Selected quad for the lemma: king_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
king_n	abbot_n	bishop_n	monk_n	1,789	4	8.6637	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91309	Truth triumphing over falshood, antiquity over novelty. Or, The first part of a just and seasonable vindication of the undoubted ecclesiasticall iurisdiction, right, legislative, coercive power of Christian emperors, kings, magistrates, parliaments, in all matters of religion, church-government, discipline, ceremonies, manners: summoning of, presiding, moderating in councells, synods; and ratifying their canons, determinations, decrees: as likewise of lay-mens right both to sit and vote in councells; ... In refutation of Mr. Iohn Goodwins Innocencies Triumph: my deare brother Burtons Vindication of churches, commonly called Independent: and of all anti-monarchicall, anti-Parliamentall, anti-synodicall, and anarchicall paradoxes of papists, prelates, Anabaptists, Arminians, Socinians, Brownists, or Independents: whose old and new objections to the contrary, are here fully answered. / By William Prynne, of Lincolnes Inne, Esquire.	Prynne, William, 1600-1669.	1645 (1645)	Wing P4115; Thomason E259_1; ESTC R212479	202,789	171

the stability of the Realme A cleare evidence it was both a Parliament and Synod too Anno 824. There was another Synodall Assembly held at Clovesho under the same king Beornulfe and Wulfred Archbishop of Canterbury assidentibus Episcopis Abbatibus PRINCIPIBVS MERCIORVM VNIVERSIS MVLTI SAPIENTISSIMI VIRI CONGREGATI to determine certaine Controversies and settle the lands of the Church which they did accordingly the Acts of this Councell were subscribed by the king his Dukes Nobles as well as by the Bishops as you may see in the close of it Anno 833. there was a Councell held at London the 26 of May which is intiuled Concilium Pan-Anglicum a Cauncell of all England wherein were present Egbert King of West-Saxons and Withlasius King of Mercians both the Archbishops of England with the Bishops and Nobles In which they con●●ted not onely of Church affaires but also about hindering the incursions of the Danes and confirmed divers Priviledges to the Abby of Crowland by a Charter granted by this King in this Councel subscribed by the King Dukes and other Laymen as well as by Bishops and Abbots Anno 838. I finde Concilium Pan-Anglicum held at Kingston wherein King Egbert and Ethelwolfe his Sonne sate Presidents together with Ceolueth Archbishop and the rest of the Bishops optimatibus Angliae and the chiefe men and Nobles at England wherein certain Charters of Lands given to the Church formerly accorded to by the Nobles were confirmed vnder pain of excommunication and curses to the infringers of them About which time Keneth king of Scots compiled and published certain Ecclesiasticall Lawes intermixed with temporall made in a Parliamentary Councell not an Episcopall Synod Anno 851. there was a Councell held at Kingsbury under Bertulph King of Mercia praesentibus Ceolnotho Dorobernensi Archiepiscopo caeterisque Regni Merciae Episcopis Magnatibus and another Councell at Benningdon under this King about the same year â Praelatis Proceribus Regni sub Bertolpho Rege In both these ample possessions and priviledges were granted to the Abbots and Monks of England Vnanimi consensu totius praesentis Cancilii pro Regni negotiis Congregati the Charters being subscribed by Dukes Lords and temporall Officers present in these Councels as well as by Bishops or Abbots An. 855. There was a generall Councel of all England held at Winchester Concilium V●ntoniae Pan-anglicum 5. Nov Judic 4. celebratum praesentibus Aethelwulfo Rege Westsaxoniae Beorredo Rege Merciae Edmundo Rege East-Anglorum una cum Archiepiscopis Cantuariae Eborum caeterisque totius Angliae Episcopis Magnatibus in which King Aethelwulph by his royall Charter granted the tenth part of his lands and goods to the Church cum coxsilio Episcoporum ac Principum meorum Praesentibus subscribentibus Archiepiscopis Episcopis Angliae Vniversis re●non Beorredo Rege Merciae Edmundo Eastanglorum Rege Abbatum Abbatissarum Ducum Comitium Procerumquetotius terrae aliorumque fidelium infintia multitudine qui omnes Regium Chirographum landaverunt Dignitates vero sua nomina subscripserunt These Councels therefore were no other but Parliaments The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of king Alured Anno 887. were made in Parliament and not in a Synod of Bishops Ex Consulto Sapientum Atque in ipsis discernendis ego Alredus Occiden alium Saxonum Rex prudent●ssimeram è nostris confilio usus sum atque eis omnibus placuit edici eorum observationem saith the Praeface to his Lawes The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of Alured or Alfred and Guthurne were accorded in a Councell wherein these Kings and their people made a League King Edward the elder upon the letter of Pope Formosus congregavit Synodum SENATORVM PROCERVM POPVLORVM ET NOBILIVM Gent's Anglae in quae prasedebat Plegmundus Archiepiscopus Tum sibi Rex cum suis Plegmundus Archiepiscopus salubre consilium iniverunt and constituted and elected five Bishops in the Province of the Gevisi where there were but two Bishopricks formerly dividing those two Bishopricks into five by a Parliament not Synod The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of King Edward the elder and Guthurne An. 905. were made in Parliaments of the Lords and Commons not Synods of the Clergie as appeares by this Proeme Haec ea sunt SENATVS-CONSVLTA ac instituta quae primo Aluredus Guthurnus Reges deinde Edovardus Guthurnus Reges illis ipsis temporibus tulere cum Pacis foedus Daci Angli ferierunt ac sese mutuo an●plexi sunt quae postea a SAPIENTIBVS recitata saepius atque ad communem Regni utilitatem aucta atque amplificata sunt The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of King Aethelstan An. 928. were made in Parliament not in a Convocation as is evident by the temporall lawes mixed with them made at the same time and by chap. 9. Decreta cictaque sunt haec in celebri Gratanleano Concilio cui Wulfhelmus interfuit Archiepiscopus cum eo Optimates Sapientes ab Aethelstano evocati frequentissimi The Ecclesiasticall lawes of Hoel Dha the good King of all Wales about the yeare 940. were made not by the Ecclesiasticall persons onely but by the Laiety too hee summoning sex Laicos viros auctoritate scientia pollentes six Laymen potent in authority and Learning out of every County and then selecting out of them twelve Laicos doctissimos unum Clericum doctissimum qui vocabatur Blanguindus ad instituendas sibi leges usus c. 12. most learned Laymen and but one learned Clerke to compile Ecclesiasticall Lawes for him and his people The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of King Edmund Anno 944. were made in a Parliament at London as appeares by the temporall lawes joyned with them and by the Proocme Edmundus Rex ipso solenni Paschatis festo frequentem Londini tam Ecclesiasticorum quam LAICORVM caetum celebravit c. A sci entissimis Regni mei in celebri tam Ecclesiasticorum quam LAICORVM frequentia studiose requisivisse quo tandem pacto Christiana proveheretur fides Atque NOBIS OMNIBVS commodissimum visum est Edmundus Rex congregavit magnam Synodum Dei ordinis SECVLI apud London c. Ego Edmundus Rex mando praecipio omni populo seniorum ac juvenum qui in regione mea sunt ea quae investigans investigovi cum sapientibus Clericis LAICIS Anno 948. There was a Councell as well of Lords and great men as Bishops and Abbots held in London In festo Nativitatis beatae Mariae cum universi Magnates Regni per regium edictum summoniti tam Archiepiscopi Episcopi ac Abbate quam caeteri totius Regni Proceres Optimates Londoniis convenissent ad tractandum de negotiis publicis totius regni consummatis Omnibus the K. in this Parlia granted a large Charter of lands priviledges to the Abbey of Croyland this Councell therefore was certainly no other but a Parliament An. 952.

