3091

August 28. Anagni. Pope Alexander IV writes an almost identical letter on the same issue (see RRR 3090) to the same Archbishop [Hugo] of Nicosia (Nicosiensis) and Bishop [Stephanus] of Famagusta (Famagustanus), except stressing this time that they are to publicize his ruling wherever they see fit, and adding that Balianus, who claims on the basis of the concubinage and dispensation that he is the orphan Hugo’s regent, controls the kingdom. The pope orders the archbishop and the bishop, or one of them, to demand and warn that B[alianus] no longer occupy himself with the care or regency or custody or governing of the kingdom, but rather that he give it up without delay, restore the income received from it in the meantime to the queen and orphan, allow the queen to rule the kingdom freely, and place no further obstacle before nor harm or disturb or offend the queen or her officials. If B[alianus] proves difficult or rebellious, the archbishop and bishop are to force him to comply with ecclesiastical censure, appeal put aside, and they are to enjoin all towns, castles, barons, and people of the kingdom to obey humbly the queen as the boy’s regent, and to forbid them from offering B[alianus] advice or aid against the queen or from turning over to B[alianus] or his baillis or officials any taxes or incomes that are usually paid to the king or his court, for if they do so they will not be free but rather will remain obligated to render them to the queen and boy. Those who refuse are to be compelled by ecclesiastical censure, notwithstanding any papal exemption or council ruling, and if necessary the archbishop and bishop are to summon the secular arm against such cities, castles, barons, and others.