in the Reignsof D. Alsanso the 5th and D. John the 2d, Kings of Portin[nl]gale. Besides
that this point was so intricate, as that it was impossible to determine it without a new,
Concordat because the collectors had not proceeded only against the possessions of the
Chapels, but executed their violence ever against the Laws of the Kingdom, to sole
disposition whereof by self was so ancient, that it hath been practiced ever since the
yeer 1064, when Portingale was joyned unto the Kingdom of Leon.
Next, as to the shutting up of the said Archbi[nl]shop; although it be certain, that his
Majesty had not exceeded the permission of the Canon Law, which gives power not
onely to imprison an Ecclesiastional person for Treason, whereof the Archbishop was
convicted, but also exempted from Excommunication such as should kill an Ecclesiast[nl]ical
Disturber of the publick peace; as may appear by divers examples in ancient and
modern Histories; yet his Majesty would not, of himself, do justice upon the said guilty
Archbishop; but would readily deliver all the Acts of his Proces unto such Ministers as
his Holinesie would lend to take notice of them; submitting himself unto all that shall
be adjudged by them, except the sending of him away, by reason of 2 inconveniencies
which might be[nl]fal him thereby; one, That he may put into some Haven of the Spanish
King's by the way; the other, That his Majesty of Poringal could have no right to reproachor
charge him with High Treason, being of kome, because he is not yet, by his
Holinesse; acknowledged there to be a King.
The Cardinal Barbe[nl]rin seemed well satisfied with these Reasons concerning the
Archbishop; but st ll insisting upon the restitution of the Chapels, he retarded everyday
day the Reception of the Embassador, and the admittance of his Masters Submission,
how much soeve[nl]r they were pressed; ref[nl]using, sometimes, to hear the said Agent, and
hearing him other whiles, but without any attention; which did not a little astonish
all those who were acquainted with the sweet and gentle disposition of this Cardinal,
whom one perceived, well to be forced unto that kind of proceeding, which in effect he
acknowledged unto the Agent, in telling him, he wished with all heart, he had nothing
to do in the businesse between the Spaniards and the Portingals; because that
being Nephew to his Holinesse, he should be, one time or other, over night at Rome,
and by the next morning Naples; to wit, carried away thither by the Spahlards:
All these difficulties made the Embassadour resolve to pursue himself, that, which by
the Agent the could not obtain; to which end, he often times demanded Audience both
of his Holinesse and the said C[nl]ardinal, but with as little successe; not being able to procure
the same; no not as a private person, coming in the quality of a Bishop, to visic
the Seat of the holy Apostles, and kisse the feet of the Universal Churches Head: the
which obliged him to have recourse unto the whole Body of the Cardi[nl]nals, which was
appointed to take notice of the Affairs of Portingal: and yet he found none of them,
except Cardinal La[unr]ti disposed to afford him a Hearing; not got he by that any better
Answer then he had formerly rceived, which made him take another course; and having
a Letter to his Holinesse from the most Christian ki[nl]ng, he concelved that, for the
respect which was due unto the Eldest Son of the Church, it would serve as a safe condi[unr]stain
unto another which he had from King John: He therefore delivered them both
unto his Agen[nl]t, who, not being able to get Audience of his Holinesse, presented them
to this C[nl]ardinal, praying him to accept of them, viz: the King of Portingais, as a Memorial
of a Christian Prince; and the King of France as from one with whom his
Holinesse held ver[nl]y neer correspondencie; but hee could not possibly perswade him to
the one, nor the other.
Hereupon was this Agent[nl]reduced unto Complaints, that the King of Portingales Ministers
were not onely hindred from approching the Sovereign Bishops the common Fat
ther unto all Choistians (in whose House there should be no Exception of Persons) but