A17167:258
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.
1And (to warn you hereof also glancingly by the way) by these and many other such like pranks, any man may understand how faithfully the Bishops of Rome for all their stout and loud bragging, have endeavoured to keep christen folk in the unity of faith and christian charity, seeing it appeareth more clearly then the sun light, that there was never any man in the world, that hath more sowly dissevered, cut of, and rent a sunder the unity of faith, and of Christs body, through partakings, strifes, and factions, then the very bishops of Rome themselves.
1And (to warn you hereof also glauncingly by the way) by these and many other such like prankes, any man may vnderstand how faythfully the Byshops of Rome for all theyr stout and loud bragging, haue endeuoured to kéepe christen folke in the vnitie of fayth and christian charitie, séeing it appeareth more clearly then the sonne light, that there was neuer any man in the world, that hath more sowly disseuered, cutte of, and rent a sunder the vnitie of fayth, and of Christes body, through parttakinges, strifes, and factions, then the very bishops of Rome themselues.
1But what shall I say of Innocent the fourth, whom they call the glory of the Canonists? This man strained himself at leastwise to match his predecessors, if he did not also pass them, in persecuting of Frederick. Therefore when he had called a Counsel at Lions in France, and summoned the Emperor Frederick thither: he read sentence of condemnation against him solemnly in the Council, that he should be deprived of the Empire, and of all his kingdoms, according as the cause of his deprivation, and the form of the sentence giving, are written in the chapter ad Ap. de sent. & re jud. Lib. 6. and also reported by Collenutius the storiwriter about the end of Frederick's life, and yet the said Frederick was on his way thitherward, and had come thither, but that he was called back again by his friends, and was fain to return into Italy by reason of a slaughter that the popes complices had made of the citizens of Parma. Immediately whereupon certain princes of Germany, being bewitched with the popes hypocrisy and mischievous slights, did at his appointment and instigation choose Henry the Landgrave of Thuring to be Emperor against Frederick.2 And moreover at the same popes commandment, the Cross was preached every where against the Emperor.
1But what shall I say of Innocent the fourth, whome they call the glory of the Canonistes? Thys man strayned himself at leastwise to match hys predecessors, if he did not also passe them, in persecuting of Frederik. Therfore when he had called a Counsel at Lions in Fraunce, and summoned the Emperour Frederike thither: he read sentence of condemnation against him solemnly in the Counsell, that he should be depriued of the Empyre, and of all hys kingdomes, according as the cause of hys depriuation, and the forme of the sentence geuing, are written in the chapter ad Ap. de sent. & re iud. Lib. 6. and also reported by Collenutius the storiwriter about the end of Frederikes lyfe, and yet the sayd Frederik was on hys way thitherward, and had come thither, but that he was called backe againe by hys frendes, and was faine to returne into Italye by reason of a slaughter that the popes complices had made of the citizens of Parma. Immediatly wheruppon certain princes of Germany, beying bewitched with the popes hypocrisy and mischéeuous slights, did at his appoyntmēt and instigation choose Henry the Lantgraue of Thuring to be Emperour against Friderik.2 And moreouer at the same popes commaundement, the Crosse was preached euery where against the Emperour.
