The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 1 · History of century 12
CENTVRIE XII.
Henry the fift.
IN this Century the Bishops of Rome, who breathed for preheminence, and longed for soveraignty, attained to all their intended desires. And albeit no age afforded more magnanimous & couragious Emperours, such as Henry the 4. Henry the 5. Lotharius the 2. Conrad the 3. Fredericke the 1. called Barbarossa, yet the power of the wrath of God iustly punishing the defection of men from the true faith, suffered the man of sinne, and childe of perdition to be mounted vp to high preheminence, and to treade vnderunder foot the power of the Emperour: So that the Bishop of Rome was reverenced as a God in the world, and all high powers stouped vnderunder his authority. Henry the fift, was incited by the Councell of Bishops to make cruell warre against his naturall father Henry the fourth. And from a Councell assembled at Mentz,Note. the Bishops of Mentz, Collen, and Worms, were sent to depriue Henry the fourth of all his Imperiall ornaments, and to conferre them to his sonne. The father through sorrow, and partly through sicknesse, departed this life, after hee had raigned 50. yeeres, as hath beene declared.
After the dayes of Henry the fourth, his sonne Henry the fift raigned 20. yeeres. Who came to Rome to bee crowned Emperour by Pope Paschalis the 2. The Pope would not consent to his coronation, except hee first did giuegive over all right of election of the Pope, and all right of investments of Bishops, by staffe and ring. The Emperour grieved with this proud carriage of the Pope, layd hands vponupon the Pope and his Cardinals, and compelled them to perfect the worke of his coronation, and to confirme his priviledges of right to elect Popes, and to conferre investments to Bishops. It is to be noted, that Pope Paschalis when hee covenanted with the Emperour, and confirmed the priviledges aforesaid, tooke a consecrated Hostie, and divided it in two parts, and gaue one part of it to the Emperour, and tooke the other part vntounto himselfe, vttering with his owne mouth this imprecation.Hist. Magd. cent. 12. cap. 8. Let him be divided from the kingdome of Christ who shall presume to violate this covenant, bound vp betweene you and mee.Note. Neverthelesse Pope Paschalis, so soone as the Emperour returned vntounto Germany, hee revoked all that hee had done, and cursed the Emperour, and called the priviledge which hee had confirmed vntounto the Emperour, pravilegium, and not privilegium.
The Emperour hearing what the Pope had done, with expedition marched toward Rome, with an army: the Pope was forced to flie to Apulia. The Emperour returned to Germany, where he did find the Bishops for the most part seditiously affectionat to the Pope. Therefore the Emperor wearied with multitude of businesses stirred vp against him by Bishops, gaue over his priviledges aforesaid, gaining some peace with giving over of rights. At this time died Mathildis, a noble Countesse in Italy, and excessiuely addicted to the Romane Church. In restamentall Legacy shee gave to the Church of Rome many townes and possessions, lying betwixt the Apenning and the Sea: and among the rest the towne of Ferrara. The Romane Church braggeth of many donations, such as the donation of Constantine, of Aistulphus, of Pipinus, of Charles the Great, of Ludovicus Pius, of Otto, and of Mathildis. If these bounds appertained to the chaire of Rome by so many anterior donations, How did these townes belong to Mathildis in hereditary possession,Note. so that she had power to bestow them on whom she pleased?
In Ierusalem, after Godfrey succeeded Baldowin his brother, the second King of Ierusalem: and after him another Baldowin, of Burgon. Hee prospered for a time, but in the end was taken prisoner by Balach, King of Parthians, and was redeemed by paying a great summe of money. He left Fulto Earle of Aniow his successor, the fourth King of Ierusalem.
Lotharius the second.
AFter the death of Henry the fift, Lotharius Duke of Saxonie, by the consent of the Electors, was chosen Emperour, and raigned thirteene yeeres. In his time two men contended for the Popedome, to wit, Inn…centius the 2. and one Peter a citizen of Rome, and sonne to Peter Leo, whom they called Anacletus, whom Rogerius Count of Sicile did favour. But the Emperour Lotharius came to Rome with an army, and authorized Innocentius. Rogerius fearing the power of the Emperour, returned backe to Sicile.
Conradus the third.
AFter the death of Lotharius, Conradus Duke of Sueue, and sister sonne to the Emperour Henry the fift, was elected Emperour, and raigned 15. yeeres. Henry Duke of Saxonie, and Guelphus Duke of Bavaria, rebelled against him, whom hee easily subdued. And hee besieged Guelphus in a towne called Winspergh. The men of the towne were saved by the wisedome of the women. For they foreseeing that the towne could not endure the strictnesse of the siege, they gaue a petition to the Emperour, that they might hauehave liberty safely to depart out of the towne, onelyonly with so much as they were able to beare vponupon their backs. The Emperour supposing they would transport vponupon their backs burthens of silver or gold,Note. or costly rayment, hee condescended to their petition. The women preferring the liues of their husbands to all rich treasures, came out of the towne, every woman bearing her husband on her backe. The worthy Emperour admirng the vertue, wisedome, and piety of the women, spared their husbands, and would not violate his promise.
