History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 600-1000 · Century 10 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Of EMPEROURS.
AFter the death of Arnulph was great confuſion in the Empire; the Italians would be at liberty, and the The Title of the Emperour depended not on the Pope▪Germans ſtrove for the honour of their Nation; ſo that Bellarmin de Tranſlat. Imper. lib. 2. cap. 2. holdeth, that there was no Emperour between Arnulph and Otho the Great, becauſe they were not Crowned by the Pope, neither went they into Italy. But Alb. Crantz. in Saxon. lib. 3. cap. 4. ſaith, If he be not Emperour who is not Crowned by a Pope, who did Crown Auguſtus, and all the Caeſars, until Charls the Great? He by whom Kings do reign, and the mighty diſcern juſtice. If he be not Emperour who goeth not into Italy, let the Conſtantinopolitans loſe their liberty, of whom few have ſeen Italy: So alſo the Emperours of our time [he died An. 1517.] Wherefore (ſaith he) let us not defraud theſe good Emperours of their own honour; we know by what way the Roman Popes have inſinuated themſelves into that inauguration. So far he. And ſeeing the three next Emperours did injoy that Title, the Empire was not transferred from France to Germany by the Popes. Theſe were Emperours beyond the Alps, as the Italian Hiſtorians term them. The Empire, through the laſt hundred years, went by ſucceſſion, and not by election either of Pope or of Princes; except that once or twice the right heir was diſappointed by their own negligence, and the ambition of others, ſaith Crantz. loc. cit. The Italians had their own reſpects, and would hold the Title among themſelves, yet could never conſent in the perſon of any; as followeth. The Hiſtory of this Century is confuſed, as the times were miſerable; for unceſſant Wars were every where; wrongs, rapines and vices abounded, little juſtice was executed; eſpecially in Italy learning decaied, charity was not known, zeal was gone, and the Infidels became ſtrong.
2. LEWIS ſucceded his Father in the Empire of the Germans; and Berengarius Troublous times.prevailed in Italy, but came not into Rome. The Hungars (a people lately come from Scythia) were troubleſom to both theſe Nations, and they forced both theſe Emperours to give them a ſum of money yearly. Lewis eſpying the weakneſs of the Pope, and the diſſenſions in Italy, had a purpoſe to recover it; once he put Berengarius to flight, and poſſeſſed himſelf of the moſt part of Lombardy; they received him in Belona, but laid hands on him unaware, and delivered him unto Berengarius, who cauſed his eys to be put out; ſhortly thereafter he died An. 912. In his time the valiant Fernando Conſalves, made great conqueſt in Spain againſt the Sarazens. Then contention aroſe between the French and the Germans for the Empire. Lewis King of Provence, pretendeth that he is neareſt in blood; but the German Princes held together, and would have choſen Otho Duke of Saxony, a valiant and wiſe man, who had married the only daughter of the defunct Lewis; but he refuſed it, pretending infirmity in reſpect of his age, and fearing troubles; and he perſwadeth to chuſe,
3. CONRADE the I, Duke of Franconia, the Nephew of the Emperour More troubles.Arnulph, and brother-ſon of Lewis. He followed the counſel of Otho during his daies. In the beginning of his Reign, Saba King of the Mores, by the procurement of Conſtantine, Emperour of Conſtantinople, came into Italy, and occupied Palia, Calabria, and all the Kingdom of Naples, to the ſmall advantage of him who had inticed him; neither could they be expelled, becauſe of the ſeditions amongſt Chriſtians every where: Eſpecially when Otho was dead, Conrade was moleſted by his ſon Henry, pretending that the Empire did by line belong unto him. Conrade ſent his brother againſt the Saxon, who was overthrown; then he repaired his Army, and ſent Embaſſadours unto Henry, requiring him to ſubmit upon honourable conditions: Henry would hear of no Treaty. Then Conrade fell ſick, and feeling death approach, he perſwaded his brother Eberhard to ſubmit unto Henry, and ſent him unto him with the Crown, Imperial Robe, and other ornaments An. 920. Naucler. Conſtantine yet reigneth in Conſtantinople; and Berengarius the II was called Emperour of Italy, although he had but Lombardy with great difficulty, Pet. Mexia Hiſtor.
