Oxfords Plea Refuted, Title page

Oxfords Plea Refuted · Title page

THE Vniversity of OXFORDS Plea refuted. OR, A full ANSWER to a late printed Paper, Intituled, The Priviledges of the Vniversity of Oxford in point of Visitation: Together with, the Vniversities Answer to the Summons of the Visitors.

Manifesting the Vanity and Falsity of this pretended Vniversity Priviledge and Plea to the Visitors Jurisdiction; That the right of Visiting the Vniversity of Oxford is onelyonly in the Kings Majestie, and that it is exempt from all other Iurisdiction by its Foundation, Prescription, and severall Grants of Exemption. And insufficiency of all the Allegations and Authorities produced to support it.

Published for the information of the Iudgements, and satisfaction of the consciences of all ingenuous Members of that Vniversitie, who onelyonly out of Ignorance or Error, not Obstinacy or Malignity, have demurred to the Iurisdiction of the Visitors thereof, though appointed, authorized by Ordinance of Parliament, and Commission under the Great Seal of England.

By William Prynne, Esq one of the said Visitors

Prov. 19. 20. Heare Counsell, and receive Instruction, that thou maist he wise in in thy latter end.

London, Printed by T. B. for Michael Spark, 1647.

ROBERT: DAVIES of ILannerch… Denbighshire…

p. 1The Vniversity of OXFORDS Plea refuted.

THE ingenuous Answer of some of the Doctors, and both the Proctors of my Mother-University of Oxford, to the honourable standing Committee of Lords and Commons for its regulation, on the 16. of this instant November, (before whom they were then personally convented, for demurring to the jurisdiction of the Visitors appointed them by both houses of Parliament) to this effect: That they did in their former papers presented by the Proctors, October 8. by way of petition, onelyonly represent their sense of their own priviledges, and their Obligations (as they conceived) by divers oaths for the maintaining of them, without circumscribing or limiting, much lesse denying or contemning the authority of the Lords and Commons, but purposely avoyding (as still they did desire to avoyd) all questions of so high and transcendent a nature; it being possible that they might be in an errour, and yet to be obliged in conscience, not to do otherwise then they have done, till they are convinced of that errour. And therefore humbly d…sired convenient time to advise with councell, more fully to inform themselves, in a case so extraordinary, and of so great concernment, not onelyonly to themselves, but to the whole Vniversity in present, and in future, &c. enduced me, not onelyonly then to move this honourable Committee, that the University p. 2and they might be fully heard by their Counsel on a convenient day, to alledge whatever they could, both in maintainance of their respective Answers delivered in under their hands to some of the Visitors, and then by them there acknowledged, which was accordingly ordered in their favour; But likewise to borrow some time from my other employments, to examine and refute all those pretended University priviledges, and false allegations to support them, in a Letter lately printed at Oxford (by the Universities approbation, if I am not misinformed) entituled, The Priviledges of the Vniversity of OXFORD in point of Visitation, &c. (which hath seduced many to dispute and disobey the Visitors power;) wherein the substance of all their Objections against the Visitors jurisdiction in point of law or conscience, are comprised; that so I might in a University way, by strength of argument and evidence, not by power and force, inform the misguided judgments, and satisfie the erronious consciences of all such members of this University, liable to our visitation, whose obstinacy or malignity shall not render them altogether incapable of better instruction, and consequently of any hopes of commiseration or pardon for their contumacy.

I… is not my design in this summary Discourse, to enter into any large debate of the Sovereign power of both houses of Parliament, whose supream jurisdiction to visit, punish; reform all abuses and corruptions in the Kings own Court, in the highest Courts of Justice, the greatest Officers of State, and in all Corporations and Societies of men whatsoever, within this Realm, I have largely vindicated inaaThe Sovereign Power of Parliaments and Kingdomes, Part 1, 2. and the Appendix at the end of the fourth part. other Treatises, seeing the University it self, and the parties convented, do willingly wave this dangerous Dispute, as fatall and destructive to them, if positively insisted on; but onelyonly to demonstrate to them the vanity and falsity of this their pretended Priviledge they peremptorily assert, and principally rely on, as their lawfull Inheritance and Birth-right, which they are obliged by oath and duty to maintain.

That the right of visiting the Vniversity of Oxford is onelyonly in the Kings Majesty, and that it is exempt from all other jurisdiction, both by foundation, prescription, and severall grants of exemption.

p. 3This their claim and assertion, I shall irrefragably falsifie and refute by Histories and Records, which cleerly evidence;

First, That the University of Oxford was anciently of right for many ages, under the jurisdiction, if not visitation of the Bishop of Lincoln, as he was their Diocesan.

Secondly, that it was anciently of right, and so continued till this Parliament, under the visitation & jurisdiction of the Archbishops of Canterbury as Metropolitanes (who have frequently visited this University and Cambridge too) as being within their Province, and have been acknowledged and adjudged by King Richard the second, King Henry the fourth, and an whole Parliament in his reign, and by King Charles himself, upon solemn debate, to be lawfull Visitors of it, de jure. And that these three Kings, and the Parliament of 13. H. 4. have by their Charters and Votes absolutely disclaimed the King's sole right of visiting the Universities, and alwayes resolved the contrary, when the Universities for their own ends have set it on foot, and laid claim unto it: no King of England before Henry the eight, ever visiting either of the Universities, for ought appears by any authentick Records.

Thirdly, That the Pope by his Legat hath visited both Universities, without resistance, or any Plea put in to his jurisdiction, no longer since then Q. Maries reign; and that the Universities are subject to their Chancellours jurisdiction and visitation too, by their own conffessions.

Fourthly, That most particular Colledges and Hals in both Universities, as Colledges, Hals and Members of the University… have their particular Visitors appointed by the founders, to whose visitation and jurisdiction they are subject, and not to the King's alone.

Fiftly, That their pretended grants of exemption were procured onelyonly from Popes, not from the Kings of England; that our Kings themselves & one Parliament, have damned them, as derogatory to the King's Prerogative, even in times of Popery, and the Vniversity it self disclaimed and renounced, them both before the King, and in full Convocation, as a grievance, not a priviledge, obtained against their wils, and without their privity, to their prejudice.

p. 4When I have made good these positions, the whole University and their Delegates (if not stupendiously obstinate) must necessarily retract this their Plea as false and nugatory, and disclaim their imaginary Priviledge.

For the first of these, it is as cleer as the noon… day Sun, that the University of Oxford was under the jurisdiction, if not visitation of the Bishops of Lincoln, as being their Diocesans: First, by the very Buls of PopeaaAbout Anno 1300. Boniface the eight, andbbAnno 1475. Sixtus the fourth, cited in the third page of the Priviledges of the Vniversity of Oxford in poynt of Visitation; in expresse termes exempting the University, ab omni jurisdictione Episcopali & a Visitatione: which needed no such exemption by two successive Popes, from the Bishops jurisdiction and visitation, if the University (founded many hundred yeers before these Buls were granted) had never been subject to, but exempted from it by foundation and prescription too, as is pretended; it being then a meer superfluity for these Popes to grant, or the University to embrace, as a special priviledge and indulged favor.

Next, by these ensuing cleer Historical passages:ccTiguri 1589. Matthew Paris in anno dom. 1257. pag. 915, 916. writes thus concerning the Bishop of Lincolns and University of Oxford's contest then happening between them about his jurisdiction and the Universities priviledges, which he endeavoured to infringe in the generall, without specifying the particulars, which difference was referred to the Parliament then at hand to determine.

Eodem tempore, videlicet septimo idus Martii, venerunt ad sanctum Albanum quidam Magistri Oxoniae, circitèr novem Artistle, q…i querula voce coram Rege, in Capella Sancti Oswini reposuerunt querimoniam de Episcopo Lincolniensi, qui contra Statuta Universitatis antiqua & approbaca, nitebatur libertates Scholarium eneruare: & statutus est dies responsionis ad instans magnum Parliamentum, ut auditis partium rationibus, pacificarentur, &c. aaGodwin's Catalog…e of Bishops, p. 241 242. who likewise recites this controversie.Henry Lexinton was then Bishop of Lincoln.

