Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

THE FIRST PARLIAMENT. "24.-)
off from the rest of the world in things spiritual, it is
free to spend its own money on itself and its needs
if that is an advantage.
"
Archbishop Boniface, then, vainly tried to extend
his spiritual jurisdiction. His attempt was opposed
as contrary to the canons. Innocent IV. (1252)
ruled that the Archbishop's visitation should be
restricted to diocesan officials, and non-exempt con-
ventual churches. It was to last one or two days
and the costs not to exceed four marks.1
Simon de Mont fort on his side was the popular
leader. The king, who had sworn to observe the
Provisions of Oxford for the reformation of abuses in
Church and State, evaded his promises, and once
more the barons rose up against him. Both Henry
and his son were taken prisoners, and then Simon,
being in temporary authority over the land, called
the first parliament in 1265. It was fashioned
on the model of Church synods, which had been
regularly held since Archbishop Theodore's time,
and had been to a certain extent representative
assemblies. Now for the first time citizens and
burgesses were called upon to assist the knights and
nobles and prelates in their deliberations. Earl
Simon did not long survive this great stroke. He
fell at Evesham, one of the ignoble battles fought
between king and barons. He was always true to
the Church and, according to his view, faithful to
the State. He was fighting for constitutional privi-
1 Felten, i>. 61.