1And lest any man might be ignorant what this strange mystery of preaching the Cross meaneth: ye shall understand ⟨p. 79⟩that the papists in those days had found out a spike & spawn new manner of preaching the cross. For it declared not the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is to say his death which is our life, according as the Apostles, and their Apostles, & the disciples of them preached in old time. But it published the open defiances and wars which the pope made, not at his charges but at other mens, according as Daniels prophecy imported.2 And truly this new manner of preaching the cross began at the first against the Saracens under Urbane the ij. in the time of the Council of Clermont, when the holy war was Decreed. But afterward, if the popes had denounced any as heretics, and judged them to be rooted out by force of arms for the same: They sent out their preachers as vauntcorrours to preach a Croysie to the people, that is to wit to blow up a trumpet, persuading yea & by the popes authority commanding, that as many as were able to bear armour, should take the sign of the cross upon them, & serve the Bishop of Rome in his wars. And if these good fellows behaved themselves man fully, (that is to say, if they slew the heretics without mercy, & spoiled all that ever they had) there was promised them full remission of sins, and everlasting life. All this business is by the storywriters of late times called a Croysie. Also together with this souldierfare, the Bishop (like as he doth yet still at this day) was wont to enjoin his servants fasting, penance, & praying, thereby to crave good success of their enterprises at Gods hand. In this strange preaching of the Cross, the begging Friars showed themselves stoutest servants of the Popes: and of those also the Dominican Friars (commonly called the Friars preachers) were sorer fellows then the rest, wherein they resembled their founder Dominic very well. For one Bernhard of Luxembourg a Friar of the same order, in his beadroll of heretics saith thus:3 At such time as S. Dominic with xij. Abbots of the order of Cistertiū preached the Croysie against the heretics of Albigia, the Catholics (that is to say, the Crossed papists) slew a hundred thousand of them.
Of whom one hundred & ⟨image 84⟩four score continuing in their stubbornness against the Church of Rome, chose to be burned rather then to abjure their heresy. Which thing was also done. And S. Dominic abode x. years in those quarters, in the office of preaching and weeding out of heresy, when all the rest returned home to their own. Thus reporteth he of his own founder & of that butchery.1 Whereby it appeareth, that the pope had good cause afterward to canonize him and make him one of his Saints. Neither is it without cause that Dominikes mother being great with child of him, dreamed that she bare in her womb a dog (or as other say, a wolf) with a firebrand in his mouth, wherewith he did set the whole world on fire, &c. But I will return to my matter.
Of whom one hundred & ⟨image 84⟩foure score continewing in their stubbornesse agaynst the Church of Rome, chose to be burned rather then to abiure their heresie. Which thing was also done. And S. Dominik abode x. yeares in those quarters, in the office of preaching and weeding out of heresie, when all the rest returned home to their owne. Thus reporteth he of his owne founder & of that butcherie.1 Wherby it appeareth, that ye pope had good cause afterward to canonize him and make hym one of his Saintes. Neither is it without cause yt Dominikes mother being great with child of him, dreamed that she bare in her wombe a dog (or as other say, a wolfe) with a firebrand in his mouth, wherewith he did set the whole world on fire, &c. But I will returne to my matter.
1Therefore at the Popes preaching of the Croysie, the Landgrave of Thuring addressed himself to the wars. Again there is running to weapon on both sides, again wretched Germany is by the Popes incensing rent a sunder, & wounded with her own weapons, and slain with civill encounters. Conradus Duke of Sweveland the son of Frederick & proclaimed king of Romans, encountering the Landgrave of Thuring, vanquisheth, chaseth, and slayeth all his host, for all their being marked with the Cross. The same year the Landgrave dyed of a wound.2 The princes of Germany that took the popes part, being not yet made the wiser by their so great miseries, but favouring the Pope more then their own country: set up another king against Frederick and his son Conrad. For Pope Innocent sent his Legate Cardinal Peter Capuce into Germany, who calling the princes together to Colon, caused them to choose William Earle of Holland, king, against Frederick & Conrad. Which thing wrought new broils in the Empire.
1Therfore at the Popes preaching of ye Croysie, the Lantgraue of Thuring addressed himselfe to the warres. Againe there is running to weapon on both sides, agayne wretched Germanie is by the Popes incēsing rent a sunder, & wounded with her owne weapons, and slayne with ciuill encounters. Conradus Duke of Sweueland the sonne of Friderike & proclaimed king of Romanes, encoūtering the Lantgraue of Thuring, vanquisheth, chaseth, and sleaeth all his hoste, for all their being marked with the Crosse. The same yeare the Lantgraue dyed of a wound.2 The princes of Germanie that tooke the popes part, being not yet made the wiser by their so great miseries, but fauoring the Pope more then their owne countrey: set vp another king against Friderike and his sonne Conrade. For Pope Innocent sent his Legate Cardinall Peter Capuce into Germanie, who calling the princes together to Colon, caused them to chuse Williā Earle of Holland, king, agaynst Friderike & Conrade. Which thing wrought new broyles in the Empyre.
