Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 3
THE THIRD BOOKE Containing the next 300. yeares, from the raigne of King EGBERTVS, vntounto WILLIAM the Conquerour.
EGbertus, King of the West Saxons, hauing put downe all the other Kings he gouerned …oly.
King Brithricus doubting Egbert, because he was of the kings bloude, was chased out of the land into France; where, hearing of the death of Brithricus, hée came home, and …btained the Crowne.
King Bernulphus, and other kings, had him in deri…on, and made diuerse scorning Rimes of him; after he assembled his Knights, and fought with Bernulphus, in a place called Elmeden, and there was ods, six or eight against one; yet Egbert, through the helpe of God, gat the victorie,826. at length he subdued all the Kings, and ioyned their Dominions to his, Kingdome: he w…nne also the towne of Chester from the Brittaines, or Welchmen, which they possessed vntill this time: then he called a Counsell at▪ Winchester, where he was Crowned King ouer this land, and where before it was called Brittaine, he sent into all costs, and charged them straitly that henceforth the Saxons should be called Angles, and the land Anglia.
About the third yeare of his raigne,833. the Danes which a little before had made horrible destruction in Northumberland, as before, entred the second time, with a great Host, and spoyled the Isle of Sh…p… in Kent; Egbert met with them at Carrum, but he was compelled to forsake the Field: but in the next Battell, with a small company, he ouerthr…w a great multitude o… them. The next yeare they turned againe into the Land Westward and ioyning with the Britaines, did much harme in many places of Egberts Dominions; after that, they a…aded in the Land, so that many of them were maried to English women, and many, that now be English men, descended of them.
Ethelwolfus the sonne of Egbert succéeded him in his raigne; he was Bishop of Winchester, and by the dispensation of the Pope, was made King: he being nuzled therein, was alwaies deuout to holy Church,837. he gaue th…m the Tythes of all his goods and Lands, and fréedome from all ser…age and ciuill charges. Hee made his Donation to God, the Uirgin Mary, and all the Saints, for remission of our Soules, and sins, and in that we hauehave, in some part, eased the seruitud of the Church, they may the more diligently powre forth their praiers without …easing, to God for vsus. It is no swall derogation to the merits of Christ thus to set remission of their sins, and remedie of their Soules, in this Donation, and such like déeds.
The… King Ethelwolfe went to Rome with his yongest Sonne Alfred, and committed him to the bringing vp of Pope Leo the 4. and re-edified the English Schoole in Rome, which was founded by King Offa, or king Iue, which in Egberts time was consumed with fire; and, as king Iue had done in his dominions, he gaue a penny yearely to be paid for eueryevery fire-house throughout the Realme, to the Pope. Also he granted 300. Markes yearely to Rome, to maintaine lights in Saint Perters Church 100 Markes, and to maintaine lights in Saint Pauls Church 100. Markes, and to the Pope one other 100 Markes: this done, he maried Iudith, the daughter of Carolus Caluus, the French King, whom he made Queene, contrary to the Lawes of the West Saxons, that no Kings wife should hauehave the name, or place of a Queene, because Ethelburge poisoned king Brithericus, her husband.
The king was most ruled by the Counsell of two Bishops, one of them was Swithinus Bishop of Winchester, who had béene Scoole-master to the king, the king shewed his kinde Nature, in that he not o…y followed the aduertisments of his old Schoole-master but in that he ceased not vntill he had made him Bishop of Winchester; but as concerning the Miracles which are read in the Church of Winchester, of this Swithinus, them I leaue to be read together with the Iliads of Homer, or tales of Robin Hood.
Pope Leo the 3 succéeded Adrian, Stephen the 4. succéeded him, and Gregory the 4. succéeded him, in whose time, by the commandement of Lodouicus the Emperour, a generall Synode was commanded at Aquisgrane, where it was decreed that eueryevery Church should hauehave sufficient of his owne Reuenewes to maintaine the Priests thereof, and that none of the Clergie should weare any Uestures of any precious or scarlet colour, nor Kings on their fingers, except at Masse time, or in giuing Consecra…ions, and that they should not kéepe great ports or Families, or vse great Horses, or vse Dice, or Harlots, or vse any gold or siluer in their shooes slippers, or girdles; by this it may bee coniectured what pompe or pride in these daies was crept into the Clergie.
After him succeeded Pope Sergius the 2. he first brought vp the altering of Popes names, because his name was Os Porci, that is, Swines snoute: he ordained the Agnus twise to be sung in the Masse, and the Host to be diuided into thrée parts.
Pope Leo the 4. succéeded him, it was enacted in a Counsell of his, that no Bishoppe should be condemned vnderunder 72. witnesses, as you sée in the witnesses of Stephen Gardiner, orderly practized; he ordained the Crosse, all set with precious stones, and gold, to be caried before him like a Pope.
Next to him succéeded the Whore of Babilon, who appeared vntounto the world, not only after the spirituall sence, but after the very letter and right forme of a whore indeed. In stead of a man Pope, they chose a Whore, called by name Ione the 8 her proper name was Gi…berta, a Dutch woman of Magunce, who went with an English Monke out of the Abbey of Ful…a, in mans apparell, vntounto Athens, after through her dexteritie of wit and learning, she was promoted vntounto the Popedome▪ where she sate two yeares and sixe Moneths; after, in open Procession, fell in trauell of childe, and so died.
Pope Benedictus the 3. succeeded her in the whorish sea, he ordained the Dirge to be said for the dead, yet before him▪ Gregorius the 3. had done his part therein.
A…ter him succeeded Pope Nicholas the 1. who inlarged the Popes Decrees with many constitutions▪ equalling the authoritie of them with the writings of the Apostles. He ordained that no seculer Prince▪ nor the Emperour should be present at their Counsels, to the end they might murder such as they Iudged to be Hereticks, and that no Lay man shold Iudge Clergy men▪ or reason vponupon the Popes power. That no Magistrate should hauehave power ouer a Prelat, alledging that a Prelat is called God. That all Church seruice should be in Latine, except with the Sclauonians, and Polonians. Sequences in Masse were by him first allowed, by him Priests began to be …strained from Mariage; wherof Hulderick Bishop of Aus…rough sent a Letter to the Pope, that his Decrees, concerning single life of the Clergie, were farre discrepant from al discretion, I feare how the Members of the Body wil do, when the Head is so greatly out of frame. Is not this a violence & tyranny, when a man is compelled by your Decrees, to doe that which is against the Institution of the Gospell, and the old Law, as appeareth by many examples; there be many vnderunder a false pretence of Continencie, going about to please men more then God, some lye with their fathers wiues, some are Sodomits, and play the beasts with brute beasts; wherefore, as Saint Paul saith; Because of Fornication let eueryevery one hauehave his owne wife. When the Counsell of Nice went about to establish this Decrée, one Paphnutius withstood them, confessing Mariage to be honorable, and called the bed of Matrimonie, Chastitie, and perswaded the Counsell from making that Law: some take Saint Gregory for their defence in this matter, being ignorantly deceiued how dangerous this Decree was, and how Saint Gregory after re…ked the same, with con…igne fruit of repentance: for as he sent to his Fish pond to hauehave Fish, hée sée more then 6000. Infants heads, which were taken out of the same Mote, then he confessed his Decrée to be the cause of that so lamentable a murder, so he altered his Decrée, commending the counsell of the Apostle, which saith; It is better to marry then to burne, What can be more foolish, then when any Bishop, or Archdeacon runne themselues headlong into all lust and Adultery, and Incest, and So…omitrie, yet shame not to say, that chaste Mariage of Priests stinkes: and they adde this filthy and foolish suggestion, that it is more honest priuily to hauehave to doe with many women, then openly to be bound to one wife.
