Reference code: GB-0298-LC/A16
Title: Lisbon College Roman Documents
Dates of creation: 1597-1937
Extent: 1 box
Held by: Ushaw College Library
Origination: Lisbon College
Language: Latin and Italian
The English College of SS. Peter and Paul at Lisbon (or, as it is more commonly known, Lisbon College) was founded by Pedro Coutinho in 1624 as a college for English students training for the priesthood and mission work in England. As a
pontifical college it was awarded the same privileges and rights as other colleges centrally controlled by Rome, such as the English College in Rome, whose aim was the maintenance of the Catholic faith in England, Scotland and Ireland. The driving
force behind the college in its early years was William Newman. Although he was never to become president, Newman founded the college from property entrusted by the estate of the late Nicholas Ashton, a Catholic chaplain in Lisbon. Initial progress
was slow until the arrival of a group of English students and teachers from the English College at Douai in 1628. The first president, albeit briefly, was Archdeacon Joseph Haynes who died the following year. The reputation of the college as a
centre of academic excellence and its relevance as an English institution in Lisbon attracted patronage from varied sources during the seventeenth century, including Pedro da Costa and Maria de Oliveira Leitoa who transferred important funds to the
College in exchange for daily masses for their special intention. In 1679, Pope Innocent XI granted the College the privilege of being considered as a High Altar of Christ on the Cross. In spite of its wealthy benefactors and papal patronage, the
college faced a number of challenges in the following centuries. In 1755, Lisbon was shaken by a terrible earthquake in which 20,000 people died and 60,000 houses and 60 palaces and convents were destroyed. The college suffered badly both in terms
of the physical devastation of its buildings and the mental well-being of many of its students and superiors who, like most of the population of Lisbon, chose to live under tents in the gardens of the college rather than risk being inside in fear of
another quake. The college suffered another setback when it was occupied by French forces during Napoleon's invasion of Portugal in 1807 and, just days before the second French invasion, the president decided to close the college down, with all
students being sent to an Anglo-Portuguese school in England until the war ended in 1814. The college was finally closed in 1973. Since the passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Act in Britain in 1829, the college's raison d'etre had ceased to exist
although it's high reputation as a teaching and training establishment enabled it to survive for another 144 years.
Permissions, privileges and dispensations granted by Rome to Lisbon College.
Lisbon College closed in 1973 and this collection, along with the rest of the Lisbon Archive and Library, was transferred to Ushaw College by Mgr James Sullivan the following year.
Open for consultation.
Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Lisbonian Society and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. The Library will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners,
but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material
The papers follow the original arrangement of the collection which is broadly chronological.
Calendared card catalogue
LC/A16/1 1 May 1579
Language: Latin
Authenticated copy of Pope Gregory XIII's bull for founding, endowing and granting privileges to the Venerable English College at Rome
5f
Old Catalogue Number 24
LC/A16/2 25 April 1592
Language: Latin
Copy of Pope Clement VIIII's bull granting privileges to the English College at Valladolid
2f
Old Catalogue Number 25(b)
LC/A16/3 15 May 1594
Language: Spanish
Authenticated translation of an extract of a clause in Pope Clement VIII's bull to the English College at Seville on the conferral of academic degrees
2f
Old Catalogue Number 28
LC/A16/4 31 May 1614
Language: Latin
Authenticated copy of an indult concerning ordinations without dimissorial letters, benefice or patrimony
