Venu sunt al quint jur de la Nativité
A Cantorbire cil, quant gent orent digné,
En l’endemain que furent Innocent decolé,
Que Herodes ocist par sa grant cruelté ;
5165 Car es enfanz quida murdrir la Deïté.
1034
D’entur furent somuns serjant e chevalier
Pur la hunte le rei d’Engleterre vengier :
S’um volsist l’arcevesque desturner ne mucier,
Que l’iglise volsissent l’endemain asegier
5170 E de fu enbraser e tute trebuchier.
1035
Li provoz fist par ban par la cité huchier,
Que que il veïssent u oïssent nuncier,
Nuls, ne petiz ne granz, ne s’en osast drecier ;
Si cum chascuns aveit sei e sun aveir chier,
5175 A la besuigne fuissent le rei tut prest d’aidier.
1036
En la curt l’arcevesque vindrent li enragié,
Tut dreit devant la sale sunt descendu a pié.
L’arcevesques aveit a cel’ure mangié ;
En sa chambre seeit od sun privé clergié.
5180 Nis li sergant s’esteient des tables ja drecié
1037
Li quatre sulement sunt en la sale entré
E uns archiers Randulf, qu’il unt od els mené.
Mais le seneschal unt devant els encontré,
E il vint encontre els tresqu’al pié del degré.
5185 Il a els, e il lui, baisié e salué.
1038
Li seneschals esteit de la contree nez,
Bels chevaliers e granz, riches e bien feffez.
Al mangier out servi e puis s’esteit dignez,
Puis esteit en la chambre a l’arcevesque alez :
5190 « Sire, fait il, un poi, se vus plaist, m’entendez.
1039
Par vostre conseil voil, Sire, fait il, aler
A la curt nostre rei e iluec sujurner.
Car del rei ne des suens n’estes mie bien cler :
Pur ço n’os mie bien entur vus demurer,
5195 Que li reis ne m’en hace e voille achaisuner
1040
– Vuillames, fait li il, buen congié en avez.
Ne vus voil retenir, quant aler i volez. »
Dunc s’en esteit partiz, e vint sur les degrez,
E les quatre reals i aveit encontrez.
5200 Par lur comandement est en la chambre entrez.
1041
« Sire, fait il, laenz sunt quatre bacheler
Des chevaliers le rei. » Mais nes volt pas numer
« De part le rei Henri volent a vus parler. »
L’arcevesques respunt : « Faites les enz entrer. »
5205 Erramment les ala Willaumes amener.
1042
A un conseil se sunt tuit li quatre apuié.
Devant saint Thomas sunt asis dreit a sun pié,
E li archiers s’asist deriere els el planchié.
Mais n’unt pas saint Thomas salué n’araisnié,
5210 Ne l’arcevesques els, ki as clers ad plaidié.
1043
Jo ne sai se li bers le fist a escïent,
Qu’il nes volt saluer a l’entrer erramment,
Quant ne voldrent parler, qu’entendist lur talent,
U pur ço qu’il parla si ententivement
5215 De sun conseil as moines e as clers ensement.
1044
Sur sun cute a un moine li sainz huem s’apuia.
En sun seant s’asist ; les baruns avisa ;
Mais mult pitusement tuz quatre reguarda,
E, si cum alquant dient, sul Willaume i numa,
5220 E lui sul par sun nun des quatre salua.
1045
Dunc se sunt enbrunchié li quatre forsené,
N’acuillent ses saluz ne ne l’unt salué.
Cil qui les conduiseit haï lur salveté.
E chascuns d’els aveit, l’un l’altre, reguardé.
5225 Dunc s’esmerveilla mult li bers qu’il n’unt parlé.
1046
Itels i ad qui dient que Reinals li ad dit,
Quant tuit li trei se turent, faintement : « Deus t’aït ! »
Dunc devint li sainz hom plus vermeilz, quant ço vit,
Que nen est escarlate que l’um d’autres eslit ;
5230 Car bien sout qu’il out dit cel mot par mal affit.
1047
« Li reis, fist dunc Reinalz auches irïement,
T’a mandé d’ultre mer par nus veraiement
Paroles. Di, ses viuz oïr priveement
U tu les viuz oïr oiant tute ta gent ? »
5235 Li bers lur respundi : « Tut a vostre talent.
1048
– Mais al vostre, funt il. – Mais as voz », fait li ber.
Dunc en unt comencié entr’els a estriver.
Dunc ad fait sainz Thomas en la grant chambre entrer
Tuz les suens, fors celui qui fu as uis guarder,
5240 Tant qu’il ad entendu dunt voleient parler.
1049
Mais dunc fist sainz Thomas : « Lai me cel uis ester :
Les paroles que j’oi ne deit um pas celer ;
Mais fai me tost chaenz tuz mes clers rapeler
De mun privé conseil ; nes en voil pas sevrer. »
5245 Dunc sunt enz revenu ; mais nes sai tuz numer.
1050
S’il ne fuissent ariere isi tost revenu,
Se li felun eüssent arme u cultel eü,
Entr’eaus l’eüssent mort ; car puis l’unt coneü.
Nis pur poi qu’il ne l’orent ocis e abatu
5250 Del bastun de la cruiz. Mais Deus l’ad destolu.
1051
« Li reis, fait dunc Reinalz, t’a d’ultre mer mandé
Qu’il out pais fait vers tei, e quite t’out clammé,
Tu vers lui ensement ; mais ne l’as bien guardé.
Car n’as pas sagement en sun reaume entré,
5255 Mais od vassals armez par ses chastaus passé.
1052
E ses hummes, qui furent a sun fiz coruner,
E un suen arcevesque, qui dut a li aler,
E dous de ses evesques, a cui deveit parler,
As escummunïez e fait de Deu sevrer.
5260 Les custumes del regne vols abatre et oster,
1053
E al jovene rei vols sa corune tolir.
Or volt saveir li reis se tu t’en volz venir
En sa curt devant li faire dreit e suffrir.
– J’ai fait, fait il, al rei quanque li dui furnir ;
5265 Que riens en seit ariere, ne m’en puet sovenir.
1054
N’al rei, fait il, ne voil sa corune abaissier ;
Treis l’en aidereie ainz par dreit a purchacier.
E en sa terre entrai par sun congié plenier ;
Ne de rien ne m’en deit mis sires chalengier,
5270 Se m’i unt conveié mi humme e mi terrier.
1055
E de lui estre a dreit sui jo tuz aprestez,
A sa curt e par tut, se sui rien meserrez.
Mais il m’ad defendu ses burs e ses citez
E viles e chastaus ; mar i serrai trovez.
5275 Saint’iglise ad li reis ses dreiz quites clamez !
1056
N’est pas de mei la surse de la suspensiun,
Mais d’Alissandre pape, e pur l’enunctiun
Del jovene rei (qui Deus duinst sa beneïçun !),
Pur ço que il le firent a tort e senz raisun,
5280 E n’en voldrent venir a satisfactiun.
1057
– Mais par vostre purchaz, Reinalz li respundié,
Sunt li prelat le rei tut trei escumengié.
E pur ço volt li reis qu’il seient deslïé,
Que vus les asolez, que rien n’i ait targié,
5285 Si cum il sunt par vus suspendu e lacié.
1058
– Ne defent pas, fait il, ne seit par mun purchaz ;
Mais de mei n’i avrunt aïde ne solaz.
Mais a nostre apostolie voisent tuit trei viaz,
Car par vive raisun sunt chaü en ses laz.
5290 Sis obedïenz sui, sun comandement faz. »
1059
Funt li fil al Sathan : « Belement manaciez !
Vus serez mielz guardez que vus ne solïez ;
Ne vus en fuirez pas, cum ainceis faisïez. »
Ne s’en est sainz Thomas esfreez n’esmaiez :
5295 « N’en serai par nul humme, fait il, ja mais chaciez.
1060
Ja mais n’iere pur humme fors del païs getez.
– Coment ? funt li il dunc ; pur le rei n’en istrez ?
– Nun, fait il ; de la mer n’iere ja mais trovez.
N’en istrai pur nul humme ; ici me troverez. »
5300 En ire les aveit cil moz mult enflambez.
1061
« Ne me devriez, fait il, tel message aporter ;
E mis sires li reis est tant leals e ber
Qu’il ne me volsist pas teus paroles mander,
Ne il nes voldra pas guarantir ne tenser.
5305 – Si fera funt il dunc ; bien les osum mustrer.
1062
– Mult me plaig de ses hummes, sainz Thomas respundié,
Qui noz iglises tienent a force e a pechié,
Mes hummes unt batuz, mun somier escurcié,
Mes tuneaus e mun vin tolu e esforcié,
5310 Que mis sires li reis m’i out acharïé. »
1063
Fait Reinalz : « Se li humme al seignur del regné
Orent de rien vers vus mespris e meserré,
E pur quei ne l’eüstes primes al rei mustré,
Qui l’eüst al conseil des baruns amendé ? »
5315 Dunc respundi li sainz, si ad le chief levé :
1064
« Se mei en estoveit testemonies vochier,
Reinald, ja fus tu la, e dui cent chevalier,
U li reis m’otreia que deüsse vengier
Les torz de saint’iglise. Jes ferai adrescier,
5320 E mei le covient faire : ç’apent a mun mestier. »
1065
Dunc devindrent rovent cume feus embrasez :
« Coment ? funt li il dunc ; a vus abandunez
Li reis tuz cels par qui ses filz fu corunez ?
E quanqu’il en unt fait, par li fu, ço savez.
5325 A traïtur, funt il, nus oiant le tenez.
1066
Adès li avez fait e faites deshonur.
– Nel faz, fait sainz Thomas ; nel tieng pur traïtur,
Ne sa hunte ne quier, ainz voil sa grant honur.
Mais la justise a faire m’otriad d’els al jur
5330 Que Deus entre nus dous mist concorde e amur.
1067
Car jo me plains a lui de cels nomeement,
E il me graanta, – si l’oïrent dui cent, –
Que jo presisse d’els mun dreit plenierement.
De mei ne de mes clers ne s’entremet naent :
5335 J’en ferai la justise, tel cum a mei apent.
1068
Ne puis pas curre a curt a chascune mesprise,
Ainz ferai cume prestre la divine justise
De cels qui mesprendrunt vers sainte mere iglise.
– Ci ad, funt il, manaces ! La vengance en ert prise,
5340 Se vus n’asoilez ceaus sur qui sentence est mise.
1069
– Se vus estes, fait il, de part le rei venu,
Ne serez par manaces plus duté ne cremu.
Ici poëz ferir, en cest col tut a nu ;
D’un cultel de maalle ne vus ert defendu. »
5345 Mist sa main a sun col. E cil s’en sunt eissu.
1070
« El i ad que manaces ! » funt il mult haltement.
E le saint arcevesque desfient bassement,
E comandent a tuz par ban communement,
De part le rei, que tuit s’en issent erramment :
5350 Car chier le compera, se nuls plus i atent.
1071
E comandent as moines qu’il unt laienz trovez,
De part le rei, qu’il fust e tenuz e guardez :
Car se il s’en fuieit, il lur ert demandez ;
Rendre lur estovra. Dunc s’est li sainz levez.
5355 Lur defiemenz ad entenduz e notez.
1072
Tresqu’a l’uis de la chambre les chevaliers siwi,
Quant l’orent desfïé, car tresbien l’entendi ;
E cria après els : « Huge, qu’as tu dit ? Di ! »
Ne li distrent un mot. A tant s’en sunt parti.
5360 Mais sun voil l’i eüssent e ocis e murdri.
1073
Sainz Thomas returna, si s’asist sur sun lit ;
Devint tels cum s’il fust trestuz en esperit.
Johans de Salesbire li aveit dunches dit :
« Sire, tuzjurs avez nostre conseil desdit,
5365 Fors ço qu’avez tuzdis en vostre quer eslit.
1074
– Que volez que jo face, dan Johan ? fait li ber.
– Vostre conseil, fait il, deüssiez apeler,
Quant li chevalier vindrent chaienz a vus parler.
