1132. A. R. 32 1133. 1135. A. R. 1 April 10. (Easter.) A "Curia" assembles at Woodstock, and afterwards at London. (d) Feb. 8. (Beginning of Lent.) A "Curia," or Convention, assembles at London. (e) March 26. (Easter.) A "Curia" is held in the New Hall, Oxford. (f) May 1. (Rogation Week, Sunday being April 30.) A A Charter to the B. of Exeter is signed by the Queen, two STEPHEN. (26 Dec. 1135.) After his Coronation at Christmas, a general Council meets at Oxford, by summons to the Bishops and "Proceres." The King grants an extensive Charter, wherein, inter alia, the rights and immunities of the Church are secured to the whole body of the Clergy. It is witnessed by the Bishops, the (d) Huntingdon. Hody, 206. (e) Huntingdon. Hody, 207. (f) Huntingdon. Hody, 207. (g) Hody, 207. (h) Hody, 207, who says a MS. Chronicle of good note places this in 1131. At one of these meetings, the King requires the members to renew their oath of fealty to his daughter Matilda, and to bind themselves to recognize the right of her infant son, lately born, to the crown after his decease. Rad. de Diceto (Twysden), col. 505. M. Paris, Walsingham, Ypodigma Neustriæ. The confirmation of the transfer of the episcopal seat from Wells to Bath, as it is given in the Fædera, is addressed "Omnibus Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Comits. Vice Comits. Barons. et Fidelibus, Francis et Anglis." In his 33d year, the King is styled Dominus Hyberniæ, a title from that date discontinued, that of Dux Normanniæ being retained. The assemblies which have been given in the text are those authorised by the historians of the time. The periods at which the King held his Curia, or Court, are more especially detailed in the Saxon Chronicle; and as, at those periods, there was generally held a great Council amounting almost in power to a Parliament, it may be well to record them here. Anno 1101, the King kept his Curia, at Christmas, at Westminster; at Easter, at Winchester. A. 1102, at Christmas, at Westminster; Easter, Winchester; Michaelmas, Westminster. 1103, Midwinter, at Westminster; Easter, Winchester. 1104, Christmas, at Westminster; Easter, Winchester; Pentecost, Westminster. 1105, Christmas, at Windsor, at Lent went to Normandy, and in Autumn returned. 1106, Christmas, at Westminster; Lent, at Northampton; Easter, at Bath; Pentecost, at Salisbury; before August, went to Normandy. 1107, Christmas, in Normandy; Lent and Easter, at Windsor; Pentecost, Westminster; and, beginning of August, at Westminster. 1108, Nativity, Westminster; Easter, Winchester; Pentecost, Westminster; before August he went to Normandy. 1109, Christmas and Easter, in Normandy; Pentecost, Westminster. 1110, Christmas, Westminster; Easter, Marlborough; Pentecost, New Windsor, first time. In the years 1111, 12, 13, the King was in Normandy. 1114. Christmas, at Windsor, and held no other Court that year. 1115, he returned in July. 1116, Christmas, St. Alban's; Easter, Odiham. Then he went into Normandy the years 1117, 18, 19. In 1120, before Advent, he returned to England. In 1121, at Christmas, he held his Court at Bramton; before Candlemas, at Windsor; Easter, at Berkley; at Pentecost, a full Court at Westminster. In 1122, Christmas, Norwich; Easter, Northampton. In 1123, Christmas, Dunstable; thence removed his whole Court to Woodstock; Candlemas, Gloucester. Chancellor (Roger B. of Salisbury) the King's nephew, Henry, 1136. A. R. 1 A. Ro 3 The King again confirms his former Charter. (1) April 10. (IV. Ides April, called Easter.) A Council is 1138. held at Northampton, at which are present the Archb. of York, the Bishops, Abbots, Earls, Barons, and all the Nobles of England. (m) A. R. 4 June 24. A Council or Parliament, of "Magnates" 1139. or "Primores," assembles at Oxford, to which are summoned the B. of Salisbury, and other partisans of Matilda. (n) April 