S. Peter not bishop of Rome.

FOR so muche as the Bishops of Rome haue claimed, and doo still clayme their vsurped supremacy by right of inheritāce and succession from Peter, because he (as they pretend) was bishop of Rome at the least .xxv. yeares, and so tied all this dig­nitie and prerogatiue (whiche they fight for) to his chayre for euer: It shalbe therfore nedeful to consider, how likely it is to be true, that Peter continued bishop in Rome according to their boasting. This matter shalbe the better di­splayed if these three pointes be layde open to the readers eye: that is the yeare that Peter came to Rome, the yeres that Peter sat at Rome, and the death of Peter.

THE FIRST COM­PANIE OF ROMAINE BISHOPS being in nomber to Syluester the first, xxxij. all whiche were godly and faithfull pastours, farre from all wordly pompe and glory, either in pride of attier, as miter and pall, or of hawty and ambicious title of Christes generall vicar, but paynfull preachers of the Gospell, with all humilitie and constant mar­tyrs in the ende.

34 1. Marcus.

MArcus a Romaine, bestowed a pall vpon the bishop of Hostia, who had consecrate the bi­shop of Rome before other. He also cōmaun­ded that the people and the clergie should on Sondayes after the Gospell were redde, singe the Nicean Crede. He builded churches, and gaue [Page 25] many giftes vnto them & died a confessour in the yere. 335.

2. Iulius the first.

IVlius the first a Romaine, appointed that a priest shoulde 34 (as they forge of him) not aunswer his cause any where, but before an ecclesiasticall iudge: and he reprehended the bishops of the east, (onlesse they slaunder him) because they had helde counsels without his authoritie, but they scor­ned him for his pride, he caused churcheyardes to be made, and at the lenghth died a confessour in peace, Anno. 351. Platina sayth, that this Pope appointed certaine notaries to wryte the actes of other men, the whiche office sayth he, is yet about the Pope remaining: But these notaries of our time saith he, are such doultes for the moste parte, that for wante of learning they can not wryte their owne name in Latin: of their maners I will not speake, because these offices are bestowed on bawdes and flatterers, vnmete to wryte the actes of other men.

3. Liberius.

LIberius a Romaine, for ambition (as Hierome witnes­seth)35 falling into the Arrian heresie, forsooke the trew faith, and subscribed to Arrius articles. And yet this man died a confessour also, Anno. 366. though in dede taynted with damnable heresie.

4. Foelix the seconde.

Foelix the seconde a Romaine, was preferred by the Ar­rians, 36 who thrust out Liberius, and aduaunced him, be­cause they hoped he agreed with them in opinion. But in the seconde yeare after he was driuen from his seate, and Liberius restored: And in the yeare of our Lorde, 359. He with other spirituall persones, was slayne in a tumulte. [Page] This man sayth Isidorus, made lawes for the defense of the Clergie. Also Sozomenus, lib. 4. ca. 10. Eccle. histor. saith, that he being bishop, did both admitte Arrian heretikes to the ministery, and also vsed their communiō, though els he yelded to the counsell of Nice.

5. Damasus.

37 DAmasus a Spanyarde, being made Pope in a certaine faction, and vehemently accused of adultery, did con­demne Liberius his dedes, he builded temples, and beaw­tified them with iewels, he gaue landes, and bathes to the Clergie, he encreased strange seruice in the churche, he ad­ded Confiteor to the seruice: he appointed the singing of the Psalmes, and allowed Hieroms translation of the Bi­ble: For then the myndes of the Prelates began to bee more puft vp with ambition. Afterward▪ Damasus (as they saye) being a diligent gatherer of thinges doone in times past, wrote the lyues and decrees of his predecessours the byshops of Rome, enterlacing them with many open and manifest vntruthes. And in the yere 384. died a confessour.

Socrates, in the eight booke of his ecclesiasticall history, and the 24. chapter, sayth: that when this Damasus was chosen bishop, one Vrsinus a Deacon of the same churche, did stande in suite against Damasus, but whē he sawe that Damasus was preferred, for anger he began by all ende­uour to gather congregations to him selfe, seuered from the churche. Also he perswaded certaine obscure and abiect byshops, to chose him bishop secretly in a corner. And so he was created not in the churche, but in a close place of y^e pal­laice called Sicona: Whiche being done, the people began to wrangle And hereof arose a bitter contention and dead­ly sedicion, not touching religion▪ but whether of these two Prelates should be bishop. Of this grewe so many assem­blies, and so often brawlinges, that in the end the tumulte [Page 26] was so great that many were slayne about it. And therfore Maximinus then liuetenant of the citie, did punishe sharpe­ly a great numbre, both the Clergie and layetie, & so sup­pressed Vrsinus and his faction. Thus it appeareth that bloudy ambition is not a newe thing in Rome.

6. Siricius.

SIricius a Romaine, medling and making decrees in ma­ny 38 matters, remoued those from saying seruice, that had bene twyse maried, & was the firste that admitted monkes into orders for pretence of single life, who before, were ne­uer reckened to be as clarkes. He mingled y^• Antiphones with the Psalmes, and appointed that orders should be ge­uen, some at one time, some at an other, he died a confes­sour, Anno 399.

7. Anastasius.

ANastasius a Romaine, appointed that whyle the Gospel 39 was reading they should stand & not sitte. He exempted from the ministery those that were lame, impotēt, or disea­sed persons, and slept with his forefathers in peace being a confessour. Anno. 404.

8. Innocentius.

INnocentius borne in Albania, aduaūced the sea of Rome 40 aboue all other, and would haue it to be iudged by none. He commaunded the faithfull to faste on the Saturday, to bewayle with Mary Magdalene our sauiour Christe that was buried▪ euen as on that daye. He deuised that at masse time the Pax should be geuen about in the church, and cō ­maunded that the church (a wayghty matter) being ones consecrate should neuer be consecrate any more. He made certayne decrees concerning Iewes, Pagans, & Monkes, [Page] and made the anoyling of the sick to be a sacrament: And is counted among the dead confessours, Anno. 416. The yeare before being the yeare 415. Alaricus king of Gothes, ouerranne Italy, wan Rome, wasted, spoyled, and burnt it miserably. And sone after him his cosen Athoulfus, came thether againe and spoyled all that he had left.

9. Sozymus.

41 SOzymus a Greke, appointed that tapers should be bles­sed on the holydaye, and that the Deacons in saying ser­uice should haue their lefthandes couered. He forbad that clarkes should vse tipling in opē place, or haunte tauernes, and that no bondmen should be admitted to be of the Cler­gie: And died a confessour. Anno. 420. Also this Sozymus suppressed the Nouacian heretikes, whiche in time past had borne great swaye in Rome. But nowe they were kept vn­der, for sayth Isocrates, the byshop of Rome, as well as the byshop of Alexandria, had stretched his power beyond the limittes of priesthood stepping into temporall authoritie. Socrat. histor. eccle. lib. 7. cap. 11.

10. Bonifacius.

42 BOnifacius a Romaine, the sonne of one Iucundus a priest, was chosen Pope, at suche time as there was great sedition among the Clergie. He made decrees that were very necessary, God graunte they proue so: as y^t a wo­man (yet though she were a hoodded noonne) should not o­penly touche the altar cloth, nor the holy vessels, nor smell to the incense: And that none should be made priest till he were thirty yeres olde. After he had decreed that sainctes eueninges should be kept, he died a confessour, Anno. 426.

11. Coelestinus.

[Page 27] Caelestinus borne in Campania, patched the Popishe masse vp with these thinges, Introitum, Graduale,43 Responsorium, Tractum, & Offertorium, as his owne deuices. And gaue straight charge that the priestes should be perfitte in the Popes decrees. He sent these bishops, Germanus into Englande, Palladus into Scotlande, and Patricke with a certaine Segetian into Irelande, to roote out the Pelagian heresie. He died Anno. 435. being put in among the number of confessours.

12 Sixtus the thirde.

SIxtus the thirde a Romaine, called the enricher of chur­ches,44 he builded the churche of S. Mary the greater after a miracle of snowe: and enriched it with great giftes, and garnished the pallayces with golde. At the persuasion of a woman called Eudoxia, he did hallowe Peters chaynes, and appointed a yearely feaste daye in honour of them to be kept at Midsommer. He died a confessour. Anno. 440. and was buried in the citie.

About the yeare of our Lorde. 456. Genesericus came out of Aphrica, into Italy with a great armye against Rome, and cōming thether, he finding the citie empty, in­uaded it. And for the space of xiiii. dayes continually caried out the spoyle of it, and toke away many prysoners.

13 Leo the first.

LEo the first a Thuscane borne, added to the masse these 45 wordes to name it Sanctum sacrificium, Immaculatā hostiam, hanc oblationem, An holy sacri­fice an vnspot­ted offering and oblacion. whiche cannot be without blas­pheming God haynously▪ He like an Idolatour, builded a pallayce in the honour of Cornelius a byshop, and appoin­ted clarkes to kepe the Apostles sepulchres. He decreed that men should worship the images of the dead, & allowed [Page] the sacrifice of the masse, he died a confessour. Anno. 462.

14 Hilarius.

46 HIlarius borne in Sardinia, a man daily exercised in buil­ding and beautifying of churches, decked the post of Christe his crosse with golde and precious stones: He made decrees by synodes, proclayming them to be kept through the whole worlde. He made a lawe that euery minister should be put from his calling, whiche maried either a wi­dowe or deuorced woman, and not a mayde: He died a con­fessour, Anno. 469. In his time Mamertus Claudius, bi­shop of Vienna, made the Letanies or procession to be saide thrise a weke whereof Mantuan sayth Fast. 4.

[Page 28]In the time of this Pope about the yeare of Christ 476. Odoacer with an army of Herulās & Turcihugians, came from Panonia and wanne Rome and all Italye, and raig­ned there xiiii. yeres. About this time Rome was so ter­riblie shaken wyth earthquakes, that manye houses fell downe wythall.

15. Simplicius.

SImplicius a Tiburtinian borne, did dedicate Pallaces 47 and deuided the towne into fiue parts for the priestes to serue, and appointed the sacrificing priestes their weekes: hee shewed y^t the Church of Rome was the chiefe Church of all. He vsurped auctoritie vppon the people of Rauenna like a tyraunte, and commaunded that none of the Clergy should acknowledge, that he held any Ecclesiasticall bene­fice of a lay mā. And this mā dyed a confessor. Anno. 484.

16. Foelix the third,

FOElix the thirde a Romaine the sonne of one Foelix a 48 priest, decreed that onelye a bishoppe, and no priuate priestes should dedicate the Churches, and allowed a feast for the dedication of them: Hee hallowed Agapetus hys Pallaice. He decreed that the Clergye being accused of a­nye matter, should haue dayes graunted to returne theyr aunswere, and dyed in peace a confessor. Anno. 494.

17. Gelasius.

GElasius an Aphrican sonne to Valerius a bishop, bur­ned the bookes of the Manichies, hee made hymmes,49 prefaces▪ graduals, collects and prayers, hee seue [...]ed y^e A­pocrypha from Canonicall Scripture: and allowed ma­ryed wydowers after they had maryed their seconde wyfe to be priestes, if they toke his dispensation. He encreased y^• [Page] Clergye, he dedicated Pallaices: and decreed that priestes orders should bee geuen foure times in the yeare, he added to the Masse the conclusions of the prayers Et te igitur: & at lengthe auouched y^t he & his successors should be iudged by no bodye. And dyed a confessor. Anno. 497.

18. Anastasius the second.

50 ANastasius the seconde a Romaine, leaned to the Euti­chians and Nestorians, he did cōmunicate wyth here­tikes: he excommunicated the Emperour. And in the yere of our Lorde 499. on the stoole of easemente his bowels is­sued out of his bellye. He dyed a confessor, so writeth Vola­terranus.

19 Symmachus.

51 SYmmachus borne in Sardinia was chosen bishop with much dissention among the Clergye. He ordayned that virgins which had once professed chastitye, shoulde neuer marrye afterwarde, and that none of the Clergye shoulde keepe in house wyth anye woman, but such a one as were his kinswoman: He builded many Pallacies euen out of y^e ground. He brought the masse into fashion, hee commaun­ded to singe Gloria in excelsis vppon the byrth dayes of saincts. And if any mā may trust Gregoryes Dialogues, he cōmitted to Purgatorye the stubborne soule of one Pas­chasius a deacon after his death. And yet this man dyed a confessour. Anno. 514. Vspergensis sayth that whē this Pope was chosen, one Laurence was also chosen by some, wherevppon manye slaughters both of the people & Cler­gye were made in Rome during the space of iii. yeres, but Symachus preuailed.

20. Hormisda.

52 HOrmisda borne in Campania, did set quietnes among the Clergie, he appointed that the Psalmes should be [Page 29] songe by course enterchaungeable: He commaunded that the decrees of counsels should be kept, and bestowed many thinges to y^• furniture of churches, he lefte a wedge of syl­uer waying a thousande & fourty poundes in saint Peters churche: and commaūded that no aultar should be builded without the consent of the byshop. He added ceremonies to publique mariages: and excommunicated Anastasius the Emperous, because he sayde that it was an office dewe on­ly to the Emperoure to commaunde, and not to be at a by­shops commaundement: suche then was the courage of the spirite of Antichriste. Iustinus the Emperoure, as Isio­dorus wryteth, made this Hormisda a Patriarch of Rome being before but an Archebishop: who died a confessour, Anno. 523. From the time of Syluester, the Romaine pre­lates were Archebishops, for the space of twoo hundreth yeares, that is from the yeare 320. vntill this yeare 520. at what tyme they were first made Patriarkes by the Empe­rour Iustinus. I declare this more diligently, whereby the attentiue reader may knowe by what degrees the Romain bishops crept vp to the Popedome it selfe, and what crafte the deuill wrought in them before the great Antechriste came, and was reuealed to the full. So that as ye see the bishops of Rome. Here againe altered their name the se­conde tyme, to title of greater dignitie, that is frō Archbi­shops to Patriarkes, and so the rest folowing for a season were called.

21. Iohn the first.

IOhn the firste a Thuscane, whome Theodoricus kyng of 53 Italy sent, (for then they were subiect to Princes) as his oratour, with certaine other, vnto Iustinus the Empe­roure. This bishop being the worthiest man of all this lat­ter company, gaue a testimonie of his pure life, by suftring paciently vndeserued death. He decreed, and that very god­ly, [Page] that if any man were robbed of any thing, he should haue all restored againe. But I take it to be false that he should restore three churcheyardes, enriched the churches with giftes or decked the altars with golde, syluer, or precious stones, as Platina and other wryte, least he should seeme nothing to haue encreased the kingdome of Antichriste. There is to be seene comfortable Epistles of his to the by­shops of Italy, whereby he warneth them, that they should not shrinke from their purpose, but stande to it stoutly, al­though that the said king Theodoricus, fowly tainted with the Arrian heresy, had threatened to destroye them and all Italy. For the whiche at the tyrannous commaundement of Theodoricus, Anno 527. hee perished at Rauenna through famine, stinke, & noysomnes in the pryson. As tou­ching Arrius, thus Mantuan writeth of him.

22. Foelix the fourth.

54 Foelix the fourth was borne in Samia, being not verye carefull in his pastorall charge, and casting of the office of preaching, builded the churche of Cosma and Damianus, he restored Saturninus temple, and repaired other temples of the dead. He commaunded that masse should be said only in halowed places. He made a partition betwene the Cler­gie and the people in the churche. He excommunicated the Patriarke of Constantinople, misdemed of heresy: he com­maunded that if a priest died, another should succeade him twoo dayes after, and commaunded precisely that they that lye a bying, should be annoynted, with hallowed oyle, and died a confessour, Anno. 530.

23. Boniface the seconde.

BOniface the seconde a Romaine, was made bishop, whē 55 the Clergie were at great iarre, ready to go together by the eares: He made canons, especially this one, that within three dayes after one bishop were dead, another should be appointed in his rowme. He following Foelix, did seuer the Clergie frō the layetie, by making the quier in the church, and that for double pollicie, the one was, that by this mea­nes he might at length take frō the people both their place, and their voyce, whiche they had in chusing the bishops, & that it might not be lawefull for any of them to sewe a by­shop, or any of the Clergie in any cause, ciuill or criminall, before a temporall magistrate. But marke what happened these wretches through their pryde, as I thinke, Whyle euen like the Pharisies they wilbe counted holier then o­ther, with their shauen heades, their annoynted fingers, & seuered chauncelles, deuiding them selues from the fayth­full, that were redemed with the bloud of Christe.

It is to be feared, least hereby they become the Goates that in the last day shalbe deuided frō the lambes. Math. 25 as not pertaining to the misticall body of Christe. It is easy to iudge howe muche these men swarue from Peter the Apostle, of whome they boaste so muche, to whome it was not lawefull in the tenth of the Actes, to decree of Corne­lius, that he should be either a layeman, or a prophane per­sone: Boniface died a confessour, Anno. 532.

24. Iohn the seconde.

IOhn the seconde was a Romaine, who otherwyse for his 56 eloquencie was called Mercurie or Iuppiter, his embas­sadour. Iustinianus the Emperoure, sent vnto this man a cup of gold, of sixe pound waighte beset with precious sto­nes, [Page] and two syluer cuppes of seuen pounde weight, and twoo syluer chalices, waying fiftene poundes, for a present from Constantinople, after he had condemned Athenius the Patriarke of heresie, and the sayde Emperoure com­maunded his bishops, as (Crantzius witnesseth) to talke with the byshop in his name, moste friendly vnder benedic­tion: this byshop died a confessour, Anno. 534. And as VVicelius saith, he did nothing of any valewe.

25. Agapetus the firste.

57 AGapetus the first a Romaine, sonne of a priest, called Cardinall Gordian, was sent by Theodatus kyng of the Gothes, as his Embassadour, to pacifie Iustinianus the Emperour, for the cruell murther of Amalasimitha a no­ble queene, and an excellent learned woman: whose wor­thy vertues the same Emperour reuerenced highly, who also procured his peace with spending saint Peters trea­sure: He decreed that on the sonday they should go in pro­cession in the churches: And died a confessour, Anno. 535.

26. Syluerius.

58 SYluerius borne in Cāpania, sonne of Hormisda a bishop of Rome, when Agapetus was dead, as he went on his voyage to the Emperoure, this man by the commaunde­ment of Theodatus kyng of Gothes, was placed in his steade without the Emperours consent. Therefore by the prouocation of Vigilius a D [...]acon, who also did accuse him, that he would betraye Rome to the Gothes, he was banished into the Isle Pontus, by Theodora the Empresse, and Antonina the wife of duke Bellisarius. So that it ap­peareth, the Popedome at that time was a thing but of small countenaunce, when they were sent as Embassa­dours at the commaundement of inferiour princes, & could [Page 31] be depriued of their authoritie, put from their seate by wo­men. At length Syluerius died miserably in his banyshe­ment being an hooded confessour, Anno. 537.

27. Vigilius.

VIgilius a Romaine, the crafty accuser of the sayd Syl­uerius, 59 compassing the bishoprike by subtiltie, was ad­uaunced into the sayde place by the forenamed women. Whereby Rome had then twoo bishops, one made by the Gothes, another by the Grekes, or rather by those Gre­kishe dames. And were vsed vngently, but not vnworthely of them: for either of them receiued the reward of his rash­nesse, for the one attayned the Popedome by crafte, the o­ther by might, and yet the Papistes will haue them bothe reckened among martyrs. Theodora did sue Vigilius, be­cause he brake promisse with her, and caused him first to be brought to Constantinople, there to be reuiled and beaten, and afterwarde with an halter about his necke to be drawē through the streate, and last of all, bee driuen into banishe­ment. This man made certaine lessons of his owne for the holydayes to be redde in the churche. He woulde haue the church of Rome to be taken for the mother of other chur­ches: He appointed Candelmas daye to be kept holy daye, and that the masse should be sayde, the priest standing with his face into the East: He died a confessour, in the yere 554. in Cicilia. In these dayes was one Maurus, who preached and taught the hipocriticall life of mōkes. Also in his time Anno. 542. there was a terrible earthquake ouer all the world, as Vspergensis sayth.

28. Pelagius.

PElagius a Romaine, aspired to the pontificall dignitie, in 60 that time when the tyrant Totila, called Gods scourge, [Page] to the great comfort of the Goathes being their king, in­uaded Italy, as Procopius wryteth. This Pelagius to please Totila and his companie, made a publique decree, that it was nedeful to haue the authoritie of the prince, and consent of the people in creation of byshops. He in the mid­dest of troubles of that time, hauing more regarde to ad­uaunce the Popedome, then Christianitie: decreed that the Clergie should momble euery daye seuentimes, the cano­nicall howers. Abbots should be chosen by order, one ma­gistrate should be sufficient to punishe an hereticke: that in Lent priestes might say masse at nine of the clocke: and that euery Prouince should contayne twelue or tenne cities at the least. This man first auouched that the premacie of the churche of Rome was fette from Christe himselfe, and not from men nor gene [...]all councels. He buried together the bones of the firste Martyr Stephen and S. Laurences car­kasse. He allowed solemnities in remēbraunce of the dead, and for loue of gaynes he mingled them with the masse. And because he sometime him selfe was accused in a libell, that he had geuen occasion why Vigilius his predecessour was troubled, and depriued, therfore he prouided that such libelles should not be harde. But it is reported that he purged him selfe from the infamy of that libell by takinge an oathe, and kissing the crosse. He liued in the extreame tyme when Rome was besieged, & died a confessour, Anno. 566.

About the yeare of our Lorde 557. Totila king of Go­thes, besieged Rome, whiche being miserably oppressed with extreame famine, was compelled to yelde it self to the slauery of the saluage people, vnder whiche it continued tenne yeares.

In the time of this Pope, a Pestilence raigned ouer all Italy, beginning in Liguria so contagiously, that the con­treye was almoste destroyed of the inhabitours thereby. Vrspergensis.

29. Iohn the third.

IOhn the thirde a Romaine, was an especiall friende to 61 Narsetes the Eunuche, gouernour of Italy, when the Go­thes were ouercome: for he recouered his fauour towarde Rome, when it was in displeasure, and obtayned that hee was made consull, for then the bishop had almoste all the swa [...]e in Rome. This man decreed contrary to his prede­cessour, that none ought to be called chiefe prieste, or vni­uersall bishop, Distinctione 99. Nullus. Furthermore, ta­king away from the bishops chauncelours the laying on of handes, graunted it only to bishops, as Isidorus writeth. Afterwarde turning his minde, and taking delight in buil­ding, he finished Philip and Iacobs churche, whiche Vigi­lius had begonne, and restored the Sainctes tombes in the citie. Finally being a very olde mā, & taking great thought vpon occasion of straunge tempestes he died at Rome, An­no, 577. In his time the Armenians became Christians.

30. Benedict the first.

BEnedict the first a Romain, was bishop when the Lom­barde, 62 spoyled Italy. And w [...]s a good bishop, because he did nothing worthy memorie: as Barnus and Functius write of him. But yet whiche is to be noted, for the worthi­nesse of the dede, he forbad that mē should treade on crosses made of marble, stone, or woode: And when there was great dearth in Rome, he or at the least wise Tiberius Au­gustu [...] in his steade, brought corne out of Egypt, to succour them withall He died for sorowe to se so many miseries in the citie. Anno. 582.

31. Pelagius the second.

[Page] 63 PElagius the seconde, while the citie was besieged, with­out the Princes cōmaundement, cōtrary to the custome was made bishop. Therefore to pacifie the Emperoure, he sent one Gregory a monke, to Constantinople: afterwarde he made the cloyster of Hermes a martyr, and builded vp S. Laurence pallaice from the foundacion. He renewed the Canon for saying the howers, and commaunded Subdea­cons, either to forsake their wiues, or els their ecclesiasti­call functions, and appointed nyne prefaces to be song in the masse before the Canon: Pestis inguinaria, arising of great tempestes, and the contagiousnes of the aire tooke awaye this bishop among many other: This pestilence was cause of many supersticions, for then they firste began to thinke that Gods wrath was to be pleased: and the Letany of seuen partes was made by Gregorie. The occasion here­of saith Vspergensis was, that a great part of Italy was drowned with great flouddes.

32. Gregorie the great.

64 GRegorie the great a Romaine, was made byshop being before but a Monke and a Deacon. He was the best mā of all these Romaine Patriarkes, for learning and good life. He succeded Pelagius, vnwillingly refusing it, and in the ende cōpelled thereunto: he (though otherwyse he was learned and Godly) yet because he was a Monke, burthe­ned the churche, and religion of God aboue all other, with more ceremonies, then had the Iewes. He turned his pa­rentes houses into Monasteries, and dedicated the firste of them to S Andrewe the Apostle. He made Scholes of qui­resters, and made certaine songes for the church, according to Ambrose maner, which we call Anthemes: He appoin­ted one to be chaunter for the daye, another for the night. He gathered together the lawes of the holy fathers. He did deuise the order of masses, & linked the Cannons ther­of [Page 33] together, he caused the masses to be begonne with peces of Psalmes. He commaunded to saye Kyriaeleison nine ty­mes, and to chaunt Alleluia after the Graduall hee ioy­ned the same Alleluia, for Easter tyme to the Offerto­ries. Hee added three peticions to the Cannons of the masse: That is, Dies nostros in tua pace. &c. He cōmaun­ded that the Lordes prayer, should be either song or sayde, with a loude voyce ouer the communion bread. He com­mauned that masse shoulde be saide ouer the dead carkases of sainctes: And added to the Canonicall howers, Deus in adiutorium, with Gloria patri: He deuised Letanies, and processions, & deuided thē into these seuen orders, Clarkes, Monkes, Nonnes, Boyes, Laymen, Widowes, and ma­ried wyues. He suffered the Image of the blessed virgin Mary to be caried about withall, But not to be worship­ped: Furthermore this Gregorie (as they shamefully ima­gine) compelled an Angeli to put vp his terrible swerde in­to his sheathe. By his indulgences he established certaine stacio [...]s, and pilgrimages vnto Images in the citie, accor­ding to the peoples deuocion. He solemnized the feast of the Purification of our Lady with wex candels, (whereof it is called Candelmas daye) and appointed the solemnitie of Palme Sondaye to be kept with processions. He added iiii. dayes to Lent faste, and hallowed the beginning thereof with Ashwednisdaye. He forbad those that should faste to eate fleshe, milke, butter, chese, or egges, because they seme to beare a taste of fleshe, and suffered them only to eate fishe, excepting also the greater sorte of fishes, whereof Mantuan sayth Fastor. 2.

Gregorie gaue tapers to the churche, and furnished it with quier Psalmodis, Canticles, Oades, Hymnus, and o­ther Heathen ceremonies: He buylded sixe Monasteries of his owne coste in Sicilia, and dedicated Agathas churche: He forbad that women should resorte to abbeyes, or that Monkes should resorte to Nonneries. Also he woulde not haue Mōkes baptize, neither Nonnes to be Godmothers. He forbad him that had bene twise married to bee made priests: And that priestes should geue testimony of honest life by taking an oathe: He was an vphoulder of pardons, but not a seller of them. He was the first that gaue pardons vpon certayne dayes, to suche as frequented the churche. He entertained straungers at his table. He ayded the Mō ­kes of Hierusalem with necessaries, and gaue stipendes to three thousande maydes: He allowed by decree the first fiue counsels: He forbad that sainctes Images should be brokē, or that one of the Clergie should at the Emperours com­maundement serue in the warres, or that there should bee twoo Metropolitanes in one Prouince: He would haue a bishop to be consecrate but ones, and would haue the laste will and testament of euery man to be ratified. He made foure bookes of Dialogues, to boulster vp Purgatorie: He allowed hallowing of ashes, washing of feete, worshipping of the crosse, and mass [...]s to be saide for the dead, and (wher­in the Papistes horribly belie him) he deliuered Traian the Emperours soule from hell. He cōtemning the Britaines sent Augustine a Monke, to reclaime the English Saxons to the churche of Rome: He reft from London the right of the Archebishoprike, and translated it by the same Augu­stines meanes to Caunterburie. Al these thinges did Gre­gorie as Patriarke of Rome, and died a confessour, Anno. 604. But although he doted in many supersticions, yet more is falsely fathered on him thē euer he did or thought.

33. Sabinianus.

SAbinianus borne in Thusca, was a Prelate of no value,65 who for the hate he bare to his predecessour Gregorie, after he had published certaine flaunders against him, cō ­maunded that his bookes should be burned. This man be­ing the last of the Romaine Patriarkes, commaūded that the howers of the daye shoulde bee deuided by ringing of belles for the ecclesiasticall offices: & that they should haue continuall burning lampes in the churche: At lengthe he died an infamous death through feare that he conceiued of a terrible vision, which he sawe in the night time, An. 606.

The Christian deedes of Gregorie.

NOwe to say somewhat touching the Christiā sayinges and doinges of the foresaid Gregorie: he fought stoutly against the supremacie of the Popishe kingdome, in the ve­ry entraunce of the Popedome, and hewde in pieces with sharpe tauntes the title of vniuersal Patriarkeship, saying that suche an one was the foreronner of Antichriste, an hi­pocrite, a tyraūt, and Lucifer the vsurper of Gods power. He commaunded certaine Images that were of wonder­full excellent workemanship, to be throwen into the Riuer Tiber, least religion should be corrupted by them. He com­maunded prayer and fasting for the asswaging of the pesti­lence. He reclaymed the Gothes from the Arrians, to the vnitie of the church. He wrote Homilies in a pleasaunt stile following S. Augustine. Hee xpounded the moste part of the holy bookes of the Bible. He by common consent defa­ced the name of vniuersall byshop. And professed him selfe in his wrytinges Seruus seruorum Dei, seruaunt to Gods seruauntes, whereby he might shewe, howe farre he was [Page] from all ambicion and desire of soueraintie: This title his posteritie hath continued, bearing the name, but forbea­ring the humilitie that belongeth therunto. At the length Gregorie did greatly lamente to se that howling and chaū ­ting in the church had so taken place, that preaching of the Gospell was neglected. Beholde (quoth he among other sayinges) the worlde is full of priestes, & yet in the lordes haruest are founde fewe labourers: We haue taken vpon vs the office, but w^ce do not discharge the office. Brethren, I thinke that God suffereth dishonour of none more then of priestes (for the moste parte). If they se any liue in lowly estate, or liue continently, they scorne them. Consider ther­fore what becōmeth of the flocke, when Wolues are made shepeheardes. These take charge of the sheepe, who are not afrayde to endaunger the liues of the Lordes foulde, but they chaunge the office of their blessed function to the encrease of their ambicion. We leaue Gods cause, & ronne to worldly affaires: we enioye the place of holines, and are entangled with earthly matters, so that Baptist Mantuan saith of him in the thirde booke of his Fastor.

Huldricus bishop of A [...]gusta, sheweth a wonderful sto­ry of this bishop, in his Epistle to Nicolas the first, the effect whereof is, that this Gregorie did firste cōmaunde priestes to liue single life: but afterwarde when he perceiued, that they were geuen secretly to fleshly pleasure, and that here­upon many children were murthered, hee disanulled that commaundement, and sayde that it was better to mary, thē geue occasion of murther: For whē on a time he sent a cer­taine woman vnto a fishepoole to take fishe, there were founde in the same poole sixe thousande heades of infantes, that had bene drowned therein: whiche he perceauing to procede of forced single life, with sighing and sorrowing, [Page 35] he reuoked that Canon. For as that Huldericus sheweth, they accompanied not onely with virgins and wyues, but also euen with their owne kindred, with mankind, yea and that whiche is horrible to be sayde, with brute beastes. After the tyme of this Gregorie, ensued more blindnes thē was before. The puritie of doctrine decayed, & the churche was darkened maruelously with mans tradicions: For Monkery with his manifolde supersticions waxed great: Herewithall sprang vp sale of masses, and praying to the dead, and the Lordes supper began to be an offering for the dead. Bishops also being deluded with visions of spirites, or rather of diuels, began to reuolte from the doctrine of faithe to put affiance in good workes, and mans satisfactiō, as appeareth of Gregorie.

As it is euident of Gregorie, who in his Dialogues to Theodolinda, a very superstitious woman, telleth of dead men that appeared and craued to haue prayers and suf­frages. This while Christianitie began to fall to ceremo­nies forthwith blinde supersticion, by meanes of Mon­kery began to crepe in▪ Gregorie as is mentioned before, sent Augustine a Romaine Monke, and other his compa­ignions, to the Englishemen, Anno. 596. not to preache Christe vnto them, whose doctrine the Brytaines had recei­ued more sincerely of Ioseph & the churches of Asia, But to thrust vpon them the Romain religion, patched vp with mans diuices and tradicions. The Britaynes had always the preaching of the truthe, syncere doctrine, and the liuely faith and such seruice as was deliuered to the Apostles by Gods commaundement: They had Christian churches, whereof Godfrey of Munmuthe, in the eight booke and fourth chapiter of the actes of the Britaines sayth thus: In the contrey of the Britaines, Christianitie florished hether­to, which neuer failed among them since the Apostles time. But when Augustine came hee founde in their prouince seuen bishoprikes, and one Archebishoprike maintained by [Page] godly Prelates, and many Abbots liuing by their handy labour, among whome the Lordes stocke kept true waye. It appeareth also that there were shepeherdes among thē that were diligent to preserue the puritie of doctrine, as was Dionotus, Anonius, and his fellowes, who in contēpt of the Romaines ceremonies stacke stoutly to it euen to the death. Augustine entred the lande not with the Gospell of Christian peace, but with the banner of his Aposticship, with his syluer crosse, his Letanie, his procession, images, painted puppettes, reliques, canticles, and bookes of cere­monies. But when by the authoritie of the king in the west part of England he sommoned the byshops and doctours, that they accepting and communicating the Romaine cu­stomes should submitte them selues to him, Anno. 602. They going to the synode, did firste demaunde of a certaine wise man, that liued solitarely, whether it was laweful to followe his commaundement, and forsake those tradi [...]ions whiche they had receiued of their fathers: to whome hee aunswered. If he be a mā of God, followe him. They fur­ther asked howe they should proue that. Ye knowe quoth he, that the Lord commaunded saying: Take my yoke vpō you, and learne of me because I am gentle and lowlye of harte. Therefore if this Augustine be suche an one, it is credible that he also beareth Christes burthē, and offereth it to you to beare: but if he be proude and cruell, it is euidēt tha he is not of God and ye ought not to regarde his talke. And howe shall we knowe that quoth they. Let Augustine (quoth he) and his company goe firste to the Synode: And if when ye come, he ryse vp to salute you, knowe ye that he is Christe his seruaunt, and obey ye him. But if he dis­dayne you, or make smale accompt of you, and shewe no to­ken of curtesie in his countenaunce, seing ye are the greater number, doe ye likewyse contemne him. Therfore when they came to Augustine sitting ambiciously on his stalle, and sawe that he gaue them no token of frendship, they by [Page 36] and by conceiuing displeasure, & noting him to be a proude persone, did forthwith ouerthwart euery thing that he put forth: For he charged them that they did many thinges cō ­trary to the custome of the catholicke churche, especially in keping their Easter, in ministring of baptisme, and in their preaching, and that they regarded not mans tradiciōs: and he commaunded that in these and other thinges they should followe the vse of the church of Rome. But they aunswered that they would do none of these, neither take him for their Archebishop. Whereupon he promised them warre should ensewe, and threatned them fiercely to reuenge it by death, whiche immediatly ensued. Reade Beda in his ecclesiasti­call history of Englande, the seconde booke, and the second chapter, and likewyse the sayde Godfrey. But I won­der muche of this crueltie of Augustine: For Gregorie be­fore had so discussed it, and wrote vnto him that it was not nedefull in all churches to haue the same order of ceremo­nies: but that euery churche might ordaine the beste for it selfe. But suche was wonte to be the tyranny of hypocrites: whereof Mantuan saythe.

And to speake in fewe wordes, the Romaine bishops were starres euen hetherto, yet but falling from Christes right [Page] hande to the grounde, from whome the heauen departed, Apocal. 6. and they are prefigured by the redde horse, vnto whose ryder power was geuen to take awaye peace from the earth, and to murther to and fro, whereupon as in the firste order the Romaine Prelates called bishops by their true ministring the worde of God, and constant faith, were starres abiding in Christe his right hande: so in this second sort vnder the name of Archebishops and Patriarkes, by the neglecting of the same woorde, and their earthly affec­tions, they were starres falling to the earth, Apocal. 6. But in the thirde ranke, whiche shall followe vnder the name of Popes and Antichristes, for their absolute reuolting from Christe, and open idolatries they shal be the starres falling from heauen to the earthe. Apoc. 9.

Abadon or the Latin Antichriste.

IN the yeare of our Lorde sixe hundreth and foure, Phocas the tyrant, murthered his soueraigne lord Mauricius the Em­peroure, with his wife, his brother, his children, and many nobles: From this yere adding to it two yeres to the begin­ning of the Popedome, established by Phocas, are sixe hun­dred sixty sixe yeares, from the cōsulship of M. T. Cicero, [Page] and Antonius, as Bibliander Funccius, and other do eui­dently recken it, at whiche time the Iewes (while their bi­shops iarred for supremacie) lost their libertie: For Christe (as Bibliander gathers) in his reuelation (whiche by his dearely beloued Apostle Iohn, he deliuered to the church) foare tolde, that a certaine tyrannicall Empier should af­flicte the true church: as Nero and Domician, with others did. And calleth the beaste hauing two hornes like a lambe the ennemy of Christe, whiche neuerthelesse should speake like a Dragon, like an euill spirite, and should rage as vn­mercifully as the firste beast did, whiche destroyed Peter and Paule, and great companies of fainctes: whiche with her charmes should so bewitche the worlde, and with mon­strous workes should growe into suche admiration, that none might by or sell, but such as had the seale or the name of the beaste in his forehead. But as touching the name of the beaste, he shewes it mistically by these letters, [...]. Ch, X, St, & reciteth it to be discussed. This (saith Iohn) is wysedome, let him that hath vnderstanding accompt the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his nūber is this. 666. Apocal. 13. What meane thefe markes but that wee should searche the time wherein this beaste should arise from the earth and the bottomlesse pitte, and should destroye the Christian common wealth? But howe shall a man apply it, if he haue not the certaine time, when Pompeie toke the scepter from the Iewes, according to the notable prophecie of Iacob, & entring the temple, propha­ned the Sanctum sanctorum. But that was done as Iose­phus wryteth, in the time of Tullius consulship, the 60. yeare before Christe was borne. To these three score yeares adde six hundred, vntill after the death of the sayd Gregorie the great, who prophecied that he should be Antechriste, whiche would be compted vniuersall bishop, or head of all churches. Therefore marke well what kinde of times hap­pened in the 666. yeare after Hierusalem was taken by the [Page 38] Romaines, Pompeie being their general, and you shall se straunge matters fal out, at the time that this Phocas was Emperour, of whome VVilliam Stantphurdius wryteth as foloweth.

Furthermore applie this misticall number of 666. con­taining highe wisedom in i [...] frō the time of Christes birth, or from the tyme of his passion, or from the xv. yere of Do­mician, at whiche time the reuelation was written, and stil ye shal finde some mōsterous thing wrought in the church. But to returne to the matter of Englande: In the yeare of Christe 593. Colman, Harding, and Fabian saye, that the raigne of the seuen kinges at one time began: whereby 173 [...]. yeares after Brutus their first king, the royall estate of the Brytishe king ceased. For as Paulus Diaconus wri­teth in his fourth booke, the Britaines founde t [...]at the Sax­ons were in steade of succourers, suppressours and cruell ennemies, vntrusty, warring rigorously vpon them, who had entertained them for ayde. Anno 596. the foresaid Au­gustine sent from Gregorie, came into Englande, who at his comming did not reproue, but maintaine, and vpholde the wicked treasons, the horrible robberies, & the slaugh­ters more cruell then were Neroes, whiche the Saxons cō ­mitted. Anno▪ 600. Gregorie gaue to Augustine his by­shops pall. Thereby as was sayde, London was spoyled of her right without all order, to the destruction bothe of the commonwealth and of religion, and finally the vndoing of the Brytishe kingdome, and thereupon are sumptuous tē ­ples builded. Before that time the Britains had their chur­ches dedicated to eternall God the father, and to our sa­uiour [Page] his sonne Iesus Christe. But afterwarde the Saxōs did cōsecrate their temples to Images, and dead sainctes▪ Anno. 604. the Christiā Emperour Maurice being slaine, Phocas an adulterer and a murtherer, obtayned the seate imperiall, and in him the maiestie of the Caesars, and the moste noble Empire of the Grekes decayed together. As for the Romaine Empire that was weakened and empai­red, yea and at length brought to nothing, by meanes of the Popedome whiche he had graunted and established. Anno 606. in Nouember and December, as Paulus Dia­conus writeth in his 18. booke, euen at the rising and begin­ning of the Popedome, there appeared a wonderfull great blasing starre: There were straunge sightes and monsters of the Sea, shewed them selues to the terrour of many. Thus in y^e time of this Phocas murderer of the Emperour (whiche is to be noted as a misterie concerning the Popes) Papistrie and Mahumets religion began bothe together at one time, which corrupted, darkened, and weakened the doctrine of the sonne of God in many regions. For in ano­ther yeare of the same Phocas, as Bibliander writeth, Ma­humet recited the Alcoran, so that (saieth hee) the Egles three heades awaked all at ones, according to the heauenly vision in the fourth booke of Esdras: that is to saye Phocas him selfe, Pope Boniface, & Mahumet the Arabian, now followeth the thirde troupe of Romishe Popes, whiche is deuided into fiue partes.

The firste parte of this thirde troupes of the Popes or Romaine Antechristes, prophecied of by the names of So­dome or Egypt. Apocal. 11. vntill the time of Pope Iohn the eight.

1. Boniface the thirde.

66 ABout this time the bishoppers of Constantinople ende­uoured to obstaine the title of vniuersall bishop, and to haue their Church called the head of all Churches, vsing [Page 39] these fonde reasons, that because the Emperour beinge chiefe of all Princes kepte at Constantinople, therefore y^t shoulde be the chiefest Church, and there the chiefe bishop: This ambitiō enflamed many to speake and wryte against it, but especiallye the late Gregorye who in this wyse re­proued Iohn bishop of Constantinople for the same: Say­inge, None of my predecessors (although the Emperours began first in Rome, and were wont to byde there onelye, and yet do keepe the title thereof) durste take vppon them this title of vniuersall bishop. And againe Gregorye sayd plainlye that such a one was the forerunner of Antichrist. Yet notwithstanding that the Church of Constantinople with great infamye preuailed not herein, because that An­tichrist or the whore of Babilon according to the 13. of the Reuelation should be in the Citty builded on seuen hilles, that is Rome it selfe, For so diuers auctors testifye that onelye Rome is knowen to be builded on vii. hils: and cer­taine it is that when this Reuelation was written, Rome was then the greatest Cittye being built on seuen hils, as Mantuan testifyeth in the life of Syluester, speaking of S. Blaze at the ende of the first booke. And the fulnesse of y^t time prophecied of, now drawing nighe, this Boniface the thirde Anno 607. by the meanes of Phocas the Empe­rour an adulterer, traytour, and murtherer of his Lorde and soueraine Maurice the Emperour with his wife, and children) was aduaunced to be bishop of Rome with much hurley burley and greate tumulte, and in despite of manye bishops and Churches standinge against it, he is extolled, confirmed and worshipped as Lorde and Prince of all bi­shoppes: By great sute (but greater bribery) he obtay­ned of the sayde bloudye Emperour, that Rome should be called the head of all Churches, partlye by the same rea­sons that Constantinople vsed (as Platina sayth) y^t where the heade of the Empyre was, there shoulde be the heade Church, againe the Emperours had their beginninge in [Page] Rome, againe though some of them kept at Constantino­ple, yet euer they bare the name of Rome, as Romaine Emperours: finallye Peter deliuered to Rome y^e keyes of heauen and hell, A feeble reason thoughe it had bene true. Thus at this time as an adulterer by treason and murther vsurped the Empyre, so of the same man this ambitious Boniface obtained by briberye to be vniuersall bishop, and consequentlye by the sayinge of his owne predicessour to be the forerunner of Antichrist.

