of which the rust could only be removed by fire, shows the side which he had finally determined to take.[1]
After several conferences with Louis and the leading bishops and nobles, the legate convened a national council at Bourges in November, 1225, for the final settlement of the question. Raymond appeared before it, humbly seeking absolution and reconciliation; he offered his purgation and whatever amends might be required by the churches, promising to render his lands peaceful and secure and obedient to Rome. As for heresy, he not only engaged to suppress it, but urged the legate to visit every city in his dominions and make inquisition into the faith of the people, pledging himseK to punish rigorously all delinquents and to coerce any town offering opposition. For himself, he was ready to render full satisfaction for any derelictions, and to undergo an examination as to his faith. On the other hand, Amauri exhibited the decrees of Innocent condemning Raymond VI. and bestowing his lands on Simon, and Philip's recognition of the latter. There was much wrangling in the council until the legate ordered each archbishop to deliberate separately with his suffragans and deliver to him the result in writing, to be submitted to the king and pope, under the seal of secrecy, enforced by excommunication. [2]
There is an episode in the proceedings of this council worth attention as an illustration of the relations between Rome and the local churches and the character of the establishment to which the heretics were invited to return with the gentle inducements of the stake and gibbet. After the ostensible business of the assemblage was over, the legate craftily gave to the delegates of
- ↑ Vaissette, III. Pr. 284-5.— Schmidt I. 291.— Coll. Doat, XXIII. 269-70.— Rymer, Feed. I. 273, 274, 281.— Raynald. Annal. ann. 1225, No. 28-34.— Teulet, Layettes, II. 47, No. 1694.
- ↑ Chron. Turonens. ann. 1225.— Matt. Paris ann. 1225, pp. 227-9. A poetaster of the period, in describing the council, depicts Raymond's discomfiture with emphasis :
"Et s'i vint li quens de St. Gille,
Ki n'i fist valiant une tille
De sa besougne, quant vint là,
Qu' escum^niies s'en r'ala,
Ausi' com il i fu venus.
Voire plus, s'il pot estre plus."
— Chronique de Philippe Mousket, 25885-90.
