History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 1300-1600 · Century 14 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II. Of EMPERORS.
1. ALBERT Duke of Auſtria, ſummoned a Diet at Frankford; he renounced his former election, and was choſen again. Pope Boniface the VIII. was his only foe; but afterwards he confirmed him, on condition he would expel Philip King of France, and take his Kingdom to himſelf: But Albert, in ſtead of war, married the Daughter of Philip, and lived for the moſt part in peace. After the example of his Father, he would never go into Italy; yet he governed his part of it by Deputies and Dukes. He had wars with the Kingdom of Bohemia, and conquered it unto his eldeſt Son: At whatſoever occaſion he had any fight, he was preſent in perſon, and was always victorious; therefore he was called Albertus Triumphans. He was once poiſoned by the Biſhop of Salzburgh, and by help of medicine was preſerved. At laſt he died unfortunately, by conſpiracy of his Brother's Son John, in the tenth year of his reign, An. 1308. All the time of Adulph and Albert, Andronicus, the Son of Michael Paleologus, reigned in Conſtantinople; he would never acknowledge the Pope of Rome. Philip King of France thought now to be Emperor, becauſe the Pope was in his Realm; but Clemens did fear his power, and wrote unto the Electors to haſten the election.
2. HENRY the VII. Earl of Lutzenburgh, was choſen, and quickly confirmed by Clemens; on condition that he ſhould go to Rome, and be crowned within two years: The Pope required this, becauſe he thought by him, to beat down the troubles in Italy, ſaith Io. Naucler. He had wars with the Duke of Wittembergh, Albert's Brother's Son, for the Kingdom of Bohemia. Albert's Son was dead, leaving but one Daughter, whom Henry did ſue for his Son. Then he went into Italy, and ſubdued Robert King of Pulia. The Pope ſent three Cardinals to crown him at Rome; but he began to fear his power, and gave the Cardinals in charge to require homage of him, and that he ſhould ſwear faithfulneſs unto the See of Rome. Henry ſaid unto the Cardinals, It was not the cuſtom of his Anceſtors, and againſt the freedom of the Empire, that the Prince of Princes ſhould give an oath of fidelity unto the Servant of Servants. Nevertheleſs he was crowned, and received graciouſly by the Clergy and many Cities; and he compelled them to obedience who did refuſe. The Pope did ſtrengthen the above named Robert againſt him; and becauſe that courſe could not prevail, Jacobine, a Dominican, gave him poiſon in the wine at the Maſs, in Bonconvento, An. 1315. The Pope by his divulged Bulls, would have excuſed the Frier; but the people were ſo inraged for this villany, that they aroſe againſt that Order, and killed many of them, and burnt their houſes in Tuſcia and Lombardy. Andronicus was now become old, and aſſumed his Son Michael to govern equally; but he lived not long time: his Son Andronicus rebelled againſt the old Emperor, ſo that Greece was divided, and became a prey unto Othoman. At that time Chatiles, Governor of Peloponeſus, ſent for the aid of the Turks; they came, and carried great ſpoil out of Thracia. The other party ſent unto the Italians and Spaniards, which both ſought their own gain; and when the Greeks were ſenſible of their folly, they did ſubmit themſelves unto young Andronicus; and then he dealt roughly both with the Turks and Italians, ſo that they both became his enemies, Laonic. Chalco con. de reb. Turci. lib. 1.
3. After the death of Henry, the Electors could not agree; for four choſe Lewis Duke of Bavier; of thoſe four, the Duke of Brandeburgh gave his ſentence by his Proctor; and the other three choſe Frederick Duke of Auſtria, who thereafter purchaſed the conſent of Brandeburgh; they were crowned by two Biſhops ſeverally; Lewis at Aken, and the other at Bonna; and great ſedition aroſe in Germany. They both, by their Ambaſſades, ſought confirmation from the Pope. Unto LEWIS he ſaid, He had already uſurped too much, and gone beyond the power of an abſolute Emperor. FREDERICK did alledge the valiantneſs of his Father and Grandfather. Pope John ſaid, Solomon's Son was not very wiſe. So he rejected them both; and