for iij. hundred Romanes in the chiefest and best benefices in all England, at the next voydaunce. So that the foresayd Archbishop, and byshops should be suspended in the meane tyme frō all collation or gift of benefice, vntill these foresayd iij. hundred were prouided for: wherupon the Archbyshop the same tyme seing þ^e vnreasonable oppression of the church of England, left the realme and went into Fraunce.

MarginaliaPetrus Rubeus the popes agent.Agayne, marke an other as much or more easie sleight of the pope in procuring money: he sēt one Petrus Rubeus the same tyme, with a new deuise, which was this: not to worke any thyng openly, but priuily to go betwixt Byshop and Byshop, Abbot and Abbot &c. telling in their eares such a Byshop, such an Abbot hath geuen so much and so much vnto the Popes holynesse, trusting that you also will not be behind for your part &c. MarginaliaA Romish sleight of the pope to get English money.By the meanes wherof it is incredible to thinke what a masse of money was made out of the Realme vnto the Pope.

At length the foresaid Bishops, Abbots, and Archdeacons feelyng their owne smart, came to the king (whose father before, they did resiste) with their humble suite lamentably complaining of the vnmeasurable exactions of the pope: and especially agaynst Petrus Rubeus and his fellow Otto the Legate, desiring the kyng: that seyng the matter toucheth not themselues alone, but the whole Church, and seing the valuation of Churches was knowen better vnto their archdeacons then to themselues: therfore they desired a generall calling and talke to be had in the matter. In the Octaues of S. Ihon the Baptist, the day and place was assigned where they should talke. At which day & place, the Prelates of England conuentyng together, durst not geue any direct denaye of that contribution, but after a modest sort did insinuate certaine exceptions agaynst the same.

MarginaliaExceptions alledged for not contributing to the Pope.1. First they say, that for somuch as the contribution is demaunded to warre against him, who was ioyned in Matrimony with their prince, they were not bound so to do. 2. Secondly, for that the sayd contribution tended to the sheddyng of Christen bloud: for so the forme of the bill pretended, to fight agaynst the Emperour. 3. Thirdly, because it was agaynst the libertie of the Church: for so it is in the bill: that they that would not, should be excommunicate. 4. Fourthly, because that when alate they gaue the tenth part of their goodes, it was with this protestatiō, that they should contribute to the Pope no more hereafter. 5. Item, because they had cōtributed before, if they should now contribute agayne, it were to be feared least an action twise done should grow into a custome, as is in the law Lege nemo. &c. 6. Item, for asmuch as they shall haue causes continually to seeke to Rome through the Emperours land: it were to be feared, least the sayd Emperour by the way would worke their annoyaunce. 7. Item, because the kyng hath many enemyes abroad, & for his warres hath neede of much money at home: it is not conuenient that the goodes of the Realme should be alienated out of the Realme. 8. Item, because that could not be done without preiudice to the patrones of their churches, not knowing whether their patrones did or would agree vnto the same. 9. Lastly, because they heare say, that the generall state of the church is in daunger: for the which they vnderstand there shall be shortly a generall Councell, wherin such matters shal be determined: and therfore if they should contribute now, it should be to the hinderaunce and dammage of the Church.

The Legate and his fellow hearing these allegacions, seyng their owne confusion were the lesse importunate.

Not long after this, followed a generall Councel at Lions, called by Pope Innocentius 4. in the which Councel the English natiō did exhybite certaine articles of their greuaunces, not vnworthy to be knowene. Grauatur regnū Angliæ eo quod. D. Papa non est contentus subsidio illo quod vocatur denarius b. Petri. &c. In English thus.

MarginaliaArticles exhibited in the councel of Lugdune for the greuances susteyned by the P.
The first greuance.1. The kingdome of England is greued that the pope beyng not contented with hys Peter pence, requireth and extorteth from the clergy great exactions, and (more is lyke) without the consent both of the king, and agaynst the customes of the realme.

MarginaliaThe second.2. Item, the church and kingdom of England is greued, that the patrons of the same, cannot present as they were wont into their churches, for the Popes letters. But the churches are geuen to Romanes, which know neither the realme, nor þ^e toung thereof, both to the great perill of soules, and robbyng away the money out of the realme.

MarginaliaThe thyrd.3. Item, it is greued, for that the Pope promising by the tenor of his letters, that in requiryng of pensions and pro-uisions in the realme of England, he would require but only twelue benefices: now contrary to the tenour thereof, many more benefices and prouisions are bestowed away by hym.

