The Pageant of Popes, Book 4

The Pageant of Popes · Book 4

THE FOVRTH BOOKE cōtayning the third order of Popes, in whō Antichrist appeareth to be come toward fulnesse of hys wickednes specifyed in the 17. Chapter of the Reuelation, speakinge of Antechrist in the kingdome of the greate whore of Babilon, vvhichwhich sitteth vppon the beaste vvith seuen heades: and that Prophecye seemeth to maister Baale to containe these 41. Popes following to Siluester the second.

HYtherto from Phocas the Emperours time for the space of 247. yeares, Antichrist like the beast raigned in the Church of Christians without iudgemente, or consideration of heauenly spirite. Hytherto the Popes euen to the forteth Pope cast theyr eyes on earthly things, forgetting Gods euerlasting testament, as if they onelyonly regarded but the fleshe, and not the soule. All theyr delight was in newe traditions, ceremonyes, buildings, pleasures, pompe, warres, treasons, and translations of kingdomes as appeareth, so that they seemed to liue in the glorye of this worlde, and in contempte with Christ: so that the Church vnderunder their gouernment is at length become the strompet of Babilon according to the whole discours of the Apocalips. The truth whereof the Lord hath most euidently reueiled in this next Pope y^t followeth, who was a woman and an harlot, whereby al men may vnderstand the misterye reuealed by Christ.

p. 55THE POPES OR ROMAINE ANTICHRISTES.

40 Ioan the eight.

IOan the eight, being a woman, was made Pope, and because of her bringing vp vnderunder a certeine Englishe mā 105a Monke of Fulda, (whome she loued tenderly) her name was altered, and she was called Iohn Englishe: She sat as Pope in the pontificall seate at Rome two yeares, and syxe monethes: She was a Germain of kindred, and borne in Mens, called at the firste Gilberta, who the more to enioye her louers company, and the better to auoyde suspiciō, dissembled her kinde, and put her selfe into mans apparell, & so trauailed with the Monke her peramour to Athens: where after she had profited in all the sciences, her louer being dead, she came to Rome disguising still her selfe, and counterfaiting to be a man. For through the promptnesse of her wit and ready tongue, shee talked eloquently in publique lectours and disputations: And many had her in admiratiō for her learning: She grew into so great credit, & was so wel liked of al, that Leo the Pope being dead, they chose her Pope: In whiche office as other Popes did, shee gaue orders, made priests and deacons, promoted bishops, made abbots, sayde masses, hallowed altars and churches, ministred the Sacramentes, and gaue men her feete to kisse, and did all other thinges belonging to Popes, & her doinges stode in force. But in the time of her Popeship▪ Lotharius the Emperour being an olde man became a Monke. And Lewis the seconde came to Rome, and receiued of …er the scepter and crowne of the Empier with Peters blessing: whereby the whore of Babilon shewed her self so mighty that she made kinges stoupe vntounto her. Apo. 17. Also as Houedenus saith in her time Ethelwolphus king of Englande gaue the tenth part of his kingdome to the Priestes and Monkes to praye for his soule. And his sonne Ethelwaldus maried Iudith a wydow, and lately his owne fathers wyfe and his stepmother. But as touching Pope Ioan, she was gotten with childe by one of her familiar chaplaynes a Cardinall, to whome her fleshly appetite caused her to disc…ose her selfe. As she was going on procession solemly to Lateran churche, in the middest of the way, and in y^e open streate betwene Colossus & Clement church, she was deliuered of childe in presence of all y^e people, and died of her trauell in the same place. And for this wickednesse she was stripped and spoyled of all pontificall honour, and buried without any pompe or solemnitie: Whereof Mantuan wryteth describing hell in the thirde booke of Alphonsus thus.

Here honge the dame that erst disguised would seme a mā to be

VVhose head the Roman miter ware with crest of crownettes three,

VVho playde a shamelesse strumpettes parte in place of Popes degree.

Lo this is that seate that can not erre, being endued with the holy Ghost by succession, or rather an euident argument of the seate of Babilon. But y^e Popes since that time in their procession do shonne that place, where she was deliuered as odious for the hap thereof. Funcius sayth boldely that this was suffered by Gods especiall prouidence, that this woman should be made Pope being also an harlot, euen then when she should bring kinges as she did Ethelwolphus and Alphredus in subiection vntounto her, whereby Antichrist might be knowen: for then it was the Lordes pleasure, to bewraye the whore of Babilon in a Pope being an whore. Whereof the holy Ghost foretold. Apoc. 17. that p. 57the elect might beware of her. But to auoide the like incō uenience of a woman for the time folowing, they deuised that who so euer should be chosen Pope, should be serched very narrowely to be tryed a man, shamefull to be reported, but vsed without shame among suche shamelesse shauelinges. But nowe commonly they nede not when they chuse them Popes, mistrust them to be women, for whyle they are Cardinals they playe suche Carnall partes that they are able to bring forth bastardes of their owne begetting to proue them selues men, whereof one Iohn Pannonius wrote a mery Epigram in foure Latin verses: testifying the truthe of this their doing, of the whiche I omitte the two first verses for ciuilitie sake, it may be gathered by these latter two what is ment.

Cur igitur nostro mos hic iam tempore cessat

Ante probat sese quilibet esse marem

How hapneth that this groaping them is vsed nowe no more,

Because eache one doth try him selfe to be a man before.

41. Benedict the third.

BEnedict the thirde, being first tried vponupon the porphyry 106stoole to be a man, was made Pope. Massaeus saith he howled out and cried miserably, that he should be promoted to so great dignitie, whereof he was vnworthy (a rare thing among them.) But some thinke he did it but of hypocrysie, because (As Platina saith) he offred his feete to be kyssed, and suffred him selfe to bee worshipped lyke an earthly Idoll. Then came Embassadours from Lewis the Emperour, to confirme the election of him done by the Clergie and people. Among many supersticious and vaine ceremonies he appointed that Dirige should be sayde for the dead, & that the Clergy should go soberly, & honestly. He died Anno, 859. In this time (as Sigebertus and Vincentius testifie) in Mens as a certaine Priest was casting holy water a certayne Diuell lurking vnderunder his Cappe, as if he had bene a familiar to him, did accuse him, that he laye with a Proctours doughter that nighte.