Fors achaisun ne quierent de vus a mort livrer.
5370 Mais de vostre corine ne vus puet nuls geter. »
1075
Fait li dunc sainz Thomas : « Tuz nus estuet murir ;
Ne pur mort de justise ne me verrez flechir.
E pur l’amur de Deu voil la mort sustenir ;
Ne il ne sunt pas mielz apresté del ferir
5375 Que mis curages est del martire suffrir. »
1076
Fait li maistre Johans : « Ne sumes apresté
[166] Que voillum mes encore estre a la mort livré ;
Car en pechié gisum e en chaitivité,
N’un sul ne vei, fors vus, qui muire de sun gré.
5380 – Or seit, fait sainz Thomas, a la Deu volenté. »
1077
Endementres s’armerent la fors li chevalier,
E osterent les cotes, ceinstrent les branz d’acier ;
Car tut vindrent armé, chascuns sur sun destrier.
Tost furent apresté de grant mal comencier.
5385 Asez fu qui l’ala l’arcevesque nuncier.
1078
« Sire, funt li li moine, alez en cel mustier.
Il chantent ore vespres ; nes deüssiez laissier.
Cil chevalier vus volent e prendre e detrenchier.
– Ne me verrez pur ço, fait il, rien esmaier.
5390 Ci atendrai tut ço que Deus m’i volt jugier. »
1079
Quant se furent armé li quatre bacheler,
Vunt as uis de la sale ; mais n’i porent entrer,
Car um les out ainz fait après els bien barrer.
Dunc comencent as uis durement a buter,
5395 Car il voleient prendre le saint e decolper.
1080
Quant ne porent les uis par force depecier,
Roberz del Broc, qui sout le mal mult enginnier :
« Or me siwez, fait il, seignur franc chevalier ;
Jo vus metrai laienz par un altre sentier. »
5400 Par devers la quisine sunt entré el vergier.
1081
A l’uis de la chambre out un oriol fermé,
Dreit devers le chardin, qu’i out maint jor esté.
Pur refaire erent dunc abatu li degré,
E li carpentier erent a lur disner alé.
5405 A cel oriol sunt li chevalier turné.
1082
Par iloec est es chambres Roberz del Broc entrez ;
A eschieles i ad les chevaliers muntez.
Les ustilz as ovriers qui firent les degrez,
Besague e cuignies, en unt od els portez
5410 Pur depecier les uis, ses trovassent fermez.
1083
Quant la gent saint Thomas les oïrent venir,
Cume berbiz pur lous s’en pristrent a fuïr,
Si cume li apostle, quant il virent saisir
La maisnie Pilate Jesu, qui pur murir
5415 Esteit venuz el mund, pur s’iglise establir.
1084
N’i remest uns tuz suls de trestuz ses serganz,
Fors un poi de ses clers, dunt i out mult vaillanz,
E maistre Eduvarz Grim, e moines ne sai quanz,
Qui pristrent saint Thomas, qui encor ert seanz
5420 E atendeit iluec mort e fin de ses anz.
1085
Car puis qu’il repaira d’essil d’ultre la mer,
Dist il, oiant plusurs qui l’ai oï cunter,
Qu’il murreit en cel an, bien le volt afermer.
Or n’i out mais de l’an que dous jurs a passer :
5425 Li tierz ert pres alez, u il deveit finer.
1086
Nis le jur de Noël li oï um gehir,
Oiant pluisurs qu’i erent pur sun sermun oïr :
« Ci sui venuz, fait il, entre vus mort suffrir. »
Or ert venuz li jurs quel covint acumplir.
5430 E sa vie e sa mort l’unt fait mult halt martir.
1087
Nis idunc a la fin de sun sermonement
Ad dit un de ses clers en prophetizement,
Alissandre de Wales, oiant mult de la gent :
« Chaienz ad un martir, saint Alfe, veirement ;
5435 Un altre en i avrez, se Deu plaist, a present. »
1088
Pur ç’atendi iluec e ne volt pas fuïr,
Car il ert a seür e tuz prez de murir.
Quida qu’um ne l’osast el mustier asaillir :
Pur ç’atendi iluec, ne volt la mort guenchir.
5440 Mais Deus le voleit faire en plus bel liu chaïr.
1089
Idunc l’en comencierent al mustier a mener,
Mais proef par vive force lur en estut porter ;
Les uns veïssiez traire e les altres buter.
Mais parmi l’entier mur lur estoveit aler,
5445 U par les uis fermez, s’il volsissent passer.
1090
As altres chambres out une chambre ajustee
Par unt la veie esteit al cloistre plus privee ;
Mais a cele ure esteit a un grant loc fermee.
Mult par fu esbaïe la gent chaperunee,
5450 Quant il virent lur veie tutes parz estupee.
1091
A l’uis de la chambre est uns des moines venuz.
Le loc prist a dous mains ; la a Deus fait vertuz :
Quant le loc volt estuerdre, es poinz li est chaüz,
Cum se il fust aers a un petit de gluz.
5455 L’uis ad overt li moines, puis les ad esmeüz.
1092
Dunc l’en unt al mustier, u voille u nun, mené,
Ensement cum la mort atendist de sun gré.
Li un i unt saché e li altre buté,
Tant qu’il sunt le grant pas dedenz l’encloistre entré.
5460 Mais il se sunt dous feiz enz el cloistre aresté.
1093
Car si tost cum li sainz peut la terre atuchier
E il peut a la terre ses dous piez afichier,
Tuz les empainst de sei, comença a plaidier :
« Que me volez, fait il, detraire e desachier ?
5465 Laissiez mei ! » Dunc l’unt pris e porté al mustier.
1094
Quant l’orent al mustier li moine einsi porté,
Dunc sunt li chevalier dedenz l’encloistre entré,
Les espees es poinz e des haubercs armé,
E uns Hue Mauclerc (einsi l’a um numé ;
5470 Clers ert Robert del Broc, mult plains d’iniquité).
1095
Avant vindrent li quatre pur le mal comencier,
Mais de loinz les siwirent quatre altre chevalier.
Cil Hue alad od els e entra el mustier.
Cil n’i entrerent pas, car li fil l’aversier
5475 Encontrez les aveient el cloistre al repairier.
1096
Contre els unt les uis clos des moines li alquant.
« Ovrez, fait sainz Thomas, quis ala atendant ;
Par sainte obedïence, fait il, le vus comant.
Lur voil lur laissiez faire, ciu sunt e nun savant.
5480 Tant cum tendrez les uis, n’irai un pas avant.
1097
Nuls hum ne deit chastel ne fermeté ne tur
Faire de la maisun Deu, le verai seignur.
Mais nus clerc, qui en sumes ministre e servitur,
En devrium adès estre defendeür,
5485 Faire del cors escu contre le malfaitur. »
1098
Les uis ad il meesmes overt e desbarez,
Buta le pueple ariere, qui i ert asemblez
Pur veer l’aventure. Fait lur il : « Que cremez ? »
Funt li il : « Veez ci les chevaliers armez.
5490 – J’irai, fait il, a els. » Funt li il : « Nel ferez. »
1099
Tresque sur les degrez del Nort l’unt fait aler ;
A guarant as cors sainz le voleient mener.
« Seignur, fait il as moines, car me laissiez ester.
Vus n’avez ci que faire ; Deu en laissiez penser.
5495 Alez la sus el quer a voz vespres chanter. »
1100
La maisnie al Satan est el mustier venue.
En sa destre main tint chascuns s’espee nue,
En l’autre les cuignies, e li quarz besague.
Un pilier ot iluec, – la volte ad sustenue, –
5500 Qui del saint arcevesque lur toli la veüe.
1101
D’une part del pilier en sunt li trei alé,
Le traïtur le rei unt quis e demandé ;
Reinalz de l’altre part, un moine ad encontré ;
Demanda l’arcevesque. Dunc ad li sainz parlé :
5505 « Reinalz, se tu me quiers, fait il, ci m’as trové. »
1102
Le nun de traïtur sainz Thomas n’entendi,
Mais al nun d’arcevesque restut e atendi,
encontre Reinalt del degré descendi.
« Reinalz, se tu me quiers, trové, fait il, m’as ci. »
5510 Par l’acor del mantel l’aveit Reinalz saisi.
1103
« Reinalz, tanz bienz t’ai fait, fait li buens ordenez ;
E que quiers tu sur mei en saint’iglise armez ? »
Fait Reinalz li fiz Urs : « Certes, vus le savrez. »
Sachié l’aveit a sei, que tuz fu remuez :
5515 « Traïtres le rei estes, fait il ; ça en vendrez ! »
1104
Car fors del saint mustier traïnier le quida.
Bien crei que sainz Thomas a cele feiz s’ira
De ço que cil Reinalz le detraist e buta ;
Si ad enpaint Reinalt qu’ariere rehusa,
5520 E l’acor del mantel hors des mains li sacha.
1105
« Fui, malveis hum, d’ici ! fait li sainz corunez.
Jo ne sui pas traïtres, n’en dei estre retez.
– Fuiez ! fait li Reinalz, quant se fu purpensez.
– Nel ferai, fait li sainz. Ici me troverez,
5525 E voz granz felonies ici acumplirez. »
1106
Devers l’ele del Nort s’en est li bers alez,
E a un pilier s’est tenuz e acostez.
(Entre dous alteus est cil piliers maiserez ;
A la mere Deu est cil de desuz sacrez,
5530 El nun saint Beneeit est li altre ordenez.)
1107
La l’unt trait e mené li ministre enragié.
« Asolez, funt il, cels qui sunt escumengié,
E cels qui sunt par vus suspendu e lacié.
– N’en ferai, fait il, plus que je n’ai comencié. »
5535 A oscire l’unt dunc ensemble manecié.
1108
Fait il : « De voz manaces ne sui espoentez ;
Del martire suffrir sui del tut aprestez.
Mais les miens en laissiez aler, nes adesez,
E faites de mei sul ço que faire en devez. »
[171] 5540 N’ad les suens li bons pastre a la mort oblïez.
1109
Einsi avint de Deu, quant il ala orer
Desur Munt Olivete la nuit a l’avesprer,
E cil li comencierent quil quistrent, a crïer :
« U est li Nazareus ? – Ci me poëz trover,
5545 Fist lur Deus ; mais les miens en laissiez tuz aler. »
1110
Dunc l’unt saisi as puinz li fil a l’aversier,
Sil comencent forment a traire e a sachier,
E sur le col Willaume le voldrent enchargier ;
Car la hors le voleient u oscire u lïer.
5550 Mais del pilier nel porent oster ne esluignier.
1111
Car sainz Thomas s’esteit apuiez al piler
Qui suffri mort en cruiz pur s’iglise estorer ;
Ne l’en poeit nuls huem esluignier ne oster.
Mais ore en coveneit un sul a mort livrer,
5555 Al piler del mustier, pur le pueple salver.
1112
Car cil qui mielz deüssent saint’iglise tenser,
La voldrent, e ses menbres, del tut agraventer,
Le piler e le chief qu’il sustint, aterrer.
Icel sanc de pechié covint par sanc laver,
5560 Pur relever le chief, le chief del chief doner.
1113
Mais Deus ne voleit pas qu’il fust traitiez vilment ;
E sil fist pur prover cele malveise gent,
S’osassent el mustier errer si cruelment.
Car il n’a si felun entresqu’en Orïent
5565 Qui en oie parler, qu’il ne s’en espoent.
1114
E maistre Eduvard Grim l’aveit forment saisi,
Enbracié par desus, quant l’orent envaï.
Contre els tuz le retint, de rien ne s’esbahi,
Ne pur les chevaliers ne l’aveit pas guerpi.
5570 Clerc e moine e sergant s’en erent tuit fuï.
1115
Maistre Eduvard le tint, que qu’il l’unt desachié.
« Que volez, fait il, faire ? Estes vus enragié ?
Esguardez u vus estes e quel sunt li feirié.
