History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 100-1300 · Century 12 · Chapter 1

History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600 · Ecclesiastical epoch 100-1300 · Century 12 · Chapter 1

p. 305CHAP. I. Of EMPERORS.

1. HENRY V. after the death of his father, inviteth Pope Paſchalis to Contentions betwixt the Emperor and Popes.come unto Ausburgh, for redreſſing ſome former tumults: Now Paſchalis becometh the more haughty, and in the way aſſembleth a Synod at Guardiſtella, where, preveening the Diet at Ausburgh, he reneweth the Acts of Pope Gregory VII. concerning the Inveſtiture of Biſhops; he ſetteth up, and putteth down Biſhops at his pleaſure, becauſe (ſaid he) in the casket of the Roman high Prieſts breaſt, all Laws are contained; and now men muſt ſpeak more conſiderately with him, and account all his words as Laws; whatſoever dare lift up it ſelf againſt the high Prieſt, muſt be beaten to duſt. This was ſtrange news unto the Emperor, who was confident that the Pope would make no novations without his advice. Paſchalis got intelligence of this diſguſt, and therefore ſtayed his journey, and appointeth another Synod at Treca, intending to accurſe the Emperor. The Emperor preventeth him, p. 306and aſſembleth a Synod at Mentz, for ſtaying the Pope's attempts. In the mean time Paſchalis requireth oath of all the Biſhops aſſembled at Treca, that they ſhall continue conſtant with the Roman See; and he excommunicateth particularly, and by name, all the Biſhops at Mentz. On the other ſide Henry alledgeth, that the Scepter was come into his hand from God; and therefore, according to the cuſtom, and Laws of his Anceſtors, he would not ſuffer the prerogatives of the Republique to fail in his perſon: but theſe Popes think on nothing but the ruine of the Empire, and the drawing of Chriſtian people under their yoke; they had deceived him in his rude and tender years, in ſetting him againſt his deareſt Father, and now they conſpire againſt himſelf; nor will they ſtay their ambition, until they have robbed all others of their dignities and honors: Theſe and other reaſons he cauſed to be publiſhed; and concluded thus, Albeit I be able, both by right and arms to defend all theſe cuſtoms, that have been eſtabliſhed by ſo many holy Fathers, and maintained through ſo many ages, yet I would willingly acquit my ſelf of the Papal Synods, if Monks, Prieſts, and Biſhops, would reſtore unto me the ſinews of the Empire, to wit, the Revenues, Cities, Towns, Regalities, Caſtles, and in a word, give unto Caeſar what appertaineth unto Caeſar, and they remain contented with their Tithes, ſerving God, and caring for his people. Paſchalis demandeth, that the whole matter continue undiſcuſſed till the next year 1110. and in the mean time that there be no innovation, that is, the Emperor ſhall meddle with nothing then in controverſie. The next year Henry goeth with 30000. horſe, beſides Italians, towards Rome; whereſoever he came, he was received as Emperor: At Sutrio the Legates of Paſchalis ſhew him, that the Pope is willing to Crown him, if he will eſtabliſh the Liberties of the Church, diſcharge all Laick Inveſtitures, and take from the Church all the Dukedoms, Marqueſhips, Counties, Advocations, Coyns, Taxes, and other Royalties: The Emperor conſenteth, (ſaith Naucler after Gotfred) and with joy marched to Rome, and kiſſed the Pope's foot, at St. Peters, on the ſteps, and went in together. When all were ſet, and the Emperor came unto the altar, to receive the Communion from the Pope, he ſaith, Lord Emperor, the body of our Lord, that was born of the Virgin Mary, and ſuffered for us on the Croſs, as the Church believeth, I give to day unto thee, for confirmation of true peace betwixt me and thee. Some days thereafter, the Emperor intreateth the Pope, that he would not deprive the Biſhops, who had before received Inveſtiture from him: The Pope refuſeth: they come to hotter words; and then was ſuch a ſtir, that if the Emperor had not defended himſelf with his own hands, he had been ſlain: in the end (as it pleaſed God) among many Romans that were ſlain, and taken, he taketh the Pope, and carrieth him out of the City, and indenteth with him, both for his Coronation, and the Inveſtitures in times following; eſpecially, that all Abbots, and Biſhops, ſhould take their Inveſtiture from the Emperor, per virgam & annulum, and their conſecration from other Biſhops as formerly; and no Biſhops ſhall be conſecrated, until firſt they have received Inveſtiture from the Emperor; except onelyonly thoſe, who formerly were wont to receive Inveſtiture from the Roman Biſhop, or any other Arch-Biſhop. Both parties did ſwear thus, As this part of the lively body is divided, [they were at Maſs] ſo let him be divided from the Kingdom of Chriſt, who ſhall violate theſe articles. The Emperor was crowned in Rome, and returned with joy into Germany. Within a few moneths, Paſchalis calleth a Synod at Lateran; he revoketh the former articles, and affirmeth that agreement to have been made onelyonly for the freedom of ſome captives; and he went about to excommunicate the Emperor: wherefore Adelbert Biſhop of p. 307Mentz, and ſundry others in Germany rebelled: But the Emperor prevaileth, and held Adelbert in priſon three years. In the year 