Lateran Regesta 823: 1481-1482

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

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'Lateran Regesta 823: 1481-1482', in Calendar of Papal Registers Relating To Great Britain and Ireland: Volume 13, 1471-1484, (London, 1955) pp. 803-808. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-papal-registers/brit-ie/vol13/pp803-808 [accessed 26 April 2024]

In this section

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

11 Sixtus IV.

De Diversis.

1482.
6 Non. July.
(2 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 7v.)
To Geoffrey Symeon, rector of St. John Baptist's, Colhern’, in the diocese of Salisbury, M.A. Dispensation to receive and retain for life with the said church one other benefice, or if he resign the said church any two other benefices, with cure or otherwise incompatible, even if parish churches, etc., and to resign them, etc. Litterarum etc. [1¾ pp.]
6 Kal. Aug.
(27 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 17v.)
Decree, as below. Upon its being lately set forth to the pope on behalf of Elizabeth, abbess of the monastery of B. Mary the Virgin and St. Et[h]elfleda, Rumsey, O.S.B., in the diocese of Winchester, that she had allowed herself to be carnally known and feared that she was pregnant, the pope, at the petition of the said Elizabeth, who alleged that she was of a noble race of barons, and that she would in future abstain from the like, and live piously and chastely, and by fasting and mortification of the flesh and prayers render our Lord Jesus Christ propitious to her, by other his letters granted her an indult that the confessor of her choice might absolve her, once only, from the said lapse of the flesh and incontinence, and also from any sentence of excommunication incurred by her on account of the foregoing, and from other sins, crimes and excesses committed by her, howsoever enormous. provided that they were not cases reserved to the apostolic see, enjoin a salutary penance and rehabilitate her, etc., at the same time strietly inhibiting the bishop of Winchester and any other judges, after the said absolution, to proceed or inquire against her and the members of her household and her chaplains by way of accusation, etc., or molest her, the members of her household, chaplains, and the persons of the said monastery, under pain of interdict in the case of the said bishop, and of excommunication in the case of the said judges, and granting to the said Elizabeth the right to give the perpetual alms called corrodies under the seal of the convent, as other abbesses of the said monastery had been wont to do, as is contained more fully in the pope's said letters. Seeing, however, as the recent petition of the present bishop of Winchester contained, that the said Elizabeth (who has always led an immoral life, and who on account of her immodest life was by authority of the ordinary deprived of the said monastery, although subsequently, and at the prayers of many of the nobles of those parts, she got herself elected anew and confirmed by the present bishop of Winchester, on condition, however, that she should mend her life, and after taking an oath not to give to any one in future any such corrody, except in case of need or for the benefit of the said monastery, and with the consent of the present bishop and of the bishop for the time being), in contempt of the said oath, and relapsing into her loose living, along with the said chaplains, household servants and persons who shared her ill fame, does not fear (under pretext that she believes that by reason of the said inhibition she cannot in future be subjected to inquiry or correction) to lead an immodest life and wilfully to return to her former errors, and to give the said alms, not to the poor, as would be becoming, but to those who share her crimes and to evil men, and otherwise to turn them to profane and unlawful uses, thereby incurring perjury and again incurring the sentences etc. from which, by circumventing the apostolic see, she had been absolved, etc., the pope, at the petition of the said bishop, hereby decrees and declares that the said absolution, abolition and inhibition ought to avail the said abbess and the chaplains, household servants and other persons of the said monastery only as far as regards crimes etc. committed by them, but not crimes etc. which they should commit thereafter, and that the said bishop, judges etc. may freely inquire and proceed (observing the order of law) in regard to any crimes, etc. committed by the said abbess and others after the said absolution, abolition and inhibition, and which may be committed by them in future, and also in regard to the distribution of the said alms, and that it shall not be lawful for the said abbess to give such alms without the express consent of the present bishop and the bishop for the time being. (fn. 2)Ad fut. rei mem. Quia in apostolice sedis concessionibus. [2 pp. +. The handwriting of this bull is unusually obscure.]
