History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 100-1300 · Century 13 · Chapter 2

History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600 · Ecclesiastical epoch 100-1300 · Century 13 · Chapter 2

p. 399CHAP. II. Of EMPERORS.

1. FREDERICK the II. was very yong, and the Empire could not be vacant ſo long time, for many evils that might enſue; therefore the Princes moved PHILIP of Suevia to accept the Crown, until his Nephew came to age. He ſought not confirmation of the Pope; and therefore Innocentius ſaid, Either the Pope ſhall take the Crown and Kingdom from Philip, or Philip ſhall take the Apoſtolical ornaments from the Pope. Then Innocentius went about by all means to keep the Empire from Frederick; and to this end (among other his tricks) he abſolveth all the Electors from their oath. and raiſeth ſlanders againſt Philip; and enticeth Barthold Duke of Zaringia, to uſurp the Empire. He would not. Then he perſwadeth Otho Duke of Brunſwike, and Brother of the Duke of Saxony. So wars were betwixt Philip and Otho. Nocentius excommunicateth the Emperor. Nevertheleſs Otho at laſt was put to flight, and glad to ſeek peace. Philip was not unwilling, and gave him his Daughter in marriage. Not long thereafter, Philip had a meeting with the Pope's Legate and Otho, and was murthered by them in his chamber in the tenth year of his Empire. P. Mexia.

2. OTHO the V. was elected, and quickly confirmed by the Pope; but their concord continued not; for on the day of Coronation, a tumult aroſe between the Romans and Germans, for the gifts which the Emperor had beſtowed; 1100. were ſlain, and no fewer were wounded. The Emperor took it ill, and required ſatisfaction from the Romans; they refuſed: and the Pope was ſuſpected to be the cauſe of the firſt tumult. Likewiſe the Pope had cauſed him to ſwear at his Coronation, that he ſhould with all his might maintain and preſerve the Imperial liberties, and recover that which was given away and loſt. Matth. Pariſ. in Iohan. Innocentius did require this in deſpite of Frederick. Then Otho ſeeing that he was ſlighted, went haſtily from the City, and waſted Tuſcia, Marchia, Anconitana, all Romandiola, Capua, and he intended to enter into the bounds of Naples. The Pope then requireth him to reſtore the patrimony of the Church, and the fued Land, under pain of his curſe. Otho did not regard his menaces, and ſaid, He was doing according to the oath of his Coronation. The Pope excommunicateth him at Rome, Matth. Pariſ. loc. ci. and he ſent unto Sifrid Biſhop of Mentz, commanding him to publiſh the ſentence of the Roman Conſiſtory againſt Otho throughout all Germany, and charge all the Cities that they do not acknowledge him. Sifrid delayed no time. But immediately Henry Count Palatine of Rhene, the Duke of Brabant, and other Princes and Barons, levy an Army againſt Sifrid, and forced him to leave his Biſhoprick, and hide himſelf in Thuringia, where the Count did as yet cleave unto the Pope. When Otho underſtood of this ſtir in Germany, he did return quickly, and notwithſtanding the Pope's curſe, was received as Emperor; and calleth a Diet at Norinberg An. 1212. about Whitſunday, where he declareth the manifold fraud of Innocentius, and how unjuſtly he had accurſed him; and then ſaid, Be of courage, you Princes, unto you belongeth the charge of this Kingdom, and the adminiſtration thereof; I ſay, unto you belongeth every diſpoſition of the Teutonick Kingdom, and to provide for every thing therein; it is in your power, and not in the power of the Pope, to create or forſake an Emperor; it is your part to calm the troubles, if any ſhall ariſe within the Empire; therefore, ye Princes and Nobles, maintain your rights, and ſhew p. 400your power for your Nation and Imperial Laws; leſt if ye do it not, ye be deprived of Empire and patrimony, &c. By theſe and ſuch other words, they reſolve to levy immediately an Army, and firſt to invade Thuringia. Io. Naucler. gener. 41. In the year 1214. Innocentius cauſeth Frederick to be elected (which now had been well bred in literature) and Otho thought to have hindered the election; but the Princes (ſome for envy of his puiſſance, and ſome for affection to the former Emperor, and ſome addicted unto the Pope) fell from him; therefore he retired into Saxony, until he gathered a new Army; he made ſome attempts, but in vain, and died An. 1220.