1118. Henry went towards Rome; Paſchalis hearing that he was approaching, and having offended ſome chief Citizens, fled unto Pulia: In his abſence, the Emperor would be crowned again by Maurice Biſhop of Bracara, to ſhew unto the world, that he acknowledgeth not his Crown to be received from the Pope. Then he returned into Germany, and Paſchalis into Rome, where within few days he died. Gelaſius renewed the ſentence againſt the Emperor; wherefore he marched the third time to Rome: the Pope flieth, and the Emperor cauſeth to be chooſe Gregory VIII. and recommendeth him unto the family of Frangepanes. At this time the Biſhops of Germany ſtir up the Saxons againſt the Emperor, in behalf of Pope Gelaſius, and then of Calixtus, and fought an open battel in February ann. 1122. At laſt Henry, deſpairing of peace, unleſs he would yield unto the proud Prelate, he renounceth his former priviledge of Inveſtitures, in the time of Calixtus. All this time he had hard fortune, and did acknowledge Divine Juſtice in revenging his rebellion againſt his Father; He reigned twenty years, and died without ſucceſſion. In the days of Henry IV. Alexius Comnenus was Emperor of Conſtantinople; at firſt he envied the expedition of the Latins, yet their firſt victory may be (under God) aſcribed unto his aid. His Son Calo Johannes was an excellent Prince, liberal, a lover of juſtice, and victorious in Europe againſt the Scythians, and Huns; and in Aſia againſt the Turks, and Saracens; and recovered many Lands, which his Anceſtors had loſt: The Venetians took ſundry Iſlands in the Archipelagus from him; and from that time they keep Creta. Pe. Maxia, when he was ſick, he calleth his friends, and The ſpeech of a dying Emperor.Nobles together, and ſetting his yonger Son Manuel before them, he ſaid, I had other hope, then now you ſee, O Romans, when I came into Syria; I thought to have gone beyond the limits of my Anceſtors, and to have waſhed ſecurely in Euphrates, and to have ſeen the river Tigris, and to have ſubdued all the adverſaries about Cilicia, or who have made apoſtaſie unto the Agarenes; and I thought to have, like an eagle, (this may ſeem a preſumptuous word) flown into Palaeſtina, (where Chriſt, having ſtretched forth his hands on the Croſs, hath by his death reſtored the ruine of our nature, and by his drops hath united all the world) and to have gone up unto the mountain of God, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh, and to have ſtood in that holy place, and to have invaded the enemies round about it; as ſometimes the Barbarians had taken the Ark, ſo they have often taken the Lord's ſepulchre: But becauſe I am diſappointed, (for what cauſe, the Lord knoweth) I can do no otherwiſe; nor am I unwilling to yield unto the things which ye ſee approaching; for who is wiſer then God? who ſhall fathom his minde? or change his judgements, by adding, or impairing? for the thoughts of men are changeable, but God's purpoſe is not vain, or variable: And ſeeing God hath beſtowed many benefits on me, yea, which ſcarcely can be told; in your audience, as my witneſſes, I with a thankful heart do proclaim the bountifulneſs of God toward me. My Father was Emperor, I have ſucceeded in the throne, and have loſt nothing that I received; but whether I have encreaſed the talent which God hath committed unto me, I leave that to the cenſure of others; howbeit, without offence, and oſtentation, but to the praiſe of God's miraculous providence, I may ſay this, Both Weſt, and Eaſt, have ſeen me in arms; I have not been afraid of the Nations in both the Continents: ſhort while was I in my Palace; I have ſpent my time, for the moſt part, under pavilions, and have delighted under the vault of heaven: this Land where now we are encamped, hath ſeen me twice: for a long time p. 308the Perſians, and Arabans, have neither feared nor ſeen a Roman Army; but, as it hath pleaſed God, they have given over many Cities unto us his ſervant, which as yet we do poſſeſs, and they do obey our commands. God grant that I, who have fought for Chriſtian people, may attain the eternal inheritance, which the humble, and thoſe who are accepted of God, ſhall poſſeſs; and the ſame God give ſtrength, and ſucceſs unto your indeavors againſt theſe bloody people, which call not on the holy name of our God: And ſo it ſhall be, if you acknowledge that the ſucceſs is in the hand of the moſt High; and by his bleſſing ye ſhall have a Governor, who ſhall not be cruel, vain-glorious, ſullen, nor a ſlave to his belly; or who cannot be drawn from his palace, more then a painted image from its colours; for as is the diſpoſition of the Ruler, ſo are all things almoſt ruled, ſeeing he hath a great influence on them; if he be naughty, they decay; or if he have ſpirits, they do flouriſh: becauſe, as David teacheth, God bleſſeth the godly, and with the froward, he dealeth frowardly. And ſeeing I am to ſpeak of the Succeſſor of the Empire after my death (which now inevitably approacheth) I wiſh ye may hearken unto me; To ſhew how the Empire came unto me, it is not more neceſſary to declare, then to hold up a lamp at noon; for ſeeing ye have conſented unto the Father's will, and ye are equally affected toward my Sons, being ready to obey one of the two, Iſaacius, and Manuel; and they alſo have