[Decretales]

a Or. First it is to be vacated because only the Pope can ve. provide/appoint regarding prebends throughout.
b To admit, i.e., to take. Regarding receiving; [see] the executory letters.
c And concerning this. Namely, the oath and the confirmation, as collected below, where it says "the number of canons who are now in the same church, etc.," as noted at the end of that note; here two, etc.
e Mention. This allegation is not valid if they acted against that number sometimes by their own authority. Refers to previous decretals regarding prebends.
f And the said letters, i.e., the executory ones.
g Oath. But in every such oath, the authority of a superior is tacitly understood to be excepted, as indicated by the initial sense. Refers to Roman law principles regarding municipal authority and injuries. It is expressly stated that one would not act against an oath if they received him at the command of the Lord Pope. Also, this condition will be in the oath: is a dispensation necessary in such an oath? Because if it displeases the Pope, one is not bound by such an oath. I was saying that a condition is not in the oath, but the authority of superiors is said to be excepted because it does not prejudice him [the Pope] that he might be able to act against it. It seems truer that such a condition is sub-understood in such oaths, and this is because such an oath is provided regarding the affair of another or as if it were regarding another’s affair. And one cannot swear regarding the affair of another; rather, it would be doubtful perjury. We see this in the Digest, On Oaths, and On the Removal of Things, Marcellus. And so, the authority of the Lord Pope in such matters is tacitly understood to be excepted, even if it is not expressly stated. Therefore, if the Pope commands someone to be received as a canon notwithstanding such an oath, then they will lawfully receive him. And thus it appears that by an oath made as if regarding one's own affair, he does not wish to have the administration of it ratified. The whole premise is taken and not the lordship conferred. And the canons are bound to keep the oath as much as is in them, unless the Pope commands otherwise. But what if they had sworn before the presentation and through the date? Then the oath would not stand, because the date looks to the day. And so, letters obtained in which mention of this oath was not made would not be valid. Furthermore, someone else—namely here, through a canonry alone without a prebend—would increase the number of canons. Because if it did not increase the number, the oath would not prevent them from being able to receive him. Also, one can have a canonry without revenues. But there, they are called corporeal things or rights from which corporeal things are received. And just as one must make mention of an oath, as is said here, so also concerning a contract, if any intervenes in any agreement, mention must be made. Otherwise, the privilege is not valid.
h Had obtained. Here, the time of the date is considered. Also, it does not say "before the admonitory letters," and thus it is an argument that by the admonitory letters, a right is not acquired; otherwise, it would have said "before the admonitory letters."
i Terrified. And they are not held by things that are obtained through surreptitious letters. Bernard. They are valid, as we will say below. But those who object, Bernard.
k Prebend. And to be received as a canon; these things are conjoined.

He commanded, by ordering, that they fulfill what he had ordered, with executors deputed for this purpose above. And the opposing party answered. Because when in the church of Bourges original: "bituriceñ." a certain number of canons had been established, confirmed by an oath and confirmed by the Roman Pontiff, and the aforementioned clerk had obtained those executory letters without having made mention of this in his letters, it was to be understood that he had circumvented the aforementioned [person] and had obtained the letters by suppressing the truth. Therefore, if it is proven to you that the number of canons which now is in the same church was fixed and confirmed by an oath by the dean and chapter of that same church, you shall declare the act which was done on the occasion of those letters void. Otherwise, you shall cause him to be assigned a prebend in the same church, if any is vacant, removing any appeal to the contrary.

Since we have often learned that by the letters obtained from us by some through malice and by others through ignorance—with the truth suppressed or falsehood suggested—we have held diverse opinions, with some asserting that they should be entirely deprived of all benefit...

The remaining text discusses the legal consequences of obtaining papal letters through fraud, malice, or ignorance, distinguishing between those who suppress the truth or suggest falsehoods versus those acting in simplicity. The text emphasizes that if the Pope would not have granted the letters had he known the truth, the delegated judge must not proceed.