The practise of prelates. CompiledThe practyse of prelates. Compyled

Take an ensample of their practise out of our own stories.¹ King Harold exiled or banished Robert Archbishop of Canterbury. For what cause the English polychronicon specifieth not.² But if the cause were not sum what suspect, I think they would not have Passed it over with silence. This Robert gat him immediately unto king William the conqueror then duke of Normandy. And the pope Alexander sent duke William a banner to go and conquer England and clean remission unto whosoever would follow the banner and goo with king William / here mark how straight the pope followed-Christs steppes and his apostles:³ they preached forgiveness of since, to all that repented throw Christs blood shedding: the Pope preacheth forgiveness of since to all that will slay their brethren bought with Christs blood: to subdue them unto his tyranny. What so ever other cause duke william had against king Harold / thou mayest be sure that the pope would not have meddled if Harold had not troubled his kingdom ⟨image 47⟩••e: neither should duke william have been able to conquer the land at that time except the spirituality had wrought on his side. What blood did that conquest cost England / through which almost all the lords of the English blood were slain, &• the Normans became rulers / and all the la•es were changed into French? But what careth the holy father for shedding of lay mens blood? It were b•tter that .x. hundred thousand lay knaves lost their lives, then that holy church should louse one inch of her honour, or saint Peters seat one jot of her right.

Take an ensāple of their practise out of our owne stories.¹ Kyng Herold exiled or banished Robert Archbisshope of Canterburye. For what cause the Inglysh polychronicon specifieth not.²