APPENDIX
I (p. [44]) PATENT OF KING JOHN ENTRUSTING A FRENCHMAN WITH THE COMPLETION OF LONDON BRIDGE (1201)
“Literæ patentes, etc. de edificatione et sustentatione pontis Londinensis. Patent Roll 3º Iohannis, m. 2, no. 9.
“Iohannes Dei gratia rex, etc. dilectis et fidelibus suis majori et civibus Londinensibus salutem. Attendentes qualiter circa pontem Xanctonensem et pontem de Rupella Deus a modico tempore sit operatus per sollicitudinem fidelis clerici nostri Isenberti, magistri scolarum Xanctonensium, viri utique literati et honesti, ipsum de consilio venerabilis patris in Christo H. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi[596] et aliorum, rogavimus et monuimus et etiam coegimus ut pro vestra et multorum utilitate, de ponte vestro faciendo curam habeat diligentem. Confidimus enim in Domino, quod idem pons tam necessarius vobis et omnibus transeuntibus, ut scitis, per ejus industriam, faciente Domino, poterit in proximo consumari. Et ideo volumus et concedimus quod salvo jure nostro et conservata indempnitate civitatis Londinensis, census edificiorum quæ super pontem prædictum idem magister scolarum faciet fieri sint imperpetuum ad eundem pontem reficiendum et operiendum et sustentandum. Quia igitur idem pons tam necessarius sine vestro et aliorum auxilio perfici non poterit, mandamus vobis, exhortantes quatinus memoratum Isenbertum et suos pro vestra utilitate pariter et honore sicut {426} decuerit benigne recipiatis et honoretis in hiis quæ dicta sunt, consilium et auxilium vestrum eidem unanimiter impendentes. Quicquid enim boni et honoris eidem Isenberto feceritis, nobis factum reputare debetis. Si quis vero eidem Isenberto vel suis in aliquo foris fecerit, quod non credimus, vos illud eisdem faciatis, quam citius ad vos pertinet emendari. Teste meipso, apud Molinellum, xviii. die Aprilis.
“Sub eadem forma scribitur omnibus fidelibus per regnum Angliæ constitutis.”
Hearne, at the end of “Liber niger Scaccarii,” London, 1771, vol. i. p. 470*; Thomas Duffus Hardy, “Rotuli Literarum Patentium in Turri Londinensi asservati,” London, 1835, fol. p. 9.
II (p. [53]) PETITION CONCERNING AN OLD BRIDGE, WHOSE ARCHES WERE TOO LOW AND TOO NARROW TO PERMIT BOATS TO PASS
“Unto the ryght wise and discrete comons of this present Parlement; besecheth mekely the comons off the countees of York, Lincoln, Notyngham, and Derby; That whereas ther is, and of longe tyme hath been, an usuall and a commune passage fro dyvers and many parties of the seid countees unto the citees of York, Hull, Hedon, Holdernes, Beverley, Barton, and Grymesby, and so forth, by the hie see, by the costes, unto London and elles where, with all maner of shippes charged with wolle, leed, stone, tymbre, vitaille, fewaille, and many other marchandises, by a streme called the Dike, in the counte of York, that daiely ebbith and floweth: over whiche streem ys made a brigge of tymbre called Turnbrigg, in the parisshe of Snayth in the same counte, so lowe, so ner the streem, so narrowe and so strayte in the archees, that ther is, and of long tyme hath been a right perilous passage, and ofte tymes perishinge of dyvers shippes; and atte every tyme of creteyne[597] and abundaunce of water, ther may no shippes passe under the seid brigge, by the space of half a yere or more, and also a grete partie of the countees to the seid ryver ajonyng, is yerely by the space of xxti myles and more surrownded, by cause of the lowenes and straitenes of the said brigge, to the grete hurt and damage as well to the kyng in his customes {427} and subsidys, that shuld growe to him of the seid marchaundises, chargeable with suche diverse, as to the seid shires, countres, cites and burghes, and the inhabitants of theim. . . .
