The Exact Recorder, Chapter 3 (1 of 5)

The Exact Recorder · Chapter 3 (1 of 5)

p. 1A Seasonable, Legal and Historical Vindication of the good old Fundamental Liberties, Rights and Laws of England.

Chapter 3. Section 4. Comprehending a brief Collection of all the most observable Parliamentary Councils, Synods, Conventions, Publique Contests, Debates, Wars, Historical Proceedings, Passages, Records, relating to the fundamental Liberties, Franchises, Rights, Customs, and Government of the People under our English Saxon Kings, from the year of our Lord 600, till the death of King Edmund Ironside, and reign of Cnute the Danish King, Anno Dom. 1017. with some brief Observations on and from the same.

IN the former Section I have presented you with a general brief Account of our first English Saxon Christian Kings limited Power and Prerogative, being obliged to govern their English-Saxon Subjects, not arbitrarily, but justly, according to their known Laws, and totally disabled, to alter, repeal any old, or enact any new Laws; to impose any publique Taxes, Tallages, Imposts, Customs whatsoever, on their people, upon any real or pretended p. 2necessity; to m…ke any War, Peace; or to alienate the Lands or ancient Revenues of their Crowns, to any pious, publique or private uses whatsoever, without the common consent of their Nobles and Wisemen in general Parliamentary Councils; together with a Summary of the Laws of Ethelbert, the first Christian Saxon King, wholly pretermitting the Names, Acts, Kingdoms, of our first Pagan Saxon Usurpers, rather than lawfull Kings: who, though many and great in their generations, were ve…y speedily brought to nothing their See Mat. Westminst. An. …86, &c. Malmesbury, de Gest. Regum Anglo…um. l. 1. Hen. Huntindon Hist. lib. 2. Ethelwerdi Hist. lib. 1.2. Fox Acts and Monum. Vol. 1. p. 148. Speeds Hist. of Great Britain, p. 209, &c.Kingdoms begun, erected by blood, conquest, and meer power of the Sword, standing not long unshaken by civil wars among themselves, each King envying his equals greatness, and seeking to inlarge his own Dominions upon the next. In which Combustions few or none of them came to the Grave in due time, but were either slain in war, or treacherously murdered in Peace, or expelled their Realms by, or forced to resign their Crowns to others, after all their former prosperous successes and reigns wholly spent in Wars, Troubles, Seditions, Rebellions, Rapines, affording nothing worthy memory for their peoples good, the Kingdoms settlement, or imitation of Posterity. Whence Henry Huntindon in the close of the 2 Book of his Histories, p. 320, hath this Observation concerning them, very seasonable for our present times; Vide igitur Lector, & perpende, quanta Nomina quam cito ad nihilum devenerint; Attende quaeso & stude, cum nihil hic du…et, ut adjuiras tibi regnum, & substantiam illam, quae non deficiet, Nomen illud & honorem qui non pertransibit, monimentum illud & claritatem quae nullis saeculis veterascet. Hoc praemeditare, summae prudentiae est, acquirere summae, caliditatis, adipisci summae faelicita…is.

I shall now in this Section proceed in my intended Chonological Method, to their next succeeding Christian Saxon Kings reigns in England, till the reign of King Cnute the Dane, Anno Domini, 1017.

p. 3It is recorded of Aethelbert (a)(a)Ch…onic. Wil. Thorne: col. 1760, 1761 1762, 2123. Spelman Con…il. p. 118. to 129. …h…onicon Ioh…n. Brom…on, col. 733.the first Christian An. Dom. 605Saxon King of Kent, that keeping the Fea…t of our Saviours Nativity at Canterbury, with his Queen, Ead bald his Son, Arch-Bishop Augustine, and the Nobles of the Land; he there held a Parliam…ntary Council with them, on the 5. of Ianuary, in the year of our Lord 605. Which Thomas Sprot thus expresseth (in the Language of his age rather than of that) Convocato ibidem communi Concilio tam Cleri quam Populi, die quinto …anuarii, Proposition 5… 6… 10.he did then and there, Omnium & singulorum approbatione, & consensu, as he relates; or cum consensu Venerab…lis Archie …iscopi Augustini Ac Principum meorum, & cum Aedbaldi filii mei, aliorumque Nobilium optimatum meorum Consilio, as his Charters reci…e, give, grant and confirm to the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Canterbury for ever, sundry Lands, pretious Utensils, Privileges and Immunities by his Charters, made and ratified in this Council. In which (it is most probable) he likewise made those Iudicial Decrees and Laws, with the advice of his Wise men, for the bene…it of his people in his own Country Saxon Language, Which our venerable (b)(b)Ecclesiast. Hist. lib… 2. c. 5.Beda, (c)(c)De G…stis Reg. Angl. l. 1. c. 1.William of Malmesbury, (d)(d)Hist. l. 3. p. 226.Huntandon, [e)[e)Chron. col. 738.Bromton, and (f)(f)Mr. Seldens Ti…les of Honour, part. 2. c. 5. p. 602.others mention only in the general, and Bishop (g)(g)Spelman. Concil. p. 127.Enulph hath registred to posterity in his famous manuscript, intituled Textus Rosfensis, of which I have given you some account before. Section 3. p. 50, 51, 52. on which you may reflect.

In the year of Christ 627 (h)(h)Beda Eccles. Hist. Gentis Anglorum l. 2. c. 12, 13, 14. See Mat. Westm. An. 626, 627. Malmesb. de gest. reg. l. 1. c. 3. Hen. Huntindon, hist. l. 3. p. 327, 328. Chron. Iohannis Bromton, col. 781, 782. Simeon Dunelmensis Epist. de Archiepiscopis Eborum, p. 77. Radulphus de Diceto, Abbreviationes Chron. col. 438. G…rvasius Acta Pon…ificum Cantuar. col. 1634. Godwin in the life of Paulinus, Polychronicon, Fabian, Graf…on, Holinshed… Speed, Fox in the life of Edwin. Seldens Titles of Honour, part. 2. c. 5. S…t. 6. p. 632.Paulinus perswading Edwin King of Northumberland to b…come a Christian, p. 4to avod eternal torments, and to be made a partaker of the Kongdom of Heaven; The King answered, That he was both willing, and …ught to receive the faith which he taught, but he ought first to confer with his Friends, Princes, and Counsellors concerning it, th… so, if they concurred in ju…gement with …im, …ey might all be bap…ized together. Assembling therefore his Wisemen, and advising with them, he …emanded severally of them all, What that Doctrine, which they never heard of till then, and that new worship of God which was preached by Paulinus, seemed to t…em?Proposition 5, 6. To whom Coyfi the chief of the Priests presently answered: Do thou consider, O King, what that Religion is which is now preached to us; I profess unto thee, that which I have most certainly learned, that the Religion we have hitherto imbraced, hath no virtue at all in it; whereupon it remains, that if those new things which are now preached unto us, shall appear to thee upon examination, to be better and stronger than our Religion, let us hasten to embrace them without any delay. To whose wise perswasions and words, Another of the Kings Nobles giving his Assent, spake something concerning the brevity and incertainty of this life, and of their ignorance and incertainty of that life which is to come, concluding, That if this new Doctrine brought any thing to them more certain, than that they formerly imbraced, it ought to be deservedly followed: The rest of the Elders and Kings Counsellors, prosecuting the like things, by Divine admonition, Coyfi added; that he desired to hear Paulinus preaching concerning God, more diligently than before; which when he had done, by the Kings command; he cryed out (having heard his preaching) I heretofore understood, that what we worshipped was nothing, because by how much the more diligently I sought the truth in that worship, the less I found it. But now I openly professe, that in this preaching, the truth shines forth, which is able to give unto us the gifts of eternal life, salvation, and happiness; Whereupon, O King, I advise thee, that the Temples, p. 5and Altars we have consecrated without any fruit or benefit, we should now presen…ly execrate and burn. Upon …his, without more debate, the King openly gave his assent to the preaching of Paulinus, & renouncing Idolatry, confessed …hat he did imbrace the faith of Christ. And when the King demanded of Coys… his Priest, who ought …irst to prophane and destroy the Altars & Temples of the Idols, with the rails & and bounds wherewith they were inclosed? He answered, I, who have worshipped them through foolishness. And presently renouncing his Superstition, he demanded Arms and an Horse of the King, (**Fox Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. p. 156. which by their old Law Priests might not use:) which being granted him, he mounted the Horse, with a Sword and Lance in his Hand, and riding to the Idols thus armed (the people deeming him to be mad) prophaned the Temple, and commanded his Companions to destroy and burn it, with the Idols, and all the Hedges about it, which they did. Whereupon the King, with his Nobles, and very many of the people, embraced the Christian Religion, and were baptized by Paulinus, in the Church of St. Peter at York; (which the King there speedily commanded to be built of Wood, and afterwards enlarged) ordaining Paulinus Bishop of that place, who converted, baptized him and his people; as Beda and others more largely record the History. From which memorable president we may observe these particulars.

1. That the King himself could not then alter the established Laws or received Religion of this Realm, though false; nor introduce new Laws, or set up the true Religion, without the concurrent Assent of his Nobles and Wisemen in a general Parliamentary Council

2. That the Princes, Chief Priests, Nobles, an… Ae… dermen of the Realm, were the Parliament Members in that Age.

3. That every one of them in these Councils had freedom of Vote and Debate; and gave their voices severally, for the bringing in of Christianity, and de…truction of Idolatry.

p. 6(i)(i)De Gestis Regum Anglor. l. 3. c. 2. p. …8. See Fox Acts and Mon. vol. 1. p. 157.William of Malmesbury gives this Character of this Kings Government, after he became a Christian, and of the vicissitude of humane affairs, worthy our present observation, he being suddenly slain in battle, together with his Son, after all his former conquests and felicity.

Nullus tunc Praedo Publicus, nullus latro domesticus, insidiator conjugalis pudoris procul; Exp…lator alienae Haereditatis exul: Proposition 4.Magnum id in ejus …audibus, & no…tra aetate …plendidum. Itaque Imperii sui, ad eos limites incrementa perducta sunt, ut Iustitia & Pax liben…èr in mu…uos amplexus concurrerent osculorum, gratiam grata vicissitudine libantes; & faeliciter tunc Anglorum Respublica procedere potuisset, nisi mors immatura, …emporalis beatitudinis Noverca, turpi fortunae ludo, virum abstulislet Patriae. Aetatis enim 48. Regni 17. Rebellantibus Regulis, quos …ub jug…m miserat, Ceadwalla Britonum, & Penda Merciorum, cum Filio interemptus, mi…erabile varietatis humanae fuit exemplum: nulli prudentiâ inferior, qui nè Christianam fidem, nisi diligentissimè inspecta…â ra…ione, voluit suscipere, susceptaeque nihil existimare comparabile,

Anno 673.Anno 673 (k)(k)Beda Eccles. Hist. l. 4. c. 5. Mal. Westminst. & Florentius Wigorniensis An. 673. Gervasius Doroberniensis. Actus Pontif. Cantuar. col. 1639. Matthew Pa… ker Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 15. Spelmani Concil. p. 152, 153. Fox Acts and Mon. vol. 1. p. 161. Proposit. 5, 6.Theodor Archbishop of Canterbury, held a great Council at Hertford; presentibus Episcopis Angliae, ac Regibus, & Magnatibus universis; the Bishops of England, and Kings (to wit, King Lotharius and Easwine) and all the Nobles being present at it. In this Council, they made ten Canons or Laws, which they all subscribed and ra…ified with their hands; the 7th. whereof was, That a Synod (or Parliamentary Assembly) should be assembled twice, or (because divers causes hindred) Placuit omnibus in commune, they all agreed in common, that in the Calends of August, in a place called Clov…sho…n, a Synod should be congregated, at least once every year. The rest of them you may p. 7peruse in the marginal Authors at leisure, being mee… ly Ecclesiastical, and not so pertinent to my Discourse.

