DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0226
194 HISTORY OF
nients, was very much displeased on the occasion, and immediately ordered the
temporalities of the archbishopric to be seized, as having become vacant by this
elevation. The vacancy followed of course, as it was a canonical regulation,
that by such a promotion the ecclesiastic who received it was discharged by the
pope from his obligation to attend a particular church, that he might be employed
in the service of the church universal*. It was not, however, uncommon for the
pope to allow the promoted person, as a special favour, to hold his former pre-
ferments in commendamf. Nay, instances are on record where a previous agree- .
ment was made to retain them. Thus, in the year 1383, Walter Wardelaw
refused to be invested with the dignity of cardinal, but on the condition that hi»
archbishopric of Glasgow might be associated with itj. Langham did not take
that precaution,. though it is not improbable that he was disqualified from doing-
it, by his ignorance of the honour designed him, till it was conferred. The crown
had a natural interest in this kind of preferment; and our kings were not disposed
to favour the ecclesiastics who were thus advanced without their application and
concurrence, as such persons might be reasonably suspected of preferring the
interests of the pope who had exalted them to those of.their oAvn sovereign. In
the year 1426§, when Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, and great-uncle of
Henry VI. was made a cardinal, it was debated in council, whether, by accept-
ing that dignity, he had not forfeited his place as privy-counsellor ||; but though,
from his near relation to the king, he was permitted to retain that character, it
* In the year 1278, the cardinalate being conferred on Robert Kilwardby, the archbishopric of
Canterbury was vacated, and bestowed by papal provision on John Peckham.
+ Bcluzius de Papis Avenionensibus, vol. I. col. 1031.
% Ibid. vol. I. col. 1312.
§ Gibson's Codex, p. 77.
H Rymer's Foedera, torn. X. p. Hi, 497.
nients, was very much displeased on the occasion, and immediately ordered the
temporalities of the archbishopric to be seized, as having become vacant by this
elevation. The vacancy followed of course, as it was a canonical regulation,
that by such a promotion the ecclesiastic who received it was discharged by the
pope from his obligation to attend a particular church, that he might be employed
in the service of the church universal*. It was not, however, uncommon for the
pope to allow the promoted person, as a special favour, to hold his former pre-
ferments in commendamf. Nay, instances are on record where a previous agree- .
ment was made to retain them. Thus, in the year 1383, Walter Wardelaw
refused to be invested with the dignity of cardinal, but on the condition that hi»
archbishopric of Glasgow might be associated with itj. Langham did not take
that precaution,. though it is not improbable that he was disqualified from doing-
it, by his ignorance of the honour designed him, till it was conferred. The crown
had a natural interest in this kind of preferment; and our kings were not disposed
to favour the ecclesiastics who were thus advanced without their application and
concurrence, as such persons might be reasonably suspected of preferring the
interests of the pope who had exalted them to those of.their oAvn sovereign. In
the year 1426§, when Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, and great-uncle of
Henry VI. was made a cardinal, it was debated in council, whether, by accept-
ing that dignity, he had not forfeited his place as privy-counsellor ||; but though,
from his near relation to the king, he was permitted to retain that character, it
* In the year 1278, the cardinalate being conferred on Robert Kilwardby, the archbishopric of
Canterbury was vacated, and bestowed by papal provision on John Peckham.
+ Bcluzius de Papis Avenionensibus, vol. I. col. 1031.
% Ibid. vol. I. col. 1312.
§ Gibson's Codex, p. 77.
H Rymer's Foedera, torn. X. p. Hi, 497.