Thomas Saga: The Pope Discusses Constitutions of Clarendon at Sens, 1164

Extracts from

Eiríkr Magnússon. Thómas Saga Erkibyskups: A Life of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Icelandic. Volume 1 Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-04921-4.

https://archive.org/details/thmassagaerkiby01magngoog

CHAP. XLI

Of the messengers of Thomas.

Now the messengers of king Henry, coming to the

pope's court with their riches and presents the day before

the poor messengers of the archbishop Thomas, set

forth among the cardinals their plea, and hold out to

them their wealth, in order to gain their countenance.

Here the things go even according to the ways of the

world, that men are right unlike each other, some for-

feiting rightwiseness and following wealth, others fear-

ing God and heeding the law ; some saying that king

Henry in England was a most righteous and a zealous

ruler, but that archbishop Thomas was presumptuous

and insolent. Others gainsaying this straightly, saying

that the archbishop stands forward for the right of God,

even as he had sworn in his consecration, and hold there-

fore the Roman mother in duty bound to strengthen

him in his lawful proceedings but that she may nowise

fight against him, whom she ought to strengthen in all

good things. It may well be said, that the cardinals

divided amidst quarrelling into two factions, inasmuch as

some became confounded from greed, others from fear for

the pope, or themselves, in case king Henry should not

be able to carry his affair fully out ; these therefore will

listen to nought that may aid onward the case of the

archbishop, nor will they kiss his messengers when they

come to the court. This grieveth the two companions

sorely, as they well understand, that these are friends of

king Henry, but are men who bear the archbishop malice.

Yet suchwise did the Lord speed their errand that, poor

as they were, they got, the same day they came there,

leave to go before the lord pope himself, even sooner than

the bishops themselves well furnished with wealth. But

when they enter, they salute the apostolic lord worthily,

even as was due, whereupon they bring him a humble

greeting from their reverend father Thomas. They say

that they have come there for the purpose of making

known unto the lord pope, how it fareth with the arch-

bishop. Now, with the leave of the lord pope they begin

first by relating, how archbishop Thomas was persecuted

at Northampton by king Henry and his lords ; then, how

he saved himself by a secret flight ; then, how &r he had

had to journey, and what travelling hardships he had

been put to by land and by sea even all the way unto

the monastery of St. Bertin. But when pope Alexander

had heard this tale he was moved thereat, and he soft-

ened in the kindness of his heart, whereupon he spoke

as follows:—

" Archbishop Thomas," said he, " liveth still in the

" body, and yet he is ah-eady being crowned in the spirit

" with the glory of martyrdom."

Thus speaketh he, the blessed one, and giveth to the

messengers of the archbishop sweet leave with apostolic

benediction to go to their chamber.

But, the next morning, as soon as ever the cardinals

are assembled in the consistory of the lord pope, the

messengers of king Henry are called thither, both bishops

and laymen. There too come the messengers of the

holy Thomas, in order that they may hear, what oometh

to pass, though they stand lower, and have less to say.

