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 BOHN’S ANTIQUARIAN LIBRARY. 
 
 INGULM’S CHRONICLE. 
 
 /9 
 
J. BIII.ING, PRINTER, WOKING. 
 
INGULPH’S CHRONICLE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ABBEY OF CROYLAND 
 
 AVITH THE 
 
 CONTINUATIONS BY PETER OF BLOIS 
 
 AND ANONYMOUS WRITERS, 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM TILE LATIN AVITH NOTES 
 
 By HENRY T. RILEY - , Esa., B.A. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COYENT GARDEN. 
 
 MDCCCLIAO 
 
(JUCG.O 
 
 I 
 
 5-^7 
 
T *SST 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 TnE Latin text of Ingulph’s History of the Abbey of Croy- 
 land was first published in Sir Henry Saville’s Scriptores post 
 Jiedam, London, 1596, reprinted at Frankfort in 1601. In 
 these editions the work appears in a mutilated form, as, 
 besides various omissions, it abruptly terminates with In¬ 
 gulph’s 1 return from his visit to the court of William the 
 Conqueror; and, in common with the other Chronicles con¬ 
 tained in the same volume, is disfigured by numerous typo¬ 
 graphical errors. The work was first printed entire, and 
 somewhat revised, in the first, 2 or Fulman’s, Volume of 
 Gale's Collection of the Iterum Anglicarum Scriptores, Oxford, 
 1684. Though a great improvement on Saville’s edition, it 
 is not without a considerable number of errors in the ortho¬ 
 graphy of the English words. The narrative commences with 
 the reign of Penda, who died in 655, and terminates in the 
 year 1091. 
 
 In the same volume was also published the Continuation by 
 Peter of Elois. Though this professes to have been written as 
 a Continuation of Ingulph’s History at the request of Abbat 
 Henry deLongcliamp, it notices but very few facts prior to 1100, 
 the first year of the reign of Henry I. The Marsham and Cot- 
 
 1 T. 175 of this Volume. 
 
 2 Sometimes quoted as the Third. 
 
 cr o r» ^ 
 
 592770 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 vi 
 
 tonian Manuscripts of Ingulph, in which Fulman found this 
 Continuation, were, unfortunately, in a mutilated state, and ter¬ 
 minate abrupti}' in the year 1117, temp. Henry I. It is not im¬ 
 probable, however, that we have a very considerable portion in 
 what has been preserved, as the writer appears only to have car¬ 
 ried his history to the time of Abbat Waldcv or Waltheof, 1 and 
 the accession of King Stephen, in 1135. 
 
 The second Continuation of Ingulph (which, with the third 
 and fourth Continuations, is also found in the same collec¬ 
 tion) was written by one of the Priors 2 of that place, whose 
 name has not come down to us. The writer informs us, at 
 the close of his narrative, 3 that he had continued the work 
 of Peter of Blois from the beginning of the reign of Stephen. 
 The portion, however, prior to 1144 is lost, and from that 
 date to 1171, the work is so mutilated that all the fragments 
 which remain are comprised in two pages of the present 
 Yolume. 4 Prom that period, the Chronicle continues, with 
 occasional slight interruptions, to 1254 ; 5 after which there 
 is an hiatus to the date of the fragment in pages 328-9, 
 probably about 1280. From 1281, there is another hiatus, 
 to 1327, which comprises, as we learn from other sources, 4 
 the resignation of Abbat Itiehard, in 1303, the accession of 
 Simon de Luffenham, his cession in 1322, 7 and the accession 
 of Abbat Henry de Caswyk. Between 1328, the second year 
 
 1 See the second Continuation, p. 450. 5 See pages 450 and 452. 
 
 3 P. 450. 4 See pages 271—273. 
 
 5 See pages 280, 281, 284, 291, 299, 315, 317. 
 
 6 Dugdale’s Monasticon, Browne Willis’s Mitred Abbies, Gough’s 
 History of Cioyland. 
 
 7 See p. 331. The MS. history of Croyland in the Cottonian Library. 
 Vespas. B XI. says that he was deposed by the bishop of Lincoln for 
 partiality shewn to his kindred. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 T1X 
 
 of Edward III., and 1388, the twelfth of Eichard II., there 
 is a further hiatus, dui’ing which Abbat Henry was suc¬ 
 ceeded, on his decease in 1358, by Thomas de Bernak, at 
 whose death, in 1378, John de Asheby was elected abbat, and 
 held that office when the narrative is resumed in 1388. 8 
 
 From this date to the death of Abbat Litlyngton in 1469, 
 this chronicle has come down to us unmutilated ; and in 
 this portion consists its most essential value; as, in common 
 with the nest Continuation, it gives many historical facts con¬ 
 nected with the latter part of the reign of Henry VI. and that 
 of Edwai’d IV., some of which are of considerable importance, 
 and nowhere else to be found. 
 
 A marginal note (given by Eulman in p. 557 of his volume, 
 most probably from the MS.), informs us that the Third Con¬ 
 tinuation was written by a Doctor of Canon Law and Member 
 of the King’s Council, the same person who is mentioned 
 (p. 469 of this Volume) as having been sent by Edward IV. 
 as his envoy to the Duke of Burgundy at Abbeville ; like his 
 predecessor, he was a member of the community of Croyland. 
 He commences with a relation of several events which had 
 taken place during the previous ten yeai's, but had been omitted 
 by the preceding Chronicler ; and then continues the narra¬ 
 tive from 1469 to 1486, the second year of Henry VII. By 
 succeeding historians of the reigns of Edward IV. and Eich¬ 
 ard III., this work has been found of the gi’eatest value. 
 
 Of the fourth and last Continuation, which appears from 
 the opening words 9 to have been written some time after 
 the third, a small fragment only has survived, the princi¬ 
 pal merit of which consists in its interesting account 10 of 
 the last moments of Cardinal Beaufort; a picture very dif- 
 
 * P. 333. 1,1 P. 513. 
 
 LKJfV a t U 
 
Vlll 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ferent from that drawn by Shakspeare, and probably more in 
 accordance with truth. After giving a somewhat lengthy 
 account of the cession of the Church of Brynkhurst, or Eston, 
 to the Abbey of Peterborough, it terminates abruptly in I486, 
 the remainder of the MS. being lost. The writer seems to 
 have been an ecclesiastic, and was most probably a monk of 
 the Abbey of Croyland. 
 
 H.T.R. 
 
EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION. 
 
 
 It is a singular circumstance, that, with the exception of a tran¬ 
 script 9 of the sixteenth century, no ancient manuscript of Ingulph’s 
 Chronicle is known to exist. After the dissolution of theMonas- 
 teries, a manuscript, which had the reputation of being an auto¬ 
 graph of Ingulph, remained for many years in the church at 
 Croyland, where it was preserved with great care in a chest locked 
 with three keys. Selden endeavoured in vain to gain access to 
 it, and when Fulman made enquiries (probably about 1680), it 
 could no longer be found. Two ancient copies, however, are known 
 to have formerly existed : one, in the possession of Sir J. Mar- 
 sham, which was the basis of Fulman’s edition ; and another, from 
 which Selden published the Laws of the Conqueror, was in the 
 Cottonian Library, and burnt in the fire of 1731. Mars ham’s ;o 
 copy has long since disappeared. Spelman states, erroneously no 
 doubt, that he 11 consulted the autograph itself, and from it tran¬ 
 scribed a portion of the Norman laws. 
 
 For many years after the publication of Ingulph, there seems 
 to have been no suspicion that any portion of the work, or the 
 Charters contained in it, were other than genuine. The Charters 
 are quoted as such by Sir H. Spelman, and Sir W. Dugdale in the 
 Monasticon, and Selden and Stillinglleet u rely upon the autho¬ 
 rity of the work. From the time, however, of Henry Wharton, 13 
 who detected certain anachronisms in the attestations of earlier 
 Saxon Charters, doubts have been very generally entertained as to 
 the genuineness of the documents, and by some as to that of the 
 history itself. 14 Wharton’s enquiries were continued at very con- 
 
 9 Arundel MSS. No. 178. 
 
 10 In a letter preserved in the Bodleian, Dr. Gibson, bishop of London, 
 accuses Obadiah Walker, the Roman Catholic Master of University College, 
 Oxford, of having purloined this copy. 11 Concilia, i. p. 623. 
 
 12 Origines Britannica, p. 21. 13 History of the Bishops of 
 
 London and St. Asaph. 
 
 14 Hickes seems inclined to support the genuineness of the history, 
 
X 
 
 EDITOKS introduction. 
 
 si der able length by Hickes in his Thesaurus, who satisfactorily 
 proved, from the feudal tone that pervades them, that the Charters 
 are either of IS orman origin or the production of still later times. 
 
 Sir F. Palgrave, after an elaborate 15 examination of the work, has 
 similarly come to the conclusion that the Charters are forgeries of 
 a more recent date than the time of Ingulph, and that they were 
 compiled with the view of supporting the pretensions of the so- 
 called Golden Charter . 16 
 
 The question then remains to be solved at what period these 
 documents were forged, by whom, and for what purpose. Hickes 
 is of opinion that the convent found it necessary to forge Ethel- 
 bald’s Golden Charter, that they might preserve the lands which 
 they held without deed, or of which the deeds had been lost, from 
 the Normans, and says that “ he is almost compelled to believe 
 that Ingulph was the forger, or else that the convent palmed off 
 the history upon the world under the authority of his name.” 
 He also says, “• I have given a portion of the Charter of Ethel- 
 bald, which I have so often had occasion to condemn. In the 1 
 original it appears resplendent with gold, the manufacture, per¬ 
 haps, of Ingulph himself. This Charter, by means of which that 
 knave cajoled Xing William, 17 is sufficiently proved to have been 
 fictitious.” Sir Francis Palgrave expresses strong doubts whether 
 the Chronicle itself (including the Charters) is of much older date 
 than the thirteenth, or first half of the fourteenth century. 
 
 A careful examination of the First and Second Continuations 
 of Ingulph will probably afford some clue to the solution of this 
 question. It will be found that in the history of Croyland, be¬ 
 tween the years 1091 and 1415, no mention is made of the 
 existence of any one of these Saxon Charters. In 1189, Abbat 
 llobert, in a case drawn up by him. 1 ® relies for proof of the 
 foundation of his house by Ethelbald, not upon any existing 
 charters, but solely upon the Life of Saint Guthlac, written by 
 the monk Felix. In Vol. 44 of the Cole Collection of MSS. in 
 though he appears in one passage to throw some doubts on it, in con" 
 sequence of Ingulph’s derivation of the name Croyland, as signifying 
 crude or muddy land (p. 8). He perhaps preferred the derivation of Crow- 
 land from the crows, by which, according to the early legend of Felix, 
 the anchorite Guthlac, while dwelling there, was persecuted. 
 
 15 See vol. 34 of the Quarterly Review. 
 
 15 A copy of Ethelbald’s charter of 716, conspicuous for its golden 
 crosses and azure and vermilion, but evidently of spurious origin. Hickes, 
 who has engraved a portion of it, speaks of it in 1705, as being then in the 
 possession of Dr. Guidot, of Bath. It seems to have been the same which 
 is mentioned by Gough, in his history of Croyland, as being in 1734 the 
 property of Robert Hunter, lord of the manor of Croyland. 
 
 17 See his visit to Court described, p. 171. 18 P. 275. 
 
EDITOu’s I NT EO DUCT I OX. 
 
 XI 
 
 f the British Museum, there are nearly 200 folio pages of ab- 
 5 stracts from the Abbey Registers of law-suits carried on by 
 the convent, fines, conveyances, and other memoranda. A care- 
 * ful search has been made in these, as also in most of the docu- 
 f ments connected with Crovland, set forth in Gough’s First and 
 
 > Second Appendix, or referred to in Tanner’s Notitia Monastica, 
 . but not a hint can be found, to give us reason to believe that 
 
 between the periods above-mentioned, these Charters were ill 
 
 > existence. 19 
 
 j Prior Richard Upton, being at a loss how to prevent the en- 
 . croachments of the people of Spalding, determined, as we read 
 i in p. 367, to unsheathe the sword of ecclesiastical censure, which 
 i had been granted by St. Dunstan, and solemnly pronounced 
 sentence of excommunication at the doors of the church against 
 all who should infringe the liberties of the church of St Guthlac. 
 Not content with reading this censure (which bears strong marks 
 of being fictitious, and was probably composed on this occasion), 
 Prior Richard “ resorted to the temporal arm, and taking with 
 him the muniments of the illustrious kings, Ethelbald, Edred, and 
 Edgar, hastened to London, to bring the parties to trial.’’ 20 This 
 sudden mention of these Charters, the first time for several hun¬ 
 dred years, cannot but take us by surprise, and extort from us 
 the enquiry, where had they been in the meantime, and why had 
 they never been used on similar occasions before ? 
 
 After his arrival in London, we read that it was nearly two 
 years before the Prior could make arrangements for coming to 
 trial. It is far from improbable that these two years were spent 
 in framing, for the discomfiture of his antagonists, the Charters 
 which now appear in Ingulph’s Chronicle. Prior Richard being 
 thus employed, we can understand why, just before the trial, he 
 felt very uncomfortable in mind ; why (p. 368) he “ lay awake in 
 bed, sad and disquieted in spirit, and unable to sleep and how 
 great was the necessity for consolation to be administered to him, 
 by no less a personage than Saint Guthlac himself. This expla¬ 
 nation, too, will account for the large outlay of five hundred 
 
 19 1091 and 1415. In vol. 44, p. 53, Cole MSS. we find several man¬ 
 dates from Edward the Third commanding the convent to admit Hugh 
 de Kensington, keeper of his salt-cellar, as a corrodier on their foundation ; 
 and three or four plaints in answerbv the convent, in which they allege 
 that the abbey had been founded by Ethelbald Jive hundred years before 
 ithe Conquest. This they would have hardly dared to assert, if they bad 
 bad at that moment among their archives a deed which proved that Ethel- 
 j bald founded the abbey in 716, only 350 years before that event. Cole 
 lias added a Note, in which he remarks that it is pretty clear that they 
 did not know when their Abbey was founded. 20 1’. 368. 
 
EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION. 
 
 xii 
 
 pounds (p. 388) upon these suits, as the scribes would he not un¬ 
 likely, on such an occasion, to make their own terms. 
 
 The experiment appears to have fully succeeded ; to the satis¬ 
 faction of both judges and arbitrators the Charters of Ethelbald 
 and Edred were produced, judgment was given in favour of the : 
 Convent, aud thus did the monks of Croyland, the first time per- 
 haps for centuries, gain a complete legal victory over their neigh¬ 
 bours of Spalding and Moulton. 
 
 It was upon this occasion probably that the manuscript long 
 preserved at Croyland as the autograph of Ingulph was first com¬ 
 piled. Finding among their archives a Chronicle of the convent 1 
 from the earliest times, (said to have been composed by the Sem- - 
 pects 21 by order of Abbat Turketul,) the monks made it the vehicle ■ 
 of their fictitious Charters, added to it the histories which had I > 
 been written by Egelric aud Ingulph, had the whole copied afresh, 
 and deposited the manuscript in the Sacristy as corroborative * 
 proof of their title to their lands. It was for this reason, perhaps, *> 
 that so few copies of the manuscript were allowed to circulate ; ?l 
 as the forgers must have been conscious that to the scrutinizing a 
 view of the scholar, the anachronisms and contradictions with 
 which the Charters were filled would be too evident. 
 
 Fictitious as most, if not all, of the Saxon Charters are. and 
 fabulous as much of the history is likely to be, it is still difficult : 
 to subscribe unreservedly to Sir F. Palgrave’s opinion, “ that the s 
 History of Ingulph must be considered to be little better than 1 i 
 an historical novel—a mere monkish invention though, at the ■ 
 same time, it cannot be denied that the work is full of interpola- < 
 lions. I 
 
 For the guidance of the reader of this Chronicle, which, despite I 
 of its imperfections, forms, with its Continuations, a most interest¬ 
 ing repertory of mediaeval law, history, and anecdote, we may 1 
 usefully devote a few lines to an examination of the more pro- • 
 minent errors or interpolations which have been detected in the : 
 portions of it ascribed to Egelric aud Ingulph. 
 
 Sir F. Palgrave thinks that the account of Turketul betrays 1 
 marks of a spurious origin ; that it does not fully agree with 
 the narrative of Vitalis, and is probably founded on his story 
 at a later period. “ If a Cancellarius ,” he remarks, “ ex¬ 
 isted among the officers of the Auglo-Saxon Court, he was no¬ 
 thing more than a notary or scribe, entirely destitute of the high 
 authority which Ingulph bestows on him.” The mention of 
 Turketul as Cancellarius certainly does bear suspicious marks of 
 
 21 See p. ! 7. Of course the story of their great ages, 168, 142, and 115 
 must he rejected. 
 
 s> * See the concluding words of Ingulph’s History, p 223. 
 
editor’s introduction. 
 
 xiii 
 
 ]. the handy-work of some interpolator, but it would be hardly 
 fair, on this ground, to reject the whole account; as his relation- 
 -■ ship to the king (which is mentioned also by Yitalis) would in¬ 
 ti vest him with considerable influence, which would be increased 
 ie if he really did fill the office of royal secretary, 
 r. With Sir F. Palgrave we must reject the account of Turketul’s 
 i- prowess at the battle of Brunenburgh, which relates how he 5 * 
 penetrated the hostile ranks, struck down the enemy right and 
 5 left, and, amid torrents of blood, reached the king of the Scots ; 
 i and then contradicts itself by telling us that, in after-times, 
 t when a monk, he “ esteemed himself happy and fortunate in that 
 i- he had never slain a man, nor even wounded one.” Such a 
 e story cannot have been penned by a friend and kinsman of Tur- 
 I ketul. Sir F. Palgrave also observes that the Synod* 2 * at which 
 i, the seven bishoprics were conferred was held in 905, two years 
 e before Turketul was born : while the Saxon Chronicle places the 
 , death of Dynewulph in 900, and the succession of Frithestan in 
 i 910. This wa3 probably interpolated by some enthusiast, de- 
 ; sirous to award to Turketul more honor than was really his due. 
 i “ The passage respecting the education of Ingulphus at Ox¬ 
 ford,” says the same writer, “ long since raised the suspicion 
 1 of Gibbon, 23 and it still remains to be proved that Aristotle 
 ; formed part of the course of education at Oxford at a time 
 8 when his works were studied in no part of Christendom.” It is 
 i not improbable that this is an interpolation by some favourer of 
 ; the pretensions of Oxford in the thirteenth or fourteenth century. 
 
 . A wish to surpass the alleged antiquity of Cambridge, as sup¬ 
 ported by the narrative 54 of Peter of Blois, may possibly have 
 : prompted the insertion of this testimony in favour of Oxford. 
 
 Sir F. Palgrave has also suggested, that the journey 25 of 
 Ingulph to Jerusalem must have taken place between 1053 and 
 . 1059, when the Patriarch Sophronius died, as the emperor 
 8 Alexius did not ascend the throne till 1081, some years after 
 Ingulph had settled at Croyland : that Emperor’s name was pro- 
 i bably added as a gloss by some ignorant annotator, and eventually 
 ; became incorporated with the text. 
 
 1 ** Pages 74 and 75. 22 * Pages 72 and 73. 
 
 ' 23 History , B. ix. 24 P. 237. 
 
 25 Seep. 148. We cannot agree with Mr. Wright (Biog. Brit. Lite- 
 1 raria, vol. ii. p. 30), that 1064 is the date : nor does it appear that the 
 f writer confounded the expedition alluded to with that of Peter the Hermit. 
 
 I Ingulph seems to have joined the pilgrimage mentioned by Vitalis, 
 B. III. c. 4, as taking place in 1057, under the chief bishop of the Ba- 
 ' varians. See Ordericus Vitalis, B. iii. c. 4. 
 
xiv 
 
 EDITOB S IXTEODrCTIOX. 
 
 Dr. Lappenberg 26 informs us that it is erroneously stated that 
 Constantine 27 Cell at the battle of Brunenburgh, it being his 
 son who was slain ; and that the statement that the emperor 
 Henry (who died in 936) sought the hand of Athelstan’s daugh¬ 
 ter for his son Otho is a mistake. He also observes, that (iu 
 p. 97) earl Eodolpli, the son, is called the husband of Goda. 
 
 Mr. Wright, in his able work on the Anglo-Norman writers, 
 is of opinion that Ingulph's account of the ™ exiguitas of his pa¬ 
 rents contradicts his statement in p. 125, where he speaks of his 
 father as living at court: and that Ingulph would hardly have 
 ostentatiously published the forged charters : an opinion which 
 seems well-founded. He remarks also, that the work appears 
 too vain-glorious to have been written by Ingulph himself. The 
 self-complacency however, which we find displayed by the Abbat 
 throughout his story, and the patronizing air with which he ex¬ 
 plains the more barbarous usages of the persecuted Saxons, 
 combined with the frivolous display of Gallic learning in pages 
 165 and 166, strongly bespeak the Anglo Norman prelate. 
 
 The same author is also of opinion that the Continuation 
 ascribed to Peter of Blois is spurious ; but the reasons adduced 
 by him hardly seem to warrant so decided a conclusion. “It is 
 not probable,” he says, “ that the monks of Croyland should have 
 applied to a stranger to write the history of their house, and we 
 can trace no connection between them and Peter of Blois.” On the 
 contrary, it seems to have been considered a mark of respect, not 
 uncommonly paid, for a convent to request a learned stranger to 
 employ his pen in the service of their house. Vitalis, 29 almost a 
 stranger and half a foreigner, was engaged by the monks of Croy¬ 
 land to write the epitaph of earl Waltheof, for the moment almost 
 the national hero and Saint of the English; Abbo of Fleury, a 
 Norman by birth, at the request of Dunstan, wrote the Life of 
 St. Edmund, an English Saint; and William, a monk of Malmes¬ 
 bury, wrote the Chronicles of the Abbey of Glastonbury. That 
 Peter of Blois was on intimate terms with abbat Henry de Long- 
 champ we have some right to conclude from the zealous manner 
 in which we know that he stood forward in support 30 of his brother 
 Chancellor, William de Longchamp, bishop of Ely. The allusion 
 in Peter’s Continuation to the writings of Averroes 31 is mani¬ 
 festly an interpolation. 
 
 26 Geschichte von England, Preface. 27 P. 75. 
 
 5S Seep. 1-17. Mr. VY r right renders this word mean estate ; narrowne s 
 of circumstances seems rather to be meant, and if so, there does not ot ne¬ 
 cessity appear to be any contradiction. 29 History, 13. iv. c. 17. 
 
 3 " See his spirited letter to Hugh de Nunant, bishop of Coventry, in 
 Hoveden, vol. ii. p. 238. Bohn's Antiquarian Library. 31 P. 23L 
 
editoe’s ixtboduction. 
 
 XV 
 
 An explanation of a few of the terms which form component 
 parts of names of places mentioned in these Chronicles may 
 not be inappropriate. The termination ee or ea, as in “ Sche- 
 pishee” and “ Southee,” is supposed to be a corruption of the 
 French eau,'“ water.” Lode or lade, as in “Wodelade” 32 and “Cap- 
 pelade,” (afterwards, “ Whaplode,”) signifies a cut of water. 
 JLirne or hyrne means a horn or corner of land, bounded by 
 streams, as in “iSamanslandhyrne,” 33 and 3, Aswyktofthyrne. 
 Lound or land is the old form for land, as in 36 “ Goggislound,” 
 “ Alderlound,” and “ Paylond.” Seek is still a provincial name 
 for a “ rill ” or stream, as in “ Pynchbeck,” “ Holbeck.” Drove 
 was cl road for cattle. Holt means a wood, as in “Apynholt,” 
 and “ “Harenholt.” “ Algarkirk” and “Peykirk,” mean Algor’s 
 church and Pega’s church. The word lahe, as signifying standing 
 water, enters into the composition of such names as “ Menger- 
 lake,” “ Lurtlake,” “ South! ake,” “Dedmanslake,” and “ Wer- 
 warlake.” Helieston (in pages 127 and 154) appears to have been 
 a wrong spelling in the original for “ Helpeston.” 
 
 l! . A cut through the wood. 
 
 33 “ No man's land corner.” In some places it is written “ Norman’s 
 land.” 
 
 34 “ Aswvk’s toft corner,” toft, being a place where a messuage has 
 formerly stood. 
 
 35 “ Gog’s land,” “ Alder land,” and “ Pega’s land.” 
 
 36 Probably meaning “ the hare’s wood.” 
 
SUCCESSION OE TEE ABBATS OF CROYLANE 
 
 Kenulph, appointed . 716 
 
 Patrick 
 
 Siward. 
 
 Theodore . 
 
 VJUOllU .... 
 
 Turketul . . . 948 
 
 Egelric the Elder . . 975 
 
 Egelric the Younger . 984 
 
 Osketul.... 992 
 
 Godric II. . . 1005 
 
 Brichtmer . . .1018 
 
 Wulgat . . . 1048 
 
 Wulketul . . . 1052 
 
 Ingulph . . . 1075 
 
 Joffrid . . . .1109 
 
 WaldevlYot mentioned f 1124 
 Godfrey] in this History ^1138 
 Edward . . .1153 
 
 Bobert de Bedinges . 1172 
 Henry Longchamp . 1190 
 
 Bichard Bardeney . 1236 
 Thomas Wells . . 1246 
 
 A.D 
 
 Balph Hershe . . 1254 
 
 Bichard Croyland . . 1281 
 
 Simon Luffenham . 1303 
 
 Henry de Caswyk. . 1322 
 
 Thomas de Bemak (not 
 mentioned inthisHist.) 1358 
 
 John de Asheby 
 Thomas Overton 
 Bichard Upton 
 John Litlyngton 
 John Wysbech 
 Bichard Croyland II. 
 Lambert Fossedyke 
 Edmund Thorpe 
 Philip Everard, 
 or Evermue 
 WilliamGedyng 
 Bichard Berde- 
 ney 
 
 John Welles, or 
 Bridges 
 Abbey Dissolved . 
 
 Yotmen- 
 tioned in 
 /this His-’ 
 tory. 
 
 1378 
 
 1394 
 
 1417 
 
 1427 
 
 1469 
 
 1476 
 
 1481 
 
 1485 
 
 1491 
 
 1504 
 
 1507 
 
 1512 
 
 1539 
 
INGULPH’S HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ABBEY OF CKOYLAND. 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 ) 
 
 ) 
 
 ! 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 3 
 
 [XASMtrcii as I, Ingulph, by the long-suffering of the Divine 
 jtoodness, abbat of the monastery of Croyland, am bound, by 
 virtue of the duties imposed upon me, to devote my attention 
 o ecclesiastical matters ; it appears to me especially desirable 
 ;o know who were the founders and benefactors of our monas- 
 ery, at what period it was founded, and by whose alms food 
 ind the other necessaries of life are here provided for us; and 
 it the same time to learn what estates or possessions our re- 
 pective benefactors have bestowed as alms upon us. These 
 particulars I have endeavoured to learn, to the end that they 
 aay be set forth, as well for your information, as for that of 
 ur successors, in behalf of whom we are in duty bound to im- 
 ilore and entreat the mercy of God. 
 
 But, as it would be a tedious task to dwell at length upon 
 ach of these particulars, to the extent to which we find 
 latter afforded us in various quarters; I shall make it my 
 special object to treat, though in a compendious form, of such 
 oings only as are likely to be deemed most neccssaiy to be 
 nown by us wh$. live at the present day, and to be brought 
 ) the notice of our successors. These particulars I shall 
 lerefore set forth, just as I have learned them, either from 
 le trust-worthy information of my brethren now residing here, 
 vho, in their turn, have received the same from their prede- 
 issors), or from an attentive examination of ancient records 
 id other documents which have been perused by me. In ac- 
 irdance with the prophetical language of the Psalmist, “I 
 
2 ingclph’s histort of the abbey of CROTLAXD. a.D. 704 
 
 ■will utter sayings of old ; -which we have heard and seen, anc 
 our fathers have told us 1 and I will remind you of the words 
 “ Let your children tell their children, and their children an¬ 
 other generation 2 thereby milking good those other words o: 
 Scripture, “ Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were 
 written for our learning.” 3 
 
 I have therefore determined, in the first place, to speak oi 
 the succession of certain kings of Mercia, who, in very remote 
 times, were converted to the catholic faith. Although Penda. 
 who was a heathen, and notorious for his impiety, usurped 
 the kingly name and the sovereignty of the Mercians, and ir 
 his tyrannical frenzy martyred Oswald, the king and saint, he 
 was the father of several sons who proved most devoted sup¬ 
 porters of the Christian religion. The names of these were 
 Peada, Wulpher, Ethelred, Merwald, and Mercelm; while 
 Xyuenburga and Kyneswitha, women celebrated for theii 
 sanctity and the purity of their lives, were his daughters. The 
 unbridled desires, however, of this same Penda, after he had 
 been long possessed by this heathenish frenzy, brought him tc 
 an end suitable to his deserts. For, by the grace of God, Oswy, 
 the brother and successor of Saint Oswald, (of both of whom 
 I here make mention, that the remembrance of them may be 
 perpetuated, to the praise of Him who alone shall recompense 
 each according to his works) cut him off, and thereby increased 
 the number of souls in hell. 
 
 His eldest son, Peada, succeeded him as king. This Peada hac 
 the intention of founding the monastery at Medeshamstcd, 4 bul 
 being prevented by an untimely death, he bequeathed his religious 
 zeal to his brother Wulpher, who succeeded him on the throne, 
 and to Saxulph, a man of very considerable influence; for it 
 is a matter beyond doubt that this monastery was afterwards 
 founded by them, in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, 664. After reigning sixteen years, the said Wul¬ 
 pher departed this life, in the seventeenth year of his reign. 
 
 On his decease, his brother Ethelred succeeded him on the 
 throne, and after a reign of thirty years became a monk in the 
 monasteiy of Bardeney. 5 
 
 He was succeeded on the throne by Kenred, the son of Wul- 
 
 1 Psalm lxxviii. 2, 3. 5 Joel i. 3. 3 Rom. xv. 4. 
 
 4 The original name of Peterborough. 5 Or Partnev, in Lincoln 
 
 shire. 
 
a.d. 708. 
 
 ETHELBALD CONSULTS GUTHXAC. 
 
 3 
 
 pher, who, after a reign of four years, left his kingdom, and 
 set out for Rome, where he departed this life at the threshold 
 of the Apostles. 
 
 Kenred was succeeded by Celred, who was the son of Ethel- 
 red, the former king, and reigned eight years. 
 
 In these days lived the Clito 6 Ethelbald, who was then in 
 exile. He was the great nephew of Penda, through Alwy, his 
 brother ; 7 and was a man remarkable for the gracefulness of his 
 figure, hisstrength of body, and his indomitable courage. On the 
 other hand, a thing greatly to be lamented, he w T as extremely 
 proud in spirit, and immoderately fond of rashly courting 
 danger. For this, as no doubt we may be allowed to believe, 
 he had to submit to many hardships, and to endure a very long 
 estrangement from the helm of state. 
 
 While the before-named king Celred was unrelentingly pur¬ 
 suing him from place to place, the strength of himself and his 
 adherents being now quite exhausted amid the doubtful perils 
 of warfare, he repaired, according to his usual wont, to Guth- 
 dac, the man of God, his confessor; to the end that, finding all 
 human counsel fail, he might obtain that of God; and with great 
 humility disclosed to him those complaints which tribulation 
 • extorted from him. When the holy man of God had heard 
 ■ his words, in soothing language he consoled him, and, as though 
 t xtn interpreter of a Divine oracle, revealed to him in its proper 
 order each event as the same should befall him; promising 
 i him the rule over his own people, the conquest of his enemies, 
 'j and the sovereignty over other nations. Nor were these things 
 i go come to pass through fighting, blows, or effusion of blood; but 
 if ae bade him have full confidence that through the Divine 
 
 i oower and goodness he should obtain the same. 
 
 ri To this he added, by way of admonition, “Acknowledge 
 
 ii -he Lord thy God, and above all things fear Him : make it thy 
 li study also to venerate the Holy Church. Oftentimes lament 
 . he wickedness of thy misdeeds, and with constancy observe 
 ti hy purpose of leading a good life; and hope for the sure assist- 
 •j) :nce of the Lord, if thou shalt first in His presence have offer- 
 
 d up the merits of good works.” 
 
 6 A title given to princes of the royal family among the Anglo-Saxons. 
 
 1. 7 This is evidently a mistake. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 
 
 tol under the years 626 and 716) Alwy was the son of Eawa, who was the 
 rother of Penda. 
 
 B i 
 
4 htguxph’s history of the abbey of cboylaitd. a.d. 716 . 
 
 With these words and this doctrine Ethelbald was so much 
 refreshed in spirit, that, without delay, in presence of his 
 father Guthlac and the other persons then standing by, that 
 which he conceived in his heart to do, he pronounced with his 
 lips; and declared that as soon as it should be his lot peace¬ 
 fully to arrive at the helm of state, he would found in that 
 same spot a monastery of religious, to the praise of God, and in 
 memory of his said father Guthlac. This promise in after¬ 
 times he efficiently and devoutly fulfilled. 
 
 In the meanwhile, however, after some time had elapsed, the 
 before-named Ethelbald, being still an exile, and lying concealed 
 in secluded spots, heard tidings of the death of the holy man; 
 upon which, full of grief and sorrow, he hastened to the spot. 
 After shedding many tears and praying at great length, while 
 he was watching in an adjoining cottage, the holy man ap¬ 
 peared to him, and consoled him in these words: “ Have con¬ 
 fidence, my son, and be not sorrowful; for, through my inter¬ 
 cession, the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and, before the 
 present year shall have run its course, thou shalt gain the 
 sceptre of the kingdom, and shalt in happiness enjoy a length¬ 
 ened course of days.” To this, he made answer, “ My lord, 
 what shall be a sign to me, that these things shall thus come 
 to pass?” “To-morrow, before the third hour of the day,” 
 the holy man replied, “ to those who are dwelling in this isle 
 of Croyland, food shall unexpectedly be given.” 
 
 Thenceforth, bearing in mind everything that had thus been 
 said to him, with undoubting hope he believed that the same 
 should come to pass. Nor did his faith deceive him ; for he 
 found that all things were carried into effect in accordance with 
 the prophecy of the man of God. 
 
 Guthlac, the servant of God, being thus dead and buried, 
 upon his intercession being invoked, signs, displayed in miracles 
 and wondrous healings, began oftentimes to gleam forth; which 
 (as from your 9 archives I have been enabled to collect) are set 
 forth clearly and in a most perspicuous style in the book which 
 treats of his Life and Miracles. When king Ethelbald found 
 that his blessed consoler was conspicuous for his miraculous 
 powers, full of gladness and devotion, he sought the place of 
 Lis burial, and, having now gained the sovereignty, with the 
 
 9 He addresses his brethren, the monks of Croyland. 
 
A.D. 716. 
 
 CHARTER OF KING ETHELBALH. 
 
 5 
 
 greatest care fulfilled the promises which he had formerly 
 made to the man of God, while he was still alive. 
 
 Immediately sending for a certain monk of Evesham, Ke- 
 ; nulph by name, a person famed for his religious life, he gave, 
 granted, and for ever confirmed to him and those there serving 
 I God, the isle of Croyland, to the end that he might found a con- 
 , vent there. He also fully absolved the whole of the island 
 . from all rents and secular dues, and secured the same in pre- 
 
 I sence of the bishops and nobles of his kingdom by his charter; 
 
 which was to the following effect: 
 j “ Ethelbald, by Divine Providence, king of the Mercians, to 
 . all followers of the catholic faith, health everlasting. To the 
 t King of all kings and the Creator of all mankind, I do with ex- 
 t ceeding joy return thanks, for that He hath patiently home with 
 ,.i me, though polluted with all sins, even unto the present time, 
 
 , and hath in His mercy drawn me away therefrom, and hath in 
 r . some measure elevated me to the acknowledgment of His name. 
 
 , Wherefore it is good for me to adhere unto God, and in Him to 
 lf place my hope. But how shall I repay God for all that He 
 hath bestowed upon me, in order that I may do that which 
 jj is pleasing unto Him in the sight of living men ? Inasmuch 
 1( as without Him we possess nothing, are nothing, and are able 
 ; to do nothing. For He, the author of our salvation, and the 
 j, bestower of all things, with great readiness receiveth the very 
 least of our gifts, that so He may have a cause for repaying us 
 e ] with joys mighty and infinite. Those who follow His doctrines 
 Jt with the works of mercy, He thus consoles, saying, ‘ Inasmuch 
 as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
 [ti ye have done it unto me .’ 10 Hence it is, that, having been in¬ 
 structed by the counsels, and prevailed upon by the prayers, of 
 ^ the devout anchorite Guthlac, my dearly beloved confessor, I 
 ,]g i have joyfully formed the following determination. As a per- 
 ;,] petual testimony to he preserved thereof, I do by this public 
 jd deed 11 give, grant, and deliver unto Almighty God, the blessed 
 j Virgin, and Saint Bartholomew, out of my demesnes, for the 
 [E( j purpose of founding a monastery of Black Monks, 11 * serving God 
 (1 , in conformity with the rules of Saint Benedict, the whole island 
 E# of Croyland, the same to be set apart for the site of an abbey, 
 
 Jl 10 St. Matthew, xxv. 40. 11 Or, more strictly, “patent,” or “open 
 
 chirograph.” ll * This is the first of the supposed anachronisms 
 
 noticed by Hickes. 
 
6 ixgulph’s history op the abbey or cboyland. a.d. 716. 
 
 and severally to be held; being surrounded by four rivers, 
 that is to say, by the river called Shepishee, on the east; by 
 the river called iiene, on the vest; by the river called Southee, 
 on the south ; aud by the river called Asendyk, on the north, 
 ■where runs the Common Drain 12 between Spalding and the said 
 island ; the same being also four leagues 13 in length and three 
 leagues in breadth : together with the marsh lands adjoining 
 thereto, which lie towards the west, and opposite to the said 
 island, on either side of the river Welland; one part of which, 
 called Goggislound, on the north side of the river Welland, is two 
 leagues in length , 14 extending from the bridge of Croyland, by 
 which the island is entered, as far as Aspath, and is one league in 
 breadth, extending from the river Welland, which lies to the south 
 thereof, as far as Apenholt on the north, near the banks of the 
 said river, the same being throughout the whole length thereof 
 of equal breadth; and the other part of the said marsh, on 
 the south side of the river Welland, is two leagues in length, 
 from the bridge of Croyland as far as Southlake, near the 
 banks and opposite to Aspath, and two leagues in breadth 
 from the river Welland as far as Fynset, near the river Nene, 
 on the south side of the said marsh: together with several 
 piscary in the rivers Welland and Nene, as far as the before- 
 mentioned limits of either of the said marshes, and in all the 
 waters that encompass the said island. And, for the said 
 purpose, I have appointed a certain monk of Evesham, Ke- 
 nuiph by name, a man of approved piety, to be abbat thereof, 
 to the end that he may there collect monks of the said order, 
 of approved life, in subjection to himself; and have granted to 
 them from my treasury, for the purpose of building the said 
 monastery, in the first year, three hundred pounds of lawful 
 money, and, during the ten years next ensuing, one hundred 
 pounds in each year ; and have given them permission to build 
 a vill there, as also to enclose as much of the said two marshes 
 lying on the west, for the use of themselves and their people, 
 
 12 This is probably an arm of the river Welland, now called the “ Shire 
 Drain,” which runs along the southern border of the county, and falls 
 into the Wash, at the mouth of the river Nene. These streams are gene¬ 
 rally called “waters” in the original. 
 
 u Leuca. The “ leuca,” or French league, generally Consisted of 1500 
 paces; but Ingulph in another passage speaks of it as containing 2000 paces. 
 
 14 The length is measured from east to west, and the breadth from north 
 to south. 
 
A.D. "16. CHAKTEK OF KING ETHELBALD. 7 
 
 as to the said monks shall seem fit. I do therefore .will, that 
 the aforesaid monks shall have these my gifts, with all their 
 appurtenances, free of and acquitted lrom all secular burdens, 
 as a perpetual alms from me, together with all the profits 
 and advantages that may arise or be derived within the afore¬ 
 said limits, as well above ground as beneath, together with 
 common of pasture for all kinds of animals, at all seasons, for 
 themselves as well as their men or tenants with them there 
 dwelling, on either side of the river Welland, that is to say, on 
 the one side, as far as the lands of Medeshamsted, and on the 
 other, as far as the buildings of Spalding; together with all 
 liberties and free customs, as fully as in times past the royal 
 power has bestowed the same upon any church in my kingdom. 
 And I do further strictly command, that if any person shall 
 presume to devise any impediment iu contravention of this 
 exercise of my authority, that so they may not peacefully possess 
 whatever has been given and granted by me, the same per¬ 
 son shall pay one hundred pounds of lawful money into my 
 treasury, and shall, in addition thereto, make due satisfaction to 
 the said monks for their losses and expenses thereby incurred. 
 I do also entreat all my posterity, who shall succeed me on the 
 throne, so to keep inviolate this my censure and condemnation, 
 as they shall wish to receive the due reward of justice, and to 
 escape the punishment of avarice. And may he who shall up¬ 
 hold and defend these alms-deeds of mine be eternally re¬ 
 warded, by being chosen as one of the elect of God. This my 
 charter was confirmed in the year from the Incarnation of Christ, 
 716, as is attested beneath by the following trust-worthy wit¬ 
 nesses, with the sign of the Holy Cross. + I, Ethelbald, 
 king of the Mercians, have, of my gratuitous will and consent, 
 confirmed the same. + I, lirithwald, archbishop of Canterbury, 
 have ratified the same. + I, Wynfrid, bishop of the Mercians, 
 have approved of the same. + I, Ingwald, bishop of London, 
 have fully consented hereto. + I, Aldwin, bishop of Lichfield, 
 have sanctioned the same. + I, Tobias, bishop of Rochester, 
 have applauded the same, -f I, Ethelred, abbat of Bardeney, 
 have greatly desired the same. + I, Egwald, abbat of Me¬ 
 deshamsted, have earnestly requested the same, -f I, Egga, 
 earl of Lincoln, have advised the same. + I, Leuric, earl of 
 Leicester, have given my assent hereto. + I, Saxulph, son 
 of earl Saxulph, have supported the same. + I, Ingulph, 
 
ixGtxrn's history of the aerf.y of crotland. a.d. 716. 
 
 priest and an humble serrant, being summoned, hare heard the 
 same. + I, Ethelbald, who unworthy as I am, still, by the 
 Divine forbearance, guide the helm of the kingdom of the Mer¬ 
 cians, do, with the greatest faithfulness, in all humility return 
 unto Christ my Creator; of whom in the Psalm it is written by 
 the prophet, * His tender mercies are orer all His works ; M * to 
 His goodness I do wholly submit myself, and to the prayers 
 and spiritual serrices of holy mother Church do commend my¬ 
 self.” 
 
 Upon tills occasion it was, that a certain poet wrote the 
 following lines:— 
 
 “ This abbey, Christ, T, Ethelbald, the king 
 Of Anglia, by God’s grace, have for Thee built. 
 
 The isle of Croyland, of the king's demesne, 
 
 That same, Oh Jesus 1 do I grant to Thee— 
 
 The whole, great God, with its encircliug streams 
 On every side, 1 do to Thee present. 
 
 Three hundred pounds the building to promote 
 This year. I hereby pledge myself to give— 
 
 And, in the following ten, one hundred pounds 
 Each year, I will unto the builders pay. 
 
 Kenulph, the monk of Evesham profess'd, 
 
 Shall be first abbat; him I do appoint. 
 
 The gifts, too, of my nobles I confirm, 
 
 Should they grant lands or tenements to God. 
 
 Should any native Kenulph e'er molest, 
 
 His chattels all I hereby confiscate, 
 
 And, till he shall due reparation make 
 Unto the monks, he shall in prison lie. 
 
 The English nobles and my prelates all 
 Before the Lord are witnesses hereof. 
 
 Gutlilac, confessor, saint, and anchorite 
 Here lies ; before him 1 these words do speak— 
 
 May that most holy priest for ever pray 
 For us, before whose tomb this grant I make.” 
 
 Croyland consisting of fenny lands, (as, in fact, its name in¬ 
 dicates. for it means “crude” and “muddy” land), it was 
 not able to support a foundation of stone; wherefore, the 
 king ordered huge piles of oak and beech in countless 
 numbers to be driven into the ground, and solid earth to be 
 brought by water in boats a distance of nine miles, from a 
 place called Upland, (which means the “ higher ground,”) and 
 to be thrown into the marsh. And thus, whereas the holy 
 15 Psalm cxlv. 9. 
 
A.D. 716 . 
 
 SAINT PEG A TRAVELS TO ROME. 
 
 9 
 
 Guthlac had boon previously content with an oratory made of 
 wood, he both began and finished a church, founded a convent, 
 enriched the place with decorations and lands, and other va¬ 
 luable possessions, and loved the spot with the greatest ten¬ 
 derness all the days of his life. And never, at any time, 
 since its first foundation by the hands of the said king, has 
 the monastery of Croyland been in want of religious to dwell 
 therein, even unto the present day. 
 
 There were also in those times, some persons in the said 
 island who led there the lives of recluses, and who, main¬ 
 taining a holy friendship with the man of God, had resorted to 
 him as long as he lived, just as sick men do to a physician ; 
 and thus, by his teaching and example, obtaining healing sup¬ 
 plies for their souls. 
 
 Of these, one had been recently converted to the catholic 
 faith, Cissa by name, a man sprung from a noble family, and, 
 in former times, of great influence in worldly matters ; but now, 
 having left all things behind, he had become a follower of his 
 Lord Jesus Christ. Another was Bettelm, a most attached 
 servant of the father before named. A third was Egbert, who 
 was admitted by him to a more strict confidence than any of 
 the rest. A fourth was Tatwin, who had formerly been his 
 guide and steersman to the said island. All these had sepa¬ 
 rate dwellings to the end of their lives, with the sanction of 
 the before-named abbat, Kenulph, in different cottages, situate 
 not far from the oratory of the holy father, Guthlac. 
 
 Saint Pega, however, the sister of our holy father Guthlac 
 before named, shortly after the close of the first year from his 
 death, leaving there, in the hands of abbat Kenulph, the 
 scourge of Saint Bartholomew and the Psalter of her brother, 
 together with some other relics, returned by boat to her 
 cell, which lay to the west, at a distance of four leagues from 
 the oratory of her said brother. Having lived here two years 
 and three months in tearful lamentations, she travelled, suffer¬ 
 ing greatly from cold and hunger, to the threshold of the 
 Apostles Peter and Paul. On entering the city of Rome, 
 after suddenly causing all the bells to ring for the space of 
 one hour, she proclaimed to the citizens the merits of her 
 sanctity: and there, devoting herself entirely to the service of 
 God, at last fulfilled the number of her days in the fear of 
 the Lord. Her holy body being there committed to the earth 
 
10 IXGULPH's HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYXAXD. A.D. 726. 
 
 among many other holy relics belonging to the Roman city, 
 her spirit, quitting the toils of this present existence, ascended 
 to eternal rest. 
 
 King Ethelbald, before-named, his monastery of Croyland 
 being now erected and completely finished, gave his utmost 
 attention both to promoting the good of the holy church every¬ 
 where throughout his kingdom, and to bestowing dignities and 
 privileges upon other convents of religious men and women as 
 well. Accordingly, for the purpose of strengthening the li¬ 
 berties of the church throughout his kingdom, in the third 
 year of his reign, we read that he promulgated the following 
 statute:— 
 
 “ Whereas it frequently happens, in accordance with the 
 uncertain vicissitudes of temporal affairs, that those institutions 
 which have been founded upon the testimony and by the counsel 
 of many and faithful persons, are, through the contumacy 
 of still more, and by means of machinations and fraudulent 
 pretences, without any consideration of what is reasonable, 
 and to the peril of their own souls, brought to nothing; unless 
 the establishment thereof has, on the authority of letters and 
 by the testimony of hand-writing, been consigned to memory 
 in all time to come. Wherefore, I, Ethelbald, king of the Mer¬ 
 cians, in consideration of my love of the heavenly land, and 
 for the redemption of my own soul, am sensible that I ought to 
 form a determination, by good works, to make it free from all 
 the bonds of sin. And moreover, inasmuch as the Alm ighty, 
 in the merciful exercise of His clemency, without any pre¬ 
 ceding merits of mine, hath bestowed upon me the sceptre of 
 this kingdom, I do willingly make repayment to Him out of 
 that which He hath so given me. For the better carrying 
 out this purpose, I do, while I am still alive, grant the fol¬ 
 lowing privilege ; that all monasteries and churches in my 
 kingdom shall be free and exempt from all public taxes, works, 
 and burdens, except only the building of castles and bridges, 
 from which no person can ever be made exempt. And 
 further, the servants of God are to have full liberty in the 
 enjoyment of the produce of their woods, the fruit of their 
 fields, and the taking of fish; nor are they to make offerings 
 of any presents whatever to the king, or to the nobles, unless 
 the same be voluntary: but they are to be at liberty to serve 
 
a.d. 793 . 
 
 CHARTER OF KING OFFA. 
 
 11 
 
 the Lord in peaceful contemplation throughout the whole of 
 my realm to the end of time.” 
 
 The before-named king Ethelbald, after a reign of forty-one 
 years, haring rashly engaged in battle at Seggeswold, 16 with 
 the tyrant Bernred, was there slain, in accordance with a 
 prophecy of the holy father, Guthlac. The tyrant Bernred, 
 however, had not long to glory in his excessive tyranny, for 
 he perished in the same year. King Ethelbald was buried at 
 Ripadium, or Ripedune, 17 which was at that time a very cele¬ 
 brated monastery, and, with the consent of the nobles of the 
 whole of Mercia, left the kingdom of the Mercians to Otfa, 
 grandson to his uncle by the father’s side. Offa was the son 
 of Dignfert, the son of Enulph, the son of Osmod, the son of 
 Eoppa, the son of Wibba, father of king Penda. 
 
 This Offa reigned forty years, and founded a monastery of 
 Black Monks at the city of Verulam, in honour of God and 
 of Saint Alban, the protomartyr of the English. Shewing 
 himself everywhere most duteous to the saints of God, and 
 ever ready to listen to the prayers of religious men, at the en- 
 i treaty of Patrick, the lord abbat of Croyland, who had suc¬ 
 ceeded Kenulph, the first abbat thereof, he by his charter con¬ 
 firmed the grant of his monastery of Croyland in the following 
 words-:— 
 
 “ Offa, king of the Mercians, to all lovers of Christ through¬ 
 out the whole kingdom of Mercia, health everlasting. Al¬ 
 ways keeping in remembrance that the days of man are 
 short, and that, in this fewness of our days, whatsoever a man 
 shall sow that same he shall reap, it is my desire, by the holy 
 acts of my present life, to purchase for myself and to reap 
 an everlasting reward in that to come. I do therefore take 
 into my hands Patrick, abbat of Croyland, and the monks 
 there serving God, and all their servants, as also the place it- 
 iself, and I do command, that, in like manner as my brethren 
 the monks of Saint Alban’s, they shall be free and discharged 
 from all secular burdens, and shall everywhere throughout my 
 kingdom be held acquitted from the payment of all taxes: 
 and I do confirm to them their aforesaid monastery, together 
 
 16 Saxwold, in Lincolnshire, is probably the place referred to. The 
 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Henry of Huntingdon, and Simeon of Durham, 
 call this place Secandune. Matthew of Westminster calls it Sacchenda. 
 
 17 Repton, in Derbyshire. 
 
12 enguxfh’s histoey of the abbey OF CEOylAND. A.D. 806. 
 
 with all their possessions and all other things whatsoever, 
 which my kinsman, the late renowned king Ethelbald, the 
 founder of the said monastery, bestowed upon the same, and 
 whatsoever his nobles or mine have since bestowed or shall 
 bestow hereafter, as also whatsoever the faithful in Christ 
 shall in all times hereafter bestow upon the said monastery of 
 Croyland. This present deed, in the year from the Incarnation 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 793, I, Offa, king of the Mercians, 
 have granted and confirmed. + I, JEthelard, archbishop of 
 Canterbury, have consented hereto. + I, vEgbald, bishop of 
 Winchester, have subscribed hereto. + I, Aldred, bishop of 
 "Dorchester, have set my sign hereto. + I, Aldulph, bishop 
 of Lichfield, have approved hereof. -f I, Henna, abbat of 
 Medeshamsted, have confirmed the same. + I, Ceolburga, 
 abbess of Berdea, 18 have sanctioned the same. + I, earl 
 Heabricht, at the command of my lord the king, have signed 
 the same. + I, Tilhere, the priest of my lord the king, 
 Offa, have, at his mandate, written this deed with my own 
 hand.” 
 
 In the year following, the said Offa, king of the Mercians, 
 departed this life on the fourth day before the calends of 
 August, and his son Egbert succeeded to the glories of his rule; 
 but, after having reigned one hundred and forty-one dajs, he 
 was seized with a malady, and departed this life. He was 
 succeeded by Kenulph, a mighty man, and happy in his holy 
 offspring ; in peace, piety, and justice, for a period of twenty- 
 six years, he most gloriously guided the helm of state. 
 
 After Kenulph, the first abbat thereof, the before-named 
 Patrick succeeded to the pastoral office of the abbey of Croy¬ 
 land. He was succeeded, in the time of king Kenulph, by 
 Siward, the third abbat of the said monastery. He was re¬ 
 lated by blood to king Kenulph, and, being a man of great 
 piety, and his confessor, and admitted by him to the strictest 
 intimacy, by the royal munificence, in the twelfth year of his 
 reign, he obtained a charter to the following effect: 
 
 “ Kenulph, by the mercy of God, king of the Mercians, 
 to all the Mid-Angles throughout the whole of Mercia, who 
 confess the Christian faith, perfect peace and health ever¬ 
 lasting. Know, all and each of you, that the Lord hath, by 
 most signal signs and by remarkable prodigies, wrought won- 
 18 Perhaps meaning Bardnev, in Lincolnshire. 
 
a.d. 806 . 
 
 CHAETEB OF KING KENTJXPH. 
 
 13 
 
 drous new and innumerable miracles, by his Saint, the most 
 blessed confessor of Christ, Guthlac, whose body rests in the 
 monastery of Croyland; as I and my queen have on our late 
 pilgrimage with our own eyes beheld; and hath thereby rendered 
 him more refulgent and conspicuous in the eyes of the whole 
 world. Wherefore, at the entreaty of that most religious man, 
 our spiritual father and counsellor, Siward, lord abbat of the 
 said monastery, the venerable father Wulf'red, the lord arch¬ 
 bishop of Canterbury, who accompanied us on our pilgrim¬ 
 age, counselling and advising us thereto, I have taken under 
 my protection the said monastery of Croyland, together with 
 the whole of the island adjoining thereto, according as the 
 same is by boundaries set forth in the charter of the late 
 king Ethelbald its founder, as also the monks of the said 
 monastery, and the lay brethren and all the servants there¬ 
 of. Moreover, all pilgrims going thither for the purposes 
 of devotion, and returning with the mark of Saint Guthlac 
 upon their cowls or hoods, I do will to be free and absolved 
 for all future time from all tribute and tolls, wheresoever 
 throughout the whole kingdom of Mercia they shall come. 
 And further, as to the alms-gift which Thorold, the sheriff of 
 Lincoln, has given to the said monks in Bokenhale; as also 
 the alms-gift which Geolph, the son of Malte, has given to them 
 in Halington ; as also the alms-gift which Lregest, the most 
 valiant knight, my former tutor, has given to them in Lang- 
 toft; as also the alms-gift which Algar, who is still my knight, 
 has given to them in Baston and Repingale; I do give, grant, and 
 confirm the same as a perpetual possession unto God and Saint 
 Guthlac, and to the aforesaid monastery and the monks serving 
 God therein. In the year from the Incarnation of Christ, 806,1, 
 Kenulph, king of the Mercians, have signed this charter with 
 the sign of the holy cross. + I, Wulfred, archbishop of Can¬ 
 terbury, have advised the same to be done. + I, Kinebert, bishop 
 of Winchester, have set my sign hereto. 4- I, Wonwona, bishop 
 of Leicester, have consented hereto. + I, Celred, abbat of Me- 
 deshamsted, own brother of Siward, the lord abbat, have zeal- , 
 ously promoted the same. + I, Cuthred, king of Kent, at the 
 command of my lord the king Kenulph, have given my consent 
 hereto. + I, Ceolwulph, brother of my lord the king Kenulph, 
 have approved of the same. + I, Algar, the thane, have been 
 present hereat. + I, Sigga, the priest, by the command of 
 
14 IEGEUB’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CBOYLAND. A.D. 823. 
 
 my lord the king Kenulph, have presented this charter, written 
 with my own hand, in presence of my venerable fathers and 
 lords aforesaid, to the venerable Siward, lord abbat of Croy- 
 land, before-named.” 
 
 In the year of our Lord Christ, 819, Kenulph, the renowned 
 king of the Mercians, after having reigned for a period of 
 twenty-six years, to the great grief of all, ended his worldly 
 career, after many good works, which in his lifetime he had 
 done with equal sanctity and zeal. His body was consigned 
 to the tomb at Wynchelcombe, 20 a monastery of Black Monks, 
 which he had built from the foundation; while his blessed 
 soul sought the realms of heaven. 
 
 He left his son Saint Kenelm, a boy then seven years old, 
 heir to the throne. Through the treachery of his sister Quen- 
 dreda (with so great ambition did this most wicked woman 
 aspire to the sceptre of the kingdom), within a few months 
 after the death of his father, he was slain in a certain wood, 
 whither he had, toward the close of the day, been taken to 
 walk. Here this most innocent boy was most cruelly martyred 
 by Ascebert, his tutor, and only through a divine miracle his 
 body was at last discovered; a ray, containing an immense 
 body of light, having shone throughout a whole night upon 
 the body of the martyr. Upon this it was taken to Wyn- 
 chelcombe, and there solemnly buried in the tomb at the side 
 of his father. 
 
 After his martyrdom, his uncle Ceolwulph, the brother of 
 king Kenulph, succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians, and 
 reigned one year ; being in the second year of his reign ex¬ 
 pelled by one Bernulph, a foolish man, but remarkable for his 
 wealth and influence, though in no way connected with the 
 royal line. 
 
 In the third year of his reign Bernulph was conquered in 
 battle and put to flight by Egbert, king of Wessex : after | 
 which, striving to make amends for his slothfulness, he led an 
 army against the East-Angles, who by entreaties and money j 
 t had aroused the West-Saxons against him ; but he was shortly 
 after defeated by them in a pitched battle, and slain. 
 
 He was succeeded on the throne by Ludecan, his kinsman, H 
 who, after a reign of two years, while making preparations to 1 
 
 20 Or Winchcomb, in Gloucestershire. 
 
a.t). 833 . 
 
 CHAETEE OF KING WICHTLAF. 
 
 15 
 
 avenge the death of Bernulph, having led an army against the 
 East-Angles, was surprised by them, and slain. 
 
 Thus were the tyrants in a short time removed who had 
 assumed the purple, against all right, and, while they oppressed 
 the kingdom with their violent measures, had wasted the 
 whole of its military resources, once very great, and ever 
 attended with victory ; upon which, with the consent of all, 
 "VVichtlaf, duke of the Wiccii, 21 (whose son, Wymund, had 
 married Alfleda, the daughter of Ceolwulph, the former king, 
 and brother of the most noble king Kenulph), was made king, 
 and reigned thirteen years, subject, however, to the authority 
 of Egbert, king of Wessex, to whom he was a tributary. Eor 
 immediately after he was made king, and before he was able 
 to collect an army, he was pursued by the generals of Egbert 
 throughout the whole of Mercia; on which, by the care of 
 Si ward, the lord abbat, he was, without the privity of any 
 other person, concealed for the space of four months in the cell 
 of the most holy virgin, Etheldritha. (She was the daughter 
 of Offa, the former king of the Mercians, and wife of the holy 
 martyr Ethelbert, the former king of East Anglia, in whose 
 name the present episcopal see of Hereford is dedicated ; but 
 at this period, in her love for Christ her spouse, was living 
 as a recluse in one part of the cell situate on the south side of 
 the church of Croyland, over against the great altar there.) 
 Here he lay concealed in safety until such time as, through the 
 mediation of the before-named venerable abbat Siward, he had 
 i made peace with the said king of the West Saxons, and, after 
 promising to pay an annual tribute, was permitted to return 
 unmolested to his kingdom. In return for this service, at a 
 later period, he granted a charter to the said monastery of Croy¬ 
 land, which contained very valuable privileges, and was to the 
 following effect: 
 
 “ Wichtlaf, by the Divine dispensation, king of the Mer¬ 
 cians, to all the worshippers of Christ who inhabit the whole 
 of Mercia, health everlasting. Eor me to preach and publish 
 the mighty works of God would be a thing far from beeom- 
 , ing; but of a truth it seemeth honourable and glorious 
 [to declare the same] ; wherefore I will openly confess unto 
 the Lord, who dwelleth on high, and who looketh down upon 
 the lowly in heaven and upon the earth; forasmuch as, though 
 21 The people of Worcestershire, 
 
16 ingtjlph’s history of the abbey of CROYLAND. a.D. 833. 
 
 for a time He was angered against me, His wrath hath been 
 turned aside, and He hath consoled me, and though in His anger 
 He humbled me, a sinner, to the earth, and dragged me down 
 even to the dust, He hath again in His mercy raised the poor 
 out of the dust, and hath lifted up the needy from the dung¬ 
 hill, that so I may sit among princes, and inherit a throne of 
 glory. 22 Wherefore, on the day of good things, that I may 
 not be unmindful of the evil ones, ‘ I will make mention of 
 Rahab and Babylon to them that know me; ’ 2a not, indeed, of 
 Eahab, the harlot, but of Etheldritha, the most holy virgin, 
 my kinswoman, who, in her love for her spouse, the Lamb 
 without blemish, is a recluse at Croyland, and who, in the 
 times of my tribulation, most carefully concealed me in her 
 cell from before the face of the enemy and persecutor for the 
 space of four months. I will also make mention of Babylon; not 
 of the tower of confusion, but of the most holy church of Croy¬ 
 land, which spot is a tower which reacheth unto heaven, and 
 which with watchings and prayers, with psalms and medita¬ 
 tions, with discipline and afflictions, with tears and sobs, with 
 alms-deeds and innumerable other acts of devoutness and piety, 
 in behalf of a sinful generation, doth extreme violence to the 
 kingdom of heaven day and night. Wherefore, forasmuch as 
 the venerable father Siward, the lord abbat of Croyland, hath 1 
 protected me in his tabernacle on the evil day, and hath con¬ 
 cealed and saved me from the face of him that afflicted me; in 
 addition to the privileges granted thereto by the kings of 
 Mercia, my predecessors, who have nobly graced the aforesaid 
 monastery with various liberties and gifts, I do also of my 
 poverty make offering unto the great altar of the aforesaid 
 monastery, of a chalice of gold, a cross of gold, and the [holy] 
 table of my own chapel, covered with plates of gold; and do 
 make profession that I will always, to the best of my ability, 
 prove myself a defender of the said church. I do also command 
 my servants throughout the whole of Mercia appointed, that 
 they shall in all things obey and serve the abbat of Croyland, 
 the monks, and all the brethren of the said most holy monas¬ 
 tery, whenever they shall come unto the cities and the royal 
 castles upon any business whatever, in such manner as they 
 would obey my son Wymund or myself; and that they shall 
 
 22 In allusion to 1 Sam. ii. 7, 8, and Psalm xiii. 7, 8. 
 
 53 Psalm lxxxvii. 4. 
 
a.d. 833 . 
 
 CHARTER OF KING WICHTLAF. 
 
 17 
 
 receive nothing from them for the expenses which they or 
 their people may there incur; but that my treasurer shall take 
 upon himself all the said expenses, and pay the same in full 
 out of the public treasury, when an account thereof shall have 
 been received under the signature or Yu ark of the said monks, 
 and my said servants shall have reckoned up the same.” 
 
 “ I do also will and command, that whoever inmy kingdom 
 shall he found guilty of any offence, and shall be amenable to 
 the laws for the same, if the said person shall flee to the said 
 monastery, and shall, iu presence of the abbat of the said 
 monastery for the time being, invoke the favour of the most 
 holy confessor, Guthlac, who in the body reste th there, and 
 shall swear everlasting fealty and service to him; he shall be 
 safe and secure under the protection of the abbat and his 
 monks, in whatever service they shall employ him, throughout 
 the whole island of Croyland ; and shall enjoy my protection 
 and full impunity, as though he were in an asylum or in my 
 !own chamber; and no one of my servants shall presume to 
 pursue him any further, nor yet in any way to molest him, 
 under pain of losing his right foot, which penalty shall be in¬ 
 flicted upon all persons in my kingdom who shall in any way 
 . attempt to violate this my privilege. And further, it shall be 
 lawful for all such fugitives to sail upon and to fish in the five 
 rivers which surround the said island, and to labour in any 
 other way in which they may be directed by their masters, 
 without challenge or molestation on the part of my servants or 
 i of any other person whatsoever. But if any such person shall 
 Ibe captured beyond the said rivers, or beyond the limits of the 
 ; said monastery, he shall, without any favour, suffer the penalty 
 which he had previously incurred, whether the same be death or 
 1 loss of limb, if my servants, or any other adversaries of such 
 ! icrson shall be able, on the oaths of six trustworthy men, to 
 move that such person has been found beyond the said limits. 
 The said boundaries of the monastery of Croyland by its five 
 •ivers aforesaid, I have caused to be described and marked out 
 ’ or the guidance of my own servants, as also of its abbat and 
 I nonks, in relation to their fugitives aforesaid. Now the said 
 •ivers are called by the following names: Scliepishee, which 
 j ies on the east, and on the western bank of which stands an 
 indent cross of wood, which is ten feet distant from the river, 
 
 : ind is situate at equal distances between two corners of the 
 
18 XXGDLPIl's HISTOET OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 833. 
 
 said island, of which Aswyktoft is one, being the corner and 
 boundary of the said island on the north-east, :3 and Tedwarthar 
 is the other, being the corner and boundary of the said island 
 on the east. The second river bounds the said island on the 
 south, and is called Southee. On its bank there stands a stone 
 cross, which is distant from Namanlandhirne five perches, and 
 six perches from Southee, where the river Southee enters the 
 river None, which runs to the bridge of Croyland. In this 
 direction the limits for the fugitives run into the marshes on 
 the west, and take a south-westerly direction through Fynset, 
 and then, as far as Folwardstakyng, a north-westerly direction. 
 Thence they take a turn to the north, to the spot where the 
 river Southlake enters the river Welland, just opposite a stone 
 cross, which stands on the northern bank of the said river: 
 Welland, being distant five feet from the said river, which 
 runs thence to the bridge of Croyland aforesaid. The limits 
 for the fugitives, however, take a direction from the said cross 
 through the northern marshes straight to Oggot, which is the 
 corner of the boundaries to the west; they then run in an 
 easterly direction through Wodelade, as far as Apynholt, 
 where they take the course of the river Welland, (which is the 
 fourth river, and bounds the island on that side, in the same 
 manner as the third river, the Nene, bounds it on the other 
 side of the bridge of .Croyland,) as far as the Drain of Asendyk, 
 which falls into the Welland, where a broken cross of stone 
 stands on the southern bank of the river Asendyk, from the 
 waters of which it is five perches distant. The said river 
 Asendyk is the fifth river, and separates the said island from 
 the place of that name, running in a northerly direction as far 
 as Aswyktoft. 24 If any fugitive shall be found beyond the 
 said five rivers and the boundaries beforenamed, then, even as 
 Shirnei, 25 when he went forth from Jerusalem, he shall be 
 amenable to the public laws, and shall suffer the punishment 
 which he had deserved. And if, within the boundaries afore¬ 
 said, and the outer banks of the aforesaid rivers, any fugitive 
 
 23 “ Vullurnum” can only have this meaning here. 
 
 - 4 This description of the boundaries, as here stated, appears very con 
 fused. It is more than probable that, from the total change made in th. 
 face of the country about Croyland by the operations in forming the Bed 
 ford level, but few of these boundaries could now be traced from an actua 
 survey of the spot. 
 
 Alluding to Solomon’s injunctions to Shirnei, 1 Kings ii. 36, 40. 
 
a.d. 833 . 
 
 CHARTER OF RING WICHTLAF. 
 
 19 
 
 shall commit any homicide, theft, or other offence, he shall be 
 arrested by the officers of the said monastery for his misdeeds 
 in the said island, the protection of which he has so forfeited, 
 and shall be there judged and condemned to the abbat’s prison. 
 And, to the end that this my privilege may endure more firmly 
 and more surely to the times of our descendants, I have ob¬ 
 tained confirmation thereof by my lord Egbert, the king of 
 Wessex, and Ethelwulph, his son. 
 
 “ I do also present to the vestry 26 of the said monastery, for 
 the service of the most holy altar, the purple robe which I 
 wore on the occasion of my coronation, for the purpose of making 
 a, cope or chasuble of the same, and likewise, as an ornament 
 for the most holy church, my veil 2 ' of gold embroidery, upon 
 ivhich is worked the destruction of Troy, to be hung upon 
 ny anniversary, if it shall so please them, on the walls thereof. 
 
 1 do also present to the refectory of the said monastery, for 
 he use of him who shall daily preside in the said refectory, 
 ny gilded cup, which is chased all over the outside with savage 
 dnedressers fighting with dragons, and which I have been 
 n the habit of calling my ‘ crucibolum,’ because the sign of the 
 ross is stamped in the inside of the cup, across the same, the 
 our corners thereof projecting and being impressed with a simi- 
 tr design; as also the horn used at my table, that the elders of 
 he monastery may drink therefrom on the festivals of the 
 iaints, and may, in their benedictions, sometimes remember the 
 oul of Wichtlaf the giver thereof. 
 
 “ 1 do also confirm unto the said monastery all their lands, 
 snements, and possessions, and their cattle, and all other the 
 ifts which my predecessors, the kings of the Mercians, and their 
 obles, or other faithful Christians, as well as Jews, have 
 « iven, sold, or pledged to the said monks, or have in any way 
 l' elivered to them for a lasting possession ; and, in especial, 
 Hie gift of Thorold, formerly sheriff of Lincoln, at iiuken- 
 !< ale, that is to say, two carucates and a half of land, as also 
 ! ,vcnty-six acres of meadow land, and fifty acres of woodland, 
 and seventy acres], at Brusche. 28 Also, the gift of Geolph, 
 
 » le son of Malte, at Ilalington, that is to say, four bovates of 
 
 ili 
 
 ^ 26 Or, perhaps, “ treasury.” In the original, “ secretarium.” 
 ill' These veils were made of embroidery, and were hung as a screen at 
 le entrance to the king’s private chamber. 
 
 2b .Probably so called from the brushwood there growing. 
 
 c 2 
 
20 ixgulph’s histoby of thf, abbey of ckoyland. a.d. 833. 
 
 land at Juland, and ten bovates of land rented to tenants, and 
 thirty-three acres of meadow land at Gernthorp. Also, the gift 
 of Fregist, the knight, that is to say, the whole of the vill o: 
 Langtoft, and in the fields of the said vill six carucates ol 
 arable land, the same being in length fifteen quarentenes, 2 ' 
 and nine quarentenes in breadth ; as also one hundred acres o 
 meadow land, and a wood and marsh two leagues in length 
 and two leagues in breadth ; besides the church of the saic 
 vill, and forty acres of the same fee 29 * in the fields of Depyng 
 Also, the gitt of Algar, the knight, [the son of Northlang] 
 that is to say, Northland in Baston, consisting of four caru 
 cates of arable land, containing eight quarentenes in length 
 and eight quarentenes in breadth, as also forty-five acres o 
 meadow land, and a marsh containing sixteen quarentenes ii 
 length, and eight quarentenes in breadth ; likewise the churcl 
 of the said vill, and one mill, and one half of another mill 
 with several piscary in the river from the mill situate tc 
 wards the west, as far as the end of the said marsh, toward 
 the east. Likewise, the gift of the same Algar, the knight 
 at Repyngale, that is to say, three carucates of arable lan 
 and forty acres of meadow land. Likewise, the gift of Not 
 man, the fornmr sheriff, at Sutton, near Bosworth, that 
 to say, two chrucates of land, and one windmill. Like 
 wise, the gift of tfce same Norman, at Stapilton ; that 
 to say, the manor, and two carucates of land. Likewise 
 the gift of the same person at Badby, that is to say, foi 
 hides of land, together with the appurtenances. Like 
 wise, the gift of the lord, earl Algar, at Holbecke 30 and ; 
 Cappelade, that is to say, four carucates, and six bovates ar 
 eighteen acres of meadow land, and a marsh. [Likewise, tl 
 gift of the same person in his vill of Spaldelyng, that is to sa; 
 three carucates of land.] Likewise, the gift of the same pe 
 son, in his vill of Pyncebek, that is to say, one carucate 
 land. Likewise, the gift of the same person, in his vill 
 Algarkirk, that is to say, eleven bovates of land; and in tl 
 parish of Sutterton, three carucates of land, and one bova 
 and twenty-six acres of meadow land, and four salt-pits, t ’ 
 
 59 A quarentene of land consisted of forty perches. 
 
 2; '* The mention of fees or feuds is one of the suspicious circumstant ie 
 pointed out by llickes. 
 
 30 Now Holbeach. 
 
v.d. 833 . 
 
 CHARTER OF KIXG WICHTLAF. 
 
 21 
 
 jether with the church of the said vill. Likewise, the gift of 
 ,he knight Oswy, at Drayton, that is to say, eight hides of 
 and, and four virgates, and the church of the said vill. Like- 
 vise, the gift of Asketel, my cook, at Glapthom, that is to 
 ay, three virgates of land. Likewise, the gift of Wulget, my 
 former] butler, at Peiekyrke, that is to say, three virgates of 
 and. Likewise, the gift of [Edulph] my courier, one bovate 
 if land at Laythorp. Likewise, the gift of Si ward, the sheriff, 
 hree bovates of land, one dwelling house, and three cottages 
 t Kirkeby. Likewise, at Staunden, the gift of the countess 
 ligburga, being five hides of land. Likewise, the gift at 
 Ldyngton, of Wulnoth, my sewer, that is to say, two hides of 
 and, and several piscary, 11 together with the advowson of the 
 hurch of the said vill; as also, in the other Adyngton, one 
 irgate of land, the gift of the same person. The said lands and 
 moments I do give, grant, and confirm unto the aforesaid 
 monastery of Croyland, and the monks there serving God, as a 
 eaceable and permanent possession, to hold of me and each of 
 ly heirs, kings of the Mercians, my successors, as a pure and 
 erpetual alms-gift, freely, quietly, and exempted from all 
 :cular burdens, exactions, and taxes whatever, under what 
 ame soever the same may be imposed. And if any enemy, 
 
 ; the instigation of the devil, shall at any time hereafter at- 
 mpt to lay claim to any of the lands or tenements aforesaid, 
 hich have been so long and under so many kings held in 
 2 ace, and confirmed by their authority, I do by this present 
 ■ed, profess and promise that I and my successors, kings of 
 e Mercians, will be defenders of the said monastery hence- 
 rth in all time to come. 
 
 “ This my charter I have confirmed with the sign of the 
 ly cross, in favour of the lord abbat Siward, my father, and 
 3 most holy virgin, Etheldritha, a recluse there for the love 
 Christ, my kinswoman in the flesh, but (what is still more) 
 
 7 most dearly beloved sister in Christ; and which I had for- 
 uly promised in presence of my lords, Egbert, king of Wes- 
 c, and Ethelwulph, his son, before the bishops and nobles of 
 ;hest rank throughout all England, in the city of London, on 
 3 occasion when we had all met together for the purpose of 
 s rising measures against the Danish pirates, who were then 
 
 1 It is doubtful whether “ piscaria” here means the fishpond itself, or 
 right of fishing in it. 
 
22 IXGCLPn’s HISTOBT OP THE ABBEY OF CBOYLAXD. A.D. 833. 
 
 repeatedly harassing the coasts of England, -f- I, Ceolnoth, 
 archbishop of Canterbury, have advised the same. + I, Ein- 
 bald, archbishop of York, have signed the same. + I, Osmond, 
 bishop of London, have approved of the same. + I, Keiin- 
 stan, bishop of Winchester, have given my assent hereto. + I, 
 Here win, bishop of Lichfield, have consented hereto. + I, 
 Cedda, bishop of Hereford, have sanctioned the same. I, 
 Adelstan, bishop of Sherburn, have promoted the same. -f I, 
 Humbricht, bishop of Elmham, have given my approbation 
 hereto. -(- I, Wilred, bishop of Dunwich, have assented here- 
 to. +1, Herfred, bishop of Worcester, have countenanced 
 the same. + I, Godwin, bishop of Rochester, have favourec 
 the same. + I, Hedda, abbat of Medeshamsted, have ratified 
 the same. + I, Ambert, abbat of Repton, have assisted here- 
 at. + I, Kynewin, abbat of Bardeney, have been present here- 
 at. + I, Egbert, king of Wessex, have granted the same 
 + I, Ethelwulph, son of the king of AVessex, have allowed 01 
 the same. + I, duke AVulhard, have taken part herein. + I 
 duke Athelm, have heard the same. + I, duke Herenbricht 
 have agreed hereto. + I, Swithun, priest of king Egbert 
 have attended hereat. + I, Bosa, the secretary of king AVicht 
 laf, have with my hand written this deed. + I, AVichtlaf, b] 
 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, king of the Mercians, do 
 for the honour of holy Mother Church, and for the promotioi 
 of Divine worship, in the year from the Incarnation of the sami 
 our Saviour, 833, upon the festival of Saint Augustin, the con 
 fessor, teacher, and Apostle of our nation, make this slight offer 
 ing, and I would offer still more, and would even promise nr 
 body after my death to so holy a monastery, were it not tha : 
 before my burial I had promised the same to [the monaster 
 of] Repton. But still, my spirit shall remain with you always.’ t 
 
 The said king AVichtlaf persevered with the greatest con 
 stancy, even unto his death, in the affection he had conceive- t 
 for the monastery of Croyland, so much so, that at least one ■ 
 in each year of his life, he visited the shrine of Saint Guthla 
 with great contrition, and offered there some jewel of grea • 
 value and costliness. AVhen he first heard of the death of th \ 
 most holy virgin Etheldritha, he was struck with such violer q 
 grief, that for a long time he took to his bed, and all his atter 
 dants were fearful that he was in danger of his life. 
 
 At length, however, by the favour of the grace of God, h 
 
a.d. 838 . 
 
 BERTTJLPn PLUNDERS CROYLAND. 
 
 23 
 
 recovered in some degree, and going to her tomb, (she had been 
 buried at the head of the holy man Tatwin, the former guide 
 and steersman of the holy father Guthlac to the said island), 
 there suffered a kind of trance; on recovering from which 
 he shed as many tears over the tomb, as if by a sudden mis¬ 
 fortune he had just lost his wife and his son, or his whole family; 
 until Siward, the lord [abbat], whom he always most affection¬ 
 ately revered as his father, rebuking him somewhat severely, led 
 him away, with reluctance, and offering considerable resistance, 
 from the tomb to his chamber. Not long after this, his son Wy- 
 mund dying, after a continued attack of dysentery, he buried 
 him on the right hand side of that virgin. His wife Celfreda, 
 also, dying soon after, within the space of one year, he had her 
 buried with royal obsequies, and amid inextinguishable tears, 
 on the left hand side of the same virgin. He himself departed 
 this life in the thirteenth year of his reign, and, in conformity 
 iwith his former vow, was buried in the monastery of Eepton. 
 
 He was succeeded on the throne by his brother, Bertulph, 
 who in like manner reigned thirteen years, being a tributary 
 of Ethelwulph, king of Wessex: but neither after the example, 
 nor with the affection of his brother, king Wichtlaf, did he 
 caress the Saints of God or the monastery of Croyland. For 
 iBerfert, his son, on the holy vigil of Pentecost, with the 
 sanction of his father, Bertulph, cruelly and impiously slew his 
 kinsman, the holy Wistan, son of Wimund, the son of king 
 Wichtlaf, and of Alflcda, the daughter of Ceolwulph, the for¬ 
 mer king. So violent was the ambitious desire for rule by 
 (which he was actuated! The body of this most guileless 
 ■ martyr was at the time carried to Bcpton, and interred near his 
 'grandfather, Wichtlaf, but was in after years, through the de¬ 
 voutness of the faithful, transferred to Evesham. 
 
 As for his father, Bertulph, he was a plunderer of the mo¬ 
 nasteries ; and, when passing through Croyland, he most im¬ 
 piously stripped it of all the jewels which his brother, Wicht¬ 
 laf, as well as other kings of the Mercians, had given with 
 a bounteous hand, in great numbers, for the decoration of the 
 holy church, together with all the money that he could find in 
 the monastery. Leading his soldiers thence, he engaged in 
 battle with the Danes, who were committing ravages in the 
 32 In Norfolk. 
 
24 INGULPH’s HISTOKY OF THE ABBEY OF CEOYLAXB. A.D. 851 . 
 
 neighbourhood of London, but was routed by the pagans, and 
 put to flight. 
 
 By way, however, of making some small amends for the 
 money of which he had plundered it, he granted a charter 
 conferring very important privileges on Croyland, relative to its 
 lands and liberties, to the following effect : 33 
 
 “ Bertulph, king of the Mercians, to the venerable father 
 Siward, abbat of Croyland, and to all his brethren, the monks 
 of the said monastery, both present and to come, health ever¬ 
 lasting in the Lord. I do most heartily return due thanks 
 unto you all, for the money with which, in my greatest need, 
 when I was lately passing by, you did, with most kindly and 
 most liberal feelings, refresh and encourage me to withstand the 
 violent attacks of the Pagans. At which time you made serious 
 complaints to me as to injuries and losses most maliciously in¬ 
 flicted upon you by certain of your enemies; and stated that they 
 wickedly lie in wait upon the outer banks of your rivers, 
 and watch if any of the fugitives who have become your 
 servants, should, while fishing, land upon the said banks; and 
 in like manner repeatedly watch the boundaries of your 
 marshes, if by chance any sheep or oxen, or other animals, your 
 property, straying to a distance, your said servants should hap¬ 
 pen, for the purpose of recalling them, to go beyond the said 
 bounds; in which case, on finding your said servants beyond your 
 island, it is their custom to subject them to the public laws, and 
 condemn them as violators of their right of impunity; of which 
 the consequence was, that either your said servants frequently 
 fell into the hands of the said persons, and were put to death, or 
 else that you failed to reap the full benefit of their labours. 
 'Wherefore, your complaints to the said effect being openly laid 
 before me by the brother Askil, your fellow monk, in pre¬ 
 sence of the prelates and nobles of my whole kingdom of 
 Mercia, at Beningdon, 3 '* lately assembled, and all most affection¬ 
 ately sympathising with you, upon the said injuries so done to 
 you; for the purpose of promoting the honour of God, and of 
 giving relief to holy Mother Church, it did please me, all taking 
 into consideration and praising the extent of your devout and 
 
 33 Hickes, in his Thesaurus of Northern Literature (pref. p. 28), looks 
 upon this charter as fictitious. 
 
 14 Either Bennington, in Hertfordshire, or perhaps, more probably, Ben¬ 
 son, in Oxfordshire. 
 
A.D. 851 . 
 
 CHA11TEK OF KIXG BERTULPH. 
 
 25 
 
 holy zeal, to insure the peace and quiet of your holy monastery, 
 and as an alms-deed for the good of my soul, to declare and 
 extend the privileges granted to you by the lord king Wiehtlaf, 
 my brother and predecessor, as to exemption from punishment, 
 and when so declared and extended, by my charter to confirm 
 the same. 
 
 “ Wherefore I commanded Itadbot, the sheriff of Lincoln, 
 and the rest of my servants in that district appointed, to 
 make circuit of and describe the boundaries of your island of 
 Croyland and your marshes, and faithfully and distinctly to re¬ 
 port to me and my council thereon, wherever during last Easter 
 we might happen to be: and they, fulfilling my commands, 
 have, in the following terms, made a full report, and have de¬ 
 scribed to me and my council, who were then keeping our holy 
 Easter at Kyngesbury, the circuit of the marsh lands of your 
 island. Your isle of Croyland, (with which, in former times, 
 your founder, the renowned Ethelbald, king of Mercia, endowed 
 your monastery, and which grant the other kings of Mercia, 
 his successors, have, by their charter, confirmed), is bounded on 
 the eastern side from Aswyktofthirne as far as Tedwarthar, by 
 the river Schepishee, the said river having the said island on 
 its western side, and the marsh of Cappelade on its eastern side. 
 From Tedwarthar as far as Namanslandhirne the river Southee 
 bounds it, having the said island on its northern side, and the 
 wood of Ancarig on the south. From Namanslandhirne as 
 far as the bridge of Croyland the river Nene bounds it, having 
 the said island on its eastern side, and your marsh of Alder- 
 1 lound on the west. From the bridge of Croyland as far as 
 Wodelademouth the river "Welland bounds it, having the said 
 island on its eastern side, and your marsh called Goggislound 
 on the west. From Wodelademouth as far as the common 
 Drain of Asendyk the aforesaid river Welland bounds it, hav¬ 
 ing the said island on its south side and the marsh of Spal- 
 j delyng on the north; and from the aforesaid Drain as far as 
 Aswyktoft the aforesaid river Asendyk bounds it, having on its 
 south side the said island, and on the north the marshes of 
 Spaldelyng, Weston, and Multon. The limits also and boun¬ 
 daries of your marsh lands that lie opposite to your isle of 
 Croyland on the west side thereof, which have been described 
 by my said servants, have been reported to me as follows :— 
 They extend from Namanslandhirne as far asFynset, thence as 
 
26 IXGULPH’s mSTOEI' of tiie ABBET OF CROVLAXD. a.d. 651. 
 
 far as Groynes, thence to Folwardstakyng, thence towards the 
 north as tar as the Welland, where the Southlake enters that river; 
 thence, crossing the river Welland, they proceed to Aspath, and 
 thence take a northerly direction to Werverlake. Thence they 
 run through Harynholt, as far as ilengerlake: thence to Oggot 
 or Dedmanslake, and so through Apynholt and Wodelade, in an 
 easterly direction, asfar as Wodelademouth, which is the boundary 
 of your island on that side towards the north, in the same way 
 that Xamanslandhime is the boundary of your island on the 
 south. And further, common right of pasture for all your 
 cattle extends b eyond the aforesaid boundaries of your marshes, 
 towards the south, as far as the lands of the monks [of the 
 church’ of Medeshamsted: towards the west, as far as the lands 
 of the monks of the church of Saint Pega, in the southern 
 marshes of the Welland; and in the northern marshes [thereof] 
 it extends westward as far as the buildings of Depyng; and 
 towards the north as far as the buildings of Spaldelyng; the 
 same to be enjoyed at all seasons of the year, in the same way 
 that from the foundation of your monastery you have hitherto 
 peaceably enjoyed all the privileges before-mentioned. Also, 
 as to such of your servants as from the number of the fugitives 
 you shall make fishermen or shepherds in your service, I do, 
 with the general assent of the council of the whole of my king¬ 
 dom, grant unto your holy monastery, beyond the outer banks 
 of the five rivers 5 * that enclose your island, twenty feet in width 
 from the water itself, in whatever place they shall land, for the 
 purpose of drawing their nets, or of doing anything what¬ 
 soever that is necessary to be done on dry land. In like man¬ 
 ner, wherever common right of feeding your cattle in the said 
 marshes extends, there also shall extend free range for your fu¬ 
 gitives. And if it shall chance to happen that the said cattle 
 are driven into the neighbouring fields, by means of tempest, 
 or any other misfortune, or through robbery, then, all my nobles 
 and prelates consenting thereto, I do grant unto your said fugi¬ 
 tives, that, like other free men, they shall be at liberty to follow 
 your cattle aforesaid, and to seek for and bring them back in 
 the best manner they may; and that throughout the whole road 
 they shall enjoy my protection and perfect impunity, just as 
 though they were in their own church : and no one is to pre¬ 
 sume to molest them, under penalty of mutilation of the most 
 useful limb, or in any way to impede them therein. 
 
 y “ Agrorum ” here is clearly a mistake for “ aquarum.” 
 
A.D. 851 . 
 
 CHAETEE OF EXN'G BEETULPH. 
 
 27 
 
 “ Moreover, in behalf [of the soul] of the before-named 
 Wiehtlaf, the late king, my brother and predecessor, and as a 
 ransom for my own sins, I do, by the common advice, and with 
 the gratuitous assent of all the nobles of my kingdom, grant 
 unto God and to his most blessed confessor Saint Guthlac, and 
 to your most holy monastery of Croyland, that throughout my 
 whole kingdom of Mercia, you, the present abbat, monks, and 
 lay brothers of your holy monastery, as well as those who shall 
 succeed you hereafter there to serve God, shall be at liberty 
 to appoint any of the said fugitives to act as their servants on 
 their journies, and to take them as such, whatever may be the 
 business on which they are so engaged; and that in the presence 
 of the said abbat, monks, and lay brothers, they shall everywhere 
 throughout my kingdom remain as safe and unmolested as if 
 they were in their own church of Croyland, and shall be en¬ 
 tirely free and exempt from all peril whatsoever, under penalty 
 of mutilation of his most useful limb, if any person shall at¬ 
 tempt in any way rashly to violate this my privilege. But if 
 any such fugitive shall be found beyond the aforesaid twenty 
 feet on the further banks of your rivers, or beyond the vills, 
 which claim common of pasture with you in your western 
 marshes, on both sides of the river Welland, or shall be found 
 in any other place, yourselves being absent and he unprovided 
 with letters of protection on the journey from your abbat; then, 
 in such case he shall, according to his demerits, be subject to 
 lawful punishment. 
 
 “ Having thus declared the boundaries of your island, as 
 also of your marshes, and having, in honour of God, extended 
 the privileges of the lord Wiehtlaf, and the other kings of 
 Mercia, my predecessors, munificently granted unto you, it has 
 pleased me and the w'hole of my council, unanimously, by the 
 authority of the royal charter, to confirm you in possession 
 of all places your property. I do therefore confirm unto you, 
 and to [all] your successors, as well those under your habit now 
 professing, as those who shall after you profess, the rule of Saint 
 Benedict, your principal church of Croyland, in which the 
 venerable remains of the most holy confessor of Christ, and 
 your patron, the blessed Guthlac, there in the body interred, 
 happily await the last resurrection, as also the whole island 
 thereto adjoining, in such manner as it hasbeen above sufficiently 
 described by its boundaries set forth by the care of my servants, 
 
28 ingcxph’s history of the ABBEY OF CROY1AICD. A.D. 851. 
 
 the same to be set apart as a several foundation for your abbey, 
 and an especial site for your monastery, and to be held for ever 
 as your own sole and entire possession; together with the 
 two marshes lying on the western side thereof, that is to say, 
 Alderlound on the south side of the river Welland, and Goggis- 
 lound on the northern side of the same river, by their boun¬ 
 daries in like manner herein-before set forth. This is the in¬ 
 heritance of the Lord, the endowment of the Church of Christ, 
 the soil of Saint Mary and Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, 
 the most holy sanctuary of Saint Guthlac and his monks, a 
 monastery most free from all worldly servitude, a special alms- 
 gift of the most illustrious kings, the sole place of refuge for 
 every one in all tribulations, a perpetual abode of the Saints, 
 a possession for religious men, especially set apart by the com¬ 
 mon council of the kingdom; and, by reason of the frequent 
 miracles of the most holy confessor, an ever-fruitful mother ‘ of 
 camphire in the vineyards of Engedi ,’ 36 and, by reason of the 
 privileges granted by the kings, a ‘ Bosor in the wilderness ,’ 37 
 a city of grace and safety to all who repent. If any person 
 shall violate this holy shrine, or shall in any way molest the 
 same, my right hand shall take vengeance upon him, and the 
 same will my heirs and successors do to the end of time, who 
 after me shall wield the sceptre of this kingdom of Mercia. 
 
 “ I tk> also confirm unto God and to Saint Guthlac and your 
 holy monastery of Croyland, the gift of Frcgist, formerly knight 
 of king Kenulph, being the church of Langtoft, and in the 
 fields of the said vill six carucates of land, the same being 
 fifteen quarentenes in length, and nine quarentenes in breadth; 
 as also one hundred acres of meadow land, and a wood and 
 marsh two leagues in length and two leagues in breadth, be¬ 
 sides forty acres of the same fee in the fields of Depyng. I do 
 also confirm unto God and to Saint Guthlac and your holy 
 monastery, the gift of Algar the knight, the son of Korthlang, 
 being the church of Tetford together with the chapel of Saint 
 John the Evangelist at Baston ; as also in the same parish four 
 carucates of land, containing in length eight quarentenes, and 
 eight quarentenes in breadth; likewise one mill, and one 
 half of another mill, and several piscary in the river, as the 
 same hounds your meadows towards the east. Likewise, the 
 gift of the same Algar at Repyngale, that is to say, three 
 36 Cant. i. 14. 3 ' Probably in allusion to Jer. ix. 2. 
 
A.D. 851. 
 
 CHARTER OF KING BERTT7LPH. 
 
 29 
 
 earucates of land and sixty acres of meadow land. I do also 
 confirm unto God and to Saint Guthlac and your holy mo¬ 
 nastery of Croyland, the gift of earl Algar, the father of the 
 younger Algar now living, being the church of Cappelade to¬ 
 gether with the chapel of Saint John the Baptist in the same 
 vill, and, in the fields of Holbeck, as also’ of Cappelade, four 
 earucates of arable land, and six bovates and eighteen acres of 
 meadow land, and a marsh of two thousand 38 acres, and another 
 marsh of three thousand 33 acres; likewise, the gift of the said 
 earl Algar the elder, being the wooden chapel of Saint Mary, near 
 Spaldelyng, which in English has the name of Stokkym, and 
 is situate on the eastern side of the river of that vill • as also, 
 in the fields of Pynchbek and of Spaldelyng, four earucates of 
 land, and several piscary in the aforesaid river from the 
 bridge which leads from the burial-ground of the aforesaid 
 chapel of Saint Mary, to the burial-ground of the stone chapel 
 of Saint Nicholas, which in English is called Stonyn, and is 
 situate on the western bank, in the manor of the aforesaid earl 
 Algar, who gave the said right of fishery from the aforesaid 
 bridge as far as the Drain of Asendyk, unto God and Saint 
 Guthlac of Croyland, for the solemn celebration of the anni¬ 
 versary of his father each year in your monastery. I do also 
 confirm unto God and to Saint Guthlac and your holy mo¬ 
 nastery, the gift of the said earl Algar the elder, being the 
 church of Sutterton, and, in the fields of Algarkyrk and of 
 Sutterton, three earucates of arable land, and twelve bovates and 
 twenty-six acres of meadow land, andfoursalt-pits. Also, thegift 
 of the knight Oswy at Drayton, being eight hides and four vir- 
 gates of land. I do also confirm unto God and to Saint Guthlao 
 and your holy monastery the gift of Asketel, being three vir- 
 gates of land at Glapthorne. Also, the gift of Wulget, being three 
 virgates of land at Pciekyrk. Also, one bovate of land, the 
 gift of Edulph, at Laythorpe. Also, the gift of the sheriff 
 Siward at Kyrkeby, being three bovates of land, one dwelling- 
 house, and three cottages. Also, the gift of the countess 
 Sigburga, being five hides of land at Staundon. Also, the gift 
 of Wulnoth at Adyngton, being two hides of land, together 
 with the advowson of the church of the said vill; and in 
 the other Adyngton, one virgate of land, the gift of the same. 
 1 do also confirm unto GoiJ and to Saint Guthlac and your 
 38 The word “ thousand ” ought probably to be omitted. 
 
30 INGULPll’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 851. 
 
 holy monastery, the gift of Thorold, sheriff of Lincoln, being 
 two carucates and a half of land in Bukenhale, and twenty- 
 six acres of meadow land, and fifty acres of wood-land, [and 
 seventy acres] at Brusche. I do also confirm unto God and to 
 Saint Guthlae and your holy monastery, the gift of Geolph, 
 the son of Malte, at Halyngton, being four bovates of land at 
 Juland, and ten bovates rented to tenants, and thirty-three 
 acres of meadow land at Gernthorpe belonging to the same fee. 
 All the aforesaid churches, chapels, lands, tenements, pastures, 
 fisheries, manors, dwelling-houses, mills, meres, and marshes, 
 I do grant unto yourselves and your successors for ever, free 
 and absolved from all secular services and worldly burdens; 
 and do, by this my present charter, confirm the same as my 
 royal alms-gift for the soul of the lord Wichtlaf the late 
 king, my brother and predecessor, and for the souls of all my 
 ancestors, kinsmen, and friends. I do also exempt the same 
 from all debts due to the king and every other lord and man, 
 of what dignity, excellence, or honour, soever he may be, 
 that so they shall from this time forward be able to demand 
 nothing whatsoever from the monks, clerks, laymen, servants, 
 or tenants of your holy monastery of Croyland, except your 
 prayers and your spiritual benefits ; to the end that may always, 
 in all our necessities, deserve the favour of the holy Guthlae, 
 the most blessed confessor of Christ, who, in the hody, rests 
 among you. 
 
 “ Wherefore, with the unanimous consent of the whole 
 council here at Kyngesbuiy, in the year from the Incar¬ 
 nation of our Lord Christ, 851, on the sixth day of 
 Easter week, on the business of the kingdom assembled, I 
 have steadfastly and immutably confirmed this my royal 
 charter with the sign of the holy cross. + I, Ceolnoth, arch¬ 
 bishop of Canterbury, being whole and healed both in 
 mind and body, have with my hand signed the same. + I, 
 Swithulph, bishop of London, having in myself experienced 
 the grace of God, and of His most holy confessor Guthlae, 
 have, with humble duteousness, at the command of my lord 
 the king, dictated this deed, and have, among the other lord 
 bishops, in my proper order, subscribed the same. + I, 
 Swithun, bishop of Winchester, joyous and rejoicing so oft as 
 the Lord most holy gladdens His city, our Holy Mother Church, 
 with miracles, have set my signature to this charter of the 
 
A.D. 851. 
 
 CHARTER OF KING BERTULPH. 
 
 31 
 
 king. + I, Elstan, bishop of Sherburn, the duteous and 
 everlasting debtor of Saint Guthlac, rejoicing with our Holy 
 Church at its privileges, have made this sign. + I, Orken- 
 wald, bishop of Lichfield, pleased and delighted at all the 
 prosperous successes of the Holy Church, have, with willing 
 mind, approved hereof. + I, Rethun, bishop of Leicester, the 
 son and servant of Saint Guthlac during my whole life, have, 
 with pleasure, promoted the same. + I, Godwin, bishop of 
 Rochester, have, by this deed, ardently desired to promote the 
 honour of God. + I, Wulfard, abbat of Evesham, have ap¬ 
 proved hereof. + I, Living, abbat of Winchelcombe, have 
 commanded the same. + I, Hedda, abbat of Medeshamsted, 
 have diligently promoted the same. + I, duke Enulph, have 
 consented hereto, -f- I, duke Osric, have counselled the same. 
 + I, earl Serlo, have given my sanction hereto. + I, earl Elhere, 
 have assented hereto. 4- I, earl Huda, have given my con¬ 
 sent hereto. + I, Oslac, butler of king Ethelwulph, and 
 envoy from my said lord and his sons, have in their name 
 and in that of all the people of Wessex, especially commended 
 this deed of my lord the king Eertulpli. + I, Bertulpb, 
 king of the Mercians, in presence of all the prelates and 
 nobles of my kingdom, do pray to the Divine Majesty, that, 
 through the intercession of His most holy confessor Saint 
 Guthlac and all his Saints, He will pardon me and all my 
 people our sins; and that, as openly by His miracles He has 
 deigned to shew unto us His mercies, so He will also deign 
 in every contest to give us the victory over the Pagans, His 
 enemies, and, after the frail career of this present life, in the 
 company of His Saints, glory everlasting.—Amen.” 
 
 At this council, in honour of His most holy confessor 
 Guthlac, the Lord wrought a most remarkable miracle, by 
 means of which the devout desires of the whole land to make 
 the pilgrimage to Croyland, which were now more lukewarm 
 than usual, at once became reinvigorated, and were daily re¬ 
 vived on all the roads from every province. For it so hap¬ 
 pened, that this year a certain disease afflicted the whole of 
 England; it was a kind of paralysis, by which the nerves of 
 men, women, and children, were attacked, through the sudden 
 and excessive cold of a very inclement winter, against which 
 no coverings of cloth were proof; the arms and hands es¬ 
 pecially of men became useless, and were totally withered 
 
32 ixgulph's histoiiy of the abbev of ceoyland. a.d. 851. 
 
 up, the attacks of the disease being preceded by an into¬ 
 lerable pain, which, like a most unerring forerunnei’, first 
 took possession of the afflicted limb. It so happened that 
 at this council many of both high and low degree were suf¬ 
 fering from the malady. When the affairs of the kingdom 
 were about to be discussed, Ceolnoth, the lord archbishop 
 of Canterbury, who was afflicted with the said disease, openly 
 gave it as his opinion that holy matters ought first to be 
 treated of, and that then, Christ bestowing His grace thereon, 
 their worldly affairs might be crowned with a prosperous 
 result. 
 
 To this proposal all assented, and enquiries were made for 
 Si ward, the lord abbat [of Croyland] ; as, for many yeai-s past, 
 he had been, in consequence of his extreme eloquence and his 
 holy piety, a sort of Divine interpreter, as it were, at the 
 councils and synods, and had proved a most graceful expounder 
 and promoter of innumerable matters relative to the interests 
 of the whole of the clergy. In consequence, however, of his 
 great age, he was not present at this council, but, by a most 
 humble letter of apology, sent by the hands of brother Askiil, 
 his fellow-monk, had excused his absence on the groxxnd of 
 his infirmities and advanced years. 
 
 On this, king Bertulph, recalling to mind the complaints of 
 the church of Croyland, laid before the council at full length 
 the injixries which had been repeatedly inflicted on Siwai'd, 
 the lord abbat, and his monastery of Croyland, by the infatu¬ 
 ated frenzy of their adversaries; and ordered it to be deter¬ 
 mined, with the universal sanction of the coxxncil, what remedy 
 should be applied. While this matter was being publicly dis¬ 
 cussed, and the petition of Siward, the lord abbat, which had 
 been presented hereupon by brother Askiil before -named, had 
 passed from hand to hand among all the prelates and nobles in 
 the council, and each was now pi’oposing some different plan, 
 Ceolnoth, the lord archbishop of Canterbury, with a loud voice, 
 exclaimed that he was whole and healed of his malady, through 
 the merits of the most blessed Guthlac, the most holy coixfessor 
 of Christ, whose affairs were at that moment being treated of. 
 In the same manner, many others, men of the highest rank, 
 bishops as well as nobles, who were present at the same coun¬ 
 cil, exclaimed, that they too had been afflicted with the 
 same disease, but that now, through the grace of God, and the 
 
A.D. 851 . THE SICK BESORT 10 THE TOMB OF GUTHLAC. 
 
 33 
 
 merits of the most holy Guthlac, they experienced no pain 
 whatever, in consequence of the said malady, in any of their 
 limbs. 
 
 Upon this, all, at once, with the most stringent vows, made 
 it a matter of conscience, as soon as they possibly could, on 
 devout pilgrimage to visit the most sacred tomb of the most 
 holy Guthlac. Accordingly, our lord the king, Bertulph, com¬ 
 manded the bishop of London (who was at this time looked 
 upon as the most able writer and the most elegant composer, 
 and who, besides, had been attacked by the malady, and now, 
 with the greatest joyousness, asserted that he was healed 
 thereof), to take in hand the matter of the privileges of Croy- 
 land, and determined to do all honor to Saint Guthlac, his phy¬ 
 sician, by granting his charter, in such manner as his council 
 should determine—which was accordingly done'. Lor this reason 
 it is, that in the signatures to the royal charter, Ceolnoth, the 
 archbishop of Canterbury, confesses that he is “whole and 
 healedSaint Swithun, the bishop of Winchester, “ rejoices 
 at the miracles of the LordElstan, bishop of Sherburn, 
 and Orkenwald, bishop of Lichfield, express their delight 
 : “ at the successes of the Church;” and ltethun, bishop of 
 Leicester, promises that he will be the “servant of Saint 
 Guthlac so long as he lives.” All the nobles, likewise, present 
 at the council, with the most ardent zeal, seconded the royal 
 favour towards Saint Guthlac in all respects. 
 
 Accordingly, innumerable multitudes of the sick, from 
 throughout the whole land, flocked daily to the most holy tomb 
 of Saint Guthlac; and these, with becoming devotion, implor¬ 
 ing the Divine grace, through the merits of the most holy con¬ 
 fessor, the Lord so plentifully opened unto them all the foun¬ 
 tains of His healthful mercies, that sometimes, in one day, 
 more than a hundred persons so paralyzed were healed. Hence, 
 the ahbat Siward was beyond measure enriched, and became a 
 very great man; so much so, that he, who, like the blessed 
 Job, had been proved by the utmost poverty, and had been 
 despoiled of all the treasures of his monastery, even to the 
 utmost farthing, because he was far from cursing his days, nor 
 yet spake any foolishness against the Lord, but always main¬ 
 tained his long-suffering unimpaired, began, by the bounty of 
 ' God, to abound in all good things: and thus, for the treasures 
 and wealth, both in lands and tenements, which he had lost 
 
 D 
 
34 IXGULPh’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CEO YL A YD. A.D. 855. 
 
 in former times, it was afterwards returned unto him twofold, 
 and his old age became much more fruitful, and twofold more 
 prosperous, than his youth. 
 
 This fact also added to the prosperity enjoyed by him in his 
 old age—that, shortly after his return from Rome, where, in 
 company with his youngest son, Alfred, he had, with great 
 devoutness, visited the thresholds of the Apostles Peter and 
 Paul, and the most holy pope Leo; Ethelwulph, the renowned 
 king of the West Saxons, with the free consent of all his pre¬ 
 lates and chief men, who, under him, presided over the various 
 provinces throughout the whole of England, then for the first 
 time endowed the whole Church of England with the tenths of 
 all lands, and other goods or chattels, by his royal charter, to 
 the following effect:— 
 
 “ In the name of our Lord, who reigneth’for everlasting. 
 Whereas, in our days, we do perceive that evil times are im¬ 
 pending, the flames of warfare, the plunder of our treasures, 
 most cruel depredations by enemies who lay waste far and 
 wide, and by barbarous and pagan nations, with multiplied tri¬ 
 bulations to afflict us even unto death for our sins; I, Ethel¬ 
 wulph, king of the West Saxons, together with the council of 
 my bishops and nobles, securing thereby healthful advice and 
 one uniform remedy, do consent that, by all ranks who have 
 heretofore possessed any hereditary portion of land, there shall 
 always be given the tenth part thereof, be it ever so small, for 
 a dwelling 38 for the servants and handmaids of God, in the 
 service of God, or else for poor and afflicted laymen; as also 
 the tenth part of all goods. And for the purpose of lastingly 
 preserving the liberties of the Holy Church, I have thought 
 proper to grant that it shall be free and exempt from all secu¬ 
 lar services, and from king’s tribute, both great and small, as 
 also the taxes which we call ‘ witereflden,’ and shall be ab¬ 
 solved from all other matters, for the forgiveness of my soul, 
 and the remission of my sins; and that it shall be devoted to 
 the service of God alone, exempt from military service, the build¬ 
 ing of bridges, and castle-ward, to the end that the clergy may, 
 the more diligently offer prayers for us unto God without ceas¬ 
 ing, the more we do in any degree lighten their services. This 
 was done at Winchester, in the church of Saint Peter, in the, 
 
 39 This copy of the charter is evidently in a most corrupt state, and 
 differs very considerably from that given by Roger of Wendover. 
 
\.d. 86S. 
 
 ETHELEED ASCENDS THE THEONE. 
 
 35 
 
 pear from the Incarnation of our Lord, 855, being the third year 
 jf the indiction, on the nones of November, before the great altar 
 there, and in honor of the glorious Virgin Mary, the Mother 
 jf God, and Saint Michael the Archangel, and Saint Peter the 
 Prince of the Apostles, as also our blessed father Gregory the 
 Pope; all the archbishops and bishops of the whole of England 
 being present and subscribing thereto, as also Beorred, king of 
 Mercia, and Edmund, king of the East Angles, and an infinite 
 multitude of abbats, abbesses, dukes, earls, and nobles through- 
 jut the whole land, and of others of the faithful, all of whom 
 lave approved of this royal charter, and the dignitaries have 
 subscribed their names thereto.” 
 
 King Ethelwulph, for the more ample confirmation thereof, 
 jffered the above-written charter upon the altar of Saint Peter 
 ;he Apostle; and the bishops, putting faith in God, received 
 ;he same, and afterwards transmitted it to all the churches, in 
 jrder to be published in their respective dioceses. 
 
 Bertulph, king of the Mercians, having departed this life, 
 ifter a reign of thirteen years, Beorred succeeded him on the 
 krone. In his time, the before-named venerable father, the 
 : ord Siward, being full of days and enfeebled, ended his life, 
 ifter having most ably discharged the pastoral duties for a 
 scriod of sixty-two years. He was succeeded in the office of 
 bbat of the monastery of Croyland by the lord Theodore. In 
 iis time, the Danes, collecting booty in every direction through- 
 ut the land, especially ravaged Northumbria and Mercia. 
 
 Ethelwulph, king of Wessex, dying just at this time, his 
 ons, Ethelbald and Ethelbert, succeeded him, and divided 
 heir father’s kingdom between them. Ethelbald, ascending 
 is father’s bed, a thing before unheard-of among heathens 
 veil, married his own step-mother, Judith, who was the 
 aughter of a former king of France, and had been taken to 
 fife by his father Ethelwulph ; to the extreme astonishment 
 f all his countrymen, who abhorred a crime of this nature, 
 ifter having lived for two years in this vile and filthy 
 i jurse, he departed this life, and his portion of the kingdom 
 ' /as wholly united to that of his brother Ethelbert. 
 
 : 1 ' He, proving himself a most valiant youth and an uncon - 
 ■ uerable triumpher over the Danes, ably maintained the de- 
 o nice of the kingdom for a period of five years; after which, 
 
 .thelred, the third brother, ascended the throne. In his 
 
 d 2 
 
36 INGHLFHS HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 86S. 
 
 time, the kingdom was most dreadfully harassed by wars, the 
 Pagans making inroads on every side. They invaded the ter¬ 
 ritory of Northumbria, gained possession of York, and, aftei 
 ravaging East Anglia, invaded Mercia, and, in the year oi 
 our Lord, 866, wintered at Nottingham. On this, Beorred.. 
 having assembled a large army, and being strengthened by th( 
 forces of Ethelred, king of Wessex, and his brother Alfred, 
 whose sister he had married, forced the Pagans to leave Not¬ 
 tingham and return to York. 
 
 In this expedition earl Algar the younger signalized him 
 self by his exploits and military prowess, and through hi; 
 valiant deeds gained the especial esteem of king Beorred anc 
 the two brothers of Wessex. He was also most warmly at¬ 
 tached to the monastery of Croyland, and lived on terms o 
 the strictest intimacy with abbat Theodore, as he had for 
 merly done with abbat Siward, proving himself a mos 
 strenuous supporter of that church in all its negociations anc 
 necessities. Having a few years previously to this bestowee 
 his manor of Spalding upon abbat Theodore, for the good o 
 the soul of his father, earl Algar the elder, he obtained a con 
 finnation thereof to the said abbat Theodore, as also of all th< 
 lands and tenements at that time to the monastery of Croy 
 land belonging, to the following effect:— 
 
 39 “ Beorred, by the bounty and grace of God, king of thf 
 Mercians, to all the provinces, and the people thereof through 
 out the whole of Mercia dwelling, and professing the catholi 
 faith, health everlasting in our Lord Jesus Christ. Whereas 
 our sins so requiring it, we perceive the hand of the Lord ex 
 tended over us and threatening our necks with a rod of iroD 
 I deem it to be necessary and healthful for us, by the piou 
 prayers of Holy Mother Church, and the free bestowal of alms 
 to appease the anger of the Lord, and with becoming devo 
 tion in our necessities, to implore His favouring help. Fo 
 this reason, and at the prayer of the most valiant earl Algal 
 deservedly held most dear by me, I have, with ready devout 
 ness, by my royal charter, granted unto Theodore, abbat c 
 Croyland, confirmation of the gift of the said earl Algar, a 
 also of the gifts of others of the faithful, both past and present 
 to his said holy monastery, as an alms-gift for my own son ■ 
 and for the remission of my offences. I do therefore confirr 
 3a This charter is looked upon by Ilickes as spurious. 
 
a.d. 868. 
 
 CHAllTEE OF KIXG BEOEEED. 
 
 37 
 
 unto God and to his most holy confessor, Guthlac, at Croyland, 
 and to all the monks there in the service of God, as also to all 
 those who shall so serve hereafter in all time to come, the 
 whole of their island to the said monastery adjoining, as the 
 same is by metes and boundaries described in the charters of 
 its founder Ethelbald, the former renowned king of the 
 Mercians, and of the other kings, my predecessors; to be set 
 apart as a site for their abbey, together with the two marshes 
 lying opposite to the said island on the west, and on both sides 
 of the river Welland, that is to say, Alderlound on the south 
 side, and Goggislound on the north, with the same boundaries 
 to the same which from the beginning they have had. I do 
 also confirm unto the said monastery of Croyland, the gift of the 
 before-named renowned earl Algar, most dearly beloved by me, 
 the same being his manor, situate on the south side of the 
 river at Spaldelyng, together with four carucates of arable 
 land, and twenty-foui’ dwelling-houses, and eighty cottages 
 in the said vill of Spaldelyng; as also the gift of earl Algar 
 the elder, his father, the same being the wooden chapel of 
 Saint Mary, situate on the same side of the river at Spal- 
 'delyng, together with four carucates of land adjoining, on 
 either side of the river, in the fields of Pinchebek and of 
 Spaldelyng: also, being the gift of the same earl Algar, the 
 church of Cappelade, with four carucates of land, and six bo- 
 vates and eighteen acres of meadow land, and two acres of 
 mere near the sea-shore, and three acres of marsh land near 
 the river Schepishee, which bounds the abbey of Croyland on 
 the east thereof; also, being the gift of the same earl Algar, 
 the church of Sutterton with the chapel of Salteney, and three 
 carucates of arable land, and twelve bovates and twenty-six 
 icres of meadow land, in the fields of Algarkyrke and of 
 iutherton, as also four salt-pits in the latter vill. In like 
 manner, I do confirm unto the aforesaid monastery of Croy- 
 and, the gift of the knight Oswy, being eight hides of land 
 tnd four virgates at Drayton, as also the church of the said 
 fill. In like manner, I do confirm unto the aforesaid monas- 
 f ery of Croyland, the gift of Morcard, my knight, being the 
 .vhole of his lands at Depyng, together with two hundred 
 Iwelling-houses, and four hundred cottages, and two churches, 
 he same being all that he owned in the said vill and in its 
 ields, from the river Welland toward the south as far as the 
 
38 IXGULPH’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CBOYXAXD. A.D. 868. 
 
 fields of Langetoft on the north thereof, and from the fields 
 of Talington on the west thereof, to Aspath in the marshes, on 
 the east thereof. In like manner, I do confirm to the afore¬ 
 said monastery, the gift of Algar the knight, the son of North - 
 lang, at Easton, and at Tetford, the lands and tenements which 
 the said Algar possessed, together with the church and chapel ' 
 of Saint John in the said vill; as also the gift of the said Algar 
 at Repyngale, being three carucates of arable land, and sixty 
 acres of meadow land. In like manner, I do confirm unto the 
 aforesaid monastery, the gift of Norman, the former sheriff, at 
 Sutton, near Bosworth, being two carucates of land and one 
 windmill; as also the gift of the said Norman at Stapilton, the 
 same being his manor, and two carucates of land; also, the 
 gift of the said Norman, at Badby, being four hides of land, with 
 the manor, and thirty [three] acres of meadow land. In like 
 manner, I do confirm unto the aforesaid monastery, the gift of 
 Thorold, the former sheriff of Lincoln, at Bukenhale, the same 
 being two carucates and a half of land, and twenty-six acres of 
 meadow land, and fifty acres of wood-land at Brusche. In 
 like manner, I do confirm unto the aforesaid monastery, the 
 gift of Geolph, the son of Malte, at Halyngton, the same being 
 four bo vates of land at Juland, and ten bovates rented out, 
 and thirty acres of meadow land of the same fee at Gern- 
 thorpe. In like manner, I do confirm unto the aforesaid mo¬ 
 nastery, the gift of Asketel, at Glapthorne, being three vir- 
 gates of land; as also three virgates of land, the gift of "Wul- 
 get, at Peiekyrk; also, three bovates of land, one dwelling- 
 house, and three cottages, the gift of Siward, at Ivirkeby; also, 
 one bovate of land, the gift of Edulph, at Laythorp; also, 
 two hides of land, and piscary, the gift of Wulnoth, at 
 Adyngton, together with the advowson of the church of the 
 said vill; and at the other Adyngton, one virgate of land; as 
 also, five hides of land, the gift of the countess Sigburga, at 
 Staundon ; and one hide and a half at Thinning, the gift of 
 Grymketel. 
 
 “ All the before-named island, marshes, meres, churches, 
 chapels, manors, dwelling-houses, cottages, woods, lands, and 
 meadows I do grant, appoint, and confirm unto God and Saint 
 Guthlac, free, discharged, and acquitted of and from all worldly 
 burdens and secular services, for the souls of the givers of the 
 things aforesaid, as also for the benefit of my own soul and the 
 
a.d. 868. 
 
 CHARTER OF KING BEORRED. 
 
 39 
 
 souls of all my ancestors and my heirs, as a perpetual alms, 
 to be held by the abbat Theodore and his monks, serving 
 the Lord in the monastery of Croyland. This my royal charter 
 I have confirmed with the sanction of the holy cross, in the 
 year from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 868, at 
 Snothryngham/ 0 in presence of my brethren and friends, 
 and all my people there assembled, to besiege the Pagans. 
 + I, Ceolnoth, archbishop of Canterbury, have set my signa¬ 
 ture hereto. + I, Elstan, bishop of London, have confirmed 
 the same. + I, Edmund, bishop of Sherburn, have approved 
 of the same. + I, Alcwin, bishop of Winchester, have com¬ 
 mended the same. + I, Kynebert, bishop of Lichfield, have 
 signed the same. + I, Ethelbert, bishop of Hereford, have 
 made my cross. + I, Wulfsy, abbat of Evesham, have sanc¬ 
 tioned the same. + I, Hedda, abbat of Medeshamsted, have 
 given my consent hereto. + I, Tivin, abbat of Saint Alban’s, 
 have counselled the same. + I, Ethelred, king of Wessex, 
 have given my assent hereto. + I, Alfred, brother of the king 
 of Wessex, have consented hereto. + I, Edmund, king of East 
 Anglia, have promoted the same. + I, duke Adelred, have 
 favoured the same. + I, duke Osbert, have allowed of the 
 same. + I, earl Algar, devoutly entreating the same, have 
 obtained it by the favour of my lord the king. -f I, earl 
 Wulkelm, have assisted thereat. + I, earl Adelwulph, have 
 : granted the same. + I, earl Turgot, have consented hereto. 
 + I, earl Alcmund, have considered the same. + I, earl Diga, 
 j have taken part herein. + I, earl Lefwin, have witnessed the 
 \ same. + I, earl Burkard, have set my writing hereto. + I, 
 [earl Ascer, have been present hereat. + I, earl Thurstan, have 
 [established the same. + I, earl Keynard, have counselled the 
 (same. + I, earl Tilbrand, have subscribed hereto. + I, Beorred. 
 i king of the Mercians, do, with the sincere feelings of my mind, 
 .and with all my heart, return especial thanks unto all my 
 troops; but in especial to the ecclesiastics, bishops, abbats, and 
 others of lower rank and dignity; who, although king Ethel- 
 wulph, of most pious memory, my father, by his most sacred 
 charter, formerly made you free from all military service, and 
 entirely exempt from the performance of all secular duties, still, 
 being most benignly moved with a most deserved compassion 
 for the oppressions of the Christian people and the destruction 
 40 The Saxon name for Nottingham. 
 
40 INGTJLPh’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 8/fl 
 
 of the churches and monasteries, have come together promptly 
 and spontaneously to join the army of the Lord against thes- 
 most wicked Pagans; that so, like martyrs, the worship of Chris 
 might be promoted by your holy blood, and the superstitiou 
 cruelties of the barbarians be put to flight.” 
 
 In addition to this, we are informed by the chroniclers, tha 
 during the aforesaid siege, the Pagans, putting their trust ii 
 the protection of the walls which were fortified in the stronges 
 manner, and in the strength of the castle, and so declining t< 
 come forth to engage, the Christians found themselves unabL 
 to effect an entrance through the walls; and accordingly peaci 
 was made between the Christians and the Pagans, and thi 
 latter, leaving the castle, returned with great booty to North 
 umbria. [At the same time, king Ethelred and his brothe; 
 Alfred returned with their troops into Wessex.] 
 
 In the following year, however, the army of the Pagans 
 after having made some stay at York, at the close of the wintei 
 passed over by ship into Lindesey, and, landing at Humberstan 
 ravaged the whole country. At this time the most famous 
 and ancient monastery of Bardeney was destroyed by them 
 and all the monks were massacred in the church withou' 
 mercy. Having employed themselves throughout the whoh 
 of this summer in reducing the land to ashes, and ravaging i 
 with fire and sword, about the feast of Saint Michael thei 
 entered Kesteven, spreading fire, slaughter, and devastation ir 
 every quarter. 
 
 At length, in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord 
 870, and in the month of September, the most valiant ear 
 Algar and two knights, his seneschals, called Wibert am 
 Leofric, (from whose names the aged men and rustics haw 
 since given appellations to the vills where they lived, retaining 
 their names, and calling the one of them “ Wiberton,” whicl 
 means the “ vill of Wibert,” and the other “ Lefrinkton,” tha 
 is to say, “the vill of Leofric,”) collected together all the youth: 
 of Hoyland. With these there was a band of two liundrec 
 men from the monastery of Croyland, very stout warriors 
 which was mostly composed of fugitives, commanded b? 
 brother Toley, then a monk in that monastery, who hat 
 been, before he adopted the habit, most renowned throughou 
 all Mercia for his military skill, but had lately, through thi 
 desire of a heavenly country, given up secular for spiritua 
 warfare at Croyland. They also collected together witl 
 
a.d. 870. 
 
 EARL ALGAR MARCHES AGAINST THE HANES. 
 
 41 
 
 .them about three hundred brave and active men from Depyng, 
 .Langtoft, and Baston, and with them Morcard, lord of Brunne ,' 11 
 and his retainers, who were very valiant and numerous. 
 
 . They were also met by the sheriff of Lincoln, Osgot by name, 
 a veteran and a most stout warrior, at the head of a band of 
 five hundred Lincoln men. 
 
 All these meeting together in Kesteven, joined battle with 
 the Pagans on the feast of Saint Mauricius the Martyr, and the 
 Lord granting them the victory, the Christians slew three 
 kings, together with a vast multitude, and smiting the bar¬ 
 barians, pursued them as far as the gates of their camp. Hei’e 
 they made a very stout resistance, and night putting an end 
 to the combat, this most invincible earl called off his men. 
 
 During the night, there arrived in the camp of the Pagans 
 all the other kings of their country, who, dividing the district 
 between themselves, had gone forth for the purpose of ravag¬ 
 ing it. These, whose names were Gogroun , 42 Baseg, Oskitel, 
 Halfden, and diamond, with as many earls, namely, Frena, Un¬ 
 guar, Ubba, and the two Sidrocs, the elder and the younger, now 
 arrived, together with all their forces, and a very great booty, 
 
 I as well as a numerous multitude of women and children. On 
 J hearing of their arrival, the greater part of the Christians, 
 j being smitten with fear, fled by night; and there remained with 
 I the before-named earl and his chieftains, out of eight hundred 
 J men, hardly as many as two hundred. With these, early in 
 the morning, after hearing Divine service, and receiving the 
 holy viaticum , 43 they marched forth to the field of battle, 
 jj fully prepared to die for the faith of Christ and in defence of 
 j. their country. 
 
 _ The most valiant earl, finding that his army was in a very 
 i unprotected state on the flanks, again placed brother Toley, 
 
 I with his five hundred 44 men, who were the stoutest of all, on 
 the right wing, assigning to him as well a most valiant troop, 
 consisting of the illustrious knight, Morcard, of Brunne, toge- 
 ther with all those who followed his standard. On the left wing 
 i he placed the renowned sheriff Osgot, with his five hundred 11 
 
 5 41 Bourne. 42 More generally called “ Guthrum.” 
 
 “I 43 The Sacrament. 
 
 i 41 This must refer to the numbers under their command on the pre- 
 c vious day ; as we have just read that by desertions during the night they 
 j were reduced to less than two hundred in number. 
 
42 ixgulph’s history or the abbey of croyland. a.d. 870. 
 
 men, giving him an active troop, consisting of the knight, 
 Harding of Rehale, with all the men of Stamford, as they 
 were all young men and excellent soldiers. He himself, with 
 his seneschals, took up his position in the centre, for the pur¬ 
 pose of assisting either wing, according as he might see it 
 standing in need thereof. 
 
 As for the Danes, being greatly enraged at the loss of theii 
 men, early in the morning they buried their three kings at a vill 
 which was formerly’ called Laundon, but which is now, in 
 consequence of the burial there of the three Danish kings, 
 called Trekyngham; after which, four kings and eight earls 
 marched forth to battle, while two kings and four earls kept 
 guard over the camp and their prisoners. Upon this, the 
 Christians, in consequence of the smallness of theii’ numbers, 
 formed themselves into one solid mass, and by linking their 
 bucklers together, presented a most formidable bulwark against 
 the discharge of the archers, and a most dense rampart ol 
 lances against the violent charges of the horse; and thus, 
 most excellently marshalled by their leaders, they maintained 
 an immoveable position throughout the whole day. 
 
 After they had thus remained unconquered until night-fall, 
 and the archers of the enemy’ had wasted their arrows by 
 discharging them to no effect, the horsemen, being wearied with 
 their unceasing labour, began to flag; on which, the barba¬ 
 rians, by a concerted plan pretending flight, made a show of 
 leaving the field. The Christians, seeing this, contrary to the 
 wishes of their leaders, who strongly dissuaded them, broke 
 their ranks, and dispersed in pursuit of the Pagans over the 
 plain; and without any order, and no longer subject to the 
 commands of their chiefs, divided themselves into small 
 parties. Upon this, the barbarians faced about and rushed on 
 them, just like lions upon a few poor sheep. The most valiant 
 earl Algar, and the most illustrious knights before-named, 
 with brother Toley, now drew up their men in a mass upon a 
 piece of ground in the plain, a little more elevated than the 
 rest of the surface, and for a long time withstood the assaults 
 of the barbarians. 
 
 At length, however, after the said valiant and ever-to-be- 
 renowned earl Algar, and the before-named six most stalwart 
 chieftains, had witnessed the fall of all the bravest men of their 
 band, they rushed in a body over a large heap of the carcases ot 
 
a.d. 870. 
 
 DEFEAT OF THE CHRISTIANS. 
 
 43 
 
 [the Christians, and there having avenged the shedding of their 
 blood, to the best of their ability, upon all who approached, 
 fell, pierced with innumerable wounds, upon the corpses of 
 their brethren. A few young men of Sutton and Gedeney, 
 throwing away their arms, with difficulty escaped into an 
 adjoining wood, and the next night arrived at the monastery 
 of Croyland; where, while abbat Theodore and his brethren 
 were performing the matin vigils, crying aloud and weeping, 
 with tearful accents they related at the door of the church 
 the slaughter of the Christians and of brother Toley, as well as 
 the destruction of the whole of their band. 
 
 All were in a state of distraction upon receiving these 
 tidings. The abbat, in the first place, retained with himself 
 the more aged monks, and a few children, thinking that their 
 defenceless state might possibly move the barbarians to pity, 
 but failing to bear in mind the words of the poet:— 
 
 “ In men who follow camps no faith or pity lives.” 
 
 All those who were stouter and of more youthful age, he then 
 ordered to fly to the adjoining fens, and there await the ter¬ 
 mination of the warfare; he also bade them take with them 
 the sacred relics of the monastery, these being the most holy 
 body of Saint Guthlac and his scourge and Psalter, as well as 
 their most valuable jewels and muniments, that is to say, the 
 charters of foundation given by king Ethelbald, and the con¬ 
 firmation thereof by the other kings, as also some of the gifts 
 presented by king Wichtlaf. 
 
 Accordingly, obeying his commands with the greatest sadness 
 of heart, they loaded a boat with the aforesaid relics, and the 
 muniments of the kings ; after which they threw the table of 
 the great altar, covered with plates of gold, which king 
 Wichtlaf had formerly presented, and ten chalices, together 
 with basons for washing, pots, patens, and other vessels of 
 [brass, into the well of the convent. All these, except the 
 table, sank ; the end of which, in consequence of its length, 
 always made its appearance, projecting above the surface of 
 the water; upon which, they drew it out, and, as they per¬ 
 ceived the fires of the vills in Kesteven approaching nearer 
 and nearer, fearing every moment that the Pagans would 
 arrive, left it behind with the abbat and the aged men before- 
 mentioned ; and then, embarking in their boat, they reached 
 the wood of Ancarig, which was adjacent to their island on 
 
44 iNGULrn’s history or the abbey of croylaxd. a.d. 870. 
 
 the south side thereof; and remained there with brother Toret, 
 an anchorite, and others of the brethren residing there, foi 
 the space of four days; they themselves being thirty in 
 number, of whom ten were priests, and the rest of lower rank. 
 
 After this, abbat Theodore, talcing with him two of the aged 
 monks, concealed the said table outside of the church, on the 
 northern side thereof; but where it was so concealed has never 
 been ascertained up to the present day. Then, putting on 
 their sacred vestments, the abbat and all the others assembled 
 in the choir, and there performed the regular Hours of the 
 holy office; after which, commencing it, they went through 
 the whole of the Psalter 45 of David. The lord abbat liimsell 
 then celebrated high mass, being assisted therein by brother 
 Elfget, the deacon, brother Savin, the sub-deacon, and the 
 brothers Egelred and Wulric, youths who acted as taper-bearers. 
 
 The mass being now finished, just as the abbat and his 
 assistants before-named had partaken of the mystery of the 
 holy Communion, the Pagans bursting into the church, the 
 venerable abbat was slain upon the holy altar, as a true martyr 
 and sacrifice of Christ, by the hand of the most blood-thirsty 
 king Osketul. His assistants, standing around him, were all 
 beheaded by the barbarians ; while the old men and children, 
 on attempting to fly from the choir, were seized and examined 
 with the most cruel torments, that they might disclose where 
 the treasures of the church were concealed, and afterwards 
 put to death; the lord Asker, the prior, in the vestry, the 
 lord Lethwyn, the sub-prior, in the refectory. Brother Turgar, 
 a child ten years of age, remarkable for the beauty of his face 
 and person, who followed the latter into the refectory, on 
 seeing the old man put to death, most urgently entreated that 
 he, too, might be put to death, and killed together with him. 
 
 The younger earl Sidroc, however, being moved with com¬ 
 passion for the child, stripped him of his cowl, and throwing 
 over him a long Danish tunic without sleeves, ordered him 
 everywhere to keep close to him ; and in this way, out of all, 
 both old and young, who were left in the monastery, he was 
 the only one saved ; for, through the favour and protection of 
 the said earl, during the whole period of his stay, he went 
 in and out among the Danes, as though he had been one of 
 them. . All the monks being thus slain by the executioners, 
 45 He perhaps means the seven penitential psalms of David, 
 
A.D. 8/0. 
 
 ATROCITIES OF THE DANES. 
 
 45 
 
 11 and none of the treasures of the monaster}' found, the Danes, 
 1 with ploughshares and mattocks, broke open all the shrines of 
 a the Saints, who reposed in marble altar-tombs around the 
 i sepulchre of the holy father Guthlac to the right and left. 
 
 ' These were as follow :—on the right hand side was the 
 Jc tomb of Saint Cissa, the priest and anchorite, and the tomb of 
 r Saint Bettelm, the man of God, and formerly servant of Saint 
 i Guthlac; [also the tomb of Siward, the lord abbat of pious 
 memory. On the left hand side was the tomb of the most 
 ' holy father Saint Egbert, formerly the secretary and confessor 
 I of Saint Guthlac;] likewise the tomb of Saint Tatwin, the 
 1 former guide and steersman of Saint Guthlac to Croyland ; the 
 1 tomb of the most holy virgin Etheldritha; and the tombs of 
 e Celfreda, the former queen, and of Wymund, the son, of king 
 f Wichtlaf. 
 
 s The barbarians having broke open these, on not finding the 
 e hoped-for treasures, were extremely indignant, and in a shock- 
 e ing manner, after piling all thb bodies of the Saints in one 
 r heap, set fire thereto, on the third day after their arrival, and 
 1 dreadfully burned the same, together with the church and all 
 the buildings of the monastery; it being the seventh day before 
 : the calends of September. 
 
 At last, on the fourth day, with innumerable herds of cattle 
 : and beasts of burden, they passed on in the direction of ile- 
 ’ deshamsted, where, meeting with the first resistance at the 
 1 monastery, and finding the gates barred, they attacked the walls 
 with archers and engines on every side. The Pagans effecting 
 ! an entrance on the second assault, Tulba, the brother of earl 
 Hulba, received a severe blow from a stone, and fell in the 
 breach; on which, being carried by the hands of his attendants 
 to the tent of his brother Hulba, his life was even despaired of. 
 At this, Hulba was inflamed with rage beyond measure, and 
 being greatly exasperated against the monks, with his own 
 hand slew all he found wearing the garb of the monastic order, 
 while his companions slaughtered the rest. Not a person in the 
 whole monastery was saved. Both the venerable father Hedda, 
 the lord abbat, as well as all his monks and fellow-townsmen, 
 were slain. On this occasion, brother Turgar w'as advised by 
 his master, Sidroc, to use the greatest care never to meet the 
 earl Hulba in any place. 
 
 All the altars were undermined, all the monuments broken 
 
46 ingclph’s history of the abbey of CROYLAND. A.D. 870. 
 
 to pieces; a large library of holy books was burned, an im¬ 
 mense number of charters of the monastery torn to pieces; the 
 precious relics of the holy virgins Kyneburga, Kyneswita, and 
 Tibba, were trodden under foot, the walls utterly overthrown, 
 and the church itself, with all its out-buildings, burned to the 
 ground, the flames continuing to burn incessantly for the next 
 fifteen days. 
 
 On the fourth day after this, having collected an endless 
 booty throughout the whole of the country, the army assem¬ 
 bled together, and moved on towards Huntingdon. In crossing 
 the rivers, the two earls Sidroc always moved the last of all, 
 for the purpose of protecting the rear of the army. The whole 
 of their forces having crossed the river Nene in safety, they, 
 being the last to pass over, by a sudden mishap, lost two chariots 
 laden with immense treasures and various articles of furniture, 
 which fell over the left-hand side of the stone bridge into a 
 very deep part of the river, together with the beasts of bur-den, 
 which were drowned before they could be rescued. 
 
 While all the retainers of the younger Sidroc were busily 
 engaged in dragging out the said chariots, and anxiously intent 
 upon putting all the booty contained therein into other waggons 
 and vehicles, brother Turgar made his escape into a neighbour¬ 
 ing wood, and after walking all night, at daybreak arrived at 
 Croyland. Here he found his brethren the monks already 
 returned from Ancarig, and using the most vigorous exertions 
 to extinguish the flames that still had the mastery in many 
 parts of the ruins of the monastery. On seeing him return 
 safe and sound, they were comforted in some degree ; but on 
 hearing from him how their abbat, as well as the rest of their 
 elders and brethren, had been slaughtered, and where their 
 bodies lay, and how that all the sepulchres of the Saints had 
 been broken to pieces, and all their records and holy volumes 
 burned, together with the bodies of the Saints, they were all 
 of them smitten with intolerable grief, and gavg way to pro¬ 
 longed tears and lamentations. 
 
 At length, after having given full vent to their tears, they 
 returned to their task of extinguishing the conflagration. 
 Upon lifting off the ruinous remains of the roof of the church, 
 near the great altar they discovered the body of the venerable 
 father, their abbat, Theodore, deprived of the head, skipped 
 of all the clothes, and half burnt, as well as bruised and crushed 
 
A.D. 870. DESTEUCTION OF THE SIONASTEEY. 47 
 
 into the earth by the fall of the timbers. The body was thus 
 found, on the eighth day after his murder, among the dead em¬ 
 bers, at some little distance from the spot where he had been 
 slaughtered; together with those of the other ministrants, who 
 had met their deaths at the same time, with the exception of 
 Wulric, the taper-bearer; their bodies being in a similar 
 manner crushed down into the earth by the weight of the 
 timbers. 
 
 These were found, however, at different times. The bodies 
 i of some of the brethren were discovered more than half a year 
 after the day on which they had been martyred, and in 
 j different places from those in which they had been slain. 
 Thus, for instance, the lord 48 Paulinus and the lord Herbert, 
 who were very aged and extremely decrepit, through length 
 of years, having had their hands cut off in the choir and 
 having been tortured to death in the same spot, were sought 
 there with the greatest care, but their bodies were at length 
 discovered in the chapter-house ; while the lord Grimkctul and 
 i the lord Agamund, both of whom were a hundred years old, 
 and who had been pierced by the swords of the enemy in the 
 cloisters, were found in the parlour . 49 As for the rest, both 
 children as well as aged men, after they had been long sought 
 for in all directions, brother Turgar giving a full description 
 how each one had met his end, they were all found at last, 
 
 ! amid mournful lamentations and tears innumerable, with the 
 sole exception of Wulric. 
 
 On this occasion, the lord Bricstan, the former chaunter of 
 the monastery, a most skilful musician as well as a most ele¬ 
 gant poet, and the principal man among the survivors, wrote 
 those strains upon the ashes of the monastery of Croyland, 
 copies of which are to be found in many places, and which 
 begin as follows:— 
 
 “ 0 noble church, so late of convents queen, 
 
 O'er all exalted, hallowed friend of God 1” &e. 
 
 The whole monastery being now, after long and incessant 
 
 ■fs “ Dominus” is here used merely as a term of respect, much the 
 same as the “ master” of later centuries. It was especially applied to 
 priests,and appears under the corrupted form of “ Dan,” in the works of 
 Chaucer and Lydgate. 
 
 “ Locutorium.” This apartment in monasteries was so called from 
 he inmates meeting there to converse with one another, or with strangers ; 
 silence being by rule imposed in the other parts of the building. 
 
48 inguu'h’s history of the abeey of croylaxd. a.d. 870. 
 
 labour, cleared of its ruins, and cleansed from the ashes and other 
 unclean impurities, so far as the occasion would permit, they 
 next discussed among themselves the choice of a pastor. Ac¬ 
 cordingly, they proceeded to the election, and at length, by 
 the consent of all, the venerable father Godrie, though very 
 reluctant and making great opposition thereto, was elected 
 abbat. On this, the venerable old man, T'oret, prior of An- 
 carig, 50 as also liis sub-prior, the lord Tisa, both of them most 
 holy and most devout anchorites, came to him, and entreated 
 him that he would take with him some of the brethren, and 
 deign to go to Hedeshamsted, and bestow the kind offices of 
 Christian burial upon the bodies of their abbat and other 
 brethren, which were still lying unburied, a prey to birds and 
 wild beasts. 
 
 Accordingly, the venerable abbat Godrie hearkened to their 
 entreaties, and with many of the brethren, among whom was 
 brother Turgar, proceeded to Hedeshamsted, where they were 
 met by all the brethren from Ancarig. With much toil, all 
 the bodies of the monks of the said monastery, eighty-four in 
 number, were collected in the middle of the cemetery of the 
 monastery, opposite to what had formerly been the eastern 
 side of the church, and were there buried upon the feast of 
 Saint Cecilia the Virgin, in a single grave of very great extent, 
 which had been formed for that purpose. Godrie then placed 
 over the body of the abbat, as he lay at rest in the midst of 
 his sons, a pyramid of stone, three feet in height, three in 
 length, and one in breadth, on which was sculptured the effigy 
 of the abbat, surrounded by his monks. This spot, in me¬ 
 mory of the destroyed monastery, he ordered to be thence¬ 
 forth called Medeshamsted; and he visited it once each year, 
 during the remainder of his life, and, pitching his tent opposite! 
 the stone, celebrated masses, with unceasing devoutness, for two 
 days together, for the souls of the persons there interred. The 
 royal highway ran through the middle of the cemetery, having 
 the said stone on the right hand as you go up towards Hoy- 
 land 51 from the stone bridge before-mentioned, and on the left, 
 a cross of stone, in a similar manner sculptured with the 
 image of our Saviour, which the said abbat Godrie placed 
 
 50 This is the Saxon name of the Isle of Thorney. It is said to have 
 been so called from three anchorites who took up their abode there— 
 Thorncred, Thortred, and Bosa. 51 Now Holland. 
 
A.D. S71 • 
 
 BEO REED MARCHES TO LONDON. 
 
 49 
 
 there on the same occasion. This was so erected by him, 
 that travellers, as they passed by, bearing in mind that most 
 holy monastery, might offer up their prayers to the Lord for 
 the souls of the faithful who lay at rest in the cemetery, and 
 might at least, out of a feeling of reverence for Christ, abstain 
 from perpetrating offences and robberies within the ruins of 
 the walls of the monastery. 
 
 In the meantime, the Pagans, ravaging the provinces as far 
 as Grantebrige, 52 committed to the flames the most famous 
 [monastery] of nuns, situate in the Isle of Ely ; having first 
 ; cruelly murdered all the females as well as men that were to 
 i be found within the walls thereof, and then plundered it of 
 the property and immense wealth that had been brought 
 thither from all the [adjacent] country, in consequence of tbe 
 security supposed to be afforded by the spot. 
 
 Then passing into East Anglia, they engaged the most 
 valiant earl Wulketul, who met them with an armed force; 
 and after a stout resistance on his part, slew him and all his 
 troops. The most holy Edmund, also, the king of that part, 
 was taken prisoner by them; after which, binding him to a 
 stake as a mark for their arrows, these most blood-thirsty bar¬ 
 barians attacked him with their darts and arrows, and after 
 piercing him through and through with the most shocking 
 cruelty, decapitated him ; thus conferring upon him martyrdom 
 n the defence of his country. In this manner the whole of 
 Bast Anglia was gained by them ; and taking possession thereof, 
 ;hey remained there throughout the whole winter. 
 
 In the following year they proceeded onward to Wessex ; 
 out being met by king Ethelred and his brother Alfred, they 
 lad several severe engagements, attended with varying for- 
 unes. In these, however, after having slain some of their 
 rings, namely, Baseg and Orguil, and many of their earls, 
 i t among whom were the elder and the younger Sidroc, earl 
 o frena, earl Osbern, earl Harold, and earl Funge), together 
 vith a vast multitude of the Pagans, the Christians at last 
 , ame off victorious. 
 
 1( j In the meantime, Bcorred, king of the Mercians, was busily 
 ,i ngaged with the Britons, who, by their frequent irruptions, 
 .isquieted the western borders of his kingdom of Mercia; 
 [ nit, on hearing that the Danes were visiting the eastern dis- 
 62 Cambridge. 
 
 E 
 
50 INGULPH's HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROPLAND. A.D. S71. 
 
 tricts with dreadful havoc, he marched to London. Levying 
 a very considerable force, he passed through the eastern 
 parts of his kingdom, and reduced the whole of the Isle of Ely 
 to subjection ; he then proceeded into the country of the 
 Girvii, 63 and took possession of the whole of the lands be¬ 
 longing to the monastery of Medeshamsted, that is to say, all 
 those lying between Stamford, Huntingdon, and Wysebeck, 63 
 which had lately belonged to the said monastery. The more 
 remote lands belonging thereto, that lay scattered throughout the 
 country, he assigned to the stipendiaries of his army. This he 
 did also as to the monastery of Saint Pega, at Peykirk, of which 
 he retained a portion, and gave the rest to his soldiers. He 
 also did the same as to the lands of the monastery of Saint 
 Guthlac, at Croyland; some of which he distributed among his 
 stipendiary troops, while he himself took the others. 
 
 Although the venerable father [abbat] Godric exerted him¬ 
 self to the utmost, and repeatedly waited on the king and hit 
 thanes, and frequently showed to them the charters of tin 
 donors, and the confirmations thereof by the kings, togethei 
 with his own deed of confirmation, he received nothing ir 
 return but empty words, and at last quite despaired of al 
 success in his endeavours. Accordingly, perceiving that tin 
 times were evil, and that the wicked disposition of the kin< 
 was prompted by extreme avarice; he determined for th« 
 present to pass by these donations on part of the king ii 
 silence, and thenceforth to hold his peace and take no notici 
 of them until better times should arise ; being much pleased 
 and exulting that the royal favour had granted to him tin 
 whole of the island in his vicinity, free find absolved from al 
 the royal exactions, in much more special terms than had fallet, 
 to the lot of many other monasteries. 
 
 Consequently, the following possessions were at this perioi 
 withdrawn from the said monastery of Croyland, and up to th 
 present day have not been returned to it: the manor of Spal 
 dyng, which had been given to earl Ethelwulph, with all it 
 appurtenances ; the manor of Depyng, which had been give: 
 
 53 The Girvii here mentioned were probably the inhabitants of pat 
 of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire. The name is thought to hav 
 been derived from the British “ Gyrwys,” “drivers of cattle.” “ Gyrva 
 is the Saxon for marsh lands, and may possibly have given rise to th| 
 name. 44 \\ isbeach. 
 
a.d. 872. 
 
 KING IT n EL RED DIES. 
 
 51 
 
 to Langfer, the knight, and king’s pannier, 55 with all its ap¬ 
 purtenances ; the manor of Croxton, which had been given to 
 Fernod, the knight, and king’s standard bearer, with all its ap¬ 
 purtenances ; the manor of Kyrketon 56 and Kymerby in Lindc- 
 sey, which had been given to earl Turgot, with all its appur¬ 
 tenances. As for Bukenhale and Halyngton, which were then 
 tppropriated by the royal treasury, they were afterwards, 
 hrough the exertions of Turketul, the lord abbat of Croyland, 
 vnd the bounty of the most pious king Edred, the restorer 
 hereof, given back to the said monastery. In like manner, 
 til the other lands which had formerly belonged to Croyland, 
 tnd of which king Beorred had taken possession for his trea- 
 ury, that is to say, Cappelade, Sutterton, Langtoft, Boston, 
 tepyngale, Kyrkeby, Drayton, Thinning, Glaptliorn, Adyng- 
 on, Staundon, and Badby, were, by the favour of the re¬ 
 nowned king Edred, and the exertions of abbat Turketul, re- 
 ttored to Croyland. 
 
 i After this, king Beorred passed with his army into Lindesey, 
 nd added to his treasury the very extensive lands that had 
 itherto belonged to the monastery of Bardeney ; while those 
 lat were more distant, and lay divided in various districts, he 
 estowed upon his troops. 
 
 In the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 872, king 
 ithelred, after being greatly harassed by numerous battles 
 gainst the Danes, though he had always remained uncon- 
 uered, departed this life at Wimborne, and was buried 
 ;here]. He was succeeded on the throne by Alfred, his last 
 jrviving brother, and the youngest son of king Ethelwulph. 
 r aving formerly accompanied his father to Rome, he was 
 me anointed by pope Leo, and adopted as his son. On being 
 pw raised to the sovereignty, he had a most toilsome, though 
 orious reign of twenty-eight years. For, during nine years 
 gether, he was continually fighting with the Danes, and was. 
 pcatcdly deceived by their treacherous treaties, though he 
 ore than once took a most ample revenge on his deceivers. 
 
 At last, however, he was reduced to such straits, that, with 
 e greatest difficulty retaining the three districts of Hamp- 
 ire, Wiltshire, and Somerset, in their allegiance to him, he 
 
 30 “ Panetarius,” a “ baker,” or “ server out of breadIn the latter 
 hse, the word “ pannier” is still used in the inns of court. 
 
 56 Now Kyrton. 
 
 E 2 
 
52 ingulph’s history of the abbey of CROYI.AXD. A.D. 872. 
 
 took refuge in a certain island in Somerset, called Ethelingey, 
 where he built a castle, which, in remembrance of his stay 
 there, he afterwards, for the exaltation of the Holy Church, 
 changed into a monastery of monks. 
 
 Here, on one occasion, after sending the whole of his re¬ 
 tainers to fish in the adjoining marshes, being left alone, and 
 cither intent upon reading some holy subject or the exploits of 
 illustrious men, or else, according to his usual custom, poring 
 over the annals of his ancestors, he heard a poor man knocking 
 at the door, and begging him, for the mercy of God, to give 
 him some food: upon which, calling his mother, 57 who then 
 happened to be staying with him and was close at hand, he 
 bade her go to the pantry, and, for the love of Christ, fetch 
 something for the poor Christian. Doing as she was requested, 
 she found but a single loaf in the pantry ; on which, she told 
 him, that less than that would not suffice for his retainers, 
 who were shortly about to return from fishing. The king 
 hearing this, (so great a scarcity was there, forsooth, of bread in 
 the royal store!) returned most devout thanks to God, and 
 immediately ordered one half to be given to the poor Christian, 
 and added: “ Blessed is God in His gifts: He is all-powerful 
 infinitely to increase the half of this loaf, if such is the will of 
 Him, who was able with five loaves and two fishes to satisfy 
 five thousand men.” 
 
 Upon this, he dismissed the poor man ; and, whether through 
 weariness arising from his anxieties, or whether from being 
 long intent upon his reading, fell asleep for a short time; ■ 
 whereupon, in a vision, he saw the apparition of Saint Cuth- 
 bert, the bishop, as though sent from God, and heard him speak 
 in the following terms; “Pious king Alfred, the Lord hath 
 been moved with compassion at the miseries of the English, 
 who have long and bitterly lamented their sins. Even this 
 very day, under the form of a poor man, hath He made trial of 
 thy long-suffering; and having most graciously received of thy 
 generosity when so greatly in want of bread, He hath through 
 me made promise unto thee, that thou who now art a wretched 
 exile, shalt before long be the conqueror of thine enemies, and 
 slialt exult on the throne of thy kingdom. And this shall 
 be the sign unto thee, that although the winter’s ice just no tv 
 throws the greatest difficulties in the way of the fisherman’s art, 
 57 Judith, his step-mother, and widow of his brother Ethelbald. 
 
a.d. 874 . 
 
 DEATH OF KING BEORRED. 
 
 still, thy retainers, sent forth to fish in the marshes, shall satisfy 
 all their desires, and shall, by the Divine guidance, about the 
 third hour of the day, bring unto thy palace a wonderful supply 
 of fish.” So saying, the Saint disappeared; on which, the king 
 awoke, and relating his vision to his mother, upon enquiry, 
 found, by her answers, that she had fallen asleep in her chair 
 at the same hour, and had seen the same vision, the same holy 
 bishop making his appearance to her in a similar manner. 
 While they were conversing, the fishermen returned from the 
 marshes, and brought in a quantity of fish, so vast, that it was 
 thought it would have proved sufficient for a large army. 
 
 Not long after this, the king, pretending to be a minstrel, 
 took his harp, and entered the tents of the Danes; and thus 
 getting admission to the most secret places, learned all the 
 plans of the enemy, and, after satisfying all his wishes, re¬ 
 turned safe and unrecognized to Ethelingey. Then, assembling 
 his army, he suddenly attacked the enemy, and routed them 
 with incredible slaughter. King Godroun, whom we call 
 Gurmound, with a great multitude of the nobles and common 
 people, was taken prisoner; on which, he received baptism, 
 and was raised from the holy font by the king, who, as a mark 
 of his bounty, bestowed upon him East Anglia, that is to say, 
 Norfolk, as a residence for him and his followers. The rest 
 who refused to be baptized, abjured England, and repaired by 
 ship to Erance. 
 
 In the meantime, while king Alfred was still staying at 
 Ethelingey, the Pagans, in the year of our Lord, 874, returned 
 to Mercia, and wintered at Itepton, where they levelled to the 
 ground that most famous monastery, the sacred mausoleum of 
 all the kings of the Mercians. On this, king Beorred, after a 
 reign of twenty-two years, seeing the whole territory of Eng¬ 
 land laid waste with slaughter and rapine, in every corner 
 thereof, either despairing of victory, or else, wearied by such 
 a labyrinth of difficulties, left the kingdom, and repaired to 
 Home; where he died a few days after his arrival, and was 
 buried in the school of the English there. The wife soon 
 ifollowed the husband, as she died on her way to Home, and 
 was buried at Ticinum. 48 
 
 He was succeeded on the throne of the Mercians by one of 
 the servants of king Beorred, Ceolwulph by name, who was 
 58 Or Pavia. 
 
54 ikgulph’s history or the abbey of croylaxd. 
 
 A. Da 874 . 
 
 elected by the Danes, an Englishman hy birth, hut a barbarian 
 in impiety. He had sworn fealty to the Danes, and that he 
 would faithfully pay the tribute imposed by them, and would, 
 under penalty of forfeiture of his life, without any difficulty 
 on his part, deliver up to them the kingdom, whensoever they 
 should demand restitution thereof. Accordingly, making a 
 circuit of the land, the few rustics that were left behind he 
 stripped 59 of their money, swallowed up the merchants, op¬ 
 pressed the widows and orphans, and inflicted on all the re¬ 
 ligious innumerable torments, on the pretext that they were 
 acquainted with the concealment of hidden treasures. 
 
 Hence it was, that, among the numerous misdeeds of which 
 he was guilty, he imposed upon the venerable Godric, the 
 abbat of Croyland, and his wretched brethren, a tax of one 
 thousand pounds, and nearly reduced the monastery of Croy¬ 
 land to a state of utter destitution. For, from this time 
 forward, in consequence of the extreme poverty of the place, 
 no one was willing to embrace the monastic life there. 
 
 Accordingly, the abbat Godric, being unable to support those 
 of his people who had made profession, dispersed many of the 
 monks among their kinsmen and other friends of the monas¬ 
 tery- throughout the whole country ; while some few, remaining 
 with him, dragged on their existence amid the greatest poverty. 
 On this occasion, all the chalices of the monastery, with the 
 exception of three, and the whole of the silver vessels, except 
 the erucibolum of king "Wichtlaf, with the rest of the jewels, 
 which were of great value, were either coined into money or 
 else sold for money; though these were hardly able to satisfy 
 the insatiate maw of the kingling Ceolwulph. At length, 
 however, he was deposed by his masters the Danes, who 
 herein acted with the greatest justice ; and being stripped 
 stark naked, with nothing to cover his shame, he ended his life 
 by a wretched death. 
 
 At this time also, king Alfred prevailing against the Danes, 
 the kingdom of the Mercians was joined to his kingdom of 
 "Wessex, and has remained so united up to the present day. 
 Thus ended the kingdom of the Mercians, which had lasted 
 from the first year of Penda, its first king, until the last mo¬ 
 ments of this wretched deputy kingling Ceolwulph, a period of 
 about two hundred and thirty years. 
 
 59 “ Excoriavit.” This seems a toore probable meaning of the word 
 here, than “ flayed them alive.” 
 
A.D. 871. 
 
 CHARACTER OF KING ALFRED. 
 
 55 
 
 All the Danes being now either subjugated or expelled, king 
 Alfred repaired his cities and castles, constructed towers and 
 fortifications in the most suitable places, and, changing the 
 entire face of the country very much for the better, rendered 
 it insuperable by the barbarians, through its walled cities, and 
 its other well-fortified places. Prescribing also for himself a 
 life regulated by rule, each day, beginning early in the morn¬ 
 ing, he devoted eight hours to the worship of God; [another 
 | eight hours he devoted to the affairs of the kingdom ; while 
 ; the last eight hours of the natural day, he bestowed on the 
 i care of his body.J For he kept in his chapel a wax taper 
 i continually burning before the relics of the Saints, which 
 was divided into equal proportions, the same being three 
 ' periods of eight hours each. He also appointed a servant, 
 whose duty it was, as each of these portions was consumed 
 and finished, in a loud voice, acting in place of a clock, to 
 warn the king of the portion about to succeed. A wax taper 
 !j being thus consumed each day, a fresh one was lighted early 
 in the morning; and this was repeated every day. Full of 
 devoutness, and prostrate at the feet of the Saints, he held 
 Saint Neot, and Saint Werfred, bishop of Worcester, who, by 
 the king’s command, had translated the books of the Dialogues 
 of pope Gregory into the Saxon tongue, in the greatest 
 veneration. 
 
 Of holy books and sacred reading he was so assiduous a 
 student, that he always carried with him in his bosom the 
 , Psalter of David, or else some other edifying work. Sending 
 for the most learned men from foreign lands, after retaining 
 ' them some time with him in his palace for the purpose of 
 studying the Holy Scriptures, he would afterwards promote 
 them to various prelacies and dignities. Hence it was, that, 
 having invited from France Saint Grimbald, who was extremely 
 | well skilled in the musical art, and most profoundly versed in 
 [ithe Holy Scriptures, he appointed him abbat of his new mo¬ 
 nastery, which he had built at Winchester. In like manner, 
 he invited over John, surnamed the Scot, a philosopher of 
 j! most subtle genius, from old Saxony, and made him prelate of 
 his monaster}’ at Ethelingey. Both these most learned doctors 
 were of the rank of priests, and most holy monks by profes- 
 I sion. 60 He also summoned Athelstan and Wcrwulph from 
 
 60 Or had taken the threefold vow, of obedience to God, chastity, and 
 poverty. 
 
56 INGULPh’s HISTORY OF the aebey of cropland. A.D. 874. 
 
 Mercia to liis court, both of them most learned priests; as 
 also Plegmund, afterwards promoted to be archbishop of Can¬ 
 terbury, and Asker, 61 abbat of Bangor, and afterwards bishop 
 of Sherburn, most celebrated doctors of those times, whom he 
 added to the number of his retainers. Enjoying for some 
 time in his palace the acquaintanceship and learned discourse 
 of all these men, he arrived at a profound knowledge of all 
 the liberal arts. 
 
 He was also most skilful and sagacious in the management 
 of the affairs of his kingdom. For, following the example of 
 the Hanes, and under colour of being persons of that nation, 
 some of the natives even had begun to disturb the peace of 
 the country by acts of robbery and rapine ; on which, the king, 
 feeling desirous to restrain and put an end to excesses of this 
 nature, was the first who changed the districts and provinces 
 throughout all England into counties. These counties again 
 he divided into centuries, that is to say into “ hundreds;” and 
 into “ tenths,” 62 or, in other words, into “ tritliings;” so that 
 every lawful and native-born person was a member of some 
 century and trithing; and if any one was suspected of rob¬ 
 bery, he was either condemned by his century or decury, or 
 else bailed, 63 and thus either received his merited punishment 
 or escaped it. The prefects of provinces, who before had the 
 name of “ Vice-domini he divided into two classes, that is to 
 say into judges, whom we now call “justiciaries,” and into 
 “ Vice-comites” [Shire-reeves], who still retain that name. 
 Through the exertions and industry of these persons, in a 
 short time peace flourished throughout the whole land to such 
 a degree, that if a traveller in the evening left any sum of 
 money, however large, in the fields and the public highways, 
 whether he returned next morning, or whether a month after, 
 he was sure to find it safe and untouched. 
 
 In the division of his own household he used the same plan 
 as Havid and Solomon. For, dividing his household into 
 three companies,, he appointed a chief over each; and each i 
 
 61 More generally called “Asser.” He is supposed to have been the 
 author of a Life of king Alfred, which is still extant. 
 
 6 - Called by some of the chroniclers “ tementale,” or “ tenementale.” 
 
 63 “ Invadiatur.” This was said of a person who, having been accused I 
 of some crime not fully proved, was “ sub debita fidejussione,” and was 
 obliged to find persons to act as his sureties. 
 
A.D. 900. 
 
 DEATH OF ALFItEO. 
 
 57 
 
 chief, with his company, had the keeping of the palace in the 
 king’s service for the space of one month. Then, after the 
 completion of his month, going to his own lands with his 
 company, for the space of two months he attended to his own 
 business; while, in the meantime, in succession to him, a 
 second chief served for one month, and then a third chief for 
 mother month in the royal palace, By this means, each com¬ 
 pany in succession had leisure for the space of two months to 
 ittend to its own affairs. 
 
 Being endowed with this prudence of character, and thus 
 profoundly skilled in literature, when, thirteen years after, the 
 fanes had been expelled from France by the emperor Arnulph, 
 ind were again inundating England, he conquered them in 
 wery engagement, with much greater ease than he had for¬ 
 ti eriy done. For, in consequence of their wars with the 
 Franks; they were considerably weakened, and were less 
 Jictive in their inroads, while he, on the other hand, both in 
 i roops and in strength was far better prepared, and showed 
 nore skill in effectually resisting them. In addition to this, the 
 country was strengthened by means of walled cities and for- 
 ' ified towers, and thus manifested a considerable improvement 
 iom its former state. Accordingly, the Danes being easily 
 I cpulsed and quickly overpowered, they took refuge among 
 heir countrymen in Northumbria and Norfolk. 
 
 King Alfred, who was always intent upon the bounteous 
 lestowal of alms and other good deeds, departed this life in 
 he twenty-ninth year of his reign, and was buried at Win- 
 hester. He was succeeded on the throne by his son Edward, 
 fterwards called “ the Elder,” because several of the same 
 ame reigned after him, and he was the first of that name ; 
 is father’s inferior in literary merit, but greatly his superior 
 a the glory of his reign. For he took into his own hands the 
 rovince of Mercia from duke Ethelred, to whpm his father 
 ad previously entrusted it, together with the hand of his 
 aughter, and in war subdued Norfolk, Northumbria, Scotland, 
 nd Wales; and, expelling the Pagans from all the walled 
 ities and castles, introduced Christians in their room. 
 
 In this he was greatly assisted by his sister Ethelileda, the 
 slict of Ethelred, the former duke of London, a heroine en- 
 owed with the greatest wisdom, and deserving to be preferred 
 ) the Amazons of ancient times. For, when in labour- with 
 
58 iNGrirn’s distort of the abbet of croylaxd. a.d. 94 
 
 her only child, suffering considerable pain, in her indign 
 tion she took so great an aversion to all carnal intercom's 
 that from that time forward she never returned to her hu 
 hand's bed, but maintained the strictest chastity. From hi 
 being continually occupied in building cities, fortifying castle 
 and leading armies, you might have supposed that she h; 
 changed her very sex. King Edward died in the twenty-thii 
 year of his reign, and was interred with his father ; 
 Winchester. 
 
 He was succeeded by Atlielstan, his eldest son ; again 
 whom the Hanes of Northumbria and Norfolk entered into 
 confederacy, which was joined by Constantine, king of tl 
 Scots, and many others ; on which, he levied an army and It 
 it into Northumbria. On his way, he was met by many pi 
 grims returning homeward from Beverley; informed by who:| 
 statements relative to the miracles of Saint John, with gre;j 
 devoutness he paid a visit to that Saint. He also offered h 
 poniard upon the holy altar, and made a promise that, on h 
 return, if the Lord should grant him the victory over h 
 enemies, he would redeem the said poniard at a suitable price 
 which he accordingly did. For, the Lord granting him tl 
 victory, the king redeemed his poniard by granting the immii 
 liities which that place at present enjoys, and enriched it ini 
 mensely, to the honor of God, with numerous other present^ 
 In the battle that was fought on this occasion, there fell Coil 
 stantine, king of the Scots, and five other kings, twelve earl; 
 and an infinite number of the lower classes, on the side of tl 
 barbarians. 
 
 This war being brought to a prosperous conclusion, thei 
 was no one who dared after this in any way to offend tl 
 king. Being now intent on bestowing his sisters in marriag* 
 he laboured to improve the condition, and promote the interesi 
 of all the monasteries of England, old as well as new, by b( 
 stowing on them some special gift or other. Thus, sendin 
 for Godric to court, the abbat of Croyland, (who was still sm 
 viving, though weighed down with extreme old age,) togetlu 
 with the rest of his brethren, who were then reduced froi 
 twenty-eight to seven in number, he proposed to restore tl 
 monastery of Croyland. Being prevented, however, by a premi 
 ture death, he left it to his brother to carry out his intentioi 
 relative thereto; for he departed this life in the sixteent 
 year of his reign, and was buried at Malmesbury. 
 
I a.d. 946. 
 
 KIXG ED BED SUCCEEDS. 
 
 •59 
 
 i His brother Edmund, a youth eighteen years of age, succeeded 
 
 • him, and reigned six years and a half. In the same year, 
 T Godric, abbat of Croyland, died, and within a month after his 
 : decease, two aged men followed him, that is to say, brother 
 ! Sweyrn and brother Osgot; on which there remained only five 
 1 old men, brother Clarenbald, brother Swartting, brother 
 1 Turgar, brother Brune, and brother Aio. The two last, seeing 
 
 • that king Athelstan, their patron, and Godric their abbat, had 
 departed this life, and quite despairing of any relief for their 
 monastery, and of keeping up the succession of spiritual sons, 
 
 ! abandoned the society of their brethren, and took their depar¬ 
 ture, the first to the monastery of Winchester, the second to 
 that of Malmesbury ; and were received into those respective 
 
 -'convents, where they remained some years. 
 
 *f But the holy trinity of the three brethren who remained at 
 ■Croyland always put its trust in the Lord, that some day, 
 'mindful of His mercies, He would send them a saviour, w r ho 
 J would restore to its former state a place so holy, and which 
 -♦contained the sacred relics of its most holy confessor, Guthlac; 
 
 1 and so render this most holy monastery fruitful with spiritual 
 ■'offspring, and again, at His good will, assemble together their 
 brethren thus dispersed. At this time, king Edmund bestowed 
 -upon Saint Hunstan, who was then his priest, the monastery 
 : of Glastonbury, which was in a ruinous state, and occupied 
 by a few clerks only, with all the appurtenances thereof, for 
 the purpose of being rebuilt, the order of monks being invited 
 |r :o return, which had been previously established there. Go¬ 
 ing to Fleury, Dunstan became a monk there, and after he had 
 fully learned the regular observances, bade adieu to the bre¬ 
 thren, and returned to Glastonbury, where, being made abbat, 
 f md receiving other brethren of his order, in a short time he 
 dissembled a most holy community. Just when the mostillus- 
 rious youth, king Edmund, was purposing to place Croyland 
 n the hands of some influential man, who was a lover of holy 
 i "eligion, for the purpose of raising the same out of the ashes 
 ► >f its desolation, by a sudden misfortune he was slain—oh 
 jrievous mishap !—by a certain robber/ 4 at Puckle-Chyrclie, 
 md his body was buried at Glastonbury, 
 i He was succeeded on the throne by his brother Edred, the 
 hird son of king Edward, who reigned nine years. In the 
 01 Named Leolf. 
 