He decreed in a Synode that vnder the paine of excom­munication one Pope beinge deade, another should not be chosen before y^e third day after: Also the same penaltye for such as sought to be bishops by fauour or briberye, he de­creed that a bishoppe should be chosen by the voyces of the clergye and the people together, and y^e election to be good if it were ratifyed and allowed first by the Prince or chiefe parson of the place, and last of all confirmed by the Popes auctoritye, and wyth these woordes of his, Wee will and commaunde. From this time forwarde the puritye of the Gospell decreased and superstition increased: Likewise y^• Emp [...]re was at this time mightely weakened, for Fraūce Germanye, Lombardye and Spaine reuolted and forsoke the Empyre, & beside Cosdroa kinge of Persia inuaded and wanne away many countreys and Cittyes in the East, and among them Hierusalem. Boniface hauinge enioyed his auctoritye scante a yeare dyed: From this time sayth Vs­pergensis the Romain Empyre was neuer without great trouble, miserye and missehap.

2. Boniface the fourth.

67 BOniface the fourth borne in Marcia, obtained of Phocas the Emperour that a Church in Rome called Panthe­on, which the heathen had dedicated to all their gods and idols, should be translated from the worshipping of Idols [Page 40] to the seruice of Christ, and be dedicate to al Saincts, and so called all hallowes Churche: An vngodly and blasphe­mous alteratiō, and contrary to S. Paules doctrine, that Christians should turne that to Gods seruice, which was dedicate to idols. He appointed y^e feast of alhallowes day, and that the Pope on that doye should say a long masse: he also appointed the corps cloth to be had at masse: he gaue moncks leaue to baptize and absolue. In this Popes time God punished y^e wickednes of Phocas, who was reft both of Empyre & lyfe, by his successour Heraclius, for hauinge his handes and feete cut of, he was throwne into the sea.

3. Theodatus.

THeodatus the first was a Romaine, the sonne of one 68 Steuen a subdeacon: he deuised a newe founde aliance betwene the Godfather and y^e goddaughter, and betwene the godmother and her godsonne, calling it spirituall cō ­sanguinitye: and therefore he commaunded that neyther y^e godfather nor his godsonne should marrye the goddaugh­ter, and so of the godmother likewyse: which is one token giuen to know Antichrist by, forbiddinge and makinge vn­lawful (as Tacianus Montanus, and other heretikes do) honest mariage, which God hath made lawfull. At this time raigned such a straunge lothsome kinde of leprosye disfiguring men in such sort, that one coulde not discerne a­nother by the face: Theodatus died Anno 618. in y^e thirde yeare of his Popedome. Here note by the waye that none of the Popes from this time liued longe, which wroughte not some notorious acte for the maintenance of the tiranny of the Sea of Rome.

4. Boniface the fifte.

BOniface the fifte was borne in Campania, he decreed y^e 69 holye places shoulde be rescewes and maintenaunc [...] for [Page] theeues, murtherers and leude parsons, making the chur­ches, churchyards, chappels & such others to be sanctua­ryes for them, and that no man should draw them away by violence that fled thether. He commaunded that none but deacons shoulde handle the reliques of Saincts: further­more that a will and testament being made by commaūde­ment of the Prince should stande in force, which preroga­tiues his successors did afterwarde vsurpe to themselues, that no testamente should be good, vnlesse it were allowed by them. He dyed Anno. 623.

5. Honorius the first.

70 HOnorius borne in Cāpania was a good Pope (as Vvi­celius saith) for diligēce in building Churches, deckīg them with golde & siluer, but a neg [...]igent pastor for ought that is read of him in feeding Christ his flocke. Amonge other temples and monasteries that he founded, he honge S. Peters Church w^t cloth of Tissew, which with y^e Em­perours consente were taken out of Ianus Capitol or Ro­mulus temple: hee deuised holye roode daye, and added to the Letanye the prayinge vnto dead saintes, Sancta maria, sancta Gregori &c. and commaūded to go about the strea­tes in procession euery Sabboth day. This Honorius died Anno 634. in whose time Mahumet arose, the auctor of the Turkishe religion.

6. Seuerinus the second.

71 SEuerinus or Zepherinus the second, was cōfirmed Pope in the name of Herachu [...] the Emperour, by Isacius his liuetenaunt in Italye. This Pope also was very carefull to build vp Churches of dead saints, but carelesse of buil­dinge vp the Gospell: wherevppon Isacius brake into the Church treasurye, and perforce toke away the great hea­pes [Page 41] of riches, y^e priestes to their power defending the same: for then (euen by Gods iust punishment) the Sarracens wan from the Romaines, Damascus, Arabia, Phoenicia, Egipt, and other kingdomes of the world, Mahumets power en­creased still against them: and as for the Emperours soul­diers they were driuen to great pouertye and wante of all thinges, and the houge heapes of the Churches hourded treasury encreased to no bodies profit. For (sayth Platina) in this daūger of Mahumet, the priests loked that the lai­tye should beare the charge of this, to withstand the enne­myes of Christendome: againe the laitye looked that the clergye for defence of Religion shoulde promise, and giue their money for the maintenaunce of the warre, and should not waste their wealth prodigallye to worse purposes, as for the most part they doe, spendinge plentifullye their ri­ches gotten by almose deedes and with the bloud of mar­tyrs, vppon statelye and massye plate of siluer and golde [...] hauinge little care of the world to come, defying God and mā, whom they serue only for luker sake. Plat. in Boniface the 5. This made Isacius with his souldiours to burst into the Churches treasurye. Seuerinus dyed Anno 636.

7. Iohn the fourth.

IOhn the fourth, learning by his predecessours harmes howe to vse ryches better, did redeme out of captiuitie 72 with that money, whiche Isacius lefte in Lateran, his con­treimen the Assirians and Dalmacians, whome the Lom­bardes had taken prisoners in battell. And yet least the like deede shoulde be attempted against the churche anye more, euen sone after in the beginning of his Popedome, he decreed, that the churche goodes being so purloyned, should be recompenced fower times double. He wrote to Englande concerning the keping of Easter, and against the Pelagian heresy: Hee transported from Dalmacia to [Page] Rome, the dead bodies of two martyrs, Vincentius and Anastasius, rather to hurt liue Christians with commit­ting Idolatry in worshipping them, then that the saluage people should harme the dead bodies. Hee died ere he had raigned Pope two yeares, Anno. 638. Platina reporteth that in this mans tyme, a certaine priest robbed the tombe of Rothaeris in S. Iohn Baptistes churche: for (sayth he) they were wonte to burie certayne precious thinges with kinges bodies. The like thing happened of late tyme to Cardinall Allouisius, Patriarke of Aquilia, for his graue being burste vp, he was robbed by those, whome he from very base estate had aduaunced to the dignitie of priestes and better calling.

8. Theodorus.

THeodorus the firste was a Grecian borne, the sonne of 73 Theodorus byshop of Hierusalem, hee builded manye churches in Rome, and golden shrines for sainctes. He [...]et vp the reliques of Sainctes in golde & siluer in the church. He forbad that mariage made after a single vowe, shoulde be broken. He depryued Pyrrus byshop of Constantinople, for heresy: He appointed that tapers should be halowed on Easter eue for Easter time: He died, Anno. 646.

9. Martin the first.

MArtin the first a Tuderdinian borne, made lawes for 74 keping holy dayes, and decking of churches, suche as the Idolatours before were wōt to kepe: He gaue straight charge that priestes should shaue their polles, and that bi­shops should make euery yeare as they call it, an holye Chrisme, and sende it to euery churche in their Diocese: He burthened the Clergie with vowe of single life, and ap­pointed that a couple being married, ere they lay together, [Page 42] the bridegrome & bryde, should haue the priestes blessing. He commaunded also, that priestes houses should be buylt next to the churche: That Monkes shoud not go out of the abbies without the Abbots leaue: & in a Synode at Rome that bishops should not transpose the churche goodes to their owne priuate vse. He died Anno. 656. VVicelius sayth, he was very vehement against certaine sectes, excō ­municating them whome he ought by the scripture to haue admonished. He deposed Paule Patriarke of Constantino­ple, not admonishing him first once or twise, according to S. Paule; rule: for the whiche he was bounde in chaynes, and so brought to Constantinople, by the Emperour Constā ­tinus, wher in banishmēt he died in great miserie. An. 653.

10. Eugenius the first,

EVgenius the firste was a Romaine, commended for his manners. But VVicelius saith, this Pope did neuer 75 any notable dede: but decreed that bishops should haue pri­sons to punishe priestes. Thus by little and little, they en­croched the power of temporall swearde: certaine letters were sent vnto him from Constantinople, contayning he­resie, whiche were so detested, that saith Platina, the Cler­gie it selfe toke vppon them to forbidde the Pope to saye masse in S. Maries churche, vnlesse he would firste burne the letters, then might the Clergie controll the Popes slackenes or errour in religion.

11. Vitellianus.

VItellianus borne in Campania, being an excellent musi­cian,76 wrote the ecclesiasticall Canon, he broughte sin­ging and organs into the churche. He accused one Iohn minister in a certaine churche in Crete, vnto the bishop of that place, for hauing a wife. He made the Latin howers, [Page] songes, masses, idolatry, and ceremonies, adding and tur­ning all into Latine, about the yeare of Christes incarna­tion. 666. which was the number of the name of the beast spoken of in the 13. of the Apocal.. Here therefore is to be noted, that the nūber of the beast agreeth vnto this time, secondly the number of the yeares conteined in the name of the beaste, is founde out in this woorde λατεινοσ: as who would saye, that Antechriste shalbe a Latin, or in the La­tin churche, who shall come to his perfection in the yeare. 666. Also the letters of his name shall amounte to this number, and last of all is to be noted how that beside this Lateinos expressed the Latin bishop, and the time of Ante­christe, it agreeth with the straunge doinges of this tyme, that all thinges were turned into Latin in the churche. And because that this mistery of sixe hundred sixty sixe, spo­ken of in the Reuelation, may appeare euen to the moste simple to agree vnto the churche of Rome, as in this place is saide: it is first to be considered that the auncient father Irenaeus, being immediatly after the Apostles, reading this place, and considering of the woordes of S. Iohn, saying: Let him that hath wisedome counte the nūber of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is sixe hun­dred sixty sixe. Irenaeus I saye, considering of these wordes, did at the length finde out that this number agreed to this Greeke name λατεινοσ and therefore he sayde, that surely Antechriste should be a Latin and in the Latin churche: for the Grekes, in whose tongue the Reuelation was written, do expresse their numbers by their letters, as we do by fi­gures. And in their numbringe this letter λ the firste let­ter of that name, standeth for thirty: the next letter α stan­deth for one: the thirde letter τ for three hundred: the iiii. letter ε for fiue, the fift letter ι for tenne: the sixte letter ν for fiftie: the seuenth letter ο for threscore and tenne: and the eight and last letter, σ standeth for twoo hondred. So that if these eight numbers, that is: thirty, one, three hun­dred, [Page 43] fiue, ten, fifty, seuenty, and two hundred, be added to­gether, they make sixe hundred sixty sixe [...]umpe. Againe nū ­ber so the letters in this worde [...] Ecclesia Italica, that is the Italian churche, and ye shall finde it also make iump six hundred sixty sixe. For in the former worde of these two, there are right letters: whereof the firste is ε standing for fiue, the second κ in value twenty, and so the thirde is κ that is twenty, the fourth λ that is thirty, the fift η that is eight, the sixt ς that is twoo hundred, the se­uenth is ι that is tenne, the eight is α and that standeth for one: All whiche numbers added together, make. 294.

Nowe to coine to the latter woorde [...] Italica, in it are seuen letters, the firste is ι and is euer set in the Gre­cian numbers for ten, the seconde τ for three hundred, the third α for one, the fourth λ for thirty, the fift ι for tenne, the sixt κ for twenty, the seuenth and last, is α for one: all whiche seuen numbers amounte to three hundred seuenty and two, then vnto this adde the nūber of the former word, whiche was two hūdred ninty foure, and the whole somme is lumpe sixe hundred sixty sixe. Furthermore, in the same thirtene chapter, and the firste verse thereof, S. Iohn spea­king of this beaste, saith that the beaste had seuen heades. And in the seuententh of the Reuelation, the Angell doth expounde this mistery vnto Iohn saying: the seuen heades were vii. mountaines vpon which the woman (meaninge the forenamed whore of Babilon) doth sit: and afterwarde againe he saith that the same woman whom Iohn saw sit­ting on the beast with seuen heades, is that great Cittye which hath rule ouer the kinges of the earth: At which time it is manifest to all the world, that Rome had the so­ueraignitye and Empyre of all the world, and that it was then the great Cittie, and none but it of whom this might be said: neither is it knowen that anye other Cittye is, or hath bene built vppon seuen hilles. And that Rome is so, it appeareth by diuers writers Romaines and other, that [Page] report it as they haue seene it: Amonge other Munster in his Topographie doth not only in the descriptiō of Rome testifie that there are seuen hilles but also sheweth the na­mes of them euerye one which are these: Auentinus, Ca­pitolinus, Palatinus, Cael [...]us, Exquilinus, Viminalis and Quirinalis hill. Proper [...]ius the Poet confirmeth it briefe­ly in a verse saying thus of Rome, Septem vrbs alta iugis toti quae presidet orbi: the like hath Virgil in hys Geor­gicks, Septem quae vno sibi muro circundedit arces, spea­kinge it of Rome. Mantuan in his Fast. li. 2. doth in like maner describe Rome, calling it Romuleā septem cū Col­libus vrbem. So of the Grekes it is called Heptalophos, wherin Hep [...]a signifieth 7. and lopho [...] an hil, head or top.

This Vitellianus commaunded shauings and annoin­tings of the clergye to be vsed, geuing vnder these markes lice [...]s to buy and sell pardons in the Churche, as was pro­phesyed of Antichrist: & after he had choaked the Church with much palcry he dyed. At this time at the fulnesse of Antichrist, mōkery grew into superstitious estimation. At this time also these two straunge thinges were wrought: Abbeis were first founded for monkes, kinges were shaued and made monkes.

12. Theodatus the second.

77 THeodatus y^e second a Romaine borne, was made Pope beinge but a monke: He bestowed great cost to make a sumptuous abbey of that, from whence he came: He gaue licence to mōkes to transport Benedict Nursin patriarcke of his own order with a scholesister of theirs from Cassim mount into Fraunce. At this time were manye straunge thinges as a blasinge starre appearing 3. monethes conti­nually, with great raine & often thonders, with a straūge Rainbowe and earthquakes, suche as the like were neuer heard of. And some say that the corne being beaten downe [Page 44] with these straūge tempests of raine, did spring vp againe and grew to ripenesse: For these thinges Theodatus cau­sed prayers often to be said, and dyed Anno 675.

13. Donus the first.

DOnus the firste, was made Pope in a miserable tyme,78 when the fieldes and the corne were burnt vp with thō ­der, lightninges and showers: He as (Popes vse) beauti­fied S. Peters porche with pillers: And after he had puni­shed certaine Nestoria heretikes, he scattered thē in diuers abbeis in Italy. He restored certayne olde churches, he de­uided the Clergie into diuers orders, and aduaunced them with seuerall kindes of honour, and dignitie. After muche controuersie he made subiect to Rome Rauennas churche, Theodorus the Archebishop therof, agreing to it through the Popes flattery, whiche churche before was called Al­liocephalis. After he had done many [...]uche dedes he died, Anno. 679.

14. Agathon the first.

AGathon the first, as Gratian writeth Distinct. 19. being a Monke of Sicill, cōmaunded that the Popes decrees 79 should be taken for as canonicall and authenticall, as the Apostles wrytings. So he gaue as great auctoritie to the masse, whiche was clouted together by sondry Popes. But wickedly he cōdemned the mariage of ministers of the La­tine churche: He sent one Iohn a Monke and Archedeacon of Rome, into Englande, Anno 679. to teache them here the manner of their reading, singing, & ceremonies in their churches. And the better to vtter his knackes of celebra­tions and sacrifices, as Beda wryteth in his fourth booke & 18. chapter, de Gestis Anglorum. He [...]ent his Oratours Iohn bishop of Portua, and Iohn Deacon of the Romaine [Page] churche to the sixt Sinode of Constantinople, and against the Monothelites he sent one Agathus. In the whiche Si­node the Clergie of the Greke churche, were allowed ma­riage, and the Latin churche forbidden it. Also among o­ther thinges then done the eight daye after Easter, Anno 681. the said Iohn of Portua, did first of al say y^e Latin masse openly before the Prince and the Patriarke, and people of Constantinople, all men allowing it for nouelties sake, as a newe founde thing, whiche taking roote hereupon, was receiued in all churches, whiche helde vpon the Pope. In this Popes time, after straunge Eclipses, both of Sunne and Moone, was a Pestilence so contagious in Rome, that the Pope him selfe died thereof. The seate then was v [...]yde a yeare and a halfe.

15. Leo the second.

81 LEo the seconde was a Monke very learned, as well in Greke as in Latin, and so skilfull in Musick, that hee brought the notes of the Psalmes and Hymnes to better harmonie. He cōfirmed the sixt Synode partly to establishe the masse, partly because by it also the Clergie of the West churche, were forbidden mariage. He translated into La­tin the ordinaunce of mariage. He appointed that the Pax shoulde be borne aboute, and be kissed of the people, while masse was saying: Also y^t if neede did require there shoulde be Christening euery daye. He would haue (for their sake of Rauenna) no election of any bishop to stande in force, vn­lesse hee were first confirmed by the bishop of Rome: But (sayth VVicelius) without payinge for his pall, or anye o­ther money, which saith Platina I would it were kept still in Rome: for out of this bribing at this day many mischie­ues aryse. For as yet they durst not enterprise wholly such polling, as they did afterwarde aboute [...] yeares after Christe: for in time past the vi. Princes of Italye did con­firme [Page 45] the bishops of Italy: yea, and the Pope him selfe: Afterwarde the Emperour Constantine the fourth, agreing thereunto, the election was againe ratified in the handes of the Clergie and the Laitie. But the Prelates of Rauen­na, being emboldened because that the court of the sixe sta­tes was among thē, would not obey the churche of Rome, but auouched that they were egall in dignitie. And thus Foelix being their bishop after Theodorus, went about to shake of the Popes yoke, and to recouer their lost libertie. But the Emperour that was then Iustinian, sonne of the sayde Constantinus, being set on by Leo, with standeth the purpose of Foelix, and after he had by assaulte wonne the towne, he boared out the byshops eyes with a whot bur­ning iron. Leo before the ende of his tenne monethes died Anno. 685. in which time the moone was in a mōsterous and straunge Eclipse, appearing as redde as bloud all the night long, diuers nightes together.

16 Benedictus the second.

BEnedict the second, whose holinesse (they said) moued 82 the Emperour Constantine the fourth (if they father not a falsehode on him after his death) to decree, that hen­ceforth the Pope of Rome should haue authoritie ouer the people without the licence of the Emperoure, or the sixe states of Italy, whiche lasted not long. He reedified diuers temples enriching them with vessels of golde, syluer and guilt, with coapes of cloth of tissue, and cloth of gold, and o­ther iewels, according to the Iewishe ceremonies: and this Pope was the firste that toke vpon him to be called Chri­stes vicar on earth. Out of Vesunius hyll in Campania, suche aboundaunce of fier spouted, that it burnt vp all the countries, men and cattell rounde about: after whiche it is euident that there ensued, Anno 686. bloudshed, burning, spoyling, and the death of Princes, and especially of this [Page] Benedict a Pope of tenne monethes.

17. Iohn the fift.

83 IOhn the fifte was borne in Siria, he first of all toke conse­cration of three bishops, of the bishop of Hostia, Portua, & Veliterne, whiche custome he appointed to be kepte of his successours. And his posteritie do kepe this vse euen vnto this daye in our Sauiours church at Lateran. In his Po­pedome he fell sicke, in the whiche time he wrote a vayne and vnlearned booke, touching the dignitie of the pall of an Archebyshop.

18. Conon.

84 COnon a Thracian, was made Pope after much wran­gling betwene the Romaines, who would haue elected one Peter an Archebishop, and the host, preferring one Iohn a priest. This Conon being established, fell sicke and died, Anno 689. He made one Kilianus being before a Scottishe Monke a bishop, and sent him with other into Germanie, to winne the East part of Fraunce to y^e church of Rome. But this Kilian & his company, were at the first [...]layne of their Auditours, and buried at Herbipolis. One Paschal an Archedeacō, and Treasurer to the said Conon, in this Popes life bribed Iohn Platina, one of the sixe prin­ces of Italy, to make him Pope after the death of Conon. Platina tooke the mony, but he perfourmed not the coue­naunt, neyther restored the money.

19. Sergius the first.

85 AT this time was great hurlie burly about the election of the Pope: Some chose Theodorus a prieste, some Paschal an Archedeacon. And whyle euery one did ambi­tiouslye [Page 46] maintaine his owne faction, either partie with the men of his owne side kept possessiō in some part of Late [...]an pallaice: But when the chiefe of the clergye, the Romai­nes, & the army sawe, that this sedition would wexe blou­dye, they agreed to appease this tumult, & reiecting both y^e other they chose Sergius an Assyrian borne, & brought him to Lateran Church, and brasting vp the doores they driue oute the seditious electors, and compelled Theodor & Pas­chal to salute Sergius as Pope. He bestowed great cost in trimming the temples with guilding, images, golden cā ­delsticks, and curious masons worke, riche clothes, & such stuffe: He (they say) founde a peece of Christ his Crosse in a brasen cofer: He repayred the images of the Apostles be­ing worne out with continuance: He set a new patche vpō the masse, commaunding that Agnus Dei should be songe thrise whē the priest is breaking the bread. And on the day of the annuntiation of the virgin to sing procession: He re­claymed the Church of Aquilia which began to decline from Papistrye. He also by his monks allured the Saxons & Frisians to the same superstition: While Aldhelmus an Englishman waited at Rome to be admitted to a bishop­ricke, he hard the Pope accused of adulterye, the childe be­ing new borne which was fathered vppon him, Aldhelmꝰ therefore did secretlye admonishe the Pope of this wicked­nes. Sergius dyed Anno. 701.

20. Iohn the sixt.

IOhn the sixt a Grecian borne, beinge much delighted in 86 vanityes as his predecessors were, was very curious in decking the temples. In the time of famine and warre, he nourished a great nomber of poore men with the treasures of the Church (being in deede the worthiest of al Popes for such almes deedes) also he redeemed diuers prisoners oute of bondage: And with threatninge caused Gisulphus cap­taine [Page] of Beneuent (who then wasted Campania) to returne home. This man (as it appeareth) was because of Sergius adultery elected only Pope, and not confirmed, Sergius be­ing restorde againe, and therfore he is not reckened amōg the Popes. Peter Premonstratensis sayth, that Iohn was thrust out againe because of his vnlawful entrance, & ther­fore he is not enrolled among the Popes.

21. Iohn the seuenth.

87 IOhn the seuenth a Grecian, was delighted in nothinge but superstitious garnishinge Churches and images of Saincts, for which he is muche commended: but not one worde spoken of him touching preaching the Gospell. Hee dyed Anno. 707.

22. Sisinius the second.

88 SIsinius or Sozymus after great contētion with Diosco­rus about the Popedome at lengthe obtayned it: Hee was so sore sicke of the goute, that hee liued Pope but xx. dayes, being neither able to sturre, nor to eat [...] any thinge: Nauclerus wryteth that he was poisoned by the said Dios­corus in the same yeare that Iohn the seuenth dyed.

23 Constantine the first.

89 COnstantine the first being sent for by Iustitian y^e Em­perour to come to Constantinople, was the first that euer offered his soueraigne to kisse his feete. At his returne home he condemned Philip Burdan of impiety, because he could not abide the abhominations of Idols, and toke the Images out of the Churche. Furthermore he commaun­ded that the picture of the Emperour (counting the godly Prince a wicked heretike) should not be receiued, thoughe [Page 47] it were engrauen in golde or siluer: he cursed all the Em­perours coyne: And holdinge a counsell at Rome, he de­creed that Images should be had in the Church, & shoulde be worshipped with great reuerence contrary to al Scrip­ture. After this hee moued one Anastasius a mainteyner of images against the said Philippicus, who apprehēding him, reft him of his kingdome, and put out his eyes: when the bishop of Ticinum rebelled against his Metropolitan the Archbishop of Mediolan, the Pope would not recōcile him, but falselye made him tributary by stelth to the Sea of Rome, whereby that bishopricke hath brought it selfe to perpetual bondage. Kinredus and Offa two kings of the Englishe Saxons for their pleasures made a voyage to Rome, and when they were there, the Pope made theym forsake their kingdomes, & turned them into monkes: hee dyed Anno 715. He was the first that gaue his feete to be kissed of Emperours.

24. Gregory the seconde.

GRegory the second bestowed his time in repayring and 90 building spiritual houses & Churches with great coste: Hee forbad a nonne, a nouesse, an abbesse, a deaconesse or a spirituall Godmother to marrye: He ordained that masse should be said euery friday in Lent: and caused prayers of­ten to be said because of straūg sights in y^e ayre: He would haue masse said no where but in an hallowed place: He per­secuted euen to death, those that woulde not worship ima­ges. By his authority he compelled Luith Prandus king of Italye at the first withstanding it, to ratifye Arithper­tus donations beinge vniuste, onely to maintaine the ro [...]at of the clergye: He moued the subiectes of the Emperour Leo to breake into opē rebelliō, because their images were taken away: He caused Spaine, Aemilia, Luguria, Italye and other countreys to reuolt, and defye their obeysance to [Page] the Emperour. The Emperour would haue no worship­ping of images in the Church, and therefore the Pope did both excōmunicate him & put hym from his kingdome, & threatned him eternall dampnation. And thus the Empe­rours of the East lost their title in Italye. Gregory dyed Anno 731.

25 Gregory the third.

91 GRegory the third was a stout champion for the Church of Rome and their ambitiō. He did excommunicate his soueraigne the Emperour Leo, because he destroyed ima­ges. He ioyned to him Carolus Metellus y^e bastard lieue­tenaunt of the Frenchmen, to maintaine the estate of the bishop of Rome against the Lombardes: By helpe of the Lombardes, he draue the Grecians out of Italy. And af­terwarde oppressed the Lombardes them selues by the helpe of Fraunce, and absolued all Italy from the oath of their dewe alleageance sworne to the Empire. He busied him selfe in taking care, and bestowing costes on churches, abbyes, celles, altars, & Images. In a Synode at Rome, he maintained that the Images of dead sainctes should be worshipped, decreeing excommunication against those that would do the contrary. He layde vp in Peters Pallayce y^e reliques of sainctes, and commaunded that on euery daye masse should be said there to them. In the Cannons wher­of hee addinge certaine clauses, clowted it with this pece, Quorum solemnitates hodie. &c. Hee forbad to eate horse fleshe. He trāslated the tuiciō of the churche, from the Grekes to the Frenchemen: He set the Apostles Images in churches seuerally by them selues. He wrote to Boni­face an Englisheman, that their priestes ought to haue shauen crownes, that should pray for the dead at masse, and that they ought to praie, and to offer sacrifice for the dead. After these and like dedes he died, Anno 742.

26. Zacharias a Grecian.

ZAcharias emplied his witte and wealth in pompeous and gorgeous buylding: Amōg other vaine sumptuous­nes,92 he was the first that gaue golden coapes decked with pearles and stones, to the churche for holy vses. He gaue a stipende to the churche towarde the charge of the lampe oyle. He deuised the manner and fashion of priestes appa­rell: He deuided the East churche from the West churche. He translated out of Latin into Greke, Gregories foure bookes of Dialogues, to the entent to plante the opinion of Purgatorie among the Grecians, which they neuer re­ceiued yet. He made it vnlawefull to mary the vnkles wife, the vnkle being dead, although Gregorie the third allowed it. He cōmaunded gosseps (as we call them) in no wyse to marye together. He commaunded the Venetians (a Godly dede) that vpon payne of curse they should not for lucre sel their children of Christians to the Saracenes. Taking vpon him the power of God after a sort, he presumed very chur­lishly and cruelly, to depose kings from their estate, and to make kynges. He was the firste that attempted to release subiectes of their alleageance. For Pipinus sonne of the bastarde Charles Martell, & traytour to his Prince, by his messengers obtained of Pope Zacharye, that he woulde depose king Childericus from the crowne of Fraunce, and geue it to him and his heyres. The Pope remembring the late dede of Pipinus his father, in y^e Popes behalfe against the Lombardes, & thinking by this meanes that he should be the better able to encoūter the Emperoure of the East, graūted this trayterous request. And sent straight charge and highe commission to the estates of Fraunce, that they shoulde depose their present king Childericus, shaue his head, put him into an Abbey, and so make him a Monke: And after this they should acknowledge Pipin beinge cō ­firmed [Page] and annoynted by the Archebishop Boniface, to be their soueraigne and kyng. Furthermore he chaunged La­chis king of Lombardy, Charolomannus, and other from their royall estate, and made them Monkes. After tenne yeares raigne, he died, Anno 752. One Steuen a Deacō, was chosen to succede him, who being wakened out of slepe to go about his affaires, being taken with the falling sicke­nesse, died presently, and therefore is not accompted Pope.

27. Steuen the second.

STeuen the seconde, immediatly stept in after this other 92 Steuen, who for his superstitious and ambitious dea­ling in their religion, is compted of the Papistes a Godly byshop: But note the misterie of his iuggling, he hauing thus by craft and guyle obtayned the Popedome, he imme­diatly subdued to the sea of Rome, all the dominion of Ra­uenna, which had wrought the Pope so much displeasure, and beside many other countreys in Italy, thereby to ob­taine the kingdome of Italy. He craued of Pipin importu­natly to reuenge his quarell against A [...]stulphus kyng of Lombardy, for demaunding subsidie of him and his Pre­lates. Pipin to gratifie the Pope, in consideration of the kingdome of Fraunce gotten by his meanes, after he had longe besieged, & often assaulted, the dominion of Rauen­na, at the length deliuering it from the garison of Lom­bardy, yelded it as a present to the Pope, with al y^e townes thereof, euē to the goulph of Uenice. And thus they robbed the Emperour of that dominion, and withal pulled down the thirde part of the strengthe of the Romaine Empire, empairing thereby the East Empire. And as for the weste Empire, which then was arising, it lost his strengthe like­wyse. But Pope Steuen hereupon annoynting bastarde Pipin and his two sonnes agayn [...], and geuing him a par­don for falsefying his oath of alegeaunce, did more ratifie [Page 49] him and his, in the kingdom for euer, cursing all those that at any time should speake against him. Also he shaued Chil­dericus againe, and made him newely Monke, and so put him afreshe into an Abbey, to make all sure. Pipin for this fel downe flat on the ground & kissed the Popes feete, held his stirropes, and toke the bridle in his hande, and played the osteler, an [...] vowed perpetuall fealtie to the Pope. The Pope to thanke God for this benefite of so great honour, whiche nowe began, caused procession to be song through all Rome, and the Apostles tombes and other sainctes re­liques to be borne about and shewed openly, and him selfe to be caried triumphantly through the middes of the peo­ple on his porters shoulders in his Pontificalibus. Which vse of being borne on mens shoulders, his successours haue estemed as a moste holy thing. He confirmed by his aucto­ritie, that all Popes tradicions should be taken for good. He forgaue all treasons against Princes: for the hatred he bare the Grecians, he studied to chaunge the Empire frō them into Fraunce. He furnished the churches in Fraunce with pricke song and descant. And whatsoeuer henceforth could be wrested from the Empire, he cōmaūded it should be S. Peters see, and so dedicated to the churche of Rome: he died Anno 757.

28 Paule the first.

PAule the first was brother to the said Steuen: hee after 93 wrangling and iarring betwene him and one Theophi­lact, succeded: and followinge the daunce that his aunce­tours had ledde him, threatningly and fearcely he restored the images, which Cōstantine Emperour of Cōstantino­ple had abrogated: but Constantine stāding stoutly in his opinion, and defyinge his vaine curses and threates, wyth­stoode images wyth all his power euen to his death. This Paule honoured much the body of one Petronilla y^e daugh­ter [Page] of S. Peter, and toke her karkasse out of the grounde, remouinge it to another place, and enlarged and repayred diuers Churches, adding manye ceremonies to them: At length he dyed through the extremity of the heate of som­mer Anno 767. In his time (as Peter Premonstratensis sayth) starres fell from heauen to the earth, accordinge to the 6. of the Apocalips: And immediatly after this Char­les the great begā to raigne, who builded 24. monasteries.

29. Constantine the second.

94 COnstantine the seconde being but a layman, by strong hand was made Pope (though manye other stoode for it) through the doinges of his brother Desiderius kinge of Lomberdye, and through Totho duke of Nepesia: but this hastines at lēgth is brought to none effect, because Cōstan­tine had not taken Ecclesiastical orders. Herevppon arose great discord amōg the clergye: in which tumult one Phi­lip was chosen, but because he wanted artilary & power to mayntaine his parte, hee was forced to depose himselfe a­gaine: Constantine obtayned the Popedome a yeare, and that pontificallye: but in the ende a councell beinge gathe­red of Italian and Frenche bishops, in their great rage & furye they put him out, and with great reproch clapte him in an abbey as in a perpetuall prisō, hauing both the Pope­dome taken from him and his eyes put out Anno. 708. Some do not count him among the Popes because he was a laye man, and disalowe all his doing, sauinge Baptisme and Chrisme: But the next yeare after, his brother Desi­derius comminge to Rome vnder pretence of prayinge, got those that put his brothers eyes, and rewarded them with the like punishment.

30. Steuen the thirde.

[Page 50] STeuen the thirde is commended to be a stout maintay­ner 95 of Romishe traditions and auctoritye: for in a Sy­node in Lateran hee did disanull all that his predecessour Constantine had done: The bishops by him created were disgraded, if they had no absolution, hee commaunded y^t vppon paine of excommunication no laye man should pre­sume to be Pope wythoute ecclesiasticall orders. Hee con­demned the seuenth councell of Constantinople as here­ticall: And did againe establishe setting vppe of Images, which by that counsell was condemned: He taughte that i­mages shoulde be worshipped, and encreased the worship­ping of them, and commaunded that they should be hallo­wed wyth Frankinsence. Hee broughte to his subiection Mediolan Church, which euer before had beene free. Hee sued to Charles the Emperour, & obtayned to depose De­siderius of his kingdome. Hee appointed those that brake theyr Canons, to sing Gloria in excelsis on Sōdayes: and that in the solemnitye of the masses it should be song on S. Peters altar by seuen bishops being Cardinals: He went one time (to counterfaict Christ in his doings) barefooted in procession. He dyed Anno 772.

31. Hadrian the first.

HAdrian the first was a meete champion to maintaine y^e 96 dignitye, which his predecessours had encroched: Hee bestowed cost on altars, dead m [...]ns tombes, dead mens bo­nes, and Churches: Hee attributed more worship to ima­ges then euer any did, and wrote a booke of the honour and profite of them: and pointed them in steede of Scriptures to be layemens bookes: He condemned in a coūsaile those that detested images, as one Foelix & other: By the ayde of Charles the Emperour, he delyuered the Sea of Rome from the perill of all other Princes: He was the first that with his leaden Bull did honour theyr decrees, dispensa­tions, [Page] and priuiledges. Hee forbad that anye infamous parson should be promoted to priesthoode, & that the cler­gye should not be sued oute of theyr owne court: Charle­maine kinge of Fraunce and brother to Charles the Em­perour being deade, his wyfe Bertha came wyth her two sonnes vnto this Hadrian, suinge to him that he would an­noint and establish these her sonnes in theyr fathers king­dome: But this holye sier least he should offende theyr vn­cle themperour, cast of the orphanes, despised theyr sute, & refused to do it: & finally committed to perpetual slauerye, both the children and theyr mother, w^t Desiderius king of Lombardye, his wyfe, his children and his kingdom, whō Charles caryed into Fraunce wyth hym, where they liued long in care and miserye, vntil they dyed. And thus Gods vicar vseth orphanes, wydowes and poore Princes: To cloake all this hee fedde in the porche of Lateran pallaice, a hundreth poore folke euerye daye. But Charles in recom­pence hereof after he had kissed the Popes feete, cōfirmeth to the Pope his fathers gift, that is the townes pertaynīg to the Dominiō of Rauenna: and like an vniust pyrate, he added to the Popes possessions, Venice, Histria, the duke­dome of Fotriiulenia, the dukedome of Spolet, & Beneuēt, and other lands. Also he made Hadrian Prīce of Rome & of Italy & ratifyed y^e Popes Empyre, by spoyling the kingdom of Lombardy, and ioyning so in league w^t the Pope, y^t who so delt wyth the one, shoulde be ennemye to both: A­gayne Adrian caused Charles and his successors the kings of Fraūce, to haue the title of most Christian king, and like a subtill fox hee gaue him power to chuse the Pope, and to make bishoppes through all his dominions, but that lasted not long, and so vsed him, that in deede he had but the bare name of the Romaine Emperour. This Hadrian cloathed the bodye of S. Peter all in siluer, and couered the Altar of S. Paule, with a pall of gould. He dyed Anno 796.

32. Leo the thirde.

LEo the thirde as sone as he cought the Popedome, by & by sent S. Peters keyes and the banner of Rome with 97 other giftes to Charles the Emperour, desyringe him to binde the Romaines by an oath, to become subiecte to the bishop of Rome. Charles to pleasure him, sent one Agil­bert an Abbot, who compelled the Romaines by his com­maundement to sweare allegeaunce vnto the Pope. Here­upon the Pope purchased such deadly hate among the peo­ple, that as he was ones going on procession, certaine fu­rious parsones fell vpō him, and beate him from his horse, and stripping him starke naked out of his pōtificall roabes whipped him very sore: But at length when Charles came, they (knowyng his good will towarde the Pope) turned their former hatred into loue and fauour, and durst not a­uouche the faultes layde against him. Therefore when he asked of his conuersation, they aunswered with one voyce that the sea Apostolicall, ought to be iudged by no layman. After the whiche aunswere the Pope affirming, and swea­ring him selfe to be giltlesse, the Emperoure being paci­fied, doth absolue him, and pronounced him innocent: For with curtesie the Pope desirous to be thankefull, with a great voyce proclaimed Charles Emperoure, & ioyned him with himself, & set the Diademe on his head, y^t Romaines in y^e meane time cried, God graūt life & successe to Charles our mighty Emperoure. Thus was the name of the Ro­maine Emperoure restored, so as the Popes aucthoritie should not be empaired. Hereof the custome continued that he who should receaue the scepter of the Empire, shoulde be ioyned in auctoritie in Rome by the Pope. From this time, being in the yeare. 801. the honour of the Romayne Empire, was first translated frō the Grekes to the French men by the Pope, and after at his good pleasure, from thē [Page] to the Germaines. This Pope also pronounced Pipin of Fraunce sonne to the sa [...]e Charles, king of the same parte of Italy, whiche neither he nor any of his predecessours could euer suddu [...]: whiche he did for this pollicie, that the kinges of Fraunce hauing y^e title Emperial, should neuer suffer him to lose his maiestie. For this cause (saith Hiero­nymus Marius) y^e Pope wrought perpetual dissentions be­twene the Emperours of the West, and of the East, to the great spoyle of Christian bloud. Thus vpon condi [...]ion that Charles and his should sweare perpetuall homage and fe­altie to the churche of Rome, he made him Emperour. He first appointed to hallowe the altar with frankinsense. He made the Popes decrees to be of greater auctoritie then al the writinges of the doctours. Also he caused that a certain counterfeit bloud made by a conueiaunce to ronne from a wodden roode, should be taken to be the very & true bloud of Christe: And caryed it to Mantua where to this daye it is preserued, reuerenced, and worshipped. He by his aucto­ritie allowed it to be so, appointing for it yearely a solemne holydaye. Such was the dotage of the time, wherof Man­tuan bewitched with this enchauntement, writeth to the Emperour Charles, of the Popes iourney.

An abhominable elusion and blasphemy to say, & teache [Page 52] that the glorified bloud of Christe should shead it selfe in a rotten idoll, whiche as the Apostle saith, was ones shed for all, & that out of his precious body. But the Popes aucto­ritie in this matter, caused this to be beleued, almoste of all men. But so Paule prophecied the cōming of Antechrist, to bee in false signes to deceiue the vnbeleuing: Leo died, Anno. 816. Vspergensis saith, that in this time of Leo, the Sunne was darkened and lost his light for eightene days, so that the shippes ofte on the sea wandred to and fro: Also that in an other yeare it was twyse in the Eclipse, firste in Iune, secondly in December: Likewise the same yere, the Moone was twyse in the Eclipse, in Iuly and in Ianuary.

33. Steuen the fourth.

STeuen the fourth, the thirde moneth after he had taken 98 the Popeship vpon him, made a voiage into Fraunce to Lewis the Emperour, to purge him selfe of election, wher­by he was made Pope, because he was chosen, and confir­med by the Clergie, and the people, contrary to the decree made by Hadrian and Leo. And thus their owne decrees whiche the former predecessour made, the next successour broke. But to flatter and dally with the Emperoure for a while, he brought with him a fayre crowne of Remis, and put it on the Emperours head, & put another on the Em­presse head, naming her Augusta. When he had receiued his rewarde of the Emperour, & should returne, y^e churche of Reata wanted a bishop, and yet Steuen very subtelly would electe none, onlesse he might firste knowe, whether the Emperour would allowe his doing: but note the se­quele. As sone as he was returned safe to Rome, he began to consider that the prerogatiue which was geuen to Char­les and his successours, might be a bridelling to the sea of Rome: being embouldened the more, because Lewis was a gentle persone, and a tractable man: he disanulled al that▪ [Page] auctoritie and right, and affirmed that it ought to belonge to the Clergie, the people, & the senate, to electe the Pope. But to auoyde the Emperours displeasure, he vsed this in­terpretation, that it was lawefull for them to chuse him without the Emperours auctoritie, but not to consecrate him, but in the presence of him or his embassadours. And thus the Emperours were a litle shouldered out from the election of these prelates. And beside this because he raig­ned but eight monethes, he coulde not any further enhance the pompe of his seate, dying, Anno. 817.

34. Paschal the first.

99 PAschal the first a Romishe monke, was chosen withoute the consent of the Emperour, according to the glose de­uised by Steuen: but when the Emperour complayned, y^t he found himselfe agreeued with the election, Paschall ve­rye craftelye wrote vnto him purging himselfe therof. In processe of time when he perceyued y^• the Emperour (vpō blinde zeale to religion) was a greate maintayner of the Church of Rome, he thinking that it were daungerous, if he shoulde delaye the enlarging of his auctoritye: did so craftelye charme and enuegle the Emperour, that he yel­ded whollye to the Romaynes all his auctoritye touching the election of the Pope, which was giuen to Charles, and he confirmed by wrytinge hys auncetours presentacions, which they had wrongfully purloyned. This did the Em­perour confirme with hande and seale, not knowing theyr crafte. But after y^t when this Emperour Lewes minding to haue his sonne Lotharius ioyned w^t him in the Empyre, and for the more cōueniēt doing therof sent him to Rome, to be crowned there by the Pope king of Italy: which af­ter y^t the Pope had done, whiile Lothariꝰ (because of a cer­taine tumulte and sedition there arysing) fled to his father for ayde to suppresse it, leauing behind him one Theodorus [Page 53] and Leo, chiefe officers aboute him, who stoode stoutlye in theyr maisters quarrel, the Pope secretly and trayterous­lye caused certaine seditious persons to pul out theyr eyes, and afterward to strike of their heades. And when he was accused to the Emperour both of the sedition, and of this murther, he picking out for his purpose a counsell of Pre­lates, purged himselfe by his othe: notwithstāding he ab­solued and pardoned those that were giltye and knowen offenders, he accused them that were slaine to be giltye of treason against the Emperour, and finallye auouched, that they were lawfully put to death. This Paschall they say (if they ouer reach not in the nomber) did take vp ii. thou­sand saincts karkases, that were buryed in Churchyards, and bestowed more honourable tombes vppon them in o­ther places: He commaunded to worship and reuerence y^e reliques of Saincts: He was beneficiall to stone walles, as Churches, and altars diuersly. Last of all he gaue cō ­maundement to the clergye, that they should not take any benefice or Ecclesiasticall lyuinge at the handes of a laye­man. He dyed Anno. 824.

35. Eugenius the second.

EVgenius gat the Popedome with much brablinge and 100 strife among the fathers of the election, for first one Zi­zimus had it graunted him: but the discorde beinge ended Eugenius gat it both for his curtesye & eloquence (as they say) who as Premonstratensis sayth, y^t while he was Car­dinal of S. Sabines, bestowed on the Church a siluer cuppe and a stately picture, but now in his Popedome, he so bu­sied himselfe aboute corne matters, as if he had bene borne to feede manye men: and yet some saye that his eyes were put out by the Romaynes, other say by the priests that ha­ted him. In this mans time Lotharius the Emperour appointed magistrates in Italy, to gouerne and brydel the [Page] Romaynes, because they abused their libertye very much which they had vnder Charles: which deede as manye thincke hastened the death of Eugenius. Michael y^e Em­perour of Constantinople sent Embassadours to Lewes y^e Emperour, desyringe to be resolued concerninge Images, whether they should be worshipped or abandoned: and Le­wes sent them to Pope [...]ugenius to be instructed, but Eu­genius aunsweare was neuer knowne. He raigned 4. yea­res and then dyed. Anno. 827.