“Please hit unto your right wise discretions, consideryng the premisses, to pray and beseche the kyng our soverayn lord to graunte . . . that hit shall be lefulle to what sum ever person or persons of the seid shires, that will atte theire owne costages take away the seid brigge, and ther with and profites therof, and in othir wise, newe edifie and bilde anothir brigge there, lengere in lengthe by the quantite of v. yerdes called the kynges standard, and in hieght a yerd and a half by the same yerd heigher then the seid brigge that stondes ther nowe, aswell for passage of all maner shippes comyng therto, and voidaunce of water under the seid brigg as for passage of man, best and carriage over the seid newe brigge so to be made, with a draght lef[598] contenyng the space of iiij fete called Paules fete in brede, for the voidying thorugh of the mastes of the shippes passinge under the seid new brigg; and that every shipmen that wol passe under the seid brigge with their shippes, may laufully lifte up and close the seid lef att their pleser; and that the mayster of every shippe paie for every liftyng of the seid lef 1d. to the lord of the soille for the tyme beyng . . . for the lofe of Godd and in waye of charite. . . .
“Responsio. Le roy de l’advys et assent de lez seignurs espirituelx et temporalx et lez communes esteantz en cest present parlement, ad graunté tout le contenue en icell petition en toutz pointz.”
“Rolls of Parliament,” vol. v. p. 43; 20 Henry VI, A.D. 1442.
III (p. [62]) LONDON BRIDGE AND ITS MAINTENANCE
At the end of his edition of the “Liber niger Scaccarii,” London, 1771, vol. i. pp. 470*-478*, Hearne printed a series of curious Letters Patent relating to London Bridge. That of John, commending Isembert to the city, is given above (Appendix I.). There follow, an order of John applying the tax paid by foreign merchants established in London to the support of the bridge (Close Roll, 15 John, m. 3); a patent of Henry III addressed “to the brothers and chaplains of the chapel of St. Thomas on London Bridge, and to the other {428} persons living on the same bridge,” to inform them that the convent of St. Catherine’s Hospital, near the Tower, would receive the revenues and would take charge of the repairs of the bridge for five years (Patent 50 Hen. III m. 43, No. 129); grant of the same revenues and charge to the queen for six years (54 Hen. III m. 4, No. 11); patent of Edward I (January, 1281), ordering a general collection throughout the kingdom to ward off the danger resulting from the bad condition of the edifice (9 Ed. I m. 27); patent of the same king ordering the levy of an extraordinary tax on account of the catastrophe which, after all, had happened.
“Rex majori suo London’ salutem. Propter subitam ruinam pontis London’ vobis mandamus quod associatis vobis duobus vel tribus de discretioribus et legalioribus civibus civitatis prædictæ, capiatis usque ad parliamentum nostrum post Pasch’ prox’ futur’, in subsidium reparationis pontis predicti, consuetudinem subscriptam, videlicet, de quolibet homine transeunte aquam Thamisiæ ex transverso ex utraque parte pontis London’ de London’ usque Suthwerk et de Suthwerk usque London’, occasione defectus reparationis pontis predicti, unum quadrantem, de quolibet equo sic transeunte ibidem unum denarium, et de quolibet summagio sic ibidem transeunte unum obolum. Set volumus quod aliquid ibidem hac occasione interim capiatur nisi in subsidium reparationis pontis supra dicti. In cujus, etc. Teste rege apud Cirencestr’, iiijº die Februarij” (10 E. I m. 18).