Main sur vostre arcevesque metez a grant pechié ! »
5575 Mais pur feirié ne l’unt, ne pur mustier, laissié.
1116
Or veit bien sainz Thomas sun martire en present.
Ses mains juint a sun vis, a Damnedeu se rent.
Al martyr saint Denis, qui dulce France apent,
E as sainz de l’iglise se comande erramment,
5580 La cause saint’iglise e la sue ensement.
1117
Vuillaumes vint avant, n’i volt Deu aürer.
Pur estre plus legiers n’i volt hauberc porter.
Le traïtur lu rei comence a demander.
Quant ne porent le saint hors del mustier geter,
5585 Enz el chief de l’espee grant colp li vait duner,
1118
Si que de la corune le cupel en porta
E la hure abati e granment entama.
Sur l’espaule senestre l’espee li cula,
Le mantel e les dras tresqu’al quir encisa,
5590 E le braz Eduvard pres tut en dous colpa.
1119
Dunc l’aveit a cel colp maistre Eduvarz guerpi.
« Ferez, ferez ! » fait il ; mais idunc le feri
Danz Reinalz li fiz Urs, mais pas ne l’abati.
Idunc le referi Willaumes de Traci,
5595 Que tut l’escervelad, e sainz Thomas chaï
1120
(A Saltewode sunt li felun returné.
De lur grant felunie se sunt la nuit vanté ;
Vuillaumes de Traci a dit e afermé
Johan de Salesbire aveit le braz colpé :
5600 Par ço savum qu’il eut maistre Eduvard nafré.)
1121
Pur ço qu’iert desarmez, tut premiers le siwi,
E bien fu coneüz e al vis e al cri.
Une cote vert out e mantel miparti.
Quant il vit que Reinalz li fiz Urs resorti,
5605 Dous feiz, si cum j’ai dit, le saint el chief feri.
1122
Mais quant Richarz li Brez le vit si abatu
E sur le pavement gesir tut estendu,
Un poi en bescoz l’ad des autres colps feru,
Qu’a la pierre ad brisié en dous sun brant molu.
5610 Al Martire en baise un la piece tut a nu.
1123
Que que li felun l’unt feru e detrenchié
E del ferir se sunt durement esforcié,
N’aveit brait ne groni ne crïé ne huchié,
Ne pié ne main n’aveit a sei trait ne sachié ;
5615 Car a Deu out del tut sun corage apuié.
1124
E si cum en Calvaire unt Deu crucifïé
Gïeu, qui si fil erent, e pur l’umain pechié,
La u li forfait erent par justise adrecié,
Unt pur les clers cestui si fil martirizié
5620 La u li mesfait sunt osté e esneié.
1125 Hue de Morevile esteit ultre curuz ;
Chaçout le pueple ariere qui esteit survenuz,
Cremi que l’arcevesques ne lur fust dunc toluz.
Puet cel estre qu’il s’est en sei reconeüz,
5625 E de la felunie s’est einsi defenduz.
1126
Quant en Jersalem fu ocis li fiz Rachel,
Li chevalier Herode, la lignie Ysmael,
Ne li sevrerent pas del chief tut le cupel,
Mais al carnail del frunt retint e a la pel,
5630 Que tut a descovert veïssiez le cervel.
1127
E cil Hue Malclerc, qui après els entra,
Sur le col saint Thomas mist sun pié e ficha ;
Le cervel od l’espee hors del chief li geta
Desur le pavement, e a cels s’escria :
5635 « Alum nus en, fait il ; ja mais ne resurdra ! »
1128
Qui dunc veïst le sanc od le cervel chaïr
E sur le pavement l’un od l’autre gesir,
De roses e de lilies li peüst sovenir :
Car dunc veïst le sanc el blanc cervel rovir,
5640 Le cervel ensement el vermeil sanc blanchir.
1129
Idunc s’en sunt parti li serf d’iniquité.
Parmi l’encloistre ariere s’en erent returné,
Les espees es poinz, e unt « Reaus ! » crïé.
Ainz erent chevalier, or sunt vil e hué ;
5645 Riche erent ainz, or sunt chaü en dolenté.,
1130
Caitif, maleüré, que est ço qu’avez fait ?
De Deu ne de mustier ne tenistes ainc plait.
Tant cum li siecles dure, iert a voz eirs retrait.
Cil dort qui pur les bestes les beaus hummes desfait,
5650 Deus est la sus el ciel, e li regnes mesvait.
1131
Pur l’iglise del Nort, e en l’ele del Nort,
E vers le Nort turnez, suffri sainz Thomas mort.
Pur sa mort l’ad Deus fait e si halt e si fort :
Tuit cristïen li quierent e salu e confort,
5655 Les perillez en mer mainë il a dreit port.
1058
– Ne defent pas, fait il, ne seit par mun purchaz ;
Mais de mei n’i avrunt aïde ne solaz.
Mais a nostre apostolie voisent tuit trei viaz,
Car par vive raisun sunt chaü en ses laz.
5290 Sis obedïenz sui, sun comandement faz. »
1059
Funt li fil al Sathan : « Belement manaciez !
Vus serez mielz guardez que vus ne solïez ;
Ne vus en fuirez pas, cum ainceis faisïez. »
Ne s’en est sainz Thomas esfreez n’esmaiez :
5295 « N’en serai par nul humme, fait il, ja mais chaciez.
1060
Ja mais n’iere pur humme fors del païs getez.
– Coment ? funt li il dunc ; pur le rei n’en istrez ?
– Nun, fait il ; de la mer n’iere ja mais trovez.
N’en istrai pur nul humme ; ici me troverez. »
5300 En ire les aveit cil moz mult enflambez.
1061
« Ne me devriez, fait il, tel message aporter ;
E mis sires li reis est tant leals e ber
Qu’il ne me volsist pas teus paroles mander,
Ne il nes voldra pas guarantir ne tenser.
5305 – Si fera funt il dunc ; bien les osum mustrer.
1062
– Mult me plaig de ses hummes, sainz Thomas respundié,
Qui noz iglises tienent a force e a pechié,
Mes hummes unt batuz, mun somier escurcié,
Mes tuneaus e mun vin tolu e esforcié,
5310 Que mis sires li reis m’i out acharïé. »
1063
Fait Reinalz : « Se li humme al seignur del regné
Orent de rien vers vus mespris e meserré,
E pur quei ne l’eüstes primes al rei mustré,
Qui l’eüst al conseil des baruns amendé ? »
5315 Dunc respundi li sainz, si ad le chief levé :
1064
« Se mei en estoveit testemonies vochier,
Reinald, ja fus tu la, e dui cent chevalier,
U li reis m’otreia que deüsse vengier
Les torz de saint’iglise. Jes ferai adrescier,
5320 E mei le covient faire : ç’apent a mun mestier. »
1065
Dunc devindrent rovent cume feus embrasez :
« Coment ? funt li il dunc ; a vus abandunez
Li reis tuz cels par qui ses filz fu corunez ?
E quanqu’il en unt fait, par li fu, ço savez.
5325 A traïtur, funt il, nus oiant le tenez.
1066
Adès li avez fait e faites deshonur.
– Nel faz, fait sainz Thomas ; nel tieng pur traïtur,
Ne sa hunte ne quier, ainz voil sa grant honur.
Mais la justise a faire m’otriad d’els al jur
5330 Que Deus entre nus dous mist concorde e amur.
1067
Car jo me plains a lui de cels nomeement,
E il me graanta, – si l’oïrent dui cent, –
Que jo presisse d’els mun dreit plenierement.
De mei ne de mes clers ne s’entremet naent :
5335 J’en ferai la justise, tel cum a mei apent.
1068
Ne puis pas curre a curt a chascune mesprise,
Ainz ferai cume prestre la divine justise
De cels qui mesprendrunt vers sainte mere iglise.
– Ci ad, funt il, manaces ! La vengance en ert prise,
5340 Se vus n’asoilez ceaus sur qui sentence est mise.
1069
– Se vus estes, fait il, de part le rei venu,
Ne serez par manaces plus duté ne cremu.
Ici poëz ferir, en cest col tut a nu ;
D’un cultel de maalle ne vus ert defendu. »
5345 Mist sa main a sun col. E cil s’en sunt eissu.
1070
« El i ad que manaces ! » funt il mult haltement.
E le saint arcevesque desfient bassement,
E comandent a tuz par ban communement,
De part le rei, que tuit s’en issent erramment :
5350 Car chier le compera, se nuls plus i atent.
1071
E comandent as moines qu’il unt laienz trovez,
De part le rei, qu’il fust e tenuz e guardez :
Car se il s’en fuieit, il lur ert demandez ;
Rendre lur estovra. Dunc s’est li sainz levez.
5355 Lur defiemenz ad entenduz e notez.
1072
Tresqu’a l’uis de la chambre les chevaliers siwi,
Quant l’orent desfïé, car tresbien l’entendi ;
E cria après els : « Huge, qu’as tu dit ? Di ! »
Ne li distrent un mot. A tant s’en sunt parti.
5360 Mais sun voil l’i eüssent e ocis e murdri.
1073
Sainz Thomas returna, si s’asist sur sun lit ;
Devint tels cum s’il fust trestuz en esperit.
Johans de Salesbire li aveit dunches dit :
« Sire, tuzjurs avez nostre conseil desdit,
5365 Fors ço qu’avez tuzdis en vostre quer eslit.
1074
– Que volez que jo face, dan Johan ? fait li ber.
– Vostre conseil, fait il, deüssiez apeler,
Quant li chevalier vindrent chaienz a vus parler.
Fors achaisun ne quierent de vus a mort livrer.
5370 Mais de vostre corine ne vus puet nuls geter. »
1075
Fait li dunc sainz Thomas : « Tuz nus estuet murir ;
Ne pur mort de justise ne me verrez flechir.
E pur l’amur de Deu voil la mort sustenir ;
Ne il ne sunt pas mielz apresté del ferir
5375 Que mis curages est del martire suffrir. »
1076
Fait li maistre Johans : « Ne sumes apresté
[166] Que voillum mes encore estre a la mort livré ;
Car en pechié gisum e en chaitivité,
N’un sul ne vei, fors vus, qui muire de sun gré.
5380 – Or seit, fait sainz Thomas, a la Deu volenté. »
1077
Endementres s’armerent la fors li chevalier,
E osterent les cotes, ceinstrent les branz d’acier ;
Car tut vindrent armé, chascuns sur sun destrier.
Tost furent apresté de grant mal comencier.
5385 Asez fu qui l’ala l’arcevesque nuncier.
1078
« Sire, funt li li moine, alez en cel mustier.
Il chantent ore vespres ; nes deüssiez laissier.
Cil chevalier vus volent e prendre e detrenchier.
– Ne me verrez pur ço, fait il, rien esmaier.
5390 Ci atendrai tut ço que Deus m’i volt jugier. »
1079
Quant se furent armé li quatre bacheler,
Vunt as uis de la sale ; mais n’i porent entrer,
Car um les out ainz fait après els bien barrer.
Dunc comencent as uis durement a buter,
5395 Car il voleient prendre le saint e decolper.
1080
Quant ne porent les uis par force depecier,
Roberz del Broc, qui sout le mal mult enginnier :
« Or me siwez, fait il, seignur franc chevalier ;
Jo vus metrai laienz par un altre sentier. »
5400 Par devers la quisine sunt entré el vergier.
1081
A l’uis de la chambre out un oriol fermé,
Dreit devers le chardin, qu’i out maint jor esté.
Pur refaire erent dunc abatu li degré,
E li carpentier erent a lur disner alé.
5405 A cel oriol sunt li chevalier turné.
1082
Par iloec est es chambres Roberz del Broc entrez ;
A eschieles i ad les chevaliers muntez.