(l)(l)Evidentiae Ecclesiae Christi. Cantuar. col. 2207.Ceadwalla King of the West-Saxons, Anno 680.In the year of our Lord 680. granted to Bishop Wilfrid certain Lands, with their appurtenances, called Pagaliam; cum consensu & devotâ con…irmatione omnium Optimatum meorum; with the consent and devout confirmation of all his Nobles (assembled in a Parliamentary Council) the grant of his Crown Lands to him,Propos. 10. being not valid to bind his Successours without his Nobles concurrent confirmation.

(m)(m)De Gestis regum Angl. l. 1. c. 2. p. 14. Mr. Seldens …istory of Tithes, c. 10. sect. 1. p. 269.William …f Malmesbury writes of him; That though before his conversion unto Christianity, he addicted himself to wars, and to plunder and spoil his neighbouring Kings; yet he conscientiously dedicated the tenth of all his spoils to God. Inter haec arduum memoratu est, quantum etiam ante Baptismum inservierit pietati, ut omnes manubias quas jure praedatorio, in suos usus transcripserat, Deo Decimaret. In quo, et si approbamus, affectum, improbamus exemplum; juxta illud; Qui o…fert sacrificium de substantia Pauperis, quasi qui immolat …ilium in conspectu patris.

If all the Plundering, warring Saints of this Age would imitate his example, in giving the Tenths of all their spoils and plunders to God & his Ministers, instead of spoiling them of their Tithes and antient Church-Revenues, men would deem them as good Saints as this plundering conquering Saxon King; of whom it is likewise storied, that (n)(n)Beda Eccles. Historiae l. 4. c. 16. Camdens Britannia… p. 275. Thomas Stubs Actus Pontif. Eboracensium col. 1691. & Malmesbury de Gestis Pontificum Angliae. l. 3. in Wilfrido. Chron. Iohan. Bromton, col. 742.757. Spelman. Concil. p. 181. Speeds Hist. p. 227.before he turned Christian, intending to invade the Isle of Wight, and unite it to his Kingdom; he vowed to give the 4th. part of the Iland, and Prey, to Christ, if he should vanquish it: Whereupon he conquering the Isle, slew the Natives in it, being Pagans, with a Tragical slaughter; and in performance of his vow, p. 8gave to Bishop Wilfrid and his Clerks (for their maintenance and encouragement) the possession of 300 …-Hides of Land, being the fourth part thereof. When our new Conquerours shall be so bountifull in bestowing the fourth (or but the …enth) part of all the pretended conquered Lands they have gotten on Christs Church and Ministers, instead of invading and purchasing the Churches antient Lands, Gl…bes, Tithes and Inheri…ance, they may demerit the Name and praise of Saints, as well as Ceadwalla; who, before he came to the Crown, as he was unjustly banished from his Country, through the envy of others, only for his vertues and worthiness, which first caused him to take up armes and invade the South-Saxons, two of whose Kings he slew successively in the field, after which he twice invaded, and afflicted Kent with grievous wars (taking advantage of their civil discords) wherein he shed abundance of Christian blood: So when he had reigned but two years space, after all his victories, out of meer devotion, he voluntarily left his Crown, Kingdom, Conquests, and went in Pilgrimage to Rome (where he was baptized) to bewail and expiate the guilt of all his former wars, bloodshed, plunders, rapines, perplexing his Conscience, and there died.

An. Dom. 616.The first Charter and grant I find extant of any Lands given to the Church, after those of Ethelbert King of Kent, forecited, is that of (o)(o)Evidentiae Ecclesiae Christi Cantuar. col. 2207.King Eadbaldus his Son and successour, Anno Dom. 616, who being by Gods mercy, through the admonition of Archbishop Lawrence converted from the pravity of his life, for the Salvation of his soul, Propos. 1.10.and hope of a future reward, gave to Christ-Church in Canterbury, and to the family serving God in that Church, his Lands called Edesham, with the Fields, Woods, Pastures, and all things thereunto of right appertaining, free from all secular services, & Fiscal tributes; except these three; Expedition, Building of Castle and Bridge.

p. 9The next in time,An. 679. is the (p)(p)See Chronica VVil. Thorne, & Evidentiae Ecclesiae Christi Cantuar. col. 2207.2225. where all these Grants and Charters are recorded: & Monasticon Anglicanum, published by Mr. Doddeswel, &c. since this was penned.…rant of Lotharius King of Kent, Anno 679. of certain Lands in the Isle of Thannet, to the Monastery of Raculph, free from all secular services, except these three, Expedition, Building of Bridge and Castle: To which I might annex these ensuing Grants and Charters, which I shall only name; The Grant of King Egfrid, and his Queen Etheldrida, of Hestodesham to Bishop Wilfrid, Anno 674.

The Charter and Grant of Ceadwalla aforesaid, and Kendritha his wife (of 4 plough-Lands to Archbishop Theodor, and the Family of Christ-Church in Canterbury, free from all secular services, but those 3 forementioned) An. 687. of Withrid King of Kent, Anno. 694, of King Offa, An. 774. of King Edmund, An. 784. of King Kenewlfe, An. 791, 814, 815, 822. of King Wilof, An. 829. of King Athulfus, An. 832, 833, 834. of King Ethelstan, An. 927, 940. of King Edred, An. 941, 948, 949. of King Egered, An. 979, 980. and of King Cnute, An. Dom. 1016. To pretermit others of this kind.

All which Grants being for the most part, only of their own private Lands gotten by Purchase, Proposit 1.10…or Conquest, not of the Lands, or Demesnes of their Crowns, passed by their own Charters alone, without any confirmation or assent of their Nobles in a Parliamentary Council, not mentioned at all in them. But no grants of any Lands, Rents or Revenues o… their Crowns, to pious or other uses, were then either valid in Law, or obligatory to their successors, without common consent and rati…ications of their Nobles in Parliamentary Councils, which for this reason is still mentioned in all their Charters and donations of such Lands and Rents to pious uses. Neither could they exempt those Lands from any of these three forenamed publick charges (for the common defence and bene…it of their Realms) by their own royal Char…ers alone, unless ratified by the Nobles in their great Councils. Whereupon in all these forecited Charters, and other p. 10grants of Lands by particular persons, ratified by these Kings, they exempted them only from all secular services, exceptis Expeditione, Pontis & Arcis constructione, which they could not discharge them from, but by special Grants in General Parliamentary Assemblies, as subsequent Presidents will more ful…y demonstrate.

Anno 685.(q)(q)Simeon Dun…lmensis Historia Dun…l. Eccl…siae, l. 4. col. 57, 58. Ge…vasius Doroberniensis, Actus Pontif. Cant. col. 1639. Florentius Wigo…n. An. 684. p. 254. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops in the life of Cu…bert.Theodor Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno 685. held a Council at Twyford, in the presence of Egfrid King or Northumberland, who going in person to St. Cutbert (when as he neither by Le…ters nor Messengers could be drawn out of his Iland Lindesfarne to the Synod) brought him to it much against his will: where; by the command of all the Synod, he was constrained to take upon him the Office of a Bishop: Whereupon King Egfrid by the advice of Archbishop Theodor, Bishop Trumwin, & totius Concilii, and of the whole Council, for the salvation of his and his successors souls, by his Charter gave to St. Cutbert and all his successors, the Village called Creic, and 3 mile in circuit round about it, together with the City called Lugabadia, and 15 miles circuit round about it, Proposit. 10.to have to him and his successors, for the service of God for ever, as freely and quietly as he himself enjoyed them, and to dispose thereof at his pleasure; which Charter the Arch-Bishop and Bishops present in the Conncil, confirmed with their Subscriptions. What other Councils and Synods were held under this Arch-Bishop Theodor at Hartford, Clovesho, **Ethelwerdus Hist. l. 2. c. 8. calls it Lethlege.Heathfield, (or Hatfeild) and what Canons were made in them, for the confirmation of the Christian faith, the 5 first General Councils, &c. you may read at leisure in Gervasius… Doroberniensis, Matthew Parker, and Godwin in his life, where they are recorded; and in Matthew Westminster, An. 880. Chronicon Iohannis Bromton, Col. 741, 756, 799, 780. Radul. de Diceto Abbreviationes Chronic. Col. 441. Chronica Wil. Thorne, col. 1770, Henry Huntindon, Historiarum lib. 3. p. 335, Spelmanni Concilia, p. 11p. 152. Beda Ecclesiasticae Historiae, l. 4. c. 5, 17, 18. Mr. Fox Acts and Monuments vol. 1. p. 160, 161. To which I shall re…er you.

About the year of Christ 692.Anno 692. (r)(r)Ch…o…. Iohannis Bromton col. 759. to 767. Lambardi Archaion. Spelmanni Concil. Tom. 1. p. 122. to 136. Mr. Seldens Titles of Ho- p. 632. Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 164.Ina King of the West-Saxons, who succeeded Ceadwalla, by the exhortation and advice of Cenred his Father, Hedda and Erkenwald his Bishops, and of all his Aldermen (or Senators) and of all the Elders and Wisemen of his Realm, in a great Assembly of the Servants of God, for the salvation of his peoples so…ls, and the common conservation of his Realm, Enacted sundry Ecclesiastical and civil wholsom Laws, that by them just judgements might be founded and es…ablished, throughout his Dominions, and that from thence…orth it might be lawfull for no Alderman, Senator, or other person living within his Realm, to abolish these his Laws;Proposit. 1, 2, 4, 5. tending all to advance Piety, Justice, Peace, and preserve his people from violence, rapine, oppression, and all Punishments, Taxes, Fines, but such only as were imposed, ascertained by his Laws and Parliamentary Councils, as you may read at large in the Laws themselves, especially Lex 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 51, 73, 74.

In the year 694Anno 694. (s)(s)VVilliam Thorne Evidentiae Ecclesi…e Christi Cantuar. col. 2208. Spelm. Concil. p. 189. to 199.Withred King of Kent summoned Brithwald Archbishop of Canterbury, Toby Bishop of Rochester, with the other Abbots, Abbesses, Priests, Deacons, Dukes and Earls to a great Council at Beccanceld (or Baccanceld, as others write it:) where consulting all together concerning the State of the Churches of God, within that Realm, how they might establish and perpetuate to them to the end of the World, those Lands and Revenues which their pious Kings and Ancestors had granted and appropriated to God and his Church, Proposit. 4, 6, 10.as their perpetual inheritance, without substraction or diminution, They thereupon enacted, decreed, and in the name of God Almighty commanded, that all their successours, both Kings and Princes, with all other Laymen whatsoever, p. 12should not invade the Righ…s, La…ds or Dominions of the Churches, which they then confirmed; nor presume to viol…te the Privileges granted to them, and specially by king Withreds Charter, which they ratified in this Council with all their subscrip…ions; wherein he and they exempted Churches from all s…cular services and Tribu…es, but such as they should voluntarily and freely render without compulsion, which should not be drawn into custom to their prejudice; wi…ne…e this Clause of the Charter, and exemption then confirmed; & ab omni debito vel pulsatione Regalium Tributorum, …isi suà spontanea volu…tate, ex la…gitate beneficiorum quid facere velint; tamen hoc imposterum non servetur, nec habeatur in malam consuetudinem.