ſubmitted themſelves unto my will: It is true, Nature is wont to beſtow the Government on the eldeſt; but I have obſerved, that in deſignation of Kings, God hath often taken another courſe. Ye know that Iſaac was yonger then Iſmael, Jacob came forth after Eſau, Moſes was yonger then Aaron, David was the yongeſt of his Brethren, and many more; for God is not a reſpecter of perſons, after the maner of men, nor judgeth he by years; but he regardeth the frame of the heart, and eſpecially humility, and meekneſs: And therefore in many occurrents, I have not followed corrupt nature, but, deſpiſing the cuſtom thereof in more weighty affairs, I would rather follow God, who is free from all depraved affection. Now, if without all ſcruple, the Government were to be given unto my elder Son Iſaacius, it were needleſs to ſpeak of their conditions; but ſeeing I incline unto my yonger Son Manuel, to prevent the wrong ſuſpitions of the vulgar ſort, that I do prefer the yonger before the elder, through affection rather then judgement, it is requiſite I ſpeak a word of my motives: There is no more unity of affections, then of forms; which have great variety, though we all are men equally; ſome are thus ſet, and all do not take pleaſure in one thing; ſeeing otherwiſe, neither God would accuſe any of us, nor could we be blamed one by another, for we would all be neceſſitated unto the ſame conceits, and follow the ſame purpoſes: So my two Sons, though they have one Father, yet have they not the ſame minde; albeit they both be eminent in ſtrength of body, comlineſs of countenance, and gravity of carriage, yet unto me it ſeemeth, that Manuel is fitter for the Government; for Iſaacius hath been taſty in my ſight often; and being commoved upon a light occaſion, could not rule his paſſion; and ſuch anger is a great enemy to wiſdom, yea, hath undone many (otherwiſe) good men: But the other, beſides a multitude of other vertues, which Iſaacius alſo hath, can yield at a time, and follow the command of reaſon; and therefore, ſeeing in the uprightneſs of heart, which the King, and Prophet David doth commend, we think men ſhould obey a judicious minde, rather then a ſtrong hand. I have determined that Manuel ſhall be Emperor; wherefore accept ye the yonger man as Emperor, ordained of God, and entring into Government by my ſentence; as ye have many predictions, that he is advanced, and ordained of God—which if ye p. 309will conſider, ye ſhall finde, that I have not without reaſon deſigned him to ſucceed unto me, but hereby have anſwered unto his vertue, &c. Nice. Choniat. Annal.

2. CONRADE III. the Siſter-ſon of Henry V. and Duke of Suevia, ſtrove for the Empire; but many Papalines in Germany (as they had been enemies to Henry) were againſt him; and Pope Honorius cauſeth Lotharius Duke of Saxony to be choſen Emperor; and he prevailed, and was Crowned by Pope Innocentius. He ſubdued many Cities in Italy, which had uſurped liberty; as alſo he overthrew Roger King of Sicilies, he drove him out of Italy; and gave his Lands of Pulia, and Calabria, unto his Couſin Reynold, with the Title of Duke. The Pope was not content, and pretended that theſe Dominions appertain unto St. Peter: ſo variance was like to ariſe betwixt Lotharius, and the Pope, but the difference was compoſed; ſo Reynold took his badge, and Title from them both. This Lotharius cauſed the Civil Laws to be reduced into a method, which were almoſt forgotten; he commanded them to be read in Schools, and pleas to be determined by them. Since the days of Charles the Great, no Emperor had done greater exploits in Italy; he ſuppreſſed the rebellious in Cremona, Papia, Bononia, &c. he had curbed the Popes, and had recovered the priviledge of Inveſting Prelates, if he had not been perſwaded by Bernard. He died not far from Trent, ann. 1138. Then Conrade was ſole Emperor, againſt the minde of the Pope, and was confirmed by his Legate. He was vexed by Henry Duke of Bavier, who had married the onelyonly Daughter of Lotharius, and aimed at the Empire. At that time the fourth King of Jeruſalem, Fulco, was in great danger of the Perſians, who had taken the famous City Edeſſa; and the Saracens were beſiedging Antiochia: wherefore Pope Eugenius by his Letters, and Bernard by words, perſwade the Emperor to go into Paleſtina: as Lewes King of France was ready, they both went, but did no good unto Baldwin the Succeſſor of Fulco. Manuel the Eaſtern Emperor was blamed for their unlucky ſucceſs; he promiſed them victuals, but diſappointed them; and ſent traitorous guides with them. At this time began the long continued, and troubleſome factions of Gwelphs, or Welphs, and Gibelines; that is, Papalines, and Imperialiſts: the one faction had their name from Welpho, a Duke of Bavier, and Brother of Henry, with whom the Pope conſpired; and the other from Henry, Son and General to the Emperor; and ſo named from a Village where he was born. By the procurements of the Popes, theſe factions waxed ſo, that all the Towns, and people of Italy, bragged in one of theſe two names. Ann. 1152. Conrade was poyſoned by his Phyſician, hired thereunto (as was ſuſpected) by Roger King of Sicilie; he gave the Imperial Enſigns unto his Brothers Son Frederick; and recommended his yong Son unto him, the elder Brother Henry being defunct.

