Flanders being drowned by an exundation or breaking in of the sea, a
great number of Flemings came into England, beséeching the king to haue
some void place assigned them, wherein they might inhabit. [Sidenote:
Flemings cōming ouer into England, haue places appointed them to
inhabit.] At the first they were appointed to the countrie lieng on the
east part of the riuer of Twéed: but within foure yeres after, they were
remooued into a corner by the sea side in Wales, called Penbrokeshire,
to the end they might be a defense there to the English against the
vnquiet Welshmen.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malms._] ¶ It should appeare by some writers, that this
multitude of Flemings consisted not of such onelie as came ouer about
that time by reason their countrie was ouerflowne with the sea (as ye
haue heard) but of other also that arriued here long before, euen in the
daies of William the Conquerour, through the freendship of the quéene
their countriewoman, sithens which time their number so increased, that
the realme of England was sore pestered with them: wherevpon king Henrie
deuised to place them in Penbrokeshire, as well to auoid them out of the
other parts of England, as also by their helpe to tame the bold and
presumptuous fiercenesse of the Welshmen. Which thing in those parties
they brought verie well to passe: for after they were setled there, they
valiantlie resisted their enimies, and made verie sharpe warres vpon
them, sometimes with gaine, and sometimes with losse.
[Sidenote: 1108.] [Sidenote: A councell. _Sim. Dunel._ _Eadmerus._]
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 9.] In the yeare 1108. Anselme held an other synod
or councell, whereat in presence of the king, and by the assent of the
earles and barons of the realme it was ordeined.
[Sidenote: Préests are sequestred frō their wiues.] 1 That préests,
deacons, and subdeacons should liue chastlie, and kéepe no women in
their houses, except such as were neere of kin to them.
2 That such preests, deacons, and subdeacons, as contrarie to the
inhibition of the councell holden at London, had either kept
their wiues, or married other (of whom as Eadmerus saith, there
was no small number) they should put them quite away, if they
would continue still in their préesthood.
3 That neither the same wiues should come to their houses, nor
they to the houses where their wiues dwelled: but if they had any
thing to say to them, they should take two or thrée witnesses,
and talke with them abroad in the street.
4 That if any of them chanced to be accused of breaking this
ordinance, he should be driuen to purge himselfe with six
sufficient witnesses of his owne order, if he were a préest: if a
deacon, with foure: and if a subdeacon, with two.
5 That such preests as would forgo seruing at the altar, and
holie order (to remaine with their wiues) should be depriued of
their benefices, and not suffered to come within the quire.
[Sidenote: Archdeacons and canons.] 6 That such as contemptuouslie
kept still their wiues, and presumed to say masse, if being called
to satisfaction, they should neglect it, they should then be
excommunicated. Within compasse of which sentence all archdeacons
and prebendarie canons were comprised, both touching the forgoing
of their women, and auoiding of their companie; and also the
punishment by the censures of the church, if they transgressed the
ordinance.
[Sidenote: Archdeacons to be sworn.] 7 That euerie archdeacon
should be sworne, not to take any monie for fauouring any person
transgressing these statutes: and that they should not suffer any
preests, whome they knew to haue wiues, either to say masse, or to
haue any vicars. The like oth should a deane receiue. Prouided that
such archdeacons or deanes as refused this oth, should be depriued
of their roomes.
[Sidenote: Penance.] 8 That préests, who leauing their wiues, would
be content to serue God & the altar, should be suspended from that
office, by the space of fortie daies, and be allowed to haue vicars
in the meane time to serue for them: and after, vpon performance of
their inioined penance by the bishop, they might return to their
function.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._ Philip king of Fran. dead. Lewis le gros K. of
France.] In this meane time king Henrie being aduertised of the death of
Philip king of France, and not knowing what his sonne Lewes, surnamed
Crassus might happilie attempt in his new preferment to the crowne,
sailed ouer into Normandie, to see the countrie in good order, and the
townes, castels, and fortresses furnished accordinglie as the doubtfull
time required. [Sidenote: Ambassadors from the emperour.] Now after he
had finished his businesse on that side, he returned into England, where
he met with ambassadours sent to him from the emperour Henrie. The
effect of whose message was, to require his daughter Maud in mariage
vnto the said emperour, wherevnto (though she was not then past fiue
yeares of age) he willinglie consented, and shewing to the ambassadours
great signes of loue, [Sidenote: Maud the kings daughter fianced vnto
the emperour.] he caused the espousals by waie of procuration to be
solemnized with great feasts and triumphs. This being ended, he suffered
the ambassadors honored with great gifts and princelie rewards to
depart.
