had hindered the election of a pope, and the advantage of the church, by keeping some of the cardinale and some prelates in prison. And at the foot of their message they added, that he ought to release those whom he was detaining, and above all, cardinal Otho, that he might be present at the election, and that the election might take place according to hie wish, and to the honour, and peace, and exaltation of the kingdom. And the emperor being influenced by these words, allowed the aforesaid cardinal Otho, and also the prelates, whom he had rashly detained, to depart in freedom. But when Otho had arrived among the brethren who were waiting for him, and when they had all discussed together the election of a pope, Satan sowed discord among them, so that they could not agree, nor adopt any unanimous opinion. On which account, the cardinal Otho being ashamed and perplexed, proposed to return to the emperor's prison, because the cardinale had violated the promise which they had given to him when he released them from prison. And when this was made known to the emperor, he was pleased at the good faith of Otho, and signified to him that he looked upon him, and always would look upon him, not only as a free man, but as a friend. Therefore, having collected a numerous army, the emperor laid waste the city of Aubigny, which especially belonged to the Roman church, and threatened the cardinals to level everything which was the property of the Roman church with the ground, unless they would at once, without making any more difficulties, agreed in the election of a pope. And he ordered the senator of the city, and others who were his friends, to shut the electors up, and guard them closely with an armed force, and not to permit them to depart till they had created a pope. Moreover, àie king of France, with the university of his kingdom, transmitted a most vigorous letter, containing a demand, couched in warlike and imperious language, to the cardinals, by a formal ambassador, advising them to provide for the church, without any loss of time or delay. Accordingly, they being alarmed at such commands, determined, when they were assembled a second time, after having invoked the favour of the Holy Spirit, to proceed to the election of a pope at an appointed time, not waiting for a regular day, and rejecting all the hindrances of the devil. Now that in those days many men were doubting whether the papal powers, during the vacancy of the see, devolved on the college of cardinals or