After this the Emperour gathered a great army, and set forward to fight against the Turkes and Saracens, of whose cruelty against the Christians in Edessa, many advertisements were sent to Europe. In the way hee conferred with Emmanuel Emperour of Constantinople, who with deceitfull promises betrayed the good Emperour Conrad, and suffered him not to tarry and get provision of victuals for his army: for Emmanuel promised that hee would in all haste send prouision vntounto him. And while Conradus was besieging Iconium,Note. Emmanuel in stead of wholsome victuales, sent meale mixed with lyme, whereby the army was impoysoned, and huge numbers of them died, so that Conrad left the siege of Iconium, and went backe to Thracia.
In Ierusalem after Fulco, his sonne Baldowin was made the fift King of Ierusalem, who repaired Gaza, and conquered Askalon, and gaue it to the templaries. At this time many Christians were in Asia. For besides the Emperour Conrad, and Lewis King of France, Rogerus Count of Sicile, all these were sore grieved with the villany done by Emmanuel Emperour of Constantinople, and they subdued Corcyra, and tooke Corinth and Thebes, and the townes of Euboia. Conrad and Lewis also went to Ierusalem, and ioyned their forces with Baldwin, and besieged Damascus, but with no good successe. After they returned to Europe. But the Christians in Asia, and Syria dayly decayed in number and courage, vntill all the conquered places were reduced againe vnderunder the dominion of Infidels.
Fredericus 1.
AFter Cunradus, Frederike the first surnamed Barbaross… was chosen to be Emperour, and raigned 39. yeeres. He was a man valiant, of a quicke Spirit, expert in warrefare, strong in bodie, in Counsel giuing, prouident. In doing of his affaires, magnanimous: verie affable to meeke men: a… enemie to proud persons: a man of an excellent wit and m… morie: whomsoeuer he had once knowne, albeit hee had beene absent from him a long space, yet the Emperour could call vponupon him by his name, as if hee had beene dayly conuersant with him: He was crowned Emperour by Pope Adrian the 4. to whom hee did this honour, when the Pope met him at Sutrium, the Emperour lighted off his horse, and came on foote to salute the Pope. And when our holy father was dismounted from his horse, the Emperour did hold his left stirrop in steed of the right, and when the Pope was somewhat offended, thereat, the Emperour softly smiling craued pardon of his ouersight, because hee was not accustomed with such seruile offices. Before the Coronation of the Emperour,Note. Pope Adrian required of him this condition that hee should fight against William Duke of Apulia for recouering of that Dukedome to the Chaire of Rome. Neuerthelesse the Pope not expecting the Emperours leasure, incited Emmanuell Emperour of Constantinople to driue William Duke of Apulia out of Italie, and addressed himselfe and his Cardinals to warrefare, hauing first excommunicated William Duke of Apulia. On the other part, William begged peace from the Pope, promising to restore vntounto him all that belonged to the chaire of Rome; and more also. But by the malignant Councel of his Cardinals, the Pope would not hearken to conditions of peace, hoping to gaine more by warrefare. The Duke seeing no hope of peace brought his forces out of Sicile, ariued at Apulia, and did fight against Emmanuel and did put him to flight. This done, hee marched foreward toward Benaventure, where the Pope and his Cardinalls were expecting victorie. But the Duke so strictly pressed the cittie, that the Pope and his Cardinals were glad to sue for peace, which they refused before. The conditions of peace were these, that the Duke should invade no possession belonging to the Roman Church, and on the other part the Pope should acknowledge William to be King of both Siciles.
The bad successe of the Popes enterprises was not vnknowne to the Emperour, who pondering in his own heart, the iniures which his predecessors had suffered by Popes, specially in bereauing them of the right of inuesting of Bishops, and in sending Ambassadors so frequently to Germanie to the great impouerishing of his dominions, whereat the Emperour conceiued such indignation, that he charged all Germanie,Note. that they should not receiue the Popes Legats in time to come, except they were expreslie sent for: and that no man should make appellation to Rome: also in the Letters sent to the Pope hee prefixed his owne name to the Popes name. The Pope tooke all this matter grieueouslie, and perswaded the towns of Italie to make defection from the obedience of the Emperour, and specially the towne of Millan rebelled against him. But Fredericke brought them partly by force, and partly by feare vnderunder his subiection againe. In the end the Pope had recourse to the old weapons of his warfare, and he excommunicated the Emperour, but the Lord suffered not this proud Pope to escape vnpunished, for as he was walking with his attendants, in a Towne called Anagnia, a flie entered into his throte, and choked his breath.
