| Description | From: Pope Alexander VI
To: the abbot of St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury; the abbot of Westminster Abbey; the abbot of St Albans Abbey
The Pope has issued a bull dated 4 Oct 1494 at St Peter's, Rome (recited). Since time immemorial, the archbishop of Canterbury has had ordinary jurisdiction in all cathedral churches within the province of Canterbury when they are vacant and has the right to all their tithes and spiritual profits, including offerings which have been annexed to the bishops' tables. He can also confer benefices and other preferments as the bishop would. So that Cardinal John Morton, the present archbishop, and his successors cannot be disturbed in the exercise of this jurisdiction, the pope approves and confirms this custom, notwithstanding papal, legatine, provincial and conciliar decrees to the contrary. As a stronger guarantee ('potiori pro cautela'), the pope concedes and elaborates this prerogative jurisdiction.
The abbots are to cause the bull to be observed, by ecclesiastical censures if necessary and even by resorting to the secular arm, notwithstanding the constitution of Boniface VIII relating to judges acting outside their dioceses or any other papal constitutions or indults as specified to the contrary.
The document has been altered throughout in another hand so that the same rights apply to the prior and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral Priory when the see of Canterbury is vacant. Several other alterations and interlineations. No date. [Date: handwriting.] Original dated 4 Oct 1494 at St Peter's, Rome.
Signatures of L Podocatharus, in whose presence the original was registered, and P Tuba.
Endorsed 'Exemplar bulle ['cum cerico' crossed out] executorie' in late 15th or early 16th cent hand. |
| Related Material | Copy of the bull: CCA-DCc-ChAnt/A/18
Possible related documents: CCA-DCc-ChAnt/S/384A; CCA-DCc-ChAnt/S/432; CCA-DCc-ChAnt/S/433
Version in Cardinal Morton's register (calendar entry): C Harper-Bill (ed), The register of John Morton, archbishop of Canterbury, vol 1 (Canterbury and York Society, 1987), pp67-68 as no218 |