alledged, that according to former Acts of his Predeceſſors, now he was Emperor. Wherefore wars continued eight years; and John proclaimed againſt them both, alledging, that the Imperial Crown is the gift of the Pope, ſince it was decreed, that the Germans may elect their King, but then he is Emperor, when the Pope of Rome, who is Father and Prince of all Chriſtendom, doth approve him; and when the Electors cannot agree, none is King, but the Biſhop of Rome governeth at his pleaſure, even as the ſoul ſhould command the body, by whoſe benefit it liveth; and ſo ſhall the world be well ruled, when profane things are ſubject unto ſpiritual......For theſe cauſes, ſeeing two are choſen....and neither of the two ſeemeth worthy unto us, (ſaid he) we command, that within three months they both renounce, &c. The moſt did follow Lewis. At Frankford was a frequent Diet of the Princes, and all the Electors (Frederick was a captive) there many things were decreed for the honor of the Empire; and that Lewis ſhould provide, that the liberty of Germany be not turned into bondage; and whoſoever will maintain the Acts of Pope John, is an enemy of the Republick. Immediately Otho Biſhop of Carintha, and Lambert Biſhop of Tolouſe, the Pope's Legates, were expelled out of Germany. All the Biſhops, Prelates, Prieſts and Monks, obeyed the Decree; only the Dominicans inclined ſometimes unto the Emperor, and ſometimes unto the Pope. By Authority of that Aſſembly, an Act was A deſcription of the Pope.publiſhed, that is in Aventin. lib. cit. The heads are; Chriſt the Savior, our Lord and God, and his chief Apoſtles, Peter, Paul, James and John have foretold, that perillous times were coming after their departure; and they have ſorewarned eſpecially, that we ſhould beware of falſe Chriſts, falſe Apoſtles, and falſe Prophets, who are ſo called from the lyes of their feigned Religion; terming themſelves Prieſts, when they are the meſſengers of Antichriſt; their inſatiable thirſt of honor and money, their letchery and pride being moſt manifeſt, bewray them; we deny not, but confeſs ſincerely, that our times cannot endure any cenſure......long cuſtom prevaileth above truth; indignation breaketh our ſilence; ſeeing from Heaven we are ſet in the higheſt watch of human affairs, we cannot be ſilent, leſt we prove to be dumb dogs that cannot bark, as the Prophet ſpeaketh; although we cannot drive away the wolves, becauſe of the iniquities of the times; yet it is our duty to reſiſt them, and declare who they are; although we cannot prevail againſt them, lurking under ſheeps skins, as we would; yet it is in ſome meaſure ſufficient unto thoſe who cannot attain, to have a willingneſs to do. [Then they apply unto John, ſhewing how that he vexed the Church of Chriſt, and compelled Chriſtians to draw their ſwords againſt Chriſtians; and brought people into a cuſtom of perjury, rebellion, and conſpiracies; and they add] Neither can Chriſtians keep peace when God giveth it, they are ſo troubled with this Antichriſt; ſo great is the madneſs of this man, or rather Satan, that openly, in Aſſemblies, he proclaimeth his wickedneſs, as if they were good works: When Chriſtian Princes are at variance, then indeed he is Prieſt of Rome; the great Prieſt then reigneth and domineereth, when all things are waſted with jars and broils, and his power becometh terrible; he might have moſt eaſily reſtored peace with one Letter, but he hath no will that peace be among us; yea, by him rather was the diſcord increaſed; he feigned now to favor Lewis, and then to love Frederick; as each of them was weaker, he promiſed his aid unto the weaker; he did purpoſely invite both unto the Coronation, and gave fair words unto both; when they were ready to have agreed, he peſwaded them unto Arms; all theſe things he doth craftily, that when we are undone by inteſtine wars, he may deſtroy the Empire, and poſſeſs Caſtles, Towns, and Republicks.......When he is capital foe, and publick enemy, yet he will be Proctor, Witneſs, and Judge in his own cauſe....what he pleaſeth, he judgeth lawful......he aſſumeth the ſpirit of Satan, making himſelf like unto the moſt High; and ſuffering himſelf to be worſhipped, (which the Angel forbad