History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 600-1000 · Century 9 · Chapter 1

History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600 · Ecclesiastical epoch 600-1000 · Century 9 · Chapter 1

p. 109CHAP. I. Of EMPEROURS.

IT is ſaid before, that Irene did govern the Empire of The erection of the Weſtern Empire▪Conſtantinople, which was ſtill termed the Roman Empire, and that Charls the Great was made Roman Emperour; but becauſe the Empire of Charls was after the 800. years, I have deferred his Coronation unto this place. The Romaniſts do boaſt, that the Pope did give the Empire of the Weſt unto King Charls; and many, not examining the truth, but following the ſway of Papal flatterers, have written no leſs; and therefore have called the transferring of the Empire, an uſurpation of Antichriſt. But the Pope had not as yet come to that height to pretend it, and the right of Charls came another way; for before he came to Rome, An. 800. he had all France under his government, together with Franconia and Auſtraſia; he had taken a great part of Spain, unto the River Iber, from the Sarazens; he had ſubdued Saxony, Weſtphalia, Datia, Hungary, Iſtria, Dalmatia; he had ſubdued all Italy, except Magna Graecia; and therefore he was intituled, Charls, by the Grace of God, King of the Frenches, Emperour of the Lombards, and Patricius of the Romans. So doth he name himſelf in his Epiſtle unto Alcwin, which is in Biblioth. de la Bigne tom 3. and Alcwin in his Epiſtle de Ratione ſeptuageſ. calleth him, The Glorious Emperour [Galliarum] of France, and Rector & Defenſ or Eccleſiae: Both theſe Epiſtles are in the ſecond part of Alcwine's works. I paſs over what he did at his coming into the City, becauſe I have ſpoken of it in the former Century. Platina in Leo the III. and Blond. decad. 3. lib. 10. ſay, His Coronation was by the decree and prayers of the Roman people. Sigebert. in Chron. sheweth the time and cauſe ſaying, The Romans, who in heart were long before fallen from the Emperour of Conſtantinople; taking the opportunity, that a woman who had picked out the eys of her own ſon the Emperour; had gotten the Dominion, with one and general conſent, to proclaim King Charls for their Emperour, and Crown p. 110him by the hand of the Pope. Aene. Sylvius (who was Pope Pius II.) in his book De authoritate Rom. Imper. cap. 9. ſaith, At laſt the Greek Princes neglecting Rome, and leaving it to the ſpoil of the Barbarians and others; the people of Rome who with their blood had purchaſed ſo great an Empire, and with their valour had founded the Monarchy of the World; ſaluted Charls, King of the Germans, for their Emperour, not without the conſent of the Biſhop of Rome. And Sigonius de regno Ital. lib. 4. ſaith, that Charls had ſought this Title in the daies of Adrian, and then he brought an infinite multitude of people to ſee this ſpectacle. Whereupon the ſame Authour accuſeth the Writers, which ſay, that Charls knew not of this purpoſe. Poſſibly the Senate and the Pope, had agreed to accompliſh their deſign on that day, whereof Charls was either ignorant or unwilling; but the purpoſe was his own deſire. So on Decemb. 25. An. 800. they crowned him by the hands of Pope Leo, as the Emperour was wont to be crowned by the Biſhop of Conſtantinope; and the people cried thrice, Carolo Auguſto, à Deo Coronato, Magno & Pacifico Imperatori, Vita & Victoria: And the Pope anointed him and his ſon Pipin, whom by a ſolemn decree he declared King of Italy. Io. Naucler. vol. 2. gener. 