conferred vpon Charles on this condition That he should pay 40000 crownes yearely in token of homage which he reserued to himselfe as also further that he should not accept of the Roman Empire though it were imposed vpon him Collen l. 4. Charles therefore went forward into Apulia the Bishop of Constance who was Clements Legat accomganying him Giuing plenarie remission of sinnes to those that should take vp armes for Charles Neere to Beneuento he discomfited Manfred in battell who was there slaine by meanes of which victorie he presently after secured to himselfe the kingdome and did no little reuiue the factions of the Guelphes and Popes which before were prostrat and troden vnder feet ouer all Italie But the Gibellines on the other side rousing themselues vp called Conrade Fredericks nephew commonly named Conradinus out of Germanie to oppose Charles He in the later end of the yeare 1267 comming to Verona about the beginning of the Spring he went forward into Apulia and so being proclaimed Emperour by all the Gibelline faction not farre from Arezzo he by the way defeated part of Charls his forces and then going to Rome ouerslipping the Pope that lay at Viterbe he was with general voyce and acclamation receiued by all the people But not long after joyning battell with Charles in the confines of the kingdome vpon the first charge he put his armie to flight but while his men were attentiue on bootie and spoyle Charles reenforcing the fight obtained victorie and himselfe with the chiefest of his nobles being driuen to flie he fell into his enemies hands And here Clements pastorall mercie and commiseration plainely appeared Sigonius glauncingly vseth these words Conradine by Charles commaund and definitiue sentence Collen l. 4. was put to death like an ordinarie theefe because by armes he made claime to his fathers and grandfathers kingdome The Princes are at great variance amongst themselues vpon ambiguous title But the Neapolitan Historiographer and some others write freely That after Charls had kept him a whole yeare in prison he consulted with the Pope what should be done with him who briefly made this answer Conradines life is Charles his death and Conradines death is Charles his life Collen l. 4. Hist Neapolitano vnderstanding by this that he was to be put to death The Historiographer obserues That diuers of the French Nobilitie could not be brought to condescend vnto this sentence but especially the Earle of Flanders Charles his sonne in law who thought it fitter to set him at libertie and haue him obliged by some matrimoniall affinitie whose opinion the nobler sort were of especially those who were free from preiudicat passions but saith he the more cruell sentence tooke place Neither certainly hapned this to omit the law of Nations without some super-humane instinct for besides the Vespers or Sicilian Euen-song which tooke publike reuenge hereof Charles Prince of Salerno sonne to the aboue mentioned Charles hauing thirtie gallies ouerthrowne himselfe with a number of other Nobles was taken and with nine other kept close prisoners and two hundred other gentlemen had their heads cut off at Messina others also that were in durance in a popular tumult who set fire on euerie part of the prison in contempt of the Popes excommunication were burned together in the same flame And the Ciuilians of the kingdome assuming a president from the proceeding against Conradine sat in triall vpon Charles the like sentence execution he had vndergone but onely for Queene Constantia wife to Peter king of Aragon a Ladie of singular prudence and pietie who vnder pretext of conueying him into Catalogna to the king preuented this intended just reuenge for which she purchased amongst all men immortall praise and commendations To returne to our former subject Charles caused Conradine being scarce eighteene yeares of age to be beheaded in the publique market place of Naples who called God to witnesse of the injurie and injustice done vnto him herein and so throwing his gloues vp into the ayre he denounced Frederick of Castile his aunts sonne heire and successour to his kingdomes Henricus Guldelfingensis in Historia Austriaca In his view and sight Frederick Duke of Austria his inward familiar and equall in yeres had his head cut off that by his death he might the more be daunted and terrified which he tooke vp and kissed then after him eleauen other noble men Italians and Sueuians The Historiographer adds that Charles would needs haue the executioners head chopt off in the place by an other appointed to performe this office because he might not hereafter boast of the cutting off his head who was discended from so illustrious a familie as also that the Count of Flaunders in a rage slew him with his owne hand that had pronounced the sentence All Christendome held this wicked deed in most odious detestation especially all the Princes in that they remembred how king S. Lewis and this Charles his brother being taken prisoners not long before by the Souldan in Palestina were curteously and friendly entertayned And from hence it proceeds that Peter of Aragon exprobrateth to Charles in some letters of his Tu Nerone Neronior Saracenis crudelior thou art more bloudie than Nero and more cruell than the Saracens There was not any one which ascribed not this crueltie in the greatest part to Clement and the verie sentence it selfe denounced against Conradinus may testifie as much Apud Pertam de Vineis which was For disturbing the peace of the Church and falsly vsurping to himself the Royal title But I pray you was not his right good enough for the clayming of this title Furthermore we haue the same Clements owne letters that is to say the letters of this Charles king of Sicilie to Peter of Aragon ordained and deuised saith the Author by Pope Clement the fourth wherein he proudly threatens Peter of Aragon being backt by this Pope that sought to obtaine the kingdome of Naples by armes Thou most wicked man saith he didst thou not consider the inexplicable excellencie of the mother the Church who is to commaund ouer all Nations and whom the whole earth and all the people in the same doe obey Shee it is whom land Sea and skies obey worship and resound to whom all that liue vnder her Sun are bound with stooping heads to pay due duties and tribute So as he exprobrated cast him in the teeth with Conradines death for a terror to himself of whom notwithstanding he shamed not to say that he had wel deserued who being taken in fight like a theef by the just sentence of death had deserued the gibbet yet he permitted him to vndergoe the stroak of cruel death by the sword of a bloudy heads-man presaging vnto him also the same ruin which sounded not like the stile of a king or prince descended of the French royal race but of the Popes of these present times of the same vnclement Clement And thus much
Clements election Iohn also Duke of Burgondie and many other Princes The recourse was such as at the entring in of the multitude a wall instantly falling downe many were crushed amongst whom Charles the kings brother and the Duke of Britaine were sore hurt and the Pope himselfe was ouerthrowne and his Myter strucke from his head whereof one jewell of inestimable price was lost And all these things presaged disaster and ruine This made all men beleeue that he transferred the Papacie into France for some speciall end because this new Pope at his first entrie created many French Cardinals in whose hands lay the whole authoritie and power of election Then on the other side that the Romans might not grow into any great discontent he sent them three Cardinals on whom he conferred the dignitie of Senators that so they might in some sort supplie his absence Now in the years 1308 Albertus being slaine An. 1308. the electors chose for Emperour Henrie sonne to Henrie Count of Lutzemburg called the seuenth being a Prince of noble valour and fortitude imposing on him the Diademe at Aquisgrane who presently sent embassadours to Clement being at Auignion to obtaine at his hand that his coronation might be celebrated at Rome which Clement yeelded vnto vpon this condition That within the space of two yeares hee should goe into Italie But Henrie not attending an appointed day passing the Alpes came into Italie where he found many cities of the Guelphish faction ill affected towards him who had formerly bound themselues vnto him in very strict league as also Robert king of Sicilia the Popes friend who supplied them with forces to erect strong garrisons where speciall need did require An armie in like manner he brought with him to defend their league and societie But so on the other side many that receiued him with great applause suffered him willingly to haue both succours and captaines but especially in Lombardie which being more remote from Robert was the lesse subiect to his plots and stratagems When he came to Viterbe the Clergie and people of Rome met and saluted him conducting him honourably to Rome At his entrie he discouered a conspiracie on foot against him and therefore for his securitie he bound the Nobilitie to him by oath and put sufficient defensiue forces into all the strong places Many also adde hereunto That out of a new and vnknowne example he would haue exacted a tribute of the people on the same day when other Emperours contrariwise were woont to giue great largesse For these respects therefore the Guelphes found fit opportunitie to stirre vp the people against him especially being backed by Robert king of Sicilia who vnder colour of honouring this festiuitie was come thither Henrie therefore being crowned at S. Iohn Laterans leauing the citie to the Cardinals was enforced to retire to Tiuoli whither he being gone they then manifestly shewed how they were not so precisely enjoyned to set the Crowne on his head as to forbid him the Citie For vpon his occasion Clement presently enacted this Law Henricus Steron in Annaâ—ibus sub annum â—313 Clemès Ne sede vacante aliquid innouetur Jdem de sententia de re iudicata Collenuc lib. 5. Henricus Stero in Annalibus Trithem in Chron. in Abbate Hen. 13. That the elected kings of Romans in Germanie could neither be held nor taken for absolute Emperours before they receiued this title and inuestiture