A17167:238
A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two years ago against Elizabeth the most gracious Queen of England, France, and Ireland, and against the noble realm of England together with a defence of the said true Christian Queen, and of the whole realm of England. By Henry Bullinger the Elder.A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two yeres agoe against Elizabeth the most gracious Queene of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, and against the noble realme of England together with a defence of the sayd true Christian Queene, and of the whole realme of England. By Henry Bullinger the Elder.
London: printed by John Day, 1572London: printed by Iohn Day, 1572
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For subjects ye and all good men must both think and speak reverently and honourably of their Princes or Magistrates,1 as whom God in his word vouchsafeth to call by the name of Gods, as by whom God himself governeth, judgeth, defendeth, bridleth, and preserveth his people. In consideration whereof, in the book of Judges, judges be termed Saviours. Which thing all subjects ought to acknowledge, with a certain reverence, admiration, and giving of thanks. For we be commanded to make earnest intercession for our Princes in our prayers unto God: we be commanded to love our Magistrate unfeignedly, and in a comely, decent, and diligent wise to honour them with the honours accustomed to each country. So have all the holy Priests, Prophets, and faithful servants of God done to their king: as it is to be seen in many places of the holy Scripture. Besides this, it is an express commandment in Gods law,2 Thou shalt not speak evil of the Gods, nor curse the Prince of thy people.3 Moreover the Prince is also to be feared of his subjects, that they practise not any thing against him, and much less make not insurrection against him as enemies, or move sedition, or otherwise commit ungracious acts and worthy to be punished. For if thou do the thing that is evil (saith Paul,4) then fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is Gods Minister to punish him that doth evil. And truly good men fear their Princes, not as executioners, but as fathers. For again the Apostle saith: Princes are not a terror to them that do well, but to them that do ill. And wilt thou not stand in fear ⟨image 77⟩of authority? then do the thing that is good, and so shalt thou receive praise of him.
For subiectes ye and all good men must both thinke and speake reuerently and honorablie of their Princes or Magistrates,1 as whom God in his word vouchsaueth to call by the name of Gods, as by whom God himselfe gouerneth, iudgeth, defendeth, bridleth, and preserueth his people. In consideration wherof, in the booke of Iudges, iudges be termed Sauyours. Which thing al subiectes ought to acknowledge, with a certeine reuerence, admiration, and giuing of thankes. For we be commaunded to make earnest intercession for our Princes in our prayers vnto God: we be commaunded to loue our Magistrate vnfeynedly, and in a comly, decent, and diligent wise to honor them with the honours accustomed to eche countrey. So haue all the holie Priestes, Prophetes, and faithfull seruauntes of God done to their king: as it is to be séene in many places of the holy Scripture. Besides this, it is an expresse commaundement in Gods law,2 Thou shalt not speake euill of the Gods, nor curse the Prince of thy people.3 Moreouer the Prince is also to be feared of his subiectes, that they practise not any thing against him, and much lesse make not insurrection against him as enemies, or moue sedition, or otherwise commit vngracious actes and worthie to be punished. For if thou do the thing that is euill (sayth Paule,4) then feare: for he beareth not the sword in vayne. For he is Gods Minister to punish him that doth euill. And truly good men feare their Princes, not as executioners, but as fathers. For agayne the Apostle sayth: Princes are not a terror to them that do well, but to them that do ill. And wilt thou not stād in feare ⟨image 77⟩of authority? then do the thing that is good, and so shalt thou receiue prayse of him.
1Moreover, subjects must pay their Princes all manner of tributes, customs, and all other duties. For again the Apostle saith: who goeth a warfare at his own charges? But Princes serve the common weal: therefore it is good right that they should be maintained of the common charges. Surely Paul saith expressly, even therefore do ye pay tribute: for they be Gods Ministers serving for the same purpose. Therefore render unto every man his dew, tribute to whom tribute is due: Custom to whom custom is due: awe to whom awe is due: honour to whom honour is due. The same Apostle willeth subjects also to obey their Princes, that is to wit, their laws and ordinances, not only that they may by their due obedience escape the punishments which Princes execute upon the disobedient: but because it is Gods will we should do so, and we must yield obedience to his commandment, except we had lever to fall into the hand of Gods vengeance, although princes punish us not. And this is it that the Prophet meant by saying, ye must obey, not only for fear, but also for conscience Also: they that resist the Magistrate procure themselves damnation. And truly this obedience stretcheth so far, that if the Prince need thy service in the wars, for the defence of his Realm against invasions: thou owest even thy body to thy Prince, yea and thy life, and therefore much more thy goods. These are the things, these (I say) are the things that all subjects owe to their sovereigns by the allowance and commandment of God: and therefore the Englishmen also owe the same things to their Queen. True it is in deed that S. Peter said, we must obey God rather then men howbeit, that is in such things as are commanded expressly against God and his word. But the politic or civill government is stablished, and not infringed by Gods word. And most of all it is stablished if the Princes be godly. For the Princes that govern their people quietly, and enforce not their subjects to any wicked ⟨p. 72⟩things, but honour Gods service & spread it abroad more & more:2 are well liked of God and helped by him. And truly, this obedience of the subjects which God hath enjoined them, keepeth them in their duty, and persuadeth them that they attempt not any thing against their Prince or Magistrate.
