenſes were ſlaine at times, and burned a great multitude, by the meanes of the Pope and Simon de monte forti, with other more.

About this ſeaſon, or not not much before, died Pope Innocent the third, in the 19. yéere of his Popedome: to whoſe cuſtody, Fredericus the nephew of Fredericke Barbaroſſa, being yong, was committed by the empreſſe his mother. After this Innocent, ſuccéeded Honorius 3. and after Honorius, when he had gouerned ten yéeres, followed Gregorius 9. which popes were in the raigne of Henry 3.

About the yéere 1218. Becket 50. yeeres after his death, was taken vp, and ſhrined for a new Saint, made of an olde rebel:Becket ſhrined after his death to whoſe ſhrining came ſuch reſort of people of England and France, that the countrey of Kent was not ſufficient to ſuſtaine them.

About the yeare 1220. the young king was the ſeconde time crowned againe at Weſtminſter. About which time, was begun the new building of our Lady Church at Weſtminſter.

By reaſon the Realme (through king Iohn) was made tributarie to the Pope, the exactions vponupon all eſtates, from the Sea of Rome (eſpeciallie vponupon beneficed men,Incredible exactions from Rome. and ſuch as held any thing of the church) were incredible: ſo that certaine of the Nobles aſſented with the king, to make a reſtraint of ſuch rents, and exactions.

The Pope required by Cardinall Otho, of all y^e churches, two prebends, one for the biſhops part, one for the chapter: & alſo of the monaſteries, where be diuerſe portions,The Popes requeſt in England. one for y^e Abbot, another for the couent: of y^e couēt ſo much as apperteineth to one monke, y^e portion of the goods being portionably deuided: of the Abbot likewiſe as much. This requeſt was denied, ſo that not long after the ſaid Otho came again, Cum autentico plenariae potestatis and aſſembled a Councell againe at London, for the former purpoſe: ſo that diuerſe for feare, & many to obtaine further dignities, beſtowed diuers pretious rewards on him, in palfreis, in rich plate, and iewels, in coſtly and ſumptuous garmēts, richly furred, in come, in vittels, &c.Gifts to the popes Legate. In ſo much that onelyonly the B. of Wincheſter hearing that he would winter at London, ſent him fiftie fat oxen, and a 100. coome of pure wheat, and eight tunnes of choſen wine towards his houſe kéeping: and other likewiſe according to their abilitie. Now the time of the Councell drawing néere, and the Biſhops aſſembled,Contentiō betwixt Canterbury & Yorke for dignitie. there fell great variance and diſcord betwixt the Archbiſhops of Canterbury and Yorke, for ſitting at the right hand, and the left hand of the cardinall. The Cardinall to pacifie thē, brought foorth a certaine Bull of the Pope, in the middeſt whereof was pictured the figure of the Croſſe, with the Image of Paule on the right ſide, and Peter on the left, and vponupon that ſhewed no derogation to ariſe for the place or ſeats. Whervpon from that time foorth Canterbury enioyed the right hand, and Yorke the left. This ſtrife thus ended,The ſtrife ended. the Cardinall preacheth vntounto them, and maketh ſuch vnreaſonable demaundes, for the filling of his bagges, that the king dreading the diſpleaſure of his commons, for the dooings of the Legate, willed him to repayre home againe to Rome: yet could hée not be ſo rid of him, but that hée gleaned foure markes of eueryevery procuration, beſides, the rable of Friers ſturred men to go to warre agaynſt the Turkes, whom when they had once bound with a vowe, and ſigned them with the Croſſe, then ſend they Bulles to releaſe them for mony. Beſides the Pope ſhamed not to aſke the fifth part of eueryevery eccleſiaſticall mans liuing, and alſo pope Gregory agréed with the citizens of Rome, that if they would ioyne with him in vāquiſhing Fredericke the Emperor: he would graunt vntounto them, that all the benefices of England that were and ſhould be vacant, namely pertaining to religious houſes, ſhould be beſtowed at their owne will & commandement, to their children, & kinſfolke: whervpon within a few daies after, the pope ſendeth commandement to the archb. of Cāterbury, and foure other biſhops, that prouiſion ſhould be made for 300. Romans, in the chiefeſt, and beſt benefices in all England300. Romanes to be placed in benefices of England. at the next voidance, ſo that the archb. and thoſe biſhops ſhould be ſuſpēded from all gifts of benefices, vntill the 300. were prouided for. Wherevpon the archb. ſeing the vnreaſonable oppreſſion of the land, went into Fraunce and left the realme, and the reſt of the Prelates comming themſelues to the king, deſired a councell, & that talke might be had in the matter: which being graunted, they made certaine exceptions to the Popes requeſt,The Pope deſireth to be ſtrong to ſuppreſſe the Emperour Fredericke. not daring directly to denie the contribution. Now the occaſion both of this collection of the mony, and this fauour of the Romans, was to the end the Pope might be ſufficiently ſtrong to ſuppreſſe the Emperour Fredericke.

Not long after this, followed at Lions a generall Councell,A Councell at Lions. called by Innocent the 4. In which Councell the Engliſh nation did exhibite certaine Articles of their griefes, touching the Popes great exactions, and placing Italians in their benefices: but their ſuite preuayled not, for the Pope not long after that,New exactiōs in England. ſent for new exactions to be gathered: which when the King heard of, hée commaunded the Biſhops not to yéeld to any ſuch matter, till the returne of his Ambaſſadours, which hée ſent to the Pope touching that matter. About the latter end of December, the Embaſſadours returne, and ſignifie the Popes high diſpleaſure againſt the King: whereat hée being greatly mooued, cauſed to be proclaimed through al his realme, that none héereafter ſhould conſent to any taxe of money, frō the court of Rome:No taxe of money out of England to Rome. which comming to the popes eare, he directeth his letters to y^e prelats of England, vponupon payn of his curſe & ſuſpence, that they ſhould make collection of the ſumme of money, againſt the feaſt of the aſſumptiō: the charge of the curſe being committed to y^e B. of Worceſter to execute.The K. relenteth to y^e pope. The 3. part of churchgoods, & the yeerly fruit of vacant benefices to y^e pope. This ſo terrified the king, that, what with the perſwaſion of the biſhops, & other prelats, he relented: which made the Pope at length (ſo paſt ſhame) that he he demaunded vponupon the cenſure of his curſe, the third part of the churchgoods, and the yéerely fruits of al vacant benefices. So that ſuch hath béene the inſatiable deſire of the Romaniſts, that in the dayes of Sudburie, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, Anno 1360. the pope by his proctors gate from the Cleargy, in leſſe then one yéere, more thē 60000. Florins of méere contributions,60000. florins in one yeere to Rome beſides, &c. beſides his other auailes, and common reuenues, out of benefices, prebendaries, firſt fruits, tributes, peterpence, collations, reſeruations, relaxations, and ſuch merchandiſe.

