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
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
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.
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
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
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
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