27. The Pope knowing the dangers which had often befallen his Predeceſſours and himſelf, did crave of the Emperour that he would be Protector of the Church of Rome, and he gave publick faith. If it be demanded then, Who hath transferred the Empire from Greece to France? Antonin. Florent. in Summ. Theol. par. 3. tit. 22. cap. 4. anſwereth for the general, The authority of transferring the Imperial Seat, is from the people of Rome. As for this particular, we ſee it clearly, the King of France attained the Empire, at that time, partly by inheritance, partly by the ſword, partly by dedition; and the Title was given by the people and Biſhop of Rome; (ſee Cent. 8. chap. 2. ſect. 12. neer the end) and nothing was proper unto the Biſhop but the Coronation and other Ceremonies; which he did, in name of the people, after the cuſtom at Conſtantinople: As for Lands, no Hiſtory of credit ſaith, that the Pope gave any unto the Emperour at any time; as we may hear more hereafter, in Cent. 12. chap. 1. §. 3. and without doubt the Pope had a great ſtroke in this change, and did act effectually amongſt the Citizens for their own advancement; but this change was not pretended to be by the power of the keys, nor as yet was any of them the diſpoſer of Empire or Kingdom. At the ſame time alſo it was agreed, that all the Head-men of the City, as well Eccleſiaſtical as Secular, ſhould give their Oath of Fidelity unto the Emperour. 2. That his Miſſus ſhould dwel in the Palace of Saint Peter to decide Pleas amongſt them; unto whoſe entertainment was allotted a part of the former Emperour's Patrimony. 3. If any man's cauſe was perverted by the ordinary Judges, and that man did implore the aid of the Miſſus, or Emperour's Commiſſioner, for juſtice; and the Miſſus did adjure the Princes of Rome, ſaying; By the faith ye ow unto my Lord the Emperour, do this man Juſtice; then none ſhould dare to decline unto the right hand or left, although the wrong were done by any of the Pope's kinſmen. 4. That the mulcts which were exacted of any guilty perſon, ſhould be equally divided betwixt the Emperour's Miſſus, and the Pope's Miſſus. 5. If any goods fell under eſcheit, they ſhould appertain unto the Church, without an expreſs gift of the Emperour. Continuato Eutrop. Catalo. teſt. ver. lib. 8. And all this right was not ſufficient unto King Charls, nor did he injoy it without contradiction; for Crantz. in Saxon. lib. 2. cap. 8. ſaith, The envy of this aſſumed name (the Emperour of Conſtantinople not diſſembling it) did Charls overcome with much money; and he did prevail againſt their contumacy by his magnanimity, wherein he did excel the Greeks p. 111not a little; and he ſent many Embaſſadours unto them, ſaith Baron. ad An. 800. §. 7. eſpecially he ſent unto Irene not only to treat for peace, but ſought her marriage, that ſo he might confirm his Title: She did admire the man's fortune, and was willing, ſaith Zonar. But before his Embaſſadours came the ſecond time into Conſtantinople, the people (when Irene was lying ſick) did Crown Nicephorus, on the firſt day of Novemb. An. 802. and he compelled her to renounce the government, and ſhut her into a Monaſtery. Then (ſaith Bergomas ad An. 796.) he renewed the League that Irene had made before with him. Sigonius ſaith, They agreed on a League, with expreſſe condition, that Venice ſhould be free betwixt the two Empires. In the mean time Nicephorus was moleſted by the Sarazens, and was forced to agree with them upon hard conditions; and alſo was troubled by the Bulgarians, over whom he had once great Victory; but when he refuſed all conditions of peace, they gathered together to fight for life and land, and killed him, An. 812. Zonar. and his ſon Stauratius was wounded in the fight, and eſcaped into Adrianople, where he was declared Emperour; but after three months Michael Rangabis, his brother in-law, ſhut him into a Monaſtery. Then were mutual Embaſſadours betwixt the two Emperours, and a perpetual peace was concluded, An. 813. as was touched in Century 8. in Amalarius. All theſe particulars ſhew evidently, that the power of transferring the Empire did not appertain unto the Biſhop of Rome: and ſeeing now we have Emperours nearer us, they ſhall be the ſubject of this Hiſtory, ſo that ſome mention ſhall be of the Eaſtern Empire.