1Moreouer, subiectes must pay their Princes all maner of tributes, customes, and all other dewties. For againe the Apostle saith: who goeth a warfare at his owne charges? But Princes serue the common weale: therfore it is good right that they should be mainteined of the common charges. Surely Paule saith expresly, euen therfore do ye pay tribute: for they be Gods Ministers seruing for the same purpose. Therfore render vnto euery mā his dew, tribute to whom tribute is due: Custome to whom custome is due: awe to whom awe is due: honour to whom honour is due. The same Apostle willeth subiectes also to obey their Princes, that is to wit, their lawes and ordinaunces, not onely that they may by their due obedience escape the punishments which Princes execute vpon the disobedient: but bycause it is Gods will we should do so, and we must yeld obedience to his commaundement, except we had leuer to fall into the hand of Gods vengeance, although princes punish vs not. And this is it that the Prophet ment by saying, ye must obey, not onely for feare, but also for conscience Also: they that resist the Magistrate procure themselues damnation. And truly this obedience stretcheth so farre, that if the Prince néede thy seruice in the warres, for the defence of his Realme against inuasions: thou owest euen thy body to thy Prince, yea and thy life, and therefore much more thy goodes. These are the thinges, these (I say) are the thinges that all subiectes owe to their souereines by the allowance and commaundement of God: and therfore the Englishmen also owe the same thinges to their Quéene. True it is in déede that S. Peter sayd, we must obey God rather then men howbeit, that is in such things as are commaunded expresly against God and his word. But the politike or ciuill gouernement is stablished, and not infringed by Gods word. And most of all it is stablished if the Princes be godly. For the Princes that gouerne their people quietly, and enforce not their subiectes to any wicked
As for those that rise against their Prince either by privy practise or open force, and break the common peace: they are not only disobedient, but also traitors and hated of God. And yet it is the thing that the Pope in his Bull, not so much teacheth as by his menaces endeavoureth to enforce the noblemen and commons of England unto. The noble Realm of England, through Gods grace, cleaveth well together in laws spiritual and temporal, and the subjects thereof enjoy peace and public profit, by the benefit of their most gracious Queen. Therefore not to be willing hence forth to obey her, (as the Pope would have it) what else is it, then to trouble the state of the whole Realm, and consequently to stir up rebellion and sedition wickedly, and to procure themselves assured and grievous damnation at Gods hand.
As for those that rise against their Prince either by priuie practise or open force, and breake the common peace: they are not onely disobedient, but also traytors and hated of God. And yet it is the thing that the Pope in his Bull, not so much teacheth as by his manaces indeuereth to inforce the noblemen and commons of England vnto. The noble Realme of England, through Gods grace, cleaueth well together in lawes spirituall and temporall, and the subiectes therof enioy peace and publike profite, by the benefite of their most gracious Quéene. Therfore not to be willing hence forth to obey her, (as the Pope would haue it) what els is it, then to trouble the state of the whole Realme, and consequētly to stirre vp rebellion and sedition wickedly, and to procure themselues assured and greuous damnation at Gods hand.