After the death of Adrian the Emperour was not free of trouble, in regard of the schisme that fell out in the Roman Church, for two Bishops contended for the Popedome, to wit Alexander the third and Victor the fourth. The Emperour was required to pacifie this schisme, who gathered a councel at Papia, and desired both the Popes to be present to heare their cause discussed in a lawfull assemblie. But Pope Alexander disdained to be iudged of any man, and therefore he appeared not before the councell; For which cause the Emperour and the councell ratified the election of Victor the 4. Pope Alexander fled to France and cursed both the Emperour, and his owne competitor Victor. Afterward by money and flatterie, (powerfull weapons in a declining age) he procured such fauour in the Citie of Rome that he was receiued gladly of the most part of the city. Pope Victor had ended his life before this time, to whom Guido Bishop of Cremona was appointed successour whom they called Paschalis tertius, and many followed him. When Pope Alexander came to Rome the Townes of Italie were in great …ope of libertie, and rebelled against the Emperour, they reedefied the towne of Millan, which the Emperour had sacked, and ruinated, and they builded a towne called Alexandria in contempt of the Emperour; and in honour of the Pope. When the Emperour Frederike came to Italie, hee besieged this new builded towne called Alexandria, but was betraied by Henry Duke of Bauaria, and Saxonia, so that he escaped hardlie in the habit of a seruant and returned to Germanie. The Emperour renewed his forces againe, and pierced into Italie with a great armie. Pope Alexander fled to Venice. Otto the Emperours sonne on the other part with a well appointed nauie pursued after him, hauing receiued a commandement from his father to attempt nothing against the Venetians vntil his owne comming. But the young man more hardie, then circumspect, encountred with the Venetians, and was ouercome, and taken prisoner. The father for relieuing of his sonne from Captiuitie was content to come to Venice, and in Saint Marks Church to craue absolution from Pope Alexander. When hee kneeled downe at the Popes feete,Note. the proud Pope set his foot vponupon the Emperours necke, and abused the words of holy Scripture, Super aspidem & basiliscum ambulabis, & conculcabis leonem & draconem, Psal. xci. 13.that is, thou shall walke vponupon the Lyon and the Aspe: the young Lyon and the Dragon shalt thou tread vnderunder feet. The Emperour answered, non tibi sed petro, that is, not to thee but to S. Peter: but the proud Pope replyed, Et mihi & petro, that is both to me and to S. Peter, (to wit) thou doest this homage. The Emperour not willing to giuegive any further occasion of offence held his peace, and so was absolued, and his sonne relieued, with whom hee departed from Venice.
After this, some affirme, that he led an armie to Palestina, to fight against the Turks, and that hee prospered, vntill at length he was drowned in a certaine riuer. The Christians in Ierusalem had their last helpe and refreshment from Philip king of France, and Richard king of England. These two besieged Acon and conquered it. But there was kindled betweene the two kings a feruent heat and indignation, euerie one of them enuying the honour of another,Note. so that Philip returned to France, and king Richard after hee had conquered Ioppo, returned also to England. But by the way hee made ship-wracke, and hardly escaped the perill of drowning. And albeit hee disguised himselfe, putting on the habite of a seruant, yet he was knowne and taken prisoner, by the Duke of Austria, and was brought to the Emperour Henry the sixt: where hee was detained vntill hee paied the ransome of 10000. pounds money.
After Baldowine succeeded Amalricus the sixt king of Ierusalem. And after him his sonne Baldowine the 4. the 7. king of Ierusalem. Hee was sickly and not meet for governement. Therefore he committed the gouernement to Guido and Raimundo Count of Tripoli. The discord and debate betweene Raimund and Guido presented occasion to Saladin king of Turkes to recouer againe Ierusalem,Note. and other Townes possessed by Christians for the space of 88. yeeres.
Henry the Sixt.
AEter the death of Frederike the first, his sonne Henry the sixt was declared Emperour, who raigned 8. yeeres: hee was Crowned by Pope Caelestinus the second who tooke Constantia the daughter of Rogerius out of a Monasterie, and gaue her in marriage to Henry the sixt, and both Sicils were bestowed to him in way of dowrie, paying alwayes to the Bishop of Rome the fee duely that was accustomed to bee paied out of those parts. Henry the sixt tooke Trancredus the young king of Sicile, put out his eyes and thrust him into a Monastery; and vsed great cruelty against the Bishops and other inhabitants of the Isle of Sicile; So that Pope Caelestinus did excommunicate him for his Barbarous crueltie, but hee went to Rome, acknowledged his fault, and obtained pardon together with a confirmation of the kingdome of Sicile. The Pope sollicited also the Emperour to lead an armie to Asia, for support of distressed Christians, which thing hee performed, albeit he went not thither in his owne person for he sent the Bishop of Mentz, the Duke of Saxonie, the Duke of Austria, and the Duke of Bauaria, and the Lantgraue of Thuringia, with many other noble persons, and with a well appointed armie. But the yeere following their arriual at Palestina, the report of the Emperour Henries death, caused them to returne backe againe to Germanie, leauing the Christians in a verie desolate care.