4. HENRY the I, coming to the Empire partly by ſucceſſion, and partly by voluntary reſignation, with conſent of the Subjects, did refuſe to be Henry is peaceable and victorious:Crowned by the Pope; or (as Crantz. in Saxon. lib. 3. cap. 4. ſaith) not that he deſpiſed it, but in modeſty he did decline it; neither did he need the conſent of the Princes, but becauſe he was deſirous of peace, he would ex abundanti aſſemble a Diet, that he might Reign with univerſal conſent. He applied himſelf to ſet Germany in peace, and above all to aſſure the high-waies from Robbers, as uſually they are frequent in time of wars. Several roſe againſt him, but were ſuppreſſed. Arnold Duke of Bavier, before this had lived in Hungary, as in exile; now he returneth with the Hungarians; he uſurped the Title of Emperour. When both Armies were ready to join, Henry called him to a parley, and by perſwaſion overcame him; which haply he could not have effectuated by Arms, and Arnold became obedient. Then Rodulph, Duke of Burgundy, called himſelf Emperour of Italy, as followeth; He overthrew Berengarius, and cauſed him to fly, ſo that he died without recovering his dignity. Rodulph had no great mind to reſiſt the Hungars, which were ſent for by Albert Marqueſs of Tuſcany, againſt Pope John the XII; and they took both lands and life from Albert; and moreover, did waſt other parts of Italy. Therefore the Italians did invite Hugh, Duke of Orleance; he ſubdued Rodulph, and conquered more in Italy then any other of theſe late Emperours, and kept peace with Germany. Henry had wars with the Hungars, and was glad to have truce with them for nine years. In the mean time he overcame the Bohemians, and brought them under the Empire; as alſo he overthrew the Vandals about Brandeburgh, and gave their lands unto his Field-Marſhal, with the Title of Marqueſs. Alb. Crantz. li. cit. c. 8 & 9. He overthrew the Sclavonians by the Beltick Sea, and returned with much ſpoil. When the nine years truce was expired, he obtained ſo great a victory againſt the Hungarians, that all the Princes of Chriſtendom ſent unto him with congratulation. Then he intended to recover Italy from Hugh and the Sarazens, but was viſited with ſickneſs, and declared his ſon to be his Succeſſour, An. 937. At this time Conſtantine was dead, who had many times fought with the Sarazens in Aſia, and with the Bulgarians; the Ruſſians had brought a thouſand Ships through the Euxine Sea, and were diſcomfited by him. His father-in-law Romanus was partner of the Empire with him 26 years, and then another Romanus ſucceeded unto his father. Zonar.
5. OTHO or Otto the I, was Crowned at Aken by the Biſhop of Mentz, The German Emperour,and was many waies troubled, for Bodiſlaus (who had killed his brother, becauſe he had ſubmitted unto the Emperour, or rather for covetouſneſs of the Dukedom of Bohem) rebelled, and with the aid of the Hungars continued Wars the ſpace of 14 years: And in the mean time his own brother Henry, with other Princes of Germany, fought many Battels againſt him. In the end they all convened their forces, and as he was croſſing the Rhine with his Army, they came unawares upon that part which had croſſed, and at firſt took his Ships. The Emperour was ſorely moved that he could not come at his Army, and betook himſelf, with ſuch as were with him, unto prayers; and the next morning all his Adverſaries were ſcattered, neither knew they upon what motive, ſuch fear had overtaken them. The Italians now hearing of his ſucceſs, and being oppreſſed by Berengarius the III; they, and eſpecially Pope Agapet, did invite Otho to deliver the Church and Italy. He was not makes conqueſt in Italy,ſlow, and vanquiſhed the oppreſſour; and then by all the Italians he was ſaluted Auguſtus and Emperour. Tho. Couper. ad An. 962. Afterward his eldeſt ſon Ludolf, taking it ill that his father did marry again; and Conrade, Duke of Lorrain, the Emperour's ſon-in-law, taking it alſo ill that he had left Berengarius Governour of Italy, they conſpire againſt Otho; Ludolf was taken, and Conrad fled; within ſome moneths he received them both into favour. Then the Hungars did raiſe ſuch an Army that they thought themſelves invincible; and in the mean time, on the other