36. Valentine the first.

101 VAlentine the first being yet but deacon & not ful priest, was made Pope, he was a man of a quicke wit, able to perswade and diswade. And some write that there was in him such excellent hope, that he would haue raigned more happelye and in better order then the rest, wher [...]y the fa­thers aboute, feared the decaye of theyr former holynesse, for he neuer did any thing that was not liked. He dyed the fourth day of his raigne, and as some thinke poysoned.

37. Gregorie the fourth.

102 GRegorie the fourth would not take the Popeship vpon him (fearing the sequeale) vntill that y^e Emperour had allowed the election, and by this man the Emperours had restored to them theyr right of cōfirming the Pope, which yet lasted but a while. In this Popes time there was a counsaile of bishops held by the commaundement of Lewes at Aquisgran, where it was decreed (Gregorie being presi­dent of the counsaile, that euery Church should haue reue­newes of his owne, wherby the clergye might be maintay­ned, and not be constrained to forsake their cure and office, and giue themselues to occupations of lucre. And it was concluded that none of the clergye of what soeuer degree, [Page 54] should weare anye precious or purple garmentes, neither weare any ringes, nor i [...]wels, vnlesse it were a ring at say­ing masse. Againe that they should not kepe a great traine and familye, neither horses, dysing, nor vnhonest women, and that monkes shoulde not exceede in glottonye and fea­sting, and that the clergye should weare neither golde nor siluer in theyr shoes, slippers, nor girdles, which (sayth Platina) are far disagreeing with religion, and most mani­fest tokēs of incō [...]nencye. Yet such was theyr royat then, which continued so that Platina in y^e lite of this Gregorie cryeth out in these wordes.

O Emperour Lewes I would thou were liuinge in oure time, the Church nowe wanteth thy holye lawes, and thy iustice, for Ecclesiasticall persons do so wallow in al kind of lust and royat: Ye might now see thē pranked in crym­son, with bruchies and Iewels, and that not men onelye, which perhaps might seeme tollerable, but also their hor­ses and beastes. And while our prelats passe abroade, a lu­stye troupe of youthes, go ietting before them, & a knot of chaplins following behinde: and they themselues not ryding on sillye asses, (as Christ the author of our religiō, and onelye pate [...]ne of good life in earth did) but vppon their neyeng and trampling horses, al betrapped as if they roode in triumphe after a conquest of an ennemye Tou­chinge their siluer plate and statelye furniture of houses, and delicate fare, it booteth not to speake: vvhen as their dainty diet excelleth all that euer was in Sicilli, their roa­bes passe all the pompe of Attalus, their vessels staine all the plate of Corinth: but what wil come of this intempe­rancye, I saye nothing. Thus complayneth Platina.

But to returne to Gregorie, he made diuers holy dayes for saincts, as Bartholmew, Gregorie, Sebastian & others, he was beneficiall to Churches and deadmens bones. By the Emperours helpe he draue the Moores out of Italye: he procured tenthes to be giuē to the Churches, and deui­sed [Page] solemne erection of Sepulchers. He dyed Anno. 843.

38. Sergius the second.

103 SErgius the seconde was before called hogs snoute, he be­ing made Pope did first bringe vp this vse y^t the Popes should chaunge theyr names. To confirmation of whom y^t Emperour sente hys sonne with auctoritye Emperiall to Rome, and manye nobles to attend on him: which kinde of confirmation they were wonte all to attende vppon, vntill Hadrian the thirde told the Romaines, that they oughte not to loke for the Emperours good will in creatinge the Pope. This Sergius was the first that of himselfe renoun­ced his Christian name giuen him in baptisme: He appoin­ted y^t Agnus Dei should be said thrise at masse, & the oste the while to be deuided into 3. partes:A nevv patch set on the masse. He bestowed paines as other did on dead mens tombes. He dyed. Anno 846.

39. Leo the fourth.

LEo the fourth toke the Popeship vnder Lotharius the 104 Emperour, and bestowed manye ornamentes on Ro­main cities & churches, for he builded a tower in Vatican, he repayred the wall and towne gates, and raysed about them euen from the foundation xv. fortresses, whereof hee planted two verye well at the ende of the riuer Tiber, to beate backe the force of the ennemye. He builded a newe S. Maryes Church, and gaue an Alter of iiii. crownes for martyrs bones, he repayred the Castell of S. Angell, and made seates of Marble in the porche of Lateran. Hitherto he played the bayliffe of husbandrye, but after this he be­came a warrier and captayne of an armye. For when the Sarracens made manye a roade into Italye and spoiled the countrye, first he promised them heauen that would fight for the defence of his state, thē mustring the Romaine gar­rison [Page 55] he making the signe of the Crosse, encountereth the ennemies, and with this prayer (as they say) O God whose right hand &c. at Hostia gate he put them to flight and o­uercame them. Afterwarde he summoned to a counsayle 47. bishops, wherein hee condemned one Marcellus of di­uers crymes: But afterward he gaue sentēce that a bishop should not be condemned without 72. wytnesses. He first began (contrarye to the counsaile of Aquisgran) to decke the Popes Crosse with precious stones, & commaunded it to be caryed before him: Hee toke vppon him to profer his feete to be kissed, and decreed that none of the laitye should abide in the quier at masse time, but onely he which atten­ded on the Alter. He appointed sondrye hollyedayes, and seueral prayers and solemnityes to them. He was accused of many crymes, but speciallye that he went about by auc­torie of a counsell, to translate the Empyre from Fraunce into Germanye, but he purged himselfe by his oath. He dyed Anno. 854. In this Popes time Anno 847. Ethel­wolphus beinge first a monke of single life, hauing a dispē ­sation from the Pope, left his monkery and became kinge of Englande, making his dominion tributarye to the Sea of Rome, appointing a certaine taxe of money to be leuied yearely of euerye house, and payed to Rome: And thus all Englande became thrall to Rome, to the fulfil­linge of the saying in the 17. of thapocalips con­cerninge the x. kinges, These haue one coun­sell and power, and shal giue their po­wer vnto the beast.

40 Ioan the eight.

IOan the eight, being a woman, was made Pope, and because of her bringing vp vnder a certeine Englishe mā 105 a Monke of Fulda, (whome she loued tenderly) her name was altered, and she was called Iohn Englishe: She sat as Pope in the pontificall seate at Rome two yeares, and syxe monethes: She was a Germain of kindred, and borne in Mens, called at the firste Gilberta, who the more to enioye her louers company, and the better to auoyde suspiciō, dis­sembled her kinde, and put her selfe into mans apparell, & so trauailed with the Monke her peramour to Athens: where after she had profited in all the sciences, her louer being dead, she came to Rome disguising still her selfe, and counterfaiting to be a man. For through the promptnesse of her wit and ready tongue, shee talked eloquently in pu­blique lectours and disputations: And many had her in ad­miratiō for her learning: She grew into so great credit, & was so wel liked of al, that Leo the Pope being dead, they chose her Pope: In whiche office as other Popes did, shee gaue orders, made priests and deacons, promoted bishops, made abbots, sayde masses, hallowed altars and churches, ministred the Sacramentes, and gaue men her feete to kisse, and did all other thinges belonging to Popes, & her doinges stode in force. But in the time of her Popeship▪ Lotharius the Emperour being an olde man became a Monke. And Lewis the seconde came to Rome, and recei­ued of [...]er the scepter and crowne of the Empier with Pe­ters blessing: whereby the whore of Babilon shewed her [Page] self so mighty that she made kinges stoupe vnto her. Apo. 17. Also as Houedenus saith in her time Ethelwolphus king of Englande gaue the tenth part of his kingdome to the Priestes and Monkes to praye for his soule. And his sonne Ethelwaldus maried Iudith a wydow, and lately his owne fathers wyfe and his stepmother. But as touching Pope Ioan, she was gotten with childe by one of her fami­liar chaplaynes a Cardinall, to whome her fleshly appetite caused her to disc [...]ose her selfe. As she was going on proces­sion solemly to Lateran churche, in the middest of the way, and in y^e open streate betwene Colossus & Clement church, she was deliuered of childe in presence of all y^e people, and died of her trauell in the same place. And for this wicked­nesse she was stripped and spoyled of all pontificall honour, and buried without any pompe or solemnitie: Whereof Mantuan wryteth describing hell in the thirde booke of Alphonsus thus.

Lo this is that seate that can not erre, being endued with the holy Ghost by succession, or rather an euident argu­ment of the seate of Babilon. But y^e Popes since that time in their procession do shonne that place, where she was deli­uered as odious for the hap thereof. Funcius sayth boldely that this was suffered by Gods especiall prouidence, that this woman should be made Pope being also an harlot, euen then when she should bring kinges as she did Ethel­wolphus and Alphredus in subiection vnto her, whereby Antichrist might be knowen: for then it was the Lordes pleasure, to bewraye the whore of Babilon in a Pope being an whore. Whereof the holy Ghost foretold. Apoc. 17. that [Page 57] the elect might beware of her. But to auoide the like incō ­uenience of a woman for the time folowing, they deuised that who so euer should be chosen Pope, should be serched very narrowely to be tryed a man, shamefull to be repor­ted, but vsed without shame among suche shamelesse sha­uelinges. But nowe commonly they nede not when they chuse them Popes, mistrust them to be women, for whyle they are Cardinals they playe suche Carnall partes that they are able to bring forth bastardes of their owne beget­ting to proue them selues men, whereof one Iohn Panno­nius wrote a mery Epigram in foure Latin verses: testi­fying the truthe of this their doing, of the whiche I omitte the two first verses for ciuilitie sake, it may be gathered by these latter two what is ment.

41. Benedict the third.

BEnedict the thirde, being first tried vpon the porphyry 106 stoole to be a man, was made Pope. Massaeus saith he howled out and cried miserably, that he should be promo­ted to so great dignitie, whereof he was vnworthy (a rare thing among them.) But some thinke he did it but of hy­pocrysie, because (As Platina saith) he offred his feete to be kyssed, and suffred him selfe to bee worshipped lyke an earthly Idoll. Then came Embassadours from Lewis the Emperour, to confirme the election of him done by the Clergie and people. Among many supersticious and vaine ceremonies he appointed that Dirige should be sayde for the dead, & that the Clergy should go soberly, & honestly. He died Anno, 859. In this time (as Sigebertus and Vin­centius [Page] testifie) in Mens as a certaine Priest was casting holy water a certayne Diuell lurking vnder his Cappe, as if he had bene a familiar to him, did accuse him, that he laye with a Proctours doughter that nighte.

42. Nicolas the first.

107 NIcolas the firste was made Pope in the presence of Lewis the seconde Emperour after his father Lotha­rius. But as sone as Lewis was departed out of Italy, hee began to consider howe he might aduaunce the dignitie of the Popedome whiche before (that the Emperour might counte him holy) he refused. He put downe Iohn Archebi­shop of Rauenna, for maintaining the olde libertie of his byshoprike: and brought that churche into perpetuall bon­dage. Among many decrees he concluded, that no seculer prince, no not the Emperour him selfe, should be so hardye as to come in among the Prelates in their counsayle, on­lesse they were debaiting matters of beliefe, then the Em­perour should execute those, whome the Pope iudged to be heretikes. Also he decreed, that the layetie should not take vpon them, to iudge the life of the Clergie, neither to di­spute of y^e Popes auctoritie & power. Also he decreed that Christian magistrates should haue no auctoritie ouer a pre­late, because saith he, y^e pope is called God, Auton. Tit. 16. He cōmaunded that the Clergie should not be warriours but study, howe to talke, and perswade. He commaunded agayne that diuine seruice should be sayde in Latin: But yet graunted the Sclauonian and Polonians, to haue it in their owne tongue by dispensation: He added the Sequen­cias to the masse. He added Gloria in excelsis, to be songe to the masse on Maundy thursday. He added the terme of Apostolicall auctoritie to the Popes decrees: He commaū ­ded mariage to be openly solēnised: he allowed that the sa­cramentes [Page 58] might be receiued of euill ministers: He firste bounde the Clergie to single life. But Huldericus bishop of Augusta, controlled his wickednesse herein by a sharpe epistle: he died Anno. 867.

43 Hadrian the second.

HAdrian the seconde, the sonne of Talaris a bishop, was 108 by the people and the Clergie made Pope, before the Emperours Embassadours could come thether: For then the Romaines did by force take vpon them the election of the Pope: whiche when the Embassadours tooke in euill part, they were thus aunswered, that the wyll of the mul­titude could not be brideled in such a tumult. But yet they had done happely, because they had appointed such a good man. The Embassadours euen of compulsion seing there was no remedie to abrogate the election, did against their willes pronounce him Pope: being confirmed, he bestowed muche on the poore. He sent three Legates, bishops all, Leopart, Syluester, and Dominicus, (that were bredde and brought vp in his kitchin) to kepe the Bulgarians and Dal­macians within his dominion, whom Nicolas had brought to the yoke before. But the Bulgarians hauing had proofe of his tyranny draue out the Italian priestes, and receiued the priestes of the Greke churche. This enkindled hotte coales betwene the Latins and the Grecians. Hadrian died Anno 873. Before whose death it rayned bloud three dayes at Brixia, and all Fraunce was miserably troubled with Locusts. Alfredus king of England, toke his crowne of this Pope, and was anoynted, whiche neuer any king of Englande did before: But afterwarde he was called the Popes adopted sonne.

44 Iohn the ninth.

[Page] 109 IOhn the ninth was excellently learned, bothe in Latine and in Greke: He in his soueraintie crowned three Em­perours, Charle the baald, Charles Balbus, and Charles Crassus. Carolus Caluus vnderstanding that the Empe­rour was dead, hied him to Rome to Pope Iohn, whome with his bribes he allured to satisfie his desire, and so was made Emperour by him, and receiued the crowne Empe­riall. But about a yeare after he was poysoned at Mantua by one Sedechias a Iewishe phisition & an enchaūter. Iohn hearing of his death, bēt al his force to make Charles Bal­bus to succede his father, but the Romaine Lordes with­stoode him, and made Charles Crassus Emperour. The Pope standing obstinatly in his frowarde purpose, was ta­ken of the citezens & put in prison, because he would not re­lent: but being released by his friendes helpe, he fled into Fraunce. And bestowing the imperiall crowne on Balbus, saluteth him Emperour. In the meane time Crassus ha­uing gotten the citie of Rome, causeth Iohn with terrour to retourne from Fraunce: Who returning to Rome, wil­leth the Emperour to let him returne in safetie, & maketh him Emperour, and setteth the crowne on his head. Iohn at his being in Fraunce, sommoned a counsell at Treca, wherein he condemned certaine contentious persones, and made many lawes to the aduauncement of Popery. After­warde he wrote to Lewis Balbus, that the priuiledges of the Church of Rome could not be abrogate without a pre­scription of an hundreth yeares. Also he made it sacrilege, to take any holy thing of any vnholy persone, or any vnho­ly thing of an holy persone. He excommunicated these that were gilty of sacrilege, but in suche sorte that for money they might be dispensed withall. Hee gaue to many men sainctes reliques for great iewels. He confyrmed the liber­ties belonging to ecclesiastical persones, cloysters, church goodes, monasteries, and clarkes. He prepared an army a­gainst the Saracenes, and droue thē out of Italy and Sicil. [Page 59] He died, Anno. 883. At this time the Empier was transla­ted from the Frenchemen to the Germaines, by Carolus Crassus.

45 Martin the second.

MArtin the second was a Frencheman, whose father 110 was a Necromancier, and coniuring prieste, he gate to be Pope, not by honest meanes, but by crafte & ill artes. They saye that by this mans subtell enticement, the fore­sayde Iohn was apprehended, and layde in pryson, and so constrayned by his frendes ayde to flye into Fraunce, to saue his life. At the electiō of this Martin, the Emperours auctoritie was not loked for, nor demaunded to his admis­sion. Thus proudly by little and little, the Popes shooke of the Emperours power, whereby they might the better treade them vnder their feete. But he raigned not longe, about a yeare and certaine monethes, he died Anno. 884.

46 Hadrian the third.

HAdriā the third was of such a proude stomake & hawty 111 courage, that as sone as he had gotten into the Pope­dome, he made a decree, that the Emperours auctoritie should no more take place in creating of Popes: but that the voyces of the people and Clergie of Rome, should be e­uer free to do it. The Emperour at that time warred a­gainst the Normans. Thus saith Cranzius, these Prelates and the lewdenesse of the Romaines, durst contemne their Empier, vntill the force and strengthe thereof decayed. Whereby this one Pope was now deliuered and brought to bedde of that monster at ones trauelling, wherof so ma­ny of his auncetours had traueled: that is to cut cleane of the Emperours auctoritie: For Nicolas the f [...]irst had at­tempted it, but brought it not to effecte. Lo here good rea­der, [Page] howe by this decree all the Emperours right and title whiche they had ouer the Pope and citie of Rome, is wrest from them, whereby the Pope with great triumphe hath gotten the victory, and vpperhande: Thou shalt se him yet creepe hier, and attempte greater matters, ceasing not vn­till he haue aduaunced him selfe aboue all that is called God, or that is worshipped. 2. Tit. 2. Whereby his flatte­rers may saye: Who is like the beaste, or who is able to fight with it. Apoc. 13. But after this he lyued not longe: he died sodainly, Anno. 886.

47. Steuen the fift.

112 STeuen the fift gat to be Pope, at such time as Fraunce was inuaded by the Normans, England by the Danes, Pannonye by the Hunnes, and Italy by the Sarracens. He liued in much trouble and anguish of the mind all the time of his being Pope, because Italy was so vexed with warre and the Romaines were not at his commaundemente e­noughe: yet he employed himselfe to the most of his ende­uour, daily to encrease their Babilonical trumperye, and that none of his decrees might be defaced: for as Gratian writeth Distinct. 6. Enimuero, he decreed that all the Cā ­nons of the Church of Rome ought of necessity to be kept. The same Pope (sayth he) forbad anye Christians to con­demne any to be put to death with hot iron or scalding wa­ter, which was thē vsed, Cau. 2. quest, 4. He caused a lawe to be made, howe to order such parents as do either igno­rantly smother their children in theyr beddes with thē, or els do choake them, or murther them. He dyed Anno 892.

48. Formosus the first.

113 FOrmosus the first being bishoppe of Portua fearing the crueltye of Iohn the ix. forsoke Rome, because hee was [Page 60] thought to be giltye of Iohns imprisonmente: this name Formosus signifying beutifull, whiche beinge made Pope he choose and toke vppon him, sheweth (sayth Cranzius) y^t he was a proude parson. This Formosus for those former causes vowed and sware an oath, that he would neuer re­turne to his bishopricke, nor to Rome, both which he had forsaken: & so he gaue ouer his orders, forsoke priestcraft, and became a layeman, but the nexte that succeded, did ab­solue him frō the oath, which he had sworn to Pope Iohn, and for moneye did restore him. After the death of Steuen this Formosus so monied the matter, that hee purchased Peters chayre, but as not with out bribes, so not without great brauling, by meanes that one Sergius a deacon wre­stled for the same place. For the appeasing wherof he cal­ling Arnulphus sonne of Carolomannus into Rome made him Emperour, who to gratify him for his curtesy, stroke of the heades of them that were his chiefest aduersaries. He raigned vi. yeres & did almost nothing, he died Anno, 896. And at the length for these quarrels cōtinuing amōg his successors, his bodye and bones were taken vp by Ser­gius the third, the ninthe Pope after him and throwne in­to the riuer Tiber. After this Formosus, the Popes did so dispatch one another, that within nine yeares, there were xi. Popes.

49. Boniface the sixt.

BOniface the sixte was Pope but a while after Formo­sus, 114 and therefore he could not shew of whether faction he was in such great debate among the Cardinalles & the people: He liued but 25. dayes Pope, & as Anselmus saith to be remembred for nothinge, but for his quiet election, & happye in nothing but in raigning but a while.

50. Steuen the sixt.

[Page] STeuen the sixt succedinge Boniface was so enflamed a­gainst 115 Formosus, that at the first hee disanulled his de­crees, & cancelled his actes. And althoughe Formosus had beene beneficiall vnto him before, in making him bishop of Agnina, yet this curtesye could not cause this vnthankful prelate to forbeare his malicious purpose: but because that this Formosus had before preuēted him in the Popedome, and by getting it disapointed him, & would not suffer him to keepe concubines, he conceyued such deadly rancour a­gainst him, euen after his death, that to reuenge his quar­rel vppon the dead bodye, he sommoninge a counsaile first toke the karkasse of Formosus out of his graue, then put al the Popes pontificall robes and attyre vppon it, and pluc­ked it of againe, and so as it were spitefullye to disgrade him, put on layemans apparell vppon him, finallye cut­ting of those two fingers of the right hande wherwith hee vsed to hold the Sacrament, and throwinge them into Ti­ber, he commaunded to burye his bodye againe, but not a­mong spiritual mens bodyes, but among laye men. Thus after one yeares raigne he dyed Anno. 897.

51. Romanus the first.

116 ROmanus a Romaine by name and byrth (though some thincke he were a Spaniard) did nothinge worthye of remembrance: but whereas he fauoured Formosus, he al­lowed his doinges, and did abrogate the decrees & actes of Steuen. But because he liued not longe, hee coulde not proceede farre in his factious doinges, which tainted the Romaine prelates shamefully at this time especiallye. He dyed the third month of his Popeship Anno. 898.

52. Theodorus the second.

117 THeodorus the second euen at his entraūce followed the examples that Romanus had set to him. But there is [Page 61] no notorious thing mentioned of him, because he liued but a while, sauinge that as Stella Venetus sayth, he also wal­ked in the seditious pathes of his forefathers. He had no re­garde of Gods cause, but was a maintayner and vpholder of Formosus quarell, and cherished those that were of that faction, but his shorte time preuented his farther doinge. He dyed the xx. daye of his Popeship. Anno. 899.

53. Iohn the tenth.

IOhn the tenth succeded Theodorus as well in manners 118 as in place, for wheras these seditions were almost bu­ryed, he in his time renued the scab againe, and made it so­rer then before. Iohn (sayth Barnus) mindinge to restore Formosus doinges whollye, he sturred a great tumult, be­cause the people did resist, and withstande it: and when hee sawe that it woulde brast into open warre, he gotte him to Rauenna, and sommoning thither a conuocation of 74. bi­shops, he restored all Formosus his decrees, euen to the vt­termost, and did openlye condemne the actes made by Ste­uen, because he had done so reprochfullye against the dead carcasse. Also he burnt al the writings that were to be got­ten of that Synode against Formosus, but he proceeded no further in these broyles for wante of breath. Hee dyed Anno. 901.

54. Benedict the fourth.

BEnedict the fourth is reported to haue done no notable 119 thinge in these iarres and braules. In this age sayth Stella it happened that as wel through the hedds (meaning the Popes) set all on sedition, as by the bodye addicted to slouth, al vertue withered away: Likewyse sayth Platina, when the Church through her wealth wexed wanton and riotous, and none of the head of the clergye cōtrolled vice, [Page] then forthwith wickednes hauing gotten liberty, brought forth and yelded vs these Popes, being as it were mōsters and mongrels, which encroche Peters place by ambition and briberye. Benedict dyed Anno. 904.

55 Leo the fift.

120 LEo the fift being made Pope, euen in his dignitie was taken by strong hande and cast into prison violently by one Christopher, seking to make him selfe Pope, being but a prieste and chapleine to Leo, & one whom he had brought vp in his owne house. Whiche thing sayth Platina, coulde not be done without great seditiō, and the slaughter of ma­ny. And of what auctoritie the place was now, it may wel appeare, when as firste harlottes bare sway and ruled the Popes, then a priuate persone durst, and could thus with­in so shorte a space as fourty dayes, driue out the other, and kepe the place him selfe. Leo seing him selfe reft of the re­nowne, and thus defaced euen by his owne familiar frend, on whome he had heaped so many benefites, conceiued so great thought that immediatly he died thereof:

56 Christopher the first.

121 CHristopher the first, was of so base linage, that neither his countrie, nor his fathers name was knowen. Hee hauing shoued out Leo, and his concubines ayding him thereto, wan the Popeship by strong hande. But as he gate it naughtely, so was he shamefully thrust out again by one Sergius, the peramour of one Marozia, a notable harlotte and beawtifull concubine, who sought to place him selfe in it. So Christopher was put downe the vii. moneth of his Popeship: And as Platina sayth, compelled to be a Mōke, whiche thing was then become the refuge of all caytiffes. And afterwarde he was againe pulled out of the Mona­sterie [Page 62] by the same Sergius, and caste into a straight pryson, where at length in muche misery and sorowe he died. An­no. 905.

57 Sergius the third.

SErgius the thirde, when as he was but a Deacon, gaue a 122 proude attempt to aspire to the Popedome, and was in dede chosen thereto with great tumult among the people, when Formosus was chosen. But taking the foyle, he fled into Fraunce, but nowe espying his oportunitie by the aide of Charles Simplex king of Fraunce, and Adelbert Mar­ques of Thuscia, he returned by stelth into Rome. And as it is sayde, he deposed Christopher, apprehended him, and clapte him in pryson, & inuaded violently the Popes place: Being setled, and remembring his ranke mallice againste Formosus, not withstanding the long time that had since passed, and eight Popes betwene Formosus and him, yet freshly to reuenge his olde grudge, Hee the seconde tyme toke vp the karkasse of the sayd Formosus out of his graue, after it had lyen thus long, & setting it in y^• Popes chaire, did drawe him from thence agayne, and as if he had bene a liue strake of his head. And where as since his laste man­gling, he had but three fingers remaining on his right hād, Sergius chopped of those also. After all this, he caused his body and all these peeces therof to be hurled into the riuer Tiber, as if he had not bene worthy to lye amōg Christiās. And yet not satisfied with this reuenge, hee defaced, con­demned, and disanulled al his actes, so that it was then ne­defull, to admitte them a newe to their orders, whome he being aliue, thought mete to make priestes. He compelled the Romaines to subscribe to this, for feare of the Frenche king. This Sergius among other newe ceremonies appoin­ted that the people should beare candels on the daye of the purification of the Uirgin Mary, whereupon it is yet cal­led [Page] Candelmasse daye, to geue their bodies vnnecessary light at noone daye, because their soules wanted their ne­cessary light at all times. This lasciuious Pope begat a bastarde, which was afterwarde Pope Iohn the twelfth, whome he had by the moste shamelesse harlotte Marozia: So Luthprandus testifieth in the thirde booke, and xii. chapter, De gestis Imperat. This and other like prankes, among harlottes and bawdes he practised, euen in his Po­peship: At the time of whose death Anno. 913. there were sene in the element great flakes of fier running to and fro.

58 Anastasius the third.

123 ANastasius the thirde, after Sergius (all their vnclenlye ceremonies being obserued) was elected Pope. But some write of him that he did neither good nor euill in his time, and therefore is he more commendable. They wryte that in his time the bodye of Pope Formosus was founde by certaine fyshers in the ryuer Tiber, and so taken vp, and with great worship buried in S Peters pallaice, and as some are not a shamed to fayne, the Images of the church did salute it, whyle it was burying: A notorius vntruthe, and grosse blasphemie against God, although in the tyme of suche blindnesse, God might suffer Sathan to moue and sturre the Idols, before these idolatours, as in times past the diuel [...] hath doone when he spake and gaue oracles and prophecies out of Idols: Anastasius died Anno. 915.

59 Laudo the first.

124 LAudo the firste being a fruytfull Prelate in begetting children, as Petrus Premonstratensis sayth, hee begat Pope Iohn the xi. in detestable adultrye. This Popes life sayth Platina was so obscure that some do not recken him among the Popes, especially Vincentius. This Laudo as [Page 63] it appeareth, spent the more parte of his chast life (as cha­stitie went then) among harlottes, till at the length he was destroyed among them: For one Theodora, the Lady that gouerned Rome, a shamelesse curtezane, could not longer forbeare the company of her louer, Iohn Archbishop of Rauenna, who was apparent sonne to this Pope Laudo. Rauenna (sayth Luthprandus) was two hundred myles from Rome, whereby Theodora could not so often enioye the byshop her louer, and therefore she caused him to giue ouer Rauenna, and to vsurpe the Popes place in despite of the auncientes of Rome. Here sayth Funcius, a man might demaūde which of al these Popes did erre from the truth, seing they were all called holy fathers, and heads of the vniuersall churche. Let the Popes partakers aunswere if they can.

60 Iohn the eleuenth.

IOhn the eleuenth borne at Rauenna, the bastard and ad­ulterous 125 sonne of his forefather Laudo, as saythe Prae­montratensis, he obtained the Popedome by right of in­heritaunce, though whoredome were his ayde. For thus wryteth Luthprandus in his seconde booke, and thirtene chapter of Emperours. Theodora an impudent harlot and the Lady of Rome burning in fleshly lust, was so enflamed with the comlye countenaunce of this Iohn comming to Rome, that she did not only request him, but compelle him to satisfie her carnall desire. For the whiche afterwarde she made him byshop, firste of Bononia, secondly Archebishop of Rauenna, and thirdly to obtaine her filthy pleasure more conueniently, she made him Pope of Rome. Thus at this tyme was the holy mother churche subiect to an harlot, & ruled only by her, and is made an whore, according to the xvii. chapter of the Apocalips. This Iohn hauing a war­like courage, played rather the warriour then the byshop: [Page] For when the Sarasins wasted Calabria, Apulia, and Italy, he putting him selfe in armour, stew a number of them in these countries, & draue them cleane out. As cōcerning the ende of this man, thus wryteth Luthprandus in his thirde booke and xii. chapter: In the meane time Guido Marques of Thuscia, began to conferre earnestly, and diuise with his wife Marozia (the doughter of the saide Theodora) howe he might depose this Iohn. Guido had many soul­diours gathered together at Rome, the which apprehen­ding Pope Iohn in Lateran pallayce, Anno. 928, cast him in prison, and holding a pillowe to his mouthe, did smo­ther him to death very miserably: After his death they set vp Iohn the twelth, the bastard sonne of this Maro­zia, whome she had by Pope Sergius. Thus the young har­lot Marozia, for the aduauncement of her misbegotten sonne, murthered the louer of the olde harlot her mother Theodora, by the helpe of her husbandes seruauntes. But because the people of Rome and the Clergie, had not a­greed vpon the election of this subordined Iohn the xii. the selfe same yeare of his election, he was deposed againe. And thus the same Iohn of whome (being set vp by force, & by and by thrust downe againe) Carsulan, Platina, Stella and others do make mencion, because they knew not the true story of him, whiche Luthprandus wrote, the igno­raunce whereof bredde muche cōfusion, for some toke these twoo Iohns to be both one, and some the one for the other.

61. Leo the sixt.

126 LEo the sixt, after that Iohn the xii. bastarde of Marozia the harlot and Sergius the Pope was deposed, obtained to be Pope by the election of the Romaine people and cler­gye being in great tumult. This Pope did nothinge com­mendable, but the establishing of peace in Italye: after he had raigned vii. monethes he was poysoned by Marozia, [Page 64] wherby she might establishe her sonne againe Anno 930.

62. Steuen the seuenth.

STeuen the seuenth did as Leo had done, he medled with 127 nothing: for after he had liued Pope ii. yeares in peace, securitye, and liberty of the fleshe at his owne ease, hauing the blinde worlde readye to bende at his becke, he toke his death in a cup, wherewith (as they saye) he was poysoned. For sayth Crantzius it is a straunge thinge that so manye Popes at this time dyed so soone in their dignityes, which is a great presumption y^t they were poysoned, as the moste part of them were knowen to be.

63. Iohn the xii.

IOhn the xii. the bastard impe of Pope Sergius y^e third,128 and of the famous concubine Marozia, was now againe made Pope after much sedition. At this time a fountaine in Genua flowed with bloud very plentifully, prognostica­tinge the wrath of God that immediatlye followed, for the Aphricans, Sarracens and Hungarians, wasted and spoiled all, and slue a houge nomber of people. There are some wryters (as is said before) that make ii. Iohns of this one, the one going before Leo and Steuen, who they said neuer enioyed the Popes Albe or Rochet, & the other this which nowe was set vp after Steuen, of whom (they saye) the hi­storyes write nothing. Againe there are other some, that make this beinge borne in Rome & the other borne at Ra­uenna all one: amonge whom Platina sayth, that either of them was sonne to Pope Sergius, but Anselmus deceiued by Platina sayth the one was brother to the other: but o­ther writers do make him a seuerall parson from the other two, saying he was not knowne of the Cronographers, be­cause he did nothing worthie of memorye. But Luthpran­dus [Page] in his thirde booke and xii. Chapter wryteth thus of the mother of Iohn. Marozia a shameles concubine and mother to Pope Iohn, after the death of her husbād Gui, doth send messengers to his brother Hugh king of Italy a Burgundian borne, to desire him to come to her, and to receiue of her the noble cittye of Rome: vvhich (she sayd vvithal) she could not do, vnlesse he would take her to be his vvife. For whiche her incestious desire Luthprandus wrote thus against her in Uerse.

Uppon the said message the king leauing his armye a­loofe, came to Rome who being honourably receiued pas­sed forth vnto the stronge hould S. Angels castell, and so into the bedde chamber of Marozia. After he was establi­shed in vncesteous mariage with her, he began to cōtemne and despise the Romaines: at which time Marozia had a sonne named Albericus, brother to Pope Iohn, but begot­ten by Marques Albericus. While this Albericus at his mothers bidding gaue water to king Hugh washinge his handes, the king because he did it not handsomelye, gaue him a bl [...]w on the face: Herevppon Albericus to reuenge this iniurye, callinge the Romaines together spake thus vnto them. The honour and dignity of Rome is brought [Page 65] to such doultishnes and follye, that it is nowe controlled euen by harlots: For what is more abhominable, what more shamefull, then that Rome should be brought to o­beysaunce, throughe the incest of one woman? and that the Burgundians whilom slaues to the Romaines, shoulde now be lordes ouer them? If he beinge yet especiallye but a new come gest take vppon him to dashe me on the face, being his verye sonne in lavve, hovve thincke you vvil he deale vvith you in processe of time? Knovve ye not the pride of a Burgundian &c? This being sayde, without any delaye the Romaynes all defyed king Hughe, & chose the same Albericus to be their Prince. King Hughe being driuen into this terrible feare, was compelled to forsake Rome, and leauinge Marozia fled to his owne companye: Then Albericus and his mother Marozia did only enioye the Monarche of Rome, and his brother the Popedome, who spendinge fiue yeares in Popishe practises dyed An­no 937, while the harlotte his mother ruled as well the e­state temporall as spirituall in Rome.

64. Leo the seuenth.

LEo the seuenth succedinge Iohn because hee desired to 129 liue quietlye, medled wyth no matters, but as a slouth­full parson did nothinge worthye remembraunce. In his time sayth Luthprandus, the said kinge Hugh forsaking his wyfe Berta loued especiallye three concubines Bezola, Roze, & Stephana: and because they were such notorious harlots, hee gaue them the names of three Goddesses, cal­linge Bezola Venus, Roze Iuno, and Stephana Semele: by Bezola he had a sonne called Bozones, whom hee made bi­shop of Placentia, by Stephana he had Theobaldus made Archdeacon of Millain Churche, and by Rosa he had a­nother greate prelate of the Churche, and a doughter be­side. In those dayes many sawe bloude rayne oute of the [Page] Sunne, as Masseus wryteth, and after it followed a great pestilence amonge men. Leo dyed. An. 941.

65. Steuen the eight.

STeuen the eight a Germaine obtained y^• Popes chayre 130 after this Leo, yet this seemeth straunge to many, how it should be doone, because no Emperour out of Germany procured it. But Steuen being notwithstandinge Pope, was so vexed with ciuill seditions among the Romaynes, that he coulde do nothinge worthy remembraunce: for hee was so shamefullye wounded, and foulye mangled and de­faced amid the broyles, that for shame of his foule disfigu­rings, he durst neuer shewe his face abroade: So litle re­uerence had y^e Popes at that time, for their litle holinesse. Steuen dyed Anno 944.

66. Martin the third.

131 MArtin the thirde being Pope gaue himselfe onelye to repayre the Church, not in Religion, but in building: not in reforminge ceremonyes, but encreasinge the digni­tye and pompe of the Church. He was very beneficial to the poore, & bestowed plentifully on their bellyes. He was diligent in reformation of outward manners. In the first yeare of this Pope a great blasing starre was seene in Ita­lye, after which saith Vspergensis followed an extreame famine: and againe saith Masseus the Sunne appeared ve­rye terrible, threatninge the sequeale of Gods vengeance. Martin dyed Anno 947.

67. Agapetus the second.

132 AGapetus the seconde being Pope ruled Popelike in the time of one Berengarius a Marques of Italy, who was [Page 66] the last of that name, that had that dignitye after Hughe. This Berengarius is reported to haue dryuen many Mon­kes oute of their cloysters, whiche liued idellye, and gaue them selues to the pleasures of the worlde. The Pope per­ceiuing howe he could not rule Berengarius in these and such other spiritual matters, & that he would not restraine his soueraignitie, according to the wil of him and his: Hee sent for Otho the first king of the Germaines, to come into Italy, promising him the kingdome of the Romaines, to fight with Berengarius, and so saith Sabellicus, troubled the estate of that countrey. And except it were the settinge of these princes together by the eares, he did nothing wor­thy memory till his death, being Anno. 954.

In his time was a counsell holden at Ingelhaim, but suche was the negligence of the time, that no man can tell what was done there, or wherefore it was.

68 Iohn the thirtene.

IOhn the thirtene, being the sonne of the foresayde Albe­ricus 133 sonne to Marozia, obtained to be Pope partly by the bribery, partly by the threatning of his father Alberi­cus, being Prince. He being Pope liued not like a bishop, but altogether like a ranke ruffianly roister, geuing him selfe wholly to all kinde of pleasure, as to whoredome, ad­ultery, incest, masking & momming, hunting, maygames, playes, robberies, fyring of houses, periury, dyce, cardes, bla [...]ing, robbing of churches, and other villanies euen frō his youth: he misused his cardinalles in cropping their no­ses, thrusting out their eyes, chopping of their fingers and handes, cutting out their tongues, gelding them, and vsing diuers diuersly. For before the Emperour Otho, in an opē Sinode it was layde to his charge (as Luthprandus wry­teth) in his sixt booke, that he neuer sayde Mattins, that in celebrating the masse he him selfe had not communicated, [Page] that he made Deacons in his stable among his horses, that he had committed incest with two harlots being his owne sisters: That hee played at dice, prayed to the diuell to sende him good lucke, that for money he admitted boyes to be bishops: He had rauished virgines, and straunge womē: He had made the holy pallaice of Lateran a stewes & bro­thell house: That he had defloured Stephana his fathers concubine, and one Rainera a wydowe, besyde one Anna an other wydowe and her niece: that he had put out the eyes of Benedict his ghostly father, vsed common hunts, that he woare armour, and set houses on fyre, brast open dores and wyndowes by night: that he tooke a cup of wyne & dranke to the diuell, and neuer blessed him selfe with the signe of the crosse: these and many more odious articles were layde to his charge: Whereupon the Emperour by the consent of the Prelates deposed him. And Leo the eight was set vp in his steade. But as sone as the Emperour was gone, those harlottes that had bene his companiōs, inueigled the nobles of Rome, promising thē the treasures of the church to depose Leo, and place Iohn againe: whiche they did out of hande, and so Leo whom the Emperour appointed, was deposed, and Iohn established againe. Who in his Pope­ship decreed that the Emperour should euer be crowned at Rome by the Pope: But as he was solacing him self with out Rome on a certaine night, with the wyfe of one that was a valiaunt man, he was taken by him euen in his ad­ultery, and so sore and depely woūded with a dagger, that he died thereof within eight dayes, in the tenth yeare of his Popedome, as Mantuan witnesseth. Of this Pope Iohn S. Dunstane a Nicromancier and a coniuring Mōke arch­bishop of Caunterbury in Englande, receiued at Rome cō ­firmation and pall to be metropolitan, Anno. 960. This Dunstane did shamefully snaffle king Edgar: For the king had deflowred a certaine Noonne, for the which cause Dū ­stane did so taunte and rate him, that the king fell downe [Page 67] flatte before him, offering to submitte him selfe to any sa­tisfaction, and obayed this that was commaunded him by Dunstane, first because he was yet vncrowned, he charged him that he should not take the crowne vpon him for seuen yeares, and that during this time he should fast twyse in the weke, distribute his treasure to y^e nedy, builde a Noon­nery at Shaftesbury, and last of al, that he should driue out all maried ministers, calling them adulterous priestes. Cronicon Saxonicū ecclesiae VVigorniensis. But as other stories testifie, they were shortly after restored againe, & the mōks who had encroched their places were depriued. Also he purchased of him for a great somme of money, a cōmis­sion to disanulle and cōdemne the mariage of the Clergie, and to constrayne them to single life, or els to depriue them of ecclesiasticall benefites: So writeth Iohn Capgraue, and Polidor Virgil. in his sixt booke of the history of En­glande. Hereupon he being emboldened by the auctoritie of king Edgar, ioyning to him selfe in the same commission, Oswalde bishop of Yorke, Ethelwalde bishop of Winche­ster, and Monkes of the like disposition, did violently thrust out of the cathedrall churches the Curates and Ministers, whiche would not forsake their wiues: and planted in them Monkes with their counterfaited chastitie, whiche they kept vntill the time of the moste renowmed Prince kyng Henry the eight. But many there were that stoutly stoode in defiance of this wicked doing, especially a certayne Scot did bitterly speake against it. Of this Pope Iohn came this prouerbe, As mery as Pope Iohn.

69 Benedict the fift.

BEnedict the fift, after the departure of Otho the Empe­rour 134 with his armye, and depriuing of Leo, being but a Deacon, and Cardinall, was made Pope by Iohns frends in a tumultuous time. But Otho would not suffer Leo, [Page] (whome he had appointed) to take this iniurye, and there­fore returning to Rome with his armie, hee plonged the Romaines diuers wayes, to make them yelde this Bene­dict into his handes, and to restore Leo. Therefore after they had kept the gates lockt twoo monethes, they yelded Benedict vnto the Emperour, and receiued Leo, and esta­blished him solemly in the Popes chayre. But when as Otho should returne into Germany, he sent Benedict to Hambrough to his Chauncelour Adaldag the Archeby­shop thereof, where he liued in exile, and for very thought and anguishe of minde died, and was buried in the Cathe­drall churche, Anno. 964.

70 Leo the eight.

153 LEo the eight citizen of Rome, and chiefe secretary of Lateran churche, was made Pope by Otho the Empe­rour, in steade of Iohn deposed for his vilany. Who being established in his Popedome (& Benedict) deposed because he perceiued the leudnes of the Romaynes, how that with threatninges, with bribes and euill meanes, they were still aduauncing their owne: He crowned Otho and made hym vniuersall Emperour. Afterward by decree of a Synode, he bestowed on Otho the whole and absolute aucthoritie, to electe the Pope, taking it from the people and Clergie of Rome, whiche (saith Gratian) Charles the great had ge­uen vnto them. This he did to auoyde those seditiōs, which vsed to arise in the elections. Otho desirous to be thanke­full for this curtesie, restored to the sea of Rome, all whiche they forge, that Constantine gaue them, or that Charles or Pipin toke from the Lombardes. And had bestowed on them: He restored sayth Barnes, those thinges whiche hee neither possessed nor was able to defende. But Leo after he had raigned a yeare and three monethes, died Anno. 966.

