Third Work, Lesser Work, and Compendium of Philosophy

Clement IV. and Roger Bacon.

In the year 1263, or, according to others, 1264,¹ when the dissension was at the highest between Henry III.

¹ According to Matthew Paris in 1263, according to Matthew of Westminster, who tells the story at greater length, and is more correct on this occasion, in 1264, famous for the battle of Lewes. I subjoin the original: "Therefore the Supreme Pontiff Urban [IV], stimulated by an adverse impulse, turning to the other side, converted his favor and mind against the Barons, drawing an incentive for his immense wrath and indignation from the occasion of the despoiling inflicted upon ecclesiastical persons; moreover, he is said to have declared that he wished to live no longer than until he had subjugated the English; wherefore he also dispatched a legate toward England, a man of highest rank, the Lord Bishop of Sabina, a cardinal, to interdict the land and excommunicate the Barons for their adherence to the Provisions (?). But when he perceived that he could not enter the land at his pleasure because of their resistance, having first cited certain bishops of the realm and certain others to Amiens, and afterwards to Bologna, he committed to execution a sentence of excommunication and interdiction thundered against the city of London and the Cinque Ports, as well as against certain illustrious and noble persons of the realm. But they, observing that the sentence itself was inflicted contrary to justice, appealed to the Pope, to better times, or to a general council, and also to the Supreme Judge of hearts concerning commendable causes and reasons. Which appeal was afterwards read in England at a council assembled

at Reading, and was approved and carried out by the bishops and clergy. Moreover, the aforesaid bishops, although unwillingly receiving the interdict from the legate, carried it with them. But when they had arrived at Dover, a search having been made in the port according to custom, it was intercepted by the citizens, and, torn into tiny pieces, it was cast into the sea. Certain famous messengers, both of the King of the French and of the English—namely, P. the Chamberlain, a nobleman of France, and H. of Almain, with others—arriving at Bologna while the aforesaid pontiffs were still there, were most evilly treated by the townsmen, with many wounded and up to nine of the English cruelly slaughtered; nor was mercy shown to the French because they had come in the company and conduct of the others."—Matt. West. sub an. 1264.

With this account must be combined that of Rishanger, which adds to Westminster's narrative some new and important particulars:—

"In those same days, a disturbance being stirred up throughout the whole world, flying to the holy Roman Church, as if to the fountain of all peace and the mistress of eternal salvation, rendered it agitated by no small shame. Therefore, the Lord Bishop of Sabina was sent to England from the side of the Lord Pope, as cardinal legate, that he might incline the hearts of the king and the magnates toward peace, and, the cloud of every kind of rancor having been dispelled, might solidify the minds of those in discord with the bond of concord. Finally, for this purpose while there..."