Anno 697.The same Spelm. Concil. p. 194.King Withred, in the Parliamentary Council of Berghamsteed, Anno 697. by the advice and common consent of his Bishops, and other Ecclesiastical Orders, cum viris qui…usdam militaribus;Proposit. 5. enacted sundry Ecclesiastical and civil Laws, to be added to the former Laws and customs of Kent: the first whereof is this, That the Church shall be free, and enjoy her Iudgements, Rents, and Pensions.

Anno 700.And (u)(u)Spelm. Concil. p. 198. Evidentiae Eccles. Christi, Cant. col. 2208, 2209. Antiqu. Eccles. Bu…. p. 34, 35.Anno Dom. 700. this king Withred, unâ cum consensu Principum meorum, together with the consent of his Nobles and Bishops (who subscribed their names to his Charter) granted to the Churches of God in Kent… th…t they should be perpetually freed ab omni exactione publica tributi, atque dispendio vel laesione, à praesenti die & tempore, &c. From all publick exaction of Tribute, and from all dammage and harm: rendring to him & his posterity, Proposit. 1.10.such honour and obedience as they had yeelded to the Kings h…s antecessors; under whom Iustice and Liberty was kept towards them.Anno 678. to 706.

About the year of our Lord 678. (x)(x)VVill. Malmes. de Gest. Pontif. Angl. l. 3. p. 264. to 269. Chron. Ioh. Brompt. col. 791, 792, 793, 794. Sim. Dunelm. de Archiepis. Ebor. col. 78. Spelman. Concil. p. 200. to 206. Ma…. Parker, Tho. Stubs, Godwin in the lives of Archbishop Theodor, VVilfrid… and Bri…wald. Mat. VVestm. Anno 692, 711. Hist. Anglicanae Scriptores antiq. An. 1652, col. 78, 294, 295, 296, 440, 441, 1691, 1741. Fox Acts and Monunments, vol. 1. p. 160, 161… Propos. 2, 4, 5, 7…Wilfrid Archbishop p. 13of …ork …eing in a Council unjustly depri…ed of his Bishoprick by Theodor Archbishop of Can…erbury, who envied the greatness of his Wealth, Power, and Diocess, which he would and did again… Wilfrids will, in that Council divide i…to … more Bishopricks, was after that time exiled the Realm, through the malice of Egfrid king of Nort…umberland, and Emburga his Queen, (whom he would have perswad…d …o become a Nun, and desert her Husband, as some Authors write, and others deny in his favour) without any just and lawfull cause; and after that about the year 692. being again deprived of his Bishoprick and right by the Iudgement and sentence of another Council held under Aldrid king of Northumberland, and Bertuald Archbishop of Canterbury; he thereupon ma…e two successive appeals to Rome against their two unjust sentences, as he conceived them: The first to Pope Agatho, and a Council of 150 Bishops, held under him; who decreed, he should be restored to his Bishoprick and make such Bishops under him (by advice of a Council to be held `by him) as he should deem meet; with which decree against his first s…ntence, he returning from Rome to king Egfrid, to whom he delivered it, sealed with the Popes Seal; the king upon …ight and reading thereof, in the presence of some of his Bishops, tantùm à reverentiâ Romanae sedis abfuit, was so far from obeying this Decree of the Roman See, that he spoiled Wilfrid of all his Goods and possessions, and committed him prisoner to a barbarous and cruel Governour; who thrust him into a dark dungeon for many days… and after that committed him to another more cruel Gaoler than he, called Tumber, who endeavoured to put him into Fetters by the Kings command; which he could no ways fasten upon his Legs, but they presently fell off again, through a Miracle. Whereupon wickedness giving place to Religion, he was loosed from his Bonds, detained in free custody, and afterwards released, but not restored. After which, about the year 693. he appealed again p. 14to Pope Iohn, against the proceedings of the second Council, which refused to re-admit him to his Archbishoprick, unless he would submit to the decrees of Archbishop Theodore, and Brithwald his successor; which he refused to do, unless they were such as were consonant to the decrees of the holy Canons, which he conceived theirs not to be, because they would order him to condemn himself without any Crime objected to him. Upon which appeal, this Pope, wi…h his Bishops, pronounced Wilfrid, free from all Crime, and ordered him to return to his A…chbishoprick; writing Letters to Ethelred King of Mercians, and Alfrid King of Northumberland to restore him thereunto. Alfrid receiving the Popes Letters by Wilfrids Messengers, altogether refused to obey the Popes commands in this Case;Proposit. 7. saying, Quod esset contra rationem, homini jam bis à toto Anglorum Concilio damnato, propter quaelibet Apostolica scripta communicare: That it was against reason, to communicate with a man already twice condemned by the whole Council of the English Nation for any writings of the Pope (so little were the Popes authoritie and decrees then regarded in England, contradicting the kings and English Councils proceedings) neither would he restore him all his life. After his death Edulfe usurping the Crown by Tyranny, Wilfrid repaired to him to restore him to his Archbishoprick, upon this account of the Popes Letters; Whereupon he was so inraged with him for it, though formerly his great friend, that he presently commanded him to depart the Realm forthwith, unless he would be sp…led of all his goods, and cast out of it with disgrace. But this Usuper being deprived both of his Realm, Crown, and Life, in little more than 3 Months space, and Osred son of king Alfrid, being restored to the Crown by the Nobles, as right heir thereunto; at last Wilfrid was re-invested in Anno 705.his Bishoprick by the decree of a Council held under him in Northumberland, at a place called Nidden, An. 705. not so much in obedience to the Popes command, p. 15as king Alfrids, attested by Elfleda his Sister, then Abbess of Streneshash; witness these words of Berfride, Ego jussionibus Papae obediendum censeo, prae…er…im cum eorum ro…ori, accedat Regis nostri Iussio … & nostrae necessit atis sponsio, &c. Puer in Regem levat…s, hostis abactus, Tyrannus extinctus; est igitur Regiae voluntatis ut Episcopus Wilfridus revestiatur. Upon which he was accor…ingly restored: whereupon all the Bishops embraced him, and reconciled themselves to him.

This Bishop Wilfrid procured to the Church of Hagustald, which he founded, and was Bishop thereof, many privileges, and that …or one miles circuit round about,Proposit. 10. none should be arrested going or coming, bu… injoy inviolable peace. Quod in…titutum authoritate & privilegiis Romanae sedi… Apostolicorum, & Archiepiscoporum, & Episcoporum, & Regum & Principum tam Scotiae quam Angliae confirmatum est. Quod si aliquis [y][y]De Stat. & Episcopis Hagus…alaensis Ecclesie, l. 1. c. 5. col. 29….temerarius insringere audebit, & magnae pecuniae damno obnoxius erit, & perpet no Anathematis gladio ab ecclesi… seperabitur; as Richa…d Prior of Hagustald records.An. 708, 709, 712.

Anno Domini 708 [z][z]Antiqu. Ecclesiae Brit. p. 20. Balaeus script. Brit. Centur. 1. c. 91, 94, 99. Centur. Magdeb. 8. c. 9. Spelm. Concil. p. 209. to 217.Egwin Bishop of Worcester, procured king Kenred and Offa by their Charters, to grant and confirm many Lands and Privileges …o the Abbey of Evesham; which Pope Constantine likewise ratified by his subscription at Rome, as well as …hese kings, in the presence of many Archbishops, Bishops, Princes and Nobles of divers Provinces, who commended and approved their Charters and Liberality. In purs…ance whereof, Pope Constantine writ a Letter to Brithwald Archbishop of Canterbury, to summon Concilium totius Angliae, Proposit. 5, 6, 10.a Council of all England, to wit, of the Kings, Bishops, Religious persons of Holy Orders, Optimatesque Regni cum proceribus suis, with the Nobles and great men of the Realm; who being all assembled together in the name of the Lord; The Archbishop should p. 16in their presence, read the Charters of these Kings and the Popes confirmation of them, that they might be confirmed by t…e favour and assent of the Clergy and the people, and consecra…ed with their Benediction. Whereupon king Kenred and Offa, after their return from Rome, assembled a General Council in a place called Alne, where both the Archbishops Brithwald and Wilfrid, with the rest of the Bishops, Nobles, and these two Kings were present: wherein, Donationes omnes confirmatae sunt, all these their Donations and Charters were confirmed; and likewise in another Synod at London, An. 712. A most pr…gnant e…idence, that these kings Charters and Donations, though ratified by the Pope himself, were not valid nor obligatory to their successors or people, without their common consent to, and confirmation of them in a general Parliamentary Council of the Prelates, Nobles, Clergy and Laity, even by the Popes and these kings own confessions and practice in that age.

An. 716.In the year of our Lord 716. [a[aIngulph. Hist. p. 851, 852.Ethelbald king of M…rcians, by his Charter gave to God, the blessed Virgin, Saint Bartholomew & Kenulphus, the whole Isle of Croyland, to build a Monastery; and confirmed it to them for ever, free from all Rent and secular services; & inde Char…am suam in praesen…ia Episcoporum, Proposit. 10.Procerumque Regni sui securam statuit; all his Bishops and Nobles of his Realm assenting to, and ratifying this Charter of his, both with the subscriptions of their nam…s, a…d sign of the Cross, as well as the King; that so it might be firm and irrevocable, being his demes…e Lands, which Charter is at large recorded in the History of Ingulphus.

An. 720.About the year of Christ 720.[b][b]L…g…s Ed. Confessoris c. 25. Spelmanni Concil. p. 219. See Polychronicon, l. 5. c. 28. Mat. VVestminst. An. 586. some (fabulously) write, that king Ina took Guala daughter of Cadwallade…, last king of the Britons to wife, with whom he received Wales and Cornwal, and the blessed Crown of p. 17Britain. Whereupon, all the English that then were, took them wives of the Britons race, and all the Britons took them wives of the illustrious blood of the English and Saxons,Proposit. 5, 6… which was done, Per commune Concilium et assensum omnium Episcoporum ac Principuru…, Procerum, Comit…m, et omnium Sapientum, Seniorum, et populorum totius Regni, (a…emb…ed …o…her in a General Parliamentary Council) Et per praeceptum Regis Inae; whereby they became one Nation and People: Af…er which; they all called that, the Realm of England, which before was called, the Realm of Britain, and they all ever after stood together, united in one, for common profit of the Crown of the Realm, and with a unanimous consent most fiercely fought against the Danes and Norwegians, and waged most cruel wars with them, for the preservation of their Country, Lands and Liberties.