7. A Synod is convened by the Bishop, at 1142. Winchester, to which are summoned Deputies from London. The Clergy, "to whom, according to the Legate, the election of a Sovereign principally belongs," acknowledge Matilda as such. The Deputies oppose the measure, and urge the release and restoration of Stephen. (0) 7 Dec. 7. A Synod meets at Westminster in presence 1142. of the King. (p) A. R. 7 ? Feb. 8. (Lent.) An Ecclesiastical Council assembles 1144. at London. (9) March 1. (Lent.) A Council is held. The Earls and Barons do fealty to Eustace, the King's son. (r) A general Council is held at London, consisting of the Prelates and Proceres. A. R. 9 1150. 15 A. R. 1152. A. R. 17 The Archb. of Cant. (Theobald) refuses to anoint and crown the King's son. The Bishops side with him. (s) Νου. 7. (VII. Ides Nov.) A general Council, or Con- 1153. vention, at Westminster, is attended by the Bishops, Earls, and other "Optimates." (Huntingdon, Brompton, Knyghton, Malmesbury, Wikes, Richd., Prior of Hagulstad. Hody, 210. (4) Huntingdon, R. de Diceto. Hody, 211. (1) Simeon Dunelm, whom Hody supposesin error, 212. (m) Continr. of Florence; but Easter day, 1138, was April 3. The Easter, April 11, of the preceding year, 1137, approaches nearer to "4 of the Ides of April." (n) The Saxon Chronicle, in Stephen's reign, takes notice of only one Council, which was held at Oxford, anno 1137. This was evidently not that after the Coronation, and seems to coincide with none other besides the present one, which, according to Malmesbury, was held in 1139. See Hody, 213. Hen. Huntingdon, lib. 8. Chron. Gervase, (Ed. Twysden) Col. 1345. (0) Malmesbury, H. N. 1. 2. (p) Malm. 1. c.; Ann. Wav. p. 154. (q) Prior of Hagulstad. Hody, 58, and H. Conv. P. 3. (r) M. Paris. Hody, 213. (5) M. Paris. Gervase. Hody, 213. Parl. H. I. 13. A. R. 18 1154. A. R. 19 1154. A. R. The King adopts Duke Henry as his heir. (t) The Earls and Barons of England, swear fealty to the Duke, saving to the King his royal dignity during life. (u) Sept. 29. (Michs. Day.) A Council is held at London. 19 The Bishops, Abbots, and Priors of the Province of York, and the "Optimates Terræ," are present. (w) 1154. 1 HENRY II. (19 Dec. 1154.) At his Coronation, a Convention is held of the ArchA. R. bishops, Bishops, Earls, Barons (Anglici et Transmarini) in the presence of "an immense multitude of people." (x) March 27. (Easter.) A general Council, or Conventus, meets at Walingford, and is composed of the "Præsules et Principes totius Angliæ." 1155. A. R. 1 1156. A. R 2 1157. A. R. The King's two sons, William and Henry, are declared his heirs. (y) A Council is held. The King commands the Laws of his Grandfather to be inviolably kept throughout the kingdom. (*) July 17. (XVI. Cal. Aug.) A Convention at Northampton, is attended by the "Præsules et Principes Regni," 3 eight Bishops, twelve Abbots, and many other foreign and English Nobility, and "inferioris ordinis Persona." (a) (t) R. de Diceto. Brompton. Gervase. In the Fœdera, is the agreement at Westminster between Stephen and Henry, dated, a. r. 18, 1153. The Historians differ a to the place where this took place. Gervase says at Winchester, M. Paris and M. Westminster say at Walingford. Hody, 214. (u) Gervase. (w) Gervase. Brompton. Hemingford. Hody, 214. On the reign of Stephen, the Report on the Dignity of the Peerage states, "according to the testimony of history, from some time in the 4th year of his reign, the accustomed assemblies even of the Curia Regis ceased" (p. 41). During this and the preeeding Reigns, there did exist some legal constitution of a government, of which a Legislative Council (for some purposes at least) formed a part; and particularly, that all Impositions and Exactions by the mere authority of the Crown, not warranted by the existing Law, were reprobated as infringements of the just rights of the