1And forasmuch as Pope Innocent had excommunicated king Conrad also: He ceased not to persecute his son Corradine the rightful heir of Puell and Sicily likewise, and to dispossess him of his fathers heritage. In which matter, Alexander the fourth, Urbane the fourth, and Clement the fourth which succeeded next, showed themselves ⟨p. 80⟩no slothful followers of Innocents steppes.2 Whereof Corradine set forth a public proclamation, wherein he lamentably reckoneth up the sore wrongs, which those Bishops did unto him. And first he declareth how Innocent the fourth annoyed him being yet an innocent and fatherless, yea and committed to the wardship of the Church, by bereaving him of his kingdom and dealing it among his own grandchildren and kinsmen. After whom followed Alexander, and he allured another man to take his kingdom from him by force. And Urbane also showing small urbanity towards him, called Charles king of France out of his own Realm, to take possession of the kingdom which was due to the said Corradine by descent from his father. And Clement void of all clemency set up the said Charles as counterking against Corradine, and so most wrongfully spoiled the right heir of his inheritance. By means whereof he was compelled to seek his right by rightful force of arms, which was wrongfully withheld him by the wrongful demeanour of the Bishops. These things are to be read in the Chronicles of Nauclerus. During this broil, Pope Clement the fourth hearing how Corradine was raising a power in Germany: did put forth a Bull, whereby he forbade all faithful Christians to call Corradine king of Sicily, or to give him any Counsel, or aid against Charles, whom he had crowned king of Sicily for a piece of money.3 Thus the pope blows up the trumpet, & the Christians fall together by the ears again. It comes to hand strokes: at the first the Germans get the better hand, and the Frenchmen are put to flight. But when the Germans brake their array, and fell more greedily to the rifling of the baggage of their enemies than was meet for them: the Frenchmen falling again in order of battle, gave a fresh charge upon them unawares, and slaying them down as they were escattered, obtained the victory.
There were taken two Princes, Corradine king of Sicily and Duke of Sweveland, and Frederick Duke of Austria, who had taken part with Corradine to aid him. Also there ⟨image 85⟩were other Lords and noblemen taken, who were all carried prisoners to Naples & there kept in very straight ward. It is reported that Charles wrote to the Pope for his advise what he would have done with the prisoners: and that the Pope among others answered:1 The life of Corradine is the death of Charles, and the death of Corradine is the life of Charles. But Robert Earle of Flanders the son in law of Charles, by whose advise he had gotten the victory, remembering the state of mens affairs, counselled Charles to make peace, and to bind unto him by bond of alliance these two young Princes of excellent towardness, borne of the noblest houses in Germany, and the offspring of Emperors, wishing that Corradine should have Charles his daughter, and Frederick his near. But while the time was prolonged in these consultations. Robert returned home, and then the blood royal was condemned to death.2 And so the xxix. of October being Monday, in the year of our Lord. 1268. a place was covered with purple, & there was Frederick first beheaded with an axe. Whose head Corradine taking up and kissing it with tears, lamentably bewailed the cruel death of that guiltless young Prince his dear friend of whose destruction he himself was the cause. Afterward having greatly complained of the bitterness and treachery of his enemies, who contrary to all right & conscience (whereas of all others he was most innocent and blameless) had bereft him of the heritage which his father, grandfather, great grandfather, and grandfathers grandfather had purchased with their blood, and having committed his case to the sovereign judge, calling upon God the revenger of traitorousness and murder: he appealed to Christ our Lord and God, and to his judgement seat, and cried unto him for vengeance, with casting his gloves up to heavenward, and then in his own right bequeathing these kingdoms to his Cousin Peter king of Aragon whose grandmother was sister to the Emperor Frederick, he held out his neck unfearfully to the execution and had his head stricken of: lastly, eleven noblemen ⟨p. 81⟩of Sweveland and Italy suffered the same execution, Among whom Gerhard of Pisa a noble gentleman was one.