When the due hour of that assembly hath come, Gilbert

of London showeth off his greatness once more, being

the first to rise ; whereupon he thus commenceth address-

ing the pope in person : —

" Holy father," said he, " the catholic governance of

" the holy church of God imposeth upon you the duty of

" taking care of your spiritual sons, in order that those who

" are men of good will may be strengthened through your

" authority to do that, which they understand to be right,

" but that those, whose understanding goeth wrongthrough

" ill-will, be so chastised by the power of the pope, that

" they turn away from evil, and do that which is good. It

" is not to be believed that such an one can be well loved

" by your wisdom, who believeth in himself only, and

" will lend ear to no man's counsel, but rather chooseth

" to do all things rashly and wilfuUy, bringing about

" discord among us bishops, that each may hate the other,

" and choosing to hold of no worth the power and the

" will of the king of England, nay, far rather to value

" his lordship as cheaply as even nought at all Now

" matters stand thus, even as I can tell you that, of

" late, great discord has sprung up between the church

" and the king of England, which would have been

" allayed right easily, if good-will and wisdom had gone

" between with quiet rather than strife, with heed

" rather than headlong insolence. It belongeth to arch-

" bishop Thomas to listen to no man's counsel, to that

" of us bishops no more than to that of others, and

" therefore he gaineth by his hastiness even that which

" he desireth, worry, to wit, and manifold trouble,

" which confoundeth peaceful folk. For his eagerness

" giveth heed to nothing, neither time, nor reason ; far

'' rather did he set up for himself and us bishops

" snares which, had our wisdom not betimes taken heed

" of these very trammels, these matters would have come

" even to a worse end. But when we had escaped his

" waylayings, he turned his wicked folly against the king,

'' throwing contempt on all his council and rule. Besides

'' this, he cast shame on us, his brethren, and in order

'' that he might curse both the king and ourselves, he

" committed such an unheard-of deed as to flee away

" from his native land, without being overawed or

" threatened with hard dealings. Of him it may there-

" fore well be said : ' the wicked fleeth though no one

" pursue him.' " 

Now when the bishop had got thus far

in his harangue, the lord pope speaketh : —

" Spare, brother," said he.

Answered Gilbert : —

" Certes, I will spare him."

The lord pope answered : —

" Nay, we pray not that thou spare him, but

" rather thyself."

At these words the Lord so blunteth the wit and the

understanding of the bishop, that after this not one word

did proceed from his mouth.

But next to him speaketh bishop Hilary, he who

trusteth more in a clear-spoken delivery of smart words,

than in the truthfulness of meet reasoning. He

speaketh thus to the lord pope : —

" Holy father," says he, " it cometh to your .highness

" and holiness, to call back and restore, without tarry-

" ing, to peaceful happiness and just righting whatso-

'' ever bringeth about estrangement between God's

" church and the commonalty, after the manner ye have

" just heard of for a while from the bishop of London.

'' It behoveth you, not to wink at such a thing as the

" foolhardiness of one man disturbing holy church by

" presumption and overweening pride, and endeavouring

" to bring it about, that people ^ould hate one another.

" It is indeed a great sorrow to us, that archbishop

" Thomas spumeth the advice of every one, and con-

" triveth by his wilfulness such means of escape as may

" bring the greatest trouble upon himself, and his lord

" the king, and thereby, too, upon learned folk and lewd

" alike. But doings of this kind within the church

" beseem nowise such a great person, wherefore they

" were right in parting from his insolence and reck-

" lessness, who formerly were under him by duty."

The bishop speaketh such smart Latin, as if every word

were decked in elegance, and folk think it somewhat

of a worldly glee to watch, how gracefully he himself

deemeth he delivereth his speech. Hence it cometh to

pass, when the people had long restrained themselves,

that a great laughter bursteth up in the hall, where-

amidst a certain lord casteth on the bishop these

words : —

" Late and ill didst thou come to harbour."

At this word God rendereth the bishop so reft of

speech, as if he had lost the tongue.

But when Roger, archbishop of York, seeth how

these twain have fared, he thinketh to himself that he

shall not proceed in such a way, as that any man

should laugh him to scorn for his rashness, but shall

temper himself by all his might, despite whatsoever may

abide in his mind. He thus beginneth his address to

the pope : —

" The works and the will of the archbishop of Canter -

" bury, from the beginning, are known to no man

" better than to myself, and therefore I can bring to

" light what his temper is ; for what he has once resolved,

" he will not readily reverse ; therefore it standeth to

" reason, that this stubbornness of will he must needs

" have nourished by long evil habit even therefore, that

" he has always been found to be a man of obstinate bent

" of mind. I see therefore no measure more likely to

" serve as chastisement for him, than this that your wis-

'' dom and commandment minister to him a wholesome

" counsel with a hard hand, so that he may acknowledge

" his fault."

Having proceeded thus far in his speech, he resteth a

little while, but afterwards addeth these words : —

''I hope" said he, ''that those who understand my

" words and the wont of us Englishmen be well content

'' though I speak no further."

