by birth a Cretan but it is not certainly known who his Father was When he was a Boy he was taken up by a certain Franciscan Fryer as he was begging from Door to Door who perceiving good Parts in him admitted him into his Order and instructed him in Grammar and Logick whilst he was in Italy from thence he sent him to Oxford where applying himself to the Studies of Philosophy and Divinity he attain'd to a very great perfection in both those Sciences as he shew'd afterwards in his Lectures at Paris and his close and subtile Commentaries upon the Books of Sentences After that by the Interest of John Galeatius Duke of Milan he was made Archbishop of that place then he was created Cardinal by Innocent the Seventh and now at last he was made Pope He was a man of great Learning and Integrity but having been wholly addicted to study and confin'd to a Monastick Life he was generally esteem'd unfit for the Administration of Publick Affairs He enjoy'd not the See of Rome either long or peaceably for the next Year going from Pisa to Bologna on the first of May in the Tenth Month of his Pontificate he was poison'd as it is believ'd and Balthasar Cossa whom he had made Legate of Bologna a man of a fierce Disposition and fitter for the Soldiery than the Priesthood was chosen Pope by the College of Cardinals partly through fear of the Soldiers that he kept in Garrison in the City and partly by bribing the poor Cardinals that were lately promoted by Gregory and took the name of John the Twenty third Now while Alexander was Pope at Pisa and Bologna Gregory assum'd that Title at Ariminum and Benedict at Panischola a City of Arragon so that three Popes sat at one time in St. Peter's Chair which could hardly contain the Pride of one and by the just judgment of God their Vanity was made manifest who would have the holy Flock of Christ and the Faith of all Christians to depend upon a perpetual succession of Popes in that See The Council of Pisa being broke up and the Winter coming on Henry Bishop of St. David's who is mention'd in the Statute-Books this Year as the King's Ambassador with the other Delegates return'd into England and the two following Years he was call'd by the Archbishop to two Synods holden at London as appears out of the publick Acts of those Synods the rest of his time he spent in visiting his Diocess examining into the Lives of the People and all the other Duties of his Episcopal Function which he perform d with great diligence as often as he had leisure from publick Affairs in which he was often employ'd by King Henry the Fourth who always highly honour'd him for his great Wisdom On the 20 th of March 1413. Henry the Fourth dyed at Westminster and Henry the Fifth a very accomplish'd Prince succeeded him to whom in respect of his excellent Endowments the Nobility of their own accord swore Allegiance before he was crown'd which we never read to have been done to any of our Kings before him While he was in a private Capacity he spent his younger days loosely and extravagantly but when he came to the Crown he chang'd his course of Life together with his Condition for he presently put away from him all those that he had made his Equals and who had serv'd him as Instruments of his Extravagances and took to him all the wisest and gravest men whose Counsels his Father had made use of amongst them Henry Bishop of St. David's whom he ever after highly esteemed and this very Year in the beginning of his Reign he chose him out of all the rest and sent him upon two very honourable Embassies first to the King of France and then to the Duke of Burgundy the remembrance of which we owe to the French Writers for ours have omitted this and many other passages For a War was begun in France between Charles the Sixth and Henry the Fourth occasion'd by the frequent Incursions of the French into Aquitain which at that time was in the possession of the English This Quarrel was transmitted together with the Crown to Henry the Fifth by his Father But King Charles being taken up with the Intestine Divisions between his Brother Lewis of Orleans and John Duke of Burgundy desir'd a Truce with the English from which King Henry being newly come to the Crown and his Affairs at home being not yet throughly setled was not much averse Whereupon Richard Earl of Warwick and Henry Bishop of St. David's were sent out of England and from the French King the Master of the Horse which is the highest Honour in France and the Admiral who meeting at Calais concluded a Truce for one Year When he was come back from France he was sent again the same Year with the Earl of Warwick to demand the Duke of Burgundy's Daughter in marriage for King Henry They met with the Duke at Lisle in Flanders and treated with him according to their Instructions but return'd without concluding any thing either because they did not like the person of the Lady or because the King was become more inclinable to a Match with the King of France's Daughter and had sent Ambassadors into France at this very time to treat about it Some few Months after his return he receiv'd a very ample Reward of these Embassies and his other Merits For the Creation of an Archbishop of Canterbury being in consultation he of all the Bishops of England was chosen without dispute as most capable of exercising the highest Office in the Kingdom next to the King himself in whose Judgment he was look'd upon as the fittest Person to deliver his Opinion first in the Privy Council For Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury dying on the 19 th of February in the Year 1414. John Wodneburgh Prior of Canterbu and the Monks of that Church desir'd leave of the King to elect a new Archbishop which was a Prerogative that the Kings of England had challeng'd to themselves since the time of Edward the Third who took it away from the Pope and constituted Bishops by his own Authority which practice of theirs Panormitanus affirm'd to be agreeable to the Constitutions of the Canon-Law When they had obtain'd leave of the King by a Grant under the Great Seal they first call'd home the absent Monks and celebrated the Funeral of Thomas Arundel in Christ's Church in Canterbury and on the 4 th of May they all assembled in the Chapter-house where after Solemn Service and a Sermon in which they were all admonish'd of their Duty out of the Holy Scriptures in a matter of so great importance and having also caused the King's Grant to be reâ—d Henry Bishop of St. David's was immediately demanded by all their Voices which demand was declared by John Langdon
were engag'd with the French who are in strict conjunction with the Scots by an ancient and even natural Alliance that is between the two Nations and therefore that it would be very hazardous to invade the French before England was secur'd from the Scots at home To this Speech of the Earl's reply'd John Duke of Exeter a Man of great Wisdom and Learning which he had acquir'd in the Universities of Italy whither he was sent by his Father who design'd him for the Church He very eloquently maintained That the French ought first to be invaded upon whose aid the Scots relying infested the English That if they were subdued the Scots would come in of themselves according to this Aphorism of the Physicians That the Remedy must be first applied to the Cause of the Disease and that in order to the healing a Wound effectually the peccant Humour must first of all be purg'd For from whence said he do the Scots draw the first rudiments either of Learning or Arms but from their Education in France How can the Scotch Nobility be maintain'd if those Pensions should fail which they use to receive from France or if that Kingdom should be subdued with what Nation will the Scots maintain any Commerce or from whom will they implore Assistance Not from Denmark that King is allied to you by marriage with your Sister not from Portugal or Castile both those Princes are your Cousin-Germans not from Italy that is too remote not from Germany or Hungary they are both in league with us so that the Scots will submit to you of themselves when the French are conquer'd as the Tree necessarily withers when the Sap fails He also shew'd in the Instances of Malcolm and David Bruce that the Scots never invaded England but when the English were at war with France and therefore he propos'd that the Earl of Westmorland should be sent with some choice Troops to hinder them from attempting any thing in the King's absence He concluded that the Conquest of France would be a rich and plentiful reward of their Victory in comparison of which that of Scotland was but poor and inconsiderable The King and the Nobility were so much inclin'd in favour of this Opinion but especially the Dukes of Clarence Bedford and Glocester the King's Brethren who were enflam'd with the desire of acquiring Honur and Renown in the War with France by the Example of their Ancestors that when it came to be voted after the usual manner they all concurred in their Opinion with the Archbishop and cried out confusedly in the House War War with France By this means the Archbishop obtain'd great commendation of Posterity for his Wisdom who by this Counsel of his promoted a very successful War and averted a very great Calamity from the Church The King having dissolv'd the Parliament with great diligence provided his Army and Navy and made all other necessary preparations for such a War designing to invade France the next Year In the beginning of which that he might proceed according to the Law of Nations he sent Ambassadors into France the Bishops of Durham and Norwich to demand the Kingdom of King Charles who receiv'd them civilly and told them that he would shortly send Ambassadors into England to return an Answer to their Demands The Fleet and Army being ready for this Expedition and the Soldiers being order'd to rendezvouz at Southampton in order to embark on Board the Fleet The King in his Journy thither staid some time at Winchester where the French Ambassadors came to him who were the Earl of Vendosme William Bouratier Archbishop of Bourges Peter Fremell Bishop of Lisieux and Walter Cole Secretary to the King The Archbishop of Bourges made an Eloquent Oration in the name of the rest in which after he had largely and floridly describ'd the Miseries of War and the Advantages of Peace he offer'd the King in marriage the Lady Catharine King Charle's Daughter if he would desist from the War promising for her Dowry a great Sum of Money and some part of those Provinces which the King demanded by right of Inheritance The King only answer'd at that time that he would consider of the Conditions which they propos'd and the next day sitting on his Throne and attended with a great number of the Nobility the Ambassadors being call'd in he told them that the Conditions which they offer'd were such as he could not accept of with honour and calling Henry Archbishop of Canterbury he commanded him to give a fuller Anser to the Archbishop of Bourges Oration which he did to this effect That the King as soon as he came to the Crown thought nothing of greater importance than to maintain peace as well at home amongst his own Subjects as abroad with Foreign Princes For which cause he had call'd a Parliament in which having setled his Affairs at home he had sent Ambassadors into France to claim his right and to demand that part of the Kingdom of France which the Kings of England had held for some Ages by a lawful possession But seeing his Ambassadors had brought back no Answer from King Charles that he had levied an Army and provided all things necessary for the War and that he was now ready to pass over into France and revenge the wrong they had done him when he perceiv'd they made no account of his Right Nevertheless that he might testify to all the World how averse he was from shedding Christian Blood by the mutual Butchery of War that he would remit something of his Right that he would disband his Army and establish a Peace between the two Nations by marriage with Catharine upon condition that they would restore to him the Dutchies of Aquitain and Anjou and the other Dominions which his Ancestors enjoy'd in France neither forcibly nor clandestinely nor precariously That unless these Conditions were accepted the King would immediately enter France with his Army and lay it waste with Fire and Sword nor would he ever desist from slaughter and revenge till he had reduc'd it to his obedience and had recover'd the Dominion transmitted to him by right of Inheritance from his Predecessors And lastly That he call'd God Almighty both for a Witness and Avenger of his Cause whose Majesty he trusted would be propitious to so just a War When the Archbishop had done speaking the King interpos'd and with his Royal Word confirm'd all that he had deliver'd in more copious and Rhetorical Terms To which when the Archbishop of Bourges began to reply with reproachful Language and to reflect upon the King with more freedom than consisted with the Character of an Ambassador the King only reprimanded him for the liberty which he took and commanded the Ambassadors to depart the Kingdom under safe Conduct The King soon after follow'd them setting sail from Southampton with his whole Army on the 13 th of
August And at his first arrival in Normondy he took Harflew a very strong Town after a Month's siege the Winter coming on he march'd from thence towards Calais and having pass'd the Seine and being provok'd and set upon in his march by the French he defeated them in a pitcht Battel near Agincourt on the 25 th of October It is certain that the English never fought with greater success than in this Battel for of the French Ten thousand were slain with the loss of Two hundred only on our side as the French Writers themselves have recorded it and the Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon with a great many of the Nobility of France were taken Prisoners and brought over into England Whilst the King was in France by his command the Archbishop of Canterbury order'd all the Clergy of that Diocess to be in Arms lest the French should in the King's absence make any attempt upon the Coast of Kent which lay expos'd to their Invasion after which he appointed a Synod of his Province to be held at London on the 28 th of November The first day of their meeting was taken up in Religious Solemnities For after Mass which was celebrated in the Morning by the Archbishop on the High Altar in St. Paul's William Lyndewood Chancellor of Canterbury preach'd before the whole Body of the Clergy which was assembled in S. Mary's Chappel in that Cathedral upon these words of the Prophet Jeremy cap. 6. v. 16. Stand ye in the ways and see The following days the Bishops and Abbots met in St. Mary's Chappel and the Priors Deans Archdeacons and Proctors of the several Diocesses withdrew into the Chapter-house where they consulted separately about the Affairs of the Church from whence they are generally call'd the Upper and Lower House of Convocation In this Synod two Tenths were granted to the King for the War with France out of all Ecclesiastical Revenues and Benefices that us'd to pay Tenths one of them to be paid at St. Martin's day next following and the other on the same day the next Year On the 2 d of December the Archbishop dissolv'd the Synod after that at the King's desire and with the consent of both Houses he had appointed the days of St. George St. David St. Cedda and St. Winifred to be observ'd as Holidays This Decree is still to be seen amongst the English Constitutions The next Year he held another Synod at London on the first of April to consult with the Bishops and other Prelates about sending Delegates to the Council at Constance For Christendom was still divided between three Popes John the Twenty third who exercis'd the Pontifical Function at Rome Gregory the Twelfth at Ariminum and Benedict the Thirteenth at Avignon For both Gregory and Benedict had refus'd to submit to the Sentence pronounced against them by the Council of Pisa But John being