Within a few years after,1 Peter king of Aragon began to lay claim to Sicily. And the Western Frenchmen have now about ij. hundred four score and seven years strived with the Spaniards for those kingdoms, with exceeding bloodshed, and wasting of the countries. But in the said two Princes were extinguished the lines of the Dukes of Sweveland and Austria, two of the ancientest and noblest houses of Germany. Afterward Rafe Duke of Habsburg a Switzer, seized upon both the Duchies, and bestowed them in Fee upon his two sons Albert & Rafe: of whom, Rafe was made Duke of Sweveland, and Albert Duke of Austria.
Within a few yeares after,1 Peter king of Aragon began to lay clayme to Sicilie. And the Westerne Frenchmen haue now about ij. hundred foure score and seuen yeares striued with the Spanyardes for those kingdomes, with exceding bloudshed, and wasting of the countreys. But in the sayd two Princes were extinguished the lynes of the Dukes of Sweueland and Austriche, two of the auncientest and noblest houses of Germanie. Afterward Rafe Duke of Haspurge a Swicer, seased vppon both the Duchies, and bestowed them in Fée vppon his two sonnes Albert & Rafe: of whom, Rafe was made Duke of Sweueland, and Albert Duke of Austriche.
I have recited this pitiful and lamentable story out of John Aventine somewhat the more at large,1 because that in it, as it were in a clear glass, a man may behold the bloodthirsty nature of the Popes, bearing hatred in mind most spitefully, of covetousness and ambition utterly unsatiable, malicious in all respects, outraging with beastly woodness and cruelty. And also to what point the Bulls of the Romish Bishops have driven kingdoms and common weals, casting down some and advancing othersome, at the pleasure of the Bishops, and also acquitting the nobility and commons of their fealty and obedience dew to their Princes.2 Now if any man in way of objection demand, wherefore God giveth these beasts leave to outrage against all good men, and to bring to pass so great things, and not rather overthroweth the seat & them that sit in the seat: the answer is ready shapen. The Scriptures must needs be fulfilled, and specially the prophecy which Daniel uttereth in these words. The Horne that grew up, had eyes, and a mouth speaking great things, and his look was grimmer then all his fellows. And he fought a battle with the Saints and prevailed against them, until the ancient of years came, and judgement was given to the high Saints: and so forth as followeth in the vij. and ⟨image 86⟩eight chapters of Daniel. In the last end of their reign, when there shall be great store of wicked folk, there shall stand up a king of a stout countenance, that understandeth riddles: and he shall excel in strength, howbeit not by his own power: and he shall make wonderful havoc, and speed his matters prosperously, and trouble the strong, and the holy people, and he shall bring his business to pass luckily, through his own wiliness and crafts. Also he shall presume great things in his hart, and being furnished with store of things he shall spoil many men. Furthermore he shall set himself against the highest Prince, and shall be broken in pieces without hands.3 For S. Paul also hath said, that Antichrist shall be slain (that is to wit in the hearts of the faithful) not with sword, spear, or guns, but with the breath of the Lords mouth, and be quite done away at the coming of the judge to the last judgement of the world.
1But like as the former Bishops aforesaid drew the Frenchmen into the kingdom of Sicily, Naples, & Puell: So the latter Popes, that is to say Adrian the fifth and Nicolas the third sought all the means, that could be, to have them dispossessed of the same,2 the one of them calling in the Germans, and the other calling in Peter of Aragon with the Spaniards, against the Frenchmen. Contrariwise Martin the fourth advanced Charles the French king again whom Nicolas had displaced, and restored him again to his former state. Howbeit to no purpose. For all at one same time the Frenchmen were diminished with a sore slaughter at an Evensong time of the Sicilians and driven out of the Isle,3 and Peter of Aragon received in. Who also vanquishing the son of king Charles in a battle upon the Sea not far from Naples,4 carried him away prisoner into Spain to the great grief of his father. And Charles himself sailing over into Aphrike, pined away for pensiveness, a just punishment as many men then judged, for his most shameful & unjust putting of the ij. Princes of Sweveland & Austria to death at the instigation of the Pope.