60 ingulph’s history of the abbey of cropland. a.d. 946. 
 
 second year of his reign, the Northumbrians, electing a certain 
 Hircius as their king, gave symptoms of rebellion ; and Wul- 
 stan, the archbishop of York, being known to sympathize with 
 their rebellious designs, the renowned king Edred sent thither 
 his chancellor, Turketul by name (a man of the greatest pru¬ 
 dence, and an observer of all probity and justice—one, too, 
 who was nearly akin to himself by blood, being the son oi 
 Cilward, his late uncle, and the holder of a very rich prebend in 
 the said church of York), and urgently, and in friendly terms, 
 entreated him to maintain his fidelity to him, and to think of 
 the preservation of the kingdom. 
 
 Accordingly, the venerable chancellor set out on this royal 
 business, attended by a large retinue of horsemen. He was 
 a person of most noble birth, and descended of the blood royal, 
 very wealthy in estates and most ample possessions, and, be¬ 
 sides, the lord of sixty manors. The Divine grace directing 
 his steps, he proceeded, on the road to York, by the monastery 
 of Croyland. It being his intention to pass on, the three 
 venerable men before-named, belonging to the said monastery, 
 went forth to meet him, and after many entreaties, as the day 
 was now drawing to a close, prevailed upon him to enter. 
 They then conducted him to prayers in their little oratory, 
 which they had constructed in a corner of the ruined church; 
 and showing him the relics of the most holy confessor, 
 Guthlac, related to him the whole story of their ruin and de¬ 
 solate condition. Doing moved to compassion by an intense 
 feeling of piety, he listened most devoutly to the whole of 
 their narrative. 
 
 After this, the old men, receiving their noble guest in their 
 poor retreat with the greatest [humility and] attentiveness, 
 offered all theprovisions they had, their two mites, 65 but accom¬ 
 panied with the most liberal spirit, to his servants and cooks, in 
 order to make ready thei r master’s repast; though the supply was 
 anything but suitable for that purpose, and greatly insufficient 
 for the wants of such a vast retinue. They felt anxious, to 
 the best of their ability, and, indeed, beyond their ability, to 
 make their holy guest pleased and delighted, and to induce him 
 to entertain such kindliness of feeling towards them as to deign 
 to be an intercessor in their behalves with their lord the king; 
 
 65 Alluding to the offering of the poor widow. St. Mark xii. 42;! 
 and St. Luke xxi. ‘2. 
 
A.D. 9-16. 
 
 TUEKETTJIi VISITS CE0YLAXD. 
 
 61 
 
 and so cause the rebuilding of their church to he carried out, 
 which had been for some time intended by his brother, the 
 renowned king Athelstan, if his life had been prolonged, or 
 else procure the bestowal of some other favour, by way of an 
 alms-deed, for the good of his own soul. 
 
 The venerable chancellor greatly commiserated the misfortunes 
 of so noble a monastery, and appreciated to bis inmost vitals the 
 courtesy of the old men; he also gave his assent to their 
 entreaties, and agreed to intercede for them, while,at the same 
 time he promised to give them some assistance [on his return] 
 from his own private purse. 
 
 Accordingly, on his departure, early in the morning, he 
 commanded his servants to leave provisions sufficient for the 
 old men until his return, and ordered them to give one 
 hundred shillings for the purchase of other necessaries; and 
 at length, on bidding them adieu with many tears, com¬ 
 mended himself to their prayers. From that day [and 
 thenceforward] his heart became attached to these old men, 
 and to the monastery of Croyland, with an affection so ardent 
 and so inseparable, that every day, during the remainder of 
 his journey, whoever met him, whether on the road or whether 
 at the inns, he would enlarge upon the courtesy of the old 
 men of Croyland, extol their sanctity, proclaim his affection 
 for them, and deplore their calamity. From him, on this 
 occasion, it first took its rise, that Croyland received the sur¬ 
 name of “ Curteys.”^ 6 
 
 The venerable Turketul, having now arrived at York, carried 
 out the orders of the king, his master, with great care and 
 prudence, with regard to the archbishop and all the people of 
 the city; after which he returned by way of Croyland, and, 
 being guided by the Holy Spirit, again turned aside to take 
 up his abode, himself and his retinue, with the same old men. 
 Being received with extreme gladness, he again consoled them 
 with promises of support, and reminding them that the hand 
 of the Lord was always powerful and ready to aid His people, 
 promised them that they would receive the Divine assistance 
 before long. Then giving twenty pounds of silver to the old 
 inen, he set out early in the morning, on his return to the king, 
 pis master. 
 
 After he had fully informed the king on the answer given 
 156 “ The courteous.” It still retains this title in several proverbial say- 
 ngs. See Notes and Queries, vol. vi. p. 281, 350. 
 
62 IXGULPh’s HISTOBY OF THE ABBEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 946. 
 
 by the archbishop of York and the people of that city, having 
 first invoked the aid of the Holy Spirit, he very adroitly 
 turned the conversation to the subject of repairing the ruins 
 of the monastery of Croyland. When his chancellor and 
 especial adviser had made an end of discoursing on this sub¬ 
 ject to the king, the latter at once gratuitously gave his con¬ 
 sent thereto; but stated that he should defer carrying out 
 his intentions, until, by the aid of the Divine grace, he had 
 brought to a prosperous issue a very fierce war in which he 
 was then engaged; for that then he should have leisure to 
 bestow his attention on matters of that nature, and to promote 
 the good of the Church of Christ, everywhere throughout his 
 kingdom, to the utmost of his ability. 
 
 To this the chancellor made answer:—“ My lord, those I 
 most valiant kings, your predecessors and my masters, your two 
 brothers, wrought many good works in their days to the honor: 
 of God and the exaltation of Holy Mother Church : and in 
 return for such good works, the Lord God, who is a most just 
 judge, both gave them the victory over all their enemies, and 1 
 caused them to abound in all good things. So likewise will 
 you, if you believe me, by your meritorious works, most wor¬ 
 thy of their reward, lay God under an obligation to you; and 
 thus, protected by the prayers of the Saints, and aided by 
 the favour of the heavenly powers, you will go forth to your i 
 battles with a more easy conscience when it shall please you 
 so to do.” 
 
 To this, and more to the like purpose, the venerable chan¬ 
 cellor having, in friendly conversation with the king, fre¬ 
 quently given utterance, he at length prevailed upon the 
 king, his master, and induced him to say, using the words of 
 the Gospel: “ ‘ Set a watch upon them,’ and take under your 
 care the old men and that place, as you know how to do : for 
 my hand shall be with you always, if in any way you stand! 
 in need of my assistance.” This answer he received as though 
 an oracle from God and proceeding from the shrine of the I 
 Holy Spirit, and understanding in no other sense these God¬ 
 like 67 words, he shortly after publicly promised that he would 1 
 become a monk there, and requested, with feelings of the 
 greatest devoutness, that the royal favour might be accorded 
 
 67 This seems to be the meaning of “ theoricus” here, though it is 
 somewhat doubtful. 
 
\.d. 94G. 
 
 TURKETUL BECOMES A MONK. 
 
 63 
 
 :o his design. The king, on hearing of this, wondered at 
 it beyond measure, and tried every way to dissuade him there- 
 rom, especially as he was now verging on old age, and, having 
 been reared in affluence, had not been previously practically 
 icquainted with the austerities of a religious life ; besides, 
 svhen the most urgent interests of the kingdom w r ere at stake, 
 ind every thing depended upon himself and his aid and 
 iounsel, he ought, with good reason, to hesitate before he perilled 
 he welfare of the kingdom. 
 
 To this the chancellor replied, “My lord king, [hitherto] 
 ' have fought for my masters, your brothers and yourself, 
 is God, who knoweth all things, is my witness, to the very 
 >est of my ability; henceforth, at least in my old age, let 
 r our clemency permit me to serve the Lord God, for the well- 
 ieing of your soul. As for my advice, and all the endeavours 
 f which my humble means will allow, so long as life shall 
 till exist in this poor body of mine, the same shall ever be 
 fforded, without hesitation, for the promotion of your in¬ 
 terests ; but may your highness deign to know this of a cer- 
 lin truth, that from this time forward, my hand shall touch 
 o warlike weapon.” The most pious king, on hearing this, 
 vas deeply affected, and, perceiving that every day his holy 
 spirations waxed stronger in the Lord, dreaded to quench 
 he Holy Spirit, (for he was a king of the purest conscience, to 
 degree beyond all his predecessors); but one day he called him 
 side into his secret chamber, where, falling at the feet of his 
 prvant, with many tears he supplicated and entreated him to 
 die compassion on him, and not forsake him in the day of 
 ’is tribulation. On this, the chancellor, seeing his master, the 
 ing of all England, on the ground at his feet, threw himself 
 pon the ground, and, with sighs and sobs innumerable, im- 
 lored him to take pity on him; and at last, after adjuring him 
 'om his heart, by Saint Paul (for whom the king always enter- 
 lined special veneration), prevailed upon him, and obtained 
 le object of his desire. Accordingly, both arose from the 
 round, and fixed upon a day on which to go to Croyland, 
 lad respectively fulfil their holy vows, in the safest and most 
 scorning manner they could possibly devise. 
 
 In the course of a few days after this, the king consenting 
 lereto, the venerable chancellor Turketul caused proclama- 
 on to be made throughout the midst of London by the voice 
 
64 ixgulph’s histoby of the abbey of ceoylaxd. a.d. 946 
 
 of a herald, that if he was indebted to any person, he wa: 
 ready, at a certain place and day named, to pay the same ii 
 full; and if he had done an injury to any man, he promisee 
 that he would, like another Zacchseus, make threefold satisfac 
 tion, and would fully make good the loss he had so occasioned 
 in such manner as was demanded by the exigencies of law am 
 justice. Accordingly, the whole of his creditors and debtor: 
 being satisfied, he transferred his sixty manors to his lord tin 
 king, always reserving the tenth manor for the service o 
 Christ his Master. Thus he reserved those six manors out of th< 
 sixty which he possessed, which were nearest to Croyland 
 namely, Wendlingburgh, Elmyngton, Wor thorp, Cotenham 
 Hokyngton and Beby ; the rest he gave to the king. 
 
 Having come with the king to Croyland on the vigil of the 
 Assumption of Saint Mary, he shortly after sent messenger:, 
 to Winchester and Malmesbury in the king’s name, for the tw< 
 brethren, Brune and Aio. Hearing that the Lord had lookec 
 down from heaven upon Croyland, with feelings of joy am 
 gladness they returned to their monastery, and arriving tlier< 
 on the vigil of Saint Bartholomew, their patron, were receiver 
 by their brethren with great manifestations of joy. For the\ 
 were both of them most learned men, and distinguished fo; 
 their probity and piety of character. On the following day 
 namely, on the feast of the holy Apostle, the venerable Tur 
 ketul laid aside the secular habit, and assumed the monastii 
 garb amid the five old men before-named; and, after bein', 
 presented by the king with the pastoral staff, received the 
 benediction in due ecclesiastical form from Ceolwulph, bishoj 
 of Dorchester, his diocesan, who was then present. 
 
 On the same day, at the king’s desire, and by the advice o 
 those learned in the law, in order that for the future the\ 
 might stand on a stronger foundation against the violence o 
 the wicked, the venerable abbat Turketul, and his five ageq 
 monks before-named, spontaneously and entirely resigned inti 
 the hands of their lord the king the whole of their monastery 
 together with all the lands, tenements, goods and chattels fi 
 it belonging. The king, receiving the whole thereof into 
 his possession, on the next day hired carpenters and masons 
 and appointed a certain clerk of his household, Egelric b; 
 name, a near relation of his, and a kinsman of the lord abbat \ 
 Turketul, as superintendent of the workmen, and the whol 
 
x.d. 948. 
 
 CHARTER OF KING EDEED. 
 
 65 
 
 place ; while in the most generous manner he gave directions 
 hat the expenses should be paid out of his treasury, and that 
 the wood and stone should be procured from out of the neigh¬ 
 bouring woods and quarries, which then belonged to his royal 
 nanor of Castre. 68 He giving his most diligent attention to 
 he work with the most unconquerable resolution, in a short 
 ime the church was built, and the cloisters, together with the 
 >ther requisite buildings, erected; and for his diligence, he 
 vas deemed deserving of thanks from the king, and of bless- 
 ngs from God. 
 
 Immediately after the king had appointed workmen for each 
 >f the works, and had set his faithful clerk before-named over 
 he said workmen, the day now approaching for holding the 
 ouncil which he had appointed to be held at London on the 
 mblic affairs of the kingdom, he took with him the venerable 
 bbat Turketul, together with the two old men his monks, 
 ’urgar and Aio, and on the feast of Saint Augustin, the bishop 
 nd excellent doctor, returned to London. 
 
 On the feast of the Nativity of the blessed Mary, when all the 
 obles of the kingdom had been summoned by the royal edict, 
 oth archbishops as well as bishops and abbats, as also the 
 ther men of rank and dignitaries throughout the kingdom, 
 nd they had assembled in London for the purpose of treating 
 f the public affairs of the whole kingdom ; after all the busi- 
 ess was concluded, in presence of all, king Edred sent for 
 'urketul, the lord abbat, and his monks, and gave the monas- 
 2 ry of Croyland by his charter, in terms suggested by the 
 lid abbat Turketul, his former chancellor and most confidential 
 dviser, which were to the following effect: 09 
 
 “ Peace in the name of the supreme Trinity, the Father, the 
 on, and the Holy Ghost, Amen. I, Edred, an earthly king, 
 nder the imperial power of the eternal King and everlasting 
 rince, and holding the temporal government of Great Britain, 
 
 > all Christians, both present as well as to come, the blessing 
 T salvation through Him who is the Author of our salvation, 
 je it known unto all of you, that, at the devout suggestion, and 
 ; the repeated entreaties by Turketul, the beloved clerk and 
 \y kinsman, to me made, upon the repair, restoration, and 
 
 68 Probably Caistor. 
 
 69 This charter is regarded by Hickes, in his Thesaurus Ling. Sept, 
 ref. p. xxviii. as spurious.' 
 
 F 
 
 
66 IXGULPll’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 941 
 
 liberties of the holy church and monastery of Croyland, i 
 which lie interred the relics of the holy confessor and anchc 
 rite, Saint Guthlac, I felt no slight sorrow and compassio) 
 both for the spoiling of Holy Mother Church, as also for tl 
 diminution of the spiritual benefits wnich, manifold in numbe 
 had oftentimes been bestowed in works of mercy for the goc 
 of the souls of my ancestors. At the same time, I called 
 mind that a convent of Black Monks, of the order of Saint Ben 
 diet, had been, in former times, there founded by a noble king 
 the Mercians, Ethelbald by name, the son of Alwy, amply ei 
 riehed, and abundantly provided with royal privileges; the san 
 being fully proved to my satisfaction by inspection of tl 
 charters of the said Ethelbald, made for the seciuity of tl 
 said monks. • But after the lapse of many ages, the same In 
 been laid waste by the army of the Pagans, and had been buri 
 with fire and utterly consumed, together with all the decor 
 tions and many of the archives thereof. Wherefore, the befor 
 named Turketul, who, conformably with the prophetic words 
 the Psalmist, 70 ‘ has hated the congregation of evil-doers, ar 
 has loved the habitation of the house of the Lord,’ being st 
 mulated with pious desires, is endeavouring with the utmo] 
 zeal to repair and rebuild the same. This man is so inflamt 
 with ardour for the Divine love, that both in heart and in boo. 
 he continually strives to devote himself to the welfare of tl 
 sheep-fold of Christ. "Wherefore, the five aged monks wl 
 lay concealed in the said island, of whom two have recent 
 returned from being dispersed in other parts, being informo 
 thereon by the judgment of the said Turketul and others learnt 
 in the law, and greatly fearing the losses and various expens, 
 which might at future times unexpectedly arise, have fir 
 entirely and spontaneously resigned the whole abbey, togeth t 
 with all its possessions which have been obtained and recoven i 
 by the care of the said Turketul, or which have been by n 
 favour acquired, together with six manors of his heredity 
 possessions, into my [royal] hands, that by means of my fresj 
 bestowal thereof they might hereafter enjoy a more assure 
 and more free possession thereof. But inasmuch as a contraq 
 made in words only, may easily escape the memoiy, and so b,:{ 
 come matter of litigation, unless at the same time protectio 
 is afforded by a writing which shall lastingly bear witness 
 70 Psalm xxvi. 5. 8. 
 
s.d. 918. 
 
 CHARTEE OF KING EDRETi. 
 
 67 
 
 the transaction, for this reason it is that I do by my gratuitous 
 ;onsent and assent appoint the said Turketul so often named, 
 vho has novc assumed the monastic habit and joined the monks 
 iforesaid, to be abbat of the said monastery; and both the 
 bbey, as also all the possessions so recovered and surrendered 
 o me, I do, of my royal gift, convey, give, and confirm hence- 
 orth for ever, as a pure alms-gift, unto the said monks and all 
 heir successors in the same place, underthe same rule and habit 
 erving God; and do determine to set forth the several par- 
 iculars thereof in manner following, that is to say : 
 
 “ In the first place, the whole island of Croyland, as the 
 lebe of the church and as the several site of the said monas- 
 cry, the same being distinguished by the following boundaries, 
 amely; from the triangular 71 bridge of Croyland along the 
 iver Welland in the direction of Spaldelyng, as far as Asendyk, 
 here the Asendyk falls into the river Welland, on the northern 
 de of the stone cross there erected by Turketul before-named, 
 hence in an easterly direction by the Asendyk, as far as 
 swyktoft; and thence by the Shepishee on the eastern side of 
 le said island, as far as Tedwarthar; and thence from the en- 
 ance of the Southee, as far as isanianlandhirne, where the said 
 urketul has ordered a stone cross to be erected, distant from 
 mthee six perches: by which river a division is made of the 
 do counties of Lincoln and Grantebrige ; 72 the said cross being 
 ; stant from the river None, which lies to the west thereof, five 
 - relies; and thence along the said river Aene, as the same 
 : ns to the above-mentioned bridge of Croyland; with several 
 ficary, both in all the waters surrounding the said island, as 
 no in the lakes and marshes situate within the said site: to¬ 
 other with the marshes and plantations of alders thereto ad- 
 j ning, on the west, and opposite to the said island, to tho 
 canty of Lincoln entirely annexed and belonging, and by the 
 flowing boundaries set forth, that is to say; from Naman- 
 i. dhirno by the river None towards the west, as far as tho 
 b tndary there set, where a stone cross is erected near the 
 b lIc of the river; thence as far as Groynes, and thence to 
 E wardstakyng; thence as far as Southlake, where the South- 
 tfe falls into the river Welland; and thence, crossing that 
 
 The bridge was so called from affording a passage over three streams 
 ri g to a point in the centre. 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
68 rN'GTJLPH’s mSTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 94«. 
 
 river, and beginning from Kenulphston near the bank, opposite 
 to Southlake, where the first abbat after the foundation of the 
 said monastery, Kenulph by name, erected a stone cross m 
 a boundary between Croyland and Depyng; in a northerly 
 direction, near Aspath, as far as Werwarlake; thence to Ha 
 rynholt, and thence onwards past Mengerlake and Lurtlake 
 where are the boundaries that divide Hoyland and Kesteven 
 thence as far as Oggot, and thence to Apynholt, otberwisi 
 known by the name of Wodelade, where the Wodelade fall 
 into the river Welland ; together with all the appurtenance 
 and all the advantages that may arise or be derived within th 
 boundaries aforesaid, both above ground as well as beneath 
 and with common of pasture [at all times of the year, for al 
 kinds of animals, for the use of themselves, and all thei 
 men or tenants with them living within the boundaries afore 
 said, such common of pasture being] in the marshes adjoining 
 on either side of the river Welland; that is to say, on the on 
 side, from the said river as far as the lands of Medeshamsteci 
 and on the other side from the said river as far as the building 
 at Spaldeling; together with several piscary in the said rive 
 Welland from Kenulphston as far as the bridge of Croylancl 
 [and in the river Nene from the boundary called Fynset, s : 
 tar as the bridge of Croyland,] and thence in the same river an ■ 
 in the river Welland united, as far as the Asendyk. The sai, 
 monks also shall be at liberty to enclose for themselves and thei < 
 men or tenants severally out of the said marshes adjoining o j 
 the west crofts or meadows in the neighbourhood of thebridgi 
 as much as they shall think fit. W herefore I do will that tl 
 said monks shall hold these estates of my gift and confirmation 
 free and absolved from all secular demands or burdens, as ah I 
 all liberties and free customs, together with all the right 
 which are called Soch, Sach, Tol and Tern, Infangthef, Weil 
 and Stray, and the things thereto lawfully belonging, as m 
 own pure and perpetual alms-gift. 
 
 “Moreover, Ido deliver, give, and confirm unto the said monl 
 the following possessions to the said convent belonging, ar 
 the gift in former times of the nobles of my kingdom, that 
 to say; in Lincolnshire—in Spaldelyng, three carucates ■ 1 
 land; in Pyncebek, one carucate of land; in Cappelade, thr< 
 carucates of [arable] land, six bovates of [arable] land, ar 1 
 
v.d. 948. 
 
 CHARTEE OF KING EDEED. 
 
 69 
 
 twelve acres of meadow land, together with the church of the 
 said vill; in Algare, twelve bovates of land; in Donnesdyk, 
 two carucates of [arable] land, and twenty acres of meadow 
 land ; in Drayton, one carucate of [arable] land, and six acres 
 )f meadow land and four salt pits ; in Burtoft, one bovate of 
 land, with Soch and Sach, and the church of Sutterton; in Bo- 
 cenhale, two carucates and a half of [arable] land, twenty- 
 six acres of meadow land, fifty acres of wood land, and seventy 
 icres at Brusche; ten bovates of land at Halyngton, with four 
 lovates at Juland, and thirty-two acres of meadow land to the 
 same fee belonging at Gernthorp; six carucates of arable land 
 it Langtoft (the same being fifteen quarentenes in length, and 
 line quarentenes in breadth), and one hundred acres of meadow 
 and, and a wood and marsh, two leagues in length, and two 
 eagues in breadth, as also the church of the said vill, and forty 
 icres of the same fee in the fields of Depyng; in Baston, at 
 retford four carucates of arable land, and forty-five acres of 
 neadow land, together with the church of the said vill, and 
 narsh land, sixteen quarentenes in length, and eight quarentenes 
 n breadth, together with one water-mill and one-half of a 
 nill: in Itepyngale, three carucates of arable land, and sixty 
 cres of meadow land: in Laythorp, one bovate of land: in 
 lyrkby, three bovates of land, one dwelling-house and three 
 ■ottages. In Northamptonshire—in Wendlingburgh, six hides 
 nd a half of land, with the church of the said vill, with Sach and 
 loch, &c.: in Adington, three hides of land, with the advow- 
 on of the church of the said vill; in Helmyngton, three hides 
 fland; in Glapthorn, three virgates of land; in Wyrthorp, 
 ne hide and a half, together with one water-mill; in Peykirke, 
 wo virgates of land; in Badby a manor, and four hides of 
 arable] land, together with thirty acres of meadow land. In 
 luntingdonshire—in Morberne, five acres of land, together with 
 he advowson of the church of the said vill; and in Tkirning, 
 ne hide and a half of land. In Leicestershire—in Beby, ten 
 arucates and a half of land, with the church of the said vill; 
 n Sutton, two carucates of land ; and in Stapilton, two caru- 
 ates of land. In Grantebrigeshire—eleven acres of land at 
 '-ottenham, with the alternate right of advowson of the said 
 hurch: in Hokiton, seven hides and a half of land, together 
 nth the church of the said vill; in Drayton, eight hides 
 
70 ixgulph’s histoey of the abbey of CEOYLAXD. A.D. 918 
 
 and a half of land, together with the advowson of the churcl 
 of the said vill. In Hertfordshire—in Staundon, five hidei 
 of land. 
 
 “I do also will that the said monks shall be free and ab¬ 
 solved of and from all scot, geld, sheriff's aids, hydage, suits ii 
 courts of shires, wapentakes, hundreds, and trythings, and al 
 other courts whatsoever, and all secular burdens whatever. 1 
 do also command that all fugitives, whom the said monks, oi 
 the testimony of four or five trustworthy men, can prove, befon 
 the sheriff of the county in which such persons shall he found 
 to be their villeins, shall be brought back to their abbey bj 
 the said sheriff, together with all their chattels and effects, al 
 counter-claim or opposition to the contrary notwithstanding 
 And if the said persons shall have previously thereto done any. i 
 thing to the detriment of their masters, then I do will that 
 the same shall be utterly null and void. And if any one oi 
 their villeins, or of those holding of them in villeinage, shall be 
 guilty of any offence, for which he ought to lose his chattels, 
 the said chattels are to be delivered in full unto the said monks, 
 wherever the trial may take place. I do also will that if the 
 sheriff, or any one of his bailiffs, shall be found to be negli¬ 
 gent, or to protract their business in contravention of the due 
 course of law and of their liberties, he shall pay a fine to my 
 treasurer to the amoimt of twenty pounds. 
 
 “Also, to the end that nothing may be omitted which it is 
 proper to insert in the present charter, and for the purpose of 
 ensuring the rights and liberties of the said monks, at least 
 with regard to those for whom temporal evils in the present 
 life have more terrors than the punishment of hell, which is 
 to last for ever; I do distinctly command as to all and each 
 of those, of whatsoever grade or condition they may be, who 
 shall in any way endeavour to violate or disturb the autho¬ 
 rity of this present writing, contrary to the form and effect 
 of my will expressed in the same, or shall by counsel, aid, 
 or favour, attempt to prevent them from peaceably possess- ; 
 ing any of the gifts hereby granted to them, or enjoying any 
 of the privileges above-mentioned, that the same persons 
 shall be condemned in the penalty of a fine of one hundred 
 pounds of lawful money, payable to my treasury, or to that of 
 my heirs or successors, so often as they shall dare to make such 
 
a.d. 948. 
 
 CHARTER OF KING EDRED. 
 
 71 
 
 attempts; as also, that they shall make satisfaction to the 
 said monks for the losses and expenses by the said persons 
 caused to them, the same to be estimated on the oaths of four 
 or five trustworthy men, by whom the truth of the matter 
 may be best ascertained, and to be settled in presence of 
 my judges, or those of my heirs and successors; that so, 
 those who have spontaneously renounced the w r orld, and have 
 submitted to the yoke of the Lord, and become dead to the 
 world, may, without the tumults or disquiet of the world, 
 have free opportunity of fully devoting themselves to holy 
 contemplation. 
 
 “ The said gifts [exceeding small though they be], moved 
 with duteous feelings towards the said monks, I have established 
 xnd rendered lasting, to the praise of the Holy Trinity, and 
 is a price of the ransom of my soul, in the year from the In¬ 
 carnation of [the Everlasting Prince] our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 148, in presence of the archbishops, bishops, and nobles 
 )f my kingdom underwritten. + I, Odo, archbishop of Can- 
 ;erbury, have given to the same my sanction and consent; 
 -t- I, Wulstan, archbishop of York, have devoutly subscribed 
 lereto; + I, Alfred, bishop of Sherburn, have desired the 
 lame; +1,Kynsy,bishop of Lichfield, have consented hereto; 
 f I, Kynewald, bishop of Worcester, have confirmed the 
 ame; +1, Ceolwulph, bishop of Dorchester, have wished for 
 lie same; + I, Athelwold, abbat of Abingdon, have approved 
 tereof; + I, Dunstan, abbat of Glastonbury, have greatly 
 ommended the same; +1, duke Oslac, at the instance of my 
 ord the king, have praised the same; + I, duke Brithnod, 
 iave recommended the same; + 1, earl Alcin, have favoured 
 he same ; + I, earl Aigulf, have signed the same ; + I, earl 
 tadbod, have given my consent to the same; 4- I, sheriff 
 lyngulph, have counselled the same; +1, sheriff Alter, have 
 eard the same; + I, Farcey, the thane, have been present 
 t the same; +1, Sigey, the thane, have listened to the same; 
 (- I, Ethelward, the thane, have beheld the same ; + I, Tur- 
 'etul, although an unprofitable servant, looking to the end of 
 ly purpose, do, on account of this matter, praise God in all 
 lings, and although late in life I have adopted the monastic 
 arb, with a contrite spirit I have submitted myself to the 
 oke of the rules thereof, that so at least I might be com- 
 elled to offer up the dregs of my old age to my Creator; there- 
 
72 ixgulph’s history of the ABBEY OF CROYXAHD. A.D. 948. 
 
 fore, my soul doth magnify the Lord; and do you, my brethren, 
 together with me, magnify the Lord, that, serving Him in 
 sanctity and justice, the prince of this world being always 
 triumphed over by us, we may so run the race of this present 
 life, as, in that to come, to merit to obtain the reward of vic¬ 
 tory in the sight of God. Amen.” 
 
 In order that we may hand down some information to pos¬ 
 terity on the actions of this venerable father, our abbat 
 Turketul, it is proper that, at the commencement of our nar¬ 
 rative, w r e should begin at a previous period ; to the end that 
 the flourishing youth of such a high-born stripling, being 
 described, according to the trustworthy accounts derived from 
 the chroniclers and the information given to us by our fathers, 1 
 we may more easily shew, by the evidence of probability, that i 
 a holy old age succeeded thereto. In the latter years of king 
 Edward, on the decease of his brother Ethelward, our Tur¬ 
 ketul, his eldest son, received his inheritance from his father’s 
 brother, the before-named king Edward. The king frequently 
 made him the offer of an alliance with damsels of most noble I 
 birth, daughters of his dukes and earls; but he, feeling by no 
 means inclined to enter the married state, through his prefer¬ 
 ence of a life of chastity, refused them all, the moment the 
 suggestion was made ; on which, this most sagacious monarch 
 concluded from holy beginnings of this nature, that he would 
 become a man distinguished for his virtues, and made it his 
 study to exalt him to ecclesiastical dignities, and at a future I 
 time to promote him to the high office of bishop. 
 
 Accordingly, on many of the bishops departing this life, in 
 order that his sanctity might be made known unto all those 
 who are in the house of the Lord, if placed on a candlestick, 
 the king very frequently made an attempt to promote him to 
 the episcopal rank of bishop in the greatest churches of all 
 England, in preference to all his other clerks. He, however, > 
 by various excuses, avoided acceptance of all these honors, as 
 though they had been so many snares of Satan laid for the pur¬ 
 pose of entrapping souls ; and utterly abhorred the same all 
 the days of his life. For, on the decease of Dynewulph, its 
 bishop, the king before-named offered him the bishopric ol 
 Winchester; but he, protesting that he was not fitted for so r 
 high a dignity, entreated Fridestan, his foster-brother, and ' 
 
a.d. 937. 
 
 ATHEESTAN SUCCEEDS TO THE CROWN. 
 
 73 
 
 prevailed upon him to deign to accept of it; on which Fridestan 
 became bishop of Winchester. 
 
 At the same period also, at the suggestion of Plegmund, 
 archbishop of Canterbury, the bishopric of Dorchester was 
 offered him by the king ; on his declining which with a similar 
 iegree of pertinacity, and presenting his priest Ceolwulph to 
 the king, the said Ceolwulph was made bishop. And thus did 
 be always reject the pomps of earthly dignities, thus did he 
 all his days repudiate all transitory honors. 
 
 The king, learning at length to what the most holy aspira¬ 
 tions of his heart inclined [and tended], and seeing that he 
 :ared not for dignities and riches, and was content with his 
 awn lands and income only, and sought not those of others, 
 nade him his chancellor, to the end, that whatever tem- 
 joral or spiritual business awaited the king’s decision, the 
 same should by his counsel and determination be settled, and 
 vhen settled, receive his irreversible sentence ; a man of such 
 loly integrity and such deep discernment was he considered 
 o be. Whereupon, by his advice, the king did many good 
 •vorks, and, among the rest, on one day gave seven bishops to 
 ■even churches, namely, the before-named Fridestan to the 
 )ishopric of Winchester; the before-named Ceolwulph to the 
 lishopric of Dorchester; Werstan to the bishopric of Sherburn; 
 Aihelstan to that of Cornwall ; 75 Athelm to that of Wells; 
 idulph to that of Crediton ; and Bemege to that of the South 
 iaxons, whose see is at * * * *; 76 all these being conse¬ 
 crated on the same day by the before-named archbishop Pleg- 
 nund. 
 
 The renowned king Edward having filled the measure of his 
 lays, his son Athelstan succeeded him. Anlaf, the son of 
 iitric, the former king of Northumbria, having risen in rebel- 
 ion against him, and a most fierce war being carried on, Con- 
 tantine, king of the Scots, and Eugenius, king of the Cum- 
 riaus, and an infinite multitude of other barbarian kings and 
 arls entered into a strict confederacy with the said Anlaf; 
 pon which, all of these, with the nations subject to them, went 
 
 75 Saint Germains. 
 
 76 An omission. Selsey, in Sussex, is the place meant. These ap- 
 ointments were really made in consequence of pope Formosus greatly 
 insuring king Edward and archbishop Plegmund for having kept these 
 :es vacant so many years. 
 
74 LN'GULrn’s histoky of the abbey of cboylaxd. a.d. 937. 
 
 forth to engage with king Athelstan at Branford, 77 in North¬ 
 umbria. When, however, the said king of the English ap¬ 
 proached with his army, although the barbarian before-named 
 had collected together an infinite multitude of the Danes, 
 Norwegians, Scots, and Piets, either through distrust of con¬ 
 quering, or in accordance with the usual craftiness of his 
 nation, he preferred to resort to stratagem, when protected by 
 the shades of night, rather than engage in open combat. 
 
 Accordingly, during the night, he made an attack upon the ! 
 English, and slew a certain bishop, who the evening before 
 had joined the army of king Athelstan. The cries of the 
 dying being heard at a considerable distance, that king, who 
 was encamped more than a mile from the place of attack, was, 
 together with all his army, awoke from slumber while lying in 
 their tents beneath the canopy of heaven; and on learning the 
 particulars, they quickly aroused themselves. The dawn was 
 just breaking, when they arrived at the place of slaughter; 
 the king’s troops coming up fresh and prepared for the onset 
 against the barbarians, while they, on the other hand, had been 
 toiling throughout the whole night, and were quite weary and 
 worn out with fatigue. King Althelstan, who was in com- i 
 mand of all the men of Wessex, charged the troops of Anlaf, 
 while his chancellor, Tiu’ketul, who led on the Londoners and 
 all the Mercians, engaged the forces of Constantine. The 
 discharge of light arms being quickly put an end to, the battle 
 was now fought foot to foot, spear to spear, and shield to 
 shield. Numbers of men were slain, and, amid indiscriminate 
 confusion, the bodies of kings and of common men were strewed 
 upon the ground. After they had now fought for a long time I 
 with the most determined courage, and neither side would give 
 way, (so vast was the multitude of the Pagans), the chancellor 1 
 Turketul, taking with him a few of the Londoners, whom he 
 knew to be most distinguished for valour, and a certain j 
 captain of the Wiccii, Singin by name, who was remarkable I 
 for his undaunted bravery, (being taller in stature than any 
 of the rest, firm and brawny in bone and muscle, and excelling i 
 in strength and robustness any one of the London heroes), I 
 flew at their head to the charge against the foe, and, pene- I 
 trating the hostile ranks, struck them down on the right 
 and on the left. 
 
 77 Or Brunenburgh, near the banks of the Humber. 
 
a.d. 938. 
 
 DEATH OF CONSTANTINE. 
 
 75 
 
 He had now pierced the ranks of the men of Orkney and 
 the Piets, and, bearing around him a whole forest of darts and 
 javelins, which he had received upon his right trusty cuirass, 
 with his followers had penetrated the dense masses of the 
 Cumbrians and Scots. At last, amid torrents of blood, he 
 reached the king himself, and unhorsed him; and when thus 
 thrown to the ground, made redoubled efforts to take him alive. 
 But the Scots, crowding around their king, used every possible 
 exertion to save him; and, whole multitudes pressing on against 
 a few, they all made Turketul their especial object of attack ; 
 who, as he was often in the habit of confessing in after-times, 
 was beginning to repent of the rashness of which he had been 
 guilty. 
 
 He was now on the very point of being overwhelmed by 
 the Scots, and their king was just about to be snatched from 
 his grasp, when, at that instant, the captain, Singin, pierced 
 him with his sword. Constantine, the king of the Scots, 
 being thus slain, his people retreated, and so left the road open 
 to Turketul and his soldiers. The death of Constantine be¬ 
 coming known throughout the whole army, Anlaf took to 
 flight; on which they all followed his example. On this oc¬ 
 casion there fell of the Pagans an unheard-of multitude. Tur¬ 
 ketul frequently made it his boast, that in this hazardous combat 
 he had been preserved by the Lord, and that he esteemed him¬ 
 self most happy and fortunate, in that he had never slain a 
 man, and had not even wounded any one, though at the same 
 time every one may lawfully fight for his country, and espe¬ 
 cially against the Pagans. 
 
 The news of this victory being quickly spread throughout 
 the whole of Christendom, all the kings of the earth greatly 
 desired to contract friendships with king Athelstan, and in 
 some way or other to enter into solemn treaties of peace with 
 him. Hence it was, that Henry, emperor of the Homans, sent 
 ambassadors, to negociate for one of his sisters in marriage for 
 his son Otho. Hugh, king of France, also sent for another, 
 to be given in marriage to his son; while Louis, prince of 
 Aquitaine, sent a request that a third might be given to him 
 for a wife. Through the envoys of these potentates, there 
 ivere sent such vast numbers of royal and costly presents, that 
 for many ages before, the like thereto had never been seen or 
 aeard of by the English nation. Besides aromatic perfumes, 
 
76 ingblph’s histoby of the abbey of cboyiand. a.d. 938. 
 
 besides costly gems, besides coursers bedecked with horse- i 
 cloths of gold, most precious vessels of alabaster, and numerous 
 other gifts of the most exquisite beauty ; a piece of the Cross 
 of our Lord was sent, most becomingly enclosed in crystal, 
 also a small portion of the crown of thorns which was placed 
 upon the head of Christ, similarly covered with crystal, the 
 sword of Constantine the Great, on the hilt of which, upon 
 thick plates of gold, was fastened a nail, being one of the 
 four by means of which our Redeemer saved us and all His 
 people; as also a standard of the most blessed martyr Hauri - 1 
 cius, and a lance of Charlemagne, esteemed among the Franks 
 as of no small value. 
 
 With these presents the mighty king Athelstan was ex¬ 
 ceedingly delighted; and, among the envoys whose duty it 
 was to escort the damsels, with unhesitating confidence he ap¬ 
 pointed his chancellor, Turketul, first and foremost, as being 
 most distinguished for his wisdom, and one who had shewn » 
 himself remarkable for the most scrupulous and unimpeached 
 fidelity in all the transactions in which he had been engaged: I 
 another reason, too, being the fact that he was related by blood ■ 
 to the damsels. 
 
 Accordingly, in company with the chancellor, the four 
 noble maidens proceeded towards the sea-shore, damsels sur¬ 
 passing Diana in the graces of chastity, and outvying even 
 Helen herself in beauty of person. Into their laps, resplendent 
 [with gems], were poured forth by dukes, and by earls, and 
 other nobles, throughout all the land, full many a jewel, pieces of 
 gold, bracelets, and a thousand necklaces. Sail being set, Eng¬ 
 land is at length left behind, and after the seas have been 
 traversed in a prosperous voyage, Cologne is reached by the 
 river Rhine. The two elder sisters were delivered into the ' 
 hands of the emperor Henry; the first of whom he gave in 
 marriage to his son Otho, and the second to a nobleman of high 
 rank in his palace. Hugh, king of France, received a third 
 sister as the destined wife of his son. The fourth, who was 
 the youngest and the most beautiful of all, was married to 
 Louis, prince of Aquitaine. On the completion of his em¬ 
 bassy, the chancellor Turketul, laden with costly gifts, toge¬ 
 ther with his whole retinue enriched with many presents, even 
 down to the lowest page, after enjoying a prosperous voyage, 1 
 returned to England. 
 
a.d. 948. 
 
 TURKETTfL TISITS CR0T1AND. 
 
 77 
 
 Thus, having triumphed over all his enemies, and his sisters 
 being most becomingly disposed of in marriage, king Athelstan, 
 with the most devout zeal, turned his attention (at the re¬ 
 peated suggestions of his chancellor Turketul to that effect) 
 to the exaltation of the Church of Christ throughout his king¬ 
 dom. He accordingly restored monasteries, built churches, 
 and made offerings on the holy altars of the most costly deco¬ 
 rations. Malmesbury, in especial, (at which place he had 
 with due honor entombed his two kinsmen, Elwin and 
 Athelstan, the sons of his uncle Ethelward, who had been slain 
 by the Danes, at the battle of Bruneford), he favoured and ex¬ 
 alted with a singular degree of attention, and magnified and 
 honoured the place beyond all other monasteries with numerous 
 privileges; and at last, when, Atropos prematurely cutting 
 short his thread, he departed this life, he was interred there, 
 and there he now reposes. 
 
 He was succeeded on the throne, as already mentioned, by 
 his brother Edmund. In his time, Saint Dunstan, who was 
 then priest of the royal palace, and the most familiar and con¬ 
 fidential adviser of the chancellor Turketul, and the receiver 
 of his confessions, was, through the persecution of some who 
 were his enemies, expelled by the king from the palace. 
 Afterwards, through the mediation of the chancellor Turketul, 
 who greatly extolled the sanctity of Dunstan, and used every 
 effort, taking advantage of the favour in which he was held, 
 to soften the king, he was recalled, and presented with the mo¬ 
 nastery of Glastonbury. On this occasion, the chancellor Tur¬ 
 ketul gave to Saint Dunstan a chalice, remarkable for its 
 extreme beauty, which has been preserved there down to the 
 ‘present times of the Normans, and is called “ Turketul’s 
 chalice.” King Edmund being slain, after a reign of six years 
 and a half, Edred, the third brother, succeeded him on the 
 throne. 
 
 In the second year of this king’s reign, the chancellor Tur¬ 
 ketul, (who already, before his adoption of the monastic life, 
 had in his holy aspirations become a neophyte), having ob¬ 
 tained the gracious assent of the king his master, fully in 
 Accordance with all his desires, one day hurried with the 
 greatest speed from London to Croyland ; where he most de¬ 
 voutly visited the three old men before-named, who were then 
 living in obscurity in the said island, and on disclosing to 
 
78 ingulph’s history of the ABBEY OF CROYLAHD. A.D. 948 
 
 them his holy purpose, rejoiced them exceedingly, and beyonc 
 what can be possibly expressed or conceived. 
 
 Being accordingly received into their brotherhood, after hf 
 had read over the charters of the foundation of the monastery 
 and its other archives, he was accompanied by the old men 
 before-named, who were carried in a vehicle, and by his own 
 retinue, which still attended the chancellor in considerable 
 numbers, and made the circuit of the whole island of Croyland 
 from corner to corner. The fact also ought not to pass unnoticed, 
 that about this time there was such a great drought throughout 
 all England, that it did not rain upon the land for the space of 
 three years, and by- many it was called “the drought of 
 Elijah .” 79 
 
 The chancellor Turketul having thus informed himself on 
 the boundaries of Croyland, and all the limits thereof, lie 
 caused the stone crosses at the boundaries to be replaced, and 
 to be fixed in the nearest solid ground at a greater distance i 
 from the banks of the rivers; lest it might so happen, that in 
 the course of time they should fall into the rivers in conse- i 
 quence of being washed down by the action of the water, in 1 
 the same way that he had heard that the ancient crosses which 
 had been formerly placed there by Kenulph, the first abbat of 
 the monastery" of Croyland, to mark the same boundaries, had i 
 fallen down. On the southern bank of the said island, Tur¬ 
 ketul on this occasion erected a stone cross, which was then 
 distant from Southee six perches; while, in the northern part | 
 of the said island, on the same occasion, he placed another 
 cross of stone, the same being then distant from the Asendyk 
 where it falls into the Welland, three perches. He also visited 
 the boundaries of the marshes, both Alderlound on the south¬ 
 ern side of the river Welland, as well as Goggisland on the 
 northern side of that river; and having traced their limits, 
 as desciibed by the charters of the monastery, commanded 
 them to be marked out in a similar manner by the erection of 
 stone crosses. After this, saluting the said old men, his 
 brethren, and again giving them twenty pounds of silver to¬ 
 wards their support, he returned to the king at London, with 
 the charters and muniments of the monastery. 
 
 While there, he one day had a conference with earl Lewin, 
 who was in possession of Spalding, Cappelade, and Sutterton, 
 lands which had formerly belonged to the monastery of Croy- 
 ' 9 Alluding to 1 Kings, xviii. 2. 
 
a.d. 948 . 
 
 TCEKETCL BECOMES A MONK. 
 
 79 
 
 land, and, in presence of the said king, gave to the before- 
 named earl forty mancuses of gold; on which, as the agent 
 of the said old men, in their name and title he received pos¬ 
 session of the vills before-named. He also at this period made 
 a composition with earl Alpher, and giving him ten mancuses of 
 gold for the same, restored Drayton to Croyland. Staundon 
 likewise and Baddeby he recovered for Croyland, on giving 
 ten mancuses to earl Athelwald. At the same time, also, he 
 obtained the vill of Morburne for Croyland from earl Ailwin, 
 who was a young man of exemplary piety, and distinguished 
 by numerous alms-deeds. 
 
 At this time, also, giving him twelve mancuses of gold for 
 the same, he obtained Bokenhale, Halyngton, and Lindesey, 
 from duke Oslac, and restored them to Croyland. Langetoft 
 also and Baston, which at this period belonged to the royal 
 treasury, king Edred gratuitously and spontaneously restored 
 to Croyland. But as for Depyng, Langfer, formerly pannier 
 of king Beorred, to whom the said king had given that manor, 
 having lately died at an extreme old age, without an heir male, 
 it had come into the possession of his two daughters; who, 
 having long remained in a state of celibacy, would not nudee 
 my composition with Turketul, nor would they for money or 
 entreaties renounce their rights. Accordingly, the venerable 
 father Turketul determined to wait for better times; but, so 
 long as he lived, they lived on, persisting in their course of ob¬ 
 stinacy. Kyrketon also, as well as Kymerby and Croxton, duke 
 dsbriclit held most tenaciously; and as the charters of the 
 lonors had perished, and none of the royal confirmations in- 
 ■luded those lands, Turketul, after making a fair offer for them 
 t first and a second time, and the same not being accepted, 
 letermined to exercise the utmost vigilance in the recovery of 
 ither possessions. At this time he also regained Glapthom, 
 rhirning, Laytliorp, Kyrkeby, Peykyrk, both the Adingtons, 
 tepingale, Sutton, and Stapilton. 
 
 At last, on the arrival of the feast of Saint Bartholomew 
 he Apostle, in the king’s presence he became a monk; and 
 icing immediately presented by the king with the pastoral 
 taff, and receiving the benediction from the bishop, resigned 
 he whole monastery, with all its possessions, into the king’s 
 lands. TJpon this, in a general council held at London, in 
 
80 ingulph’s history of the abbey of CROYLAHD. A.D. 948 
 
 presence of the archbishops, bishops, and nobles of the wholt i 
 land, the king restored to the said Turketul, the lord abbat, anc ; 
 his monks, the said monastery, together with all its lands i 
 both those belonging to it in former times, as also those newlj 
 given and acquired by the said Turketul, and, by his chartei j 
 as previously set forth, confirmed the same as a perpetua] I 
 alms-gift, free and absolved from all worldly services whatsoever • 
 Turketul, however, would by no means agree to preserve tht , 
 former impunity or rather immunity of the place; that ht 
 might not appear in any way to afford a refuge to the wickec 
 and impious from the public laws, and might not in any waj i 
 be forced, contrary to his conscience, to live with or encourage h 
 offenders of that description. 
 
 He was followed to the monastery by many learned men. 
 ten of whom, together with himself, assumed the monastic I 
 garb; while the rest, dreading the rigorousness of a religious . 
 life, still retained the secular habit; they continued, however, i 
 to dwell with him in the monastery, as they could on no ac- 1 
 count deny themselves his society. Of these, some [after-1 
 wards] arrived at the rank of priest, while others still per-1 
 formed the duties of clerks. 81 All the latter, who were! 
 many in number, he required to take up their abode on the I 
 eastern side of the monastery, in the cell of Saint Pega, the | 
 virgin, and ordered a daily supply of provisions to be given to 1 
 each of them, just as though he had been one of the monks. < 
 He also built there a chapel for them, and ordered them to j 
 perform the canonical Hours 82 there, both night and day, at ' 
 the same time at which the monks performed them. This 1 
 was done by command of abbat Turketul, in order that, by j 
 use, those might become more habituated to monastic ob-! 
 servances, who, having been hitherto devoted to secular frivo- ? 
 lities, had been led astray from and become unaccustomed to a 
 regular life. 
 
 He also ordered all to wear a uniform habit, that is to say, a j 
 black cloak, and garments reaching to the ankles, all of ai 
 black colour. Beyond the duties of chastity and obedience the} I 
 knew nothing of the observances of a religious life; in conse- 
 
 . 81 Learned men not in holy orders., 
 
 82 Services sung at certain hours of the day. They were caller 
 “ matutina,” or “ matins,” “ prima,” or “ prime,” “ tertia,” “ sexta,' 
 
 “ nona,” “vespera,” or “ vespers,” and “ completorium,” or “ complines.’ 
 
a.d. 948. 
 
 GOVERNMENT OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 81 
 
 qlienee of which regulations, it seldom or never happened 
 that any one of them returned to the vomit of a secular life ; 
 being supported by such a bountiful provision, and governed 
 by laws of such limited stringency. The head of these per¬ 
 sons abbat Turketul called the “Prior,” and after his elec¬ 
 tion by them, confirmed him in his office. Some of them 
 ended their lives there with a most holy death, and were 
 buried in the same place; while others, in process of time, 
 having adopted the monastic profession, and living a most holy 
 life, were afterwards found deserving to be elected even to till 
 the office of abbat. Such were the two Egelrics, who, being by 
 birth and relationship kinsmen of Turketul in the flesh, but 
 much more akin to him in the spirit, successively filled the 
 office of abbat after him in the most exemplary manner, and 
 onded their lives in the discharge thereof. 
 
 Towards the close of the life of abbat Turketul, and during 
 ;he reign of the renowned king Edgar, on the restoration of 
 nany of the monasteries throughout the kingdom, and the 
 oundation of several new ones, the monastic order began to 
 flourish with renewed vigour; in consequence of which, as 
 •jlerks less frequently than usual resorted thither for the pur¬ 
 pose of adopting the monastic life, nearly all the elders of 
 ;?egeland became monks at Croyland. The result was, that 
 ?egeland was almost left destitute of priests, on which, the few 
 derks who were left there began with great urgency to press 
 bbat Turketul, that he would be pleased either to place 
 .mong them some secular priests, or else assign them a monk 
 rom his monastery, who might each day perform Divine ser¬ 
 ice for them. Eor every secular person who repaired thither 
 o adopt the monastic life, of whatever grade or condition he 
 aight be, was first appointed to form one of their community, 
 nd, after passing a probation at Pegeland, was, at a future 
 eriod, received or rejected, according to the report which the 
 people of Pegeland gave of him. 
 
 Abbat Turketul, however, with the most prudent foresight, 
 ranted neither prayer of the people at Pegeland, nor yet did 
 t e altogether reject them, but, in memory of Saint Pega the 
 Virgin, granted and ordained that Divine service should for 
 ,ver be there performed; still, however, he came to the de- 
 ermination that no community whatever of regulars or of secu- 
 ws should be there established, as it was a thing that might 
 
 G 
 
82 ixGULrn’s history of the abbey of cboylaxd. a.d. 91,? 
 
 at a future period prove a source of injury or trouble to hi 
 monastery. Accordingly, lie appointed one priest, and, wit! 
 the common consent of the whole of his convent, by the char 
 ter of his chapter, confirmed the same grant for ever; it bein, 
 the duty of the said priest, in all future time, to celebrat 
 Divine service for king Ethclbald, the founder of the monastery 
 king Edred, its restorer, abbat Turketul, and the other bene 
 factors of the place. He was to have the same provision mad 
 for him in the refectory as a monk of the convent, ever 
 day, after the prior was served; the victuals being of simila 
 quality, both at dinner and at supper, and whether he was a 
 home or abroad; while, for the supply of his other necessities 
 he was thenceforth to have a moiety of the oblations, deal 
 out in equal shares, which the faithful of Christ were in th 
 habit of offering in the said chapel to the sacrist. 63 Thes 
 enactments were made towards the close of the life of abba 
 Turketul, that is to say, in the time of king Edgar. The firs 
 priest placed there by abbat Turketul for the performance o 
 these duties was one named Reynfred, a man imbued witl 
 great learning, and remarkable for his probity of life. 
 
 Edred being king, as already mentioned, and his clerk: 
 being thus established at Pegeland, 34 the venerable abba 
 Turketul devoted his most diligent attention to the building o 
 his monastery. Xing Edred, in the meantime, moving hi 
 army into Northumbria, laid waste nearly the whole of tha 
 province with fire and sword; and, all his adversaries bein;, 
 put to flight, flushed with success, he then returned to London 
 On a second attempt being made at conspiracy and rebellion 
 after great preparations, he returned to Northumbria, and 
 placed Wulstan, the archbishop of York, and many of th< 
 chief men of that district, in chains; then, ravaging the whole 
 land and reducing everything to ashes, so much so that for J 
 long time afterwards it was a solitude for many miles in ex ] 
 tent, he returned with a large number of prisoners to London i 
 His enemies being thus subdued, from this time he labourer h 
 in rebuilding churches and monasteries. 
 
 Eor, as we have already mentioned, he restored Croyland 
 
 8J In conventual societies, tlie sacrist or sacristan was next in dignity 
 after the abbat. 
 
 Si The text from this place down to the word ‘ venerable,” in the nex f 
 page, is omitted in iiaville’s edition. 
 
A.D. 918. 
 
 DEATII OF EDRED. 
 
 83 
 
 appointing as abbat over it Turketul, who had been his chan¬ 
 cellor. He also restored the monastery of Abingdon, appoint¬ 
 ing as abbat thereof Ethelwold, the former abbat of Glaston¬ 
 bury; who, on afterwards becoming bishop of Winchester, 
 became the founder of many monasteries. At length, in the 
 ;enth year of his reign, king Edred, being sick unto death, 
 lispatched a swift messenger to fetch his confessor, the holy 
 Dunstan, at this time abbat of Glastonbury. Whilst Hunstan 
 ivas hastening to reach the palace with all possible speed, a voice 
 ,vas heard from above, saying, “ King Edred has fallen asleep 
 n the Lord.” At the same instant, the steed which bore the 
 loly abbat fell to the ground and expired ; a beast of burden 
 )eing powerless and unworthy to hear angelic words. On the 
 pot, the holy abbat, Dunstan, with his monks, chaimted the 
 'ffice for the dead, that is to say, the “Placebo” and the 
 ‘Dirige,” for the soul of the deceased king; after which, on 
 us arrival at the palace, he found the king dead, as the angel 
 'ad revealed to him. The king was buried at Winchester, in 
 tie episcopal church there. 
 
 Edwin, 85 the eldest son of king Edmund, succeeded Edred 
 n the throne—a young man of a most wanton disposition, 
 ad by no means fitted by character to be a king. For, at the 
 eginning of his reign, he sent that most holy man, abbat 
 iunstan, into exile : shortly after which, having, by the judg¬ 
 ment of God, been deprived of the greater part of his kingdom, 
 trough grief at so great a misfortune he fell sick unto death, 
 id dying, after a reign of two years, left the whole kingdom 
 f his brother Edgar, who was greatly his superior. 
 
 | King Edgar, on obtaining the sovereignty of the whole 
 fngdom, recalled the holy Dunstan from banishment, and first 
 resented him with the bishopric of the Wiccii, 86 to which he 
 "terwards added London, and at last raised him to the areh- 
 phopric of Canterbury. 
 
 The venerable 87 father, abbat Turketul, on hearing that Dun- 
 ra, who was formerly his most familiar friend, was promoted 
 the archbishopric of Canterbury, and that his kinsman, 
 iketul, was likewise made archbishop of York, immediately 
 Bpaired to London; and it is not easy to express with what 
 hr he was received by them both, seeing that one of them was 
 
 15 More generally called Edwy. 
 
 16 Worcester. 
 
 s <" See note 84. 
 
84 ixgulph’s uistoet of the abbey of cboyland. a.d. 96 ( 
 
 his foster-child, and a person who remembered former benefits 
 while the other was akin to him by blood, and connected b 
 the ties of relationship; while both of them, with the mos 
 sincere affection, received the warrior who had served so abl 
 in the camp of the Lord. 
 
 On this occasion, also, it being the eighth year of his reigr 
 he obtained of king Edgar, at the intercession of the before 
 named archbishops, the royal charter confirming the grant of th 
 monastery of Croyland, to the following effect:— 
 
 “ Our 83 Lord Jesus Christ reigning overall the heavens anil 
 holding the sovereignty over all the realms of the earth, H 
 who raiseth kings, and transferred kingdoms, and who, b 
 His nod, ruleth all the regions of the world; I, Edgar, by til 
 overflowing munificence of the same our God, possessing tf 
 monarchy of the whole of Great Britain, have made a resold 
 tion from the very beginning of my reign, to the best of m 
 limited abilities, to recompense the benefits received from Hin 
 and with transitory mammon to provide for myself a tabe; 
 nacle among the blessed, and by means of the perishab 
 blessings of this world, to earn everlasting bliss. AVherefor 
 then my spiritual fathers, the priests and prelates, have mac 
 most frequent suggestions to me relative to the relief of tl 
 churches of Christ and the restoration of monasteries, I hat 
 always, God, the searcher of hearts, being witness thereto, anx 
 ously listened to their prayers with an attentive ear. Moreove’ 
 on my most holy archbishops Dunstan, archbishop of Cante 
 bury, and Osketul, archbishop of York, disclosing to me more 
 length how that the famous monastery of Croyland had fo 
 merly been founded by Ethelbald, the renowned king of tl 
 Mercians, and had been enriched by other kings of the Mercian 
 his successors, with many and great gifts and dignities ; ai 
 
 how that it had been amplified besides with immunities ai 
 most extensive privileges, and abundantly confirmed in tl 
 possession thereof; and how that the said monastery in lat 
 times, when the most iniquitous Danes were oppressing tl 
 whole land, had been by them burned with fire and laid wast 
 and how that, afterwards, when this mighty storm was lulle 
 through the exertions of the venerable father Turketul, t. 
 favour of the most pious king, my uncle and predecesscj 
 Edred, co-operating with him, the same was restored, aj 
 88 This charter is looked upon by Hickes as spurious. 
 
..D. 9GG. 
 
 CHARTER OF KIXO EDGAR. 
 
 85 
 
 ias risen again, and has been once more built as a habitation 
 or the Saints, and the grant thereof confirmed by the royal 
 barter—on learning the same, I rejoiced with exceeding joy, 
 ud, as God is my witness, I exulted to the very inmost re- 
 ■esses of my heart, at the daily growth and continuous increase, 
 a these my days, of the Christian worship throughout all 
 Ingland. Wherefore, I do grant unto the before-named ve- 
 erable man, the abbat Turketul, in former times a most 
 uwerful Patrician of my father and my uncles, and now, 
 hrough the love of a heavenly kingdom, a most holy pastor 
 nd prelate of the servants of Christ, out of my royal forests 
 djoiuing and nearest unto his monastery of Croyland, in 
 lanuer following, that is to say; out of Ancarygwod and 
 ledeshamstedwod, belonging to my royal manors of Estrey 
 ud of Castre, trees and timber for the building of his said 
 jonastery, as many and as much as he shall think fit to take; 
 or shall any one of my servants in that district presume in 
 ny way to impede him therein. The monastery of Croyland 
 Iso, together with the whole island thereto adjoining, as also 
 he vill and the two marshes lying on either side of the river 
 felland, to the west of the said monastery, I do give and 
 jmfirm, as a perpetual alms-gift, to my before-named father, 
 pbat Turketul, and his monks, and all their successors there; 
 i the service of God, with the same limits and boundaries 
 'ith which the monies of the said monaster)' have always held 
 he same from the first foundation thereof, and in such manner 
 U the charters and muniments granted by many of the kings, 
 y predecessors, and especially the renowned king Edred, my 
 dele, sufficiently, from east to west, and from south to north, 
 pclare and manifest the same ; that is to say, the said island 
 Croyland, proceeding from the triangular bridge thereof, 
 ong the river Welland, in the direction of Spaldelyng, as far 
 j Asendyk, where the Asendyk falls into the river Welland, 
 i the northern side of the stone cross there erected by Tur- 
 itul before-named; thence in an easterly direction by the 
 sendyk, as far as Aswyktoft; and thence by the Schepishee, 
 i the eastern side of the said island, to Tedwarthar; and tlienco 
 'om the entrance of the Southee, as far as Namanlandhyrne, 
 [here the said Turketul has ordered a stone cross to be erected, 
 
 [ stant from Southee six perches ; [the said cross being dis- 
 nt from the river] None, which lies to the west thereof, 
 
8G IXGULPIl’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 9tk| 
 
 live perches; and thence along the said river Xene, as th 
 same runs to the above-mentioned bridge of Croyland; tog( 
 ther with several piscary, both in all the waters surroundin 
 the said island as also in the lakes and fens situate withi 
 the same; together with the marshes and plantations of aide] 
 thereto adjoining on the west, and opposite to the said islanc 
 to the county of Lincoln entirely annexed and belongin' 
 and by the following boundaries set forth, that is to say; froi 
 Xamanlandhyrne by the river Xene towards the west, as fa 
 as the boundary 69 there set, where a stone cross is erected nes 
 the bank of the river; thence as far as Greynes, and thenc 
 to Folwardstakyng; thence as far as Southlake, where th! 
 Southlake falls into the river Welland; and thence, crossin 
 that river at Kenulphston, near the bank thereof, opposit 
 to Southlake, where the first abbat of the said monaster} 
 Kenulph by name, erected a stone cross as a boundary betwee 
 Croyland and Depyng, in a northerly direction near Aspath 
 as far as Werwarlake; thence to Harynholt, and thence on 
 wards past Mengerlake and Lurtlake; thence past Oggot, a 
 far as Wodelade, where the Wodelade falls into the rive 
 Welland ; together with all the advantages that may be de 
 rived within the boundaries aforesaid, both above ground a 
 well as beneath, and with common of pasture, at all time 
 of the year, for all kinds of animals, for themselves, and fo 
 all their men and tenants with them dwelling, within th 
 boundaries aforesaid in the marshes adjoining on either sid. 
 [of the river Welland, that is to say ; on one side], from th' 
 said river as far as my lands at Aledeshamsted, and on th' 
 other side from the said river as far as the buildings at Spal 
 delyng; together with several piscary in the said river Wei 
 land, from Kenulphston as far as the bridge of Croyland, ami 
 in the river Xene from the boundary called Fyuset, as far a. 
 the said bridge of Croyland; and thence in the same river 
 and in the river Welland united, as far as the Asendyk. j 
 do also grant that the said monks shall be at liberty to enclosi 
 for themselves and for their tenants, out of the said marshei 
 adjoining on the west, crofts or meadows, in the neighbour ’ 
 hood of the bridge, for their several use, as much as the}, 
 shall think fit, in such manner as my uncle, king Edred, b} 
 
 S9 This being conformable with the charter of king Edred, is perhaps .■ 
 belter reading than “ Fineston.” “ Fynset” was the name of the spot, i 
 
\.d. 9GG. 
 
 CHARTEE OF KING EDGAR. 
 
 87 
 
 his charter confirmed to them all the same. I do also grant 
 ind confirm to the said monastery all the matters aforesaid, 
 free and absolved from all secular burdens, and do will that 
 hey shall have all free customs, together with all the rights 
 which are called Sock, Sack, Tol and Tem, Infangthef, Weif 
 and Stray, and the things thereto lawfully belonging. 
 
 “I do also grant and confirm unto the said monks all the 
 ands and tenements, churches and chapels, and all the posses¬ 
 ions to the said monastery belonging, which the before-named 
 ring Edred, or his nobles, have given to the said convent as a 
 berpetual alms-gift for the remission of their sins, or which have 
 men given or acquired through abbat Turketul, before-named, 
 hat is to say; in Croyland, Spaldelyng, Pyncebek, Cappelade, 
 Ugare, Donnesdyk, Drayton, Burtoft, Southerton, Bokenhale, 
 laylington, Gernthorp, Langtoft, Baston, Depyng, Tetford, 
 ttepyngale, Laythorp, Kyrkeby, Wendlyngburgh, Adyngton, 
 Slmyngton, Glapthorne, Wyrthorp, Peykyrke, Baddeby, 
 Jorburne, Thinning, Beby, Sutton, Stapilton, Cottenham, 
 foketon, Drayton, and Staundon. All these tenements, to the 
 tonor of God, and for the relief of the Holy Church, and out 
 f love for Saint Guthlac, who in the body lies at rest in the 
 onvent of Croyland, I do confirm to my venerable father Tur- 
 etul, the abbat of Croyland, and to his monks and their suc- 
 essors for ever there serving God. I do also forbid that any 
 ne of my servants in the country of the Girvii 90 shall enter 
 ,'ithin the before-mentioned limits of the marshes of Croyland, 
 r shall in any way interfere therewith : inasmuch as both of 
 (tie gift of king Edred, my uncle and predecessor, as also of 
 by own confirmation thereof, they are to hold the said marshes 
 nd the several site of their monastery, the same being sepa¬ 
 rated from my marsh called Ege, by crosses of stone and other 
 oundaries and lands. Wherefore, as to him, who, in contra¬ 
 vention of the purpose of this my deed shall in any of the 
 batters aforesaid presume to disturb or molest the said abbat 
 turketul, my father, or his monks; besides being visited with 
 by indignation and vengeance, if he does not speedily come to 
 proper sense of his duty and make fitting reparation for the 
 ame, may he be expelled from the congregation of the Saints, 
 nd with Dathan and Abiram experience the damnation of 
 ell; but as to him who shall increase my alms-gifts, or shall 
 
 50 Huntingdonshire, and the northern parts of Northamptonshire. 
 
88 ingulpii’s histoky op the abbey of cboylaxd. a.d. 9G6 
 
 in any way promote the intent of this my charter, may h' 
 obtain everlasting happiness among all the Saints and the elec 
 of God. This my charter was granted in the year from the In 
 carnation of our Lord, 966, the archbishops, bishops, abbats 
 and nobles of my kingdom under-written, being present thereat 
 + I, Edgar, monarch of the whole of Albion, have contirmei 
 this charter with the sign of the Holy Cross. + I, Dunstan 
 archbishop of Canterbury, have with the triumphant emblem o 
 the hallowed Cross corroborated the same. + I, Osketul, arch 
 bishop of York, have devoutly approved of the same. + I 
 Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester, have heartily promoted th< 
 same. + I, Oswald, bishop of the Wiccii, have commende< 
 the same. + I, Elfwold, bishop of Devon, have subscribet 
 hereto. + I, Elfstan, abbat of Glastonbury, have advised the 
 same. + I, Etheigar, abbat of the new monastery at Win 
 Chester, have given my consent hereto. + I, Wulfsy, abba 
 of Saint Peter’s at Westminster, without London, have sub 
 scribed hereto. + I, ilerwenna, abbess of Romsey, have madi 
 the sign of the Holy Cross. + I, Ordgar, duke of Devon 
 have signed the same. + I, Elphege, duke of Southampton 
 have given my approbation hereto. + I, duke Oslac, have beei 
 present hereat. + I, duke Brithnod, have witnessed the same 
 + I, duke Alwin, have consented hereto, -f I, duke Alfer 
 have taken part herein. + I, Eruulph, the thane, have seeD 
 the same. + I, Ringulph, the thane, have seen the same 
 + I. Ethelward, the thane, have heard the same. + I, Yeif 
 the thane, have listened hereto.” 
 
 The venerable abbat, Turk etui, having obtained of king 
 Edgar, a deed to the above effect as a protection against the 
 perils of the secular arm, also urgently entreated both the 1 ! 
 archbishops, Dunstan and Osketul, that he might obtain th( 
 shield of spiritual aid against the sons of Belial, (if the} 
 should chance, at the instigation of the devil, to arise againsli 
 his monastery) : and, on the same occasion, obtained from then 
 at London, an ecclesiastical censure against all violators of the 
 royal charters above-written, (those, namely, of Edred anc* 
 Edgar), and against all who should contravene the same, and 
 who should aid and abet therein, in the following words: 
 
 “ To all who shall come hereafter professing the Christiar 
 faith, Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury, Osketul, archbishop 
 of York, Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester, Oswald, bishop oJ 
 Worcester, and Leofwin, bishop of Dorchester, health everlasting ! 
 
A..D. 966. 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL CENSURE. 
 
 89 
 
 in the Lord. Inasmuch*as the Egyptians naturally abominate 91 
 all feeders of sheep, and the sons of darkness with unre¬ 
 lenting fury persecute the sons of light, (for at all times 
 Midian is devising how to injure the people of the Lord;) for 
 the same reason, we, desiring for the future to raise a wall of 
 defence against the wicked and sacrilegious, who are conti- 
 aually attacking Holy Mother Church, and to render all those 
 who have devoted themselves to the service of God, and have 
 in any way served in the camp of the Lord, more secure from 
 persecutors of this nature, and more safe in the house of the 
 Lord; as also out of regard for the most holy devotion which 
 the most pious kings of our time, Edred, the late king, and the 
 renowned king Edgar, now reigning, have, at the inspiration of 
 the Holy Ghost, manifested, in their desire to restore the sacred 
 monasteries of Christ, and everywhere to relieve the Church 
 if God; do, by the Divine authority, confirm and ratify the 
 charters of the said kings most graciously by them granted to 
 he venerable father Turketul, the abbat of 1 Croyland, (who, 
 n his love for a heavenly country, has most resolutely aban- 
 loned multiplied riches and great dignities,) for the confirma¬ 
 tion to him of his said monastery. And further, all who, 
 aying aside the fear of God, shall attempt to strip the mo¬ 
 nastery of its said possessions, or shall, contrary to the intention 
 and will of the aforesaid royal charters, disturb the peace of 
 he aforesaid monks, or attempt to disturb the same, by con¬ 
 nivance or by design, by counsel or by favour, under whatever 
 colour the enemy may have sown his derices, and the son 
 ; >f iniquity have laid his plans; we do from that time forward 
 excommunicate the same, do remove their names from the book 
 >f life, and, separating them from the companionship of the 
 faints and driving them afar from the threshold of the gates 
 >f heaven, do, unless they shall, by making due satisfaction, 
 sipeedily correct their errors, irremediably consign them for 
 heir demerits to be condemned with the traitor Judas to the 
 lames of hell. Moreover, we do grant and assign, with the con¬ 
 sent of Agelnoth, the archdeacon, he allowing the same to be 
 lone, the spiritual authority over the whole island of Croyland 
 md the vill thereto adjacent, in such manner as the said monks 
 iave, from the foundation of their monastery, hitherto held 
 
 91 Alluding to Genesis xlvi. 34, “ Every shepherd is an abomination 
 o the Egyptians.” 
 
90 ixGULrn’s histoky of the abbey of ceoylayb. a.d. 96G 
 
 the same, that is to say ; all the authority which belongs to th< 
 office of archdeacon in cases of punishment inflicted at the in¬ 
 stance of any person 92 or in any way, for all crimes or offence: 
 whatsoever by any person there committed or to be committed 
 unto the aforesaid venerable abbat Turketul and all his suc¬ 
 cessors, the future abbats in the said monastery, and then 
 officers to that duty appointed and substituted in their stead 
 excommunicating and expelling from before the face of God 
 and from the glorified sight of His countenance on the day o 
 the great judgment, all those who shall hereafter molest tin 
 said father Turketul, or any one of his successors in anyway re¬ 
 lative hereto, or who shall violate any of the enactments afore¬ 
 said or in any way cause the same to be violated; and deliverin', 
 them unto Satan, for everlasting and world without end, unless 
 they shall quickly come to a proper sense of their duty, anc 
 shall with all due penitence make satisfaction unto the afore¬ 
 said monastery for their misdeeds. This privilege has beer 
 granted and immutably decreed to the honor of God and the 
 relief of Holy Mother Church, and in reverence for the hoh 
 confessor Guthlac, in presence of king Edgar, his prelates anc 
 nobles, in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 966, al 
 London assembled. + I, Edgar, monarch of the whole o: 
 Albion, have with the sign of the Holy Cross confirmed the 
 said privilege. + I, Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury, have 
 irrevocably fulminated the said denunciation of ecclesiastical 
 censure against the violators of royal charters. + I, Osketul. 
 archbishop of York, imprecating everlasting damnation against 
 the adversaries of Holy Mother Church, have confirmed the 
 said sentence. + I, Leofwin, bishop of Dorchester, have con¬ 
 sented hereto. + 1, Elfstan, bishop of London, have commend- ■ 
 ed the same. [+1, Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester, have 
 praised the same.] + I, Oswald, bishop of Worcester, have 
 given my consent hereto. + I, Elfwold, bishop of Devon, 
 have advised the same. -+- I, Kynsy, bishop of Lichfield, have 
 heard the same. + I, Alfric, bishop of East Anglia, have pro- j 
 moted the same. + I, Godwin, bishop of Rochester, have ac- 1 
 quiesced herein. -f I, Athelstan, bishop of Cornwall, have ' 
 given my sanction hereto. + I, Werstan, bishop of Sherbum, i 
 have assented hereto. + I, Agelnoth, the archdeacon, have I 
 allowed of the same. + I, Elfstan, abbat of Glastonbury, have 
 93 This seems to be the meaning of “ ad instantiam partis” here. 
 
A.D. 970. CHARTER Of KING EDGAR TO PETERBOROUGH. 
 
 91 
 
 granted my consent hereto. + I, Ethelgar, abbat of the new 
 monastery at Winchester, have given my consent hereto. + I, 
 Wulfsy, abbat of St. Peter’s at Westminster, without London, 
 have subscribed hereto. + I, Osward, abbat of Evesham, 
 hard ratified the same. + I, Merwenna, abbess [of Itomsey, 
 have made the sign of the Holy Cross. + I, Herleva, abbess 
 of Shaftesbury, ] have set my signature hereto. + I, Wul- 
 wina, abbess of Wareham, have shared herein. + I, duke 
 Ordgar, have agreed to the same. + I, duke Alwin, have 
 estaldished the same. + I, duke Brithnod, have witnessed 
 the same. + I, duke Oslac, have been present hereat. + I, 
 duke Alfer, have taken part herein. + I, duke Elphege, have 
 heard the same. +1, Erithegist, the thane, have seen the 
 same. + I, Ethelward, the thane, have seen the same. + I, 
 Ethelmund, the thane, have listened to the same. + Done on the 
 octave of Pentecost, in the cathedral church of Saint Paul.” 
 
 King Edgar, being most wisely guided by Saint Dunstan and 
 his other holy bishops, everywhere repressed the wicked, boldly 
 'subdued the rebellious, loved the just and holy, cherished the 
 meek and humble, restored the ruined churches of God, and, 
 expelling the ditties of the clerks 93 from the convents, for the 
 praise of the Divine name introduced choirs of monks and 
 nuns; and, during his reign, lie himself and his bishops, in 
 various parts of England restored more than forty-eight monas¬ 
 teries. In the time of king Edgar, the relics of Saint Swithun, 
 the former bishop of Winchester, were transferred with great 
 lonor by the holy Ethelwold, the bishop, from the cemetery to 
 .he church : upon the transfer of which, through the merits of 
 Saint Swithun, innumerable sick people were restored to health. 
 This holy bishop, Ethelwold, restored the monastery, formerly 
 '.ailed Mcdeshamsted, which then lay in ruins through the 
 •avages of the Danes, and, after it was rebuilt, called it Burgh; 
 and having appointed as abbat of the said monastery, one of 
 iis monks, Adulph by name, obtained, from this most pious 
 cing, a charter for the same, relative to the possessions which 
 md been obtained by grant from the treasury for the said place, 
 o the following effect: 
 
 “By 94 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, King for ever- 
 asting, who, at His will, meteth out all the kingdoms of the 
 
 93 Secular priests. 
 
 91 The genuineness of this charter is suspected by Hickes. 
 
92 INGULPh’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 970. 
 
 earth, and who guideth the reins of the world, I, Edgar, 
 under the King who ruleth above the stars, presiding over the 
 kingdom of Great Britain, have oftentimes received the peti¬ 
 tions of Ethelwold, the venerable bishop, and beloved by God, 
 as to the establishment of churches of w'hich he has proved 
 himself an indefatigable refounder, and more especially as to 
 the restoration and liberties of the ancient monastery which 
 was formerly called Medeshamsted, and which lately, by the 
 aid of God, and at his own instance and ours, has been re¬ 
 stored and called Burgh, and which, by reason of its preroga¬ 
 tive in claiming the favour of Saint Peter and its ancient noble¬ 
 ness, he pre-eminently esteems. Eoi’, recollecting that the same 
 was mightily enriched by its ancient kings "Wulpher and 
 Ethelred, and his other successors, and was established with 
 royal privileges on the firmest basis, but has since been de¬ 
 stroyed by the foreign armies of the Pagans; ho, as a wise 
 architect of God, has with great zeal made it his study to 
 repair the house of God, and, after obtaining and redeeming 
 its possessions in all quarters, lias, to the utmost of his ability, 
 with our royal donation amplified the same. Wherefore I, 
 by the grace of Saint Peter, and out of affection for so valued r, 
 a father, and for the redemption of my sold, do most willingly 
 grant that the said holy and Apostolic convent shall be for 
 ever free from all secular burdens and services, so that no 
 one, whether ecclesiastic or layman, shall ever have any do¬ 
 minion over the same or the abbat thereof; but that, the 
 abbat with the household of Christ subject to him, living in 
 the peace of God and under the patronage of Peter, the keeper 
 of the gates of heaven, who rules the same, and the king in 
 all cases of necessity giving his assistance thereto, it may for 
 ever remain free from all worldly bondage, as also exempt from 
 ali episcopal exactions and molestation, by the Apostolic license 
 and the authority of our most reverend archbishop, Dunstan, 
 together with its appendages, that is to say, Dodesthorp, 
 Ege, and Paston. 95 The vill also of Undale, 96 together with 
 all the rights in the vills adjacent, which in English are 
 called Catlita hundred, 97 and with right of market and toll, we 
 
 95 Eye and Faston, in Norfolk. 
 
 95 Oundle, in Northamptonshire. 
 
 97 V. r. Eahta-hundred. This is probably a misprint for Lagh-hundred, i 
 the Saxon for the “ hundred court,” which seems to be here meant. 
 
.D. 970. CHARTER OF KIXG EDGAR TO PETERBOROUGH. 
 
 93 
 
 lo give with the same liberties, to the end that neither king, 
 tor earl, nor bishop, (except in the case of the courts Christian of 
 he adjoining parishes,) nor sheriff, nor any person whatsoever, 
 ither great or small, shall presume by any superior authority 
 o hold the same, nor yet to transfer the same to any place 
 rom the said vill of Undale, where [the said court] lawfully 
 ught to sit. But the abbat of the said convent shall be at 
 all liberty to hold the same entirely at his own option, toge- 
 her with direction of the causes therein and the laws relating 
 hereto, and shall cause [the said court] to sit both when and 
 a what place he shall think fit, without any impediment thereto 
 whatsoever. Moreover, of those lands, which, by our assistance, 
 r of our gift, orof that of my nobles, have by the before-named 
 iishop been added to the said monastery, and which are here- 
 nder set forth, that is to say, Barwe, Wermyngton, Asciton, 
 feterynges, Castre, Eiglisworth, Walton, Wytherington, Ege, 
 'horp, and Dodesthorp, as also the sole right of coinage at Stam- 
 Krd, we do make a free and perpetual grant. Also, the said 
 ills, as well as all the rest which belong to the said monas- 
 ■ery, together with all their property and possessions, and all 
 heir rights which are called Soch and Sach, are for ever to be 
 tee from all royal rights and all secular imposts, in things both 
 reat and small, in woods, fields, pastures, meadows, marshes, 
 enison, piscaries, markets, and tolls, as to the increase of all 
 lings that are provided by the bounty of God. We do also 
 rant the fourth'part of the lake, which is called Witlesmere, s,< 
 ad which has been obtained by the bishop Ethelwold, together 
 dth all the waters, fisheries, lakes, and marshes thereto per- 
 lining, and extending to the boundaries lying around the same; 
 T which, the northern one is the spot where first the Here- 
 ide is entered by the river Nene; the eastern one is at Kynges- 
 elf; the southern one at Aldwines Barwe, which place is in 
 le fens over against the spot that lies mid-way from Ubbe- 
 ■lerelade; and the western one, where the river Opbethe is 
 cirted by the land : all which are proved in ancient times to 
 ave belonged to the said holy monastery to a much wider and 
 Irgcr extent. We do also appoint that one market shall be 
 bid in Burgh, and that no other shall be held between Stam- 
 rd and Huntingdon; and in addition thereto, we do grant, 
 id do order that there shall be paid, without any gainsaying, 
 98 Whittlesea Mere, in Cambridgeshire. 
 
94 IXGULPTl's HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 970. j 
 
 the Y.-hole of the king’s tolls, gathered from Witlesmere, which 
 lies in the hundred of Normanscross and of Witlesmere, where 
 the Merelade joins the waters of the None, and along the 
 course of that river to Welmesford, and from Welmesford as 
 far as Stamford, and from Stamford along the course of the 
 liver to Croyland, and from Croyland to Must, and from Must 
 to Kyngesdelf, and thence to the aforesaid river of Witlesmere. 
 For, by reason of the various profits both for the bodily and 
 the spiritual requirements, we have appointed the said market 
 to be held there, and resort from every quarter to be had 
 thereto, to the end that both the servants of God may there 
 be more easily aided, being near at hand, and that amid 
 earthly necessaries heavenly assistance may be sought by the 
 Christian people resorting thereto; that so atonement may 
 be made for their divers offences, through the protection of 
 Saint Peter so sought, and through the mysteries of the 1 
 mass when heard, according to the faith displayed by each. 
 Moreover, on the decease of the abbat, the brethren are to 
 elect a devout successor out of the number of the said congre-’ 
 gation, and by the royal favour he shall be ordained as such. 
 We have thought proper, with the approbation of all, to con¬ 
 firm these royal liberties for ever, both in the distant as also in 
 the nearer possessions of the whole abbey, excepting only a 
 moderate sum for the equipment of troops, and the repair of 
 bridges and castles, at the instance of the most devout Ethel- 
 wold, the suggester of this contribution, in accordance with 
 the primitive foundation of the said church by the Apostolic 
 See of the church of Home. Which same, whosoever shall 
 presume in any way to violate, may be, by the sentence off 
 Peter, the supreme ruler, and of the Homan hierarchy, and of | 
 all the holy orders, be condemned to hell everlasting; but he I 
 who shall support and protect the same, may he receive his' 
 reward iu the number of the elect of God. The aforesaidi 
 privilege was granted in the year from the Incarnation of our 
 Lord, 970, and in the tenth year of my earthly reign, being! 
 signed after my own subscription, by the following trustworthy’ 
 witnesses, with the mark of the Holy Cross. + I. Edgar, so-’ 
 vereign of all Albion, have confirmed these privileges with the 
 sign of the Holy Cross + I, Hunstan, archbishop of Canterbury, 
 have corroborated the same, with the triumphant emblem of the : 
 hallowed Cross. + I, Oswald, archbishop of the church of York, 
 
.d. 974. 
 
 CHART E 11 OF KING EDGAR TO MALAIESBETRT. 
 
 95 
 
 live subscribed hercto. + I, Ethelwold, the prelate, have 
 gncd the same. + I, Elfstan, the bishop, have assented to 
 le same. + I, Adulph, the pontiff, have consented hereto. 
 
 - I, Aswy, the abbat, have not refused the same. + I, 
 ,sgar, the abbat, have approved hereof. + I, Ethelgar, the 
 abut, have consented hereto. + I, duke Alfer. + I, duke 
 lwin. + I, duke Erithnod. + I, duke Oslac. + I, 
 th el ward, the thane. + I, Arsnulph, the thane. + I, 
 j.lfsy, the thane. + I, Elfward, the thane. + I, Frithegist, 
 ;ie thane. + I, Thured. + I, Veif. + I, Olfric. + I, 
 fford. -f I, Wulstan. + I, Ryngulph. + I, Elfstan. 
 
 - I, Athelfis. + I, Wulfear. + I, Ethelmund. -f I, 
 hureferd. + T, Alfhelm. + I, Erava. + I, Frcthcgist.” 
 
 At this period also, liaving expelled the clerks" from the mo- 
 astery at Malmesbury, whom his brother Edwin, after ejecting 
 e monks, had iniquitously intruded therein, he recalled the 
 onks, and, appointing Elf'ric abbat over them, a man at that 
 me most celebrated for his attention to ecclesiastical duties, 
 resented him his charter to the following effect :■— 
 
 “ I, Edgar, sovereign of the whole of Albion, as also of all 
 e sea or island kings dwelling around the same, have been, 
 trough the bounty of the grace of God, by the multiplied 
 Ejection to my rule, exalted to a degree which no one of 
 y ancestors has reached; wherefore, being mindful of so 
 [cat an honor, I have oftentimes carefully considered what 
 ? especial under my rule I ought to present to the Lord, the 
 ing of kings. Accordingly, a spirit of piety, sent from 
 iove to cherish my feelings of zealous devotion, has suddenly 
 iggested to my watchful zeal, to restore all the holy monas¬ 
 tics in my kingdom; which, pulled down visibly to the 
 ry timbers thereof, as though through the ravages of mice 
 d the rottenness of the wood, have become, a thing of still 
 eater importance, almost empty within, and deserted by the 
 prship of God. For, expelling the illiterate clerks, who 
 ?rc subjected to no rules of religious discipline, in many 
 ■aces I have appointed pastors of a more holy grade, that is 
 say, persons wearing the monastic habit; and, for the pur¬ 
 se of repairing the ruins of the churches, I have, by means 
 donations from my treasury, supplied them with abundant 
 oans for the payment of their expenses. One of these, by 
 
 99 Secular priests. 
 
96 rXGULPH's HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXB. A.D. 97 
 
 name Efric, a man most experienced in the performance ■ 
 all ecclesiastical duties, I have appointed to be head of th; 
 most famous convent, which, giving it a twofold name, tl 
 English call ‘ Maldemesburgh : ’ to which, for the welfare < 
 my soul, and in honor of our Saviour and His mother Har; \ 
 ever a Virgin, as also of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, and < i 
 Aldelm, the glorious bishop, I have, of my munificent libi , 
 rality, restored the parcel of land, [underwritten], togctht I 
 with the meadows and forests thereto belonging. The sam. i 
 having been lent by the aforesaid clerks, had been unjust! i 
 taken possession of by the contentious Edelnoth; but, h 
 superstitious cavils and his subtle discussions having bee 
 heard by my own wise men, and his faulty quibblings havm 
 in my presence been detected by them, the same have bees 
 restored by me for the use of the said monastery. In tl 
 year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 974, and of the king 
 consecration, the first. + I, Edgar, sovereign of the whole < 
 Albion and the neighbouring kings, have with the sign of tl 
 Holy Cross confirmed this charter. + I, Dunstan, archbishc 
 of Canterbury, have with the triumphant emblem of the ha 
 lowed Cross corroborated this holy gift. + I, Oswald, arch 
 bishop of York, have subscribed hereto. + I, Ethelwoh 
 bishop of Winchester, have signed the same. + I, Leofwii 
 bishop of Dorchester, have consented hereto. + I, Elfstar 
 bishop of London, have sanctioned the same. + I, Turketu 
 abbat of Cropland, have set my signature hereto. + ? 
 Ethelgar, abbat of the new monastery at Winchester, ha\ 
 approved hereof. + I, Adulph, abbat of Burgh, have praise 
 the same. + I; duke Alfer, have been present hereat. + l| 
 duke Athelwin, have taken part herein. + I, duke Brit! 
 nod, have beheld the same. + And others.” 
 
 I have here inserted the charter of a monastery situate f| 
 such a distance, to the end that I might shew with what fei' 
 vency of the Holy Spirit [the heart of the renowned] kin 
 Edgar was inflamed, for restoring ruined churches and me 
 nasteries that had been levelled with the ground; as alsc 
 because among those who set their signature to the royal chai 
 ter, after the bishops, the signature of our abbat Turketi | 
 occupies the first place. 
 
 Accordingly, the grant of his monastery being thus cor I 
 firmed, and the same being fully supported* and rendered er 
 
a.d. 974. 
 
 DECEEES OF TUEXETUL. 
 
 97 
 
 tirely valid, by means of both the pontifical as well as tho 
 royal authority, the venerable father Turketul, now stricken 
 in years, and full of days, did not, after this, again mingle 
 with the world ; but, each day, while living among the elders 
 of the monaster)', eagerly made it his object by his enquiries 
 to gather information relative to the state and observances of 
 the former monastery. For, using all due vigilance, he made 
 the most urgent requests of Aio, who was well versed in legal 
 matters, and extremely well acquainted with the muniments 
 of the ancient monastery, as well as of Turgar, who from his 
 fiiildhood had beheld with his eyes both monasteries, the 
 former and the new one, having been witness of the destruc- 
 ;ion of tho one and of the building of the other; while, at 
 ;he same time, he applied to the other aged monks, and re¬ 
 quested them to state whatever in their younger days they 
 lad heard from their seniors. He also appointed brother 
 owetman, [the best scribe of the time], to receive all their 
 uformation, and, with all due diligence and with truthful pen 
 o commit the same to writing, in order, that, with due care, 
 here might be handed down to posterity, both all the memo- 
 able facts contained in the muniments of the ancient rnonas- 
 ery, as also the regular observances of the same. 
 
 Upon this occasion, the seniors produced this history, con- 
 aining the memoirs of our house most worthy of notice, to¬ 
 other with a few incidents relative to the kingdom of the 
 lercians and the West Saxons, from the time of our first 
 jundation by king Ethelbald, until the fourteenth year of the 
 sign of the renowned king Edgar. 
 
 At the same time also, our venerable father, abbat Tur- 
 etul. on fully hearing and examining, and completely under- 
 :anding the ancient observances of the ancient monasteiy, 
 aacted and decreed that the following rules should in ail 
 iture time be inviolably observed by all in his monastery of 
 royland. 
 
 Dividing the convent into three grades, he enacted that each 
 rade should recognize and observe its own propur position, in 
 .anner following:—“ The young men, from the first year of 
 •leir entering the monastery, until the twenty-fourth, are, in 
 leir proper order, to perform all the duties imposed upon 
 iem in attending upon the choir, the cloisters, and the refoc- 
 iry; in singing, reading, and serving, and carrying out all 
 
 H 
 
98 IXGULPH’s HISTORr OP THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 9/1 
 
 the regular observances in conformity with the teaching o 
 their master; the which duties, whosoever shall, both for him 
 self as well as his companions, make it his study diligently 
 and duteously to perform, the more will he be considered de 
 serving to obtain the favour of all of his superiors. But if any i 
 person, and may such never prove the case, puffed up with pride 
 elated with his knowledge of any art, putting trust in tht 1 
 vast extent of his literary acquirements, or led astray througl 
 friendship for his relations or any other person, shall become s 
 tale-bearer or a contentious traducer, or shall in any waj 
 shew himself in the monastery to be a despiser of his elders: 
 then, like an Alecto coming from the depths of hell, let him 
 be carefully avoided by all, and let him obtain of his supe-. 
 riors no favour in the chapter, no indulgence in the refectory, 
 nor any solace in the infirmary, to the end that he may learn i 
 to correct his errors; hut let him, like a bull that tosses with i 
 his horns, he shut up at home, lest, from being a lion’s whelp, 
 he may turn out to be a lion that cannot be tamed; and so, at , 
 the beginning, let due chastisement he awarded him at the | 
 discretion of his superiors. But as to those who shall shew 
 themselves affable and agreeable, chaste and peace-makers, 1 
 meek and modest, attentive and obedient, the same, being I 
 worthy of all favour, are frequently to be allowed the enjoy- | 
 ment of comforts. 
 
 “ Moreover, those who shall have passed twenty-four years 1 
 from their adoption of the monastic life, shall, during the next < 
 sixteen years, occupy the middle rank. These are to be re- j 
 leased from the duties of the lesser chantries reading the J 
 Epistle and the Gospel, and other minor employments; they | 
 shall, however, in their regular order, as the time comes round, 
 perform the other duties of the choir, the cloister, and the re- . 
 fectory, but shall have frequent assistance from the juniors 
 therein; taking care, however, that, for the benefit of incul¬ 
 cating a lesson of obedience, they perform these duties them- : 
 selves once or twice a week at least, while on the other days 
 they are assisted by the j uniors. 
 
 “ As upon these are to devolve all the weighty cares of busi¬ 
 ness, and prudence and foresight are to distinguish their coun¬ 
 sels, as the management of the whole place is especially to 
 be confided to them; it is proper that, according to the manner 
 in which they perform their duties, (besides the remuneration 
 
i.D. 974. 
 
 DECREES OF TURKETCL. 
 
 99 
 
 from God, which monks are in especial to look for,) they 
 should experience the countenance of their superiors towards 
 them, either as rigid or affable, benign or austere; and that, 
 together with their burden, they should receive due honor, 
 mil favour or censure in proportion to their merits. 
 
 “ In the third rank are to be placed those who have at¬ 
 tained their fortieth year since admission, and who, up to the 
 iftieth year, are in their proper order to be called ‘ seniors.’ 
 fhese are to be excused from all duties of the choir, the clois¬ 
 ters, and the refectory, except the performance of those masses 
 vhich are sung from notes; in which masses the juniors of 
 he first rank, and those of mid rank in the second class, are 
 daily, with all duteousness, to offer to take upon themselves 
 heir burdens. And further, after the completion of their 
 brtv-second year, they shall be excused from all out-door 
 luties, such as those of steward, proctor, cellarer, almoner, 
 took, master of the workmen, and pittancer; 1 unless the abbat 
 hall, in case of any urgent necessity, think proper to assign any 
 if the offices aforesaid to any one of the seniors. These persons, 
 is being veteran soldiers, who have borne the heat and the bur- 
 len of the day in the service of God, and have for the good of 
 heir monastery expended their flesh and blood, are deserving 
 if all honor, and are to suffer want of nothing whatever. In 
 espect to this class, this is in especial to be attended to, that 
 hey have by the most becoming means proved themselves 
 vorthv of the favour of this dispensation, and that, from 
 heir first entrance into the monastery up to that age, the}’ 
 mve been convicted of no offence for which they have been 
 ' eemed deserving to sustain such punishment as is awarded to 
 ny grave fault. 
 
 “Each one, when he has attained fifty years from the time 
 f his admission, is in his due order to be called a ‘ Sempect,’ 
 nd is, at the nomination of the prior, to have a fit and proper 
 ;oom in the infirmary, and to have a lay clerk or servant espe- 
 ially devoted to his service; who is to receive at the expense 
 f the abbat a supply of victuals [for himself ] in the same mea- 
 ure and amount as would have been supplied to the servant 
 f an esquire iu the abbat’s hall. To each Sempect, the prior 
 
 : 1 “ Pitautiarius.”—He was the person whose duty it was to serve out 
 te r pittances of food to the monks. 
 
 li 2 
 
100 ingulph’s histoet of the abbet of ckoylax d. a.d. 974. 
 
 shall every day assign one younger brother to sit with him 2 at 
 table, both for the sake of instruction for the youth, as also by 
 way of company for the aged man; and to these, victuals i 
 shall be supplied from the kitchen of the sick, as though they 
 were on the sick list. 3 The Sempect shall, at his own will and , 
 inclination, [sitting and walking], coming in and going out, 
 be at liberty to enter and depart from either choir, cloister, 
 refectory, or dormitory, or the other outbuildings of the mo- i 
 nustery, either in his frock or without it, just how and when j 
 he shall please. Nothing relative to the affairs of the monastery j 
 that is disagreeable shall be mentioned in his presence. No 
 person shall presume in any way to offend him, but with the 
 greatest peace and tranquillity of mind he shall await his end.” , 
 
 [He also at the same time decreed and enacted, that who¬ 
 ever should thereafter chance to be prior of Croyland], should 
 have liberty and power, in the chapter held each day, to en¬ 
 join penances upon the monks, and, when enjoined, to diminish 
 or increase the same, according as he should see the countenance 
 of the penitent bearing signs of compunction and contrition, 
 or otherwise. “ All licenses, also, in the refectory, and all 
 the comforts of the infirmary, are to be left to his discretion 
 and determination; and just as hitherto it has been customary 
 to make provision both as to victuals as well as other neces¬ 
 saries, whether he is at home or whether abroad, in the 
 same way provision shall always be made for the future. Un¬ 
 less he shall have been found guilty of some offence, having 
 first been, as our holy rules enjoin, thrice admonished to amend 
 his life, he who sha 1 once hold the office of prior of Croyland, 
 shall always remain prior thereof to the day of his death; and 
 because, in the midst of the brethren, their ruler ought to be 
 held in honor, except the ‘ inclination,’* all honor and respect 
 shall be shown to him. To the praecentor of the lists, 5 and 
 to his appointments in the choir, both the abbat and prior, as 
 
 * Hence the name given to the old men, from the Greek avfnraiicTrji, 
 a “ partner,” or “ companion.’’ 
 
 * ». e. Victuals of a more delicate kind. 
 
 4 “ Inclinatio,” a peculiar kind of bow, which was made to the abbat alone. 
 
 5 It was the duty of the “ Praecentor tabularum” to make out the lists 
 of the persons whose place it was, during the week, to perform the public 
 duties of the monastery. These lists were hung up in the chapter-house, 
 or some other public place, for the view of the inmates. He also kept 
 time during the chaunting, with an instrument made of bone, called 
 * tabula.” 
 
a.d. 9/4. 
 
 LAST EKACTMF.NTS OP TPRKETCL. 
 
 101 
 
 well as all the rest of the community, are to pay all humble 
 obedience.” 
 
 To the office of sacrist, also, he then, by way of augmenta¬ 
 tion of his portion, assigned the duties of archdeacon over the 
 whole district of Croyland, so long as, without any respect for 
 persons, he should, with the fear of God, reasonably and ca¬ 
 nonically fulfil his duties. He also, on this occasion, gave Ao 
 the office of sacrist a golden chalice, and two water vessels of 
 silver gilt, skilfully wrought with embossed workmanship 
 in the form of two angels; as also two silver basons, of wonder¬ 
 ful workmanship and size, most exquisitely engraved with 
 representations of armed soldiers thereon.* All these vessels, 
 Henry, emperor of Germany, had formerly presented to him, 
 and, up to the present time, he had always preserved the same 
 in his own chapel. 
 
 He also, at the same time, assigned to the office of chamberlain 
 of the monks his manor of Beby, together with the church of 
 the said vill, imprecating a curse from God on such persons as 
 should, to the injury of the convent, withdraw the said manor 
 and church from the fulfilment of the said purpose, or procure 
 the same to be done. 
 
 These most holy statutes, after being publicly proclaimed in 
 his chapter, and assented to with the acclamations of all, and 
 received with the greatest obedience, our father, abbat Turke- 
 tul, caused to be written out, and commanded them to be placed 
 at the end of the rules of Saint Benedict; in order that all, when¬ 
 ever they wished, might be enabled to read his laws, and that 
 it might not befall any one tlirough ignorance to contravene 
 the same. 
 
 The aforesaid history of the former monastery having been 
 accordingly published by the five Sempects before-mentioned, 
 and the said enactments of the venerable abbat Turketul being, 
 after lengthened consideration, digested and reduced into writ¬ 
 ing ; the before-named father, being now broken down by old 
 age, and, in especial, weakened by many wounds, as also by the 
 immense labours which in his earlier years he had undergone, 
 was in daily expectation of the closing hour of death, and so, 
 liko a good workman about to receive from his Lord his penny 
 in the evening for the faithful performance of his duties, with 
 most ardent longing he sighed for the end of his toils, and 
 the approach of the evening of eternal reward, At the same 
 
102 ingulph’s history of the abbey of CEOTLAJTD. A.D. 974. 
 
 time, he frequently and most fervently [celebrated the ser¬ 
 vice of the mass], watched with prayers and devotion, gave i 
 himself up to holy meditations and sorrowing, relieved all the i 
 poor in their respective distresses, gave victuals to all beggars 
 and needy persons, and applied himself to other works of 
 brotherly love as well: while each day he held in loathing 
 the present life, and, without ceasing, longed for that to come, i 
 He also made it his care to neglect no part of the regular ob¬ 
 servances, while, at the same time, he always declared that he 
 was an unprofitable servant, and, with all earnestness of spirit, 
 desired the mercy of Christ; and did, with indefatigable de¬ 
 voutness, as though•with an urgent hand, day by day, knock at 
 the gates of Paradise, and by every Christian title lay claim to 
 admission to the kingdom of heaven. 
 
 The infants, also, and sons of the nobles, who were sent to 
 be trained as monks, and who repaired to the secular clerks at 
 Pegeland for the purpose of being instructed in literature, he 
 visited once at least each day, that they might not chance to 
 be treated with negligence in any respect, and thus bestowed 
 his attention upon the studies and labours of each. On these 
 occasions, a servant attending him with the same, he rewarded 
 those who distinguished themselves above the rest by their in¬ 
 dustry, with figs, raisins, nuts, almonds, or, 'more frequently, 
 with apples and pears, or other little presents, in order that, 
 not so much by [harsh] words or blows, as by frequent encou¬ 
 ragement and rewards, he might induce all to show due dili¬ 
 gence in the prosecution of their studies. 
 
 As for the Sempects of the monastery, who had through the 
 Word of Life begotten him for the service of God, he always 
 held them in the highest veneration, cheering them every day 
 with familiar conversation, and showing them kind atten¬ 
 tions by sending them some especial present from his own 
 table. On one occasion, the lord Clarenbald, the chief of the 
 Sempects (who was a man of very advanced age, and greatly the 
 senior of all the rest in the length of time which had elapsed 
 since he had entered the monastic order, having now com¬ 
 pleted the hundred and sixty-eighth 7 year of his age), fell ill 
 and lay on his bed, awaiting the casting off of the flesh, which 
 was now close at hand, and about to receive at the hands of the 
 Lord his reward for having undergone such lengthened labours 
 " Another reading has the 11 one hundred and forty-eighth.” 
 
a.d. 975. 
 
 ILLXESS OE ABBAT TUEKETUE. 
 
 103 
 
 in His holy service; upon which, the venerable father, abbat 
 Turketul, himself performing the duties of a servant, would 
 not leave him either day or night, but lay down by his side, 
 ckaunted the daily service in the ears of the sick man, and, 
 with his own hands, performed all the requisite duties, just like 
 the most active youth; and after he had received the last 
 unction and had departed, he interred him, performing the 
 solemn service at his obsequies, in the middle of the choir. 
 
 In the following year died the lord Swarting, after the com¬ 
 pletion of the hundred and forty-second year of his age. The 
 venerable abbat Turketul watched him in his illness with an 
 equal degree of attention, and, after his death, committed him 
 to the tomb, by the side of the lord Clarenbald, honoring him 
 with similar respectful obsequies. In like manner, with similar 
 attentions, he buried the lord Brune and the lord Aio, who, with 
 Swarting, all died in the same year, it being the fourteenth 
 year of the reign of the renowned king Edgar—the two former 
 being interred together. At length, in the following year, last 
 of all, died the lord Turgar, a venerable old man, after having 
 completed the hundred and fifteenth year of his age. These 
 live aged Sempects had seen both monasteries—the old one, 
 which had been destroyed by the Hanes, and the new one, 
 which had been lately restored. 
 
 In the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 975, being the 
 sixteenth and last year of the reign of king Edgar, after cele¬ 
 brating with much devoutness the feast of the Apostles Peter 
 and Paul, our venerable father, the lord abbat Turketul, caught 
 a fever from the effects of the intense heat of the Hog-star in 
 that year—a thing not in accordance with his usual robust 
 health ; and, after having struggled against it most stoutly for 
 .liree days, on the fourth he took to his bed; upon which, he 
 summoned the whole convent, both the monks, forty-seven in 
 ilumber, and the four lay brethren, to his chamber, and bade 
 he lord Egelric, at this time his steward, in the presence of all, 
 
 , o show how the house was provided with treasures as well as 
 ; ewels, and to answer to the community, after his death, for 
 he whole thereof, according to the list of them [then shown]. 
 
 The treasures belonging to the monastery that were pro- 
 luced on this occasion, amounted to a sum of nearly ten thou- 
 ■and pounds. The relics were very numerous and extremely 
 arecious, being the same which, on various occasions, Henry, 
 
104 ijrGUi.rii’s n i stout of thx abbey of ceotlaxd. a.d. 975. - 
 
 emperor of Germany, Hugh, king of the Franks, Louis, prince : 
 of Aquitaine, and many other dukes and earls, nobles and pie- 1 
 lates, desiring to gain the good will and friendship of the kings 4 
 of England, had bestowed on him while he filled the office of 
 king’s chancellor. Among these he set especial value on the 1 
 thumb of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, so much so, that he 
 always canned it about him, and in all times of danger, tem- 
 pest, and lightning, crossed himself therewith: the duke of i 
 Beneventum had given it to the emperor, on the occasion when 1 
 he had first girded him, in his youth, with the military belt; { 
 and the emperor, in his turn, had presented it to the chan- j 
 cellor. There was also some of the hair of Saint Mary, the I 
 Mother of God, which the king of France had given to him, j 
 enclosed in a box of gold; a bone, likewise, of Saint Leodegar, I 
 the bishop and martyr, given to him by the princeof Aquitaine; j 
 as well as many other relics, of which some have been purloined, 1 
 while some are still preserved in these, the Norman times. 
 
 There were also many vessels of gold and silver, the whole 
 of which he had given for the use of the monastery, into the 
 charge of the steward and proctor thereof. For the two 
 Egelrics were, one of them the steward, the other the proctor, 
 of the monastery; being his kinsmen according to the flesh, 
 and his brethren according to God, men most religious and 
 most devout. The steward was most skilful in the manage¬ 
 ment of worldly matters, while the proctor was a scholar, 
 imbued with a most profound knowledge of all branches of 
 literature. These, and the prior Amfrid, as long as he lived, . 
 were the principal advisers of the abbat; and he did nothing, 
 great or small, without first taking their advice. 
 
 His fever increasing day by day, and he being now reduced 
 to the last extremity, after partaking of the holy mysteries of 
 Christ, he embraced with both arms the cross, which the at¬ 
 tendants had brought from the church before the oonvent, for 
 him to kiss. With what sighs, with what tears, with what 
 sobs, and how repeatedly, he kissed it, cannot, in a few words, 
 be described: words so full of devotion did he utter upon each 
 of the wounds of Christ, as to move all the brethren who stood 
 around to shed most abundant tears, and the remembrance of 
 his devoutness did not fade from the memories of many of them 
 all the days of their lives. 
 
a. n. 975. 
 
 DEATH OP ABBAT TURKETBL. 
 
 105 
 
 The day before his death he delivered a short discourse to 
 his brethren, who were present, on the observance of their 
 monastic vows, on brotherly love, on precaution against negli¬ 
 gence in things temporal as well as spiritual, and on diligently 
 taking care of our fire—whether it was that he thereby, meant 
 brotherly love, or ■whether he alluded to the destruction of the 
 place by fire, against which he wished proper precautions to be 
 taken; for frequently [and fervently], moved as it were with a 
 spirit of prophecy, he spoke these words of warning : “ Take 
 ye especial care of your fires;” 7 —and, at length, dismissing 
 them, he commended himself to the prayers of all. Last thing 
 of all, he bade them farewell, and [inwardly] supplicated 
 God in behalf of them all. When the vital powers had now 
 quite failed, and his languor had increased more and more, on 
 the fifth day before the nones of July, being the day of the 
 translation of Saint Benedict, his father and patron, after per¬ 
 forming the regular offices of the day, at the completing ser¬ 
 vice 8 he also completed his days, and departed this life, quitting 
 the labours of the-abbacy for the bosom of his father Abraham. 
 He was buried in his church, which he had erected from the 
 foundation, near the great altar, on the right-hand side thereof, 
 n the sixty-eighth year of his age, and the twenty-seventh 
 >f his monastic life, being interred by his neighbours, the 
 athers, Adulph, abbat of Burgh, and Godman, abbat of 
 rhorney. 
 
 He was succeeded in the office of abbat, all concurring in 
 he election, by Egelric the elder, his kinsman, who had, under 
 dm, been steward of the whole monastery, a most religious 
 nan, and one remarkably well-skilled in the careful manage- 
 nent of temporal concerns, and of singular experience and 
 idmirable prudence in bringing all secular matters to a pro- 
 perous issue. For, as he was related by blood to Alter, duke 
 f the Mercians, and distinguished by his intimate acquaint- 
 inceship, he suffered no molestation whatever under king 
 Sdward, who succeeded his father, Edgar, on the throne, iil- 
 hough many monasteries were most grievously afflicted ; nor 
 vas he in the slightest degree harassed by him. 
 
 In the discharge of his duties, as steward of the whole 
 monastery, in the latter years of the lord abbat Turketul, he 
 id many good services. For it was he who urged and induced 
 7 “ Ignem vestrum optime custodite.” 
 
 * The service of the “ completorium,” or “ complins,” the last of the day. 
 
106 INGDLPn’s HISTORY OF THF ABBEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 975. i 
 
 the lord abbat Turketul to go to London, and obtain the 
 charter of king Edgar, and the ecclesiastical censure against 
 the violation thereof, from Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury, 
 and Osketul, archbishop of York, together with the grant and 
 confirmation of spiritual rights over the whole parish of Croy- 
 land ; by which means provision was made for ensuring the 
 peace and quiet of the whole monastery, and the entire com¬ 
 munity was most effectually protected against violence, both 
 spiritual as well as temporal. Hearing, also, that the holy Athel- 
 wold, bishop of Winchester, was most strongly urging king 
 Edgar to restore the monastery of Medeshamsted, which was 
 in the vicinity [of Croyland], to its former state; as the ad¬ 
 joining forests were still remaining in the king’s hands, and 
 the proceeds applied to the purposes of the treasury, he made i 
 use of the license granted by the royal charter, and had trees 
 and timber carried from the said woods, in cars and carriages, I 
 carts and waggons, and every kind of vehicle, to the monastery 
 of Croyland. With this, some very handsome buildings were ,! 
 afterwards erected in the monastery of Croyland, and many 
 verj r fine pieces of timber were preserved there for the emer¬ 
 gencies of the monastery at a future period. 
 
 For, with this timber, while Turketul, the lord abbat, was i 
 still alive, the roof of the church was finished; and its tower I 
 was stoutly supported and compactly held together with beams t 
 of remarkable length. After the death, also, of the lord abbat | 
 Turketul, he erected out of the 6ame timber a great number 
 of buildings of exceeding beauty, such as the infirmary of the 1 
 monks, of very becoming proportions both in length and ' 
 breadth, and wonderfully constructed of beams and planks 
 fitted in joints with carpenters’ work. He erected the chapel, 
 also, of similar workmanship, together with a bath-room and 
 other requisite out-buildings. These were all made of planed 
 plunks (because the foundation, being weak, -was not able to 
 bear an erection of stone), and covered with lead. He then 
 built a hall for guests, and two very fine chambers of similar 
 workmanship : he also made a new brew-house and a new bake¬ 
 house, all of the very finest workmanship, in timber. He also 
 erected a large granary of similar construction, in the upper 
 part of which all kinds of corn were stowed, while in the 
 lower part malt was kept. He also built a large stable, in 
 the upper part of which there were chambers for all the ser- 
 
A.l) . 984 . DEATH OF ABBAT EGELRIC THE ELDER. 107 
 
 vants of the abbey; while, iu the lower part, there were stalls 
 for the abbat's horses at one end, and stalls for the use of the 
 guests at the other. By these three buildings, that is to say, 
 the stable, granary, and bake-house, the whole western side 
 .of the court-yard of the abbey, looking towards the vill, was 
 bounded; while the southern side was bounded by the hall for 
 the guests, and its chambers. The eastern side consisted of 
 the shoemakers’ workshop, the hall of the professed brethren, 
 as also the kitchen, hall, chamber, and chapel of the abbat,. 
 which bounded the cloisters of the monks on the west; while 
 the northern side of the abbey was protected by a large gate, 
 close to which, ou the eastern side, was the almonry for the 
 poor. All these places, except [the hall] for the abbat, and 
 bis chamber and chapel, adjoining to the cloisters, and the 
 before-mentioned almonry for the poor, which the lord Turkctul 
 had built of stone, were of wood, of similar workmanship, and 
 covered with lead. 
 
 In years of drought, also, he put their marshes into a state 
 cf cultivation, in four places, that is to say, at the four corners 
 thereof, and for three or four years had fruit a hundred-fold 
 for all the seed sown. The cultivated lands of Tedwarthar 
 proved the most fruitful of all, and the monastery was enriched 
 oeyond measure in consequence ; and so great was the abun¬ 
 dance of corn, that it was able to relieve the whole of the 
 adjacent country therewith ; while, from the resort thither of 
 countless multitudes of needy people, the vill became very 
 greatly increased. 
 
 Ho also had two large bells made, which he called Bartho¬ 
 lomew and Bettelm; also two of middle size, which he called 
 Turkctul and Tatwin; and two small ones, to which he gave 
 ;he names of Pcga and Bega. The lord abbat Turkctul had 
 creviously had one very large bell made, called Guthlac, and 
 when it was rung with the bells before-named, an exquisite 
 laarmony was produced thereby; nor was there such a peal of 
 cells in those days in all England. 
 
 • After having spent ten years in the most strenuous discharge 
 if his pastoral duties, abbat Egelric departed this life on the 
 second day before the nones of August, and was buried in the 
 diUpter house, almost at the same time at which the holy Athel- 
 wold, the bishop of Winchester, departed unto the Lord, that 
 s to say, in the year of our Lord, 984. 
 
108 INGtrLPH’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CKOYLAND. A.D. 992. 
 
 He was succeeded in the office of abbat by his relative, the 
 other Egelric, called Egelric the younger, a man more devoted 
 to books and holy literature than skilled in the management ol 
 temporal affairs ; but, during all his time, most devoutly and 
 most zealously did he watch the interests of the monastery. In 
 his fourth year, the holy Dunstan, the archbishop, departed unto 
 the Lord. This abbat Egelric gave to the common library ol 
 the monks of the house several large volumes, containing the 
 original works of divers learned men, forty in number; while 
 the smaller volumes, consisting of various tracts and histories, , 
 exceeded three hundred in number. He also presented to 
 -the office of sacrist numerous vestments; for instance, for every 
 altar in the church two chasubles, that is to say, one for use on 
 the Lord’s day, the other on principal festivals. He also pre- . 
 sented to the choir four-and-twenty copes, that is to say, six 
 white ones, six red, six green, and six black. He also gave two 
 large pedals, 9 embroidered with lions, to be placed before the 
 great altar on principal festivals, and two smaller ones, covered 
 with flowers, for the feasts of the Apostles. He also presented 
 many palls for the purpose of being suspended on the walls by 
 the altars of the Saints on feast days, many of which were of 
 silk, while some were embroidered with birds in gold, some in¬ 
 terwoven, and some plain. He also had six chalices made, and i 
 presented them to the different altars and chapels. He also had 
 made for the choir six responsories, and four antiphonars, with 
 eight missals for the different altars. He also furnished the 
 various offices of the monastery with certain vessels of brass i 
 that were requisite. He also supplied the whole convent, en¬ 
 tirely at his own expense, for one whole year with tunics, for 
 another whole year with hoods, and for a third year with frocks, 
 in addition to those articles of dress which the lord Turketul 
 had granted to the convent, to be received each year from the 
 church and manor of Beby. After he had most ably governed 
 the monastery for a period of eight years, he departed this 
 life on the fifth day before the nones of March, in the year of 
 our Lord, 992 ; in the same year, and at the same time of the 
 year, at which the holy Oswald, archbishop of York, departed 
 unto the Lord ; who, a few years before, assisted by earl 
 Alwin, and Leofwin, bishop of Dorchester, had founded the 
 monastery of Ramsey. 
 
 * Carpets for the feet, made of tapestry work. 
 
A.n. 978 . 
 
 DEATHS OF EDWABD AND EDGAB. 
 
 109 
 
 Abbat Egelric being buried in the chapter-house, near the 
 other Egelric, he was succeeded in the office of abbat by the 
 lord Osketul, who, in the time of the lord Turketul and the 
 two abhats Egelric, had long been prior, in succession to prior 
 Amfrid—a simple and upright man, very kind and affectionate 
 to all, well-skilled in literature, and of very noble descent. 
 So much did he devote himself to alms-giving to the needy, 
 that he was called the “ Father of the poorand so great 
 was his authority with the multitude, that whatever he said 
 was to be, was thought to be a prophecy ; while so highly waa 
 he honored by the chief men of the land, that he was re¬ 
 vered by them as a father. 
 
 The renowned king [Edgar], who was the flower and grace 
 of all his predecessors, the sovereign of the western regions of 
 the world, and the glory and rose among kings, departed this 
 life in the year of our Lord, 975, being the sixteenth year 
 of his reign over the whole of England, and the thirty-second 
 of his age, and was buried at Glastonbury. He was suc¬ 
 ceeded on the throne by [Edward] his first-born son, an inno¬ 
 cent and most religious youtb, and one who, in character, 
 greatly took after his father. A tyrannical faction, especially 
 supported by the favour and influence of the queen, abused his 
 roly simplicity and innocence to such an extent, that, in 
 Mercia, the monks of some of the monasteries were expelled, 
 ind clerks were introduced there, who immediately distri¬ 
 buted the manors belonging to the monasteries among the 
 lukes of the land; in order that, being thus obligated to take 
 heir side, they might defend them against the monks. 
 
 On this occasion, the monks being expelled from the mo- 
 lastery of Evesham, the clerks were introduced, and the 
 .yrants of the land were bribed with the lands of the church; 
 ,vhom the queen, taking part with the clerks with all the 
 vickedness of a step-mother, favoured, for the purpose of cast- 
 ng odium upon the king. The king, however, and the holy 
 nsliops, persisted in supporting the monks; but the tyrants, 
 lupported by the favour and influence of the queen, triumphed 
 >ver them. Hence arose great tumults in every corner of 
 ingland. At length, after a reign of four years, he was slain 
 it Corvesgate, 10 by the counsel and sanction of his said step- 
 nother, and was buried at Warebam, but afterwards, through 
 he care of duke Alter, transferred to Shaftesbury. 
 
 18 Corfe Castle. 
 
110 INGULPH’s HISTORY OP THE ABBEY OF CROYLA.X D. A.D. OQt 
 
 He was succeeded by his brother Ethelred, who was the sor 
 however, of his step-mother, the before-named Alfleda, bein 
 then a boy ten years old. Then, of a truth, might the prc 
 verbial saying have been quoted—“Woe unto thee, 0 lane 
 when thy king is a child!” 11 He was crowned at Xingstoi 
 by Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury, and Oswald, arct 
 bishop of York. 
 
 After the ceremony of coronation was performed, he wi 
 thus addressed by the holy Dunstan : “ Because thou hast as 
 ceuded thy throne through the death of thy brother, whoi 
 thy mother slew, therefore, hear the word of the Lord. Tht 
 saith the Lord, ‘ The sword shall not depart from thy housi 
 but shall rage against thee all the days of thy life, and slia 
 slay those of thy seed and thy race, until thy kingdom sha 
 be transferred to another kingdom, whose customs and whos 
 language thy race knoweth not: nor shall the sin of th 
 mother be atoned for, except with prolonged vengeance, and 
 vast effusion of blood ; as also the sins of those most guilt 
 men who have aided her wicked designs, so as to lay hanc 
 upon the Lord’s anointed, to the shedding of the innocent blood.’ 
 
 The same holy man had also given utterance to another prc 
 phecy as to the same child. While he was baptizing the infan 
 it bewrayed the font, on which Dunstan exclaimed, “ By Sail 
 Wary, this child will turn out but a worthless man !” He : 
 said to have uttered a third prophecy after he had bee 
 crowned king, and while he was with his army besieging Re 
 Chester. For, a misunderstanding having arisen between hii 
 and the bishop of that city, he had come with his army an 
 laid siege to it. On this, the holy Dunstan, the archbishop, ei 
 treated the king to break up the siege, and not provoke th 
 anger of Saint Andrew the Apostle, who was the especial pi 
 tron of the said church. He, however, caring but little fc 
 his entreaties, persevered with the siege : on perceiving whicl 
 the holy man sent him one hundred pounds. The king, o 
 receiving the money, recalled his army, and withdrew fro: 
 the siege; upon which, the holy man, surprised at the cupidit 
 thus displayed, by a messenger sent him back tliis answei 
 “ Inasmuch as thou hast preferred money before God, silv< 
 before the Apostle, and cupidity before me, thy servan 
 the evils shall speedily come upon thee, of which the Lui 
 11 Eccl. x. lti. 
 
.D. 992. HONORS PAID TO TOE REUCS OP ST. NEOT. 
 
 Ill 
 
 ath spoken: but, while I am alive, they shall not come to 
 iass ; for so the Lord hath spoken.” However, directly after 
 he death of the holy man, the said prophecies began, day after 
 ay, to be fulfilled, and innumerable evils to afflict the whole 
 and. 
 
 For, in the first place, the Danish pirates began with fre- 
 uent assaults to harass our shores on every side of the land ; 
 nd next, their unconquerable armies, coming over in mighty 
 '.eets, began lawlessly to attack both cities and castles. At the 
 line time, also, a dreadful famine severely afflicted and distressed 
 he natives; after which, a disease, which bears the name of 
 : dysentery,” began to rage both among beasts of burden and 
 len; while a pestilence, attending close upon the other afflic- 
 .ons, struck down many thousands, both of the rich and the 
 oor. All their enemies, too, from the very first, 12 were always 
 ictorious over the English, and in every contest proved the 
 onquerors. Accordingly, in the time of Osketul, the lord abbat 
 !f Croyland, while the Danes were thus molesting the whole 
 irritory, the natives of the vills and villages* took refuge in 
 [le cities and castles; while many of them lied to the marshes 
 ad out-of-the-way spots near the lakes, and, to the best of 
 leir ability, took precautions against the incursions and de- 
 redations of the Danes. 
 
 Accordingly, it so happened, that a certain great lady, Lef- 
 ina by name, the lady of a vill, which bears the name of 
 lnophesbyry, and sister by parentage to Osketul, the lord 
 )bat of Croyland, came to Wittlesey, at that time her vill, 
 id brought with her certain holy relics, the most holy remains 
 Saint Neot the confessor, from Elnophesbyry, because they 
 y at that place without becoming honor, and were exposed 
 the ravages of the Danes; these she brought with her in a 
 trine formed for the purpose. Sending a speedy message to 
 :t brother, the lord abbat Osketul, with suppliant prayers 
 ie entreated him, that he would be pleased to come to Wit- 
 3sey with a suitable retinue of his brethren, and with all due 
 verence convey the said relics of Saint Neot the confessor 
 ith him to his monastery. Overjoyed and exulting, he took 
 ith him some of his brethren and proceeded to Wittlesey ; 
 hence with all due honors and the melodious singing of 
 alms, he transferred the said holy relics to Croyland, and 
 12 This seems to be the meaning of “ in capite,” but it is doubtful. 
 
112 ingulph's history op the abbey of CROTRAND. A.D. 100c 
 
 there, with becoming devoutness, placed them near the alta 
 of Saint Mary, the mother of God. 
 
 At this period, all the monastaries of the land began to b 
 subjected by king Ethelred and his chieftains and thanes t 
 most grievous exactions, and to be harassed beyond measur 
 by the collection from them of immense sums of money, i: 
 order to satisfy the tribute paid to the Danes. After plunder 
 ing the treasuries and carrying away the sacred chalices a 
 well as the other valuables of the monasteries, even the ver 
 shrines of the Saints were ordered to be spoiled by the col 
 lectors. Accordingly, the venerable father Osketul, the Ion 
 abbat of Croyland, paid at different times four hundred mark 
 for the said tribute ; but at last, after having filled the pasto 
 ral office with zeal and sanctity for a period of twelve years 
 through the relief afforded by a holy death, he finally escapee 
 the royal exactions and all .the fears of this world, by puttin; 
 off the flesh : this happened on the twelfth day before the ca 
 lends of November, in the year of our Lord, 1005. 
 
 He was succeeded in the office of abbat by the venerabL 
 father, abbat Godrio, who was elected and made abbat in tin 
 days of straights, tribulation and misery, just as in forme, 
 times the abbat Godric, who bore a similar name, had pre 
 sided over the said monastery in the time of its desolation am 
 ruin. He most laboriously ruled the said monastery for fourteei 
 years, during the reign of the before-named king Ethelred 
 In the time of this abbat, the Danes having obtained the 
 mastery of nearly the whole land, intolerable taxes were im 
 posed by king Ethelred, and his dukes, Edric, Alfric, Godwin 
 and many others, for the purpose of paying the tribute t< 
 the Danes; while other most grievous exactions were mad< 
 for the purpose of replacing the expenses incurred by those 
 nobles; added to which, on the part of Anlaph, and Sweyn 
 and their armies, depredations, spoliations, and destructioi 
 went on without ceasing. Many a monastery was often drainec 
 of every penny, while still the exactors refused to believe 
 that they had extorted the very utmost farthing; for so ii 
 was, that in those days, the more the religious were oppressed.* 
 the more they were supposed to have, the greater abundance 
 they were supposed to possess. 
 
 Hence it was, that the venerable father, abbat Godric. 
 in his first year paid to king Ethelred two hundred marks, 
 
vd. 1013. 
 
 ATKOC1T1ES COMMITTED BY THE DANES. 
 
 113 
 
 vhile, in a similar manner, for their expenses, his dukes ex¬ 
 ported two hundred marks; besides smaller exactions which, 
 ,he king’s thanes continually rushing in, were daily incurred. 
 V second, third, and fourth year the same thing again took 
 dace. In his third year also, two hundred pounds were ex- 
 icted towards building gallies at all the ports, and supplying 
 he naval armament with provisions and other necessaries, 
 igain, in his fourth year, Turkill, the Danish earl, having 
 nade a descent with a very strong fleet, he sent for one hun- 
 Ired pounds, and payment thereof was levied by means of the 
 uost cruel exactions. The Danes, making incursions through- 
 iut the provinces, stripping the inhabitants of all that was 
 noveable, and burning all that could not be carried away, 
 bllaged Drayton, Cottenham, and Hoketon, manors belonging 
 o Croyland, and ravaged them, together with the whole county 
 if Cambridge, with flames. These, however, were but the 
 irecursors of evils. 
 
 For, whereas, every year before, four hundred marks had 
 •een paid through the exactions of the king and to defray the 
 xpenses of his dukes, king Sweyn now came with a new 
 ; eet, and a most fierce army, and laid waste every quarter, 
 lushing onward from Lindesey, he burned the villages, em- 
 owelled the peasants, and with various torments put to 
 [eath all the religious ; after which, he committed Baston and 
 angtoft to the flames. This was the year of our Lord, 1013. 
 t this period, the monastery of Saint Pega, and its manors 
 Ijoining, that is to say, Glinton, Northumburtham, Makesey, 
 tton, Badyngton, and Bernake, were all at the same time 
 immitted to the flames, and all the retainers slaughtered or 
 
 S irried away captive. The abbat, however, together with all 
 ie convent, escaped by night, and, coming in a boat to Croy- 
 nd, were thus saved. 
 
 In a similar manner, the monastery of Burgh, and the ad- 
 jining vills, with its manors of Ege, Thorpe, Walton, Wythe- 
 ngton, Paston, Dodisthorp, and Castre, after being first 
 ripped of everything, were committed to the flames; but the 
 ; bat, with the greater part of his convent, taking with them 
 He sacred relics of the holy virgins, Kyneburga, Kineswitha, 
 
 ; d Tilba, went to Thorney. The prior, however, with some 
 • the brethren, taking with him the arm of Saint Oswald, the 
 
 i 
 
114 ingulph’s history of the abbey OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 1013 . 
 
 king, made his escape to the island of Ely; -while the sub- 
 prior, with ten of the brethren, repaired to Croyland. 
 
 It happened, fortunately, that this year the inundations had 
 increased to an unusual degree in consequence of the frequenl 
 showers, and consequently rendered the neighbouring fens, as 
 also the marsh-lands adjoining thereto, impassable. Accord¬ 
 ingly, all the population repaired thither, and infinite multi¬ 
 tudes flocked to the spot; the choir and the cloisters were fillec 
 with monks, the rest of the church with priests and clerks 
 and the whole abbey with laymen; while the cemetery wa.- 
 filled night and day with women and children under tents 
 The stoutest among them, as well as the young men, kep 
 watch among the sedge and the alder-beds upon the mouth, 
 of the rivers; and every day, not to speak of other ex 
 penses, one hundred monks sat down to table. Besides al 
 this, king >$weyn by messenger imposed a fine of one thou 
 sand marks on the monastery of Croyland, and, under pain o 
 burning the whole monastery, appointed a certain day fo: 
 the payment thereof at Lincoln; while, within three month 
 after payment of the said sum, these most wicked extortioners 
 by the most tenible threats, again exacted a thousand mark 
 for the purpose of finding provisions for their army. 
 
 The cruel martyrdom of Saint Elphege, the archbishop o 
 Canterbury, is now well known and published everywhere 
 Because he refused to pay an excessive sum of money whicl 
 had been imposed on him as the payment of his ransom, th 
 Banes with brutal fury slaughtered him, inflicting the mos 
 dreadful torments. All bewailed these cruel times, and though 
 that happy were they, who, in whatever way, had departe 
 this life; abbat Godric, in especial, on whom devolved th 
 charge of so vast a multitude, and whom king Ethelred believe 
 to be in possession of heaps of silver. On the other hanc 
 Sweyn, the Bane, and the whole of his army were always utter 
 ing multiplied threats and devising stratagems against him, a 
 being the chief of all those who had made their escape froi 
 out of their hands. 
 
 At last, in consequence of the expenses within and the ex 
 actions without, the entire treasury of the lord abbat Tuij 
 ketul was exhausted, and the granaries of the two Egelrial 
 levelled with the ground; while at the same time, the king i 
 collectors were daily making their assaults for money, and do I 
 
A.D. 10)3. 
 
 DUKE EDEIC PUT TO DEATH. 
 
 115 
 
 daring that he, as being a traitor to his country, and a sup¬ 
 porter of the Danes, ought at once to be brought before the 
 king in fetters as he deserved, and to be given up to punish¬ 
 ment for his misdeeds. Being consequently stricken 'with in¬ 
 ternal grief of heart at so many terrible threats, the venerable 
 father, abbat Godric, summoned the whole of his convent, and 
 informing them that the money of the monastery was ex¬ 
 hausted, begged and entreated them to advise him thereupon, 
 and determine what ought to be done against such a wicked 
 age. 
 
 At length, after a prolonged deliberation, this resolution was 
 agreed to by them all, that they ought to hire the services of 
 one of the thanes or servants of Edric, duke of the Mercians, 
 and, when money failed, grant him their lands and tenements 
 for the term of his life, and so lay him under the obligation of 
 being their protector against imminent dangers. For, next to 
 the king, this Edric was the most powerful person in the 
 country, and on most intimate terms both with king Ethelred 
 md with Sweyn, king of the Danes, and afterwards with 
 3nute, his son. Accordingly, one of the most influential of the 
 servants of the said duke Edric was hired, a person whose 
 lame was Forman, a man of most illustrious family, being the 
 •>on of earl Leofwin, and the brother of Leofric, the noble earl 
 >f Leicester ; the manor of Baddeby being granted to him at 
 iis request, for a term of one hundred years. On receiving the 
 aid manor, to hold the same of Saint Guthlac, at the annual 
 •■ent of one peppercorn, to be paid yearly at the feast of Saint 
 Bartholomew, lie faithfully promised, and bound himself by 
 Beed made to that effect, to be the guardian and protector of 
 he monastery against all adversaries. 
 
 This availed the monastery for some time, that is to say, 
 11 the days of his life. But in the first year of king Cnute, 
 ill the perfidious duke Edric alleging it as a ground for deserts 
 :n his part that he had betrayed Ethelred, and had similarly 
 (etrayed Edmund, being thus convicted of treason by his 
 wn lips, he received the traitor’s reward of beiug hanged, 
 nd then thrown into the river Thames. Many of his depen- 
 auts being also put to death with him in a similar manner, 
 rst and foremost among them, Forman was slain; the whole 
 f whose lands, as the king greatly loved earl Leofric, his bro- 
 ier, he granted to him, in order that he might thereby make 
 
116 INGULPH’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CKOYLAXD. A.D. 1017 1 
 
 some small compensation for the death of his brother. Througl J 
 this grant, Baddebey came into the hands of the said ear 
 Leofric ; and at last, the confessor of the said earl, the prioi 
 of the monastery of Evesham, Avicius by name, counsellin§ 
 and repeatedly advising him thereto, it was assigned to the i 
 monastery of Evesham for the remainder of the term grantee 
 to his brother, and is still retained by it, though the term ha. 1 
 expired. 13 For this earl Leofric was a very devout man, ancs 
 remarkable for his numerous alms-deeds, and a founder anci 
 cnricher of many monasteries. Among these, at the suggestior || 
 of his wife, Godiva by name, both the most beauteous [ir jj 
 person] of all the women of her time, as well as the most hoi} ii 
 in heart, he enriched the monastery of Coventry to an immenso 
 extent with numerous and most costly gifts. 
 
 King Ethelred, after having most wretchedly sat upon the! 
 kingly throne for a period of thirty-seven years, falling sick al 
 London, died there, while besieged by the Danes, and wac 
 buried in the church of Saint l’aul. He was succeeded oai 
 the throne, upon the election of the Londoners and West Sax j 
 ons, by his eldest son, Edmund, who, for his valour, was I 
 called “ Ironside.’’ Most bravely fighting against Cnute, who 
 had succeeded on the wonderful and shocking death of his! 
 father, Sweyn, at Gaynesburgh, 14 he at last made an equal divi-: 
 sion of the kingdom with the said Cnute. But just when 
 these two most valiant youths had begun to reign together on 
 the most peaceful terms, Edmund was slain through the 
 treachery of the before-named perfidious duke Edric, and b} 
 the consent of all, Cnute was crowned king of the whole oi 
 England. In the same year, also, the before-named betrayer 
 of the kings, Edric, the perfidious duke of the Mercians, 
 perished by a deserved end; being hanged, as we have already | 
 stated, and thrown into the Thames to be devoured by the 
 fishes. The before-named Norman, together with some others 
 of his dependants, was also put to death. This was in the 
 year of our Lord, 1017. 
 
 King Cnute beginning to rule, profound peace was every¬ 
 where proclaimed, and flourished once more tliroughout all tht 
 provinces of England ; upon which, the venerable father Godric. | 
 
 13 This must be an interpolation, if Ingulph wrote this history, as ht I 
 died a.d. 1108, before the hundred years had expired. 
 
 14 Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire. 
 
a.d. 1032. 
 
 DEATH OF ABB AT GODBIC. 
 
 117 
 
 abbat of Croyland, sent to their homes all the monks be¬ 
 longing to other places who had been staying at his monas¬ 
 tery. On this occasion, the abbat of the church of Saint Pega, 
 on returning to his monastery with his monks, and beholding 
 o very thing destroyed and burned to the ground, fell to the 
 parth the very instant that he entered, and being carried by 
 bis brethren to a small house adjoining to his vill, died five 
 lays after, and was buried in his church. Abbat Baldoc being 
 :hus dead, Wulgat succeeded him, a man of remarkable pru¬ 
 dence in worldly matters, and extremely religious in spiritual 
 bncs. He afterwards most strenuously pleaded his cause 
 against Leofric, the abbat of Burgh ; but the court of the king 
 jiving too much favour to the more powerful person, and pro- 
 aouncing judgment against the poor one, he at length lost the 
 site of his monastery. So plentiful was the money of the 
 abbat Leofric, so great the influence of the earl Godwin. But 
 nore of this hereafter. 
 
 In the second year of king Cnute, when the storms of bat¬ 
 tles had ceased, and the serenity of peace had begun to shed 
 ts prosperity upon the times, the venerable father, abbat God- 
 •ic, having amid many labours sailed over the great sea of 
 bis life, entered the haven of eternal rest; and, after having 
 nost laboriously governed the monastery for fom-teen years, 
 departed this life on the fourteenth day before the calends of 
 February, and was buried in the chapter-house, over against 
 he lord Osketul. 
 
 He was succeeded in the office of abbat by the venerable 
 father, the lord Brichtmer, who was a kinsman of the lord abbat 
 Osketul, and under his predecessor, abbat Godric, proctor of 
 he monastery ; and had very frequently, with wondrous fa¬ 
 vour, escaped in safety many perils from both king Ethelred 
 md the forces of the Danes. In the fourth year of this ab¬ 
 bat, there came a young man of most remarkable devoutness 
 md of very high birth, one of the kindred of Leofric, the earl 
 rf Leicester before-mentioned, Wulfsy by name, who, in his 
 ove for a solitary life, became a recluse among us, and for 
 nany years lived a most holy life. 
 
 The venerable father Brichtmer, on seeing that king Cnute 
 was established in liis rule over England, and that he treated the 
 vhole of the English in the most courteous and most friendly 
 nanner, while he also, with especial devoutness, showed his 
 
11S IXGTJLTh’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAND. A. I). 1032. 
 
 affection for the I Toly Church, and with filial duteousness ho¬ 
 nored the same ; seeing also that he bestowed benefits on the 
 monasteries and many places of the Saints, and indeed pro¬ 
 moted some of the monasteries to the highest honor; he re¬ 
 solved at once to take the opportunity and wait upon the king, 
 and, (as he feared the power of certain of his adversaries, who 
 during the time of the war had greatly increased.) obtain the 
 confirmation of his monastery from the said king; a thing 
 which he accordingly did. For repairing to the royal court 
 and finding favour with the king, he obtained the said confir¬ 
 mation ; in attestation of which, he was presented with a 
 most beautiful chalice by the king, in these words 
 
 “ Cnute, king of the whole of England, Denmark, and 
 Norway, and of great part of Sweden, to all provinces, nations, 
 and peoples subject to my power, both snmll and great, greet¬ 
 ing. Whereas my forefathers and kinsmen have oftentimes 
 oppressed the hind of England with harsh extortions and with 
 direful depredations, and (I confess it) have therein shed inno¬ 
 cent blood; it has been my study from the beginning of my 
 reign, and ever will be henceforth, to make satisfaction as well 
 to heaven as to this world for these my sins, and those of my 
 kinsmen, and with all becoming devoutness to improve the 
 state of the whole of Mother Church, and of each monastery 
 under my governance existing, whensoever the same shall in 
 any way stand in need of my protection; and so, by means of 
 these and other good works, to render all the Saints of God 
 propitious to me in my necessities, and favoimible and consi¬ 
 derate to my prayers. Wherefore 1 do, as im earnest of this 
 my determination to make due satisfaction, offer unto Saint 
 Guthlac of Croyland, and the other Saints of the same place, 
 one chalice, part of my substance, and do confirm unto Brithmer, 
 the abbat, and his monks, the whole of their monastery at 
 Croyland, together with the island lying around the same, and 
 the two marshes thereto adjoining; that is to say, Alderlound 
 and Goggislound, with the same limits and boundaries by 
 which, in the charter of the late renowned king Edred, its 
 restorer, the said island and the said two marshes are fully 
 described. I do also confirm all churches and chapels, lands 
 and tenements, liberties and privileges, in the charter of the 
 said king contained, with the whole of which the said king 
 Edred endowed and enriched the said monastery of Croyland 
 
a.d. 3032. 
 
 CHAKlEtt- OF KING OCTE. 
 
 119 
 
 in honor of God and of Saint Guthlac, His confessor, who in the 
 body there reposes, and by his charter confirmed the same. And 
 further, let no one of my subjects from henceforth dare to 
 molest the said monks, or in any way to disturb them in any 
 of the matters aforesaid: and if any person shall presume so to 
 do, or shall attempt to take possession of the same, he shall 
 either feel the edge of my sword, or shall suffer the punishment 
 of the sword which is the due of the sacrilegious, receiving 
 sentence without forgiveness or ransom, in accordance with the 
 -circumstances and extent of the injury done to the said monks. 
 I, king Canute, in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 
 1032, have at London confirmed this my charter with the sign 
 of the Holy Cross. + I, Egelnoth, archbishop of Canterbury, 
 have confirmed the same with the sign of the most Holy Cross. 
 + I, Alfric, archbishop of York, have ratified this charter of 
 tlie king. -f I, Lefsy, bishop of "Worcester, have signed the 
 same. 4- I, Elfward, bishop of London, have applauded the 
 same. + I, Brichtmer, bishop of Lichfield, have established 
 the same. + I, Brichtege, abbat of Pershore, have taken part 
 herein. -f I, Wulnoth, abbat of Westminster, have signed the 
 same. + I, Oswy, abbat of Thorney, have approved hereof. 
 + I, earl Godwin, have consented hereto. + I, earl Leofric, 
 have attended hereat. + I, Edwin, brother of [earl] Leofric, 
 have been present hereat. + I, Harold, son of earl Godwin, 
 have taken part herein. + I, Algar, son of [earl] Leofric, have 
 assisted hereat. + I, Turkill, the king’s thane, have heard 
 the same. + I, Alfget, the king’s thane, have beheld the 
 same [ + ]•” 
 
 In the fourteenth year of his reign, king Cnute repaired to 
 Borne, and was honorably received by pope John [the Fif¬ 
 teenth, and by the emperor Conrad, who then was there, and 
 man}’ other kings] and princes of the whole of Christendom, 
 who were then assembled at Borne at the festival of Easter on 
 a visit, together with our lord the pope. On his return to 
 England through Denmark, during his journey he directed a 
 letter to the archbishop and all the people of England, inform¬ 
 ing them beforehand of his prosperous journey. It was sent 
 by the hand of the abbat of Tavistock, Living by name, and 
 . was to the following effect: 
 
 “ Cnute, king of the whole of Denmark, England, and 
 Norway, and of part of Sweden, to Egelnoth, the metropolitan, 
 and Alfr ic, archbishop of York, and all the bishops and pri- 
 
120 ijtgulth’s histokt of the ABBET OF CBOTLAXD. A.D. 1031 
 
 mates, with the whole nation of the English, nobles as well as | 
 commons, greeting. I do hereby notify unto you, that 1 
 have lately proceeded to Rome to pray for the pardon of my | 
 sins, and for the well-being of the kingdoms and peoples 
 which are subject to my rule. To undertake this journey I had 
 long since made a vow to God; but, in consequence of busi¬ 
 ness and the atfairs of my kingdom offering an impediment 
 thereto, I had not hitherto been able to undertake the same, i 
 Wherefore I do now most humbly return thanks to Almighty 
 God, for that He hath granted that I should consider it to be 
 greatly to my advantage during my life to visit the beloved 
 Apostles Peter and Paul, and every holy place, the existence of 
 which within the city of Rome or without I was able to learn. 
 Be it also known unto you, that a great assemblage of the 
 nobles among the faithful was held there at the solemn festival 
 of Easter, together with our lord the pope and the emperor 
 Conrad; that is to say, all the princes of the nations from 
 Mount Garganus 15 unto the neighbouring sea; all of whom 
 have received me with every mark of respect, and have honored 1 
 me with precious gifts and various presents, both vessels | 
 of gold and silver, as well as palls and vestments of most I 
 costly price. I accordingly discoursed with his lordship the ] 
 emperor, and his lordship the pope, and the princes who were ] 
 there present, as to the necessities of the whole of my people, 1 
 English as well as Hanes, to the end that more just laws and I 
 more sure protection might be afforded them in their journies I 
 to Rome ; and that they might not be delayed on the road by I 
 so many shuttings up of the mountain passes, and harassed by 1 
 having to pay unlawful tolls. My demands, too, were granted I 
 by the emperor and king Robert, in whose hands are most of 
 the mountain passes ; and all the princes, by their proclama- i 
 tions, enacted that my subjects, merchants as well as other 
 persons travelling thither for the purpose of offering up their 
 prayers, should, without any molestation at the mountain 
 passes or any demand of tolls, go to Rome and return thence in 
 full security’ and under just laws. I again made complaint to his 
 lordship the pope, and stated that it greatly displeased me that 
 my archbishops were mulcted in such enormous sums as were 
 demanded of them, when, according to custom, they repaired 
 to the Apostolic See, for the purpose of receiving the pall; on 
 15 A mountain and promontory of Apulia, in the south of Italy. 
 
\.d. 1031. 
 
 LETTER OF KING C.VCTE. 
 
 121 
 
 which a decree was made that the same should thenceforth he 
 but an end to. Every request which I made for the benefit 
 >f my people, of his lordship the pope, of the emperor, and of 
 dng liobert and the other princes, through whose lands we 
 lave to pass on our way to Home, they most willingly granted, 
 md by oath as well established the same, upon the testimony 
 if four archbishops, and twenty bishops, and a countless multi- 
 ude of dukes and nobles who were there present. Wherefore 
 do render unto Almighty God extreme thanks, because that 
 have successfully carried out all that I desired to do, and as 
 a my mind I had determined, and have to the utmost satisfied 
 ay wishes. 
 
 “Now, therefore, be it known unto you, that I have suppli- 
 ntly vowed before God, henceforth in all respects to live justly, 
 b govern the kingdoms committed to me, and their peoples, with 
 iety, and in all things to observe equity and justice ; and if, 
 i the wantonness and carelessness of my youth, I have hitherto 
 .one anything but what is just, it is my determination, by the 
 elp of God, henceforth to make amends for the whole thereof. 
 Vherefore, I do entreat and do command those of my advisers, 
 nto whom I have entrusted the interests of the people, in no 
 ■/ay, either through fear of me, or for the favour of any influ- 
 ntial person, to consent henceforth to any injustice, or to suffer 
 ny such to spring up throughout all my kingdom. I do also 
 ommand all the dignitaries and sheriffs throughoutmykingdom, 
 s they wish to ensure my friendship, as well as their own 
 /ell-being, to do injustice by violence to no man whatever, rich 
 r poor; but let all those who are noble, as well as those who 
 re not, have the liberty of obtaining their rights according to 
 be justice of the laws; from which no deviation shall be al- 
 Dwed, either to gain the favour of the king, or for the sake of 
 ny powerful person, or in order to accumulate money for me ; 
 ccause I have no necessity for money to be collected for me 
 brough iniquitous exactions. Wherefore, I do wish it to be 
 lade known unto you, that, returning the same way by which 
 came, I am on my road to Denmark, for the purpose, with 
 le sanction and consent of all the Danes, of making peace, and 
 lasting treaty with those nations, who, if it had been pos- 
 , ble for them so to do, would have deprived me both of my 
 ingdom and my life; hut were not able, inasmuch as God 
 ushed their might; and may He, in His mercy, preserve us 
 
122 iNGXJtrn’s history of the abbey of croylaxb. a.d. 1032. 
 
 in our kingdom and honor, and annihilate the power of all oui 
 enemies. And further, when peace shall have been concludet 
 with the nations which are round about us, and all this mj 
 kingdom here in the East shall have been set in order anc . 
 brought to a state of tranquillity, so that we can, on no side 
 entertain fear of war or hostility on the part of any one, it is mi 
 determination, at the earliest period possible, at which, this 
 summer, I can make the necessary preparations for sailing, tc 
 come to England. This letter I have now sent before me, tc 
 the end that all the people of my kingdom may rejoice at mi 
 welfare; and because, as you yourselves are aware, 1 have nevei 
 been sparing of myself or my exertions—nor will I be sparing 
 of the same in furthering the advantages and interests of all mi 
 people. Wherefore, I do now entreat all you my bishops anc 
 officers throughout my kingdom, by the fidelity which you owe 
 to me and to God, that you will take care, that, before 1 
 return to England, all the debts which, in conformity witl 
 ancient usage, we owe to the Church, are discharged ; that is tc - 
 say, plough-aims, 16 the tithes of animals born in the present■ 
 year, 17 and the pence owing to Saint Peter at Eome, whethei 
 from cities or whether from vills ; in the middle of August, the 
 tithes of the produce of the earth; and, on the festival of Sainl i 
 Martin, the first fruits of seeds payable to the church of the 
 parish where each one resides, and which in English are called 
 • Kyrkeset.’ 13 If these and other things are not paid when 1 ■ 
 return [to England], the royal rigour shall strictly, and in con- ; 
 formity with the laws, punish the person who shall be guilt) i 
 of such faultiness, without any pardon being granted what- { 
 ever. Farewell.” 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1032, king Cnute, returning from j 
 Rome by way of Denmark, landed in England at Sandwich 
 The lord abbat Brichtmer met the king at that port, and pre¬ 
 sented to him two choice palfreys, which he courteously re¬ 
 ceived, and repeatedly returned him thanks for the same. He 
 also gave to our abbat a full suit of silk, embroidered 
 with eagles in gold, and a thurible of silver gilt; which, 
 having been lately broken through old age, has been repaired 
 
 16 A penny for each plough, or, in other ivords, for as much land as £ 
 plough could till, to be distributed to the poor; payable within fifteer 
 days after Easter. 17 Payable at Whitsuntide. 
 
 16 Or kirk-shot.” It generally consisted of a certain quantity of corn 
 
.D. 1032. 
 
 DISTURBANCE'S AT TUE MONASTERY. 
 
 123 
 
 by the lord Ednoth, our sacrist. He also gave twelve white 
 bears’ skins, some of which have remained before the different 
 altars even unto our times. 
 
 Abbat Brichtmer, being strengthened in eveiy way by the 
 royal favour, and having first obtained the royal confirmation 
 for his monaster} 7 , built many manor-houses for Croyland, which 
 had been lately destroyed by the Danes. He built, at Staundon, 
 a very fine hall, with chambers and other requisite buildings, 
 for the reception of his retinue, when he or his monks should 
 have occasion to visit London on the business of the monastery. 
 He did the same at Drayton, and the same, too, at Morburn. 
 Upon the other manors which had been laid waste by the 
 Danes, Cottenham, Hoketon, Wendling, Adyngton, Elmyng- 
 ton, Langtoft, liaston, Bukenhale, and Halyngton, he erected 
 barns, cow-houses, stables, sheep-folds, and kitchens. In his 
 eighteenth year, king Cnute, having so nearly concluded the 
 twentieth year of his reign, departed this life, and was buried 
 it Winchester. 
 
 His two sons, Harold and Hardecnute, entering upon a con¬ 
 tention for the kingdom, a mighty war seemed on the point of 
 eommcncing. For the Danes and the Londoners made choice 
 if Harold, the son of Elfgiva of Northampton, but who 
 was said to he only a pretended 19 son of king Cnute ; while, 
 m the other hand, the English, with the whole of the remaining 
 iart of the country, preferred Edward, the son of king Ethel- 
 ■ed, or, at least, Hardecnute, the son of king Cnute by queen 
 Emma. Upon this occasion, a vast multitude of men and 
 women, smitten with alarm, together with their children and 
 ill their moveable property, took refuge at Croyland, being 
 ittracted, upon the mere apprehension of the approach of war, 
 ,o the slimy retreats of the marshes, and the alder-beds, and 
 •he mud of the lakes, as though some very strong castle 
 if refuge. 
 
 These new-comers everlastingly disturbed the whole mo- 
 lastery with numerous quarrels and bickerings, and rushing 
 ill day long into the cloisters, continually occupied themselves, 
 •ither through the servants of the monastery, or in person, in 
 dying the ears of the monks; endeavouring, by means of 
 winning words, to gain over the masters of the place, and so 
 
 19 It was suspected that she had imposed on the king the children of a 
 riest and a cobbler as his own. 
 
124 INGULPh’s HISTORT OF THE ABBEY OF CROTXANT. A.D. 1012. 
 
 induce tliem to look favourably upon their state of indigence. 
 The consequence was, that the monks abandoned the cloisters, 
 hardly ventured to descend from the dormitory to the choir for ;i 
 the performance of Divine service, and were scarcely able to 
 meet in the refectory for the purpose of taking their food at 
 the common table. But, more than all, they annoyed and i 
 distracted Wulfsy, 19 the anchorite and recluse among the i 
 clerks of Pegeland; for day and night they were consulting 
 him about different matters, and by their multiplied clamours 1 
 and invocations, forced him to become quite weary of his life. At 
 last, however, having his eyes bound with a bandage, 20 he re- 1 
 tired to Evesham, and, taking up the life of a recluse in a cell 
 near a certain chapel at that place, there still abides. 
 
 The kingdom of England was now divided between the two ' 
 brothers, sons of the same father. Hardecnute received the 
 southern provinces beyond the river Thames, while Harold | 
 took the northern ones, together with London, and the whole i 
 of the territory beyond the said river. Hardecnute, on receiv- 1 
 ing his portion, repaired to Denmark, where, making a longer i 
 stay than was proper or necessary, Harold was proclaimed king 
 over the whole of England. He presented to our monastery i 
 the mantle used at liis coronation, made of silk, and embroi- I 
 dered with flowers of gold, which the sacrist afterwards j 
 changed into a cope. And still more kindnesses would he have j 
 shown us, so great was the favour that the lord abbat Brieht- 
 mer had found with him, had not a speedy death prematurely 
 carried him off, while still pausing upon the very threshold 
 of his reign. Four years being completed, and the rule of 
 the kingdom being but tasted of, as it were, he departed this 
 life, and was entombed at Westminster. He was succeeded on 
 the throne by Hardecnute, who was his brother, but the son 
 of queen Emma, and who was sent for from Denmark. Imme¬ 
 diately he entered the kingdom, he ordered the body of his 
 brother, Harold, to be taken from the tomb, and, after being 
 decapitated, to be thrown into the adjacent river Thames. 
 The English and the Danes, however, taking it out of the river, 
 had it buried in the cemetery of the Danes at London. Harde- 
 enute, after a reign of two years, amid feasting and cups, 
 
 19 See further mention marie of him by Peter of Blois. 
 
 20 That lie might not behold the things of this world. 
 
a.D. 1013. 
 
 EDWARD ASCENDS THE THRONE. 
 
 125 
 
 belched forth his spirit at Lamithe, 21 near London, and rests 
 at Winchester, by the side of his father. 
 
 After his death, the choice of all fixed upon Edward, earl 
 Godwin especially recommending him ; and, accordingly, Ed¬ 
 ward, son of queen Emma, but by Ethelred, the former king 
 of England, was crowned at London, in the year from the 
 Incarnation of our Lord, 1043, upon the holy day of Easter; 
 and reigned nearly twenty-four years. To him was given in 
 marriage the daughter of earl Godwin, Egitha by name, a 
 young lady of most remarkable beauty, extremely well-versed 
 in literature, a maiden o'f exemplary purity of life and man¬ 
 ners, and of most hoi)- humility; while in no degree did she 
 partake of the barbarous disposition of her father or brothers, 
 out was meek and modest, trustworthy and honorable, and an 
 memy to no one. It was for this reason that the following 
 Elegiac line was composed with reference to her :— 
 
 “ As roses thorns, Egitha Godwin did beget." 2 
 
 Frequently have I seen her, 23 when in my boyhood I used 
 ;o go to visit my father who was employed about the court; 
 rad often, when I met her, as I was coming from school, did 
 she question me about my studies and my verses; and most 
 •eadily passing from the solidity of grammar to the brighter 
 studies of logic, in which she was particularly skilful, she 
 would catch me with the subtle threads of her arguments, 
 ilhe would always present me with three or four pieces of 
 noney, which were counted out to me by her hand-maiden, 
 ind then send me to the royal larder to refresh myself. 
 
 King Edward, though born in England, was brought up in 
 Normandy, and from his long stay there, had almost become 
 hanged into a Gaul; he consequently brought over with him, 
 >r attracted, great numbers from Normandy, whom he pro- 
 noted to many dignities, and greatly exalted. The principal 
 mong these was Robert, a monk of Jumieges, who was made by 
 lim bishop of London, and afterwards raised to be archbishop 
 f Canterbury; as also William [and Wulfelm], the king’s 
 
 21 At Clapham, which was formerly in the parish of Lambeth : it pro- 
 ably received its name from Osgod Clappa, the nobleman at whose 
 ouse this king thus suddenly died. 
 
 22 “ Sicut spina rosam, genuit Godwinus Egitham.” 
 
 2i This is the first instance in which Ingulph speaks of himself as a 
 ersoual witness of any of his facts. 
 
12G IXGULPH’S HISTOEY OF THE ABBEY OF CEOYLAXD. A.D. 10 UR. 
 
 chaplains, the first of whom was afterwards made bishop of 
 Loudon, and the latter bishop of Dorchester. The consequence 
 was, that under the governance of the king and of the other 
 Normans who had been introduced, the whole land began to 
 forsake the English customs, and to imitate the manners of the 
 Pranks in many respects; all the nobles in their respective 
 courts began to speak the Gallic tongue as though the great 
 national language, executed their charters and deeds after the 
 manner of the Franks, and in these and many other ways 
 showed themselves ashamed of their own customs. But ot 
 this, more hereafter. 
 
 In the sixth year of the reign of king Edward, that is to ; 
 say, in the year of our Lord, 1048, the venerable father 
 Brichtmer, the lord abbat of Croyland, fell sick, after having 
 most diligently filled the pastoral office for a period of twenty- 
 eight years: he departed this life on the seventh day before , 
 the ides of April, and lies buried in the doorway of the r ' 
 chapter-house. In his time, as we have a little before briefly 
 mentioned, the venerable father Wulgat, the lord abbat of 
 Pegeland, after having been for a long time subjected to the 
 demands of Elfin, Arwin, and Leofric, the abbats of Burgh, 
 was at length overpowered, and, shameful to relate! by judg¬ 
 ment of the royal court, lost the entire site of his monastery. 
 So powerful in those days was money against justice, craftiness 
 against truth, and the influence of earl Godwin at the court J 
 of king Hardecnute. 
 
 The said abbat Wulgat, on losing the site of his monastery, f 
 was about to lay the foundation for a new monastery at his i 
 manor of North burgh, which was near [to Peykirk], and upon 
 the banks of the neighbouring river Welland. While he was 
 making arrangements to remove his abbey thither, and was 1 
 labouring with unremitting activity to rebuild the church and 
 dormitory, together with the other buildings of the cloisters, 
 being aided therein by the alms of many of the faithful; Fernot, 
 the knight, and lord of Bosworth, [laid claim to the said manor 
 of Northburgh, and] openly shewed by the abbat’s own deeds 
 that the said manor of Northburgh had been given by his an¬ 
 cestors to the monastery of Saint Pega, and to the monks there 
 in the service of God : in consequence of which, as he alleged, 
 since the abbat Wulgat and his monks could not in future serve 
 God there, they ought no longer to hold the said manor. This 
 
..D. 1048. 
 
 DEATH OF ABBAT BKICHTMER. 
 
 127 
 
 vas listened to by the king’s justitiary, and immediately judg- 
 nent was given that the said manor of Northburgh, together 
 vith all its appurtenances, had been for ever alienated and 
 aade over from the monks of the church of Saint Pega to the 
 foresaid knight, Eernot, as his by hereditary right. 
 
 As soon as ever it became known throughout the whole 
 ;ingdom, how that the abbat of Peykirk had first lost his 
 aonastery, and in consequence thereof the manor which for- 
 aerly belonged to that monastery ; in a similar manner, Edmer, 
 he knight, and lord of Holbrok, laid claim against the said 
 bbat and his monks to the manor of Makesey, while Horsyng, 
 f Wathe, laid claim to Badyngton as being his manor, 
 lari Siward again laid claim to the manor of Bernake, Hugolin, 
 he treasurer, to the manor of Helyeston, and many others to 
 ther manors still belonging to the said monastery. All, too, 
 ,or the same reasons were successful in their claims against 
 he monks, and thus, both from their manors as well as from 
 heir monastery, the said abbat of Peykirk and his monks were 
 niquitously and cruelly expelled; so it is that misfortunes 
 ever come to any one alone. Accordingly, when abbat Wulgat 
 nd his convent, consisting of eighteen monks, being thus de¬ 
 rived of their monastery, had become mere wanderers, and, in a 
 tate of fluctuation, were on the point of being dispersed to all 
 he winds of heaven in consequence of their extreme distress, 
 he most pious king Edward took pity on them all, and received 
 hem at his court, and, until such time as he could make pro- 
 ision for them, commanded them daily to attend at his chapel 
 ,nd hall. 
 
 Hardly had the words proceeded from out of the king’s 
 louth, when, behold! the death of Brichtmer, the abbat of 
 he monastery of Croyland, was announced in his hall, and his 
 astoral staff was presented to the king by the prior of the 
 mnastery, and two others of the brethren who accompanied 
 im. For, from the time of king Ethelred, his father, the 
 bbats had begun to be better known at the royal court, and the 
 onsequence was, that from that time the king's thanes were 
 very day more abundantly honored with various presents and 
 ourtly salutations by such of the monks as were ambitious of 
 ignities or prelacies. Among the principal monasteries, Croy- 
 md at this time enjoyed especial celebrity, so many and so 
 i reat were the gifts and tributes which in the times of the 
 
128 INGULPh’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAED. a.jd. 104 
 
 Danish troubles it had ever been ready with a most promj 
 hand to pour into the royal court. 
 
 Hence it was, that for many years past no election of pn 
 latcs had been entirely free and. canonical, but the royal com 
 had at its own pleasure conferred all the offices of bishops a 
 well as abbats by ring and pastoral staff. Accordingly, tb 
 most pious king Edward received the pastoral staff, and, in prt 
 sence of the lord Gerard, prior of Croyland, and his two brothe 
 monks, who had come with him to court, and of the othe 
 monks of Pegeland, whom the monks of Croyland well knew 
 as having formerly been their fellow-countrymen and ver 
 dear neighbours, invested the before-named venerable fathe : 
 Wulgat, the lord abbat, with the rule of the monastery c 
 Croyland, by the pastoral staff thereof; and addressed a lette 
 to the convent of Croyland, relative thereto, in these words: i 
 
 “Edward, king of the English, to the subprior and hoi; 
 convent of the monastery of Croyland, greeting. Taking com 
 passion upon Wulgat, formerly lord abbat of Pegeland, whc 
 not through any crime of his own, but by sentence of law, ha 
 lost his monastery; taking compassion also on yourselves, who 
 not of your own wills , 24 but through the rapacious grasp ' 24 o 
 death, have lately lost your father, I hasten, by means of ai 
 antidote, to heal you both, in appointing the said father Wul 
 gat over you as your prelate. Wherefore you will be acting 
 becomingly as holy men, if you obediently receive your saio: 
 father and pastor, after having been harassed and proved b; ! 
 tribulations so numerous, and treat with kindness his fellow 
 monks, your brethren, who will accompany him to your house i 
 and manifest towards them the feelings of brotherly love; ti 
 the end that you may together, after the career of this presen 
 life, be enabled to reach heaven, and to mingle with the hoi] 
 company of your patrons, who were brethren. Fare ye well 
 and offer your supplications for me, and pray unto God for al 
 my kingdom day and night.” 
 
 At this same period, at the prayer of Wulgat, the lord abba 
 of Croyland, the before-named lord Gerard, the prior of ow 
 monastery, suggesting and zealously promoting the same, kin; 
 Edward, by his charter, granted a confirmation to our mo 
 nastery of Croyland, of all the lands, tenements, marshes, anc 
 
 24 A pun is probably intended here, in the use of the words “ volentia' 
 and “ violentia.’ 
 
.D. 1048. 
 
 CHARTEE OF RING EDWARD. 
 
 129 
 
 ther things, to our said monastery of Croyland belonging, to 
 le following effect: 
 
 “ I, Edward, by the grace of God, king of the English, at 
 le prayer of Wulgat, the lord abbat of Cre yland, and at the 
 uteous supplication of the lord Gerard, the prior of the said 
 lonastery, do in all things approve of, applaud, and confirm 
 le charters of my predecessors, the kings of England, that is 
 ) say, of the most pious king Edred, and of the renowned 
 ing Edgar, my grandfather, made in favour of the monastery 
 f Croyland. Eor they gave, and by their charters confirmed 
 nto God and to Saint Guthlac and his monks, as a several site 
 >r a monaster}’ for the aforesaid monks, the whole island of 
 royland, as the same lies around the said monastery, with 
 inits and boundaries in the charters of the said kings dis- 
 nctly described and defined; together witli the two marshes 
 lereof, that is to say, Alderlound and Goggislound, being 
 oposite to the said island, and on the western side thereof, in 
 ke manner, with the same metes and boundaries by which 
 ley are in the said charter described. These and all other 
 fts of the said kings, that is to say, of Edred, the restorer of 
 te said monastery, and of Edgar, my grandfather, I do grant 
 id confirm to the monks aforesaid and their successors, toge- 
 or with all liberties and privileges in their charters to the 
 id monastery granted and contained, the same to be held by 
 lint Guthlac and his monks aforesaid for ever, as a pure and 
 :yal alms-gift. Witnesses hereto, Egitha, my queen, Edsy 
 i d Alfric, the archbishops, earls Godwin, Leofric, and Siward, 
 wether with the others of my nobles, who are present at my 
 «art.” 
 
 Accordingly, the before-named venerable father, lord Wul- 
 {t, came to Croyland, together with alibis monks, sixteen in 
 ) mber, (for two had died at London), and all his moveables ; 
 si was received on the day of Saint Mark the Evangelist, in 
 1' year of our Lord, 1048. In this year, a great earthquake 
 1 k place on the calends of March, being the Lord’s day, and 
 i ;reat mortality of men and beasts followed. 
 
 Egelric, a monk of Burgh, was at this time made bishop of 
 1 ibam, through the influence of earl Godwin. After he had 
 c.ained this bishopric, and had collected infinite sums of 
 i ney, he caused a solid highway for travellers to be made 
 t ough the middle of most dense forests and the extremely 
 
 K 
 
130 exgulph’s history of the abbey OF CROYLAVD. A.D. 105 I 
 
 deep marshes of Depyng as far as Spalding, constructed < 
 timber and sand,—a most costly work, and one of the greatei . 
 utility. This road up to this day bears, and as long as : 
 shall last will continue to bear, the name of ‘ Elricherode,’ d( 
 rived from Egelric, its maker. For this work all the Gervii, f 
 and the people of Hid Anglia, and all the Saxons lavishe 
 blessings upon him ; while the people of the diocese of Dui 
 ham greatly censured him. After he had again replenishe t 
 his purse with money, he gave up the bishopric, and retume d 
 to Burgh, resigning his ring 26 to Agelwin, a monk of Burgi i 
 and his own brother. The good offices of earl Godwin bein ■ 
 in a similar manner exerted with the king, Agelwin was ap 
 pointed bishop, and has remained in that office to these ou 
 times. But more of this hereafter. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1051, Alfric archbishop of York de 
 parted this life at Southwell, and was buried at Burgh. In th 
 same year also, the earth failing with its usual fertility to pro 
 duce its fruits, it consumed multitudes of the inhabitants therec 
 with famine, so much so, that, through the dearness of cor 
 and the excessive want of bread, many thousands of me 
 perished. Being moved with pity for the poor, the mof f 
 pious king Edward remitted for ever to all England a mos ■ 
 grievous tribute which was known by the name of ‘ Danegeld 
 Some say, that this most holy king, on one occasion when hi 
 chamberlains had brought this Danegeld, after its collectior 
 into his chamber, and had taken him to see such a vast hea 
 of treasure, on the first sight thereof was seized with a shud 
 dering, and protested that he beheld the devil dancing upo 
 the pile of money, and exulting with excessive joy. He con 
 sequently gave orders to restore it immediately to its forme 
 owners, and would not so much as touch a single jot of such 
 cruel exaction, but remitted the same thenceforth for ever,' 
 it being the thirty-eighth year since, in the time of Ethelre 
 his father, Sweyn, king of the Danes, had ordered the sam 
 to be paid yearly to his army. 
 