The same year, on 6th July, the king prolonged the term during which this exceptional tax should be levied to three years (p. 476*); he also, “understanding that it would hurt neither himself nor the city,” granted to the mayor and commonalty of London three empty spaces, one near the wall of the churchyard “de Wolchurch,” the two others near the wall of St. Paul’s churchyard, for them to build thereon and let the buildings for the benefit of the bridge (10 Ed. I m. 11). Then, in the thirty-fourth year of his reign, Edward I established a detailed tariff of the tolls which all merchandise passing under or over the bridge should pay during the next three years (34 Ed. I m. 25). Even this was not enough, as we find Edward II asking all the archbishops, bishops, rectors and other ecclesiastical authorities of the kingdom to well receive the wardens of London Bridge or their delegates and allow them to piously persuade the people to make offerings for the repair of the bridge: “Eos populum ibidem piis suasionibus excitare et suarum elemosinarum subsidia ad reparationem Pontis predicti caritative invocare permittatis.” (14 Ed. II pt. i. m. 19, p. 477*). {429}
IV (p. [65]) INQUESTS RELATING TO THE MAINTENANCE OF BRIDGES
A great many examples of these inquests may be found in the collection published by the Record Commission, “Placitorum in domo capitulari Westmonasteriensi asservatorum abbreviatio,” London, 1811, fol. Here are references to some of the more interesting ones:
Case where an abbot is explicitly obliged, as one of the conditions of his tenure, to repair a bridge, p. 205; 11 and 12 Ed. I.
Agreement between the abbot of Croyland and the prior of Spalding for the construction of several bridges, p. 205; 12 Ed. I.
Discussion as to the building of a bridge at Chester, p. 209; 13 Ed. I.
Refusal by the abbot of Coggeshall to repair a bridge: “Per juratores, Abbas de Coggeshale non tenetur reparare pontem de Stratford inter Branketre et Coggeshale, eo quod de tempore memorie non fuit ibidem alius pons quam quedam planchea de borde super quam omnes transeuntes salvo et secure transire potuerunt,” p. 303; 1 Ed. II.
Measures taken to constrain the inhabitants of two towns to repair the bridges of a highway in their neighbourhood: “Distringantur villate de Aswardeby et Skredington ad reparandum pontes in pupplica strata inter Lafford et ecclesiam de Stowe juxta inquisicionem inde captam anno lvi. Henrici iij. coram Gilberto de Preston et sociis suis in comitatu Lincolniensi itinerantibus, per breve ejusdem regis,” p. 305; 2 Ed. II.
Finding out of the person who is to repair Chesford bridge, p. 314; 6 Ed. II.
Refusal of the abbot of Fountains to repair Bradeley bridge, p. 318; 7 Ed. II.
Hamo de Morston’s case, p. 328; 11 Ed. II, referred to above, p. 64.
Repair of the bridges of Exhorne, Hedecrone, and Hekinby, in the county of Kent, p. 339; 15 Ed. II.
Inquest as to Claypole bridge. It is found that the inhabitants of Claypole are bound to repair it: “Ideo preceptum est vicecomiti Lincolniensi quod distringat homines predicte ville de Claypole ad reparandum et sustentandum pontem predictum in forma predicta,” p. 350; 18 Ed. II, etc. {430}
V (p. [92]) THE KING’S JOURNEYS-PETITIONS AND STATUTES CONCERNING THE ROYAL PURVEYORS
“Nullus vicecomes vel ballivus noster vel aliquis alius capiat equos vel carettas alicujus pro cariagio faciendo, nisi reddat liberationem antiquitus statutam; scilicet pro caretta ad duos equos decem denarios per diem, et pro caretta ad tres equos quatuordecim denarios perdiem.” Magna Charta, first confirmation by Henry III, art. 23, A.D. 1216. “Statutes of the Realm,” 1810, vol. i. p. 15. This article is found in successive confirmations of the great charter; the germ of it was contained in John’s original text, of 1215, art. 30.
“Item pur ceo qe le poeple ad esté moult grevé de ceo qe les bledz, feyns, bestaill, et autre manère de vitailles et biens des gentz de mesme le poeple, ont esté pris, einz ces houres . . . dont nul paiement ad esté fait, . . .” etc. Preamble to the statute 4 Ed. III, ch. iii. “Statutes of the Realm,” A.D. 1330. See also statute 36 Ed. III, ch. ii.
Petition of the Commons, 25 Ed. III, 1351–52 (“Rolls of Parliament,” vol. ii. p. 242): “Item prie la commune qe là où avant ces heures les botillers nostre seigneur le roi et lour deputez soleient prendre moult plus de vyns à l’oeps le roi qe mestier ne fust; desqueux ils mettont les plus febles à l’oeps le roi et les meliours à lour celers demesnes à vendre, et le remenant relessont à eux desqueux ils les pristerent, pur grantz fyns à eux faire pur chescun tonel, à grant damage et empoverissement des marchantz. . . .”