1But like as the former Bishops aforesaid drew the Frenchmen into the kingdome of Sicill, Naples, & Puell: So the latter Popes, that is to say Adrian the fifth and Nicolas the third sought all the meanes, that could be, to haue them dispossessed of the same,2 the one of them calling in the Germanes, and the other calling in Peter of Aragon with the Spaniardes, against the Frenchemen. Contrariwise Martine the fourth aduaunced Charles the French king againe whom Nicolas had displaced, and restored him againe to his former state. Howbeit to no purpose. For all at one same time the Frenchmen were diminished with a sore slaughter at an Euensongtime of the Sicilians and driuen out of the Isle,3 and Peter of Aragon receiued in. Who also vanquishing the sonne of king Charles in a battell vpō the Sea not farre from Naples,
But Martin the fourth being moved with Charles misery,1 excommunicateth Peter of Aragon, and giveth his kingdom for a pray to him that would invade it, assoiling his subjects from the bond of their oath, and finally proclaiming a Croissy against him. Besides this, he sent Ambassadors into France to king Philip, and commanded him to invade the kingdom of Aragon out of hand.2 Once again therefore when the Pope had sounded his trumpet, they met together in mortal battle by the river of Geround. And at the first the Frenchmen had the better: but anon after the Spaniards get the upper hand. What needeth many words? there was a miserable and sorrowful slaughter, all things were wasted far and wide, & blood was shed without measure.
But Martine the fourth beyng moued with Charles miserie,1 excommunicateth Peter of Aragon, and giueth his kingdome for a pray to him that would inuade it, assoyling his subiectes from the bond of their othe, and finally proclayming a Croissy against him. Besides this, he sent Ambassadours into Fraunce to king Philip, and commaunded him to inuade the kingdome of Aragon out of hand.2 Once againe therfore when the Pope had sounded his trumpet, they met together in mortall battell by the riuer of Geround. And at the first the Frenchmen had the better: but anone after the Spanyardes get the vpper hand. What néedeth many wordes? there was a miserable and sorowful slaughter, all thinges were wasted farre and wyde, & bloud was shed without measure.
As soon as Martin was dead byanby there steppes up another Hyena,1 Honorius the fourth. Who (least there might be any abatement of misery) calleth Rafe of Habsburg king of Romans out of Germany to Rome, there to receive the name of Augustus, & to recover Campania, Calabria, Puell, and Sicily to the Roman Empire by driving the Frenchmen and Spaniards from thence. For the which matter,2 Rafe summoned a Parliament at Würzburg, & thither there came a very great resort: unto whom Probus a Divine of Tubing, the Bishop of Tull made an Oration, wherein among all other things, How long I pray you my right dear brethren (saith he) will these Romish kites abuse our patience, I pray God I may not say our foolishness? How long shall we bear with their treachery, covetousness, pride, & superfluity: This worst kind of Archsinagoges will never leave, till it hath brought all men to beggary and slavery. This mischief hath grown through our debate. It is our debate that setteth those rakehells in their ruff. Neither is it possible for us to maintain peace and godliness, as long as they reign. Not long ago they set the Saxons and Swevians together by the ears. Afterward they deprived Frederick the second, a Prince most profitable for the common weal, and Conrad his son ⟨image 87⟩and four Princes of Sweveland, of Empire and life together. They have sowed the seed of discord in Germany. Besides this, when Corradine that noble young gentleman of excellent towardness who never did harm, sought to recover the heritage of his ancestors by the law of all nations, they took him prisoner by craft and policy, and put him to death. They set the Swevians and Frenchmen of Westrich at war one against another: and then stirred up the Spaniards against the Frenchmen: and now they labour to set us at odds with the kings of Spain and France, our own kinsmen, which came in old time out of Germany. And so forth as followeth in the same Bishops Oration, in the seventh book of Aventine's Chronicles, the 15. leaf. What man reading or hearing these & such other like doings of the Romish Bishops, can take them for Apostolic men that preach peace to folk, and not rather for apostatical Bellonase, cursed fiends, and the very furies or hellhounds themselves?
