The tragedies of tyrants Exercised upon the church of God, from the birth of…The tragedies of tyrantes Exercised vpon the church of God, from the birth of…

These contentions, persecutions, and most cruel and perpetual wars, between the Popes and the emperors: continued. 181. years beginning in the time of Gregory the 7. unto the installing of Alexander the fourth, and unto the year of our lord. 1256. About which time writers of histories, & Chronicles, ⟨image 82⟩do make an Interregnum, or space while none ruled, which endured the term of xvii. or xviii. years, unto the election of¹ y• emperor Radulphus of Habsburg. And although in the mean time certain princes were chosen, as Alfonsus, and Richard, whereof the last took upon him the charge, and government of the empire: yet all these princes were so terrified with daily molestations, and deceits, wherewith the Popes had hitherto troubled the emperors, that no man would willingly take the empire upon him, since every man evidently beheld that by possession thereof he could obtain no quietness nor profit, but only damage² and vexation. For although Germany had the title of the Roman empire: yet Rome was not the head of their empire, but of the Popes & if that haply through their great charge, trouble, and pain leading an army into Italy, they had by force possessed the city: so soon as they were returned again into Germany, the Pope by and by repossessed the same.

These contentions, persecutions, and most cruell and perpetuall warres, béetwéene the Popes and the emperours: continued. 181. yéeres béeginning in the time of Gregory the 7. vnto the enstaulinge of Alexander the fourth, and vnto the yéere of our lord. 1256. About which time writers of histories, & Cronacles, ⟨image 82⟩do make an Interregnū, or space while none ruled, which indured the terme of xvii. or xviii. yéeres, vnto the election of¹ y• emperour Radulphus of Habspurge. And although in the meane time certen princes were chosen, as Alfonsus, and Rycharde, wherof the laste tooke vpon him the charge, and gouerment of the empire: yet all these princes were so terrfied with daily molestations, and deceites, wherwith ye Popes had hetherto troubled the emperours, that no man would willinglye take the empire vpon him, since euerie man euidently béeheld that by possession therof hée could obtaine no quietnes nor profit, but only damage