ſide, the Sclavonians roſe againſt Otho: he ſubdued them both. Then Pope John the XIII, and his faction at Rome, began to envy the proſperity of the Germans, and ſent to Adelbert, the ſon of Berengarius, promiſing aſſiſtance if he would deliver Rome and Italy; and their adverſe party, with two Cardinals, ſent unto Otho, intreating that he would come unto the aid of the Church and Common-Wealth, for both were in danger. When Pope John had intelligence hereof, he cauſed the noſe of the one Cardinal to be cut off, and the hand of the other. Otho compoſed his affairs in Germany the beſt way he could, and haſtned into Italy; he took Adelbert captive, and came to Rome; and was Crowned by Pope John againſt his will. He thought it not a fit time to arraign Pope John, becauſe all Italy was in uproar; but did exhort him to live as it became the Apoſtolical See; he ſent Berengarius captive to Bamberg in Germany, and Adelbert into Conſtantinople to gratifie the Emperour there. Thereafter the people and Clergy of Rome, intreat Otho to reform the Church and Republick, for there had been no Councels in a long time, &c. Otho having appeaſed the tumult in the City, and having aſſurance and calleth the Pope to an account,of fidelity, calleth a Synod in Lateran (which, from the great number of Biſhops out of Germany, Italy and France, was termed The Great Synod) and ſummoned Pope John to appear, and hear his cauſe examined. John returned anſwer that he would not appear, becauſe he knew that the Emperour purpoſed to diſpoſſeſs him; and he accurſed them all who ſate in that Synod, and degraded them all of their functions. Notwithſtanding his curſes, the Synod continued, and the Articles againſt the Pope were read: Firſt, That Pope John did not obſerve the Canonical hours. 2. When he ſaid Maſs, he did not communicate. 3. He ordained Deacons in a ſtable. 4. He had committed Incenſt with two ſiſters. 5. When he was playing at dice, he called on the Divel for help. 6. For money he had made boys of ten years old to the Biſhops. 7. He deflowred Virgins, and of the Lateran Palace he made a ſtew. 8. He lay with Stephana his fathers concubine. 9. He cauſed houſes to be ſet on fire. 10. He drank to the Divel. Catalog. teſt. ver. lib. 11. hath more Articles from Luithpr. lib. 6. cap. 7. When theſe things were propounded, the Emperour ſaid, I know that envy follows honour....and in this caſe I conjure you all, that ye do not propound any thing againſt him in his abſence, but what you know to be true. All the Synod, as if they had been one man, do anſwer; If theſe and worſe crimes have not been committed by Pope John, let Saint Peter the Prince of the Apoſtles, which by his word ſhuts heaven upon the unworthy, never abſolve us from our ſins; let us be accurſed, and at the laſt day let us be ranked on the left hand. The Emperour ſent in his own name, and in the name of the Synod, unto the Pope a copy of theſe Articles, willing him to come and purge himſelf; and he promiſed by Oath, that nothing ſhould be done, in that cauſe, otherwiſe then then the Eccleſiaſtical Laws did preſcribe. He returned anſwer thus; Pope John unto all thoſe Biſhops contempt: We hear ſay that you will make The Pope contemneth,another Pope; which if ye do, I excommunicate you from the Almighty God, that ye have no power to conſecrare nor ſay Maſs. When this was read, more Biſhops were come from France and Italy; to wit, Henry of Trevirs, Wido of Muzia, Sigulf of Placentia, &c. And with one voice they writ again and is contemned.unto him, thus; Unto the great High-Prieſt, and univerſal Pope John, Otho by the clemencies of God, Emperour Auguſtus; and the holy Synod of Rome gathered in the Lord for the ſervice of God, greeting: In the laſt Synod, which was held the 6 of Novemb. we did direct Letters unto you, wherein were contained the words of your accuſers, and the cauſes of their accuſation; and in theſe alſo we did intreat your greatneſs, as was juſt; and we have received Letters from you, not as the condition of the time, but as the vanity of your Counſellers would.....it is written in your Letters not as becomes a Biſhop, but a fooliſh child to write; for ye have excommunicated us all, that we ſhall not have power to ſing Maſs, or