Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 4
THE FOVRTH BOOKE Containing other 300. yeares, from WILLIAM the Conquerour, to the time of IOHN WICKLIFFE.
WILLIAM the Conquerour was the base … of Robert Duke of Normandy, Nephew to Ki…g Edward after the … said Uictory against Harald, he was receiuer King ouer England, and was Crowned vponupon Christmas day. The yeare before his comming was a great blasing Starre the space of seauen daies,1067. he made the Englishmen pay for eueryevery twentie Acres of land 6. …. yearely wherefore many rebelled, but he conquered them: many of his Lords departed into Scotland, wherefore hee kept them that …aried the straiter. Hee gaue the Nomaines the chiefest possessions of the Land, hee changed all the temporall Lawes of the Realme, and set straite Lawes vponupon the Spiritualtie. Hee builded foure strong Castles, two at Yorke, one at Nottingham, and another at Lincolne.
In the 3. yeare of his raigne, Harald and Canutus, sonnes of Swanus King of Denmarke, came into the North Contry, but, after much spoyle, King William chased them to their Ships, and he was so displeased with the Inhabitants for fauouring them, that he destroyed the Land from Yorke to Du…ham, so that nine yeares after the Prouince lay waste and vnman…red.
In the 4. yeare of his raigne Malcoline King of the Scots, entred into Northumberland and destroyed the Contry, and slew men, women, and children; but within two yeares King William made such warre with the Scots, that hee forced Malcome, their King to doe him Homage.
In the same 4. yeare of this King,1070. there was holden a Councell of the Clergie at Winchester, at which was present two Cardinals from the Pope, and the King was there present: diuerse Bishops, Abbots, and Priors, by the meanes of the King, were depriued, without any euident cause, that the Normaines might bee proferred vntounto the rule of the Church, as his Knights were to the rule of the Temporalty.
O… Thomas, a Normaine, was preferred vntounto the Archbishoprick, of Yorke, and one Lanfranckus an Italian, was made Archbishop of Canterbury, betwixt them grew a contention, about giuing and taking the Othe of obedience; but the King appeased it, and the Bishop of Yorke, builded the Minster of Yorke, and gaue possessions thereto. But when these two Archbishops came to Rome for their Pale, the contreuersie renewed betwixt them for the Primacie, the Pope not disposed to decide the matter, sent them home to hauehave their matter determined; so the mat…er came before the King and Clergie at Windsor, the Archbishop of Canterbury said; Since the time that Austin conuerted this Land to Christianitie, and was made Archbishop of Canterbury, and Primate of all England, by Pop… Gregory, the Primacie hath succéeded there euer since, and being Yorke tooks the Christian Faith from thence, it was reason it should bee subiect thereto. The Bishop of Yorke answered, that the Britaines, the fi…st possessors of this Kingdome, which indured from Brutus to Cadwalader, 2076. year…s, vnderunder an hundred and two Kings, and they receiued the Christian Faith in the yeare of Christ 162. In the time of Lucius their King, Elutherius being Pope, who sent thither Fagamus and Damianus Preachers, who ordained in the realme 28. Bishops with two Archbishopes, Theonus Archbishop of London, and Theodosius Archbishop of Yorke, so it continued 300. yeares▪ vntill the Saxons (being Infidels) subdued the Realme, and diuided it into seauen Kingdome, and so it continued vntill Gregory sent hither. Austin to conuert the Realme, who was after made Archbishop of Canterbury; and it was Gregories purpose to reduce the new Church of the Saxons to the order that was in the old time amongst the Britaines, vnderunder the two Metropolitaines of London and Yorke: yet hée gaue Austen this prerogatiue during his life time, to hauehave the Iurisdiction aboue all the Bishops and Priests in England; but after his dec…ase London and Yorke to ouersée the charge, and he willed no distinction of Honour to be betwixt London and Yorke, but that he that had béene longest Bishop of the place should be preferred. Upon this it was decréed that Yorke should be subiect to Canterbury, and that wheresoeuer Canterbury would hold a Councell, Yorke, with his Bishops, should come thither, and be obedient to his Decrées; and when Canterbury should decease, Yorke should come to Duer to consecrate the new Archbishop: but if Yorke decease, his successor should resort to Canterbury, and where the Bishop of Canterbury should appoint, to receiue his consecration, swearing obedience.
