A.D. 1195. LETTER OF POPE CELESTISTTS. 359 refreshed, and are strengthened by the vigour of the constancy which you manifest ; so much so, that we may now more openly by our deeds disclose the confidence we have placed in your probity. Wherefore, at the entreaty of our most dearly beloved son in Christ, Eichard, the illustrious king of the English, and all the suffragans of the church of Canterbury, that the church of England might have a legate from the Apostolic See, for its own advantage, as also that of the kingdom ; as also, in consideration of the feelings of devotion which we entertain towards the church of Canterbury for the merits of its glorious martyr, and out of respect for your virtues and honesty, we have given our assent and favour to their prayers; and this in especial, because we believe that it will greatly conduce to the advantage of the Church and of the kingdom if she receives such a person, acting in the above-named kingly office, as the urgent prayers of the said king and of others pronounce you to be, in commendation of the meritoriousness of your life, and of your devotion to the faith. Therefore we do for the honor of God, for the safety of the church of Canterbury, and for the peace of the whole kingdom of England, all exceptions or privileges granted to our venerable brother, Geoffrey, archbishop of York, or to his church, or any other, notwithstanding, grant unto you the office of iegate, enjoining you by these Apostolic writings, to receive the same with the humility of fraternal obedience, and, in accordance with the powers granted you by heaven, for the purpose of amending the things that require amendment, and of enacting what requires to be enacted, to apply the hand of diligence to the exercise of the authority of the legateship : so observing in all things, with ready dutifulness, the respect, due to your mother, the lloman Church, that, through the profitableness of the ministry, which with joy she entrusts to you, you may, by your acts, render her even more joyful. Given at the Lateran, on the fifteenth day before the calends of April, in the fourth year of our pontificate." The said pope Celestinus wrote also to the following effect to Geoffrey, archbishop of York, and all the bishops, abbats, priors, and others, appointed prelates of churches throughout the kingdom of England :— _ " Celestinus, the bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his venerable brethren in Christ, the archbishop of York, and all bishops, abbats, priors, and others, appointed prelates of