3. FREDERICK I. (ſurnamed Barbaroſſa, or Red-beard) attained Difference betwixt the Emperor and Civil State of Rome.the Crown without any contradiction; he was endowed with all excellencies of body and minde. The Romans were taking of their ancient liberty, and of a free Government under Conſules; and they ſent unto the new Emperor, promiſing to conſent unto his Coronation, if he would conſent unto their former liberty; ſeeing they ſhould not be ſubject unto Germans, who had received their honor from the Romans. The Emperor, partly in anger, and partly in diriſion, writeth, ſaying, They had been Romans, as they boaſt, but now no footſteps of their ancient State appeareth, it being altogether waſted, [behold the wound of the firſt Beaſt!) firſt by Charles, and then by Otho the Great; and that old Common-wealth was tranſlated into Germany, and there are Conſules, Senatores, & Equites: They were deceived in p. 310thinking the Germans had received the Empire from them; for it was not given by the Romans, but conquered by the arms of Charles, whom certainly they in their neceſſity had implored for their defenſe from the Tyrants Deſiderius, and Berengarius, [it was not therefore a gift of the Pope] and therefore it was not convenient, that they preſcribe unto their Emperor. This Letter exaſperateth them, ſo that the Emperor muſt march toward Rome. Pe. Maxia. Pope Hadrian was ill intreated by them, and vexed by the Caſtellanes; and now hearing of his coming, went to Sutrio to meet him. When the Emperor ſaw the Pope, he lighted from his horſe to receive him; The pride of the Pope.and held his ſtirrop and bridle on the left ſide; the Pope ſheweth himſelf a little angry, becauſe he ſhould have done it on the right ſide: when the trench-men reported his words unto the Emperor, he laughingly excuſed himſelf, that he was not accuſtomed to hold ſtirrops; and ſeeing he had done ſo much of curteſie, and not of duty, leſs matter it was what ſide he held. The next day, to make amends unto the Biſhop, he inviteth him, and received him, holding the ſtirrop on the right ſide. When they came to Rome, the Pope ſheweth how his Anceſtors had left ſome ſpecial token unto the See of St. Peter: and he intreateth him to take in from William. King of Sicilie, the Dutchy of Pulia, eſpecially Beneventi, Ceperano, and Banco, unto the See; which if he would promiſe to do, he was ready on the other ſide to perform all duty unto him; The Emperor being adviſed by the Princes, promiſeth to do all that was required, and the next day was Crowned: In time of the Coronation, the Citizens ſhut the gates, and ſlew a great number of the Germans within the City: the Emperor was called out of the Church; he brake open the gates, brought in his army, ſlew many Romans, and took others captive: by interceſſion of the Pope, a reconciliation was made, and the Captives were ſet free. Platin. Then the Emperor returned into Germany, and having prepared an army againſt Sicilie, he promiſed to make ſpeed again. In the mean time the Greek Emperor Manuel His falshood punished.had covenanted with the Pope to expel William out of Sicilies, and Manuel ſhould have the three Sea-ports of Pulia. He ſent an army, and William overthrew them, and the Pope's forces, both together, and took the Pope captive, and cauſed him to confirm his Title of both Sicilies, upon condition that he ſhould not trouble the Church-Lands in time coming. Platin. Then the Emperor began to conſider, how the Popes had abuſed his Anceſtors, had extorted from them the priviledge of Inveſting Prelates; and now this Biſhop had deluded himſelf, in confirming King William in that Land, which appertaineth unto the Empire; therefore he began to require homage, and oath of fidelity of all the Biſhops: and he commanded, that none of the Pope's Legates be received without his licence; and that none of Germany make appealation to Rome. What more ſtir was then, may be gathered from the Pope's Letter, accuſing and threatning, and Frederick's Anſwer. The Pope wrote thus, Hadrian Biſhop, the ſervant of God's ſervants, unto Friderick The Popes Letter unto the Emperor.the Roman Emperor, greeting, and Apoſtolical bleſſing; As Divine Law promiſeth length of days unto them which honor their parents, ſo it denounceth death unto them who curſe father, or mother; and we are taught by the voice of truth, that each who exalteth himſelf, ſhall be made low: wherefore, beloved Son in the Lord, we admire not a little at your prudence, that thou ſeemeſt not to give that reverence unto bleſſed Peter, and the holy Roman Church, as it becometh thee; For in thy Letters ſent unto us, thou putteſt thy name before ours, wherein thou art guilty of inſolency, I will not ſay