sollicited by all the Christian Princes to put an end to the Schism had two years before this appointed a General Council of all Christendom to be held at Constance in Germany though it were with great reluctancy and unwillingness fearing that the Council would deprive him of the Papacy which afterwards happened as we shall hereafter shew The Archbishop being cited by the Pope's Bull to Constance had sent thither two years ago as his Proxies Robert Apulton Canon of York and John Forst Canon of Lincoln to assist in his Name at the Council and at the same time the Earl of Warwick the Bishops of Salisbury Bath and Hereford with the Abbot of Westminster and the Prior of Worcester were sent thither also as Delegates from the King and the Body of the Clergy whose number being diminish'd by the death of Robert Hallum Bishop of Salisbury and Robert Mascal Bishop of Hereford who died at Constance and because the Deputies of other Nations appear'd at the Council in greater numbers therefore in this Synod Richard Clifford Bishop of London and twelve Doctors together with the Chancellors of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge were chosen for this Employment and Two pence in the Pound out of the Livings and Revenues of the Clergy was allow'd them for their Expences About this time the Emperor Sigismond came first into France and afterwards into England to endeavour by his mediation to establish Peace as well in the Church by deposing the contumacious Popes as betwixt the two Kings of England and France by putting an end to the War At his request the King press'd the Archbishop and the Synod to dispatch their Delegates to Constance with what speed they could In this Synod also it was decreed That the Goods of Persons deceas'd should be deposited in the hands of a Trustee till their Will should be exhibited and prov'd that Administration should not be granted to their Executors till they had made a true Inventory of the Goods and that they should meddle only with those Goods that were contain'd in the Inventory it was further added according to the Circumstances of those Times that no more than Five Shillings should be demanded for the Registring or Probate of Wills and lastly to gratify the King it was order'd that the Clergy should bring in the Tenth which by a Decree of the former Synod was to be paid at the Feast of St. Martin six Months sooner But Sigismond labour'd to no purpose to compose the Differences between the French and the English For whilst a Treaty of Peace was carried on with the French Ambassadors who came over into England with the Emperor News was brought out of France that Harfleu was besieg'd by the French and that Four hundred English were slain in a Battel lately fought with John Earl of Armagnac the King was so incens'd at this Defeat that from that time he was wholly averse from the least mention of Peace and would have gone over forthwith into France if he had not been dissuaded from it by the Emperor wherefore he sent his Brother John Duke of Bedford with a Fleet and Army into Normandy and having presented Sigismond with the Order of the Garter and made a League with him after he had magnificently entertain'd him in England for four Months about the end of August he conducted him as far as Calais being attended with a very splendid Retinue and a numerous Fleet. The Emperor went from thence to Constance to assist at the Council but the King staid there some time to order his Affairs in France and the Archbibishop when the Synod was broke up came thither out of England While the King was at Calais there came to him John Duke of Burgundy the Archbishop of Rhemes and other Ambassadors sent from Charles King of France to sue for Peace at a very unseasonable time when the King upon the late Injuries receiv'd of the French was wholly intent upon preparations for
Synod but they all refusing the Condition lest they should be accounted inferior to the Doctors in Presentations to Livings this Decree which would have been for the good of both Universities was at that time laid aside When the Synod was ended the injurious proceeding of Martin the new Pope began to be enquir'd into For about this time several Bishops dying in England the Pope substituted others at his own pleasure In the beginning of the next year he made Benedict Nicoll Bishop of St. David's William Barrow Bishop of Bangor John Chandeler Bishop of Salisbury and Philip Morgan Bishop of Worcester by vertue of that absolute Power which the Popes in that Age arrogated to themselves in disposing of the Bishoprickes of England The Clergy here had been quiet for some time during the Council of Constance after the deposing of John the Twenty third For the Bishops of Salisbury and Hereford dying at that time two new Bishops were made by the free Election of both those Chapters nor could the whole College of Cardinals by their Letters written from Constance prevail upon the Chapter of Salisbury to demand John Bishop of Litchfield the King's Commissioners at the Council for their Bishop But Pope Martin having now got quiet possession of the See of Rome became far more insolent than his Predecessors for in the beginning of his Pontificate he claim'd a Right of presentation to all Churches whatsoever reserv'd to himself the Donation of all Bishopricks by provision disannull'd all the Elections of Bishops made by the Chapters and within two years time made thirteen Bishops in the Province of Canterbury taking his opportunity while the King was engag'd in the War with France to venture upon an Action which Edward the Third and Richard the Second had prohibited by most severe Laws he also made his Nephew Prospero Colonna a Youth of Fourteen years of Age Archdeacon of Canterbury by Provision to whom some years after to gratify the Pope the King granted the Profits of as many Benefices in England as did not exceed fifty Marks yearly Besides this Complaints were made of his promiscuous uniting of Churches which are commonly call'd Appropriations and Consolidations of his easiness in granting Dispensations by which Priests were excus'd from residing upon their Benefices and Laymen were permitted to hold Spiritual Preferments and lastly that there was no notice taken of the English in the distribution of the Dignities of the Court of Rome The King's Commissioners at the Council of Constance John Bishop of Litchfield and John Polton Dean of York were order'd to represent these Grievances to the new Pope who soon obtain'd a concession of some Privileges to the English which in the Instrument it self are call'd Agreements between Martin the Fifth and the Church of England These were That the uniting of Parishes should not depend wholly upon the Pope's pleasure but that the Bishops of the several Diocesses should have power to examine into the reason of it That the Vnions of Churches and Consolidations of Vicarages made in the time of the Schism should be made void That those Dispensations granted by the Pope by which Priests were excus'd from Residence and Laymen and Monks were made capable of holding Livings should be recall'd That for the future the number of Cardinals should be lessen'd and that they should be promoted equally out of all Nations and that the English should be admitted to all other Offices in the Court of Rome About the same time the King sent another Embassy to the Pope to desire him not to intermeddle in the disposing of those Livings in England the Presentation of which belong'd to him as well by Agreement made between the Kings of England and the Popes as by his Royal Prerogative that no Frenchmen might be preferr'd to any Bishopricks or Livings in Aquitain or any other of the King's Dominions in France that Dignities and Benefices in Ireland might be conferr'd only upon those that understood English and that the Bishops of that Kingdom in their respective Diocesses might take care that the People should speak only English That for the future no Frenchmen might be admitted into the Monasteries founded by the French in England and that the Pope would grant the King a Supply who was now making war in defence of the See of Rome out of the Money that was paid to the Treasury of Rome in England To which Requests when the Pope return'd no favourable Answer the Ambassadors added that if he did not speedily satisfy their demands they were commanded to declare openly that the King would make use of his own Right in all these things which he had desir'd of him not out of necessity but only to shew his respect to his Holiness and to put in a publick Protestation concerning these Matters before the whole College of Cardinals The French also and the Germans protested against these Provisions and other Artifices of the Pope For the Estates of France being assembled at Paris in May this Year by their Edict reviv'd all the Ancient Laws that had been made to redress the Grievances and restrain the Tyranny of the Popes in which Edict it was further added that Martin should not be acknowledg'd as Pope by the French unless he would subscribe to this Decree and when he had interdicted the Church of Lyons the Interdict was taken off by the Parliament of Paris and the Rector of that University was tried for High Treason for appealing from the King's Edicts to the Pope The Germans also about this time being pillag'd by the Extortion of the Pope's Receivers desir'd of him a redress of their Grievances but they were put off with Indulgences and Pardons as Aeneas Sylvius relates who liv'd at that time in Germany Toward the end of this Year the Archbishop of Canterbury after he had visited the Diocess of Rochester being sent for by the King pass'd over into France leaving John Wodnesburgh Prior of Canterbury his Vicar-general He found the King at Roan in Normandy who since his arrival in France had taken partly by storm and partly by surrender Caen Cherbourg Allenson Constance Falaise and several other strong Towns in Normandy and had then laid siege to Roan the Capital City of that Province About this time it was agreed upon by the two Kings to send Commissioners on both Sides to treat of a Peace who were to meet at Pontlarch a Town lately taken by King Henry situated upon the Seine about eight Miles from Roan On the King of England's part were sent the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Earl of Warwick from the French King Philip Morvillier President of the Parliament of Paris the Bishop of Beauvais and Reginald Tolleville Knight and from the Pope Cardinal Vrsini who was to mediate the Peace on both Sides The Commissioners debated fifteen days about composing Matters
not to be restrain'd by a new Pope 85 And that on the Pope's death a new Election belongs to the Council Ib. Yet during that of Trent the Cardinals chose Paul the Third Ib. That of Constance gave order about t h M due by England to Rome 86 The Election of Pope Martin was mightily liked Ib. London Synod grants the King two Tenths 87 By a Decree therein Students of both Universities were provided for Ib. Which was opposed and laid aside 89 Pope Martin at pleasure fill'd the Episcopal Sees in England Ib. Whose Clergy were quiet during the Council of Constance Ib. Martin first claim'd an universal Right of Presentation 90 In two years made thirteen Bishops in the See of Canterbury Ib. His Appropriations censur'd Ib. The English neglected in the Grants of the Roman Dignities 91 Martin afterwards agreed to some redress Ib. In uniting Parishes Ib. And for a power to Bishops therein Ib. For avoiding the Unions made in time of the Schism Ib. For recalling Dispensations for nonresidence Ib. For lessening the Number of Cardinals and for their equal promotion Ib. The King required that Pope not to meddle with his Presentations 92 That no French be preferred in Aquitain c. Ib. That Irish Livings be given to those that understand English Ib. That the Bishops there promote the English Speech only Ib. That French be not preferr'd to Monasteries in England Ib. That the Pope supply the King with some of the English Mony Ib. The Pope not answering favourably 't was declared the King would take his course 93 The French and Germans declare against the Pope's Provisions Ib. The former revived the Laws to restrain him Ib. That if he were refractory they 'd disown him Ib. The Pope's Interdict of the Church of Lyons remov'd by the Parliament of Paris Ib. An Appeal from the King to the Pope High Treason Ib. The Oppress'd Germans not redress'd 94 The King besieges Roan the Capital City of Normandy Ib. Proposal of a Treaty betwixt England and France Ib. From our King were sent the Archbishop and Earl of Warwick 95 And Cardinal Ursini as Mediator from the Pope Ib. The Commissioners did not conclude Ib. Our King demanded a Million of Crowns Normandy Aquitain and Ponthieu Dowry with his Mistress Ib. The French straitned refused all Terms Ib. Roan holds out obstinately 96 Where 't is said an Apple was sold for 3 s. a Dog for 10 S. Ib. The Citizens helpless their King being Lunatick and the Kingdom in a Civil War Ib. Upon suit made they surrenderd paying 365000 Crowns 97 Here the King setled his Exchequer and Courts for the Affair of Normandy Ib. Took Meudon and Pontoise by storm and others by surrender Ib Half a Tenth granted the King in a Synod where Walker a Priest convicted of Witchcraft for which he abjured and some of Wickliff's Followers recanted 98 99 Processions for the King's Success with whom the Duke of Burgundy made a private League who then had King Queen and Daughter of France in 's power 100 Our King at Troyes marries the said Daughter Catharine on agreement himself should be Regent and their Children succeed to the Crown of France Ib. These Conditions ratified the Archbishop goes to France to congratulate the King 100 101 Who goes against the Dauphin his only Enemy Ib. Took Montereau Ib. Melun surrender'd 102 The King returns to England Ib. Processions for four days Ib. Queen Catharine Crowned Ib. The Synod gives a Tenth on condition that it should be Felony to geld a Priest Ib. Moved to publish a late Decree with a Clause in favour of Monks and Priests Ib. Decreed a Bishop take only 12 s. for Institution and an Archdeacon for Induction 104 Pope Martin denied Money besides the Tenths c. in order to unite the two Churches of France and England Ib. The Archbishop recalls the Judges from the Conquests and commanded the French to obey their Ordinaries 105 The King hastens to France on his Brother's death Ib. His Son Henry born at Windsor Ib. The Queen recovered goes to France Ib. Pavia chosen by Pope Martin for a General Council according to that of Constance 106 A Provincial Synod at London Ib. Whence Delegates were designed Ib. But through Benedict the Thirteenth's Interest the Pavian Council is dissolved called to Siena and seven years after to Basil 107 H. Webb for preaching without Orders whipp'd in three principal Cities Ib. William Taylor 's honest Principles condemned as impious 108 King Henry the Fifth dies of a Fever at Bois de Vinciennes 109 For which his Father-in-law pining away died with grief within twenty days 110 The King's Body buried at Westminster Ib. His Brothers were left his Son Henry's Guardians Ib. Great loss of a King so vertuous so generally and princely qualified of singular good fortune and esteem thereupon Ib. Duke of Glocester calls a Parliament 111 The hopes the Archbishop conceived of young King Henry Ib. Three Reasons for calling the Parliament viz. to assign the King Governors and consult about the Peace and for the defence of the Realm 112 Jethro 's Advice Ib. The Duke of Glocester confirm'd Protector and the Archbishop named First of the Council 113 But he retired to his Function Ib. Founded a College at Higham Ferrers Ib. And a large Hospital 114 The Considerable Revenues of which were augmented by his Brothers Robert and William Ib. A Synod held by him at London Ib. The Dauphin crown'd King of France at Poictiers Ib. Whereupon preparation was made for War 115 The Regent of France and Duke of Burgundy oppose the Dauphin Ib. The former sent for Supplies from England Ib. The Bishop of Winchester moves for Money in the Synod Ib. Which now wants Henry the Fifth 116 As Henry the Sixth is like to go without their Money the Clergy's Estates being already so much drained and Livings fallen so low Ib. Being also alledged that the power of granting Tenths was taken away Ib. The Bishop succeeded no better in the Lower House and so the Synod was adjourned 116 117 At the next Sessions half a Tenth was granted by the Higher House on condition the Proctors consented but refused by the Lower House Ib. The Synod dissolved Ib. At the next half a Tenth's given with much ado 118 Hoke and Drayton's Heresy and Russell denies personal Tythes to be Jure Divino 118 119 In his absence proclaimed an Heretick and prosecuted at Rome 119 120 Afterwards he abjured his Error in England 120 H. Beaufort Bishop of Winchester an open Enemy to the Lord Protector 121 Great Parties on each side appear in the Streets of London Ib. The Archbishop interposed Ib. They then laid down their Arms 122 The Bishop of Winchester accuses the Protector to the Duke of Bedford Ib. Who hastens into England Ib. Calls a Parliament Ib. Finds out the causes of the Quarrel and inclines them to the arbitration of the Archbishop and Duke of Exeter c. 123 Their Reconciliation confirm'd by the