The inhabitants of the counties of Dorset and Somerset complain in the same way that the sheriff of these counties had taken of them “cynk centz quarters de furment et trois centz bacouns, à l’oeps le roi, come il dist, et il ne voillast pur sa graunt meistrie et seigneurie allower pur vintz quarteres fors qe pur sesse quarters, et c’est assaver bussell de dit blee fors que dis deniers, là où il vendist après pur xv deniers. Par quey vos liges gentz sount grauntement endamagé et vous, chier seigneur, n’estes servy des blées et des bacounes avauntditz. . . .” 4 Ed. III, 1331, “Rolls of Parliament,” vol. ii. p. 40.
Petition of the Commons to the Good Parliament of 1376: {431} “Item prie la commune qe come le roi de temps passé et ses progenitours, nobles princes, soleient avoir lour cariage, c’est assaver chivalx, charietz et charettes pur servir leur hostiel: et ore les purveours de l’hostel nostre dit seigneur le roi pur défaut de sa propre cariage et de bone governance prenont chivalx, charietz et charettes des povres communes, la environ par x leukes où le roi tient son hostel, si bien des gentz de loigne pays par xxiiii leukes ou lx passantz par la chymyne come des gentz demurrantz en mesme le pays, en grande arrerissement et poverisement des dites communes. . . .” “Rolls of Parliament,” vol. ii. p. 351.
Complaint of the clergy at being subjected to the exactions of the purveyors (1376): “Item provisores et ministri regis pro provisionibus regiis faciendis feodum et loca ecclesiastica, invitis viris ecclesiasticis seu eorum custodibus non intrent, nec animalia aliaque res et bona inde auferant, prout fecerint et faciunt nunc indies, contra ecclesiasticam libertatem et constitutiones sanctorum patrum et statuta regni edita in hac parte. Nec in via extra feoda et loca predicta predictorum virorum cariagium carectasve capiant vel arrestent.
“Resp. Le roi le voet.”
“Rolls of Parliament,” vol. ii. p. 358.
VI (p. [112]) THE RECURRENCE OF LEET-DAYS AND VISITS OF JUSTICES
The Commons petition as follows the Good Parliament of 1376: “Item où de ancien temps ad esté custume qe les presentours dussent presenter les articles du lete et de vewe de frank plegg tan soulement deux foitz par an, . . . les baillifs avaunt ditz fount les povres gentz et les husbandes de pais, qeux dussent travailer en leur labours et husbandriez et pur le commune profit, venir de trois semaignes en trois à lour wapentachez et hundredez, par colour de presentement avoir, et rettent leur labours et leur husbanderiez au terre, sinoun q’ils leur veullent doner tiels ransons et fyns q’ils ne purront sustener ne endurer. . . .
“Resp. Il y ad estatutz suffisamment.”
“Rolls of Parliament,” 50 Ed. III, vol. ii. p. 357.
Again, the Commons having pointed out that the visits of the {432} justices in eyre are a very great cause of trouble and expense to the people in time of war, the king suppresses the visits of those magistrates while the war lasts, except when any “horrible” case may occur.
“Item priont les communes au roi leur seigneur q’il ne grante en nulle partie de roialme eire ne trailbaston durante la guerre, par queux les communes purront estre troblez ne empoveres, fors qe en horible cas.
“Resp. Le roi le voet.”
“Rolls of Parliament,” vol. ii. p. 305, 45 Ed. III, 1371.