2. CHARLES the Great was crowned Emperour, An. 800. in the 33. Charls the Great had care of Religion.year of his reign, and the 58 year of his age; he did fight many battels, and was alwaies victorious: he had Wars with the Heatheniſh Saxons for the ſpace of 30 years; he did oft times overcome them, and granted them liberty, upon condition they would imbrace the Chriſtian faith; but on every occaſion their Duke Wedekind cut off both Loyalty and Chriſtianity. At ſeveral times when Charls had obtained a Victory, he erected a new Biſhoprick; he founded ſeven Biſhop-Cities in that Province, giving them Princely power, becauſe he did judge that the fierce people might be tamed by religion, rather than by Arms; theſe were, Breme, Verda, Minda, Padeburn, Oſnaburg, Hildeſem, Halberſtad. Crantz. in Saxon. lib. 2. cap. 23. and in cap. 22. he ſaith, Although Charls gave unto the High-Prieſts power of governing, yet the Nobles did not altogether loſe their adminiſtration; whence it came to paſs, that when the War was ended, the Secular power beyond Viſurg, or the river Veſer, was acknowledged by them all to belong unto him. At laſt, becauſe they had revolted, he removed ten thouſand of them with their wives and children into Brabant and Flanders, and ſet ſome French into that Province; and left his ſon Charls there with an Army to keep them in obedience. Charls underſtood that the Latine Tranſlation of the Bible was much corrupted He cauſeth the Latine Tranſlation of the Bible to be amended.through the negligence of Writers, and gave it in charge unto Alcwin to amend the Tranſlation, who did correct both the Old and New-Teſtament; ſo doth Baron. tom. 9. ad An. 908. teſtifie, as alſo that he had an ancient Copy in Biblioth. Valitella. carrying Alcwin's name; and Alcwin in his Epiſtle before his ſixth book on John, ſpeaketh of that his work at the command of the King. He laboured much for converſion of the Pagans in Germany, and erected publick Schools at Paris, Ticine and Oſnaburg, and furniſhed them with ſtore of books; he received gifts from the Calipha of Aegypt; his ſons Pipin and Charls died before him. In the year 813. when he was grown unable to govern, he ſent for his ſon Lewes, and for Bernard ſon of Pipin; and in preſence of his Peers, ſaid unto Lewes; Come, Lewes, p. 112and with joy put this Crown upon thy head, not for ornament of dignity, but for ſafety of Our Kingdoms and Chriſtian-Commonwealth; and henceforth govern thou the Empire with happy ſucceſs; and the Peers did ſwear fidelity unto him. Nor did Lewes look unto the Pope for coronation or anointing, untill Pope Stephen fled for refuge unto him, as followeth; and then he was Crowned again at Aken. Charles died in February, An. 814. He began a Grammar of the German language, but ended it not; he changed the names of the Winds and Months from the heatheniſh manner: He writ many books: In the Epiſtle to Alcwin before his books De Divinis Officiis, he His teſtimony in ſome articles of the faith.ſaith, When Chriſt was at Supper with his Diſciples, he broke the bread, and gave the cup to them in figure of his body and blood, and left a great Sacrament, which is profitable unto us. Lib. 1. cap. 15. The mercy of our Mediatour is above the Legal and Evangelical Precepts; through which mercy we are ſaved, not by our works which we have done, nor by our willing or running, but by his mercy. Lib. 3. cap. 25. The miracles, which they ſay, have appeared in images, if they did not appear truly (as no authentical Of Miracles.Hiſtory ſheweth) were but lies; if by ſome imaginary overſhadowing they did appear to deceive mens minds; it is moſt dangerous, leſt that old enemy by his ſubtile art, by ſhew of wonders, perſwade deceitfully to do unlawfull things: But if theſe things did verily appear, (which cannot be proved by any certain warrant) we ſhould underſtand, that when many and wondrous things are done at the pleaſure of God by ſome creatures, or in whatſoever creatures they be done; yet theſe things are not to be