the Articles of Irish Clergy in Bloomington, MN

The Articles of the Clergy, established in 1291 during King Edward's reign, outline the responsibilities and protections afforded to clerics in Ireland. They address several issues, including the obligation of clerics to raise an alarm during crimes, the treatment of fugitives seeking refuge in churches, and the improper imprisonment of clerics by secular authorities. The king's responses suggest a desire to protect clerical rights while ensuring justice is served. The articles also highlight the tension between ecclesiastical and secular jurisdictions, particularly regarding clerics' accountability to lay tribunals.