Nunnes The Sea of Histories After the death of Leo the third the Romanes fearing the puissance of Henry the third durst not attempt a news thing against their oath which they made in the time of Clement the second wherefore they sent Hildebrand towardes the Emperour to chuse a Pope who vsing the authoritie of his Legation designed Henry the fourth the sonne of Henry the third Emperour And in the meane while Victor was chosen Pope second of that name not so voluntarily as to please the Emperour in electing an Almane borne of Bauier before called Gebhard who ruled two yeares and three moneths Naucler Hee assembled a Councell at Florence against Forncating and Simoniacke Priests whereat hee deposed many Bishoppes Prelates and Priests which hee called Fornicators which had not left their wiues according to the Councell of Magunce There were Clarkes threatened with great punishments if they did not obey the Decrees and Cannons of Popes There was also confirmed the opinion of Paschasius contrary to Scotus Bertramus and of Berengarius Hildebrand by authoritie of the said Councell was sent into France to Tours to assemble a Sinode touching the matter of the Sacrament and of Transubstantiation There was Berengarius permitted to defend his opinion But seeing all went by affection and that hee could not maintaine his opinion without daunger vppon pusillanimitie and cowardise hee saide hee held the opinion of the Catholicke Church by which wordes hee rather satisfied the Legates and the said Councell then kept the libertie worthie of a Chistian man Oecol lib. 3. Pluralitie of Benefices Pluralitie of Benefices beganne about this time and after neuer ceased in the Church Fascic temp The yeare of our Lord 1056. Henry the third dyed the tenth yeare of his Empire and of his age 39. leauing 3. daughters and two sonnes that is to say Henry which succeeded him and Conrade Duke of Bauiers Henry Emperour fourth of that name obteined the Empire and raigned fiftie yeares Stephen Pope 9. of that name borne of Lorraine Abbot of Montcassin called Fredericke brother of the Duke of Lorraine ruled at Rome ten moneths Naucler After others foure moneths He brought vnder the obedience of the Romane seate Millane which since the time of the Apostles hath neuer subiected saith Platin. and R. Barns Others as Naucler and Supp Chron. say 200. yeares Stephen accused the Emperour Henry the fourth of heresie because he diminished the authoritie of the Romane seate Platina And hauing heard that the Churches of Italie and Burgongne were corrupted with Symonie he sent Hildebrand to roote out that Cockle Hildebrand and hauing made his commission returned to Rome and found the Pope very sicke who thinking to die caused his Churchmen to come vnto him and made them sweare that they should neuer suffer any to sit in the Apostolike seate vnlesse he were chosen by the consent of all yet comming againe to his health he came to Florence and called a Councell but he died there eight monethes after Nauclerus A Scottish Monke called Patermis being in Almaine in a Towne called Paderbrune fire was put in the Abbey wherin he was yet though he might he would not come out chusing rather to be burnt for the vow of his obedience then to shunne the daunger by going out Sigeb The opinion or obstination of vowes is founded vpon such examples Benet Pope 10. of that name of Campania in Italie was a Bishop of Vileterne before called Mincius and ruled at Rome 9. monethes The Romanes corrupted by siluer elected him against the Canons although the Cleagie were against it but he was constrained to giue ouer the Popedome For Hildebrand returning from Florence brought with him Gerard Bishop of Florence who after was chosen at Senes And after his election was assigned a Councell in a Towne called Sutry against Benet And thither came Goafred Duke of Italie the first husband of Matilde and Guillebert great Gouernor Item the Bishops of Lombardie and Hetruria and others Which thing Benet vnderstanding fled putting off his pontificall habit and after led a priuate life Nicholas Pope second of that name borne of Sauoy called Gerard Bishop of Florence gouerned three yeares and sixe monethes He was eleced at Senes by the instance of Hildebrand because he thought it no sure thing that the election should bee at Rome seeing Benet the tenth and his friends were there present Nicholas comming to Rome assigned a Councell nigh Laterane of an hundreth and fortie Bishops Wherin it was ordained that the election of the Pope should be made by Cardinalls Clarkes and the Romane people And that whosoeuer should attempt to come to the Popedome by siluer fauour ambition or other vnlawful meane and not by Canonike election that he should be held for an Apostare and an excommunicated person deiected of euery one without any aide or fauour Dist 33. cap. In nomine Domini That ordinance endured not long For afterwards Cardinalls alone without either Cleargie or people vsurped that election In this Councell Berengarius Deacon thinking rather to saue his life then to maintaine the truth denied it submitting himselfe to the will of the Councell His confession or rather recantation is contained Deconsecrat dist 2. cap. Ego Berengarius It was at this Councell of Rome that transubstantiation was decreed that is to say that after the bread is consecrated we must beleeue the bony of Christ to be so in the Sacrament that sensibly and really he is between the hands of the Priests broken bruised with the teeth And the Pope Nicholas constrained Berengarius so to say confesse the said Nicholas being so taught and perswaded by Lanfrancus Vadian But the first opinion of Berengarius which he pronounced for temporall feare was this that followeth as Lanfrancus himselfe reciteth in his booke of the Sacrament of the Eucharist against Berengarius The sacrifice of the Church saith Berengarius is made of two things that is to say visible and inuisible of the Sacrament and of the thing of the Sacrament Which thing yet that is to say the body of Christ if it were before our eyes if it were present it should be visible but beeing eleuated vnto heauen and being set at the right hand of the Father vntill the restoration of all things as saith S. Peter the Apostle it cannot be drawne from heauen for the person of Christ consisteth of God and man But the Sacrament of the Table of the Lord that is to say the bread and wine consecrated are not chaunged but remaine in their substances hauing Similitude with the things whereof they are Sacraments c. He said moreouer that the bread and wine after the consecration were onely the Sacrament and not the true body nor the true bloud of the Lord and that they could not sensibly but sacramentally be administred of the Priests or broken and bruised with the teeth of the faithfull In the same Chapter Ego Berengarius
Fribourg in Brisgoye Naucler Paschall assembled a Councell at Laterane wherein hee reuoked the right of Inuestures accorded vnto Henry the fift whereby arose a new schisme And the Popes Legates declared the said Henry to be excommunicated whereof rose great euils For the Emperour returned to Rome the second time and the Pope Paschall was constrained to flie S. Barnard of the age of 22. yeares accompanied with 30. persons entred into the Religion of the Cisteaux in the time Stephen liued the third Abbot of that place It rayned bloud in the field Emilian and Flaminian in the moneth of Iune nigh Rauenna and Parma without and within Chron. Sigeb and Palin The Monasterie of Cleruaux was founded whereof S. Barnard was the first Abbot being of the age of 27. yeares and was there by the space of 36. yeares Naucler The fruites of the warre of Ierusalem Foure orders came from Ierusalem Naucler 1. The order of Chanons of the Sepulchre of the Lord and they had double redde crosses 2 The order of the knights of S. Ihon otherwise called the knights of Rhodes and they weare blacke apparell with a white Crosse on their brests 3 The order of Templers which haue the white habit and the redde Crosse 4 The order of Teutoniques or Almaignes or otherwise the knights of the Virgin Mary which had a white habit and a blacke Crosse The Pope Paschal sent to the Bishop of Palerme in Sicilie the Archiepiscopall Pall yet with a condition that by oath he should binde himselfe to the Pope of Rome The said Bishop humbly sent him word that hee maruelled and with him the Princes and Councellours of Sicilie how the Pope demaunded an oath of a Bishop seeing Iesus Christ in S. Mathew cha 5. had forbidden to sweare and that it was not found by any Councell that it was lawfull to exact such an oath The Pope sharpely answered in these tearmes Thinkest thou saieth hee that any Councell can prescribe a Lawe to the Romane Church Knowest thou not that all Councels haue their perfection and vertue by the Romane Church Martin Luther In this time liued Hiltpert or Hildebert Bishop of Mons a fauourer of Transubstantiation as well as Ancelme Matilde or Mehaut Countesse of the age of 66. yeares died and gaue her goods by Testament vnto the Romane Church R. Barnes The Emperour Henry was defrauded by the said Testament for he was cousin of the said Countesse which after gaue occasion of great stirres and murthers R. Barnes Naucl. Baudwin second King of Ierusalem dyed and Baudwin his Nephewe surnamed Burgo was created the third King of Ierusalem Gelasius Pope 2. of that name was a Monke of Mountcassin Chauncellour of the Romane Church named Iohn borne at Gayotte a Citie of Campaigne in Italie Soone after his election he was apprehended by Cincius a mightie man imprisoned but incōtinently he was deliuered by the people The Emperour sent his Armie to Rome Gelasius fearing his comming fledde to Gayette The Emperour created an other Pope a Spaniard called Maurice otherwise Burdin Archbishop of Bracare which was called Gregorie the eight This done the Emperour returned into Almaigne and then beganne the eighteenth Schisme Gelasius condemned the Emperour and the Antepope and sent into Almaigne the Bishop Prenestin to publish the excommunication against the said Henry the fift R. Barnes Gelasius secretly came to Rome but he was knowne of his enemies and with much adoo escaping went for refuge into Fraunce Suppl