from the Popes owne hands and moreouer That during the Interregnum and vacancie of that dignitie the Pope should rule and commaund ouer all the Cities and precincts of the Empire But the controuersie betwixt them lasted not long For this good Prince going towards Sienna and besieging Bonconuento by the way in few dayes after he was poysoned whereof he died Out of the precedent Storie let the Reader conjecture of his death although in this point all writers consent that this poyson was administred to him by one Bernard a Dominican who was Henries confessor in the Hoast from whence grew this verse Iure dolet mundus quod Iacobita secundus Iudas nunc extat mors Caesaris haec manifestat The world much grieues a Iacobine making great shew of pietie Should proue a second Iudas poysoning th' imperiall Majestie And some affirme the Popes Legat instigating him thereunto They that put their hands into these practises belieue they vnfaynedly thinke you in their hearts Transubstantiation Others relate that the Dominican Priests in commemoration of this haynous deed were commaunded afterwards to communicat onely with the left hand An indictment was framed against this criminall by Henrie Count of Flanders and other Noble men of the Armie but the partie after he saw the effect of this poison made an escape Auentine notes that Clement became an enemie to Henrie because in receiuing the Crowne he denyed to take an othe before the Cardinals saying How it was against the custome of his predecessours and the libertie of Christian religion that a Prince of Princes and Lord ouer all the whole earth should be put to an oath by a seruant of seruants By meanes whereof he stirred vp Robert of Naples and other Princes against himselfe then he perceiuing this Robert's practise to take away his life by poyson appointed him a day of triall when he meant to haue pronounced him a rebell and Traytor and so haue stript them of his kingdome But Clement gaue him to vnderstand that it belonged not to him to dispose any way of the kingdome of Naples but to the Roman See of which he held in homage Clement being made Pope by Charles Count of Valois his procurement according to Antoninus he promised by solemne oath to performe six things which are set downe Antonin parte Tit. 21. c. 1. parag 3. Villan in Historia Florent both in Antoninus and other writers First that he should absolue all those that had colleagued against Boniface and that he should redeliuer the hat to the Cardinals Collanaes one thing he reserued to be propounded in due and conuenient time which was to rase out the verie memoriall of Boniface excluding his name out of the Catalogue of Popes and to disinterre his carcasse An. 1310. Chronic. Martini Chronic. Monsort Thom. Walsingham in Chronico In the yeare therefore 1310 in Auignion Philip King of Fraunce being publiquely excused by him of some matters that hee had attempted against the memorie of Boniface sometimes Pope hee pronounced further in the Kings behalfe That what hee did hee did out of a good mind intention and zeale the Kings Orators beeing then present and these things consequently as hath beene sayd were confirmed by the testimonie of the Popes Bulls this businesse was presently referred to Pope Clement who in this Processe of Boniface tooke vpon him to bee both accusant and defendant the Pope vndertaking both to examine and finally to determine this controuersie Item At the same time Pope Clement absolued William de Nogarete
seene they betooke themselues to a most shamefull flight Iulian wondreth whence this feare rose what reason might persuade such an armie to flie He went about suing to the Captaines and exhorting them to take armes to set themselues in battaile aray and couragiously to expect the enemie That they did not now contend for the glorie of the kingdome or for the possession of some countrey but waged warre for their liues religion for the honour of Christ and saluation of soules That it was a shamefull thing for the Germans whose nobilitie and vertue was famous throughout all the world to flie out of battaile that better were it to die then to giue place to the enemies before they see them But truely here might Pius haue said more to purpose that from the death of Zischa Here is the finger of God But whatsoeuer Iulian could vpbraid them of or set before their eies all is in vaine so much had feare ouercome shaâ—â— The ensignes are suddenly snatched vp and as if there were no Generall in the armie euery man tumultuously without staying for commandement without saluting his fellow also some casting away their armes make hast to flight running as fast as they could no otherwise than if the enemie had bene hard at their backes and the Cardinall will he nill he is faine to accompany them Aeneas Syluius Histor Bohem. c. 48. 49. A while after the enemy emboldened by their feare come and seise vpon their baggage and get a great bootie Wherefore the Emperor and the Pope despairing that they should euer by force bring them vnder speeches are cast forth of calling another Councell at Basil whither the Cardinall went to take courage and heart againe after the flight Monstrelet Monstrelet vol. c. 1.258 though ill affected towards the Bohemians saith They feared no martyrdome no torments their verie women took armes and fought and the dead bodies of many were found among the slain in battels So that here if we respect the cause and reason of this war it may seeme to be compared to that of the Machabees Pope Martin with Antiochus both in their Councels and in their successes warring in time past against the people of God which Antiochus also is set forth vnto vs for a figure of Antichrist Sigismund had giuen hope to the complaints of the people from all parts That hee would prouide in the Councell of Constance for the reformation of the Church and therefore as well the Vniuersities as many nations themselues had exhibited by their embassadors to the Councel verie many articles tending to reformation namely of Paris by M. Iohn Gerson Chancelor of the same and M. Peter de Aliaco Cardinall which to this day are read yet they were appointed to be examined after order was taken for the schisme When therfore Sigismund saw all things finished that seemed should goe before Concilium Constantiens Sess 12.14 17.39 Sess 15. 21. That Iohn the foure and twentieth was deposed That Gregorie the xij had renounced That sentence was giuen against Benedict the xiij and order taken as it was thought to preuent schismes to come and moreouer Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prague condemned and punished he thought now the time was come wherein he might seriously solicite the Fathers to take in hand a Reformation and that so much the rather for that there was not yet any Head chosen the Councel might both more safely with greater authoritie and with lesse contradiction ordaine for reforming the Head and constraining him into order and he which was to be chosen Pope would the more willingly accept of the law prescribed to him for hee knowing not of his owne election he himselfe would consent to the reformation of the future Pope Therefore in the fortieth Session Sess 40. in which sat chiefe the Cardinall of Ostia William Cardinall of S. Marke read certaine Decrees of which he required the Councell to giue sentence that they might be published by the future Pope before the dissolution of the Councell yet were they but matters superficiall as the number qualitie nation of Cardinals reseruations Annates common and mean seruices collations and graces expectatiue confirmations causes to be reserued to the Court of Rome or which are not to be reserued Appeales Rules of Chancelrie and Penetenciaries commenda's alienations of the goods of the Romish Church extirpation of simonie dispensations indulgences tithes also the causes for which the Pope may be corrected deposed All which neuerthelesse are put off to be ended after the Popes election that a law might be made of them in Councel by his authority by the aduise of the nations Without doubt because that word galled them that scaped from Sigismund who to some that said reformation shold be begun à minoritis with the meaner sort answered yea rather a matoritis with the greatest meaning the Pope and Cardinals For he himself had instituted a forme of reformation which is yet read printed at Ausbourg in the yeare 1484. Wherefore Cardinall Colonne being elected Pope called Martin the fift on S. Martins day 1417 and Sigismund vrging him earnestly to a reformation he declareth That this long sojourning at Constance had bin a discommoditie to all the Churches That so great a businesse needed mature deliberation That euerie Prouince as saith Hierome hath their peculiar manners and opinions which without trouble could not be soone taken away and by his cunning deuises hee preuailed so much that he obtayned the dissolution of the Councell on condition that another Councell should be held fiue yeares after then another seuen yeares after that and from thenceforth from ten yeares to ten yeares in which they should treat of matters pertaining to Faith and to the Common weale And to make them beleeue that hee meant good earnest he presently ordaineth that the next should be held within fiue yeares at Pauia And then in the fiue and fortieth Session Concilium Constantiens Sess 45. Platina in Martino 5. Cardinall Winbald by the Popes commaundement pronounceth Dominiâ—ite in pace My Lords depart in peace with which words they were dismissed Sublato saith Platina omnium consensu maximè verò Imperatoris without the consent of all yea of the Emperour Who entreating him that he would yet sojourne but a verie little while longer in Germanie Martin excused himselfe vpon the necessitie of returning to Rome for that the Chappels of the Saints by the Popes absence went to ruine Wherefore saith Volateran he departed against the will and liking of Sigismund What fit excuse when there were propounded to him the diseases of the Church fretting away her most inward bowels yea threatning an vtter ruine at hand Martin then passeth into Italie triumphing without doubt that he had by his diligence escaped this daungerous rocke of reformation which he so much feared and now wholly bendeth his mind to settle and strengthen himselfe in the Popedome Balihasar Cossa called Iohn the foure and twentieth or according to