42. Nicolas the first.

107NIcolas the firste was made Pope in the presence of Lewis the seconde Emperour after his father Lotharius. But as sone as Lewis was departed out of Italy, hee began to consider howe he might aduaunce the dignitie of the Popedome whiche before (that the Emperour might counte him holy) he refused. He put downe Iohn Archebishop of Rauenna, for maintaining the olde libertie of his byshoprike: and brought that churche into perpetuall bondage. Among many decrees he concluded, that no seculer prince, no not the Emperour him selfe, should be so hardye as to come in among the Prelates in their counsayle, onlesse they were debaiting matters of beliefe, then the Emperour should execute those, whome the Pope iudged to be heretikes. Also he decreed, that the layetie should not take vponupon them, to iudge the life of the Clergie, neither to dispute of y^e Popes auctoritie & power. Also he decreed that Christian magistrates should hauehave no auctoritie ouer a prelate, because saith he, y^e pope is called God, Auton. Tit. 16. He cōmaunded that the Clergie should not be warriours but study, howe to talke, and perswade. He commaunded agayne that diuine seruice should be sayde in Latin: But yet graunted the Sclauonian and Polonians, to hauehave it in their owne tongue by dispensation: He added the Sequencias to the masse. He added Gloria in excelsis, to be songe to the masse on Maundy thursday. He added the terme of Apostolicall auctoritie to the Popes decrees: He commaū ded mariage to be openly solēnised: he allowed that the sacramentes p. 58might be receiued of euill ministers: He firste bounde the Clergie to single life. But Huldericus bishop of Augusta, controlled his wickednesse herein by a sharpe epistle: he died Anno. 867.

43 Hadrian the second.

HAdrian the seconde, the sonne of Talaris a bishop, was 108by the people and the Clergie made Pope, before the Emperours Embassadours could come thether: For then the Romaines did by force take vponupon them the election of the Pope: whiche when the Embassadours tooke in euill part, they were thus aunswered, that the wyll of the multitude could not be brideled in such a tumult. But yet they had done happely, because they had appointed such a good man. The Embassadours euen of compulsion seing there was no remedie to abrogate the election, did against their willes pronounce him Pope: being confirmed, he bestowed muche on the poore. He sent three Legates, bishops all, Leopart, Syluester, and Dominicus, (that were bredde and brought vp in his kitchin) to kepe the Bulgarians and Dalmacians within his dominion, whom Nicolas had brought to the yoke before. But the Bulgarians hauing had proofe of his tyranny draue out the Italian priestes, and receiued the priestes of the Greke churche. This enkindled hotte coales betwene the Latins and the Grecians. Hadrian died Anno 873. Before whose death it rayned bloud three dayes at Brixia, and all Fraunce was miserably troubled with Locusts. Alfredus king of England, toke his crowne of this Pope, and was anoynted, whiche neuer any king of Englande did before: But afterwarde he was called the Popes adopted sonne.

44 Iohn the ninth.

109IOhn the ninth was excellently learned, bothe in Latine and in Greke: He in his soueraintie crowned three Emperours, Charle the baald, Charles Balbus, and Charles Crassus. Carolus Caluus vnderstanding that the Emperour was dead, hied him to Rome to Pope Iohn, whome with his bribes he allured to satisfie his desire, and so was made Emperour by him, and receiued the crowne Emperiall. But about a yeare after he was poysoned at Mantua by one Sedechias a Iewishe phisition & an enchaūter. Iohn hearing of his death, bēt al his force to make Charles Balbus to succede his father, but the Romaine Lordes withstoode him, and made Charles Crassus Emperour. The Pope standing obstinatly in his frowarde purpose, was taken of the citezens & put in prison, because he would not relent: but being released by his friendes helpe, he fled into Fraunce. And bestowing the imperiall crowne on Balbus, saluteth him Emperour. In the meane time Crassus hauing gotten the citie of Rome, causeth Iohn with terrour to retourne from Fraunce: Who returning to Rome, willeth the Emperour to let him returne in safetie, & maketh him Emperour, and setteth the crowne on his head. Iohn at his being in Fraunce, sommoned a counsell at Treca, wherein he condemned certaine contentious persones, and made many lawes to the aduauncement of Popery. Afterwarde he wrote to Lewis Balbus, that the priuiledges of the Church of Rome could not be abrogate without a prescription of an hundreth yeares. Also he made it sacrilege, to take any holy thing of any vnholy persone, or any vnholy thing of an holy persone. He excommunicated these that were gilty of sacrilege, but in suche sorte that for money they might be dispensed withall. Hee gaue to many men sainctes reliques for great iewels. He confyrmed the liberties belonging to ecclesiastical persones, cloysters, church goodes, monasteries, and clarkes. He prepared an army against the Saracenes, and droue thē out of Italy and Sicil. p. 59He died, Anno. 883. At this time the Empier was translated from the Frenchemen to the Germaines, by Carolus Crassus.

45 Martin the second.

MArtin the second was a Frencheman, whose father 110was a Necromancier, and coniuring prieste, he gate to be Pope, not by honest meanes, but by crafte & ill artes. They saye that by this mans subtell enticement, the foresayde Iohn was apprehended, and layde in pryson, and so constrayned by his frendes ayde to flye into Fraunce, to saue his life. At the electiō of this Martin, the Emperours auctoritie was not loked for, nor demaunded to his admission. Thus proudly by little and little, the Popes shooke of the Emperours power, whereby they might the better treade them vnderunder their feete. But he raigned not longe, about a yeare and certaine monethes, he died Anno. 884.

46 Hadrian the third.

HAdriā the third was of such a proude stomake & hawty 111courage, that as sone as he had gotten into the Popedome, he made a decree, that the Emperours auctoritie should no more take place in creating of Popes: but that the voyces of the people and Clergie of Rome, should be euer free to do it. The Emperour at that time warred against the Normans. Thus saith Cranzius, these Prelates and the lewdenesse of the Romaines, durst contemne their Empier, vntill the force and strengthe thereof decayed. Whereby this one Pope was now deliuered and brought to bedde of that monster at ones trauelling, wherof so many of his auncetours had traueled: that is to cut cleane of the Emperours auctoritie: For Nicolas the f…irst had attempted it, but brought it not to effecte. Lo here good reader, howe by this decree all the Emperours right and title whiche they had ouer the Pope and citie of Rome, is wrest from them, whereby the Pope with great triumphe hath gotten the victory, and vpperhande: Thou shalt se him yet creepe hier, and attempte greater matters, ceasing not vntill he hauehave aduaunced him selfe aboue all that is called God, or that is worshipped. 2. Tit. 2. Whereby his flatterers may saye: Who is like the beaste, or who is able to fight with it. Apoc. 13. But after this he lyued not longe: he died sodainly, Anno. 886.

