Lateran Regesta 755: 1475-1476

Calendar of Papal Registers Relating To Great Britain and Ireland: Volume 13, 1471-1484. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1955.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Lateran Regesta 755: 1475-1476', in Calendar of Papal Registers Relating To Great Britain and Ireland: Volume 13, 1471-1484, (London, 1955) pp. 451-458. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-papal-registers/brit-ie/vol13/pp451-458 [accessed 28 March 2024]

In this section

Lateran Regesta, Vol. DCCLV. (fn. 1)

5 Sixtus IV.

De Diversis.

1475.
5 Non. Oct.
(3 Oct.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 29r.)
To George Aberneti, rector of the parish church of Laswade in the diocese of St. Andrews. Licence for him (who is of royal race, and to whom Paul II granted a faculty to resign extra R.c. the said church of La[s]wade [Cal. Vol. XII, p. 794]), to resign the said church, without requiring licence of any one, to the ordinary or any other prelate or any canon of a cathedral church, simply or for exchange, as often as he pleases, and for the said ordinary etc. to carry out such exchange. The papal Camera or its collector or sub-collector in those parts is to be certified. Preclari generis nobilitas, vite ac morum. [1⅓ pp.]
5 Kal. Dec.
(27 Nov.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 37r.)
To the bishop, the archdeacon and the precentor (fn. 2) of Limerick. Mandate, as below. The recent petition of Thomas Oromayn [sic], dean of Limerick, contained that although he had held peaceable possession for several years by papal dispensation of the said deanery and of the rectory of the parish church of Ballinigady in the diocese of Limerick, canonically collated to him on their voidance, nevertheless Dermit Macmachuna, priest, falsely suggested to the pope that the said Thomas had held possession of the said rectory for several years without any title before the said deanery was collated to him, and that he was therefore disabled from holding the deanery, and that it was consequently void; that the pope, thus circumvented, ordered the abbot of St. Mary's, Monasteranenagh (de Magio) and the prior of St. Mary's, Ragly, in the said diocese, and the chancellor of Limerick to summon Thomas, and collate and assign the said deanery to Dermit; that Dermit caused Thomas to be brought before Gerald, abbot of St. Mary's de Magio; that although it was sufficiently alleged before the said abbot on behalf of Thomas that there were reasonable grounds for holding the pope's letters surreptitious, and that Dermit had been accused and convicted before Thomas Giraldi, then a canon of Limerick (by commission from Thomas, bishop of Limerick), of certain crimes of homicide, incest and adultery, and that the said canon, lawfully proceeding in the cause, had by his definitive sentence deprived and removed him from a certain prebend in the said church of Limerick, the said abbot, rejecting (at least tacitly) the said allegations, and wrongfully proceeding, promulgated an unjust definitive sentence in favour of Dermit and against the said Thomas Oronayn, from which the latter appealed to the apostolic see; and that the said abbot, in contempt of the appeal, has proceeded further in the said cause. The pope, therefore, hereby orders the above three to summon Dermit and others concerned, hear both sides, and decide what is just, without appeal, causing their decision to be observed by ecclesiastical censure. Humilibus etc. [2 pp. +]
1475[–6].
Kal. Jan.
(1 Jan.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 90r.)