What the Parliament (here made the proper Judge of the Universities priviledges by the Kings own referēce) determined in this cōtroversie, or what the priviledges cōtroverted were, I find not in any Historian or Record: but certain it is, they p. 5determined nought against the Bishops jurisdiction over the University of Oxford, who had the better cause and right; as appears by this passage of Matthew Parker, in hisbbLondini 1572. Antiqu. Ecclesiae Brit. p. 204. in the life of Iohn Peckam, anno 1287.

Hoc etiam tempore lis quaedam inter. Lincolniensem Episcopum & Universitat…m Oxon, aliquot innis de jurisdictione Episcopi in Scholares Universitatis agitata est. In qua Joannis Cantuariensis, cum SCHOLARIVM CAVSAM VACILLARE, NEC IVRA STARE POSSE intellexerat, Scholaribus rescripsit; si in Jure contenderent, VINCI EOS ET SVPERARI NECESSE ESSE; praesertim cùm his quibus uterentur Privilegiis A IURISDICTIONE EPISCOPALI IVRE COMMVNI STABILITA, EXIMI NEQVAQVAM POTVISSENT: ccGodwins Catalog…e o… Bishops, p. 242.Oliver Sutton was then Bishop of Lincoln.

Upon this advice, it seems the University submitted to the Bishop of Lincoln's jurisdiction, as their Diocesan, so far as to present their Chancellour to him for his approbation and confirmation; as is evident by this History, recorded in Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 268.

Anno 1350. Oxoniensis Universitatis Scholares Cancellarium suum, quendam Willihelmum de Palmorna elegerunt: Qui cùm ad Lincolniensem Episcopum, in cujus Diocaesi tunc ste…i… Oxonium confirmandus venisset, crebris procrastinationibus in aliud temporis ab Episcopo rejectus est: Id tàm Universitas Oxonien…is quàm ipse Cancella…ius electus indignè tulit. Qui facti querela coram A… chiepiscopo (Simone Islippe) declarata, ab eo opem & remedium ad tam diutinam & voluntariam sine causa tollendam moram, petierunt. Archiepiscopus edicto Lincolniensi praecepit, Ut Cancellarium electum die quodam statuto confirmaret, aut coràm se compareret, dicturus causam, cur admitti & confirmari non debeat. Interea Archiepiscopus causam Johanni Coulton Cancellario suo, & Ecclesiae Cathedralis Wellensis Decano commisit. Die statuto aderant Cancellarius electus, & Oxoniensis Universitatis procuratores, qui confirmationem & consecrationem instanter petierunt; Lincolniensis autem Episcopus non comparuit: in cujus absentis contumaciam Cantuariensis Cancellarius in negotio electionis legitimè procedens, eam legitimè ritèque celebratam, ac canonicam p. 6esse pronunciavit. Quo facto Archiepiscopus Cancellarium confirmavit, & eundem ad Universitatem Oxoniensem regendam admisit; gregique Scholarium scripsit, ut ei jam admisso juxta Universitatis jura ac statuta obtemperent atque pareant. Ab hac admissione Lincolniensis Episcopus privilegie suo antedictó (ut se suosque papali privilegio, quod Avinione à Papa Clemente magnis muneribus impetravit, ab hujus Archiepiscopi jurisdictione defenderet) fretus, ad Papam appellavit. Archiepiscopus antem rejecta appellatione, eum ut suae jurisdictionis & Archiepiscopalis authoritatis contemptorem, ad sui tribunal vocavit, & non accedentis proterviam interdictis Ecclesiasticis in ejus terras praediaque latis mulc…avit: multa deinceps in hac lite coram Papa agitanda controversa sunt, in quibus Lincolniensis revocato suo privilegio a Cantuariensi victus succubuit.

This great Contest happened in the time of Iohn Synwell Bishop of Lincoln, as ddCatalogue of Bishops, p 95, 245.Godwin (who relates it too) informs us; adding, That the Pope also granted at the same time unto the University, that the Chancellour should be onelyonly elected by the Schollers themselves, and so presently authorized to govern them, without the admission of any other.

But this I conceive is a cleer mistake; for Matthew Parker (out of whom he relates it) records, That this exemption of the University of Oxford from the Bishop of Lincoln's jurisdiction, was procured by the intercession of William Wittlesey Archbishop of Canterbury, about the yeer 1375. (and that from another Pope, not Clement but Vrban, some 25. yeers after this contestation) which he thus expresseth, Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 283.

Hujus Archiepiscopi intercessione atque gratia Oxoniensis Academia à jurisdictione Lincolniensis Episcopi, per Urbanum Papam quintum EXEMPTAEST: & tàm libera potestas Cancellarium suum eligendi …acta Scholaribus ut Cancellarius sine admissione quacunque simulatque electus sit magistratum inire atque gerere possit. An undeniable evidence, that till this Papall exemption procured, the University and Chancellour of Oxford were under the Bishops of Lincol…ns jurisdiction, as their Diocesans.

After this, Thomas Hyndeman Chancellour of the University of Oxford, and Nicholas Faux his Commissary, procuring p. 7another exemption from the Pope [BONIFACE the eighth, as some affirm] of this University and the Schollers in it, both from Archiepiscopal and EPISCOPAL JURISDICTION; the Schollers, and Doctors of Oxford complained of it to Archbishop Arundel, and the whole Convocation at London in the yeer 1396. and there openly renounced it, as non mod… in Metropolitani & ORDINARII, sed & ipsius Vniversitatis praejudicium atque gravamen: Whereupon it was damned by the whole Convocation (as you may read at large in Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 304) and likewise by King Richard the second, in the twentieth, and by Henry the fourth, and the Lords and Commons in Parliament in the 13^th yeer of his reign: (of which more anon:) whereby the Bishop of Lincoln's jurisdiction over the University of Oxford was not onelyonly acknowledged and revived, but likewise submitted to by the whole University of Oxford; and this exemption from it by Popes Buls onelyonly, declared to be a prejudice and grievance to the University it self, and the Bishop too: whose jurisdiction thus revived, was never afterwards impeached or abrogated by any subsequent Buls or Patents I can meet with, but continued its vigor till the erection of the Bishoprick of Oxford out of Lincoln by Act of Parliament, and Letters Patents of King Henry the eighth, in the yeer 1541. which abolished the Bishop of Lincoln's power, and translated this part of his Diocesse to the Bishop of Oxford, as the Patents of 33. & 37. H. 8 to the Bishop of Oxford demonstrate.

In fine, Richard Flemming Bishop of Lincoln, Godwin's Catalogue of Bishops, p. 246.in the yeer 1430 founded Lincoln Colledge in Oxford, and William Smith Bishop of Lincoln, anno 1513. founded Brasenose Colledge in Oxford; of both which Colledges (though members of the University) and of some others, he and his Successors continued Visitors till this present Parliament.

By all these evidences, I humbly conceive I have sufficiently fortified my first position, That the University of Oxford was subject to the jurisdiction, if not visitation of the Bishops of Lincoln (as the University of Cambridge was to the Bishops of Ely, which I can fully evidence, were it pertinent) and refuted the Universities and their Delegates false plea, That p. 8the right of visiting the Vniversity of Oxford is onelyonly in the King's Majesty, and that it is exempt from all other jurisdiction, by its foundation, prescription, and severall grants of exemption.

I shall now proceed to the proof of my second position, touching the Archbishops of Canterburies right & jurisdiction to visit the University of Oxford (and Cambridge too) as Metropolitans, being scituated within their province, by History, Records, and our Kings avowing of this their right, and disclaiming their own ONELYONLY OR SOLE RIGHT TO VISIT THE UNIVERSITIES; wherein I shall make use of non… bu… punctuall authorities.

