| Description | Depositions of 29 witnesses in a case concerning the right to preach in Lichfield Cathedral.
Mgr John de Derby, the dean, claims the right to appoint preachers. However, Mgr Luke de Ely, the cathedral chancellor, also claims this right on his own authority and that of [Roger Longesepee], bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, and on 11 Feb last prevented two Franciscan friars appointed by the dean from preaching in the cathedral, so that no-one preached on that day. The dean's proctor appealed to the pope and the court of Canterbury [sede vacante] for protection against Mgr Alan [le Bretoun], cathedral treasurer, Luke and the bishop. Mgr William Brun, the dean's proctor, appealed to the bishop in his hall at Eccleshall on 22 Mar. On 26 Mar, Alan prohibited Luke from preaching, on penalty of suspension and excommunication, but Luke preached on 27 Mar and 16 Aug. The dean tried to make peace with Luke and on 14 Apr, in the presence of Mgr Robert de Radewell, archdeacon of Chester, Mgr Robert Stafford, archdeacon of Coventry, and Brangalio de Lavennia, canon of Lichfield, renounced his appeal and persevered in this until 29 Sep. Some information about Luke's career at Oxford University.
Endorsed with description in late 13th cent hand. |