47. Steuen the fift.

112STeuen the fift gat to be Pope, at such time as Fraunce was inuaded by the Normans, England by the Danes, Pannonye by the Hunnes, and Italy by the Sarracens. He liued in much trouble and anguish of the mind all the time of his being Pope, because Italy was so vexed with warre and the Romaines were not at his commaundemente enoughe: yet he employed himselfe to the most of his endeuour, daily to encrease their Babilonical trumperye, and that none of his decrees might be defaced: for as Gratian writeth Distinct. 6. Enimuero, he decreed that all the Cā nons of the Church of Rome ought of necessity to be kept. The same Pope (sayth he) forbad anye Christians to condemne any to be put to death with hot iron or scalding water, which was thē vsed, Cau. 2. quest, 4. He caused a lawe to be made, howe to order such parents as do either ignorantly smother their children in theyr beddes with thē, or els do choake them, or murther them. He dyed Anno 892.

48. Formosus the first.

113FOrmosus the first being bishoppe of Portua fearing the crueltye of Iohn the ix. forsoke Rome, because hee was p. 60thought to be giltye of Iohns imprisonmente: this name Formosus signifying beutifull, whiche beinge made Pope he choose and toke vppon him, sheweth (sayth Cranzius) y^t he was a proude parson. This Formosus for those former causes vowed and sware an oath, that he would neuer returne to his bishopricke, nor to Rome, both which he had forsaken: & so he gaue ouer his orders, forsoke priestcraft, and became a layeman, but the nexte that succeded, did absolue him frō the oath, which he had sworn to Pope Iohn, and for moneye did restore him. After the death of Steuen this Formosus so monied the matter, that hee purchased Peters chayre, but as not with out bribes, so not without great brauling, by meanes that one Sergius a deacon wrestled for the same place. For the appeasing wherof he calling Arnulphus sonne of Carolomannus into Rome made him Emperour, who to gratify him for his curtesy, stroke of the heades of them that were his chiefest aduersaries. He raigned vi. yeres & did almost nothing, he died Anno, 896. And at the length for these quarrels cōtinuing amōg his successors, his bodye and bones were taken vp by Sergius the third, the ninthe Pope after him and throwne into the riuer Tiber. After this Formosus, the Popes did so dispatch one another, that within nine yeares, there were xi. Popes.

49. Boniface the sixt.

BOniface the sixte was Pope but a while after Formosus, 114and therefore he could not shew of whether faction he was in such great debate among the Cardinalles & the people: He liued but 25. dayes Pope, & as Anselmus saith to be remembred for nothinge, but for his quiet election, & happye in nothing but in raigning but a while.

50. Steuen the sixt.

STeuen the sixt succedinge Boniface was so enflamed against 115Formosus, that at the first hee disanulled his decrees, & cancelled his actes. And althoughe Formosus had beene beneficiall vntounto him before, in making him bishop of Agnina, yet this curtesye could not cause this vnthankful prelate to forbeare his malicious purpose: but because that this Formosus had before preuēted him in the Popedome, and by getting it disapointed him, & would not suffer him to keepe concubines, he conceyued such deadly rancour against him, euen after his death, that to reuenge his quarrel vppon the dead bodye, he sommoninge a counsaile first toke the karkasse of Formosus out of his graue, then put al the Popes pontificall robes and attyre vppon it, and plucked it of againe, and so as it were spitefullye to disgrade him, put on layemans apparell vppon him, finallye cutting of those two fingers of the right hande wherwith hee vsed to hold the Sacrament, and throwinge them into Tiber, he commaunded to burye his bodye againe, but not among spiritual mens bodyes, but among laye men. Thus after one yeares raigne he dyed Anno. 897.

51. Romanus the first.

116ROmanus a Romaine by name and byrth (though some thincke he were a Spaniard) did nothinge worthye of remembrance: but whereas he fauoured Formosus, he allowed his doinges, and did abrogate the decrees & actes of Steuen. But because he liued not longe, hee coulde not proceede farre in his factious doinges, which tainted the Romaine prelates shamefully at this time especiallye. He dyed the third month of his Popeship Anno. 898.

52. Theodorus the second.

117THeodorus the second euen at his entraūce followed the examples that Romanus had set to him. But there is p. 61no notorious thing mentioned of him, because he liued but a while, sauinge that as Stella Venetus sayth, he also walked in the seditious pathes of his forefathers. He had no regarde of Gods cause, but was a maintayner and vpholder of Formosus quarell, and cherished those that were of that faction, but his shorte time preuented his farther doinge. He dyed the xx. daye of his Popeship. Anno. 899.

53. Iohn the tenth.

IOhn the tenth succeded Theodorus as well in manners 118as in place, for wheras these seditions were almost buryed, he in his time renued the scab againe, and made it sorer then before. Iohn (sayth Barnus) mindinge to restore Formosus doinges whollye, he sturred a great tumult, because the people did resist, and withstande it: and when hee sawe that it woulde brast into open warre, he gotte him to Rauenna, and sommoning thither a conuocation of 74. bishops, he restored all Formosus his decrees, euen to the vttermost, and did openlye condemne the actes made by Steuen, because he had done so reprochfullye against the dead carcasse. Also he burnt al the writings that were to be gotten of that Synode against Formosus, but he proceeded no further in these broyles for wante of breath. Hee dyed Anno. 901.

54. Benedict the fourth.

BEnedict the fourth is reported to hauehave done no notable 119thinge in these iarres and braules. In this age sayth Stella it happened that as wel through the hedds (meaning the Popes) set all on sedition, as by the bodye addicted to slouth, al vertue withered away: Likewyse sayth Platina, when the Church through her wealth wexed wanton and riotous, and none of the head of the clergye cōtrolled vice, then forthwith wickednes hauing gotten liberty, brought forth and yelded vsus these Popes, being as it were mōsters and mongrels, which encroche Peters place by ambition and briberye. Benedict dyed Anno. 904.

55 Leo the fift.

120LEo the fift being made Pope, euen in his dignitie was taken by strong hande and cast into prison violently by one Christopher, seking to make him selfe Pope, being but a prieste and chapleine to Leo, & one whom he had brought vp in his owne house. Whiche thing sayth Platina, coulde not be done without great seditiō, and the slaughter of many. And of what auctoritie the place was now, it may wel appeare, when as firste harlottes bare sway and ruled the Popes, then a priuate persone durst, and could thus within so shorte a space as fourty dayes, driue out the other, and kepe the place him selfe. Leo seing him selfe reft of the renowne, and thus defaced euen by his owne familiar frend, on whome he had heaped so many benefites, conceiued so great thought that immediatly he died thereof:

56 Christopher the first.

121CHristopher the first, was of so base linage, that neither his countrie, nor his fathers name was knowen. Hee hauing shoued out Leo, and his concubines ayding him thereto, wan the Popeship by strong hande. But as he gate it naughtely, so was he shamefully thrust out again by one Sergius, the peramour of one Marozia, a notable harlotte and beawtifull concubine, who sought to place him selfe in it. So Christopher was put downe the vii. monethmonth of his Popeship: And as Platina sayth, compelled to be a Mōke, whiche thing was then become the refuge of all caytiffes. And afterwarde he was againe pulled out of the Monasterie p. 62by the same Sergius, and caste into a straight pryson, where at length in muche misery and sorowe he died. Anno. 905.