 At this period, the venerable father, abbat AVulgat, seein 
 the scarcity at the present day wax stronger and stronger, an 
 that his sons, the monks of his monastery, who, before h: 
 
 25 See note top. 50 and 87. 26 The episcopal ring. 
 
 27 This tax was levied again by William I. and II. ; but was afterwan 
 repealed by Henry I., and finally by Stephen. 
 
A.D. 1051. 
 
 •WILLIAM OF NORMANDY VISITS ENGLAND. 
 
 131 
 
 arrival, had been refreshed -with dainties and had abounded 
 with sumptuous clothing, 28 were now feeding on inferior 29 
 bread, and a few small fish caught in the river, sighed deeply, 
 and grieved exceedingly that he had “ multiplied the nation, 
 and not increased the joy; ” 30 and he deliberated with his breth¬ 
 ren what steps ought to be taken against this most imminent 
 langer of approaching famine, while he suppliantly entreated 
 ill the friends of the monastery, calling upon the rich to con- 
 ribute, and the wise to give their counsel. 
 
 At this period, among the especial friends and well-wishers 
 >f our monastery, our principal adviser was the sheriff of 
 Lincoln, Thorold by name, a person whom many who are still 
 surviving, both regulars and seculars, have seen and known, 
 ieing a member of the race and kindred of that sheriff Tho- 
 old, who in former times proved a most warm friend to our 
 aonastery, and gave us his manor of Bokenhale, with all its 
 ppurtenances. In the same manner, this Thorold was influ- 
 nced by a most becoming spirit of pious affection for our 
 louse; and for the purpose of affording relief and assistance 
 o our monastery, gave his whole manor of Spalding, with the 
 ents pertaining thereto, and all its services, as a perpetual 
 lms-gift, which would suffice, as he considered, for the sus- 
 snance of six monks, that is to say, of one prior and five 
 rethren, with a competent number of dependants; and ex- 
 cuted his charter to that effect. Accordingly, six monks being 
 pus transferred from our monastery, through the said Tho- 
 ald, our refectory was greatly relieved thereby; while he 
 pplied himself with all diligence to remove his household 
 ■om the said estate, and then to put his chapel in better con- 
 ition, and to change the hall into a refectory, the chamber into 
 dormitory, and the place for exercise into a cloister for the 
 lonks. Besides this, he gave to the monks all the beasts of 
 urden on the manor that were suited for the purposes of 
 piculture, and all the other implements and utensils that 
 'ere requisite for cooking, brewing, and baking. 
 
 It was at this period, that William, the most illustrious and 
 ‘orious duke of the Normans, came over to England to visit 
 ng Edward, attended by a large retinue of knights. The 
 
 28 This is probably the meaning of “ croceis.” 
 
 29 “ Secundario,” probably the same which we call “ seconds.” 
 
 3U Isaiah ix. 3. 
 
132 IXGULPH’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYIAXD. A.D. 1056. 
 
 king received him with all becoming honor, and after keeping 
 him some time at court, accompanied him round the cities and 
 the royal castles, and shewing him all becoming attentions, 
 at length sent him home honored with numerous presents. 
 As to his succession to the kingdom, he had hitherto enter¬ 
 tained no hopes thereof, nor was there any mention made of 
 it between them. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1052, Wulgat, lord abbat of Croy- 
 land, after having fulfilled the duties of the pastoral office for 
 a period of four years, departed this life on the nones of July, 
 and was buried in the chapter-house, on the day of Saint Me- 
 dardus, the bishop. He was succeeded in the office of abbat, 
 at the presentation of king Edward, by the venerable father, 
 the lord AYulketul; who, being a monk and sacrist of Burgh, 
 was made abbat of Croyland, and installed on the festival of 
 Mary Magdalen. Emma, formerly queen, the wife of kings, . 
 namely, Ethelred and Cnute, and the mother of kings, namely, 
 Hardecnute and Edward, departed this life, and was buried at 
 "Winchester. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1053, while earl Godwin was 
 seated at the king’s table, he was charged by the king with 
 the death of his brother ; on which, after giving utterance to 
 many oaths, he at last swore by the morsel which he was 
 about to swallow that such was not the fact, and on tasting the 
 morsel was instantly choked, and so died. The earldom of 
 "Wessex was given to his son Harold; while the earldom of 
 Harold, that is to say, Essex, was given to Algar, the son of 
 Leofric, earl of Leicester. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1056, Siward, the brave earl of 
 Northumbria, departed this life, and was buried in the cloisters 
 of the monastery of Saint Mary, which he had built, without 
 the walls of the city. His earldom of York was given to Tosti, 
 the brother of earl Harold, while the earldoms of Northampton, 
 and of Huntingdon, with the rest of his lands, were given to 
 the renowned earl Waldev, 31 his son and heir. At this time, 
 also, king Edward, being influenced by the bad advice of some) 
 persons, outlawed the most illustrious earl Algar, without any 
 fault on his part. But by the aid of Griffin, king of the Welch, 
 and of a Norwegian fleet, which had unexpectedly come to his 
 assistance, he was at length reconciled to the king after many 
 31 More generally Waltheof. 
 
a.d. 1059 . 
 
 NICOLAS ELECTED POPE. 
 
 133 
 
 had been slain [in battle], and so recovered his earldom ; while 
 his fleet was taken up to Leicester, and, after being most 
 bountifully rewarded by his father, took its departure. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1057, Leofric, the most illustrious 
 and most virtuous earl of Leicester, departed this life, and 
 lies buried at his monastery of Coventry, which he had built 
 and enriched with very great gifts and privileges. He died 
 just in the fortieth year after he had bestowed our manor at 
 Baddeby, for the remainder of the term which had been granted 
 to his brother Norman, on the monastery of Evesham ; and in 
 this alone did he 32 do any injury to us. Edward, also, the 
 uncle of king Edward, being invited to return from Hungary, 
 as soon as he had reached England, fell sick and died; from 
 which period all hopes of continuing the royal line began to fail. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1058, Algar, the brave earl of 
 Leicester, was outlawed a second time; on which, he again 
 repaired to Griffin, king of the Welch, and, hiring a Norwegian 
 feet, recovered his earldom by force. He was a friend and 
 jenefactor to our monastery, and favourably and graciously 
 jonfirmed all the gifts of his forefathers to our house, while he 
 idded certain special provisions for the support of our convent, 
 .nd of our brethren at Spaldyng. At this time, also, by the 
 dvice and consent of the said earl, the venerable father, abbat 
 Aulketul, assigrred the chapel of Saint Mary, at Spaldyng, 
 nd all the profits thereof, together with all the revenues to 
 ur monastery belonging on the eastern side of the river Wel- 
 md, unto the said monks, to hold the same with the entire 
 iglits thereof, for the purpose of affording hospitality after the 
 'lonastic manner, as well to the poor as the rich, of whom 
 iere was to that place a constant resort. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1059, Benedict, an usurper of the 
 postolic See, was, through the zeal of the faithful, expelled 
 om the papacy, and Nicolas, bishop of the city of Florence, 
 as, on the election of the cardinals, canonically appointed. 
 
 ; was he 33 who had sent the pall to Stigand, archbishop of 
 mterbury, like favouring like. 34 The most valiant earl 
 Igar, who was always extremely attached to our monastery, 
 so departed this life, after being repeatedly persecuted 
 
 32 Earl Leofric. 33 Benedict. 
 
 34 William of Malmesbury represents Stigand as a sort of usurper of 
 5 see of Canterbury. 
 
134 INGULPH’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYXAXD. A.l). 1062. 
 
 by his rivals, and oftentimes buffeted to and fro by land and 
 by sea; though, the Lord prospering his designs, he always 
 remained unconquered, and was beloved with the most sin¬ 
 cere affection by the people of his land; he was buried at 
 Coventry, near his father, and left three children, two sons, 
 namely, Edwin and Morcar, who were afterwards earls, and one 
 daughter, who is now surviving, the countess Lucia. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1060, Kynsy, archbishop of York, 
 departed this life, and was interred at Burgh, of which place 
 he had formerly been a monk. He was succeeded by Aldred, 
 bishop of Worcester. To this Aldred, king Edward had en¬ 
 trusted the bishopric of Hereford to keep; and accordingly, 
 on his promotion to the see of York, king Edward gave that 
 bishopric to one Walter, chaplain to queen Egitha, by birth a 
 native of Lorraine. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1061, Wulketul, the lord abbat of 
 Croyland, began to build a new church, as prosperous times 
 were coming on; for the old one, which the venerable lord 
 Turketul had formerly erected, threatened immediate ruin. 
 The renowned earl Waldev aided him with the most ardent 
 zeal, and on this occasion, gave to our monastery of Croyland 
 his vill of Bernak, assigning it for the building of the church; 
 for he was troubled with the remorse of an upright conscience, 
 because it had formerly been the property of the church, and 
 because, as there was an excellent quarry there, it was con¬ 
 sequently especially adapted to the necessities of the monas¬ 
 tery. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1062, Saint Wulstan, formerly a 
 monk of Burgh, after that, prior of Worcester, and then 
 abbat of Glocester, was at length made bishop of Worcester. 
 At this time, a nobleman, the lord of Brunne 35 and of the ad¬ 
 joining marshes, Leofric by name, a person of high lineage, 
 and renowned for his military prowess, showed himself, in 
 many respects, a beneficent adviser and friend to our mo¬ 
 nastery ; he was a kinsman of Badulph, the great earl of Here¬ 
 ford, who had married Goda, the sister of king Edward, and 
 who lies entombed at Burgh. This Leofric, by his wife Ediva, 
 who was of like noble blood (being granddaughter in the fifth 
 degree of the mighty duke Oslac, who formerly lived in the 
 
 35 Bourne 
 
A.D. 10G2. REWARD, SON OF LEOFKIC, BANISHED. 1G5 
 
 time of king Edgar), had a son, Heward 36 by name, at this 
 period a young man remarkable for his strength of body. He 
 was tall in person, and a youth of singular beauty, but too 
 fond of warfare, and of a spirit fierce and uncontrolled beyond 
 expression. In youthful sports and wrestling he also ma¬ 
 nifested such indomitable ardour, that many a time “ his hand 
 was against every man, and every man’s hand was against 
 him .” 37 The consequence was, that when the youths of simi¬ 
 lar age engaged in wrestling and other sports of a like nature, 
 if he could not gain a triumph over them all, and his fellows 
 did not offer him the laurel crown as the reward of victory, he 
 would very often obtain with the sword that which by the 
 mere strength of his arm he was unable. 
 
 Por this reason, the neighbours made great complaints 
 against the youth, and so greatly did they provoke his father, 
 Leofric, against his own offspring, that, in the extreme bitter¬ 
 ness of his anger, he discovered to king Edward many youth¬ 
 ful pranks which he had pla)'ed off upon his father, of a nature 
 that could not be borne, and acts of excessive violence against 
 his neighbours; and thus, as though he had been his enemy, 
 he procured his outlawry. 
 
 This most valiant youth, Heward, on being thus outlawed, 
 first repaired to Northumbria, then to Cornwall, thence to Ire¬ 
 land, and afterwards to Flanders ; and, everywhere behaving 
 himself with the greatest bravery, in a short time acquired a 
 most glorious and illustrious name. He exposed himself with 
 intrepidity to every kind of peril, and had the good fortune 
 always to escape; in every military conflict he would ever op¬ 
 pose himself to the bravest, and by means of his undaunted 
 spirit, proving victorious, left it a matter of doubt whether he 
 was more fortunate or more brave—so surely did he overcome 
 all his foes, so surely did he escape from the greatest dangers. 
 Becoming thus renowned and invincible in many and mighty 
 battles, his fame was even spread among his adversaries, and 
 his valiant deeds reaching even England, were sung there; and, 
 by the wonderful grace of God, the feelings of his father- and 
 mother, and all his relations, and neighbours, and the whole of 
 his fellow-countrymen, towards him were changed into those of 
 the most ardent affection; a change wrought, no doubt, by the 
 35 More commonly called Hereward. 37 Gen. xvi. 12. 
 
136 ixgexph’s history of the abrey of CROPLAND. A.D. 1063. 
 
 right hand of the Most High, -which substituted such kindly 
 feeling for aversion so extreme. 
 
 At length, in Flanders, he married a damsel of noble birth. 
 Turfrida by name, and by her had an only daughter; who is 
 now surviving and living in our neighbourhood, and has beer 
 lately married to an illustrious knight, one on the most inti¬ 
 mate terms with our monastery, Hugh Evermue by name, lore 
 of the vill of Depyng, having brought with her her patrimonial 
 estate of Brunne and its appurtenances. Her mother, Turfrida. 
 coming to England, with her husband, on seeing the mul¬ 
 tiplied changes of this transitory world, at last, with the per¬ 
 mission of her husband, abandoned all the pomps of the world, 
 and received the monastic habit, in onr monastery of Croyland, 
 at the hands of Wulketul, the lord abbat. After having long 
 lived a most holy life under that garb, she died recently, hardly I 
 four summers since, and lies buried in our monastery. 
 
 Her father, Howard, after returning with his said wife tc 
 his native land, fought mighty battles, and underwent a thou¬ 
 sand perils, in engagements with both the king of England, 
 and his earls and barons, his chieftains and commanders. After 
 undergoing these numerous perils and showing the most un¬ 
 daunted prowess, as we still hear sung in our streets, and after 
 having with a powerful right-hand avenged his widowed mo¬ 
 ther, made peace with the king, and obtained his patrimonial 1 
 estate, he ended his days in peace, and was very recently, by' 
 his especial choice, buried in our monastery, by 7 the side of his 
 wife. But of these matters more hereafter. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1063, Harold, earl of Wessex, by 
 command of king Edward, conducted a most formidable expe- “ 
 dition against the Welch, who were constantly making inroads 
 and repeated depredations upon the neighbouring districts. 11 
 Seeing that tire activity 7 of the Welch proved remarkably 7 etfec- , fl 
 tual against the more cumbrous movements of the English/ 
 and that, after making an attack, they quickly retreated to the ' 
 woods, while our soldiers, being weighed down with their ! 
 arms, were unable to follow them, he ordered all his soldiers 
 to accustom themselves to wear armour made of boiled leather,! 
 and to use lighter arms. Upon this, the Welch were greatly 
 alarmed, and submitted in eveiy respect, utterly throwing oli 1 
 all allegiance to their king, Griffin. 
 
.D. 1066. DUKE WILT.IAM APPOINTED TO THE THEONE. 
 
 137 
 
 Tn the year of our Lord, 1065, Griffin, king of the "Welch, 
 r as slain by his people, and his head, together with the beak 
 f his ship, was sent to Harold; on which, king Edward 
 ive to his brothers, Elethgent and Huthius, and, in considera- 
 on of their swearing fealty and paying due service to the 
 ingdom of England each year, granted to them, Wales, to hold 
 te same in peace to themselves and to their posterity. In the 
 une year, king Edward, being now enfeebled by old age, and 
 erceiving that Edgar, the son of the lately-deceased Clito 
 dward, was unsuited, both in disposition as well as body, for 
 icupying the royal throne, and that the numerous and wicked 
 rogeny 33 of earl Godwin was daily waxing stronger and 
 ronger upon the earth, turned his thoughts to his kinsman, 
 William, duke of Normandy, and, by a distinct announcement, 
 jpointed him his successor on the throne of England. 
 
 For duke William had at this period proved victorious in 
 rery battle, and triumphant on all occasions over the king of 
 ranee; and was preeminently distinguished among the earls 
 iighbouring to Normandy, being invincible in the exercises 
 arms, a most upright judge in the determination of suits, 
 iid most religious and most devout in the service of God. 
 ience it was that king Edward sent to him Eobcrt, 39 arch- 
 shop of Canterbury, as envoy on his behalf, and informed 
 m, by the mouth of his archbishop, that, both as the due of 
 s relationship, as well as the reward of his virtues, he had 
 en named as the successor to his throne. In addition to this, 
 irold, the master of the king’s household, went to Nor- 
 jndy, and not only made oath that he would, after the king’s 
 [ith, preserve for duke William the kingdom of England, 
 It even pledged his word that he would marry the daughter 
 (duke William; after which, receiving magnificent presents, 
 ■ returned home. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1066, a comet appeared in the 
 livens, which portended great changes in the kingdom, 
 ft slaughter of the people, and multiplied miseries inflicted 
 d the land. On this occasion was repeated the rhyming 
 ft plot— 
 
 Ingulph is probably prompted here by his dislike for Harold, 
 ill Stigand, the then archbishop was only an usurper. 
 
138 INGULFIl’s HISTOET OF THE ABBEr OF CEOYLAXB. A.D. 10S6 
 
 “ Anno milleno sexageno quoque seno, 
 
 Anglorum metae crinem sensere cometae.” 40 
 
 For, as the philosophers say, “ Those who see its tail, wil 
 have bad fortune to bewail . 41 
 
 About the time of the Nativity of our Lord, king Edwart 
 fell sick unto death, and [had the church of Westminster con¬ 
 secrated on the feast of the Holy Innocents ; but, the malady 
 daily increasing, he died on the vigil of the Epiphany of om 
 Lord, and] was interred at Westminster, having nearly com¬ 
 pleted the twenty-fourth year of his reign. On the morrott 
 of the royal funeral, earl Harold, showing himself, contrary t( 
 his dignity and his oath, a contemner of his plighted faith 
 and wickedly forgetting his solemn promise, intruded hirnsel 
 upon the royal throne, and being solemnly crowned by Aldred 
 the archbishop of York, reigned nine months. 
 
 On this, William, duke of Normandy, sent ambassadors, de 
 dared that Harold had violated his engagements, publishec 
 the terms of his agreement, demanded of him the perform 
 ance of his promises, and requested that some fair terms shouh 
 be adopted. King Harold, however, would hardly listen t< 
 the ambassadors, denied that he had violated his engagements 
 denied the existence of any such agreement, excused hirnsel 
 for non-performance of his promises, and scoffed and laughet 
 at all fair terms that were offered. While these negociation 
 were daily going on, and throughout the whole summer then 
 was nothing but messengers running to and fro without any re 
 suit therefrom, William addressed his complaints to the pope 
 and consulted him thereon, and, receiving encouragement fron 
 him, was even presented by him with the standard of lawf'u 
 victory. 
 
 Harold, however, cared but little for the opinion of th 
 pope, but visited his harbours, assembled his troops, and, ii 
 especial, led an expedition against his brother, earl Tosti, whj 
 was then repeatedly harassing his shores, and expelled hm 
 thence. Just then, behold! Harold, king of Norway, whon - 
 
 40 This Leonine couplet is also given by Hoveden. It may be ren 
 dered by the homely words— 
 
 “ In the year one thousand and sixty-six, 
 
 A comet all England’s gaze did fix.” 
 
 41 Literally, “ Whither it directs its hair, thither does it direct cala 
 mity”—a pun being made on the resemblance of “ crinem,” the “ hair, 
 or “ tail,” of a comet, and “ discrimen,” “ danger.” 
 
 1 
 
a.d. 1066 . 
 
 BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 
 
 139 
 
 the said Tosti had joined, entered the mouth of the river 
 Humber with a fleet of two hundred ships; and they all came 
 up the little river Ouse, nearly as far as York. The fleet 
 being there left under the care of a guard, they attacked the 
 city of York, and took it, spreading slaughter and devastation 
 on every side. The two brothers, earls Edwin and Horcar, 
 collecting a small band of their fellow-countrymen, flew to 
 its assistance, but being unprovided with arms, were quickly 
 repulsed by the armed troops. At last, Harold, king of the 
 English, with a strong body of troops, attacked them in open 
 oattle, at Stamford Bridge; and although the Norwegians 
 offered a very stout resistance, he at last gained the victory, 
 ling Harold and earl Tosti, the leaders of the army, to¬ 
 gether with a vast multitude of the barbarians, being slain, 
 fhe guard left with the fleet, Olaf, son of king Harold, and 
 Paul, earl of the Orkneys, together with a fleet of twenty ships 
 >nly, were the only persons left at liberty, and allowed to re¬ 
 um home. 
 
 But while Harold was exulting in this victory gained over 
 he Norwegians, news was being daily brought by fresh mes- 
 engers that the Normans had effected a landing in the southern 
 tarts of the kingdom. The king, overjoyed at the victory of 
 yesterday, dreamed that similar fortune would attend him in 
 uture. He, therefore, applied the spur, and outstripped all 
 iis people, nor was he attended by any part of his whole army, 
 xcept a very few persons. Arriving with all speed at Hastings, 
 nd collecting there a miscellaneous rout of the country-people, 
 .e refused to await the arrival of his army, but employed 
 hem, raw and undisciplined as they were, for his troops, and 
 o drew up his line of battle. The fates urging him on, upon 
 he following day he engaged with the duke, and fighting with 
 he greatest valour, remained unconquered throughout the 
 'hole day until the evening. Repeatedly engaging hand to 
 and with the foe, like a common soldier, and laying about 
 im most stoutly, right and left, he fought on, till at last, just at 
 wilight, he fell, struck by an arrow, on a little eminence, 
 ■hither he had rallied his men. There fell king Harold, and 
 is earls, his brothers Gurth and Lefwin, and all the rest of 
 ,ie nobles of England in his army. 
 
 The most victorious duke William, having now obtained the 
 aim of conquest, after having in a short time traversed the 
 estern coasts of England, attended by numerous bishops, 
 
140 ixgttlfh's history of the abbey of croylajtd. a.d. 10G6. 
 
 proceeded to London; and was joyfully received there, and, amid 
 multiplied acclamations, declared king. On the day of the , 
 Nativity of our Lord, he was crowned by archbishop Aldred, 
 and ascended the royal throne. Lor he was unwilling to have 
 the duties of the coronation performed by archbishop Stigand 
 (to whose dignity that duty ought by right to belong), because i 
 he had heard that it was alleged by the pope, the successor ol 
 the Apostles, that he had not received the pall canonically. ; 
 This same Stigand had resigned the bishopric of East Anglia, 43 
 and, abusing the simple-mindedness of a most upright king, 
 and thinking that he might by money pervert all right, had 
 seized upon the see of Winchester; and then, while arch¬ 
 bishop Robert was still living, had ascended the archiepiscopal 
 chair of Canterbury, still retaining in his hands the bishopric 
 of Winchester. Being accused of this, and publicly condemned, 4 
 he was afterwards deposed at a synod held at Winchester; on 
 which, that most reverend patriarch, the abbat of Caen, Mastei 
 Lanfranc, a person esteemed most holy for his religious charac¬ 
 ter, a [most praiseworthy and] famous professor of all libera! 
 arts, and one well versed in temporal matters, was canonical!} | 
 consecrated archbishop of Canterbury. But more of thi:: 
 hereafter. 
 
 Many of the chief men of the land, for some time, offeree j 
 resistance to William, the new king, but, being afterward* 
 crushed by his might and overcome, they at last submitted tc! 
 the sway of the Normans. Among these, the before-namec 
 brothers, earls Edwin and Morcar, were both slain by stra¬ 
 tagem ; Roger, earl of Hereford, was condemned to perpetua | 
 imprisonment; Radulph, earl of Suffolk, was driven from the 
 country ; earl Waldev was secured by William giving him his ; 
 niece in marriage; Agelwin, bishop of Durham, was impri- jj 
 soned at Abingdon, and his brother and predecessor, Egelric. | 
 was, in like manner, incarcerated at Westminster; while al 
 the rest who made resistance were either deposed and de¬ 
 prived of their prelacies, driven beyond sea and exiled, or dis¬ 
 tributed through the monasteries, there to be imprisoned; oi 
 else, at last, unwillingly bowed their heads to the new king 
 I am hurriedly and summarily making mention, in thi; 
 way, of the exploits of this most glorious king, because I an 
 unable here to follow him year by year, and to set forth hi* 
 progress step by step. The king then proceeded to distribute 
 41 The bishopric of Helmham. 
 
a.d. 10GG. 
 
 HEEWAED CONSECEATED KNIGIIT. 
 
 141 
 
 among his Normans the earldoms, baronies, bishoprics, and 
 prelacies of all the land, and would hardly allow any English¬ 
 man to attain any honorable position, or to hold an office that 
 conferred any power. 
 
 Herward, who has been previously mentioned, was the only 
 one of them who enjoyed 43 a prosperous end. For, on hearing, 
 in Flanders, that the land of England was subjugated by 
 foreigners, and that his own paternal inheritance, on the death 
 of his father, Leofric, had been presented by the royal muni¬ 
 ficence to a certain Norman, while his widowed mother was 
 being afflicted by many injuries and the greatest insults; he was 
 touched with the most becoming grief, and, accompanied by 
 furliida, his wife, flew to England, where, collecting no 
 lespicable band of his kinsmen, armed with the sword he 
 'usbed with the speed of lightning upon the persecutors of his 
 mother, and thrust them out and drove them afar from his 
 nheritance. Reflecting that he was in command of men 
 if the greatest bravery, and some of those, knights, while he 
 limself had not yet, according to military usage, been lawfully 
 girt with the belt; he took with him some few novices of his 
 iiand who were, together with himself, to be lawfully conse¬ 
 nted to knighthood, and repaired to his uncle, Brand by 
 lame, who was at that time abbat of Burgh, a very religious 
 nan, and (as I have heard from my predecessor, Ulfketul, the 
 ord abbat, and many others) one very much devoted to alms- 
 ;iving to the poor, and adorned with every virtue. Here, 
 
 ■ fter prefacing with a confession of all his sins, and receiving 
 bsolution thereof, he most urgently entreated that he might 
 ■e made a knight. For it was the custom of the English, 
 hat he who was about to be lawfully consecrated a knight 
 hould, the evening before the day of his consecration, with 
 ontrition and compunction, make confession of all his sins, 
 before some bishop, abbat, monk, or priest, and should, after 
 seing absolved, pass the night in a church, giving himself up 
 ■o prayer, devotion, and mortification. On the following day 
 e was to hear mass, and to make offering of a sword upon the 
 ltar, and, after the Gospel, the priest was to bless the sword, 
 md, with his blessing, to lay it upon the neck of the knight; 
 n which, after having communicated at the same mass in the 
 acred mysteries of Christ, he became a lawful knight. Tho 
 43 “ Remurmurabat” is perhaps a misprint for another word. 
 
142 rXGTJLPH's HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 1066. 
 
 Normans held in abomination this mode of consecrating a 
 knight, and did not consider such a person to be a lawful 
 knight, but a mere tardy trooper, and a degenerate plebeian. 
 
 And not only in this custom, but in many others as well, 
 did the Normans effect a change. For the Normans con¬ 
 demned the English method of executing deeds ; which, up to 
 the time of king Edward, had been confirmed by the subscription 
 of the faithful present, with golden crosses and other sacred 
 signs, and which chirographs they were in the habit of call¬ 
 ing “charters.” The Normans were also in the habit of con¬ 
 firming deeds with wax impressions, made by the especial 
 seal of each person, with the subscription thereto of three oi 
 four witnesses then present. At first, many estates were ever; 
 transferred simply by word of mouth, without writing oi 
 charter, and only with the sword, helmet, horn, or cup of the 
 owner; while many tenements were conveyed with a spur, s 
 body-scraper, a bow, and some with an arrow. This, how¬ 
 ever, was only the case at the beginning of this reign, for ir 
 after-years the custom was changed. 
 
 So inveterately did the Normans at this period detest th( 
 English, that whatever the amount of their merits might be 
 they were excluded from all dignities; and foreigners, whc 
 were far less fitted, be they of any other nation whatever un¬ 
 der heaven, would have been gladly chosen instead of them 
 The very language even they abhorred with such intensity 
 that the laws of the land and the statutes of the English king: 
 were treated of in the Latin tongue; and even in the verj 
 schools, the rudiments of grammar were imparted to the chit 
 dren in French and not in English. The English mode o 
 writing was also abandoned, and the French manner adoptee 
 in charters and in all books. But enough of these matters. 
 
 When the earls above-named were making resistance to th( 
 renowned king William, holding possession, together witl 
 many other nobles who were similarly disinherited, of the fen 
 of Ely, they sent a speedy messenger to fetch Herward; n< 
 whose arrival, he was made leader in the warfare and chie 
 of the troops; upon which, he performed so many glorious ani 
 warlike exploits, was so often victorious over his adversaries 
 eluded them on so many occasions, that he earned lastin' 
 praise, because he upheld the falling condition of hi 
 ruined country as long as he could, and did not permit [hi 
 
A.D. 1071. 
 
 ABBAT ULFKETUL DEPOSED. 
 
 143 
 
 countrymen] to go unrevenged to the shades below. The rest 
 of the nobles, surrenderiDg themselves to the king, endea¬ 
 voured to gain favour, while he was the only one who utterly 
 refused to do so, and deferred his submission, adopting some 
 new course. 
 
 At this season, Brand, abbat of Burgh, the before-named 
 uncle of Herward, departed this life, on which, Thoroid, a 
 foreigner, succeeded him on the presentation of king William. 
 Herward, being vexed that a foreigner should rule over his 
 kinsmen and acquaintances, attacked Burgh,' and put the abbat 
 to flight; and although the lord abbat Thoroid brought thither 
 to defend him, Ivo Taillebois, at that time a most-powerful 
 Norman, and lord of the whole of Hoyland in that vicinity, 
 having received it from the king, he took him prisoner in a 
 pitched battle, but afterwards set him at liberty, on his ran¬ 
 som by payment of a large sum of money, and allowed him to 
 return home. 
 
 To this Ivo Taillebois, after the death of the two brothers 
 and earls before-named, Edwin and Morcar, the renowned 
 king William had given their sister Lucia in marriage, together 
 with all the lands and tenements which had belonged to them ; 
 and as these mostly lay in Hoyland, all the people of that dis¬ 
 trict honored him with the greatest attention, and supplicated 
 aim as their lord on bended knees. Although they bestowed 
 apon him all the honors they possibly could, and all the ser- 
 rices they were bound, still he did not, repaying that confidence, 
 •how any love for them; but tortured and harassed, worried 
 md annoyed, incarcerated and tormented them, every day 
 'oaded them with fresh burdens, and, by his cruelty, compelled 
 nost of them to sell all their property, and seek other coun- 
 ries. But against our monastery and all the people of Croy- 
 and, he was, by the instigation of the devil, aroused to such 
 n extreme pitch of fury, that he would follow the various 
 nimals of the people of Croyland in the marshes with his 
 ogs, drive them to a great distance, drown them in the lakes, 
 rutilate some in the tails, others in the ears; while often, by 
 he breaking the backs and the legs of the beasts of burden, 
 e would render them utterly useless. 
 
 He also repeatedly attempted, to the utmost of his ability, 
 J cause the ruin of the lord TJlfketul, my predecessor, who was 
 t that time abbat, and at last, by his accusations, caused him 
 
144 ingulph’s history of the ABBEY OF CROYLAXB. A-D. 10/1. 
 
 to be deposed; and, after bis deposition, most unrighteously had 
 him shut up in the convent of Glastonbury, that he might not 
 enjoy any solace whatever by being in his own country. But 
 more of this hereafter. 
 
 Against our cell 44 also, and our brethren, his neighbours, i 
 the prior and his brother monks, who lived within the gates j 
 thereof, and dwelt the whole day in his presence, he raged f 
 with such tyrannical and frantic fury, that he would many a 
 time lame their cattle, oxen as well as horses, would daily 
 impound their sheep and poultry, and frequently strike down, 
 kill, and destroy their swine and pigs; while, at the same i| 
 time, the servants of the prior were oppressed in the earl’s | 
 court with insupportable exactions, were often assaulted in 
 the highways with swords and staves, and sometimes killed. 
 
 Consequently, the prior and the monks, after entreaties and 
 presents and gifts innumerable to his servants, and after they i 
 had taken every measure that they deemed necessary, found . 
 that their exertions were of no avail, but that the wicked- 1 
 ness of the tyrant was always on the increase, and the malice i 
 of his servants only gained additional strength : upon which, 
 they took with them their holy chalices, books, and beds, and j 
 left their cell in the hand of the Lord, and then, shaking the ' 
 dust from off them feet against these sons of fire eternal, re¬ 
 turned to their monastery at Croyland. 
 
 From this time forward, they sent each day to the wooden 
 chapel of Saint Mary, a single monk of Croyland, who was i 
 there to perform Divine service for the people; at last, how¬ 
 ever, both abbat Wulketul, as well as the whole of his con¬ 
 vent, thinking that this was an immense labour and weari¬ 
 some beyond their strength, by common consent determined i 
 that a monk should be sent on alternate days only. After this 
 had been done for some time, (as is well known among all the 
 people of those parts), on the feast of Saint Lucia the Yirgin, ■ 
 early in the morning a mighty tempest arose, just like a flood I 
 rushing on against a ship, and the lord Manerius, a venerable 
 old man of remarkable piety, being the monk who was so 
 sent, was drowned at Wodelode. Being alarmed at so great 
 a misfortune and exceedingly terrified thereat, all the monks 
 of the monastery of Croyland ceased for a long period to send 
 any person. As for earl Ivo, being greatly overjoyed that the 
 44 At Spalding. 
 
a . D. 1075. 
 
 EARL WALDEV I>CT TO DEATH. 
 
 145 
 
 Lord even seemed, as it were, to be fighting with him against 
 our monastery, he sent to Angers, to Natalis, lord abbat of Saint 
 Nicholas, and entreated him to send to him some monks; at 
 the same time promising and engaging that he would have a 
 fair and sufficient cell prepared and built for one prior and five 
 monks in his vill of Spalding, and amply endowed with lands 
 md tenements. Accordingly, the monks of Angers came and 
 ook possession of our cell, and thus, before our very eyes, 
 lo foreigners devour our lands. Upon Wulketul, the lord ab- 
 )at, making complaint hereof in the king’s court, all the Nor- 
 nans, leaguing together, justified and palliated the acts of 
 •obbery, oppression, and slaughter, together with all the 
 ither injuries, of which Ivo Taillebois had been guilty against 
 he people of Croyland ; and just as on the body of Behemoth, 
 
 ‘ scale is joined to scale,” 45 so did they stop up every breath 
 f truth, [and, as though “ sinews of his stones wrapped to- 
 ;ether,” 4G defended one another a thousand ways]. 
 
 To add to the calamities of Croyland, the cruel execution of 
 arl Waldev also took place at this time, a person who had 
 hewn himself most kindly disposed towards all the religious, 
 nd an especial and most excellent friend to the monastery of 
 'royland ; and, although the venerable archbishop Lanfrane, 
 is confessor, asserted that he was utterly innocent of all par- 
 icipation in the rising and conspiracy, and that if he died on 
 Hat account, he would be a martyr, by reason of his inno- 
 ence; still, as his most impious wife desired to contract a new 
 larriage, and therefore most wickedly hurried on his destrue- 
 on, while certain Normans were avariciously intent upon his 
 uddoms of Northampton and Huntingdon, (and especially the 
 njouin earl Ivo Taillebois, who was most anxious to possess 
 is lands and tenements, which were very numerous in all parts 
 If England, and therefore thirsted for his blood); though 
 mocent and guiltless, he was beheaded at Winchester, on the 
 iy before the calends of June, and the body of the martyr 
 'as immediately buried there, beneath the humble sod. 
 
 However, after the lapse of fifteen days, by the king’s per- 
 ission, the body of the [deceased] martyr was raised from the 
 >mb by the venerable abbat Wulketul, and was found to be 
 
 45 lie alludes to Job xli. 17 ; but these words are there used in reference 
 
 Leviathan, and not Behemoth. * 
 
 46 Job xl. 17. This is said in reference to Behemoth. 
 
 L 
 
146 INGUI.PH’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CBOYLAXI). A.!). 1075 i 
 
 fresh, and sprinkled with blood which seemed to be just shed, j 
 as though he had been slain on that same day ; upon which, 
 he was with all due respect carried to Croyland, and was 
 honorably buried in the chapter-house of that monastery. 
 When the Lord, wondrous in His Saints through the might 
 of His miracles, and for ever to be praised, gave signs here to 
 show the innocence of His martyr, his relict, Juditha, hearing 
 the mighty works of Christ, came to the tomb of her husband, 
 and in our sight offered a pall of silk upon his tomb; upon which, 
 just as though it had been torn off by the hands of some person, 
 it flew to a distance from the tomb. 
 
 At this time, also, the manor of Bernake, which he had 
 [lately] presented to our monastery, was taken from us, and by 
 the king’s command confiscated, in order to be presented, to-1 
 gether with the rest of his lands lying near the Trent, as the 
 marriage portion of [Juditha], that most wicked Jezebel, his 
 late wife. A short time after this, when the renowned king 
 "William was desirous to give his said niece in marriage to c i 
 certain Norman, of noble birth, by name Simon of Senlis. 
 she declined his hand, because the said Simon halted in one 
 leg. The king, being excessively enraged at this, gave the 
 earldom of Huntingdon, with all the lands pertaining thereto; 
 to the said Simon ; on which, dreading the wrath of the king, 
 accompanied by her daughters she took to flight, and being 
 utterly despised, and held in extreme hatred by all througt 
 the just judgment of God, concealed herself a long time ir 
 various spots and hiding-places. 
 
 At length, however, this wretched woman confessed hei 
 wickedness, and shewed extreme penitence for the nefariou; 
 destruction of her husband ; and so remained unmarried h 
 the end, being from that time an object of suspicion to all 
 and deservedly despised. Earl Simon, however, before-named 
 after much deliberation, took her eldest daughter, Matilda by 
 name, to wife, by whom he had offspring, Simon, Waldev, arc 
 Matilda, who are still young and in their infancy. Alice, hi- 
 wife’s sister, was given by the said earl Simon to that mos 
 illustrious man, Bodolph of Tournay, together with the wboli 
 lordship of Wilchamstowe, which had formerly belonged t( 
 her father, earl Waldev. By her the said Bodolph has issue 
 but with the names of the children I am not at present ac¬ 
 quainted. This Simon, earl of Huntingdon and Northampton 
 
a. i). 1051. 
 
 1XGULPH MADE ABBAT OF CKOYLAND. 
 
 147 
 
 built the castle at Northampton and the monastery of Saint 
 Andrew, not far from the said castle. These particulars, as to 
 the wife and offspring of this holy martyr, I think it sufficient 
 for the present to state. 
 
 The venerable abbat Wulketul, shortly after the burial of 
 the holy martyr, openly disclosed to his neighbours, and pub¬ 
 licly made known to all, the miracles of God which the Lord 
 wrought daily for His Saint. The Normans,being very indig¬ 
 nant at this, and unjustly enraged against this righteous man, 
 and Ivo Taillebois, in especial, persecuting him with more un¬ 
 relenting fury than all, the rest, they had him summoned to 
 appear in person at the next council to be held at London; and 
 on the day of his appearance, having entered into a nefarious 
 combination against him for the becoming reverence which he 
 had shown for the holy martyr, iniquitously accused him 
 of idolatry, and still more iniquitously deprived him of the 
 care of the monastery; and after so depriving him, most ini¬ 
 quitous of all, condemned him to be immured in the convent 
 of Glastonbury, under the most cruel abbat Thurstan, far from 
 his friends and his native place. The venerable father, abbat 
 Wulketul, being thus deprived of the rule of the pastoral office, 
 and all the treasures of his monastery carried off and con¬ 
 fiscated to the royal use, a substitution was made in his place 
 in my own humble person. 
 
 Now I, Ingulph, the humble servant of Saint Guthlac and 
 ,)f his monastery of Croyland, a native of England, and the 
 ;on of parents who were [citizens] of the most beauteous city 
 if London, being in my tender years destined for the pursuits 
 if literature, was sent to study, first at Westminster, and after- 
 vards at Oxford. After I had made progress beyond most of 
 ay fellows in mastering Aristotle, I also clothed myself down 
 o the heels with the Eirst and Second Rhetoric of Tully. On 
 mowing to be a young man, I loathed the narrow means of 
 ay parents, and daily longed with the most ardent desire to 
 eave my paternal home, and, sighing for the palaces of kings 
 r princes, to clothe myself in soft and pompous raiment. And 
 >ehold! just at this time William, our present renowned king 
 f England, who was then as yet duke of Normandy only, 
 amc over with a great retinue of followers to London, for the 
 urpose of having an interview with Edward, the then king 
 f England. Immediately enrolling myself in the number of 
 
148 ingelph’s history of the abbey OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1051. 
 
 these, I exerted myself in the performance of all kinds of 
 weighty matters of business; and after having brought many 
 affairs to a prosperous issue, was speedily brought to the notice 
 of that most illustrious duke, and, becoming a very great fa¬ 
 vourite with him, returned with him to Normandy. 
 
 Being there appointed his secretary, at my own will I ruled 
 the whole of the duke’s court, incurring thereby the envy of 
 some, while those whom I chose I humbled, and those whom 
 I thought fit I exalted. Impelled onward by the natural ardour 
 of youth, notwithstauding my having gained this high position, 
 although thus elevated above my original station, I still grew 
 weary; and in my ambition, was always most ardently longing, | 
 with my unstable feelings, and with aspirations so eager, that . 
 I am forced to blush at the acknowledgment, to obtain a station i 
 even still more elevated. Just then, it was noised about, and i 
 indeed universally spread throughout Normandy, that many < 
 archbishops of the Empire, together with some other of the I 
 princes of the land, were desirous, for the well-being of their 
 souls, with all due devoutness to proceed on a pilgrimage to | 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 Upon this, several of the household of the duke, both knights | 
 as well as clerks, among whom I was the first and foremost, j 
 with the permission and good-will of our master, the duke, j 
 made preparation for setting out on the said journey; and ac- 1 
 cordingly, taking the road for Germany, being more than thirty 1 
 horsemen in number, we joined his lordship [the archbishop] of c 
 Mentz. All were in a state of preparation for the journey, ' 
 and in company with their lordships, the bishops, there were 
 reckoned seven thousand persons, who prosperously traversed ( 
 numerous regions, and at last arrived at Constantinople. Here, I 
 addressing our prayers to its emperor, Alexius, 46 we saw the i 
 [church of] Saint Sophia, and kissed its sanctuaries, so infi- j 
 nite in number. 
 
 Departing thence, and taking our way through Lycia, we fell i 
 into the hands of Arabian robbers, and, being plundered of au 
 immense amount of money, and many of us being put to death, 
 only escaped with the greatest difficulty and at the extreme 
 peril of our lives, and at length joyously made our entrance j 
 into the much longed for city of Jerusalem. We were received 
 by Sophronius, the then Patriarch, a man venerable foi 
 
 46 An anachronism; as Alexius I. did not begin to reign till 1081, oi 
 twenty-two years after the death of Sophronius. 
 
A.D. IO.il. 
 
 IXGULPH VISITS ROME. 
 
 149 
 
 his grey hairs, and most holy and most upright, with a great 
 crash of cymbals and an immense blaze of torches, at the most 
 divine Church of the most Holy Sepulchre, a solemn procession 
 being formed, of Latins as well as Syrians. What prayers we 
 here uttered, what tears we shed, what sighs we heaved, the 
 inhabitant thereof, our Lord Jesus Christ, alone knoweth. 
 And so being led from the most glorious Sepulchre of Christ to 
 visit the other holy places of the city, we beheld with tearful 
 eyes an infinite number of holy churches and of oratories 
 which the Sultan Achym had lately destroyed. With abun¬ 
 dant tears we testified our most ardent sympathies for the 
 ruins of the most holy city as well without as within; and 
 after having given no small sum of money for the restoration 
 of some parts, sighed with the most eager devotion to go forth 
 into the country, to dip ourselves in the most holy Jordan, 
 and to kiss all the footsteps of Christ. 
 
 But some robbers of Arabs, who kept a watch upon all the 
 roads, would not allow us, in consequence of their fierce and 
 countless multitudes, to wander to any distance from the city. 
 Accordingly, on the arrival of spring, a fleet of Genoese ships 
 arrived in the port of Joppa. On board of these we all em¬ 
 barked, after the Christian merchants had exchanged their 
 wares throughout the maritime cities, and had in like manner 
 paid their adoration to the holy places, and so committed our¬ 
 selves to the sea. After being tossed by waves and storms in¬ 
 numerable, we arrived at last at Brundusium, and then making 
 a prosperous journey through Apulia, repaired to Home, where 
 we kissed the thresholds of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 
 and at all the stations the most numerous monuments of the 
 holy Martyrs. Then the archbishops and other princes of the 
 Empire returned to Germany, taking the road to the right, 
 while we turned to the left on our way to France, taking leave 
 of each other, with kind words and kisses of inexpressible fer¬ 
 vency on both sides. And thus at last, instead of our number 
 of thirty horsemen who took our departure from Normandy in 
 excellent condition, hardly twenty returned, poor pilgrims and 
 all on foot, attenuated and famished in the extreme. 
 
 After all my companions had quickly dispersed and made 
 their way each to his own home, in order that I might not in 
 future be involved in the vanities of this world, to keep my 
 house thenceforth swept clean,*’ and preserve it closely shut 
 47 Alluding to St. Matthew xii. 44, and St. fruke si. 23. 
 
150 ixgulph’s m stout of the abbey of ckoylaxd. a.d. 1075. 
 
 against the seven spirits of wickedness, I took refuge in the i 
 holy convent of Fontenelle. 43 Here I received the monastic | 
 habit from the venerable father abbat Gerbert, and with un- | 
 wearied diligence applied myself to cleanse away and make 
 amends for the errors of my youth and all my ignorances, i| 
 according as the grace of the Holy Spirit inspired me to do. i 
 At length, after the lapse of not a few years, on the decease of 
 the venerable prior, the lord AYinotus, my venerable father, 
 the lord abbat Gerbert, summoned my humble self to be the [ 
 sharer of his anxieties, and, though unworthy and reluctant, 
 at last made and appointed me prior of his monastery, bound, i 
 as I was, by the ties of duty, to obey. 
 
 At this time, my lord AVilliam, the renowned duke of Nor- i 
 mandy, hearing by his daily messengers of the death of his j 
 kinsman, Edward, the most pious king of England, was long | 
 waiting at the port of Saint Valery for a favourable wind, it 
 being his intention to cross over with a most valiant army, in 
 order to assert his rights. Thither I then repaired with the . 
 subsidy offered by my lord the abbat, and, having watched for j 
 a suitable time for so doing, presented twelve chosen youths, ] 
 on horses, and supplied with arms, together with a hundred I 
 marks for their expenses, as his contribution, on behalf of \ 
 my father the abbat. Being most abundantly thanked for so I 
 welcome a present, and having, by the most munificent bounty 9 
 of the duke, obtained his charter of donation for ever to our 
 house of the whole of the vineyards of Carville, overjoyed I 
 and exulting, I returned to our monastery. The duke, in the C 
 meantime, crossed over the sea, having a most prosperous | 
 voyage, and, as I have previously stated, reduced England to | 
 subjection. He ever after displayed the most ardent affection • 
 for our abbey of Fontenelle, and showed abundant honor and i 
 respect both to my lord the abbat, as well as all the brethren 
 of the said monastery, whenever he met them. 
 
 Accordingly, in the course of some years, on the venerable li 
 father AVulketul, the lord abbat of Croyland, my predecessor, 
 being deposed from the duties of the pastoral office, my master, 
 the renowned king AATlliam, sending a messenger to the vene- ( 
 rable father before-named, Gerbert, my lord abbat, to enquire c 
 for my humble self, obtained that which he sought; and so ! 
 placed me, with mingled feelings, of extreme sorrow at as- 
 4S In Normandy. 
 
A.u. 1075. 
 
 INGDLrn BEHOLDS A VISION. 
 
 151 
 
 suming a burden of such heavy responsibility, and of extreme 
 delight at seeing myself transferred to my native soil, in the 
 most holy Temple of Christ, upon the candlestick of the church 
 of Croyland. Both my venerable abbat as well as all the rest 
 of the holy community of the brethren, suppliantly and repeat¬ 
 edly entreated me, when about to set out for those parts, that 
 I would always preserve a grateful recollection of my holy 
 nest, and would never dismiss my mother from my thoughts. 
 They also requested that I would say a good word for them 
 [against all men] in presence of my lord the king, whose con¬ 
 versation, they supposed, I should frequently enjoy; as, living 
 with him in England, I should often be in his presence, and 
 sometimes a guest at his table. They also begged that I would 
 take away with me something from the tombs of the Saints, 
 many of wdiom rest in that monastery, by way of a lasting 
 remembrance of it, to the end that my devoutness might in¬ 
 crease towards God, and my affection for the place continue. 
 
 Accordingly, I passed a night in the church, before the 
 shrines of the Saints there buried, namely, Wandragesil, the 
 abbat, and Wulfran and Ausbert, the bishops, and there 
 I poured forth my heart; and, with becoming devoutness, 
 entreated that the Lord would deign to guide my steps, through 
 the merits and prayers of my said patrons. It was the vigil 
 of Saint Andrew the Apostle, and in its course midnight had 
 now nearly passed, w r hen, after the repetition of main- prayers, 
 and after reading the victorious passion of the said Holy 
 Apostle, sleep suddenly creeping upon me, I reclined on my 
 left side against the lectern, which was standing before me. 
 
 And now, behold! I saw a certain abbat, of remarkably 
 handsome features, attended by two most reverend bishops, 
 me on either side, proceed from the altar behind, and meet, in 
 the middle of the choir, the same number of Saints; of whom 
 two were refulgent with priests’ stoles, while the third, whom 
 they escorted between them with the greatest veneration, 
 tppeared to be an carl most gorgeously arrayed, who wore a 
 tore of gold on his neck. When they had saluted each other, 
 and had finished the Lord’s prayer, one of the bishops ad- 
 lressed me, and anxiously requested and ordered mo to lead 
 iis guests to the hostrey, 49 and diligently minister to their 
 wants, while, at the same time, I was most carefully to 
 45 Or guest-hall. 
 
152 ixgulph’s history of the ABBEY OF CROYLAND. a.d. 1076 
 
 watch the fire of the hoslrey, until such time as thej 
 should send for me: the rest of the holy men making similai 
 requests of me. While I was hesitating for some little time tc 
 comply with their requests, the holy bishop added these words: 
 
 “ Go thy way, and, of a truth, my right hand shall always be 
 with thee;” upon which, the vision disappeared, and, the 
 morning vigils to be paid to the Apostle before-named now 
 approaching, our sacrist rang the bell to awake the brethren. 
 
 Now, of the interpretation of this vision I was for many 
 years utterly ignorant, until, having come into these parts, and 
 reflecting upon the said vision, I gathered from it the follow- * 
 ing prognostics:—The two bishops were the two patrons of ■ 
 the convent of Fon tenelle, Wulfran and Ausbert, while the 
 abbat in the middle was Saint Wandragesil, the abbat and 
 founder of that place, and the first inhabitant thereof: they 
 proceeded from the altar behind me, because there their holy 
 bodies repose. The two who met them, clad in priests’ stoles, 
 were Saint Guthlac and Saint Neot, both most holy priests of 
 God, and especial patrons of Croyland; while the earl in the 
 middle, w r ho was decorated with a golden tore around his neck, 
 was the most holy martyr, earl Waldev, who, though most 
 innocent, was beheaded, and entombed in that monastery. To 
 the service of these I was appointed, when I assumed the 
 charge of the pastoral office in this convent of Croyland. 
 The hand of the holy bishop Wulfran still remains with me, 
 because I brought away with me the bone of his right arm, 
 which, as a present from the whole convent, I had received as 
 a lasting memorial thereof. 
 
 Accordingly, having been thus presented with the said holy 
 arm, I came to London to my lord the king; where being in¬ 
 vested with the s taff of the pastoral office of the monastery of 
 Croyland, after being"admitted, and having received the bene¬ 
 diction from the venerable father, archbishop Lanfranc, and the 
 most reverend bishop of Lincoln on the day of the Nativity 
 of our Lord, I made my first entrance into Croyland on the 
 Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle, and was installed there 
 in the year of our Lord, 1076. 
 
 I found in this monastery [of Croyland], of which, by the 
 will of God, I am a servant, sixty-two monks, of whom four 
 were layjuethren, besides monks oT other monasteries, who 
 were making profession of the monastic life there, together 
 
i.D. loro. 
 
 DESTITUTE CONDITION OF CROYLAND. 
 
 15;3 
 
 vith those of our chapter. All these, when they came, had 
 stalls in our choir, seats in our refectory, and beds in our dor- 
 nitory. TheSe, too, exceeded one hundred in number, and just 
 vhen they pleased [they came, and just when they pleased,] 
 some after the expiration of half a year, and some after a 
 vhole year, they returned to their own monasteries ; and this, 
 nore especially in the time of war, and when the least whirl- 
 vind muttered in the time of peace; for then, like bees re- 
 :urniiig to their hives when it threatens rain, so did they 
 lock from every quarter to Croyland. At this time, the num- 
 ier of those thus united with us in making monastic profes¬ 
 sion were, from Thorney ten, from Burgh six, from Ramsey 
 light, from Ely three, from Saint Edmund’s nine, from Saint 
 Uban’s twelve, from Westminster ten, from Saint Andrew’s 
 it Northampton two, from Christ Church at Norwich four- 
 een, from Tetford fifteen, from Coventry seven, from Saint 
 ilary without York six, from Saint Mary Stowe 50 ten, from 
 dichelney six, and from Malmesbury five; besides those 
 vho were arriving every day, and others who were always 
 taying with, us, and who, having seen the safe situation of the 
 icality, and the mutual affection of the brethren of Croyland, 
 lost devoutly entreated that they might be enrolled in our 
 ommunity; while that hospitality, which was innate in our 
 lonastery from ancient times, seldom or never repulsed any one 
 'ho knocked. 
 
 Accordingly, on my arrival at the monastery, finding all 
 i a most desolate condition, and humbled even to despair, on 
 jeount of the various misfortunes which had from every quarter 
 ^pressed the house, I consulted both laymen, as well as the 
 terate monks, who were acquainted with the means of 
 le convent, by what aids or resources they had found that in 
 ■rmer years the monastery was relieved; and most earnestly 
 ’quested them truly and simply to inform me thereon, and on 
 ) account whatever to conceal from my notice anything that 
 icy knew of as being requisite to be known by me. 
 
 On this, they made answer, that one Asford of Helieston, 
 ho was formerly the bailiff of the lord abbat Wulketul, my 
 mediate predecessor, had for many years had the manage- 
 ent of the manors and rents of the whole monastery, 
 id made delivery of the lands and tenements thereof to the 
 rmers, had received the rents and profits thereof, and had 
 w In Lincolnshire. 
 
154 ixgulvh’s history of the abbey of CKOYLAXP. A.D. 1(J7G 
 
 paid all the workmen of the convent entirely at his own wil 
 and pleasure; that he had grown enormously rich, and had bul 
 very seldom repaired the dilapidations of the monastery ; thal 
 he was the only one who knew the real state of our mo- < 
 nastery, and that it was in his power alone to afford the desired i 
 relief. 
 
 I, Ingulph, on hearing this, had this Asford sent for, and 
 simply disclosing to him the state of the monastery, informet 
 him that it stood greatly in need of his advice and assistance 
 and, with many prayers and promises, begged and entreatec 
 him, and laboured with the greatest earnestness to work upoi j 
 his good feelings to such a degree as to prompt him to rende]*j 
 us assistance : besides which, I explained to him my state o j 
 ignorance, and the fact of my having so recently come, ant i 
 fully disclosed to him my wretched state, as well as that o 
 the whole monastery, unless he should give us a helping hand t 
 To all this he showed himself as hard as iron, and as impene J 
 trable as adamant; and just in the same way that “ the addei 
 is deaf, and stops its ears ,” 51 so did he despise my entreaties I 
 laugh at my promises, and, as though ho took a pleasure in th( . 
 misfortunes of the monastery, set at nought all my advice 
 
 On perceiving this, and seeing into the matter more dis-i 
 tinctly, I persisted in humbly requesting that the accounts old 
 his management of all our lands and tenements 52 should bi | 
 delivered to me ; and I urgently and repeatedly entreated hint |! 
 to inform me from which of the vills in the neighbourhood out 
 revenues arose. Being at length induced by great promises,! 
 after having mentioned many tenements throughout the villt 
 belonging to the monastery, he came at last to that of Helieston 
 on which he not only concealed what were our rents there, but 
 with multiplied perjuries, all but made oath that our tenements 
 belonged to himself, and that he was in possession of them 
 by hereditary right. However, on our seniors steadfastly con¬ 
 tradicting him, and producing charters and the requisite docu¬ 
 ments, he laughed our rights to scorn, and, after much wran¬ 
 gling, promised that he would openly prove before the king’ll 
 justices that those tenements were his paternal property, and 
 so took his departure from our convent. 
 
 Accordingly, on our putting in our claim to the said tene-, 
 
 51 Alluding to Psalm lvi. 4. 
 
 6i “ Teueinentis” seems a preferable reading to li monumentis.” 
 
v.d. 1076. 
 
 DEATH OF ASIDE D. 
 
 155 
 
 nents before the king’s servants, a day was appointed for the 
 rial at Stamford. On that day, being about to appear before 
 he king’s justices on the business of the monastery, I com- 
 nended myself to the prayers of my brethren, and putting 
 ny trust in the Lord, rode to Stamford : he too, confiding in 
 he greatness of his riches, and placing all his hopes in his 
 reasures of money, was riding on, stiff-necked, as he was, 
 gainst God, when, lo and behold ! his horse striking against 
 , stumbling-block of a stone that lay in the middle of the road, 
 hrew his rider and broke his neck, and so sent to hell the 
 oul of him who was thus goingin his pride to oppose the Lord. 
 Vhen news of this was brought to the king’s court, and to us 
 rho were at Stamford awaiting the trial, as we did not as yet 
 face full belief in such an accident having happened, another 
 ay was appointed [for the trial]. 
 
 On the following day, when he was being earned by his 
 eighbours and relatives on a bier towards the convent of 
 !urgh to be buried, a place which he had often [before] 
 amed as that of his sepulture, those who carried it had to 
 ass over ten acres [of the meadow land] belonging to our mo- 
 astery, to which he in his lifetime had laid claim ; when, 
 ehold ! a most dense cloud covered the sun in his course, and 
 rought on, as it were, the shades of night, while the heavens 
 oured forth such a deluge of rain, that, from the flowing of 
 le waters, the days of Noah were thought to have come over 
 'gain ; in addition to which, the bier suddenly broke down, 
 ad the body of the deceased, falling to the ground, was for a 
 ng time rolled about in the filthy mud. On seeing this, 
 lose who carried him acknowledged the hand of the Lord, and 
 tcnly confessed their injustice ; while his relations and neigh- 
 furs came running to meet ns, who at the same moment had 
 rived from Stamford, and throwing themselves at our feet, 
 treated that pardon might be granted them for so outrageous 
 i injury attended by the manifest vengeance of God. Ite¬ 
 ming thanks unto God and Saint Guthlac for their assistance, 
 s forgave them the injury they had done us, and received 
 im them our meadow land, all right to which they disclaimed, 
 gether with all other things in full to which we laid claim, 
 d we have up to this present time remained in peaceable pos- 
 i ision of the same. Messed be God in all things, who hath 
 turned to the unrighteous according to the works of his 
 
156 OGULFu’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.n. 1076 
 
 hands, and who hath made foolish and rendered unstable tin 
 counsels of his heart! 
 
 This vengeance of the Lord upon the adversaries of our mo 
 nastery being circulated to a distance by the lips of all, am 
 terribly thundering into the ears of our rivals, there was n< 
 one from that time forward who dared in any way to offenc 
 the Lord our Defender, or who would presume thenceforth t( 
 provoke Saint Guthlac to anger. But, on the contrary, Bichan i 
 de Bulos, who had married the daughter and heiress of Hugl 
 de Evermue, lord of Brunne and Depyng, and was a pcrsoi : 
 much devoted to agricultural pursuits, and took great deligh i 
 in the multitude of his cattle and sheep, being wishful, for th< 
 purpose of enlarging his vill of Depyng, to enclose a grea $ 
 portion of the common marsh, and to sever the meadow land 
 and pastures, would on no account presume so to do, withou i 
 the sanction of our monastery; but, coming to us, with grea | 
 dutifulness, he most pathetically entreated that in the name o i 
 Christian charity the confirmation of our chapter might b 
 granted him. This we accordingly granted him, and con > 
 sented that his name and that of his wife should be inscribei 
 in the obituary of our brethren. [For he] bestowed twent; I 
 marks of silver as an alms-gift upon our monastery, and mos ] 
 deservedly obtained our permission to enclose as much as h j 
 pleased of the common marshes; on which, he enclosed tb I 
 whole of the land of the chapel of Saint Guthlac, which tb i 
 brethren of our monastery had erected there, while the sail ’• 
 vill belonged to us before the coming of the Danes, on th 
 east as far as Caredyk, and then passing Caredyk as far a i 
 Cleylake beyond Crammor; while he excluded the river We 11 an il 
 by a very strong embankment, because every year it had, b 
 its continual inundations, overflowed nearly all the meadow 
 adjoining the banks of the said river; from which circun 
 stance that vill had, in ancient times, received the name c f 
 Depyng, meaning “ the deep meadow.” Building upon tlieen 
 bankment numerous tenements and cottages, in a short tiir 
 he formed a large vill, marked out gardens, and cultivate. : 
 fields; while, by shutting out the river, he found in tl 
 meadow-land which had lately been deep lakes and impassabi i 
 marshes, most fertile fields and desirable land, and out of slougl ' 
 and bogs accursed made quite a pleasure garden. Having thi j 
 formed a most fertile soil, he at the same time changed tl | 
 
v.d. 10/6. 
 
 IXGVLPH INTERCEDES FOR WULKETUL. 
 
 157 
 
 ;ai(l chapel of Saint Guthlac into the parish church of his new 
 rill. To our monastery he was always extremely well-disposed, 
 md proved himself with our lord the king a most prompt inter¬ 
 cessor for us on all occasions, and an assiduous promoter of our 
 nterests. 
 
 As more prosperous times for us had now ensued, and the 
 «ndition of our monastery bore fruit most abundantly both in 
 natters temporal as well as spiritual, the Lord prospering us 
 ind multiplying our friends, I resolved to go to my lord the 
 ;ing, and in some way or other procure some favour for the 
 ord Wulketul, my predecessor, who was still enduring exile 
 t Glastonbury, i’or I was fully convinced that, through long 
 isage and experience, he was perfectly acquainted with the 
 tate of our monaster)’, and well knew of what our tenements 
 onsisted, which lay dispersed over many counties, and had 
 teen almost lost to us through the maliciousness of that most 
 ricked Asford; while by myself, who was a stranger, they were 
 .tterly undiscoverable. 
 
 Accordingly, I proceeded to London, and found there my 
 enerable masters and old friends, the most reverend areli- 
 ishop Lanfranc, and Odo, lord bishop of Bayeux and earl of 
 lent, and master of the palace, uterine brother of our lord 
 he king (by the advice and counsel of whom, both the king 
 s well as his kingdom in all respects were governed); and I 
 oldly disclosed to them the reason for my coming, at the same 
 ime requesting the favour of their intercession with the king, 
 ■ther friends and mediators also exerted themselves in my 
 ehalf, among whom the before-named knight, Bichard Bulos, 
 he king’s chamberlain, gave especial assistance, in order that 
 ley might ascertain the feelings of the king, our master, to¬ 
 wards my said predecessor, the lord Wulketul; on which, they 
 >und that his personal rancour towards him was much modi- 
 ed, but that he was inexorably determined that he should 
 ot be promoted to any prelacy great or small, and most per- 
 nacious in adhering to his original purpose. 
 
 Accordingly, at the intercession of my lords, the lord arch- 
 ishop of Canterbury, the king’s brother the lord bishop of 
 ayeux, Richard de Bulos, the king’s chamberlain, and many 
 thers formerly know’n to me in Normandy, and connected 
 ith me by terms of close intimacy, I obtained leave for him 
 • return from Glastonbury to Burgh ; on condition, however, 
 
158 INGCLrn’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CEOYI.VND. A n. lCs 
 
 that he was to reside there without having the slightest ran; 
 or liberty to go into the country beyond it, and without hol< 
 ing any cure or office whatsoever ; and it was only permitti 
 that I should be at liberty, whenever it should seem good | 
 me, to send for him to Croyland, to give me information as l 
 the state of my monastery. 
 
 Having obtained this permission, I had him brought l ■ 
 an honorable escort of horsemen from Glastonbury to Burg : 
 and [afterwards sent for] from Burgh to Croyland ; on whic | 
 seeing that this venerable person was worthy of all favour ai . 
 filial love, and was distinguished for his most holy piety, I he . 
 him placed in his ancient stall: nor did I, so long as he live . 
 consider myself as being fully the husband, but always as ' 
 sort of bride-man or steward, of the monastery. On percei | 
 ing my dutifulness, and that the love of his sons had throng < 
 no tribulations in any way swerved from their ancient kirn I 
 liness of feeling, he restored to our monastery the chalice thi 
 formerly belonged to his chapel, a breviary of the customs • i 
 our church, a missal, a cup of silver, with a silver lid for tl j 
 same, together with twelve spoons of silver: he also promise ; 
 some other things, so soon as he should have the opportuni? | 
 of speaking to some persons who were formerly his servant I 
 I used to send for him two or three times a-year, with a pr< j 
 per escort of servants, and often keep him with me a monti 1 
 sometimes half a year even; and, as I showed him the greate I 
 respect in every place, as well in the choir as the refectory, if 
 found that, besides the information which he most readijf 
 gave me as to the state of the whole monastery, so long as h 
 life lasted everything went well with me; whereas, on h 
 decease at the end of ten years, numerous adversities belt! 
 us every day. 
 
 He was deposed in the year from the Incarnation of 01 
 Lord, 1075, and survived ten years; when, being seizedwii 
 a sudden attack of paralysis, he sickened for four months, uni 
 he died, being the whole of that time [almost] deprived . , 
 speech, and unable to express his last wishes. He died c j 
 the day of Saint Hieronymus the priest, in the year of 01 
 Lord, 1085; some of our archives and jewels still remainii - 
 at Burgh, unrestored to us, although he had repeated t 
 promised to return and restore them to us, and, in his la 
 
AT) lOSo. 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE WINCHESTER ROLL. 
 
 159 
 
 agonies, to the best of his ability, frequently signified to liis 
 brethren bis wish that the same should be done. 
 
 To go back to a few years before this period, when Cnute, 
 king of Denmark, having collected a large fleet, was preparing 
 to invade England, the renowned king William, having levied 
 troops in all quarters throughout France, Germany, and Spain, 
 distributed the whole of them throughout the monasteries of 
 the whole kingdom, and especially had them quartered on 
 Lose convents which held their demesnes of the king exempt 
 from supplying him with troops. He accordingly sent six 
 mights and twenty-eight arbalisters [to take up their quar- 
 oers] at Croyland. At the same time, leading an army into 
 Northumbria, where the Danes had been in the habit of fre- 
 juently landing, he scoured the whole country, and almost 
 ■educed it to a desert, rendering it uninhabitable many miles 
 or a long time after; in order that the enemy might not, on 
 nming, find provisions and so prolong his stay, but, being 
 ompelled by hunger and want of food, might be forced speedily 
 o leave the country and return home. On the same occasion, 
 he illustrious king William also went beyond this district, 
 nd, passing on to Scotland, compelled Malcolm, the king 
 hereof, to do homage to him, aud to swear fealty to him, at 
 fbernethie. 
 
 ! On his return to England, he commanded every one of its 
 eople to do homage to him at Loudon, and to swear fealty to 
 ini against all men. He then proceeded to mark out the 
 ind, so that there was not a hide of land iu all England but 
 ■hat he knew the value and the owner thereof; nor was there a 
 dece of water, or any place, but what the same was described in 
 le king’s roll; while the rents and profits of the property 
 ■self, and the possessor thereof, were set forth for the royal 
 otiee by the trustworthy report of the valuers, who were 
 losen out of every district to describe their own neighbour- 
 ood. These persons showed a kind and benevolent feeling 
 iwards our monastery, aud did not value the monastery at 
 s true revenue, nor yet at its exact extent, and thus, in their 
 impassion, took due precautions against the future exactions 
 : the kings, as well as other burdens, and with the most atten- 
 •ve benevolence made provision for our welfare. This register 
 as called the “ Winchester Boll,” and, in consequence of its 
 

 160 IXGCLPu's HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CKOTLAXD. A.D. 10-35 
 
 containing, in full all the tenements throughout the whol 
 country, received from the English the name of ‘ Domesday.’ ; 
 
 King Alfred had formerly published a register of a simila 
 nature, and closely resembling it, in which he described th 
 whole land of England by counties, hundreds, and decuries, a J 
 I have previously stated; this too was called the “Winches 
 ter Roll,” because it was deposited and kept at Wincheste) 
 that city being then the capital of his hereditary kingdoi 
 of Wessex, the most noble and illustrious among all the ir 
 dividual kingdoms of England. In the later roll, which ws 
 called the Winchester Roll, because it was published after tb 
 example of the former one, there were described, not only tb 
 counties, hundreds, decuries, woods, forests, and all the v ill; 
 but throughout the whole territory it was stated how man 
 carucates of land there were, how many roods, how man 
 acres, what pasture lands there were, what marshes, what tt 
 nemeuts, and who were the tenants thereof. 
 
 At this period I, myself, went to London, and, having, wit 
 much labour and at no small expense, extracted and culled tt 
 following tenements of ours from the two rolls before-mci i 
 tioned, commonly known to the English by the name < 
 Domesday, I have determined to state the same, briefly tl 
 least, for the information of posterity; in most cases I sha 
 abbreviate, while in some I shall be more discursive, for tl 
 full information of my successors. If any one of posterit 
 shall wish to read in preference word for word the accoui 
 of our property, as the same is stated more diffusely in tl 
 said original rolls, then let him betake himself to those roll 
 and diligently examine the same; and 1 only trust that 1 
 will appreciate this short performance of mine, and will, froJ 
 his heart, commend these my labours, seeing that I have l 
 carefully and succinctly collected and thrown together into th 
 form particulars so little known, so much dispersed, and g; 
 tliered out of such a mass of confusion. 
 
 In the first place, in Lincolnshire, at Croyland, in Ellowarp, :■ 
 Saint Guthktc had, and still has, woods and marshes for I 
 leagues in length and three leagues in breadth. This was tl r 
 seat of the abbey in the time of king Ethelred, and it is frJ t 
 
 5J This is a mistake for “ Elloe,” or “ Ellowwapp”—“ the wapenta) 
 of Ellow.” The accounts here given vary considerably from those to I 
 found iu Domesday. 
 
i.D. 1085. 
 
 LANDS OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 16L 
 
 md absolved from all secular services. In Holeben and 
 Japclade, Saint Guthlac had and has three carucates and six 
 wvatcs, assessed to payment of geld; and now has there in 
 lemesne one carucate, three villeins with half a carueate, and 
 welve acres of meadow land : in the time of king Edward, 
 he value was twenty shillings in money. In like manner, 
 it Spalding, a herewick 53 of Croyland, he has two carucates of 
 and, assessed to payment of geld: the [arable] land being 
 me carucate and a half: here are seven villeins and four bor- 
 lars, 54 holding three carucates: in the time of king Edward, 
 t was valued at twenty shillings in money. In like manner, 
 iaint Guthlac had, in the time of king Edward, at Pyncebek, 
 ,nd still has, half a carucate, assessed to payment of geld, 
 n Kirton Warp, 55 in the berewick of Algar, Saint Guthlac 
 i ad and now has twelve bovates of land, assessed to payment 
 f geld: ten bovates of the land being now waste, through 
 veihow of the sea. In Donnedyk, Saint Guthlac had and 
 low has two carucates of land, assessed to payment of geld, 
 nd two carucates, with right of Sach and Soch; here is now 
 ue carucate in demesne, and thirteen villeins, with one caru- 
 late and twenty acres of meadow land. In the time of king 
 |dward, it was valued at twenty shillings in money. In like 
 tanner [in Drayton], Saint Guthlac had and now has one ca- 
 lcate of land, assessed to payment of geld : the land consists 
 one carucate; the villeins here do not plough; the four 
 .lt-pits here are worth five shillings and fourpence; there are 
 /e acres of meadow land. 
 
 In Burtoft, Saint Guthlac had and now has one bovate of 
 ■nd, with Sach and Soch, and the church of Sutterton, as 
 , so, in the time of king Edward, the right of presentation in 
 I e Soke of Donnedyk. Also, in Soudithing, in Hawardeshow 
 hapentake, in Bukcnhale, Saint Guthlac had and now has 
 o carucates and a half, assessed to payment of geld : here is 
 
 53 As he afterwards states, “ berewick” here means a “ manor;” though 
 lerally it signifies a member only, or portion of a manor, as a vill or 
 'inlet. See page 170. 
 
 ,l “ Bnrdarii.” These were probably mere bondmen, or cottagers of 
 : ne sort, but were evidently a distinct class from the “ villani.” They 
 re probably in a less servile condition, and had a bold or cottage, with 
 ; mall parcel of land. The origin, however, of the name is not accu- 
 liely known. 
 
 ’ Wapentake is prohab'v the correct reading. 
 
162 ixgijlph’s history of THE ABBET OF CROTLANU. A.D. lOti 
 
 one carucate in demesne, five villeins, two bordars, and eig| 
 socmen, 56 holding one carucate ; twenty-six acres of meadc 
 land, and fifty acres of forest; the seventy acres of forest, in t 
 time of king Edward, were valued at thirty shillings in mone 
 In‘like manner, in the Soke of Beltisford. Also, in Halyn 
 ton, Saint Guthlac had and now has ten bovates of land, fo 
 bo vates at Juland, and twenty-two acres of meadow lan 
 [The same] in the Soke of Tad. Also, in the wapentake 
 Nous. In Langtoft, Saint Guthlac had and now has six car 
 cates, assessed to payment of geld; the land here is six car 
 cates in demesne, that is to say, one carucate, and eight villeii 
 with four bordars, and twenty socmen, holding five carucal 
 of [arable] land and one hundred acres of meadow land; ah 
 two woods, with the property in a marsh, two leagues 
 length, and two leagues in breadth: the arable land being i 
 teen quarantenes in length, and nine in breadth : in the time 
 king Edward, they were valued at four pounds, [now] at sis 
 shillings in money. The cut wood was valued at three shillin: 
 
 Also, in Baston, Saint Guthlac had and now has four < 
 rucates of land, assessed to payment of geld, there being fc 
 carucates of land : there is now in demesne one carucate, a 
 five villeins, two bordars, and seven socmen, with two cat 
 cates. Here is a church, with a priest, and one mill, w 
 half another mill, and forty-five acres of meadow, and marsl 
 fifteen quarentenes in length, and eight in breadth; in t 
 time of king Edward, they were in like manner valued at fo: 
 shillings of money. Also, in Avelound wapentake, in Eepj ■ 
 gale, Saint Guthlac had and still has three carucates of laj ' 
 assessed to payment of geld, and sixty acres of meadow lan : 
 in the time of king Edward, they were valued at twenty si v 
 lings. Oger holds the same to tarm, by paying to the abl [ s 
 sixty shillings, and bearing many other burdens. Also, E 
 Aswardeheme wapentake, in Laithorp, Saint Guthlac had i 
 still has one bovate of land; in Kirkby three bovates of lai ^ 
 in the time of king Edward [its property]. | k 
 
 Also, in the hundred of Opton-a-green, in Horthampt . 
 shire, Saint Guthlac at Croyland held and now holds wo 
 and marshes, two leagues in length, and two leagues in 
 in the time of king Edward, free and absolved from 
 vices. In Peykirk, three virgates of land, in the tinn 
 Edward, assessed to geld. In Wr id thorp, Saint Guthlac 1 
 56 Tenants holding their lands by socage tenure. 
 
 breac 
 all f pj 
 3 of k . 
 
). 1085. 
 
 LANDS OF TIIE MONASTERY. 
 
 163 
 
 i now holds one hide and a half, subject to payment of 
 id; the [arable] land consists of two carucates, of which 
 ;re is one carucate in demesne; and eleven villeins, and 
 ven bordars with two carucates. Here are three acres of 
 iadow land, and one mill, valued at five shillings : they are 
 . the whole] valued at forty shillings. Also, in Pokebrok 
 adred, in Elmyngton, Saint Guthlac had and now has one 
 le of land; the [arable] land is one carucate in demesne, 
 1 there are two villeins and two bordars, with one carucate, 
 1 six acres of meadow land : in the time of king Edward, 
 sse were valued at eight shillings, now at sixteen. In 
 nyngton, also, Saint Guthlac had and now has two hides; 
 i [arable] land consists of three carucates; there are five 
 leins, and four bordars with three carucates. Here are 
 give acres of meadow land : in the time of king Edward, 
 y were valued at twelve shillings, now at twenty shillings. 
 >o, in Soudnaveslound hundred, in Adyngton, Saint Guthlac 
 l and still has two hides; the [arable] land consists of four 
 ucates. There is one carucate in demesne, ana there are 
 ) serfs, six villeins, and three bordars, with one socman, hold- 
 ; three carucates; there are also six acres of meadow laud, 
 
 1 a mill, valued at thirteen shillings and fourpence : in the 
 ie of king Edward, they were valued at fifteen shillings, 
 7 at forty shillings. Of this place, it also has the church, 
 in the other Adyngton half a virgate of land, assessed to 
 l. Also, in Ausefordshew hundred, in Wendlingborough, 
 it Guthlac had and now has five hides and a half of land ; 
 [arable] land consists of twelve carucates. There is one ca- 
 ite in demesne, with one serf, and twenty-one villeins, with 
 urch and priest, and seven bordars, and twelve socmen who 
 1 eleven acres. Here are two mills, valued at sixteen 
 ings, and thirty acres of meadow land, valued at fifty shil- 
 s; the tribute was eleven shillings, it is now six pounds. 
 Iso, at Granelcrand, in Baddeby, in Ailwordesie hun- 
 , Saint Guthlac had and still has four hides [of land] ; the 
 hie] land consists of eleven acres; there are eight caru- 
 5 in demesne, and eight serfs, five neifs, 57 twelve villeins, 
 eight bordars, with six carucates. Here is a mill, valued 
 vo shillings, and twenty-eight acres of meadow land, with 
 Is, four quarentenes ia length, and two quarentenes in 
 57 Bondwomen or female villeins. 
 
 M 2 
 
164 IXGUEPH’s HISTOBT OF THE ABBEY OF CBOYLAXD. A.D. 10fc>. 
 
 breadth : in the time of king Edward, they were, in like mai 
 ner, valued at eight pounds. Also, in the hundred of Wid 
 broke, at Glapthorn, Saint Guthlae had and has one virgate < 
 laud, assessed to payment of geld, and twenty acres of woe 
 
 land. 
 
 Also, in Leicestershire, at Beby in Goscote wapentake, Sail.. 
 Gutldac had and has ten carucates and a half of land; th 
 [arable] land consists of eight carucates. There is one carij 
 cate in demesne, and two serfs, and twenty-one villeins, wi n 
 five socmen, and three bordars holding six carucates. Heji 
 are thirty acres of meadow land, valued, in the time of kin 
 Edward, at sixty shillings, now at forty shillings. Also, J 
 the wapentake of Guthlacston, in Sutton, Saint Guthlae had at 
 now has two carucates, and two in Stapelton; the [arable] lai 
 consists of five carucates. Here are six villeins, with t\ 
 bordars holding one carucate and a half: in the time of ki 
 Edward, they were valued at twenty-four shillings, now 
 twenty shillings. 
 
 Also, in Huntingdonshire, at Morburne, in Norman’s-Cr( 
 hundred, Saint Guthlae had and now has five hides assessed 
 payment of geld. The land here consists of nine carucate 
 there are two carucates in demesne, and sixteen villeins, a 
 three bordars, holding seven carucates: there is a church a 
 priest here, and fort)' acres of meadow land, and one acre 
 brushwood : in the time of king Edward they were valued 
 one hundred shillings, and now at the same. In Thermit 
 Saint Guthlae had and now has one hide and a half, assess 
 to geld ; the [arable] land is one carucate and a half. In t 
 Soke of Achumesbiry, the king’s manor, Eustace now holds 
 the abbat of Croyland and has there, one carucate, and one v 
 lein, with half a carucate, and six acres of meadow land: 
 the time of king Edward, they were valued at twenty sl« 
 lings, and are now worth the same. 
 
 Also, in Grantebi'igshire, at Hokitton. in Nordstow hundr 
 Saint Guthlae had and has seven hides and a half; the [arat 
 land consists of eight carucates, there are four hides and f< 
 carucates in demesne. There are also fourteen villeins, ;j 
 three bordars, with six carucates. There are four cottag 
 and three serfs, and two carucates of meadow land, toget! 
 with a church and a priest: in the time of king Edward,,ti 
 were valued at eight pounds, now at six pounds. At Cot 
 
v.d.1085. 
 
 SEAT OF THE MOXASTEEY. 
 
 165 
 
 ham, in Cestreton hundred, Saint Guthlac had and now has 
 '•leven hides assessed to geld; the [arable] land consists of 
 >ight carucates ; there are six hides and one carucate in de¬ 
 mesne. There are twelve villeins and eight bordars, with seven 
 arucates; there is also one serf, and a meadow; and eight 
 .cres of pasture land, granted at the prayer of the vill, in the 
 ■aarshes of the lord Angill, and at present paying twelvepence 
 (a the time of king Edward, it was valued at eight pounds, 
 ut now at six. This manor always has been, and still is, of 
 he demesne of Saint Guthlac. In Drayton, Saint Guthlac 
 lad and has eight hides and a half: the [arable] land consists 
 ‘f six carucates : in demesne there are four hides and three 
 irgates, and one carucate. There are also twelve villeins, and 
 ve bordars, and three socmen, -with four carucates. There 
 re also four cottages, and two carucates of meadow land : in 
 le time of king Edward, they were valued at one hundred 
 hillings, and now at four pounds ten shillings. This land is 
 eld in demesne by the church of Saint Guthlac, together with 
 s church and the office of priest thereof. 
 
 Now, for the information of my successors, it seems to me 
 equisitc and very necessary, in a few words, to explain some 
 t the matters before stated, in the same way in which they are 
 ; )w understood. And first, as to the seat of our abbey, where 
 ' is stated to be four leagues [in length and three] in breadth, 
 ''he league, or “leuca,” is the usual measure of dimension for 
 nd among the Franks, and consists of two thousand paces. 59 
 j is not improbable that “leuca” is derived from the word 
 deucon,” which, in the Scythian language, is the same as 
 'e name “Philip.” Henqp it is that the Master, in his 
 Introduction” to 0. M. 60 11 III., where he speaks of “niveus 
 licon,” says, that by this “ leucon” was meant the emperor 
 .'blip, who is described as “niveus,” or “snow-white,” be- 
 jf use he was a Christian, and by baptism was made whiter 
 “m snow. In another passage, also, where he explains the 
 nry, that Phoebus fell in love with Leucothoe, he says that 
 [ a This is probably the meaning of the abbreviation—acr®, pastur. ad 
 ]. villae de marisco D. Ang. etde praesent. xii. d. 
 
 :" 9 The Gallic “ leuca" was generally considered to be 1500 paces in 
 lgth. 
 
 It It is probable that by the words, super. O.M. Lib. III., he alludes 
 t the Ormista, or History of Orosius ; which is supposed to have re- 
 ived its name from the words “Orosii mundi historia.’’ 
 
166 INGULPH’s HISTOBV OF THE ABBEY OF CBOYLAND. A.D. 10 . 
 
 God loved the Christian zeal of the kingdom of France, tl t 
 is to say, of the Philips, the name of Philip being an extremi • 
 common one among the Franks ; so much so, that king Ken;, 
 who now reigns in France, had his eldest son called by t > 
 name of Philip. For Philip, the blessed Apostle of Chri, 
 after having preached the word of God to the Scythians, a [ 
 converted many of them to the faith of Christ, on his retui 
 to Asia, passed through the Sicambri, and was the first i 
 preach to them the name of Christ. The Franks, springi 
 from these, as many of their sacred historians relate, still he. 
 Saint Philip the Apostle to have been in especial their origii 
 teacher and first Apostle. From all these circumstances, 
 may be gathered that “ leuca” received its name from “ leuco 
 —meaning, that it is a measure of Philippean land, or land 
 Philip, or of the Philips. 63 
 
 The English, however, in measuring land, use miles, 
 “milliaria;” which are so called, because they consist 
 “ mille passus,” “a thousand paces.” This name was deriv 
 from the fact that Hercules, while drawing his breath, walk 
 a thousand paces, according to Isidorus [in his “ Etymologica 
 B. III. Therefore, on thus learning what are leagues a: 
 miles, you might possibly say, posterity and friends, that t 
 seat of our abbey is said to he four leagues in length, from f 
 further bank of Sehepishee on the east thereof, as far as K 
 nulphston on the west, or in other words, eight miles; and I 
 breadth, that is to say, from the further [side] of the bank i 
 Southee on the south thereof, as far as the outer bank 
 Asendyk or of Welland on the north thereof, two leagues, i 
 in other words, four miles: but neither of such statemen 
 would be true. For you ought to be informed that the E 
 glish, under the dominion of the Normans, adopted in mar 
 respects the usages of the Franks ; and consequently subsf 
 tuted “leucae,” or “ leagues,” for “ milliaria,” or “miles, 
 though they still meant miles; and as its length exceeds 
 four miles, and its breadth two miles, the surveyors, with r 
 markable foresight, and most piously taking precautions again 1 
 
 62 All this is fanciful and absurd in the extreme. 
 
 63 This is probably the true reason for the statement of the surveyoi 
 They perhaps found the length to be six miles, and therefore called it fo 
 “ leucce,” which was just that measure, and not eight miles, as Ingul) 
 supposes. 
 
x.d. ] 085. 
 
 FORMER PRIVILEGES OF THE MONASTERS'. 
 
 167 
 
 .he barl feelings of our rivals, chose to set it down as more 
 ,han the real measure, rather than less. All the assessors in 
 he neighbourhood accepted this measurement, and the king’s 
 sourt accepted it as well, when the true account of rueasure- 
 nent was required for incorporation in the royal rolls. 
 
 I ought also here to state, that Alderlound is described in 
 )pton-a-green hundred ; whereas, in the charter of Edred, 
 he former king and our refounder, it is stated, that this part 
 if the marsh, situate on the southern side of the river Wel- 
 and, is connected with the county of Lincoln in all respects, 
 nd belongs thereto ; evidence of which is collected from the 
 harter of Edgar, the former king and the confirmer of our pri- 
 ileges, in the words in which he forbids all his servants, mean- 
 ag thereby sheriffs, sunimoners, and bailiffs, in the county of 
 he Girvii, 01 that is to say, the county of Northampton, to enter 
 rithin the limits and boundaries of the said marsh, or in any 
 rav to interfere therewith ; showing thereby, that this part 
 f the marsh was forbidden to his 'Servants in the county 
 f Northampton, and that, with the remaining portion of our 
 lonastery, it came under the jurisdiction of his servants in the 
 punty of Lincoln. But when the Danish kings, Sweyn, 
 iiute, Harold, and Hardecnute, were oppressing the whole of 
 Ingland, and making great changes, many of the privileges of 
 ie monasteries were lost, and utterly swept away, while the 
 mits and boundaries of territories and of counties were trans- 
 ■rred and changed from their ancient state, just as the money 
 .? the rich gained a preponderance over the feelings of the 
 arbarians, who sought nothing else but money. 65 An evi- 
 ence of this was the destruction in the time of king Har- 
 .‘cnute of the monastery of Saint Pega, at Peykirk, the money 
 ’ the abbat of Burgh prevailing against justice on the side of 
 |ie people of Pegeland, and the influence of carl Godwin over 
 lie simplicity of the poor. 
 
 At this time also, the monks of Burgh were held in the 
 ;ry highest esteem, so much so, that the whole world fol- 
 wed after them; and, many of the groat men of the land, 
 
 M Baxter, in his Glossarium, speaks of the Girvii as inhabitants of the 
 unty of Huntingdon. But it is not, improbable that the same people 
 i tended along the extremity of Northamptonshire which separates llun- 
 jjngdonshire from Lincolnshire. See Note to p. 87. 
 
 65 “ Pecunias” seems to be a preferable reading to “ ruinas.” 
 
1G8 engulph’s histoey of the abbey of CROYLAJTD. A.D. 1085 
 
 both bishops [of the highest rank], as -well as other nobles 
 and chiefs of provinces, choosing their place of burial among 
 them, they even had the most supreme impudence to extent 
 the horns of their desires towards our monastery; while the 
 lord Wulketul, my predecessor, concealed such an act of ex¬ 
 treme injustice, and as though he had connived at such agreal 
 peril to our monastery, was lulled, I am ashamed to say, intc 
 a most supine lethargy, and under its soporific influence con¬ 
 tinued long asleep. Still however, I hope, before long, with 
 the kind feelings manifested by the king towards us, fully to 
 restore it to its former condition, which for the space of nearly 
 three hundred and thirty years previously, we peaceably en¬ 
 joyed. 
 
 I ought also to throw some light upon the passage where it 
 is stated that “ from the time of king Ethelred the seat of our 
 abbey was free and absolved from all secular services,” 66 as 
 there were three kings called Ethelred ; and as to each of them, 
 probable grounds may %>e stated for shewing that the said 1 
 passage bears reference to him. For the first Ethelred, the son 
 of Pen da, and brother of Peada and Wulpher, the former 
 kings of the Mercians, succeeded the before-named kings, his 
 brothers, and after he hud reigned thirty years, withdrew from 
 the world, and became a monk in the monastery of Bardcney, 1 
 being at last created abbat thereof. In the kingdom of the 
 Mercians, his kinsman Ivcnred was appointed king in his 
 stead, being the son of Wulpher, the former king, the brother 
 and predecessor of Ethelred, as I have more fully stated above. 
 This Kenred, after a reign of five years, taking his departure l 
 on a pilgrimage to Pome, he was succeeded by Celred, son of 
 the before-named Ethelred, his father the abbat of Bardcney 
 still suiwiving. 
 
 This Celred dying after a reign of eight years, he was suc¬ 
 ceeded on the throne of Mercia by our Ethelbald, who reigned 
 forty-one years. In the first year of his reign he founded our 
 monastery of Croyland, and gave us his charter granting the 
 same ; which charter, as the first witness after the bishops, 
 the before-named Ethelred, abbat of Bardeney, devoutly 
 signed : and in the same year, being now an aged man and 
 full of days, he departed unto the Lord. From the time there¬ 
 fore of this king Ethelred our abbey was “ free and absolved 
 t6 See pages 1G0, 161. 
 
.D. 1085. 
 
 THE THREE KINGS ETHT.LRED. 
 
 169 
 
 :om all secular services,” meaning by that term the time of 
 ;s tirst foundation. 
 
 The second king Ethelred was the son of Ethelwulph, and 
 rother of king Ethelbald, and of Ethelbert and Alfred, the 
 )rmer kings, being the last but one of the brothers who 
 line to the throne ; and, after having most stoutly wielded 
 le sceptre of the kingdom of Wessex for a period of five 
 ears, and had repeated engagements with the Danes, in 
 r hich he sometimes most gloriously defeated them, departed 
 jjs life in the year of our Lord, 871, it being the year after the 
 estruction of the monasteries of Bardeney, Croyland, Medes- 
 amsted, and Ely. The monks of Croyland, however, as has 
 sen previously stated, were most of them most happily saved, 
 iter a flight and concealment of three days, and throughout 
 le whole period during which it lay desolate, possessed the 
 te of the whole abbey, together with the same liberties which 
 ley had previously enjoyed, at the grant of king Beorred, and 
 ; Alfred, who afterwards succeeded to the throne ; whereas, 
 le other monasteries being utterly destroyed through the 
 ivages of the Danes, and all their monks slain, ruined, or 
 tterly dispersed, their sites were taken and added to the 
 •yal treasury. From the time, therefore, of this king Ethel- 
 d, our abbey was “ free and absolved from all secular ser- 
 ces,” that is to say, in the time of its greatest desolation, 
 itil its restoration, and from then up to the present time. 
 
 The third king Ethelred was the son of king Edgar, who, 
 ter Saint Edward the king, and at last, the Martyr of God, 
 is own brother by the father’s side, had a most wretched 
 :;ign of thirty-eight years. In his time, the armies of the 
 ; mes greatly ravaged the whole of England, and exceedingly 
 i pressed the churches and convents. This state of extreme 
 Ibulation lasted for many years; indeed, throughout the time 
 ( four kings, that is to say, of the same Ethelred, Cnute, Ha¬ 
 rd, and Hardecnute. From the time, therefore, of this Ethel- 
 1 1, our abbey was “ free and absolved from all secular ser¬ 
 ies,” that is to say, from the time of that king who was 
 tvful successor in the royal line of the English, and father of 
 i ward, that most pious king; upon whose relationship and 
 (isanguinity our renowned king William founds his right 
 (iscientiously to take possession of England : the other kings 
 c Danish blood being in the meantime omitted, as hating no 
 r tits whatever of their own to assert. 
 
170 ixGtixpn’s history of the abbey OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 10S 
 
 We ought also to remark, that in our settlement at Cro 
 land, no villeins, bordars, or socmen are put down, as is t] 
 case in our other lands; for, except through fear of impendii 
 war, few or none would persevere in living with us. For, 
 the same way that, on war breaking out, all of the neighbou 
 ing country, rich as well as poor, men as well as women, r 
 sorted to Croyland from every side, as a place of refuge, so agai; 
 on the serenity of peace being restored by the Lord, all, r 
 turning homewards, quitted our monastery ; our own househo 
 of domestics, together with their wives and children, being t! 
 only persons left; to whom, as will be stated in the seque 
 I have lately demised a great part of the marshes and me 
 dows of the seat of our monastery for a certain annual ren 
 and the performance of other services; letting to some tl 
 same to farm for a certain number of years, and conveying i 
 to others in fee for the purposes of cultivation. But more | 
 this hereafter. 
 
 It ought also here to be stated, that where it is said, “ 
 Spalding, aberewick of Croyland,” and in another place, “: I 
 the berewick of Algar,” 65 it should be understood by the form' 
 expression “ Spalding, a manor of Croyland,” and by tl 
 “berewick of Algar,” another manor [of Croyland]. 
 
 It ought also to be stated as to the manor of Badby, thi 
 although it is now in the hands of persons to whom it 
 leased, it is still described in the king’s roll as though it we; 
 now in our hands; but it should also be known that becau; 
 the measurers of the lands and the assessors of that district sa 
 that monks were holding that manor of the monks of Eve; I 
 ham, they took them to be our monks of Croyland, and thougl < 
 and reported the possession to be ours, and not that of tl 
 real lessees; whereas there are still twenty years of their leat 
 to run, before 56 the hundred years expire, which were grante , 
 to hforman, the sheriff of the late earl Edric. These matte 
 I openly declared in presence of my lord the king and h 
 council, in behalf of my monastery and its possessions, ar 
 they were all graciously listened to, and opportunity of ii 
 6peeting the royal roll was liberally granted to me. 
 
 I also, on this occasion, took with me to London the cha: 
 ters and deeds and principal muniments of our monaster 
 
 55 See page 161. 
 
 56 This fixes the date as a.d. 1093. See the Note to page 116. 
 
A.i). 1085. 
 
 CHARTER OF KING WILLIAM. 
 
 171 
 
 namely, those of Ethelbald, the former king and our founder, 
 and of the other kings of Mercia, who confirmed the grant of 
 our house; all of which were written in Saxon characters; as 
 also the charters of Edred, the former king, our re-founder, 
 of king Edgar, the confirmer of our rights, and of other kings 
 of England who succeeded them down to these our times; 
 part of which were written in duplicate, both in Saxon cha ¬ 
 racters as well as Gallic. For the Saxon characters had been 
 used by all the Saxons and Mercians down to the time of king 
 Alfred, who having been chiefly instructed by Gallic teachers 
 in all branches of literature, from the time of that king they 
 fell into disuse; and the Gallic hand-writing, because it was 
 more legible, and was far more comely to the sight, grew more 
 and more into favour every day with all the English. 
 
 Although by the Gauls and Normans universally Saxon hand¬ 
 writing was never, on any account, employed, and was utterly 
 abominated by them, and at this time especially, when the 
 Saxon nation, too, was held in contempt and quite disregarded; 
 still, through the merits and prayers of Saint Guthlac, our 
 advocate and especial patron, the iioly Spirit divinely inspired 
 the heart of the renowned king with such favour and good-will 
 towards our monastery, that all our muniments, whether writ¬ 
 ten in Saxon or whether in Gallic characters, as I have already 
 mentioned, were openly read and carefully examined in pre¬ 
 sence of the before-named renowned king William and his 
 council, and were received with great favour and considerable 
 approbation; the royal confirmation being most becomingly 
 adjudged by acclamation on the part of all. And particularly, 
 the charter of the late renowned king Edred, our re-founder, 
 who granted more special privileges to our monastery, and 
 more fully confirmed to us our lands, was most readily received 
 by all, and was most graciously allowed to be confirmed by our 
 lord the king; whicli was accordingly done with the greatest 
 care in such manner as I desired and requested, and in the 
 following words: 
 
 “ I, William, by the grace of God, king of the English, at 
 the humble petition of my servant Ingulph, abbat of the mo¬ 
 nastery of Croyland, do sanction, approve of, and confirm, and 
 do in all things command effectually to be observed, the charter 
 of privileges which the excellent king Edred, my predecessor, 
 gave and granted unto God and to Saint Guthlac and the 
 
172 INGULFS*S HIST0BY OF TDK ABBEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 1085 j 
 
 monks of Croyland, the same having been read and set fortl 
 in presence of me and of my council. I do also forbid tha 
 any person under my rule shall presume rashly to moles 
 them, lest he perish by the sword of excommunication, anc 
 for such violation of ecclesiastical rights suffer the torment; 
 of hell. Eut they are to hold all their possessions as a perpe¬ 
 tual and royal alms, of my gift and confirmation, by me grantee 
 to the praise of God and out of reverence for Saint Guthlac 
 the confessor, who in the body there reposes, together with al 
 those rights which are called Soch and Sach, Tol and Them, tc 
 hold the same with the same laws and customs as of perpetual 
 right as freely and quietly as they held them with the same ir 
 those days in which king Edred was alive and well. Eor the 
 confirmation of this writing the following nobles therein named 
 were present as witnesses: Lanfranc, archbishop of Canter¬ 
 bury ; Thomas, archbishop of York; Walkelm, bishop of 
 Winchester; William, bishop of Durham ; earl William, earl 
 Alfred, Alfred, the son of Topi, William Malet, and others.” 
 
 On this occasion, perceiving that the feelings of my lord the! 
 king and of his council towards my humble self were, at 
 the inspiration of the Most High, thus benevolent and favour¬ 
 able, I also produced before my lord the king and his whole ij 
 council the charters formerly granted by the sheriff Thorold as I 
 to our cell at Spalding, which I had brought with me to Lon- i 
 don; and having fully set forth our title and alleged our right 
 thereto, with all becoming diligence, I demanded restorations 
 of our said cell to our monastery. After our right to rhe said - 
 cell had been discussed in the king’s council for a very consi¬ 
 derable time, and I almost imagined, from the favourable feel¬ 
 ings manifested by all, that judgment was about to be awarded 
 in our favour, the king's council came to the determination to 
 send for Ivo Taillebois, because the said cell was situate in his 
 demesne. 
 
 He speedily arrived, and when he heard the nature of my 
 proposal, pointed out to our lord the king that in my peti¬ 
 tion was sought the expulsion of the Gallic monks, whom, by 
 his royal charter, he had previously confirmed in their rights, 
 as well as the promotion of the English monks, who were 
 always imprecating evils upon him ; whereby he effected an 
 entire change in the intention of the royal benevolence to look 
 favourably on my proposal, and being stoutly backed aud sup. 
 
a.d. 1085. 
 
 CHABTEB OF THOEOLD. 
 
 173 
 
 ported on every side by the Normans and Anjouins, his own 
 partisans, who were always surrounding my lord the king, 
 totally frustrated my object. 
 
 Accordingly, taking with me the confirmation by my lord 
 the king of the charter of king Edred, our re-founder, which, 
 oefore the arrival at court of the said Ivo, I had obtained from 
 :he munificence of our lord the king, as well as all our muni- 
 nents safe and unhurt, and at the same time giving thanks to 
 :he Most High, I returned to our monastery safe and sound; 
 uid I advise my successors who shall follow me hereafter, and 
 ivho shall luckily chance to obtain favour with the king of the 
 English, when they wish to regain the said cell, especially to 
 rely on this charter of Thorold, the founder of the said cell, the 
 )ther charters being for certain reasons concealed: for I have 
 earned by the repeated advice of the lawyers that the said 
 diarter will prove much more valid and efficacious for the 
 Assertion of our rights than the others. This charter is to the 
 allowing effect: 6U 
 
 “ I, Thorold, of Bukenhale, in presence of my most noble 
 ord, Leofric, earl of Leicester, and his most noble countess, 
 he lady Godiva, my sister, with the consent and good-will of 
 ,ny lord and kinsman the earl Algar, their eldest son and heir, 
 lave given and delivered unto God and Saint Guthlac, at Croy- 
 and, into the hands of AVulgat, lord abbat of the said monas¬ 
 tery of Croyland, for the foundation of a cell of the monks of 
 pcyland, in honor of Saint Mary, the Mother of God and ever 
 Virgin, in the vill of Spalding, the whole of my manor 
 ituate near the parish church of the said vill [between the 
 Qanor of my said lord the earl Leofric, and the western banks 
 if the river of the said vill,], together with all lands and tene- 
 nents, rents, services, cattle, and implements, which I have 
 iossessed in the said manor, and in the said vill, and in the 
 ields thereof, both on the eastern side of the river as well as 
 n the western side thereof, together with all the appurte¬ 
 nances thereof; that is to say, Colgrin, my steward, and all 
 is people, with all the goods and chattels which he possesses 
 a the said vill and in the fields and marshes thereof, without 
 • ny exception or reservation whatsoever. Also, Hardyng, the 
 j'lacksmith, and all his people, together with all the goods 
 nd chattels which he possesses in the said vill, and in the fields 
 CG This charter is looked upon by Ilickes as not genuine. 
 
174 INGTJLFH’s BISTORT OF THE ABBET OF CROYLAMD. A.D. 1085. 
 
 and marshes thereof, without any exception or reservation what¬ 
 ever. Also, Lefstan, the carpenter, and all his people, togethei 
 with all the goods and chattels which he possesses in the said 
 vill, and in the fields and marshes thereof, without any excep¬ 
 tion or reservation whatever. Also, Ryngulph the elder, and 
 all his people, together with all the goods and chattels which he 
 possesses in the said vill, and in the fields and marshes thereof, 
 without any exception or reservation whatever. Also, Elstan, 
 the fisherman, and all his people, together with all the goods 
 and chattels which he possesses in the said vill, and in the fields 
 and marshes thereof, without any exception or reservation what¬ 
 ever. Also, Gunter Liniet, and all his people, together with 
 all the goods and chattels which he possesses in the said vill, 
 and in the fields and marshes thereof, without any exception or 
 reservation whatever. Also, Outy Grimkelson, and all his peo¬ 
 ple, together with all the goods and chattels which he possesses! 
 in the said vill, and in the fields and marshes thereof, without 
 any exception or reservation whatever. Also, Turstan Dubbe, 
 and all his people, together with all the goods and chattels which 
 he possesses in the said vill, and in the fields and marshes thereof, 
 without any exception or reservation whatever. Also, Algar 
 the Swarthy, and all his people, together with all the goods and 
 chattels which he possesses in the said vill, and in the fields and 
 marshes thereof, without any exception or reservation whatever. 
 Also, Edric, the son of Siward, and Osmund the miller, and all 
 their people, together with all the goods and chattels which theyi 
 possess in the said vill, and in the fields and marshes thereof, 
 without any exception or' reservation whatever. Also Besi 
 Tuk, and all his people, together with all the goods and chat- ; 
 tels which he possesses in the said vill, and in the fields and 
 marshes thereof, without any exception or reservation what¬ 
 ever. Also, Elmer of Pyncebek, and all his people, together 
 with all the goods and chattels which he possesses in the said 
 
 vill, and in the fields and marshes thereof, without any except 
 
 tion or reservation whatever. Also, Gouse Gamelson, and all 
 his people, together with all the goods and chattels which hei 
 possesses in the said vill, and in the fields and marshes thereof, 
 without any exception or reservation whatever. These, my 
 servants, and all their goods and chattels, together with all the 
 cottages to me formerly belonging, and situate on the eastern 
 side of the river around the wooden chapel of Saint Mary, in 
 
a.d. 1085. 
 
 LAWS OF KING EDWAKD. 
 
 175 
 
 the vill of Spalding, from of old belonging to the monastery of 
 Croyland, with all the rights and other things thereto append¬ 
 ant, I have given unto God and Saint Guthlac, for the pur¬ 
 pose of building the aforesaid cell, together with all my 
 biscaries, both in the marshes adjacent, as well as in the sea 
 x> the said vill adjoining, as my tree and perpetual alms-gift, 
 md for the salvation of my soul, and of the souls of all my 
 )rogenitors and kinsmen. This my charter, I, Thorold, have 
 confirmed with the sign of the Holy Cross, at Leicester, in 
 presence of many of the faithful of Christ, there on the holy 
 lay of Pentecost assembled, in the year from the Incarnation 
 four Lord, 1051. +1, Wulfin, bishop of Dorchester, have 
 
 atified the same. +1 Wulgat, abbat of Croyland, have joy- 
 nllv accepted the same. +1, Lefwin, abbat of Thorney, have 
 pproved of the same. +1, earl Leofric, have granted the 
 ame. +1, the countess Godiva, have long desired the same. 
 
 I- I, earl Algar, have consented hereto. +1, Turner, chap- 
 lin of my lord Wulfin, bishop of Dorchester, have been pre- 
 ent hereat. +1, Wulnar, chaplain of my lord Wulfin, the 
 ishop, have listened hereto. +1, Sitric, chaplain of my said 
 )rd Wulfin, have beheld the same. +1, Stanard, servant of my 
 ard the earl Leofric, have taken part herein. +1, Lulk, monk 
 f Croyland, have applauded the same. +1, Pigot, monk of 
 horney, have witnessed the same. -I- I, Living, the clerk, 
 ave written this charter with my own hand, and have deli- 
 ered the same unto my lord the sheriff Thorold, by his hand 
 i be delivered into the hand of the before-named Wulgat, 
 abat of Croyland.” 
 
 On the same occasion, I brought with me from London to 
 y monastery the laws of the most just king Edward, which 
 y lord, the illustrious king William, had, under most heavy 
 . malties, proclaimed throughout the whole kingdom of Eng- 
 nd, to be inviolably held as authentic and of lasting authority, 
 id had given to his justiciaries, in the same language in which 
 hey were originally published : to the end that it might not 
 ippen through ignorance that we or our people should at any 
 me fall into any grave peril, and with rash presumption offend 
 s royal majesty, and so with incautious foot incur the very 
 :avy censures contained therein, to the following effect : 67 — 
 
 81 The narrative of Ingulph, as given in Saville’s “ Scriptores,” abruptly 
 rminates here. 
 
176 ISGCLPh’s H1ST0BY OF THE ABBEY OF CKOTL.YXD. a.d. 108 i 
 
 “ These are the Laws and Customs which king "Willia | 
 granted unto the people of England, after the Conquest of th 
 land : they are the same which king Edward, his kinsman, ol I 
 served before him; that is to say : 6 ' 
 
 1. Of the rigid of asylum, and of ecclesiastical protection. I 
 
 “ The protection of our Holy Church we have hereby granteij I 
 For any offence whatever, of which a person may have bcell 
 guilty, if he takes refuge with the Holy Church, he shall haw 
 prori i lion for life and limb. And if any one shall lay harnl 
 on him who has so sought t lie protection of Mother Church, : 
 the same is a cathedral church, or an abbey, or a church of tl 
 religious orders, let him restore him whom he has so taken 
 and pay one hundred shillings as a fine; if it is the rnothJ 
 church of a parish, twenty shillings; and if a chapel, teS 
 shillings. Also, he who breaks the king's peace iu the parti 
 subject to the laws of the Mercians, shall pay a fine of obi 
 hundred shillings: and so in like manner as to compensatiol 
 for homicide,® 9 and lying in wait of malice aforethought. 
 
 2. Of the ling's protection. 
 
 “ These pleas pertain to the crown of the king. If an 
 sheriff or any provost shall injure any men belonging to hi 
 jurisdiction, and shall be attainted thereof by the king’s jus 
 tiee, his penalty shall be double that which another woul 
 have had to pay. 
 
 3. Of the violation of the public peace. 
 
 “ He who, in places subject to the Danish laws, 70 shall brea 
 the king’s peace, shall pay a penalty of one hundred and forty 
 
 6f These laws are given by Ingulph in the Romance, or old French, hi 
 in a most corrupt and imperfect state. The text of them has been reviser 
 by collation with that found in the Holkham MS., by Sir F. Pal grave, i 
 his Illustrations to his Commentary on the Laws of England. He alsi 
 gives the Latin version of the same laws, which was probably the ori 
 ginal form in which they were promulgated. ’Die Latin version differ 
 somewhat, in various places, from the text given by him of the Romance 
 on such occasions it has been generally followed in this translation. 
 
 69 “ Heinfare,” (incorrectly, in Ingulph, *• hetnfare,”) may mean “ th 
 fright of a slave.” But Spelman, in his Glossary, has shown that it ha 
 also the same signification as the word “ manbote." or “ compensation u 
 the superior lord for the death of one of his men.’’ 
 
 ' 0 " Deuelaga." 
 
a.d. 1085. 
 
 LAWS OF KI>'G EDWABD. 
 
 177 
 
 ; four pounds ; and the king’s fines, which belong to the sheriff, 
 in places subject to the Mercian laws are forty shillings; and 
 in places subject to the laws of Wessex, fifty shillings. And 
 as to a free man who has right of Sach, and Soch, and Tol, and 
 Tem, and Infangthefe/ 1 and shall be accused thereof, and be 
 condemned to pay a penalty in the court of the county, he 
 i shall forfeit to the use of the sheriff forty oras, 72 in places 
 1 subject to the Danish laws: and any other man who does not 
 f enjoy the same liberties, shall pay thirty-two oras. Of these 
 ithirty-two oras, the sheriff shall have to the use of the 
 Skin g ten oras; and he who has accused him shall have, for 
 his redress against him, twelve oras; and the lord in whose foe 
 he shall reside, shall have the remaining ten oras. This, in 
 ■places subject to the Danish laws. 
 
 4. Of accusations of Larceny, and of the sureties. 
 
 “ This is the custom in places subject to the laws of Mercia: 
 [f any person shall be accused of larceny or of robbery, and 
 ■hall have given pledge to appear in court, and shall take to 
 light in the meantime, his surety shall have a month and a 
 lay to seek him; and if he shall find him within that time, 
 le shall deliver him to justice; and if he cannot find him, he 
 ‘hall swear with eleven others, himself being the twelfth, 73 
 hat, at the hour at which he became surety for him, he was 
 lot aware that he was the thief, that it has not been through 
 urn that he has made his escape, and that he has not been able 
 o take him. Then he shall restore 74 the chattel for which he 
 ras arrested, and twenty shillings for his head, fourpence to 
 ho keeper of the prison, one obol for the spade, 75 and twenty 
 hillings to the king. In places subject to the laws of Wes- 
 2X, one hundred shillings on the hue and cry for his head, and 
 jut pounds to the king. In places subject to the laws of the 
 lanes, the penalty is one hundred shillings; twenty shil- 
 : ngs on the hue and cry for his head, and seven pounds to 
 
 71 See the Translation of Hoveden’s Annals, in Bohn’s Antiquarian 
 ibrary, vol. i. p. 55J. 
 
 ■ ,s the “ ora” was a Danish silver coin, probably about ten shillings in 
 
 ■ due. 
 
 73 “ D e dixieme main”, seems a better reading than “ dudzieme”—as 
 e institution of “ frithborg,” or “tenemental,” or “ oath of ten men ” 
 ‘ems to be here referred to. See the Translation of Hoveden’s Annals 
 
 1. i. p. 550. 
 
 74 Probably in the sense of “ make good.” » « La besebe.” 
 
178 INGTJlPH’s DISTORT OF THE ABBEY OF CKOYLAND. A.D. 108 .' 
 
 the king. And if he shall be able within a year and a da 
 to find the thief and bring him to justice, there shall be rt 
 stored to him the twenty shillings which shall have been s 
 taken, and justice shall be done on the thief. 
 
 5. Of the apprehension of a thief. 
 
 “ He who shall apprehend a thief without pursuit, and witt 
 out outcry raised on the part of the person to whom the robbc 
 has done the injury, and shall keep him without deliverin 
 him up, shall pay ten shillings for Hengwite, 76 and justic 
 shall be done on the prisoner at first view of frank-pledge 
 and if he shall pass over that sitting without leave of cour 
 then the penalty shall be forty shillings. 
 
 6. Of the redemption of animals. 
 
 “ In the case of him who shall redeem horses, or oxen, < 
 cows, or pigs, or sheep, which the English call by the name < 
 
 ‘ forfengen,’ he who shall claim the same shall give to tl 
 reeve for a sheep one penny, for a pig fourpence, and for an o 
 or a horse fourpence, and he shall not give more than eigh 
 pence, whatever be the number of the beasts. He shall ala 
 give security, and shall find sureties, that if any person shaj 
 come to make proof, and demand the beast within a year an 
 a day, he will produce in court that which he has so receive! 
 
 7. Of things that are found bg chance. 
 
 “ As to beasts going astray, and other things that are found 
 Let the property so found be shown to three-fourths of th 
 vicinage, 77 that the same may bear testimony to the finding then 
 of. If any person shall come to make proof, and to claim th 
 thing as his own, let him give security and find pledges the 
 he will, in case any person shall claim the beast, within 
 year and a day, produce in court what he has so found. 
 
 8. Of homicide, and of the price of the head and the TTere.' ,s I 
 
 “ If any person shall kill another, or be privy thereto, an 
 
 ' 6 A fine for letting a thief escape. The Latin and Romance texts hei 
 vary considerably. 
 
 77 Probably the same as “ vill,” in this instance. See the Translatio 
 of lloveden’s Annals, vol. i. pp. 552, 553. 
 
 78 The “ Were,” or “ wergeld,” was paid by a murderer, partly to tl 
 king for his loss of a subject, partly to the lord whose vassal he was, an 
 partly to the next of kin, for the person slain. “ Manbote” was a pa; 
 meat to the lord for the loss of his vassal. 
 
a.d. 1085. 
 
 LAWS OF KIXG EDWABD. 
 
 179 
 
 shall be bound to make amends for the same, he shall pa}- his 
 Were, as well as Man-bote to the lord; for a free man ten 
 shillings, and for a serf twenty shillings. The Were of a 
 thane is twenty pounds in places subject to the laws of the 
 Mercians, and twenty-five pounds in those under the laws of 
 the West Saxons. The Were of a villein is one hundred shil¬ 
 lings in places subject to the laws of the Mercians, as also to 
 those of the West Saxons. 
 
 9. To whom the Were is to he paid. 
 
 “ Of the Were to be paid for the shedding of blood, there 
 shall be first paid to the widow ten shillings; and the orphans 
 and relatives shall divide the surplus among themselves. 
 
 10. The valuation of certain animals in the payment of the Were. 
 
 “ In the payment of Were, each person shall be at liberty. 
 to pay a horse, not a gelding, as being twenty shillings, a bull 
 is being ten shillings, and a boar-pig as being five shillings. 
 
 11. Of one who inflicts a wound upon another. 
 
 “ If one man shall wound another, and shall be in duty 
 oound to make amends for the same, in the first place he shall 
 oay him all his expenses incurred ;’ 9 and then the wounded 
 oerson shall swear upon the relics of the Saints that he was not 
 ible to be cured for a less sum than that demanded, and that 
 t was not for hatred that he incurred more than a moderate 
 xpense. 
 
 12. Of Sarhote, or payment for pain of wounds inflicted. 
 
 1 “If a wound is inflicted on the face uncovered, then the 
 renalty is to be, for every inch seen, 80 eight pence ; but if the 
 arty- shall have the head or other part covered, then the pe- 
 alty shall be, for every inch, fourpence; and for as many 
 ones as they shall extract from the wound, the penalty for 
 , ich bone shall be fourpence. For the purpose of reconcilia - 
 • on, the person offending shall do due honor to the other, and 
 iiall swear that, if the other had done to him what he him- 
 •If has done, he would have accepted from him what he him- 
 
 79 Called the “ lich-fee,” or surgeon’s fee. 
 
 30 The text given by Sir F. I'algrave appears here to be somewhat de- 
 ctive ; but, from the words employed, it would seem that the “ Sarhote” 
 
 »s measured by the superficies of the injured limb or part of the body. 
 
 x 2 
 
180 INGULPIl’S HISTOEY OF THE ABBEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 108 
 
 self now offers, had the other intended to make such offer, an 
 if his Mends had advised him so to do. 
 
 13. The valuation of the Limbs. 
 
 “ If it shall happen that any person shall cut off the han 
 or foot of another, he shall pay him half of the Were accorc 
 ing to his station in life. But for the thumb, he shall pay tb 
 moiety of the penalty for the hand; for the finger next to th 
 thumb, fifteen shillings English, of such as are styled shilling: 
 of fourpence ; 81 for the middle finger, sixteen shillings; for th 
 next or ring finger, seventeen shillings; and for the littl 
 linger five shillings. If any one shall cut off the nail of th 
 thumb, he shall pay five shillings English money, and for th 
 nail of the little finger fourpence. 
 
 14. Of Adultery. 
 
 “ He who shall defile the wife of another, shall forfeit hi 
 Were unto the lord. 
 
 15. Of corrupt Judges. 
 
 “ He who shall give a false judgment, shall lose his Wen 
 unless he can prove, upon the relics of the Saints, that it w t 
 not in his power to give a better judgment. 
 
 16. Of the clearing of him who is accused of Theft. 
 
 “ If one person shall accuse another of larceny, and he : 
 a free man, and can give true testimony as to his havin 
 hitherto acted lawfully, he shall fully clear himself by his ow 
 oath. But if a person has been previously accused thereo 
 then he shall clear himself by the oath of persons named ; th; 
 is to say, upon the oaths of fourteen lawful men named, if h 
 can find them ; and if he cannot find them, then he may dec 
 himself by the oaths of twelve. But if he cannot find then 
 then he must defend himself by the judgment. 82 The accuse 
 shall make oath by mouth of seven men by name, that he h; 
 not made the accusation for malice, or for any other reason tha 
 the prosecution of his rights. 
 
 17. Of him who breaks into a church or a house. 
 
 “ If any person shall be accused of breaking into a monaster 
 or into a chamber, and shall not have been previously accust 
 
 81 In Du Cange’s Glossary it is suggested that the word “ quer” he 
 means forty. 82 Of ordeal. 
 
.D. 1085. 
 
 LAWS OF KING EDWABD. 
 
 181 
 
 of such a crime, he shall clear himself upon the oaths of four¬ 
 teen lawful men named, himself being the twelfth ; S3 and if he 
 has been previously accused thereof, he shall clear himself by 
 three times that number, himself being the thirty-sixth. And 
 if he cannot find them, then he must have recourse to the 
 threefold 84 judgment; in the case where the oaths of a triple 
 number should have been taken. If he has previously been 
 guilty of larceny, then he must be tried by judgment of water. 
 
 18. Of Fines. 
 
 “In places subject to the laws of the Mercians, an arch¬ 
 bishop is to have out of all fines forty shillings, a bishop 
 twenty shillings, an earl twenty shillings, a baron ten shil¬ 
 lings, and a villein forty pence. 
 
 19. Of Saint Peter’s Pence. 
 
 “A free man, who has possession of lands to the value of 
 thirty pence, shall give one penny to Saint Peter. The lord, 
 or the one penny which he shall give, shall render his hol¬ 
 lars, herdsmen, and servants, free from payment. A burgher, 
 f he has chattels of his own to the value of half a mark, shall 
 jive one penny to Saint Peter. In places subject to the 
 Danish laws, a free man who shall have cattle in the fields, to 
 lie value of half a mark, shall give one penny to Saint 
 Peter; and by the penny of the lord, all shall be acquitted 
 ,vho live in his demesne. He who withholds the penny of 
 Saint Peter, shall be compelled by ecclesiastical censure to 
 lay the same, and thirty pence as well by way of fine. If 
 ileus thereon shall come before the king’s justices, the king 
 hall have forty shillings for a fine, and the bishop thirty 
 lence. 
 
 20. Of those who use violence against Women. 
 
 “ If a man shall ravish a woman by force, he shall be pun- 
 shed by loss of limb. If a man shall throw a woman upon 
 lie ground for the purpose of committing violence, he shall 
 iay to the lord ten shillings. 
 
 21. Of putting out an eye. 
 
 “ If any person shall, in any wmy whatever, put out the eye 
 
 10 These numbers are very doubtful. 
 
 8J Probably meaning triple ordeal, which was the most severe ordeal, 
 y red-hot iron or boiling water. 
 
182 ingulfh’s histoby of the abbey of CROPLAND. A.D. 10S5 
 
 of another person, he shall pay to him a penalty of seven tj 
 shillings, English; but if the sight shall he restored, then he 
 shall pay half that sum. 
 
 22 . Of Reliefs. 
 
 “ The relief of an earl to the king consists of eight 
 horses, of which four shall he saddled and bridled; and wit! 
 them, four coats of mail, four helmets, four lances, four buck¬ 
 lers, and foui’ swords; the other four horses are to be palfrey. 1 
 and post-horses, with bridles and head-stalls. The relief of ; 
 baron is four horses, two of which shall be saddled and bridled 
 and with them two coats of mail, two bucklers, two helmets 
 two lances, and two swords. Of the other two horses, ont 
 shall be a palfrey, the other a post-horse, with bridles ant 
 head-stalls. The relief of a vavassour 85 to his liege lord, is i 
 horse, such as was in possession of his father at the day of his 
 death, a coat of mail, a helmet, a buckler, a lance, and a sword 
 If perchance he shall not possess the same, and shall be unable' 
 to pay the same by reason of having neither horse nor arms, 
 then he shall be exempted on payment of one hundred shil- 
 lings. The relief of a villein is the best beast of burden that 
 he has, whether a horse, an ox, or a cow; the same shall be¬ 
 long to his lord. In the case of him who holds land at a 
 yearly rent, his relief shall be the amount of one year’s rent. 
 
 23. Of producing Warranty. 
 
 “ If any person shall lay claim to any live cattle as having 
 been stolen from him, and shall give security and find sureties 
 that he will prosecute his claim, then the person who has the 
 property in his possession must produce his warranty. If he 
 cannot do this, then he must produce his Heuvelborh 86 and 
 his witnesses. If he can produce neither warranty nor Heu- 
 velborh, but has witnesses 87 that he bought it in the king’s 
 market, though neither warranty nor pledge whether it was 
 alive or dead, then he shall lose the chattel so claimed; and 
 by the simple oath of his witnesses and of himself, he shall 
 clear himself. But if he shall find neither warranty, pledge, 
 
 85 The next rank in dignity below a peer. 
 
 The Heuvelborh was the “ fide-jussor,” or the guarantee, who 
 was bound to restore the property sold, if the purchaser should be law¬ 
 fully evicted.— Palgrave. 
 
 3; The text, even in Sir F. Palgrave’s ameuded version, seems to be in a 
 most corrupt state here. 
 
,.d. 1085. 
 
 LAWS OF KING EDWARD. 
 
 183 
 
 ior witnesses, then besides the matter claimed he shall pay 
 iis Were to his lord. This is the universal law in all places, 
 vhether subject to the laws of the Mercians, the Danes, or the 
 iVest Saxons. No one shall be compelled to produce his 
 varranty before the claimant shall have produced his pledge, 
 in the oaths of six men. In places under the Danish law, 
 he property shall be placed in the hand of a third party, 
 rntil the matter shall be decided. If the party can prove by 
 hree-fourths of his vicinage that the animal has been reared 
 >y himself, it shall be adjudged to him. From and after the 
 ime that, on this oath, the property has been adjudged to 
 .iim, it cannot be withdrawn by him on trial in England. 
 
 24. Of Murder. 
 
 “ If any person shall kill a Frank by birth, and the men of 
 he hundred shall not take the murderer within a week, and 
 )ring him to justice to show why he did so, they shall pay for 
 he murder forty-seven marks. 
 
 2.5. If a person lays claim to land against his lord. 
 
 “ If any person shall wish to disprove any covenant as to 
 he holding of any land against his lord, he shall be bound to 
 disprove the same by his peers who hold by the same tenure, 
 is by strangers he cannot possibly do so. 
 
 26. If a person denies that he has said in court that which is 
 imputed to him. 
 
 “In every court, except in the king’s presence, if it is im¬ 
 puted to any one that on trial lie has said such and such a 
 hing, and he denies that ho has said so, if he cannot, by two 
 ntelligent men, who either heard or saw the same, disprove 
 hat he so said, he shall be bound by his words. 
 
 27. Of the threi 38 royal roads. 
 
 “ On the three royal roads, that is to say, Watelingstrete, 
 Ermingstrete, Fosse, and [Ikeneldstrete], whoever shall slay a 
 nan passing through the country, or shall commit an assault 
 m him, the same is a breaker of the king’s peace. 
 
 28. If the thing stolen is found with the thief. 
 
 “ On the land of whomsoever the thief is found with the 
 
 88 The text in the Romance has “ three,” in the Latin, “ fourIke- 
 aeldstrete being omitted in the former. 
 
184 ixguxph’s history of the abbey OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 108; 
 
 thing stolen, the lord of the land, and the wife of the thie 
 shall have a moiety of the goods of the thief, and the claiman 
 shall hare his property stolen, if he shall find it, besides th 
 other moiety of the goods; unless the thief he found on th 
 lands of a person who has right of Such and Soch, in which cas 
 the wife shall lose her share, and the lord shall have the same 
 
 29 . Of the beepers of the roads. 
 
 “For every hide S9 in the hundred, four men shall be pro¬ 
 vided for street ward, from the feast of Saint Michael to th- 
 feast of Saint Martin. And the Guardereve, that is, th- 
 head of the keepers, shall have thirty hides as compensatio) 
 for his labour. If beasts shall trespass upon the places com 
 mitted to their care, and they cannot show that they wer< 
 driven thither by force or by shouts, they shall deliver up the 
 same. 
 
 30 . Of cultivators of the land. 
 
 “ Cultivators and tillers of the land must not he harassec 
 beyond what is due and lawful; and lords are not to be al 
 lowed to remove the husbandmen from off the lands so long as 
 they are able to render their due services. 
 
 31 . Of Serfs. 
 
 “ Serfs must not depart from their lands, nor seek excuses 
 by which to deprive their lords of their due services. If anyli 
 one shall so depart, no person shall receive him, or his chat¬ 
 tels ; nor shall he withhold him, but he shall make him re-i 
 turn to his lord to whom his services are due. 
 
 32 . Of cultivating the land. 
 
 “ If the lords of the land shall not find fit and proper cul¬ 
 tivators for their lands, then the justices shall do so. 
 
 33 . That no one shall withdraw his just services from his Lord. 
 
 “ Ho one shall withdraw his due services from his lord, on| 
 
 the ground of any remission which has been previously made 
 gratuitously by the lord. 
 
 34 . That a pregnant woman shall not undergo punishment of 
 
 death. 
 
 “If a woman shall he adjudged to die or to suffer mutila- 
 
 85 The old text, in Gale’s edition, “ has one man for every ten hides,” 
 which seems a preferable reading. 
 
D. 10S5. 
 
 LAWS OF KING EDWAED. 
 
 185 
 
 on of her limbs, and shall prove pregnant, execution of the 
 ntence shall be deferred till she has been delivered. 
 
 35. Of those who die intestate. 
 
 “ If any man shall happen to die without making a will, in 
 ; ch case his children shall divide their paternal inheritance 
 ' tween them. 
 
 ;i. If a father finds his daughter in the act of adultery, or a son 
 his father’s wife. 
 
 “ If a father finds his manied daughter in his own house, 
 i in that of his son-in-law, in the act of adultery, he is at 
 herty to slay the adulterer. In like manner, if a son finds 
 1 5 mother in the act of adultery, during the life of his father, 
 
 I is at liberty to slay the adulterer. 
 
 37. Of Poisoning. 
 
 “ If a man shall poison another, he shall either be put to 
 i;ith, or sent into perpetual banishment. 
 
 38. Of throwing goods overboard through fear of death. 
 
 “ If any person in peril of the sea, shall, through fear of 
 iith, throw the property of another into the sea for the pur- 
 ?;e of lightening the ship, he shall clear himself by oath that 
 ) did the same for no other reason than fear of death. The 
 I'perty that remains in the ship shall be divided among all, 
 lording to the chattels of each. If any person shall act 
 i erwise, then he shall make good the property lost. 
 
 9. No one shall suffer prejudice through the fault of another. 
 
 ‘ If two or more shall be parceners of a property, and one 
 (them shall, without the other or others, be impleaded, and 
 ! 11 by his folly or for any other reason lose the same, then 
 
 I parceners shall not be damaged thereby ; because a matter 
 
 II has been decided among other persons, ought not to pre- 
 i ice others, especially if they were not present. 
 
 40. Of Judgments and Judges. 
 
 ' Judges are to use the utmost care and diligence that they 
 t udge their neighbour, as they wish themselves to be judged 
 i God, when they say, ‘Forgive us our debts even as we 
 c ;ive the same to our debtors.’ He who shall give false 
 
186 ixGULrn’s histohy of the abbey of crotlaxd. a.d. 1C; 
 
 judgment, or shall encourage injustice through hatred, love, 
 money, shall pay a penalty of forty shillings to the king, u 
 less he can excuse himself on the ground that he knew u 
 how to give a better judgment; and he shall lose his liberty 
 well, unless he shall redeem the same from the king, 
 places under the Danish law he shall pay his Lagslite. 90 
 
 41. That no one shall be condemned to death for a trifling t 
 
 offence. 
 
 “We do forbid that a person shall be condemned to dea 
 for a trifling offence. But, for the correction of the mull 
 tude, extreme punishment shall be inflicted according to t; 
 nature and extent of the offence. For that ought not for | 
 trifling matter to be destroyed which God has made after B 
 own image, and has redeemed with the price of His ou 
 blood. 
 
 42. Christians are not to be sold out of the country or to 1 
 
 Pagans. 
 
 “ We do also forbid that any one shall sell a Christian in 
 a foreign country, and especially among the infidels. For tl 
 greatest care ought to be taken that souls are not sold in 
 damnation, for which Christ gave His life. 
 
 43. Of those who refuse to take their trial. 
 
 “ He who refuses to submit to just laws and a just tria 
 shall pay a penalty to him to whom the same shall rightfull 
 belong. If it is against the king, he shall pay six pounds 
 if against an earl, forty shillings; if it is in a hundred or i 
 the court of any one who by virtue of his privilege holds tl 
 same, then thirty shillings English. In places under tl) 
 Danish law, he who shall refuse to abide a just trial, sha 
 pay the penalty of his Lagslite. 
 
 44. That no one shall lay a complaint before the ling, utile 
 there is a default in the hundred or county. 
 
 “ Ho one shall lay a complaint before the king, unless then 
 has been a miscarriage of justice in the court of the hundre 
 or the county. 
 
 90 Lagslite was a punishment inflicted for breaking the law. 
 
d. 1085. 
 
 LAWS OF KING EDWARD. 
 
 187 
 
 45. That no one shall rashly make distraint. 
 
 “No one shall take a distress in a county or out of it unless 
 ; shall have three times demanded satisfaction in the court 
 the hundred or county. If on making the third demand 
 i shall receive no answer, he may have recourse to the court 
 the county, which shall name for him a fourth day. If 
 en then, satisfaction shall not be made to him, he shall re¬ 
 ive licence to levy a distress 91 for himself, far and near. 
 
 46. That no one shall buy anything without witnesses. 
 
 “ No one shall buy anything, whether alive or dead, to the 
 lue of fourpence, without four witnesses, either from a bo¬ 
 ugh or a vill in the country. If claim shall afterwards be 
 ide by any person, and he shall have neither witnesses nor 
 irranty, then he shall restore the property, and pay a penalty 
 the person to whom by right it belongs. If he has wit- 
 tsses, they are to view the property three times, and on the 
 irth occasion, he is either to disprove the claim, or to lose 
 je property. 
 
 47. Of proof against witnesses. 
 
 “ It seems absurd and contrary to law that proof should be 
 ide against witnesses, who know the property claimed; and 
 oof 92 shall not be admitted before a stated time, the sixth 
 >nth from the time since the thing claimed has been stolen. 
 
 i. Of a person charged , who does not appear when summoned. 
 
 “ If any person of bad character, and charged with breaking 
 laws, shall not make his appearance after being three 
 :ies summoned, on the fourth day the summoners shall shew 
 | three defaults, and he shall once more have a summons to 
 d sureties, and obey justice. If, even then he shall not 
 ;oear, he shall be judged, whether living or dead, and there 
 : ill be taken whatever he has, and after the chattels are re¬ 
 ared to the claimants, the lord and the hundred shall equally 
 : ide the residue between themselves. And if any one of his 
 ; 3nds shall olfcr to use force against the execution of this 
 : ictment, he shall pay a penalty of six pounds to the king. 
 Je thief shall also be caught, and no one shall have power to 
 
 a ' “ Nam ’’ or ‘ naim ” 
 
 92 The text scetns corrupt here. 
 
188 ixGrarn's history of tite abbey op cbotland. a. d. ICS I 
 
 harbour him, or to guarantee to him his life; nor shall he ai' 
 longer he enabled to recover anything by trial in court. 
 
 49. That no one shall entertain a stranger for more than thr 
 flights. 
 
 “ No one shall entertain a stranger for more than thn' 
 nights, unless a person who is his friend shall have given hi 
 a recommendation ; and no one shall permit a person, after 1 
 is accused, to leave his home. 
 
 50. That no one shall allow a thief to escape. 
 
 “If a person meets a thief, and, without outcry raised, le 
 him escape, he shall pay a penalty according to the value si 
 on the thief, unless he shall prove on oath that he did no 
 know him to be a thief. 
 
 51. Of those who do not pursue on hue and erg raised. 
 
 “ He who, on hearing hue and c ry raised, shall neglect t 
 pursue, shall, for his neglect, pay a tine to the king, unless h 
 can clear himself by oath. 
 
 52. Of one accused in the court of the hundred. 
 
 “ If a person shall be accused in the hundred court, an 
 charged by four men, he shall clear himself on the oaths o 
 twelve men. 
 
 1 I 
 
 53. That the lord shall hold his servants in Franlc-pledge. I 
 
 “ All lords who have servants are to be their sureties, that 
 if they are accused, they will produce them for trial in tb 
 hundred court; and if any person after being accused shal 
 take to flight, the lord shall pay his W ere, and if it shall b 
 charged that through him he made his escape, he shall eithe: 
 clear - himself on the oaths of six men or pay a penalty tc 
 the king; and the person who has so taken to flight shal 
 be outlawed.” 
 
 I also brought with me on the same occasion from London 
 a copy of the decision of the whole controversy between the 
 churches of Canterbury and York, which had long existed, ai 
 to the right of the chief primacy, and which matter had beer 
 discussed at very great length a few years before my arrival in 
 England in presence of the king’s council, and had been at 
 
.D. 1072. 
 
 DECREE OF KIXG WILLIAM. 
 
 189 
 
 jst finally' determined ; it had also been set at rest by the 
 Tefragable sentence of the Apostolic authority, to the follow- 
 ig effect:— 
 
 “ In the year from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 372, in the pontificate of our lord the pope, Alexander XI., 
 id in the sixth year of the reign of William, the glorious 
 ng of the English; by the precept of the said pope Alexan- 
 •r, and with the sanction of the said king, in presence of 
 mself and of the bishops and abbats, the dispute was en- 
 lired into relative to the primacy which Lanfranc, archbishop 
 ' Canterbury, in right of his church, asserted over the church 
 ' York, and relative to the ordinations of certain of the 
 i shops, as to whom it was a matter of great uncertainty to 
 horn in especial they belonged. At length, upon the autho¬ 
 rity of divers holy writings, it was proved and shewn that the 
 ■ urch of York ought to be in subjection to that of Canter- 
 pry, and to pay obedience to its archbishops as primates of 
 "e whole of Britain, in all enactments which pertain to the 
 uristian religion. But the subjection of the church of Dur- 
 1 m, that is to say, the church of Lindisfarne, and of all the 
 «itricts which extend from the bishopric of Lichfield and the 
 leat river Humber as far as the extreme boundaries of Scot- 
 lid, and whatever on the side of the said river belongs to the 
 ncese of the church of York, the metropolitan of Canterbury 
 Is conceded unto the archbishop of York and his successors ; 
 
 ' the understanding that, if the archbishop of Canterbury 
 fall wish to convene a synod, whenever he shall think fit so 
 1 do, the archbishop of York shall, at his pleasure, be pre- 
 i,it thereat together with all subject to him, andshall shewhim- 
 f f obedient to his canonical dispositions. And, further, that 
 I) archbishop of York ought to bind himself by oath as well 
 1 is to do to the archbishop of Canterbury, Lanfranc, arch- 
 lhop of Canterbury, has proved from the ancient custom of 
 1 > predecessors; but in his love for the king, has excused 
 ! omas, archbishop of York, from taking the said oath, 
 
 E 1 has only received his written profession, without prejudice 
 ( his successors, who shall think fit to demand the oath, with 
 t; profession from the successors of Thomas. 
 
 “ If the archbishop of Canterbury shall depart this life, the 
 £ hbishop of York shall come to Canterbury, and shall, to- 
 f her with the other bishops of the before-named church, 
 
190 ixgtjxph’s histokt of the ABBEY OF CBOYLAXD. A.D. 1!,. 
 
 consecrate him who shall he elected, as being lawfully hisoj 
 primate. And if the archbishop of York shall happen to c, 
 he who shall be chosen to succeed him shall, on receiving ff 
 the king the gift of the archbishopric, come to Canterbury, [ 
 wherever it shall please the archbishop of Canterbury, e 
 shall, in due canonical manner, receive ordination from hi; 
 To this constitution have agreed, the king before-named, s 
 Lanfranc, archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas, archbishop 
 York, Hubert, sub-deacon of the Holy Church of Rome a 
 legate of the before-named pope Alexander, as also the otl 
 bishops and abbats who have been present. This cause v* 
 first heard at the city of Winchester, on the festival of East 
 in the royal chapel, which is situate in the castle there ; a 
 afterwards in the royal vill, which is called Widlesore, 1 who* 
 it was brought to an end, in presence of the king, bishops, a 
 abbats of divers ranks, who were assembled at court durii 
 the feast of Pentecost. The seal of king William. + T 
 seal of queen Matilda. + I, Hubert, lector 2 of the Holy T 
 man Church and legate of the lord Alexander the pope, ha 
 subscribed hereto. + I, Lanfranc, archbishop of Canterbui ! 
 have subscribed hereto. + I, Thomas, archbishop of Yoil 
 have subscribed hereto. + I, William, bishop of Londci 
 have consented hereto. + I, Hermann, bishop of Shej 
 
 burn, have set my mark hereto. + I, Wulstan, bishop 
 Worcester, have subscribed hereto, -f I Walter, bishop j>) 
 Hereford, have consented hereto. 4- I, Giso, bishop of Well 
 have consented hereto. + I, Remigius, bishop of Dorchestei: 
 have consented hereto. + I, Walkelin, bishop of Winchesfi 
 have consented hereto. + I, Herefast, bishop of Helmhai. 
 have subscribed hereto. + I, Stigand, bishop of Chicheste 
 have consented hereto, -f I, Siward, bishop of Rocheste 
 have consented hereto. + I, Osbert, bishop of Exeter, ha' 
 consented hereto. + I, Odo, bishop of -Bayeux, and earl 
 Kent, have consented hereto. + I, Goisfrid, bishop of Cot 
 tances, and one of the elder bishops of the English, have cot 
 sented hereto. I, Scotland, abbat of the convent of Sail 
 Augustin, have consented hereto. + I, Eilwin, abbat of tl 
 convent called Ramsey, have consented hereto, -f I, Elnotl 
 abbat of Glastonbury, have consented hereto, -f I r Turstai 
 
 1 Windsor. 
 
 • Apparently the same rank as subdeacon, by which name he is piev 
 ously called. 
 
.0.1085. 
 
 CROYLAND THREATENED RY FAMINE. 
 
 191 
 
 ibat of the convent in the isle called Ely, have consented 
 Ireto. + I, Wulnoth, ahbat of the convent called Cheretesey, 
 
 I ve consented hereto. + I, Ehvin, abhat of the convent of 
 besham, have consented hereto. + I, Frederic, abbat of 
 lint Alban’s, have consented hereto. + I, Goiflrid, abbat of 
 :int Peter’s, which is situate not far from London, have con- 
 iited hereto. + I, Baldwin, abbat of the convent of Saint 
 llmund’s, have consented hereto. + I, Turold, abbat of 
 lirgh, have consented hereto. + I, Adelm, abbat of Abing- 
 ln, have consented hereto. + I, Huald, abbat of the new 
 sonastery at Winchester, have consented hereto. +” 
 
 At the same council, it was also enacted and decreed, in 
 nordance with the words of the canons, that bishops should 
 :.ve the vills, and transfer their sees to cities in their dioceses, 
 bon this, the bishopric of Dorchester was changed into that 
 i Lincoln, Lichfield into that of Chester, Selsey into that of 
 Jichester, Sherburn into that of Salisbury, and Helmham into 
 at of Thetford. The bishopric of Lindisfarne had long 
 piously been changed into that of Durham. 
 
 Accordingly, on coming from London to my monastery, well 
 messed with books and laws and the new confirmation by 
 ' lord the king of the charter of our re-founder, together 
 th all our other deeds and muniments, which had been ne¬ 
 sted by the whole of the royal council, and most graciously 
 proved by the aforesaid royal confirmation, 1 caused ex¬ 
 uding joy to all the sons and friends of our monastery. A 
 , y few days after I had arrived there, the winter came on 
 ; th more severity than usual; on which, all the waters around 
 (were frozen with hard ice, and the entire passage for vessels 
 ; s for some days cut off; but still, the ice was not so strong 
 : so thick as to suffice for the support of vehicles or waggons 
 : the carriage of any necessaries to the monastery, though 
 was so hard and thick that all navigation was entirely 
 It an end to. Accordingly, our cellarer bringing us word 
 lit bread was falling short in our pantry, and that there was 
 [ corn in the granary, as God is my witness, I was rendered 
 : 1 and sorrowful beyond measure for the famine which was 
 [pending over the brethren. 
 
 Finding that we were thus placed in these straits, and that 
 h inclemency of the weather, which was daily increasing, 
 i uld not allow victuals to be brought from our' estates at a 
 
192 IXGULPH’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. II I 
 
 distance to the monastery, ever putting my trust in the L 
 and in our most pious patron, the most holy father Guthlat 
 gave myself up to prayer before the most holy tomb of so j 
 cious a confessor of Christ, and most devoutly prayed the wb | 
 night for his intercession for us with God; to the end that 
 would not allow his servants to perish with hunger, and tl 
 having proved a most holy helper to many strangers who 1 
 come and asked his aid, he would not shut the ordinary bow 
 of his compassion to his sons, but would, with his accuston 
 beneficence, afford some signal relief against the impend i 
 peril of hunger, and with the usual condescension of his favo 
 able disposition, mercifully provide us some protection. 
 
 These requests, with renewed sobs and tearful laments, 
 repeated over and over again in the ears of the most pic 
 father, and passed a whole night in watching at that most p 
 cious tomb. When morning dawned, and we had in comn 
 performed the first service of the day in the choir in honor 
 God, and the community was anxiously intent upon its de’ 
 tions before the various altars for the purpose, amid su 
 straits, of obtaining the mercy of God, behold! on a suddi 
 from the northern side of the monastery, a voice resounded . 
 my ears, as though that of an angel, who thundered foil 
 words to this effect: “ Receive victuals for the brethren, a. 
 prepare bread that they may eat.” On hearing this voice, 
 wondered much, and went forth into the cemetery to see w 
 it was, and why he had given utterance to such language. ( 
 opening the door, however, we were able to see no one, b 
 found four sacks of the largest size, two of which were fill 
 with corn, and the other two with the finest flour ; upon whi 
 we returned most duteous thanks to God, and our most ho 
 father Guthlac, who had not deserted those who put the 
 trust in Him, but had wrought His mercy in the day 
 tribulation and of our straits, to the praise of His most ho 
 confessor. Neither, from that day forward, was food wanting t 
 the brethren, but, eating each day, and always aboundin 
 we thought that the miracle related in the Gospel about tl; 
 five loaves was being repeated over again; until at last, aft 
 a considerable time, the ice thawing, we received a new su 
 ply of food from our manors. Thus did we verify the woo 
 of Saint Ambrose: “As they ate, beneath their teeth did tl 
 food increase in their mouths, and the more it was coi 
 
1085« WULKI^UL DEPOSED AND EXILED. 193 
 
 sumed, the more the food was multiplied. Amid their hands, 
 is they break it, does the bread flow forth ; to their surpriso 
 the men find, untouched, fragments which they have not 
 oroken off.” As this miracle happened to take place on the 
 ifth day of the week, we all determined, always in future, 
 solemnly to perform in the choir the holy office of our most 
 aoly patron, Guthlac, whenever we should happen to have the 
 ■.eisure on the fifth day of the week so to do. 
 
 In the following summer, the people of Hoyland at Multon, 
 Weston, and Spalding, in imitation of those at Depyng, by a 
 common enactment agreed to among them, divided among 
 hemselves, man by man, their marshes, which were situate 
 ibove our river Asendyk ; on which, some put their portions 
 n tillage, others preserved theirs for hay, while some, again, 
 illowed theirs, as before, to lie for pasture for their own cattle 
 ipart from the others, and found the earth to be rich and fruit- 
 'ul. Stimulated by this their example, I, Ingulph, the abbat of 
 Jroyland, and L— of Hacbeth, and some others at Cappelade, in 
 ike manner divided between ourselves our portion at Cappelade, 
 vhich ran down to the same river; and, on tilling it, we found 
 he soil equally fertile and fruitful. 
 
 Thus far had I run on my course of prosperity rejoicing; 
 iow do toil and grief emit their funereal notes. The origin of 
 ur evils, and the chief cause of our woes, was Ivo Taillebois, 
 vho was ever a most determined enemy of ours. After my 
 ord the king had given him to wife Lucia, the daughter of the 
 ate most valiant earl Algar, upon the decease of her two bre- 
 hren, Edwin and Morcar, together with all their lands, in 
 he year of our Lord, 1072, he was elated beyond measure, 
 gainst God and his Saints, and our monastery of Croyland; 
 nd so greatly did he harass the monks of our cell at Spalding, 
 /ho daily dwelt at his gates, that they left their cell, as I have 
 reviously mentioned, in the hand of God, and, with all their 
 oods, returned to their monastery of Croyland, it being the 
 ear of our Lord, 1074. 
 
 Moreover, after Waldev, the holy Martyr of God, had been 
 lost cruelly beheaded, on his body being carried by Wulketul, 
 ic lord abbat, to Croyland, to receive there the affectionate du • 
 jies of sepulture, the said venerable father was most impiously 
 eposed, and sent into distant exile. This was in the year 
 075. Me survived his deposition for the space of ten years, 
 
 o 
 
194 ingexph’s history of the abbey of CROYLAND. A.D. 108? 
 
 as I have already mentioned, and was at last carried off by 
 sudden attack of paralysis, while many of our archives am 
 some of our jewels were still remaining unrestored; in conse 
 quence of which, being baulked of my desires, I was great! 
 deceived in my hopes. 
 
 In the same year, that is to say, in the year of our Lord 
 1085, my most illustrious lady, queen Matilda, who had alway 
 used her good offices for me with my lord the king, had oftei 
 relieved me by her alms-deeds, and had very frequently aideij 
 me in all matters of business and cases of necessity, departe< 
 this life. In the second year after her death, that is to say 
 in the year of our Lord, 1087, my lord, the renowned king AVil 
 liam, having levied a most valiant army, led an expeditioi 
 against France, and wasted nearly the whole of Maine witl 
 tire and sword; but having brought on a disease through th< 
 extreme toil and anxiety attendant upon this expedition, oi 
 finding, from his physicians, that his death was impending, Ik 
 gave Normandy to Eobert, his eldest son, England to AVilliam 
 his second son, and all his mother's territories, and a great par 
 of his treasures and other jewels, to his youngest son, Henry 
 At last, after being provided with the heavenly viaticum, hi 
 departed this life, and was regally buried by his sons in thi 
 monastery of Saint Stephen, at Caen, which he had erectec 
 from the foundations; it being the twenty-second year of hi: 
 reign, the fifty-second of his dukedom, and nearly the sixtieth 
 of his age. 
 
 He was succeeded on the throne of England by his son AVil¬ 
 liam, who was solemnly crowned at London by archbishoj 
 Lanfranc. On hearing from Normandy the rumours of the 
 king’s death, we were all smitten with sudden dread: I, ii 
 especial, could mourn, with tears and lamentations irremediable, 
 the having lost a most beloved master, one who from my in¬ 
 fancy had proved a most excellent patron, and in all my ne-| 
 cessities an unwearied protector against all my adversaries i 
 Eut may Abraham receive his soul into his bosom, and may hi 
 place him before God in the repose of the blessed ! 
 
 Trusting in his familiar acquaintanceship with the new 
 king, and perceiving that my lord the king, my old protector 
 was now dead, Ivo Taillebois, my most inveterate foe, vo- ) 
 mited forth all his malice against our house, and rapaciouslj 
 seized into his own hands all our lands that lay in his demesne I 
 
A.D. 1087. THE KING CONFIRMS THE TITLE DEEDS OF CROYLAND. 195 
 
 that is to say, in Cappelade, Spalding, Pyncebek, and Algar ; 
 both the lands which we held of the gift of Algar the Elder, 
 together with the churches and chapels thereon, our priests 
 and servants being expelled by him, and his own clerks vio¬ 
 lently intruded therein. He also seized the lands which the 
 sheriff Thorold had recently bestowed on us, and those which 
 his kinsman, earl Algar, had lately given to us ; while, at the 
 same time, he drove away all our servants, and placed his own 
 there, and having, by the exercise of his power, expelled 
 our priest "Jocelyn therefrom, intruded his clerk, Fulcard, into 
 Dur church of Cappelade. 
 
 After I had frequently sent to him the lord Richard de Rulos 
 and others, who were friends and well-wishers to the monastery, 
 to act as mediators for the purpose of obtaining peace, while 
 he in the meantime grew more and more obstinate in his 
 course of wickedness; on seeing that this son of eternal perdi¬ 
 tion, in the depths of his wickedness, contemned the words of 
 life, after having communicated my design to those who were 
 faithful to us and had proved our friends, I took with me our 
 itle deeds relative to the lands before-mentioned, and again 
 "epaired to London; then passing on to Canterbury, I con¬ 
 sulted my old friend, the lord archbishop, about my affairs, 
 md, repeatedly throwing myself at his feet, suppliantly im¬ 
 plored his intercession with the new king, his pupil, for the 
 srotection of my monastery. He greatly compassionated my 
 alamitous condition, and mercifully granted me his interccs- 
 ion, while, at the same time, he appointed a day within the 
 ifteen days following, on which to come to London ; and he 
 dvised me to come prepared, and bringing with me the 
 iest charter I had relative to the aforesaid lands, not to shew 
 he rest of the muniments ; for, as he reminded me, “ of 
 naking many books there is no end.” 2 
 
 Accordingly, on the day named, I made my appearance as 
 ommanded, and showed to the before-named venerable father, 
 he lord archbishop, in his chapel, the charter of earl Algar, 
 elative to the said lands, written in Saxon characters; upon 
 chich, summoning a meeting of his clergy, he examined the 
 aid charter, and, having instructed himself on every head, and 
 veil grounded himself therein, he proceeded to the king with 
 he said charter, and, blessed be the Most High, gained his 
 2 Eccles. xii. 12. 
 
 o 2 
 
196 i> t gttlph’s histoey of the abbey of crotxand. a.d. 1087. 
 
 favour in all respects in full accordance with my utmost wishes. 
 For I received a letter from my lord the king, addressed to the 
 sheriff of Lincoln, commanding him to make inquisition of the 
 lands contained in the said charter, and if he could find by 
 the said inquisition that they had from ancient times belonged 
 to our monastery, and that, in the time of his father, we had 
 been peaceably seised thereof, he was to restore them to us in 
 full; which was accordingly done. 
 
 Fulcard, however, before-mentioned, who had been iniqui- 
 tously intruded into our church at Cappelade by tire said Ivo, 
 on coming to a fuller understanding of the favourable disposi¬ 
 tion of the archbishop of Canterbury towards us, distrusted 
 his own right, and, in search of subterfuges, appealed to the 
 Apostolic See. The charter of earl Algar, which was then com¬ 
 mended by the archbishop, and approved of by the sheriff and 
 the faithful Christians, our neighbours, and the king’s justices 
 in the county, was to the following effect:— 
 
 “To all Christians throughout the whole of Mercia residing, 
 the earl Algar, greeting. I would have you all to understand, 
 that I have given to my spiritual father, Siward, abbat of 
 Croyland, and all abbats there to succeed him, and to their 
 monks, in Holebech and in Cappelade, four carucates of [arablej 
 land, and six bovates; and twelve acres of meadow land, to¬ 
 gether with the parish church of Cappelade, and the present¬ 
 ation of the priest thereof; also together with the chapel of 
 Saint John the Baptist in the same vill, and together with a 
 mere of two thousand acres on the sea-shore, and a marsh of 
 [three] thousand acres near its river of Schepishee; in Spal- 
 delyng two carucates of land, in Pyncebek half a carucate 
 of land, in Algare eleven bovates, in Donedyk two carucates 
 and twenty acres of meadow land, in Drayton one carucate 
 and six acres of meadow land and four salt-pits, and one ca¬ 
 rucate in Burtoft, together with the church of Sutterton and 
 its chapel of Salteney. These my offerings I have given as a 
 perpetual alms-gift unto the before-named abbat Siward and 
 his monks, for the support of his monastery, seeing that, as I 
 have often been informed, his island is not fruitful in corn 
 of any kind : and I have firmly established the same by this 
 my deed at Leicester, in presence of my lord, the king Ke- 
 nulph, in the year from the Incarnation of Christ, 810. -f- I, 
 Kenulph, king of the Mercians,' have granted the same. + 
 I, Wulfred, archbishop of Canterbury, have counselled the 
 
A.D. 1091. DESTRUCTION OF THE MONASTERY BY FIRE. 
 
 197 
 
 same. + I, Won won a, bishop of Leicester, have praised the 
 same. + I, Ceolwulph, brother of king Kenulph, have ap¬ 
 proved of the same. + I, Algar, son of Algar, have been 
 gratified hereat. +” 
 
 This first charter of the before-named earl Algar, relative to 
 the lands before-mentioned, I have inserted in this history, 
 to the end that our successors may know what are their arms 
 igainst the wickedness of our adversary, so powerful as he is, 
 f he should chance at any time, at the instigation of the 
 devil, again to lift up his horns as he has often done before, 
 tor the purpose of seizing our possessions. 
 
 An interval of two years speedily elapsing, the venerable 
 hther, one who had ever proved a most kind patron to me, my 
 ord Lanfranc, the archbishop of Canterbury, departed this life, 
 fie was the only friend who, after the king’s death, had been 
 eft to me ; and indeed, he had shewn himself in all my ne- 
 lessities an indefatigable friend, and an unwearied supporter in 
 ny tribulations. On the occasion of his death, one of our 
 uonks wrote a most graceful epitaph, which begins as fol- 
 ows:— 
 
 “ Anglia, lament, and you, Italia, mourn: 
 
 Let Francia grieve, and Alemannia weep. 
 
 Scotia, and you, Hibernia too, lament, 
 
 And all ye l^pds, that this your flower is dead. 
 
 Lament, oh spouse of Christ ! that he is gone, 
 
 And may thy grief for Lanfranc never cease. 
 
 Oh ! ye who pass, but for a moment stay, 
 
 And Lanfranc, Apostolic man, bewail, 
 
 With tears and lamentations for our loss.” 
 
 Again, after an interval of two years had elapsed from his 
 leath, a most dreadful misfortune befell me, one that had been 
 hewn to me beforehand by numerous portents ; the utter de¬ 
 traction I mean of our monastery, so famous as it was, which 
 ad been often most distinctly foretold to me by visions and 
 ther appearances, through a most dreadful conflagration, 
 idiich most cruelly ravaged so many dwellings of the servants of 
 iod. For, our plumber being engaged in the tower of the 
 hurch, repairing the roof, he neglected to put out his fire 
 l the evening ; but, by a kind of fatality, attended with ex- 
 reme fatuity on his part, covered it over with dead ashes 
 hat he might get more early to work in the morning, and 
 hen came down to his supper. After supper was over, all our 
 
198 IXGTJLPIl’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROPLAND. A.D. 1091. ' 
 
 servants had betaken themselves to bed, -when after the deepest 
 sleep had taken possession of them all, a most violent north 
 wind arose, and so hastened on this greatest of misfor¬ 
 tunes that could possibly befall us. For, as it entered the 
 tower in every direction through the open gratings, and blew 
 upon the dead ashes, it caused the fire, thus fanned into life, 
 to communicate with the adjoining timbers, where, speedily 
 finding material of a dry and parched nature on which to feed, 
 the fire waxed stronger and stronger, and soon began to catch 
 the more substantial parts. The people in the vill for a long 
 time perceived a great glare of light in the belfry, and sup¬ 
 posed that it was either the clerks of the church or else the 
 dumber busily engaged at some work there; but at last, on 
 seeing the flames bursting forth, with loud outcries they 
 knocked at the gates of the monastery. This was about the 
 dead of night, when all of us, resting in our beds, were in our 
 first and soundest sleep. 
 
 At last, I was aroused from my slumbers by the loud shouts 
 of the people, and, hastening to the nearest window, I most 
 distinctly perceived, j ust as though it had been midday, all 
 the servants of the monastery running from every quarter, 
 shouting and hallooing, towards the church. Still in my 
 night-clothes, I awoke my companions, and descended in all 
 haste to the cloisters, which were lighted up on all sides just 
 as though there had been a thousand lamps burning. On run¬ 
 ning to the door of the church and trying to effect an entrance, 
 
 I was prevented from so doing by the melted brass of the 
 bells which was pouring down, and the heated lead which in 
 like manner was falling in drops. Upon this, I retreated and 
 looked in [at the windows], and on finding the flames every¬ 
 where prevailing, turned my steps towards the Dormitory.' 
 The lead still pouring down from the church upon the clois- 
 ters, and soon making its way through, I was severely burnt 
 on the shoulder blade, and should have had a narrow escape 
 of being burnt alive, had I not instantly leaped over into the 
 enclosure of the cloisters. Here I perceived that the fire, as 
 it vomited forth sheets of flame, was issuing in volumes from 
 the tower of the church, and had already communicated with 
 the nave, while it was repeatedly shooting forth embers and 
 flakes in the direction of the Dormitory of the brethren ; upon 
 which, I shouted aloud to them as if they had been immersed 1 
 
A.D. 1091. 
 
 TEOGEESS OF THE C0NFLAGEATI0N. 
 
 199 
 
 in a mortal lethargy, and it was only with the greatest difficulty, 
 though I cried out at the very top of my voice, that I was 
 able at last to awake them. 
 
 On recognizing my voice, full of alarm, they sprang up 
 from their beds, and half naked and clad only in their night 
 clothes, the instant they heard the fire in the cloisters, rushed 
 forth through all the windows of the Dormitory, and fell 
 to the ground with dreadful force ; many were wounded and 
 severely shaken by the severity of the fall, and, shocking to re¬ 
 late, some had their limbs broken. The flames, however, in the 
 meanwhile, growing stronger and stronger, and continually 
 sending forth flakes from the Church in the direction of the Re¬ 
 fectory, first communicated with the Chapter-house, then they 
 caught the Dormitory, and after that the Refectory, and at the 
 same instant, the Ambulatory, which was near the Infirmary. 
 •After this, with a sudden outburst they extended their ravages 
 to the whole of the Infirmary, with all the adjoining offices. 
 All the brethren flying for refuge to the spot where I stood 
 in the court, on seeing most of them half naked, I attempted 
 to regain my chamber, in order to distribute the clothes which 
 I had there, among such as I saw stand in the greatest need 
 thereof; but so great was the heat that had taken possession of 
 all the approaches to the hall, and so vast were the torrents bf 
 molten lead that were pouring down in every direction, that 
 it rendered it impossible for even the boldest among the young 
 men to effect an entrance. 
 
 Eeing still in ignorance that our Infirmary had caught on 
 the other side, I took a circuit through the northern part of the 
 cemetery towards the east end of the Church, upon which I 
 perceived our Infirmary enveloped in flames, w T hich proved so 
 invincible as to rage with the greatest fury even upon the 
 green trees, such as ashes, oaks, and willows, that were grow¬ 
 ing in the neighbourhood. I, accordingly, returned to the 
 west side, and there I found my chamber, just like a furnace, 
 vomiting forth torrents of flame on every side through all the 
 windows ; and proceeding onwards, I saw, with eyes that had 
 good reason to shed tears, ail the other buildings adjoining, 
 towards the south, the Halls, namely, of the lay brethren and 
 of the guests, and all the others that had been covered with 
 lead, falling a prey to the flames. 
 
 At this moment, the tower of the Church falling on its south 
 
200 ixgulph’s history of the ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. a.d. 109] 
 
 side^ I -was so stunned by the crash, that I fell to the groun 
 half dead and in a swoon. Being raised by my brethren, an 
 carried to our porter’s room, I was scarcely able, until mom 
 ning, to recover my right senses or my usual strength. 
 
 l)ay dawned at last, and having now recovered from my fit 
 the brethren shedding tears and overcome with languor, am f 
 many of them being miserably lacerated and burnt in thei 
 limbs, with mournful voice and tearful lamentations we joined ii 
 the performance of Divine service in the dwelling of Grimketul 
 our corodiary. 3 Having performed all the Hours 1 of the Divim 
 service, both those of the day as well as of the night, we pro I 
 ceeded to take a view of the state of our monastery, the fin 
 still raging in many of the outbuildings. It was then for th< 
 first time that I perceived our granary and stable burnt, tht 
 fire not being yet extinguished, and the upright timbers being 
 eaten away by the flames deep into the very earth. 
 
 About the third hour of the day, the flames being now 
 greatly subdued, we effected an entry into the Church, undi 
 water being carried thither, extinguished the fire there,i 
 which had now pretty well burned out. In the choir, which 
 was reduced to ashes, we found all the books of the holy office I 
 utterly destroyed, both Antiphonaries as well as Gradals. 5 On 
 entering the vestiary, however, we found all our sacred vestments, 
 and the relics of the Saints, as well as some other precious 
 things deposited there, untouched by the flames, the place 
 being covered with a double roof of stone. Going up stairs 
 into our muniment-room, we found that, although it had been 
 covered throughout with an arching of stone, the fire had still 
 made its way through the wooden windows; and that, although 
 the presses themselves appeared to be quite safe and sound, I 
 still all our muniments therein were burnt into one mass, and >1 
 utterly destroyed by the intense heat of the fire, just as though t 
 they had been in a furnace red hot or an oven at a white heat. I 
 
 3 “ Corodiarii.” “ Corodiarius” was the person who received the 
 
 “ Corody,” a sum of money or allowance of meat, drink, and clothing, i 
 due to the king from an abbey or other house of religion, towards the 
 sustenance of such one of his servants as he should think fit to nominate. 
 
 4 See p. 80. They were called tierce, sext, nones, &c. 
 
 5 Responsories, or books of responses, called “ gradals,” because the 
 contents were chaunted “ in gradibus,” upon the steps of the choir. These 
 books contained all that was sung by the choir at high mass ; the tracts, 
 sequences, and hallelujahs; the creeds, offertory, and the office for the 
 asperges, or sprinkling of the holy water. 
 
A. D. 1091. PRESERVATION OF PART OF THE ANCIENT CHARTERS. 201 
 
 Our charters, of extreme beauty, written in capital letters, 
 adorned with golden crosses and paintings of the greatest 
 beauty, and formed of materials of matchless value, which 
 had been there deposited, were all destroyed. The privileges, 
 also, granted by the kings of the Mercians, documents of 
 extreme antiquity, and of the greatest value, which were 
 likewise most exquisitely adorned with pictures in gold, but 
 written in Saxon characters, were all burnt. The whole of 
 these muniments of ours, both great and small, nearly four 
 aundred in number, were in one moment of a night, which 
 moved to us of blackest hue, by a most shocking misfortune, 
 ost and utterly destroyed. 
 
 A few years before however, I had, of my own accord, 
 ,,aken from our muniment-room several charters written in 
 Saxon characters, and as we had duplicates of them, and in 
 ;ome instances triplicates, I had put them in the hands of our 
 diauntor, the lord Fulmar, to be kept in the cloisters, in order 
 o instruct the juniors in a knowledge of the Saxon characters; 
 is this kind of writing had for a long time, on account of the 
 'formans, been utterly neglected, and was now understood by 
 nly a few of the more aged men. In so doing, my object was 
 hat the juniors, being instructed in the art of reading these 
 haracters, might, in their old age, be the better enabled to 
 upport themselves on the authority of their archives against 
 heir adversaries. These charters having been deposited in an 
 ncient press, which was kept in the cloisters, and surrounded 
 n every side by the wall of the church, were the only ones 
 bat were saved and preserved from the fire. These now form 
 ur principal and especial muniments, after having been long 
 ansidered as of secondary value and thrown aside, and Re¬ 
 jected and despised, in consequence of the barbarous charac- 
 :rs in which they were written; in accordance with the words 
 f the blessed Job : “ The tilings that my soul refused to touch, 
 re as my sorrowful meat.” 6 
 
 The whole of our library also perished, which contained 
 tore than three hundred volumes of original works, besides 
 nailer volumes more than four hundred in number. We 
 .so lost, at the same time, an astronomical table, 7 of extreme 
 
 6 Job vi. 7. 
 
 7 Called by our author “ pinax” and “ Nadir.” Its uses were probably 
 anew hat similar to those of the orrery of modem times. 
 
202 isgulph’s history of the abbey of croyland. a.d. lot 
 
 beauty and costliness, wonderfully formed of all kinds of met: 
 according to the various natures of the stars and constellatior 
 Saturn was made of copper, Jupiter of gold, Mars of iro 
 the Sun of latten, Mercury of bronze, Venus of tin, ai 
 the Moon of silver. The Colures and all the signs of tl 
 Zodiac were described by the skill of the artist in vario; 
 forms and figures, in accordance with their natures, shape 
 and colours, and attracted beyond measure the eye as well . 
 the mind of the beholder by the multitude of gems as well 
 the metals employed. Throughout all England there was n 
 such another Nadir known or heard of. The king of Franc 
 had formerly presented it to Turketul, who, at his decease, h: 
 left it to the library of the convent, both as an ornament ar 
 for the instruction of the younger brethren, and now it w: 
 consumed by the voracious flames, and so annihilated. 
 
