At this time, lived Thomas Becket: whose first preferment was to the Church of Branfield, which he had by the gift of Saint Albans. After that he entered into the service of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and was put of Theobald the Archbishop to king Henry, to bridle the young king, that he should not be too fierce against the Clergy: of whom he was made Lord Chancellor, and afterward in the 44. ⟨p. 164⟩year of his age, was made priest, and the next day made bishop: afterward there fell great variance betwixt the king and him for overlightly punishing the Clerks that offended his laws:1 and standing with the king therein. Besides, he resisted divers ancient laws of the land, and would not submit himself or his Clergy thereunto: moreover, there were other laws also made at Claredoune,2 in Normandy, whereto Becket would give no allowance: as if any person should be found to bring from the Pope, or from the Archb. of Canterbury, any writing, containing a curse or indict of the land,3 he should be executed for a traitor, &c. That Peterpence should no more be paid. yet at the length he answered, he would agree to the Kings ordinances salvo ordine suo. 4Which clause, the king greatly misliked: but notwithstanding great entreat by the Bishop of Norwich, and Salisbury, and the tears of two of the chief of the Templars, called Richard de Hast, and Constans de Henerio, hee would not relent, till the king signified by express message,5 that he should look what to trust to, if he yielded not at his request: so at length he relented. And the king called a Council of States, where he requiring the Archb. to set to his seal to instruments drawn, concerning the matter, but he refused so to do, till farther deliberation, which also the king was contented with: & yet after Thomas repented him of that he had done, by the motion of his crossbearer, who put him in mind how prejudicial it was to the Church, that he had yielded unto. Whereupon he required absolution of the Pope for his fact, who granted the same, and gave him courage to be constant in his quarrel begun,6 and thereupon he waxed stout, and would have departed the land, to flee to the sea of Rome: but he was stayed. The quarrel ceased not, for Becket being Legatus a latere, greatly stayed the kings purposes.
At this time, liued Thomas Becket: whose first preferment was to the Church of Branfield, which he had by the gift of Saint Albons. After that he entred into the seruice of the Archbishoppe of Canterburie, and was put of Theobald the Archbishop to king Henrie, to bridle the yong king, that he should not be too fierce against the Cleargie: of whom hée was made Lord Chauncellour, and afterward in the 44. ⟨p. 164⟩yéere of his age, was made priest, and the next day made bishop: afterward there fell great variance betwixt the king and him for ouerlightly punishing the Clearkes that offended his lawes:1 and standing with the king therein. Besides, he resisted diuers ancient lawes of the land, and would not submit himselfe or his Cleargie therevnto: moreouer, there were other lawes also made at Claredoune,2 in Normandy, whereto Becket would giue no allowance: as if any person should be found to bring from the Pope, or from the Archb. of Canterbury, anie writing, containing a curse or indict of the land,3 he should bée executed for a traytour, &c. That Peterpence should no more be paide. yet at the length hée answered, he would agrée to the Kinges ordinances saluo ordine suo. 4Which clause, the king greatly misliked: but notwithstanding great intreate by the Bishoppe of Norwich, and Salisbury, and the teares of two of the chiefe of the Templars, called Richard de Hast, and Constans de Henerio, hée would not relent, til the king signified by expresse message,5 that hée should look what to trust to, if he yelded not at his request: so at length hee relented. And the king called a Councell of States, where he requiring the Archb. to set to his seale to instruments drawn, cōcerning the matter, but he refused so to do, til farther deliberation, which also the king was contented with: & yet after Thomas repented him of that he had done, by the motion of his crossebearer, who put him in mind how preiudicial it was to the Church, that he had yéelded vnto. Wherevpon he required absolution of the Pope for his fact, who graunted the same, and gaue him courage to bee constant in his quarrell begun,6 and therevppon he waxed stoute, and would haue departed the lande, to flee to the sea of Rome: but hee was staied. The quarell ceassed not, for Becket being Legatus a latere, greatly staied the kings purposes.
- 1Variance betwixt the King and Becket.
- 2Executed for a Traitor that brought curse from Rome.
- 3Peterpence denied.
- 4Salvo ordine suo.Saluo ordine suo.
- 5Becket relenteth to the K.
- 6Becket stout to the king.