Godwin in his Catalogue of English Bishops p. 74. writes thus of Robert Kilwardly Archbishop of Canterbury; That (in the yeer 1278.) he visited all his Province, and BOTH THE VNIVERSITIES; in which he disputed excellently, and shewed himself in divers kinds of exercise. And Matthew Parker in his Ant. Eccles. Brit. p. 198. records of him, Totam Cantuar. Provinciam visitationis jure peragravit; In hac VISITATIONE ACADEMIAS IPSAS METROPOLITICA AVTHORITATE INGRESSVS EST; (and that without any opposition or demurrer to his jurisdiction, for ought appeareth:) & Oxonii in Scholis, non modò de Theologia, sed de Philosophia atque Logica argutè disp…tavit. In quibus artibus multas Oxoniensium opiniones & sententias tanquam minus probabiles reprehendit atque refellit.

His next Successor Iohn Peckam, anno 1288. visited the University of Oxford by his Metropolitical right, without any resistance or dispute, Antiqu. Ecclef. Brit. p. 204. Ipseque perlustrata reliqua Provincia OXONIENSEM ACADEMIAM IURE METROPOLITICO VISIT ATVRVS ADLIT: In qua visitatione, quasdam philosophicas opiniones, quos errores, & a Roberto Kylwarby ante reprehens…s docuit, tanquam Haereses & à fide Christianâ abhorrentes è suggestu Latinè refellit.

Simon Islippe Archbishop of Canterbury anno 1350. received an Appeal from the Chancellour-elect and Proctors of Oxford against the Bishop of Lincoln, who refused to admit and conform William Palmorin, whom they had elected and presented p. 9to him for their Chancellour; upon whose default, he admitted and approved of his election, confirmed him in his Office, and wrote to the Schollers of the Vniversity to submit unto and obey him, according to the lawes and statutes of the Vniversity, as Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 258. and Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops, p. 95. affirm, and**Pag. 5, 6. I have formerly manifested more at large: A pregnant evidence of his Metropolitical jurisdiction both over the Chancellour and University.

Anno 1390. William Courtney Archbishop of Canterbury (as Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 302. informe us) Visitationem totius Provinciae suscepit: and being strongly opposed by the Bishops of Exeter and Sarisbury, whom he enforced to cry peccavi, and to submit to his visitation at last; reliquas tunc Diocaeses sine molestia visitavit: In Lincolniensi solummodo a visitatione quorundam Monachorum, gratia & intercessione Abbatis Albanensis, OXONII cessavit: (visiting all the rest of the University.) Ita visitatione peracta aliquantulum cessavit. And in the Register of Archbishop Arundel, fol. 46. the Doctors, Batchelours and Schollers of the University of Oxford, in their Articles exhibited against their Chancellour and Vice-chancellour, to Archbishop Arundel and the Convocation of the Clergy, recite and make this honourable mention of this Archbishop Courtney's visitation of the University (where he was joyfully received without the least oppositiō, though forcibly resisted in other places) Quod dictus Archiepiscopus IPSAM VNIVERSITATEM TAM IN CAPITE QVAM IN MEMBRIS, plura gravamina revocando, crimina corrigendo, excessus reformando, diversas personas ab act: scholasticis suspendendo, AVTHORITATE SVA METROPOLITICA VISITAVIT.

These three Archbishops having visited the University of Oxford (and Cambridge too) in their Metropolitical visitations without the least contest or opposition; Thomas Hyndeman their Chancellour, and Nicholas Faux his Commissary, without the Universities and Schollers consents, procured a Bull from the Pope, to exempt themselves, together with the University, Colledges and Schollers in it, from all Archiepiscopal and Episcopal jurisdiction and visitation: Whereupon Thomas Arundel p. 10Archbishop of Canterbury, intending to visit the University (as his Predecessors had done) in the yeer of our Lord 1396. was opposed by the Chancellour and Vice-Chancellour, who pleaded the self same plea against this Archbishops visitation, as the Universities Delegates and Doctors do now against the Visitors appointed by Ordinance of Parliament, and Commission under the great Seal; namely, That the visitation of the Vniversity of Oxford, as a Vniversity, belonged onelyonly and solely to the King, and not to the Archbishop, or any other: and that the Vniversity and Schollers in it, were by the Popes own Bull exempted from the Archbishops and Bishops jurisdiction and visitation. Whereupon the Doctors, Proctors and Schollers of the University complained to Archbishop Arundel and the Convocation against the Chancellour and Vice-Chancellour for procuring this Bull, which they renounced, and the Convocation then damned; and the whole matter comming afterwards before King Richard the second, he disclaimed any such Priviledge and Prerogative of sole visiting the University, as they would fasten on him, acknowledged and ratified the Archbishops and Ordinaries jurisdiction over them, and nulled the Popes Bull of exemption. This is apparent by Archbishop Arundels Register, fol. 46, 91, 92. by Archbishop Parkers Register fol. 269. and these ensuing passages in Antiq. Eccles. Brit. transcribed out of it, pag. 304. Anno 1397. Januarii 19. Cleri Synodus Londini convenit. In hac Synodo Scholares Oxonienses quaerelam contra Thomam Hyndeman Universitatis Cancellarium, & Nicholaum Faux ejus Commissarium proposuerunt; Quod exemptionis jura, quibus ab Archiepiscopali & Episcopali jurisdictione Universitas fiat immunis a Papa impetrassent, non modo in METROPOLITANI & Ordinarii, SED IN IPSIVS VNIVERSITATIS PRAEIVDICIVM ATQVE GRAVAMEN: Quod privilegium SERVITVTIS POTIVS QVAM LIBERTATIS INSTAR ESSE DOCEBANT. Cùm enim anteà si iniquis Cancellarii aut Procancellarii imperiis opprimerentur, aut injuriis afficerentur, appellationibus & Archiepiscopali aequitate subventum eis suit, nunc in unius potestatem redacti, a quo nec permissa esset provocatio, nec superioris jurisdictione p. 11possit coerceri, quasi perpetuae servituti subjacerent. Itaque ab Archiepiscopo petierunt, ut QVONIAM SVAM IN EOS IURISDICTIONEM AGNOSCERENT, & antecessoris sui Willielmi Courtney moderationem atque prudentiam CVM ACADEMIAM OXONIENSEM TAM IN CAPITE QVAM IN MEMBRIS VISIT ARET, experti essent, VT EA a Cancellario ejusque Commissario procurata PRIVILEGIA RESCINDRET; QVIBVS IPSI, interposito ad id Michaele Sergeaux juris utrius que Doctore legitimo procuratore, EXPRESSE ATQVE PUBLICE IN SYNODO RENVNCIARVNT. Eam RENVNCIATIONEM Archiepiscopus RATAM HABVIT, ET EXEMPTIONIS OXONIENSIS PRIVILEGIA IRRITAET IN ANIA IVDICAVIT. Tum Cancellarius quasi furore actus petulanter ac immodestè se abdicavit Magistratu, Synodoque sine venia discessit; sed Archiepiscopus eum edicto revocavir, ejusque proterviam atque audaciam repressit. In eadem Synodo DOCTORES OXONIENSES quosdam Joannis Wicly…i opiniones exposuerunt, quas Synodus condemnavit. And pag. 309. anno 1413. Legatis autem ad concilium generale Pisis emissis, ARCHEPISCOPVS in ea Synodo Jura quaedam QUIBVS TAM CANTABRIGIENSIS QVAM OXONIENSIS ACADEMIAE TENERENTVR, condidit; quoe in publicis constitutionibus continentur; Nam & RICHARDUS REX, Thomae Arundel Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, antequàm in exilium iret VTRASQVE ACADEMIAS, ETSI EXEMPTIONEM CLAM A PAPA OBTINVISSENT, SVBIECIT, ET OBTENTA PRIVILEGIA non minus ARCHIEPISCOPALI QVAM REGIAE AVTHORITATI PRAEIVDICIALIA, IDEOQVE RESCINDENDA, DECREVIT.