About this time, ann. 1220. The Albingenſes aſſailed by the pope.the pope ſtirred vp Lodouike the yong French king, through the inſtance of Philip his father, to lay ſiege againſt the Albingenſes, of the city of Tholouſe, & vtterly to extinguiſh them: but God preſerued thē, and caſt ſuch a peſtilence among the Frenchmen, beſide famine & want, that they were conſtrained to depart: & Simon de monte forti general of the army, to whom the land of the Earle of Tholouſe was giuen by the pope, was ſlaine with a ſtone before the gate of the citie.

Ann. 1221. firſt entred y^e Frier minorites, or gray Friers into the land, and had their firſt houſe at Canterbury,Frier minorits in England. & had their firſt patrone, Franciſcus, which died ann. 1227. and his order was cōfirmed by P. Honorius 3. an. 1224. About their comming in, many engliſh men came into their order:Iohannes de ſancto Egidio. Alexander de Hales. amōg whō, was Iohan. de ſācto Egidio, a famous phiſitiō, & aſtronomer, & Alexander de Hales. Not long after by Williā de longa Spata, which was the baſtard ſonne of king Henry 2. and Earle of Saliſbury, the houſe of CarthuſianCarthuſians. mōks, was firſt founded at Heitrop, anno 1222. whoſe wife Ela, after his death founded the houſe of Nunnes at Lacocks, & there continued her ſelfe Abbeſſe of the place.

Not long after, began the new building of the minſter of Saliſbury,Minſter of Saliſbury. whereat Pandulphus the Popes legate, laide the 5. firſt ſtones: one for the pope, the 2. for the yong K. Henrie, the 3. for the good Earle of Saliſbury, ſhe 4 for y^e Counteſſe, the fift for the B. of Saliſbury. About the yeere 1221. fell a contention betwixt Euſtace B. of London, and the chapter of Pauls on y^e one ſide, & the abbot of Weſtminſter with his couent on the other ſide, about ſpiritual iuriſdictiō, & ſubiection: whether y^e monaſtery of Weſtminſter were exēpted frō the ſubiectiō & iuriſdiction of the B. of London, or not: which controuerſy at laſt, cōming to compromiſe, was committed to y^e arbitrimēt of Stephē, Contention about ſpirituall iuriſdiction.Archb. of Cant. Philip, B of Wincheſter. Thomas of Merton, & Richard, prior of Dunſtable: & at length it was agréed, that the monaſtery of Weſtminſter ſhould be vtterly exempted from the iuriſdiction of the B. of london: & that Stanes with the appurtenāces therunto belō ging,Weſtminſter exempt from the B. of London. ſhold appertain to the monaſt of Weſtminſter. Alſo y^e the manor of Sunnebury, ſhould be due & proper to y^e church of S. Paul, & alſo the church of S. Margaret: with al the lād belonging to the ſame, to be exempted frō al other iuriſdiction, but only y^e B. of Rome, & ſo was this matter ended, an. 1222.

Anno 1224. the Lordes and Barons of the land, graunted to the king, the wardſhip and marriage of their heyres: which was then called, Initium malorum.

Wardſhip initium malorum.An. 1226 died pope Honorius, a great aduerſary to Frederik the Emp. after whō ſucceded Gregory 9. more grieuous then his predeceſſor. In the which yere alſo died Lodouike y^e periured french K. at the ſiege of Auinion,Honorius the Emperors enimie dieth. whom the pope now the ſecond, or third time, had ſet vp to fight againſt Raimund, the good Earle of Tholouſe, and the Albingenſes of that Countrey, at which time alſo, he ſent his Legate, M. Romanꝰ, into France, to require of eueryevery Cathedral church two Prebendſhips: one for the Biſhop, another for the chapter. And in Monaſteries alſo, where the Abbot and Couent had diuers portions, to require two Churches: one for the Abbot, the other for the Couent, kéeping this proportion: that how much ſhould ſuffice for the liuing of one Monke, ſo much the whole Couent ſhould finde for their part,The Popes vnreaſonable requeſt denied in France. and as much the Abbot for his. Which requeſt of the Legate was denied: with further diſcourſe, that if ſuch exactions were not reſtrayned, it were to be doubted, leaſt an vniuerſal departing might follow from the church of Rome. Which words ſo moued the Legate, that he gaue the matter ouer.

Now while the Legate was in hand for the popes purſe, certaine preaching friers were directed by the Legate Romanus, into all France, to ſtirre vp the Frenchmen, to take the croſſe vponupon them, and to warre againſt the Earle of Tolouſe, and the people thereof, whom they accounted heretiks:Warre againſt the good Earle of Tolouſe. which many did gladly yelde vntounto, rather for feare of the Frenchking, then for the Legates motion.

Againſt the Aſcention daye then next following, they prepared themſelues, with horſe, and harneſſe, to ſette vponupon the Tholouſians, with ſtrength of 50000. men, beſides vitlers, and wagoners.The Earle of Tolouſe of excommunicated The Legate (by the way) did openlie excommunicate the Earle of Tolouſe, and all that tooke his part, and interdicted his lād. The firſt Citie of the Tholouſians, was Auinion: at the ſiege whereof, the king ſuſtained great loſſe, both through the valour of the Citizens, and alſo by the hand of God, with peſtilence and famine:The French king dieth. ſo that the king (to auoyd the infection) went into an Abbey, not far of, and ſhortly after died. Whoſe death the Popes Legate cauſed to be concealed, and endeuoured by pollicie, and treacherie, to get the Citie. For, when he ſaw that no other meanes would preuaile, he requeſted, and frendly deſired them, that he, and his Prelates that were about him, might come into their Citie, to examine what faith they were of, and that he neither ſought, nor meant any other thing thereby, but their own ſafeties, as wel of body, as of ſoule: (which he faithfully ſware vntounto them) that he might returne true certificate thereof. Which being granted, and the Inhabitants nothing miſtruſting, the Souldiers of that Campe that were there agréed before, made them readie, and ruſhed in at the entrance of the Prelates, and ſlue the Porter, & warders,Auinſon ouerrun by treaſon of the Popes Legate. and at length wan the Citie, and deſtroyed the ſame. There be accompted more than two and twentie thouſand French Souldiers, that periſhed one way or other, at the ſiege.

Anno 1228. About this time, Pope Gregorie the ninth, who ſuccéeded Honorius, The P. chaſed out of Rome.fell at variance with the people of Rome, in ſo much, that about y^e feaſt of Eaſter, they thruſt the Pope out of the Citie, purſuing him vntounto his Caſtle of Viterbium: where alſo they inuaded him ſo valeantly, that they chaſed him to Peruſium. Ex Matth. Pariſienſi, Pag. 69.

In this yeare alſo roſe a controuerſie betwixt the King, and the Prior and Couent of Durham, for chooſing of their Biſhop: the King taking part with Lucas, a Chaplen of his, whom he offered to their election: the Monkes preferring a Clarke of theirs, called William, Archdeacon of Worceſter: whom alſo they preſented to the King; but he had no liking vntounto him. Whereupon, both the parties ſent vp to Rome: where the matter being trauerſed with great altercation on both ſides, it was at length concluded betwéene them both, that neither M. William, nor yet Lucas, ſhould be taken, but that Richard, B. of Sarum, ſhould be tranſlated to Durham, and be Biſhop there.