Iohn Bishop of Arezzo the Legats of Pope Iohn and Ansegisus of Sienna by the authoritie Apostolike and his owne ordinance Thus they began contrarie to the auncient custome to joyne the Emperour and the Pope together In this Synod Charles by vertue of a Decretall Epistle of Iohn went about to constitute and appoint Ansegisus Primat with this authoritie which followeth That so often as the profit of the Church should require whether for the calling of a Synod or for the dispatch of other Ecclesiasticall affaires in France and Germanie he should present the Popes person and should acquaint the Bishops with the decrees of the See Apostolike and should report vnto the Pope what had beene done or not by vertue of them and vpon great and important causes should consult the said See Our Bishops requested that since the letter was directed vnto them they might haue a sight of it which the Emperour refused to graunt being such perhaps as he was ashamed to shew it he vrged them only to say what answere they made to these Apostolike commaunds and their answere was That they willingly obeyed thereunto prouided that no Metropolitan be thereby preiudiced in his rights contrarie to the Canons and the decrees of the Popes themselues aunciently pronounced according to the Canons And though the Emperour and the other Legats pressed them verie earnestly for the primacie of Ansegisus yet could they get no other answer from them only one Frotharius Bishop of Bordeaux who had skipt from Bordeaux to Poictiers and from Poictiers to Bourges through the meere fauour of the Prince made such answer as he thought would best please the Emperour who much offended with the answer of the others said That the Pope had committed his place in the Synod vnto him and that he would make them vaile bonnet to him And thereupon taking the Popes Epistle folded vp as it was together with the Legats deliuered it to Ansegisus and presently caused a rich chaire to be set before all the Bishops on this side the Mounts next vnto Iohn of Tuscanie which sat next aboue him on the right hand and bad him sit there aboue the other Bishops though his ancients the Archbishop of Rheims protesting openly that this was contrarie to the Canons But the Emperour persisted in his purpose and when the Bishops a second time requested a sight or a copie of the Epistle they could not obtaine it Our Bishops not long after met againe without the Emperour where were great debates betweene them because of certaine Priests who out of sundrie parishes had recourse to the Popes Legats and so this meeting broke vp likewise A third time also they assembled in the same place whither the Emperor sent vnto them the Popes Legats newly come ouer which brought from the Pope vnto the Emperour a scepter and a staffe of gold and to the Empresse gownes and bracelets all set with pearle These when they came rebuked the Bishops for not appearing the day before but they holding them alwaies to the Canons in their answeres made them giue off hot words yet the Legats still vrged them to accept of Ansegisus for their Primat they answered in generall termes That they would obey the Popes decrees as their predecessors had done the decrees of his predecessors So that the Emperour came thither in person and in great state clothed after the Greeke fashion with a crowne vpon his head accompanied with the Legats all attired after the Romane fashion and there made Iohn Bishop of Arezzo openly to read Quandam scedulam ratione authoritate carentem A certaine paper without authoritie or reason which done there were certaine Articles dictated and set downe in writing without consent of the Synod each crossing the other of them without profit reason or warrantie and therefore saith the Author we haue thought fit to omit them and at last after manie complaints as well of the Emperour as of the Legats concerning the Primacie of Ansegisus he went away hauing done as much at the end of the Synod as he had at the beginning So much was this Prince ouertaken with this fatall Cup more dangerous to him than was that other of Sedechias of which he died so obdurate was he against his owne good hauing his eyes dazeled with vaine shewes and colourable illusions for the present on the contrarie so cleare-sighted were our Bishops of France in these affaires descrying a farre off how great a ruine would one day ensue of this small-seeming breach made vpon the liberties of their Church 35. PROGRESSION That Pope Iohn was the first which graunted Indulgences for the dead AFter the death of Charles An. 878. the Earles of Tusculana got the vpper hand in Rome and in the yeare 878 clapt Pope Iohn vp in prison for excommunicating them but Iohn by the helpe of his faction found meanes to escape and came by sea into Prouence whence he was conducted to Lewis surnamed the Stammerer sonne to Charles the Bald who then lay at Troy Balbus where he assembled a Synod of French Bishops and made them to confirme and ratifie the excommunication which he had hurled out before against his enemies and there also was Formosus in person depriued of all Church dignities and oath taken of him neuer to returne to Rome or to his Bishopricke but aboue all they two bound themselues the Emperour to assist the Pope against his opposites the Pope to crowne him Emperour which he did in Fraunce with great solemnitie and so they parted Iohn at his returne found the Sarasens at Rome gates and shortly after had tidings of Lewis his death so that now he was faine to cast about againe and to take a new course which was to cast the Empire vpon Charles the Grosse King of Germanie who was the first that entred Italie with his armie and this was the third whom he had crowned Emperour vpon promise That he should protect the Church from all her enemies especially from the Sarasens but vnder the generalitie of enemies were principally comprehended the Earles of Tusculana And not long after in the yeare 882 died Pope Iohn An. 882. who besides that which hath beene alreadie said left other goodlie examples behind him for we learne by a certaine Epistle of his to Charles the Grosse Iohan. epist 9. That he adopted for his sonne Prince Bason to ease him of his worldlie cares that he might the more freely attend vpon the seruice of God Whereas S. Peter in the execution of his charge neuer needed a Prince for his coadjutor much lesse a swaggering captaine Also he was the first that euer presumed to graunt Indulgences to those which were alreadie dead or hereafter should die in battaile against Painims and Infidels his words are these Being demaunded by our Bishops of Fraunce Whether those which were alreadie or hereafter should die in defence of the Church might haue indulgence and pardon of their sinnes Iohan. ep 144. we
thither and declared that hee would giue no safe conduct to such as should vndertake that journey especially for that he had vnderstood that the Pope hauing had aduertisement that his Agents had collected great summes of money in England and in Fraunce was resolued to breake truce with him Here it is good to heare the same Author speake Matth. Paris in Henrico 3. Cardinall Iohn Columna hauing beene author of the truce Gregorie receiueth letters from the Legat That in Fraunce alone hee had gathered alreadie so much money as whereby hee might bee vndoubtedly able to wage warre against the Emperour for a whole yeare Whereupon repenting and grieuing that hee had accepted the truce called for the excellent Cardinals Iohn de Columna and Raymund mediatours of the same I am ashamed in my selfe saith he to them that I granted truce to Frederic the enemie of the Church Goe then in hast thou speaking to Columna which wast the spokesman betwixt vs and tell him boldly that I will not hold it and that I will be his enemie and doe defie him God forbid answered Columna that in the mouth of so great a man such light words should be reported to so great a prince especially by vs which are of no common ranke for I cannot consent to this counsell of instabilitie and vnfaithfulnesse but doe constantly contradict the same To whom the Pope replied And I hold thee not henceforth for Cardinall Nor I thee for Pope sayd Columna and so departed and of a friend became his aduersarie But it verie fitly fell out addeth the author that the French king Lewis hauing intelligence of it made to be stayed in his kingdome all that money which had bin gleaned from the clergie by his permission Mellitis sermonibus fellitis comminationibus By honied speeches and bitter threatnings That by this meanes the Pope who is called Christs vicar on earth might be found faithfull though against his will Now it so fel out that Frederic was not vnarmed or vnprepared against him for he had at that verie time fiue armies a foot the first before Fayenza which he himselfe in person commaunded the second on the Tuscane Sea vnder Hencius king of Sardinia against the Genowayes the third vpon the frontiers of Germanie against the Tartarians vnder the conduct of Conrade king of Germanie the fourth in the Marca de Ancona and vallie of Spoletum the fift in Palestina vnder Rodolph Marshall of the Empire for to defend the kingdome of Hierusalem which he did notwithstanding the trauerses and hinderances of the Pope for the space of fifteene yeares The warre then continuing the siege of Fayenza dured a long time neither had he little cause to reuenge himselfe of the inhabitants who some time before hauing shut the gates of their citie before and behind vpon him violently assailed him and wickedly slew another disguised like vnto him in imperiall armour thinking it had been their Lord. Yet notwithstanding they imploring his mercie he gaue them their citie and the like libertie as to other cities of the empire which be spoken to them that accuse him of being prone to reuenge The Legats also returned accompanied with many Bishops for the Councell them he requested to turne towards him and promised them all safe-conduct desirous only to make knowne the justice of his cause vnto them Now they refusing it and chusing rather to commit themselues to the safegard