worſhipped, by which, or in which, theſe wonders are made; becauſe the Almighty God, who ſheweth many ſigns unto men by viſible and palpable things, to mollifie the hardneſs of mens hearts by theſe viſible things, doth not work theſe ſigns, to confirm the worſhip of any creature; for he hath commanded to worſhip and adore him alone: Becauſe God ſpoke out of a buſh unto Moſes, ſhould the buſh therefore be worſhipped? Becauſe a woman was healed by touching the hem of Chriſt's garment, ſhould hems therefore be worſhipped? Lib. 4. Cap. 2. The Holy and Catholick Church profeſſeth to ſerve God not by images, nor by men, nor aetheral powers, but by Chriſt our Lord, Catal. teſt. ver. lib. 8. Charls made many Laws and Eccleſiaſtical Conſtitutions, His Eccleſiaſtical Conſtitutions.which Anſegiſus or Angiſus, Abbot of Lobien. and then Arch-Biſhop of Senonen. gathered together with the Conſtitutions of Lewes, and divided them into ſeven books: Sinderus teſtifieth, that they were in the Abbey of Saint Gallus, and were Printed lately at Paris. In the Preface he ſaith, he had appointed theſe Conſtitutions with advice of his Prieſts and Counſellers; and that he had followed the example of King Joſias, who indeavoured to bring the Kingdom which God had given him, unto the worſhip of the true God. Lib. 1. He commanded to try the learning and converſation of Intrantes; he did forbid private Maſſes, and appealed to the See of Rome, but indirectly. Ca. 10. He forbiddeth confuſion of Diocies, or that no Biſhop ſhould medle with any Pariſh of another Diocy; he forbiddeth any books to be read publickly, but what were approved by the Councel at Chalcedon, cap 20. And cap. 42. he forbiddeth to worſhip Saints: Cap. 82. He commandeth that Biſhops ſuffer not the Prieſts to teach the people other things then are contained in, or according to the Holy Scriptures. Lib. 2. cap. 3. Although the authority of the Eccleſiaſtical Miniſtry, may ſeem to ſtand in our perſon; yet by the authority of God, and ordinance of man, it is known to be ſo divided, that every one of you, in his own place and order, hath his own place and miniſtery; hence it is manifeſt, that I ſhould admoniſh you all, and ye all ſhould further and help us. Ca. 4. He admoniſheth Biſhops, eſpecially, to p. 113teach their people both by life and doctrine, both by themſelves and them who are under them; as they will anſwer in their accounts at the great day. Can. 17. The Biſhop of the firſt See ſhould not be called the Prince of Prieſts, or the higheſt Prieſt, or any ſuch title; but only, the Biſhop of the firſt See. Can. 4…. None can lay another foundation, ſave that which is layed, which is Chriſt Jeſus; whoſoever therefore in the love of God, and of his neighbour, keepeth the certainty of faith which is in Chriſt Jeſus, he hath laid the ſame Jeſus Chriſt, the Son of God and Man, to be his foundation; it is to be hoped therefore, that where Chriſt is the foundation, the edifice of good works will follow: In a word, if his medling with Italy, and his advancing His Converſation.the Pope, for confirming that which he had taken, can be excuſed; he was unto all Princes a patern of magnificence, zeal in religion, learning, eloquence, temperance, prudence, moderation, &c. Alcwin contra Elipant. lib. 1. ſaith, Charls was a Catholick in faith, a King in power, a High-Prieſt in preaching, a Judge in equity, a Philoſopher in liberal ſtudies, famous in manners, and excellent in all honeſty; he was never ſerved at Table with more then four diſhes at once; his exerciſe was hunting, and reading of Hiſtories, Pet. Mexia. In the year 813. Crunus, Duke of Bulgaria, purſued his Victory, and fought once with Michael Rangabis, a worſhipper of Images; and at the ſecond alarm he did renounce his Crown; and Leo Armenius, General of the Army, was declared Emperour; he ſlue Crunus in Battel, and returned home with Triumph. Thereafter he had peace; he threw down Images, and baniſhed the Patriarch Nicephorus, a worſhipper of Images, and many more. Zonar.

