then cruelty whereupon certaine conspiracies being practized against him he set a mulct amongst others vpon his vncle Nicephorus and put out his eyes And at length he himselfe by the meanes of his mother was serued with the same sauce within a while after dying of griefe and thereupon the sway of gouernment returned into her hands Irene the Empresse 797. an 4. Who afterwards in the fourth yeere of her Empire was deposed and sent into exile Nicephorus whom we before mentioned was her successor In the meane time whilest matters were thus tumultuously caryed at Constantinople the name of Charles King of the French grew famous For he hauing finished the warre in Aquitania at the request of Adrian Bishop of Rome marches into Italy and as his Father Pipin repressed Aistulphus King of the Lombards as abouesaid so he after a long siege tooke Desiderius Aistulphus his successor a heauy foe to Italy and Adrian the I. As also excluded his sonne Adalgisius out of the Kingdome and chased him quite out of Italy For the Emperours of Rome by reason of their farre remote absence I meane at Constantinople euer since Constantine the Great and being likewise hindered not onely with forraigne wars but also with ciuill domesticall dissensions in a manner neglected Italy or at leastwise could not conueniently protect it especially the Lombards raigning there Furthermore most of them also being at deadly dissention with the Bishops of Rome as we haue formerly specified out of their hatred towards them were not moued at this prosperous estate of the Lombards For this cause the Popes prouided forraigne defence and because no house was in those times of more renowne and puissance then that of the French Kings in regard of the greatnesse of their noble exploits to them they flie as to a harbour in time of trouble And after this manner Adrian dying Leo the third who succeeded him hauing many aduersaries at Rome Charles the Great 801. an 13. m. 1. d 4. sued to Charles Pipins son who at his fourth accession to the Citie was by the Pope and all the people proclaimed Emperour which happened at the same time when nought but factions swarmed at Constantinople insomuch as the very time it selfe and state of the Common-wealth seemed to administer the cause and occasion of this change Thus therefore the Empire of the West came to the Germanes for without all doubt Pipin and Charles were Germanes This was in the eight hundred and first yeere after Christs birth Now Nicephorus was ouercome and slaineby the Bulgars and his scull made a drinking bowle by Crumnus King of the Bulgars after Nicephorus the Emperours of the East were tossed with continuall warres for at first the Bulgars often incountred them then the Sarazens issuing out of Affrica tooke the I le of Candie as afterwards Sicilie and made hauocke in Asia farre and wide and last of all the Turks a people of Scythia The Emperours of Greece from Nicephorus to Constantine Palaeologus the last are reckoned to 50 some whereof were women but most of those were sloathfull And in ConstaÌ„tine Monomachus his raign the Turkes from a base originall by degrees getting ground more and more began to wast Asia and daily increasing their power at length made vp a Monarchie but no new or fifth one but sprouted out of that part of the Romane Empire lying in the East Ottoman first Monarch of the Turkes an 1300. Of which Monarchie Ottoman was the head about the yeere of Christ 1300. Afterwards Ma hom et of that name the second great Grandfather to Solyman who now swaies the Empire taking Constantinople putting Constantine Palaeologus the Emperour before mentioned together with his whole family to the sword vtterly extinguisht the nâ—me and succession of Emperours of our Religion in those parts And the Turkes to this day hold Asia Syria Egypt Mesopotamia Iudea the Rhodes all Greece Thracia Bulgaria Macedonia Illyricum both the Mysia's and of late almost the other part of Hungary and some part of Affrica In former times the Churches of Ierusalem Antioch Constantinople and Rome contended amongst themselues for primacie but especially the two last as wee formerly shewed but the Turke ended that controuersie and set such a confusion in those h Hierus Antioch Constantinople three places that there is not a tract remaining of a Church or Christian Congregation and the matter it selfe shewes of what colour the face and what the state is of that i Rome Church now remaining which now those * Aemulis riuals or eye-sores being remoued alone triumphs Therefore hauing shewne after what manner the other part of the Roman Empires body lying in the East vtterly decaied and fell into the hands of strangers it remaines that we should also briefly vnfold how that part in the west quite perished and found new Lords But here by the way let vs consider after what a wonderfull kinde of mockerie of fortune that maiesticall glory and sublimitie of the Empire was from those Romans and ancient families brought into the hands of strangers and some of them of base degrees some being Spaniards others originally of Pannonia Dacia Dardania Dalmatia Gallia Thrace Cappadocia But chiefly it is worth obseruance how doubtfull and miserable the estate of these Emperours was for their dignitie and safetie consisted not in the power of the Senate or people but of the Legions and souldiers so that it may stand for a great wonder that any would vndertake this charge so dangerous and obuious to iniuries For from Caius Caesar who was murthered in the face of the Senate till Charles the Great about thirty of them were slaine foure whereof killed themselues alwaies something was wanting in them which the souldiers desired who could abide the good no more then the wicked but vpon the least occasion raising a tumult cut off those whom sometimes they had drawne vp to that height of honour against their wills as for example it was Aelius Pertinax his case The Senate stood in feare of the Emperour but the Emperour himselfe was swaied by the will and in a manner the becke of the rascall souldiers And this presumption they tooke vpon them after Caius Caesars death especially those veterane bands which he had imploied in Gallia Hispaine and Affrica Hereupon Cicero deploring this Couragious they are indeed saith hee but in regard of the memory of those exploits which they atchieued for the liberty of the Romans and the dignitie of the Common-wealth too fierce and recall all our Councell to their violence The end of the second Booke IOHN SLEIDAN of the foure chiefe Monarchies OR The key of History The third Booke BEfore wee speake of Charles the Great to whoÌ„ I told you the Empire of the West was befallen some thing must be vnfolded concerning the Germanes from whom hee deriues his originall And first of all it is manifest beyond all doubt that the Germanes very oft passed ouer the
purpose Lotharius 840. an 15. m. 3. d. 10. Lewis dying was buried at Metz and Lotharius then vp in Armes against his brothers succeeded which warre at length quenched and a new diuision made Germanie fell to Lewis and part of France from the Riuer Maze to the Rhyne to Charles France from the Brittish Ocean and Pyrene Mountaines to Maze Lotharius besides that he was Emperour held Italy and the Prouince of Narbon To him his sonne Lewis the II. succeeded Lewis II. 855. an 19. m. 10. who repressed the Sarazens breaking into Italy In his raigne amongst others Adrian the II. was Pope created as their bookes haue it contrary to the Emperours assent by the Romane Nobility Citizens and Clergy as they call them For although the Emperours Deputies were in the City yet were they not called to the Election who taking it in ill and discontented part receiued their answer that it was not done in any contempt against the Emperour but in caution for future times lest that custome of expecting the Emperours Deputies at the Popes Creation should grow vp as necessary They report that with this answer they were not onely well pleased but also in reuereÌ„ce humbly saluted the Pope Now here we may see a certaine wonderfull varietie and inconstancy in their writings for if Lewis the I. granted them a free election as they boast and as it is mentioned a little about why did Lewis the II. his grand-child take this for an iniury offered him But howsoeuer the case stands the title of that decree which is in Gratians Centons is euidently false for it is attributed to Gregory the IIII. whereas hee departed his life twenty and two yeares before Adrian the II. was made Pope Did he write a history when hee was dead of those things which happened afterwards Nicholas the I. was the next before Adrian A very long Epistle of his to Michael Emperour of Greece concerning his power ouer all Churches is extant For Ignatius was remoued from his Bishopricke at Constantinople and Photius placed without the Bishop of Romes consent as also the Images were throwne downe He therefore with all the vehemency hee could exclaimes against this Many of his decrees also are extant full of Papall Maiestie Charles King of France as abouesaid notwithstanding his other elder brother Lewis the King of Germanies resistance marches in all hast into Italy and is consecrated by Iohn the eight Pope of Rome In his second expedition into Italy at the Popes request Charles the Bald 875. an 2. m. 2. for repression of the Sarazens who had againe inuaded Campania he dyed at c Poisoned by Zedechias a Iew. Mantua His son Lewis surnamed the Stammerer was his successour Lewis the Stammerer 877. an 2. m. 6. d. 5. Charles the Grosse 879. an 8. m. 7. but he raigned onely two yeares After him the gouernment of the Empire came to Charles the Grosse son of Lewis King of Germany who his two brothers being dead held all Germany Italy and France and chased out the Sarazens who infested Italy The Normans first comming into Normandy in France for a while also making war against the Normans a people of Lower Germanie then annoying Belgia at length granted them that part of France which to this day retaines their name Next after him Arnulphus his brothers sonne was Emperour Arnulphus 887. an 12. m. 1. d. 19. a worthy Prince He marching into Italy to set Pope Formosus at liberty from his aduersaries takes Rome and tooke reuenge vpon the Authors of that sedition In the time of his raigne the Hunnes being chased out of Scythia breake into