As soone as Martine was dead byanby there steppes vp another Hyen,
1About this time Meynhard the Earle of Tyroll, entered into certain Castles that belonged to him by right of inheritance,2 which notwithstanding, the Bishop of Trent avouched to be his & was not ashamed to make claim to them being none of his. And when the Earle would not surrender them, Pope Nicolas the 4. laid his curse upon him. By means whereof he enforced the Earle to write an Apology, wherein among other things, he saith: who is so stelyharted or (to speak more truly) so blockish a beast, that he can with quiet mind suffer the pride, stateliness, treachery, craft, outrage, wickedness, prodigality, and covetousness of these rakehells? Is the seeking of other men's riches and kingdoms, is fighting for glory and dignity, is oppressing of silly sheep, is slaying, is warring, is this gear (I say) is this to feed sheep and to love the flock? And seeing that they being our servants, will against the right of all Realms be our masters, yea and make their Lords serve them contrary to the laws and word of God: if they be not Antichrists, what else I pray you be they? And so forth ⟨p. 83⟩as is to be read in Aventine in the vij. book of his Chronicles, the 720. and 721. leaves.
1About this time Meynhard the Earle of Tyroll, entered into certein Castles that belonged to him by right of inheritaunce,2 which notwithstanding, the Bishop of Trent auouched to be his & was not ashamed to make clayme to thē being none of his. And whē the Earle would not surrē der them, Pope Nicolas the 4. layd his curse vppon him. By meanes wherof he inforced the Earle to write an Apologie, wherin amōg other thinges, he sayth: who is so stelyharted or (to speake more truly) so blockish a beast, yt he cā with quyet minde suffer the pride, statelynesse, trecherie, craft, outrage, wickednesse, prodigalitie, and couetousenesse of these rakehelles? Is the séeking of othermens riches and kingdomes, is fighting for glorie and dignitie, is oppressing of silly shéepe, is sleaing, is warring, is this géere (I say) is this to féede shéepe and to loue the flocke? And seing that they being our seruauntes, will against the right of all Realmes be our maisters, yea and make their Lordes serue them contrarie to the lawes and word of God: if they be not Antichristes, what els I pray you be they? And so forth
Boniface the viij. (even by the record of Platina) the arrogantest Bishop one of them that ever was,1 2and the author of the vj. book of Decretals, whereof somewhat hath ben said afore, bare very sore grudge against Philip K. of France, and at last breaking forth, sent a Legate with his Bulls to Paris, commanding the king to resign the Realm of France to the Apostolic sea. But the king would suffer no such Bulls to be published in his City & kingdom. Yea rather the Frenchmen took them from the Legate & burnt them in the fire, and drave the Legate out of the Realm as a trouble of the state. Furthermore the king greatly accused Boniface, and charged him with so heinous and ugly crimes, as the storywriters, for the foulness of them, are ashamed to report. Yet proceedeth he for all that, to raise up troubles in France, to command the king to depose him self from his kingdom and to resign it to the Church of Rome, and to assoil the Lords and gentlemen of their oath of fealty, whereby they were bound to the king. But the king being no whit abashed at those fond cursings, gave straight charge to all his subjects that none of them should come at Rome or send any money thither. And at the length he found the means to have the most proud and stubborn Prelate himself cast in prison, where he dyed within xxxv. days after, being as he deserved, consumed with fretting for sorrow and spite.
