Vatican Regesta 687: 1489-1491

Calendar of Papal Registers Relating To Great Britain and Ireland: Volume 14, 1484-1492. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1960.

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'Vatican Regesta 687: 1489-1491', in Calendar of Papal Registers Relating To Great Britain and Ireland: Volume 14, 1484-1492, (London, 1960) pp. 34-39. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-papal-registers/brit-ie/vol14/pp34-39 [accessed 25 April 2024]

In this section

Vatican Regesta, Vol. DCLXXXVII. (fn. 1)

Secretarum Tomus VI.

6 Innocent VIII.

1489.
16 Kal. Nov.
(17 Oct.)
)St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 41v.)
To John [de] Giglis, archdeacon of Gloucester in the church of Worcester. Indult for him, who is collector of the Camera in England, to visit his said archdeaconry by deputy, even two or more churches, etc., a day, and receive the procurations in ready money (in pecunia numerata), provided that they do not exceed 30 [gros] tournois of silver a day, 12 to the gold florin of Florence. Meruit tue devotionis sinceritas.
Concurrent mandate to John Baptista de Ferrariis, canon of Modena (Mutinen), and the officials of London and Worcester. Hodie dilecto filio Johanni de Giglis. (Gratis de mandato sanctissimi domini nostri pape.) [3 pp. +.]
4 Id. Nov.
(10 Nov.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 53v.)
To Thomas Gyllyngham alias Botheman, a canon of the monastery of St. Mary, Langlee, O. Praem., in the diocese of Norwich. Dispensation to receive and retain any regular benefice of any order, or a benefice with or without cure wont to be held by secular clerks, even if it be a parish church, etc., and to resign it, simply or for exchange, when he pleases, etc., and also to wear for life his habit under an honest garment of a secular clerk, of a dark and otherwise decent colour. (fn. 2)Religionis zelus, vite ac morum. [1½ pp.]
1489/90.
15 Kal. April.
(18 March.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 157r.)
To John, archbishop of Canterbury. Mandate, etc., motu proprio, as below. The pope has learned that there are divers secular and regular places in England which enjoy such immunity that any criminals who commit any homicides, etc., even public robbers and highwaymen and traitors, etc., (fn. 3) resort thither and dwell therein, and cannot be brought out and molested in their goods and persons, whence follow continually very many evils and defrauding of creditors, and who at times, after going out to perpetuate some evil deed, return to their place, as they see that they are safe from punishment by justice. The pope, therefore, wishing the said immunity to be modified, orders the above archbishop to investigate such immunities, etc., and grants him faculty, also motu proprio, to take two bishops and two abbots, and to modify, restrict, limit, and correct the said immunities, by whatsoever authority granted or confirmed, even if by papal authority, especially in respect of those things which shall seem to them to be prejudicial to peace and good manners, and to offend in any way against the common weal and the royal majesty. The pope further decrees that copies of these presents, subscribed by the hand of a notary public, and bearing the seal of the archbishop or any spiritual court, shall have the same judicial validity as these presents themselves. Romanum decet pontificem. (Gratis de mandato sanctissimi domini nostri pape). [2 pp. +. A bull of Innocent VIII on the same subject, dated at St. Peter's, Rome, on 8 Id. Aug. anno 3 (6 Aug. 1487), is exemplified in a bull of Alexander VI dated 5 July, 1493 (the original of which is in Public Record Office, Papal Bulls 4 (9), whence printed in Foedera under the latter date.) The above bull itself, Romanum decet, is not in Foedera.]
14 Kal. March.
(16 Feb.)
St. Peter's Rome.
(f. 185r.)
To Oliver Sompnor, rector of the parish church of Takley in the diocese of Lincoln, bachelor in decrees. Dispensation to him (who was lately dispensed by papal authority to receive and retain for life any two benefices with cure or otherwise incompatible, even if parish churches, etc., and to resign them, etc., and who holds in virtue of the said dispensation the parish church of Takley and the perpetual vicarage of Brawoton [sic], in the dioceses of Lincoln and Exeter (Oxonien.)), to receive and levy (levare) for life with the said church and vicarage any yearly pension, amounting to 36 ducats of gold of the Camera, canonically assigned to him upon the fruits, etc., of any other parish church; with indult of non-residence for life, whilst residing in either the said church of Takley or the said vicarage, or studying letters in a university. Litterarum scientia, vite etc. [3 pp.]
1490.
6 Id. May.
(10 May.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 216v.)