VII (p. [115]) THE DRESS OF THE WORLDLY MONK
According to the Council of London (1342): “. . . Militari potius quam clericali habitu induti superiori, scilicet brevi seu stricto, notabiliter tamen et excessive latis, vel longis manicis, cubitos non tegentibus [tangentibus in Labbe] sed pendulis, crinibus cum [two words not in Labbe] furrura vel sandalo revolutis, et ut vulgariter dicitur, reversatis, et caputiis cum tipettis miræ longitudinis, barbisque prolixis incedere, et suis digitis annulos indifferenter portare publice, ac zonis stipatis pretiosis miræ magnitudinis supercingi, et bursis cum imaginibus variis sculptis, amellatis [annellatis, L.] et deauratis, ad ipsas patenter cum cultellis, ad modum gladiorum pendentibus, caligis etiam rubeis, scaccatis et viridibus, sotularibusque rostratis et incisis multimode, ac croperiis [propriis, L.] ad sellas, et cornibus ad colla pendentibus, epitogiis aut clocis [this word not in L.] furratis, uti patenter ad oram, contra sanctiones canonicas temere non verentur, adeo quod a laicis vix aut nulla patet distinctio clericorum.” Wilkins’ “Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ,” London, 1737, vol. ii. p. 703; also in Labbe, “Sacrosancta Concilia,” year 1342, vol. xxv. col. 1170.
According to the Council of York (1367): “Nonnulli . . . vestes publice deferre præsumpserunt deformiter decurtatas, medium tibiarum suarum, seu genua nullatenus attingentes . . . ad jactantiam et suorum corporum ostentationem.” Labbe, ibid. vol. xxvi. col. 467–8. {433}
VIII (p. [120]) EXACTIONS OF CERTAIN NOBLEMEN WHEN TRAVELLING
Petitions of the Commons, “Rolls of Parliament,” vol. i. p. 290 (8 Ed II), A.D. 1314: “Item par là où asquns grantz seignurs de la terre passent parmi le pays, ils entrent en maners et lieus de Seint Eglise et des autres, et pernent saunz congé le seignur et les baillifs gardeyns de meisme les leus, et encontre lour volunté, ceo q’il voillent saunz rien paer encontre la lei et les ordenaunces, non pas eaunz regard à l’escomenge (excommunication) doné encontre tutz tels. Et si homme les devi rien, debrisent les eus par force, et pernent et emportent ceo qe beal lour est, et batent les ministres et destruent les biens, plus qe il ne covendreit, et autres grevouses depiz ultrages fount.
“Item il prenent charettes et chivaux de fair lour cariages à lour voluntez saunz rien paer et des queux nientefoitz james n’est faite restoraunce à ceux qi les devient; ne il n’osent suire ne pleindre pur le poair de diz seignur qar s’il le facent ils sont honiz ou en corps ou en chateux; par quoi ladite comuneauté prie qe remedie soit fait en tels ultrages.”
IX (p. [130]) PASSAGE OF THE HUMBER IN A FERRY
“Ad peticionem hominum de Estriding petenc’ remedium super nimia solucione exacta ad passagium de Humbr’ ultra solitum modum.” The king directs the opening of an inquest, with power to the commissioners to re-establish things in their prestine condition. “Rolls of Parliament,” i. p. 202, 35 Ed. I, 1306.
Another petition under Edward II: “A nostre seigneur le [roi] et à son consail se pleint la comunauté de sa terre qe par là où homme soleit passer Humbre entre Hesel et Barton, homme à chival pour dener, homme à pée pur une maele, qe ore sunt il, par extorsion, mis à duble; et de ceo priunt remedi pur Dieu.” The king, in reply, orders that the masters of the ferry shall not take more than formerly: “vel quod significent causam quare id facere noluerint.” Ibid., p. 291; 8 Ed. II, 1314–5. {434}
X (pp. [165] and [171]) THE RIGHT OF SANCTUARY
Examples of entries in the Durham sanctuary register: “Memorandum quod vj die mensis octobris, Aº Di M. CCCC LXX VIIº Willielmus Rome et Willielmus Nicholson parochiæ de Forsate, convolarunt ad ecclesiam cath. Sancti Cuthberti Dunelm., ubi inter cætera pro feloniâ per eosdem commissâ et publice confessatâ, in, de, et pro occisione Willielmi Aliand, per eosdem antea occisi, pecierunt a venerabilibus et religiosis viris dominis Thomâ Haughton sacristâ ipsius ecclesiæ et Willielmo Cuthbert magistro Galileæ ibidem, fratribus et commonachis ejusdem ecclesiæ, immunitatem ecclesiæ, juxta libertates et privilegia gloriosissimo confessori Sancto Cuthberto antiquitus concessa, favorabiliter eis concedi, et per pulsacionem unius campanæ, ut est moris, favorabiliter obtinuerunt. Ibidem præsentibus, videntibus et audientibus, discretis viris Willielmo Heghyngton, Thomâ Hudson, Johanne Wrangham, et Thomâ Strynger, testibus ad præmissa vocatis specialiter et requisitis.” “Sanctuarium Dunelmense,” ed. J. Raine, Surtees Society; London, 1827, No. V.