57 Sergius the third.

SErgius the thirde, when as he was but a Deacon, gaue a 122proude attempt to aspire to the Popedome, and was in dede chosen thereto with great tumult among the people, when Formosus was chosen. But taking the foyle, he fled into Fraunce, but nowe espying his oportunitie by the aide of Charles Simplex king of Fraunce, and Adelbert Marques of Thuscia, he returned by stelth into Rome. And as it is sayde, he deposed Christopher, apprehended him, and clapte him in pryson, & inuaded violently the Popes place: Being setled, and remembring his ranke mallice againste Formosus, not withstanding the long time that had since passed, and eight Popes betwene Formosus and him, yet freshly to reuenge his olde grudge, Hee the seconde tyme toke vp the karkasse of the sayd Formosus out of his graue, after it had lyen thus long, & setting it in y^• Popes chaire, did drawe him from thence agayne, and as if he had bene a liue strake of his head. And where as since his laste mangling, he had but three fingers remaining on his right hād, Sergius chopped of those also. After all this, he caused his body and all these peeces therof to be hurled into the riuer Tiber, as if he had not bene worthy to lye amōg Christiās. And yet not satisfied with this reuenge, hee defaced, condemned, and disanulled al his actes, so that it was then nedefull, to admitte them a newe to their orders, whome he being aliue, thought mete to make priestes. He compelled the Romaines to subscribe to this, for feare of the Frenche king. This Sergius among other newe ceremonies appointed that the people should beare candels on the daye of the purification of the Uirgin Mary, whereupon it is yet called Candelmasse daye, to geue their bodies vnnecessary light at noone daye, because their soules wanted their necessary light at all times. This lasciuious Pope begat a bastarde, which was afterwarde Pope Iohn the twelfth, whome he had by the moste shamelesse harlotte Marozia: So Luthprandus testifieth in the thirde booke, and xii. chapter, De gestis Imperat. This and other like prankes, among harlottes and bawdes he practised, euen in his Popeship: At the time of whose death Anno. 913. there were sene in the element great flakes of fier running to and fro.

58 Anastasius the third.

123ANastasius the thirde, after Sergius (all their vnclenlye ceremonies being obserued) was elected Pope. But some write of him that he did neither good nor euill in his time, and therefore is he more commendable. They wryte that in his time the bodye of Pope Formosus was founde by certaine fyshers in the ryuer Tiber, and so taken vp, and with great worship buried in S Peters pallaice, and as some are not a shamed to fayne, the Images of the church did salute it, whyle it was burying: A notorius vntruthe, and grosse blasphemie against God, although in the tyme of suche blindnesse, God might suffer Sathan to moue and sturre the Idols, before these idolatours, as in times past the diuel… hath doone when he spake and gaue oracles and prophecies out of Idols: Anastasius died Anno. 915.

59 Laudo the first.

124LAudo the firste being a fruytfull Prelate in begetting children, as Petrus Premonstratensis sayth, hee begat Pope Iohn the xi. in detestable adultrye. This Popes life sayth Platina was so obscure that some do not recken him among the Popes, especially Vincentius. This Laudo as p. 63it appeareth, spent the more parte of his chast life (as chastitie went then) among harlottes, till at the length he was destroyed among them: For one Theodora, the Lady that gouerned Rome, a shamelesse curtezane, could not longer forbeare the company of her louer, Iohn Archbishop of Rauenna, who was apparent sonne to this Pope Laudo. Rauenna (sayth Luthprandus) was two hundred myles from Rome, whereby Theodora could not so often enioye the byshop her louer, and therefore she caused him to giuegive ouer Rauenna, and to vsurpe the Popes place in despite of the auncientes of Rome. Here sayth Funcius, a man might demaūde which of al these Popes did erre from the truth, seing they were all called holy fathers, and heads of the vniuersall churche. Let the Popes partakers aunswere if they can.

60 Iohn the eleuenth.

IOhn the eleuenth borne at Rauenna, the bastard and adulterous 125sonne of his forefather Laudo, as saythe Praemontratensis, he obtained the Popedome by right of inheritaunce, though whoredome were his ayde. For thus wryteth Luthprandus in his seconde booke, and thirtene chapter of Emperours. Theodora an impudent harlot and the Lady of Rome burning in fleshly lust, was so enflamed with the comlye countenaunce of this Iohn comming to Rome, that she did not only request him, but compelle him to satisfie her carnall desire. For the whiche afterwarde she made him byshop, firste of Bononia, secondly Archebishop of Rauenna, and thirdly to obtaine her filthy pleasure more conueniently, she made him Pope of Rome. Thus at this tyme was the holy mother churche subiect to an harlot, & ruled only by her, and is made an whore, according to the xvii. chapter of the Apocalips. This Iohn hauing a warlike courage, played rather the warriour then the byshop: For when the Sarasins wasted Calabria, Apulia, and Italy, he putting him selfe in armour, stew a number of them in these countries, & draue them cleane out. As cōcerning the ende of this man, thus wryteth Luthprandus in his thirde booke and xii. chapter: In the meane time Guido Marques of Thuscia, began to conferre earnestly, and diuise with his wife Marozia (the doughter of the saide Theodora) howe he might depose this Iohn. Guido had many souldiours gathered together at Rome, the which apprehending Pope Iohn in Lateran pallayce, Anno. 928, cast him in prison, and holding a pillowe to his mouthe, did smother him to death very miserably: After his death they set vp Iohn the twelth, the bastard sonne of this Marozia, whome she had by Pope Sergius. Thus the young harlot Marozia, for the aduauncement of her misbegotten sonne, murthered the louer of the olde harlot her mother Theodora, by the helpe of her husbandes seruauntes. But because the people of Rome and the Clergie, had not agreed vponupon the election of this subordined Iohn the xii. the selfe same yeare of his election, he was deposed againe. And thus the same Iohn of whome (being set vp by force, & by and by thrust downe againe) Carsulan, Platina, Stella and others do make mencion, because they knew not the true story of him, whiche Luthprandus wrote, the ignoraunce whereof bredde muche cōfusion, for some toke these twoo Iohns to be both one, and some the one for the other.