To the archbishop of Cashel, the bishop of Limerick, and the abbot of St. Mary's, O'Dorney (de Kyrieleyson), in the diocese of Ardfert. Mandate, as below. The recent petition of John Fitzmoris, precentor of Ardfert, and William de Mury, a canon of the same, and David [no surname], rector of the parish church of Ryndbeara [in the diocese of Ardfert], both in their own names and in the names of the clergy of the clergy of the city and diocese of Ardfert, contained that although they have hitherto paid the customary dues to Philip, bishop of Ardfert, and diocese of Ardfert, contained that although they have hitherto paid the customary dues to Philip, bishop of Ardfert, and to the archdeacon of Ardfert, nevertheless the said bishop and archdeacon compel them to provide victuals, etc., for the temporal lords who repair to those parts, and for the servants and horses of the said lords and also of the said bishop and archdeacon, whereas the bishop and archdeacon are bound to receive them, and also impose on them other unwonted burdens. At the said petition, for the exemption of the said William, etc., from the jurisdiction of the said bishop and archdeacon, and of their officials, as far as concerns the said unwonted burdens, the pope hereby orders the above three to summon the said bishop and archdeacon, and others concerned, hear both sides, and decide what is just, without appeal, causing their decision to be observed by ecclesiastical censure. Humilibus supplicum votis. [2 pp.]
8 Id. April.
(6 April.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 257r.)
To the bishops of London and Rochester, and the abbot of Feue[r]sham in the diocese of Canterbury. Mandate, as below. The recent petition of the chapter of Christchurch, Canterbury, contained that although during voidance of the see the right of visitation and correction of the churches, etc., of the diocese belongs to them, and that of sending a special messenger, called a visitor, to visit and correct the same, nevertheless Robert Coppyng, provost of the secular and collegiate church of St. Mary, Wyngham, in the said diocese, alleges that the said church and he and his successors are exempt from such visitation. The pope, therefore, hereby orders the above three to summon the said provost, and others concerned, hear both sides, and decide what is just, without appeal, etc. Humilibus supplicum votis. [1¾ pp. See Reg. Vat. DCLXXXVIII, f. 126r., below, pp. 40–41.]
Non. May.
(7 May.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 312v.)
To the abbot of St. Mary's, O'Dorney (de Kyrieleyson), the prior of Yniscronnan, and the warden of the community of the church of St. Cenanus [sic], Inisschahe, in the dioceses of Ardfert, Killaloe (Laonien.) and Limerick. Mandate, as below. The recent petition of David Fitzmoris, priest, of the diocese of Ardfert, contained that Pius II, upon learning that the chancellorship of Ardfert (a non-major dignity with cure, to which is annexed the rectory of Kylmolkedar in the said diocese) was void because Maurice, also Fitzmoris, had held it for more than a year without having himself ordained priest, and without dispensation, ordered the prior of Yniscroman [sic] in the diocese of Killaloe and other judges in those parts to summon the said Maurice, and if they found the said chancellorship to be void, to collate and assign it to the said David [Cal. Papal Lett., XI, p. 448, and cf. p. 504]; that, in virtue of the said mandate, the said David brought the said Maurice before the said prior, who promulgated a definitive sentence in favour of the said David and against the said Maurice, and made collation and provision to the former; that Paul II, upon learning that the said chancellorship was void, although the said David was holding possession without any title, ordered the then abbot of SS. Peter and Paul's, Raydthoyg, in the diocese of Ardfert, and other judges to summon him, and if they found the said chancellorship to be void, to make collation and provision of it to John, also Fitzmoris, clerk, of the said diocese of Ardfert [ibid., XII, p. 756], who, falsely alleging that the said chancellorship belonged to him, brought the said David, under pretext of the said mandate of Paul II, before the said abbot, who, wrongfully proceeding, promulgated an unjust sentence in favour of the said John and against the said David, from which sentence the latter appealed to the apostolic see, and obtained papal letters of commission to the abbot of St. Mary's, O'Dorney (de Kyrieleyson), and other judges, of whom the said abbot promulgated a definitive sentence, which became a res judicata, by which he revoked the said sentence in favour of the said John; that Sixtus IV, upon learning that the said chancellorship was still void, ordered the prior of St. Michael's de Ruppe in the said diocese of Ardfert and other judges (by letters in which no mention was made of the provision made to David, and of his having already obtained possession, but stating that the said John Fitzmoris had unlawfully detained possession for a certain time, without any title or right) to summon the said John and, if he found the said chancellorship to be void, to make collation and provision of it to John Hosse, priest, of the said diocese of Ardfert [ibid., XIII, p. 460], who, also falsely alleging that the said chancellorship belonged to him, brought the said John Fitzmoris, under pretext of the said letters of pope Sixtus, before