In the 9 yeare of King Williams reigne, another Counsell was holden at London, w…ere was decreed that the Bishop of Yorke should sit on the right hand of Canterbury, and London on the left and in his absence Winchester; and that Bishops should translate the Seas from v…lages to cities; that Monks should hauehave nothing propper, and if any so had, he dying vnconf…ssed, should not be buried in the Churchyard; that no Clarke or Monke should be retained in another Di…cesse without Letters testimoniall; that none should speake in the Councell without leaue, but Bishops and Abbots; that none should buy or sell any …ffice in the Church; that neither Bishop, Abbot, nor any of the Clergie should be at the Iudgement of any mans death or dismembring.
At this time diuerse good Bishops displaced Monkes, and restored maried Priests againe, the Bishop of Winchester placed aboue 40. Canons in stead of Monkes for his part, but this godly enterprise was stopped by Lanfranke the Archbishop of Canterbury; he plucked downe the old Church of Canterbury and builded vp the new.
After the death of the Pope Hildebrand succéeded, who was surnamed Gregory the 7. he was a Sorcerer, and the principal cause of all the per…urbation that hath beene since in the Church, for before he wrought his feats, setting vp and displacing what Bishops he listed, setting them against Emperours, and destroying Matrimony vnderunder colour of chasti…ie; the Chuch was in some order, and Popes quietly ruled vnderunder Christian Emperours, and were defended by them.
He first, contemning the authoritie of the Emperor, thrust in himselfe to be Pope, vanting himselfe to hauehave both the Ecclesiasticall, and the Temporall sword, committed to him of Christ, and full power to binde and loose what he lifted, he challenged all the Dominion both of the East and West Church; he set at light Kings and Emperours, who raigned but at his godamercie; Bishops and Prelates as his vnderlings he kept in awe, suspending, cursing, and chopping off their heads. He …irred vp warres, releasing Othes, Fidelitie, and due allegiance of Subiects to their Princes. To this scope tended chiefly all his practises, to abolish the mariage of Priests, and to translate the authoritie Emperiall vntounto the Clergy, as appeared before in the Councell of Later…n; for though he was not then Pope in name, yet was he Pope indéed, and ruled the Pope as he listed. In a Councell which he held at Rome, he enacted that no Priest hereafter should mary, that those that were maried should be Diuorced, and that none hereafter should be admitted Priest, but should sweare perpetuall Chastitie.
The Clergie of France resisted this Decree, and said it was repugnant to the word of God, that the Pope should take from Priests that which God and Nature had giuen them; and against the Doctrine of Saint Paul; I hauehave no commaundement of God touching Virginitie, and he that cannot liue continent, let him mary. And that it was against the Canons of the Apostles, and the Nicen Councell: and that thereby would be opened a pernicious window to vncleanesse, and fornication, and conclud…d, they had rather giuegive vp their benefices then forsake their lawful wiues against the word of Christ. Likewise, the Priests of Germany were as stout against the Pope: but at last, this gréedinesse of Liuings, in weake Priests, made them to yéeld vp their godly libertie to wicked tyranny.
He preached, in a great assembly, that the Emperour should die before Saint Peters day next, and should be so deiected, that he should not be able to gather together aboue sixe knights, and that if this prophesie were not fulfilled, they should plucke him from the Altar, and he would be no more Pope. And when he had gone about diuerse waies to murder the Emperour, and yet God preserued him beyond the appointed time, them subtily he turned his tale, and said, he ment of the soule of the King.