Les ustilz as ovriers qui firent les degrez,
Besague e cuignies, en unt od els portez
5410 Pur depecier les uis, ses trovassent fermez.
1083
Quant la gent saint Thomas les oïrent venir,
Cume berbiz pur lous s’en pristrent a fuïr,
Si cume li apostle, quant il virent saisir
La maisnie Pilate Jesu, qui pur murir
5415 Esteit venuz el mund, pur s’iglise establir.
1084
N’i remest uns tuz suls de trestuz ses serganz,
Fors un poi de ses clers, dunt i out mult vaillanz,
E maistre Eduvarz Grim, e moines ne sai quanz,
Qui pristrent saint Thomas, qui encor ert seanz
5420 E atendeit iluec mort e fin de ses anz.
1085
Car puis qu’il repaira d’essil d’ultre la mer,
Dist il, oiant plusurs qui l’ai oï cunter,
Qu’il murreit en cel an, bien le volt afermer.
Or n’i out mais de l’an que dous jurs a passer :
5425 Li tierz ert pres alez, u il deveit finer.
1086
Nis le jur de Noël li oï um gehir,
Oiant pluisurs qu’i erent pur sun sermun oïr :
« Ci sui venuz, fait il, entre vus mort suffrir. »
Or ert venuz li jurs quel covint acumplir.
5430 E sa vie e sa mort l’unt fait mult halt martir.
1087
Nis idunc a la fin de sun sermonement
Ad dit un de ses clers en prophetizement,
Alissandre de Wales, oiant mult de la gent :
« Chaienz ad un martir, saint Alfe, veirement ;
5435 Un altre en i avrez, se Deu plaist, a present. »
1088
Pur ç’atendi iluec e ne volt pas fuïr,
Car il ert a seür e tuz prez de murir.
Quida qu’um ne l’osast el mustier asaillir :
Pur ç’atendi iluec, ne volt la mort guenchir.
5440 Mais Deus le voleit faire en plus bel liu chaïr.
1089
Idunc l’en comencierent al mustier a mener,
Mais proef par vive force lur en estut porter ;
Les uns veïssiez traire e les altres buter.
Mais parmi l’entier mur lur estoveit aler,
5445 U par les uis fermez, s’il volsissent passer.
1090
As altres chambres out une chambre ajustee
Par unt la veie esteit al cloistre plus privee ;
Mais a cele ure esteit a un grant loc fermee.
Mult par fu esbaïe la gent chaperunee,
5450 Quant il virent lur veie tutes parz estupee.
1091
A l’uis de la chambre est uns des moines venuz.
Le loc prist a dous mains ; la a Deus fait vertuz :
Quant le loc volt estuerdre, es poinz li est chaüz,
Cum se il fust aers a un petit de gluz.
5455 L’uis ad overt li moines, puis les ad esmeüz.
1092
Dunc l’en unt al mustier, u voille u nun, mené,
Ensement cum la mort atendist de sun gré.
Li un i unt saché e li altre buté,
Tant qu’il sunt le grant pas dedenz l’encloistre entré.
5460 Mais il se sunt dous feiz enz el cloistre aresté.
1093
Car si tost cum li sainz peut la terre atuchier
E il peut a la terre ses dous piez afichier,
Tuz les empainst de sei, comença a plaidier :
« Que me volez, fait il, detraire e desachier ?
5465 Laissiez mei ! » Dunc l’unt pris e porté al mustier.
1094
Quant l’orent al mustier li moine einsi porté,
Dunc sunt li chevalier dedenz l’encloistre entré,
Les espees es poinz e des haubercs armé,
E uns Hue Mauclerc (einsi l’a um numé ;
5470 Clers ert Robert del Broc, mult plains d’iniquité).
1095
Avant vindrent li quatre pur le mal comencier,
Mais de loinz les siwirent quatre altre chevalier.
Cil Hue alad od els e entra el mustier.
Cil n’i entrerent pas, car li fil l’aversier
5475 Encontrez les aveient el cloistre al repairier.
1096
Contre els unt les uis clos des moines li alquant.
« Ovrez, fait sainz Thomas, quis ala atendant ;
Par sainte obedïence, fait il, le vus comant.
Lur voil lur laissiez faire, ciu sunt e nun savant.
5480 Tant cum tendrez les uis, n’irai un pas avant.
1097
Nuls hum ne deit chastel ne fermeté ne tur
Faire de la maisun Deu, le verai seignur.
Mais nus clerc, qui en sumes ministre e servitur,
En devrium adès estre defendeür,
5485 Faire del cors escu contre le malfaitur. »
1098
Les uis ad il meesmes overt e desbarez,
Buta le pueple ariere, qui i ert asemblez
Pur veer l’aventure. Fait lur il : « Que cremez ? »
Funt li il : « Veez ci les chevaliers armez.
5490 – J’irai, fait il, a els. » Funt li il : « Nel ferez. »
1099
Tresque sur les degrez del Nort l’unt fait aler ;
A guarant as cors sainz le voleient mener.
« Seignur, fait il as moines, car me laissiez ester.
Vus n’avez ci que faire ; Deu en laissiez penser.
5495 Alez la sus el quer a voz vespres chanter. »
1100
La maisnie al Satan est el mustier venue.
En sa destre main tint chascuns s’espee nue,
En l’autre les cuignies, e li quarz besague.
Un pilier ot iluec, – la volte ad sustenue, –
5500 Qui del saint arcevesque lur toli la veüe.
1101
D’une part del pilier en sunt li trei alé,
Le traïtur le rei unt quis e demandé ;
Reinalz de l’altre part, un moine ad encontré ;
Demanda l’arcevesque. Dunc ad li sainz parlé :
5505 « Reinalz, se tu me quiers, fait il, ci m’as trové. »
1102
Le nun de traïtur sainz Thomas n’entendi,
Mais al nun d’arcevesque restut e atendi,
encontre Reinalt del degré descendi.
« Reinalz, se tu me quiers, trové, fait il, m’as ci. »
5510 Par l’acor del mantel l’aveit Reinalz saisi.
1103
« Reinalz, tanz bienz t’ai fait, fait li buens ordenez ;
E que quiers tu sur mei en saint’iglise armez ? »
Fait Reinalz li fiz Urs : « Certes, vus le savrez. »
Sachié l’aveit a sei, que tuz fu remuez :
5515 « Traïtres le rei estes, fait il ; ça en vendrez ! »
1104
Car fors del saint mustier traïnier le quida.
Bien crei que sainz Thomas a cele feiz s’ira
De ço que cil Reinalz le detraist e buta ;
Si ad enpaint Reinalt qu’ariere rehusa,
5520 E l’acor del mantel hors des mains li sacha.
1105
« Fui, malveis hum, d’ici ! fait li sainz corunez.
Jo ne sui pas traïtres, n’en dei estre retez.
– Fuiez ! fait li Reinalz, quant se fu purpensez.
– Nel ferai, fait li sainz. Ici me troverez,
5525 E voz granz felonies ici acumplirez. »
1106
Devers l’ele del Nort s’en est li bers alez,
E a un pilier s’est tenuz e acostez.
(Entre dous alteus est cil piliers maiserez ;
A la mere Deu est cil de desuz sacrez,
5530 El nun saint Beneeit est li altre ordenez.)
1107
La l’unt trait e mené li ministre enragié.
« Asolez, funt il, cels qui sunt escumengié,
E cels qui sunt par vus suspendu e lacié.
– N’en ferai, fait il, plus que je n’ai comencié. »
5535 A oscire l’unt dunc ensemble manecié.
1108
Fait il : « De voz manaces ne sui espoentez ;
Del martire suffrir sui del tut aprestez.
Mais les miens en laissiez aler, nes adesez,
E faites de mei sul ço que faire en devez. »
[171] 5540 N’ad les suens li bons pastre a la mort oblïez.
1109
Einsi avint de Deu, quant il ala orer
Desur Munt Olivete la nuit a l’avesprer,
E cil li comencierent quil quistrent, a crïer :
« U est li Nazareus ? – Ci me poëz trover,
5545 Fist lur Deus ; mais les miens en laissiez tuz aler. »
1110
Dunc l’unt saisi as puinz li fil a l’aversier,
Sil comencent forment a traire e a sachier,
E sur le col Willaume le voldrent enchargier ;
Car la hors le voleient u oscire u lïer.
5550 Mais del pilier nel porent oster ne esluignier.
1111
Car sainz Thomas s’esteit apuiez al piler
Qui suffri mort en cruiz pur s’iglise estorer ;
Ne l’en poeit nuls huem esluignier ne oster.
Mais ore en coveneit un sul a mort livrer,
5555 Al piler del mustier, pur le pueple salver.
1112
Car cil qui mielz deüssent saint’iglise tenser,
La voldrent, e ses menbres, del tut agraventer,
Le piler e le chief qu’il sustint, aterrer.
Icel sanc de pechié covint par sanc laver,
5560 Pur relever le chief, le chief del chief doner.
1113
Mais Deus ne voleit pas qu’il fust traitiez vilment ;
E sil fist pur prover cele malveise gent,
S’osassent el mustier errer si cruelment.
Car il n’a si felun entresqu’en Orïent
5565 Qui en oie parler, qu’il ne s’en espoent.
1114
E maistre Eduvard Grim l’aveit forment saisi,
Enbracié par desus, quant l’orent envaï.
Contre els tuz le retint, de rien ne s’esbahi,
Ne pur les chevaliers ne l’aveit pas guerpi.
5570 Clerc e moine e sergant s’en erent tuit fuï.
1115
Maistre Eduvard le tint, que qu’il l’unt desachié.
« Que volez, fait il, faire ? Estes vus enragié ?
Esguardez u vus estes e quel sunt li feirié.
Main sur vostre arcevesque metez a grant pechié ! »
5575 Mais pur feirié ne l’unt, ne pur mustier, laissié.
1116
Or veit bien sainz Thomas sun martire en present.
Ses mains juint a sun vis, a Damnedeu se rent.
Al martyr saint Denis, qui dulce France apent,
E as sainz de l’iglise se comande erramment,
5580 La cause saint’iglise e la sue ensement.
1117
Vuillaumes vint avant, n’i volt Deu aürer.
Pur estre plus legiers n’i volt hauberc porter.
Le traïtur lu rei comence a demander.
Quant ne porent le saint hors del mustier geter,
5585 Enz el chief de l’espee grant colp li vait duner,
1118
Si que de la corune le cupel en porta
E la hure abati e granment entama.
Sur l’espaule senestre l’espee li cula,
Le mantel e les dras tresqu’al quir encisa,
5590 E le braz Eduvard pres tut en dous colpa.
1119
Dunc l’aveit a cel colp maistre Eduvarz guerpi.
« Ferez, ferez ! » fait il ; mais idunc le feri
Danz Reinalz li fiz Urs, mais pas ne l’abati.
Idunc le referi Willaumes de Traci,
5595 Que tut l’escervelad, e sainz Thomas chaï
1120
(A Saltewode sunt li felun returné.
De lur grant felunie se sunt la nuit vanté ;
Vuillaumes de Traci a dit e afermé
Johan de Salesbire aveit le braz colpé :
5600 Par ço savum qu’il eut maistre Eduvard nafré.)
1121
Pur ço qu’iert desarmez, tut premiers le siwi,
E bien fu coneüz e al vis e al cri.
Une cote vert out e mantel miparti.
Quant il vit que Reinalz li fiz Urs resorti,
5605 Dous feiz, si cum j’ai dit, le saint el chief feri.
1122
Mais quant Richarz li Brez le vit si abatu
E sur le pavement gesir tut estendu,
Un poi en bescoz l’ad des autres colps feru,
Qu’a la pierre ad brisié en dous sun brant molu.
5610 Al Martire en baise un la piece tut a nu.
1123
Que que li felun l’unt feru e detrenchié
E del ferir se sunt durement esforcié,
N’aveit brait ne groni ne crïé ne huchié,
Ne pié ne main n’aveit a sei trait ne sachié ;
5615 Car a Deu out del tut sun corage apuié.
1124
E si cum en Calvaire unt Deu crucifïé
Gïeu, qui si fil erent, e pur l’umain pechié,
La u li forfait erent par justise adrecié,
Unt pur les clers cestui si fil martirizié
5620 La u li mesfait sunt osté e esneié.
1125 Hue de Morevile esteit ultre curuz ;
Chaçout le pueple ariere qui esteit survenuz,
Cremi que l’arcevesques ne lur fust dunc toluz.