1481.
Id. Oct.
(15 Oct.)
Ronciglione. (fn. 3)
(f. 66r.)
To Henry Clarke, a monk of St. Mary's, Cleeve (de Clyua), O. Cist., in the diocese of Bath and Wells. Dispensation to receive and retain any benefice with or without cure wont to be governed by secular clerks, even if a parish church, etc., and to resign it, etc. Religionis etc. [¾ p.]
1481[–]2.
7 Id. Jan.
(7 Jan.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 82r.)
To Lionel Wydevill, dean of Exeter. Dispensation to be appointed to the church of Salisbury, provision of which the pope intends this day to make to him, and to exercise the administration thereof, and be consecrated, notwithstanding his defect of age, he being in his twenty-ninth year. Diuina supereminens largitas. [1 p. See above p. 744.]
1482.
6 Kal. Aug.
(27 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 97r.)
To Thomas Bowde, perpetual vicar of the parish church of [Holy] Trinity, Coventry. Indult for life not to be bound to reside in person in the church of Holy Trinity, Coventry, (fn. 4) whilst dwelling in the Roman court, or studying letters in an university, or residing in one of his benefices. Vite etc. [1 p.]
6 Non. July.
(2 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 97v.)
To John Lecke, a canon of the priory of Erdebury, O.S.A., in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield. Dispensation, as above, f. 66r. Religionis etc. [1¼ pp.]
6 Kal. Aug.
(27 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 99v.)
To John Spenser, rector of the second portion (fn. 5) of the parish church of St. Mary, Denver, in the diocese of Norwich, wont to be governed by two rectors, M.A. Dispensation, as above, f. 7v. Litterarum etc. [22/3 pp.]
6 Non. July.
(2 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 101r.)
To Thomas Watson, rector of the parish church of St. Martin, Kyngesbur’ Episcopi, in the diocese of Bath and Wells. The like. Vite etc. [2½ pp.]
Id. Aug.
(13 Aug.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 105v.)
To Giles Seller, a monk of St. Mary's, Cumbermer, O. Cist., in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield. Dispensation, as above, f. 66r.; with further dispensation to wear the habit of the said order under a priestly mantle or robe (toga) of a decent and honest obscure colour. Religionis etc. [1⅓ pp.]
16 Kal. Sept.
(17 Aug.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 108r.)
To William Dixwell, a monk of St. Albans, O.S.B., in the diocese of Lincoln. Grant, as below. Upon its being lately set forth by him to the pope that on the voidance of the priory of St. Mary, Bynham, in the diocese of Norwich, William, abbot of St. Albans, presented him to James, bishop of Norwich, who instituted him, and that in virtue of the said presentation and institution he obtained possession, and that the prior of the said priory was removable at the will of the abbot of the said monastery, the pope granted him indult that he could in no wise be removed by the said abbot or the abbot for the time being, the pope's letters stating that the said monastery was in the diocese of Norwich. At his recent petition, containing that the said monastery is not in the diocese of Norwich, but in that of Lincoln, wherefore he fears lost the said letters may be held surreptitious, the pope hereby grants that they shall hold good from the date of these presents, as if it had been stated therein that the said monastery was in the diocese of Lincoln, and not in that of Norwich. Religionis etc. etc. [1 p.]
1481[–2].
Kal. Feb.
(1 Feb.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 116r.)
To John Ramsey, rector of St. Mary's, Plompton, in the diocese of Chichester, M.A. Dispensation, as above, f. 7v. Litterarum etc. [1½ pp.]
1482.
15 Kal. Aug.
(18 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 121v.)
To Edmund Percey, rector of ‘Hedon in the Clay,’ in the diocese of York, M.A. The like. Litterarum etc. [2¼ pp.]
10 Kal. Aug.
(23 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 132r.)
Union, at the recent petition of Ralph Hethcote, a canon of Lichfield, bachelor of decrees, to his canonry of Lichfield and the prebend of Offley therein, for his lifetime only, of the parish church of Bangour in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, which he also holds, value 75 and 120 gold ducats of the Camera, respectively. Ad fut. rei mem. Ad ea ex iniuncto nobis. [1½ pp.]