Ed●arus Rex tandem potior emvocate ad Brandenfordiam Regni Concilio Patris Edwini acta decreta rescindit Ablatas Ecclesiis Monasteriis opes restituit c. This no doubt was a Parliament King E●gars Ecclesiasticall Lawes An. 967. have this Prologue which proves them made in full Parliament Leges quas Edgarus Rex FREQVENTI SENATV ad Dei gloriam regiae Majestatis ornamentum ac Reipublicae utilitatem sanciunt Hoc est institutum quod Edgarus Rex Consilio Sapientum suorum instituit c. Anno. 973. I finde a Councell held at London under King Edgar for the regulating of the Abbots and Monkes of Glastonbury and setling of their priviledges wherein King Edgar granted a Charter to this Abbey CONCILIO OMNIVM PRIMATVM MEORVM subscribed by himselfe and Alfgina his Mother Edward Clito his successor Kmedius King of Scotland Mascusus his Admirall Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury Oswald Archbishop of Yorke caeterisque Episcopis OMNIBVS Regni PRIMATIBVS with others of his officers In the Councell of Winchester An. 975. assembled to determine the great controversie whether married Clerkes ought to bee preferred before monkes King Edgar and his Queen Elferus Prince of Mercians Ethelwin Duke of the East-Angles Elfwold his kinsman Archbishop Dunstan cum cae teris Episcopis Abbatibus c. Brithnotho Comite cum NOBJLITATE TOTIUS REGNS were present to decide this difference In the Councell of Calne Anno 977. called for the same purpose there were present praeter Episcopes caeterum clerum TOTIVS Angliae Majores Natu Omnes aderant Aaglorum Optimates Rege tamen propter teneram aetatem absente There were at it Praesules PROCERES EQVITES NOBILES PARITER IGNOBILES Omnium ordinum conspicui clarique viri write our Historians Anno 1005. King Aethelred granted Lands and priviledges to the Monkes of Christ-Church in Canterbury by his Charter confirmed and subscribed in a Parliamentall Councell as well by his Nobles as Prelates and Abbots as you may read in the subscriptions themselves Anno 1009. There was a generall Councell at Eanham Concilium Aenhamense generale seu Pan-anglieum Optimatibus celebratum In this Councell there were thirty two Canons made which begin thus Haec sunt Constitutiones quaetulerunt Angli eruditi eligerunt etiam edixerunt instanterque docuerunt observandas This writes Spelman was doubtlesse a Parliament Regium fuisse certum est Aenhamense Concilium tum quod edicto Regis cogebatur de rebus statuit ad ecclesiasticos non pertinentibus tum quod in festo habebatur Pentecostes in quibus celebritatibus convocare Reges ex antiqun consuentudine soliti orant Proceres suos utriusque ordinis ad festum Regium adornandum consilia Regni ineunda yet its decrees are stiled SYNODALIA The Ecclesiasticall lawes of king Aethelred Anno 1012. have this Inscription Haec instituerunt Rex Aethelredus SAPIENTES ejus apud Habam They were made in full Parliament not in a Convocation of the Clergy and intermixed with secular Lawes The Councell of Winton under Canutus Anno 1021. begins thus Haec sunt statuta Canuti Regis Anglorum c. Venerando sapientum ejus Concilio ad laudem gloriam Dei sui regalitatem commune commodum Rex Canutus anno regni sui 5. cunctos regni sui Praelatos Proceresque ac Magnas ces ad suum convocans Parliamentum in suo publico Parliamento persistentibitpersonaliter in eodem Wolstano Adelnodo A chiepiscopis Ailwine Episcope Elmhamense alijs Episcopis ipsorum Suff aganeis septem Ducibus cum totidem Comitibus nec non diversorum Monasteriorum nounullis Abbatibus cum quamplurimis gregarijs Militibus ac cum populi multitudine copiosae ac omnibus tunc in eodem Parliamento personaliter existentibus votis Regijs unanimiter consentientibus praeceptum decretum fuit Quod monasterium sancti Edmundi c. sit ab omni jurisdictione Episcoporum Comitatus illius ex tunc in perpetuum funditus liberum exemptum c. This Councell was clearely a PARLIAMENT and so expresly stiled The Ecclesiasticall Laws of K. Knute An. 1032. were made in Parliament not in Convocation as appeares by this proaeme Consultum quod Canutus Aaglorum Dacorum Norvegiensium Rex ex SAPIENTUM CONCILIO ad Dei immortalis Gloriam Regiae Majestatis ornamentum Reip utilitatem Natalatijs Domini Nostri Jesu Christi diebus Vintoniae sancivit the Laws are in number 26. and intermixt with his secular Lawes made at the same time Haec illa humana atque politica sunt Jura quae Sapientum adhibito consilio per omnem Aagliam observari praecipio So as this Councell clearely was a Parliament not a Synod or Convocation Anno 1066. There was a most famous Councell or Assembly held at Westminster under King Edward the Confessor in the last yeare of his Reigne on the Feast of Christs Nativity Praesentibus Rege Confessore Edgitha Regina Stigando Archiepiscopo Cantuariae Eldredo Archiepisc Eboraci caterisque Angliae Episcopis Abbatibus Capellanis Regis COMITIBUS MINISTRIS seu Thanis Regijs MILITIBUS about the endowment priviledges and Sanctuary of Westminster Abby then newly re-edified and consecrated In which Councell the King granted severall Charters of priviledges to this Abbey which were consented unto ratified and subscribed as well by the Dukes Nobles Officers Knights and other Lay-men as by the King Queen Bishops Abbots and Clergy By all these ancient Presidents before the Conquest to which others might be added it is most apparent That all our prisline Synods and Councells were nought else but Parliaments that our Kings Nobles Senators Aldermen Wisemen Knights and Commons were usually present and voting in them as members and Judges and that all our Ecclesiasticall Laws Canons and Constitutions that were obligatory or binding as well concerning matters of faith Church-Government discipline as manners were ever made enacted ratified in and by our Parliaments only and not by the Bishops or Clergy alone or by the King and Clergy in meere Ecclesiasticall Synods without the Nobles Senators and Commons consents or Votes Neither finde I any example or Author from King Lucius his Reigne to the Conquest that either denyed the legislative or coercive power of such Councells and Parliaments either in matters of doctrine Discipline Church Government or manners but all readily and unanimously subscribed to it enough to silence all novell opposits whatsoever King William the Conqueror as he was resolved in a Full Councell and Parliament to bee Christs Vicar and chiefe Governour of the Church within this Realme in these words Rex quia Vicarius summi regis est ad hoc constituitur ut regnum Populum Domini super omina SANCTAM ECCLESI MREGAT ET DEFENDAT c. taken out of King Edward the Confessors Lawes which he established and ratified so he reformed the Ecclesiasticall Lawes and

Canons of the Church in and by a Common Councell and Parliament as well of the Nobles and Commons as of the Prelates and Clergy as is evident by this passage in the Manuscript Tables of Robert Winchelsy Arch-Bishop of Canterbury WILLIELMUS Rex Angliae DE COMMUNI CONCILIO Archiepiscoporum Abbatum OMNIUM PROCERUM REGNI SUI Leges Episcopales quae non berè nec secundum Sanctorum Canonum praeceptae fuerunt sicut nec sunt his diebus OBSERV AND AS IN CONCUSSE JUDICAVERIT c. And by this his rescript to Remigius Bishop of Lincolne WILLIELMUS Gratia Dei c. Sciatis vos omnes caeteri mei fideles qui in Angliamanent quod Episcopales leges quae non berè nec secundum Sanctorum Canonum praecepta usque ad mea tempora in regno Anglorum fuerunt COMMUNI CONCILIO et consilio Archiepiscoporum meorum caeterorum Episcoporum Abbatum OMNIUM PRINCIPUM REGNI MEIEMEND AND AS JUDICAVI Proptereamando Regia authoritate praecipio ut nullus Episcopus vel Archidiaconus de legibus Episcopalibus amplius in HUNDRET placita toneant c. In the Councell of Rhoan Anno 1073. William the Conqueror sate chiefe President And decreed many things as well touching Ecclesiasticall Affaires as the benefit of his new Kingdom of England Among other things it was there decreed Judicatum est praesidente Rege Anglorum Gulielmo writes Matthew Westminster the King himselfe being president that Monkes who by force assaulted their Abbotts as the Monkes of Andoem had assaulted and slaine their Abbot at that time whiles hee was saying Masse in any Abbies should there be thrust into prison for it which before it seemes they could not be This Councell was no other then a Parliament diverse temporall Lawes as well as Ecclesiasticall being enacted therein and both ratified approved by this King who as Eadmerus stories of him would not so much as suffer the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Primate of all his Realme when hee sate President in a generall Councell of Bishops assembled together to decree or prohibite any thing but such things as were suitable to his will and had first been ordained by himselfe In the Councell of London under Lanfranks An. 1075. Concessum est Regia MUNIFICENTIA Synodali authoritate Episcopis de villis transire ad Civitates By the Kings Royall munificence and the authority of the Synod liberty was granted to Bishops to remove from the Villages wherein they resided unto Cities whereupon Herman Bishop of Schiroburne removed to Salisbury Stigand from Selescia removed to Chichester Peter from Litehfield removed to Chester the King ratifying the constitution of the Synod and ordering this removeall An. 1093. King William Rufus assembled a Councell of his Bishops Abbots and Nobility of the whole Kingdome that they might By their common assent determiue and discusse whether Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury could Keepe his faith to the King or not saving that faith reverence and obedience which he owed to the