those councils held in the basilica of the Latin church at Rome. See Council.

There have been five councils held in this place, viz. in the years 1123, 1139, 1179, 1215, and 1513.

Canons regular of the Congregation of the Lateran, were introduced in the reign of Pope Leo I. and continued in the church till the reign of Boniface, who displaced them, and put secular canons in their room; but 150 years after, the regulars were re-initiated again.

A LATERE, a term used to denote the qualifications of the cardinals whom the pope sends as legates into foreign countries. They are called legates a-lateres, as being his holiness's assistants and counsellors in ordinary. These are the most considerable of the other three kinds of legates, being such as the pope commissions to take his place in councils; and so called, in regard that he never gives this office to any but his favourites and confidants, who are always a-lateres, at his side. A legate a-lateres has the power of conferring benefices without a mandate, of legitimating bastardy to hold offices, and has a cross carried before him as the ensign of his authority.

De Latere, legates who are not cardinals, but yet are intrusted with an apostolical legation. See the article LEGATE.