arrogancy. What ſhall I ſpeak of thy fidelity, promiſed and ſworn unto bleſſed Peter, and us? how doeſt thou obſerve it, when thou p. 311requireſt homage of them which are God's, and all the children of the moſt High, to wit, the Biſhops? of them thou craveſt fidelity; and their ſacred hands doeſt thou tie unto thy hands; and being openly contrary unto us, thou ſhutteſt not onelyonly the Churches, but the Cities of thy Kingdom againſt the Cardinals that are Legates from our ſide. Repent therefore, repent, we adviſe thee, becauſe, ſeeing thou haſt received from us Conſecration, and the Crown, we fear thy nobleneſs, that thou ſhalt loſe what is granted, while thou hunteſt after what is not granted. The Emperor replieth thus, Frederick, The Emperors reply.by the grace of God Roman Emperor ſemper Auguſtus, unto Hadrian high Prieſt of the Catholique Church, that he may cleave unto all things which Jeſus began to do and teach. The Law of righteouſneſs reſtoreth unto each one, what is his own: We derogate not from our parents, unto whom, within this Kingdom, we render all due honor; from whom, to wit, from our Anceſtors we have received the Dignity, and Crown. It is known, that in the days of Conſtantine, Silveſter had not any Royalty; but by the grant of his godlineſs, liberty was given unto the Church, and peace reſtored: and whatſoever Royalty your Papacy is known to poſſeſs, you have attained by the liberality of Princes. Therefore when we write unto the high Prieſt of Rome, by right, and according to cuſtom, we ſet firſt our name; and according to equity, we yield the like unto him writing unto us: turn over the Hiſtories, and if you have forgot what you have read, you may finde there what we aſſert. And from theſe which are God's by adoption, and poſſeſs our Royalties, why ſhould we not require homage, and regal oaths? ſeeing he, which is our and your teacher, though he received nothing from any man, or King, but gave all good things unto all; gave unto Caeſar tribute for himſelf, and for Peter; and gave unto you an example that ye ſhould do ſo; and hath taught you, ſaying, Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: therefore let them leave the Royal things unto us, or if they think them profitable, let them render unto God what is God's, and unto Caeſar what is Caeſars. Unto your Cardinals indeed the Churches are ſhut, and the Cities are not open; becauſe we ſee, they are not Preachers, but plunderers; not ſeekers of peace, but robbers of money; not reformers of the world, but inſatiable rakers of gold: but when we ſhall ſee that they are ſuch as the Church requireth, bringing peace, enlightening the Countrey, and helping the humble in equity, we ſhall not fail to ſuſtain them with neceſſary ſtipends, and proviſion. As for humility (which is the mother of vertues) and meekneſs, ye are guilty, when unto ſecular perſons you propound ſuch queſtions, as concern not Religion: wherefore let your fatherhood provide, leſt while you move ſuch things which we think not fitting, you give offence unto ſuch, as are ready to ſhut their ears againſt your words, as they which are wearied of unſeaſonable rain. We cannot but anſwer unto theſe things that we have heard, when we Note.ſee the deteſtable beaſt of pride to have crept into the ſeat of Peter. Provide better for the peace of the Church, and ever farewel. Naucler. gener. 39. This anſwer did ſo ſting the Pope, and the Cardinals, that they conſpire with the forenamed William, and many Cities of Italy, and endeavor by all means to make the Emperor odious unto all men: Eſpecially the Pope wrote unto the Biſhops Electors, that the German Emperor had received his Title from his Predeceſſors, and now he had power over all Nations, to throw down, and build up, and give and tranſlate Kingdoms, &c. And he made a league among the Cardinals, that after his death, none ſhould be choſen but one of them, who ſhall be obliged to purſue the Prince with excommunication, and arms, till they got the upper hand; and that none ſhould ſeek the Emperors favor, without the conſent of them all. On the other ſide the p. 312Emperorſent Letters throughout the Empire, regrating and accuſing the pride of the Pope, as being contrary unto God (who hath ordained two Governments, one ſpiritual, another temporal) and unto Peter (exhorting all men to fear God, and honor the King) & now, by ſetting himſelf above the Emperor, would make a Schiſm in the Church; and therefore they would ſo look to the Imperial Dignity, that it be not prejudged by the new preſumption of the Pope, as he himſelf was careful of the liberty and unity of the Church. The Pope fretteth the more, and wrote anew unto the Princes of Germany, willing them to work againſt the