Contention for ſuperioritieThe like ſtirre happened alſo, both the ſame yere, and about the ſame matter, betwéene the Monkes of Couentrie, and the Chanons of Lichfield, for chooſing of their B. which of them ſhould hauehave the ſuperior voice in the electiō of their Prelate: and that matter beyng had vp to Rome, it was concluded that the Monkes of Couentrie, and the Church of Lichfield ſhould chooſe their Biſhop by courſe, each part kéeping turne the one after the other. Prouided, notwithſtanding, that the Prior of Couentrie, ſhould alwaies hauehave the firſt voice in eueryevery election, whereas the old cuſtome was, that the Couent with the Prior of Couentrie was woont to hauehave the whole election of the biſhop, without the Canons. ex Math. Pariſ. pag. 68.

In this yéere 1228. died Stephen Langton Archbiſhop of Canterbury,The chapters of the bible diſtinct by Stephen Lāgton. by whom (as N. Triuet recordeth) the chapters of the Bible, in that order & number as we now vſe thē were firſt diſtinct. The ſaid Langton alſo made Poſtils vpō the whole Bible: moreouer he builded the New hall in the palace of Canterbury.

After the death of Langton, fell ſtrife betwixt the King, and the Monks of Canterburie, for the election of their Archbiſhop: the Monkes chooſe one of their owne ſocietie named Walter Heueſham: the King preferred Richard Chauncellour of Lincolne, and articulated againſt the other, that hée was the ſonne of a Felon, conuicted, and hanged: alſo that hée had lyen with a Nunne, and had children by her, &c. The matter beyng preſented before the Pope, and like to go hard on the Kings part, the Kings proctors promiſed and graunted in his name,The tenth of al the goods of England and Scotland, to be geuen to the Pope. to be giuen to the Pope the tenth part of all the goods of the Realme of England, and Scotland moueable, to ſuſtaine his warres agaynſt the Emperour, ſo that hée would encline fauourably to the Kings ſuit, whereat the Pope boyling (as ſaith Pariſienſis) with vnmeaſurable deſire of ſubduing his enemy the Emperour, and cheriſhed with ſo great promiſes, graunted vntounto them. This was doone, An. 1229.

Theſe things thus finiſhed at Rome, the Pope ſendeth his owne chaplain Stephen, legate into England, to require the tithes of all moueable goods of England, Ireland, and Wales, which were promiſed vntounto him. Wherevpon the king called a Councell at Weſtminſter to common of the matter, where in fine, notwithſtāding the diſlike of the moſt part, yet for feare of curſe and of interdiction the ſumme was gathered: ſo that the Prelates hauing no other remedy,The prelates driuen to ſell there chalices and copes. were driuen to ſell their chalices, cruets, copes, iewels, and other Church plate, and ſome to lay to morgage ſuch things as they had, ſome alſo to borrow vponupon vſury, to make the mony which was required. Moreouer the ſaid Stephen (as ſaith Pariſienſis) brought with him into England for the ſame purpoſe,Vſurers brought into England by the Popes Legate. bankers and vſurers, who lending out their monie vponupon great intereſt, did vnreaſonably pinch the Engliſh people: which Merchant vſurers were then called Caurſini, and ſuch exactions were then vponupon the poore Engliſhmen, that not only their preſent goods were valued, and taxed,The corne growing againſt the next harueſt, tithes to pay y^e Pope. but alſo the corne yet growing againſt the next harueſt, was tithed, &c. OnelyOnly the Earle of Cheſter named Radulphus, ſtood ſtoutly againſt the pope, ſuffering none within his dominion, either lay men, or clarks, to yéeld any tēths to the Popes proctors. Pariſienſis, pag. 74.

This yéere 1229. was finiſhed the New church of Couentrie by Alexander biſhop of the ſame citie, and partly by the helpe of the king: which Church Richard his predeceſſor biſhop of Couentry had begon.

The French men againe about this time aſſayled Raymundus Earle of Tholouſe,The, Earle of Tholouſe aſſailed againe. but preuailed not, the Earle hauing in the conflict taken 500. and many ſlaine of their ſeruitours: to the number of two thouſand, were taken with their armour. Yet thriſe the ſame Summer did they aſſault the godly Earle, and were put to flight and diſcomfited. Pariſienſis, pag. 96.

Richard Archb. of Canterbury beyng now confirmed in his ſeat, came to the king complaining of Hubert lord chiefe Iuſtice, for withholding the Caſtle and towne of Tumbridge from him, with the appertenance thereto belōging, & other lands of y^e Earle of Clare, lately deceaſſed: which lands pertained to the right of that ſea, and to the Church of Canterbury: for the which the ſaid Earle & his aunceſtors, were bound to doe homage to him and his predeceſſors: and therefore required the kéeping of the foreſaid caſtle, with the demeanes to be reſtored vntounto him. The king miſliking the demand, anſwered not to the appetite of the Archb. wherby he was ſo moued, that he braſt forth into excommunication of al ſuch as held thoſe poſſeſſions, or tooke their part, the K. onelyonly excepted: which done, he proſecuteth his matter before the Pope. The K. hearing thereof, ſendeth vp M. Roger Contelu, with certain other againſt y^e Archb. The Archb. among other the articles, complaineth to the Pope, of certaine Biſhops his ſuffragans: who, neglecting their paſtoral functiō, did ſitte on checker matters, belonging to the king, and exerciſed ſeſſions and iudgements of blood:Biſhops ſet on checker matters exerciſed ſeſſions and iudgements. The pope neglecteth the K. and ſatiſfieth the Archb. he complained alſo of beneficed parſons, and Clearks, within orders: for hauing many benefices ioyned with the cure of ſoules, and that they alſo taking example of Biſhops, did intermeddle in ſecular matters, and in iudgements of Lay men. The Pope neglecteth the kings allegations, & fauoureth altogether the Archbiſhop, and ſent him away ſatiſfied in his requeſts, who in his returning homward, within 3. daies of his ſetting forth, died, in the houſe of the gray Friers at Saint Gemmes. Pariſienſis.