Chron. He ordeined a Councell at Rheimes whither came bare-footed Robert of Lorraine founder of the order and place of Premonstre and entreated of the Pope Gelasius licence to preach the word of God and also authoritie and confirmation of his order Naucl. Chron. Sigeb This Pope had alreadie dedicated the great Church of Saint Laurence at Florence and had there placed the Ashes of S. Iohn Baptists bones newly brought from Mirrhe confirming them and approuing them for the true Ashes of S. Iohn Supp Chron. This Pope Gelasius died of a pleurisie at Clugny where hee was also buried hauing ruled at Rome a yeare sixe moneths Calixt 2. of that name succeeded him was 5. yeares Pope before called Guy or Guido of Burgongne after Fasc temp and the Sea of Histories or brother after Supp Chron. He was Doctor in the Ciuil Lawe and in Theologie Without contradiction he was chosen of the Cardinalls and honourably receiued at Rome When the Antepope Burdin heard those newes he met him thinking to haue hindered him but he profited nothing for he was in full battell ouercome with the French helpe And being taken by the Pope Calixt and by the Cardinal of S. Grisogon chiefe of his armie he was set vpon a Camell his face towards the taile and in such sort hee made him goe at his entrie then imprisoned him Iohn le Maire Fasc temp Eghardus saith that the said Antepope was powled made a Monke because whē he resided at Sutry he was a partie of many robberies committed vpon such as went and came to Rome Chron. Sigeb Calixtus made continue the Councell at Rheimes in Champaigne which Gelasius had commenced wherein he excommunicated the Emperor Henry the fift as an enemy of the church This excommunication was about the cause of the quarrell of the Inuestures of Bishops Iohn le Maire Henry the fift fearing to be deposed from his Empire as his Father was accorded the right of Inuestures in a full Councell it Rome vnto Calixtus Supp Chron. Calixtus ordeined that the Bishop of Compostella should be made an Arch-bishop for the reuerence of the bodie of Saint Iames who rested there And hee made a booke full of Fables of the miracles of the said S. Abb. Trit He appointed the foure times for taking orders as they call them for before they did take them only three times in the yeare He excommunicated such as tooke siluer for Baptisme and for burying Chron. R. Franc. By this Decree Popish Priests should be excommunicated He founded a Monasterie of the order of Cisteaux called Boneuan Fasc temp He ordeined it should not be lawful for any Bishop to turne from the Romane Church neither to contrary it For said he euen as the Sonne is come to do the will of his Father So it behoueth all Christians to do the will of their Mother that is to say the Romane Church Dist 12. ca. Non decet See how this brazen faced harlot of Rome alleadgeth scripture and is not ashamed to call her selfe a Mother He excommunicated all such as molested Pilgrimes which went to Rome 24 q. 3. chap. Si quis William Duke of Pouille preparing himselfe for the voiage of Constantinople to take vnto wife the Emperor Alexis his daughter recommēded his country to the Pope Calixt doubting the ambitiō of Roger his cosin who failed not incōtinently after the departure of the said William to seize vpon Calabria Pouille Insomuch as William was
I that am Pope But although it displeased the others which were there present yet they must needs dissemble it so furious terrible and enuironed with souldiers was hee After his election he remained a certaine time at Bolongne then went he to Rome it beeing the chiefe of his enterprise There he assembled a Sinode to the end to giue the Imperiall Crowne to Sigismond In the first Session of this Sinode as the aforesaid Iohn was sitting on an high seate after the Masse of the holy Ghost was sung there came an Owle who placing her self vpon one of the balkes of the Temple and looking directly vpon the Pope saluted him in a straunge maner with his fearefull song Such as were there present began to wonder looking one at an other and also casting their view vpon the Pope they could scant keepe themselues from laughing As for Iohn hee began to bee much ashamed to sweate and to bee sore anguished and tormented in himselfe Finally finding no other meane whereby hee might remedie his so great confusion after hee had giuen leaue to such as were there assembled he rose vp and retired There was an other Session after this wherein came the like For this Owle could not bee chased away neyther for any cryes no nor yet for stones and staues which were cast at him There were then many which by this spectacle were induced to beleeue that such spirituall pillers haue long time gouerned the Church of Rome Nicholas Clemengis Archdeacon of Baieux reciteth this Historie in his Epistles A Councell assembled at Constance To put end to the aforesaid discords and slaunders they were forced to assemble a general Councel for which the place was assigned at Constance This was against the Pope Iohns wil who desired it might be held in such a place wherein hee had more powre then the Emperour See Naucler Leonard Aretin who were in this time In the said Councell finally appeared Pope Iohn the 24. of that name and arriued at Constance vpon S. Simon and Iudes euen Anno. 1414. Likewise the Emperour Sigismond came thither on Christmas euen after midnight with the Empresse his wife and many other Princes Counts Barons and Nobles which were in number about 30940. persons Courtiers saith the Sea of Histories With the Pope Iohn arriued foure Patriarkes twentie and nine Cardinalls 47. Archbishops and 160. Bishops See Naucler On Christmas day the Pope sung three Masses one at midnight one in the morning and one at noone and Sigismond attired Deacon like sung the Gospell Exijt edictum a Cesare c. Naucler This Councell endured three yeares and seuen weekes after some or about foure yeares after Naucler and there was 46. Sessions See the 2. volume of Councells The yeare 1414. the king of France laid siege before Champaine and it was taken by composition Hee tooke Soissons and after laid siege before Arras but a peace was made by the Duchesse of Holland sister of the Duke of Burgongne The Sea of Hist The Friday after Candlemas day as they call it there arriued at the Councell sixe Cardinalls of Pope Gregories the 12. which approoued the Councell by the authoritie of the said Gregorie Naucler The yeare 1415. was the battaile of Blangy betwixt the English and French wherein the chiefe bloud of Fraunce was shead and it was commonly called La male Iournee The Sea of Histo. In this time Wencelaus king of Boheme was required by the Councell to send Iohn Hus who went thither with the Emperours safe conduct There went with him also Ierome of Prage with one onely Clarke They were admonished and greatly sollicited to desist from their opinions but they were constant They maintained that they were true in their propositions and reasons being founded on the truth of the holy Gospell And contrary that the Romane Church had withdrawne it selfe from the truth and the Apostles doctrine c. See a more ample declaration of this Historie in the first part of the booke of Martyrs They were both condemned to be burned Iohn Hus was first executed about the fourth day of the moneth of Iuly the yeare 1415. and a good while after Ierome of Prage was also burnt in the moneth of September They endured death constantly and merily went to the fire glorifying the Lord euen in the middest of the flame Their Ashes were cast into the Lake of Constance The Bohemians vnderstanding what was done at Constance against their Doctors sacked and spoiled all the Couents and Monasteries of the Countrey and fired them and from that time withdrew themselues from the subiection of the Romane Pope as is said In the said Councell Iohn Wickliffe an English man was condemned an heretike and although dead yet his bones were condemned to be vnburied Also Lay-people were inhibited to communicate the Sacrament vnder both kindes There was also a Decree that the Councell was aboue the Pope and not contrarie That the Councell hath full power to correct iudge and depose the Pope yea to ordaine of all things and not the Pope to Iudge correct or chaunge Decrees and Statutes of the Councell Iohn 24. Pope seeing that in the said Councell many crimes were obiected against him fled away in a disguised habit by the helpe of the Duke of Austrich Frederic and by the Councell of the Archbishop of Magunce although the Emperour did all he could to hinder it Naucler He fledde first to Shaffufe and from thence to Lusemberge and after to Fribourge to take his way towards the Duke of Bourgongne if hee could get thither Naucler The Duke Frederic was cyted in full Councell by the Emperour and that many times And for that hee appeared not the Emperour absolued his subiects of the oath of disobedience which they ought vnto the Duke Also hee depriued him of all his riches and goods and gaue his goods to such as could take and occupie them This gaue many occasion to assaile his person and his goods whereof yet at this day the Cantons and the Valesans hold many places as Bade Melingen Prenigarten Wallestat Diossenhosen which they got by force of Armes Others occupied other Townes and places See Naucler Iohn was taken and brought to Constance and there deteined prisoner at Richman After they prooued against him 40. criminall Articles He was deposed by all the Councell the Wednesday of Trinitie 14. and 15. and hee himselfe approoued his deposition In the second Volume of Councels there is mention made that more then 54. Articles were proposed and proued against him to euery of which he answering cryed Ah I haue yet committed a greater crime namely I haue passed the Alpes and am come into Almaine After his condemnation hee was giuen vnto the Count Palatin who kept him three yeares in Menhen he was not suffered to haue any Italian with him no not his Chamberlaine his Gard were all Almaines and he spake vnto them by signes onely Naucler After the deposition of Pope
