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MATTHEW OF WESTMINSTER
The flowers of history, especially such as relate to the affairs of Britain. Vol. II. A.D. 1066 to A.D. I307.
page 548
nobles fearing that, in consequence of such an opportunity, injury to themselves and their aforesaid kingdom might be engendered, would not come into your presence beyond the borders of the kingdom, till a provision was first granted to them by you, by an especial patent deed, that this was done by them not out of right, but as a special favour, and that from that act no harm could accrue to the liberties of your kingdom.
" And although, as it is said, some things in respect of the constitution of this same kingdom of Scotland, and of its previously established liberties, as the kingdom itself was at that time deprived of the protection of any defender, were altered and innovated upon in a way contrary to all ancient precedent by the nobles of the kingdom, who were at that time without a head as it were, and divided, and destitute of the guidance of a charioteer, or else by him to whom you are said to have undnly entrusted the government of the said kingdom, still these things, as having been brought about by fear and violence, which may at times influence even consistent and brave men, ought by no means to be allowed to stand as rightfully done, as to redound to the prejudice of the kingdom. Still we are by no means in doubt, or rather we are certain, that when the pre-eminent authority of the Apostolic See does by his letters commit the execution of the onice of legate ,in the kingdoms of England [and Scotland] to any person, so when, for any cause which it considers reasonable, it enjoins the payment of tenths, apostolic letters of this sort do not at all extend to the aforesaid kingdom of Scotland, since a special privilege of the aforesaid see,, which has been granted to the Scots, utterly prevents it, as notoriously happened in the time of pope Adrian of blessed memory, our predecessor, and of Saint Adrian, cardinal deacon, and at that time legate in those kingdoms, appointed by letters of the Apostolic See, and with whom we ourselves were intimate. For he being legate, was not at all admitted into the aforesaid kingdom of Scotland, until, by special letters of the Apostolic See, the office of legate in that realm was conferred on him. Moreover, your royal highness may know how that kingdom itself was, by the venerable relics of
the blessed apostle Andrew, gained over and converted to the
unity of the Catholic faith, not without the great mercy of the
Divine Godhead. You also know that in that ancient times
the archbishop of York of that day raised the question of his
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