Puet cel estre qu’il s’est en sei reconeüz,
5625 E de la felunie s’est einsi defenduz.
1126
Quant en Jersalem fu ocis li fiz Rachel,
Li chevalier Herode, la lignie Ysmael,
Ne li sevrerent pas del chief tut le cupel,
Mais al carnail del frunt retint e a la pel,
5630 Que tut a descovert veïssiez le cervel.
1127
E cil Hue Malclerc, qui après els entra,
Sur le col saint Thomas mist sun pié e ficha ;
Le cervel od l’espee hors del chief li geta
Desur le pavement, e a cels s’escria :
5635 « Alum nus en, fait il ; ja mais ne resurdra ! »
1128
Qui dunc veïst le sanc od le cervel chaïr
E sur le pavement l’un od l’autre gesir,
De roses e de lilies li peüst sovenir :
Car dunc veïst le sanc el blanc cervel rovir,
5640 Le cervel ensement el vermeil sanc blanchir.
1129
Idunc s’en sunt parti li serf d’iniquité.
Parmi l’encloistre ariere s’en erent returné,
Les espees es poinz, e unt « Reaus ! » crïé.
Ainz erent chevalier, or sunt vil e hué ;
5645 Riche erent ainz, or sunt chaü en dolenté.,
1130
Caitif, maleüré, que est ço qu’avez fait ?
De Deu ne de mustier ne tenistes ainc plait.
Tant cum li siecles dure, iert a voz eirs retrait.
Cil dort qui pur les bestes les beaus hummes desfait,
5650 Deus est la sus el ciel, e li regnes mesvait.
1131
Pur l’iglise del Nort, e en l’ele del Nort,
E vers le Nort turnez, suffri sainz Thomas mort.
Pur sa mort l’ad Deus fait e si halt e si fort :
Tuit cristïen li quierent e salu e confort,
5655 Les perillez en mer mainë il a dreit port.
Translation
1033
It was on the 5th day of Christmas when they arrived at Canterbury, on the day after the feast of the Murder of the Holy Innocents [28th December], the day when Herod, with his great cruelty, had had [innocent] children beheaded so that he could have the Deity [the new born Christ] murdered. They arrived at the time when the people had finished their dinner [the main meal of the day, at around 3pm]. 5165
1034
They summoned the knights and serjeants-at-arms from all around [the city] to avenge the shaming of the king. Anyone who wanted to protect the archbishop or to hide him away, was told that the church [of Canterbury cathedral] would be set fire to on the next day, and the whole brought down in ruins. 5170
1035
The provost proclaimed throughout the city [by town crier] a ban [an edict], that no one high or low, should dare to resist whatever was done. Every man who cared for himself needs must be ready fully to aid the king. 5175
1036
Into the courtyard of the archbishop['s palace] they came [rode] like madmen. They got down on foot [from their horses] immediately in front of the great hall. The archbishop [by this time] had just finished eating; he was seated in his chamber amongst his privy circle of clergy. Even the servants had got up from the tables [finished their meals]. 5180
1037
Only the four entered the room [great hall] and one of Ranulf [de Broc]'s archers. But the steward [seneschal] stood in front of them. On their way they had met with him who had already come to meet them at the foot of the stairway. They exchanged mutual greetings and gave him a kiss, he with them and they with him. 5185
1038
The steward was a native of the district, a handsome knight both grand, rich and well endowed with fiefs. At mealtime he had served and then he had dined himself. Then he went into the archbishop's chamber. <<Sire,>> he said, <<may I have a moment of your time please to listen to me?>> 5190
1039
<<With your grace>> he said, <<I wish to go to the court of the king and there to reside, for with the king and his men all is not well for you; that is why I hardly dare to remain with you for the king may come to hate me and accuse me.>> 5195
1040
<<William,>> he said, <<well you have my permission. I have no wish to prevent from going away if you want to go there.>> Then he [William the steward] left him [Becket] and came out onto the stairway, and met with the four royal knights: at their command he re-entered the chamber. 5200
1041
<<Sire,>> he said, <<outside are four knights bachelor of the king.>> But he did not wish to name them. <<They wish to speak with you.>>
The archbishop replied: <<Show them in.>> Immediately William went to fetch them. 5205
1042
All the four were brought into a meeting. They sat down in front of saint Thomas at his feet., and the archer sat himself on the floor behind them. But neither did they greet nor speak to saint Thomas; nor the archbishop to them, who continued to converse with his clerics. 5210
1043
I know not whether our hero did this on purpose, when he did not want to greet them immediately upon their entry, or whether they did not wish to speak so that he may listen to them what was on their minds; or more so because of this, that he was participating so attentively in the discussion with the monks and clerics. 5215
1044
Our holy man pushing himself up on the arm of a monk sat upright, and cast his eyes upon the four of them piteously, and as some have said, he contented himself by only naming only William [de Tracy], addressing only he alone of the four by his name. 5220
1045
The four madmen neither accepted his greeting nor he theirs , and they disregarded him. Their leader very much hated that they might gain salvation. And each of them looked at one another. and then they very much wondered why our hero had not spoken to them. 5225
1046
Some have related that Reginald [fitzUres], when the other three all kept their silence, speaking without any sincerity, said to him: <<May God help thee!>> At this the saintly man became more than red, redder than cloth of choicest scarlet, because he well understood that he [Reginald] had spoken these words with evil intent. 5225
1047
<<The king>> then said Reginald, <<truly has sent a message from across the Channel through us to you. Say if you wish to hear it in private, or do you wish to listen to it before all the people here?>>
Our hero replied to them: <<Just as you wish!>> 5235
1048
<<More at yours!>> they said.
<<[No,] more at yours!>> retorted our hero.
Then St. Thomas told all his followers to go into the gret chamber, except for one who was to stand guard at the door, until he was ready to listen to what they had to say. 5240
1049
But then St. Thomas said: <<Let this door be: the words that I hear must not be concealed from anyone. But allow me immediately to recall all of my clerics back into this room: none of it do I wish to keep from my private circle of advisors ! >> Then they all those came back in straightaway; but I do not know their names. 5245
1050
If they had not returned again like that immediately, if the felons had been armed or had had knives then between then they would have killed him [there and then] . Also for a moment they might have hit and killed him with the staff of a [his?] cross, but God had removed it [from view]. 5250
1051
<<The king>> then said Reginald, <<has sent a message to you from over the sea [saying] that he had made a peace agreement with you, and had proclaimed you to be quit [of any claims from him], and likewise you towards him, but you have not have not kept this agreement well, for you have entered his kingdom in an unwise manner, because you have passed by his fortifications with a train of armed retainers. 5255
1052
<<And the men who crowned his son, including one of his archbishops, who had to go to him and two of his bishops whom he cannot speak to as you have excommunicated them and severed them from God, customs of the kingdom which you want cast down and have gotten rid of.>> 5260
1053
<<And the Young King whom you wish to deprive his crown. Now the king wants to know if you will come and appear before him [in his] court [of law] to be judged and make reparations.
<<I have said>> he said, <<I have rendered unto him all that was due. I do not remember if anything else remains.>>
1054
I have no wish that the Young King should relinquish his crown! Rather I would help him acquire three lawfully. And it would be with his full consent that I would enter into his land; my lord sovereign ought not for this to bring an accusation against me if my own vassals and landholders have escorted me there.
1055
And I am fully ready to be tried by his law in his court, if I have committed any misdemeanour. But he has banned me from his boroughs and cities, and vills and castles: it would be very unfortunate for me if I were found in any, yet the king has recognised the rights of holy Church. 5275
1056
<<The suspensions do not originate from me but from Pope Alexander for they have done wrong and without right when anointing the Young King (may God bless him), and they do not want to come make amends for this.>> 5280
1057
<<But it was through your efforts>> Reginald replied to him << that the king's prelates, these three, were excommunicated. And he wants these censures lifted from them , that you absolve them without further delay, since they were suspended and have been proscribed by you.>> 5285
1091
One of the monks went up to the door to the room; He seized the latch with both hands. At that very moment God performed a miracle: for when he tried to turn it, it fell off in his hands as if it had only been attached with a little glue. The monk opened the door and they passed on through. 5455
1092
So, whether he wanted it or not, they brought him to the cathedral, he who was in expectation of his death. Some pulled him, others pushed him so much so that they succeeded rapidly in reaching the precincts of the monastery However, within the cloister itself, they were held up twice. 5460
1101
Three of the knights went round one side of the column demanding where was the traitor to the king. Reginald went round the other side, meeting with at monk asking him for the archbishop. Then the saint himself spoke: <<Reginald, if you seek me, you see me here before you.>> 5505
1102
St.Thomas paid no heed to being called "a traitor"; but to the name of "Archbishop", he stood up and listened; He went down the steps to meet Reginald. <<Reginald,>> he said, <<if you seek me, I am here.>>
Reginald seized him by the tail of his cape. 5510
1103
<<Reginald,>> said the good priest, <<I have done you many favours; so why have you come fully armed into this holy church looking for me?>>
Reginald fitzUrse answered: <<For certain you will know why.>> Reginald then seized [Becket's] cape so forcibly that he nearly toppled him over: <<You are a traitor to the king! You will come with me.>> 5515
1104
He had, in fact, intended to drag him out of the holy minster. I believe that at this moment St. Thomas became furious with Reginald who was dragging and pulling him; He pushed back Reginald so violently that the latter fell back and the tail mantle of his [Becket's] cloak slipped out of his [Reginald's] hands. 5520
1105 <<Begone from here evil man!>> said the tonsured saint. << I am not a traitor, and must not be accused of being one.>> <<You go!>> said Reginald to him after some reflection. <<No I will not!>> said the saint. <<You will find me here, and you will have to carry out your great evil deeds here.>> 5525 1106 Our hero had made his way to the north transept [of the minster] and was clinging onto a pillar in the vicinity. This pillar rises up between two altars, one consecrated to [Mary] the Mother of God and the other dedicated in the name of St. Benedict. 5530
1107
It was there the beserk functionaries [of the king] had dragged and brought him. <<Absolve>> they said, <<all those whom you have excommunicated and those whom you have suspended and bound [relieved from their ministry].>>
<<I will not do anymore>> he said, <<than I have already said I would do.>>
Then together they threatened to kill him. 5540
1108
Said he: <<Your threats do not frighten me. I am completely ready to suffer martyrdom, but let my people go from here. Do not harm them. Do whatever you must to me alone, that which you have come here to do,>> 5540
1109
Much the same happened to our Lord Jesus, who had, as evening came, gone to pray on the Mount of Olives, Those who sought [to arrest] him began to cry out: "Where is the Nazarene?