This will yet more evidently and undeniably appear by the Patent of King Richard the second himself, recorded in the Patent-Rols, De anno Vicessimo Richardi secundi, parte 3. Memb. 9. and entred in the Registers of Archbishop Warham, fol. 111. and Archbishop Parker, fol. 269, which for fuller satisfaction, I shall at large transcribe.

p. 12Rex omnibus ad quos, &c. falutem. Sciatis quod cum quaedam dissentiones, lites & debatae nuper motae fuerunt & subortae inter Venerabilem Patrem Thomam Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem ex parte una, & Cancellarium Universitatis Oxoniensis, & QUOSDAM ALIOS (not the whole body or major part) ejusdem Universitatis ex altera, super …su & exercitio jurisdictionis & VISITATIONIS dictae UNIVERSITATIS, clamante videlicet prae…ato Archiepiscopo & VENDICANTE JURISDICTIONEM ET VISITATIONEM HUJUSMODI AD IPSUM ET SUCCESSORES SUOS, AC ECCLESIAM SUAM PERTINERE, AC PERTINERE DEBERE, Praedecessoresque suos hujusmodi jurisdictionem ET VISITATIONEM IN UNIVERSITATE PRAEDICTA HABUISSE ET EXERCUISSE. Allegantibusque praefato Cancellario & aliis praedictis (the very plea in terminis alledged by the Vniversity and their Delegates now) Visitationem dictae Universitatis ut Universitatis, AD NOS SOLUM ET IN SOLIDUM PERTINERE, ET PERTINERE DEBERE (the very first time that any such pretence or priviledge was insisted on without any authority or presidēt to back it;) Nos volentes hujusmodi dissentiones, lites & debatas, prout Regiae convenit Majestati (attentis damnis & periculis quae inde verosimiliter evenire possint) sedare & pacificare, ac pacem, quietem & tranquilitatem inter partes praedictas pro viribus con…overe; ac considerantes, QUOD VISITATIO HUJUSMODI AD PRAEFATUM ARCHIEPISCOPUM ET SUCCESSORES SUOS, AC ECCLESIAM SUAM PRAEDICTAM DE JURE COMMUNI PERTINET, AC PERTINERE DEBET; QUODQUE NOS AUT PROGENITORES NOSTRI CANCELLARIUM AC UNIVERSITATEM PRAEDICTAM RETROACTIS TEMPORIBUS MINIME VISITARE CONSUEVIMUS, (a cleer evidence and fatall judgment against this pretended priviledge and feigned plea, which this King himself in terminis disclaimed, when first invented and p. 13alledged:) Volumus & EX CERTA SCIENTIA DECLARAMUS, Quod VISITATIO Cancellarii & Procuratorum dictae UNIVERSITATIS qui pro tempore fuerint, necnon OMNIUM DOCTORUM, MAGISTRORUM REGENTIUM ET NON REGENTIUM, AC SCOLARIUM EJVSDEM VNIVERSITATIS, QVORVMCVNQVE eorum servientium, aliarum personarum QVARVMCVNQVE cujuscunque status vel conditionis extiterint, libertatibus ant privilegiis dictae Universitatis utentium… se… illis gaudere volentium; NECNON VNIVERSITATIS PRAEDICTAE ETIAM UT VNIVERSITATIS, AD PRAEFATVM ARCHIEPISCOPVM, SVCCESSORES SVOS, AC ECCLESIAM SVAM PERTINET, ET PERTINERE DEBET, AC PERPETVIS FVTVRIS TEMPORIBVS PERTINEBIT. Salvis Nobis & Haeredibus Nostris omnibus aliis quibus in Vniversitate praedicta Nos & Progenitores Nostri uti consuevimus temporibus retroactis. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Westm. primo die Iunii: Per ipsum Regem.

An ancient royal Declaration and judgment in the present Controversie, so full and diametrally opposite against the Vniversities and Delegates present Plea and pretences, that nothing can be replyed thereunto.

This Declaration and Resolution of King Richard the 2^d, was afterward more fully recited, approved and ratified by King Henry the fourth, and the Lords and Commons in Parliament, as I shall presently manifest in its proper place.

Not long after this Declaration and Patent, this Archbishop Thomas Arundel, in the yeer of our Lord 1407. visited the Vniversity of Cambridge, and the Colledges therein, thus summarily expressed by Matthew Parker in his Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 308, 309. Post haec Archiepiscopus Cantabrigiensem Academiam JVRE METROPOLITICO VISITAVIT, multaque Collegiorum statuta ordinavit, pravas consuetudines delevit, facinora Scholarium castigavit, & cum visitationem remisit, omnia quae sibi in visitatione detecta fuerunt, causasque de quibus cognoscere ac inquirere caepit, suae jurisdictioni reservavit.

p. 14The relaxation of this Metropolitical Visitation was not till Octob. 15. 1404. so as it depended three whole yeers or more, as is apparent by the Register of Arundel, 1. pars, f. 388 wherein the whole forme of his visitation of Cambridge Vniversity and Colledges, being at large recorded, fol. 491, 492, 493. it will neither be impertinent nor unprofitable to give you this account thereof, in the words of the Register, fol. 492, &c. which may serve for a pattern of direction now.

Item decimo septimo die mensis Septembris anno domini 1401. idem reverendissimus Pater Archiepiscopus supradictus, visitavit Cancellarium & Vniversitatem Cantabrigiae in domo Congregationis ejusdem Vniversitatis, comparentibus tunc ibidem coram eo Cancellario, a… omnibus & singulis Doctoribus & Magistris regentibus & aliis personis quibuscunque dictae Vniversitatis qui hujusmodi visitationi interesse tenebantur, & deberent de consuetudine vel de jure: & facta deinde collatione, ac proposito verbo Dei, & causis suae visitationis hujusmodi seriosè expositis; Cancellarius Vniversitatis praedictae certificatorium de & super executione mandati. Sibi pro ipsa visitatione alias directi, coram eodem Reverendissimo Patre tunc ibidem exhibuit, sub eo qui sequitur verborum tenore. Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac Domino, Domino Thomae Dei gratia Cantuariensis Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae primati & Apostolici sedis Legato, ejusve Commissariis quibuscunque, suus humilis & devotus filius Cancellarius Vniversitatis Cantabrigiae, Eliensis Diocaesis, tàm debitam quàm devotam, obedientiam cum omni reverentia & honore debitis tanto Patri mandatum vestrum reverendum nuper recepi, tenorem continens subsequentem. Thomas permissione, &c. Dilecto filio Cancellario Vniversitatis Cantabrigiae, Eliensis Diocaesis, nostrae Provinciae Cantuariensis, salutem, &c. Quia nos in progressu visitationis nostrae Metropoliticae in dicta Diocaesi exercenda, vos & dictam Vniversitatem adjuvante Domino proponimus visitare; vos tenore praesentium peremptorie Citamus & per vos omnes & singulos Doctores & Magistros regentes, & alias personas quascunque praedictae Vniversitatis qui nostri visitationi hujusmodi interesse tenentur de consuetudine vel de jure, citari volumus & mandamus, quod compareatis p. 17& compareant coram nobis in domo Congregationis Vniversitatis praedictae decimoseptimo die mensis Septembris proxime futuri, cum continuatione & prorogatione dierum tunc sequentium, visitationem nostram hujusmodi juxta juris exigentiam subituri, facturique ulterius & recepturi quod Canonicis conveni… institutis: & quid f…ceritis in praemissis nobis dictis die & loco debitè certificetis per literas vestras patentes, hunc tenorem, una cum nominibus & cognominibus omnium & singulorum per vos in hac parte Citatorum in schedula eisdem literis vest is annectenda descriptis habent…s, sigillo vestro consignata: Datum in Manerio nostro de Lambeth 18. die mensis Augusti, anno domini millesimo quadringentesimo primo, & nostrae translationis anno quinto. Cujus auctoritate mandati omnes & singulos doctores & magistros regentes & alias personas quascunque praedictae Vniversitatis tempore receptionis dicti mandati vestri, & nunc in dicta Vniversitate existentes, qui dictae visitationi vestrae hujusmodi interesse tenentur de consuetudine vel de jure personaliter inventos, peremptoriè Citavi, quod compareant coram vobis aut vesti is Commissariis dictis die & loco cum continuatione & prorogatione praedictis visitationem vestram hujusmodi juxta juris exigentiam subituri, facturique ulterius & recepturi quod in ea parte canonicis convenit institutis. Quantum verò ad personam meam, dictis die & loco cum continuatione & prorogatione consimili coram vobis seu vestris Commissariis annuente domino personaliter comparebo facturus humiliter & recepturus quod dictum mandatum vestrum exigit & requirit. Nomina vero & cognomina omnium & singulorum doctorum & magistrorum regentium, & aliarum personarum dictae Vniversitatis quarumcunque per me citatorum in schedula praesentibus annexa continentur: In cujus reitestimonium Sigillum officii mei praesentibus apposui; Dat. Cantebrigiae quoad sigillationem praesentium. Idib. Septembris anno Domini supradicto. Quo certificatorio tunc ibidem incontinenti perlecto, idem reverendissimus Pater Archiepiscopus supradictus ab eisdem Cancellario, ac Doctoribus, magistris regentibus & personis aliis supradictis, & a singularibus personis eorundem obedientiam recepit canonicam. Et deinde p. 16examinavit dictum Cancellarium singulariter ac secret… & sub silentio dictis doctoribus & magistris regentibus & aliis personis supradictis seorsim separatis, super i…is particulis, videlicet. An statuta & laudabiles consuetu…lines Vniversitatis abamnibus observentur? Item, an sint aliqui scholares in dicta Vniversitate mandatis & monitionibus dicti Cancellarii obtemperare nolentes? Item, an sint aliqui pacem & Vnitatem in dicta Vniversitate perturbantes? Item, an communes cistae & pecuniae ac claves earundem fideliter conserventur? Item, an Magistri, Doctores Bacchalaurei & scholares debi…è & fideliter perficiant formas suas, & meritis & scientia exigentibus ascendant gradus suos? Item, an sint aliquae personae & suspectae de Lollardia vel de haeretica pravitate? Item, si Doctores reputant & disputent publicè in scholis, & quotiens & quando? Item, si sit numerus sociorum completus in Aulis sive Collegiis dictae Vniversitatis juxta ordinationem & voluntatem fundatorum? Item, an sint aliqui scholares aliquo notorio crimine irretiti seu infamati, vel non proficientes in studio, aut impedientes alios quo minus proficiant? Item, qualiter regitur eadem… Vniversitas, videlicet in victualibus & aliis necessariis? &c. Et examinatus …uit idem Cancellarius super aliis Articulis etiam in hujusmodi visitatione de jure requisitis. Aliis insuper Doctoribus, Magistris & personis aliis supradictis secundum quod de jure debuerunt secretè, & singulariter examinatis, & eorum dictis & depositis conscriptis in registro, idem reverendissimus Pater singula tunc ibidem successivè exercuit quae in hujusmodi visitatione de jure quomodolibet fuerunt requisita.