When he is silent Bartholomew speaketh to the

pope : —

" Holy father," said he, " it behoveth nowise to drag

" this affair on, and thus to be troubling people with a

" multitude of words, for this great matter cannot be

" brought to settlement until archbishop Thomas is pre-

" sent. I therefore pray your might, that you ordain

" legates from your see to make a lawful inquiry into

" all these matters, in order to report to you the case

" even as it is."

He speaketh nought more.

The bishop of Worcester was silent at this meeting,

and from good-will, belike, since archbishop Thomas was

his father by consecration, as is said afore.

But next to this standeth up the earl William of

Arundel, praying for leave ta speak a few words, the

which having been granted him, he beginneth his

speech in this wise : —

"Holy father," said he, ''what these bishops have

" been speaking now a while is utterly hidden to us,

" who do not understand Latin ; it behoveth, therefore,

" that I make known imto you on what enand

" we are sent hither to meet you from my lord the

" king. My errand is nowise to swell strife or harm-

" fill language, and least of all indeed before such an

" excellent lord as you are, to whose bid and ban all

" Christianity boweth, and whom all the realms of earth

" obey ; but rather have we come to bring you letters and

" message from my lord, the king in England, in order to

" show forth that good-will which he has been wont to

" bear, and still beareth you. But through whom could

" he make known unto you his devotion and good-will,

" but through the mightiest men in his lands ? Had he

'' found any persons still nobler than these are, he would

" have sent them for the sake of your exaltedness. It is

" also well to be borne in mind, what honour and worship

" my lord the king paid to you and the holy church of

" Rome in his coronation, when he put himself and all

" his goods under your power and will ; and, in sooth,

'' I can testify, on my faith, that than the lord king of

" England no ruler on earth is found trustier for the

" upholding of the peace, or of greater good- will to-

" wards yourself. So also has archbishop Thomas of

" Canterbury shown himself no less duly fitted for

" his office and order, for he is both clear-sighted in

" searching himself and others, although to some he may

" seem somewhat forward and eager-minded. And if

" this trouble had not come upon us, learned men and

" layfolk would live joyfully together under a good

" king and the best of archbishops. It is therefore our

" inwardest prayer to you, holy father, that your power

" and grace bring such foresight to bear, as that this

'' strife might pass by, but peace might be established

" in the rejoicing of true love."

This honourable speech the earl delivered in his

mother-tongue, in such manner as to gain much praise

from many people therefore.

Many things were spoken at this meeting; for the

messengers of king Henry tried many a shift that

his will might be fulfilled. And one of the things they

endeavour to bring about is this, that the lord pope

judge the king rightwise in all dealings that have

passed between him and the archbishop ; and, shame

to say, the messengers are backed herein by some of the

cardinals, who love more the presents of king Henry, than

the primacy of the holy church. But in this trial the lord

pope standeth steadfast, duly fearing his Creator, and

deeming also that he knoweth for sure, through the re-

presentation of honest-minded folk, that none of the

deeds of king Henry which have aught to do with the

church are in any way fit to be passed into law. This

is another proposition of the king's men, that the lord

pope order archbishop Thomas by virtue of his vow of

obedience to return home to England to his church, and

give henceforth trouble to no man. This the pope

Alexander putteth off, because it misdoubteth him that,

if this were done, the dealings between the king and the

archbishop would go after the fashion of those between

the gaoler and the prisoner, where one smiteth whilst

the other lieth alow. Now when neither of these things

is granted, the third proposal is this, that the lord pope

send his legates to England, to inquire into these affairs,

and then to give decision therein, all appeal being

excluded. This seemeth to the pope to be in a certain

measure a fair request, yet he holdeth back from follow-

ing this way, because he trusteth none of the men under

him to such rightwiseness as to stand untottering amid

that disparity of station, which now was seen to be

between the king and the archbishop. The meeting

therefore came suchwise to an end, that the ambassadors

got nought granted of their requests at all, but this, that

the pope giveth them leave to go, exhorting them how-

ever at the same time to await the coming of archbishop

Thomas ; for in his absence, he saith, the affair may nowise

be brought about. Now the messengers walk away

from the meeting in such wise, that they well nigh bold

out threats, as to how such a thing might be borne with,

that the king of England should be held of no worth ;