[Sidenote: _Eadmerus._ The death of Gerard archbishop of Yorke. Thomas
the kings chapleine succéeded in that sée.] About this time Gerard
archbishop of Yorke died, whom one Thomas the kings chapleine succeeded,
who for lacke of monie to furnish his iournie, and for other causes (as
in his letters of excuse, which he wrot to Anselme it dooth appeere)
could not come to Canturburie for to be consecrated of him in so short a
time as was conuenient. But Anselme at length admonished him by letters,
that without delaie he should dispatch and come to be consecrated.
[Sidenote: The doubt of Anselme.] And wheras Anselme vnderstood that the
same Thomas was purposed to send vnto Rome for his pall, he doubted,
least if the pope should confirme him in his see by sending to him his
pall, he would happilie refuse to make vnto him profession of his due
obedience. [Sidenote: Anselme writeth to the Pope.] Wherefore to preuent
that matter, Anselme wrote to pope Paschall, requiring him in no wise to
send vnto the nominated archbishop of Yorke his pall, till he had
(according[3] to the ancient customes) made profession to him of
subiection, least some troublesome contentions might thereof arise, to
the no small disquieting of the English church. He also aduertised pope
Paschall, that bicause he permitted the emperour to inuest bishops, and
did not therefore excommunicate him, king Henrie threatened, that
without doubt he would resume the inuestitures into his hands, thinking
to hold them in quiet as well as he; and therefore besought him to
consider what his wisedome had to doo therein with spéed, least that
building which he had well erected, should vtterlie decaie, & fall
againe into irrecouerable ruine. For K. Henrie maketh diligentlie
inquirie (saith he) what order you take with the emperour.
[Sidenote: The popes answer to Anselme.] The pope receiuing and perusing
these letters, wrote againe vnto Anselme a verie freendlie answer
concerning the archbishop of Yorke. And as for suffering of the emperour
to haue the inuestitures, he signified to him that he neither did nor
would suffer him to haue them: but that hauing borne with him for a
time, he now ment verie shortlie to cause him to feele the weight of
the spirituall sword of S. Peter, which alreadie he had drawen out of
the scaberd, therewith to strike if he did not the sooner forsake his
horrible errour & naughtie opinion.
[Sidenote: The archbishop of Yorke refuseth to come vnto Canturburie to
be consecrated.] There was another cause also that moued Anselme to
doubt of the archbishop of Yorke his meaning, as after it appeered. For
being summoned to come and receiue his consecration at Canturburie (as
alreadie yee haue heard) through counsell of the canons Yorke he refused
so to doo: bicause they informed him that if he so did, it should be
greatlie preiudiciall to the liberties of that sée, whose archbishop was
of like authoritie in all things vnto the archbishop of Canturburie, so
that he was bound onelie to fetch his consecration and benediction at
Canturburie, but in no wise to acknowledge anie subiection vnto that
sée. [Sidenote: Looke in the 15. pa. of the debate betwéene Thomas of
Yorke[4] & Lanfranke of Canturburie.[5]] ¶ For ye must vnderstand, that
there was great stomaching betwixt the clergie of the two prouinces,
Canturburie and Yorke, about the metropolitane prerogatiue: and euer as
occasion serued, and as they thought the fauor of the prince, or
opportunitie of time might aduance their quarels, they of Yorke sticked
not to vtter their gréefes, in that (as they tooke it) some iniurie was
offered them therein.
[Sidenote: 1109] The archbishop of Yorke being thus instructed by the
canons of his church, signified to archbishop Anselme the cause why he
came not at his summons. The copie of a parcell whereof is here
exemplified. "Causam, qua differtur sacratio mea, quam nemo studiosius
quàm ego vellet accellerare, qui protulerunt, non desistunt
corroborare. Quamobrem, quàm periculosum & quàm turpe sit, contra
consensum ecclesiæ, cui præfici debeo, regimen ipsius inuadere, vestra
discretio nouerit. Sed & quàm formidabile & quàm sit euitandum, sub
specie benedictionis maledictionem induere," &c: that is;
"The cause why my consecration is deferred, which no man liuing
would wish to be doone with more speed than I my selfe: those
that haue prolonged it, ceasse not to confirme. Wherefore how
dangerous and how dishonest it should be for me to inuade the
gouernment of that church, which I ought to rule, without cōsent
of the same, your discretion rightwell vnderstandeth. Yea and how
dreadful a thing it is, and how much to be auoided to receiue a
cursse, vnder colour of a blessing," etc.