Item, eodem die reverendissimus Pater per certos Commissarios suos visitavit Collegium sanctae Trinitatis Cantebrigiae, in capella ejusdem Collegii, comparentibus coram eisdem commissariis Gardiano sive custode, unà cum singulis suis consociis & scholaribus ejusdem collegii; quibus singulariter & secretè examinatis super statu & regimine ipsius collegii, & aliis articulis in hujusmodi visitatione de jure requisitis, & eorum dictis & depositis conscriptis in Registro, ab eisdem & eorum singulis, vice & auctoritate dicti reverendissimi Patris, obedientiam receperunt canonicam, & singula exercuerunt ibidem quae de consuetudine vel de jure ulterius quomodolibet fuerint requisita; & exhibitum suit certificatorum pro visitatione p. 17hujusmodi per Gardianum sive custodem supradictum continens hunc tenorem. Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac Domino suo Domino Thomae, &c. ejusve Commissariis quibuscunque suus humilis & devotus …ilius Gardianus sive custos Collegii Sanctae Trinit…is Cantebrigiae, Eliensis Diocaesis, tam debitam quam devotam obedientiam, cum omni roverentia & honore debito tanto Patri, mandatum vestrum reverendissimum nuper recepi, tenorem continens subsequentem. Thomas &c. dilecto in Christo filio Gardiano sive custodi Collegii Sanctae Trinitatis Cantebrigiae, Eliensis Diocaesis, nostraeque Cantuariensis provinciae salutem, &c. Quia nos in progressu visitationis nostrae Metropoliticae praedictae Diocaesis vos & Collegium vestrum in personis & rebus annuente Domino, visitare intendimus, tenore praesentium peremptoriè vos citamus, & per vos omnes & singulos consocios & scholares praedicti Collegii citare volumus & mandamus, quod compareatis & compareant coram nobis & Commissariis nostris in capella sive domo capitulari praedicti Collegii decimo septimo die mensis Septembris proxime futuri, cum continuatione & prorogatione dierum tunc sequentium, visitationem hujusmodi juxta juris exigentiam subituri, ulterius que facturi & recepturi quod canonicis convenit institutis, & quid feceritis in praemissis nos aut Commissarios hujusmodi dictis die & loco debitè certificetis per literas vestras patentes, hunc tenorem, una cum nominibus & cognominibus omnium & singulorum sociorum & scholarium per vos in hac parte citatorum in schedula eisdem literis annectenda descriptis habentes. Dat. in manerio nostro de Lambeth 18. die mensis Augusti anno domini Millesimo quadringentesimo primo, & nostrae translationis anno quinto. Cujus auctoritate mandati omnes & singulos consocios & scholares praedicti collegii in eodem collegio tunc praesentes personaliter invētos, peremptoriè citavi, aliis vero tunc absentibus, infra tamen provinciam vestram existentibus, dictum mandatum vestrum & visitationem hujusmodi intimari et notificari, eosque praemuniri feci, quod dictis die et loco cum continuatione et prorogatione praedictis coram vobis seu vestris Commissariis compareant, visitationem vestram hujusmodi juxta juris exigentiam recepturi, p. 20facturique ulterius & recepturi quicquid dictum mandatum vestrum exigit & requirit; caeteros autem consocios et scholares dicti Collegii ab eodem Collegio tunc et nunc absentes, & in diversis remotis partibus etiam extra dictam provinciam agentes, non citavi nec praemunivi prout nec pot…i quovismodo: Quantum ad personam meam, praedictis die & loco cum continuatione & prorogatione praedictis, coram vobis s…u Commissariis vestris, Dante Domino, personaliter comparebo, fecturasque humiliter & recepturus quod dictum, &c. In cujus rei testimonium Sigill…m commone dicti Collegii duxi praesentibus apponendum. Datum Cantebrigiae in dicto Collegio quoad consignationem praesentium 2… Id. Septembris, Anno Domini supradicto.

Visitatio

Collegii de Clara, Collegii beatae Mariae, Procratus Alborum Canonicorum

Item, eodem die eisdem modo & forma idem Reverendissimus Pater visitavit per Commissarios suos Collegium de Clare Hall Cantebrigiae in capella ejusdem Collegii: Et Collegium Annunciacionis beatae Mariae Cantebrigiae in capella ejusdem Collegii; ac Prioratum Alborum Canonicorum Cantebrigiae in ecclesia ejusdem Prioratus, recepta obedientia Canonica, & singulis aliis exercitis in et circa loca praemissa quae in visitationibus hujusmodi de jure fuerint quomodolibet requisita.

Item decimo nono die dicti mensis Septembris idem reverendissimus Pater Archiepiscopus supradictus per certos Commissarios, quos ad hoc sufficienter deputavit, visitavit domum sive Prioratum Monialium Sanctae Radegundis Cantebrigiae, Priorissam, ac singulas consorores et commoniales suas in dicta domo capitulari ejusdem prioratus, recepta ab eisdem et earum singulis obedientia Canonica, et ipsis secretè et singulariter examinatis, earumque dictis et depositis conscriptis in registro; similiterque aliis exercitis quae in hac parte de jure fuerint requisita, ac sub modo & forma in aliis locis hujusmodi superius observatis seu r…citatis.