3. FREDERICK the II. left Germany in peace, and went to be confirmed at Rome. He gave unto Pope Honorius the County of Funda, and other great gifts, even a rod to break his own head; and he confirmed the Act, Whoſoever continued a year under excommunication, ſhall be guilty of proſcription, and ſhall not be abſolved, until he make ſatisfaction unto the Pope. In recompence of theſe gratitudes and obeyſance, when two Counts in Tuſcia, Thomas and Richard, did rebel againſt the Emperor, the Pope maintained them, and abſolved them from their allegiance; and becauſe Frederick did expoſtulate Honorius, the Pope thundereth a curſe againſt him. Some Biſhops conſpired with the rebels, and the Emperor accuſed and purſued them for treaſon. They run to Honorius. He ſent a Nuntio unto the Emperor, and commandeth to reſtore the Biſhops, and diſchargeth him that he meddle not with Church-men. The Emperor could not endure ſuch imperiouſneſs, and ſaid, How long will the Biſhop of Rome abuſe my patience? when will his covetous heart be ſatisfied? go tell him, that I have as great prerogatives as my Father Henry, and Frederick my Grand-father; and that I will rather hazard my Crown, then ſuffer him to empair my authority, ſeeing every Prince in France, Spain, England, &c. hath the nomination of their own Prelates. Pe. Mexia. But Platina ſaith, The cauſe of this excommunication was, when his Mother died (which held him within bounds) he began to vex the Church Lands. But it is certain by ſundry Hiſtories, that his Mother died in the beginning of Innocentius. In his time came John de Bregna King of Jeruſalem into Italy, for aid againſt the Turks; he made reconciliation betwixt the Pope and Emperor; and gave his onelyonly Daughter Jole unto the Emperor (then a widower) with the Title, King of Jeruſalem: for this cauſe the Kings of Sicily, were called Kings of Jeruſalem for a long ſpace. Then Frederick did intend to go into Aſia; yet becauſe he delayed (Pe. Mexia ſaith, the truce which John had made with the Sultan for ten years, was not yet expired) the Pope did intend ſome great thing againſt him, but was taken away by death. When Gregory was inſtalled, Jole was brought to Rome to be married; and when the Pope held out his right foot unto the Emperor to kiſs it, he ſcarcely touched his knee, but would not bow unto the foot. P. Mexia. The Pope was not well pleaſed; he diſſembleth for a time, but intendeth to revenge: So after ſome moneths, he chargeth the Emperor to go into Aſia, according to his vow, but intendeth to deprive him of the Empire. Frederick ſuſpecteth it, and delayeth the longer, till he heard that the Chriſtians in Aſia were utterly diſtreſſed; then he aſſembleth his Nobles at Cremona, and cauſeth his Son Henry to be created Caeſar, and ſent him to perſwade the Princes, to ſend aid unto his expedition, An. 1226. At this time the Lombards had made a league with other Cities of Italy, by ſuggeſtion of Pope (as is believed, ſaith Naucler.) Honorius, againſt the Emperor; which league continued many years, to the great prejudice of the Empire, and manifeſt hindering of the expedition. An. 1227. Pope Gregory again chargeth the Emperor to go into Aſia. Frederick writeth unto his Son, to p. 401conveen the Princes again, and nameth the time when they ſhould make their rendezvous at Brunduſio. The Emperor becometh ſickly; nevertheleſs he ſailed with his Army into Creta; and there being hindered by ſickneſs, he ſent his Army forward, and returned himſelf into Pulia. Then the Pope excommunicateth him; the Papalines ſay, becauſe he had murthered Jole, and others ſpeak of other pretexts; but P. Mexia and Blondus ſay, that Jole died after this curſe. Immediately Frederick ſent to Rome, offering to clear himſelf; but his Ambaſſade was not admitted. Therefore the Emperor ſent Letters throughout the Empire, and to other Princes, ſhewing how wonderouſly he was excommunicated, and how preſumptuous and covetous the Church of Rome was become, even the mother of all miſchief. Unto Otho Duke of Bavier he wrote thus; The high Prieſts of Rome do now affect not onelyonly dominion, but God-head, for they will have all men to fear them more then God; and it is ſure, that there be many Antichriſts among them; neither hath Chriſtian Religion any ſuch adverſary—that man which is called the Pope, abounding in wealth to the great prejudice of piety, thinketh (after the maner of Tyrants) that he may do as he liſteth, and is anſwerable to none, as if he were God; what is proper unto God, he vaunteth of himſelf, that he cannot err; he requireth both impudently and imperiouſly all men to believe, that he cannot be guilty of a lye. Avent. Annal. lib. 7. And unto Henry the III. King of England, he wrote; The Church of Rome is become ſo avaricious, that they are not content with the goods of the Church, but they will have the inheritance of Emperors, Kings and Princes, and make them all tributaries, as Henry hath experience, and the Earl of Tolouſe, whom the Popes binde with excommunication, till they bring them into bondage; they have words ſofter then oyl, and are inſatiable blood-ſuckers; they ſay, The Church of Rome is the mother of all; but ſhe is the root of all evil, and ſheweth the pranks of a ſtep-dame, &c. Matth. Pariſien. But Frederick muſt go into Paleſtina; and An. 1228. the Calipha of Babylon was peſtered with civil broils, and the Emperor the more eaſily recovered Jeruſalem without blood, and was Crowned in it, and began to fortifie. The Sultan did fear his power, and ſought truce for ten years. The Emperor ſent unto the Pope, certifying him of his happy ſucceſs, and craving abſolution, ſeeing he had performed his promiſe; and he expected congratulation. But the Pope did cauſe the meſſengers to be killed, that they ſhould not publiſh ſuch news; and he ſaid, the Letters were ſent to advertiſe of the Emperor's death; for he thought the Cities of Pulia would ſubmit themſelves unto his See. And to the end the Emperor might not return, he ſent unto John Patriarch of Jeruſalem, and unto the Templaries, that they would not acknowledge the Emperor; But they did more think upon their own danger: Yet as Matth. Pariſien. hath ad An. 1229. the Templarii wrote unto the Soldan, that the Emperor was to be at ſuch a time at that part of Jordan where John baptized Chriſt, and there he might have occaſion to kill him. When the Soldan had read the Letter, he ſaid, There the fidelity of Chriſtians! and he ſent the Letter unto the Emperor. But the Emperor was informed (as the truth was) that the Pope had created John de Bregna Exarch of Ravenna; and had incited him to invade the Empire on the one part, and the Lombards on the other. Thomas, an Earl, whom the Emperor had intruſted to be one of his Deputies, did certifie him, and told him, that his friends and Clergy of the Empire, did admire how the Pope could do ſuch things. Ibid. Neither did the malice of this Pope ſtay, until he had ſtirred up Henry againſt his Father. The Emperor underſtanding all theſe things, returneth quietly into Sicily; he levieth an Army; many came gladly unto him; and by the help of God, he recovereth all the holds p. 402that they had taken in his abſence. After all theſe things, the Emperor ſeeketh peace of the Pope, and albeit he ſent eight of the chief Dukes and Biſhops within the Empire, offering himſelf and his life to be cenſured by the Church, yet in the ſpace of a year he could not obtain peace; at laſt An. 1230. by frequent interceſſions, and after the payment of 120000. ounces of gold, the Emperor was reſtored. Some write, that the Pope was a good Merchant, who could reap ſo much money for an excommunication; which power he had received freely, if he had received that power from Chriſt. Then Frederick went into Germany, to curb his two Sons Henry and Frederick; they did ſubmit themſelves. Then he turneth to revenge himſelf of the Lombards. And now Pope Gregory excommunicateth him again, as a Tyrant and Heretick; and he calleth him, that warlike beaſt coming out of the ſea; and he threateneth all them of the Empire, that they ſhould not wiſh well to Frederick. Then the Emperor ſent Letters unto ſundry Countreys, ſhewing his liberality unto the Pope; and on the other ſide, the pride and avarice of the Pope; whom he calleth, the red dragon that deceiveth the world; the Antichriſt; the typified Balaam, who was hired for wages to curſe God's ſervants; the Prince of darkneſs, who bewitcheth the Prophets; the counterfeit Vicar of Peter, ſetting forth his own imaginations, and hath