After this Nicholas succéeded Pope Adrianus the 2. Ioannes the 9. Martinus the 20 Adrian the 3. and Stephen the 1. By this Adrian it was decreed, that no Emperour, after that time, should hauehave any thing …o doe in the election of the Pope, and thus began the Emperours first decay, and the P…pacie to swell▪ and rise alo…t.
About the latter end of the raigne of Ethelwolfe, the Danes with 33. ships, arriued about Hampshire, through whose barbarous tyranny much bl…ut shed and murder hapne… heere amongst English men. They first ouercame Ethelwolfe; and after, he and his Sonne Ethelbaldus, warring against them in Sou…her…, at Okley, …raue them to the Sea; where they houering a space, burst in againe with horrible crueltie.
Besids the iust Iudgement of God for their manifold sinnes, which at this time most plentifully abounded, there was two outward causes of the Danes comming into England; the first was, the death of Lothbroke▪ which was falsly imputed to King Edmond▪ as is …ore recited.
The other was giuen by the meanes of Osbright, raigning vnderunder the King of West Saxons in the North parts, who rauished the wife of Bruer one of his Nobles; wherefore the said Bruer tooke shipping, and sayled into Denmark…, where hee was brought vp, and had great friends; and making his mone to Codrinus the King, who being glad of some iust quarrell, leuied a great Army, and sent them with …ugnar and H…bba, his chiefe Captaines, into England, who first arriued at Holdernesse, and burned vp the Contry, and killed, without merciemercy, men, women and children: and entring towards Yorke, entred battell with Osbright, where he, with the most part of his Army, was slaine, so they tooke possession of Yorke.
Ethelbald, 857.eldest sonne of Ethelwolfe succeeded his Father in Westsex, and Ethelbright …is second sonne, in K…nt; they raigned both together 5. yeares. Ethelbald maried Iudith his Stepmother, his Fathers wife. After these two, succeeded Ethelred, his third sonne, he was so incumbred with the Danes, that he and his brother Alured, fought nine battels with them in one yeare, and they spoyled and burned the citie of Yorke. The Northumberlands likewise rebelled, thinking to recouer their Kingdome againe, whereby the strength of England was weakened, and the Danes the more preuailed, after he had raigned 5. yeares in much trouble, he died.
Alured, 872.otherwise called Alfride, his brother succeeded him; in the second Mon…t… that he was made King, he gaue the Danes a battell besides Wilton, but he was put to the worst; yet the Danes did agree with him to depart out of Westsax, and re… ned from Re…ding to London, and abode there all that winter: the number of the Danes were so increased, as it is written of th…m, that in one day 3000. of them were slaine, sho…ty after they increased double as many.
The Danes hauing the Rule of the North part of England from the Thames▪ wi…h M…rcian London, and Essex,879. they disda…ed that Alfride should beare any rule on the other side of the Thames; whereupon three Kings of the Danes▪ with all their strength, made warre with him, that King Alfride being ouerset with his e…emi…s, and forsaken of his people, he withdrew himselfe into a wood Country in Summersetshire, called Etheling, standing in a Marsh, that there is no comming to it without bo…e, where he had nothing to liue by, but what he got by hunting, and fishing; there was a Cottage of a poore Swineheard, called Dunwolfus, by whom the King was cheered with such poore fare as he and his wife could make him, for which, the king after set the Swineheard to learning, and made him Bishop of Winchester.
Notwithstanding, the king, in time, was comforted by the prouidence of God: First, 1300. Danes were slaine, as they landed, by an ambushment of King Alfrids men, who lay in Garison for their owne safetie, then the King shewed himselfe more at large, and men out of Wiltshire, Somersetshire, and Hampshire came to him, vntill hee had a strong company
Then the king apparelled himselfe in the habit of a Minstrell, as he was very skilfull in Musicke, and entred into the Tents of the Danes, lying at Eddingdon, and there espied their Idlenesse, and heard much of their Counsell, and sodainly, in the nigh, he fell vponupon the Danes, and slew a great multitude of them; his Subiects bearing of his manly Uictories, drew to him daily, so he wonne Winchester from the Danes, and diuers other townes, and forced them to sêeke peace, the which was concluded, vponupon condition that Gutrum their King should be Christned, and that such as would not be Christned should depart the Country.
King Alfride, was king Gutrums Godfather at his Baptisme, and named him Athelstan, then he gaue Norfolke▪ Suffolke▪ and part of Cambridgeshire, and Northumberland to them that were Christned, those that would not be Christned, though they departed the Realme, they did diuerse times returne againe, and did much spoile in many parts of the Realme, but King Alfride ouercame them euer. During the whole time of the Danes, the Land was plagued with warres, pestilence, and murren of beasts: the King alwaies thanked God, what troubles soeuer hapned vntounto him, and after hee had raigned 29. yeares and sixe moneths, he died, and is buried at Winchester. He euer bestowed eight houres in the day in studie,899. there was none in England more quicke in vnderstanding, nor more elegant in interpreting then he was. He sent for many learned men out of other Countries, to instruct his people. He was the first that ordained certaine Schooles of diuerse Arts, at Oxford, and Franchised them with great Liberties: he translated many bookes into the Saxon tongue; all that he could, by faire meanes and threats, he endeuoured to stirre vp his subiects to learning: he preferred none to any great place, except he were learned; since his time, learning was neuer extinguished in this Realme, Edward his sonne succeeded him in his kingdoms.
After Stephen the fist was nine Popes of Rome in nine yeare. Formosus being Bishop of Porti…ax, had offended Pope …one the 8. which was a woman, as before, and being afraid, fled; and because he would not returne, he was excommunicated, and after disgraded, and made to sweare he would neuer claime his Bishopricke againe, but remaine a seculer man: but Pope Martine released him of his Oath, and restored him to his Bishopricke, and shortly after he obtained the Pap…ci…; whereupon was a great controuersie: some held, because of his degradation and Oath, he could not be Pope; others held the contrary, because he was absolued by Pope Martin from that his periury and Degradation. He sent to Arnulphus for ayde, who marching to Rome, they would not suffer him to enter; and a Hare comming néere the Citie, the Host of Arnulphus followed after with such a maine cry, that the valiant Romaines, for very feare cast themselues downe from the wals; so that Arnulphus, with a little labour, scaled the wals, and gate the Citie: thus he obtained the citie of Rome, and rescued the Pope, and beheaded his aduersaries, whom the Pope to gratifie, blessed him, and crowned him for Emperour.