they say, moreover, that, as they regard their necks, they

dare tarry at the pope's court no longer than they were

bidden; and at things thus done they depart with a

scanty blessing. So they ride away from Sens, in such

a manner, that the words of most of them were rather

those of hardness than holiness, those of wrath rathe

than of rightwiseness. Let them, therefore, fare as the

way wendeth, while next we turn to the blessed Thomas,

whereas we left him in the monastery of St. Bertin.

CHAP XLII

How Thomas Cometh To The Pope's Court.

The messengers of archbishop Thomas were anigh aud

overheard, as has been said before, what came to pass at

the meeting this day before the lord pope ; and therefore

they take a loving leave with apostolic blessing, wending

their way back again. They have to bring back to their

lord tidings by which he waxeth right blithe, both from

the lord pope and from the king of the French, with

this news moreover, that his enemies could not carry out

their errands. For this reason it seemeth good to God's

man to go and meet the lord pope, sooner rather than later.

And now God sendeth him such great comfort, that

worshipful folk come to him and ofler him their attend-

ance through France, both for his honour and his safety

against enemies. Among these men it may be fitting

to name the noblest, hight Milo, bishop of Terouane

and another, the abbat Gotschal.

Now the archbishop rideth away from the monastery

of the holy Bertin up into France to a certain city called

Soissons, where he tarrieth over night. Straightway the

next day Louis, the king of the French, cometh there,

by the will of God, showing such great kindness to lord

Thomas as that, without delay, he goeth to the chamber

wherein the archbishop sitteth. And a meeting of great

joyance the two good men had between them. The lord

king grieveth over all the heavy trials which the arch-

bishop has had to suffer, and therewithal he speaketh

thus: —

" Whatever favours and needful things you may be

" pleased to accept in our kingdom shall be at your

" own disposal Let our means and true good-will be

" your support as long as our Lord suflfereth that you

" stand in need of our charity."

This liberality and truly kingly bounteousness the

holy Thomas thanketh for in fair words. In Soissons he

tarrieth for several days, whereupon he taketh blithe

leave. King Louis seeth him off in so goodly a fashion

that he giveth him many knights from among his

courtfolk both to be his guides, as also to see that he

lack nought on his journey, whereof he may happen to

stand in need. Thus the archbishop cometh to the court

of the pope, and having arrived there, findeth out soon

and swiftly, that some of the cardinals turn towards

him a right scanty favour, and full clearly he under-

standeth whence such things must needs proceed ; yet

none the less he getteth, that very same day, sweet leave

to come before the lord pope. Now words fall here

much after the same fashion as those, whereof you read

before concerning the king of the French, in that the

lord pope, and the cardinals who show their hearts to

be with God, grieve the worry and the trouble the arch-

bishop hath had over and above the suffering of exile.

And after a little while the lord pope speaketh thus to

the archbishop : —

" At present, brother, you will withdraw to your

" chamber and go to rest ; but to-morrow you will come

" before us and our brethren, setting forth the matters

" which divide the church and the king in England."

And so it falleth, that lord Thomas receiveth blessing

and goeth to his chamber.

CHAP. XLIII

How Thomas readeth out the Charges.

