William of Malmesbury's Chronicle of the kings of England; From the earliest period to the reign of King Stephen

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1862 edition. Excerpt: ... greatest of all was the celebrated Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury. Shortly after the death of Athelstan a struggle for political power commenced between the laity and clergy, which at the time of Dunstan ended in the complete subjugation of the former. Under the reign of this celebrated churchman, an ecclesiastic who had robbed or beaten a layman could not be punished by the civil law, though he might be tried before ecclesiastical tribunals at the instance of his brother clergymen. But the jurisdiction which the church exercised over its members was, so far as the laity were concerned, a delusion and a snare. No layman was permitted to bring an accusation or give evidence against a priest for murder, rape, or any other injury. Nor was the property of a layman more respectfully considered than his person. A priest who held land of a layman subject to rent and services, was not compelled to pay or perform them; for to pay the rent was to impoverish the church; and to perform the services was to subject the children of God to the children of men.1 The church also took charge of "the health of souls," and consequently considered it her right aud duty to compel the observance of sound morality. Under this pretence, it controlled all contracts, in order that they might be equitable; established a standard of weights and measures, that they might be uniform; overlooked the preparation and registration of all deetls, that they might be recorded in monasteries; took charge of the property of all who died, that it might be applied for the good of their souls; laid fanciful restrictions on the contract and dissolution of marriage, that pseudo-incests might be avoided; and levied forfeitures on all guilty of witchcraft, fornication, or...