To the dean and the official of Cashel. Mandate, as below. (fn. 3) The recent petition of Philip Yronan, clerk, of the diocese of Limerick, bachelor of decrees, contained that the rectories of the parish churches of Urgarry and Ballyhanccard and Kyllvlaen [sic], in the diocese of Limerick and Cloyne (Clonen.), belonging to the abbot and convent of Molana (de Insula sancti Muylanaha) and the abbesses and convents of Granyd and Thimolyn, O.S.A., in the diocese of Lismore, Leighlin and Kildare (Daren.), respectively, have been let to farm or yearly pension from time immemorial by the said abbot and abbesses and convents, alike to ecclesiastical and to secular persons, and that through the neglect of those who hold them to farm at present the rectories of Urgarry and Kyllvlaen are altogether without roofs, whilst that of Ballyhanccard is also suffering damage to its roof, and each of them is suffering injury to its walls and ecclesiastical ornaments, by reason of which neglect the cemeteries of the said churches are profaned, and the rain enters the said churches up to (fn. 4) the altars; that they [the farmers] convert the fruits etc. of the said rectories to their own evil uses, (fn. 5) to the peril of their souls, etc.; and that if the said rectories were granted to farm for life to the said Philip under the customary cess payable yearly to the said abbot and abbesses and convents, he would devote himself (fn. 6) to their repair etc., with their fruits and with his own goods. The pope, therefore, hereby orders the above dean and official to summon the said abbot, abbesses and convents, and the persons at present holding the said rectories, and others concerned, and if they find the facts to be as stated, and that such grant will be to the evident utility of the said rectories, to deprive and remove the said persons, and in that event to grant the said rectories to farm or yearly pension to the said Philip for life, under the customary cess. Ex iniuncto nobis. [2 pp.]
Ibid.
(f. 92r.)
To the prior of St. Mary's, Ragellhy, in the diocese of Limerick, and Philip Yronan, a canon of Limerick. Mandate, as below. (fn. 7) The recent petition of Donald Macbreyn, rector of the parish church of Galuavalyaharlach in the diocese of Emly (Imilicen.), contained that the rectories of the parish churches of Gryan and Glynogro, in the dioceses of Emly and Limerick, belonging to the priors and convents of Kells ([de] Kyllis) and Haassell, O. Cist., in the dioceses of Cashel and Ossory, have been let to farm or yearly pension from time immemorial by the said priors and convents, alike to ecclesiastical and to secular persons, and that through the neglect of those who occupy or hold them at present the said rectory of Gryan is occupied against the will of the said prior and convent of Kells (de Kyllys) by a number of laymen, that the fruits of the said rectories are converted to their evil uses, and that the said rectories are suffering injury to their roofs and walls, as well as to their ecclesiastical ornaments, to the peril of the souls of the aforesaid persons, (fn. 8) etc.; and that if the said rectories were granted to farm for life to the said Donald, (who is of noble birth), under, etc., as in the preceding, mutatis mutandis. (fn. 9)Ex iniuncto nobis. [12/3 pp.]
1475.
3 Kal. Jan.
(30 Dec.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 93v.)
To the abbots of Mellifont and St. Mary's, Trym, and the prior of St. Mary's de Urso, Drogheda (iuxta Pontanum), in the dioceses of Armagh and Meath. Mandate, as below. The recent petition of John Alleyn, dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin, contained that John, archbishop of Dublin, and William Stephenet, prior of All Saints’ without the walls of Dublin, O.S.A., and the present prior of Hollepatrik [sic], O.S.A., in the diocese of Dublin, (fn. 10) Malachy Anrolone [sic], dean of Kildare (Daren.), Luke Wareng, (fn. 11) priest, Thomas Broune, and certain other clerks and laymen, of the cities and dioceses of Dublin and Kildare, (fn. 12) hinder him from exercising over his subjects the jurisdiction which by ancient custom belongs to him, etc. The pope, therefore, hereby orders the above three to summon the said archbishop, clerks and laymen, hear both sides, and decide what is just, without appeal, causing their decision to be observed by the said archbishop by the pope's authority, and by the others by ecclesiastical censure. Humilibus etc. [1⅓ pp. See Reg. Lat. DCCLVII, f. 39r., below, p. 462.]
4 Kal. Jan.
(29 Dec.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 94v.)