Now when as the holy Thomas sitteth in quiet in his

chamber he maketh known to his clerks how the lord

pope had commanded that on the next following morning

should be laid before him under due heads, the causes of

the contention between him and king Henry. He now

calleth upon them, asking if any one of them will take it

upon him to expound the matter. But it is a soon told

tale, that for this task they all of them deem themselves

unfit, and therefore lord Thomas understandeth that this

difficult matter must needs fall to himself. Now cometh

round the hour of his being called in, when such a

worthy welcome is given to him by the lord pope, as to

be shown to a seat even next unto him. Having sat

a-thinking for a little while, the archbishop prepareth

to rise, in order to deliver his speech standing out of

reverence for the pope ; but the lord pope maketh a sign

to him to sit down. He then beginneth his delivery,

setting out in the manner following : —

" It is known to people," said he, " that once on a time I

" was with king Henry, when I was wont to give good

" heed to this one thought, that in no great matter should

" I run counter his will. But since the Lord God suffered

" that I should turn away thence to take upon me some

" oversight of holy church, unworthy though I were

" thereof, it seemed to me, that I had departed the place

" where it behoved me to do all things even as the king

" desired. Now have I set myself slightly against his

" will, and straightway all his friendship has fled away

" from me. Yet although it has estranged itself from me

" for a while, I am in need of no man's aid, should I have

" a mind to buy it back again ; for if I choose to say yea

" to all his will, he itf at peace with me at once. Now

" although Englishmen, my fellow-countrymen, carry

" abroad the rumour that I have betaken myself out of

" the land of my kin out of mere treachery, it is cer-

" tainly no fair rendering of the story. If a guilty man

" always findeth this the heaviest affliction, to be ban-

" ished from his country, it would right ill beseem me to

" estrange myself from my church, my flock, my duty ;

" and to suffer this dishonour of exile and poverty with-

" out any reasonable cause, for nought but mei*e blame

" and rebuke. Now, how the truth of the affair standeth,

" will, mayhap, by God's will, be clear anon." Then he

taketh forth the roll, which he had carried erst away

from Clarendon, whereon there stand written the customs

of the king of England ; and then speaketh to the lord

pope: —

" Holy father," said he, " here is the cause of my

" exile, and if you give leave thereto, then, to-day, let

" it both come to your hearing and undergo the decision

" which you are minded to pass thereon, for I did not

" deem that I had any power myself to consent to the

" novelties which stand written here."

The lord pope ordereth them to be read. Whereupon

the archbishop readeth.

First there standeth even this, which the king's men

dictated, that such as follow are the royal customs in

England.

If differences arise between learned men and lay-

folk, between a clerk and a laic, about any rent or in-

come of holy church, those differences shall be examined

at the king's court, and shall be decided even there.

Secondly. In whatsoever matter two or more clerks

happen to be at variance with layfolk, let them come to

the king's court, having first received a summons through

the bailiffs and, these having tried the cases of the clerks,

let them be sent before the bishop's court. This to be

done, in order that the secular power and layfolk may

know all the better with what wisdom the church frameth

her judgments. But if a cleric be convicted on evidence

or shall confess, let him have no defence thenceforth

from the church.

Thirdly. No archbishop, or diocesan bishop, nor any

one of the upper men of authority in the church shall go

away from England, unless with the leave of the king,

and yet only on the condition, that they swear to show

the king no unfaith while they are away.

Fourthly. When a laic has been excommunicated by

a bishop, he shall swear no oath before being absolved,

but only appeal his case to the judgment of the church.

Fifthly. No person shall be excommunicated by the

bishops who has on hand a royal office or lordship in the

land, until the king or his steward has been seen on

that matter, whereupon the justiciary of the country shall

take the case in hand and give decision in those things

which appertain unto the kingdom. But whatsoever the

justices leave for the church, let that go before the

bishop.

Sixthly. Let appeals in England be made in such

way, that the archdeacon appeal to the bishop, and the

diocesan bishop to the archbishop. But should the arch-

bishop forbear dealing rightly with a case, the king's

power shall press him to pass judgment thereon, for no

appeal shall be allowed out of the realm to the lord pope.

Seventhly. When an arch-throne, a bishop's see, an

abbatship, or a priory shall become reft of their heads by

the death of their rulers, these estates with their revenues

shall thereby fall to the crown, yielding thither their

yearly income. But at such time as it pleaseth the king

that a person should be chosen to fill the place of the

departed, he will call together into his chapel such of the

learned folk as he chooseth, that by their counsel and

his consent the ruler be choseu. In this same place he

who has thus been elected shall make an oath to be

faithful to the king in life and limb and earthly honour.