71 Iohn the. xiiij.

IOhn the xiiii. sonne of one Iohn a bishop (or as some saye of Pope Iohn the xii.) obtained the Popedome, as it wer 136 by his fathers righte. This Pope was quietlye chosen, whiche was a rare thinge, and yet Peter the Liuetenaunt of Rome with the twoo consuls and twelue senatours, cō ­spired against him, because he fauoured the Emperoure, they apprehended him in Lateran churche, and kepte him prysoner in Angel castell the space of eleuen monethes. This being knowen, the Emperoure hasted to Rome with his armie, and dealt sharpely with the offendours, some he banished, some he made to forfaite their goods▪ some he hā ­ged on the gallowes. But the Pope hauing Peter the pre­sident, yelded to his will, deliuered him to the hangeman, who according to the Popes cōmaundement, stripped him out of his apparell, shaued his bearde, and hong him vp by the hayre of the head for the space of an whole daye. After­warde he commaunded that he should be set vppon an asse with his face to the tayle, and his handes tied vnder the Asse tayle, and to make him a laughing stock to all men, to leade him thus about the citie, and withall to scourge him with roddes, this being done to dryue him out, to be bani­shed into Germany. This Pope Iohn allured y^e kingdome of Poleland to Popery, and sent thether Giles Cardinall of Thusculan to confirme the people therein, to deuide dio­ceses, to annoynte bishops, and consecrate them, and to ac­compte the Pope as supreme head of all churches. After this he died, Anno. 973. At this time they began to Chri­sten belles, and to geue them proper names: For this Pope called the great bell of Lateran after his name.

72 Benedict the sixt.

[Page] 137 BEnedict the sixte succeded Iohn as well in misery as in place, for he was cast into Angell castel as prisoner (for certaine offences) by Cynthius a Romaine, a man of great power. And within a while after he was strangled to death with a roape in the same pryson: or as some saye, pyned to death. I cannot but maruell (saith Platina) that his death was not reuenged, neither by the Romaines, nor by Otho the Emperour, who so tendered the estate of the church of Rome: but I feare saith hee, that Benedict deserued as Cynthius rewarded him, seing no mā reuenged his death.

73 Donus the second.

138 DOnus the seconde, succeding Benedict, learned by him to be more wyse, and therefore did nothing at al worthy to be written: Only this is mencioned, that when the Po­lonians desyred they might be made a kingdome, and haue a crowne graunted to them, he denied their sute. Crantzius sayth, he gouerned indifferently, deseruing neither great prayse, nor disprayse, for a yeare and sixe monethes, he died Anno. 975.

74 Boniface the seuenth.

139 BOniface the seuenth was of so base birth, that neither the name of his stocke, nor of his countrey was knowen, he getting to be Pope by leud meanes loste it leudly again. For hauing obtained the seate, the magistrates conspired against him, whereby he was compelled to hide him selfe: But perceiuing he could not tary at Rome safely, hee fil­ched and robbed Saint Peters Pallaice of the moste pre­cious and richest treasure and iewels, and so by stelth fled to Constantinople: where after a whyle selling them all, he made a great somme of money, and returned to Rome, knowyng that mony could obtaine anything. But in his [Page 62] absence the Romaines made one Iohn the fifteth Pope in his steade: But he returning enriched the citezins with money, and allured to him euery rascall, whereby he toke Iohn, and thrust out his eyes, put him in pryson, pined him to death, and so gat his place againe, wherein shortly af­ter he died wretchedly of y^• falling sickenes: Whereuppon his body (hauing a roape tied about his beles) was haled through the streates, and despitefully stabde in with dag­gers, pikestaues, iauelinges, and suche like thinges: and at length commaunded by the Clergie to be buried in a com­mon place.

75 Iohn the fiftene.

IOhn the fiftene a Lombarde, was made Pope by the ci­tezins 140 and the Clergie, while the former Boniface rob­bing the treasurie, fled to Constantinople secretly. This Iohn was a Deacon Cardinall, and of great auctoritie, & fauoured not Boniface, but (as Platina saith) he with cer­taine other honest citizens stoode against Boniface his do­inges, whereupon (as is aboue mencioned) he was made Pope, the other being fled, and so cōtinued eight mon [...]ths, till the other returning, did put out his eies, imprysoned him and murthered him there, with the [...]āke stinke of the pryson, and famin, and griefe of mynde together. Yet some thinke that Ferrucius the father of Boniface slewe him, be­cause he withstode his sonne to be Pope: so saith Anselmus.

76 Benedict the seuenth.

BEnedict the seuenth, after these was made Pope by the 141 Layetie and Clergie. He by the Emperours ayde, dyd apprehende a great company of conspiratours in the citie, and for their haynous offence, he put them in pryson, and punished them cruelly▪ He helde a coūsell at Remes against [Page] Lothariꝰ king of Fraūce, wherin he restored Archebyshop Arnulphus, who was violently deposed, and he deposed & condemned of heresie one Gilbert a Monke, being a coniu­rer, whome the king for his money and sorcerie, had ad­uaunced to be Archbishop. This Gilbert notwithstanding, did yet afterwarde obtaine of the Emperoure Otho the thirde, whome he had taughte to coniure, that he might be Archebishop of Rauenna, and afterwarde he was promi­sed by the Diuell, that he should at length be Pope of Ro­me. Whereupon saith Polidor Virgill in his sixt booke of his storie of Englande, Monkes and priestes at this tyme, declining from the trade of their elders in all places begā, euen as it were by their owne right to scratche together howge heapes of ryches, to compasse honour by ill artes, (coniuring and sorcery) and to exercise tyranny. Benedict after he had raigned nine yeares died, Anno. 894.

77 Iohn the sixtene.

142 IOhn the sixtene, sonne of one Leo a Prieste, succeded by election of the people and Clergie. As sone as hee was Pope he began to beare deadly hatred against the Cler­gye, so that he was abhorred not onelye of them, but of all the people: and chiefelye because he neglecting the digni­tye of the Romaine Sea, bestowed the riches & treasures ther of vppon his kinred, his harlots and bastards. Which fault (sayth Platina and Stella) hath continued among the clergye vnto our time, for an ill president to the posterity: Then the which custome nothing is more perillous, when our clergye (sayth Platina) shall couet spiritual dignities, not for loue of Religion, & to serue God, but to maintaine the prodigality, gluttonye & couetousnes of their kindred, and frendes, their concubines and bastards. Of the like complayneth Mantuan of his tyme.

[Page 63]At this tyme appeared a Comet, after which followed both famine & pestilence with terrible earthquakes, which shooke both Beneuent and Capua: which plagues moste men iudged, were sent for the pride, ambition, greedines & royat of the Popes, and for the contempt of God so greate at this time. This Iohn dyed in the viii. yere of his raigne▪ Anno. 985.

78. Iohn the 17.

IOhn the 17. was verye experte in feates of cheualrye, he 143 was made Pope with the goodwill of the clergye & lai­tye. He was excellentlye well learned, & published diuers bookes. He beinge troubled with the sedition of one Cres­centius the Consull, going about to make himselfe king of the Cittye, gaue place vnto Crescentius conspiracye, and banished himselfe into Hetruria: but Crescentius know­ing of Iohns displeasure, and that he went about to call the Emperour wyth his armye into Italye against him, hee sente those frendes and kinsefolke which Iohn had remay­ning in the Citye, to entreat him not to sende for the Em­perour, but himselfe to returne to Rome wyth his auto­ritye, and he promised to be obedient to him in all thinges. Iohn being entreated by his frendes, and fearing that the Emperours comminge would do more hurt then good to him and his clergye, returned to Rome: Against whose comming Crescentius with all the rest of the cōspiratours came forth to meete him, who with y^e other people (a great multitude) wayted vppon him into the Citye, & in y^e porch of Lateran Church, Crescentius and his company falling downe before the Pope, kissed his feete and craued pardon. This Iohn dyed Anno 995.

79. Gregorie the fift.

[Page] 144 GRegorie the fift a Germaine borne, but a Saxons sonne was first called Bruno: He after wranglinge and iar­ringe was made Pope by the Emperours auctoritye, be­cause he was his cosen. But after Otho the Emperour was departed, the Romaynes desyringe chaunge of state, did adua [...]nce Crescensius to be Consull againe, and com­mitted the estate of Rome to his gouernment. This Cres­centius and the people of the Cittye toke it greuously, that Gregorie beinge a Dutchman shoulde by the Emperours auctoritye be made Pope, and therefore they deposed Gre­gorie: after which the people and clergye of Rome esta­blished one Iohn y^e xviii. beinge before bishop of Placentia, an excellente learned man and very well stoared wyth mo­ney. Gregorie in fine went to the Emperour to complaine of his great iniurye, the Emperour taking it dispitefully, went into Italy with his armye, besieged Rome, assaulted it, and toke Crescensius the Consull and Iohn the newe Pope, and as for Iohn he had his eyes put out and so dyed: Crescensius was put on a vile beastes backe wyth his face to the taylewarde, hauinge his nose and his eares cut of, & to be seene of al men was caryed about the Cittye hauing his members quartered, he was honge vp about y^e walles of the Cittye. Then Gregorie (his ennemyes beinge puni­shed) was restored, who perceyuing that the estate of king­domes were fickle and wauering, through the ambition of Princes and couetousnes of the clergye, while there follo­wed great warres hard vppō his restoring, he sommoning a coūsaile at Rome, made a decree for the election of the Emperour. Hee decreed that y^e election of the Emperour shoulde continue from henceforth amonge the Princes of Germanye, that is the Archbishop of Mens, of Treuers & Collen, the Palsgraue of Rhein, the duke of Saxonie, and the Marquesse of Brandeburge. To these also he added y^e king of Bohemia, to be an vmpier, if the voyces were euen: which decree Anno a thousande & ii. the Emperour Otho [Page 71] did allowe and confirme, but the kinges of Fraunce were highly offended that y^e Germaynes had this prerogatiue. Gregorie dyed Anno 998. y^e third yeare of his Popedome.

80. Iohn the xviij.

IOhn the xviii. a Grecian borne (of whom is spoken in y^e former Gregorie) obtayned the place by bryberye, sediti­on,145 and hurlye burlye. This mā was before bishop of Pla­centia, an olde man, learned & ryche, but proud, couetous, and desirous to be Pope, which wrought his horrible and mischeuous ende. For hee broughte so muche moneye to Rome wyth him from Constantinople, whereby he was able to drawe and tempt vnto him aswel the wyse & wary, as the simple sort, to be of his faction: whereby he corrup­ted Crescentius the Consul, violently to abuse Pope Gre­gorie, & to driue him out being a Germaine, and so purcha­sed the Popedome and the sequele thereof. But of those thinges that he and his traine set to sale in his Popeshippe Mantuan wryteth thus:

I maruaile (sayth Platina) that the Chronographers would reckē this Iohn amonge the Popes, seing he vsur­ped the place while Gregorie liued, vnlesse in wrytinge the Popes liues they thincke to do as they doo in a continuall historye: For the peeuishe deedes of tyrants are set among the great exploites of good Princes, that the readers may discerne the good from the euill, and so by the example of good men be moued to vertue, & by the example of the ill terrifyed frō vice, and so liue happilye vppon earth, which happines this Iohn wanted being a theefe & a robber euen in his Popedome. So much sayth Platina of him. At the lēgth this Iohn w^t his Crescētius perished, hauing his eyes digged out, and his bodye foulye māgled: Crescentius for [Page] his doing was set vppon a vile horse (as is saide before) ha­uing his nose cut of, and was so led through the Citye, his face being turned to the horse tayle, and afterward hauing his members cut of, he was hanged vppon a gibbet. Here will I alledge the wordes of Gualther out of his third ho­melye as touchinge Antichrist, and so ende this booke. Nowe (sayth hee) let anye noble harte iudge vvhether so manye good men haue vppon sufficient cause, complay­ned of the tirannye and vniust dealinge which the Popes haue vsed: seing that seate of Rome hath sustaind with­in so fevve yeares so manye leude persons, tyrantes, theues, filchers, robbers, rebels, adulterers, and o­pen purloyners of Church goodes. And who in Gods name vvill reuerence that as ho­lye, which receiueth so many plagues, but as yet the nomber of the wic­ked ones is not fulfilled as shal follow immediatlye &c.

81. Syluester the second.

146 SYluester the seconde was a Frenchman, in profession a monke, and called Gilbert, before he was Pope. He was of S. Benedicts order in an abbey at Florence, where he be­ing a yonge man and addicted whollye to deuilishe artes, betoke himselfe to the deuill both bodye and soule. After­ward forsaking that abbey he went into Spaine delightīg much in prophane sciences, & came to Hispalis vnto a cer­taine Philosopher being a Sarracen and expert in Magick, of whom he learned much both sorcerye and ambitiō, and began to deuise howe he might attaine to greate honour & riches: and thought in deede that coniuringe and Necro­mancye were the meetest wayes to come by hys purpose. He had espyed before in the house of his host a certaine cō ­iuring booke, and did his endeuour to steale it awaye, but the Magician kept it so deuoutlye, that Gilbert coulde not come by it: therfore he inueigled the Magiciās doughter, (wyth whom beinge in y^e house he had good acquaintance) [...]o steale her fathers booke, and let him haue a sight there­of, y^e mayde fulfilled his request, & so he obtayned his pur­pose. He hauing y^e booke went about to depart by stealth, but fearing least this might endaunger his life for stealing the booke, he gaue himselfe to the deuill vppon this condi­tion, y^t he should warrant him to passe safelye into Fraūce, and to obtayne great dignityes. He came into Fraunce & taught the liberal Sciences, so as many had him in admi­ration, wherby he had a nomber of scholers and auditors, some of great calling that learned y^e former artes of him, as Cōstantine abbot of Maximin, Lotharius Archbishop of Seuen, Otho the Emperours sonne, Roberte kinge of Fraunce, wyth sondrye other bishops, prelats & priestes of [Page 73] Rome. By the procurement of these parsons he was made first bishop of Remen, afterward by his leude artes he ob­tayned to be Archbishop of Rauenna: Last of all he obtay­ned to be Pope of Rome by the helpe of the deuill, whom he w^t coniuration raysed out of hell according to the xx. of the Apocalips. For Peter Praemonstratensis & other wry­ters saye, that he was made Pope in the Thousande yeare of our Lords Incarnation: In the which yere sayth Mas­feus, was a great and terrible earthquake, and a blasinge starre horrible to loke vppon the xiiii. day of December. In his Popedome he concealed his coniuring, and dissem­bled that familiarity which he had with the deuill: but yet he kepte in a certaine secrete place a brasen heade, of which when he demaunded anye thinge, hee receyued aunsweare of an euil spirit. At the length in his pontificality he would needes demaūde of the deuil how longe he should be Pope? the deuill aunswered doubtfullye and misticallye, sayinge he should not dye, vntill he sayd Masse in Hierusalem: He therfore conceyuing good hope of longe life began to ware carelesse, thinking to take heede enoughe of comminge in Hierusalem. But the vse was that on a certaine day of sta­tions in the Lent time, y^e Popes should say masse at Rome in the Pallayce of the holy Crosse, which was called Hie­rusalem: wherevppon Syluester not fearinge his life, nor heedefull enoughe to forecast the deuils despite, accordinge to custome said masse in the same Chappel, And by & by, a terrible shyueringe and quakinge came vppon him wyth a great feuer, and by the rumbling noyse of deuils (as Pe­ter Praemōstratensis & Platina say) he perceyued his death was at hand, and that he must paye the deuill his fee. And thus bewayling & lamenting openly the abuse of his char­mes, he confessed his fault, til he perished miserablye. And (sayth Benno) he commaunded his tongue and his handes to be cut of, wherewith he had blasphemed God in sacrifi­singe vnto deuils: thus he dyed Anno 1003. The reporte [Page] is that the tombe of this Syluester doth euer since progno­sticate the death of the Pope, by the ratlinge of the bones and the gushing out of water that ryseth out of the groūd about it: as also (sayth Platina) is testifyed by y^e Epitaphe written on his graue.

82. Iohn the 19.

147 IOhn the 19. an Italian, did likewise succeede Syluester, and gat to be Pope by y^e deuils ayde: for (sayth Benno) the scholers of the sayde Syluester being coniurers, euerye one gaped for the Popedome. This Iohn did take from y^e people the election of the Pope, sayinge in behalfe of his doing, that the clergye must teache the people, but not fol­lowe them: And againe, the lawe which is ruled by Gods spirite, is more worthye then that which is mans lawe. He allowed & commaunded to establishe in all Churches the feast of al soules, at the motiō of one Odiloe abbot of Clu­nie: whoe dreamed that soules were deliuered oute of Purgatorye by vertue of the masse, and sayd that he harde the deuils houle and roare, while the soules were takē frō them, through dirges & trentalles. After he had raigned 5. monthes, he was poysoned by his owne frendes. In his time the name of Cardinals began to grow to estimation, and many straunge monsters were seene, and diuers terri­ble earthquakes.

83. Iohn the 20.

148 IOhn the 20. called Fasanus after y^t Iohn the 19. was poysoned, by magicke & coniuringe gat to be Pope. For from the foresaid Syluester till Gregorie the seuenth (a no­torious parson) all the Popes were famous enchaunters: by theyr charming they sturred vp walking spirits, bugs, goblins, fierye sightes, & diuers terrible goasts & shapes [Page 74] of thinges, with howlinges and gro aninges aboute deade mens graues, perswadinge the simple people y^t they were deade mens soules. And those spirites beinge coniured vp by priestes, deluded men, dessemblinge that they were the soules of the dead, complayning theyr vntollerable paynes in Purgatorye fyre, and craued to be released by the meri­torious deedes of theyr frendes & kindred, bestowinge dir­ges, masses, and trentalles on them. But to returne to this Pope Iohn, hee (sayth Platina) beinge giuen to idle­nesse, did nothinge worthye remembraunce. He dyed after he had beene Pope .iiii. yeares Anno 1009.

84 Sergius the 4.

AFter this Iohn, came Sergius to be Pope by the like 149 meanes, who also in his Popedome exercised the same sorcerye still, by which he obtayned the seate: Yet some of the flatterers of Rome do highlye commende him, as one that in all his Popedome did no one thinge to be misliked. An vnmeete prayse for the prelates of that corrupte time, wherein the light of the Gospell was extinct: without the which nothinge can be pure and perfite. Amonge other praises this is one that he had, he was a very pleasāt, mee­rye, and familiar companion: In his tyme was great pe­stilence and famine in Italye, and in Loraine a fountaine turned into bloud. He dyed Anno 1012.

85 Benedict the eight.

BEnedict y^e eight was borne in Thusca y^e sonne of George 150 bishop of Portua, brother to Albericus and Iohn, & was a layman: He had a nephew called Theophilactus, which was the scholer of Syluester, and by the magical charmes of this Theophilact, Benedict gatte to be Pope: and ob­tayned the place so longe as Henry Bauarius liued, whose [Page] ayde defended him, because he had bestowed on Henrie the crowne Emperiall. But after his death the Cardinals enuyinge him, deposed him and set vp another: and here­vppon arose a cruel debate. Yet afterward he compounded for money with his aduersaries, and so the vsurping Pope being put out again, Benedict is restored w^t great pompe: He graunted to the foresaid Henrie (as Barus testifyeth) to make at Bamberg builded by Henry a cathedral Church, but with this condition that the same Church should paye to the Pope yearely vnder the name of tribute, an hundred markes in siluer with a white horse furnished with trap­pings. He dyed Anno 1023. Peter Damianus cardinall of Hostia sheweth, as it is also written by Platina, Carion, and others, that this Benedict (or an euill spirit in his like­nes) appeared rydinge on a blackehorse, and came vnto a bishop of his familiar acquaintaunce, who amazed at this sight asked him, Art not thou Pope Benedict whom wee know to be dead? He aunsweared I am the same vnhappy Benedict: And howe do you sayd the bishoppe? I am cru­ellye tormented, but I may be eased quoth Benedict: And therefore go to my brother Iohn, who nowe is Pope, and bidde him repayre to such a place (naming it) and take the treasure that is there hiddē, and distribute it to the poore: And likewise he appeared to Pope Iohn, saying I hope to be deliuered, and I would to God that Odilo would pray for mee. Thus the deuil deluded this age, bearing them in hande that the distribution of moneye, and not y^e death of Christe might bringe saluation to soules, to the great ad­uauncement of Purgatorye and masses.

86 Iohn the xxi.

151 IOhn the xxi brother of the former Benedict, and sonne of Gregorie bishop of Portua beinge as yet but a laye man, yet likewyse by the enchauntmente of his nephewe Theo­philact, [Page 75] gat y^e Popedome, as Benno a Cardinall wryteth. For the coniuring and charmes of these mē Theophilact, Iohn, Gratian, Laurence, Malsitan, Brazutus and other like, wrought and ruled all thinges at Rome according to the deuils appointmente, the aucthor of theyr artes: For (sayth Benuo,) Theophilact vsing to do sacrifice to deuils in woods & on mountaynes, caused women to runne after him, whom he with his enchauntments bewitched to loue him: And this appeareth to be true by certaine bookes of his, which after his death were founde in his chamber. This Pope Iohn crowned Conradus Emperour, and was by him defended from the violence of the Romaynes, who had longe troubled him: y^e Emperour threatned to destroy the Romaynes vtterly, if they should practise ought agaīst the Pope, and by this meanes he continued Pope xi yere. The latine Church doth highly commend him, but shewe no good workes that deserued it: He commaunded Prin­ces to keepe a solemne kinde of geuinge almes, he appoyn­ted priestes to say masse, and the people to fast: In his time began the superstitious fastes of S. Iohn Baptist, & S. Lau­rence. Of the counsell of Triburia Anno 1030. began in Fraunce a sect of fasters, who said that it was reuealed to them from heauen, that to fast Saturday with breade and water was sufficiente for remission of all sinnes, if so that they had made a vowe to keepe it: But the bishop of Ca­mera did ouerthrowe this blasphemye, as derogatorye to the passion of Christe. Pope Iohn dyed Anno. 1034.

87. Benedict the ix.

BEnedict the ninth who before was called Theophilact, the sonne of Albericus and nephewe (as is said) to the 152 former Pope Benedict & Pope Iohn: as he by coniuring and diuelishe artes did first aduaunce his vnkles, so nowe by his magicke he brought to passe that he succeded them. [Page] He beīg Pope did greatly aduaūce euē next to himselfe as his chiefe and secret counsellers, Laurence, & Iohn Gratiā, for that they were notorious coniurers broughte vp with him vnder Pope Syluester: He with these companiōs had vsed before he was Pope accordīg to y^e cursed ceremonyes of their sorcery, to call vppon theyr euill spirites in woods and forrests, and to bewitch by his cunning any woman y^t liked him, to couet his carnall companye. But (sayth Be­nno) as on a time he wyth these his mates was comming from the woods to the Church, a nomber of birds beinge together, a sparowe made a merye and pleasaunt kinde of chirping: This Laurence being both captaine coniurer, & also a southsayer, curious in the obseruation of byrds, was demaunded what it was that the birde prated? The byrde (quoth hee) calleth other birds to the great gate, where a countreymans carte is broken, and his meale spilte, which was caried in it: and therefore she wyth her much chatte­ring biddeth them to come thither to eate, and fil themsel­ues. Which being harde, diuers of them y^t stoode by ranne in all poast hast to the gate to try the matter, and whē they came there they found it so in deede as Laurence had sayd. Theyr cunninge in south saying and coniuringe was such, that they knew what was done both East, West, South and North, & in the corners of the world, eyther touching warres, or the death of Princes, And therefore manye had theyr cunninge in greate reuerence, and did attempt dilli­gently to learne of them, and gatte theyr skill, especiallye one Hildebrand: Who forsaking an abbey where he was placed, did so follow this trade, that he excelled his may­sters, and was wonderfull busye in pestilent practises, by meanes of his magicall artes, as the Church by the fruite thereof did afterwarde feele, sayth Benno. But to re­turne to Benedict, who after the death of Conradus con­spired wyth his former counsellers, to disherite his sonne Henry the thirde of the Empier, and to plant in his steede [Page 76] Peter king of Hungarie, and therefore he sent the crowne of the Empier to him with this Uerse.

But Henry at the first conflict ouercame Peter, and toke him prisoner, and purposed to set forward to Rome, which beinge heard Benedict being terriblye afraide, soulde his Popeship to his companion Iohn Gratian, who payed for it fiftene hundred poundes, & was afterward called Gre­gorie the sixt. But in the meane time the Romaynes depo­singe Benedict for his negligence and slouth Anno. 1045. did place in his steede Iohn bishop of Saba, callīg him Syl­uester the thirde: For this sale (sayth Platina) Benedict was accused of all men, and cōdemned by deuine sentence, and at the length by Gods iuste iudgemente he was stran­gled to death by a deuill in the woods Anno. 1056. The Historiographers write, y^t this Benedict or Theophilact, was seene of a certaine Hermite in a most ouglye and gast­lye shape hard by a Mill, for his bodye was all rough and hairye like a beare, wyth head and tayle like an asse: And being asked of the Hermite how he was thus trāsfigured? He aunsweared, I wāder in this shape because in the time that I was Pope, I liued without reason, without lawe, without God: and defiled the sea of Rome with all kind of villanye. In his time the Cardinals that began of lit­tle, grew to be great in dignitye.

88. Syluester the thirde.

SYluester y^e third a Romaine, first called bishop of Saba obtayned to be Pope, partly by his owne briberye, part­lye 153 by the tumult and vprore of his countreymen after the expulsion of Benedict, as some say, but as it is rather to be thought by the magicall sorcerye of his father Laurence y^e [Page] famous coniurer: For thus sayth Benno. After Benedict was driuen out and y^t Popeship sould, Iohn Gratian being in the place, Iohn bishop of Saba was thrust in vppon him, and called Syluester the thirde, and thus these iii. Popes beinge at once, it rente the Church of Rome a sonder, and deuided it into diuers factions: thus wyth cruell warres and great bloudshed the Church was torne in peeces, fou­lye mangled with sciesmes, & choaked with errors, while vnder the colour of wine it gulled in poyson: Thus wrote Benno of that wretched time. But (sayth Platina) Sylue­ster enioyed the rowme but a while, for within xlix. dayes the frendes of Benedict with great tumult restored Bene­dict to that, which he had first both lost and soulde. The Popeshippe saith (Platina) was now brought to this passe, that he that was of greatest wealth, and beste able to giue bribes and most ambitious, & not most godlye or best lear­ned, he onelye (good men being oppressed and reiected) ob­tayned that dignitye: which trade (sayth he) I woulde to God they had not continued euen vnto our time, but these are but small matters, for we are like to see worse vnlesse God amende it. Thus muche doth Platina complayne of theyr leude liues, who otherwise flattered y^e Sea of Rome and extolled theyr doctrine. But as touching Syluester, the Emperour Henry draue him from the Popeshippe, & caused him to returne to his owne bishopricke, wherein he continued (as before he was,) Cardinall and bishop of Sa­ba. In the time of the foresaid Benedict the sixte daye of April Anno 1039. there was seene a mighty beame of fire burninge in the Element, as Masseus wryteth in his sixte booke. Anno Domini 1041. Pope Benedict made one Cazimirus a monke in Clunace abbey and a deacon, kinge of Poleland, on this cōdition, that for euery head in Pole­land, he should pay yerelye to the Pope and his successors, an ordinary summe of money: And furthermore that they should not let the heyre of theyr heade to grow longe, and [Page 77] that they of Poleland shoulde remember for euer, howe y^t this polling had giuen them a shauē king out of an abbey.

89. Gregorie the sixt.

GRegorie y^e sixt an Italian first called Iohn Gratian, lear­ned 154 the magicall sciences of Syluester the seconde: He bought the Popeship of his kinseman Benedict the ix and at the length obtayned it. He after sciesmes and sedition being made Pope sayth Premonstratensis, perceyuinge y^t certaine filchers purloyned the goodes of the Church, & that straungers were robbed on all sides, began to haue a regard vnto the riches, and first admonished them, after­ward he excommunicated them, and last of all he warred on them that contemned his threatnings: and thus he did both recouer the Church goodes wyth encrease, and also executed, and put to death the wasters thereof. The Car­dinals being moued with this cruelty called him Simnist, murtherer and bloud sucker: and on a time while he was sicke, they saide hee was vnworthye to be buryed in the Church: Whereunto among other thinges he aunswered thus: I haue warred vppon other, that wyth the damage of the laietye I might purchase glorye to the clergye, and thus ye recompence mee? and sone after he recouered his health. The troublesome & tragical broyles which these Popes wrought at this time, are thus described by Otho, Frisgensis, Godfri Viterbiensis, and other auctors: While (saye they) Benedict the ix. was Pope, Syluester the thyrd, and soone after Gregorie the sixt did inuade the seate. And in the 7. yeare of the Emperour Henry the third, these 3. Popes made themselues 3. seueral seates in Rome: wher­by they brought in a detestable sciesme, & euerye one ende­uoured that he might not yelde to other in sedition, impie­tye and villanye. Benedict he sate as Pope in Lateran Pal­laice, the rest, the one at S. Peters, y^e other at S. Maries [Page] made his pontificall throne. While these thre Popes did at once (to the perill of the whole estate) possesse & comber the Citye, Iohn Gratian a priest came vnto them, perswa­ding them euery one to take a peece of moneye and giue o­uer their title of Popeship, and so it came to passe: and for this cause the Romaynes created Gratian Pope, as one y^t had saued the commō wealth. Henry the Emperour hea­ring of these sturres, in haste came to Rome & helde a Sy­node, wherein those three Benedict, Syluester & Gregorie were condemned, and the fourth Pope created in theyr steede called Clemens the second. And thus sayth Benno the Emperour made Theophilact to flye, he put Gregorie in prison, and afterward he banished him wyth Hildebrād into Germanye, and cōpelled the bishop of Saba to returne to his bishopricke: So Gregorie dyed in Germanye, of whose falsehod and money together (sayth Benno) Hilde­brand was made heyre, who after his death returned to Rome.

90. Clement the second.

155 CLement the seconde was made Pope in a Synode at Rome by the Emperours commaundement while the other three Popes were yet liuinge. Hee caused the Ro­maynes to giue ouer to the Emperour theyr title in elec­ting the Pope, for the auoydinge of those broyles which a­rose there vppon: But some saye that it was the Empe­rour who made the Romaynes sweare, that they shoulde neuer name anye to be Pope. But the Emperour beinge gone into Germanye, they forgettinge theyr oath, did poy­son this Pope Clement, because he was chosen wythoute theyr consente, the ninth monthe after his creation: which poyson was tampered by Steuen, who succeded him called Damasus the second, or as some thincke that Brazutus be­ing commonlye practised in these thinges, and companion to Theophilact and Hildebrand, was auctor therof. At [Page 78] this time were great and straunge contencions about the Sacramente of the alter, and by the deuils doinge manye wonders and myracles were wroughte, but y^e Pope forbad manye to vtter their conscience hereof, least it shoulde be preiudiciall to the masse: And therefore manye of the do­ctours as appeareth by theyr wrytings, wrote doubtfully.

91. Damasus the seconde.

DAmasus the second otherwise called Steuen Bagniarie, 156 gate the Popeship by force at the Emperours cōmaun­dement, with consent of the clergye and laitye: for (sayth Platina) it was now a common thinge for euery ambitious parson to prease into Peters seate violentlye, but he kepte it not long, for the thirtenth day after he was poysoned by the sayde Brazutus Anno 1049. This Damasus beinge chaūcelar to Clemēt his predecessour did poyson his mai­ster, and therefore dranke worthely of the same cuppe. Af­ter this (sayth Benno) Theophilact who before was fled returned to Rome, and there wyth his olde acquaintaunce Laurence, wroughte much mischiefe, and by the letters of his scholer Hildebrande beinge then in the Emperours Court and a traytour about him, he knewe all the Empe­rours secretes. While he thus did greatlye vexe the Ro­maynes, they by the counsell of Cardinals sent Embassa­dours to the Emperour, desiringe him to assigne one to be Pope. And therefore one Bruno, afterwarde called Leo y^e ninthe was made Pope, and perforce againste his wyll brought to Rome: In whose company through ouermuch gentlenes of the Emperour, Hildebrand was suffered to returne to Rome, who afterward wrought such mischiefe in the worlde, as neuer was harde of, both againste Empe­rour, Church, clergye, and common wealth vnder colour of religion: meaninge not to keepe his oath longe sworne to the Emperour, So sayth Benno of him.

92. Leo the ninth.

LEo the ninth a Germaine borne of the countrey of Das­burg, 157 being also himselfe countye Etistheim and bishop of Tulledo he became Pope in this maner. Because the Romaynes (not for the loue of the Emperour) but beinge wearyed wyth those ambitious and seditious prelates that straue for the Popeship, desyred him to appointe one to be Pope: he sent them this Bruno bishop of Tulledo, a man of a simple witte, for none of the other Germaine bishoppes durste aduenture to come amonge the poysoned cuppes of Rome. He goinge on forwarde in his pontificall roabes, had wyth him in companye the abbot of Clunace, & Hil­debrand the monke, the clergye of Rome meetinge him & seing him come on this manner, altered his Popes vesture, did most dispitefullye charge him wyth apostasye, because he had receyued his auctoritye from the Emperour, there­fore they perswaded him to put of his pōtificals, and to re­turne to Rome in his wonted apparell: Saying, the elec­tion of the Pope was not graūted to the Emperours, but to the clergye and people of Rome. Bruno obeyed theyr commaundement, and came to Rome in his owne priuate apparel. And through the counsaile of Hildebrand did cō ­fesse openly before the auncients, that he had offended, and therefore because he ascribed the auctoritye to them, they chose him Pope more willinglye, and for this deede called him Leo or Liō, whose courage argued him rather to be a sheepe. Afterward he made Hildebrand a Cardinall, and partner of his Popeship with him, committing to him the charge of S. Peters Churche, whereof Benno wryteth thus. As sone as he came to Rome (meaning Hildebrād) he obtayned of Leo to be made one of the keepers of the al­ter of S. Peters Church, and within a while he filled his cofers: and to the end he might put out his money to some [Page 79] man for dailye enterest, he became familiarlye acquainted with y^e sonne of a certaine Iewe, who though he were late­lye become a Christian, yet he left not his Iewishe trade of vsurye. And before this hee had well acquainted himselfe wyth the famous worker of mischiefe Brazutus frende to Theophilact: who is reported to haue poysoned by his cū ­ning these Popes wythin xiii. yeares Clement the second, Damasus the second, Leo the ix. Victor the second, and Ni­cholas the seconde. Pope Leo held a counsell at Vercel­la, wherin he condemned the doctrine of Berengarius, who helde opinion against transubstantiacion, and the real pre­sence of Christ in the Sacrament: Likewise he held a no­ther counsell at Maguntia wherein was concluded that priests should not keepe hounds nor haukes, neither medle with any such profane things: Also y^e mariage of y^e clergye was vtterlye condemned by y^e procurement of Hildebrād: And it was decreed to be simonye, for a priest to be prefer­red to an ecclesiastical lyuing by a layman. By the entice­ment of Hildebrand and Theophilact, this Leo not know­inge their disposition, moued warre against the Normans, whose power was thē great in Apulia. But Theophilact meaning to worke the Pope mischiefe secretelye (because he durst not openly do it) bewrayed first al his secrete coū ­sell, and finallye with Hildebrands aduise, betrayed the Pope himselfe to the Normans, from whom (his men be­inge slaine) he himselfe escaped narrowly: who yet retur­ninge to Rome was poysoned by Brazutus the fift yeare of his Popedome.

93. Victor the second.

VIctor y^e second a Germaine borne in Bauaria was made 158 Pope, not by free election, but because the Romaynes did so much stande in awe of Henry the Emperour, that they durste do nothinge against the oath made to the sayde [Page] Henry in the time of Clement the seconde. And therefore to gratify the Emperour, they sent Hildebrād as Embas­sadour to him, to know his pleasure in the election, and by this meanes this Victor beinge a Germaine came to be Pope: In this Embassage Hildebrande toke vppon him by vertue thereof, to make Henry the Emperours sonne heyre to the Empire. This Victor helde a great Synode at Florence, wherin he condemned all those priestes of Sy­monie, who had bene presented to their spiritual liuinges by any temporall parsons. Immediatly after the establish­mente of this Victor, Brazutus repayred to Rome at the procurement of Hildebrande to poyson him, or anye other (sayth Benno) that should steppe into the Popeship before Hildebrand, and so Victor sone after he had raigned two yeare was poysoned by the same Brazutus. Anno 1057.

94. Steuen the ninth.

STeuen the ninth borne in Loraine, the duke of Loraines 159 brother, was made Pope after Victor with generall consent of all, but withoute the Emperours agreemente. This Steuē caused y^e Church of Millain (which almost 2. hundreth yeares had defied y^e supremacye of Rome) to be­come subiecte vnto it:A note for gredye benefice mongers and nonresidents, that euen An­tichrist him­selfe is like to be a vvitnes a­gainst them, vvho thus condemned that vvherein they offende obsti­natlye. He also before he came to be Pope, had accused the Emperour Henry of heresye, because hee somewhat abridged the vsurped auctoritye of Rome. Also he helde a counsell in Florence against mariage of priestes countinge it fornication, and therein concluded many thin­ges against dualities, pluralityes, and totquots. But at y^e length in the tenth yeare of his raigne Hildebrand caused his olde companion Brazutus to giue him such a drinke, y^t the Pope dyed thereof Anno. 1058. At his death Hilde­brand was not at Rome, but returned in all hast vppon it, and at his comming he commaunded all the clergye to ap­peare before him, and bounde them wyth an oath to suffer [Page 80] none to be Pope, but such a one as obtayned it with the cō ­sent of euerye one.

95. Benedict the tenth.

BEnedict the x. borne in Campania was first called Min­cius, 160 while the Romaynes were in an vprore and cryed oute to haue one of their owne countreymen to be made Pope: this Benedict had the name generally, and so was made Pope, contrary to y^e oath which y^e clergye had made to Hildebrand at his departure lately. Hildebrād there­fore taking it despitefully thus to be deluded in his absēce, deposing Benedict, was very importune with the clergye, to make one Gerhard bishop of Florence, that came wyth him, Pope in his presence, as they promised him at his de­parture. The clergye because they coulde not with safetye chose another in Rome went therefore to Senas, and there they chose this Gerhard Pope, naminge him Nicolas the seconde. Gerhard beinge Pope held a Synode at Sutrius against Pope Benedict, who vnderstanding of this conspi­racye wroughte by Hildebrand, was content for quietnes sake to forsake Rome, and to liue like an outlawe priuatly in Veltra, after he had bene Pope ix. monthes. Christian Masseus reporteth, that this yeare a great company of sna­kes about Tornaie fought cruelly together, vntill the peo­ple beset them with fier and burned them.

96. Nicolas the second.

NIcolas the seconde was made Pope as is mentioned in Benedict. After he had helde the councell of Spire a­gainst 161 Benedict, hee returned to Rome, and sommoned a councell at Lateran by y^e craft of Hildebrand for his owne purpose: wherein was decreed, that he should be condem­ned for an apostata, that should be Pope eyther by fauour [Page] or money without the whole consent of the Cardinals. Al­so he gaue the Cardinals, the priestes and laitye, power to excommunicate any such Pope, & to hold Synode against him any where, and to driue him out. In this Synode Be­rengarius was forced to recant his opiniō against the real presence: for he had long maintayned, that in the breade & wyne was neyther the body and bloud of Christ really, nor naturally, but a signe and figure thereof, as Platina, Mū ­clerus and other write of him. This Pope Nicolas esta­blished and strēgthened the Popedome, wyth sondrye and diuers straūge forgeryes, fables, and vntruthes, terrible vizards, and gastlye countenaunces of excommunication, and dreadfull threates of cursings. The wordes of the ex­communication and curse are these, in the 23. distinction as Barnes testifyeth. In the name of God Amen: If anye man do breake this oure sacred decretal sentence, and pre­sumptuously attempt to hurt or disquiet against this sta­tute the Church of Rome, let him be accursed for euer, & damned by excōmunication: Let him be reputed amōge the vvicked, that shall not rise againe to iudgement: Let him feele the wrath of the Almightye against him: Let him feele the rage of Peter and Paule vppon hym in the life to come, that spurneth against their Churche in this life: Let his dwelling be in the wildernes, & let his house be left desolate for none to dwell therin: Let his children be orphanes, and his wife be a widowe: In his trouble let him be troubled: Let his childrē beg their bread, and be cast out, and be vagabounds driuē out of their owne hou­ses: Let the vsurer rifle all his goodes, and let straungers spoile the labour of his handes: Let the whole world fight against him, and let all the Elementes be contrarye vnto him: Let the merits of all saincts confound him: Let him spende this life prisoner fettered in chaines: and let the saincts powre their open vengeaunce on him. But our grace defende them that keepe this &c.

[Page 81]Such thonderbolts did the Pope shoote abrode to terrifye the world, which yet wroughte so in mens hartes, that for feare there of they yelded themselues subiecte to the Pope, against their owne natiue and Christian Princes. But to returne to the historye concerninge the sturre that Hilde­brand kepte at this time in Rome, Thus wryteth Benno: Nicolas beinge Pope, Hildebrand perceyuing he could not yet gette to be Pope, deuised to get an archdeacōshippe by hooke or by crooke. At the length he set vppe one Man­cius archedeacon of Rome, whom he tossed and disquieted with diuers iniuries: who beinge ouerlayed wyth the re­prochful dealing and craft of Hildebrand, and beguiled w^t his moneye, at the length graunted him to surrender vnto him his archedeacōship. This being graunted, Hildebrād commeth to Pope Nicholas ere he were aduised, and very impudentlye, partly by vnreasonable request, partlye by y^e threatnings of armed souldiers hired for the purpose, who gaue him watchworde to yelde or to dye, hee made Hilde­brād archdeacon. This being done euen immediatlye after Brazutus ministred the same cuppe to Nicolas, that he had done to the other Popes. Nicolas beinge thus poysoned, y^e Cardinals being so well acquainted with the ambition of Hildebrand, besoughte the Emperour earnestlye to assist them in the behalfe of Cadolus his bishop of Parma, whō they had chosen Pope: which thing so strake Hildebrand to the hart, that from thence forward he professed himselfe an vtter ennemye to the Emperour: He brake his oath of fealtye and allegeance. And makinge a conspiracy wyth y^e Emperours ennemyes, and with the Normans, he begui­led Anselmus bishop of Lucia, causinge certaine Romay­nes to chuse him bishop, and call him Alexander the secōd, as one whom hee would set vp against Cadolus chosen by the Cardinals. And thus Hildebrand brought trouble as much as he could, both to Anselmus and Cadolus, who in deede wayted to succede them both, &c.

97. Alexander the second.

ALexander the seconde was as yee reade made Pope 162 by Hildebrands craft, for his owne purpose against the Emperours minde: and therfore y^e Lombards by the Em­perours consent, did set vp another against him called Ca­dolus, (as is before mentioned) who came to Rome and be­sieged it wyth a great armye, and after one or two battai­les was wyth his companye put to flight. The Emperour willinge to ende this sciesme, sent to Rome Otho archbi­shop of Collen with his auctoritye, to debate the matter: who comming to Rome began with a sharpe oration to re­proue the intrusion of Alexander, & to amplifye the Em­perours auctoritye in the election of the Pope. But the mischeuous Hildebrand puft vp with his late victory, did interrupt Otho, and stoutly defended the Popes doing, a­uouching that the election belonged onely to the clergye: whereunto Otho the bishop in this case more fauouring y^e Pope, then his maister, did easelye giue place, and desired to haue a councell at Mantua to appease y^e matter. Wher­in was decreed that a man oughte not to heare masse of a priest y^t laye with a concubine: that maryed priests shoulde leese their liuings: And yet their children wyth the Popes dispensation might take orders: That the Pope should be chosen onely by Cardinals. But this Alexander percey­uinge at the length (sayth Benno) y^t it was but for a polli­cye of Hildebrand, that he was made Pope by the Empe­rours ennemyes to spite him withall, began to mislyke of it with himselfe: and on a time as he was preaching to the people, he tolde them that he would not any longer enioye the Apostolicall seate without the Emperours good will, and professed opēly that he would send letters to the Em­perour for the same purpose. Hildebrand hearinge this was forthwith so enraged, y^t presentlye he began to mum­ble, [Page 82] curse, and fret, and could scant keepe his hand from y^e Pope till masse were done: Masse beinge done, he toke the Pope, and wyth a troupe of armed souldiours he led him into his chamber, where with his fistes he buffeted and be­pomelled him shamefullye, rating and taunting him wyth rayling and reuiling wordes, because he would go aboute to seeke the Emperours fauour. And from that time for­warde Hildebrand (because he saw him so simple) allowed him but fiue shillinges a daye to spende, and the rest of the reuenues he retayned to himselfe, and casting Alexander into prison he purloyned a great masse of money. Alexan­der beinge thus in the miserable bondage of Hildebrand, in an eueninge dyed God knoweth whereof, and the same houre Hildebrand was enstalled Pope by his garrison of souldiours, without consente of the people or clergye: be­cause he feared y^t if he had delayed it, another shoulde haue bene chosen. None of the Cardinals subscribed to his elec­tion, vnto the which when the abbot of Cassia came, Bro­ther (quoth Hildebrand) ye haue lingred ouer longe, & you quoth the abbot haue hied you ouer fast, who ere your mai­ster the Pope be yet buryed, haue vsurped his place con­trarye to y^e Canons. Hildebrand being thus chosen, how he liued, howe he draue the Cardinals from him, howe he tormented them miserablye, how he poysoned the world w^t heresyes, how often he committed periurye, howe great & many conspiracyes he raysed, it is harde for manye men to vtter: But most of all, the bloud of many Christiās which by him and his meanes haue beene miserablye shedde, do crye oute vengeaunce on him. Thus and much more doth Benno the Cardinall write of him.