After Formosus succéeded Bonifacius the sixt, after him Stephen the sixt, which so enuied Formosus that he abrogated all his Decrées, and tooke vp his body, and cut off two fingers from his right hand, and threwe them into Tyber, and buried the body in a Laymans Sepulcre. Romanus succéeded him, and repealed the Acts of Stephen, against Formosus. Theodorus the second succéeded him; Iohn the tenth succéeded him, who repugned the Romaines, and held a Sinode at Rauenna of 74. Bishops: the French King Eudo, with his Archbishops, being present, where he ratified all the Decrées of Formosus, and the contrary Acts of Stephen the sixt were burned. After him Benedictus the 4. after him Leo the 5. who was with strong hand taken and cast into prison, by one Christopher, his owne Houshold Chaplin, which Christopher being Pope 7. moneths, was likewise hoysted from his Papall throne by one Sergius, he thrust him into a Monastery, and shore him a Munke; thus in nine yeares were nine Popes.
This Sergius was rude, vnlearned, proud, and cruell; he before was put backe from the Popedome by Formosus, wherefore he caused the body of Formosus to be taken vp againe, disgraded him, beheaded him, and cut off the other thrée fingers which were left, and threw his bodie into Iyber; and deposed all such as by Formosus had beene consecrated. By this Pope Sergius came vp the vse to beare about Candles on Candlemasse day, for the purifying of the blessed Uirgin, as though the sacred conception of the Son of God were vnpure, and to be purified by Candlelight.
Pope Anastatius succeeded him, after him Pope Laudo succéeded, which was father of Pope Iohn the 11. Pope Iohn is said to be the Paramour of Theodora, a famous Harlot of Rome, by whom he had a daughter called Marozia, and the aforesaid Pop… Sergius had a sonne by her, which after was Pope Iohn the 12. After, she maried Guido Marquis of Tuscia, by the meanes of whom, and his friends at Rome, she caused Iohn the 11. to be smothered with a pillow, and Iohn the 12. her sonne to be made Pope; but the Clergy and people did not agrée to his election, therefor… Pope Leo the 6. was set vp in his place: after him Pope Stephen succéeded, who being poysoned, the said Iohn the 12. was set vp againe in the Papacie, where he raigned about 5. years. This strumpet Marozia, maried two brothers one after another, she gouerned all Rome, and the Church at that time. After him succeeded Stephen the 7. After him Leo the 7. After him Stephen the 8. After him, Pope Martine the 3. After him, Pope Agapetus the 2. about whose time began first the Order of Monks called Ordo Cluniensis.
After king Alfride, as before, his sonne Edward succéeded, surnamed, the Elder; there were thrée Edwards before the Conquest: the first Edward, the Elder; the second Edward the Martyre; the third, Edward the Confessor. This Edward began his raigne in the yeare 901.901. The Princedome of Wales, and the Kingdome of Scotland, with Constantine king thereof, w…re subdued vntounto him, also he recouered Northfolke, Suffolke, Essex, and Northumberland from the Danes. In all hi… warres he had the victorie, his men were so inured with continuall practises of Feates of Warre, that when they heard of any enemies comming, they would neuer tarry for the King, or any of his Dukes, but incountred with them, the assaults of enemies were to the Souldiers but a trifle, and vntounto the King a ridicle.
Then the King builded Chester, twise as big as it was, and builded a Castle at Herford in the edge of Wales, and another Castle at the mouth of the water of Auon, and another Castle at Buckingham; and another vponupon the riuer of Ouse. He re-edified the townes of Tocester, and Wigmore, vponupon the riuer of Trent. He builded a newe towne ouer against Nottingham, and made a Bridge ouer the Riuer betwixt the two townes, By the Riuer of Merce he builded a new Citie called Thilwall, and repaired the City of Manchester, and diuerse others. His Daughter Edgitha was …aried vntounto Otho, …25.the first Emperour of the Almaines, when hée had raigned 24. yeares hee dyed.
Adelstan his Sonne raigned after him, and was Crowned at Kingstone; hée was nothing inferiour to his Father in renowne of Ciuile Gouernment, and in prosperous successe in reducing this Realme into subiection of a Monarchie. He expelled the Danes, subdued the Scots, and quieted the Welchmen.
One Elfredus, with seditious persons, conspired against the said King at Winchester, presently after the death of his Father, went about to put his eyes; but, by the helpe of God, he escaped. Elfred, being accused thereof, fled to Rome to purge himselfe by his Oath, before the Pope, and swearing, or rather forswearing himselfe in Saint Peters Church, suddenly, vponupon his Oath, fell downe, and within thrée dayes died. The Pope sent to the King to know whether he would hauehave him buried in Christian buriall; at length, by perswasion of his kinred, he was buried in Christian buriall.
Ater the death of Sythericus King of Northumberland, King Adelstone seazed that Prouince into his hands, and put out his sonne Alanus, who fled into Scotland, maried the daughter of Constantine King of Scots, by whose stirring, gathered a company of Danes, Scots, and others, and entred the North of Humber with a strong Nauie of 615. shippes. King Adelstone and his people ioyned in fight with them at a place called Binford; where fighting with them from morning till night, after a terrible slaughter on both sides, the like hath not béene seene in England, King Adelstone had the victorie; fiue vnderunder kings were slaine in that battell, with Constantine King of Scots, and twelue Dukes, with the most part of the strangers that were there.
Then King Adelstone subdued the Brittaines, and forced them to grant to him yearely tribute 20. lib. of gold, 300 lib. of …iluer, 2500. heads of neate, with a certaine number of hawkes and dogs.
King Adelstone caused his guiltlesse brother Edwine, through sinister suggestion of his Cup-bearer, to be set in an old rotten bote in the broad sea, onelyonly with one Esquire with him, without any tackling; where the tender Prince dismai…e with the …age o… Windes and Flouds, weary of his life, cast himselfe into the Sea; the Esquire shif…ed for himselfe, and recouered the body of his maister, and brought it to Sandich, were it was buried. The reason the King the more doubled of his brother, was because he was by his mother of a base bloud, and begotten before wedlocke: for King Edward, his Father, comming into his Nurses house, was rauished with the beautie of one Edwina a beautifull maide, begat that night of her King Adelstone, and afterward married her: after the King was stricken with great repentance for the death of his brother, by the space of seauen yeares, at length the Cup-bearer, his accuser, bearing the Cuppe vntounto the King, stumbled with one foote, and recouering himselfe with the other, saying; Thus one brother helpeth another. These words so moued the king, that forthwith he commaunded the false accuser of his brother to bee had out to execution; and he builded two Monasteries of Middleton and Michlenes, for his brothers Soule. Whereby it appeareth what was the speciall cause of building of Monasteries, to wit, for releasing of sinnes for them departed, and them aliue, which is contrarie to the grace and veritie of Christs Gospell.