After the death of Richard, the monkes did chooſe Randulph Neuell, Randulph Neuell.Biſhop of Cheſter, and the Kings Chauncellour, a man faithful, vpright, and conſtant. The King approued of the election, and onelyonly the Popes confirmation was wanting. Wherevpon, the monks addreſſed thē to Rome, to hauehave the popes liking: and firſt requiring help for the expences of the iourney of the new Archbiſh, hee denied the ſame, he ſhould ſéeme in any ſort, ambitiouſly to ſéeke after it,A good biſhop. and holding vp his handes to heauen, thus prayed: O Lorde God, if I ſhall be thought woorthy to bée called (although indéed vnworthy) to the ſeat, and office of this Church: ſo be it as thou haſt diſpoſed. But if otherwiſe in this troubleſom office of Chauncery, and this my inferiour miniſtery, whervnto I hauehave béene aſſigned, I ſhall ſéeme more neceſſary for this thy kingdom & people, I refuſe not my labour, thy will be done. The monkes notwithſtanding, procéeded on their iourney, & ſhewed the matter to the pope: the popes holineſſe inquired of the qualities of the man, of Simon Langthon, brother of Stephen Langthon Archbiſh. before mentioned: who did ſo depraue Radulph Neuell to the Pope, that hée charged the monkes to procéed to a new election: who agréed vponupon Iohn their prior to be Metropolitane: but he (no other fault being found, notwithſtanding he had bin examined in 3. daies together of the Cardinals) was repulſed for that he was too aged: though he were able to take a iourney to Rome and home againe.

Anno 1231. the exactions of the pope were ſo grieuous in the land, that it was deuiſed of ſome of the nobles, that certaine letters vnderunder the pretenſed colour of the kings authority, ſhould be ſent abroad, commanding that ſuch corne and graine, & other reuenewes as were taken vp for the Pope, ſhould be ſtaied, & forth cōming by a certain day in y^e ſaid letters appointed. Theſe letters wer thought to procéed chiefly from Hubert, L. chief iuſticeHubert. Lord chiefe Iuſtice. of England: who then next vnderunder the K, ruled y^e moſt affaires of y^e realme. This done, they ſent theſe letters by certaine ſouldiers thereto appointed: who did execute y^e contents accordingly: ſo that the Italians throughout the land, were ſpoiled, & their corne & fruites beſtowed on y^e poor commons of the land.Italians ſpoyled throughout the land. This comming to the knowledge of Roger, B. of London: he with the aſſiſtance of other biſhops, procéedeth to excommunication againſt them, and ſuch as had forged the kings letters. Yet for al that, the ſame yéere, about Eaſter next following, all the Barnes in Englande, that were in the handes of any Romane, or Italian, were likewiſe waſted: who for feare were fayne to hide themſelues in monaſteries and celles. The Authors and workers of this feat were foure ſcore armed ſouldiers, of whom the principall Captaine was one naming himſelfe William Withers William Withers.ſurnamed Twynge.

The Pope hearing of this, ſendeth his letters to the king vponupon the ſame, threatning him with excommunication, to ſearch out the doers of the fact, & to puniſh them accordingly: likewiſe he ſent the ſame charge to Peter biſhop of Wincheſter, and to the Abbot of Saint Edmunds, to inquire in the South partes: to the biſhop of Durham, and the Archb. of Yorke, and to Maſter Iohn Chanon of Yorke a Romane, to inquire in the North partes for the ſaid malefactors. So that earneſt inquiſition, being made, diuers were found fauourers, and diuers euen of y^e cleargy: but the chiefe author was ſuppoſed to be Hugo de Burge, L. chiefe iuſtice, who both with the kings letters, & his own, fortified y^e doers therof, that no man durſt interrupt them. Moreouer, in the ſame ſociety, was R. Twinge, who of his owne voluntary accord came to the king, and proteſted himſelfe to be the Author of the fact, becauſe that by the ſentence of the B. of Rome, and fraudulent circumuention of the Italians, he was bereaued of the patronage of his benefices, hauing no more to giuegive but that one. Then the king, and other executors of the Popes commandement, counſelled him to offer himſelfe to the pope to be abſolued, and there to make declaration of his cauſe. The king alſo wrote letters in the behalfe of his Souldiers, requiring fauourable audience. At the requeſt whereof, P. Gregorie, both releaſed him of the ſentēce, and reſtored him to his Patronage. But the grudge againſt Hubert did not ſo ende, for the Biſhops conſpired againſt him: and firſt commeth Peter, B. of Wincheſter, to the K. with gréeuous complaints: and ſo preuayled with him, that he cauſed the Lord Hubert to be put from his office, and procured Steeuen Segraue to be placed in his roome. And afterward, the K. was more & more kindled againſt him, and called him to account for old matters whereof he had the hand of the king to ſhew for his diſcharge, which notwithſtanding was not accepted: the biſhop of Wincheſter replying, that the charter of king Iohn had no force after his death, but that ye may now (ſaid hée (be called to reckoning of this king for the ſame.

The iniuries alſo, & damages wrought againſt the clarks of Rome, and the Italians, and the Popes Legates, were obiected againſt him, with diuerſe other crimes concerning the eſtate &c. Wherevnto he was required to anſwere by order of law. Hubert then ſeing himſelfe in ſuch a ſtraight, refuſed to anſwere preſently, but required reſpite, becauſe the matters were waighty which the king obiected vntounto him: which was graunted til the 14. day of September: but in the meane time,L. Hubert deſtitute on eueryevery ſide. fearing the king, he fled from London to the priory of Merton, and was deſtitute on eueryevery ſide: ſauing onelyonly that Lucas Archb. of Dublin, with inſtant praiers, & teares, laboured to the king for him. When the day was come, that Hubert muſt appeare, kéeping amōgſt the monks of Merton, he durſt not ſhewe himſelfe: whereat the King being offended, directed his letters in all haſt to the mayor of London: commaunding him to muſter, and take vp all that could beare harneſſe in London, and by force of armes, to bring him Hubert either quicke, or dead, out of Merton: which was accompliſhed.The Londoners hate Hubert. And on the next morow, the Londiners (who hated Hubert) iſſued out with twenty thouſand men, and ſet forward toward the Abbey of Merton, where Hubert was proſtrate before the Altar, commending himſelfe to God.

In the meane ſeaſon, while the Citizens were on their iournie, it was ſuggeſted to the king by Radolph, Biſhop of Chicheſter, and Lord Chancellour, that it was dangerous to raiſe vp the rude multitude for feare of ſedition. Moreouer, what ſhalbe ſaid (quoth he) among the Frenchmen, & other Nations, but thus (ieſtingly, and in mockerie) ſee what a kinde birde is this young king of England, that ſéeketh to deuoure his olde Nurſe, vnderunder whoſe winges he hath béene brought vp in his youth? With which words the king being moued, ſent in all haſt after the armie, willing them to retire. One of the Meſſengers (for he ſent two) made great ſpéede, and ſhewed the kings pleaſure in good time: the other (deſiring the deſtruction of Hubert) lingred in his way, and notwithſtanding he rode but a ſoft pace, fel of his horſe, that by chance ſtumbled, and brake his neck.