<<You can find me here,>> "replied our Lord; <<But let all of my people go.>> 5545
1110
Then these sons of Satan took hold of him with their fists and began to drag and pull him violently, and wanted to heave him up onto William [de Tracy]'s shoulders, as they intended to take him outside either to kill him or tie him up, but they could not tear him away from or pull him off the pillar [to which he had clung]. 5550
1111
It was for this reason: St. Thomas had taken support upon the [true] Pillar [of our faith] who had suffered death on the cross to found His Church. There was absolutely no one who could force him to abandon or tear him away from it. But now it became necessary to put to death one lone man by the pillar in the minster for the salvation of the people. 5555
1112
Indeed those who were best placed to protect Holy Church and its members wanted to bring the whole lot down, that is the Pillar and vault which it held up, to bring it all tumbling down. It was necessary to wash away the sin of spilling of blood there by shedding the blood of its head. 5560
1113
But God did not want him to be treated ignominiously; perhaps he did this to test whether or not these evil people would dare to commit so cruel a sin in a minster [cathedral], as indeed there is no wicked person between here and the Orient [in all of Christendom] who, having been told of it, would not flinch. 5565
1114
And as they attacked him [Becket] Master Edward Grim took hold of him [Becket] strongly, in an embrace around the top [of his body] holding him back against all of them. He was not scared of any of the knights, nor did he abandon him. Clerics, monks, servants had fled [from the scene]. 5570
1115
But Master Edward [Grim] held onto him fast, as they tried to tear him [Becket] away. <<What are you doing?>> he [Edward Grim] said, <<Are you mad? Look where you are and at the festival being celebrated [Christmas week]. Laying your hands on your archbishop is a grave sin!>> But they did not leave go of him neither for the sake of Christmastide nor the [sacred] minster. 5575
1116
Now St.Thomas saw well that his martyrdom was imminent: with his hands clasped over his eyes, to the Lord God he immediately surrendered himself and the cause of holy Church to Saint Denis the martyr, who belonged to sweet France, and to the saints of the church which he was head. 5580
1117
William [de Tracy] had got there first: he had not come there to pray to God. To make himself lighter he had not wanted to put on his hauberk. He began to shout out [to him] <<Traitor to the king!>>. Since he and his accomplices were not able to drag the saint out of the church, he advanced striking him with a great blow to his head with his sword, 5585
1118
which struck the very top of his tonsure, deeply cutting his felt cap and knocking it off. The blade slid down his [Becket's] left shoulder cutting through his coat and other clothes through to the skin. It almost severed Master Edward's [Edward Grim] arm in two. 5590
1119
After this blow Master Edward let go of holding him. <<Strike, Strike!>> he said at that time. then Reginald fitzUrse struck him, but did not bring him down. Then William de Tracy struck him again [on the head] which completely dashed out his brains. [At this] St Thomas fell down dead. 5595
1120
We know it was he who inflicted this blow, for at Saltwood, after the felons had returned there, they had bragged about their great villainy that night. William de Tracy boasted and affirmed that it was he who had cut off the arms of John of Salisbury. 5600
1121
As he had not worn his armour he was the first to reach him. And well he was known by his face and his cry: he was wearing a green coat and a bi-coloured [divided down the middle] mantle. When he had seen Reginald fitzUrse make a retreat and, as I have said, had struck the saint twice on his head. 5605
1122
But when Richard le Breton saw that he had thus been hit and was lying fully outstretched on the flagstones. He struck with his sword a little to the side of the other blows, so much so that he broke it in two on the paving stones. (And now when we kiss the martyr as he lies in his shrine one piece of this is plain for all to see. 5610
1123
The very same which the felons had used to strike him with and cut him down ) Neither foot nor hand did he [Becket] attempt to withdraw, nor sought to protect himself, because he had taken up all his moral support and courage from God 5615
1124
And in the same manner when God [Jesus] was crucified on Calvary, where his sons the Jews justice was exercised in redress for crimes, thus was this same man martyred for his sons, the clerics, there in this same place where sins are expunged and cleansed, 5620
1123
In spite of the blows which the felons struck him with which cut him to pieces, notwithstanding their determination to strike him, neither did he howl, nor groan, nor cry nor shout out. Neither did he seek to protect himself by withdrawing either leg or arm, because he had sought the moral support of and taken up all his courage from God. 5615
1124
Like when God [Jesus] was crucified on Calvary, by the Jews, who were His sons, thereby allowing mankind to be redeemed, in the place where justice was done to redress crime, so it was he was martyred this our saint sacrificing himself in the defense of clerics, his own sons. in that very place where sins are expunged and washed away. 5620
1125
Hugh de Moreville had run on further; he pushed back people who had come to look on. He was afraid lest the archbishop might be taken from them. Perhaps in a moment of refelction he had seen sense, and from commission of the felony he could excuse himself. 5625
1126
When the son of Rachel [Joseph] was killed in Jerusalem by the armed guard of Herod, [veritable] descendants of the line of Ishmael, even though they did not sever the whole of the crown of his head, for this remained attached to the flesh and skin of the forehead, but all could see the brain therein. 5630
1127
Hugh Mauclerc, who had entered after them, had put his foot on the neck of St.Thomas; with his sword, he pulled his brains out of his [St. Thomas'] head and threw them on the paving stones, and after that he cried out: <<Let's go: he will never rise again!>> 5635
1128
Whoever then may have seen the blood with the brain fall thrown onto the paving stones the one with the other would have been reminded of roses and lilies: indeed for then he would have seen the blood purify the whiteness of the brain and, likewise, the brains whiten the vermilion of the blood. 5640
References
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Emmanuel Walberg (1936). Les Classiques français du Moyen Age. Librarie Honoré Champion. pp. 159–.
Recueil d'anciens textes bas-latins provençause et française, accompagnés de deux glossaires. 19. Garnier du Pont-Sainte-Maxence- Saint Thomas le Martyr: Franck. 1874. pp. 303–.
William Urry (1999). Thomas Becket: His Last Days. Chapter 4 The Interview at the Palace: Sutton. pp. 100–. ISBN 978-0-7509-2179-4.
Historical memorials of Canterbury p.51-
<<And the Young King whom you wish to deprive his crown. Now the king wants to know if you will come and appear before him [in his] court [of law] to be judged and make reparations.
<<I have said>> he said, <<I have rendered unto him all that was due. I do not remember if anything else remains.>>
1054
I have no wish that the Young King should relinquish his crown! Rather I would help him acquire three lawfully. And it would be with his full consent that I would enter into his land; my lord sovereign ought not for this to bring an accusation against me if my own vassals and landholders have escorted me there.
1055
And I am fully ready to be tried by his law in his court, if I have committed any misdemeanour. But he has banned me from his boroughs and cities, and vills and castles: it would be very unfortunate for me if I were found in any, yet the king has recognised the rights of holy Church. 5275
1056
<<The suspensions do not originate from me but from Pope Alexander for they have done wrong and without right when anointing the Young King (may God bless him), and they do not want to come make amends for this.>> 5280
1057
<<But it was through your efforts>> Reginald replied to him << that the king's prelates, these three, were excommunicated. And he wants these censures lifted from them , that you absolve them without further delay, since they were suspended and have been proscribed by you.>> 5285
1057
<<But it was at your insistence>> Reginald replied to him,<<that the king's prelates, all three were made excommunicate, and it from this he wants them to be released, and that you should absolve them without further delay since they were suspended and have been proscribed by you.>> 5285
1058
<<I am not denying>> said he [Thomas], <<that it was not done at my request, but they neither sought help from me nor succour, and it is now to our Pope that all three must hasten, because for most just reasons they now fall under his jurisdiction. I will obey and execute his [the Pope’s] orders.>> 5290
1059
The sons of Satan said: <<Now since you are being so foolish the king orders that you must leave his land together with those whom you have brought with you. You have all been expelled.>>
St Thomas was neither frightened nor dismayed by this. He responded to them in this way: <<How beautifully you threaten.>> 5295
1060
<<Never will anyone make me leave this country.>>
<<What!>> they said to him, <<not even if it was the king who was making you go?>>
<<No! I will never again be found overseas. I will leave for no one. It is here you will find me.>>
These words brought on very great anger in them. 5300
1061
<<You have no right to bring me such a message,>> he continued, <<because my lord the king is so loyal and so honest he would never wish to address me in such words and he would refuse to confirm them.>>
<<He will confirm them and we will bring them back to you.>> 5305
1062
St Thomas replied: <<Very much I complaint of his men who sinfully hold our churches by force, and who have battered my men and cut off the tail of my pack horse [sumpter horse] and taken away my barrels of wine with violence, those which my lord the king was conveying to me. 5310
1063
Said Reginald: << If the the men of the sovereign lord of the kingdom have acted badly towards you or done you wrong, why haven’t you made this known immediately to the king who with the counsel of his barons put this right.
Then the saint raising his head replied: 5315
1064
<<If it is necessary to bring witnesses to testify I will tell you, Reginald, that you were present with two hundred mounted warriors. Then the king would concede to me that you must have been seeking vengeance for the wrongs you have done to holy church. I would ask for redress, and he would necessarily agree with me, as it applies to my calling.>> 5320
<<If it is necessary to bring witnesses to testify I will tell you, Reginald, that you were present with two hundred mounted warriors. Then the king would concede to me that you must have been seeking vengeance for the wrongs you have done to holy church. I would ask for redress, and he would necessarily agree with me, as it applies to my calling.>> 5320
1065
You have always dishonored him and you continue to dishonor him. <<Not at all,>> said St. Thomas; <<I do not consider him a traitor; I do not seek to cover him with shame, but to increase his honour. However, he allowed me to judge these men on the day when God, between us, established concord and friendship.
You have always dishonored him and you continue to dishonor him. <<Not at all,>> said St. Thomas; <<I do not consider him a traitor; I do not seek to cover him with shame, but to increase his honour. However, he allowed me to judge these men on the day when God, between us, established concord and friendship.
1066
I complained to him of
these individuals naming them, and he granted me - two
hundred witnesses could hear it - to exercise against them the fullness
of my rights. He does not meddle with the problems which belong to my
clerks and myself; I will judge these men as it is my duty to do.
1067
<<As I myself have complained to him about these men, naming them, and he gave me permission, within the hearing of two hundred witnesses, that I might take from them my full legal right. He does not meddle with the problems which belong to my clerks and myself; I will judge these men as it is my duty to do.>> 5335
1068
<<I cannot run to court for every misdeed, therefore, as a priest, I will use divine justice against those who do wrong against holy mother Church.>>
<<These are threats.>> they said, <<Vengeance will be taken for them if you do not absolve those whom you have sentenced [with suspension and excommunication].5340
1069
<<If you have come here on behalf of the king, it is not by uttering threats that you will make me more afraid." You can stab here, on my bare neck with a worthless knife; No one will prevent you from doing this.>> He put his hand on his neck. And they left. 5345
1070
<<And these are more than just mere threats.>> shouting very loudly, shamefully defying the holy archbishop. And they ordered by public edict in the name of the king that all must leave immediately from there, as dearly would they pay for it if anyone stayed. 5350
1071
And they ordered the monks that were found therein in the name of the king that they must hold and detain him, for if he were to flee, they would demand from them that they must render to them what was due to deliver him up to them. The saint himself had risen, as he had heard and noted their defiance 5355.
1072
He had followed the knights as far as the door to the chamber when he heard their defiance, because he had heard them very well.
Said St. Thomas to Hugh: <<What did you say? for you must repeat it!>>
They did not say a word to him, as much they left him But he would rather they had killed and murdered him then. 5360
1073
St. Thomas returned and sat himself don on his bed, becoming such as if he had met a ghost. John of Salisbury then said to him: <<Sire, always always you have rejected our advice; it seems that you have always chosen to follow your own heart. 5365
1074
<<What is it that you want me to do, Master John?>> replied our hero.
<<You should have summoned your council of advisors when the knights came here to talk to you. If only for the reason they had come to deliver upon you the stroke of death. But no one is able to drag you away for your own resolution to follow your own conscience.>> he [John of Salisbury] replied.