turned pontificium in maleficium; a wreſter of the word into his own gain. In the end, he entreateth all them of true wiſdom, to deſpiſe the roaring of ſuch an enemy. Then he proclaimed a Diet at Aegra; where did aſſemble Caeſar Henry, the Dukes of Saxony, Brandeburgh, Miſnia, Turingia, the Biſhop of Mentz, and the Nobles of Brabant, and a little thereafter Frederick, the Emperor's ſecond Son; all cleaving unto the Emperor, notwithſtanding all the Pope's curſes on the one ſide, and promiſes on the other. So the Emperor marched toward Hetruria, and to Rome. In the mean time the Pope forgiveth the payment of tenths for a time, giveth Church livings that were vacant, and promiſeth eternal life unto all who would fight againſt Frederick, and marked them with the Croſs; and he himſelf goeth unto the ſiege of Ferraria, where he allureth the Governor unto a parley, and taketh him captive, and then the City, contrary to his faithful promiſe. The Popiſh flatterers call this falſhood a ſtratagem. The Emperor ſaid, It was ſtrange, that Chriſtians were marked with the Croſs againſt him, as an Infidel or Mahumatiſt. Nevertheleſs he paſſeth from City to City ſubduing his adverſaries, till he came into his own inheritance; there he levieth an Army, and hireth Saracen Soldiers, for fear that in the end, the Pope's curſes might change the mindes of the Italians, as in the days of Barbaroſſa, and Henry the IV. He took ſome Gwelph Cities; then having intelligence, how the Pope had deceived Bohem, and Prince Palatine, he ſent unto them, ſhewing (in ſum) how the eſtate both of the Church and Commonwealth was ſubverted by this Pope; and he promiſeth that himſelf, as the chief member of the Commonwealth, would endeavor to remove him, who pretending to be the ſhepheard of the flock, is a very wolf, to the end a faithful ſhepheard might be placed in Chriſt's Church; and he entreateth that they would not retard his purpoſe, as they tendered the good of the Empire. The King of Bohem was ſo moved with this Letter, that immediately he procureth a meeting of the Empire at Aegra, to aid the Emperor. The Pope was no leſs buſie, partly by means of Otho Duke of Bavier to ſtay them, and partly an Aſſembly at Rome from France and England, to deprive Frederick. The Emperor hearing of ſuch a Councel, ſtoppeth all paſſages by Sea and Land; and had a great prey of the Pope's Legates (whom the Piſanes, in the Emperor's name, took by Sea) and great victories at Ticino and Faventia. P. Mexia. And ſuch was his reſpect unto p. 403the quietneſs of the Commonwealth, that he again ſendeth for peace; and in the mean time the Tartars came into Poland, Miſnia, Bohem, Hungarie, and the Princes were forced to ſend unto the Emperor for aid, promiſing obedience unto him in all time coming. He advertiſeth the Pope of the calamity of Chriſtendom, and craveth peace, that he may reſiſt the Infidels. But the Pope would the Infidels did oppreſs, rather then the Emperor ſhould ſtand; therefore he labored that his confederates might meet at Libuſſa, to the election of another Emperor. When he could not work out his point, he died for very anger. The Emperor now hopeth for peace at home, and marcheth with all ſpeed into Hungarie. The Tartars hearing of him, fled away and left Europe. Innocentius the IV. though he had been very familiar with the Emperor, yet was not more peaceable then others had been. In a Synod at Lions An. 1245. he excommunicateth the Emperor for perjury, in not performing his promiſes, and for hereſie; but no particular is named, either in the citation or ſentence. The Emperor made haſte to anſwer at Lions, if by any means he might enjoy peace; but being within three days journey, he heard how peremptory the Pope was againſt him, and alſo the Gwelphs had taken ſome of his Towns in Italy, whereby he knew it would be to no purpoſe, though he went forward, and therefore he wheeleth about, and layeth ſiege to Parma▪ Innocentius cauſeth to elect Henry Landtſgrave of Thuringia to be Emperor▪ and he directeth Letters unto the Soldan of Babylon, craving peace, at leaſt truce betwixt the Chriſtians and the Saracens, as ſome ſay (ſaith Mat. Pariſ.) but others write, to break the truce betwixt him and the Emperor; but the matter of the Letter is underſtood by the Soldan's anſwer. We have heard (ſaith he) thy Nuntio talking much of Chriſt—we know A Soldan's Letter unto the Pope.more of this Chriſt then you know; and we magnifie him more then you magnifie him: whereas you ſay, you deſire peace and quietneſs among men, ſo do we always; but there is mutual love betwixt us and the Emperor ſince the days of my Father, but betwixt you and the Emperor it is as you know: but it is not lawful unto us to treat with the Chriſtians, without his counſel and conſent. We have written unto our Ambaſſador at the Emperor's Court, ſhewing him the heads of your meſſage; he will come unto you and tell you, and report again unto us. Matth. Pariſien ſaith, there was ſuſpicion that this Letter was forged, by information of the Emperor, but he judgeth otherwiſe. And Alb. Crantz. in Saxo. lib. 8. cap. 4. ſaith, The Pope was ſo wrathful againſt Frederick, that he would have turned away not onelyonly Chriſtians, but the Infidels alſo. And it may appear what the Pope was ſeeking, ſeeing in the mean time he was exacting tenths and twentieths through France, England, &c. as for maintaining the wars againſt the Infidels, and ſent the money into Germany and Italy againſt the Emperor. In Germany Conrade the Son of Frederick, led an Army againſt Henry, and overthrew him in the ſecond fight, An. 1247. and he died before he was Crowned. Matth. Pariſien. Then the Pope did proffer the Imperial Crown unto Richard, Brother of Henry the III. King of England: He refuſed ſimply. Then unto Haco King of Norway: He anſwered, He would fight againſt the enemies of the Church, but not againſt all the enemies of the Pope. At laſt he cauſed to be elected William Count of Holland, which was Crowned; but the foreſaid Conrade purſued him; and he retired into Holland, and then did renounce his Title of Emperor. The more God did proſper Frederick, Innocentius was the madder; and the more mad was he, when heard that Entius, the Emperor's baſtard Son, had obtained victories againſt the Gwelphs, and other Gibeline Captains prevailed in other places. When the Emperor lay at Parma, he (as ſecure) went one day a hunting, and left his Army not ſufficiently provided; the Citizens came out p. 404and took his pavilions, which they called victory. So the Emperor turned to Domnio, and thence into Pulia, bringing many Cities into his obedience. And then An. 1249. he ſendeth unto Lions, profeſſing his innocency in all that had happened, and ſhewing the wrongs that he had ſuſtained by the former Popes; and withal, that howbeit the Pope by cuſtom (as he alledgeth) had the confirmation of the Emperor, yet he had not power to depoſe him, no more then other Prelates in other Realms, who anoint their Kings; and nevertheleſs, I earneſtly crave that I may have peace. The Pope hearing of this ſubmiſſion, became the more haughty, and would not conſent to a treaty: ſo that many great men were offended, and did deteſt ſo great pride, and did return unto the Emperor. Great were the ſchiſms in Germany and Italy; nothing in ſafety to any, each party by violence robbing the other. Now Otho Duke of Bavier, and others more forſook the Pope; wherefore the Pope cauſed to aſſemble another Synod at Mildorf, and ſummoned Otho to compear, and anſwer for his rebellion againſt the Pope. He appeareth, and ſaid unto the Commiſſioners, I cannot marvel enough at your inconſtancy; ye know how ye drew me from the Pope, and ye your ſelves called him the Antichriſt; and ye perſwaded me to take part with the Emperor: ſo there is great inconſtancy both in your deeds and words, calling that wicked and violent wrong, which lately ye called juſt and right: But ye are overcome with expectation of honors and pleaſures, more then led with honeſty and godlineſs, according to your office. As for me, I will obey God and my Prince. I believe in Chriſt, and truſt in his mercy; and perſwade my ſelf, that thoſe whom ye do curſe and give to the divel, are in the greater favor with God. They could give no reaſonable reply; yet they accounted him as bad as the worſt, and accurſed him. Avent. Annal. lib. 7. All theſe are but a taſte of the Popes innumerable inventions againſt the Emperor. And here you may pleaſe to ſee the verſes which Frederick ſent unto Pope Innocentius the IV.