Boniface the viij. (euen by the record of Platina) the arrogātest Bishop one of them that euer was,1 2and the author of the vj. booke of Decretals, wherof somwhat hath ben said afore, bare very sore grudge against Philip K. of Fraunce, and at last breaking forth, sent a Legate with his Buls to Paris, commaundyng the king to resigne the Realme of Fraunce to the Apostolike sea. But the king would suffer no such Buls to be published in his Citie & kingdome. Yea rather the Frechmen tooke them from the Legate & burnt them in the fire, and draue the Legate out of the Realme as a trouble of the state. Furthermore the king greatly accused Boniface, and charged him with so heynous and vgly crymes, as the storywriters, for the foulenesse of them, are ashamed to report. Yet procedeth he for all that, to rayse vp troubles in Fraunce, to commaund the king to depose him selfe from his kingdome and to resigne it to the Church of Rome, and to assoyle the Lordes and gentlemē of their othe of fealtie, wherby they were boūd to the king. But the king being no whit abashed at those fond cursinges, gaue streight charge to all his subiectes that none of them should come at Rome or send any money thether. And at the lēght he foūd the meanes to haue the most proud and stubborne Prelate himselfe cast in prison, where he dyed within xxxv. dayes after, being as he deserued, consumed with frettyng for sorrow and spight.
Clement the v. being as proud and as great a troubler of Realms as his predecessors,1 2Cursed the Venetians and certain other notable common weals, and abandoned them to the spoil of all men onlesse they returned to the obedience of his sea, and so he compelled the Venetians to send Ambassadors with submission unto him. The Ambassador that was sent was Francis Dandalus, who afterward was made Duke of Venice. Much a do he had to come to the Popes presence. At length he had a chain of iron clapped about his neck, & was fain to lye couched at the pope Clements ⟨image 88⟩table too too basely and filthily, so long till the popes displeasure was (with much ado) overcome,3 and then he assoiled the Venetians from his excommunication. Afterward Dandalus bare the name of Dog because he had couched at the Popes table like a dog. The reporter hereof is Sabellicus about the end of the vij. book of his ix. Enneade. But who could have looked upon this orped sight without grief, unmeet for the cruel Turk, & much more for a merciful Apostle? With wisdom therefore must they be mad, who soever they be that after so many horrible examples of wicked and shameless villainy and tyranny, do still reverence and worship the bishops of Rome, & recover not their sight, nor learn to know them by their virtues & to shun them. They be sore deceived, which hearing these and such like things, say still, that the Apostolic sea must not be judged by the lives of the wicked unthrifts that sit in it: and that the same is holy and to be obeyed nevertheless. For if by the sea Apostolic they mean the Apostolic doctrine and ministry of the Church: these things are always holy and unspotted: and although those that be in the ministry & preach the Gospel be unclean, yet nevertheless, the sea Apostolic, that is to wit the Apostolic doctrine must be obeyed still, according also as it hath ben said afore. But if by the sea Apostolic, they mean the Popish kingdom or rather tyranny, whereby they challenge to themselves absolute sovereignty in matters pertaining to God and man, as well in Civill as in Ecclesiastical matters, through the fullness of their power: then is it no less a pestilent seat and uncommended unto us by any word of God, then they that sit in it be most deadly and pestilent plagues.
And therefore they that sit in it are to be eschewed, and the seat it self is to be loathed as an abomination, of all good men. But now I return again to my abridgement of stories which I have broken of.
And therfore they that sit in it are to be eschewed, and the seate it selfe is to be lothed as an abhomination, of all good men. But now I returne agayne to my abridgement of stories which I haue broken of.