1075
Said St Thomas to him: <<We all have to die; fear of death truly will not cause me to bend from the path of justice, but for the love of God I will endure death; They are no more ready in their intent to strike me than my courage is to endure martyrdom.>> 5375
1076
Master John said to him: <<We are not yet ready for this that we should now be struck down dead, because we will be found to be in a state of sin and wretchedness, and I see no one except you who will die in a state of grace.>>
<<So,>> said the saint, <<let the will of God be done.>> 5380
1077
Meanwhile, outside the knights armed themselves: they took off their surcoats and fastened around their waists their steel longswords. For each of them was to arrive armed upon his destrier. All were ready to begin to do great evil. There were found there enough people to report their arrival to the archbishop. 5385
1078
<<Sire,>> said the monks <<go into the minster, for there they are chanting the hour of vespers from which you ought not to be absent. These knights want to arrest you and cut you up.>>
<<Verily not I,>> said he <<for none of this dismays me. I will await here for the judgement of God in its fullness.>> 5390
1079 After they had armed themselves the four knights bachelor came to the doors of the hall, but they could not gain entry there; for those who had been inside after they gone, had barred them firmly. Then they began to batter the doors fiercely, for they wanted either to seize the saint or to cut him up. 5395
1080 But they could not bring down the doors by force. Robert de Broc, who usually contrived the most evil, said to them: <<Follow me, my noble and free knights, I will now get you in by another way.>> They made their way towards the kitchen by way of the kitchen garden [orchard?]. 5400
1081
Next to the door to the apartments overlooking the garden was an auriel [covered gallery], which had been erected a long time previously. Needing restoration its staircase had been demolished and the carpenters who were working on it had gone for a meal. The knights came to this auriel. 5405
1082
By this means, Robert de Broc gained entry to the apartments. The knights climbed up ladders found there . They brought with them the tools, twybills and hatchets, belonging to the carpenters who were working on the staircase, to use to break down any door they found closed against them. 5410
1083
When St. Thomas’ people heard them coming, they began to take flight like sheep on the arrival of wolves, like the apostles did when the household guard of Pilate came to seize Jesus, who had come into this world to die to found his Church. 5415
1084
Of all his servants there remained not a single one, except a few of his clerics, of whom some were of great valour, including Master Edward [Grim] and some monks of whom I know not how many, who took hold of St. Thomas as he was still sitting awaiting death in this place and the end of his days. 5420
1085
In fact, since his return from exile from over the sea, he said (and several witnesses have related this to me) that he would die within the year; He clearly affirmed it. For in this year then, in which less than three days remained (the 29th of December which was to see his end) had almost passed away. 5425
1086
Even on Christmas Day they had heard him declare before the many who had come to listen to his sermon: <<I have come here amongst you to suffer the sufferings of death.>> Now the day had come in which to fulfil this promise that his life and death were to make him a highly exalted martyr. 5430
1087
And then at the end of his sermon prophetically wthin the hearing of many witnesses, to one of his clerks, Alexander of Wales: <<Indeed, here within this place there is a martyr, St. Alfege; If it pleases God, you will soon have another.>> 5435
1088
It was for this reason that he waited for them there and did not wish to flee, for he was certain of it and completely ready to die. Believing that no one would dare to mount an attack on him in the cathedral, he therefore waited for them there, not wishing to avoid death. But God wanted it to be done in a better, more dear place. 5440
1089
They then began to lead him to the minster, but they had to use brute force; you would have seen some were dragging him, whilst others were pushing him But in order to get there they had to make their way past a solid wall and past bolted doors. 5445
1090
There was another room adjoining the others. It served as a secret passage to the cloister; But at this time of day it was locked with a large latch. Those conducting him became quite alarmed when they saw that their way was all quite blocked. 5450
1091
One of the monks went up to the door to the room; He seized the latch with both hands. At that very moment God performed a miracle: for when he tried to turn it, it fell off in his hands as if it had only been attached with a little glue. The monk opened the door and they passed on through. 5455
1092
So, whether he wanted it or not, they brought him to the cathedral, he who was in expectation of his death. Some pulled him, others pushed him so much so that they succeeded rapidly in reaching the precincts of the monastery However, within the cloister itself, they were held up twice. 5460
1093
For as soon as the saint could touch the ground and was able to stand firmly on it on his own two feet, he then pushed away forcefully all those who were pushing him, and began to complain:
<<What do you want of me?>> he said, <<Stop pushing and pulling me. Let me go!>>
They then took hold of him [again] and carried him off into the minster building.
1094
Having carried him into the cathedral four knights then entered the cloister with their swords drawn and in their hand, wearing their chain mail [hauberks]. And one of them, Hugh Mauclerk. [“evil clerk” as he was so-named] clerk to Roberts de Broc, was full of iniquity.
1095
These four felons came to begin their evil deed, whilst a little further behind them four other knights followed.. Hugh joined with the first four entering the cathedral. The other four did not enter. In fact, the sons of the devil had gone to meet them in the cloister. 5475
1096
Some of the monks in order to stop them had barred the doors.
<<Open them,>> said St. Thomas, who awaited the knights, <<I command you, by virtue of holy obedience which you must respect, to let them do what they intend. They are blind and know not what they do. As long as you keep the doors barred, I will not go one step further.>> 5480
1097
<<No one must turn the house of God, our true Lord, into a castle, a fortress or a keep. But we clerics, who have care of them, and who must maintain them, must ceaselessly be their defenders and make our own bodies as shields against the wicked.>> 5485
1098
He himself removed the bars from the doors and opened them; and pushed back the crowd that had assembled in that place to oppose the attack. <<What are you afraid of?>> he said to them. "Here are the knights at arms! I will go and meet them.>>
They said to him, <<Do not do that.>> 5490
1099
They took him as far as the north staircase. They wanted to bring him to a place under the protection of the bodies [relics] of the saints.
<<For the Lord’s sake,>> he said to the monks. <<leave me be. You have nothing to do here. Let God turn his thoughts to it. Go up into the choir and chant your vespers.>> 5495
1100
Satan’s bodyguard entered the cathedral. Each of them held a drawn sword in their right hand. In the other [hand] three of them held an axe; the fourth had a [carpenter’s] twybill. There was a large column which held up the vault [of the cathedral]. It concealed the archbishop from their view. 55001101
Three of the knights went round one side of the column demanding where was the traitor to the king. Reginald went round the other side, meeting with at monk asking him for the archbishop. Then the saint himself spoke: <<Reginald, if you seek me, you see me here before you.>> 5505
1102
St.Thomas paid no heed to being called "a traitor"; but to the name of "Archbishop", he stood up and listened; He went down the steps to meet Reginald. <<Reginald,>> he said, <<if you seek me, I am here.>>
Reginald seized him by the tail of his cape. 5510
1103
<<Reginald,>> said the good priest, <<I have done you many favours; so why have you come fully armed into this holy church looking for me?>>
Reginald fitzUrse answered: <<For certain you will know why.>> Reginald then seized [Becket's] cape so forcibly that he nearly toppled him over: <<You are a traitor to the king! You will come with me.>> 5515
1104
He had, in fact, intended to drag him out of the holy minster. I believe that at this moment St. Thomas became furious with Reginald who was dragging and pulling him; He pushed back Reginald so violently that the latter fell back and the tail mantle of his [Becket's] cloak slipped out of his [Reginald's] hands. 5520
1105 <<Begone from here evil man!>> said the tonsured saint. << I am not a traitor, and must not be accused of being one.>> <<You go!>> said Reginald to him after some reflection. <<No I will not!>> said the saint. <<You will find me here, and you will have to carry out your great evil deeds here.>> 5525 1106 Our hero had made his way to the north transept [of the minster] and was clinging onto a pillar in the vicinity. This pillar rises up between two altars, one consecrated to [Mary] the Mother of God and the other dedicated in the name of St. Benedict. 5530
1107
It was there the beserk functionaries [of the king] had dragged and brought him. <<Absolve>> they said, <<all those whom you have excommunicated and those whom you have suspended and bound [relieved from their ministry].>>
<<I will not do anymore>> he said, <<than I have already said I would do.>>
Then together they threatened to kill him. 5540
1108
Said he: <<Your threats do not frighten me. I am completely ready to suffer martyrdom, but let my people go from here. Do not harm them. Do whatever you must to me alone, that which you have come here to do,>> 5540
1109
Much the same happened to our Lord Jesus, who had, as evening came, gone to pray on the Mount of Olives, Those who sought [to arrest] him began to cry out: "Where is the Nazarene?
<<You can find me here,>> "replied our Lord; <<But let all of my people go.>> 5545
1110
Then these sons of Satan took hold of him with their fists and began to drag and pull him violently, and wanted to heave him up onto William [de Tracy]'s shoulders, as they intended to take him outside either to kill him or tie him up, but they could not tear him away from or pull him off the pillar [to which he had clung]. 5550
1111
It was for this reason: St. Thomas had taken support upon the [true] Pillar [of our faith] who had suffered death on the cross to found His Church. There was absolutely no one who could force him to abandon or tear him away from it. But now it became necessary to put to death one lone man by the pillar in the minster for the salvation of the people. 5555
1112
Indeed those who were best placed to protect Holy Church and its members wanted to bring the whole lot down, that is the Pillar and vault which it held up, to bring it all tumbling down. It was necessary to wash away the sin of spilling of blood there by shedding the blood of its head. 5560
1113
But God did not want him to be treated ignominiously; perhaps he did this to test whether or not these evil people would dare to commit so cruel a sin in a minster [cathedral], as indeed there is no wicked person between here and the Orient [in all of Christendom] who, having been told of it, would not flinch. 5565
1114
And as they attacked him [Becket] Master Edward Grim took hold of him [Becket] strongly, in an embrace around the top [of his body] holding him back against all of them. He was not scared of any of the knights, nor did he abandon him. Clerics, monks, servants had fled [from the scene]. 5570
1115
But Master Edward [Grim] held onto him fast, as they tried to tear him [Becket] away. <<What are you doing?>> he [Edward Grim] said, <<Are you mad? Look where you are and at the festival being celebrated [Christmas week]. Laying your hands on your archbishop is a grave sin!>> But they did not leave go of him neither for the sake of Christmastide nor the [sacred] minster. 5575
1116
Now St.Thomas saw well that his martyrdom was imminent: with his hands clasped over his eyes, to the Lord God he immediately surrendered himself and the cause of holy Church to Saint Denis the martyr, who belonged to sweet France, and to the saints of the church which he was head. 5580
1117
William [de Tracy] had got there first: he had not come there to pray to God. To make himself lighter he had not wanted to put on his hauberk. He began to shout out [to him] <<Traitor to the king!>>. Since he and his accomplices were not able to drag the saint out of the church, he advanced striking him with a great blow to his head with his sword, 5585
1118
which struck the very top of his tonsure, deeply cutting his felt cap and knocking it off. The blade slid down his [Becket's] left shoulder cutting through his coat and other clothes through to the skin. It almost severed Master Edward's [Edward Grim] arm in two. 5590
1119
After this blow Master Edward let go of holding him. <<Strike, Strike!>> he said at that time. then Reginald fitzUrse struck him, but did not bring him down. Then William de Tracy struck him again [on the head] which completely dashed out his brains. [At this] St Thomas fell down dead. 5595
1120
We know it was he who inflicted this blow, for at Saltwood, after the felons had returned there, they had bragged about their great villainy that night. William de Tracy boasted and affirmed that it was he who had cut off the arms of John of Salisbury. 5600
1121
As he had not worn his armour he was the first to reach him. And well he was known by his face and his cry: he was wearing a green coat and a bi-coloured [divided down the middle] mantle. When he had seen Reginald fitzUrse make a retreat and, as I have said, had struck the saint twice on his head. 5605
1122
But when Richard le Breton saw that he had thus been hit and was lying fully outstretched on the flagstones. He struck with his sword a little to the side of the other blows, so much so that he broke it in two on the paving stones. (And now when we kiss the martyr as he lies in his shrine one piece of this is plain for all to see. 5610
1123
The very same which the felons had used to strike him with and cut him down ) Neither foot nor hand did he [Becket] attempt to withdraw, nor sought to protect himself, because he had taken up all his moral support and courage from God 5615
1124
And in the same manner when God [Jesus] was crucified on Calvary, where his sons the Jews justice was exercised in redress for crimes, thus was this same man martyred for his sons, the clerics, there in this same place where sins are expunged and cleansed, 5620
1123
In spite of the blows which the felons struck him with which cut him to pieces, notwithstanding their determination to strike him, neither did he howl, nor groan, nor cry nor shout out. Neither did he seek to protect himself by withdrawing either leg or arm, because he had sought the moral support of and taken up all his courage from God. 5615
1124
Like when God [Jesus] was crucified on Calvary, by the Jews, who were His sons, thereby allowing mankind to be redeemed, in the place where justice was done to redress crime, so it was he was martyred this our saint sacrificing himself in the defense of clerics, his own sons. in that very place where sins are expunged and washed away. 5620
1125
Hugh de Moreville had run on further; he pushed back people who had come to look on. He was afraid lest the archbishop might be taken from them. Perhaps in a moment of refelction he had seen sense, and from commission of the felony he could excuse himself. 5625
1126
When the son of Rachel [Joseph] was killed in Jerusalem by the armed guard of Herod, [veritable] descendants of the line of Ishmael, even though they did not sever the whole of the crown of his head, for this remained attached to the flesh and skin of the forehead, but all could see the brain therein. 5630
1127
Hugh Mauclerc, who had entered after them, had put his foot on the neck of St.Thomas; with his sword, he pulled his brains out of his [St. Thomas'] head and threw them on the paving stones, and after that he cried out: <<Let's go: he will never rise again!>> 5635
1128
Whoever then may have seen the blood with the brain fall thrown onto the paving stones the one with the other would have been reminded of roses and lilies: indeed for then he would have seen the blood purify the whiteness of the brain and, likewise, the brains whiten the vermilion of the blood. 5640
1129
They then left these thralls of iniquity. They retraced their way back through the cloister with swords in hand crying out: <<King’s Men!>>. Once they were [noble] knights now they have become base and tainted. Once they were rich and powerful, but have now fallen into wretchedness. 5645
1130
<<Despicable misfortunates what have you done? You have not thought once of God or of the [spiritual nature of the] minster. Are they asleep those people who hunt and cut down fine men like beasts of game? God is in heaven above and the kingdoms below fall into disarray.>> 5650
1131
For it was for the Church of the North, in the North aisle [of the minster] with his head turned facing the North St. Thomas met his death. Because of the manner of his death God has now exalted him on high as a rock of faith. All Christians now pray to him for health and solace: he often leads those in peril on the sea into a safe haven. 5655
References
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Emmanuel Walberg (1936). Les Classiques français du Moyen Age. Librarie Honoré Champion. pp. 159–.