But hear how God hath always hated seditious persons,1 and how grievously also he hath evermore punished seditions. Chore, Dathan, and Abyron with their complices raised a sedition against Moses the chaplain of Gods people:2 But the earth opened and swallowed them up with their households and all that ever they had. A right dreadful example surely, to the intent that none should hereafter rise against their Princes any more.3 The Israelites also raised an insurrection against the same Moses in the wilderness. But for their so doing they were shut out of the land of promise, and by the space of xxxviij. years together overwhelmed with sundry calamities, tired and forspent with daily travelling in the desert, and at length also in sundry times consumed and made away with horrible kinds of death. Also in the book of Judges, the Ephraimites made an uproar against Jephthah who had deserved well at their hands. But through the vengeance of God ⟨image 78⟩for their ungracious rebellion and unthankfulness, there were slain of them about a xlij. thousand. What befell in Davids time to Absalom & Seba the son of Bithri when they rebelled seditiously against their lawful king David, it is better known then that if may seem requisite to be set forth in many words. There are in the holy Scriptures and the worldly histories of sundry kingdoms, many exam ples to be seen no less horrible then these, of seditious persons that were most grievously confounded by the Lord. For the Lord being righteous, and a lover of order and peace, never spared any such.
But heare how God hath alwayes hated seditious persons,1 and how greuously also he hath euermore punished seditiōs. Chore, Dathan, and Abyron with their complices raised a sedition against Moses the chaplein of Gods people:
1And to the intent I may also bring somewhat out of latter tunes: there is a notable example of the punishment of traitorous rebellion, and disobedience, and perjury in king Rafe of Rinfield chosen king of Romans at the commandment of pope Gregory the vij. against the Emperor Henry the iiij. lawfully ordained of God, and succeeding in the Empire by descent from his ancestors who were very good Princes. The said Gregory had prophesied out of that chair of his, in the Easter week, that the same year (which was the year of our Lord .1080.) the false Emperor should dye, adding this protestation further: never take me more for Pope, but pluck me from the Altar, if the false Emperor be not dead between this and Whitsuntide. Which prophecy (like as was the prophecy of Caiaphas) was fulfilled in deed, howbeit after another meaning then the Pope thought of. For the false Emperor Rafe who was created Emperor by the Pope against Henry whom the Pope had deposed, discharging all his subjects of their faith and obedience towards him: was wounded to death the self same year. Thrice before, had he traitorously fought with Henry to his own loss: and now trusting to the prophecy of his blessed dad Pope Gregory the vij. he repaired his power again the fourth time, and in the month of October encountered with the army of Henry in the fields of Misnia, where he was put to shameful flight again, and received a very great loss and bloody slaughter? In the ⟨p. 73⟩same battle, the right hand of the said Rafe was stricken of: of the which wound he dyed within a few days after, leaving the Empire which he had received of the Pope, & fulfilling the prophecy of the Pope his creator.2 It is reported (saith Abbas Uspurgensis in the 238. leaf of his Chronicles,) that Rafe now drawing towards his end and beholding his right hand cut of, gave a sore sigh and said to the Bishops which by chance were present: Lo, this is the hand wherewith I took mine oath of allegiance to my Lord Henry the Emperor. And behold, now I leave both his kingdom and this present life. See whether you, that made me mount up into his chair of estate, have led me a right way: which thing other storywriters report in these words: it was by your impulsion that I have fought so often unluckily. Look you to it, whether you have led me a right way or no.
Ge your ways & perform your first faith plighted to your king: for I shall go to my fathers.
Ge your wayes & performe your first faith plighted to your king: for I shall go to my fathers.
Now ye honourable Peers of England, and thou noble Realm of England in general, learn ye by all these things, to keep your faith plighted to your gracious sovereign Lady by oath, and to obey her faithfully, to maintain the peace of the Realm, and to abhor & eschew the treachery and traitorousness lewdly wound in, or rather wickedly commanded by the father of sedition the Bishop of Rome that sinful man, to the intent you may also eschew the sore punishments of God.
Now ye honorable Péeres of England, and thou noble Realme of England in generall, learne ye by all these thinges, to kéepe your faith plighted to your gracious souereine Lady by othe, and to obey her faithfully, to mainteine the peace of the Realme, and to abhorre & eschew the trechrie and traiterousnesse leawdly wound in, or rather wickedly commaūded by the father of sedition the Bishop of Rome that sinnefull man, to the intent you may also eschew the sore punishmentes of God.
Upon occasion of the fore mentioned story of Gregory the vij. and king Rafe, I will proceed from the time of the said Gregory, almost unto our age, by the space of four hundred years and odd, briefly compiling and knitting together how great calamities, and how great mischiefs the Bishops of Rome have wrought to kingdoms and nations in Christendom these four hundred years and more, in deposing kings, transposing kingdoms, and discharging subjects from their faith and allegiance, by the fullness of their power to the intent that even by this horrible butchery, and confusion of all things, and the sorrowful rehearsal of most lamentable adventures, all people in Christendom may learn to know in deed what the Bishops of Rome be whom they still honour, and with all advisedness and constancy, to beware of those Romish Prelates, as of a dispatching plague both to kingdoms and common weals, the poison of peace and welfare, the authors and firebrands of treasons, wars, civill slaughters, and all most miserable calamities, and worthily hated of God and all good men.