Eſſes ſi membrum, non te Caput Vrbis & Orbis

Iactares, cùm ſis Vrbis & Orbis onus.

Nunc membrum non es, ſed putre cadaver & hulcus,

Enſe reſidendum, ridiculumque caput.

A Daniele foreign nefaſque caputque malorum

Diceris, à Paulo filius exitii.

Nos ſolum Chriſtum noſtrum caput eſſe; malorum

Orbis totius te caput eſſe facis.

At caput eſt unum, quod Paulus dicit ubique:

Tu vecors, balatro, dic mihi quale caput?

Corporis ergo caput monſtroſi es, monſtra pariſque:

Monſtra paris Monachos: ſcorta nefanda foves.

Eſt tua relligio, ſtuprum, ira, ſuperbia, caedes,

Error, deliciae, fulmina, turpe lucrum.

Ex his ergo liquet Chriſtum te ſpernere, Chriſto

Hoſtem eſſe inviſum, dedecorique Deo.

Rex tandem veniet coelo delapſus ab alto:

Tunc non defendent te ſacra miſſa, cruces,

Non in ſublimi ſurgentes vertice criſtae;

Non diploma potens, non tua ſacra cohors;

Non diadema triplex, nec ſedes ſanguine parta,

Nullus honos ſolii, purpura nulla tui.

Triginta argenteis Chriſtum vendebat Iudas:

Tu Chriſti vendis corpora plura tui.

Corpora tu vendis Chriſti parvo aere, polumque,

Coeleſtes genios, ſidera, jura, Deos.

p. 405At laſt the Emperor heard that his Son Entius was taken captive, and his enemies waxed ſtrong in Germany; wherefore he intendeth to go into Germany, but was poiſoned, as is touched before, and became ſick at Florence An. 1250. and there divided his lands and goods unto his children; and then ſet his heart on meditation of the promiſed bleſſedneſs. The Papalines write, that after a little ſpace he began to recover ſomewhat, and was ſtifled by his baſtard Son Manfred with a pillow, Crantz. in Saxo. lib. 8. cap 18. The writers teſtifie, that he was endued with excellent gifts, albeit the Pope purſued him as an enemy of the Church. And they ſay, when they conſider the life of Chriſt, and his command to forgive ſeventy times in a day, with the practiſes of the Popes againſt the Emperor, they are perſwaded to think with Aeneas Sylvius, that there hath not been a greater calamity in the Church or Commonwealth theſe many years, whereof the Biſhops of Rome have not been the Authors; and they call this Frederick, another Charls the Great. He could talk in Arabick, Greek, Latin, French and Dutch languages. On his Tomb it was written thus;

Si probitas, ſenſus, virtutes, gratia, cenſus,

Nobilitas orti, poſſent obſiſtere morti,

Non foret extinctus Fredericus, qui jacet intus.

Jo. Bale ſaith, he may not in this cauſe believe Blondus, Platina, Stella or Sabellicus, for they report nothing but what was written by the flatterers of the Popes, that (if it had been poſſible) they might provoke all the world againſt him; but who deſireth to know the truth, let them read the ſixth Book of the Epiſtles of Petrus de Vineis, Haec Marius, ſaith he.