About the time Hildebrand was made Pope, there was great warres betwixt Otho Duke of Saxony and the Emperour, which was a fit occasion for the Pope to worke his seats. First, he excommunicated all that receiued Spirituall liuings of Laymen, and all the giuers thereof, which he called symony, whereupon he sent Legats to the emperour, to appeare before him at the Councell of Lateran. The Emperour appeared not: whereupon hee threatned him excommunication, and to depriue him of his Crowne, If he would not renounce the heresie of Symony, which was, giuing of Spituall Liuings. Wherefore Centius, a Romaine Captaine, caught the Pope, and shut him vp into a Tower; the next day the citizens plucked downe the Tower, and deliuered the Pope, and cut off the noses of the men of Centius, but he escaped to the Emperour. The emperour, being moued with this arrogancie, called a Councell at Wormes, where all the Bishops of Germany deposed Hildebrand. The Pope, in his Councell of Lateran, excommunicated and depriued as many as tooke the Emperours part, and excommunicated the emperour, depriued him of his empire, and all his subiects of their Oath of alleagiance. As soone as he rose out of his papal seat, to excommunicate the Emperour, the seat being but new, and of strong tymber, suddenly shiuered and rent vsus pieces. The princes of Almany all concluded to forsake Henry, and choose another emperour, except he would submit himselfe, and obtaine the Popes pardon. The Emperour, with his wife and young sonne, all hauing forsaken him, laying apart his regall ornaments, in sharpe winter, came bare foo…d to the gate of Canossus, where fasting from morning to night, humbly he desired to be absolued, and to come in and speake with the Pope, Thus he continued and could not be let in, in thrée daies: the fourth day, being brought to the Pope, he surrendred his Crowne and princely ornaments vntounto him, desiring he might be forgiuen, and he would neuer doe against him againe. He told him, he would not absolue him, but vponupon condition he should doe such penance as hee should enioyne him, and appeare at the Councell when he should send for him, and answere there all obiections laid against him▪ and stand to his pleasure whether hee should hauehave his Kingdome restored, or loose it; and should doe nothing as a King, vntill the cause were tryed: and, vponupon his Oath, for performance hereof, he was absolued. For all this the Pope sent to France, for their consents, that Rodulphus should be Emperor. Then there was sent to Rodulphus b…ing Duke or Sw…ia a crowne from the pope, with this verie, Petra dedit Petro, Petrus Diadema Rodulpho. Then he gaue in commaundement to the Archbishop of Ments, and of Cullen, to elect Rodulphus emperour, and annoint him King, and defend him with all their strength. Whilst this conspiracie was in hand, the Emperour was absent, and the Popes Ambassadors with him, and, vnknowne to him, Rodulphus was elected Emperour: the Bishop of Stasbrough … Henry the emperour thereof, who seeing the Saxons so bent against him, marched forward with his Souldiers to defend his right, but first sent to Rome, requiring the Pope to excommunicate Rodulphus. But he minding nothing lesse, sent word that he would not condemne any person without hearing the cause: so, vnderunder colour of Lawe, disapp…inted Henry; who being forsaken on eueryevery side, with his men attempted battell with Rodulphus: there was great slaughter on both sides, but no victory, so yet both chal…nged the Empire. Then they both sent to Rome for the Popes determination, to whether of them the Empire appertained: the Pope willed them to breake vp their A…mies, promising shortly to call a Councell, where this matter should be disputed; but before the messengers returned, they had another conflict, but no victory So both being wearied in warre, (the Romish beast being the cause therof) and the Pope perceiuing these warres would be to the great calamitie, not onelyonly of Germany, but to other Nations, deuised another way to helpe Rodulphus; sent a Commission to the Archbishop of Treuers, and others, giuing them in charge to call a Councell to sit at Almany to determine …he right, promising what they determined, he by the au…horitie of God omnipotent, and of Saint Peter and of Sant Paul would ratifie