VPon occasion of the fore mentioned storie of Gregorie the vij. and kyng Rafe, I will procede from the tyme of the said Gregorie, almost vnto our age, by the space of foure hundred yeares and odde, briefly compyling and knitting together how great calamities, and how great mischieues the Bishops of Rome haue wrought to kingdomes and nations in Christēdome these foure hundred yeares and more, in deposing kings, transposing kingdomes, and discharging subiectes from their faith and allegeance, by the fulnesse of their power to the intent that euē by this horrible butcherie, and confusion of all thinges, and the sorowfull rehearsall of most lamentable aduentures, all people in Christendome may learne to know in déede what the Bishops of Rome be whom they still honour, and with all aduisednesse and constancie, to beware of those Romish Prelates, as of a dispatching plague both to kingdomes and common weales, the poyson of peace and welfare, the authors and firebrandes of treasons, warres, ciuill slaughters, and all most miserable calamities, and worthely hated of God and all good men.
In the year of our Lord .1045. there arose a very great and noisome schism in the City of Rome, between three Bishops, Benet the ix. Sylvester the iij. and Gregory the vj. which turmoiled the Church of Rome very dangerously and outrageously. Of this schism Otho Frisingensis writeth thus:1 About this time there was a shameful confusion of the Church of God in the City of Rome, by reason of three Intruders that sealed upon that sea at once, who (as I my self being in the City have heard the Romans report) led there a beastly and shameful life. And Beno the Cardinal in the life of Hildebrand, the Church (saith he) by these mens means (meaning the iij. Bishops) was torn a sunder with a sore schism, mortal wars, and unmeasurable slaughters: and almost choked with horrible heresies, by giving men poison to drink under colour of honey. And Platina in the life of Sylvester the iij. saith: The Bishopric was come to that point, that who soever could do ⟨p. 74⟩most by bribery, and ambition, I say not by holiness and doctrine, he only obtained the state of dignity, the good men being borne down and rejected: and the rest that is written freely enough against the most corrupt manners of the Court of Rome. But the Emperor Henry the third of that name, surnamed the Black, a godly and stout Prince, gathered a chosen army in Germany, and entering into Rome, called a Council, and deposed those three Bishops, placing in their room one Swigger the Bishop of Bamberg whom they call Clement the second.
In the yeare of our Lord .1045. there arose a very great and noysome schisme in the Citie of Rome, betwene thrée Bishops, Benet the ix. Siluester the iij. and Gregorie the vj. which turmoyled the Church of Rome very daungerously and outrageously. Of this schisme Otho Frisingensis writeth thus:1 About this tyme there was a shamefull confusion of the Church of God in the Citie of Rome, by reason of three Intruders that sealed vpō that sea at once, who (as I my selfe being in the Citie haue heard the Romanes report) led there a beastly and shamefull life. And Beno the Cardinall in the life of Hildebrand, the Church (saith he) by these mēs meanes (meaning the iij. Bishops) was torne a sunder with a sore schisme, mortall warres, and vnmeasurable slaughters: and almost choked with horrible heresies, by giuing men poyson to drinke vnder colour of hony. And Platina in the life of Siluester the iij. sayth: The Bishoprike was come to that point, that who soeuer could do
Hereunto Cardinal Beno addeth:1 Which things being stoutly accomplished: the Emperor Henry condemned Gregory the sixth and his disciple Hildebrand (who afterward was Bishop of Rome by the name of Gregory the seventh, and would not forsake his master, but followed him even in his uttermost adversity) to be banished into the parts of Dutcheland. Notwithstanding, being deceived with overmuch gentleness, and by means thereof looking neither to the Church, nor to himself, nor to mankind, he gave the new Idolaters to much scope, whom he ought rather to have shut up in continual prison, that they might not have infected men, nor never been heard of any more. But after the said Gregory the sixth was dead in exile. Hildebrand became his heir as well of his wickedness as also of his money. Thus much saith Beno.