4. In the Greek Empire was a great alteration about that time; the Hiſtory The Greek Empire is changed.thereof I will ſet down together for the more clearneſs. Iſaacius the Emperor had redeemed his Brother Alexius from the Scythians, and advanced him to ſo great authority, that all the affairs of the Empire were at the command of Alexius. Here Nicetas Choniat. in Annal. lamenteth the condition of that people, ſaying, Truth and holineſs had failed, and becauſe of manifold iniquity, love was become cold, ſo that the people left whole Cities, and went in colonies into the Lands of the Babarians, where they might live more ſecurely; for a ſober kinde of life was baniſhed by frequent tyrannies, and the moſt part of the Emperors were robbers, neither thinking nor doing any thing moderately—O glorious Empire of the Romans (ſaith he) and majeſty which all Nations did admire and adore! what Tyrants haſt thou endured! with what injuries haſt thou been afflicted! how many have burnt in love of thee! what men haſt thou embraced, and proſtituted thy ſelf unto! what ſort of men haſt thou honored with a diadem and purple ſhoes! &c. By the way obſerve here, that the Greeks do always call themſelves Romans; and they called all the weſtern people, Latins. When the Empire was in this condition, Alexius uſurpeth the Crown; he pulleth out his Brother's eyes, and ſhutteth him in priſon An. 1190. Alexius, Son of Iſaacius, fleeth unto Philip Duke of Suevia (afterwads Emperor) who had married his Siſter Irene; and he ſendeth him at laſt unto the Pope for help to be reſtored. There this Alexius conformeth himſelf unto Rome, and he promiſeth (ſaith Nicetas) to change the inſtitutions of the ancient Romans, into the corrupt Religion of the Latins. The Pope recommendeth him unto certain Princes, which then were aſſembling at Venice to go into Syria, to wit, Baldwin Earl of Flanders, and his Brother Henry, Boniface Marqueſs of Monferrate, Lewes Prince of Savoy, and others more. The Venetians alſo had an old quarrel p. 406againſt the Greeks, and were glad of this occaſion. Likewiſe the yong man did ſwear unto them, that he would give them what they did demand, even (which were impoſſible) oceans of money, ſaith Nicetas. Though the Emperor Alexius underſtood of this preparation, he made nothing for reſiſtance. So the Latins arrived at Jadara, and then came to Epidamnum; and they call yong Alexius Emperor, to the end the people may the more willingly accept them; then they came to Conſtantinople. Theodorus Laſcaris, Son in law of Alexius, made ſome reſiſtance; but Alexius fled, and the Italians enter the Town; and after nine years impriſonment, Iſaacius is ſet upon his throne, and his Son Alexius with him. Within few days the chief of the Italians ſat with them, as being ſaviors of the Commonwealth; then the Soldiers plundered the Town, ſparing neither private houſes nor Churches, nor the Flemins, nor the Piſanes, nor the Venetians dwelling there. The old Alexius had been deceived by a falſe reſponſe, that the Eaſt and Weſt ſhould be conjoyned in his time; and now the Monks (execrable men, and hated of God, ſaith Nicet.) made him believe, that God would reſtore him ſight, and give him the Monarchy of the world; thus he had no other thought but to eat and drink with theſe Monks. And the yong man kept company with the Latins, was for the moſt part in their ſhips, playing at dice, carowſing, &c. From July 18. till January 25. the people were ſo grievouſly oppreſſed, that they began to talk of chooſing another Emperor; the wiſer ſort ſaid, It was not time to attempt the like: but the people were ſo impatient of their oppreſſion, that there muſt needs be another Emperor, and they name Nicolaus Canabus, who was very unwilling. But Ducas Alexius (called the proud) taketh him priſoner, killeth yong Alexius, impriſoneth the old man, and taketh the Scepter; the people were contented. He beginneth to treat with the Venetians, and other Latins; their demands were ſo high, that the Greeks could not or would not aſſent; wherefore they poſſeſs themſelves of the Town, put Ducas to flight, and do more harm then the Saracens did at their entering into Jeruſalem, ſaith Nicet. Then they made fifteen Electors, and chooſe Baldwin Emperor, and Thomas a Venetian to be Patriarch, who was ſent to Rome, to get all theſe things confirmed by the Pope; and he reporteth Imperial badges to Baldwin, in whoſe Succeſſors that Empire continued ſixty years. At that time Creta and Euboea, or Nigrepont, was given unto the Venetians; Boniface was made King of Macedonia; and other rewards were given to others. All the Greek Empire was ſubject unto Baldwin, except Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Hadrianople, and in them ſeveral Greeks had the dominion; eſpecially Laſcaris about Hadrianople, and kept the title of Emperor of Conſtantinople. The Bulgarians invade Thracia, and took Baldwin captive, and ſent him in fetters into Myſia. His Brother Henry ſucceedeth, and gave his onelyonly Daughter unto Peter Earl of Altiſiodore, which ſucceeded in the Empire at that time when Otho the V. was depoſed; he was confirmed by Pope Honorius ſhortly after his election. So ſoon as he returned from Rome, he entered in wars with Laſcaris; and they conclude a peace: then he was entrapped in Conſtantinople, and died in priſon in the third year of his reign. His wife Jole cauſeth his Son Robert to be received Emperor. He fell in love with a yong damſel, betrothed unto a Burgonian Knight (who had done good ſervice in that Empire) and by conſent of her mother, brought her to his palace. The Knight diſſembleth for a time, and then made an horrible revenge; to wit, he gathereth his friends, and a number of Greeks, haters of Robert, and cometh by night into the Palace, he cutteth off the noſe of the yong Empreſs, and throweth her mother out at a window into the ſea. Robert could not revenge it; for at that time he muſt go to p. 407Rome for confirmation, and in his returning, he died at Macedonia. His Brother Baldwin was received Emperor; and becauſe he was yong, the Pope ſent John de Bregna to be Governor there. He contracteth Baldwin with his ſecond Daughter; governeth the Empire ſix years, and leaveth it in peace unto his Son in law. John Duca married the onelyonly Daughter of Laſcaris, and did reign thirty and three years, but dwelt at Nice in Bithynia: He was peaceable; and diſchargeth his ſubjects from wearing any clothes but what their own Countrey did afford; and he cauſed them to be induſtrious in husbandry; by which two means (as Nic. Gregoras witneſſeth) his ſubjects became very wealthy, and amaſſed plenty of Silver and Gold from their neighbors round about, which at that time were neceſſitated to come and buy victuals from them. Unto John ſucceeded Theodor Laſcaris; he put Baldwin to ſuch ſtreſs, that he went unto his Brother in law Frederick the II. for aid, when Innocentius the IV. was choſen. Then Laſcaris died, and Baldwin returned, but had not long peace; for Michael Palaeologus, the Nephew of Alexius, was firſt choſen Governor of the Empire, and then Crowned Emperor, for the time of his pupil John (the Son of Laſcaris) his minority; he would be Lord of the whole Empire. Caeſar, Brother of Michael, was ſent againſt Epirus; by the way he came near Conſtantinople with eight hundred men, without his expectation, the Greeks (being wearied with the Government of the Latins) envite him to come in. Baldwin was not able to reſiſt, and fled; ſo that Empire returned unto the Greeks An. 1260. but ſore weakened, and after that it decayed alſo.