Emperor what they could. Arnold Biſhop of Mentz, and Eberhard Biſhop of Salisburgh reply, ſubmitting themſelves unto the Pope, but excuſing the Emperor, exhorting him to uſe more modeſty in his Ambaſſies: What ſtir there followed in the election of the Pope, I refer unto its place. Frederick had much ado with the Gwelph Cities (as the Papalines were then called) and ſubdued many of them; eſpecially he brought Millain to ruine. Pope Alexander finding no ſecurity in the Continent, fled unto Venice. Here followeth variance among the writers; Platina, and ſome others ſay, that the Emperor was forſaken by his own Army, that he was neceſſitated to go into Venice, and kiſs the Pope's foot. Di. Peta. in Rati. par. 1. lib. 8. ſaith, He was diſcomfited unawares, and ſo brought under. Others write, that the Emperor had purpoſe to follow the Pope, but firſt he would be ſecure of Rome; and in the mean time he ſent an Army under the command of his Son Otho, againſt the Venetians, and charged him to attempt nothing until he himſelf came; nevertheleſs, the yong man, more hardy then wiſe, joyneth with the Venetians, and being taken, was carried unto the Pope, at Venice. The Pope would not diſmiſs him, unleſs the Father would ſubmit himſelf; and ſo the Emperor, for love of his Son, yieldeth. Then (as all the writers agree) in St. Marks at Venice, Frederick kneeled at the Pope's feet, expecting no new inſolency from the humble ſervant of ſervants; but the man of pride ſetteth his foot upon the Emperor's neck, and Papal pride.ſaid, It is written, Thou shalt walk upon the Serpent, and upon the Baſalisk. The Emperor ſaith, Not unto thee, but to bleſſed Peter; The Pope again, Both to me, and to Peter: The Emperor fearing a new jar, held his peace; And they agreed, That firſt Alexander ſhould be acknowledged as only Pope. Secondly, That the Emperor ſhould reſtore all that he had purchaſed in time of the Schiſm. Such was the fatal ſuperſtition of theſe times, holding mens mindes in darkneſs: and now the Biſhop is where he would be, not (as before) on mens ſhoulders, but upon the Emperor's neck; and hath got it, not by piety, but—And the Emperor being made ſubject in this maner, returneth into Germany, bewailing his misfortune ann. 1177. In the year 1184. he A pretty conteſt betwixt a Bishop and an Abbot.brought Conſtantia, the onelyonly childe of William King of Sicilies, into Germany, and married her to his Son Henry: when they were Crowned at Mentz, there was ſo great conflux of people, that the City was not ſufficient to contain them; and the Emperor cauſed to be ſet up a ſpatious houſe, for the time, without the walls. The Pentecoſt was the day of the ſolemnity; When the Emperor was in the Church, with many Princes of both Eſtates, and had ſet the Biſhop of Mentz on his right hand, and the Biſhop of Colein on the left, the Abbot of Fulda demandeth the ſeat on the Emperor's left hand, where the Biſhop of Colein was ſitting: Many (ſaith Al. Crantz. in Saxon. lib. 6. c. 46.) do remember that this was done in that place: The Elector thought it a diſparagement to give place unto an Abbot; The Emperor being required to determine the matter, ſaid, We do approve, as we ſhould do, the ancient cuſtoms of the Empire, but for this purpoſe we think it indifferent. The Elector hearing him, riſeth up, and ſaith, Seeing, O Soveraign p. 313Majeſty, your will commandeth ſo, I, an Arch-Biſhop, give place unto an Abbot; an Electoral Prince, unto a Monk: but, by your leave, I will be gone: And when he had ſo ſaid, he went away. The Count Palatin of Rhine, the Emperor's Brother, and the Count of Naſſaw followed him, but firſt ſaid, Soveraign Emperor, by your leave, we follow him, and do acknowledge his benefits, which we have received. Lewes, Prince of Thuringia, ſaid unto the Count of Naſſaw, (becauſe he held ſomething of the Abbot) You deſerve well of your Lord, who forſakeſt him to day, and followeſt another. He anſwered, For the benefit which I hold of him, I will give obeyſance in due time; and to day I will follow him with whom I came hither, and is equally the Lord of a few which I have; The ſame did the Duke of Brabant. When ſo many ſeats were emptied, King Henry was diſpleaſed, and embracing the Arch-Biſhop in his arms, entreating him earneſtly, that he would not begin ſo ſolemn a day with ſadneſs, nor move a ſtir in ſo great a convention of the Princes; that he would continue in his ſeat, and not darken the joy of the Coronation with ſuch a cloud of wrath. Then ſaid the Emperor, Seeing one word doth ſo offend you, I wiſh that I had not ſpoken it; albeit I acknowledge not that I have ſpoken any thing otherwiſe then became my place; but take heed, leſt by healing of a little ach, you make