the King two Tenths By a Decree therein Students of both Universities were provided for Which was opposed and laid aside Pope Martin at pleasure fill'd the Episcopal Sees in England Whose Clergy were quiet during the Council of Constance Martin first claim'd an universal Right of Presentation In two years made thirteen Bishops in the See of Canterbury His Appropriation censur'd The English neglected in the Grants of the Roman Dignities Martin afterwards agreed to some redress In uniting Parishes And for a power to Bishops therein For avoiding the Unions made in time of the Schism For recalling Dispensations for nonresidence For Lessening the Number of Cardinals and for their equal promotion The King required that Pope not to meddle with his Presentations That no French be preferred in Aquitain c. That Irish Livings be given to those that understand English That the Bishops there promote the English Speech only That French be not preser'd to Monasteries in England That the Pope supply the King with some of the English Money The Pope not answering favourably 'T was declared the King would take his course The French and Germans declare against the Pope's Provisions The former revived the Laws to restrain him That if he were refractory they 'd disown him The Pope's Interdict of the Church of Lyons remov'd by the Parliament of Paris An Appeal from the King to the Pope High Treason h Carol. Molinae de Monar Fran. n. 145. The Oppress'd Germans not redress'd i In Epistolis passim The King besieges Roan the Capital City of Normandy Proposal of a Treaty betwixt England and France From our King were sent the Archbishop and Earl of Warwick k Enguerr de Monstrell cap. 200. And Cardinal Ursini as Mediator from the Pope The Commissioners did not conclude Our King demanded a Million of Crowns Normandy Aquitain and Ponthieu Dowry with his Mistress The French straitned refused all Terms Roan holds out obstinately Where 't is said an Apple was sold for 3 s. a Dog for 10 s. The Citizens helpless their King being Lunatick and the Kingdom in a Civil War l Enguerr de Monstrell cap. 202. Upon 〈◊〉 made they surrenderd paying 365000 Crowns Here the King setled his Exchequer and Courts for the Affairs of Normandy Took Meudon and Pontoise by storm And others by surrender Half a Tenth granted the King in a Synod where Walker a Priest convicted of Witchcraft for Which he abjured And some of Wicklyff's Followers recanted Processions for the King's Success with whom Duke of Burgundy made a private League Who then had King Queen and Daughter of France in 's power Our King at Troyes marries the said Daughter Catharine On agreement himself should be Regent and their Children succeed to the Crown of France These Conditions ratified The Archbishop goes to France to congratulate the King Who goes against the Dauphin his only Enemy Took Montereau Melun surrender'd The King returns to England Processions for four days Queen Catharine Crowned The Synod gives a Tenth On condition That it should be Felony to geld a Priest Moved to publish a late Decree with a Clause in favour of Monks and Priests Decreed a Bishop take only 12 s. for Institution and an Archdeacon for Induction Pope Martin denied Money besides the Tenths c. In order to unite the two Churches of France and England The Archbishop recalls the Judges from the Conquests And commanded the French to obey their Ordinaries The King hastens to France on his Brother's death His Son Henry born at Windsor The Queen recovered goes to France m Sess 39. Pavia chosen by Pope Martin for a General Council according to that of Constance A Provincial Synod at London Whence Delegates were designed But through Benedict the Thirteenth's Interest the Pavian Council is dissolved Called to Siena And seven years after to Basil H. Webb for preaching without Orders whipp'd in three principal Cities William Taylor 's honest Principles condemned as impious King Henry the Fifth dies of a Fever at Bois de Vinciennes For which his Father-in law pining away died with grief within twenty days The King's Body buried at Westminster His Brothers were left his Son Henry's Guardians Great loss of a King so vertuous So generally and princely qualified Of singular good fortune and esteem thereupon Duke of Glocester calls a Parliament n Rotul Parlia Ann. 1. H. 6. The hopes the Archbishop conceived of young King Henry Three Reasons for calling the Parliament viz. to assign the King Governors and consult about the Peace and for the defence of the Realm Jethro's Advice The Duke of Glocester confirmed Protector and the Archbishop named First of the Council But he retired to his Function Founded a College at Higham Ferrers And a large Hospital The Considerable Revenues of which were augmented by his Brothers Robert and William A Synod held by him at London The Dauphin crown'd King of France at Poictiers Whereupon preparation was made for War The Regent of France and Duke of Burgundy oppose the Dauphin The former sent for Supplies from England The Bishop of Winchester moves for Money in the Synod Which now wants Henry the Fifth As Henry the Sixth is like to go without their Money The Clergy's Estates being already so much drained And Livings fallen so low Being also alledged that the power of granting Tenths was taken away The Bishop succeeded no better in the Lower House and so The Synod was adjourned At the next Sessions half a Tenth was granted by the Higher House on condition the Proctors consented But refused by the Lower House The Synod dissolved o C. Quoniam v. provinciam de decim At the next Half a Tenth's given with much ado Hoke and Drayton's Heresy and Russell denies personal Tythes to be Jure Divino In his absence proclaimed an Heretick p Liter Academ Oxon. in Archiv ep 20. And prosecuted at Rome Afterwards he abjured his Error in England H Beaufort Bishop of Winchester an open Enemy to the Lord Protector Great Parties on each side Appear in the Streets of London The Archbishop interposed They then laid down their Arms. The Bishop of Winchester accuses the Protector to the Duke of Bedford Who hastens into England Calls a Parliament Finds out the causes of the Quarrel And inclines them to the arbitration of q Rotul Parliam an 4. H. 6. The Archbishop and Duke of Exeter c. Their Reconciliation confirm'd by the Votes of the whole Parliament Which granted Money for Levying Men. And Half a Tenth granted in the Synod Bishop of Winchester made Cardinal The Cap with a Legacy for England had been promised him by John the Twenty third But the Archbishop had shewn that the Pope's Legates derogated from the Royal Dignity c. Which he did in a Letter to the King Wherein there is a Specimen of the English Language at that time No Suit to be made to the Pope after Election till the Pope has wrote to the King and has got an Answer A Pope's Legate in England durante vitâ without Precedent The Doctrine and Discipline of the Church dispensable by the Ordinaries c. not Legates The Archbâ—shop sends a Minute of the Legate's Office or Instructions to the King Such Legacies are extraordinary and not without great and notable cause and no resident above two Months at most The Instructions to be express and limited He deprecates the Oppressions and cormorant Exactions of the Legates Upon this Letter the King forbad the Bishop of Winchester the Cardinal 's Cap. r Polychron in Hen. 5. After the King's death he is created Cardinal Å¿ Antiq. Britan. in Henr. Chich. For whom our pious Henry Archbishop was mistaken A Vigorous Defender of the King's Authority Whence he incurr'd the displeasure of Pope Martin the Fifth t Epist Academ Oxon 36. in Archiv The Archbishop's Character from Oxford u Rotul Parliam an 6 H. 6. Great Intercession mads for him Bishop of Winchester is Legate in England with a Faculty So exercis'd the Power that he was stiled the Rich Cardinal x Joan. Foxius in Martyrolog sub H. 5. The Cardinal opposed by R. Caudray the King's Proctor Promises not to exercise his Office without the King's leave * Eodem jure semper usi sunt Gallire Reges quorum injussu Legatis Pontificum nunquam licuit Galliam ingredi aut mandata promulgare Sicuti clarissimus Advocatus Regius Ludovicus Servinus coram Senatu Parisiensi Turonibus tum sedente demonstrabat cum Ann. MDXC Cardinalis Cajetanus ad Henricum IV. Galliae Regem Legatus mitteretur †L. Servâ—n aux playdoier vol. 4.
upon the death of Thomas Arundel fell to the Exchequer were by a particular favour granted him by a Patent under the Great Seal after he had paid Six hundred Marks He came to Leicester upon the account of the Parliament which the King had call'd there that he might consult with his Prelates Lords and Commons about making new Laws raising Money and the State of the Kingdom in general In this Parliament the Archbishop by his great Wisdom averted a terrible Storm from the Church which was rais'd against it by the envy of the Nobility and Commonalty at the Wealth of the Prelates which had shewed it self at several times during the Reign of Henry the Fourth but now seem'd to threaten them more nearly in this new Government For ten years before this in a Parliament holden at Coventry in the Year 1404. when King Henry the Fourth demanded Money of them for his Wars with the Scots the Welsh the Bretons the Flemings and the French the House of Commons replied that there was no other way of supplying the necessities of the Publick but by diminishing the excessive Wealth of the Clergy and that such was the Condition of the People of England that they not only advanc'd Money continually for the Service of the War but also expos'd their persons to the common Enemy while the Clergy staid at home and neither serv'd their Country with their Persons nor their Estates To this Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury briskly replied That the Clergy granted Tenths oftner than the Laity did Fifteenths and that more of their Tenants and Domesticks serv'd in the Wars than of those of the Nobility beside their Prayers which they pour'd out to God day and night for the prosperity of the Kingdom And presently turning himself to the King he fell upon his Knees and besought him that he would be mindful of his Oath by which he had solemnly promis'd before God and Man to preserve the Rights and Privileges of the Church entire and unviolated by which and by engaging those of the Nobility whom he thought to favour his Cause he prevail'd so far that the Demands of the Commons were thrown out by a publick Act. Six years after this in another Parliament holden by Henry the Fourth at Westminster the Commons in an Address presented to the King set forth that the Revenues of the Prelates and Monks which they consumed in Debauchery and Excess were sufficient to supply the Necessities of the King and Kingdom that out of them might be maintain'd Fifteen Earls Fifteen hundred Knights Six thousand two hundred Esquires and One hundred Hospitals and therefore they besought the King that he would seise them into his own hands and out of them would defray the necessary Expences of the Kingdom To which Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury again replied That the Commons did not desire the Lands of the Clergy to enrich the Exchequer but to repair their own Fortunes which were wasted by their Prodigality out of the rich Spoils of the Church as it had formerly happened to the Monasteries in France which in the Wars between the English and the French were brought into the Treasury out of which said he the King has not now so much as a Noble left At that time also the King rejected the Petition of the Commons whether it were that he fear'd an eternal Infamy would attend him if he should rob the Church or because he thought that the Promoters of this Design were secret Favourers of the Doctrine of John Wickliff to which he had always a great aversion From that time during the Reign of Henry the Fourth there was nothing attempted against the Church But in this Parliament at Leicester the House of Commons in an Address petition'd the new King that their demands against the Clergy which were represented four years ago might be taken into consideration again and voted in both Houses The Archbishop was extremely troubled at this for he was very sollicitous that the Church should receive no prejudice under his Government his greatest fear arose from the consideration of the King's Youth which is generally bent upon hasty Designs and Innovations Having therefore communicated this Affair to the Bishops it was determin'd by them that the Clergy should offer the King a great Sum of Money and excite him to make war with the French and to assert his Title to that Crown which falling to Edward the Second by Marriage was by him transmitted to his Successors Most of the Writers of that Age relate that the Archbishop upon this occasion presently call'd a Synod at London yet none of their Decrees are now to be found among the publick Records Now our Kings claim'd the Crown of France by this Title Charles the Fair King of France who was the only surviving Male-Heir of the Line of Philip the Fair his Father dying without Issue Edward the Third King of England Son to Edward the Second by Isabella Daughter of Philip the Fair by his Ambassadors demanded the Crown of France of the Estates of that Kingdom as next of kin to Philip the Fair his Mother's Father and Charles his Unkle On the other side Philip de Valois Son to Charles de Valois who was Brother to Philip the Fair maintained that he was next Heir by right of Succession as Cousin German to the late King Charles the Fair whereas Edward claim'd only in right of his Mother as being Grandson to Philip the Fair by his Daughter and Nephew to Charles the Fair by his Sister which Claim was contrary to the Laws and Constitutions of France by which the Crown is to descend upon the Male-line only alledging the words of the Salick Law that no Woman should inherit in Salick Land which Salick Land he affirm'd to be the Kingdom of France The French therefore rejected King Edward's Claim and acknowledg'd Philip for their King whereupon Edward presently assum'd the Title of King of France which our Kings have us'd ever since and having invaded France successfully he left the Quarrel entail'd upon his Successors together with the Crown of England After him Richard the Second a weak Prince desisted wholly from the War with the French and Henry the Fourth though he were a Valiant Prince yet being taken up partly with the Rebellions of the Welch and partly with the Intestine Divisions of his own Nobility he could not employ the whole Force of the Kingdom against them But in Henry the Fifth all opportunities concurr'd for carrying on the War a vigorous Age a great Courage Riches and Peace at home Beside which the Archbishop was of opinion that the fierce and restless Disposition of the Young King ought to be employ'd in some difficult Enterprize and that the only way to keep him from making any Disturbances at home was to shew him an Enemy abroad as there is no other way to stop the fury of