On the question of sanctuaries the councils are explicit: “Firmiter prohibemus ne quis fugientes ad ecclesiam, quos ecclesia debet tueri, inde violenter abstrahat, aut ipsos circa ecclesiam obsideat, vel eisdem substrahat victualia.” Concilium provinciale Scoticanum, A.D. 1225, in Wilkins’ “Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ,” London, 1737, vol. i. p. 616.
As shown by the reports of cases in the Year Books, good care was to be taken by the refugee to flee to a church duly “dedicated by a bishop.” Here is a case of the time of Edward I:—
“Quid[a]m captus fuit pro latrocinio, et ductus coram justiciariis et inculpatus, dixit: Domine, ego fui in ecclesia de N. et dehinc vi abstractus, unde imprimis peto juris beneficium quod mittar retro unde ibi fui vi abstractus.—Justiciarius. Nos dicimus quod ecclesia illa nunquam fuit dedicata per episcopum.—Priso. Sic, domine.—Justiciarius. Inquiratur per duodecim:—Qui dixerunt quod illa ecclesia nunquam fuit dedicata per episcopum.—Justiciarius. Modo oportet te respondere.—Priso. Sum bonus et fidelis: ideo de bono et malo pono, etc. (formula of submission to the decision of a jury, patria).—Duodecim nominati exiverunt ad deliberandos {435} (sic).” “Year Books,” edited by A. Horwood, 1863, vol. i. p. 541, Rolls Series. The final result is not given. The Year Books not infrequently give accounts of cases where the right of sanctuary is invoked by mere thieves as ready as any to avail themselves of the privilege.
The abuses resulting from the right of sanctuary, especially with reference to St. Martin’s le Grand in London, are described as follows in one of the Commons’ petitions: “Item prient les communes, coment diverses persones des diverses estatz, et auxi apprentices et servantz des plusours gentz, si bien demurrantz en la citée de Loundres et en les suburbes d’icell, come autres gentz du roialme al dite citée repairantz, ascuns en absence de lour meistres, de jour en autre s’enfuyent ove les biens et chatelx de lour ditz mestres à le collège de Seint Martyn le Grant en Loundres, à l’entent de et sur mesmes les biens et chateux illeoqes vivre à lour voluntée saunz duresse ou exécution du ley temporale sur eux illeoqes ent estre faite, et là sont ils resceux et herbergéez, et mesmes les biens et chateux par les ministres du dit collège al foitz seiséez et pris come forffaitz à le dit collège. Et auxi diverses dettours as plusours marchantz, si bien du dite citée, come d’autres vaillantz du roialme, s’enfuyent de jour en autre al dit collège ove lour avoir à y demurrer à l’entent avaunt dit. Et ensement plusours persones au dit collège fuéez et là demurrantz, pur lour faux lucre, forgent, fount et escrivent obligations, endentures, acquitances, et autres munimentz fauxes, et illeoqes les enseallent es nouns si bien de plusours marchantz et gentz en en la dite citée demurantz, come d’autres du dit roialme à lour disheriteson et final destruction. . . . Et en quelle collège de temps en temps sount receptz murdres, traitours, come tonsours du monoye del coigne le Roy, larons, robbours et autres diverses felouns malfaisours et destourbours de la pées nostre seignur le roy, par jour tapisantz et de noet issantz pur faire lour murdres, tresons, larcines, robbories et félonies. . . . Et après tieuz murdres, tresons, etc., faitz, al dit collège repairent.” “Rolls of Parliament,” vol. iii. p. 503, A.D. 1402.