from the Sonne as the Father They agreed also to Purgatorie and the Romane Pope to be the primate of the Catholicke Church which they had neuer done before now but euer were of contrarie opinions But as soone as they were come to their Countrey againe at the perswasion of Marcus Bishop of Ephesus they againe denied the two last Articles Plat. Vola and Naucler It is straunge that the Grecians which haue beene so slowe to acknowledge and confesse so true a doctrine of the holy Ghost are now so quick and light to accord so friuolous and false a thing that is to receiue and beleeue against all holy scripture that there is a Purgatorie and Romane Pope to be Primate of the Catholicke and Vniuersall Church wherevnto the first generall Councell had openly resisted in the time of Constantine the great In the said Councell of Florence the Armenians and Indians were also brought into the vnion of the Romane Church and promised to keepe and maintaine the Sacrament of Confirmation Naucler This Pope Eugenius confirmed Annates vpon all Benefices Hee Canonized S. Nicholas Tolentin of the order of the Hermits of S. Augustine Bessarion Cardinall flourished and his house at Rome was open to euery man of knowledge like a Colledge Vadian Sigismond of the age of 70 yeares died and was buried in Hungarie in the citie called Albe His wife Barbara was without all religion and without God insatiable in all paliardize and whoredome Shee mocked her damzels because they fasted and prayed saying they must liue iocondly and merily and take all their pleasures during this life for after death the soule perisheth with the bodie The Councell of Basill continued still and proceeded against Eugenius the fourth who after many times cyting and not appearing was publikely deposed by the authoritie of the Councell the tenth of Iuly Eugenius mooued herewith incited the Dolphin of France who after was called king Lewis the 11. to lead a great Armie in to the Countrey of Ferrara and Alsarce and to come to Basill Wherefore the said Councell brake vp and herevpon came many mischiefes See Naucler Albert the fift of that name Duke of Austrich and second king of the Romanes of that name sonne of Albert the fourth Duke of Austrich was scant 10. yeares olde when his father died of poyson fighting against Iosse Marquesse of Morauia but being yer vnder Tutors which were his vncles there was great strife betwixt them for his tutelage Therefore Vienna and all the Countrey of Austrich endured great calamities till Albert came to age and was dispatched of his tutelage and planted a peace in Austrich which was before full of theeues and of Intestine warres After the yeare 1422. he espowsed Elizabeth the doughter of Sigismond and had with her in marriage the noble Townes of Maruia But after the death of Sigismond he was chosen king of Hungaria by the consent of all the principall of the Countrey and Crowned the yeare of grace 1438. After this he was also made king of Bohemia and that came because there was a great alliance betwixt the Kings of Boheme and the Dukes of Austrich whereby they had ordained betwixt them that whensoeuer one of the houses remained without heire-male of the other they should create a king He was also chosen king of the Romanes by the common accord of all the Princes Electors The yeare 1459. the 17. day of Nouember in the Councell of Basill after the deposition of Eupenius the Cardinalls elected Amedeus of Ayme Duke of Sauoy and called him Felix the fift so came into the Church the 23. schisme and diuision which endured the space of sixteene yeares Some followed Eugenius others Felix some said they were newters and so obeyed neither one nor the other The Kings of France England Spaine Scotland obeyed the Pope Eugenius For although he was deposed yet held he good during his life This Councell of Basill assembled with great authoritie was notwithstanding dissipated and broken by one onely Pope That of Constance deposed three and ordained the fourth This could not bring about to depose one Fasci Temp. In the Councell of Basill it was forbidden that secular Princes Councellors and Communalties vpon paine of excommunication should not bee so hardie to greete and submit the Churchmen with tallies and common collection Fasci temp Augustine of Rome was condemned an heretike in the said Councell and there was confirmed the Conception of the Virgin Marie to bee kept as a solemne Feast But to the contrarie see Epiphanius in his 3 Booke and 12. Tome 68. and 69. heresie See also S. Bernard in the Epist 154. to the Canons of Lions The said Councell then confirmed that the Virgin Marie was conceiued without originall sinne it also confirmed her visitation In this time was a Councell held of the French Church at Bourges in Berry and there was published the pragmatike sanction which is all the marrow and substance of the Canons of the Councell of Basill to bee expresly obserued for euer Iohn le Maire The Duke Aime of Sauoy after the death of his wife Margarite of Bourgongne had left his Ducall estate and withdrew himselfe into an hermitage pleasant and delightfull called Ripaille vpon the Lake of Lansanne which he had caused to bee sumptuously builded and so left the gouernment of his signiories to his eldest sonne Lewis father of Duke Phillebert of Sauoy Beeing then in his said place of Ripaille the said Duke Anne with tenne knights all hermits wearing great beardes and simple cloathing and writhen staues full of knottes in great renowne of sanctetie of life was by the said Councell elected to be Pope as is said the 17. of Nouember the yeare 1439. and the 17. day of December the election was denounced vnto him and he went vnto Basill and was there solemnly crowned in the presence of two of his eldest sonnes Before this ceremonie his Beard was taken from him and in a small time he learned the Romane office He created some Cardinalls of great estimation and vertue Iohn le Maire The Emperour being called to goe into Hungarie sound himselfe greatly tormented in the moneth of August with an intollerable heate which hee thought to haue taken away by colde viands which brought to him a fluxe of the belley euen to bloud whereof he died the yeare 1439. nigh Strigoma after hee had beene Emperour almost two yeares Hee left two daughters and his wife with childe who soone after brought forth Ladislaus Frederic Duke of Austrich after Albert was Emperour of Rome He loued peace and rest restrained and brideled easily them of Austrich which stirred strifes and commotions So extinguished he the warre alreadie commenced by Matthias king of Hungarie by agreement with him Likewise this Frederic making warre against the Flemmings to haue his sonne Maximilian whom they detained prisoner appeased and contented them by the punishment of some and so taking and receiuing his
peasants to be hanged and strangled which mocked and derided these toyes and follies He placed in the Kalender of Saints one Vincent borne at Valence of the Iacobin order Albert of Dropan Carmelite and Edmond of Canterburie English He ordained also that no person should appeale from the Pope to the Councell and yet had done more if he had liued longer He gaue too much licence to his followers and made one Roderic Borgia his Vice-chauncellor who after was Pope called Alexander the sixt He published saith Valerius Letters of pardons which he solde then for fiue Ducats a peece but now they are better cheape by the meanes whereof he left vnto his successor an hundreth and 15. thousand Ducates Iohn Capistran and Robert de la Lice aboue named as is said were sent by the Pope into diuers Countries to preach the yeelding of obedience to the Romane Church to giue some colour and appearance to their filthy fooleries prohibited pastimes and other ciuill exercises as bankets daunces and other like things Briefly they acquired such great brute and fame by their hypocrisie that afterward they were adored as Saints of many although they knew not what the doctrine of Iesus Christ meant The world meriteth to haue such Doctors since they make so small account of the truth This Pope Calixtus died in Iuly the yeare 1458. beeing very olde and left great riches Frauncis Foscarius was Duke of the Venetians about 36. yeares who hauing conquered or rather vsurped many lands and dominions in Italie vnto the profit of the Seignorie of Venice in the end of his dayes for a repentance the Venetians deposed him of his Ducall dignitie without alleadging any other reason but his age and impotencie And constrained him to leaue his Ducall Pallace to see a new successor enter into it whereof incontinently after he died After his death his sonne was banished and after called againe and cruelly tortured and againe sent into perpetuall exile although they found nothing in him of that which they laide to his charge Chron. Euseb Pius the second of that name a Tuscan by Nation borne in the Towne of Sienes whose father was Siluius and his mother Victoria before called Eneas Picolominius although long time he had bene spotted with the vice of ambition yet finally he came vnto the Popedome This poore young boy became so great as all Historiographers say which haue written of the Popes liues that hee was held one of the learnedst Popes and much esteemed for that he had written many things worthily In the Councell of Basill he was the Popes Secretarie and by Orasons and Epistles he purged the authoritie of Eugenius a litle after that he was crowned a Poet Laureate by the Emperour Frederic the third of that name and being called from his Court he came vnto greater estates and was both his Secretarie and Counceller He was sent Embassador hither and thither vnto many Princes and after ordained Bishop of Trieste by Nicholas the fift and consequently Bishop of Siennes and after placed in the number of Cardinalls by Calixt Finally comming vnto the Papaltie following the examples of his predecessors hee published a voyage against the Turkes but being preuented by death he could not put it in execution Some there are as saith Iohn Functius which haue left in writing that he sought to draw to himselfe a great summe of siluer from the Almaines vnder a colour to make warre vpon the Turkes because he knew well the riches of the Almaines as he that had long conuersed with them and that to the end he might dispend them in pompes and papall dissolutions and to inrich his parents and friends Vnder the shadow of warring against the