Document 2/140/77 (Midl. Chrs., no. 43)
- Description
- Pope Gregory IX writes to the master and brethren of Soutra, taking the church of Soutra into his protection; the possessions and goods which they possess canonically and other privileges and goods which they have or may acquire by papal permission, by the liberality of kings or the gifts of the faithful, shall remain with the master and his successors, including the place where the church is situated and all pertinents, together with vineyards, lands, forests, fuagiis and pastures, in woods and plains, water and mills, roads and paths, and all other liberties and immunities. The abbey is exempt from tithes on new lands brought under cultivation by them or at their expense. They are also exempt from tithes on the offspring of their animals. They are permitted to take in whatever clerics or laymen have fled from the secular world and have converted freely, and to retain them without any contradiction. None of the brothers, after making their profession, shall be permitted to depart without the permission of the master; no one may intend to depart without the surety of common letters; they are permitted the right to celebrate divine office privately and quietly during a general interdict. They may also have the privilege of anointment, holy oil, dedications of the altar or basilica, benedictions of the abbots, ordinations of the clerics or monks, and all other ecclesiastical sacraments, preferred from any bishop in the kingdom of the Scots who is in communion with the apostolic see. No one is permitted to construct a chapel or oratory within the boundaries of the parishes of the churches, without the assent of the monastery and canons, saving the privileges of the papacy. No archbishop, bishop, archdeacon or dean shall impose new exactions or customs of the churches or chapels which are not owed. Burial, for those who shall decide to be buried in that place, will be unimpeded, except for those excommunicated or under interdict, saving justice to the church where they are buried. On the death of the master, or his successors, no one may be advanced to that office by deceit or violence, unless the brothers by common consent, or a majority of them, shall provide that the master be elected in accordance with the Augustinian rule. He prohibits anyone from committing robbery, theft, arson, blood-shed, seizing and killing men or committing other violence within the boundaries of the abbey’s places or granges. He establishes all the liberties and immunities granted by his predecessors and those liberties and exemptions of secular exaction indulged by kings, by princes or other faithful. The pope directs that no man is permitted to disturb the church or carry away its possessions; saving to the bishop canonical justice and reverence and the authority of the apostolic see. Should any secular person attempt to go against this, after three warnings if he should not make amends, he may lost his honour and be liable to divine justice, and subject himself to retribution.
- Firm date
- 20 September 1236
- Dating Notes
- 12 kal. Oct., 1236, pontifical year 10
- Place date (modern)
- Rome
- Place date (document)
- Rome
- Related Place
- Rome
- Source for Data Entry
- Midlothian Chrs., no. 43. Included in an inspection by Bishop William of St Andrews (Midl. Chrs, no. 43; H2/10/284).
- Trad. ID
- Midl. Chrs., no. 43
- Calendar number
- 2/140/77
- Charter type
- Papal privilege: general confirmation
- Language
- Latin