98. Gregorie the seuenth.

GRegorie the seuenth was first called Hildebrand borne 163 in Hetruria, a notable cōiurer and great Magician, he [Page] gat to be Pope by his saluage sorcerye, & bloudy meanes. He forsaking y^e abbey wher he was monke, gat to one Lau­rence an archpriest of whom he learned his notorious en­chauntments, which y^e sayd Laurence had learned of Pope Syluester the seconde. There was greate familiaritye be­tweene this Laurence, Theophylact, Iohn Gratian & Hil­debrand, being archpriests or Cardinals of Rome: wher­by this Hildebrand by his subtiltye bare all the swaye w^t Theophylact, while he was bishop vnder the name of Be­nedict the ninth, and so he cōtinued in his factious dealing in al other Popes times, till he came to the place himselfe. Benno Cardinall wryteth of him, that when hee listed, hee would caste of his sleeues, and skip and daunce in forme of sparkles, or flames of fyer, and with these myracles he de­luded the eyes of the simple people, bearing them in hande it was a signe of his greate holinesse. And (sayth Benno) because the deuill could not openlye persecute Christians by Pagans, he practised craftelye to ouerthrowe the name of Christe by this counterfaite monke, vnder the colour of religion. Diuers auctors do write that this Hildebrand or hellybrand rather, by the helpe of his companiō Gerar­dꝰ Brazutus poysoned vi. or vii. Popes, so to open himselfe a gap to come to be Pope: and yet hee in these broyles be­haued himselfe so subtellye, that no man could charge him therewithall, y^t it was rather thought he sought to shonne the Popeship. And yet when in name he was not Pope, yet was he the onely instrument, and contriuer of all their do­ings and deuises: and began to worke by litle and litle vn­der other, which he brought to perfectiō in his owne time. Under coulour of religion and godlines, he practized all treachery and mischiefe. He accused Pope Alexander his maister, because he had craued the Emperours assistaūce against his aduersaries: His accusatiō was this, y^t he was vnmeete to be Pope according to the Canons, who cōtra­ry to the Canons had craued ayde of a prophane Prince: & [Page 83] cast him into prison, where he wrought his death, & forth­with ere he was buryed vsurped his place: He imparted his treasure (sayth Benno) to Brazutus and to a certaine Iewe, that were his companions, and by theyr meanes he purchased the voyces of diuers, who ere that Alexander was buryed cryed out amayne: Peter y^e Apostle hath cho­sen Hildebrand to be Pope, & so they set him in the Popes throne callinge him Gregorie the seuenth. And this was done in the thousand yeare after the destruction of Hieru­salem, in the which yeare the Popes began to challenge & take vppon them the name, office, and power of Christe: for it was proclaymed at the enstalling of this Gregorie, y^t he was created y^e true vicar of Christ, & Gregorie applyed vnto himselfe those thinges that are spoken in y^e 7. Psalme of Christe: Hee altered the lawes of God, for where the Scripture licēceth al estates to marrye, he barred y^e cler­gye therof, forcing thē to vow single life aboue their abili­tye. Now was y^e Scripture in him fulfilled prophesyinge of the warre of Gog and Magog, which this Gregorie bro­ched so perillouslye to all Christendome, as the like neuer happened, which his companion Vrban the second did exe­cute. Gregorie at the first entrye to his Popeship began to vrge such canons, as he had in his auncestours time pro­cured against priestes mariage, and the bestowinge of be­nefices by temporall men, which hee did not of purpose to take away the abuse of byinge and sellinge of ecclesiastical lyuings, but with a fayre showe to abridge Princes and o­ther estates, of their preeminence in that matter, whereby he might binde all the bishops and clergye to be more sub­iecte to Rome, who now depended more on their Princes, because of the bestowīg of the lyuings, wherby the Popes strength encreased, & the tēporal Princes were weakened, and neglected of their clergye. And the better to atchieue his purpose, because Henry the Emperour was chiefe of temporall Princes, he attempted it first againste him: for [Page] this matter he sommoned a councell at Rome, wherto the Emperour could haue no regarde, because of his warlike affayres then presente. And yet this matter so delighted y^e Pope, that for compassing it he spared neyther treason nor murther, but in manye places he procured ciuill warre, & sedition, with al kinde of mischiefe that might be. For first seekinge y^e Emperours death he attēpted it diuers wayes, as thus amonge other euen in y^e Church: The Emperour (saith Benno) vsed to go to prayers to S. Maryes Church in Auentine hill. Hildebrand therefore hauinge his false espyes caused the place to be wel noted, where the Empe­rour vsed to kneele or sit in the Church all seruice time: & hyred one to go and laye certaine great stones secretelye in the roofe of the Church righte ouer the same place, in such sort as he might throwe them downe vppon y^e Emperours head, and so slaye him: which as this fellowe went aboute and was busye wyth a great stone, the waighte thereof o­uerwhelmed him, so as he fell downe to the pauement and the stone vppon him, which brused him so as he dyed of y^t, which hee had prouided to slaye the Emperour withall. This thinge being knowen, the Romaynes bound his hee­les to a roape, and drewe the dead carkasse through Rome streats three dayes together for an example. Againe (saith Benno) Iohn bishoppe of Portua who was of Hildebrands priuye councell, said in his preachinge before the people & clergye in S. Peters Church: what meaned Hildebrand and we to do this thīg wherby we should be burned aliue? (meaninge that violence which they had vsed towarde the Sacrament of Christes bodye:) Because Hildebrand de­maunding of it (as y^e heathen vsed to do of their idols) what successe he shoulde haue against the Emperour, & because the Sacrament spake not and gaue him no aunsweare, he threw it into the fyre, maugre all the Cardinals that were about him, and said to the Sacrament most blasphemous­lye: Could the idoll Gods of the heathens giue them aun­swere [Page 84] of theyr successe, and can not thou tell mee? He ex­communicated the Emperour being a cōformable Prince, withoute lawfull accusation, without canonicall citacion, or iudicial order: and caused his peeres to reuolt frō him, and soughte by secrete traytors to murther him. Also hee caused the bishops to sweare them selues vtter ennemies a­gainst him, wresting & wringinge places of the Scripture to make a shew to maintaine his purpose, But (sayth Ben­no) as sone as he roose vp from his chayre being newly fra­med of wood, by Gods workinge it claue in peeces & was rente terriblye into diuers partes.

When he sawe that his secrete treasons toke not effect, he brast out into open outrage and enmitye: he excommu­nicated the Emperour, and discharged all his subiectes of theyr allegeaūce, & gaue his crowne vnto Rodolpho duke of Sueuia, which he sent to him with this poesye.

This moued the Emperour very sore, in so much that hee stripped himselfe out of his royall roabes, and puttinge on wollen apparell, came with his wyfe and his sonne a litle child in the depth of winter, a cruel and perillous iourneye to Canusius, and stoode barefooted at the gates of the Ci­tie, fasting from morning to night, suing humblye for par­dō at Hildebrands hand, and for three dayes suffered with lamētable miserye to be laughed at, and flowted by Hilde­brand amonge his paragons and monkes. He desired of­ten to be let in to come to the Pope, but hee was still aun­swered for three dayes together, that y^e Pope was not yet at leasure to speake with him. The good and gentle Em­perour toke it paciently to be thus delayed, and because he could not be let into the Citye, he abode in the suburbes w^t his great inconuenience, for the frost was verye extreame more then ordinarye: and yet he endured it continuallye 3. dayes, least by taking his ease he should haue offended my Lorde bishops grace, and still he sued to be pardoned. At [Page] the length the fourth daye by the intercession of the Coun­tesse Mathilda, who for loue, not for honesty was in fauour with the Pope, & the abbot of Cluny, and Adelaus Earle of Sauoy he was admitted to come in. And thoughe hee craued pardon on his knees, & offered vp his Crowne, yet would the Pope neither pardon him nor absolue him, vn­lesse hee woulde promise that accordinge to the Popes ap­pointment he would purge him of his fault in the councel, with other vnlawfull conditions. All which he promised and confirmed with hand & seale, and yet was not restored to his estate. This being knowen, the Princes & Lordes of Italye were highlye offended that the Emperour Hen­ry in such maner with so great dishonour, and so shameful­lye had submitted himselfe to recouer the fauoure of this Hildebrand, who by treachery purloyned the Popedome, and defiled all thinges with slaughter and harlotrye. But the Pope and his Cardinals beinge puffed vp with this y^t they had brought the Emperour to this seruile yoake, be­gan to attempt further matters: but Henry reuēged this dishonour sone after by the sworde, and after sharpe battel­les he ouercame Rodolpho, who hauinge his hand cutte of commaunded to bring vnto him the bishops and auctors of his rebellion, before whom he sayde thus hauing his hand layde before them. I am (quoth he) iustye plagued, lo this is the hand wherewith I pleighted my allegeaunce to my soueraigne Lord Henry, and by your enticements I haue often time fought against him to my losse, and falsifyed my fayth, and therefore haue receyued the rewarde due to my periurye: Consider therefore whether ye haue guided me righte or no: Go ye therefore, and stand to your first fayth vowed to your king, for I must go to my father: this being said, he dyed. After his death at the Popes commaunde­ment they set vp another to be Emperour, one Harman a Saxō County of Lucelburg: who while he was assaulting a certaine Castell in Germanye, was slaine by a certaine [Page 85] great stone, which a woman hurled downe vpon him. And yet the Popes malyce ceased not, but he raysed vp a thirde traytour againste the Emperour euē his kinsmā Egbertus a Marquesse, who also being taken in a Mill by the Empe­rours frends, was miserably slaine. In the meane time the Pope did solace himselfe with the companye of Mathilda, who forsaking her husbande Azon Marquesse of Esta kept continually by the Popes deare side, whereby she was cal­led S. Peters doughter: and so of one ieast another sprāg, for (as Lambert Hirswaldēsis saith) the talke was how S. Peters doughter liued in secret incest w^t S Peters heyre, and that he that had deuorced other men from theyr wiues and honest matrimonye, liued in whoredome with another mans wyfe. Also this Gregory iudged to death three men before they were conuict or confessed theyr cryme, without the sentence of anye seculer Iudge, and caused them to be hanged forthwith. Another time he cast Centius the sonne of a Senatour into prison being his especial friend, & cau­sed him to be tormented & rolled in a barrel of sharpe nay­les till he was almost dead: But Centius escaping appre­hended the sayde Hildebrand and mighte haue quitted his quarrel, yet the people disappointed him, but the Pope ere he were deliuered sware openlye y^t he would forgeue him, and the rest y^t had apprehended him. But being at libertye contrarye to his oath he reuenged it, causing Centius and ix. of his company to be hanged for it, y^e other he condemp­ned to banishment, and among them the sonne of a widow, who after the yeare of his vanishment was expyred did re­turne & was led with an halter about his necke by his mo­ther to Gregorie, whō y^e mother for full satisfaction desired to take her sonne and deliuer him againe as a new purged mā: But Gregorie had hanged him but y^t the Iu [...]tices▪ cōsi­dering the penaunce that he had done were more iuste and wyse, and refused to do it, and therefore Gregorie in a rage commaūded one of his feete to be cut of, wherof the yong­mā [Page] dyed wythin fiue dayes, to the great griefe of the poore wydowe his mother. Abbas Vspergensis & other write thus: It is manifest (say they) that this Hildebrand was not chosen by God, but intruded himselfe by money & guile, who tossed the ecclesiastical estate vpside downe, and trou­bled the kingdome of Christen Empier, practised to mur­ther the quiet Prince, defended oath breakers, fostred de­bate, sowed discentiō, raysed offences, made deuorcemēts, and disordered euery thing that seemed to be well among the godlye. He was the first that put the ministers of the Church from their wyues by excommunicatiō: He moued broyles through Fraunce, Germany and Englande, tedi­ous to be tolde. This deuorcement of ministers wiues, did offende a great nomber of learned men at that time: for in Germanye and Fraunce there were yet xxiiii. and more bi­shops, who wyth the clergye of theyr Diocesse were then maryed, and did stoutly maintayne theyr mariage still, be­side those that were in England & Italye. Amonge other things Gregorie commaunded the Saturday to be fasted. He canonized Pope Liberius sainte, who was an Arriā he­riticke, also he apointed an holye daye in reuerence of him. He toke awaye the Crowne from the kinge of Poland. He condemned Berengarius opinion againste reall presence, & was the first that is noted to haue established the doctrine of transubstantiatiō. He condemned a layman of sacrilege, that should reape the commoditye of tenthes as of impro­priat parsonages, but condemned him of heresye, that in­uested a priest, and him of Idolatrye that should take a be­nefice of a layman. These and other like attemptes gaue Hildebrand, whereby hee made the Popes leaden blade, to hew asonder almost the Emperours iron sworde. Ma­ny of y^e clergye as 14. Cardinals beside diuers bishops & o­ther, did so abhorre y^e detestable treachery of this coniurer Gregorie, y^t they forsoke him for shame, his villanyes were so manye, and so monstrous encreasinge dailye: In steed [...] [Page 86] of God he serued the deuill, & of Princes whom he shoulde honour hee made worse then slaues: finallye as his name was Hildebrand so in deede he was an helly brande to all Christendome, tormoyled by his meanes with rebellions, treasons, murders &c. But at the length Henry y^e Em­perour began to set himselfe against the Popes practises, and in the yeare of Christ 1083. in a Synode at Brixia, lay­inge his treacheryes to his charge hee did depriue him of his place, and appointed another in his steede, whom hee called Clement the thirde. He sent his armye to Rome to driue out Gregorie, and to establishe this Clement, and by his longe siege he brought Rome to so great penurye, that they were compelled to sue for peace. But Hildebrand be­cause he would not come in the Emperours sighte, beinge reiected & forsaken of the Romaynes fled to Salerne, wher he ended his wretched life in great miserye Anno 1086, Antonius and Vincentius shewe that this Hildebrand e­uen at the latter gaspe called to him a certaine Cardinal, and confessed to him y^t he had haynouslye offended, because at the deuils enticemēts he had sturred vp hurlye burlies, hatred, and warres among many, and bad the cardinal go to desire the Emperour to pardon him. Diuers mē wrote against him & his vile life, as Cādidus a Cardinall, VVal­ramus bishop of Niemburg, Venericus bishop of Vercel­len, Rowland priest of Parmen, Sigebertus Gemblacensis. Also of this Gregorie it is said that he neuer wēt without a booke of coniuring about him.

99. Victor the thirde.

VIctor the third abbot of Cassa was made Pope, not by 164 the election of the Romaynes or Cardinals, but was thrust in by the ayde of his harlot Mathilda, and the Nor­mans that were of his faction. He being established began to defende Gregories prankes against the Emperour, and [Page] Clement appointed by him, but the hastines of hys death shortened his mallice: who as Hermannus, Contractus, Carsulanus, Praemonstratensis and sondrye other testifye, was poysoned by his deacō, who at masse time put the poy­son into the challice, against y^t Pope should receiue it. Di­uers wonders are reported to haue happened at that time, as of tame birds, geese, cockes, hennes, pigions, & pecocks flewe into the mountaynes and became wild, houge store of fishe died in the Sea: diuers Cityes were so shaken w^t earthquakes, so as the greater Pallas at Syracuse falling downe, did slaye all that were then in the Church, sauing a couple.

100. Vrban the second.

165 VRban the seconde an Hetrurian borne called Otho be­fore, was made Pope by the harlot Mathilda, and the Norman Lords in Apulia in dispite of y^e Emperour. This is a scholer of Hildebrand, whom for followinge his mai­sters steppes, Benno calleth a blind guide, a sciesmaticke, an heriticke, and companion of Liberius the Arrian here­ticke: He watred those graftes of mischiefe which Grego­rie had planted, and was therefore called the turmoyler of the world, by descantinge of his name and in steede of Vr­ban calling him Turban. He excommunicated Clement y^e seconde established by the Emperour, and also the Empe­rour for establishinge of him, & procured manye forsworne rebels both nobles and commoners, to conspire againste him: and likewyse the same Clement as being Pope, did againe excommunicate him as an vsurper, wherevppon it moued many reasonings amonge both spirituall & tempo­rall, who should be right Pope: And these controuersyes were tossed both in Germanye and other countryes. But when Vrban would absolue none, whom Gregorie had ex­communicated, he was fayne for feare of his life, to flie by [Page 87] stealth from Rome. He held fiue coūcels in sondrye places, and all for the establishing of Gregories decrees, and to cō ­firme that auctoritye which the Church had gotten. A­monge many other enormities he cōcluded that no priests sonne shoulde be capable of orders. He made y^e archbishop of Toledo primate of Spaine, vppon condition y^t he should sweare fealtye to y^e Pope, & so by that meanes he broughte Spaine vnder his winge. He cursed the kinge of Fraunce for imprisoning a bishop. He caused all that should take or­der to sweare with this clause, So God helpe me and the holye Euangelistes: finally he standing in awe of one Iohn Pagan a Romaine, did hide himselfe for two yeares in the house of one Peter Lion, where he dyed Anno 1099. And his bodye was conueyed by nighte ouer Tiber for feare of his foes, the same yeare also dyed Clement the thirde, who had seene in his time the death of three Popes.

Of the former Hildebrand and this Vrban his scholler, Theodor Bibliander writeth thus to Princes of al estates: Hildebrand (sayth he) by sturringe vp the Greeke Empe­rour against the Turkes, did sowe the seede of the voiage of Gog & Magog, vppon-whom the bloude of the Church cryeth vengeaunce, that was shed wyth the sworde of his tongue. But this Vrban by causinge Christians to goe warre vppon Pagans, with vaine colour of fighting for y^e holye Lande, & for Christes Sepulcher, hath caused more Christian bloud to be shedde of all Nations, then can be e­steemed: and did it onelye to oppresse Clement the second and his faction, the while to restore himselfe to be Pope. In the time of this Vrbā, VVilliam Rufus kinge of Eng­land was sore combred with the proude prelate Anselmus archbishop of Canterbury, who whē he was commaunded to aunsweare to his misbehauiour, did auoide it in appea­linge to the Courte of Rome, both against the liking of al the bishops in Englande, and in spite of the kinges harte went to complaine to the Pope.

101. Paschal the second.

166 PAschal the seconde was an Italian called before Raine­rus, hee was made Cardinall of S. Clements by Hil­debrande his Scholemaister, & succeded Vrban. He when he sawe he shoulde be chosen, woulde not take the place vp­pon him vntil the people had cryed thre times S. Peter cho­seth thee worthie man Raynarde: Then hauinge a purple roabe vppon him, and a Miter on his head, he was brought vppon a white horse vnto Lateran, where hee receyued the Popes Scepter, and had the gyrdle put about him, wher­on are hanged seuen keyes, and as manye Seales. All the time he raigned he was continually busyed in warres, and [...]editio [...]s, attemptinge by all meanes possible to aduaunce yet hier the estate of the Popedome. He draue out furious­lye from their places all those bishops and abbots, y^t were established by the Emperour. At this time there was a certaine prelate called Fluentinus, who seinge the greate enormityes that presently choaked the Christian Church, held opinion that Antichrist was incarnate and borne, and that he was reuealed herein. And therefore (sayth Sabelli­cus) the Pope held a councel against him, with the bishops of Italy and Fraunce, in Rome: amonge other canons he concluded it heresye to denye obedience to the Pope, and made a canon for paying of tenthes to priestes, concluding it siane against the holye Ghoste to sell the tenthes. He re­nued and published the excommunication against the Em­perour, and caused the bishop of Mentz, of Collen, and of VVormes, to thrust him frō his estate, taking his Crowne from him with al princelye title, dignitye and honour. Yea and which is horrible to be heard, not content with this he did prouoke and arme his onelye sonne Henry the fifte, to rebell against him being his naturall father: A lamenta­ble and pitifull case, to see the onelye child of so good & no­ble [Page 88] a father, not beinge prouoked by any iniurye on the fa­thers part, not onely to despise, to forsake and reuolt from his father, denying to ayde him, but also to assault hym by force of armes, & to enclose him with his armye as he did, and toke him entrapped by treason, spoyled & robbed him of his royal estate, and forced the wretched and miserable man captiue to his owne child, to dye a double and dolefull death. Thus could the Pope put the sworde in the sonnes hand, forsing him to sheath it in his fathers bowels: Nei­ther could this vnnaturall death of y^e good olde man, cause the vnnaturall rancour to dye in the Popes breast, but for further reuenge he cōmaunded that the Emperours car­kasse should not be buryed, but first be cast out of y^e Church and be caryed from Leodos to Spira, where it rotted fiue yeares without any Christian burial. But lo what a won­der God wrought in the meane time. To testify (sayth Ab­bas Vspergensis) the Popes tyrannye, it rayned bloud at Spira. It were a lamentable thing to tell at large the ma­ner of the Popes vnmerciful dealing with this good Em­perour. For first the forenamed bishops comminge to him to Hilgeshem, they cōmaunded him to deliuer vp his Dia­deme, his Purple roabes, his Signet and other like orna­ments belonging to the Empyre. Whē he required a rea­son thereof, they aunsweared partly for sellinge spirituall liuinges, but chiefely for the Popes pleasure. Wyth that the good Emperour sighing saide: Ye know you receyued your bishoprickes at my hande, that I gaue them freelye and am giltye of no suche cryme, and yet do you thus quite my curtesye? But the vnthankful prelates moued neither with allegeaunce, oath, nor benefite, prosecuted their pur­pose: and first yelding him no reuerence, they plucked frō him (sitting in his place of estate) his Crowne Emperial, and his Purple roabe, and his Scepter. He beinge thus stripped out of his royaltye and forsaken, sayde pacientlye Let God see and iudge. They leauing him, bestowed these [Page] things vppon the sonne creating him, & causing him forth­with to pursue his father, forcing him to flye but wyth ix. parsons to the Dukedome of Limborough, where y^e duke beinge his deadly ennemye did also make speede to appre­hende him. The Emperour perceyuing himselfe thus en­trapped and fearing death, submitted himselfe to the duke, beseaching him rather to shewe mercye then vengeaunce: Herevpon the noble harted duke, thoughe the Emperour had whilom displaced him of his Dukedome, yet pityinge his miserye he both forgaue him & entertayned him curte­ously in his Castel, and w^t an armye conducted him to Col­len, where he was well receyued. But the sonne hearinge thereof besieged the Citye, but the father fled by night to Leodium, where so manye louinge hartes resorted to him, that he bad his sonne a battaile and ouerthrewe him, and still desyred that if his sonne were taken, he should be saued harmelesse. Yet the sonne ceased not, but renuinge the bat­taile preuayled and so dispossessed his father: whoe in the ende was brougth to such penurye, that he craued of the bi­shop of Spire to giue him but a prebende to liue vppon in y^e Church: But the earle forgetting the benefites receyued of him in his prosperitye, denyed him flatlye and said, by la­dye ye get none here. Thus after he had raigned 50 yeare in his life he lacked lyuinge, and after death he wanted a graue throughe malice of the Pope.

Pope Paschal held a councell of Princes and bishoppes about matter of gaynes, as homages and fealtyes due vn­to him, also he spoiled the bishop of Rauenna of his lands, and toke them into his owne handes: But afterwarde be­cause he refused to confirme certaine bishops appointed by the Emperour Henry the fift, the Emperour (though la [...]e before he had kissed the Popes feete) apprehēded him, and cast him into prison, where he continued vntill he had cō ­firmed them all, and should by his Seale restore the priui­ledge of ratifying a bishop, which was graunted to Char­les [Page 89] the great, and confirme him to be Emperour. While (sayth Masseus) the Pope sate in his chayre after Masse, beholde the souldiours cryed vnto him and his clergye, Giue vnto Caesar that which is Caesars: and forthwith ap­prehended both him and all his clergye, and caryed them out, and stripped them out of their apparell so naked, that they lefte them not theyr breeches on, and ledde them thus hādled to Soractis mount, wher they put them in prison &c. This broyle being ceased, and Henry being crowned Em­perour, Paschal renued vnto him the auctoritye of appoin­ting bishops, and pronounced openlye in the Church, that they were all held accursed, who soeuer would disanul the preuiledge which he had graunted: Then thy sange Glo­ria in excelsis, because of this peace betwene y^e Emperour and the Pope. But as sone as the Emperour (this being done) was departed into Germanye, the Pope brake al his oathes, and went from his word in euerye thinge, saying y^t hee did it not freelye and of his owne accorde, but that for feare hee yelded to the Emperours desire. Then was the priuiledge condemned, and the Emperour excommunica­ted, and terrible tragedyes sturred, which were all blazed throughe diuers countryes. Also hee by a councell diuor­sed the clergye of Fraunce from their wyues, as Gregorie had done in Germanye, and draue diuers bishops frō their Seas, because they would not leaue theyr wyues. Againe to encrease the regiment of Rome, he reuiued the strife for the bestowīg of bishoprickes, which wrought great slaugh­ter and bloudshed in all countreyes of Europe. Anselmꝰ archbishop of Canterbury, wyth sophistrye and cauillinge vphelde this Popes doing, as he did Pope V [...]banus being both their coūcelour at Rome, & their Uicar here in Eng­lande. This Anselmus did depriue kinge Henry the first of all auctoritye in Ecclesiastical causes, and denyed to do ho­mage to the kinge, thinking and auouching it to be vnlaw­fall, because it was due in the clergye vnto the successours [Page] of S. Peter. Also he condemned in England the mariage of ministers: Pope Paschal dyed Anno 1118.

Matthaeus Pa [...]siensis wryteth in his Chronicle, y^t when Anselmus accused his soueraigne kinge Henry the first of England, before the Pope at Rome for medling with the appointing of bishops and ministers, VVilliam VVarel­warst the kinges Proctour did aunsweare stoutlye in hys Princes behalfe, and amonge other thinges sayd, that the kinge would not for the losse of his kingdome lese his auc­toritye in appointing of prelates▪ Whereto the Pope said: If as thou sayest thy kinge to hazarde his crowne, wil not forgoe his giuing of Ecclesiasticall lyuinges, knowe thou preciselye, I speake it before God, y^t I will not suffer him without punishmēt, no not for the price of his head. Which beinge heard, Anselmus besought the Pope, to laye hands in despite of the kinge on those whom he had disgraded, & so (sayth Mattheus) the holye seate readye to yelde fauour to all, restored them to their former dignities by the inter­cession of White and red. But kinge Henry did depriue Anselmus of all his goodes, and confiscated his Archbi­shopricke and defyed the Popes auctoritye. Anno 1110. the Moone was darkened, as if she had lost her lighte, the yeare following it rayned bloud at Rauenna in Italy, & at Parma in the month of Iulye. Anno 1114. in December the Heauen appeared sodenlye of a very fierye and ruddye colour, as if it had burned, and the Moone suffered an E­clipse. The same yeare the riuer of Thames was drye for two dayes. Anno 1▪ 17. there were thonders, hayle, great windes, horrible dreadful and houge earthquakes, that o­uerthrewe Churches, Towers, walles, buildinges, and destroyed men.

102. Gelasius the second.

[Page 90] GElasius the second called before Iohn Caietanus of a no­ble house, was sometime a monke, he succeded Paschal 167 but not without great discention. For because he was cho­sen withoute the consente of the Emperour, one Cincius a mā of great power in Rome would not suffer this iniurye, but went with a troupe of souldiours to Palladiā minster, where the Cardinals were gathered together: and brea­kinge the gates open he rushed in vppon them, and stroke at euerye one that he mette. And as for the Pope with his necke wrongde awrye he threwe him on the ground, stam­ped on him wyth his feete, and cast him into prison: and as the Cardinals were rūning away, he hoysed them of their Mules and horses to the grounde, and vsed all the despite he could toward them. But y^e Romaynes would not suf­fer this, and therfore by the ayde of the Normans they de­liuered the Pope, & made his ennemyes to submit them­selues, and to aske pardon wyth kissinge his feete. The Emperour hearing this sent a great ar [...]ye out of Germa­nye to Rome, which Gelasius fearing, fled by shippe wyth his companye to Caieta, and there was made a priest, for he was made Pope before beinge but a deacon. Henry the Emperour comming to Rome in the absence of Gelasius, created Maurice Burdinus archbishop of Bracharie Pope, and called him Gregorie the eight, and thē he returned frō Rome. Gelasius hearinge thereof returneth priuilye to Rome, and takinge harte to him he commeth into Praxis Church to saye masse, where he was so hindred by the con­trarye syde, that he scant saued himselfe by running away: From thence he fled into Fraunce, where at the length he was entertayned by an abbot, in whose house hee dyed of a pleuresye in the seconde yeare of his raigne. In his life by a Legat that he sent, he held a councell in Collen, where he excommunicated the Emperour, and decreed y^t the Popes of Rome should be iudged by none.

103. Calixtus the seconde.

168 CAlixtus the second being before called Guido of Bur­gundy came of the kinges of Fraunce and Englande, he succeded Gelasius. And after he was cōfirmed at Rome, he sent a messenger to the said Conon in Germanye, to cō ­tinue the excommunication of his predecessour against the Emperour. Hereupon y^e Emperour was cōpelled to sum­mon a councell of Princes and bishops at Tybur, to make peace betweene him & the Pope: and least the Popes part shoulde haue spoyled his dominions, he toke peace vppon vnequall conditions. He confirmed to his great dishonour the electiō of this Calixtus, who was chosen Pope at Clu­ny in Fraunce by a fewe Cardinals, whom Gelasius had brought wyth him: and yet was the other Pope Gregorie aliue, whom y^e Emperour himselfe had first created. And when the Popes Legates demaunded of the Emperour to giue ouer his auctoritye in Ecclesiasticall causes, and be­stowing spirituall liuinges: he desired respit to deliberate thereon with the Princes of Germanye, who councelled him to seeke for the fauour of the Pope, (to such puissancye was y^e Pope then start vp ouer the mightie Monarches.) Finallye Embassadours meetinge at VVormes in Ger­manye for eyther parte to debate the matter, after greate controuersyes and sharpe reasoninges on eyther syde, the Pope bare awaye the victorye: for the Emperours Pro­ctours were the bishop of Spire and the abbot of Fulda, by theyr callinge bounde to fauour the Popes part, who per­swaded the Emperour to yelde ouer his righte for feare of the excomunication, which would cause his subiects to re­uolt from him: And so he obeyed. This beinge done the Popes Legates did absolue him, and gaue him licence to repayre to seruice in the Church, which Gelasius had de­nyed him. These compositions were drawne in wrighting [Page 91] for both sydes, and therfore the Popes part euen to triūph of their victorye, and shewe how the Emperour was van­quished, caused theirs to be read with open Proclamation, and hanged them vp at Lateran to be seene openlye. Ca­lixtus after he had thus maistred the Emperour, persecu­ted Pope Gregorie his aduersarye that stoode against him for the Popedome, by the Emperours meanes: Gregorie hearing of this fled from Rome to Sturium, where Calix­tus caught him, and to make him a laughing game euen to the Emperours reproche, he caused Gregorie to be set vp­pon a Camel with his face toward the Camels tayle, & so to be brought to Rome: afterward he caused his heade to be shauen, & so sente him into a Monasterye. Amonge ma­nye Canons that Calixtus made, one was, that it should be adulterye if a man in his life time shoulde forsake his bi­shopricke or Church, wresting this place of Paule vnto it: The wyfe is bound to the lawe of her husbande, while he liueth &c.. He appointed to fast foure times in the yeare, whereas before it was but thrise, and said it was not law­full to fast anye otherwise then accordinge as the Church of Rome did, addinge this reason: For (sayth hee) as the sonne came to do the will of his father, so muste Christians do the will of their mother the Church of Rome. He dyed of a feuer which he toke by the trauell of a greate iorneye, Anno 1125. One Simeon an Englishman borne in Du­resme in the 2. booke of his historye of the Kinges of Eng­lande wryteth, that this Calixtus held a generall councell in Fraunce, wherin he forbad priestes, deacons, or subdea­cons to haue wyues: and first to leese their benefices, se­condlye the Communion if they woulde not yeilde herein. Wherevppon one in Englande wrote a sharpe Epigram against him, thus in effect.

104. Honorius the seconde.

HOnorius the second before called Lambert being but of 169 base byrth, was first made bishop of Hostia for his lear­ninge, and so came to be Pope. But (sayth Platina) his en­traunce into Peters place is not to be commēded, because he came in rather by the ambition of a few, then the cōsent of good men: for he was made Pope with great debate by the pollicy of one Leo Frangepain y^e chiefest Citizen, who perswaded that they should not chose y^e Pope, before they knewe all the Canons concerning the electiō. While they stayed about this, Leo practised to serue this Popes turne by such fetches as he could deuise: but the Cardinals per­ceyuinge his policye did create one Theobaldus (a Cardi­nall) Pope, callinge him Celestine, but the people stoode earnestlye vrginge for another Cardinall that was a Saxō, which Leo seemed to like of, onelye to defeate the election of the Cardinals: and when by this meanes he had y^e peo­ple somwhat indifferent to be ruled by him, he brought to passe by them to make Lambert Pope, and called him Ho­norius. This Honorius (sayth Mattheus Parisiensis) sent out a Legat one Iohn Cremensis a riotous Cardinal, to fil the Popes bagges: He cōming into England Anno 1125. wyth the kinges fauour passed from one Religious house to another, still fillinge his pouches with moneye and hys panche with delicate cheare. And when he had euen loaden [Page 92] himselfe meetely wel, he held a Synode in London, where he cōdemned all the clergye of adultery which had wyues, and euen the selfe same daye at night my Lord Legat him­selfe euen his owne parson was taken in adultery. And yet Pope Honorius wrote in his behalfe to y^e clergye of Eng­lande thus: Wee desire you, charge you, and commaunde you, that ye receyue this Iohn as the Uicar of S. Peter w^t reuerence, heare him with humilitye and at his commaū ­dement be assistant at his Synodes &c. The like for him wrote Honorius to Dauid kinge of Scottes. There is a certaine statute made by the same Iohn, in y^e said Synode helde at London to this effecte: Wee by our Apostolicall auctoritye commaunde that priestes, deacons, subdeacons, and canonists, shall not come in companye wyth theyr wy­ues, concubines, yea or any other women, except theyr mo­ther, sister or aunte, or such womē as may altogether giue no suspition, and who so shall breake this, shall forfaite his orders. Wee commaunde that no mariage shalbe made betweene kindred, or affinitye to the seuenth degree. Ho­norius dyed Anno 1130. Platina sayth that in the time of this Honorius, one Arnulphus an Englishmā and a noble preacher of y^e Christen Religion, was murthered at Rome by the treacherye of the clergye, because he did sharpelye reproue theyr royat and wantonnesse, and rebuked theyr pompe, and greedinesse in gatheringe riches. Manye of the nobles of Rome did followe this man as a true disciple & Prophete of Christe, and onelye preacher of the truth.

105. Innocentius the second.

INnocentius the second after he was made Pope, coulde 170 deuise no more charitable deede then to suppresse Ro­ger Duke of Sicilia, for sayinge that he was kinge of Ita­lye. The Pope broughte oute his armye, and marched for­ward stoutlye and manfullye ouerthrew his ennemye: but [Page] the dukes sonne comminge vppon his backe with an army toke the Pope, and his Cardinals, and so Roger obtayned all besyde the title of Sicilia. In the meane time the Ro­maynes created one Peter Leo his sonne Pope, and called him Anacletus, which being heard Innocentius desired to be set at libertye and obtayned it, and purposed to returne to Rome: but because he saw al was in an vprore at Rome, he turned frō thence, trauayling till he came into Fraūce. In the meane time Anacletus sought wyth spendinge and brybinge, to winne and confirme all mens good wills to­warde him, that anye way seemed to fauour him: He made Roger kinge of both Sicils to be his freinde. Innocentius was busye on the other syde, to recouer the Popedome, & therefore held a councell in Fraunce and condemned Ana­cletus for an ennemye of the Church. Afterward he went to Philip kinge of Fraunce, and crowned his sonne Lewes, then he wente to Carnotus, where he met with Henry the first, kinge of Englande, perswading with him to send an armye against the Sarracens that kept the holye lande, but his purpose was to haue vsed that army for the recouering of his Popedome. From him he went to Lotharius kinge of Germanye desyringe him to see him restored: Lotharius gyuinge his oath to the Pope, prepared an armye to con­ducte Innocent safe to Rome. So Lotharius entred into Italye wyth a puissante armye to restore Innocent to hys place, and comminge to Rome deuided his hoast, and en­tred into the Citye, ouerthrewe Anacletus with duke Ro­ger, and set Innocētius safe in Lateran. Innocentius there­fore to shew himselfe thanckfull, crowned Lotharius Em­perour, and gaue to Reginold his chiefest Captayne the Dukedome of Apulia, y^t was none of his owne to bestow, and all that Roger possessed in Italy▪ But Reginold dyed soone after, and then Roger claymed his right againe, and because y^e Pope withstoode him, he toke him againe, & his Cardinals sodenly ere y^t they wist, & would neuer let them [Page 93] depart vntill they had graunted him his whole desire: yea to make him kinge of both Sicils, and so since that time the kingdome of Sicill is called S. Peters patrimonye. But (sayth Nauclerus) much mischiefe arose vp hereof, because the Pope woulde thus take vppon him the bestowinge of Princelye titles, robbinge the Emperours of that righte, which they had gotten by the sworde. Innocentius made a lawe, that whosoeuer should strike an annointed priest or shauen clarke, shoulde be excommunicated, to be absolued onelye by the Pope: after this hee dyed Anno 1143. In this Popes time Steuen Kinge of Englande Anno 1136. kept to himselfe and vsed in his owne power the inuesture of prelates. And Lotharius the Emperour would haue re­claymed that to himselfe, which the Pope toke from Hen­ry the Emperour, but that S. Bernard being then of great credite disswaded him About this time was VVilliam bi­shop of Yorke called S. VVilliam of Yorke, who was poy­soned in his challice by his Chapleynes.

106. Celestine the second.

CElestine the second a Thuscan succeded Innocent by y^e 171 commaundement of Conradus: his life was so shorte that he could not play the Pope like other. At this tyme was a great contagious plague through out al Italy. Ce­lestine dyed in the sixt month of his Popeship. In his time the bishop of VVinchester in Englande helde a councell, where was concluded y^t if any man abused eyther Church or Churchyard or layde hand on an Ecclesiasticall person, he shoulde be excommunicate, to be absolued onelye by the Pope.

107. Lucius the second.

LVcius the second borne in Bononia succeded Celestine. 172 He was the cause & auctor of much discension in Rome, for deposing and disanullinge a kinde of office called Patri­cianship, [Page] which the Romaynes being weary of the Popes yoke had made in the time of Innocentius, because the Po­pes toke vppon them all swaye within the Citye & abroade likewise. But this Pope Lucius because he was not able to depose the Patrician alone, craued ayde of y^e Emperour Conradus, whoe beinge otherwise busied coulde not assiste him. Lucius therefore soughte to attaine his purpose ano­ther waye: for when the Patrician & the Senatours were all gathered together close in the Capitol, Lucius toke his oportunitye and came thither with a bande of souldiours in armour, meaninge either to destroye the Capitoll, or to driue them out. The Cityzēs hearing hereof armed them selues forthwith, and ranne to succour theyr officer, wher­vppon roose a very bloudye fraye: Pope Lucius beinge in the middest of the broyle was so pelted with stones and o­ther lumpes, that sone after he dyed therof Anno 1145 ere he had raigned a yeare.

108. Eugenius the third.

EVgenius y^e thirde sometime an abbot, was made Pope 173 by this meanes w^t the consente of the Cardinals. This Eugenius was scholer to S. Barnard, who for his learning was then in great reuerence, and cōsidering the time how the Romaynes wrangled to haue auctoritye in the electiō of the Pope, they thoughte it safest and surest for the main­tenaunce of the Popes auctoritye, to chose none of the Col­ledge of Cardinals but this Eugenius, that it mighte be a cause why his scholemaister Barnarde shoulde aduaunce y^e Sea of Rome in his wrytinges: and so it fell out as it ap­peareth in his 2. booke of Considerations. Eugenius at his first creation perceyued the Romaynes woulde be im­portunate, to haue the election of theyr Senatours ratify­ed, and therefore hee fled wyth his Cardinals from Rome by night to Viterbium, where he excommunicated all the [Page 94] Romaynes, which caused y^e Citizens to obeye Iordan cho­sen Patrician: then he ioyned his armye with the hoast of the Tiburtines, olde ennemyes to Rome, & so compelled y^e Romaynes to sue for peace: which he graunted at length vppon condition that they should fullye abolish the princi­palitye of the Patrician, and shoulde restore his deputye to his former place, and for hereafter shoulde be contente to take suche Senatours, as hee by his Papall auctoritye would assigne them. Peace beinge thus concluded he re­turned into Rome, but perceyuing afterwarde that false­hoode was mente towarde him, he slipt againe to Tiburie: the Romaynes pursued him forthwith, with bowes and bils, and draue him from Tiburie into Fraunce. And at length he returned to Rome and there dyed Anno 1152.

109. Anastasius the fourth.

ANastasius of a Cardinall became Pope, wherein hee 174 did nothinge worthye memorye, but that hee bestowed vppon Lateran a riche and massye Chalice, and bestowed cost in repayringe S. Maries Churche, and so dyed the se­conde yeare of his Popeship Anno 1154. This Anastasi­us after the death of one Henry Mordachus a proud mōke whom Pope Eugenius intruded. restored S. Williā arch­bishop of Yorke, which William was afterward poysoned in the Challice comminge to receiue the Communion, as Mattheus Parisius sayth. In this Popes time y^• Thames at London was so frozen, y^e cartes and waynes passed o­uer the ise, and a litle before were two Eclipses, one of the Sunne, and the other of the Moone, after which followed terrible tempestes, stormes, thonder, lightninges, raine and winde.