of the Genowayes his enemies Hencius who watched to surprise them tooke them at sea and led them prisoners to Naples Collenucius l. 4. At which successe and others prosperously performed in the Marca de Ancona and in Romania Gregorie the ninth conceiued so great discontent being withall verie auntient that for griefe thereof he died It is not in the mean time to be forgotten that the Popes to colour their affaires the better had euer sounding in their mouthes the holie land that when vnder Honorius the third king Iohn of Brenna had taken the famous citie of Damieta Cardinall Pelagius the Popes Legat pretended that he was to haue the chief commaund ouer the armie whereat the king incensed retired himselfe through despite to Ptolomais whereby were lost the best opportunities to doe good and in the end after many bad successes Damieta was forsaken Againe when as vnder Gregorie the ninth Richard earle of Cornewall the king of Englands brother was bent to the holie wars with an armie at his instance for recouerie of these losses and was come to S. Giles in Languedock readie to embarke himselfe there came a Legat to him from Gregorie with the Archbishop of Arles commanding in his name that he should not passe the Seas All which was to despite Frederic wherat this prince much offended said vnto them I thought there had beene firmenesse of truth in the Apostolike words and in the preachers that he sent vnto me and now I am readie to enter on shipboord this Pope whom they call the successor and Vicar of Iesus Christ who neuer failed of his word forbiddeth me to march forward in his seruice And neuerthelesse resolued Detestans Romanae Ecclesiae duplicitatem Detesting the double dealing of the Church of Rome with great bitternesse of mind to goe imbarke himselfe at Marseille giuing the Emperor to vnderstand by Robert Tuing Knight and other his embassadours Papalem muscipulationem The iuglings of the Pope and his Legats The same had he done a little before to the crossed souldiers in France and other nations who being come to Lyons that from thence they might take their journey into the Holie Land found there the Popes Legat who made them the like prohibition and deliuered a commaundement in writing That euerie man should returne backe to his owne home This gaue occasion to exclaime Vnde haec in Romana Curia in Papa multiplicitas Whence commeth this varietie in the Court of Rome and in the Pope Is not this here both the time and place prefixed and appointed by his Legats and preaching Friers vpon their promises wee haue set forward our iourney haue sold and engaged our houses bidden our friends farewell sent our mony before c. And little wanted they from laying violent hands vpon the Legat if the discretion of some Prelats had not restrained the furie of the people To prouide for the election of a successor to Gregorie there remained but tenne Cardinals at Rome they therefore intreated Frederick to permit them two whom he kept prisoners to come to them and to be present at the election which he graciously granted vnto them yet on condition they should both returne except one of them were created Pope Now there was nominated Godfrey Bishop of the Sabins called Celestine the fourth who died seuenteene dayes after before he was consecrated The Cardinals assembled againe and as they were diuided some for the Church others for the Empire that they could not agree the two prisoners to performe their promise giuen returned till at
deliuered him to the men of Pisa that mortally hated him through despaire he dashed his head against the pillar to which he was tied and killed himselfe Thus much reciteth the Monke Paris and Sigonius after him who addeth That the enemies of the Church sayd that the Pope had inclined the heart of this Peter to this fact by great gifts and promises And seeing the foregoing practises who can doubt of it Meane time this vnhappie Prince began to loath his life What wee saith he is fallen vpon me that mine owne bowels arme themselues against me That this Peter whom I esteemed the one halfe of my soule hath prepared my death That the Pope whom my predecessors haue created and inriched of nothing laboureth both to ruinate the Empire and by death to destroy me Et obsorduit domini Papae fama per hoc non mediocriter And the Popes reputation was thereby not a little defamed Yet God the infallible searcher of secrets knoweth the truth thereof Of which truth we may yet giue judgement out of that which Krantzius writeth in the same yeare 1249 An. 1249. Krantzius in Metropol l. 8. c. 14. That Pope Innocent the fourth was transported with so great enuie against Frederic eximperatorem deposed from the Empire That not only he opposed against him the Christian Princes but also sent an Embassador to the Souldan of Egypt to diuert him from his friendship And it is great pitie we haue not his letters but at least he representeth the Souldans letters to Innocent translated out of Greeke into Latine and by the answer we may gather what the demaund was The summe is this after the accustomed complements which deserue to be read in the Author That God would make him of the number of them that affect and doe good and that earnestly seeke peace and perseuer in the causes thereof and that God would assist him in things that are conuenient both towards them of his owne Religion and towards others That he vnderstood that which he had declared concerning Christ to whom be praise And of Christ saith he we know more than yee know and doe magnifie him more than yee doe But as touching the Emperour that there was friendship betweene them euen from the time of the Souldan his father And betweene you saith he and your Emperour it is as your selfe doth know Therfore that it was not lawfull for him to treat with the Christians without the aduice and consent of the Emperour And surely it is a maruaile that so many and so great troubles especially now in his old age did not ouerwhelme him Adde to these that his base sonne Hencius was taken prisoner by the men of Bouonia and himselfe suddenly taken with a grieuous sicknesse called ignem sacrum At length being tost with so many aduersities saith the Author hee resolued by all meanes to seeke peace and offered to the Pope an honest forme of peace but the Pope reioycing at his aduersities would not accept of it whereby he incurred the indignation of many and namely of the French Lords who began to comfort Frederic and to adhere vnto him and to detest the pride of the seruant of the seruants of God And thus the affaires of Frederic prospered so well that Innocent entreated the king of England that he might make his abode at Burdeaux vnder pretence of making a generall peace But in the meane season died the greatest of Princes saith the Author Stupor quoque mundi and the astonishment and wonder of the world hauing made a most noble testament recited by Mathew in his additions Collenucius also telleth vs Collenucius l. 4. Hist. Neapol out of the report of Mainardine bishop of Imola That his penitencie was so great in the confession of his sinnes that thereby alone it might be coniectured he had beene a singular vessell of Gods election And as touching the course of his life after he had exalted the great and rare vertues as well naturall as acquired wherewith he was endued the excellent and profitable lawes he had made both Ecclesiasticall and ciuile comming to speake of the debate he continually had with the Popes for which he had beene excommunicat by Innocent the 4 he doubteth much that it was without just cause All these actions considered saith he such as diuerse authors haue described vnto vs weighing also his Epistles and writings I know not verily whether they declared him enemie of the Church because he spake too truely de Pontificijs of the Papists and found many things worthie reproofe in their manners and in all that Apostolicall life or because he ouer stoutly defended the rights of the Empire or for that he was in Italie more powerfull than was to their liking I leaue the iudgement hereof to the indifferent Reader of the gests of Frederick but in the meane time when I consider that Christ whom Popes as his Vicars ought to imitate and obey commaundeth vs to put vp the sword into his place and to pardon a sinner seuentie times seuen times not seuen times onely and that on the other side I see so many ambushes treasons proiected against Frederick so many Ecclesiasticall Legats which are called Pastors sent against him into the kingdome into the Marca de Ancona Lombardie and Romania so many cities and Provinces for the same cause laid wast so much Christian bloudshed and Frederick neuerthelesse alwayes victorious and the Popes side that ioyned themselues against him euer to be vnfortunat and carrie away the worst I cannot but approue that which Pope Pius writeth in his Australl historie That nothing excellently euill is committed in the Catholike Church the first originall whereof proceedeth not from Church-men it may be by some secret counsell of God I haue truely seene and read many Epistles of Frederick which are extant written to Popes and Cardinalls and to other Christian Princes and priuat persons but I perceiued in them nothing against the rule of our faith nothing hereticall nothing that sauoureth of contumacie or oppression of the Church There are indeed in the same many complaints lamentations and admonitions of the couetousnesse and ambition of Priests of the Popes obstinacie who would not heare his excuses the defence of the Empire and of snares and treasons wrought against him He that would see the truth of these things let him read among others an Epistle of his written to all Christian Princes which beginneth The chiefe Priests and the Pharisies gathered a Councell against the Prince Gods annoynted and another also which he wrot to the Colledge of Cardinals That they should dissuade the Pope from maintaining discords between them and the Empire which beginneth In exordio In the beginning of the birth of the world and that also which beginneth Infallibilis veritatis testem We take to witnesse the infallible Iudge of truth and Iustice Out of one among others written to the Christian Princes he produceth these words Petrus de Vineis lib. 1.