3. LEWES the Godly, confirmeth the peace with Leo Armenius, and Lewes his troubles.had Wars in Datia; whence he was neceſſitated to return, to redreſs ſome accidents at home, and he eaſily calmed them, by means of his Nephew Bernard. In the year 818. the ſame Bernard rebelled againſt his Uncle, and claimed the Crown of France, becauſe he was the ſon of the eldeſt brother; but he was ſoon taken captive, his eys were picked out, he was ſent Priſoner into France, and his Kingdom was given to Lotharius, the Emperour's ſon. At that time Lewes confirmed the Donation of King Pipin and of Charls, unto the Church of Rome, without making mention of any former right; as may be ſeen in the words of the Donation, in Volaterran and Gratian. Yet he gave not over the City of Rome; for Platina in Serg. 2. ſheweth, that Rome was allotted unto Lotharius, when the Empire was divided again: and Thegan chorepi. Trevir. writing of the ſame Lewes ſaith, It was appointed, that according to former cuſtom, ſome ſhould be ſent from the Emperour to Rome, who having the authority of Judges, ſhould do juſtice to all the people; and accordingly, Legates were ſent to Rome to judge Pope Paſchalis, who was challenged of murther. Io. Lampad. in Mellif. Lewes cauſed the Bible to be tranſlated into the Saxon language. Though he was religious and ſtudious of peace, yet he was not free from conſpiracy; he had advanced many perſons unto high honours; and (as Crantz. in Saxon. lib. 2. cap. 25.) for their wickedneſs which he had certainly tried, he caſt them down again; they therefore did deviſe many things againſt him, and drew his own ſons, Lotharius, Pipin and Lewes, on their ſide; under pretext, that the Emperour did affect his youngeſt ſon, by his preſent wife, more then them. They did ſo prevail, that the Emperour was depoſed, and Lotharius was declared Emperour, who ſhut his father into a Monaſtery, and his young ſon Charls. Many who were loyal, would have taken Arms for his relief, but he did forbid them. Hugobert Bishop of Lions, and Bernard Bishop of Vienna, and many other Bishops took part with the ſons, becauſe p. 114he would have reſtrained their pomp and pride; but they made pretence, that he had married Judith within degrees forbidden by the Pope. Alſo Pope Gregory the IV. hateth him becauſe he was an ememy of Images; nevertheleſs, he came into France, under pretence to appeaſe the troubles: But (as Morn. in Myſter. ex Chronic. Dtonyſ. and others teſtifie) to kindle the coals; he ſought that both parties would ſubmit unto his arbitrement. They who were on the Emperour's ſide, were ſuſpicious of deceit, and would not ſubmit; but ſaid to the Pope, If thou come to excommunicate us, thou ſhalt return excommunicated. Vſſer. de Eccleſ. ſtat. cap. 1. Crantz. loc. cit. ſaith, When the ſons had examined the cauſe of this ſtir, they found the innocency His reſtoration.of their father, and reſtored him unto his Empire; and he, being the meekeſt of all mortals, did readily forgive them, and made Lotharius partner of the Empire with him; but he dealt more ſeverely with the Biſhops: they fled into Italy, nor could the authority of the Pope help them; only who did moſt humbly confeſs their offence, were pardoned. About that time, a huge multitude of Sarazens entred into Italy, took Rome, and made Saint Peter's Church a ſtable for their horſes; and waſted all Thuſcia, burning Houſes and Churches; when they heard of the Lombards coming againſt them, they made haſt away with much ſpoil, with infinite number of Captives; as alſo they ſpoiled Sicily. Michael the Stutterer, conſpired againſt Leo Armenius in his 7 year, and killed him; he ſlue ſome Biſhops, and baniſhed others who worſhipped images. His ſon Theophylus was anſwerable to his name; he puniſheth not only the worſhippers, but the makers of Images. In the year 824. he ſent unto Lewes, deſiring the determination of the French Church, concerning Images; and intreating that he would interpone his authority, with the Pope, in that matter. The Emperour called a Synod at Paris, of which is mention in the end of Century 8. and he ſent Jeremia Biſhop of Senone, and Jonas Biſhop of Orleance, unto Pope Eugenius; who did ask, By what place of Scripture he could prove it lawfull to worſhip images? He anſwereth, They are arrogant who dare ask ſuch queſtions, Ph. Morn. in Myſter. ex Synod. Pariſ. ſub Ludo. & Lothar. Pe. Mexia. writeth, that theſe three moſt famous heads of Europe, died within the ſpace of four daies, Theophylus, Lewes, and Pope Gregoryths IV. An. 840. Lewes, before his death, divided his Kingdomes, and ſought not the conſent of the Pope.