110. Hadrian the fourth.

[Page] HAdrian the fourth was an Englishmā borne called Ni­colas 175 Breakespeare, y^e sonne of one Dan Robert a mōke of S. Albanes: he was first a reguler priest, & afterwarde a bishop, then a Cardinall, and finallye Pope of Rome. He being chosen by the clergye at Rome, would not ascende & take the place vntill they had consented vnto him, that one Arnold bishop of Brixia whom he counted an hereticke, should be banished oute of Rome. This Arnold perswa­ded the Romaynes to recouer their libertye of choosinge theyr Maiestrates: and when the people withstoode the presumption of the Pope, it wroughte gre [...]te strife. This Hadrian a man of loftye courage forthwith did excommu­nicate the Romaynes, vntil they should driue out Arnold, and compell theyr Consulles to leaue theyr offices, & yeild the gouernemente of the Citye freelye vnto him. In the meane time Fredericke y^e Emperour hasted him to Rome with an armye, to put downe the rebels: the Pope and his clergye went out to meete him, whereby y^e Pope thought to get oportunitye to be reuenged by the Emperours ayde vppō his ennemyes. The Emperour meeting with y^e Pope alighted from his horse and went on foote, and attendinge on the Popes parson when he should alight, y^e Emperour helde the lefte stirope, for the which the Pope scorned him for mistakinge the stirope, and sayde vnto him: Ye shoulde haue held mee the right stirope. The Emperour takinge it paciently aunsweared him smilingly, I haue not (quoth hee) learned to holde a stirope, and you holye father are the first, to whom I euer did this seruice: And (quoth y^e Em­perour, because he sawe the Pope angrye that he aunswe­red) I would know of you whether this be my dutye to do it, of force, or of my owne curtesye: If a man offer it of cur­tesye, how wil you rebuke him for negligence? If it be not of dutye, what neede ye care on which side hee come vnto you, that commeth to do you worship? Such sharpe talke passinge betweene them, they departed both full of wrath. [Page 95] But on the morowe the Emperour beinge a man of wise­dome, neglected all that he had heard and seene touchinge the Popes statelye and proude minde, and sent for him desi­ringe him to come to his pauilion. The Pope came and y^e Emperour went forth to meete him, and as he was tought the daye before against the Pope should alight, he held the right stirope, and so conducted the Pope in. As they sate together, Pope Hadrian beganne to talke in this maner. Princes (quoth hee) in olde time which came to craue the Crowne, were wonte to recompence the curtesye of the Church of Rome wyth some excellente benefite, that as it were preuenting the Popes blessinge and the crowne, that they should receiue by their dutifulnes, might notifye thē ­selues to all men by their noble deede: For so Charles de­serued his Crowne by conqueringe the Lombardes, Otho his by asswaging the Berengarians, Lotharius his by sup­pressinge the Normans. Therefore your worthines may restore Apulia to be territorye to Rome, which nowe the Normans withholde, & then will we afterward sone do y^• which is our dutye. The Princes therefore perceyuing y^t the Pope would not crowne Fredericke, vnlesse he should first winne Apulia from VVilliam kinge of Sicill by his owne coste & charge, they promised it should be performed with a newe armye out of Germanye, as sone as the other armye were growne out, if so be he would crowne y^e Em­perour. Thereupon the next daye he was crowned with y^e Crowne Emperiall, by the Pope in S. Peters Pallaice: and afterward hauinge executed aboue a thousande of the rebellious Citizēs, he prepared to returne into Germany. After the Emperours departure, y^e Pope beinge disapoin­ted of his ayde, purposed to set vpon Apulia to winne it frō the king of Sicill, with such force as as he could make: first he excommunicated the kinge because he woulde not yelde it vp, and discharged his subiects of theyr alleageaunce, to make them to rebell against him. But because these thin­ges [Page] preuailed but little against kinge VVilliam, he set E­manuel the Emperour of Greece vppon him, because hee knewe that he had beene a mortal ennemye to king VVil­liams father. VVilliam fearinge this sought for peace, & promised to yelde all to the Pope, but the Pope by the coū ­cell of certaine Cardinals (hopinge to gaine more by the warre then peace) refused the offer, & proclaymed warre against him. King VVilliam perceyuinge this to preuent the daunger in time, gathered an armye in haste out of all Sicill and sayled to Apulia wher he fought with Emanuel and ouerthrewe him. Afterwarde hee assaulted the towne Beneuent (where the Pope and his Cardinals weare) in such sort y^t they dispayring to escape craued peace: VVil­liam graunted it, and so was reconciled to the Pope, who then pronounced him king of both Sicils, making him first to sweare that he should hurt nothinge that belonged to y^e Church of Rome. Thus the Pope returned to Rome w^t foule shame, where contrarye to his expectation hee was troubled with ciuill discention, for the Consuls began to reclayme their libertye and auctoritye which he had taken awaye: and because he coulde not preuaile with his vaine thonderboltes of excōmunication, he departed to Arminy.

While these thinges were doinge, the Emperour aby­dinge at home, remembred with himselfe howe the Pope had taken from the Emperours the former right of inue­stinge of prelates, and by his Legates had summoned all nations together, & had sowed y^e seede of rebellion through all his Empyre, taken homage & fealtye of all the bishops in Germanye. Hereuppon he commaunded, that if the Po­pes Legates came into Germanye without his commaū ­dement, they should be kept out. He forbad that anye of his subiectes should appeale to Rome, he set his owne name in wryt [...]nge before the Popes: wherevppon the Pope was so wroth, that he sente letters to the Emperour rebuking him sharpelye for it. The copye whereof for the better vn­derstanding [Page 96] of it, it thus.

[Page 97]Here may you discerne somwhat the dealing and spirite of the Romain bishops, which I leaue to euery ones owne in­different consideration. To returne to the matter, hereup­pon this Pope Hadrian did excommunicate y^e Emperour, and by his Legates sent from Rome prouoked rebellions against him in Italye and other places: and brought it se­cretly to passe, that the conspiracye of the rebels should be made the stronger, by these lawes confirmed among them by oath, that none of them should take peace with him, w^t ­oute the whole consent of all the rest. And againe, that if this Pope Hadrian should dye, they should choose none to be Pope, but one of those Cardinals that were of the con­spiracye against the Emperour. But shortlye after God punished this Hadrian very straungelye for (sayth Abbas Vspergensis in Frederico primo) it came to passe that this Pope Hadrian the fourth, going to Agnania to denounce the excommunication against the Emperour, after he had taryed there a fewe dayes, walked forth with some of his companye, to coole him selfe: And when he came to a cer­taine springe of water he drancke thereof, and forthwith a flye did enter into his mouth, and did cleaue to his throte in such sort, that no art of the Phisitiōs could get it away, and so he was choaked therew^t, and died therof Anno 1159. in the fift yeare of his Popeship. But the Italians being thus set on by the Pope, deuised continuallye treasons a­gainst y^e Emperour, amonge other, practised to haue mur­thered him by a certaine counterfeit foole, beinge in deede an excellente Musician, who had surelye slaine him, but y^t the Emperour driuen to his shift leaped out at y^e fifte win­dow downe into a riuer, which ranne vnder y^e place where he was: The foole beinge taken was also throwne downe out of the same windowe, and so he brake his necke. After this they hyred an enchanter of Arabia, who poysoned his bridle, his spurres, his ringes, and his stirope, and such o­ther thinges, that with y^e onlye touching thereof he should [Page] haue beene slaine: But he was bewrayed and hanged vp. This Pope Hadrian made king Henry y^e second of Eng­lande, Lorde of Irelande. Carion in his Chronicle wry­tinge of Conradus the thirde, Emperour of Germanye sayth, that it is found written that this Pope Hadrian y^e fourth euen a little before his death should say: that there is no kind of life vpon earth more wretched thē to be Pope, and to get the Popedome by bloud is not to succeede Pe­ter, but Romulus whoe for the kingdome slue his owne brother.

III. Alexander the thirde.

176 ALexander the third was borne in Hetruria called first Rolland Chancelour. After Hadrian y^e fourth had his breath stopped, and was choaked with a flye, this man suc­ceded him beinge farre worse then the other. But because that all partyes coulde not agree to elect him, nine of the Cardinals that held on the Emperours part, did choose a­nother Pope called Octauianus a citizen of Rome, being a priest and Cardinall of S. Clements, whom they called Victor the fourth. And after the death of this Victor the sciesme and discention beinge continued, three Popes suc­ceeded in order, Paschalis, Calixtus, and Innocentius, all which withstoode this Pope Alexander and made greate turmoyles in the Church of Rome, and al perished, he yet lyuinge. But when the Emperour sommoned a councell at Papia wherby the strife might be ended, and the matter debated, that he might be confirmed Pope that had y^e bet­ter right: this Alexander defyinge the Emperours Em­bassadours, aunswered proudlye that the Pope (as he toke himselfe to be) is to be iudged by no man, and thus sent a­waye the Embassadours with great contempte: and sen­dinge his letters throughe all Christendome, he plagued both the Emperour and this Victor with excommunica­tions. [Page 98] And because he might assure Rome to himselfe, hee sente letters forthwith to Iohn Cardinall of sainct Peters Church, who supplyed his roume there, who by briberye and flatterye so curried fauor with the people, that he allu­red the most parte of the Citye to fauour Alexander, and to make those Consuls that did most leane to his part. In the meane time Alexander comminge out of Fraunce in­to Italy returned forth with to Rome, and was curteously receyued: and y^e Cityes of Italy being emboldned by his comminge, to shake of their allegeance to the Emperour contrarye to their oath, did forthwith reuolte from him, king Philip of Fraunce fauouring their part. The Em­perour knowing of these rebellions & conspiracies against him, did forthwith gather a newe armye and went into I­talye: but when he came to Brixia, one Hartman y^e bishop thereof beinge of the Emperours priuye councell, (but a false hipocrite) did disswade him from y^e warre. And per­swaded him (by the Popes secrete councell) to make warre rather against the [...]urkes ennemyes to Christian fayth, then against the holye father and Christian men, addinge withal y^t now the Soldan oppressed & enioyed Hierusalem, and al y^e holy land, which his vncle had whilom cōquered with greate power & charges. He prayed him to trye the force of his army vpon the Agarens & Saracens, and to re­couer these landes therewith: furthermore he promised the Emperour to perfourme this, that y^e kinge of Fraūce likewise should leuye an army to ayde to conquer the Sol­dan kinge of Aegipt. At his supplication the Emperour ledde his armye against the Paganes, which he had prepa­red against the Pope & his rebels. He traueyled throughe Hungary to Constantinople, and sendinge ouer his army he wan manye townes from the Turke, as amonge other Philomenia and Ionicus, & passed into Armenia the lesse, conquering all: yea God so prospered his victoryes, that y^e Soldan him selfe feared the losse of his kingdome. At the [Page] length he came to Hierusalem, where he suffred the Pa­gans to passe with life out of the Citye. At length hauinge gotten great victories in Iewry, he cōsidered how he might defende from the Turkes that which he had wonne, and repayre that which was wasted. But while he was thus busye here in the East, Pope Alexander was not yet quie­ted, but both he and his conspiratours stil feared him, if he should euer returne into Italye, and therefore Alexander still deuised how to haue him destroyed. He sent a cunning painter to go to the place where the Emperour was, who (the Emperour not knowing thereof) shoulde drawe his picture: this being perfectly done, he commaūded a secret messenger to conuey it to the Soldan, & wrote a letter w^tall to the Soldan certefying him that it was the Emperours picture, and tellinge him that if he would liue quietlye, he must worke the feate to haue him destroyed by som traine. The Soldan hauīg receyued these letters & y^e Emperours liuely picture, deuised howe to gratifye the Pope, and to slay his ennemye: but he could neuer get oportunitye, nei­ther in battell nor in his tentes to haue him slaine. But when the Emperour hauinge wonne Hierusalem retired wyth his army homeward, he hauing no feare of himselfe did deuide his armye into diuers partes, whereby they might returne the more conuenientlye for vittaile and lod­ginge one after another. But in Armenia being on a time in a great heate and sweatinge, partly with trauell, partly with the heate of the Sunne, mistrusting no daunger in y^e saluage country full of woddes, he taking a fewe horsemē with him & his chaplein, did step frō his armye. Beinge a litle gone a side he alighted from his horse, and was about to put of his apparell at a riuers side, where cōmaunding his horsemen to depart he purposed by himselfe & his chap­len alone to baath himselfe, because he was exceeding hot: where it so hapned that the Soldanes which had lyen in wayte for him as he trauelled negligentlye, came and toke [Page 100] him, and ledde the noble Emperour prisoner through the woods to the Soldan: his horsemen not knowinge thereof attending for him in vaine, at length came and sought di­ligentlye for him till the nexte daye. The rumour was broughte to the armye that he was drowned, whereuppon all the hoast lamented, wepte, and mourned heauilye, and sought him alonge the floude almost the space of an whole month: but when they could not finde him they chose them newe Captaynes, and so marched homeward.

The Emperour being brought to the Soldan did dissem­ble that he was one of y^e Emperours chamberlaynes, but the Soldan perceyuinge by the picture which he had from the Pope, resembling his face that he was the Emperour, commaunded the picture to be broughte forth, and the le [...] ­ters to be read before him. The Emperour beinge astoni­shed at this treason, sawe that it auayled not to denye him­selfe, he confessed the truth, and besought the Soldan hum­blye to haue compassion on him. After the Soldan had tal­ked much with him, and saw both by his wordes & deedes, that he was a worthie and noble gentlemā, in whom there was no vertue meete for so princely a parsonage wanting, and hauinge him in great estimation for his wisedome, his good demeanour, his faythfulnes and vprighte dealinge, thoughte he should purchase himselfe great glorye and re­nowne to deliuer him. Therefore afterward he called the Emperour vnto him, offered him liberty vppon conditiōs, and curteouslye profered him that he should laye in hosta­ges for his raunsome paying. And on this condition he let him go, that he shoulde make a perpetuall league of peace with him, and should paye an hundred thousand ducates, & should leaue his chaplen that was takē prisoner with him, to lye in pledge till it were payd: so writings were drawne of the conditions, and the Emperour prepared his iorney, and bad his chaplen be of good courage, promisinge him y^t he would not take his rest in Germany, vntil the moneye [Page] were sent and that he saw him returned thether. Then the Soldā bestowed giftes on the Emperour, prouided for his voyage, and with xxxiiii. horses & certaine souldiours con­ducted him to Brixia, and stayed there. The Princes vn­derstandinge of the Emperours returne, for ioye resorted fast vnto him. The Emperour loadinge the Soldanes men wyth diuers rewardes sent them backe againe, and other with them to conduct them to the coast of the Empire. Af­terward he held a Parliament at Norimberg, callinge to­gether all the Princes of the Empyre, to whō he detected the treason of Pope Alexāder, and read the traytours E­pistle which he sent to the Soldan, and tolde them by what meanes he escaped. The Princes promised to assist him to performe his promise to the Soldan, and in great disdaine against Pope Alexander traitour to the Empyre, they of­fred to ayde him. The armye was gathered, hee came to Rome, and not a man through out Italye withstoode him: and sending his Embassadours into the Citye, he demaū ­ded of the Romaynes (concealing his owne iniurye) that the Church might be brought to quietnes by hearing both the Popes causes heard: and that the right bishop mighte haue his place, whereby the Church might be gouerned by one. If they would do this, he promised that he woulde graunte them not onely peace, but would restore them all their righte. Pope Alexander perceyuinge that by this meanes the Emperour mighte obtayne his purpose to be reuenged on him, fled by night to Caieta, afterward to Be­neuent: last of all in the 17 yeare of his Popeship, he came to Venice disguised in the apparell of one that was his cooke, where lurking in an abbey he became a Gardener. A while after he was bewrayed and knowne, and there v­pon calling a councell by the commaundement of duke Se­bastian, he was receyued with great honour, and brought into S. Maryes Church w^t pontificall pompe. The Em­perour hearing that the Pope was at Venice, desyred the [Page 101] Venetians to yeld to him his ennemye, being likewyse the ennemye of the common wealth. The Venetians denyed to do it: therefore y^e Emperour sente his sonne Otho with a nauye of souldiours to demaund Alexander of them, but he charged him withall that he should attempt nothing in any case, till he himselfe were come vnto him. But Otho being a lustye yonge Prince ful of courage and desirous of renowne, neglecting his fathers commaundement, would needes encounter the Venetians, whereby hee was ouer­come, taken prisoner, bounde & brought to Venice. Here­vpon Alexander began to set vp his crest and put out his hornes, and woulde not take peace with the Emperour in anye case, vnlesse the Emperour would come to Venice, & take suche conditions of peace, as hee woulde offer him. Whereuppon the good and carefull father to prouide for the infortunate miserye of his sonne, promised hee woulde come at the time appointed: and so came where they com­moned vppon conditions of peace. But the Pope woulde not absolue the Emperour of excōmunication, till he came to S. Markes Church, where before all the people, Pope Alexander commaunded the Emperour to prostrate him­selfe on the ground, and to craue pardon. The Emperour did as hee commaunded him: then the Pope trode on the Emperours necke with his foote, sayinge it is written: Thou shalt walke vppon the serpent and adder, and shalt treade downe vnder rhy feete the Lion and dragon. The Emperour disdayninge this reproche aunswered: It was not sayd to thee but to Peter. The Pope then treadinge downe his necke againe sayde: Both to mee and to Peter. The Emperour then fearing some daunger, durst saye no more, & so the peace was concluded. The conditions wher­of are these, that the Emperour should vphold Alexander to be true Pope, that he should restore all that did belonge to the Church of Rome, which had beene taken away in y^e warres: Thus the Emperour departed with his sonne. [Page] The Pope to shew himselfe thankfull to Venice, bestowed of his liberality giftes vppon duke Sebastian & y^e Senate. First he gaue them a white Taper which onely the Popes vsed to Beare. Secondlye he lycensed them to seale theyr letters with leade: and he graunted theyr Duke the third seate in the Popes Theatre. Fourthly he graunted that on Ascention daye, they should haue whole and perfit pardōs for euer at S. Markes Church. Fiftly he gaue the Duke viii. banners of silke, and an attier for the head like an hat. Afterward Alexander depriued the bishop of Papia of his Pall, & exempted him of the dignitye of caryinge y^e Crosse, because he toke the Emperours part. He made many Ca­nons in a councel at Lateran, as that an archbishop should not receyue his Pall, vnlesse he had sworne first to be true and obedient to the Pope. And that a man should not mar­rye his brothers wyfe beinge wydowe, that they that toke orders should vowe chastetye, that a bastarde should not be made a bishop, that the canonizinge of Saincts belonged onlye to the Pope, & that such sainctes should haue deuine honour. Amonge other he made Thomas Becket archbi­shop of Canterbury, & a rancke traytour to his prince (but stoutlye vpheld therein by the Pope) a sainct. He bounde kinge Henry the seconde, of Englande (excusing himselfe of the death of Thomas) y^t his subiectes should franklye & freely appeale frō him to the Court of Rome, & that after­ward none should be king of England, vnlesse he were first called king by the Pope. This arose vppon the quarel be­twene the king and Thomas Becket, who so vexed and dis­quieted his soueraigne prince, with all the nobles and pre­lates of this Realme, with cursinges, excommunications, interditinges, threatninges, mouing both French kinge & Pope to moleste the kinge in his behalfe: and finallye as then Pope Alexander played the incarnate deuill against the Emperour, so did Becket rage like a subdeuill against the kinge in England, till certaine not able to endure his [Page 102] arrogante, seditious and trayterous doinges, in great de­spite therof slue him at Canterbury. He decreed that a mā shoulde not be deuorced frō his wyfe, though she had y^e Le­prosye. Also that those y^t could be proued vsurers, shoulde neyther be admitted to the Communion, nor buryed in the Church: after these & other like deedes he dyed Anno 1181. Robert Montēsis Chronicle hath, y^t Lewes king of Fraūce and Henry kinge of Englande, wayted on Pope Alexan­der as his gentlemē vsshers and footemen, the one leading his horse by the bridle on the right syde, and the other on y^e left, throughe the whole City Taciacū to Legeris. In this Popes time the Sunne was Eclipsed, and earthquakes were euery where. Also there were certaine called VVal­denses who defended manye articles against the Pope and his doctrine, as transubstantiation, Purgatorye &c.

112. Lucius the thirde.

LVcius the thirde borne in Thuscia of an honourable stocke, succeded by consente of all the Cardinals. But 177 the Romaynes so vexed him that hee was driuen oute of the Citye, and manye of his frendes and companye taken by the Romaynes, some were set vppon Asses with their faces towardes the tayle, and Miters on their heades, and so ledde throughe the Citye in mockadge, some vsed despitefullye otherwyse: Some had their eyes put oute by the Romaynes in a madnes, othersome murthered: & for this cause onelye, that he wente about to take away the name of Consuls in the Citye. The Pope sufferinge this great shame wente to Verona, where in a councell he con­demned the Romaynes doinges, and euen then when the Christians were persecuted in Asia (which pretence of ho­lines wrought the perill of many) that they might be suc­coured, because the ennemyes were emboldned to wast the bolye lande vnder their Captaine Saladinus, presuminge for that our Princes were at discētion. This Pope being [Page] mindfull of his coūtrye Thuscia bestowed large giftes vp­pon it, and obtayned of the Emperour that the Hetruriās should haue the selfe same coyne that the Lucēsians amōg them had, euen as the Lombards had onelye the money of Papia with the Emperours coyne. Valerius Anselmus wryteth that this Pope contrarye to other, allowed the Sacraments that were done by whoremaister chapleins, he dyed in Verona Anno 1185. In his time were greate earthquakes which did destroye diuers notable Cityes, & in Sicil were destroyed thereby fiue and twentye thousand parsons. The Armenians being at this time at greate de­bate with the Greeke Church, did for hatred thereof be­come subiect to the Church of Rome.

113. Vrbanus the thirde.

178 VRbanus who because of his troublesome dealings was nicknamed Turbanus, was borne in Millen. He as sone as he was made Pope, was carefull at the first to set the Christian Princes at concord, least while they were de­uided the Pagās should destroy them: but lo how it fel out, for sayth Crantzius because the Emperour woulde not in all pointes followe his minde, hee purposed forthwith to drawe out his blade of excommunication against the Em­perour, wherby he made the matter worse, but death toke him away in time and preuented him. As some thincke he dyed for griefe, because he heard dailye encrease of the mi­serye amonge the Christians, & how Saladinus triumphed in victorye against them, with their great slaughters, Hie­rusalem beinge taken againe, and kinge Guido also, as he was going to Venice to repayre his armye. In this Po­pes time on Midsōmer daye at vi. of the clocke in the mor­ninge was an Eclipse of the Sunne, after which ensued a greate pestilence in Polonia, Russia, and other countryes. By the bolstring vp of this Pope the monkes of Canter­bury [Page 103] did in matter of cōtrouersye out swaye both the arch­bishop and king theyr Prince Henry the second, who were glad to yeld to the monks their desire for feare of the Po­pes threatning.

114 Gregorie the eight.

GRegorie the viii. borne in Apulia succeded Vrban. At this time the Popes seemed very carefull for the reco­uery 179 of the holy land, Iudea and Hierusalem, beinge but a vaine and false colour of them to weaken the Princes of Christēdome, wherby they might the better maister them one by one: and by this meanes also being so holy a shewe, they so occupied the mindes of Christian Princes, y^t they coulde entende to haue no regarde to the Popes doinges, whoe in the meane time while they had no eye vnto him, wrought his feates to the great enriching & aduauncinge of his owne dignitye. For so this Pope Gregorie, euen at his first entraunce did send letters to the Princes of Chri­stendome, to rayse their armyes to go to recouer Hierusa­lem, and to spend their bloude in a vaine quarel: but as he was going to stir vp the Pisans & Genuans in this matter, he was poysoned, and so dyed before hee had raigned two monthes.

115. Clemens the third.

CLemens the third a Romaine sonne of one Iohn Scho­lar. 180 He at his first entraunce sent out commaundement to make warre vppō the Sarracens: wheruppon the Prin­ces raysed theyr armyes, the chiefe wherof are these, Fre­derick the Emperour, Philip king of Fraunce, Richarde king of Englande, and Otho duke of Burgundye, and di­uers bishops and archbishops, with sondry people of Den­marke, Fryzeland and Flaunders, but yet they did almost [Page] nothing at all. King Richard of England comming nigh to Rome in his iourneye, met with one Octamanus bishop of Hostia, to whom he complayned much of the vnsaciable and shamefull simony vsed by the Pope and his courte, for taking vii. hūdred markes for consecrating the bishop Ce­nomanensis, also fifteene hundred markes of VVilliam byshop of Elye for his office of Legatship, beside an houge somme of money of the bishop of Burdeaux for absoluinge him, whē he should haue bene deposed for a crime vrged a­gainst him by his clergye. Anno 1188. VVilliam king of Sicil dyed, and left no heyre, and therefore the Pope by and by would needes claime it to be tributarye to the Church of Rome, and belonginge to it. But the peeres of the Isle chose Tancred bastard to king VVilliā. The Pope there­fore determined to chalenge and try his right by the dinte of the sword, whereby he filled the world full of [...]poylings, and slaughter, and yet he obtayned not his purpose, and so left of. He made diuers Canons and amōg other this one, that none but the Pope might remoue a bishop from one sea to another, or to an hyer dignitye. Also he decreed that bishops should be preferred in dignitye aboue Princes. He commaunded to celebrate the Masse with vnleuened bread and wyne mingled with water, with many other ceremo­nyes. He sent a Cardinal into Poland to reforme y^e clergy, who among other matters in a Synode there held, forbad them to haue wyues, and because the Danes decreed mari­age lawful to their clergye, they were excomunicated by y^e Pope, who dyed Anno 1191.

116. Celestine the thirde.

CElestine the third was borne in Rome, he being an old 181 man at Easter time after the death of Clement, was made Pope by the bishops and Cardinals, the next day he crowned Henry the sixt Emperour. This Celestine grud­ging [Page 104] that Tancred did enioye the kingdome of Sicilia, ma­ryed vnto the sayd Emperour a Nonne out of Panormitā Nonnery called Constance, the doughter of Roger, vppon this condition, that he shoulde chalenge the kingdome of both Sicils for a dowrye, and should driue out Tancred and possesse it himselfe, alwayes prouided, that y^e Pope should haue his yearelye tribute oute of it. And thus the Sueuian Captaynes became Lordes of Sicill, but thereuppon en­sued bloudy warres. After y^e death of this Henry through the greate diuision in the Empire, there arose such debate through all Germany (while the Pope was at defiaunce w^t the Sueuians for y^e soueraignitye of Sicill which he sought ambitiouslye) so that one parishe was not at amitye with another: whereby the Popes purse was excessiuely fed to appease the sciesme amonge those spirituall men. Such were the practises of these holye fathers, while they set the Princes of the world on worke to conquer the holye land. Of the attonement of this strife Abbas Vspergensis wry­teth thus, which is worthy to be noted, therby to discerne the holines of Rome, and how it grew to this riche estate. There was scāt (sayth he) one bishopricke or Ecclesiasticall dignity or parishe Church which was not at a braul, & the matter was brought to Rome to be determined, but not w^t emptye hands. Reioyce O mother Rome because the con­duites of al treasures on the earth are opened, y^e moūtaines and whole riuers of money might flowe into thy handes: Reioyce vpon the iniquitie of the sonnes of men, because thou art rewarded for so many mischiefes: Reioyce vpon thine assistante companion Ladye Discention, who hath burst loose frō the pit of bottomlesse hell, that she might heape vppon thee many gubs of goulde. Thou hast that which thou doest thirst after: because thou hast daunted the vvorld by the malice of mākinde, not by holy religiō. Men are haled and drawne vnto thee, not by deuocion or pure cōscience, but by treachery and working mischiefes [Page] manifolde, and the deciding of controuersies gotten with bloud. Thus sayth that abbot euen in those times when & wher the Popes pride flourished ranckly euen in his ruffe. Pope Celestine perceyuing the aduauntage hereof for his estate, was still vrgent to sende out the Christian Princes to fighte for the holye lande, while he at home with theyr treasures builded for his ease & pleasure (as Platina men­tioneth) diuers stately Pallacies and Temples. Amonge many decrees he made that an oath made by feare and cō ­pulsion, should be of none effecte. It is sayd before that this Pope Celestine did crowne the Emperour Henry y^e sixte, which because it was done after so straunge a sort as hath not beene hearde, it shall not be amisse briefely to de­clare y^e maner of it as it is reported by Rogerus Houede­nus, Ranulphus, Rogerus Cestrensis and other, of whom the first liued at that time, reportinge it as followeth. The Pope was going frō Lateran to S. Peters Church, where the Emperour and his wyfe Constantia mette him in the way: but the Romaynes did shut the gates against the Emperour & Empresse, comming with a great troupe of armed souldiours. And Celestine standinge vppon the stayres of S. Peters Church, toke an oath of the Empe­rour (his armye being shut out) that he should defend and restore the libertyes and patrimonye of the Church to the vttermost, yeldinge to Rome y^e Citye Tuscalanum. After this he did annoynte him Emperour and her Empresse in the Church: while he sitting in his pontificall chayre and holding the Emperiall crowne betweene his feete, caused the Emperour to stoupe and bowe downe his heade to his feete, & so put the crowne on: And it being thus put on, he caused the Emperour stil to hould downe his head, while he with his foote did spurne y^e Crowne of his head againe, sayinge: I haue power to make and vnmake Emperours at my pleasure: Then the Cardinals toke it vp and sette it vppon the Emperours head. And in like maner the Em­presse [Page 105] was both crowned and vncrowned with the Popes foote. Celestine dyed Anno. 1198. In his time one Cyrill an Hermite had a strange vision reuealed vnto him as hee was at masse, as Mantuā writeth Fastorum. lib. 5. (if a man will beleeue euery vaine fantasye.)

But touching the truth of this fantasticall dreame, it shall folow in Gregorie the ix. for that age toke into credit three straunge & monstrous myracles, so y^t then the worlde did greatlye esteeme of y^e secte of begginge fryers, while Sa­than wrought in Antichrist the full mistery of his iniqui­tye. The myracles are these, first the vpholding of Lateran Church reuealed in a vision to a Dominicke Fryer at Rome, the fiue Seraphical woundes of S. Fraunces in a certaine hill of Lauernia, and the Oracle of this Cyrill.

117. Innocentius the thirde.

AFter Celestine was Innocētius y^e third, who so boyled 182 in anger agaīst Philip the Emperour, because he was made Emperour by the Germaynes contrary to his will, that he brast out into these wordes: Eyther shall the Pope spoile Philip of his Crowne and Empyre, or els shal Phi­lip take frō the Pope his Apostolical dignitye. After this hee sturred vp against y^e Emperour, one Otho a duke both boulde and rashe, so that by this holye fathers helpe there grewe cruell bloudshed and foule slaughter infinite, vntill that this Philip the Emperour was traytecouslye and vi­lanously slaine by another Otho, and this Otho whom the [Page] Pope had set on against Philip poasted to Rome, and of him was made Emperour. But this bloudy league did not last long betwene them: for as sone as Otho began to reclaime & recouer such thinges as of right belōged to the Empyre, (which y^e Popes by subtil practises had purloy­ned many yeres) he was excōmunicated by the Pope him­selfe, and spoyled of all his royall estate: furthermore he discharged al his Princes of theyr alledgeaunce, which by oath they ought to Otho, and commaūded vppon payne of his cruell curse, that no man should take Otho to be Em­perour, nor call him so, and caused the Princes to make Fredericke king of Sicill Emperour. Also this Innocent Anno 1212. sought to compasse three harde matters, that is the deposing of Otho, a voyage to Hierusalem, and a ge­neral councel. Also the same yeare (sayth Vlricus Mutius certaine noble men of Alsatia did condemne this Pope of impietye, because he would not suffer the clergye to keepe their wyues, & the bishops burned an hundred in one daye, because they taught that Christians might lawfullye eate fleshe, and marrye at any time.

This mischeuous Innocent did mischeuouslye contriue many cruell tragedyes against king Iohn of Englande: he euen in despite and defiance of the kinge, did thrust (an ene­mye to the Realme called Steuen Langton a Cardinall) into the bishopricke of Canterbury, and encouraged three­score and foure monkes to worke seueral treasons against him. Because the king would not suffer these treacheryes, he condemned him to be an ennemy of the Church, excom­municated him from the company of all Christians, inter­dited his kingdome vi. yeres and three monethes, deposed him from gouernment, toke from him the Crowne and y^e Scepter, discharged his subiectes of their allegeaunce, gaue his Realme to Lewes the French kinges sonne, com­maunded to spoile him both of goodes and life, with di­uers other tyrannous dealinges. Kinge Iohn beinge dis­mayed [Page 106] with these stormes being otherwise a noble and va­liant Prince, yet because he was forsaken of his nobilitye, his bishops and commonaltye, submitted himselfe full sore against his hart to y^e Popes obeysaunce: compelled to ac­knowledge the Pope to be supreame heade ouer all Chri­stendome, and God vppon earth, and bound himselfe with a solempne oath to stande to the Popes arbitrement, and y^t his posteritye should do the like, to acknowledge themsel­ues perpetuall tributaryes to the Popes of Rome. Also he kneeling vppon his knees to Pandulphus, yelded vp his Crowne in the presence of all his nobilitye, sayinge: Here I resigne vp the Crowne of Englande to Pope Innocent the thirde &c. Which Pandulphus kept for fiue dayes, du­ring which time the king was as a priuate person: & then being bound to paye the Pope for his Crowne a thousande markes a yeare, with other shamefull conditions, he recei­ued his Crowne at the handes of Pandulphus, pardoning and restoring to full estate all those that had rebelled, con­spired and wroughte treason against him. And yet by the procuremente of Steuen Langton Archbishop of Yorke, & other of the clergye and priestes of Englande, he was my­serablye vexed with treasons and rebellions continuallye, for certaine of the nobilitye and priestes, had chosen Lodo­wicke to be their kinge, sonne to Lewes kinge of Fraunce: who entred the Realme and toke the estate vppon him by theyr maintenaunce against kinge Iohn, to the great hart breaking of the noble Prince, the spoyling of the Realme, and oppression of themselues, while this forren Prince be­stowed all thinges vppon his owne countreymen, accomp­tinge the Englishe nobles that assisted him to be but tray­tours. In the ende after much miserye and sorrowe a cer­taine monke (as Caxton sayth) named Simō, of Swinested abbey in Lincolnshire did there temper a cuppe of wyne with the poyson of a toade, & drinking thereof to the kinge both hee and the king were poysoned and dyed: For which [Page] doinge the sayde monke had a certaine masse songe for his soule confirmed by the abbots procurement for euer.

This Innocentius vnder the colour of recouering Hie­rusalem, held a councell at Lateran Anno 1215 against the Emperour to excommunicate him, & depose him, because he had inuaded certaine Cityes of y^e Popes. In this coū ­cell the Pope first wrested oute Auricular confession, and robbed the laitye of the Cōmunion cuppe. He condemned one Almericus a learned man for an hereticke, & commaū ­ded his bones to be burned w^t the rest of his sect at Paris: this he did (sayth Dominicus Soto in a certaine Sermon) because he preached that Images should be put out of the Church. Amonge manye other dotinge decrees, he disa­nulled the mariage of the clergye for euer, he required pri­uye tithes to be payde, and to maintayne warre in Asia, he commaunded the fourtye part of all reuenues to be paide. He toke from many Partriarkes, archbishops, & bishops, their ordinarye auctoritye in many thinges. He commaun­ded that the quarels of Princes should be broughte before the Pope to be determined by him: and if the electiō of the Emperour could not be agreed vpon, then it should belōg onelye to the Pope. He deuised that the Communion cake should be kept in a boxe in the Church, and that when the priest shoulde visit the sicke, he shoulde go with a burninge Taper and a bell before him: He made the Canon of the masse to be equal in auctority with the Scripture, and that the Pope should haue power to correct and controll Prin­ces, that none should be Emperour, vnlesse he were crow­ned by the Pope, finally he dyed Anno 1216. In his time Liuonia first recouered papistrye, & Peter kinge of the Ar­rogons was inueigled to yeild his kingdome & all his do­minions tributarye to Rome, to purchase his saluation. A certaine noble man in England hearing that this Pope had againe condemned priestes mariage in Lateran coun­cel, did make a certaine rime thereof the yeare following, [Page 107] which one Iohn Pullan founde in an olde booke at Oxe­forde as followeth.

118. Honorius the thirde.

HOnorius the thirde a Romaine borne was made Pope 183 at Prusium, at what time the Cardinals distressed for want of foode, did there dispatch the election of him. Who byinge to Rome as fast as he coulde, toke order about the [Page] warre in Asia, to maintaine it stil, knowīg how auaylable it was to their matters wroughte heare at home in Chri­stendome: forth with Iohn Columna a Cardinal of Rome was appointed to proceede as ambassadour with y^t armye, which Innocentius had prouided for y^t purpose: He crow­ned Frederick the seconde sonne of Constance the Nonne Emperour against Otho the fourth, whom notwithstan­ding afterward for vsinge his owne right in the coastes of Sicil & Apulia the Pope excommunicated. Yea this Ho­norius (sayth Marius) was so enflamed against this Em­perour Frederick y^t hee did trayterouslye maintaine Tho­mas and Mathewe Earles of Thuscia with other rebels that put themselues in armoure against the Emperours maiestye, whereby the Emperour coulde not punishe them as they deserued: which (sayth Vspergensis) caused him much to complaine that the Sea of Rome did euer main­taine traytours and rebels,Rome the sturrer and nouri­sher of rebels. which presumed vpon that re­fuge. Also he discharged his barons of their fealty to their Lorde: which mischiefe was yet for a while stayed by the meanes of Hermannus, maister of the flemings of Zeland. He cōfirmed the orders of Dominican & Franciscan friers deuised in the time of Innocentius. He maintayned the white fryers and Augustinian fryers, that they should vp­hould transubstantiation against the Valdenses, who then began to defye the Church of Rome in many matters: for the Dominicans forged that Pope Innocentius a little be­fore his death had a vision, wherin was reuealed vnto him that Lateran Church should fall, vnlesse their patron Do­minicus shoulde bolster it vppon his shoulders: whereof Mantuan deluded with such fansyes maketh mention. Al. so he wryteth of another dreame for the Franciscan fryers, of which though they dreamed as necessarye, yet I omitte as vaine and fonde. In this Popes time while these thin­ges were doing,Signes of An­tichrist in the heauens. there were seene in the ayre straūg sights, testifying the horror of Antichrist encreasing in his mem­bers [Page 109] as shall appeare by the Popes following.

While the Christiā estates were turmoyled abrode figh­ting for Hierusalem, the Pope in pompe and ease at home, was at leasure to build sondrye sumptuous Pallaces and gorgeous Temples, dedicating them to diuers Saincts. He published Epistles decretall: and decreed that vnlear­ned parsons should not be made priestes. He commaunded that when the singinge cake was heaued and lifted vp,Vvorshipping of the hoast at masse. the people should fal downe on their knees: and that it should be caryed in comlye order to the sicke, with a burning Ta­per before it. He graūted Archbishops power to giue par­dons, faculties,Nonresiden­ties and plura­lities licenced by the Pope. dispensations, dualities, & pluralities w^tin their diocesse. Anno 1223 one Adam Cathanēsis a bishop in Scotlande (as Boethius wryteth) was burned of his own neighbours in his owne kitchin, because he had excō ­municated certaine of them for with holding theyr tythes: the Pope knowing of this murther neuer ceased, till to re­uenge the same foure hundred of these men were hanged, and their children gelded by king Alexander: A sufficient reuēge for the death of one man. Furthermore this Pope warred vppon the Emperour in Apulia: and condemned the Earle of Tholos for an hereticke,The Popes ri­gour on the dead. geuinge his landes to the French kinge, and finallye would not suffer his bo­dye to be buryed like a Christian. At length the Pope died Anno 1227. of whom Mattheus Parisius in the 8. booke of his Chronicle wryteth thus.The Popes pillage in En­gland. Pope Honorius sent his Le­gate Otho to require to haue Prebendes giuen vnto him throughe all England: For (sayth the Pope) the naturall children must assist their mother in pouertye. Therefore he required ij. prebends of euery Cathedrall Church, one of the bishops stipende, and the other from the charter. And so he [...]raued diuers porciōs out of the religious hou­ses. At this time the Pope was sicke of the spiritual drop­sye, so that by his Legat he drancke vp the treasures of the clergye, and cloystermongers, and vsed straunge tyrannye [Page] amonge them: for Hugh VVells bishop of Lincolne to recouer his bishopricke paide an hundred markes to the Popes Legat, and a thousande markes to the Pope. At this time it rayned bloude for the space of three dayes in Rome: whereuppon one wrote these two Verses.

119. Gregorie the ninth.

184 GRegorie the ninth borne in Campania, was nephew to Innocentius the thirde. He maintayned the quarell of his predecessour Honorius, against the Emperour. This Gregorie (as Marius wryteth) was more maliciouslye dis­posed toward y^e sayd Frederick: for he accused him because he woulde not fulfill that vaine promise, to the needelesse sheddinge of Christian bloud, which he made to Honorius for the vnprofitable recoueringe of Hierusalem. And therefore this Gregorie did excommunicate him, before the Emperour coulde be hearde to speake, or were conui­cted by reason: neither woulde hee suffer the Emperours Embassadours to come to his presence, nor heare them in the councell which came to alleadge good and reasonable excuses in y^e Emperours behalfe, as his owne sickenes at his settinge forward caused him to staye, besides the death of the Lautgraue. Therfore (sayth Vspergensis) this Pope like a proude man, began in his first yeare to excōmunicat and curse the Emperour for certaine foolish and false cau­ses, neglectinge all order of iudgement, as the Emperour sheweth in excusinge himselfe in his epistle to the Princes of Almanye: openinge to them (because the Pope refused [Page 110] to heare it) his innocencye and vpright dealing. And ther­fore certaine noblemen in Rome, namely of the house cal­led Frangentes panem, when the Pope did the second time excommunicate Frederick, they caused the Pope to be dri­uen oute of the Citye with foule shame, so that he ranne a­waye byding at Peruse al that yeare, & the yeare folowing. Yet no meanes could asswage his furye: but he prouoked Iohn kinge of Hierusalem, & the foresaid Earles of Thus­cia rebels to the Emperour, and manye other Princes to trouble him. The Emperour appointed a day of assembly for diuers Christian Princes at Rauenna, and the Princes were making speede thether to obeye him, but by the Po­pes commaūdement they went backe againe: and certaine souldiours wearing y^e Crosse by the Emperours appoint­ment for the voyage to Hierusalem, were robbed and spoi­led of all their prouisiō. The Emperour seing this sought to appease the Popes furye, and to get his goodwil prepa­red his iourney according to his promise to Hierusalem: he tooke shippe and sayled into Cyprus, and afterward to A­con, and striued much against the Soldan for the Christian fayth, with great paine and trauell. In the meane time y^e Pope (seing the Emperours absence seruinge his turne) gat Apulia to be vnder his obeisance: and forbad that the souldiours wearing crosses shoulde passe ouer to assist the Emperour, but he draue them oute of Apulia, & Lombar­dye, shewinge himselfe a wicked and mischieuous man by many other meanes, in slaying those Germaynes that re­turned from the Emperour, moste cruellye. Thus while the good Emperour defended the flocke of Christe with y^e sworde abroade, the Pope deuoured and spoyled them at home. After the Emperour had wonne from the Soldā, Hierusalem, Nazereth, & Ioppa, hee toke a truce with him for tenne yeares, whereof he certifyed the Pope by his let­ters, looking that the Pope woulde haue shewed himselfe ioyfull therof, and all Christians likewyse: But the Pope [Page] despysing and reiecting the letters, commaunded the mes­sengers that broughte them to be put to death, leaste they should make report of the Emperours noble successe. Also he spreade this rumour that the Emperour was dead, to this ende, to make such Cityes in Apulia to shrincke for feare, as had with stode to submit themselues to him. And both to stop the Emperours returne, and to obtaine Apu­lia at his pleasure, he wrote to the Soldan desyring him not to yeld the Holy lande to the Emperour, as he was about to do. But the Emperour finishing his matters with the Soldan, returned into Italye, whereupon the slaughter of his men done by the Pope as they returned stayed: and within a while he draue the Popes power oute of Apulia, and by the helpe of God recouered all his owne from him. Hereupon the Pope did excōmunicate him, and curse him a newe, and conspired with the Lombards and Thuscans to rebell against him, because he had made a league with the Soldan. But in the ende many Princes seekinge to set them at vnitye,The price of absolution at the Popes hā ­des. the Emperour had absolution of the Pope, paying to him for it, ere (as Platina saith) he could obtaine it, an hundred thousande ounces of gould. For (sayth Vs­pergensis) notwithstanding all these iniuries, yet so often as the Pope did excommunicate him, he craued and sued for the benefite of absolution humblye, with all obedience, deuocion & yelding of iustice. Soone after the Emperour prepared to go into Germanye, to redresse certaine disor­ders doone by his eldest sonne Henry: the Pope hearinge thereof wrote to the estates of Germanye, commaundinge that they should make none of the Emperours family king of the Romaynes, because the kinge of the Romaines is heyre apparent to the Empyre. Frederick vnderstanding this treachery, and that the Pope had conspired a freshe w^t manye Princes of Italy against him, did forthwith inuade Italy, suppressed the rebellious Lombards, wanne diuers townes in Vmbria and Hetruria, subdued to the Empyre [Page 111] Lomberdie, Viterbie, Peruse, Fauentia, Cremona, Vicen­tia & Patauy, all which had conspired with the Pope. The Pope seinge this, cursed him againe. The Emperour hea­ringe of it, because the Popes couetousnesse, ambition, ty­rannye and pride grewe so great, that it was no longer to be suffered, thought good to reueale the same to all Chri­stians, to reclayme them from their errour and false Reli­gion: and therfore he lying in Patauy, commaunded a cer­taine learned mā wel studyed in the Scriptures to preach before him, concerninge the Popes curse, & of the Church of Rome. After the preacher had disclosed all the abuses of the Pope and his Church, the Emperour moued there­by wrote these 2. Uerses to the Pope.