Hereunto Cardinall Beno addeth:1 Which thinges beyng stoutly accomplished: the Emperour Henry condemned Gregorie the sixth and his disciple Hildebrand (who afterward was Byshop of Rome by the name of Gregorie the seuenth, and would not forsake his master, but folowed him euen in his vttermost aduersitie) to be banished into the partes of Dutcheland. Notwithstandyng, beyng deceiued with ouermuch gentlenesse, and by meanes therof looking neither to the Church, nor to himselfe, nor to mankind, he gaue the new Idolaters to much scope, whom he ought rather to haue shet vp in continuall prison, that they might not haue infected men, nor neuer bene heard of any more. But after the sayd Gregorie the sixth was dead in exile. Hildebrand became his heyre as well of his wickednesse as also of his money. Thus much saith Beno.
But Hildebrand being unthankful the Emperor for his deliverance,1 kept still the hatred which he had once conceived against him in Germany. For after he had by violence and evil slights thrust himself into the Bishopric by the name of Gregory the vij: he bent himself wholly to oppress Henry the fourth the son of Henry the third, of purpose to revenge the carrying away of his master Gregory the sixth and of himself into Germany, and to confirm and stablish the sovereign power of his Bishops sea, that the Popes might not hence forth stand in fear of the Emperors. And truly, Henry the third is reported to be the last Emperor that was able to bridle the Roman ⟨image 80⟩Bishops and to keep them under coram. For although there succeeded many noble and valiant Emperors in the Empire, which did set themselves stoutly against the Bishops, and cast some of them down from their seat: yet had none of them so good luck in bridling them as had Hē ry the third. For the rebellion that was begun by this Gregory the vij. and anon after continued by his scholars, and stubbornly increased by their successors, did so break through by main force, that the Emperors were able to do little, were they never so earnest and stout. Yea and the time was now come, that the foresayinges of the Prophets and Apostles must be fulfilled.
But Hildebrand beyng vnthankfull the Emperour for his deliueraunce,1 kept still the hatred which he had once conceiued agaynst him in Germanie. For after he had by violence and euill slightes thrust himselfe into the Bishoprike by the name of Gregorie the vij: he bent himselfe wholly to oppresse Henry the fourth the sonne of Henry the third, of purpose to reuēge the carying away of his maister Gregorie the sixth and of himselfe into Germanie, and to confirme and stablish the souerein power of his Bishops sea, that the Popes might not hence forth stand in feare of the Emperours. And truly, Henry the third is reported to be the last Emperour that was able to bridle the Romane ⟨image 80⟩Byshops and to kéepe them vnder coram. For although there succeded many noble and valyant Emperours in the Empyre, which did set themselues stoutly against the Bishops, and cast some of them downe from their seate: yet had none of them so good lucke in bridlyng them as had Hē ry the third. For the rebellion that was begon by this Gregorie the vij. and anone after continued by his scholers, and stubbornely increased by their successours, did so breake through by mayne force, that the Emperours were able to do litle, were they neuer so earnest and stoute. Yea and the time was now come, that ye foresayinges of the Prophetes and Apostles must be fulfilled.
1Therefore Gregory the vij. having invaded the seat, & trusting that occasion was given him to oppress the Emperor Henry the iiij. and to bring to pass the thing that he had purposed in his mind now many years afore: first putteth forth a Bull against the Emperor, wherein he layeth sore to his charge, & burdeneth him with grievous crimes, by spreading those letters of his over all Italy, Germany, & France. Also he assayeth to besot the minds of certain Princes of Germany, and to draw them to his side. Which thing followed his hand a little to luckily.2 Afterward becoming more bold by reason of the favour of the Princes, he adventureth to excommunicate the Emperor, & to give sentence against him ye he should be deposed from his Empire or kingdom, and to discharge all his subjects of their faith & obedience that they ought unto him.3 He had learned this, not of the Prophets or Apostles, nor yet out of the holy Scriptures: but of his predecessors Zechariah the first, Steven the second Adrian the first, and Leo the third. Furthermore he commandeth the Princes to chose another king in stead of Henry that was excommunicated: & least they might not know whom he would have chosen, he sends them a crown with this Antichristly verse engraven in it.
1Therfore Gregorie the vij. hauing inuaded the seate, & trusting that occasion was giuen him to oppresse the Emperour Hēry the iiij. and to bring to passe the thing that he had purposed in his minde now many yeares afore: first putteth forth a Bull against the Emperour, wherein he layeth sore to his charge, & burtheneth him with greuous crimes, by spreading those letters of his ouer all Italie, Germanie, & Fraunce. Also he assayth to besotte the mindes of certeine Princes of Germanie, and to draw them to his side. Which thing folowed his hand a litle to luckely.2 Afterward becomming more bold by reason of the fauour of the Princes, he aduentureth to excommunicate the Emperour, & to giue sentēce agaynst him ye he should be deposed frō his Empyre or kingdome, and to discharge all his subiectes of their faith & obedience that they ought vnto him.3
As Christ the Rock the Crown to Peter gave So Peter would that Rafe the same should have.
