The Sorbonne, at Paris, and the Emperor Charles, had already applied to the Holy See, for assistance against these formidable and heretical excesses, which had well nigh destroyed the influence of the clergy in every place; when a hundred of the Brotherhood of the Cross arrived at Avignon from Basle, and desired admission. The Pope, regardless of the intercession of several cardinals, interdicted their public penance, which he had not authorized; and, on pain of excommunication, prohibited throughout Christendom the continuance of these pilgrimages.[126] Philip VI., supported by the condemnatory judgment of the Sorbonne, forbid their reception in France.[127] Manfred, King of Sicily, at the same time threatened them with punishment by death: and in the East, they were withstood by several bishops, among whom was Janussius, of Gnesen,[128] and Preczlaw, of Breslaw, who condemned to death one of their Masters, formerly a deacon; and, in conformity with the barbarity of the times, had him publicly burnt.[129] In Westphalia, where so shortly before, they had venerated the Brothers of the Cross, they now persecuted them with relentless severity;[130] and in the Mark, as well as in all the other countries of Germany, they pursued them, as if they had been the authors of every misfortune.[131] [126] _Albert Argentinens._ Loc. cit. [127] _Guillelm de Nangis._ [128] _Ditmar._ Loc. cit. [129] _Klose_ of _Breslaw’s_ Documental History and Description, 8vo. Vol. II. p. 190. Breslaw, 1781. [130] Limburg Chronicle, p. 17. [131] _Kehrberg’s_ Description of Königsberg, _i. e._ Neumark, 1724, 4to. p. 240. The processions of the Brotherhood of the Cross, undoubtedly promoted the spreading of the plague; and it is evident, that the gloomy fanaticism which gave rise to them, would infuse a new poison into the already desponding minds of the people.