Item, eodem die modo et forma in aliis Collegiis superius observ…tis, Dominus visitavit per Commissarios suos Collegium Sancti Michaelis Cantebrigiae in capella ejusdem Collegii; et eodem die per Commissarios hujusmodi visitatum suit Hospitale p. 21sive domus Sancti Iohannis Cantebrigioe in Ecclesia ejusdem Hospitalis; & Collegium Sancti Petri in capella ejusdem Collegii; ac Collegium de Pembroke Hall Cantebrigioe in capella ejusdem Collegii: et eodem die idem reverendissimus Pater iter ar…ip…it versus Ecclesiam Cathedralem Eliensem, pro sua visitatione hujusmodi inibi exercenda; ubi eodem die a venerabili patre Domino Iohanne, Dei gratia Eliensi Episcopo, ad suum palatium Eliense cum se et suis honorificè fuit receptus.

This Archbishop having thus peaceably without any resistance, visited the University, Colledges and Schollers of Cambridge by his meer Metropoliticall right, as being within the Diocesse of Ely, and part of his Province (though in regard of their foundation and Buls of exemption from several Popes, they might have pleaded as ful an exemption from Archiepiscopal and Episcopal jurisdiction and visitation as the University of Oxford, which I could demonstrate, if material) After this, in the yeer of our Lord 1411. he determined to visit the University of Oxford in the twelft yeer of King Henry the fourth his reign; but comming thither to visit, was repulsed by the Chancellour Richard Courtney, Benedic… Brent and Iohn B…rch Proctors, and some Schollers of their faction, which Thomas Walsingham in his Historia Angliae, and …podigma Neust…iae too (Anno Dom. 1411. thus relates: Dominus Cantuariensis dum ni…itur visitare Vniversitatem Oxoniarum, repulsam passus est. Whereupon the Archbishop complaining to the King of that affront, both parties referred themselves to his royall determination of this Controversie; who after a full h…a… ing of both parties, the seventeenth day of December, in the twel…t yeer of his reign, by deliberate advice of his Councel, confirmed the Order …ormerly made by King Richard the second, over-ruled the Chancellours and Proctors pretences, (now revived and insisted on) That the Vniversity was exempt from all Archiepiscopall and Epi…copall visitation by the Bull of Pope Boniface the eight (which he d…clared null & prejudiciall to his crown, and they then renounced the second time) and that the King was the onelyonly and sole Visitor of the Vniversity as a Vniversity: which he then likewise disclaimed, and adjudged, That the Archbishops of Canterbury should and ought for ever after to visit the Vniversity, p. 20Chancellour, Proctors, and all Doctors, Schollers and Members of the Vniversity whatsoever; and that if the Archbishops were hereafter disturbed in their Visitations of the Vniversity, all its Franchises, Liberties and Priviledges should be seised into the King's hands till their submission thereunto; and they should likewise pay a thousand pound fine to the King for such their disturbance. Which resolution and proceedings before the King in this cause being drawn up in writing and presented to the King, Lords and Commons in the Parliament of 13. Henry 4. and there read before them, were they all ratified and confirmed by them, and enacted to be of as great vigor and effect, as if they had been done and made in Parliament; which is evident by the Parliament Roll it self, An. 13. H. 4. num. 15. and by Archbishop Parkers Register, fol. 269. a true transcript whereof (for the full conviction and satisfaction of all our present Opposers) I shall here insert

Memorandum, quod venerabilis in Christo Pater Thomas Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis in praesenti Parliamento nostro exhibuit quandam petitionem, una cum quadam schedula eidem annexa in haec verba. A Tressovereigne S^r. Nostre S^r. Le Roy Supplie humblement vostre humble chapellein Thomas Archevesque de Canterbiis, Que pleise a vous Tressovereign S^r. par assent de Signeurs Esperit aelx & Temporells, & les Comes in cest present Parlement, de graunteir approver, ratifier & confirmer tout cest quest compris en un cedul…, a cest bille annexe, & que meisme ceste cedule puisse se e…tre enrollee & enacte in cest presente Parlement selo…e la fourme & effecte de mesme le cedule, & que mesme la cedule & tout ceo quest compris e… icelle soient de taunt de force effecte & authorite, & mesme les force effecte & auctoritee eient & teignent, come ils ussent estre faict… en ceste Parlement & per auctoritee de mesme le Parlement.