ruinate Frederick not forbearing to say that the Empire of Germanie flourished more than was for his profit But saith Auentine that could not well be brought to passe by the meanes of the Bishops of Germanie and the reasons are these Because they were then yet vniuersally giuen to the loue of artes Auent l. 7. Annal. Boiorum and of the common good and not subiect to seruitude not as now shunning labours and giuen to sloth idlenesse and pleasures they applied themselues to wisedome in study on bookes in louing Christ and diligent feeding their sheepe they tooke care of the Common-wealth and prouided for Christian preaching The Ecclesiasticall dignities of these men were first conferred vpon them by our Emperors and Princes then fom the time of the Emperour Henry the fift the Clergie and people being assembled and suffrages by each man particularly giuen they were chosen with the ioint consent of the people and all the Priests the common Pastours of soules and at length in the time of this Frederick the second by the Clergie alone the people excluded For which causes the Bishops of those times in their titles beginnings of Epistles and Decrees did not write Apostolicae sedis gratia that is to say By the fauour of man as now they doe but after the manner of S. Paul sola miseratione diuina By the only mercy of God they acknowledged they had receiued that gift and office c. Wherefore Gregorie would take away and make voide this order and subuert this authoritie of Bishops and reduce all things to the power of one man neither could he otherwise oppresse Frederick whom they openly proclaimed their most deare and most pious Prince and seemed they would in no wise for sake him matters remaining as they did The Emperour then saith the Authour after he had appeased the rebellion of Austria came to winter at Turin and Gregorie by the counsaile of one Mathew a preaching Frier for there is nothing that such sort of men will not vndertake entreth into a league with Iames Tiepoli Duke of Venice hauing allured into the same confederacie the Bishops of Milan Bononia Bresse and others of Lombardie ouer whom was appointed Generall Gregorie de Montelongo that they might breake forth into open rebellion vpon the first occasion offered And least Frederick should receiue aid from Germanie he won the Germane Princes and Captaines according as he vnderstood they were led with couetousnesse or ambition in distributing vnto them the Tenthes and other Ecclesiasticall goods for to engage them against their Bishops and did so much by the cunning practises of himselfe and of the Preaching Friars that working vpon the passions and naughtie affections of men he brought a good part of Germanie to sheath their swords in their owne bowels Wherefore things thus set in order he proceedeth to excommunicate Frederick and vnder pretence of zeale the conspirators of Italy take armes at the same time assemble the troupes of Germanie assisted with his Legats men of chiefe authoritie but particularly pricked forwards by one Albert Behan a noble Churchman factious and learned to whom he had committed the care of the whole businesse for foure yeares hauing first by oth secretly bound him vnto him and armed him to that end with three Bulls The first was an inuectiue against Frederick a Prince as it said beleeuing amisse concerning Christ hauing none other drift than to ouerthrow Christian Religion which that he may more easily effect he laboureth to bring the Pope and Cardinalls into extreame pouertie The second conteined an interdiction of Diuine seruice to all the followers of Frederick and pronounced all his officers vassalls and subiects absolued from their oth of fidelitie The third a prohibition that no man of what qualitie or condition soeuer should assist him in deed word or will vnder paine of eternall damnation And he fortified these Bulls with gifts benefices and dignities for to corrupt and win more easily the Counsellors Secretaries of Princes according as he knew each man more or lesse capable of this seruice And here Auentine declareth particularly all the circumstances Thus at length this mightie rebellion in Germany brake forth and at the same time were these Buls carried about by the Preaching Friers But on the other part Conrade sonne of Frederick calleth to him all the good men and inuiteth the faithfull Princes and cities of the Empire to their duetie and setleth himselfe to a defence Of all the Bishops to whom those Buls came not any one obeyed the Pope and of all the Abbots as few they all were astonied at this noueltie all are inflamed with anger all protest publikely That the Pope hath in Germanie no right without the consent of the Bishops of Germanie Let the Bishop of Rome say they feed his Italians We being ordained of God dogs of the flocke will keepe away the Wolues that come couered in sheepes skinnes Learne hence what this counterfeit Vicar would doe to others when he beareth himselfe thus towards his brethren and collegues And in like manner said Sigefride Bishop of Ratisbone and others in a solemne sermon before Otho Duke of Bauaria promising at their owne charges euerie yeare to maintaine six hundred horsemen for the excellent most Christian and most pious Emperour Frederick So Conrade Bishop of Frisingen so Eberard of Saltzburg and Radiger Bishop of Bathaw or Passaw in so much that he gaue a boxe on the eare to him that deliuered him those Bulls in the temple and cast him into prison Wherefore they all declared that Albert and in him the Pope himselfe to be an enemie of the Christian Commonwealth a disturber of peace a most dangerous hypocrite and a false Prophet Neither yet is Eberard content with this he reconcileth Frederick of Austria with the Emperour and the Pope excommunicateth this Prince of Austria but Eberard presently absolueth him and moreouer writeth to Otho Duke of Bauaria That he could doe nothing more acceptable to God than to expell that Albert a serpent in his bosome out of his dominions Also the Bishop of Bamberge taketh the messengers of Albert and strippeth them the Bishop of Brixen stoppeth the passages of the Alps to the end that none might go to Rome the same did also the Bishop of Alteich whom he had excommunicat for praying to God for Frederick In a word All the Bishops not onely called his commaundements into doubt but as a hater of Christian concord and as a most pernitious arch heretike throughout the religions of all Priests and Monkes excommunicat him and declare him worse than the Turkes Iewes Saracens or Tartarians published with a lowd voyce That such things were done by the Pope among Christians against diuine and humane right against the lawes against the Commaundements against the law of nations and the doctrine of Christ as would not be committed among the most cruell Tartarians It came so farre that the Bishops of Ratisbone and of Bathaw led troupes of crossed
Italie and Germanie vexeth the people of Christ and Saints of God with an intollerable domination confoundeth together diuine and humane things and enterpriseth most wicked and execrable things What is more cleerely manifest than this Prophesie All the signes and prodigies which that our heauenly Master hath aduertised vs of are alreadie come to passe c. If this fire bee not quenched it will burne the whole world It becommeth him that first kindled it to quench it by the ruine of that monster which hitherto hath laine hid at Landelshut in the towne of Boior to the great danger of Christians And at length concludeth That this Albert the Popes incendiarie as a pestilent fellow and a Serpent should be banished by the Duke And hereupon by the joynt consent of the whole assemblie without doubt approuing those speeches sentence of proscription was giuen against him and his and about this time Gregorie died Innocent the fourth succeedeth who as aboue is shewed left nothing vnattempted against Frederic and opposed against him two Emperours one after another created at his pleasure Albert also continueth constant in his seruice till he was taken by Otho Duke of Bauaria in the towne of Pathaw which with many others he had moued to rebellion against him and being presently conuicted of perjurie sacriledge treacherie and impietie by his commaundement is flead aliue About the same time died Sigefride Bishop of Ratisbone and Eberard of Saltzbourg Innocent ordained for successour of Sigefride one Burchard de Zighenhaghen and of Eberard one Albert Pitoegius And when they of Saltzbourg refused Burchard he accepteth of Philip the Dukes sonne of Carinthia whom they had chosen but on this condition that they should excommunicat Otho vnlesse he renounced Fredericks part a part that seemed to be weakened by so many rebellions he had stirred vp in diuers parts in Germanie Otho on the contrarie declareth vnto the bishops and Prelats of the prouince assembled in Synod at Myldorff Yee haue preached vnto me saith he that the Bishop of Rome is Antichrist and I haue left the sect of the chiefe Priest to take part with the Emperour yee haue persuaded me to it I concluded peace with you and now againe warre better pleaseth you yee are more variable and mutable than an ordinarie man Why doe yee so fondly delude the Christian people with your childish sentence c. I appeale vnto Christ our sauiour who had foretold vs that we must keepe our selues from such Pharises and promiseth to blesse your cursings So that whilest of you we are condemned of Christ our Lord and God we are absolued Whom will the wicked and impious hands of this sacriligeous kind of men abstaine from which haue not spared Christ our Sauiour And who is he that burned such like Priests aliue with their wiues and children and by that famous act made so pleasing a sacrifice to God that he obtayned the kingdome of Palestina for himselfe and his posteritie Alluding hereby to Iehu king of Israell This being sayd Otho departed and hauing joyned his forces with Conrade the Emperours sonne goeth to besiege Dornberg The Prelats assembled at Myldorff concluding his words to be true determine to win his fauour and giue him absolution of the Popes excommunication And this then was the judgement they made of the Pope in Germanie Hither might be referred many things out of the Epistles of Peter de Vineis Chauncellour of