 The whole of our Chapter-house was burnt. Our Dormitor; 
 with all the beds of the brethren contained therein, and tl 
 necessary-house as well, perished in the flames. Our Infirmar 
 together with the chapel and the bath-room, and all the otfici; 
 thereto adjoining, was similarly consumed. Our Refector 
 and all the contents thereof, were destroyed, with the excej. 
 tion of a few cups of porcelain, 8 and the horn and Crucibolui 
 of Wiehtlaf, the former king of the Mercians, which wet 
 kept in presses of stone ; the kitchens also adjoining, and tk 
 hall and chamber of the lay brethren, with all the conten 
 thereof, were consumed by the fire. Our cellar also, as we < 
 as the very casks, filled with beer, were destroyed. Th 
 abbat’s hall, too, and his chamber, together with the entii 
 court-yard of the monastery, which, through the care of m 
 predecessors, had been most beauteously surrounded with builc i 
 ings remarkable for their elegance—alas! unhappy me, the! 
 my sojourn was prolonged to behold it!—most shockingly fe 
 a prey to the fury of the flames, which raged in every direc 
 tion with a vehemence that seemed to be truly Greek. 9 
 
 A few cottages of the poor corodiers, the stalls of our beast 
 of burden, with the sheds for the other cattle, that stood at 
 considerable distance, and were covered with stone, were th 
 
 8 This is perhaps the meaning of “ murrheos,” but it is a matter c 
 doubt. 
 
 9 He alludes to the Greek fire, or wild-fire, much used in warfare dui 
 ing the middle ages. 
 
p. 1091. 
 
 BENEFACTIONS TO CROYI.AND. 
 
 203 
 
 nly things that remained unconsumed. Besides the northern 
 'ansept of the church, from which the wind drove onwards with 
 iost impetuous force towards the south, all the buildings 
 f the monastery, and especially those covered with lead, 
 -hether formed of wood or of stone, our charters and jewels, 
 ooks and utensils, bells and belfries, vestments and provisions, 
 'ere in a moment of time lost and consumed, myself, to my 
 nost bitter sorrow, being then the head of the convent. 
 
 Many signs and numerous portents foretold these fires, and 
 tightly visions repeatedly forewarned us thereof; and too late 
 id I understand them all. I then brought to mind the words 
 f our holy father, Turketul, in his dying moments, when he 
 enignly warned us diligently to take care of our fires ; 10 as also 
 rose of our blessed father, Wulfran,who, in a nightly vision at 
 ontenelle, commanded me carefully to watch the fire of the 
 ostrey of the three Saints, Guthlac, Neot, and Waldev. 
 ItThat these most unerring admonitions forewarned me, I now, 
 10 late, to my sorrow, perceive and understand, and indulge in 
 ain complaints, while, with tears inexhaustible, I deservedly 
 our forth these lamentations, my errors demanding of me the 
 one. 
 
 But to return to the details of our tragedy. The news of 
 ur dreadful misfortune being speedily spread throughout all 
 ae vicinity, numbers of our neighbours, who had the bowels 
 f compassion for our misfortunes, most kindly looked with 
 le eye of sympathy upon our indigent state. For instance, 
 ar lord and most holy father, Remigius, the bishop of Lincoln, 
 raciously granted an indulgence of forty days to all who 
 Mould do us any service, as well as to those who should in- 
 uce others so to do. He also gave us forty silver marks in 
 loney. By his advice and persuasion, also, the venerable 
 mons of the church of Lincoln, and the citizens of that city, 
 ad the people in its vicinity, sent us one hundred marks, 
 ichard de Rulos, also, the lord of Brunne and of Depyng, as 
 eing our faithful brother, and, in the time of our tribulation, 
 most loving friend, gave us ten quarters of wheat, ten quar¬ 
 ts of malt, ten quarters of peas, ten quarters of beans, and 
 *n pounds in silver. This was the alms-gift of Richard de 
 ,ulos towards the restoration of our monastery. 
 
 Haco of Multon also, at the same time, gave us twelve 
 uarters of wheat, and twenty fat bacon hogs. This was the 
 10 See j>. 105, and 152. 
 
204 rs'GDXPn’s history of the abbey of croylaed. a.d. 109 j 
 
 alms-gift of the said Haco. Elsin of Pyncebek also gave oi 
 hundred shillings in silver, and ten bacon hogs. Ardnot i ) 
 Spalding likewise gave us six quarters of com, two carcases < ■ 
 oxen, and twelve bacon hogs. Many others also presented i 
 with various gifts, by means of which our indigent stal i 
 was greatly relieved; and may our Lord Jesus Christ writ 
 their names in the book of life, and reward them with H 
 heavenly glory. Nor should, among so many of our benefac 
 tors, the holy memory of Juliana, a poor old woman of Westoi 
 he consigned to oblivion, who, “ of her want,” did give unto r| 
 “ all her living,” ie namely, a great quantity of spun thread, fc 
 the purpose of sewing the vestments of the brethren of or 
 monasteiy. 
 
 Eustace, sheriff of Huntingdon, also, who held our lands i 
 Thyrnyng, at the letting of my predecessor, the lord Wulk( 
 tul, visited us on this occasion; and urgently requested c 
 us a confirmation of the said lands for the term of his lift! 
 promising that he would in the courts of the county, and of th 
 hundred, and everywhere else, he our protector; while he er 1 
 gaged to defend our rights, as though they were his owi 
 To this we consented, and executed a deed to the followin' 
 effect:— 
 
 “ This is the agreement made between Ingulph the abbal 
 together with all the brethren, of Croyland, and Eustace, th 
 sheriff of Huntingdon, to wit—The abbat, together with th 1 
 brethren, hath granted unto him, so long as he shall live, i 
 return for having his counsel, aid, and pains, in the affairs c 
 the monastery, wheresoever and whensoever we shall, in th 1 
 county of Huntingdon, be impleaded by any adversary, ou 
 manor of Thyrnyng, together with all our lands thereto be 
 longing, that is to say, one hide and a half of land, as fully a 1 
 he has hitherto held the said land at the letting of the Ion 
 Wulketul, the former abbat of the said monastery. But afte 
 the death of the said Eustace, the whole of the said land shaf 
 revert to us without any further delay or any diminutio J 
 whatever thereof. I, Ingulph, the abbat of Croyland, hav 1 
 caused this deed to be made. + I, Odo, the prior, have con 1 
 sented hereto. + I, Laurence, the chauntor, have writtef 
 this deed. + I, Sigwata, the steward, have subscribe* 
 hereto. -|- I, Trig, the proctor, have signed the same. 4 
 10 St. Mark xii. 44. 
 
.D. 1091. AGREEMENT BETWEEN INGUXHI AND ROBERT. 205 
 
 , Eustace, the sheriff, have given my consent hereto. + I, 
 Baldwin, the son of Eustace, have acquiesced herein. +” 
 There came to us, at the same time, Oger, the priest of Re- 
 yngale, and took to farm of us our manor of Repyngale, 
 )gether with all our land appendant thereto, that is to say, 
 iree carucates of arable and sixty acres of meadow land ; 
 a which occasion, we executed a deed in his favour, to the 
 Rowing effect:— 
 
 “ This is the agreement made between Ingulph, the abhat of 
 royland, together with all his monks, and Oger, the priest of 
 epyngale, to wit. The abbat, with his monks, hath to farm 
 t unto the said Oger, the whole of their lands at Repyngale, 
 lat is to say, three carucates of land, together with sixty 
 .'res of meadow land, as also their manor in the said vill, so 
 ng as the said Oger shall live, for the payment of sixty shil- 
 ags aud twelve bacon hogs, to our monastery to be paid at 
 ie feast of Saint Martin in every year. And when he shall 
 ;part this life, if his heir shall wish to hold the said land, he 
 iall be at liberty to hold it at the same rent. I, Ingulph, 
 e abbat, have caused this deed to be made. + I, Odo, 
 e prior, have consented hereto. + I, Laurence, the chauntor, 
 ive written this deed. + I, Sigwata, the steward, have 
 unsellcd the same. + I Asius, the proctor, have set my 
 ark hereto. + I, Oger, the priest, have bound myself 
 :reto. + ” 
 
 At the same time, there also came to us, Robert, the ser- 
 nt of Simon of Baston, and took to farm of us in Baston, 
 irty-six acres of land for the term of his life, in return for a 
 jrtain sum of money, which he gave to us in our greatest 
 :cessity, as also for the payment to us in each year of two 
 Tilings, at the feast of Saint Bartholomew; upon which, 
 ,3 executed a deed in his favour, to the following effect:— 
 
 “ This is the agreement made between Ingulph the abbat, 
 gether with all the monks of Croyland, and Robert, the 
 : rvant of Simon of Baston, to wit—The abbat, together with 
 ' e brethren, hath granted to him in fee so long as he shall 
 .’e, thirty-six acres of land in Baston, and if he shall have 
 : ch an heir as shall prove worthy of the said land, and shall, 
 i the option of the abbat and the brethren, be deemed de¬ 
 wing of the same, he shall, on the like terms, hold the 
 i ne. By way of rent for the said lands, Robert shall give in 
 
206 rSGTTLPH’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CEO YL AND. A O. 109 
 
 every year two shillings, and the tithes of the land of whic 
 he has so gained possession, according as the same shall accrui 
 And when he shall depart this life, he shall leave his body • 
 the church of Saint Guthlac, together with the moiety of a 
 of his money. He and his heir shall in each year pay the tv 
 shillings at the feast of Saint Guthlac. I, Ingulph, the al 
 bat, have caused this deed to be made. + I, Odo, the prio 
 have consented hereto. + I, Laurence, the chauntor, hai 
 written this deed. + I, Sigwata, the steward, have signe 
 the same. + I, Trig, the proctor, have subscribed hereto. -jJ 
 I, Robert, the liegeman of Simon of Baston, have given n 
 consent hereto. + I, Simon of Baston, have sanctioned tl I 
 wishes of my liegemen. +” 
 
 On the same occasion, in return for a sum of money whic ] 
 William the miller had given unto us towards the re-buildii 
 of our church, we granted in fee to the said William, thirty roo<# 
 of meadow land near Southee, and to his partner Agge I 
 Newton, our entire piscary in the said stream, from Tedwa. 
 thar as far as Namanslandhyrne, to hold to themselves and the 
 heirs by the tenure of paying imto us in each year, at tl 
 feast of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, upon our great alta 
 two shillings. As to the said thirty roods of meadow land ar 
 piscary, we executed to them our deed to the followii 
 effect:— 
 
 “This is the agreement made between Ingulph, the abbs* 
 of Croyland, together with all his brethren, and William tl 
 miller, together with Agge of Newton, his partner, and the,i 
 heirs and assigns, to wit—The abbat and his brethren ha\ i 
 granted in fee unto the aforesaid William the miller, thirty rooc j 
 of meadow land, near the banks of the river Southee, extern 
 ing from the corner which is called Tedwarthar, as far as N; i 
 manslandhyme; and unto Agge of Newton, his partner, oi 
 entire piscary in the said river Southee, running along between 
 the corners before-mentioned ; to themselves and to ther; 
 heirs and their assigns, as fully and freely as we have hither 
 held the same, and without any diminution or gainsayir 
 thereof: and they and their heirs, shall in each year, at tl 
 feast of Saint Bartholomew, offer unto us upon our great alta 
 two shillings, so long as they shall wish to hold the sa 
 piscary and the said meadow land. I, Ingulph, the abba 
 have caused this deed to be made. + I, Odo, the prior, ha' 
 
.D. 1091. AGBEEMENT BETWEEN INGCLPH AND SIWOED. 207 
 
 ansented hereto. + I, Laurence, the chauntor, have written 
 iis deed. + I, Sigwata, the steward, have counselled the 
 ime. 4- I, Trig, the proctor, have set my mark hereto. + 
 
 , William the miller, have accepted hereof. + I, Agge of 
 lewton, have given my consent hereto. +’’ 
 
 We also demised at the same time, the same necessity com- 
 elling us thereto, unto Gunter Siword, two hundred acres of 
 rable and meadow land near our rivers of Welland and of 
 .sendyk, together with the entire piscaiy in our said 
 ivers from Wodelade as far as Aswyktoft, for a period of 
 ,venty years; on which occasion, we executed to them our 
 eed as to the aforesaid arable and meadow land and piscary, 
 
 > the following effect:— 
 
 “ This is the agreement made between Ingulph, the abbat, 
 igether with all the monks of Croyland, and Gunter Siword 
 Spalding, to wit—The abbat, together with his monks, 
 is granted unto the before-named Gunter, for the space of 
 venty years, two hundred acres of arable and meadow land 
 Ijoining to their rivers of Welland and Asendyk, as also 
 te entire piscary, in their said waters, that is to say, from 
 Wodelade as far as Aswyktoft, without any right of ingress 
 i our part, except for the purposes of navigation, and not 
 r the purpose of fishing, except with the leave and good- 
 ill of the said Gunter. But the said Gunter shall give a 
 'tssage to the said abbat and to his servants to the Drain 
 Asendyk and to Cokerdyke by such road as he shall ap- 
 iint, as oft as, and whenever, they shall have occasion for 
 e same. I, Ingulph, the abbat, have caused this deed to 
 made. + I, Odo, the prior, have consented hereto. q- 
 Laurence, the chauntor, have written [this deed]. + I, 
 gwata, the steward, have set my signature, hereto, -f I, 
 Jlgelmer, the proctor, have forwarded the same. + 1, Gun- 
 
 * Siword, have received the same. + I, Foreman, the bro- 
 er of Gunter, have acquiesced herein. + I, Aldieta, the 
 
 • fe of Gunter, have given my blessing hereto, -f I, 
 ulmer, the son of Gunter and Aldieta, have granted the 
 
 me. -f* 
 
 At the same time, also, we granted to various men of our 
 lusehold, and many others who had lately resorted to us in 
 resequence of the wars which were now being waged between 
 <■; king and the chief men of the land, the whole of our lands 
 suate between Wodelade and the vill of Croyland, near the 
 
208 INGULPn’s HISTOEY OF THE ABBEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 109 
 
 banks of tbe river “Welland, to hold the same of our eellan ! 
 by giving certain services, labours, rents, aids, and pau | 
 to us and to our monastery, as in the rolls of our cellarer ai 
 more fully set forth ; «a few of which, for the informatic 
 of posterity, are here more fully inserted. All the men i 
 Croyland, who hold meadow or arable land, except those who; 
 the charters of the abbey which they possess acquit thereo 
 owe to the abbat three days’ work, that is to say, one day 
 reaping, one day’s binding, and one day’s carrying, for tl 
 supply of food to the abbat. Likewise, all who desire to hat 
 turbary in the marshes of the abbat, owe one day’s worl 
 or else three obols towards digging turfs for the conven 
 of Croyland; from which the abbat is to receive his pennie; 
 and the cellarer his obols towards the expenses of the chaj 
 lains for the recluses. Likewise, every person who does n< 
 hold the same freely, is bound to pay one penny, which ' 
 now called “Rout-penny,” towards the support of the me 
 whose duty it is to carry the abbat and his people whereve 
 he shall think fit to go by fresh water. Likewise, all pei 
 sons who do not hold freely, shall pay tallage, and shall pa 
 Lairwite 11 and an amerciament for their daughters. Tb 
 serfs were also to do many other things for the monastery 
 which are found more fully enrolled in the before-mentione 
 inventory of our cellarer. 
 
 Being thus mercifully aided by these numerous acts ( 
 bounty on the part of the faithful in Christ, both neighboui 
 as well as others situate at a greater distance, in order that the 
 might see that they had not committed their alms-gifts t 
 barren ground, we laboured night and day, with all possibl 
 diligence, to bring speedy relief to the house of the Lord. W 
 placed a new nave beneath the roof of the church in place o 
 the old one, which had been burnt, and added other apper 
 dages as well as we could. In place of the ancient tower (i 
 the church, we erected an humble belfry, and placed therein tw 
 small bells, which Fergus, the coppersmith of Saint Botolpb 
 town , 12 had lately presented to us, there to remain until yeai 
 of greater prosperity, when we propose, by the Lord’s assisi 
 ance, to make alterations in all these matters for the bette: 
 and to raise a temple worthy of the majesty of the Lord upo 
 more lasting foundations. 
 
 11 A penalty for being guilty of fornication. 
 
 12 Now Boston. 
 
,D. 1091. HONORS PATD TO THE MARTYR WALOEV. 
 
 209 
 
 After the wounds of our church had been in this humble 
 tanner tended and healed up, sad and sorrowing that the tomb 
 f the holy Martyr, Waldev, who was buried in our chapter- 
 fouse, lay uncovered and exposed in the open air to the 
 towers and all kinds of tempests, after consulting my bre- 
 iren thereupon, I determined to transfer it to our church, 
 id, to the honor of God, more honorably to place it upon a 
 mdlestick rather than under a bushel. Accordingly, all our 
 (.•ethren, with the most ready devoutness, consented to this 
 anslation, and we named a suitable day for the performance 
 ' the task. On the day appointed, with all due reverence paid 
 y a train of servants and taper-bearers, and with no small 
 ultitude of the other faithful ones of Christ in attendance, 
 e approached the holy tomb, thinking that the body was 
 lidueed to dust, like other dead bodies, and that only the dry 
 lines would be found remaining, as these events had taken 
 i ace in the sixteenth year of his slumbers. But, behold! on 
 iiening the tomb, we received an evident proof of the glorifi- 
 tion of the Martyr, for we found the body as whole and as 
 pcorrupted as on the day on which it Avas buried; we also 
 und the head united to the body, while a fine crimson line 
 ound the neck was the only sign remaining of his decollation. 
 On seeing this, I could not contain myself for joy, and in- 
 rrupting the response which the brethren were singing, with 
 loud voice began the hymn, “ Te Deum laudamus;" on 
 .hich, the Chauntor, taking it up, enjoined the rest to sing it. 
 
 the meantime, looking upon the face of this most holy 
 artyr, I easily recognized the countenance of that most illus¬ 
 ions nobleman whom I had formerly seen in my vision at 
 :m tenelle. After the said hymn was finished, and the coll¬ 
 usion had been repeated, all, both literates as well as laymen, 
 
 : ling on their knees and praying for the mercy of God to be 
 town unto me, and making confession, I pronounced the ab- 
 ; .ution of all; then crawling on my hands and feet, with my 
 Vs I kissed the face of the most holy Martyr, and having 
 inched and handled him with my hands, I now inform 
 jsterity what, with my own eyes, I saw, and how that, with 
 1 7 own hands, I touched this Martyr. On kissing him, I per- 
 i ved such a sweet odour proceeding from the holy body as I 
 ) ver remember having smelt, either in the palace of the king 
 i in distant Syria, with all its aromatic herbs. Immediately 
 
 p 
 
210 ixgui.ph’s history of the abbey of CROYLAJTD. A.D. JOS. 
 
 upon this, I began the response, “ Eece odor Jilii mei ,” &c. 
 and directed the Chauntor to proceed with the words. 
 
 The response being finished, we closed the coffin, and placi 
 it on the shoulders of the monks, lifted it from the earth; a: 
 then, with the solemn melody of our chaunts to the best of r 
 humble ability, carried it into our church, and placed it at t 
 side of Saint Guthlac, our founder, under a stone arch, in 
 place which had been prepared for the purpose; and, frc 
 oui inmost hearts, we returned thanks to the Lord most Hig 
 who had thought fit to bring before our notice that there w 
 a true Martyr among us, and had willed, in the day of trib 
 lation, to prepare such a gift of consolation for his sons. F< 
 the news of this translation of the holy Martyr being spre 
 throughout the country, multitudes of the faithful flock 
 daily to his tomb, and offering up their vows there, tended, 
 a great degree, to resuscitate our monastery. 
 
 To the honor, also, of God, and the edification of the peop' 
 I recollected that in the monasteries beyond sea, that is to sa 
 of Fontenelle, Feschamp, Jumieges, Molisme, and Clugny, 
 well as at Fleury, and in all the other most ancient conven: 
 the Poor’s Maundy 13 was every day performed after t 
 greater mass, and that the people of God were much edifi 
 thereby; while, in all the English convents, this Pool 
 Maundy was either omitted, or else a thing quite unknow 
 Upon this, with the advice of all the community, I resolv 
 that, for our benefactors, the same should be done each day frc 
 that time forward; and I gave permission to him who shou 
 for the time being act as our Almoner, to leave the choir 
 great mass, immediately after the consecration of the Saerame 
 of our Lord, charging the said Almoner to go straight to t 
 gate of the monastery, and, before great mass was conclude 
 to bring three wayfarers into the great parlour ; and if the 
 should be no wayfarers, then three poor aged men were to ' 
 brought in; and if there were no such aged men, then thr 
 boys of good character were to be brought into the said pa 
 lour, in place of three paralytics, either men or women, wl 
 in the vill around us were confined to their beds. The 
 17 From Gen. xxvii. 27— “ See, the smell of my son is as the smell 
 a field which the Lord hath blessed.” 
 
 u “ Mandatum pauperum.” The washing of the feet of the poor, 
 obedience to the “ mandate” or “ command” of our Saviour, in S 
 John xiii 34—“ A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love oi> 
 another which words were sung during the ablution. 
 
.D. 1091. 
 
 MAUNDY OF TOE TOOE AT CKOYXAND. 
 
 211 
 
 oys, as in the case of the wayfarers or old men, were to have 
 leir feet washed, but the whole of the victuals was to be sent 
 ) the paralytics in whose place they had sat. As to the way- 
 irers and aged men, their feet were to be washed, and there 
 icy were to eat their victuals, if they should think fit, and to 
 ike away with them the remains of both the victuals and drink: 
 it if they should not choose to eat it there, then they were to 
 3 at liberty to take it with them into the vill. 
 
 In order to perform the said maundy, the Almoner was to 
 iceive each day three loaves, such as the monks received, 
 iree flaggons of the convent ale, and three dishes from the 
 tchen; and the Almoner was to see that all these were pre- 
 ired before the coming of the monks, who, immediately on 
 lishing great mass, were to come every day from the choir to 
 ash the feet of the poor persons before-mentioned; and it was 
 s duty to provide those persons, as well as the victuals, in 
 e most becoming manner in his power. But if, at the per- 
 asion of the devil, through the evil prompting of avarice, or 
 rough hatred of obedience, the said Almoner should bring in 
 >t three poor persons, but two only, or one, he was to be put 
 r that day on bread and water, and no mercy was to be 
 own to him therein; and unless he should on another day 
 pply as many as on that day he had subtracted, so many 
 shes were on the following day to be withdrawn as the num- 
 r of the persons whom he had so subtracted, he still remaining 
 . penance for his disobedience, unless the Lord’s day, or the 
 ist of any Saint should happen to intervene. But if he should 
 t think proper, even after such penance, to make amends, he 
 is to be expelled from his office, and another Almoner was to 
 appointed in his place, who should think fit to give more 
 ilous attention to the interests of the poor, in accordance 
 th the form before-stated. 
 
 After we had kept up this custom for some time, ourfellow- 
 mks, visiting us from other monasteries, were greatly edified 
 preby; and when they had returned home, introduced the 
 me custom among themselves. And now we do rejoice greatly 
 i the Lord that we were the first to introduce a custom so de- 
 * ut in other monasteries of the greatest celebrity, and, having 
 I cn, as it were, the original authors thereof among the English, 
 P hope for a great reward from God for having preceded them 
 (■ the introducers of such a meritorious work. 
 
212 ingulph’s uistoky of the abbey of ceoyland. a.d. 10! 
 
 At this time, also, certain honorable persons of our hous 
 hold, beholding our indigent state, supplied us most large 
 from their substance, and only required, in return, that th< 
 offices, together with the spiritual benefits of our chapti 
 might be secured to them for the term of their lives; up 
 which, we granted the serjeantship of our Infirmary to Wulsi 
 the barber, who, coming before our community in our pub 
 parliament," made oath that he would be true and faithful 
 us, and would diligently perform his duties as hitherto he h 
 done. On this occasion, we read over to him what were his duti< 
 which were as follow :—He was to shave the whole comm 
 nity, each in his proper order, without any regard for persoi 
 unless perchance any one of the more aged should choose 
 his own accord to wait till after a younger one. He was al 
 to wait upon the monks at table, whenever they should ta 
 their meals in the Infirmary, and was, in especial, to show ; 
 tention to those who were infirm in body and confined to tin 
 beds, by fetching bread and beer, at stated times, from t 
 Cellarer, both for their regular drinking 15 as well as for dinn 
 and supper. He was also, at all hours of the day, to be rea< 
 to wait upon them in the Infirmary, to fetch them victu; 
 from the kitchen as well as the cellar, and attend to th« 
 wants whenever they should stand in need thereof. 
 
 If two persons should be sick and confined to their bee 
 Wulsin was to serve the elder of the two, and sleep with hi; 
 while the clerk of the Infirmary was to wait upon the young;, 
 and sleep with him; and if a third sick person should be a 
 mitted, the cook of the Infirmary was to wait upon him, and, 
 like manner, sleep with him. These also, as often as there shoe 
 be need thereof, were to assist each other in attendance up 
 the sick, that so attendance might be given to each of the sic 
 according to his necessities. In case any of the sick should 
 anointed with the holy unction, then, during the first night, t 
 serjeant of the Infirmary and the Serjeant tailor of the cloth; | 
 room 16 were to watch with the sick. On the second night the clea 
 of the Infirmary and the serjeant shoemaker of the clothes-roc i 
 
 14 Meaning “ sitting ” in chapter. The word is still used, in I 
 similar manner, in the Inns of Court. 
 
 16 Biberes in the evening after nones. 
 
 16 “ Sartrina.” This was a place iu the monastery where the clotl 
 were made. 
 
\.d. 1091. 
 
 STATUTES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 213 
 
 «•ere, in like manner, to watch with the sick; while, on the third 
 right, the cook of the Infirmary and the washerman of the 
 ;lothes-room were, in like manner, to watch ; and so in turns 
 or nine nights, if necessary, they were to succeed one another 
 n watching, and to sit up with the sick man as long as should 
 pe necessary. The serjeant of the Infirmary was to have from 
 ■ach sick man who died, in return for his labour, one tunic, or 
 'our shillings, or something else of the value of four shillings, 
 jut if he should wish to sell the said tunic or other cloth, he 
 Vas to sell the same to some monk of that monastery, and on 
 10 account of any other monastery, or to any secular person 
 whatever, to the end that various scandals might be avoided, 
 doreover, each one of the others who should watch with the 
 brother so anointed, was each night to receive two pence out of 
 he property of the sick when dead; this was enacted to the 
 nd that the said person so anointed might, in his last mo- 
 dents, be better attended to, while the servants might, for 
 heir extra labours, obtain a suitable reward. 
 
 We also enacted that all the goods of the brother so de¬ 
 ceased should be sold by the Prior and the Chamberlain, and 
 hat the money should be laid out on behalf of the soul of 
 he deceased brother upon the poor, or else be paid to the 
 linor clerks for repeating the Psalms. The Abbat, also, was 
 
 > exercise a proper supervision, that all things might be per- 
 irmed in a befitting manner. 
 
 Every brother also, who was confined to his bed, was to 
 ave such brother to wait upon him, by leave of the Prior, as 
 le should think fit to make choice of out of the convent; who 
 ras to watch over him and to serve him in all things, the 
 ' ofirmarer 16 of the convent taking turns with him in so doing, 
 he said serjeant of the Infirmary was to assist the Prior in the 
 lebration of the mass, and the clerk of the Infirmary, the 
 Infirmarer, or such other of the old men as should think fit 
 ) celebrate the mass there, provided always, that he were not 
 apeded by attendance upon any sick person. 
 
 '' The said serjeant of the Infirmary was to receive a fair livery 
 
 > bread, drink, and cooked victuals, in the same way that 
 itherto one of the servants in the abbat’s hall had been in the 
 ibit of receiving the same, as also four shillings per annum for 
 
 16 “ Infirmarius.” This brother seems to have had spiritual charge of 
 e Infirmary. 
 
214 INGULm’s HISTORY OF TI1E ABBEY OF CKOYLAND. A.D. 109],I 
 
 his pay, which he was to receive from the Cellarer. If the whol 
 community should be taking their meals in the Refectory, an i 
 there should be no sick person in the Infirmary, the said ser 
 jeant of the Infirmary was not to depart to his dinner befori 
 the bell was rung in the Refectory. Rut if for their own plea 
 sure, or recreation, or in consequence of blood-letting, 17 the; 
 should eat in the Infirmary, the serjeant of the Infirmary wa 
 to attend them until all their victuals had been placed befor 
 them, and then he was to be at liberty to depart to his own 
 dinner, unless he should be called back by the Prior or by thi 
 eldest of those at table ; on which, he was to bring his bread 
 and the monks at table were to contribute from their own vie 
 tuals, meat for him to eat therewith. If, on a second day, hi 
 should be ordered to remain, then the clerk was to bring hi;i 
 bread, and so on alternate days, they were in turns to fun 
 bread for their own use, and the monks were to provide [th< 
 rest of the] victuals. 
 
 The cook’s scullion was to have their leavings for his din-; 
 ner ; and in case they should leave little or nothing, thd 
 Almoner was to provide him with victuals. We also forbadt 
 W ulsin the barber, and our clerk, and our cook, and all th< 
 rest of our servants in the Infirmary, on any account to bring 
 or allow to be brought, any secular men, boys, or women, intc 
 the Infirmary, from the vill or from any other place; by rea-' 
 son of which, scandal, offence, or disgust, might arise to thd 
 sick. We also enacted, that no secular person should be 
 shaved or blooded in the offices of the Infirmary without leave 
 of the Abbat or Prior, or the president in their absence. Wq 
 also ordered, that our said three servants, namely, the ser¬ 
 jeant [of the Infirmary], the clerk, and the cook, should lit 
 every night in the Infirmary to guard against the various 
 perils that might arise, unless they should obtain permission 
 from the Prior to stay somewhere in the vill; which, how¬ 
 ever, was to be but rarely granted. If any one of our 
 servants before-mentioned should do anything in contraven¬ 
 tion of the things before-stated, he who should so offend, was 
 to lose his livery for one week, without any favour to be 
 shewn to him therein. 
 
 Such and the- like were the statutes as to the servants of 
 11 “ Minutione.” 
 
STATUTES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 215 
 
 .D. 1091. 
 
 •ur Infirmary, which we enacted as well for those of the pre- 
 jent day as for those to come ; as, in accordance with our 
 ioly rule which we have professed, it is especially incumbent 
 n us to make provision that our sick may not suffer from any 
 leglect. 
 
 We also, at this time, gave the keepership of our church to 
 Jenian de Lek; who, appearing before the community in our 
 'ublic parliament, in like manner made oath that he would be 
 rue and faithful to us, and would diligently perform his 
 uties as hitherto; on which, we read over to him his duties, 
 rkich were as follow:—He was to be in attendance in the 
 hurch both by night as well as by day, and was to light 
 11 the candles in the church, except those around the high 
 ltar, and to extinguish them at the proper times. He was 
 ( lso to ring all the notices in the church, both in the night and 
 a the day-time, when we should be in the possession of more 
 ells [than one], except at the twelve lessons at high mass, at 
 espers, at matins, and for obits read in the Chapter-house 
 fter chapter was held ; because, at those times, the monks were 
 o ring them. 
 
 Also, he was each day to lay out the vestments for those 
 elebrating mass at the high altar, and for their assistants; and 
 ;as to make all the tapers, both the Paschal taper as well as 
 he others, that belong to the office of Sacrist. He was to 
 [ssist the Sub-sacrist in baking the oblations and hosts for the 
 onvent as often as should be needed; and he was not to bring 
 ito his chamber suspected women, nor was he to allow them 
 ) enter any retired place, by reason of which suspicion of 
 ivil or any scandal might arise against himself or the monks, 
 le was not to sleep out without the leave of the Prior or of 
 .he Sacrist; and, was in the meantime, in such case, with con- 
 pnt of the Prior through the Sacrist, to substitute in his ab- 
 mee some trustworthy person of the number of our other ser- 
 ants who had been sworn by us to take charge of the church, 
 le was also to precede the monks of the convent in the 
 reater processions, and was bj’ all means in his power to 
 ike precautions that nothing unseemly or unbecoming should 
 ome in their way. He was also to receive, on behalf of the Ab- 
 at, a proper livery of bread, drink, and cooked victuals, and 
 ay, along with the rest of the persons employed in their re- 
 
216 ixgulph’s history of the abbey of ceotland. A.D. 10; 
 
 spective vocations, in such manner as he had been hitherto a 
 customed to receive the same. 
 
 These two offices of ours we have described more fully th; 
 the others, setting forth their responsibilities as well as the 
 advantages, to the end that our successors may not increa 
 the said responsibilities, or curtail the before-mentioned a<< 
 vantages; for they gave unto us largely of their own, th. 
 they might serve us in manner aforesaid and receive in fu 
 for their services the rewards above-stated. 
 
 We also at this season conferred other offices in our mona 
 ter}- on other persons of our household, but not with equ 
 favours, as they had not with the same liberality bestowed c 
 us of their substance; thus, we gave the wardership of oi 
 Itefectory to Harold Gower, and the wardership of our Hostre 
 to Holler Quater, assigning thereto certain duties and liverie; i 
 These persons, coming in a similar manner in presence of or 
 convent in public parliament assembled, made oath th; 1 
 they would be true and faithful to us, and would diligenti 1 ) 
 perform their duties. All these officers before-named were t 
 receive each day, whether absent or present, their respectiv. 
 liveries; provided, however, that they were absent on th 
 affairs of some one or other of the monks. But if they shoul 
 be engaged abroad about their own business, without the leav> 
 of the Prior granted them, then in the meantime they were no 
 to receive their liveries; for without leave of the Prior the; 
 were never to go out either with a monk or upon their owi 
 business; and if they should do so, they were in the meantime 
 to lose their livery. No one who had been sworn in ful 
 chapter was to go out without the leave of the Prior, the shoe 
 maker and the buyer of provisions alone excepted, who wen 
 to go to market every week, and in whose cases it would havi 
 been too tedious to be so often having recourse to the Prior. 
 
 We also particularly added this provision, that our said ser 
 vants were to answer to their masters yearly for the vestments 
 vessels, cloth and utensils committed to their charge, that so 
 through their negligence, nothing might be broken, made awai 
 with, or in any other way lost; and in order that if sucl 
 should be found to be the case, they might make satisfactioi 
 for what had disappeared. Thus, for instance, the keeper o 
 the church was to be answerable to the Sacrist for the sacrec 
 vestments, the sacred chalices, cups, lavatories, lamps, and 
 
,d. 1091. 
 
 STATUTES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 217 
 
 ;her ornaments and utensils of the church entrusted to his 
 targe. The warders of the Infirmary and the Refectory were 
 i be answerable to their masters for the cups of silver and 
 mcelain, the silver spoons, beakers, salt-cellars, cloths, nap- 
 ins, and all other vessels and utensils entrusted to either of 
 tern. The warder of tbe Hostrey also was to be answerable 
 i his master for the bed-clothes, table-cloths, cups, forms, 
 ibles, and tressels that had been delivered to and received by 
 im. 
 
 The cooks also of either kitchen, that is to say, of both In- 
 rmary and convent, were to be answerable to their masters 
 r all the brazen vessels, pots, pitchers, kettles, platters, 
 ■idirons, frying-pans, dishes, tureens, brine-pans, spits, 
 ■oaches, mortars, and pestles, as well as all other vessels and 
 ;ensils entrusted to their care; lest, perchance, being care- 
 ssly treated, they might be worn out and broken sooner than 
 ey ought to be, or else made away with and destroyed in 
 me other improper manner; and if such should be found to 
 I; the case, each person was to make satisfaction for his defi- 
 iency, if he should prove unable to make answer with fair 
 .ason to the charges brought against him. Our books also, 
 th the small ones unbound as well as the larger ones with 
 ivers, we utterly forbade to be lent to any persons at dis- 
 ut schools, and did, under penalty of excommunication, pro¬ 
 hit the same, without licence granted by the Abbat, and his 
 irtain knowledge at what time they would be returned. As 
 ; lending the smaller books, that is to say, the Psalters, the 
 ijpnats, 18 the Cato’s, 19 and poetical works of a similar nature, 
 well as the quires for singing, to boys and the relatives of 
 I > monks, we most strictly forbade the Chauntor and the 
 ],;epcr of the Library, under pain of incurring the penalty of 
 (sobedience, under any circumstance whatever to lend or 
 diver out the same for more than one day, without the leave 
 (the Prior first granted; and if any one should in future pre- 
 ! aie so to do, he was to remain for the space of two years, 
 
 8 The Latin Grammar, by iElius Donatus, tbe grammarian of tbe 
 1 rib century, is here referred to. The “ douat” was the common 
 s ool-book of the middle ages. 
 
 9 He alludes to Dionysius Cato’s Distichs on Morals, couched in Dac- 
 1 e Hexameters. It was held in great estimation during the middle 
 i :s, and was extensively employed as a school-book. 
 
218 inguxph’s distort of the abbey of croyxand. A. D. 10! 
 
 disgraced and disqualified for tlie performance of any duti 
 in the convent. 
 
 At the same time, also, with the unanimous consent of t 
 whole convent, we added to the most holy statutes of our v 
 nerable father, the lord abbat Turketul, who had most wise 
 divided the whole community of our monastery into thri 
 classes of monks, certain matters that seemed to us especial 
 necessary and consistent with reason. These were to t 
 following effect. ‘ ‘ Those of the first class, who shall not as y 
 have arrived at their twenty-fourth year as members of t 
 monastic order, shall not, when they take their food within t' 
 precincts of the monastery, give away any portion of the fo' 
 set before them to any persons without the said precincts, u 
 less they shall have first, before dinner, openly stated to tl 
 Prior, or the person who may be President, the reason of t 
 necessity for their so doing, and, on such necessity being co 
 sidered, shall have afterwards obtained leave so to do at dr 
 ner; and so they are to do as often as they shall find thei 
 selves so necessitated. 
 
 “As for those of the second class, that is to say, those wl 
 shall have lived from their twenty-fourth up to their fortie'J 
 year as members of the monastic order; as often as they she. 
 stand in need of so doing,- 0 they shall be at liberty to give 
 their victuals, having first asked and obtained leave of tl 
 President, although they may not have stated to him befon 
 dinner the cause of their being necessitated so to do; pr 
 vided that all do not ask permission on the same day, but c 
 different days, so that the necessities of all may be satisfiet 
 with the exception of those in office, who, in virtue of the 
 respective offices, daily supply their servants with their foo< 
 such as the Sacrist, the master of the works, and others, wh 
 find daily employment for their servants; although thes 
 may chance to be of the first class of juniors, still, on tb 
 ground of their offices, we wish them herein to have tl 
 privileges of seniors.” Besides this, as our holy father, ti 
 lord abbat Turketul, most religiously decreed, all of the si 
 cond class were to be excused from the duties of the mine 
 
 10 Their vows of poverty would preclude the possibility of their givin 
 anything in return for services done them, beyond a portion of the 
 allotted meals. 
 
d. 1091. 
 
 STATUTES OF THE MONASTERY. 
 
 219 
 
 lantries, 21 the Epistle, the Gospel, reading the Martyrology 
 id collations 22 in the Chapter-house, joining in the procession 
 the taper-bearers to the music 23 of the Chauntor, and all such 
 inor duties of the choir and the convent. 
 
 As for those of the third class, that is to say, those from 
 rty years’ standing and upwards, they were to be excused 
 om prayers before Matins, before Prime, and before Ves- 
 :rs, and from Matins at the three lessons, unless it should be 
 festival of high mass in the weeks of Easter, Pentecost, and 
 \e Nativity of our Lord, when all members of the convent, 
 
 . their turn, on their days officiate in their copes. They 
 ere also to be excused from reading at dinner, and from 
 erformance of the maundy 24 on Saturdays. They were also to 
 ■fe at liberty to go round the gardens of the Infirmary and of 
 le Sacrist as often as they should think fit, without asking 
 ave of the President, so long as it should be known to the 
 rior where they were, in case he should chance to want them 
 r anything. 
 
 And further, as, our holy rules providing to that effect, 
 »hts were kept burning all night in the dormitory of the 
 onks until the morning; for the purpose of avoiding manifold 
 angers, with the consent of the whole of our community, I 
 ranted to the office of our Sacrist an annual payment of forty 
 hillings, recoverable from the vicar of Wendlingborough, and 
 hich the Abbat had hitherto been in the habit of receiving, 
 mt our said Sacrist might find all the lights, as well in the 
 oisters as in the dormitory, the same to be lighted at the 
 ated times following, that is to say; on the approach of 
 inter, from the feast of Saint Bartholomew to the feast of 
 lint Michael, immediately after the bell had ceased ringing 
 r supper, the servants of the church were to light three 
 »hts in the cloister, and four in the dormitory ; that is to say, 
 ro in the dormitory itself, and two in the necessary-house. 
 
 21 “ Parva Cantaria,” the chaunting of the portions of the service that 
 jre considered of less importance. See p. 98. 
 
 22 Readings of the Holy Scriptures at stated hours, and in especial 
 ter supper. 
 
 23 The word is “ tabula,” which seems to have been some kind of 
 usical instrument used by the Chauntor or Praecentor. It was probably 
 iployed for the purpose of beating time, and being made of bone, was 
 rhaps not unlike our castanets. See p. 100. 
 
 31 See the note to page 210. 
 

 220 rxGULrn’s history of the abbey of ceotland. a.d. 10! 
 
 But the light in the Chapter-house was to he lighted befc 
 the supper-bell began ringing, and to burn the whole tin 
 until, Matins being finished, all the monks had gone up 
 the dormitory. During the close of winter, from the fee 
 of the Purification of Saint Mary until the feast of the Buri 
 of Saint Guthlac, the same method of lighting all the afoi 
 said lights ^was in all things to be observed. From the fea 
 of Saint Michael until the feast of the Purification, all til < 
 said lights were to be lighted before the monks went into tl 
 refectory to the regular drinking, and were to remain , t 
 lighted at all times of the year until sunrise; besides a lair 
 hanging in the Chapter-house, which was to be extinguishe 
 after the community had gone up to the dormitory, Math 
 being concluded in the church. From the feast of Safi 
 Guthlac until the feast of Saint Bartholomew, throughoi 
 the whole summer, at sunset the Sacrist or Subsacrist was it 
 light the lights before-mentioned in the dormitory, so that r 
 secular person might have occasion in the night-time to ent< 
 the dormitory ; and they were to be kept burning until it w, 
 broad daylight. 
 
 But if, in consequence of the neglect of the Sacrist, any c 
 the said lights should remain unlighted at the time appointee 
 then the Sacrist was, on the morrow, to be put upon bread an 
 water, without any mercy being shown him. And if, disre 
 garbing this our most just ordinance, he should make defaul 
 in lighting, or in keeping up the lighting of, any one of th 
 lights before-mentioned, he was to fare for one fortnight, dm 
 ing six days in each week, on bread and water only. But il 
 on a third occasion, any default should take place in pro vidin; 
 the said lights, he was to be removed from his office, and re 
 main for the next two years incapable of filling any offie- 
 whatever. If any negligence of this nature should happen b’ 
 reason of the default of the servants, that is, in case any on> 
 of the lights should remain unlighted at the proper time, thei 
 the servants, whose duty it was, in the summer time, to ligh 
 the same when the community was not in the dormitory, were 
 on each occasion, to lose their allowances for one week : anc 
 if the same should happen a second or a third time, a more 
 severe rebuke was to be administered, or the punishmen 
 aforesaid to be doubled. These strict rules, with the commor 
 advice and consent of our convent, we enacted to be inviolablj 
 
d. '0c9. 
 
 RESTORATION OF CKOYI.AND. 
 
 221 
 
 «served with regard to delinquents, and provided that neither 
 i je Prior nor any other president should at future times be 
 iabled to relax the same, without the especial favour of the 
 bbat for the time being. 
 
 We also enacted, at the same time, that, on thanks being 
 turned each day after dinner, the soul of king Ethelbald, our 
 under, should be especially prayed for, and that, at thanks 
 fter dinner, the following verse should always be repeated in 
 11 choir by the members of the convent, in memory of king 
 'ichtlaf, by means of whose horn they had been refreshed. ,J * 
 He hath dispersed, He hath given to the poor ; His righteous- 
 iiiss endureth for ever;” adding thereto, “ His 2fi horn shall be 
 :alted with honor.” 
 
 Our monastery being now, praised be the Lord! in some 
 measure resuscitated from the ashes of its fatal conflagration, and 
 s customs having been described, both as regards our fellow- 
 ijionks as also our servants and assistants, as well as the de¬ 
 based members of the monastery, so far as by my limited ca- 
 icity has been deemed necessary; 1 might have brought this 
 |.story to a close, had not tho manifest malice of our rivals 
 impelled me to make some small addition relative to their 
 icked proceedings, and, to the best of my humble ability, put 
 y successors ou their guard. 
 
 As soon as the most glorious king, William the First, had 
 «parted this life, and had left Normandy to Hobert, his eldest 
 In, by will giving England to William, his second son; 
 ■.e latter, immediately after the burial of his father, has- 
 ned over to England, and was received by archbishop Lan- 
 ;anc, his tutor, and the other nobles throughout the whole 
 ngdom, with outstretched hands, and was solemnly crowned at 
 Westminster. He immediately proceeded to weigh the trea- 
 ire of his father, which was then deposited at Winchester, 
 id found sixty thousand pounds of silver, besides gold and 
 :ecious stones, and other royal jewels, in vast quantities. lie 
 ten distributed, in accordance with the last will of his father, 
 
 ■ the greater churches throughout all England, ten marks, 
 id to the smaller churches, or those of the vills, five shillings, 
 lie also sent through each of the counties one hundred pounds, 
 r distribution to the poor, for the soul of his father. Led on 
 y this lavishness, he fell into a course of prodigality, the more 
 
 25 Psalm cxii. 9. 
 
 26 Psalm cxii. 9. This looks very much like a pious pun. 
 
222 INGULBH’s HISTORY OF THE ABBEY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 108 
 
 especiallyas archbishop Lanfranc was now dead; and having ft< 
 rein, as it were, he strayed into all kinds of licentious course 
 His father’s treasures being speedily wasted in consequence, 1 
 began to oppress the whole land by new exactions, and to exci 
 great numbers to sedition and hatred of himself. Hence i 
 was that many bishops, as well as earls, conspired against hin ' 
 on which he prevailed over some by caresses, and others tj 
 threats, while others, again, he sentenced to perpetual banisl i 
 ment from the land. 
 
 At this period, Ivo Taillebois, who had always proved oi 
 implacable enemy, supposing that, as common report stated! 
 be the case, all our charters had perished in the conflagratio 
 of our monastery, caused us to be cited to show by what titi 
 we held our lands that lay in his demesne, when, in fact, 1 
 had often before both seen our charters and had heard thei 
 read. However, brother Trig, our proctor, appeared at Spalc 
 ing on the day of trial, and produced the charters of sheri 
 Thorold, as also of both the earls Algar, still safe and unburnt 
 on which, being deceived in his expectations, he had recours 
 to raillery and abuse, saying that such barbarous writing wa 
 only worthy of laughter and derision, and that it could fc 
 esteemed as of no weight or validity whatever. 
 
 On this, brother Trig made answer to him, that these doer 
 ments had been read in presence of the renowned king Wil 
 liam, both father as well as son, and had been praised and con 
 firmed both by them as well as the whole of their council 
 that, after being recited, they had been approved of, and es 
 tablished in every particular by the royal authority, and ths 
 it was not in his power to invalidate that which the kings ha 
 confirmed. He also stated, that if he or any other person i 
 should make any such attempt, in contempt of the king’s ma 
 jesty, we should appeal thereon to the tribunal of our lord th 
 king, and desire a hearing before him upon the same; afte 
 which, our brother Trig, rolling up our charters, in presenc 
 of all delivered them to his clerk to carry; hut after he hai 
 gone out of court, receiving them hack from the clerk, h> 
 returned with them all to the monastery. This clerk, how 
 ever, by his command, returned into the court, that he migli 
 give attentive ear, and ascertain what were the intentions o 
 the said Ivo in relation to Croyland. 
 
 At last, on the court adjourning in the evening, the clerl 
 
,.d. 1089. 
 
 CONCLUSION OF INGULF II S HISTORY. 
 
 223 
 
 et out on his way towards Croyland, and, as he was crossing 
 he stream of our river Asendyk, he was thrown from his horse, 
 nd most cruelly beaten by three servants of the said Ivo, who 
 xy concealed there, and rushed upon him from their hiding- 
 ilace. At length, after they had carefully searched his wallet 
 nd the folds of his garments, and could nowhere discover our 
 fharters, fully understanding the true state of the case, they 
 eft him half dead and covered with wounds and bruises, 
 'rawling, however, towards a boat that happened to be com- 
 ig that way, during the night the clerk arrived at Croyland. 
 n hearing of this surpassing malice on the part of our foe, in 
 rder to guard against hie, as well as other inventions of the 
 hemy of a similar nature, I took our charters and placed them 
 i such safe custody, that, so long as my life lasts, neither fire 
 iiall consume nor adversary steal them ; our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 id our blessed patron, the most holy Guthlac, showing them- 
 Ives propitious, and, as I firmly believe, extending their pro- 
 ■ction to their servants. 
 
 ■ However, within a fortnight afterwards, our said enemy 
 as also proclaimed an enemy to the king, in consequence of 
 e before-mentioned conspiracy against him, to which he was 
 ■ivy and a consenting party; upon which he was outlawed, 
 id is still living in Anjou, iu banishment from England. 
 
 This history, I, Ingulph, abbat of Croyland, have continued 
 us far, for the information of posterity, so far as I have been 
 !e to collect materials from our archives, and in accordance 
 ith the statements which my fathers have made to me. The 
 ,-story from our foundation until the destruction of our mo- 
 Istery, the five Sempects wrote. The life of the lord abbat 
 'irketul was written by abbat Egelric the yoimger, his kins- 
 iin. Erom his day up to the present moment, I myself have 
 i ated the history of our times. 
 
 END OF INGULim’s HISTORY. 
 
CONTINUATION OF 
 
 INGULPH’S HISTORY OF CROYLAND 
 
 BY PETER OE BLOIS. 
 
 Epistle of the Allot of Cropland to Peter of Blois. 
 
 “To our most dearly-bcloved, blaster Peter of Iilois, arch 
 deacon of Bath, vice-chancellor of our lord the king, and mos 
 worthy Prothonotary of the whole kingdom, a most wis 
 sanctuary of all the liberal arts, as also the most eminent pro 
 fessor in our times of the eloquence of Tully, the brothe 
 Henry de Longchamp, the unworthy abbat of the servants c 
 God militant for the Lord in the church of Croyland, an 
 their unprofitable minister, to his good pleasure and command 
 entirely commending himself and his— 
 
 “ Orators, rhetoricians, and poets, as well as holy prophets 
 consummate divines, and great doctors, renowned for thei 
 eloquence, celebrated for their knowledge, weighty in thei 
 authority, and remarkable for their sanctity, have, in grandi 
 loquent style, most becomingly discoursed upon the histories 
 the lives, the actions, and the battles of illustrious men an. 
 heroes of the greatest celebrity. Thus, for instance, amom 
 the Heathens, Suetonius Tranquillus described the house o 
 Coesar; Valerius Maximus, dedicating his work to Tiberius 
 discoursed upon memorable actions; Tully described th 
 deeds of Catiline, and Sallust of Jugurtha. In like manner, s 
 did Homer depict the arms of Hector, so was Virgil th 
 author of the iEneids. In the same way, too, among thos 
 of our religion, did the venerable pope, Saint Gregory, relate 
 under the becoming form of Dialogue, the most holy action, 
 of the blessed father, Benedict; and then, in a similar mannci 
 
LETTER FROM THE ABBAT TO PETER 01’ BLOTS. 
 
 225 
 
 Id your holy bishop, Sulpicius Severus, in his Dialogues, de- 
 cribe the life of Martin, your most holy bishop. So too, in 
 ormer days, did Saint Hieronymus extol his Paula; and so, 
 lore recently, did Saint .Bernard sing his Malachias. 
 
 “ You too, who are the equal of these, who beyond all others 
 f the present day have a relish for the honied words of fully, 
 nd who, exalted by your most distinguished reputation for 
 /it, most deservedly hold the highest rank in the royal pre- 
 ence,—of you I now beg, as you have lately promised mo to 
 o, that you will grant me the favour of transferring the hal- 
 >wed life of the most holy Guthlae, the confessor of Christ, 
 nd our patron Saint, from the humble platter of Saint Felix, 
 ae bishop of the East Angles, into the golden goblet of your 
 wn language, and so, seasoning the same with your honied 
 [oquence as usual, place it in a worthy vessel upon the lesson 
 ible 27 in the temple of the Lord, for the faithful in Christ who 
 ater there. For that most holy patron of ours dwelleth in 
 le midst of us, being distinguished by the Lord with signs 
 '.numerable, and, by the grace of God, mightily glorified by 
 lany miracles hitherto unheard-of and unseen. Therefore it is, 
 lat I have devoutly prayed your nectareous tongue to launch 
 >rth in his praises; and we do, all of us, your suppliants at 
 royland, having ourselves contracted the lengthy and in- 
 Aved periods 28 of Saint Felix, and having laboured to reduce 
 to a style more concise and better suited to weak under- 
 andings, if so it please you, from the very inmost recesses of 
 ir hearts entreat you, that you will with your holy eloquence, 
 lorn his most hallowed deeds. 
 
 “ In the great confidence that I feel, I will go still further 
 1 placing care and labour on your shoulders ; for I will, with 
 1 earnestness of heart, entreat and call upon you, by that 
 iendship which has ever shewn itself most devoted to me, 
 correct this history of our house -which we send unto you, 
 herever you shall see that it requires correction ; and request 
 at you will, from our memoranda and deeds sent to you, to- 
 ther with the same, continue unto these our times, the 
 ries and narrative of the said history : for it expresses itself 
 
 21 The lectern at which the lessons were read. 
 
 28 Literally, the “hyperbaton,” meaning “a complex and involved 
 le of writing.” 
 
 Q 
 
226 
 
 FETEB OF BLOTS* HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 both openly and in graceful language, and enquires into man 
 of the obscure points in history. 
 
 “ I trust also, that before long, I shall visit the royal cou; 
 on certain business, when I shall bring with me certain chaj 
 tors and muniments, which, in order for your assistant 
 herein, Wulsin, the lord Prior of our house, Ansgote, ot 
 Sub-prior, and the lord John of Preston, our Proctor, win 
 beyond all others, are intimately acquainted with the state ■ 
 our monastery, as well as all your intimate friends, salutir 
 you with the greatest affection, have thought necessary 
 be introduced in this history; still, these are all to be inserter 
 as well as the various events of the times, entirely accordir 
 to your own judgment thereon. Farewell, my best ilusti 
 and friend.” 
 
 The Answer of Teter of Blow. 
 
 “ To his most reverend father and lord, noble both in bod 
 as well as in spirit, Henry de Longchamp, by the grace < 
 God, abbat of the most holy monastery of Croyland, and a 
 his holy convent, his humble servant, Peter of Blois, arc’i 
 deacon of Bath, his powers and abilities, humble and insignj 
 ficant as they are, in the Lord Jesus Christ— 
 
 “ When I was lately staying for some time among you , 1 
 was pleasured with so many enjoyments, I was presented wil 
 so many gifts, I was enriched with riches so numerous, and 
 was edified with devoutness so extreme, that at length, win 
 the king’s business called me away from your most holy m 
 nastery, on my [departure thence I was greatly disturbed 
 spirit and troubled in mind. Full oft upon my road did 
 picture to myself your features, full oft did I recall to my r 
 collection the benevolent feelings manifested by each of yc 
 towards my humble self; and so often did I call to remeii 
 brance each passing day the remarkable delightfulness of tl 1 
 spot, naturally inborn to it as it were, that, quite contrary V 
 my usual habit, I was affected with a kind of womanish sof t 
 ness. Before I reached firm ground, I pulled bridle in tl 
 middle of the marshes seven times or more, looking back 
 the body upon your most holy monastery, and in my imnc ;; 
 heart, heaping blessings upon the same; while, at the san 
 time, I grieved, that, like another Adam, I was expelled fro 
 Paradise, except that in my case, the angel of the Lord d 1 
 
THE ANSWER OF PETER OF BLOIS. 
 
 227 
 
 ot, with flaming sword, prevent my return. Still, however, 
 he business of the king will not at present allow of my return 
 p you. 
 
 “ However, after I had reached firm ground, and had as- 
 ertained by experience, that the woods impeded the possibi- 
 ty of any further looking back upon your much-loved spot, 
 [ourtraying to myself all your countenances as if you were 
 nen present, to the best of my ability, as God is my witness, 
 embraced you each with my heart, and, kissing you all 
 vith the most ardent embraces, I showered upon you most 
 lenteous tears. Thus, most pleasurably and most continu- 
 usly weeping, and ever and anon looking back towards Croy- 
 fmd, my servants at last seized the reins, and led me unwil- 
 ngly away, and so tore me from that much-loved view ; but 
 ly inner eyes, my Masters all and most worthy lords, neither 
 ,'oods nor servants, mountains nor walls, can ever, by any 
 possibility, withdraw from the contemplation of you. 
 
 “How the fact may evidently be gathered from histoiy, that 
 aint Felix, the bishop of the East Angles, did not, as you 
 ! ssert, write the life of your most holy father and patron, the 
 tost blessed Guthlac; for the truth is, that he did not reach the 
 ime of Saint Guthlac, and as he came first, he could not, ex- 
 cpt by way of prophecy, have any knowledge of one who 
 ame after him; but it was another Saint Felix, one of the 
 isciples of Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, as may clearly 
 e perceived by the reader, from the Greek idiom that per- 
 ades its style; a man probably of holy life, but one who 
 nitated his master in his style of writing; still, however, 
 
 I person most devoted and most attached to the Saints of 
 •od, and to Saint Guthlac in especial. 
 
 “But Saint Felix, the bishop of the East Angles, of whose 
 dies, which lie buried at Ramsey, you lately obtained a pre- 
 .oiis portion at the gratuitous presentation of the lord abbat 
 ad his convent, departed unto the Lord in the year of our 
 ord, 646, being the fourth year of the Indiction, and the 
 rst year of the nineteen year cycle, Penda, the pagan, being 
 len king of the Mercians. In the revolution of eight-and- 
 jventy years after his holy burial, Saint Guthlac was born, 
 intis to say, in the year of our Lord, 674, being the second 
 jGar of the Iiidiction, the tenth year of the nineteen year 
 >'cle, and the last year of Wulpher, king of the Mercians. 
 
228 
 
 PETER OF BLOTS* HISTORY OF CROTXAXn. 
 
 Your said holy father also departed uuto the Lord, after com 
 pleting the fortieth year of his age, on the fourth day ii . 
 Easter week, in the year of our Lord, 714 ; it being thi r 
 twelfth year of the Indiction, and the eleventh year of th< 
 nineteen year cycle, Celred, son of Ethelred, the former kin< 
 of the Mercians, then reigning, it being the sixth year of hi 
 reign. At this time, pope Constantine was pontiff of th<! 
 Roman See, and Brithwald, archbishop of Canterbury, wa. 
 pontiff of the Mother Church of the English; Anastasius wa: 
 the emperor who was guiding the reins of the Roman empire 
 and Pepin the Elder, the son of Ansegisus, was mayor of th< | 
 royal palace among the Eranks. 
 
 “ Since, then, it is evidently apparent that Saint Eelix, thi I 
 bishop of the East Angles, did not compose the said life, I fel ii 
 myself the more emboldened to obey your commands, and t< j 
 relate, with becoming neatness of diction, and according to th< 
 best of my humble ability, such of your most sacred annals a: •. 
 are preserved by truth in the pages 29 of history. 
 
 “ I shall, therefore, watchfully devote my best attention t<| 
 the continuation of the history of your most holy monastery J 
 compiling the same with the greatest diligence, digesting f 
 with the most appropriate diction, and observing the same | 
 style of language, so far as I shall find myself enabled b) 
 searching your archives to collect honey from out of a rock 
 although I should not presume to compare my rude languagtii 
 with the highly eloquent style of the venerable father, Ingulph , 
 nor could I in any way equal the finger even of such a mos a 
 holy prelate. But where the said histoiy has been, as verj i 
 frequently happens, perverted or falsified by unskilful writers 1 
 there, in accordance with your wishes, I will use my utmost ; 
 endeavours to correct the said errors, and to make them accorc 
 with the strict line of truth, and will, to the best of my humbh 
 abilities, cause what follows to harmonize with what precedes 
 by striving to maintain an equality in gracefulness of diction 
 The other book, therefore, I will set to work to continue when 
 the before-named venerable abbat Ingulph has left off; so tha 
 his work may form the first part of this history, while m 3 
 work, coming after it, though deserving to be placed far be¬ 
 hind it in estimation, may be styled by its readers the Seeoni 
 
 :9 “ Omnibus” seems to be a misprint here for some other word. 
 
.D. 1100. ENGLAND VISITED V ITII FAMINE AND PESTILENCE. 229 
 
 art. Instead of an Introduction thereto, I would have your 
 ;tter precede the work and this of mine succeed it, until such 
 me as, having visited you and looked over all your charters, 
 shall be enabled to arrange everything in its proper order, 
 nd, the Most High prospering my path, to establish each par- 
 ‘cular in the rightful track of truthfulness. Fare ye well, 
 i the bowels of Jesus Christ, all my lords and masters most 
 'ear.” 
 
 "William Rufus reigning over the land, and having with a 
 owerful arm conquered all his adversaries, so much so as to 
 ave brought all his foes beneath the yoke, while there was 
 o one who dared in any way to murmur against his sway, 
 lanulph, the bishop of Durham, was his especial adviser in 
 flairs of state. This Ranulpli proved a most cruel extor- 
 oner, and being the most avaricious and most abandoned of 
 11 men in the land, wofully oppressed the whole kingdom, 
 nd wrung it even to the drawing of blood; while at the 
 line time Anselm, the most holy archbishop of Canterbury 
 dio had succeeded Lanfranc, dragging out a weary existence in 
 xile beyond sea, mercy and truth with him had taken to flight 
 com out of the land, and justice and peace had been banished 
 herefrom. Confession and the fair graces of repentance fell 
 ito disesteem, holiness and chastity utterly sickened away, 
 in stalked in the streets with open and undaunted front, and 
 icing the law with haughty eye, daily triumphed, exulting in 
 er abominable success. 
 
 Wherefore, the heavens did abominate the land, and, fight- 
 Tg against sinners, the sun and the moon stood still in tlieif 
 bode, and spurning the earth with the greatest noise and fury, 
 aused all nations to be amazed at their numerous portents, 
 'or there were thunders terrifying the earth, lightnings and 
 hunderbolts most frequent, deluging showers without num- 
 >er, winds of the most astonishing violence, and whirlwinds 
 hat shook the towers of churches and levelled them with the 
 pound. On the earth there were fountains flowing with blood, 
 nd mighty earthquakes, while the sea, overflowing its shores, 
 wrought infinite calamities to the maritime places. There were 
 aurders and dreadful seditions; the Devil himself was seen 
 odily appearing in many woods ; there was a most shocking- 
 amine, and a pestilence so great among men, as well as beasts 
 
200 PETER OF BLOIS’ HISTORY OF CROYIAXD. A.D. 110C | 
 
 of burden, that agriculture was almost totally neglected, a I 
 well as all care of the living, all sepulture of the dead. 
 
 The limit and termination at last of so many woes, was th i 
 death of the king, a cause, to every person of Christian feel I 
 ings, of extreme grief. For there had come from Normandv ■ 
 to visit king William, a very powerful haron, Walter Tirel b I 
 name. The king received him with the most lavish hospita i 
 lity, and having honored him with a seat at his table, wa i 
 pleased, after the banquet was concluded, to give him an invi ; 
 tation to join him in the sport of hunting. After the king ha< 1 
 pointed out to each person his fixed station, and the deei 
 alarmed at the barking of the dogs and the cries of the hunts ( 
 men, were swiftly flying towards the summits of the hills, th 
 said Walter incautiously aimed an arrow at a stag, wind 
 missed the stag, and pierced the king in the breast. 
 
 The king fell to the earth, and instantly died; upon which i 
 the body being laid by a few countrymen in a cart, was car I 
 ried back to the palace, and on the morrow was buried, witl 
 but few manifestations of grief, and in an humble tomb; fo j 
 all his servants were busily attending to their own interests 4 
 and few or none cared for the royal funeral. The said Walter .1 
 the author of his death, though unwittingly so, escaped fron 
 the midst of them, crossed the sea, and arrived safe home ii 
 Normandy. 
 
 William was succeeded on the throne by his brother Henry 
 a young man of extreme beauty, and, from his acquaintance I 
 with literature, much more astute than his two brothers, anc . 
 fetter fitted for reigning: his brother Robert being at this 
 time in the Holy Land, most valiantly fighting in the armv 
 of the Christians against the Turks and Saracens. He wa; 
 crowned by Thomas, the archbishop of York, because, at this 
 period, Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, was in exile. Re¬ 
 ceiving royal homage and the oaths of fealty from all, he im- 
 mediately gave liberty to the Holy Church, and forbade de¬ 
 praved customs and injurious exactions to prevail; besides • 
 which, he threw the said Ranulph, who was the author ol 
 them, into prison, and, dispatching a messenger, recalled the 
 most holy archbishop Anselm from exile. 
 
 Led astray and seduced by the bad counsels of the said most 
 wicked Ranulph, king William, on the day of his death, held 
 in his own hands the archbishopric of Canterbury, besides four 
 
l.D. HOI. 
 
 DUKE ROBERT RAISES AN ABUT. 
 
 231 
 
 jther bishoprics, and eleven abbeys, all of which were let out to 
 ’arm. He was the first of all the kings who placed the 
 receipts on account of rent of all the vacant churches in his 
 reasury; whereas his father invariably, and with the greatest 
 oiety, in the same manner as all the other kings of England, 
 iis predecessors, had been in the habit of repaying all rents 
 md profits of that nature, in the case of vacant churches, to 
 he prelates who were the first to succeed, and had to the very 
 ast farthing accounted, through faithful servants, for the 
 vhole thereof. But as for him, after keeping all these digni- 
 ies for a long time in his own hands for no good reason what¬ 
 ever, and frequently making grants of them to farmers and 
 isurious Jews, under colour of employing long deliberation in 
 .he choice of a proper pastor, he repeatedly put them up to 
 luction among the most ambitious and most wealthy of the 
 tlergy ; and at last, on finding a well-filled purse as the re¬ 
 nit, asserting that all sanctity lay in that, he openly declared 
 hat that was the only deserving prelate. In this state of 
 kings, it was a matter greatly to be commended that, being 
 ■onfined to his bed and almost despairing of his life, on the 
 lecease of Lanfranc, the venerable archbishop of Canterbuiy, 
 i man of most holy life, as well as skilled in all branches of 
 iterature, he appointed the venerable Anselm, abbat of Bee, 
 n Normandy, to the archbishopric of Canterbury, in a devout 
 aanner, and without any imputation of simony. 
 
 The before-named Ranulph, however, made his escape by 
 ertain iniquitous means from prison, and repaired to Nor¬ 
 mandy, and in every way encouraged the duke thereof, Robert, 
 he king’s brother, who on hearing of the death of his brother 
 William had immediately returned from the Holy Land, to 
 nvade England. Accordingly, after the duke had levied a 
 ;irge army, and had come to the sea-shore, while the king, on 
 he other hand, had strengthened the southern coasts of his 
 lingdom with troops innumerable, (being determined, once for 
 11 , to conquer and reign, or else to lose the kingdom and perish), 
 rchbishop Anselm and other men of character, who were pro¬ 
 moters of peace,'acting as mediatorsbetweenthem,broughtabout 
 n arrangement upon the following terms; that the king should 
 iay each year a compensation of three thousand pounds of silver, 
 nd that lasting peace should thenceforth be established be- 
 ween them. However, in after years, the duke, ill-advisedly, 
 
232 
 
 PETER OF BLOIS’ HISTORY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 1109 
 
 forgave this annual payment; and besides, he acted unwisely to 
 wards the natives [of Normandy], and those subject to him 
 upon which the king repaired to Normandy, and taking hi, 
 brother prisoner in a pitched battle, kept him in prison to thi 
 day of his death, and united the whole of Normandy to hi: 
 own kingdom. 
 
 The king, having gained this victory, and being instructec 
 by the repeated exhortations of the holy archbishop Anselm 
 remitted for ever his right of investiture of churches by rin§( 
 and pastoral staff, a question which had for a long time haras3ec« 
 the Holy Church ; while he retained in his own hand and ex 
 cepted solely his royal privileges. This I think is enough as fi 
 the kings. 
 
 In these days also, the temporal powers militant, under th( 
 command of Godfrey and Baldwin, the most illustrious sons oil 
 Eustace, earl of Boulogne, Bobert, duke of Normandy, and 
 Raymond, earl of Toulouse, together with Boamund, duke oi 
 Apulia, and their armies and troops from the rest of Christen¬ 
 dom, having subjugated all Lycia, Mesopotamia, and at last the 
 whole of Syria, rendered subject to their dominion and to the 
 Christian faith, first, the city of Nicea, then Antioch, and aftei 
 that, holy Jerusalem. 
 
 At this time also, the spiritual powers militant of the mo¬ 
 nastic order, springing up from the monastery of Molisme, sent 
 forth so many offshoots, that, through its first-born daughter 
 of Cisteaux, at this day innumerable monasteries, abodes of the 
 servants of God, exist, which were produced by the Divine 
 power under their original fathers, Robert, Alberic, Stephen, 
 and Bernard; from the last of whom an idea may be formed 
 as to the multitude of the rest. For the said father Saint 
 Bernard saw sons of his go forth from his monastery of Clairvaux, 
 over which he presided for the space of forty years, one as pope 
 of the see of Rome, to wit, Eugenius, two as cardinals, and six¬ 
 teen as archbishops and bishops in different parts of the world; 
 of whom we had one at York in England, archbishop Hemy, 
 and two in Ireland, who proved themselves Christians both in 
 name and deed ; together with two hundred monasteries and 
 more which he produced from his own of Clairvaux, and which 
 themselves were daily bringing forth others innumerable unto 
 the Lord. 
 
 At this period also, the venerable Ingulph, the lord abbat 
 of Croyland, was greatly affiicted by multiplied maladies which 
 
d. 1109 . 
 
 PEIOR JOFFRID INVITED BY KING HENRY. 
 
 233 
 
 laried and harassed his declining years to such a degree, 
 at he was unable to continue the history of his monastery 
 the close of his life : for many are the inconveniences which 
 rround the aged man. Nevertheless, after he had laboured 
 jst zealously in the restoration of his house, which had been 
 ;ely destroyed by fire, and in the rebuilding of his church, 
 well as in replacing the books, vestments, bells, and other 
 quisites, the old man, having served his time in the warfare 
 this life, and being full of days, departed unto the Lord; 
 ;er having completed thirty-four years in the most laborious 
 scharge of his pastoral duties as sole abbat, during ten of 
 aich abbat Wulketul, his predecessor, was still surviving; 
 lile, during the remaining twenty-four years he was much 
 passed and annoyed by the adversaries of the monastery, as 
 ill as by other misfortunes, but had been always wondrously 
 pported by the Lord. At last, however, bidding farewell to 
 e maliciousness of the world, he was received in Abraham’s 
 som with all the Saints, being thus relieved from the afflic- 
 >n of gout, under which, in his later years, he had languished, 
 d received to the eternal joys of Paradise, on the sixteenth day 
 fore the calends of January, in the year of our Lord, 1109, 
 ing the ninth year of the reign of king Henry. He was 
 ried in his chapter-house, on the feast of Saint Thomas the 
 jostle. 
 
 At the repeated suggestion and frequent entreaties of Alan 
 oun, who was Seneschal of the royal mansion, and dear to 
 13 king beyond all the other barons of the palace, and ad- 
 tted to all his counsels, (being a man who excelled all 
 iers in industry and probity, in wisdom and sanctity, so 
 ich so, that by his fellow-knights he was called “ the King’s 
 d”), king Henry following his advice, invited from the mo- 
 stcry of Saint Evroult in Normandy, Joffrid, the lord prior 
 the said place, who was closely related to the said most illus- 
 ous Seneschal of the royal palace. This he did by his epistle 
 ■ected to the venerable father Manerius, the abbat of the 
 d monastery, in which he invited the said venerable man, 
 i prior Joffrid, noble in the flesh, but much more noble in 
 rit. Lor lie was the son of the marquis Herebert, by Hilde- 
 rga, sister of Guido Croun, the father of the before-named 
 in, butwas born and educated at Orleans, and from his infancy 
 itinedby his parents for a monastic life : him, on the death of 
 
234 
 
 PETER OF BLOIS’ HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 A.D. Ill 
 
 Ingulph, the venerable abbat of Croyland, the king most ben 
 ficially appointed in his place, as pastor of the said monaster 
 The abbacy had been vacant at this time for the space of thr 
 months and a few days, the king, after the most abominat 
 example of his brother William, continuing to hold it durii 
 the vacancy; still, through his affection for the said Alan, 1 
 liberally and in full paid over to the said abbat, on his appoin 
 ment, all the profits that he had received. 
 
 The said venerable abbat Joffrid arrived at Croyland on Pal 
 Sunday, C being the Dominical letter, and was joyously r 
 ceived. Immediately passing thence to Lincoln, he receivt 
 the blessing from bishop Itobert in his chapel there, and w; 
 installed on the Lord’s day, upon which “ Quasi modi geniti” 
 is sung. That he might not at the beginning be looke 
 upon as a useless pastor, or as sluggish and pusillanimou 
 he began to look about him on every side in his monaster 
 and, as well became 31 a man of such a character, did not h 
 dulge himself in snoring in bed, or lying concealed; but i 
 private taught in mild accents the masters of the earth to fee fl 
 God, while in public he reverently besought 32 the people sul i 
 ject to him, devoutly to pray on all occasions, at the entreatu : 
 of the priests expounded the Holy Gospel, and in all his dit 
 courses ever preferred the honor of God and the saving c 
 souls, far before all things temporal. 
 
 Tor he was more learned than any of his predecessors, abbaf 
 of Croyland, having imbibed literature of every descriptio 
 with his mother’s milk from his very cradle. Seeing his cor 
 vent, which still remained half burnt, and had been plucke 
 like a brand from the burning, in some measure rebuilt, but stil 
 in a hasty manner, and far from replaced in becoming splendou 
 and restored to its proper vigour, he resolved to found a nev 
 church, and to rebuild the whole monastery with walls o 
 stone instead of walls of clay, and upon a marble foundatiou 
 if his means would allow thereof. 
 
 First sitting down, therefore, and calculating the necessan ■ 
 outlay, on examining the whole of the substance of his monas 
 tery, he found that it would by no means suffice for a work o 
 
 30 “ As new-born babes.” The beginning of the introit for the firs 
 Sunday after Easter. 
 
 31 “ Dicebat” is clearly a misprint for “ decebat.” 
 
 3 - In the text, the punctuation of this passage appears to be defective. 
 
D. 1109. KECOirilENDATOKY LETTERS SENT BY JOFFRID. 235 
 
 eh magnitude; upon which, in order that the words used 
 • our Lord, 33 “ This man began to build and was not able to 
 lish,” might not be said of him, he obtained of the venerable 
 chbishops of Canterbury and York and the other bishops of 
 lgland, their suffragans, an indulgence of a third part of the 
 nance enjoined for sins committed, the same being graciously 
 anted to every one who should be a benefactor of his monas- 
 ry, and should assist in the promotion of the works of the 
 arch. Thus, if in a week a fast of three days was imposed 
 on any persons for the punishment of their sins, a penance 
 one day was by the said indulgence remitted; and again, if 
 •o days’ penance were imposed upon any person by the 
 ■nancer, that for one of them was remitted. 
 
 Having obtained this indulgence, he now opened the found- 
 on of his new church, and sent throughout the whole of 
 igiand, and into the lands adjoining beyond sea, letters 
 stimonial of the said indulgence, entreating all the faithful in 
 rist to give their kind assistance for the promotion of his 
 dertaking, granting in return to every one who should assist 
 n the favour of the aforesaid indulgence in presence of God. 
 order zealously to carry out the same, he sent the venerable 
 ■n, brothers AEgelmer and Nigel, his fellow-monks, with 
 ics of the Saints, into the western parts, namely, Handers 
 d France. To the northern parts and into Scotland he sent 
 i brothers Fulk and Oger, and into Denmark and Norway 
 e brothers Swetman and Wulsin the younger; while to 
 ales, Cornwall, and Ireland he sent the brothers Augustin 
 1 Osbert. All of these were his brother-monks, industrious 
 ■n, most prompt and ready, and well fitted to carry out such 
 vork ; these he sent with letters recommendatory directed 
 the kings and princes of countries and provinces, to the fol¬ 
 ding effect: 
 
 To the most illustrious-, by the grace of God (king of 
 
 5 Franks, Scots, or the like, as the case might be), the earls, 
 •ons, archbishops, bishops, abbats, priors, as also to all rulers 
 churches, and their priests and clerks, and to all the faithful 
 Christ in the kingdom to them subject, and to the rich and 
 ir brethren living under their rule, Joffrid, abbat of the 
 arch of God and of the glorious Mary, ever a Virgin, and of 
 ut Bartholomew the Apostle and of the most holy Guthlac 
 33 Saint Luke, xiv. 30. 
 
236 
 
 PETER OF BLOTS’ HISTORY OF CROTLAXD. 
 
 A.D. 110 
 
 the Confessor, the son of noble Icings, and of Saint AValdev, f 
 late Martyr, and of the whole convent of the brethren entrust ! 
 unto him by God, the everlasting blessing Apostolical and eccl > 
 siastical from our Lord Jesus Christ and from ourselves, j 
 sirs, and would that it may prove most true friends of Go ' 
 night and day for our sins and those of all Christians, and i 
 especial for all who do good unto us, do we cheerfully ser 
 those whose names we have written above; that is to say, o .■ 
 Lord Jesus Christ and His glorious Mother, Saint Bartholomew 
 the Apostle, the holy Confessor Guthlac, and AValdev, the la ! 
 holy Martyr. Know, 0 sirs, and friends of God, that we ha 4 
 lately levelled to the ground the church of the friends of Go •! 
 whom we have named, inasmuch as it greatly threatened ffl 
 fall; but the same now lies immersed in quagmires, and of ou 
 selves we are not able to rebuild it, unless the good and kii 
 Jesus, through you and others of His people, shall grant 
 His assistance. AVe do therefore direct unto your digni 
 these our humble letters, to the end that your most power! 
 aid may come to our assistance, and that we may be enabl a 
 to re-erect the church of God and of His Saints. It is al m 
 profitable and becoming that you should hear what reward y 
 will in this world receive at the hands of God. AVe are livii I 
 under the royal sway of the English land; and unto the t\ 
 archbishops, besides other bishops, the holy Church is subjef 
 in all matters of holy ordinance. In these the Divine goodnol 
 has inspired such love towards us, in the extreme affecti» 
 which they entertain towards our said Church, that they ha 
 remitted to penitents the third part of their penance, and tog 
 ther with us take the same on themselves; that is to say, if 
 fast of three days in the week has been imposed on a sinne 
 one of them is to be remitted to him, and one mass is to 
 celebrated for him; and if a fast of two days has been ii 
 posed on him, still, one is to be remitted to him, and in lil 
 manner, mass is to be celebrated for him; and further, twol’ 
 poor shall every day be relieved on behalf of those who gi 
 aid to our church. Farewell.” 
 
 Moreover, the before-named monks, in strenuously carryii 
 out the duties enjoined on them, not only brought world 
 substance and perishable money to their church, but also co 
 ducted many souls unto heaven, as well as induced the bodi 
 of some to enter the monastic order, not only among the nativ 
 
D. 1109. 
 
 INCREASE OF SCHOLARS AT CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 237 
 
 it among foreigners as well. For this reason it was, that in 
 ,s letter to the king of Norway, in favour of a certain mer- 
 ant of that land, Thorwy by name, who had assumed the 
 onastic habit at Croyland, and whom lie recommended, he 
 bjoined after the word “ Farewell,” words to the following 
 :ect: 
 
 “As for what remains, I bespeak your favour; for a pilgrim, 
 e of your country, has joyously turned his steps unto us 
 r the sake of supplicating God, and so greatly has he become 
 tached to the holy place in which we live, that he has, upon 
 e words of the Evangelists, entirely devoted himself and his 
 ito us, and by the kiss of peace confirmed the promise he 
 d made. Wherefore we do suppliantly entreat the most pious 
 ngs and their subjects, rich and poor, that they will assist in 
 rrying out the good things, the performance of which he 
 ,th promised unto us and himself, and be ready to aid in 
 aping the advantages of the same. But if any person shall 
 iowingly injure him in any way, the existing Church of 
 .lgland excommunicates that person, and may he be rooted 
 ,t of the land of the living, and may his name be blotted out 
 the Book of Life before the face of the Saviour. His name, 
 he has informed us, is Thorwy.” 
 
 He also sent to his manor of Cottenham, near Cambridge, 
 .e lord Gislebert, his fellow-monk, and professor of Sacred 
 leology, together with three other monks who had accom- 
 nied him into England ; who, being very well instructed in 
 ilosophical theorems, and other primitive sciences, went 
 jery day to Cambridge, and having hired a public barn there, 
 renly taught their respective sciences, and in a short space of 
 ne, collected a great concourse of scholars. For in the sc¬ 
 ad year after their arrival, the number of their scholars from 
 th the country as well as the town, had increased to such a 
 gree, that not even the largest house or barn, nor any church 
 ■en, was able to contain them. For this reason, they sepa- 
 •:ed into different places, and imitating the plan of study 
 opted at Orleans, brother Odo, who was eminent in these 
 ys as a grammarian and a satirist, early in the morning, 
 id grammar according to the doctrine of Priscian, and the 
 mments of Eemigius thereon, to the boys and younger stu¬ 
 nts assigned to him. At the first hour, brother Terricus, a 
 34 Seven in the morning, according to our mode of reckoning. 
 
238 
 
 PETER OF BEOIS’ HISTORY OF CROTI, A YD. 
 
 A.D. lit 
 
 most acute sophist, read the Logic of Aristotle, according 
 the Introductions of Porphyry and Averroes, 33 to those wl 
 were somewhat older. Then, at the third horn - , brother W; 
 liarn read lectures on the Rhetoric of Tully, and the Instit 
 tions 30 of Quintilian. Master Gislebert, being unacquaint' 
 with the English language, but very expert in the Latin ai 
 French, the latter being his native language, on every Lore 
 day and on the festivals of the Saints, preached to the peop 
 the word of God in the various churches. On feast daj 
 before the sixth hour, he expounded to the literates and t! 
 priests, who in especial resorted to hear him, a text from tl 
 pages of Holy Scripture. Some who had hitherto remaini 
 unbelievers, and who were still blinded by Jewish perfidiou 
 ness, being smitten with compunction at his words, utter 
 abandoned their former errors, and ran to take refuge in tl 
 bosom of the Church; whereby, the Christian faith waxi 
 more and more firm every day. 
 
 The consequence was, that through their industry, gre 
 profit accrued to the monastery, so much so, that in no wi 
 burdening the manor, but greatly improving it, in some yea 
 they reckoned that they remitted from those parts as much ; 
 one hundred marks towards the building of their church. ] 
 especial, when the venerable abbat Joffrid himself visit! 
 his sons in those parts, and delivered his discourses to tl 
 people, distinguished by the lucidness of their style, men ar 
 women innumerable came flocking from all parts of the towr 
 who, although they were far from understanding him, as 1 
 spoke in the Latin or the French language, still paid the mo 
 profound attention to him, and, being many a time moved i 
 tears by the power of the Word of God, and the gracefulne 
 of' his gestures, contributed alms innumerable towards tl 
 rebuilding of his church, which had been lately burnt, an 
 which he always, at the conclusion of his discourse, petitioni 
 for. There were also, on all occasions, three or four, who, : 
 the close of the discourse, would follow his footsteps, an 
 never turn away therefrom, and whom he would incorporate t 
 laics or as literates, either in his own convent, or else in tl 
 neighbouring monasteries of Burgh and Thorney, and somi 
 
 35 There is a mistake here. The works of this writer were not iu e: 
 istsnee at this period. He died in 1198. 
 
 33 Literally the “ Flowers.*' 
 
d.1109. r privileges conferred on the monks at wridthorp. 239 
 
 nes send, recommended by bis letters, to become monks in 
 ore distant places. From this little spring, which has in- 
 eased into a great river, we now behold the city of God made 
 id, and the whole of England rendered fruitful by many 
 ichers and doctors going forth from Cambridge, after the 
 ceness of the most holy Paradise. 
 
 At this time also, he sent to his manor of Wridthorp, near 
 amford, some fellow-monks of his, but Englishmen by birth, 
 e brothers Elsin, Fregist, and Harold, of whom the lord Elsin, 
 man of shrewd intellect and profound learning, was made 
 ior. These often repeated the words of instruction in the ears 
 the people of Stamford, and greatly prospered; and strength- 
 ing the Christian faith against the Jewish corruptions, after 
 iking a full statement, both of the condition of their monas- 
 ■y, which had so lately been burnt and required with their 
 astance to be raised once more from the very foundations, 
 tained very considerable alms from the merchants and the 
 ler faithful of Christ, throughout the whole of the adjoining 
 rntry. And thus, to the best of their abilities, did they 
 quently relieve their desolate mother, that is to say, their 
 rut monastery, with a most bounteous hand: but still, not 
 th the same abundance with which the men at Cambridge 
 nforted their mother, because their district was more opu- 
 t, and the spot more favoured; the people too, were more 
 erally disposed, their virtues were greater, and the grace of 
 d was bestowed upon them in greater abundance. 
 
 Upon this, the venerable abbat Joffrid seeing that his sons 
 o were staying at Wridthorp were always mindful of their 
 ther to the best of their humble means; and that they were 
 tchful among their neighbours with all possible diligence, 
 the purpose of ensuring her relief, and, in the obedience en- 
 led on them, did not shew themselves slow but distinguished 
 activity; and that, what was still more, they often, from 
 e for their own place, most patiently endured extreme want 
 all necessaries; he granted them power to hear the con- 
 iions of those in their vicinity, as also of the other faithful 
 Christ, and of the nuns, their sisters, who lived near them, 
 «veil as to absolve those who confessed, and to enjoin canon- 
 . and healthful penance for sins committed. He also gave 
 m liberty to receive alms given unto them, and to convert 
 same to their own necessary uses, seeing that it is most 
 
240 
 
 PETER OF PLOTS' HISTORY OF CROTLAXD. 
 
 A.D. 110 
 
 just that he should be partaker -with the altar, whom the Loi 
 hath willed to wait at the altar. 37 At the same time, he ah 
 assigned unto them, for their sustenance, the whole of his afor- 
 said vill of Wridthorp, that is to say, three virgates of land i i 
 demesne, and four acres of meadow hind, together with thr< 
 holms 33 in the place of two acres, and one water-mill, togi ) 
 ther with piscary in the water and at all the banks therec 
 and fourteen serfs in the said vill, each of whom held one vi 
 gate of land, being in the whole twenty-eight acres of arab i 
 land, and two acres of meadow land ; and each one of whom w 
 to pay fourteen shillings for his land, as also carriage of coi J 
 and carriage of hay, or else one penny for carnage of corn, ax . 
 one obol for carriage of hay; each was also to pay Gerson 33 un 
 his lord for the marriage of his daughters, and Ourlop 40 for tl 
 debauchery of his daughters, and Stoth, 41 and other aids an 
 services, which are more fully described in the charters of tl •: 
 monastery. All these, the before-named father, the ven * 
 rable abbat Joffrid, assigned to his monks before-named, t \ 
 gether with the whole court of the said vill, and all the pr 
 ceeds and profits thereof. He also granted to them all tl 
 other emoluments whatsoever of the said vill, or of the cou 
 thereof, arising in the said vill, or in its fields, includii 
 therein, right to waste lands, projecting lands, arable lam 
 abutting on the highway, head-lands of meadow, and lam 
 abutting on the dykes around the mill thereof, and its dam. f 
 The said monks, in later years that proved more fruitful ar 
 more abundant, nobly applied themselves to the work impose p 
 upon them, and, with due holiness, always keeping the coj 
 sciences of their neighbours and sisters, the nuns, as well 
 their own, in a state of purity from the world, sent mar 
 most becoming gifts of the faithful ones in Christ to the 
 monastery; which were the results both of their own indush 
 as well as of the compassion of the faithful ones of Christ, ai 
 
 37 Alluding to 1 Cor. ix 13. 
 
 33 “ Holm” may mean either an “ island,” or “ ait,” or else merely 
 hilly spot. 
 
 39 A fine or amerciament. 
 
 40 A fine paid to the lord by the inferior tenant, when his daught 
 was debauched. 
 
 41 Perhaps the same as “ stock,” a forfeiture where any one was foui 
 taking wood from the forests. 
 
..D. 1112 . MIBACLES AT THE TOMB OF SAINT WALDEV. 
 
 241 
 
 bus in the building of their abbey did they most manfully 
 issist the said abbat and their brethren. 
 
 At the same time, he also sent to his manor of Wendiyng- 
 'urgh his fellow monks, the two brothers Waldev (who suc- 
 eeded him as abbat of that monastery) and Lewin; who were 
 a like manner appointed to manage the affairs of their monas- 
 erv at Hiham and throughout all the adjacent country, and 
 ometimes at Northampton, and trustily to collect the alms of 
 he faithful; but in what way they carried out the task imposed 
 pon them, and what was assigned for their sustenance, shall 
 fterwards be more fully set forth in the acts of the said abbat 
 Valde v, under their own proper head. 
 
 The aforesaid monks, being thus sent into different lands, 
 rovinces, districts, and nations situate around England, as 
 r ell as into the adjoining towns and vills, wherever in the 
 eighbourhood they possessed places of refuge belonging to 
 leir own monastery, suitable for dwelling in, preached through- 
 iit all lands, and, from their narratives, an account of the 
 ;rvices done to the Church by all the benefactors of their 
 lost holy monastery penetrated even to the extremities of the 
 irth. The consequence was, that every day they transmitted 
 > their monastery, from different parts of the world, vast 
 saps of treasure, and great masses of the yellow metal daily 
 ‘.creased, and were accumulated by the venerable abbat Joffrid, 
 r the purpose, with the blessing of God, of commencing the 
 Tended works of his church; and abundantly encouraged him 
 ith sanguine expectations that, with the aid thereof, he 
 lould be enabled to bring the same to a prosperous coll¬ 
 usion. 
 
 To the prosperity of the said venerable abbat, the Lord added 
 these days the working of most wonderful deeds at the tomb 
 Saint Waldev, His Martyr. For there, by the mercy of 
 od, the blind received their sight, the deaf their hearing, the 
 me the power of walking, and the dumb the power of 
 icech ; while each day troops innumerable of other sick per¬ 
 ns were arriving by every road, as though to the very foun- 
 in of their safety; and while, the Lord opened the hand of 
 is mercy to all, by the offerings of the pilgrims, who came 
 eking thither from all parts, He increased the revenues of 
 ! e monastery in no slight degree. The pilgrims continuing 
 arrive day after day, and admiring the works of God in His 
 
 K 
 
242 
 
 PETER OP BLOIs’ HISTORY OF CROYLAXD. A.l). 111k 
 
 Saints, and giving due praises unto the Lord; they were on on 
 occasion discoursing in the presence of the brethren of the mo 
 nastery about their Saint, the Martyr Waldev, who, guilt 
 less as he was, had been impiously beheaded, when a cer 
 tain monk, Audin by name, and a Norman by birth, but j 
 member of the monastery of Saint Alban’s, and temporarii ; 
 residing as a monk at Croyland, on hearing these words wa 
 much offended thereat, and in his wrath laughed at the pil 
 grims, and then with exceeding harshness spake ill of the sai 
 holy Martyr, saying that he was a most wicked traitor, wa 
 most justly beheaded for his misdeeds, and richly deserved J 
 more disgraceful death. 
 
 When the venerable abbat Joffrid heard this, he gently ex 
 postulated with him, and made answer that it was a most danl 
 gerous thing to detract from the works of God, and to spea. 
 ill of His Saints, and that He would never pass over an offenc 
 of that nature without punishing it. And besides, God hu^ 
 promised to His faithful ones His presence, even to the end c 
 the world, promising His ever-unfailing mercy to all wh 
 should be truly penitent. While the said venerable fathi 
 was inculcating these precepts, and endeavouring to convinc 
 his folly by the authority of Holy Scripture, and by fair word . 
 to wean him from his erroneous path of obstinacy, he in th 
 meantime became more and more abusive ; and launching ou 
 into invective beyond measure, he irritated the Lord Almighty' 1 
 and on the . spot, in presence of the said father, was seized witl 
 a sudden pain in the stomach; and the disease gaining the as 
 cendancy, a few days after his return to the monastery of Sain 
 Alban’s, he departed this life. 
 
 On the following night, while the said abbat was in bed' 
 and was reflecting upon the above-mentioned events, in . 
 vision of the night he beheld the Saints of God, Bartholomev 
 the Apostle, his patron Guthlac, and Saint Neot, the Confessor 
 resplendent in their albs, standing by the shrine of the before 
 named earl. The Apostle seemed to be taking the head of tin- 
 Earl and replacing it on the body, while he said these words 
 “ Acephalus non est ;” 42 in answer to which, Saint Guthlae 
 who was standing at his feet, added the words, “ Noster come 
 est ;” 13 while Saint Neot completed the monody or verse thu 
 
 43 “ He is not without a head.” 43 “ He is our earl.” 
 
.1112. ROBERT INSTALLED ABBAT OF THORNEY. 2‘13 
 
 ;un, as follows, “Alodo rex est.” 4i Abbat. Joffrid, the next 
 7 , thinking on these matters, and disclosing them to his 
 thren, rendered them all joyous thereby, and, with becoming 
 ,ises, in common with them, he glorified the Lord of Majesty, 
 o thus magnified His Saints, and who at all times had proved 
 mself a most merciful protector to those who believed in 
 m. 
 
 in the same year, also, in which the Divine hand began to 
 rk so many of its miracles at the tomb of His most precious 
 rtyr, Waldev, that is to say, in the third year of abbat 
 Frid, the death of the venerable father Walter, the abbat of 
 crney, contributed to the felicity of these times; for the 
 erable abbat Joffrid made most unremitting intercession 
 h king Henry, that the most reverend man, the lord liobert, 
 own brother, but much his senior in ago, who had in like 
 iner been a monk at Saint Evroult, might be appointed 
 cessor of Walter, the pastor of the said neighbouring monas- 
 7 of Thorney; and at length, through the especial mediation 
 the most illustrious adviser of the king, Alan de Croun, 
 i successful in obtaining a favourable result, 
 iccordingly, a message was sent by the king into Normandy, 
 he monastery of Saint Evroult, for the said most religious 
 lk, and he was immediately brought over. On his arrival 
 ingland, and appearing before the king, he was sent witli- 
 delay, accompanied by a royal letter, to Thorney; and im- 
 iiately on his most graceful person being beheld, accom- 
 ied with the praiseworthy testimonials of his brother, the 
 erable abbat Joffrid, he was joyfully elected, with the 
 oimous consent of the whole convent, and then sent to 
 Ivey, the first bishop of Ely, his diocesan, by whom he was 
 nnly blessed at Ely; his brother Joffrid, the venerable 
 ut of Croyland, assisting him in all things, and from his 
 '. arrival in England, providently guiding him on his 
 Iney, and directing all his actions throughout. Upon his 
 rn to his monastery of Thorney, on the feast of the As- 
 i [)tion of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, he was solemnly 
 i fled, and he skilfully performed the duties of the pastoral 
 I: of the said convent for a period of nearly thirty-six years; 
 
 & j acceptable to God and to man, and doing many good 
 C;s for his monastery. For the new church which his pre- 
 1 ‘ Now lie is a king.” The three sentences make an hexameter line. 
 
244 
 
 PETER OF BLOIS’ HISTORY OF CROYLAHD. 
 
 A.D.Ill 
 
 decessor had commenced, he at length, after laying out a va 
 sum of money thereon, brought to a conclusion, and after 
 was completely finished, had it dedicated with the greate 
 solemnity. When an old man and full of days, in order 
 receive his reward in heaven for labours so indefatigable,! i 
 departed unto his Lord Jesus Christ, with whom he shi | 
 dwell for ever and ever. 
 
 Shortly before these times, on the decease of the lord Itic 
 ard, the last abbat of Ely, king Henry, being a man of me 
 sagacious understanding, and seeing that the Isle of Ely w 
 a most dangerous place in case any sedition should arise in t 
 kingdom, both on account of the extreme wealth of the mo 
 astery and the natural strength of the place, made it his e 
 deavour, as far as he possibly could, to divide the place, 
 well as its resources, and, withdrawing the ecclesiastical pi 
 perty from the simplicity of a monastic foundation, to bri 
 the same more under his control by attaching it to an episcoj 
 see. Accordingly, having consulted Pascal, the Lord Apostol 
 upon the matter, who commended his design, he established 
 Ely an episcopal see, enlarging the diocese from the adjoini 
 bishoprics, and assigning it jurisdiction at the expense of t 
 diocese of Lincoln in especial, which appeared to be the mi 
 extensive of all. To prevent the church of Lincoln from co: 
 plaining that it had been subjected to mutilation, satisfacti 
 was made to that church out of the possessions of the chur 
 of Ely ; and thus, both by the exercise of the Apostolic as w 
 as the royal authority, all occasion for disputes between tin 
 at a future period was entirely cut off. 
 
 The venerable abbat Joffrid, in the fourth year after i 
 arrival at Croyland, sent to his manor of Beby two monks, t 
 lord Benedict and brother Stephen, at that time a youth of gr< 
 capacity; exhorting and entreating them on no account to negk 
 the benefit of their convent, and to preach unto the ears ' 
 Robert, the renowned earl of Leicester, a most valiant youth, a 
 of the burgesses of his said city, of the affairs of their monas te' 
 and thus show themselves not inferior to their other brethr 
 who had been sent to the other places before-mentioned on t 
 same business, in obtaining the alms of the faithful. T ; 
 command of their father, like excellent and obedient so, 
 they vigilantly, and, with the favour of the said earl, the grr 
 of God co-operating with them in all things, obtained numero 
 
>.111 i. JOFFRID I'REPARES TO BUILD THE CHURCH. 
 
 245 
 
 'ts for tlieir monastery. Nevertheless, at the same time they 
 ■st attentively provided for the welfare of their brethren, 
 1 most abundantly supplied their manors of Reby, Sutton, 
 1 Stapilton, with all kinds of cattle, ploughs, carts and 
 ier necessary implements. 
 
 In the fifth year after he had undertaken the duties of the 
 ;toral office, the venerable abbat Joffrid being most abundantly 
 iched with the plentiful alms of the faithful of Christ from all 
 ds and from the neighbouring provinces, and being amplified 
 h immense heaps of gold and silver, and supported by pro¬ 
 ses of assistance from all his neighbours and fellow-country - 
 n; after collecting vast heaps of stone of various kinds, Avith 
 at labour, from all the quarries far and near, and preparing 
 a and steel, cement and lime, and other necessaries sufficient 
 the performance of his work, he appointed a day on which, 
 h due solemnity, his kinsmen and friends being called to¬ 
 iler, to lay the foundation of his neiv church; the Lord al- 
 ys prospering his work, not on a rock of offence, but on 
 ; stone of assistance granted by the Most High. 
 
 Accordingly, just at the commencement of spring, the day 
 last arrived so much longed for by all, being that of the 
 ly Virgins Perpetua and Felicitas. There had already 
 lectcd immense crowds of the people of the neighbouring 
 ntry, besides the friends and kinsmen of the abbat, who 
 not come Avith empty hands. These were his brother lto- 
 t, the before-named venerable abbat of Thorney, as also the 
 1 renowned Robert, earl of Leicester, besides Simon, the noble 
 1 of Northampton, a kinsman of the holy Martyr Waldev. 
 'ere came also the most illustrious baron, the kinsman of 
 said abbats, Alan de Croun, together Avith Muriel his wife, 
 1 Maurice their eldest son, and Matilda their eldest daughter, 
 ere came also the most noble baron Walter de Cantilupe, 
 1 Emicina, his Avife, a most illustrious lady. There came 
 the most valiant knight Joffrid 45 Riddel, and Geva, his Avife, 
 
 . his sister, the lady Hawise. There were, besides, many 
 cr knights and noblemen from out of the whole province, who 
 ught A r arious presents in the greatest abundance, and who 
 >t benignantly assisted in the holy work with the greatest 
 outness, each in the proper order assigned them. They 
 t invoked the grace of the Holy Spirit, while the venerable 
 15 This name was probably the original form of our “ Geoffrey.” 
 
216 I'ETHE OP BLOIS’ HISTOEY OF CEOYLAXD. A.D. 1 1 
 
 abbat Joffrid, with many tears, repeated the collect 46 “ Adi 
 nostras,” in presence of the Lord. 
 
 The venerable abbat Joffrid himself laid the first corner-st 
 on the eastern side, facing the north. The renowned kni 
 ltichard de Rulos, who had proved a most devoted frient 
 the monastery from his earliest years, laid the next stone 
 the eastern side, and placed upon the stone twenty pounds 
 the workmen. The next stone on the eastern side was ’ 
 by the before-named knight, Joffrid Riddel, and upon it 
 presented ten marks. The next stone on the eastern side ' 
 laid b}' his Avife, the lady Geva, who made offering of 
 quarryman to work in the quarry of Bernak for the spact 
 two years at her own expense, in behalf of the said buildii 
 and the next stone on the eastern side was laid by the L 
 Hawise, the sister of the said knight Joffrid, who offe 
 another quarryman’s services in like form. 
 
 The before-named Robert, abbat of Thorney, laid the f| 
 corner-stone on the eastern side facing the south, and upoi 
 placed ten pounds for the workmen. The next stone on 
 eastern side was laid by the most illustrious baron and ki| 
 man of the abbats, Alan de Croun, who offered on the st» 
 the title to the patronage of the church of Preston. His w 
 the lady Muriel, laid the next stone on the eastern side, i 
 offered upon it the title to the patronage of the church of To 
 The next stone on the eastern side was laid by Maurice, th 
 eldest son, who offered upon it the title to the patronage 
 the church of Butterwick ; and the next stone on the east» 
 side was laid by their daughter Matilda, who offered on i 
 stone the title to the patronage of the church of Burton l 
 Kesteven. After collecting these titles, the before-named A s 
 offered them unto God and Saint Guthlac, placing them! 
 the hands of the abbat Joffrid, in presence of all, for the p - 
 pose of building a cell of the monks of Croyland, in such d| 
 of the said churches as the venerable abbat Joffrid should tkio 
 most proper and desirable. 
 
 Alan himself, and the lady Muriel, his wife, as well as 1) 
 said Maurice, them eldest son, promised that they would e 
 ecute their charters relative thereto, and would make si 
 further additions, at such time as upon more mature delibe • 
 
 46 Or prayer after Mass, beginning “Actiones nostras, quatsun, 
 Domine, aspirando praeveni et adjuvando prosequere.’ 
 
D. 1114. FOUNDATION LAID OF THE CHUECH OF CEOYLAND. 2*17 
 
 m it should please the abbat. The circuit of the frontage 47 
 i the said church was occupied from corner to corner by the 
 o earls Simon and .Robert, before-named, and their knights. 
 Hie first stone on the eastern side, towards the south corner of 
 1 e altar, 43 was laid by the before-named Robert, earl of Leices- 
 t, who offered for the workmen upon the stone, the sum of 
 Irty marks. The next stone on the eastern side, towards the 
 mth, and on the right hand side thereof, was laid by the re- 
 owned baron, Walter de Cantilupe; his wife, the lady Emicina, 
 jying the next, and each of them offering thereon the sum of 
 I’cnty marks. The next stone to that, on the south, was laid 
 '• the illustrious knight, Alan de Eulbek, who gave for the 
 lorkmen one hundred shillings. The knight Theodoric de 
 btheby laid the next stone to that, on the south, and his wife 
 Azelina the next to that, they giving towards the works of 
 e church of Saint Guthlae, one toft and two acres of land, 
 he next stone towards the south was laid by Turbrand, the 
 'fight of Spalding, who offered towards the building of the 
 i urch of Saint Guthlae the tithes of all his sheep each year, 
 le first stone on the eastern side, to the left, towards the 
 (irth corner of the altar, and next to that of Robert, earl of 
 ricester, was laid by the before-named Simon, the most noble 
 rl of Northampton, who placed thereon for the workmen one 
 mdred marks. The next stone on the eastern side, towards 
 e north, was placed by Ralph de Bernak; and the one next 
 i it, by the lady Boassa, his wife, who offered for the works 
 the church two quarrymen for the space of four years, 
 le next stone on the eastern side, towards the north, was 
 id by Helpo, the knight, who gave the tenths of his church 
 Kyrkeby. The next stone on the eastern side, towards the 
 >rth, was laid by the knight Simon, and his wife Gizlana, 
 lio offered to the church the tenths of Mortor and of Scap- 
 ick. The next stone to these on the north, was laid by the 
 fight Reyncrius de Bathe, and his wife Goda, who ottered 
 the work the tithes of Houton and of Birton. 
 
 The two abbatsbefore-named, the twoearls, and the two barons 
 id their wives, as also the above knights, Joffrid, Maurice, 
 
 From what follows it would appear that this “ frous’’ was the apse, or 
 umled portion of the eastern front, in which the altar was situate. 
 
 43 This is probably the meaning of “ in cono capitis,” the w ord “ caput ” 
 ing used for “capitium,” the place where the altar was situate. The 
 rm is left untranslated in Dugdale and Gough. 
 
218 PF.TEK OF BLOIs’ HISTOEY OF CEO Y LAND. A.O. Ill, 
 
 llichard, Radulph, Alan, Tbeodoric, Helpo, Simon, Reynerii 
 and Turbrand, with their wives, occupied the whole easte 
 front of the church, and -with bounteous hand presented t 
 gifts above-mentioned for the building of the said church. 
 
 The foundations of the northern wall of the church we,< 
 laid after the stone laid by the venerable abbat Jofffid, j 
 squared stones, by that part of the convent which belonged i 
 the abbot’s side of the choir; while the foundations of tl 
 southern wall of the church were laid after the stone laid 1 
 the venerable abbat Robert, in squared stones by that part 
 the convent which belonged to the prior’s side of the choir. 
 
 The base of the first column of the northern wall was laid 1 
 Uctred, the priest of Depyng, and the other men of that vi’.j 
 one hundred and four in number, who offered their labour f 
 one day in every month until the completion of the said wori 
 Next to them, John, the priest of Talyngton, and the men . 
 the said vill, sixty in number, laid the base of the secor 
 column of the northern wall, and offered their labour one day i 
 every month until the said church should be finished. Stanart 
 the priest of TJffington, laid the base of the third column i 
 the nothern wall, and with him forty-two men of the san 
 vill, who in like manner offered their labour one day in ever 
 month, until the said work should be brought to a due coi 
 elusion. 
 
 On the other side, and opposite to the men of Depyna 
 Turgar, the priest of Grantham, and with him the two deacon: 
 Giva and Eilward, and two hundred and thirty other men c 
 the said vill, laid the base of the first column of the souther 
 wall, offering to the workmen for the completion of the sab 
 column ten marks. The hase of the second column of th 
 southern wall was laid by Turkill, the priest of Hocham, an j 
 Elwy, the deacon, and the other men of the said vill, who offere 1 
 for the workmen twenty quarters of wheat, and thirty quarter! 
 of malt. The base of the third column on the south sid 1 
 was laid by Godescal, the priest of Routzeby, and John th 1 
 deacon, and the men of the said vill, eighty-four in number. si 
 who offered six marks for the workmen, two quarrymen n ■ 
 then’ own quarry, with carriage of the stone to the ship, am 
 from the ship the services of two carriers 49 to the church. 
 
 The venerable abbat Joffrid, after finishing his discourse b 
 all, while they were each laying their respective stones j 
 13 “ Baiardours.” 
 
i>. 1114. 
 
 ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN IiT JOFFIUD. 
 
 249 
 
 anted to all the persons above-named the brotherhood 
 his monastery, participation in all their prayers and de¬ 
 mons, and communion in the other spiritual blessings, then 
 in future to be obtained in the said church. He likewise 
 ■ve a portion of the indulgence before-mentioned, which had 
 en most graciously granted by the bishops of England; 
 e same being a remission of one third part of the penance 
 tposed upon each penitent by his penancers for the sins com- 
 itted by him; and in conclusion, after giving God’s blessing 
 all, he invited the whole of them, men as well as women, to 
 nner. 
 
 For the venerable father, abbat Joffrid, together with his bro- 
 er the abbat liobert, kept open refectory for all the monks 
 To had that day resorted thither from various monasteries, 
 ing nearly four hundred in number. The two earls and the 
 o barons, with their wives and the knights, and all the rest 
 the gentlefolk, were feasted in the abbat’s hall. The six 
 dies also who had laid the six columns, together with tlieir 
 Ives, sat down to dinner in the cloisters ; while the rest of 
 e multitude ate in the open air in the court-yard. There 
 ire counted on this occasion, of nobles and of common people, 
 ore than five thousand, there assembled together. Eut the 
 >rd had given His blessing, and all, both great and small, 
 xd and exulting, rejoiced in the Lord, and considered it a 
 teat miracle that the Lord should smile upon so mighty an 
 semblage of people, the sun shining most serenely, and that 
 s feast should pass off without any murmuring and strife : 
 f abundant was the love, which the Lord in His indulgence 
 inifested to all from heaven, so diligently did the monks 
 th their own hands supply those whose office it was to dis- 
 bute, and so earnestly did they entreat their guests to have 
 'tience, if there was any thing which in any measure tended 
 displease them. 
 
 The feast being thus happily concluded with joyousness 
 'd satisfaction on the part of all, and all the lords, with the 
 ■ier families, dismissed to their respective homes, the vene- 
 ile abbat Joffrid, and all his holy convent, with active so- 
 itude applied themselves to the work which they had com¬ 
 inced, until it should arise aloft upon the earth, and shew 
 the skies its august and spiritual form; 49 to the end that, 
 9 “ Et quasi motabilem spiritum et nitentem ad aethera concepisset.” 
 
250 
 
 TETER OF JILOIS’ HISTORY OF CROTLAND. 
 
 A.D. 11 . 
 
 tlie Dormitory and Itefectory being completely finished, 1,1 
 more lofty Church, looking down upon the trees arou.j 
 it, might be seen by those who approached, overtopping ,1 
 the woods throughout the whole marsh. The especial iJ 
 perintendence of the whole work was at length entrusted 
 prior Odo, and brother Arnold, a lay monk of the said mon; ■ 
 tery, but a most skilful master in the craft of building; a. 
 the venerable abbat Joffrid, turning his attention to otitl 
 matters, repaired to London, where, through the interventi > 
 of many of his friends, and, in especial, the noble baron, A1 
 de Croun, at this time the king’s Seneschal, he obtained, 
 grant of confirmation to his monastery, to the following i 
 feet:— 
 
 “ Henry, king of England, to the bishops, barons, a 
 sheriffs of England, and to all his faithful French and Engli 
 subjects, greeting. Enow ye, that I have granted and co 
 firmed unto Joffrid, abbat of Croyland, and all his successo:; 
 and to the monks there serving God, all the possessions at 
 liberties set forth in the charter of the lord Edred, the la 
 king of England, of which charter, the most illustrious kill 
 William, my father, lias made mention in the charter of 1 
 confirmation to the said monastery made thereof. I do ther 
 fore order, that they shall hold all their tenures and posse 
 sions free and absolved from all secular services, that is 
 say, from Scot, Geld, all aids to sheriffs and all their servant 
 Hidage, Danegeld, suit of Court of Shires, Hundreds, Wape, 
 takes, Trithings, trials and causes, and from all buildings 
 castles, fortresses, bridges, and harbours, and from all repa 
 of roads, and from all toll for carriage by cart, by horse, or 1 
 ship; and from the building of the royal palaces, and t 
 worldly burdens whatsoever they are to be exempt. 
 
 “ I do also grant unto the said abbat and bis monks, th; 
 they shall have Frank Pledge 60 in all the Demesnes in the 
 keeping, and 1 do forbid that any one shall intermeddle then 
 with, except themselves and their bailiffs ; and I do grant uni 
 them right of Socli, Sach, Thol, Them, Infangthefe, Hamsi 
 
 What this passage really means, as applied to a building, it is diffict 
 to say. 
 
 so Right to call upon the freemen in decennaries or bodies of ten, 
 be sureties for the good behaviour of each. It was also called “ ten 
 mental,” or “ tementale ” 
 
VD. 1114. J0FFIUD VISITED BY TWO OF HIS PUPILS. 
 
 251 
 
 icn, 51 Gridbrege, 52 Blodwit, 63 cognizance of concealment and 
 jeasure trove, ForestaU'Flem and Flitte, 54 and Ordel, 46 together 
 with the other liberties which the royal power has been ac¬ 
 customed to give to cei'tain other monasteries. I do, in like 
 nanner, forbid that any one of another demesne shall take 
 ;oll, passage, or any kind of tribute whatever, within the 
 boundaries and limits of their vills, that is to say, Croy- 
 and, Langtoft, Cappelade, and Wendlingburgh, without leave 
 md license of the abbat and monks aforesaid, under pain of 
 brfeiting ten pounds, payable to my treasury or that of my 
 leirs, as often as such persons shall presume so to do, if they 
 shall be convicted thereof. To this my grant, these under¬ 
 written have been witnesses on my behalf. Robert, bishop 
 bf Lincoln, Hervey, the first bishop of Ely, Warner de 
 Lusors, Hugh de Essarts, and many others, at Oxford. In 
 he year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 1114, and in the 
 Fourteenth year of the reign of king Henry. Under the seal 
 bf the king himself.” 
 
 While this royal proclamation, which had been lately 
 signed, was yet passing through the hands of the treasurer and 
 chancellor, there came to the king’s court, from France, two 
 nost illustrious lords, who were, through his sister, closely 
 •elated to king Henry, their uncle, namely; my lord Theo¬ 
 bald, the most noble count of lilois, and his brother Stephen, 
 hen a most handsome youth, afterwards king of England, 
 both of them in their scholastic studies formerly disciples and 
 bupils, at Orleans, of Master Joffrid. They embraced their 
 bid teacher and much-loved instructor with most affectionate 
 ondness; and on finding that he was extremely sad and 
 nuch perplexed at the demand by the king’s officers of a 
 certain sum of money which they required for the confirma- 
 ion which had been lately granted, and learning that his 
 nonastery had been destroyed by fire, and that the rebuilding 
 hereof had been so strenuously attempted by him, with the 
 nost liberal disposition they gave ten pounds to assist him, 
 
 41 The privilege which a man had to hold his house or his castle. 
 aJ Or “ Grithbreche,” right to hold inquisition on breaches of the peace. 
 51 Amerciament of court for bloodshed. 
 
 64 Offences committed in the highway. 
 
 sc Or “ Flemenefrit,” the royal privilege of receiving or relieving out- 
 aws. Power of trying by ordeal. 
 
2o2 PETEK OF BI.OIs’ HI9TOKT OF CKOYLAUD. A.D. Ill 
 
 ami so obtained the said deed from the king’s servants, an 
 sent him away with it greatly rejoicing. I shall have occa 
 sion to speak much more at length in the sequel of these tw 
 brothers, but first I must treat of a few events that occurre* 
 in the intervening time ; after which, in their proper ordei 
 their wondrous and most mighty deeds shall be treated of b; 
 my pen with the most becoming diligence, and so brought be 
 fore the notice of posterity. 
 
 A few years before this, there had fallen asleep in the Lord 
 at the monastery of Evesham, the venerable Anchorite, Sain 
 Wulfsy, 66 formerly a monk of Croyland, and a professed inmat 
 of the church of Evesham. He had first, for the love o 
 Christ, lived the life of a recluse, in extreme abstinence, a 
 Pegeland, in Croyland, but, afterwards, through the annoyanct 
 caused by the resort of people to Croyland, who frequently 
 came to consult him on their affairs, and daily disquieted tin 
 peace of his soul, had retired to Evesham, in the time o 
 the war between the two brothers, the sons of king Cnute, wlu 
 were contending for the kingdom of England; as their dis 
 sensions threatened before long to create the greatest tumult: 
 throughout the whole country. During the whole journey, he 
 had his eyes covered with a bandage, so that he might not again 
 look upon the vanities of the world which he had forsaken, 
 and incur any taint therefrom in his heart, and afterwards 
 have to repent thereof; for this reason it was that he turned' 
 away his eyes from the vanities of the world, so as not to be¬ 
 hold them. The holy man, on arriving at Evesham, served the 
 Lord in the chapel of Saint Kenelm, the Martyr, which he him- i 
 self had constructed, in all holiness of life ; and, in the seventy- 1 
 fifth year of his seclusion, perceiving that he was hastening to-1 
 wards the close of his life, is said, in his last moments, to have i 
 delivered a sermon of exhortation to his fellow-monks, to the I 
 following effect: — 
 
 “My lords and most dearly beloved brethren in Christ, both 
 you, venerable father, lord Mauricius, as also all others you my 
 brother monks and fellow-soldiers—take it not amiss that I, I 
 illiterate as I am, and utterly ignorant, should teach you, who 
 are so much more learned than myself; but, as I am far more 
 aged than you all, and am now standing at the gates of 
 death, I am, as my conscience bears witness, attracted by the 
 bonds of charity thereto, and do make my endeavour to give j 
 46 See pp. 116 and 117. 
 
.D. mi. 
 
 EXHORTATION OF SAINT WULFSY. 
 
 253 
 
 lealthful advice to those who are younger than myself. Al- 
 hough, as you well know, I am not acquainted with learning, 
 till I am well versed in the book of long experience; I know 
 hat the commandments of God are holy, and I believe that 
 ove of one another will in a future life be deemed most meri- 
 orious. I warn you always to exercise long-suffering in ad- 
 ersity, while, at the same time, I teach you to preserve pru- 
 lence in prosperity ; I enjoin you to observe continence, I com- 
 aend all good works, and all evil ones I forbid. And with 
 - ou, my lords, it matters little, learned as you are, whether 
 he words be written on the skin of goats, or of sheep, or of 
 alves, so long as those words contain learning that is holy and 
 difying; therefore, my fathers, though my learning be but 
 imple, and savouring of the humble rank of the ass, still, it 
 eas an ass that bore the Lord into the Holy City, and in a tri- 
 mphant entry so glorious, God deigned to use no other beast 
 f burden. The ass, the nearer he approached the walls of 
 he city, the more truly did he listen to the cries of Hosanna, 
 he more readily did he meet the multitudes, and the more 
 oldly did he step upon the vestments laid by the children. 
 Iven thus have I determined the more truly to relate to you the 
 hings which in my prolonged life I have learned by experience 
 s to the state of our monastery, the more nearly that I tind 
 hyself approaching the close of my life ; feeling assured that 
 shall be, before long, by the favour of the Lord, a fellow- 
 weller with angels, there to pray that, at a future da}*, they 
 lay go forth to meet you, and may, for your good husband- 
 ig of evil Mammon , 51 receive you as well into eternal habi- 
 itions. 
 
 “ I was born of parents of no ignoble rank, and was brought 
 p in this district; but, making choice of exile, in order to 
 ain a heavenly life, I embraced the spiritual training of the 
 ionics in a remote region, at the famous and holy monastery 
 f Croyland, the special habitation of Saint Guthlac, there to 
 r age war against the Devil; and I declare that, after the 
 ipse of a year, I professed obedience to the rule of Saint 
 Benedict. Being really as ignorant as a layman, and not 
 dlled in literary pursuits, and quite unsuited for joining in 
 le choir of the monks, while, at the same time, I was utterly 
 
 57 This is perhaps the meaning of “ Qui pro bene administrato iniquo 
 ammona.” 
 
254 
 
 PETER OF BLOIS HISTORY OF CROTLiND. 
 
 A.D. Ill 
 
 unacquainted with the ministering of Martha, and the knov 
 ledge how to cater in the market, I addressed repeated praye 
 to the venerable abbat of that most holy monastery, Brithmi 
 by name; and at length obtained his permission to lead the li - 
 of an anchorite, a thing which had always been my wish, am 
 for that purpose to be shut in a cell among them, that so 
 might, both day and night, pray unceasingly to God for tl 
 negligences of the whole community, as well as for my ow 
 sins. I was fortunate enough to obtain the fulfilment then 
 for some time, of my earnest wishes, and full many a time, e 
 it then seemed to me, did I take part in the heavenly choir: 
 conversing daily with the citizens of heaven, and comforted b 
 God in revelations that afforded me the greatest delight. Bu! 
 behold! amid the tumults which in those times brought grea • 
 tribulation upon the whole land, in the contest which too 
 place after the death of the renowned king Cnute, between 
 Harold and Hardecnute, as to which of them should seem t 
 be the more mighty and the more deserving of their father’ 
 sceptre, there was such a concourse of the natives ofCroylandi 
 in consequence of their fears of impending war, and such a dii 
 of men and women every day rushing in to me, in order fr 
 consult me upon their various necessities, that each day ail 
 immense multitude of people might be seen lying before th<| 
 little door of my humble cell, just as though it had been thil 
 portals of some royal palace. The consequence was, that 1 
 was hardly able to run through the duties of the Holy Offici 
 that had been enjoined me, and very often had hardly leisure 
 to snatch a moment for a single mass in the day; very seldon: 
 in the night-time, even, was I able to observe the silence im-t 
 posed by rule, but I began day by day to fall away from the 
 state of perfection to which I had formerly attained. As though! 
 one cast out from before the face of the Lord, I now began tel 
 be styled the legal adviser and the counsellor of the neces-4 
 sitous, to be pronounced a most holy and most esteemed man 
 and I should in consequence, when I recall to mind [the short- i 
 ness of] my years, have rushed headlong into the depths oui 
 wickedness and utter desperation, had not the most holy Lord,! 
 of His grace, which is ever most readily granted unto a sinner, 
 inspired me with a resolution to seek the advice, in relation to 
 my state, of my lord Aricus, the then prior of this monastery, 
 who was my kinsman in the flesh, a most highly esteemed 
 
». mi. 
 
 EXHORTATION OF SAINT WULFSV. 
 
 255 
 
 ivnser of the king and all the nobles of the land, and a most 
 jly searcher into their consciences; him I resolved to ask 
 aat course I should adopt. That I might not chance to run, 
 j to be likely to run into a course of vanity, I sent a message 
 him, on which he sent back word requesting me to come to 
 i a with all speed, and assuring me that I should thenceforth 
 : oy all the counsel and assistance that he could afford me; 
 i ich would ensure me the most abundant peace and the 
 latest tranquillity to which my desires could possibly aspire, 
 obtaining sure repose for my soul. With what urgent en- 
 lities I obtained leave to depart from my most holy brethren, 
 „h how many tears I parted from my holy abbat and other 
 ch-loved brother monks, with what reluctance at heart I 
 that most beautiful place, it is not for me now to enlarge 
 an : but at last I did take my departure, and, coming hither, 
 m passed many years in this cell, a poor creature of a 
 a, who enjoys, I confess it, a greater name with the world 
 n he merits before God ; but still, to the best of my small 
 tities, a great ensample to all my brethren, and to the neigh¬ 
 ring people to whom I am known. 
 
 ‘Now as regards the state of our monastery, which has ever 
 n mutable and most unstable, we have never remained long 
 t state of prosperity; but what one abbat has with much in- 
 try obtained, the same has the first or second in succession to 
 i, through shameful slothfulness, squandered away : and still 
 .her, I do most assuredly prophesy unto you, that much fri¬ 
 ction will, before long, befall this monastery; so much so, 
 it the hands of all shall be lifted against you, and each 
 | all shall take delight in either sweeping you from off the 
 
 h, or crushing you down thereto. Still, I hope that I may 
 bund to be a lying prophet, and that truth may not abide 
 my words. At the beginning, this abbey, as my seniors 
 ■e often informed me, was founded and built by Ecgwin, 
 most blessed bishop and our abbat; and many in succes- 
 prosperously held the same oflice until the time of ono 
 
 yin by name, on whose decease the monks were expelled, 
 a few clerks, called ‘ canons,’ introduced.” 
 iiut for me to insert in this history of Croyland the many 
 ent immunities and possessions of the monastery of Eves- 
 
 i, things which bear no reference whatever to Croyland, 
 many expulsions of the monks from Evesham by the 
 
2o6 
 
 PETER OF BLOIS* HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 A.D. 1 
 
 tyrants of the province of Wiccia, 53 with their restoration j 
 the most pious princes and prelates of the land, the many 
 quisitions of vills and states throughout the whole of the V 
 and the frequent alienations of the same, I think would 
 quite unnecessary and utterly improper, seeing that t 
 bear no reference whatever to Croyland; and besides, 
 matters relating to the state of Evesham are fully contai 
 in the collection of Discourses of the holy man [Wulfsy], wl 
 was funned for the instruction of posterity, and which ' 
 lectionis generally called “the Testament of Saint Wulfsy. 
 think it more becoming therefore, and more convenient, for 
 present, to pass by matter of this nature, and I deem it ex 
 dient here, in its order, to state such of the matter inser 
 therein concerning the manor of Badby as bears reference 
 Croyland, setting forth word for word how this most h 
 Anchorite in his last moments discoursed thereon at length,; 
 what was the advice which, from his inmost convictions, 
 gave. 
 
 After treating of many other subjects, then, he at last p 
 ceeds to speak of the manor of Badby to the following effe 
 “At last the lord abbat Walter was succeeded by the L 
 Robert, your late predecessor, 0 lord Maurice, who was i. 
 merly a monk of Jumieges; how many lands of the monasti 
 he bestowed on his kinsmen you know better than I do, 
 you have daily to lament so shocking a spoliation. You,; 
 venerable father, lord Maurice, who now preside over t 
 monastery, are in peaceful possession of Xeuhamp, which id 
 formerly a manor of my parents, and of the lease of Bad; 
 there are a few years still remaining unexpired; I do adv 
 you and do charge your consciences, immediately your term 
 expired, to restore the said manor in full to its just possesso 
 the abbat and monks of Croyland, and with due diligence 
 keep the other manors of this monastery, and all the rest of 
 goods which with a just title you possess; that so, for the fait 
 ful keeping of the same, you may obtain of God an everlasti 
 reward at the time when, as we all hope to do, we shall rk . 
 in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.” 
 
 The above discourse, some few words being added there 
 by way of embellishment, is said to have been delivered by t 
 holy man Wulfsy to his brethren in his last moments; imm 
 diately after delivering which, he fell asleep in the Lord. 
 
 48 Worcestershire. 
 
D. 1114. DISPUTE CONCERNING THE MANOR OF BADBY. 257 
 
 The before-named Mauricius, abbat of Evesham, was suc- 
 eded in the pastoral rule of the said monastery of Evesham 
 the lord Eeginald, a monk of Gloucester. In the early days 
 this abbat the term of the lease of Badby for one hundred 
 ars expired ; on which Joffrid, the venerable abbat of Croy- 
 ld, although he was busily engaged in rebuilding his church, 
 well as other great and sumptuous edifices which had been 
 ;ely consumed by fire, held consultations with those learned 
 the law, and considered with long deliberation what his 
 avent was to determine to do with regard to the manor of 
 dby. Although the original charters had been burnt, and 
 was utterly at a loss to know in what place the charter of 
 ■toration containing the said manor had been deposited by 
 s predecessor abbat Ingulph, still, all the monks of Croyland 
 >re of opinion and agreed that they ought to go to Evesham, 
 d makg demand of the manor of Badby in right of the mo- 
 stery of Croyland, and put forward in support of such de- 
 md the royal roll, known as Doomsday. If they, like truly 
 Igious men, had well-regulated consciences, they would at 
 ee give it up, but if, putting trust in their money or their 
 eruptions, they had seared and avaricious consciences, and 
 uggled to hold it even though wrongfully, then they would 
 ve to go before the king’s justices, and manfully strive for 
 '! maintenance of the rights of their monastery. 
 
 This step was accordingly adopted, and the venerable abbat 
 frid proceeded to Evesham, and, making demand of restitu- 
 n of the manor, produced a copy of the charter of restoration 
 ’Croyland, and, among other things, alleged the authority of 
 " said royal roll of Doomsday in support of his demand. On 
 ■ other hand, Eeginald, the abbat of Evesham, relying on 
 kinsmen and friends, and especially on the counsels of 
 lo, earl of Hereford, who was at this time staying at Eves- 
 n, and in whose might and words he put the greatest confi- 
 ice against all his adversaries, briefly made answer (for he 
 ‘s very talented, and a young man particularly well skilled 
 temporal matters), that the manor of Badby was the pro- 
 ■ty of his place, and had been acquired through the lord 
 ieius, who was formerly the prior of that monastery, and 
 kinsman, the lord Wulsin, the Anchorite, who lately died 
 “re, it having formerly been their patrimony by inheritance, 
 
 [ having from remote times belonged to their ancestors. 
 
PETEK OF BLOTS’ HISTORY OF CROYLA2TD. 
 
 A.D.Ill 
 
 To this was added the presence of the said earl Hilo, w' 
 most pertinaciously opposed the venerable father, the lo 
 Joffrid, and engaged himself and all his to defend the sa 
 monastery in the king's court against the monks of Croylan 
 The venerable abbat of Croyland, seeing that there was no fe, 
 of the Lord in this place, and that he was entirely at a lo; 
 through want of the charter of restoration as well as ti 
 deed of the original donation, left the matter unsettled, at 
 returned to Croyland, and explaining before his communi 
 the most offensive answer both of the earl of Hereford and 
 the abbat of Evesham, despaired of successfully exerting hixi 
 self any further in relation to the said manor. Accordingl; 
 he devoted his whole attention to his church which he h. 
 lately commenced, and with the greatest diligence urged d 
 the same, and anxiously promoted the building thereof as lot 
 as he lived. 
 
 At the same time, also, king Henry confirmed the man 
 which had been formerly given to us by the sheriff Thorol 
 and our late cell, situate at Spalding in the same manor, un 
 the monks of Saint Nicholas, at Angers. This confirmatid 
 was granted to them by king Henry in the following word 
 Henry, &c. * * * * 59 
 
 In the year following died Ivo Taillebois, who had alwai 
 been a most bitter enemy to Croyland, and had proved in eve: 
 place its stoutest foe, as well as a sacrilegious spoliator of : 
 the monasteries and the churches of Christ. He was so mui.: 
 given to magic, that, during the siege of the Isle of Ely, )| 
 even induced the most victorious king and conqueror of ti i 
 English, reluctant as he was, to place a certain sorceress at ti 
 head of the army, and by his false promises made him belie 
 that his adversaries could not resist her charms and direful L 
 cantations. This, however, was seen and ascertained by aH r >. 
 be utterly vain and untrue. For, being carried aloft in 
 kind of wooden tower, upon the bridge which the soldie 
 were forming for the purpose of crossing the marshes, she w 
 quickly put to death; for, when the soldiers and workm< 
 had made some little progress, that most skilful baron Herewa 
 of Brunne, attacked them in flank, and setting fire to a bed 
 dry reeds close at hand, not only cut off the enchantress 
 well as all the soldiers with the heat and flame thereof, b 
 43 There is an omission in the MS. here. 
 
D. 1114. 
 
 DEATH OF FVO TAILLEBOI3. 
 
 259 
 
 luccd to ashes all those portions of the work which they had 
 mmenced that appeared above the surface of the marsh, 
 ms did the most victorious Hereward, by his wisdom, con- 
 xnd that which the most foolish Ivo had with great pride 
 vised against God and man. 
 
 The same person also proposed, with his usual pompous ver- 
 sity, to Thorold, the abbat of Burgh, by the aid of a body of 
 >ops, to expel Hereward from the adjoining forests and woods; 
 t while the venerable abbat and nobles of higher rank were 
 eading to enter the defiles of the forests, and Ivo, taking 
 th him all the s’oldiers, had entered the woods on the right, 
 sreward and his men made an onset on the left, and in- 
 mtly took and carried off the abbat with all the noblemen 
 
 10 had been left thus unprotected, and kept him in great 
 bulation, confined in secret spots, until he had paid three 
 ousand. marks for the ransom of himself and the others. 
 
 such manner did Ivo make abbat Thorold fall into the 
 , and force him to pour forth all the money of his mo- 
 fetery into the hands of the enemy. He was a most assi- 
 lous flatterer of the kings, both William, the father, as well 
 1 his sons, but was at the same time a most fickle turncoat, 
 d constant in his adhesion to none; for at onetime he 
 ; uld favour the side of William the Second, and then shortly 
 rer, he took the side of Robert, his elder brother, and created 
 treat tumult, on which he was at last outlawed from Eng- 
 s d, and went over to Robert altogether. Then he forsook 
 
 11 in his turn, and joined the side of his younger brother, 
 i» en he saw that he was more powerful, found that he had 
 ire money, and considered him more prudent in ensuring a 
 ncessful result of their contest. 
 
 )n a final triumph being gained by the renowned king 
 Eury, and his brother Robert being placed in close confine- 
 i it, all his army was disbanded and allowed to return home; 
 3) which the said Ivo returned greatly elated to his wife, the 
 liy Lucia, who was holding her court at Spalding. Here he 
 d 1 a few years after, of an attack of paralysis, and his wife 
 bued him in the priory of Spalding with some little sorrow 
 D) ler part, but amid the loudly-expressed exultations of all 
 tl r neighbours. 
 
 lardly had one month elapsed after his death, when she 
 m ried that Illustrious young man, Roger de Romar, the son 
 
 s 2 
 
260 
 
 PETEK OF BLOTS* HISTOET OF CKO FLAKE. 
 
 A.D. Ill 
 
 of Gerald de Romar, and received great honour from Villi a 
 de Romar, earl of Lincoln, the elder brother of her husban 
 while she entirely lost all recollection of Ivo Taillebois. The 
 only daughter, who had been married to a husband of nob 
 rank, died before her father. Thus, in order that his basta: 
 slips 60 might not take deep root in the world, did the accursi 
 line of this wicked man perish, the axe of the Lord hewingdov 
 all his offspring. What, then, does it now profit thee, 0 It 
 ever most blood-thirsty, thus to have risen against the Lore , 
 Unto the earth hast thou fallen, numbered with the dead; 1 
 a moment of time hast thou descended to hell, a successor >. 
 the old Adam, a frail potsherd, a heap of ashes, a lump of pc ; 
 ter’s clay, a hide of carrion, a vessel of putrefaction, t , 
 nourishment of moths, the food of worms, the laughing-stO' I 
 of those who now survive, the refuse of the inhabitants 
 heaven, and the avowed enemy of the servants of God; and no - n 
 as we have reason to suppose, an alien and an exile from t d 
 congregation of the Saints, and, for thine innumerable misdeei I 
 worthy to be sent into outer darkness. 
 
 The noble baron, Alan de Croun, seeing that king Hen 
 had confirmed the cell of Spalding to the monks of Anjcl 
 while, through the might and influence of Milo, earl of Hei , 
 ford, the manor of Badby still remained in the hands of t , 
 monastery of Evesham, was afflicted with such violent grief , 
 mind, that he took to his bed, and his life was despaired < 
 Through the goodness of God, however, he at last recoverc 
 and hade farewell for ever to the king’s court; and havi 
 been carried in a litter drawn by horses to his manor of Fri 
 ton, he sent a swift messenger to fetch the venerable abbat 
 Croyland; on whose arrival, making him his most espec 
 confessor, as to forsaking the vanities of the world, he consult 
 him relative to the gifts of churches, which he had formei 
 promised to God and to Saint Guthlac; besides which, hec, 
 tirely confided his soul to his care, and commanded the win 
 management of his court to depend upon the expression of t 
 will of the holy abbat in all things. 
 
 The parsons of Toft, of Freston, and of Butterwick, wi 
 still alive; still however, calling together his most intim 
 advisers and friends, after invoking the Holy Spirit, he assigt. 
 to the monks of Croyland, as a sevenfold assistance in buildi 
 a cell for monks in the church of Freston, seven church 
 M Alluding to Wisdom iv. 3. 
 
k.D. 1107 . CHARTER OE ALAN DE CROHN AND HIS WIFE. 
 
 261 
 
 b be held by them to their own use ; and at the same time 
 Necuted and delivered his charter as to the said churches and 
 iis other gifts to God and the holy church of Saint Gutblae, 
 nto the hands of his reverend .instructor and confessor, Joffrid 
 he lord abbat, to the following effect: 
 
 “ Know all, both present as well as to come, that I, Alan de 
 Iroun, and Muriel, my wife, do give and do grant unto the 
 hurch of Saint Guthlac, at Croyland, freely and quietly to hold 
 he same as a perpetual alms-gift, the church of Preston, toge- 
 her with all the tithes and customs which belong thereto, that 
 9 to say, the lands of the church and the croft adjoining the 
 hurch, as also five tofts at Freston, and four bovates of land, 
 ogether with the meadow land, free from our demesne rights 
 nd acquitted of all services, geld, and customs. Also, the 
 hurch of Butterwick, and all things that pertain thereto ; and 
 a like manner, the church of Toft, with all the tithes, land, 
 nd other things pertaining thereto, as also the toft of Blan- 
 hard, and the land of our own demesne. Also, the church of 
 Varneburn, together with all things pertaining thereto, that 
 > to say, with the lands and shrubberies thereof. Also, the 
 hurch of Stonnesby, with all things pertaining thereto ; and 
 i like manner, the church of Claxeby, with all things pertain- 
 ig thereto. Also, the church of Burton, with the tithes and 
 ther things pertaining thereto, that is to say, three bovates 
 f [arable] land, with meadow land, and one bovate of our 
 iemesne, with the meadow land. These churches, with alt 
 bat belong thereto, and with the repairs which we shall make 
 Hereto, we do give for ever, to find food and clothing for the 
 Tonks who shall serve God in the church of Saint James, at 
 'reston; in the first place, in behalf of the souls of the father 
 ad mother of the king, and for the life and health of them 
 ad theirs, and then in behalf of the souls of our fathers and 
 lothers, and kinsmen, and ancestors, and for our own health, 
 nd that of our souls. We do also grant unto them the tithes 
 f the pennies of our fair at Botulphston, 01 and pasturage for 
 leir cattle together with our own beasts in all places. Wit- 
 esses hereto,” &c. His seal of wax being appended thereto. 
 
 At this period, Henry, the mighty king of the English, a 
 rosperous victory having been granted to him over his brother 
 .obert and his other adversaries, with deep devotion gave and 
 61 Now Boston. 
 
262 -PETEK OE BLOIS’ HISTOHY OF CEOYXAND. A.D. 110 ! 
 
 returned manifold thanks for the same; and holding a ver 
 full council at London, of the bishops and abbats of all th 
 clergy throughout England, as well as of the earls, baron! 
 nobles, and men of high rank of his whole kingdom, at th 
 entire and most holy prompting of his own heart, in presenc i 
 of all those who were gathered together, resigned from thi 
 time forward for ever all claim to the investiture of churche 1 
 by ring and pastoral staff, and freely granted to all communitie 4 
 the election of their prelates, and promised to restore in full th ; 
 sums received during the vacancies of bishoprics and abbacie » 
 to those who should succeed thereto; and with royal munificenc I 
 granted all other things for which Holy Mother Church had Ion; 
 sighed, his own royal rights alone being sacred and excepted ' 
 How great were the joys which the clergy then felt, how de 
 lighted were the devout people, how solemnly and with wha 
 holiness did each and all extol the king’s disposition to th< 
 skies, no one could say, nor could even Tully himself have ex¬ 
 pressed. For on this occasion, Anselm, the venerable arch¬ 
 bishop of Canterbury, assisted by Gerard, the reverend arch 
 bishop of York, on one day consecrated six bishops, who had 
 been canonically elected by their respective churches. 
 
 In addition to this, for the further promotion of the service I 
 of God, this most devout king at great expense founded a most 
 beauteous monastery at Heading, and giving it into the charge 
 of religions monks, bestowed upon it many lands and tene» 
 ments, numerous estates and possessions, with extensive liber¬ 
 ties and privileges; and, last of all, he cherished it with the 
 royal favour, and put it upon a footing of equality with the 
 other greater abbeys. 
 
 lust at this time also, Gilbert de Gaunt, the illustrious and 
 devout earl of Lincoln, refounded the most ancient monastery 
 known as Bardeney, which had been formerly burnt by the 
 fury of the Danes, and had for a period of many years lain 
 utterly deserted, and only frequented by flocks and wild 
 beasts; it is situate not far from Lincoln, towards the east 
 thereof, upon the banks of the river which we call th’e With- 
 mum. 63 To this, besides many other possessions and reve¬ 
 nues, he most graciously granted the tithes of all his manors 
 situate everywhere throughout England. Numerous other 
 persons, also, induced by the example of the most noble baron, 
 
 62 Now Witham. 
 
,D. HO". 
 
 ENACTMENT OP ABBAT JOFFRID. 
 
 263 
 
 Ian de Croun, founded monasteries, enriched and beautified 
 iem. Some constructed cells of the monks of Bee, and be- 
 ,owed on them many churches. Others, again, introduced 
 ommunities of Clugniac monks, and endowed them both 
 dth churches and other possessions in the greatest abun- 
 ance. 
 
 The venerable father, abbat Joffrid, hastening from the 
 ing's council to Croyland, published a most healthful enact- 
 lent for his brother monks, at all times to be observed by 
 gem, on account of various negligences and omissions of 
 r hat was their duty. To employ his own words, it was in 
 >rm as follows: — 
 
 “I, Joffrid, a sinner, appointed abbat of the church of the 
 lorious Confessor and most pious Anchorite, Guthlac, by the 
 livine counsel, and with the consent of my brethren, en- 
 •usted by God unto my charge, have enacted for the health 
 ad repose of our fathers and mothers, our brothers and sis- 
 :rs, our kinsmen, and all our benefactors, and for the sake of all 
 ■lose to whom we are under obligations and indebted, and to 
 diom we have promised alms-gifts, masses, and prayers, and 
 hose alms we have received, that we will, on the last day of 
 ae month of May, perform the Maundy of the poor, and will 
 :?ed them, and will, for the love of Christ, give to each of 
 aem one penny, to the end that they may feed and refresh us 
 i our extreme necessity, For we know that we have en- 
 fered into many promises of fastings, prayers, and masses, to 
 iod and our benefactors, of which we have not been thought- 
 al, nor have all been careful to perform the same, but have, 
 ike miserable and negligent creatures, neglected the most 
 hereof, and have performed but few. Wherefore we have, 
 y the mercy of God, determined to perform the said good 
 laundy which we have mentioned, to the end that we may 
 tot be found to be liars towards God and our own souls by 
 hose to whom we are indebted, as being false promisors. I 
 ,o, therefore, with a devout heart and most kindly words, 
 ■ray my brethren and successors, that they will keep and ob- 
 ■erve this good enactment, that so their souls may ever find 
 epose in Christ, the Lord. From the tithes of Morburne, 
 tread shall be received lor the performance of the said Maun- 
 ly, and the pennies to be given with the bread shall be 
 uken from the tithes of Elmington.” 
 
264 
 
 PETEK OF BLOIS’ HISTOEY OF CEOYLAXD. 
 
 A.D. Ill 
 
 Robert, the venerable bishop of Lincoln, had shewn himse 
 kind and favourably disposed in all affairs relating to Croy 
 land; still, however, he was always most intensely execrated b 
 the monks of Stowe, whom he had transferred to Eyneshani 
 For, induced by cupidity alone, when he was the king’s ju: 
 ticiary, he had by the royal authority removed their mona; 
 tery, greatly beloved by the kings and the earls of the land, an 
 enriched with many gifts, from a most fruitful spot, and tt 
 neighbourhood of a most beautiful river, Trent by name, to 
 barren place, that was destitute of all signs of opulent 
 After this, he presumed to boast, that his Eynesham wa 
 comparable with the royal foundation at Reading; on which 
 he incurred the king’s indignation to such a degree, that h 
 was deprived of the office of justiciary, and was afterward 
 afflicted with penalties and hardships, and could neither, aq 
 cording to his intended purpose, complete Eynesham, nor yij 
 entertain his court with his wonted lavishness of expend 
 ture. 
 
 Speaking of the life of this man, Henry, archdeacon <1 
 Huntingdon, thus expresses himself:—“As very great mis 
 fortunes are wont often to overtake many worldly men befoii 
 their deaths, I would mention what befell our venerably 
 bishop, Robert, before his end. As justiciary of England, h 
 had been very greatly dreaded, but towards the close of hi 
 life, had been twice put on his trial by the king, before 
 certain justiciary of ignoble birth, and had twice, to his grec j 
 grief, been visited with the most severe penalties. He wa j 
 consequently afflicted with such a profound stupor, that wherJ 
 on one occasion, (dining with him, as archdeacon,) I behelji 
 him shedding tears, and asked the cause, he made answer 
 ‘ In former times, those who waited on me, were arrayed i 
 costly apparel ; but now, the penalties inflicted by th 
 king, have obliged them to be clad in vestments of lamb’r 
 ■wool.’ So great indeed, after these events, was his despair c 
 ever being able to regain the king’s esteem, that, when the ef 
 pecial commendations of him were repeated, to which the kins 
 in his absence, had given utterance, he said, with a sigh, ‘ Th 1 
 king praises none of his people except such as it is his intentio! 
 utterly to ruin.’ A few days after this, while the said bisho 
 w r as at Woodstock, where the king had appointed a gatherin 
 for the purpose of hunting, conversing with the king an| 
 
n. 1109. DEATH OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. 
 
 265 
 
 ]iger, bishop of Salisbury, who, next to the king, was at 
 tis day the most influential man in the kingdom, he was 
 fatten with apoplexy, and was carried still living, but speech- 
 1 ,s, to his iun, and shortly after expired in the king’s pre- 
 ;uce. 63 His epitaph was to the following effect:— 
 
 “ Robert, the pride of pontiffs, whose great name, 
 
 Dead though he is, shall live in endless fame.” 
 
 While the most glorious king Henry was prospering in his 
 iagdom, and his fame was re-echoing in the ears of all the 
 urntries around, there were sent to England some envoys 
 am Henry, emperor of the Germans, persons of tall stature, 
 
 ]markable for their polished manners, of noble rank and 
 «■passing wealth ; their object being to request the king’s 
 i lighter in marriage for their master. He accordingly held 
 Is court at London, making the most splendid preparations 
 : d surrounded by the most refined luxuries, and in a very 
 ] merous assemblage of his barons, demanded and received 
 e oaths as to the marriage of his daughter from the envoys 
 ■ the emperor during the celebration of the feast of Pentecost, 
 the following year the lady was sent, sparkling with such 
 i abundance of jewels, and accompanied by such a noble 
 tinue of envoys, and such vast sums of money, that to de- 
 ly the expenses of all this, three shillings had to be paid for 
 mry hide of land throughout England. 
 
 In the meantime, there had died that most holy philosopher 
 Christ and most excellent archbishop of Canterbury, An- 
 lm, a most distinguished doctor, a most stout wall of de- 
 nce of the Church, the patron of all the oppressed, a most 
 vout preacher of the Christian faith, and a most perse- 
 ring imitator of Angelic purity. He was succeeded in the 
 chbishopric of Canterbury, at the king’s nomination, by 
 adulph, bishop of Rochester. 
 
 63 This event is mentioned more fully in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle :— 
 It fell out on a Wednesday, being the fourth day before the ides of 
 nuary, that the king rode in his deer-park, and Roger, bishop of Salis- 
 ry, was on one side of him, and Robert Bloet, bishop of Lincoln, on 
 eother: and they rode there talking. Then the bishop of Lincoln 
 nk down, and said to the king,—‘ My lord king, I am dying;’ on 
 lich, the king alighted from his horse, and took him in his arms and 
 de them bear him to his inn, and he soon lay there dead.” 
 
2G6 
 
 PETER OF BLOIs’ HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 A.D. Ill 
 
 At this time, the emperor Henry, who, throwing aside i 
 scruples of reverence and natural affection, had incarcerati 
 and put to death his own father, then a decrepit old man, w: 
 also devising crafty and most horrible machinations again 
 the Church. For, proceeding to Rome with a royal escoi* 
 that he might be duly anointed and consecrated to the in ■ 
 perial dignity by our lord the pope, when he had arrived m 
 the gate of Saint Angelo, and our lord the pope, suspectu , 
 nothing sinister, had gone forth to meet him with all di 
 honor, attended by the cardinals and clergy bearing cross i. 
 and numerous torches, he suddenly seized the pope and all tl 
 cardinals, and put them into close confinement; where he ke 
 him most rigidly shut up, until the Church had conceded to hi 
 a new privilege as to the investitures of churches by the rii 
 and pastoral staff, and the same had been handed over to hi 
 signed wdth the papal bulla. He was likewise anointed er, 
 peror, a thing that his father had not been able to obta J 
 during the fifty years of his rule of the empire, so greatly d 
 he exult in having commenced this career of error; howevei 
 it was all in vain. 
 
 For, in the following year, the-most holy pope Paschrl 
 having convoked a general synod at the Lateran, in tl I 
 Basilica of Constantine, with the consent of all the arc I 
 bishops, bishops, abbats, and the whole of the clergy the;! 
 assembled, quashed this, not so much “privilege,” as“prj 
 vilege,” 64 which in the preceding year, the emperor HenI 9 
 had extorted from him; on which, Gerard, bishop of A f 
 gouleme, the then legate of the Apostolic See in AquitainJ 
 openly read the decree of the Holy Synod in the hearing I 
 all, and proceeded to pronounce sentence of excommunicatio 
 for ever against all who should give or receive ecclesiastic 1 1 
 dignities from lay hands, with the acclamations of all th< t 
 present, who cried aloud,—“So be it! so be it! Ame: ( 
 Amen!” This pope Paschal granted to the abbey of Sai I 
 Botolph, at Colchester, great Absolution on the feast of Sai I 
 Denis and the octave following, to be granted to all pilgrir 1 
 for sins of which they made true confession and were real 
 contrite, the same to last to all future time. The said G 
 rard, bishop of Angouleme, while at this time he was a ze 
 
 64 He puns on the resemblance, and invents a word, which wot. 
 signify “ bad law.” 
 
A'. 1117. 
 
 MIRACULOUS EVENT IN ITALY. 
 
 267 
 
 I s and devoted champion against the said “ pravilege,” so, 
 o the schism of Peter Leonis against Innocent, the catholic 
 pie, did he prove a most determined enemy of the Church, 
 (;d under sentence of excommunication, and utterly cast 
 ct. 
 
 The above-named Gerard, archbishop York, was succeeded 
 t Thomas, who, after a short tenure of office, was followed by 
 1 rstan, the best of them all, except that, for a long time, he 
 c lined to pay obedience to Radulph, the archbishop of Canter- 
 Iry. After Radulph, Arnulph, abbat of Burgh, was appointed 
 tthe see of Rochester, and consecrated by that archbishop. 
 Just at this period of time, the venerable abbat Joffrid in- 
 t'duced a most devout observance, to be thenceforth continued 
 a Croyland, on the feast of the Preparation." 5 For he enacted, 
 sd enjoined that obedience to the same should be always ob- 
 s ved by his successors, that, on the day of the Passion of our 
 Ird Jesus Christ, to which the holy Page gives the name of 
 °arasceue,” 66 the abbat of that house should, in presence of 
 t, strip himself in the chapter-house, and, according to rule, 
 iseive stripes upon his own flesh; and that the whole convent 
 i )uld, each in his order, do the same ; to the end that, in the 
 fne way that the Lord Jesus, after his denial, mercifully 
 hked back upon Peter the Apostle, and he, grieving for his 
 (fence, bitterly bewailed his sin, so He, in His mercy, may 
 ]ik down upon us, and make us bitterly to lament our sins ; 
 
 (d that as, by so doing, we are made partakers of His Passion, 
 i we may be rendered partakers of the joys of His Resurrec- 
 In. Amen, Amen. 
 
 At this time there was a very mighty earthquake in Italy, 
 f much so, that many walls fell down, strong fortifications 
 •:re overthrown, and a great town was removed from one spot 
 • another at a considerable distance. At this time, the fol- 
 iving miraculous event happened at Milan, and rendered the 
 ilosopher Solo famous in the eyes of many. For, while 
 veral men of Patrician rank were discoursing on the affairs 
 state of the city of Milan beneath a certain tower there, 
 e was called by name, and invited to come forth, and on his 
 laying so to do, a person came, and with entreaties begged 
 m to leave his companions in council for a few moments, and, 
 
 65 i* Parasceue,” or “ Good Friday.” 
 
 ce Or “ Preparation.” St. Matthew xxvii. 62 ; St. Mark xv. 42. 
 
268 
 
 PETEB OF BLOIS HISTORY OF CBOYLAXD. 
 
 immediately after he had heard the matter, return. Acco. 
 ingly, he came forth, and hardly had he gone thence, when i 
 tower fell down and crushed all the rest beneath its ruins, g 
 Many parts of England, also, were most dreadfully afflic l 
 with this earthquake, and the new work of the church of Cr. 
 land, which as yet was weak in consequence of having no r| 
 to hold it together, split asunder, most shocking to relate! in } 
 southern wall of the body thereof, with horrible yawnings, 
 threatened immediate ruin as the consequence, had not 0 
 industry of the carpenters been exerted in firmly keeping 
 together, with timbers of great length and beams laid trad 
 versely, until such time as it had gained the support given 
 the formation of the roof, which, after that, firmly held: 
 together. 
 
 At this time died Matilda, the queen of the English, all 
 the glory of the Scots, the foster-mother of the poor, the •I 
 fuge of all the wretched, and the most especial patroness f 
 the abbey of Croyland, and of abbat Joffrid. She reposes t 
 Westminster, as your records say. Her epitaph was to is 
 following effect:— 
 
 “ Great queen ! sprung from the line of England’s kings, 
 
 The Scots thou didst ennoble by thy nobleness”— 
 
 Then, after enlarging on the worth of her character, it p:- 
 ceeds— 
 
 “ No pleasures pleased, no sorrows made her sad ; 
 
 Adversity she lov’d, joy was her dread— 
 
 No honors made her vain, no sceptre proud ; 
 
 Humble in power, in lofty station chaste. 
 
 The first of May, of day for us the night! 
 
 Snatch’d her from us to everlasting day.” 
 
 But the revolving wheel is hurrying me away from the ful 
 ment of my promises made as to matters previously mentione j 
 At the time at which this most pious queen put off mortalit 
 in order that evils might not come alone, but, multiplied . 
 numbers, might be enabled to say, “ Bow down thyself, th; 
 we may pass over thee,” a most grievous dissension had pi 
 ceeded to great lengths between the two kings of France a: 
 England. The cause of this discord was my lord Theobal 
 the renowned count of Blois, previously mentioned. He h; 
 been held in great contempt by Louis, king of the Franks, ( 
 account of his sanctity, and had been often provoked by dei 
 
. 1117. 
 
 CHARACTER OF COUNT THEOBALD. 
 
 269 
 
 s e insults on the part of the youths about the court. This 
 d. not escape the king of England, who, feeling vexed that 
 t; high-born station of his kindred should be thus subjected 
 t maltreatment, sent envoys to the said illustrious earl, ever 
 the mentioned as my lord Theobald; namely, Gilbert, abbat 
 c Westminster, and Joffrid, abbat of Croyland, both of them 
 trn and bred in France, both of them Doctors, remarkable for 
 ifir skill in the seven liberal arts, celebrated for their under- 
 sinding, venerable for their old age, held most dear by my lord 
 Ifore-named, and well known and much beloved by all in 
 blgic France. 
 
 Being presented by the king with a large sum for their ex- 
 ■ nses, they proceeded, not as royal envoys, but like natives of 
 e country about to visit their fellow-countrymen, and to pay 
 eir compliments to the learned men, their contemporaries, at 
 iris and Orleans. On their road, without any noise or pomp 
 ey turned aside to pay a visit to the count, and speedily tell- 
 g him their business, took their departure ; but, setting out 
 a their return to England, they crossed the sea by ship, 
 id brought an answer to the Icing, that the count would with 
 1 speed repair to Normandy, for the purpose of having an 
 iterview with him. Both of the envoys, receiving his com- 
 rendations, returned to their monasteries, but they were al- 
 lost drained to the very last farthing of the immense sums of 
 loney which each had taken with him from his monastery. 
 
 It is proper that I should now set forth the most holy cha- 
 icter of my lord before-mentioned, the most renowned count 
 heobald, show what were his alms-deeds, how devout an 
 initator he was of our holy father Job, whom Satan afflicted 
 nth every kind of tribulation, and thus, to the best of my 
 lumble ability, hand down the same to posterity. 
 
 Stephen the Elder, count of Blois, by his wife, the countess 
 Ida, daughter of king William, the most glorious conqueror 
 f the English, had three sons, Theobald, the first-born, after- 
 vards count of Blois, of whom mention is made above; Stephen, 
 he second son, afterwards count of Moretuil, and king of Eng- 
 and; and Henry, the third son, afterwards a monk, then 
 lishop of Winchester, and Legate in England of the Apostolic 
 See. Of the two latter brothers, mention shall be made more 
 it length hereafter; at present, the object of my pen is to treat 
 if Theobald, the first-born. With reference to him, Geoffrey, 
 
270 
 
 PETES OF BLOTS* HISTOET OF CEOrLAND. 
 
 A.D.Ill 
 
 abbat of Clairval, in his second Book on the miracles of Sail 
 Bernard, writes to the following effect:—“The Lord did s 
 free, in a manner not less wonderful than merciful, that me 
 faithful prince, count Theobald, after he had been proved 1 
 great tribulation. Though the most powerful man in tl 
 kingdom, and second only to the king, he entirely devoh 
 himself to alms-deeds, and was intent upon objects of piet i 
 while he showed himself a most devout lover of all the servan 
 of God, and of [Saint] Bernard of Clairval in especial. Stil 
 God suffered him to be harassed and afflicted to such a degre I 
 that, in consequence of the king, as well as nearly all tl 
 neighbouring influential men, entering into a combinatu i 
 against him, his escape was nearly despaired of; he was pu' 
 licly insulted, his piety was arraigned, and his alms-deed in 
 pugned, while his knights and arbalisters were styled mom 
 anduseless religionists. And not among strangers only, but eve 
 in his own cities and castles as well, were blasphemous remarl 
 of this nature to be heard repeated.” 
 
 Arnold, also, ahbat of Bonneval, after enlarging upon tl 
 subject, writes to the following effect:—“ That man [of God. 
 count Theobald, while intent on heavenly things, was n 
 without temptations of great weight and of a terrible nature 
 for the king, as well as the nobles, attacked him, and the earl, 
 was moved and trembled; and, as though God were enrage, 
 against him, nearly everything that belonged to him was e: 
 posed to the ravages of conflagrations, while the armies of tl 
 king covered the face of the earth, and laid waste the land : 
 all directions. Nor was it safe for him to oppose or face h * 
 persecutors, for even his own friends had forsaken him, and he 
 openly joined in harassing him; while those who remaim t 
 with him were of no advantage in being able to afford hi 
 assistance.” 67 * * * * 
 
 67 The narrative abruptly terminates here. 
 
 END OF FETEE OF BLOIS’ HISTOET OF CEOYLAND. 
 
A SECOND CONTINUATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 * * * 'denouncing their impiety, [blood] gushed forth from 
 l !e walls. 
 
 After the lapse of several years, king Stephen, being ex- 
 jmely desirous to grace his son, Eustace, with the crown, our 
 rd the pope, by his letters, forbade it; on which he placed 
 e archbishop and all the bishops who opnosed him in strict 
 fstody, and mercilessly seized many of the nobles of his 
 ■ngdom in their respective castles, and reduced them to a state 
 r famine. Induced to do so by the necessities of the oppressed, 
 enry, duke of Normandy, hastened over to England with a 
 teat army, at a moment when his arrival was least looked for. 
 ing Stephen, on the other hand, collecting troops from every 
 i arter, met him with all speed near Malmesbury. At length, 
 owever, a truce was concluded between them; and Theobald, 
 'chbishop of Canterbury, after frequently conferring with the 
 ng thereon, and appealing to the duke through messengers, 
 jt last effected a reconciliation between them, on which the 
 ng adopted the young duke as his son, and, binding himself 
 y oath, appointed him heir to his kingdom ; while the duke 
 romised to pay all due honor and fealty to the king as long as 
 e should live. 
 
 1 We learn from Hoveden and Henry of Huntingdon, that the follow- 
 g circumstance is here referred to :—While the church of Ramsey was 
 ring held by the impious Geoffrey de Mandeville as a castle, blood 
 ished forth from the walls of the church and adjoining cloisters, in ma- 
 festation of the Divine displeasure, and foreboding the extermination of 
 ie wicked, a.d. 1144. The MS. is defective at the beginning. 
 
272 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROTLAND. A.D. 115 
 
 This same king Stephen, being besought by abbat E< 
 ward with urgent entreaties, graciously granted him a coi 
 firmation of the boundaries of the abbey, which was to tl 
 following effect:—“Stephen, king of England, to his arc] 
 bishops, bishops, abbats, earls, justices, sheriffs, barons, officer 
 and all others his faithful Pranks and English throughout a 
 England, greeting. Know ye that I have granted and coi 
 firmed unto God and the church of Saint Guthlac, at Croylan> J 
 and the monks there serving God, all the lands and tenure 
 and other the possessions to the said church belonging, as al i 
 the marsh in which the said church is situate, together wit • 
 the boundaries thereof by name, as follow:—From Croylan 
 to Asendyke, thence to Aswyktoft, and so along Shepee 'V 
 Tydwarthar, thence to Nomannesland, and so through tl 
 river Nene to Fynset, and so to Greynes, and thence ll 
 Folwardstakyng, and thence along the course of Southlak 
 as it falls into the river Welland. Thence, on the other sic I 
 of that river, to Aspath, and thence to Werwarlake, and so m 
 Harenholte, and thence upwards through the waters of Mei | 
 gerlake, and thence along the course of Apynholte, as it fal I 
 into the Welland. * Wherefore, I do will and strictly comman • 
 that the before-named church, and abbat, and monks, shall hoi 
 and for ever possess whatever is contained within the sai 
 boundaries, and all other their lands, tenures, and possession; ‘ 
 fully, peaceably, freely, honorably, and quietly to enjoy th ? 
 same, in wood and in plain, in meadows and in pastures, i 
 waters and in marshes, in preserves and in piscaries, in mil! { 
 and in mill-dams, and in all other things, as also places, wit 
 right of Sach and Soch, and Thol and Them, and Infangetheft 1 
 and with all other free customs and acquittances, as full} l 
 freely, and quietly as any church in my kingdom holds the same 
 Witness myself, the queen, and earl Simon, and others, ; ! 
 Stamford.” 
 
 After king Stephen had had a most toilsome and unfortunat 
 reign of nearly nineteen years, he departed this life, and wc . 
 buried at Feversham, near his wife and son. 
 
 In the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 1155, Henr 
 the Second, duke of Normandy, was crowned by Thcobalc 
 archbishop of Canterbury, on the seventeenth day before th 
 calends of January. 
 
 Iu the time of this king, Thomas, archdeacon of Cantei 
 
D. 1171 . 
 
 ROBERT DE REBINGES ABBAT OF CROYLAMD. 
 
 273 
 
 try and prior of Beverley, was created archbishop of Canter- 
 lry. But, a disagreement afterwards arising between him 
 id the king, on certain customs of the kingdom, which mili- 
 ted to the utter subversion of the liberties of the Church, he 
 ithdrew from the council held at Northampton, and, with 
 . Jeat sorrow of heart, remained in exile for a period of seven 
 jars. 
 
 In the sixteenth year of his reign, king Henry had his eldest 
 ‘ ii, Henry, [crowned] by Boger, archbishop of York. * * 
 
 * [Archbishop Thomas] was received [in the name] of 
 e Lord, while all cried aloud, and said, “ Blessed is he, who 
 -meth in the name of the Lord.” On his arrival, the Su¬ 
 eme Pontiff suspended Roger, archbishop of York, and some 
 <her bishops, from all their duties ; while others he placed 
 ider the ban of excommunication. * * * * * * * 
 
 inelly slew with their deadly swords the man of God 2 who 
 us struggling for justice, in the church of Canterbury, like 
 ; other Zacharias ; 3 on which occasion, a person composed the 
 i lowing rhyme :— 
 
 “ In eleven hundred and seventy-one. 
 
 The primate Thomas his course had run.” 
 
 In the meantime, Abbat Edward ably ruled this church, and 
 jeatly amplified it with decorations, books, and extensive pos¬ 
 itions. But, still further to prove his endurance, a great 
 i sfortune happened; for, in his time, the church of Croyland, 
 
 • th its outbuildings and most of its furniture, 4 was again 
 nit, on the Nativity of Saint Mary. But, by the aid of the 
 : ;ht hand of God, he almost immediately rebuilt it magnifi- 
 ■ ntly, in great part, with the active assistance of his brethren. 
 
 .'ter enduring many hardships for thirty years, as boldly as 
 unfully, in behalf of the rights of his church he at last 
 1 1 asleep in the Lord. 
 
 He had for his successor Robert de Redinges, prior of 
 . raster, 5 who was appointed to the office by king Henry the 
 licond, son of the Empress, and archbishop Richard. Ho 
 cefully completed the building of those parts of the church 
 
 Archbishop Thomas a Becket. 
 f Alluding to 2 Chron. xxiv. 21 ; and St. Matt, xxiii. 35. 
 
 ’ This seems to be the meaning of “ necessaria.” 
 
 ' Or Leominster. The abbey of Redinges, or Reading, was endowed 
 I Henry the First with the possessions of this abbey. 
 
 T 
 
274 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 11 / 
 
 which remained unfinished at the death of abbat Edward 
 and, hiring artificers for the purpose, had the front of tl 
 shrine of Saint Guthlac constructed of work of remarkab 
 beauty. Upon this occasion, he suppliantly besought of tt 
 said king Henry a confirmation of the boundaries of his abbe- 
 and obtained the same, by royal charter, in the followir 
 words : — “Henry, king of England, duke of Normandy ar 
 Aquitaine, and earl of Anjou, to his archbishops, bishop 
 earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, officers, and all other b 
 faithful Franks and English throughout all England, greetinj 
 Know ye, that I have granted and confirmed unto God and tl 
 church of Saint Guthlac, at Croylaud, and the abbat an 
 monks there serving God, all the lands and tenures, and othi 
 the possessions to the said church belonging, and, in especia 
 the site of the said abbey, together with the boundaries then 
 of, herein named, which extend as follow : A distance of ffi 
 leagues, being from Croylaud to the place where the Ascndy 
 fails into the waters of the Welland, and thence along tl j 
 Aseudyk to Aswyktoft, and thence to Shepee, and thence 1 
 Tydwarthar. Thence through Eynset, upwards to Greyni 
 and thence to Eolwardstakyng, and thence along the course * : 
 the Southlake, as it falls into the river Welland. And so aero 
 the Welland, towards the north, as far as Aspath, and thence i, 
 Werwarlake, and so to Harenholte, and thence upwari 
 through the water as far as Mengerlake, and so through tl 
 Lurtlake as far as Oggot, and thence along the course 4 
 Apynholte as it falls into the Welland; together w r itk r 
 piscaries to the said boundaries belonging. Wherefore, I i 
 will and strictly command that the before-named church, ai 
 abbat, and monks shall hold and for ever possess all their land 
 tenures, and other their possessions, and all the gifts whic 
 since the death of king Henry, my grandfather, have bet 
 reasonably given to them, fully, peacefully, freely, quietl 
 and honorably to enjoy the same, in wood and in plain, 
 meadows and in pastures, in waters and in marshes, iu pr 
 serves and in fisheries, in mills and in mill-dams, and in ; 
 other things and places, -with right of Sach and Soch, andTli 
 and Them, and Infangthefe, and with all other free custoi 
 and acquittances, as fully, freely, and quietly as the sa 
 church, and abbat, and monks held the same in the time 
 king Henry, my grandfather, or other my predecessors, kin 
 
.D. 1189. 
 