subjects, though the existing Law left a large portion of the King's subjects liable to Tallage imposed at the will of the Crown; and the Tenants of the Mesne Lords were in many cases exposed to similar exactions." With the reign of Stephen, the Saxon Chronicle ends. (2) Gervase, and Hody (216) from him, says this took place, Dec. 17. See the authorities to the contrary in Sir Harris Nicolas, Chron. of Hist. 282. (y) Gul. Neubrigg. Lib. 3, alludes to a previous Assembly of the States, by advice of which the King revoked the grants of Crown Lands made by his predecessor. Gervase. Hody, 217. Parl. H. 1. 14. (z) Hoveden. Hody, 1. c. (a) Gervase. Hody, l. c. April 20. (Easter.) A Convention is held at Wor- 1158. cester. The King and Queen are a second time crowned, and offer their Crowns on the Altar. (b) A. R. 4 Dec. 25. (Christmas.) A "Curia" is held at Wor- A. R. cester. (c) A Council is held. 5 1162. 8 Thomas Becket, the Chancellor, the Bishops and Abbots of R. all England, do fealty to Henry the King's son. (d) March 8. (VIII. Ides March, called Lent.) A great 1163. Council is held in the Chapel of St. Katharine, Westminster. The two Archbishops, nine Bishops, five Abbots, two Archdeacons, three Earls, three Barons, and other Optimates, and the Earl of Leicester, Justiciary of England, are present. (e) A. R. 9 A Council at Westminster, is composed of the Arch- 1164. bishops, and Bishops of England. (f) A. R. Jan. 13. (Hilary Day) A great Council at Claren- 1165. don, is composed of the Archbs, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Clergy, Earls, Barons and Proceres. John of Oxford, the King's Chaplain, presides by the King's In one of these Constitutions, it is declared, that all Archbishops and Bishops, "et universæ personæ regni qui de rege tenent in capite" hold their lands of the King by Barony, and are consequently obliged to serve the K. as other Barons, and to attend his Courts (or Parliaments) in all cases, excepting only where judgment as to life is to be given. (g) (b) Hoveden. R. de Diceto. M. Paris. Hody, p. 139, states this occurrence upon these authorities; but, at p. 219, places it at Christmas, and at Worcester. (c) In the text, this last Curia is retained upon the grounds of probable occurrence. (d) R. de Diceto. Hody, 218. (e) R. de Diceto. M. Paris. Brompton. Hody, 218. This meeting is said to have been held in Lent, on the day named. But Ash Wednesday was on the 6th Feb. in 1163, and Mid Lent Sunday, March 3. There is some doubt as to the year, whether 1162 or 3. The general term, Lent, will not admit any precise determination of the question, as, in 1162, Midlent Sunday was on the 18th, and, in 1164, on the 22d March, all including the day named. (f) Gervase. Hoveden says 1164. (g) M. Paris. Gervase. Hoveden. M. Westminster. R. de Diceto. Hist. Quadripartita. Hody, 220, &c. Parl. Hist. I. 14. "This, say the Eds. of this last work, comes the nearest to a Parliament of any thing we have yet met with. The Eleventh Article of these Constitutions provides as follows: "Omnes Archiepiscopi Episcopi et universæ personæ Regni qui de rege tenent in capite, habent possessiones suas de Dno. Rege sicut Baroniam, et inde respondent Justiciis et Ministris Regis, et secuntur et faciunt omnes rectitudines et consuetudines regias, et sicut Barones cæteri debent interesse judiciis curie Di. Regs. cum Baronibus, usq.; perveniatur in judicio ad diminutionem membrorum vel mortem." There are strong grounds for presuming "that owing suit to the King's great Court rendered the Tenant one of the King's Barons, or Barons of the Kingdom; and that all such were properly members of that Court, though probably none attended who were not specially summoned." "The general words, Proceres Regni, &c., might be intended to include only the Justiciar, Chancellor, and Justices, and others who appear always to have been considered 10 1166. A. R. Oct. 13, Thursday. A great Council is held at North12 ampton, by summons to all who hold of the King in chief, namely, all the Prelates and Nobles (Proceres) Bishops, Earls and Barons. 