pass to his Daughter To which Ordinance if any Laws in any Nation whatsoever be found repugnant they are not Laws but Corruptions seeing they depart from that principal Rule of Justice which the great Lawgiver prescrib'd to his own People But setting aside those Women who govern'd that very People and those Kings who inherited that Crown in right of their Mothers we Christians do all acknowledge that Jesus Christ was the lawful Heir of the Jewish Kingdom now they who deny a right of Succession to be deriv'd from the Female Sex do not only oppose his Title but also deprive us of those exceeding great Benefits which God hath promis'd to Mankind through Christ For God having promis'd Abraham that in his Seed all the Nations of the Earth should be blessed because the Messias was to come out of his Family and the Prophets Isaiah and Micah by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost having prophesied many Ages before that Christ should spring out of the Root of Jesse and out of the Family of David and that the Tribe of Juda should be the noblest of all the rest because Christ was to arise out of it who should govern the People of Israel if the right of Succession be taken away from the Female Sex we shall find no truth in these Divine Oracles for Christ being begotten by an Eternal Father could not spring from the Seed of Abraham from the Root of Jesse from the House of David and from the Tribe of Juda but by Inheritance from his Mother But the French chuse rather to destroy the veracity of the Divine Promises than to submit to a Foreign Prince and they that call themselves most Christian do prefer a supposititious Law of Pharamond a Heathen before those sacred Laws given by God himself I would ask the French why they exclude Women from a right of governing whom all other Nations do admit Is it because their Government is so much better than that of all other Nations and even than that of the Jews which was constituted by God himself that only men are capable of administring it or does France which as they say produces the bravest men in the World bring forth the weakest and most despicable Women or did your great Grandfather's Mother Isabella commit some heinous Crime for which she a King's Daughter and Sister to Kings deserv'd to be depriv'd of the Crown But though we should grant them all this yet seeing they have formerly rejected your great Grandfather King Edward and do now disclaim any Authority that your Highness hath over them they are very manifestly convicted of Treason against you For admitting the Salick Law to be in force in the Kingdom of France let Females be excluded and the Male Issue only inherit the Crown yet by what words of that Law are the Sons of those Females excluded Shall a Law that debars Women from inheriting in respect of the natural Levity of their Sex be made to contradict it self and for a quite contrary reason to put by Men also or will they by a kind of malicious comprehension extend those words of the Law to the Male-Sex which reach only the Female Wherefore though they exclude Isabella why did they not admit her Son Edward a magnanimous and prudent Person why do they not invite your Highness a Prince every way qualified for Government For it is a received Maxim amongst the Lawyers that one unworthy or incapable may transmit some sort of right to his Heir and that those Laws that take away from Females the right of Inheritance are contrary to right Reason and natural Justice that none but the strictest interpretation of them is to be admitted and that they may not be stretch'd beyond the very Letter from Women to Men nor to the exclusion of a Sex that is not mentioned in them but ought rather to be taken in the most favourable acceptation Seeing therefore most mighty Prince that you are call'd to the Kingdom of France by the Laws both of God and Man assert that Right which is denied you by the French by force of Arms strike off that Crown from the head of the King of France which he hath unjustly put on repress the Rebellions of that People with fire and sword maintain the ancient Honour of the English Name amongst Foreign Nations and suffer not Posterity to accuse your Tameness in passing by those Affronts put upon you by your Enemies For besides a very just Cause which is commonly attended with the Divine Assistance you have all things that can be desir'd for carrying on a War with success a vigorous Age a strong and healthful Constitution a loyal Nobility and Commonalty and a flourishing Kingdom and lastly We your Subjects of the Clergy have granted your Highness a greater Sum of Money than your Predecessors ever received of our Order which we very readily and chearfully offer you for the Charges of this War and shall daily in our Prayers implore the Divine Majesty that by the prosperous success of your Arms he would make known to all the World the Justice of your Cause The Archbishop having ended his Speech the King seem'd very much affected with it But Ralph Nevil Earl of Westmorland President of the North fearing the Incursions of the Scots if the King should pass over into France in a long Oration endeavour'd to persuade That a War with the Scots was to be undertaken before that with the French and after he had excused himself in the beginning of his Speech for his want of Learning as not being able to contend with my Lord of Canterbury either in Eloquence or Knowledge he added That he had learn't from Wise men and from his own Experience that Forces united are stronger than disjoin'd and that it was less hazardous to invade a Neigbouring Enemy than one more remote Thus the Romans first reduc'd to their obedience the Samnites the Fidenates the Volsci and those People of Italy that lay next to them before they attempted to meddle with Foreign Nations and afterwards preferr'd the little Island of Sicily because it border'd upon Italy before the vast Regions of Pannonia Numidia and Germany He shew'd that the War with the Scots would be managed here at home where Soldiers and all other necessary preparations for War would be ready at hand whereas against the French there was a necessity of providing a great Fleet and Army at a prodigious charge when the Seat of the War was to be in the Enemies Country that the Victory would be easily obtain'd over the Scots their King being Prisoner in England and the state of Affairs there being in confusion through the unseasonable severity of Alban the Regent and lastly That the cause of this War would be very just being occasioned by the Ravages and Robberies daily committed by the Scots which they would exercise with greater fury while the English
Legate to Constance with a large Commission in which full power was granted him to lay down the Pontificate in his Name Whereupon the Legate putting on the Pontifical Robes and sitting in the Papal Chair as representing the Person of Gregory read his Commission publickly and resign'd the Papacy Benedict also being deserted by Ferdinand King of Arragon who had hitherto obey'd him by the Sentence of the Council was divested of the Popedom And that these Depositions of the Popes might appear to be lawful it was determin'd by a Decree of the Council that a General Council doth derive its Power immediately from Christ and that the Pope is subordinate to it After this they consulted about chusing a new Pope and it was agreed upon by the Council that six men out of each Nation should be deputed to go into the Conclave with the Cardinals and elect a Pope Now all things were manag'd in the Council by the Suffrages of five Nations the Germans the Italians the English the French and the Spaniards for it was in this Council that the English were first allow'd to be a Nation Out of them were chosen the Bishops of London Bath Worcester and Litchfield with the Abbot and Dean of York The third day after their entrance into the Conclave the Bishop of London leading the way with these words I Richard Bishop of London come to my Lord Cardinal Colonna all the rest follow'd his Example and chose Otho Colonna a Roman Prince and Cardinal of St. George of the Golden Fleece on the 11 th of November which being St. Martin's day the Pope took the Name of Martin the Fifth This Decree of the Council of Constance concerning the power of a General Council extreamly troubled the succeeding Popes insomuch that it was repealed by Leo the Tenth in the last Lateran Council since which a great many of the Canonists in their Commentaries and the Popish Divines in their long Disputations have disallow'd it either out of flattery to the Popes or else out of fear as having lost that liberty of speaking and writing which every one enjoy'd at the time of the Council of Constance when there was no Pope For Peter Ancharanus who was Advocate of the Council Baldus and Panormitanus gave it openly as their Opinion at that time That the Pope was subordinate to a Council and might be depos'd by it following herein the Authority of the Gloss of Archdiaconus and Geminianus who had deliver'd the same before in their Writings with whom Felinus and other more modern Authors do agree who approve the Council of Constance and maintain the same Opinion Nor is the Power of a Council restrain'd within such narrow limits that immediately upon the creation of a Pope it loses its Authority and can make no Decrees without the consent of the new Pope as Philip Decius imagined who is therefore deservedly censur'd by Charles Molinaeus and Panormitanus further adds That if the Pope dye or be depos'd in the time of a Council that then the power of Election is in the Council and not in the Cardinals alledging this Instance of the Council of Constance in which Martin the Fifth was chosen by the Cardinals and others to whom that Power was delegated by the Council But though this Decree was establish'd at that time in this Council of Constance yet it was afterwards of no force in the Council of Trent in which the Ambition of the Cardinals prevail'd who upon the death of Paul the Third who died in the time of the Council posted from Trent to Rome to create a new Pope But the Council of Constance by vertue of their Supream Authority in the beginning of their Session gave Commission under the Seals of the several Nations to Henry Bishop of Winchester and John Bishop of Litchfield to gather the Moneys due to the Chamber of Rome in England The Election of Martin the Fifth caus'd an incredible joy all over Christendom for every one thought that by this means the Peace of the Church would be re-establish'd The first notice of it in England was given by the Archbishop to the Synod and was presently divulged by Thanksgivings and solemn Processions This Synod was appointed by the Archbishop to be held at London on the 26 th of November upon a Command from the King by Letters out of France Thither came Thomas Bishop of Durham Lord Chancellour of England Thomas Beaufort Duke of Exeter Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland and Ralph Nevil Earl of Westmorland being sent from the Regent John Duke of Bedford to desire of the Clergy a supply of Money for the King who was then carrying on the War successfully in France which being seconded by the Request of the Archbishop they granted two Tenths In this Synod also Robert Gilbert Doctor of Divinity and Warden of Merton College in a long and eloquent Oration having first prais'd the University of Oxford laid before them the miserable Condition of the Students there who after many years spent in the study of the Sciences were not call'd thence to receive any reward of their Labours but were suffer'd to grow old in the University His Example was follow'd by Thomas Kington Doctor of Law and Advocate of the Arches who pleaded the same Cause for the University of Cambridge they both intreated in behalf of both Universities that by a Decree of the Synod some care might be taken to prefer them Whereupon it was decreed That all Livings whose yearly income amounted to sixty Marks should by the Patrons be given only to Doctors of Divinity Law or Physick those that were worth fifty Marks a year only to Licentiates in those Faculties or Batchelors of Divinity and those which did not exceed forty Marks yearly only to Masters of Arts or Batchelors of Law This related to those Benefices to which was annex'd the Cure of Souls The same Order almost was taken in those which are call'd Sinecures according to their respective Values It was further added That this Decree should not extend to those who had taken Degrees by some particular Grace But because it was provided by the Statutes of both Universities that the Students of Divinity should take no Degree in that Faculty till they had commenc'd Masters of Arts and that no Student of Canon Law should be created Doctor except he had studied the Civil Law this Condition was added to the Decree in favour of the Monks and Canon Lawyers that it should not be in force unless those Statutes were repeal'd For which purpose Thomas Felde Dean of Hereford and Thomas Lentwardyn Chancellor of St. Paul's in London were sent by the Synod to Oxford to treat about this Affair with the Masters of Arts by whose Suffrages the University is govern'd This was also signified to the Masters of Arts of Cambridge by Letters from the