Thus was the Emperour nowe the thirde time excom­municated by the Pope, and pronounced not Emperour: but at this time there were manye Cardinals y^t disalowed the Popes doing, so that the Emperour had many frends in Italy, because he still sued and sought for the Popes fa­uour, and could not haue it, and now therefore he set all at defiance in maner afore shewed. Of this Gregorie (Mat­theus Parisius sayth further) callinge him bloud sucker & couetous Pope, that he held a councell at Rome to depose the Emperour, who had maryed Isabel doughter to king Iohn of England: and ere the councell began, he caused y^e Apostles heades to be borne aboute the Citye in a solemne procession, that the sighte thereof mighte astonishe mens mindes, and drawe their hartes from the Emperour. Also he gaue free pardon to euery one that would fight against him. The Emperour vnderstanding it, stopped all passa­ges both by Sea and lande, and taking many Cardinals & other prelates as they were sayling awaye, he put them in prison: hee drowned ii. Cardinals in the Sea, & of the rest some bishops, abbots and chaplins, and amonge them the Popes brother for their notorious and haynous treasons were hanged. The first excommunication y^t was sent out against this Emperour arose of this groūd: because them­perour would not at the Popes commaundement daunger himselfe and many Christians with him, to go out to fight for the holy land. For y^e Pope as it appeared by his actes, coueted to encroch the kingdome of both Sicils, Apulia, & [Page 112] other landes, so that he sought meanes how to destroy the Emperour being inheritour thereof, which he mighte see come to passe by the chaunce of the warre: or els while the Emperour should there haue beene busye against the infi­dels, he in the meane time as chiefe prelate (hauing Chri­stendome committed to his credite) mighte the more easely disposses y^e Emperour. Furthermore this Gregorie was the cause of sedicion in Rome for banishing one Hannibal oute of y^e Senate, because he sued to recouer the aunciente Romaine libertyes. Also he prouoked the Poloniās to de­stroy the Prutenians being his foes. He made that cursed deuision in Italy, which to the great confusion of Christiā bloud, lasteth to this daye betweene the Guelphes and Gi­belines: for these being two of the most noble and famous houses in Italye, whereof the one name whollye (that is the Gibelines) toke part with the Emperour, & the Guel­phe w^t the Pope, and this quarrel hath & doth last to this day, betwene all of the one name against all of the other w^t continuall reuenge, as oportunitye serueth from time to time. Amonge diuers other his superstitious deedes these were some, he canonized S. Dominick, S, Fraūcis, S. Anthony of Padua and others, thereby to aduaunce the cre­dite of the begging fryers, & of their holinesse. He decreed that the white fryers should possesse nothing but male As­ses, and such foode as coms of certaine birdes and beastes as egges & milke, and all other thinges they should begge from doore to doore, as Paleonydorus sayth. He graun­ted the Iewes to be enfranchised for money in spite of all Christian Princes. He forbad any man to haue aboue one benefice. He commaunded out of Englande the fift part, & out of lowe Germany the twenteth part of all Church re­uenewes. He appointed that to Aue Maria should be songe Salue regina, and the sacringe bell to be ronge then and at eleuation time. He decreed that no lay man should preach, and that no custome should take place, which leadeth to [Page] [...]inne. And finallye he dyed for thought because the Empe­rours power preuayled so mightely against him An. 1241. In his time Tiber in Rome braste out so hye, that manye were destroyed by it, after which ensued such a pestilence, that (sayth Platina) the tenth parson was scant left aliue: In his time also a certaine hill in Burgundy cleaued in twaine, and swallowed vp an houge multitude of people, and a litle before the Pope dyed, was such an Eclipse of the Sunne as hath not beene seene before.

Of the Oracle of Cyrill at Masse.

IN the time of this Gregorie Anno 1234. Cyrillꝰ a Gre­cian the thirde president general of y^e white fryers dyed by report. They say that this man (accordinge as Moses & Iohn the Euāgelist did) receyued Anno domini 1192. a re­uelation from heauen written in Tables of syluer with Gods owne finger in Greeke, concerninge the estate of the Church to come: and with this new delusion certaine cay­tifes went about to put awaye and whollye to destroye the Reuelation of S Iohn in that time of deepe darkenes. Be­cause at y^t time in Italy, Germanye, England & Fraunce, many (through the doctrine of the VValdēses and y^e prea­chers of Frederick themperour, prouinge it out of the Re­uelatiō of Iohn) beleeued that Rome was Babilon y^t great strompet, and y^t the Pope was Antichrist himselfe: which opinion the vncle of Petrus Veronensis held, as his Legēd and Fasciculus temporū testifye. To such shiftes was y^e totteringe estate of y^e Pope then driuen as to abrogate the olde Scripture and to forge new: for then Princes began to plucke from y^e Church their temporalities, which main­tayned theyr excessiue pride and pompe: Also they began to defye their transubstantiacion in the masse, and to worke diuers thinges that pinched the bellyes of the clergy, and [Page 113] made them keepe leaner kitchins. In moste thinges this reuelation of Cyrill, is cleane contrarye to the Reuelation of Iohn: many monkes and fryers haue written great cō ­mentaryes and fantasticall interpretacions vppon it, as Ioachimus Abbas, Guilihelmus Cisterciensis, & Iohn de rupe scissa. But who so euer preacheth anye other Gos­pell &c, let him be accursed. Gallathians. 1.

120. Celestine the fourth.

CElestine the fourth borne of the house of Castilians, be­ing 185 a learned, aged and crasyed mā succeded Gregorie: who likewyse purposed to pursue the quarell against Fre­derick, but that he was disappointed by a cuppe of poyson, whereof it is reported he dyed the xviii. daye of his raigne. One Thomas Egleston in his booke of the entraunce of y^e Minorits into England, wryteth of an Englishmā called Robert Somerton Cardinall of Rome, who likewyse was poysoned hard before the election of this Celestine least he should haue succeded Gregorie: of the same Robert Somer­ton and his death, wryteth Mattheus Parisius cōmending him as a man who for the loue he had of all was worthy to be Pope. The same Mattheus wryteth of the behauiour of Legates at the same time saying, two of the Popes messē ­gers remayned in Englād to gather vp his money, whose extorsion was so odious & shamefull, that it is better (saith he) to let it passe not to offende mens eares, then to defyle the ayre wyth the filthye reporte thereof. This Celestine vsed this sayinge commonlye: It is harder to keepe mode­ration in prosperity, then in aduersitye. After his death the Popedome was voyde xxi. weekes, till the Emperour at the request of Baldwine Emperour of Constantinople, and Raimond Erle of Tholos, deliuered those Cardinals which he had in captiuitye.

121 Innocentius the fourth.

186 AFter the Cardinals had long wrangled beinge reproued for it sharpelye by the Emperour, they agreed to chose this mā callinge him Innocent the fourth borne in Genua, whose name before was Cy­nebaldus of the house of Flisci and the countyes of Lauauy: who beinge in time paste the Empe­rours especiall freinde, became forth with his deadlye en­nemye, and did more annoye the noble Prince then any o­ther before had doone. Marius reporteth thus of him, this Pope (sayth he) for hate he bare to Frederick, did forth with summon a councell at Lions whither hee cited Frederick, purposinge himselfe to haue preached there: but the Em­bassadour [Page 114] of Frederick desired he might haue a reasonable daye graunted him that he mighte conuenientlye come to Lions, which the Pope did not onlye denye to graunt, but forthwith enflamed with wrath and rage did curse them­perour, depriue him of his estate Emperial, release al his Princes of their alleageance and fayth to him, and doth moue them to choose another to be Emperour. He char­ged y^e godly Emperour with diuers false matters, as per­iurye, sacriledge, emprisoninge certaine of the clergye and such like, whereof though the Emperour had by wryting sent to the Princes very honourablye purged himselfe: yet this malitious man continued so importunate w^t the Prin­ces with great promises, that they choose the Landsgraue of Thuringe: and rewarded all men with crosses and par­dons, giuen by Proclamation against the Emperour as a­gaine a Turke or infidell. Furthermore he commaunded all bishops and archbishops to publish euery where, how he had cursed, excommunicated, and depriued the Empe­rour: which was boldly doone in England, Fraunce, and Denmarke, but the bishops of Germany fearing the Em­perours displeasure, besoughte the Pope it mighte not be done. Which the Emperour hearinge did valiantlye set himselfe against the Pope and all his tyrannous rebels, til he coulde not escape the Popes snares in Apulia. For the addition to Vspergensis sayth: After the Pope had depri­ued and excommunicated both Frederick & his sonne Cō ­radus, Frederick did so shake and worrye the Pope and the Church of Rome, that some marked w^t crosses set them­selues in battaile againste him, when hee came to batter downe the gates and walles of Rome, where he encoun­tred with a mightye armye of these crossed fellowes. But ouer comminge them and takinge them prisoners, some of them he hewed a fonder w^t foure square woundes in forme of a Crosse, of some he cleft their sculs a crosse in 4. parts, some he marked on the forhed with a crosse cut: and as for [Page] the clergye hee caused their shaued crownes to be pared a crosse. When the said Henry Landsgraue of Thuringe was chosen kinge of the Romaynes, and Frederick depo­sed by this fourth excommunication, then the bishoppe of Strosborough like a peaceable prelate of y^t time, to grati­fye the Pope tooke part with the Landsgraue, and assisted him with such power & strength as he coulde, both against the father and Conradus the sonne: for he assaulted & wan diuers townes, some he sacked and razed to the grounde, some he burnt with fier, which townes and Cityes them­perour had recouered to the Empyre in Alsatia. On the other syde Conradus y^e sonne of Frederick gathered an ar­mye against Henry, but was easely ouerthrowne and ma­nye of his armye being slaine, diuers of his nobilitye were taken prisoners. But soone after this Henry beinge thus foysted into the Empire by the clergy, grew into cōtempt with them that liked not his election, whereupon he was in mockadge termed King of clarkes & Prince of priestes: but the Pope did straitly charge by his Legates al the Al­maine Princes to obeye Henry as their soueraigne, and to defye Frederick & his sonne. In the meane time this Hē ­ry dyed, and yet the Pope ceased not but sent a Legate in­to Germanye, one Peter Caputius a Cardinall, who sum­moninge the Princes at Collen, caused them to electe one VVilliam Earle of Holland, a readye man to maintaine any quarell by the sworde. In the ende the Emperour be­inge in Apulia, one hired by the Pope gaue him poyson by meanes whereof he was daungerouslye sicke, but seemed to recouer it: but was smothered to death with a pillowe by Manfredus his bastard sonne, who as some thinke was allured by bryberye and fayre promises of the Pope to do it. The truth hereof is written in sixe bookes of Epistles, written by Peter of the Uine.

Anno 1250. Frederick dyed, and as some write in his last will and testamente he gaue a summe of moneye for sa­tisfaction [Page 115] to the Church of Rome, and bequeathed his e­state and the order of all thinges to his sonne Conradus. This Will was brought to the Pope to be approued, but y^e Pope did whollye disanull and frustrate the Will, sayinge that the Prince whom he had deposed, could make no Wil and so it was voide. Within a while after a yonge Prince to whom the Emperour by his sonne Kinge Henry was graūdfather was murthered, but by whō no mā could tell.

About this time before y^e death of Frederick, there were certaine preachers in Sweueland who stoutlye and openly preached against the Pope and his Cardinals, & iustifyed the doinge of Frederick and his sonne Conradus, sayinge bouldly that the Pope, his bishops and Cardinals, had no auctoritye, because they were al stayned with that one blot of simony, and y^t their power depended not vppon Christ: & that a priest committing deadly sinne, coulde neither binde nor loose, nor consecrate: that no man in the world might forbid a Christian to execute diuine functions, & that they should be hearde & celebrated without any difference. And in the ende of their Sermons this pardon (quoth they) which we do pronounce vnto you, wee do not declare it to you as forged by the Pope and his prelates, but proce­dinge from Almightye God. These preachers were main­tayned by Conradus, and therfore he incurred almost dan­ger of his life.

In the former councell helde at Lions it was decreed that the Cardinals should ryde on their trapped Gennets throughe the streates, and weare red hattes and crimsen roabes: to signifye (sayth Parisius) that they are readye to spend their bloud for the Catholicke fayth and the safetye of the people: but as (Platina sayth) for the honour of their estate. Also in that councell Innocentius decreed amonge manye matters that the Pope mighte depose the Empe­rour. He did greatly fauoure the order of begging fryers, and bestowed on them manye priuiledges and benefittes. [Page] He preferred the Dominicans to dignityes Ecclesiastical: and aduaūced the Franciscās to be the Popes confessours: He adopted the White fryers and Augustine friers to be his sonnes: wher as they liued before in deserts he brought them into Cityes, teachinge them to begge their breade w^t idlenes. By the helpe of the Dominicans he reformed the rule of the Whitefryers, mitigated it, and finallye with his blessinge confirmed it that (as the sayd rule sheweth) they should hope to be saued not onlye by Christ: He graū ­ted these & the begging fryers lycence to preach, to dispute, and to shriue people. Also he exempted them from all po­wer & iurisdiction of kinges and bishops: whereupon they crammed the worlde ful, and chaoked it with their gloses vpon Sentences, decretals, cannons, wich their commen­taries vpon Aristotle, their Sophisms, Repertories, Sū ­maries, Tables, Trinies, Quatrinies, Conclusions, Que­stions, Distinctions, Quidities, Quodlibets, Myracles of the dead, Legendaryes, Saincts liues, Martyrdoms, Ui­sions, Dreames, Reuelatiōs, Exorsisms, Concordances, Discordāces, Marials, perspectiues, Aphorismes, wyth a thousande vaine and combrous pamphlets, full of grosse & deceitful heresyes: and then nothing was counted deuini­tye nor lawe, but their fansyes and canons. And in these dayes the world was fallen into such grosse blindnesse, ig­norance, and barbarousnesse, that not onelye knowledge in diuinity, but also other learning was almost decayed, the knowledge of the tongues as Greeke and Hebrew buried in ignoraunce, & though some rubbishe of the latine tongue were left, yet it was rustye, corrupte, and broken stuffe, as appeareth yet by theyr wrytings, y^t the like barbarousnesse is not in any tongue. But to returne to Pope Innocent: he canonized diuers, makinge them saincts that for his ad­uauncemente had played the traytours and rebels against theyr owne Princes, as one Edmond Archbishop of Can­terbury, and other of sondrye places.

[Page 116]Till the time of this Innocentius the 4. (sayth Biblian­der) it was not an article of fayth, nor a law of the Church that men should worship the breade and the wyne in y^e Sa­crament: therefore (sayth he) y^e Pope as a creator brought forth a newe God Mauzis by transubstantiation. This Pope offred to sell to king Henry the third of England, y^e kingdome of both Sicils to the vse of his sonne Prince Ed­mond, and yet Conradus kinge thereof was lyuinge. He vexed and polled the Churches of England with mysera­ble exactions: for money he maintayned and licensed anye wickednes amonge the clergye, suffering worser matters in his bastards whereof he had diuers, especiallye one cal­led VVilliam. One Robert Capito bishop of Lincolne, had a great controuersye with this Pope, for he detested & defyed both in preachinge and wrytinge, the Popes coue­tousnes, pride and tyrannye. He would not admit one of y^e Popes bastardes because he was vnlearned and but a boye of yeares, to a canonship of Lincolne, but rebuked y^e Pope for it in a letter, and withstoode the Popes pollinge & [...]ob­binge the Realme: and therefore the Pope receyuinge the sharpe letter from this Robert Grosted, for anger rayled not onlye on the bishop, but also brast into these arrogante wordes against his Prince king Henry the third, sayinge (as Mattheus Parisius testifyeth): Is not y^e kinge of Eng­lād our vassel, our slaue, & our page, who may at our plea­sure to hamper him, put him in prison, & to vtter shame? And finallye because he coulde not tell howe otherwise to ease his rancke stomacke against the bishop hee excommu­nicated him: but he constantlye defyed and despised his ex­communication euen to the death. He defended in disputa­tion that y^e Pope could do nothinge against iustice & truth, and that he was worse then Lucifer and Antichrist: at the length being cited to appeare in y^e court, and condempned by the Pope wrongfullye, he appealed to the iudgemente of Christe. This good bishop after he had detected much [Page] of the Popes treachery, before his death vttered these two Uerses applying them against the Pope.

Also this bishoppe by diligent searche tryed it that this Pope and his clarkes had in reuenewes out of Englande aboue iii. score and tenne thousande markes, where as the reuenewes of the Crowne came not to 30. thousand. Ce­strensis in his seuenth booke wryteth, that when this bi­shop of Lincolne dyed, a voyce was heard in y^e Popes court sayinge Veni miser in iudiciū dei, that is Come thou vvretch to be iudged of God. And that the Pope was found deade in his bedde the next daye, and a blewe stroke in his bodye as if he had beene beaten wyth a staffe. This was done An­no 1253. he being at Naples and loking soone after to haue enioyed the whole kingdome of Sicill, where he lyeth bu­ryed. Thaddition to Vspergensis sheweth, that the yeare before, as the Pope was going from Liōs to Millen, these straunge tokens happened: certaine bloudy cloudes were seene in the ayre, & streames of bloud gusshed out of breade as oute of wounded bodyes. After his death the seate was voide two yeares.

124 Alexander the fourth.

189 ALexander the fourth borne in Campania, being Cardi­nall of Hostia succeded Innocent. He persecuted Ece­linus of Runcan, and Manfred king of Sicill, because they had beene ennemyes to the former Popes: thus he began his raigne. And first he craftelye admonished them not to stande against the dignitye of the Church in anye point, & [Page 117] before he gaue them this charge, he had prouided his army in a readinesse meaning to course them if they should seeke to preuent him and his Cardinals of the kingdome of Si­cill: yet these Princes very couragiouslye with an oast of Saracens and other, fearinge not the Popes threates, did set vppon his army at vnawares euen in a trench ere they wist, and partly slue them, partly toke them prisoners. In the meane while Pope Alexander goinge to Anagnia ex­communicated Manfred, and sent a Cardinal called Octa­uian to Naples, to make the Neapolitans to stand faithful to him against Manfred, promysing speedely to bring ayde to all Campania and to the Neapolitans: but Manfred not pacifyed with troubling Naples did also moue factions in Hetruria, but chiefely in Florence, where he brought in the Guelphis againe, who euer were at deadly foode with the Gibelines. Thus was al Italy in a myserable vprore, torne in sonder with cruell and saluage warre. But Man­fred hauing poysoned Conrad king of Sicill, was proclay­med kinge at Panorme, and with an armye of hyred soul­diours, he ouerthrew the Popes Legat with great slaugh­ter. This Pope sent one Rustand Legate into Englande Anno 1255. to gather vp the tenthes in Englande, Scot­land, & Irelād, to warre against Manfred. And saith Mat­theus Parisius) manye mischiefes detestable, issued from y^e burning fountayne of Rome in those dayes, to the destruc­tion of manye: for after the begginge fryers had preached the power of y^e Crosse, he required infinite sommes of mo­neye, the exaction of the Pope was such (sayth he) that the like hath not bene heard. Whereupon Fulck bishop of Lō ­don sayd with great griefe: Ere I giue my consent to op­presse the Church vvith such iniurye, seruitude and bon­dage, surely I will first loose my head: for although that Courte hath often in times past pinched euen to the bone the faithfull flocke of Christ, yet it neuer woūded in such deadlye sort all, and euery one of Christes seruaunts, as it [Page] did this yeare and the yeare following &c. The money y^e was gathered for the holy land was transposed into Apu­lia against Christians, and (sayth Mattheus) vnmeete mē are made gouernours of noble Churches, the prelates are sould as oxen and asses, this is the extreame point of serui­tude &c. About this time the said Rustand the Popes Le­gate being Prebēdary of Paules Church in Lōdon dyed beyond the sea, king Henry the third hearing therof gaue the same prebend to one Iohn Crakehale his chaplein, but after the sayde Crakehale had full possession thereof, came one Iohn Grasse from Rome, wyth the Popes embulled letter to chalenge the sayde lyuing: Hereupon the matter being in controuersye, it was brought before Boniface bi­shop of Canterbury, who finding that the Popes gift was dated before the kinges, dispossessed the Englishman and inuested the Popes man, which was taken so in despite by certaine repyning to see the Pope and his Italian priestes in this and all such cases to beare more sway then y^e king, and to reape all commodyties from the kinge and his sub­iects, that the said Italiā and a cōpanion of his were mur­thered in a thronge, by whom no man knewe.

Rustand in a conuocation at London, alleaged that all Churches were y^e Popes, to whom one Leonard an Eng­lishman answeared modestly: yea sir in tuition, not in frui­tion, to defend not to expende. Seuell bishop of Yorke by y^e example of the former bishop of Lincolne, did likewyse w^t ­stande this Pope Alexander, and desyred him by letter to leaue of his wonted polling, & according to Peters exam­ple to feede the sheepe, not to flece them, not to flea them, not vnbowel them, neither as a wolfe deuoure them. Fur­ther it followeth in the sayd Mattheus, that the Pope sente yet other Legates into England, namelye Arlot & Man­suet minorite fryers, who had power to pardon for money eyther lyers, forswearerers, vowbreakers, adulterers, and Sodomits, traytors, poysoners, murtherers, and [Page 118] all suche: Whereuppon a certaine woman an anchoresse in S. Albons abbey had this terrible visiion, she heard an old man of graue countenaunce crye thre times VVo, wo, to all that dwel on the earth, and then faded away againe.

Anno 1258. Richard Earle of Cornewall sonne to king Iohn of Englād was chosē king of Almany for his great treasure, and the Pope procured that he was chosen Em­perour, but he did that closely, because he had likewyse for the same matter, taken a bribe of Alphonsus kinge of Spaine: Whereupon a certaine Poet made this Verse.

Beside these shiftes made for money, this Pope Alexā ­der vsed another notorious knacke, he abusing & deluding the simplicitye of the king of England, made him beleeue that he would make his sonne Edmond king of Apulia, if hee woulde sustaine the charges thereof to maintaine the warres appertayning to it: wherupon the king caused his sonne forthwith to be proclaymed king of Apulia, and sent to the Pope all the treasure and riches that he could make in his Realme. And thus was the king and his sonne delu­ded, and the Realme wonderfullye impouerished by the Popes craft. It were to long to discouer all the super­stitious & wicked deuises of this Pope, who at length go­ing to Viterbium Anno 1262. to make peace betweene the Genewaies & Venetians according to his owne fansye, and because he coulde not haue his will therein, he dyed there for anger.

125. Vrban the fourth.

VRban the fourth borne in Fraunce, and as some saye 190 was first called Pantaleon being patriarch of Hieru­salem. As sone as he was Pope by and by he commaūded [Page] souldiours out of Fraunce to subdue Manfred the ennemy of the Church: & for the furtherance therof hee requested Lewes kinge of Fraunce to send his brother Charles & the Earle of Anteganor w^t an oast into Italye, and made him king of both Sicils. After many conflictes y^e said Charles o­uercame and slue Manfred at Beneuent, and receyued of y^e Pope against all lawe and right the kingdome of Sicill w^t the dukedome of Calabrie and Apulia, whereuppon arose many great slaughters. While this Pope was frō Rome at Pruse, y^e Romaynes coueting their olde libertyes made a newe kinde of officers, callinge them Branderesies, who had power of life and death in their handes: they chose one Brācaleo a priuate parsō of Bononia to be Senatour, whō banished late before they restored. But touching Vrban it was not much more then this that he did, sauinge that hee ordayned an holye daye, namelye Corpus Christi daye, the fifte day after Trinitye sonday, vpon this occasion as some (and most likely) do write, namelye Arnold Bostro, & Pe­trus Praemonstratensis. Anno 1264. (as they saye) a cer­taine woman called Eue in a Religious house in Leodia, with whom the Pope in time past had beene well acquain­ted, had a reuelation which she signifyed by wryting to the Pope, beseeching him that the sayd day might be kept ho­lye in the honour of the Sacrament of the altar, to whom the Pope according to her desire, returned his aunsweare with this Bull to confirme the holy daye,

This Vrhan sate more then three yeares betweene the Guelphes & Gibelines, and prouoked their quarrels to be tryed by the edge of the sworde, to the confusion of manye through Italye. He being on a time vpbrayed that he was of base linage, aunsweared that no mā was noble by byrth, but that to be made noble by vertue is true nobility: final­lye beinge at Pruse because in great attemptes he had not his desired successe, he dyed for griefe. Masseus sayth that a blazing starre appeared three nights before the death of this Pope, and ceased the same night that he dyed.

126 Clemens the fourth.

CLemens y^e fourth called before Gui Fulcodius borne in 191 Narbonie, ere he came to be Pope was a maryed man, and had 3. children by his wyfe, a sonne & two doughters. He (as his predecessour began) continued in sheddinge of bloud: he sent for Charles Earle of Angeow to bringe an armye into Italye where he slew Manfred, and was made kinge of Sicill and Hierusalem, but vppon this condition that he should paye yearelye to the Pope fortye thousande Crownes. This bargaine beinge made betweene them, great slaughter & bloudshed was committed in diuers pla­ces, for the said Pope betrayed Conradinus sonne to Con­radus kinge of Sicill, and inheritour of the kingdomes to y^e former Charles, so that as he passed through the fieldes of Viterbie with an oast of Germaynes, wher his abode was at that time, the Pope by report sayd: that the sayd Con­radinus was as a lambe brought to the slaughter, shewing therby that he was of councell to the treason. Afterward when he foughte with Charles about Naples, & at the first conflict had sufficient victorye, yet then the treason reuea­ling it selfe, Conradinus & Frederick duke of Austria were taken: & being myserablye vsed in their captiuitye mocked and flouted, were in the ende beheaded by the Popes com­maundement, because Conradinus claymed the kingdome which his auncetours possessed. Thus the kingdome of Naples came into the hand of the Frenchmen, and y^e duke­dome of Sweuia decayed and came to nought by y^e wicked­nes of y^e Pope. In the time of this Clemens one Octobonꝰ a Legate of his comminge into England, enrolled to per­petuall memorye the valuation of all Churches in the Realme so narrowly as he could possiblye gather the cer­taintye. Clemens dyed at Viterbium Anno 1270. & was buryed amonge the Dominickes, and the seate was voyde two yeares.

127. Gregorie the tenth.

GRegorie the tenth borne in Placentia in Lombardye, of 192 the house of the countesse of Millen, was first called Theobaldus. He being an archdeacō, after the Cardinals discention (which had lasted almost two yeres) was ended, was chosen Pope: of whose election Iohn Cardinall of Portua wrote these Verses.

This Pope amonge other thinges made peace betwene the Genewaies and Venetians: He excommunicated the Florentines for inuadinge such townes as belonged to the Popeship. Afterward he held a coūcel at Lions in Fraūce to the which came Michael Palaeologus Emperour of Greece, to reason of the opinions of the Church of Rome, for xii. of his auncetours had in times past conferred with them, and euer departed dissentinge from them. In this councell was decreed that the Pope beinge dead, the Car­dinals should be shut vp in a certaine closet without meate or drincke, till with one consente they should agree vppon choyse of another. He made many decrees for the helping of the Holy land, and the maintayninge of Religious mē. Many noble and great parsonages both kinges & Earles, made themselues apparell with the Crosse on it, to go the voyage to Hierusalem, to whom the Pope verye craftely, to further their purpose promised to come visit them there. He aduaunced diuers of the begging fryers to greate Ec­clesiasticall dignityes, as to bishoprickes, archbishoprickes and Cardinalships. After the Empyre had beene voyde [Page] a long time, at y^e length he made Rodolph Earle of Ham­boroughe Emperour, because he shoulde maintaine ciuill discention: and after y^t Alphonsus kinge of Castile had be­stowed houge summes of money in hope to be Emperour, (especially the duke of Cornewall being dead) y^e Pope ap­peased him with wordes enoughe, but no recompence in money toward his charges. This Rodolph after he was chosen was charged by the electours that he shoulde go to Rome within a yeare to receiue the Crowne of the Pope, yet he neuer did it, excusing himselfe with pretence of pri­uate affayres: & vsed to saye oftentimes amonge his fren­des, that the footinge of the Emperours goinge into Ita­lye seemed glorious & triūphant: but in their returne out of Italye wretched, myserable, & ful of sorrow. Alluding to the fable of the Foxe, who being sent for to come to visit the sicke Lion, made aunsweare that he perceyued y^e foote­steps of many beastes goinge into the Lions denne, but he could finde fewe or none comming from it. But Rodolph sente his vicegerent into Italye whom the Cities for the most part receyued: but the Pope returning to Rome & iourneying hard by the Florentines, would not yet absolue them of their excommunication which had lasted almost 3. yeares. At length he came to Aretium Anno 1275. & dyed in his iourney in the fift yeare of his Popeship & is buried there, and neuer came to Rome nor sawe it.

128. Innocentius the fifte.

193 INnocentius the fift borne in Burgundie a dominican in profession, was cho [...]en by the Cardinals at Aretiū: who beinge chosen Pope and crowned in S. Peters Church, went about to establish peace in Italye. Therefore he sent great Embassadours, who should compell the He [...]rurians (entendinge to destroye the Pisans) to take peace: also the Venetians and Genewaies being at deadly enmitye, to fall [Page 121] to vnitye vpon perill of his curse. Also he procured y^e Em­bassadours of Charles king of Sicill to be present at y^e peace makinge, the better to countenaunce his doinges: the He­trurians obeyed, and especially the Florentines, and there­fore the Pope did absolue them from the excommuni [...]atiō of Gregorie: But the Genewaies and Venetians cōtinued notwithstanding the slaughter of each other, whom yet In­nocentius had broughte to his purpose if he had liued, he purposed it so earnestly. He dyed the same yeare that Gre­gorie dyed, in the second daye after he had raigned vi. mon­thes. This Pope (sayth Platina) did not a litle offende se­culer priestes, because at Viterbium he did determine the dominicās should enioye the tombe of Clemens the fourth, for which they and the secular priestes had longe beene at sharpe debate.

129. Hadrian the fifte.

HAdrian the fifte a Genewaie borne before called O­thobonus, 194 was made Pope in Lateran porche: this mā was nephewe to Innocentius the fourth, and made Car­dinall of S. Hadrian by him, and sent into England as Le­gate to gather vp the Popes money. But while he wente about to appease strife betweene the kinge & his barons, thereby to worke his owne matters more quietly, he was put into prison by the Citizens of London, and at length deliuered againe. Anno 1266. w^t a great trayne of bishops and priestes, he helde one councell at Northampton and a­nother at London: where after he had dispatched his mat­ters touchinge papistrye according to his owne minde, he made lawes whereby England did longe after maintaine Papistrye. Also he denounced all those bishops to be wic­ked, who had taken parte with the Princes against kinge Henry the third, and yet those same bishops were partlye absolued by him for money, partlye compelled to go for ab­solution [Page] to the Pope. This Hadrian as sone as he was made Pope went forthwith to Viterbium, & sente for Ro­dolphe the Emperour into Italye, to breake the power of Charles kinge of Sicill: this Charles is he whom againste lawe and righte he had aduaunced before, who then ruled all at Rome according to his luste. But Rodolph beinge troubled with the Bohemian warre, could not satisfye the Popes desire: but Charles meaning to eschue the mallice, transported all the power of his armye into Achaia, pur­posinge to make a waye to attaine to the Empyre of Con­stantinople. Hadrian (sayth Platina) purposed to make the gouernemente of the Church to be safer from oppres­sours, & to alter the constitutiō of Gregory his predecessor, touchinge the restraint of the Cardinals for the election of the Pope. He dyed at Viterbium ere he were consecrate Pope 40. dayes after his election.

130. Iohn the xxij.

IOhn the xxii. a Portingale borne & a Phisition by profes­sion 195 called before Peter Portingale, was made Pope be­inge first bishop of Tusculan. This man although he were counted very well learned, yet for want of skill in gouern­ment, & infirmitye in his maners (sayth Platina) did more hurt and dishonour to the Popeship then good. For he did many thinges that seemed to be both of a foolish and light minde: and was to be praysed in this thinge onelye, that he [...]uccoured with money and Ecclesiasticall lyuinges yonge men that were toward in learninge, & especiallye the poo­rest. At this time the Venetians spoyled the Anconitās, because they vsinge trafique into Dalmatia woulde paye them no tribute: & yet the Pope would not defende them as he ought to do, beinge tributaryes to the Church: and though in words he were hasty, yet in his doinges a sloug­garde and dastard. The Anconitans therefore being desti­tute [Page 122] of the Popes ayde, gathering themselues together, brast out of the Citye vppon the Venetians besieging it, & draue them awaye with great damage. But the Pope v­singe the aduise of Iohn Caietan who thē ruled all, because by his ayde he came to be Pope, he sent his Embassadours both to Michael Paleologus, & the kinges of the West, to moue them in his name to make peace amōge themselues, and to prouide to send their powers against the Sarracens: which if Paleologus would not do & keepe the vnitye pro­mised, he woulde giue his Empyre from him to Charles kinge of Sicill. He prophesyed by the course of the starres that he him selfe should liue longe, and tould this to euery man in his vanitye, as one whose wante of discretion was euident to euery man. But behould while he thus vaunted his cunninge in prophecyinge and constellations, openlye in a certaine chamber which for his pleasure hee had buil­ded in his Pallaice at Viterbium the fourth day after fell downe sodainlye. Anno 1277. After this ruine wherein he perished myserablye, he was founde the seuenth day after hauinge raigned viii. monthes. Valerius called the place which fell downe Gamesters hall, and Stella calleth it the precious Chamber, for the Pope had builded it so gorge­ouslye for his pleasure. After his death the seate was voide through great contention vi. monthes.

129. Nicolas the thirde.

NIcolas the third a Romaine, called first Iohn Caietan, after vi. monthes with great discention and brauling 194 of the Cardinals obtayned the seate. Charles king of Sicil was as Senatour president in their consistorye, who was very vrgent to choose some Frenchman Pope: and there­fore this Nicolas hauing gotten the place, purposinge to a­bate the power of Charles toke from him the Vicarship of Hetruria, & filled Italye full of broyles. And for his owne [Page] lucre hee perswaded Peter kinge of Aragon to clayme the kingdome of Sicill, sayinge that it belonged to him, by the inheritaunce of his wyfe Constance, which liked Peter: but note the sequeale. Peter with a great nauye went to Sar­dinia, and there wayted whē some motions should arise in Sicill, for the Sicillians making a conspiracy against Char­les and the Frenchmen, appointed a daye that as soone as at eueninge a bell should be tould, the Frenchmen shoulde be forthwith murthered both man woman & child, where­in they were so cruell y^t they slue euen women with child. But this horrible deede was not doone vnder Pope Nico­las, but in the time of his successour Martin the fourth. Also this Nicolas toke to himselfe y^e Senatourship, which Clement the fourth had bestowed on Charles: and forbad for euer that any Prince or kinge should be so hardy to de­sire or take vppon him that dignitye. By his falsehoode it came to passe that Flaunders, & Bononia, & the royaltye of Rauenna, which longe time were vnder the Emperour, became subiect to the Pope. Amonge other buildinges y^t he made aboute Rome, he enclosed a warrante of hares w^t hye walles, wherein euen in his Popeship he vsed often to hunt. He bestowed syluer cases for the Apostles heades: he was reproued of many for making his nephewe Berthold Earle of Romundiala, & for another of his nephewes be­inge a Dominican & Cardinall because he sente him Em­bassadour into Hetruria. For Platina and Stella and other complaine that he loued his kindred to well, so that he be­stowed withoute lawe on them that which he had filched frō other: for he toke perforce from some nobles of Rome, certaine Castels and bestowed them on his freindes. He made the Gibelines being seditious mē magistrats at his owne lust in Florence and els where, to defende and main­taine his tyrannye. Also he purposed to make two kinges of the stocke of Vrsines, the one in Lombardye the other in Hetrury, but while he purposed this he dyed sodenly of [Page 123] an Apoplexye, without speakinge any worde Anno 1281. in the fourth yeare of his Popeship, and yet it was thoughte by his goed complexion he should haue liued much longer. Some saye that one foretolde the death of this Pope by y^e rysinge of the riuer Tiber, which then happened. The re­port is that of a concubine he begat a sonne that had hayre and clawes like a beare: it is written in Iohn Noueoma­gus in illustrationibus Bedae.

130. Martin the fourth.

MArtin the fourth a Frenchman called before Simon, was nexte made Pope by the Cardinals of Fraunce,195 who then were the greater nomber. He woulde not be Crowned at Viterbium, because he thoughte that Citye was excommunicated, because they had made a tumult a­gainst the Cardinals, for the Viterbians entring into the consistorye apprehended the Cardinals, and put them in prison, dryuinge out and contemninge the house of Vrsins: therefore Martin going to an olde towne called Oruietus, did there kepte all his solemnitye, & made viii. Cardinals the same daye to strengthen his power. Also hee did not onelye entertaine curteouslye kinge Charles comminge to him, but also restored to him the dignitye of Senatorship which Pope Nicolas had taken frō him: which thinge dis­pleased many, because it should make seditiō in the Citye, the Vrsine being now returned and their ennemyes driuē out: for Charles for the hatred conceyued against Nicolas, was sore bente against the Vrsines. But Pope Martin meaninge to worke warelye, did much set by Matthew de Aquisporta a Franciscā, of the house of y^e Vrsines, a Car­dinal & bishop of Portua. He excōmunicated Peter king of Aragon, who went about to inuade y^e kingdome of Sicil w^t his nauy against Charles: also he gaue his kingdome for a [...]ooty to one that did desire to enioy it: He released his sub­iectes [Page] from their allegeaunce, callinge him an vsurper of Church goodes. But Peter defyinge all this did by the helpe of Paleologus obtaine the kingdome of Sicill: the Sicilians also beinge able no longer to sustayne the pride & Iust of the Frenchmē, at the perswasion of Iohn Prochita, conspired against Charles, and ringinge the belles, did at once without anye regarde murther all the Frenchmen. Pope Martin amonge other thinges graunted to the Ro­maynes libertye to chose two Senatours of the nobilitye, and excommunicated Paleologus. He made warre against the Forolinians. He bestowed great pryuiledges vpon the begging fryers: and as he was taking his accustomed re­creation with his chapleins (as Carsulan testifyeth) a cer­taine secrete disease came vppon him, which after hee had sayd it panged him extreamlye, he dyed Anno 128 [...]. and yet the Phisicions coulde finde no token of death in him. Some write that this Pope in the first yeare of his Pope­ship, receyued into his familiarity the concubine of his pre­decessour Nicolas: but to auoyde the like chaunce that his childe (if he shoulde haue anye by her) might not be like a beare, he commaunded all beares which were painted in his Pallaice by a Pope that was of Vrsine house, to be ta­ken awaye or blotted oute, to auoyde in his concubine the sight thereof, which he thoughte wrought great effecte in conception.

131. Honorius the fourth.

HOnorius the fourth a Romaine of a noble familye was 196 afore called Iacob, was next made Pope. He had a bro­ther called Pandulphus a worthye man who at that time was Senatour in Rome, who did sharpely execute lawes against fensers, theeues, and murtherers. Honorius excommunicated Peter king of Aragon, because he helde at that time the kingdome of Sicill against Charles, & con­firmed [Page 124] the curses and edict of Pope Martin, because for y^e Popes lucre he woulde not leaue the kingdome. Also he raysed terrible warre against Gui Feltro who helde the towne Flaminia, and ouercomminge him, against all law and righte by tyrannye subdued the towne to Rome. Also he confirmed the sect of Augustine fryers which was re­fused at Paris, but withstoode by manye. Also he appoin­ted to the Carmelites, that puttinge of their riche roabes, they shoulde weare white weedes, and commaunded they should be called our Ladyes brethren. After which he died quicklye Anno 1288. in the second yeare of his Popeship. The seat after this was voyde x. monthes for pestilences and earthquakes. This Pope was much troubled wyth the goute, both in his handes and his feete, so that he was fayne to make certaine instruments fit for the purpose to saye masse. The Grecians in his time forsakinge papistrye returned to their old fayth.

132. Nicolas the fourth.

NIcolas the fourth a Franciscane fryer borne in Picene, 197 after tenne monthes was chosen Pope, at which time the Cardinals did not yet agree vppon one. This Pope (sayth Platina) loued all men a like, and thoughte that he ought no more dutye to his kindred then to other. He did nothinge of any great waight, but busyed himselfe in erec­tinge superstitious buildinges, and making newe ceremo­nyes aboute fryers and monkes, which are not worth the mencioning: finallye he seing Rome sore tormoyled in his time with ciuill discentions, burninges, slaughters & spoy­linges, dyed for very griefe and sorrow thereof Anno 1291. He beinge deade the Cardinals wente to Peruse, that they might vse the more libertye in choosing a newe Pope: and yet they iarred so bitterly among them selues two yeares and 3. monthes, that they could neuer agree in y^t election.

133. Celestine the fift.

198 CElestine the fifte borne at Esernia beside Sulmo, by pro­fession an Anchore called before Peter Moronens, af­ter the Cardinals had scoulded two yeares, he by the pro­curement of Charles the seconde kinge of Naples and the latine Cardinals was chosen Pope, who as sone as he was created went to Apulia, & callinge all the Cardinals the­ther, he created xii. newe Cardinals wherof two were E­remites. Ptolomeus Lucensis wryteth, that at his Coro­nation were two hundred Thousande men: because (sayth Massaeus) at the first time he sate in Consistory, he went a­bout exactly to reforme the Church of Rome y^• the clergy mighte be an example to other, he purchased such hatred that he doated & was a foole. Thereupon one of the cler­gye called Benedict, hyred one to set throughe an hoole in y^e wall of the Popes chamber a greate hollow troncke, and throughe the same shoulde make an hydeous noyse manye nightes together, (as if it had beene the voyce of an Angell frō heauen) saying in the night time: Celestine, Celestine, giue ouer thy charge, for it is aboue thy habilitye. Beside this diuers perswaded him to giue ouer for his owne safe­tye. Kinge Charles vnderstanding of this spake with the Pope, desiringe him as earnestlye as he could, not to for­sake that dignity, which came to him by the grace of God. But he gaue this answeare: I will do as it pleaseth God [...] And returning from Naples from the kinge, & perceyuing he coulde not be quiet, hee gaue ouer the Popeship on S. Lukes eue, and made haste to go liue an Eremites life in y^e desert, sayth Massaeus: but first of all he made a decree with the consent of al, that the Pope might yeld vp his dignity. But Boniface who had thus beguiled the simple man, and now gat to be his successour, fearing least y^e people woulde followe the same Celestine as Pope, & defye him, he there­fore put Celestine in close prison till he dyed, Anno 1292. [Page 125] the x. daye of Maye after he had raigned one yeare and fiue monthes. Of this Celestine sprange a secte of monkes called Celestinians.

134. Boniface the eight.

BOniface the eight borne in Campania called before Be­nedict 199 Caietan beinge chiefe councellour to Celestine, was set vp in his steade by a straunge kinde of treason at Naples. This Boniface while he was Cardinall of S. Martines in the mounte, did so honger after the Popeship that he spared no falsehood nor ambicious meanes y^t might further his desire. He was so proude that he did almost dis­daine all men. And boyling thus wyth heate of ambition, he suborned (as is sayd before) certaine who should come in the night time, and wyth a still and straunge voyce in the Chamber of Celestine as it were from heauen perswade him (beinge a very simple man of himselfe) to yelde vp the Popeship if hee woulde be saued: which in the ende was brought to passe. But Boniface vsurping by craft against all right the Popeship, apprehending the sillye man Cele­stine (who was departing from Rome to some wildernes there to ende his life) put him in perpetuall prison: and yet (as Marius witnesseth) he professed he did it not for ha­tred against Celestine, but lea [...]t the auctours of sedition shold make him their head, to trouble & disquiet the peace of the Church. And thus this vnthanckeful Boniface was not contented onelye to delude poore Celestine, and to be­guile him of his dignity, but furthermore to cause the sim­ple soule as if he had bene a malefactor, to dye for thought in prison. After this Boniface began to exercise such cru­eltye & he seemed to be another Nero: he sente for certaine Cardinals to come vnto him, but they beinge terrifyed w^t his falsehod and rigour, durst not come to him, and there­vppon they were proclaymed scismatickes by him, and de­pryued [Page] not onelye of their benefices and such dignityes as they had receyued of Popes, but also were berefte of all their landes, townes and goodes which they had by inhe­ritaunce. Furthermore he gathered an armye, and pur­sued them with the Columnians and as many of the Gibe­lines as he met withall in any place. He destroyed & spoi­led all mens places whether soeuer they fled: whereupon many of them seing they might be safe in no place, fled in­to woodes [...]nd forestes and taryed there, other some of the most noble houses of Italye, after they had euen in maner of wild beastes ranged longe aboute the Sea shore, did at length depart from Italye wyth saluage Pyrates and ro­uers: for they trusted more the barbarous Pyrates then this churlishe Boniface. He hated y^e Gibelines with such rancour, that in persecuting them he heard saye that some of them were fled to the Genewaies, & therupon he poasted thether to destroy them vtterly, & to roote out y^e very name of them vpon earth. And when vpon Ash wednesdaye he should according to the superstitious vse crosse al comme [...]s on the forheade with ashes, and saye vnto them thus: Re­member man that thou art ashes, and to ashes thou shalte returne. Upon the same day & for the same cause, the arch­bishop of Porchet (who was a Gibeline) came vnto him, & kneelinge downe vnto the Pope put of his cappe, to haue the ashes put on his head, whō when Boniface had espyed, beinge neither ashamed for the time, nor the place, nor the people present, vttered his rancour towarde the bishoppe most shamefullye. For takinge vp an handfull of ashes, he threwe them spitefullye in the eyes of the bishop, sayinge reprochfullye wyth malicious chaunge of woordes: Re­member man thou arte a Gibeline, and to the Gibelines thou shalt returne. And beside this depriued him of his archbishopricke, though in the ende he restored it.