He deuised diuers good and wholsome lawes, as well of the state Ecclesiasticall as Seculer, which thou maist see in the booke at large, whereby it is to bee vnderstoode that the vsurped power of the Bishop of Rome did not then extend or derogate from the authoritie of Christian Princes, but that eueryevery one in …is owne Dominion had the doing of all causes▪ whether they were spirituall or temporall, he raigned 16. yeares, and because he had no Issue, his brother Edmond succéeded him.
This Edmond expelled the Danes,940. Scots, Normanes, and all forraine enemies out of the Land, and recouered such Cities as were in their hands from them; then the King set his minde to building of Monasteries, and furnishing of Churches with possessions: in his time Monks were dispersed out of the Monastery of Esham, and Canons substituted in their place. At the first, Religious houses were replenished with Priests and Canons, which were Clergie men; after, Monkes succéeded, they professed Chastitie, that is, to … vnmaried, for so they defined Chastitie in those blinde daies: the Priests and Canons liued more frée from Monkish rules and obseruations, were common…y marie…, and in their life came néerer to seculer Christians, so there was great enmitie betweene them, one …uer sought to expell the other.
Thus Monkes first beganne, about the time of this King Edmond, when straitnes of life, with superstition, was had in veneration; which men, either to hauehave publike fame with men, or merit of God, gaue themselues to leade a strict life. There was a Monastery in Fraunce called Floriake, of the rule of Benedict, from whence came our English Monkes, for after they were professed there, returning into England, they daily congregated men to their profession, and for their outward holinesse and straite life we…e in great admiration, not onelyonly with the rude sort, but with Kings and Princes, who founded them Houses, maintained their rules, and inlarged them with possessions.
After King Edmund had raigned 6.946 yeares and a halfe, he was slaine, and buried at Glastenbury, leauing bebing him two children, Edwine, and Edgar, but because they were vnderunder age, Edred, brother to King Edmund, gouerned, as Protector, nine yeares with great moderation and fidelity to the young children.
Edwine, 955.eldest sonne of King Edmond was crowned at Kingstone; the day of his Coronation he forsooke his Nobles, and went into a Chamber to a woman whom he inordinately had retained. Dunstone, Abot of G…astenbury, followed the King into the Chamber, and brought him out by the hand, and accused him to Odo Archbishop, causing him to be separated from her company: for which …act Odo suspended the king out of the Church. The king being displeased, banished Dunstone, who went into Flanders, where hée was in the Monastery of A…andus: about that time the order of Benedict Monkes, or blacke Monkes, beganne to multiply in England, so that Priests and Canons were put out in many places and Monkes put in their …, but King Edwine, for the displeasure he bare to Dunstone, so vexed all the Order of the said Monkes, that in Malmesbury, Glastenbury, and other places, he thrust out the Monks and set seculer Priests in their steed.
Edwine being hated of his Subiects for his misdemeaners was remoued from his kingly honour, and his brother Edgar receiued in his stéede: yet one raigned ouer all on the one side of the Th…mes, and the other on the other side of the Thames: but Edwine after hee had raigned 4. yeares dyed, leauing no Heire, wherefore all fell to Edgar.
Edgar at the age of 16▪ yeares began to raigne,959. but was not crowned vntill 14. yeares after. He sent for Dunstone home againe, whom Edwin had exiled, he was made Bishop of Woster, and after of London; and not long after of Canterbury. By his intre…tie to the King, Oswoldus was made Bishop of Woster; and by his meanes also Ethelwaldus, Abbot of Abendon, was made Bishoppe of Winchester. By the meanes of these thrée Bishoppes the multitnde of Monkes began first to swarme in this Realme of England. By the meanes of them King Edgar, builded 40. Monasteries, and by the instigation of them King Edgar, in diuerse great houses, and Cathedrall Churches, where Prebends and Priests were before, displaced them, and set in Monkes, and many seculer Priests, being put to their choyce whether they would change their habit or leaue their roomes, departed out of their houses. After, Oswaldus was made Archbishop of Yorke, and then they had their minde; and when he by no perswasion could make the Priests and Canons of the Cathedrall Church of Yorke become Monkes, within the Churchyard he erected another Church of our Lady, replenishing it with Monkes, and there he kept his seat, and was euer conuersant, whereby the other Church was desolate, and all the people gathered where the Bishop was, so they were faine, for shame and contempt, either to relinquish the house, or become Monkes: so did Ethelwolfe driue out the Canons and Priests, out of the Monasterie of Hide in Winchester, and placed his Monkes so in Oxford and Mildune, and diuerse places more seculer Priests and their wiues were expelled …o giuegive place to Monkes.
The Monkes of the primitiue time did differ from the Monkes of the middle time, and from our Monkes of the latter age. The name and order of Monkes began 300. yeares after Christ; Basilius Magnus was one of the first institutors and commenders of that Superstition. Cassianus maketh mention of a certaine Monastery in Thebaid▪ wherein were 5000. Monkes, vnderunder the gouernment of one Abbot; and héere also in England, mention is made before of Bangor, wherein were 2200. Monkes, vnderunder one mans ruling, in the yeare 596. but these were such as either by tyranny of persecution were driuen into desart places, or else, of their owne de…tion, ioyned with Superstition, for the louelove they had to Spirituall contemplation, and hatred of the wicked world withdrew themselues from all company, hauing all things common; these were Lay-men leading a stricter kinde of life then others, as Saint Augustine, Lerome, and others testifie, one thing pertaineth to the Monkes, and another thing to the Clergie; the Clergie fed the flocke, and the monkes are fed. It appeareth also by the forth Canon of the Councell of Calcedon, that Monkes should not meddle with matters of the Church. And Leo in his 62. Epistle, doth forbid Monkes and laymen to bée admitted to preach. They differed from the Monkes of the middle age in thrée points; First, they were bound to no strict apparell, or dyet, or any thing else. Secondly, they were but Lay-men, onelyonly being of a stricter life then the rest, and had nothing to doe in Ecclesiasticall matters, vntill Pope Boniface the 4. gaue them authoritie. Thirdly, though many of the Monkes of the first age liued single from wiues, yet some of them were maried, and none of them were forbidden from mariage. Athanasius in his Epistle ad Pracontium, saith, hee knew Monkes and Bishops maried men▪ and fathers of children.