the prior of St. Michael's; that Donald Omulchonere, a canon of Ross, by sub-delegation of the said prior, admitted the said David to the cause for his alleged interest, and, wrongfully proceeding, promulgated an unjust definitive sentence, by which he adjudged the said chancellorship to the said John Hosse, from which sentence the said David appealed to the said apostolic see, and obtained letters from the said pope Sixtus to the precentor of Ardfert and other judges; that the said precentor, lawfully proceeding, promulgated a definitive sentence by which he revoked the sentence of the said Donald in favour of John Hosse; and that, although the said sentence became a res judicata, Philip, bishop of Ardfert, compelled the said John Hosse and David to exhibit to him all their rights in the said causes, and, wrongfully proceeding, annulled the said sentence in favour of David and against John Hosse, on the ground that the said prior of Yniscronnan had not mentioned that the said chancellorship was void by the non-promotion of the said Maurice Fitzmoris to the priesthood within the lawful time, under pretext of which annulment the said John Hosse despoiled the said David of the said chancellorship; and that from the said bishop's sentence the said David appealed to the said see, but for fear of the said bishop's power in those parts has not prosecuted the appeal within the lawful time. The pope, therefore, hereby orders the above three to summon the said John Hosse and others concerned, and, if they find the statement about the alleged fear to be true, to hear the said cause and determine it, without appeal, causing their decision to be observed by ecclesiastical censure. Humilibus supplicum votis. (Gratis pro deo. Juravit.) [5 pp.]
4 Kal. June.
(29 May.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 318r.)
To John, bishop of Nocera (Nucerin.), residing in the Roman court. Mandate, as below. The petition of John Sillow, scholar, of the diocese of York, lately set forth to the pope that when he was in his seventh year or thereabouts, and under the rule of his stepmother, he, induced by the persuasions of a certain friar of the conventual order of Friars Minors, assumed with childish levity the habit which is wont to be worn by the friars of the said order, and which was given to him by the said friars, but without any intention of remaining in or making his profession of the said or any other religion, and wore it until his fourteenth year; that after reaching the said age of fourteen years, he told the said friars over and over again that he would not remain in the said religion or order, but that, when below his fourteenth year, he was forced by the threats and blows of the said friars and by natural fear to make his profession of the said order; that at the first opportunity he left the said order, as he was always minded to do, threw off the said habit, put on a secular habit, and had remained in it for fourteen years or thereabouts, as he was still then doing; and that he had remained in the said order after reaching years of discretion against his will and inclination, being kept back by the said friars, and had made the said profession by force, through threats and blows, and not inten- tionally, as aforesaid. The pope, (fn. 4) therefore, ordered James Caccia, archpriest of the church of Novara, I.U.D., a chaplain of the pope and a minor penitentiary in the basilica of the Prince of the Apostles, Rome (de Urbe), to absolve the said John from all sentences of excommunication, etc., contracted through the foregoing, decree that he was not bound to the observance of the religion and profession made by him as above, and dispense him to be made a clerk and be promoted to all, even holy and priest's orders, and remain in a secular habit like secular priests, as is more fully contained in the signed petition in the matter, of which the pope willed that his signature alone sufficed, and to the execution of which the said James is said to have proceeded. (fn. 5) At the petition of the said John, the pope now orders the above bishop to confirm the said absolution, decree and dispensation by the pope's authority, and, as far as concerns them, all the contents of the process of the said James, and not to allow the said John to be molested against the tenour thereof and of the present letters. Licet ea que de nostro mandato. (In the margin at the end: ‘Jul (ii).’) [2½ pp.]
1490–1.
16 Kal. March.
(14 Feb.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 420v.)
To John Graunt, a canon of the monastery of St. Mary, Keynsham, O.S.A., of the Observance of St. Victor, in the diocese of Bath and Wells. Dispensation to receive and retain any benefice with or without cure wont to be held by secular clerks, even if a parish church, etc., and to resign it, etc., and to have his stall and voice in the chapter of the said monastery, and his canon's portion, etc.; with indult that if he be appointed abbot, or provision be made to him of the priorship of any other monastery of the said or other order, etc., he may retain therewith the said benefice for life. Religionis zelus, vite etc. [2 pp.]