Eighthly. If a guilty person break a lawfril sum-

mons of a bishop or an arch-deacon, he may be put

under an interdict, but nowise be excommunicated, if he

happeneth to be of a town, a castle, or a village belong-

ing to the king ; for the king's chief justice of the place

wherein the summoned person hath his dwelling shall

wreak right on him. If, however, he neglect this, let the

summoned be at the mercy of the king ; and then the

bishop shall be allowed to inflict punishment for that

which appertaineth to him in the case.

This is the ninth custom of king Henry : If a learned

man and a laic differ about any property, as to whether

it belong to the church or to the crown, let twelve lay-

men be nominated into a court to judge which of the

two is in the right ; and then let the case go as they

judge according to circumstances, either before the king's

power, or before the judge of the church.

CHAP. XLIV.
How Thomas overcame the Cardinals.

Now, when the archbishop had proceeded thus far in
his delivery, the cardinals make known, who they were,
and how far from the way of rightwiseness they went
in these affairs for the sake of their unlawful friend-
ship to king Henry ; but in this case is one especially to
be named as the dearest friend of the king at the pope's
court, he namely, hight lord cardinal William, bishop of
the city which is called Pavia. He layeth himself openly
out for backing the king with so many shifts that it
giveth God's man right great trouble on that day ; for
the cardinal spareth neither clerkship nor wiliness, whilst

he keepeth both hands at work, one for the praising, of
the king of England, and the pleading of his cause, and
the other for the shaming of archbishop Thomas. Such-
wise he pleadeth on behalf of the king, that all the
oppressions for the harming of the church, which have
been read even now, he clothes in a fine garb and beau-
tifieth with the fair colour of lawfulness, in order that
the same might all the rather be permitted or be well
borne with in some measure. But the doings of God's
man, his proceedings and flight abroad, he deemeth so
vile as to warrant him putting to the archbishop the
question, why he, a primate, did list to bring so great
a disturbance into the church of God for such a small
matter. The purpose of this cardinal is set forth in the
book called Speculum Historiale : namely, that he as-
sumed the archbishop to be a man of a lesser and weaker
breast than came to be proven afterwards ; and that his
speaking before the lord pope would proceed from alien
wisdom and wording, but not from his own reasoning ;
and that when the clauses which have just been men-
tioned should come upon him unawares, his scanty wis-
dom would be confounded and turn out to the greatest
shame for such a mighty lord. But all this went quite
another way than he had thought, for he got the shame
who had sown for it ; for such, haply, is oft enough the
working of guile, that it often woundeth its own author.
So, too, matters fared in this place ; for it became known
on that day to all folk, better than ever before, that the
worthy lord archbishop Thomas had been healed through
his own wisdom, by the grace of God, in a greater
degree than he had just been wounded by one inferior
to himself. Now although there be no long tale to tell
of the affair, yet it will seem to a wise man a thing
worthy of attention, how he confounded this cardinal.
It fell in this way, that at first he listeneth with good
heed to the whole of his speech, but when that was
over, he giveth his answer, beginning with the clause

which came first in the order. But the manner in 

which he undid, knot by knot, all that net of craftiness,
which the cardinal had set for entrapping therein the
freedom of the church, brought a right sweet delight
unto the hearts of those who listened thereto. For the
aforesaid Speculum saith that, from specially cited de-
cretals of the holy fathers, he brought forward convinc-
ing testimonies, as to how this custom or that stood
straight against the church, and as to what hurt it must
needs bring upon the people of God, if it were allowed
to gain power in the church ; hereby then is clean swept
away the garb which the cardinal had given these cus-
toms ; and to everyone it is now clear, that his words
were rather lying than lawful, and aimed rather at tread-
ing the clergy under foot than bringing peace to them.
Things therefore fell out even as God would, inasmuch
as the holy Thomas got the greatest honour both from
the lord pope, and all such whom the darkness of envy
had not struck with blindnesa But those who had been
dragged into the deep might nowise see the truth. But
from the things that foUow hereafter it will be fully
manifest, how the eye of the pope's reason had already
now become clear and right-sighted, through the holy
and lawful interpretation of the lord archbishop Thomas,
while he giveth decision and passeth judgment on that
which was condemnable, but treateth with lenity that,
which it seemeth the right of the church may endure,
as will be clear from what follows hereafter.