Apostolike See of Rome which he would by no means violate A weighty question surely of a loyall Prelate The Bishops Abbots and Nobility of the whole Kingdome almost Ex Regia Sanctione assembled at Rochingham Castle on the fifth day of March at one a Clocke in the afternoone to debate this businesse but the King commanded all things to be adjourned till the morrow Quia Dies Dominica erat because it was the Lords Day an unmeet time to discusse such a businesse as this was On the morrow in medio Procorum conglobatae multitudinis eos assistentem Monachorum Clericorum LAICORUM numerosam multitudinem sic loquitur c. Lo here the Nobles Commons as well as the Bishops Abbots and Clergie assembled in a Councell to wit a Parliament to determine a case of conscience and that at Anselms request This matter being long debated and Anselme continuing refractory the busines was defet●ed till after Whitsuntide In the Councell of London under Lanfranke summoned by King William Rufus Anno 1095. Vlstan Bishop of Worcester was deprived of his Bishopricke by the Kings sentence and verdict quasi homo idiota c. Ipso rege consentiente hoc dictante decernitur deponendus saith Matthew Paris the King sitting chiefe president in it In the Councell of London Anno 1102. under Anselme the King and his Nobles were present as well as the Bishops and Ahbots that whatsoever was therein decreed might be approved ratified and observed by the unanimous care and solicitud of both orders For soit was necessary A plain testimony that the Councells of England in antient times were no other but Parliaments and that their Canons ound not any unlesse confirmed by King and Parliament At this Councell write Wil. Malmesbury Eadmerus Anselme the Archbishop requesting it of the King Primates Regni the great men of the Kingdom were present quatenus quicquid ejusdem Concilii authoritate decerneretur VTRJVSQVE ORDINIS CONCORDI CVRA ET SOLJCITVDINE RATVM SERVARETVR SJC ENIM NECSSE ERAT quum multis retre annis Synodali cultura cessante viciorum vepribus succrescentibus Christiana religionis fervor in Anglia nimis reripeat which they thus preface out of Anselmes owne Copy and relation Anno 1102. quarto autem Praesulatus Paschalis Summi Pontificis tertio Regni Henrici gloriosi regis Anglorum ipso annuente celebratum est Concilium in ecclesia beati Petri in ●ccidentali parte juxta Londoniam sita communi consensu Episcoporum et Abbatum et Principum totius regni In this Councell held at Westminster therewere 26. Canons compiled some against Priests mariage and Wives which when Giraldns Archbishop of Yorks enjoyned his Clergie to observe all the Clergie of his Province refused to submit to them being unwilling to part with their Wives or to vow Chastity as some of those Canons enjoyned them to the execution whereof the great discord betweene the King and Anselme concerning the investitures of Bishops being an obstacle produced to this effect Necanones hujus Synodi legum vim ac potestatem sortirentur That those Canons should not obtaine the force and power of Lawes Anno. 1107. another Councell was held under Anselme in King Henry the first his owne Palace in which Councell The King assented and enacted that from thenceforth no man should be invested into any Bishoprick or Abbie of England by the King or any Layman by giving him a pastorall staffe or a Ring Proceres Regni the Peeres of the Realme writes Eadmerus were called to this Councell and the King assented to and ratified this Act Astante multitudine ac per Consilium Anselmi et Procerum Regni the Commons standing by him by the Councell of A●selme and of the great men of the Realme This Councell then was a Parliament and this Canon assented to both by the Commons Peeres and King ●o make it valid Not long after this King

Cremensis on Victors part and by Gulielmus Papiensis on Alexanders side In conspectu Regum Praesulum coram universa quae convenerat multitudine cleri et opuli In the presence of the Kings and Prelats and before all the multitude of the Clergy and People there assembled where Papiensis pleaded Alexanders cause so well and answered retorted what ever the opposite partie had alleaged soe substantially Vt neuter ulterius Princeps cunctaretur repudiata parte Octaviani Dominum Alexandrum recipere et cum Regnis sibi subditis ei de caetero in ijs quae Dei sunt tanquam Patri parere The forenamed Schismatickes therefore departing with confusion and shame Our Princes and Prelates Principes et Pontifices having solemnly pronounced a sentence of excommunication against the Schismatickes dissolved the Synod Loe here both the Emperor the Kings of England and France with their Nobles as well as Prelates present in a severall Councells directing and determining this great controversie in them who was Peters rightfull successor ratefying and receiving him for Pope whom they conceived in their indifferent Judgments to have the best title yea the Laity had here their voyces as well as the Clergy consented to the decrees of both Councells So when there was a former Schisme between Clement Vrban concerning the Title of the Papacie VVilliam Rufus enquiring who had the best right commanded Vrban to be reputed Apostolicall and true Pope throughout his Dominions eique vice beati Petri IN CHRISTIANA RELIGIONE not in any temporall affaires obedire claiming this as a part of his prerogative royall that none should acknowledge or receive any man for Pope or Peters successor within his Kingdome but by his election and authority and him whom he should declare to be the man accounting him no lesse then a Traitor that should deprive him of this right which his Ancestors claimed and enjoyed An. 1170. at the request of King Hen the 2d two Cardinalls Albert and Theodine were sent into France from Rome who having called a great Assembly of Ecclesiasticall persons and Noblemen within the Teritorries of the King of England they solemnly admitted the King to purge himselfe before them of the murther of Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury which purgation the King there made and submitted himselfe naked to Ecclesiasticall discipline Anno 1175. Richard Archbishop of Canterbury kept a great Councell at Westminster to which almost all the Bishops and Abbots of the Province of Canterbury came Et coram pranominatis Regibus and before King Henry the second and King Henry his Sonne and the Bishops and Abbots Richard Archbishop of Canterbury standing in an high place promulged certaine Decrees Canons concerning Clergy-men the Eucharist Tythes recorded by Hoveden to be firmely and inviolably observed by all his Provincials so that both the Kings assented to them though they were but Collections of some Decrees out of former Councels In the same yeare King Henry the Father called another Councell at Windesore eight dayes after Michaelmas Praesentibus Rege Filio the King and his Sonne being present Richard Archbishop of Canterbury with the Bishops of England and Laurence Archbishop of Dublin Praesentibus etiam Comitibus Baronibus Angliae the Carles and Barons of England being also present In which Councell being a meer Parliament there was a generall Concord made between King Henry the second and Rodericke King of Conact in Ireland and the King in that Councell gave the Bishoprick of Waterford to one Augustine an Irishman whom he sent to Donatus Archbishop of Cassels to be Consecrated Anno 1176. King Henry the second assembled and held a great Councell at Nottingham concerning the Statutes of his Kingdome and before the King his Sonne and the Archbishops Bishops Earles and Barons of his Kingdom communi omnium Concilio by the common Councell of them all he divided his Kingdome into sixe parts through each of which he appointed three Iustices Itinerant whom he caused to swear upon the holy Evangelists that they should bona fide and without any sinister intention keep and cause the people of his Kingdom inviolably to observe the Articles of Assize there renued and confirmed recorded at large by Hoveden To this Councell by the Kings command came William King of Scots with all his Bishops whom the King commanded by the fealty and Oath of Allegiance they had taken to him to do the same subjection to the Church of England which they ought to do and were went to do in the times of his Predecessors To whom they answered that they never had made any subjection or homage to the Church of England nor ought so to do To which Roger Archbishop of York replyed That the Bishop of Glascow and of Candida Casa or Whitterne had in the time of his Predecessors been subject to the See of Yorke and for proofe hereof he shewed divers priviledges of the Bishops of Rome which made it appeare To which Jocelin Bishop of Glascow answered That the Church of Glascow was a speciall Daughter of the Church of Rome and exempt from all Archiepiscopall and Episcopall jurisdiction and if the Church of Yorke had any jurisdiction over the Church of Glascow at any time it appeared that he deserved not to have any dominion over it for time to come And because Richard Archbishop of Canterbury endeavoured that the Church of Scotland should be subject to the Church of Canterbury such was his ambition then he so crossed the King of England That he permitted the Bishops of Scotland to return home without making any subjection of themselves to the Church of England as they had formerly done Anno 1176. Hugo Cardinalis Hoveden stiles him Hugozun the Popes Legate by the Kings permission and asistance called a generall Councell at London in the midst of Lent where the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and all the Bishops and Abbots of England with a great number of Clergie-men assembling together the Cardinall sate on an high throne in the Chappell of the infirme Monkes of Westminster and the Bishops and Abbots with him every one in his place according to his order and dignity But there arose a contention between the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke which of them should sit at the right hand of the Cardinall And when as the Archbishop of Yorke would sit there the Bishop of Canterburies servants rushed violently upon him threw him down upon the ground trampled on him with their feet and brake his Miter whereupon the Councel was dispersed and the Cardinall flying to hide himselfe out of their sight was so hindered that he held no Councel Both sides made appeales to the Pope and complained to the King of the injuries done unto them So Hoveden Gulielmus Nubrigensis relates the story in these words When the Cardinall assisted by the Kings favour had called together the Ecclesiasticall persons of both Provinces of