6 Kal. Aug.
(27 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 154v.)
To John Gilbert, perpetual vicar of St. Michael's, Coventry. Dispensation, as above, f. 7v. Vite etc. [22/3 pp.]
15 Kal. Aug.
(18 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 155v.)
To Thomas Morgan, rector of Stretton on the Foss (super Fossam) in the diocese of Bath and Wells. The like. Vite etc. [2 pp.]
6 Non. July.
(2 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 159r.)
To Thomas Frensch, perpetual vicar called the chaplain of the parish church of All Saints, Ikkylsam, in the diocese of Chichester. The like. Vite etc. [2½ pp.]
1481.
Prid. Non. Sept.
(4 Sept.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 166v.)
To Richard Oldemedew, a monk of Castelacre, O. Clun., in the diocese of Norwich. Licence to transfer himself from the said monastery, of which he is a monk, professed of the said order, to that of St. Mary's, Tehtford [sic], of the same order and diocese, provided that it be of the like observance; without requiring licence of any one. Religionis etc. [¾ p.]
Ibid.
(f. 167r.
To John Harryes, a canon of the house of Twynham, O.S.A., in the diocese of Winchester. Dispensation to receive and retain for life any benefice etc., as above, f. 66r. Religionis etc. [1 p.—]
13 Kal. Oct.
(19 Sept.)
Bracciano.
(f. 170v.)
To Henry Tayllour, rector of Cheyham [in the diocese of] Canterbury, bachelor of decrees. Dispensation, as above, f. 7v. Litterarum etc. [12/3 pp.]
Ibid.
(f. 173r.)
To Elizabeth Dauell’, a nun of the monastery of Basdale, wont to be governed by a prioress, O.S.B. [sic], in the diocese of York. Dispensation to her, who has made her profession of the said order, and is in her twenty-ninth year, to be elected and appointed etc. prioress of the said monastery when it becomes void, notwithstanding the said defect of age, etc. Religionis etc. [¾ p. Cf. below, f. 241v.]
1481.
8 Id. Oct.
(8 Oct.)
Corneto.
(f. 178r.)
To Adam Myddylgate, rector of St. Nicholas's, Brandeston, in the diocese of Norwich. Dispensation, as above, f. 7v. Vite etc. [1⅓ pp.]
Ibid.
(f. 179r.)
To Robert Garnet, rector of St. Giles's, Hoke, in the diocese of Salisbury. The like. Vite etc. [1½ pp.]
Ibid.
(f. 179r.)
To Robert Loege, rector of ‘Wotton under Egge’ in the diocese of Worcester. The like. Vite etc. [1½ pp.]
1482.
6 Kal. Aug.
(27 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 208v.)
Union, at the recent petition of John Emwell, a canon of Salisbury, bachelor of decrees, to his canonry of Salisbury and the prebend of Harnam and Coombe therein, for his lifetime only, of the parish church of W[e]st Dene in the diocese of Salisbury which he also holds, value 180 and 60 gold ducats of the Camera, respectively. Ad ea ex iniuncto nobis. [1⅓ pp.]
6 Id. Aug.
(8 Aug.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 209r.)
To Thomas Smyth, chancellor of London, S.T.M. Indult for life to take the fruits etc. of the said chancellorship, which is a non-major dignity, and of his other benefices, whilst residing in the said church or other of his benefices, or studying letters in an university, or dwelling in the Roman court, the daily distributions alone excepted, and not to be bound to reside. Litterarum etc.
Concurrent mandate to the bishop of Orte, John Baptista de Ferrariis, a canon of Modena, and the official of London. Hodie dilecto filio Thome Smyth. [2½ pp. +]
6 Non. July.
(2 July.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 210v.)
To David Clone, perpetual vicar of the parish church of [SS.] Peter and Paul the Apostles, Webley, in the diocese of Hereford, I.U.B. Dispensation, as above, f. 7v. Litterarum etc. [1¾ pp.]
1481[–2].
14 Kal. April.
(19 March.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 241v.)
To Elizabeth Boteler, a nun of the monastery of Basdele [sic], O. Cist., in the diocese of York. Dispensation to her, who has made her profession of the said order, and is in her twenty-ninth year, to be forthwith (ex nunc) elected and appointed etc. to dignities, abbatial or priorissal, of any monasteries of the said order, notwithstanding the said defect of age, etc. Digna reddimur attentione. (fn. 6) [1 p. +. Cf. above, f. 173r.]
1482.
4 Non. May.
(4 May.)
St. Peter's, Rome.
(f. 262r.)
To Laurence Squier, perpetual vicar of Torpenhoo in the diocese of Carlisle. Dispensation, as above, f. 7v.; with further dispensation and indult for life to take the fruits etc. of his benefices, whilst studying letters in an university, or residing in the Roman court or one of his benefices, the daily distributions alone excepted, and not to be bound to reside. Vite etc. [4½ pp.—]