Pannonia and marching into Germanie Lewis the III. Arnolphus his son being then Emperour got a notable victory not far from the Riuer Laech and then ouerran Bauaria Sueuia d In Germany betwixt Sueuia and Hassia Francia and Saxony with bloodshed robberies and fire Arnolplus Emperor a Councell of two and twenty Germane Bishops was held at Triburia sometimes a towne vpon the banke of the Riuer Maine where amongst many other one decree was That no man should sell a burying place for the dead and that no Layman as they call them should bee buried within the Church About this time a mighty vproare burst-forth throughout Italy For Berengarius and certaine other Nobles of Italy loaden with multiplicity of fauours from Charles the Bald conspired against France at what time Charles the Grosse raigned but their attempts there prouing frustrate they bend their minds for Italy which by long and mutuall conflict as it is common they harraze with mercilesse outrages At length the victorie falling to Berengarius hee got the Kingdome of Italie where after hee had taken Lewis the Emperour he put out his eyes as histories relate About this time also that no parcell of calamity might be wanting the Sarazens Africans and Hungars most outragiously ouerrunne Italy Thus whilst the state of most beautifull Religion vnder the Berengarians Hugo Rudolphus Lotharius Albertus and certaine others was so dolefull and miserable and Lewis the Emperor dying in the time of those broiles the Germanes but more especially the Saxons and Francons proclaime Otho Prince of the Saxons and Thuringes Emperour but hee strucken in yeares perswades them to take Conradus Duke of Franconia Conrade I. 911. an 7. m. 6. who being created Emperour ordered all affaires according to Othoes direction and soone after Othoes death when he himselfe was very dangerously sicke calling together his prime Nobility requested them to acknowledge Othoes son Henry then absent for Emperour This was that Henry vulgarly called Henry the e Because of his great delight in hawâ—ing Falconer Henry the Falconer 919. an 17. Thus wee see after what manner the Imperiall splendor and dignity fell from the French and Charles the Great his lineage to the house of Saxony These two Emperours Conradus and Henry were not consecrated as they call it by the Bishop of Rome and for that cause are left out by many moreouer it is written that this Henry neglected the Popes offered ceremony of consecration and that hee should say that hee was content with the acceptance and suffrages of good men Within a while after this Arnolphus the Euill Duke of Bauaria intended to bring about the sway of gouernment into his owne hands whereupon forces being mustered vp on both parts when both the Armies stood in battell ray at Ratisbon the Emperour calls him out to priuate parley putting him in mind how he was created Emperour by the most part of the people of Germany and dehorting him from ieoparding the liues of so many thousand men most whereof were innocent and ignorant of the cause of the warre changed his intention and so broke off the battell In like manner Burchardas Duke of Suenia rebelled but shaken with the Emperours puissance came to composition The Hungars againe spoile Saxony but after their chieftaine was taken make a nine yeares truce The
reproach of the Empire and decreed that in regard he had afflicted the Common-wealth with most grieuous calamities hee should bee depriued of his gouernement He brought into these straights beganne to deprecate and intreat by his Ambassadours when after much adoe this condition was proposed That he should stand to iudgement and subiect himselfe to the Popes cognizance whom they would send for to Auspurge against the first day of February That hee should procure his absolution within a yeere after the date of the excommunication wherein if he failed the whole cause should fall dismisse his forces In the mean time liue at Spire as a priuate man with a small traine not meddle in any publike affaires nor assume the k Bundles of rods vsed in antient time to be carried before the Roman Consuls fasces or Imperiall Ornaments till the controuersie were lawfully decided Hee accepts the conditions and whilest he liued at Spire bethought himselfe of going downe into Italie to worke his mature peace with the Pope Taking his iourney together with his wife and little sonne through Burgundie and Sauoy in a most sharpe winter not without extreame difficultie and danger of life at length arriues in Italie where he was kindely enterâ—ained by the Nobles and Bishops of that Country they thinking that he came thither incenst with anger against the Pope The Pope in the interim at the request of the Germane Princes began his iourney comming on some part till hee vnderstood of the Emperours arriuall Whereupon hee staies to acquaint himselfe with the state of the cause The Emperour forthwith sending a sumptuous Embassie wherein were some gallant Ladies amongst which one was accounted somewhat too obsequious to the Pope makes suite to the Pope for his absolution at first he seemed very loath and said hee could doe nothing therein except the accusers were present but after much adoe ouercommed at length with intreaties hee refused not Howbeit the Emperour before hee came into the Popes presence staied full three daies in the lower roomes court yard and without the gates where the Pope then was being clad in meane and simple apparrell without any regall ornaments bare foot and fasting from morne to night The fourth day hauing admittance the Pope propounds to him these conditions that hee should stand to his iudgement answer the Princes their accusation and if conuicted leaue his Empire and neuer afterwards attempt any reuenge in the meane time liue as a priuate man and not meddle in any publike affaires release his subiects from their loyaltie and oath remoue from him his Councellors and familiars in case hee shall doe any thing to the contrary that benefit now granted him to become void and the Princes to haue free libertie presently thereupon to choose them another When the Emperour had approoued of these conditions the Pope saies Masse and to purge himselfe from all pretended crime takes the vnleauened bread which they call the Lords Body inuocating fearefull execrations vpon his owne head and estate if all these troubles were not wrought by his aduersaries and then he exhorts the Emperour if he thought the crimes obiected against him by the Princes were false or any iniury offered him to doe the like and take the other part of the consecrated bread but hee excused himselfe shewing that hee could not conueniently doe it and the Pope vrged him no further but entertained him with a banquet and so courteously dismist him The Nobles of Italie vnderstanding of those proceedings were vehemently vext that hee should submit himselfe so basely and ignobly to him who by most lewd practices had set vpoÌ„ the Papacie who had polluted all places with bloodshed and adultery In him being the Patron of Iustice the Altar and Bulwarke of lawes they had grounded all their hopes and had not onely contemned the excommunication but also for his sake affronted the Pope in bitter enmitie and now for him by this directly the most dishonourable of examples to brand the Empire to all posterity with this so deepe and indelible infamie and come in fauour againe with him the publike enemie both to Church Common-wealth Thus and much more after this manner they chafed and were minded to elect the Emperours little sonne carry him to Rome and depose the Pope The Emperour herewith acquainted saw no meanes likelier to pacifie them then by fleeing from the league and ioyning with them which fact quite confounded the Popes plots insomuch as hee was inforced to breake off his intended iourney into Germanie And which was next to be done by his Legates signifies to the Princes of Germanie how matters stood and withal exhorts them to haue a care of the Common-wealth This was in the yeere 1077. They therefore create Rudolphus Duke of Sueuia Emperour whom the Archbishop of Mentz consecrates But Henry returning into Germanie musters vp forces Rudolphus doth the like who chiefly relied vpon and from the Saxons but in the third conflict receiuing a deadly l His right hand was strucke off in battell and being brought to him lying vpon his death bed he cried out saying This is the hand wherwith J confirmed my promised loyaltie to the Emperour c. wound departed his life Presently after this victory the Emperour cals a Diet at Brescia there a decree passed by the Bishops then present as well Italians as Germanes that Gregory was not lawful Bishop of Rome whereupon Victor the II. Archbishop of Rauenna was appointed in his place vpon this decree the Emperour hastens to Rome besieges Gregory who at length escapes by flight and then confirmes Victor the II. by whom he is consecrated Gregory the next Pope after him dying Vrbane the II. at Gergoie a towne of the Aruernes vulgarly called Claremont where there was a meeting of many Princes perswades Philip of that name the first then King of France to the Sarazen warre of which afterwards Godfrey Duke of Bulloigne went Leader who had much happy successe and recouered Ierusalem Paschal the II. Vrbans successor was troublesome also to the Emperour who for that cause intending to goe downe into Italie first assignes his sonne for his successor But he prickt forward by others and forgetting that dutie ingrafted in vs by nature droue his Father into extreame distresse hauing the Pope and very many Princes of Germanie his Complices both in councell and in the fact And hereupon hee was created Emperour of that name the V. his Father afterwards dying miserably at Leige Henry the V. 1106. an 18. m. 8. d. 16. Some few yeeres after hee marches into Italie with a great Armie to make an end of the controuersie betwixt the Common-wealth of the Empire and the Papacie and hewing out his way with his sword at length arriues at Rome Now from Constantines time the Emperours had the collation of Ecclesiasticall honours and dignities but the Popes growne more wealthie at length greatly repined hereat as a thing vnmeet and from this fountaine issued almost all