Turkes Popes get store of siluer Lewis 11. sonne of Charles the 7. the 54. king of France being in Bourgongne and hearing newes of his fathers death came straight into France and was crowned The aforesaid Pope though before he was Pope hee had with singular diligence written two bookes of the acts of the the Councell of Basill yet as soone as he was made Pope hee sought to suppresse it For as he was very ambitious in all hee did when he was Pope so he trauelled in nothing to lessen the Maiestie or rather Papall tyrannie but rather to encrease it what he could Which to maintaine saith Stella the Venetian it is found that hee spared neither Kings nor Princes people nor tyrants hee I say which was more cruell then any tyrant He was a great enemie of Lewis king of France the eleuenth of that name because he would not consent to the abolition of the pragmatike sanction in his kingdome because it derogated from the libertie of the Cleargie Hee was angry against Borge de Est Duke de Mutine and made warre vpon him because hee fauoured Sigismond Malateste and the French men against Ferdinand For vpon his owne authoritie and by force of Armes hee put in possession of the Kingdome of Naples Alphonsus Bastard of the King Ferdinand to the great disaduantage of Iohn de Aniou sonne of King Rene. He pursued with cruell and sharpe persecutions Sigismond Duke of Austrich because hee had chastised Nicholas de Cuse a Cardinall for his rapacitie and couetousnesse full of arrogancie He shead out also the venome of his malediction against Gregorie de Hambourge a man very learned in the Ciuill lawe as it had bene a chased viper as Wolfgang de Winsebourge a Diuine of Basill saith and so sharply pursued him with the Letters of his thundring excommunications that he was constrained to remooue into Boheme He furiously cast out of his feat Diether d' Eisenbourge Archbishop of Magunce because as he said he had an euil opinion of the Romane Church and placed an other in his place Besides he depriued the Archbishop of Beneuent of his Archbishoppricke because against his will he tooke in hand new enterprises He caused a day to be giuen to George king of Boheme because he fauoured such as held the doctrine of Iohn Hus that vpon the paine to loose his kingdome He for his particular profit deposed many Bishoppes and added 12. newe Cardinalls to such as were alredie before He celebrated a Councell at Mantua and abbrogated in France the pragmatike sanction as a pernitious practise against the Romane Church Hee was the first that created the Abbreuiators of the Chauncelerie and reducted them into their order He brought vnder his gouernment many Townes of Campania called at this day Terra de lauoro the Land of Labour and maruellously encreased the Churches reuenewes and rents He neuer graunted any thing eyther to kings or to people for any feare hee had as his fierce and arrogant Papists say but he sharply persecuted the enemies of the Cleargie as if they had beene publike enemies As for his friends hee shewed himselfe very gentle towards them and greatly helped them At the sollicitation of Soreth he Canonized one called Angelus borne at Ierusalem and
brought to the Church in persecution Phillip and his Courtiers receiued the doctrine of the Gospell and renounced all Painim Idolatries But this felicitie endured not long for the Church For as Phillip did to his predecessor so was done vnto him by his successor Decius yea and to his sonne who was slaine at Rome and the Father at Verone This was their ende after they had raigned 7. yeares Decius Phillip Decius borne at Bubalie a Towne of base Panonia was chosen after Phillip Hee was a Prince worthie praise but that hee stirred the seuenth persecution against the Christians because of the euill will hee bare to his predecessor Phillip Euseb Lib. 6. Cap. 39. This hatred as Sabellicus and Bergomensis say proceeded hereof that the two Phillips being in perill of death gaue their treasures to Fabian Saint Ciprian rehearseth other more vrgent causes And these be his words in his fourth booke and fourth Epistle We must needs confesse that this waste which hath pilled our Flocke and the theft yet at this day practised comes because of our sinnes for that we hold not the way of the Lord but giue our selues to gaine to pride to enuies and dissentions c. Of this persecution Nicephorus saith in Lib. 5. Cap. 29. that it was as possible to number them that suffered in this persecution as to account the sand of the sea Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem honoured for his pietie once was drawne before the Gouernours seate in Cesaria and after hee had made a confession of his faith he died in prison Babilus Bishop of Nichomedie Asclepiades of Antioche Germanie Theophile Cesarius Vital Polychronius Bishop of Babilon Serapion Apollonia a Virgin and infinit others were martyred in this horrible persecution Aboue all other Townes Alexandria then was as a scaffolde when the faithfull mustered See Eusebius Lib. 6. Chap. 40. Diuers kindes of torments were vsed against the Martyrs as Eusebius saieth As sharpe needles against the face and eyes bursting betwixt stones burning pearsing the entralles casting downe from high places to lower tearing in peeces by cardes of Iron plates being applied to their sides the rage of sauage beastes condemnation to digge mettalls c. Saint Ciprian beeing in exile writ verie consolatorie Letters to them which suffered such euilles And as Tertullian in his time defended the Christians against Scapula So also did Saint Ciprian the like against Demetrian a Painim Gouernour shewing thereby that the calamities of the world are fully imputed vnto the Christians Denis of Alexandria writ that after the publication of Decius Edict confirmatiue of this horrible persecution many of the most excellent shewed themselues so fearefull that of their owne motion they made abiurations and sacrificed vnto Idols Ciprian made a Sermon of such as fell namely of such as perseuered not in the confession of Iesus Christ There hee sets downe examples of Gods punishment of such as abiured hee affirmeth that many of them were tormented with euill spirits Hee saith one became dumbe incontinent after hee had renounced An other also after his renouncing comming to take the Supper with others found in stead of bread ashes Also a maide taken with a diuel bitte off her tongue with her teeth Many things are attributed to Fabian conteined in Gratians decree which are not worth rehearsing and as vnworthy that Bishop Beda and Eusebius write that Fabian suffered Martirdome at the beginning of Decius raigne For he bare him euill will because Phillip gaue him his treasures Eusebius in his Chronicle saith that Fabian gouerned the Romane Church 13. yeares Damasus and Marian the Scot say 14. Origene writ to Fabian touching the puritie of doctrine as Euseb Lib. 6. Chap. 6. Decius died miserably before hee had raigned two whole yeares Pomponius writeth that in a warre against the Gothes hee was swallowed vppe of a Gulphe into the which he cast himselfe that he might not fall into his enemies hands Hereupon note the saying of S. Cyprian Cyprian in his booke against Demetrian toucheth it saying Certaine we are that all that we endure shall not long be vnpunished And so much more as the outrage of persecution shall be great so much the greater shall the vengeance be for that persecution and so much the more manifest Although we keepe not in memory things of olde yet the doctrines of things newly happening do suffice that in very little time and so suddenly so horrible a vengeance hath followed c. Gallus and Volucian his Sonne ioyntly succeeded in the Empire Hee was otherwise called C. Verus Trebonian of Gaul Hee was happie enough at the beginning as Denis writeth but continuing the persecution which fell into his hands by his predecessors he prospered not For before two yeares were passed hee and his sonne Volusian were miserably slaine in a warre against Emilian hauing before gotten an opprobry vnto the Romane people to make thē tributary vnto the Scythians by an alliance he made with them as Eutropius and Pomponius Laetus write Cornelius a Romaine was three yeares Bishop of Rome By the Epistle of the Romane Cleargie written to Saint Cyprian we may knowe that the Romane seate was vacant certaine time and that Cornelius succeeded the Bishop Fabian at the beginning of the raigne of Gallus and Volusian Saint Cyprian defended his election against the calumniations of Nouatus the hereticke saying in his fourth booke and Epistle to Antonian that he occupied not his Bishoppricke by bribes nor of his owne desire neither by violence as many doo which are swelled with their owne pride but that hee came thither by the will of God then when the Tyrant envenomed with mortall hatred against Priestes the seruants of God vttered horrible menacies The things then attributed vnto Cornelius in his Decretall Epistles how can they agree with so excellent a Doctor who alwaies was at the combat As that which is written in his first Epistle that at the request of a noble woman he caused to be transported the body or rather the rotten bones of S. Peter and S. Paul which long time had bene kept in a Sepulchre The second Epistle is to Ruffinus a Bishop of the East touching the maners of Priests Eusebius and Saint Hierome who most diligently writ of this holy person make no mention of those Epistles but they mention his determination to haue a Councell held at Rome against Nouatus Damasus and others haue written that Cornelius was banished and finally Martired vnder Decius but S. Hierome transferreth his administration to the time of the Emperours Gallus and Volucian whose authoritie we haue followed Eusebius 51.7 cap. 2. writeth that Cornelius gouerned the Church of Rome three yeares yet in his Chronicle he giueth him but two Lucius succeeded Cornelius he was a Romane Eusebius saith he was not a Bishop 8. whole moneths Nauclerus Platina and Sabellicus giueth him 3. yeares and more Gratian attributes vnto him this decree that Priests