Frederic but which may be thought to proceed from passion in the heat of contention betweene the Popedome and the Empire There doth Frederic reproue the Pope how vnlike or rather contrarie he is by the testimonie of all men to S. Peter That the Pharises sat in Moyses chaire That hee was excommunicated of the Pope by a key manifestly erring without hauing heard him That the Pope contrarie to Saint Peter adoreth his bellie and his money gapeth onely after richnesse and continually seeketh whom hee may deuoure That contrarie to Christ he preacheth nothing but warre and thinketh he is in the world for none other end Petrus de Vineis l. 1. Epist ca. 1. Then he exclaimeth And when this gluttonous bellie and stomacke is full gorged with wine then thou thinkest that thou sittest on the wings of the wind Then the Empire of the Romans pertaineth vnto thee then the kings of the earth bring thee gifts then the wine maketh thee admirable armies then all the Nations of the earth serue thee Let the Church our mother weepe for that the Pastour of the Lords flocke is become a rauenous Wolfe eating vp the fattest of the flocke not binding vp that which is broken nor setting in ioynt that which is loossed but as a louer of Schisme a principall authour of scandall and father of fraud against the Laws and honor of the Roman Emperour he defendeth heretikes The Lombards and men of Milan who then in great number professed the doctrine of the Waldenses which that zealous man little regarded so that he might bring his owne purposes to passe and in the meane time he leaueth Hierusalem to destruction and the land of God subiect to dogs and tributarie to Saracens whilest he troubleth that great Emperour and maketh the wayes of Sea and land cumbersome and daungerous the impious enemie Herod the stone of offence In the letters also of Frederic to the Christian Princes Petrus de Vineis Ep. 13.14 15.16.17.18.20.21.31.34 he feareth not to call the Pope hipocrite Apostata the old serpent which conuerteth the fruit of iustice into bitternesse a Pharisie annointed with the oyle of wickednesse aboue his fellowes the beast arising out of the Sea full of names of blasphemie and like vnto a Leopard the beast of which in the Apocalyps there went out another horse red and he that sat thereon tooke peace from the earth that the liuing might kill one another The Angell comming forth of the bottomelesse pit which filleth Sea and land with bitternesse the great Dragon that seduceth the whole world the Antichrist foretold should come another Balaam led with reward to curse vs a Prince by the Princes of darkenesse which hath abused the prophesies whose Cardinals are called sonnes of Belial Sathan is in the middest of them for to serue them Yet no man can impute to Frederic the opinions of the Albigenses seeing that in many places he inueigheth against them and stirreth vp the Popes to destroy them yet he giueth them a testimonie much contrarie to the loosse wantonnesse by their aduersaries objected vnto them when he describeth them to be prodigall of their life and constantly vndergoing martyrdome et quod est saith he ipso dicto durissimum superstites etiam non terrentur exemplo and which is euen hard to be spoken they which suruiue them are nothing terrified with their example Now there was giuen vnto them diuers names according to their teachers for to make thē the more odious Epist 26. 27. lib. 1. Among these Epistles also we read
man most renowned both for sanctimonie and miracle Matheus auers that diuers excellent men were also of this opinion whom he had both seene and heard in Fraunce as the Abbot of Flaie of the Cistertian order Iames de Vitry Robert Curkham and others The same Author also makes mention of an Epistle written by Innocent from Lyons to the bishop of S. Albones in England wherein he intreated him nay and by authoritie Apostolicall commaunded him to inuest one Iohn de Canecaua his nephew and chaplaine in the Church of Wengrade ouer which hee was Patron but so that he might change the same for another whensoeuer the same Iohn or any procuror of his should desire it that of Wengrade being perpetually notwithstanding reserued to his donation non obstante the priuiledge indulgence graunted to the English That no benefices should be immediatly conferred vpon Italian Priests And this we thought good saith he to insert into this booke that the Readers may discerne with how many iniuries and oppressions the Court of Rome surchargeth vs miserable English but this was that the threatning saying of the Apostle might be fulfilled Except first a departure come the sonne of iniquitie shall not be reuealed Behold here the cause behold here the matter why hearts though not bodies fall away from our father the Pope who growes austere and rigorous like a stepfather and from our mother the Roman Church who persecuteth and vexeth like a stepmother And on this all men fix their eyes Let vs now come to France We see how Innocent excited and stirred vp the Croisado against Conrade the Emperour Fredericks sonne promising larger indulgences to them that would serue against him than to those that should goe into Palestina for remission of sinnes was not granted onely to euery one of the Croisado but further to their parents and kinsfolkes also yea and that euen at the same time saith Mathew when S. Lewis lay distressed for all necessarie things at Caesasarea the which he intimated to his mother brethren and faithfull subiects in a lamentable Epistle But when Madam Blanch heard of this who swayed the French gouernment beyond feminine force or abilitie she conuocated all the nobles of the kingdome to aduise seriously on this affaire and in this treatie much murmuring and anger occurred they alledging how our Lord the Pope excited a new and intestine warre which within the confines of Christendome raised Christians against Christians and preaching to this end to men ordained for Gods seruice for the augmentation of his dominion hee shewed himselfe carelesse and forgetfull of our Lord the King who sustained for the Christian faith so many discommodities and aduersities For now his foresaid sermon was divulged ouer all the French confines Blanch being therefore herewith much moued because this murmure grew not without iust cause she tooke into her hands the lands and possessions of all them of the Croisado she alledging They that serue the Pope let them liue on the Popes meanes and so be gone without returning any more All the Potentates in like manner bordering on France in whose countries this sermon had signed all to this warre did the like And thus the sermon grew inualidious and the signed were reuoked as also the Predicants and Minorites who had so highly aduanced this affaire were verie seuerely reprehended by the nobles they obiecting We build you churches and houses we educat entertaine apparell and feed you what benefit reape you from the Pope He disturbeth and exacteth of you he makes you his toll-takers and so you become odious euen to your owne benefactors To whom they replyed Meere obedience moues vs hereunto From that time forward the Pope blushing for shame listened to treaties of peace In the meane while vnder pretext of such great obedience to this warre S. Lewis his succours were cut off his armie defeated all Palestina exposed to spoyle and prey and himselfe was taken by the enemie whereupon he conceiued such an irradicable griefe and sorrow that for a certaine time after his libertie procured he would not be comforted The Friers Mendicants as hath formerly beene said were either chiefe ministers or in a great part authors of these calamities whereupon they grew so powerfull that the rest of the Clergie began to be afraid while by their confessions they diued into the peoples hearts beat the Popes eares with continuall flatteries and at length depriued all ordinarie ministers of place and function whom they tearmed Blind Matthew Paris in Henrico 3. and leaders of the blind which neuer studied in the Decretals nor had learned so much as to resolue one doubt not shaming to demaund of many Are you confest to whom if they answered Yea they would aske Of whom Why by my parish Priest And who is that ideot I thinke he neuer heard of Diuinitie Confesse hardily vnto vs to whom you both see and heare such authoritie is granted Wherefore many of the Nobles and their wiues contemning their proper Priests and Prelats were confessed by these Predicants And here againe courteous Reader obserue the forme and expresse Idea of these times The matter grew to such an head as the Pope himselfe perceiuing them transported so headlong to ambition was forced to suppresse it What means this brethren said he where is your humilitie your vow of pouertie And hereupon the Vniuersitie of Paris began first to stirre oppose but especially because with their subtilties and sophistries they had adulterated the true Christian doctrine teaching first That the diuine essence was neither beheld by angell nor glorified man Secondly That though the liuelie diuine essence be one and the selfesame in the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost yet as it comes within the reason and compasse of Forme it is one in the Father and the Sonne and not alike vnto these in the holie Ghost and yet Forme is the same thing with diuine Essence Thirdly That the holie Ghost as he is Loue and connexed doth not proceed from the Sonne but onely from the Father Fourthly That neither the glorified soule nor purified bodie shall be in the Imperiall heauen with the angels but in the watrie or Crystaline heauen which is aboue the firmament the which they also affirmed by the blessed Virgine Marie Fiftly That the euill angell was euill at the verie instant of his creation and how he neuer had been good Sixtly That there were many verities from eternitie which were not God Seuenthly That an angell at the same instant could be in diuers places and that euerie where if it so pleased Eightly That beginning present time creation and passion is neither Creator nor creature Ninthly That the euill angell neuer had the meanes to stand no nor yet Adam in his state of innocencie Tenthly That he who hath the best naturall gifts must of necessitie receiue most grace and glorie All which positions the Ecclesiasticall Prelats together with the Vniuersitie of Paris being assembled expresly condemned in these