4. LOTHARIUS the eldeſt ſon of Lewes, ſucceeded unto his father, The Empire is divided and weakned.with common conſent; except of his brethren Charls and Lewes, for they took it ill, that he ſhould have both France and Italy; and they be incloſed in Bojaria and Aquitania: ſo they force their brother unto a new diviſion. Lewes became King of Germany, and had Hungary, Bohemia, Saxony, Moravia, Friſia, Bojaria, &c. Charls was King of France, except Provence or Narbone and Lorain, and a part of Burgundy, which with Italy, and the Title of Emperour, appartaineth to Lotharius, Platin. in Serg. Sigonius de reg. Ital. lib. 5. addeth, As much as was taken from the power of France, ſo much the more waxed the power and liberty of the Italians; that is, the Popes. For before Lotharius was crowned, the people and clergy of Rome did chuſe and conſecrate Pope Sergius the II. not reſpecting the conſent of the Emperour; and ſome Cities in Italy were talking that they would be no more in ſubjection unto French blood. Then Lotharius deſigneth his ſon Lewes for his ſucceſſour, and went together unto Rome. On the way he exerceth ſecurity on ſome Cities who had made ſhew of Rebellion; when he approached unto Rome, the Citizens came forth to meet him; after them came the Prieſts with their Crucifixes, and ſing, p. 115Bleſſed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, Hoſanna in the moſt high; and they convoy him unto the ſteps of Saint Peter, where Pope Sergius was waiting; they kiſſed each other. Nauclerus and Platina ſay no more of their courteſie; Sigonius ſaith, Lotharius kiſſed his holy foot; but this is falſly added: for Baronius would not have omitted that particular, who ſaith ad An. 844. ex Anaſtaſ. They embraced one another, and the King held the Pope's right hand; they went together unto the Silver-gate. Then ſaid Sergius, If thou comeſt in peace, and for the utility of the Chriſtian Common-Wealth, and not for rapine, come in; but if thou be otherwiſe minded, remember that thou haſt above thee a revenger of all wickedneſs, Platin. The Emperor biddeth him to be of good courage, and ſo they went forward. They ſate down on their knees, and gave thanks unto God and Saint Peter that no harm was; for they were afraid, that the Emperour would have done there, as he had done by the way. After eight daies Sergius declared Lotharius King of Italy, anointed him, and put the Crown upon his head. The Sarazens were glad that the Empire was divided; and entring into Italy, they took Barri and other Cities, which they kept 30. years. Lotharius had no Martial ſpirit, and being weary of government, he divided the Empire again. To his ſecond ſon Lotharius he gave that part of France, which from his name was called Lotharingia or Lorain; to his youngeſt ſon Charls, he gave Provence and Languedoc; and to his eldeſt ſon Lewes, he gave Italy, with A decay of Diſcipline in the Church.the Title of Emperour; together with this charge, that becauſe the diſcipline of the Church, which was ſo well preſcribed by his father and grand-father, was now failed; therefore ſo ſoon as he could have peace, he ſhould aſſemble the Nobility and Clergy, and by his authority reſtore the ſame unto its former integrity, Io, Lampad. in Mellif. and he did impute his infelicity unto his own iniquity; and with ſorrow did remember his attempts againſt his father: he entred into a Monaſtery, and died An. 855. Pet. Mexia. Theodora, the Widow of Theophilus, governed the Eaſtern Empire 14. years; ſhe ſet up Images, and reſtored the Biſhops and others whom her husband had baniſhed or impriſoned. Her ſon Michael coming to age cloſed her in a Monaſtery, Zonar. He threatned the Pope, that he would come and caſt down Rome, if he did not caſt Images out of the Churches: he was the only Prince that durſt give Battel unto the Sarazens in Italy; but his Captain was overthrown by them. After this Battel, they raiſed a greater Army, and had made a prey of Italy; if God had not by a ſtormy wind drowned their Navy, except a few ſhips which returned to Affrick. They repaired their forces, and return the third time, they waſt Italy, and beſiege Rome, till Pope Leo gave them Battel, as followeth. After Michael ſucceeded his Uncle, Michael Bardas.

