the reign of Richard II. is something of a puzzle. No period was more fruitful in antipapal legislation. The Statute of Provisors was renewed and strengthened, the mortmain laws were tightened up, and the great statute of Præmunire in 1393 imposed a penalty of forfeiture of goods on the offence of obtaining bulls or other instruments from Rome.[1]
Yet, all this notwithstanding, Bishop Stubbs[2] tells us 'the statutes against Roman aggressions were multiplied but disregarded, and notwithstanding the schisms in the Papacy the Bishop of Rome drew his revenue and promoted his servants in England as he had done so long.' Lollardism so called spread and increased, but underwent curious vicissitudes. Wycliffe himself, who appeared at the beginning of the reign under the patronage of John of Gaunt and the Princess of Wales, died before the end of it—unmolested, indeed, but having lost his royal patrons, though he had increased his influence among the Commons, and especially the Londoners.[3]
After the disturbances which led to the summoning of the Merciless Parliament in 1388, when many of Richard's lay advisers were condemned and executed, the Archbishop of York (Neville) and the Bishop of Chichester were handed over to the Pope (Urban VI.), and by him translated to Scotch or Irish sees—an indirect equivalent for banishment, and which I notice only to show how at this time it was by the Pope alone that a bishop, even though a traitor, could be punished, for treason was the charge under which their lay confederates fell. Archbishop Courtenay, who was primate during the greater part of the reign, was in no way