5. WILLIAM Earl of Flanders, and CONRADE the Son of Frederick, now ſtrove for the Empire of Germany; the one was confirmed by the Pope, and Conrade was aided by the Gibelines; ſo that Italy and Germany had not peace for many years. At laſt Conrade conſidering the difficulty of holding Germany, and that the Kingdom of both Sicilies were more ſure, appertaining unto him by his Grand-mother Conſtantia, he left Suevia, and ſuch Cities of Germany (as had accepted him) under the tuition of his Father in law, the Duke of Bavier, and went into Italy, ſtill keeping the title of Emperor. He was received in Verona, and being accompanied with Enceline, Captain of the Gibelines, he was made welcome in ſundry places on the coaſt of the Golf; and paſſing by Romandiola, he ſailed into Pulia, where he was heartily received by all, except the Cities of Naples and Capua; he beſiegeth them, and took them, and puniſheth them ſeverely. Not long thereafter he dieth at Naples, and left his Son Conradine Heir of both Sicilies and Suevia, under the protection of his wife and ſome German Princes. But Manfred (the baſtard Son of Frederick) behaving himſelf at firſt as one of the Tutores, endeavoreth by all means to poſſeſs himſelf of both Sicilies. Pope Innocentius the IV. and his Succeſſor did alledge, that Kingdom appertained unto the Church of Rome, becauſe Frederick and Conrade had died under excommunication. But Manfred (with the help of the Gibelines) prevaileth, ſo that he was Crowned King of Sicilies, (his Nephew living in Suevia) and did inveſt Biſhops, and Arch-Biſhops, without conſent of the Pope; and they all, contemning the Papal prohibition, gave obedience unto their King. Matth. Pariſien. ad An. 1258. William then was onelyonly Emperor, and they which had adhered unto Conrade, ſought his peace. He thought to be Crowned at Rome, but being in a Diet at Colein (ſaith Naucler) he heard that the Friſons had rebelled, and invaded Holland; this rumor made him ſtay his journey. He went againſt them; as he with one or two went to ſpie a place to encamp, his horſe fell thorow the ice, and he was ſo peſtered, that he could not come out; ſome Friſons perceiving him, and not knowing who p. 408he was, ſlew him, and drowned him. After him not any Emperor was of ſuch authority as the former had been.

6. The Princes could not agree in the election; at laſt three chooſe Alfonſo King of Caſtile; three were for Richard Earl of Cornwal, Brother of Henry King of England; and the King of Bohem was for himſelf. Alfonſo was glad, but could not come into Germany, becauſe of his buſineſs with the Moors in Spain; and to keep the Pope's favor, he gave him ſome Cities upon the river Po; he gave what he never had, and in ſo doing he did deplume the Eagle, ſaith Crantz. in Saxo. lib. 8. cap. 21. Richard had the aſſiſtance of his Brother, and was Crowned at Aken: Some Towns received him; others wait for Alfonſo; and many were neutral, uſurping liberty; ſo miſerable Germany was kindled again with Civil wars. Richard died after he had remained in Germany ſeventeen years. If Alfonſo had come then, he might have been Emperor. But the Gibelines in Italy, do invite Conradine Duke of Suevia (now about eighteen years of age, and of good expectation) to come, and they would aid him in recovering his Father's inheritance from Charles Duke of Anjow. Pope Clemens the IV. hearing of his preparation, declareth Charles King of Sicilies, to be Vicar of the Empire; and wrote unto all the Nations, that they ſhould not aid Conradine againſt Charles; and that the German Electors ſhould not name him to be King of the Romans. On the other ſide Conradine publiſheth a deploring declaration, ſhewing how injuriouſly Innocentius the IV. had dealt with him, being at that time very innocent; for his Father Conrade had recommended him unto the tutory of the Roman Church eſpecially, and Innocentius, as one of his Tutors, had taken poſſeſſion of the Kingdom of Sicilies, and then divided it among his own friends. 2. When Manfred had in his name recovered that Kingdom, Pope Alexander did ſtir up other men to invade that Kingdom. 3. Pope Urban had dealt unmannerly with him; for firſt, he would have confirmed that Kingdom unto Manfred and his Heirs; and then he inviteth Charles to take it. 4. Pope Clemens now dealeth unclemently with him, in eſtabliſhing a King within that Kingdom againſt him; and as if that were not enough, he thundereth a proceſs againſt him, and hath declared Charles to be Vicar of the Empire throughout all Italy, to the end he may have the more power againſt him; and he concludeth, that upon theſe grounds he taketh arms againſt Charles. Naucler. gener. 43. About that time Henry (who was baniſhed out of Caſtile by his own Brother, King Alfonſo, and having inſinuated himſelf into favor with the Romans, was created Senator of Rome, and had great authority there) ſent unto Conradine, and promiſed him aid, not for recovering his Kingdom onelyonly, but to attain the Imperial Crown. Conradine with all haſte marcheth into Italy, and was accepted as Emperor by them of Sena, Piſa, and the Gibelines of Lombardie and Romandiola: He overthrew Charles his Marſhal at Aretio; and he had gotten poſſeſſion of all Hetruria, if at the call of the forenamed Henry he had not made ſuch haſte toward Rome, where he was accepted by the Senator and many Romans, and lodged in the Capitole. Thence he and Henry went into Pulia, where they were taken captive by Charles; and after a year, by the unclement inſtigation of Pope Clemens, Conradine was beheaded, contrary unto the Law of Arms. Many French men did ſpeak againſt it; but when they ſaw that the Pope's will muſt be obeyed, theſe French appointed a certain man to be in readineſs to kill the Burreo (immediately after the beheading of Conradine) leſt he vaunt, that he had ſhed the blood of a Prince: And the Duke of Flanders, with his own hand, ſlew him which had given out the ſentence. All Chriſtendom abhorred the fact; eſpecially Peter King p. 409of Arragon, by Letter, upbraided the Pope, ſaying, Thou art a worſe Nero then Nero himſelf, and more cruel then any Turk. God ſuffered neither of the two to rejoyce long time; for Clemens died within a monethmonth; and albeit Charles lived ſome years, yet he had continual wreſtlings and misfortunes, and died in ſorrow. P. Morn. in Myſter. After this the houſe of Suevia failed, and that through the malice of the Popes; and many of their Cities became free. The Princes Electors conveen at Frankford, but could not agree in three years; in the end, they all confer their ſuffrages on Lewes Count Palatine to name one; he nameth