CHAP. XLV.
The Customs of King Henry condemned.

The nine customs which were read afore in the
consistory gf the lord pope concerning the unmeasured
masterfulness of king Henry were the weightiest, and the
most hurtful to the holy church. But the seven which
are not named seemed in some measure endurable. But
over these nine, which aimed further, the lord pope

sorroweth in such way, that he may not restrain his tears 

in thinking that any christian king should list to seize
in such a manifold manner to himself the right of holy
church against the commandments of God and the
sentences of the holy fathers ; and therefore he passeth
thereon the final decision that these nine customs are
accursed abuses, and shall be condemned and excluded
from the whole church of God. When the pope hath
dictated this sentence, he turneth to archbishop Thomas
and speaketh thus : —

" These customs bear witness, how deep you fell,
" brother, when at the peril of your consecration, you
" consented or swore to uphold them against the catholic
" freedom of the church. And if you had not arisen
" afterwards, or got our absolution, your affairs would
" now have come to a perilous plight ; for otherwise the
" deed, by which you brought your consecration into such
" danger, would thrust you away from that honour and
" office which you once received. But God be praised
" now, that His mercy has opened your eye to what you
" did amiss, and that you have so well redeemed your
" station that, through your steadfast abiding in the law,
" you have had to encounter troubles and hurtful deal-
" ings, poverty and exile, and therefore it behoveth to
" show you true love and all such support, as the Roman
" mother may afford to yield and accord to you. Now
" go with our benediction and the blessing of God unto
" your chamber."

This day's meeting cometh to such end, that each one
betaketh him to rest.

CHAP. XLVI.

How Thomas resigned.

The morning after the customs of king Henry were
condemned, as the pope sitteth with the cardinals in his

chamber, archbishop Thomas cometh in from without, 

and prayeth for leave to speak. This being granted, he
goeth up, and falleth on his knee before the lord pope
with these words : —

" God demandeth from the christian that he speak
" the truth from heart and mouth ; and this it is our
" bounden duty to do every where, but most espe-
" cially so before your countenance, holy fiebther. I there-
'' fore have to confess, that my miserable offence bringeth
" upon the holy church of God, the heavy troubles which
" she has now to endure in England ; for I did not enter
" by the right door into the fold of the holy church of
'' God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ ; for I was called
" to this office and honour, not by a lawful election,
" but rather was I installed in this see by the overbear-
" ing will of the king. Thereby it came to pass,
" that I consented to this hard task against my will,
" rather for the sake of the king than my Creator.
" It is therefore nowise to be wondered at^ that many
" things go against me. Now although the manner
" of my entering into the divine office is right fear-
" ful to me, yet I dared not give the arch-see into the
" power of king Henry, urged though I was by my
" brethren to do so. But now, by the will of God, I
" have come to the place, where I may rightly deliver
" myself of this trouble. I therefore give my arch-
" see up into your power, holy &ther, that sinful and
" feeble that I am, I may not bring that flock into
" woful downfall, which I ought to lead towards eternal
" joy."

Having thus spoken, he draweth from off his hand the
consecration ring, and handeth it to the lord pope, pray-
ing him to choose another ruler for the church of Can-
terbury, a stronger one in the godly warfare : —

" For I never did choose for myself or bear the dignity
" and name of a bishop by duly ministering to that
" office."

