nos de catholica fide suspectos
quam nos teste supremo iudice in omnibus ⁊ in singulis
eiusdem fidei articulis
secundum uniuersalis ecclesie disciplinam, ⁊ aprobatum per Romanam ecclesiam
symbolum firmiter credimus ⁊ deuot simpliciter confitemur. Aduertat igitur
industria uestra si predicta
nulla sentencia ipso iure processus ipso iure nullus
non magis in nostram quam in omnium regum
⁊ principum ac quarumlibet temporalium
dignitatum perniciem debeat obseruari quam nulla
Germanie principum a quibus
assumpcio status ⁊ depressio nostra dependent presencia uel consi
lia firmauerunt.
Aduertat ⁊ aliud qualis ex istis iniciis exitus expectetur, a nobis incipitur
sed
pro certo noueritis quod in aliis regibus ⁊ principibus finietur, a quibus publice
gloriantur resid
stenciam
aliquam minime formidare si quod absit posset per ipsos nostra potencia primitus
conculcari. Regni, igitur uestri iusticiam in causa nostra defendite, suis ⁊ suorum
heredibus prouidete
nec illud omittimus quin fidei regalis constanciam ex
affinitatis federe ad presens fiducialiter
requiramus, ut nedum quod aduersario
nostro nunciis aut legatis ipsius occulte uel publice
faueat quin pocius nobis
toto posse assistat uiriliter ⁊ potenter. Nullum omnino nuncium aut
legatum
popellum sue iurisdiccioni subiectum in nostrum dispendium mollientem conuertere
nullatenus
admittere debeat, pro certo scitiri1 quod per nos in quibus incoata est tante temeritatis
audacia
quod ad priuacionem nostri uelut cuiuslibet sacerdotis pontificalis
auctoritas officium sue iurisdicionis
extendit taliter ast ante nobis ⁊ nostris
auxiliis dextera regis regum que iusticiam semper
comitatur, istis principiis
occurretur dummodo se nobis illorum potenciam non opponat, regum
⁊
principem \principum/
scilicet quos communiter causa nostra contingit, ⁊ quorum non
minus uertitur interesse quam nostrum quod nobis ⁊
aliis \orbis/
terre nobilibus causam iusti timoris in talibus nostra
defensio non relinquet. Inuiti
tamen hoc facimus Deo teste. Sed necessario
prouocati uelut qui peste multiplici Christiani
tatem nostris temporibus uidemus
atritam, ad cuius auxilium una uobiscum prout nuperiore regie
magnificencie
scripsimus totis intendere uiribus sperabamus. Requirat autem
hoc de manu eius
Deus, qui tanto discrimini quod toti fere rei publice Christiane minatur exci
dium
materiam subministrat. Datum Taurini ii kal’ Augusti. Tercie indictionis
we are considered suspect in respect of the Catholic faith,
which we firmly believe and devot plainly confess, with the Supreme Judge as
our witness, in each and every article of that faith according to the discipline of the
universal church and the creed approved by the Roman Church. Let your reasonableness
discern whether the aforesaid sentence, which is null in itself, and whether the legal
proceedings, which are null in law, ought to be complied with, not more to our injury
than to that of all kings and princes, and of all temporal dignities; a sentence which
none of the princes of Germany, upon whom the assumption and deposition of our rank
depend, have confirmed by their presence or advice. Let another thing be considered
also: what manner of result is to be expected from such beginnings. It begins, indeed,
with us; but be certain that it will end with some other kings and princes, from whom
they openly boast that, if (God forbid) our power can be trodden underfoot by them in
the first place, they will not fear any resistance. Guard the justice of your own
kingdom, therefore, in defending our cause, and look after your own people and their
heirs. Not do we refrain from requiring the constancy of your royal integrity which
comes from our bond of affinity, so that far from secretly or openly showing favour to
our adversary or his nuncios and legates, you manfully and vigorously assist us to the
utmost of your power. Your royal honour ought by no means to receive any nuncio or
legate at all who, to our detriment, would attempt to win round the populace under your
jurisdiction. Knowing for sure that the pontifical office, through us in whom a bold act
of such effrontery has been commenced, so as to depose us, just as though we were some
priest or other, is extending its own authority and jurisdiction. So with the right hand
of the King of kings, which ever accompanies justice, supporting us and our helpers,
these incipient actions will meet opposition, provided the might of kings and princes
\princes/
does not oppose us, that is, those whom our cause likewise affects and whose interest
is no less engaged than ours; that [Christ] our Defender2 shall not allow any cause of justified fear about such matters for us
and other nobles of the
\world/
earth. As God is our witness, we do this
unwillingly, but are driven to it by necessity when we see Christianity in our times
ground down by a manifold pestilence; and we hoped to come to her aid with all our
might, together with you, as we very recently wrote to the king’s majesty. May God
require an account for this from the hand of him who supplies the means for so terrible
a disaster which threatens the ruin of almost the whole of Christendom. Given at Turin
on 31 July, in the third
indiction.