An. 705. King [c][c]Spelman. Concil. p, 227, 228, 229. &c. Chron. Iohan. Brom…on. col. 758. & Monasticon Angl…Ina by his Royal Charter,Anno 725. granted and confirmed many Lands to the Abbey of Glastonbury, endowing that Abbey and the Lands thereto belonging, with many large and great Privileges, exempting them from all Episc…pal Iurisdiction, and from all regal exactions and services, which are accustomed to be excepted and reserved; to wit, from Expedition and building and repairing of Castles or Bridges; from which they should inviolably remain free and exempted, Proposition 6, 10.and from all the promulgations and per…urbations of Arch-Bishops and Bishops: which privileges were formerly granted and confirmed by the ancient Charters of his Predecessors Kenewalcus, Kentwin, Ceadwalla and Baldred. This Charter of his was made and ratified by the consent and subscription, not only of king Ina himself; but also of Queen Edel…ur… … king Baldr…d Adelard, the Queens B…o…her… consentientibus etiam omnibus Britanni… Regibus, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Ducibus, atque Abbatibus, all the Kings, Archbisho…s, Bishops, Dukes, and Abbots of Britain, consenting likewise thereunto … many p. 18of which subscribed their names unto it, being assembled in a Parliamentary Council for that end.

An. 727.King [d][d]Matthew Westminst. An. 727. p. 765.Ina, In the year 727. travelling to Rome, built th…re a school, for the English to be in…tructed in the faith; gran…ing towards the maintenance of the English Schol…rs there, a penny out of every house within h…s Realm, Proposi…. 1, 5, 6.called Romescot, or Peterpence; to be paid towards it every year. All which Things and Tax; That they might continue firm for perpetui…y, Statutum e…t genera… …ecre…o, &c. were confirmed by a general decree of a Parliamentary Council of …is Realm; then held for that purpose; of which [e][e]Part. 2. p. 71.before more largely.

In the year of our Lord 742. There was [f][f]Evid…ntiae Eccles. Christi Cantu. col. 2209. Spelmanni Concil. p. 230, 231. Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 21.a Great An. 742.Parliamentary Council held at Clovesho (or Clyffe) where Ethelbald King of Mercia sate President, with Cuthbert Archbishop of Canterbury; the rest of the Bishops sitting together with them, diligently examined things necessary concerning Religion, and studiously searched out of the an…ient Creeds and institutions of the holy Fathers, how things were ordered according to the rule of equity in the begin…ing of the Churches birth in England; whiles they were inquiring after these things, and the antient privileges of the Church, at last there came to their hands, the Liberty and Privileges which King Withred had gra…ted to the Churches in Kent:Proposit. 5.10 which being read before all, by King Ethelbalds command; they were all very well pleased therewith, and said unanimously, That there could not be found any so noble and so prudent a Decree as this, formerly made, touching Ecclesiastical Discipline; and therefore, Hoc ab omnibus firmari sanxerunt, decreed that it should be confirmed by them all. Whereupon King Ethelbald for the salvation of his soul and stability of his kingdom, confirmed and subscribed with his own munificent hand, That the Liberty, Honour, Authority, and security of Christs Church in all things, should be denied by no person, but that it should be free from all secular services, with all the lands pertaining thereunto, p. 19except Expedition and building of Bridge and Castle. And like as the said King Withred himself ordained, those privileges should be observed by him and his, so he and this Council commanded, they shall continue irrefragably and immutably in all things. And if any of our Successors, Kings, Bishops, or Princes shall attempt to infringe this wholsom Decree, let him render an account to Almighty God in that terrible day; But if any Earl, Priests, Clerk, Deacon or Monk shall resist this Decree, let him be deprived of his degree, and sequestred from the participation of the body & blood of the Lord and alienated from the kingdom of God, unless he shall amend with due satisfaction, what he hath unjustly done, through the evil of Pride.

[g][g]Ingulph. Histor. p. 853. Will. Malmsb. de gest… Reg. l. 1. c. 4. p. 29. Antiqu. Eccl. Bri. p. 22. Spel. Conc. p. 242. to 258. Mat. Westm. An. 748. Malmesb. de gestis Pont. l. 1. in Cuth. p. 197.Anno 747.An. 747. There was another Parliamentary Council held at Clovesho, or Cly…fe, under king Ethelbald, where the king himself, with Cuthbe…t, Archbishop of Canterbury, eleven other Bishops, cum Principibus et Ducibus, with the Princes and Dukes, were present.

In this Council were some Ecclesiastical Laws and Canons made, the last whereof was, for Prayers to be publikely made for Kings and Princes incessantly; that the People might live a Godly and peaceable life under their pious protection. In this Council king Ethelbald renewed and enlarged his former Grant of Privileges to the Churches, recited at large in the Marginal Authors, the sum whereof is this,Proposit. 1, 5, 12.

Plerumque contingere solet, pro incertâ futurotum temporum vicissitudine, ut ea quae prius multorum fidelium personarum testimonio consilioque roborata fuissent, ut fraudulenter per contumaciam plurimorum & machinamentis simulationis, sine ullâ consideratione rationis, periculos… dissipata essent, nisi auctoritate Literarum, & testimonio Cyrographorum aeternae memoriae inserta sint. Quapropter Ego Ethelbaldus Rex Merciorum, pro amore caelestis patriae, han… donationem me vivente concedo; Ut omnia p. 20Monasteria & Ecclesiae Regni mei, A publicis vectigalibus, & ab omnibus operibus, oneribusque absolvantur, nisi in instructionibus Arcium vel Pon…ium, quae nulli unquam possint laxari, (as Ingulph. renders it, or as other Copies; nisi sola quae communiter fruenda sint, omni que populo edicto R…gis, facienda jubentur, id est, instructionibus Pontium, vel necessariis defensionibus Arcium contra …ostes, non sunt renuenda:) Sed nec hoc praetermittendum est, cum necessarium constat Ecclesiis Dei. Praeterea habeant famuli Dei propriam Libertatem in proficuis Sylvarum, in fructu Agrorum, in captura piscium; nec munuscula praebeant Regi, vel Principibus, nisi voluntaria, sed liberi Domino serviant, in contemplatione pacificâ per totum regnum meum us que in aevum. Sed cunctas rribulationes quae nocere vel impedire possint in Domo Dei, omnibus Principibus sub meâ potestate degentibus, demittere & auferre praecipio; Quatenus sublimitas Regni mei prosperis successibus polleat in …erris, & meritorum manipuli multipliciter maturescant in coelis. Qui vero haec benigna mentis intentione at que in-laesâ cogitatione custodierit, aeternâ claritate coronetur, ornetur, glorificetur; Si quis hoc, quod absit, cujuslibet personae tyrannica cupiditate instinctus, contrà hanc donationis char…ulam saeculari potentiâ fretus venire nititur, sit sub Anathemate Iudae Proditoris Domini nostri Jesu Christi. Ad confirmandum verò hoc nostrae beneficentiae munus, Hi Te…es adfuerunt, & Nostri Magistrarus, Optimates, et Duces, fidelissimique amici concesserunt et scripseruut: Then follow the subscriptions of the King, Bishops and Nobles, with, Ego his statutis consentiens subscripsi, confirmandoque signum crucis aravi.

In this [h][h]Chron. W. Thorne, c. 3. sect. 7. col. …77….Council, amongst other Synodal Decrees subscribed by the Bishops, It was decreed, That the Feasts of St. Gregory the Pope, and St. Augustine the English Apostle, should be perpetually observed with greatest solemnity, Proposition 5…King Ethelbald, with his Nobles, p. 21being there present, and approving it.

In the year of Grace 752.Anno 752. Cuthred king of the West-Saxons being unable to endure the proud Exactions and insolencies of king Ethelbald, for vindica…on of his own and his peoples Liberty from his oppressions, raised an Army, and fought a bloody Batt…l wi…h him at Beorford; where through Gods assi…ance (who giveth grace to the Humble, and resisteth the Proud) he routed him and his whole Army, and after, An. 755. slew him in a second battel (he disdaining to fly) by the Treachery of Bernred, his Captain, the chief Author of his death.

King [i][i]Matthew Westm. p. 273. Chron. Iohannis Brom…on, col. 769, Huntindon. Hist. l. 4. p. 341. See Holinshed, Speed, Grafton in their lives, VVil. Malmesbury de gest. reg. l. 1. c. 4. p. 28.Cuthred deceasing, Sigibert his kinsman who succeeded him, growing insolent and proud by his Pre…ecessors great successes, Proposit. 1, 2, 4.became intollerable to his Subiects, treating them very ill in every kind, Depraving or altering the Laws of his Ancestors, Anno 756.for his own private Luere, [k][k]Matthew Westminst. An. 756. p. 274. Chron. Iohan. Brom…on, col. 770, 796. Wil. Malmesb. de Gest. Reg. l. 1. c. 2. p. 15. Hen. Hun…indon, Hist… l. 4. p. 34…, 342, Floren…. Wigorn. An. 755. p. 274. Polychr…n, l. 5. c. 25. Capgrave, F…bian Holinsh…d, Speed, Grafton in his life, and the life of Kenulphus, Hoveden, Annal. pars prior. p. 408. Propos. 1, 2, 4.and exercising exactions and cruelties upon his Subjects, setting aside all Laws. Whereupon his …aithfull Counsellor Earl Cumbra, ovingly admonishing him to govern his people more mildly and justly, that so he might become amiable to God and men; he was so incensed with him, that he commanded him most wickedly to be slain, and became more cruel and Tyrannical to his people than bef…re. The Pe…r… and Commons hereupon seeing their Laws and Liberties thus violated, and their Estates and Lives every day in danger, being incensed into fury, assemb…ng themselves together, did all unamimously rise up in Arms against him and upon mature prudent deliberation, by the unanimous consent of all, expelled him the Kingdom for his Tyranny and mis-governmenr. Upon which Sigebert flying into the woods for shelter, like a forlorn person, was there slain by Cumbra his Swine-herd, in revenge of his Masters murder. Florentius Wigorniensis relates, that after his expulsion from the Realm by the Nobles, for the multitude of his unjust deeds; Kenulphus, p. 22allotted him the County of Hampshire for his maintenance, until he slew Earl Cumbra (such was the Charity and Humanity of those times, even to an expelled, deposed Tyrannical King, now quite out of date) with whom Ethelwerdus, Hist. l. 2. c. 17. and Polychronicon, l. 5. c. 24. accord. Some of our Historians (especially E…helwerdus and Wigorniensis) relate; that Kenulphus usurped the Crown by meer force of Arms, first drawing the Nobles and People to rise up against, and expell Sigebert for his exorbitant actions, and the multitude of his unjust deeds, and then usurping the Throne, being not of the blood Royal (as Malmesbury relates) though of a Noble family: But they all [l][l]Malmesb. de Ges…is Reg. l. 1. c. 2. p. 16. Ethelwerdus Hist. l. 2. c. 17, 18. Hen. Huntindon, Hist. l. 4. p. 343. Mat. Westm. An. 786. Sim. Dunelm. Hist. col. 110. Chron. Iohan. Bromt. col. 770. Hoveden Annal. pars prior, p. 409, 410. Polychron. l. 5. c. 17. Fabian, Capgrave, Grafton, Holinshed, and Speed in his life. Florentius Wigorn. p. 278.279.unanimously record, that he came to a miserable end upon this occasion. When he had reigned 31 years with honour and good success, being puffed up therewith, and fearing lest Kinear…us (Sigiberts Brother) who began to be potent, should revenge his Brothers death upon him, and dispossess him or his posterity of the Crown, he banished and compelled him to depart his Kingdom. Who thereupon giving way to the time, voluntarily sled out of his Dominions. But soon after secretly drawing together (through private Conventicles) a band of desperate men, he found an opportunity to fall upon Kenulphus, when he went with a few followers to visit his Paramore at Merton, where he besetting the House round, slew the King, with all his followers. The fame of which Act coming to his Nobles and Souldiers not far from the place, They upon Exhortation of Esric, the chiefest of them, not to let pass the death of their Lord unrevenged, to their notorious and perpetual infamy, furiously …ncountred Keneardus and his Complices, and notwithstanding all their fair promises of Mony, & preferments to them, and all intreaties, after a sharp bloody incounter, put them all to the sword, with the loss of some of their own lives. Ecce quomodo Dei Iustitia, non solum futuro saeculo,Proposition 2. verum etiam in isto, digna meritis manifesto judicio recompensat,Proposit. 8. &c. Add p. 23Henry Huntindon, Roger Hoveden, Iohn Bromton, Malmesbury, and others, as a Corollary to this History of Sigibert; and Kenulphus. Which all Traitors, Tyrants and Usurpers treading in their exorbitant foots…eps, may do well advisedly to consider.