Yet though the former Monkes were better then the latter, yet amongst them superstition beganne to créepe into the Church, by the subtiltie of Satan, and all for the ignorance of frée iustification by Faith in Christ, as for example; One Abbot Moses testifieth of himselfe, that hee so afflicted himselfe with fasting, and watching, that hee felt no appetite to meate, and could not sleepe, that hee prayed to God to giuegive him a little sléepe some péece of the night. This Cassianus doth testifie, Cap. 7. Cola. …. Hée saith also of an olde Hermite that made a vowe hée would neuer eate without some guest, sometimes fasted thrée or foure dayes for lacke of guestes.
One Mucius, to declare his obedience to the Abbot, did not sticke at the commaundement of the Abbot, to cast his sonne into the water, not knowing whetherany were there to saue him from drowning, preferring the Abbots commaundement before the commaundement of God. And Basilius Magnus, and Nazeanzenus, with immoderate austeritie, did so plucke downe themselues, that when they were called to bee Bishoppes, they were not able to sustaine the laboure thereof.
After these Monks, followed Monkes of the middle Age, who increased both in number and Superstition, from their dennes in Wildernesses, the approched to great townes, where they had solemn… Monasteries, founded by Kings, Queenes, Kings Daughters, and rich Consuls, for the remedie of their Soules remission, and the redemption of their sinnes, the good of their Fathers pos…erities, of their Country, and the Honour of our Lady, and lightly it was for some murder, or great sinne.
In which monasteries they abounded in wealth and riches, and did swim…e in Superstition and Pharisaicall hypocrisie, being yoaked, in all their doings, to certaine obseruations, in watching, in sleeping, in rising, in praying, in walking, in talking, in looking, in tasting, in touching, in gestures, and in their Uestures; and the number of their Sects were diuerse: some, after Basilius rule, went in w…ite… some, after Benicts rule, went in blacke: some, after Hieromes rule, their white cloth girt with leather girdles: some Gregorians, copper coloured: some Gray monkes; some ware a coate of male vponupon their hare bodies, with a blacke cloke thereupon: some had white rochets vponupon a blacke cote: some cloke, coule, and cap, all blewe: some Charter monkes, wearing heire-cloth next their body: some Flagillants, went in long linnen shirts with an open place in the backe, where they beate themselues with scourges on the bare shinne eueryevery day, before the people, till the bloud ranne downe, saying, it was reuealed by an Angell, that in scourging themselues so, within thirtie daies and twelue houres they should be made so pure from sinne as they were when they first receiued bap…isme: some Iesuits, with a white girdle, and a russet coule, with enumerable more Orders; they were so subiect to seruile rules, that no part of Christian libertie remained amongst them, and so drowned in Superstition, that they lost Christs religion, and the sence of m…n.
King Edgar reduced England into a full and perfect Monarchie, hee would suffer no man, of what degree soeuer he were, to da…ly out his lawes without punishment▪ in all his time there was neither priuie picker, nor open theefe, for if any were a …heefe, he was sure to leese his life.
He coused Ludwallus, Prince of Wales, to pay him yearely for tribute 300. wolues, whereby within foure yeares, a wolfe could scarce be found in England and Wales.
He had in readinesse 3600. ships of warre, and in the Sommer 1200. kept the East Seas, so many the West Seas, and so many the South Seas, in the winter he … Progresse ouer the Land, to sée how his Lawes were kept, that the poore should not be opprest by the mightie.
In the 13. yeare of his raigne eight Kings that were vnderunder him, of which the King of Scots was one, came to him to Chester, and did him Homage, next day in a royaltie he caused the eight kings, eueryevery one rowing with an Oare, to cary him in a bo…e vp and downe the riuer to the Church of Saint Iohn and vntounto his Palace againe, in token that he was Lord of so many Prouinces.
He sent one Ethelwold, an Earle of his priuie Counsell, to sée Elfrida, daughter of the Duke of Somerset, whose beautie was commended vntounto him, who tolde the King all things contrary, and after maried her; the King came to see her, her husband had prayed her to put on her worst apparell, and disgrace her selfe as much as shee could, but she set her selfe forth as gloriously as she could: when the King see her, hee was not so much inflamed with louelove of her as with hatred to her husband, and sending for him to hunt with him, runne him through with his sword, and killed him: Wherefore Elfrida builded a Monastery of Nunnes in remission of her sinnes.
Hee was incontinent, and lasciuious in deflowring Maids, hee deflowred Wilfrida, a Dukes Daughter being a Nunne, and had a daughter named Editha by her; and he comming to Andiuer, thinking to hauehave his pleasure of a Dukes Daughter, the mother grieuing to hauehave her daughter a Concubine, con…eyed another beautifull maid into his bed in stead of her Daughter, which the King perceiuing, made the Maid Mistresse of both her Master and Mistresse. He had another Concubine Edelf…eda, daughter to Duke Ordmere a professed Nunne, of whom hee begat Edward. But his greatest offence was in that he was the first, and chiefest cause of this Monkery: for lying with this Ethelfleda, Dunstone held him from Coronation seauen yeares, and had seauen …eres penance inioyned him. After he had raingned 16. yeares he dyed, and was buried at Glastenbury. His penance was, to weare no Crowne seauen yeares, to fast twise a wéeke, to giuegive his treasure to the poore, and to build a Monastery of Nunnes at Shaftsbury, as he had robbed God of one Uirgine, so he should restore many; and that he should expell Priests and Canons, and place Monkes in their place.
As for the lying Miracles, that all were healed of any disease that prayed at the Tombe of this Ethelfleda, and how Saint Dunstone hunted the Deuill away with dogs, and caught him by the nose with a hote paire of tongues, and many other myracles of this Dunstone, with many other lying myracles before; in this Treatise I hauehave omitted, thinking them not worthy to be abridged, referring thée therein to the Booke at large.
Edward succéeded Edgar, being his bastard sonne by Ethelfleda the Nunne,975. by the meanes of Dunstone and the other Bishoppes, onelyonly to maintaine their Monkery, and Egel…ed the lawfull sonne of Edgar was put backe: then they supposed they had established the Kingdome of Monkery for euer. Yet Alferus, Duke of Mercia, folowing the Quéenes minde, with other great men, drou… the Monkes out of the Cathedrall and other Churches, and set in the Priests with their wiues againe: there were great contentions about the matter, and two Councels. In the first Councell, they being almost all against Dunstone, he turned them by making a Crucifixe speake on his side, which most likely was the voice of some Monke through a Cane. And in the second Councell, the roofe of a Chamber brake▪ where they were all assembled, and all fell downe sauing Dunstone, which stood vponupon a beame, which did not fall: this was likely done to by policie vponupon this the matter ceased, and Dunston had all his will.
King Edward after hee had raigned almost 4. yeares,979. was murdered, and Egelred his brother succeeded him: the Queene being consenting to his murder, in repentance of her fact, builded two Nunneries, one at Amesbury, the other at We…ewell, this was Edward the Martyr.
