the Pope's protection, and their interest at Eome, they shortly after- wards caused the Bishop to be cited there to answer for his conduct, which induced the suspicion that the Pope was both their accomplice and partner in their spoils.* ' When tte Jews came to understand this Christian mode of preventing usury, says Matthew Paris, they laughed very heartily —{Matt. Paris, 286.)
"Milman, in his history of the Jews, calls them " Caorsini" from the town of Cahors in France. Matt. Pairs, Hollingshed, and Stow, " Caurdni." Bu Change, " Oaorcini," who helieves they helonged to an ancient family of that name in Italy. While Malynes, in his Lex Mercatoria, calls them Cursini, and says they were Italian bankers.
'" Pestis Ahominanda," says M. Paris, speaking of the Caursini, and tells us that the Bishop, who was old and infirm, applied to his patron, Paul, for advice, who not only approved of what he had done, but added : " Ex si Angelus vohis his contraria prmdicaverit, anathema sit." — (Matt. Paris, p. 418.)
THE STATUTE OF MEETOK. 37 But to return to the Statute of Merton. Sir