the iarres betwixt them Now this Emperour standing vpon his owne right and power a great tumult arose at Rome in so much as the Emperour raised vp in the night was constrained to aide his owne men who fell by the sword all the Citie ouer But these factious persons once supprest he takes Paschal the II. and dismist him not till he had giuen him satisfaction by entring into a league but after the Emperour was returned into Germanie the Pope flies off from the league Henry the V. excommunicated by Paschal the II. 1115. whereto he had sworn in most sacred words and excommunicates the Emperour which stirred vp many of the Germane Princes to rebellion and amongst the rest more especially the Archbishop of Mentz The Emperour marching downe into Italie sends his Ambassadours to the Pope about a peace But whilest the matter was in hand the Pope dies To him Gelasius the II. succeedes The Emperour for that he was not called to the election marches to Rome and sets vp another Gelasius thus deposed excommunicates both him as also the Pope by him constituted and the Emperour in regard the Popes Legates solicited the Germanes to reuolt was constrained to retire home But Gelasius dying in the interim the Romans choose Calixtus the II. Hee thrust him out of his place whom the Emperor in hatred to Gelasius had created and after much interession compounds with the Emperour To Henry the V. Lotharius Lotharus II. 1125. an 13. d. 18. of the house of Saxony of that name the II. succeeded Him Conradus Duke of Sueuia opposed storming that the sway of gouernment was falne againe into the Saxons hands who marching into Italy to settle himselfe in that Kingdome whilst Lotharius in the interim held Germany fast destitute of aide returned home and made his peace with the Emperour Innocent the II. was then Pope of Rome Him Anacletus resisted to whom because he was descended from noble parentage Innocent was forced to yeeld but imploring the Emperors ayde was restored The Emperour returnes into Germany where hauing seâ—led the affaires hee marches downe againe into Italy with a mighty Army subdues some Cities then in rebellion and amongst the rest Ancona and Spoleti chased Roger King of Sicilie out of Apulia and Campania and as fame speakes of him scarce any Emperor since Charles the Great archieued more worthy exploits throughout Italy It is written that then also the ciuill law which as we mentioned was collected by Iustinian the Emperors command hauing been borne downe by stormes of warre was brought to light againe Conradus D. of Suenia succeeded him Conradus III. 1139. an 12. m. 10. d. 15. at what time Henry sirnamed the Proud was Duke of Bauaria and by mariage with the Emperour Lotharius his daughter Duke of Saxony also who affecting the Empire and plotting much mischiefe against the Emperour was proscribed and his lands giuen to others But Duke Henry hauing recouered Saxony as hee was marching into Bavaria dyed leauing behind him his sonne in fauour of whom the Saxons rose vp in rebellion against the Emperour and not so onely but Welpho also brother to the deceased Duke Henry by force of Arms challenged Bauaria excluding Ludolphus vpoÌ„ whom the Emperour had conferred that Prouince A little aboue wee mentioned how the Emperour expelled Roger King of Sicilie but whilst Germanie was thus turmoiled King Roger laying hold on the opportunity inuades Sicilie and chases out the Emperours Deputie and then spurres on Welpho with large promises to proceed and hold the Emperour in play The King of Hungarie too tooke the same course who also stood in feare of the Emperour At length the Emperour marching out against the Sarazens lost his army and returnes home from whence intending to goe downe into Italy hauing all in readinesse dyed at Bamberg m Commonly called Barbarossa Frederick Barbarossa 1152. an 38. m. 3. d. 7 Frederick Aenobarb or Red-beard Duke of Sueiua of that name the first succeeded him a man of heroicke spirit He in the beginning of his raigne made a peace among the Princes of Germanie and ended the controuersie about Saxony and Bauaria afterwards with a maine Army marches downe into Italy sets a mulct vpon the Veronesses who had contemned him and for example sake hangs some of the chiefe vpon gallowes He commanded a Court of Guard to bee kept about him neare Placentia by all the Leige-Princes of the Empire besieges Millaine rases Asta and layes Deitona leuell with the ground Going to Rome is consecrated by Adrian the IIII. suppresses the rebellious Citizens subuerts Spoleti and made a great slaughter subdues the Lombards and hauing broken the snares laid for him by the Veronesses returnes into Germany inflict an ignominious mulct vpon the Prince Palatine who in his abscence had raised some commotions The beginning of the Kingdome of Bohemia about 1â—00 and after that he made the Duke of Bohemia King In the meane space the Millanois practised many insolent outrages against their neighbours and againe reared vp Deitona demollshed by the Emperour whereupon hee returning with a strong army sacks Millaine by the ayde of the Cremonesses Pauians and Nouarians The City thus taken the multitude at the Princes of Germanie their intercession to whom they had petitioned was spared All Lombardy was reduced into his subiection from hence hauing setled the City with Lawes hee remoues to other people thereabouts After his returne they rebell contemne the Lawes by him established and demolish the Forts by him raised whereupon againe marching thither he harrazes the whole Country and rases all places within their Dominions In the meane space mortall conspiracies were in hatching against him all Italy ouer in which Pope Adrian before-mentioned was one who as soone as hee had absolutely resolued to excommunicate him a Drinking of water wherein a flie were drowned dyed The Emperour marching into Italy the third time vtterly euerts Millaine puts the Author of the rebellion to death and compells the rest of the multitude to goe into exile then besieging the City of Rome lost a great part of his Army by contagious sicknes For that cause raising his siege and placing garisons throughout Hetruria setting ouer at Spoleti Ancona and Rauenna such as hee pleased should gouerne the Common-wealth he returnes into Germany Pope Adrian dying two contend for the Papacy Victor and Alexander the III. the Emperour being absent who indeed enclined more to Victor but Alexander first excommunicates his Competitour and afterwards the dissention increasing the b Afterwards wheÌ„ the Emperour came to him to Venice for his absolution the Pope trode vpon his necke and caused that place in the Psalmist to bee sung Thou shalt tread vpon the Aspe and Basilisk c. The Emperour exclaiming that he did not this honour to him but to S. Peter the Pope replied To me and to Peter too Emperour also The Millanois perceiuing this occasion breake into rebellion and in many places in Italy
The Parthians broke into Syria and seized vpon Armenia putting their King Tyridates to flight And such was the insolencie of the Seythians that they threatned Italie also and were likely to haue done much mischiefe had not Aemilianus Gouernour of Moesia vpon the coast of Sarmatia encouraging his soldiers with faire promises and hope of rewards giuen them an ouerthrow and pursuing them very farre Aemilianus 252. m. 4. tooke from them their owne Territories for this cause the soldiers proclaime him Emperour and Gallus vpon notice hereof marching forth to resist them was slaine together with his sonne Volusianus his Collegue in the Empire In this age flourished Cyprian Bishop of Carthage certaine of whose Epistles to Lucius Bishop of Rome whom hee calls his brother and collegue are amongst diuers others yet extant and many more of his to Cornelius where amongst other matters hee complaines of those who being for their offences condemned by the Bishops of Affrica and degraded from their Priesthood had appealed to Rome for it is fit saith hee that where the crime is committed there the cause should bee discussed Sithence euery Pastor hath a certaine portion of a flocke committed to his charge whereof he must render an account to the Lord therefore the concord of Bishops is not to bee abrogated Valerianus 252. An. 7. nor their decree to be annihilated who had alreadie giuen sentence in the cause in Affrica In the meane space another armie lying in the Alpes creates Valerianus Emperour a man of Noble parentage which when it came to the cares of Aemilians soldiers they to shake off all danger from themselues kill their owne Emperour and flie to Valerianus his partie This Aemilianus when hee was made Emperour sent his letters to the Senate wherein hee promised to deliuer Thracia and Mesopotamia from the enemy to recouer Armenia and on euery side to repel the enemies of the Roman State Valerianus making warre against the Persians was by fault of one of his Captaines taken prisoner by Sapor King of Persia whom the neighbouring Princes and confederate Nations counselled but all in vaine to haue dismissed For it was the destinie of the Romans to grow more valiant in resistance after they were conquered Valerianus thus taken prisoner Gallienus 295. An. 8. his sonne Gallienus succeeded He wholly gaue himselfe to his pleasures neglecting the Common-wealth insomuch as the armies which lay dispersed in the Prouinces elected euery one a new Emperour as in Gallia Spaine the Pannonia's Illyricum Egypt Affrica and the rest but partly by him partly by ciuill dissentions amongst themselues all those were ouerthrown In his raigne the Gothes seize vpon Thracia forrage Macedonia and besiege Thessalonica the Scythians inuade Bythinia Cappadocia and Asia and striking through the n Which parteth Europe and Asia Euxine sea into o A Riuer in Jllyricum which begins in Germany and is there called Danubius or Danow Isther offer hostilitie against the free-borroughs of the Romans but so excessiue was his rechlesnesse then when these newes of the Prouinces reuolt and publike calamitie came to his eares his reply was in derision and scorne as though all this could not hinder the subsistance of the Common-wealth or the preseruation of the dignitie thereof or the state thereof bee any whit impaired thereby Thus by this dishonourable course of life growne into contempt as well at home as abroad hee got himselfe many enemies in the Common-wealth the Scythians and Gothes mixt together with other Nations being about 320000. strong