witnesseth Sabellicus Enne 7. lib. 8. Arithimus Bishop of Nichomedia after he had made a confession of his Faith hee was beheaded with a great troupe of Martyrs Serena Dioclesians wife endured constantly martyrdome This persecution was so cruell that none were spared Hermanus Gigas In Europe at Rome aboue all places was there greatest number of Martyrs The Prouost Rictiouarus in Gaul made a great massacre especially at Cullaine at Treuers and towards Moselle Beda writeth that this persecution came euen into England and then that Saint Alban a man very renowned receiued the crowne of Martyrdome From this time they beganne to finde out diuers kindes of torments but how much the more horrible they were so much more exquisite appeared the constancy of Martyrs Eusebius saith he beheld the persecution made at Thebaida and saith that the glaues axes and swordes of Tormentors were blunted and turned againe with so great slaughter and were altogether tyred when the Christians with ioy of hart singing Psalmes presented them selues to death Sulpitius in the holy history li. 2. saith that Christians then more ardently desired martyrdome then the ambition of the Cleargie afterward demaunded Bishopprickes Beda de temptat and Orosius lib. 7. cap. 25. Dioclesian crooked with age after he had assaied all cruelties that could be deuised to extirpate the Christians willingly dismissed himselfe of the charge of the Empire and went to Nichomedia and being tossed with rage and fury led a priuate life Maximian his companion who obeyed him as the lesser the greater deposed himself at the same time in the Towne of Milaine Dioclesian at Solone passed his time as a Gardener This change was made after they had raigned together the space of twentie yeares What deaths they had shal be told hereafter Marcel borne at Rome one Benets sonne was chosen Bishop about the 20. yeare of Dioclesian after the Chronicle of Henry the first He was a true Pastor of the Lords Church In the booke of Councells there is attributed vnto him two Epistles The one to them of Antioch wherein he exhorteth to follow the Romane Church and that without authoritie thereof no Sinode can bee called But any bodie may see it is but a counterfeyt and not agreeing with the time which then was The other written to Maxentius is altogether impertinent wherein after he hath commended Christian charitie hee reciteth things which are as pertinent so the time of that Church as conuenient to haue bene written to a Tyrant who afterward was named Emperour Such Epistles doo sufficiently shewe that they wore forged by them which after thrust themselues into the sheep-folde of the Lord not to feed but to rule He confirmed in the faith Maurice as hee came from Syria to goe into Gaul with the Legion which was called of Thebes Constantius Chlorus and Galerius Maximin or Maximian were made Augustes to goe through with the warres which their predecessors Dioclesian and Maximian Herculeus left Eutropius the Father of Constantius a Romane knight of a noble house was discended from Aeneas The Empire as thus parted that Constantius gouerned Gaul Spaine Italie and Affrike and Galerius which Dioclesian had adopted giuing him his daughter Valeria the rest namely Slauonia Greece and the East Yet Constantius who was neither ambitious nor couetous refused Affrike Italie cōtenting himselfe with Spaine Gaul which he gouerned well and peaceably was well beloued of his subiects and no enemy of the Christian faith He had two wiues the first Helena which was of base condition of whom he had Constantine the great which wife he was constrained to leaue and take Theodora the daughter of the wife of Maximian Herculeus He died of a mallady in England two yeares after Dioclesian had deposed himself from the Empire for long time before had he bene made Caesar and adopted by Dioclesian Some attribute vnto him those two yeares of raigning beginning from the natiuitie of our Lord 505. See Pomp. Laet. During his raigne there was stirres of warre He was called Chlorus for the colour of his bright shining face Ignat. Lib. 1. He had of his wife Theodora Constantius who was father of Gallus and Iulian. Maximian Herculian solicited Dioclesian to take again the Empire Some say Dioclesian answered if he once vnderstood the pleasure of Gardens hee would neuer thinke of raigning The Historiographers write that Dioclesian dyed in a rage and fury feeling an infection in all his members See Nicepho lib. 7. cap. 20. Some say hee poysoned himselfe tenne yeares after he deposed himselfe from the Empire fearing Constantine and Licinius who bitterly reprehended him as a fauourer of Maxentius See Eutrop. lib. 9. and Bapt. Igna. lib. 1. Seuerus was adopted and made Cesar by Galerius when Constantinus had left the administration of Italie and of Affrike and to Seuerus was giuen the charge of the saide Countries But at Rome Maxentius was made Emperour by the Pretorian souldiers and without contradiction of the Senate Seuerus not thinking himselfe strong enough to resist Maxentius thought to retire into Slauonia to Maximin but hee was entrapped and ouercome at Rauenna Pompon Laet. Maxentius sonne of Maximian Herculian being chosen Emperour by the Pretorian souldiers in a tumult and hauing gotten the victory vpon Seuerus waxed proud and gaue himselfe vnto pleasures cruelties Then Maximin or Maximian the sisters sonne of Galerius who also by him was made Cesar with Seuerus and had once the charge of the East adopted Licinius which he left in Slauonia after comming to make warre vpon Maxentius was tolde of the treason of his people and so retyred See Pomp. Laet. in the life of Constantine and Galerius Galerius then hauing made Licinius Cesar as is said a litle time after fell into a terrible disease which fretted his entralles whereof he died This was because of his exceeding great lecherie towards all and horrible crueltie towards Christians For an vlcer he had in his bladder did eate his priuy members and as all that part of his bodie rotted wormes came out and no remedie could be found for it So the Phisitians abandoned him For the stench was so intollerable that neither Phisitian nor other durst approach vnto him Wherefore in the ende hee dyed of a death worthy such a man after hee had raigned two yeares alone and with the Cesars and companions of his Empire the space of 16. yeares In the persecution moued by Maxentius Marcel Pastor of the Church of Rome was apprehēded to sacrifice vnto Idols and to renownce his office but hee despised all threatnings and smiled which the Tyrant Maxentius seeing commaunded he should be beaten and chased out of the Towne He retyred into an house of a widowe named Lucine and there secretly maintained a Church Which the Tyrant hearing made a stable of it for horses and other beastes of the house there locked vp Marcel Being thus condemned he left not to do the office of a true Pastor by Epistles which
a woman a captiue there Paul the Hermit the younger hauing taken his wife in adultry left her and went into the Desart and said to the adulterer keepe her for thy selfe Hist trip Siluester died without martyrdome hauing 7. times made orders at which he created 25. Priests 36. Deacons and 45. Bishops He gouerned the Church 23. yeares or after Marianus 24. Others giue him but 19. Marcus succeeded him gouerned the Romane Church 2. yeares or 8. moneths after Ierome Damasus saith he was a Romane His father was called Priscus Some say he gaue to the Bishop of Ostia that priuiledge aboue all others to consecrate the Bishop of Rome and the right of the Archipiscopall pall called Pallium And would that the Creed which was made at the Councel of Nice should be sung by the Cleargie and people after the reading of the Gospell Platina Bergomensis and Polidorus If he builded Temples and adorned them with diuers gifts and presents let their faith be examined which haue written thereof Sinodes for the cause of Athanasius The Emperour Constantine considering the number of the accusers of Athanasius and the crimes wherewith hee was charged published a Sinode at Cesaria in Palestine whereat Athanasius not appearing there was doubted if was for feare of the Bishop of that place or of the Eusebians and for that cause hee caused a Councell of the Nations to be assembled at Tyre calling Athanasius to it by Letters full of indignation Socrat. li 1. chap. 28. Theodoret. lib. 1. chap. 27. Sozom. lib. 1. chap. 25. and Athanasius himselfe in his second Apologie At the said Sinode were found 60. Bishops the most part Orientalls Athanasius came thither accompanied with Timotheus a Priest The Eusebians to begin their wicked part brought in a woman of dishonest life whom they had suborned who faining to haue vowed chastitie maintained that Athanasius in the night would haue rauished her beeing then pressed to answer to that accusation he spake not a word Timothius perceiuing why Athanasius held his peace turned himselfe towards the woman and said vnto her Had I euer acquaintance with thee Did I euer lodge nigh thee The woman cried more then before And poynting at the said Timothius with her finger shee said It was thou and no other which by force hast violated mee This calumniation beeing thus made knowne to the great confusion of them that inuented it notwithstanding the Iudges which gouerned and sufficiently knew Timothius and Athanasius let the said woman goe sauing the good right of Athanasius who maintained that at the least she should haue named them of whom she was hyred An other impudent accusation was againe attempted against him The aduersaries brought forth the hand of one who was named Arsenius whom they maintained to haue beene murthered by Athanasius Hee demaunded if any amongst them knew Arsenius to which question many answered that they knewe him very well Arsenius was then brought before theyr presence Beeing againe asked if it were that Arsenius whose hand was cut off they confessed all that it was hee Herevpon Athanasius discouering his cloake shewed hee was whole of both hands which God had giuen him This so liuely a refutation made the aduersaries infamous but their refuge was to trouble the Sinode by tumult and sedition Theodoret. li. 1. cap. 29. One of the said aduersaries called Achab or Iohn got from the Iudiciall seate and escaped in this tumult Socrat. lib. 1. chap. 30. Athanasius seeing that the tumult fell to great sedition withdrew himselfe The Sinode in his