John to do) and his feet to be kiſſed, after the manner of Diocleſian and Alexander, two moſt cruel Tyrants.....Thoſe Popes have thruſt Caeſar out of Rome and Italy, and Chriſt out of the Earth; they permit the Heavens unto him, and have taken Hell and Earth unto themſelves; and they will be believed, not only called gods of the earth and of men, as if they reign over the ſouls and tongues, or as if they had divided the Empire of the world with Jupiter; how contrary are theſe things, Crucified and Supream power, a Soldier and a Prieſt, an Emperor and a Paſtor?.....he is the two headed Beaſt, who is Auguſtus and the great high Prieſt; as we read of Nero, Decius, &c. Then they refute the particulars of the Pope's Bull; finally concluding, If he be not the Antichriſt, certainly he is his forerunner, from whom we appeal unto the Chriſtian Senate of the world. This Apology of Lewis prevailed, even among his foes, that the Earl of Tirolis, and ſome others, dealt for peace between Lewis and Frederick. Lewis had the other captive, and he ſet him at liberty, on condition that he ſhould renounce the title of Emperor; and within few years he died. Then Lewis was ſole Emperor; and he went into Italy, An. 1327. being invited by the Gibelines, to aid them againſt the Gwelphs; and he exerciſed the Imperial Authority where he came; therefore the Pope excommunicated him, Platin. But Tho. Couper in Epiſt. ſaith, He was accurſed, becauſe Udalrick, the Emperor's Secretary, (without the Emperor's knowledge) in an Epiſtle, had called the Pope, the Beaſt riſing out of the Sea. The Emperor did often profer a treaty of peace, but the Pope would not hear of it. Many learned men, both Divines and Juriſts of Bolonia and Paris, wrote then againſt the Pope, as followeth. When Lewis could not obtain confirmation from the Pope, he entred into Rome, and was received gladly; he and the Empreſs were crowned by Stephen Colonna, Vicar of Rome, with full conſent (ſaith Platin.) of Nobles and Cardinals. The City was then governed by their own Citizens, under the title, Vicars of the King of the Romans. Plat. in Iohan. There he aſſembled a very frequent Synod, and declared more fully, 1. What wrongs he had ſuffered from Jac. de Cadurco, alias Pope John the XXII. or rather the myſtical Antichriſt (ſaid he) and Abiathar, who had followed Abſalom againſt David. [And he did not only thus complain; but alſo the Orators of the Armenians, and other Nations, againſt whom John had covenanted with the Turk.] 2. He ſhewed what Authority other Emperors had exerciſed againſt the Popes, when they were found vicious. 3. With common conſent of the Princes, and Biſhops of Italy and Germany, and aſſent of the Prieſts and People, Pope John was condemned of irreligiouſneſs and hereſie; and as Author of the Antichriſtian Empire. Laſtly, They did chuſe another Pope, Nicolaus the V. as is written before. John raged, and deprived Lewis again. When Benedict the XII. was choſen, Lewis ſent Orators, craving peace; and the Pope anſwered, that he and his Brethren would take care to reſtore that Noble branch which was cut off from the Church; and he did commend Lewis, as the moſt eminent Prince of the world: He bewailed alſo, that Italy was oppreſſed by Tyrants, and the holy Land by the Saracens, and all theſe evils had hapned for want of an Emperor. The Orators hearing the Pope ſpeak thus, were aſſured that the abſolution was granted. But (ſaith Naucler. gener. 45.) the King of France, and Robert King of Apulia, turn all upſide down; for two Arch-Biſhops, and two Counts, came and diſſwaded the Pope from making peace with Lewis, leſt he be called a friend of Hereticks. Benedict ſaid unto them, Do your Maſters wiſh, that there be no Empire? We ſpeak not, holy Father, (ſaid they) againſt the Empire, but againſt the perſon of Lewis, which is condemned for his practiſing againſt the Church. Then ſaid Benedict, It is true, we have done againſt him; but he would have fallen at the feet of our Predeceſſor, if he could have been accepted; and what he hath done, he hath been provoked thereunto. But (ſaith Naucler.) the Pope could not prevail. And John King of Bohemia, and Henry Duke of Bavier, wrote, that with the aid