After Pope Agapetus the 2. succeeded Pope Iohn the 13. he is noted to bee an Adulterer, Incestuous, and Tyrannous: of some of his Cardinals he put their eyes out, of some he cut out their tongues, of some their fingers, of some their noses. In a generall Councell before Otho the first Emperour of the Germaines, it was Articled against him, that he neuer said Seruice, that in saying Masse, hee did not Communicate: that he committed Incest with two of his Sisters: that at Dice, he called for the Diuell to helpe him: wherefore he was deposed, and Pope Leo substitute in his place: but after the Emperour was gone, by the Whoores of Rome, and their great promises, he was restored againe, and Leo deposed. In the tenth yeare of his Popedome he was s…nd with a mans wife, and so wounded by her husband, that in eight dayes he dyed. After him, the Romaines elected Benedictus the first, without the Emperour.
Because they had put downe Leo and chosen another without his consent, the Emperour came with his Army, and set vp Pope Leo the eight againe; wherefore Leo Crowned Otho for Emperour, and intituled him Augustus, and what Carolus magnus had giuen to the Sea, and people of Rome, he by a Synodall Decre▪ granted to the Emperour and his successors. The Emperour againe restored to the Sea of Rome, all such donations and possessions as Constantine, as they falsly pretend, or which Carolus Magnus tooke from the Lumbards, and gaue to them.
After him succéeded Iohn the 14. against whom, for holding with the Emperour, Petrus, the chiefe Captaine of the Citie, with two Consuls, and twelue Aldermen, and other Nobles, laide hands vponupon the Pope, and imprisoned him eleuen monethes: the Emperour came to Rome with his Armie, executed the chiefe doers of the fact.
But he committed Petrus to the Popes arbitrement, he caused him to bee stripped naked, his beard to bee shauen, and to be hanged by the heire of the head a whole day, then to be set vponupon an Asse, his face turned backeward, his hands bound vnderunder the Asses tayle, and so to be ledde through the Citie, then to bee scourged with rods, and banished the Citie; from this Pope procéeded first the Christning of Bels.
Benedictus the 6. succéeded him, who was imprisoned by Cinthius a Captaine of Rome, and there slaine. Then came Pope Donus the 2. after whom, Bonifacius the 7. was Pope; he … the citizens of Rome to conspire against him, tooke the treasure of Saint Peters Church, and st…le to Constantinople. The Romaines set vp Iohn the 15. Pope; Boniface, by his treasure, procured a Garison to take his part, and returned to Rome, he tooke Pope Iohn, put out his eyes, threw him in prison, and famished him, but he, not long after, sodainly died. The Romaines drew his carkeasse about the streets by the feete after his death, in despitefull manner, the people exclaiming against him.
Pope Benedictus the 7. succeeded him by consent of the Emperour Otho, the second, and raigned 19. yeares. After him succeeded Iohn the 16. after him, Iohn the 17. after him, Gregory the 1. Crescentius, with the people of Rome, and the Clergy, conuenting against him, set vp Pope Iohn the 18. Wherefore the Emperour Otho the 3. sent an Armie into Italy, got the citie, and tooke Crescentius the Consull, and Pope Iohn, he put out the eyes of Pope Iohn, and then killed him: he set Crescentius vponupon a vile Horse, his nose and eares cut off, his face turned to the horse taile, and after his members were …nt off, and he hanged vponupon a gibbit. Hee assembled a Councell at Rome, where he established the Empire in his owne Contry, and by the consent of Otho, ordained seauen to be Electors; three Bishops, three Princes, to wit, Prince Palatine, the Duke of Saxony, the Marquesse of Brandenburge, to whom was added the King of Boheme to giuegive the odde voyce, if the eauen voyces could not agree: this Constitution being begun, Anno 997. was after established in Germany by Otho, 1002. which order remaineth to this day.
After the death of King Edward, Egelred his younger brother, raigned in his steade; vponupon his Coronation a cloud was scene through the Land, one halfe like bloud, the other halfe like fire; shortly after, the third yeare of his raigne, the Danes ariued in sundry places of this Land, and did much spoyle, and retyred to their ships againe, and about the same time a great part of London was consumed with fire. The King besieged the Bishoppe of Rochester; Dunstone required the King, for Saint Andrewes sake, to giuegive ouer the siege, yet he would not depart vntill the king had of him 100. lib. of gold.
The Danes, séeing the hatred of the Subiects against the King, rose againe, and … great harme in many places in England,…990 that the King granted them great summes of money for peace, and a sore sicknesse of the bloudy Flix, and hot Feuours fell amongst the people, of which many dyed; and a like murren amongst the beasts, and for lacke of Iustice, many théeues and bribers were in the Lan….
Not long after, the Danes inuaded the land againe in such sort that the King was so séeke in which Coste he should first withstand them, and was compelled to appease them with great summes of money; and for lacke of a good Go…ernour, many things perishe… in the Land: for the King gaue himselfe to Lechery, and polluting his Subiects, disinheriti…g them, and causing them with great summes to reda…e the same againe. … payed the Danes tribute yearely, which was called Dane-gilt; which tribute increase… ▪ from 10000. lib. yearely, and in fiue or sixe yeares, it came to 40000. lib. yearely. … dricke Duke of Mercia, and Alfrike Admirall of the Ships, warned the Danes … whatsoeuer the King deuised against them, wherefore the king put out the eyes of th… Admirals sonne, and of the two sonnes of Duke Edricke.
The Danes thus preuailing, were so proud, they forced the Husbandmen to plo…, and sows their lands, and the whilst would sit at home with their wiues and daughters▪ and fared of the best, when the Husbandmen fared but scantly of their owne; they were glad to please them, and call them Lord Danes▪ which after was turned to a name of …proby, when they rebuked another, they called him Lurdaine.
The king in the 21. yeare of his raigne,1000. maried Emma, the Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy, which Mariage inhaun…ed the Kings minde, that hee sent secret, and strait Commissions to the Rulers of eueryevery towne in England, that vponupon … Brices day, at an houre appointed, the Danes should be suddenly slaine, and so it wa… performed.
Then Swanus king of Denmarke, hearing of this slaughter of the Danes, with a great Hoste and Nauie, came into England, and did much spoyle, but at length he was met with of Duke Vskatell, and beaten, and many of the Danes slaine, wherefore they returned to Denmarke.
The next yeare Swanus entred into the Land againe,1004. and spoyled the Contry, and euer when as he heard of the Kings Hoste comming, he tooke ship againe, and went to a… other part of the Contry, and when the King would méete him by Sea, he would fly, or else bribe the Admirall, so they brought the Englishmen into vnspeakeable misery, that the king was faine to giuegive them 30000. lib. for peace. But after Swanus broke cou… nant, and landed in Northumberland with a great Hoste, proclaiming himselfe King, caused the Earle with the Rulers of the contry, to sweare him fealty: so he Conquered through the Contry▪ and tooke pledges of them. He tooke Winchester, and Oxford, and came to London, hearing the King was there; he went into Kent, and conquered Canterbury, where he fired the citie, and slew 900. Monke of the Abbey of Saint Augustines, and 8000. of the men and women of the Citie, and they stoned Elphegus … shoppe of Canterbury to death at Grinewich because hee would not giuegive them 3000. lib.