were then vp in armes and had conspired the destruction of the Romans Flauius Claudius 167. An. 1. m. 9. Aurelianus 269. An. 6. but Flauius Claudius who succeeded after Gallienus was slaine with much adoe vanquished all those in Moesia and other places Hee was a man of great prowesse and worthie of a longer life After Claudius followed Aurelianus because his worth was eminent hauing made euident proofe thereof in Claudius his raigne against the enemie in many places He made warres in Insubria and with the Marcomannes at the beginning indeed with much hazard and ieopardie but at length after the Sibylla's bookes by his command were perused and the Senate had purged Religion with happy successe After his returne from thence to Rome where hee inflicted a penaltie vpon those who in his absence had raised an insurrection he made warre for recouerie of those Prouinces which lay eastward and in Syria which Zenobia held a puissant and magnanimous Queene and her owne childrens Tutrix being left to her by her husband Odeuatus who in Gallienus his time behaued himselfe very couragiously and stoutly in those parts Wheresoeuer this Emperour set his foot there he ouerthrew the enemies of the Romans as in Illyricum Thracia and the rest and at length arriuing in the p Syria enemies country after no lesse doubtfull then dangerous battell ouerthrew and tooke the q Zenobia Queen who relying vpon the Armenian and Persian auxiliars most valiantly resisted him The chiefe Citie in that Country which he subdued was Palmyra the Citizens whereof vpon the Emperours returne out of Asia into Europe rebelled killing their Gouernour and maintaining a Garrison for their defence But the Emperour making another expedition thither demolished the conquered Citie put all to the sword not sparing any age or sexe After this he recouered Egypt which then had reuolted and of a new reduced the Gallia's into the Roman subiection Then hee triumphed at Rome and from thence marching through Illyricum proclaimed warre against the Persians but in his iourney was slaine by his owne familiar friends After his death there was a * Jnterregnum vacancie for a r For sixe moneths Tacitus 275 m. 6. space which had neuer happened before since Romulus his decease At length Tacitus succeeded who continuing Emperour but a few moneths atchieued no memorable exploit him the Senate requested that he would not ordain his children his successors after him in the Empire Florianus m. 2. Probus 276 an 6. m. 4. but some man of approued worth and integritie which was Probus who being confirmed as well by the Legions as the Senate recouered Gallia and in diuers battels ouerthrew the Å¿ Inhabiting Franconia now called Frankenlandt French a people of Germanie who had gotten possession thereof He vanquished the Sarmatians and other Nations in Illyricum and coasting through Thracia with the very terrour of the name of the Romans and the greatnesse of his noble exploits obliged the barbarous people to his subiection In Asia hee setled a peace and the fame onely of his name made the Parthian King sue for peace Hee concluded a peace with the Persians and from thence returned into Thracia and transplanted those forraigne nations whom he had subdued into the Roman territories some whereof continued in subiection but others contrariwise notwithstanding afterwards hee vanquished all or the greatest part of them and hauing composed the rebellions in Gallia Hispaine and
Britaine in his iourney through Illyricum towards his intended warre against the Persians was trecherously slaine by his owne soldiers At this time the Common-wealth flourished peace being setled in all nations on euery side farre and neere in so much as Probus would sometimes say that the world would come to that passe shortly that there would be no need of Legions and garrisons but the souldiers offended at this his speech thought it best to cut him off After him followed Carus Carus 282. An. 1. and some moneths together with his sonnes Corinus Numerianus hee subdued the Sarneatians who now after Probus his death were growne more insolent and menaced euen Italie it selfe then making an expedition against the Persians tooke Mesopotamia and marching on further died His yonger sonne Numerianus serued in the warres with him his other sonne Carinus hee had set ouer the Gallia's Numerianus was slaine by his t Arius Aper Diocletian 284. an 20. wiues father and in his place came Diocletian with whom Carinus had diuers conflicts about obtaining the Empire but was ouerthrowne and slaine Diocletian in regard of the troubles and seditions in many places kindling tooke to him for his Collegue Maximianus He quiered the country of Gallia then in commotion as also Affrica and Diocletian Egypt putting the Authors of these broiles to death He recouered Britaina also in the tenth yeer after the reuolt and to the end that the state of the Common-wealth might be more firme and to auoid new commotions about succession hee adopted Galerius and Maximianus Constantius Chlorius Galerius being sent by Diocletian against Narses King of the Parthians had ill fortune in that warre losing the major part of his armie but afterwards commanded to renew the warre he ouerthrew the enemie in maine battell and marching on further in those places then any other Emperour except Trajan tooke Ctesiphon subdued all Assyria and recouered the fiue Prouinces lying beyond the riuer u Running through Armenia Tigris which had reuolted in Trajan the Emperours time Diocletian hauing setled the affaires of Asia returned into Europe where the Scythians Sarmatians * Almaines lying betwixt the Alpes and Ments as Carion supposes Alans x People of Sarmatia Bastarnans y â—welling about the Riuer Carpis in Scythia Constantius Galerius 304. an 2 m 3. an 7. m. 5. Carpies Chatties and Quadies were then all in peace Afterwards both hee as also Maximianus resigning their Soueraigntie inuest their Collegues before mentioned with the title of Emperours Constantius of the Gallia's Britaine the Hispaines Italie and Affrica and Galerius of Illyricum Greece and Asia Marcellus was then Bishop of Rome whose decree is extant prohibiting Bishops from calling a Synode without the authority of the Sea of Rome as also to condemne any Bishop who should appeale to Rome But Maxentius the Emperour persecuting him his estate as others before him was both meane and miserable Whereupon it may easily bee coniectured whether or no he in those perplexities and lurking corners could take so much vpon him as to establish such manner of decrees At length Constantius dying at Yorke Galerius adopted Severus and Maximianus In the meane space the Preterian souldiers at Rome elect Maxentius their Emperour After Seuerus was slaine Maximianus made choice of Licinius for his Collegue in the Empire Among those arose great troubles whereupon the Nobles of Rome call home Constantine Constantius his sonne then imploied in the Gallia's to rescue their Citie from the tyranny of Maxentius Constantine the Great 306. an 30. m. 9. d. 27. Hee marching forward into Italie with part of his armie in pitcht field got the victorie and afterwards quite defeated Maxentius his forces at the Citie of Rome After this hee fought against Licinius who being ouerthrowne in battell and almost growne into hatred with all men was at length slaine by his own souldiers Many write that the cause of this warre was for that Licinius did bitterly persecute the professors of Christianitie although he had been very often intreated and admonished to the contrary by Constantine For from the time of the resurrection of Christ vntill this age almost three hundred yeeres the professors of Christ were diuersly punished omitting those whereof the Scripture makes mention as of z Acts 7. Stephen a Acts 11. Iames the brother of Iohn b Acts 9. Peters imprisonment and inlargement by the Angel passing ouer in silence Paul likewise who grieuously persecuted the Church of God but after his conuersion escaped no kinde of punishment for Christs cause the Roman Emperours also as Nero Domitian Trajan Septimius Seuerus Decius Valerian Aurelian Diocletian and Maximian committed most horrible and outragious masfacres But Constantine comming to the Empire and imbracing the true Religion affoorded harbour and refuge to the Christians Then first of all beganne the Bishops of Rome to liue in safeâ—ie for till then almost all of them who from Peter whom they will haue to be their first are reckoned to thirty three were tormented with persecutions Their decrees are inserted in the bookes of the Councels but the greatest part of them are so sleight triuiall quite different from the sacred Scriptures as makes it credible that they were a long time after forged by some others But if they bee true and proceeded from them then indeed that which Paul by prophesie foretold 2 Thes 2. seemes most rightly to bee applied to this place that then that sonne of perdition and man of sinne beganne to worke the mysterie of iniquity That decree yet extant goes vnder Anacletus his name the fourth from Peter as they reckon wherein he ordaineth the Church of Rome to be by Christs command and institution the head of other Churches To Alexander the next after him is that decree attributed where he commands that the water should be consecrated with salt to purge the people and to auoid the snares of the Deuill But iudge I pray you how far those differ from that Maiestie of the Apostles how farre from the writings of S. c S. Ierom writes that he dyed in the 68 yere after the passion Suidas says that he liued 120 yeares Iohn the Euangelist who almost liued till this very time I haue onely set downe these two decrees that by them wee may iudge of the rest for they are almost of the same molde and cary open colour of ambition and not onely the speech wants the grace but also the matter it selfe hath no salt in it Colos 4. both which Paul requires in the Ministers of the Church And to this place also appertaines that decree of Constantine the Emperor which they haue inserted into their books for the foundation and bulwarke of their power For the cause and occasion of his excessiue d In conferring as they imagine the City of Rome the Empire of the West c. vpon he Popes liberality which is there set downe may out of history be disproued