ignominie to the Maiestie Royall shame to the glorie Imperiall and eternall infamie to the Christian Commonweale Aeneas Syluius Histor Bohem. c. 46. That our age hath seene Sigismund a Prince of good yeares borne of Emperours and himselfe an Emperour whose name Italie France Germanie and all Europe honoured and whom barbarous nations feared a suppliant vnto this man not borne otherwise of any great nobilitie an old man blind an heretike giuen to sacrilege and all wickednesse to offer vnto him money and the greatest honours that he might vouchsafe to take his part But the death of Zischa partly broken with trauels partly with yeares brake off the treatie And some write that hee dyed of the plague Whereupon Syluius hath this bitter taunt Him whom the hand of man was not able to kill the finger of God destroyed By how much better right ought hee in the basenesse and infirmitie of the man which he representeth to haue acknowledged the arme of God Neither yet were this miserable poore people destitute of Gods protection although by his death they thenceforth named themselues Orphans as shall bee seene in his place The Epitaph written on his tombe in the citie of Tabor which he had builded is memorable I Iohn Zischa rest here in skill of militarie affaires not inferiour to any of the Emperours or Captaines Paralipom Abbatis Vispergensis a seuere reuenger of the pride and couetousnesse of the Clergie-men and a most valiant defender of my countrey That which Appius Claudius being blind did for the Romans in well counselling and Furius Camillus in valiantly exployting the same haue I done for my Bohemians I neuer was wanting to the good fortune of the warre nor it to mee I haue foreseene though blind all importunities of well-doing and with Ensignes spred haue fought eleuen times euer victorious It seemed vnto mee that I haue verie well done to take in hand the most iust cause of the miserable and hungrie against the delicat fat and crammed Priests and in this doing haue felt the helpe of God If their enuie had not hindered it no doubt I should haue merited to be numbred among the Illustrious men Neuerthelesse my bones lye here in this sacred place etiam insalutato inuitoque Papa Euen without hauing saluted the Pope and in despight of his teeth And vnderneath was written in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iohn Zischa enemie of the Priests couetous of dishonest gaine but in a godlie zeale Neither is it to be omitted That when a certaine Picard came into Bohemia had by his illusions enticed after him some people into an island of the riuer Lusmik where he had taught them to goe naked and promiscuously to couple themselues one with another whence they were called Adamites as it is an ordinarie thing with Sathan to cast such mistie clouds ouer the light of the Gospel when he seeth it begin to shine forth Zischa and his people were the first that set vpon them with open force inuaded the island and put them all to the edge of the sword excepting two onely of whom they might learne the particularities of their impious superstition When notwithstanding the Preachers of the Romish Church burden the doctrine of Iohn Hus with diuers calumnies the Fathers of the Councell of Constance condemned it for the opinions of Wickliffe but they imputed to wickliffe such opinions after their owne pleasure as he neuer thought off and one monstrous aboue the rest That God ought to obey the diuell although the calumnie it selfe is such as sheweth their vntrue dealing and none of them that wrot against Wickliffe whilest he was aliue doth make mention of any such And as for Iohn Hus Pope Pius the second recounteth in his historie the articles of his doctrine agreeable to our confessions And there is extant the confessions of the Bohemians exhibited to their kings when libertie of their religion was permitted them in which is nothing which agreeth not with true Christian pietie In the meane time Pope Martin loseth not courage on the contrarie thinking as indeed it was that the vnion of this people was shaken by the death of Zischa determined to contriue against them They had two different captaines for the warre the great and the little Precop and thence their concord seemed to be but ill repaired He therefore sendeth the Cardinall of Winchester an Englishman into Germanie to stirre vp the mind of the Emperour command the Germans to take the Crosse against this people and so is a threefold armie leuied the first out of the circuit of Saxonie and the townes by the sea coast commaunded by the duke of Saxonie the second out of the territorie of Franconia by the Marquesse of Brandebourg and the third out of the jurisdictions of Rhine of Bauaria and of Sueuia by Otho Archbishop of Treuer who by three wayes enter into Bohemia and joyne themselues together joyntly to recouer the citie Mizla which the night before the enemies had surprised That handfull of men seemed vnable to stand against so mightie an armie neuerthelesse hauing gathered themselues together in hast they march directly towards their enemies Aeneas Syluius c. 48. But they saith Pius the second fled without seeing the enemie and comming to Thacoâ—ia left their artillerie and bootie there The Cardinall commeth to meet them admiring at the fearefull and shamefull flight of so many Captaines and valiant men He earnestly entreateth them againe and againe to turne backe their face to the enemie euerie way weaker than they But when hee could not obtaine this hee is constrained to accompanie them in their flight I durst not write thus much if Pope Pius the second had not first written it and in so many words Scarcely were they entred into the forest when the Bohemians comming vpon them began to assaile the hindmost troupes then their flight is made more disorderly and fearefull neither doe the Germans giue ouer sooner to flie than the Bohemians to follow Therefore they take their baggage winne Thacouia by assault and make themselues masters of the artillerie Thence they wast Misnia taxe Franconia Bamberg Nuremberg and other cities to redeeme themselues Here Sigismund and Pope Martin bethinke themselues of another armie stronger than the former vnto which all the Princes States and cities doe contribute Iulian Cardinall of S. Angelo commaunded for the Pope and the Elector of Brandebourg for the Emperour many Princes accompayning them there was in the army fortie thousand horse but the number of the footemen was not so many And with these great forces the Cardinall entreth into the countrie putting all he can to fire and sword and sparing neither sex nor age Yet scarcely haue the feet of all touched the borders but that whether there were treason in the armie of the faithfull meaning the Papall as many supposed or that a vaine feare had inuaded the mindes of men without cause they trembled throughout all the campe and before there was one enemy
set ouer Gemes least if hee should escape he should trouble his Empire Vpon this occasion Alexander and Alphonsus giue Baiazet to vnderstand That it was the purpose of the king of France hauing setled his affaires in Naples to passe ouer into Greece which was the more easily beleeued because hee was not ignorant how many troubles the French had raised and how many slaughters they had made in Asia The warres of Charles growing hot they sent Legats againe vnto him Alphonsus making choyce of Camillus Pendon Alexander of Gregorio Bucciardo of Genoa being both skilfull in the Turkish language Bucciardo being employed before in the like seruice by Pope Innocent These promised to ouerthrow the forces of Charles so he would supplie them with some great summes of money Whereby he should redeeme the State of Greece from destruction and entertaine warre in the kingdome of another and should haue for a bulwarke of his Empire the citie of Rome and the kingdome of Naples These embassadours were honourably receiued by Baiazet and so much the rather because hee had receiued the same newes from other parts He therefore gaue thankes to the Pope speaking to Gregorie that he that had the highest place in Christendome would be pleased so friendly louingly to giue him in time admonition notwithstanding he were of another beliefe touching God and of different maners touching men He aduised him to returne into Italie his embassadour Dantius accompanying him by whom he sent money and committed other matters of secrecie vnto him to that purpose Amongst other matters giuen vnto him in charge saith Iouius there was a letter written in Greeke wherein Baiazet with great art persuaded the Pope That he should prouide that by some meanes or other his brother might be taken out of the way by poyson which if he would performe hee promised him vpon his faith two hundred thousand ducats and freely to bestow vpon him the vnfeamed coat of Christ as some few yeares before he had sent the poynt of that speare wherewith Longinus pierced the side of Christ From hence let the Reader judge with how inward a commerce of wickednesse these two were joined since he durst giue that counsell to the Pope which the most wicked men of the world practised in all manner of villanie durst not haue done one to another It fell out in the meane time that the ships wherein they passed the seas were taken neere Ancona by Iohn de la Rouere brother to Cardinall Iulian an enemie to the Pope and a friend to the Frenchmen who seised vpon all the money as due vnto him from the Pope and so Dantius was inforced to make a journey by land to Ancona to saue himselfe But Alexander being verie much moued herewith sought new meanes to continue this entercourse and agreement with Baiazet With which Papall zeale he likewise diuerted the Croysado or money gathered in Spaine vnder a pretence of bearing the crosse against Baiazet to this vse For saith Guicciardine king Ferdinand excusing himselfe That his armie by sea could not so speedily be readie for the defence of the kingdome of Naples for want of money hee consented that the money gathered in Spaine in the naâ—â— of the Apostolike sea vnder a colour of making warre against the enemies of the Faith should be employed to that vse But Charles neuerthelesse passed through all Italie without resistance