that in a Parliament or Councell wherein the King Nobels Senators and Elders of the people were present as well as Bishops and Clergy men Witnesse this preface to those Lawes of his Ego Inas Dei beneficio Occiduorum Saxonum Rex suasu et instituto Conredi Patris mei Heddae et Erkenvaldi Episcoporum meorum omnium Senatorum meorum et natu majorum sapientum populi mei in magna servorum Dei frequentia religiesè studebam tum animarum nostrarum saluti tum communi Regni nostri conservationi ut legittima nuptiarum faedera justaque judicia per omnem ditionem nostram fundata stabilitaque sint atque ut nulli liceat imposterum Senatori sive alteri cuivis in ditione nostra degenti haec nostra antiquare judicia Anno 694. there was a great Councell held at Becanceld wherein Withred King of Kent sate President and Bertuald Archbishop of Britain with Toby Bishop of Rochester the Abbats Abbesses Presbiters Deacons DVKES EARLES all assembled together deliberating about the state of the Churches in England The King subscribed the Lawes there made for the liberties of the Church in this manner Ego Withredus auxilio Christi his Legibus constitutis Rex pro Mo et Werburga Regina itemque pro filio nostro Arico subscripsi Anno 697. there was a Councell held at Berghamsted in the 5th yeare of the Reigne of Withred King of Kent under Birtuald the high Priest of Britanny Gybmund Bishop of Rochester and all the Ecclesiasticall Orders qui cum viris utique militaribus humanissimè et communi omnium assensu has l●ges decrevre Cantuariorumque Iuribus et consuetudinibus prout sequitur addendas edixere The Lawes are 28. in number all concerning Ecclesiasticall matters and are stiled in the Saxon Copy Juditia Withredi made in a Councel at Berghamsted praesentibus omnibus Ordinibus illius gentis cum viris quibusdam militaribus So that this was no other but a Parliament wherein the King Nobles Commons and Souldiers were present as well as the Bishops promulging and con●enting to these Lawes About the yeare 712 ●ae King of Westsex assembled a great Councell of all his Bishops PRINCES NOBLES EARLES AND OF ALL THE WISEMEN ALDERMEN AND COMMONS OF THE WHOL REALM wherein he made certain Ecclesiasticall Lawes concerning mariages to suppresse all fornication and uncleanesse Exhortatione doctrina per COMMVNE CONCILIVM ASSENSVM OMNIVM Episcoporum OMNIVM ALDERMANNORVM PRINCIPVM PRO●ERVM COMITVM OMNIVM SAPIENTVM SENIORVM POPVLORVM TOTIVS REGNI or MVLTAQVE CONGREGATIONE SERVORVM DEI as some others render it About the yeare 714 Naitan King of Picts received a letter from Abbot Celfred concerning the time of celebrating Easter and Priests tonsure which he desired the King to cause to be observed throughout the Nation over which God had made him Kings the King hereupon assembled a Councell of learned men and of his Nobles and reading the said letter before them Rex surgens DEMEDIQ OPTIMATVM SUORUM CONSESSV kneled downe upon his knees giving thanks to God that he had deserved to receive such a gift from the Land of England and professed that he would have this forme of keeping Easter and tonsure to be perpetually observed throughout his Realme which was presently commanded by a royall Edict to be put in publique execution and was accordingly performed Anno 724. There was a Synod held in Northumberland by the Authority and favour of King Osred wherein wilfrid by the Kings favour got the superiority of his enemie About foure yeares after there was another Councell held at Worcester under Archbishop Bertuald by Pope Constantines advise not only of Religious persons Sed etiam regni Procerum But likewise of the Nobles of the Realme The Councell of Clovesho or Cliffe Anno 747. Cui Concilio interfuerunt Ethelbaldus M●rciorum Rex CVMOMNIBVS REGNI SVI PRINCIPIBVS ET DVCIBVS as well as the Bishops and Clergy made sundry Ecclesiasticall Constitutions consented to and approved by the King all the Princes Dukes Nobles of his Kingdom not made or promulged by the Bishops only At this Councell were present 33. Princes and Dukes The Ecclesiasticall Canons in the Councell of Calchyth Anno 787. were made and confirmed by Offa King of Mercians and the secular Princes and Senators of the Land therein assembled as well as by the Ecclesiasticall Persons Convenerunt Omnes Principes regionis ●tam Ecclesiastici quam Seculares c. Tam REX QVAM PRINCIPESSVI CVMSENATORIBVS TERRAE DECRETA SIGNO CRVCIS FIRM AVERVNT Anno 7●9 Pope Alrians Legates held a Councell at Chalchyth where Jambert Archbishop of Canterbury resigned part of his Archbishoprick to the Bishop of Litchfield and Offa King of Mercians who sate chiefe in it caused his Sonne Egfride to be crowned King it being in truth a Parliament as well as a Synod antiently and yet stiled a COVNCELL Anno 793 King Offa held a Councell at Verolam with Archbishop Humbert and his suffragans ET PRINCIPIBVS SVIS VNIVERSIS and all his Princes where they consulted about and resolved to build an Abbey to Saint A●ban and to endow it with great priviledges and that the King should goe to Rome about it which he did Iuxta sententiam praedicti Concilii Anno 794. at the great Councell of Celichyth there were present 9. Kings 15. Bishops and 20. Dukes wherein the Reliques of Saint Alban were elevated adorned and a Monastery sounded to enshrine his bones And the same yeare King Offa having assembled another Councell of his Bishops and Nobles at Verolam REX VNANIMI OMNIVM CONSENSV et benevola voluntate beate Albano amplas contulit terras et possessiones innumeras Monachorum quoque conventum ad tumbam congregavit c. Cyneulf King of Westsex about the yeare 796. writ a letter to Lullus Bishop of Mentz una cum Episcopis meis neenon CVM CATERVA SATRAPARVM to settle matters of Religion In the Councell of Clovesho under Kenulf King of Mercians An. 800. who summoned to that Synod Episcopos DVCES Abbates CVJVSCVNQVE ORDINISVIROS there were severall Canons made concerning matters of faith and the lands and revenue of the Church At the Synod of Celichyth held on the sixth of August An. 816. under Kenulf King of Mercians there were not onely Bishops Abbots Priests and Deacons present in it but the King himselfe cum suis Principibus Ducibus Optimatibus with his Princes Dukes Nobles who made and published 11. Canons concerning matters of saith and Church affaires Anno 822. there was a Synodall Councell held at Clovesho under king Beornulfe wherein this king sate President Archbishop Wilfred with the rest of the Bishops and Abbots OMNIVMQVE DIGNITATVM OPTIMATIBVS Ecclesiasticarum scil SAECVLARIVM PERSONARVM being present in it debated such things as concerned the profit and necessity of Churches the rule and observance of a Monasticall life and likewise

Henry the first summoned another Councell about Easter ad Curiam suam apud Londoniam cunctis Majoribus Regni having assembled to his Court at London not only his Archbishops and Bishops but all the great men of his Kingdome to suppresse the Marriages of Priests contrary to the Canons of the Councell of London Anno 1102. For the extirpation of which evill the King Regali authoritate atque potentia fultos roboravit by his royall Authority and power ratified those Canons and thereupon Anselmo Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas elect Archbishop of Yorke and all the Bishops of England Decreed in the presence of the said Glorious King Henry Assensu omnium Baronum suorum with the assent of all his Barons that Priests and Deacons should live chastly and keepe no Women in their Houses but those who were of their neare kindred as the Councell of Nice had defined this Canon being ratified both by the King and Peeres in Parliament to make it obligatory In these three Councells under Archbishop Anselme a great stickler for the Popes and Clergies Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction we see the King and great men of the Realme were present and ratified the Decrees and Canons therein concluded to make them valid and binding Anno 1114 King Henry the first commanded all the Bishops and Nobles of the Kingdome to meete together at his Court whereupon a rumour was spred over all the Land that the Archbishop of Canterbury was about to celebrate a generall Councell in presence of the Popes Legate and that he would promulge some new things worthy so great a Councell for the reformation of Christian Religion in every order On the sixteenth of October they all met together in the Kings Pallace at Westminster where the multitude which assembled together at last perceived that the tumour of celebrating a Councell and of the reformation of Christianity was nothing so There Anselme in the behalfe of the Pope