61. Leo the sixt.

126LEo the sixt, after that Iohn the xii. bastarde of Marozia the harlot and Sergius the Pope was deposed, obtained to be Pope by the election of the Romaine people and clergye being in great tumult. This Pope did nothinge commendable, but the establishing of peace in Italye: after he had raigned vii. monethes he was poysoned by Marozia, p. 64wherby she might establishe her sonne againe Anno 930.

62. Steuen the seuenth.

STeuen the seuenth did as Leo had done, he medled with 127nothing: for after he had liued Pope ii. yeares in peace, securitye, and liberty of the fleshe at his owne ease, hauing the blinde worlde readye to bende at his becke, he toke his death in a cup, wherewith (as they saye) he was poysoned. For sayth Crantzius it is a straunge thinge that so manye Popes at this time dyed so soone in their dignityes, which is a great presumption y^t they were poysoned, as the moste part of them were knowen to be.

63. Iohn the xii.

IOhn the xii. the bastard impe of Pope Sergius y^e third, 128and of the famous concubine Marozia, was now againe made Pope after much sedition. At this time a fountaine in Genua flowed with bloud very plentifully, prognosticatinge the wrath of God that immediatlye followed, for the Aphricans, Sarracens and Hungarians, wasted and spoiled all, and slue a houge nomber of people. There are some wryters (as is said before) that make ii. Iohns of this one, the one going before Leo and Steuen, who they said neuer enioyed the Popes Albe or Rochet, & the other this which nowe was set vp after Steuen, of whom (they saye) the historyes write nothing. Againe there are other some, that make this beinge borne in Rome & the other borne at Rauenna all one: amonge whom Platina sayth, that either of them was sonne to Pope Sergius, but Anselmus deceiued by Platina sayth the one was brother to the other: but other writers do make him a seuerall parson from the other two, saying he was not knowne of the Cronographers, because he did nothing worthie of memorye. But Luthprandus in his thirde booke and xii. Chapter wryteth thus of the mother of Iohn. Marozia a shameles concubine and mother to Pope Iohn, after the death of her husbād Gui, doth send messengers to his brother Hugh king of Italy a Burgundian borne, to desire him to come to her, and to receiue of her the noble cittye of Rome: vvhichwhich (she sayd vvithal) she could not do, vnlesse he would take her to be his vvife. For whiche her incestious desire Luthprandus wrote thus against her in Uerse.

VVhye broyling thus vvvith Venus brand Marozia doest thou raue?

Thunlavvfull louelove and vvilt thou of thy husbandes brother hauehave?

Dare bucksom dame Herodia tvvo naturall brethren vved,

Lo Ladye blinde, Iohn Baptists lavve is quite out of thy hed.

VVho did forbid that brother vvith his brothers vvyfe should me…l,

And Moses Lavve doth not allovve thy doing to be vvell.

VVho did commaunde the brother rayse vntounto his brother seede,

If that the former by his vvyfe had issue none in deede.

But that thy husbande children hath by the can be declarde,

Tis so (saye you): but dronken louelove doth nothinge it regarde.

Kinge Hughe euen as an Oxe to death, for thy desire is brought,

Vvhose mind not for to gaine thy louelove but rather Rome hath sought,

VVhat boteth it thou cursed dame this noble man to spoile,

For se…king thus by sinne to gaine a Queenely place a vvhile,

Iehouah iudge doth make thee leese both Rome and all the toile.

Uppon the said message the king leauing his armye aloofe, came to Rome who being honourably receiued passed forth vntounto the stronge hould S. Angels castell, and so into the bedde chamber of Marozia. After he was established in vncesteous mariage with her, he began to cōtemne and despise the Romaines: at which time Marozia had a sonne named Albericus, brother to Pope Iohn, but begotten by Marques Albericus. While this Albericus at his mothers bidding gaue water to king Hugh washinge his handes, the king because he did it not handsomelye, gaue him a bl…w on the face: Herevppon Albericus to reuenge this iniurye, callinge the Romaines together spake thus vntounto them. The honour and dignity of Rome is brought p. 65to such doultishnes and follye, that it is nowe controlled euen by harlots: For what is more abhominable, what more shamefull, then that Rome should be brought to obeysaunce, throughe the incest of one woman? and that the Burgundians whilom slaues to the Romaines, shoulde now be lordes ouer them? If he beinge yet especiallye but a new come gest take vppon him to dashe me on the face, being his verye sonne in lavve, hovve thincke you vvil he deale vvith you in processe of time? Knovve ye not the pride of a Burgundian &c? This being sayde, without any delaye the Romaynes all defyed king Hughe, & chose the same Albericus to be their Prince. King Hughe being driuen into this terrible feare, was compelled to forsake Rome, and leauinge Marozia fled to his owne companye: Then Albericus and his mother Marozia did only enioye the Monarche of Rome, and his brother the Popedome, who spendinge fiue yeares in Popishe practises dyed Anno 937, while the harlotte his mother ruled as well the estate temporall as spirituall in Rome.

64. Leo the seuenth.

LEo the seuenth succedinge Iohn because hee desired to 129liue quietlye, medled wyth no matters, but as a slouthfull parson did nothinge worthye remembraunce. In his time sayth Luthprandus, the said kinge Hugh forsaking his wyfe Berta loued especiallye three concubines Bezola, Roze, & Stephana: and because they were such notorious harlots, hee gaue them the names of three Goddesses, callinge Bezola Venus, Roze Iuno, and Stephana Semele: by Bezola he had a sonne called Bozones, whom hee made bishop of Placentia, by Stephana he had Theobaldus made Archdeacon of Millain Churche, and by Rosa he had another greate prelate of the Churche, and a doughter beside. In those dayes many sawe bloude rayne oute of the Sunne, as Masseus wryteth, and after it followed a great pestilence amonge men. Leo dyed. An. 941.

65. Steuen the eight.

STeuen the eight a Germaine obtained y^• Popes chayre 130after this Leo, yet this seemeth straunge to many, how it should be doone, because no Emperour out of Germany procured it. But Steuen being notwithstandinge Pope, was so vexed with ciuill seditions among the Romaynes, that he coulde do nothinge worthy remembraunce: for hee was so shamefullye wounded, and foulye mangled and defaced amid the broyles, that for shame of his foule disfigurings, he durst neuer shewe his face abroade: So litle reuerence had y^e Popes at that time, for their litle holinesse. Steuen dyed Anno 944.

