162

Jul. 19. Priverno. Pope Paschal II informs the king, churchmen and laity in the kingdom of Jerusalem of his reaction to accusations that Patriarch Arnulf was of illegitimate birth, had had relations with women and had been forced on the church of Jerusalem by the king. The leader of the party of accusers was Archbishop Evremar of Caesarea, using as witnesses two women, one being the wife of Girardus and the other said to be a Muslim [Sarracena]. Paschal had despatched a legate to the East and Arnulf and many of his brother bishops had been summoned to Italy. Many letters in support of Arnulf were sent to Rome, stating that he had already been given a papal dispensation, and there were protests at the one-sided decision of the papal legates. Aschetillus episcopus Bethlehem, Hugo abbas monasteruii de Valle Iosaphat, Arnaldus prior ecclesie de Monte Syon, and Petrus and Guillelmus canonici ecclesie dominici Sepulcri swear that they elected Arnulf to the patriarchate without fear of royal violence. Arnulf swears that he is innocent of any criminal charges. Pope Paschal restores Arnulf to the patriarchate.