Memorandum, Quod cum Richardus secundus, nuper Rex Angliae, propter diversas dissentiones, lites et discordias quondam habitas in Vniversitate Oxoniensi super jure & titulo visitationis dictae Vniversitatis, ac de quadam Bulla exemptionis praetensa ad excludendum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem tunc existentem & Successores …uos, ac quoscunque ali…s Ordinarios infra Vniversitatem praedictam, ac quoscunque fundatores dictae Vniversitatis ac Collegiorum ejusdem Vniversitatis a visitatione dictae Vniversitatis, & ab omni p. 21jurisdictione Ordinaria, per eosdem Archiepiscopum Ordinarium & fundator…s & suos successores ac commissarios suos in eadem Vniversitate fa…iond. & ex…rcend. Per breve su…m venire fecerit in Cancellaria sua apud Westmonasterium Bullam Praedictam; & Cancellarius et Procuratores dictae Universitatis tunc existentes sufficiens Warrentum sigillo commune Universitatis praedictae …igil. latum pro se et Universitate praedicta habentes, et secum in Cancellaria praedicta deferentes, ad exhibendum, publicandum ostendendum et praesentandum coram dicto nuper Rege in Cancellaria praedicta Bullam praedictam; necnon ad respondendum ibidem, et ulterius faciendum et recipiendum quod per eundem nuper Regem & consilium suum ord…natum fuisset & definitum, prout de recordo in eadem Cancellaria plenius liquet: ac postmodum iidem Cancellarii, et Procuratores pro se & to…a Vniversitate praedicta submiserunt se de materiis praedictis Ordinationi et di…finitioni dicti nuper Regis: Q…i quidem nuper Rex, habita inde matura & pleniori deliberatione cum consilio suo, ac clarè considerans, Eullam praedictam fore impetratam in praejudicium …o…onae suae, ac legum & con…uetudinum Regni sui enervationem, & in Haereticorum & Lollardorum, ac homicidiarum & aliorum male factorum favorem, & audaciam, dictae que Vniversitatis verisimil…m destructionem; Ordinavit, & per breve suum praecepit & inhibuit dicto Cancellario, Magistris, Doctoribus et Scholaribus Universitatis praedictae, in fide, Legeancia & dilectione quibus sibi tenebantur, ac sub poena amissionis privilegiorum Vniversitatis praedictae, & sub forisfactura omnium aliorum que sibi forisfacere poterant, ne dictam Bullam in aliqua sui part… exiqui, seu exercere, sue beneficium aliquod exemp…ionis per Bullam illam aliqualiter repor…are seu reciper… praesume…ent, sed omnibus exemptionibus & privilegiis in ea parte contentis, coram tune dil…cto clerico suo notorio Richardo Renhalle, quem ad eos ex causa praedicta destinavit, palam & publicè, pro imperpotuò renunciarent, ac super renunciationem hujusmodi quandam certificationem sibi sub sigillo dictae Universitatis, ac publica instrumenta fieri, er sibi per eundem Clericum suum transmitti facerent, sub poenis supradictis. Postmodum allegantur praefato Cancellario et aliis sibi adhaerentibus nomine Universitatis praedictae VISITATIONEN PRAE…DICTAM AD DICTUM RICHARDUM NUPER p. 22REGEM SOLUM ET INSOLIDUM PERTINERE; consideransque, quod visitatio Vniversitatis praedictae ad praefatum Archiepiscopum & successores suos, … ac ad eccles…am su…m Cantuarien…em PERTINUIT ET PERTINERE DEBUIT; QUOD QUE IPSE AUT PROGENITORES SUI CANCELLARIUM AC UNIVERSITATEM PRAEDICTAM RETROACTIS TEMPORIBUS MINIME VISITARE CONSUEVERUNT. Voluit & ex certa scientia sua declaravit, quod visitatio Cancellarii ac Procuratorum dictae Vniversitatis qui pro tempore fuerint, necnon omnium Doctorum, Magistrorum Regentium & non Regentium, ac Schola…ium ejusdem Vniversitatis quorumcunque, eorumque servientum, aliarumque personarum cujuscunque status vel conditionis exstiteriat libertatibus aut privilegiis dictae Vniversitatis utentium seu illis gaudere valentium, NECNON UNIVERSITATIS PRAEDICTAE ETIAM UT UNIVERSITATIS, ad praefa…um Archiepiscopum & Successores suos, ac ecclesiam suam praedictam PERTINUIT ET PERTINERE DEBUIT, AC FUTURIS TEMPORIBUS PERTINERET. Postmodum que praedictus …uper Rex per diversa Brevia sua Cancellario, Procuratoribus, cunctis Doctoribus & Scholaribus Vniversitatis praedictae praeceperat, quod ipsi Archiepiscopo praedicto & successoribus suis in visitatione sua praedicta in eadem Universitate facienda in omnibus sub poenis praedictis parerent et obedirent; Postmodumque sicut datum fuit intelligi Domino nostro Regi Henrico quarto post conquestuw quod visitante Thoma Archiepiscopo Cantuari…nsi jure suo Metropolitico Diocaesi Lincoln. Anno Regni dicti Henrici Regis duodecimo, venit ad praedictam Vniversitatem Oxonii ad exequendam in forma juris ecclesiastici ibidem visitationem suam, Richardus Courtnay ad …unc Cancellarius Universitatis praedictae, ac Benedictus Brent & Johannes Birch ad tunc Procuratores dictae Vniversitatis, ac quamplures alii eis adherentes, in eadem Vniversitate dictum Archiepiscopum de visitatione sua praedicta & jurisdictione ejusdem Archiepiscopi manuforti injuste impedierunt, et ei absque causa rationabili resistebant: super quo diversae lites dissentiones & discordiae inter …r fatum Thomam Archiepiscopum & eosdem Cancellarium p. 23& Procuratores ac alios Scholares Universitatis praedictae eorumque fautores, de & super jure & impedimento visitationis, & jurisdictionis praedictarum, mot… fuerint & exortae in Vniversitate praedictae, & super hoc praesente Thoma Comite Arundel, & aliis personis honorabilibus secum existentibus in Vniversitate praedicta, tam Praefatus Archiepiscopus pro se & Ecclesia sua praedicta quam praefatus Richardus Courtnay Cancellarius Vniversitatis praedictae & Benedictus Brent & Johannes Birch Procuratores ejusdem Vniversitatis, pro se et eorum adhaerentibus in m…teriis praedictis ac pro Vniversitate praedicta per assensum eorundem adhaerentium se submisserunt & concesserunt stare arbitrio judicio & ordinatione ac decreto illustrissimi Principis & Domini dicti Domini nostri Regis Henrici de & super jure & impedimento visitationis & jurisdictionis praedictarum per dictos Magistrum Richardum Cancellarium & sibi adhaerentes praestito… ac dissentionibus, Litibus & discordiis praedictis, & earum dependentiis, & super hoc dictus Dominus noster Rex Henric…s dictum Magistrum Richardum Courtney Cancellarium ac dictos Benedictum Brent & Iohannem Birch venire fecit coram eo in propria persona apud Lambeth in crastino Nativitatis beatae Mariae dicto anno Regni sui duodecimo, ad faciendum & recipiendum quod per cundem dictum Regem de advisamento Consilii sui foret consideratum in materiis praedictis; & praedictus Archiepiscopus ibidem coram praefato Domino Rege comparuit, & tàm praefatus Archiepiscopus quam iidem Cancellarius & Procuratores ad tunc & ibidem coram dicto Domino Rege submissionem praedictam in omnibus (ut praedictum est) fore factum in forma praedicta recognoverunt, & ibidem concesserunt stare arbitrio, judicio & ordinacioni ejusdem Domini nostri Regis de & super jure & impedimento visitationis & jurisdictionis praedictorum ae aliis mate…iis & omnibus dependentiis earundem: Qui quidem Dominus Rex postea 17. die mensis Septembris dicto anno duode…imo apud Lambeth praedictū, auditis & intellectis tam allegationibus quam responsionibus partium praedictarum, & etiam habens considerationem ad dictam submissionem factam tempore dicti Regis RICHARDI, ac ordinationem judicium & determinationem super eandem submissionem, tangentem visitationem & jurisdictionem praedict. ac clare p. 24consid…rans, QVOD VISITATIO VNIVERSITATIS pra…dictae etiam us Vniversitatis, ET OMNIVM IN VNIVERSITATE PRAEDICTA COMMORANTIVM AD DICTVM ARCHIEPISCOPVM ET SVCCESSORES SVOS VT DE IVRE ECCLESIAE PRAEDICTAE PERTINET ET DE IVRE PERTINERE DEBERET, et quod iidem Cancellarius et Procuratores ac alii …is in hac parte adhaerens…s …undem Archiepiscopum de visitatione et jurisdictione praedictis INIVSTE & ABSQVE TITVLO SEV RATIONABILI CAVSA MANVFORTI IMPEDIERVNT, dictum judicium, ordina…ionem & determinationem praedicti Richardi nuper Regis ratificavit, approbavit, & confirmavit PRO IMPERPETVO duratura; & ulterius tam authoritate sua Regia quàm virtute submissionis praedictae sibi factae ad …uncibidem arbitratus fuit, ordinavit, consideravit, decrevit & adjudicavit, QVOD PRAEDICVS ARCHIEPISCOPVS ET SVCCESSORES SVI IMPERPETVVM HA…EANT VISITATI…NEM ET IVRISDICTIONEM IN VNIVERSITATE PRAEDICTATAM CANCELLARII… COMMISSARII, quàm Procurat…rum EIVSDEM VNIVERSITATIS QVI PRO TEMPORE FVERINT; NECNON OMNIVM DOCTORVM, MAGISTRORVM RE…ENTIVM & non Regentium ac Scholarium ejusdem Universitatis quorumcunque, eorum servientium, aliarumque personarum cujuscunque status v…l conditioni… ex…iterint, ET ETIAM EIVSDEM VNIVERSITATIS VT VNIVERSITATIS; & quod Cancellariu…, Commissarius, et Procuratores Universitatis praedic…ae qui pro tempore fuerint, eorum Successores, et omnes alii in dicta Universitate pro tempore commorantes, futuris temporibus eidem Archiepiscopo et Successoribus suis in visitatione et jurisdictione… Universitatis praedictae etiam …t Universitatie, in omnibus pareant et obedi…nt; et quod ne… aliqui… aliu… in Universitate praedicta… aliquod privilegium se… beneficium examptionis ad ex…ludendum praesatum Archiepiscopum seu. Success…res suo… de-visitatione et jurisdictione p. 25praedictis in Universitate praedicta colore alicujus Bullae seu alterius tituli cujuscunque erga praedictum Archiepiscopum seu Successores …uos clameant, habeant seu vendicent ullo modo in futuro: et quod quotiens Cancellarius, Commissari…s vel locum tenens ipsorum, vel alicujus ipsorum, vel Procuratores di…tae Universit…tis, qui pro tempore fuerint, vel eorum Successores; …ive aliquis eorum impedierint, vel impedierit praefatum Archiepiscopum vel Successores suos aut ecclesiam suam praedictam, aut ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum Commissarium vel Cōmissarios de hujusmodi visitatione seu jurisdictione dictae… Universitatis, vel in aliquo contravenerint dictis arbitrio, ordinationi …ive judicio per praetatum Richardam nuper Regem factum, sive arbitrio, judicio, decreto, considerationi vel ordinationi ipsius Domini nostri Regis Hen…i…i in …ac casu … aliquis dictae Universitatis in fut… impedierit dictum Archiepiscopum vel Successores suos, aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam, aut ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum Commissarios vel Commissarium, de visitatione sua aut jurisdictione antedictis, vel in aliquo contravenerit d…cto arbicrio five judicio per praefatum Richardum nuper Regem in forma praedicta facto, vel arbitrio, judicio, decreto considerationi seu ordinationi ipsius Domini nostri Regis Henrici; & quod Cancellarius, Commissarius Procuratores Universitatis praedictae tunc non fe…erint diligentiam & posse eorum ad adjuvandum dictum Archiepilcopum vel Successores suos aut Ecclesiam praedictam, seu Commissarium vel Commissario… de visitatione aut jurisdictione antedictis, vel in aliquo cōtravenerint dictis arbit…io ordinationi …ive judicio per praefatum Richardum nuper Regem in forma praedicta factis, vel arbitrio, judicio, decre…o, considerationi seu ordinationi ipsius Domini nostri Regis Henr…; & quod Cancellarius, Commissarius & Procuratores Universitatis praedictae tunc non fecerint diligentiam & posse …orum ad adjuvandum dictum Archiepiscopum & Successores suos aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam, seu Commissarium vel Commiss…os suos in hujusmodi Casu, ac etiam ad puniendum hujusmodi impedientes & resistentes; Quod to…iens omnes Franches…e, lib…rta…es, ac omnia privilegia ejusdem Universitatis in manu… Domini Regis vel haeredum suorum p. 26seisiantur, in eisdem manibus ipsorum Domini Regis vel haeredum suorum remansura quo us que praedictus Archiepiscopus vel Successores sui pacificam visitationem ac jurisdictionem in forma praedicta in dicta Universitate habuerit vel habuerint, & etiam totiens Cancellarius, Commissarius, & Procuratores ejusdem Universitatis quo pro tempore fuerint & eorum Successores, ac Universitas praedicta solvant & teneantur, solvere ipso Domino nostro Regi Henrico & haeredibus suis mille libras legalis monetae Angliae: Quae quidem cedula visa ac cum matura & diligenti deliberatione examinata & intellecta, dictus Dominus Rex in pleno Parliamento asseruit & declaravit, omnia & singula in eadem schedula contenta per ipsum secundum quod in eadem continetur facta, arbitrata, ordinata, considerata, decreta & adjudicata in omnibus esse & ex…itisse: & sic de assensu Dominorum Spiritualium & Temporalium necnon Communitatis in eodem Parliamento existentium qui super eisdem pleniorem deliberationem similiter habuerunt & eisdem decreto & judicio plenariè consenserunt & agreaverunt, eandem cedulam & omnia & singula in eadem contenta concessit approbavit, ratificavit & confirmavit: Quodque eadem schedula in Rotulo parliamenti secundum formam & effectum ejusdem irrotularetur & inactaretur, ac etiam quod eadem schedula & omnia in ea contenta sunt tanti et talis valoris effectus et authoritatis, et eosdem valorem effectum et authoritatem habeant et teneant ac si in praesenti Parliamento, ac per auctoritatem ejusdem Parliamenti facta exti…issent.