The King, for feare, sent his wife Emma and his two sonnes, Alfred and Edward, … the Duke of Normandy; after, the King fled to the Isle of Wight, and went thence … to Normandy to his wife. Swanus teared exceeding impositions vponupon the people, and required a great summe of money of Saint Edmunds lands, which being d…nyed him▪ because the Land was frée, he spoyled the Contry, despising the Martyre, and mena…ing the place of his Sepulchre: wherefore the people fell to prayer, and fasting, so that shortly after, Swanus suddenly crying and yelling amongst his Knights, dyed: wherfore Canutus his sonne ruling as King after his father, builded the Abbey of S. Edmundsbury our Saint Edmonds Sepulchre, and ditched their Land with a great ditch; ordained a House of Monks there, and g…ue them their au…tient freedomes. After that, it was vsus… that the Kings of England when they were crowned, offered their Crownes to Saint Edmonds shrine▪ and bought them againe.
King Eldred hearing the death of Swanus, returned into England. Canutus fled to Sandwich, and cutting off the noses and hands of the pledges, which his Father left … him, sayled into Denmarke.
The next yeare Canutus returned againe with a great Host, and forced the people to be sworne vntounto him, and giuegive him pledges. In this season King Eldred died at London, after he had raigned 38. yeares, and was buried in Paules.
After whose death the most part chose Canutus, the King of the Danes, King; generally all the Clergie men choose him, but the Citizens of London, and certaine Nobles choose Edmund, the eldest sonne of Egelred King; who for his hardinesse to indure labour was surnamed Ironside. Betwixt these two martiall Princes many great battels were sought, with no great difference of victory; at length, by rensent, they two onelyonly tryed the quarell in the fight of both Hosts, and when they had assayed each other with sharpe words and strokes, they both agréed, and kissed each other, and diuided the Land betweene them, and during their liues loued as brethren. Shortly after, one of the sonnes of Duke Edricus aforesaid killed King Edmund, after hée had raigned two yeares. Hee left two sonnes behinde him, Edmund and Edward, whom the wicked Duke tooke from their mother, shee not knowing of her husbands death, and presented them to Canutus, saying; Aue Rex solus. Canutus sent them to his brother Swanus, King of Sweueland, to be …laine; but hée sent them to Solamon King of Hungary, where Edmund maried the Kings Daughter, and dyed: and Edward was maried to Agatha the daughter to the Emperour Henry the fourth.
Then Canutus held a Parliament, established the Crowne to himselfe, hee disdained euer after those whom he found false to their natiue King, some of them he exiled, some he beheaded, and some died suddenly by the punishment of God; and wicked Duke Edrike was beheaded, an… his head set vponupon London bridge.
In the meane time Swaynus▪ his brother, King of Denmarke, dyed, and the Land fell to Canutus, hee … toither, and tooke possession thereof, and returned, and maried Emmalate wife of Egelred by whom he had a sonne called Hardyknight. He held a Parliament at Oxford, where it was agreed that Englishmen and Danes should hold the Lawes made by King Edgar.
Then the Danes begun to be Christians, and Canutus went to Rome, and returned. He gouerned the L…nd 20. yeares, and left two sonnes, Harold and Hardeknight, which was made King of Denmarke in his Fathers time.
Harold, called Harefore for his swiftnesse, succéeded him, hee banished his Stepmother Emma, 1039.and tooke away her goods and Iewels. Hardeknight King of Demmarke succéeded him, and when he had raigned two yeares, being merry at Lambeth, he was suddenly strucke dumb… and died, being the last king of the Danes that raigned in England.
In the time of these Danish Kings, there was one Godwine, an Earle in England, when the aforesaid two s…nnes of King Egelred, Alfred and Edward, came from Normandy to England to visit their mother Emma, and brought with them a great company of Normaines, this Godwine, hauing a Daughter named Godith, whom he thought to hauehave maried to Edward, and made him king. Hee perswaded the king Hardeknight that the Normaines should be slaine, and gat authoritie to order the matter himselfe. Wherefore hée met them at Guildowne, with a company of English Souldiers, slewe almost all the Normaines, winding their gots out of their bellyes, and put out the eyes of Alfred the eldest brother, and sent him to the Abby of Elie, where hée fed him with bread and water, vntill shorty after hée dyed. Edward escaped to his mother, who fearing Godwine, sent him againe into Normandy. This cruell fact to the Normaines, séemeth to bée the cause why the Iust Iudgement of God, shortly after, Conquered the English Nation by the Normaines.
After the death of king Hardeknight, 1043.last king of the Danes, the Lords sent into Normandy for the aforesaid Edward, yonger sonne of Quéen Emma, to take possession of the Realme, who came with a few Normaines, and was crowned at Winchester. He maried Godith, Daughter of Earle Godwine, hee ruled with much wisdome and … 24. yeares.
In his time his mother Emma was accused to be too familier with Alwine Bishop… Winchester, by the councell of Godwine, they were committed to prison; many of … Bishops laboured for them to the King, but Robert Archbishop of Canterbury stopp… their su…e, saying; How dare you defend her, shée hath def…med her sonne the … and taken her ler…erous Lemman the Bishop: she is accused to bee consenting to …he death of her sonne Alfred, and procured poyson for her sonne Edward; it she will … bare footed for her selfe foure steps, and for the Bishop fiue, vponupon nine …, if she escape harmelesse, they shall be af…oyled: she agreed theris: then the …ing and many Nobles being present, she was led blindfold to the place, where Irons lay burning hote, and passed the nine shares vnhurt, when they opened her eyes, and she s…e her selfe past the paine, she kneeled downe and gaue thankes to God, then the King asked her forgiuenesse but the Archbishop f…ed into Normandy.
The said cruell … Godwine tooke bread and eate it, in witnesse that he was not guilty of the death of Alfred the Kings brother, but as soone as hee had recei…ed the bread he was choked at the table, before the king at Winsor, and he was conueyed to Winchester and buried.
Harold the second sonne of Godwine succeeded Edward, 1066.who was the last King of the S…x…ns. Then the Kings so…ne of Denmarke came into England with 300. ships, who entred the North, and claymed the Land; the Lords of the country rose against them, but the Danes had the victory, then H…rold gaue them a great battell, and got the victory, and slew the King of Denmarkes sonne. After this victory Harold waxed proud and couetous, and would not diuide the pr…y to his Knights, but kept it to himselfe.