1f
LC/A16/5 30 September 1621
Language: Latin
Authenticated copy of a licence by Pope Gregory XV to M. Kelleson (president of Douai College) for the taking of the four minor orders on the same day
1f
Old Catalogue Number 167
LC/A16/6 17 April 1624
Language: Latin and Spanish
Decree of Pope Urban VIIII ordering VEC students not to join regulars without papal dispensation
Includes a Spanish translation of the above and a copy of the translation of apostolic letters of Pope Gregory XIII concerning the VEX (1 May 1579)
6f
LC/A16/7 18 July 1628
Language: Latin
Authenticated copy of Propaganda's answer (ratified by the legate at Brussels) to Kellison on a query about the ordination of Douai students by a bishop of another diocese
1f
Old Catalogue Number 29
LC/A16/8 23 March 1641
Language: Latin
Copy of a permission from the Congregation of Rites for England to celebrate the feast and octave of St Thomas of Canterbury
1f
LC/A16/9 12 October 1645
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Innocent X to Lisbon College making the High Altar privileged
1f
Old Catalogue Number 347
LC/A16/10 27 September 1679
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Innocent XI to Lisbon College making the High Altar privileged
1f
Old Catalogue Number 236d
LC/A16/11 27 January 1680
Language: Latin
Dispensation by Pope Innocent XI to Robert Langley (Langthey) from canonical age (13 months)
1f
LC/A16/12 18 September 1698
Language: Latin
(1) Plenary indulgence by Pope Innocent XII for visits to the altar of St Thomas of Canterbury on his feast
(2) Brief by Pope Innocent XII for one privileged altar in the chapel
2 items
Old Catalogue Number 347
LC/A16/13 13 October 1702
Language: Latin
Dispensation by Pope Clement XI to J. Manley (Thorpe) from canonical age
1f
Old Catalogue Number 171
LC/A16/14 7 August 1706
Language: Latin
Dispensation by Pope Clement XI to M. Watkinson from his obligation to recite the breviary and other pious exercises
1f
Old Catalogue Number 369
LC/A16/15 3 February 1720
Language: Latin
Copy of a decree by the Congregation of the Rites to “James III” (Old Pretender) agreeing to his request for St Anslem's feast to be put in the universal calendar
Signatory: Cardinal Paulutinus, pro-prefect
1f
LC/A16/16 25 August 1722
Language: Latin
Petition from the Lisbon College superiors and alumni to Pope Innocent XIII asking for money to help rebuild the college
Signed by (or for) 28 Lisbonians in England and seconded by the president and superiors.
Presumably not sent
1f
Old Catalogue Number 162b
LC/A16/17 10 August 1757
Language: Latin
Decree by the Roman Inquisition to John Preston on permission to read prohibited books
Valid for 5 years
1f
LC/A16/18 29 September 1773
Language: Latin
Authenticated copy of a papal letter of 21 September 1773 on the revenues of the abbacy of St Eulalia belonging to the de Gondoris family
This was Preston's benefice
2f
LC/A16/19 20 July 1777
Language: Latin
Dispensation by Pope Pius VI to J. Barnard from obligation to say 87,384 Masses (obligation masses which had not been said)
Signed: S. Borgia, secretary of Propaganda
2f
Old Catalogue Number 30
LC/A16/20 15 April 1778
Language: Latin
Bull from Pope Pius VI to J. Barnard greatly reducing the number of obligation masses to be said in future
Signed: S. Borgia, secretary of Propaganda
2f
Old Catalogue Number31
LC/A16/21 21 & 27 November 1779
Language: Latin
Petition from Pope Pius VI to J. Barnard for dispensation from canonical age for Thomas Caton and Thomas Webster
Signed: S. Borgia, secretary of Propaganda
With an additional copy
2f
LC/A16/22 [January] 1780
Language: Portuguese
Petition by J. Barnard to the king of Portugal seeking approval of the above dispensation
2f
LC/A16/23 9 March 1780
Language: Latin
Royal beneplacitum from the king of Portugal to J. Barnard granting the above dispensation
2f
LC/A16/24 19 February 1782
Language: Latin
Printed decree by Pope Pius VI to the church of St Anthony, Lisbon, confirming exemption
3p
LC/A16/25 17 November 1782
Language: Latin
Decree by Pope Pius VI to W. Fryer granting permission for Fryer to read prohibited books and give permissions to others in Lisbon College