Footnotes

  • 1. On the back of the volume: Anno 11. Lib. 5. and on an end-paper at the beginning of the volume: An. x. to. 15.
  • 2. Dudum siquidem pro parte dilecte in Christo filie Elisabet abbatisse monasterii beate Marie Virginis et sancte Et[h]elflede de Rumsey ordinis sancti Benedicti Winctoniensis [sic] diocesis nobis exposito quod licet in desiderio cordis sui semper habuisset ac [recte ab] illicitis quantum humana imbecilitas patiebatur abstinere, ac secundum deum et regularia instituta dicti ordinis pic et caste viuere, tamen instigante bonorum omnium aduersario, qui ubi maior est zelus caritatis maiores tem[p]tationis conatus intendit, carnis stimulo lacessente ac fragilitate muliebri inducta extra (?) limites pudicitie pedem mittens, de quo dolebat ab intimis, se carnaliter cognosci permiserat, ex quo dubitabat grauidam esse et conceptam in utero habere, nos tunc prefate Elisabet, asserentis se de nobili baronum genere procreatam esse, et de cet[e]ro a similibus abstinere ac pie et caste viuere, ac domino [sic] nostrum [seeningly corrected from ‘nostro’] Jesum Christum per ieiunia et carnis macerationem orationesque sibi propitium reddere velle, in ea parte supplicationibus inclinati, per alias nostras litteras ut confessor ydoneus quem duceret eligendum ea[m] a lapsu carnis et incontinentie [sic] huiusmodi, necnon a sententia excommunicationis si quam propterea vel iuxta synodales constitutiones incurrisset, aliisque peccatis criminalibus [sic] et excessibus quantuncunque enormibus per eam commissis, dummodo talia non forent propter que sedes predicta merito esset consulenda, semel duntaxat absoluere, et pro modo culpe penitentiam salutarem iniungere, omnemque inhabilitationis et infamie maculam siue notam per eam occasione premissorum contractam penitus abolere valeret sibi auctoritate apostolica indulsimus, venerabili fratri nostro episcopo Wintoniensi et quibuscunque aliis judicibus ordinariis seu delegatis ut contra eam post absolutionem et habolitionem [sic] predictas necnon familiares et cappellanos suos per viam (?) accusationis denuntiationis seu inquisitionis aut alias quouis modo occasione premissorum procedere seu inquirere, aut eam familiares cappellanos et p(erson)as dicti monasterii intrususque [sic] … publice vel occulte directe vel indirecte super premissis molestare presumerent, sub pena suspensionis ab ingressu ecclesie quam episcopum, et ex(communication)is quam alios judices predictos, si contra facerent incurrere voluimus dicta auctoritate districte inhibentes, ac eidem Elisabet abbatisse quod elimosinas [sic] perpetuas corrodia nuncupatas sub sigillo dilectarum in Christo filiarum conuentus dicti monasterii, prout alie abbatisse eiusdem monasterii que pro tempore fuerunt concedere consueuerant, facere et largiri libere et licite valeret concedentes, prout in eisdem litteris plenius continetur. Cum autem, sicut exhibita nobis nuper pro parte venerabilis fratris nostri moderni episcopi Winctoniensis [sic] petitio continebat, ipsa Elisabet abbatissa, que semper inhonestissime vixit, et alias ob cius vitam impudicam regimine et administratione dicti monasterii ordinaria auctoritate