The Papacy And The Civil Power – Chapter XV. The English Barons
The Pope turns England over to France.—Resistance of the Barons.—John resigns the Crown to the Pope.— Barons form a League.—Magna Carta.—John swears to obey it.—The Pope releases Him, and annuls the Charter. He claims England as a Fief.—Foreign Mercenaries.—Henry III.—Italian and Foreign Priests. Immunities of Clergy.—They murder with Impunity.—House of Commons established.—Civil War.—The Barons defeated.—Their Treatment by the King and Pope.—Edward I. confirms the Charter.—The Lollards.—Law for burning Heretics.—William Sawtre and Thomas Badby burned.—Lollards attacked.—Clergy exempt from Punishment in Secular Courts. Corruption almost Universal.—The Fruits of the False Decretals.
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