Footnotes

  • 1. On the back of the volume: ‘Innoc. viii. Secret. An. iiad vi. Tom. vi.' It contains 523 ff. of text + 11 ff. of ‘rubricelle.’ The latter are headed: ’Rubricelle libri anni sexti,’ on the left of which is ‘No. 1887’ and ‘Innoc. viii. Tom. vi. Bul. div.’
  • 2. quodque habitum sub honesta veste clerici secularis, obscuri tamen et alias decentis coloris quoad vixeris deferrevaleas.
  • 3. etiam latrones publici et agrorum populatores ac rei lese majestatis et delictorum aliorum.
  • 4. Dudum siquidem pro parte dilecti filii Johannis Sillow scolaris Eboracensis diocesis nobis exposito quod cum alias ipse in septimo vel circa sue etatis anno et sub noverce gubernio constitutus, ac cuiusdam fratris conventualis ordinis fratrum minorum blanditiis et suasionibus allectus, habitum per fratres dicti ordinis gestari solitum et sibi per ipsos fratres exhibitum, nullo tamen facto proposito aut deliberatione in dicta aut aliqua alia religione remanendi aut profitendi, sed leviter et pueriliter assumpsisset illumque usque ad quartum decimum sue etatis annum eadem puerili levitate gestasset, et postquam ad dictam etatem quatuordecim annorum pervenerat sani consilii capax effectus sepius dictis fratribus dixisset se nolle in dicta religione seu ordine remanere, tamen ad emittendum professionem per fratres dicti ordinis emitti solitam citra quartum decimum dicte etatis annum per minas et verbera dictorum fratrum ac alias vi et metu qui in constantem virum cadere poterant prout in eum tunc cadebant coactus et compulsus fuisset, ac deinde, vi et metu huiusmodi cessantibus dictum ordinem relinquere volens, prout in animo suo semper habuerat, quamprimum potuerat dictum ordinem exiens habitu predicto reiecto seculari habitu se induisset, et in eo per quatuordecim annos vel circa perstitisset, prout persistebat etiam tunc, stetissetque in dicto ordine postquam ad annos discretionis pervenerat contra eius voluntatem et animi dispositionem per dictos fratres retentus et dictam professionem coactus per minas et verbera dictorum fratrum, et non ex proposito ut prefertur emisisset, Nos … (For the phrase ‘vi et metu qui in constantem virum cadere possunt, see Cal. Papal Lett., IX, p. 385, note.)
  • 5. prout in supplicatione desuper signata, cuius solam signaturam sufficere voluimus, et ad cuius executionem dictus Jacobus processisse dicitur, plenius continetur.