Valid during Fryer's presidency
2f
LC/A16/26 3 February 1784
Language: Portuguese and Latin
Authenticated copy of Pope Pius VI's bull of 23 December 1783, and the archbishop of Lacedemonia (vicar-general of Lisbon) giving Lisbon College 1,000 milreis p.a. from revenues in the diocese of Evora
13f
Old Catalogue Number 94
LC/A16/27 28 January 1785
Language: Latin
Official copy of the terms of Jerome Allen's benefice
Sent by the Cancellaria of Rome
1f
LC/A16/28 30 August 1785
Language: Latin
Decree by Pope Pius VI to W. Fryer granting permission for each priest to celebrate mass daily, even on feast days, at Quita
Valid for ten years
Signed: S. Borgia, secretary of Propaganda
2f
Old Catalogue Number 92
LC/A16/29 25 September 1785
Language: Latin
Decree by Pope Pius VI to W. Fryer granting permission for the president alone to present to orders when there is no procurator
2f
Old Catalogue Number 299
LC/A16/30 26 May 1796
Language: Portuguese
Copy by Pope Pius VI of indulgences granted
8f
LC/A16/31 12 March 1798
Language: Latin and Portuguese
Letter from Propaganda to Manoel Deas Santos informing him that the patriarch of Lisbon may dispense him from the Lisbon College oath and admit him to the priesthood
With a Portuguese translation
3f
Old Catalogue Number 327
LC/A16/32 30 March 1798
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Pius VI to Lisbon College giving permission to present to holy orders students of the college who have not taken the college oath, provided they have patrimony, pay for their education and are judged worthy
1f
Old Catalogue Number 93
LC/A16/33 16 November 1798
Language: Portuguese and Latin
Letter from the patriarch of Lisbon to the college approving of the papal brief above
4f
LC/A16/34 11 January - 16 March 1807
Language: Latin
Decrees from Pope Pius VII to the president of Lisbon College:
(1) Ten year permission for the president to read heretical books (11 January 1807)
(2) Permission for the president to read heretical books and to let students read prohibited books (25 January 1807)
(3) Royal beneplacitum (16 March 1807)
3 items
Old Catalogue Number 95
LC/A16/35 25 January - 14 March 1807
Language: Portuguese and Latin
Authenticated copy of a brief from Pope Pius VII to the superiors of Lisbon College giving perpetual permission to the president and regents of the college to read prohibited books and to give leave for reading them to their subjects
1m
Old Catalogue Number 343
LC/A16/36 16 April 1817
Language: Latin
Brief from Pope Pius VII to E. Winstanley for a personal privilege altar, the right to bless medals and for the right for himself, relatives and fifty others to gain plenary indulgence at the hour of death
2f
LC/A16/37 22 April 1817
Language: Latin
Brief from Pope Pius VII to E. Winstanley for lifelong permission to read forbidden books
2f
LC/A16/38 21 June 1822
Language: Latin
Brief from Pope Pius VII to C. Le Clerc offering a dispensation from canonical age (16 months)
1f
LC/A16/39 1 July 1822
Language: Latin
Petition by C. Le Clerc to Pope Pius VII for dispensation of one month for canonical age
2f
LC/A16/40 5 July 1831
Language: Latin
Copy from the Sacred Penitentiary on whether St Alphonsus Liguori can be safely followed by theology professors and confessors
2f
LC/A16/41 24 - 31 August 1831
Language: Latin
Copy of answers given by the Inquisition to queries about the lawfulness of lending money at interest
2f
LC/A16/42 14 November 1837
Language: Latin and Italian
Brief by Pope Gregory XVI to Lisbon College making St Joseph's a privileged altar
With an additional copy
3f
Old Catalogue Number 422
LC/A16/43 20 May 1838
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Gregory XVI declaring the Lady altar privileged
Signed by the secretary of Propaganda
With an additional copy
3f
Old Catalogue Number 409
LC/A16/44 30 January 1840
Language: Latin and Italian
Brief by Pope Gregory XVI to J. Ilsley granting permission to Ilsley to say Matins and Lauds for the following day
Signed by Cardinal Fransoni, prefect of Propaganda
1f
LC/A16/45 16 May 1841
Language: Portuguese
Letter from Cardinal Fransoni to T. Hurst informing him that, as a result of the resumption of relations between the Holy See and Portugal, there is no need to get the patriarch's faculties confirmed