Having spoken thus, he walketh out of the room.
But the lord pope sitteth behind in tears as did most of
those who sat there within ; for such a sorrowful speech,
given forth and pronounced by such a man, might well
go to the heart of any good man. Those, too, who were
familiar friends of the holy Thomas have now fallen
into great sadness of heart, lest he should get no right-
ing of his affairs, they being moreover placed in a
foreign land, and therefore standing all the more in need
of comfort from God ; and that they soon get, as I shall
now relate.

The lord pope Alexander now setteth himself, with
the cardinals, to dealing with this matter and the dis-
sension between the king and the archbishop. And
forthwith there burst forth sundry proposals, some of the
cardinals saying that, belike, it must be most to the mind
of the king, that the ruler of Canterbury be changed, now
that Thomas had resigned of his free will. They also say,
that it would be most likely to bring peace to himself,
if he were translated to another church. But those who
brought forward this counsel must have best known
themselves which they had most at heart, the presents
of the king of England, or the purchase of a settled
peace for the holy church. Against this stand other-
cardinals, saying : " Shall this be right before God, that
" archbishop Thomas be reft of his dignity and office,
" because it is the will of king Henry, having already
" had not only to forego fatherland and freedom, but
" also to encounter peril of life and limb, on account
" of the waylayings of his enemies? Or what will
" worldly lords then shortly say to the bishops, if
" this shall be allowed to come to pass? what, but
" this that, whenever they shall be withstood in aught,
" they will command the bishops either to give up their
" honour, or to crouch before them ? Or who among the
" rulers of the holy church will be likely to undertake to

" yield her an availing aid or wardship, if for that very 

" protection which they afford her they must needs be
" tortured, both by the church and the power of the
" king? Unhealable harm and downfall shall then be
" the lot of the catholic church, if things shall be allowed
" to go on in such manner. It will, therefore, be clear to
" all good men, that no other way is lawful or com-
" mendable in this affair, than this one, that Thomas be
" restored to his full honour and dignity."

In this manner the cardinals strive among them ; for
the friends of king Henry pray the lord pope openly to
shape his course agreably to the will of the king. Yet,
none the less, the matter cometh, even according to the
will of God, to such an end that the lord pope ordereth
Thomas to be called in, when he thus speaketh to him : —

'' Now first becometh it manifest unto us, from thy
" faithful deeds, how praiseworthy a zeal thou hast
'' shown and showest still on behalf of the laws of the
" church, and the church itself, and the clergy. We have
" also heard how pure a confession thou hast made of
" thy election. And, moreover, thou hast of thy own
" free will given thy office up into our hand. We have
" therefore determined, in the name of God and the holy
" apostles, Peter and Paul, to deliver the arch-see of
" Canterbury again into your hand with unshorn
" honour, powpr, and dignity."

With these words the lord pope giveth to the blessed
Thomas again the consecration ring, in token of archi-
episcopal honour and dignity, thus speaking to him : —

" Inasmuch as we are brothers in tihe matter of banish-
" ment, let us go in fellowship together, God permit-
" ting, while we are both alive. But because you
" have long led a merry life, it seemeth to us right
" fitting that, in your trials and longsuffering, which

" you must needs endure for the name of God, you

" should become father and fellow of poor folk; we
" name for you, therefore, a dwelling-stead in Pontigny,
" that you live there after hennit fashion with the
" Grey-Friars there ministering. Lay aside the greater
" costs, but let a few familiar clerks and attendants
" accompany you, and abide the day which God shall
" send for our peace and rest"

In such way come to an end the affairs of holy Thomas
at the pope's court, that he receiveth apostolic bless-
ing, and rideth to Pontigny with no greater following
of people than the pope had signified. The other folk
of his suite betake themselves to such places as he
himself ordaineth. But though all the others are scat-
tered about, yet master Herbert of Bosham may be
named as one who parteth not from archbishop Thomas ;
for between them there was a dear love, as has been
read afore. And it was but fitting that he should always
be in fellowship with the archbishop, since it was he who
afterwards was to write many things concerning his trials
and his glorious life, and these the more truthfully, the
better it was known to him how they had come to
pass.