7. RODULPH Earl of Habsburgh, which had lately conquered Auſtria from the Crown of Bohem. Germany was all glad, becauſe they had ſuffered much, enduring this inter-reign the ſpace of twenty and two years. Rodulph was Crowned at Aken; but would not go to Rome, pretending unto the Pope the difficulties in Germany; but unto others he ſaid, as the fox unto the lion, Omnia te advorſum ſpectantia, nulla retrorſum. He contented himſelf with Germany, and that the Cities in Italy paid unto his Deputies: but many did uſurp; and ſome bought their liberty: and he gave unto Pope Nicolaus Ravenna, and ſome other Cities. He had wars with Othocurus King of Bohem, who was killed in battel; and Rodulph did agree with his Son Wenceſlaus, and gave him his Daughter in marriage. He was held in ſingular eſtimation, becauſe he, finding the Empire troubleſome, had procured peace, and left it in peace An. 1291.

8. When Baldwin was chaſed out of Conſtantinople, he had his refuge unto Charles King of Naples, and contracteth his Daughter with his Son; in ſtead of dowry, he promiſeth Conſtantinople, if by the aid of Charles he can be able to recover it. Charles thought by this means to attain unto the Monarchy of Julius Caeſar and Auguſtus; he was informed of the weakneſs of Conſtantinople, and of the aid that he might have from the Italians and Germans remaining in Greece ſince the laſt conqueſt, &c. ſo he prepared to invade. Michael Emperor of Conſtantinople is afraid of him, and to hold him at home, he perſwadeth the King of Sicily, and the Venetians, to invade the Kingdom of Naples; and he ſent unto the Pope for his furtherance. The Pope refuſeth to aſſiſt him by any means, unleſs he will come into agreement with the Church of old Rome; whereunto Michael aſſenteth, and ſendeth Ambaſſadors to treat of the Articles; which were compriſed into three. 1. That in the Letanies mention ſhould be of the Pope and four Patriarchs. 2. That it ſhould be lawful unto any Greek to appeal unto old Rome, as the older and more perfect Court. 3. That in all things ſuperiority ſhould be given unto Rome. At this time no mention was of the word filioque in the Creed. Joſeph Patriarch of Conſtantinople, hearing of this concord, left his See, and entered into a Monaſtery. The greateſt number of Presbyters preached againſt it, and exhorted the people to ſuffer martyrdom, rather then to accept ſuch articles; ſo that a great ſtir was among the people; and the Emperor was in greater fear of his people at home, then of his forein enemy, knowing that dangers at home are moſt perilous; and he was brought into this ſtrait by many of his Nobles, either to perſwade them of his aſſent, or then avow them as enemies: And firſt he calleth them together, and ſheweth unto them, that he had attempted this concord with the Weſtern Church not for deſire of novelty, but to prevent the preſent difficulty, and it is wiſdom to decline the greateſt evil; for if the enemy come againſt them, the broken walls which now are begun to be repaired ſhall ſuffer greater evils, and themſelves with wives and children ſhall be ſlaves, neither able to retain their ancient Laws nor Religion; and therefore he had choſen to yield in leſſer p. 410things for a greater commodity; with theſe words, ſome were moved, and many were not; wherefore he ſhewed violence: ſome were clapt in priſon for diſobedience, ſome were baniſhed, and all means were uſed whereby mens mindes could be tried; they who had knowledge (who were but few) ſuffered all extremities couragiouſly, others wandered into Peloponneſus, Achaia, Theſſalie, Colchis, or whereſoever they heard of Chriſtians, Niceph, Gregor. lib. 5. After this he went to the Councel at Lions, but his doings there were ſo ungracious unto his Countrey, that he had no quietneſs; and when he died, his Son Andronicus, though he loved and reverenced his Father, yet becauſe he had gone from the right doctrine of the Church, would not ſuffer his body to be buried, no not in a common place of burial; onelyonly he commanded that a few ſhould cover it in the earth, a little ſpace from the leager where he died, leſt the body of an Emperor be torn of beaſts, Ibid. Immediately Andronicus ſent his Edicts every where, proclaiming the liberty of the Church again, and reſtoring all who were baniſhed or impriſoned, or robbed for the cauſe of Religion; and Becus the Patriarch left his ſeat privily, and hid himſelf in a Monaſtery, fearing ſtill when and where the people would cruſh him; and Joſeph, who was forced before to dimit, is now reſtored. But where alteration once entereth, it is not ſoon calmed; both Clergy and people were divided into factions; for the conformers of Michael, when they had no other to ſay againſt Joſeph, they objected, that he had received his ſeat, Arſenius the true Patriarch being yet alive, and was therefore excommunicated by Arſenius. The followers of Joſeph alledged again, that Arſenius was depoſed in a free Synod, by Authority of the Emperor, as indeed Nicephorus Gregoras ſheweth the ſame lib. 4 howbeit the ground of the depoſition is juſtly queſtionable, or rather unjuſt. Joſeph was glad, for love of quietneſs, to renounce his See, and within a few days died; and George, or Gregory, a Cyprian, ſucceded unto him, a learned and eloquent man: the Emperor would not ſuffer him to receive conſecration from any Biſhop, who had yielded unto the new Articles; onelyonly he was choſen, and elected, and the Emperor gave unto him paſtorale pedum, and ſo without conſecration he adminiſtred, until Nicephor Biſhop of Mozylle came Legate from the Prince of Aetolia, and the Biſhop Debrenus from