Also includes a copy of Hurst's petition
3f
LC/A16/46 9 November 1841
Language: Latin
Brief from Pope Gregory XVI to Lisbon College on the reduction of the founder's masses
2f
Old Catalogue Number 424
LC/A16/47 2 August 1842 - 19 March 1853
Language: Latin
Brief from Pope Gregory XVI to E. Winstanley, with approvals by the nuncio, of the new location of a private oratory in the college
9f
Old Catalogue Number 432
LC/A16/48 4 May 1845
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Gregory XVI to E. Winstanley confirming a faculty to absolve from heresy
Signed by the secretary of Propaganda
1f
Old Catalogue Number 428
LC/A16/49 4 May 1845
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Gregory XVI to the president of Lisbon College confirming the recent custom that, in the absence of a protector, the president or acting president may present men to orders
Signed by the secretary of Propaganda
1f
Old Catalogue Number 427
LC/A16/50 28 July 1851
Language: Latin and Italian
Brief by Pope Pius IX to Lisbon College erecting the altar of St Thomas of Canterbury into a privileged altar
2f
Old Catalogue Number 433
LC/A16/51 25 April 1852
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Pius IX granting the nuncio's request on behalf of the college and Syon to extend permission granted to England and Wales to allow the feast of St Gregory to be a double of the second class, and St Bede's a major double, with a
plenary indulgence attached to the feasts
Signed by Cardinal Barnabo, secretary of Propaganda (1 May 1852)
2f
Old Catalogue Number 437
LC/A16/52 24 January - 20 March 1854
Language: Latin
Authenticated copy (20 March 1854) of a brief (24 January 1854) constituting the nuncio as protector of Lisbon College and the president to be appointed by Propaganda (with names proposed by the English hierarchy)
2f
Old Catalogue Number439
LC/A16/53 7 November 1855
Language: Italian
Letter from Cardinal Fransoni to the nuncio informing him that there is no obstacle on the nuncio's appointment of Baines as vice president because only the president's appointment needs to be approved by Propaganda
2f
LC/A16/54 28 September 1856 - 25 March 1859
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Pius IX to Lisbon College granting permission to recite the office of Our Lord's Passion on the Fridays after Septuagesima
Signed by Gaetani, secretary of Propaganda
Includes a later note from P. Baines on the nuncio allowing the college and Syon to transfer this office
3f
Old Catalogue Number 499
LC/A16/55 28 February 1857
Language: Latin
Letter from Cardinal Barnabo (prefect of Propaganda) to J. Ilsley: doctorates for Lawrence Richmond and Edward Brown and the Council of Cardinals planning to discuss the petition to revive the college's privileges of granting doctorates
2f
LC/A16/56 20 April 1857
Language: Latin
Letter from Cardinal Barnabo (prefect of Propaganda) to J. Ilsley: thanking him for his congratulations on the cardinalate and his promotion to the prefecture of Propaganda; informing him that the petition to make two of the staff doctors will be
referred to the pope; and recommending the Rev Thomas MacAuliffe
2f
LC/A16/57 21 February - 20 June 1857
Language: Latin
Letter from Cardinal Barnabo (prefect of Propaganda) to J. Ilsley: referring the petition to the nuncio at Lisbon concerning conferring doctorates on Lawrence Richmond and Edward Browne
2f
Old Catalogue Number 459
LC/A16/58 12 February 1858
Language: Latin
Letter from Cardinal Barnabo (prefect of Propaganda) to J. Ilsley: Propaganda requesting an annual report
2f
LC/A16/59 18 August 1858
Language: Latin and Portuguese
Letter from the nuncio to Lisbon College granting permission to have Benediction twice a month and on feast days
2f
Old Catalogue Number 465
LC/A16/60 16 October 1860 - 30 January 1861
Language: Latin
Documents sent by Lisbon College to Pope Pius IX:
(1) Loyal letter of condolence to the pope on the usurpation of the Papal States
(2) Signed reply of Pius IX
(3) Memorandum on the reading by P. Baines, vice-president, of Pius IX's reply to the students
