Document 2/143/140 (Inchaff. Chrs., App., no. 3)
- Description
- Pope Innocent IV writes to Master Abel, papal chaplain, archdeacon of St Andrews, the archdeacon of Teviotdale and John of Everlay, canon of Dunkeld, noting that the provost and chapter of the secular church of St Mary, in the city of St Andrews, submitted a petition to him that the prior and convent of the cathedral church of St Andrews had asserted that it had been granted by the apostolic see that on the resignation or death of canons of their church, the prior and convent might apply their prebends and possessions to their own uses. Concerning this and other matters, they had obtained apostolic letters from St Mary’s in opposition addressed to the priors of Kirkham and St Oswald’s in the diocese of York. The two priors had, without reasonable cause, promulgated a sentence of excommunication against the church of St Mary, contrary to the statutes of the General Council. The pope commands these two priors, if the facts were as described, to relax the sentence without demur within eight days of receiving these letters. Further, the pope commands the archdeacons and John of Everlay that, if the two priors neglect to fulfil his mandate within the fixed time, they should relax the sentence of excommunication according to the forms of the church, having taken sufficient caution for the alleged offences for which the canons of St Mary’s had been excommunicated, and should themselves hear the case and terminate it, within four months from the date of the receipt of these letters, either by judicial sentence or an agreement between the parties. If they are unable to bring this to conclusion, they are to remit it for examination by the apostolic see, appointing a peremptory limit of time to the parties by which they are to compear before the pope, by themselves or their proctors. If the said sentence of excommunication has been pronounced for offences, it should not be relaxed until competent satisfaction is made. If the witnesses named shall have withdrawn out of favour, hatred or fear, they shall compel them by the same censure, without appeal, to provide testimony of the truth. If all of them cannot take part in carrying this out, let two of them do it.
- Firm date
- 7 April 1251
- Dating Notes
- 7 id. Apr., pontifical year 8
- Place date (modern)
- Lyon
- Place date (document)
- Lugduni
- Related Place
- Lyon
- Source for Data Entry
- Inchaffray Chrs., App., no. 3
- Trad. ID
- Inchaff. Chrs., App., no. 3
- Calendar number
- 2/143/140
- Charter type
- Papal letter
- Language
- Latin
- Original (contemporary)
- yes
- Notes
- Earl of Kinnoull, Dupplin Charters, Bull No. 6
Cooper, Select Scottish Cases, no. 43
Ferguson, Medieval Papal Reps., App. I, no. 116