66. Martin the third.

131MArtin the thirde being Pope gaue himselfe onelye to repayre the Church, not in Religion, but in building: not in reforminge ceremonyes, but encreasinge the dignitye and pompe of the Church. He was very beneficial to the poore, & bestowed plentifully on their bellyes. He was diligent in reformation of outward manners. In the first yeare of this Pope a great blasing starre was seene in Italye, after which saith Vspergensis followed an extreame famine: and againe saith Masseus the Sunne appeared verye terrible, threatninge the sequeale of Gods vengeance. Martin dyed Anno 947.

67. Agapetus the second.

132AGapetus the seconde being Pope ruled Popelike in the time of one Berengarius a Marques of Italy, who was p. 66the last of that name, that had that dignitye after Hughe. This Berengarius is reported to hauehave dryuen many Monkes oute of their cloysters, whiche liued idellye, and gaue them selues to the pleasures of the worlde. The Pope perceiuing howe he could not rule Berengarius in these and such other spiritual matters, & that he would not restraine his soueraignitie, according to the wil of him and his: Hee sent for Otho the first king of the Germaines, to come into Italy, promising him the kingdome of the Romaines, to fight with Berengarius, and so saith Sabellicus, troubled the estate of that countrey. And except it were the settinge of these princes together by the eares, he did nothing worthy memory till his death, being Anno. 954.

In his time was a counsell holden at Ingelhaim, but suche was the negligence of the time, that no man can tell what was done there, or wherefore it was.

68 Iohn the thirtene.

IOhn the thirtene, being the sonne of the foresayde Albericus 133sonne to Marozia, obtained to be Pope partly by the bribery, partly by the threatning of his father Albericus, being Prince. He being Pope liued not like a bishop, but altogether like a ranke ruffianly roister, geuing him selfe wholly to all kinde of pleasure, as to whoredome, adultery, incest, masking & momming, hunting, maygames, playes, robberies, fyring of houses, periury, dyce, cardes, bla…ing, robbing of churches, and other villanies euen frō his youth: he misused his cardinalles in cropping their noses, thrusting out their eyes, chopping of their fingers and handes, cutting out their tongues, gelding them, and vsing diuers diuersly. For before the Emperour Otho, in an opē Sinode it was layde to his charge (as Luthprandus wryteth) in his sixt booke, that he neuer sayde Mattins, that in celebrating the masse he him selfe had not communicated, that he made Deacons in his stable among his horses, that he had committed incest with two harlots being his owne sisters: That hee played at dice, prayed to the diuell to sende him good lucke, that for money he admitted boyes to be bishops: He had rauished virgines, and straunge womē: He had made the holy pallaice of Lateran a stewes & brothell house: That he had defloured Stephana his fathers concubine, and one Rainera a wydowe, besyde one Anna an other wydowe and her niece: that he had put out the eyes of Benedict his ghostly father, vsed common hunts, that he woare armour, and set houses on fyre, brast open dores and wyndowes by night: that he tooke a cup of wyne & dranke to the diuell, and neuer blessed him selfe with the signe of the crosse: these and many more odious articles were layde to his charge: Whereupon the Emperour by the consent of the Prelates deposed him. And Leo the eight was set vp in his steade. But as sone as the Emperour was gone, those harlottes that had bene his companiōs, inueigled the nobles of Rome, promising thē the treasures of the church to depose Leo, and place Iohn againe: whiche they did out of hande, and so Leo whom the Emperour appointed, was deposed, and Iohn established againe. Who in his Popeship decreed that the Emperour should euer be crowned at Rome by the Pope: But as he was solacing him self with out Rome on a certaine night, with the wyfe of one that was a valiaunt man, he was taken by him euen in his adultery, and so sore and depely woūded with a dagger, that he died thereof within eight dayes, in the tenth yeare of his Popedome, as Mantuan witnesseth. Of this Pope Iohn S. Dunstane a Nicromancier and a coniuring Mōke archbishop of Caunterbury in Englande, receiued at Rome cō firmation and pall to be metropolitan, Anno. 960. This Dunstane did shamefully snaffle king Edgar: For the king had deflowred a certaine Noonne, for the which cause Dū stane did so taunte and rate him, that the king fell downe p. 67flatte before him, offering to submitte him selfe to any satisfaction, and obayed this that was commaunded him by Dunstane, first because he was yet vncrowned, he charged him that he should not take the crowne vponupon him for seuen yeares, and that during this time he should fast twyse in the weke, distribute his treasure to y^e nedy, builde a Noonnery at Shaftesbury, and last of al, that he should driue out all maried ministers, calling them adulterous priestes. Cronicon Saxonicū ecclesiae VVigorniensis. But as other stories testifie, they were shortly after restored againe, & the mōks who had encroched their places were depriued. Also he purchased of him for a great somme of money, a cōmission to disanulle and cōdemne the mariage of the Clergie, and to constrayne them to single life, or els to depriue them of ecclesiasticall benefites: So writeth Iohn Capgraue, and Polidor Virgil. in his sixt booke of the history of Englande. Hereupon he being emboldened by the auctoritie of king Edgar, ioyning to him selfe in the same commission, Oswalde bishop of Yorke, Ethelwalde bishop of Winchester, and Monkes of the like disposition, did violently thrust out of the cathedrall churches the Curates and Ministers, whiche would not forsake their wiues: and planted in them Monkes with their counterfaited chastitie, whiche they kept vntill the time of the moste renowmed Prince kyng Henry the eight. But many there were that stoutly stoode in defiance of this wicked doing, especially a certayne Scot did bitterly speake against it. Of this Pope Iohn came this prouerbe, As mery as Pope Iohn.

69 Benedict the fift.

BEnedict the fift, after the departure of Otho the Emperour 134with his armye, and depriuing of Leo, being but a Deacon, and Cardinall, was made Pope by Iohns frends in a tumultuous time. But Otho would not suffer Leo, (whome he had appointed) to take this iniurye, and therefore returning to Rome with his armie, hee plonged the Romaines diuers wayes, to make them yelde this Benedict into his handes, and to restore Leo. Therefore after they had kept the gates lockt twoo monethes, they yelded Benedict vntounto the Emperour, and receiued Leo, and established him solemly in the Popes chayre. But when as Otho should returne into Germany, he sent Benedict to Hambrough to his Chauncelour Adaldag the Archebyshop thereof, where he liued in exile, and for very thought and anguishe of minde died, and was buried in the Cathedrall churche, Anno. 964.