 CASE OF THE AliBAT ROBERT. 
 
 275 
 
 f England, and as fully, freely, and quietly as any church in 
 :y kingdom of England have held the same. Witness * * * 
 t Lincoln.” 
 
 King Henry, the son of king Henry, son of the Empress, 
 welve years after his coronation, and while his father was 
 till alive, was seized with a severe fever; and being after¬ 
 wards attacked by a flux of the bowels, departed this life, 7 and 
 /as interred at Rouen. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1186, being the thirty-second of 
 ■is reign, king Henry, son of the Empress, gave to Hugh, 
 rior of the house of Witham, of the Carthusian order, the 
 ishopric of Lincoln; on which he was consecrated by arch- 
 ishop Baldwin. 
 
 The before-named abbat Robert carried on a very heavy 
 lit, in behalf of his church, against the Prior of Spalding, 
 ad the men of Hoyland, who had, with a large force, made 
 i irruption into the precincts of Croyland; this, the follow- 
 ig case, drawn up at full length by him, relative thereto, 
 ill show:— 
 
 “The abbey of Croyland was begun to be built by SaintGuth- 
 c the Confessor, who is also buried there, four hundred years 
 nee, or more. It is of the proper alms of the kings of Eng- 
 .nd, having been granted by their especial donation from the 
 icient times of the English, when it was founded by king 
 thelbald, who gave the marsh in which it is situate; as we find 
 - ated in the Life of that Saint which was formerly written, 
 he abbey, being situate in the midst of the marsh, stands 
 . a considerable distance from the rest of the mainland. Now, 
 :e men of Hoyland, who are our neighbours on the northern 
 de, greatly desire to have tenancy in common of this marsh 
 Croyland; for, as their own marshes, of which each vill 
 id originally one of its own, have been dried up, they have 
 averted the same into good and fertile arable land. Hence 
 is that they stand in need, beyond measure, of common pas- 
 re land for their cattle, in which they do not so greatly 
 lound. 
 
 “Now, in the thirty-fifty year of king Henry, it being the 
 st year of his life, while he was in his territories beyond sea, 
 d busied in wars and other pursuits, there came over to 
 hgland a false report of his death. On hearing this, the 
 1 The twelfth of May 
 
 T 2 
 
276 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CKO ALAND. A.D. 118 ! 
 
 men of Hoyland considered how they might invade th 
 mai'sh and by force obtain possession of it; imagining tin 
 they could easily overcome the poor abbat of Croyland and h 
 little house, and confiding in their own prowess and the vas 1 
 ness of their riches. Accordingly, Gerard de Camvilli 
 Fulco de Oiri, Thomas de Multon, the father of Thomas, an 
 Conan Fitz-Eloy, persons, who, for other reasons, entei 
 tained great animosity against the house of Croyland and i 
 abbat Robert, after being joined by Richard de Flet, an 
 Walter, and many others, called upon Nicholas, the prior ■ 
 Spalding, to place himself at their head as the chief and prii 
 cipal actor in this piece of violence. Why enlarge ? All tl 
 most powerful men of the wapentake of Ellow, a few on 
 excepted, entered into a conspiracy against Croyland, ar 
 met together, sometimes in a bam belonging to the prior 
 Spalding, at Weston, and sometimes in the church of He 
 beche. 
 
 “ Accordingly, the abbat of Croyland, in conformity wi' 
 his usual custom, put his marsh-lands in a proper state 
 defence, as is usually done each year about the time of t! 
 Rogation days ; and proclamation was publicly made upon tl 
 bridge of Spalding, that the men of Hoyland and others shou 
 prevent their cattle from entering the marsh, in order th 
 the crop of hay might have liberty to grow; upon which, th< 
 refused to listen thereto, and persisted in forcing an entrain 
 to the marsh even more than before. Hereupon, the servae 
 of the abbat, who had been, according to custom, appoint 
 for the purpose, by his orders impounded the cattle, as th' 
 had been in the habit of doing in former years. The men 
 Hoyland, being very indignant at this, on a day named, t 
 feast of Saint Hereus and Saint Achilles, came to the marsh 
 Croyland, armed, all of them, with all kinds of weapons ; jv 
 as though in array for battle, and exceeding in number tin 
 thousand men. At the embankment of the Asendyk, whd 
 the boundary of the marsh of Croyland is situate, they wt 
 met by abbat Robert, and a few of his people, who supp 
 antly sued for peace; for both he and the others suppos' 
 that they had come for the purpose of levelling the wh( 
 abbey with the ground. On this, they gave him a haugh 
 answer, and made a show of resistance to his face. Gt 
 however, wrought a change in their malicious intentions, a. 
 
d. 1189. 
 
 CASE OF TJIE ABBAT ROBERT. 
 
 277 
 
 i some degree mitigated the evils which threatened the 
 ffjey; hut, armed as they were, they proceeded through the 
 iddle of the marsh, and divided it among themselves, ac- 
 >rding to the situation of their respective vills, although lo¬ 
 tted at a considerable distance around the marsh. They 
 ten encamped around the abbey, erecting their tents and 
 Ling up their quarters just like so many hostile nations, and 
 lacing men-at-arms to act as sentinels in each division of 
 teir encampment. Accordingly, they dug up turf, cut down 
 te greater part of the wood and alder-beds of Croyland, and 
 ^pastured upon the meadow land ; while they carried off 
 re-wood, and committed other acts of violence for fifteen 
 ays, just like so many armed men in camp. 
 
 “In the meantime, the abbat and monks of Croyland with 
 leir servants were placed in great straits, and were affected 
 ith profound grief, as they hardly dared venture beyond 
 le gates of their church. The monks accordingly deter- 
 lined to lay their complaints before the justices of our lord 
 le king, and sent a message to the one whom they found 
 Barest at hand, Geoffrey Fitz-Peter by name, who was then 
 aying at Clive, in Northamptonshire; whereupon, he sent 
 x knights of Northampton to see and fully learn the extent 
 i this incomparable outrage. On their arrival at the eastern 
 de, they first met with the tents and quarters of the men 
 : Sutton, the liegemen of Gerard de Camville, and found 
 lem provided with all kinds of arms. Upon being ques- 
 oned by them, these men answered, that they were there by 
 le orders of their lord; and so, in like manner, throughout 
 ich of the quarters, until they came to the quarters of the 
 ien of Spalding, which they found to be the most remote, did 
 ich party name its respective lord as its authority for so 
 fing. 
 
 “In the meantime, however, abbat Robert secretly has¬ 
 hed to London, and sought the presence of Hubert Fitz- 
 1 alter, who then occupied the place of Ranulph de Glanville, 
 ho was staying with our lord the king, in the parts beyond 
 ;a. Accordingly, he made complaint before him and his 
 ■llow-justices, of these many injuries committed against the 
 jsace of our lord the king, and shewed to them the great 
 larter of our lord the king, which sets forth by name the 
 Dundaries of the marsh: upon which, they exceedingly con- 
 
278 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOBY OF CBOYLAXD. A.D. 1189 , 
 
 doled with him, and, being greatly surprised and moved t 
 anger, sent word in the king’s name to the before-namei 
 Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, commanding him at once to summoi 
 before him the prior of Spalding and all the men of Hoyland 
 and give the abbat full redress against them. On hearinj 
 this, the armed men, who had now kept ward in thei 
 quarters for a period of fifteen days, burned their encamp 
 ment and returned home. 
 
 “ Accordingly, upon the summons of Geoffrey Fitz-Peter 
 the men of Hoyland, together with the prior of Spalding, cam 
 to meet him at Depyng; and, in the week of Pentecost, oi 
 the sixth day of the week, Geoffrey Fitz-Peter arrived, bring 
 ing witli him many men of rank, and members of the king’ 
 household. Upon this, those parties were there charged b; 
 abbat Kobert with breaking the king’s peace, and with al 
 the violence and injuries before-mentioned; and there an» 
 on behalf of the abbat, seven of his men, who being tenant 
 of his in capite, charged each of them, one of their adver 
 saries, with doing injury to the abbat to the amount of twent; 
 marks. Hugh Poll charged Gilbert de Peccebrig ; Robei i 
 Bee, Elfric de Fulvey, his brother; Hugh Molende, Conai t 
 Fitz-Helye ; Itobert de Baston, Fulco de Oiri; Alfred d 
 Leverington, Thomas de Multon; William de Gliat, Alger d 
 Colevill; and Robin Robot, Alexander de Whappelode. Som - 
 of those who were thus charged, as well as many others, wer ■ 
 taken and imprisoned: Gilbert, for instance, and his brothe | 
 Elfric, at Northampton; William Puley and Hugh de Whap 
 pelode at Rokingham , 8 and others at other places. Afte I 
 this, the judge appointed a day named for either party t 
 come and appear before the chief justice at Westminster, a 
 the feast of Saint Michael. 
 
 “ In the meantime, our lord Henry, king of England, de 
 parted this life; upon which, our lord Richard was crowne< t 
 king, on the third day of September, and the justices wer' 
 changed ; in consequence of which, the men of Hoyland tool 
 courage, for they had feared that had the king survived, the; 
 should be condemned. Accordingly, on the day named, th 
 abbat of Croyland came with his friends and champions t 
 support his accusation and the charges made. There wa 
 also present, the prior of Spalding, with his accomplices ; bu 
 8 A town and castle in Northamptonshire. 
 
d. 1189. 
 
 CASE OF TUE ABBAT ROBERT. 
 
 279 
 
 'lomas de Mulet 9 being ill, sent his seneschal in his stead, 
 t this period, Hugh, the lord bishop of Durham, was sitting 
 chief justice. Upon this, Conan Fitz-Helye, Fulco de Oiri, 
 e seneschal of Thomas de Multon, Alexander de Wlnippe- 
 de, and Alger de Colevill, became greatly alarmed, and 
 rough the intervention of friends, entreated the abbat to 
 ant them peace and reconciliation, and that his appeal 
 ight be put an end to. They further, with their friends, 
 edged their faith to the abbat, that they would never from 
 is time prefer any claim to the marshes of Croyland, and 
 at they would throw themselves upon the king’s mercy for 
 e injuries they had committed, and would, according to the 
 bitration of [mutual] friends, make good the damage which 
 ey had done. Accordingly, they appeared before the justices, 
 id confessed themselves guilty ; on which, they were 
 aereed, Thomas de Multon in live pounds of silver, Fulco in 
 tr© marks, and Conan in the same ; while the two others, who 
 ere poor men, at the entreaty of the abbat, were not, oil 
 is occasion, visited with a penalty. The prior, however, 
 id his liegemen, Gilbert and his brother, Elfric, persisted 
 their contumacy. 
 
 “Accordingly, another day was named; upon which the 
 >bat, and the prior, and their respective followers appeared, 
 he abbat preferred his complaint against the prior and his 
 en, that they had come in arms to the marsh of Croyland, 
 hich is held of our lord the king, and had so broken the 
 ng’s peace. To this the prior made answer, that he certainly 
 id come with an armed force to his own marsh, which belonged 
 the priory of Spalding, as of the fee of William de Komar; 
 id promised the king that he would prove this, or forfeit forty 
 arks at the next grand assize held. As for the abbat of 
 royland, he had not on this occasion taken due precaution, as 
 } had neither brought witli him the king’s charter, nor yet 
 id he come attended by any stout young men, who could offer 
 ager of battle and fight on the abbat’s behalf, to assert his 
 ght of property in the marsh; with the sole exception of 
 ugh Poll and Kobert Bee, who had respectively charged 
 ilbert and his brother Elfric. As he could not 10 make choice 
 9 Clearly a mistake for Multon. 
 
 Probably for the following reason : because, in the trial by battle, 
 i issue joined in a writ of right, the battle could only be waged by chain- 
 
280 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 11 . 
 
 of wager of battle, he was obliged to submit to the matter bei t 
 brought before a jury, although a course attended with dan^ 
 to himself. For the knights of that county live at a very cc 
 siderable distance from the marsh of Croyland, and know i 
 thing about its boundaries; and besides, there is no one hart • 
 to be found in the county of Lincoln, who is not in some w - 
 or other connected either with the house of Spalding, or wi. 
 William de Romar, or else has laid some claim to the mars 
 And, although the persons before-named withdrew their clai', 
 they still secretly gave aid and counsel, * * * 
 
 and pay a sum of money to the prior and his people. Accof 
 ingly, knights of the county 11 were chosen in the king’s cou 
 whose names were set forth in a writ, for the purpose of tryi 
 the cause; upon which, the men of Hoyland rejoiced at the 
 victory, as they imagined that they would now be enabled • 
 settle the matter with money. 
 
 “ Accordingly, our lord the king directed his mandate to t 
 sheriff of Lincoln, to the following effect:—‘ Greeting. \ 
 do command you to summon Roger de Huntingfield, Conan 
 Kirket, Walter Maureunard, Radulph Fitz-Stephen, Alan \ 
 Wichet, William de Foleteb, Alan de Marc, Richard de Brae 
 brigg, Alveram de Hugwell, Robert de Thorp, Alan Merscot 
 Hugh de Xoville, Hugh de Bobi, Robert Fitz-Henry, Radul] 
 de Reping, Geoffrey de la Mar, and Robert de Guing, who ha 
 been named by four knights chosen for that purpose, to ma 
 view of the marsh as to which there has been a dispute in o ■ 
 court, between the abbat of Croyland and the prior of Spaldin 
 and they are there to make view of the said marsh, on t. 
 Monday next before the Nativity of our Lord ; and you are 
 be there, with four or six of the lawful knights of the count 
 And, after view made thereof, you are to summon the sa 
 knights to appear before us on the fifth day after the octa 
 of Saint Hilary, wherever we may chance to be, or else befo I 
 our justices on the same day at Westminster; there to try up< 
 oath which party has the better right to the said marsh, I 
 which the encampment has been so made, and the bumu 
 
 pions, and not by the parties themselves ; as, in civil actions, if any pat 
 to the suit died, the suit of necessity instantly abated, and no judgme , 
 could be given. Probably Poll and tee were looked upon as parties 
 the suit, and could not act as champions. 
 
 11 “ Comitibus ” seems to be an error for “Comitatu.” 
 
/>. 1190. 
 
 ILLNESS OF ABEAT HOBERT. 
 
 281 
 
 (the turf and alder-bed have taken place, the abbat of Croy- 
 ]id or the prior of Spalding, according to the seisin ■w hich 
 he same persons have had thereof since the first coronation of 
 <r father, king Henry. And you are to have there this writ 
 : d a summoner. Witness, the bishop of Durham.’ 
 
 Accordingly, on the Monday next before the Nativity of 
 (r Lord, Nigel, the sheriff of Lincoln, did not come in person to 
 ’dee view of the marsh, but sent in his stead Walter de Sart, 
 no was a supporter of the men of Spalding. A very few 
 lime of the knights named; who, having made view, caused 
 ' • eir verdict to be written to the following effect:— 
 
 [ “ ‘ This is the verdict of the knights, on view made of the 
 mrsh as to which there has been a trial between the abbat 
 p, Croyland * * it being averred that the marsh where 
 
 he encampment was made, and the fire, and the rooting up 
 11 tire alder-bed took place, is his own, and of the fee of the 
 Lbey of Croyland; by reason whereof the said abbat hath this 
 . *ar, and every year since he has been abbat, received rent for 
 e same, 1 ' as he alleges. The men of Hoyland say that the 
 id marsh does not belong to the abbat, but is their own pro- 
 srty, from Munechelade towards the east, and that they are 
 i it answerable for the burning or the uprooting which took 
 ace below Munechelade. The men of Hoyland, on being 
 aestioned whether they would or would not be answerable 
 r the burning and uprooting that took place beyond Mune- 
 aelade, said that they would not give an answer thereupon, 
 :eause the justices of our lord the king have cognizance of 
 •lose questions, by virtue of the king’s writ.’ ” 
 
 In the mean time, the men of Hoyland, by favour of the 
 lcriff, changed such of the knights named as they pleased, 
 ithout consent of the abbat; such, for instance, as Roger de 
 untingfield, Hugh de Bobi, and Geoffrey de la Mar. On the 
 iproach of the day of trial, the abbat of Croyland, intending 
 i proceed thither, was detained by sickness; on which he had 
 imself essoigned for illness on the road , 13 and another day 
 
 15 This appears to be the meaning of the sentence, which seems to be 
 a very corrupt state. 
 
 13 The essoign de Malo vice was an excuse made for him who had been 
 immoned to appear and answer to an action, on the ground of falling 
 ek on the road. It was a kind of imparlance, or craving of a longer 
 
282 
 
 COXTISCATION OF THE UISTOKY OF CHOYLAS'D. 
 
 A.D. 119 
 
 ■was named at ’Westminster, after the Purification of Sain 
 Mary. Abbat Robert accordingly set out for the purpose c 
 going thither, but became so extremely ill at Cottenham, tlu ! 
 he had himself essoigned for illness, which confined him t 
 his bed . 11 Upon this, four knights, by precept of the justici 
 came to view him; and appointed another day after the octal 
 of Easter. His malady still increasing, abbat Robert died, o 
 the vigil of Easter ; upon which Croyland was seized in th 
 name of the king and of his chancellor, whom, when h 
 crossed beyond sea, he had left to act as chief justice of th 
 whole of England. The abbacy of Croyland being thus vacar 
 and held in the king's hands, there was a lull iu these tempest 1 
 
 This same king Richard, in the first year of his reign, dt 
 afforested 15 all the marsh lands of Hoyland and Eesteven, be 
 tween the river Welland and the river Witham, which had beet 
 previously deafforested in the time of kings Henry the Eirsi 
 Stephen, and Henry the Second; and he granted to the men o 
 both sides thereof, to whom, before, it had of right belongec, 
 leave to build upon the said marshes, and to till the same, an. 
 to enjoy all their easements upon the same, according to th 
 metes and boundaries in their charter contained. 
 
 In the mean time, William de Longchamp, the lord bisho 
 of Ely, chancellor to our lord the king, and at this time legatj 
 from the Apostolic See, sent messengers to the king in Nor 
 mandy, where he was anxiously making arrangements for hi, 
 expedition to Jerusalem, and obtained leave from him to appoin 
 an abbat for the abbey of Croyland. Accordingly, with th 
 consent of the king, and on the election of the brethren of Croy 
 land, the lord Henry, a monk of Evesham, and brother in th 
 flesh to the before-named chancellor, was chosen abbat c« 
 Croyland. 
 
 So long as the chancellor continued to sit as chief justice,! 
 the men of Spalding made no mention of any claim upo: 
 Croyland : but afterwards, through earl John, and by mean ■ 
 of the conspiracy entered into against the chancellor, o 
 rather against our lord the king, who was now in Judin 
 devoting himself to the sendee of God, the chancellor wa 
 expelled from England, and his brothers Henry and Osbert 
 
 14 The essoign de Malo lecti ; on which, as Bracton informs us, th 
 defendant was by writ viewed by four knights. 
 
 45 Freed and exempted from the forest laws. 
 
A>. 1191 . 
 
 DISPUTE AS TO THE MARSH OF CBOYIAXD. 
 
 233 
 
 ai many others of his kinsmen and friends, were taken and 
 t - own into chains of iron, and the strictest confinement. 
 
 And now, William de Romar, who was a devoted adherent 
 c earl John, and had already taken the oaths of allegiance to 
 in, commenced a persecution of Henry, the abbat of Croy- 
 hd, upon strength of the hatred entertained against his 
 bthers ; and, taking the opportunity, caused the before- 
 rued abbat to be summoned by the justices on the king’s writ, 
 t appear on a certain day named at Westminster, against the 
 mat of Saint Nicholas at Angers, (for the befoi’e-named 
 Icholas, prior of Spalding, had previously been deposed), to 
 iir the verdict upon the view made of his marsh. Upon 
 t s, he was full of anxiety, and quite at a loss which way to 
 tu, as he foresaw danger impending on every side; and he 
 cl not dare to step beyond the precincts of his monastery, 
 It he might chance to be seized like his brothers, or even 
 1 led; for threats to that effect had been recently uttered 
 siinst him, as he had been informed by many persons. Ac- 
 cdingly, he had himself essoigned on the first day for ill- 
 I5S on the road, and on the second for being confined to his 
 11 . 
 
 Upon this, orders were sent from the king’s court by the 
 j dices to Gerard de Camville, the sheriff of Lincoln, an enemy 
 cthe chancellor, and the especial leader of the opposite faction, 
 i mediately to send four lawful knights of the county to make 
 vw of the abbat on a certain day named. Accordingly, four 
 lights were appointed, whose names were as follows: Walter 
 < Braytoft, and Reginus de Beniton—the names of the others 
 1 re not been preserved. These, however, did not come on 
 f ■ day named, but only one of them, Reginus do Beniton, 
 i 1 some low retainers of the prior of Spalding, together with 
 sne other persons. Abbat Henry, however, thinking that 
 I ?y would not come, had, the previous night, embarked in 
 Fvessel at the gates of Croyland, though he had not yet 
 I ly recovered from his illness, and caused himself to be 
 i Tied to a manor of his in Cambridgeshire, on his way to 
 (irt. As for the before-named Reginus, summoning the prior 
 [ Croyland to appear, he said that he had come to make view of 
 I; illness of the abbat, according to the king’s precept: but 
 : he did not find there those who had been named as his as- 
 : dates in making such view, he would by no means alone de- 
 
284 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLAND. 
 
 A.D. 11 
 
 mand view of him. However, they named a day for the abl 
 according to the precept, as those who came said that the ji < 
 tices »■»■»■* ■» 
 
 The day now approaching, and the abbat of Croyland feeli 
 more anxiety on account of the perpetual spoliation of ] 
 church than of his own peril, set out for London, where 
 arrived on the day of the Ascension ; and here he fou 
 gathered together against him the princes of the land, name! 
 earl John, Walter, archbishop of Rouen, Hugh de Novai| 
 bishop of Chester, William de Romar and his accomplic 
 Gerard de Camville, and Roger de Stikelwald, his undt 
 sheriff, and the abbat of Angers, together with others innim 
 rable, who took part against him through hatred of his bi 
 thers. For William de Romar, and the abbat of Angers, w 
 at that time were great in the land, had, through many prayt j 
 and great gifts, and by means of evil suggestions, moved tbs | 
 against the abbat and the house of Croyland; so much so, tl 
 it did not seem to them that they had gained a full and complt 
 victory over the chancellor and his party, so long as the abb J 
 of Croyland, over which he had appointed his brother to J 
 abbat, should remain in peace and free from spoliation. I , 
 deed, William de Romar strained every nerve to add to 1 I 
 own barony and to the possessions of the prior of Spalding, t I 
 seat of the before-named monastery, which is the property J 
 our lord the king, and has been that of his predecessors, til 
 kings of England, in right of the crown; for, in the heariil 
 of many persons, he said that the abbey of Croyland w 
 situate in his fee; whereas it was founded by royalty loi | 
 before any one of his family was known, and before Spaldii 
 existed, which is said to have once been a manor of Cro li 
 land. On one occasion, when earl John was entreated by th r 
 William to show him favour, the earl is said to have mac: 
 answer, “My dear lord William, for a hundred pounds, ai 
 out of my love for you, I might act contrary to justice.” 16 
 
 At length the abbat of Croyland was summoned to tl 
 exchequer, in presence of all the persons before-mentione< t 
 who there sat in council against him, he being attended 1 
 three monks only and two knights of middle rank, as no oi 
 
 16 This seems to be the meaning of this passage, but it appears to be 
 a corrupt state ; “ iste” is clearly a misprint for “ isti,” as the avaricio t 
 earl John is evidently the speaker. 
 
.0. 1191. 
 
 DISPUTE AS TO THE MA11SH OF CROPLAND 
 
 285 
 
 i red venture to take his part. The seneschal of William de 
 bmar, who was a fluent but very insolent person, began his 
 : dress against him, skilfully enough, but in a very overbear- 
 :g and flagrant manner. Tor this reason, he seemed espe- 
 ully to please the archbishop of Itouen, earl John, and the 
 •rhers. After having, amid deep silence, and with the earnest 
 Mention of all, spun out his address with repeated charges, 
 
 : vecti ves, and slanders against the chancellor and his friends, 
 >ie person whose duty it was to reply for the abbat could 
 Ijirdly be heard, for the tumult which arose. At length, 
 >wever, he made answer for the abbat in veiy brief terms, 
 id asserted that he held the marsh, which was the seat of the 
 & ibey, as of the demesne of our lord the king, and the pro- 
 •rty of the crown, and that he was holding the same peaee- 
 lly and quietly, when his lord and patron the king set out on 
 Us expedition for Jerusalem; and that he further persisted in 
 fling his lord the king his especial protector, 17 and, in order 
 have a temporary cessation of hostilities, offered forty marks 
 r the king’s use; a tiling, however, which they would not. 
 ear of or even understand. At last, the abbat produced the 
 Barter of our lord the king, in which were set forth the limits 
 the before-mentioned marsh, as also another charter, in 
 Which the king forbids the abbat of Croyland to be put upon 
 is trial before any one except himself; which last charter 
 as road. First, however, he produced the charter of king 
 ichard in the very same words; but earl John made answer, 
 lat his brother, the chancellor, had made that charter for 
 im entirely at his own will and option. However, after he had 
 seard the charter granted by his father read, he blushed for 
 [cry shame. On reading and fully understanding these char¬ 
 ts, his adversaries were confused beyond measure, hardly 
 Mowing what to say in rejoinder. 
 
 Robert de Fentefcld, one of the justices, and a supporter of 
 tens, upon seeing this, enquired in a loud voice if the knights, 
 ho had made view of the abbat, were there? Upon this, 
 ley produced four very low fellows, whom, according to ge- 
 
 17 This seems to be the meaning of “vocavit dominum regem gavant.” 
 he last word is probably derived from the Flemish word “gave,” a 
 gift ;” and we learn from Charpentier that there was an officer appointed 
 the earl of Flanders, whose duty it was to protect the churches, on 
 insideration of an annual fee or gift. 
 
286 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 11 j 
 
 neral report, they had suborned for the purpose, namely, G(| 
 frey de Thurleby, who was a tenant of the abbat of Angei 
 William Eitz-Alf, Walter Rufus de Hamneby, and Gilt 
 Eitz-Just de Benington, who were neither knights nor hole 
 of a knight’s fee. Upon this, the abbat made answer t 
 they were not the knights named, and that neither they 
 the others had come to make mew of him, and offered to m * 
 proof thereof. They professed their readiness to hear h, 
 but caused the false testimony which others bore against 1 
 to be set forth in writing, while not a word of the truth wh 
 the abbat stated would they have committed to writing. He 
 ever, all who were present, with the exception of his adv 
 saries and other evil-wishers, pitied the abbat, and sympathi;! 
 with him on this oppression ; being of opinion that the juufj 
 ment given could not be other than favourable to the abl|l 
 seeing that those who called themselves his viewers wi 
 neither of knightly rank nor yet girt with the sword, win 
 the third one of them [that was questioned], did not so miJ 
 as know how to speak French. However, another day vl 
 appointed for him, after the octave of Pentecost, to hr 
 judgment. 
 
 The abbat of Croyland, accordingly, returned on that d;, 
 and found his adversaries and evil-wishers making themseh 
 quite sure of a judgment in their own favour. Judgme; 
 however, was again put off on the succeeding Monday, Tui 
 day, and Wednesday ; and at last, the abbat, being su • 
 moned to hear judgment given, a first, second, and third tir, 
 came and made appearance, attended by Benedict, abbat 
 Burgh, and Baldwin Wake. The before-named Robert I 
 Eentefeld then pronounced judgment; to the effect that li 
 abbat of Croyland, who had essoigned himself against the pr 1 : 
 of Spalding, as being confined by illness to his bed, but w 
 not found in bed when view ought to have been made of hi 
 should for a time lose his seisin, but not his right, or, in otUl 
 words, possession, but not the right of property; and that ti 1 
 prior of Spalding should have the seisin which was the s\ ■ 
 ject of dispute between them. On hearing this, the abb 
 did not dare utter a word, but departed sorrowful and in cc- ;i 
 fusion. 
 
 Upon this, his adversaries returned home in all haste, al 
 18 Who was superior of the priory of Spalding. 
 
1193. TEE ABBAT OF CBOYLAND APPEALS TO THE KING. 287 
 
 I the hand of the sheriff of Lincoln received seisin of the 
 uole marsh of Croyland below Munechelade, to which they 
 I d never laid claim, as well as two leagues beyond Croyland, 
 rfar as Raman slan d, only leaving a little plantation of alders 
 s nding around the abbey, as its own property. They also 
 cried off the gibbets on which were hanged such thieves as 
 v re taken in the vill of Croyland on judgment given by the 
 [bat’s court, and erected them on the other side of Spalding, 
 ran everlasting disgrace to Croyland. 
 
 However, when it became divulged throughout all lands 
 fit our lord, king Richard, was a captive in Germany, and 
 Stained in confinement by the emperor, the abbat of Croyland 
 s out on his toilsome journey, in the middle of winter ; and, 
 [parting for German}', found the king, his master, at Spires, 
 fceen days before he was liberated. Accordingly, he made 
 cnplaint to him on the injuries and losses which had been 
 iiicted, not so much on himself, as on the royal crown ; and, 
 t the same time, showed to him the charter granted by his 
 f her. At length, on the second day after his liberation, our 
 Id, king Richard, confirmed to him the charter of his father, 
 td ordered letters to be directed to Hubert, archbishop of 
 (nterbury, who was then sitting as chief justice, directing 
 tit the abbat of Croyland should have seisin of his marshes, 
 i conformity with the charter of his father, and in such man- 
 jr as he held the same when the king set out for Jerusalem. 
 r ..iis was accordingly done, to the following effect:— 
 
 “ Richard, king of England, to the archbishop of Canter- 
 1 ry, greeting. We do command you, without delay, to let 
 p abbat of Croyland have seisin of his marsh of Croyland, 
 i such manner as it is testified by the charter of king Henry, 
 fer father, that he ought to have the same; of which he 
 1 * been disseised since our departure beyond sea. Witness, 
 I/self, at Spires, on the twenty-second day of January, in 
 t ■ fifth year of our reign.” 
 
 Accordingly, on his return from Germany, abbat Henry 
 find the archbishop at London, and presented to him the 
 lig's precept; upon which, he immediately ordered it to 
 1 carried into effect, and directed it to the sheriff of Lincoln, 
 tiose deputy was at this time Eustace de Ledenh[all]. The 
 vder-sheriff, Eustace, therefore, on behalf of the king and 
 1 justiciary, caused solemn reseisin of their marsh to be 
 
288 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 11 . 
 
 made to the abbat and house of Croyland, at the beginning f 
 Lent-; and the abbat held them peacefully and quietly all t; 
 year and the next. 
 
 However, about the calends of July, the abbat of Srt| 
 Nicholas at Angers, above-named, obtained against us lettn 
 revocatory of our lord the king, and sent them to Jocelin, jl 
 then prior of Spalding, to the following effect:—“ Riche,; 
 by the grace of God, king of England, to the archbishop H 
 Canterbury, greeting. The abbat of Saint Nicholas at jl 
 gers has complained unto us, that, under pretext of cert j 
 letters, which the abbat of Croyland did, on truthful grom , - 
 as he alleged, obtain from us while we were in captivity 1 
 Germany, he has been unjustly and without trial disseise* 
 a certain marsh between Croyland and Spalding, which \ 
 longs to the priory of Spalding, a branch of the house of S;1 
 Nicholas at Angers; and of which the said abbat of Sri 
 Nicholas recovered seisin in our court by judgment of ■ 
 said court, and gave unto us forty marks of silver for bar j 
 the judgment of our said court as to the said marsh. Win ^ 
 fore, we do command you to have diligent enquiry ml 
 hereupon, and if you shall find that such is the fact, then iu 
 are to let the said abbat of Saint Nicholas have such seisiil 
 the said marsh as lie had by judgment of our court; and w n 
 he has had such seisin, you are to receive from the said * 
 bat twenty marks, which he has promised to us on receiyl 
 seisin thereof. Witness, myself.” 
 
 Upon this, the men of Spalding were overjoyed, and thoul 
 for certain that they should immediately gain reseisin, as t ■ 
 made many promises to many helpers of theirs. Accordin'! 
 they brought this mandate to the archbishop at WestminstI 
 upon which, he enquired into the truth of those who had 1 
 as judges: and they reported that the abbat of Croyland '1 
 been disseised for a certain default, that seisin had btj 
 given to the abbat of Saint Nicholas, and that the abba* 
 Croyland, without judgment given by the king’s court, 4 
 again recovered seisin. Hereupon, some were of opinion tifi 
 seisin ought at once to be given again to the men of SpaldiB 
 liut, as the precept had only been made on certain conditi* 
 and the abbat of Croyland was not present, the archbis p 
 postponed the consideration of it, until the expiration of f-. 
 teen days after the feast of Saint Michael. The abbat, u n 
 
D. 1193. THE AJBBAT OF CROYLAND PROCEEDS TO FRANCE. 289 
 
 taring this, went to the archbishop to learn his intentions; 
 ho made answer to him, that unless he should hear of ano- 
 er precept before the day named, he should give seisin to the 
 ;ople of Spalding, in conformity with the king’s precept, 
 pon this, the abbat, being full of anxiety, in conformity 
 ith the advice of his convent and his friends, made pre¬ 
 rations for crossing the sea. For he had been summoned, 
 otto plead his'cause, but to hear the king’s precept, in the 
 :llowing form:—“Hubert, archbishop of Canterbury, to the 
 leriff of Lincoln, greeting. Summon by two summoners 
 ie abbat of Croyland to appear before us at Westminster, at 
 ie end of fifteen days from the day of the feast of Saint 
 jehael, that he may hear the precept of our lord the king, 
 incoming the marsh situate between Croyland and Spald- 
 i', as to which there has been a dispute between him and 
 1 b prior of Spalding. And you are in the meantime to see 
 lit the said marsh, together with all the profits arising 
 prefrom, is kept free from ravages or waste. Witness, Si- 
 im de Pattishill.” 
 
 Accordingly, on the day 19 of Saint Hippolytus the Martyr, 
 I'ng the Lord’s day next before the Assumption 20 of the 
 Issed Virgin Mary, the lord abbat of Croyland, bidding 
 tieu to the brethren, took his departure amid the blessings 
 p all, and set out with a most resolute mind on his intended 
 j imey; having first directed them to put up prayers both 
 i lividually and in common, and duly to celebrate masses. 21 
 %en he had arrived near Winchester, he heard that arch- 
 fchop Hubert, so often named, the primate of all England, 
 al legate of the Apostolic See, and chief justice of our lord 
 1 1 king of England throughout the whole kingdom, was at 
 11 place on the king’s business. He therefore waited upon 
 Hi, and stated to him the necessity he was under of crossing 
 or; upon which, he obtained his permission, and on asking 
 fi his blessing, received it, and then hastened onwards to the 
 B< -shore at Portsmouth. 
 
 fere he found a vast concourse of the nobles of England, 
 0 earls namely, barons, and knights, who were waiting for 
 Rilm, and were extremely desirous to cross over, in con- 
 Bmence of a most urgent summons on part of the king 
 
 | j 10 Thirteenth of August. 20 Fifteenth of August. 
 
 21 To promote the success of his suit. 
 
 U 
 
290 CONTINUATION OP THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 A.D. lit 
 
 their master. For, at this period, there was a mortal hatr 
 and a dreadful rupture between him and Philip, king 
 France, who, by fraud rather than by violence, had wrest i 
 from our lord, king Richard, the greatest and best part 
 Normandy, while he was detained a prisoner in German 
 Our lord the king, being consequently desirous to avenge hii 
 self, had summoned the chief men of England, and these makh, 
 preparations to cross over, the abbat joined them. Accor 
 ingly, they embarked, and making a prosperous voyage, land' 
 at Barbeflet," on the feast 23 of Saint Augustin the Doctc 
 Being still in the company of the said nobles, who paid hi 
 every mark of respect, he arrived at the city of Rouen. T 
 king of France, having led an army into Normandy, had i 
 most entirely laid waste those territories; in consequence 
 which, the king of England was so crippled and reduced 
 such straits, that he was able to attend to nothing else b 
 expeditions, encampments, and the garrisoning of eastli 
 The abbat, therefore, deferred mentioning, for the present, 
 the king the business upon which he had come. 
 
 In the meantime, the bishop of Ely, the chancellor of o 
 lord the king, returned, by way of England, from Germar 
 whither the king of England had sent him to carry tribut 
 to the emperor. On hearing of his return, the abbat went 
 meet him, and disclosed to him the purport of his mission, 
 short time having elapsed after this, on the day of Saint Lambei 
 the king arrived at a manor of his called Ponsarche. The abb 
 hastening thither, found the chancellor with the king, and bei 
 unwilling to put it off any longer, besought his lord the ki 
 to give his attention to the business upon which he had con 
 Accordingly, he began humbly, but emphatically, to state i 
 him the cause of his journey; the chancellor, however, tc, 
 the word from his mouth, and explained the whole circu 
 stances of the case. Upon this, the king made answer, tl, 
 he very well remembered that he had come on the same bin 
 ness to him when in Germany, and that he would with pleasu 
 grant him a full measure of justice: “But follow me,” s;i| 
 he, “ until I can give you my entire attention.” According^ 
 the chancellor, with the abbat, and others who were his w<- 
 wishers, returned him thanks; and the chancellor, once me, 
 set out on his road for Germany, to visit the emperor. 
 
 23 Harfleur. 23 Twenty-eighth of August. 
 
 21 A portion of his ransom money, probably. 
 
d. 1193. 
 
 THE ABBAT’S INTERVIEW WITH THE KING. 
 
 291 
 
 As for the abbat, and those who were with him, they followed 
 ;e king through villages, and castles, and cities, until the 
 ng at last arrived at Falaise. Here the lord abbat earnestly 
 d suppliantly entreated him, and at the king’s command 
 ' iefly and succinctly stated with his own lips the whole cir- 
 (instances of the case. Upon this, the king seemed to be 
 luch pleased both -with his firmness of determination and the 
 tccinctness of his address ; at the same time, seeing that his 
 iversaries, as above stated in the king’s writ which they 
 ; d brought over, had promised him a payment of twenty 
 nrks, he promised that he himself would pay the same 
 j.mber to his lord the king. On this, the king briefly made 
 iswer, that he wished to discuss the matter with his council, 
 mese events took place on the day of St. Mauricius 25 the 
 lirtyr. 
 
 'After this, the abbat followed the king for several days 
 trough numerous places, until at last he came to Gorham, on 
 lb vigil of the feast of Saint Michael. On the following day, 
 (ring the solemnization of the holy mass, he approached the 
 lig as a suppliant petitioner, and was favourably heard, 
 tiling to him Master Eustace, the keeper of his seal, “ Make 
 hte,” said he, “ and despatch the business of this abbat, 
 si send our mandate to the archbishop of Canterbury, in the 
 flowing words: ‘ Eichard, by the grace of God, king of 
 3 gland, to the venerable father in Christ, Hubert, by the 
 sue grace, archbishop of Canterbury. The abbat of Croy- 
 i'.d, coming to us while we were in Germany, stated unto us, 
 tit, under pretext of default on his part, when, on account of 
 ft brother, he did not dare appear, he had been disseised of a 
 «tain marsh situate between Croyland and Spalding: upon 
 iiich we made enquiries of him and others, and found that 
 trough fear on account of his brother * * he had taken 
 
 t flight and concealed himself, and had thereby committed 
 c ault; which default we did forgive him. Wherefore, we 
 fit, by our letters when we were in Germany, command that 
 t: said abbat should have full and entire seisin of the said 
 i rsh, in such form as the charter of Henry our father testi- 
 1;. Again commanding the same, we do will and have here- 
 1 commanded you to carry out that which is stated according 
 t the tenor of the charter of our hither and in conformity 
 23 Twenty-second of September, 
 
292 COXTIXUATIOX OF THE HISTORY OF CROYXAXD. A.D. 119 
 
 with the customs of England relative to the said marsh ; and v 
 do warrant to him our charter hereupon, as also our forgiv 
 ness for his said default.- And if it shall so happen that the pri 
 of Spalding has paid the twenty marks into our Exehequt 
 which he promised unto you for receiving seisin of the sa 
 marsh, you are to cause the same to be returned to him ; ai 
 if he shall not have paid them, then you are not to recei 
 them; seeing that he obtained the said letters from us 1 
 means of a false suggestion. 26 Nor yet is he to remain in pc 
 session on account of the letters which the abbat of St. Nich 
 las, at Angers, has obtained relative to the said marsh. A 
 this you are to do, when you shall have received the co; 1 
 mands of William de l’Eglise Saint Wary, hereupon. Witnc 
 myself, at Gorham, this thirtieth day of September.” 
 
 To the said William he also wrote as follows: “ Eichai 
 by the grace of God, &c. To William de TEglise Saint Mat 
 greeting. We do command you, that as soon as the abbat 
 Croyland shall have given good sureties for payment to you 
 fifty marks, payable within a certain time which we name 
 him, you are to signify the same to the archbishop of Canto 
 bury, that he may then do for the abbat those things relati 
 to the marsh of Croyland, which, by our letters, we have co: 
 manded him. Witness, myself, at Gorham, this thirtieth d: 
 of September.” 
 
 Accordingly, the abbat, on receiving these commands, Jc 1 
 parted in all haste from the court, and made for the sea-coa 
 in order that he might arrive by the fifteenth day after 1 
 feast of Saint Michael, and appear against his adversari 
 But when he had arrived at Barbeflet, he had to wait the 
 for some time, being unable to cross over for the boisterousn I 
 of the sea and waves; consequently, he was unable to appd 
 at London before the justices, on the appointed day befo 
 mentioned. His deputies, however, whom he had left i 
 England, the monk Nicholas, and William the clerk, appeal!; 
 in court on the day named, and essoigned their abbat for <• 
 tention on the road beyond sea; upon which, a further perl 
 was granted him, according to the custom of the kingdom, f 
 one and forty days. 
 
 26 The words “ Episcopi conventum ” occur here, but they are capse 
 of no translation. Probably the meaning is, “ a false suggestion that s 
 appeal had been approved of by the bishops.” 
 
/). 1193. THE ABBAT OF CEO ALAND AEBITES IN LONDON. 
 
 293 
 
 On the day of St. Wulfran, the abbat landed at Portsmouth, 
 id, fatigued as he was, hastened with all possible speed to 
 jndon, to bring the business to a conclusion. On finding the 
 «chbishop, he presented to him the mandate of our lord the 
 lag; after looking at which, or hearing it read, he inquired 
 nether William de l’Eglise Saint Mary, of whom mention 
 ns made in the king’s mandate, had the requisite evidence; 
 id, because he was not present, declined to take any further 
 «sps on that occasion. In a short time, however, the said 
 ‘ llliam arrived; and the abbat on learning his arrival, being 
 i no degree forgetful of his cause, immediately waited upon 
 ‘in, and saluting him on the king’s behalf, presented his man¬ 
 ate: on reading and understanding which, the said William 
 iked if he could find sureties in conformity with the king’s 
 i mnnands, for payment of the fifty marks at the times named 
 nr payment. Upon this, the abbat produced the lord William 
 lAubigny, and Master Stephen, archdeacon of Buckingham, 
 i his sureties. This took place before the solemn festival of 
 .1 Saints, and the before-named William appointed as the 
 ■ riod for payment of the first half, the ensuing Easter, and 
 : the time for the second payment, the feast of Saint Michael: 
 ;;ter which, he wrote to the lord archbishop a letter, containing 
 i’e precept of our lord the king, directed to himself, and stating 
 at he had satisfied him by finding most unexceptionable 
 ; reties, and earnestly entreating him no longer to put off the 
 nsideration of the abbat’s business. 
 
 When the lord archbishop heard this, he said that he was 
 ‘sirous to confer with his brother justices on the subject, 
 accordingly, the abbat waited there ten days, urgently en- 
 i.eating the archbishop, every day when he could find the 
 iportunity of approaching him, and until he was quite weary, 
 give his attention to him and his suit. The prelate, how- 
 rer, was so much engaged with a multiplicity of affairs, that 
 ; could give no attention whatever, to the conference. Still 
 iwever, in consequence of the importunity of the abbat, he 
 last sent with him two of his private advisers, to appear 
 ith the king’s mandate before the justices on the Bench, in 
 der that they might hear, understand, and pronounce what 
 jight to be done in the matter. Accordingly, after reading 
 he abbat’s charters as well as the letters from our lord the 
 ng, it appeared to them that the seisin of the marsh ought to 
 
294 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROTIAND. A.D. US 
 
 remain peaceably in the abbat's hands. But as, in the kino 
 mandate, a direction was contained, that the trial respectii ; 
 the marsh should be carried on in conformity with the custon 
 of England, the archbishop desired especially to be informi 
 as to that expression, and what was requisite to be done. 1 
 this question the judges made answer that as the abbat h; 
 been disseised for his default, and the king had forgiven hi 
 that default, and had warranted to him his charter and h 
 pardon for the said default, he was said to recover his seis. 
 according to the custom of England, which through tl 
 said default he had lost. The persons who had been sent, c 
 their return, stated to the archbishop what they had heai 
 from the justices. This took place on the day of St. Germanu 
 The archbishop, however, sent word that it was his duty t 
 make enquiry of the abbat, whether he had been guilty < 
 such default through fear, as our lord the king had stated i 
 his letter, or whether through contempt of the king’s cour 
 In this way did his lordship put off the business until the moi 
 row of All Saints. 
 
 At length he took his seat in court, on the day of All Soul 
 and the justiciaries being seated on either side of him, th 
 abbat made his appearance, indefatigably entreating him tj 
 bring the business to a conclusion. Upon this, the arch 
 bishop ordered the king’s precept to be read aloud. Thi 
 having been read in the hearing of all, he began to enquire q 
 those who at the time were seated on the bench, which cause 
 fear or contempt of the king’s court, had given rise to thi 
 legal default. After the judges had conferred together pri 
 vately on the subject, one of them, a most worthy and prudenij 
 man, Bichard Heriet by name, arose and said to the archJ 
 bishop, that the enquiries which our lord the king, in hi i 
 present letter, testified that he had made, ought to be quit | 
 sufficient for their purpose, just as the fact was openly statei 
 among other matters in the royal mandate. The archbishop 
 as well as the other judges, concurred in this opinion; thei 
 names were as follow:—Boger Bigot, William de Warenne 
 William de Brinner, Bichard Harte, archdeacon of Ely, Bich 
 ard Heriet, Simon de Pateshill, Osbert Fitz-Hemey, and Hem; 
 de Chastell. 
 
 Upon this, the archbishop wrote to the sheriff of Lincoln 
 to the following effect:—“Hubert, by the grace of God, &c. 
 
.D. 1194. DECISION IN FAVOUR OF THE ABBAT OF CKOYLAND. 205 
 
 ) the sheriff of Lincoln, greeting. Know that our lord the 
 ing grants unto the abbat of Croyland his pardon for the 
 I fefault which he made at the time when our lord the king 
 as upon his pilgrimage, and in consequence of which de- 
 ult he was disseised of his marsh, which lies between Croy- 
 nd and Spalding; and has commanded that he shall have 
 11 seisin thereof. Wherefore, we do command you, without 
 day, to let him have such seisin as he had thereof before 
 at, by reason of the before mentioned default, he was disseised 
 i ereof.” 
 
 Accordingly, in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 
 93, abbat Henry returned with full seisin of the marsh, 
 owever, on the day named, as before-mentioned, for his de¬ 
 ities to appear, he washed, for the sake of additional pre- 
 fution, to be present, and on the morrow of Saint Edmund, 
 'e king and Martyr, made his appearance at London. The 
 ■for of Spalding, however, was unwilling that all his labour 
 lould be in vain, and though he understood for certain the 
 access which had attended the abbat of Croyland in his suit, 
 
 1 sent thither one of his monks, Hugh, surnamed Orull, ivho 
 led every exertion in his power to our disadvantage. How- 
 <er, when he appeared before the justiciaries, he was in- 
 i'tned by them, that the abbat of Croyland, in conformity 
 Hhthe king's precept, and the common opinion of them- 
 fves, was entitled to possession of his marsh, and ought 
 (ietly and peaceably to hold the same, unless our lord the 
 1 )g should command otherwise. Upon this, Grull departed 
 i extreme sorrow and confusion, thereby illustrating the 
 irds, “Let them be confounded and put to shame who wish 
 i 1 evil.” 28 
 
 In the following year, being compelled by necessity through 
 t; debt due to the king, the abbat had to sell the greater 
 f't of a plantation of alders, a considerable portion of which 
 1 had only begun to plant in the preceding year. In the 
 sue year, being the sixtieth from the first removal of the 
 raains of our patron, Saint? Guthlac, the Confessor, another 
 Lung taken place, for the purpose of bestowing additional 
 fior and glory upon his shrine and the workmanship by 
 i ich it was distinguished. Accordingly, on the fifth day 
 Lore the calends of May, being Saturday, after matin lauds 
 28 Psalm xl. 14. 
 
296 COUTIXUATION OF the HISTOEY OF CEOYEAND. A.D. 12 : j 
 
 were ended, the shrine was moved from its place and plat | 
 in another quarter, the community and many other perse 
 with due reverence standing around and chaunting psalr | 
 The body of the blessed man was then placed in a cofi 
 sealed down with iron and lead in six different places, a ; 
 set upon a new altar, which had been built in the meanth j 
 above the steps. On the Monday following, being the mi 
 row of the day of 29 Saint Yitalis the Martyr, the workm 
 began to excavate beneath the great altar, for the purpose ' 
 repairing it. This work of the altar was finished on the d 
 of the Apostles Saint Philip and Saint James; upon whi< 
 our workers in marble set to work at the erection of the sli 
 of marble, and placed columns beneath for their suppo 
 After the marble casing had been completed, the most he 
 [body] was placed thereon, upon the calends of June, bei I 
 Thursday. On this day there was great rejoicing among 
 the people ; as vast multitudes had assembled together ire 
 every quarter, upon hearing reports of the intended renun 
 of the body. The abbat and the convent, amid joyc 
 chaunts and with becoming pomp, and with the greats 
 manifestations of gladness on part of the clergy and the pop 
 lace, placed the relics of the holy body in its shrine upon t 
 marble slabs, in manner to be seen at the present day. An 
 in order that this day might thenceforth be distinguished, i 
 was by the common consent of ail ordained, that on that d 
 the sequence 30 should be sung at the celebration of high mi 
 in the convent in honor of Saint Guthlac, the occasion bei 
 such that the sequence might appropriately be sung. Fi 
 though from ancient times, Thursday had been assigned 
 Croyland to their patron, and the monks wore their copes 
 the choir ; on this occasion in especial, the veneration shev 
 to him was redoubled, adding thereby to the praise of e 
 Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and glory for ever a. i 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 After this, the lord abbat Henry and the church of Crc 
 land, entrusted to his charge, held their marsh, so often me 
 tioned, in peace and quietness for nearly nine years, to t* 
 great sorrow and indignation of the prior of Spalding, Kiel i 
 
 35 Twenty-eighth of April. 
 
 30 The sequence was the hymn of praise sung on the principal fes j 
 vals before the Gospel. 
 
.D. 1202. THE ABBAT 01' ANGEBS APPEALS TO KING JOHN. 297 
 
 is by name, and his monks, as well as many others who were 
 'artisans ofHoyland: who, however, awaited and pondered 
 ver the time that was to come for taking their revenge. At 
 ist, after king Richard had departed this life, and his bro- 
 ler John had succeeded him, they thought that their mo¬ 
 rent of good fortune had arrived, and that luck smiled more 
 uspiciously upon them; because, as has been already men- 
 oned, it was through the same John, then earl of Mortaigne, 
 rat they had contrived to gain seisin of the marsh. 
 
 Accordingly, in the year of grace, 1202, which was, if I 
 m not mistaken, the third year of the reign of king John, 
 ley sent envoys beyond sea, the above-named Hugh the 
 lonk, with some others; who paid a visit to Jocelyn of Au¬ 
 ers, their abbat, and stated to him the cause and design of 
 leir journey. Upon this, attended by them, he appeared be- 
 >re king John, and by a careful relation of the facts endea- 
 oured to recall to his recollection how, in his presence, he 
 ad, by judgment of the court of king Richard, obtained seisin 
 gainst the abbat of Croyland of a certain marsh; adding, 
 iat afterwards the same abbat had, without trial, and through 
 le violent conduct of his brother, the chancellor, recovered 
 jisin thereof. At last, he promised our lord king John that 
 e would give him forty marks to have judicial record and 
 jasonable judgment upon the matter: upon which, the king 
 note to Geoffrey Eitz-Peter, who was then sitting as chief 
 ■stice in England, and whose grace and favour the men of 
 palding had, by many acts of great obsequiousness, obtained, 
 
 > the following effect:— 
 
 “ John, by the grace of God, king of England, to his dearly- 
 'eloved and faithful Geoffrey Eitz-Peter, earl of Essex, greet- 
 ig. You are to know that the abbat of Saint Nicholas, at 
 ngers, has come unto us and has promised to us forty marks 
 >r gaining seisin of a certain marsh between Croyland and 
 palding, relative to which there was a trial between his 
 rior of Spalding and the abbat of Croyland in the court of 
 ing Richard our brother at Westminster; and which was by 
 ucord and reasonable judgment of the said court awarded to 
 le said prior, as he says. Wherefore, we do command you, 
 'ter taking security from him for the payment of the said 
 irty marks at fit and proper times, to hear read before you 
 le record of the said trial, and, according to the record and 
 
298 coxmnjATioN of the histobt of ckotxaxd. a.d. 12c 
 
 reasonable judgment of the said trial, without delay to let hi 
 have f ull seisin of the said marsh in conformity with justic 
 and according to the customs of England. Walter.” 
 
 Upon this, Geoffrey Fitz-Peter directed this mandate und 
 his seal to Gerard de Cam ville, the then sheriff of Lin cold 
 and wrote to the following effect:—“ Geoffrey, &c. to tl 
 sheriff of Lincoln, greeting. Know that the prior of Spa 
 ding has given us security by Simon de Lima, that he wi 
 pay forty marks unto our lord the king, which he has pr* 
 mised to him for having seisin of the marsh between Croj 1 
 land and Spalding; as to which a trial took place in the com 
 of our lord the king, between him and the abbat of Croylanc *S 
 Wherefore, by trusty summoners, you are to summon the sai 
 abbat to appear before us at Westminster, on the octave ( > 
 Saint Martin, to hear record and reasonable judgment thereoi : 
 and are there to have the summoners, and this writ.” 
 
 This summons was made at Croyland, on the morrow of th 
 Apostles, Saint Simon and Saint Jude, before the ninth hour 
 but the lord abbat had departed from Croyland early in th 
 morning. The writ of summons was sent after him; on hear i 
 ing which, he waited upon Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, that he migh tl 
 obtain his advice; and was, among other things, recommends* 1 
 by him to cross the sea to our lord the king. 
 
 Accordingly, the abbat appointed as his deputy to appea l 
 throughout the suit, before the said Geoffrey, John de Sandon $ 
 who was then seneschal of the abbey of Croyland. Befon H 
 the day named, he also presented him at London before th* 
 justices on the Bench, whose names were ltichard Heriet T 
 Simon de Pattishill, John de Cestling, Walter de Crepinges I 
 Eustace de Fautub, and Master Godfrey de l’lsle. After this 
 the abbat proceeded to wait upon the lord archbishop of Can- 1 
 terbury, because it was while he was sitting as chief justice 1 
 of England, that he had, in conformity with the precept oj > 
 king Bichard, as above stated, recovered seisin of his marsh; - 
 and upon Eustace, the lord bishop of Ely, who was the then | 
 chancellor of the same king; and, as they were both ac- 
 quainted with the circumstances of the case, he asked theii 
 advice upon the matter. They both condoled with him on 
 this unjust and vexatious conduct, and bringing to their re¬ 
 collection, as well as they could, the true circumstances of the 
 case, gave testimony thereto, and wrote letters in his favour. 
 
>. 1202 . 
 
 HUGH, BISHOP OF LINCOLN, DIES. 
 
 299 
 
 be lord archbishop of Canterbury wrote to the following 
 sect:— 
 
 [“Hubert, by the grace of God, archbishop of Canterbury, 
 
 !., to Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, earl of Essex, greeting. We send 
 l to you a most truthful copy of the letter sent to us by king 
 I chard, of happy memory, on behalf of the abbat of Croy- 
 [id, as to a certain marsh, which lies between Croyland and 
 raiding, and relative to which there is a dispute between the 
 id abbat and the prior of Spalding. We believe that if it 
 tl come to the knowledge of our lord the king, that his said 
 : ither sent unto us such letter, you would [not] 31 have re¬ 
 ived from him such commands as you have now received 
 ninst the above-named abbat. Wherefore do you make it 
 fir care to come to such conclusion as, in your discretion, 
 fi shall consider to be consonant with what is reasonable and 
 
 i t.” The tenor of the letter written by the king will be 
 ;< nd set forth at length above. 
 
 The lord bishop of Ely also wrote to the following effect:— 
 Mustace, by the grace of God, bishop of Ely, * * * to 
 5 friends, the justiciaries of our lord the king, on the Bench 
 nted, greeting and brotherly love. As we do well recollect, 
 p ile king Itichard, of happy memory, was still living, the 
 fnat of Croyland appeared before him at Gorham, upon which 
 t king fully pardoned him for the default of which he had 
 b : n guilty on the trial concerning the marsh between him 
 i ( l the prior of Spalding. This we have thought proper to 
 a ify to you, in order that the truth relative thereto may be 
 Pi y known and ascertained.” 
 
 in this year died, at London, Hugh, bishop of Lincoln, of 
 by memory: upon which, his body was carried to Lincoln, 
 ncre it was buried with great pomp by king John, w T ho had 
 Inly come over to England, together with the archbishops, 
 
 ii bishops, and other dignitaries of the kingdom. 
 
 nthe meantime, the octave of Saint Martin, the time named 
 ti he abbat of Croyland for hearing the cause, drew nigh; 
 a >n which, the before-named John, the abbat’s deputy, had 
 h iself essoigned for illness on the road; and the justices, in 
 V fortuity with the precept of Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, gave him 
 a ther very short day to appear at the end of fifteen days, 
 bi lg the day after the feast of Saint Andrew. Upon hearing 
 31 The negative is here omitted by accident, 
 
>00 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CBOYIAND. A.D. 12 , 
 
 of this, the abbat and his friends were reduced to still grea :« 
 straits; for they had hoped that a longer time would hi > 
 been granted them, a day, namely, after the octave of Sa; 
 Hilary; that so, in the meantime, they might be enabled i 
 cross over to our lord the king, and make known to him J| 
 true state of the case. Indeed, he had made every prepa. 
 tion for crossing over, the last time that he had left Croyklj 
 before the feast of All Saints ; and consequently, the conv; 
 of Croyland thought that he had already crossed over, as, m 
 the meantime, he had neither returned nor sent any mess:M 
 home. It was quite unexpectedly, then, that a messenger . 
 rived from him, ordering his prior, Nicholas de Toft, Geoff/ 
 de Horva, the cellarer, and the proctor of the abbey, t 
 meet the lord abbat at London, on a day named. Hastenifl 
 thither, vhey found the lord abbat in the county of Cambrid, 
 at his manor of Drayton : upon which they proceeded onwan ; 
 together to London. Here they were met by Oshert de Loi- 
 champ, the brother of the lord abbat, and a certain wise ; t 
 discreet knight, Reginald de Argent by name; by whose adv j. 
 the lord abbat addressed his entreaties to each of the mti 
 powerful men in the court, namely, John de Gray, the th 
 lord bishop of Norwich, and a great favourite with the ki, ■ 
 and Simon de Pateshill, and Richard de Heriet, with mE«| 
 others, begging them to show a kind attention to his intern»! 
 
 Nicholas, prior of Spalding, also came, together with d 
 supporters and many friends of high rank, for a rich man m| 
 nerally has many friends. Upon the day named for the triJ 
 he appeared before the justiciaries on the Rench, and prefenls 
 his claims against the abbat of Croyland ; who, on being call*. 
 immediately appeared, and, in conformity with the usual c >4 
 tom, demanded to hear the writ: upon which the writ f 
 summons was produced and read. But the original coil 
 not be heard, as it only spoke of the abbat of Saint Nichoj, 
 at Angers: and to this the abbat of Croyland was not boil 
 to answer, seeing that the abbat himself was not present, if 
 yet had appointed any one to act in his stead. In conseque)}» 
 of this, they decided that he was only bound to ansvi 
 the last writ, the one which Geoffrey Fitz-Peter had direct* 
 under his seal, to the sheriff of Lincoln. Upon this, theabt 
 of Croyland withdrew with his friends and counsel, and, air 
 holding a short conference, returned. The prior, howev, 
 
d. 1202. 
 
 DELIBERATION OF THE JUDGES. 
 
 301 
 
 •ged most strenuously that the precept 35 of our lord the king 
 ight to be carried into effect, and that record should be granted 
 him and reasonable judgment as to a certain marsh between 
 •oyland and Spalding. To this, a certain man, wise in the 
 ings of this world, who spoke in the abbat’s behalf (John 
 •luccente by name, a citizen of London), made answer, that 
 e lord ahbat of Croyland had no wish whatever to avoid 
 cord of the court and reasonable judgment, but that he de- 
 anded the writ which contained the foundation of the 
 rial, and from an examination of which the judgment and 
 cord ought to be formed ; and, if he could in no way ob- 
 in that, he demanded view to be made of the marsh be- 
 Ireen Croyland and Spalding, as, in consequence of many 
 ■rmer trials, many points were to he easily obtained upon the 
 ot. Upon this, the judges enquired at what time this suit 
 as first mooted ; to which the men of Spalding made answer, 
 the time of king Richard, when Walter, archbishop of 
 ouen, was chief-justice of England, Robert de Whitefeld, of 
 horn mention has been previously made, acting as his assessor, 
 he abhat and his friends admitted that such was the fact, and 
 ■ere greatly rejoiced at it; both because, most unjustly and 
 ntrary to all forms of civil law, he was dragged to trial by 
 at writ by which abbat Robert, his predecessor, had been 
 :mmoned, as also, because the forgiveness of his default which 
 ng Richard had granted him, and the charter confirming pos- 
 ssion of the marsh to the abbat was posterior thereto in 
 me ; and, of two mandates, the one that comes last prevails, 
 de justiciaries, on hearing this, arose from the bench and held 
 inference with the barons of the Exchequer, and the faithful 
 rvants of our lord the king who were there sitting. 
 
 On the morrow they took their seats on the Bench, and both 
 irties made their appearance : upon which, Simon de Pates- 
 ! 11 stated that the question required still further considera - 
 bn, and several of his brother judges were not then present, 
 the Advent of our Lord was just then being celebrated, and 
 : f> other trial, except the one in question, was going on; in con- 
 quence of which, it would be necessary to postpone the tidal 
 r the present, that it might be heard more at length, and 
 me might be gained for due deliberation. Accordingly, they 
 •pointed another day, eight days after the octave of Saint 
 35 The king’s letter or precept to Geoffrey Fitz-Peter. 
 
302 CONTINUATION' OF THE HISTOKT OF CEOYE VND. A.D. 120 
 
 Hilary ; in order that, in the meantime, the original writ, tl 
 foundation of the whole cause, might be searched for, ai < 
 those persons might he enquired after and summoned, und 
 whose care the matter in dispute had been enquired into, se 
 ing that not one of them, except the said Simon [de Pateshill 
 was then sitting on the bench; and he was unwilling alone ‘ 
 give judgment, from a feeling that he ought not to do so. Tl 
 abbat and his friends were much pleased at this delay, as 1 
 was quite ready to cross over; but he first gave the letter 
 his lordship of Canterbury, and that of his lordship of El 
 to John de Sandon and his friends who stayed behind, inord 
 to strengthen their cause, in case he should not be able * 
 return to England by the day fixed for the trial: immediate* 
 after which, he set out, but was delayed some time at Port 
 mouth, waiting for a fair wind and a smooth sea. The pri 
 of Spalding also sent an envoy in his behalf to act against hii 
 a very shrewd monk, Godfrey by name, who then held t: 
 office of cellarer in his monastery. 
 
 At this time, also, his lordship of Canterbury, and his lor* 
 ship of Ely, having been summoned by the king’s most urge 5 
 mandate to come over, were at Shoreham, waiting for a fel 
 opportunity of crossing. The abbat of Croyland, howevcj 
 embarked on the feast of Saint Lucia at Portsmouth, and rnakiif 
 a prosperous voyage, landed the next day at Barbeflet; 1 
 lordship of Canterbury having arrived in Normandy four da> 
 before. On landing, the abbat immediately proceeded towar 
 Montfort, as the king and the archbishop had just arrived then 
 On the vigil of Saint Thomas the Apostle, the abbat had ; 1 
 interview with the king, in presence of the archbishop, and 
 a suppliant and simple narrative related his story in the hearil 
 of the king ; briefly stating how that he had been disseised 'J 
 his marsh, on account of a default which he had made throuj® 
 fear, as he did not dare appear before a court of justice, 1 
 brother the bishop of Ely having been just expelled from En 1 
 land, and his other brothers thrown into prison, while our loll 
 king Bichard was tarrying in the land of Syria; how, too, th 
 the same king, when he had waited upon him in Germany, a: 1 fl 
 made his complaint, had fully forgiven him his default. B * 
 also stated how that the lord archbishop had, in conformi 1 
 with the king’s mandate, restored him to seisin and possessid N 
 The archbishop, who was present, on hearing this statemd if 
 
D. 1202. 
 
 DELAY OF THE SUIT. 
 
 303 
 
 stifled to the truth thereof, and supported the prayer of the 
 )bat addressed to the king, to the effect that he would ratify 
 id grant forgiveness for his default, in the same manner that 
 e king his brother had granted it to him. Upon this, the 
 ng very graciously promised that he would shew unto him a 
 11 measure of justice ; but gave orders that he should attend 
 in until he could give more leisure to the consideration of his 
 se. 
 
 At the same time, one Godfrey, a monk, and a very crafty, 
 rward man, who had been sent by the prior of Spalding to 
 it against the abbat of Croyland, offered every possible oppo- 
 i-ion, resisted him to his face, both in presence of the king- 
 id elsewhere, and in every way impeded the transaction of 
 h business. The consequence was, that it was protracted for 
 .very considerable time. Still, however, the abbat of Croy- 
 hd, following the king about through castles and villages," 
 i weariedly persisted in the prosecution of his suit. In the 
 Ian time, king John determined to celebrate the approaching 
 i rival of our Lord’s Nativity in a style of kingly magnificence 
 flArgenton, convoking the princes and nobles of his territories 
 1 the purpose. Being, among the rest, and before all others, 
 i rited by name, the earl of Chester came; a man who was the 
 jjtron and advocate of the people of Spalding, and diligently 
 pmoted their suit. Accordingly, he earnestly entreated the 
 lug, and his friends and advisers, to favour the interests of 
 1 monks; for, as he said, what was done for them would be 
 cisidered as done for himself. After thus recommending to 
 e-h and all the monk Godfrey and his suit, he departed from 
 qirt. Upon this, gaining fresh courage, Godfrey often and 
 enestly entreated the king, by fresh letters to command the 
 j tices of England, without excuse or delay, to dispatch the 
 biness of the prior of Spalding, according to the tenor of the 
 Iters formerly written, and promised the king twenty marks 
 c silver in addition to the forty marks that had been previously 
 praised. 
 
 The abbat of Croyland, on hearing this, was extremely 
 arious, both because our lord the king had so greatly delayed 
 t: settlement of his business, as also because the courtiers did 
 ias yesterday and the day before, shew to him a favourable 
 c intenance. At length, however, being sensible that in this 
 (irt hardly any business could be expedited, Unless through 
 
304 CONTIXUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYTAKD. A.u. 12 ( 
 
 the intervention of presents or promises, after holding count 
 with his well-wishers, he offered the king no small sum 
 money, on condition that he would by his charter grant to hi 
 the same forgiveness for his default which king Richard h 
 granted him; this, however, the king put off until he shou 
 have arrived at Saint Susanne. Here the abbat entreated t 
 king, with his usual earnestness, that he would deign to list 
 to his prayers. The monk Godfrey, however, pressed the ki: 
 with no less degree of earnestness. Upon this, the king, ft 
 lowing the counsels of his prudent advisers, and desirous i 
 the time to satisfy both sides, determined to accept the promis 
 made by both. Accordingly, he gave to the monk Godfrey 1 
 letters, to the following effect: “ John, by the grace of Gc 
 king of England, &c. to Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, greeting. Y 
 are to know, that the prior of Spalding, besides the forty mar 
 which he had previously promised us, has made a final arrang 
 ment with us, on payment of twenty marks of silver, to ha 
 record and reasonable judgment against the abbat of Croylac 
 in the suit between them relative to the marsh. Whei 
 fore, we do command you, that if he shall give you securi 
 for payment of the said money, at the times which are kno\ 
 to you, then you are, without delay, to let the said prior ha 
 record and reasonable judgment, according to the custom 
 England, and according to the tenor of our former letters whi 
 you have received upon the subject, and according to the ten 
 of the said suit which has been reasonably carried on betwe> 
 them. Witness, myself, &c.” 
 
 He also gave a letter to the abbat of Croyland, to the f< 
 lowing effect:—“John, by"the grace of God, &c., to Geoffr 
 Fitz-Peter, greeting. We command you forthwith to he 
 the cause between the abbat of Croyland and the prior 
 Spalding as to a certain marsh, and to award to the abbat 
 Croyland what, on hearing the said trial, ought to be award 
 to him, and to the prior of Spalding the same. You are al 
 by your letters to signify unto us the progress of the whd 
 matter, and your determination hereupon. Witness, myself, 
 Feschamp, on the tenth day of January.” 
 
 Godfrey, the monk of Spalding, on receiving his letter, d 
 parted from the court with exultation, and hastened to retu 
 to England, expecting that he would be able without any o 
 position to bring his business to the desired conclusion, befc 
 
■ D. 1202 . LETTER OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBTIBT. 005 
 
 he abbat of Croyland should be able to return; as he was 
 .ware that he had hitherto made little or no progress with the 
 :ing in the promotion of his suit. For the abbat had departed 
 torn court at the same period, but still remained for a short 
 ime in those parts, being occupied about this as well as various 
 ther business of his, as he had no wish to be in too great haste 
 o return, a day having been given to him and his adversaries 
 o appear before the judges in the [King’s] Bench at West- 
 linster,—the octave of Saint Hilary; and besides, he had 
 rudently taken all due precautions before crossing over, ap- 
 ointing John de Sandon to act as his attorney in his stead, 
 nd to promote his suit. However, his attorney was not able 
 o appear on the day named; upon which, he had himself 
 ssoigned until a future day, and another day was named, at 
 le end of three weeks. 
 
 In the meantime, by the providence of God, the abbat of 
 royland safely crossed over, and on the day named came to 
 Westminster and presented himself before the judges. His 
 iversaries also appeared, and with them many of the wise 
 ion of this world whom they had induced by entreaties and 
 ired with fees, making sure beyond all doubt that they should, 
 a this occasion, carry their entire wishes fully into effect, 
 .ccordingly, when the justiciaries had taken their seats on the 
 ench, both parties appeared, and the prior of Spalding prayed 
 ae judges that the precept of our lord the king might be read 
 loud, and judgment given in his favour without delay, as the 
 ing had commanded. The abbat of Croyland, meanwhile, 
 ilayed producing his letters, thinking it neither a fitting time 
 or place for that purpose. While, however, the judges were 
 .iscussing this matter with the nobles of the kingdom, the 
 ibat of Croyland came before them and produced to them a 
 -tter written by the archbishop of Canterbury, and directed to 
 re judges, to the following effect: “ Hubert, by the grace of 
 od, archbishop of Canterbury, &c., to Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, 
 -.’eeting. We send unto you a most truthful copy of the let- 
 r sent to us by kiug ltiehard of happy memory, in behalf 
 the abbat of Croyland, as to a certain marsh which lies be- 
 veen Croyland and Spalding, and relative to which there is a 
 spute between the said abbat and the prior of Spalding. We 
 dieve that if it had come to the knowledge of our lord tho 
 ng that his said brother had sent unto us such letter relative 
 
 x 
 
306 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOKY OF CEOYXAND. 
 
 A.D. 120 ! 
 
 to this matter, you would not have received from him sue 
 commands. Wherefore, do you make it your care to come 1 
 such conclusion, as, in your discretion, you shall consider to 1 
 consonant with what is reasonable and just.” 
 
 The lord archbishop of Canterbury also sent the lettei 
 which he had received in the time of king Richard, when 1 
 himself was justiciary of all England, relative to the grant ( • 
 pardon for the default which the abbat had made; which wei 
 enclosed under the same impression of his seal with the las 
 When the letters of king Richard had been read, in which th 
 result of the whole case was set forth, as well as the letters ( . 
 his lordship of Canterbury, in which he testified that he ha 
 received them by command of king Richard, after much dis 
 cussion, all the judges there present, together with the counc 
 of the wise men of the kingdom, were of opinion that a wai 
 ranty thus made by the king ought to be confirmed and ratified 
 and that the abbat of Croyland ought not to incur any harm b 
 reason thereof. The names of the justiciaries who were 0 
 the Rench are as follow: Simon de Patishill, Richard Herie 
 John de Sestinges, Walter Crepi, Eustace de Fauconberg, an 
 Godfrey de l’lsle. Besides these, many nobles also appeare i 
 in court, to support the interests of the realm, and were pn 
 sent at that day’s deliberations. The names of these were 1 l 
 follow : John, lord bishop of Norwich, Roger, earl of Clan f 
 Robert Fitz-Walter, Geoffrey de Bouchlande, William di 1 
 Warenne, with many others, all of whom, without the slighte: I 
 difference, were of the same opinion. Still, however, jud< [ 
 ment was not publicly given on that day, because Geoffre t 
 Fitz-reter, who was then the chief justiciary of England, w; , 
 not present; for it seemed proper to all, that, as the king 1 
 letters relative to the said business had been directed to tl 
 said Geoffrey as chief justice, judgment should be given in h 
 presence. Accordingly the abbat and the prior were called ii 
 and a day was appointed for them, at the end of eight daj 
 from that day. 
 
 Accordingly, on the day named, the said Geoffrey Fitz-Peh 3 
 appeared, and the other justiciaries with him. After the pr< *i 
 eeedings had been read before him, which had taken pla( 1 
 between the said abbat and prior, he differed with them all,. 
 and wished to overthrow and nullify the judgment which tl 1 
 justiciaries and barons of the exchequer had given. Howevc 
 
.D. 1202. 
 
 LETTEH TO JOHN, KINO OF ENGLAND. 
 
 307 
 
 iey all with one voice made answer, that they neither would, 
 or ought to, have any fresh consideration of the matter, as it 
 opeared to them that the judgment which they had given was 
 ght. After they had contended long and earnestly on the 
 latters aforesaid, Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, seeing that he could not, 
 naided, struggle against them all, put off the trial until the 
 flowing day. The next morning, he ordered all the justices 
 i appear before him, to discuss the matters before-mentioned, 
 /hen they again differed on the same point, Geoffrey Fitz- 
 eter replied, that it seemed just to him that, as a difference 
 l this matter had arisen between them, a statement of the 
 hole case, from the very beginning up to that day, should be 
 nt to Normandy, to the king; and that our lord the king 
 ould do what should seem to him to be just. This he said, 
 :cause he favoured the side of the prior of Spalding. At last, 
 >wever, all the justices agreed that the abbat of Croyland and 
 e prior of Spalding should have letters to the same effect, 
 id send their deputies to carry to the king the letters of the 
 sticiary on the said matter, and that whatever directions the 
 ng should write in answer, they would willingly carry out 
 e same. 
 
 The form of these letters was as follows : “ To his reverend 
 rd, John, by the grace of God, the illustrious king of England, 
 k, Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, greeting and faithful obedience in all 
 ings. You have ordered us to let the prior of Spalding have 
 cord and judgment of the trial which took place between 
 m and the abbat of Croyland, relative to the marsh situate 
 tween Spalding and Croyland; which was to the effect, that 
 the time of king Richard, your brother, the prior of Spalding, 
 his court, claimed against the said abbat the aforesaid marsh, 
 fter summons, the abbat made essoign for being confined by 
 ness to his bed, by reason of which he was detained at C'roy- 
 bd. When, by judgment of the court, four knights went to 
 ' oyland, to make view of the said abbat and his illness, they 
 d not find him there, and so, through his default, the prior 
 covered seisin of the marsh by judgment of the court. After 
 is, the abbat appeared before king Richard, your brother, 
 
 < d gave him to understand that it was through the banish- 
 :?nt of his brother from England, and the imprisonment of 
 iiue others of his brothers, that he had not dared to appear, 
 t had taken to flight, and so prevailed upon him to warrant 
 
30S CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLAND. 
 
 A.D. 120 
 
 to him pardon for his default, upon which the abhat was r 
 instated in seisin of the said marsh. Wherefore, upon co 
 sidering the said warranty, although it does not appear to yo' : 
 court in England, but that our lord the king, your broth( 
 could lawfully enough grant such warranty, and that you ha 
 a similar power, we have been unwilling to give an expre 
 judgment hereupon, before you should he certified upon t 
 before-mentioned record, and should have more expressly stat 
 your wish hereupon. May our lord long fare well in t 
 Lord.” 
 
 When these letters had been written and sealed, one w 
 delivered to each party. The abbat of Croyland, on departi: 1 
 from court, returned home; while the prior of Spalding imm 
 diately despatched his monk, before-named, to the king, th 
 he might arrive before the deputy of the abbat of Croylan 
 and, by means of presents and promises, accomplish his objc 
 On this, the monk of Spalding, making all haste, left Bond; 
 on the succeeding Saturday, before any of the others, hasten 
 to the sea-side, and speedily arrived at Portsmouth, hoping i 
 make a quick passage over, and to reach the king in a ve» 
 short space of time. But, by the providence of God, win. 
 the sea and the winds obey, it happened otherwise; for he h. 
 to stay there nearly forty days, and, although he repeatedly b 
 tempted it, was never able to cross. In the mean time, t 
 abbat of Croyland had returned home, in order that he migi 
 take a little rest, after the fatigues of so long a journey : i 
 which occasion he was met by his people, who received h i 
 with joy. 
 
 A few days after, the lord abhat dispatched his envoy to t) 
 king, John de Ereston, who had crossed over twice befo. 
 Trusting rather to the goodness of God than his own wisdo-, 
 he commended himself to God and the prayers of his bretlin, 
 and immediately set out for the sea-side. On arriving at 1i 
 port called Shoreham, he found there some of the nobles of 1i 
 kingdom, who were intending to visit the king, and among tha 
 the bishop of Coventry; upon which, the monk attached hi • 
 self to him, and begged that he would receive him in i 
 retinue, so that he might pass over under his protection. J- 
 cordingly, the before-named bishop graciously received hi, 
 and showed the greatest kindness to him as long as he vi 
 staying at the before-mentioned harbour. At this time > 
 
.D. 1202. 
 
 AN ENVOY DESPATCHED TO THE KINO. 
 
 309 
 
 ae was able to cross over, either at Portsmouth or at Shorc- 
 am, in consequence of the badness of the weather and the 
 iry of the winds ; consequently, the said John stayed there a 
 hole week, in a state of the greatest anxiety, being fearful 
 ■st his adversary, who had proceeded to the other port, should 
 pt to his journey’s end before him, and appear first before the 
 ing, and so execute the commission of the prior of Spalding, 
 iere being no one to oppose him. One day, however, it so 
 •appened that the tempest was lulled, and the sea became 
 ■ retty calm, upon which there was great gladness among the 
 ,3ople who were desirous to cross over. Still, not one of the 
 ables who were there dared venture to make the passage, in 
 msequence of the troubled state of the sea, and the uncer- 
 linty of the winds, which were not quite lulled. The said 
 din, however, seeing one vessel, which had on board some 
 por people and pilgrims, ready to cross over, embarked among 
 
 next 
 be- 
 who 
 
 id long preceded him, and had been detained at Portsmouth. 
 Directly the said John had landed he set out to wait upon 
 te king, and found him at Rouen. On coming into his pre- 
 >nce, he produced the letter of the justiciaries, and delivered 
 * to him, and at the same time related to the king with his 
 Lvn lips the circumstances of the case, which were not so 
 illy entered into by the letter. After the king had discussed 
 ne matter with the wise men of his court w T ho were then 
 i resent, and had enquired of them what he ought to do, they 
 fcade answer that in such manner as he himself would wish 
 i is own warranty, if he should give one to any person, to be con¬ 
 fined and held good, he himself ought to confirm the warranty 
 tut had been made by his brother king Richard, whose heir 
 [p was. Our lord the king, on hearing this, expressed his 
 . illingness, both to let the warranty of king Richard hold 
 ood, and to receive the sum of one hundred marks that had 
 .pen promised him by the abbat of Croyland. Accordingly, 
 ip stated to the said monk of Croyland, that, if he would en- 
 ige that the sum promised should be paid at the fitting time, 
 
 ; would by his charter confirm the warranty which king 
 ichard had made to the abbat of Croyland; and would bo¬ 
 des give a favourable ear to any other business of his which 
 
 [lie rest, and, by the guidance of the Lord, landed the ; 
 kiy in Normandy; while all the nobles were still staying 
 ,;ind, at Shoreham, and the monk of Spalding as well, 
 
310 COXTIXUATIQX OF THE HI ST OUT OF CHOTLAXD. A.D. 120' 
 
 he might happen to have in his court. Upon this, tne sai 
 John (reflecting how delay often brings with it danger, an 
 fearing that even yet the envoy of the prior of Spalding migl 
 arrive at court, and by means of presents and promises thro- 
 impediments in his way), by advice of their lordships, tb 
 archbishop of Canterbury and the bishop of Ely, whom he ha 
 found at court, acquiesced in the wishes of the king. Accorc 
 ingly, our lord the king gave orders that the warranty made f 
 the abbat of Croyland by king Richard should be confhme 
 by his charter, and that the marsh, relative to which the d( 
 tault had been made, should, under his seal, be confirmed t 
 the abbat of Croyland in such manner as it had been by th 
 charter of king Henry his father. This was accordingly don< 
 in manner hereinafter stated. 
 
 When, therefore, the Lord guiding him, the said John hac 
 by the king’s permission, transacted this and the other businet i 
 entrusted to him, he returned to England as quickly as h 
 could, on his road home to Croyland, whence he had been sent 
 while the envoy of the prior of Spalding was still staying o, 
 this side of the sea. However, he afterwards crossed ovej 
 and waiting upon the king, made great promises ; but effectin 
 nothing thereby, he withdrew from court and returned horn* 
 in accordance with the words, “ Let them be confounded an 
 put to shame who wish me evil.” 23 
 
 The charter of our lord the king, John, as to the confirma' 
 tion of the boundaries of the abbey, and of which mention i 
 made above, was to the following effect: “John, by the grac 
 of God, king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Hormand; 
 and Aquitaine, and earl of Anjou, to the archbishops, bishops 
 abbats, earls, barons, justiciaries, sheriffs, and all his bailifl 
 and faithful subjects, greeting. Enow ye, that we liav 
 granted and confirmed unto God and the church of Sain 
 Guthlac at Croyland, and to the abbat and monks there serving i 
 God, all the lands and tenements, and other the possessions t 
 the said church belonging, and in especial the site of the sail 
 abbey, together with the boundaries thereof herein named 
 which extend as follow; a distance of five leagues, from Croy 
 land to the place where the Asendyk falls into the waters o 
 the Welland, and thence by Asendyk to Aswyktoft, and thenc 
 to Shepishee, and thence to Tydwarthar. Thence to Homans 
 28 Psalm xl. 14, 59 Twenty-eighth of April. 
 
d. 1202. 
 
 CHARTER OF KING JOIIN. 
 
 311 
 
 nd, and so through the river called Nene to Fynset, and 
 •ence upwards through Fynset to Groynes, and so to Folk- 
 rlbldstakyng, 30 and thence along the course of Southlake, as 
 falls into the Welland. Thence across the Welland, towards 
 : e north, as far as Aspath, and thence to Werwarlake, and so 
 
 I . Harenholte, and thence upwards, through the water, to 
 ■engerlake, and so through Lurtlake as far as Oggot, and 
 ence along the course of the Apynholt as it falls into the 
 'elland, together with all piscaries to the said boundaries 
 donging. Wherefore we do will and strictly command that 
 e before-named church, and abbat, and monks shall hold and 
 r ever possess all their lands, tenements, and other their pos- 
 ssions, and all the gifts which since the death of king Henry, 
 e grandfather of our father, have been reasonably given to 
 tern, fully, peacefully, freely, quietly, and honorably, to enjoy 
 ie same in wood and in plain, in meadows and in pastures, 
 waters and in marshes, in preserves and in fisheries, in mills 
 id in mill-dams, and in all other things and places, with 
 ght of Sach and Soch, and Thol, and Them, and lnfangthefe, 
 id with all other free customs and acquittances, as fully, 
 leely, and quietly as the said church, and abbat, and monks 
 eld the same in the time of king Henry, the grandfather of 
 ir father, or other our predecessors kings of England, and as 
 illy, freely, and quietly as any churches in our kingdom of 
 ngland hold the same, in such manner as is by the charter of 
 ng Henry our father reasonably testified, &c. Given by the 
 and of Simon, archdeacon of Wells.” 
 
 Not even thus, however, did the venerable abbat Henry gain 
 ie wished-for repose, but, like a stone out of the living rock to 
 •3 placed in a heavenly house, was he squared, both on the 
 ght side and on the left, by repeated blows and numerous 
 iffetings. For Acharius, also, the abbat of Burgh Saint 
 jeter (not content with his own boundaries, but desirous, con- 
 ary to the prophetic warning, “ to join house to house, and 
 liy field to field, till there be no place,” 31 ) first, by the royal 
 rit, obtained of the king from beyond sea, impleaded the said 
 abat Henry, and without any good reason claimed against 
 im our southern marsh called Alderland, of which our monas- 
 ■ry had held undisturbed possession from its foundation until 
 : ie times of our said father, just as the Assyrians did against 
 ie people of God. Upon this, Hubert, archbishop of Canter* 
 30 Called previously “ Eolwardstakyng.” 31 Isaiah v. 8. 
 
312 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 12C 
 
 bury, who was then chief justiciary of England, sent lette 
 mandatory to the abbats of Eamsey and Thorney, directiil 
 them to make inquisition in his behalf upon the oaths I 
 eighteen knights, mutually agreed upon, what right each 
 them had to the lands, meadows, pastures, and marshes, ai 
 all other things, between the river None and the river We 
 land, and which ought to be the boundaries between the abbi 
 of Burgh and the abbey of Croyland, aud fully to state the sa 
 inquisition under their seals and those of the knights to tl 
 before-named archbishop and justices. A dissension, how eve 
 arising between the inquisitors, they returned to their home 
 leaving the matter unsettled. 
 
 At length, however, after many conferences, discussion 
 delays, and expenses on both sides, the dispute between tl 
 two abbats having been enquired into at great length befo: 
 the justices of our lord the king at Lexington, was final ; 
 settled, to the no small detriment of the church of Croyland, .1 
 will be seen at length in the following statement: “ This l 
 the final agreement made in the court of our lord the king ; 
 Lexington, on the Monday next after the Purification of tl 
 blessed Mary, in the seventh year of the reign of king Johi 
 before our lord the king, &c., between Acharius, the abba 
 and the convent of Burgh, claimants, and Henry, the abbat, ar 
 the convent of Croyland, holders of, one virgate of land, witr 
 the appurtenances in iky kirk, and a certain marsh, of whic: 
 the boundaries are as follow; from the river of Croyland 
 which is called Nene, to the place called Fynset, and froil 
 that place to Greynes, and from that place to Folwardstakynj 
 and thence to Southlake, where Southlake falls into the riv* 
 Welland, and thence according to the course of the river We 
 land as far as Croyland, where it falls into the Nene. As til 
 which, it was agreed between them in the said court, that tb 
 said abbat of Croyland acknowledged and conceded that tfc 
 said land and marsh with the appurtenances were of the fee ft 
 the abbat and church of Burgh St. Peter ; 32 and, for the sai 
 acknowledgment and concession, fine and agreement, the sai 
 abbat and convent of Burgh conceded to the before-nama 
 abbat and convent of Croyland the aforesaid virgate of lan 
 with the appurtenances in Peykirk, to have and to hold tb 
 same to themselves and their successors of the abbat and mfl 
 nastery of Burgh, and his successors in the said abbacy, b 
 32 Peterborough. 
 
d. 1206 . 
 
 AGREEMENT MADE AT LEXINGTON. 
 
 313 
 
 ie service which belongs to the said land, according as the 
 one has been divided among those who hold it, to wit; as to 
 te toft with the land in the field which Reginald the black- 
 nith has held of the same, by service of ploughing one day in 
 ie winter, and one day in Lent, with as many ploughs as he 
 ho holds the said toft and land shall possess, and of hoeing 
 e same for one day; and of making and carrying] hay for 
 ie day in the meadow of Makesey, the same being meadow 
 nd, in demesne of the abbat of Burgh, together with the men 
 ' the said abbat. In autumn, he is also to reap one-half of 
 »e said land ; and to bind the sheaves, and to gather in upon 
 ie said land, all which he is to be bound to do at his own 
 >st. In autumn also, he is, together with one man, to reap 
 ie com of the said abbat of Burgh for provision, either in the 
 bids of the abbat at Peykirk or at Glynton. But if the abbat 
 ' Burgh shall not supply him with food on that day, he shall 
 lot be bound to reap beyond the ninth hour. As to the toft 
 ith the land in the field which Gocelm Fitz-Godwin has held 
 ' the same, he is to be bound to do all the services before- 
 Icntioned, and comply with the customs before stated. As to 
 ie toft with the land in the field which William Fitz-Ralph has 
 Id of the same, he is to be bound to do all the services before- 
 entioned, and comply with the customs before stated. As to 
 ie toft with the land in the field which Aver Fitz-Alwold has 
 Id of the same, he is to be hound to do all the sendees before- 
 entioned, and comply with the customs before stated. As 
 the toft with the land in the field which Teter Palmer has 
 Id of the same, he is to be bound to do all the services before- 
 entioned, and comply with the customs before stated. As 
 the toft with the land in the field which William Fitz-Sewen 
 is held of the same, he is to be bound to do all the services 
 'lore-mentioned, and comply with the customs before stated, 
 s to the toft with the land in the field which Walter Fitz- 
 eginald has held of the same, he is to be bound to do all the 
 rvices before-mentioned, and comply with the customs before 
 ated. As to the toft with the land in the field which Regi- 
 dd Carpenter has held of the same, he is to be bound to do 
 1 the services before-mentioned, and comply with the customs 
 ■fore stated. As to the toft with the land in the field which 
 ichard Fitz-Alwey has held of the same, he is to be bound to 
 |j> all the services before-mentioned, and comply with the 
 istoms before stated: and in addition'thereto, he is to be 
 
314 COXTIXUATIOX OF TITE HISTOllY OF CP.OTLAXD. A.D. 12( 
 
 bound to plough twice in winter and twice in Lent; so th 
 he shall plough three times in winter and three times in Le 
 at his own cost; and he shall be bound to lead one cart-lo; 
 of brushwood from the marsh to the court-yard of the abbat 
 Burgh at Burgh, at the feast of Saint Michael. And furtht 
 all men who hold the said land shall be bound to pay suit at tl 
 hundred court of the abhat of Burgh for any fifteen days, ai 
 to pay six pence per annum for hidage. They shall also ll: 
 bound to shew unto the abbat of Burgh or his bailiff the 
 trank pledge. They are also to keep watch with the otk 
 men of the county at the due and appointed place, as the 
 have been accustomed to do, between the feast of Saint Michaja 
 and the feast of Saint Martin. The abbat and convent 
 Burgh hefore-named and their successors shall have the;,! 
 services and customs as to the lands before-mentioned: ar 
 shall not be at liberty to increase or to change them, n< 
 yet in any way to make further demands upon the sail j. 
 lands. The abbat and convent of Burgh have also grand' 
 to the said ahbat and convent of Cropland the before-mei 
 tioned marsh, according as the same has been set out 1 
 the metes and boundaries before-mentioned, to have an; I 
 to hold the same to themselves and their successors of tl j 
 abbat and convent of Burgh and their successors, for eveii 
 paying for the same each year, in the church of Saint Pete-1 
 at Burgh, four stones weight of wax, before the octave til 
 the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, for all service A 
 and demands: and the abbat and convent of Burgh, or the: • 
 successors, shall not be at liberty to demand from them anythin 
 beyond the said four stones of wax ; saving, however, that tl 
 abbat and convent of Burgh shall have the right of herbag' ; 
 for all their cattle, as well as those of their tenants, as also ft 
 the cattle of any other persons which shall enter the sai 
 marsh besides the cattle belonging to the demesne of the abbt 
 and convent of Cropland, and to their tenants at Cropland an 
 Peykirk. It is also to be known that it shall be lawful for th 
 abbat and convent of Croyland, without any let, or hindrance, o; 
 gainsaying, on the part of the abbat and convent of Burgi ■ 
 and their servants, to dig turf there, and where they shall di 
 turf, to take beneath the turf potter’s clay and sand; and t 
 cut in the marsh rushes, bulrushes, osiers, and withes ; upo; 
 condition, however, that they shall not disturb the cattle tha 
 
. 3 . 1213. THE KING OF ENGLAND EXCOMMUNICATED. 
 
 315 
 
 je feeding there. They shall also be at liberty to cut and take 
 lash wood, and all kinds of trees which shall be in the said 
 ursh. Also, as to the other marsh of Peykirk, which is 
 fuate beyond the said boundaries, it is agreed between the 
 t d ahbats and convents, that it shall be lawful for the abbat 
 gd convent of Burgh, without hindrance or gainsaying on 
 jrt of the abbat and convent of Croyland and their servants, 
 t make meadow land of the same, according to the extent of 
 t:ir fees, which have right of common in the said pasture 
 i id : and, in like manner, it shall be lawful for the abbat and 
 civent of Croyland to make meadow land on the same marsh, 
 c ording to the extent of their fees, which have right of com- 
 i n there, without hindrance or gainsaying on part of the 
 aiat and convent of Burgh, and their servants.” 
 
 [n the tenth year of king John, being the year from the In- 
 c nation of our Lord, 1208, sentence of interdict was pro- 
 r meed throughout all England and Wales ; both on account 
 c the expulsion of Master Stephen 33 from the kingdom, who 
 H been consecrated archbishop of Canterbury by our lord 
 [ie Pope], and whom the king resisted with all his might, 
 al pronounced all parties enemies who should so much as 
 bior him with the name of archbishop ; as well as on account 
 o the expulsion of the monks from Canterbury, because either 
 t tacit consent, or by publicly attesting the same, they had 
 apiiesfced in the election of the said Stephen. During the 
 
 1 erdict, the king of England was excommunicated, and the 
 o y indulgence granted throughout his kingdom was, that the 
 Ethful, when at the point of death, might be fortified with 
 t '■ holy viaticum; which was to be sought by the hands of 
 ti: priests of the conventual churches, to whom the indul- 
 
 2 ice was granted once in each week to perform Divine service. 
 A.t last, in the sixth year of this interdict, the king being 
 pired, as it is believed, by Him in whose hands are the hearts 
 
 > kings, signified to the nuncio of his lordship the pope his 
 quiescence in his commands, and vowed that he would com- 
 with the form of satisfaction to him * * 34 which he had 
 i-, t with his own signature. He also added, by way of supple- 
 : nt to the satisfaction, that he himself and his heirs would, 
 
 ' Stephen Langlon. 
 
 ■ 4 There is an hiatus here. The sum agreed on was seven hundred 
 : ks of silver for England, and three hundred for Ireland. 
 
316 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOIIY OF CEO YL AND. A.D. 121 
 
 as a sign of their subjection, pay yearly for the tiro kingdor 
 of England and Ireland * * Upon this, Stephen, arc! 
 
 bishop of Canterbury, William, bishop of London, Eustae 
 bishop of Ely, Giles, bishop of Hereford, Jocelyn, bishop 
 Lath, and Hugh, bishop of Lincoln, returned to England, 
 tv ell as the monks of Canterbury and all others in gener <* 
 who had been in exile on account of this dispute ; to each J 
 whom, by the royal favour, full restitution was made of t 
 their possessions. After this, the king was solemnly absolvi 
 at Winchester, in ecclesiastical form, by the lord archbishop 
 Canterbury, and was, at the same time, devoutly received 1 
 him and the other bishops with the kiss of peace, and admitte j. 
 as a son of the Church, into the bosom of his mother; a> 
 hearing the solemn service of the mass, he thereby gladden' 
 the hearts of many of the people. 
 
 Having completed a reign of seventeen years and five month 
 the aforesaid king John, falling ill from an attack of dysenter : 
 breathed his last at Newark, a castle of the bishop of Lined 
 upon which, his body was earned to Worcester, to be buri 
 there. His entrails remained at Croxton, 35 where they we 
 interred. 
 
 In these days, before the report of his decease was ful 
 promulgated, some armed men, who had been previously se 
 by the said king to make enquiries and seize some knights ai 
 esquires, enemies of his, who were lurking in remote ai 
 secret spots, suddenly made their appearance at Croyland, ( 
 the morrow of Saint Michael. Not finding those of who 
 they were in search, they immediately forced an entrance in 
 the monastery and church, where, rushing in their headloi 
 course through the cloister and the offices, during the celebr 
 tion of the mass, the troopers and men-at-arms merciless, 
 dragged the people from the church, and even from before ti 
 altar; while, at the same time, they plundered with ti 
 greatest violence whatever they took a fancy to, and wker 
 ever it was found: so much so, that, on their departure, the 
 took with them an immense booty, collected from the herds 
 cattle and beasts of burden. 
 
 Eing John being dead, as above stated, his eldest 60 
 Henry, then about nine years of age, was chosen king, ai 
 was elevated to the royal throne at Gloucester, the impositi' 
 
 55 A house of canons regular in Lincolnshire, the abbat of which 
 tended the king on his death-bed. 
 
D. 1220. TRANSLATION OF ST. TH0MA8 THE MARTYR. 317 
 
 . hands being made by the bishop of Winchester, with the 
 distance of the other bishops who were then in the kingdom, 
 re archbishop of Canterbury being absent at the court of 
 bme. However, in the fifth year after this, by the mandate 
 i our lord the pope, he was again solemnly invested with the 
 jyal robes and with the crown of the most holy king Edward, 
 i Westminster, by Stephen, the venerable archbishop of Can- 
 1:bury, who was then present, in presence of the prelates 
 i d nobles of the realm. In the same year also, that is to 
 ty, in the year of our Lord, 1220, the translation of Saint 
 hornas the Martyr was solemnly made by the before-named 
 -nerable father, Stephen, archbishop of Canterbury, in pre- 
 nce of the lord Pandulph, legate of the Apostolic See, of 
 jenry, king of the English, and of three archbishops, and 
 ner bishops and nobles who had flocked thither from all parts 
 
 < England, as well as nearly all quarters of the world; it 
 ing the fiftieth year from the passion of the said martyr. 
 
 i great was the lavishness, and so munificent the bounty of 
 Te said archbishop, and so worthy to be proclaimed to the 
 •role world, as being displayed towards all who devoutly 
 itended the translation of the martyr, that no one then living 
 i the flesh could remember any such solemnity being cele- 
 lated in such manner in England at any previous time, 
 .nong the rest whom the said archbishop thought proper to 
 sininon to the votive solemnity of his glorious translation, he 
 rigned, by his letter, to invite the father so often mentioned, 
 Anry, abbat of the monaster)’ of Croyland; who, however, being 
 jecluded from attending by the urgency of numerous matters of 
 1 siness, was not able conveniently to appear in person; but still, 
 
 • shing, to the best of his small ability, to make some offering in 
 1; honor, * * * he humbly sent to his excellency, the said 
 ■nerable pontiff, a book on the Life and Passion of the said 
 nrtyr, which had been skilfully compiled by a monk of his 
 : mastery of Croyland. 36 This compilation contains and dis- 
 iictly sets forth the birth of the glorious martyr, his life, 
 udies, deeds, exile, agony, passion, canonization, and, what 
 i still more excellent, the Epistles of the said martyr, both 
 ose which he wrote to others, and others to him, or for him, 
 
 < against him, becomingly inserted in their proper places, 
 Tgether with a list of the learned productions of the same 
 urtyr. 
 
 36 Roger of Croyland, prior of Freston. 
 
318 COXirS'UATION OF the histor? of croyland. 
 
 A.D. 122< 
 
 At this time also, the Minorite 36 brethren first began 1 
 settle in England, two years before the death of Saint Franci 
 King Heniy, at the instance of the venerable father, abbs 
 Henry, graciously confirmed all the liberties of the abbey < 
 Croyland, in the following terms ; “ Henry, by the grace < 
 God, king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Norm and 
 and Aquitaine and earl of Anjou, to the archbishops, bishop 
 abbats, earls, barons, justiciaries, sheriffs, and all his faithti 
 subjects and bailiffs, greeting. Know ye that we have grant* 
 and confirmed unto God and the church of Saint Guthlac i 
 Croyland, and to the abbat and monks there serving God, a 
 the lands and tenures and other the possessions to the sai 
 church belonging, and in especial, the site of the said abbt 
 together with the boundaries thereof herein named, which e: 
 tend as follow; a distance of five leagues, from Croyland i 
 the place where the Asendyk falls into the waters of the Wellant 
 and thence by Asendyk to Aswyktoft, and thence to Shepishe ■ 
 and thence to Tydwarthar. Thence to Nomansland, and s 
 through the river called Nene to Fynset, and thence up wan 
 through Fynset to Greynes, and so to Folkwoldstakyng, ar 
 thence along the course of Southlake, as it falls into the Wei 
 and. Thence, across the Welland, towards the north, as f; 
 as Aspath, and thence to Werwarlake, and so to Harenhol 
 and thence upwards through the water as far as Mengerlak 
 and so through Lurtlake as far as Oggot, and thence along tl 
 course of the Apynholt, as it falls into the Welland, togeth 
 with all piscaries to the said boundaries belonging. When 
 fore, we do will and strictly command that the before-name 
 church, and abbat, and monks shall hold and for ever posse 
 all their lands, tenures, and other their possessions, and all tl 
 gifts which, since the death of king Heniy our grandfathe 
 have been reasonably given unto them, fully and peaceabl; 
 freely, quietly and honorably, to enjoy the same in wood an 
 in plain, in meadows and in pastures, in waters and in marshe 
 in preserves and in fisheries, in mills and in mill-dams, ar 
 in all other things and places, with right of Sach, and Socl 
 and Thol, and Them, and Infangthefe, and with all other fr< 
 customs and acquittances, as fully, freely, and quietly as tl 
 said church, and abbat, and monks held the same in the tin 
 of king Henry our grandfather, or other our predecessors kinr * 
 of England, and as fully, freely, and quietly as any church 
 36 The Franciscan Friars. 
 
d. 1233. 
 
 AGREEMENT MADE AT LINCOLN. 
 
 319 
 
 . our kingdom of England hold the same, in such manner as 
 ie charters of king Henry our grandfather, and of king Itich- 
 d our uncle, and of king John our father, reasonably testify 
 to the same. Witnesses hereto &c. Given by the hand of 
 e venerable father R. bishop of Chichester, our chancellor, 
 Westminster, on the fifteenth day of March, in the eleventh 
 ■ar of our reign.” 
 
 In the eighteenth year of the reign of king Henry, the 
 fore-named father Henry, abbat of Croyland, impleaded Hugh 
 'ake, the lord of Depyng, to know by what right or title he 
 aimed the impounding of eattle feeding in our marsh of 
 pggislound, which is within the boundaries of the abbey of 
 ■oyland ; the same belonging both to those who have been 
 ■customed to have common thereof, as well as to strangers 
 ho neither ought nor are wont to claim any right of common 
 hatsoever in the said marsh. At last, after proposals made 
 i.. both sides, and conferences held between the before-named 
 ; bat of Croyland and the said Hugh, on the morrow of Saint 
 ’ ike they made a final agreement at Lincoln to the following 
 «ect: 
 
 “This is the final agreement made in the court of our lord 
 1e king at Lincoln, on the morrow of Saint Luke, in the 
 I’hteenth year of the reign of king Henry, the son of king 
 ,1m, before the abbat of Eardney, William de York, Robert 
 ( Fos, Ralph de Norwich, and Norman de Arsey, the justices 
 inerant, and the other faithful subjects of our lord the king 
 Ion present, between Henry, abbat of Croyland, complainant, 
 id Hugh Wake, deforciant, as to the keeping of the marshes 
 bm Aspath to Werwarlake, and so to Dedmanslake, and so 
 1 Croyland along the river Welland, with the appurtenances: 
 f to which the said abbat has made complaint that the said 
 ligh has not observed a fine levied in the court of our lord 
 te king before the justices itinerant at Lincoln, between the 
 fd abbat and Baldwin. Wake the grandfather of the before- 
 imed Hugh, of whom he is the heir, and as to which a fine 
 lied has been recorded between them in the said court; that 
 ito say, the said Hugh hath remitted and quitted claim, for 
 1 nself and his heirs, to the said abbat and his successors, and 
 t his church of Croyland, as to all right and claim that he 
 1 s had to the aforesaid marsh with its appurtenances for ever: 
 ting however to the said Hugh and to his heirs and their 
 
320 CONTINUATION OP THE HISTORY OE CROYLAND. A.D. 122 
 
 tenants, common of pasture in the said marsh, and the rig' 
 to drive to and fro therefrom their cattle of all kinds, ivit ho 
 hindrance on part of the said abbat and his successors f 
 ever. Moreover, the said Hugh hath granted, for himself ai 
 his heirs, that if the before-named abbat and his successo A 
 shall wish to enclose any part of the said marsh, the said Hut 
 and his heirs shall keep there a forester together with the fo 
 ester of the said abbat and his successors, on the understand» 
 that no one of the men of the said abbat or of his successoi £ 
 or of the men of the said Hugh or of his heirs, shall take an 
 thing within the part so enclosed, unless with the comm< . 
 consent and wish of the said abbat and his successors, and 
 the said Hugh and his heirs; but both of them, the abbat ai 
 Hugh, shall take there for their own use as much as they she, •/ 
 think fit. The said Hugh hath also granted for himself ai 
 his heirs, that the before-named abbat and his successors ai 
 the church of Croyland shall be at liberty to have three boa ( 
 in Harenholt for ever, and two boats for the sake of the sa 
 Hugh and his heirs. Also, by mutual agreement between tl 
 said abbat and his successors, and Hugh and his heirs, tl . 
 gate on the bridge over the water at Harenholt shall mai 
 the division of the marsh; and on the said gate there shall iM 
 two locks with two keys; of which a servant of the abbat ai 
 his successors shall keep the one, and a servant of the sa: 
 Hugh and his heirs shall keep the other. The said abbat hJ 
 also received the said Hugh and his heirs to partake of eao 
 and all the benefits and prayers hereafter of the church ■ #. 
 Croyland for ever.” 
 
 It ought also to he known that in the same court the sai r 
 Hugh gave warranty to the said abbat for the charters of Bali: 
 win Wake, the grandfather of the said Hugh, as to the sa; 
 marsh. 
 
 On the same occasion also, before the said justices of ox 
 lord the king, a final agreement was mutually entered into bi 
 tween Henry, abbat of Croyland, and the prior of Spaldin;. 
 that the one would not impound the beasts of the other in tl 
 marshes of Croyland, Depyng, Spalding, Pynchbeck, Langtoi ■ 
 and Baston, in the following terms; “ This is the final agrei 
 ment made in the court of our lord the king, at Lincoln, c i 
 the morrow of Saint Luke, in the eighteenth year of the reig 
 of king Henry, son of king John, before the abbat of Bardene; i 
 
I. 1236. HEJTRV DE DONGCHAMP, ABBAT OF CROrLAXD, DIES. 321 
 
 Iliam de York, Robert de Ros, Ralph de Norwich, and Nor- 
 m de Arsey, justices itinerant, and the other faithful subjects 
 our lord the king then present, between the abbat of Croy- 
 id, complainant, and Simon, the prior of Spalding, deforciant, 
 to common of pasture in the marshes of Croyland, Spalding, 
 ichbeck, Langtoft, Easton, and Depyng, which lie on the 
 stern side of the river Welland: as to which the said abbat 
 ? made complaint that the said prior has taken the cattle of 
 ; said abbat in those pastures, and has impounded the same, 
 1 detained them, contrary to justice; whereas the said ahbat 
 ds nothing of the said prior, nor owes him any service, as 
 says; and as to which it has been recorded between them 
 the same court to the effect that the said prior has, for him- 
 f and his successors, granted, that neither he, nor his suc- 
 sors, nor his men, nor anyone through them or for them, shall 
 iceforth take, drive, or impound the cattle of the said abbat, 
 i successors, or his men of the vills before mentioned, from 
 ] said marshes of Croyland, Spalding, Pinchbeck, Langtoft, 
 jlton, and Depyng. And for the said grant, fine, and agree- 
 cat, the said abbat hath granted for himself and his suc- 
 Bors, that neither he nor his successors, nor his men, nor 
 i one through them or for them, shall hereafter take, drive, 
 impound the cattle of the said prior or of his successors, or 
 1 his men of the said vills of Spalding and Pinchbeck in 
 f said marshes. This agreement has been made, saving to 
 I before-named abbat and to his successors the services of 
 1 men of Slowe, which they have hitherto been accustomed 
 oender to the said abbat and his predecessors, for entry and 
 > of the said men through the lands of the said abbat unto 
 bsaid marsh. Also, it shall not be lawful for the said abbat 
 rrior, or their successors, to harbour the cattle of any meu 
 n he said pasture other than their own men of the before- 
 m tioned vills of Croyland, Spalding, Pinchbeck, Langtoft, 
 h on, and Depyng, in manner above stated. This agreement 
 labeen made between the said ahbat and prior, saving to all 
 m their right of common which they have been accustomed 
 o ive and ought to have in the said marshes.” 
 
 lortly after this, the said venerable father, Henry de Long- 
 h ip, after tuning ably governed the church of Croyland for 
 i> .nd forty years, trail quill) 7 took his departure from this 
 ifiin order, by a healthful exchange, to receive for his tran- 
 
 T 
 
322 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 12-1 
 
 sitory afflictions everlasting joys. For, in behalf of his ehurc 
 he had endured both labours and expenses which were me 
 grievous and almost intolerable. Besides which, he had e: 
 posed himself to mighty perils, both in his journey to Ron 
 as well as at sea; for, on the occasion of the trial relative 
 the marsh, as already mentioned, he twice crossed the sea 
 wait upon king Richard, who was then in Germany, and on 
 to king John. With great zeal on his part, he procured eccl 
 siastical ornaments and vessels of gold and silver, precio 
 vestments, as well as books of the greatest beauty, and mai 
 other things that were requisite for the house of God. Besid 
 this, nearly all the edifices, both within the abbey and witboi 
 on its manors, were in his time rebuilt and greatly improved 
 
 After his decease, the lord Richard Bardeney, cellarer of t 
 monastery, was elected to the office of ruler by the illustrio 
 king Henry, and admitted abbat. He also underwent inn 
 merable hardships in behalf of his house, but by the clemen 
 of Divine Providence, after conquering his foes, carried ■ 
 trophies on every side. In his time, it was granted to Willie 
 de Aubigny, to have common for himself and his heirs, in t 
 marshes of Croyland, Spalding, Pinchbeck, Langtoft, and Be 
 ton, on behalf of his tenants in his vills of Uffington, Caswj 
 and Talyngton, in form here subjoined : 
 
 “ This is the final agreement made in the court of our losi 
 the king at Lincoln, on the morrow of the Assumption of t 
 blessed Virgin, in the twenty.fourth year of the reign of ki 
 Henry, son of king John, before Robert de Lexington, Rah 
 de Sulleg, William de Culeworth, Julian de Neville, Robert i 
 Haye, and Warner de Engayne, justices itinerant, and t 
 other faithful servants of our lord the king then present, 1 
 tween Richard Bardeney, abbat of Croyland, and Simon, pri 
 of Spalding, complainants, by Nicholas de Morburn, and Rio 
 ard the clerk, substitutes in place of the said abbat and pric 
 to gain or to lose, and William de Aubigny, by Arnold 
 Bose, substituted in his place, to gain or to lose; the matt 
 being, that the said William demanded right of common 
 the lands of the said abbat and prior, in Croyland, Spaldid 
 Pinehbeck, Langtoft, and Boston, although they have no cor 
 mon on the lands of the said William at Uffington, Caswy 
 and Talyngton, nor does the said William do service to the’ 
 in return for which he ought to have such right of comma 
 
d. 1247. 
 
 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO ABBATS. 
 
 323 
 
 pon which, a recognizance of grand assize has been entered 
 to between them in the same court, to the effect that the 
 id abbat and prior have granted, for themselves and their 
 ccessors, that the before-named William and his heirs shall 
 ive common of pasture for their cattle of all kinds, from 
 ffington, Caswyk, and Talyngton, in the before-mentioned 
 drshes of Croyland, Spalding, Pinchbeck, Langtoft, and Bas¬ 
 in, for ever. For which grant, fine, and agreement, the said 
 illiam hath granted, for himself and his heirs, that the said 
 ibat and prior, and their successors, shall enjoy their own 
 wantages and profits in the before-mentioned marshes of 
 loyland, Spalding, Pinchbeck, Langtoft, and Baston, so that 
 fey may cut brushwood in the said marshes, and cultivate the 
 lid of the same, without hindrance or gainsaying on the part 
 i him or his heirs, saving always to the said William, and to 
 li heirs, their right of common in the said marshes, in man- 
 ir before stated, for ever.” 
 
 After this, the said venerable father, abbat Richard Bar- 
 cney, stoutly impleaded William, abbat of Burgh, because 
 ti said abbat, contrary to the tenor of the fine which had been 
 Lely made between their predecessors at Lexington, in the 
 tie of king John, frequently, by his men and servants, hin- 
 hed the said abbat of Croyland, at the time of holding his 
 fra, from taking stallage or levying impost at the bridge of 
 liyland, at which place neither his men, nor any other stran¬ 
 ds, had free liberty of passing with their cattle. They had 
 n inflicted other grievances, to no small extent, upon him 
 al his people, contrary to the terms of the said fine ; in con¬ 
 silience of which, after there had been repeated grounds for 
 [Pension between them, the matter was finally settled at 
 f'i'thampton, before the justices of our lord the king, in man- 
 a here set forth : 
 
 ‘ This is the final agreement made in the court of our lord 
 tl king at Northampton, one month after the day of Saint 
 hn the Baptist, in the thirty-first year of the reign of king 
 Biry, son of king John, before Roger de Turkelby, &c. and 
 Bier faithful subjects of our lord the king then present, be- 
 tven Richard Bardeney, abbat of Croyland, complainant, and 
 V iliam, abbat of Burgh, deforciant, as to one virgate of land, 
 rch its appurtenances, in Peykirk, and a certain marsh which 
 li between the boundaries underwritten, namely; from the 
 
324 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THU HISTOHY OF CKOYLAND. A.D. 124 
 
 river of Croyland, which is called Nene, to the place whic 
 is called Fynset, and from that place as far as Greynes, ai: 
 from Greynes to Folwardstakyng, and thence as far as Soutl 
 lake, where the Southlake falls into the Welland, and so alor 
 the course of the river Welland to Croyland, where it falls in 
 the Nene ; as to which, a fine was levied in the court of 01 
 lord king John, the father of our lord the hefore-named kin 
 before our lord king John himself, at Lexington, betwe( 
 Acharius, the former abbat of Burgh St. Peter, predecessor 
 the said abbat of Burgh, the demandant, and Henry, the form 
 abbat of Croyland, predecessor of the said abbat of Croylan 
 the holder; and as to which the said abbat of Croyland h 
 made complaint, that the before-named abbat of Burgh he 
 contrary to the before-mentioned fine, by his men and servanl 
 hindered him from taking stallage and levying imposts with 
 a certain part of the vill of Croyland, which lies within t: 
 before-mentioned boundaries; and in like manner that he h 
 kept watch on a certain bridge of Croyland, within the hefor 
 mentioned marsh, so that he and his men might not have 
 passage thereby, with their cattle, to the other side of the sa 
 bridge. Likewise, that he has rooted up and destroyed t 
 trees planted in the said marsh, and has seized the cattle 
 the said abbat of Croyland, and of his men at Croyland a: 
 Peykirk, in the said marsh, in contravention of the said fir 
 As to which, record has been made of the said fine so ma 
 between them in the said court, to the effect that the se 
 abbat of Burgh has, for himself and his successors, and 1 
 church before-mentioned, granted that the said abbat of Cro 
 land and his successors shall, henceforth, without gainsayi 
 on part of the said abbat of Burgh, or of his successors, or' 
 his or their men or bailiffs, freely take stallage and tolls, a 
 levy all imposts in any place whatsoever in the said vill : 
 Croyland, as also in the said part of the vill of Croyland whi 
 is situate within the said boundaries, on the day upon whi 
 the present agreement has been made, as well as elsewhere . 
 the said vill; so that neither the said abbat of Burgh, nor l(j 
 successors, shall henceforth he at liberty to levy any impel 
 in the said vill of Croyland, nor in any part of the said v, 
 nor to take or demand any other thing therein, nor yet of: 
 any impediment to the said abbat of Croyland, or his successc. 
 or h.ia men, or their cattle, at the said bridge, for ever. Mo- 
 
V.D. 1247. IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED DT ABTSAT EICDAED. 
 
 325 
 
 >ver, the said abbat of Burgh nas granted, for himself and his 
 nccessors, and his church before-mentioned, that neither they 
 lor their men shall be at liberty to hold any fair or make any 
 ale of cattle, or of any other thing whatever, or to hold the 
 ame without the said vill of Croyland, so long as the fair of 
 Iroyland shall continue to be held, by means whereof the said 
 bbat of Croyland, or his successors, may incur any loss in 
 heir said fair of Croyland for ever. And for this grant, fine, 
 nd agreement, Richard de Hottot, at the prayer of the said 
 bbat of Croyland, has granted unto the aforesaid abbat of 
 lurgh, and his church before-mentioned, to receive an annual 
 ental of one mark, payable yearly to the said abbat of Burgh, 
 nd to his successors, and his church before-mentioned, at the 
 lands of Robert de Weston, and Richard, the brother of JElric, 
 or all the tenements which they, the said Robert and Richard, 
 leld in villenage of the before-named Richard de Hottot, in 
 he said vill, on the day on which this agreement was made, 
 nd at the hands of all others who shall hereafter hold those 
 anements, at two periods for ever, that is to say, one moiety 
 t the Feast of Saint Michael, and the other moiety at Easter, 
 aving to the said Richard de Hottot, and his heirs, all the 
 ervices from the said tenements arising. This agreement has 
 >een made between them, saving to the said abbat of Burgh, 
 nd his successors, and to his church before-mentioned, and to 
 he said abbat of Croyland and his successors, and to his church 
 lefore-mentioned, all other the articles, in the former fine levied 
 between the predecessors of the said abbats as to the said land 
 nd marsh, contained.” 
 
 Still, although the venerable father, Richard, was often 
 harassed by the grievances of this world, he always, as oppor- 
 anely as he could, turned his attention and thoughts to the 
 dvancement of their temporal interests. For he enclosed the 
 md which is called Aswyk from the wide extent of the marsh; 
 nd in like manner began, with great labour, to enclose Doves- 
 ale, which was afterwards completed on behalf of the convent 
 y abbat Thomas, his successor. Being likewise prompted by 
 ae most fervent devotion, in his reverence for the holy body 
 f Christ, and their holy patrons and relics, for the maintenance 
 f one wax taper, like a continual sacrifice, perpetually to burn 
 ay and night before the high altar, be gave one hundred shil- 
 ngs, arising from the fee of his church at Whaplode; the 
 
326 
 
 CONTINUATION OF TUB UISTOitY OF CUOYXAND. A.D. 1245 
 
 same to be set aside for ever, for providing a light in hono 
 of the blessed Mary. He moreover largely increased the in 
 comes of nearly all the officers, and left behind him each of th 
 manors, both within and without, in the best of order and in ,• 
 most flourishing state. 
 
 After he had, with care and ability, completed ten years n 
 the ministry entrusted to him, being worn out with a sever 
 malady, he departed the way of all flesh, to receive at last th 
 heavenly reward of his labours. His successor in the govern 
 ment was the lord Thomas Welles, a member of the sail 
 society, and sub-prior thereof, a venerable man and of dis 
 tinguished sanctity. Besides the other numerous benefit 
 which he conferred upon the convent, he becomingly and be 
 nignly enlarged the incomes of all the officers, and, by charter 
 with the greatest liberality, conveyed the enclosed land whicl 
 is called Dovesdale, together with piscary in the whole river 
 and the lands arable and non-arable, and together with thi 
 reservoir and buildings and all their appurtenances, to the con 
 vent, for the sole advantage and private use thereof. 0 
 this new enclosure one corner abuts upon the embankment o 
 the marsh of Aswyke towards the east, and extends througl 
 Shepishee as far as Southplantes on the south, and so througl 
 Leoldee to the embankment called Itedeclos on the west, am 
 thence as Itedeclos runs towards the north, for five 38 quarentenei 
 and two perches and a half, and from that spot on the nortl 
 through the new embankment which runs beyond the before- 
 mentioned dyke of Aswyke on the east: together with thirty 
 acres of meadow land near the above-mentioned new enclosure 
 lying on the western side near the water-course by the em- 
 bankment of Bedeclos; for the purpose of finding milk for th< 
 supper of the convent throughout all the summer, as also fr 
 and proper tunics, each year to be faithfully distributed by the 
 hands of the pittancer to the said convent. He also grantee 
 to it all the tithes of wool to be paid to it wholly and in fuL 
 by all our parishioners in Croyland and within the precincl 
 and the marshes thereof. 
 
 This venerable father also patiently endured many perse 
 cutions for justice, especially while on his way to the court o: 
 Home on the business of his church ; on which occasion he 
 was taken prisoner in Italy by the most abominable Lombards, 
 and kept in prison for some time; but, through the providence 
 3S See p. 20. 
 
A). 1254. 
 
 DEATII OF ABBAT THOMAS. 
 
 27 
 
 cGod, was miraculously liberated from their power. Taking 
 t 3 narrow path which leadcth unto life, and with frequent 
 e tchings and fastings crucifying his flesh with the vices and 
 hts thereof, he always clothed himself in turn with a hau- 
 t;k and a coat of serge, as so many changes of raiment. This 
 nn was, besides, a servant of God excellently versed in the 
 Ivine law, so much so, that he not only spiritually refreshed 
 t j flock entrusted to his charge by the words of holy ex- 
 lrtation in the chapter, but also, frequently, on solemn days, 
 pe utterance to words of holy instruction in the churches 
 uen preaching to the people. 
 
 At last, having achieved a glorious triumph in his contest, 
 i the seventh year of his government, being happily sum- 
 nned to the nuptials of the Lamb without blemish, he de- 
 jrted from the world, to receive in a heavenly country the 
 c e reward of his labours. After his decease, it is said on the 
 ithority of many, that divers sick persons, at his tomb, re- 
 crered the health which they had so long desired. Among other 
 tmgs, this wonderful event, according to the assertions of 
 t)se who were present on the occasion, took place. Nearly 
 t elve years after, when for some manifest reason, his body 
 ■us about, on one occasion, to be transferred from Ihe place 
 were it had been formerly buried to another more becoming 
 jot, as soon as the sepulchre was opened, his body appeared 
 t d in the sacerdotal robes, with the flesh entirely whole 
 id uncorrupted. On seeing this, those who were present 
 prified God who is wonderful in His Saints in the voice 
 < gladness and of praise. From his sepulchre issued an 
 tour of surpassing sweetness, with such powerful force, 
 fit those who stood by could hardly endure it: however, 
 king his holy body in their hands with fear and reverence, 
 ky transferred it with the greatest devoutness to another spot, 
 nich had been most becomingly prepared, under a stone arch 
 i the extremity of the northern aisle. One of these persons, 
 ling led away by rash presumption, violently tore off the 
 1 tie finger of the right hand of the father, together with the 
 fsh thereof, and carried it away with him ; but shortly after, 
 
 1 a premature death, he paid the penalty of his rashness, 
 jservedly therefore is this Saint preserved in the memory of 
 ] !n, who has thus passed to the joys of the angels. 
 
 He was succeeded in the office of abbat by the lord Ralph 
 ] u'she, a monk of the same monastery, very experienced in 
 
328 CONTINUATION OF TEE HISTOBY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. IS . 
 
 matters both spiritual as well as temporal, constant and m • 
 nanimous in adversity, amid doubtful fortune prudent and (. 
 cumspect, and in prosperity cautious and moderate : duteous) 
 God, and scrupulously careful in his religious observance : 1 
 bountiful and munificent to the world, faithful and cheerful > 
 all, and one who in the performance of his religious dutj 
 passed an irreproachable life. Indeed, like another Simon the, i 
 of Onias , 40 in his life-time he repaired the house, and streng • 
 ened the temple in his days, For, by means of his unbound 
 expenditure of money, and a heavy trial in the king’s coi, 
 he manfully obtained the manor of Gedney, and likewise « 
 church of Whaplode, to our own use, together with the • 
 vowson of the church of Eston. Besides these, by especj 
 request he obtained of king Henry the Third a market in ■ 
 vills of Whaplode, Baston, and Croyland, and right of war i 
 in his manors of Croyland, Langtoft, Baston, Thetford, B - 
 thorp, Bukenhale, Halyngton, Dovedyke, Whaplode, Holbe, 
 and Aswyke. 
 
 About this time also, Saint Edmund of Abingdon, who i s 
 then treasurer of Salisbury, was elected to the archbishop: 
 of Canterbury; he died in exile in the parts beyond seal 
 the eighth year of his prelacy, having selected Pontigny, i 
 Burgundy, as the place of his burial. In the seventh y 
 after this, he was solemnly translated, under the auspices,: 
 [Innocent] the Fourth. This holy man being still alive, a|l 
 studiously devoting himself to his pastoral duties 41 * * ■ 
 
 * * 43 “ in Weston, and nine hundred acres of marsh lu„ 
 
 with the appurtenances in Mul ton. As to which it was recoro. 
 between them in the said court, to the effect that the befo • 
 named Thomas, acknowledging that the said tenements: 
 right belonged to the said abbat and his church of Croylai 
 remitted the same, and for himself and his heirs quitted cla . 
 thereto unto the said abbat and his successors, and to his s;.. 
 church for ever. And further, the said Thomas remitt. 
 and quitted claim for himself and his heirs unto the befo> 
 named abbat and his successors, and to his said churt, 
 of all right which he had in all the tenements with the 
 
 39 This may also mean, “ in the observance of his oath.” 
 
 40 Alluding to Eccles. 1. 1—4. 
 
 41 There is an hiatus here from a.d. 1254, the date of the election.’ 
 
 abbat Ralph. u This is a fragment of a fine. 
 
d. 1281 . 
 
 KAiPH, ABBAT OF CKOYLAND, DIKS. 
 
 329 
 
 irtenances which the said abbat and his church aforesaid 
 1 Id within the limits of Croyland on the day on which this 
 ireement was made : that is to say, in those tenements 
 ’ th their appurtenances, which extend from the will of Croy- 
 lid on the eastern side of the Welland as you go down across 
 13 river to Brothcrhouse, and so through Asendyk to Aswyk- 
 1’t, and thence to Shepee, and so through Shepee, as far as 
 jSuthee, and so through Oldhee and Nomansland, as far as 
 t3 river Nene, for ever; insomuch that neither the said 
 [ omas, nor his heirs, shall in future be able to claim or de- 
 i nd anything in the said tenements, with their appurtenances 
 ther in demesne, or in service, or in right of common. The 
 sd abbat has also received the said Thomas and his heirs to 
 j take of all benefits and prayers of his said church from hence- 
 1 th for ever.” 
 
 Although the little bark of our house was in his times buf- 
 f ed about on every side by the waves of adversity and the 
 srms of litigation, still, it could not be made to founder, so 
 
 1 g as the pilot before-named sat at the helm. For, which- 
 e:r way he directed his course, by the gracious favour of 
 (rist, he always had success and prosperity to his utmost 
 vdi. The before-named father Ralph built the tower of the 
 c ireh of Croyland, beyond the choir, together with the chapel 
 oSaint Martin, near the gate of the Almonry. After he had 
 e lured the varying and grievous hardships of the world for 
 3 and twenty years, and had ably and manfully endured al- 
 Dst insupportable exactions by the kings of money from his 
 
 2 irch, he departed the way of all flesh, on the feast of St. Mi¬ 
 ls tel, in the. year of our Lord, 1281. 
 
 tie was succeeded in the rule, his merits so deserving it, by 
 tl lord Richard of Croyland, a monk of that place, and a na- 
 fe of the vill; who prosperously increased the resources of 
 b monastery, as well as promoted religion therein in many 
 npects. For, at avast outlay and expense, he began the new 
 hidings of the church on the east thereof, which still, in our 
 1 by far excel all the neighbouring churches of the whole 
 ji nty, both in elegance of workmanship and gracefulness of 
 itle. Resides this, at lavish expense, he built the manor- 
 hise of Dovedyke, and the halls of Langtoft, Wendlingburgh, 
 il Morburn, together with many out-buildings on each of 
 ) manors. 
 
330 
 
 CONTIXUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROTLAXD. A.D. Ii 
 
 In the time of this abbat, there arose grievances and freqtu; 
 dissensions and quarrels, between the lord of Depyng and * 
 men of Kesteven on the one hand, and the abbat of Croylai 
 the prior of Spalding, and the men of Hoyland on the oth 
 as to the marshes of Hoyland and Kesteven; for the mar i 
 denoting the boundaries of which mention is made in the ab( i i 
 charters of the kings of England, had been obliterated and >• i 
 vered with mud, so that no clear and distinct knowledge con | 
 possibly be derived from them. Upon this, the men of He 
 land and Kesteven, in the time of the before-named illustric ■ 
 king Edward, son of king Henry, presented their petition 
 parliament, written in the French language, in conform 
 with the usual custom, and addressed “ A nostre Seignior I 
 Roy," &e. In order that this petition may be more easily u 
 derstood by those of posterity who may not be so well vers 
 in the above language, it will not be considered a loss of tii 
 to translate it in more common form into the Latin tongue; j / 
 the following effect: 
 
 “ To our lord the king shew and address their entreat: 
 his faithful subjects of Hoyland and Kesteven, in the coul 
 of Lincoln, and in the marshes residing,—that the anciejJ 
 boundary, called Middefendyke, which extends through t | 
 middle of the marsh, from the river Welland to the W 
 tham, which has been the dividing line between Kestev 
 and Hoyland, (as still appears by stone crosses there stanfl 
 ing, as well as by other apparent signs, by means of whi 
 men might be able to repair the ancient channels), h 
 been so undermined by the water, and covered over with mu 
 that no knowledge whatever can thence be derived of t 
 boundaries, according to which the king’s writs ought to 
 carried into execution when issued, whether in the office 
 coroner, sheriff, or bailiffs; in consequence of which, conte 
 tions and disputes frequently arise between the lords ai 
 people of either district, by reason of their ignorance of f 
 before-mentioned boundaries. For the same reason, also, f- i 
 said writs either cannot be carried into execution at all, or b 
 badly, to the prejudice of our lord the king, and to the grievo 
 loss and peril of his people there dwelling, through t. 
 divers punishments which may befall them when wayfarin 
 and at other times. Wherefore, they entreat our lord f. 
 king, that some man of wisdom and influence may be appoint*! 
 to re-erect the said boundaries, as they used to be in the oldi !i 
 
A. 1327. EnWARD THE THIRD CROWNED AT 'WESTMINSTER. 331 
 
 ti e, for the avoidance of these said perils. They do also en- 
 ti it ” 43 * * * * 
 
 Edward, being then a youth], hut fifteen years of age, was 
 somnly crowned at Westminster, and raised to the throne of 
 Egland on the feast of the Purification of the blessed Mary, 
 b father being still kept in prison. However, shortly after 
 tb, they conveyed the old king to Berkeley Castle; where, 
 many were forming plans for his liberation, he died a hor¬ 
 de death, being most nefariously pierced with a red-hot 
 
 Ip 
 
 lut a few matters ought to be here inserted, which are 
 ntioned as having taken place during the before-mentioned 
 nation of the abbacy of Croyland, through the resignation of 
 3 ion, the late abbat, as already stated. 4 ' 1 For, immediately 
 ij r the first day of the said vacation, which took place in 
 ;1 eighteenth year of king Edward the Second, one Matthew 
 8 wn, the escheator of the said king in the counties of Lin- 
 ;( i, Northampton, Cambridge, and Rutland, seized all the 
 rperty of the said abbey, as being confiscated to the king. 
 J>n this, the venerable father, now abbat Henry, his suc- 
 ;<ior, duteously entreated his royal Highness, that he would, 
 liing the time of the said vacation, graciously deign to make 
 1 allowance out of the income of the house, which had been 
 itgned from ancient times for the purpose of finding clothes, 
 lies, linen, and other necessaries for the monks, as well as 
 fers for the church, and so provide for the maintenance of 
 1 prior of the said monastery and of the convent, as well as 
 1 corrodiers and servitors of the said house. Accordingly, the 
 eg directed his writ to the treasurer and barons of his 
 chequer, commanding them diligently to search the rolls 
 i archives of the said exchequer, in order to learn, by the 
 asters of escheats, what sum had been usually allowed to 
 1 keepers of the said abbey, during the time of such vaca- 
 i s, for the support of the prior and convent as above stated. 
 Lcr searching the archives above-mentioned, they certified 
 o ur lord the king, that they had found two vacations of 
 t said abbey, but, at the same time, declared that they 
 c d find no allowance whatever made for the support of the 
 'i r and convent. Upon this, the king was of opinion that 
 
 There is an hiatus here from about a.d. 1281 to a.t>. 1327, the first 
 e of Edward III. 44 In the part that is last. 
 
332 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORT OF CROYXAND. A.D. li , 
 
 it was just, and consonant with reason, that the said prior i [ 
 convent, with its corrodiers and servants, should, during > 
 time of the said vacation, be supported from the revenues f 
 the house, and that, in like manner, tapers should be supp] | 
 for the worship of God. He accordingly, by his mandate, • 
 rected one William Brocklesby, a clerk, and the remembraD r 
 of his exchequer, to make enquiry, upon the oath of good i I 
 lawful men, how many monks there were in the said abl < 
 during the whole time of the said vacation, as well as h ■ 
 many corrodiers there were, and how many servitors and • 
 cessary servants. 
 
 This inquisition was taken before the said William,; 
 Stamford, it being then the second year of king Edward > 
 Third, upon the oaths of eighteen jurors, who affirmed t; 
 there were, continually, in the abbey of Croyland, through ; 
 the whole time of the said vacation, forty-one monks, fift<. 
 corrodiers, and thirty-six servitors and necessary servants, ei i 
 of whom they mentioned by name. After it had been thus c- 
 titled as to the said inquisition by the said remembrancer ; 
 our lord the king, he sent letters to the treasurer and ban. 
 of his said exchequer, directing them thenceforth to allow i 
 the said Matthew, the escheator, on his account, during i 
 time of the vacation of the said abbacy, for the prior, ty 
 pence per day, for each of the monks, threepence, for each.' 
 the corrodiers, in like manner, threepence, and for each o,- 
 cial or servant, twopence : at the same time strictly comma)’ 
 ing the before-named escheator to pay the stated sum to 'j 
 said monks. The clear profit to our lord the king each we 
 was eight pounds and eighteen-pence. But, as we have ho 
 somewhat digressed, let us return to the continuation of c 
 narrative. 
 
 In the meantime, the lady Joanna Wake, who, even to fji 
 very last moment of her life, heaped the most wanton injur: 
 upon us through her servants, at last departed this life: up 
 which, the lord Thomas, her son, who had married the Lr 
 Blanche, sister of Henry, earl of Lancaster, in conform’ 
 with the la ws of the kingdom, entered upon his lands. T'.i 
 Thomas Wake claimed demesne in the marsh of Croylar 
 called Goggislound, saying that it was parcel of his manor f 
 West Depyng, while, at the same time, he committed repeal! 
 insults and daily injuries, not only to the people of Croylar, 
 
n'. 1388. THOMAS WAKE CLAIMS THE MAESH OF CKOTLAND. 333 
 
 b, of Spalding as well. However, Henry, the abbat of 
 Ciyland, most stoutly opposed him in all points, and in no 
 i;ree gave way to his tyranny. For, on one occasion, the 
 5 ; 1 Thomas Wake, assembled together a multitude of noble 
 riths, no less distinguished for their high birth than their 
 rour, among whom was the lord Henry, afterwards duke of 
 Licaster (whose sister, the lady Blanche, the said Thomas 
 til married, as we have already stated), and determined to 
 nke a violent attack upon the people of Spalding. On learn - 
 ii this, the prior of Spalding, for the purpose of resisting his 
 nlicious attempts, immediately collected an invincible band 
 n the men of Hoyland, well equipped with shields and arms, 
 id these would have manfully enough escaped his ferocious 
 licks and the malignant intentions of his mind, had not a 
 n son of Spalding, Thomas Thurgard by name, acting the 
 fcitor to his people, hindered the said prior and those with 
 bi from carrying their designs into effect; saying that he had 
 f ently come from the court of the said lord Thomas Wake, 
 ad that common report among them stated that nothing would 
 bdone. 46 * * * 
 
 * * * when [the abbat] returned, feeling confident that 
 h should see an auspicious day, in his indignation he 47 gave 
 sh an answer as this: “Know for certain, my lord abbat, 
 a 1 rest assured of it, that the whole that the lady, my 
 r ther, the princess, held before me, and which has clearly 
 ene to me by hereditary right, I will keep to the best of my 
 a lity, and will, with all my might, defend the same.” After 
 s ing which, he departed with precipitation, and the abbat, 
 fng disappointed in his hopes, returned home in sorrow 
 al confusion. Although he had sustained so grievous and so 
 i gracious a repulse, still, however, he remained unbroken in 
 s iit, nor did he desist from the task he had undertaken, but, 
 s tin and again, both opportunely and inopportunely, accosted 
 t ■ said earl; on one occasion at his manor of Brime, on an- 
 cier at Cambridge, in the same year in which the parliament 
 vs held there ; and where he entreated, with repeated sup- 
 j cations, that he would deign to appoint a day and place for 
 c tain of the learned men of his council to meet, to whom the 
 
 6 The narrative is interrupted here, and is continued in the year 
 1388, the twelfth year of the reign of Richard II. See Preface. 
 
 i Thomas, son of Joanna, countess of Kent, wife of Edward the 
 I ck Prince. 
 
334 coxtixuatiox of the histoet of ceotland. a.o. IS . | 
 
 abbat would more fully disclose his evidences. Hot even th 
 however, did he gain the object of his wishes. According 
 seeing that not thus even could his efforts prevail, he beta, 
 himself to Henry, the earl of Derby, son of the duke of Li 
 caster; for, at this time, John,' 13 duke of Lancaster, his fath 
 was in Spain, engaged in the wars there. With most urg< 
 prayers, he also entreated him, that he would be pleased ifl 
 request the said earl of Kent, that the abbat of Croyland a 
 the tenants of the prior of Spalding might at least wait un 
 the duke's arrival in England, without annoyance on the pi 
 of him or of his servants; and that, if he had any demands 
 make against them, he would hold them over until the tii 
 before-mentioned. To this the earl assented, as he trust 
 that the duke would never again return to England. 
 
 However, in the following summer, by the providence 
 God, the above-named duke arrived from the parte beyond se 
 through whose aid and favour the commons of Hoyland age, 
 presented a petition for making a division of the marshes l, i 
 tween Hoyland and Kesteven, to the parliament held at We: 
 minster, in the thirteenth year of the reign of king Rich a; ; 
 and in the year of our Lord, 1389 . The king readily assent 
 to their petition, and, after the close of the parliament, (,fl 
 rected a commission to issue from his court of Chancery to t,| 
 most powerful and influential men of the county, commandi 41 
 them, without further delay, to give their diligent attention ( | 
 the matter aforesaid, and, according to the tenor of the sa|| 
 petition, to bring it to a happy conclusion. He ordered tht, J 
 to make enquiry, upon the oaths of knights and other go 
 and lawful men of both the aforesaid parts of Hoyland a] 
 Kesteven, both in the liberties thereof as well as withoi 
 through whom the truth of the matter might be best ascot 
 tained, as to the metes, boundaries, and divisions that ha: f 
 from ancient times, been had, made, placed, or fixed betwe 
 the parts aforesaid; and as to the places and streets, whcH 
 the said metes, boundaries, and divisions had been former 
 placed or made ; and to erect, limit, and assign as metes, bou, 
 daries, and divisions between the places aforesaid, pos' 
 embankments, stone crosses, or other sufficient marks, in t 
 places and streets aforesaid, by means of which the said meti 
 boundaries, and divisions might be known and recognized 1 i 
 48 John of Gaunt. 
 
0. 1389. INQUISITION AS TO THE BOUNDARIES OF CllOYLAND. 335 
 
 ■rtain at all future times : so that the men of both districts 
 fore-named might clearly and distinctly for the future know 
 ; d recognize, by the said signs, the said metes, boundaries, 
 id divisions. 
 
 Our lord the king also gave orders to the sheriff of Lincoln 
 tat he should summon to appear before the judges, at the stone 
 oss upon the Briggedyke, on the borders of Hoyland and 
 bsteven, in the said county, between Donyngton in Hoyland 
 id Seyntsavos in Kesteven, on the Friday next after the 
 last of Corpus Christi, then next ensuing, twenty-four 
 lights and other good and lawful men, by whom the metes, 
 lundaries, divisions, and perambulation between the parts 
 tire said might be trustily and securely made, and the truth 
 c the matter in the premises be more fully learnt, known, 
 id enquired into. He also commanded the said sheriff, pub- 
 lly and solemnly to cause proclamation to be made in divers 
 jices in the parts aforesaid, both within the liberties as well 
 i without, that all those whom the premises should in any 
 uy concern, should personally make their appearance before 
 b said justices at the day and place named. 
 
 Accordingly, on the Wednesday before the said festival of 
 (rpus Christi, there came to Croyland the men who had been 
 r.igncd by the sheriff for the said enquiries, to make view of 
 t; metes and boundaries which had been placed in ancient 
 ties, and to seek full information of the abbat of Croyland, 
 no had in his possession the best evidences on the matter, 
 lese having been sufficiently instructed by him, and most 
 cirteously provided with refreshments, unanimously pro- 
 ceded upon the purposed business. On the following Friday, 
 t ■ inquisition was taken before Robert Willoughby, Philip le 
 Jspencer, Ralph Crumwelle, William de Skypwyth, William 
 lyrnyng, Richard Sydenham, John Markham, Edmund del 
 ray, and Robert Martell, at the stone cross upon the Brigge- 
 t'ke, as to the metes, boundaries, and divisions placed in an- 
 (nt times in a certain marsh, situate between the rivers Wel- 
 lid and Witham, and below the said river Welland, in tho 
 unty of Lincoln; upon the oaths of Andrew de Leek, 
 light, John Holbech, knight, John Meers, Ranulph Bolle, 
 
 1 dip Samon, Thomas Wei by, Richard Stevenson, Wil- 
 lra Wyhum, Stephen Copuldyke, John Bly, Ralph Farceux, 
 i 1 John Crane, on part of Hoyland; and upon the oaths of 
 
336 CONTINTJATION OF THE HISTOBY OF CEOYLANB. A.D. 1 0, 
 
 John Parnell, knight, Nicholas Hobden, knight, John Wall 
 knight, Elias Medelton, William de Boston, William 
 Crane well, John Leeke de Cobbye, Thomas de Sleford, Alai 
 Hekleshale, Antony de Spanby, Ralph de Stanton, and J 
 de Haryngton, on part of Kesteven. 
 
 Adi these, with the justices before-named, proceeded togel 
 on the perambulation, supervision, inquisition, limitation, 
 assignation for faithfully making metes, boundaries, and dj 
 sions, between the parts before-named. Accordingly, t 
 began on the Saturday following, at a certain place on m 
 southern side of the said marsh, called Kenulphston, fitl 
 Kenulph, the first abbat of the monastery of Croyland, | 
 placed there by him as the boundary between Croyland ; 
 Depyng; and they stated upon oath, that the metes, bo 
 daries, and divisions set and hxed, from ancient time, be two 
 the parts before-named in the said marsh, between the eo 
 rivers, and below the stream called Welland, begin at o 
 before-named place called Kenulphston, on the southern so 
 of the said marsh, close to the waters of the Welland ;n 
 which place a certain cross of stone was formerly erected i 
 built, as one of the ancient metes, boundaries, and divisii 
 between the parts aforesaid in the said marsh; the body! 
 which cross, through the action of the water and the forcei 
 the winds, had been broken down and destroyed; and thai 
 certain stone which had been the foot and foundation of 
 said cross, was still lying there unmoved, but covered by 
 water; and that this place, which is called Kenulphston, £ 
 is the first ancient mete, boundary, and division between 
 parts aforesaid, is situate on the southern side of the confi 
 thereof, and is distant from the vill of Croyland, in the pa 
 of Hoyland, about two leagues by estimate towards i 
 west. On view of the said place called Kenulphston, hi 
 by the justices aforesaid, as also by the jurors before-nami 
 it seemed requisite that one or two crosses should be erec ■ 
 there, for the better knowing of the ancient metes, boiJ 
 daries, and divisions between the parts above-mentionJ 
 in future times. It was therefore thought proper that t> 
 crosses, one of wood and the other of stone, should be placlj 
 and erected on the spot before-mentioned, contiguous to ta 
 said stone that was lately the foot and foundation of tl| 
 ancient cross, the same being set on the eastern side of the s;t| 
 stone facing Croyland. The said jurors further said, upi, 
 
i). 1390. INQUISITION AS TO THE BOUNDARIES OF CBOYLAND. 337 
 
 : h, that the metes, boundaries, and divisions which from 
 cient times were laid and founded between the parts afore- 
 id in the said marsh, extend from the place aforesaid called 
 [nidphston to a certain place called "Wodelode-Graynes on 
 i: north, beyond a certain embankment which had been 
 ;?ly erected by force by the men of Depyng, in the time of 
 It lady Blanche Wake, the same being distant from the 
 fore-named place called Kenulphston about one mile to- 
 «rds the north. It was therefore thought proper that in the 
 d place a cross should be erected as one of the metes, boun¬ 
 ties, and divisions between the parts aforesaid, above that 
 bbankment, in order that the metes, boundaries, and divi¬ 
 tis, from the place called Kenulphston to the said place called 
 bdelode-Graynes, between the parts aforesaid, might be seen 
 111 known. And further, the perambulation being made to 
 b aforesaid place called Wodelode-Graynes, called also by 
 
 I other name of Oggot, the jurors before-mentioned said, 
 i;n their oaths, that that place was one of the metes, boun¬ 
 ties, and divisions between the parts aforesaid from ancient 
 lies founded and placed in the said marsh, and that it was 
 tassary that a certain cross should be erected there for the 
 ber declaration and understanding of the metes, boundaries, 
 n divisions from ancient time had between the said parts, 
 ji because it seemed expedient and necessary to the justices 
 6re-named, it was therefore determined that a certain cross 
 
 tone or wood should be erected there, lest by some means 
 ftther the metes, boundaries, and divisions had and made 
 lei ancient times in the said marsh between the parts before- 
 (ttioned should, by some means or other, in future times be 
 Bitten. As far as this place called Wodelode-Graynes, or 
 y ie other name of Oggot, these are the metes and boundaries 
 [i e abbat of Croyland of a certain parcel of the said marsh 
 tl d Goggislound. As these do not extend an3’ further, we 
 It forbear to copy any more of the said perambulation for 
 ©resent. 
 
 die said perambulation being completed, and new crosses 
 i< landmarks being erected and established between Hoyland 
 i< Kesteven, as already mentioned, still, from day to da) r 
 uiplicd threats were fulminated against the abbat of Croy- 
 
 II and man}' grievances were indicted upon the more dis- 
 
 z 
 
338 CONTINUATION OF THE ITISTORY OF CUOTLAND. 
 
 A.D. 13 . 
 
 tant manors of the abbat, by the said Thomas Holland, earl; 
 Kent, and his servants. 
 
 In the first place, in the court of the king’s Marshalsea, tl t 
 held at Stamford, they greatly molested him by preferring b i 
 of a most grievous nature, but utterly void of truth. They a!, 
 by means of a stratagem, drove away the beasts and ot 
 animals of various kinds, more than fifty in number, from 
 manors of the said abbat at Langtoft to the manorof the said t 
 at West Depyng, and detained them there for a considera a 
 time. Disturbing the abbat also in his peaceable possessi 
 they fished in the waters of the Welland, it being his o i 
 several piscary from Kenulphston to Brotherhouse; the n, 
 too, which they found there they tore to pieces. In 3 
 marshes also of the said abbat pertaining to his manors 
 Langtoft and Baston, they would on no account permit 1 
 tenants to dig turf aud receive other advantages therefrom 
 they were entitled to do. Also, for non-repair of HortheJ 
 near Bastondyke, and beyond the demesne of Depyng, they 
 only amerced the said abbat and his tenants in the court 
 Depyng, but also laid a heavy distraint upon him in his c 
 marsh of Baston for the said amercement. "When the servaij 
 also, of the said abbat came to the market of Depyng to p- 
 chase provisions, they beat them to the hazard of their lr ( 
 and throwing them from their boats into the water, hea 
 such insults and injuries upon them, that they were unabk 
 enjoy any benefit whatever of carriage by water to the s 
 abbey. They also violently attacked two waggons belongin; 
 the abbat, and drawn by sixteen horses, upon the road to Cr 
 land, laden with provisions for the household and necessa, 
 for domestic use, and detained them at Torpel for their cit 
 purposes, until, by letters of the duke of Lancaster grantee) 
 the entreaty of the abbat, they were compelled to restore th 
 Besides this, they uttered such shocking and undisguM 
 threats against the abbat, and his tenants and servants, of k- 
 ing, beating, and injuring them, that they did not dare vente 
 more than half-way to Depyng, or the country round about. 
 
 On the morrow of Saint Martin, however, then next ensui;, 
 being the fourteenth year of king Bichard, a parliament 
 held at Westminster. In this, the before-named earl of K<1 
 besides what has been already stated, made grievous tu- 
 4 ' J Probably the banks of the stream. 
 
.D. 1390. 
 
 ABBAT JOHN APPEALS TO TEE KING. 
 
 339 
 
 laints, by word of mouth, against the abbat of Croyland, for 
 le many and intolerable injuries which he had indicted upon 
 im. John of Gaunt, however, the duke of Lancaster, who 
 as then present, publicly asserted in parliament, that every 
 le of his complaints were utterly untrue; for he said that in 
 re preceding summer he had been in the same districts, and 
 id been witness, with his own eyes, that nearly everything 
 as directly the reverse of what he had stated. 4 ' J Abbat John, 
 -eing the said earl so dreadfully excited against him, and still 
 istinate in his claim, being sensible that he could not easily 
 ithstand the ill-will of so powerful a man, shortly after waited 
 ion king llichard, his founder, and resolutely pointed out to 
 m the perils that threatened his monastery, asserting that 
 ‘3 would not be able any longer to support the onerous duties 
 his foundation, unless the royal clemency should deign 
 seedily to provide him with opportune assistance. He also 
 •esented to him a bill, containing a statement at length of 
 ,ch of the injuries and damages which had been inflicted on 
 m, in manner before stated. This bill the king immediately 
 livered to the duke of Lancaster, who was then present, 
 
 ' keep, at the same time giving strict injunctions that he 
 'buhl have it read before the learned men of his council, in 
 'der that they might secure peace and quietness, such as the 
 !w of the land and justice demand, for this house of his own 
 nmdation. 60 The lord duke readily undertook the perform- 
 ‘i ce of his commands, and efficiently fulfilled them all, in con- 
 :rmity with the royal order and wishes. 
 
 The abbat made his appearance before them in person, and 
 ippliantly requested the said council of our lord the king, out 
 
 < regard for common charity, to allow his evidence to be 
 sited before them, and to give their judgment, as justice flic¬ 
 ked, in conformity with the same. Seeing that they could 
 it without evidence give a just decree in the cause, and at 
 ft3 same time perceiving that the earl, his adversary, for want 
 t evidence on his part, was unwilling to appear, they agreed, 
 
 < their own accord, to inspect his evidence, and, so far as the 
 1 v would allow, to ensure to him a prosperous result; besides 
 3 licli, they appointed a day for him carefully to observe, 
 
 9 John de Ashebv. 
 
 0 He obtained the title of re-founder from certain acts of munificence, 
 t ich have been stated in the portion of this narrative which is now lost. 
 
340 CONTINUATION' OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAN'D. A.D. 1391 I 
 
 the octave of Saint Hilary, on which he was, all delay lai 1 
 aside, again to make his appearance before them with h 
 proofs. The abbat, however, fearing that from this dela 
 detriment was threatened to himself, and that in the mean tin 
 no small grievances might be inflicted upon him by the sei 
 vants of the said earl, humbly requested the king’s council i •' 
 ensure him peace and quietness until these dissensions should! 
 more effectually put an end to, between the said earl and hin 
 self. This they willingly agreed to, and gave him a letter rW 
 the king’s name, and under his private seal, to be directed 1 
 the servants of the said earl; the tenor of which letter, a 
 though dictated in the French language, is here set forth i 
 Latin: 
 
 “ Eichard, by the grace of God, &c. to our dearly-belove 
 John de Eepynghale, seneschal, and John de Holland, receive 
 of our most dear brother, 51 the earl of Kent, and all other h 
 servants whatsoever, in the counties of Lincoln, isorthamptoi 
 and Huntingdon, and to each of them, greeting. With tl 
 consent of our council, we do and will strictly enjoin and con 
 mand you, henceforth, neither by yourselves, nor by others, 1 | 
 inflict any grievances or injuries whatsoever upon our dearly > 
 beloved abbat of Croyland, or his tenants or servants ; but yo 1 
 are to suffer the said abbat, and his tenants and servants, t- 
 go and return peaceably through the demesnes of the said ear- 
 for the performance of his necessary business, until such tire 
 as certain controversies and disputes now pending between tb ■ 
 said earl and the before-named abbat shall have been dul 
 discussed and rectified by our council. And we would hat 
 you, the aforesaid seneschal and receiver, and all men, tenant f 
 and servants of the said earl, in his demesnes within the afori 
 said counties, in our name to be strictly warned to be obediei 
 and attentive to the injunctions which, by these presents, w 
 have given them, and in no wise to act contrary thereto, unde 
 peril of what may ensue therefrom. In like manner, also, yo 
 are to cause our commands aforesaid, on your behalf, to b 
 strictly regarded and observed, according to the effect an 
 tenor of the same, as you shall answer for the same, and unde 
 the peril aforesaid. Given, &c. on the ninth day of Decembe: 
 in the fourteenth year of our reign.” 
 
 When the king's letter had been read, or set forth, in tb 
 51 Half-brotlier. 
 
d. 139]. 
 
 ABBAT JOHN PEOCEEDS TO LONDON. 
 
 341 
 
 ■ rl’s court at Depyng, before his tenants, they all became 
 rite mad, as it were, and with blasphemous language cursed 
 eir lord, and seeing a stop thus put to their malicious pro- 
 iedings, gave utterance to loud yells and roarings. The ab¬ 
 it, however, and his people, passed freely, unmolested and 
 -ithout insult, through the earl’s vills, for the performance of 
 Is necessary duties, until the time appointed; besides which, 
 Is supplies of provisions were allowed to pass in peace through 
 (eir districts. 
 
 Accordingly, on the approach of Hilary Term, the abbat 
 l.stened towards London, to be there at the day appointed; 
 it, after having awaited the arrival of the earl many days, 
 ] saw that his endeavours would be intentionally frustrated, 
 dess he should hasten to adopt another course ; upon which, 
 3 presented himself before the king’s council, and, with well- 
 lued words, declared the cause of his coming. Knowing that 
 Is declaration was true, and admitting the justice of his 
 ]ayer, they immediately gave commands to one John Wod- 
 jre, who was then present, to warn the earl’s advisers imme- 
 (itely to appear before them, and without any further delay 
 1 inform them what they had made up their minds to do on 
 fc day appointed. Complying in every respect with the com- 
 nnds which he had thus received from them, on the following 
 cy he publicly stated before them what answer he had had 
 I'm the earl’s advisers, which was to the effect, that, being 
 lidered by other business on that day, they could not possibly 
 i pear before the king’s council, while at the same time they 
 e utly asserted that they had received no notice whatever to 
 tend on the day named. On hearing this, being men of 
 rewd understanding, they knew for certain that the earl was 
 twilling to appear, but was trying to protract the time to no 
 f rpose, until he should find an opportunity of avenging him- 
 b f on the abbat; and accordingly they discussed the matter 
 b ong themselves, how to devise a suitable remedy against the 
 f rpose of the earl, and, upon inspection of his evidences, pro¬ 
 file for the abbat a favourable termination of the matter, 
 [asidering, however, the earl’s high rank, as he was brother 
 c the reigning king, they were afraid lest they might incur 
 l resentment, or afterwards suffer some disgrace for having 
 s >wn too much favour to the abbat, and hostility to him ; 
 on which, after discussing the matter among themselves. 
 
342 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYXAND. A.D. 13 
 
 they came to the determination, that by the king’s letters u n 
 der his privy seal, and setting forth the whole case, anotl 
 day within three weeks after Easter should be named; whi 
 was accordingly carried into effect. They also, by gene 
 consent, addressed similar letters of our lord the king to t 
 before-named abbat at Croyland, that he might most carefu 
 observe the day named. 
 
 Accordingly, on the day appointed, the abbat present 
 himself at London, as by the king’s letters he had been con 
 manded to do ; but the opposite side did not appear. Ho’ 
 ever, it so happened that, during that term, the king’s coun 
 was so busied upon arduous and important affairs of the kin 
 dom, that it had no time to attend to less important matte: 
 of merely an incidental nature, or indeed to give any serio I 
 thought thereto. The abbat, however, shrewdly suspecti)' ■ 
 that his adversaries might, at some future time, impute to hi 
 default on the day named, immediately repaired to the kin$ 
 chancellor, and the clerk of the privy seal, and after humb i 
 shewing them the king’s letter, by which the before-mention 
 day had been named for him to appear, urgently entreated tb 
 they would deign, in writing, to make record of his attendant | 
 They readily agreed to do this, and caused the day of his a 
 pearance to be written and endorsed upon the said letter, whit 
 they kept, lest, through their various occupations, the matt 
 might chance to escape their memory. Besides this, they a* 
 vised the abbat, as he could not at present obtain dispatch 
 his business before the king's council, to return by the fifteen' 
 day after the feast of Saint Michael. He accordingly return* 
 home, and, though the fulfilment of his hopes was thus loi 
 deferred, determined to attend on the day before-mentioned. 
 
 From that day till the feast of Saint Laurence next ensum 
 the said abbat, his servants, and tenants passed freely and ui 
 molestedly through the rill of Depyng, and transacted a 
 their business in the most quiet manner possible, without ai 
 insult or impediment whatever. In the meantime, howeve 
 the said earl of Kent appointed to the office of seneschal < 
 his lands, a certain headstrong and most violent man, Kicholi 
 de Clifton by name; who, on coming to the rill of Depyng i 
 the discharge of his duties about the feast of Saint Laurenc* 
 most inconsiderately gave orders, upon the tenants of the sai 
 vill making very great complaints against the abbat of Croyland 
 
T). 1391. INJURY INFLICTED UPON A MONK OF CROYLAND. 343 
 
 at whatever monk or tenant of the said abbat they should 
 e passing through their demesne, they should immediately 
 ■ing him to the manor-house of his master, and present him 
 tere. Upon this, they lay concealed in ambush, like roaring 
 helps of lions, in order that they might seize upon them, 
 id day after day they prowled about and ran to and fro, to 
 e if they could catch any of the people of Croyland or of 
 oalding, upon whom they might wreak the vengeance of their 
 alice. 
 
 At last, on the Thursday next before the feast of Saint liar- 
 olomew, a certain monk of Croyland, the almoner of that 
 . jace, having occasion to pass that way and being in ignorance 
 the malicious intentions of the villagers, was proceeding, 
 little before sunset, on his road through those parts, 
 nscious of no evil designs, but with singleness of purpose, 
 ad therefore unsuspectingly. Upon this, three or four youths, 
 ^shing forth from their lurking - places, treated him most 
 ; amefully and unbecomingly, and after leading him with re¬ 
 lated insults two long miles from the spot, presented him, 
 •ice some important prize, before the seneschal of their master, 
 'imediately upon this, they accused him with the greatest 
 ;rimony of various injuries which had been inflicted upon 
 ,;em, and demanded vengeance for the same. The seneschal 
 »ip assailed him with numerous reproaches, and protested by 
 JjS fealty and his knighthood, that if he should be found guilty 
 ■ any one of the points on which he was accused, he would 
 l.ve him dragged some three or four times through the middle 
 < the pond, and afterwards detained in strict custody, until his 
 that should procure his liberation. The monk, being very 
 trrowful and tilled with anxiety, made oath on the word of a 
 jiest, and truthfully exonerated himself from all the charges 
 1 jught against him : upon which, a very dark night coming 
 i, after having received these great injuries he was dis- 
 a.ssed."’ 
 
 The next day, by command of the said seneschal, they ap- 
 jehended a man of Spalding upon the Bastondyke, and after 
 oping him in the water some three or four times, placed him, 
 urn out and half dead, on horseback, and so led him to tho 
 i d’s manor-house at Depyng, where they placed him in the 
 inks and in close conflnement. The same week they also 
 £ zed another man of Spalding, and after loading him with 
 
344 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. lo91 
 
 repeated insults fell to beating him, and most cruelly broke on 
 of his arms. The companions of the said bailiff, also, rushin; 
 forth from their ambusli there, and taking them unawares t 
 seized some boatmen of Croyland at Walrumhall, who hai 
 come thither with their vessels, suspecting no mischief: am 
 after mercilessly beating them, thus taken off their guard 
 compelled them, wounded as they were, to rush headlong inf 
 the water. 
 
 Adding to these atrocious injuries prevarication as well 
 they uttered even still more serious threats, to the effect tha 1 
 on the feast of Saint Bartholomew, which was then at hand 
 they would pay a visit to Croyland, and would there, with i| 
 strong hand, take toll from each of them whether they woulc 
 or no. These rumours being immediately spread through 
 out all Hoyland, on the said feast of Saint Bartholomew, three, 
 of the household of the earl of Derby, 42 who was then staying 
 at Burgh Saint Peter, came to Croyland, and with them a vas 
 multitude of the men of Hoyland; seizing the opportunity 
 with alacrity as well as acrimony of avenging themselves fo; 
 the injuries which had been so recently inflicted. Immediately 
 on their arrival, they searched every part of the vill of Croy 
 land, and, finding some of the people of Depyng, placed som< 
 in strict custody : while others they dipped repeatedly in th< 
 water, wishing to give them a like return for what they them 
 selves had suffered at their hands. At the approach of even¬ 
 ing on the same day, they again searched the vill with lanterns 
 and found some persons to them unknown in the act of taking 
 to flight: upon which, one man sent an arrow after them 
 and piercing one of their number through the middle of the! 
 leg, compelled him, unwilling as he was, to halt, while the 
 rest consulted their safety in flight. After viewing him in fuL 
 light, they found that he was a certain Hoylander, Simon Gel- 
 dard by name, who, by reason of a homicide which he hac 
 committed in an outbreak, had been banished from his native 
 place, and had been for a long time harboured at Depyng, ir 
 contravention of the laws of England. 
 
 On thus capturing him, the men of Spalding took him home 
 with them, and, on the Lord’s day, at about the ninth hour 
 with the common consent of all, cut off his head at Spalding, 
 it being the fifteenth year of the reign of king Bichard. 
 
 6 - Afterwards Henry IV. 
 
v.d. 1391. 
 
 AB IIAT JOHN SUPPLICATES THE KING. 
 
 345 
 
 In the meantime, a report was suddenly spread abroad in tbo 
 rill of Depyng, that the earl of Derby, '«'ho, as previously 
 stated, was then staying at Burgh, had given orders to his 
 jeople forthwith to burn the vill of Depyng to the ground, and 
 vithout mercy to slay with a remorseless sword all its inhabit- 
 mts as enemies to himself and his father. On hearing this, 
 he people of Depyng were very much alarmed, and adopting 
 nore prudent counsels, with all haste sent the seneschal of their 
 ord’s courts, with twenty-four elders of the vill, to Burgh 
 i laint Peter, in order humbly to sue for peace, and voluntarily 
 o place themselves at the mercy of the said earl of Derby. 
 i Jpon this, the treasurer of the said earl, seeing the bitterness 
 f their souls, and their pride trodden under foot by such an 
 lumble submission, readily admitted them to the favour of his 
 aaster, and allowed them to return home, after binding them 
 >y oath to the following effect; that they should in future, to 
 he best of their ability, keep the peace towards all the people 
 f Hoyland, and would most strictly chastise all such dis- 
 urbers of the peace as they might find among themselves. 
 
 In the same year, and at the beginning of the following 
 i winter, king Bichard held his parliament at Westminster, on 
 he morrow of All Souls. Abbat John, being now rendered 
 i lore cautious from his past perils, and apprehending that most 
 ■robably still greater ones would at a future day ensue, once 
 lore tore himself from the embraces of Bachel and quiet con- 
 . pmplation, and found himself compelled to submit to laborious 
 mils for Leah amid the tumults of the world. For, with a 
 iscreet haste he repaired to London, and made his appearance 
 I l full parliament: and then, while his adversary, the oarl of 
 lent, was there seated with the rest, on a fitting opportunity de- 
 vered into the king’s hands, with all humility and devout- 
 1 ess, a bill containing a statement of the whole case, and en- 
 •eatcd that he would deign to command it to be read in presence 
 f all. The king, on receiving the said bill, being both occupied 
 \ : that moment with other business, and induced thereto, as it 
 » supposed, by brotherly affection, at once consigned the matter 
 ) oblivion. The abbat, however, acting with full conlidence 
 i the Lord, and falling on his knees before the king, on three 
 iparate occasions, did not desist, until the king, .if only on 
 3 Count of his importunity, had ordered the bill to be publicly 
 ;ad. 
 
346 CONTINUATION OF THU HISTOHT OF CHOTLAND. 
 
 A.D.13? 
 