To the archdeacon of Emly (Imilicen.) and Edmund Okayll, a canon of the same. Mandate, as below. (fn. 13) The recent petition of John Macbreyn, clerk, of the diocese of Emly, contained that although the fruits etc. of the rectories of the parish churches of Ballytiyhally (fn. 14)alias Cluempet and Corroguny and Killteayn, in the said diocese, belonging to the hospital of St. John Baptist, Dublin, (fn. 15) are let to farm or yearly pension, alike to ecclesiastical and to secular persons, with the obligation of keeping the roofs etc. in repair, the roofs and ecclesiastical ornaments of the said churches are at present, through the neglect of those to whom they are let, suffering injury, so that the rain-water floods some of the said churches up to the altars. At the said petition, adding that if the fruits etc. of the said rectories were granted for life to the said John (who is by both parents of noble birth), etc., as above, f. 90r., mutatis mutandis. Ad ea per que. [1½ pp.]
1475[–6].
Kal. Feb.
(1 Feb.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 112r.)
To the dean of Cloyne (Clonen.). Mandate, as below. The pope lately, upon learning from the relation of Thomas de Geraldinis, clerk, of the diocese of Limerick, that Denis alias Donald Offaelain, chancellor of Limerick, had dilapidated and converted to his evil uses the fruits and goods, even the precious moveable goods of the said chancellorship, and had committed perjury, ordered the prior of St. Mary's, Ragelly, in the said diocese, if Thomas would accuse Denis before him, to summon the latter, and if he found the foregoing to be true, to deprive and remove him, and to collate and assign the chancellorship to Thomas. At Denis's recent petition (containing that although he believes that he has hitherto lived so laudably that what has been related could not be found true by just judges, nevertheless in the said parts judges are at times corrupted by a little money or gifts, and accusers are wont to choose judges who favour them, and that in the matter of grievances inflicted by them, and sentences wrongfully promulgated, and appeals lodged therefrom, it is not easy to have recourse to the apostolic see, on account of the long distance and the perils of the roads), (fn. 16) the pope hereby orders the above dean to proceed to the execution of the said letters along with the said prior, so that even if the latter has already begun to proceed in the said cause, he cannot proceed further without the said dean, the pope hereby decreeing that if the said prior proceed without the said dean, and sentence be delivered by him, such sentence etc., and any consequences thereof, shall be null and void. Honestis supplicum votis. [1⅓ pp.]
1475.
14 Kal. Jan.
(19 Dec.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 182r.)
To the abbot of St. Mary's, Odorney (de Kyrieleyson), and the prior of Ballinskelligs (sancti Michaelis de Ruppe), in the diocese of Ardfert, and Thomas [son] of John de Geraldinis, a canon of Ardfert. Mandate, as below. The recent petition of Thomas Ykealachyr, priest, of the diocese of Ardfert, contained that on the voidance of the rectories of the parish churches of Trally and Eenac, in the said diocese, their lay patrons presented the said Thomas (who had been dispensed by papal authority on account of illegitimacy, as the son of unmarried parents, to be promoted to all, even holy orders and hold a benefice even with cure, and subsequently to receive and retain any two benefices with or without cure, even if two of them were parish churches etc., or dignities etc., namely, for three years only if they were parish churches, or if not for life, and to resign them, simply or for exchange, as often as he pleased, and who had had himself so promoted), to John, bishop of Ardfert, who instituted him; that after in virtue of the said presentation and institution he had obtained possession of the said rectories, on the perpetual vicarage of the said church of Trally becoming void the said bishop, considering the slenderness of the fruits etc. of the said rectory of Trally, united to it the said vicarage for Thomas's lifetime, with the consent of the chapter of Ardfert; that after Thomas had in virtue of the said union obtained possession of the vicarage, and had held it in peace for some time, the said bishop, moved by some cause of indignation against him, (fn. 17) dissolved the said union, without the consent of the said chapter; that after the said dissolution the said Thomas, believing it to be invalid, continued with the said bishop's knowledge to hold possession of the vicarage for two years, as he still does, especially because the said bishop did not make provision of it, and interfered with it no further, but allowed Thomas to hold and possess it, and because he ordered the sequestration which he had made of its fruits etc. to be dissolved, and because he was often received by Thomas in the vicarage presbytery. (fn. 18) The said petition adding that Thomas doubts whether the said presentation and institution hold good, and that some doubt the validity of the said union, etc., the pope hereby orders the above three, if they find that the said union was lawful, to approve and confirm it by papal authority, and, pro potiori cautela, to unite the said vicarage, value 4 marks sterling, to the said rectory of Trally, value 8, for such time as Thomas shall hold the latter, and in that event to collate and asssign to him the said rectories of Trally and Eenac (value 4 marks sterling), which have cure, and the said vicarage. Apostolice sedis providentia circumspecta. [3½ pp.]