absence condemned him and deposed him from his Bishopprick Hee then got him to Constantinople and shewed the Emperour the iniuries that this Sinode hadde done vnto him And be sought him that hee himselfe would take the knowledge of the cause The Emperour then by his Letters Patents called againe all the Bishops of the Sinode of Tyre to Constantinople that they might yeeld a reason of the sentence giuen against Athanasius And as Sozomene Lib. 2. Chap. 28. sayth that Eusebius Theognes and other heretickes arriuing at Constantinople did assuredly affirme to the Emperour all that they had deuised against Athanasuis and hyred witnesses which deposed that all that which was brought against Athanasius was true The Emperour mooued rather with a desire to pacifie the Churches thē with the accusation of his aduersaries banished Athanasius into Gaul into the Citie of Herers But the Emperour by certaine Letters written to the people of the Catholique Church of Alexandria witnesseth himself to haue confined him thither only to the end his bloudy enemies should not grieue nor touch the sacred head of such a person these bee his words And in the meane while all things necessary were sent to Athanasius Iulius the first of that name was ordained Bishop after Marc. the 25. yeare of Constantine After the Chronicle of Hierome hee gouerned the Church about 16. yeares Hee was the son of one Rustike who had great combats to maintaine the quarels of Athanasius and of other faithfull Doctors against the Arrians The tripartite history saith that the Councell of Nice was in the time of Iulius And is it possible that he was there as being Bishop of some other place Howsoeuer it is it is plaine inough that the last age of the Emperour Constantine is reported by Ierome to be in the time of this Iulius The ordinance is attributed vnto him that a Priest should plead no where but before a Iudge Ecclesiasticall That hee reprehended the Bishops of the East that they assēbled councels without his authoritie There is an Epistle gratulatory of this Iulius for the restitution of Athanasius Socrates reciteth it Lib. 2. Chap. 23. Sozo lib. 3. cap. 20. The beginning of Pilgrimages Vnder Constantine the land of Palestine being purged of Ethnicke Idolatries began to be in deuotion for the memorie of the great and memorable things done in it Constantine caused an Oratory to be builded in the place where the Sepulchre of the Lord had bin Helena his mother went thither vpon deuotion to worship and hauing found the Crosse caused to bee built two Temples the one where the Lord was borne the other where hee ascended into Heauen Ruffin Lib. 1. Chap. 7. After that Constantine caused to be builded in the place called Cranium a Temple with solemnitie and authoritie of a Sinode assemble at Tyre This gaue the first occasion of Pilgrimages and anuuersatie solemnities And it came to a superstition to haue seene the holy land and the holy places as appeareth by the Epistle of Gregory Nyssene wherein he learnedly refuteth that superstition The Romane and imperiall Eagle tooke the two heads when Constantine after he had established the Townne of Constantinople the new Rome made it the seate of the Empire and the chiefe of al people which acknowledged the Romane Empire and inhabited the parts Orientall Northerne and Southerne and towards the Mediterranean sea Sozomene lib. 2. chap. 3. Nicepho lib. 8. cap. 4.
side from whence bloud came wherwith many maladies were healed This thing being declared to the Bishop of the said place he made that blood to be preciously kept and shewed it and carried it hither and thither And therevpon ordeined each yeare a feast called the Passion of the Lordes Image the eight of Nouember Of this blood there was brought to Mantoua Supp Chron. Who sees not that this Fable was inuented to the end that vnder the shadow of miracles the seruice of Saints and Images might be set forward against the Grecians Emperours Whē men haue no authoritie from the holie scripture they cry Miracle Miracle Note hereby the refuge of Papists There was a Sinode held in France against the Grecians touching Images by the authoritie of King Pippin Abb. Vrsp In this time Saints liues were forged on all sides Verus Biship of Siuil wrote the life of S. Eutropius Bishop Abb. Trit Wibaldus composed the life of S. Boniface his maister Bishop of Magunce Tritem Constantine Pope second of that name a Romane gouerned at Rome one yeare By ambition and force hee occupied the Papacice And from the estate of a Laie-man being made Priest hee was chosen Pope by store of money and Armes but after was taken and cast into a Monasterie and his eyes put out In this time likewise there was an Antepope called Phillippicus or Phillip who also was deposed and Stephen the third constituted Sergius Bishop of Rauenna and Christopher Authours of the former schisme had their eyes put out Stephen Pope third of that name Monke of Sicilie ruled at Rome foure yeares This Pope assembled a Councell at Rome where all that was reuoked which Constantine his predecessor had ordeined euen in disgrading them which by him were consecrated In the said Councell assisted 12. Bishops of France Naucler There was also ordeined that no Laie-man should be made Pope or Bishop but successiuely by order and Ecclesiasticall degrees Naucler Item that euery Sunday the Gloria in excelsis should be sung at Masse There was condemned the Councell of Constantinople 7. wherein the Emperour Constantine the 2. and the Bishops of Greece had ordeined that Images should be laid downe This Councell was declared hereticall and againe Images commanded as worthie of honour and veneration This thus agreed vpon the next morning there was made a great procession where the Pope went on foote in great deuotion and all others Naucler and Supp Chron. A great token of repentance for a Pope Charlemaigne the sonne of Pippin 22. King of France had this surname of great for his prowesses and vertues Hee had maruellous warres The first in Aquitane The second against the Lombards And the third against the Saxons He had also warre in Spaine in Bauiere and in Hungarie against the Hunois which Historiographers declare in their order Adrian Pope a Romane gouerned the Romane Church 24. yeares This Pope shewed himselfe cruell against such as impugned the seruice of Images and made a booke Intituled Of the worshipping of Saints Chron. Sigeb and Abb. Trit Dedier 22. and last king of Lombards desired the loue and friendship of this Pope but he would not consent therevnto Saying that he would not accord with him which so often had broken his promise wherewith Didier being moued practised many euils against the Church of Rome In so much that Adrian was constrained to demaund aide in Fraunce Supplim of Chron. Charlemaigne came into Italie at the request of Adrian against Didier and obtained victorie against him after he had raigned 18. yeares hee sent him prisoner into France with his wife and children And the kingdome of the Lombards finished in Italie which had endured 224. yeares or 213. After hee had ouercome the Lombards hee instituted the Vniuersitie of Pauie and adorned it with learned people Charlemaigne came to Rome and kissed the Popes feete Blundus and P. Emilius He restored to the Romane Church his reuenewes priuiledges and ratified all that which his Father Pippin had giuen to the said Church Wherefore this Adrian caused a Councell to be held of 153. Prelates by which was giuen to Charlemaigne the right of Inuesture placing Bishops in possession of their seates and to elect the Pope of Rome from hence forward Distinct 63. cap. Adrianus This priuiledge endured not long and was but feined hypocriticall And the succeeding Popes obserued it not saying it was but curtesie and a personable priuiledge which could not exceed the person of the Emperour which then was Leon Emperour fourth of that name sonne of Constantine Emperour raigned fiue yeares his wife was of Athens named Hirene otherwise also Theodora a faire woman and of great spirit Naucler He loued precious stones and hauing seene a Crowne full of precious stones in the Treasury of Saint Sophie put it vpon his head but by the coldnesse thereof he fell into a Feuer whereof he dyed Chron. Sigeb Fasc temp Naucler Supp Chro. After his wife Hirene raigned Charlemaigne enterprised warre against the Saxons Infidels and Painims and this endured 33. yeares Naucler For they often reuolted and feined themselues to be Christians abusing Charlemaigne Abb. Vrsp. Finally they were made subiect Adrian builded certaine Towers and walles at Rome and gaue great gates of Brasse to the Church of S. Peter and adorned the Aultar with a couering of Gold Hee ordeined that an hundreth poore people should be nourished in the Court of Lateran He restored S. Anastatius and other ruinated Churches He was puissant and noble of race and none of his predecessours came to like temporal glory and riches Supp Chro. Fasci temp Charlemaigne displeased at the discord of the Church Musicke betwixt the Romanes and the French sent two Clarkes to Rome to learne the Song of the Romane Church which first instructed the Church of Metes in Lorraine and after al France in the same singing Supp Chron. Constantine 6. of that name Emperour 76. of Leon the 4. raigned tenne yeares with his mother Hirene but being come to age he depriued her of the Empire exhorting her rather to deale in domesticall affaires without medling with gouerning the Empire Sigeb Charlemaigne made warre in Spaine against the Sarrasins Naucler Where the Peers of France were betraied Ganelon Hirene had her deuotion towards the virgin Mary and all other Saints And at the request of Pope Adrian and of Therasius Arch-bishop of Constantinople she assembled after Sigeb a Councell at Nice called the seuenth of 350 after some or of 325. Bishops Naucler Wherin it was decreed that not only in Temples should be Images but also that they should be worshipped of right that al gainsaiers should be excommunicated but this decree was after abolished by Constantine Chro. Euseb Here tooke the Vniuersitie of Paris her beginning by the care of Alenin an English man who was Charlemaignes maister Constantine the 11. yeare of his Empire depriued his mother of the