the Bishops of the East are yet extant in which he often presses it that to Him alone as Bishop saith he of the chiefe See by a certaine singular priuiledge and diuine ordinance belongeth the right of conuocating Generall Councells But it may seeme wonderfull with what face hee could write thus or they so boast of it when as before him Constantinâ— had cal'd the Councell of Nice and after him a hundred yeares full Martianus the Emperor called the Councell of Chalcedon To Him also alone as Primate of that City saith hee appertaines the cognizance of Episcopall causes and other matters of that kinde of more weighty importance This his arrogancy the Bishops could not endure But assembling at Antiech boldly reply That it was not fit that the sentence by them passed should bee repealed by him for that they were possessed of the same degree of dignity whereof hee was and the doctrine of Christ came from their Countries to Rome * Tandem at the second hand by the paines and ministery of the Apostles Wherefore in case he should proceed and make new decrees they would not obey them neither haue communion with him but would take such a course as the matter it selfe should require And in another Councell in the same City of greater concourse then the former amongst other decrees They limit the office of a Bishop as also of a Metropolitane about discussing matters of more weighty importance For they decreed that in case the Bishops concurre not the Metropalitane of the next adioyning prouince shall delegate certaine Iudges to determine the cause But if any Bishop bee condemned for an offence by common decree of the rest of the Bishops they ordaine that their sentence shall stand firme and not bee repealed by another They further establish that the Bishop shall faithfully dispence the * Bona sacra goods of the Church and distribute them to the vse of the poore and that hee himselfe if need require may take from thence as much as shall bee necessary for naturall sustentation For St. Paul saith 1 Tim. 6.8 We ought to bee content with food and â—raiment Which goods if the Bishop say they shall perchance conuert into his owne or his friends priuate commodity or commit the administration thereof to his kindred he is to be restrained by a Councell At length Ioninianus the enemy being at his backe concluded a dishonourable peace redeliuering those fiue Prouinces beyond Tigris wonne by Galerius as aboue mentioned as also part of Mesopotamia and afterwards couenanted that the Romanes should lend no ayde to the King of Armenia their friend and confederate Marching forth with his Army as hee was returning home dyed vpon the borders of Bythinia The soldiers forthwith create Valentinianus Emperour who soone after his comming to Constantinople Valentinianus 364. An. 11. m. 8. d. 32. together with his brother Valens tooke his brother Valens to be his Collegue in the Empire and commending those m Of the East Countries to his care marched into Germanie where hee subdued the Saxons bordering vpon the Ocean and soone after he had beene in Gallia n In Pannonia falling into a feuer by an excessiue straining of his voice in an angry reply against some offenders dyed as it is written vpon a vehement passion of anger By this time his brother Valens was arriued in Asia to represse the Parthians forraging the Country of Armenia and the King of Persia who breaking the league was falne into open hostility But after the Hunnes or Tartars and Scythians had ouer-runne Pannonia Epirus and Thessaly he returnes into Europe where in pitcht battell being ouerthrowne and as he fled wounded and carried into a little cottage which the Enemy setting on fire hee there dyed That Edict of Valentinianus the Emperor and of Valens is yet extant wherein it is prouided That those who betake themselues to a monasticall life and solitarinesse and in that regard escape warfare and publike impositions shall bee drawne out of their cells and either serue for their Country or else forfeit all those benefits afterwards conferred vpon them that vndergoe both paines and perill for the Common-wealth The Enemies not long after appeased by the Emperours gift and mony departed from Constantinople which they then besiged Saxony being at peace Valentinian the Emperour chose his sonne Gratianus for his Collegue Gratian 375. an 7. m. 9. d 9. With his son Valenâ—iâ—tan the Iâ— who after his father and vncle Valens their decease succeeded them both both But he the Common-wealth being tossed with diuers billowes of troubles assumed Theodosius a worthy Commander in warre and sent him into the Easterne Countries There at Constantinople he vaÌ„quished the Huns and Gothes and chased them out of the Coasts of Thrace After this Gratianus was treacherously slaine in Gallia by Maximus one of his Coronels who affected the Empire Ausonius of Burdeaux certaine of whose Poems are yetextaÌ„t was his Tutor for literature whom afterwards he aduanced to the dignity of a Consull His son Valentinianus also died in manner of the same death by the treachery of his familiar friend Arbogastus But the murtherers escapt not scot-free for both of them were slaine by Theodosius the Emperour Maximus was taken and put to death at Aquileia and the other acted that part himselfe Those Tyrants thus cut off Theodosius 378. an 16. d. 12. Theodosius possest of the Empire ordaines his two sons Honorius and Arcadius his Collegues to whom by reason of their nonage hee appointed Protectors or as it were Gouernors to Arcadius he assigned Ruffinus and to Honorius Siilico sand not long after departed hi life The second Councell of Constantinople An. 381. By his command a Councell was held at Constantinople wherein the heresie of Macedonius who derogated from the Diuinity of the holy Ghost was condemned The Fathers there assembled being as it is recorded 150 in number ordained Bishops both there as also at Antiochia which they stile the elder and truely Catholike Church at Ierusalem which they call the Mother of all Churches They transmitted those their proceedings to Darsasus Bishop of Rome who endeauoured to call them to Rome Saint Hierom when he was yong was familiar with this Damasus Hee was the Author of that memorable saying Wheresoeuer the Bishop is be it at Rome EngubiuÌ„ Constantinople Rhegium or Alexandria he is of the same demerit and Priesthood Theodosius hath the fame for a very godly Prince who being reprehended by St. Ambrose Bishop of Millane and prohibited entrance into the church tooke it patiently Arcadius gouerned in the East at Constantinople Arcad us 395 aâ— 13. m. 3 d. 15. Together with Honorius who raigned about 15. yeares after the death of Arcadius and Honorius at Rome But Ruffinus with intent to translate the Empire to himself vnderhand incited the King of the Gothes to make warre against Arcadius whose treachery being disclosed he was slaine by the souldiers
king of the Gothes wholly bent himselfe to the warre Athila neuerthelesse proceeds and in the Downes of Chaalons which part of France in regard of the plaines is Champaigne was this most dismall battell fought in which as it is recorded 180000. men were slaine And Athila losing the day determined to kill himselfe lest he should fall aliue into the hands of his enemies Howbeit king Theodoricus his sonne following Aetius the Lieutenants counsaile returned home with his forces to succeed his deceased Father whereby Athila getting time to recollect himselfe retires into Pannonia and leaying new forces marches full swoln with reuenge into Italiâ— where at length winning the Citie of Aquilleia first wearied out with a long-continuing siege sackt and burnt it Then forthwith he takes Concordia Padua Vicentia Verona Brescia Bergamo Millaine and Pauie and so pillaging vp and downe o Romandiola Flaminia incamped at the meeting of the Riuer of Mencius and Po where deliberating about his passage to Rome with his Armie Leo the first of that name Bishop of Rome comes to him and so farre preuailed that altering his intent he not onely surceased his expedition to Rome but also quite remouing out of Italie returned into Pannonia where within a while after he ended his daies This was that Leo many of whose Epistles to Theodosius the second and Martianus the Emperour are extant wherein he partly apologizes for his absence from the Councels by them conuocated and intreats them not to bee offended for sending thither of his Legates and partly also requests that they would designe some place in Italie rather then in Asia for the celebrating of Councels but he obtained nothing Whilest Athila thus raged vp and downe Italie the Citie of Venice was builded Venice begunne to be built An. 430. when many of the abler sort leauing the adioyning places betooke themselues to those sea-sands little Islelands and hillockes as into some harbour Thus meane and in a manner desperate and miserable was the beginning of this Citie which now as we see is growne to a wonderfull greatnesse They reckon 805. Dukes till this time the first whereof was p Some Authors call him Paulutius Anafestus and write of his beginning in Anno Dom. 697. and after their Citie built 282. Paulus Anazatus in the yeere of grace 706. being 252. yeeres after the beginning of the building of their Citie Afterwards when Valentinianus was slaine Gensericus King of the Vandals sailing ouer with a Nauie from Affrica into Italie marches with an exceeding great armie being aided by the Moores towards Rome and takes the Citie in a manner left quite desolate but at the earnest request of Leo the Bishop who also as aforesaid appeased Athila hee forbore fire and sword The Citie-sackt captiues were transported to Carthage in great troopes The enemies after this infest Campania with grieuous outrages rase Capua Nola Naples and other Cities those who suruiue the sword they condemne to the irons and growne rich with the wealth of Italie returne into Affrica Martianus Emperour of the East a Prince of a calme nature inioyed peace hee was wont to say That it was not sitting for a Prince to take armes as long as he might liue in peace In his raigne The fourth Councell at Chalcedon in Bythinia and by his command a very great Councell was assembled at Chalcedon wherein Eutyches who confounded the two natures in Christ was condemned There amongst the rest it was decreed that no Clerke as they call them should bee admitted to the Churches