HONORIUS, ETC., TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK

OUR venerable brother N [icholas] Bishop of Mann and the Isles, has humbly besought us by his letters, that, whereas he has been compelled, for a long time past, to exile himself from his church, and cannot return thither, the lord of the land and others being altogether opposed to him, we would grant him permission to render up his bishopric, reserving to himself the use of his pontificals. But because, like as the hand, according to the Apostle, is laid upon no man hastily, so neither can permission to resign be readily conceded, especially where cause be unknown. We command your brotherhood, in whom we will receive greater confidence, through the Lord, by our Apostolic writing, having carefully examined the circumstances of this cause, to grant to him, on our authority, the required permission, if it should appear expedient so to do. Dated at the Lateran, on the Ides of May,* in the eighth year.

EPISTOLIE DE VATICANO.

HONORIUS, ETC., ARCHIEPISCOPO EBORACENSI.-ANNO VIII. EPIS. 439.

ADD. MSS.

VENERABILIS frater noster N. Mannie et Insularum Episcopus, per suas nobis lineras humiliter supplicavit, ut cum jam longo tempore ab ecclesia sua exulare coactus illue redire non valeat, domino terre, ac aliis sibi adversantibus, universis, sibi cedendi episcopali oneri licentiam largiremur, usu sibi pontificalium reservato. Quia vero sicut nemini cito manus est secundum Apostolum imponenda, ita nec est de facili concedenda licentia concessionis, presertim ubi causa nescitur, fraternitati tue, de qua fiduciam obtinemus in Domino pleniorem, per apostolica scripta mandamus quatinus hujusmodi cause circumstantiis provide circumspectis, ei auctoritate nostra concedas licentiam postulatam si tamen videris expedire. Datum Laterani Idibus Maii, Anno Octavo.

* 15th May

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