A.D. 1234.] MASSACRE Ο E TUE ALJilGEN'SES. ous Irish nobles received this document, they immediately bound themselves Viy oath to accomplish the detestable design when they saw an opportunity; and thus conspiring against the life of an innocent man, they at once invaded the territories of the marshal, and took some of bis castles, dividing the booty amongst them. Of the slant/liter of the heretic Albiyenscs in a pitched battle. Ill this year the heretic Albigenses in Spain and those regions became so audacious, that they ordained heretical bishops to preach their evil doctrines, declaring that the Christian religion, and especially the mystery of the incarnation, was false and ought to he altogether abolished ; they also collected an army and invaded the territories of the Christians, burning churches and slaying the Christians of both sexes and all ages without mercy. But when news of this event was spread abroad, their superstitious presumption was soon checked by the faithful followers of Christ, who assumed the cross at the summons of pope Gregory, and came from the regions of the west to the defence of the Christian faith ; and in a pitched battle fought in the spring, these heretics together with their bishops were slain to a man. The Christians then took possession of their cities, and placed followers of Christ in them ; they also ordained catholic bishops in them, and then returned victorious to their own countries, and those who had come thither poor men returned home rich.* The bishops1 advice to the hint} about the disturbances in the kingdom. Whilst these events were occurring in Spain, the English king on the day of the Purification of St. Mary, held a council at Westminster, at which he severely reproached some of the bishops and especially Alexander, bishop of Chester, for being too friendly with the marshal, and accused them of endeavouring to drive him from the throne of the kingdom. That bishop, however, when be heard himself thus accused, put on his pontifical robes and excommunicated all who were the authors of this crime against the king, and then, on the interference of the other bishops, the king became reconciled to him. At this council master Kdmund, archbishop elect of Canterbury, was present with several of his suffragan bishops, and all of them unanimously expressed their sorrow at the desolation of the king and kingdom, and told the king, speaking from their hearts, "Lord king, we tell you in the Lord's name, that the counsel which you now receive and act upon, namely, that t Peter bishop o f \\ inchctter, and Peter de llivaulx. is not wise or safe, but on the contrary is cruel and dangerous t o vourselves and t o the whole kingdom. In the first place, they hate the English people, and both call them traitors themselves, and cause * J'ini-. fare sn_\s that the heretics in the provinces adjoining (ìcrmanv were also defeated hy the Christian*, and an immense number were slain, li e a'so mentions that in this Mar a truce was continued between the king and William Marshall.