brought a letter directed from him to the King and Bishops wherein hee taxeth the King for conferring Bishopricks claiming that right as belonging to Peters See for determining Ecclesiasticall matters and the affaires of Bishops without his or his Legats privity which belong only to the Apostolike Sea for stopping appeales to Rome as also for calling and keeping Synodall Councells without his privity when as it was unanimously ratified in the great councell of Nice consisting of 318 Bishops that no Councells ought to be summoned or kept without the privity of the Bishop of Rome and for translating Bishops without his consent Which letters much offending the Kings mind he sent his Nuntioes by common consent to Rome to give the Pope an answer and justifie his proceedings herein as warranted by his Royall Prerogative The same yeare upon the thirteenth of Aprill there was an Assembly held at Salisbury of the Bishops Abbots and great men of all England the Kings Writ compelling them to appeare there where the King appointed William his sonne lawfully begotten to be heire to the Crowne to which all the Nobles condescended and presently tooke an oath of Allegeance to him to be his men But the Bishops and Abbotts swore only and gave their faith that if he survived his Father they would forthwith conferre both the Kingdome and Crowne of the Kingdome on him without any controversie or exception In August following one Anselm the Archbish of Canterburyes kinsman came from Rome to King Henry being then in Normandie bringing the Popes Letters which authorized him to exercise the Office of the Popes Legate here in England which in a short time being knowne in the Kingdome of England the Bishops Abbots and Nobles admiring at it assembled together at London about it and certaine other things the Queen being present to discusse the matter Communi Concilio in a common Councell whereupon they all accorded to send the Archbishop of Canterbury whom it most concerned to the King to acquaint him with the ancient custome of the Kingdome and the liberty thereof and if he thought fit that he should goe likewise to Rome to annihilate This Novelty Who comming accordingly to the King found Anselme there expecting his passage into England to exercise his Legatine office there But King Henry the first not suffering any prejudice to happen to the ancient Customes of England kept him from entring into England that not without presidents For in the first yeare of this Kings Raigne Guido Archbishop of Vienna came into England having as he said the power Legatine of all England by the precept and authoritie of the Apostolicall See which being heard of throughout England was admired by all men all knowing that it was a thing unheard of in Britaine that any man except the Archbishop of Canterbury should take upon him to supply the Popes Apostolicall turnes Wherefore as he came so he returned being received as a Legate by no man nor exercising the Office of a Legate in any thing After this one Peter having obtained from the Pope a power Legatine over England Ireland France and the Iland of the Orcades at the same hereof all England was astonished the King sent the Bishop of Saint Davids and another Clergie man beyond Sea to conduct him to him enjoyning them that after his entrance into England they should not suffer him to enter into any Churches or Monasteries to lodge or eate Being brought to the King and honourably received by him having declared the cause of his comming the King answered him that hee had now no leasure to minde so great a businesse and that his Legatine power could not be established and ratified but by the connivance and assent of the Bishops Abbots Nobles and the Assembly of the whole Kingdome in Parliament moreover hee affirmed that he could not by any meanes willingly loose any of the Customes of his Country granted him by the Apostolicall See so long 〈…〉 lived whereof this was one of the chiefest and greatest that hee made the kingdome of England free from all Legatine power Whereunto Peter affented and promised to doe his endeavour to have this priviledge preserved and augmented And so being gratified with rich presents Ille qui Legati officio fungi in toto Britania venerat nimirum ab omni officio tali cum ingenti Pompa v●a qua venerat extra Angliam a Rege missus est writes Eadmerus of him by way of derision So little jurisdiction had the Popes Legates here in England in those dayes who became an intollerable vexation oppression to it in succeeding Ages in the Reignes of King John Henry the third and others In the Councell of Westminster under Iohn de Crema the Popes lecherous Legate Ann. 1125. there were 17. Canons made ab omnibus confirmata and confirmed by all there present to wit by 20. Bishops 40. Abbots Cuminumera Cleri Populi multitudine with an innumerable multitude of the Clergie and people who were present at it as the Continuer

of Florentius Wigorniensis records Among other things it was there decreed that Priests should not from thence forth marry That no married man should be made a Priest and that those Priests who were married should be either devorced from their wives or deprived of their livings Iohn de Crema there alleaging That it was an unseemely thing for a Priest to rise up from the side of an Harlot so hee called Priests wives and to goe and to make the body of Christ The Priests being much incensed at these Constitutions and very angry with this Legate the chiefe Author of them knowing him to be a leacherous companion watched him so narrowly that the very same night these Canons were ratified though himselfe had that very day consecrated the Sacrament and so made the body of his Saviour as hee thought they tooke him in bedde with a notable Where In excuse of which falt of his which was very publike and notorious he said that hee himselfe was no Priest but a corrector of Priests hee might better have alleadged if his owne reason were good that hee did it after hee had consecrated and made Christs body not before it and so he departed privily 〈◊〉 of England with shame the Priests by this meanes keeping their Wives for a time alleaging that it was better for them to lye with their own Wives then with Where 's or other mens as this lecherous Legate did In the yeare of our Lord 1127. William Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry the first his assent called a Councell at Saint Peters in Westminster of all the Bishops Abbots and religious Persons of England there flocked thither also * Magnae multitudines Cloricorum Laicorum tam divitum quam mediocrium factus est Conventus grandis et inestimabilis saith the Historian Something 's were there debated somethings determined some things adjourned some things by reason of the tumult of the raiging people cast out from the Audience of the Judges but those things which were there decreed and established in the Councell it selfe by the consent of the Bishops At they were there publikely Recited and received I thought good saith he to note in this manner Then he reites the Canons and constitutions of this Councell and conclude thus Auditis Concilii gestis consensum prebuit authoritate Regia et potestatate conceffit et confirmavit Sta●ta Concili c. Having heard the Acts of the Councel read the K. assented to them and by his regall authority and power passed and confirmed the statuts or Canons of the Councell celebrated by William Archbishop of Canterbury and Legate of the holy Church of Rome at VVestminster Anno 1138. King Stephen on the fourth of Aprill held a Councell at Northampton in which ●urstlain Archbishop of Yorke was Prefident the Prelats Abbotts Earles Barons and all the Nobility of England being present at it The Bishoprick of Exeter then voyd by the death of William Warwast one Robert an Arch-deacon was elected Bishop of that See by the consent and suffrage of the Councell which likewise nominated and chose two Monks to be Abbotts of VVincelcombe and of Saint Maries in Yorke being then vacant The same yeare there was a Councell held at London wherein Theobald was chosen Arch-bishop of Canterbury Annuente Rege by the Kings consent Anno 1139. There was a Councell kept at VVinchester under Henry Bishop of VVinchester the Kings Brother and Legate to the Pope where Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury and all the Bishops there present ad pedes Regis devoluti sunt c. cast themselves downe at the Kings feet most devoutly and earn estly beseeching him to restore Roger Bishop of Salisbury and Alexander Bishop of Lincolne to their possessions and they would willingly pardon all the injuries the King had done them But the King despising the venerable supplication of so many great Prelates suffered them to obtaine no part of their request In the yeare of our Lord 1142. VVilliam Bishop of Lincolne as some record or VVilliam or Henry Bishop of VVinchester as others calhim held a Councell at London at which King Stephen was present where in it was decreed et Generaliter constitutum and generally ordained That he who violated a Church or Churchyard or laid violent hands on any Priest or Religious person should be excommunicated and not absolved but by the Pope The King writes Nubrigensis Concilio Benigne interfuit et favoris Regij Suffragium non negavit was graciously present at the Councell and denied not the suffrage o●his royall savor to its constitutions which without his confirmation had beene of no validitle By vertue of which constitution ratified in this manner If any laid violent hands on a Priest or Religious Person he might sue in the Spirituall Court to have him excommunicated and doe penance for it