Catalogue description Notarial exemplification (copy)

[Document damaged. Missing text supplied on a separate piece of parchment.] Printed copy of a notarial exemplification dated 8 Mar 1498, issued by John Morton, cardinal-priest of S Anastasia, archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England and papal legate, of 2 papal bulls: (1) Issued by Alexander VI at St Peter's, Rome [Roma, Italy] on 4 Oct 1494, confirming and renewing the bull of Innocent VIII. (2) Bull of Innocent VIII, dated 27 Mar 1486, at St Peter's, Rome. The pope confirms his dispensation enabling the marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth, daughter of Edward IV. He also confirms the succession and parliament's decree concerning the king's title and the succession and forbids the king's subjects to stir up new disturbances, on pain of excommunication and greater anathema. Provisions relating to the succession if Elizabeth dies childless. Exemplified at the request of Mgr Hugh payntewyn' LLD, archdeacon of Canterbury, acting on behalf of Henry and Elizabeth. Written by Mgr John Barett, notary public, in an inner chamber of the archbishop's manor of Lambeth [Surrey]. No date. [Date: date of original. Incunable Short Title Catalogue states that the document was printed at London by Richard Pynson in 1497 [1497/8?].] Witnesses: Thomas Routhale, doctor of dectretals, papal prothonotary; Thomas Madeys, DD Facsimiles of a notarial sign and an elaborate 'Et'. Summary of the bulls in Latin and English, emphasising that the popes support the king's claim to the throne on their own volition and not at anyone's instance. If any of the king's subjects disputes the title or succession or stirs up disturbances, he shall incur the penalties of excommunication and greater anathema and can only be absolved by the pope or someone to whom he delegates authority to do this, unless he is on point of death. The popes have also given their blessing to anyone who helps the king against rebels and anyone who dies fighting for him shall receive a plenary indulgence and remission of all sins. Handwritten clause at the bottom of the document from the archbishop, ordering the vernacular summary to be published four times a year as specified in all the churches in his province. Those who disobey his mandate shall incur excommunication. Endorsed with note that Andrew Hall of Bocking procured marriage with Margaret Robson of Colne [both Essex] without the permisssion of the vicar of Colne, note relating to a defamation case involving John Hervy of 'Bixley' [unidentified] and handwriting practice, mainly of the word Bocking, in mid 16th cent hands.

Version of Innocent VIII's bull in papal registers (calendar entry): Calendar of Papal Letters vol 14, 1484-1492, p2