of the Kings of Hungary and Cracow, they would ſet up another King of the Romans. So the Cardinals did for that time hinder the abſolution, and the Orators were diſmiſſed with fair words. In the year 1336, Lewis aſſembled the Princes in Spira, and from thence ſent other Orators unto the Pope for abſolution; among theſe was Gerlak Count de Naſſaw, and the Biſhop of Curia. When they came, Benedict weeping, ſaid, He loved Prince Lewis; but the King of France had written unto him, that if he did abſolve Lewis without his conſent, he ſhould finde worſe dealing then Boniface had found. The next year Lewis and Philip de Valois, King of France, were agreed; and they both ſent together unto Benedict for abſolution of Lewis. Then ſaid Benedict, Shall I now judge Lewis an Heretick, and then a moſt religious Chriſtian, at the King's nod? and ſo did ſtill refuſe. And it is thought (ſaith Naucler.) Philip did pretend to deſire what he would not; and Benedict did profeſs what he would not, though he would have done it; and ſo nothing was done. But it will appear, that the Pope did diſſemble at firſt, and at this time began to ſhew himſelf. In the year 1338, Lewis called another Diet to Frankford, and there, by advice of ſome Minorites, he publiſhed a Declaration againſt the Sentence of Pope John, where he proved out of the Canon Law and Ancient Cuſtoms, that it appertained only unto the Electors to chuſe the Emperor; and the intereſt of the Pope is onelyonly to anoint him, being choſen, which is but a ceremony; and if the Pope will refuſe, any other Biſhop may anoint: wherefore when the Emperor giveth oath unto the Biſhop of Rome, it is not of homage or ſubjection, but only of faithfulneſs, and defenſe of the Biſhop and the Church, if neceſſity do require his furtherance; ſo that it is againſt all Antiquity, that the Pope reſtraineth the Authority of the Electors to the deſigning of the King of the Almains only, and taketh unto himſelf alone to create the Emperor; as alſo it is abſurd, that the Pope aſſumeth the managing of the Empire as lawful Emperor, when the Imperial Throne is vacant, which power belongeth unto the Palatine of Rhine: likewiſe he did clear himſelf particularly of thoſe things which Pope John had alledged againſt him: And in the end, by adviſe of all the Clergy and Princes of Almany there aſſembled, declared the whole proceſs, that was laid againſt him, to be null and of no force. This Declaration is at length in Naucler. loc. cit. At that time Benedict made Luchin the Viſcount, and his Brother John the Arch-Biſhop, to be Vicars of Millain, and other Towns; and he gave the ſame power unto Maſcin Scala in Verona and Vincentia, and unto others in other Cities, and that he did by his own power, (as he ſaid) becauſe when the Imperial Seat is vacant, as for a time it was vacant, all the Imperial power did belong unto him. Naucler. ibid. Then the Emperor, ſeeing that now was no hope to be abſolved, and, as the Pope was doing, he created all hereditary Vicars in Italy, (who afterwards became abſolute Lords) leſt they ſhould revolt from him. Pope Clemens was haughtier then all the other; he ſummoned the Emperor to appear, and ſatisfie God and the Church. Lewis ſent his Orators, and promiſed to obey. Clemens demanded, that the Emperor ſhould confeſs all his hereſies and errors; that he ſhould reſign the Empire, and not reaſſume it but with the good leave of the Pope; and that he ſhould render himſelf and his Sons, and his goods, into the Pope's reverence: All which the Orators did ſubſcribe, ſo that the Pope and the Cardinals did admire at it: And then they propound harder conditions. Naucler. ſaith, The Emperor would never have ſubſcribed theſe Articles, though he had been a priſoner. When he ſaw them, he ſent Copies of them unto all the Princes; and they did aſſemble at Frankford in September, An. 1344, where, after conſideration of theſe Articles, they did judge them derogatory unto the honor of the Empire; they all with one voice did abhor them; and they did intreat the Emperor, to ſtand in defenſe of his honor, as he had done before, and they ſhould not be deficient to the uttermoſt of their power. Naucler. ibid. Then Clemens did accurſe the Emperor again for Hereſie and Schiſm; and he accurſed all the Biſhops and Princes that favored him; and he ſent a mandate unto the Electors, to proceed unto a new election. The Hereſies were; 1. He believed not the determination of Pope John the XXII. concerning the poverty of Chriſt. 