 The substance of it was as follows:—That in the last pa 
 liament of the king, a bill had been presented on behalf of tl 
 abbat of Croyland, relative to the divers grievances and injuri 
 which had been inflicted upon him, and that, by concurrence ’ 
 the peers, consideration of the whole matter had been cor 1 
 mitted to certain learned and industrious men of the council 
 our lord the king; who had appointed the octave of Sarlt 
 Hilary as the day for both parties to appear to produce the 
 evidence ; upon which, however, the said earl on his side d 
 not appear. That after this, it was ordered by the same pe 
 sons that each party should once more be warned, by letters 1 i 
 our lord the king under his privy seal, to appear before thel# 
 within three weeks after Easter; but that not then even did 
 single person of the council of the said earl make his appea ■ 
 ance. That the said abbat, not without great labour and e: 
 pense on his part, carefully attended on both days that hi 
 been named for them to appear. And it was therefore, humb >, 
 prayed his royal highness on part of the said abbat, tha : 
 for the preservation of his right of patronage, and for avoii 
 ing any diminution of the royal rights in the said abbey durii 
 vacation of the abbacy thereof, he would deign to provk 
 some fitting and gracious remedy in the matter aforesaid; h 
 cause if he should not quickly succour the said abbat and coi 
 vent in this present spoliation of them, they woidd not be ah 
 in future to endure the burdens of their foundation or coi 
 tinue to perform their duties for the support of Divine worslii 
 by reason of the smallness of their means. 
 
 After the bill had been read to this effect in parliament, tl 
 said earl is said to have thus addressed the king: “ M 
 lord,” said he, “if so it please you, this same abbat both hei 
 and elsewhere has repeatedly proffered most serious complain 
 against me, which both redound to the curtailment of my righ 
 and to no small blackening of my fair name. Therefore I c 
 ask that you will deign so to adjust your sentence to the exa< 
 measure of what is right, that his complaints against me ma 
 henceforth be set at rest, and that my disinheritance ma 
 not be the result thereof.” This he is supposed to have sai 
 for form’s sake, so that he might not appear to have kept pe; 
 feet silence, while, at the same time he uttered one thing wit 
 his lips, and was devising another in his heart; a thing thi 
 was fully proved in the sequel. 
 
>. 1391. 
 
 HISrUTE IN PARLIAMENT. 
 
 347 
 
 For, hardly had the space of one week gone by after this, 
 ten the said earl, in the same parliament, preferred a most 
 evous bill against the same abbat, containing many serious 
 irges, and requested that it should be read. Accordingly, 
 ring the whole time that it was being read, the earl stood 
 ct before the king, and, at the same time, the earl of March, 
 i earl of Arundel, the earl of Salisbury, the earl of Hun- 
 gdon, the earl of Northumberland, and other nobles, who 
 soured him, whatever might be his title, similarly stood 
 with him, as supporters of his cause. On the abbat’s side, 
 
 : stood alone, putting his trust in the Lord, and in the most 
 «red truth of his proofs. On the same day, the said earl, 
 
 i [ike manner, presented a bill against the prior of Spalding, 
 lich was publicly read in presence of the said council. 
 
 U'ter both of them had been read, and construed by all with 
 y dissimilar feelings, the lord John of Gaunt, the venerable 
 ite of Aquitaine and Lancaster, immediately arose, and with 
 
 ii the duke of York, his brother, as well as their sons, 
 lory, earl of Derby, son of the duke of Lancaster, and the 
 d of Rutland, son of the duke of York. The duke df Lan¬ 
 der forthwith addressed the king in these words: “ My 
 fared lord, certain things that have been here read concern 
 c and my freehold, for which, under God’s guidance, it 
 ii oves me to stand up so long as I live. But after I am dead, 
 
 [ ish my son, to whom, by hereditaiy right, the same will 
 leend, to the best of his abilities to maintain the same, and 
 k on any account to allow my just rights to be lost.” 
 
 'o this, the archbishop of York, the chancellor of England, 
 ivhe king’s command, immediately made answer : “My lord 
 [i e of Lancaster, his royal highness, fully taking into con¬ 
 i' ration the exalted station of your persons, especially wishes 
 h to be observed, that no grounds whatever for contentions 
 r iscords in public may for the present be disclosed: but the 
 a ter in dispute between you he takes into the hands of hi3 
 o 1 power, intending to provide for you in the matter arbitra- 
 o: who shall duly discuss and rectify everything on fair and 
 e; rnable grounds.” 
 
 tatters being in this position, the abbat remained standing 
 J e in the midst of them, and destitute of all human aid. 
 Ij/ever, seeing that his cause was thus imperilled, and si- 
 e:ly recalling to mind that “it is better to trust in the Lord, 
 
348 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 13 
 
 than to put confidence in princes,” 64 and the words, “I 
 not your trust in princes nor in the son of man, in whi ' 
 there is no help,” 60 he immediately implored the Divine A 
 sistance, and placed his entire trust in the aid of the H 
 High, and in the protection of the God of heaven. Accoi , 
 ingly, throwing himself at the king’s feet, in a devout spii 
 and, with a tranquil countenance and great constancy of hea 
 he called attention to his desolate state, in words to the folio 
 ing effect: “ Behold, my lord king,” said he, “ I fly alone: 
 refuge to the throne of your majesty, confessing that you t 
 my king, and the founder of my church, which now stands 
 the point of ruin, and in danger of utter spoliation. Thereto: 
 on behalf of Almighty God, 1 do call upon you, powerfully wi; 
 your royal hand to support the rights of your foundation, a 
 with all speed to succour the said church in this the mome 
 of her necessity, seeing that there is no other, who will 
 able to come to her aid, as you shall he wishful to answer 1 
 the same at the strict judgment of God, and before the t 
 bunal of Christ.” After this, he raised himself by degre 
 and addressing his words to the chancellor of England and t 
 lord duke of Lancaster, thus continued: “ And as for you, i 
 lords,” said he, “wdio are the chief and principal nobles ( 
 the council of my lord the king, I do also, in the name 
 God, exhort and entreat you, so faithfully to act in the defer 
 of the rights of my said church, as it is your wish finally 
 avoid indignation at the last judgment.” 
 
 Immediately upon this, the chancellor said, by the kin;<! 
 command : “ My lord abbat, it is the king’s wish that whi 
 ever award he shall make to the lord duke of Lancaster in 1 
 matter, a similar result shall, under God’s guidance, atte 
 your application. "Wherefore, he has taken your eomplaii 
 and your grievances into his own hands, and, well remembi 
 ing that he has been the founder of your church, he is dett 
 mined to restore everything that justice shall demand as t 
 right of that church, and to avert every injury from the san 
 as is his bounden duty to do.” 
 
 Oh most memorable magnanimity on the part of this vent 
 able man ! Oh remarkable constancy to his sons in this tin 
 father in the Lord! who, with such singular firmness | 
 heart, stood up against those who so iniquitously persecut, 
 
 01 Psalm cxviii. 9. 63 Psalm cxlvi. 3. 
 
n- 1392. 
 
 LAST SICKNESS OF AFT)AT JOHN. 
 
 319 
 
 In; who, inflamed with zeal for justice, manfully withstood 
 bm and opposed himself as a wall of defence for the house 
 i the Lord; who, though he knew that the feelings of the 
 jig might reasonably be suspected to be in favour of his own 5S 
 :ither then present, was not alarmed thereat, did not dread 
 
 threats of the judges, nor yet fear the crowd of earls and 
 riles of the kingdom who publicly took part against him. 
 It, so moderate was he in his language, so temperate in his 
 llress, that he was neither over-fluent in excess of words, 
 r yet was he found wanting through poverty of speech. 
 :nce it was, that he both challenged the feelings of all who 
 i )d around in his favour, and merited the praises of each. 
 During a whole year after this, he enjoyed the peace he 
 k much longed for, amid the greatest tranquillity; and no 
 rtter for either ill-will or discord was afforded to him or his, 
 iword or deed, by the servants or tenants of the said earl, 
 it, behold! nothing under heaven can he safe, nothing can 
 'aain for long the same. For even they who serve God are 
 if stable, and “ Even his own angels He charged with 
 cy.” 37 For we all die, and like water we glide into the earth, 
 bleed, we are the tributaries of death, and in us we all have 
 o answer to the summons of death. Oh deceitful fortune, 
 to dost exalt us in the moment of exultation, and dost as sud- 
 lly plunge us into the abyss of sorrow! For, in the same 
 Nr, being that from the Incarnation of our Lord, 1392 , and 
 1 sixteenth of king Richard the Second, the said vener- 
 ih father, worthy of all lasting praise, began to sicken on 
 ,1 day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, and, being 
 licked by a violent fever, was deprived of all strength of 
 >fy : upon which, he most ardently longed for death, in pre- 
 e nee to abiding any longer among the labours and storms of 
 1 toilsome life. Accordingly, from the very day that his 
 Ubss began, as soon as he perceived that the hand of the 
 in d had come upon him, and that he was to bid farewell to 
 1 world, he immediately estranged himself from all the 
 a s of this life, and employed himself with all anxiety of 
 a d in making provision that the day of death, which is wont 
 oome upon so many unprepared, might not come upon him 
 u wares. At last, when the final moments of his life were 
 
 “ Uterinus,” the earl being the son of Joanna, the wife of the Black 
 hce. 67 Job iv. 18. 
 
350 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE I1ISTORT OF CUOYLAND. A.D.l.'il 
 
 approaching, he benignly comforted his brethren and , 
 friends who had met together, and were lamenting their inc< 
 solable loss ; and after partaking of the spiritual viaticum, : 
 order that the God of our salvation might grant him a speed i 
 journey, on the octave of Saint Bartholomew, his most esjl 
 cial patron, with joy he quitted the world and joined the . 
 habitants of heaven, in the sixteenth year of his prela' 
 While he was still in this world, although he was repeate< 
 tossed to and fro by misfortunes from without, and was harass. - 
 by the embarrassments of this life, still, none the more did J 
 withdraw his attention from the interests of his house, but 
 many ways graced his church with vestments, thuribles, de« 
 rations for the altars, and other ecclesiastical ornaments, a 
 caused the great bells of the convent to be re-cast. Bcsie ■ 
 this, he supplied large vessels of copper for the purpose > ■ 
 brewing; and had wooden doors placed at the outer gate ' 
 the abbey. Last of all, the perambulation, for the purposed 
 setting metes and boundaries for the division and separation' 
 the districts of Hoyland and Kesteven, which is mentioi 
 above as having been made through the lord John of Gau 
 duke of Lancaster, and the knights of the country, w as obtain 
 through his exertions and at his expense. 
 
 After he was thus dead, and gathered unto his fathers, i 
 without the lamentations and sorrow of the whole district, 1 
 was succeeded by Thomas de Overton, prior of the same co 
 munity, a man prudent and circumspect in action, and c i 
 w r ho had been well tested by experience, while holding t 
 higher offices of the monastery. 
 
 In the seventeenth year of the same king, and the seco.. 
 of the abbacy of the said Thomas, some of the commons of t 
 county of Northampton, with the full assent of the monks' 
 Burgh, with great efforts raised a great embankment on t 
 south side of the Welland, from Bey kirk as far as Southlal 
 opposite to Kenulphston; whence they extended it a gn 
 distance in the direction of Croyland, within the boundari 
 of the abbat, without his leave or consent. However, by t 
 providence of God, their attempts were not carried into effe 
 For, every year, as the waters increased to overflowing, 1: 
 channel was unable to contain the increasing waters with 
 the banks, and, consequently, by repeatedly washing away li 
 5S “ Properum.”— Qy. if not “ prosperum,” a “ a prosperous journey 
 
D. 1393. OUTRAGE COMMITTED 0S’ THE LANDS OF CIIOTLAND. 351 
 
 iff, the waves overflowed thesaid embankment. Hence, through 
 le irruption of the Hoods, the whole surface was inundated 
 id covered with the waters, so that the utility resulting 
 lerefrom consisted more in a supply of fish than of pas¬ 
 sage. 
 
 In the same year also, in the holy week of Pentecost, a vast 
 ultitude of the people of Depyng came into the marshes with 
 i armed force, and outrageously threw to the ground the 
 •oss called Kenulphston, which had lately been erected by 
 ithority of our lord the king and the parliament as the 
 mndary between Hoyland and Kesteven, on the occasion of 
 e perambulation before-mentioned; and, after thus throwing 
 : down and breaking it to pieces, they carried it off with them 
 I Depyng, and there, with marks of indignation and dishonor, 
 rew it into the pools under the feet of the passers-by. On 
 ;e following day, also, with axes and hatchets they levelled 
 ■ e trees which grew on the mound on which the cross had 
 nod, and after throwing them into the water, returned home 
 ith great boasting and exultation. Upon this, abbat Thomas, 
 
 : ing greatly vexed at this detestable and cruel inj my inflicted 
 •ion himself and his chinch, and being deeply grieved thereat, 
 Sanfully prepared, to the very utmost of his ability, to defend 
 le rights of his foundation, and, betraying no slothfulness, 
 1 stened to ensure the re-erection of the said cross, in conformity 
 \th the laws of England. 
 
 Accordingly, he repaired to London, and by bill set forth his 
 nious grievances before our lord the king; while at the same 
 lae he was supported by the favour and assistance of the 
 (jatly to be honored and everworthy to be mentioned lord John 
 ■Gaunt, duke of Lancaster; upon which, with all speed he 
 (tained from his serene highness a commission directed to the 
 lbles and judges of the land, to hold a grand assize on the 
 tne. At this assize also, the said illustrious duke, as being 
 t - first and chief upon the commission, most benignly pre- 
 s ed in his own person. Here the highest and most powerful 
 i n of Depyng were indicted, and condemned for having 
 (pended against the abbat of Croyland, and the country; after 
 l ich, they were seized and led fettered in carts and waggons, 
 1 thout mercy, to the castle of Lincoln, until such time as the 
 eresaid cross should be rebuilt. In the meantime, their 
 f ;nds and neighbours made haste, without delay, to erect 
 
352 COXTIXTATIOX OF THE HISTORY OF CEO VIA XI). A.D. 131 
 
 another new cross, and so, being greatly alarmed, restored i 
 though much against their wills, in its proper place, where 
 had formerly stood, as may now be seen by all who behold it 
 
 About this time also, king Richard removed all his courl 
 not without great expense, from Westminster to York, in co 
 sequence of the ill-will shewn by the citizens of London. 
 
 In the twentieth year of his reign, the same king, levying 
 strong body of men at London, suddenly came to the manor 
 the lord Thomas of Woodstock, duke of Gloucester, atPlasshe 
 in the county of Essex, and there arresting the said duke, se 
 him to be kept in safe custody at Calais. After a short tim 
 however, by command of our lord the king, and by the advi 
 of the earl marshal of England, the then captains of the sa 
 town of Calais, who were the keepers of the before-namt 
 duke, suddenly entered his chamber by night as he slept, ai 
 binding him hand and foot, placed him between two large pi 
 lows, and, by repeatedly treading thereon with their feeE 
 smothered him in a most dreadful manner. 
 
 In these days, repeated evils were wrought in England, Ji 
 the banishment of earls, the beheading of peers, and the co’l 
 signment of many nobles to perpetual imprisonment. At tli 
 period, too, king Richard, at the beginning of his parliameu . 
 sentenced Thomas Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury, to pe l 
 petual banishment from the realm, and confiscated his pr j 
 perty to the royal treasury. In like manner also, he se:,l 
 tenced Henry Bolingbroke, earl of Derby, son of John of Gaun f 
 duke of Lancaster, to banishment for ten years. 
 
 In the same year, Robert Braybroke, bishop of Londo i 
 with some others who had joined him at Bedford, as well ..1 
 other prelates who were induced thereto by his example, caus( 1 
 two of the most noble persons in each vill throughout sixtecl 
 counties of England, to be summoned before them; and, whe* 
 they appeared, compelled them to set their seals to- a certaif 
 white paper which was styled “ Blanc cliartre and had bee* 
 devised by the wicked and false counsels of perfidious men; o 
 thing that afterwards proved one great cause of king Richard . 
 downfall. In this year also, the clergy, people, and priest, j 
 being taxed, submitted to payment of these heavy imposts k 
 the king with great murmuring. 
 
 In the following year, that is to say, in the year from t! | 
 
 ** Or Pleshv, near Dunmotv, at which place he had founded a college,» 
 
d. 1399. 
 
 SEVERAL KNIGHTS ARE DECAPITATED. 
 
 353 
 
 carnation of our Lord, 1399, and the last of the reign of 
 mg Richard, the lord John of Gaunt, the illustrious duke of 
 I incaster, of deservedly pious memory, (one who had always 
 |oved most friendly to our monastery of Croyland. and its 
 portune helper in its tribulations), departed the way of all 
 Esh at Leicester; and was buried in the church of St. Paul 
 Lbndon, Henry his son and heir being then in exile. 
 
 In the meantime, king Richard entrusted and to farm let 
 I) kingdom of England to William Scrope, earl of Wiltshire 
 ; 1 treasurer of England, and John Rushe, Henry Greene, and 
 I in'Bagott, knights. He also appointed Edmund Langley, 
 ike of York, protector of the kingdom ; while the king him- 
 sf, with a strong force, proceeded to Ireland, to wage war 
 uiHst the Irish, who had rebelled against him. 
 
 Henry Bolingbroke, however, earl of Derby, duke of Here¬ 
 in, and, by right inherited from his father, duke of Lan- 
 : ter, being in banishment at his father’s death, on hearing 
 ) it, sent letters of entreaty to the king of England, beg- 
 ;g that he would allow him to enjoy his paternal inheritance, 
 l: promising that he would faithfully perform all duties that 
 i ege-man ought to perform for his king. On finding that 
 1 king hesitated to grant his request, he determined to carry 
 r;ters with a high hand, so collecting a large body of troops, 
 Handed at night in the north of England on the fourth of 
 iiy, accompanied by Thomas Arundel, archbishop of Canter- 
 ny, his fellow-exile ; and before he arrived at his castle of 
 Ltefract, his troops had increased to an innumerable army, 
 r i lord Edmund Langley, the king’s representative in Eng- 
 al, with Nicholas Spencer, the bishop of Norwich, and the 
 lights John Bushe, Henry Greene, and John Bagott, also col- 
 e ed a large army, in number nearly sixteen thousand men ; 
 n although by the king’s command he hastened to attack 
 hngbroke, he was forced to retreat and take refuge in 
 Wtol Castle. Here the lord William Scrope, the king’s 
 usurer, was punished with the loss of his head for his 
 nchery in having sold the castle of Calais for an immense 
 u of money which he received from the king of France. In 
 il manner, the knights, John Bushe, and Henry Greene, were 
 it shed with decapitation, because by their advice and con¬ 
 ii ence most grievous taxes had been imposed upon the com- 
 ni s of England. 
 
 A A 
 
354 C0XT1XTJATI0N OF THE DISTORT OF CROYLANB. A.D. 1 , 
 
 The king, who was still in Ireland, as soon as rumour a 
 this effect came to his ears, hastened to return to England, 1 
 landed with a few men at Milford Haven, in Wales. But g 
 people of England forsook him, and no longer adhered to i 
 cause ; both because he had oppressed them with his exaetii 9 
 as also, in especial, because he had ordered Thomas of Wcl 
 stock, duke of Gloucester, to be put to death at Calais witlj 
 any good reason, and had had the earls of Arundel and W- 
 wick beheaded, and had compelled Thomas Arundel, ai- 
 bishop of Canterbury, and Henry, duke of Lancaster, ij 
 many others, to go into exile. After this, the king repa: j 
 to Flint Castle, where, after holding a short conference il 
 the duke, on wishing to retire, he was not permitted; but J 
 immediately arrested, and taken to Chester by the servant J 
 the duke of Lancaster. 
 
 A short time after this, Henry, duke of Lancaster, the iaj 
 of Northumberland, and Thomas Arundel, archbishop of Cj 
 terbury, with many other nobles of the kingdom, taking 
 king with them, a prisoner and forsaken by all, haste! 
 towards London ; and on arriving there, committed him to i 
 Tower for safe custody until Parliament should meet. Im a 
 diately calling together the Parliament, king Bichard u 
 pointed Bichard Scrope, archbishop of York, and a few oil 
 nobles, his deputies, in his name to resign the crown of f 
 kingdom before the duke and the commons of all Engkf 
 Shortly after this, the peers of the realm condemned hiri 
 perpetual imprisonment, first at Leeds Castle in Kent, 
 then at Pontefract Castle in the county of York; and ij 
 the consent of the commons, they proclaimed Henry, duku 
 Lancaster, king of England. In the same year, therefl 
 Henry Bolingbroke, duke of Lancaster, was crowned kingtf 
 Westminster, on the feast of Saint Edward, by Boger Wahl 
 the then archbishop of Canterbury; at which coronation ie 
 made his eldest son, Henry of Monmouth, prince of Wales, di 
 of Cornwall, and earl of Chester. Besides this, he restqji 
 Thomas Arundel to the archiepiscopal dignity, after remo'ig 
 Boger therefrom, and appointing him to the see of Lonn 
 which was then vacant. 
 
 In the following year, being that of the Incarnation of if 
 Lord, 1400, king Henry, thinking that the kingdom was .? 
 at peace in his sight, with a few of his people kept the Nat ill 
 
 is nothing to be deper* 
 
 of our Lord at Windsor. But there 
 
k. 1400. 
 
 DEATH OF KING RICHARD. 
 
 355 
 
 i m among men ; as certain persons, being indignant thereat, 
 111 being unwilling that he should reign over them, con- 
 ij:ed to put him to death. For the earl of Kent, the earl of 
 Entingdon, the earl of Salisbury, and the lord de Spencer, 
 a h some other knights plotted against him ; and, at a peaceful 
 a rnament called a “ mumming,” which was held before the 
 eg on the day of the Epiphany, being themselves haters of 
 »'Ce, caused public proclamation to be made, so that, making 
 u' attack with a strong hand, they might be enabled traitor- 
 nly to slay the king by taking him unawares. 
 
 ?his conspiracy, however, by the providence of God, was not 
 ■i ccaled from the king. For he having discovered it, they 
 ti took to flight; but, in a short time all these parties, who 
 l. thus prepared to levy war, were taken or else dispersed 
 iload, and wherever they were discovered were beheaded 
 ifh out delay. Among these was the before-mentioned and 
 ;c much to be noticed Thomas Holland, earl of Kent, and lord 
 illepyng ; for he, who had been always an evil-wisher and a 
 Id it spiteful persecutor of the monastery of Croyland, by the 
 ftden judgment of God on his life and his wickedness, came 
 ciis end by losing his head, on the very same day on which, 
 if t is said, he had determined to attack the said monastery 
 vh a strong hand. When a faithful account had been brought 
 c:ing Richard at the castle of Pontefract of the deaths of the 
 ills his brothers, in whom he placed a remarkable degree of 
 icfidencc; being already absorbed in sorrow, and despairing 
 rids own safety, he pined away, and most inconsiderately 
 n rashly vowed for very grief that he would never after take 
 cl; and thus, after abstaining from sustenance five days and 
 many nights, he departed this life, miserably dying of 
 n ger, after the completion of a reign of twenty-two years. 
 
 n these times, also, the world being thus at the mercy of 
 i alignant whirlwind of direful perturbations, ■which spread 
 tiughout nearly the whole of England, Satan again went 
 oh from before the face of the Lord, and, in the mouths of 
 eain abandoned men, who had been placed in confinement, 
 nmd himself still, as he had been from the beginning, a lying 
 jit. For these wretches, being either induced thereto by 
 t irsed bribes, or else through a misplaced anxiety in their 
 loerate attempts to prolong their wretched lives, most falsely 
 icised divers prelates and nobles of the church and the 
 
 a a 2 
 
350 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROTXAND. A. J. 1 ) 
 
 kingdom of treason against the king’s person. Accordin/ 
 Thomas, abbat of Croyland, as well as many others of 
 fellow-abbats in the county, was iniquitously charged 1 
 treason by a certain son of perdition ; upon which, he hr. 
 day appointed for him to appear, Huntingdon being name< 
 the place, that he might lawfully clear himself before the ki 
 justices of the crime laid to his charge. Trusting especi 
 in the Lord, and the testimony of his own conscience, he i 
 readily presented himself at the place named. Here, ha i 
 appeared before the tribunal of the presiding judge, he 
 by the providence of Christ, acquitted of the charge upon i 
 truthful attestation of the whole county; and so, rejoic 
 and returning thanks to God, he returned home. 
 
 After this, through the remaining period of his rule, ne 
 up to the time of his death, he enjoyed abundantly the pi 
 that is so ardently longed for by all mortals. During the 
 burst, however, of the before-mentioned tempest, we ca 
 sufficiently wonder how greatly the enemy showed his j 
 lignity against the Saints, and to what an extent Satan 
 permitted to wreak his malice upon the professors of the fa 
 Lor ten brethren of the order of the Minorites, famous 
 and honored doctors of Divinity, together with Sir Roger; 
 rendon, 60 and Walter de Lande, their prior, being convicte,, 
 treason, amid the violence of these tempestuous times, j 
 drawn and hanged. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1403, being the fourth year oi 
 reign of king Henry, a great and more than ordinary t 
 in times of civil war, was fought at Shrewsbury, on the 
 tival of Saint Praxeeles, 61 between king Henry and Hj 
 P ercy, earl of Northumberland. In this engagement, n 
 and gentlemen, together with common men, were slain, t, 
 amount estimated at five thousand men. This war had J 
 before been foretold by a comet, which appeared in the N I 
 on successive nights, in form of a sword, and which the jf 
 learned among the astrologers asserted to have been senti 
 direful prognostic of woe. 
 
 Two years after this, Richard Scrope, archbishop of Irt 
 and the lord Mowbray, earl marshal, together with a 
 
 60 He was a natural son of the Black Pnnce. All these person? « 
 executed for asserting that king Richard was still alive. 
 
 61 Twenty-first of July. 
 
. 1405 . 
 
 WISE PROCEEDINGS OF ABBAT THOMAS. 
 
 357 
 
 le of brethren, of the four orders, and a large body of 
 aed men which he had levied in the northern districts, rose 
 warlike array against king Henry; on which the king met 
 m with a large force, and beheaded the most noble that 
 re taken, at York, without respect for condition or order, 
 wever, the Divine goodness deigned in after-times to show 
 th great virtues and mighty miracles in favour of the arch- 
 hop, who was there put to death. 
 
 kbbat Thomas had now passed nearly fourteen years in 
 etness from the turmoil of the .world, the tribulation of the 
 ,:ked, and all sorrow ; but still, he did not spend his time in 
 :>ness, and in neglecting to perform the works of goodness; 
 he was always strenuously exerting himself in increasing 
 \ possessions of his church, by means of which he might 
 :*c'“ abundantly promote the worship of God, and more 
 fiily perform the duties of hospitality. For, with great 
 ns of money, he obtained from Sir Ralph Shelton, for his 
 mastery, the third part of a third part of the manor of 
 hney, called Sheltonfee, as also a certain part of a knight’s 
 t in the vill of Baston, called Beaumontfee, from the lord 
 Dry de Beaumont. The annual income of the prior of one 
 t hese places amounts, according to a true calculation, to 
 i een pounds, while that of the other amounts to twenty 
 
 Iks. 
 
 le also turned his attention to things worthy of a higher 
 csideration ; and looking forward with presaging mind to the 
 mre, he observed how, upon a vacation of the abbacy, the 
 ;i;’s servants and officers had been accustomed, just like so 
 my lions, to pounce upon the property of the monastery, 
 me away the cattle, and, in confiscating the rest of its pos- 
 eions, be guilty of the most grievous exactions: upon 
 rch, with the most excellent intentions, he determined saga- 
 li sly to make provision against these evils, and to apply an 
 iprtune remedy for the future. Accordingly, he obtained a 
 sfc'ter patent of the royal protection, ensuring the future in- 
 k nity of his manors, and stricti)' forbidding the king’s ser- 
 fflls thenceforth in any way to meddle with the property of 
 ,h monastery; and by agreeing that, as often as a vacancy 
 
 “ Minus,” “ less,” in the original seems to he a misprint; unless the 
 ni ling is that it was his wish to curtail hospitality to provide more abun- 
 la y for the worship of God. 
 
358 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROTLAND. A.D. 1 1 , 
 
 should happen, a payment should be made of only twe: ■ 
 
 fl 
 
 pounds to the royal treasury, he relieved his successors o 
 ground for inextricable difficulties. 
 
 He also had new forms made in the choir, upon which 
 brethren are wont to kneel at prayers, and had the four sweel 
 sounding bells repaired, which hang in the tower bey( 
 the choir, to the glory of the house of God. In like manr 
 he had those extremely handsome buildings, situate in the cov 
 yard of the abbey, and used as offices for domestic purpoi,; 
 that is to say, as a brew-house and bake-house, built ii 
 most expensive manner. 
 
 You might also have seen him watchfully moving to ( 
 fro, both in the midst of his flock and around it, like one ft 
 those heavenly beasts 63 that had eyes for seeing both bei' 
 and behind—he was, I say, living in common with them 1 
 the midst of his brethren, and, going round about ami 
 them, administered to them all temporal assistance; in 
 midst of them, he was like one of them, while, in go 
 round about, he became the servant of them all; in fine, 
 lived in the midst of them, that there might be no personal 
 ference paid to him, and he went round about that on no ssi 
 an entrance might be left open to the enemy. But, “ lav r 
 is deceitful, and beauty is vain;” 64 and, because the prospew 
 of a smiling world is wont to elevate the heart, and in s 
 emptiness compels the unwary to raise themselves above the ■ 
 selves, that so they cannot bethink themselves on the day f 
 blessings, or even of woe; God, who is a God of mercy 
 compassion, being unwilling that his servant should be indu 1 
 to boast in his exaltation, having had so many years granted^: 
 him of lasting peace, but rather that he might have ms 
 humble thoughts and more sagaciously provide against <1 
 elevation that attends the day of mortals, withdrew fti 
 him light in the body, like another Tobias, and, in his mer, 
 sent upon him night with its shades and darkness ; a state n 
 which he remained for the five years during which he survi'i 
 until his death. However, well remembering that it is w- 
 ten, “ Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgi 
 every son whom he receiveth,” 65 he submitted with the great t 
 patience to this Divine visitation, and as his answer, upon e> 
 infliction on him of the death, he always gave most abund t 
 
 63 Alluding to Rev. iv. 6 . 61 Proverbs xxxi. 30. 63 Heb. xiii. 
 
1 ). 1405 . MUNIFICENCE OF SOME OF THE BRETHREN. 
 
 359 
 
 tanks to God, often repeating to himself, “ It is good, Lord, 
 tit thou hast humbled me and, again, “I will rather glory 
 
 i my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me ;” 66 
 b1 , again, “Thy visitation hath preserved my spirit;” 67 and 
 aiin, “ I believe to see the goodness of the Lord in the land 
 cthe living.” 68 Still, however, overcome by the urgent re¬ 
 test and importunate entreaties of his brethren, he remained, 
 t mgh unwillingly, to the end of his life in the performance of 
 t pastoral duties; and all persons, with sincere feelings of 
 suction, always, in every way, paid him every mark of honor 
 a 1 respect. The entire management, however, of the affairs 
 3 the monasteiy, and of its interests, both temporal as well as 
 s ritual, were entrusted to Richard Upton, prior of Croyland, 
 t the lord Philip, who was at that time diocesan. He w r as 
 nan, noted for his scholastic attainments, a Rachelor of Di- 
 r ity, one most profoundly imbued with a knowledge of lite- 
 rure, able in action, and prudent and discreet in the manage- 
 nnt of temporal affairs; having gained great experience 
 v ile prior of Freston, an office which he had held with dis- 
 betion for ten years. 
 
 But now I think it is proper to make mention of some of the 
 bthren of this monastery, who are deserving to he perpetually 
 membered, and who, entertaining love for God and their neigh- 
 b lt, in the time of the said venerable father, abbat Thomas, 
 iidably bestowed, of the goods of their friends, and of those 
 such, by permission of the abbat, they had collected, more 
 iiin the monastery than was given by others, with the leave 
 3 the latter so to say. Wherefore, we have thought proper 
 lie to insert their names, that posterity may be made to un- 
 Istand that it is their duty, by the suffrages of their prayers, 
 dess due than devout, to commend their souls to God, when 
 Sly remember that they are enjoying the benefit of their ki¬ 
 ll rs, and know that it is through their bounty that they are 
 
 I e refreshed. 
 
 )ne of these was brother Laurence Chateres, kitchener 
 lithe same place, who most liberally contributed forty 
 [) nds to the building of the west side of the cloisters. In 
 
 ii ■ manner, also, he gave forty pounds to supply almond milk 
 t< 'efresh the convent on fish days. He also nobly supplied 
 
 II vestiary with an entire suit of black, embroidered with 
 
 66 2 Cor. xii. 9. 6 "' Job x. 12. 63 Psalm xxvii. 13. 
 
360 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLAND. 
 
 A.D. 1 . 
 
 letters in gold, and appropriate for the purposes of Divine f-J 
 vice and the burial of the dead, and which he had providedt 
 the cost of twenty-six pounds. Besides this, he also libers^ 
 gave twenty pounds towards the building of a farm-house uj 1 
 the manor of the convent at Dovedale. 
 
 Another brother also, William of Croyland, we consider ■ 
 no degree inferior to the former. Being appointed master A 
 the works, by his labour and industry he first built the west if 
 part of the cloisters before-mentioned, from the very foundati « 
 After this, he erected the two transverse aisles of the chur, 
 so remarkable for their beauty, below the choir, one on jil 
 north, the other on the south, together with their vaul 1 
 roofs, and their windows of glass; as well as a chapel in ho: ri| 
 of the blessed Virgin, situate on the northern confines then® 
 and which he built of the most elegant workmanship, at a v® 
 outlay of money. Besides this, he ordered two tablets to m 
 prepared by the diligent skill of the sculptors, for the purp n 
 of being erected at the altar of our blessed father Guthl J 
 which is placed on the side facing the east; and that he mi; t 
 render them more beauteous in appearance, he ordered ■ 
 lower one to be painted, while he had the whole of the up® 
 one gilded. It is also universally known that the beauti® 
 refectory-house of the order was built by him, from the vA 
 foundation to the summit, with artistic elegance and the gre® 
 est magnificence. Besides this, like another Nehemias, ® 
 strenuously laboured in the building of the temple of the Lo® 
 and erected, from the very foundation to the laying of the rcl 
 the whole of the lower part of the nave of the church, towa® 
 the west, as well as both aisles appendant thereto, togeti®, 
 with their chapels. But of this hereafter: for it belong;® 
 the time of the lord abbat Richard, who next succeeded to J 
 duties of the pastoral charge. 
 
 Neither should brother Richard Woxbrige be omitted fril 
 the list of our memorial, who bestowed upon God and ■ 
 church a purple vestment, delicately inlaid with flowers® 
 gold, consisting of two hoods, and a chasuble, with tuni® 
 thereby most liberally providing the wardrobe of the vestiaB 
 This, even down to our times, is deservedly mentioned amc® 
 the principal benefactions. 
 
 And then besides, brother Simon Eresby deserves to al 
 reckoned in the list of our benefactors; for he decorated 13 
 
.B. 1413. 
 
 gift of Laurence chateres. 
 
 3G1 
 
 ; ar of Saint John the Evangelist, to whom in especial he 
 ]id the most devout veneration, with tablets of exquisite 
 lauty, both above and below. It was esteemed a happy sign 
 lit this devoutness of his was acceptable to the Saint, that 
 fis brother departed from this world to the heavenly banquet 
 ion the day of his festival, being summoned to join the holy 
 j lostle; an end that he had often prayed for. He also pro¬ 
 ved two principal thuribles, made of silver gilt, at a cost of 
 f ty marks, and devoting them to the performance of Divine 
 s vice, greatly promoted thereby the glory of the house of 
 (d. Besides this, in the chapel of the blessed Mary, which 
 11 been previously prepared on the soutli side of the church, 
 1 most devoutly erected at his own expense two perks, which 
 Are becomingly prepared for the arrangement of the wax 
 tiers thereon, together with a screen of considerable height, 
 nich terminated the said chapel below. 
 
 But now let us briefly make mention of a matter that we 
 He previously omitted to do, the gift of the brother Laurence 
 (ateres, for the supply of almond-milk for the refreshment of 
 fc; convent. That no cause for dispute may arise, respecting 
 t' distribution thereof, we have thought proper here to sub- 
 j a the circumstances of the institution of the said usage. In 
 t' year of our Lord 1413, and in the twenty-second year of 
 L lord abbat Thomas Overton, it was, with the common con¬ 
 s’ t of the said abbat and the whole convent, enacted and or¬ 
 ti ned, the brother ltichard Upton, then prior of Croyland, 
 jligently aiding in and promoting the same, that the before- 
 Bntioned forty pounds, given to the convent by the brother 
 Inrence Chateres, as before stated, should be equally divided 
 b ween six of the highest officers of the convent of Croyland, 
 ti t is to say, the master of the works, the almoner, the pit- 
 t cer, the sacrist, the chamberlain, and the cellarer ; and it 
 ps further agreed that every one of the before-named officers 
 3 add receive ten marks of the said sum in pennies, and should 
 ilex the same to his office, which should be accountable for 
 b same for ever, and should each year answer for it as a part 
 ) .he monies belonging to his office, in his account when given 
 ii under the head “ Eor almonds.” Also, that every one of 
 ti before-mentioned six officers should find for the convent 
 uond-millc on the fish days, each in his turn, just as the turn 
 )i;ach of the said officers should come round, each taking care 
 
3G2 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. HI 
 
 to supply three pounds of almonds, together with good bm 
 and honey sufficient for his turn, there being one pound i 
 almonds, with bread and honey as above-mentioned, for cat 
 eight or nine monks. And if the festival ' 0 In albis, or aD 
 fast day, upon which the pittance 71 ought to be provided fi 
 the convent in the refectory by the kitchener, should happc 
 to fall on any fish day, then the officer who should have ;. 
 provide the milk on that day, was to receive from tl 
 kitchener one pound of almonds, instead of the pittance abovi t 
 mentioned; and so the kitchener should be excused fro; i 
 providing the pittance which he ought to have found in tl , 
 refectory, that so the milk before-mentioned might be pr< 
 vided more carefully and more punctually for the monaster 4 
 It was also ordained, by the common consent of the abbat an 
 convent, that every officer who should fail 12 on his turn aD 
 day, of his own will and knowledge, to find the same, shoul 
 lose as much of his commons as would amount to double tl 
 value of the milk which ought to have been provided on th; 
 day: and this, as often as any lapse of the land should be di 
 tected by the prior and seniors of the convent. 
 
 Another enactment, also, that was by his order approved 0 
 we think it by no means superfluous here to insert, that a 
 occasion for disagreement may be thereby removed from thof 1 
 who come after us. An ancient and laudable custom ha 
 hitherto prevailed, that on every principal feast in the yea 
 the abbat should have with him at table, either in the hall (J 1 
 in his chamber, three monks of the convent, and on every cop 
 day, two; and that the abbat’s receiver should receive nothin 
 for them, from the kitchener, on the said days. Also, that if, 0 
 the feast of Saint Catherine the Virgin , 73 and of Saint Thomas tl; 
 Martyr, the prior, or any other member of the convent, shoul 
 celebrate mass in the abbat’s chapel, then both the prior c 
 other person so celebrating mass, as well as all the monks wb 
 should be invited by the abbat to his table on these feast day; 
 should be entertained at the expense of the abbat, and the rt 
 ceiver of the abbat should take nothing for them from th 
 
 ro Or Low Sunday, being called “ in albis,” from the white garments : 
 which the Neophytes were clothed. 
 
 71 The pittance was an allowance of food to each two monks. It general 
 meant fish, but it is pretty clear that here eggs or cheese are alluded to. 
 
 In the original, this sentence appears to be imperfect. 
 
 73 25th November and 29th December. 
 
k.D. 1413. 
 
 SUCCESSION OF THE LOKDS OF I'EPYNG. 
 
 363 
 
 dtchener. Also, that when, on the vigil of the Nativity of 
 >nr Lord, or on the Saturday next preceding the same, and 
 >n the vigils of Easter and Pentecost, and on the first Sun- 
 lay of the Advent of our Lord, and on Septuagesima Sunday, 
 >r Quinquagesima Sunday, the prior of Croyland should, Ho¬ 
 arding to custom, eat at the abbat’s table, the abbat’s receiver 
 hould take nothing for him. 
 
 It was afterwards enacted in the time of Thomas Overton, 
 he lord abbat, and confirmed by Richard Upton, the lord ahbat, 
 hat, besides the times aforesaid, every day throughout the 
 vholo year two monks of the convent should take their meal 
 n the hall or the chamber of the abbat, whether the abbat 
 hould be present or not; and that the kitchener should 
 iay to the abbat or his receiver every week, in pennies, the 
 ame sum that he pays to our scholars who are studying at 
 Cambridge. And if the abbat should wish to invite any other 
 Qonks of the convent to dinner, besides the said two monks, 
 whether the prior, or any one else, on other than the feasts 
 foresaid, then the receiver was to receive victuals for them 
 rorn the kitchener, just as they would have been served in 
 he convent, according to their rank; with the exception 
 f the prior’s dish, 7 ' 1 which he was never to have provided 
 or him by the abbat to eat in the abbat’s presence. But if 
 he prior or any one of the convent should eat in the cham- 
 er of the cellarer, by leave of the prior, but not invited by 
 he abbat, or in obedience to the ordinance above stated, then 
 i such case, both the prior as well as the other monks there 
 ating were to receive everything from the kitchener and the 
 ther pittances, for dinner and supper, just as though they had 
 Been taking their meals in the infirmary. 
 
 In the mean time, after Thomas Holland, earl of Kent, and 
 >rd of the manor of Depyng, had been beheaded for his treason 
 > the king, as we have above stated, Edmund Holland, his 
 rother, became earl of Kent, and was admitted by here- 
 itary right to possession of the said demesne of Depyng. 
 laving taken to wife Lucia, sister to the duke of Milan, he 
 irvived a few years only, and died without issue in the parts 
 : ayond sea. After his death, the inheritance of the said de¬ 
 mesne of Depyng devolved upon the lady Margaret, sister of 
 le before-named earls Thomas and Edmund. John Beaufort. 
 
 74 Interferculuin : entremet. 
 
364 COXTIXUATION OF the histoey of ceoyxand. a.d. 1415 
 
 earl of Somerset, son of the lord John of Gaunt, the mos 
 illustrious duke of Lancaster, was united to her in marriage 
 and by her had an illustrious progeny, John, afterwards duk 1 
 of Somerset, and Edmund, marquis of Dorset. But more o 
 them hereafter. The before-named lady Margaret, after he ; 
 husband had departed this life, was again married to the mos i 
 illustrious lord, Thomas, duke of Clarence, son of king Henr 
 the Fourth, and nephew of her former husband; a dispensatioi 
 having been first obtained for the purpose. 
 
 King Henry the Fourth, after having completed thirteei 
 years and nearly six months of his reign, putting faith in 
 deceitful prophecy, determined to set out for the holy city c 
 Jerusalem. But, a short time after, being attacked by a morta 
 malady, he died at Westminster in a certain chamber whicl 
 had been from ancient times called “ Jerusalem,” thus fulfillin: 
 the above idle prophecy. He was buried at Canterbury. Ac 
 eordingly, in the same year, that is to say, in the early part c 
 the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 1414 74 , Henry c 
 Monmouth, his son, was crowned at Westminster, by Thoma 
 Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury, on the ninth day of April | 
 being the Sunday of our Lord’s Passion. He was far from ap 
 proving the dethronement of king Richard and his being im 
 prisoned for life, but looked upon all who were the promoter 
 of his death as guilty of treason. By way of some atonemen 
 for his father’s offence, he had his body transferred from Lang 
 ley, where he had been formerly buried, to London, and ha 
 him honorably interred at Westminster, near the shrine of St : 
 Edward. 
 
 After the lapse of a short space of time, a profane multitud \ 
 of Lollards, enemies of the cross of Christ, rose in rebellio, 
 in Saint Giles’s Fields, also called Fyketfelde, against the king 
 but being protected by the Divine favour, he triumphed with 
 victorious arm, and having taken prisoner Sir John Oldcastle 
 who was the leader of this nefarious band, together with man; 
 others, consigned him to the flames. 
 
 In the following year, being the year of our Lord, 1415, kin; 
 Henry having convoked a council at Westminster, proposed a 
 a question to the peers of the realm, the extent of the righ ' 
 and title of his ancestors to Normandy, Gascony, and Aqui 
 taine. Accordingly, they advised him to send special mes ■ i 
 sengers to the king of France for the assertion of the said rights I 
 74 Properly, 1413. 
 
.D. 1415. 
 
 BATTLE OF AGISTCOUKT. 
 
 365 
 
 ’he dauphin of France, on hearing this, as a mark of his con- 
 empt for the king of England, insolently sent him a cask full 
 if tennis balls, with the object of mocking him. The king of 
 England, feeling greatly indignant at so insulting a present 
 >eing sent him, promised that beyond a doubt, he would 
 end him in return some balls for playing at a new kind of 
 ;ame, by means of which the very strongest roofs of their 
 touses would rattle. Accordingly, after a short time had 
 lapsed, having assembled no small multitude of armed men 
 it Southampton, he determined to lead an expedition against 
 •’ranee. But just as he was about to embark, it providentially 
 )ecame known to him that the lord itichard Langley, earl of 
 Cambridge, the lord Itichard Scrope, treasurer of England, and 
 he lord Thomas Grey, knight, were about to sell him to the 
 dng of France, on condition of receiving one thousand pounds 
 n gold. On discovering this conspiracy, they were imme- 
 liately punished, by the king’s commands, with the loss of 
 heir heads, in accordance with their deserts, without the north 
 fate of Southampton. 
 
 After these transactions, the king made a speedy voyage 
 .vith the troops and fifteen hundred ships, and landed at the 
 larbour of Chef de Caux, at the mouth of the river Seine, 
 vhence he proceeded with a prosperous course, and laid siege to 
 he town of Hartleur by sea and land. This place he vigorously 
 ittacked by throwing into it immense masses of stone by means 
 >f his engines of war, as though they were playing with the 
 Frenchmen at the game commonly known as ‘ tennis.’ The 
 people being worn out with the obstinacy of the prolonged 
 siege, and starved through want of food, the king, under the 
 guidance of God, was at length victorious on the feast of Saint 
 Vlaurieius, 76 and by this display of his strength gained pos¬ 
 session of the town: for which he afterwards duly returned 
 hanks to God, the bestower of all blessings. After an intcr- 
 ’al from this time of nearly live weeks, a great battle was 
 ought between the king of England with seven thousand men, 
 ind the flower of the knighthood of all France, sixty thou¬ 
 sand in number, on the plains of Agincourt, upon the feast' 15 
 )f Saints Crispin and Crispinian. Here, king Henry, girding 
 limself with valour and trusting in the aid of God and the 
 prayers of the clergy throughout all England, slew eleven 
 
 75 Twenty-second of September. 70 Twenty fifth of October. 
 
366 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CBOYLAND. A.D. 1A15 
 
 thousand men of the opposite side ; while he took prisoner th 
 duke of Orleans, together with great numbers of the nobles 
 and compelled the rest of the army to take to flight. Afte 
 the battle was thus finished, and the king of England had b; 
 the will of God thus gained the victory, he returned to hi 
 camp, there to return thanks to God for thus granting hit; i 
 this triumph; and with great exultation of heart, had th 
 hymn of praise, the Te Deum, sung in his tent, no smal i 
 number of the private soldiers standing by, as well as such c I 
 the clergy as were then present. The king himself, still wit' I 
 his armour on, rendering the palm of glory unto God, three 
 himself prostrate on the ground in the midst of all; nor di * 
 he consider himself worthy to arise therefrom, before the sai 
 hymn of praise, together with the prayers appended thereto: 
 had been brought to a conclusion. 
 
 While, however, these successes were being gained abroad A 
 the ever hostile, ever malicious commonalty did not cease t ; 
 disturb the peace of the Church at home. But how long >1 
 0 Lord, how long, shall the sinners exult ? How long to •) 
 wilt thou, holy father Guthlac, who didst formerly, in th 
 might, render daemons subject to thy rule, allow malignan * 
 people to invade thy possessions, and to plunder what is thine il 
 Eor lo! thine enemies have sounded to arms, and those wh 
 hate thee, have again lifted up their heads against thy servant; 
 For the family of them have said together in their heart; j 
 “Come, let us destroy them from out of the nations, letu 
 take possession of the inheritance of the sanctuary of God i 
 they have said so, I say, and that which they have iniquitous! 
 conceived in the wickedness of their minds they have still mor 
 iniquitously fulfilled in the execution of their designs. Eor, a 
 soon as, by common report, it became known throughout the ac 
 joining counties, that the Divine goodness had, as we have mer 
 tioned above, mercifully visited the venerable father Thom a; 
 abbat of Croyland, with the loss of his sight; the neighbourin 
 people of Hoyland, inhabiting the vills of Multon and Wcstor 
 congratulating themselves on a fitting time having arrived fc 
 the fulfilment of their wishes, hoped to gain a profit at the es 
 pense of others. Besides this, they imagined that now ther 
 was no longer any person to protect or to save, or manfully t 
 make head against their unjust usurpations; so, assemblin 
 together in the hopes of an easy victory, with an armed fore 
 
■ D. 1115. ENCROACHMENTS UPON THE MANOR OF CROYLAND. 367 
 
 ust like so many warriors, they entered a certain island called 
 ‘ le Purcevnt,” situate within the metes and boundaries of 
 he abbey of Croyland, with a frantic spirit and tumultuous out- 
 ries. Here, just like so many ravening dogs, they committed 
 11 sorts of excesses in their frenzy, and perpetrated many 
 normities, in fishing, fowling, and plundering the nets and 
 very thing else they could find; and thus continually oc- 
 .upying the said precinct for nearly a whole year, they would 
 [low none of the farmers or servants of the abbat to receive 
 ly advantage whatever therefrom. In addition to this, with 
 atchets and axes they also levelled a fishing-house situate at 
 andistowe with the ground, and setting fire thereto soon re- 
 aced it to ashes. 
 
 Besides this, certain of the people of Spalding were at the 
 une time possessed by a similar spirit, and presumed, with a 
 ■rong hand, to fish in the waters of the Welland, in which 
 ver the abbat of Croyland had several piscary, even as far 
 i the vill of Croyland; and insultingly collected in no small 
 ultitudes with haughty and threatening gestures. After they 
 id also with one accord effected an entrance into the marsh 
 ‘Goggislound, which is also the several soil of the before-named 
 jbat, they dug up turf therein, cut sedge and bulrushes, and 
 though they had taken seisin and possession thereof, pre- 
 nded to claim the right of property therein, and proceeded, 
 
 7 violent means, to hinder such of the tenants of the vill of 
 ■oyland as, for a long time had held possession of the said 
 arsh, from entering thereupon. 
 
 Upon this, the venerable prior Richard, to whom, as we 
 ive previously mentioned, the whole management of the mo- 
 ■ istery, in matters spiritual and temporal, had been entrusted, 
 :lt desirous to take measures against evil doers of this descrip- 
 >n at the outset, in order that they might not proceed on 
 ’ ,eir career with impunity; so, having first consulted the 
 oeesan thereupon, he was of opinion that the sword of eccle- 
 ustical censure ought at once to be unsheathed, as necessity 
 : w demanded it, against these disturbers of the peace; the 
 ime having been in former times specially granted by the 
 : )st holy father Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury, to abbat 
 ’ irkctul, and laid up with singular care among the treasures 
 | the place. Accordingly, in presence of the whole convent, 
 
 " on a solemn festival of note, he publicly and solemnly fulmi- 
 
363 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOKY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 141.' 
 
 noted sentence of excommunication at the doors of the churc 
 against all persons whatsoever who should infringe the liberti: 
 of the church of Saint Guthlae, or should unjustly plunder ii 
 property, or presume rashly to invade its possessions. 
 
 After this, he resorted to the temporal arm and the laws < - 
 the realm, and, taking with him the muniments of the illui 
 trious kings, Ethelbald, Edred, and Edgar, he manfully girde. 
 up his loins as though about to fight against beasts, an. 
 hastened to London, in order to bring both parties to tria l 
 Here, with much labour and expense he diligently prosecute.. 
 his suit, but, through numerous dissensions and delays, it w; 
 nearly two years before he could bring the matter to the desired 
 conclusion. For he had daily to undergo such vast anxie ti( 
 both through the counsels of the duke of Lancaster, wl 
 favoured the people of Spalding, as well as through the lor: 
 of the before-mentioned mils of Multon and Weston, who in 
 peded all his efforts, that he became quite wearied out by th 
 two-fold battle as it were, and could bear up against it i 
 longer. Upon this, the prior, seeing that his business now lay:., 
 the mercy of the cast of a die, and that it was far from answe 
 ing his wishes, but daily wore a worse and worse aspect, fe 
 into such a state of sickness, that the physicians even despair: . 
 of his recovery; for his stomach, as though through indign: 
 tion, refused to retain anything that was offered to it. Ai 
 beyond a doubt, the frustration of his labours thus prolong: 
 would have almost led him to despair of his cause, had not I 
 who alone takes into consideration labour and sorrow, speedi] • 
 deigned to look down from heaven upon the cause of the poo 
 
 Wherefore we shall not deem it amiss in the present pag. 
 to insert such matters as took place at this time, and whic 
 we know to be worthy of recital. A certain lawyer who w 
 counsel for the said prior, and who was commonly called, a 
 cording to the laws of England, a “ serjeant-at-law,” Wi 
 liam Ludyngton by name, acted as his adviser in this bus 
 ness and his most trusty advocate. While he was one nigl 
 lying awake in bed, extremely sad and disquieted in spirit, 1 
 reason of revolving many things in his mind, he found himse 
 unable to sleep. At last, however, a gentle slumber seemii 
 to fall upon him, he reposed for a short time, when, behold! 
 certain venerable form, in the dress of an anchorite, was set 
 standing near him and uttering words to this effect: “ WL 
 
d. U15. 
 
 ARBITRATORS CHOSEN. 
 
 369 
 
 lid the fluctuations of thy mind, art thou anxious about the 
 ;osecution of thy cause, and M - hy pass the night without 
 ■cp, as thoughts crowd upon thee from every side ? Come 
 iw, pause a moment, and relax thy limbs in repose: for to- 
 iarrow morning every thing will succeed to thy utmost wish, 
 
 :d the same matters which hitherto have seemed to wear an 
 : verse aspect, will happily smile upon thee according to thy 
 ill and pleasure.” So saying, the vision disappeared. 
 
 Rising early in the morning, and encouraged by this oracle 
 uich had, beyond a doubt, been revealed to him from heaven 
 : Saint Guthlac, he immediately began to entertain better 
 :pes. Upon this, he hastened directly to the court, and 
 wing for a short time held a conference on the matter with 
 use who were of counsel for the parties, he at last succeeded 
 Snaking the following arrangement upon the matter; that 
 >h side should at once choose arbitrators, who should come 
 >1 just decision upon the matter in dispute between them; 
 which course, as putting an end to all trouble and expense, 
 ;iy willingly consented. The prior, who was still, as we 
 re stated, lying upon a bed of sickness, hearing that this 
 ) plexed lab}'rinth of agonizing toil was likely to have some 
 ( let, and that such an expensive series of litigation was 
 iut to be set at rest, was greatly rejoiced thereat, and now 
 lathing more freely, returned abundant thanksgivings to 
 ) 1 for the Divine consolation which had been granted to him 
 i n heaven. 
 
 Accordingly, after this, two arbitrators were chosen on be- 
 u : of the abbat of Croyland and the convent of that place, 
 mely, Master Richard Flemyng, an excellent doctor of 
 Ity Theology, rector of the parish church of Saint Botolph, 
 ®in of the cathedral churches of York and Lincoln, and 
 f rwards bishop of Lincoln, and John Flete, of Frampton, a 
 a i of noble rank and held by public report in high repute. 
 ): part of the commons of the vills of Multon and Weston, 
 c i Baysham, rector of the church of Hanneslap, and vicar of 
 h church of Multon, and Richard I’ynchbeck, were in like 
 a ner chosen arbitrators. Upon a day previously named by 
 hu, being the Tuesday before the Exaltation of the holy 
 h s, in the third year of the reign of king Henry the Fifth, 
 (eg the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 1415, these 
 (eons, together with John Cokayne and William Ludyngton, 
 
370 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. U! J 
 
 two justices of the Common Pleas of our lord the king, w 
 had been chosen to act impartially in the said matter by t 
 said parties, ’met together at Croyland. After inspecting t 
 evidences and the various muniments, and carefully examini j 
 the same, when produced to them by the abbat and co, 
 vent and their counsel, they gave and set forth their awe 
 and judgment, which was afterwards confirmed by our s; 
 lord the king, and ratified by his seal patent, in the f 
 lowing words:— 
 
 “ To all the faithful in Christ, who shall see and hear tlj 
 present writing indented, Master Richard Flemyng, doctor 
 holy Theology, rector of the parish church of Saint Botolph, a 
 canon of the cathedral churches of York and Lincoln, Jo I 
 Plete of Frampton, John Baysham, rector of the church ■ 
 Hanneslap, and vicar of the church of Multon, and Richa 
 Pynchbeek of Pynchbeck, health everlasting in the Lori 
 "Whereas divers debates, strifes, dissensions, and discords ha 
 been moved and have arisen of late between the venerable ni| 
 Thomas, abbat of the monastery of Croyland and the convt 
 of that place, of the one part; and Lambert Bonourge 
 Multon, Adam Browne of Multon, William Miller of Multi 
 John Somner of Multon, Robert Michell of Multon, Geoffi 
 Hull of Multon, John Rumney of Multon, William Broun 
 Multon, Henry Johanneson, otherwise called Henry Sergeai 
 son, of Multon, Thomas Johanneson, otherwise called Qhonf 
 Sergeantson, of Multon, Nigel Avery of Multon, John Hai 
 herd of Weston, John Williamson of Weston, Walter Cook 
 Weston, and John Feldewe of AVeston and the commons 
 Weston and Multon, of the other part,—of and concerning t» 
 right, title, and claim to a certain island called ‘ Le Purceyni 
 within the metes and boundaries of the vill of Croyland, | 
 the before-named abbat asserts. And whereas, within the s;i 
 island, the before-named Lambert and the other persoiJ 
 whose names are above-written, of the aforesaid vills of Mil 
 ton and AVeston, and the commons aforesaid, have claimed 1 
 have common of pasture for their cattle of all kinds, a j 
 common of piscary and turbary, and of cutting and gatheri | 
 rushes and reeds, and right of taking all kinds of fowl to | 
 found within the said island so called Le Purceynt, as also i 
 taking all other profits within the said island arising or e,p 
 suing, asserting that greater part of the said island is with» 
 
d. 1415. 
 
 AWARD OF TIIE ARBITRATORS. 
 
 371 
 
 e metes and boundaries of the said wills of Multon and 
 eston. And whereas, as to the right, title, and claim hereto 
 also the debates, discords, and dissensions, and all kinds of 
 insgressions and offences whatsoever, in any w r ay committed 
 ainst the said abbat and convent by the before-named 
 mbert and others, whose names are above-written, of the 
 Is of Multon and Weston, and the commons aforesaid, be- 
 f e the day of the making of these presents, the said par¬ 
 ts have proposed and agreed to stand and abide by the 
 :ard, order, and judgment of the aforesaid Master Richard 
 amyng and John Flete, arbitrators chosen on behalf of the 
 (d abbat and convent, and John Baysham and Richard Pynch- 
 ik, arbitrators chosen on behalf of the said Lambert and 
 ijers, whose names are above-written, of the aforesaid vills 
 Multon and Weston, and the commons aforesaid; upon the 
 ilerstanding that, if we could not come to an agreement, 
 In in such case the said parties should stand and abide by 
 1 ordinances and judgment of John Cokayne and William Lu- 
 lugton, two justices of the Common Pleas of our lord the king, 
 Iscn by consent of the before-named parties to act indifferently 
 ifein. Wherefore we, the before-named Masters Richard 
 r myng, John Flete, John Baysham, and Richard Pynchbeck, on 
 1 Tuesday next before the Exaltation of the holy Cross, in the 
 bd year of the reign of King Henry the Fifth, having called 
 iore us the said abbat and convent, with their counsel, to 
 hv unto us, if they had any means of proving the same, that 
 b said island was within the said vill of Croyland, and that 
 bsaid island was wholly their ow r n several soil; the said abbat 
 r convent, with their counsel, showed unto us divers evi- 
 Kies, that is to say, the charter of the firstfoundation of the said 
 a: astery of Croyland, by which Ethelbald, king of the Mercians 
 a ngland, did in the year of our Lord seven hundred and six- 
 o, grant unto God, the blessed Mary, and Saint Bartholomew, 
 h whole island of Croyland as a several seat for the abbey, 
 n severally to be held, the same being surrounded by four 
 ivs, that is to say, by the river which is called Shepishee 
 o irds the east, by the river wdiich is called None, on the west, 
 lyhe river which is called Southee towards the south, and 
 >y le river which is called Asendyke towards the north, where 
 b common Drain runs between Spalding and the said island, 
 iu within wdiich metes and boundaries, the said island culled 
 
 b b 2 
 
372 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 141 
 
 ‘ Le Parccynt’ lies. They did also show unto us the charter 
 re-foundation of the said monastery, after it had been destroy, 
 and laid waste hy the pagans, made by Edred, king of Englan 
 in the year of our Lord nine hundred and forty-eight, in whl i 
 he delivered, gave and confirmed unto Turketul, his kinsma 
 abbat of Croyland, and all the monks their successors, ti 
 whole island of Croyland as the glebe of that church, and t 
 several site of the said monastery, together with the boundari 
 thereof, that is to say, from the triangular bridge of Croyla i 
 along the river Welland towards Spalding, as far as Asendyt 
 where Asendyke falls into the river Welland, on the northe 
 side of a cross of stone by the said Turketul there erected, ai 
 so towards the east along Asendyke as far as Aswyktoft, ai 
 thence to Shepishee, on the eastern side of the said island, ai 
 so to Tedwarthar, and there entering Southee, as far as K 
 manslandhyrne, Where the said Turketul ordered a cross J 
 stone to be erected, six perches distant from Southee, ai 
 which cross is distant from the river None on the west s,i 
 perches, and thence along the said river Rene as it runs up 
 the above-mentioned bridge of Croyland, together with sevei 
 fishery in all the waters that surround the said island as w 
 as in the pools and marshes enclosed therein. They a] 
 showed unto us charters of confirmation and ratification of dive 
 kings of England since the Conquest, that is to say, of ki 
 Stephen, king Henry the Second, king Richard the First, ki 
 John, king Henry the Third, king Edward the First and otl 
 kings of England, to king Henry the Fifth that now is: ; 
 which charters confirm, ratify, exemplify and express 
 attest the above-named limits, metes, and boundaries of t 
 island before-mentioned. In like manner they showed ui 
 us a certain claim and award made thereon, on a cerfi 
 circuit at Lincoln, before John de Yaux, and his fellows, t 
 judges in eyre, in the ninth year of the reign of king I 
 ward, son of king Henry, and other claims then made by t 
 abbat of Croyland, who, among other liberties, claimed to ha 
 the seat of the abbey of Croyland, with its boundaries thi 
 named, which extend as follow: from Croyland to whe 
 Asendyke falls into the river Welland, and so along Asendy 
 to Aswyktoft, and so to Shepishee, and so to Tedwarthar, a. 
 so to IS'oman si and, and so along the river Nene to the ri’’ 
 Welland before-mentioned: which claim and award test, 
 
D. 1415. 
 
 AWARD OF THE ARBITRATORS. 
 
 373 
 
 lat the said island is within the said metes and boundaries, 
 here was also produced before us on behalf of the said abbat 
 id convent a certain writing of release of Thomas Pitz- 
 ambert of Multon, the then lord of the manor of Multon, 
 lade to the abbat of Croyland, which writing, in like manner, 
 roves and testifies the metes and boundaries of the said island, 
 here were in like manner shewn unto us on behalf of the 
 dd abbat and convent many accounts of divers bailiffs of the 
 anors situate within the said island, that is to say, Brother- 
 mse, Morecotes, Nomansland, otherwise called Girthlakes- 
 nd, and Dovedale, of the time when the said island was 
 'able and sown in some parcels thereof, and in other parcels 
 insisted of meadows, crofts and great pastures to farmlet, 
 hile other parcels thereof remained in their own hands; 
 so, relative to the agistments for beasts depasturing iu the 
 id island, as the same are set forth in the rolls of account 
 > all the abbats, predecessors of the before-named abbat that 
 :w is, from the time of king Henry, son of John. The sain 
 ibat and convent, with their counsel, also shewed unto us many 
 ther evidences of considerable length, the which, by reason 
 < such length, we do not think proper here to insert. The 
 tid Lambert and the others above-written, of the before- 
 imed vills of Multon and Weston, as also the commons 
 uresaid, being called before us with their counsel, to declare 
 i'd to show their right, title, or right of claim which they 
 Id in the said island, and being asked whether they had any 
 ling to say against the evidences aforesaid by the said abbat 
 ti convent and their counsel produced, were able in effect 
 t say nothing whatever thereto. Wherefore, we, considering 
 t? aforesaid evidences of the said abbat and convent, by them 
 ol their counsel in form aforesaid shewn and produced before 
 v in presence of the aforesaid John Cokayne and William 
 Idyngton, chosen as indifferent judges in this matter, as 
 a i by consent of the aforesaid abbat and convent, as well as 
 o the before-named Lambert and the others above written 
 o the aforesaid vills of Multon and Weston, and of the corn- 
 nus aforesaid, in the chapter-house of the said abbey appear- 
 ii,do order, adjudge, and have decided, in manner, form, 
 a. with the conditions following. In the first place, that 
 t) before-named abbat and convent and their successors shall 
 b e and hold the said island called ‘ Le Purceynt,’ together 
 
374 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CKO YI.AND. A.u. 11, 
 
 with all the profits to the said island in any way whatsoe • 
 belonging, as their several property, and shall hold the sa • 
 in severalty, by the beford-mentioned metes and bqundari 
 in the aforesaid foundation, restoration, and confirmation • 
 the kings, claim and award of the judges in eyre, and char 
 of release and quit-claim of the said ^IJfcomas Fitz-Lambe 
 specified and set forth; and shall enjoy the same freely a 
 quietly for ever, without gainsaying or hindrance on part ' 
 the before-named Lambert and the others above-written of 1 
 before-named vills of Multon and Weston and the commc 
 aforesaid, their heirs or successors; so that neither the s; 
 Lambert and others of the said vills of Multon and West: i 
 above-written, and the common aforesaid, men holding a 
 residing in the said vills of Multon and Weston, nor th 
 heirs or successors, shall ever have any common of pastu 
 piscary, or turbary, nor yet common to take any profit tl 
 shall in any way arise in the said island in future: but tl 
 they, their heirs, and successors, shall be excluded for ei 
 from taking any right, title, or profit therefrom. Savi 
 always, to the said Lambert and the other persons aboi 
 written of the aforesaid vills of Multon and Weston, and t 
 commons aforesaid, a certain place within the said mel 
 and boundaries, that is to say, the high embankment call 
 Hewlode, otherwise Le-Lodyke, near Le Drove, with the i 
 termediate water lying between the said Hewlode and I 
 Drove, which begins at Brotherhouse, as the same was, in 
 certain award made in the forty-eighth year of the rei 
 of king Edward the Third between Thomas, the then abl 
 of Croyland, and John, the then prior of Spalding, by Mast 
 Peter Dalton, canon of the cathedral church of Lincoln, a 
 William Spaigne, awarded; upon the understanding that t 
 water or pool which is called Oldelode on the south side 
 the said Drove, as the same extends from Brotherhouse 
 Aswykclose in length, together with piscary in the sau 
 shall belong fully and quietly for ever to the said abbat ai 
 convent and their successors, without any hindrance on pa 
 of the said Lambert and the others above-written of the sa 
 vills of Multon and Weston, and the commons aforesaid, 
 their heirs or successors, as in the said award of the sa 
 Master Peter and William Spaigne is more fully set fort 
 We do also further award and determine, that the said abb; 
 and convent, and their successors and assigns, shall, so oft' 
 
n. 1415. 
 
 AW.iED OF THE ARBITRATORS. 
 
 375 
 
 they shall think fit, be at liberty to drive piles and stakes 
 id make weir-heads upon the said Drove, on the northern 
 le of the said water called Oldelode, for the puipose of 
 king fish in the said water, without gainsaying or hindrance 
 . part of the before-named Lambert and the other persons 
 iove- written of the §ajd vills of Multon and Weston, and of the 
 id commons, or of their successors for ever. We do also 
 <der and determine that the said Lambert and the other 
 iirsons above-written of the said vills of Multon and Weston, 
 id the said commons shall cause to be built anew a certain 
 ■use in the said island, where a certain house was situate, called 
 mdystowecote, before the feast of All Saints next ensuing after 
 e date of these presents; the said house having been 
 veiled and destroyed by violence by the commons of the 
 id vills of Multon and Weston ; or else that the said Lambert 
 d the others above-written of the said vills of Multon 
 d Weston and the commons aforesaid shall pay to the said 
 >bat and convent and their successors, upon the said feast of 
 .ill Saints, twenty marks. We do also award, order, and 
 judge that the before-named Lambert and the others above- 
 ritten of the said vills of Multon and Weston, and the eom- 
 ons aforesaid shall pay to the before-named abbat and convent 
 ■ their successors, upon the feast of Saint Michael the Arch- 
 igel next ensuing after the date of these presents, forty marks 
 rling, the same to be received at the will of the said abbat 
 ■id convent, for all other the injuries, offences and trans- 
 essions, within the said island against the said abbat and 
 nvent done or committed by them or by any of them, before 
 e day of the execution of these presents. We do also order, 
 vard, and determine that all and each of the men of the 
 fore-named vills of Multon and Weston, who have commit- 
 1 transgressions or offences, or who have given aid, counsel, 
 favour for the commission of transgressions or offences, 
 all come before the feast of Easter next ensuing to Cropland, 
 
 ' ere to appear before the said abbat, and shall, out of reve- 
 uce for God and Saint Guthlac, humbly ask pardon for all 
 eir said transgressions and offences. And to the end that this 
 r said award, ordinance, and judgment may in all respects 
 r ever remain in full force, we do order, award, and deter - 
 ine that the aforesaid Lambert and the other persons above- 
 ritten of the aforesaid vills of Multon and Weston, and other 
 teen good and sufficient men of the said vills of Multon and 
 
37t> CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOBY OF CBOYLAND. A.D. 141 
 
 Weston, shall appear before some Mayor of the Staple, befo 
 the feast of All Saints next ensuing, and enter into reeoj 
 nizances on behalf of themselves and each of them to the sa 
 abbat and convent for the payment of two hundred poum 
 sterling to the said abbat and convent and their successors, ■ 
 their certain attorney, on the feast of the Nativity of our Loi 
 next after the date of these presents ensuing. And we c - 
 further order that immediately after the said recognizance 
 shall have been so entered into, two indentures shall be mad 
 setting forth the conditions of the said enactment, to wi 
 that, if this our said award, ordinance, and judgment shall i 
 all tilings be always fulfilled, then the said enactment shall 1 
 of no virtue or effect, but if otherwise, the same shall remai | 
 valid and effectual. In testimony of which, to the one pai 
 of this our said award and ordinance, to remain in tl 
 hands of the said abbat and convent and their successors, an 
 to the other part, to remain with the said Lambert and tl 
 other persons whose names are above-written of the afor* 
 said vills of Multon and Weston, and the commons aforesau <j 
 their heirs and successors in the said vills of Multon an 
 "Weston, we the aforesaid arbitrators, Masters Ilichard Flemyn; 
 John Flete, John Baysham, and Bichard Pynchbeck, have st 
 our seals; and at our especial request and at the entreaty c i 
 the parties aforesaid, the said John Cokayne, and Williai 
 Ludyngton, justices, and Bobert Hagbeche, knight, John Be 
 of Boston and Thomas Claymond of Hole, who have bee 
 present at this award, have set their seals. Given at Croylan 
 on the day and in the year above-named.” 
 
 In like manner also, the matters in dispute against th 
 people of Spalding were quieted and 6et at rest. For, bof 
 the abbat and convent of Cropland and the commons of Spald 
 ing and Pynchbeck, by their writings obligatory, agree- 
 and voluntarily submitted to abide by the award, of Join 
 Wodehouse, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, John Leven 
 thorp, receiver-general of the said duchy, and William Bab 
 ington, one of the council of the said duchy; as the form o 
 the said award hereunder set forth more fully testifies : 
 
 “ To all the faithful in Christ who shall see and hear thi 
 present writing tripartite, John Wodehouse, chancellor of on 
 lord the king in his duchy of Lancaster, John Leventhorp, re 
 ceiver-general of our said lord the king in his duchy aforesaid 
 and William Babyngton, one of the council of our said Ion 
 
<.i>. 1415. 
 
 AWARD OF THE ARBITRATORS. 
 
 377 
 
 he king in his duchy aforesaid, health in the Lord everlast- 
 ng. Whereas divers claims, dissensions, debates and disputes 
 rave been moved and have arisen of late, between Thomas, 
 abbat of Croyland and the convent of the said place, of 
 ,he one part, and the commons of the vills of Spalding 
 md of Pynchbcck of the other part, as to a certain marsh 
 sailed Goggislound, on the western side of the river Wel- 
 and; which marsh the said abbat and convent have claimed 
 ns being their soil and demesne, as parcel of the vill of Croy- 
 and; and the aforesaid commons have claimed the same as 
 icing within the metes and boundaries of the marsh of them 
 he said vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, and have also 
 laimed to have within the said marsh common of pasture, 
 urbary, piscary, and of cutting and gathering rushes and 
 eeds, and of taking fowl and other the profits thence arising, 
 is to which claims, debates, dissensions, and disputes, on the 
 wentieth day of the month of July in the third year of the 
 eign of king Henry the Fifth, the said abbat and convent, on 
 ichalf of themselves and their successors, as also William 
 ieywode of Spalding, and William Pygot, Thomas Sparrowe, 
 tichard Itibold, Thomas Thorald, Thomas Bele, Thomas Mi- 
 hel, ltobert Date, John Fraunceys, Thomas Horner, John 
 lorner, ltobert Thorald, William Burton, John Fere, Geoffrey 
 iullock, ltobert Hobkynson, Simon Leper, William Swyke, 
 ohn Haltoft, John Geyton, John Wright, Adam Storm, Hugh 
 'e Lambkynson, and Gilbert Hawkyn, all of the same place, 
 s also Walter Bennet of Pynchbeck, and ltobert Soule, John 
 taynoldson, John Clerk, Athelard Welby, Thomas Geney, 
 ’homas Flouter, John Vikers, Gilbert Clony, William Geggs, 
 tichard Philips, and John Hall, all of the same place, have, 
 or themselves and the commons of the said vills of Spal- 
 ing and Pynchbeck, submitted to the arbitration and award 
 f Hugh Mortimer, chamberlain of our lord the king for his 
 'uchy aforesaid, and of us the aforesaid John Wodehouse, John 
 .eventhorp, and William Babyngton, or any three of us, upon 
 tie understanding that our said arbitration and award should be 
 lade before the feast of All Saints then next ensuing. And as 
 b the same, the said abbat and convent have on their part, 
 ound themselves and each of them, their heirs, and execu- 
 Drs, by their writings obligatory in two hundred pounds 
 terling, under their common seal to Athelard Welby of 
 ’ynchbeck and Thomas Geney of the same place, William 
 
378 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 A.D. 141 
 
 Geywode of Spalding, and Thomas Sparrowe of the san 
 place, to pay the same to the said Athelard, Thomas, Wi 
 liam, and Thomas on the said feast of All Saints, as anearne 
 that they will fulfil and perform all and every the things whi( 
 shall be awarded and ordained by us the aforesaid arbitrator 
 or any three of us in respect hereof. And the aforesa | 
 William Geywode, William Pygot, Thomas Sparrowe and a 
 other the persons before-named of Spalding and of Pynchbecll 
 have bound themselves and each of them, their heirs and e: 
 ecutors, in two hundred pounds sterling, by their dive i 
 writings obligatory under their seals, unto the said abbat ar ' 
 convent of Croyland, upon the said feast of All Saints, as ? 
 the said writings obligatory is more fully set forth. Ai 
 whereas we, the before-named John Wodehouse, John Lever > 
 thorp, and William Babyngton have since, on the said dar 
 in the same year, and at the same place, in the council-hom 
 of the said duchy of Lancaster at Westminster, ordered, i 1 
 presence of the parties betore-named, that both of the said pa 
 ties should be ready and prepared with all their evidences an 
 muniments, touching the claims, debates, dissensions and di. 
 putes aforesaid, to appear before us the aforesaid arbitrator | 
 or any three of us, at Croyland, on the thirteenth day of tl 
 month of September then next ensuing, to inform us on thi 4 
 metes and boundaries of the said marsh called Goggisloum 
 and on the debates and matters aforesaid: upon which da^ | 
 before us, the aforesaid arbitrators, John Wodehouse, Joh| 
 Leventhorp, and William Babyngton, then being at Croylam 
 there sitting with us at our especial request, William Ludyng ! 
 ton, one of the justices of the Common Pleas of our lord th 
 king, to see, hear, and advise with us on the matters afor< 
 said, there appeared both the before-named abbat and conver 
 with their counsel, as also the before-named William Geywode 
 William Pygot, and all others the obligors both in their ovr 
 names as also in the names of the commons of the afore 
 said vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, with their counsel: an 
 both parties separately and by themselves showed both unt 
 us the aforesaid John Wodehouse, John Leventhorp, and Wil 
 liam Babyngton, as well as the before-named William Lad 
 yngton, the limits and boundaries of the said marsh calle 
 Goggislound, both as to the length and breadth of the same 
 Whereupon, enquiry was made of the said abbat and conveni 
 how and in what manner the aforesaid metes and bounuarit 
 
L.D. M15. 
 
 AWARD OF TEE ARBITRATORS. 
 
 379 
 
 if the said marsh called Goggislound extend, and how they 
 ire named. Upon which, they showed the same in these 
 words : ‘ The limits and boundaries of the said marsh called 
 jroggislound on the west side of the river Welland extend 
 rom the triangular bridge of C'royland over the said river 
 Welland two leagues towards the west as far as Kenulphston 
 lear to Aspath, where Kenulph, the first abbat after the foun- 
 lation of the said monastery, placed a stone cross as marking 
 he boundaiy between Croyland and Depyng, and from Aspath 
 owards the north as far as Werwarlake, and so to Harenholt 
 nd so upwards through Monger lake and Lurtlake, where are the 
 imits that divide Hoyland and Kesteven ; and thence as far 
 ,s Wodelodegreynes, otherwise called Oggot; and then to the 
 ast as far as Apynholt, otherwise called Wodelode, where the 
 Wodelode falls into the before-named river Welland.’ En¬ 
 quiry was also made of the said abbat and convent of Croy- 
 md, whether they had any evidences in writing to attest and 
 et forth the before-named metes and boundaries of the said 
 larsh of Goggislound, and whether they had any evidences to 
 ■rove that the said marsh called Goggislound was their own 
 oil and demesne, and within the limits and boundaries of the 
 aid vill of Croyland : upon Avliich they showed unto us divers 
 videnccs, that is to say, the charter of the first foundation of 
 he said monastery of Croyland, by which, Ethelbald, king of 
 he Mercians in England, in the year of our Lord seven hun- 
 red and sixteen, conveyed, gave, and granted unto Almighty 
 rod, the blessed Mary and Saint Bartholomew, for the foun- 
 ation of a monastery of Black Monks serving God under the 
 lie of Saint Benedict, among other gifts and grants, the afore- 
 dd marsh called Goggislound on the western side of the river 
 Velland, by certain metes and boundaries enclosed, and leave 
 > build a vill there, or to enclose as much of the said marsh as 
 lould please the said monks, for them and their successors, 
 hey also showed unto us the charter of refoundation and 
 storation of the said monastery of Croyland, after it had been 
 L-stroyed and laid waste by the pagans, made in the year of 
 lr Lord 948, by which, Edred king of England delivered, 
 ive and confirmed unto the abbat and monks of Croyland and 
 1 their successors, under the rule and habit of Saint Benedict 
 iere in the service of God, among other possessions, the afore- 
 id marsh called Goggislound, by all the metes and boundaries 
 
380 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEO V LAND. 
 
 A. D. 141i 
 
 above set forth. In like manner they showed unto us chai 
 ters of confirmation and exemplification of divers kings sine 
 the conquest of England, that is to say, of king Stephei 
 king Henry the Second, king Richard the Eirst, king Johi 
 Henry the Third, king Edward the First, king Richard tk 
 Second, and king Henry the Fourth, by each of which the; 
 granted and confirmed unto God and the church of Sain 
 Guthlac, and the divers abbats and monks in succession ther 
 serving God, and their successors, among other possessions, th 
 aforesaid marsh called Goggislound, by the aforesaid metes am 
 boundaries of the said marsh specified and declared. They als 
 shewed unto us a certain record of a certain conference heli ' 
 between Edward the Third, king of England, and Henry, abba 
 of Croyland, at Lincoln, in Easter term, in the twenty-thir< 
 year of his reign ; as also a certain other record before Join 
 de Yaux and his fellows, the justices in eyre, at Lincoln, b 
 Trinity Term in the ninth year of the reign of king Edwart 
 the First; and likewise a certain fine levied before the abba 
 of Bardeney and his fellows, the justices in eyre, at Lincoh 
 on the moiTow of Saint Luke, in the eighteenth year of thi 
 reign of king Henry, the son of king John, between Henry 
 the then abbat of Croyland, one of the predecessors of thi 
 said abbat, the then complainant, and Simon the then prior o 
 Spalding, deforciant, as to common of pasture in the marsh o 
 Croyland, Spalding, and Pynchbeck, Langtoft, Baston, am 
 Depyng, on the west side of the river Welland; and a certaii 
 other fine levied before Robert de Lexington and his fellows 
 the justices in eyre, at Lincoln, on the morrow of the As¬ 
 sumption of the blessed Mary, in the twenty-fourth year o: 
 the reign of king Henry, son of king John, between Richard 
 the then abbat of Croyland, Simon, the then prior of Spalding 
 complainants, and William d’Aubigny, deforciant, as to com¬ 
 mon of pasture in the marshes of Spalding, Pynchbeck, Croy¬ 
 land, Baston, and Langtoft. And in like manner, divers pro¬ 
 cesses in the Court Christian as to tithes of wool arising iron 
 sheep depasturing on the said marsh called Goggislound. Also 
 a certain record of a certain perambulation made between thi 
 parts of Hoyland and of Kesteven, by William Skypwith 
 William Thirnyng, and other justices for that purpose assigned 
 in the fourteenth year of the reign of king Richard th< 
 Second. Also, another record of the said king Richard th.fi 
 
.d. 1415. 
 
 AWAliD OF THE AKBITEATOHS. 
 
 ;81 
 
 econd, iu the seventeenth year of his reign, of a commission 
 [f oyer and terminer, as also many other evidences; which 
 larters, records, fines, processes and evidences proved the 
 lid marsh called Goggislound, on the west side of the river 
 Welland, to be the soil and demesne of the aforesaid abbat and 
 ravent, and within the metes and boundaries of the said vill 
 ? Croyland. And, in like manner, in the said evidences are 
 mtaincd the metes and boundaries of the aforesaid marsh 
 died Goggislound, as by the said abbat and convent is above 
 eclared. After the above-named metes and boundaries of the 
 id marsh called Goggislound had, in form aforesaid, been pro- 
 iced and declared before us, JohnWodehouse, John Leventhorp, 
 id William Baby ngton, and the before-named William Ludyng- 
 n, by the said abbat and convent, enquiry was made of the 
 fore-named William Geywode, William Pygot, and all others 
 te obligors of Spalding and Pynchbeck, whether the metes 
 id boundaries aforesaid did extend in such form and manner, 
 id whether they were called in such manner as the before- 
 imed abbat and convent by their proofs declared: upon 
 kich, they in every way assented and agreed to the aforesaid 
 etes and boundaries, in such manner as the said abbat and 
 nvent had set forth the same, except only that whereas 
 e said abbat and convent set forth as a boundary of the said 
 arsh called Goggislound, Aspath, near Kenulphston, the he¬ 
 re-named William Geywode, William Pygot, and all others 
 e obligors of the before-named vills of Spalding and Pynch- 
 ck, declared that that place is called Hasmanespath, and not 
 .ipath, as above set forth by the said abbat and convent. En- 
 i.iry was also made of them whether they had any evidences 
 prove that the said marsh called Goggislound was their soil, 
 i within the metes and boundaries of the before-mentioned 
 Hrsh of Spalding and Pynchbeck; and whether they had 
 ly proof that the said commons ought to have common of 
 ] sture, turbary, piscary, cutting of rushes and reeds, and other 
 13 profits arising in the said marsh called Goggislound. As 
 1 which, the before-named William Geywode, William Pygot, 
 i d all others the obligors of the before-named vills of Spald- 
 i' and Pynchbeck produced before us a certain charter of our 
 1 d, ltichard the First, formerly king of England, made unto 
 1 j abbat of Saint Nicholas, at Angers, and the prior of Spald- 
 i:j, and all those who have right of sowing or lands in the 
 
382 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1435 
 
 before-named vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, within th 
 metes and boundaries following, that is to say, in length, be . 
 tween the river called Welland and Cheilbeche, and, in breadth 
 between Mydfendyke, which is the boundaiy between Hoylan , 
 and Kesteven, and Guthrandhend, which, in like manner, i 1 
 the boundary, as far as Saltenhee and Hasmanespath, accord 
 ing to the course of the river called Welland, from Croylan 
 towards the sea. In like manner, also, they produced beford 
 us divers inquisitions of office taken at Spalding, before Wii 
 liam de Spaigne, the then seneschal of John, the late duke c 
 Lancaster, and divers processes in the Court Christian, as t 
 tithes of wool arising from the sheep depasturing in the sai I 
 marsh called Goggislound, and other evidences. In like mac 
 ner, also, they said that they and all others whose estate the 
 have in their tenures of Spalding and Pynchbeck, have ha 
 and ought to have in the said marsh called Goggislound, con-, 
 mon of pasture, turbary, piscary, gathering and taking rush* 
 and reeds, and other the profits there arising, from time towhief 
 memory does not run to the contrary. Also, after the afore 
 said allegations, declarations, and evidences of the parties be 
 fore-named, and their replies, had been fully heard and under I 
 stood by us, the aforesaid John Wodehouse, John Lever I 
 thorp, and William Babyngton, and the before-named Wil y 
 liam Ludyngton, we, the before-named John Wodehousi I 
 John Levcnthorp, and William Babyngton, considering thl 
 Said allegations, declarations, and evidences, and their fir I 
 replies thereto set forth at length, did, for the benefit of advb ■ 
 ing and deliberating upon the said matters, adjourn the meet I 
 ing aforesaid, and did appoint a day for them, at Westminstei $ 
 in the council-house of the said duchy of Lancaster, that is t 
 say, the Monday next after the feast of Saint Luke the > 
 next ensuing, there to appear before us, with their counsel, i 
 order to shew and set forth to us in writing all the aforesai' I 
 evidences, declarations, and replies—provided always, th: 
 each party might, by the said day, increase and strengthen h: 
 said evidences, allegations, and replications, in the matte 
 aforesaid—there to hear our final determination as to the sai 
 claims, debates, dissensions, and disputes. Upon which da 
 there appeared before us, the before-named John Wodehousi 
 John Levcnthorp, and William Babyngton, and the before 
 named William Ludyngton, in the said council-house of tb 
 
l.d. 1415. 
 
 AWARD OF THE ARBITRATORS. 
 
 383 
 
 aid duchy, at Westminster, the said parties with their counsel, 
 nd, on their behalves, and severally discussed the matter be- 
 ore us ; that is to say, the said abbat and convent presented 
 roll in their behalves, and the before-named William Gey- 
 mde, and all others the obligors, on behalf of themselves and 
 he commons of the before-mentioned vills of Spaldyng and 
 ’ynehbeck, another roll, in which tho said evidences, allc¬ 
 ations, and replications of both parties were contained and 
 becified. Which said muniments and evidences of both par¬ 
 es, and their allegations, declarations, and replications as to 
 le said metes and boundaries of the said marsh called Goggis- 
 •und, and as to the matters and debates aforesaid, having been 
 illy heard, inspected, and understood by us, the before-named 
 dm Wodehouse, John Leventhorp, and William liabyngton, 
 
 . also by Richard Morton, chief j ustice of the Common Pleas 
 ' our lord the king, Robert Hill, John Cokayne, and the said 
 rilliam Ludyngton, in like manner justices of the said Com- 
 on Pleas, we do, in presence of the said justices, and by their 
 unsel and advice, in the said council-house, on Thursday, 
 ing the said vigil of All Saints, order and decree that the 
 (fore-named abbat and convent of Croyland shall have, hold, 
 
 ; d possess unto themselves and their successors for ever the 
 :id marsh on the west side of the river Welland, called Gog- 
 jslound, as their own proper soil and demesne, by the before- 
 lined metes and boundaries by the said abbat and convent 
 rove set forth, and within the vill of Croyland, as by their 
 «resaid evidence shewn unto us fully and openly appears, 
 quitted for ever from all claims of the before-named William 
 ( ywode, William Pygot, and all other the obligors, for them- 
 ives and the commons of the said vills of Spalding and 
 Tnchbeck, their heirs, assigns, and successors, holders of their 
 t lures in the aforesaid vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck for 
 eir. And, in like manner, we do award, ordain, and deter- 
 ine that the before-named abbat and convent of Croyland, 
 al their successors, shall severally have and possess, and in 
 s erulty hold a certain stream within the said marsh, called 
 1 Lode, together with piscary in the same, wholly and quietly: 
 i ich said stream extends from tho river Wetland aforesaid 
 c the west side of the vill of Croyland, and falls into the 
 s ie river Welland towards the north, together with all 
 s jams, lakes, marshes, lands, tenures, and buildings between 
 
334 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYXANT). A.D. 14 , 
 
 the said stream called Le Lode and the said river Welland, ( 
 any manner inclosed, and in severalty to he held and possess 'i| 
 for ever; so that the said William Geywode, William Pyg , 1 
 and all others the obligors, and the commons of the befodl 
 named vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, their heirs, assigi ■ j 
 and successors, holders of their tenures in the said vills fj 
 Spalding and Pynchbeck, shall neither have nor possess a • f 
 right, claim, or title in the said stream called Le Lode; or 
 the waters, pools, marshes, lands, tenures, and buildings betwe 
 the before-named streams called Le Lode and Welland it 
 closed ; but shall for ever be excluded from all right, clai 
 title, or profit arising therefrom. Saving always to the m|f 
 of the before-named vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, th< 
 heirs and successors, reasonable passage with their boats on t 
 6aid stream called Le Lode, without detriment to the rig 
 of fishing on part of the before-named abbat and convei 
 We do also further award, ordain, and determine, that t 
 before-named William Geywode, William Pygot, and ; 
 others the obligors and commons of the before-named vi 
 of Spalding and Pynchbeck, their heirs, assigns and succ< 
 sors, holders of their tenures in the said vills of Spalding a; 
 Pynchbeck, shall have common of pasture for their cattle 
 all times of the year in the said marsh called Goggislour 
 beyond the stream called Le Lode, and in no part of the sai 
 marsh between the said streams called Le Lode and Wellan 
 And further, at the especial entreaty and request made by v 
 the before-named John Wodehouse, John Leventhorp, ai 
 William Babyngton, of the said abbat and convent, and 
 order to nourish love and concord between the parties befoi 
 named, we do award, ordain, and decree, that the befoi 
 named William Geywode, William Pygot, and all others t 
 obligors and commons of the before-named vills of Spal 
 ing and Pynchbeck shall have and possess common of estovet 
 that is to say, of gathering rushes and reeds in the said max 
 called Goggislound, as far as the before-named stream call 
 Le Lode, and not beyond, towards the buildings of the said v 
 of Croyland; upon condition that they take rushes and ree 
 only for their own proper use in the said Tulls of Spalding at 
 Pynchbeck, without committing any waste in the said mars 
 and without making any gift or sale thereof; and upon t 
 understanding that the said William Geywode, William Pyg< 
 
.D. 1415. 
 
 AWARD OF THE ARBITRATORS. 
 
 385 
 
 ad all others the obligors aud the commons of the be- 
 >re-named vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, their heirs, 
 ssigns, and successors, holder's of their tenures in the said 
 ills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, shall take rushes and reeds 
 L reasonable and competent times in the year. And after 
 ie said rushes and reeds shall have been cut by them, at a 
 •mpetent and reasonable time they shall cany them beyond 
 ne said marsh called Goggislound; but upon the understand- 
 g that the fisheries of the said abbat and convent of Croyland 
 . the said marsh shall in no way be injured by the long 
 landing of the said rushes and reeds. Also, that the before- 
 ,lined William Geywode, William Pygot, and all others the 
 ■ ligors and commons of the said vills of Spalding and 
 ,/nchbeck, their heirs, assigns, and successors, holders of their 
 uiures in the said vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, shall not 
 «cite, procure, or abet any other man of the before-named 
 ’Us of Spalding and Pynchbeck, or of any other vills or any 
 aer demesne, to implead, molest, or disquiet the said abbat 
 ul convent or their successors, iu their possession and demesne 
 ( the said marsh called Goggislound, or any part thereof, 
 lid that the said William Geywode, William Pygot, and all 
 tiers the obligors and commons of the said vills of Spald- 
 i; and Pynchbeck, their heirs, assigns, and successors, holders 
 c their tenures in the said vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, 
 Bill use the said common of pasture and estovers in manner 
 il form aforesaid, as the common law of the realm demands, 
 al without making any gatherings, leagues, or meetings of 
 I,’ men whatever. Also, we do in like manner award, or- 
 Bn, and by these presents determine, that both the before- 
 Ened William Geywode, William Pygot, and all others the 
 oigors, as also the commons of the said vills of Spalding 
 fil Pynchbeck, their heirs, assigns, and successors, holders of 
 tiir tenures iu the said vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, shall 
 b for ever excluded from claiming any common of turbary, 
 Diary, taking fowl, digging the earth, or obtaining any profit 
 P itever in the said marsh called Goggislound, in any way 
 P itever arising, save only in such manner as we have above 
 D irdod and set forth. Also, in like manner, we do award, 
 plain, and determine that the said abbat and convent and 
 tl Lr successors, and their tenants at Croyland, shall not at any 
 fi ire time dig or cause to be dug any turf for burning in 
 
386 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1 - 1 . 
 
 the said marsh called Goggislound, saving always that the s [ 
 abbat and convent and their successors and tenants of Cr< J 
 land may dig earth and turf in the said marsh called G h 
 gislound, both when and as much as shall be necessary 
 them, and shall be at liberty to cariy the said earth and t i 
 for the erection of their buildings, and for the repair t 
 raising of their embankments and other their property in j 
 abbey, vill, and precinct of Croyland for ever. Provided, t { 
 if the before-named William Geywode, William Pygot, and j 
 others the obligors, their heirs, or the tenants of lands in i 
 before-named vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, or the men 
 the commonalties of the before-named vills of Spalding £ 
 Pynchbeck, or their heirs or successors, or any one of the 
 shall in any way presume to contravene or contradict this i 
 award and ordinance, then in such case, they or he who si 
 so presume to contravene or contradict the same, shall lose 
 benefit or privilege arising from this our award as to taki 
 gathering, and carrying, from thenceforth, rushes or reeds 
 the said marsh called Goggislound, and shall for ever 
 excluded therefrom : and in such case it shall be fully law 
 for the said abbat and convent and their successors, then 
 forth for ever to hinder and prevent the persons so presumi 
 to contravene and contradict the same, and each of the 
 their heirs and successors, holders of their tenures in the s 
 vills of Spalding and Pynchbeck, from taking, collecting, a 
 carrying the said rushes and reeds, our present order a 
 award to the contrary notwithstanding. We do also oni 
 and determine that all writings obligatory by which Willi 
 Geywode and William Pygot, and other the persons abo - 
 named of Spalding and Pynchbeck are bound unto the s. 
 abbat and convent of Croyland, shall be delivered, by the s; 
 William Ludyngton, to the said abbat and convent; and 
 like manner that the writing obligatory, by which the befo 
 named abbat and convent are bound unto Athelard, Thom 
 William, and Thomas, shall be delivered unto the same Atl 
 lard, Thomas, William, and Thomas; which writings ol 
 gatory have been placed by consent of the parties befo.fl 
 mentioned in the hand of the said William Ludyngton, i;. 
 being an impartial hand, to deliver the same according to c; 
 judgment and ordinance. In testimony whereof, to one pi 
 of this our said award and ordinance remaining in the hail 
 
n. 1417. 
 
 DEATH OF ABDAT THOMAS. 
 
 387 
 
 the said abbat and convent and their successors, and to a 
 cond part, remaining with the said William Geywode, Wil- 
 im Pygot, and other the obligors and commons of the 
 fore-named vills of Spalding arid Pynchbeck, their heirs, 
 signs, and successors, holders of their tenures in the said vills 
 Spalding and Pynchbeck, and to a third part remaining in 
 e treasury of the said Duchy, we the before-named John 
 odehouse, John Lcventhorp, and William Babyngton, have 
 our seals. And in like manner, the before-named Bichard 
 ieston, Bobert Hill, John Cockayne, and William Ludyngton, 
 itices of our lord the king, have at our request and entreaty 
 freto set their seals. Given at Westminster on the said 
 ;il of All Saints, in the third year of the said king Henry 
 !; Fifth after his accession to the crown of England.” 
 
 These matters being properly disposed of, and duly eon- 
 : ded, the Almighty King of all, and the liuler of times and 
 i sons, seeing that the venerable abbat Thomas was now worn 
 i; with extreme old age, after having patiently sighed under 
 burden of blindness for a period of five years, was desirous 
 transfer him from this present wicked world and valley of 
 ns, to a region of everlasting light and peace; upon which, 
 lint the solemn festival of the Nativity of our Lord, in His 
 rrcy He summoned him away, through an illness, by means 
 nvhich he might be liberated from this corruptible prison- 
 tise of the flesh. His malady increasing day by day, upon 
 1 feast of Saint Thomas the Martyr he breathed his last, and 
 l pily departed unto the Lord on his festival, having always 
 l ing his life paid marked honor to that Saint. He had also 
 b;ted, in his honor, the eastern window in the abbat’s chapel, 
 t subject of which most appropriately was the life of the said 
 ff'tyr; leaving the same to his successors as a lasting me- 
 u ial of his devotion. On the day above-mentioned, in the 
 ’(■ of our Lordf 1417, and in the fourth year of the reign of 
 dHenry the Fifth, after having completed a rule over the 
 mastery of twenty-five years, he was gathered unto his 
 tiers, and was buried before the great altar. 
 
 iter this, the grace of the Holy Spirit having been invoked, 
 li venerable brother, Bichard Upton, the prior, with the 
 uiimous consent of each, was deservedly elected to the su- 
 inerule. And well indeed may Isay, “deservedly” elected, 
 ci lg that, as before stated, the burden of the whole monas- 
 
 c c 2 
 
OSS CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CKOYLAND. A.D. 141 
 
 teiy for the space of five years had rested upon his shoulders; i 
 during the whole time that the venerable father Thomas, 1 { 
 predecessor, was labouring under a prostration of his powers, ] 
 diligently dischai'ged his duties in every respect. Besides, tho, 
 famous suits, of such long continuance, against the people 
 Spalding and of JIulton, were, as we have already stated 
 considerable length, brought to the desired conclusion and s 
 at rest, through his exertions, and at an outlay of five hu, 
 dred pounds; wherefore he is deservedly entitled to the enti 
 credit thereof. Thus did Divine Providence deal gracious 
 Math him, in that, before he had received this governance 
 souls, it had thus quelled the ill-will of his enemies agair 
 liim on every side; so much so, that for all his days after, 
 lived a quiet and tranquil life, and the more that he had be 
 exposed to the rage of his enemies before, the more did he co 
 gratulate himself on having gained repose thereafter. 
 
 But now, we are of opinion, that it will prove far from a was 
 of time, if we carefully hand down to posterity, and briefly i 
 sert in these pages, certain usages which are usually prescrib | 
 upon the installation of the abbats of this monastery, when nev * 
 elected. The first is, that hitherto the chapter of Lincoln b i 
 been accustomed to claim as its own the cope which the abl4 
 wears at the altar at the time of his installation, asserting , 
 right thereto by very ancient usage, as being the mother chore i 
 Accordingly, all due precautions ought to be carefully tak, 
 that one of the usual sort, that is, of five marks value, shoi, • 
 be provided for the occasion; as such a one will suit 1 
 comingness of appearance, and a heavy outlay cannot be cans 
 to the monastery thereby. 
 
 There is another thing that ought in like manner to be hand* 
 down to memory, the fact that, upon the installation of an u 
 bat newly appointed, the earl marshal of England, in virtue: 
 the fee of his office, is wont to claim and demand one palfrc 
 Consequently, when the said earl was in his minority, as' 
 ourselves witnessed on one occasion, and according to t 
 laws of the realm was entrusted to the guardianship of 1 
 king, a palfrey was delivered in the name of the said earl, 
 the use of the king. It ought, therefore, to be carefully pv 
 vided against, that it may not happen that, because this If 
 been done on one occasion, it may be incautiously repeated . 
 another occasion, and a customary payment consequently ma: 
 to the royal treasury, when by right it belongs to another. 
 
d. 1421. 
 
 king henry’s edict to the black honks. 
 
 389 
 
 The third thing worthy of remark, and a circumstance by 
 ) means unlike the former ones, is the fact that on the in- 
 allation of a new abbat the archdeacon of Lincoln is in like 
 anner wont to claim another palfrey, or five marks as the 
 l- ice thereof. However, from an exaction of this nature we 
 ;e relieved by a privilege of pope Innocent. 
 
 One of the king’s clerks is also in the habit of receiving 
 mually from the monastery forty shillings by way of eorrody 
 :nn the time of the installation, until provision shall be made 
 I" him with a competent benefice in some other way. 
 
 Having thus handed down these facts to memory, let us 
 fw return to the purposed order of our narrative. The lord 
 homas, the illustrious duke of Clarence, brother of king 
 lenry V., who, as above stated, married the lady Margaret, 
 liet of his uncle, and lady of and heir to the manor of De- 
 |lg, was captured 79 by the French while making an expe- 
 ftion against France, and slain. John, earl of Somerset, also, 
 tin a young man, and son and heir of the before-named lady 
 hrgaret by her former husband, and who had crossed over 
 fth the said duke, his step-father, on that expedition, was in 
 l e manner taken prisoner, and kept in close custody for many 
 ■fars. The lady duchess, his mother, remained in a state of 
 «dowhood, and survived several years. 
 
 In the following year, being the year of our Lord, 1421, and 
 t'i eighth year of the reign of king Henry the Fifth, an edict 
 t ut forth of the same most serene prince to all the abbats and 
 [ orsof the orderof the BlackMonks of Saint Benedict through- 
 IB England; ordering them, ail excuses for delay set aside, forth- 
 vth to appear personally before the king at Westminster. For 
 5 ions and grievous complaints were brought to the king’s ears, 
 b a certain prior, they say, of Mont Grace, 80 a place, of the 
 [ 'thusian order, who had formerly made profession as a member 
 i lie said order of Saint Benedict, as to divers abuses and ex¬ 
 iles which were said to prevail in the said order. Upon this, the 
 k g was greatly disturbed in mind, and was moved in no small 
 i ree against the said order. Accordingly, a solemn assembly 
 s\t held of all the abbats, priors, masters, doctors, inceptors, 
 b helors and other men of high rank of the said order of Black 
 
 This is not exactly the truth, lie was slain in battle in Normandy, 
 »; wounded by Sir William Swinton, and dispatched with a battle-axe 
 j; lie earl of Buchan, Scotch allies of the French. 80 In Yorkshire. 
 
d90 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CBOYLAND. A.D. 14 - . I 
 
 Monks in England, in the Chapter-house at "Westminster, on t 
 seventh day of the month of May ; at which assembly the s; 
 most illustrious king was present, and the bishop of Exeter, 
 behalf of the king, solemnly set forth in Latin before the sa 
 congregation many excesses and abuses which he then en 
 merated. This statement being concluded, the said most sere, 
 prince specially appointed three deputies to act in this matt 
 on his behalf, namely, the bishop of Exeter before-named, 1 
 own secretary, and the prior of Mont Grace before-namt 
 These were to confer and treat with six members of the assei| 
 bly before-mentioned, to be chosen on part of the order, up 
 the reformation of the before-mentioned grievances, whi 
 were to be summed up and stated in certain articles. T 
 names of the persons chosen on behalf of the order are he. 
 set forth at length ; the prior of the cathedral church of Wc, 
 cester, a Doctor of Divinity; the abbat of Saint Alban’s : 
 Doctor in the same faculty ; the abbat of York, a Scholar i| 
 the same; Richard, abbat of Croyland before-named, a Bucli 
 lor in the same faculty; the prior of Durham, a Scholar in t 
 same; the prior of Lenton, likewise a Scholar in the san 
 With these six persons there were afterwards associated by t, 
 before-mentioned assembly twenty-four others of the abba, 
 priors, doctors, and other graduates; to all of whom unit, 
 together was entrusted full power of treating upon, decidit, 
 enacting and confirming the articles before-mentioned, as al 
 of doing each and every thing, which an undertaking of su 
 an arduous nature might require and demand. Although thij 
 persons, being deputed separately to visit the various societk 
 in their communications from all quarters suggested and cox t 
 mitted to writing various modifications as to the articles afoi 
 said; still, by the consent of all, the modification and fii 
 answer made by the abbat of Saint Alban’s was summari 
 adopted in preference to those of all the rest. To obserj ■ 
 these at future times the fathers there present did, by tht 
 respective promises, bind themselves with one consent un 
 our lord the king. From this time the vehement indignati' 
 of the king ceased, he being greatly surprised, and indeed e, 
 tremely gratified, at having in his kingdom so great a multitu 
 of literates and graduates of the said order. After this, ben 
 graciously dismissed by the royal benevolence, they speedi 
 returned to their respective homes. 
 
d. 1423. 
 
 BENEFACTIONS OF ABBAT UICUAKD. 
 
 391 
 
 In the following year, the said most illustrious prince, He ary 
 le Fifth, being then in France, a son was borne to him by th 
 dy Catherine, queen of England, daughter of Charles king of 
 ranee, who was named Henry of Windsor. 
 
 In the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 1423, 60 on the 
 drtieth day of August, this most noble prince, king Henry the 
 ifth, departed this life at Bois de Vincent in France, two leagues 
 stant from Paris, after having ably reigned nine years and 
 ve months. His body, however, was afterwards brought to 
 ondon, and was honorably and solemnly buried at West¬ 
 minster. 
 
 On the following day, that is to say, on the last day of 
 ugust, Henry of Windsor, his son, an infant still in his cradle, 
 ne months and fourteen days old, began to reign over the 
 nd under the title of Henry the Sixth. 
 
 While these matters were going on without, according to the 
 sual course of things, the venerable father, liichard, abbat of 
 [royland, was decorating his church with great and precious 
 uaments, and especially with one costly jewel for holding 
 lies, which he had purchased for one hundred and twenty 
 :arks, and bestowed upon our vestiary. In like manner, he 
 so had a red cope made for use on high occasions, embroidered 
 ith jewels and gold, and commonly called the Ibi et Ubi, il 
 tten valued at the sum of two hundred marks. Besides 
 • is, he also paid one hundred marks for another entire vestment 
 ith the royal arms of England and France placed thereon in 
 :urquarters, together with copesof the same workmanship most 
 lilfully made. He also bought some cloth made entirely of 
 i k and embroidered with falcons of gold, for the purpose of 
 Biking seven copes therefrom; and the lord John Fitlyng- 
 hq, his successor, had them carefully finished with fringes of 
 I Id and linings thereto. He also had some other cloth, of 
 (eat value in consequence of having been twice dyed crimson, 
 i d in like manner embroidered with flowers of gold, and 
 iorned with fringes and edges of gold, made up into the 
 tape of a vestment to be used on high occasions : this had 
 len presented to us by our sister the lady Joanna de Willough- 
 1. He also spared no expense whatever in repairing the 
 ] storal staffs in the vestiary, and adorning the pix, used at the 
 1422. 81 The “ There and everywhere.'’ Perhaps so called from 
 
 1 dng those words embroidered on it. 
 
392 
 
 COXIIXUATIOX OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLA.XD. A .D. 142; ^ 
 
 great altar for containing the body of Christ, with a silvt 
 crown on the top thereof garnished with precious stones. H 
 also considerably increased our library with numerous books ( 
 great value, and had the abbat’s hall, a room of remarkab] 
 beauty, entirely rebuilt in a most superior manner: beside 
 which, he had great part of the western side of the abbe 
 court, which before lay exposed with a wide opening to th 
 gaze of all in the vill, becomingly repaired and enclosed b 
 means of a long and high building which reached down to th 
 water-gate. 
 
 In the time also of this venerable father, brother Joh 
 Freston of blessed memory, the sacrist, not being desirous t 
 lay up treasures on earth, had a splendid vestment, calle 
 the “Jesse,” and made of needle-work, most sumptuously err 
 broidered in the workroom over the vestiary, by artificers, to th 
 honor and service of God. This same vestment, which cor 
 sisted of a cope and chasuble, with tunics, was often valued b 
 clothiers and dyers at nearly three hundred marks. He als. 
 bestowed upon the church in honor of God, another valuabli 
 cope, of Venice 82 blue embroidered with eagles of gold, whic 
 commonly called by us the Verbum Caro , -83 together wit 
 some albs suitably prepared with becoming workmanship. 
 
 Likewise also, in the days of his rule, the new works of th 
 lower part of the church towards the west were built from th 
 foundations by brother 'William of Croyland, master of tb 
 works, of whom we have made mention a little before unde 
 the time of the lord abbat Thomas. Besides the sums whie I 
 this brother William of Croyland annually received from th 
 abbat’s purse and the produce and profits of the convent, te 
 wards the promotion of the said work, by his urgent applici 
 tion and through his mediation, many donations were procure 
 by him from his neighbours and friends. We have thought i 
 both becoming and opportune here to hand down to memor 
 the names of some of these, to the end that, in return for th 
 temporal benefits which they bestowed upon us, we may de 
 voutly repay them in turn by our prayers for the repose (t 
 their souls. Waster Richard Baston contributed a hundre; 
 marks towards the said work; Roger Greyne of Donyngtoi 
 in like manner, a hundred marks; Master Henry Welles, arc! 
 deacon of Lincoln, also gave twenty pounds towards the build 
 32 Or azure colour. 83 “The word made flesh.” 
 
D. 1429. 
 
 DEATH OF ABBAT KTCHAKD. 
 
 393 
 
 :g of the said church, and ten pounds towards the repair of 
 :e chapel of Dovedale. The lord Thomas de la War, and 
 'illiam Michel, gave, each of them, twenty marks; and John 
 [yme, John Whittlesey, John Edward, and the lord John Ward, 
 ich of them ten pounds. The lord John Curtes, the lord 
 ' illiam Porter, John Tomson, and John Bell, in like manner, 
 Dm genuine feelings of devotion, gave, each of them, ten 
 larks. Thus did the persons above-named and numerous 
 (ner benefactors of our house, whose names may the ever- 
 Hng Scribe in His mercy deign to set down in the Book of 
 Ife, liberally pay immense sums of money for the benefit of 
 1e said church. 
 
 At last, the venerable father, Richard, the lord abbat of 
 (oyland, after having both righteously and ably' completed 
 tie years and four months in the discharge of his pastoral 
 [ties, his career being cut short by death, was released from 
 t the cares and tumults of this world, and laid aside the 
 fsh, on the fourteenth day of the month of May, in the year 
 t our Lord, 1427, and the fifth y r ear of king Henry' the Sixth. 
 1; was succeeded in the office of abbat by the lord John 
 Itlyngton, a man truly religious, prudent and discreet in the 
 nnageroent of business, and one who had formerly gained 
 tperience in the discharge of the duties of divers offices in 
 t; monastery. 
 
 Henry, king of England, in the eighth year both of his age 
 b! his reign, was solemnly crowned at Westminster, on the feast 
 d Saint Leonard, by Henry'Chichcley, archbishop of Canterbury. 
 Ho years after this, Henry Beaufort, cardinal of the Roman 
 parch, and bishop of Winchester, having first, by his especial 
 fcrtious, pacified the chief men of Erance, caused him again 
 t be crowned king of Erance, at Paris, sumptuous prepara- 
 tns being made at his own expense. 
 
 But, in the meantime, behold! not even this venerable 
 flier, John, abbat of Croyland, was allowed to enjoy peace 
 a l tranquillity, nor any longer indulge in quietude. Eor, once 
 D re, he was attacked by a wicked generation, again was he 
 Bailed by people -without counsel and without prudence, by 
 a eneration, I say, depraved and perverse, by people who glory 
 b their wickedness and -wax strong in their iniquity; who 
 k >w, too, how to be for ever waging w\ar against the church 
 o Croyland, and are wont to he always attempting to encroach 
 
394 CONTINUATION OF THU HISTORY OF CEO YUAN D. A.n. 14S 
 
 upon it with their rude insults. As though from their fat, 
 thus did their iniquity originally arise. A certain monk, Iti 
 ceiver of the monastery of Croyland at the manor of Aswyk 
 was on one occasion going along the embankment belongin ■ 
 to the people of Multon, called Lode-dyke, on his way to Br< 
 therhouse; being attended by two servants, who, however, i 
 the moment of need, gave but undue measure of their service 
 Now, it so happened, that a certain priest of Multon, with 
 single companion, was going along the same way, and on sei 
 ing the brother before-mentioned, would not pass by him, bu 
 having first accosted him with reproachful language, repeated! • 
 asked, in the most offensive terms, what he was doing on tl 
 lands of other people ? After this, being quite reduced to ) 
 state of frenzy by a spirit of malignity, as soon as he ho 
 crossed over into his own district, he began to utter terrib 
 threats against him, and pushing him violently, thrust hi: 
 down into a place below, and so forced him to wade through 
 swampy marsh and a pit full of mud, the distance of 
 stone’s throw. The brother, being a man stricken in years ar 
 verging upon a helpless old age, in fear of death and in per 
 of being drowned, trembling and panting, with difficult 
 escaped alive and got to the other side, which looked towan • 
 the Precinct of Croyland. The shocking rumour soon spres 1 ' 
 through the neighbourhood that a monk of Croyland had bee - 
 nearly drowned in having his life thus endangered, and hai 
 in this shameful manner, been so unworthily insulted. Tl 
 venerable father, abbat John, being greatly incensed at th 
 unlucky misdeed, diligently brought his complaint to the ea: 1 
 of the bishop of Lincoln, and earnestly implored him, in h 
 capacity of ordinary, to punish an act of such enormity wit 
 his censures. The bishop immediately had the priest citei 
 and, among other things, imposed on him this public penani 
 in especial, that he should forthwith repair to Croyland, an 
 humbly ask pardon of the abbat of the monastery and tl - 
 before-named brother, against whom he had committed so grer - 
 an injury. This he accordingly did, soon after (although 
 was with great reluctance that he so humbled himself), upo 
 the day of a great festival, while all stood around him betoi 
 
 83 He seems to allude to the expression in Psalm xvii. 10. “ Mil 
 
 enemies compass me about, they are inclosed in their own fat.” And 
 Psalm c.\ix. 70, “ Their heart is as fat as grease.” 
 
.D. 1433. COMPLAINTS AGAINST TIIE ABBAT OF CKOYLAND. 395 
 
 ic high altar. At this, his fellow-townsmen were greatly en- 
 tged, and, taking every opportunity of showing their malignity, 
 ;ed every possible exertion to carry into effect whatever they 
 mid possibly invent to the detriment of the church of Croy- 
 
 nd. 
 
 Besides this, a certain noble and influential knight of Corn- 
 all, William Bondvyll by name, had at this time taken to 
 ife the lady Elizabeth, relict of the lord liobert Haryngton, 
 e late lord of Multon; through which marriage the chief 
 ■mesne of the manor of Multon aforesaid had come to the 
 -id knight. Accordingly, the unhappy and ever-unstable 
 :ob of the said vill plied this man with their clamours, and 
 'ought serious complaints before him against the abbat of 
 i'oyland. They said that, in consequence of the overflow of 
 Mter that was always escaping beyond the Precinct of the 
 lid abbat, for want of due repair of his embankments, their 
 liadows and pastures were so swamped with inundations, that 
 ley were able to derive no profit whatever therefrom, nor 
 (uld they account to their lord for the rents due to him for 
 te same. Being greatly moved by these reports, and excited 
 1 anger, he forthwith aroused himself with all his energies to 
 i plead the said abbat for his offences and the losses caused 
 Hereby to himself and his tenants. Upon this, abbat John 
 i mediately prepared manfully to defend himself, and hastened 
 t London for the purpose of supporting the cause of his 
 (urch. However, after a great outlay of money on both 
 lies among the lawyers, the whole matter was transferred to 
 (oyland, there to be brought to a final settlement. Here, in 
 lisence of Sir John * * *, chief baron of the Exchequer 
 c our lord the king, and one of the justices of the Common 
 Las of our said lord the king, and John Molesmore, another 
 c the justices of the Common Pleas of our lord the king, and 
 lore the noble man, the lord William Bondvyll, previously 
 E.ned, a great number of counsel learned in the law being 
 rained on both sides, the matter, after being for a long time 
 aicably discussed, was finally set at rest by means of inden- 
 t es made to each other, upon these terms: “ That the before- 
 DQcd John, now abbat of Croyland, and his successors, abbats 
 o the said place, shall, within three years next after the date 
 o hese presents, cause a certain embankment to be raised 
 a . made anew within the Precinct of Croyland, from a cer- 
 
396 CONTINUATION OF THE IIISTORY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 143 i 
 
 tain place called Brotherhouse as far as Whaplodesdyke, on tl 
 east. The same shall be made in a workmanlike manner, an 
 built of sufficient height, without any breach therein, or an 
 oozing therefrom, and shall by them be maintained, preserve 
 and repaired for fort}' years from thence next ensuing, i 
 as well and sufficiently to keep out all inundations and con 
 mon overflows of water which may happen within the afor 
 said Precinct, lying south of the said embankment so to 1 
 made; that so they may not overflow or extend beyond tl 
 summit thereof, nor bear down or inundate a certain other en 
 bankment belonging to the before-named William and Eliz; 
 beth, and others, called Lode-dyke, nor yet in any way ove 
 flow or submerge the lands or tenements of the said Willia 
 and Elizabeth, situate in the vills of Weston and Multon, ui 
 less the said inundations and overflows shall be excessive ax 1 
 more heavy than usual, in consequence of the extreme violent 
 of the winds and rains. This was done in the eleventh ye: 
 of the reign of king Henry the Sixth, and the seventh year j 
 the before-named John, lord abbat, being the year from tl 
 Incarnation of our Lord, 1433.” 
 
 In the meantime, however, while these matters were bein 
 arranged, behold ! the people of Spalding became forgetful I 
 the award which had been lately made and decreed in the tin 
 of the lord abbat Richard by careful men, members of tl 
 council of the lord duke of Lancaster, men too, in whom thJ 
 themselves in especial reposed every confidence; but, on' 
 more swerving therefrom, failed to observe the agreemerfl 
 and, just like their fathers, turned unto crooked courses. Ec 
 in vast multitudes, they once more entered the marsh 1 
 Goggislound, and perpetrated many enormities there, in fis 
 ing, fowling, and digging up the ground, accompanied wh 
 great haughtiness and abuse, thus acting in contravention 
 the form and tenor of the said award. The venerable fathc 
 abbat John, however, put his trust in the Lord, through who 1 
 he had been remarkable as a man who prospered in every thin 
 inasmuch as God had directed all his actions; and aeeor 1 
 ingly made preparations manfully to withstand their presum 
 tuous attempts, and to provide a lawful remedy for the injuri 
 committed against him. For this purpose, he immediate 
 commenced matters with a high hand, and prepared to proce' 
 to trial against the before-mentioned evil doers. Still howevi 
 
.D. 1433. 
 
 JUDGMENT IN FAVOUR OF CROYLAND. 
 
 397 
 
 he matter was placed in a position of considerable difficulty, 
 s, the king being still of tender years, the affairs and govem- 
 ient of the whole kingdom depended upon the nod of Hum- 
 hrey, the lord duke of Gloucester and chief feoffee of the 
 lid duchy. The consequence was, that the abbat often found 
 •imself deserted and left alone by his own advisers, through 
 :ar of the power of the state; and, being frequently sum¬ 
 moned to the presence of the said duke Humphrey in his pri- 
 ate chamber, had to endure divers censures from him, and to 
 at up with numerous threats, if he should persist in bringing 
 me matter to trial. Still however, for all this, he was not 
 roken in spirit, nor did he in any way desist from his purpose ; 
 it taking care every day to continue process in conformity 
 ith the laws of the realm, matters were at last brought to 
 mat position that an adjudication was appointed to be made on 
 ie subject at Lincoln, by the grand assize. Here, by the 
 vour of God’s mercy, these people became entrapped in the 
 i tfall which they had dug, and their feet were caught in the 
 ;ry snare which they themselves had hidden. For the 
 j rors, who had been summoned in accordance with the form 
 i the statute in that behalf made, came before James Strang- 
 lays, and John Elerker, justices of our lord the king appointed 
 : hold the assizes in the county of Lincoln, and having been 
 meted triers and sworn to say the truth as to the matters in 
 jbpute between the parties aforesaid, declared upon oath that 
 ie before-mentioned people of Spalding whose names were 
 i; forth in the process of the trial, were guilty of all the 
 1 ispass committed against Croyland, as the abbat had in his 
 |3a against them alleged. They also assessed the damages of 
 ile said abbat, arising through the trespass before-mentioned, 
 i ninety pounds, and awarded ten pounds for his' costs and 
 tpenses incurred in the suit. It was therefore determined 
 1 the said jurors in form aforesaid that the said abbat John 
 ernld recover his damages aforesaid to the amount of one 
 1 ndred pounds, against the people of Spalding. Accordingly, 
 s >rtly afterwards, certain of their number, John Hankes and 
 Ibei't Horner, of Spalding, were taken in custody, in the 
 r tter aforesaid, by the sheriffs of London, in virtue of the king’s 
 lit in behalf of our said lord the king to them directed, 
 e 1 committed prisoners of our lord the king to the Fleet 
 p son, there to remain until such time as payment should have 
 

 398 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 113 
 
 been made to the said abbat in full by the people of Spalding 
 the hundred pounds before-mentioned. In consequence of thi 
 they at last paid that sum, with great grief and shame, to tl 
 abbat at Croyland. 
 
 In the following year, that is to say, in the year of o 
 Lord, 1434, there was a most severe frost. It began upon tl 
 night of Saint Catherine, 84 and lasted until the feast of Sai 
 Juliana the Virgin, nearly twelve weeks. 
 
 In the third year after this the autumn season was exceei 
 ingly wet; in consequence of which there was such a sevef 
 famine throughout England for nearly two years together, th 
 in many places of the kingdom a single bushel of wheat so 
 for forty pence. The consequence was, that in many par 
 as the common people had not the means with which to suppc 
 life, numbers of them collected and dried the roots of plan' 
 and then grinding them made a sort of bread therefrom. B 
 He, who “ openeth His hand, and filleth every animal will 
 His blessing, giving them their meat in due season,” 85 show: 
 forth such great mercy in His dispensations that at the end 
 the latter year a bushel of wheat was again sold for eig 
 pence ; praised be God for the same! 
 
 While these years were rolling onward in their headlo i 
 flight, the lady Margaret, duchess of Clarence, died, and Job 
 earl of Somerset, her son and heir, who had passed fifte 
 years in captivity with the French, was ransomed for an i:l 
 mense sum of money, and so returned to England. Upon thi 
 among other matters, he took possession of the manor 
 Depyng, and whole multitudes of the district flocked foi. 
 to meet him, each one endeavouring to be avenged upon 1 
 neighbour, and thinking himself fortunate in being enroll 1 
 among the number of his servants. The people of Depyl 
 were especially elated, as though a prophet had arisen amonjl 
 them; escorting him about on every side, promising grd 
 things, and suggesting still more; while by the voice oil 
 herald they proclaimed him lord of the whole marsh. Upl 
 this, his heart was elevated to a lofty pitch, and, being put), 
 up by the great applause of the populace, his horn was exalt! 
 too greatly on high. Forthwith, tolls were levied by his s<< 
 vants in the vills ; and the cattle of all were driven away fret 
 the marshes, and, when driven as far as Depyng, were tho 
 
 81 Twenty-fifth November. 85 According to Psalm cxlv. 15, 1C i 
 
ii. L137. 
 
 DEATH OF THE DUKE OF SOMERSET. 
 
 309 
 
 tained; nor wore they allowed to be redeemed without a 
 yment and acknowledgment of him as lord of the demesne. 
 
 . his name the embankment between Kenulphston and Croy- 
 ad was raised anew, and all transit and leading of necessa- 
 ?s from his manors through those parts entirely forbidden to 
 e abbat. Upon this, the abbat by bill complained to the king 
 the injury done to him, whereby the earl’s wrath was still 
 ore inflamed. Threats too were daily spread abroad against 
 s monks and servants, nor did any one dare venture to go 
 at way for the purpose of transacting business. 
 
 At length, by act of Parliament, from an earl he was 
 eated a duke, and, God so ordaining it, was sent upon an ex- 
 dition in the parts beyond sea. In the meantime, however, 
 e venerable father, abbat John, fearing lest, in his absence, 
 k servants might still further run riot against him by com- 
 i.tting injuries, hastened, for the purpose of holding a con- 
 I'cnce with him, to a distant quarter of England, in the most 
 iltry season of the year and in a summer remarkable for its 
 l at, the said duke being then at his castle atCorfe, with the in- 
 tition of immediately crossing over. Here too liehad to submit 
 t considerable delays, being under frequent apprehensions of 
 tempts being made by the servants on his life; but at last, after 
 t uestly beseeching his favour, he obtained letters directed to 
 t: duke’s seneschal in these parts, ordering that the whole 
 utters in dispute should stand over until his return, and that 
 i the meantime no opportunity should be taken of inflicting 
 Bury on the said abbat and his servants. 
 
 The business on which he had crossed over, being settled in 
 abort time, the duke returned amid much pomp to England; 
 fc: being accused of treason there, was forbidden to appear in 
 t king’s presence. The noble heart of a man of such high 
 b k upon bis hearing this most unhappy news, was moved to 
 e. rente indignation; and being unable to bear the stain of so 
 g at a disgrace, he accelerated his death by putting an end 
 ti his existence, it is generally said; preferring thus to cut 
 s'.rt his sorrow, rather than pass a life of misery, labouring 
 u ler so disgraceful a charge. Hence it was that one person 
 Bigested that this line had been long before composed in a 
 spit of prophecy, and relative to him : 
 
 “Hardly for twice two years endured John’s pride of power.’ ,!,e 
 
 b6 “ Bis binis annis vix stabat pompa Johaunis.’’ 
 
400 CONTIIptTATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND A.D. 1-i . 
 
 Before his decease he had married a wife, Margaret by nar ; 
 by whom he had one daughter, also called Margaret, who 
 destined to inherit the said demesne of Depyng after the • | 
 cease of her mother. While her mother was still alive, J 
 was married to Edmund, earl of Richmond, her first husba.: 
 He, however, survived but a short time, having had by her 1 
 only son. The earl being thus removed from the world, 
 was again given in marriage to Henry, son of the most ill. 
 trious duke of Buckingham. More of these matters, howevJ 
 long hereafter. 
 
 The lady duchess Margaret, her mother, held the said lo • 
 ship of Depyng in dower for many years, during which jJ 
 survived : besides which, she continued to retain full poss J 
 sion thereof, all the days of her life, a period of nearly thi 7 
 years, both in exacting amercements for trespasses, levying d 
 repairs of the embankments, and taking poundage for animil 
 in such manner as she had found the same rights append 11 
 to the said marsh lands on the day of her husband's death. J 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1439, and the thirteenth of ■ 
 before-named abbat, the lord John, there was such an excess■ 
 quantity of fresh water in the weirs and streams in conseque ■ 
 of the extraordinary rains, that the embankments around ■ 
 I’recinct of Croyland were unable to hold out against the foaJ 
 of the impetuous torrent: the consequence was, that J 
 •waters, being swollen, and beating with all their force agaifl 
 the embankment of Shepishee, on the south side of the I -j 
 cinct, which was in a state of disrepair in divers pafli 
 thereof, overflowed the said embankment, being driven 
 ward by the force of the north wind, and immediately in* 
 dated the entire surface of the adjacent common of Whaplo.i 
 At this the other people of the district murmured aloud, 1 1 
 turned all their thoughts how to do a mischief to the abbat f 
 Croyland. The principal of these was Humphrey Littlebu,>j 
 Esquire, who, with many others, came to Croyland in a thredl 
 ening manner, and went around all the embankments of » 
 said Precinct, examining it on every side, to see if they eo 1* 
 anywhere find any defect in the repairs thereof, to afford th 1 
 an opportunity of presenting the abbat of Croyland before M 
 justices. Accordingly, having obtained a general commissi 
 of sewers 81 for the counties of Lincoln, Northampton, Hu* 
 
 The word “ sewer” is here used in its original sense of a fresh-w:r 
 trench, or drain encompassed with banks, to carry the water into the si • 
 
.D. 1439. ENQUIRY AS TO THE REP.UR OF THE DYKES. 401 
 
 lgdon, and Cambridge, to be held before Richard Ilangh, 
 ohn Langhorne, and Richard Benington, the justices, at Wayn- 
 !ete, they presented the said abbat for default in repairing the 
 ■nbankments: upon which, they pronounced judgment that 
 <e was bound thenceforth to repair a certain embankment near 
 le bank of the Welland, extending from Brotherhouse to 
 royland, and thence to Dovedale, together with other ancient 
 nbankments lying within the said Precinct, namely iloredyke, 
 barpesdyke, and Wynterdyke. Upon this, the before-named 
 ther was apprehensive that the fact of his having been thus 
 ljustly presented by them might become matter of record 
 jainst him among the royal archives; and seeing that, from 
 ch a circumstance evils might arise at some future time, greatly 
 the prejudice of himself and his successors—he determined 
 i resist a beginning of this nature, and used the greatest efforts 
 : preparing to reverse each of their presentations and fully to 
 • tain the same amount of liberty which he had formerly en- 
 y-ed; though at the same time, following the bent of his 
 rn inclination, he did not have recourse to dissimulation, 
 ir did he interpose any delay in taking measures to ensure 
 1 b security of his Precinct for the benefit of the said abbey : 
 1- which purpose he repaired and completed the embank- 
 Knts in divers places, and opened or shut the same in differ¬ 
 et directions, in such manner as seemed to him most advi- 
 fole. He was accordingly summoned, first by the sheriff of 
 licoln, to appear before the said justices at Alford, and next 
 i Louth, and on the third occasion at Bolyngbroke, to make 
 fiwer to our lord the king on articles in the aforesaid presen- 
 t ion contained. Accordingly, he appeared without delay by 
 
 i m Ilardeben his attorney, on each of the days assigned for 
 t' assessment. 
 
 Upon this, jurors were assigned at Bolyngbroke by the 
 ■riff of Lincoln, then and there duly to appear before the 
 sd justices; and being chosen, tried, and sworn, to speak the 
 t th on and about the premises, they said upon their oaths, 
 
 11 John, abbat of Croyland and his predecessors, and their 
 nn, and tenants, and the farmers of their manors, lands and 
 fiements, situate in the vills and places lying near the em- 
 b ikments aforesaid, had very frequently repaired divers places 
 
 ii he said embankments at their pleasure, for making and 
 pmoting the easement, advantage, and profit of them, the 
 
 D D 
 
402 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. ]l4Ej 
 
 abbat and convent and their predecessors, as also for the pui 
 pose of avoiding loss, damage, and expense, which migh 
 easily arise to each of them through non-repair of the sami 
 And the aforesaid jurors further said that neither abbat Job 
 and the convent aforesaid, nor yet their predecessors, abbats c 
 the place aforesaid, had been accustomed otherwise or in an 
 other manner to repair the said embankments, or any one c 
 the embankments aforesaid, from time to which memory doi 
 not run to the contrary, either for the safety of the lands ad 
 joining, or for the purpose of keeping out the water runnin 
 between the said embankments, or for the easement of tb 
 people of our lord the king or of any one of them, nor ought ( 
 right to repair the same, as had been stated and alleged again; 
 the said abbat on behalf of our lord the king; but only fc; 
 their own easement, advantage, and profit, at their ow T n wi 
 and pleasure, and not otherwise and in no other manner whal 
 ever: upon which, it was decided by the before-named jus 
 tices that the said John, abbat of Croyland, and the convei 
 of that place, should, so far as the premises are concerned, b 
 dismissed from the said court, and go therefrom without da 
 named for their appearance; and that the said abbat John an 
 their successors should not in future be charged or molested i 
 the premises on the pretexts aforesaid. Accordingly, our lor 
 king Henry the Sixth, by his letters patent, ordered exemplif j 
 cation to be made of the tenor of the record of the said proces ; 
 upon the requisition of the then abbat and convent. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1444, upon the vigil of the Purif 
 cation of the blessed Mary, there was such great and dreadfi . 
 thunder in the heavens, and such terrific flashes of vivid light 
 ning, that no man living in our age remembers to have eve 
 seen or even heard of the like. During this storm the belli" 
 of Saint Paul’s at London, the belfry of the monastery of th 
 Cross at Waltham, the church of Baldock, the church c' 
 Walden, the church of Kingston-on-Thames, and anothe 
 church in Kent, were set on fire, and burnt by the lightning 
 on the same day, though at different hours thereof. 
 
 In the following year, the lady Margaret, daughter of th 
 king of Sicily, landed in England under the escort of Williai 
 Pole, marquis of Suffolk, and was married by Master Williai 
 Ayscough, bishop of Salisbury, to Henry king of England 
 shortly after which, she was solemnly crowned queen d ■ 
 
t.D. 1446. DUPLICITY OF THE EARL OF SUFFOLK. 
 
 403 
 
 England at Westminster, by the venerable father John Staf¬ 
 ford, lord archbishop of Canterbury. 
 
 In the year of our Lord, 1446, and in the twentieth of the 
 iefore-named lord abbat John, no slight dispute arose be- 
 ween the said venerable father and John Pynder, vicar of 
 he parish church of Whaplode, as to the repairs of the desks 
 md stalls in the chancel of the before-mentioned church ; the 
 aid vicar asserting that the said duty did of right belong to 
 he abbat of Croyland, as rector of the said church. On the 
 ither hand, however, the abbat boldly alleged against the 
 'dear a composition real 88 that had been made ; by virtue of 
 vhich he was, only and solely bound, to be responsible for the 
 epair of the matters before-mentioned. Accordingly, the 
 uestion was argued at great length in the church of Saint 
 lary at Arches at London, and at last was settled and con- 
 luded before Master William Byconhile, Doctor of Laws, the 
 fficial of the Court of Canterbury in the said church, in manner 
 blowing: The said vicar, the lord John Pynder, by virtue of 
 certain composition real made between the abbat of Croyland 
 nd the vicar of the said church, was, by definitive sentence 
 f the before-named judge, adjudged and pronounced to bear 
 le burden of the repair, building, and repair of the chancel, 
 f the said parish church of Whaplode, and of the desks and 
 alls, sedilia and all other necessary appurtenances thereof 
 Iiatsoever, according as fhe same had pertained, did then 
 ! ertain, and ought to pertain, to the vicar thereof for the time 
 tiding. The said officer also determined, declared, and pro- 
 Ounced the said abbat and convent to be free and exempt 
 om all burden of repair, and rebuilding of that description, 
 id that they ought so to be. He also condemned lord John 
 lie vicar to pay five marks for lawful costs incurred by the 
 that in this cause. 
 
 The before-named William, earl of Suffolk, of whom we 
 ive made mention a little previously, a man of singular 
 tuteness, and skilled in deceiving, easily prevailed upon the 
 ultitude to follow the bent of his inclination. Being ad- 
 itted to his most intimate friendship by king Henry, he 
 t used his frankness and confidence, and was supposed to 
 
 '<1 88 Composition real is where the incumbent and patron agree that 
 ids shall he discharged from payment of tithes in specie, in considera¬ 
 ti of a recompense to the incumbent either in money or lands. 
 
404 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CKOYLAND. A.D.1447 i 
 
 manage nearly all the affairs of the kingdom just according ti 
 his own will and caprice. He consequently bestowed tin ! 
 bishoprics and royal benefices for sums of money, ejectin' 
 some persons and intruding others, entirely in conformity witi 
 his own inclination; and by the exercise of his sole powe: 
 did many things in the kingdom in utter contravention of al 
 justice. At length his audacity increased to such a pitch o 
 presumption, that by means of fraud and circumvention, hi 
 removed all the king’s kinsmen and friends, and all thosi 
 related to the royal blood, as well as the bishops and clergj 
 of other ranks and the laity, from the king’s presence. Beside: 
 this, he most falsely accused that most illustrious prince 
 Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, the king’s uncle, and one whc 
 had from his infancy, during twenty-four years of his reign. ] 
 served him most faithfully in every respect, of being guilty oi i 
 treason against the king. At the instigation of the earl, in 
 the winter of the year of our Lord, 1447, a parliament was f. 
 appointed by proclamation to meet at Bury, in the county ol 
 Suffolk, there to treat of this matter. The said duke accord- 1 
 ingly proceeded thither, and, suspecting no treachery, wa?|| 
 arrested shortly after, when separated from his people, and 
 thrown into prison by some persons of the king’s household. 
 He was not allowed to make any answer [to the accusation],:' 
 nor was he condemned upon any judicial examination; but, 
 though at nightfall safe and unhurt, he was, shocking to 
 relate! brought forth in the morning and exhibited to the : 
 public, dead. 
 
 In the same year also, the venerable Henry Beaufort, Cardinal dl 
 of Sabina, and bishop of Winchester, departed this life. He 
 was a son of the lord John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, and 
 uncle of king Henry the Fifth; a man rendered illustrious 
 above all the nobles of England, by his probity and wisdom, 
 wealth and renown. 
 
 After these events, the venerable father abbat John had to 
 sustain another very great and expensive trial against the 
 lord Thomas Dacre, lord of Holbech. For, although the abbat 
 of Croyland holds the principal demesne rights in the vill of' 
 Whaplode, and has there, besides the fee of his church, 
 market and fair, waste and warren, right of pillory and 
 tumbrel, 89 as also assize of bread and beer, the bailiffs and 
 
 69 Right of punishing scolds and disorderly women by the trebucket or 
 cucking-stool. 
 
a.d. 1447. 
 
 DISPUTE WITH THE LORD DACRE. 
 
 405 
 
 servants of the said lord Thomas began to take distresses in 
 the common waste of the vill aforesaid, make attachments 
 there, and usurp many other rights, to the prejudice of the 
 church of Croyland. The venerable father, being unable to 
 endure such great injuries thus inflicted upon him and newly 
 commenced, and indeed, feeling an unwillingness to pass them 
 by with impunity, ably and manfully impleaded the said 
 Thomas in the general Court of the realm at Westminster; 
 and, to sum up many matters in a short space, in the end, 
 through great exertions, managed to have the adjudication 
 of the whole matter transferred to Lincoln, there to be detei 
 mined at the grand assize by the principal men of the county. 
 Accordingly, on the day named, the justices met, and large 
 numbers of the middle classes, who were well acquainted with 
 the laws and judgments of the kingdom, came thither in large 
 numbers. There was also present at this august assembly 90 
 William Tailbois, Esquire, who had come thither to conduct 
 the cause of the church of Croyland, and proved himself a 
 most faithful supporter of it to the very utmost of his 
 abilities. 
 
 Upon this, the before-named Thomas, seeing that his side 
 was clearly threatened with ill success, and that the present 
 day was likely to prove far from a propitious one for him, 
 followed the advice of his counsel, and waited upon the vene¬ 
 rable father, William Alnwyk, the lord bishop of Lincoln, 
 svho was at this time residing there in his palace; and 
 besought him with many prayers and most urgent entreaties, 
 ;hat he would deign, in virtue of his authority, to take the 
 idjudication of the whole matter into his own hands as arbi¬ 
 trator ; while at the same time he promised that he would be 
 ready to abide by such decision as he shoidd think proper to 
 >ive. Shortly after this, the abbat’s counsel were sent for; 
 reasons and exhortations were adduced by the bishop to 
 nduce them with all confidence to leave the adjudication of 
 he whole matter to his conscience, as they knew full well that 
 le was a most sincere well-wisher of theirs, and would upon 
 io account be willing to derogate from the liberties of the 
 Ihureh. But why enlarge ? What could the authority of 
 uch a man not obtain, the more especially as he was sin- 
 ;ularly distinguished among his fellow-bishops of England for 
 90 This is probably the meaning of “ in bono comitatu.” 
 
406 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CEOYLAND. 
 
 A.t). 1447. 
 
 bearing the highest character and an unblemished name ? 
 And then, besides, if a person should think fit not to acquiesce 
 in his wishes, who is there that could possibly escape from 
 the intolerable indignation that would be manifested by his 
 diocesan ? Accordingly, they both obeyed, and for the sake 
 of certainty bonds were entered into on either side, in which 
 they mutually promised that they would abide by his deter¬ 
 mination. As he was a man of the most consummate skill in 
 the transaction of business, he first examined, with deliberate ; 
 attention, the evidence adduced by documents, and then, em¬ 
 ploying the most careful research, frequently held conferences 1 
 on the matter with men well versed in the law. However, I 
 inasmuch as Latin words and expressions are often made | 
 to assume equivocal meanings, to the end that quibblers 
 upon words might not at future times, by means of scruples i 
 arising from a sinister interpretation, render ambiguous and 
 a cause of dissension that which was done with a pious 
 intention, the venerable prelate ordered the results of his 
 arbitration to be set forth in the English language, in the 
 following terms: 
 
 “ Be hit knowen to all theym which thees present letters i 
 shall see or here ; that whereas diverse debates, variance, 
 controversiz, and dissencion hath growen and late bene moved 
 and stered betwix the noble lorde Thomas Dacre, lorde ol 
 Dacre, and John his son, clamyng to have correction and 
 punishmentz of all manner of trespas and offences done in the 
 Kyngys hyegh ways, commen stretys, and wast grounds, in 
 the ton of Whapplode in the shire of Lincoln, be the ryght ol 
 the maDer and lordship of Holbech pertenyng to the saidt 
 Thomas of that one partye : and the worshipfull and religiouse 
 fader Johan, th’ abbot of Croyland affermyng and sayng the 
 contrarie ; and that all such ryghts longeth only to hym, be 
 ryght of the maner and lordeship of Whapplode, pertenyng tc 
 the said abbot be ryght of his chyrch, on the other partye. 
 uppon which debates, variance, contraversiz, and dissencion 
 as well upon all the incidentz, dependentz, and thyngs growl 
 upon the same; hyt hath lyked the said partyes to biende hen 
 be theyr dede obligatorye beryng the date the XVII. day o 
 the moneth of Februarie the yere of the Keyng of Kynf 
 Herry the Sext XXVI. to stand and obey to tharbitrement 
 ordina unce, awarde, judement, and decree or counsell of m< 
 
a. d. 1447 . 
 
 AWABD OF THE BISHOf OF LINCOLN. 
 
 407 
 
 William, be the suffrance of God, Bishop of Lincoln, as hit 
 apperith more pleynly be the conditions of the said obligacions. 
 1 William, Byshop abovesaid, desyryng the good pees, ease, 
 ind rest of bothe parties afornsaid, theyr successours, scrvantz, 
 men, and tenantz, aftyr divers dayes of examinacion of the 
 said matter of debate, variaunce, contraversiz, and dissention, 
 and good deliberacion hadde, communicacion hadde also there- 
 lpon with wise, sadde, and leerned men in the lawe, the 
 AXI. day of this present moneth of September, the yere of 
 he Beyng of Kyng Herry the Sext XXVII. arbitre, award, 
 trdeign, deem, and decree in forme that followeth, 
 
 “ Burst, consideryng that the saide Abbot be the ryght of 
 iis chyrch is called Lord of the saide ton of Whaplode, and 
 math ther be sufficiaunt graunt, waranth, and autofite, Leet, 
 md also Lay ere and Market in the waast grounde of the said 
 Ton; and that he and his Predecessours have hadde a viewe 
 if Lranc-plcge in the said ton of Whapplode, and have 
 mnished and corrected trespas and offences done withyn the 
 lyegh waye, commonstrete, and waastground within the 
 aid ground of Whapplode, with all manner of wayfes and 
 trayes, and tresoutroue, and other libertes and fraunches 
 i jertenyng to the vyewe of Lranc-plege : the whych possession 
 le and his Predecessours have contynude sythen the tyme of 
 vyng Herry the Thyrde, as it appereth moor pleynly be the 
 ourtrolles maad of the said viewe; and the said Thomas 
 .ord Dacre haath not passyng XII. tenauntes in the said ton : 
 he said Abhot and his, successours shall have and peseble 
 rnjoye all maner of correction and punyshment of all maner of 
 respas and offences done in the said wayes, stretes, and waast 
 ;round, withyn the said ton of Whapplode, with wayfes, 
 trayes, and other libertes and fraunches longyng to the view 
 f Lranc-plege of the said Abbot in the said Ton. Excepte 
 lway, undyr excepted and followyngly juged and decreed 
 into the said Lorde Dacre be this my present award, con- 
 ideryng also that the said Thomas Lord Dacre haath in lyke 
 vyse in his courtes holden at Ilolbech, inquered of trespas and 
 ■ffencee done withyn the hiegh waye, commonstrete, and 
 raast ground of the said ton of Whapplode, and receyved 
 i 'resentments of the same, from the tyme of Kyng Edward the 
 ’hyrde, as it appereth be the courtrollcs made of the viewe 
 mad in his courtz kepte at the said Holbech; and so of rnykell 
 
408 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOET OF CEOTLAND. A.D. l4< 
 
 latter tyme possessed in the behalve; which possession for : 
 mykell is as it semes of less weght and force; I award 1 
 ordeyngne, deem, and decree, that the said Thomas Loi 
 Dacre, his heyres and his successours, shull nowe he h 
 tenaunts imjuere in his courtz holden at Holbeeh of sue 
 trespas and offences done wythyn the hyeghwaye, commoi 
 strete, and waastground, withyn the said ground of Whapj 
 lode, and peseble punysh and correct only his own tenaunt 
 resyeng upon his grounde in the said ton of Whapplodi 1 
 which hold not of the said Abbot of Croyland nor his sucees 1 
 sours beyng for the tyme. And iff the said Abbot or h 
 successours, eny tenaunt, or tenauntz of the said Abbot or h: 
 successours, as of his manyer of Whapplode, or eny oth(‘ 
 resyeng in the said ton, not tenaunt and resyeng of the sai 
 Lord Dacre ground, his heyer or heyeres, withyn the sai 
 ton of Whapplode, be presented in the court or courtz c 
 the Lorde Dacre beyng for the tyme, for any trespas, offence 1 
 or mysprysion done withyn the said ton of Whapplode, o 
 wayes, stretes, or waast ground of the same. Hey the sai' 
 Lord Dacre, his heyer, nor heyeres, theyr officer nor officere 1 
 nor theyr servauntz nor ministers shall in eny wyse execut 
 the said presentment, nor levy eny amerciament nor fyne o 
 the said Abbot, his successours, nor none of the tenantz of tb 
 said Abbot, as of his manyer of Whapplode, or his successours 1 
 or eny other resyeng in the said ton, not tenaunt and resyen; ■* 
 on the said Lord Dacre ground withyn the said ton of Whapp 
 lode, for the said cause. And in semblabele wyse, if the sai< 
 Thomas Lord Dacre or his heyres,' eny tenaunt or tenaunt: 
 of the saide lord or his heyres resyeng upon his ground ii 
 Whapplode, not holdyng of thabbot beyng for the tyme, bi 
 presented in thabbot’s court for eny trespas, offence, or mys 1 
 prysion done withyn the said ton of Whapplode, or waves’ 
 stretes, or waastgrounds of the said ton, that ney the saic 
 Abbot nor his successours, theyr assignes, servauntz nor mi¬ 
 nisters shall execute the said presentments, nor levy enj' 
 amerciament nor fyne of the said Thomas Lord Dacre, hi; 
 heyres, nor noon of his tenauntz resyeng upon his ground ir" 
 Whapplode noght holdyng of thabbot nor his sucessours, foi 
 the said cause. 
 
 “ And whereas the said parties were in variaunce as for the 1 
 dryfft withyn the marysh and common of the said Ton off 
 Whannlode and Holbeeh, I deem, award, and decree, that the 
 
d. 1447 . 
 
 AWARD OF THE BISHOP OF LINCOLN. 
 
 409 
 
 id Thomas Lord Dacre, and his heyres, and the said Abbot 
 id his successours, shall take, occupye, and use theyr said 
 ■yffts withyn the said Marysh of Whapplode and Holbech, 
 such tyme as theym likes; ych of them be such waves 
 ithin his own ton, and in such forme as it haath beene used 
 old tyme, with all maner of profetes, of wayfes, and straycs, 
 d other liberties pertenyng to the said dryffts. Provided al¬ 
 ly, that the said Thomas Lord Dacre, his heyres, nor his 
 ccessours, shall at no tyme of theyr dryfft make theyr com- 
 m wave thorow the said ton of Whapplode, nor noou waye 
 areoff to the manyer of Holbech, but alonly thorowe Holbech 
 oue, and be other wayes of the said Holbech, as it haath 
 :ne used of old tyme, but in cas that the said old wayes may 
 it be used in forme as they haath bene atom tyme, because of 
 rundyng of waters, than the said Thomas Lord Dacre beyng 
 : the tyme, shall be his officers giff warnyng to the said 
 I hot, or to his officers, be reasonable tyme, to forn he enter 
 ith eny such dryffts the ton of Whapplode, or the hyegh 
 (.ye theroff, to the intent that the inhabitantz thereof may 
 ■oeve and avoyd theyr Catell owte of the stretes and hyegh 
 pye theyre pasturyng for the tyme, that they be not chaced 
 r driven forth to theyr hurt, with his said dryffts so to be 
 lade, shall mowe com thorowe the said ton of Whapplode 
 p h his dryfft, noglit clamyng there by eny tytle of ryght 
 iyn or contrarie to this my present award. And where the 
 nl parties were in variaunce as for takynge of toll of the peo- 
 3 and persons comyng to the feyr and market withyn the 
 !il ton of Whapplode, I deem, award, and decree, that the 
 ill Thomas, Lord Dacre, his heyres, nor noon of his officers, 
 il 11 in noo wyse take toll of eny person or persons comyng to 
 tl feyr or market of the said Abbot in the said ton of W r hap- 
 p le. 
 
 ■ ‘ Also, I deem, award, and decree, that ether partie above 
 ill, the Lord Dacre, for him and his heyres, the Abbot for him 
 ii his successours, shall make as suyer to the tother partie all 
 ft is articles to hym thus demede, awardede, and decreed, as I 
 biadvyee and counsell of leerned men lawfully shall con¬ 
 di yse, when and at what tyme ether partie requireth it of 
 et ;r, at the costs and expenses of the partie so requiryng and 
 dcpryng. And that all actions, suytes and plees takyn, meved 
 ai hangyng be ether partie in any Coourt ageyn other, be oc- 
 
410 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYUAND. A.D. 1< , 
 
 casiou or cause of these premisses and matiers above rehers 
 shall utterly cees, be it be discontinuaunce or other waves h 
 full. In wytnesse whereof to this my present award, oi 
 naunce, jugoment, and decree, trypartyte, one parte inden 
 remanyng to the said Thomas Lord Dacre and his heyres ; ; 
 to another parte remanyng anempste the said Abbot and \ 
 successours: and to the thyrde parte rcmanying in Legist 
 of the Byshoprych of Lincoln, I have sette to my seele.” 
 
 About this time king Henry held his parliament at We 
 minster, at which the before-named William Pole was rai 
 from the rank of marquis to that of duke. In consequenci 
 this, his heart was too greatly elated, and became exalted i 
 more and more previously to his downfall; besides which, see 
 that the king was now deprived of his kinsmen of the rc 
 blood and all his friends, so that he could be guided by hiso 
 advice alone, in order that he himself might be enabled the rc 
 easily to explain his mind, he made certain persons of his pa 
 acquainted with his designs, and introduced them to the pru 
 acquaintanceship of the king. These were Master Ayscou 
 bishop of Salisbury, and James Lord Saye, who forbade all ac- 
 whatever to all such as attempted to gain the king's favc 
 or to appear in his presence without their own connivai 
 Being also inflamed with the inextinguishable ardour of cupid 
 they took the king round to each monastery throughout 
 kingdom, and in his name accumulated and carried off nui 
 rous gifts and presents. They also, by means of their imp 
 tunity, obtained from the king, and divided among themsel'l 
 great sums of money out of the tithes of the Church and , 
 tributes of the laity and other subsidies to the king that 
 been paid into the royal treasury. Nor even then was i| 
 dropsical thirst of the gaid traitors allayed, but extending tl. 
 hands to still higher things, with the most presumptu; 
 treachery, for an immense sum of gold they surrendered, J? 
 charter patent of the king, nearly all the king’s cast4 
 towns, and estates, held in the parts beyond sea, and whli 
 had been obtained, not without blood and the plenteous shl- e 
 ding thereof, by the victorious hands of our kings. In a si if 
 lar manner, though the intervention of money, they alknd 
 the duke of Orleans, who had been taken prisoner by kg 
 Heury the Fifth at the battle of Agincourt, and detained! 
 England in safe custody for many years after, to return hue 
 
1450. 
 
 DEATH OF THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK. 
 
 411 
 
 l ie full enjoyment of his liberty. However, the avenging 
 t of God, being desirous to put an end to mischief of this 
 ire, aroused the hearts of all people to take vengeance upon 
 [r detestable crimes ; so that, publicly proclaiming them to 
 > -aitors, they seemed unanimously to concur in their down- 
 1 For the commons of the kingdom, hastily rising in re¬ 
 ion, first laid hands on the bishop of Salisbury, and with- 
 uny further judicial process, slew him, pierced with many 
 cuds. They also slew lord Saye at London, and condemned 
 j to pay the penalty of his treason with the loss of his head, 
 b leader also of all these traitors, the duke of Suffolk, was 
 c ntly tom from the royal presence, and placed in the Tower 
 : ondon for safe custody in the meantime. After this, on 
 Lament being called together, taking all due precautions 
 fast giving offence to the king, they condemned him to per- 
 i al banishment, and appointed a peremptory day for him to 
 K ail for a foreign country. On the arrival of the day that 
 1 been appointed for him to leave England, never again to 
 1m there, he embarked; and, having set sail, supposed that 
 rhould enjoy a prosperous course, and had now escaped all 
 iksands as well as the dangers of Scylla, when, on a 
 ii.en, he fell into Charybdis. For a ship came hastening with 
 Ipeed from an opposite quarter to meet him, and those who 
 13 on board shouted aloud, “ Where is that traitor to 
 eland ? where is the duke of Suffolk ?” On denial being 
 es, they speedily resorted to force, and compelled the others 
 •ag him forth from a dark corner, and deliver him up to 
 m ; upon which, they immediately seized him, and with 
 ’it outcries and cheers on part of the sailors, beheaded him 
 ne prow of the ship : and thus did they put a due but in- 
 cous end to this traitor, although he made every offer for 
 Preservation of his life; but all in vain. 
 
 'iere is nothing so firmly fixed in the human memory, but 
 t; it may fade away in lapse of time ; hence, it is not to be 
 o lered at that, in these days, the metes and boundaries of 
 unarsh of Alderlound, situate on the south-west side of the 
 i and, and lying between the said marsh and the marshes of 
 t bbat of liurgh, and which were formerly marked out with 
 i in crosses and signs, and bear the names of Fyneset, Greynes, 
 
 ) ardstakyng, and Southlake (where the latter stream falls 
 t the Welland), should have now become decayed through 
 
412 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1 I, 
 
 lapse of time and want of due repair; in consequence of wh 
 they only afforded an obscure and confused knowledge of t 
 original purpose. Accordingly, the before-named father, al 
 John, being desirous to restore the said boundaries to t 
 former state, held frequent conferences and interviews with 
 advisers of the said abbat of Burgh, and spared no si 
 amount of expense in order to carry out his intentions, 
 this purpose, with the consent of the parties aforesaid, 
 under the direction of the lord bishop of Lincoln, four i] 
 trious men, learned in the law, were chosen to act indiffere, 
 as arbitrators therein; namely, Henry Grene, Bichard Benj 
 ton, Bobert Sheffield, and Bichard Welby, by whose award 
 decision the abbats and convents aforesaid, by letters pa 
 under the seal of each monastery, agreed to stand and abi 
 giving bonds to that effect to the amount of one thous 
 marks. These arbitrators met twice in the church of S 
 Guthlac at Depyng, attended by a great assemblage of lawy 
 and uselessly protracted the matter for the space of two w< 
 in the exhibition of articles, and in replications thereupon 
 the one side and the other. On another occasion, they 
 assembled in a similar manner at Senglesholt, and spei 
 whole week in discussions and the inspection of evidences, 
 could come to no conclusion, and thus wasted both time 
 money. The said arbitrators, upon seeing that they c< 
 come to no agreement among themselves, were alarmed 
 perhaps smitten with fear, where there was no occasion for f 
 or else, being induced thereto by good feeling, and wishing 
 displease neither party, they did not dare venture to n 
 their award in conformity with the power which had 1 
 entrusted to them ; but, with the view of throwing the wl 
 responsibility of the matter upon the abbats themselves of 
 respective places, they appointed another day, and again 
 at Ibury, a manor of the abbat of Burgh, for the fourth til 
 Here they sent for the reverend priors of both monasteil 
 and then, one of the arbitrators informed them of the mas, 
 upon which they differed, and declared that he and his fellfi 
 arbitrators were unwilling to settle the matter unadvised, 
 without the express consent of them, the said fathers, give in 
 this the cause of their respective churches. Thus did they r® 
 cautiously relieve themselves from the responsibility imp'* 
 upon them, and cunningly throw all the doubts and difficuel 
 
11 - 48 . 
 
 JACK cade’s INSURRECTION. 
 
 413 
 
 a the said fathers, as already stated. Upon this, the be- 
 -mentioned abbats for some time held conferences upon 
 situation and position of the limits aforesaid, but still 
 d not at all agree as to the division of the counties of 
 thampton and Lincoln, so far as concerned themselves. 
 
 : consequence was, that, after giving such large fees, and 
 fir such a vast outlay and expense, they returned sorrow- 
 7, each of them, home, leaving the matter unsettled, and, 
 leir great shame, in a worse position than it had been 
 [re. 
 
 i this year, also, being the year from the Incarnation of 
 Lord, 1448, upon Saint George’s night, 90 towards day- 
 
 ik, there happened a violent and terrible earthquake, re¬ 
 nting which, some teachers, remarkable for their knowledge, 
 icly prophesied that it was a prognostic of sinister events. 
 :were they deceived in this presage. For, in the following 
 iner, there was an extensive rising of the commons through- 
 yearly all England, and a most dreadful commotion. But 
 E/.ommon people of Kent, who had become quite used to at- 
 ]its at change, showedmuch greater violence than all therest. 
 i: having first appointed over them a captain and leader, 91 
 e encamped upon the plain of Blackheath, and, in warlike 
 }j, fortified their position with pitfalls and embankments, 
 ditakes driven into the ground. After this, presuming to 
 i! still further rash attempts, they assaulted the citizens 
 t London Bridge, and, by force, entered the city; upon 
 ih, their said captain became elated to a pitch of extreme 
 ly, and being honored by the frantic mob as though he 
 [been a king, fancied that there was no one to resist him, 
 chat he was at liberty to do just as he pleased ; and, ac- 
 riugly, dragged the prisoners forth from the Tower, and, 
 la prompting of the clamorous multitude, had them be¬ 
 ad, without any form of trial whatever. Besides this, 
 rag his hand to rapine, and attended by a band of his sa¬ 
 l's, he stripped one of the richest citizens to his utmost 
 t ng, and plundered him of the whole of his property 
 d oods; upon which, the rest of his fellow-citizens were 
 tiy apprehensive for themselves, and, conjecturing for cer- 
 
 ii hat he would be guilty of the like conduct towards them, 
 
 X ily collected troops of armed men from every quarter, and 
 
 90 April twenty-third. 91 Jack Cade. 
 
414 CONTINUATION OF THE niSTORT OF CROTLAND. A.D. 1 !.. 
 
 manfully drove him out of the city. After the lapse i| 
 short space of time he was caught, and, in conformity with 
 laws of the realm, was condemned to be beheaded and qi 
 tered as a traitor; and thus did he unhappily terminate 
 unhappy existence. 
 
 But now we think it right to hand down to remembance, 
 to bring before the notice of posterity, one circumstance t 
 relates to this monastery, in case a repetition should take pi 
 of the like circumstances, and a similar attempt be mad< 
 future times. In the vill of Baston, besides the church wl 
 he holds as impropriator thereof, the abbat of Croyland h 
 the principal manor, and claims the demesne in chief in the 
 aforesaid, as of right, together with market and fair, w 
 and warren therein; and from a time to which the memor 
 man runneth not to the contrary, has held peaceful posses 
 thereof. Lately, however, a certain Esquire, John WIthan 
 name, who, by hereditary right, holds in the same a cer 
 part of a knight’s fee, which formerly belonged to Simon L 
 by, and afterwards to John Bussy, being induced by the H 
 vice of some foolish people, and presuming much and prete 
 ing still more, asserted that he himself was lord of the w i 
 vill; and this he attempted, contrary to all justice, in eveiy' 
 to the best of his ability to maintain. Accordingly, insole 
 usurping those liberties which only belong to the princ 
 demesne lord, he proceeded to make attachments in the com: 
 waste, to drive and impound cattle that strayed, to cut will 
 growing on the waste, and to commit many other enormi 
 to the prejudice of the church of Croyland. Besides this 
 went so far as to enclose the land of the aforesaid abbat; 
 for many years withheld from our monastery the due 
 which had been paid to it from ancient times, of two poc 
 of white incense, for the land which the said John held 
 which is known as Boycote-green. A chapel, also, which i 
 been built in former times upon the waste of the said villi 
 leave of the abbat of Croyland, for the convenience of vl 
 farers, and the benefit of the tenants, because there was not q 
 access to the parish church thereof, it being situate at a q 
 siderable distance, he asserted to be his own separate estate, i 
 cordingiy, in this same chapel, which had long ago been e 
 secrated, he held his courts secular, and, for the purpose! 
 profaning the place, with sacrilegious lips ordered a stabll 
 
i . 1450. 
 
 DEGRADATION OF JOHN WITIIAM. 
 
 415 
 
 ) made therein, for his horses; and then, besides, a thing 
 ire indecent still, encouraging the others who were with him 
 (do the same, he irreverently made water against the walls 
 Ireof; and thus did he, so far as in him lay, disgrace the 
 i .se of the Lord. Upon this, the before-named venerable 
 ster, abbat John, used his utmost exertions to check rash 
 i presumptuous conduct of this nature, and proceeded to 
 Biss him by actively impleading and prosecuting him, in the 
 crts both of the realm and of the church; so much so, that 
 trrly all his substance was exhausted, and he was unable any 
 )^er to support his household ; in consequence of which, he 
 r obliged to frequent the houses of his neighbours, and to 
 i: up any kind of daily subsistence among them that he 
 eld. And thus, by disregarding the advice of those who 
 pe well-advised, he became so greatly disgraced, to the sor- 
 c of his enemies even, as to be the laughing-stock of fortune 
 ivery way. At last, however, the pressure of distress and 
 cation affording him the means of understanding aright, he 
 Be to himself again ; and, being sensible of the disgraceful 
 tire of his errors, he came into the presence of the venerable 
 lor before-named, and suppliantly implored his favour; that 
 istrious man, Uichard Benyngton, by whose advice he had 
 ci frequently warned and exhorted with healthful counsel, 
 rnpting him thereto. Here, by deed indented and sealed 
 6i his own seal, he confessed himself guilty in all the mat- 
 1 aforesaid, and, on behalf of himself and his heirs, de¬ 
 led that he would thenceforth tor ever cease to make any 
 n claims for the future, or be guilty of the like attempts, 
 [also declared, that he held the said land of Boycote-green 
 f he abbat of Croyland, and publicly acknowledged that he 
 R bound to pay him yearly two pounds of white incense, in 
 e of all services for the said land. After doing this, he re¬ 
 lied home, and thenceforth passed his life in poverty, while 
 Bhad formerly held an honorable position, but had failed 
 I taow himself. 
 
 Mat now, it ought to be briefly stated under what circum- 
 Bies the said chapel had been formely dedicated by leave of 
 K aid lord abbat John. In the said chapel, by the devoutness 
 fie faithful living in the vicinity, a certain guild or frater- 
 it had been recently established in honor of the Mother of 
 c a fail - endowment having been made for the sustenance 
 
41.6 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 A.D. 141 
 
 of the priests thereof. The brethren and sisters of this < i 
 tablishment considered it an object especially desirable tl 
 the said chapel should obtain the benefit of consecration; up 
 which, their alderman, attended by the elders of the said £ 4 
 ternity, came to Croyland, and with devout entreaties supp 1 
 cated the most honorable father, abbat John so often nam< 
 that he would deign to grant their desires and give full p , 
 mission and his consent as lord of the demesne. He howev ■ 
 being always a man of remarkable prudence and most cautic 
 in what he did, first considered the whole circumstances of t 
 case, and took every precaution that the matter might not,; s 
 a future time, redound to the detriment of the parish chui 
 of the place; after doing which, he very willingly condescend. 1 
 to assent to their pious prayers. This fact too, ought to i 
 added, and not passed by in silence, that master Richard Dy 
 Ion, the then president of the consistory court of Lincoln, i i 
 man most deservedly venerated, granted his letters testimon. 
 of the dedication of the before-named chapel, and of the gra-^ 
 ing of the said licence thereto. The following lines will mo 
 fully explain the tenor thereof: 
 
 “To all sons of holy Mother Church, to whose knowleoi 
 these present letters testimonial shall come, Richard Dykl< J 
 Licentiate in law, president of the consistory court of Linco.i 
 health in the Saviour of all. Whereas it is pious and mc-J 
 torious, and consistent with equity, there in especial to g i 
 testimony to the truth, where any circumstance may possil'l 
 become matter of doubt with reference to the dedication L 
 any place devoted to the Divine worship; we do, by the tei 1 1 
 of these presents, signify unto the whole of you that a certi r 
 chapel was built in ancient times in honor of Saint John ) 
 Evangelist, in the vill of Baston in the diocese of Linco® 
 leave being first obtained of the religious men the abbat 
 convent of Croyland of the order of Saint Benedict; inasmu 
 as the demesne therein belonged to them, upon whose land ) 
 said chapel is known to have been built. And because M 
 before-named chapel has been of late well and sufficiently * 
 dowed to support for ever two chaplains at the least to p- 
 form Divine service in a certain chapel there built in honoi f 
 the Nativity of the blessed Mary, and annexed to the befc-s 
 named chapel of Saint John the Evangelist; the aldermaifi 
 a certain guild or fraternity there established in honor of e 
 
.n. 1153. 
 