of two Cities Pluralitie of liuings as wee tearme it was not then heard of which now is growne so ordinarie as nothing is more common And almost within our memorie that custome crept in amongst other blemishes of the Church that the Pope may conferre two Bishoprickes vpon one man If now therefore he would restore the custome in this behalfe which was held in the next precedent age hee should doe his dutie but seeing that cannot be can we suppose it euer to be granted that matters shall be amended according to the holy Scriptures and decrees of the Apostles and primitiue times No they toile in vaine that ballance the deedes of the Popes with the rules of ancient Religion Martianus dying in the seuenth yeere of his Empire Leo 457. an 17. Leo succeeded him and Auitus when Gensericus after the taking of Rome was returned into Affrica succeeded Valentinianus at Rome and in the West next to him Majoranus then Seuerus and after him Anthemius after those followed others but nothing eminent who perished in their mutuall massacres and treacheries and raigned but a while insomuch that now the other part of the Roman Empire in the West stood in great danger Nothing memorable is recorded of Leo the Emperour but that he entred into amitie and league with the Gothes then wasting Illyricum and an Epistle or two of Leo the Bishop of Romes to him Zeno 474. an 17. m. 2. d. 7. are extant Zeno q Called Isauricus because he was borne in Isaurica in Cicilia Isauricus was his successor Among stthose also who ruled in Rome after Valentinianus his death Augustulus was one in whose raigne Odoacer with a maine armie of Herulians and Syrians out of Pannonia inuades Italie takes Orestes a Nobleman of Rome who was fled to Pauie with his forces puts him to death sackes and burnes the Citie and marching on takes in the whole Country as far as Rome Augustulus deiected in minde voluntarily resignes his Empire Odoacer enters the Citie and obtaining the kingdome of Italie gouerned without resistance fourteene yeeres But at length Theodorieus King of the East-Gothes sent by Zeno the Emperour marching from Constantinople ouerthrew the r Part of the Gothes Gepides and Bulgarians opposing him and so making his way through Mysia and Pannonia arriues in Italie and incampes himselfe not farre from Aquileta whither Odoacer afterwards repairing a sharpe battell insued Odoacer losing the day fled but recollecting his forces ioynes battell on fresh and is againe ouerthrown most part of his armie lost some whereof perished in battell others in Å¿ A Riuer running through Verona Athesis Hee flies amaine towards Rome where shut out he spoiles the Country about and comes to Rauenna there at length after three yeeres siege vpon the Cities yeelding she was taken and put to death Odoacer thus cut off Theodoricus became Lord of Italie marches to Rome where hee assembled two Councels of Bishops whom hee called together out of sundry Prouinces of Italie to sit vpon t Pope of Rome Symmachus his cause whom the greatest part refused as one vnworthy and falsly created This Theodoricus was an Arian as the Papall bookes haue it His sirname was u Because of his victory at Verona Veronensis and was descended from that Theodoricus abouementioned who was slaine in the battell against Athila King of the Hunnes Odoacer was a * Of Rugerland in Pomerania Rugian a people
Rhyne and entred the Gallia's there to seat themselues in regard of the goodnesse of the soile For the Teuthons broke into the Prouince of Gallia and were put to flight by Caius Marius the Consull Afterwards the Aruernes and Heduies quarrelling about principality the Germanes hired with pay from the Aruernes and Sequans marched thither at first indeed but with indifferent forces but increasing by degrees in Arcouistus their Kings raigne possessed a good part of the country but them Caius Caesar ouerthrew it battell and some yeeres after when he made warre against the k Inhabiting Lâ—ke beâ—ond Brabant Eburons a people of Gallia Belgica the Germanes againe march ouer the Rhyne with intent to beat backe the Roman Armie but were by him discomfiâ—ed at the meeting of the Riâ—er Maze and the Rhyne Many yeers following they contained themselues within their owne bounds because the Roman Emperours held them in play by warres yet as oft as they could lay hold on fitting opportunity slackt not their owne commoditie but continually wasted Gallia After this manner Gallienus being Emperour one no lesse carelesse then voluptuous they made an inroade and by little and little sprung vp to that potencie that the Emperour Probus had much adoe to repell them Iulianus also Constantius his Lieutenant made warre against them Afterwards when Honorius was Emperour the Gothes broke into Gallia to whom the Emperour detained by sundry warres granted the Country of Aquitania to inhabite On the other side the l Of Frankenlandt then Franconia in Germany French-Germanes making their way through m Holland Belgia vanquishing the n In and about Triers Treuires o Of Iuliers or Gulicke Menapians Eburons p Part in Flanders part in Picardie Morines q Of Turnay Neruians r of Picardy The beginning of the French Kingdome in Gallia about 421. Amtians Å¿ of Picardy The beginning of the French Kingdome in Gallia about 421. Bellouacans t of Picardy The beginning of the French Kingdome in Gallia about 421. Soissons seated themselues in that part of Gallia which retaines their name and is called France in which Country Paris is the chiefe Citie and not farre from thence stands San-Denis afterwards consecrated for the Sepulture of the Kings of France to this day After this manner inlarged hauing formerly possession of a good part of Germany euen all the Country betwixt the Riuer Maine and the Rhyne they easily repelled not onely offred hostilitie but also made warre vpon others Besides the Roman Empire in Asia and Affrica daily more and more sliding away and the Lombards wasting Italy they almost extended their dominions quite through Gallia and after many of their Kings had raigned there in successiue course at length the Crowne came to Pipin also and to his sonne Charles Charles Martel Pipins Father who was not king himselfe but onely one of the Nobles and Gouernour of the Pallace or as they are commonly called Majors of the house vanquished the Bauarians and Sueuians For as the writers of the French Annals deliuer it the Kings there for some yeers together had nothing at all besides their title the principalitie of gouernement belonging to the Gouernour of the Kings house For those Kings degenerated from the worth of their Predecessors and gaue themselues ouer to pleasure reiecting the care of the Common-wealth whereupon the Gouernour of the Pallace bore all sway and by how much greater the kings negligence was so much more hee augmented his authoritie At length vpon this occasion Pipin who was Gouernour in Childrickes raigne when the cause as they say came to canuasing before Pope Zacharie got the Kingdome Hereof is mention made in that decree which they name Gratians to wit that it is lawfull for the Pope to depriue Kings of their principalitie but the title and inscription of that place is false seeing there were two Anastatio'â— Emperours and it cannot be referred to either of them for the former raigned about 200. and the other 37. yeeres before this happened as also there was no Pope Gelasius in the later Emperors time I thought good to adde this for the Readers aduertizement that they may wisely and warily peruse the Papall records for it is not one place alone which discouers this to be their prime practice so to fasten an opinion of antiquitie vpon their lawes that they may carry the more weight and authority Pipin besides his repression of the Lombards in Italie at the Popes request as before mentioned commenced war also against the Saxons and afterwards against the Aquitanians whose Chieferaine he tooke and put to death not long after departing his life they forthwith rebelled and King Charles his sonne with much difficultie and infinite toile at length made an end of that double warre For he was in armes against the Saxons full thirty three yeeres during which warre hee made other also Bauaria likewise with their Chiefetaine Tassilo hee brought vnder his subiection and in two expeditions against the Lombards marching into Campania subdued all Italie and setled it with lawes and reduced into subiection those Cities of Gallia lying vpon the Ocean which Caius Caesar cals Armorica but now goe vnder the name of little Brittaine which refused any longer to pay yeerely tribute to the Kings of France In Hispaine also whither hee made an expedition with an Armie against the Saracens victorie attended him but in his returne vpon the Pyrene Mountaines by a stratagem receiued a fore ouerthrow from the u Of Gascoigne Vascones a people of Aquitane notwithstanding at last after eight yeeres warre hee ouerthrew the Hunnes then in possession of Pannonia and likewise by his Lieutenants composed Bohemia And his last warre was against the Danes or * For the Normans originally inhabited Norway Normans then with a great Nauie forraging the maritime coasts of Germanie and France By the atchieuement of those so famous exploits he gained his sirname the Great For whereas before him the French Kings onely held that part of Germanie lying betwixt Saxonie and the Riuer Danow and betwixt the Rhyne and the Riuer Sala to this he added Sueuia and Baâ—arta all Saxonie afterwards both the Pannonia's Dacia Istria Ireland and the midland Country of Dalmatia whereas also the French Kings had onely that part of Gallia lying betwixt the Rhyne and the Riuer Loire betwixt the Ocean and the x Against the Ilands oâ— Maiorqâ—e and Minuerque Balearique Sea hee added all Aquitania all the top of the Pyrene mountaines to the Riuer Iber and which should haue beene named first all Italie from the Alpes to the furthest part of Calabria And this done hee sets forward to Rome the fourth time where hee was proclaimed Emperour Augustus by Leo the Third and all the people after he had raigned thirty three yeeres Thus the Romane Empire in the West rent almost into peece-meales especially from that time when the Emperours made choice of Constantinople for their Court