the same: but Henry the Emperour would not permit a Councell to be had in Germany, except they would first depriue Rodulphus. The Legat… perceiuing that was against the Popes drift returned. The Pope hearing his purpose disappointed; drue another excommunication against Henry the Emperour, hereauing him of his Kingdome, sending them through all places, thinking thereby to further Rodulphus part, biginning his excommunication with these words Blessed Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and thou Paul also, teacher of the Gentiles, giuegive eare vntounto me a little, I beseech you, and gently heare me &c. I take this matter in hand that my brethren (whose saluation I seeke) may the more obey me, and knowe that I trust vponupon your defence (next to Christ and his mother) and thereby resist the wicked, and am ready to helpe the faithfull. I entred this Seat against my will with teares, thinking my selfe vnworthy to occupy so high a Throne, I chose not you, but you chose me, and …ayd this great burden vponupon Our shoulders. Then reciting the whole matter of the Story before, concludeth therefore; … trusting in the Iudgement and merciemercy of God, and in the supportation of the blessed Uirgin, and bold vponupon your authoritie (meaning S. Peter & S. Paul) do lay the sentence of Curse vponupon Henry & his adherents. And againe. I take his regall Gouernment from him▪ discharging all Christian men of their Oathes to him, and forbidding them hereafter to obey him in any thing, but to take Rodulphus for their King, &c. Therefore▪ O blessed Princes of the Apostles, confirme this your authoritie that all may know as you hauehave power to binde and loose in Heauen, you hauehave also power on earth, to giuegive and take away Empires, Kingdomes Principa…ities, and whatsoeuer belongeth to mortall men on earth. For if you hauehave power to Iudg… of matters of God, how much more of prophane things; and if you can Iudge the Angels which rule proud Princes, how much more the princes. Let all Kings and princes, by this example, know your power, that they may feare to contemne the commaundement of the holy Church. Exercis… quickly this Iudgement vponupon Henry, that all may see him fall from his Kingdom, not by chance, but by your onelyonly worke: notwithstanding, this I would craue of you, that he being brought to repentance, through your intercession, yet in the day of Iudgement may finde grace with the Lord.
Pope Hildebrand further deposed the Archbishop of Rauenna for taking his part. commaunding all priests not to obey him, and sent another with full authoritie thither. Upon this Henry and Rodulphus tryed the matter with sword, with much bloud: whereas Henry, with Gods fauour against the Iudgement of Hildebrand, had the victory, Rodulphus greatly wounded, was carried to Herbipolis, where he commanding the Bishops▪ and doers of this conspiracie to be brought to him, and lifting vp his right hand, which was deadly wounded said; This hand gaue the Oath to Henry my prince, and hath so often fought against him by your in…igation but in vaine▪ goe and performe you Oath and alegiance to him your King, for I must go to my Fathers, and so dyed.
Henry, after his enemy subdued, and warres ceased in Germany, remembring the iniuries of Hildebrand, by whom he was twise excommunicated, expulsed from his Kingdome, and making sute thrée daies in sharpe winter, and could finde no fauour, and by him his enemy was incited and ayded against him, assembled a Councell of 1083. Bishops at Brixienc…, where hee purged himselfe, and accused Hildebrand of diuerse c…imes: to be an vsurper, periured, a Nigroma…cer, a Sorcerer, a sower of discord; and that his Father had set in diuerse Popes in Rome by his assignement, without other election, and now this Bishop, contrary to his Oath, thrust in himselfe, without the will and knowledge of him, being their King and Magistrate. For in the time of Henry the third, his Father, this Hildebrand and others, had tooke a corporall Oath, that during the life of him, and this Henry his sonne, now king, they should no… presume themselues norsuffer any other to aspire to the Papall Seat, without the approbation of the said Emperours. Wherefore, the aforesaid Councell, with one agréement, condemned this Gregory that he should be deposed.