order any Church affairs, if we ſhall ordain another Biſhop for the Romiſh ſea....If you delay not to come unto the Synod, and purge your ſelf, certainly we will obey your authority: but if (which God forbid) you diſſemble to come and purge you of thoſe capital crimes, eſpecially ſeeing nothing hindreth you, no ſailing by Sea, nor diſtance of way, nor health, We will not regard your excommunication, but rather we throw it back on you, becauſe we may do it juſtly. Judas the traitour and ſeller of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, did receive, with the other Apoſtles, power of binding and looſing....and ſo long as he continued good amongſt the Diſciples, he could bind and looſe; but when the murtherer was killed with the poiſon of covetouſneſs, and would kill LIFE; whom could he bind or looſe but himſelf, whom he did ſtrangle in an unhappy rope? Given Novemh. 21. and ſent by Adrian a Cardinal Prieſt, and Benedict a Cardinal Deacon; who when they came to Tibris, did not find him, for he was gone with Bow and Arrows into the fields; neither could any man tell whither he was gone; and when they could not find him, they returned with theſe Letters unto the Synod, when it was convened the third time. By this citation they declare that Peter's Chair doth not preſerve a Biſhop from becoming a Judas, nor from anſwering before a Synod for his fault. Then ſaid the Emperour, We have expected his coming, that before him we might complain of what he hath done unto us; but ſince we know certainly that he will not come, we earneſtly deſire that ye may know how perfidiouſly he hath dealt with us; therefore we declare unto you Arch-Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons, and all the Clergy; as alſo unto the Counts, Judges, and all the people, that the ſame Pope John, being oppreſſed by Berengarius and Adelbert our Rebels, he ſent Meſſengers unto us in Saxony, intreating that for the love of God we would come into Italy, and deliver the Church of Saint Peter and himſelf out of their jaws: And what we have done, God aiding us, I need not declare; when he was delivered out of their hands by my means, and reſtored unto his honour, and was ingaged unto us by his oath and fidelity, which he did promiſe upon the body of Saint Peter, he cauſed the ſame Adelbert to come unto Rome, defended him againſt me, did raiſe ſeditions, and in the preſence of our Souldiers, he was Captain of the War, being arayed with Helmet, Breaſt-plate, &c. Now let the Synod declare what they do diſcern in theſe things. All did anſwer with one voice, A ſtrange wound muſt be cauterized; if by his corrupt members he had done ill to himſelf only, and not to all others, he might in ſome way have been tolerated; how many chaſt perſons are become filthy by following him? How many good perſons are, through his example, become Reprobates? Therefore we wiſh, that by the power of your Imperial Majeſty, ſuch a Monſter which is not redeemed by any vertue from his vices, may be removed from the holy Roman Church, and another ſet in his place, which may go before us in example of godly converſation....Catal. teſt. ver. out of Luithpr. lib. 6. cap. 11. Then (as Io. Naucler. vol. 2. generat. 33. writes) ſaid Otho, Ye Romans, unto whom the election of your High-Prieſt belongeth, ſet God before your eys, chuſe a worthy man, and when he is choſen, I will confirm him. So with common conſent, or without any difference and depoſed.John was depoſed, and Leo was choſen, An. 963. In another Seſſion of the ſame Synod, this is the ſum of the oration of Leo, It is not unknown, that all theſe evils are entred into the Church through the ambition of Biſhops, The Emperors power is revived.who reſpecting their own authority more than the peace of the Church, have taken that priviledge from the Emperours, which Pope Adrian acknowledged to appertain unto Charls the Great, in governing the Church, and the election of the Biſhop of Rome; wherefore the reformation of the Church requires, that the Conſtitution of Pope Adrian be renewed. Sigon. After ſome diſputation the ſame was renewed, and the Decree is in Gratian. diſt. 63. cap. In Synodo, theſe are the words: From henceforth let no man, of whatſoever dignity or