5. LEWES the II. had only the Kingdom of Italy, with the Title of Emperour, Weak in power and magnanimous.and had his manure now at Pavia, then at Millan, but ofteſt at Rome in the Palace of Saint Peter; and the Pope lodged at S. Apoſtolos. Continuator Eutropij (who lived at that time) addeth; Becauſe this Emperour dwelt in Italy, he exerced the more authority; having in the City prudent men who knew the priviledges of the old Emperours, and did intimate unto him, that he ſhould recover the ancient authority. He entred with Arms into the lands of Benevento, and ſought to bring all the bounds of Italy under his command; he expelled the Sarazens out of Barri. When he returned to Rome, the Pope gave him to underſtand, that he did not ſufficiently account of his Supremacy. The Emperour ſent him anſwer, that he ſhould not trouble himſelf; ſeeing according to ancient Canons, no Prelate can excommunicate a Biſhop, without conſent of a Synod; and the calling of p. 116Synods is in the power of the Emperour, and not of the Pope. When the Pope heard ſuch an anſwer, he went into Saint Peters, and intreated the Emperour gently; thenceforth they were more familiar, and the Emperour's Court continued at Rome untill his death. Lotharius, King of Lorain, died without ſucceſſion, An. 876. Baſilius a man of mean birth, but advanced by the Emperour Michael Bardas, even to be partner of the Empire, ſlue his Maſter, and became Emperour alone. His entring did not look well, yet he relieved the Subjects of ſome Taxes; he drove the Sarazens out of Slavonia and Dalmatia, with the help of the Venetians; and alſo out of Candy by his Captain, and vexed them in Aſia.

6. CHARLES the Bald, King of France; and Lewes, King of Germany, Conteſt for the Empire.ſtrove for the Empire; the one for his age, and the other for his place, ſeeing the Empire had been annexed to the Crown of France. They went towards Rome, Charls preveneth his brother, and having agreed with Pope John the IX. was crowned. Lewes made many vows that he would take both Empire and Kingdom from him, but was arreſted with ſickneſs at Franckford. There he divided his Kingdom amongſt his three ſons: to Lewes he gave Saxony, Turingia, Friſia, and the Provinces within them; with the Title, King of Eaſt-France. To Carloman he gave Bojaria, Auſtria, Bohem and Moravia; with the Title of King of Bavaria. To the third ſon Charls, he gave Suevia, Franconia, with ſome parts of Lorain (which he had taken after the death of Lotharius) with the Title of King of Germany. The Emperour thought to have catched advantage by this diviſion, and made ſpeed againſt them; but the brethren held together, and cauſed him to return with ſhame. The Sarazens entred again into Italy, and beſieged Capua; Pope John advertiſeth the Emperour, and he expelleth them. In the mean time his Nephews prepare againſt him, and he returning to meet them, was poiſoned by a Jew his Phyſitian; and died at Mantua in the third year of his reign.