1475[–6].
16 Kal. Feb.
(17 Jan.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 190r.)
To Stephen Wylles, priest, of the diocese of Canterbury. Absolution etc., as below. His recent petition contained that after he had been dispensed by papal authority to receive and retain for life with the perpetual vicarage of Alkham in the diocese of Canterbury any other benefice, or if he resigned the said vicarage any two other benefices, with cure or otherwise incompatible, even if two parish churches etc., or dignities etc., and to resign them, simply or for exchange, as often as he pleased, he, when holding under the said dispensation the said vicarage and the parish church of St. Margaret, Clyf, in the said diocese, canonically collated to him, obtained by collation of the ordinary the parish church of Storrey in the same diocese, and detained all three without further papal dispensation for between one and a half and two years, and still detains the said vicarage and church of Storrey. The pope, therefore, absolving him from sentences of excommunication, suspension, etc., rehabitates him, but requires him to resign the said vicarage and church. Sedes apostolica, pia mater. [1 p.]
Ibid.
(f. 190v.)
To the abbot of St. Radegund's (sancte Radegundis) and the prior of Dover, in the diocese of Canterbury, and Ferrarius [son] of Nicholas de Ghualbis, a canon of Barcelona (Barchinonen.). Mandate, recapitulating the preceding, to collate and assign to the above Stephen Wylles, after he has resigned them, the above vicarage of Alkham (void by the obtaining of Storrey) and church of Storrey (void, and also reserved to the pope, by ‘Execrabilis’), value together (including the annexes of the vicarage) not exceeding 46 marks sterling. Vite ac morum. (At the end: N. xxx. Sexto Kal. Februarii anno quinto. Garilliati.) [2¼ pp.]
4 Non. Jan.
(2 Jan.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 191v.)
To Stephen Wylles, perpetual vicar of the parish church of Alkham in the diocese of Canterbury. Indult to receive for life the fruits of the said vicarage and his other benefices, whilst residing in the Roman court or another of his benefices, or studying letters at an university, and not to be bound to reside. Vite etc.
Concurrent mandate to the abbot etc., as above, f. 190v. (fn. 19)Hodie dilecto filio. [2¼ pp.]
1475.
6 Kal. Nov.
(27 Oct.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 242r.)
To Thomas Shipton, rector of the second portion (fn. 20) of the parish church of Codgrave in the diocese of York. Dispensation to receive and retain for life with the said portion any other benefice, or if he resign the said portion any two other benefices, with cure or otherwise incompatible, even if two parish churches etc., or dignities etc., and to resign them, simply or for exchange, as often as he pleases. Vite etc. [2 pp.]
7 Id. Nov.
(7 Nov.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 244v.)
To James, [bishop] elect of Dunkeld. Faculty for him and the chapter to dispose of all canonries and prebends, dignities etc. and all other benefices in the said bishop's sole gift etc., or in the common gift etc. of him and the chapter, which shall become void in the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December, provided that they be not generally reserved to the pope, etc. Personam tuam. [1 p.]
1475[–6].
14 Kal. Feb.
(19 Jan.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 247r.)
To Simon Grene, a canon of SS. Mary and Thomas the Martyr's, Liesnes, O.S.A., in the diocese of Rochester. Dispensation to receive and retain for life any benefice with cure wont to be governed by secular clerks, even if a parish church etc., and to resign it, simply or for exchange, as often as he pleases. Religionis zelus, vite etc. [1⅓ pp.]