Macedonia, about ſome other buſineſs; then, by advice of George, Andronicus deſigneth Germanus, a Monk, to be Biſhop of Heraclea; and by theſe three, the Patriarch was conſecrated. Nevertheleſs the contention ceaſed not yet; but the Emperor being wiſe, and deſirous to make peace with the leaſt offence of either party, he calleth a Synod at Atramylium; there after little jangling, both parties agreed, that their ſeveral reaſons ſhould be written in two ſeveral books, and the deciſion ſhould be committed unto God by fire and miracle; ſo when they had watched all night, and prayed unto God, both books were caſt into a fire in the midſt of the Church, on a Sunday; both parties waited that their book ſhould be preſerved, but both were burnt: this was the ſentence of God, and his deciding of them who troubled the Church untimouſly, and would refer a ſerious matter unto a fooliſh trial. From thence they all ſubſcribed unto the Patriarch; nevertheleſs, they who had ſuffered under Michael, did now ſo domineer, that all the other Biſhops and Prieſts were removed from their places; and the Biſhops commanded their inferiors to take the prieſtly habits from them, and trample their garments on the ground, with theſe words, He is unworthy; and after they had buffeted them, they thruſt them out of the Churches, even albeit the other party profeſſed repentance; But (as Nicephorus ſaith lib. 6.) they who were ſo unmerciful, ſuffered afterward juſt puniſhments, none of them died in their own place; p. 411and being alſo moſt ſhamefully removed, they ended their lives in ſorrow: Eſpecially the forenamed Becus wrote Apologies, and deſired to be heard in a lawful Aſſembly. The Emperor conſidering, that reproaches ſometimes had juſt grounds, and ſometimes were altogether falſe, yet in time are wont to breed factions, called the Clergy, with ſome of the Nobility into his Palace, and there Becus, coming from his priſon, was permitted to ſpeak, and pleaded ſo eloquently, that many of his hearers were perſwaded. The Patriarch and Muzalo magnus Logotheta, refuted his eloquence with ſtrong reaſons; and Becus was ſent again in baniſhment into a little Town of Bithynia. After this the Patriarch ſet forth refutations of the opinions of Becus, and he ſpake very bitterly againſt him; ſome Biſhops and Prieſts by their publiſhed writings, did admoniſh the Patriarch to change his ſtyle, if he would prevent danger, and the like reproaches: he took this admonition to proceed of envy, and was the more ſtirred to write, and heap diſputations upon diſputations, thinking to ſtop the mouthes of adverſaries: the more he writeth invectively, the more of his own Clergy begin to miſlike him; but he regardeth nothing, till Chilas Biſhop of Epheſus, and Daniel Biſhop of Cizicum (whom he had advanced, and eſteemed above others) became his avowed enemies in the ſame cauſe: then he thought upon the example of Julius Caeſar, reſiſting all his adverſaries; but in grief yieldeth unto Brutus and Caſſius; ſo he quiteth all jars and diſputes, he dimiteth his charge, and entereth into St. Marie's Hodegium or Monaſtery. Chilas and Daniel drank alſo of the ſame cup; for their Clergy roſe againſt them ſeverally, and dilated them unto the Emperor, and to other Biſhops, for crimes worthy of depoſition. The Emperor ſummoneth them unto Conſtantinople; they elude his ſummons with delays; but they did finde the Emperor's ſecret diſlike, more noiſome then open anger; and they were diſpiſed of all their colleagues and brethren; nor were they anſwered in their revenues, and ſo died in ſorrow. Nicep. Gregor. lib. 6. The ſame Andronicus took pleaſure in Aſtronomy, and began to think on the right keeping of Eaſter. Therein Nicephorus Gregoras the Hiſtorician ſhewed his skill; and did demonſtrate by Aſtronomical reaſons, that the day of Eaſter was changed from March 25. unto the 17. day. Many did deride the oſtentation (as they did judge) of Nicephorus, that he had not gotten licence to ſpeak, if the Emperor had not commanded them ſilence. His reaſons were taken from the vernal equinox, and the firſt full Moon thereafter. The Emperor was perſwaded of it, and would have had it amended; but he did fear, that the unlearned would be offended, and the Church be divided; and he ſaid, It were not an eaſie matter to go through the Empire and the Iſlands, and to inform them in ſuch aſcruple, but ſome would keep one day, and ſome keep another; therefore it is better to continue in ſuch things as they were received. Gregor. lib. 8.

9. ADOLPH Count of Naſſaw was next Emperor, by the policy of the Biſhop of Mentz; for he dealt privily with the Electors, and perſwaded them to refer their ſuffrages unto him; and he named this Adolph. He ſought not confirmation from Rome. He was faithful unto the Empire; for he did not enrich his own children; but did enlarge the revenues of the Crown, by conquering the Princedom of Miſna, and other Lands. In time of the wars betwixt France and England, he was for England, and all the Electors were for France; and therefore they conſpired againſt him, ſaith Io. Naucler, and they dethroned him. Albert the Son of Rodulph was choſen; they fought a bloody battel before Albert was Crowned, and Adolph was ſlain. All the Authors of the inſurrection were remarkably puniſhed within a year; to wit, p. 412both the Biſhops and the Counts; and Albert (though he lived ſome years, yet) was ſlain by his own Brother, Idem. The death of Adolph, and the time, is marked in theſe verſes:

Anno milleno, ter centum ter minus uno

In Iulio menſe Rex Adolphus cadit enſe:

Per manus Auſtralis praeceſsit machina talis.