In the year of our Lord 758.An. 758. [m][m]Mat. West. An. 758. p. 274. VVil. Malmesb. de gest. reg. l. 1. c. 4. p. 28. Sim. Du…elm. Hist. col. 105. chron. Io. Bromt. col. 770, 776, Hen. Huntind. Hist. l. 4. p. 3…2, 346. Hovedon. Annal. pars 1. p. 408. Speeds Chron. p. 254, 368. See Polyc. Fabian, Graft. Holinshed in his and Offa his life, VVigorn. An. 755, p. 274.The people of the Realm of M…rcia rising up against their King Bernred because he governed them not by just Laws, but by Tyranny: a…embled all together in one, as well Noble as Ignoble; and Offa being their Captain, t…ey expelled him out of the Kingdom, and then… by the unanimous consent of all, as well Clergy as people, they crowned Offa King. This Bernred, (as Malmesbu…y, Spee…, and Simeon Dunelmensis write) treacherously mur…hered King Ethelbald his Soveraign, whose General he was, and thereupon usurping his Throne, and turning a Tyrant, (as most Usurpers do) was in the very …irst year of his usurped reign, expelled the Realm, and soon after slain by Offa; and so dignum sinem insidiarum tulit, being Author necis of his Sovereign, King Ethelbald, à suis tutoribus fraudulentèr interfectus, as our His…orians observe. A good Memento for other Traitors and Usurpers treading in his footsteps; Qui Regnum Tyrannus invasit, & per modicum tempus in parvà laetiti… & jocunditate tenens, Regnum cum vitâ perdidit, as Wigorniensis writes of him.Prop. 1, 2, 4, 5.

The [n][n]Ma…. West. p. 278, 279, 290. VVil. Malmesb. de gest. reg. l. 1. c. 4. p. 32. Spel. Concil. p. 315.English complaining to King Offa, An. 775.in the year 775. of the great exactions in forein parts under Charls the Emperour, they being then at variance, so as their trading and merchandize was every where prohibited in both their Realms, thereupon King Offa, by gifts sent to the Emperour, obtained this Grant and Privilege from him for his Subjects. That all Pilgrims passing through his Dominions to Rome for piety and devotion sake alone, Proposit. 1, 4…should have free and peaceable passage without any molestation or Tribute. That all Merchants and others in the company of Pilgrims passing only for gain, not devotion, p. 24should pay only a certain established Tribute in sitting places. That all English Merchants and Traders should have lawfull protection, by his command, within his Realm, and if in any place they were vexed with unjust oppression, that upon complaint to him or his Iudges, they should have full justice done unto them.

An… 780, 781In the year 780. Aethelred, or Adelred, king of Northumberland, [o][o]Mat. West. p. 280. Hen. Huntind. Hist. l. 4. p. 346, 347. Malmes…. de gest. reg. l. 1. c. 3. Hov… d…n Annal. pars prior, p. 409. Polychr. l. 5. c. 17.was deposed by his Subjects after he had reigned 3 years, and quite driven out of his Realm by his Nobles; who the next year after assaulted and burnt a certain Consull (or Earl) being their justice in his …wn house, plus aequo saevientem, for tyrannizing beyond the Bounds of Law and Right. I shall not insist upon the manifold Insurrections of these Northumberlanders against their kings, nor their disloyal depositions, expulsions, Murders of most of them, upon pretended oppressions and Exorbitancies in Government, rather than …eal:Propos. 1, 2, 4. nor on the strange, general, bloody, frequent depredations, wars, devastations, Plagues, Judgements, Invasions by Danes, Normans, Scots, and others, inflicted justly on them for the same by Divine Justice, more than on all other parts of this Iland, since I have touched some of them [p][p]Part. 2. p. 56 to 64.before, and shall glance at more of them hereafter; all which the studious may read at leisure, in Maslmesbury, Huntindon, Hoveden, Aethelwerdus, Matthew Westminster, Bromton, Florentius Wigorniensis, Simeon Dunelmensis, Radulphus de Diceto, Polychronicon, Holinshed, Speed, and others: Only I shall give you the sum of them about this age in the words of Sim…on Dunelmensis, and Richardus Hagulstaldensis [q][q]In Historia de exordio Christianitatis & Religionis totius Northumbriae, & Richardus Hagustald…nsis, de Stat. & Episcopis Haegustaldensis Ecclesiae, col. 300. See Antiqu. Ecclesiae Brit. p. 32, 33, 34. Sim. Dunelmensis Hist. de Gestis Regum Angli…, co…. 199. Chron. Ioh. Bromton, col. 966. Tho. Stubs Acta Pontif. Eboracensium, col. 1708. Hen. de Knyghton de Event. Angl. l. 2. c. 3. VVil. Malmesb. de Gest. … l. 3. p. 103. Hen. Huntind. Hist. l. 7. p. 306… Rog. Hoveden, Annal. pars pri…r, p. 451,Crudelis exinde Barbarorum manus innumeris navibus in Angli…m p. 25transvecta, omnia quaqua versum depopulans, Northunhymbrorum autem provincias atrocius devastans, omnes Ecclesias, omnia Monasteria ferro, & incendio delevit, adeò ut nullum pene Christianitatis signum post se discedens reliquerit. Monachi qui loci reverentia confidentes remanserunt de Ecclesià extracti, alii in mare sub hostibus submersi, alii Captivi abducti, alii detruncati, alii aliis tormentis miserabiliter affecti, omnes simul interiêrunt. Et indè prosiliens slammà et ferro, in exterminium omnia duxit, &c. After which sad successive devastations for sundry years by the Danes, they were so totally depopulated, and extirpated by Famine, Sword, and Pestilence by the Normans, An. 1069. that the whole Country was reduced into a desolate Wilderness, without an inhabitant, and lay untilled for nine years space; bestiarum tan…um & latronum latibula; being only Dens of Beasts and Theeves. And how many times it hath been wasted, de populated with fire and sword since this, by the Scots, and what barbarous cruelties they have exercised therein, you may read in the Continuation of Simeon Dunelmensis by the Prior of Hagustald, col. 264. in Historia Ricardi Prioris Hagustaldensis de Gestis Regis Stephani & bello Standardi, col. 315, 316. and other Chronicles since that time. The Lord in Mercy divert the like judgements from that Northern part, and the whole kingdom now, for the like transgressions of a later date.

In the year of Christ 787.Anno 787. (as most account) [r][r]Hen. Huntindon Hist… …. 4. p. 343. … Matthew Westminster An. 789. p. 281. Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 26. Cent. M…deburg. Cent. 8. c. 9. Hoveden Annal. pars prior, p. 410. Florentius VVigorn…sis, An. 785. Spelmanni Concil. p. 292, to 395. Malmesbury de gestis regum… … c. 4. & de gestis Pontif. l. 1. p. 198, 199. Matthew Parker, and Godwin in life of Iambert. Chre…ica VVil. Thorne, col. 1774. Gervasius Dorobern. Actus P… tif. Cant. col. 1641. Radulphus de Diceto Abbrevi. Chron. col. 445. Polychron. l. …. c. 17.Pope Adrian sent Legates into England, Proposit. 5.6.to confirm the faith which Augustine had preached: who being honourably p. 26received both by the Kings, Clergy, and People: thereupon held a great Parliamentary Council at Calchut, Chalchuthe, or Cealtide (as Henry Huntindon stiles it.) In this Council Offa king of Mercians, and Kenulphus king of West-Saxons … with all their …cclesiastical a…d secula… Princes, Nobles, Elders, Bishops, Abbots… Proposit. 5, 6.were pr…sent; who all subscri…e… and consented to the Ecclesiaestical and Temporal Laws and Canons therein made and published, being 20 in Number; The principle whereof rela…ing to my Theam, I have formerly recited. In this Parliamentary Council King Offa caused Egfrid his eldest son, to be solemnly crowned King, who from thenceforth reigned with him, And in it Iambertus (or Lambert) Archbishop of Canterbury, much against his will, resigned part of his Arch-Bishoprick to the Arch-bishop of Litchfield, by the command and power of King Offa; who envying the …ower and Pride of the Archbishop of Canterb. deprived him in this Council (notwithstanding all Iamberts appeals to Pope Adrian) of all Lands and Iurisdiction within his Realm of Mercia, erecting a new Arch-bishoprick at Litchfield, to which he subjected all the Bishops of Mercia, (being then six in number) …ill by another Council they were reunited to Canterbury, after the decease of Offa.

Anno 788.[s][s]Hen Huntindon, Hist. l. 4. p. 349. Hoveden Annalium, pars prior, p. 409.410. Florentius VVigorniensis, Anno 781, 787, 788, 789. Spelman. Concil. p. 303, 304. Simeon Dunelm. Hist. 110. Mat VVestm. Anno 789, 791. Richardus Prior. Hag…stald. de Stat. & Episc. Hagust. Eccl. l. 1. c. 17. col. 297.Sir 50:1About the year 788. (there being some difference amongst Historians in the year) there was a great Council held at Ade, and after that ano…her Council kept at Wincenhale or Pincanhale in Northumberland, now called Finkely. Sir Henry Spelman conceives, that these Councils were principally summoned to prevent the incursions of the Danes, who in the year 787… came in…o Britain with 3 ships; to discover the Coasts and prey upon it, slew King Bricticus his Provost, and after that many thousand thousands of the English at sundry p. 27times. Proposit. 6, 9.After this there was another Parliamentary Council or Synod held at Aclea, or Aclith… ; at which time Duke Sigga by wicked Treason slew his Sovereign Alfwold, king of Northumberland, and was, not long afterwards, slain himself by the Danes, (who miserably wasted and destroyed that rebellious kingdom of Northumberland with fire and sword) as a condigu pu…ishment for their treasons, Rebellions and Regicides of their Kings.