Anselme hauing alreadie written twice vnto the said Thomas archbishop of
Yorke about this matter, and now receiuing this answer, could not be
quiet in mind, and therevpon taking aduice with certeine bishops whom he
called vnto him, determined to send two bishops vnto the said Thomas of
Yorke: [Sidenote: The bishop of London deane to the archbishop of
Canturburie. The bishop of Rochester his chapleine.] and so the bishop
of London (as deane to the archbishop of Canturburie) & the bishop of
Rochester (as his household chapleine) were sent to commune with him,
who met them at his manour of Southwell, where they declared to him the
effect of their message: but he deferred his answer, till a messenger
which he had sent to the king (as then being in Normandie) was returned,
and so without any full answer the bishops came backe againe.
Howbeit shortlie after, there came to Canturburie a messenger on the
behalfe of the archbishop of Yorke, with letters inclosed vnder the
kings seale, by the tenour whereof the king commanded Anselme, that the
consecration of the archbishop of Yorke might staie till the feast of
Easter; and if he might returne into England by that daie, he promised
(by the aduice had therein of the bishops and barons of his realme) that
he would set a direction betwixt them in all matters, whereof anie
controuersie had beene moued heretofore: or if he could not returne so
soone, he would yet take such order, that brotherlie loue & concord
might remaine betwixt them. When he that brought these letters required
an answer, Anselme answered, [Sidenote: A stout prelat.] that he would
signifie his mind to the king, and not to his maister. Immediatlie
therefore as the deane of Chichester sent ouer from Anselme, with a
moonke of Bechellouin to the king, to informe him of all the matter, and
to beséech his maiestie, by his authority to prouide, that no discord
should rise to the diuiding of the present state of the church of
England. Furthermore, whereas he had commanded him to grant vnto Thomas
the archbishop of Yorke, a time of respit; [Sidenote: Anselme sendeth to
the king.] he should take for certeine answer, that he would rather
suffer himselfe to be cut in peeces, than to grant so much as one hours
space on the said Thomas of Yorke, whom he knew alreadie to haue set
himselfe vniustlie against the ancient constitutions of holie fathers,
and against the Lord himselfe. The messengers declared these things to
the king, and brought word backe againe at their returne, that the king
had heard their message with fauourable mind, and promised by the power
of God, to declare to the world that he coueted vnitie, and not any
diuision in the church of England.
[Sidenote: Anselme sick.] All this while Anselme was detained with long
and gréeuous sicknesse, and yet not forgetfull of the obstinate dealing
of Thomas of Yorke, he wrote letters vnto him, by vertue whereof he
suspended him from exercising all pastorall function, till he had
reformed his errour, submitted himselfe to receiue his blessing, and
acknowledged his subiection to the church of Canturburie, as his
predecessours Thomas and Gerard had doone, and before them other
ancients, as custome had prescribed. Thus he charged him, vpon paine of
cursing, except he would renounce his archbishops dignitie: for in so
dooing he did grant him licence to vse the office and ministerie of a
préest (which before time he had taken vpon him) or else not.
In the same letters he prohibited all the bishops within the precinct of
the Ile of Britaine, that in no wise they should consecrate him, vpon
paine of cursing: and if he should chance to be consecrated by any
stranger, that in no wise they should (vnder the like paine) receiue
him for archbishop, or communicate with him in any condition. [Sidenote:
Letters from Anselme.] Euerie bishop also within the whole Ile of
Britaine had a copie of these leters directed to him from Anselme vnder
his seale, commanding them to behaue themselues therein according to the
contents, and as they were bound by the subiection which they owght to
the church of Canturburie. The letters were dated alike in March.
[Sidenote: 1109. An. Reg. 10.] Notwithstanding all this, vpon the 21. of
Aprill insuing, Anselme ended his life in the sixteenth yéere after his
first preferment to that sée, being thréescore and sixtéene yeeres of
age. He was an Italian, borne in Piemont, néere to the Alpes, [Sidenote:
Augusta Prætoriana.] in a citie called Aosta, he was brought vp by
Lanfranke, and before he was made archbishop, was abbat of the
monasterie of Bechellouin in Normandie.