Cowrte wow it so be that many lych at London to pursue to my Lord your brother your Chaunceler and your Counseil for to have leve and letters of passage Werfore Soverain Lord my Lord your brother charged me write to you and in as miche as your letter forseid was direct to me to wite in wat wise we shol governe us herafter for if ye have resteyned our holy faders letters or written to him it is unknowen to us unto this time Like it therfore gracious Lord to write to my Lord your brother in wat maner wise this matier schal be governed hereafter Forthermore gracious Lord of trowth that I am bound to you be my ligeaunse and also to quite me to God the chirch of your lond of the wich God and ye gracious Lord have maked me governor howeth to open to you this matier that suyeth of the wich I have herd pribily but now it is more opend and in such wise that credence shold bee yive to by reson that is to seyne that my brother of Winchester shold be maked a Cardinal if ye wold give your asent therto and that he shold have his Bishoprich in comende for terme of his life and therto have a stat and sent to your rengme of Yngland as a legat a latere to the wich manier of legacie non hath be acustumed to be named but Cardinals and that legacie also to ocupie thorgh all your obeysaunce saunce and all the time of his life Sovereyn Lord and most Christien Prince what instanse schall be maad to your Hignesse for this matier I wot not but blessyd be Almightie God undir your worthie protection your Chirche of Yngland is at this day I dare boldly say the moost Honorable Chirche Christien as wee l as debin servise as honest living therof governed after streit lawes and holy constitutions that be maad of hem withowten any gret erorbitaunses or any thing that migt torne to by shlaundre of your forseid Chirch or of your lond and if any trespases of mannys frelte falleth we may be coretid and punished by the Ordinaries there as the caas falleth But wat that this offis of legacie to be ocupied in the forme aforseid and suich comendis of Bishopriches not used in your holy Aunsetres time here afore wold extend to or gendre ageines the good governanse of your subgets in your by wisdom I trist to God ye will consider And forasmich as ye schal be enformid what the office of suych manier of legacie extendith to and appyly your Clerhys have not in minde for it hath shelde be seyn and have not alle here bookys with hent pleynly to enforme you in this time of your grete labor I send you a scrowe writen with inne this letter conteyning that is expressed in the Popis lawe and fully concludyd be Doctors And over that what he may have in special of the Popis grace no man wot for it stond in his wille to dispose as hym good liheth And be inspection of lawes and cronicles was there never no Legat a latere sent in to no loud and specially in to your rengme of Yngland withowte great and notable cause And thei whan thei came after thei had done her legacie abiden but lytul wyle not over a yer and summe a quarter or two monethes as the nedes requeryd And yit over that he was tretyd with or he cant into the lond whon he schold have exercise of his power and how myche schold be put in erecucion An aventure after he had be reseyved he whold have used it to largely to greet oppression of your peple Wherefore moost Cristien Prince and Sovereyn Lord as your trewe Preest whom it hath lyked you to sette in so hy astaat the wych with owte your gracious Lordship and supportation I know my self insufficient to ocupie beseche you in the moost humble wyse that I can devise or thenke that ye wile this matier take tendirly at herte and see the staat of the Chirche be meyntenid and susteyuid so that everich of the Ministers theroffe hold hem content with her owne part for trewly he that hath leest hath inow to rekene fore And that your poore pepul be not pyled nor oppressyd with diverse eractious and unacustumed thorgh wych thei schold be the more feble to refresche you owre liege Lord in time of nede and when it lyketh you to clepe up on hem and alle plees and sklaundre cese in your Chirche Towchinge oure holy fadir the Popis Ambassiat that late cam in to your lond I wot wel my Lord your brother wryteth to you pleynly and also of odir governance of your lond the wych blessed be God stond in good quiet pees and reste withowte any grete ryotis or debatys and al your trewe peple have her herys opyn to here good tydinges of you and continuely pray for your prosperite and al yowrys the mych Almighty God graunte for his mercy Amen wryten at Lambyth vi day of March. Your Prest H. C. Indorsed Au Roy nostre Souverein S. The King was so mov'd with this Letter of the Archbishop's that he commanded the Bishop of Winchester not to take upon him the Cardinalship and protested several times that he had rather see him wear the Crown than the Cardinal's Cap. During the King's Life the Bishop desisted but now relying upon the Infancy of the King and the Favour of his Nephew the Duke of Bedford he attempted it again and was created Cardinal by the Pope with the Title of Priest of S. Eusebius which easily occasion'd their mistake who instead of Henry Bishop of Winchester relate that Henry Archbishop of Canterbury was made Cardinal of S. Eusebius who was a Man of such Piety and Moderation that he was never known to court a Preferment by which being engag'd in the Interests of the Pope he must necessarily have swerv'd from that Loyalty to his Prince which he had always preserv'd entire and untainted For he was a most vigorous Defender of the King's Authority and the Rights of the Kingdom against the Ambition of the Popes and the Oppressions of the Court of Rome by which at this very time he drew upon himself the heavy displeasure of Martin the Fifth For the University of Oxford by Letters bearing date the 24 th of July this Year interceded for him with Pope Martin in which after they had given him a very extraordinary Character calling him the mirror of Life the light of Manners a Person most dear to the People and Clergy a golden Candlestick set up in the Church of England they besought him that he would not suffer the Credit of so eminent a Prelate to be blasted by the secret Calumnies of Detractors to which purpose also in the Parliament at Westminster the House of Commons petition'd the King to send an Ambassador forthwith to the Court of Rome to intercede with the
Fathers and for keeping privately by them several Books of John Wickliff and others concerning matters of Religion written in the Vulgar Tongue All which Opinions Some recanted others were imprison'd some of them recanted before the Synod and the rest were committed to Prison After them one Joan Dertford Joan Dertford by means of her Answer acquitted being question'd about the same Tenets clear'd her self of the Accusation by an uncertain Answer saying That she had learnt only the Creed and Ten Commandments and never durst meddle with the profound Mysteries of Religion upon which she was committed to the Bishop of Winchester's Vicar general to be instructed by him The Ordinaries also The Ordinaries charg'd to persecute the Wicklevists and Lollards of every place were commanded vigorously to prosecute those that dissented from the Church of Rome whom they call'd by the invidious Names of Wiclevists and Lollards and whose number daily increas'd and William Lyndewood Official and Thomas Brown Chancellor of Canterbury with some other Lawyers And Process ordered to be form'd against them both Canonists and Civilians were order'd to draw up a Form of the Process against them Pope Martin troubled that he obtain'd not the Tenths But Pope Martin was very much troubled to see the Power of the Keys decrease daily in England both by the denial of a Tenth for his War with the Bohemians and several other Affronts that he pretended to have lately receiv'd For some years before this having by his Bull of Provision translated Richard Flemming Bishop of Lincoln to the See of York which was then vacant by the That his Bull was opposed at York death of the Archbishop the Dean and Chapter of York oppos'd his entrance into their Church so that the Pope was forc'd by a contrary Bull to transfer him back again to the See of Lincoln The That his Legate was imprisoned Year after John Opizanus the Pope's Legate was imprison'd for presuming by vertue of that Office to gather the Money due to the Pope's Treasury contrary He expostulated with the Duke of Bedford to the King's Command which Matter the Pope by his Letters sharply expostulated with the Duke of Bedford He would certainly have call'd to mind all these things if he had not been diverted by the more important Concerns of the Council of Basil which The Pope is diverted with the prospect of the Council of Basil was now to be call'd For the time prefix'd for the assembling of it was now at hand the seventh Year being almost expir'd since the end of the last Council for which cause the Archbishop of Canterbury call'd another Synod at London in the beginning of the next Year on the 19 th of February in which Delegates Wherefore Delegates are chosen in a Synod at London with 2 d. per l. Charges were chosen to be sent to Basil and Two pence in the Pound was allow'd them out of all the Revenues of the Clergy Their Instructions were To desire in the name of the Church of England Their Instructions did run Against Pluralities And Non residence c. That a stop might be put to that vast number of Dispensations which were daily granted by which some were permitted to hold two Livings beside Dignities others had leave to be absent from their Cures and some who were scarce at Age were admitted to the highest Offices in the Church and that no Vnions of Churches might be made but where there were Convents within the bounds of the Parish The Synod gave the King a Tenth The Synod also granted the King a whole Tenth at the sollicitation of John Kempe Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor of England who in a long Oration told them That the Siege of For the Siege of Orleans Orleans was rais'd by the death of the Earl of Salisbury a Renown'd Commander Many other Towns revolted that Troyes Beauvais Rhemes and many other Towns had revolted to King Charles that a great number And many English slain at Patau of our Men were lately slain in a Battel at Patau and that all France would soon come under the obedience of Charles unless Supplies of Money were rais'd in England that for this cause he with several others of the Privy Council were sent to them from the King The Synod also made an Order which concerned the general good of the Kingdom The Synod decreed just Weights That Tradesmen should be oblig'd to sell their Goods by a full weight and prohibited any one under pain of Excommunication to make use of a certain deceitful Weight with which they cheated their Customers But Pope Martin though it were Popes generally afraid of Councils with great reluctancy that he had call'd the Council at Basil fearing lest his Life and Actions should be inquir'd into for which cause also the a Fr. Guicciard lib. 9. Paul Jov. lib. 2. succeeding Popes were always very averse from calling a General Council yet because this was the Place and Time appointed both by his own Edicts and the determination of the Fathers assembled first at Constance and then at Pavia that he might not seem to equivocate in the opinion of all Christendom appointed Julianus Caesarinus Cardinal of S. Angelo to preside in his Name at the Council Martin appoints a President who at that time was his Legate in the Bohemian War against the Followers of Hus the Cardinal of Winchester being lately recall'd from that Post But before his journy to Basil in the beginning of the next Year Pope Martin died at Rome and Gabriel Condelmarius who The Pope dies before he took his Place was created Cardinal at Lucca by Gregory the Twelfth as is before related was chosen into his room on the 3 d of March and chang'd his Name for that of Eugenius the Fourth by whom also Eugenius the Fourth succeeds him and continues the President who was his Legate Caesarinus being continued in the Office of Legate he went to Basil and open'd the Council there in the beginning of December In which the matter was hotly debated concerning the Power of the Pope and on the 15 th of February it was Determined That a General Council doth derive its Authority immediately from Sess 2. Christ and that the Pope is subject to it The Pope adjudged subject to the Council c. that he hath no power to remove or prorogue it that if the Pope die in the time of their Session the right of erecting a new one is in the Council and that the supreme Sess 4. Government of the Church is committed to a Council and not to the Pope and by vertue of this supreme Authority they constituted By their susupreme Authority the Council makes a Legate of Avignon c. The Pope alarm'd removes the Council to Bologne Is opposed Alfonsus Cardinal of S. Eustace Legate of Avignon and forbad Eugenius to make any
London on the 30 th of April easily obtain'd of them a whole Tenth The Clergy grant a Tenth for they all earnestly desir'd the recovery of France The Archbishop had design'd a long time ago to erect some noble Monument for the service of the Church of Religion and Learning and for his own glory in the University of Oxford which out of a pious regard to his Education there he desir'd to adorn as much as was possible For at that time the Estates of almost all private Persons as well as the publick Revenues being exhausted by the long continuance of the French War the Vniversity was so thin and empty that most of the Colleges and Halls which were formerly full of Students were now quite forsaken and uninhabited and of those many Thousand Scholars that us'd to flock thither there was not one remaining which f Epist Acad. Oxon. 125. in Archiv they heavily lamented in their Letters to the Archbishop and the Synod Wherefore that he might by his Bounty repair the decays of Learning occasion'd by the general poverty of the Kingdom he gave Orders for building a large and stately Edifice of a square form in the North part of the Suburbs The Archbishop built a stately Edifice at Oxford of Oxford which he design'd for a College but when the Work was almost finish'd whether it were that he found fault with the Builders or that he did not like the situation of it he chang'd his mind and gave it to the Monks of Gave it to the Monks of St. Bernard S. Bernard that the Novices might be sent thither out of all the Convents of that Order to study the Arts and Divinity afterwards in the general Calamity of Monasteries it was seiz'd by Seiz'd in Henry the Eighth's time Purchased by Thomas White Merchant who Founded there St John the Baptist's College From whence came many Reformers King Henry the Eighth of whom Sir Thomas White Merchant of London a very great Favourer of Learning purchas'd it and founded there the noble College of St. John Baptist which hath since produc'd a great many eminent Men in all Faculties and particularly in Divinity who labour'd very succesfully in carrying on the Reformation in the Church of England This prudent Person shew'd by his excellent Example that those sacred and stately Houses which were taken from the licentious Monks and afterwards unjustly seiz'd on by the Avarice and Luxury of private Persons should have been applied towards the advancement of Learning the relief of the Poor or the publick good of the Church and Kingdom But the Archbishop chose another place for building a College very commodious for the Students in the middle of the Town near S. Mary's Church In which place having pull'd down the Houses that stood there which he bought of the Owners he laid out a The Archbishop chose another place for a College square Court and on the 10 th of February this Year the first Stone of this Auspicious Building was laid and the inspection of the Work was committed to the care of one John Druell a Clergy-man who perform'd that Trust with great integrity and diligence In the mean time Pope Eugenius being threatned by the Edict of the Fathers The Edict of the Council of Basil against the Pope backt by the Emperor at Basil as we said before which was seconded by the Authority of Sigismond the Emperor who came to Basil accompanied with a great many of the German Princes revok'd his Translation of the Council to Bologna and confirm'd Sess 16. Concil Basil The Council's Translation revoked Sess 19 24. Ambassadors to the Council from Greece and Constantinople where The Emperor and Patriarch designed to be present If the Council would secure them and defray their Charges their Session at Basil whither also he sent his Legates the Cardinal de Santa Cruce and the Bishop of Padua to support his Interests there There arriv'd also at Basil Ambassadors from John Paleologus Emperor of Greece and Joseph Patriarch of Constantinople who were receiv'd with great joy and declar'd that the Emperor himself the Patriarch and the Bishops of the Greek Church would come to the Council in order to compose the Differences between the Eastern and Western Churches in matters of Faith if the Council would engage the publick Faith for their security and defray Which was agreed the Charges of their Journey Both which the Fathers immediately promis'd and confirm'd by their Ambassadors sent to Constantinople But the Emperor Sigismond who was a valiant But on Sigismond's death the Pope removes the Council to Ferrara Sess 29. and wise Prince dying this Year Eugenius being freed from his Apprehensions remov'd the Council from Basil to Ferrara and by Letters sent into England he desir'd the King to send his Ambassadors thither and commanded the Archbishop of Canterbury to assemble all the Bishops of his Province in the beginning of the next Year and order them to go to Ferrara Whether he summon'd the Bishops from England Sess 32. which he signified also by Letters written at the same time to all the Princes and Bishops in Christendom This opposed by the Council On the other side the Fathers at Basil forbad any one to appear at Ferrara and indeed almost all Nations detested this double dealing of Pope Eugenius for most of the Italians the Germans and the Spaniards sided with the Fathers at Basil and Charles the Seventh King of France not only forbad the Prelates of that Kingdom to go to g Panor Tract de Concil Basil n. 6. Carol. Molinae de Monarc Franc. n. 149. Ferrara but also having call'd an Assembly of the Estates of France at Bourges in Berry King Charles of France puts forth the pragmatical Sanction against Annates c. he put forth the Pragmatical Sanction against Annates Provisions and other Extortions of the Popes which contain'd in a manner nothing else but the Decrees of the Council of Basil and commanded it to be receiv'd for Law in the Kingdom of France This Sanction curb'd the Power of the Popes in France for a long time till the Reign Which curb'd the Pope's Power there till the time of Lewis the Twelfth The English generally sided with the Pope of h Petr. Rebuff Tract de nominat quaest 2. n. 2. Lewis the Twelfth who at last was prevail'd upon by the Sollicitations of Pope Leo the Tenth to abolish it But almost all the English sided with Eugenius for first of all the King appointed some Persons of eminent Quality King Henry sent Ambassadors to Ferrara to be sent Ambassadors to Ferrara to whom the Bishops assembled in Convocation voted an Allowance suitable to their Quality which notwithstanding But their allowance was disputed was denied by the Proctors for the Clergy in the Lower House who were more inclin'd in favour of the Council of Basil only the Proctors for the Convents granted Four