a deeper wound in the body; for ſuch is your wiſdom, you know what it is to divide ſuch an aſſembly. Then the Arch-Biſhop ſaid chafingly, Your Imperial Majeſty would have rewarded me well to day, for the many ſervices that I have followed, and performed for you; I am become hoar-headed in your pitched pavilions; I have vexed Italy; I have fought againſt Lombardie; I have cauſed Brunſwick to ſweat, and bleed: this is my great reward, that in the aſſembly of the Princes, I ſhould be daſhed for an Abbot, who had not attempted ſuch a thing, if he knew not the ſecret favor of the Caeſarean Majeſty: But if you, O Caeſar, and the King, will have me to remain, let our ſeats be as they were; if the Abbot will diſplace me, let him climb up into the clouds, and ſet his ſeat in the north, and be like unto the moſt High. But the Biſhop, having notice of what the Abbot intended to do, brought with him 4000. armed men, and more; and certainly they had fallen to blows, if the ſtir had continued. Then ſaid the Emperor, Arch-Biſhop, ſeeing you have taxed me of ſecret correſpondence in this buſineſs, with the Abbot, I am ready to give my oath, that I am not acceſſory to this fault. And when it appeared that he was ready to give his oath, the Biſhop ſaid, The word of your Caeſarean Majeſty, is unto me ſufficient for an oath. Then the Emperor turning unto the Abbot, (becauſe he ſaw, that not a few Princes were ready to draw ſwords for him) ſaid, Father, you muſt have a little patience, without prejudice of your right, leſt any more trouble do overcloud this ſolemn day. The Abbot was a little aſhamed, and took the lower ſeat. Then was the King and Queen Crowned. About that time Saladin, Sultan of Egypt, prevailed mightily in the Eaſt, and The affairs of the Eaſt.ann. 1187. he took Jeruſalem: The Chriſtians kept the Title, King of Jeruſalem, and ſome Towns in Aſia, the ſpace of 100. years, and more; and many Princes went thither, but never poſſeſſed Jeruſalem, except that ſhort time when the Emperor Frederick II. was in it, as followeth. Barbaroſſa was moved to go thither: he was hindered by Iſaacius the Greek Emperor, and therefore did ſundry affronts unto him, both in Thracia, and Aſia; as alſo he conquered Iconium from the Turks; and ſo great was his glory, that his Army was called Invincible; and none durſt reſiſt him, ſaith Nicet as li. 2. de Iſaac. Who alſo teſtifieth, that this Emperor did forbid the worſhip of Images; and did uſe unleavened bread in the Sacrament; for which cauſes, and ſome other ſuch things, the Armenians did welcome the Almans into p. 314Aſia as their friends. On a day, when he was hunting with the Lord of Armenia, he went into an unknown river to water his horſe, he fell into the water, to the irreparable loſs of all Chriſtendom, ſaith Naucler; for Saladan was ſo afraid of him, that he left Syria, and intended to retire with all the Turks into Egypt. Thus (ſaith he) died that Emperor ann. 1190. one ſo glorious, and who had in his time enlarged the Empire, that after Charles the Great, none was to be compared unto him in honor of exploits. His Son Conrade took the Government of the Army, and recovered Antiochia, Coeloſyria, Laodicea, &c. and died ann. 1191. Manuel in the 38. year of his reign, left his yong Son Alexius Emperor, and recommended him unto his Couſin-German Andronicus; at firſt he ſhewed himſelf a good Tutor of his Pupil; then he carried equal ſway; and laſtly, like a ſhameleſs Traitor, murthered him within three years after his Fathers death: but the Princes took him, and puniſhed him many ways: and Iſaacius Angelus, next in kindred, was Emperor. In the time of this Andronicus, the Sicilians came into Greece; without reſiſtance they poſſeſſed Theſſalie, Amphipolis, and made towards Conſtantinople. Iſaacius ſent Branas againſt them, and he came upon them unawares: at firſt the Greeks were unwilling to fight; but being encouraged by Branas, they partly ſlew, and fully chaſed all the Sicilians out of Greece. Nicet. Choni. Likewiſe at that time the Turks had invaded the Eaſtern part of that Empire; and the Myſi uſurped liberty: as alſo the Bulgarians, and the above-named Branas, made an inſurrection, aiming at the Empire, but was killed: And after him others did uſurp the Title; ſo unfortunate, and worthleſs, was Iſaacius. And one Iſaacius Comnenus uſurped the Kingdom of Cyprus; nor was the Greek Emperor able to expel him, until Edward King of England (intending for Jeruſalem) came and took him, and gave him as a Captive to one of his Subjects: he poſſeſſed all the Iſland, and at his returning home, he gave it as his proper gift unto the King of Jeruſalem, Nicet. li. 2. de Iſaac. Iſaacius was dethroned by his Brother Alexius ann. 1190.