Whereas Harold had sworne to William Duke of Normandy▪ after the death of King Edward, to take possession of the Kingdome of England to his vse, according to the will of King Edward, that the Duke of Normandy should succéede him. The Duke sent to him, admonishing him of the Couenants that were agréed vponupon betwixt them▪ Harald answered thus, That such a nice foolish promise ought not to be holden, concerning the Land of another, without the consent of the Lords of the same, especially because neede and dread compelled him thereto.
Whereupon Duke William prepaired his Armie, and sent to Pope Alexander concerning his Title, and …oiage, the Pope confirmed him in the same, and sent him a Banner. And they tooke shipping with a great company, and landed at Hastings in Sussex, the Normans and Harald ioyned battell in the place where af…ter was builded the Abby of Battell in Sussex, where the Normaines obtained the victory through the Iust Prouidence of God, where Harold was wounded in the left eye with an arrowe, and incontinently dyed, when hee had raigned nine yeares, and was buryed at Wal…ome.
This Duke William and King Edward were by the Fathers side, Cosen Germaynes.
After this Gregory the first, succeeded Siluester the second; he sate 4. yeares, … monethmonth and 8. dayes Pope. By the testimony of Stella, Benno, and Platina, and many others, he was a Sorce…er, and was exal…ed to the Papacy by the Deuill, vponupon this condition, that after his death, he should giuegive himselfe to the Deuill. He demaunded of the Deuill how long he should …nioy his Popedome. Hee answered, Untill thou say Masse in Ierusalem thou shalt liue. At length the Pope▪ in Lent, saying Masse in the Temple of the Holy Crosse, which Church (vnknowne to him) was called Ierusalem▪ then hee knewe hee should dye; then repenting, hee confessed his fault before all the people.
…f…er him succeeded Iohn the 19. which brought in the Feast of All-Soules to bee celebrated next after All-Saints day, by the meanes of Odilo, Abbot of Cl…nake. This Abbot, thinking that Purgatory should bee in Mount E…na, dreamed vppon a time that h…e, by his Mas…es, had d…liuered diuerse Sou…es from thence; saying, that hee heard the voyces and lamentatious of D…uils, crying out, for that the Soules were taken from them by Masses, and Dirges fun…rall, Pope Iohn the 20. succeeded him, and after him Sergius the 4 after him Benedictus the 8. then Iohn the 12. who was pr…moted by Arte Magicke of diuerse Sorcerers. He brought in the fast of Saint Iohn Baptist eauen, and of Saint Laurence. After him followed Pope Benedictus the 9. aspiring to his Papacie by Magicke, practising Incha…tments and Con…rations in words: he resisted the Emperour Henricus the third, sonne of Conradus, and placed in his roome Pe…us King of Hungary. After for feare of Henricus, he was faine to sell his Sea… so Gratianus, called Gregorie the sixt, for 1500. lib. at which time there was three Popes in Rome together raigning, one against another, Benedictus the 9. Siluester the 3. Gregorius the 6. for which cause, Henricus, surnamed Niger, the Emperour, displaced these three monsters, placing for them Clement the second; and En…cted that no Pope shou…d be chosen without the consent of the Emperour: and the Romanes made an Oth to the Emperour to that effect. But the Emper…ur being gone, they forgot their Oath, and poysoned the Pope; which … some impute to Damasus the 2. his successor, and some to Erazutus, which poysoned six P…p…s.
Damasus within 23. daies after he was Pope, was poysoned. …hen the Romaines, and Cardinals, sent to the Emperour for a Pope, who g…ue them Leo the 9. He kept two Councels, one at Uercellis, where the Doctrine of Beri…garius against the Real presence was condemned: the other was k…pt at Moguntia, where, amongst many decrees, Pri…sts were vtterly excluded from mariage, and that no …ay man …ight giuegive …eni…ce, Bishopricke, and Spirituall promo…ion, Leo being at Wormes with the Emperour on Christmas day, hee excommunica…ed the Sub…eacon, for not reading the Episte in Latine▪ the Archbishop being at Masse, staid and would go… no further, vnlesse his Subdeacon were rest…red: whereupon the Pope released him. Leo was poysoned by Brazutus, the first yeare of his Popedome. Victor the …. succeeded him, hee kept a Councell at Florence, hee deposed diuerse Bishops and Priests for Simony, and Fornication: of Simony, because they were tooke their li…ing of Secular m…n for money… for fornication, because they were maried. In his …econd yeare he was poysoned also▪ by the said Brazutus, by the procurement of Hildebrand his master.
Stephanus the 9. succéeded him, hee was chosen without the Emperour, hee accused the Emperour of Heresie, for deminishing the authoritie of the Romaine Sea. Hée likewise called it Symony for secular men to present to a Spirituall Liuing. He sent Cardinall Hildebrand with Commission to reforme the matter: in the meane time he, tasting Brazutus cup, dyed.
After him the Romaines set vp Benedictus the tenth Pope: but Hildebrand perswaded the Clergie to choose Nicolaus the second, who by force caused the other Pope to vnpope himselfe.
Nicolas called the Councell of Lateran, in which hée vnderminded the Emperours …urisdiction, and gaue the full authoritie or choosing the Pope vntounto a fewe Cardinals, and certaine Catholike persons, and against such as be Popes without the full consent of the Cardinals, he thundreth terrible blasts of excommunication, accursing them and their children with denils; giuing power to Cardinals, with the Clergie and …, to depose such person, and call a generall Councell, where they will, against them. In this Councell Beringarius was forced to recant his Doctrine against the Reall presence in the Sacrament, and the terme of transubstantiation was there first deuised. Hée displaced the right Heire of the Dukedome of Ap…lia, and placed Robertus Quistardus to bée Duke, and generall Captain… of Saint Peters land: but it standeth not with the Gospell, a Bishop with outward armes to conquer christian men and countries. After hee had raigned three yeares and a halfe, he met with Brazutus cup, and turned vp his héeles. Then the Emperour set vp Coralus Pope, but Hildebrand set vp Alexander the second, who ouercame Coralus. Then there was a Councell kept at M…ntus, where Alexander was declared Pope, and it was concluded that Priests should hauehave no wiues, and those that had wiues should say no Masse: no Benefices to bee bought for money, Alle…uia to bee suspended in Lent, that no …pirituall man should enter into any Church by a Secular man, that the Pope should be elected onelyonly by the Cardinals, this Alexander being at Masse, as hee was preaching vntounto the people, told them he would not sit in the place, except he had the licence of the Empe…our, which strucke Heldebrand into such a furis, that as soone as Masse was done, he forced him into a Chamber, and beat him with his …, rating him that he would séeke fauour of the Emperour; and kept him in Custodie, all…wing him but twenty pence a day: and Heldebrand incroched all the reuenewes of the Church vntounto himselfe. At l…st Alexander, vnderunder this miserable indurance, died, hauing béene Pope 11. yeares and a halfe.