After this, the Archb. of Dublin, with great ſuite intreated, and obteyned of the K. to graunt Hubert reſpite till the xij. of Ianuary, to prouide him of his anſwere. Whereupon, Hubert taking ſome confidence, and (as it were) comming to himſelfe) tooke his iourney to S. Edmondſburie, where his wife was: and paſſing through Eſſex, inned at a certayne Towne, belonging to the B. of Norwich. Whereof, when the king was certified, (fearing leaſt he ſhould make ſome commotion in the Realme) ſendeth in haſtie anger after him, Sir Godfrey Crancombe, knight with 300. men, commanding them vnderunder paine of hanging, that they ſhoulde bring him to the Tower of London. Which commandemēt was accompliſhed in haſt. Hubert hauing intelligence of their comming, (roſe out of his bed, naked as he was) & ran to the Chappell néere to the Inne where he was, and there with one hand holdeth the croſſe, and with the other the ſacrament of the Lordes bodie. Godfrey entering the Chappell with his armed Souldiers, and taking the Croſſe and Sacrament out of his hands,L. Hubert brought to Tower. bound him faſt with Fetters and Giues, vnderunder the horſe bellie, and brought him to the Tower. Whereat the king (hauing tarryed vp, watching for him) greatly reioyced, and went merrilye to his bed.

The next morrow following, Roger, Biſhoppe of London, had knowledge after what ſort he was taken out of the Chappel. He commeth to the King, blaming him boldly for violating the peace of holy Church: and proteſted, that vnleſſe the partie were loſed againe, and ſent to the Chappell, from whence he was taken, he would enter into ſentence of Excommunication againſt the déede doers.L. Hubert ſent back againe. Whereupon, the king ſendeth him back againe to the Chappel, by y^e ſame Souldiers that brought him out before: and geueth charge vnderunder paine of hanging, to the Sheriffes of Hartford, and Eſſex, that in their owne perſons, with the ſtrength of both Shires, they ſhould watch, and compaſſe about the Chappell, and ſée that Hubert in no wiſe ſhould eſcape. In the meane time,Lucas Archb of Dublin, true frend to the L. Hub. he continued in praier, night, and day: and Lucas Archb. of Dublin, his true, and almoſt onelyonly friend, ceaſed not to pray, and wéepe to the King for him, deſiring him at the leaſt to participate vntounto him, what he purpoſed to doe with Hubert Whereupon, the King anſwering, ſaid, of thrée things he ſhould chooſe whether he would. Firſt, either to forſweare the Realme of England for euer: or to be condēned to perpetuall impriſonment: or els to confeſſe him ſelfe openly to be a traytor.Hard choice offered to L. Hubert. But hereunto Hubert made anſwere, that he would chooſe none of theſe, as, who was neither guiltie, nor worthie of any ſuch confuſion. But to ſatiſfie ſomewhat the minde of the King, he would be content to depart the Realm for a ſeaſon: but to abiure the realm, he would not ſo doe.

In this meane time, Radulphus, Earle of Cheſter, and Lincolne, which was one of the greateſt enemies he had, died. Hubert yet continued encloſed in the Chappell, vntill his two ſeruaunts (which miniſtred vntounto him) were taken from him by the kings commandement.

Then Hubert (ſéeing no other remedie, but there to be ſtarued with hunger) offered him ſelfe of his owne accorde vntounto the Sheriffes: who by the K. commandement, brought him againe to the Tower.

Not long after the K. hearing that Hubert had committed his treaſure to y^e Templars in Lōdon, ſent to thē to deliuer it into his hands who refuſing ſo to do, the king cōmaunded Hubert to cauſe the treaſure to be deliuered: which he did moſt willingly, and yéelded both himſelfe, his treaſures, & all that euer he had vntounto the kings wil, and pleaſure. The enemies of Hubert herevpon cried out againſt him, ſaying: that he was a théefe, & had ſtolen the treaſure from the king, had deſerued to be hanged: and thus cried the accuſers daily in the kings eares: but the king now ſomewhat appeaſed & ſatiſfied, anſwered that there was no néed ſo ſtraitly to deale with him, who frō the time of his youth firſt ſerued his vncle K. Richard, then his father K. Iohn: in whoſe ſeruice (as he heard ſay) he was driuen to eate his horſe, &c. and that he had rather be counted a king, fooliſh & ſimple, then to he iudged a tyrant toward ſuch as hauehave ſerued him, and his anceſtors in ſo many dangers, faithfully waying more the fewe euils (which yet be not proued) then ſo many good deſertes of his euident, and manifeſt ſeruice, done both to him,The K. ſomewhat appeaſed towards Lord Hubert. and the whole realme. And thus the king ſomwhat relented to poore Hubert his old ſeruant, and graunted to him ſuch lands as he had giuen by king Iohn his father: and whatſoeuer he had els by his owne purchaſe.

Thus Hubert had ſome chéering,Hubert ſomewhat cheered. and with the fauour of the king, the nobles began to bée ſatiſfied: and foure Earles, namely, Richard the kinges brother, William, Earle of Warren, Richarde, Earle Marſhall, and William, Earle of Ferries, became Sureties for him vntounto the King. VponUpon which Sureties, he was tranſlated to the Caſtle of Diuiſis.

Whereupon, the Biſhoppe of Wincheſter commeth craftely to the King, and deſireth the cuſtodie of that Caſtle,Craft of a Biſhop. making no mention of Hubert, to the intent, that by the kéeping thereof, he might the ſooner diſpatch him. Hubert hearing thereof, openeth the matter vntounto two of his ſeruāts, who cōueyed him by night vponupon their backs (fettered as he was, his kéepers being a ſléep) into y^e pariſh church of y^e town, & there remained w^t him. The kéepers (after ſearch) found him in the Church, and with violence drew him into the caſtle againe, whereof the Biſhop of Sarum vnderſtanding, came to the caſtle where Hubert was, and requireth that he might be brought to the church againe, from whence he was taken: which when the kéepers denied to doo, the biſhop gaue ſentence of excommunication againſt them: and that doone, with the biſhop of London, and other biſhops, goeth and complaineth to the king of the iniurie doone to Hubert, and contumely againſt the church: neyther would they leaue the king,Great reuerēce of the church. before they had obtained that he ſhould bée brought againe into the Church, and ſo he was: but not long after the king commaunded to kéepe him with watch,The king hard to L. Hubert againe. till either he came forth, or periſhed by famine.

In the meane ſeaſon, great diſſention aroſe betweene the King, and his Nobles: by meanes whereof, Hubert was taken by Richard, Earle marſhall into Wales, and there remained til the King at length was reconciled with his nobles,L. Hubert receiued into the kings fauour. and ſo receiued with the reſt Hubert againe into his fauour.

As Hubert was vexed for emptying the Popes barnes, ſo likewiſe Roger, Biſhop of London, being ſuſpected for the ſame, was inforced to trauell to Rome, there to purge himſelfe before the Pope.

Caurſini, Italian vſurers.This Roger, after his returne from Rome, laboured to expell out of his Dioces, the Italian Vſurers, called Caurſini and (they withſtanding him) procéedeth to the ſentence of excommunication againſt them. But they ſo wrought with the Pope, that they cauſed the Biſhoppe of London (being both aged, and ſicklie) to be cited beyonde the Seas, there to make anſwere vntounto ſuch obiections as were inferred againſt him. And ſo the biſhop was compelled to let the cauſe fall.