Et puis apres sur diverses matieres moeney par entre le dit Erceve…que et Lercevesque Deverwyke sur certaines privileges pretenses par le dit Ercevesque Deverwike pour le College appellee Queen-hall, en la Vniversity Oxenford, le dit Erchevesque de Canterbiis en presence du Roy et des Signeurs en le dit Parlement provist, que se le dit Erchevesque Deverwyck purroit sufficientment monstrer ascum privilege …u especialtee de recorde perount le dit Er…evesque de Canterbiis ne deust user ne exercer s… visitation du dit College, il se vorroit eut abstinier; Sauvant a Luj touteffois la visitation de les Escoliers demourantez en le dit College solone les juggementx & decrees faictz & donnez par le dit Roy Richard, & par nostre Signeur le Roy Henry prest come en le recorde eut fuit plus ple nement est declarez.

p. 27This Act is likewise recorded even by Robert Hare himself, in his Collectio Libertatum & Privilegiorum Vniversitatis Oxon.

Lo here a full and punctuall resolution of two successive Kings, Richard the second and Henry the fourth, and of the Lords and Commons in Parliament against the present pretended Priviledge and Plea of the University of Oxford and their Delegates, which subverts all the grounds of their feigned exemption from all other Visitors but the King, either by foundation, prescription or papall Buls and Grants.

This Archbishop Arundel not onelyonly visited the University of Oxford, but likewise held a Provinciall Councell therein Anno Dom. 1408. in which he made a constitution concerning the Heads and Wardens of the University, thus entituled, Gardiani principales & Praepositi Universitatis Oxoniensis, semel in singulis mensibus inquirant de moribus & Doctrina suorum Scholarium (and that under pain of deprivation, in case of wilfull neglect) which Constitution is recorded at large by Iohannis de Aton, Constitutiones Legit. fol. 154. Yea,**Ex memorand. Phillip Repingdon, Epist. Lincol. f. 196. Phillip Repingdon Bishop of Lincoln sent forth his Citations for a visitation to the University of Oxford, as their Diocaesan, intended to be held by him in St Maries Church in Oxford, dated, apud Leicest. 12. Feb. Anno Dom. 1415. (being the first yeer of Henry the fift his reign) to which the University, as to some particulars readily submitted, as is evident by their answer to him, viz. That they intended to make PERSONAL APPEARANCE to his Summons at the time and place appointed, Recepturi quae ad Officium inquisitionis haereticae pravitatis duntaxat pertinere noscumtur. Sub hac tamen protestatione, quod per illam personalent comparitionem non intendimus in vos consentire SVPER QVIBVSCVNQVE ARTICVLIS. (haereticae pravitatis duntaxat exceptis) &c. Datum apud Oxon. 4^• mensis Martii Anno Dom. 1413. A cleer evidence, that by the repeal of the Popes Buls of exemption in Parliament, 13. H. 4. not onelyonly the Archbishops of Canterbury, but likewise the Bishops of Lincoln's jurisdiction over, and visitation of the University of Oxford as their Diocesan, was revived and submitted to, at least in cases of Heresie.

p. 28And in this very yeer 1413. this Archb. Arundel made certain Statutes for the government of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. relates, p. 309. the greatest badge of his jurisdiction over them.

Anno Dom. 1417. Henry Chirbley Archbishop of Canterbury upon the frequent and grievous complaints of divers in both Vniversities, made a Constitution and Ordinance in full convocation, to endure for ten yeers, touching the promotion of Graduates in the Vniversities of Oxford and Cambridge, enrolled in his Register, fol. 13, & 14.

Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canterbury, in the yeer of our Lord 1490. visited divers Diocesses within his Province, and among others the Diocesse of Lincoln, wherein the Vniversity of Oxford then was, Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 342, 343. in which visitation it is probable he visited the Vniversity, as part of that Diocesse, though I find no expresse mention of it.

Anno Dom. 1557. Reginald Poole Archbishop of Canterbury, visited the Vniversities of Oxford and Cambridge by his Delegates, the History where of its recorded at large in Master Fox his Acts and Monuments, Vol. 3. Edit. 1640. p. 762. to 780. and epitomized in Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 422. which Visitation some say he kept onelyonly as Popes Legat, not in his Metropolitical right, though I conceive he visited in both those capacities; altering and reforming the Statutes of both Vniversities, and making new ones of his own for them to observe, yet extant among their Records.

An. 19. of Queen Elizabeths reign, Edmund Grindall Archbishop of Canterbury and his Commissary, received an Appeal from William Wylson elected Rector of Lincoln-colledge in Oxford, whom the Bishop of Lincoln and his Delegates (Visitors of that Colledge) refused to admit, and thereupon granted an Inhibition to the Bishop and his Visitors, and summoned them to appear before him to determine this election, as appears by the Queens Commission to examine this businesse, dated 23. Apr. 19. Eliz. endorsed on the Rolls of that yeer.

In the twelft yeer of King CHARLES William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury intending to visit both Universities by his Metropolitical Right, the Universities revived this Plea p. 29against his jurisdictiō, which had rested in peace without any controversie from K. Henry the 4^th his resolution, Anno 1612. till that very yeer 1635. The Universities alleaged, that the King onelyonly was and ought to be their sole Visitor, and that they were exempt from all. Archiepiscopal and Episcopal visitation by foundation, prescription, papall Buls, royall Charters and expresse Statutes; & the Vice-Chancellour, and Heads of the University of Cambridge, on the 24. of December 1635. presented this ensuing Paper to the Archbishop, against his Metropoliticall power to visit them (comprizing in it whatever the University of Oxford hath alleaged, or can colorably object against their present visitation) the Originall whereof I have in my custody, endorsed with the Archbishop's own hand.