was afterward by his consent confirmed Then dispatching his Legates into Germanie to certaine Bishops willed them to assemble in Councell but they refused it alledging that it was contrary to the custome and priuiledge of their Nation This designe miscarying He in some certaine Councels held in Italy decrees That Massing Priests shall haue no wiues but shall dismisse them or else leaue their places sending this his decree to the Bishops in Germanie vrges earnestly vnder a penalty denounced to haue it established but the Clergy as they call them and whole streame of Massing-Priests stiffely reclaime calling him an heritike that propounds such doctrine sithence Christs words are That all should not receiue this word Mat. 20. And Paul saith They that cannot containe let them marrie 1 Cor. 7. But this Pope not regarding Christs word and contemning Pauls authority would constraine men to reiect the vse of mariage which is lawfull and ordained by God and to burne in most filthy flames of lust and rush into manifest lewdnesse but they would rather leaue their Ministery then matrimony He neuerthelesse as before sending his agents pressing it on and standing stiffely vpon it the Archbishop of Mentz began to hearken to him who at first gently admonishes those in his inrisdiction and afterwards assembling a Councell at Erphord would flatly inioyne them but an vproare arising he escaped death very narrowly The Emperour in the mean time to reuenge the ignominie receiâ—ed the precedent yeare when besieged by the Saxons hee wrought out his safety by flight in the night time makes readie for warre and violating the league which he had made the yeere before musters vp all the forces hee could possibly make and in the moneth of Iuly setting vpon the Saxons who by their frequent Ambassadours had but in vaine solicited him for peace discomfits them in many battels not without great lâ—sse of his owne men no small number of the prime Nobilitie being then slaine Pursuing his victorie hee harrazes their country faire and wide and by his Ambassadors exhorts them to yeeld willing them to hope for all fauour from his benignitie but that failed though a certaine few obeied Bucco Bishop of Halberstadt and Otho Duke of Bauaria banished by the Emperour had the chiefe mannaging of this warre The Archbishop of Mentz againe solicited by Gregory the VII assembles another Councell and makes a new proposall about the Clergies not marrying but was entertained in like manner as before and stood in great hazard of his life whereupon he thought it his best course vtterly to lay off this designe The Saxons thus put to flight the Emperour dismisses his forces and the auxiliarie Princes but vpon condition that they should againe present themselues in armes before him on the two and twentieth day of October following When that day came a great many appeared and amongst them many Bishops but not so many in number as before There againe the Saxons send their Ambassadours for peace in camping themselues at Northausen The Emperour sends them answer that one way to peace was to yeeld themselues so they though seeming rather to doe any thing then this yet certaine Princes which were sent as Intercessors and Ambassadors from the Emperour promising them very largely that they should not thereby incurre any indammagement either of liberty or goods at length assented and the Bishop of Maidenburgh and Halberstadt Otho Duke of Bauaria Magnus Duke of Saxony and Fredericke Count Palatine yeelded themselues into his hands and likewise soone after many of the rest of the Nobilitie The Emperour at first commits them to custodie not without fauour but afterwards flying from his promise caused them to be carried into seuerall places how bee it not long after hee set Duke Otho not onely at liberty but also intreated him very familiarly but for the rest both kept them prisoners and gaue their goods for a prey to others Then raising new Castles and Forts wholly bends himselfe against the safetie and libertie of the Saxons and in his absence committed the whole charge of gouernement to Otho Duke of Bauaria by parentage descended from the Saxons After this hee conftituted a Bishop at Bambergh as also at Cullen and an Abbot at Fulden Now a little before this hee was accused to the Pope and most especially for selling Ecclesiasticall promotions Whereupon the Pope by his Legate cites him to make his appearance at Rome within a certaine time and to giue his answer in the cause But he cals a Synod of Bishops and Abbots at Wormbs there it is decreed that the Pope for that he came to the Papacie by sinister meanes should bee depriued of his place forthwith publishes this at Rome by his Ambassadors Henry the IIII. excommunicated by Gregory the VII alias Hildebrand an 1076. But the Pope not a whit moued hereat both excommunicates him and also more especially the Bishops of Mentz Vtrecht and Bambergh hauing formerly excommunicated certaine of his familiar friends by whose counsell hee supposed him to haue beene drawne on to this practise Furthermore the Princes of Germany decpely offended at the Emperours demeanour and disposition especially for that contrary to his promise hee persecuted the Saxons with so obstinate hatred conspire against him and so much the rather because he was interdicted the Church Whereupon they dismisse the surrendred prisoners the custodie whereof was committed to them by the Emperour iudging them not to bee tied to him in any bond of allegiance At the same time certaine Nobles in Saxonie stirring vp and drawing on others into their partie surprise those Castles euery where raised some by force and command other some by dedition and dismisse the Garisons in safetie first binding them by oath neuer after to beare Armes against Saxonie The Emperour vpon notice hereof in subtle policie sets at libertie the rest of the imprisoned Princes to the end that they returning into Saxonie might doe him faithfull seruice in punishing the Rebels for hee saw there was no other meanes to bring about his wished successe with more facilitie then by kindling factions amongst them and renting one from another but the euent was not correspondent for they after their returne home well acquainted with his qualities with ioynt mindes might resolued to fight for the common liehrtie and Duke Otho also forsaking him did the like yet the Emperour was full fraught with good hope hauing broken through Bohemia into the Country of Campania aided with Bohemian forces but when he was certified of the Saxons coniunction and their Armie in readinesse despairing victory retires Then at length the Princes of Germanie appointing the day met together in great abundance thither also repaires the Popes Legate who vnfolding the causes of the Emperours excommunication exhorted them to create another which otherwise they were about to doe of their owne accord for making a rehearsall of his life euen from his tender yeeres they pronounced him to be the blemish dishonour and
of their owne modestie in other mens impudency That decree which goes vnder Gratians name in diuers places amongst other passages hath these The Rule of the Church of Rome which is the blessed Apostle S. Peters seat must bee followed It is not lawfull to hold a Councell without permission of the Bishop of Rome The Lawes of the Church Rome are to bee obserued as pronounced by Peters owne mouth What yoke the Church of Rome imposes though it be not tolerable it must be endured The Ministers of the Church ought to vow chastity that is they should not mary It is lawfull for him that hath not a wife to haue a Concubine If the Pope bee negligent and remisse in his office hee may hurt indeed aswell himselfe as others notwithstanding he cannot bee iudged by any man because he himselfe is to iudge all men The Emperour ought to be ruled by and not rule ouer the Pope All mortall men besides may be iudged by men but the Pope Peters successour by God alone It is lawfull for the Pope to release subiects from their loyalty and oath whereby they are bound to their Prince In Gregories Decretall Epistles and in Boniface his sixt booke of Decretalls the Clementines and Extrauagants as they call them it is set down there amongst other things That the Popes authority is not subiect to the Decrees of Councells It belongs to the Pope to approue of the elected Emperor or to reiect him if hee bee not fit There are two great lights which gouerne the world the Sunne and the Moone The Pope is in stead of the Sunne and the Emperour of the Moone Bishops may deale more mildly with those that haue offended by adulterie and other such crimes as being of lower nature The Pope onely hath cognizance concerning the priuiledges of the Church of Rome The bones of excommunicate persons already buried ought to bee digged vp and throwne away The Pope may depose the Emperour from his place and Magistracy The Emperour is bound to performe allegiance and fealty to the Pope by oath It is iust that Ecclesiasticall persons should be exempt and free from all cost molestation and charge A man may bee declared an Heretique after his death and his goods be confiscated The sonnes of heretiques ought not to bee admitted to any place of gouernment either ciuill or ecclesiasticall It is necessary to saluation that all men bee subiect to the Pope of Rome Those few places onely are drawne out of an immense heape and what kind of stuffe they are there 's no man that is well in his wits but may perceiue The Law is that men of deepest learning should define the same Soueraigne reason is grafted in Nature which commands those things that are to bee done and forbids those that are contrary And all lawes ought to haue reference to the common good And the Law-maker ought to haue the like affection towards the people and Common-wealth that the father hath towards his owne Children but what likelihood hereof is there in any the beforementioned places but for them not onely to excuse those fopperies but also to garnish adorne and illustrate them with new Commentaries and rather to babble out any thing then suffer their dignity to bee impeached I pray you what grosse impudencie is this but â—â—eâ—sting no deeper If pride auarice ambition of bearing rule and ignorance of learning drew them on to make such decrees if they themselues vary in opinions nor will one bee tyed to anothers lawes because endued with equality of power pray thee why doest thou macerate thy