The Popes viſitation generall.The ſame yere, the Pope (to recouer his loſſes) proclaymed a generall viſitation thorough all religious houſes, exempt, and not exempt, vniuerſallie pertayning to his iuriſdiction, where, by the cruell dealing of the viſitors, many were compelled to trauell, & appeale to Rome, to the great expenſes of their mony, and filling of the popes coffers. And (as Pariſienſis ſaith) the viſitatiō tended not to any reformation, ſo much as to the deformation of the vniuerſall order: while all they which before through all parts of the world folowed onelyonly the rule of Benedict, A deformation no reformation Benedict order.now through new deuiſed conſtitutions, are found ſo deuided, & diuers, that of al the monaſteries, and other churches of religion, ſcarſe may two be found, which do agrée in one rule, and inſtitution of life.

In the time that Hubert was ſecluded frō the king. none bare ſway vnderunder him but Peter B. of Wincheſter:Peter biſhop of Wincheſter. by whoſe counſell the naturall ſeruitours of the king were remooued, and ſtraungers placed in greateſt offices. To him were ioyned Peter de Riuallis his cooſin, who had cōmitted to him all the great holds & munitions of the realme. Stephen Segraue who ſuccéeded Hubert, & Robert Paſſelew, who had the kéeping of the treaſure vnderunder Peter Riuall: ſo that by theſe, all the affaires of the realme were ordered: & wherof the nobles cōplaining, through the biſhops means could hauehave no audience. So that they ſent word to the K. that vnleſſe he would without al delay ſeclude from him Peter B of Wincheſter, and other Alians of Pictauia, they would with the cōmon cōſent of the realme, diſplace him of his kingdome.They would diſplace the king. At which meſſage the king was much perplexed: but Wincheſter wrought ſo with him, that the king warred vponupon the Marſhall, with other of the Nobles néere two yéeres.

The ſame yéere the king builded a monaſtery of cōuertsA monaſtery of conuerts. at London, for the redemption of his ſoule, and the ſoule of king Iohn his father, and the ſoules of all his anceſtors, &c. Ex Math. Pariſ. pag. 86. After the election of Iohn Prior of Cāterbury was diſanulled, one Iohn Blund was elected: who trauelling vp to Rome, An 1233. to be confirmed of the pope, was vnchoſen againe, for that he had receiued of Peter B. of Wincheſter 1000. marks, and had another 1000. promiſed him of the ſaid Wincheſter: thinking by his mony to make him of his ſide, & alſo wrote to the Emperour to helpe forward his promotion in the court of Rome: but all was in vaine. After whom by the commandement of the Pope, one Edmund, Chanon of Saliſbury, was ordained Archb. and had his pal ſent him from the pope: which Edmund, Edmund.after, for his vertues was canonized for a Saint:Robert Groſted. about which time alſo Robert Groſted was made biſhop of Lincolne.

This Edmund with other biſhops, An. 1234. declared boldly in the name of the Lords (the king being in counſell at Weſtminſter) that the counſell which then he followed was daungerous,A bad counſell followed of the king. both to him and the realme. Adding moreouer except he would in ſhort time reforme himſelfe, they would procéed by cenſure of the Church againſt him: theſe wordes of the Biſhops beyng ſpoken, the king required a little time of reſpite to aduiſe him, ſaying: that he could not of a ſudden remoue his councell from him, before he had entred his accompt with them of his treaſures cōmitted vntounto them, and ſo the aſſembly brake vp.

Not long after this Edmund the archb. was inueſted in y^e church of Canterbury: who ſhortly after his conſecration, about the monethmonth of Aprill cōming with his Suffragans to the place of counſaile, where the King with his Barons and Earles was aſſēbled, put him in mind of his promiſe, touching the reforming of matters: denouncing, that except hée would ſpéedily ſo doo,Reformation. they would procéede to the ſentence of excōmunication againſt him, & thoſe that ſhould ſhew themſelues enemies: wherevpon the king within few daies after commaunded Wincheſter to leaue the court, and to go to his Biſhopricke: moreouer hée commaunded Riuall the Biſhops cooſin (ſome ſtories ſay his ſonne) to render vntounto him his caſtels, and to giuegive accompt of all his treaſures, and ſo to voyd the realme:The kings courage. ſwearing moreouer vntounto him, that if he were not beneficed, and within orders of the Church, hée would hauehave cauſed both his eies to be pulled out of his head. He expelled alſo the Pictauians, & ſent Edmund, Pictauians expelled.the Archbiſhop, with Cheſter, and Rocheſter, to intreate of peace with Leolin and Richard, Earle marſhall and others. But in the meane time, while theſe things were doing in England, Richard, Earle marſhal, by the falſhood of the Biſh. of Wincheſter, and Peter Riuall, forging the kinges letters to the Iriſhmen againſt him: and partly by the conſpiracie of Gilbert de Moriſco, was circumuented by the Iriſhmen in warre: and there taken, and wounded, and by them (through the meanes of his Surgion) ſlaine.

About this time great ſlaughter was of thē which are called Catini, about the parts of Almaine:Catini in Aſmaine ſlaine. they were eſtéemed of pope Gregorie, and the papiſtes, for heretikes: but what their opinions were, it is not certaine. Pariſi.

In like ſort,Albingenſes ſlaine. the Albingenſes in great number were ſlain by pope Gregory in a certaine plain in Spaine. Pariſ. fo. 87

The king hearing of the death of the Earle marſhal, made great lamentation for him.

At Gloceſter, the Archb. with the biſhops, declared to the K, the conditions of peace: & deſired y^t he would be reconciled to the Nobles, & thoſe hée had baniſhed the Realme. Whervpon, the King directed his letters, and gaue ſafeconduct to all the exiles, that they ſhoulde repaire to him about the beginning of Iune at Gloceſter. Wherevppon firſt commeth to the King, Hubert, Hubert commeth to the K,offering himſelfe to the kinges goodwill, and fauour: whom the king with chéerefull countenance, embraced: reſtoring vntounto him, all that hée had taken from him, of liuing, and poſſeſſions: and after him, came others that were imbraced of the king, and receiued into fauour againe,Reconciliation and thoſe that were before high in the Kinges fauor, reproued and reiected, and among other matters, for the death of the Earle marſhal.

The ſame yéere the peace grew in England,Diſſention betwixt the pope, & the Romans. diſſentiō fel at Rome, betwixt the Pope and the Romanes: for that the Citizens claimed by olde cuſtome, that it was not lawfull for the pope to excommunicat any citizen,The Pope greater then any man. nor ſuſpend the citie with any interdiction for any maner exceſſe. The Pope anſwered, that he is leſſe thā God, but greater than any mā, therefore greater then any Citizen: yea greater then King or Emperor: and forſomuch as he is their ſpiritual father, he ought, and lawfully may chaſtiſe his children. For this, and other controuerſies, ſuch diſſention aroſe, that the pope with his cardinals, remoued to Peruſium: but the Romans ouerthrew diuers of his houſes in the citie. Wherefore he did excommunicate them. The Romanes then flying to the Emperor, deſired his aide: but he gathered an army, and to pleaſure the Pope, went againſt them, and ioyned with the Popes army: whoſe Captains were, the Earle of Tholouſe (to purchaſe the popes fauour) and Peter the foreſaid B. of Wincheſt, who ioyning together with the emperour, vexed the citizens greatly, who with the nūber of a hundred thouſand without order, iſſuing out with purpoſe to deſtroy Viterbium the popes cities, were deſtroied thēſelues (in great number) of their enimies. On both partes were ſlaine 30.Romans ſlayn. thouſand But the moſt part were of the Citizens. This diſſention continued long after.