1168. A. R. 14 1169. A. R. By the King's permission, the Prelates consult apart on the accusation of Archb. Becket. The King and "Principes" by themselves. The Archb. is condemned to banishment on the last day, Tuesday 18. (h) A great Council in London, is attended by the "Præsules et Prælati et Proceres." By their advice, a Letter is addressed to the Pope and Cardinals, against their support of the Archbishop. (i) April 20. (Easter.) A "Curia," or Council, is held 15 at Windsor. All the Bishops and Magnates, and William K. of Scotland and his brother David, attend. Certain Abbots and Clergy, Earls and Knights, are sent into all parts of the country with articles of Inquiry into the misdemeanors of Sheriffs and other Officers. (k) June 11. (Barnabas Day.) A great Council, composed of the Archbishop of York, of all the Bishops, all the Earls, Barons, and "Nobiliores regni," the King's Free Tenants, the Sheriffs, Overseers of the King's Demesnes, the Aldermen (Reeves), with their Sureties (Fidejussores), meets, by summons, at London. The subject of the late Inquiry is discussed. members of the King's great Court and Council." Report, D. P. pp. 44-5. "The Constitutions do not, however, expressly mention any obligation on these Ecclesiastics to attend in any Legislative Assembly, unless the Curia Regis then assumed Legislalative, in addition to their judicial powers," (p. 46). "Of every Legislative Assembly afterwards convened, the Archbps. and Bps., and certain Abbots and Priors, formed a part; tho' the Clergy when they submitted to taxation as Clergy, and not in respect of their Lay Fees, generally taxed themselves separately; in later reigns, in a species of Convocation, to which others of the Clergy besides the Prelates, were called as Representatives of the whole body, The Curia Regis used as the word "Parliamentum" in time of Edw. I. would denote the King's ordinary Court of Justice, together with which might be convened an extraordinary Legisl. Assembly, summoned for particular purposes, by the King's Mandate, of which the Curia Regis, as composed in the ordinary discharge of its functions, might form a part" &c. (p. 46). (h) There is much difficulty with regard to this and the former meetings. Hoveden places the Council at Westminster in 1164. The meeting at Clarendon, then, would be in the year 1165. But the present meeting could not be in the years 1164 or 1165, as Thursday being the 13th October, Sunday would be on the 16th, which can only occur in 1166. This therefore must be the right year, whatever may become of the preceding dates. It is rendered more certain that the date now assigned is correct, as the Archbishop's escape is dated 1166, and he would not have remained at home nearly two years, under his sentence, as he must have done had the year usually assigned for his sentence, 1164, been the true one. Hume, I. 280. (Ed. Lond. 1762), quoting Fitz Stephen, p. 46, says "This Historian is supposed to mean the more considerable vassals of the Chief Barons. These had no title to sit in the Great Council, and the giving them a place there was a palpable irregularity; which, however, is not insisted on in any of Becket's remonstrances." Is not this rather a proof that there was no irregularity? The same question may be asked on his observation, that "several Norman Barons were irregularly present. The date here is on the authority of Selden, (733), who says, the great Council held at Northampton was in 1165, and the 11th year of the King's reign. All Tenants in Chief were summoned. (i) M. Paris. Hody, 231. (k) Brompton. Benedict Abb. Peterb. (Ed. Hearne T. I) Gervase. Hody, 231. |