Votes of the whole Parliament which granted Money for Levying Men Ib. And half a Tenth granted in the Synod 124 Bishop of Winchester made Cardinal Ib. The Cap with a Legacy for England had been promised him by John the Twenty third Ib. But the Archbishop had shewn that the Pope's Legates derogated from the Royal Dignity c. Ib. Which he did in a Letter to the King 125 Wherein there is a Specimen of the English Language at that time Ib. No Suit to be made to the Pope after Election till the Pope has wrote to the King and has got an Answer 126 A Pope's Legate in England durante vitâ without Precedent 128 The Doctrine and Discipline of the Church dispensable by the Ordinaries c. not Legates Ib. The Archbishop sends a Minute of the Legate's Office or Instructions to the King 129 Such Legacies are extraordinary and not without great and notable cause and no resident above two Months at most Ib. The Instructions to be express and limited Ib. He deprecates the Oppressions and cormorant Exactions of the Legates 130 Upon this Letter the King forbad the Bishop of Winchester the Cardinal 's Cap. 131 After the King's death he is created Cardinal 132 For whom our Pious Henry Archbishop is mistaken in Antiquit. Britan. Ib. A vigorous Defender of the King's Authority Ib. Whence he incurr'd the displeasure of Pope Martin the Fifth Ib. The Archbishop's Character from Oxford 133 Great Intercession made for him Ib. Bishop of Winchester is Legate in England with a Faculty Ib. So exercis'd the Power that he was stiled the Rich Cardinal 134 The Cardinal opposed by R. Caudray the King's Proctor Ib. Promises not to exercise his Office without the King's leave Ib. Laid down the Office of Chancellor as obliged But kept his Place in the Council with exception 135 The Pope rais'd him against the Bohemians who had pull'd down the Monasteries c. 136 The Cardinal made General in the Bohemian War c. Ib. He could pardon Rapes on Nuns c. Ib. He was to demand a Tenth of the English Clergy for the War Ib. In the next Synod half a Tenth is given the King 137 And in another a Tenth and an half Ib. Duke of Bedford had besieg'd Orleans Ib. For those Grants the Members of the Synod c. were freed from Arrests 138 The Pope's Nuntio prevail'd not in the Synod Ib. For shewing his Letters for a Tenth he was denied but got 8 d. per Mark from Livings with a Salvâ praerogativâ Regiâ Ib. Heresy in holding the Pope to be Antichrist c. 139 Some recanted others were imprison'd Ib. Joan Dertford by means of her Answer acquitted Ib. The Ordinaries charg'd to persecute the Wicklevists and Lollards Ib. And Process ordered to be form'd against them 140 Pope Martin troubled that he obtain'd not the Tenths Ib. That his Bull was opposed at York Ib. That his Legate was imprisoned Ib. He expostulated with the Duke of Bedford Ib. The Pope is diverted with the prospect of the Council of Basil 141 Wherefore Delegates are chosen in a Synod at London with 2 d. per l. Charges Ib. Their Instructions did run against Pluralities and Non-residence c. Ib. The Synod gave the King a Tenth for the Siege of Orleans 141 142 Many other Towns revolted Ib. And many English slain at Patau Ib. The Synod decreed just Weights Ib. Popes generally afraid of Councils Ib. Martin appoints a President 143 The Pope dies before he took his Place Ib. Eugenius the Fourth succeeds him and continues the President who was his Legate Ib. The Pope adjudged subject to the Council c. 144 By their supreme Authority the Council makes a Legate of Avignon c. Ib. The Pope alarm'd removes the Council to Bologne Ib. Is opposed Ib. Delegates from London Synod to the Council of Basil and others to the Pope Ib. Half a Tenth given the King 145 William Lyndewood Keeper of the Privy Seal writ excellent Commentaries on the English Constitutions 145 146 And was stiled the Light of the Law Ib. Complaint in the Synod against the Vicars General c. Ib. Decreed that a Judge of a Spiritual Court must have some degree of the Law Ib. Archbishop of York as Cardinal claim'd precedence of Canterbury 147 The Archbishop of Canterbury on the contrary by ancient Prerogative Ib. Referred to the Pope Ib. The Arguments for Canterbury urgent Ib. Overborn in the Cardinal's favour 148 A Synod call'd at London on occasion of the difference between the Pope and Council 149 The Pope is summoned to Basil Ib. Of which London Synod consults 150 And what Pope they should obey if another be set up Ib. Alledged 1st that the Pope might dissolve a Council and if another be set up the Synod is to obey Eugenius Ib. By which they resent a Decree made at Basil transferring Votes from the Nations to a few Delegates Which was protested against on the place 150 151 Eight new Delegates nominated Ib. King Charles crown'd at Rhemes Ib. A new Army against France designed 152 Money desired of the Synod Ib. After a denial they gave three quarters of a Tenth Ib. The Grievances of the Church at that time 153 The Archbishop zealous to rescue her from the Oppressions of the Lawyers Ib. By reason of the Plague the Synod dissolved Ib. The Duke of Burgundy revolts to the French and Bedford dies 154 The former occasion'd the ill success of the Treaty at Arras Ib. The English driven out of Paris c. Ib. And generally the French surrender'd to Charles 155 A new English Army set sail for Calais Ib. The Clergy grant a Tenth Ib. The Archbishop built a stately Edifice at Oxford 156 Gave it to the Monks of St. Bernard Ib. Seiz'd in Henry the Eighth's time 157 Purchased by Thomas White Merchant who founded there St. John the Baptist's College Ib. From whence came many Reformers Ib. The Archbishop chose another place for a College Ib. The Edict of the Council of Basil against the Pope backt by the Emperor 158 The Council's Translation revoked Ib. Ambassadors to the Council from Greece and Constantinople where the Emperor and Patriarch designed to be present if the Council would secure them and defray their Charges Ib. Which was agreed Ib. But on Sigismond's death the Pope removes the Council to Ferrara whether he summon'd the Bishops from England 159 This opposed by the Council Ib. King Charles of France puts forth the Pragmatical Sanction against Annates c. 160 Which curb'd the Pope's Power there till the time of Lewis the Twelfth Ib. The English generally sided with the Pope Ib. King Henry sent Ambassadors to Ferrara Ib. But their allowance was disputed Ib. The Pope gives away the Bishoprick of Ely in Commendam 161 The Archbishop in Synod opposes the Affair which was frustrated by the Survivorship of the then Bishop Ib. Propos'd in Synod to renew a Decree that those not in Orders should not be beneficed
the Virgin Mary of St. Thomas of Canterbury and King Edward the Confessor and plac'd in it Eight Chaplains or Fellows Four Clerks Six Choristers and over all these a Master who were to pray for the Souls of the deceased He also built a large Hospital for the maintenance of the Poor of that place both which Foundations he endowed with ample Revenues which were afterwards augmented with great Legacies which his Brothers Robert and William Chichele two Eminent Citizens of London left them in their Wills After his return from his visitation of the Diocess of Lincoln he held a Synod at London on the 12 th of October being sollicited by Letters from the King to demand a supply of Money of the Clergy for the War with France For after the death of Henry the Fifth and Charles the Sixth the Dauphin supposing that the Name of King would be of great advantage to him caus'd himself to be crown'd at Poictiers and took upon him the Title of Charles the Seventh King of France and a great many Princes and Governors of Towns coming in to him who still retain'd an affection for the Name of France he made preparations for War with greater vigour On the other side John Duke of Bedford who by his Brother's Will was appointed Regent of France having contracted a stricter League of amity with Philip Duke of Burgundy by marrying his Sister Ann attack'd the Dauphin in several parts of France and having divided the Forces betwixt himself and Philip Duke of Burgundy he sent Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury toward Sens with some choise Troops and desir'd of Humphrey Duke of Glocester Regent of England a fresh Supply of Men and Money Whereupon Henry Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellor of England John Stafford Bishop of Bath Lord Treasurer Richard Earl of Warwick William Alnewyke Keeper of the Privy Seal Lewis Lord Bourchier and Ralph Lord Cromwell were sent from the Duke of Glocester to the Synod The Bishop of Winchester in a formal Speech having laid before them the present condition of Affairs in France exhorted and intreated them to bestow some part of their Revenues for subduing the remains of the Dauphin's Forces But then it plainly appear'd how much they were all affected with the loss of King Henry the Fifth For whereas they had granted Tenth's so frequently and so readily in former Synods as we have related before they now stuck at the very first demand of the new King thinking that all the hopes of conquering France depended upon Henry the Fifth and that nothing could succeed now he was gone For when the Proctors for the Clergy had debated the Matter several days William Lyndewood was deputed by them to return their Answer which was That the Estates of the Clergy were so drain'd by the continual expences of the War that they were hardly sufficient to maintain them and their Families handsomely that the value of a great many Livings was so fallen that there were not Priests to be sound who would supply the Cures and in short That in the Commissions of all the Proctors for the Clergy the power of granting Tenths was expresly taken away Upon this the Bishop of Winchester went to the Lower House and in a long and pressing Oration besought them to supply the Necessities of the Publick but when he could obtain nothing of them who excus'd themselves upon the narrowness of their Commissions The Synod was adjourn'd by the Archbishop to the 26 th of January following At which time the Bishop of Winchester with the rest of the Lords came thither again and having made a Speech to the Bishops Abbots and Priors of the Vpper House in the Name of the King they granted half a Tenth protesting withal that This Concession should not oblige them unless the Proctors for the Clergy would consent to it for that a division of the two Orders of the Clergy in the matter of granting Tenths being introduced by this Example would be of very pernicious consequence to Posterity But the Lower House persisting stiffly in their former Resolutions were not at all mov'd with the importunate Demands first made by the Bishop of Winchester and afterwards by the Archbishop and the rest of the Bishops Whereupon the Archbishop presently dissolv'd the Synod and appointed another to be held two Months after on the 23 d of April thinking that by the Election of new Proctors the business would be more easily affected When this Synod was assembled the Archbishop first of all commanded the Lower House to chuse their Speaker who is commonly call'd the Prolocutor who pitch'd upon William Lyndewood of which he himself makes mention in his Commentaries After which the Lord Chancellor the Lord Treasurer William Alnewyke Keeper of the Privy Seal the Lord Scrope the Lord Cromwell with some others of the Privy Council came again to the Synod and the Lord Chancellor with his florid Speeches and the rest of the Lords engaging them severally by Flatteries Threats and Promises at length with much ado they obtain'd half a Tenth When this business was over one Robert Hoke and one Thomas Drayton both Priests one of the Diocess of Lincoln and the other of Canterbury were brought before the Synod and accus'd of Heresy It was alledg'd against them That they would not kneel before the Crucifix and that they had in their possession certain Books in which it was said that the Priest could not change the Host in the Sacrament into the Body of Christ that a Monastick Life and Auricular Confession were the Inventions of the Devil and that amongst Christians all things ought to be in common which Opinions they abjur'd publickly at Paul's Cross But the sharpest Accusation was brought against one William Russel of the Order of Minor Fryers for teaching the People in his Sermons That personal Tythes were not commanded by God but that it was lawful for all Christians to bestow them in charitable uses upon the Poor as they pleas'd themselves This extreamly troubled and perplex'd the Clergy who fear that if this Opinion should spread it self among the People they should lose this part of their Income by which the Wealth of their Order would be greatly diminish'd Wherefore he was order'd by the Synod on a day prefix'd to recant out of the Pulpit at Paul's Cross but before the time came he fled out of England whereupon he was pronounc'd contumacious by Edicts set forth against him and afterwards in open Court proclaim'd a Heretick and his Opinion was adjudg'd to be impious by the Decrees of both Vniversities which the University of Oxford presently signified by their Letters to the Archbishop and the Synod which are yet extant Shortly after the Synod being inform'd that he was at Rome sent Messengers to apprehend him and accuse him before the Pope who were allow'd a Farthing in the