[t][t]Matthew VVest. p. 282. Mamesbury de gest. reg. l. 1. c. 3. Huntind. Hist. l. 4. p. 343, 344. Hoveden Annal. pars prior, p. 410. Florent. VVigorn. An. 792. Ethelredi Hist. l. 3.Anno 792.Anno 792. there was a Council held at a place called Fincale, where the Archbishop with his Suffragan Bishops, and many others were present: What the occasion of it was, appears not: only our Historians relate, That Osred king of Northumberland, was this year chased out of his Kingdom by his rebellious subjects, when he had reigned but one year, and Ethelred, son of Mollo substituted King in his place. Whereupon Osred gathering forces together to expel Ethelred, which had expulsed him out of his Realm, was in his march into it again taken prisoner and slain by this Usurper at Tymmouth. Upon occasion of which Insurrections and Wars, I conceive this Council was most probably summoned. Soon after this usurping Regicide Ethelred, was slain himself, even by those seditious Subjects who expelled and slew Osred, Proposit. 5, 9.to advance him to the Throne. The common fate of bloody Usurpers, especially in this kingdom of Northumberland, as our Historians observe.

[u][u]Matthew VVestm. An. 794. p. 287, 288, 289. Spel. Conc…l. p. 300. to 316. Chron. Ioh. Bromt. col. 754, to 757. Polychron. l. 5. c. 17.King Offa, in the year 793.Anno 793. called a Provincial Parliamentary Council, Proposit. 5.10.where Archbishop Humbert, and his Suffragans, with all the Primates and Nobles were present; wherein he treated with them about founding the Monastery of St. Albane, the first Martyr, in the place where his Corps was found: endowing it with lands and Privileges. Placuit omnibus Regis propositum. Whereupon they concluded, the King should go to Rome in person, and procure from the p. 28Pope the Canonization of St. Albane, and a Confirmation of Privileges to the Abbey he intended to build. He repairing to Rome accordingly, the Pope commending his Devotion, gave him his full a…ent, both to found a Monastery, and endow it with all such Privileges as he desired: enjoyning him, that returning to his Country, ex Consilio Episcoporum, & Optimatum suorum, Proposit. 6, 10.by advice of his Bi…hops and … to the Monastery of St. Albane, what Possessions or Privileges he would: which he … grant or confirm to it by his special Charter first, and afterwards he would confirm his original with his Privilege and Bull. The king hereupon receiving the Popes Benediction, returned home, and held two great Councils for the setliug of the Lands, Privileges and Liberties of St. Albanes: The one at Cel…yth, where were present, 9 Kings, 15 Bishops, and 20 Dukes (as Iohn Stow relates in his Chronicle) who all subscribed and ratified his Charter of Lands and Privileges granted to St. Albane. The other Council was held at Verolam, which Matthew Westminster thus expresseth. Congregato apud Verolamium Episcoporum & Optimatum Concilio, unanimi omnium consensu & voluntate, beato, Albano Amplas contulit terras, & possessiones innumeras, Quas multiplici Libertatum privilegio insignivit. Monachorum vero conventum ex Domibus bene Religiosis ad Tumbam Martyris congregavit, & Abbatem eis Nomine Willegodum praefecit, cui cum ipso Monasterio, Iura R…galia concessit. This king then reigning over 20 Shires, at the same time (by the unanimous assent of the Bishops and Nobles) (x)(x)See Radol. de Diceto Abbrev. Chron. col. 446, & Spelm. Concil. p. 310. to 314.gave out of all those Counties to the English School at Rome, Peter-Pence, in English called Romescot. Yet he privileged the Church of St. Albane with so great Liberty, that this Church alone should be quit of the Apostolical Custom and Tribute called Romescot, when as neither the King nor Archbishop, nor any Bishop, Abbot, Proposit. 1.6.or Prior, or any other in the Realm was exempted p. 29frow this payment. And likewise granted, that the Church of St. Albane should faithfully collect the said Romescot, from all the County of Her…ford, wherein the said Church is situated, and receive the money collected to that Churches own use. And that the Abbot thereof, or a Monk constituted his Archdeacon under him, should exercise Episcopal Authority over all the Priests & Laymen within the possessions belonging to the Abbey, and that he should make subjection to no Archbishop, Bishop, or Legate, but only to the Pope himself. So as that Church hath omnia jura Regalia; and the Abbot thereof for the time being, Pontificalia ornamenta. And that by the great Charter of this king then made, with the unanimous consent of all his Bishops and Nobles in this great Council. What Lands he gave to the Monastery of St. Augustines and Christ-church in Canterbury, and the Archbishops there, you may read at large in the Chronicles of William Thorne, col. 1775. and Evidentiae Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis, col. 2203, 2219.

(y)(y)Mat. West. Anno 797, p. 290, 291. Alcuini Epist. Osbert. Speeds History p. 371. Chron. Iohan-Brom. col. 752, 754, 776.King Offa deceasing An. 797. his Son Egfrid, Anno 797.so soon as he was settled in his Fathers kingdom, imitating the pious footsteps of his Father, devoutly conferred many Lands and possessions on the Church of St. Albanes, and confirmed them by his Charter an… Privilege; with all those other Lands, Privileges and Royal Liberties which his Father had conferred on the said Church, to enjoy them in the freest manner. Of ejus Donatio, ut perpetuae firmitatis Robur obtineret, juxta morem Romanae Ecclesiae, omnium Episcoporum Comitum et Baronum totius imperii sui (assembled in a general Council of …he Realm) Subscriptionem, Proposit. 10.& signum crucis apposuit, Causing all his B…shops, Earls, and Barons of his whole Realm to subscribe and ratifie his Charter and Donation with the sign of the Cross, after the manner of the Roman Church, That it might be of perpetual force and validity. Moreover declining his Fathers covetousness in all things, whatever he for p. 30the exaltation of his Kingdom, had diminished out of the possessions of divers Monasteries, he, out of a pious devotion, restored and confirmed with his Privilege (or Charter) to all who desired it.

This pious King Egfrid, (as our Historians observe) and let others note it who gain their Kingdoms, Powers, Possessions by Bloodshed and Treason (was taken away by sudden death on the 141 day after his Fathers decease (which gave great cause of grief to all the people of his Realm) not for his own sins, which is not to be supposed; but because his Father (pro Regni sui confirma…ione sanguine… … effudit) for the confirmation of his Ringdom shed much blood. For he (z)(z)See Mat. VVestm. Malmesbury, Huntindon, Hoved. Radulph. Cas…ensis, Ethelwerdus, VVigorn. Speed, Graston, Holinshed, Fab… in his li…e. Ch. Io. Brom. col. 750.751, 752. Radulph. de Diceto Abbreviat. Chron. col. 445, 446. Polichron. col. l. 5. c. 16, 17.came to the Cro…n by the sla…ghter of King Bernred, forementioned; deposed and slain by him for his usurpation, Tyranny, and Mis-government, then he invaded and slew with his own hand Alrick King of Kent, routed his forces, and reduced that kingdom under his own: After this, marching from South to North, even beyond Humber, he made Havock of all that stood in his way: Whence returning in Triumph, he set upon the West-Saxons, and vanquished them, forced their king Kenwolf to fly into Wales to the Britons for aid; then en…red into Wales, routed their King Marmodius, for breaking his Truce; made a great slaughter of the Britons & after ten years prosperous wars to conquer others, returned victoriously into his own territories. After his return thither, to compleat his bloody Tragedies, Ethelbert King of East-Angles coming upon solemn invitation to his Court in great state, to marry his Daughter, was there treacherously murdered by his Wife Quendreda's solicitation and practice, with his privity and consent, who caused a deep pit to be digged in his Bed-chamber, under his Chair of State, or Bed, into which he falling was there treacherously murdered, and his head …ut off by Gaymbertus, who presented it all bloody to King Offa; who (to colour the business) seeming to be sorrowfull p. 31…or this murder, shut himself up in his Chamber, and there fasted 8 days space, but then, sending a great Army into the Kingdom of this murtherea Prince, seised on & united it to his own Empire. But Gods exemplary vengeance pursued this hainous bloody Treachery (notwithstanding all his seigned magnified Saintship, and works of Charity and Piety) for, within one year after this bloody fact committed, both Queendreda, Offa, and their Son Egfrid (the only joy and pride of his Parents) all died, and his very kingdom it self was translated from the Mercians to the West-Saxons, whom he had conquered and oppressed, O that all men of blood, and unjust invaders of others Crowns, Realms, Possessions by war, bloodshed and Treachery, would seriously consider this President, with all others of this nature both at home and abroad, collected to their hands by Sir Walter Raughly, in his excellent Preface, before his famous History of the World.

About the year of Christ 797.An. 797. (a)(a)Bonif. Mogunt. Ep. 112. Mr. Seldens Titles of Honour, part 2. c. 5. p. 632.Cynwolfe (or Kenulph) King of West-Saxons held a Council, wherein he with his Bishops, una cum caterva Satraparum, and likewise with a great company of his Nobles, there assembled, writ a Letter to Lullus Bishop of Mentz touching some matters of Religion then in Deb…e.Proposit. 5, 6.

In the (b)(b)Tho. Stubs, Actus Pontif. Ebo. col. 1697.1698. Simeon Dumelm. Hist. …ol. 114, 115. Rog. de Hoveden, Annal. pars prior. p. 406.year 798.Anno. 798. (the third of King Kenulph his reign) there was a great Parliamentary Synod assemat Pinchamhalch, wherein Eanbaldus, or Embaldus, Archbishop of York sate President, with very many wise and great Men; by whose Wisdom and Iustice the Kingdom of Northumberland was then much advanced and renowned: Who after they had debated many things concerning the benefit of holy Church, and profit of all the Provinces of the People of Northumberland; the observation of Easter, and of Divine and secular Laws, the increase of Gode service, Proposit. 5, 6,and the honours and necessities of the servants of God, rehearsed and ratified the faith o… the 5 first General Councils, concerning the Trinity, in brief and pithy p. 32expressions, sit now to be revived in these times of Heresie and Blasphemy.

The (c)(c)Evidenti… Eccl. Christi Cantuar. col. 2211, 2212. Sp…lm. Concil. p. 317. Mat. VVest. Anno 798.same year, there was another Great Council held at …acanc…ld, wherein Kenulph King of Mercians sate President, Athelardus Archbishop of Canterbury, 17 other Bishops, sundry Abbots, Arch-deacons, and other fit persons being there likewise presen… ; Wherein, by the command of Pop… Leo, it was decreed; That from thenceforth no Laymen should exercise Dominion over the Lords Inheritance and Churches; but that they should be governed by Holy Canons, and the Rules of their first founders and possessors, under pain of Excommunication: and that Christ-church in Canterbury,Propos. 5, 8, 9.10. should be restored to its antient Metropolitan Iurisdiction. Which all the Prelates and Abbots confirmed with their Subscriptions. And this year this King consecrated the Church of Winchelcumbe, endowing it with great gifts and possessions, in a kind of Parliamentary Assembly of 13 Bishops, and 10 Dukes, where he manumitted and set free at the high Altar, Edbert King of Kent, surnamed Pren, whom he had taken prisoner in Battel. Moreover Eanbaldus Archbishop of York, this year assembled a Synod at Finchale; most likely for the assistance of Eardulfus King of Northumberland against Duke Wadus, and other Conspirators, who rose up against him, whom he vanquished and utterly routed, after a long and bloody battle at Bilingeho, where many were slain on both sides; which History Matthew Westminster couples with this Synod, An. 798.