XI (p. [211]) A MONOPOLY OF MINSTRELSY FOR THE KING’S (EDWARD IV) OWN MINSTRELS
“Pro Fraternitate Ministrallorum Regis” (Rymer, “Fœdera,” 24, 1469). “Rex (etc.) . . . Sciatis quod ex querelosa insinuatione {436} dilectorum nobis Walteri Haliday, marescalli, Johannis Cliff (and six others) ministrallorum nostrorum accepimus qualiter nonnulli, rudes agricolæ et artifices diversarum misterarum Regni nostri Angliæ, finxerunt se fore ministrallos, quorum aliqui liberatam nostram eis minime datam portarent, seipsos etiam fingentes esse ministrallos nostros proprios, cujus quidem liberatæ ac dictæ artis sive occupationis ministrallorum colore, in diversis partibus regni nostri prædicti, grandes pecuniarum exactiones de ligeis nostris deceptive colligunt et recipiunt, et licet ipsi in arte vel sive occupatione illa minime intelligentes sive experti existant, et in diversis artibus et operationibus diebus ferialibus sive profestis utuntur et victum suum inde sufficienter percipiant, de loco tamen ad locum, in diebus festivalibus, discurrunt, et proficua ilia totaliter percipiunt, e quibus ministralli nostri prædicti, et cæteri ministralli nostri pro tempore existentes, in arte sive occupatione prædicta sufficienter eruditi et instructi, nullisque aliis laboribus, occupationibus sive misteris utentes, vivere deberent.”
For which cause, permission has been granted: “Ministrallis nostris quod ipsi, ad laudem et honorem Dei et ut specialius exorare teneantur pro salubri statu nostro et præcarissimæ consortis nostræ Elizabethæ reginæ Angliæ, dum agimus in humanis et pro animabus nostris cum ab hac luce migraverimus, necnon pro anima carissimi domini et patris nostri . . . tam in capella Beatæ Mariæ Virginis infra ecclesiam cathedralem sancti Pauli Londoniæ, quam in libera capella nostra regia sancti Anthonii, in eadem civitate nostra Londoniæ, quandam fraternitatem sive gildam (quam ut accepimus fratres et sorores fraternitatis ministrallorum regni nostri prædicti, retroactis temporibus inierunt. . . .) stabilire, continuare et augmentare ac quascumque personas, tam homines quam mulieres eis grato animo adhærentes, in fratres et sorores fraternitatis sive gildæ prædictæ recipere . . . possint et valeant.”
And for the good of the reconstituted gild, “volumus . . . quod nullus ministrallus regni nostri prædicti, quamvis in hujusmodi arte sive occupatione sufficienter eruditus existat, eadem arte . . . de cætero, nisi de fraternitate sive gilda prædicta sit et ad eandam admissus fuerit et cum cæteris confratribus ejusdem contribuent aliquo modo utatur.”
The beneficiaries of his monopoly will have a right to inquire throughout the realm, “de omnibus et singulis hujusmodi personis fingentibus se fore ministrallos,” and to impose fines to be used “pro continua et perpetua sustentatione certarum candelarum cerearum vulganter nuncupatarum tapers,” in the before-mentioned chapels. {437}
XII (p. [213]) POPULAR ENGLISH SONGS OF THE MIDDLE AGES
The following collections may be consulted:
“Ancient Songs and Ballads from the reign of Henry II to the Revolution,” collected by John Ritson, revised edition by W. C. Hazlitt, London, 1877.
“Political Songs of England from the reign of John to that of Edward II,” edited by Thomas Wright; Camden Society, London, 1839.
“Specimens of Lyric Poetry composed in England in the reign of Edward I,” ed. Th. Wright, Percy Society, 1842.
