A .D. 1215.] SUSPENSION OF THE AKCIIBISIIOr. sentence of suspension against the archbishop by the underwritten letter. Of the confirmation of the suspension of the said archbishop. "Innocent, bishop, to all the suffragans of the church of Canterbury, greeting. We wish it to be known to you all in common that we have ratified the sentence of suspension, which our venerable brother 1*. bishop of Winchester, our beloved son 1'. the subdeacon, and (air familiar, the elect of Norwich, by the apostolic authority, pronounced against Stephen archbishop of Canterbury, and we order it to be strictly observed, till the said archbishop, who observes it in all humility, may deserve to be released from it, giving security according to the form of the church, by the substitution of one obligation for another; wherefore by these apostolic letters we order the whole brotherhood of you, that you bishops also strictly observe the aforesaid sentence, and in the meantime that you do not show any obedience to the said archbishop. Given at the Lateran this 4th of November." After this the canons of York presented master Simon Langton to the pope, demanding the confirmation of his election ; but to them the pope said, " Know that we do not consider him elected, because, for certain reasons we could not suffer him to be promoted to such a high dignity ; and because that election has been made in opposition to our prohibition, we entirely annul and for ever condemn it, and it is our decree that he be ineligible to be elected to the pontifical dignity without a dispensation of the apostolic see." Having thus annulled this election, the pope ordered the canons to proceed in another, and if they did not he would himself provide a fit pastor for them. The canons then, as they had before provided, elected Walter de Gray bishop of Worcester, on account, as they said, of his carnal purity, as one who had continued chaste from his birth till that time ; to this the pope is said to have answered, " I5y St. Peter, chastity is a great virtue, and we grant him to you." Therefore, after receiving the pall, the said bishop returned to England, being bound at the court of Home in the sum of ten thousand pounds of sterling money. The knights Thomas Hardington and Geoffrey do Crawcombe, having thus accomplished their mission, returned to England, and went to the