_Ecclesiastical Censure._--Ecclesiastical censure was often used in the
Middle Ages to enforce civil rights, specially that of the exemption of the
clergy from the judgment of a lay tribunal. The following instance thereof
is new to me. I have copied it from "Collectanea Gervasii Holles," vol. i.
p. 529., Lansdowne MS. 207., in the British Museum:
"Ex Archis Linc. a^o 1307.
"The Major and Burgesses of Grimesby hanged a Preist for theft called
Richard of Notingham. Hereupon y[=e] B^p sendes to y[=e] Abbott of
Wellow to associate to himselfe twelue adjacent chapleins to examine
y[=e] cause, and in St. James his Church Excommunicates all y^t had any
hand in it of whatsoever condition they were, y[=e] King, Queen, and
Prince of Wales excepted; {467} and y[=e] B^p himselfe did
Excommunicate them in y[=e] Cathedral Church of Lincolne, y[=e] fifth
of y[=e] Ides of Aprill following."