6 - Letter from Pope Alexander IV to the Minister Provincial and Friars of England, 9 November 1257 [Lpl Ms Papal Documents 62]

Summary

Alexander the bishop, servant of the servants of God, to our beloved sons the minister provincial and friars of the Order of Friars Minor of England, greeting and the apostolic benediction. Having formerly understood from your insinuation that our beloved sons the convent of the monastery of St Edmund, of the Order of St Benedict, of the diocese of Norwich, inflicted divers and outrageous injuries on a certain farm granted to your order from the liberality of a certain nobleman in the town of St Edmund, we, at your urging concerning the injuries of this kind, are mindful that certain judges have directed our writings beneath a certain formula in your favour. Let it be allowed, therefore, that your order is very powerful on account of this, since at one time, when we were set in a minor office, our business was committed to us by the Apostolic See, and we loved you with especial charity, and embraced you as if chosen and singular sons within the bosom of our mind. Let it even be allowed that the lap of apostolic favour regarded you in this, and in other privileges of your order, and would lead us to unfold with a munificent hand. However, our intention remains and stands to thus show you favour in this way to your convenience, so that it would not redound to the prejudice of others. Since we favour you with so much sincere feeling, we wish so much more ardently that you would always perform those things by which the integrity of your reputation may be preserved, and the standing of your order may be more firmly and solidly strengthened. Since, therefore, the zeal of charity so urges, by which we embrace you in Christ, so that this page goes forth to you concerning these presents, we advise, ask and intently encourage you, commanding you by apostolic writings, inasmuch as it is owed to maturity, that you should therefore take care to preserve the said monastery in business of this kind (especially because it is under the special protection of the Roman church, and we are bound on account of this same right, by our apostolic office, to specially defend it), so that, entirely refraining from moles-tation and injuries to the same monastery (just as you ought), you should attempt nothing against the privileges, indults, liberties and immunities and rights of the same monastery.