but not for dammages and no Prohibition could legally be granted to stay the proceedings there Anno 1152. There was a Synod held at London under Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury In which King Stephen with Eustace his Sonne were present The King required the Synod to consent to create Eustace King to which they could not be brought being inhibited by the Popes Letters and mandate to doe it Therefore the King and Eustace incensed with anger shutting them in and befieging them did evermuch vex and disquiet them that they might effect that by feare and terror which they could not doe by authority and favour And soe most of them were reduced to the Kings becke But Theobald the Archibishop departing privity and most craftily out of the Synod carried through the Thames in a Boate to the Sea side entered into a ship and passed into the parts beyond the Sea with whose departure the King being much more disturbed banished him againe with others and confiscated all his goods Anno 1159. There was a great Scisme at Rome betweene Pope Alexander and Victor concerning the Papacie hereupon Frederick the Emperor assembled by his Writ the Bishops of Italie and Germanie together to Papia to Councell where the Emperor his Dukes and Captaines were present who swaying the Councell Victor to whom the Emperor inclined was elected and declared to be the true Pope and successor of Peter and sentence given against Alexander by a Generall decree as against a Scismaticke and rebell to God Amplexus est Imperator cum omni frequentia Ducum et Procerum acta Concilij panam non recipientibus comminatus writes Neubrigensis After which the Emperor solicited the illustrious Kings of France and England by all meanes he could that to perpetuate mutuall amity they would consent to him in this they being inclined hereto cautelously suspended their sentence untill they should more fully know the truth of so doubtfull a businesse and thereupon they also called a famous Councell of Bishops and Nobles out of both their Kingdomes in a fitting time and place where the businesse was fully debated by Guido

all we desire two Prebends to be given us by all Cathedrall Churches and out of Abbies where the Monkes and Abbots have divers portions of each one Monkes intire allowance one from the Covent another from the Abbott which demand Otho urged the Bishops and Prelates to grant on the foresaid grounds Who consulting together hereupon returned this their common Answere by Iohn Archdeacon of Bedford That those things he had propounded to them did specially concerne the King of England and generally all the Patrons of Churches Archbishops Suffragans and Prelates of England since therefore the King was then absent by reason of his infirmitie and some Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates were absent likewise that in their absence they neither could nor ought to give any Answer And upon these words uttered came Iohn Lord Marshall of England and other Messengers from the King strictly commanding all what held Baronies of the King in Capite that that they should not obliege their lay Fee to the Church of Rome whereby he might be deprived of the services due unto him And so all returned to their owne home The same yeare there was another Councell assembled at Westminster under Stephen Langhton Archbishop of Canterbury about the same matter To which the King conferring a part with some of the Nobles and Bishops gave this Answer that these things concern all Christendom because we are placed in the remotest parts of the world when we shall see what other Kingdomes will say to these exactions and shall have an example from them the Pope shall finde us more ready to obey him And so this Councell brake up By both which presidents it is evident that Councells in those dayes were no other but Parliaments the King Nobles and Commons being present in them and that the Clergy alone could treat or conclude of nothing but by their concurring assents Anno 1231. There was a great Synod of Abbotts Priors Archdeacons with almost the whole Nobility Masters and Clerks of the Realme assembled at Saint Albans by the Popes Command to celebrate a divorse betweene the Countesse of Essex and her Husband if there were cause This divorse was but an Ecclesiasticall matte● as the Canonists deemed it yet both King Nobles and Commons as well as Abbots and Clergy-men were present at it and called to it by the Popes command In the yeare of our Lord 1236. there was a Councell of all the great men Prelates and Clergie of the Realme summoned to meet at London by King Henry the third under Othe the Popes Legate which being assembled together at Paules the second day thereof the King sent John Earle of Lincolne Iohn the son of Jeffery and William de Reele a Canon of Paules to inhibit the Legate in the behalfe of the King and Kingdome that he should not there Attempt or decree any thing against his Royall Crowne and dignity William Reele remained there to see this inhibition observed the others departed The next day folowing the Legate supported with divine assistance astantis concilij Suffragits et consensu and by the suffrages and consent of the Councel there present to conserve and reforme the State Ecclesiasticall in the parts of England besides other Canonicall institutions promulged certaine Canons digested into Chapters and Articles which Edmond Archbishop of Canterbury with divers others who departed from the Councell with little joy resolved to nullifie and revoke as not confirmed by the King the Lords and Commons for ought appeares which Otho understanding writ to the Pope to ratifie them who accordingly did it by his decretall Epistle Anno 1288. John Peckam Archbishop of Canterbury held a Provinciall Councell at Redding in which he made five Constitutions purposing to draw the conusance of Patronages of Churches anciently belonging to the Kings Court to the Ecclesiasticall to rescinde all Royall Prohibitions in suites depending in the Ecclesiasticall Court for goods and Chattels and to inhibitu that Ecclesiasticall Judges should be thenceforth prohibited to proceed in them But the King hearing of this designe sent certain selected messengers both to the Archbishop and the whole Councell commanding them with threats to resist whence it came to passe that the Archbishop wholy receeded from his presumption and the Councell being dissolved all the Prelates returned frustrate of their hope 31. An. 1296. Robert Winchelsee Archbishop of Canterbury held a Provinciall Councell at London where the Clergy to disapoint the King of his Subsidies and Tenths decreed among other things Ne quid inconsulto Papa Regibus a Clero solveretur That nothing should be payed to Kings without the Popes privity and consent A right loyall Constitution worthy Prelates The King having then called a Parliament to re-inburse his monyes spent in the Scottish Wars had a large Subsidie granted him by the Commons and Burgesses But the Clergy neither offered nor granted him any thing by reason of this their Constitution for confirmation whereof the Archbishop had gotten the Popes Bull The King being moved therewith proroged the Parliament to London commanding the Clergy to be there on the first day of Saint Hilary to give him a better answer The King in the mean time commanded all the Clergy mens Barnes which were full of corne to be sealed up with publike Seales which whiles his Officers were executing the Archbishop commanded the Popes decree to be published in Cathedrall Churches inhibiting under pain of Excommunication that no Tribute or ayd should be payd to the King or to any secular Prince out of Ecclesiasticall livings or revenues an high straine of Papall usurpation and presumption and when he and his Suffragans met in Pauls they resolved to stand to their former Constitution and to grant the King nothing Such dutifull good Subjects were these lordly Prelates Whereupon the King sending messengers to them to demand a supply from them they all returne him this answer It is sufficiently known that under God the Lord of all we have two Lords a spirituall the Pope our Lord and a temporall the King our Soveraigne and though we are bound to obey both yet we ought to obey our spirituall Lord more than our temporall And therefore we intend to send a Legate to the Pope that his leave first obtained wee may give the King what he desires of us The King receiving this answer tooke it very disdainfully that he should be thus mocked in his own Kingdome by the Pope and his Clergie and thereupon thrust the Clergie out of the Parliament and held a Councell with his Barons and Commons alone and presently put all the Clergie out of his protection that none of them should have power to sue any man in any of his Courts but might be sued there by any of his subjects upon which all the Clergie but the Archbishop were content to offer the King the fith part of their Ecclesiasticall goods and the Archbishop persisting in his obstinacy had all