2. He held that the Emperor may depoſe a Pope. 3. He, being accurſed, did contumaciouſly lie under the curſe. 4. He gave Biſhopricks unto ſome, and depoſed ſome Biſhopricks, who would not do contrary unto the Papal interdiction. 5. That he had depoſed a Pope, and ſet up an Anti-Pope. Henry of Viernberg, Arch-Biſhop of Mentz, would not conſent unto the violation of his innocent Majeſty; therefore the Pope depoſed him, and ſent Gerlak of Naſſaw into his See. Other Biſhops and Electors, being ſeduced by John King of Bohemia, did conſent unto the election of his Son Charls. Waltram, Biſhop of Colein, got 8000 marks; Baldwin, Biſhop of Trevers, was Uncle to King John; the Duke of Saxony received 8000 marks. &c. P. Mexia. The Pope, without delay, approved the election. Behold what a fire the Pope had kindled, if the wiſdom of Lewis had not been ſingularly patient. He would not renounce his Imperial Title; but he returned to Burgravia, where, by procurement of the Pope, he was poiſoned with a drink, which the Dutcheſs of Auſtria preſented unto him, An. 1347. and therefore he was called a Martyr. Clemens had ſent his Bulls unto the Princes of Germany, commanding them to accept the before named Charls as their lawful Emperor: And he had obtained from Charls, that from thenceforth none ſhould be accounted Emperor, until he be confirmed by the Pope, and to believe otherwiſe is a pernicious hereſie. The Princes and other States underſtanding this, thought Charls unworthy of the Diadem; and they ſaid, Will that Servant of Servants rage always in pride and ambition, that he dare with a ſhameleſs face, more then manifeſtly ſurpaſs the wickedneſs of the moſt cruel Tyrants that ever was read of? Wherefore, after the death of Lewis, they aſſembled to a new election. The Biſhop of Mentz, and three Secular Electors, (the other Biſhops came not) choſe Edward the III. King of England, and Brother in law of Lewis the V. He gave them thanks, but refuſed, becauſe he was troubled with wars in France. Then they choſe Frederick, Marqueſs of Miſnia, Son in law of Lewis. Charls gave him a ſum of money, that he ſhould not accept. Thirdly, An. 1350. they choſe Gunther Earl of Swarzenburgh, (they were ſo reſolved not to accept an Emperor from the Pope) and he was preſently after poiſoned by his Phyſician Findank, who alſo died within three days, having, at his Maſter's command, taſted firſt of the ſame potion. Thus were they all made away who withſtood the Pope. Gunther knowing that he muſt die, and being deſirous to leave Germany in peace, rendered his Title unto Charls. And ſo, after long contention, the honor of the Emperor is brought to a meer Title; nor could the moſt puiſſant Emperors prevail, becauſe the people were perſwaded, that they drew their ſwords againſt Heaven, if they did reſiſt the Pope; as if they had preſumed, like the ancient Gaints, to climb into the skies, and pull God from his Throne; and the thundering excommunications, were judged not ſo much menaces of death, (which peradventure might have been avoided or contemned) but of damnation, which as it is moſt terrible, ſo it was thought unavoidable.
4. CHARLS the IV. was a weak Prince in courage and prudence; through ambition he did extreamly weaken and debaſe the Empire; he approved that form of Coronation of the Emperors which is kept in the Vatican, and containeth many ſervile Ceremonies; As, The Emperor ſupplieth the office of a Sub-Deacon in miniſtring unto the Pope, and ſaying Maſs; and Divine Service being ended, he muſt hold the ſtirrup while the Pope mounteth on his horſe, and for a certain ſpace muſt lead the Pope's horſe by the bridle: Alſo he obliged himſelf, that he ſhould ſtay no longer in Italy then while he were crowned; ſo whereas many Emperors had for ſome ages diſplayed their forces, to drive the Popes from Rome, now the Popes, without any forces, have removed the Emperors from the Tower of the Empire, and