being led as it were by the hand of God opening not onely the gates before him but the walls too and comming neere Rome where the Pope had fortified himselfe with the forces of Alphonsus and other his confederats hee demaunded passage and to be admitted into the citie commaunding his enemies to depart and not dissembling That if Alexander obeyed not he would make his way through the citie with his sword Alexander hereupon was much troubled in his mind Fearing least Charles presuming vpon the title of Most Christian which the kings of France doe much glorie in should with his people being a nation renowmed for their religion turne his mind to the reformation of the Church a terrible thought to him whose conscience told him by what infamous meanes he had obtained the Popedome and how with great infamie he had administred it Paule Jonij l. 2. Moreouer he feared least he should be persuaded by the Cardinals of Colonna Sabelli and others to require the publication of a Councell with which one voyce saith Iouins the Popes of Rome are more terrified than with any other human accidents whatsoeuer But partly restes himself vpon that assurance which Charles had giuen him not to attempt any thing against his dignitie and partly because being in these straits he saw no surer course to be taken he retired himselfe to his castle S. Angelo suffered the king to enter the citie and sent away Ferdinand Duke of Calabria the sonne of Alphonsus that he might not see his ruine before his eyes Charles therefore entred Rome the last day of the yeare 1494 with his whole armie his ensignes displayed and his lance vpon his thigh no otherwise than he entred Florence a few dayes before Neither must we forget that the armie of the king comming neere Ostia some twentie fadome of the wall fell to the ground euen there where the King had prepared to enter and neere about the same time there fell about fifteene fadome of the antemure or outward wall of the castle S. Angelo as if the walles themselues had inuited the king to enter Here there wanted not some that were verie earnest with the king Philip Comineus in vita Caroli 8. c. 16.17 to remoue Alexander from his seat a man odious to the whole world telling him that it would not be lesse glorious to him to deliuer the Church of God from the tyrannie of a wicked Pope than it was to Pipin and Charlemaine to deliuer the good Popes from such as did vniustly oppresse them But Alexander beeing directed by a more deuout Councell hauing by presents and promises corrupted those that could preuaile most with him they so pacified the king that he came to this agreement That Alexander should deliuer to the king the castles of Ciuita vecchia Tarracina and Spoleto vntill he had conquered the kingdome of Naples That hee should offer no wrong to the Cardinals and Barons that were subject to the Church or seeke to reuenge himselfe vpon those that had taken his part That hee should inuest Charles into the kingdome That forasmuch as there might be good vse made of Gemes Baiazets brother in the warres against the Turke he would deliuer him into his hands That he should pronounce Charles Emperour of Greece Lastly That he should leaue with the king Caesar Borgia his sonne for three moneths as an Embassadour in outward shew but in effect an hostage for the performance of these promises All which for the most part he performed because hee could no otherwise chuse but yet so as that his accustomed false faith
earnestly bent and ouer hastie that he neuer thought any thing done with speed ynough but euer kindled with furie cried out to the captaines and chose his owne lodging amongst the ordnance insomuch that in his kitchin two of his seruants were slaine with a shot whatsoeuer his Cardinals could persuade to the contrarie telling him That hereby both his owne person and the whole See were made a scandall and a laughing stocke to the whole world And therefore saith Monstrelet to this purpose He left the chaire of S. Peter and tooke vpon him the title of Mars the god of war displaying in the field his triple crowne and spending his nights in the watch How goodlie a thing it was to see the Myters Crosses and Crosier-staues flying vp and downe the field God he knoweth It is not likely any Diuels could be there where blessings were sold at so base a price Mirandula being taken he set forward with his armie against Ferrara and neglecting these conditions that the Emperor offered and the counsel of Ferdinand of Spain his friend he persisted in his determination Wherupon it was thought good to cite him to the Councel of Pisa on the one side those fiue Cardinals with the Prelats of Fraunce and Germanie vrging it as beeing a man notoriously scandalous incorrigible a stirrer vp of warres and altogether vnfit to rule the Popedome for which cause the authoritie of calling a Councell was diuolued vnto them on the other side king Lewis the twelfth being readie by force and if need were to march against him with his armie in his owne person notwithstanding he had no assistance from Maximilian who hauing made a truce with the Pope was therefore by the writers of that age condemned of inconstancie It is worthie the noting that by the commaund of Lewis there was money coyned in Fraunce which yet remaineth in the custodie of some in the one side wherof there was this mot I will destroy Babylon and in some I will destroy the name of Babylon that it might seeme no new thing to any that Rome is Babylon to vs hauing so great an Authour euen the Father of Fraunce Iulius therefore created eight new Cardinals that he might thereby win vnto him other Princes contrary to that he had promised at his election Triuultius therefore the leader of the French forces hauing freed Ferrara from feare taken Bononia publiquely fastened his placarts whereby Iulius was cited to Pisa he retired himselfe in despaire to Rome no lesse wounded in his mind that the Duke of Vrbin his Nephew had stabbed the Cardinall of Pauia his Legat and inward friend in a manner before his eyes for his many and monstrous wickednesse saith Guicciardine worthie the greatest and most grieuous punishment Then gathering heart he confirmed his truces mollified the mind of the Emperour woon him from the alliance of Fraunce and thinking now he had ouercome all difficulties he applied his thoughts onely to Lewis thundring against him with his excommunications and interdicting his kingdome But our Clergie yeelding him neuer the more obedience proceed still in setting forward the Councell of Pisa which at the last was thought to be more safe and commodious to transferre to Milan where againe these good Cardinals got no better reputation than Iulius at Rome At length Iulius with his confederats raised an armie which doubtlesse would daily encrease greater by reason of the jealousie that many Princes had of the greatnesse of Fraunce and aboue all the Spaniard for fear of the realm of Naples which the French pretended a right vnto But king Lewis seeing himselfe alone against so many enemies either open or readie shortly to declare themselues resolued to win time and commaunded Gaston de Foix his Lieutenant generall in the Duchie of Milan to omit no occasion of fighting with the Popes armie wherein if he got the victorie he should with all speed march to Rome and there assaile the Pope without any reuerence towards him Yet notwithstanding that it might be estemed he did it lawfully and by good right he doth all by the authoritie of the Councell which appointed their Legat in the armie who receiued in the name thereof the cities conquered in the warre This was the Cardinall of S. Seuerin ordayned by the Cardinals Legat of Bononia A man saith our Authour more adicted to warre Guicciard l. 10 than religion Therefore Gaston after some notable exploits of armes for to draw the Popes armie to battaile besieged Rauenna In the meane time Iulius armie came to succour it vnder the conduct of Iohn de Medicis after Leo the tenth exiled from Florence whom he had aduanced chiefely in hatred of the Florentines But Gaston marched against them and vpon an Easter day gaue them battell wherein he obtayned that so renowned victorie of Rauenna The Legat taken and the most part of the commaunders of the armie vpon the first newes thereof Iulius despairing was readie to forsake Rome but the death of Gaston interrupted the course of the victorie and so gaue him time to breath and settle himselfe in his seat And that so much the more for that the Mareschal de la Palice with the French forces which he commaunded after the death of Gaston was called backe into Fraunce to oppose themselues against the Switzers who partly in fauour of Iulius partly moued by their owne commoditie had spred themselues ouer Bourgundie Now he turned this victorie obtayned by the French men to his owne commoditie by setting before the eyes of all Princes of how great moment it was that the power of the French men should be repressed This he doth with the States of Italie chiefely the Duke of Ferrara and the Florentines to withdraw them from their league with France he blameth the kings indiscretion who not knowing how to vse his good fortune had withdrawne his succours and abandoned his confederats to his discretion And now he onely spake of shaking off the Arragonois and of driuing the Spanish forces out of Italie or defeating them by whose helpe notwithstanding he had beene maintayned in his aduersitie for to procure to himselfe the kingdome of Naples Lastly he thought himselfe in sufficient safetie by the friendship and confederacie of the Switzers Moreouer he now openly despised the Councell of Pisa which had beene translated to Milan because it was onely maintayned by the French forces who had now ynough to doe to defend their owne and taking againe courage opposed vnto it another Councell at Lateran excommunicating all them that adhered to that of Pisa and king Lewis by name from whom by his Bull set forth be tooke away the title of Most-Christian transferring it to the king of England whom he solicited to make warre against Fraunce the kingdome whereof by the Councell of Lateran and in an expresse Bull he exposed to him that would first inuade it But amidst such and so great thoughts saith Guicciardine and others perhaps greater more secret for nothing so