priuata fuit, licet postmodum, ac [recte ad] preces plurium nobilium partium illarum, de nouo se in abbatissam dicti monasterii eligi ac ab ipso moderno episcopo Wintoniensi huiusmodi obtinuerit dicta ordinaria auctoritate confirmari, facta tamen per ipsum provisione quod vitam suam emendaret, et prestito juramento quod de cetero aliquod corrod[i]um de bonis dicti monasterii, nisi in [sic] necessitate exigente vel utilitate dicti monasterii, ac cum consensu moderni et pro tempore existentis episcopi Winetoniensis [sic] predicti alicui non donaret, juramento huiusmodi per eam contempto et in reprobum sensum data, mala malis accumulando et pudicitie laxatis habenis, unacum cappellanis familiaribus (?) et p(erson)is predictis qui eadem secum laboraba[n]tur infamia, sub pretextu quod credit a dicto episcopo occasione inhibitionis huiusmodi de cetero inquiri et corrigi non posse, vitam [in]honestam etiam in dies ducere et erroribus pristinis voluntarie se immiscere, ac elemosinas predictas non pauperibus ut deceret sed consciis suorum criminum et hominbus improbis donare, ac alias in profanos et illicitos usus conuertere non verchatur [sic], periurii reatum ac sententias (?) censuras et penas a quibus de dicte sedis circumuentia absoluta fuerat damnabiliter incurrendo de nouo, in opprobrium religionis ac diuine maiestatis offensam, ipsiusque monasterii detrimentum, pernitiosum quoque exemplum et scandalum plurimorum, Nos igitur, ad quos spectat scripta nostra taliter dilucidare quod exinde non peccandi incentiuum sed deo seruiendi commodum emanasse cognoscatur, prefati episcopi in hac parte supplicationibus inclinati, absolutionem abolitionem et inhibitionem predictas eisdem abbatisse et cappellanis familiaribus (?) et aliis dicti monasterii p(erson)is quoad crimina et excessus per eos et quemlibet ipsorum tantum (?) eatenus commissa, non autem quoad excessus et crimina que post absolutionem habolitionem [sic] et inhibitionem predictas perpetrarent, duntaxat suffragari debere, ipsosque episcopum judices et delegatos super criminibus et excessibus abbatisse et aliorum predictorum, si qua ab eis vel aliquo ipsorum post absolutionem abolitionem et inhibitionem huiusmodi perpetrata fuerunt et in futurum contingerit [sic] perpetrari, ac super distributione elemosinarum predictarum libere inquirere et juris ordine seruato procedere posse, nec licere abbatisse prefate elemosinas huiusmodi absque moderni et pro tempore existentis episcopi predicti expresso consensu donare, auctoritate apostolica prefata tenore presentium decernimus pariter et declaramus, non obstantibus
  • 3. Datum Roncilioni Sutrensis diocesis.
  • 4. A word of about six letters, which the editor has failed to read.
  • 5. dist and a superscript letter which looks like an s, but districtius can hardly be read, nor is it likely.
  • 6. MS. a short word which begins with ‘El,’ doubtless a mis-rendering of ‘W.’
  • 7. MS. accumula(n)no.
  • 8. Without the usual clause enabling him to take the fruits, etc,
  • 9. alterius portionis.
  • 10. Instead of the usual ‘Religionis zelus, vite ac morum honestas’ (etc.), as in the similar dispensation to her fellow-nun.