made themſelves abſolute Lords. Hence alſo it appeareth, that now the Emperors are but the images of the ancient Emperors, and the Popes give ſpirit unto the image. Naucler. writeth, that Charls entered into Rome on foot; in deriſion whereof, a Senator began an Oration before the people, in theſe words; Behold, thy King cometh unto thee with meekneſs and lowlineſs. He was crowned by two Cardinals, deputed by the Pope; and the next day took his journey into Germany. At that time Petrarcha wrote many things. between deriſion and diſdain, in his Epiſtles, partly unto Charls, and partly unto others: In his ſecond Book, De vita ſolitar. ſect. 4. cap. 2. he ſaith, Caeſar hath taken the Crown, and is gone into Germany, contenting himſelf with the lurking holes of his Country, and the name of Emperor; he embraceth the loweſt members, and forſaketh the head; who, we thought, ſhould have recovered, hath loſt it......I confeſs, his oath bindeth him, and he excuſeth himſelf, that he hath ſworn to abide in Rome but a day; Oh infamous day! oh ſhameful covenant! oh Heavens behold an oath! behold Religion! behold godlineſs! the Biſhop of Rome hath left Rome ſo, that he will not ſuffer another to dwell in it, &c. P. Morn. in Myſter. pag. 472. As Charls came to the Empire by miſerable ambition, ſo he may be called the firſt Emperor which ruined the Revenues thereof; for he did firſt conſent, that the Viſcount of Millain ſhould be the perpetual Vicar of the Empire; and the Viſcount having once full Authority, uſurped liberty: And to the end he might tie the Princes Electors unto him and his Son after him, he promiſed to give them great ſums of money, and for payment thereof, he gave them diſcharges of their taxes, and tributes of their Lands unto the Empire: which covenant being once made, they cauſe the Emperor (when he is at firſt choſen) to ſwear, that he ſhall never revoke: So the tributes of many Lands and Towns of Germany, which anciently was the Emperor's patrimony, is diſperſed among the Princes and free Cities. Then alſo was the order of the Electors changed; it was appointed, that the Biſhop of Mentz ſhould ask the votes; 1. Of the Biſhop of Trevers. 2. Of the Biſhop of Colein. 3. Of the King of Bohemia. 4. Of Prince Palatine of Rhine. 5. Of the Duke of Saxony. 6. Of the Marqueſs of Brandenburgh. And laſtly, give his own vote. But in proceſſion, the three Biſhops ſhould go foremoſt, and the Biſhop of Trevers in the midſt; and the three Princes ſhould follow them, and the Duke of Saxony in the midſt, then the Emperor, and immediately after him the King of Bohemia. Bulla Aurea in Faſcic. rer. expetend. And they have a third order in ſerving the Emperor at his table on the ſolemn days. In the year 1359. Charls had a conference at Mentz with the three Electoral Biſhops; and Pope Innocentius ſent thither the Biſhop Calvacen, for a Subſidty unto his Treaſury; and gave him power to diſpenſe with the Clergy who had not Canonically purchaſed Benefices, either Curata vel ſine cura. There was alſo the Dukes of Saxony and Bavier. The Emperor called the Legate, and heard his Commiſſion; then ſaid Charls, Lord Legate, the Pope hath ſent you into Germany to require a great ſum of money, but you reform nothing among the Clergy; Cuno, a Canon of Mentz, was ſtanding by, with a coſtly hat, or cap, and many golden and ſilken fantaſies about it; the Emperor ſaid to him, Lend me your cap; then laying aſide his own, the Emperor put on the Canon's cap, and ſaid unto the Princes, Am I not now more like a Soldier then a Clark? and ſo he rendered the cap unto Cuno. Then he ſaid unto the Biſhop of Mentz, Lord Arch-Biſhop, We command you, that with the fidelity wherewith you are tied unto us, you reform your Clergy, and put away theſe abuſes in their clothes, ſhoes, hair, and converſation; or if they will not obey, that you command the fruits of their Benefices to be brought into our Exchequer, and, by conſent of the Pope, we will employ them unto honeſt uſes. When the Legate heard theſe words, he went preſently away. Io. Naucler. hath this; but he ſheweth not what the Biſhop of Mentz did in obedience unto the charge, nor how the Pope was taken with the anſwer; but only he ſheweth, that