The Irish standard., 1899-07-22
King Henry II Imposed on the
Catholic Bishops.
IRISH NOBILITY ENTER A PROTEST
Adrian Not Justified In Giving
The Island Away.

Among the sarcophagi to be seen in
the dark vaults beneath the Vatican
basilica there is none, perhaps, so full OF
melancholy interest for the pilgrim OF
Keltic blood as the one which encloses
the dust OF Adrian w, the only Eng
lishman that ever sat in the chair of
Peter, says the Providence Visitor.
Nicholas Breakspeare was the son OF
Robert Chambers, who, after spending
some years in the world, became a monk
in the Abbey of St. Albans and died
there after fifty years OF cloister life. He
was anxious that his SON should be ad-
mitted to the monastery. But the
Abbot, finding the youth somewhat
backward in his studies, told him to
wait till he was better prepared. Stung
by the disgrace OF his rejection and
smarting under the reproach OF his
father, Nicholas went to Paris, where
he lived on aims while studying at the
university. Thence he went to Prov
ence, where he became one OF the Can
ons of St. Rufus, near Aries. In course
of time he was made prior and finally
Abbot. But the brethren soon found
his rule too strict for their taste and de-
nounced him to Eugenus III. The
Pope brought about reconciliation be-
tween the parties, but it did not last
long. The monks entered second
complaint, whcreupon the Pope babe
them choose another superior, and made
Nicholas Cardinal Bishop of Albano
For four years he was legatc to Ddh-
mark, Sweden and Norway, and won
great reputation for his zeal and pru-
dence. In 1854, on the day after the
death of Anastasius w, he was much
against his will chosen Pope His cleo
ton was hailed with exceeding joy by
the English, and three bishops were
sent to congratulate him. With them
came the Abbot of ST. Albans, seeking
privileges and exemptions for his abbey;
and it is amusing to read in the annals
of the Order of St. Benedict how the
said Abbot pressed his suit with the
Pope. Among other favors he was
granted the use Of the Episcopal insignia
while celebrating mass.
Adrian found Rome in state of con-
fusion, owing to the democratic preach
ing of Arnold of Brescia. He placed
the city under interdict and banished
the "reformer," who was afterward
brought back to Rome and executed.
His reign OF four years was embittercd
by disputes with Frederick Barbarossa
Reviewing his career he was heard to
say that his life had been passed between
the hammer and the anvil
Our concern with Adrian w is due to
his action with regard to ireland. An
Englishman by blood and affection he
granted to Henry II, king of England,
the memorable bull which authorized
that monarch to invade the sister island
and which commanded the Irish to re-
ceive him with respect and acknowledge
him as their lord. Attempts have been
made to discredit the authenticity of the
document but with small results. The
history OF it is briefly as follows:
William the Conqueror wished to cx-
tend his dominion over the Irish and
Henry II cherished the same desire.
He discovered that the civilization Of
their manners and the reform OF their
clergy were benefits which they ought
cheerfully to purchase at the price OF
their national independence. A few
months after his coronation he sent
John OF Salisbury to Rome to secure
the Popc's consent to his plans. He
proposed to instruct the Irish, extirpatc
vice among them and extend to Ireland
the pious custom by which every house
hold made yearly gift Of one penny to
the Holy Sec AS, according to the sup
posed donation OF Constantine, all the
islands which had received the Chris
tian faith were thought to belong to the
Holy Sec the king could not move with
out the Popcs advice and consent.
Adrian praised the royal zeal, signifed
his acquiescence in the royal project and
cautioned the king to observe certain
conditions. According to Hergen-
rother no mention was made of tenn
poral right or OF real donation. The
king made no use OF the bull for twenty
years. Then he produced it, and had
it read to synod OF Irish bishops who