religion, have power to elect a Patricius or Biſhop of the higheſt Apoſtolick Seat, or to inveſt any Biſhop, without the conſent of the Emperour, which notwithſtanding muſt be done without money; and he himſelf muſt be a Patricius and King: But if any be choſen by the Clergy and People, let him not be conſecrated, unleſs he be approved and inveſted by the King. If any man ſhall enterprize againſt this Apoſtolick authority, we diſcern him ſubject to excommunication, &c. At this time Pope John made promiſe to diſtribute the treaſure of Saint Peter, unto them who would kill the Emperour. The inconſtant Romans were moved with this promiſe, nor did they love the government of a German; ſo they aroſe againſt the Emperour. He was forewarned, and put them to flight. Thereafter the Romans dealt for peace, they acknowledged the Emperour's clemency, and do vow to abide loyal in time coming; and for aſſurance the Emperour would have a 100 perſons in pledge. So Otho returns into Germany, and within a ſhort ſpace Leo was expelled, and Pope John was received at Rome. Wherefore the Emperour went back, and laied ſiege to Rome, did through famine cauſe them to render. When he was entred the City, he reſtored Leo; and for taking away the ſchiſm, he calleth a meeting of the Clergy. Benedict the V. (who was choſen after John) came in his Pontificals into the Synod; and Benedict a Cardinal Arch-Deacon ſaid unto him, By what right couldſt thou put upon thee the Papal Ornaments and Veſture, ſo long as Pope Leo was alive? Whom thou didſt chuſe; canſt thou deny, that thou didſt ſwear before the Emperour, that thou without his authority, or the authority of his ſon, wouldeſt never chuſe or vote to any Pope? He anſwereth, if I have done amiſs, I pray forgive me. Then ſaid Otho, It is equitable, O Fathers, to forgive him, ſeeing he confeſſeth his fault. Benedict did caſt himſelf down at the Emperour's feet, and craved pardon. Leo deprived him of the degree of Prieſthood, and the Emperour ſent him into Germany, with Adaldag Biſhop of Hamburg, where he died. Sigon. lib. 7. Now the Emperour made another face on Italy, he created many Dukes, who afterwards were the cauſes of many troubles; and by their favour the Popes waxed ſtronger. Now alſo Otho had conquered Pulia and Calabria, and was called the Great; he ordained his ſon to be his Succeſſour, and cauſed him to be Crowned Emperour conjunct with himſelf, after the ancient cuſtom of Emperours; and then did return into Germany where he died, An. 9…4. Pet. Mexia Hiſt. Romanus Emperour of Conſtantinople had two ſons; but Nicephorus a valiant Captain was choſen Emperour, and not long after he was deprived and ſlain; and then John Zimiſces, another Captain, was made Emperour. He expelled 300000 Roxellans out of Bulgaria, and annexed that Province unto the Crown, and for his victory he made triumph. After ſix years, through the treachery of his Subjects he was poiſoned, and left the ſons of Romanus, Baſilius and Conſtantine of equal authority. Zonar.
5. OTHO the II had Wars with the Duke of Sclavonia, then with Lotharius The Empire is weakned again.King of …rance, for the Dukedom of Lorain and Auſtrich, and had good ſucceſs. He married Theophania the ſiſter of Baſilius, Emperour of Conſtantinople, and with her the Emperour did renounce the Title of Sicily, Pulia and Calabria. Theod. à Nyen in Nemor. tract. 6. cap. 34. Nevertheleſs he ſeeing Otho peſtered with ſo many troubles, came into Italy to recover Pulia and Calabria, which alſo he did. In the ſecond fight Otho ſuffered great loſs; and Baſilius might have taken Rome, if he had purſued his Victory. Otho not daring to incounter him any more, fled into a boat to eſcape by Sea, and fell into the hands of a Pyrat, who carried him into Sicily, not knowing who he was: he was ranſomed, and returned into Rome, where he died An. 984. Then again was contention at Rome for a new Emperour. The Romans would have had their Conſul Creſcentius choſen. Henry Duke of Bavier, and couſin of Otho the II, did challenge the right of educating the late Emperour's ſon Otho, and ſought the Empire for himſelf. The Princes of Germany (for fear of Creſcentius) did with one conſent ſpeedily chuſe Otho, although but 12 years old.
