19,952) is the same work or part of
it. To the same author is ascribed a tract called Clades Damiatae.
(Duchesne, V. 432; D'Avezac in Rec. de Voyages, IV. 406; Quetif,
Script. Ord. Praed. I. 264-5; Catal. of MSS. in Camb. Univ. Library, I.
22.)
NOTE 2. - I presume that the powers, stated in this passage from Ramusio to
have been conferred on the Friars, are exaggerated. In letters of
authority granted in like cases by Pope Gregory's successors, Nicolas III.
(in 1278) and Boniface VIII. (in 1299), the missionary friars to remote
regions are empowered to absolve from excommunication and release from
vows, to settle matrimonial questions, to found churches and appoint
idoneos rectores, to authorise Oriental clergy who should publicly
submit to the Apostolic See to enjoy the privilegium clericale, whilst
in the absence of bishops those among the missionaries who were priests
might consecrate cemeteries, altars, palls, etc., admit to the Order of
Acolytes, but nothing beyond. (See Mosheim, Hist. Tartar. Eccles. App.
Nos. 23 and 42.)
NOTE 3. - The statement here about Bundukdar's invasion of Cilician Armenia
is a difficulty. He had invaded it in 1266, and his second devastating
invasion, during which he burnt both Layas and Sis, the king's residence,
took place in 1275, a point on which Marino Sanuto is at one with the
Oriental Historians. Now we know from Rainaldus that Pope Gregory left
Acre in November or December, 1271, and the text appears to imply that our
travellers left Acre before him.