In the time of this Gregory 9. ann. 1230. the ſchiſme of the Church brake out into a plaine diuiſion,Schiſme of the Eaſt Chhrch from the Weſt. vtterly diſſeuering the Eaſt Church from the Weſt, vppon this occaſion.

There was a certaine Archbiſhop, elected to a Biſhopricke among the Grecians: who comming to Rome to bée confirmed, could not be admitted without a great ſumme of money: which when he refuſed to pay, and deteſted the execrable ſimony of the Court of Rome, hee made his repaire home againe to his countrie, vnconfirmed: declaring to the whole nobilitie of that land, how the caſe ſtood. Wherevpon all the Church of the Grecians hearing this, at the ſame time departed vtterly from the Church of Rome. Inſomuch that the Archbiſh. of Conſtantinople comming afterward to the Councel of Lions, declared there openly, that, whereas he had before time aboue thirtie Biſhoprickes, and Suffraganes, now he had not thrée. Adding moreouer, that all the Grecians, and certaine other, with Antioch, & the whole Empire of Romania, euen to the gates (almoſt) of Conſtantinople, were gone from the obediēce of the church of Rome. Pariſ. f. 112. & f. 186.

By occaſion of which ſeparation, in the yere 1237. Germanus. 1237 Germanus.Archb. and Patriarke of Conſtantinople, wrote vntounto Gregorie the ninth, deſiring him to ſtudy, & ſéeke meanes of vnitie, and that he would not refuſe to méete him in the midwaye, to debate of the matter, that vnitie might bee recouered. But the Pope refuſed, and ſhortlye after, ſent foorth his preaching Friers, to moue all Chriſtians to take the ſigne of the Croſſe, and to fight againſt the Grecians,The ſigne of the croſſe to fight againſt the Grecians. euen as it were againſt the Turkes, and Saracens. In ſo much, that in the Ile of Ciprus, many good men, and martyrs, were ſlaine for the ſame, as by letters of the ſaid Germanus doeth appeare: who wrote to the Pope, and Cardinals, to reforme themſelues: which was ſo taken of the Pope, that ſhortly after he prepared to ſend men of war, ſigned with the croſſe, to fight againſt the Grecians. Whereupon, the Archb. of Antioch, with the foreſaid Germanus, ſolemnlie excommunicated the Pope.The pope excommunicated Intollerable exactions of the pope.

The exactions of the Pope were ſo intollerable in the land, that king Henrie the third wrote to Pope Innocent the fourth, for releaſement, in moſt humble, and gentle mā ner, anno 1244. the 28. yere of the kings reigne: Yet it booted not, for the Pope was not aſhamed to take of Dauid, Prince of North-wales, fiue hundred markes a yeare, to ſet him againſt the King of England, and exempted him from all his fealtie, and obedience, which he had ſworne.

In the yeare one thouſande, two hundred fourtie fiue,Prince of Wales ſet againſt the king of England. the whole Nobility of the Realm, by generall conſent, with the kings knowledge, cauſed all partes of the Sea ſide to be layde, that no Meſſenger with the Popes letters, & Bulles from Rome, ſhould be permitted to enter the realm. Wherupon,No meſſenger permitted to, or fro Rome. ſome were taken at Douer, & there ſtayed. Notwithſtanding, when complaint thereof was brought to the king, by Martinus the Popes Legate, there was no remedie, but the K. muſt néedes cauſe the letters to be reſtored againe, and executed to the full effect. Then the king (vponupon aduiſe) cauſed a view to be taken through euerie Shire in Englād, to what ſumme the whole reuenewes of the Romans, and Italians, amounted to, which by the popes authoritie went went out of England. The whole ſumme whereof, was foūd yerely to be 60000.60000. marks yerely to Rome. markes. To which ſumme, the whole reuenewes of the crowne did not amount.

The Nobles then vnderſtanding the miſerable oppreſſion of the Realme, being aſſembled together at Dunſtable for certaine cauſes, ſent one Fulco, in the name of the whole Nobilitie, vntounto Martinus, that he ſhould with ſpéede departe the land,The P. Legate departeth England. except he would be cut all to péeres. Which meſſage the Legat ſhewed to the king, and demaunded if his conſent were thereto: and finding ſmall comfort, tooke his leaue, and departed, an. 1245.

After this, followed immediatly a generall Councell at Lions:Councel at Lions. to the which, the eſtate, and Lords of the Realme, with conſent of the Communaltie, ſent two billes: the one containing a generall Supplication to the Pope and Councell: the other, with the articles of ſuch gréeuances as they deſired to hauehave redreſſed. The Supplication was ſent by Sir Roger Bigotte, knight, and William de Powick, Eſquire, and Henrie de la Mare, with other knights, and Gentlemen. After y^t it was there opened, & read, P. Innocent firſt kéeping ſilence, differred to anſwere thereto, making haſt to procéed to his deteſtable ſentence of excommunicatiō & curſe,Emp. Fred. curſed by the Pope. againſt the good Emperor Fred. Which curſe being done, the Pope tolde them flatly, they ſhould not hauehave their requeſtes fulfilled: and incontinent during y^e ſame councell, he cauſed eueryevery B. of England to put to his hand and ſeale, to the obligation made by the king Iohn for the Popes tribute: threatning moreouer, that if hée had once brought downe the Emperour Fredericke, he would bridle the inſolent pride of England well enough.

In the beginning of the next yéere following, An. 1246. Pope Innocent came to Cluniake:Pope perſwadeth warre againſt England. where he perſwaded the French king Lewes, to make warre againſt the king of England: whereto the French king would not agrée: but ſhortly after concluded with him longer truce.

Ouer and beſide all other exactions, the Pope ſending downe his letters from the ſea Apoſtolike, charged the prelates to find him ſome ten, ſome fiue, ſome fiftéene able men, well furniſhed with horſe and harneis, for one whole yéere to fight in the Popes warres:The Popes warres. and leaſt the king ſhould hauehave knowledge hereof, it was enioined them vnderunder paine of excommunication, that they ſhould reueale it to none, but to kéepe it ſecrete onelyonly to themſelues.

Pope Innocent now intending to ſubdue the Gréeke church, ſent the prouinciall of the Grayfriers, with other aſſociates of the ſame order into England, with his precepts authenticall, that all goods gotten by vſury, ſhould be attached for his warre againſt the Gréekes:Warre againſt the Greekes. and that all thoſe ſhould be abſolued from all their ſinnes, that would take on them the croſſe to fight againſt the Grecians, &c. with other articles tending to the Popes profite.

