538 ANNALS OF EOGEE DE ΗΟΥΕΌΕΝ. A.D. 1201. the case, fully drawn up, to us for decision. If we were to have due regard to the doings of our venerable brother the archbishop of York, and wished to answer him, in accordance with his deserts, we should not only deprive bim of the power of inflicting injury, but should even curtail his authority, who thus misuses it for oppressing those subject to him. For how and how long he has annoyed our dearly-beloved son Honorius, the archdeacon of Eichmond, whom, in consideration of his learning and his integrity, he ought to have honored, the complaints of the archdeacon have fully shown to us ; for he has both, as he therein asserts, for some time, without cause, deprived him of his archdeaconry, and has frequently, at the impulse of his own will, launched against him and his clerks, and others as well, sentence of excommunication and suspension. Consequently, if we made it our care duly to provide for the welfare of the said archdeacon, we should take care to pronounce him for ever exempt from the jurisdiction of the said archbishop, as one of our predecessors is known in his time also to have exempted certain persons. However, it being our wish so to protect the archdeacon, as not for the present to curtail the authority of the said archbishop, we do command and enjoin you, upon our authorization, carefully to warn the said archbishop, and to forbid him to presume, without manifest and reasonable cause, and only in a reasonable manner, to pronounce sentence of excommunication, suspension, or interdict upon the said archdeacon, or his clerks or laymen, or churches in his archdeaconry. But if he shall do so, you are, supported by our authorization, to pronounce the sentences so given, to be null and void in law, all power of appeal on his part withheld ; and you are carefully to protect the archdeacon and his people for the future against the excesses of the arch bishop, revoking as null and void, all power of appeal withheld, whatever attempts, in his rashness, he shall think proper to make against them. And further, if he shall disdain to listen to your advice, we shall make it our care duly to provide against the same, not without confusion and disgrace to himself and his advisers." The Letter of pope Innocent on the same subject, to king John. " Innocent, the bishop, servant of the servants of God, to the illustrious king of the English, health and the Apostolic benediction. It is the interest of your royal highness to pro