neither only abandoned and destituted him of his succours and helpe but vnder colour of the Church and the publike good assaulted him by armes besieged him by circumvention tooke him traiterously despoyled him of his Imperiall dignitie and made him die a poore miserable man in great captiuitie and heauinesse And all this he did saith Rodolphe Galterus not by the commaundement of any barbarous tyrant not at the instigation of some Phalaris but by the Councell of the holy Father of Rome Reioyce saith he you Caligula Nero and you all which haue bene renowned for crueltie for you haue now found one that shall take away the memorie of your name so cruell because he goes much before you that is to say the Pope of Rome who commaunds the sonne to drawe his sword against the Father Henry then the fourth was dispoyled of his Imperiall dignitie and finally his sonne Henry the fift by treason tooke him prisoner the fiftie yeare of his Empire as hee went vnto an assembly held at Magunce he died after he had bene miserably handled in the Citie of Liege Anno. 1108. after the Chron. of Euseb or 1116. after others But the enmitie of this Papall Monster was not yet appeased by this death for in an inraged manner hee did exercise his crueltie against him after his death commaunding by Letters that his body shuld be vnburied cast out of the church and transported from Liege to Spire and to be depriued by the space of fiue yeares of Sepulchre Behold how this proud Antichrist obeyeth Magistrates ordeined of God! But see what God did in the meane time At Spire blood ranne out of Loaues of bread as Vrspergensis faith in his Cronographie The yeare of the Lorde 1106. hee made an assembly of many Princes and Bishops at Guardascall in Lombardie with whom he handled matters appertaining to the Faith that is to say cōcerning the Popes kitchin as of homages of fealties of oaths that Bishops had before made vnto Laie persons He despoiled also the Arch-bishop of Rauenna of his lands applying them vnto his owne profit And this Pope not content with such crueltie caused the body of Guibert Archbishop of the said place of Rauenna to be taken vp who had bin chosen Pope by the Emperour Henry the 4. in the time of Gregore 7. sixe yeares after he was laide in the Sepulchre Now as for Henry the 4. he was an excellent Emperor meete for an Empire of a noble race and an incomparable spirit O that other Princes had possessed such hearts and had not attributed so much vnto that Romane harlot He was affable and benigne towards all liberall to wards the poore It is said that during his life hee fought with Ensigne displaied threescore and two times After many Histories Henry the fift of that name sonne of Henry the fourth and of Berthe Marquesse of Italie was chosen at Magunce by the Gouernours and chiefe of the Empire and raigned twentie yeares Chron. Palm Lewis le Gros otherwise called the good Lewis 39. King of Fraunce raigned 28. yeares and was crowned at Orleance and annointed by the Archbishop of Sens. It is said of him that he often disguised himselfe in the habit of a poore man or of a woman or seruant the better to knowe the truth of some secret matters of his kingdome He was founder of the Abbey of S. Victor in Paris The yeare of Christ one thousand one hundreth and eleuen Henry the fift went to Rome to appease seditions stirred since Gregorie the seuenth and continued in Victor Vrbane and Paschal the second The Emperour and other Princes would vse the authoritie right priuiledges of auncient Emperours For Charlemaigne and others which had obteined the Empire since three hundreth yeares and more vnder threescore and three Popes bestowed Bishopprickes Abbaies and other Benefices Against this authoritie and custome the Pope following by Sinodall decrees mainteined that Ecclesiasticall Benefices ought not to be giuen by Laie-persons and excommunicated as Simoniackes as well such as receiued them as them that gaue them This Emperour then being at Rome after he had kissed the feete of the holy Father prayed him to confirme and to like of such as had ordeined Bishops But as he refused to confirme them he was taken by the Emperour and imprisoned and came not out vntill hee had confirmed them all and yeelded him the right of Inuesture giuen vnto Charlemaigne and therevpon making Letters and Seales and also confirmed the said Emperour Yet after the Pope had said Masse was in his Chaire saith Masseus behold the souldiers came suddenly in crying Yeeld vnto Caesar that which is Caesars and assailed as well him as all the Cleargie carrying them all out from thence and spoyled them without leauing them any thing then put they them in prison in the Mountaine of Soracte Finally after debates and discentions were appeased and the Emperour Henry crowned Paschal renewed the priuiledge of Inuesture of Bishops and pronounced before all the assembly that whosoeuer made of no force the saide priuiledge was excommunicated There was also sung Gloria in exelsis because the peace was made betwixt the Emperour and the Pope But so soone as the Emperour was returned into Almaigne this periured Traitor reuoked all hee had promised with solemne oathes affirming that he accorded with the Emperour not of his good wil but by force and constraint After this hee condemned that priuiledge and excommunicated the Emperour and stirred maruellous Tragedies which incontinently were published throughout all the wide world Hee assembled a Councell at Troyes in Champaigne in Fraunce wherein againe hee forbadde marriage vnto the Priestes of Fraunce as Hildebrand had before forbidden the Priests of Almaigne euen to the chasing of some Prelates out of their Seates because they were marryed Desiring to encrease the Papall authoritie hee renewed the quarrell of giuing Bishopprickes which had caused great calamities throughout the Regions of Europe Ancelme an Arch-bishop of Englande and a Monke augmented the Impudencies of this Pope by such Sophisticke perswasions as he had before done them of Vrbaine For he was their Councellor at Rome and their Vicar in England This Ancelme tirannously depriued Henry the first of that name King of England of the right that Kings haue to prouide officers vsed by the Kings of Israel Dauid Salomon Iosaphat Ezechias Iosias others likewise against the saying of Iesus Christ The Kings of Nations haue rule ouer them c. But so it is not with you He also perpetually condemned the lawfull marriage of Priests in England as hath bene said against the holy lawes as well of the olde as of the new Testament and the manifest examples of the Primitiue Church to the and by the suggestion of Sathan the Cleargie might serue there in all Sodomie to the Dragon called the diuell and to Antichrist his Vicar Bertol Duke of Zeringuen and of Souabe founded the Citie of
Charles to bee crowned at Rheims passing through the places which the enemies held The English after were driuen from Paris The Taberlites Adamites Orebites heretikes in Boheme were in this time See Naucler Sigismond with the Pope and Almaine banded themselues together to make war against the Bohemian Hussites but they got nothing but were faine to leaue them Naucler Iohn Gerson maintained in this time that wee must rather beleeue the sentence and opinion of one Doctor approoued and confirmed by the Canonicke Scripture then the Popes declaration Item that wee ought rather to beleeue a Doctor well learned in the holy scriptures and alleadging a Catholick authoritie then a generall Councell A Councell began at Pauie but the pestilence became so great there that they were constrained the place and time and was ordained at Pise the yeare 1424. and from thence remitted to Basill seuen yeares after in the yeare of Christ 1430. The Venetians corrupted with store of siluer the Captaine generall of the Duke of Millaine called Carmagnolle a valiant man but a Traitor who stole from the said Duke the strong Towne of Brixe and the yeare following the Towne of Pergamum and their appendances which places King Lewis the 12. recouered the yeare 1509. after that the Venetians against all right and reason had avowed themselues to be right possessors thereof the space of 80. years Iohn le Maire The Pucelle or Maide aboue mentioned called of Orleance borne in Lorraine called Iane did things incredible in warlike affaires for the King of France his succour Finally hauing found meanes by force and subtiltie to enter into the Towne of Campaigne which was besieged making sallies vpon the enemies was taken by Iohn de Luxembourge and from thence sent to Roane to the Duke of Sommer set where hauing beene kept certaine time she was burnt She was accused to be an Enchauntresse See the Annales of France The Pope Martin of the age of 63. yeares died at Rome of an Apoplexie He commanded before his death to assemble the Councell of Basill For in the Councell of Constance it was concluded that from 10. yeares to 10. yeares there should be held an Vniuersall Councell of the Church which was not obserued Eugenius 4. of that name borne at Venice of the order of Celestines called before Gabriel Condelmer the sonne of one called Angelus being Cardinall Priest of the title of S. Clement obtained the Papall dignitie in the place called Minerua as Platina saith by this meanes When Gregorie the 12. who was of the house of Corrariens and Venetians by Nation was chosen Pope being before Canon of the Celestines of the congregation of S. George in the place of Alga he carried with him this Gabriel who was of his profession Henry King of England of the age of 12. yeares was crowned in the great Temple of Paris as King by the Cardinall of Winchester Sigismond went to Rome and was Crowned Emperour by the Pope Eugenius after he had raigned 23. yeares Chron. Euseb At the instance of certaine reporters and flatrerers which said that Martin his predecessor had bene very curious to gather great treasures some brought this man into such a rage that he caused his Vice-chauncellor with all his familiars and Nephewes to be taken and dispoiled of their goods After this the Romanes applying themselues to recouer their auntient libertie crying let vs goe to Armes and hauing driuen away all Eugenius his officers and taken Francis Condelmer his Nephewe or