70 Leo the eight.

153LEo the eight citizen of Rome, and chiefe secretary of Lateran churche, was made Pope by Otho the Emperour, in steade of Iohn deposed for his vilany. Who being established in his Popedome (& Benedict) deposed because he perceiued the leudnes of the Romaynes, how that with threatninges, with bribes and euill meanes, they were still aduauncing their owne: He crowned Otho and made hym vniuersall Emperour. Afterward by decree of a Synode, he bestowed on Otho the whole and absolute aucthoritie, to electe the Pope, taking it from the people and Clergie of Rome, whiche (saith Gratian) Charles the great had geuen vntounto them. This he did to auoyde those seditiōs, which vsed to arise in the elections. Otho desirous to be thankefull for this curtesie, restored to the sea of Rome, all whiche they forge, that Constantine gaue them, or that Charles or Pipin toke from the Lombardes. And had bestowed on them: He restored sayth Barnes, those thinges whiche hee neither possessed nor was able to defende. But Leo after he had raigned a yeare and three monethes, died Anno. 966.

p. 6871 Iohn the. xiiij.

IOhn the xiiii. sonne of one Iohn a bishop (or as some saye of Pope Iohn the xii.) obtained the Popedome, as it wer 136by his fathers righte. This Pope was quietlye chosen, whiche was a rare thinge, and yet Peter the Liuetenaunt of Rome with the twoo consuls and twelue senatours, cō spired against him, because he fauoured the Emperoure, they apprehended him in Lateran churche, and kepte him prysoner in Angel castell the space of eleuen monethes. This being knowen, the Emperoure hasted to Rome with his armie, and dealt sharpely with the offendours, some he banished, some he made to forfaite their goods▪ some he hā ged on the gallowes. But the Pope hauing Peter the president, yelded to his will, deliuered him to the hangeman, who according to the Popes cōmaundement, stripped him out of his apparell, shaued his bearde, and hong him vp by the hayre of the head for the space of an whole daye. Afterwarde he commaunded that he should be set vppon an asse with his face to the tayle, and his handes tied vnderunder the Asse tayle, and to make him a laughing stock to all men, to leade him thus about the citie, and withall to scourge him with roddes, this being done to dryue him out, to be banished into Germany. This Pope Iohn allured y^e kingdome of Poleland to Popery, and sent thether Giles Cardinall of Thusculan to confirme the people therein, to deuide dioceses, to annoynte bishops, and consecrate them, and to accompte the Pope as supreme head of all churches. After this he died, Anno. 973. At this time they began to Christen belles, and to geue them proper names: For this Pope called the great bell of Lateran after his name.

72 Benedict the sixt.

137BEnedict the sixte succeded Iohn as well in misery as in place, for he was cast into Angell castel as prisoner (for certaine offences) by Cynthius a Romaine, a man of great power. And within a while after he was strangled to death with a roape in the same pryson: or as some saye, pyned to death. I cannot but maruell (saith Platina) that his death was not reuenged, neither by the Romaines, nor by Otho the Emperour, who so tendered the estate of the church of Rome: but I feare saith hee, that Benedict deserued as Cynthius rewarded him, seing no mā reuenged his death.

73 Donus the second.

138DOnus the seconde, succeding Benedict, learned by him to be more wyse, and therefore did nothing at al worthy to be written: Only this is mencioned, that when the Polonians desyred they might be made a kingdome, and hauehave a crowne graunted to them, he denied their sute. Crantzius sayth, he gouerned indifferently, deseruing neither great prayse, nor disprayse, for a yeare and sixe monethes, he died Anno. 975.

74 Boniface the seuenth.

139BOniface the seuenth was of so base birth, that neither the name of his stocke, nor of his countrey was knowen, he getting to be Pope by leud meanes loste it leudly again. For hauing obtained the seate, the magistrates conspired against him, whereby he was compelled to hide him selfe: But perceiuing he could not tary at Rome safely, hee filched and robbed Saint Peters Pallaice of the moste precious and richest treasure and iewels, and so by stelth fled to Constantinople: where after a whyle selling them all, he made a great somme of money, and returned to Rome, knowyng that mony could obtaine anything. But in his p. 62absence the Romaines made one Iohn the fifteth Pope in his steade: But he returning enriched the citezins with money, and allured to him eueryevery rascall, whereby he toke Iohn, and thrust out his eyes, put him in pryson, pined him to death, and so gat his place againe, wherein shortly after he died wretchedly of y^• falling sickenes: Whereuppon his body (hauing a roape tied about his beles) was haled through the streates, and despitefully stabde in with daggers, pikestaues, iauelinges, and suche like thinges: and at length commaunded by the Clergie to be buried in a common place.

75 Iohn the fiftene.

IOhn the fiftene a Lombarde, was made Pope by the citezins 140and the Clergie, while the former Boniface robbing the treasurie, fled to Constantinople secretly. This Iohn was a Deacon Cardinall, and of great auctoritie, & fauoured not Boniface, but (as Platina saith) he with certaine other honest citizens stoode against Boniface his doinges, whereupon (as is aboue mencioned) he was made Pope, the other being fled, and so cōtinued eight mon…ths, till the other returning, did put out his eies, imprysoned him and murthered him there, with the …āke stinke of the pryson, and famin, and griefe of mynde together. Yet some thinke that Ferrucius the father of Boniface slewe him, because he withstode his sonne to be Pope: so saith Anselmus.

76 Benedict the seuenth.

BEnedict the seuenth, after these was made Pope by the 141Layetie and Clergie. He by the Emperours ayde, dyd apprehende a great company of conspiratours in the citie, and for their haynous offence, he put them in pryson, and punished them cruelly▪ He helde a coūsell at Remes against Lothariꝰ king of Fraūce, wherin he restored Archebyshop Arnulphus, who was violently deposed, and he deposed & condemned of heresie one Gilbert a Monke, being a coniurer, whome the king for his money and sorcerie, had aduaunced to be Archbishop. This Gilbert notwithstanding, did yet afterwarde obtaine of the Emperoure Otho the thirde, whome he had taughte to coniure, that he might be Archebishop of Rauenna, and afterwarde he was promised by the Diuell, that he should at length be Pope of Rome. Whereupon saith Polidor Virgill in his sixt booke of his storie of Englande, Monkes and priestes at this tyme, declining from the trade of their elders in all places begā, euen as it were by their owne right to scratche together howge heapes of ryches, to compasse honour by ill artes, (coniuring and sorcery) and to exercise tyranny. Benedict after he had raigned nine yeares died, Anno. 894.