Pound out of all Ecclesiastical Preferments The Examination of this Matter being referr'd by the Pope to Branda Cardinal of Placenza he was condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment unless he repented of his Error but afterwards escaping out of Prison he return'd into England and having preach'd a Sermon at Paul's Cross he abjur'd his Error with a formal Oath The Archbishop also by his Mandate enjoin'd the Franciscans that as often as they preach'd to the People they should teach them that personal Tythes were commanded to be paid both by the Laws of God and the Constitutions of the Holy Fathers The same Year after the Synod was ended the Archbishop by his Prudence dispell'd a dreadful Storm that threatned the Kingdom which was rais'd by the Dissentions of the Nobility For Henry Beaufort Son to John Duke of Lancaster by Catharine Swinford his third Wife being puff d up with the nobility of his Birth and the great Wealth which he had got together out of the Bishoprick of Winchester and not brooking the Rule of Humphry Duke of Glocester the Lord Protector he began to maintain an open enemity against him the Quarrel being afterwards more enflam'd on both Sides and many of the Nobility and others engaging in either Party they both went Arm'd and attended with their Servants and Adherents and a great number of Profligate and Seditious Persons wearing Arms by their Example went about the Streets of London and their Number was so great that the Citizens shut up their Shops and left off their Trades and were forc'd to keep Guard Day and Night in all the Streets of the City to repress the Insolence of these Mutineers Upon this the Archbishop accompanied with Peter Duke of Conimbra Son to the King of Portugal who was lately come into England to visit the King his Cousin rid through the City eight times in one Day betwixt the Duke's and the Bishop's Palaces and prevail'd so far upon them both by his Authority and Intreaties that they laid down their Arms and Matters were compos'd for a time But the Bishop though he had quitted his Arms had not yet relinquish'd his Hatred for soon after by Letters sent into France to the Duke of Bedford he accus'd the Duke of Glocester desiring the Duke of Bedford to come over into England with all speed if he tender'd the Safety of the King and the Peace of the Kingdom which otherwise must of necessity be involv'd in Blood and the devastations of a Civil War The Duke though the War went on succesfully in France by the surrender of a great many strong Towns and the defeat of a great Army of the French in a pitcht Battel at Vernoil yet esteeming the success of Affairs in France to depend upon the Peace of England immediately upon the receit of these Letters he committed the Administration of his Office to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and came with all speed into England in the beginning of the Year 1426. and having call'd a Parliament at Leicester he examin'd the Quarrel between his Brother and the Bishop When they had both shew'd the causes of their discontent and from arguing began to break out into greater heats at the Duke of Bedford's entreaty they agreed to refer all Differences on both Sides to the determination of Arbitrators of whom Henry Archbishop of Canterbury was nam'd first after him Thomas Duke of Exeter John Duke of Norfolk Thomas Bishop of Durham Philip Bishop of Winchester John Bishop of Bath Humphry Earl of Stafford William Alnewyke Keeper of the Privy Seal and Ralph Cromwell who order'd them to join hands and in a set form of words to be repeated by them both to forgive all Injuries on both Sides and be friends with one another which Reconciliation was confirm'd by the Votes of the whole Parliament In this Session a supply of Money was granted for levying Soldiers for which end also about this time the Archbishop assembled a Synod at London on the 15 th of April Thither came John Kempe Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor of England with Walter Hungerford Lord Treasurer and the Lord Chancellor having extoll'd the great pains and diligence of the Duke of Bedford in an Eloquent Oration the Synod granted the King half a Tenth The Bishop of Winchester who was created Cardinal thsi Year by Pope Martin the next Year went over with the Duke of Bedford into France and at Calais in the great Church of that Place he put on the Cap and other Ensigns of that Dignity with great solemnity on Candlemas-day He had sought this Honor with great earnestnss eight years before in the time of King Henry the Fifth and had obtain'd a Promise of it of Pope John the Twenty third who design'd to promote him very speedily and to appoint him his Legate à latere in England with a very large Authority But the Archbishop perceiving his Ambition at that time interpos'd with the King who was then in France by Letters which he wrote to him in a grave and modest style in which he shew'd That the Power of the Pope's Legates did derogate very much from the Dignity of the King from the Laws of the Land and from the Privileges of the Church of England A Copy of this Letter the Original of which is yet to be seen written with the Archbishop's own Hand we have here subjoin'd Sovereyn Lord as your humble Prest and debout Bedeman I recommand me to your Hygnesse desyreing evermore to heare and knowe of your gracious speed he le of body and of soule also my Lordys your brethren and all your royal hoste And as hertly as I can or may thanke Almightie God and Lord of all strengths and hostes that so graciously hath continued his mygty hond upon you sythen the time of your beginning hedirtoward into your most worship your Leige menys most hertly gladnesse and abating of the hy pride of your enemies And besech God both day and night with all your subgetts both spirituel and temporel so continue his hy Grace upon you and yowre that the mow come to the effect of your hy labor pees of both your regmes after your hertly desires Gracious Lord like it to remember you that be your moost worthie letters written at your towne of Caen rrb. day of September you charged me that be the abys of my Lord your brother of Bedford and of your Chaunceler sholde be ordeygned that all maner of men of your subgets wat astaat or condicion that thei were should abstyne letter of wrytes or pursuit making to the Pope after his election till the time that he have writen to you and ye againe to him as it hath be acustumed of honeste of your lond for the which cause neither I nor non odir man as ferforth as it may be knowe hath yit written nor sent ne no leve hath of passage to the
consults Lower House to consult and determine whether the Pope might dissolve a General Council at his own pleasure and And what Pope they should obey if another be set up in case the Fathers at Basil should depose Eugenius and set up another Pope which of them they ought to obey To which Questions some days after Thomas Bekyngton Official of the Archbishop's Court answer'd in the name of Alledged 1 st that the Pope might dissolve a Council and if another be set up the Synod is to obey Eugenius the rest That the Pope by his sole command might dissolve a Council and that they were not to withdraw their Obedience from Eugenius though another Pope should be created at Basil For the Affections of a great many People in England began some time ago to be alienated from the Fathers at Basil upon the account of By which they resent a Decree made at Basil transferring Votes from the Nations to a few Delegates a Decree made by them which took away the Custom of voting by the Suffrages of every Nation and referr'd all things to the determination of some particular Delegates whereupon the English Representatives then at Basil Thomas Bishop of Worcester William Prior of Norwich Thomas Brown Dean of Salisbury Peter Patrick Chancellor and Robert Borton Precentor of Lincoln John Sarysbury Doctor of Divinity and John Symondisborough Licentiate in the Canon Law protested against it which was also done at the same time here in Which was protested against on the place England by William Lyndewood Proctor for the King who repeated a set form of Appeal in which he protested against the Decree as unjust for that this way of voting might hereafter be prejudicial to the King and the Rights of the Clergy and Parliament After this the Archbishop consulted with the Synod about nominating more Eight new Delegates nominated Delegates because several of those that were sent before were dead at Basil and eight Doctors of Divinity and both Laws were chosen who were to be sent to Basil provided the Fathers would admit them without imposing upon them any new Oath At this time our Affairs in France declin'd daily by the revolt of the chief Cities to King Charles who had been lately crown'd at Rhemes with great solemnity King Charles crown'd at Rhemes for which cause the Duke of Bedford who was lately come into England and his Brother the Duke of Glocester thought it expedient to raise a A new Army against France designed new Army here in England and John Stafford Bishop of Bath Lord Chancellor the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury the Lord Treasurer Cromwell and the Lords Scrope and Tiptoft were sent to the Synod Money desired of the Synod to desire Money of them The Chancellor in an elegant Speech laid before them the miserable state of Affairs in France and the poverty of the Exchequer and brought them to supply the Necessities of the King and Kingdom After a denial At first they absolutely refus'd to grant any Supply alledging that the Wealth of the Clergy was exhausted by their advancing Money continually for the use of the War by the Rapines of the King's Purveyors and by unjust Citations to the King's Courts But some other Lords soon after coming to them as the Earl of Huntington the Lords Hungerford Audly and Cornwallis who urg'd again the same Reasons and reckon'd up the extraordinary Benefits conferr'd on the Church by the Kings of England they They gave three quarters of a Tenth at length obtain'd three quarters of a Tenth For at that time the Clergy complain'd grievously of the unjust proceeding of the King's Judges and the The Grievances of the Church at that time common Lawyers That Priests against all Law and Equity were brought to their Secular Courts that the Power of the Ecclesiastical Judges was restrain'd by their unjust Prohibitions and particularly that by a fraudulent interpretation they wrested a strict Law of Richard the Second against Provisors and turn'd it upon those Persons who were Judges in the Spiritual Courts of those Causes which they pretended to belong to their Jurisdiction For which cause the Archbishop held another Synod at London the next Year on the 7 th of October where in a pathetical Speech he express'd how solicitous he was that the The Archbishop zealous to rescue her from the Oppressions of the Lawyers Church might receive no prejudice under his Government that it might be deliver'd from the illegal Oppressions of the Lawyers and restor'd to its ancient dignity and commanded them all to consider what measures were to be taken to ease the Clergy of the weight of these Oppressions But the Plague breaking out in the City the By reason of the Plague the Synod dissolved Synod was quickly dissolv'd having only appointed a Holiday to be kept in honour of S. Frideswide the Protectress of the Vniversity of Oxford and denounc'd excommunication against any one that should detract from the Privileges and Jurisdiction of the Church After this the Archbishop applied himself industriously to the Government of his Province and call'd never another Synod in three Years till the Necessities of the Exchequer call d upon the Clergy for a Supply to maintain the Charges of the War with France The Duke of Burgundy revolts to the French and Bedford dies The former occasion'd The revolt of the Duke of Burgundy to the French and the death of the Duke of Bedford which hapned the next Year gave a terrible blow to our Affairs in France For about that time by the mediation of Pope Eugenius and the Council of Basil Commissioners from our King from Charles King of France and the The ill success of the Treaty at Arras Duke of Burgundy met at Arras in order to treat of a Peace But the English and French not agreeing by reason of the extravagant Conditions demanded on either side the Burgundians at last went over to the French and soon after the Duke of Bedford fell sick and died whose death soon caus'd a great alteration in the posture of Affairs For the The English driven out of Paris c. next Year the People of Paris conspir'd privately together and drove the English out of the City and many other Towns being stirr'd up by their example and in a manner all the People of France as if they were impell'd by a And generally the French surrender'd to Charles fatal necessity surrender'd themselves to King Charles Wherefore to preserve the remains of our Dominion in France the Duke of Glocester with a great Army and a gallant Fleet sail'd over to Calais which A new English Army set sail for Calais was then besieg'd by the Duke of Burgundy and the King by Letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury press'd him to move the Clergy for a supply of Money for levying more men who having assembled the Bishops and Prelates of his Province at
depriv'd of Crown and Life by Edward the Fourth Our Chichele's Wisdom supported the Kingdom From the Calamities of which he was by his happy Fate delivered of York took occasion from hence to raise that lamentable Civil War in which King Henry being twice taken Prisoner in the Field forc'd to fly out of England and by the mockery of Fortune restor'd again to his Kingdom was at last depriv'd both of Life and Crown by Edward the Fourth If we consider all these things Henry Chichele died in a very seasonable time and deserv'd of Posterity a Character both of Wisdom seeing the Kingdom which had been supported by his Counsels fell with him and also of Happiness in that God Almighty did not suffer him to live to see the Calamities that were just coming upon the Kingdom WHAT is here related concerning the Government of the Church or Kingdom in general is taken from the English and French Historians who wrote of the Affairs of those Times The rest of the Story relating to the Church of England and to Henry Chichele in particular is taken out of the Books of the publick Acts of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury which are carefully kept by the Vicar-general's Secretary and out of some Manuscripts which Sir Robert Cotton furnish'd me with This I thought fit to acquaint the Reader withal as well that he might be satisfied of the authority of those things that are here deliver'd as that I might not be forc'd to crowd the Margin with Authors Names and Quotations FINIS THE TABLE TO THE Life of Archbishop CHICHELE BOrn at Higham-Ferrars in Northamptonshire Page 1 Made Fellow of New-College Oxford by William of Wyckam Ibid. Went to live with Medeford Bishop of Sarum 2 Made Archdeacon of Sarum Ibid. Then Chancellor of the same 3 Parson of Odyham Ibid. And chief Executor to his Benefactor Ibid. Sent Ambassador by Henry the Fourth to Pope Gregory the Twelfth 4 By whom made Bishop of St. David's 5 Accordingly took the Canonical Oath in England 6 Sent Delegate to the General Council at Pisa Ibid. Held to Reconcile the Competitors for the Popedom 7 Boniface the Eighth deposed Ibid. Clement the Fifth elected Pope Ibid. Who with six Successors all French resided at Avignon for seventy Years 8 Most of them hated by the Italians for their Nation or vitious Lives Ibid. The Clementines added to the Canon Law Ibid. Pope Gregory returned to Rome 9 Was succeeded by Urban the Sixth Ibid. For whose Rigor and Pride Clement the Sixth was set up against him 10 Urban for preferring the Base and fomenting of Wars called Turbanus a perverse and most cruel Pope Ib. Clement not far short of Him in wickedness 11 Urban succeeded by Boniface the Ninth and Ib. Clement by Benedict the Third Both worse than the former Ib. Boniface more Politician than Grammarian 12 Impos'd the Tax of Annates on the Clergy Ib. Suffered Bishopricks to be sold by Auction Ib. Sold the same Livings twice to several Chapmen 13 Yet made the Purchaser swear he came fairly by it Ib. Made poor Petitioners pay a Floren apiece Ib. Enquired after Gifts in the time of Divine Service Ib. Had no comfort when dying but in Money Ib. Defended by the Lawyers Ib. But opposed by the Divines 14 Benedict the like spiritual Robber Ib. Boniface compared to an Ox Benedict to a wild Beast 15 The Cardinal's Oath upon Boniface's death to resign if chosen Ib. Boniface succeeded by Innocent the Seventh who broke his Oath 16 A great Canonist debaucht and covetous Ib. On his death the Oath repeated with Imprecations Ib. Gregory the Twelfth succeeded Ib. Who treated with Benedict for the Churche's peace 17 And for a Resignation by them both at Savona Ib. Sends to Charles the Sixth of France about the same Affair 18 Gregory harshly treated his Ambassadors at their return Ib. Drew back and shuffled Ib. Then plainly refused to stand to the Agreement Ib. Hearing Benedict was come to Savona he comes to Siena 19 To whom Chichele was one of the Ambassadors from England and there made Bishop of St. David's Ib. Pope Gregory goes to Lucca Ib. Refuses to go to Savona Ib. Trinkles