 BALTHASAR PERSECUTES THE CHRISTIANS. 
 
 417 
 
 lativity of the blessed Mary, together with his brethren, has 
 ddressed manifold prayers to the reverend father and lord in 
 'hrist, John lord abbat of Croyland aforesaid, and his convent, 
 ntreating that they would deign to give their leave and 
 onsent that the before-named chapel might be dedicated in 
 onor of Saint John the Evangelist; as the same would not, 
 i all likelihood, redound to their prejudice or grievance, but 
 lat rather in future times great emolument and advantage 
 ould accrue to their vicar therefrom. At length, the leave 
 ? the said lord abbat and convent having been obtained, at 
 le instance of the alderman of the said guild or fraternity 
 lith his brethren, Master Thomas Balscote, Doctor of laws, 
 ell and sufficiently deputed to act as suffragan of the reverend 
 ther and lord in Christ, John, by Divine permission, lord arch¬ 
 shop of Canterbury, the episcopal see of Lincoln being then 
 icant, having first, in virtue of the authority so entrusted to 
 m, seen the endowment of the said chapel, has dedicated the 
 id chapel in honor of Saint John the Evangelist on the fif- 
 anth day of the month of September in the year of our Lord 
 51; and has also ordered that from thenceforth the day of 
 le dedication of the said chapel shall be celebrated each year 
 i the feast of Saint Anne the mother of the Virgin Mary, 
 j testimony whereof we have to these presents set the seal of 
 <r office. Given at Baston on the day and in the year of our 
 3rd above-mentioned.” 
 
 •After these times, about the year of the Word made Incar- 
 lte, 1453, the great chieftain of the Turks, Balthasar, 92 also 
 tied Mahomet, that enemy to the Cross of Christ, just like a 
 lsh Antiochus raised up against the Jewish people, and sur- 
 BUnded by forces innumerable of Saracens and Agarenes, 93 be- 
 £ i, most tyrannically, to lay waste the borders of the Chris¬ 
 tus. By the Divine permission he wreaked his vengeance to 
 s h a degree in persecuting the faithful ones of Christ, as even 
 t attack Constantinople, that famous and celebrated city of 
 (ristendom ; and after having slaughtered the worshippers of 
 t true faith, rendered it subject to his own barbarous laws. 
 1 also ordered the emperor of the Greeks to be beheaded, 
 a l his head to be fixed on a lance, and carried through the 
 n 1st of the camp. No one can possibly recount the nobles, 
 
 Known as Bajazet. 
 
 A common name of the Saracens among the mediaeval writers. 
 
 E E 
 
418 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLANB. A.D. 1453. 
 
 no one the priests, that were hurried off to slaughter; nor yef 
 the numbers, both old and young, that were most inhumanlj 
 murdered iu the streets. On every side was to be seen tht 
 gore of the slain, on every side were heard the groans of th( 
 dying. No regard was shown to maidens, no respect t( 
 matrons. The temple, too, of Saint Sophia, the work o 
 Justinian, and famed throughout the whole world, wai 
 reserved to be the scene of the abominations of Mahomet 
 while the other holy places were either levelled to the grounc 
 or defiled, the altars overthrown or beaten to pieces, and thi 
 images of the Saints defaced or polluted with mud. No statui 
 was there of Christ our Saviour, nor yet of His gloriou 
 Mother, that was permitted to escape without some singula 
 mark of disgrace. The very image of Him crucified was, h 
 derision, borne through the camp, disfigured with stones am 
 the mud of their feet, and at last left iu the dirt. Woe unt 
 us Christians, in that we have sinned ! Why, Lord, were w 
 horn thus to behold the desolation of our people, and, with tear 
 ful eyes, to witness the disasters of our holy Religion ? Thos 
 patriarchal sees, most worthy of all veneration, of Constanti 
 nople, of Antioch, of Alexandria, and of Jerusalem, are op 
 pressed by the yoke of slavery, and are held either by th 
 Saracens or by the Turks: as though iu a corner of the glob 
 is Christianity pent up! Thus much for the present; be 
 more of these matters hereafter. 
 
 In these recent times sprang up between our lord, kin 
 Henry the Sixth and Richard, the most illustrious duke <, 
 York, those dissensions, never sufficiently to be regretted, an 
 never henceforth to be allayed : dissensions indeed, whit- 
 were only to he atoned for by the deaths of nearly all tl 
 nobles of the realm. For there were certain persons enjoyir./ 
 the royal intimacy, who were rivals of the said duke, and wt 
 brought serious accusations against him of treason, and mat 
 him to stink in the king's nostrils even unto the death; : 
 they insisted that he was endeavouring to gain the kin; 
 dom into his own hands, and was planning how to secure tl 
 sceptre of the realm for himself and his successors. For th 
 reason he was often summoned by threatening letters to a 
 pear in the royal presence, and was as often prevented by 1 
 rivals, as he was never allowed to gain admission to tl 
 royal presence, nor yet so much as to gain a sight of the kin 
 
a.d. 14G0. 
 
 INTESTINE WAK IN ENGLAND. 
 
 419 
 
 At last, a solemn oath was demanded of him upon the sacrament 
 it the altar, to the effect that, so long as he should live he would 
 lever aspire to the rule of the kingdom, nor in any way attempt 
 to usurp the same. Without any further delay, he wasforbid- 
 len all intercourse with his adherents, and was most strictly 
 )rdered not to presume publicly to go beyond his own es¬ 
 tates, or to pass the boundaries of his castles. Upon this, 
 nany of the nobles of the realm, who held the said duke in 
 ome degree of honor, took it very much to heart that injuries 
 to monstrous and so great should be inflicted upon an innocent 
 nan: nay more, for want of free breathing, they were unable to 
 iear this state of things any longer, but determined to watch 
 or an opportunity to inflict due vengeance for their malice 
 tpon their malignant rivals; in case they could tind any means 
 f removing them from the side of the king, in whose pre- 
 ence they were in continual attendance. 
 
 In the meantime, you might plainly perceive public and 
 itestine broils fermenting among the princes and nobles of the 
 salm, so much so, that in the words of the Gospel, 95 “ Brother 
 ras divided against brother and father against fatherone 
 arty adhering to the king, while the other, being attached to 
 le said duke by blood or by ties of duty, sided with him. 
 nd not only among princes and people had such a spirit of 
 mtention arisen, but even in every society, whether chapter, 
 dlege, or convent, had this unhappy plague of division ett'ect- 
 1 an entrance; so much so, that brother could hardly with 
 iy degree of security admit brother into his confidence, or 
 iend a friend, nor could any one reveal the secrets of his con- 
 ience without giving offence. The consequence was, that, 
 om and after this period of time, the combatants on both 
 les, uniting their respective forces together, attacked each 
 her whenever they happened to meet, and, quite in accordance 
 ith the doubtful issue of warfare, now the one and now the 
 her, for the moment gained the victory, while fortune was 
 ntinually shifting her position. In the meantime, however, 
 e slaughter of men was immense; for besides the dukes, 
 
 ■ rls, barons, and distinguished warriors who were cruelly 
 uin, multitudes almost innumerable of the common people 
 '?d of their wounds. Such was the state of the kingdom for 
 ai'ly ten years. 
 
 95 Alluding to St. Matt. x. 21, and St. Mark xiii. 12. 
 
 E E 2 
 
420 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROTLAND. A.D. 1400. 
 
 While, however, this whirlwind and tempest was still im- I 
 pending, in order that he might, for a short time, avoid th< i 
 force of the coming storm, king Henry, being inspired bj 
 feelings of devotion, came to Croyland, in order to present hi; 
 humble offerings at the tomb of our holy father Guthlac; this 
 was during the season of Lent, in the year from the Incama 
 tion of our Lord, 1460. Here he stayed, in the full enjoy¬ 
 ment of tranquillity, three days and as many nights, taking tin 
 greatest pleasure in the observance of his religious duties, anc 
 most urgently praying that he might be admitted into th( 
 brotherhood of our monastery; a request which was accordingly 
 complied with. Shortly after, being desirous to present us wit! 
 a due return, of his royal liberality he graciously granted anc 
 confirmed unto us the liberties of the whole vill of Croyland 
 to the end that its inhabitants might be rendered exempt fron 
 all demands on part of the servants and tax-gatherers of the 
 king. Of this grant we think it not amiss here to set forth the 
 tenor and form. 
 
 “ Henry, by the grace of God, king of England and France 
 and lord of Ireland, to all to whom these present letters shal 
 come, greeting. Know ye that we have, of our own free wil 
 and certain knowledge, and out of reverence for the blesseci 
 and glorious Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Saint Bartholo 
 mew, and Saint Guthlac, in honor of whom the monastery o 
 Croyland is founded, granted unto John Lytlington, abbat o 
 the before-named monastery and the monks of the same place 
 and their successors, that they shall henceforth for ever have 
 all fines for all kinds of transgressions, offences, misprisions - 
 negligences, ignorances, falsifications, contempts, deceits, con¬ 
 cealments, and all other kinds of lapses whatsoever, and al 
 amercements, ransoms, payments and penalties incurred or t< 
 be incurred, by themselves and all men, tenants, and resi 
 dents whatsoever in the vill of Croyland in the county of Lin¬ 
 coln, in all Courts whatsoever of ourselves and our heirs, t< J 
 be adjudged against them, the said men, tenants and resi 
 dents, as well before ourselves and our heirs as before oui 
 barons of the Exchequer and those of our heirs, and before oui 
 justices of the Common Pleas and those of our heirs; as alsc 
 before our seneschal, marshal, and clerk of the market of oui 
 house and those of our heirs, and before the justices at the as¬ 
 sizes to be held in the county aforesaid * * * * 
 
 or to be taken or assigned; and before the justices in eyre here- ' 
 
A.D. I1G0. THE DUKE OF YOKE SLATE AT WAKEFIELD. 
 
 421 
 
 after to be assigned to hold pleas of the crown, common pleas, 
 and pleas of the forest; and before the justices for gaol de¬ 
 livery, and for hearing and determining upon felonies, offences, 
 and other misdeeds, to be assigned; and before all other the 
 justices and ministers whatsoever of ourselves and our heirs, 
 whose duty it shall be to exact fines and amercements, and to 
 levy forfeitures and penalties. And that the said abbat and 
 monks, and tlicir successors shall be at liberty, themselves or 
 by their bailiffs or servants, to levy, receive, and take the said 
 tines, amercements, ransoms, payments and penalties, so due from 
 themselves, the men, tenants, and persons there residing, with¬ 
 out let or hindrance on part of ourselves or our heirs, as freely 
 and fully as we ourselves should have been enabled to levy, 
 receive and take the same, if we had not granted them unto 
 the before-named abbat and monks, and their successors. We 
 have moreover granted unto the before-named abbat and monks 
 and their successors that they shall for ever have return of 
 our writs, precepts, mandates, and bills of all kinds what¬ 
 soever, and execution of the same, by their own bailiff within 
 the vill aforesaid, so far as concerns ourselves or our heirs, or 
 lie said abbat and monks or their successors; so that no Sheriff, 
 Escheator, Coroner, Feudary, 96 Bailiff, or any other officer or 
 servant whatsoever, of us, or of our heirs, shall in any way 
 ntermeddlo with any return of writs of this kind, or with the 
 :xecution thereof, or shall under such pretence enter the said 
 dll in any manner whatsoever, under pain of our heavy dis¬ 
 pleasure. Witness, &c.” 
 
 After the conclusion of these matters, towards the close of 
 he same year, it being the week of our Lord’s Nativity, the 
 aid Richard, duke of York, incautiously engaged the northern 
 , ..rmy at Wakefield which was fighting for the king, without 
 suiting to bring up the whole of his own forces; upon which, 
 i charge was made by the enemy on his men, and he was 
 dthout any mercy or respect relentlessly slain. There fell 
 dth him at the same place many noble and illustrious men; 
 nd countless numbers of the common people, who had followed 
 im, met their deaths there, and all to no purpose. 
 
 The duke being thus removed from this world, the north- 
 icn, being sensible that the only impediment was now with- 
 
 96 An officer of the court of wards, whose duty it was to be present 
 ith the escheator, at the survey of the lands of the king’s wards. 
 
422 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOBY OF CEOTLAND. A.D. 1461. 
 
 drawn, and that there was no one now who would care to 
 resist their inroads, again swept onwards like a whirlwind 
 from the north, and in the impulse of their fury attempted to 
 overrun the whole of England. At this period too, fancying 
 that every thing tended to insure them freedom from molesta¬ 
 tion, paupers and beggars flocked forth from those quarters in 
 infinite numbers, just like so many mice rushing forth from 
 their holes, and universally devoted themselves to spoil and t 
 rapine, without regard of place or person. For, besides the 
 vast quantities of property which they collected outside, they 
 also irreverently rushed, in their unbridled and frantic rage, $ 
 into churches and the other sanctuaries of God, and most ne- i 
 furiously plundered them of their chalices, books, and vest¬ 
 ments, and, unutterable crime ! broke open the pixes in 
 which were kept the body of Christ and shook out the sacred 
 elements therefrom. When the priests and the other faithful 
 of Christ in any way offered to make resistance, like so many 
 abandoned wretches as they were, they cruelly slaughtered 
 them in the very churches or church yards. Thus did they 
 proceed with impunity, spreading in vast multitudes over a 
 space of thirty miles in breadth, and, covering the whole surface j 
 of the earth just like so many locusts, made their way almost i 
 to the very walls of London; all the moveables which they 
 could possibly collect in every quarter being placed on beasts 
 of burden and carried off. With such avidity for spoil did 
 they press on, that they dug up the precious vessels, which, 
 through fear of them, had been concealed in the earth, and 
 with threats of death compelled the people to produce the ( 
 treasures which they had hidden in remote and obscure spots. 
 
 What do you suppose must have been our fears dwelling here 
 in this island, when every day rumours of this sad nature were 
 reaching our ears, and we were in the utmost dread that we 
 should have to experience similar hardships to those which had 
 been inflicted by them upon our neighbours ? This fact too, in 
 especial gave us additional grounds for apprehension, that num¬ 
 bers of persons who lived in the country, being desirous to 
 provide for the safety of themselves and their sacred things, 
 had fled with the utmost speed to this island, as their sole 
 place of refuge. The consequence was, that, by bringing 
 with them whatever treasures they considered of especial value, 
 they rendered the place a still greater object of suspicion tc 
 
A.D. 11G1. 
 
 CRITICAL STATK OF CROTLAND. 
 
 423 
 
 the enemy. In the meantime our precious vestments were 
 put out of the way, while our jewels, and silver vessels, to¬ 
 gether with our charters and muniments, were, all of them, 
 hidden and secured within the walls. Besides this, daily 
 processions were formed in the convent, and every night, after 
 matin lauds, prayers and tears were most devoutly poured forth 
 in a spirit of humility and with a contrite heart, at the tomb of 
 Guthlac our most holy father and protector, in order through 
 iris intervention to obtain the Divine mercy. In the mean¬ 
 time, at each gate of the monastery, and in the vill adjoining, 
 loth at the rivers as well as on dry land watch was conti- 
 lually kept; and all the waters of the streams and weirs 
 hat surrounded the vill, by means of which a passage might 
 )y any possibility be made, were rendered impassable by 
 takes and palisades of exceeding strength ; so much so, that 
 hose within could on no account go forth without leave first 
 pven, nor yet could those without in any way effect an en- 
 rance. Our causeways also and dykes, along which there 
 s a wide and even road for foot passengers, were covered 
 rith obstacles, and trees, spread along them and laid across, 
 aused no small impediment to those who approached in 
 n opposite direction. For really we were in straights, when 
 Ford came to us that this army, so execrable and so abominable, 
 ad approached to within six miles of our boundaries. But 
 lessed be God, who did not give us for a prey unto their 
 3eth! For, after the adjoining counties had been given 
 p to dreadful pillage and spoil, (that we may here confess 
 ! ie praises of God, in that at the time of His mercy, He re- 
 arded the prayers of the contrite, and in His clemency deter- 
 dned to save us from the yoke of this calamity) our Croyland 
 : fecame as though another little Zoar, 97 in which we might 
 3 saved; and, by the Divine grace and clemency, it was pro- 
 irved. 
 
 Wherefore, the Lord of Mercy, who, our sins so requiring it, 
 ith oftentimes permitted the wickedness of the unrighteous 
 prevail, to minister to our punishment, being desirous to put 
 i end to evils of so disastrous a nature, raised up for us a de¬ 
 ader in Edward, the illustrious earl of March, eldest son of the 
 ■fore-named noble duke of York, lately deceased. He, being 
 iw in his one-and-twentieth year, had remained in Wales 
 97 Alluding to Gen. xix. 23. 
 
424 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOUT OF CKOYLAND. A.D. 14G1 
 
 ever since the time when his father had met his death. H 
 was now in the dower of his age, tall of stature, elegant ii | 
 person, of unblemished character, 98 valiant in arms, and a linea 
 descendant of the illustrious line of king Edward the Thirt , 
 For his father was great-great-grandson of the most illustriou 
 Lionel, duke of Clarence, third son of the before-named kin, 
 Edward, and cousin in the fourth degree to the most illustriou 
 prince, Richard the Second, the late king of England; whc 
 on the accession of king Henry the Fourth, had been forced t 
 resign the crown of this kingdom. Accordingly, the noble 
 of the realm, and all the people who inhabited the midlan 
 counties of England, as well as those who were situate in th 
 eastern and western parts thereof, or in any way borderei 
 upon the midland districts, seeing that they were despised an. 
 abandoned by king Henry, who, at the instigation of the queen 
 had betaken himself to the north, utterly forsook him, afte , 
 he had completed a reign of thirty-nine years; and thei 
 hearts were now no longer with him, nor would they an; 
 longer admit of his being lung. Besides, in consequence of . 
 malady that had been for many years increasing upon him, h 
 had fallen into a weak state of mind, and had for a length '0 
 time remained in a state of imbecility and held the govern 
 ment of the realm in name only. Upon this, the nobles am 
 people immediately sent special messengers into Wales to th 
 before-named earl of March, in whom they could place entir 
 confidence, to disclose to him the wishes of the people, am 
 request him, with earnest entreaties, to hasten into England t 
 their speedy succour, as further delay only seemed to increas. I 
 their perils. 
 
 Accordingly, in the year of our Lord, 1461, at the begin 
 ning of March, the before-named earl of March arrived in Eng i 
 land, haring enjoyed a prosperous voyage, the west wim 1 
 favouring his passage. Here he was immediately received witl 
 unbounded joy by the clergy and all the people, and especially t 
 by the citizens of London; and, after a short time, Parlia 
 ment being assembled, amid the acclamations of all he wa 
 made king of England. However, he would not at presen 
 allow himself to be crowned, but immediately, like unt 
 
 98 This would appear to be rather too favourable a character for Ed 
 ward the Fourth at any time of his life. The chronicler’s partiality proba 
 bly limited his powers of discernment. 
 
..D. 14G1. 
 
 DEFEAT OF THE NOKTHMEX. 
 
 425 
 
 Gideon or another of the judges," acting faithfully in the 
 Lord, girded himself with the sword of battle; and prosper¬ 
 ously hastened his steps, being met by bands of warriors innu¬ 
 merable, to avenge the injuries of the Church and the realm. 
 For, as we have already stated, he was then of vigorous age, 
 and well fitted to endure the conflict of battle, while, at the 
 same time, he was fully equal to the management of the affairs 
 ■of the state. 
 
 The wretched northmen, upon hearing of this, turned their 
 backs before the face of the pursuer, and, hastening their 
 flight, in their alarm were compelled, much against their will, 
 to leave behind them the booty which they had collected in 
 various places, and had been bent upon carrying with them 
 on their return. Upon this, he pursued them as far as a 
 level spot of ground, situate near the castle of Pomfret and the 
 bridge at Ferrybridge, and washed by a stream of considerable 
 size; where he found an army drawn up in order of battle, 
 composed of the remnants of the northern troops of king 
 Ilenry. They, accordingly, engaged in a most severe conflict, 1 
 and fighting hand to hand with sword and spear, there was no 
 small slaughter on either side. However, by the mercy of the 
 Divine clemency, king Edward soon experienced the favour of 
 heaven, and, gaining the wished-for victory over his enemies, 
 compelled them either to submit to be slain or to take to flight. 
 For, their ranks being now broken and scattered in flight, the 
 king’s army eagerly pursued them, and cutting down the fugi¬ 
 tives with their swords, just like so many sheep for the slaugh¬ 
 ter, made immense havoc among them for a distance of ten 
 miles, as far as the city of York. Prince Edward, however, 
 with a part of his men, as conqueror, remained upon the field 
 )f battle, and awaited the rest of his army, which had gone 
 n various directions in pursuit of the enemy. 
 
 When the solemnities of the Lord’s day, which is known as 
 Palm Sunday, were now close at hand, after distributing re¬ 
 gards among such as brought the bodies of the slain and gave 
 hem burial, the king hastened to enter the before-named city. 
 Chose who helped to inter the bodies, piled up in pits and in 
 renches prepared for the purpose, bear witness that eight-and- 
 hirty thousand warriors fell on that day, besides those who 
 vere drowned in the river before alluded to, whose numbers 
 99 Of Israel. 1 He alludes to the battle of Towtou. 
 
426 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THU HTSTOBT OF CBOTLAND. A.D. 146' 
 
 we have no means of ascertaining. The blood, too, of tl 
 slain, mingling with the snow which at this time covered tl 
 whole surface of the earth, afterwards ran down in the ftu 
 rows and ditches along with the melted snow, in a most shoekiu 
 manner, for a distance of two or three miles. 
 
 Just at the same period of time, king Henry fled, togethf 
 with a few of his followers, into Scotland, in which countn 
 and in the castles bordering thereon, he lay concealed, i 
 great tribulation, during the four following years. Quee 
 Margaret, however, with her son Edward, whom she had born 
 to the before -named king Henry, took to flight to the parts be 
 yond sea, not to return very speedily. 
 
 King Edward, after the festivities of Easter, which he cell 
 brated with great splendour at York, having placed garrison 
 throughout the whole country in whom he could fully relj 
 returned, as conqueror, to London. Here he immediatel 
 assembled the Parliament, and was crowned at Westminste 
 by the venerable father Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury 
 and solemnly graced with the diadem of sovereignty. I 
 this Parliament it was enacted that whatever had been grante 
 or obtained in the times of the three kings immediately preced 
 ing, that is to say, in the times of Henry the Fourth, Henry th 
 Fifth, and Henry the Sixth, was of no validity whatever, bu 
 that the same was to be entirely cancelled and annulled. Be 
 sides this, the coin, both of gold and silver, was in a simila 
 manner changed and re-coined, in order that the name c 
 Henry, which was inscribed thereon, might be utterly oblite 
 rated. The consequence was, that, among the other thing 
 revoked by this enactment, the charter of vacation of ou 
 abbey, which had been obtained in the time of king Henry th 
 Fifth by the venerable father abbat Thomas Overton, of piou 
 memory, as well as the charter which had been lately grantei 
 us by king Henry the Sixth, conferring certain privileges am 
 liberties in the vill of Croyland, were pronounced to b 
 utterly devoid of all validity. In these days, however, th 
 kingdom enjoyed peace, and all people returned thanks b I 
 Almighty God for the triumph granted them by heaven ove ! 
 their enemies. 
 
 In the following year, that most abominable chieftain of th« 
 Turks, (of whom we have 1 previously made mention, whei f 
 speaking of the destruction of the city of Constantinople) 1 1 
 1 P. 417. 
 
\.d. 1463. 
 
 THE TUBES PEKSECUTE THE CHPJSTIANS. 
 
 427 
 
 ifter having subjected to his rule nearly the whole of the 
 Eastern Church, namely, Jerusalem and Asia, Libya and Greece, 
 vith a very great part of Europe, was not contented therewith, 
 )ut incessantly slaughtered the Christians, by reason of his in¬ 
 itiate desire of rule. Besides this, he even went so far as to 
 send threatening letters to our most holy father pope Pius; in 
 vhich he declared that he was about, with all speed, to wrest 
 he Roman Church as well, the mother and mistress of all the 
 aithful, from the Christians, and to subject her to his rule; and 
 n so doing, would use his utmost endeavours to found a new 
 nonarchy, and render the whole world subject to the sole 
 anpire of the Turks, and, dreadful to relate ! to the religion 
 if Mahomet alone. The Apostolic man before-named, being 
 listurbed and greatly moved at these ill-boding warnings, was 
 fflicted and distressed thereby, and could not be quieted in 
 aind until he had provided a sufficient and opportune remedy 
 gainst a calamity of this kind, and had ensured the preser- 
 ation of Christianity and the protection of the sheep-fold of 
 ur Lord against these ravening wolves. For this purpose, he 
 proclaimed a general council at Mantua, where, in a mournful 
 arrative, he disclosed to the Christian believers the wounds 
 diieh the Church had received, and those which she seemed 
 hortly about to receive : after which, by means of legates a 
 itere, he summoned the princes of the earth to come to the 
 id of the Christian people. But alas! shocking to relate, these 
 ; Ifords had no weight; his endeavours were in vain, and his 
 ibours were to no purpose; for each of them at once, pursu- 
 ag the object of his own desires, passed by the voice of the 
 hepherd with a deaf ear, and heeded it not. 
 
 Then, as a last resource, he sent letters full of lamentations 
 ) all the kings and princes of the kingdoms of the East, as well 
 3 to the prelates of the churches; in which he severely re- 
 .roached them for their slothfulness and their desertion of the 
 mse of Christ, and warned them that, by withdrawing that 
 id which was its due, they were allowing the bark of the 
 hurch to founder in the moment of its necessity, attended 
 ’ith such anxious fears. Besides this, in order that he might 
 rause and move the torpid hearts of Christians to still greater 
 rdourin affording succour, the supreme Pontiff himself, using all 
 ossible exertions, and being ready to devote his own existence 
 i behalf of the Lord’s flock, followed in the footsteps of the 
 
428 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOUT OF CBOYLAND. A.D. 146 ; 
 
 good Shepherd and the Best of teachers, and declared that h 
 would give his own life for the sheep of Christ. Accordingl} 
 though a weak and ailing old man, finding that he could in n t 
 other way promote the interests of the faith, and by no othe I 
 means arouse the minds of Christians to the defence of th 
 Divine law, he took his departure from his see, with the fu 
 intention of confirming his wavering brethren by his own ex 
 ample. Directing his steps towards Ancona, he hastened t 
 embark at that port, and, with a fleet, which, in the meantime 
 he had been enabled to equip at the joint expense of himsel 
 and some others, to enter the Adriatic Sea; nor did he hesitat 
 in the least boldly to proceed straight against the enemies c 
 the faith, and to engage with them at sea. But he embarke 
 in order to fight, like Moses, not by means of arms, but wit < 
 prayers; and that, blessing our warriors, he might be enable 
 to shield them by his continual entreaties in their behalf, am 
 at the same time, might fulminate his maledictions against ou I 
 adversaries. There also attended him many venerable cardi 
 nals and bishops of the Roman Church, who feeling themselve 
 sufficiently strong to do so, had voluntarily offered theirservices 
 as well as many other clerks and priests of lower rank, whos 
 intention it was, not only to pray, but, when necessity de 
 manded it, to fight manfully. They also led forth with ther 
 to battle experienced and stout bodies of troops, and youth 
 with brave hearts, who had been levied from the lands of th 
 Church; the standard of our Lord’s Cross being raised on high I 
 and the most holy body of Christ preceding them. 
 
 Attended by his naval forces, Philip, duke of Burgundy, ;'i 
 prince beloved by God, made all due preparations, accordin'' 
 to his promise, to go and meet them : but being overtaken oi 
 the road by a severe illness, he prompti}’ transferred the whol 
 responsibility to his illustrious son Charles, and ordered hin 
 successfully to carry out all the preparations which he ha* 
 begun to make for the expedition ; while at the same time, h 1 
 placed under his command a chosen body of knights, as wel 
 as an army of considerable strength. Then besides, the grea j 
 fleet of Christophorus Maurus, the renowned duke of the Ye : 
 netians, a most formidable object to the enemy, did not fail h > 
 make its appearance, according to appointment; in order that 
 by the favour of the most High, it might ensure success in th j 
 warfare by sea. On the other hand, by land, the Hungarian ti 
 
,.d. 14C3. 
 
 INFIRMITIES OF ABBAT JOHN. 
 
 429 
 
 speedily came to the rescue, with their illustrious king Matthias, 
 t race of men of undaunted bravery in warfare, and who had 
 iftentimes learned to conquer the Turks. Our lord the pope 
 iowever, after staying a short time at Ancona, awaiting the 
 roops who were there to meet him, was attacked by a severe 
 nalady, in consequence of which he took his departure from 
 his world, to light under the command of Christ. His suc¬ 
 cessor in the Eoman see was Paul; who, at the commencement 
 f his Apostolate, finding himself unequal in strength tq con- 
 : i nd against the forces of so iniquitous a tyrant, made a truce 
 nth the before-named Turk, and obtained from him a treaty 
 f peace for the present: this happened in the year of our 
 jord, 1463. 
 
 For the promotion of the success of a matter so holy and so 
 nportant, a fourth part of a tenth, or, in other words, sixpence 
 i the pound had been granted throughout the whole church 
 i f England; which sum was paid to keepers thereof appointed 
 l each diocese for the purpose, to be by them faithfully de- 
 vered into the treasury of the supreme Pontiff. 
 
 In the meantime, while these things were going on, the 
 merable father, and much-loved by God, abbat John, was 
 ich day, just like some veteran soldier worn out in service, has- 
 ning onward, in a mature old age, towards the close of his life; 
 id, weakness now coming upon him apace, lie began to be gra- 
 lally bereft of all vigour of body. Still however, in his in¬ 
 anities, being, with the Apostle, 2 made stronger and more 
 iwerful in spirit, he ably and skilfully continued the entire 
 anagement of the monastery, even to the very end. For 
 though, in accordance with the frailty of the flesh, he was 
 ■rrounded with infirmities of the body, still, in spirit and in 
 rgour of mind, he was always full of life. Amid doubtful 
 Jitters, he was replete with good counsel, in acting c-ircum- 
 fect, prudent in carrying out his plans, and most moderate in 
 h daily food and in his clothing. To all such matters as bore 
 i erence to the praise of God, or the benefit of the flock en¬ 
 listed to his charge, he gave every attention ; while he ex- 
 jaded but little care upon the comforts of his own person, 
 jid thus did he, like one following in the footsteps of our 
 liy father Benedict, devote his attention to the pursuit of no 
 ] sasures whatever. He constantly presented himself as a stout 
 Alluding to 2 Cor. xi. 5, 9 10. 
 
430 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 146: 
 
 bulwark in defence of the liberties of his church, and, in cor 
 formity with the laws of the kingdom, manfully frustrated th 
 furious attacks of insurgents, and all the attempts of malignant: 
 
 He also erected many buildings in the court of the abbey 
 while he singularly excelled all his predecessors in his care i 
 repairing his manor-houses and tenements situate without. Ir 
 deed, with such wondrous skill did he adorn each of them, that tl 
 looker-on might almost be in doubt, whether he displayed moi 
 ability in constructing new buildings, or in repairing ol 
 ones. Then besides, having first paid no small sums of mone; 
 he munificently procured the charters to be re-granted an 
 confirmed with the royal seal, together with the grant of priv 
 leges on vacation of our abbey, and of the liberties of the vi 
 of Croyland, which had been, as already stated, recently ai 
 nulled. He likewise built many tenements in the vill of Croj 
 land, and, liberally bestowing them on the convent, endeavoure 
 in no slight degree to amplify the resources of the inmate: 
 In order, too, that he might always establish persons of tfc 
 best character in the house of the Lord, in the case of nearl 
 all those who, during his rule, entered upon a religious life i 
 this monastery, he supplied them, at the commencement of the 
 residence, with all furniture and necessary clothing at his ow 
 expense. In his time, the observance of the monastic rule 
 flourished in this monastery to such a degree, that it might n< 
 unworthily have been styled a very castle of the Gospe . 
 and one worthy to be entered by our Lord Jesus, and wher 
 mystically the sisters Mary and Martha had together take s 
 up their abode. For, while one part of the officers was dib 
 gently intent upon the careful performance of their respectn 
 duties, the others, bestowing all due attention upon the servk 
 of God, were occupying themselves in the quiet pursuits f;': 
 contemplation, amid the mystic embraces of Rachael; and thu. 
 while each of the brethren duly followed the guidance of th 
 rules, did they studiously make it their endeavour to confon 
 thereto, as though the same had been an example pointed or 
 to them on the mount by the hand of heaven. For, warne 
 by the salutary instruction thereof, and embracing obedienet 
 chastity, and voluntary poverty, they girded themselves fc 
 the worship of God, with the threefold rope, as it were, of 
 religious life, which is not easily broken. 
 
 In line, 1 am quite at a loss for words to state how much th 
 
.d. 14G3. 
 
 CHARACTER OF ABBAT JOHN. 
 
 431 
 
 aid father loved the glory of the house of God, and how greatly 
 e adorned our church and vestiary with precious jewels and 
 estments. Still, to enumerate a few matters only out of many, 
 e had nine copes made of cloth of gold, and exquisitely em- 
 roidered with feather-work; these are valued by persons 
 jdlled in this kind of workmanship at the sum of two hundred 
 ad forty pounds, and even then at less than really is their 
 ilue. Besides these, he left as a lasting memorial, what de- 
 rves in especial to be mentioned, a beautiful vestment or suit 
 ’ red, inwrought throughout with gold, and consisting of three 
 •ipes with a chasuble, and three tunics to match, for which he 
 aid sixty pounds. It is also a praiseworthy testimony in his 
 vour, that he hired artificers, and had a gilded table made, 
 the praise and honour of God, and placed above the high 
 tar, with a screen most becomingly fitted thereto, both be- 
 , re and behind. And then besides, the ceiling in the lower 
 i irt of the church, so remarkable for its beauty and splen- 
 >ur, and most artistically built and gilded at his expense, 
 
 ( well as the brilliant glazing of all the windows, and the 
 ches of stone in the aisles on either side of the said church, 
 iblicly proclaim how magnificent were his conceptions in the 
 fcrying out of his plans. 
 
 But why endeavour to review them singly? Why recount 
 ■e tithes and subsidies, or why make mention of the taxes 
 d tributes, which he paid before anything else, uselessly I 
 #ast admit, as an annual tribute to the royal treasury ? 1 pass 
 i the cloths of gold which had been procured by his vene- 
 J.ble predecessor abbat Richard, and which he had exquisitely 
 (riched with fringes of gold and other appurtenances, and then 
 lurked at no small expense into seven copes similarly orna- 
 j nted. I omit too, a fine organ, becomingly placed on high 
 i the entrance of the church, which, with all the appurte- 
 inces thereof, was made by his order in this monastery, and 
 i are played upon, to the praise of God. The smaller organ 
 I), in the choir, I shall in the meantime pass by, which was 
 I rchused by him, and which two hired porters carried on 
 t ;ir shoulders all the way from London to Croyland. Another 
 t >le also, placed upon the altar of the blessed Virgin, I had 
 most omitted, which, in like manner, he caused to be sculp- 
 Ired and painted by artists. There also occur to my me- 
 My while 1 am writing, some other valuables which he re- 
 
432 CONTIXTATIOX OF the HISTOKT OF CKOIXAXD. A.D. 146c 
 
 placed in the vestiary; a principal cross for use in processions 
 a chalice too of equal grandeur, with water-bottles, as well a 
 candelabra of immense weight; upon all of which, being of silve 
 and the best gilt, he expended a vast sum of money, am 
 60 replaced the old ones by others of a much superior qua 
 lity. 
 
 But now, while mentioning these matters, we believe tha 
 it will be by no means repugnant to the prescribed purpose o 
 this narrative, if the names of some others of our brethren als> 
 are set forth in our writings, in order that we may thus ham 
 them down to the notice of posterity. For in the days of ou 
 father before-named, these brethren, directing their atten 
 tion to the promotion of the common welfare, seem espe 
 cially, and indeed with a degree of liberality beyond the rest 
 to have contributed thereto at their own private expense. One 
 of these was brother John Lyecester, who, in a spirit of hoi} 
 devoutness, presented unto the church a costly suit of Venice 
 colour, wrought wholly of silk, and embroidered on the sur¬ 
 face with gold; having duly paid for the same a sum of fort} 
 pounds. Induced by pious considerations, he also voluntarii} 
 contributed forty marks towards the recasting of the larger 
 bells in the outer belfry ; in order that they might be broughl 
 to a state of more perfect harmony. 
 
 In like manner we deem Stephen Swynshed worthy of re¬ 
 membrance, who also presented to the vestiary a choice cope 
 with a similar alb, and which bore on the pectoral thereof &H 
 device representing his name. This, if estimated by a trusty i 
 valuer at its due price, would be equal in value to a sum oi. 
 twenty pounds and more. 
 
 Then, too, another of our brethren, William Swynshed, will 
 never be lost to the remembrance of the pious; for he munifi¬ 
 cently repaired at his own expense the chapel of the Holy f 
 Trinity in the Infirmary, which was every moment threatening ' 
 to fall. He rebuilt the roof thereof, and had it covered a 
 with lead; while he most beautifully decorated it withimi 
 with forms and boards carved for the ornament of the choir, 
 together with a tabernacle for the Trinity, and other oma-i 
 ments. 
 
 In the number also of these brother Thomas Walden ought 
 deservedly to be classed; who did not hesitate with a munifi¬ 
 cent hand to contribute twenty pounds for the purpose of 
 
,d. 14G3. 
 
 BENEFACTIONS TO CEOYLAND. 
 
 433 
 
 ilding the tables which had been prepared with elegant 
 irving and placed upon the high altar. 
 
 Nor yet ought brother John Laxton to fail to be registered 
 i our memory ; who rebuilt a tenement which he had lately 
 archased in the vill of Croyland, and bestowed it for ever, 
 ■ith the consent of the chapter, upon the office of taper-bearer 
 ? the blessed Mary, as a fund for providing for the refresh- 
 ent of the brethren in the Infirmary, at the season of refresh- 
 ent which is commonly known as “ In nomine Domini 
 So likewise did brother John Wysbech, who had performed 
 <e duties of nearly every office in the monastery, and who 
 fterwards, his merits fully deserving it, was summoned from 
 e priorate of Freston and elevated to the pastoral office in 
 is monastery, bestow another similar tenement in Croyland 
 )on the office of Chamberlain; to the end that four shillings 
 light be paid yearly therefrom for the refreshment of the 
 invent, at the time of their being blooded at the Nativity of 
 <t Lord, by the hands of the chamberlain for the time being. 
 Moved also by similar feelings of devotion, brother Thomas 
 iverton bestowed another tenement, which had been lately 
 lilt there, upon the office of Master of the works. This he 
 (1 to the end that, each year, there might be faithfully sup- 
 led from the rents of the said tenement by the provident 
 Kfe of the master of the works, in the lower hall only, a cheese 
 
 i summer for the supper of the convent, and another in winter 
 athe season of “ In nomine Domini." 
 
 We have also deemed worthy to be enrolled in the list of 
 o- benefactors, that noble and pains-taking man, Richard 
 layngton, who proved himself in all respects most faithful 
 !</ards our monastery, and liberally contributed forty pounds 
 t> r ards the glazing of the western window in the lower part 
 o he church. 
 
 ilnt now, desirous though we are to hand down to the no¬ 
 ti of posterity an event that took place in our times, we 
 ti ourselves oftentimes dissuaded from our purpose from a 
 
 ii ing of slothfulness, and an impression that the prolixity 
 oi ur narrative may possibly cause considerable weariness to 
 oi readers. Still, however, being warned thereto by our 
 fr of God, we are the more encouraged to proceed; and this 
 tl more especially, that those of our times may be edified 
 tl eby, and that we may give a lesson as to the necessity for 
 
 F F 
 
434 CONTINUATION OF TTIF. HISTOKT OF CSOTLAND. A.D. 116 
 
 caution to those who shall come after us. Now, in the ye 
 hefore-mentioned, that is to say, in'the year from the IncsJ 
 nation of our Lord, 1463, there was a certain man in the v 
 of Croyland, commonly known by name as John Wayle, 
 person then in his fortieth year, and who earned a meag 
 subsistence by his daily labour. At the instigation of t 
 wicked one, this man had committed a certain crime of gre 
 enormity; but being the only person conscious of it, he d 
 not wish to'disclose it to any one. The solemn time of tb 
 sacred institution was now at hand, at which faithful peop 
 by the purifying powers of holy confession, cleanse themselv 
 for the purpose of tasting of the health-giving banquet of t 
 Paschal Lamb ; upon which, impelled by shame, and r. 
 from any desire of his own, he hastened to church, along wi ; 
 the rest. Here, being admitted to the holy shrine of confi 
 sion, he brought to light certain deeds of darkness, but st 
 on no account would he disclose the deadly wound by whi 
 his wretched conscience was tormented, for treatment then i 
 by the spiritual physician. 
 
 To this he also added a still greater degree of prevaricatic 
 and, upon the glorious day of our Lord’s Kcsurrcction, unw< 
 thily offering himself as a partaker of the holy communic 
 alas! did not hesitate to receive, to the destruction of 1 
 soul, the votive sacrament of our reconciliation [with Goc 
 After this, on his return home, his wicked conscience was ' 
 course smitten with remorse, and he was shaken with su 
 violent fits of trembling, that he even despaired of the saft 
 of his life. This state of remorse waxing stronger and strong" 
 during the next three days, he was unable any longer, throu 
 anguish of spirit, to endure it, and being seized by the Dev, 
 as is generally believed, fell into a state of uncontrollab' 
 madness. In consequence of this, he greatly maltreats 
 himself, and tearing his garments to pieces, woidd allc 
 neither wife nor children to approach his presence. B 
 neighbours, upon seeing this, were afflicted with extren 
 sorrow thereat, and, seizing him by main force, bound In 
 with manacles of iron, and then made his feet fast in hca - 
 stocks. The report about this man soon reached the earst 
 all, and the unhappy rumour drew the attention of many) 
 the circumstances of the case. We ourselves also repaired) 
 the place with a becoming retinue, in order to visit the s:; 
 
i.D. 1163. JOHN, WAYLE POSSESSED WITH AN EVIL SPIRIT. 
 
 435 
 
 nan; where we found him panting; from the vehemence of hi< 
 it, and wearied out with his intense exertions. Accordingly, 
 laving first sprinkled him with water, upon which the holy 
 benediction had been pronounced, we began to repeat the re¬ 
 markable Gospel of Saint John. You might have seen the 
 vretehed man struggling, with repeated exertions, to inter- 
 upt the words of the speaker, and suddenly filling the house 
 kith dreadful yells, in order that he might not so much as 
 ■ear the words that were pronounced: while, at another mo¬ 
 rent, he would gnash his teeth, and now grin like a wild 
 east, and try to bite at every thing within his reach. His 
 ! ody too, with all the furniture throughout the place, shook 
 ist as though he had been attacked by fever or had laboured 
 nder a fit of palsy. At last we ceased reading, and stood there, 
 ach of us, in silence; upon which, he, in like manner, gra- 
 ually ceased his frantic movements. When we again ut¬ 
 tered unto him those admonitions which tend to our salva- 
 on, and disclosed to him hopes of pardon, he again became 
 readfully afflicted with a like agonizing fit of passion. When 
 re image of Him crucified was raised aloft and shewn to 
 im, he shuddered with alarm and indignation, and would, ou 
 d account, be silent, and listen to a recital of the narrative of 
 hrist’s Passion, or hear mentioned the other names of the 
 lints. After this, having bound his eyes with a linen cloth, 
 e agreed to sprinkle some portion of the holy water upon his 
 ire head. As soon as ever he felt this, suspecting some sin¬ 
 ter design, he began to be agitated with a violent fit of trem- 
 ing ; and, a thing that we saw with our own eyes, alone and 
 Iliaided, as he lay on his back, drew towards him from the 
 ound, and lifted up with his feet, the stocks, which were of 
 fimense weight, and in which, as we have already stated, 
 s feet were enclosed. These could hardly have been moved 
 ' the exertions of four ordinary men. 
 
 On the day after this, his neighbours and friends, following 
 ilutary advice, first bound him with ropes, and then led him 
 ' the church. Here they fastened him to a pillar before an 
 iiage of the holy Mother of God, which was becomingly 
 •’iced in an elevated position in the northern aisle, and then 
 ft him. In the meantime, however, keepers were appointed 
 keep watch over him day and night, and attentively ob- 
 i - ve Ins movements. Each poured forth prayers in his bc- 
 
 it2 
 
436 CONTIJTtTATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYIAND. A.D. UG3. 
 
 half, and, with urgent entreaties, implored the grace of Al¬ 
 mighty God, and the clemency of the Mother of Mercy. Ac¬ 
 cordingly, he was every day visited, now and then, by the 
 monks, who uttered to him the words of consolation, anc 
 sweetly promised him a remedy for his madness, and a ful 
 recovery of his senses. To all this, hanging down his heat 
 and sighing deeply, he gave a quiet hearing, but would make 
 no answer whatever. For, in consequence of his excessive 
 shouting, he had become quite hoarse, and through prolongec 
 fasting, quite weak and attenuated. 
 
 In a few days after this, through the merits of the Hob 
 Mother of God, he began to conduct himself in a more quie' 
 manner, and, at the suggestion of others, to extend his hanc 
 towards the sign of the cross which stood before him, while 
 from the extremities of his lips only, he would produce a sort 
 of hissing sound ; though we were unable, by any means, tc 
 extract a single word from him. Still, however, by continually 
 drawing repeated sighs from the very bottom of his breast, h< 
 clearly gave us to understand, that the weakness of his mine 
 was entirely caused by a disturbed and self-accused conscience • 
 in consequence of which, numerous examples of repentanci 
 were quoted to him, and, by dint of repeated suggestions, hi 
 was at last persuaded to have recourse to the remedy of con 
 fession. There was one of the brethren, who, more than al 
 the rest, bestowed particular attention upon the saving o 
 his soul, and endeavoured to console him with addresses an( 
 exhortations in private, and cherished in him a belief in tb 
 possibility of his forgiveness. At the same time, also, he pro 
 tested unto him that, in this life, there was no crime of eve 
 such great enormity, but that it could be washed away in th 
 font of confession, and in the pool of contrition. And further 
 in order that he might gain him, he endeavoured, with sucl 
 earnestness, by dint of promises to allure him, as even t 
 declare that he would willingly give his own soul as a pledg 
 for his, if he would only conform to his suggestions. Word 
 such as these moved the man, and behold! at last, with 
 mighty effort, he extended his hand, and, by signs, showe 
 that he was ready so to do. 
 
 Having been loosened from the pillar in the meantime, li 
 was now led to a bench, where, the formida of Confessio - 
 being commenced, he could only emit groans and sighs, an 
 
A.D. 14G3. JOHN WAYXH POSSESSED WITH AN EVIL SPIRIT. 437 
 
 was still unable so much as to utter a single word. They had 
 now made repeated attempts together to gain that end, but all 
 in vain ; upon which, the brother, being much distressed that 
 all his endeavours failed to produce the desired effect, and 
 a greatly moved thereat, with a considerable degree of earnest¬ 
 ness, commanded him, at the same time using a certain adju¬ 
 ration, to speak unto him. At last, the other, not absolutely 
 speaking, but, in a sort of way, whispering his words, though 
 in such a manner that they could scarcely be heard, declared 
 that he was quite ready and willing to make confession, but 
 was utterly unable to do so. Upon this, the brother before- 
 . mentioned at once understood, that through the pestilent hos¬ 
 tility of some malignant spirit his voice was thus shut up 
 within his jaws, in order that he might not openly make 
 i confession : and, at the same time, he recollected the 
 Gospel, where Jesus was casting out a devil, and they were 
 many. 4 It instantly suggested itself to his mind to present 
 him before the tomb of our most holy father Guthlac. And 
 not without good reason ; for, with the leave of the Saints, and 
 > with all reverence and awe we say it, this Saint has been always 
 distinguished beyond all others for the possession of this one 
 1 privilege, namely, the expulsion of unclean spirits. 
 
 Accordingly, he was now led by the hands of his keepers 
 dong the northern side of the church; but as soon as ever, 
 i troin a distance, he had caught sight of the shrine, he began 
 i to tremble and to stop short, nor could he be persuaded to ad- 
 , vance one step further ; and at the spot especially where the 
 I entrance to the sanctuary stands, he stretched out his feet and 
 made every possible resistance, struggling with all his might 
 rot to enter it. On being asked why he acted thus, and why 
 ue showed himself so rebellious, in a low voice, as before, he 
 ■timidly uttered words to this effect: “An evil spirit,” said he, 
 wishes to destroy me there.” The bystanders immediately 
 i comforted him, and encouraged him not to be in dread of the 
 ' enemy ; while those who had been dragging him, pushed him 
 I on with their hands by main force, and compelled him to ap¬ 
 proach the steps of the shrine. Here, on bended knees, all the 
 
 i jthers, together witli him, at considerable length j^ured forth 
 tbeir prayers unto God, who alone worketh marvels, that, 
 through the merits of the blessed Guthlac, He would deign 
 1 Alluding to St. Mark v. 9. 
 
433 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CBOriAXD. 1 16: 
 
 to show upon the sick man the power of His might. Aftt 
 this, they led him back to his usual pillar, fortified with tli 
 sign of the holy cross, which he had in his own hand. In th 
 same maimer they frequently used to act towards him ever 
 day. 
 
 At last however, one night, after matin lauds had bee: 
 finished in the convent, the brother, of whom we have mad 
 mention a little above, went to him alone, and calling bin 
 aside, repeatedly exhorted him to adopt the remedy of repent 
 ance ; while, at the same time, he faithfully promised him tha 
 grace and pardon would be granted unto him by God, if, ii 
 the penitence of his heart, he would fully open his mouth ii 
 pronouncing the words of confession. When, however, hi 
 found that he gave him no answer, nor uttered even a word ii 
 conformity with his wishes, he most anxiously began to ph 
 him with numerous questions, and set before him various kind: 
 of sins, of which the inordinately brutal nature of some mei 
 is wont sometimes to be guilty; at the same time enquiring 
 if he was ready, of his own accord, to acknowledge himseL 
 guilty of any one of them. 
 
 At last, by the inspiration of the Divine grace, the bridle oi 
 his tongue was loosened; and in tones of lamentation he con¬ 
 fessed that he had grievously sinned in one of the articles; 
 which had been so mentioned. The brother, upon hearing this, 
 felt desirous in some degree to lighten the burden of his sins; 
 and, therefore, by way of precaution, most urgently entreated 
 him, on the morrow of the following day, once again to dis¬ 
 close this sin by making a full confession thereof to his own 
 curate, at that time penancer of the lord [bishop] of Lincoln, : 
 who had it in his power to use the keys of the Church in his 
 favour. This being agreed to between them, they took leave 
 of each other with exceeding gladness of heart. 
 
 When morning had now come, and the darkness of error 
 had been removed, the light of grace shone brilliantly upon 
 him, and, returning to himself, he became more tranquil, and 
 was found to be much more subdued both in gestures and ap¬ 
 pearance. After this, he was released from all his chains; 
 upon which, he washed his face, arranged his clothes after 
 the usual manner, and hastened, with the utmost alacrity, to 
 the physician of his soul, for the purpose of making confession. 
 After receiving from him a salutary penance, he returned to his 
 
D. 1 4Go. MANY NOBLES AND OTHERS CHARGED WITH TREASON. 429 
 
 ome unattended and by himself. Being now alone andwith- 
 at a guide, he anxiously besought the remembrance of the 
 aints in his behalf. During the next seven days, in fact, he 
 id not so much as depart from the church, but unceasingly 
 ffered up continual thanksgivings to Almighty God and the 
 aints, the patrons of the church. Fearing molestation, per- 
 hanee, on the part of his neighbours, he was now unwilling 
 
 > return to his former home ; so, feeling greatly ashamed of 
 re misfortune which had befallen him, though, praised be 
 ;od ! restored in every way to his former tranquillity of mind, 
 e transferred his abode to another neighbourhood. Still, 
 owever, being far from forgetful of the benefits which he 
 ad received, every year from that time, so long as he lived, 
 
 : e returned to Croyland; where, rejoicing in the complete re- 
 avery of his health, he devoutly paid due honor unto God 
 nd the blessed Mary, and Saint Gutlilac. 
 
 But now, following the course of our narrative, I think that 
 le fact ought here to be inserted, that Henry, lately styled 
 ing of England, who, from the time of the arrival of the most 
 1 lustrious prince, now king Edward, had, as we have already 
 lentioned, taken refuge in Scotland or lurked in secret hiding- 
 laces in the bordering castles of England, was now taken 
 1 risoner. This happened in this present year, the same being 
 lie year of our Lord, 1465. Being captured in the northern 
 arts, he was led by a strong body of men to the Tower of 
 iondon, where king Edward ordered all possible humanity 
 i j be shewn towards him, consistently with his safe custody ; 
 ud, at the same time, gave directions that he should be sup- 
 lied with all suitable necessaries, and treated with becoming 
 i aspect. 
 
 In the meantime, at this period, many nobles and great men 
 f the kingdom, as well as very many bishops and abbats, were 
 ccused before the king of treason; the ground being, that they 
 ad secretly solicited Margaret, the late queen, who was now 
 ving in the parts beyond sea, both by letters and with money, 
 
 > return to the kingdom with a strong force, and had made her 
 romises of their advice and assistance. Some of these persons 
 rere carried off by their deaths chancing to intervene, while 
 thers, through the payment of immense sums of money, were 
 ostored to the favour which they had formerly enjoyed. 
 
 After this, king Edward, prompted by the ardour of youth, 
 
440 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYEAN'D. A.D. 146j 
 
 and relying entirely on his own choice, without consultinj j 
 the nobles of the kingdom, privately married the widow of . ^ 
 certain knight, Elizabeth by name; who, though she had onl; 
 a knight for her father, had a duchess for her mother; 6 am i 
 shortly after he had her solemnly crowned queen. This th 
 nobility and chief men of the kingdom took amiss, seeing tha : 
 he had with such immoderate haste promoted a person sprun: 
 from a comparatively humble lineage, to share the thron 
 with him. 
 
 In the same year, also, the duchess, lady Margaret, relict o 
 John, the illustrious duke of Somerset, one who had alway 
 proved gracious and favourably-disposed to our monastery, ant 
 who, as we have already mentioned, had received the manor o 
 Depyng as a part of her dower, while staying at her castle o 
 Maxay, was desirous, in a spirit of extreme devoutness, to b 
 commended to our prayers; upon which, she was readily ad 
 mittcd to be a sister of our chapter. Influenced by pious con 
 siderations, she also induced her daughter, the lady Margaret I 
 countess of Richmond, and heir to the before-named manor o i 
 Depyng, (who had been married, as we have long before ahead' 
 mentioned, to the lord Henry, the illustrious son of the duke ». 
 of Buckingham), to become a sister along with her, and in lik< I 
 manner enjoy the benefit of our prayers. This was done, ti ■ 
 the end that, being bound to us by such ties as these, she migh 
 be rendered more benevolent to us hereafter, and more com 
 placent in every respect. 
 
 Notwithstanding all this, however, so far as relates to oui 
 right to the marsh of Goggislound, from the day of her mar¬ 
 riage, the lady Margaret, the mother, has remained in possessioi 
 thereof, up to this present day. And then besides, but a ven 
 few years before this time, the stone crosses and other mark: 
 and boundaries which, at the last perambulation of the marsh, 
 (made in the time of John Ashby, lord abbat of this place, b) 
 the advice and with the assistance of the lord John of Gaunt, 
 the then most illustrious duke of Lancaster), had been placec> 
 for the purpose of dividing the districts of Hoyland and Kes 
 teven, had been utterly thrown down and destroyed by tin 
 men of Depyng, in order that all knowledge and recollectior 
 
 5 Elizabeth Woodville was the widow of Sir John Gray, a Lancashin 
 knight. Her mother, Jacquetta, duchess of Bedford, was married to Si 
 Richard tVoodville, for her second husband. 
 
l d. 14G5. 
 
 MUNIFICENT GIFTS OF A I! BAT JOHN. 
 
 441 
 
 ■hereof might be obliterated /or the future. Accordingly, 
 unong other things, they pulled down by main force a stone 
 ■ross at Wodelode-greynes, otherwise called Oggote, which had 
 teen placed in the said marsh, at our furthest boundary to¬ 
 wards the north; and after breaking it to pieces, iniquitously 
 hrew it into deep pits, and out-of-the-way places, where 
 here could be no possibility of finding it. Hence it is, that 
 he boundary before-mentioned, being remembered by but very 
 | ew persons, has by degrees been effaced from general know- 
 | tedge, and has, in the course of a long space of time, through 
 lleedlessness been utterly swept away. 
 
 However, in all these matters, the venerable father, abbat 
 ohn, although weighed down by length of years, and, through 
 ontinued languor bereft of all strength of body, most ably, 
 ke some veteran soldier, ruled the monastery with prudence 
 nd foresight; and did not cease, even unto the end, to con- 
 inue to add to bis munificent works. For, towards the closing 
 eriod of bis life, he erected, from the foundation to the sum- 
 lit of the walls, the beautiful and sumptuous hostrey, which 
 •xtends along between the church and the gates of the ab- 
 (ey. This he did for the following purpose: his object was, 
 hat when guests worthy of higher consideration arrived, 
 o whom it was fitting that due deference should be shewn, 
 l ( e might be enabled to receive and entertain them in the 
 aid hostrey the more conveniently, from the circumstance 
 f its being closer at hand. And, in order that nothing might 
 Ijemain undone which is considered to tend to the increase of 
 he praise of God, he caused five fine and choice bells to be 
 , ist at London, and substituted for the three old ones, here 
 > send fortli their sweet sounds with their harmonious chimes, 
 he cost of these, together with the expense of the carriage 
 I jiereof to Croyland by land and water, amounting in all to 
 sum of one hundred and sixty pounds, was defrayed entirely 
 7 himself. These bells, while still lying below upon the 
 'ound, before they were hung, were solemnly consecrated by 
 j icholas, the venerable lord bishop of Elphin, who was at this 
 me suffragan of the reverend father in Christ, John, lord 
 shop of Lincoln. They were inscribed, from the smallest to 
 ie greatest, with the names in especial of the patron Saints 
 whose honor they were most devoutly dedicated ; the names 
 ing Guthlac, Bartholomew, Michael, Mary, and Trinity. 
 
442 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 14G5 I 
 
 At this period, there happened in our monastery a circum 
 stance deserving of everlasting remembrance, which some o 
 the most intelligent, even, ascribed to a wondrous mi rack j 
 The greater bell-tower had been newly built in the westeri 
 part of the church, in which it was intended that the bells be 
 fore-mentioned should, by the skill of the carpenters, be hung 
 At this time it was not covered in at the very top, nor wa 
 it in any way closed by the intervention in it of any lowe 
 floor. Having put together, on the ground below, a certain 
 machine for the purpose of winding and drawing, they en 
 deavoured to fix in the summits of the walls an immensi 
 beam, held by ropes and pulleys, to act as a supporter of th 
 whole work. By dint of great efforts on the part of thos 
 winding, the beam had been now raised nearly fifty feet froD 
 the ground, and was hanging poised aloft, when, on a sudden 
 the tackle proving unequal to the strain of such an immens< 
 mass, began to give way. At the same moment, the rope 
 burst asunder, and the beam, falling to the ground with a loue 
 crash, broke the whole fabric to atoms that lay below. Ther. 
 seemed no chance of escape whatever for the men, nearly twent; 
 in number, who were labouring below and were now placed 
 almost at the very verge of death; nor would it have been o 
 any use for them to fly, seeing that the beam in its lengtl, 
 across' equalled the square space between the walls. How 
 ever, the Divine mercy instantly regarded them thus threatened 
 by a peril so terrific, and smitten with the greatest consterna 
 tion at so unlooked-for an event; for the breaking down of si 
 vast a mass did not crush one of them, and its precipitate fal, 
 did not the slightest injury to a single individual. Oh instanci 
 of the Divine grace, deservedly to be lauded and extolled l 
 Oh, how glorious, too, the merits of our father Guthlac ! Whi t 
 could possibly withhold himself from uttering the praises o 
 God ? 
 
 In the meantime an outcry was raised by the people shoutd 
 ing aloud, and all lifted up their voices to the very stars o 
 heaven. Some made their prayers re-echo to the skies, while 
 others in their joy bedewed the earth with the abundant tear; I 
 which they shed. The brethren of the convent, attended b\ 
 multitudes, immediately proceeded to the oratory, and there so 
 
 6 This is probably the meaning of “ dimensione,” otherwise the passage 
 is unintelligible. 
 
.D. 1467. 
 
 PREVALENCE OP A GREAT FLOOD. 
 
 443 
 
 ■mnly chaunted the hymn of praise written by Saint Ambrose. 7 
 tost devoutly prostrating themselves on the ground around the 
 irine of the before-named father, each returned endless thanks- 
 ivings unto God. Blessed for ever be Almighty God, who 
 ath thus, in His mercy, raised for us when placed in straights, 
 le horn of His salvation against the snares of the evil-doers ; 
 id who thus worketli for us in all things for the best, to the 
 id that our rivals may never deride us in adversity, nor at 
 iy time our enemies may exult over us. 
 
 However, in these times, the Divine long-suffering was so 
 rought upon by our transgressions, was so provoked, I sav, 
 y our unrighteousness, that the whole of Engl and was most 
 verely chastised by each of the elements, like so many 
 ourges prepared by the Divine vengeance for the punishment 
 ' a heedless generation. For an infection prevailed in the pes- 
 lent air over the dwellers in the land, to such a degree, that 
 sudden death consigned to a wretched doom man)’ thousands 
 ■' people of all ages, just like so many sheep destined for the 
 i aughter. In like manner too, fires of unusual severity, caused 
 ith by lightning, as well as very often by carelessness, like a 
 rt of prognostic of the Divine indignation, raged with un- 
 ntrollable violence throughout the various districts of the 
 ngdom in its vills and towns; but more especially, in the 
 •incipal monasteries of our order, the devouring flames con- 
 med to ashes the churches and bell-towers, as well as the 
 st of the buildings and offices appurtenant thereto. 
 
 In the year also from the Incarnation of our Lord, 1467, in 
 « 'e month of January there was so great an inundation of the 
 iters, by reason of the snows and continued rains, that no 
 : m living in our times could recall to mind the like. Through- 
 1 1 the whole of this county, and in Hoyland especially, there 
 is scarcely a house or building, but what the streams of 
 uter made their way and flowed through it. Nor must you 
 tppose that this happened hurriedly and in a cursory manner 
 ( ly: but continuously, during a whole month, the waters 
 (her stood there without flowing off, or else, being agitated 
 
 I strong gusts of wind, swelled and increased still more and 
 nre day after day. Nor on this occasion did the embank - 
 
 The Te Deum, said to have been composed by Saint Ambrose, on the 
 evasion of the baptism of Saint Augustin. There is, however, little doubt 
 
 II it was composed a century later than his time. 
 
444 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CBOYLAND. 
 
 A.D. 1-46 
 
 ments offer any effectual resistance, but, on the contrar 
 though materials had been brought from other quarters for tl 
 purpose of strengthening them, they proved of very litt 
 service for that purpose; and, however diligently the woi 
 might' have been attended to in the day time, as the wate 
 swelled and rose, the spot under repair was completely laidba 
 during the night. Then was there grief and lamentation amoi 
 all, and outcries and tumult among the Hoylanders. In tl,] 
 .. meantime, prayers were put up to God in behalf of the Chine i 
 and daily processions were formed for the purpose of obtainh 
 more propitious weather. 
 
 . In the same year also, there were shown certain wondro, 
 signs in England; and in divers places there appeared un 
 many persons, terrible prognostics, replete with no better au 
 pices. For, one day, there were seen in the heavens three sur, 
 and a shower of blood; as the grass and the linen clothes staini 
 therewith, abundantly testified to all beholders. This latt 
 came down in manner just like a gentle shower. Besides th: 
 horsemen and men in armour were seen rushing through t) 
 air; so much so, that Saint George himself, conspicuous wi 
 the red cross, his usual ensign, and attended by a vast body < 
 rfruied men, appeared visibly to great numbers. To show that \ 
 ought not to refuse our belief to what has been just mentione 
 those persons, to whom revelations of this nature were mad 
 were subjected to a most strict examination before the veneral 
 father Thomas, the lord archbishop of Canterbury. A ccrta 
 woman too, in the county of Huntingdon, who was with chi 
 and near the time of her delivery, to her extreme horror, f< 
 the embryo in her womb weeping as it were and uttering 
 kind of sobbing noise. The same was also heard by sor 
 other women, who were surprised in no slight degree there; 
 This we know to have happened but seldom indeed, althouj 
 we read that the most holy forerunner 8 of our Lord, throu; 
 joy at our approaching salvation, leaped in the womb of 1 
 mother. We may, however, not without very fair reasa 
 suppose, that now possibly, under circumstances directly t 
 reverse, even the children unborn deplored our impending c 
 lamities, upon the approach of the scourge of Divine vengean; 
 our sins requiring the same. 
 
 In the lapse of two years after this, that is to say in t ' 
 6 St. John the Baptist St. Luke, i. 41. 
 
D. 1409. KIXG EDWARD VISITS CROYLAXD. 440^ 
 
 nth year of king Edward, being the year of our Lord, 1469, 
 ere arose a great disagreement between that king and his 
 usman, Richard, the most illustrious earl of Warwick; which 
 r'as not allayed without the shedding of the blood of many 
 hrsons. The reason of this wus, the fact that the king, being 
 o greatly influenced by the urgent suggestions of the queen, 
 emitted to his especial favour all the relations of the said 
 meen, as well as those who were in any way connected with 
 t by blood, enriching them with boundless presents and al¬ 
 leys promoting them to the most dignified offices about his-' 
 
 ; rson : while, at the same time, he banished from his presence * 
 h own brethren, and his kinsmen sprung from the royal blood, 
 Igether with the earl of Warwick himself, and the other nobles 
 ( the realm who had always proved faithful to him. Ac- 
 rrdingly, seizing this opportunity for a storm, behold! in tho 
 me year, and in the summer season, a whirlwind again came 
 twn from the north, in form of a mighty insurrection of the 
 tnmons of that part of the country. These complained that 
 t y were grievously oppressed with taxes and annual tributes 
 1 the said favourites of the king and queen, and, having sp¬ 
 linted one Robert de Redysdale to act as a captain over 
 t-m, proceeded to march, about sixty thousand in number, to 
 Jn the earl of Warwick, who was then in London. 
 
 The king, on hearing rumours to this effect, first had recourse 
 t the Divine aid and to the prayers of the Saints, and, having 
 1 way of pilgrimage, first visited Edmund' the Martyr, has- 
 1 ed to the city of Norwich. After this, he passed through 
 ^dsingham to Lynn, and thence through the town of Wis- 
 hh to Dovesdale ; whence he rode, attended by two hundred 
 B'semcn, upon our embankment, and; the barriers having been 
 o ned, and all obstacles removed, at last arrived at Croyland. 
 Ire he was honorably received, as befitted the royal dignity, 
 al passed the night a well-pleased guest. On the morrow, 
 bng greatly delighted with the quietude of the place and tho 
 c rtesy shown to him, he walked on foot through the streets 
 t' he western outlet of the vill, and after praising in high 
 tins of commendation tho plan of the stone bridge and 
 t ; houses, there embarked together with his attendants, and 
 si ing sail, made a prosperous voyage to his castle of Foderyn- 
 g , 9 where the queen was awaiting his arrival. Having stayed 
 Fotheringay castle in Northamptonshire, where Mary queen of Scots 
 w afterwards beheaded. 
 
44G CONTINUATION OF THF. HISTORY OF CHOYLAND. A.D. H( 
 
 here a few days only, until such time as levies of troops h ■ 
 assembled from all parts of the kingdom in order to assist h: ■ 
 against the insurgents before-mentioned, he manfully prepar ’ 
 to march into the northern districts. The above-mention 
 relatives, however, of the queen, her father, namely, and b 
 three half-brothers, who, as we have already stated, were : 
 tached to the king’s person, were in great alarm for their safel 
 and took refuge in different castles, some in Wales, and sot < 
 in Norfolk, with the connivance, however, of the king, as it 
 generally said. 
 
 As for the king, when he had arrived with his army at t 
 town of Newark, he heard that the forces of the enemy wi 
 more than threefold the number of his own troops, and, tindi 
 that the common people came in to him more slowly than 
 had anticipated, he turned aside and hastened with the utmc 
 speed to his castle at Nottingham. Here he stayed a she 
 time, intending to wait until a certain lord, William Herbt 
 by name, who had been lately created earl of Pembroke, shou 
 come to meet him with the levies which he had raised S 
 Wales. While, however, the said earl of Pembroke w 
 hastening with all speed at the head of a considerable boii 
 of troops to meet the king, behold! the army of the nort 
 men unexpectedly met him on the plain of ITegge-cote, 10 ne 
 Banbury, in the county of Northampton; whereupon, the t\ 
 armies engaging, a great battle was fought, and a most drea 
 ful slaughter, especially of the Welch, ensued; so much s 
 that four thousand men of the two armies are said to ha 
 been slain. The earl of Pembroke and several other nobl 
 and gentlemen of Wales were made prisoners, and were, 1 
 order of the before-named earl of Warwick, without any o 
 portunity of ransom, beheaded at Northampton. The truth ’ 
 that, in those parts and throughout Wales, there is a eel 
 brated and famous prophecy, to the effect that, having expelli 
 the English, the remains of the Britons are once more to obta 
 the sovereignty of England, as being the proper citizens therec 
 This prophecy, which is stated in the chronicles of the Brito: 
 to have been pronounced by an angel in the time of king Ca> 
 wallader, in their credulity, receives from them univers 
 belief. Accordingly, the present opportunity seeming to 1 
 propitious, they imagined that now the long-wished-for hoi 
 10 Or Edgecote. 
 
,.o. 14G9. CIIOTLAND THREATENED TO BE PLUNDERED. 
 
 447 
 
 lad arrived, and used every possible exertion to promote its 
 iilfilment. However, by the providence of God, it turned out 
 itherwise, and they remain for the present disappointed of the 
 'ulfilment of their desires. 
 
 , When rumours to the above effect had now reached the king’s 
 •ars, seeing that such great disgrace was, through this dis- 
 ister, reflected on him, he was greatly disturbed and moved 
 hereat. In addition to this, those who had hitherto remained 
 irm in their allegiance to him, now became greatly alarmed, 
 nd basely deserting him by thousands, clandestinely took to 
 light. However, Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury, and 
 icorge, archbishop of York, together with the duke of Cla- 
 ence, the king’s brother, and the said earl of Warwick, most 
 .uteously hastened with a large escort to hold a conference 
 vith the king, who was now left with but a very few adhe¬ 
 rents, for the purpose of soothing him in his distress. On 
 heir first arrival, in consequence of the extreme indignation 
 i ,'hich he felt, he presented a lowering countenance; but after 
 hey had fairly stated to him their intentions to remain firm 
 i their allegiance, and had resolutely exposed the treachery of 
 lose who had adhered to him, he became more calm, and 
 l aceived them more freely into his favour and good will. 
 
 But in the meantime, while the storms of this tempest were 
 lereasing apace, you must know that we, who dwell in this 
 land, were smitten with no small degree of terror. For by 
 leans of some spiteful enemies of ours, a most unhappy and 
 1-timed rumour reached the ears of certain people in the 
 rmy, to the effect that those persons of whom they were in 
 ursuit were concealed in hiding-places in Croyland, and that 
 nmense treasures were hidden in the vill and within the pre- 
 net thereof. The consequence was, that the heedless race, 
 rer ready and eager for plunder, at once declared themselves 
 fishful, upon their return, to search our monastery and the 
 11 with the greatest possible care; and this circumstance, 
 gether with rumour and her numerous reports, as well as the 
 lily threats that were launched against us, caused us no small 
 •ounds for apprehension. But blessed be the Lord ! who did 
 )t give us a prey unto their teeth ! for, through the merits of 
 ir most holy father Guthlac, at whose tomb, each night, in 
 salms and in prayers we offered up our holocausts of devout 
 ipplication, the Divine mercy dealt graciously with us; in- 
 
448 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOKY OF CEOYLAND. 
 
 A.D. 11C9 
 
 as much as, through the prudent guidance of the earl of W ar 
 wick so often mentioned, they returned from the expedition 
 and retired, all of them, beyond the Trent, and so, taking th( 
 shortest route, returned to their own country. 
 
 In the meantime, however, as we have already stated, tin 
 venerable father, abbat John, was labouring under a continua 
 and incurable malady, hernia namely; by which he had beei 
 originally attacked, in consequence of a violent fall on one oe 
 casion, when he was riding on horseback. In consequence o 
 this, he was dr.ily afflicted with such dreadful torments ii 
 certain parts of his body, that he seemed to be enduring t 
 thousand deaths even. Being thus proved by continual in¬ 
 firmities, and cleansed by the tempests and calamities of th« 
 world, after having anxiously tended his charge of the Lord’s 
 fiock during a period of two-and-forty years and eight months' 
 and fulfilled the pastoral duties in the most praisewortbj 
 manner, he ardently longed to be speedily removed from the 
 things of this world to things heavenly. Having at lengtl 
 finished the laborious course of this shadowy career, in the 
 eighty-fifth year of his age, and the sixty-ninth of his assump¬ 
 tion of the religious habit, leaving the clay of the body to hit 
 parent earth, he most devoutly commended his spirit unto the 
 hands of the Father, to receive with Christ the promised price 
 of the eternal reward. 
 
 He ended this life on the sixteenth day of the month oi 
 January, in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord, 1469. 
 it being the ninth year of king Edward, who was then reign¬ 
 ing and ably wielding the sceptre of the realm of England 
 But, in order that we may embrace the lengthened period o! j 
 his life in as small a compass as possible, we think that it will 
 be far from a loss of time if we insert the following epitaph, 
 which, as being well acquainted with his career, howevei 
 small its merits may be, we have composed in his praise: 
 
 “ The light of pastors, and the cloister’s rose, 
 
 The paragon of manners, now eclips’d, 
 
 (Alas ! how much too soon !) lies here inurn’d. 
 
 To Litlyngton he ow’d his earliest breath: 
 
 Thence sprung, hence was he call’d by heaven’s decree. 
 
 Gracious in converse, but more gracious still 
 In deeds, his life most grateful was to God. 
 
 Led by his guidance, Croylaud erst rejoic’d ; 
 
14C9. 
 
 EI'ITAPH OX AISEAT JOHX. 
 
 449 
 
 But now she mourns his span of life cut short. 
 
 A careful shepherd, serious and serene, 
 
 Active and ever-watchful for his flock; 
 
 Amid that flock he was as one of them, 
 
 And paid to each the dues of Christian love. 
 
 Zealous of all the welfare to promote, 
 
 Strangers or friends, void of reproach he liv’d. 
 
 Through him the glories of our Zion shone, 
 
 In zeai a Mary, Martha in his works. 
 
 While Leah here a holy offspring hore, 
 lie sigh’d the heavenly Rachel to embrace. 
 
 Prudent he was, and in his manners grave, 
 
 And well-prepar’d to hear the world’s caprice. 
 
 Replete with energy, when mobs arose, 
 
 The laws his help, soon did he crush the foe. 
 
 In catering he was bounteous, in his plans 
 Most wary. Prudent in his outlay, he 
 A watchful guardian prov’d of all our rights. 
 
 To mortify the flesh he taught to be 
 A manly grace; and more than all esteem’d 
 'Those things which savour of the praise of God. 
 
 In food, so well he curb’d his appetite, 
 
 That nothing did he seek to eat from choice, 
 
 But liv’d hy rule alone. How much he lov’d 
 The temples of the Lord, the gilded roofs 
 By him erected amply testify. 
 
 So great the splendour of the precious robes 
 Which to this house of ours he gave, that they 
 Can scarce be number’d. Windows in our church 
 Of glass he plac’d. Through him the organ’s note 
 Swells in the solemn praise of God ; and hence 
 Its melody ascends, and soars on high. 
 
 Our bells he consecrated unto God. 
 
 The ancients, he, in building, far surpass’d, 
 
 And in repairing, shovv’d a holy zeal. 
 
 Able to build, our manors he enrich’d, 
 
 But, willing to repair, eschew’d expense. 
 
 So did he manage, that ’tvvere hard to say, 
 
 Whether the ancient buildings now repair’d, 
 
 Or those but newly built, might best he deem’d. 
 
 When broken with old age and worn with toil, 
 
 The vigour of his mind and sense remain’d 
 Without impair. The Holy Spirit pour’d 
 Its gracious unction on him. While he rul’d 
 Our house, success attended his career— 
 
 Though brief this humble narrative of his good works, 
 
 May heaven grant the meed of his deserts. Amen.” 
 
 now too must the thread of this narrative be cut short by 
 
 C G 
 
450 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CKOY1AND. A.D. 14GS 
 
 us, and let it suffice for us, thus far, to have spun out the we 
 of this trifling composition; trusting that the rugged textur 
 thereof may not afford the curious, when pulling it to piece 
 hit by bit, an occasion for indulging in sneers at our expense 
 However, inasmuch as those events which have happened h 
 ages long since gone by, have mostly failed, through the care , 
 lessness of our predecessors, to come to the knowledge of thos 
 of our time, (with the exception indeed of a few facts which hai 
 been committed to writing by our elders; and that not in an; 
 direct historical order, but only as anything new took plac 
 at intervening periods;) it is only right here to say that here 
 in this was the scope of our intention—It was our design, 
 in conformity with the superscription at the beginning c 
 this volume, in due order, albeit in very different style, 
 to hand down to the notice of posterity the agreement 
 made between the kings of England and the abbats of thi 
 monastery, together with a multitude of incidents which bor 
 reference to the state of the kingdom or of this place. Thi 
 work of ours is extended to a very considerable length, as i 
 begins at the accession of king Stephen, in the time of abbs 
 Waldev, at the moment at which that excellent man, so justl 
 distinguished for the praises of his eloquence, Master Peter q 
 Plois, concludes his narrative; and comes down, as we ha\ 
 already stated, to the ninth year of Edward, the now reignin 
 king; an interval of time which extends over three hundre 
 and thirty years or more. 
 
 Some of the matters which, to the best of our humb! 
 ability, we have compressed into the present compass, we hav 
 so far as we were enabled to do so, ascertained upon certai 
 information, while most of them we have found set forth i 
 aged and worm-eaten papers. As for the other matters, whjcl 
 have taken place in our own time, we here declare that v 
 have read the same, more truthfully still, in the book of e: 
 perience. 
 
 Still however, seeing that, by the permission of God, v 
 hold the office of Prior, (however unworthily and remissly v 
 may perform the duties thereof) we have found ourselves vei j 
 considerably hampered by the many and various requiremen 
 
 11 He alludes to his own chronicle as a continuation of those i 
 Ingulph and Peter of Blois. 
 
a..d. 14G9. 
 
 REFLECTIONS ON THIS HISTORY. 
 
 451 
 
 of regular observance. The present work has consequently 
 lot been composed amid our continued attention thereto, and 
 ivith the advantage of profound study, but only on occasions 
 matched by stealth at intervals, and frequently at hurried 
 moments; just in fact as the vein of a very tardy intellect would 
 ihance to flow, now more sparingly, and now again more 
 ieely, at the moment when we could devote our attention 
 ;o it. If I did not almost feel ashamed to bring to light the 
 houghts that suggest themselves to my mind, really, the com- 
 >osition of the volume, from the commencement of it down 
 o the present time, would seem, not inaptly, according to my 
 'vay of thinking, to bear a striking resemblance to the image, 
 vhich was formerly mentioned in the book of Daniel 12 ; the 
 tend of which was of gold, the breast and arms of silver, 
 vhile the feet arc described as being partly of iron and partly 
 f potter’s clay. For, in a very similar manner, the first part 
 t the beginning of this book, has been composed with every 
 lark of distinguished talent by the venerable father, abbat 
 ngulph; and this, illuminated by the radiant lustre of the 
 lost elegant language, shines resplendent beyond the rest, and, 
 ot without fair reason, appears in our eyes to represent the 
 ead of gold. In the next place, the middle portion, which 
 I Vas composed by the industrious application of that most ex- 
 ellent man, Master Peter of Blois, and which re-echoes all 
 be dulcet harmony of the eloquence of Tully, evidently bears a 
 ; trong resemblance to the breast made of silver. And then 
 le last part, which has been composed by ourselves just as 
 *e could find the opportunity, and appended to the former 
 aes, seems strongly to resemble the feet made of iron, by rea- 
 on of its rude and unpolished style; and may, with very 
 ood reason, from the circumstance of its being composed of 
 ich a trite and common-place mass of matter, be looked upon 
 5 no better than a mere potsherd and a lump of clay. 
 
 Still however, we are not entirely forsaken by the hope, 
 lat all our attempts have not been in vain, and that our good 
 itentions have not been expended to no purpose : but, on the 
 mtrary, we shall think that even then we have done some 
 irvice, if any one, better instructed, like some beauteous stone 
 it out of the mountain quarry of more sublime knowledge 
 
 15 Chap. ii. 33, &e. 
 
452 
 
 CONTINUATIOR OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1469. 
 
 shall think fit to remodel this statue, and to beat the ground 
 with the feet in his zeal for the correction of our narrative. 
 This task in fact we think he may perform with still more ease 
 and efficacy, if he has this shapeless mass of matter, which we 
 have here collected from out of its lurking-places in various 
 quarters, ready and at hand; for he will then have only to re¬ 
 duce it to a more elegant shape and diction. The person too, 
 who shall be found spontaneously to take a pleasure in commit- 
 tifig to writing those events which shall happen in the days of 
 posterity, will deserve in every way to be extolled, and, as his 
 fame increases apace, will stand conspicuous on the mountain 
 height, ennobled by merit of a high degree. 
 
 At the close of this work, we did entertain a wish, in some 
 degree, to have left a memorial of our name ; that so at least, 
 those who should read this narrative, might deign, through 
 motives of Christian charity, in a few words of prayer, how¬ 
 ever short, to commend our soul to the mercy of the Saviour, i 
 We have, however, of our own accord, forborne so to do, to 
 the end that we might not seem to wish to be honored here in 
 our own country, or be deemed, in our vanity, to covet an undue, 
 meed of praise for our efforts. Committing the whole, there¬ 
 fore, to the Divine providence, we do, with most earnest 
 prayers, supplicate God, that He will by way of reward for 
 these our humble labours,of His abundant grace, command our 
 name to be written in the Book of those who are predestined 
 unto life everlasting. 
 
 END OF THF. SECOND CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
A THIRD CONTINUATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 Iere follows a continuation of the events that happened in 
 he commonwealth of England and elsewhere, as also of those 
 ircumstances in especial which took place in the monastery of 
 Iroyland, after the decease of the before-mentioned abbat 
 ohn; which, as already mentioned, happened on the sixteenth 
 ay of the month of January, in the ninth year of the reign of 
 ing Edward the Fourth; the same being, according to the 
 omputation of the Roman church, the year of our Lord, 1469. 
 'till however, before we commence our narrative of the events 
 : Vhich are known to have taken place subsequently to that 
 ear, some matters ought first to be stated, which have either 
 een omitted by the former Chronicler already referred to, or 
 ave not been more fully set forth by him; either through 
 sal for the interests of holy religion, which does not generally 
 ire to be fully acquainted with secular matters, or a regard 
 >r conciseness and brevity. For it is our wish, that it may 
 • |3 clearly understood from the very beginning by what nume¬ 
 ras incursions and battles the kingdom of England was ha- 
 vssed, before the calamitous inroad of the northmen last de- 
 ribed took place. Those events, too, which followed after 
 lat period, down to the year that will be found mentioned 
 Jow, we shall set forth in as brief terms and in as unpreju- 
 ced a manner as we possibly can. 
 
 We would wish, in the first place, here to observe, that, not 
 much a battle as a semblance of a battle, was first seen at 
 e town of Ludlow, in the Marches of Wales, in the mouth 
 
454 CONTIXUATIOH OF THE HISTOBY OF CEOYLAXD. A.D. 1460 
 
 of October, in this year of our Lord, 1459. This skirmish tool 
 place between king Henry, and those who remained faithfu 
 to him, on the one side, and Richard, duke of York, and hi 
 sons and kinsmen, connexions and adherents, on the other 
 Among the latter, in especial, were the earls of Salisbur 
 and Warwick, father and son, whose opposition was greatl; 
 dreaded. The king’s party, however, waxed stronger am 
 stronger every day in consequence of endless multitudes of th 
 nobles and common people, who now flocked together to hi 
 support; and the more especially, after Andrew Trollop am 
 his paid followers, from Calais, who had been summoned by th 
 earl of Warwick, their captain, from the parts beyond sea, a 
 though to aid the king, had deserted the duke of York. For 
 finding that, contrary to their expectations, they had reall i 
 been brought over to act against the king, they left the duke 
 and sided with the king, whose provisions and pay they ha 
 been in the habit of receiving. Upon this taking place, th 
 duke’s army was disbanded, while he himself retreated to Ire 
 land, and his eldest son, Edward, earl of March, together wit 
 the before-named earls, father and son, crossed over by ship t 
 Calais. 
 
 In the meantime, a Parliament having been summoned s 
 Coventry, the duke and earls above-named were attainted, an 
 their goods and properties transferred to new possessors. But 
 as the affairs of England, a thing that every day’s experienc 
 too well teaches us, are subject to many changes and vicissi 
 tudes, in the following year, that is to say, in the year 146t 
 the said earls crossed over from Calais, and landed in Kent 
 shortly after which, a great battle was fought near Yorthamp : 
 ton, on the feast 14 of the Martyrdom of the Seven Brethren, i 
 the month of July, between king Henry and the above-name I 
 earls, with their respective adherents. There fell on the king 
 side, the duke of Buckingham, the earl of Shrewsbury, the lor 
 viscount Beaumont, the lord Egremont, and other nobles, wit 
 common men innumerable. The earls, having thus gaine;; 
 the victory, paid all the honors of royalty' to king Henry, an 
 conducted him with a most august escort to London ; Richai 
 Ye ville, the before-named earl of Warwick, on this occasioi 
 carrying a sword before the king, bare headed, and with ever 
 mark of humility and respect. 
 
 14 Tenth of July. 
 
a.d. 1460. 
 
 THE DUKE OF TOEK CLAIMS THE CROWN. 
 
 455 
 
 In the month of October, in the same year, the duke of 
 York came over from Ireland ; and repairing to Westminster, 
 while the Parliament was there assembled, entered the upper 
 chamber of the royal palace, where the lords spiritual and 
 ;emporal were sitting; after which, going up to the royal 
 ;hrone, he claimed the right of sitting there as belonging solely 
 ;o himself. He then genealogically traced his lineal descent 
 fom Lionel, duke of Clarence, to whom, as being the elder 
 ion, he asserted that the succession to the kingdom of England 
 if light belonged, and not to the posterity of John, duke of 
 Lancaster, his younger brother, from whom king Henry was 
 lescended; after which, he protested that he would no longer 
 >ut up with the injustice which had been done to his line for 
 o many years by the three Henrys, who were only usurpers, 
 mmediately after this, making his way into the inner rooms 
 if the royal palace, he compelled the king to remove to the 
 ueen’s apartments, while he himself took possession of the whole 
 f the king’s abode. This disturbance continued, though un- 
 ttended by slaughter, for about f hree weeks, until the vigil of 
 ill Saints ; the whole Parliament being occupied, in the mean 
 ime, with the discussion of the genealogical question, and the 
 ights of the before-mentioned duke. Upon that vigil, these 
 ifferenees were brought to a conclusion in the following man¬ 
 er : the duke and his sons, Edward, earl of March, and Ed- 
 i iund, earl of Rutland, who had both arrived at the years of 
 iscretion, were to swear fealty to the king, and to recognize 
 im as king so long as he should live, the same having been al- 
 f eady determined by Parliament. At the same time, it was 
 dded, with the king’s consent, that as soon as the king should 
 ave departed this life, it should be lawful for the said duke 
 nd his heirs to lay claim to, and take possession of, the crown 
 f England. Matters being thus arranged, the duke removed 
 •om the palace of Westminster to his mansion in London, 
 nd left the king and his people in peace. 
 
 In these days, queen Margaret, with prince Edward, the 
 nly son of the king and herself, was staying in the northern 
 arts of the kingdom. As the above decree of Parliament ap- 
 eared to the northern partisans of the queen most odious and 
 xecrable, a commotion took place there, among the nobles and 
 immon people, their object being, to have that enactment 
 tered . 15 
 
 15 There is clearly an omission in the narrative here. 
 
456 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYI.AND. A. o. 146] 
 
 The duke of York, having in company with him his soe 
 the earl of Rutland, and Richard, earl of Salisbury, set out fo 
 the purpose of offering resistance to their movements; but, a 
 already mentioned, 16 he was defeated at Wakefield, and ther 
 slain. Upon this ensued the incursion of the said northme 
 into the southern parts of England, until they reached Sain 4 
 Alban’s, where they put to flight the earl of Warwick, who ha 
 brought king Henry thither, as though for the purpose of fightin 
 against the queen, his wife, and his son. After obtaining th 
 victory there, they did not pursue their advantages any furthej 
 but led back the king and queen with them into the north. 
 
 In the meantime, the duke’s eldest son, Edward, earl of Marc 
 before-named, engaged the partisans of the queen in Wale; 
 and, gaining a glorious victory over them, routed them at Moi 
 timer's Cross. On receiving tidings of his father’s death an 
 how eagerly the people in the southern parts of the kingdoi-1 
 were awaiting him as their future king, he assembled hi 
 army together, and proceeded to London. Here, after matui 
 deliberation, the council having come to the conclusion the 
 king Henry, by taking part with the murderers of his fathei 
 had used his utmost endeavours to annul the decree of Parlia 
 meat above-mentioned, the earl was pronounced to be no longe 
 bound to observe his fealty towards him. Royal honors wei 
 now paid him by all the people, with universal acclamatioi 
 and on the fourth day of May, in the year, according to th 
 computation of the Church of Rome, 1461, he commenced hi 
 reign, and in the power of his might won and earned the vie < 
 tory and the crown, in the manner which the Chronicler before 
 mentioned has already described. 
 
 All this I pass over in a cursory manner, as well as som 
 succeeding events; such as the sieges of the castles of North t 
 umberland, and various skirmishes which took place on th 
 Scottish borders, between the remnants of Henry’s party, wh 
 frequently made incursions from Scotland, and John Nevilh 
 lord Montague, who had lately been created earl of Northum 
 berland, at the head of the other faithful partisans of kin 
 Edward; which, although attended with varying succes: it 
 most frequently ended to the amplification of the glory (| 
 king Edward. In these skirmishes and battles, many noblt 
 on the side of king Henry, Henry, duke of Somerset, for in 
 stance, and some other lords, such as the lord Hungerford, an 
 16 P. 421. 
 
h.d. 14G7. 
 
 MARRIAGE OF KING EDWARD’S SISTER. 
 
 457 
 
 ;he lord De Roos, as well as the illustrious knights, Ralph 
 Grey and Ralph Percy, and others, were routed and slain by 
 Re prowess of the said earl of Northumberland. 
 
 I now come to the sixth year of the reign of the said king, 
 when Elizabeth, the eldest daughter by his marriage already 
 Mentioned, was born. This took place in the month of Feb- 
 ■uary, it being the year of our Lord, according to the computa- 
 .ion of the English church, 1465, but according to that of the 
 Lurch of Rome, 1466. About this time, ambassadors were 
 ent to England from Flanders, to ask the lady Margaret, 
 ister of king Edward, in marriage for the lord Charles, the 
 ldest son of Philip, duke of Burgundy, his father being then 
 iving. This marriage accordingly took place, and was solem- 
 ized in the month of July in the year following, being the 
 ear of our Lord, 1467. At this marriage, Richard Neville, 
 arl of Warwick, who had for some years appeared to favour 
 he party of the French against the Burgundians, conceived 
 reat indignation. For he would have greatly preferred to 
 ave sought an alliance for the said lady Margaret in the king- 
 om of France, by means of which, a favourable understanding- 
 light have arisen between the monarchs of those two king- 
 oms; it being much against his wish, that the views of 
 Earles, now duke of Burgundy, should be in any way pro- 
 l loted by means of an alliance with England. The fact is, 
 
 I aat he pursued that man with a most deadly hatred. 
 
 This, in my opinion, was really the cause of the dissensions 
 k etween the king and the earl, and not the one which has been 
 , reviously 16 mentioned—the marriage of the king with queen 
 lizabeth. For this marriage of the king and queen (although 
 I iter some murmuring on the part of the earl, who had previ- 
 isly used his best endeavours to bring about an alliance be- 
 veen the king and the queen of Scotland, widow of the king 
 ’ that country, lately 7- deceased), had long before this been 
 ilemnly sanctioned and approved of at Reading, by the earl 
 rnself, and all the prelates and great lords of the kingdom, 
 ideed, it is the fact, that the earl continued to show favour 
 all the queen’s kindred, until he found that her relatives and 
 ■nnexions, contrary to his wishes, were using their utmost 
 ideavours to promote the other marriage, which, in conformity 
 ith the king’s wishes, eventually took place between Charles 
 id the ady Margaret, and were favouring other dosigus to 
 » 6 P. 445. 
 
458 COXTrSTTATIOH OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAXD. 
 
 A.D. 1-16 
 
 which he was strongly opposed. It is to reasons of th 
 nature that may be attributed the overthrow and slaughter < 
 the Welch, with their leader, William Herbert, lately create 
 eai’l of Pembroke, at the battle previously mentioned, whic 
 took place at Hegecot, near Banbury : for that nobleman, i 
 this period, had great weight in the counsels of the king an 
 queen, his eldest son having previously married one of tt 
 queen’s sisters. The queen's father also perished, Kiel)an 
 earl of Rivers, already mentioned, together with Sir Job 
 Wydville, his son. 
 
 In the meantime, king Edward was taken prisoner at 
 certain village near Coventry, and, all his attendants bein 
 dismissed, was led thence to Warwick Castle, where he w; 
 detained in captivity. This calamity was caused by his ov 
 brother George, duke of Clarence, Richard, earl of Warwid 
 and his brother George, archbishop of York: and befell hi) 
 in the summer of the ninth year of his reign, being the ye< 
 of our Lord, 1469. 
 
 Lest it should come to pass that the faithful subjects of tl 
 said king, in the southern parts of the kingdom, should a 
 tempt to avenge the commission of so great an injury, ar 
 liberate him from his captivity in the said castle, they now train 
 ferred him to Middleham Castle, in the north; from whic 
 place, however, in a manner almost miraculous, and beyond a 
 expectation, he did not so much make his escape, as find bin 
 self released by the express consent of the earl of Warwick hin 
 self. For there was now a rising in England, in the vicinity < 
 the Scottish border, of many persons who formed the remaii 
 of Henry’s party, and who had chosen for their captain one S 
 Humphrey Neville. The earl of Warwick found himself ui 
 able to offer an effectual resistance to these, without fir 
 making public proclamation in the king's name that all tl 
 king’s liege subjects must rise to defend him against the rebel 
 For the people, seeing their king detained as a prisoner, n 
 fused to take any notice of proclamations to this effect, unti 
 having been entirely set at liberty, he had made his appea ' 
 ance in the city of York; after which, the enemy were mo 
 valiantly routed by the said earl, and the king, seizing tl 
 opportunity, in the full enjoyment of his liberty came t 
 London. 
 
 From this day, as already stated, there were repeated me 
 
,.d. 1470, 
 
 JOHN WYSBECH ABBAT OF CEOYLAXD. 
 
 459 
 
 ages and embassies passing to and fro between the king and 
 he dissatisfied nobles. In the end, a grand council of all the 
 >eers of the kingdom was summoned, and on a certain day 
 vhich had been previously named, there appeared in the great 
 hamber of Parliament, the duke of Clarence, the earl of 
 Varwick, and the rest of their confederates; upon which, 
 ieace and entire oblivion of all grievances upon both sides was 
 greed to. Still however, there probably remained, on the 
 ne side, deeply seated in his mind, the injuries he had received 
 nd the contempt which had been shown to majesty, and on 
 he other— 
 
 “ A mind too conscious of a daring deed.” 
 
 At last, after the celebration at London of the feast of the 
 Nativity, upon the approach of the fast of Lent in the year 
 f our Lord, according to the computation of the Church of 
 tome, 1470, the king and the said nobles bade adieu to each 
 ther, the king intending to remain for a short time in Lon- 
 on, while the others returned, each one as he pleased, to their 
 espective homes. 
 
 In the meantime, the monastery of Croyland being vacant 
 y the death of abbat John Lytlington, which took place, as 
 'heady stated, on the sixteenth day of January in this pre- 
 ent year, being the ninth of king Edward the Eourth, provi- 
 ion was duly made for supplying his place by the canonical 
 lection of the lord JohnWysbcch, a most prudent and circum- 
 pect man. At the time of his election, he held the office of 
 rior of the cell of Freston ; which cell had, from ancient 
 mes, been annexed and appropriated to the use of the said 
 lonastery of Croyland. This election took place on the tliir- 
 eenth day of February, in the year of king Edward above- 
 lentioned, the same being the year of our Lord, according to 
 ie computation of the English Church, 1469, but according 
 ) that of the Church of Rome, 1470. 
 
 Here, it seems as well, for the instruction of the young, 
 r ho, perhaps, do not understand this variation of the modes 
 f reckoning, or, at least, the causes thereof, to explain, in a 
 !W words, how it happens that the Romans, who reckon from 
 later event, namely, the Nativity, precede us, who compute 
 ■om a prior one, the Incarnation, by the space of time which, 
 ich year, falls between the feast of the Nativity and the feast 
 T the Annunciation of our Lord: the remaining part of the 
 
460 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOKY OF CROYXAND. A.D. 147( ' 
 
 year being numbered exactly the same by us and by then 
 For the purpose of understanding this, it ought to be observet, 
 that Chroniclers who write annals, or the events of eac 
 year, have two modes of terminating the year. One of thes 
 methods is, where, from the beginning of the event which the 
 wish to commemorate, they wait a whole revolution of th 
 sun’s motion, and until he has passed through the Zodiac, c 
 three hundred and sixty-five days [before they begin to count] 
 which is the way in which the English church reckons, nc 
 completing 16 the first year of any event which takes placi 
 until three hundred and sixty-five days have elapsed from th 
 beginning of that event. Hence it is that it always conclude 
 and terminates each year from the Incarnation of our Lor,, 
 (from which event it mostly makes its calculations), on th 
 same day on which the actual mystery of our Lord’s Incama 
 tion commenced, that is, at the feast of the Annunciation. 
 
 The Romans, on the other hand, out of the respect ancientl 
 entertained for the god Janus, from whom the month of Jamil 
 ary received its name, begin all their years on the first day c 
 January, and finish them on the last day of December, in what 
 ever intervening month the act which it is their intention t 
 commemorate may have happened. Consequently, with thei 
 the first year of our Lord’s Nativity, from which event th 
 Homans are wont to calculate, was finished in seven days aftc 
 that event; and hence, with them the year two began on th 
 first day of January next ensuing. When we come to undei 
 6tand this equivocal method of terminating the year, it is clea 
 that, in reality, there exists no error at all; but that, accord 
 ing to the first mode of computation, it is only the year of ou 
 Lord, 1469, up to the feast of the Annunciation; while, o 
 the other hand, according to the second mode, by which th' 
 new year always begins in January, it may be said that it i 
 the year 1470. This method of beginning and concludin.l 
 each year after the Homan manner, is supported by the usagl 
 observed in our manual reckoners and the customary Calenda, 
 
 16 He means, “ not considering it as a year in the computation, until 1 
 whole year has been completed according to which mode of reckoning 
 the year one would begin not at the Incarnation, but at the end of 3ti 
 days after the Incarnation. 
 
 17 Meaning that the year one would not begin to be reckoned till th 
 first anniversary of our Lord’s Incarnation, on the feast of the Annuu 
 ciation. 
 
d. 1470. 
 
 KING EDWARD DEFEATS THE REBELS. 
 
 461 
 
 : the church, as the Dominical letters, which are to serve 
 r a whole year, are always changed on the first day of Ja- 
 rary. 
 
 But now let us return to the said John Wysbech, who was, 
 we have already stated, at this time elected abbat of Croy- 
 nd. He was a truly wary man in all his doings, having 
 ined experience in former years in fulfilling the duties of 
 any offices which he held in the monastery; besides which, 
 
 ; enjoyed this singular and especial privilege and piece of 
 .iod fortune, which never fell to the lot of any of his prede- 
 esors. As often as any spark of litigation appeared about to 
 kindled, through his sagacity and the discreet moderation 
 i his acts, he always quenched it, before it had burst into an 
 |«en flame ; so much so, that throughout the whole period of 
 ,b pastoral duties he enjoyed perfect peace and tranquillity. 
 ';t us, however, for a time dismiss any further notice of 
 itis good father or his pious deeds, of which we will make 
 imtion, when we come to the events of the year in which he 
 pis withdrawn from this world, the same being the year of 
 er Lord, 1477 ; and let us now return to the narrative of the 
 ■cular history of the kingdom. 
 
 . After the departure of the nobles before-mentioned from 
 1 ndon, the men of the county and district of Lincoln, for the 
 1st time allying themselves, as it were, with the Kentish 
 Dels, and resisting the laws and customs of the country, ap- 
 I ired in arms, under the command and guidance of the son 
 $1 heir of the lord Wells. King Edward, however, having 
 1 ied an army, as soon as he had arrived at Stamford, at the 
 sae instant, both saw and conquered them. All the leaders of 
 4* hostile force fell into his hands; and after inflicting capital 
 piishment on them for their misdeeds, he showed grace and 
 t our to the ignorant and guiltless multitude. Upon the news 
 o his having gained this great victory reaching the ears of 
 ti duke and earl the noblemen already mentioned, being fully 
 dscious of their share in promoting this insurrection, they 
 cisulted their safety in flight; upon which, the king followed 
 iioursuit of them, along their route from the county of Lan- 
 efter across the intervening counties, until they had arrived at 
 tl city of Exeter in the county of Devon. Having arrived 
 h cbefore the king could come up with them, and finding a few 
 si )s in readiness, they embarked ; and after spoiling of their 
 
462 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOBY OF CBOTLAND. 
 
 A.D. 1470 
 
 property, in ships and -wares, all the Hollanders and othe : 
 subjects of the duke of Burgundy they could meet with en 
 gaged in mercantile pursuits, they pushed on with the utmos 
 speed, and at length, with their confederates, landed safely i 
 Normandy. 
 
 Here they were kindly received by king Louis, and bein 
 after some difficulty admitted into the favour of queen Mai 
 garet and her son prince Edward, made a promise that the 
 would in future faithfully support their cause and that < 
 king Henry. In addition to this, that their reconcilement an 
 good faith towards each other might appear in the eyes t 
 future ages the more undoubted, espousals were contracted b< 
 tween the said prince and the lady Anne, the youngest daughtei 
 of the said earl of Warwick; the duke of Clarence, himsel| 
 having previously to this, married his eldest daughter, Isabell; 
 
 Hardly had these men been six months in exile, when, b< 
 hold ! recruited by means of the treasures of the king of tn 
 French, they landed in the same parts of England from whic 
 they had taken their departure. All the English in the neigL 
 bourhood felt compassion, as always is the case, for the exib 
 who had thus returned, and, not so much joining them, as wai 
 ing upon them to show them every attention, increased the! 
 forces to such numbers,'that the troops of king Edward, f< 
 which he was waiting at Doncaster, withdrew from a contest ij 
 douhtful in its results. There was then living in the neighbour 
 hood, at his own mansion at Pomfret, John Neville, broth: 
 of the earl of Warwick, and who at this time had the titl 
 of marquis of Montague. Although he had sworn fealty to kii 
 Edward, still, on hearing of the arrival of his brother, he h; 
 recourse to treachery ; and entered into a conspiracy, the o 
 ject of which was to seize the king’s person by means of tl 
 large body of men, which, by virtue of the royal proclamatio 
 he had levied. As soon as this reached the king’s ears by t! , 
 secret agency of a spy, he found himself compelled to consci 
 his own safety and that of his followers by a precipitate fligi 
 to the port of Bishop’s Lynn, in Norfolk. Here finding sod 
 ships, he caused himself and his followers, nearly two tho 
 sand in number, to be conveyed across the sea to Holland, 
 territory of the duke of Burgundy. These events took pla 
 about the festival of Michaelmas, in the year of our Lord, 147 
 it being the ninth year of the reign of the said king Edwan 
 
.d. 1470. 
 
 KING EDWARD RETURNS TO ENGLAND. 
 
 4G3 
 
 In tliis manner did the lords before-mentioned gloriously 
 •iumph over the said king Edward, and that without the least 
 aughter or bloodshed ; after which, they repaired to London 
 r ith a degree of pomp befitting such great success. Taking 
 mg Henry the Sixth out of the Tower, where he had been so 
 ■ng detained in captivity, they once more placed him on the 
 none of the kingdom : and in the month of October, on the 
 :ast of the Translation of Saint Edward the King and Con- 
 Isssor, after walking in solemn procession, had the crown pub- 
 cly placed on his head. Now all laws were once more enacted 
 i the name of this king Henry, and all letters patent, writs, 
 andates, chirographs, and instruments whatsoever were pub- 
 shed with a twofold mode of annotation in reference to this 
 ing’s government—in this manner ; “In the year from the 
 jginning of the reign of king Henry the Sixth, forty-eight, 
 id in the first year of the recovery of his throne by the said 
 
 pg.” 
 
 At this time was born Edward, the first-born son of king 
 i iward, then in exile; which event took place on the feast of 
 | >11 Saints, in the monastery of Westminster, at which place 
 I been Elizabeth and her three daughters had taken sanctuary, 
 •om this circumstance was derived some hope and consolation 
 r such persons as remained faithful in their allegiance to Ed- 
 urd, while those who were well-wishers to king Henry, and 
 ho at this time were many in number, deemed the birth of 
 is infant a thing of very lirtle consequence. You might 
 : en have heard persons innumerable ascribing this restoration 
 "■ the most pious king Henry to a miracle, and this change to 
 W working of the right hand of the Most High; and yet, 
 hold ! how incomprehensible are the judgments of God, and 
 ] w inscrutable are His ways! for within six months after 
 is, it is a fact well known, that there was not a person who 
 i red own himself to have been his partisan. 
 
 For the said king Edward, being provided with troops and 
 i ips by Charles, duke of Burgundy, about the middle of the 
 «suing Lent after his banishment effected a landing with fif- 
 1;n hundred English followers in the district of Holdernesse, 
 i the same spot 19 at which Henry the Fourth had formerly 
 ] ided when about to dethrone king Bichard. Passing through 
 13 city of York, he assumed no other title beyond that of 
 19 Ravenspur, in Yorkshire 
 
464 COXTIXUATIOX OF THE n I STOUT OF CKOTXAHD. A.D. 1471 
 
 duke, as being heir to his father; for it was necessary to u& 
 some dissimulation there, as many of the people were op 
 posed to him. After this, he arrived, without any resistance 
 being offered, before the city of Coventry, in which the earl 
 of Warwick and Oxford had shut themselves with a great bod; 
 of troops. 
 
 In the meantime, the duke of Clarence before-named, brothe 
 to king Edward, had been fully reconciled to the king by th 
 mediation of his sisters, the duchesses of Burgundy and Exetei 
 of whom, the one without the kingdom, and the other withii 
 it, entreated the duke to make peace with his brother: afte 
 which, he hurried with a very large force from the westeri 
 parts of the kingdom to the king’s assistance. The num 
 bers on the king’s side thus increasing every day, the earls a 
 Coventry did not dare venture either to proclaim war agains 
 the king or to accept the pitched battle which was offered then 
 by him. 
 
 Upon this, the king proceeded to London, where he one 
 more seized the person of the before-named king Henry, am 
 George, archbishop of York, the then chancellor of the king 
 dom. Hardly, however, had he passed two nights there, whet 
 he was obliged to leave the city, for the purpose of manfull; 
 engaging, without it, the enemy who were hastening onwan 
 to capture him in the place. For Easter Day was nov 
 close at hand, upon which it was conjectured that the kin; 
 would be attending more to prayers than arms, and it wa 
 their design at the moment when he was intent upon th' 
 v duties of religion, suddenly to surprise him when unattende( 
 by any considerable number of people. This prudent prince, 
 however, took due precautions against this stratagem of th 
 enemy, and, paying more attention to urgent necessity tha: 
 to absurd notions of propriety, on Holy Saturday in Easte; 
 week, quitted the city with his arm} - , and, passing slow! 
 on, reached the town of Barnet, a place ten miles distan, 
 from the city ; and there pitched his camp, on the eve of th 
 day of our Lord’s Resurrection. 
 
 In the morning a dreadful engagement took place, in whic' 
 there fell various nobles of either party. On the side of those wh 
 were of king Henry’s party, there fell those two most famou 
 nobles, the brothers, Richard earl of Warwick, and John mai 
 quis of Montague. Among those on that side who contrive; 
 
A.D. 1171. 
 
 QUEEN MARGARET LANDS IN ENGLAND. 
 
 405 
 
 ■ to escape alive from the field, were Henry Holland, duke of 
 Exeter, and John Yore, earl of Oxford, of whom, the one took 
 [sanctuary at Westminster, Avhile the other betook himself to 
 I the sea, once more to seek his fortune. On the other hand, 
 [.king Edward lost two nobles, kinsmen of his, Humphrey Bour- 
 diier, lord Cromwell, and another Humphrey, of the same 
 ! surname, the eldest son and heir of the lord Berners ; besides 
 uany others who fell in the battle. However, he gained a won- 
 | lerful, glorious, and unhoped-for victory. 
 
 He returned in triumph to London, after midday on the 
 ijiame day, being Easter Sunday, and was honourably escorted 
 t hither by multitudes of nobles and people. Still however, 
 l ie was not allowed to spend many days there for the purpose 
 [;if refreshing his body, Avhich had been so buffeted about by his 
 Imrying fortunes. Eor, just after one battle had been fought, 
 
 : s already stated, in the .east, he was obliged to prepare him- 
 I elf and his followers with all his energies for another in the 
 | restern parts of the kingdom, which was fought under the 
 uspices of queen Margaret and her son. 
 
 It so happened that whilst king Edward, on embarking. 
 , rom Flanders, had, contrary to his intention, been carried by 
 : he violence of the tempests to the coasts of Yorkshire, the 
 ueen had set sail, with her followers, from Normandy, and 
 i laking a direct passage, had landed in the counties of Corn- 
 ; Vail and Devon. The queen’s army now increased daily, there 
 | cing many in the west who espoused the cause of king Henry 
 i preference to the pretensions of all others. Upon this, 
 Idmund, duke of Somerset, who had been an exile from his 
 )> hildhood, and who was next in rank in the whole army after 
 * rince Edward, with his brother, John Beaufort by name, 
 homas, earl of Devon, John, lord Wen lock, and brother John 
 ancostrother, prior of the order of Saint John throughout 
 ngland, deliberated in council how they might contrive most 
 i icedily to pass along the western coast, and, making their 
 ay by Bristol, Gloucester, and Chester, reach Lancashire, 
 i here great numbers of men skilled in archery were to be 
 ■und : for they felt quite confident that the nobles and people 
 those parts, beyond idl others throughout the kingdom, were 
 ell affected to the Lancastrian line. Nor perhaps would they 
 ive been deceived in forming this opinion, had not king 
 Jvvard used such great expedition in marching from London 
 
 n u 
 
466 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOBY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 147 
 
 with a small body of troops to meet them, in order that the 
 further passage might be intercepted; an object which wt 
 accordingly effected in the county of Gloucester. 
 
 When both armies had now become so extremely fatigued 
 with the labour of marching and thirst that they could pr<| 
 ceed no further, they joined battle near the town of Tewkei 
 bury. After the result had long remained doubtful, king Edwai 
 at last gained a glorious victory. Upon this occasion, the], 
 were slain on the queen’s side, either on the field or after tt 
 battle, by the avenging hands of certain persons, 20 prince E( 
 ward, the only son of king Henry, the duke of Somerset, tl 
 earl of Devon, and all and every the other lords above-mei 
 tioned. Queen Margaret also was taken prisoner and preserve! 
 in safety, in order that she might be carried to Loudon, the:i 
 to appear before the king’s triumphal car; which was accorc 
 ingly done. 
 
 But, while these things were going on, and while kingEdwarl 
 graced with this twofold victory, would seem, in the judgme; 
 of all, most undeniably to have proved the justice of his causl 
 the fury of many of the malignants was not averted, ai 
 especially in Kent; for the hands of these people were st: 
 extended [against the king]. Some men of this descriptio 
 being instigated by certain of the remains of the earl of Wa 
 wick’s mercenaries, mariners and pirates from Calais, m 
 together and placed themselves under the command of oi 
 Thomas, the Bastard of Falconbridge; after which, some 1 
 land, and others by the river Thames, reached London fro 
 the most distant parts of the county. Here having survey 
 all the inlets and outlets of the city, they studied with all thi 
 energies how they might possibly subject this most opulc 
 city to their ravages. For this purpose, they brought up shij 
 which they had prepared for the purpose, almost into the vw 
 port, in order that, putting on board the whole of their spo 
 they might obtain subsistence by moans thereof in other que 
 tors. With this object, many of them collected together up 
 London Bridge, and many others on the opposite side of t 
 city at the gate which bears the name of ‘ Bishopsgate’; win 
 they made most furious assaults, and laid waste everythii 
 
 :0 He evidently alludes either to Edward or his brother Richard, du 
 of Gloucester. Horace Walpole, in his “ Historic Doubts,” thinks tl 
 the latter is referred to, and he is probably right in his conjecture. 
 
D. 1471. KING EDWARD AGAIN ENTERS LONDON IN TRIUMPH. 4f>7 
 
 rith fire and sword, in order, by some means or other, to 
 fleet an entrance. The vestiges of their misdeeds are even 
 et to be seen upon the said bridge, as they burned all the 
 jouses which lay between the draw-bridge and the outer 
 late, that looks towards the High Street of Southwark, and 
 •hich had been built at a vast expense. 
 
 God, however, being unwilling that a city so renowned, and 
 pe capital of the whole kingdom of England, should be de- 
 
 I vered into the hands of such wretches, to be plundered by 
 lem, gave to the Londoners stout hearts, which prompted 
 lem to offer resistance on the day of battle. This they were 
 specially aided in doing by a sudden and unexpected sally, 
 hich was made by Antony, earl llivers, from the Tower of 
 ondon. - Falling, at the head of his horsemen, upon the rear 
 the enemy while they were making furious assaults upon the 
 ite above-mentioned, he afforded the Londoners an oppor- 
 inity of opening the city gates and engaging hand to hand 
 ith the foe; upon which they manfully slew or put to 
 light each and every of them. Then might you have seen 
 1 the remnants of this band of robbers hastening with all 
 »eed to their ships and other hiding-places. 
 
 These abandoned men being thus routed and put to flight, 
 >th citizens, guests, and strangers, were greatly rejoiced 
 iereat, as well as all other persons who had taken refuge in 
 ie place for the sake of additional safety during the ravages 
 f this tempest. All these events took place in the month of 
 fay, shortly before the feast of the Ascension of our Lord. 
 
 On the vigil of this feast, king Edward entered London in 
 ate for the third time, with a retinue far greater than any of 
 s former armies, and with standards unfurled and borne 
 Tore him and the nobles of his arm}'. Upon this occasion 
 any were struck with surprise and astonishment, seeing that 
 ere was now no enemy left for him to encounter. This pru- 
 :nt prince however, fully understanding the fickle disposition 
 : the people of Kent, had come to the resolution that lie would 
 •it disarm until he had visited those ravagers witn condign 
 innishment for their misdeeds at their own doors. For this 
 nrpose, he proceeded into Kent with his horse in hostile 
 £ rm ; having done which, he returned, a most renowned con- 
 Mieror and a mighty monarch ; whose praises resounded far 
 d wide throughout the land, for having achieved such great 
 
 n n 2 
 
4f>8 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAXD. A.D. 147 
 
 » 
 
 exploits with such wondrous expedition and in so short 
 space of time. 
 
 I would pass over in silence the fact that at this period kii 
 Henry was found dead in the Tower of London; may G< 
 spare and grant time for repentance to the person, whoever 1 
 was, who thus dared to lay sacrilegious hands upon the Lord 
 anointed! Hence it is that he who perpetrated this h 
 justly earned the title of tyrant, 21 while he who thus suffer 
 has gained that of a glorious Martyr. The body was exhibito 
 for some days in Saint Paul’s church at London, and w; 
 carried thence by the river Thames to the conventual churc 
 of the monks at Chertsey, in the diocese of Winchester, fiftet 
 miles from the city; a kind of barge having been solemn! 
 prepared for the purpose, provided with lighted torches. Ho 
 great his deserts were, by reason of his innocence of life, h 
 love of God and of the Church, his patience in adversity, an 
 his other remarkable virtues, is abundantly testified by tl 
 miracles which God has wrought in favour of those who hav< 
 with devout hearts, implored his intercession. 
 
 The praises of these regal victories having been carried f 
 the most illustrious duke of Burgundy, who was there to t 
 found more glad than he ? For being then at Avar Avith then 
 common enemy, king Louis, he could not entertain a dout 
 but that he should receive assistance against him at the hand 
 of his allies. And who was there to be found more sorrowfn 
 than Louis ? through whose craftiness alone so many domesti 
 foes had been thus frequently raised up against the person < 
 king Edward; but now, at last, all in vain. Certain ambas 
 sadors Avere accordingly sent to the king by the duke, not mor 
 for the purpose of congratulating him on his successes, tha: 
 of reminding him what a degree of ill-will their common enenr 
 had shewn against his serene highness, and advising his ma¬ 
 jesty to give his early thoughts to making and carrying oir 
 preparations for a descent on France, not so much with th 
 object of jn'enging past injuries, as of regaining the rights o 
 his ancestors, which had been lost in France; while at tb 
 same time he was assured that he should have the duke as ; 
 sharer in the expedition, and a partner in both his prosperity 
 and his adversity. Having taken so important an offer as thi 
 into due consideration, it was at last determined that the kin: 
 should send some one of his people, for the purpose of en 
 JI This appears to be a hint of Edward’s complicity. 
 
a. j. 14/1. 
 
 DISFUTE BETWEEN THE KING’S BEOTHEES. 
 
 469 
 
 ■ piiring more thoroughly into the duke's intentions, and of in¬ 
 forming the king thereon. 
 
 ■’I Accordingly, one of the king’s council was sent, a Doctor 22 of 
 ’ Canon Law. He was despatched, however, by way of Bou¬ 
 logne (for at this time Calais had not as yet been reduced to 
 ; obedience to the king); and he found the duke at a certain 
 t 1 great and well-fortified town, situate on the river Somme, 
 %hich is called Abbat’s Yill or Abbeville, in the county 
 jf Pontay. Having fulfilled the object of his embassy, be 
 'returned, bringing with him most earnest requests for as- 
 8 instance, by way of Calais, which shortly after, with all the 
 marches adjacent thereto, in conformity with the king’s views, 
 
 L received William, lord Hastings, the king’s chamberlain, with 
 ill respect and submissiveness, and surrendered to him pos- 
 * session of the place. By means of this short embassy were 
 aid the foundations of those mighty preparations of which 
 1 mention will be found made in the sequel, for recovering the 
 ' ring’s rights in France. In this manner passed the summer 
 if this year, being the eleventh of the reign of king Edward 
 he Fourth, and the year of our Lord, 1471. In the Michael - 
 uas Term after this, by act of Parliament, many persons were 
 ( ttainted and several other measures taken, which it is not 
 
 ■ vorth while individually here to describe. This Parliament 
 feted nearly two years. 
 
 fji It is my intention here to insert an account of the dissen- 
 t ions which arose during this Michaelmas Term between the 
 wo brothers of the king already mentioned, and which 
 
 I cero with difficulty quieted. After, as already stated, the 
 on of king Henry, to whom the lady Anne, the youngest 
 daughter of the earl of Warwick, had been married, was slain 
 i ,t the battle of Tewkesbury, Richard, duke of Gloucester, 
 
 ; ought the said Anne in marriage. This proposal, however, 
 id not suit the views of his brother, the duke of Clarence, 
 rho had previously married the eldest daughter of the same 
 arl. Such being the case, he caused the damsel to be conceal- 
 d, in order that it might not be known by his brother where 
 be was ; as he was afraid of a division of the earl's property, 
 
 , hieh he wished to come to himself alone in right of his wife, 
 nd not to be obliged to share it with any other person. Still 
 owever, the craftiness of the duke of Gloucester so far pre- 
 uiled, that he discovered the young lady in the city of Lon- 
 2 - The writer of this history —Marginal Note. 
 
470 CONTINUATION OF THX HISTORY OF CROTLANU. A.D. 1 17 
 
 don disguised in the habit of a cookmaid : upon -which lie h;.l 
 her removed to the sanctuary of Saint Martin’s. In consi 
 quence of this, such violent dissensions arose between tl 
 brothers, and so many arguments were, with the greate: 
 acuteness, put forward on either side, in the king’s presenc 
 who sat in judgment in the council-chamber, thut all presen 
 and the lawyers even, were quite surprised that these princt 
 should find arguments in such abundance by means of whic 
 to support their respective causes. In fact, these thri 
 brothers, the king and the two dukes, were possessed of sue 
 surpassing talents, that, if they had been able to live withoi 
 dissensions, such a threefold cord could never have bee 
 broken without the utmost difficulty. At last, their mo: 
 loving brother, king Edward, agreed to. act as mediator b( 
 tween them ; and in order that the discord between princes ( 
 such high rank might not cause any hindrance to the carryin. 
 out of his royal intentions in relation to the affairs of Franci 
 the whole misunderstanding was at last set at rest, upon th 
 following terms; the marriage of the duke of Gloucester wit 
 Anne before-named was to take place, and he was to hav 
 such and so much of the earl’s lands as should be agreed upo 
 between them through the mediation of arbitrators; while al- 
 the rest were to remain in the possession of the duke of Cla 
 rence. The consequence was, that little or nothing was lei 
 at the disposal of the real lady and heiress, the countess c 
 Warwick, to whom for the whole of her life the most nobl 
 inheritance of the Warwicks and the Despencers properly be 
 longed. However I readily pass over a matter so incurabl 
 as this, without attempting to find a cause for it, and so leav 
 these strong-willed men to the impulse of their own wills' 
 thinking it better to set forth the remaining portion of thi 
 narrative, so far as it occurs to my memory, with unbiasset 
 words, and, so far as I am aware, without any admixture c 
 falsehood therewith. 
 
 During this Parliament, (which was * * presided ovp 
 
 by a variety of chancellors, there being, first, Robert, bishop o 
 Bath, who did nothing except through his pupil, John Alcock 
 bishop of Worcester; secondly, Lawrence, bishop of Durham 
 who became quite fatigued and weary with his endless labours 
 and thirdly, Thomas, bishop of Lincoln, who fully carried ou 
 all his purposes to the very end :) the principal object of tin 
 
a.d. 1474. 
 
 KING I'.DWAKD PROCEEDS TO CALAIS. 
 
 471 
 
 king was to encourage the nobles and people to engage in the 
 . war aga inst France; in the promotion of which object, many 
 ll speeches of remarkable eloquence were made in Parliament, 
 both of a public and private nature, especially on behalf of the 
 duke of Burgundy. The result was, that all applauded the 
 [ king’s intentions, and bestowed the highest praises on his 
 proposed plans ; and numerous tenths and fifteenths were 
 , granted, on several occasions, according to the exigencies of the 
 F case, in assemblies of the clergy and of such of the laity as 
 took any part in making grants of that nature. Besides this, 
 , those M ho were possessed of realty and personal property, all 
 , of them, readily granted the tenth part of their possessions. 
 When it now seemed that not even all the grants before- 
 mentioned umuld suffice for the maintenance of such great 
 expenses, a new and unheard - of impost was introduced, 
 .every one was to give just what he pleased, or rather, just 
 what he did not please, by way of benevolence. The money 
 j raised from grants so large and so numerous as these amount- 
 3 d to sums the like of which was never seen before, nor is it 
 probable that they ever will be seen in times to come. 
 
 Besides this, in order that these intentions on the king’s 
 oart might not be frustrated by multiplied hostilities, provi¬ 
 sion M r as thoughtfully made that the Scots should not remain 
 ; ike so many enemies behind our backs, and that the men of 
 he Teutonic Hanse Towns, who had noM r begun to infest the 
 English seas, should not aid the enemy in person and M r ith their 
 
 I hips, against us. Accordingly, peace was first established 
 vith these two countries in our vicinity, an embassy being 
 irst despatched to Utrecht, which reached that place in three 
 lays, and after that, to Scotland. 
 
 In the following year, being the year one thousand 21 * * * 
 md the fourteenth year of the reign of the said king Ed- 
 .vard, in the months of May and June the king transported 
 tcross all his armed force, together with most noble and 
 nost ample equipments, to Calais; where the most illustrious 
 irince, Charles, duke of Burgundy, having arrived with a 
 ew followers, held a prolonged debate with the king’s coun- 
 :il respecting the course of the two armies, the king’s and his 
 nvu, and the place at which they might most conveniently 
 neet. You might then have seen certain of our party highly 
 ■luted; being those who would have gladly returned home leav- 
 21 A.I). i474. 
 
472 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROTLAND. A.D. 14' 
 
 ing the object of the expedition nnattained, on the ground th 
 the duke was to blame, for failing to have his troops rear 
 and close at hand. Others however, whose minds were bett 
 disposed, and who studied glory rather than their own eas 
 thought that in acting thus the duke had performed the pa 
 of a prudent prince and of one who hoped for the best. Eo 
 as he very well knew, the king’s army alone was sufficient" 
 strong in case any attack should be suddenly made upon hir 
 Indeed, so extremely well-prepared was that force, that if tin 
 had been his own men he would not have wished for a largi 
 number, at the head of which to march triumphantly throug 
 the midst of France to the very gates of the city of Rome 
 these were the very words he uttered in public. Beside 
 this, if the whole of the duke’s army had been in sight < 
 ours, it is by no means improbable that the first battle wool 
 have been between them, for provisions, quarters, or otlu 
 things of which they might have stood in need ; than whic 
 nothing could have been possibly found more gratifying to tb 
 common enemy of both. 
 
 Nevertheless, the princes proceeded onward on their contem 
 plated route, and while, day after day, they approached neart 
 and nearer to the territories of the enemy, the duke on one oc 
 casion having turned aside to visit his own cities, in some waj 
 I know not how, a suggestion reached us on part of the enem 
 for entering into a treaty of peace. Nor yet, as some person 
 have asserted, ought the conditions appended thereto to appea 
 unbecoming or in any way disgraceful to our people; the offe 
 ■ being made on the terms, among other things, that the Dau i 
 . phin should be united to the king’s eldest'daughter with amos 
 ample marriage portion, and that a yearly payment should b 
 - made to him of ten thousand pounds for the purpose of defray 
 ing the expenses of the war that had been commenced, a truci 
 Or cessation of warfare being made for a period of seven years 
 
 However, upon this, the duke refused tohave any further deal 
 ings with the king who thus purposed to make peace with thei 
 adversary, seeing that he had previouslyengagedwith him alonti 
 * to eontinue the war with their united resources against then! 
 common enemy, and accordingly withdrew in a state of dis-I 
 content. Our‘Commissioners, having now concluded peace! 
 with the opposite side, in due form and to the effect previ¬ 
 ously mentioned, brought word to the king and his council 
 
,.D. 1175. KING EDWARD STRICTLY ENFORCES THE LAWS. 
 
 47J 
 
 1 What steps they had taken ; which were for many reasons 
 1 considered to he very seasonable and peculiarly suitable to the 
 1 iresent interests of the persons respectively engaged therein. 
 
 ■ Jpon this, our men spent the whole of their pay, and with 
 jood-will 23 on both sides an end was put to the war; which, 
 iifter preparations made with incredible expense and a degree 
 if diligence and energy unheard-of in this age, had never yet 
 
 I teen able to reach a commehcement. 
 
 II After this, a conference was held between the two kings, 
 % or the purpose of more firmly establishing the peace that had 
 ■been made between them. Indeed, there was no kind of 
 
 dedge, promise, or oath made in public, which king Louis 
 
 ■ vould not willingly give in order to guarantee the due per- 
 ormance of the terms agreed on. Accordingly, our lord the 
 ling returned to England, having thus concluded an honor- 
 file treaty of peace : for in this light it was regarded hv the 
 ligher officers 23 of the royal army, although there is nothing 
 
 - o holy or of so high a sanction, that it may not have con- 
 empt thrown upon it by being ill spoken of. Indeed, some 
 tersons immediately began to cavil at peace being thus con- 
 luded, hut these soon received condign punishment for their 
 Presumption. Others, on their return home, betook them- 
 elves to theft and rapine, so that no road throughout Eng- 
 md was left in a state of safety for either merchants or pil- 
 •rirns. 
 
 Upon this, our lord the king was compelled, in person, to¬ 
 gether with his judges, to make a survey of the kingdom ; and 
 o one, not even his own domestic, did he spare, but instantly 
 ad him hanged, if' he was found to be guilty of theft or murder, 
 'hese rigorous sentences being- universally carried into execu- 
 ion, public acts of robbery were soon put a stop to for a con- 
 iderable time. However, if this prudent.- prince had not 
 lanfully put an end to this commencement of mischief, the 
 umber of people complaining of the unfair management of 
 he resources of the kingdom, in consequence of such' quan- 
 ■. ities of treasure being abstracted from the coffers of each and 
 1 uselessly consumed, would have increased to such a degree 
 
 This passage appears to be in a very imperfect state. If translated 
 t all literal 1 v, it is impossible to make any sense of it. 
 
 23 The fact being, that most of them were bribed. 
 
474 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 147( 
 
 that no one could have said whose head, among the king' 
 advisers, was in safety: and the more especially those, wh< 
 induced by friendship for the French king or by his presents 
 had persuaded the king to make peace in manner previousl 
 mentioned. 
 
 There is no doubt that the king felt his perplexed situatio 
 in this matter most deeply at heart, and was by no mear 
 ignorant of the condition of his people, and how readily the 
 might be betrayed, in case they should find a leader, to ente 
 into rebellious plans, and conceive a thirst for change. Ac 
 cordingly, seeing that things had now come to such a pass, the 
 from thenceforth he could not dare, in his emergencies, to as 
 the assistance of the English people, and finding that (a thin 
 which really was the case) it was through want of money tin, 
 the French expedition had, in such a short time, come to nc 
 thing; he turned all his thoughts to the question, how h 
 might in future collect an amount of treasure worthy of hi 
 royal station out of his own substance, and by the exercise c 
 his own energies. Accordingly, having called Parliamen 
 together, he resumed possession of nearly all the royal estates 
 without regard to whom they had been granted, and applies 
 the whole thereof to the support of the expenses of the crown 
 Throughout all the ports of the kingdom he appointed inspec 
 tors of the customs, men of remarkable shrewdness, but to 
 hard, according to general report, upon the merchants. Th 
 king himself, also, having procured merchant ships, put oi 
 board of them the finest wools, cloths, tin, and other produc 
 tions of the kingdom, and, like a private individual livin' 
 by trade, exchanged merchandize for merchandize, by mean 
 of his factors, among both Italians and Greeks. The revenue 
 of vacant prelacies, which, according to Magna Charta, canno : 
 be sold, he would only part with out of his hands at a statef 
 sum, and on no other terms whatever. He also examined thi 
 register and rolls of Chancery, and exacted heavy fines fron 
 those whom he found to have intruded and taken possession o 
 estates without prosecuting their rights in form required bj 
 law; by way of return for the rents which they had in the 
 meantime received. These, and more of a similar nature thar 
 can possibly be conceived by a man who is inexperienced ii 
 such matters, were his methods of making up a purse ; added • 
 to which, there was the yearly tribute of ten thousand pounds 
 
v.D. 1470. DEATII OF jonx WYSBECH, ABBAT OF CBOYXAND. 475 
 
 luc from France, together with numerous tenths from the 
 churches, from which the prelates and clergy had been unable 
 o get themselves excused. All these particulars, in the course 
 ■f a very few years, rendered him an extremely wealthy prince; 
 o much so, that, for collecting vessels of gold and silver, ta- 
 iestries, and decorations of the most precious nature, both for 
 q ds palaces and for various churches, and for building castles, 
 olleges, and other distinguished places, and making new ac- 
 uisitions of lands and possessions, not one of his predecessors 
 ras at all able to equal his remarkable achievements. 
 
 In the meantime, and while the king was, for some years, 
 s we have already stated, intent upon accumulating these 
 ast quantities of wealth, he expended a considerable part of 
 hem in a solemn repetition of the funeral rites of his father, 
 i tichard, the late duke of York. For this most wise monarch, 
 lecalling to mind the very humble place of his father’s burial 
 the house of the Mendicant Friars at Pomfret, where the 
 ody of that great prince had been interred, amid the disturb- 
 nces of the time at which ho perished), translated the bones 
 
 I f his father, as well as those of his brother Edmund, earl of 
 Jutland, to the fine college of Fodringham, 21 which he had 
 >unded, in the diocese of Lincoln, attended by two processions, 
 hich consisted both of persons distinguished by birth and 
 igh rank: the one being of ecclesiastics, and consisting of the 
 I relates, the other of various peers and lords temporal. This 
 | plemnity was performed on certain days in the month of July, 
 i the sixteenth year of the said king, being the year of our 
 ord, 1476. 
 
 In this year, the before-named John Vysbech, who had in a 
 Lost praiseworthy manner presided over the monastery of 
 royland for nearly seven years, departed the way of all fiesh, 
 i the nineteenth day of November. It is my intention here 
 liii hand down to remembrance, and, by way of example, to 
 jsterity, certain memorable actions of this venerable father, 
 om the time at which he accepted the pastoral office. His 
 [ret act, after he had received the dignity of abbat, was to 
 mse the chapel of Saint Pega, commonly called Saint Pegaof 
 aylond, to be rebuilt, after the same had been for many years 
 veiled with the ground : for he wisely remembered the pas- 
 ge in the Gospel, “ Seek ye first the kingdom of God—and 
 24 Fotheringa)’, iu Northamptonshire. 
 
476 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1471 
 
 all these things shall he added to you.” 25 He also added greatl 
 to the becomingness of the celebration of Divine service, hot 
 in duly repairing the old organ, and in procuring a new on< 
 He also began several fine buildings, as well within the site ( 
 the abbey as without: and, using the greatest diligence, con 
 pleted not only these, but also all the others which had bee 
 begun by his predecessor. Among those which stand consp: 
 cuous above all the rest, to the honor and glory of the abbe 
 court, are those fine chambers which were begun by abbs! 
 Litlyngton, between the western part of the church and th 
 almonry, but were afterwards completed by this father, at 
 vast expense. He also caused the great granary to be erecte 
 which is situate near the bake-house; and had four wef 
 lighted rooms made out of some dark dens near the cloister 
 for the use of the abbat’s officers; besides which, a thing the 
 ought on no account to be omitted, he erected for the scholai 
 of this place destined for Cambridge, convenient chambers i 
 24 Buckingham Collegebelonging to the monks, well suited for th 
 purposes of study and repose. Through his diligence and cor 
 siderate management, he had the service, not to call it homag> 
 of the vill commuted, by means of a certain fine, from the de. 
 livery which had been customarily made yearly to the monat 
 tery of Peterborough of four stones of wax, into a payment i 
 twenty-pence; to the end that more sincere 26 brotherly lov 
 might thenceforth exist between the brethren of the two me 
 nasteries. He, too, was the first most wisely to abolish tin! 
 ancient 27 custom, or rather corrupt usage, of- giving knives t 
 every stranger on Saint Bartholomew’s day ; 27 * in consequenc 
 of which, the abbats and convent have considerable reason t 
 rejoice at being for ever delivered from a piece of great an 
 needless expense. Besides this, he obtained a bull of dispen 
 sation from the pope, which permitted the eating of flesh a 
 Septuagesima. He was a man of distinguished piety in all hi 
 actions; the same being manifested in his conduct both toward 
 
 25 St. Matthew vi. 33. St. Luke xii. 31. 24 Now Magdalen Collegi 
 
 26 In the use of the word “ sincerior,” the writer probably intends 
 pun, in allusion to the primary meaning of the word “ sincerus,” “ will 
 out wax,” from “sine cera.” 
 
 27 “ Venustum” seems to he a misprint for “ vetustam.” 
 
 2 ’* August 24th. This custom originated in allusion to the knife wit 
 which St. Bartholomew was flayed Some of them bore represeutatioi * 
 of the whips with which St. (juthlac inflicted self-castigation. They at 
 still sometimes found at Croylaud. 
 
A D. 11/6. 
 
 BICHABD CEOTLAND ELECTEE ABBAT. 
 
 477 
 
 his brethren and the farmers and tenants of the place. In his 
 lays there happened a great misfortune—a fire in the vill of 
 L'royland ; in conseouence of which, although the revenues of 
 .he monastery had decreased to the amount of twenty marks 
 aer annum, this pious father, entertaining bowels of compassion 
 ;owards his poor tenants, in his gracious bounty distributed 
 livers sums of money to such as had been damnified thereby, 
 n order to encourage them to rebuild; indeed, he himself 
 vould have rebuilt the edifices belonging to the monastery, 
 f his life had been prolonged. He died, as already stated, 
 ( m the nineteenth day of November, in the sixteenth year of 
 ling Edward. 
 
 By canonical election, brother Kichard Croyland, a Bachelor 
 •f Divinity, was appointed in his place, on the seventeenth 
 lay of December, in the year of our Lord, 1476, and in the 
 ear of king Edward above stated. He had previously filled 
 he office of Seneschal of the said monastery, and of his life 
 nd fortunes I shall set forth some particulars, when I come 
 o the year 1483. 
 
 In returning to the history of this kingdom, and recalling 
 ' o memory by what glory and tranquillity king Edward had 
 
 i endered himself illustrious, after having gathered together 
 reasures innumerable from the French tribute and the other 
 i articulars previously mentioned, let us subjoin certain matters 
 
 ( hat will admit of no denial. A new dissension, which sprang 
 p shortly after, between him and his brother, the duke of 
 larence, very greatly tarnished the glories of this most pru- 
 ent king. For that duke now seemed gradually more and 
 lore to estrange himself from the king’s presence, hardly ever 
 i) utter a word in council, and not without reluctance to eat 
 c drink in the king’s abode. On account of this interruption 
 ,f their former friendship, many thought that the duke was 
 stremely sore at heart, because, on the occasion of the general 
 .'sumption which the king had lately made in Parliament, the 
 like had lost the noble demesne of Tutbury, and several other 
 nds, which he had formerly obtained by royal grant. 
 
 In the meantime, Charles, duke of Burgundy, after, as al- 
 ;ady stated, he had left the king, subjected the whole of Lor- 
 une to his arms. Proceeding onwards, most boldly, not to 
 iy rashly, * * * * * the third time that he engaged 
 
 ith the people who are at the present day commonly called 
 
478 
 
 CONTUTUA TION OF THE HISTORY OF CKOYLAND. A.D. 14! 
 
 [the Switzers], a battle was fought on the day of the Epiphan; 
 in which he was defeated, and met his death; it being in tl 
 year of our Lord, according to the Roman computation, 147 
 This piece of foreign history I have here inserted, because 
 was universally mentioned that after the death of Charles, h 
 widow, the duchess, lad}' Margaret, whose affections were fixt 
 on her brother Clarence beyond any of the rest of her kindrei 
 exerted all hcrstrength and energies that Mary, the only dau glib 
 and heir of the said duke Charles deceased, might be unite 
 in marriage to that duke, whose Avife had recently died, f 
 great a contemplated exaltation as this, however, of his m 
 grateful brother, displeased the king. He consequently thre 
 all possible impediments in the way, in order that the mate 
 before-mentioned might not be carried into effect, and exertfi 
 all his influence that the heiress might be given in marriage ' 
 Maximilian, the son of the emperor; Avliieh Avas afterwart, 
 effected. 
 
 The indignation of the duke was probably still further h 
 creased by this; and now each began to look upon the oth 
 with no very fraternal eyes. You might then have seen, (; 
 such men are generally to be found in the courts of all princes 
 flatterers running to and fro, from the one side to the othe 
 and carrying backwards and forwards the words which he 
 fallen from the tAvo brothers, even if they had happened to 1 
 spoken in the most secret closet. The arrest of the duke f 
 the purpose of compelling him to answer the charges brougl 
 against him, happened under the folloAving circumstances. Oi 
 Master John Stacy, a person who Avas called an astronomer, wht 
 in reality he was rather a great sorcerer, formed a plot in cos 
 junction with one Eurdet, an esquire, and one of the said duke 
 household; upon which, he was accused, among numero; 
 other charges, of having made leaden images and other thin; 
 to procure thereby the death of Richard, lord Beauchamp, 
 the request of his adulterous wife. Upon being questioned ; 
 a very severe examination as to his practice of damnable ar 
 of this nature, he made confession of many matters, which to 
 both against himself and the said Thomas Burdet. The coi 
 sequence was, that Thomas was arrested as Avell; and at la 
 judgment of death was pronounced upon them both, at Wes 
 minster, from the Bench of our lord the king, the judges boil 
 there seated, together with nearly all the lords temporal of tl 
 
A.D. 1477. IMPRISONMENT OF THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. 
 
 479 
 
 kingdom. Being drawn to the gallows at Tyburn, they were 
 permitted briefly to say what they thought tit before being put 
 to death; upon which, they protested their innocence, IStacy 
 indeed but faintly; while, on the other hand, Burdet spoke at 
 'great length, and with much spirit, and, as his last words, ex¬ 
 claimed with Susanna, 29 “Behold! I must die; whereas I 
 never did such things as these.” 
 
 On the following day, the duke of Clarence came to the 
 icouncil-ohamber at Westminster, bringing with him a famous 
 Doctor of the order of Minorites, Master William Goddard by 
 name, in order that he might read the confession and declara¬ 
 tion of innocence above-mentioned before the lords in the said 
 council assembled; which he accordingly did, and then with- 
 irew. The king was then at Windsor, but when he was in- 
 brmed of this circumstance, he was greatly displeased thereat, 
 md recalling to mind the information formerly laid against his 
 mother, and which he had long kept treasured up in his breast, 
 le summoned the duke to appear on a certain day in the royal 
 ialace of Westminster: upon which, in presence of the Mayor 
 and aldermen of the city of London, the king began, with his 
 >wn lips, amongst other matters, to inveigh against the conduct 
 if the before-named duke, as being derogatory to the laws of 
 he realm, and most dangerous to judges and jurors throughout 
 he kingdom. But why enlarge ? The duke was placed in 
 < ustody, and from that day up to the time of his death never 
 vas known to have regained his liberty. 
 
 1 1 The circumstances that happened in the ensuing Parliament 
 ay mind quite shudders to enlarge upon, for then was to be 
 
 J n messed a sad strife carried on before these two brethren 
 f such high estate. 29 For not a single person uttered a 
 i rord against the duke, except the king; not one individual 
 lade answer to the king except the duke. Some parties were 
 ltroduced, however, as to whom it was greatly doubted by 
 lany, whether they tilled the office of accusers rather, or of 
 •fatnesses: these two offices not being exactly suited to tlio 
 une person in the same cause. The duke met all the charges 
 tade against him with a denial, and offered, if he could only 
 
 Hist. Susanna, v. 43. 
 
 - a One would think that “tant® humanitatis,” can hardly mean ‘‘of. 
 ,ich humanity,” when applied to such persons as Edward the Fourth and 
 s brother Clarence. 
 
480 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CEOYLANU. A.D. 1 1": 
 
 obtain a hearing, to defend his cause with his own hand. Ik I 
 why delay in using many words? Parliament, being u 
 opinion that the informations which they had heard were e; 
 tablishcd, passed sentence upon him of condemnation, thl 
 same being pronounced by the mouth of Henry, duke of Bucl 
 ingham, who was appointed Seneschal of England for the oc 
 casion. After this, execution was delayed for a considerabl 
 time ; until the Speaker of the Commons, coming to the uppc 
 house with his fellows, made a fresh request that the matte 
 might be brought to a conclusion. In consequence of this, i 
 a few days after, the execution, whatever its nature may hav i 
 been, took place, (and would that it had ended these troubles ! 
 in the Tower of London, it being the year of our Lord, 1478 
 and the eighteenth of the reign of king Edward. 
 
 After the perpetration of this deed, many persons left kin . 
 Edward, fully persuaded that he would be able to lord it ove 
 the whole kingdom at his will and pleasure, all those idol 
 being now removed, towards the faces of whom the eyes o 
 the multitude, ever desirous of change, had been in the habi 
 of turning in times past. They regarded as idols of this de ; 
 scription, the earl of Warwick, the duke of Clarence, and an; : 
 other great person there might then happen tobe in the kingdom; 
 who had withdrawn himself from the king’s intimacy. Tin 
 king however, although, as I really believe, he inwardly re 
 pented very often of this act, after this period, performed tb 
 duties of his office with such a high hand, that he appeared t< 
 be dreaded by all his subjects, while he himself stood in fear oi 
 no one. For, as he had taken care to distribute the most trust¬ 
 worthy of his servants throughout all parts of the kingdom 
 as keepers of castles, manors, forests, and parks, no attemp 
 whatever could be made in any part of the kingdom by am 
 person, however shrewd he might be, but what he was imme 
 diately charged with the same to his face. 
 
 At this time and during nearly two years before the 
 king's death, king Louis failed in the strict observance of the 
 engagements which he had previously entered into as to the 
 truce and the tribute ; as he was only watching for a time ai 
 which he might be released from all fears of the English. Foi 
 after the agreement had become generally known, which hac 
 been made with the people of Flanders, and by which the 
 daughter of duke Maximilian was to be given in marriage 
 
.D. 1482. FEAST OP THE NATIVITY KEPT AT WESTMINSTER. 481 
 
 o the Dauphin, the king was defrauded of one year’s tribute; 
 rhile in the meantime, captures began to take* place, both of 
 he subjects and ships of the two kingdoms. Amid these tem- 
 ests in which the English were thus involved, the Scots, 
 ncouraged by the French, of whom they had been the allies 
 f old, imprudently broke the treaty of peace for thirty years 
 .'Inch we had formerly made with them ; and this, notwith- 
 tanding the fact that king Edward had long paid a yearly sum 
 f one thousand marks by way of dowry for Cecily, one of his 
 aughters, who had been promised in marriage by a formal 
 mbassy to the eldest son of the king of the Scots. In con- 
 jquence of this, a tremendous and destructive war was pro- 
 laimed by Edward against the Scots, and the entire command 
 f the expedition was given to Kichard, duke of Gloucester, 
 le king’s brother. 
 
 What he effected in this expedition, what sums of money, 
 j gain extorted under the name of benevolences, he uselessly 
 plundered away, the affair in its results sufficiently proved, 
 or no resistance being offered, he marched as far as Edinburgh 
 ith the whole of his army, and then leaving that most opulent 
 i ty untouched, returned by way of Berwick, which town had 
 I een taken upon his first entrance into that country; upon 
 Inch, the castle, which had held out much longer, not without 
 ! ist slaughter and bloodshed fell into the hands of the Eng- 
 sh. This trifling, I really know not whether to call it 
 i gain” or “loss,” (for the safe keeping of Berwick each year 
 1 vallows up ten thousand marks), at this period diminished 
 ’ le resources of the king and kingdom by more than a hundred 
 \ iousand pounds. King Edward was vexed at this frivolous 
 i rtlay of so much money, although the recovery of Berwick 
 ' Dove-mentioned in some degree alleviated his sorrow. These 
 ere the results of the duke’s expedition into Scotland in the 
 immer of the year of our Lord, 1482, the same being the 
 venty-second year of the reign of king Edward. 
 
 King Edward kept the following feast of the Nativity at his 
 fiace at Westminster, frequently appearing clad in a great 
 iriety of most costly garments, of quite a different cut to those 
 hich had been usually seen hitherto in our kingdom. The 
 eeves of the robes were very full and hanging, greatly resem- 
 ing a monk’s frock, and so lined within with most costly furs, 
 rd rolled over the shoulders, as to give that prince a new and 
 
432 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1481 
 
 distiDguished air to beholders, he being a person of most elegar 
 appearance, and remarkable beyond all others for the attraction 
 of his person. You might have seen, in those days, the royt 
 court presenting no other appearance than such as fully befits 
 most mighty kingdom, filled with riches and with people < 
 almost all nations, and (a point in which it excelled all others 
 boasting of those most sweet and beautiful children, the issue c 
 his marriage, which has been previously mentioned, with quee 
 Elizabeth. For they had ten children, of whom, however, a 
 this time, in consequence of the decease of three, there were bu 
 seven surviving. Of these, two were boys, Edward, prince c 
 AYales, and Richard, duke of York and Yorfolk, but had nc 
 yet attained the years of puberty. Their five daughters, mos 
 beauteous maidens, were called, naming them in the order c 
 their respective ages, the first, Elizabeth, the second, Cecih 
 the third, Anne, the fourth, Catherine, and the fifth, Dorothy 
 Although solemn embassies had been despatched, and promise 
 made, on the faith and words of princes, respecting the mar 
 riage of each of these daughters, and the same had been, i 
 former years, agreed upon under letters of covenant conclude 
 in the most approved form, still, it was not believed at thi 
 time that any one of the alliances above-mentioned would tak 
 place; to such mutability was everything subject, in conse- 
 queuce of the vacillating conduct of France, Scotland, Bur 
 gundy, and Spain, in regard to England^ 
 
 This spirited prince now saw, and most anxiously regretted 
 that he was thus at last deluded by king Louis ; who had no 
 only withdrawn the promised tribute, but had declined the alb 
 ance which had been solemnly agreed upon between the Dau 
 phin and the king’s eldest daughter; encouraged the Scots t 
 break the truce, and to show contempt for the match with ou 
 princess Cecily; and, taking part with the burghers of Ghent 
 used his utmost endeavours to molest the party of the duke o. 
 Austria, the king’s ally; as well as, with his singular craftiness 
 carried into execution every possible kind of maliciousness 
 both by sea and by land, in order that he might annihilate tli 
 power of this kingdom. Upon this, the king thought of no, 
 thing else but taking vengeance; and accordingly, havin; 
 again summoned Parliament, disclosed to them this prolonget 
 series of frauds, and conciliated the minds of all, as often a, 
 time and circumstances afforded him an opportunity for sj . 
 
A.D. 1483. DEATH OF KING EDWAED THE FOURTH. 
 
 483 
 
 doing, in order to obtain their assistance in carrying out his 
 plans of revenge. Still, however, though he did' not venture 
 as yet to ask any pecuniary subsidies from the Commons, he 
 did not conceal his necessities from the prelates, and blandly 
 asked them, with the most earnest entreaties, to grant him the 
 tithes then next due; just as though, when the prelates and 
 1 clergy once make their appearance in convocation, whatever 
 the king thinks fit to ask, that same ought to be done. Oh, 
 leadly destruction to the Church, which must arise from 
 such servility! May God avert it from the minds of all suc¬ 
 ceeding kings, ever to make a precedent of an act of this na¬ 
 ture ! lest, perchance, evils may chance to befall them, worse 
 ; even than can be conceived, and such as shortly afterwards 
 [miserably befell this same king and his most illustrious progeny. 
 
 ' For, shortly after the events already stated, and when the 
 Parliament had been dissolved, the king, neither worn out with 
 i >ld age nor yet seized with any known kind of malady, the 
 '.urc of which would not have appeared easy in the case of a 
 k serson of more humble rank, took to his bed. This happened 
 ■ bout the feast of Easter; and, on the ninth day of April, he 
 rendered up his spirit to his Creator, at his palace at West- 
 ninster, it being the year of our Lord, 1483, and the twenty- 
 | bird of his reign. 
 
 I This prince, although in his day he was thought to have 
 I ndulged his passions and desires too intemperately, was still, 
 
 ' a religion, a most devout Catholic, a most unsparing enemy 
 IA all heretics, and a most loving encourager of wise and learned 
 ten, and of the clergy. He was also a most devout reverer of 
 lie Sacraments of the Church, and most sincerely repentant for 
 11 his sins. Chis is testified by those who were present on 
 [ ie occasion of his decease ; to whom, and especially to those 
 ! 'hom he left as executors of his last will, he declared, in a 
 < istinct and Catholic form, that it was his desire that, out of 
 ic chattels which he left behind him in such great abundance, 
 i itisfaction should be made, either fully, or on a composition 
 lade voluntarily, and without extortion on their part, to all 
 lose persons to whom he was, by contract, extortion, fraud, 
 i ■ an)' other mode, indebted. Such was the most beseeming 
 id of this worldly prince, a better than which could not be 
 >ped for or conceived, after the manifestation by him of so 
 rgc a share of the frailties inherent to the lot of mankind. 
 
 i i 2 • 
 
484 
 
 COXTIXTATIOX OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLAXD. A.D. 1183 
 
 Hence, too, very strong hopes were afforded to all his faithfu 
 servants, that he would not fail to receive the reward of eterna 
 salvation. For after, like Zaccheus, he had expressed his wisl 
 that one half of his goods should be given unto the poor, an< 
 that if he had defrauded any one of aught, the same should bi 
 returned to him fourfold * * * * * then 
 
 can be no doubt that, through this intention on his part, sal 
 vation was wrought for his soul, because he was a son o 
 Abraham, predestined to the light which God had formerh 
 promised unto Abraham and his seed. For we read that i 
 was not the works of Zaccheus which Christ regarded, but hi 
 intentions. Probably, however, this intention on the part o 
 Zaccheus, though he was not then on a bed of sickness, wa 
 afterwards carried out; while the king, fully deserving the re 
 ward of these his good intentions, was carried off immediately 
 [perhaps] in order that evil thoughts, supplanting them, migh 1 
 not change his designs. 
 
 I shall here be silent upon the circumstance which migh 
 have been mentioned above, in a more befitting place, tha 
 men of every rank, condition, and degree of experience, through 
 out the kingdom, wondered that a man of such corpulence, an< 
 so fond of boon companionship, vanities, debauchery, extrava 
 gance, and sensual enjoyments, should have had a memory s. 
 retentive, in all respects, that the names and estates used t 
 recur to him, just as though he had been in the habit of seeinj 
 them daily, of nearly all the persons dispersed throughout thi 
 counties of this kingdom; and this even, if, in the district 
 in which they lived, they held the rank only of a private gen. ; 
 tleman. Long before his illness he had made his will, at ver; 
 considerable length, having abundant means tojsatisfy it; am 
 had, after mature deliberation, appointed therein many person 
 to act as his executors, and carry out his wishes. On hi 
 death-bed he added some codicils thereto; hut what a sad am 
 unhappy result befell all these wise dispositions of his, the en 
 suing tragedy will more fully disclose. 
 
 For while the councillors of the king, now deceased, were pre 
 sent with the queen at Westminster, and were naming a cer 
 tain day, on which the eldest son of king Edward, (who at thi 
 time was in Wales), should repair to London for the ceremonia 
 of his coronation, there were various contentions among somi 
 of them, what number of men should be deemed a sufficien 
 
A.D. 1483. 
 
 KING EDWARD BURIED AT WINDSOR. 
 
 485 
 
 ( escort for a prince of such tender years, to accompany him 
 upon his journey. Some were for limiting a greater, some a 
 smaller number, while others again, leaving it to the inclination 
 if him who was above all laws, 30 would have it to consist of 
 whatever number his faithful subjects should think fit to sum- 
 ! mon. Still, the ground of these differences was the same 
 'n each case ; it being the most ardent desire of all who were 
 I present, that this prince should succeed his father in all his 
 I'glory. The more prudent members of the council, however, 
 f were of opinion that the guardianship of so youthful a person, 
 until he should reach the years of maturity, ought to be ut- 
 j ;erly forbidden to his uncles and brothers by the mother’s side. 
 
 * This, however, they were of opinion, could not be so easily 
 i wrought about, if it should be allowed those of the queen’s 
 1 relatives who held the chief places about the prince, to bring 
 aim up for the solemnization of the coronation, without an es- 
 l;ort of a moderate number of horse. The advice * * 
 
 r' * * * of the lord Hastings, the Captain of Calais, 
 
 i it last prevailed; who declared that he himself would fly 
 l hither with all speed, rather than await the arrival of the 
 liiew king, if he did not come attended by a moderate escort. 
 
 I ' ? or he was afraid lest, if the supreme power should fall into 
 he hands of the queen’s relations, they would exact a most 
 ignal vengeance for the injuries which had been formerly in- 
 iicted on them by that same lord; in consequence of which, 
 here had long existed extreme ill-will between the said lord 
 Tastings and them. The queen most beneficently tried to 
 'xtinguish every spark of murmuring and disturbance, and 
 wrote to her son, requesting him, on his road to London not 
 .• o exceed an escort of two thousand men. The same number 
 vas also approved of by the before-named lord ; for, as it would 
 ■ippear, he felt fully assured that the dukes of Gloucester and 
 f duckingham, in whom he placed the greatest confidence, would 
 lot bring a smaller number with them. 
 
 The body of the deceased king being accordingly interred 
 vith all honor in due ecclesiastical form, in the new col¬ 
 legiate chapel of Windsor, which he had erected of the most 
 elaborate workmanship, from the foundations; all were most 
 Inxiously awaiting the day of the new king’s coronation, 
 vliich was to be the first Lord’s day in the month of May, 
 30 This passage seems to he in a corrupt state. 
 
486 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1483. 
 
 ■which fell this year on the fourth day of the said month. 
 In the meantime, the duke of Gloucester wrote the most 
 soothing letters in order to console the queen, with promises 
 that he would shortly arrive, and assurances of all duty, fealty, 
 and due obedience to his king and lord Edward the Fifth, the 
 eldest son of the deceased king, his brother, and of the queen. 
 Accordingly, on his arrival at York with a becoming retinue, 
 each person being arrayed in mourning, he performed a solemn t 
 funeral service for the king, the same being accompanied with 
 plenteous tears. Constraining all the nobility of those parts 
 to take the oath of fealty to the late king’s son, he himseli 
 was the first of all to take the oath. On reaching North¬ 
 ampton, where the duke of Buckingham joined him, there 
 came thither for the purpose of paying their respects to him, 
 Antony, earl of Itivers, the king’s uncle, and Richard Grey, a 
 most noble knight, and uterine brother to the king, together with 
 several others who had been sent by the king, his nephew, to 
 submit the conduct of everything to the will and discretion of 
 his uncle, the duke of Gloucester. On their first arrival, they 
 were received with an especially cheerful and joyous counte¬ 
 nance, and, sitting at supper at the duke’s table, passed the 
 whole time in very pleasant conversation. At last, Henry, 
 duke of Buckingham, also arrived there, and, as it was now 
 late, they all retired to their respective lodgings. 
 
 When the morning, and as it afterwards turned out, a 
 most disastrous one, had come, having taken counsel du -1 
 ring the night, all the lords took their departure together, 
 in order to present themselves before the new king at Stony 
 Stratford, a town a few miles distant from Northampton; and ' 
 now, lo and behold ! when the two dukes had nearly arrived « 
 at the entrance of that town, they arrested the said earl of 
 Itivers and his nephew Richard, the king’s brother, together 
 with some others who had come with them, and commanded i 
 them to be led prisoners into the north of England. Imme- j 
 diately after, this circumstance being not yet known in the 
 neighbouring town, where the king was understood to be, they 
 suddenly rushed into the place where the youthful king was 
 staying, and in like manner made prisoners of certain others of 
 his servants who were in attendance on his person. One of 
 these was Thomas Vaughan, an aged knight and chamberlain 
 of the prince before-named. 
 
i3. 1183. 
 
 EICHARD NAMED TEOTECTOR. 
 
 487 
 
 The duke of Gloucester, however, who was the ringleader in 
 ■ ds outbreak, did not omit or refuse to pay every mark of 
 aspect to the king, his nephew, in the way of uncovering the 
 
 I ead, bending the knee, or other posture of the body required 
 l a subject. He asserted that his only care was for the pro- 
 ction of his own person, as he knew for certain that there 
 ere men in attendance upon the king who had conspired 
 jainst both his own honor and his very existence. Thus 
 (tying, he caused proclamation to be made, that all the king’s 
 tendants should instantly withdraw from the town, and not 
 iproach any place to which the king might chance to come, 
 ader penalty of death. These events took place at Stony 
 tratford on Wednesday, on the lastday of April, in the year 
 jove-mentioned, being the same in which his father died. 
 These reports having reached London on the following 
 ight, queen Elizabeth betook herself, with all her children, 
 
 ' i the sanctuary at Westminster. In the morning you might 
 i xve seen there the adherents of both parties, some sincerely, 
 hers treacherously, on account of the uncertainty of events, 
 
 I ding with the one party or the other. For some collected 
 leir forces at Westminster in the queen’s name, others at 
 ondon under the shadow of the lord Hastings, and took up 
 leir position there. 
 
 In a few days after this, the before-named dukes escorted 
 *r ic new king to London, there to be received with regal pomp ; 
 id, having placed him in the bishop's palace at Saint Paul’s, 
 impelled all the lords spiritual and temporal, and the mayor 
 id aldermen of the city of London to take the oath of fealty 
 f p the king. This, as being a most encouraging presage of 
 i 'dure prosperity, was done by all with the greatest pleasure 
 ' id delight. A council being now held for several days, a 
 Discussion took place in Parliament about removing the king 
 !■> some place where fewer restrictions should be imposed upon 
 im. Some mentioned the Hospital of Saint John, and some 
 1 ' Westminster, but the duke of Buckingham suggested the Tower 
 London; which was at last agreed to by all, even those 
 ho had been originally opposed thereto. Upon this, the 
 ike of Gloucester received the same high office of Protector 
 0 the kingdom, which had been formerly given to Humphrey, 
 (ake of Gloucester, during the minority of king Henry. He 
 as accordingly invested with this authority, with the consent 
 
488 coxtestjation or the history of cboyxahd. a.d. 1481 
 
 and good-will of all the lords, with power to order and forbi 
 in every matter, just like another king, and according as the n< 
 cessity of the case should demand. The feast of the Nativity < ! 
 Saint John the Baptist being appointed as the day upon whic 
 the coronation of the king would take place without fail, a 
 both hoped for and expected a season of prosperity for th 
 .kingdom. Still- however, a circumstance which caused th 
 greatest doubts was the detention of the king’s relatives an 
 servants in prison; besides the fact that the Protector did no' 
 with a sufficient degree of considerateness, take measures fc 
 the preservation of the dignity and safety of the queen. 
 
 In the meanwhile, the lord Hastings, who seemed to wis 
 in every way to serve the two dukes and to be desirous c 
 earning their favour, was extremely elated at these changes t 
 which the affairs of this world are so subject, and was in th 
 habit of saying that hitherto nothing whatever had been don 
 except the transferring of the government of the kingdor 
 from two of the queen’s blood to two more powerful persons c 
 the king’s ; and this, too, effected without any slaughter 
 or indeed causing as much blood to be shed as would be pro 
 duced by a cut finger. In the course, however, of a very lev 
 days after the utterance of these words, this extreme joy o 
 his was supplanted by sorrow. For, the day previously, th' 1 
 Protector had, with singular adroitness, divided the council 
 so-that one part met in the morning at Westminster, and th 
 other at the Tower of London, where the king was. The Ion 
 Hastings, on the thirteenth day of the month of June, beint 
 the sixth day of the week, on coming to the Tower to join the 
 council, was, by order of the Protector, beheaded. Two dis¬ 
 tinguished prelates, also, Thomas, archbishop of York, ant 
 John, bishop of Ely, being, out of respect for their order, hell 
 exempt from capital punishment, were carried prisoners tei 
 different castles in Wales. The three strongest supporters o 
 the new king being thus removed without judgment or justice) 
 and all the rest of his faithful subjects fearing the like treat¬ 
 ment, the two dukes did thenceforth j ust as they pleased. 
 
 On the Monday following, they came with a great multitude 
 by water to Westminster, armed with swords and staves, anc 
 compelled the cardinal lord archbishop of Canterbury, with 
 many others, to enter the sanctuary, in order to appeal to the 
 good feelings of the queen and prompt her to allow her sod 
 
..D. 1483. 
 
 THE FBOTECTOK USURPS THE THEONE. 
 
 489 
 
 tichard, duke of York, to come forth and proceed to the Tower, 
 : hat he might comfort the king his brother. In words, assenting 
 rith many thanks to this proposal, she accordingly sent the 
 'Oy, who was conducted by the lord cardinal to the king in the 
 laid Tower of London. 
 
 i From this day, these dukes acted no longer in secret, but 
 ipenly manifested their intentions. For, having summoned 
 rmed men, in fearful and unheard-of numbers, from the north, 
 Vales, and all other parts then subject to them, the said Pro¬ 
 jector Richard assumed the government of the kingdom, with 
 be title of King, on the twentieth day of the aforesaid month 
 If June; and on the same day, at the great Hall at West¬ 
 minster, obtruded himself into the marble chair. The colour for 
 ais act of usurpation, and his thus taking possession of the 
 irone, was the following: — It was set forth, by way of 
 rayer, in an address in a certain roll of parchment, that the 
 >ns of king Edward were bastards, on the ground that he had 
 pntracted a marriage with one lady Eleanor Boteler, before 
 is marriage to queen Elizabeth ; added to which, the blood of 
 jis other brother, George, duke of Clarence, had been attainted; 
 
 > that, at the present time, no certain and uncorrupted lineal 
 food could be found of Richard duke of York, except in the 
 erson of the said Richard, duke of Gloucester. For which 
 ;ason, he was entreated, at the end of the said roll, on part 
 the lords and commons of the realm, to assume his lawful 
 ghts. However, it was at the time rumoured that this ad- 
 ress had been got up in the north, whence such vast numbers 
 ere flocking to London; although, at the same time, there 
 as not a person but what very well knew who was the 
 le 31 mover at London of such seditious and disgraceful pro- 
 ;edings. 
 
 These multitudes of people, accordingly, making a descent 
 iom the north to the south, under the especial conduct and 
 lidance of Sir Richard Ratcliffc; on their arrival at the town 
 1 Pomfret, by command of the said Richard Rateliffe, andi 
 ithout any form of trial being observed, Antony, earl of 
 : livers, Richard Grey, his nephew, and Thomas Yaughan, 
 t aged knight, were, in presence of these people, beheaded, 
 bis was the second innocent blood which was shed on the, 
 casion of this sudden change. 
 
 31 In allusion, no doubt, to the Duke of Buckingham. 
 
490 COXTINUATIOX OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1183. 
 
 After these events, the said Richard, duke of Gloucester, 
 having summoned Thomas, the cardinal archbishop of Canter¬ 
 bury, for the purpose, was on the sixth day of the month oi 
 Juty following, anointed and crowned king, at the conventual 
 church of Saint Peter at Westminster, and, on the same day 
 and place, his queen, Anne, received the crown. From this 
 day forward, as long as ho lived, this man was styled Xing 
 Richard, the Third of that name from the Conquest. 
 