bastard and his Chamberlaine they created new Magistrates which they called Gouernours and had power of death and life ouer all Eugenius amongst so many troubles being vncertain what to doo began to thinke to flie away hauing then chaunged his habit and taking a Monkes frocke onely with a Monke called Arsennius put himselfe in a fishers boate and without that they which kept him perceiued he retired to Ostia by the Riuer Tiber Then when certaine of the Romanes knew that he was fled they assailed him as well as they could with stones and shot From thence he went vnto Pise and after vnto Florence in certaine Gallies which purposely had beene prepared for that purpose Where making his residence certaine yeares hee made sixteene Cardinalls amongst which there were were two Grecians namely Bessaron who was a cunning man in Philosophie borne at Nice and Isidorus of Russia and Guillam de Stouteuile Archbishop of Rouan The Coucell of Basill After the Councell of Constance there was an other held at Basill which Cardinall Iulian began by the Popes commandement beeing forced so to doo by the Emperour Sigismond And because then Sigismond was gone into Italie as is said to receiue the Imperiall Crowne the Italians sought to perswade the Pope to breake the Councell of Basill and bring it vnto them that the Townes of Italie might bee inriched with the great summes of money that should be brought thither and that the Countrey should not bee subiected vnto straungers alleadging for a shewe that Sigismond came for no other cause but to make himselfe Lord ouer Italie Sigismond after his Coronation returned vnto Basill This Councell endured tenne yeares and there the Cardinall Iulian called of S. Angelo was President The Bohemians being called vnto the said Councell with sure accesse and safe conduct proposed 4. Articles wherin they differed from the Romane Church 1 The Communion giuen to the people vnder both kinds 2 That ciuill dominion is forbidden by diuine right to the people of the Church 3 The preaching of the people ought to be free 4 That publike sinnes ought not to be borne if it were but to shunne a greater mischiefe In the said Councell the Bohemians were permitted to communicate vnder both kindes as a thing lawfull by the authoritie of Christ and profitable and healthfull to all such as duly receiued it Vadian Naucler In the time of this Councell of Basill was Papistrie set vp in Bohemia by the great meanes and industrie of Sigismond but incontinently after they came to that they did before Naucler About the yeare of Christ 1436. as saith Naucler or 1438. after others Eugenius would needs transport the Councell of Basill to Ferrara for his commoditie and after vnto Florence his excuses were because the Greeke Church would rather agree there with the Romane Church then at Basill notwithstanding the Councell proceeded against him and he was cyted three times but would not appeare There was against him proposed that he was a fauourer and a louer of warres a persecutor of Church men and a man of bloud and scandalous Naucler In the Counccell of Ferrara were presented the Pope Eugenius the Patriarke of Constantinople and the Emperour of the same place Iohn Paleologus with his brother and fiue hundreth men so was the said Church of Greece revnited with the Romane Church The said Councell was transported from Ferrara to Florence the yeare 1439. The Grecians accorded the holy Ghost to proceed as well
porke was who answered that his Phisitian appointed that none should be serued Then cryed he in this manner Bring me my porke flesh Al di spetto di Dio that is to say in despight of God This now is a common ieast and ordinarie amongst rakehells and rascalls ruffians and bawdes through Italie as Also many other speeches as infamous and dishonest Blasphemies vsed in Italie authorised by the Popes word Hauing one day seene a Peacocke at his dinner which he had not touched keepe said he this cold Peacocke for my supper spread the table in the Garden for I will then haue company As then he sat supper he saw other hot Peacockes serued vpon the table and not seeing his colde Peacocke which hee commaunded to be kept being exceedingly vexed he disgorged an execrable blasphemie against God At which certaine Cardinals that sate with him at the table said Let not your holines be so chollericke for so small a matter Wherevnto Iulius answered If God would bee so angry for an Apple as to cast our first Father Adam out of Paradice wherefore should it not bee lawfull for mee that am his Vicar to be angry for a Peacocke seeing a Peacocke is of much more valewe then an Apple As hee was about to create Cardinall Peter Betan Bishop of Fano of the order of the Iacobins certaine of the Cardinalls resisted him and amongst other things alleadged that he was infected with the heresie of the Lutherans Vnto whom Iulius answered Although it be so should it not be wisely done by putting a redde hat on his head to purge him of that euill and so retaine him one of ours with such a bond then to suffer him to flie from vs and ioyne with our enemies that we haue in Almaine as Vergerius did The 10. of September Affrike a Towne of Affrike was taken by the Emperours Armie vnder the conduction of the Viceroy of Sicilie Dracut Lord of the Towne withdrew towards the Turke his maister and the warre began againe more sharpe betwixt the Emperour and the Turke A sedition in Ausbourge because of certain Spaniards which in the moneth of August made mockes in the Church at the Sermon A woman also of the said Towne mocked a Priest which in his Surplice walked through the Towne with his hoste The Emperour had put the said woman to death had it not bene that Mary the Gouernour of the lowe Country entreated for her and saued her Maurice and Albert his cosin the Elector of Brandebourg and Henry of Brunswic tooke Armes against them of Magdebourge Nicholas Pernot sieur de Granuelle dyed at Ausbourg about the end of August to the Emperours great griefe Anthony Pernot his sonne Bishop of Arras succeeded in his estate About the beginning of Nouember Virich Prince of Wittemberge deceased from this world and his sonne Christopher was his successour Stephen Bishop of Winchester was dispossessed of his Bishopprick in England and put in prison because he would not submit himselfe vnto the Kings Edicts and lawes touching Religion The last of February Bucer dyed at Canterbury and was very honourably buried with a great number of Epitaphes made by learned men lamenting his death The Councell of Trent was deferred by the Pope from the first of May vntill the first of September In Saxonie diuers prodigious things were seene as three Sunnes and three Moones now pale and bleake or blew now red as blood The king of France caused to be published a very cruell Edict against the Lutherans confirming yea passing all his former Edicts and left nothing behinde that appertained to extreame crueltie On all sides the Papists assembled at Trent on the Councell day likewise from Almaine resorted the Electors Ecclesiasticall The Cardinall of Cressentia was President in the Popes place The Emperour and the King Ferdinand sent thither also their Embassadors But the King of France by his Embassadour disavowed the Councell for generall reputing it but a particular congregation to the profit of some His protestation was held for none without vouchsafing to record it Le sieur d' Brisac tooke in Piedmont and about Turin a certaine number of Townes and amongst others Cheri and Saint Damian The Turks Army after hauing assayed the Fort of Malta and rushed vpon Tripoly in Affrické and tooke it The Emperour accused the King of Fraunce to bee the Authour of this losse An Edict published by the King of Paris whereby it was forbidden to transport any siluer out of the kingdome to Rome because of the warre betwixt the King and the Pope There came a writing from the Emperors Court whereby was declared the cause and originall of the warre of Parma and wherefore hee receiued Plaisance into his protection The fact of Duke Octauius is condemned and detested The French to the contrary shewe also by writing the daunger wherein Octauius was at Parma the iust cause that the King had to succour it and that wrongfully the Emperour had taken the Towne of Plaisance The Duke of Somerset is againe imprisoned in October by the meanes of the Duke of Northumberland vnto whome came the gouernment of the Realme after him The eleuenth Session of the Councell of Trent was in October where was confirmed the locall presence transubstantiation and all that euer was inuented for the Deification of that faire morsell of bread George de Martinuse of Dalmatia commonly called the Monke a man of great authoritie in Hungarie was made Cardinal who was after slaine the 18. of December in his own house by certaine Italians vnder colour that he dealt with the Turke suspitiously although before he had so wrought with the wife of the deceased Vaiuoda that she gaue ouer the gouernment of Transiluania to the King Ferdinand In Nouember the Duke Maurice agreed altogether with them of Magdebourge The ende of her euils and calamities was the entry of a great warre yea of all ill luck vnto the Emperour For Maurice hauing practised with Kings and Princes straungers determined with himselfe by force to deliuer the Lantgraue his Father in lawe which notwithstanding hee deferred a certaine time because first he thought it good to prooue all by loue The Duke of Somerset the vncle of King Edward was beheaded at London at the instance of the Duke of Northumberland Maurice by a writing dedicated vnto the states of the Empire greatly complaineth of the discord of Religion amongst them Item of the captiuitie of Lantgraue a prisoner by treason to the great dishonour of the Emperour Albert of Brandebourge complaineth also of the miserable seruitude of Almaine and hauing expressed the causes thereof he declareth that he and his companions do iudge the Ecclesiasticall people to be the chiefe authours of all the abouesaid euils And Maurice and Albert allyed and ioyned themselues together at Rotebourge Ausbourge besieged by them is taken The Fathers of the Councel at Trent being at discord the Imperialists against the Romanists after they vnderstood