As Christ the Rocke the Crowne to Peter gaue So Peter would that Rafe the same should haue.
Certain princes therefore which had conspired among them selves chose Rafe of Rhynefild duke of Sweveland,1 yt Emperors own sisters son, and crowned him at Mens. Notwithstanding the townsmen keeping themselves true to the Emperor, were very sore grieved at the treason that was wrought against him: wherefore arming themselves in hast, and rushing into the church, they slew as many as they met of Rafes partakers, and set the church on a swim with blood. Afterward they flew also to the palace, and set fire upon it: and they followed the matter so hotly, that the King, and the Bishop of Mens had much a do to escape and save them selves by flight.2 Anon after there ensued so great a broil through all Germany, that no pen is able to express worthily, the sorrowfulness of these times. They that kept themselves true to the Emperor, were by the Hildebrandines, Gregorians, or papists, called heretics, schismatics, simoniacs, traitors, Nicholaites, and fornicators, that is to wit, because the priests took wives, which thing the pope forbade them to do. Yea truly all places were filled and overfilled with injuries, railings, murders, burnings, uproars, betrayinges, ravishings, and all manner of horrible and unspeakable wickedness. Furthermore, religion was brought into utter contempt almost with all men. Of all which things, the stories of these times bear witness most abundantly. And this was the fruit of the fullness of that popish power, whereby he deposeth kings, transposeth kingdoms, and dischargeth subjects of their faith and obedience. They that kept themselves faithful to the Emperor, were fain to thrust their Bishops out of their cities, as rank traitors to the Emperor. And the preachers in many parts of Germany,3 maintaining the Emperors part, inveighed very sore against the Bishop, affirming him to be Antichrist, and Rome to be Babylon: whereof whoso desireth more, let him read the fifth book of the Germane history, of John Aventine, in the leaf 426.
Certeine princes therfore which had conspired among thē selues chose Rafe of Rhynefild duke of Sweueland,1 yt Emperors own sisters sonne, and crowned him at Mens. Notwithstanding the townesmen kéeping themselues true to the Emperor, were very sore gréeued at the treason that was wrought against him: wherefore arming themselues in hast, and rushing into the church, they slew as many as they met of Rafes partakers, and set the church on a swim with blood. Afterward they flew also to the palace, and set fire vpon it: and they folowed the matter so whottely, that the King, and the Bishop of Mens had much a do to escape and saue them selues by flight.
Nevertheless when Rafe the popes king was after many ⟨image 81⟩unfortunate battles dispatched out of the way: left unhappy Germany might take breath again, or the Emperor have never so little rest: the bishop by his policies brought to pass,1 that the Saxons set up Herman prince of Loraine in Luxembourg, to be their king against the Emperor. But this man also by the vengeance of God, was slain, and a great sort with him in the assault of a certain castle, by a stone that a silly woman cast down from the wall, after the same manner that Abimelech the son of Gideon was slain, and so he came to a miserable end. But all this could not staunch the Bishops unappeasable hatred, and outrageous cruelty, against the Emperor: for he set up a third adversary and Antiking against the good Emperor,2 that is to wite, Egbert the Marquess of Saxony, who also a five years after, was beset by the Emperors guard in a mil besides Brunswick, and there miserably slain.
Neuertheles when Rafe the popes king was after many ⟨image 81⟩vnfortunate battelles dispatched out of the way: left vnhappy Germanie might take breath againe, or the Emperor haue neuer so little rest: the byshop by hys pollicies brought to passe,1 that the Saxons set vp Herman prince of Loraine in Lucelbrough, to be their king against the Emperor. But thys man also by the vengeance of God, was slayne, and a great sort with him in the assault of a certaine castle, by a stone that a silie woman cast downe from the wall, after the same maner that Abimelech the sonne of Gedeon was slayne, and so he came to a miserable ende. But all this coulde not staunche the Byshoppes vnappeasable hatred, and outrageons crueltye, agaynste the Emperour: for he set vp a third aduersary and Antiking against the good Emperor,2 that is to wite, Egbert the Marques of Saxony, who also a fiue yeares after, was beset by the Emperors gard in a mil besides Brunswike, and there miserably slayne.
