| Description | From: John Pecham, archbishop of Canterbury, papal judge delegate
To: the rural dean of Canterbury
Recites the mandate of Pope Gregory X, dated 28 Apr 1273 at Orvieto [Treni, Italy], addressed to the archbishop of Canterbury [Robert Kilwardby]. This stated that, although the subprior and convent of Dover Priory have a papal privilege exempting them from the jurisdiction of Canterbury Cathedral Priory sede vacante, the prior and convent of Canterbury tried to impose their authority on Dover, citing a confirmation granted to them by Pope Urban [IV?] in justification. Details of right claimed by Canterbury under this confirmation. Dover Priory did not withdraw its obedience from Canterbury, but Canterbury nevertheless excommunicated the monks of Dover and placed the priory under interdict. Dover Priory has therefore sought a remedy from the pope and the pope delegates the case to the archbishop. The case between Dover Priory and the prior and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral Priory and Geoffrey of Romney, monk of Canterbury, which was being heard before Archbishop Robert Kilwardby, is still pending and Pecham claims that the authority delegated to Kilwardby now vests in him. He orders the rural dean to cite the prior and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral Priory and Geoffrey to appear before him or his deputies in St Paul's Cathedral, London, on 19 Oct and to command the prior of Dover to be present to promote these cases if it seems expedient to him.
Given at Aldington [Kent].
Endorsed with description, referring to the breaking of the confirmation, in late 13th cent hands. |