7. CHARLES the Fat, King of Germany, ſtrove for the Empire, Another conteſt for it.and was crowned by the Romans. Pope John would not conſent, and therefore was impriſoned; he eſcaping goeth into France, and confirmed Lewes the Stutterer, ſon to Charls the Bald. Nevertheleſs, becauſe Charls did oppoſe the Moors in Italy, Pope John returned, and confirmed the firſt coronation, and declared the other to be of none effect. Pet. Mexia. Shortly thereafter Lewes dieth, leaving behind him two baſtard ſons, and his wife with child, whereupon followed great troubles in France. The two brethren of Charls died alſo. The Normans and Danes overrun France with great hoſtility. The Peers were conſtrained to ſeek aid from the Emperour, who came and received the Crown of France. So all that had appertained unto Charls the Great, was united in his perſon again; except the Kingdom of Bavaria. His grandure continued not long, for the Hungars came out of Scythia, and ſate down in Pannonia; the Normans paſſe the river Sequana, take Rouan; and by excurſions trouble both France and Germany. Charls did once again ſend his Armies againſt them, but with loſs of his Souldiers. Then the Normans became more confident, they beſiege Paris, they burn Towns and Churches, ſlay Biſhops and Prieſts, ſpare neither age nor ſex. Charls bought their peace, and gave them Neuſtria, which keeperh their name till this day. Charls became more unable both in body and courage; he aſſembled a Diete at Triburia, and began to talk of the Empire. The Princes took occaſion to accuſe him as lunatick and unfit for government; they deprive him, and ſet up Arnulph, King of Bavaria. Charls dieth in ſorrow in Jan. An. 888. All this time Leo, ſon of Baſilius, was Emp. of the Eaſt.

p. 1178. ARNULPH was received Emperor by the States on this ſide of the A worſer conteſt.Alps; but Pope Adrian the III. had cauſed a Conſtitution to be enacted, that if Charls died without ſucceſſion, the Kingdom of Italy, and Title of Emperour, ſhould return unto the Italians. And now Italy was divided; for Albert Marqueſs of Tuſcia, Berengarius a Roman by birth, and Duke of Friali, and Wido Governour of Spoleto ſtrove for it; Berengarius was crowned King of Italy, by Anſelm biſhop of Millan. Wido raiſeth a great Army, and with little difficulty poſſeſſeth all Lombardy. Berengarius runneth to Arnulph holding a Diete at Worms; and with earneſt prayers beſought his aid againſt Wido as a common enemy. He was once reſtored, and expelled again by Lambert ſon of Wido, and was brought in again by the power of Arnulph. Arnulph then goeth to Rome, and beſiegeth it. The Romans ſhew themſelves ſuch Lions, that when a Hare, hearing the noiſe of the Hoſt, ran towards the City, for very fear they deſperately threw themſelves over the Walls; and Arnulph ſcaling the Walls, with little danger took the City. He reſtoreth Pope Formoſus from his adverſaries, and beheadeth them. The Pope to gratifie his redeemer, bleſſeth and crowneth him. Nevertheleſs the Italians will not continue under his obedience; for Lambert kept ſtill the name of King, untill he was ſlain in hunting, and left the Kingdom peaceable to Berengarius. Then a jar hapned betwixt him and his ſon-in-law Albert, Marqueſs of Eporredia; who ſent for Lewes, ſon of Charls, King of Provence (of whom before) and offered him the Kingdom. The eſtate of Italy was then miſerable, for the Sarazens lay in the Dutchy of Benevento, and ſuffered none to go to Rome unſpoiled; at laſt they were expelled by Adelgiſus, Duke of Benevento. Lewes now entred into Italy, and was crowned; but new troubles aroſe in Lombardy, untill Lewes was taken, his eys were pulled out, and he renounced the Kingdom. In the mean time Arnulph was buſied with the Hungarians, and expelled them out of France, Bavier, Suevia, and Saxony. Odo ruled France under the name of Tutor, and was the Authour of the three Lillies in France; at laſt Charls, the ſimple ſon of Lewes the Stutterer, received that Crown. Arnulph died of vermin An. 900. The fore-named Leo had continual Wars with the Infidels in Aſia; and in the end obtained a notable Victory. Alexander his brother, reigned 13. months; and then Conſtantine, ſon of Leo, partly under Tutory, and partly alone, did reign 54 years.