An. 799.(d)(d)Evid. Eccles. Christi Cant. col. 2212.King Kenulph in the year 799. By the consent of his Bishops and Pri…ces, at the request of Athelardus Archbi…hop of Canterbury, restored to Christ-Church in Canterbury, four parcels of Land which king Offa had formerly taken from it,Proposit. 4, 10. and gave to his Servants, free from all secular service and Regal Tribute: ratifying this restitution by his Charter, signed with the Cross, that it might remain inviolable by their concurrent assent.

p. 33There was a Provi…cia… Council held at Cloves…o (orAn. 800. Clyffe) In the year of our Lord 800. by Kenulf king of Mercians, Spelmanni Concil. p. 318, 319, 320. Evident. Eccl. Christi Cant. col. 2212, 2213 Gervasius Dorob…rn. Actus Pontif. Cantu… col. 1642. and Godwin in the life o… At…elardus.Athelwerdus Archbishop of Canterbury, and all the Bishops, Dukes, Abbots & …juscunque dignitatis vi…os, and men of all sorts of …ignity; where after some inquity, how the Catholique Faith was kept, and Christian Religion practiced amongst them? The Lands which king Of…a and …ing Kenulph had forcibly taken away from Christ-Church, with the Nunnery of Cotham, and the Hides of Land called Burnam, were Synodali Iudicio, by the Iudg…me…t of the Council, restored to Christ-Church. Et omnium voce Decretum est, and, It was decreed by the voice of all the Council, upon sight of the Books and Deeds there produced before them by the Archbishop, that it was just Cotham should be restored to Christ-Church (being given to it by King Aethelbald, Propos. 4, 5, 6…by his Charter) of which it had, for a long time unjustly been spoiled, notwithstanding the frequent complaints made by Archbishop Bregwin and Iambert in every of their Synods. In hoc Concilio annuente ipso Rege, Athelardus recuperavit dignitates & possessio…es quas Offa R…x Merciorum abstulerat Iamberto: writes Gervasius. After which the Archbishop in this Council made this Exchange with Cynedritha, then Abbess of Cotham; that she and her successors should enjoy all the Lands, and Nunnery of Cotham, in lieu whereof she should give to him one hundred and ten Hydes of Land in Kent, lying in Fleot, Tenaham, and Creges, together with all the writings thereto belonging, which exchange was made before, confirmed and attested by this Noble Synod; that so no Controversie might arise betwe…n them, their Heirs and Successors, or King Offa's, in future times concerning the same, but that they might peaceably in…oy them without interruption, for ever. And moreover the Archbishop gave unto Cynedrytha the Monastery called Pretanege, which king Egf…id gave to him & his heirs. Which proves the Great Councils and Synods in that age to be p. 34Parliaments; and that they judicially restored Lands u…jus…ly taken away by Kings, upon complaint, exami…a…ion an… due proof made ther…of, as well as inquired o… errors and abuses in Religion,

In …his Council … conceive i… was, that (f)(f)…. Malmsbury de gest. Reg. l. …. c. 4. Sp…l. Conc. p. 320. to 324. Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 27, 28, 29, 30. Mat. West. An. 797.Kenulph, with his Bishops, Dukes, et omni sub nostra Ditione Dignatis gradu, comp…ed and … Letter to Pope Leo the third; promising obedience to his commands; re…uesting… that the ancien… Canons might be observed, and the Iurisdiction and Power of the See of Canterbury (which King Of…a and Pope Adrian had diminished and divided …to two Provinces or Archbish…pricks) might be restored and united again thereto, to avoid Scisms: and craving the Popes answer to these their request: which he returned in a special Letter to the King, restoring to Athelardus and his successors the Bishopricks substracted from his Province, with the Metropolitan Iurisdiction over them, as amply as before.

An. 802.(g)(g)Spelman. Concil. p. 324, 325, 326. See Mat. Westm. An. 797, to 805.Hereupon, in the year 802. or thereabouts, there was another Parliamentary Council assembled at Clovesho; wherein the Archbishoprick of Litchfield was dissolv…d, the See of Canterbury restored to its former plenary Metropolitical Iurisdiction (according to Pope Leo his Decree) By the advice and Decree of the whole Council: which commanded in the name of God; That no Kings, nor Bishops, Proposit. 5, 6.nor Princes, neque ullius Tyrannicae potestatis Homines, should diminish the honour of the Metropolitical See, or presume to divide it in any particle whatsoever, under pain of an Anathema Maranatha; which Decree the Archbishop, with 12 other Bishops, subscribed and ratified with the sign of the Cross (as they formerly did in the Council of Bechanceld, An. 798.) And in this Council divers controversies concerning the Lands, Limits and Iurisdictions of other Bishops & Bishopricks were likewise decided and setled; as you may therein read at large.

p. 35(h)(h)Matthew West. An. 802, 854. Asserius Mene. de gest. Alfredi Regis, Wil. Malmesb. de Gestis Reg. l. 2. c. 3. p. 46. Florentius Wigorn. An. 855. Polychron. l. 5. c. 27. Speeds Hist. p. 230. Mr. Seldens Titles o… Honour, part 1. c. 6. p. 166. Sim… Dun…lm. Hist. de Gest. Reg. Angl. col. 118. Fox Ac…s and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 170, 171.Eadburga Daughter to King Offa married Brithrie King of the West-Saxons:Anno 802. proud of her parentage and ma…ch, she grew so ambitious, …sole…t, and Tyrannical that she becam… od…ous, not only to all the Prelates, Nobles, and Courtiers, but to the people l…kewise. For being incited with malice and tyranny, she usually accused and execrated to the King all the Nobles of the Realm, Ordinaries, Bishops, and Religious persons, and so overcame him by her flatteries, that those whom she began to accuse, aut vit… aut Regno privaret, she would either deprive of Life, or banish them the Realm; and if she …ould not obtain this from the King against them, she accustomed to destroy them priv…ly wit… poison. At last, An. 802. She preparing poi…on, to destroy a rich and noble Favourite of the Kings, whom he extraordinarily lov'd; so as she could not banish or destroy him by her false accusatio…s; the King casually drinking of …he Poison (contrary to her intention) as well as his Favourite, they were both therewith suddenly poisoned and d…stroyed. Wherewith this wicked woman being tetrified, sled with all her invaluable Treasures b…yond the Seas to Charles the Great: who for her Lasciviousness, in making choice of his Son for her Husband before himself, (though much inamoured with her transcendent beauty) thrust her into a Monastery,Proposit. 2, 4. where soon after, she abusing her body by uncleaness, in lying with a lewd man, was expelled thence, forced to beg her bread, and ended her days in extreme misery. A just judgement of God, both upon a Tyrannical Queen, and unrighteous King, seduced to banish and condemn his Nobles and Subjects unjustly by her solicitations. For this her most hainous crime the West-Saxons ordained a Law, to the Grand prejudice o… all thei… succeeding Queens: That none of them should have ei…r Title, Majesty, or place of Royalty or Queen: No… … West-Saxones Reginam, vel juxta Regem … …ginae appellatione insigniri patiuntur, … Eadburg…e, quae virum p. 36s…um Brithicum v…neno perdidit, & juxta Regem …edens, omnes Regni Nobiles accusare solebat, & quos accusare non po…uit, potu eos venenifero necare consue…it. Itaque pro Reginae maleficio omnes conjuraverunt, quod nunquam se regnare permitterent, qui in praedictis culpabilis inveniretur: as William o… Malm…sbury, Asserius Menevensis, Matthew Westminster, Florentius Wigorniensis, and others out of them rel…te,

(i)(i)Spelman. Concil. p. 327, 328, 329.There was a Parliamentary Synod, or Council, held at Celiohi…h, in the year 816.Anno 816… at which, not only Wulfred Archbishop of Canterbury, with all his Suffragan Bishops, but likewise Kenulf king of Mercians, with his Princes, Dukes, and Nobles, and sundry Abbots, Pri…sts, Proposit. 4, 5, 6.Deacons, and other sacred Orders were present, wherein they enacted 11 Constitutions, the 6th. whereof was this in substance. That the Iudgements and Decrees of Bishops made in Synods should not be infringed, but remain firm and irrefragable, being ratified with the sign of the holy Cross (by the Kings and Nobles Subscriptions) unless perchance the King or Princes deemed the subscriptions of their Antecessors of no force, and feared not to re…rm, or cease from this error, which shall rest and bring a Curse on them and their heirs. The 7th. That no Bishops, Abbots or Abbesses shall alienate or part with the Lands, writings and evidences of their Churches and Monasteries, w…i…h they are intrusted to keep, nisi rationabilis causa poposcit adjuvari, contra invasionem famis, & Depraedationem Exercitus, & ad Libertatem obtinendam: which causes they reputed reasonable.

Anno 822.In …he year of our Lord 822. there was a Parliamentary Council assembled at Clovesho, (k)(k)Evident. Eccles. Christi Cont. col. 2213, 2214. Spelm. Concil. p. 332, 333, 334. Florentius Wigorn. Anno 822. p. 287. Ethelwerdi Hist. l. 9. c. 2.wherein Beornulph King of Mercians sate President, at which Wu…fred Archbishop of Canterbury, with the rest of the Bishops, Abbots, omniumque dignitatum Optimatibus, Ecclesiasticarum scilicet & saecularium personarum, were present, p. 37debating things both coneerning the benefit and regulation of the Church, and defence and safety of the Realm (the proper subjects of our present English Parliaments) a… these words import, Utilitatem & necessitatem Ecclesiarum, Monasterialisque vitae Regulam et observantiam, stabilitatem quoque Regni pertractante…. In this Parliamentary Council, the Proceedings in 3 precedent Councils, Proposit. 5, 6…touching the Complain…s of the Archbishops of Canterbury, of the Injuries done unto them, in taking away the Lands of the Church by their Kings and Officers, with the proceedings thereupon are at large recited, which I shall here transcribe, because generally unknown to most, and best di…covering the proceedings of our antient Parliamentary Councils in Cases of this nature; of any Council I have met with in that Age, and those which next proceeded, or succeeded it.

All the said persons in the said Council sitting down quietly together, it was inquired by them; quomodo quis cum Iustitia sit tractatus, seu quis injustè sit spoliatus? In what manner any one had been handled with justice? or if any one had been unjustly spoiled? Whereupon, amids other things there acted and spoken, it was shewed, That Archbishop Wulfred by the mis-information, and enmity, and violence and avarice of king Kenulph, had suffered many injuries, and was most unjustly deprived of his just dominations, as well by those things which were done unto him amongst us here in England, as by those things which were brought against him to the See Apo…tolick, by the procurement of the foresaid King Kenulph: by which accusations and discords, not only the fore-named Archbishop, but also the whole English Nation, for almost six years space, was deprived of its primordial authority, and of the Ministry of sacred Baptism. Above all these things, the said king Kenulph at a certain time with his Council, coming to the City of London, appointed a day (with great indignation) p. 38Proposit. ….4.wherein the Archbishop should come unto him: whither when he came, the King commanded, …hat relinquishing all his goods, h… should speedily depart out of England, without hopes of returning any more, neither by the command of our Lord the Pope, neither by the i…treaties of the Emperour, nor of any other person, unless he would consent to his will, in demising to him a farm of 300 Hides of Land, called Leogene…ham, and moreover would give to the said King one hundred and …we…ty pounds in money; This reconciliation the said Wul…red refusing, long contradicted; and when the …ri…nds of the man of God, and Nobles of the King, who loved him very much, perceived the rapacity and violence of the King, they importuned the Archbishop, that he would consent to the Kings will, upon this condition; that the King should relinquish the difference which he had raised between the Pope and Archbishop, by his Messengers, and should restore to the said Father all the power and dignity which belonged to the said Primates See, according to the authority which his Predecessors most amply enjoyed in former time. But if the King could not do this, that he should then restore the mony and Land, which he exacted of the Archbishop to him again. Upon this condition therefore, the said reverend Father gave his assent: But nothing of the aforesaid condition was performed: For three whole years after the said agreement, he remained deprived of the power which his predecessors and himself had before that difference over Suthmenstre, as well in pasture, mony, vestments, as obedience, which belonged to the Metrapolitical See.