4. HENRY VI. the ſecond Son of Frederick, hearing that his Father Baſe ambiton bringeth under.was dead, and fearing that his elder Brother would return unto the Crown, ſought the Empire miſerably. Firſt, He reſtoreth unto Henry Duke of Saxony, and others which had rebelled againſt his Father, all that his Father had taken from them: Then he ſent unto the Pope Clemens, and Cardinals, promiſing in all things to confirm the Laws, and Liberties of the Church, if they would grant him their conſent. Clemens, with advice, aſſigneth him the time of Eaſter in the next year to his Coronation; but Clemens died ſooner. When Henry came at the appointed time, with his new Empreſs Conſtantia, the Romans receive him with a few perſons, but would not admit his Army. Then Pope Celeſtin ſtanding on the ſteps, before the door of St. Peter's, took an oath of Henry, that he ſhall defend the See of St. Peter, he ſhall repair whatſoever hath been diminiſhed from it, eſpecially he ſhall ſurrender unto the Church of Rome, the Cities Tuſculo, &c. and expel Tancred, the baſe Son of Roger, out of both Sicilies, (which Kingdom appertained unto his Wife, the onelyonly Daughter of King William) reſerving the penſion that belongeth unto the Pope, in the name of few. Theſe Articles being ſo granted, they go into the Church, and Henry was Crowned in this maner; The Pope ſitting in his Chair, held the Crown betwixt his feet; the Emperor boweth down his head unto the Pope's feet; the Pope ſetteth on the Crown with his feet, and by and by ſtruck it off again with his foot to the ground; thereby declaring, that he had power to take it from him if he ſhall ſo deſerve: Then the Cardinals took up the Crown, and ſet it on the Emperors head. And p. 315thenceforth the Emperor is but the image of the old Emperors, as Cumm. The image of the Beaſt.Ventura in Theſor. Polit. at that Title, Quomodo Imperium à Pontifice dependeat, ſaith, They do ſtray very far, who diſtinguiſh not the now Empire, from the old Roman Empire; for the old received no beginning from the high Prieſts, but the Pope was reverenced as the Vicar [or rather Miniſter] of Chriſt, and head of the Church: and they do erre (ſaith he) who diſcern not the preſent Empire, from the Empire of Charles the Great, &c. When the Coronation was ended, the Pope ſent immediately unto Tuſculum, and made it level to the ground, to be example unto others, that they preſume not againſt the Chair of St. Peter. Platin. Henry undertook wars againſt Tancred, but ſoon left off, becauſe the plague had entered into his Army: After two years Tancred dieth; and Henry got the Kingdom after ſome skirmiſhes, and ſeverity uſed againſt ſome rebellious. At that time the truce of five years, which Richard King of England had made with Saladin, were expired; wherefore Pope Coeleſtin did ſolicite the Princes, eſpecially the Emperor, that they would not forget the Conqueſs of Jeruſalem, ſeeing ſo fit an occaſion of peace at home was offered, and Saladin was lately dead. The Emperor pretendeth infirmity, and ſent a great Army with the Dukes of Saxony, and Auſtria, and ſome Biſhops. At this time Almarik King of Cyprus married Iſobel the Widow-Queen of Jeruſalem, and he was called King of Cyprus, and Jeruſalem: He had no minde to the wars, and therefore the Title, King of Jeruſalem, was given to John de Bregna, a man of great valor, and Son in Law unto the ſame Iſobel: The Germans joyning with him, were Maſters of the field for a ſpace; they took Berito, and re-edified Japha, or Joppe. In the mean time Henry made greater Conqueſs in Italy, then the Pope deſired, taking ſome Lands, and Cities, which the Pope did alledge to appertain unto his See. Then he became ſick at Meſſina, and cauſed his Son Frederick (as yet lying in the cradle) to be elected King of the Romans, and of both Sicilies; and recommended him unto his Brother Duke of Suevia, and unto Pope Innocentius; and he died ann. 1198. Alexius reigned at Conſtantinople with great misfortune.