selfe in straightning those crooked and contrarizing decrees I omit that Ocean or rather sincke I meane that part of the Papall law containing the sale of benefices as they cal them and consecrated goods for who is able to reckon vp their deceipts and collusions no not they themselues that haue beene factors many yeares together in this kind of trafficke do sufficiently vnderstand and know all the trickes when new ones are daily inuented But this argument requires both another time and a booke of purpose now therefore let vs returne to our purpose As Frederick the Emperour so also Lewis the IX King of France inuaded Syria and Aegypt with an Army who afterwards o Of the plague dyed at the siege of p In Africa where formerly as some say Carthage stood Tunis City in the yeare of Grace 1270. In his raigne William Bishop of Paris raised a question about Ecclesiasticall Benefices which cause being publikely discust his opinion tooke place that it was not lawfull for any man to hold more then one but it is sufficient to haue spoken onely and writ down such decrees as those To Gregory Innocent the IIII succeeded vpon whom as it were by hereditary succession the Emperours displeasure fell Wherupon calling a Councel at Lyons he summons the Emperour excommunicates him for not appearing depriues him of his dignity exhorting the Princes of Germany to choose another and this his decree which amongst others is in priuate as also certaine of the Emperours Epistles to seuerall Kings are extant wherein he demonstrates at large the Popes iniquitie and his owne innocencie The Emperour was minded to goe to Lyons and trie his fortunes but a new rebellion breaking forth throughout Italie turnes all his forces that way where good successe failing him he returning into Puel began to languish and at length died Some say hee was poisoned others strangled by his bastard sonne Manfred who afterwards inuaded Italie At that time liued the famous Lawier Azo after whom the whole streame of Writers followed who violating that sharpe and seuere edict of the Emperour q Commanding his Code onely into which as abouesaid the whole law was contracied to be bserued Iustinian filled the world with an innumerable companie of Books from whence we must now seeke those points which those Ancients handled most copiously and learnedly For one man compiles anothers workes so that there is no end or measure of writing and all ouerflowes in contrary opinions in so much as the old mans saying may properly take place here who hauing asked three Lawyers their aduise you haue done brauely saith he I am a great deale further to seeke then before I omit the quiddities which are daily deuised in abundance for the Comedians saying falls right here that craft starts one mischiefe in the necke of another Cicero complaines that many worthy ordinances were setled by lawes but those for the most part were corrupted and depraued by Lawyers inuentions What if hee were now liuing and saw those Pyramides of bookes and our moderne practice and that sacred repositorie of the lawes thus filthily polluted miserably contaminated Howbeit as God indeed hath within our memorie brought all other Arts to light againe so hath he raised vp many men who being furnished with the help of good learning thinke those paines taken in this behalfe not to be repented of being to restore this
and conuicted of falshood Further bee it granted that the Emperor was thus most exceedingly profuse perhaps for himselfe onely hee might herein abate of his own right but could not doe it for his successors authorized with coequal power and Protectors of the Common-wealth For hee who damnifies the freedome and liberties of his Empire ought not to haue the title of Father of his Countrey nor can he ordaine another to share with him in equality of authority or preiudice the same By Constantine the Emperors appointment The first Councell of Nice held in An. 325. continued 3. yeares a most populous Counsell was called and assembled at Nice a City in Bythinia wherein the heresie of Arrius denying Christ to be coequall in substance with his father was condemned It s recorded that many Bishops not onely out of Europe and Asia but also out of Egypt and Lybia met together there Amongst other one decree was that through Egypt Lybia and Pontapolis the ancient custome should be maintained that is all the Bishops there should remaine vnder superiority of the Bishop of Alexandria notwithstanding the vsurpation and withholding therof by the Bishop of Rome as also that the Church of Antioch and other Prouinces and Churches should each one entirely retaine their peculiar priuiledges After this Councell certaine Iewd opinions were vented one Eustathius being Author about shunning of mariage e In monasticall manner and some women artired in mens habite about a new and vnusuall kind of habit about forbearance to eate flesh and forsaking propriety of possessions And hereupon many husbands procuring a diuorce and seruants leauing their masters betaking themselues to this new and religious habite as they call it women likewise taking the same course forsaking their husbands and those who fed vpon flesh as also the Ministers of the Church that were maried being publikely contemned as persons impure and vnacceptable to God a Counsell was assembled at Gangra a town in Paphlagonia wherein those were condemned who either taught or held that opinion Constantine for reestablishing a peace in the Common-wealth being with most generall acclamation confumed both by the Senate and people of Rome turned himselfe wholy to forraine warres and after many battels ouerthrew the Gâ—thes and Sarmatians then forraging the Countrey of Thracia afterwards being strucken in yeares he proclaimed warre against the Persians who wasted the Country of Mesopotamia and in Asia where he was arriued with his Army after receipt of a medicine for recouery of his health breathed his last not without suspition of poison This is he by surname stiled the Great who named Byzantium a City of Thrace after his owne f His desire was to haue it called New Rome but vse preuailed and altered it to Constantinople name and thither translated the Imperiall Seat He began his g At Rome but hee raigned 6. yeares before in Brittaine and elsewhere raigne about the three hundred and twelfth yeare after the birth of Christ It is written that Comets of wonderfull greatnesse were seene before his death Hee left three sonnes Constantine Constantius and Constans amongst those was the body of the Empire diuided to Constantine part of the Alpes Gallia Hispaine Brittaine h The Iland of Orkney lying neer and belonging to Scotland the Orcades Ireland and i Now called Island lying beyond Scotland as some say others Hitland Constantine 337. An. 3. Constantius 337. An. 24 Conslaus 337. An. 1â— Thyle were allotted to Constans Italy Africa with the Islands Illyricum Macedonia Achaia Peloponnesus and Greece to Constantius Asia and Thrace Constantine not satisfied with this diuision made warre vpon his brother Constans and at Aquileia whither he was then come ioyning battell with Constans his forces lost both his Army and his life Constans who in the meane time was vp in Armes against the k The same who were afterwards called Gothes Carion Getes and Sarmatians in Dacia returnes into Italie and hauing gotten the Alpes inuaded Gallia and in two yeares space won all his deceased brothers dominions but was slaine within a while after by the treachery and crafty dealing of Magnentius Him the souldiers before hand allured and inueigled with rewards elected Emperour Constantius the onely suruiuing brother of the three vpon notice hereof deputing Gallus his vncles sonne and sisters husband his Vice-gerent ouer Asia marches with a strong Army into Italy and so into Gallia where in maine battell he ouerthrew the Enemy But Magnentius escaping sends his Ambassadors to sue for peace Whose suit the Conqueror rejecting he on a fresh wages battell again but with ill successe thereupon flying to Lyons where perceiuing his owne friends to conspire his destruction and not hauing any corner where to hide himselfe became his owne executioner Afterwards Constantius commanded Gallus his Cosin germane and Vicegerent for Asia as abouesaid who abused his authority and power to bee put to death when he could not otherwise remedy it After this he returnes into Asia with intent to prosecute the warre in Persia which by reason of Magnentius his faction aboue-mentioned he had broken off And in regard the Germanes about this time making an inroad into Gallia forraged the Countrey there hee adopted his other Cosin germane Iulianus Gallus his brother and to him committed the protection of Gallia Iulianus hauing had prosperous successe in his designes and in many battel 's gotten the vpper hand beat backe the Enemy beyond the Rhyne tooke many prisoners and rescued many Roman souldiers out of prison and at l Strasburg in Germany Argentine almost quite cut off the Enemies whole Army Hereupon the souldiers proclaime him not onely Caesar but also Augustus and set a Diadem vpon his head but against his will as hee pretended For in his letters to Constantius he indeauoured to remoue the envie of the fact froÌ„ himselfe But Constantius hereat greiuously offended ceasing his warre in Persia and liberally and kindly entreating the neighbouring nations that they might continue their allegiance sets forward on his iourney to reduce Iulianus to his duty but on the way whilst hee was yet in Asia being taken with a feuer ended his life first ordaining Iulianus his successor During Iulianus his raigne the enemies contained themselues within their owne bounds not raising any commotion in any place Julianus 361. an 1. m. 7. d. 23. He himselfe went out against the Persians and forraging Assyria hauing put the Enemies forces to flight marched forwards as farre as Ctesiphon At length returning home with his forces the enemy set vpon him in the rere where fighting in the midst of his souldiers in the maine battalia hee receiued a wound whereof within a while after he died an enemy to the name of Christ The souldiers hauing thus lost their Leader Iouinianus 363. m. 7. d. 22. being plunged in great distresse create Iouinianus Emperor at what time Iulius the first of that name was Bishop of Rome certaine of whose Epistles to