Recueil d'anciens textes bas-latins provençause et française, accompagnés de deux glossaires. 19. Garnier du Pont-Sainte-Maxence- Saint Thomas le Martyr: Franck. 1874. pp. 303–.
William Urry (1999). Thomas Becket: His Last Days. Chapter 4 The Interview at the Palace: Sutton. pp. 100–. ISBN 978-0-7509-2179-4.
Historical memorials of Canterbury p.51-
by Stanley, Arthur Penrhyn
The Murder of Becket
https://archive.org/stream/historicalcanterbur00stanuoft#page/51/mode/1up/search/martyrdom
The Murder of Becket
https://archive.org/stream/historicalcanterbur00stanuoft#page/51/mode/1up/search/martyrdom
Chapter II: The Breaking Open of the Palace
Frank Barlow (1990). Thomas Becket. University of California Press. pp. 240–. ISBN 978-0-520-07175-9.
Michael Staunton (7 December 2001). The Lives of Thomas Becket. Manchester University Press. pp. 194–. ISBN 978-0-7190-5455-6.
James Craigie Robertson; Thomas Becket (st., abp. of Canterbury.) (1859). Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, a biography. pp. 268–.
Bocke, Mary Annette, "An Annotated Translation of the Life of Saint Thomas, the Archbishop of Canterbury By William, a Monk of Canterbury" (1946). Master's Theses. Paper 57.
http://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/57 pp. 83-97 §36 §37 §38 §39 §40 §41 §42 §43 §44
Sinclair, Mary Aelred, "An Annotated Translation of the Life of St. Thomas Becket By William Fitzstephen: (Part Two)" (1944). Master's Theses. Paper 369.
http://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/369 pp. 76-93
http://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/684
Book 5 pp.34-
11. Renewal of the King's Wrath and the Arrival of the Executioners
Book 6 pp 39-
1. The knights collect in an armed cohort and pour into the
palace; the Champion of Christ enters the church; the words
of the executioners.
2. The meeting of the Champion of Christ with the executioners;
the point he drives home in speaking to them.
3. The disciple, who wrote these things, gives his reason for
his moroseness in describing thecontest of so mighty a
Champion.
4. The martyrdom and how it was carried out; a mention of a
certain cleric who thrust his arm between the on-coming
sword and the head of the Champion.
5. The Champion's powerful invective under threat of anathema
lest the executioners harm any of his people; the great and
glorious announcement of his martyrdom.
Toutant, Mary Aimee du Sacre-Coeur, "An Annotated Translation of the Life of St. Thomas Becket By An Anonymous Author Number 2" (1944). Master's Theses. Paper 403. [Anonymous of Lambeth]http://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/403
Chapter XLVI p. 103-10
Reason and Manner of his Death
Chapter 78 How the Enemies of God Spoke Evil Against The Holy Archbishop Thomas
Eiríkr Magnússon . Thómas Saga Erkibyskups: A Life of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Icelandic. KAP. LXXVIII: Cambridge University Press. pp. 522–. ISBN 978-1-108-04921-4.
Eiríkr Magnússon. Thómas Saga Erkibyskups: A Life of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Icelandic. Chapter 78: Cambridge University Press. pp. 523–. ISBN 978-1-108-04921-4.
https://archive.org/stream/thmassagaerkiby01magngoog#page/n540/mode/2up
Chapter 79 How the Knights Came Back To Their Followers
Eiríkr Magnússon. Thómas Saga Erkibyskups: A Life of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Icelandic. KAP LXXIX: Cambridge University Press. pp. 532–. ISBN 978-1-108-04921-4.
Eiríkr Magnússon (1875). Thómas Saga Erkibyskups0: In Icelandic, with English Translation, Notes and Glossary. Chapter 79: Longman. pp. 533–.
https://archive.org/stream/thmassagaerkiby01magngoog#page/n550/mode/2up
Chapter 80 The Death of Archbishop Thomas
Eiríkr Magnússon (1875). Thómas Saga Erkibyskups0: In Icelandic, with English Translation, Notes and Glossary. KAP. LXXX: Longman. pp. 542–.
iríkr Magnússon (1875). Thómas Saga Erkibyskups0: In Icelandic, with English Translation, Notes and Glossary. Chapter 80: Longman. pp. 543–.
https://archive.org/stream/thmassagaerkiby01magngoog#page/n560/mode/2up
Benedict of Peterborough - Internet History Sourcebooks Project
https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/1170benedict-becket.asp
Gesta Regis Henrici: the Chronicle of the reign of Henry the Second pp. 11-
https://archive.org/stream/gestaregishenric01stub#page/11/mode/1up
John Allen Giles (1846). The Life and Letters of Thomas À Becket: Now First Gathered from the Contemporary Historians. Chapter XXXIX: Whittaker. pp. 317–.
Richard Hurrell Froude; James Bowling Mozley (1839). Remains of the Late Reverend Richard Hurrell Froude: v. 2. J. G. & F. Rivington. pp. 552–.
James J. Spigelman (2004). Becket & Henry: The Becket Lectures. James Spigelman. pp. 257–. ISBN 978-0-646-43477-3.
Edward Grim's account
Materials for the History of Thomas Becket Vol II pp 430-
https://archive.org/stream/materialsforhist02robe#page/430/mode/1up
John Holmes Agnew; Walter Hilliard Bidwell (1854). Eclectic Magazine: Foreign Literature. Volume XXXI No. 1 (From Quartely Review ed.). The Murder of Thomas a Becket: Leavitt, Throw and Company. pp. 28–.
https://archive.org/stream/eclecticmagazin37unkngoog#page/n44/mode/1up/search/becket
Historical memorials of Canterbury by Dean Arthur Penrhyn Stanley (1906)
https://archive.org/stream/historicalcanterbur00stanuoft#page/51/mode/1up/search/murder
Life and times of Thomas Becket (1878) by Froude, James Anthony, pp. 104-
https://archive.org/stream/lifetimesofthoma00frou#page/104/mode/1up/
Bocke, Mary Annette, "An Annotated Translation of the Life of Saint Thomas, the Archbishop of Canterbury By William, a Monk of Canterbury" (1946). Master's Theses. 57.
http://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/57 https://goo.gl/nMn1AO
LA VIE ET LA MORT DE SAINT THOMAS DE CANTORBERY, PAR GARNIER DE PONT-SAINTE-MAXENCE
LE ROUX DE LINCY
Bibliothèque de l’École des chartes
Vol. 4 (1842-1843), pp. 208-241
Published by: Librairie Droz
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/42997584
Archaeologia Cantiana. Kent Archaeological Society. 1876. pp. 10–.
Shame, Masculinity, and the Death of Thomas Becket
Hugh M. Thomas
Speculum
Vol. 87, No. 4 (OCTOBER 2012), pp. 1050-1088
Published by: The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Medieval Academy of America
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/23488629
Tools Used
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Jean-Guy Gouttebroze; Ambroise Queffélec (1990). La vie de saint Thomas Becket. Libr. H. Champion. ISBN 978-2-85203-111-1.
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Janet Shirley (1975). Garnier's Becket: translated from the 12th-century Vie saint Thomas le martyr de Cantorbire of Garnier of Pont-Sainte-Maxence. Phillimore. ISBN 978-0-85033-200-1.
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Ian Short (2013). A Life of Thomas Becket in Verse. Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies. ISBN 978-0-88844-306-9.
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Jacques Thomas (2002). La vie de Saint Thomas de Canterbury. Volume 1. Peeters. ISBN 978-90-429-1188-8.
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Jacques Thomas (2002). La vie de Saint Thomas de Canterbury. Volume 2. Peeters. ISBN 978-90-429-1202-1.
John Holmes Agnew; Walter Hilliard Bidwell (1854). Eclectic Magazine: Foreign Literature. Volume XXXI No. 1 (From Quartely Review ed.). The Murder of Thomas a Becket: Leavitt, Throw and Company. pp. 28–.
https://archive.org/stream/eclecticmagazin37unkngoog#page/n44/mode/1up/search/becket
Historical memorials of Canterbury by Dean Arthur Penrhyn Stanley (1906)
https://archive.org/stream/historicalcanterbur00stanuoft#page/51/mode/1up/search/murder
Life and times of Thomas Becket (1878) by Froude, James Anthony, pp. 104-
https://archive.org/stream/lifetimesofthoma00frou#page/104/mode/1up/
Bocke, Mary Annette, "An Annotated Translation of the Life of Saint Thomas, the Archbishop of Canterbury By William, a Monk of Canterbury" (1946). Master's Theses. 57.
http://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/57 https://goo.gl/nMn1AO
LA VIE ET LA MORT DE SAINT THOMAS DE CANTORBERY, PAR GARNIER DE PONT-SAINTE-MAXENCE
LE ROUX DE LINCY
Bibliothèque de l’École des chartes
Vol. 4 (1842-1843), pp. 208-241
Published by: Librairie Droz
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/42997584
Archaeologia Cantiana. Kent Archaeological Society. 1876. pp. 10–.
Shame, Masculinity, and the Death of Thomas Becket
Hugh M. Thomas
Speculum
Vol. 87, No. 4 (OCTOBER 2012), pp. 1050-1088
Published by: The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Medieval Academy of America
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/23488629
Tools Used
Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicales - Étymologie
Middle English Dictionary - University of Michigan
Oxford English Dictionary
Middle English Dictionary - University of Michigan
Oxford English Dictionary
Rosalind Fergusson; Martin H. Manser; David Pickering (2004). The Penguin Thesaurus. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-14-101848-5.
Translations
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Janet Shirley (1975). Garnier's Becket: translated from the 12th-century Vie saint Thomas le martyr de Cantorbire of Garnier of Pont-Sainte-Maxence. Phillimore. ISBN 978-0-85033-200-1.
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Ian Short (2013). A Life of Thomas Becket in Verse. Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies. ISBN 978-0-88844-306-9.
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Jacques Thomas (2002). La vie de Saint Thomas de Canterbury. Volume 1. Peeters. ISBN 978-90-429-1188-8.
Guernes (de Pont-Sainte-Maxence); Jacques Thomas (2002). La vie de Saint Thomas de Canterbury. Volume 2. Peeters. ISBN 978-90-429-1202-1.
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