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The King lends a hand
When Urban arrived in Genoa Adam was dumped in a dungeon basement of the Commandery of the Hospitalers of St John. He must have felt very alone. In fact his treatment had caused considerable indignation across England if not Europe. The King, Richard II, wrote at least four letters to Urban demanding that Adam be released. The letters if read carefully contain more than a hint of a threat amidst all the "beseeching" and "pleaing" that was going on. By the time Urban arrived in Genoa England was the most powerful kingdom still supporting the Roman papacy against Clement VII in Avignon. There are plenty of hints contained within this letter below that suggested to Urban that if Richard did not get his way, he might not be so sure as to whether Urban or Clement was the true pope. It was not a threat Urban could afford to ignore.
Beatissime pater humilima filiali recommendacione premissa. Litteras sanctitas vestra direximus repetitis vicibus pro dilecto nobis reverendo patre Adam quondam cardinali Norwicensi humilime supplicantes ut nostril et regni nostril contemplacione eundem Adam a carceribus et aliis quibus cruciebatur angustiis liberare statumque suum fuisse integrum declarare aut saltem personam ipsius nobis precaram in cardinalitatis honore pristine ac in pari ordine dignitatis et aliis statum suum tangentibus collocare sanctitas affate clemencia dignaretur. Post hoc enim audivimus quod sanctitas ipse licenciavit eundem tantummodo ut in vestro sacro palacio liberum optineret incessum et in sanctitas eiusdem aula comederet non tamen in suo ordine consueto communione sibi libera cum amicis et aliis notis ut nobis asseritur (the text shows a superscript “a” which must be an error) nimium refrenata. Qua propter beatissime pater cum hoc sit incussivum amaritudinis cordi nostro et cuntis proceribus regni nostril molestum nos qui super omnes ligeos nostros et potissime tanti patris preeminenciam sic afflictam cor utque compassivum habemus, nedum ex nostril cordis instinct used et magnatum et vulgi luctuoso clamore continuo nos pulsante pro persons tam digna et in gradu suo nacionis extraneo unica vestre benignitatis testimonio inter alios concaptivos ut audivimus minus culpabile declarata eidemque sanctitati in scientia fidelitate et morum honestate ab antiquo tempore magi nota beatitudine vestre multipliciter precibus et ex precordiorum intimo supplicamus affectu quatinus patris misericordiae vestigia cum sitis ipsius vicarius mutantes post vinum insanciata vulnus oleum infundendo penitenti veniam elargiri ac dictum Adam precarum nostrum tantarum precum nostrarum instantia et intuitu regni nostri unde traxit originem in statum et gradum pristinumreintegrare dignemini de benignitatis apostolice gracia speciali sicque nostra et ligiorum nostrorum devotio vestre sancta compassionis et pietatis exemplo resultans in alme persone vestre defensionem contra incursus adversantium servencius exardescet. Valeat semper et crescat in Dominio ad sue ecclesie regimen apostolica celsitudo.
Edinburgh Manuscript 183 ffo 100v-101r
Most blessed father, your humble little son commends to you the things we have discussed before. Several times letters have been sent to you concerning Adam, formerly the cardinal of Norwich, beseeching that the same Adam be set free from the narrow prison where, with others, he is tortured, a position which we beg you to consider, for a person of his worth, formerly honoured as a cardinal, and equally as holy, he is worthy of your mercy. After this in fact, we heard that our holy (Adam) himself was allowed only the freedom to walk in your holy palace and to eat in the same hall, but that nevertheless he was not free in turn to share his presence with his friends and others and we note that he told us he is excessively restrained. Wherefore most blessed father, with this (news) we are struck with bitterness in our heart, it is most burdensome on our kingdom, we who are above all your principle liegemen, so much father will the distress in our heart stand out that we must be shown compassion. By the instinct of our hearts, the magnates and the people are in sorrow, wailing continuously at the great blow against a person of our nation, the one among the other captives whose testimony deserves your kindness as we heard his fault was little. The same (kindness) in the knowledge of purity trust and honest will has been known from ancient times, and happiness will multiply from our plea to you as we beseech you father, to follow in those footsteps, pouring wine and oil over the diseased wound if you set our penitent vicar free. And the said Adam begs so greatly and entreats our royal power to look attentively at how he came to be dragged to this state and to take steps to restore him to his former dignity, out of kindness we appeal to your special grace and as your liege we solemnly call down compassion and piety that your example may resound and nourish those who would defend you against the attacks that have blazed up against you. Farewell ever, and grow with God and upraise his apostolic church (under your) control.