_The Privileges of the See of Canterbury._--I find preserved by William of
Malmsbury, in his _Chronicle_, book iii., the following letter from Pope
Boniface to Justus, Archbishop of Canterbury, respecting the privileges of
his see:
"Far be it from every Christian, that anything concerning the city of
Canterbury be diminished or changed, in present or _future times_,
which was appointed by our predecessor Pope Gregory, _however human
circumstances may be changed_: but more especially by the authority of
St. Peter, the chief of the Apostles, we command and ordain, that the
city of Canterbury _shall ever hereafter be esteemed the Metropolitan
See_ of all Britain; and we decree and appoint _immutably_, that all
the provinces of the kingdom of England shall be subject to the
Metropolitan Church of the aforesaid See. And if any one attempt to
injure this church, which is more especially under the power and
protection of the Holy Roman Church, or to lessen the jurisdiction
conceded to it, may GOD expunge him from the book of life; and let him
know that he is bound by the sentence of a curse."
How can the expressions I have Italicised be reconciled with the creation
of the Archiepiscopal See of Westminster?