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._ The first erection of the bishoprike of Elie.
_Eadmerus._] About the same time was the bishops sée of Elie erected by
the king, who appointed one Haruie to be the first bishop there, who
before had béene bishop of Bangor. Cambridgeshire was annexed to that
see, which bicause it had of former time belonged to the see of
Lincolne, the king gaue vnto the bishop of Lincolne (as it were in
recompense) the towne of Spalding which was his owne. [Sidenote: Richard
prior of Elie.] The prior of Elie, named Richard, desirous to honour
himselfe and his house with the title of a bishops dignitie, procured
the erection of that bishoprike, first moouing the king therein, and
after persuading with the bishop of Lincolne to grant his good will: but
yet yer the matter was brought to perfection, this prior died, and so
the said Haruie enioied the roome: [Sidenote: _Polydor._] wherein the
prouerbe tooke place, that One soweth, but an other reapeth (as Polydor
alledgeth it.) But to procéed.
[Sidenote: _Eadmerus._] Shortlie after the deceasse of Anselme, a Legat
came from Rome, bringing with him the pall for the archbishop of Yorke.
[Sidenote: A legate from Rome.] Howbeit now that Anselme was dead, the
said Legat wist not what to doo in the matter, bicause he was appointed
to deliuer the pall first and immediatlie vnto Anselme, and further
therein to deale (concerning the bestowing thereof) as should séeme good
vnto him.
In the feast of Pentecost next insuing, the king returned from
Normandie, and held his court at London, where after the solemnitie of
that feast, he called an assemblie of the bishops, to vnderstand what
was to be doone in the matter, for the consecration of the archbishop of
Yorke. Here were the letters shewed which the archbishop Anselme had (a
little before his death) directed vnto euerie of the bishops as before
yee haue heard. [Sidenote: The earle of Mellent.] Which when the earle
of Mellent had read, and vnderstood the effect, he asked what he was
that durst receiue any such letters without the kings assent and
commandement: [Sidenote: Samson bishop of Worcester.] At length the
bishops aduising themselues what they had to doo, required Samson bishop
of Worcester to declare his opinion, who boldlie spake these words;
"Although this man, who is elected archbishop, is my sonne, whome in
times past I begot of my wife, and therfore ought to seeke his
aduancement as nature and worldlie respects might mooue me: yet am I
more bound vnto the church of Canturburie, my mother, which hath
preferred me to this honor that I doo beare, and by the ministerie of a
bishoplike office hath made me partaker of that grace, which it hath
deserued to enioy of the Lord. Wherefore I would it should be notified
vnto you all, that I meane to obeie in euerie condition the commandement
conteined in the letters of our father Anselme concerning the matter
which you haue now in hand. For I will neuer giue mine assent, that
Thomas nominated archbishop of Yorke shall be consecrated, till he haue
professed his due and canonicall obedience touching his subiection to
[Sidenote: Looke in pa. 15, where you shall sée this matter
determined.[6]] the church of Canturburie. For I my selfe was present
when my brother Thomas archbishop of Yorke, constreined both by ancient
customes and inuincible reasons, did professe the like subiection vnto
archbishop Lanfranke, and all his successours the archbishops of
Canturburie."
[Sidenote: The protestations of the bishops to the king.] These words
thus vttered by the bishop of Worcester, all the bishops returned
togither, comming before the kings presence, boldlie confessed that they
had receiued Anselmes letters, and would not doo any thing contrarie to
the tenour of the same. Whereat the earle of Mellent shooke the head, as
though he ment to accuse them of contempt towards the king. But the
king himselfe vttered his mind, and said, that whatsoeuer other men
thought of the matter, he suerlie was of the like mind with the bishops,
& would be loth to run in danger of Anselms cursse. Wherefore it was
determined, that the elect of Yorke should either acknowledge his
subiection to the church of Canturburie, or else forgo his dignitie of
archbishop: wherevpon in the end he came to London, and there vpon the
28. daie of Maie was consecrated by Richard bishop of London, as deane
to the sée of Canturburie. Then hauing the profession or protestation of
his subiection to the sée of Canturburie deliuered him vnder seale, he
brake vp the same, and read the writing in maner and forme following:
[Sidenote: The tenour of the profession which the archbishop of
Yorke made vnto the archbishop of Canturburie.] "Ego Thomas
Eboracensis ecclesiæ consecrandus metropolitanus, profiteor
subiectionem & canonicam obedientiam sanctæ Dorobernensi ecclesiæ,
& eiusdem ecclesiæ primati canonicè electo & consecrato, &
successoribus suis canonicè inthronizatis, salua fidelitate domini
mei Henrici regis Anglorum, & salua obedientia ex parte mea
tenenda, quam Thomas antecessor meus sanctæ Romanæ ecclesiæ ex
parte sua professus est:" that is;
"I Thomas to be consecrated metropolitane archbishop of Yorke,
professe my subiection and canonicall obedience vnto the holie
church of Canturburie, and to the primate of the same church,
canonicallie elected and consecrated, and to his successours
canonicallie inthronized, sauing the faith which I owe vnto my
souereigne lord Henrie king of the English, and sauing the
obedience to be holden of my part, which Thomas my predecessour
professed on his behalfe vnto the holie church of Rome."