the next year Pope Innocentius ſent unto John de Salverd, a Canon of Spira, to gather the half of all the fruits of Benefices within that Diocy, whether vacant or ſhall be vacant, for two years, unto the Pope's uſe. This Charls did more good in Bohemia, then in all the other parts of the Empire; he erected a School of Liberal Sciences at Prague; he built the new City, and a glorious Palace, and many Monaſteries; and he made the Biſhop a free Arch-Biſhop, whereas before he was ſubject unto the Biſhop of Mentz. He and his Empreſs went to Rome to kiſs Pope Urban's foot, and returned within three months. He died An. 1378. In Conſtantinople, after Andronicus, his Son Calo-Johannes did reign; his Uncle and Tutor, John Catacuzen, did uſurp the Government; and they both were called Emperors; and in the end Calo-John was ſole Emperor. This unhappy John ſent for the Turks to come unto his aid: Soliman then did poſſeſs all that in Aſia had appertained unto the Empire, and came over the Helleſpont, but could never be beaten back again; he took G…llipolis, and other Cities on the coaſt, and then Hadrianople. Lazarus Deſpote of Servia, or Myſia inferior, and Mark Deſpote of Bulgaria, and ſome other Princes, went againſt him, An. 1363. and were overthrown. John came into Italy, France and Germany, for help againſt the Turks; but when he could obtain none, he returned, and ſought ways to fight under the Turks colours in Aſia. Laon. Chalcocon. lib. 1. After that time Soliman became Lord of many Chriſtians Lands in Europe; and his Brother Amurathes conquered more; and ſo that Empire decayed yearly.
5. WENCESLAUS, ſucceeding unto his Father, is called wretchleſs and effeminate; whether his minde was ſet on devotion, or that he would not meddle with the two-headed Beaſt, (for then began the great Schiſm of the two Popes) it is uncertain; and the Civil wars which began in the time of Charls, did then increaſe. The Vicars, which were appointed to govern the Imperial Towns in Italy, became abſolute; and ſo did others in Germany uſurp liberty. The Electors, ſeeing that he had no care of the Empire, and that eſpecially he favored John Huſs, conſpired, by inſtigation of Pope Boniface the IX. to chuſe another; but they could not agree; for two were choſen, An. 1400. Robert Count Palatine, and Jodok Marqueſs of Moravia. Jodok died within ſix months; and then Robert was ſole Emperor. Then Wenceſlaus made no account, and, contenting himſelf with Bohemia, lived yet twenty years. Emmanuel, the ſecond Son of Calo-John, by the aid of Bajazet, ſucceeded unto his Father; and paid him yearly 30000 crowns; and did willingly quit Philadelphia. Andronicus, the elder Brother, was glad to take pay of the Turk. Laon. Chalcocon. lib. 2. The Turks, by theſe means, and becauſe of the diſſenſions in Italy and Germany, eſpecially of the Schiſm between the Anti-Popes, had the more opportunity to ſubdue Bulgaria, Walachia, and carried great ſpoil out of Hungary. Sigiſmund King of Hungary, with the aid of Germans, French and Engliſh, about 100000 men, fought againſt 300000 Turks, and were overthrown An. 1397. Becauſe Emmanuel would not follow Bajazet, and had made a league with ſome Princes againſt him, Bajazet went to beſiege Conſtantinople, and had taken it, if the Lord had not raiſed up Tamerlan, King of Maſſagetes in Tartary, by the ſolicitation of ſome Turkiſh Dukes which were robbed by Bajazet. Tamerlan was admired for his power and ſucceſs; he ſubdued Perſia, Media, Aſſyria, Armenia, and all Aſia between Tanais and Nilus. Bajazet left the ſiege of Conſtantinople to fight him at Pruſa, where Bajazet was taken, in the 25 year of his reign. Tamerlan asked him, What he would do if he had him in that caſe? The Turk anſwered proudly, I would put thee in an iron Cage......Tamerlan did ſo with him, and carried him through Aſia until he died. The Sons of Bajazet had Civil wars a long time, and killed one another. So the Chriſtians in Europe had reſt from the Turks, until Amurath the II. ſubdued Muſtapha, the fourth Son of Bajazet, and recovered the former conqueſt: He returned againſt the Greeks in the days of John, the eldeſt Son of Emmanuel, becauſe he had aided Muſtapha. Laon. Chalcocon.