There were taken two Princes, Corradine king of Sicile and Duke of Sweueland, and Fridericke Duke of Austriche, who had takē part with Corradine to ayde him. Also there ⟨image 85⟩were other Lordes and noblemen taken, who were all caryed prisoners to Naples & there kept in very streyt ward. It is reported that Charles wrate to the Pope for his aduise what he would haue done with the prisoners: and that the Pope amōg others aunswered:1 The life of Corradine is the death of Charles, and the death of Corradine is the life of Charles. But Robert Earle of Flaunders the sonne in law of Charles, by whose aduise he had gotten the victorie, remembring the state of mens affaires, counseled Charles to make peace, and to bynd vnto him by bond of alyance these two young Princes of excellent towardnesse, borne of the noblest houses in Germanie, and the ofspryng of Emperors, wishing that Corradine should haue Charles his daughter, and Frederike his néere. But whyle the tyme was prolonged in these consultations. Robert returned home, and then the bloud royall was condemned to death.2 And so the xxix. of October beyng Monday, in the yeare of our Lord. 1268. a place was couered with purple, & there was Fridericke first beheaded with an axe. Whose head Corradine taking vp and kissing it with teares, lamentably bewayled the cruell death of that giltlesse young Prince his deare frend of whose destruction he himself was the cause. Afterward hauing greatly complayned of the bitternesse and trecherie of his enemyes, who contrarie to all right & conscience (whereas of all others he was most innocēt and blamelesse) had bereft him of the heritage which his father, graundfather, greatgraundfather, and graundfathers graundfather had purchased with their bloud, and hauing committed his case to the souerein iudge, calling vpon God the reuenger of trayterousnesse and murther: he appealed to Christ our Lord and God, and to his iudgement seate, and cried vnto him for vengeance, with castyng his gloues vp to heauenward, and then in his owne right bequeathing these kingdomes to his Cousin Peter king of Aragon whose graundmother was sister to the Emperour Friderike, he held out his necke vnfearefully to the execution and had his head striken of: lastly, eleuen noblemen ⟨p. 81⟩of Sweueland and Italie suffered the same execution, Among whom Gerhard of Pisa a noble gentlemā was one.
Clement the v. being as proud and as great a troubler of Realmes as his predecessours,1 2Cursed the Uenetiās and certein other notable commō weales, and abandoned them to the spoile of all men onlesse they returned to the obediēce of his sea, and so he compelled the Uenetiās to send Ambassadours with submission vnto him. The Ambassadour that was sent was Fraunces Dandalus, who afterward was made Duke of Uenice. Much a do he had to come to the Popes presence. At length he had a cheyne of yron clapt about his necke, & was fayne to lye couched at the pope Clementes ⟨image 88⟩table too too basely and filthily, so long till the popes displeasure was (with much ado) ouercome,3 and then he assoyled the Uenetians from his excōmunication. Afterward Dandalus bare the name of Dog bicause he had couched at the Popes table like a dog. The reporter hereof is Sabellicus about the end of the vij. booke of his ix. Enneade. But who could haue looked vpon this orped sight without grief, vnméete for the cruell Turke, & much more for a mercyfull Apostle? With wisedome therfore must they be mad, who soeuer they be that after so many horrible examples of wicked and shamelesse vilanie and tyrannie, do stil reuerence and worship the bishops of Rome, & recouer not their sight, ne learne to know them by their vertues & to shunne thē. They be sore deceiued, which hearing these and such lyke thinges, say stil, that the Apostolike sea must not be iudged by the liues of the wicked vnthriftes that sit in it: and that the same is holy and to be obeyed neuerthelesse. For if by the sea Apostolike they meane the Apostolike doctrine and ministerie of the Church: these thinges are alwayes holy and vnspotted: and although those that be in the ministerie & preach the Gospell be vncleane, yet neuerthelesse, the sea Apostolike, that is to wit the Apostolike doctrine must be obeyed still, according also as it hath ben sayd afore. But if by the sea Apostolike, they meane the Popish kingdome or rather tyrannie, wherby they chalenge to themselues absolute souereintie in matters perteinyng to God aud man, as well in Ciuill as in Ecclesiastical matters, through the fulnesse of their power: then is it no lesse a pestilent seate and vncommended vnto vs by any word of God, then they that sit in it be most deadly and pestilent plagues.