77 Iohn the sixtene.

142IOhn the sixtene, sonne of one Leo a Prieste, succeded by election of the people and Clergie. As sone as hee was Pope he began to beare deadly hatred against the Clergye, so that he was abhorred not onelye of them, but of all the people: and chiefelye because he neglecting the dignitye of the Romaine Sea, bestowed the riches & treasures ther of vppon his kinred, his harlots and bastards. Which fault (sayth Platina and Stella) hath continued among the clergye vntounto our time, for an ill president to the posterity: Then the which custome nothing is more perillous, when our clergye (sayth Platina) shall couet spiritual dignities, not for louelove of Religion, & to serue God, but to maintaine the prodigality, gluttonye & couetousnes of their kindred, and frendes, their concubines and bastards. Of the like complayneth Mantuan of his tyme.

Sanctus ager scurris venerabilis ara cynaedis,

Seruit honorandae diuum Ganymedibus edes.

p. 63At this tyme appeared a Comet, after which followed both famine & pestilence with terrible earthquakes, which shooke both Beneuent and Capua: which plagues moste men iudged, were sent for the pride, ambition, greedines & royat of the Popes, and for the contempt of God so greate at this time. This Iohn dyed in the viii. yere of his raigne▪ Anno. 985.

78. Iohn the 17.

IOhn the 17. was verye experte in feates of cheualrye, he 143was made Pope with the goodwill of the clergye & laitye. He was excellentlye well learned, & published diuers bookes. He beinge troubled with the sedition of one Crescentius the Consull, going about to make himselfe king of the Cittye, gaue place vntounto Crescentius conspiracye, and banished himselfe into Hetruria: but Crescentius knowing of Iohns displeasure, and that he went about to call the Emperour wyth his armye into Italye against him, hee sente those frendes and kinsefolke which Iohn had remayning in the Citye, to entreat him not to sende for the Emperour, but himselfe to returne to Rome wyth his autoritye, and he promised to be obedient to him in all thinges. Iohn being entreated by his frendes, and fearing that the Emperours comminge would do more hurt then good to him and his clergye, returned to Rome: Against whose comming Crescentius with all the rest of the cōspiratours came forth to meete him, who with y^e other people (a great multitude) wayted vppon him into the Citye, & in y^e porch of Lateran Church, Crescentius and his company falling downe before the Pope, kissed his feete and craued pardon. This Iohn dyed Anno 995.

79. Gregorie the fift.

144GRegorie the fift a Germaine borne, but a Saxons sonne was first called Bruno: He after wranglinge and iarringe was made Pope by the Emperours auctoritye, because he was his cosen. But after Otho the Emperour was departed, the Romaynes desyringe chaunge of state, did adua…nce Crescensius to be Consull againe, and committed the estate of Rome to his gouernment. This Crescentius and the people of the Cittye toke it greuously, that Gregorie beinge a Dutchman shoulde by the Emperours auctoritye be made Pope, and therefore they deposed Gregorie: after which the people and clergye of Rome established one Iohn y^e xviii. beinge before bishop of Placentia, an excellente learned man and very well stoared wyth money. Gregorie in fine went to the Emperour to complaine of his great iniurye, the Emperour taking it dispitefully, went into Italy with his armye, besieged Rome, assaulted it, and toke Crescensius the Consull and Iohn the newe Pope, and as for Iohn he had his eyes put out and so dyed: Crescensius was put on a vile beastes backe wyth his face to the taylewarde, hauinge his nose and his eares cut of, & to be seene of al men was caryed about the Cittye hauing his members quartered, he was honge vp about y^e walles of the Cittye. Then Gregorie (his ennemyes beinge punished) was restored, who perceyuing that the estate of kingdomes were fickle and wauering, through the ambition of Princes and couetousnes of the clergye, while there followed great warres hard vppō his restoring, he sommoning a coūsaile at Rome, made a decree for the election of the Emperour. Hee decreed that y^e election of the Emperour shoulde continue from henceforth amonge the Princes of Germanye, that is the Archbishop of Mens, of Treuers & Collen, the Palsgraue of Rhein, the duke of Saxonie, and the Marquesse of Brandeburge. To these also he added y^e king of Bohemia, to be an vmpier, if the voyces were euen: which decree Anno a thousande & ii. the Emperour Otho p. 71did allowe and confirme, but the kinges of Fraunce were highly offended that y^e Germaynes had this prerogatiue. Gregorie dyed Anno 998. y^e third yeare of his Popedome.

80. Iohn the xviij.

IOhn the xviii. a Grecian borne (of whom is spoken in y^e former Gregorie) obtayned the place by bryberye, sedition, 145and hurlye burlye. This mā was before bishop of Placentia, an olde man, learned & ryche, but proud, couetous, and desirous to be Pope, which wrought his horrible and mischeuous ende. For hee broughte so muche moneye to Rome wyth him from Constantinople, whereby he was able to drawe and tempt vntounto him aswel the wyse & wary, as the simple sort, to be of his faction: whereby he corrupted Crescentius the Consul, violently to abuse Pope Gregorie, & to driue him out being a Germaine, and so purchased the Popedome and the sequele thereof. But of those thinges that he and his traine set to sale in his Popeshippe Mantuan wryteth thus:

Pernices mercantur equos, venalia Romae

Templa, sacerdotes, altaria, sacra, coronae.

I maruaile (sayth Platina) that the Chronographers would reckē this Iohn amonge the Popes, seing he vsurped the place while Gregorie liued, vnlesse in wrytinge the Popes liues they thincke to do as they doo in a continuall historye: For the peeuishe deedes of tyrants are set among the great exploites of good Princes, that the readers may discerne the good from the euill, and so by the example of good men be moued to vertue, & by the example of the ill terrifyed frō vice, and so liue happilye vppon earth, which happines this Iohn wanted being a theefe & a robber euen in his Popedome. So much sayth Platina of him. At the lēgth this Iohn w^t his Crescētius perished, hauing his eyes digged out, and his bodye foulye māgled: Crescentius for his doing was set vppon a vile horse (as is saide before) hauing his nose cut of, and was so led through the Citye, his face being turned to the horse tayle, and afterward hauing his members cut of, he was hanged vppon a gibbet. Here will I alledge the wordes of Gualther out of his third homelye as touchinge Antichrist, and so ende this booke. Nowe (sayth hee) let anye noble harte iudge vvhether so manye good men hauehave vppon sufficient cause, complayned of the tirannye and vniust dealinge which the Popes hauehave vsed: seing that seate of Rome hath sustaind within so fevve yeares so manye leude persons, tyrantes, theues, filchers, robbers, rebels, adulterers, and open purloyners of Church goodes. And who in Gods name vvill reuerence that as holye, which receiueth so many plagues, but as yet the nomber of the wicked ones is not fulfilled as shal follow immediatlye &c.

The ende of the fourth Booke.