The ſame yéere 1246. The Pope commaunded the Prelates of England, that all beneficed men in the realme of England, which were reſident vpō their benefices ſhould yéeld the third part of their goods: and they which were not reſident ſhould giuegive the one halfe of their goods, for the ſpace of thrée yéeres together: which ſumme beyng eſtéemed together, was found to amount to 60000. l.60000. pounds exacted by the Pope. The executiō of this commiſſion, was cōmitted to the B. of London: but as conſultation was had about the matter at Paules, the King ſendeth ſtraight charge, that they ſhould not conſent thereto. Pariſienſis, fol. 207.

And afterward, An. 1247. about February, the king called a parlement, and directeth Embaſſadours with letters, and alſo to make manifeſt the grieuances of the land vntounto the court of Rome:The grieuāces of England. whereto the Pope maketh a ſlender, and an impertinent anſwere.

In the yéere 1244. Iewes the French king, ſonne to quéene Blāch fell very ſicke, lying in a ſwound or trance, for certaine daies, that ſome ſaid, he was dead: his mother, amongſt the company ſuperſtitiouſly giuen, went & brought a péece of the holy croſſe, with the crowne, and ſpeare: which péece of the holy croſſe, Baldwinus Emp. of Conſtantinople (whom the Grecians had depoſed a litle before, for holding with the B. of Rome) had ſold to the Frēch king, for a great ſumme of mony, and bleſſed him with the ſame: alſo laid the crowne and ſpeare to his body: making a vowe withall, in the perſon of her ſonne: that if the Lord would viſit him with health, and releaſe him of that infirmitie, hée ſhould be marked with the croſſe to viſit his ſepulcher. Thus as ſhée with the Biſhop of Paris, and other, was praying: the King with a ſigh began to plucke to his armes, and legs: and ſo ſtretching himſelfe, began to ſpeake, giuing thankes to God that had deliuered him from death. And aſſone as he was well recouered,The French King receiueth the ſigne of the croſſe. receiued the ſigne of the croſſe, vowing for a fréewill ſacrifice, that he would in his owne perſon viſit the holy land.

After that, great preparation was made thorough out Fraunce, for the iourney. The moſt part of the Nobles croſſing themſelues, after the example of the king. The Frenchmens example, moued William longa Spata, with the Biſhop of Worceſter,The voyage of the holy land. and certaine Gentlemen to the ſame iourney.

Anno 1248. the feaſt of Iohn Baptiſt drew nigh, which was the time appointed for the ſetting foorth, and nothing wanted thereto, ſauing the variance betwixt Frederike the Emperour, and the Pope: which he thought good to ſéeke to appeaſe, that he might hauehave both ſafer paſſage through the Emperours countrey, and leſſe ieopardy might be at home.The Pope refuſeth al agreement with the Pope. But the Pope would not in any ſort come to agréement, although the Emperour offered him whatſoeuer amendes hée woulde require: and if the Pope could not abide his tarrying in his owne dominions and empire: he ſaid he woulde go fight againſt the Saracens, and Turkes, neuer to return into Europe againe, there to recouer lands and kingdomes, whatſoeuer did at any time belong vntounto Chriſtendome, ſo that the Pope would be onelyonly contented, that Henrie his ſonne ſhould be Emperour after him. Neither could this be admitted. Then he offered for truth of his promiſe, to put in the French king, and the king of England for his ſureties, or els for triall of his cauſe, to ſtande to their arbitrement. Neyther woulde that bée graunted. At laſt, hée deſired that hée might come himſelfe, and anſwere before the Councell: which the Pope alſo refuſed, Pariſ. fol. 187. Anno 1225.

The French king finding no fauour at the Popes hand,Damiata won from y^e Turks for the Emperour, taketh his leaue of him at Lions, with heauineſſe, and proceeded in his iourney: and hauing nowe taken Damiata, the Soldan ſent vntounto the king, by certaine that were about him: offering to the Chriſtians, the quiet, and ful poſſeſſion of the holy land, and all the kingdome of Hieruſalem: and beſides, other infinite treaſure of gold and ſiluer: or what els ſoeuer might pleaſure them. OnelyOnly vppon condition, that they woulde reſtore againe Damiata, with the captiues there: and ſo woulde ioyne together in mutuall peace, and amitie, &c. It was alſo firmly ſpoken, that the Soldan, with moſt of his nobles, were intended to leaue the law of Mahomet, and imbrace the faith of Chriſt: ſo that they might quietly enioy their landes, and poſſeſſions. But they had commaundement from the Pope by his legate,The pope hindreth the peace that if any ſuch offers ſhoulde be made, they ſhould not in any caſe accept of them. Pariſ. fol. 233.

But afterward the Soldan growing to bee more confident, refuſed that which before he had offered: and in concluſion, the army of the Chriſtians, was wholly deſtroyedThe armie of Chriſtians wholy deſtroied. by the Saracens: and the French king with his two brethren taken priſoners: the King was raunſomed at ſixtie thouſand marks, and Damiata deliuered againe, vponupon condition that the Soldan ſhoulde ſée him ſafely conducted to Achon. 80000. Chriſtians periſheth in the warres againſt the Turkes.The number of Chriſtians that periſhed in that iourney, were 80000. perſons. Pariſ. fol. 237, 238.

After this ouerthrow of the French king, and his army, the Chriſtians of Antioch, and of other Chriſtian regions, gaue ouer their holdes, and cities.

In the raigne of Henrie the third, was the good Emperour Federike the ſecond vexed of the Popes: firſt, of Innocentius the third: to whom, with his dominions, hée was in his minoritie committed by his mothers teſtament, thinking thereby to hauehave ſafely prouided for him. But this Pope, ſo ſoone as hée had protection of the young Emperour and his ſeigniories, became a falſe Traytour againſt him: and ſtirred vp Sibill, the late wife of Tancredus, whome Henrie put from the kingdome of Sicilie, to recouer the ſame againe, & procured the ayd of the French K. therunto. At which time, the worthy protector Innocent 3. ſent his legats with letters of excōmunication againſt ſuch, that wold not admit one Walterus, (who had married with the eldeſt daughter of Tancredus) for their king: and alſo abſolued the Princes electors, and other Nobles, from their oath which they had made to Henricus, touching the eſtabliſhing of his ſon in the empire: and wrote his Epiſtle to the Duke Barthold of Zaringia, to be Emperour: which he refuſing, hée went about to procure, that Otho the ſonne of Henrie Leo ſhould be made Emperour. But Frederick now growing to mans eſtate, gathered his powre and purſued Otho: Fredericke crowned Emperour by pope Honorius.who anon after died, and ſo he was crowned Emperour of Honorius the Pope, that ſuccéeded Innocentius, and was of him conſecrated, and called Auguſtus.

Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright, Volume 1 · Book 4 (2 of 3)

p. 189The Rablement of Religious Orders in the Popiſh Church.

The Rablement of Religious Orders in the Popiſh Church.