his temporalities goods Chattels seised into the Kings hands Who yet would not yeeld but pronounced them all excommunicate who disobeyed the former constitution which being made onely by the Clergy and not ratified by King and Parliament was held but a meere idle nullity and audacious disobedient attempt obliging neither King nor subject Anno 1418. A Provinciall Synod was held at London under Henry Chichely Archbishop of Canterbury Where upon the motion of Robert Guilbert President of Merton Colledge in Oxford and of Thomas Kington it was decreed That the Patrons of Ecclesiasticall benefices when they fell voyd should conferre them upon such who were Graduates in the Universities having a respect of their degree and profession according to the value of the living This Constitution being propounded in the Congregation in the University to be there ratified the Masters of Arts Monks and Professors who exceeded the Regents of the University in multitude rejected and refused it but K. Henry the fifth being addicted to learning An. 1420. writ to the Synod then assembled at London wherein the Chancellors both of Oxford and Cambridge petitioned that it might be received though the Maisters of Art had refused to receive it to passe the Decree which some Friars there opposed Judge in Parliamento postea confirmavit and he afterwards confirmed the same in Parliament Loe here a Constitution first made in a Synod or Convocation rejected in both Vniversities because not then confirmed by the King in Parliament to make it binding and efficatious for future times a most pregnant evidence for proofe of that I now contend for To cite more presidents of this nature in former ages would be more tedious than necessary in so plaine a case I shall therefore passe from Councels and Synods to direct Acts of Parliament touching Religion and Church affaires As high as we have any Acts of Parliament since the Conquest remaining on Record We finde all Ecclesiasticall matters and Church affaires setled and ratified by speciall Acts of Parliament only not by the Clergies Canons The great Charter of England first granted by King Henry the first ratified afterwards at Runing-Mead by King John revived by King Henry the third in the ninth yeare of his Raigne confirmed frequently by him afterwards by King Edward the first in the 28th yeare of his Raigne yea by all or most of his successors in speciall Acts of Parliament by the Petition of Right 3. Caroli begins thus Know yee that we to the honour of Almighty God and for the salvation of the Soules of our Progenitors and Successors Kings of England to the advancement of holy Church c. First We have granted to God and by this our present Charter have confirmed for Vs and our Heires for ever more that the Church of England shall be free and have all her rights and liberties inviolable And that all her elections shall bee free c. An. 1164. In February there was a Parliament held at Clarindon by King Henry the 2d his command who was there present where all the Archbishops Bishops Abbotts Priors Earles Barons Nobles and great men of the Realm made a Recognition or Recerd of part of the Customes and Liberties of the Kings Ancestors to wit of King Henry the first and others which ought to be observed and kept by all men in the Realm by reason of the dissention and discords frequently emerging betweene the Clergy and the Kings Iustices and great men of the Realme the substance whereof was conteined in these 16. Chapters recorded by Matthew Paris 1. That if any controversie concerning the advowson and presentation of Churches should arise betweene Laymen or betweene Laymen and Clergie men it should bee heard and determined in the Court of our Lord the King 2. That the Churches of the Fee of our Lord the King could not bee given in perpetuity or appropiated without his grant or concession 3. That Clergiemen accused of any thing being summoned by the Kings Iustice should come into the Kings Court to answer the same there that so the Kings Court might determine what was to bee answered there and what fit to be answered in the Ecclesiasticall Court that so the Iustice might send into the Court of holy Church to see how the matter shall there be handled And if the Clarke shall be convict or confesse the crime that the Church from thenceforth ought not to protect him 4. That it shall not be lawfull to the Archbishops Bishops and persons of the Realme to goe out of the Realme without the Licence of our Lord the King and if they shall goe thence if it shall please the King they shall give him security that neither in going nor in returning nor in staying they shall procure hurt or dammage to our Lord the King or the Realme 5. That excommunicate persons ought not to give a pledge to remaine vadium ad remanentiam nor to take an Oath but onely to give a surety or pledge of standing to the judgment of the Church where they are absolved 6. That Laymen ought not to be accused but by lawfull accusers witnesses in the presence of the Bishop that the Arch-Deacon may not lose his right nor any thing that he ought to have from thence And if those who are accused shall be such that no man will or dares to accuse the Sheriffe being required by the Bishop shall sweare twelve lawfull men of the Vicenage or Town before the Bishop that they shall manifest the truth concerning such according to their Consciences 7. No man who holds of the King in Capite nor any of his Dominicall Ministers or house-hold servants shall be excommunicated nor the Lands of any one of them put under interdict unlesse our Lord the King if he bee within the Realme be first acquainted therewith or his Iustice if he shall be forth of the Realme the reason then rendred was lest the King should at unawares Kisse or admit to his Councell such an excommunicate person resorting to him that so he may doe right concerning him and see that what appertaineth to the Kings Court shall be there determined and that what belongeth to the Ecclesiasticall Court may bee sent unto it that it may bethere descided 8. Concerning appeales if they shall happen they ought to proceed from the Arch-Deacon to the Bishop from the Bishop to the Archbishop and if the Archbishop shall faile in exhibiting Iustice they may appeale to our Lord the K. in the last place and that by his precept the controversie may be ended in the Arch-Bishops Court so that there ought to bee no further proceeding without the assent of our Lord the King 10. If any be cited by the Arch-Deacon or Bishop for any offence for which he ought to answer to them and will not appeare upon their citations it shall bee lawfull for them to put him under interdict but they ought not to excommunicate him till he be convented before the

chiefe Officer of the King in that parish that he may admonish him to appeare to give satisfaction And if the Officer of the King shall faile therein he shall be in the Kings mercy and from thenceforth the Bishop may with Ecclesiasticall Iustice curbe the party accused 11. Archbishops Bishops and all persons of the Realme who hold of the King in Capite may haue their possessions of the King as a Barony and shall answer for them to the Justices and Ministers of the King and shall follow and doe all Royall Customes and like other Barons ought to bee present in judgments of the Kings Court with the Barrons untill it proceed to diminution of Members or unto death 12. When an Archbishopricke Bishopricke or Abbey or Priory shall become voyde in the Kings Dominion it ought to be in his hands and he shall receive all the rents and issues thereof as the Dominicall rents And what shall come to the Church is to bee disposed of Our Lord the King ought to commend the best persons to the Church and the election ought to be made in the Kings owne Chappel by assent of the King himself and advise of such persons of the Realme which he shall call unto him to do these things and there the person elected shall do his homage and fealty to the King as to his Liege Lord of life and members and of terrene honour saving his Order before he shall be Consecrated 13. If any of the Nobles of the Realme shall deny to do Iustice to any Archbishop or Bishop or Archdeacon concerning him or his our Lord the King ought to do them Iustice And if peradventure any shall deny to our Lord the King his right the Archbishops Bishops and Archdeacons ought to admonish him that he may satisfie the King 14. The Church or Churchyard ought not to detain the Chattels of those who are in forfeiture of the King against the Iustice of the King because they are the Kings owne whether they bee found within or without the Church 15. Pleas of Debts which shal be due either by interposition of an oath or without oath are in the Iustice of the King that is triable in the Kings temporall Courts 16. The Sonnes of Peasants or Villanies ought not to bee ordained Priests without assent of the Lord in whose land they are knowne to bee borne To this Recognition or Record of the Customs and Liberties of the Realm the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Clergy with all the Earles Barons and Nobles swore and firmly promised viva voce in the word of truth that they would keep and observe it to our Lord the King and to his Heirs bona fide and without male engin for ever His itaque gestis potestas Laica in res personas Ecclesiasticas omnia pro libitu Ecclesiastico jure contempto tacentibus aut vix murmur antibus Episcopis potius quam resistentibus usurpabat writes Matthew Paris Whereupon Thomas Becket then Archbishop of Canterbury repenting of his oath to observe them humbled and afflicted himselfe exceedingly with fasting and corporall pennace yea he suspended himself from the office of the Altar untill the Pope absolved him from his pretended offence and oath which he readily obtained After which Becket resusing to conforme himselfe to the King and these Lawes he had sworne to departs secretly without the Kings license into Flanders and from thence repaired to Pope Alexander at Sennes who curteously entertained him and refused the demands of the Kings Embassadours to do him justice against Becket or to confirme these Lawes and ancient Customs of the Realm Whereupon the King sent this ensuing Writ to every Sheriffe of England Praecipio tibi quod si aliquis Clericus