1475.
3 Kal. Dec.
(29 Nov.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 262r.)
To John Pygge, bishop of Beirut (Vericen.), (fn. 21) residing in the city of London, and the dean and the official of Exeter. Mandate, as below. The recent petition of John Lovelunde, a canon of Salisbury, contained that all the tithes of the parish of the parish church of Lyme and Halgestoc, in the diocese of Salisbury, (which parish church is canonically united to the canonry and prebend which he holds in the church of Salisbury), belong to the canon who holds the said prebend, and that he was in peaceable possession thereof, but that the present abbot and convent of St. Mary's, Shirborn, O.S.A. [sic], in the said diocese, falsely alleging that the tithes in certain lands and places within the said parish belong to them, have taken the said tithes, wherefore he brought them before Richard, bishop of Salisbury, who promulgated a definitive sentence in his favour, and against the said abbot and convent, condemning them in costs, from which sentence, falsely alleging it to be unjust, they appealed to the apostolic see, and obtained papal letters addressed to the archdeacon of Norwich and the official of Rochester, and under pretext thereof brought him before Thomas Candor, official of Rochester; that, inasmuch as the said official decreed a certain injurious and arbitrary citation against him, (fn. 22) he appealed to the said see, but that the said official, in contempt of the appeal, committed the cause for further hearing to John Marlowe, abbot of Bermondesey in the diocese of Winchester, who, wrongfully proceeding, by an unjust definitive sentence revoked the sentence of the said bishop, condemning the said canon John in costs, from which last sentence he appealed to the said see, but has been prevented by a lawful impediment from prosecuting it within the lawful time. The pope, therefore, hereby orders the above three, if they find to be true what is alleged in regard to the said impediment, to summon the said abbot and convent and others concerned, take cognizance of both processes, and approve that one of them which he finds to have been lawfully made, without appeal, notwithstanding the said lapse of time etc. Humilibus etc. [2½ pp.]

Footnotes

  • 1. On the back of the volume the usual ‘Anno’ and ‘Libro’ numbers are wanting.
  • 2. precentori, substituted in the margin for cancellario, which is cancelled.
  • 3. With a brief exemplification of Paul II's letters ‘Ad perp. rei mem. Cum in omnibus judiciis, etc.’ See above, pp. 176, 181, 186, notes.
  • 4. usque ad.
  • 5. MS. et (? recte in) animarum suarum periculum. Cf. below.
  • 6. operam daret.
  • 7. Also with Paul II's ‘Ad perp. rei mem. Cum in omnibus judiciis, etc.’
  • 8. in predictarum personarum illas tenentium animarum periculum.
  • 9. e.g. with curam et bonam diligentiam daret.
  • 10. et dilccti filii Willelmus Stephen et Omnium Sanctorum extra muros Dublinen(ses) et modernus de Hollepatrik ordinis sancti Augustini Dublinen(sis) dioc(esis) prioratuum priores.
  • 11. The name in the MS. is more like ‘Warcug.’
  • 12. Dublinensis et Darensis civitatum ac predicte et Darensis dioc(esum).
  • 13. Also with the above ‘Ad perp. rei mem. Cum in omnibus judiciis, etc.’
  • 14. The ink on this page, the paper of which is very thin, has run badly, with the result that many words are obscure.
  • 15. licet fructus redditus et preventus de B. alias C. et de C. ac de K. rectoriarum parrochialium dicte ecclesie ad hospitale sancti Johannis Baptiste Dublinensis diocesis pleno iure spectantium. The text seems to be defective, ‘dicte ecclesie’ having presumably been written in error for ‘dictarum ecclesiarum.’