When this writing was read, the bishop of London tooke it, and deliuered
it vnto the prior of Canturburie, appointing him to kéepe the same as a
testimoniall for the time to come. [Sidenote: 1110.] Thus was Thomas the
archbishop of Yorke consecrated, being the 27. in number that had
gouerned that sée, who when he was consecrated, the popes Legate went
vnto Yorke, and there deliuered to the same archbishop the pall,
wherewith when he was inuested, he departed and returned to Rome, as he
was appointed.
At the feast of Christmasse next insuing, the king held his court at
London with great solemnitie. The archbishop of Yorke prepared to haue
set the crown on the king's head, and to haue soong masse afore him,
bicause the archbishops see at Canturburie was void. But the bishop of
London would not suffer it, claiming as high deane to the sée of
Canturburie to execute that office, and so did, leading the king to the
church after the maner. [Sidenote: Strife betwixt bishops.] Howbeit when
they should come to sit downe at dinner, there kindled a strife betwixt
the said two bishops about their places, bicause the bishop of London,
for that he had beene ordeined long before the archbishop, and therefore
not onelie as deane to the see of Canturburie, but also by reason of
prioritie, pretended to haue the vpper seat. But the king perceiuing
their maner, would not heare them, but commanded them out of his house,
and get them to dinner at their innes.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 11.] About the same time the cause of the mariage of
préests and their keeping of women came againe into question, so that by
the kings commandement, [Sidenote: Préests prohibited to marrie or kéepe
women.] they were more streightlie forbidden the companie of women than
before in Anselmes time. For after his deceasse, diuerse of them (as it
were promising to themselues a new libertie to doo that which in his
life time they were constreined sore against their willes to forbeare)
deceiued themselues by their hastie dealing. For the king being informed
thereof, by the force of the ecclesiasticall lawes compelled them to
stand to and obeie the decree of the councell holden at London by
Anselme (as before ye haue heard) at least wise in the sight of men. But
if so it be (saieth Eadmerus) that the préests attempt to doo worsse, as
it were to the condemnation and reproofe of Anselmes dooings, let the
charge light on their heads, sith euerie man shall beare his owne
burthen: for I know (saith he) that if fornicatours and adulterers God
will iudge, the abusers of their one cousins (I will not say their owne
sisters and daughters) shall not suerlie escape his iudgement.
[Sidenote: The riuer of Trent dried vp.] About the same time manie
woonders were seene and heard of. The riuer of Trent néere to Notingham,
for the space of a mile ceassed to run the woonted course during the
time of foure & twentie houres, so that the chanell being dried vp, men
might passe ouer to and fro drie shod.
[Sidenote: Monsters.] Also a sow brought foorth a pig with a face like a
man, & a chicken was hatched with foure feet. [Sidenote: A comet. _Wil.
Thorne._ _Matth. West._] Moreouer a comet or blasing star appéered in a
strange sort: for rising in the east, when it once came aloft in the
firmament, it kept not the course forward, but seemed to go backeward,
as if it had bin retrograde.
[Sidenote: _Iohn Stow._ Robert the kings base son created earle of
Glocester.] About this season the king maried Robert his base sonne to
the ladie Maud, daughter and heire to Robert Fitzham, and withall made
his said sonne earle of Glocester, who afterwards builded the castels of
Bristow and Cardiff, with the priorie of S. James in Bristow, where his
bodie was buried.