 Being now desirous, with all speed, to show in the north, 
 where in former years he had chiefly resided, the high aud 
 kingly station which he had by these means acquired, he 
 entered the royal city of London, and passing through Windsor, 
 Oxford, and Coventry, at length arrived at York. Here, on a 
 day appointed for repeating his coronation in the metropolitan 
 church, he also presented his only son, Edward, whom, on the 
 same day, he had elevated to the rank of Prince of Wales, with 
 the insignia of the golden wand, and the wreath upon the 
 head; while, at the same time, he gave most gorgeous and 
 sumptuous feasts and banquets, for the purpose of gaining the 
 affections of the people. Nor were treasures by any means 
 then wanting, with which to satisfy the desires of his haughty 
 mind; since he had taken possession of all those which the 
 most glorious king Edward, his deceased brother, had, by dint 
 of the greatest care and scrupulousness, amassed, as already 
 stated, many years before, and had entrusted to the disposal of 
 his executors as a means whereby to cany out the dispositions 
 of his last will: all these he had seized, the very moment that 
 he had contemplated the usurpation of the throne. 
 
 In the meantime, and while these things were going' on, 
 the two sons of king Edward before-named remained in the 
 Tower of London, in the custody of certain persons appointed 
 for that purpose. In order to deliver them from this captivity, 1 
 the people of the southern and western parts of the kingdom 
 began to murmur greatly, and to form meetings and confe¬ 
 deracies. It soon became known that many things were going 
 on in secret, and some in the face of all the world, for the 
 purpose of promoting this object, especially on the part of 
 those who, through fear, had availed themselves of the privi¬ 
 leges of sanctuary and franchise. 32 There was also a report 
 that it had been recommended by those men who had taken 
 3 - Exemptions from the ordinary jurisdiction. 
 
.. 14S3. 
 
 TLOT TO DETHRONE KING RICHARD. 
 
 491 
 
 r'uge in the sanctuaries, that some of the king’s daughters 
 s mid leave Westminster, and go in disguise to the parts 
 pond sea; in order that, if any fatal mishap should befall 
 t! said male children of the late king in the Tower, the king- 
 tin might still, in consequence of the safety of the daughters, 
 igae day fall again into the hands of the rightful heirs. On 
 t s being discovered, the noble church of the monks at West- 
 raster, and all the neighbouring parts, assumed the appear- 
 a’e of a castle and fortress, while men of the greatest auste¬ 
 re were appointed by king Richard to act as the keepers there- 
 c The captain and head of these was one John Nesfeld, 
 Squire, who set a watch upon all the inlets and outlets of the 
 i nastery, so that not one of the persons there shut up could 
 g forth, and no one could enter, without his permission. 
 
 ' A.t last, it was determined by the people in the vicinity of 
 t' city of London, throughout the counties of Kent, Essex, 
 Essex, Hampshire, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, Somersetshire, 
 1 ltshire, and Berkshire, as well as some others of the southern 
 ctnties of the kingdom, to avenge their grievances beforc- 
 s ted ; upon which, public proclamation was made, that 
 Enry, duke of Buckingham, who at this time was living at 
 t'cknoek in Wales, had repented of his former conduct, and 
 mild be the chief mover in this attempt, while a rumour was 
 fcead that the sons of king Edward before-named had died a 
 Tlent death, but it was uncertain how. Accordingly, all 
 Cse who had set on foot this insurrection, seeing that if they 
 c Id find no one to take the lead in their designs, the ruin of 
 a would speedily ensue, turned their thoughts to Henry, earl 
 o Richmond, who had been for many years living in exile in 
 Etany. To him a message was, accordingly, sent, by the 
 d :e of Buckingham, by advice of the lord bishop of Ely, who 
 then his prisoner at Brecknock, requesting him to hasten 
 O’r to Eugland as soon as he possibly could, for the purpose 
 ■marrying Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of the late king, 
 u, at the same time, together with her, taking possession of 
 tl throne. 
 
 .’he whole design of this plot, however, by means of spies, 
 b ame perfectly well known to king Richard, who, as he 
 e;rted himself in the promotion of all his views in no drowsy 
 n mer, but with the greatest activity and vigilance, contrived 
 tit, throughout Wales, as well as in all parts of the marches 
 
492 CONTIXUATIOX OF THE HISTORY OF CROYEAHD. A.D. 14 
 
 thereof, armed men should be set in readiness around the s; 
 duke, as soon as ever he had set a foot from his home, to poui 
 upon all his property; -who, accordingly, encouraged by 1 
 prospect of the duke’s wealth, which the king had, for tl 
 purpose, bestowed upon them,were in every way to obstruct 
 progress. The result was, that, on the side of the castle 
 Brecknock, which looks towards the interior of Wales, Thom 
 the son of the late Sir Itoger Yaughan, with the aid of 
 brethren and kinsmen, most carefully watched the whole 
 the surrounding country; while Humphrey Stafford par 
 destroyed the bridges and passes by which England was < 
 tered, and kept the other part closed by means of a stro 
 force set there to guard the same. 
 
 In the meantime, the duke was staying at Webley, the hoi 
 of Walter Devereux, lord Ferrers, together with the s; 
 bishop of Ely and his other advisers. Finding that he v 
 placed in a position of extreme difficulty, and that he coi 
 in no direction find a safe mode of escape, he first changed ] 
 dress, and then secretly left his people; but was at last d 
 covered in the cottage of a poor man, in consequence oi 
 greater quantity of provisions than usual being carried thith 
 Upon this, he was led to the city of Salisbury, to which pk 
 the king had come with a very large army, on the day of 1 
 commemoration of All Souls; and, notwithstanding the f 
 that it was the Lord’s day, the duke suffered capital punk 
 ment in the public market-place of that city. 
 
 On the following day, the king proceeded with all his an 
 towards the western parts of the kingdom, where all his enem 
 had made a stand, with the exception of those who had eo; 
 from Kent, and were at Guilford, awaiting the issue of even 
 Proceeding onwards, he arrived at the city of Exeter; up 
 which, being struck with extreme terror at his approach, Pe' 
 Courteney, bishop of Exeter, as well as Thomas, marquis 
 Dorset, and various other nobles of the adjacent country, w 
 had taken part in the rebellion, repaired to the sea-side; a 
 those among them who could find ships in readiness, embarki 
 and at length, arrived at the wished-for shores of Britai 
 Others, for a time trusting to the fidelity of friends, and cc 
 cealing themselves in secret spots, afterwards betook themsel 1 
 to the protection of holy places. One most noble knight 
 that city perished, Thomas Saint Leger by name, to save wh< 
 
 
ifc. 1-184. 
 
 ATTACK MADE UP0X CEOYLAND. 
 
 493 
 
 s e very large sums of money were offered ; but all in vain, 
 i! r he underwent his sentence of capital punishment. 
 
 ' While, amid these perplexities, king Richard was in the 
 - sstern parts, intent upon defeating the enemies and rebels, 
 e venerable father, Richard Croyland, abbat of this monas- 
 ry of Croyland, who had now governed the place most re- 
 ■ iously for seven years, changed the restless life of this world 
 r eternal repose, on the tenth day of November in the year 
 our Lord, 1483, being the first year of the reign of the said 
 ng Richard. 
 
 Nor ought we to leave to oblivion the virtues and merits of 
 is father, and his remarkable long-suffering, by means of 
 rich, as we trust, he has obtained the reward of eternal hap- 
 ness. His natural disposition was far more inclined to the 
 idy and writing of books, than attending to the strifes and 
 mpests of secular occupations ; so much so in fact, that some 
 museripts in the monastery, which were written at his ex- 
 nse, as well as with his own hand, have greatly increased 
 e library of the place. 
 
 Accordingly, our powerful neighbours, not to call them 
 emies, seeing the simple innocence and the innocent sim- 
 icity of the man, arose at the same instant on all sides against 
 is model of piety. Some, at least the men of Depyng, 
 sembled together to the number of three hundred men, and 
 iking an irruption into the marsh of Goggislound, which un- 
 ubtedly belongs to the demesne of the said monastery, seized 
 b reeds that had been collected by the men and tenants of 
 3 monastery, and threw into water or beat with stripes all 
 3 people they met. At last, they made an assault upon the 
 1 of Croyland, and caused this most pious father such ex¬ 
 ime fear that he was obliged to go forth from his chamber, 
 d to descend to the nave of the church, there, with his 
 anent and priestly meekness, to make answer to their im- 
 rtunate demands. As it was necessary, in order to avoid 
 inundation of Hoyland, and especially in the winter, if 
 Ibre happened to be any floods, to cut asunder the embank- 
 ■nnts of the marsh of Goggislound, (a thing which had been 
 
 I 'eady done once this season, most healthful provision being 
 ide thereby for the safety of the district of Hoyland), the 
 ricials of Depyng, placing the sickle as it were in the harvest 
 i another, as wickedly as presumptuously imposed insupport- 
 i le amercements upon the said abbat. They also seized and 
 
494 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. I ll 
 
 4 
 
 distrained upon the grain that came from Langtoft and Bast 
 by the stream which runs from Depyng; besides which, a pi 
 of their extreme cruelty, they wantonly pierced a dog that 
 been set to watch by the cellarer * * * with their arro 
 
 Nor were there wanting in other quarters ungrateful facti 
 of laymen, (although the same were neighbouring tenant; 
 this place), who in many ways disturbed the quiet of 1 
 most excellent father. For, the tenants and parishior 
 of Whaplode, striving against the power and rights of 1 
 monastery, made an attack, with unheard-of violence, uj 
 brother Lambert Fossedyke, the Seneschal of the place, wl 
 he was forbidding them to root up the trees which grew in 
 church-yard; and he was in no small fear for his life, had 
 not in time taken refuge in the church, or rather the sacri 
 of the church, and strongly bolted the doors inside. 
 
 These however, are but trifling specimens of disturbances 
 comparison with those which * * * William Hams 
 
 iibbat of Peterborough, our too near, I only wish I could s 
 “ good,” neighbour, caused, with reference to the marsh 
 Alderlound, and other undoubted lands and rights of t 
 monastery. In these matters, which were long in dispu 
 you might have seen the lamb contending with the wolf, 1 
 mouse with the mouse-catcher. However, as all this dispi 
 was brought to an end by the intervention and arbitration 
 Thomas llotherham, late bishop of Lincoln and ordinary 
 the place, and then archbishop of York, (as, in fact, is vt 
 fully set forth in certain letters testimonial relative theret 
 from which too it abundantly appears of which party he m 
 consulted the honor and interest), we have thought proper 
 end our recital of this tragic matter with the end and dea 
 of the said father, abbat Bichard. 
 
 Lambert Fossedyke, a Bachelor of Law, was elected, and si 
 ceeded in his stead, on the twelfth day of January, in the fi 
 year of the reign of king Bichard the Third ; which year v 
 reckoned by the church of Borne, in conformity with the mode 
 computation 13 above stated, as being the year 1484. He wa 
 very religious and discreet man, and, beyond a doubt, would ha 
 done and caused to be done many benefits for the monastei 
 had not God summoned him from this world within so short 
 space of time ; for he did not survive to fill the office of abt 
 two years. 
 
 33 P. 460. 
 
MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENT. 
 
 495 
 
 4 US4 - 
 
 For behold ! on a sudden, the plague, or sweating sickness, 
 pi ide great ravages, and in a few days, in the city of London, 
 tjstroyed two mayors, and four or five aldermen, besides many 
 •embers of the highest and most wealthy classes in other parts 
 ;ti the kingdom. This good father being attacked by the disease, 
 it ithin eighteen hom - s rendered up his spirit to his Creator, on 
 e fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord, 
 os 85, shortly after the close of the reign of king Eichard; at 
 fich period, when, after the rest of our narrative we shall 
 I ve arrived, we shall conclude the relation of this history 
 :: fich was originally promised by us. 
 
 a Eut let us return, in the meantime, to the events which 
 «1 )k place after the flight of the rebels before-mentioned. 
 riShile the matters which have been mentioned above were 
 ing on here and there in the western parts, and the king was 
 11 in the said city of Exeter, Henry, earl of Kichmond, being 
 b aware of these disturbances, had set sail with certain ships, 
 1 arrived with his adherents from Brittany, at the mouth of 
 I j-mouth harbour, where he came to anchor, in order to ascer- 
 ; n the real state of affairs. On news being at last brought 
 in of the events which had happened, the death of the duke 
 Buckingham, and the flight of his own supporters, he at 
 ie hoisted sail, and again put to sea. 
 
 After these events, the king gradually lessened his army, 
 
 1 dismissing those who had been summoned from the northern 
 •ders to take part in the expedition, came to London, having 
 implied over his enemies without fighting a battle, but at 
 expense not less than if the two armies had fought hand to 
 id. Thus was commenced the waste, in a short time, of 
 •se most ample treasures which king Edward supposed he 
 mid leave behind him for a quite different purpose. The 
 turbances last described were prolonged from the middle of 
 ;ober till nearly the end of November, at which time the 
 g, as already stated, returned to London, in the first year 
 his reign, and in that of the Incarnation of our Lord, 1483. 
 t shall pass by the pompous celebration of the feast of the 
 tivity, and come to the Parliament, which began to sit 
 ut the twenty-second day of January. At this sitting, Par- 
 nent confirmed the title, by which the king had in the pre- 
 ing summer, ascended the throne ; and although that Lay 
 ut found itself [at first] unable to give a definition of his 
 
496 COXTDOJATION OF THE HIST0ET OF CROTLAXD. A.D. 14 
 
 rights, when the question of the marriage 33 was discuss 
 still, in consequence of the fears entertained of the m 
 persevering [of his adversaries], it presumed to do so, and 
 do so: while at the same time attainders were made of so m; 
 lords and men of high x-ank, besides peers and commom 
 as well as three bishops, that we do not read of the 1 
 being issued by the Triumvirate even of Octavianus, Anto 
 and Lepidus. What immense estates and patrimonies w 
 collected into this king’s treasury in consequence of t 
 measure ! all of which he distributed among his northern ad 
 rents, whom he planted in every spot throughout his do; 
 nions, to the disgrace and lasting and loudly expressed sorr 
 of all the people in the south, who daily longed more £ 
 more for the hoped-for return of tdeir ancient rulers, rat' 
 than the present tyranny of these people. 
 
 During this last Parliament of the kingdom, and after f 
 quent entreaties as well as threats had been made use 
 queen Elizabeth, being strongly solicited so to do, sent all ’ 
 daughters from the sanctuary at Westminster before-m 
 tioned, to king Richard. One day, at this period, in 
 month of February, shortly after mid-day, nearly all the lo 
 of the realm, both spiritual and temporal, together with ; 
 higher knights and esquires of the king’s household (among 
 of whom, John Howard, who had been lately created by 
 king duke of Norfolk, seemed at this time to hold the high 
 rank), met together at the special command of the king, i 
 certain lower room, near the passage which leads to the queel. 
 apartments; and here, each subscribed his name to a kinc 
 new oath, drawn up by some persons to me unknown, of ad 
 rence to Edward, the king's only son, as their supreme lc 
 in case anything should happen to his father. 
 
 However, in a short time after, it was fully seen how v 
 are the thoughts of a man who desires to establish his in ten 
 without the aid of God. For, in the following month 
 April, on a day not very far distant from the anniversary! 
 king Edward, this only son of his, in whom all the hopesl 
 the royal succession, fortified with so many oaths, were cenfri 
 was seized with an illness of but short duration, and diecl 
 Middleham Castle, in the year of our Lord, 1484, being g 
 first of the reign of the said king Richard. On hearing I 
 33 Of Edward the Fourth with lady Boteler. 
 
i.d. 1484. 
 
 THE SCOTS SEND AMBASSADORS TO THE KING. 
 
 497 
 
 lews of this, at Nottingham, where they were then residing, 
 •ou might have seen his father and mother in a state almost 
 bordering on madness, by reason of their sudden grief. 
 
 The king, his father, however, still took all necessary pre- 
 autions for the defence of his party ; as there was at this time 
 report that those persons who had been attainted and banished, 
 pgether with their captain, the earl of Richmond, to whom 
 [hey had sworn fealty as their king, in the hope of his con¬ 
 tacting an alliance with the daughter of king Edward, would 
 liortly land in England. The king was better prepared to 
 ppose them in the present year than at any time afterwards, 
 oth by reason of the treasure which he had in hand (for till 
 le remains of king Edward’s treasures had not yet been ex¬ 
 pended), as well as particular grants which had been made and 
 listributed throughout the kingdom. He also followed the 
 
 ! ractice which had been recently introduced by king Edward 
 i the time of the last war with Scotland, of appointing a 
 ngle horseman for every twenty miles, by means of whom, 
 avelling with the utmost speed and not passing their re- 
 rictive limits, news was always able to be carried by letter 
 |om hand to hand two hundred miles within two days. Nor 
 as he, on the other hand, without the aid of spies beyond sea, 
 
 ! whatever price they could be secured; from whom he learned 
 earlj- all the movements of the enemy. 
 
 ■ Besides this (although at the commencement of the second 
 >ar of his reign, on giving some attention to maritime affairs, he 
 d lost some ships, together with two captains of the greatest 
 lavery, Sir Thomas Everingham and John Nesfeld, Esquire, 
 kove-mentioned, who were taken by the French near the town 
 id castle of Scarborough), just at this period, by means of his 
 ■ill in naval warfare, he had gained a victory in a sur- 
 ]ising manner over the Scots; so much so, that although, in 
 »3 same summer, they had sustained a great defeat from our 
 pple by land, they received no less a one in this. Atthis 
 tie, too, there fell into his hands, besides many of the 
 I glish who were taken in battle, certain persons who had 
 ll from Scotland, such as lord James Douglas, and many 
 Mers of his fellow exiles. Upon this, the persons of the 
 thest rank that could be found in that kingdom were sent 
 «ambassadors to the king at his town and castle o’f Netting- 
 1 n, on the seventh day of the month of September, and in a 
 
498 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOET OF CEOTLAND. A.D. 148 
 
 lengthy and eloquent address most earnestly entreated f 
 peace and a cessation of warfare. A treaty being according) 
 made between commissioners from either kingdom in full co: 
 formity with the king’s wishes, as to those points which seenn 
 to require especial consideration, the Parliament was dissolve 
 and the king returned to London in Michaelmas Term. Th 
 was in the year of our Lord, 1484. 
 
 The feast of the Nativity was kept with due solemnity 
 the palace at Westminster, and the king appeared with 1 
 crown on the day of the Epiphany. While he was keepii 
 this festival with remarkable splendour in the great hall, just 
 at his first coronation, news was brought him on that very da 
 from his spies beyond sea, that, notwithstanding the poten 
 and splendour of his royal state, his adversaries would, witho 
 question, invade the kingdom during the following summt. 
 or make an attempt to invade it. Than this, there was n 
 thing that could befall him more desirable, inasmuch as ! 
 imagined that it would put an end to all his doubts ai 
 troubles. Still however, most shrewdly coming to the co 
 elusion that money, which was now nearly failing him, fori 
 the sinews of war, he had recourse to the modes of exacti' 
 which had been practised by king Edward, and which ’ 
 himself had condemned in full parliament; these were the sj 
 called “benevolences,” a name detestable in every way. 1 
 accordingly sent chosen men, children of this world, wiser 
 their generation than the children of light, who were by mea 
 of prayers and threats, by right or by wrong, to scrape up ii 
 mense sums of money, after examining the archives of ti 
 realm, from persons of nearly all conditions. 
 
 Oh God ! why should we any longer dwell on this subjei 
 multiplying our recital of things so distasteful, so numero 
 that they can hardly be reckoned, and so pernicious in th< 
 example, that we ought not so much as suggest them to t 
 minds of the perfidious. So too, with many other thin 
 which are not written in this book, and of which I grieve 
 speak; although the fact ought not to be concealed thj 
 during this feast of the Nativity, far too much attention \\ 
 given to dancing and gaiety, and vain changes of apparel pi 
 sented to queen Anne and the lad) - Elizabeth, the eldest daughi 
 of the late king, being of similar colour and shape; a thing tl 
 caused the people to murmur and the nobles and prelates greai 
 
Ld. 1485. 
 
 OPPOSITION TO KING RICHARD'S MARRIAGE. 
 
 499 
 
 o wonder thereat; while it was said by many that the king was 
 bent, either on the anticipated death of the queen taking place, 
 >r else, by means of a divorce, for which he supposed he had 
 ;uite sufficient grounds, on contracting a marriage with the said 
 Elizabeth. For it appeared that in no other way could his 
 :ingly power be established, or the hopes of his rival be put 
 n end to. 
 
 In the course of a few days after this, the queen fell ex¬ 
 tremely sick, and her illness was supposed to have increased 
 (till more and more, because the king entirely shunned her 
 ed, declaring that it was by the advice of his physicians that 
 e did so. Why enlarge ? About the middle of the following 
 lonth, upon the day of the great eclipse of the sun, which 
 then took place, queen Anne, before-named, departed this life, 
 nd was buried at Westminster, with no less honors than 
 efitted the interment of a queen. 
 
 i The king’s purpose and intention of contracting a marriage 
 frith his niece Elizabeth being mentioned to some who were 
 pposed thereto, the king was obliged, having called a council 
 •ogcther, to excuse himself with many words and to assert 
 hat such a thing had never once entered his mind. There were 
 ime persons, however, present at that same council, who very 
 'ell knew the contrary. Those in especial who were unwil- 
 mg that this marriage should take place, and to whose opinions 
 he king hardly ever dared offer any opposition, were Sir 
 Richard Ratclyffe and William Catesby, Esquire of his body, 
 or by these persons the king was told to his face that if he 
 id not abandon his intended purpose, and that, too, before 
 le mayor and commons of the city of London, opposition 
 I'ould not be offered to him by merely the warnings of the 
 bice ; for all the people of the north, in whom he placed the 
 reatest reliance, would rise in rebellion against him, and un¬ 
 ite to him the death of the queen, the daughter and one 
 I: the heirs of the earl of Warwick, through whom he had 
 test gained his present high position; in order that he might, 
 I' the extreme abhorrence of the Almighty, gratify an in- 
 istuous passion for his said niece. Besides this, they brought 
 ■ him more than twelve Doctors of Divinity, who asserted that 
 le pope could grant no dispensation in the case of such a degree 
 (I' consanguinity. It was supposed by many, that these men, 
 
 • getherwith others like them, threw so many impediments 
 
500 . CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOKY OF CBOYLAND. A.D. 148? 
 
 in the way, for fear lest, if the said Elizabeth should attab 
 the rank of queen, it might at some time be in her power t 
 avenge upon them the death of her uncle, earl Antony, an. 
 her brother Richard, they having been the king’s especial ad 
 visers in those matters. The king, accordingly, followed thei 
 advice a little before Easter, in presence of the mayor am 
 citizens of London, in the great hall of the Hospital of Sain 
 John, by making the said denial in a loud and distinct voice 
 more, however, as many supposed, to suit the wishes of thos 
 who advised him to that etfect, than in conformity with hi 
 own. 
 
 Rumours at length increasing daily that those who wer. 
 in arms against the king were hastening to make a de 
 scent upon England, and the king being in doubt at wha 
 port they intended to effect a landing, (as certain informatio) 
 thereon could be gained by none of his spies), he betook him 
 self to the north, shortly before the feast of Pentecost ; leav 
 ing lord Lovel, his chamberlain, near Southampton, there t 
 refit his fleet with all possible speed, that he might keep ; 
 strict watch upon all the harbours in those parts; that so, i 
 the enemy should attempt to effect a landing there, he migh 
 unite all the forces in the neighbourhood, and not lose the op 
 portunity of attacking them. 
 
 A great amount of provisions and money was wasted ther 
 in consequence of this uncalled-for policy * * * • 
 
 the king being put to such great expense from the circum 
 stance of his being deceived by a quibble on the name of tha - 
 harbour, which had been mentioned by many as the place d - 
 their intended descent. For some say that there is a harbou 
 in the neighbourhood of Southampton, called Milford, just a B 
 there is in Wales ; and there being some persons endowed, a 
 it were, with a spirit of prophecy, these predicted that thos » 
 men would land at the hai'bour of Milford, and were in th 
 habit of looking for the fulfilment of their prophecies to tha 
 etfect, not at the most famous place, but most commonly at th 
 other one which bore the same name. And then besides, th 
 king, at this period, seemed especially to devote his attentio - 
 to strengthening the southern parts of his kingdom. Rut i ; 
 was aH in vain: for, on the first day of August the enem K 
 landed with a fair wind, and without opposition, at that mos : 
 celebrated harbour, Milford Haven, near Pembroke. 
 
a.d. 1485. 
 
 CONSPIRACY AGAINST KING RICHARD. 
 
 501 
 
 On hearing of their arrival, the king rejoiced, or at least 
 seemed to rejoice, writing to his adherents in every quarter 
 that now the long wished-for day had arrived, for him to 
 triumph with ease over so contemptible a faction, and thence¬ 
 forth benefit his subjects with the blessings of uninterrupted 
 tranquillity. In the meantime, in manifold letters he de¬ 
 spatched orders of the greatest severity, commanding that no 
 men, of the number of those at least who had been born to the 
 inheritance of any property in the kingdom, should shun 
 taking part in the approaching warfare; threatening that who¬ 
 ever should be found in any part of the kingdom after the 
 victory should have been gained, to have omitted appearing in 
 his presence on the field, was to expect no other fate than the 
 [ loss of all his goods and possessions, as well as his life. 
 
 A little before the landing of these persons, Thomas Stanley, 
 seneschal of the king’s household, had received permission to 
 go into Lancashire, his native county, to visit his home and 
 family, from whom he had been long separated. Still how¬ 
 ever, he was permitted to stay there on no other condition 
 than that of sending his eldest son, George lord Strange, to the 
 'king at Nottingham, in his stead ; which he accordingly did. 
 
 The king’s opponents, as already stated, having landed at 
 Milford in Wales, made their way through rugged and indirect 
 tracts in the northern part of that province; where William 
 Stanley, the brother of the said lord seneschal, as lord cham- 
 Iherlain of North Wales, was holding the sole command. Upon 
 
 I ‘his, the king sent word to the said lord Stanley, requesting 
 lim, without the least delay, to present himself before him 
 it Nottingham. For the king was afraid lest that, as it really 
 urned out, the mother of the said earl of Richmond, whom 
 he lord [Thomas] Stanley had married, might induce her hus- 
 >and to go over to the party of her son. On this, with won- 
 lerful * * * * he made an excuse that he 
 
 vas suffering from an attack of the sweating sickness, and 
 jould not possibly come. His son, however, who had secretly 
 ■prepared to desert from the king, was detected by stratagem 
 
 ! and taken prisoner; upon which, he discovered a conspiracy 
 which had been entered into by himself and his uncle, Sir 
 _ William Stanley before-mentioned, and Sir John Savage, to go 
 $jover to the side of the earl of Richmond ; while at the same 
 time, he implored the king’s mercy, and promised that his 
 
502 CONTINUATION OF THE H1STOEY OF CROYXAND. A.O. 1485 
 
 father would with all speed arrive to the king’s assistance. L 
 addition to this, he sent word to his father by letter, of th 
 danger to which he was exposed, and, at the same time, ex 
 pressed his own wish that he would give the assistance before 
 mentioned. 
 
 In the meantime the said two knights being publicly pro 
 claimed at Coventry and elsewhere traitors against the king 
 and the enemy hastening on and directing his steps night anc 
 day to meet the king, it became necessary to move the army 
 though its numbers were not yet fully made up, from Notting¬ 
 ham, and to come to Leicester. Here was found a number oi 
 warriors ready to fight on the king’s side, greater than had evei 
 been seen 35 before in England collected together in behalf ol 
 one person. On the Lord’s day before the feast of Bartho¬ 
 lomew the Apostle, the king proceeded on his way, amid the 
 greatest pomp, and wearing the crown on his head; being at¬ 
 tended by John Howard, duke of Norfolk, and Henry Percy, 
 earl of Northumberland and other mighty lords, knights, and 
 esquires, together with a countless multitude of the common 
 people. On departing from the town of Leicester, he was 
 informed by scouts where the enemy most probably intended 
 to remain the following night; upon which, he encamped near 
 the abbey of Hirival, at a distance of about eight miles from 
 that town. 
 
 The chief men of the opposing army were the following :— 
 in the first place, Henry earl of Richmond, whom they called 
 their king, Henry the Seventh; John Vere, earl of Oxford, 
 John lord Wells, of Wells, uncle to king Henry the Seventh, 
 Thomas lord Stanley and William his brother, Edward Wyd- 
 ville, brother of queen Elizabeth, a most valiant knight, John 
 Cheyne, John Savage, Hubert Willoughby, William Berkeley, 
 James Blunt, Thomas Arundel, Bichard Edgcumbe, Edward 
 Poynings, Bichard Guilford, and many others of knightly rank, 
 who had been distinguished before these troubles, as well as 
 at the commencement of the present war. Of the ecclesiasti¬ 
 cal orders, there were present, for the purpose of giving their 
 advice, the following persons, who had similarly sutfered ban¬ 
 ishment—the venerable father, Peter, bishop of Exeter, the 
 llower of the knighthood of his country, Master Bobert Mor- 
 
 35 This is not the fact. It is supposed that at most not more than 18,000 
 men engaged on both sides at the battle of Bosworth Field. 
 
BATTLE OF BOSWOETH FIELD. 
 
 503 
 
 ’Sf&.D. 1485. 
 
 on, clerk of the Rolls of Chancery, Christopher TJrswyk, and 
 Richard Fox, of whom the one was afterwards appointed to 
 he office of Almoner, and the other to that of Secretary, to¬ 
 gether with many others. 
 
 At day-break on the Monday following there were no 
 haplains present to perform Divine service on behalf of king 
 ■ tichard, nor any breakfast prepared to refresh the flagging 
 * pirits of the king; besides which, as it is generally stated, 
 n the morning he declared that during the night he had seen 
 [readful visions, and had imagined himself surrounded by a 
 aultitude of daemons. He consequently presented a coun- 
 enance which, always attenuated, was on this occasion more 
 ivid and ghastly than usual, and asserted that the issue of 
 his day’s battle, to whichever side the victory might be 
 ;ranted, would prove the utter destruction of the kingdom of 
 ingland. He also declared that it was his intention, if he 
 hould prove the conqueror, to crush all the supporters of the 
 opposite faction; while, at the same time, he predicted that 
 iis adversary would do the same towards the well-wishers to 
 iis own party, in case the victory should fall to his lot. At 
 ength, the prince and knights on the opposite side now 
 idvancing at a moderate pace against the royal army, the 
 ang gave orders that the lord Strange 36 before-mentioned should 
 >e instantly beheaded. The persons, however, to whom this 
 luty was entrusted, seeing that the issue was doubtful in the 
 extreme, and that matters of more importance than the de¬ 
 struction of one individual were about to be decided, delayed 
 he performance of this cruel order of the king, and, leav- 
 ng the man to his own disposal, returned to the thickest of 
 he fight. 
 
 A battle of the greatest severity now ensuing between the 
 wo sides, the earl of Richmond, together with his knights, 
 nade straight for king Richard: while the earl of Oxford, 
 vho was next in rank to him in the whole army and a most 
 
 'aliant soldier, drew up his forces, consisting of a large body of 
 [• French and English troops, opposite the wing in which the duke 
 if Norfolk had taken up his position. In the part where the 
 ;arl of Northumberland was posted, with a large and well- 
 irovided body of troops, there was no opposition made, as not 
 i blow was given or received during the battle. At length a 
 36 See p. 501. 
 
504 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOKY OF CUDYLAND. A.D. 1485 
 
 glorious victory was granted by beaven to the said earl o 
 Richmond, now sole king, together with the crown, of exceed 
 ing value, which king Richard had previously worn on hi 
 head. For while lighting, and not in the act of flight, th< 
 said king Richard was pierced with numerous deadly wounds 
 and fell in the field like a brave and most valiant prince ; upoi 
 which, the duke of Norfolk , 36 before-mentioned, Sir Richart 
 Ratclyffe, Sir Robert Brackenbury, keeper of the Tower o 
 London, John Kendall, secretary, Sir Robert Percy, controlle:. 
 of the king’s household, and Walter Devereux, lord Ferrers 
 as well as many others, chiefly from the north, in whon 
 king Richard put the greatest confidence, took to flight with 
 out engaging; and there was left no part of the opposing arm]; 
 of sufficient importance or ability for the glorious conqueror 
 Henry the Seventh to engage, and so add to his experienct 
 in battle. 
 
 Through this battle peace was obtained for the entire king 
 dom, and the body of the said king Richard being found arnon<. 
 the dead * * *' * Many other insults wert 
 
 also heaped upon it, and, not exactly in accordance with the 
 laws of humanity, a halter being thrown round the neck, it was 
 carried to Leicester; while the new king also proceeded to 
 that place, graced with the crown which he had so gloriouslj 
 won. While these events were taking place, many nobles 
 and others were taken prisoners; and in especial, Henry, earl 
 of Northumberland, and Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, thei 
 eldest son of the before-named duke of Norfolk. There was 
 also taken prisoner William Catesby, who occupied a distin¬ 
 guished place among all the advisers of the late king, and whose 
 head was cut off at Leicester, as a last reward for his excel¬ 
 lent offices. Two gentlemen, also, of the western parts of; 
 the kingdom, father and son, known by the name of Brecher,; 
 who, after the battle, had fallen into the hands of the con¬ 
 querors, were hanged. As it was never heard, nor yet stated 
 in writing or by word of mouth, that any other persons, after I 
 the termination of the warfare, were visited with similar pu- 
 nishments, but that, on the contrary, the - new prince had 
 shewn clemency to all, he began to receive the praises of all, ji 
 
 33 On the contrary, the duke of Norfolk was the only leader of eminence 
 who gave his entire support to Richard in this battle. 
 
V.D. 1485. RETROSPECT OP THE AFFAIRS OF ENGLAND. 
 
 505 
 
 ,s though he had been an angel sent down from heaven, through 
 vhoin God had deigned to visit His people, and to deliver it 
 rom the evils with which it had hitherto, beyond measure, 
 been afflicted. 
 
 And thus concluding this history, which we promised to set 
 orth down to the death of the said king Richard, so far as a 
 ruthful recital of the facts suggested itself to our mind, with¬ 
 out knowingly intermingling therewith any untruthfulness, 
 
 I atred, or favour whatsoever. We began this description, 
 
 1 hiefly, for the purpose of aiding the pious and praiseworthy 
 i pioranee 37 manifested by the Prior of this place, who compiled 
 ■ le preceding portion, and who, though extremely well versed 
 i Divine matters, was sometimes most reasonably mistaken in 
 f lose of a secular nature. 
 
 ( We accordingly made a beginning at the battle which it 
 r as feared was about to take place at Ludlow, in the marches 
 f Wales, between king Henry the Sixth and the duke of York, 
 i the year of our Lord, 1459, and have brought the narrative 
 own to this battle, which was fought near Mirival, and which 
 ')ok place on the twenty-second day of the month of August, 
 l the year of our Lord, 1485; thus comprising a space of 
 venty-six years. These events thus taking place, it appears 
 com the Chronicles, that a similar death of a king of England, 
 ain in a pitched battle in his own kingdom, has never been 
 card of since the time of king Harold; who was an usurper, 
 id was conquered in battle by William the Conqueror, who came 
 Iyer from Normandy, and from whom these men are descended. 
 
 \ a taking into consideration the signs and badges of the con¬ 
 i' leror and conquered in our day, as well as those of tliechild- 
 n of king Edward, whose cause in especial was avenged in 
 ids battle, and the events which happened to the three kings 
 I ho have borne the name of Richard, since the Conquest of 
 agland, a certain Poet composed these lines: 
 
 The fate of our three Richards in their deaths 
 Was much alike; though otherwise their lot 
 Was most dissimilar. Each of these kings 
 Died without issue, cut off by a death 
 Sudden and cruel. But the First acquir’d 
 The greatest glory. In the Holy Land 
 He fought; and thence returning safe, he fell. 
 
 37 On secular matters. 
 
506 
 
 CONTEXU ATION OF THE HISTOET OF CROTXAXT). A.D. 1485 
 
 Pierc’d by an arrow in a foreign clime. 
 
 Keft of his throne, and many a month immur’d 
 Within a dungeon’s walls, the Second chose 
 Kather to die than forfeit his fair name. 
 
 Edward’s vast hoards of wealth consum’d, the Third 
 Was not content therewith, hut must destroy 
 His brother’s progeny, and then proscribe 
 Their partisans. Two years had he usurp’d 
 The throne, when, meeting these, he lost his life 
 And ill-gain’d crown, upon the battle-field. 
 
 The year one thousand, hundreds four, aud five 
 To eighty added, when of August came 
 The twice eleventh day, the Boar’s tusks quail’d; 
 And, to avenge the White, the Red Rose bloom’d. 
 
 At the beginning of the new reign, the sweating sickness 
 of which we have previously made mention, prevailed to 
 great extent; and Lambert, abbat of Croyland, being attacker 
 by it, departed this life on the fourteenth day of October, a 
 already stated. He was succeeded in the dignity of abbat bj 
 Edmund Thorpe, formerly prior of the same place, a Bachelo 
 of Divinity, who was elected on the feast of Saint Theodore 
 being the * * * day of the month of November, ii 
 
 the year of our Lord, 1485. 
 
 At the commencement of his holding office, he prudenth 
 recalled to mind the disturbances which his predecessors hac 
 had to endure from their ungrateful, proud, and almost in¬ 
 domitable neighbours; upon which, he omitted no exertion* 
 
 on his part, to take care and have all matters settled and ad 
 justed in every respect. For there were three principal ques-j 
 tions which still remained unsettled; the first, as to the Pre 
 cinct of Croyland, as to which, extreme opposition was offeree ; 
 by the men of Multon and Weston. The second, relative tc 
 the boundaries, the demesne rights, and the maimer of com 
 monage and pasturage in Goggisland, was at issue between 
 the tenants of the monastery and the people of Depyng; whila 
 the third was with reference to the marsh of Alderland, whicl, 
 seemed to have been brought to a very imperfect, though ex-j 
 pensive conclusion, by the arbitration previously 36 mentioned. | 
 The burden of the first question already mentioned, fell 
 wholly and entirely upon the shoulders of abbat Lambert, who, 
 as we previously stated, presided over the monastery for a short 
 time only. For the malice of the people in those parts increase^ 
 
 36 P. 494. 
 
j). 1485. LITIGATED EIGHTS OF THE MONASTERY OF CROYLAND. 5 
 
 1 such a degree, that at one time they terrified the whole 
 «mastery by their dreadful threats, at another by their ferocious 
 «eds; and when, at last, they were sensible that they could 
 at in that way escape the snares consequent upon breaking 
 le peace of the realm, confiding, as it were, in the goodness 
 i( their cause, they most presumptuously laid a complaint 
 «ainst the monastery before the king’s council. 
 
 They accordingly procured a visitation of their district by 
 f illiam Hussey and Guy Fairfax,° knights, and justices in 
 <re ; and in their presence alleged recognizances and acquit- 
 i ices, in the names of the prior of Spalding and others of the 
 lief men of Multon, of right of common in the said Pre¬ 
 fect, made by fine to the abbat and convent of Croyland : as 
 fling a circumstance which seemed to presuppose right of com- 
 im of such a nature, that the lords before-mentioned had not 
 We power of releasing it to the prejudice of their tenants, 
 tie judges, with considerable shrewdness, saw what an extra- 
 Kiinary degree of caution and moderation was necessary in 
 staling with such a clamorous multitude ; and, upon finding 
 ie trifling character of the allegations made by these men, 
 id seeing that they had never held possession of the pretended 
 j;'ht of common, dismissed the principal complaint, and gave 
 decree with reference to such evils as seemed to be imminent, 
 nil as the too large body of water which ran from the higher 
 < ration of the Precinct to the lower grounds of Hoyland ; and 
 his did they appease these men for the time, and sent each 
 ( them to his own home, without indicting any injury upon 
 d 3 rights of the monastery. 
 
 To these results, which had been obtained as a final settle- 
 l nt of the matter in the time of abbat Lambert, Edmund, 
 n io succeeded him, to his great praise, added the resources of 
 pd policy ; for, by many singular marks of attention, he ob- 
 t ned favour and support for the place from the principal in- 
 Ibitants of Multon, a family highly ennobled and of gentle 
 Lod, known by the name of Webby, and to whom the people 
 c those parts were not in the habit of offering opposition. 
 
 The second question was the one which concerned the people 
 c Dcpyng. Although these people, with a sort of innate 
 fnzy, are always struggling to preserve their boundaries, 
 s 1, what with the patience displayed by the said abbat Ed- 
 e nd and his monks, and the prudent counsel of the most 
 
508 COXTIXUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYXAND. A.D. 14£ 
 
 illustrious mother of our lord the king, to whom the manor ( 
 Depyng is well known to belong, the question has hithei 
 received such treatment, that, through God’s protection, t 
 monastery seems likely neither to lose its rights nor to inc In 
 the resentment 'of those more powerful persons, with whom 
 cannot place itself upon an equality. 
 
 As to the third, which has always been found to be the mostii 
 portant and the most knotty question of all, it so came under t 
 management of this abbat Edmund, that it seems as though 
 had been found worthy by Him without whose aid 37 we can do n 3' 
 thing. For the sum of the arbitration before-mentioned was 
 follows; in the first place, both parties submitting themselves! a 
 the j udgment of the said 38 lord archbishop under a penalty of o - 
 thousand pounds, among other things he imposed this burd - 
 on the monastery of Croyland : that the abbat and communi 
 thereof should pay an annual sum of ten pounds to the said mom - 
 tery of Burgh, until lands of the said value should have be> 
 purchased at the proper expense of the said abbat and coi 
 munity, and delivered into the proper hands of the monaste 
 of Burgh St. Peter, or until, at the like expense, the church ■ 
 Brynkhurst or Eston in the county of Leicester, which is 
 the patronage of the said monastery of Burgh St. Peter, shou 
 have been appropriated by or united to the said monaster 
 An option of this nature being accordingly given by the awar ■ 
 of following the one course or the other, the before-named E 
 mund, by the advice and consent of the members of the cha 
 ter, determined by every possible means to follow the secoi 
 course, and make an appropriation of the said church of Bryn - 
 hurst to the perpetual use of the monastery of Burgh; whic 
 however, could not be done, in contravention of the statutes of tl 
 realm, unless the royal licence should be first had and obtaine 
 So cautiously, however, and so diligently did he, through tl 
 medium of his friends, employ all possible labour, energy, ai 
 outlay, that at length he was found deserving to gain the ei 
 desired. For he obtained letters patent of the king grantii 
 a licence to that effect, and directed to the convent and abb 
 of Burgh ; an account of which, and the whole of the proce 
 thence ensuing, will perhaps be written at greater length l 
 some other person hereafter in its proper place : 39 as it is tl 
 usage -with those who write history to be silent upon the actioi 
 
 37 This may be the meaning of the passage, but it is evidently imperfec 
 
 38 See p. 494. s<! See p. 514. 
 
.D. I486. 
 
 MARRIAGE OF KING HENRY THE SEVENTH. 
 
 509 
 
 f living persons, lest a description of their vices should prove 
 .reductive of odium, and a recital of their virtues he imputed 
 io the writers as so much adulation. 
 
 Influenced by this consideration, the writer before-mentioned 
 determined to end his labours with the death of king Richard ; 
 nly adding the fact that, after the victory of the said king 
 [enry the Seventh, and the ceremonies of his anointing and 
 loronation, on the last day but one of the following month, by 
 le hand of the most reverend father, Thomas, cardinal arch- 
 ishop of Canterbury, and in due conformity with the ancient 
 jistom, the marriage was celebrated, which had from the first 
 een hoped for, between him and the lady Elizabeth, the eldest 
 jaughter of king Edward the Fourth. This was duly solem- 
 lized, at the instance and urgent entreaty of all the three 
 states of the realm, in presence of the Church, on the eight- 
 snth day of the month of January, in the year of our Lord, 
 pcording to the computation of the Roman Church, 1486; a dis¬ 
 ensation having been first obtained from the Apostolic See on 
 ccount of the fourth degree of consanguinity, within which the 
 ing and queen were related to each other. And although, by 
 lese means, peace was graciously restored, still, the rage of 
 >me of the malignants was not averted, hut, immediately after 
 aster, a sedition was set on foot by these ingrates in the 
 orth, whence every evil takes its rise; and this, even although 
 ie king was staying in those parts. Taking note of this, he 
 ho has written this narrative, has added to the preceding 
 istory, for the inspection of posterity, a few lines of exhorta- 
 6n on peace and long-suffering, to the following effect: 
 
 “ Thou who dost read these changes in the fate 
 Of mighty men, must needs despise the frail 
 Aud unsubstantial glories of this world. 
 
 Why should its fleeting pomps and short-liv’d pride 
 Enthral thy mind ? Full many a king has fall’n, 
 
 Who to another had disdain’d to bow 
 His head. Emerging from the palace doors, 
 
 Others have enter’d at the postern gate ; 
 
 Eager for rule, and, for their private ends, 
 
 Ready the common weal to sacrifice. 
 
 Nor age, nor bloodf nor valour in the field 
 Shall now ensure a king his rights. Let those 
 Who come hereafter be upon their guard, 
 
 And know that o’er a populace they rule, 
 
 Fickle and fond of novelty— ” 
 
510 
 
 CO.YTIXUA.TION OF THE HI9TORT OF CEO HAND. A.D. 148 
 
 In the same composition, the Poet also alludes to the failu 
 after such vast preparations made by king Edward for the e: 
 pedition against France ; the like of which will never be se( 
 again— 
 
 “ Gaul hath escap’d our vengeance, and we ourselves 
 Have pierc’d our vitals with our own good swords. 
 
 Now this, now that side conquering, this realm 
 Hath been the prey of factions. But since God 
 Hath now united them, and made but one 
 Of these two factions, let us be content. 
 
 ' A better fortune will ensue, if we 
 
 Receive these timely blessings of the Lord 
 With grateful hearts. But, if the blood-stain’d sword 
 Should still remain suspended, and great Jove 
 Cease not to hurl his lightnings, then must we 
 Bear our misfortunes with a patient mind.” 
 
 I shall now subjoin some lines written in praise of thi 
 monastery, which begin as follows : 
 
 “ How sweet to be one of a brotherhood 
 Where envy is unknown. Such praise alone 
 Our Croyland claims, and as her own demands. 
 
 Here concord ever reigns, all strife afar; 
 
 Here do we recognize the grateful rights 
 Of hospitality ; and every guest 
 Is amply cater’d for, and without charge. 
 
 This to her praise we tell, for we ourselves 
 Have witness’d it; and bow within her fane 
 Devoutness hath subdued the minds of men. 
 
 The humble heart, the look sincere and frank. 
 
 The foot unfalt’ring, and the voice attun’d 
 To praise of the eternal God, find here 
 A holy refuge. May their pious life 
 Meet its reward in heav’n ; and, while for you 
 I breathe a brother’s prayer, my every good 
 I recommend to yours—well may they fare. 
 
 Who wish for you the same. In Christ, Farewell.” 
 
 This was done and completed at Croyland. in the year o. 
 our Lord, one thousand four hundred and eighty-six, in thg 
 space of ten days: the last of which was the last day of the 
 month of April in the said year. 
 
 « 
 
A FOURTH CONTINUATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HISTORY OF CltOYLAND. 
 
 .ltuougu the person who wrote the History immediately pre- 
 sding, whoever lie may have been, has brought his work to 
 close, at a point beyond which, for the reasons stated by him, 
 e did not think proper to proceed ; still, as I find, each day, 
 unething worthy of remark, and of such a nature, that if it 
 e not immediately committed to writing, it may either be lost 
 l oblivion or suffer from an unfaithful relation, I do not hesi- 
 ite to write what follows, by way of Continuation of the pre¬ 
 ceding History. In so doing, 1 have determined to set an 
 1 'sample to those who shall come after us, to the end that they 
 lay be encouraged, in a similar manner, at once to commit to 
 writing such events as may happen in their times. 
 
 I After the coronation of king Henry had been solemnly per- 
 < irmed on the day above-mentioned, a Parliament was held at 
 | Westminster, on which so many matters were treated of (I 
 i 'ish I could say “all ably treated of”), that the compendious 
 
 I ature of this narrative cannot aspire to comprise an account of 
 ac whole of them. Among other things, proscriptions, or, 
 s they are more commonly called, “ attainders,” were voted 
 gainst thirty persons; a step which, though bespeaking far 
 reater moderation than was ever witnessed under similar cir- 
 umstances in the time of king Richard or king Edward, was 
 ot taken without considerable discussion, or, indeed, to speak 
 [lore truly, considerable censure, of the measures so adopte d. 
 >h God ! what assurance, from this time forth, are our kings 
 p have, that, in the day of battle, they will not be deprived 
 
512 CONTJNCJATION OF THE HISTOET OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 14£ 
 
 of the assistance of even their own subjects, when summom 
 at the dread mandate 39 of their sovereign? for, a thing th 
 has been too often witnessed, it is far from improbable, the 
 deserted by their adherents, they may find themselves bereft 
 inheritance, possessions, and even life itself. 
 
 In this Parliament, the sovereignty was confirmed to 01 
 lord the king, as being his due, not by one, but by many titles , 
 so that we are to believe that he rules most rightfully over tl 
 English people, and that, not so much by right of blood as of coi ,[r 
 quest and victory in warfare. There were some persons, hov 
 ever, who were of opinion that words to that effect might ha\j 
 been more wisely passed over in silence than inserted in oij 
 statutes ; the more especially, because, in the very same Pat! 
 liament, a discussion took place, and that, too, with the king) 
 consent, relative to his marriage with the lady Elizabeth, tb 
 eldest daughter of king Edward ; in whose person it appeare 
 to all that every requisite might be supplied, which was warn, 
 ing to make good the title of the king himself. But more, 
 perhaps, on this subject hereafter. 
 
 This general sitting of Parliament being concluded, th 
 king kept the festival of Easter at Lincoln; whither new. 
 was brought of the death of the most noble father, cardinal, 
 Thomas Bourchier, and archbishop of Canterbury. He die, 
 in Easter tveek, in the year 1486, A being the Dominical letter 
 just as, thirty-nine years before, under the same Dominica 
 letter, and in the same week of the festival of Easter, a grea 
 cardinal of England, Henry Beaufort byname, bishop of Win 
 Chester, had departed this life, it being the year 1447. Tin, 
 following is the noble lineage of each of these prelates, eacl 
 being, in pedigree, lineally descended from king Edward thi 
 Third :—Henry, bishop of Winchester, was descended fron 
 him in the second degree, through his father, John of Gaunt 
 duke of Lancaster, son of the said king Edward; whil^ 
 Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury, was descended from bin 
 in the third degree, through his mother, the countess of Staf¬ 
 ford, and the father of the said countess, Thomas of Wood- 
 stock, duke of Gloucester, another son of the aforesaid kingb 
 Edward the Third. 
 
 There recurs to my recollection, at the moment while I am, 
 
 39 The text seems to be in a defective state here. lie probably alludes 
 to the desertion of Richard by his party at the battle of Bosworth. 
 
ft.D. 118G. 
 
 INSURRECTION IN THE NORTH. 
 
 513 
 
 w riting this account of these circumstances, a praiseworthy 
 feed, and one most deserving of all imitation by others, of 
 ,liat glorious and Catholic man, the said cardinal bishop of 
 Winchester. When he was ill and at the point of death at 
 iis palace of Wolnesey, near his cathedral church of Saint 
 iwithun, in the said year 1447, he caused all the ecclesiastics, 
 
 : -eligious, and laymen in the vicinity to be summoned to the 
 'reat hall of the palace, on the Saturday on which the office 
 Sitientes [those who thirst] is chaunted, and which immedi- 
 tely precedes the Sunday of the Passion of our Lord. Here 
 le had a solemn funeral service and the mass of the Itequiem 
 Performed in his presence, as he lay on his bed; and, on the 
 ifth day after, 40 the whole of the office was performed by the 
 rior of that cathedral church in full pontificals. Shortly after 
 lie funeral service, his last will and testament was publicly 
 lad aloud in presence of all; and, certain corrections and 
 odieils 41 having been added by him thereto, on the morning 
 rfter the mass was performed, publicly and in an audible voice 
 e confirmed all his said testamentary dispositions, which were 
 ten once more read over; after which, he bade farewell to all, 
 ad departed this life at the time above-mentioned. Por, he 
 ho wrote this account, was present, and both saw and heard 
 .1 ;hcse things, and we know that his witness is true. Hav- 
 
 • ig thus digressed a little, we will hasten to return to the acts 
 id fortunes of the king. 
 
 On passing from Lincoln on his way to York, by his castle 
 f Nottingham, he there heard various rumours of a certain 
 sing 42 of the people in the north ; upon which, for the more 
 curely establishing his position, he caused a great multitude 
 i men, but all of them unarmed, to be summoned and col- 
 ‘cted from the county of Lincoln; it being his wish to ap- 
 sar rather to pacify than exasperate the people who were 
 posed to him. When he had come to York, and was intent 
 >on his devotions, on the feast of Saint George, he was 
 
 40 This account of the death of Cardinal Beaufort differs very mate- 
 Uy from the picture painted of that scene by Shakspeare in his King 
 
 * mry VI., Part 2 ; and which is supposed, in some respects, to have been 
 Imded on the account given in Hall’s Chronicle. 
 
 11 These were added on the seventh and ninth of April, lie died on 
 ■fj|i eleventh. 
 
 12 Headed by lord Lovel, and Humphrey and Thomas Stafford. 
 
 L L 
 
511 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF CROYLAND. 
 
 A.D. 1186 
 
 nearly slain by means of a stratagem on part of the enemy • 
 The earl of Northumberland, however, prudently quelled tin: 
 insurrection at its first beginning, and caused certain of thosi 
 •who had prompted the movement to be hanged on the gallows 
 after which, the king returned in peace towards the southeri 
 parts. 
 
 While these commotions were still going on in the north 
 there came to the house of Croylaud the reverend man, Johi 
 Bussell, bishop of Lincoln, and stayed there the space of ; 
 whole month, making payment every week for himself am 
 a retinue of twenty persons, on such terms as were deemet 
 satisfactory by both parties. Biuing this period, a conferenc e 
 was held at Singlesholt with the abbat of the monastery o 
 Burgh Saint Peter, as to the mode and order of proceeding ii 
 the matter of the appropriation of the church of Brynkhurst 
 otherwise Eston, and how much should be held to be payabl 
 each year by that church for indemnification due to the bishopsi 
 archdeacons, and the cathedral church; upon which, the sab 
 bishop, with the express desire and consent of the before 
 named abbat, appointed a day and place, in the parish churcl 
 of Croyland, when and where the Proctor of the abbat an 
 convent of Burgh, having received full powers to act as Proc 
 tor, should appear. This was, accordingly, done ; and, at thi 
 prayer of the said Proctor, the matter of the said union or api 
 propriation was in all respects discussed, and, by sentence c 
 the bishop judicially pronounced, in all respects concluded] 
 the said Proctor being present, and giving his entire consen 
 thereto, as well as the before-named abbat of Croyland, whc t 
 according to the force and effect of the said award, bore and pai 
 throughout all and singular the costs and expenses necessar 
 in that behalf. We have here inserted the form of this act c 
 impropriation: 
 
 “ To all sons of Holy Mother Church, to whom these oq 
 present letters shall come, or to whom this public instrumer 
 shall come, John, by the Divine permission, bishop of Lincoh 
 health in the Lord everlasting. It behoveth all Catholi 
 bishops, within the limits of their respective jurisdictions, t 
 give their especial attention to those things which concern tk 
 peace and tranquillity of convents of the religious; and moi 
 especially of those, the proximity of the confines of wine 
 may more readily give cause and occasion for dissensioni) 
 
\.D. 1 .86. FORM OF THF, IMPROPRIATION OF BRYNKHURST. 515 
 
 is also, at the same time, in every way to provide for the pre¬ 
 servation of peace and tranquillity in this behalf. For this 
 • •eason we do bring it to the notice of all of you, that, in the 
 natter under-written of the union, annexation, appropriation, 
 ncorporation, and consolidation of the parish church of Brynk- 
 ! lurst, otherwise called Eston, in our diocese of Lincoln, with 
 he monastery of Burgh Saint Peter, in the same our diocese, 
 t being the year of our Lord, one thousand four hundred and 
 ighty-six, then current, and the fourth year of the indiction, 
 nd the second of the pontificate of the most holy father and 
 ird in Christ, the lord Innocent, by the Divine Providence 
 he Eighth pope of that name, on the twenty-second day of 
 .pril, in the parish church of Croyland, within the conventual 
 hurch of the monastery of Saints Bartholomew the Apostle, 
 ad Guthlac the Confessor, of Croyland, in our said diocese, 
 ad on the northern side of the said conventual church 
 e publicly sitting, before us there judicially and in judgment 
 ;ated, there did personally appear in court the religious 
 tan, the lord John Croyland, a brother of the said monas- 
 ry of Burgh Saint Peter, and Proctor thereof, appointed 
 i act as Proctor in the name and behalf of the venerable 
 id religious men, the abbat and convent of the monas- 
 ■ry of Burgh Saint Peter aforesaid ; and that, he having in 
 is hands and actually producing his commission of Proctor- 
 fip sealed with the common seal of the said monastery of 
 urgh, as also the royal letters containing therein the royal 
 eence granted to proceed in the matter aforesaid, we were, 
 'ten and urgently, and with no small importunity, entreated 
 ; the same lord John Croyland, the Proctor aforesaid, that 
 e would deign to make inquisition and to proceed in the said 
 atter of the union, annexation, appropriation, incorporation, 
 id consolidation of the parish church aforesaid, in such man- 
 ■r as should be canonical, and to examine the reasons for 
 aking such union, annexation, appropriation, incorporation, 
 d consolidation, and duly to expedite the said matter. Where- 
 ;re, we, John, the bishop before-named, there sitting in 
 Agment, and being of opinion that the requisition to the said 
 ' ? ect was just and consonant with reason, at the instance 
 d prayers of the Proctor before-mentioned, did determine 
 I to make inquisition and to proceed, so far as should be duly 
 aonical, in the matter aforesaid; there being then present 
 
 l i 2 
 
516 COXTIXHATION OF THE HTSTOET OF CROYLAXI). 
 
 A.D. 148€ 
 
 Masters Thomas Hutton, Doctor of Laws, and William Spence 1 
 and William Miller, clerks and notaries public, specially sum;; 
 moned and invited to be witnesses to the premises : and, a 
 and singular the premises being so arranged, we, John, thl 
 bishop before-named, still there sitting in judgment, did nam 
 and appoint the disc'reet man, Master William Spencer, clerf 
 and notary public, before-mentioned, to act as our secretary il 
 the said matter, so far only as setting forth the things to be doni 
 in this behalf, and did make him there to remain with us, fc 
 the purpose of faithfully writing down all and singular thi 
 things then done in this present matter, in the order and sue 
 cession in which the same should take place. And forthwitl 
 the said lord John Croyland, the Proctor before-named, 1 
 virtue of his Proctorship, then and there did actually prodm 
 the commission of his said Proctorship, of which mention h;i 
 "been made above, in writing, and sealed in white wax wit 
 an impression of the common seal of the said monastery, am 
 did take upon him to act in the aforesaid business in behalf < 
 his masters, the said abbat and convent of the monastery < 
 Durgh : of which commission of Proctorship so granted to tl' 
 said Proctor, the tenor was to the following effect:— 
 
 “Be it known unto all men by these presents, that w 
 William Ramsey, abbat of the monastery of Burgh Saint Pete 
 of the order of Saint Benedict, in the diocese of Lincoln, anl 
 the convent of the said place, having the advowson and the rigl 
 of patronage of the parish church of Brynkhurst, otherwif 
 Eston, in the said diocese, and well known to be patrons of tl 
 said parish church, do by these presents, name, ordain, mak 
 and appoint our dearly beloved brethren in Christ, John Gent 
 John Croyland, and Kichard Sutton, monks of our said mona 
 tery, jointly and severally, and each of them by himself, wholf 
 and solely, that so any one of them who has begun to act m; 
 not have more force and effect than the others, but that wh< 
 any one of them has begun, any other of them may be A 
 liberty by himself to carry into effect and conclude, our tnln 
 and lawful proctors, agents, factors, and managers of our bustt 
 ness, and our especial deputies; and we do give and do grani 
 and by the tenor of these presents do give and do grant to tk 
 same our Proctors, jointly, and to each of them, by himself' 
 severally and wholly as before-stated, general power and specii 
 authority, for us, and in the names of us and of our said mow 
 
d. 1186 . 
 
 COMUlSSrOX OF rROCTORSII IP. 
 
 517 
 
 : stery, in a certain matter of union, annexation, incorporation, 
 
 I ad consolidation of the parish church of Brynkhurst, other- 
 •ise Eston, with the before-named monastery of Burgh Saint 
 i eter, canonically to be made, to appear before the reverend 
 ither and lord, John, by the grace of God, lord bishop of Lin- 
 dn, his commissary or commissaries in-that behalf deputed 
 ; to be deputed; as also to give and propound, and pray, and 
 stain, to be admitted, any article or articles, and any other 
 stitions whatsoever, whether of a summary, solemn, or 
 mple nature, and to declare, allege, propound, and prove the 
 ;ason and reasons for the union, annexation, incorporation, 
 id consolidation aforesaid; and, as to the truth of the said 
 easons, to make oath required by law, as also to cause and 
 rocure the truth to be testified and declared as to the said 
 easons and the validity thereof; and to produce and exhibit, 
 id demand to be admitted, the testimony of witnesses, letters, 
 id instruments, both public and private, and all other kinds 
 
 E l proof whatsoever ; and to demand witnesses in this behalf 
 > be produced to be sworn and examined, and to 6ee their 
 ords and evidence duly published ; as also to swear, and to 
 ive and make any lawful oath whatsoever upon our souls, 
 •Inch shall be necessary or requisite in this behalf; and to 
 eniand that the parish church of Brynkhurst, otherwise 
 ;,ston, before-named, together with all the lands, tenements, 
 ;;venues, rights, and appurtenances, to the said church pertain- 
 lg, or in any way belonging, with the before-named monas- 
 :ry of Burgh Saint Peter and us, the abbat and convent afore- 
 lid and our successors, may, under the authority of the reverend 
 '.tlier before-named, be united, annexed, and incorporated; and 
 lat the said monastery and parish church, saving always the 
 brtion of the perpetual vicar of the said church from ancient 
 mes set apart, limited, and appointed, may be consolidated; 
 tad to ask, hear, and see that sentence or final decree of 
 aion, annexation, incorporation,-and consolidation aforesaid, 
 pronounced and published; and likewise to ask and obtain 
 le consent of all persons whatsoever having any interest in 
 iis behalf, the same to be really and effectually had and given, 
 I the union, annexation, incorporation, and consolidation 
 -'oresaid, and to the final decree for the same, as also to the 
 hole and entire process in this behalf to be had, and in its 
 jirious steps and successively to be carried on: and after such 
 
518 CONTINUATION OF THE BISTOKY OF CEOYl.VND. A.D. 14 * 
 
 union, annexation, incorporation, and consolidation aforesaid, 1 
 ask and to see that it is decreed, and is effectually ordered a 
 enjoined that we, so empowering them as aforesaid, or c 
 Proctors for us, shall he inducted and placed in real and bodi 
 possession of the parish church of Brynkhurst, otherw: 
 Eston before-named, and all other its and our appurtenance 
 saving always the portion of the perpetual vicar, as previous 
 stated; and to obtain possession to that effect, and when so o e 
 tained to continue and preserve the same. We do also auth 
 rize them to ask for and obtain letters testimonial or other pub] f 
 instruments of and concerning the union, annexation, ineo 
 poration, and consolidation before-mentioned, and that tl - 
 same shall be ratified by the seal of the venerable father befor 
 named ; and to promote the matter of the said union, annex 
 tion, incorporation and consolidation, unto the final and effectu 
 conclusion thereof, and duly to prosecute, manage and comple 1 
 the execution of the decree before-mentioned; and to treat ■ ■' 
 and communicate upon, the indemnifications, unto the befo; j " 
 named reverend father and lord in Christ, John, by the grace i . 
 God, lord bishop of Lincoln, and hisfnture successors, as also, tl 
 lords the dean and chapter of the cathedral church of the blessc “ 
 Mary at Lincoln and the archdeacon of Leicester, for the tin 
 being, and their future successors, such indemnifications beii 
 due by reason of the said union, annexation, incorporation, an tl> 
 consolidation ; and, in our name, to consent and assent to the a 
 signment, limitation, and transfer of any yearly payment for an* - 
 in place of such indemnifications, by the before-named reveren • 
 father and lord in Christ, John, by the grace of God, lord bisho 
 of Lincoln, to be agreed upon, and, by his authority, in th - 
 behalf to be made; as also to bind us and our monasteiy, whe 1 
 it shall be so, as already stated, united to the parish cliurc 1 
 aforesaid, to make payment of any sums whatever which sha 
 in name of the indemnifications aforesaid, by the authority < - 
 the reverend father before-named, be assigned and limited, th 
 same to be faithfully made by us and our successors in our sai ® 
 monastery; and in our name to offer, set forth, and give sc ' 
 curities both by oath and by sureties for the payment of th] !iE 
 said sums as already stated, as also all other securities whal 
 soever which shall be necessary and sufficient in this behalf- 
 and likewise to make challenge and appeal, and to demand an|; : 
 receive oath upon the Apostles, and to substitute any other d- 
 
,.D. 1486. 
 
 cou mi ssiox of rr.ocTORsnip. 
 
 519 
 
 iithers as Proctor or Proctors, in place of them or any one of 
 hem, and to revoke the substitution of such substitute or sub¬ 
 stitutes, and to resume to himself or themselves the office of 
 droctor, and exercise the same, so often as and when it shall 
 ieem best and most expedient to them or any oue of them, 
 t heir present Proctorship in the meantime remaining valid and 
 f full effect: and generally to make, do, and execute, all and 
 ingular other the things in and about the premises which may 
 '.ie necessary thereto, or which may in any way at their pleasure 
 eem desirable, although the same may demand of them an 
 uthorization more special than is in these presents set forth, 
 nd which we ourselves, so appointing them, would have made, 
 .one, or executed, or ought to have made, done, or executed, 
 ,a case we had been personally present in the premises. We, 
 >he before-named abbat and convent, so appointing them, do 
 Iso promise that we will for ever hold as ratified, good, and 
 istablished, all and whatsoever our said Proctors, or those by 
 hem to be substituted, shall do, or any one of them shall do 
 a the premises or any one of the premises ; and will abide by 
 he judgment, and will do what shall be adjudged, under pledge 
 nd obligation of forfeiting all our goods both present and 
 d come; and in that behalf we do by these presents make offer 
 f the said security. In testimony whereof we have to these 
 resents set our common seal, the same being given in our 
 "hapter-house, on the twenty-first day of the mouth of April, 
 a the year of our Lord, one thousand four hundred and 
 jghty-six.” 
 
 “Accordingly, we sitting there in judgment, in presence 
 £ the Proctor of the said abbat and convent of the mo- 
 astcry of Burgh aforesaid, appeared there, personally in 
 purt, the discreet man, Master William Miller, clerk and 
 jotary public, and Proctor, as he stated, of the venerable men, 
 ie lords the dean and chapter of our cathedral church of the 
 lessed Mary at Lincoln, and before us actually produced the 
 pmmission of his Proctorship by his said masters granted to 
 im, and signed with the impression in green wax of their 
 immon seal, and made his appearance in behalf of the same 
 is masters in the matter before-named. At the same time 
 Iso, appeared there, personally in court, in presence of the 
 I’roctors before-named, the discreet man, Master Roger Wood, 
 [aster of Arts, who stated that he was the Proctor of the 
 
520 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOEY OF CEOYLAND. A.D. 1 1SG 
 
 honorable man, Master Richard Langueder, Doctor of Laws 
 our archdeacon of Leicester, in our cathedral church aforesaid 
 within the precincts of whose archdeacoury is situate the 
 parish church of Brynkhurst, otherwise Eston * * 
 
 and then and there actually produced the commission of hi 
 Proctorship, set forth in writing, and sealed with the impressioi 
 in red wax of the seal which the before-named Master Richarc 
 Langueder, our official in the diocese of Lincoln, uses by rigli 
 of his holding the said office, and made his appearance in be¬ 
 half of the said archdeacon, his master, in the matter before- 
 named. The terms of the commission of Proctorship of th( 
 Proctors of the said dean and chapter, and of the archdeacon, 
 of which mention is made above, were in words as follow; 
 
 . “ Be it known unto all men by these presents, that we. 
 Philip Lipyat, Licentiate in Laws, Subdean of the Cathedral 
 church of the blessed Mary at Lincoln, in the absence of the 
 Dean of the said church, and with the unanimous consent and 
 assent of the Chapter of the said church, do, by these presents, 
 ordain, make, name, and appoint, our dearly beloved in Christ, 
 Masters Thomas Hutton, Doctor of Laws, Canon of the Cathe¬ 
 dral church aforesaid, Andrew Bensted, Master of Arts, Wil¬ 
 liam Spencer, John Bevyll, and William Miller, clerks and 
 notaries public, jointly and severally, and each of them, by 
 himself, wholly and solely, that no any one of them who has 
 begun to act may not have more force and effect than the ; 
 others, but that what any one of them has begun, any othen it 
 of them may be at liberty by himself to conclude and carry 
 into effect, our true and lawful proctors, agents, factors, and 
 managers of our business, and our especial deputies ; and we do 
 give and do grant to the same, our Proctors, jointly, and to each ; 
 of them by himself, as before stated, severally and wholly, fo 
 general power and special authority, for us, and in the name? at 
 of us and of the said cathedral church, to proceed and to view _ 
 proceedings in a certain matter of union, annexation, incor- | 
 poration, and consolidation of the parish church of Brynk- 
 hurst, otherwise Eston, in the diocese of Lincoln, with the ■, 
 monastery of Burgh Saint Peter, in the said diocese, and the ® 
 abbat and convent thereof for the time being and all their 
 future successors whatsoever in the said monastery, the same 
 to be duly and canonically made, before the reverend father ( ji 
 and lord in Christ, John, by the grace of God, lord bishop of to 
 
.D. 1436. 
 
 COMMISSION OF PROCTORSHIP. 
 
 521 
 
 fincoln, or his commissary in that behalf deputed or to be 
 i eputed ; as also to be present and to see that the witnesses, 
 1stters, instruments, and other documents in proof in that be- 
 alf necessary and requisite, are produced, and that the said 
 
 I fitnesses are admitted and sworn, and that their words and 
 ttestations are duly published : also, in like manner, to give 
 ur consent and assent, and in our name really and effectually 
 ) consent and assent, that the parish church of Brynkhurst, 
 fcherwise Eston, before-named, together with all its rights 
 ad appurtenances, shall be canonically united, annexed, in- 
 orporated, and consolidated with the monastery of Burgh 
 aint Peter aforesaid, the abbat and convent thereof for the 
 me being, and their successors for all future time whatsoever, 
 le same to be held for ever to their own proper use ; and, if 
 feed shall be, to dissent from the same ; saving always to our- 
 :lves and our successors, a certain yearly payment of six 
 lillings and eightpence of and from the fruits and profits of 
 le parish church of Brynkhurst aforesaid, the same to bo 
 rid for ever in each year at the feast of Saint Michael the 
 rchangel, as and for an indemnification to us and our succes¬ 
 s's ; and to demand and see that the parish church of Eston 
 oresaid, and the fruits, rents, profits, rights, incomes, offer- 
 jigs, tenths, and all and singular the emoluments whatsoever 
 ■ the said church, are bound to payment and security for pay- 
 ent of the yearly sum aforesaid, and that the said abbat, and 
 nvent, and all their successors whatsoever are charged with 
 yment of the said sum to us and our successors, in manner 
 fore stated, for ever; and in our name to receive all other 
 nds and securities whatsoever sufficient in that behalf; and 
 make demand, and to hear, sentences both interlocutory and 
 i finite, given and pronounced, and other enactments, ordi- 
 ; nces, and decrees, in that behalf requisite, made and or- 
 Lined, and to consent to the same, or otherwise, if needs be, 
 dissent therefrom; as al ;o to carry out the said matter of 
 don, annexation, incorporation, and consolidation, until and 
 jito the final close thereof, and so to conclude the same ; and 
 ! substitute any other Proctor or Proctors whatsoever, in the 
 ace of them and of each of them, and to revoke each substi- 
 tion, and to resume to themselves the duties of such Proctor, 
 often as, and when it shall seem good and expedient to them 
 ! to any one of them: and generally, to make, do, and exe- 
 ite all and singular other the things in and about the premises 
 
522 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOKY OF CKOYI.ANI). A.D. 1 J86 
 
 ■which may he necessary thereto, or in any way desirable 
 although the same may require of them an authorization mon 
 special than is in these presents set forth. We do also pro¬ 
 mise that we will for ever hold as ratified, good, and esta 
 blished, all and whatsoever our said Proctors, or those by then 
 substituted or to be substituted shall do, or any one of then 
 shall do, in the premises or auy one of the premises; and wil - 
 abide by the judgment, and will do what shall be adjudgec J 
 under pledge and obligation of forfeiting all our goods; and ii a 
 that behalf we do by these presents, make offer of the saic j 
 security. In testimony whereof, we have to these present - 
 set our common seal, the same being given in our chapter- : 
 house on the first day of the month of April, in the year of oui »; 
 Lord, one thousand four hundred and eighty-six.” 
 
 “ Be it known to all men by these presents, that we, Rich arc 
 Langueder, Doctor of Laws, archdeacon of Leicester in the 
 cathedral church of Lincoln and officer of the consistory courl 
 of Lincoln, have named, ordained, made, and appointed, and dc - 
 by the tenor of these presents, name, ordain, make, and ap-i i 
 point our dearly beloved in Christ, Masters Thomas Hutton, eii 
 Doctor of Laws, Andrew Bensted, and Roger Wood, Masterii i. 
 of Arts, and William Spencer, John Bevil, and William Miller, « 
 clerks and notaries public, jointly and severally, and each o! 
 them, by himself wholly and solely, that so any one of then 
 who has begun to act may not have more force and effect thart- 1 
 the others, but that what anyone of them has begun, any other 
 of them may be at liberty by himself to continue, conclude.! •; 
 and carry into effect, our true and lawful proctors, agents.:: 
 factors, and managers of our business, and our especial depulifc 
 ties : and we do give and do grant to the same our Proctors: 
 jointly, and to each of them by himself, as before stated, severallyr : o 
 and wholly, general power and especial authority, for us andlK 
 in the name of us and of our said archdeaconry, to appear in ®oc 
 certain matter of union, annexation, incorporation, appropria-; 
 tion, and consolidation of the parish church of Brynklmrsti ; 
 otherwise called Eston, in the diocese of Lincoln, with itlrfe 
 rights and appurtenances, with the monastery of Burgh Saint 
 Peter, in the said diocese, the same to be duly and canonical!} 
 made, before the reverend father and lord in Christ, John, by 
 the grace of God, lord bishop of Lincoln, or any his commissary, 
 whatsoever, in that behalf appointed; as also to hear thffw 
 
a.d. 1485. 
 
 COM MISSION OF I'EOCTOKSHIT. 
 
 523 
 
 reasons for the said union, annexation, appropriation, and con¬ 
 solidation, and as to the reasons so admitted and pronounced, 
 ;o estimate the validity of them and each of them : and to 
 consent, and in like manner to make and give our assent and 
 
 11 ;onsent, that the parish church of Brynkhurst, otherwise 
 Eston aforesaid, together with its lands, tenements, rents, 
 services, fruits, protits, commodities, and all other its rights 
 md appurtenances whatsoever, shall be canonically united, 
 innexed, and incorporated with the monastery of Burgh afore- 
 aid, and the abbat and convent thereof, and all their successors 
 n future times whatsoever: saving always unto ourselves 
 ,nd our successors, archdeacons of Leicester, a certain yearly 
 layment in each year to come, as and for an indemnification 
 o our said dignified office; seeing that the said parish church 
 if Brynkhurst, otherwise Eston, is known to be situate within 
 he precincts and circuit of our archdeaconry aforesaid—the 
 lame to be faithfully paid ; and to demand, see, and obtain, 
 bat the said parish church, and the yearly fruits thereof, for 
 11 future time, are bound and charged for security of payment 
 
 S eing made of the said yearly sum ; and to prosecute, carry 
 n, and conclude the said matter of union, annexation, incor- 
 oration, and consolidation, until and unto the final close 
 lereof, and so to finish the same, and to make, do, and cxe- 
 ute all and singular other the things in and about the pre¬ 
 mises, which may be necessary thereto, or in any way desirable, 
 Ithough the said things may be such as by their nature may 
 squire an authorization more special than is set forth in the 
 remises, and which we ourselves would have done, made, or 
 fcecuted, in case we had been personally present in the 
 remises. We also, the archdeacon before-named, do promise, 
 r ourselves and our successors, that we will for ever hold as 
 (itified, good, and established, all and whatsoever our said 
 roctors, or any one of them shall do in the premises or any 
 the premises; and will abide by the judgment, and will 
 ) what shall be adjudged under pledge, and obligation of 
 rfeiting all our goods, and in that behalf we do by these 
 •esents make offer of the said security. In testimony whereof, 
 licause we do not happen to have the seal of our aforesaid 
 chdeaconry at hand, we have to these presents set tho 
 al of our office aforesaid. Given, so far as the sealing of 
 «j.esc presents, at Stamford, on the fifth day of the month of 
 
524 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOHT OF CKOYLAND. A.D. 1486, 
 
 April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand four hundred 
 and eighty-six.” 
 
 “ After these premises had been completed, the before-named 
 lord John Croyland, the Proctor of the abbat and convent of the - 
 monastery of Burgh aforesaid, in their names, did before us 
 judicially and actually present the royal letters containing the 
 royal licence granted to the said abbat and convent, for de¬ 
 spatching the said matter of union, annexation, appropriation, “ 
 incorporation, and consolidation, the same being sealed with f 
 an impression of the king’s great seal on wax of a green 
 colour, in presence of the Proctors there before us still in * 
 person remaining, of the lords before-named, the dean and to 
 chapter and the archdeacon, to whom reference has been made 
 above; the tenor whereof was to the following effect : 
 
 “ Henry, by the grace of God, king of England and France, it 
 and lord of Ireland, to all to whom these present letters shall i 
 come, greeting. Know ye that we, of our special grace, as it 
 also at the humble prayer of Edmund, abbat, and the con¬ 
 vent of Croyland, have granted and given permission, and A 
 by these presents do grant and do give permission, for our- k 
 selves and for our heirs, so far as in us lies, unto our dearlj » 
 beloved in Christ, the abbat of Burgh Saint Peter and the 
 convent of the said place, and their successors, that they shall itt 
 be empowered and enabled for ever, for themselves and theii til 
 successors, to appropriate, unite, annex, and consolidate, theii 
 church of Brynkhurst, otherwise called Eston, in the county 
 of Leicester, and in the diocese of Lincoln, together with alf'l 
 the rights and emoluments, thereof whatsoever both spirituali 
 and temporal, with the said abbat and convent, and their suc-p 
 cessors, and their house and church aforesaid, and when scf 
 united, appropriated, annexed and consolidated, to holfljie 
 possess, and retain the same to their own proper use; ancp 
 that, without in any way taking, making, or paying any finff® 
 or fee for the same to our use, and without any writ being npl 
 any way had or issued of Ad quod damnum , 43 by reason of thawi) 
 premises; and without any demand, let, or hindrance on part op 
 ourselves, or of our heirs, justices, escheators, sheriffs, or othewp 
 the bailiffs or servants of ourselves or of any of our heirs what «ci 
 soever. We do will, however, that the vicarage or vicar I k 
 
 43 A writ to enquire whether a grant intended to be made by the sove 
 reign will be to the damage of him or others. * 
 
PETITION FOE ANNEXATION.. 
 
 525 
 
 A.D.U86. 
 
 lie church aforesaid, or in the said church, sufficiently * 
 * ■* * and a certain sum of money from the 
 
 Tuits and profits thereof each year to be paid and distributed by 
 :he diocesan of the said place, shall be divided among the poor 
 oarisbioners of the said church, according to the form of the 
 statute in that behalf made and provided. In testimony 
 vhereof we have caused these our letters patent to be made. 
 Witness, myself, at Westminster, this twenty-fifth day of 
 February, in the first year of our reign.” 
 
 “ The royal licence being then and there by us inspected 
 md understood, the before-named lord John Croyland, the 
 n?roctor aforesaid, in name thereof, and in presence of the 
 ithers, that is to say, the Proctors of the lords the dean and 
 chapter and the archdeacon, who were still present, then and 
 here did actually propound a certain article or petition, set forth 
 n writing, and urgently requested that the same might be ad- 
 
 S nitted and that inquisition might be made thereon, and that 
 le might be decreed to be admitted, and so be effectually ad- 
 nitted, to make proof of what was set forth and contained in 
 he same. The tenor of the said article or petition is set forth 
 i n the form of words which follows : 
 
 “In the name of God, Amen. Before you the reverend 
 lather and lord in Christ, John, by the grace of God, lord 
 lishop of Lincoln, or your commissary in this behalf last ap¬ 
 pointed, or hereafter to be appointed, on part of the religious 
 a on, the abbat and convent of the monastery of Burgh Saint 
 feter, of the order of Saint Benedict, in your diocese of Lin- 
 (lioln, patrons of the parish church of Brynkhurst, otherwise 
 J ailed Eston, in the same your diocese, and canonically holding 
 the right of advowson and patronage in the said church, in 
 The matter underwritten, it is, in such mode, manner, and 
 arm, as it may be best, most usefully, and most efficiently, 
 onsistently with what is lawful, said, alleged, and in these 
 writings, lawfully propounded : That the abbat and convent 
 efore-named have been and are the true and lawful patrons of 
 he parish church of Brynkhurst aforesaid, and that the right 
 1' patronage and advowson thereof, have anciently and from 
 ,ncient times, and have in times and from a time to which 
 le memory of man runneth not to the contrary, peacefully 
 nd inviolably belonged, do belong, and for ever ought to be¬ 
 ing unto the monastery aforesaid, and the abbat and convent 
 
52Q CONTINUATION OF TIIF. HISTORY OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1 !S6, 
 
 thereof for the time being : And that the present abbat and 
 convent, have been, and still are, through and by reason of the 
 premises, openly, publicly, and notoriously, commonly held, 
 had, called, named, and reputed to be the true and lawful pa¬ 
 trons and the canonical possessors of the said rights of pa¬ 
 tronage and advowson: and that, between the venerable 
 monasteries of Burgh Saint Peter and of Saint Bartholo- 
 mew the Apostle and Saint Guthlac of Croyland, of the order 
 of Saint Benedict; in your diocese of Lincoln, holding lands « 
 and territories close adjoining to each other, and without . 
 limits sufficiently set forth, there have long prevailed, and In 
 have arisen, now on the one side and now on the other, r 
 strifes, dissensions, quarrels, and disputes, the which have 
 notoriously caused, and still do cause, to the communities of id 
 both convents many vexations, expenses, and damages, by both 
 greatly impeding and lessening the worship of God, and the srt 
 due observance of hospitality, in the said places, to such a;ir 
 degree that unless by means of the moderate measures of si 
 wholesome counsel, provision shall he duly made for the in- it 
 demnifying of each, the advantages and prosperity of the one 
 monastery or the other, or perhaps, which may God forbid, of i: 
 both, must be utterly sacrificed : And that, for the purpose of to 
 allaying strifes, dissensions, quarrels, and disputes of the said it 
 nature, and of encouraging and nourishing peace and concord nt 
 amongst the parties aforesaid, (seeing that only in the time of ir 
 peace is the Author of all peace duly worshipped), and to the .it 
 end that thereby the duties of hospitality as well as the wor- nt 
 ship of God may be promoted in either monastery, it has : 
 seemed that the same could not be more conveniently brought so 
 about or provided for, than by an arrangement that the parish n 
 church of Bryukhurst aforesaid, together with its lands, tene- to 
 ments, rents, services, fruits, and profits, as also all the ad- ,r, 
 vantages to the said church belonging, (saving always the it 
 portion from ancient times reserved and set apart for the a; 
 support of the perpetual vicar of the said church), should m 
 be duly and canonically united, annexed, incorporated, and a 
 granted, for their own proper use for ever to be held, to the to 
 said lords the abbat and convent of the monastery of Burgh :i 
 Saint Peter aforesaid and their successors, at the costs and a 
 expenses of the said lords the abbat and convent of the * 
 monastery of Croyland. All and every of which things haves k 
 
i.D. I486. 
 
 PETITION FOR ANNEXATION. 
 
 527 
 
 >een and are true, public, notorious, manifest, and well 
 .nown; and public rumour and report have long treated of 
 nd still do treat of the same. Wherefore, the sureties having 
 ieen given which were required in this behalf, it is prayed 
 n behalf of the said lords, the abbat and convent of the mo- 
 astery of Burgh Saint Peter, that the reasons for the union, 
 nnexation, incorporation, and appropriation aforesaid, and 
 hove set forth, shall be admitted, and that it shall be pro- 
 ounced and declared as to the same and the validity thereof; 
 nd that the parish church of Brynkhurst, otherwise Eston 
 foresaid, together with its lands and tenements, rents and 
 jrvices, fruits, proceeds, and all the advantages thereof, may 
 y and with the licence of the king’s majesty, and the consent 
 ad assent of all and singular the parties having an interest in 
 le said matter, be duly and canonically united, annexed, in- 
 orporated, and appropriated to the aforesaid monastery of 
 urgh Saint Peter and the abbat and convent thereof, and all 
 reir future successors whatsoever, and may, saving always the 
 irtion aforesaid of the perpetual vicar, be granted for ever to 
 ; held to the proper use of the said abbat and convent of 
 urgh, and their successors; and that the said monastery and 
 irish church, saving always the portion of the perpetual vicar 
 oresaid, may be consolidated; and that the abbat and con- 
 :nt, for the time being, of the monastery of Burgh aforesaid, 
 ay be decreed, by themselves or by their Proctors, to be in- 
 ucted into real, corporal, and actual possession of the said 
 trish church of Brynkhurst, otherwise Eston, and of the 
 nds, tenements, rents, services, fruits, and proceeds thereof, 
 
 ■ soon as it shall happen that the said parish church is vacant, 
 r reason either of the resignation, cession, or death of Master 
 hn Tapton, the present rector thereof, or in any other lawful 
 ;iy, and may then be effectually inducted therein; and that 
 ' ive may be effectually granted and given by you, and by 
 ;3ans of your sentence and decree, Reverend Father before- 
 med, unto them, the abbat and convent of Burgh, so soon as 
 e same shall happen to he vacant in manner aforesaid, to 
 jter upon the same, and to take possession thereof, together 
 ,th all the rights and appurtenances above-mentioned, and, 
 *!;er possession so taken, to keep and continue to keep the 
 foie : and that further, all things may be enacted and decreed 
 e be done in the premises, and in all matters concerning the 
 
528 COSTENTJATION OF THE DISTORT OF CROYLAND. A.D. 1 18 
 
 same, which shall he consistent with law and reason. A 
 which things arc propounded and prayed to he done, on pa 
 of the said abbat and convent of Burgh Saint Peter aforesaii 
 jointly and severally; the said parties not restricting then 
 selves to the proof of all and singular the premises, nor y 
 undertaking the burden of making any superfluous proo 
 against which they do hereby protest; but, confining then 
 selves solely to those things which shall suffice in this beha 
 lawfully to manifest their intention to establish their right; am 
 saving in all things what is for their benefit, in this behal 
 Iteverend Father before-named, humbly invoking your aid. 
 
 “And we, John, the bishop before-named, seeing that it worn 
 be meritorious to grant to this prayer that which is only just, ar 
 regarding the contents and tenor of the said article or petitioi 
 which we there did have and hold as set forth and fully unde: 
 stood, did, at the instance and prayer of the said Proctor, so pn 
 poundiug and praying, as before stated, as also with the consei 
 and assent of the said Masters William Miller and lloger War< 
 the Proctors of the lords the dean and chapter and our archdeaco 
 of Leicester before-named, judicially decree that the said artic' 
 or petition should be admitted, and that inquisition should 1 
 made of and concerning the truth of the matters in the sai j‘ 
 article or petition contained; and that the said Proctor of tl ‘ 
 said abbat and convent of the monastery of Burgh, should h 
 admitted to make proofs of the contents of the said article c .. 
 petition ; and we did name and appoint unto the before-name 
 John Cropland, the Proctor aforesaid, the Monday then nei n 
 ensuing, and the eighth hour before mid-day of the same daj 
 at the parish church of Croyland aforesaid, for him to produc 
 witnesses and all other kinds of proof whatsoever, to him be.. 
 longing in this behalf, the same being granted at the prayer ( 
 the said Proctor of the abbat and convent aforesaid; so cor T 
 tinning and proroguing the said matter, in the plight in whie !, 
 it then ivas, until the said day, hour, and place. <i. 
 
 “Accordingly, upon the said Monday, at the eighth hoi 
 before mid-day of the same day, in the church aforesaid, w ‘ 
 then sitting there in judgment, in presence of the Proctors the ‘ 
 personally present of the lords the dean and chapter and th 
 archdeacon before-named, the lord John Croyland, the Proctc.. 
 of the abbat and convent of the monastery of Burgh Sail , 
 Peter, and in their name, did produce John Hyeremouth, Joh 
 
EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES. 
 
 529 
 
 1485 . 
 
 'uthfiere, William Digle, John Slyng, and William Spencer, 
 Croyland, and Thomas Grace, and Robert Austhorp, of Peter- 
 rough, as witnesses to depose to and upon tho truth of the 
 itents of the said article or petition above-specified, as also 
 undergo the examination by us, and of our authority, in 
 it behalf to be made; and did urgently request that the said 
 rsons might by us be received, admitted, and, after the form 
 swearing witnesses, sworn and examined. Upon which, the 
 d John Hyeremouth, John Douthfiere, William Digle, John 
 ;ng, William Spencer, Thomas Grace, and Robert Austhorp, 
 $ witnesses before-named, then and there, by our commands, 
 idling the Holy Evangelists of God, did make oath upon the 
 tie, that they would speak all and every the truth in this be- 
 |f, to the best of their knowledge, all love, hatred, fear, soli- 
 ition, reward, and all other things whatsoever like thereunto, 
 erly removed and set aside. The burden of the examination 
 all and singular which -witnesses in this behalf to be made, 
 n, being then occupied with other business, so as not to be 
 e to give our personal attention to the examination of their 
 dence herein, did, by the consent and assent both of the 
 ore-named lord John Croyland, the Proctor of the said abbat 
 l convent of Burgh, and of the before-named Masters William 
 Her and Roger Wood, the Proctors aforesaid, fully entrust 
 ■to the venerable man, Master Thomas Hutton, Doctor of 
 Iws, then present, wdio did willingly accept and undertake 
 I: same; and we did then and there give and grant unto the 
 Id Master Thomas full power to do the same, acting in our 
 lalf, and to examine them orally and by word of mouth: 
 1 did then and there continue and prorogue the aforesaid 
 ttter, in its then plight, until the second hour after mid-day 
 the same Monday, at the parish church of Croyland afore- 
 
 i 
 
 ‘ At the said second hour after mid-day, on the said Monday, 
 the parish church Croyland aforesaid, we, John, the 
 b iop before-named, then sitting there in judgment, did, at 
 prayer and instance of the before-named lord John Croy- 
 !d, and Masters William Miller and Roger Wood, the Proe¬ 
 ti i aforesaid, who did then appear and were personally 
 jsent before us, publish the words and evidence of the wit- 
 es before-named, so as aforesaid produced before us and 
 our authority sufficiently examined, and did then and there 
 
530 
 
 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOKT OF CEOTLAND. A.D. Ill 
 
 cause the same to be publicly declared; after publicatioi 
 which words and evidence, so made as before stated, the ( 
 creet men, Masters William Miller and Eoger Wood, Procl 
 of the lords the dean and chapter and our archdeacon 
 Leicester, saying before us, that, as it appeared to them, 
 reasons set forth in the article or petition aforesaid, for si 
 union, annexation, appropriation, incorporation, and consoli 
 tion, were well and sufficiently proved, did, at the prayer i 
 request of the before-named lord John Croyland, the Proc 
 of the lords the abbat and convent of Burgh, before-nam 
 then and there spontaneously and voluntarily consent and ass 
 to the union, annexation, appropriation, incorporation, 
 consolidation, so to be made as already stated, and did liken 
 give their consent and assent in that behalf. After which, 
 said lord John Croyland, the Proctor before-named, and in 
 same behalf, did often and repeatedly, with urgent prayi 
 request that the parish church of Brynkhurst, otherwise Es 
 aforesaid, might, in manner above prayed in the article bet 
 stated, be united, annexed, appropriated, and incorporat 
 with the monastery of Burgh aforesaid, and that decree or s 
 tence of the said union, annexation, appropriation, and inc 
 poration, might by us be made and in that behalf pronounc ;t 
 and that the other things might be done, enacted, and decre ® 
 according as, in the aforesaid article or petition it was pray r ' : 
 and that justice might be done for him in the premis 81 
 Wherefore we, John, bishop of Lincoln before-named, coi - 
 dering the reasons for the union, annexation, appropriati - 
 and incorporation aforesaid, to be fully and effectually bet P 1( 
 us proved, and that the same are reasonable, and were and 1 
 of such a nature as may, by reason of the premises, be in mr 
 ways to the advantage of both of the convents before-mention ® 
 and wishing, so far as we were able, with all becoming speed ■ 
 bring to an end and conclusion the matter aforesaid, of whi ®' 
 as it is not unknown to us, the abbat and convent of the if 
 
 nastery of Croyland have borne and supported the whole 
 pense, and so, duly to provide for the convenience of both 
 monasteries of Croyland and of Burgh Saint Peter in the jl^j 
 mises, did, at the prayer and instance of the before-named 1 M 
 John Croyland, the Proctor before -named, in presence of the jf 1 
 fore-named Masters William Miller and Roger Wood, the Pi 
 tors of the lords the dean and chapter and our archdeacon 11 So 
 
1.1486. DECREE FOB THE ANNEXATION OF BEYNKHUEST. 531 
 
 picester, then personally present, and with their assent and 
 Insent thereto expressed, determine that we would proceed 
 r pronounce our decree or sentence in this behalf to be given ; 
 id accordingly did so proceed, and did then and there read, 
 re, and publish our decree or sentence in writing, in words 
 the following effect: 
 
 “In the name of God, Amen. The merits and circum- 
 nces having been heard, understood, and fully discussed by 
 John, by Divine permission, bishop of Lincoln, of a certain 
 ise or matter of union, annexation, appropriation, and iu- 
 ■poration of the parish church of liryukhurst, otherwise 
 led Eston, in our diocese, together with the lands, tenements, 
 its, services, fruits, and proceeds, and all the advantages 
 freof whatsoever, the same canonically to be made, with the 
 inastery of Burgh Saint Peter, in our diocese aforesaid, and 
 I abbat and convent of the said monastery, and all their 
 ure successors whatsoever, and which cause or matter is 
 ng discussed before us, and is still pending, and undecided, 
 l undisposed of; and there appearing personally before us 
 i discreet man, brother John Croyland, a brother and monk 
 the said monastery of Burgh, as also the Proctor, well and 
 iciently appointed of the abbat and convent of the said mo- 
 tery, patrons of the aforesaid parish church of Brynkhurst, 
 
 r rwise called Eston, and known to hold the right of patron- 
 and the advowson of the said church; as also in presence 
 |bhe discreet men, Master William Miller, clerk and notary 
 H lie, Proctor of the venerable men the lords the dean and 
 Ip ter of our cathedral church of the blessed Maiy at Lincoln, 
 n Master Boger Wood, Master of Arts, Proctor of the vener- 
 & man Master Richard Layynder, Doctor of Laws, our arch- 
 
 i ion of Leicester, within the precincts and circuit of whose 
 .deaconry the said parish church of Brynkhurst, otherwise 
 >n, is known to be situate; the said Proctors there per¬ 
 ii lly appearing and being sufficiently and lawfully appointed, 
 i||:om the commissions of Proctorship of the said Proctors be- 
 ii | us in the said matter by the said Proctors severally and 
 
 y exhibited and lawfully empowering them to act in 
 
 ■matter or cause, sufficiently appeared ; and [the said Proc- 
 jj>f the said abbat and convent of Burgh Saint Peter afore- 
 ll], 11 by their petition, often and urgently requesting of us 
 11 Some words to this effect are evidently omitted in the original. 
 
 mm2 
 
532 CONTINUATION OF THE HISTOET OF CROTLAND. A.D. 1 
 
 that the reasons for the said union, annexation, and appropi 
 tion may by us, of our authority as ordinary, be admitted ! 
 approved of, and the validity of the same be declared and p 
 nounced, and that the aforesaid parish church of Bryn ldm 
 otherwise called Eston, together with all its lands, tenemei 
 rents, services, fruits, and enrolements whatsoever, may 
 canonically united, appropriated, annexed, and incorpora 
 with the monastery of Burgh Saint Peter aforesaid, and 
 present abbat and convent thereof, and their future success! 
 the same to be held for ever to their own proper use, and t 
 the said monastery and parish church may be consolidated, i 
 that sentence or final decree may by us in this behalf be gii 
 and pronounced:—we have thought proper to proceed to g 
 or pronounce our sentence or final decree in the said matt 
 and do proceed to pronounce the same, to the follow 
 effect:— 
 
 “Forasmuch as, upon diligent inquisition by us and of / 
 authority made, of and upon the reasons for the union, ann< 1 
 ation, incorporation, appropriation, and consolidation of 1 
 premises, before us in this behalf alleged and proposed, ful 
 sufficiently, and canonically made, and upon the sufficient 
 lawful proof by witnesses before us in this behalf had c 
 made, as also the other kinds of proofs and evidences su 
 ciently before us in this matter exhibited and produced, 
 have found and understood that the reasons for the union, 
 nexation, incorporation, appropriation, and consolidation abi 
 specified, are true, reasonable, satisfactory, and admissible 
 this behalf; and that the said abbat and convent of the n 
 nastery of Burgh Saint Peter, have on their behalf, expresi 101 
 their intentions in a certain article or petition on behalf of f 
 said abbat and convent before us in the matter aforesaid ac 1 
 
 : 
 
 ally propounded and given; in which said article or petit ; ' 
 the causes for the said union, annexation, incorporation, app ri; 
 priation, and consolidation are more fully set forth; and wh j ; 
 said article or petition begins in the words following, the tei ■ 
 thereof being to the following effect:—‘ In the name of G 
 Amen. Before you, the reverend Father and Lord in Chr$p r ' 
 the lord bishop,’ &c.; and the tenor whereof we shall hold 
 read and as inserted herein; and have found the said 
 tentions sufficiently set forth so far as is here under-writt 
 and the same to be well-founded and the reasons thereof fu, 
 
i. I486. DECREE FOB THE ANNEXATION OF BEVXKnUEST. 533 
 
 3 
 
 oved ; and have found that no other matter has intervened to 
 eelude us from proceeding to the sentence and decree afore- 
 id, and from giving or pronouncing the same in this behalf; 
 erefore, we, John, the bishop before-named, considering how 
 pus and meritorious it will be to allay and quiet the strifes, 
 icords, disputes, and dissensions which have long continued 
 tween the before-named monasteries of Burgh and Croyland, 
 the heavy and almost insupportable detriment of them both, 
 d for ever, as we do firmly hope, to put an end to the said 
 'ifes, discords, and dissensions, and to do those things which 
 all tend to nurture and cherish peace, amity, and brotherly 
 re between the parties aforesaid, to the end that in the said 
 masteries the Divine worship and the observances of religion 
 ly be the more quietly performed, and wishing, with all the 
 ility we can, to interpose our duteous offices herein, the 
 ence of his royal majesty for the union, annexation, appro- 
 iation, incorporation, and consolidation aforesaid, with the 
 id abbat and convent of Burgh, being first, as already stated, 
 aciously granted in this behalf and obtained at the prayer and 
 stance of the before-named the abbat and convent of Croy- 
 id, and before us, in the present matter actually produced; 
 
 , having first invoked the name of Christ, and having God 
 imself alone before our eyes, by the advice of persons learned 
 the law with whom we have held communication in this 
 half, as also of the Proctors before-named of the venerable 
 Bn, the lords, the dean and chapter of our Cathedral Church 
 the blessed Mary at Lincoln, with whom we have treated 
 ton this union, appropriation, annexation, consolidation, and 
 porporation, so to be had, and, with the consent of them in 
 |apter assembled, to be made, and of the venerable man, Master 
 chard Lavynder, Doctor of Laws, archdeacon of Leicester, 
 thin the precincts and circuit of whose archdeaconry the 
 Irish church of Brynkhurst, otherwise called Eston, afore- 
 lid, is known to be situate; the said Proctors, so as afore- 
 u d, appearing before us, and expressing the wishes, consent, 
 Id assent of both of them the said Proctors, as to the union, 
 Ipropriation, annexation, incorporation, * # * * * * 
 
 \_The rest of this Continuation is lost.~\ 
 
 TEE END OF THE HISTOET OF CEOTLAXD. 
 
INDEX 
 
 
 i ' 
 
 '1 
 
 Abbats, installation of, at Croyland, 288 
 Abbeville, 469 
 
 Acharius, abbat of Peterborough, 311 
 Achyra, Sultan, 149^ 
 
 Agamund, 47 
 Agarenes, the, 417 
 
 Agelwin, bishop of Durham, 130-rimpri- 
 soned, 140 K 
 
 Agincourt, battle of, 365 
 Aio, father, leaves Croyland,59—returns, 
 64—his death, 103 
 Aldred, bishop of Worcester, 134 
 Aldred, archbishop of York, crowns Ha¬ 
 rold, 138—crowns William I. 140 
 Alexius, the emperor, 148 
 Alfred, king, 51—engages the Danes,ib.— 
 his reverses, 52—his charity, ib—his 
 vision, ib.—visits the Danish camp, 53 
 —defeats the Danes, ib.—his virtues, 
 55—division of the kingdom, 56—again 
 repulses the Danes, 57—his death, ib. 
 Algar, the younger, earl, a friend to Croy¬ 
 land, 36—attacks the Danes, 40—his 
 death, 43—his charter to Croyland, 196 
 Algar earl, outlawed, 132—and again, 133 
 —his death, ib. 
 
 Almond milk, 361 
 
 Alnwyk, William, bishop of London, his 
 award, 405 
 Ambrose, Saint, 443 
 Ancarig Wood, 43, 48 
 Angers, abbey of, forms a cell at Spald¬ 
 ing, 145, 283, 288 
 
 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle quoted, 265 
 Anne, queen, wife of Richard I IT., 462, 
 470—her death, 499. See Richard III. 
 Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, 229— 
 exiled, 230—consecrates six bishops, 
 262—his death, 265 
 Ardnot of Spalding, 204 
 Aristotle, study of, 147 
 Arnold of Bonneval, his works, 270 
 Arnulph, bishop of Rochester, 267 
 Arundel, Thomas, archbishop of Canter¬ 
 bury, banished, 352—his return, 353 
 Ascebert. 14 
 
 Asford of Helieston, his suit with In- 
 gulph, 153—his death, 155 
 Askill, the monk, 24, 32 
 Ashby, John de, abbat of Croyland. See 
 Croyland 
 Asser, 56 
 
 Athelstan, king, defeats the Danes. 5 
 his death, ib.—engages the Scots 
 Brunanburgh, 74 — his foreign a 
 ances, 76—honors the abbey of Main ' : 
 bury, 77 
 
 A the! wold, bishop of Winchester, 91 
 Audin, his impiety and sudden death, : 
 Averroes, study of, 238 
 Ayscough, William, bishop of Salisbi "■ 
 402—put to death, 411. 
 
 Badby, the manor of, lost by Croyla 
 115, 116—given to the convent of E 
 sham, 133, 170—attempts to recover L ' 
 257, 258 
 Baiardours, 247 
 Bajazet. See Balthazar, 417 
 Baldock, church of, destroyed by lig 1 ^ 
 ning, 402 
 
 Balthazar, or Bajazet, the emperor, 41 
 overruns the East, 427 
 Barbeflet, 290, 292 
 
 Barber, Serjeant, at Croyland, 212 '■ 
 
 Bardeney, the abhey of, reformed by C ; 
 bert de Gant, 262 
 
 Bardeney, Richard, abbat of Croyla ^ 
 See Croyland. 
 
 Barnet, battle of, 464 
 Bartholomew, Saint, custom in honor 
 476 
 
 Bastard of Falconbridge, his insurrecti 
 466 
 
 Baston, Master Richard, his benefactio ! Ar 
 
 392 
 
 Beaufort, cardinal Henry, 393—hisdea 
 404—his last moments, 513. 
 
 Beaufort, John, earl of Somerset, hism; 
 
 riage to lady Margaret, 364. 
 
 Beaufort, John, Duke of Somerset, 46#-' 
 slain, 466. See Somerset. 
 
 Beaumontsee, 357 
 
 Beby, monks sent to the manor of, 244 
 Bells of Croyland, 107 
 Benedict, the anti-pope, expelled, 133 ™ 
 
 Benedictines, charges made against tl 
 389. See Black monks. 
 
 Benevolences, 471, 481, 498 
 
 Beningdon, 24 
 
 Beniton, Reginus de, 283. 
 
 Benyngton, brother Richard, 415 — b‘- 
 beuefactions, 433 
 
 Beorred, king, 35—attacks the Danes, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 535 
 
 his charter, ib.—plunders the monas- 
 ries, 50 — dies at Rome, 53 
 fert, ‘23 
 
 iard, abbat of Clairval, 233 
 lard the tyrant, 11 
 Qulpli, king, 14 
 
 sulph, king, 23 — plunders Croyland, 
 
 .—his character, 24 
 Vick, c ipture of, 481 
 ;elm, the recluse, 9 
 lop’s Lynn, 402 
 
 ;k monks, assembly of the, 3S9. See 
 
 enedictines. 
 
 ic Chartre, 352 
 
 digent and Kuthius, received by Ed- 
 ard the Confessor, 137 . 
 lwit, 251 
 s. See Peter. 
 
 id-letting in monasteries, 214, 433 
 yngbroke, 401 
 
 dvyll, Sir William, marries Lady 
 .aryngton, 395 
 darii, 101 
 
 ,\vorth Field, battle of, 502 
 
 eler, lady Eleanor, her asserted mar- 
 
 age with Edward IV. 489 
 
 rcliier, Humphrey, two of that name 
 
 ain, 465 
 
 irohier, cardinal Thomas, archbishop 
 f Canterbury, his death, 512 
 'cote Green, chapel at, 415 
 •nd, abbot of Peterborough, his death, 
 ■13 
 
 I ybroke, Robert, bishop of London, 352 
 
 ■ chers, father and son, put to death,504 
 Mchtmer, or Brithmer, abbat of Cny- 
 ■tnd. See Croyland. 
 
 ■ wn, Matthew, king’s Escheator, 331 
 |S nenburgh, the battle of, 75 
 
 ne, the monk, leaves Croyland, 59— 
 3turns, 64—his death, 103 
 rnkhurst, or Eston, cession of, 508— 
 ■lie formalities, 514—533 
 I ‘det, Thomas, accused, 478—and exe¬ 
 cuted, 479 
 
 ■ :kingham, Henry, Duke of, 480, 485 — 
 ■hpports the Duke of Gloucester, 486— 
 
 E jrsakes him, 491—captured and be- 
 eaded, 492 
 
 D‘gh, or Burgh St. Peter, plundered by 
 • le Danes, 113—the monastery of, 167 
 F> -contest with Croyland, 311—the ab- 
 at impleaded, 323. See Medesham- 
 | ;ed, Peterborough, and Croyland. 
 
 I-gundy, Charles, duke of. 428 —his 
 carriage 457 — alliance with Edward 
 V. against France, 463, 469—confer- 
 Pnce with Edward’s council, 471 — De- 
 ■ lines the alliance, 472—invades Swit¬ 
 zerland, 477 — his death, 478. See Philip. 
 1 *y, a Parliament held at, 404 
 Idle, John, beheaded,353 
 
 (le, Jack, insurrection of, 413 
 
 Cambridge, schools established at, by 
 abbat Joffrid, 237 
 Camville, Gerard de, 283 
 Canterbury and York, decision of the 
 controversy between the sees of, 189 
 Carville, vineyards of, 150 
 Caswyk, Henry de, abbatof Croyland. See 
 Croyland. 
 
 Catesby, William, 499—his death, 504 
 Cato’s Distichs, 217 
 Cel red, king of Mercia, 3 
 Ceolnoth, archbishop, miraculously heal¬ 
 ed, 32 
 
 Ceolwulph, king of Mercia, 14] 
 
 Ceolwulph, the usurper, 53—his death, 54 
 Ceolwulph, bishop, consecrates Turketul, 
 64 
 
 Charles, duke of Burgundy. See Bur¬ 
 gundy. 
 
 Charters of Croyland destroyed, 171, 201 
 —concealment of, by Ingulph, 173, 223, 
 257 
 
 Chateres, brother Laurence, liis benefac¬ 
 tions, 359, 361 
 
 Chertsey, burial of Henry VI. at, 468 
 Chester, the bishopric founded, 191 
 Chichelev, Henry, archbishop of Canter¬ 
 bury, 393 
 
 Chichester, bishopric of, founded, 191 
 Christophorus Maurus, duke of Venice, 
 428 
 
 Cissa, the recluse, 9 
 Cistercians, origin of the, 232 
 Civil wars of York and Lancaster, com¬ 
 mencement of, 418,505 
 Clarenbald, the Sempect, his death, 102 
 Clarence, George, duke of, opposes Ed¬ 
 ward IV. 458—reconciled to him, 459— 
 flies to France, 462—marries the daugh¬ 
 ter of the earl of Warwick ib.—again 
 reconciled to king Edward, 464—dissen¬ 
 sions again ensue, 477—wishes to marry 
 the daughter of the duke of Burgundy, 
 478—his charges in Parliament against 
 the king, 479—thrown into prison, ib.—• 
 and put to death, 4S0. See Edward IV. 
 and Richard III. 
 
 Clarence, Thomas, Duke of, slain in 
 France, 389 
 
 Clarendon, Sir Roger, beheaded, 356 
 Clifton, Nicholas de, 342 
 Cnute, king, his accession to the throne, 
 116—his charter, 118—his journey to 
 Rome, 119—his letter thence, ib.—his 
 donations to Croyland, 122—his death, 
 123 « 
 
 Cnute, king of Denmark, prepares to in¬ 
 vade England, 159 
 
 Colchester, absolution to the monastery of, 
 266 
 
 Collations or Readings, 219 
 Comet, appearance of a, 137 
 Computation of time, Roman and English 
 modes of, 460 
 
536 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Constantine, king of the Scots, slain at 
 the battle of Brunenburgh, 75 
 
 “ Conus capitis,” 247 
 
 Corrodiers, 200 
 
 Croun Alan, a kinsman of Ahhat Joffrid, 
 233—his benefactions, 259—his charter, 
 261 
 
 Croxton, 316 
 
 %£royland, the Abbey of, founded by 
 Ethelbald, 4—his charter, 5—Kenulph, 
 the first abbat, 8—origin of the name, 
 ib.—privileges granted, 10—charter of 
 king Offa, 11—abbat Patrick, 12—abbat 
 Siward, ib.—charter of king Kenulph, 
 
 [ ib.—charter of king Wichtlaf,15—visited 
 
 l by Wichtlaf, 23—Wymund and Celfrida 
 buried there, ib.—plundered by king 
 Bertulph, ib.—his charter, 24—pilgri¬ 
 mages thither, 33—abbat Thoodore, 35 
 —charter of king Beorred, 36—its in¬ 
 mates resist the Danes, 40—plundered, 
 44—abbat Theodore and others mur¬ 
 dered, ib.—brother Turgar escapes, ib. 
 —ravages of the Danes, ib.—Godric 
 elected abbat, 48—the monks visit Me- 
 deshamsted, ib.—plundered by king 
 Beorred, 50—king Athelstan’s good in¬ 
 tentions, 58—death of abbat Godric, 59 
 —Croyland nearly deserted, ib. —Turke- 
 tul entertained there, 60,61—Assists its 
 inmates, 61—becomes abbat, 64—king 
 Edr£d rebuilds it, 65—his charter, ib. 
 —Turketul sets out the boundaries, 78 
 recovers its estates, 78, 79—his mode of 
 government, 80, 81—charter of king 
 Edgar, 84—ecclesiastical censure grant¬ 
 ed by Dunstan, 88—decrees of Turketul, 
 97—his last enactments, 101—his ill¬ 
 ness, 103—and death, 105—treasures and 
 relics there, 103,104—Egelric the Elder, 
 elected abbat, 105—his improvements, 
 106—death of abbat Egelric, 107—Egel¬ 
 ric the Younger, elected abbat, 108—his 
 benefactions, ib.—his death, ib.—abbat 
 Osketul, 109—his death, 112—extor¬ 
 tions practised on the place, ib.— Godric 
 elected abbat, ib. — multitudes resort 
 thither, 114—king Sweyn’s exactions, 
 ib.—the protection of sheriff Norman 
 purchased, 115—manor of Badby parted 
 with, 116—death of abbat Godric, 117 
 —abbat Briclitmer,or Brithmer, elected, 
 ib.—charter of king Cnute, 118—his 
 benefactions, 122—disturbances, 123 — 
 death of abbat Brichtmer, 126—abbat 
 Wulgat elected, 128—letter of Edward 
 the Confessor, ib.— his charter, 129— 
 benefactions of Thorold, 131 — death 
 of abbat Wulgat, 132—abbat Wulketul 
 elected, ib.—begins a new church, 134 
 —deposed, 143—and confined at Glas¬ 
 tonbury, 144, 147—oppressions by Ivo 
 Taillebois, 144—complaints of abbat 
 Wulketul, 145—he buries earl Waldev, 
 
 if H< 
 
 ib—the manor of Bemak lost, 146—] 
 racles at Waldev’s tomb, 147—treasu 
 confiscated, ib.—Ingulph appointed i 
 bat, ib.—his early history, ib.—p 
 Vceeds to Normandy, W8—appointed s 
 retary to duke WilTHTtn, ib.—his c 
 duct, ib.—joins a pilgrimage to Jem 
 lem. ib.—returns,149—enters the conv' 
 of Fon tenelle, 150—sent for by ki nil 
 William, 151—his vision, ib.—admit 
 abbat of Croyland, 152—state of t 
 abbey, ib.—alien monks there, 15' 3, 
 suit with Asford, ib.—Ingulph int 
 cedes for Wulketul, 157—Wulketul 
 turns to Burgh, 15&—and to Croylai #r? 
 ib.—his donations, ib.—his death, 
 
 —troops quartered there, 159—Ingul 
 makes a transcript from Domesday,! ^ 
 —his remarks on the extracts, 168,1 jj, 
 the place almost deserted, 170—IngulL 
 presents the charters to king Willia A 
 
 
 trial 
 
 171—charter of William I., ib.—rig 
 to Spalding asserted, 172—defeated 
 Taillebois, 173—Ingulph conceals c« tie* 
 tain charters, 172, 223, 257—brings 
 Croyland the laws of Edward the Cc 
 fessor, 175—frost at Croyland, 191—fo 
 miraculously supplied, 192 — cell 
 Spalding abandoned, 193—spoliation 1 
 Taillebois, 195—intercession by La 
 franc, ib.—intrusion of Fulcard, 195,1 
 —conflagration at Croyland, 197-1 
 destruction caused thereby, 200, 201 
 portents of the fire, 203—assistance 1 
 the neighbours, ib.—grants made 
 them for the same, 204-208—repai fo- 
 effected, 208—translation of the boc ju- 
 of Waldev, 209—fonnd nncormpted, iL.iii 
 —the poor’s Maundy established, 2ft t 
 — new statutes, 212-221 — TailleboLm 
 cites the convent, 222—cruelty to 
 member thereof, ib.— Ingulph’s comon 
 pilation, 223—Death of Ingulph, 2$^ 
 —his former exertions, 233—Joffrid a 
 pointed abbat, 234—his arrival, ib.- fa, 
 indulgences granted to promote tl Hen 
 building, 235—brethren dispatched log 
 collect alms, ib.—abbat Joffrid’s addrei -tjr 
 to the kings, ib.—letter to the king 1 
 Norway, 237—he establishes schools 1 
 Cambridge, ib.—lectures there, 238- h, 
 establishes a priory at Wridthorp, 21 fobs 
 —alms sent, 241—miracles at the tom iVi 
 of Waldev, ib.—dream of Joffrid, 24r; 
 —solemnities on laying the foundatioi Rom 
 245 — offerings made, 246—a great feai v jn 
 given. 247—charter of Henry I., 250- bba 
 Joffrid aided by Theobald of Blois an h] 
 Stephen, 251—vain attempts to regai > 
 Badby, 257—opposed by earl Milo, 25 k\ 
 —benefactions of Alan de Croun, 26( i D 
 261—enactments of abbat Joffrid, 263- -ft 
 as to religious scourging. 267—the net n 
 church split by an earthquake, 268- (H 
 
INDEX. 
 
 537 
 
 Toffrid sent to count Theobald, 269— 
 •barter of king Stephen, 272—abbat 
 Edward, 273—his death, ib.—Robert de 
 Redinges appointed abbat, ib.—charter 
 >f Henry II., 274—suit with the prior 
 )f Spalding, 275—abbat Robert’s case, 
 b.—attack by the people of Hoyland, 
 ?76— abbat Robert complains, 278— 
 vrit issued to try the cause, 280—ver- 
 'lict, 281—abbat Robert essoigned, 281, 
 ?82—his death, 282—Henry de Long- 
 thamp elected abbat, 282—persecuted 
 )y William de Romar, 283—essoigned, 
 | b.—view ordered to be made, ib.—ap¬ 
 pears in court, 285—-judgment against 
 lim, 286—proceeds to king Richard at 
 Spires, 287—Richard confirms the char¬ 
 ier of Henry II., ib.—his letter to arch¬ 
 bishop Hubert, ib.—abbat Henry gains 
 he marsh, ib.—attempts by the convents 
 •f Angers and Spalding to regain it, 
 588—king’s precept issued, 289—abbat 
 Ienry crosses to France, 290—inter¬ 
 view with king Richard, 291—the king 
 ssues his mandates, 291, 292—the *ab- 
 )at essoigned, 292—his success, 293-295 
 ^-compelled to sell his trees, 295—trans- 
 [ates the body of St. Guthlac, 296— 
 ting John favours Angers and Spald- 
 ng, 297—the abbat summoned to West¬ 
 minster, 298—appoints deputies, ib.— 
 deceives letters from certain dignitaries, 
 299—appears before the justices, 300— 
 trial postponed, 302—crosses to Nor- 
 fnandy, ib.—interview with king John, 
 b.—agrees to pay him a sum of money, 
 ?04—appears in court, 305—the matter 
 gain referred to the king, 307—the ab- 
 >at sends over an envoy, 308—the king 
 Promises his favour, 309, 310 — char¬ 
 ter of king John, 310 — contest with 
 >urgh, 311—final agreement, 312—at- 
 ack upon Croyland, 316—abbat Henry 
 lends a life of St. Thomas to the arcli- 
 f dshop of Canterbury, 317—charter of 
 fIenry III.,318—abbat Henry impleads 
 Jlugh Wake, 319—final agreement, ib. 
 w-agreement with the prior of Spald- 
 ag, 320—death of abbat Henry, 322— 
 'rant of common, ib.—agreement with 
 [tie abbat of Burgh, ib.—benefactions of 
 'bbat Richard, 325—his death, 326— 
 Thomas Welles elected abbat, ib.—en¬ 
 closes Dovedale, ib.—his journey to 
 <lome, ib.—his death, 327—his body 
 jmnd entire, ib.—Ralph Mershe elected 
 ’bbat, ib. — agreement with Thomas 
 iVake, 328—good works of abbat Ralph, 
 <29—his death, ib.—Richard of Croyland 
 lected abbat, ib.—contest with the lord 
 f Depyng and the men of Kesteven, 330 
 -their petition, ib.—resignation of ab- 
 at Simon [do Luffenham], 331-vacation 
 f the abbacy, 332—provision made for 
 
 the inmates, and their numbers, ib.— 
 abbat Henry [de Caswyk], 331—opposes 
 Sir Thomas Wake, 333—abbat John 
 [de Ashby] opposes the earl of Kent, 
 ib.—commission ordered on the boun¬ 
 daries, 334—meeting of the commission, 
 335—finding as to the boundaries, 336— 
 injuries committed by the earl of Kent, 
 
 338— the earl complains in parliament, 
 
 339— the abbat appears before king Ri¬ 
 chard, ib.—and before the king’s coun¬ 
 cil, ib.—the hearing adjourned, 340— 
 protection granted, ib. — vexation at 
 Depyng, 341 — the abbat appears in 
 court, 342—cruel conduct of Nicholas de 
 Clifton and the people of Depyng, 343, 
 
 344— and to the people of. Spalding, 344 
 their threats, ib.—revenge of the people 
 of Croyland and Spalding, ib.—abbat 
 John defends himself in Parliament, 
 
 345— presents a bill, 346—opposed by 
 the earl of Kent, 346,347—supported by 
 the 4uke of Lancaster and the earl of 
 Derby, 347—addresses the king, 348— 
 death of abbat John, 350—his benefac¬ 
 tions, ib.—Thomas de Overton elected 
 abbat, ib.—encroachments by the peo¬ 
 ple of Northamptonshire, ib.—attack by 
 the people of Depyng, 351—abbat Tho¬ 
 mas complains to parliament, ib.—the 
 people of Depyng punished, ib.—abbat 
 Thomas charged with treason and ac¬ 
 quitted, 356—his benefactions, 357—ob¬ 
 tains a charter of indemnity on vacation 
 of the abbacy, ib.—his repairs, 358—af¬ 
 flicted with blindness, 359—the manage¬ 
 ment entrusted to prior Richard Upton, 
 ib.—benefactions by the brethren, ib. 
 —enactments as to almond milk, 361— 
 as to meals at the abbat’s table, 362— 
 incursions from Mill ton and Weston, 367 
 —and Spalding, ib.—Dunstan’s ecclesi¬ 
 astical censure fulminated, ib.—prior 
 Richard proceeds to London with the 
 charters of the Saxon kings, 368—two 
 years preparing for trial, ib.—falls ill, 
 ib.—employs serjeant Ludyngton, ib.— 
 St.Guthlac appears to him, ib.—arbitra¬ 
 tors chosen, 369—their award,370-377— 
 death of abbat Thomas, 387—Richard 
 Upton elected abbat, ib.—his exertions 
 and outlay, 388—usages on installation 
 of the abbat, ib.—abbat Richard a mem¬ 
 ber of the committee for the reforma¬ 
 tion of the Benedictines, 390—his bene¬ 
 factions, 391—other donations, 392, 393 
 —death of abbat Richard, 393—John 
 Litlyngton elected abbat, ib.—attack on 
 a monk of Croyland, 394—punishment 
 for the attack,ib.—Sir William Bondvy 11 
 takes proceedings against the convent, 
 395—agreement finally made between 
 them, ib.—the people of Spalding make 
 an inroad on Croyland, 396—abbat John 
 
538 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 appeals to duke Humphrey, 397—reco¬ 
 vers damages at law, ib.—hostile mea¬ 
 sures of John, earl of Somerset, and 
 the people of Depyng, 398—conference 
 
 • with the earl, 399—breach of the em¬ 
 bankments and overflow, 400—violent 
 measures contemplated .by Humphrey 
 Littlebury, ib.—commission of sewers 
 issued, ib.—finding of the jurors, 401— 
 acquittal of the abbat, 402 — dispute 
 with the vicar of Whaplode, 403—trial 
 with Thomas lord Dacre, 404—award 
 by bishop Alnwyk, 406 — conference 
 
 f with the abbat of Peterborough as to 
 the boundaries, 412—reference, ib.— 
 the arbitrators disagree, 413—encroach¬ 
 ments by John Witham, 414—his punish¬ 
 ment, 415—chapel at Boycote Green, 416 
 —Henry VI. visits Croy land, 420—grants 
 certain liberties, ib.—Alarm on the ap¬ 
 proach of the northern army, 423— 
 liberties granted by Henry annulled, 
 326—abbat John becomes infirm^ 429— 
 his benefactions and improvements. 430, 
 431—benefactions of various brethren, 
 432, 433—John Wayle possessed of an 
 evil spirit, 434—his cure, 439—Margaret 
 duchess of Somerset and Margaret count¬ 
 ess of Richmond become sisters of the 
 e hap ter, 440—the land-marks removed 
 by the people of Depyng, ib.—further 
 benefactions by abbat John, 441—he 
 gives new bells, ib.—accident at Croy- 
 land and miraculous escape, 442—great 
 floods, 443—visit of Edward IV., 445— 
 death of abbat John, 448—his epitaph, 
 ib —John Wysbech elected abbat, 459 
 —his character, 461— and death, 475— 
 rebuilds the chapel at Paylond, 475—his 
 improvements and benefactions, 476— 
 Richard Croyland elected abbat,477—his 
 death, 493—attack by the people of De¬ 
 pyng, ib.—assault upon Lambert Fosse- 
 dyke, 494—who is elected abbat,ib—dis¬ 
 pute with the abbat of Peterborough, ib. 
 —death of abbat Lambert, 496—Edmund 
 Thorpeelected abbat, 506—his provident 
 measures, ib.—disputes then remaining 
 undetermined, ib.—visitation by the 
 justices in eyre, 507—support from the 
 family of Welby, ib.—arbitration, and, 
 by the award, cession of the church of 
 Brynkhurst or Eston to Peterborough, 
 508—formalities of the cession, 514— 
 533 
 
 Croyland, Richard of, abbat of Croyland. 
 See Croyland. 
 
 Croyland, Richard, abbat of Croyland. See 
 Croyland. 
 
 Croyland, William of, brother, his bene¬ 
 factions, 392 
 
 Crucibolum of king Wichtlaf, 19, 202 
 
 Crusaders, their success, 232 
 
 Cuthbert, Saint, appears to king Alfred, 52 
 
 >- 
 
 raw 
 
 Dacre, Thomas, lord,[404—his contest wi|rr 
 Croyland, 405 
 Danegeld remitted, 130 
 Danes, their ravages, 23, 36—return 
 Northumbria, 40—engage with earl 1 
 gar, 41—plunder Croyland, 44—furtb 
 devastations, 45—ravage the isle of E 
 49—arrive in East Anglia, ib.—slay ki 
 Edmund, ib.— repulsed by king Eth 
 red, ib.—plunder Repton, 53—repuls 
 by king Alfred, 57—defeated by ki 
 Athelstan, 58—renew their ravages, 1 
 112, 113 
 
 Deafforestment of Hoyland and Kestev< 
 282 
 
 Deeds, execution of, by the Saxons a 
 Normans, 142 
 
 De l’Eglise St. Mary, William, 292, 293 
 Depyng, chapel of St.Gutlilac at, reston 
 156—cruelty of the people to the mon 
 of Croyland and people of Spaldir 
 343—their punishment, 344—and alar 
 
 
 345—humiliation before the earl of r>« petal 
 
 
 b 
 
 t -s!! : 
 
 by, ib.—attack of the people upon Cro] 
 land, 351—their .punishment, ib. 
 people remove the landmarks of Crc 
 land, 440—attack upon Croyland, 4£ 
 
 See Croyland. 
 
 Derby, Henry earl of, 334, 345, 347- 
 banishment, 352—and return, 353. 
 Henry IV. 
 
 Domesday Book. See Croyland. 
 
 “ Dominus,” a term of respect, 47 
 
 Donats, 217 
 
 Dorchester, bishopric of, 191 
 
 Douglas, lord James, 497 
 
 Dovedale, enclosure of. 326 fco&r 
 
 Drought in England, 78 liar! 
 
 Dunstan, abbat of Glastonbury, 59, 77[rf h 
 his banishment and recall, 83—his pil 
 phecy, 110—his ecclesiastical censuAvli 
 88, 367 
 
 Dyklon, Robert, 416 
 
 'tflf 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 Earthquake in Italy, 267 (Mi 
 
 Eclipse of the sun, 499 w G 
 
 Edgar, king, ascends the throne. 83—Ip. 
 charter, 84 — to Peterborough, 91- 
 Malmesbury, 95—expels the lay derlktl 
 ih.—his death and burial, 109 nr 
 
 Edmund, king of East Anglia, slain, 49 liii 
 Edmund, king, restores Glastonbury, bil 
 —is slain, ib. 
 
 Edmund Ironside, his death, 116 
 Edmund, Saint, of Abingdon, archbish fT 
 of Canterbury, dies in exile, 328’ nr 
 Edred, king, visits Croyland, 64—refoun tin 
 it, ib.—his bounty, 65—his charter, ib. 
 lays waste Northumbria, 82—his deat 1- 
 83 
 
 Edric, duke, 115—his treachery and deat 
 116 
 
 Edward the Elder, king, 57 
 
 Edward the Martyr, king, his death, 105: 
 
INDEX. 
 
 539 
 
 ward the Confessor, king, marries Egi- 
 ha, 125—his letter taCroyland,128 — liis 
 barter, 129—his piety, 130—names duke 
 William his successor, 137 — his death. 
 38—his Laws, 176 
 ward II., king, his death, 331 
 ward III., king, makes provision for 
 he inmates of Croyland during the va- 
 ation of the abbacy, 331 
 ward IV., king, earl of March. 423—his 
 escent, 424 — arrives from Wales in 
 ingland, ib. — defeats the northern army, 
 25—celebrates Easter at York, 426— 
 rowned, 426, 456 — annuls the statutes 
 f the three preceding kings,426 — takes 
 dng Henry prisoner, 439—accuses many 
 relates of treason, ib.—marries lady 
 lilisabeth Wydville, 440—quarrels with 
 he earl of Warwick, 445—visits Croy- 
 ind, 454, 455—gains the battle of Mor- 
 imer’s Cross, 456—taken prisoner, 458 
 ^-thrown into Middleham castle, ib. — 
 >et at liberty, ib. — defeats the Lincoln¬ 
 shire rebels, 461—flies to Burgundy, 462 
 1-retums to England, 463—regains the 
 hrone, 464—gains the battle of Barnet, 
 b.—and of Tewkesbury, 466—returns 
 6 London, 467—proceeds into Kent, 468 
 -alliance with Charles duke of Bur- 
 undy against Louis king of France, 
 -69 — mediates between his brothers, 470 
 '•crosses to Calais,471-makes peace with 
 i.ing Louis, 473—returns to England, ib. 
 -punishes malefactors, ib. — raises im- 
 lense treasures, 474—translates the re- 
 Mains of his father and brother, 475 — 
 uarrels with his brother the duke of 
 —Clarence, 477—479—deserted by many 
 |"f his former adherents, 480—intro- 
 
 f \iices a new style of dress, 481 — issue 
 toy his marriage, 482—his death, 483 — 
 j i is character, ib.—his burial at Wind- 
 I or, 485. See Clarence, 
 ft ward V., king, his birth, 463,482—death 
 [jf his father, 483—escorted by the dukes 
 If Gloucester and Buckingham to Lon¬ 
 don, 487—placed in the Tower of Lon¬ 
 don, ib. — rumours of his violent death, 
 91 
 
 (ward, prince, son of king Henry VI., 
 26,455 — marries Anne, daughter of the 
 arl of Warwick, 462—lands in England, 
 65—his death, 466 
 
 1 ward, son of Kichard III., made prince 
 Hf Wales, 490—his death, 496 
 J ward, abbat of Croyland. See Croyland. 
 
 3 win, or Edwy, king, 83 
 ] win and Morcar, earls, repulsed, 139— 
 dieir death, 140 
 1 )ert, king of Wessex, 12, 14 
 Jpert, the recluse, 9 
 1 alric the Elder, abbat. See Croyland. 
 italric the Younger, abbat, his compila- 
 "iion, 223. See Croyland. 
 
 Egelric, bishop of Durham, 130—his road 
 called Elricherode, ib.—imprisoned, 140 
 E git ha, queen, 125 
 Elfin of Pynclibeck, 204 
 Elizabeth, wife of Edw'ard IV. See Ed¬ 
 ward IV. and Wydville 
 Elizabeth, daughter of Edward IV., birth 
 of, 457—her levity at court, 498— her 
 contemplated marriage with Kichard 
 III., 499—her marriage to king Ilenry 
 VII., 509 
 
 Elphege Saint, his martyrdom, 114 
 Elricherode, the road so called, 130 
 Ely, the bishopric of, founded, 244 
 Eresby, brother Simon, his benefactions, 
 360 
 
 Escheator, the king’s, 331 
 Essoign de malo vice, 281, 282 
 Eston. iSVc Brynkhurst. 
 
 Ethelbald.kingof Mercia, founds Croyland, 
 4—his charter, 5—privileges granted, 10 
 —his death, 11 
 
 Ethel bald, king of Wessex, 35—marries 
 his step-mother Juditha, ib. 
 
 Ethelbert, king of Wessex, 35 
 Etheldritha, the virgin, 15 
 Ethelfleda, sister of king Edward, 57 
 Ethelingey, the isle of, 52, 53 
 Ethelred, king of Mercia, a monk at Bar- 
 deney, 2, 168 
 
 Ethelred, king of Wessex, 35, 169—meets 
 the Danes, 49—his death, 51 
 Ethelred [the Unready], king, 169 —his 
 birth and baptism, 110—his exactions, 
 112—his death, 116 
 
 Ethelwulph, king of Wessex, 23—grants 
 the tithes to the church and the poor, 
 34 
 
 Everingham, Sir Thomas, taken prisoner, 
 497 
 
 Evesham, the monastery of, 133—obtains 
 the manor of Badby, 116—retains pos¬ 
 session of it, 256, 257. See Badby and 
 Croyland. 
 
 Fairfax, Guy, 507 
 Famines in England, 130, 398 
 Felix, Saint, the bishop, 225—227 
 Felix the monk, his life of Saint Guthlac, 
 225—227 
 
 Fentefeld, Robert de, 205 
 Ferrybridge, 425 
 Feudary, 421 
 Flemenefrit, 251 
 
 Fitz-Peter or Fitz-Piers Geoffrey, 277, 278, 
 297, 298, 306, 307 
 Fontenelle, convent of, 150 
 Forestal, 251 
 
 Fossedyke, brother Lambert,assault upon, 
 494—elected abbat of Croyland, ib. See 
 Croyland. 
 
 Fothcringhay or Fodryngham, castle of, 
 445—college of, 475 
 Frankpledge, 250 
 
540 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Freston, John de, 308 
 Freston, brother John, his benefactions, 
 392 
 
 Frithborg, 177 
 “ Frons,” 246 
 Frost, severe, 191 , 398 
 Fulcard the clerk, 195, 106 
 Fulmar the Chaunter, 201 
 Fyketfelde, 364 
 
 Gaunt, John of, duke of Lancaster, 334, 
 339 —takes the part of the abbat of Croy- 
 land, 347—his death, 353 
 “ Gavant,” probable meaning of, 284 
 Geotfrey, abbat of Clairval, his work, 270 
 Geld&rd, Simon, of Depyng, put to death, 
 344 
 
 Gerard, bishop of Angouleme, 266, 267 
 Gerard, prior of Croyland, 128 
 Gerbert, abbat of Fontenelle, 150 
 Gerson, 240 
 
 Gilbert, abbat of Westminster, 289 
 Gilbert de Gant refounds Bardeney abbey, 
 262 
 
 Girvii, the, 50, 8 /, 167 
 Glastonbury, 144—the abbey of, restored 
 by king Edred, 59—presented with a 
 chalice by Turketul, 77 
 Gislebert, brother, lectures at Cambridge, 
 237 
 
 Gloucester. See Humphrey, Richard III. 
 
 and Thomas of Woodstock. 
 
 Gluccente, John, 301 
 Goda, sister of king Edward, 134 
 Goddard, master YVilliam, 479 
 Godfrey, a monk of Spalding, 302, 303 
 Godric (I.), abbat of Croyland. See Croy¬ 
 land. 
 
 Godric (II.), abbat of Croyland. See Croy¬ 
 land. 
 
 Godroun, or Guthrum, king, his baptism,53 
 Godwin, earl, 125—his death, 132 
 Gradal, the, 200 
 
 Gray, John de, bishop Of Norwich, 300 
 Greek fire, 202 
 
 Greene, Henry, beheaded, 353 
 Grey, Richard, taken prisoner, 486—-be¬ 
 headed, 489 
 
 Greyne, Roger, his benefactions, 392 
 Gridbrege, 251 
 
 Grififn, king of the Welch, slain, 137 
 Grimketul, the monk, 47 
 Grull, 295, 297 
 
 Gurth, brother of Harold, slain, 139 
 Gutlilac, Saint, 3—his death and miracles, 
 4—his tomb visited, 33—his life by 
 Felix, 227—translation of his body, 296 
 
 Haco of Multon, 203 
 
 Handwriting among the Normans and 
 Saxons, 171 
 
 Hanse Towns, peace made with, 471 
 Ilardecnute, king. 124—his death, 125 
 Harold I., king, 123—his death, 124 
 
 ■ 
 
 Harold, earl, his expedition against 
 Welch, 136—swears fidelity to di 
 William, 137—breaks his oath and 
 sumes the crown, 138—defeats 14ar< 
 king of Norway, and Tosti, 139—his 
 feat and death, ib. 
 
 Harold, king of Norway, invasion of E 
 land by, 139—defeated and slain, ib. 
 Hasmanespath, 381 
 Hastings, lord, 485—beheaded, 488 
 Ilegecote, battle of, 446, 458 
 Meinfare, 176 
 
 Helmham, bishopric of, 191 
 Ilengwite, 178 
 
 Henry, emperor of Germany, puts to dei 
 his father, 266—seizes the pope, ib. 
 Henry I., king, ascends the throne, 23< 
 crowned by Thomas, archbishop of Yo 
 ib.-makes terms with his brother Robt 
 231—remits his right of the investit» 
 of churches, 232, 262—appoints Joff 
 abbat of Croyland, 233—forms Ely ii 
 a bishopric, 244—his charter to Cr« 
 land, 250—confirms Spalding to then 
 nastery of Angers, 258—marries 1 
 daughter to the emperor of Germai 
 265—dissensions with Louis, king 
 France, 268—sends envoys to con ij', 
 Theobald, 269 
 
 Henry II., king, his coronation, 272 —1 
 points Robert de Redinges abbat 
 Croyland, 273—his charter, 274 
 Henry III., king, his accession, 316—1 
 , charter, 318 
 
 JHlenry IV. proclaimed king, 354—a 
 crowned, ib.—plot against him, 355—I 
 
 death, 364 .—See Derby, Henry earl of ' 
 
 
 Henry of Monmouth, or Henry V., 354 
 liis accession, 364—his disapproval 
 the dethronement of Richard II., ib, 
 has him buried at Westminster, ib 
 insulted by the Dauphin of France, 3 
 —his answer, ib.—gains the battle 
 Agincourt, ib.—his death, 391 
 
 Henry VI., king, his birth, 39 1—crown 
 at Westminster, 393—and at Paris, 
 —marries the lady Margaret, 402—Fa 
 into the hands of favourites, 410—Vis: 
 Croyland, 420—and grants it certain 
 berties, ib.—flies to Scotland, 426—tak 
 prisoner, 439—his previous fortunes, 4 
 —escorted to London, ib.—carried to t 
 battle of St. Alban’s, 456—his depo 
 tion, ib.—rising in his favour, 45S —1 
 stored by the earl of Warwick, 463 
 again made prisoner and deposed, 464 
 found dead in the Tower, 468—his b 
 rial, ib. 
 
 Henry VII., earl of Richmond, 491 
 rives from Brittany off the coast 
 England, 495—and retires, ib.—lands 
 Milford Haven, 500—joined by gre 
 numbers, 502—gains the battle of Be 
 worth Field, 503—his coronation, 510- 
 
 % 
 
 r. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 541 
 
 Harries the princess Elizabeth, 509— 
 sedition in the North, ib.—his enemies 
 ittainted by Parliament, 511—rising in 
 ,he North under lord Lovel, 513 
 »nry, prince, eldest son of Henry II., his 
 coronation, ‘273—and death, 275 
 intingdon, Henry of, his History quoted, 
 264, 271 
 
 crbert, the monk, slain, 47 
 
 :rbert, William, earl of Pembroke, 446, 
 
 458 
 
 jriet, Richard, 294 
 mvelborh, 182 
 
 >ward, orHereward, 135—History of his 
 life, ib.—marries Turfrida, 136—opposes 
 William the Conqueror, 141—knight¬ 
 ed, ib.—leads the Saxons, 142—attacks 
 Peterborough, 143—defeats Ivo Tajjle- 
 bois, 143, 258—takes prisoner Thorold, 
 abbat of Burgh, 259- See Ivo Taillebois. 
 one, or “ Hours,” 80, 200 
 olland, Thomas, earl of Kent, 333—his 
 enmity to Croyland, 334, 338— his ad¬ 
 dress in Parliament, 346—beheaded, 355. 
 See Croyland. 
 
 oveden, Roger de, his History quoted, 
 
 271 
 
 Oward, John, created duke of Norfolk, 
 496 —slain at the battle of Bosworth 
 Field, 504 
 
 oyland, the people of, divide their 
 marshes, 193—attack Croyland, 276 — 
 accused thereof, 278. See Croyland. 
 Libert, archbishop of Canterbury, acts 
 as chief justiciary of England, 287, 288, 
 289, 291 , 293, 294 , 305, 306 
 ugh, bishop of Lincoln, 275—his death 
 and burial, 299 
 
 umphrey, duke of Gloucester, rebukes 
 the abbat of Croyland, 397 —his death, 
 
 i 404 
 
 iingerford, lord, slain, 456 
 ussey, William, 507 
 
 Inclinatio,” 100 
 
 firmary, officers of the, 212 
 
 gulph, abbat of Croyland, his History, 
 
 451. See Croyland. 
 
 terdict upon king John, 315 
 
 ’nterferculum,” 363 
 
 mvadiari,” 56 
 
 0 Taillebois,made prisoner by Hereward, 
 143—his cruelty, ib.—oppresses Croy- 
 ' land, 144—foundsthe convent of Spalding, 
 145—persecutes the monks of Croyland, 
 193, I 94 —cites the convent of Croyland, 
 *222—banished to Anjou, 223—his death, 
 258—his fondness for magic,ib—his cha- 
 , racter, 259. See Croyland and Heward. 
 
 inus, the god, 460 
 Tusalem chamber, the, 364 
 >celyn, abbat of Angers, 297 —waits on 
 king John, ib. 
 
 Joffrid, abbat of Croyland. See Croyland. 
 John, king, earl of Mortaigne, 282, 283— 
 his covetousness, 284—his accession, 
 297 —his letter to Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, 
 ib.—bribed by opposite parties, 304. 310 
 —his charter, 310—placed under inter¬ 
 dict, 315—.his death, 316. See Croy¬ 
 land. 
 
 John, bishop of Ely, made prisoner, 488 
 Judith marries her step-son Ethelbald, 35 
 Juditha, widow of earl Waldev, her bad 
 conduct, 146, and repentance, ib. 
 
 Juliana of Weston, 204 
 Joslin, prior of Spalding, 288 
 
 Kenelm, king and Saint, 14 
 Ivenred, king of Mercia, 2 
 Kenulph, abbat of Croyland. See Croy¬ 
 land. 
 
 Kenulph, king of Mercia, his charter, 12 
 —his death, 14 
 Kesteven, 330. See Croyland. 
 Kingston-on-Thames, church of, injured 
 by lightning, 402 
 Kirk-shot, 122 
 
 Knighthood among the Saxons and Nor¬ 
 mans, 141 
 
 Knives given at Croyland in honor of 
 Saint Bartholomew, 476 B 
 Kynsy, archbishop, 134 
 
 Lair-wite, 208 
 
 Lanfranc, made archbishop of Canterbury, 
 140—intercedes for Croyland, 195 —his 
 death and epitaph, 197 
 Langley, Edmund, 353 
 Langton, Stephen, archbishop of Canter¬ 
 bury, 315 
 Laslite, 186 
 
 Laxtou, brother John, his benefactions, 
 433 
 
 Lectern, 225 
 
 Ledenhall, Eustace de, 287 
 Lefwin, earl, slain, 139 
 Leofric, earl, his death, 133 
 Leofric, the knight, 40 
 Leofric, lord of Brunne, 134 
 Leon®. See Peter. 
 
 “ Leuca,” origin of the word, 165 
 Leverton, brother Thomas, his benefac¬ 
 tions, 433 
 Lexington, 312 
 Lich-fee, 179 
 
 Lichfield, bishopric of, 191 
 Lightning, damage by, 402 
 Lights L in the convent, enactments as to, 
 220 
 
 Lincoln, bishopric of, founded, 191 
 Lindisfame, bishopric of, 191 
 Litlyngton, John, abbat of Croyland. See 
 Croyland 
 
 Littlebury, Humphrey, 400 
 “ Locutorium,” 47 
 Lollards, 364 
 
542 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Longchamp, Henry de, abbatof Croyland. 
 
 See Croyland 
 
 Longchamp, Osbertde, 300 
 Longchamp, William de, bishop of Ely, 
 and chancellor of England, 282—returns 
 from Germany, 290 —again sets out for 
 Germany, 29 1 
 
 Louis XI., king of France, holds a con¬ 
 ference with Edward IV, 473 — and 
 makes peace, ib. —fails in his engage¬ 
 ments, 480, 482 
 
 Lovel, lord, 500—heads the rising iu the 
 North of England, 513 
 Low Sunday, or “ In albis,” 362 
 Lucia, widow of Ivo Taillebois, marries 
 Roger de Komar, 259 
 Ludecan, king, 14 
 
 Ludlow, first skirmish at, in the wars be¬ 
 tween York and Lancaster, 453 
 Ludyngton, William, serjeant-at-law, 368 
 Luffenham, Simon de, abbat of Croyland. 
 See Croylaud 
 
 Lyecester, brother John, his benefactions, 
 432 
 
 Malcolm, king of the Scots, does homage 
 to William the Conqueror, 159 
 Malmesbury, the monastery of, honored 
 by king Athelstan, 77—charter of king 
 Edred, 95 
 
 Manerius, or Mainier, abbat of St. Ev- 
 roult, 233 
 
 Manerius, or Mainien, the monk, his death, 
 144 
 
 Margaret, queen, her marriage to Henry 
 VI., 402—her coronation, 403—her flight 
 to France, 426—her previous fortunes, 
 455—alliance with the earl of Warwick 
 and duke of Clarence, 462—lands in 
 England, 465—defeated and taken pri¬ 
 soner, 466 
 
 Margaret, duchess of Somerset, 364 , 400 — 
 becomes a sister of the chapter of Croy¬ 
 land, 440 
 
 Margaret, the lady, daughter of John, 
 duke of Somerset, 400—marries the earl 
 of Richmond, ib.—and aftenvayds the 
 son of the duke of Buckingham, ib.— 
 becomes a sister of the chapter of Cro\*- 
 lahd, 440 
 
 Margaret, the lady, sister of Edward IV. 
 marries Charles, duke of Burgundy, 
 457 —favours the duke of Clarence, 478 
 Matilda, queen, wife of William the Con¬ 
 queror, her death, 194 
 Matilda, queen, wife, of Henry I., her 
 death. 268—and epitaph, ib. 
 
 Matthias, king of Hungary, 429 
 Maundy of the poor, 210 
 Mercia, united by Alfred to Wessex, 54 
 Medeshamsted, 2 —the monastery plun¬ 
 dered by the Danes, 45—visited by the 
 monks of Croyland, who bury the dead, 
 
 . 
 
 
 48 — See Burgh, Croyland,' and Pet T 
 borough. 
 
 Mershe, Ralph, abbat of Croyland. 
 Croyland. 
 
 Milford Haven, alleged prophecy as 
 
 500 
 
 “ Milliaria,” origin of the word, 166 
 Milo, earl of Hereford, opposes abbat jlftei 
 frid, 258 
 
 Minorites, first arrival of in Englai 
 318—ten hanged for treason, 356 
 Miracles, 31, 32, 192, 267, 271. See W.feim 
 dev. -irl 
 
 Montague, John Neville, earl of Nor ar 
 umberlaud, 456—Marquis of, 462—sh 
 at the battle of Barnet, 464 
 Mont Grace, priory of, 309 
 Mm-car. See Edwin. 
 
 Multon, or Moulton, the people of, ma 
 an attack on Croyland, 366 — atta 
 on a monk of Croyland, 394—the lc 
 of, takes proceedings against the cc p^a 
 vent of Croyland, 395—agreement tiual v, 
 made, 396. See Croyland. 
 
 Nadir, 201 
 Nam, or Naim, 187 
 Neifs, 162 
 
 Neot, relicts of Saint, 111 
 Nesfeld, John, 491—taken prisoner, 497 
 Neville, George, archbishop of Y 01 
 458—taken prisoner, 464 
 Neville, Sir Humphrey. 458 
 Neville, John. S;e Montague. 
 
 Neville, Richard. See Warwick. 
 Nicholas, prior of Spalding, 296, 300 
 Nigel, sheriff of Lincoln, 281 
 Norfolk, duke of. See Howard. 
 
 Norman, sheriff, receives the manor 
 Badby, 115—his death, 116 
 Normans, their hatred of the English. 1 
 -their manners adopted by the Engl is 
 ib. See Handwriting and Knighthoo 
 Northampton, battle of, 454 „ 
 
 Northamptonshire, the people of, intnn 1 
 on Croyland, 350—but to no purpos 
 351 
 
 Northmen, inroads by the Lancastrian 
 422—routed by the Yorkists, 425—an 
 ther irruption by, 4+5 
 Northumberland, Henry Percy, earl c 
 taken prisoner after the battle of Bo , r , 
 worth 504. See Percy and Montagu ™ 
 
 Odo, bishop of Bavenx, 157 
 
 Odo, 
 
 brother, of Croyland, lectures ' 
 
 Cambridge. !237 
 Ofl'a, king of Mercia, founds a monaste 
 
 at Verulam, 11 —bis charter to Cro . 
 land, ib —his death, 12 
 
 Oldcastle, Sir John, his rebellion, 364- 
 taken prisoner and burnt, ib. 
 
 Ora, 177 
 
 ’ill; 
 
 it:- 
 
 
 hr 
 
INDEX. 
 
 543 
 
 r« trdeal, 181, 251 
 
 Orleans, the duke of, set at liberty, 410 
 Irmista, 165 
 
 tsketul,abbat of Croyland. See Croyland 
 « Islac, duke, 135 
 Iswald, Saint, 2 
 lurlop, 240 
 
 iverton, Thomas de, abbat of Croyland. 
 See Croyiand. 
 
 * Ixford, 147 
 
 # ?anetarius, 51 
 ’arliament in convents, 212 
 
 • ’an a Cantaria, 219 
 n ’ascal, pope, 266 
 
 'atesliill, Simon ile, 300, 301, 302 
 ’atrick, abbat of Croyland. Nee Croyland. 
 'aul’s, St., Church, at London, damaged 
 b> lightning, 402 
 ’aulinus, the monk, slain, 47 
 ’aylond, the former Pegeland, 475 
 ’eada, king of Mercia, 2 
 >ega, Saint, dies at Rome, 9 
 Pegeland, or Peykirk, lay clerks at, 81 
 ’enda, king of Mercia, 2 ' 
 
 Percy. See Northumberland. 
 
 ’estilence and fires in England, 443 
 >eter of Blois, letter to from the abbat of 
 Croyland, 224 — his answer, 220 —his 
 History referred to, 450, 451 
 ’eterborough, or liurgh St. Peter, the ab¬ 
 bat of, taken prisoner, 259—cession of 
 the church of Brynkhurst to, 508—fr r 
 malities of the cession, 514—533. See 
 Burgh, Medeshamsted, and Croyland- 
 >eter Leonis, schism of, 267 
 ’etition of Hoyland and Kesteven, 330 
 ’hilip, duke of Burgundy, 428 
 ’bilip. king of France, his war with king 
 Richard 1. 290 
 
 •hilip, Saint, the Apostle, 166 
 ’inax, 201 
 ’ittance, 362 
 
 >ius, Pope, his appeal against theTurks, 
 427 
 
 ’legmund, archbishop of Canterbury, 56, 
 73 
 
 'lasshe, or Plessy, the castle of, 352 
 ’ole, "William, marquis of Suffolk, 402- 
 his character, 403—created duke, 410 
 —his banishment and death, 411 
 ’ortsmouth, 289, 308 
 f Precentor tabularum,” 100 
 ’rodigies and portents in England, 444 
 rurseynt, Le, 367 
 
 ’ynchbeck. See Croyland and Spalding'. 
 ,’ynder, John, 403 
 
 iuarantene, 20 
 ^uendreda the wicked, 14 
 
 itadulph, archbishop of Canterbury, 265 
 
 Ralph, earl of Hereford, 134 
 Ralph, earl of Suffolk, 140 
 Ramsey, miracle at the church of, 271 ’ 
 
 Ramsey, William, abbat of Peterborough, 
 494 
 
 Ranulph, bishop of Durham, his oppres¬ 
 sion, 229 230—escapes from England, 
 231— assisis duke Robert, 230, 231 
 Ratclyffe, Sir Richard, 489, 499 
 Redinges, Robert de, abbat of Croyland. 
 
 See Croyland. 
 
 Redysdale, Robert de 445 
 Relics at Croyland, 104 
 Reinigius. bishop of Lincoln, 203 
 Heptun plundered by the Danes, 53 
 Responsories, 200 
 
 Richard L.king, prepares for the Cru¬ 
 sades, 285—captive in Germany, 287— 
 his letter to archbishop H ubert, ib.—his 
 war with king Philip,290— his interview 
 with abbat Henry, 290, 291 —his death, 
 297 
 
 Richard II , king, orders a commission 
 of the boundaries of Croyland, 334 — 
 called the ‘refounder’ of Croyland, 
 339—removes his court to York, 352— 
 his mal administration, 353—arrested, 
 354—and dethroned, ib.—imprisoned, 
 ib.—his death, 355—finally buried at 
 Westminster, 364 
 
 Richard 111., king, duke of Gloucester, 
 dissensions with the duke of Clarence, 
 469 —mediation of king Edward, 470— 
 marries the lady Anne, ib.—commands 
 against the Scots, 481 — his wasteful 
 expedition to Scotland, ib —assumes 
 the government, 485, 486—takes the 
 oath of fealty to Edward Y. 487—named 
 lord protector, ib.— attempts to bas¬ 
 tardize the children of Edward IV. 488 
 —supported by Sir Richard Ratclyffe, 
 489—his coronation, 490—proceeds to 
 York, and presents liisson Edward, ib. 
 -marches against the duke of Bucking¬ 
 ham, 492—dismisses part of his army, 
 495—title confirmed by Parliament, 496 
 — attaints great numbers, ib.—suc¬ 
 cesses at sea, 497—intended invasion 
 by the duke of Richmond, 497, 498- 
 death of queen Anne, 499—wishes to 
 marry his niece, Elizabeth, ib.—oppo¬ 
 sition thereto, ib.—deserted by certain 
 of his adherents. 501—defeated andslain 
 at Bosworth Field, 504 
 Richard Nee York. 
 
 Richard, duke of York, (son of Edward 
 IV.) 482—placed in the Tower, 489— 
 rumours of his violent death, 491 
 Richards, lines on the fates of the three 
 kings of that name, 505 
 Richmond, Edmund, earl of, marries the 
 lady Maigaret, 400 
 
544 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Richmond, Henry, earl of. See Henry 
 VII. 
 
 Ripedune, or Repton, the monastery of, 
 11 
 
 Rivers, Antony, earl of, 486—beheaded, 
 489 
 
 Rivers, Richard, earl of, his death, 458 
 Robert, archbishop of Canterbury, 137 
 Robert, duke of Normandy, prepares to 
 invade England, 231—makes terms 
 with kina Henry, ib. 
 
 Robert, brother of abbat Joffrid, made 
 abbat of Thorney, 243 
 Robert, bishop of Lincoln, his character, 
 264—death, 265 
 
 Rodulph of Tournay, marries Alice, 146 
 Roger, earl of Hereford, imprisoned, 140 
 Romar, Roger de, 259 
 Komar, William de, 283, 284 
 Roger of Croyland, his life of archbishop 
 Thomas, 317 
 Rons, lord de, slain, 457 
 Rotherham, Thomas, archbishop of York, 
 494 
 
 Routpeny, 208 
 
 Rulos, Richard de, his courtesy to the 
 convent of Croyland, 156, 157, 203 
 Russell, John, bishop of Lincoln, 514 
 Ruthius. See Blethgent. 
 
 Rutland, Edmund, earl of, 455, 456—his 
 remains removed, 475 
 
 Sacrist or Sacristan, 82—his duties, 219 
 Salisbury, bishopric of, founded, 191 
 Salisbury, duke of Buckingham beheaded 
 there, 492 
 
 Sant-Leger, Thomas, put to death, 492 
 Sarbote, 179 
 Savage, Sir John, 501 
 Saxulph, 2 
 
 Say, James, lord, slain, 411 
 Scotland, embassy to, sent by Edward 
 IV., 471—war against by Edward IV., 
 481. See Malcolm. 
 
 Scrope, William, beheaded, 353 
 Scrope, Richard, archbishop of Canter¬ 
 bury, 356—beheaded, 357 
 Seggeswold, or Saxwold, battle of, 11 
 Selsey, bishopric of, 191 
 Sempects, 99. 100, 223 
 Senian de Lek, 215 
 
 Sepulchre, church of the Holy, at Jeru¬ 
 salem, 149 
 
 Sherburn, bishopric of, 191 
 Sheltonsee, 357 
 Shoreham, 302, 308 
 Shrewsbury, battle of, 356 
 Sidroc the Younger, earl, 44, 45, 46 
 Simon of Senlis, earl, U6—marries Ma¬ 
 tilda, ib. 
 
 Singin, his valour, 74 
 Siward, abbat of Croyland. See Croy¬ 
 land. 
 
 Siward, earl. 132 
 Socmen, 162 
 
 Solo, the philosopher, 267 
 Somerset, John, earl of, 364—taken pri 
 soner in France, 389—released, 398—hi; 
 hostility to Croyland, ib.—made a duke 
 399—conference with abbat John, ib.- 
 accused of treason, ib.—his death, ib 
 See Beaufort. 
 
 Sophia, temple or church of Saint, 418 
 Sophronius, patriarch of Jerusalem, 148 
 Spalding, as described in Domesday, 17( 
 Thorold's charter, 172—cell of, deserter 
 by the monks of Croyland, 193—prior) 
 of, 275,;288, 295,320—the town attacked 
 by Sir Thomas Wake, 333—the peoplt 
 attack Croyland, 396—damages award¬ 
 ed against them, 397. See Angers 
 Croyland, and Ivo Taillebois. 
 
 Stacy, John, his accusation, 478 — and 
 execution, 479 
 
 Stafford, John, archbishop of Canterbury, 
 403 
 
 Stamford, battle of, 461 
 Stamford Bridge, battle of, 139 
 Stanley, Thomas, lord, 501 
 Stanley, William, 501 
 Stephen the elder, of Blois, 2G9 
 Stephen, king, visits England, 251—his 
 charter, 272—his death, ib. 
 
 Stigand, archbishop, 133—disgraced, 14C 
 Stony Stratford, 487 
 Stotti, 240 
 
 Stowe, the monks of, transferred to Eyne- 
 sham, 264 
 
 Stranee, George, lord, 501 
 Suffolk. See Pole. 
 
 Swarting, father, his death, 103 
 Sweating sickness, in London, 495 — at 
 Croyland, 496 
 
 Swevu, king,his exactions from Croyland, 
 114 
 
 Swithun, Saint, translation of his remains 
 91 
 
 Swynshed. brother John, his benefac¬ 
 tions, 432 
 
 Swynshed, brother Stephen, his benefac¬ 
 tions, 432 
 
 “ Tabula ” used by the chaunter, 219 
 Tailbois, William, 405 
 Taille bois. See Ivo. 
 
 “ Te Deum,” the, 443 
 Tenths granted, against the Turks. 429 
 Terricus, brother, lectures at Cambridge, 
 237 
 
 Tewkesbury, battle of, 466 
 Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury. 272 
 Theobald, count of Blois, 251—embassy 
 to, 269—his alms-deeds, ib. 
 
 Theodore, abbat of Croyland. See Croy¬ 
 land. 
 
 Thetford, bishopric of, 191 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 T 
 
 I 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 
 t 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 
 Ti 
 
 Cl 
 
 Cl 
 
 V: 
 
 Vi 
 
 W 
 
 g 
 
 W. 
 
 1 
 
 w 
 
 k: 
 
 V, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 545 
 
 i Thomas & Becket, archbishop of Canter¬ 
 bury, 273—translation of his remains, 
 317—Life of, by Roger of Croyland, ib.— 
 his epistles, ib. 
 
 ; Thomas, archbishop of York, taken pri¬ 
 soner, 4'88 
 
 Thomas of Woodstock, duke of Glouces¬ 
 ter, his death, 352 
 Thomey, isle of, 48 
 
 Thorold, abbat of Burgh, taken prisoner, 
 259 
 
 Thorold, sheriff, 131—his charter, 172 
 Thorpe, Edmund, abbat of Croylana. See 
 Croyland. 
 
 Thorwy, the Norwegian, a monk at Croy¬ 
 land, 237 
 
 Thurgard, Thomas, 333 
 Thurstan, abbat of Glastonbury, 147 
 Tirel, Walter, kills king William II, 230 
 Tithes granted by king Ethelwulph, 34 
 Toly, brother, his valour, 40—his death, 
 43 
 
 Tosti, earl, slain, 139 
 Towton, battle of, 425 
 Trig, brother, 222 
 Trollop, Andrew, 454 
 Tulba, the Dane, 45 
 Tully’s Rhetoric, 147 
 Turgar, brother, his escape from the 
 Danes, 44, 46—his death, 103 
 Tutbury, 477 
 
 Turketul, entertained at Croyland, 60— 
 assists its inmates, 61—becomes abbat, 
 64—his early life, 72—his valour at the 
 battle of Brunenburgh, 74—favour with 
 
 J Athelstan, 76—gives a chalice to Glas¬ 
 tonbury, 77—sets out the boundaries of 
 Croyland, 78—recovers its estates, 78, 
 79—his government, 86—obtains a grant 
 of ecclesiastical censure, 88—his de¬ 
 crees, 99—his last enactments, 101—his 
 illness and death, 103, 105. See Croy¬ 
 land. 
 
 Turks, their invasion of Europe, 417,427 
 
 Ulfketul, abbat. £eeWulketul. 
 
 Upton, Richard, abbat of Croyland. See 
 Croyland. 
 
 Vaughan, Thomas, 486—beheaded, 489 
 Verulam. See Offa. 
 u Vice-comites,” 56 
 
 Wager of battle, 279 
 Wake, Hugh, 319, 320 
 Wake, Thomas, 328, 332 — marries the 
 lady Blanche, 332—his attack on Spald- 
 t ing, 333 
 Wake, Joanna, 332 
 Wakefield, battle of, 421 
 Walden, church of, damaged by light¬ 
 ning, 402 
 
 Walden, Roger, archbishop of Canterbury, 
 354 
 
 Walden, brother Thomas, his benefac¬ 
 tions, 432 
 
 Waldev, abbat of Thorney, his death, 243 
 Waldev, or Waltheof, earl, marries the 
 niece of king William, his benefactions 
 to Croyland, 134, 140—beheaded, 145— 
 buried at Croyland, 145—miracles at his 
 tomb, 147, 241—translation of his body, 
 209—found uncorrupted, ib. 
 
 Waltham, monastery at, damaged by 
 lightning, 402 
 
 Warwick, Richard Neville, earl of, favours 
 the French, 457—his hatred of Charles 
 duke of Burgundy, ib. — takes king 
 Edward prisoner, 458 — releases him, 
 459—flies to France, 462—his alliance 
 with queen Margaret, ib.—invades Eng¬ 
 land, ib.—restores king Henry, 463— 
 slain at Barnet, 464 
 
 Wayle, John, possessed of an evil spirit, 
 434—his cure, 439 
 
 Welby, the family of, friendly to Croy¬ 
 land, 607 
 
 Welch, the, expel king Griffin, 136 
 Welles, Master Henry, liis benefactions, 
 392 
 
 Welles, Thomas, abbat of Croyland. See 
 Croyland. 
 
 Were, or Wergeld, 178 
 Werwulph, 55 
 
 Wessex united to Mercia, 54 
 Weston. See Multon. 
 
 Whaplode, assault by the people of, 494 
 Wibert, 40 
 Wiccii, the, 15 
 
 Wichtlaf, king, 15—concealed at Croy¬ 
 land, ib.—his charter, ib.—his death, ib. 
 — See Cruci bolum. 
 
 William I., king, his first visit to Eng¬ 
 land, 131,147—named successor by king 
 Edward, 137—expostulates with Harold, 
 138—defeats him, 139—crowned, 140— 
 his harsh measures, ib.—rewards his 
 Norman followers, 141 — appoints In- 
 gulph abbat of Croyland, 147—ravages 
 Northumbria, 159—compels the king of 
 Scotland to do homage, ib. — orders 
 Domesday Book to be compiled, 160— 
 his charter to Croyland, 171—re-enacts 
 the laws of Edward the Confessor, 175 
 —invades France, 194—distributes his 
 territories, ib. — his death, ib. 
 
 William II., king, his coronation, 194— 
 arrived in England, 221—oppresses the 
 country, 222, 229—his death, 230 
 William of Croyland, brother, his bene¬ 
 factions, 360 
 
 Winchelcombe or Winchcombe, monas¬ 
 tery of, 314 
 
 Winchester, Roll of, made by order of 
 king Alfred, 160 
 
 Windsor, collegiate chapel of, founded by 
 Edward IV., 485 
 Wistan, his death, 23 
 
546 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 With am, John, his encroachments on 
 Croyland, 414 — and punishment, 415 
 Wood ville. See Wyd ville, 
 
 Woxbridge, brother William, his bene¬ 
 factions, 360 
 
 Wridthorp, priory of, 239 
 Wulfsy, the anchorite at Croyland, 116, 
 117—removes to Evesham, 124, 252— 
 his sermon of exhortation, 253 
 Wulgat, abbat of Pegeland or Peykirk, 
 spoliation of his monastery, 120, 127— 
 appointed to Croyland. See Croyland, 
 Wulketul, or Uif ketul,abbat of Croyland. 
 
 See Croyland. 
 
 Wulric, brother, 47 
 Wulstan, Saint, 134 
 
 Wydville, Elizabeth, married to Edward 
 IV., 440—surrenders the duke of York, 
 489—and her daughters, 496 
 Wydville, sir John, slain, 458 
 Wysbech, brother John, his benefactions, 
 433—elected abbat. See Croyland. 
 
 York and Canterbury, decision of the 
 controversy between the sees of, 189 
 York, Richard, duke of, slain at the battle 
 of Wakefield,421—his previous fortunes, 
 454 — claims the crown, 455 — makes 
 terms with Henry VI., ib.—his remains 
 removed, 475 
 
 York, Richard, duke of. See Richard. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 In page 65, note 58 , for ‘Caistor,’ read ‘ Castor.' 
 
 74, line 21, for 1 Althelstan,’ read ‘ Athelstan.’ 
 
 92, — Cancel the last Note, and read ‘ Eahta hun¬ 
 
 dred,’ or ' the eight hundreds.’ 
 
 235, 23, for ‘ western,’ read 1 southern.’ 
 
 415, 37, for ‘ formely,’ read • formerly/ 
 
 S. BILLING, 
 
 PU INTER AND 8TRR BOIT PRR, 
 WOKING, 8UKHKV. 
 

 


 
 
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