3 items
Old Catalogue Number 472
LC/A16/61 9 March 1863
Language: Latin and Italian
Brief by Pope Pius IX granting permission to have the Benediction every Sunday, on holidays, and one other day a week
Signed by Pius XI (signature attested by George Talbot
2f
Old Catalogue Number 478
LC/A16/62 29 April 1863
Language: Latin and Italian
Brief by Pope Pius IX allowing all in the college to use lard or dripping on fasting and abstinence days
2f
Old Catalogue Number 479
LC/A16/63 9 November 1866 & 8 March 1867
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Pius IX to Lisbon College granting permission to erect
Via crucis in the college chapel
Signed by Cardinal Barnabo (prefect of Propaganda)
Includes a certificate of completion by P. Baines
1f
Old Catalogue Number 491
LC/A16/64 9 June 1867
Language: Latin
Loyal address by the president and Lisbon College to Pope Pius IX to accompany a donation of £84
Signed by all in the college
Endorsement by P. Baines records that he presented it on 2 July 1867
2f
Old Catalogue Number 494
LC/A16/65 21 June 1867
Language: Latin
Decree from the Congregation of Rites to Lisbon College granting permission to keep the feast of St Eleutherius on May 29
1f
Old Catalogue Number 497
LC/A16/66 6 July 1867
Language: Latin
Letter of thanks by Pope Pius IX to the president and Lisbon College for their letter of 9 June 1867
2f
Old Catalogue Number 494
LC/A16/67 14 July 1867
Language: Latin
Brief from Pope Pius IX to James O'Connell granting a dispensation from canonical age (18 months)
Signed by the secretary of Propaganda
1f
Old Catalogue Number 496
LC/A16/68 14 July 1867
Language: Latin
Brief from Pope Pius IX to William John Hogan granting a dispensation from canonical age (11 months)
Signed by Capalli, secretary of Propaganda
1f
Old Catalogue Number 495
LC/A16/69 3 April 1869
Language: Portuguese
Printed poster in honour of Pope Pius IX on the 50th anniversary of his priesthood on the eve of the Vatican Council
1 sheet
LC/A16/70 4 November 1870
Language: Portuguese
Printed protest by Antonio d'Almedia E Sa and others against the taking of Rome from Pope Pius IX
1 sheet
LC/A16/71 22 September 1874
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Pius IX making P. Baines a domestic prelate
1f
LC/A16/72 19 December 1884
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Leo XIII making William Hilton a domestic prelate
1f
LC/A16/73 21 December 1884
Language: Italian
Notice by the secretary of State of Hilton's appointment as Domestic Prelate
2f
LC/A16/74 16 January 1899
Language: Latin
Letter from the Congregation of Propaganda to William Hilton on the dispute between Lisbon College and the bishops over the Williams Fund
2f
LC/A16/75 11 December 1909
Language: Latin
Decree from the Consistorial Congregation to the nuncio delegating him to watch over the discipline, studies and administration of Lisbon College and instructing him to report to the Congregation
2f
Old Catalogue Number 527
LC/A16/76 22 April 1922
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the Congregation of Seminaries to the nuncio and Lisbon College: the ruling out of the superiors' privilege of presenting to orders
2f
Old Catalogue Number 541
LC/A16/77 25 September 1922
Language: Latin
Letter by Pope Pius IX to J. Cullen congratulating him on the tercentenary of the foundation of Lisbon College
2f
LC/A16/78 30 September 1922
Language: Latin
Brief by Pope Pius XI making J. Cullen a domestic prelate
2f
LC/A16/79 24 March 1923
Language: Latin
Letter from the Congregation of Seminaries to J. Cullen informing him that Pope Pius XI has refused dispensation for early ordinations to major orders
Includes a copy of Cullen's petition
2f
LC/A16/80 21 February 1936
Language: Latin
Copy of a report for 1932 - 34 from J. Cullen to the Congregation of Seminaries and Universities in compliance with an enclosed letter from Congregation of 1 February 1936, as well as an acknowledgement of 2 March 1936
30f
LC/A16/81 15 September 1937
Language: Latin
Brief from Pope Pius XI making J. Cullen a protonotary apostolic
Signed by Cardinal Pacelli
Includes a printed
ritus for execution of the apostolic letters
2 items