vel Laicus in Baliva tua Romanam curiam appellaverit eum capias firmiter teneas donec voluntatem meam praecipiam omnes reditus Clericorum Archiepiscopi possessiones saiseas in manum meam Et omnium Clericorum qui cum Archiepiscopo sunt Patres Matres Fratres Sorores Nepotes Neptes pones per salvos plegios catalla eorum donec voluntatem meam inde praecipiam Et hoc Breve tecum afferas cum summonitus fueris Gilberto quoque que Londonensi Episcopo scripsit in haec verba Nosti quam malè Thomas Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus operatus est adversum mo regnum meum quam malè recesserit Et ideo mando tibi quod Clerici sui qui detraxerunt honori meo regni qui circa●psum fuerunt post fugam suam non percipiant aliquid de reditibus suis quos habuerunt in Episcopatu tuo nisi per me nec habeant aliquod auxilium vel consilium a●te Item Justitiariis suis significavit per literas sub hac forma Si quis inventus fuerit ferens literas Domini Papae vel mandatum aut Thomae Archiepiscopt continens interdictum Christianitatis in Anglia capiatur retinetur donec inde voluntatem meam praecipiam Item nullus Clericus Monachus Canonicus vel conversus vel alicujus religionis transfretare permittatur nisi habeat Literas de reditu suo Justitiarii vel nostras Si quis aliter inventus fuerit capiatur retineatur Nullus appellet ad Papam neque ad Thomam Archiepiscopum neque aliquod placitum ex eorum mandato teneatur neque aliquod mandatum eorum in Anglia recipiatur si quis tenuexit vel receperit vel tractaverit capiatur retineatur Si Episcopi Abbates Clerici vel Laici sententiam interdicti tenuerunt sine dilatione a terra eijciantur tota eorum Cognatio Ita quod nihil de catallis suis secum ferant sed catalla eorum possessiones in manu nostra saisiantur Omnes Clerici qui reditus habent in Anglia sint summoniti per omnes comitatus ut infra tres Menses praecise ad reditus suos sicut diligunt eos amant in Angliam redeant Et si ad terminum praefixum non venerint reditus eorum in manu nostra saisiantur Episcopt Londoniensis Norioensis summoneantur quod sint eoram Justiciariis Nostris ad rectum faciendum quod contra Statuta Regni interdixerunt terram Hugonis Comitis in ipsum sententiam Anathematis intulerunt Denarii beati Petri colligantur serventur quousque inde vobis Dominus Rex voluntatem suam praeceperit Ecclesiam praeterea Cantuariensem omnia bona Archiepiscopi Rex et suorum consiscari praecepit Et quod in nullius historiae legitur serie totam ejus congnationem exilio ascriptam addixit sine delectu conditionis sexus aut aetatis Et cum Ecclesia Catholica oret pro haereticis schismatieis perfidis Judaeis prohibitum est a Rege ne quis Archiepiscopum orationum suffragiis adjuvaret Such Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction did the King then exercise To what an unfortunate end this opposition brought this Archbishop Becket our Historians at large record and I

dignities elective and prohibits provisions usurpations citations and Bulls of the Pope and Court of Rome under paine of a Praemunire banishment abjuration Imprisonment Fine and ransome 14. R. c. 2. Limits the exchanges of monyes to the Court of Rome 15. R. 2. c. 2. 6. concernes forcible entries into Benefices Offices of holy Church mortuaties to Religious persons Popes Bulls consecrations of Church-yeards and Appropriations of Churches and Almes 16. R. 2. c. 5 provides for presentations to Churches against the Popes usurpations Translations excommunications Bulls and Jurisdiction under paine of a Praemunire 21. R. 2 it prefaced To the honour of God and holy Church and c. 1. confirmes the Churches Liberties In King Henry the 4th his Parliaments I finde that the Prologues of the Statutes in 1. ● 4. 7. 9. and 13. H. 4. begin thus To the honour of God and reverence of holy Church c. and the first Chapter in each of them is That holy Church have and enjoy all her rights liberties and Franchises entirely and without imbleamishing Then follow temporall Lawes 2. H. 4. c. 3. 4. prohibits provisions of exemption from regular or ordinary obedience granted to any religious persons from Reme Buls of exemption from payment of Tithes granted to the Religious of the Order of Cysteaux under paine of a P●amunire and Cap. 15. provides for the suppression of Sectaries hereticall Preachers Conventicles heriticall Bookes Schooles and preservation of the Catholique faith enacting that Heritickes shall be imprisoned abjured and in case of relapse or obstinacy burned 4. H. 4. c. 2. 3. confirme all the Statutes formerly made in favour of the Church and Clergy and for preservation of their liberties Cap. 12. concernes appropriations of Churches Vicaridges Ordinaries the Bishop and Archdeacon of Ely and other Religious persons cap. 14. prohibits working or wages on holy-dayes Cap. 17. enacts that none shall enter into Religion unlesse he be foureteene yeares of age without the Parents consent Cap. 22. concernes presentations to Benefices 5. H. 4. c. 11. 12. concerne Tithes Chalices and ornaments of holy Church 6. H. 4. c. 1. prohibits provisions and the payment of first fruits or exacted fees to Rome under forfeiture of all their estates who offend herein 7. H. 4. c. 6. inhibits Religious persons under paine of a Praemunire to procure any exemption from payment of Tithes or any provisions from the Pope 9. H. 4. c. 8. forbids provisions and translations from the Pope under paine of a Praemunire and makes all elections of Archbishops Bishops Abbots Prebends Deans to be free without any interruption from the Pope or King 11. H. 4. c. 4 Prohibits unlawful games on Sundayes and other holy dayes 1. H. 5. c. 7. 8. prohibits the conferring of Ecclesiasticall living upon Aliens and orders their benefices and the lands of Priors aliens to be seised in times of Warre 2. H. 5. c. 1. provides for Ordinaries visitations of Hospitalls and reformation of them after the lawes of the holy Church Cap. 3. grants a prohibition to spirituall Courts where they deny a Copy of the Lible Chap. 7. for the preservation of the Christian faith the Law of God and holy Church with in this Realme and the punishment of Heresies and Hereticks enacts that Hereticks shall be apprehended and imprisoned by Sheriffs and upon conviction of Heresy forseit their Lands and goods and be burned 2. H. 5. Parl. 2. c. 2. limits the wages of Curates and Parish Priests 3. H. 5. c. 1. enacts that holy Church have all her liberties and franchsies C. 3. concerns Abbots and Priors C. 4. inhibits provisions from Rome under a Premiarie C. 8. concernes Probate of Wills and r●gulates exorbitant fees for procuring them C. 6. forbids the promotions of Irishmen to Beneficies or Ecclesiasticall dignities 9. H. 5. c. 9. limits the manner of collecting Dismes by Archbishops Bishops and their Agents 2. H. 6. c. 1 confirmes the Churches liberties 6. H 6. c. 3. prohibits worke on and wages for holy dayes 8. H. 6. begins thus To the Laud and honor of Almighty God and of the holy Mother the Church Ch. 1. provides for the priviledges of the Convocation 10. H. 6. c. 11. limits how Bastardy shall be tryed between the Common and Canon Law which differ therein 15. H. 6. c. 7. concernes Abbots and Priots 27. H. 6. c. 5. prohibits Faires and Merkets upon Sundayes and principle holy dayes as a great prophanation of them 28. H. 6. begins To the honour of God and of holy Church 33. H. 6. c. 6. concerns the exemption of the Abbot of Founteynes and other Abbots and Priors from Vexations sutes 1. Ed. 4. is prefaced To the honour of God and of holy Church C. 1. containes in it many particulars concerning Bishops Abbots and Clergymen 3. E. 4. hath the same prefaced and 12. E. 4. c. 7 prescribes excommunication 4. times a yeare to be denounced against the infringers of Magna Charta as other Acts formerly did King Richard the 3d. prefaceth the Acts of his first Parliament in his 1. yeare thus To the honour of God and of holy Church c. 14. limits the maner of collecting the Clergies Dismes King Henry the 7th begins his Statutes in the 1. yeare of his Reigne To the honour of God and his holy Church and Cap. 4. enables Archbishops Bishops and other Ordinaries to imprison Priests Clerkes and Religious persons for incontinency which they could not doe before The Statutes of 2. 4. 11. 12. 17. H. 7. as their Prologues attest were made to the worship of God and holy Church and for the common good of this Realme The Statutes of An. 1. 3. 4. all or most Parliaments in the Regine of King Henry the 8th are prefaced To the honour of God and holy Church and for the Common Weale and profit of this Realme In the Parliament of 21. H. 8. C-3 4. 13. there were Statutes made concerning Probat of VVi●s taking of mortuaries by Priests or others against Pluralities of Benefices and taking of farmes by spirituall men All of Ecclesiasticall Cognisance 22. H. 8. c. 15. containes the Kings generall pardon to his spirituall Subjects who were fallen into a Praemunire by submitting to Cardinall Wolsies power Legatine 23. H. 8. c. 1. abridgeth the power of Ordinaries and takes away the benefit of Clergy in some cases ch 9. enacts That no man shall be cited into any ecclesiasticall Court out of the Diocesse wherein he dwells unlesse in certaine causes ch 10. settles the Law concerning feofements and assurances to the use of any Parish-Church or Chapell 24 H. 8. ch 12. takes away all Appeales to Rome and excellently sets forth the Kings supremacy as well in and over Ecclesiasticall causes and persons as temporall as you may read at large in the Act it selfe denying exploding the authority of the Pope and Sea of Rome 25. H. 8. c. 14. conteines a Law for the punishment of HERESY and