6. OTHO the III, with natural fortitude, was learned in Grecian wiſedom; The Emperour is great again and puts a Pope to death.for his rare gifts he was accounted the wonder of the World. He ſuppreſſed Creſcentius, and was received by all Italy. He cauſed his Uncle Bruno to be choſen to the Papal Chair, this was Pope Gregory the V. The Romans did hardly condeſcend unto his election; and therefore when Otho was gone into Germany, Creſcentius cauſed Pope John the XVIII. to be elected. The Emperour returned with ſpeed, and forced the Romans to ſubmit, and deprived Pope John of life. Aventinus writes, that they threw his body over the Wall of the Capitol, and ſince that day a Pope may not viſit the Capitol. Alſo he did ſet Creſcentius upon a vile horſe, after he had cut off his noſe and ears, and cauſed him to be carried through the City, and then hanged him. The Romans were ſtill diſcontented, and feared leſt the Empire might return to Conſtantinople, becauſe Otho was ſo neer in blood unto Baſilius, and ſo a new mutiny began. So ſoon as the Emperour had intelligence, he (having no male children) by advice of the German Princes (ſaith Naucler. The order for electing an Emperour.chronogr. vol. 2. gener. 34.) and of his Uncle Gregory the V, would provide againſt inſurrection in time coming. Many do call this the work of Pope Gregory; but if his power at that time be duly conſidered, we may rather think with Naucler, that Otho laid this foundation of electing an Emperour. Firſt, That from henceforth none may challenge the Empire by right of inheritance, but by election only. 2. That the electers ſhould all be Germans. 3. That the Emperour ſhould be a German. 4. When the Seat is vacant, the Empire ſhall be adminiſtred by the electers. 5. That the Emperour ſhould be choſen at Frankford, and be called King of the Romans, untill he be Crowned by the Pope, and then be called Caeſar Auguſtus. 6. Some do add that the Emperour ſhould be Crowned with three Crowns, one of ſtraw in Mentz, another of iron at Millain, and the third of gold at Rome. He deviſed ſome of theſe conditions to ſatisfie the Italians, and by the others he thought to eſtabliſh the Empire in Germany; the Articles thereafter were more particularly cleared. Henry Duke of Bavier, for the good ſervice he did for the Emperour at Rome (as followeth) got the firſt place of the Civil Eſtate, and was made Portitor enſis; the Marqueſs of Brandeburg was deſigned Camerarius; and the Count Palatine of Rhine was created Archidapifer: Unto them were conjoined three Biſhops, of Mentz, Colein and Trevers; and if theſe could not agree, the odd voice was to be given unto the Duke of Bohem. The Peers of France were not well pleaſed, becauſe their Kingdom was altogether excluded; nevertheleſs becauſe their Royal race was lately changed from the blood of Charls the Great, to the houſe of Hugh le grand, Earl of Paris, they let it paſs. Platin. in Gregor. 5. In the year 1001 the Sarazens invaded Italy, and took Capua. Otho did quickly overthrow them, and returning into Rome, ſaid, that he would reform ſome things that were amiſs in the Kingdom and Church, according to ancient cuſtom. Sigon. de regn. Ital. lib. 7. and ſome write that he purpoſed to fix his manure at Rome. He begun to build a Palace in the place where Julian the Apoſtate had dwelt. The Romans in a ſudden uproar ſlue many Germans, took Otho; and had ſlain him in his chamber, if Henry Duke of Bavier, and Hugh an Italian Marqueſs, had not feigned a capitulation with the Citizens; and in the mean time Otho diſguiſed himſelf, and eſcaped their hands. It was not without the Supream Providence (ſaith Genebrard in Chronol. lib. 3. about the year 315.) that the Kingdom of the Church might have place, as it was foretold by Daniel. If he had ſaid the Kingdom of Antichriſt foretold by Paul and John, he had hit the mark. Otho returned into Germany, and thereafter he went back to Rome, where he was poiſoned by a golden cup, which the wife of Creſcentius ſent unto him; and his body was carried into Germany, An. 1002. Crantz. in Saxon. lib. 4. cap. 26.