  • 16. Cum autem, sicut exhibita nobis nuper pro parte dicti Dionisii petitio continebat, licet ipse domino iuuante credat hactenus adeo laudabiliter se vixisse quod relata ipsa coram justis judicibus non possent veritati subniti, tamen in partibus ipsis judices interdum parua pecunia seu muneribus corrumpuntur [sic] et accusatores illos sibi propitios eligere soleant, nec super grauaminibus per illos illatis aut sententiis male promulgatis et appellationibus ab illis interpositis, propter longam distantiam et viarum discrimina, ad sedem apostolicam faciliter valeat haberi recursus
  • 17. quadam animi indignatione motus contra ipsum Thomam.
  • 18. in domo presbyterali.
  • 19. Here with the spelling ‘Gualbis.’
  • 20. alterius portionis.
  • 21. Recte Bericen., i.e. Beriten. (Beirut, in Syria). John Pigge, then a priest of the diocese of Lincoln, received provision of the see of Ardfert from Pius II on 27 March, 1461 (Cal. Papal Lett., Vol. XII, p. 106), and on 16 Sept., 1464, he obtained from Paul II a confirmation of a dispensation by Pius II, dated 27 July, 1461, to retain two English rectories after his consecration, pope Pius having died before his letters were drawn up (ibid., p. 420). He has occurred in Cal. XII as bishop of Ardfert, usually described as resident in London, and acting as a papal delegate, from 20 March, 1463/4 (p. 223) to 4 March, 1470/1 (p. 802). The present volume has so far contained two mandates addressed to him as resident in London from 26 Aug. 1471 to 22 April 1472 (above, pp. 307 and 310), besides mentions of earlier or uncertain date (above, pp. 309 and 358.) On 26 June, 1473, provision of the see was made to a new bishop, Philip, on the resignation of Pigge (if it was Pigge, and not Stack, cf. below) at the Roman court (above p. 352). Pigge probably never saw his Irish see, and his resignation may be attributed to the existence of a rival bishop, John Stack, likewise a papal provisor, to whom provision had been made by Pius II as early as 18 Sept., 1458 (ibid., p. 14; see also ibid., passim), and whose provision was confirmed by Sixtus IV in 1476 (above, p. 49). Pigge and he appear as rival bishops of Ardfert in 1472 (above, p. 296). It was presumably on Pigge's resignation of Ardfert that he became titular bishop of Beirut. His provision to that see is not recorded by Eubel (whose list of the bishops is clearly incomplete), and it has not occurred in this Calendar, and Stubbs, Registrum Sacrum, and Hennessy, Repertorium Novum, only have him as bishop of Ardfert. If it actually occurs in the papal Registers, it will probably have merely addressed him as ‘John,’ without mention of his surname or other indication of his identity (as commonly happens in papal provisions of bishopries), and would naturally be passed over by the present editor. From the point of view of a professional suffragan to an English bishop, a title in partibus infidelium was, of course, as good as one in partibus Hiberniae. Although, therefore, no other mention has hitherto occurred of John Pigge as bishop of Beirut in the present volume, it is probable that he is the anonymous bishop of that see to whom a papal mandate was addressed in Jan., 1474/5 (above, p. 42). Later mentions of ‘John, bishop of Beirut, dwelling in the city of London’ occur below, pp. 527, 560, 570 and 629 (23 May, 1476, 22 April and 15 May, 1477, and 13 Dec., 1478); see also Reg. Lat. 808b, f. 245r, 816 ff. 105v. and 308r, 817 f. 180r, 818 f. 86r, and 822 f. 242r (4 May, 4 May, 8 Aug., 29 Dec., 16 April, and 29 Dec., 1481). Eubel, however, states that provision of Beirut had been made to Libertus, a Friar minor, connected with the diocese of Liége (without giving any indication of how the see had become void), on 10 Dec., 1470, a date which does not make Pigge's chronology any clearer. There is in fact a mandate addressed to Libertus, bishop of Beirut, dwelling in the city of Liége (and two others), dated 1 June, 1478 (Reg. Lat. 778, f. 222v.) It would seem that for some years there were two rival bishops of Beirut.
  • 22. quod ipse officialis certain iniuriosam citationem contra eum pro sue voluntatis libito decreverat.