3048

March 1. Naples. Pope Alexander IV writes to the chancellor of Tripoli (Tripolitanus), the master of the schools of Antioch, and the minister of the Friars Minor of Tyre (Tyrensis), relating that the petition of Lord Raymundus Selemendensis (Bishmizzine) of the diocese of Tripoli (Tripolitana) that was read to him claimed that, when his uncle the late Thomas (Thomasius) [de Ham] constable of Tripoli (Tripolitanus) died, as his closer blood relative according to the custom and law of that country he came into possession of the post of constable of Tripoli (Tripolitana) and its appurtenances. Eventually the noble Lady E[schiva] de Podio (of Le Puy), asserting that she was the nearest blood relative in the line of the late constable, arranged to have R[aymundus] wickedly despoiled of the possession of the post of constable and replaced with [Bohemond VI] Prince of Antioch and Count of Tripoli (Tripolitanus). So the late Pope I[nnocentius IV] was asked on R[aymundus]'s behalf to investigate this via discreet men, since E[schiva] was not born of legitimate marriage and thus by law could not succeed Thomas in the post of constable. Thus [Innocent IV] ordered the late patriarch of Jerusalem and the archdeacon of Acre (Acconensis) to summon people as needed, hear depositions from both sides, and establish what was canonical, having their decision firmly observed via ecclesiastical censure. But in the end, when the patriarch died, the case did not go forward. Thus the pope orders the addressees, if it is so, to proceed according to [Innocent IV's] letter to the late patriarch and the archdeacon, appeal removed.