| Description | From: Robert Winchelsey
To: Henry of Eastry, prior of Canterbury Cathedral Priory
He has often written to say that the decree of his election that the prior recently sent to him by Mgr William de Sardinia ought to contain at the end the names of each of the monks written in his own hand. The text and the subscriptions appear to be written in by the same hand and then it could be argued that the document was a forgery. One copy of the decree should have been sent to the pope and another to the college of cardinals, because of the length of time the papacy has been vacant but, as far as he knows, nothing has been sent to the cardinals. He therefore asks that two copies of the decree should be made and sent to him as soon as possible one directed to the college of cardinals and the other to the pope. Both copies should have the monks' subscriptions in their own hands, be sealed with the chapter's seal and bear the date of the original. If any monk does not know how to write, he should get someone else to subscribe for him, using the formula specified. Each monk subscribing should put a mark before and after his subscription.
Given at St Martin de Monte [Abbey], Viterbo [Roma, Italy].
Endorsed with address and name of sender, followed by 'dd' 'dd', and note that the document was received on 7 Sep in late 13th cent hands. |