But after the death of King Kenulf, when Beornulf reigned; the said Archbishop Wulfred invited Abbess Kenedrytha, Heir and Daughter of King Kenulf, to the foresaid Council; whither …hen she came, the Archbishop complained in the audience of all the Council, of the injuries and troubles offered and done to him, and p. 39to Christs Church, by her Father; and required reparation from her, if it were Iust: Then all the Council found it to be Iustice,, et hoc unanimi consen…u Decrevi…, and Decreed it by a unanimous consent, Nota.That all those things which …er Father had tak…n away from the Archbishop, she ought justly to restore unto him, and to give him so much …g…in for reparation. And moreover should restore all the use (or profit) the foresaid Father had lost in so long a space: which she humbly promised to do.

It seemed good therefore to king Beornulf, with his Wisemen, for friendship sake, most diligently to make a reconciliation and amends for the said Lands, between the heirs of King Kenulf and the Archbishop; and beca…se this pleased the king, and he humbly intreated it; out of Love and Friendship to the King the Archbishop con…ented thereto; …or …he heirs of the said king Kenulf often desired to have the said Father to be their Patron and intercessor; And they intreated him with humble devotion, that for a full reconciliation, he would receive in four places one hundred Hides of Land; to wit Herges, and Herfording Land, Wamdeloa, and Gedding. Then the Archbishop for the love of God, and the amiable friendship of Beornulf, consenred to this accord, upon this condition; that the foresaid Abbess should deliver to the said Archbishop, the foresaid Lands of one hundred Hides, with the Books which the English call Land…o…, and with the same liberty which he had before, for a perpetual inheri…nace: Whereupon king Beornulf, with the testimony of the whole Council, proclaimed it to be altogether free.

But this Agreement was not all this time ratified, because after these things, the promise remained unfulfilled for 12 Moneths: for three Hides (or tenements) of the foresaid Lands, were detained; and the Books of 47 tenements; to wit, the Book of Bockland, the Book of Wambelea, and also the Book p. 40of Herfocding land, But in the year following she the said Ahbess desired a Conference with the foresaid Archbishop, who at that time was in the Country of the Wicii, at a place called Ostaveshlen, where he held a Council: where, when she had found the man of God, she confessed her folly in delaying her former agreement: upon which the Archbishop with great sweetness shewed; that he was altogether free from the foresaid agreement, and that of her part there were many things wanting which she ought to have restored; but she being brought before the Council…, greatly blushing, humbly promised, that she would restore all those things that were wanting, and with a willing mind restored to the Archbishop the Books of certain Lands, which before she had not promised, with the Lands (adjudged to him, as Sir Henry Spelmans Margent supplies the defect) in the same Council. She likewise added thereto a farm of 4 tenements in Hevgam for his favour; likewise She gave to the Archbishop 30 Hide land (or tenements) in Cumbe, with a Book of the said Lands, that a firm and stable friendship and accord might remain between all the heirs of King Kenulf and the Archbishop.

To all which things the Archbishop gave his consent, upon this Condition, that the names of the afore said Lands should be rased quite out of the Ancient Privileges which belong to Wincelcumbe, lest in after times some controversie should be raised, De hoc quod Synodall authoritate decretum est, et signo crucis firmatum: concerning this which was ended by authority of the Council, and confirmed with the sign of the C…oss. By this, and the precedent Councils of Clovesho, it is apdarent; first, That the Injustice, Rapine, and oppression of our Saxon Kings themselves, was then examined and redressed in and by our Parliamentary Councils: 2ly. That Tittles to Lands, Jurisdictions, Privileges unjustly taken from the Church and other men, by our kings, or other great persons and p. 41complaints touching the same, were usually heard, determined and redressed in the great Parliamentary Councils of that Age, upon complaints made thereof, and that to and before the whole Council, not to any private Committees, not then in use. 3ly. That restitution, reparations and damages in such Cases, were usually awarded in such Parliamentary Councils, not only against the Kings & Parties that did the wrong,Nota. but likewise against their heirs; as here against Abbess Cenedritha, Daugher and heir to king Kenulph, After the decease of her father the Tort Feasor. 4ly. That the same cause and complaint was revived, continued, ended in succeeding, that rested undecided, and unrecompensed in former Councils. 5ly. That Agreements, Exchanges, and Judgements given upon Complaints in Parliamentary Councils, were conclusive and final to the Parties and their Heirs. 6ly. That Injuries done by the power of our Kings or great Men in one Parliamentary Council (as in dividing the Archbishoprick of Canterbury, &c.) were examined & redressed by another subsequent Council. 7ly. That Parliamentary Councils in that Age, were very frequently held, at least once or twice a year (if not interrupted by wars) and that usually at Clovesho, according to the (l)(l)Actus Pontif. Cantu. col. 1639. Spelm. Concil. p. 334.Decree of the Council of Heartford under Archbishop Theodor, That the Bishops once a year should assemble together in a Council at Clovesho; as Gervasius Doroberniensis records; there being 4 Councils there, and elsewhere, held in King Beornulfs 4 years reign.

I find Anno. 824. Spelm. Concil. p. 334, 335.another Council held at Clovesho, in the year 824 the 3. of the Calends of November, under Beornulf King of Mercians and Wulfred Archbishop of Canterbury, where this King, which all his Bishops and Abbots, and all the Princes, Proposit. 5, 6.Nobles, and many most wise men were assembled together. Amongst other businesses debated therein, there was a sute between Heabere Bishop of Worcester, and the Nuns of Berclea concerning the inheritance of Aethelfrick Son of Aethelmund, p. 42to wit the Monasterie called West-Burgh, the Lands whereof, with the Books, the Bishop then had, as Aethelfrick had before commanded, that they should be restored to the Church of Worcester. This Bishop, with 50 Mass Priests, and 160 other Priests, Deacons, Monks and Abbots (whose names are recorded in the Manuscript) swore, that this Land and Monastery were impropriated to his possession and Church; which Oath with all these fellow swearers, he was ordered to take at Westminster, and did it accordingly, after 30 nights respite. Whereupon, It was ordained and decreed by the Archbishop, & all the Council consenting with him; that the Bishop should enjoy the Monastery, Lands, and Books to him and his Church; and so that sute was ended, and this Decree pronounced thereupon.

Qua propter, si quis hunc agrum ab illâ Ecclesiâ in Ceastre nititur evellere, contra Decreta sanctorum Canonum sciat se facere; quia sancti Canones decernunt, Quicqu… Sancta Synodus universalis cum Catholico Archiepiscopo suo adjudicaverit, nullo modo fractum vel irritum esse faciendum. Haec au…em gesta sunt. Hi sunt Testes & Confirmatores, hujus rei, quorum nomina hic infr… notantur, … die tertio Calend. Novembrium.

Ego Beornulf Rex Merciorum hanc chartulam Synodalis decreti signo sanctae Christi Crucis confirmavi.

Then follows the Archbishops Subscription and confirmation in like words; with the subscriptions of sundry Bishops, Abbots, D…kes and Nobles, being 32 in number, all ratifying this D…cree.

An. Dom. …33.An. 833. (n)(n)Ingulphi Hist. p. 855, 857. See Mat. Westm. Anno 833, 834, 835. Spelm. Concil. p. 337, 338, 339.Egbert, King of West-Saxons, Athelwulfe his Son, Witlasius king of Mercians, both the Archbishops, Abbots, cum Proceribus majoribus totius Angliae, with the greatest Nobles of all England, were all assembled together at London (in a National p. 43Parliamentary Council) pro consilio c…piendo contra Proposit. 5, 9, 10.Danicos Pir…tas Littora Angliae assidne infestantes: to take Counsel what to do against the Danish Pirates, dayly infesting the Sea-Coasts of England.

In this Council the Charter of Witlasius king of Mercians, to the Abbey of Croyland (where he was hid and secured from his enemies) was made and ratified; wherein he granted them many rich gi…ts of Plate, Gold, Silver, Land, and the Privilege of a Sanctuary, for all offenders flying to it for shelter; which grant could not be valid without a Parliamentary confirmation; for he being elected Ki…g, omnium consensu, after the slaughters of Bernulf and Ludican (two invading Tyrants cut off in a short time; qui contra fa… purpuram induerent, & regno vehementet oppresso, totam militiam ejus, quae quondam plurima extiterat, & victoriosissima, sua imprudentia perdiderant, as Ingulphus writes) was enforced to hold his kingdom from Egbert king of West-Saxons under a Tribute. And thereupon conferring divers Lands by his Charter to this Abbey for ever, to be held of him, his heirs and Successors, Kings of Mercia, in perpetual and pure Frankalmoigne, quietae & solutae ab omnibus oneribus secularibus, exactionibus, & vectigalibus universis quocunque nomine censeantur. That his grant might be sound and valid, he was necessitated to have it con…irmed in …is Parliamentary Council, by the consent of King Egbert and his Son, and of all the Bishops, Abbots… et Proceribus Majoribus Angliae, and the greater Nobles of England the…e present; most of them subscribing and ratifying this Charter with the sign of the Cross, and their names.

About the year of Grace 838.Anno. 838. there was a Parliamentary Counc… held at (o)(o)Evident. Eccl. Christi Cantuar. col. 2217, 2218. Spelm. Concil. p. …40.Kingston, in which Egbert king of the West-Sa…ons, and his Son Aethelwulfe, Ceolnoth Archbishop of Canterbury, with the rest of the Bishops and Nobles of England were present. Amongst many things there acted and spoken, Archbishop Ceolnoth sh…wed before p. 44the whole Council, That the foresaid Kings Egbert and Ae…helwulfe had given to Christchurch the Mannor called Malinges in Su…ex, free from all secular service and Regal Tributes, Proposit. 5, 6, 10.excepting only these three, Expedi…ion, building of Bridge and Castle: which foresaid Mannor and Lands King Baldred g…ve to Christchurch; Sed quia ille Rex cunctis Principibus non placuit, noluerunt donum ejus permanere ratum; But because this King pleased not all his Nobles, they would not that this his gift should continue firm: (To which Sir Henry Spelman adds this Marginal Note, Rex non potuit distrahere patrimonium Regni, sine assensu Procerum) Wherefore the foresaid Kings (in this Parliamentary Council, with …heir Nobles assent) at the request of the said Archbishop, regranted and confirmed it to Christchurch; with this Anathema annexed against the infringers of this grant, If any shall presume to violate it, on the behalf of God, and of us Kings, Bishops, Abbots, and all Christians, let him be separated from God, and let his portion be with the Devil and his Angols.