In his time were great and cruell warres betwene the Sicilians and Robert duke of Calabria, which wroughte [Page 126] much mischiefe to all Italye, and yet the Pope being oftē ­times requested thereunto, would neuer with his auctori­tye steppe in betwene them to pacifye the matter. But by the prouidence of God, they that before fled out of Italye with the rouers, arriued in Italye againe, and gathering together a fewe (who fled and lurked here & there for feare of the rage of Boniface) came to Anagnia, & ere the Pope mistrusted any such matter, they brast open the gates vpō him, apprehended him, and brought him to Rome, where frettinge and raginge in a great agonye most desperatlye for the space of xxx. dayes, throughe the extremitye of his malady, he dyed myserablye Anno 1304.

This Pope sent a commaundement to the king of Eng­land, charging him not to molest Scotland (as he did then) anye longer, because the Scottes were a priuiledged peo­ple belonging to his Chappell: but the kinge stoode stout­lye in the defence of his righte and quarrell, and claymed it as his right & not the Popes. After this the Pope mo­ued kinge Edwarde to warre vppon the Frenche kinge be­cause he had offended the Pope, but the kinge would not be so abused by him. After this when the kinge had bestowed the bishopricke of Canterbury vpon Robert Burnel bishop of Bathe, the Pope in spite of his teeth did not onlye place another called Iohn Peccam, but also sent downe his Bull to the spirituall men of England, for their discharge, not to paye one penye tribute to the kinge in any case, to his no small trouble: for vpon this the most of them were at defi­aunce with the kinge and his Parliamente, especiallye the bishop of Canterburye. This is that Pope of whom it was cōmonlye said: He entred like a foxe, he raigned like a Lion, he died like a dogge. He thinking that kingdomes and Empires were all in his owne hande, did vsurpe the aucthority of both swordes, & woulde be counted the Lord of all the world. He gaue sentence y^e vnlesse kinges woulde receiue their kingdomes at his hand, they should be accur­sed, [Page] and oughte to be deposed. He excommunicated Philip kinge of Fraunce, because he would not suffer the treasure of his Realme to be transported oute to Rome: he cursed both him and his to the fourth generation. Also he would not confirme Albertus to be Emperour (whom before he had three or foure times reiected) vntill he woulde inuade Fraunce, and depose king Philip. He maintayned the dis­corde that was in Italye, and purposed to nourishe them continuallye. He forbad that the clergye should paye anye tribute to their Princes without his commaundement. He boasted that he bare the keyes of heauē, and published this Canon that he oughte to be iudged of none, althoughe hee shoulde drawe thousandes of soules to hell with him. He was the first that deuised the Iubelye, according to the Ie­wishe tradition. He gaue full remission of sinnes and par­dons to all that shoulde come on pilgrimage to Rome. At the first daye of Iubelei hee prancked himselfe gorgeouslye in his pontificalibus. The seconde daye he being arrayed most royallye, with Emperiall insignes, commaunded a naked sword to be caryed before him, and said with a loude voice: Ecce potestatem vtrius (que) gladij: Lo here is the po­wer of both swordes. Finallye he being (as is said) appre­hended, and offeringe rather his head to be cut of then he would yelde vp his Papacye, those conditions beinge put to him: his house was first spoyled of so much treasure, y^t as it is reported all the kinges of the earth together were not able to make so much oute of theyr treasurye, as was caryed oute of his Pallaice, and from three Cardinals and a Marquesse that were with him. Then afterward he was set vpon an vnbroken coult with his face to the horse tayle, and so caused to ride a gallop & iaunted til he were breath­lesse, and then was he imprisoned and there almost pined, by kinge Philips souldiours of Fraunce, till the people of the towne of Aragon where he was did releue him, and yet neuerthelesse for thought of this misery and losse, he dyed.

[Page 127]He bestowed on S. Peters Pallaice a chayme of belles making a sweete and pleasaunt noyse, and encreased the re­uennues therof: he yet encreased very much y^t priuiledges of the begginge fryers. He doubled y^e idolatrous honour of the Apostles, the 4, Euangelistes, and the foure doctours of the Church. He gaue auctoritye to y^e Ecclesiastical par­sons generally in England, to excommunicate the people twise in the yeare. He caused one Hermanus of Ferraria to be taken oute of his graue, and burned xxx. yeares after he had beene buryed. He said that to be subiect to the Church of Rome is of the necessitye to saluatiō. He deposed diuers Cardinals: he deuested diuers kinges of their estate: he fo­stered harlots, [...]e begat diuers bastardes, beside sondrye o­ther l [...]ude pranckes. He sommoned kinge Edwarde the first to Rome vpon the cōplaint of Robarte VVinchelsey bishop of Canterbury after y^e death of Iohn Peccam, both which Archbishops troubled the kinge, as almost all their auncetours from the time of Hildebrand had done to the Princes in their time: for so VVilliam Rufus and Hen­ry the first, were troubled wyth Anselmus Archbishop of Canterbury: Henry the second also with Thomas Becket: King Richard and all England with VVilliam bishop of Elye the Popes Legate: King Iohn with Steuen Langtō bishop of Canterburye: Henry the thirde with Edmonde Archbishop, and now this kinge Edwarde wyth these two. The kinge beinge cited to Rome, was there suspended till he had purchased full dearely his absolution: but of the said Peccam this one thing is to be noted, that he caused to be ordayned y^t no spirituall mynister should haue any more benefices thē one, which was also decreed by Octo and Octogonus, the Popes Legates in England at that time.

What effecte this letter wrought in them, to whom it was directed, is not in story expressed. This by the sequeal may be coniectured, that no reason nor perswasiō could pre­uaile, but that the Pope retayned here still his exactions, what soeuer was said or written to the contrarye notwith­standinge.

135. Benedict the xi.

200 BEnedict the xi. borne in Lombardy called Nicolas, a do­minican by profession of obscure parentage (whose fa­ther was a sheepeheard,) he after he had beene Cardinall and bishop of Hostia came to be Pope. He was of stature but a dwarfe, and at length waxed ba [...]ld, but of an excellēt witte and very eloquent, and therfore in high fauour with Pope Boniface: who as soone as he was created, applyed his minde diligentlye to asswage all those broyles and se­ditious factions that wasted Italye. Leander Albertus reporteth, that when he was made Pope, his mother came to Peruse to see her sonne so exalted, & was apparelled by the Senate that she might come in seemely order to salute him: but he did reprochfullye disdaine and would not ac­knowledge her to be his mother, til she had put on her for­mer apparell againe. Then (quoth he) I knowe this ma­trone, for shee is my mother. He offered to S. Estorge Church in Millen a challice of siluer of great waight, also a senser and a boxe of frankinsence, siluer candlestickes, & a silken curtein of y^e price of an hundred Crownes, & gaue iii. hundred poundes oute of the Popes treasurye to make another curtein about the Sepulcher of one Peter of Ve­rona a dominican fryer. All that he gaue, coste viii. Thou­sand pounde accordinge to their computacion at Millein. He excommunicated all those that were the apprehenders of Boniface, vntill they had payde for absolution. He recey­ued into fauoure Iohn and Iames Cardinals of Columna, whom Boniface persecuted. He absolued Philip kinge of Fraunce who was excommunicated. He made three Car­dinals Nicolas Pratensis of Hetruria, VVilliam Mackles­fild & Gualter VVinterburne, being Englishmen. After he had appeased those braules which his predecessour had procured, he dyed Anno 1305. in y^e fift month of his Pope­ship. [Page 133] The report is that he dyed of poyson which was giuē him in a figge: Of this Benedict were made these two Uerses.

136. Clement the fifte.

CLement the fifte was borne in Vasco, his father was one Bernard a noble knighte, he was first called Ber­trad 201 Goth, and was chosen Pope by the Cardinals after much strife at Peruse, he himselfe not beinge there. He a­greeing to the election went from Burdigall to Lions, and sent for al the Cardinals, whither they came out of hand: where the Pope translatinge the court of Rome hether in­to Fraunce Anno 1305. continued still there threscore and ten yeares, to the great damage of the Romaynes. Phi­lip king of Fraunce, and his brother Charles, & Iohn duke of Britaine, were at this Popes Coronation, where duke Iohn & xii. other mayned w^t a wall that was ouerthrowne by the wonderfull prease of people, dyed out of hand. Also King Philip was somwhat wounded with the fall therof. And the Pope himselfe in so greate an hurly burly beinge thrust besyde his horse, lost a Carbunckle stone oute of his Miter, valued at sixe Thousande Florences. The pompe & triumphe beinge ended, hee made manye Cardinals of the Frenchmen, but none of the Italians, sauing that he resto­red to Iohn and Iames of Columna their Cardinalships. He sente three Cardinals with Senatours auctoritye to Rome, to gouerne it and Italy. He graunted to Frederick king of Sicill, the Isle Sardinia (inhabited of the Saracens) vpon this condition, y^t as sone as he coulde he should driue out the enemyes and recouer it, but to the vse of the Pope. To these wordes of Platina, Marius hath added this: Cle­ment the fift (sayth he) because he desired not to serue other [Page] as Christe commaunded his Apostles, but to haue Empe­rours serue him, decreed by Canon, y^t the Emperours ap­pointed in Germany (although they bare y^e name of y^e king of Romaynes) should yet receiue of the Pope y^e title, right, and name of Empire: and that the Emperour being dead, all the time the Empyre should be voide, the Pope should haue iurisdiction ouer those townes in Italye that are tri­butaryes to the Emperour. So much of Marius. Cle­ment being an open whoremōger and maintayner of har­lots, appointed the Popes Courte to be at Auenio for his owne pleasure. He rooted out y^e Iewes called Templars, in a councell at Vienna Anno 1311. In the same councell be decreed that all religious orders exempted shoulde be subiect vnder the commō lawes as other were, but the Ci­stercian monks did purchase of him to be priuiledged, and gaue large bribes to him for it. Also the Franciscan friers offered him fortye Thousande Florences of golde beside other siluer, that they might against their rule haue a dis­pensation for landes and possessions: the Pope thereupon willed them to bring the money, & hauing taken assurance for it of certaine marchaunts which they brought, he both toke the money & tould y^e fryers y^t he would not nor could not breake S. Frauncis rule for any money, & thus he be­guiled y^e fryers. He aduaūced S. Iohns knights▪ called y^e knights of the Roades, because they had won y^e Roades frō the Saracens. He cōmaunded the master of the Tēplars to be burned w^t one of his fellowes at Paris in presence of y^e Cardinals, and made certaine decrees to bridle the disor­der of the Iewes confiscating their goodes. He appointed punishmēt for such of the clergye as should busye themsel­ues in secular affayres, or be costlye apparelled: and depri­ued monkes of hunting and hauking. He excommunicated the Venetians, the Florentines and Lucians, and cōfirmed Corpus Christi daye for an holye daye. He commaunded y^t the reliques of Saincts should be reuerentlye honoured. [Page 131] He gouerned Italye by his deputyes two Cardinals: he made Celestine the fift a confessor Sainct: finally after di­uers decrees of superstition, he dyed of the bloudye flixe, panged and pained somtime with a collicke, sometime pay­ned in the guts, the sides and the stomacke, at Rocca Mau­ra a tent vpon Rodanus Anno 1314. His body was caryed to Carpentorate in Vascony: the seate was voyde 3. yeres. This same yeare also dyed Henry Lutsenburg the Empe­rour, poysoned by a monke called Bernad by the cōspiracy of the Guelphes, because he wēt about to take vpō him by force the kingdome of Sicill, beinge moued thereto by the Sicilians: for this cause the sayd monke (who had long dis­sembled frendship & good will to the Emperour) wrought his destruction in most sinfull and blasphemous manner: For against the good & godlye Emperour should come to receiue the Sacrament of the bodye of Christe, the cursed monke had prouided & tempered one hoaste w^t such rancke poyson, y^t the Emperour perceyued forthwith the horrible treason: and yet the godlye Prince as soone as he felt him­selfe poysoned, gaue the trayterous monke warning to es­cape awaye with these woords: Sir, conuaye your selfe a­waye, for if the Dutchmen perceiue this and oure godlye frendes, ye shall dye the death. The monke therefore go­inge to Sene, receyued y^e reward which was promised him, and yet he did not by this treason deliuer his fryerlye bre­thren, for many of them in Thuscia, Lombardy and other places, both men & houses perished with fyer and sworde. This Pope Clement toke displeasure with the Venetiās, and furiouslye yelded them as a pray and spoyle to all that would make hauocke of them and theirs. They therefore sent to him a noble man of Venice called Dandalus, to sue for fauoure and for the safety of their Citye: and to obtaine pardon this noble Frauncis Dandalus was fayne to yelde himselfe bounde in a chayne about the necke, and to couch at the Popes feete vnder his table, and there like a dogge [Page] to feede of the scrappes & bones that the Pope did cast vnto him, ere he could asswage the Popes fury, as Sabelicus de­clareth Enned. 9. lib. 7.

137. Iohn the xxiii.

202 IOhn the xxiii. a Frenchman borne, called Iacob Catur­censis bishop and Cardinall of Portua, after y^e seate had beene voyde through y^e discorde of 23. Cardinals ii. yeares, was chosen Pope at Lions: from thence remouinge his Court to Auenio he created viii. Cardinals, amonge whō was Iacob Caturcensis the yonger his sisters sonne, and Iohn Caietan of the house of Vrsine. He deliuered Hugh Gerard bishop of Caturcia, to a seculer Courte beinge dis­graded and spoyled of his pontifical araye to be tormēted, his skin fleed from his bodye & then to be burned to death, because he had (as he saide) conspired against his parson. He was so new fangled that he made much chopping and chaunginge, erecting and supplanting of bishoprickes, ab­beyes, and such like dignityes. He made two Thomasses Saincts, the one bishop of Hertford in England, y^e other Thomas Aquinas a dominican, beside sondrye other. Hee ordayned that belles should be ronge thrise in the day, that the people fallinge on their knees euen as they go in theyr waye, shoulde saye Aue Maria thrise. He condemned them for obstinate heretickes, that defended that Christ and his Apostles possessed nothing priuatly, and sent commaunde­ment to the Uniuersities that no scholers should presume to dispute therof. He condemned the wryting of one Peter a franciscan fryer, who wente aboute to encourage men to follow the pouertye of Christe, for the which thinge many were condemned & burnte. He exempted the white fryers from all iurisdiction, reseruing them onelye to S. Peters auctoritye his deare children, and made diuers of them bi­shops: for (by the suggestion of Sathan, as surely it maye [Page 132] be well thoughte) he had a wonderfull straunge vision be­fore he came to be Pope, as he him selfe testifyeth in a cer­taine bull, that is this: That the Uirgin Mary deliuered him from his ennemyes amonge great debate of the Car­dinals, and made him Pope, but vpon this condition that he should saue from Purgatorye these his bretherne. This Pope Iohn taught certaine errours, namelye that y^e soules departed from the bodye do not see God till the day of Iudgemente: for so (sayth Massaeus) his father taughte him, being deluded with the false visiō of one Tundalus an Irishman. He sent to Paris twaine, the one a dominicke y^e other a franciscan, to preach y^e same heresye: but one Tho­mas VValleis an English fryer dominick, withstoode the Pope in his heresye, whom the Pope committed to prison. Durandus of S. Porcian, VVilliam of Callis, and other w^t ­stoode the Pope likewyse. Touching the errour & grosse heresye of this Pope Iohn, he was charged with it in the councell of Constance by these wordes: Pope Iohn sayde and stubbornely beleeued, that the soule of man dyeth toge­ther with the body, & is consumed to nothing like the soule of brute beastes: whereof he neuer would purge him selfe. Furthermore because that Thomas Vvalleis an English­man was imprisoned by the Pope for reprouinge his here­sye, the kinge of Fraunce sommoned a councell into his Pallaice in Viciana sylua, where the whole assemblye sub­scribed against the Popes heresye: and therefore the kinge sent to Pope Iohn, willinge him both to reforme his here­sye, and also to deliuer the prysoner, & so the said Thomas was set at libertye. This Pope reformed and transpo­sed the orders & decrees of the Church at his owne plea­sure, & made Colledges of Scribes according to the nom­ber of the Apostles, who receyuing their fee, should write such letters as he should appoint. He cōdemned Iohn Po­liacus a deuine, because he taught that mē should not trust the begging fryers. He cōpelled certaine Nonnes called [Page] Biginae to marrye, and detested pictures. He helde it for a grounded article that Christ gaue none other rule of god­linesse to his Apostles then to other Christians, and that y^e Apostles neuer vowed pouertye. Iohn Mandeuil in his first booke and seuenth Chapter, sheweth that this Pope wrote at large to the Greekes that there is but onely one Christian Church, and that he was head thereof and vicar of Christ, to whō the Greekes aunswered briefely: VVee do assuredlye acknowledge your highe power ouer your subiectes, but wee cannot abide your high pride, wee can­not stanch your greedye couetousnes: the deuill is with you but God is with vs. Thus briefely in a worde they re­uealed the Popes estate. This Pope condemned Lewis Bauare a noble Emperour, to be a rebell to the Church, a scismaticke and hereticke, because he toke vpon him by the Electours choyse the gouernment of y^e Empyre, not vow­ing anye fealtye to the Pope. Thus wryteth Iohn Marius of this Emperour Lewis: Pope Iohn (sayth he) hated vn­to death Lewis Bauare, partly because he beinge chosen by the estates of Germanye kinge of the Romaynes, did dis­daine to receyue at the Popes hand (according to y^e Canon of Pope Clement the fifte) the name and title Emperiall, partly againe because he defended from the Popes power certaine monkes whom he had condemned for heretickes: therefore Pope Iohn auouched Lewis to be an hereticke. Lewis comminge into Italye, appointed his deputies in e­uery Cittye and came to Millen: and because he desired to qualifye the Popes displeasure, he sent Embassadours to him kepinge his courte then at Auenio in Fraunce, to re­quire of him the ornamentes belonging to the estate impe­riall, with freindlye affection as his auncestours had done: the Pope did not onelye denye the sute, but sent awaye the Embassadours with great reproche, and cited the Empe­rour him selfe peremptory wyse (as they terme it) to come to Auenio, & submit himselfe to the Canons of y^e Church. [Page 133] The Emperour knowinge the Popes tyrannye vsed in his Church, & vnderstanding that he had his estate giuen him from God, desired to keepe and defende the same holye and vndefiled: and therefore woulde not submit himselfe like a slaue vnto Popes, and so denyed to come to Auenio. And yet being desirous of peace, he besought the Pope by Em­bassadours once againe, to bestowe on him with curtesye y^e ornamentes of the Empyre: the Pope stoode peuishlye in his wilfulnes, vaunting and boasting in his wrytings, y^t he had power to playe make & marre w^t Princes, and y^t at his pleasure he might set vp and depose whom he listed: and y^t the Empyre being voyde, the Pope is ful Emperour: And for malice against Lewis he excōmunicated the Uicounts, whom the Emperour had appointed to gouerne Millen. The Emperour perceyuinge the Popes obstinate minde, taking with him many Princes of Italye came to Rome, and was honourablye receyued of al the people, and requi­red according to the custome to receiue the solemnityes of the Empyre. The Romaine peeres and all the people sent Embassadours to Pope Iohn in Fraunce, and humbly be­sought him to come to visit his City Rome, & to bestowe v­pon the king of the Romaynes the imperiall rites: which if he would not do, they said plainly that they them selues would keepe the ould law & priuiledge of the Romaynes. Iohn hauing heard the Embassadours, vsing great threa­tes and terrours draue them away with foule rebuke frō him. The Romaynes, seing this decreed to yeld to the no­ble Lewis his lawfull request: and so by the commaunde­ment of the clergy and people, both he and his wyfe toge­ther were crowned by Steuē & Nicolas being Senatours, in the meane time the nobilitye shouted oute, saying: God saue Lewis Augustus Emperour of the Romaynes. The Pope hearing this (though the Emperour did nothing but that was lawful and godly) did accuse him for a traytour, and an heretick: he published sore processe against him, put [Page] him frō his estate imperial, depriued him of his kingdome, condemned him by vile and cruel curse of excōmunication, as a rebell and Captaine heretick againste the Church of Rome, by meanes whereof he enflamed all Christendome with such discord & deadly warres, as could not afterward be quenched in thirty yeres. Thus farre wryteth Marius.

Thus the Pope had nothing to defende his forged supre­macye and auctoritye, but the dreadfull boultes of his ex­communication. But there were certaine at this time as well deuines as lawyers, which preached that Christe and his Apostles did possesse nothinge properlye, and that the Emperour in temporall cases was not subiect to y^e Pope: Amonge these men were Michael Coesenus & VVilliam Occam minorites, Marsilius of Padua & Iohn of Iandane lawyers, with diuers other. Lewis the Emperour was so comforted by these, that he did stoutly withstand the Po­pes ententes, and published this his appellation about the coastes of his Empyre.

Thus when Lewis and the peeres of Rome perceyued well the iniquitye of Pope Iohn, and the people of Rome from the hyest to the lowest, did take it in euill part that y^e Embassadours whō they had sent were so mocked of him, [Page 134] they all agreed together that the ould custome of chosing the Pope should be brought into the Church: that is, that he being chosen by the people of Rome, should be admitted and allowed by y^e Emperour. Therefore one Peter of Cor­baria a minorite was made Pope, and was called Nicolas the fifte: and as for Iohn they cōcluded of him that he was an heretick, and a tyrant of the Church, not a pastour but a breaker of the common peace of Christians. In the meane time Pope Iohn Anno 1335. in the fourscore & x. yeres of his age dyed at Auenio. About y^e yeare of our Lord 1326. in y^e time of this Pope Iohn, the prelats of Englād played a stout prancke: for the bishop of Hertford was by the kin­ges commaundement w^t other mo impeached of treason, & finally arested in the Parliamēt house to aunswere to his endightmēts. Whereunto after long pauze he aunswered (clayming the priuiledge of the Church) saying thus: I am humble mynister of the holye Church &c. and cannot neither ought to aunswere to such matters, without y^e auc­toritye of the bishop of Canterbury my directe iudge nexte vnder the Pope &c. whereupon the other bishops stept vp and sued to the kinge for this their fellowe. But when y^e king would not yeld, the said bishops together w^t the arch­bishops and the clergye comming with theyr crosses, toke him away perforce, chalenginge him to the Church w^tout any other aunswere: charging moreouer vnder y^e censure of terrible excommunication, none to presume to laye any further handes vpon him. And yet the kinge encouraged herewith commaunded lawe to passe vpon him, and he be­ing found gilty his goodes to be confiscate: but yet the par­tye remayned safe vnder protection of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

This Pope lefte more abundance of treasure then euer any other did, namely fiue and twenty thousand thousande Crownes in gould, and yet but latelye before he ioyned in warre with Robert kinge of Apulia to defende Genua, in [Page] which warre (sayth Antonius Florentinus) eyther syde spente as much treasure as woulde haue boughte a good kingdome.

138. Benedict the xij.

203 BEnedict y^e xii. borne in Tholos, in profession a white fryer (sath Paleonidorus) called Iacob or Iames of Furne, the sixtenth daye after y^e death of Iohn he was enstalled Pope. This man (sayth Marius) was as vncurteous to the Em­perour as euer was Pope Iohn: he renued the curses a­gainst him, he reft him of all regall dignitye, & by his sen­tence depriued him of the dukedome of Bauary. The no­ble Emperour wente into Germany, and called together (behoulde his vertue and wysedome) all the Princes ele­ctours, Dukes, Counties, bishops and the best learned, ei­ther in diuinitye or humanitye. And in presence of them all with open and solemne proclamatiō, he added and establi­shed his late confirmatiō with ould lawes: and very wise­lye proued that onelye the Princes electours & no man els, ought to medle w^t the election of y^e king of y^e Romaynes, so that he that had most voyces amonge them was to be ac­cepted berely, be it eyther king or Emperour, which in ef­fect are al one though in name they differ. Because that he that is Emperour may take vpon him the gouernment be­lōging to his estate, without the confirmatiō of the Sea of Rome: and he being lawfullye chosen, ought after aduise­mente giuen by the Princes to be annointed by the Pope. Which if the Pope refused to do, he might be proclaymed Emperour by any Catholick prelate as the vse hath long beene, for these ceremonyes enioyed by the Pope, are but imagined toyes and solemnityes deuised by the prelats of Rome, who onely haue but the geuinge of the name, & not the thinge, for a signe of vnitye and mutuall helpe and suc­coure betwene the Empire and the Church. For the Em­perour [Page 135] vowed to the Pope not an oath of alleageance and fealtye, but of defendinge the Christian fayth, for as much as the taking of this oath maketh not greater dignitye in temporall thinges. Furthermore the Emperour shewed how that the estate being voide, the righte thereof shoulde not belonge vnto the Pope, and y^t to haue it so was against the libertye, righte, honour and maiestye of the Empire: but by longe and allowable custome notwithstandinge the Clementine Canon, and by decree vnmoueable hytherto kept bie his a [...]ncetours, in the time the Empire is voyd, y^e right of gouerning the Empire, the bestowing of fealtyes and ordering of other affayres, belongeth to y^e Palsgraue of Rhene. Afterward for his owne defence, he made proofe of his vpright and trusty dealing before them all, & plain­lye confessed that he (as a Christiā man ought to do) did be­leeue the Articles of Christian fayth, euen as the Church taught: and purged himselfe of all those accusatiōs which Pope Iohn the xxiii. and Benedict the xii. had layed to his charge. Thus did the godly Emperour of his owne good motion, when as if he had not pitied the shedding Christiā bloude, he might haue tryed the matter with the Pope, by the dint of the sworde. At the length Pope Benedict be­gan to consider of the goodnes of this Emperour: for whē a certaine grudge happened betweene this Lewis & Philip kinge of Fraunce, by and by peace was made betwene the Emperour and the Pope. And the Pope loued the Empe­rour so entirelye, that he defended him against the Embas­sadours of the French king (which euer spake sharpely a­gainst the Emperour) & stoutlye defended the Emperours innocencye. So that it came to passe that the Pope was by them called defēder of an heretick, whose words although Benedict for a while did much feare, for they threatned to set vpon him with all their powers if he absolued the Em­perour, yet in the end he absolued him. And commaunded to proclaime throughe Germanye, that all the processes of [Page] Iohn what soeuer they were should voyde and of no effecte: and that it did not become Pope Iohn thus to deale with the Emperour, seinge their two functions as diuers, & te­stifyed openly that Lewis had in all thinges behaued him­selfe, as mighte best beseeme so noble & Christian an Em­perour. Yet it is to be noted that the Pope did not this of hartye good will to the Emperour, but vpon pollicye: for whē he perceyued the king of Fraunce (within whose pre­cinct he was then abyding) dealt vnfreindlye with him, he feared y^t if he should also haue the Emperour his enemye, he should haue no succour left, if the French kinge should go about to do him displeasure. And for this cause Bene­dict thoughte it stode with his commoditye to haue the fa­uour of the Emperour, hoping it would so fall out that he durst attempt nothing against the Pope. Such from time to time hath bene the pollicy of these prelats, to maintaine their estate. But to returne to the purpose (and leaue these words of Marius) Pope Benedict auouched the iudg­mēt of his predecessour against Lewis. He appointed depu­ties in those townes of Italye that belong to the Empire: and toke to himselfe from the Emperour, the Senatour­ship of Rome. He deuised that euery thing did belonge to the Court of Apostolicall penitēciary. He appointing sub­sidyes, gathered houge sommes of money out of euery na­tion. He first toke vpon him to vsurpe the presentments of all bishopricks, prelatships and benefices. He abridged vn­learned men of priesthoode. He reformed manye sectes of monckes. He commaunded that all his chapleins shoulde lye in one dormitorye together, and should haue none other reuenues then for their diet and apparell. He with a great somme of money bought for his carnall desire, the sister of Frauncis Petrarcha a beutifull woman, of her brother Ge­rard: he denyed that the Pope had any kindred: he publi­shed certaine actes (as Leander testifyeth) against the do­minicans: he left to the Church great store of treasure: he [Page 136] kept diuers concubines: he dyed of an ague while he was hyring one Zotus a conning painter, to por [...]rature the sto­ryes of martyrs in his newe buildinges Anno 1342. Of whom these Uerses were made.

About this time Iohn Stratford beinge bishop of Can­terbury, did greatly abuse king Edward the thirde, both in defraudinge him of his treasure when he needed it most in his warres in Fraunce, and refusing obstinatly afterward to come at the kinges commaundement to aunsweare, vn­till time & place serued according to his owne pleasure.

Benedicts cōmon sayings were these to be noted: Be thou such a sonne as thou desirest to haue cosens. The euil ma [...] dreadeth death: but y^e good man feareth him more. Those thinges that thou hast learned keepe by reading, and get by learning those thinges that thou wantest. It is as great shame to haue no freindes as to chaunge them oft. It is more dishonour to a Prince to be ouercome with benefits, then by force of armes.

139. Clement the sixt.

CLement the sixt borne in Lemonia by professiō a Bene­dictine, called before Peter Rogers being abbot of Phisca, 204 succeded Benedict at Auenio. This mā with his facti­on troubled the Romaine Empire aboue measure: for he excommunicated (sayth Naucler) all the Princes, lordes and bishops, that consented to the doings of Lewis. To de­face the Emperour he created Uicountes and made them Uicares of the Empyre: & Lewis on y^e other side appointed other Uicares to gouerne the Church. Ierom Marius in his booke called Eusebius Captiuus, doth thus set out the rigour of Pope Clement: Clement y^e sixt (sayth he) much giuen to women, honour and auctoritye, prouoked with [Page] diuelishe furye, set vp bills in wrytinge vpon Church doa­res wherein he threatned the Emperour to be punished w^t more cruell tormentes, vnlesse he woulde obey the Popes minde and that within three dayes, and would giue vp his right of the estate imperiall. Great was the cruelty of this Clement voyde of clemency. The Emperour commeth to Frankeforde, and preparing with all diligence to do all that was commaunded, besought the Pope by his Embas­sadours, to pardon him and to receiue him to fauour. But the Pope aunswered the Embassadours, that he would ne­uer pardon Lewis, vnlesse he would first confesse all his er­rours and heresyes and yelde vp the Empire, and put into the Popes hand both himselfe, his children, goodes & pos­sessions, to dispose them at his pleasure, & would promise that he would neuer more enioy any part thereof without the fauour of the Pope, & deliuered a certaine fourme of of these articles in wryting to the Embassadours, cōmaū ­ding them to carye the same to Lewis. The good Empe­rour least if he did not thus submit himselfe it mighte bee cause of slaughter and sedition, receiued the order taken by the Pope, and looking vpon it was content in such wyfe to saue Christian bloud, and therefore he did not onely set his seale to it, but gaue his oath to performe all. Which when the Pope heard he waxed angrye. But note whether hee toke the Emperour to fauoure, and whether he shewed a­nye token of good will, by that which followeth. Lewis shewed that order to the Princes electours, and oratours. The Princes detested and abhorred certaine of y^e articles, because they were deuised by the Pope to the confusion of the Empyre: and therfore they promised sufficient ayde to the Emperour if as he did before, he would maintaine the libertye and honour of the Empyre. They sence Embassa­dours desiringe the Pope not to exact those articles y^t ten­ded to the vtter subuersion of the Empyre: and y^e oratours crauinge and doing nothing els came awaye againe. But [Page 137] Clement blaming Lewis onelye for all, did purpose the de­struction of him and his children: he cursed him cruelly e­uen at consecrating the Sacrament. He renued all the ex­treame processes which Pope Iohn had giuen out against him, he pronounced him to be an heretick and scismatick. He charged the Princes electours to choose another Em­perour. He deposed the Archbishop of Mens both of his bi­shoprick and auctoritye of electorship, because he knowing the Emperours innocencye and vngiltiues, woulde not a­buse his maiestye. But the other electours being brybed with money by Iohn king of Bohemia, as the bishop of Co­len who toke viii. Thousande markes, & the duke of Saxo­nye two Thousande markes) did appoint his sonne Char­les to be king of the Romaynes: whō this vncurteous Cle­ment did allowe afterward in open consistorye. But who is able to report the horrible bloudshed and warre that a­rose in the Empire by meanes of this mischiefe wroughte by Clement: for kinge Edward the thirde of England slue xx. Thousande Frenchmen, and Iohn king of Bohemia fa­ther to Charles was slaine with many nobles. But Lewis yet takinge thought because of the Popes processes, & not medling with the gouernment of the Empyre, was by the Popes procurement poysoned in a cuppe whereof he dyed. Thus wryteth Marius: Lo by these kinde of treacheryes haue the prelates of Rome brought the Empyre to y^e low ebbe and poore estate, that it is at this daye: for the sayde Charles whom they against all lawe created, to make his sonne to succede him, did so corrupt the electours wyth bri­bes and fayre promises, that he morgaged to them the cōmon reuenues of the Empyre, which they enioye to this daye, and therefore the Romaine Empyre cannot aduaūce it selfe againe. For then the Electours cōpelled Charles to take an oath, y^t these pledges should neuer be reclaymed: whereby at length it came to passe that the Empyre being thus decayed, the Turke inuaded the Church of Christ, & [Page] destroyed it wonderfullye, and it is by the especial grace of God, that Mahomets blasphemye doth not wyth fyre and sworde rage ouer all Christendome &c.

This Pope Clement now at the fiftye yeare renued the Iubelie, & beinge absent caused it to be celebrated at Rome Anno 1350. for his aduauntage: and (sayth Premonstra­tēsis) there were fiue Thousande straungers comming in & going out at Rome, as might wel be counted dailye with­in the said yeare. He made at seuerall times xii. Cardi­nals whereof some were monkes, some his nephewes and kinsemen: beside he promoted diuers other to dignityes, & bestowed cost on diuers buildinges. He gaue licence to the bishop of Bamberge to absolue those that toke parte wyth Lewis, but vppon these conditions: first that they shoulde sweare fealty to him as to the Uicar of Christe: secondly, that they should beleue that the Emperour hath no power neither to make nor marre the Pope: thirdlye that they should acknowledge none to be Emperour whō the Pope had not confirmed. While his companiōs and seruaunts went to dinner leauing onely his chamberlayne with him, he fel downe sodeinly & dyed of an impostume Anno 1352. This Clement (sayth Marius) toke vpō him so prodigally in his Popedome, y^t he gaue to his Cardinals in Rome, bishoprickes and benefices being then voyde in Englande: wherewith the king was offended and vndid all the proui­sions of the Pope within his Realme, commaūding vpon paine of imprisonmente and life, that no man shoulde be so hardy as to bring in any such prouisions of the Pope with­in his Realme any more, and vnder the same punishmente charged y^e 2. Cardinals forthwith to auoide the Realme, Anno 1343.

Against these hereticall blasphemyes, the Uniuersitye of Paris did then openlye detest and reproue.

There were an hundred Thousand poore men of y^e cler­gye in that yeare resorted to Auenio to obtaine pardons out of all countryes, and to be hyred confessours.

140. Innocent the sixt.

INnocent the sixte borne in Lenomia called Steuen, do­ctour 205 of both lawes being of an aduocate made bishop of Claromont, and of the Cardinall of Hostia and chiefe pe­nitenciary to the Pope, was made Pope him selfe. He was a man that in his Popedome was a cunning lawyer, but of hauty courage, wilfull minde, very rigorous, and one that frāckly bestowed benefices on such as would pay for them. [Page] After he was established, hee did wisely abrogate certaine reseruatiōs made by Pope Clement, because it made more for his cōmoditye in time to come so to do. And forthw^t he decreed y^t al Ecclesiastical parsons, as many as had any be­nefices should go forthw^t to their charge: for he sayd y^t the flocke ought to be kept by their owne sheapeheard, and not [...]y an hyrelinge. He like a couetous niggarde diminished his house keping, reducing & stinting the parsons of his fa­mily to a certin (but as Petrarcha sayth) not an honest nō ­ber: Neither would he haue any to waite on him at home, but such as shoulde in al pointes feede his owne humour: he gaue straite charge to the Cardinals so to do, saying y^t [...]e & all other Ecclesiastical parsons ought to be an exam­ple of life to other. And for the more sparing he made cel­lars in his house for his auditour & clarkes of the kitchin to locke vp all thinges. For his table diet the wryters re­port of him that he was a great pincher, but for the main­tenaunce of warres verye prodigall. He sente one Giles a Spaniarde Cardinal of Saba from his side into Italye, to persecute certaine robbers and theeues: and to assure the better to the Pope Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction. By Peter Thomas of Aquine a white fryer this Popes Legat, Bo­nonia became subiecte to the Pope, which Peter did first plante there the doctrine of the Sorbonits: therefore the Pope bestowed on him y^e bishopricks of Pacte, Mileto, Co­ranie, the archbishoprick of Crete, and at length the patri­arckship of Constantinople. At the commaundement of this Innocent, Charles y^e fourth was crowned Emperour by two Cardinals at Rome, but vpon this condition that he should staye no longer neither in Rome nor in Italy: he notwithstanding as soone as he returned home, warned y^e archbishop of Mens to reforme the clergy in their apparel, shooes, hayre, and all the order of their life, vpon penaltye of forfeytinge all his benefices. Richard archbishop of Armachane in Irelande, did publishe before this Pope ix. [Page 139] articles against the begging fryers.

In the first yeare of his raigne this Pope commaunded that Iohn Rochdal a franciscan fryer should be burned, for speaking certaine wordes against the clergye. The sayde Iohn (sayth Premonstratensis) did prophecye many things to come of Antechrist and of the Popes, and therfore was suspected of heresye: for he begā to prophecye Anno 1354. in the time of Clement the sixte, and manye of his prophe­cyes were found to come to passe. A certaine priest hauing had a bull of this Pope the space of three yeares, came in the ende and did caste it downe at the Popes feete sayinge: Lo take your bull vnto you for it doth me no good, for the which cause the Pope commaūded him to be apprehended and whipped, and afterward committed to prison.

This Pope made an holye daye for the speare and ham­mers wherewith Christ was pearced and nayled. He buil­ded walles about Auenio, and foūded an house of Carthu­sian monkes without the Citye. While he was preparing an army against the Turkes Anno 1362. he dyed for griefe vnderstanding that the Romaines were at ciuill discentiō. There appeared so greate an Eclipse of the Sunne before the death of this Pope as hath not bene seene. In his time also (sayth Masseus) a certain flame brandishing in the ayre, after the going downe of the Sunne gaue a terrible light in the skie: afterward houge swarmes of Locusts destroy­ing and eating vp the fruites of the earth, did also feede v­pon the very stalkes.

141. Vrban the fifte.

VRban the fift was also borne in Lemonia called before 206 Grymold Grison, sonne of one VVilliam a Phisition and an Englishman, in profession hee was a Benedictine monke, and in the ende he being absente in an Embassage was chosen Pope. Being therefore called to Auenio and [Page] saluted Pope, he did forthwith addict his minde to main­taine the prerogatiue of the Church in couetousnes, ryot & pompe, with great diligence, vsinge herein the assistaunce of such as were proane to this purpose, especially one Gi­les a Spaniard whom he sent Legate in the behalfe there­of, who scoured Italye and oppressed the Uicountes, and other gouernours with great calamityes and slaughters, and compelled them al to submitte themselues for feare to the Church of Rome. Pope Vrban himselfe in the fourth yeare of his raigne cōming to Rome with his Cardinals, bestowed superstitious cost vpō idols & ruinous Churches. He couered the sculs of the Apostles (as he thought, which they had long sought for ere they could finde them, and yee missed of them also in the ende) in cofers of gould & siluer, valued at xxx. Thousand Florences, & set them in the place where they are yet seene. He repayred diuers houses of the Popes: he commaunded to preach the Crosse against the Turkes: he commaunded that the Nicene crede should be songe on S. Iohn Baptistes daye: he yelded soueraignity to the sea of Rome: he builded scholes for those that should studye Phisicke and the Decretals. Briget a woman of Sweaueland came to him to Rome, because of a vowe that she had made, and procured that there should be Religious parsons both men & women of the order of S. Briget. Af­terward be returning into Fraunce, made one Iohn Haw­cuth an Englishmā liefetenaunt of his army, in the steade of Giles that was dead, that he might still defende the Ec­clesiastical iurisdiction vntil he should returne: for he pur­posed not to returne to Italye. But while he wente into Fraunce hopinge to returne to his court in Rome, Anno 1371. he dyed at Massilia, poysoned as it is thought. Sabel­licus wryteth that he made great warre in Italye, yea euē with the Princes y^t his auncetours had set vp against the Emperour, & he slue manye of them. In this Popes time (sayth Premonstratensis) the archbishop of Collen had a [Page 140] wyfe. In his time also the order of the Iesuits & Scopetines orders first began, as Iohn Palionedorus testifyeth in the third booke and second Chapter of his tripartite historye.

142. Gregorie the xi.

GRegorie the eleuenth borne in Lenomony called before 207 Peter Belfortius, was Cardinall of newe S. Maryes and nephewe to Pope Clement, he succeded Vrban. This Gregorie (sayth Platina) was made Cardinall when hee was scante xvii. yeares old by his vncle Clement, and least he should seeme to haue more regard to his kindred then to the Church, he sent him to the best learned doctours in I­talye, to be brought vp in learning, especiallye to one Bal­dus whoe then read the Popes decretals at Peruse, where he profited in all kinde of such learninge as Baldus coulde teache him: so much that the sayd Baldus for the assurance of his owne affayres being in daunger, vsed his auctoritye for his owne safetye. Gregorie being Pope sent a Cardi­nall into Italye to ouersee according to custome, the estate of the Church. But because (as Volaterain sayth) almost all the Cityes reuolted frō him (by the councell of Kathe­rine a Nonne of Scene, which afterward became a saint, & of Baldus his scholemaster) he returned from Fraunce vn­to Rome with xii. galleyes. Or (as Sabellicus saith) because that he reprouing a certaine bishop for being nonresident, was by the same bishop reproued againe, that he being the chiefe bishop did yet lye so farre and so long from the place of his Church. Anno 1376. he excommunicated out of the Church the Florentines, who were the auctours of the reuolting, and had taken to their vse al the Popes townes lying about them: and because they despised and defyed the terrour and vaine boults of his excommunication, he war­red vpon them. Some other saye he returned into Italye for other causes. Masseus sayth, that one Briget a woman [Page] returned from Hierusalem to Rome, wrote to Pope Gre­gorie that it was the Lords pleasure that the Popes court should returne to Rome. Crantzius saith, it was because a certaine bishop did sharpelye rebuke him that he woulde leaue his Church and followe the Courte: Of whom the Pope receyued this aunsweare: And thou (quoth he) be­inge Pope of Rome that ought to be an example to other, doest not returne to this bishopricke. And therefore he did againe translate his seate from Fraunce to Rome, by the perswasion of two women and one bishop, in the 70. yeare after the translation thereof. This Gregorie demaunded tenthes throughout the whole Empyre, and repayred the walles of the City and old buildings with great pompous cost. He added the eue to the holye daye of the byrth of the blessed virgin Mary. In y^e time of this Pope, king Ed­warde the third of Englande made many profitable lawes abridginge the Popes pilladge, vsurpation and ambition, within the Realme. Also certaine souldiours of this Pope Gregorie lyinge in a Citye called Cesenata, did not onelye take thinges as victuals and other necessaryes, refusinge to paye for it, but also did beate like slaues the Citizens, & vpon further sturre they murthered them pityfully [...], spa­ring neyther man woman nor child though they were suc­king babes, so that they filled all pittes in the Citye wyth dead karcasses, for in a fewe houres vpon one daye they slue in the Citye of all ages viii. Thousande, and then robbed & spoyled the towne, and so left it desolate & emptye. Theo­doricus lib. 3. Cap. 2.