with Benedict is for his Hypocrisy called Errorius Ib. The Cardinals displeas'd for his promoting Condelmarius 20 His own Party fly to Pisa Ib. They appeal from him to Christ a general Council and the next Pope Ib. This justified by Panormitan Ib. Both Popes accused of Perjury by the best Canonists 21 The Cardinal 's leaving the Pope grateful to the Christian Princes Ib. The Kings of England and France withdrew their Obedience from both the Popes Ib. At the Request of the Cardinal's Letters English Money with-held 22 The French King withdraws Obedience to Benedict defended by Baldus 23 Two Bull-Carriers the Pope's Emissaries were ignominiously treated at Paris Ib. Charles the Fourth of France did neither regard the Church nor his own Kingdom Ib. Whose Son 's Successor Robert of Bavaria King of the Romans siding with Gregory chiefly fomented the Church Divisions 24 The Emperors then were degenerated Ib. When their Power was most requisite to rectify the Pope's mismanagement Ib. Gregory Renounc'd by his Cardinals at Pisa 25 Who with those of Benedict deprived them both of the Papacy 26 For which some worldly Divines charged them with Schism Ib. King of England and France c. favour the Cardinals and their aforesaid Sentence in Council 28 Which the Cardinal of Bourdeaux with great zeal got ratified in England Ib. H. Chichele one of the Delegates to Pisa 29 Before whom and Associates a Learned Sermon preached Ib. Bishop of Sarum another Delegate made an eloquent Oration in the Council of Pisa 30 Where both Popes were pronounced perjured c. and Alexander the Fifth elected 31 Who when a Boy had begg'd from door to door Ib. Afterwards his Parts known sent to Oxford Ib. Then made Archbishop of Milan and created Cardinal by Innocent the Seventh Ib. Alexander was too honest studious and Monastick to be politically qualified for the Chair 32 'T is thought he was poysoned Ib. He was succeeded by John the Twenty Third Ib. A Papal Triumvirate Ib. H. Chichele returns from his Embassy 33 Was diligent in his Function Ib. Allegiance sworn to Henry the Fifth before his Coronation 34 That King sent our Henry Ambassador to the French King and Duke of Burgundy Ib. To the former for a Treaty of Peace 35 To the latter about a Marriage Ib. Whilst the King seem'd more inclinable to the French King's Daughter 36 H. Chichele chosen President of the Council Ib. The Monks desire leave to elect an Archbishop of Canterbury Ib. And Canonically demanded H. Chichele 37 Which Custom was introduced by Papal Ambition 38 H. Chichele expects the Pope's leave 39 To obtain which Proxies are sent to Rome Ib. With the King's Letters in his favour Ib. The Pope divorc'd H. Chichele from St. David's 40 Made him Archbishop by way of provisor Ib. But he was
Ib. Wherein the King concurred and obtain'd it Ib. The Council begun at Ferrara by occasion of the Plague removed to Florence 162 Where the Greeks present submitted in Opinion to the Latines Ib. Which so offended the Greek Church that after their death they were not allow'd Christian Burial Ib. The Council of Basil maintain'd its Authority Ib. Deposed the Pope Ib. The English going to Ferrara 163 And by the Deputies of four other Nations Felix the Fifth elected Pope Ib. A defence of the Council at Basil Ib. The high Character of Lodovic Romanus 164 In the next Age the Council of Basil is condemned 166 A Synod call'd at London where the Statute of Praemunire is reckon'd a lamentable Church-Grievance in so far as a Suit in an Ecclesiastical Court is construed a suing in Rome 166 167 They petition the King to limit the Penalties to those who sue in a Foreign Court strictly taken Ib. The King promises them impunity till a Parliament be called 168 This Answer procured the King a Tenth Ib. The Archbishop pray'd the King to suffer his College almost finished to be founded in his Royal Name 169 Letters Patent accordingly granted Ib. The Chappel consecrated Ib. A Warden of the College made and twenty choice Fellows with power to elect twenty more for Divinity and Sciences and the Civil and Canon Law 170 Wherefore the Archbishop called the College All Souls c. Ib. Prescribed them Statutes Ib. Was very liberal to Oxford and Canterbury Church 171 Laid out a great Sum on the Structure begun by the Duke of Glocester and two hundred Marks to the publick Chest of the University 171 172 With the Method of its disposal besides the Decree mentioned concerning graduated Dignitaries Ib. His Name decreed to be Registred among the Benefactors of Oxford University 173 Having founded two Colleges c. Ib. He adorned the Cathedral of Canterbury 174 Repaired Christ's Church there building and furnishing a Library c. Ib. Gave liberally towards the building of Croydon Church and Rochester Bridge Ib. His Death Ap. 12. 1443. and magnificent Burtal 175 Soon after which a Fatal Change in England 176 Which came to be governed by Queen Margaret Ib. Whence the Kingdom was divided and the People oppressed Ib. The French also under a Female Revolt to King Charles Ib. Normandy then Aquitain lost after 300 years possession Ib. Jack Cade 's Insurrection 177 The French invade Kent and the Scots the Borders Ib. The Civil War from the House of York in which King Henry was imprison'd exil'd depriv'd of Crown and Life by Edward the Fourth Ib. Our Chichele's Wisdom supported the Kingdom Ib. From the Calamities of which he was by his happy Fate delivered Ib. FINIS ERRATA of Moment are these Two PAge 27. line 2. for Bulrush Spears r. Poisons or Medicines P. 35. l. 14. for Master of the Horse r Constable Others less material are left to the Candor of the Reader Born at Higham Ferrars in Northamptonshire Made Fellow of New-College Oxford by William of Wyckam Went to live with Medeford Bishop of Sarum Made Archdeacon of Sarum 1402. 1404. Then Chancellor of the same Parson of Odyham And chief Executor to his Benefactor Sent Ambassador by H. 4. to Pope Greg. the 12th a In nemore unionis cap. 31. By whom made Bishop of St. David's 1408. Accordingly took the Canonical Oath in England 1409. Sent Delegate to the General Council at Pisa Held to Reconcile the Competitors for the Popedom Boniface the Eighth deposed Clement the Fifth Elected Pope Who with six Successors all French Resided at Avignon for seventy Years b Dell'inferno Canto 19. del Paradiso Canto 27. c Nella terza parte sonetto 8 9 10 epist 20. Most of them hated by the Italians for their Nation or vitious Lives The Clementines added to the Canon Law Pope Gregory returned to Rome Was succeeded by Urban the Sixth For whose Rigor and Pride Clement the Sixth was set up against him Urban for preferring the Base and fomenting of Wars called Turbanus a perverse and most cruel Pope Clement not far short of Him in wickedness Urban succeeded Boniface the Ninth and Clement by Benedict the Third Both worse than the former Boniface more Politician than Grammarian Impos'd the Tax of Annates on the clergy Suffered Bishopricks to be sold by Auction Sold the same Livings twice to several Chapmen Yet made the Purchaser swear he came fairly by it Made poor Petitiâ—â—â—rs pay a Floren apiece Enquired after Gâ—…s in the time of Divine Service Had no comfort when dying but in Money Defended by the Lawyers d Jo. Andr. Ancharan Cardin. Dd ad c. 1. de Simon Felin in c. ex parte n. 1. de off deleg e Theod. Niem lib. 2. de Schism cap. 32. But opposed by the Divines f Thom. 2. 2. qu. 100. art 2. ibi Cajetan omnes Navarr in manual c. 23. n. 108. Paul Anglic. in Speculo Aureo g Panor in repetit c. extirpandae sect Cj ia vero n. 53. de Praeben in c. 1. de Simon Barâ—… t. ad c. cum pridem de pact Barthol Ugolin de Simon Tab. 1. cap. 3. sect 5. Benedict the like spiritual Robber h Bald. ad c. quia propter de elect i Bald. ad c. olim de rescript Boniface compared to an Ox Benedict to a wild Beast The Cardinal's Oath upon Boniface's death to resign if chosen Boniface sueceeded by Innocent the Seventh who broke his Oath A great Canonist debaucht and covetous On his death the Oath repeated with Imprecations Gregory the Twelfth succeeded Who treated with Benedict for the Church's peace k Anton. de Butr. ad cap. quod ad consultationem n. 3. de Sent. re jud And for a Resignation by them both at Savona Sends to Charles the Sixth of France about the same Affair Gregory harshly treated his Ambassadors at their return Drew back and shuffled Then plainly refused to stand to the Agreement Hearing Benedict was come to Savona he comes to Siena To whom Chichele was one of the Ambassadors from England and there made Bishop of St. David's Pope Gregory goes to Lucca Refuses to go to Savona Trinkles with Benedict is for his Hypocrisy called Errorius The Cardinals displeas'd for his promoting Condelmarius His own Party fly to Pisa They appeal from him to Christ a general Council and the next Pope This justified by Panormitan l Abb. ad c. Inquisitioni n 5. de Sent. Excom m Ancharan Cons 181. Card. Zabar Cons 150. Anton. de Butr. ad c. 1. n. 10. de Constit Both Popes accused of Perjury by the best Canonists The Cardinal 's leaving the Pope grateful to the Christian Princes The Kings of England and France withdrew their Obedience from both the Popes n Dec. in Consil pro Authoritate Concilii supra Papam ☞ At the Request of the Cardinal's Letters English Money with-held o Bald. add c. olim de rescript The French King withdraws Obedience to
War lest he who the last Year was Conqueror in the Battel of Agincourt should now upon the account of his late Losses seem not to give but to receive Conditions of Peace Wherefore having setled his Affairs in France he return'd soon after into England and held a Parliament at Westminster of which he easily obtain'd a supply of Men and Money for the service of the War with France the next Year At the same time the Archbishop came back from Calais and by the King's Command call'd a Synod at London on the 9 th of November in which at the request of Henry Beaufort Bishop of Winchester the Earl Marshal and Henry Ware who from Chancellor of Canterbury had some time before been made Keeper of the Privy Seal who for that purpose were sent thither by the King he prevail'd with them to grant the King two Tenths for his Expedition into France There was nothing else done in that Synod but on the Days of John of Beverley and of Crispin and Crispinian Martyrs on which the Battel of Agincourt hapned were made Holidays The King having commanded the Nobility to attend him and having levied a choice Army and equip't his Fleet sail'd over into Normandy on the 1 st of August 1417. leaving John Duke of Bedford to govern the Kingdom in his absence When he was gone the Archbishop commanded all the Bishops of his Province to cause solemn Processions to be made to all Churches and Chappels for the safety of the King and the success of his Arms. The same Year by a signal Example of his Justice and Courage he shew'd how much all People whatsoever in that Age stood in awe of the Authority of the Church For on Easterday the Lord Strange with the Lady Elizabeth his Wife and a great Train of Servants attending them coming to St. Dunstan's Church to Vespers and meeting Sir John Trussel there with whom he had an ancient Quarrel his Servants drew their Swords in the Church wounded Sir John his Son and some others of his Family and kill'd one Thomas Petwardy a Citizen of London who to accommodate the matter between them had thrust himself into the Scuffle The Matter being brought before the Archbishop he interdicted the Church which had been polluted with Blood the Authors and Accomplices of the Crime were publickly excommunicated and curs'd before the People at Paul's Cross and the Archbishop sitting as Judge in St. Paul's Church after he had examined into the Fact impos'd this Penance on the Lord Strange and his Lady who fell on their knees before him and humbly begg'd pardon of the Church That their Servants in their Shirts and Drawers only and he and his Wife with Tapers in their hands should go through the great Street of the City from St. Paul's to St. Dunstan's all which was accordingly perform'd with great solemnity and when the Archbishop purified St. Dunstan's Church the Lady Strange fill'd the Vessels with Water they were also commanded to offer each of them a Pyx and Altarcloath In the mean time the matter was hotly debated in the Council of Constance about taking away the Schism in the Church by the creation of a new Pope and restraining those Persons who with a great deal of liberty inveigh'd against the Pride of the Popes the Luxury of the Clergy the lazy Lives of the Monks and the innumerable Corruptions of the Church of Rome Of these John Wickliff was accounted the chief who in the Reign of Edward the Third and Richard the Second by his publick Lectures at Oxford and afterwards by his Books which he put out drew to his Party a great many not only of the Students of that University but also of the Nobility and common People By him the Seeds of sound Doctrine were dispers'd among other Christian Nations and particularly among the Bohemians who embrac'd his Tenets so readily that they had already in a manner renounced the Pope To put a stop to their progress John Wickliff was pronounced a Heretick by a Decree of the Council and it was further ordained that his Memory should be accurs'd that his Bones should be taken out of his Grave and burnt and that all those who maintain'd his Opinions should be prosecuted as guilty of Heresy Then they proceeded to the Bohemians and having likewise condemned their Opinions John Huss and Hierome of Prague were adjudg'd Arch-hereticks and condemn'd to the Flames The death of these two Persons brought a great deal of infamy upon the Emperor Sigismond and the whole Council for being cited to Constance they came thither under the security of the publick Faith which Sigismond had engag'd to Ladislaus King of Bohemia for their safe return Which being so shamefully violated the Bohemians were so incens'd that having made John Zisca a valiant Commander their General they afterwards brought the Emperor into very great Straits But the Council to take away the infamy of this Action decreed that Faith was not to be kept with Hereticks having first consulted Panormitanus and Ludovicus Romanus two Lawyers of great repute who deliver'd this as their Opinion as did also some others whom the Fathers of the Council could sway by their Authority Notwithstanding the more Modern Lawyers were of a contrary Opinion and the Papists themselves were so asham'd of this Decree that they did not offer to violate the publick Faith given to Luther at the Dyet of Worms and afterwards to the Protestants which came to the Council of Trent For what can be more absurd or indeed more impious than that Christians should make no account of their word which was always esteem'd sacred even by the Heathens themselves After these things the Council was wholly intent upon composing the Differences between the Popes For when the Emperor Sigismond was return'd out of England several hainous Crimes were alledg'd against John the Twenty third because he had not laid down the Papacy as he had solemnly promis'd whereupon he fled privately and in disguise from Constance into Austria but being pursued by the Emperor he was taken in the Habit of a Fencer or a Huntsman and brought before the Council by whom he was committed to Prison and some of the chief Men out of every Nation there present being deputed to examine into his Actions he was accused before them of Adultery Incest Witchcraft Murther and other horrid Crimes particularly of Simony that being first made Cardinal and afterwards Pope through Bribery he had set to sale Livings Dignities Bishopricks and Cardinalships Orders Indulgences and all other things belonging to the Church all which being prov'd by Witnesses by the Sentence of the Council he was divested of the Papacy and condemned to Imprisonment There remain'd yet Gregory the Twelfth and Benedict the Thirteenth Gregory when he saw that he must submit sent Charles Malatesta Prince of Ariminum as his