| Description | From: Peter des Roches, bishop of Winchester; Simon the chamberlain, abbot of Reading; Pandulf, papal sub-deacon and member of the pope's household ('familiaris')
To: Stephen Langton, archbishop of Canterbury
Recites the letter of Pope Innocent III to Peter, Simon and Pandulf. Although King John has made satisfaction to the church and particularly to the archbishop and his fellow bishops, some of them are now failing to help him against rebels. The rebels are particularly condemned because they are preventing the king's crusade to the Holy Land. The pope excommunicates the rebels and places their lands under interdict. The archbishop and his fellow bishops are to cause the sentence to be published and anyone who fails to do so shall be suspended. Dated 7 Jul 1215, at Ferentino [Roma, Italy].
Robert fitz Walter, the earl of Winchester, the earl of Clare, the earl of Gloucester, Eustace de Vescy, Richard de Percy, John, constable of Chester, William de Albini and William de Mowbray have taken up arms against the king. The city of London has also fortified itself against the king and punished those loyal to him. The citizens of London and other rebels have overthrown established customs and laws and the ordinances of the king and his council, and no-one dares to contradict them.
In obedience to the pope's mandate, Peter, Simon and Pandulf denounce the rebels, commanding Stephen to excommunicate them and place their lands under interdict and cause the sentence to be observed throughout his dioceses. The city of London and its citizens are singled out for special condemnation. No sacraments are to be celebrated in the lands under interdict except baptism and extreme unction. In particular they command Giles de Braose, bishop of Hereford, William fitz Walter, archdeacon of Hereford, Alexander the clerk, Osbert de Samar, chaplain ('capellanus'), John de Fereby, clerk, and R, chaplain of Robert fitz Walter, to observe the sentences until satisfaction is made to the church and the king, and to promote the crusade.
Given at Dover [Kent]. |