MarginaliaThe fourth.4. Item, the realme is greued and complayneth, that in the benefices in England, one Italian succedeth an other: the English men beyng not onely excluded, but also cōpelled (for the determinyng of their matters) to seke to Rome: contrary both to the customes of the realme, and also to the priuilegies graunted by the popes predecessours to the kyng and kingdom of England.

MarginaliaThe fifth.5. The fife greuaunce is, for the oft recourse of that infamous Legate, MarginaliaHe meaneth percase Otho or mayster Martinus.by whom both fayth and fidelitie, the auncient customes of the realme, the autoritie of olde grauntes, statutes, lawes, and priuileges, are imbeseled and abrogate: wherby an infinite number in England be greuously afflicted and oppressed.

MarginaliaThe sixte.6. The sayd Realme is also greued in generall tallages, collections, and assises, made without the kinges consent, þ^e appellation and contradiction of the kings Proctors to the contrary notwithstandyng.

MarginaliaThe seuenth.7. Seuenthly, the foresayd realme complayneth & is greeued: that in the benefices geuen to Italians, neither the old ordinances, nor release of the poore, nor hospitalitie, nor any preachyng of Gods worde, nor care of mens soules, nor seruice in the church, nor yet the walles of the churches be kept vp and mayntayned, as the maner and custome of the same realme requireth. MarginaliaThe Babilonicall captiuitie & slauery of England vnder the Pope.Ouer and aboue these foresayd greuances, there came moreouer from the Pope other fresh letters, charging and commaunding the prelates of England to finde of their proper costes and charges, for one whole yeare, some ten armed soldiours, some fiue, some xv. to be redy at the Popes commaundement there, where he should appoynte.

After these and other greuances & enormities of Rome the states of England consultyng together, direct their letters to the Pope, for reformation therof: first the Abbots & Priors, then the bishops and Suffraganes, after the Nobles and Barons, last of all the kyng hymselfe. But as the prouerbe is, venter non habet aures so the Popes purse had no eares to heare. And as our cōmon saying goeth, as good neuer a whit as neuer the better, so went it with the Pope. Who not long after the same, sent yet for newe tallage and exactions to be collected: which thyng when it came to the kings eare, he being moued and disturbed vehemētly withall, writeth in this wyse to the bishops, seuerally to euery one in his diocesse.

MarginaliaThe letter of K. Henry the third to the Byshops.HEnricus tertius dei gratia, &c. Venerabili in Christo N. Episcopo Salutem. Licet alias vobis. &c. In Englishe thus:

Marginaliak. Henry the 3 cōmaūdeth no taxe nor talage to be sent to the pope.Henry the third by the grace of God, to the reuerend in Christ bishop of N. Where as we haue heretofore written vnto you once, twise, thrice, as well by our priuy seales, as also by our letters patentes, that you shuld not exact or collect for the Popes behalfe, anye tallage or other helpe of our subiects, eyther of the Clergy or of the Laitie, for that no such tallage nor helpe, either can or is vsed to be exacted in our realme, without the great preiudice of our princely dignitie, which we nether will nor can suffer or sustayne: yet you contemnyng and vilipendyng our commaundemēt, and contrary to the prouision made in our last Councell at London (graunted and agreed vpon by our prelates, Earles, and Barons) haue that notwithstandyng, proceeded in collecting the sayd your taxes and tallages. Wherupon, we do greatly maruell & are moued (especially seyng you are not ashamed to do contrary vnto your owne decrees) where as you and other prelates in the sayd Councell in this dyd all agree and graunt, that no such exactions should be hereafter, vntill the returne of our and your Ambassadours frō the court of Rome, sent thither purposely of vs, & in the name of the whole realme for the same, for to prouide redresse agaynst these oppressions. Wherfore, we straitly will & cōmaund you, that from henceforth you do not proceede any more in collecting and exacting such tallages or helpes, as you will enioy our fauour, and such possessions of yours, as within thys our kingdome you haue and hold. And if you haue already procured or gathered any such thing: yet that you suffer not the same to be transported out of our realm, but cause it to be kept in salfe custody, till the returne of the sayd Ambassadours, vnder the payne of our displeasure in doyng of the contrary: and also of prouokyng vs to extend our hand vpon your possessiōs, farther thē you wil thinke or beleue. Moreouer, willing and chargyng you, that you participate and make common this our inhibition, with your Archdeacons and Officials, which we here haue set forth