An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church

Now while the Legate was in hand for the popes purse, certain preaching friars were directed by the Legate Romanus, into all France, to stir up the Frenchmen, to take the cross upon them, and to war against the Earle of Toulouse, and the people thereof, whom they accounted heretics:¹ which many did gladly yield unto, rather for fear of the Frenchking, then for the Legates motion.

Now while the Legate was in hand for the popes purse, certaine preaching friers were directed by the Legate Romanus, into all France, to stirre vp the Frenchmen, to take the crosse vpon them, and to warre against the Earle of Tolouse, and the people thereof, whom they accounted heretiks:¹ which many did gladly yelde vnto, rather for feare of the Frenchking, then for the Legates motion.

1. 1War against the good Earle of Toulouse.Warre against the good Earle of Tolouse.

Against the Ascension day then next following, they prepared themselves, with horse, and harness, to set upon the Tholousians, with strength of 50000. men, besides vitlers, and wagoners.¹ The Legate (by the way) did openly excommunicate the Earle of Toulouse, and all that took his part, and interdicted his land. The first City of the Tholousians, was Avignon: at the siege whereof, the king sustained great loss, both through the valour of the Citizens, and also by the hand of God, with pestilence and famine:² so that the king (to avoid the infection) went into an Abbey, not far of, and shortly after died. Whose death the Popes Legate caused to be concealed, and endeavoured by policy, and treachery, to get the City. For, when he saw that no other means would prevail, he requested, and friendly desired them, that he, and his Prelates that were about him, might come