“Reliquiæ antiquæ, scraps from ancient MSS. illustrating chiefly early English literature,” ed. Th. Wright and J. O. Halliwell, 2 vols.
“Songs and Carols now first printed from a MS. of the xvth Century,” edited by Thomas Wright; Percy Society, London, 1847.
“Political Poems and Songs, from Edward III to Richard III,” edited by Thomas Wright; Rolls Series, London, 1859, 1861.
“Political, Religious, and Love Poems,” edited by F. J. Furnivall; Early English Text Society, London, 1866.
“Catalogue of MS. Romances in the British Museum,” by Henry L. D. Ward, vol. i., London, 1887. See as to Robin Hood ballads, pp. 516–23.
“Bishop Percy’s folio MS.—Ballads and Romances,” edited by J. W. Hales and F. J. Furnivall, Ballad Society, London, 1867.
“The English and Scottish popular Ballads,” edited by Prof. F. J. Child, Boston, U.S.A., 1882, ff.
Many satirical songs are to be found in those collections on the vices of the times, the exaggerations of fashion, the ill government of the king, the Lollards, the friars, the women, with some songs in a higher key urging the king to defend the national honour and to make war. See for example Dr. Furnivall’s collection, p. 4. In this work is printed the song referred to in our text on the death of the Duke of Suffolk (pp. 6–11): {438}
Here folowythe a Dyrge made by the comons of Kent in the tyme of ther rysynge, when Jake Cade was theyr cappitayn:
•••••
Who shall execute ye fest of solempnite?
Bysshoppis and lords, as gret reson is.
Monkes, chanons, and prestis, withall ye clergy,
Prayeth for hym that he may com to blys.
And that nevar such anothar come aftar this
His intersectures, blessid mot they be,
And graunt them to reygne with aungellis!
For Jake Napys sowle, placebo and dirige.
“Placebo,” begyneth the bisshop of Hereforthe;
“Dilexi,” quod ye bisshop of Chester.
XIII (p. [314]) INDULGENCES AND THE THEORY OF THE “TREASURY” ACCORDING TO POPE CLEMENT VI
“Quantum ergo exinde ut nec supervacua, inanis aut superflua tantæ effusionis miseratio redderetur, thesaurum militanti Ecclesiæ acquisivit, volens suis thesaurizare filiis pius pater, ut sic sit infinitus thesaurus hominibus, quo qui usi sunt, Dei amicitiæ participes sunt effecti. Quem quidem thesaurum non in ærario repositum, non in agro absconditum, sed per beatum Petrum cœli clavigerum, ejusque successores, suos in terris vicarios commisit fidelibus salubriter dispensandum, et propriis et rationabilibus causis, nunc pro totali, nunc pro partiali remissione pœnæ temporalis pro peccatis debitæ tam generaliter quam specialiter (prout cum Deo expedire cognoscerent) vere pœnitentibus et confessis misericorditer applicandum. Ad cujus quidem thesauri cumulum, beatæ Dei genetricis, omnium electorum a primo justo usque ad ultimum merita adminiculum præstare noscuntur, de cujus consumptione, seu minutione non est aliquatenus formidandum, tam propter infinita Christi (ut prædictum est) merita, quam pro eo quod quanto plures ex ejus applicatione trahuntur ad justitiam, tanto magis accrescit ipsorum cumulus meritorum.”
“Dictionnaire dogmatique, historique, ascétique et pratique des indulgences,” by Abbé P. Jouhanneaud, Paris, 1852, pp. 123–4, being vol. xxvii. of Migne’s “Nouvelle encyclopédie théologique.” {439}
XIV (p. [321]) SERMON ACCOMPANYING THE DISPLAY OF A PAPAL BULL (ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMING OF HENRY OF LANCASTER)
“ ‘Mes bonnes gens, entendez tous ici.
Vous savez bien coment le roy banny
A, à grant tort, vostre seigneur Henry,
Et sans raison;
Et pource j’ay fait impetracion
Au saint père, qui est nostre patron,
Que trestous ceulx auront rémission
De leurs péchiez
De quoy oncques ilz furent entachiez,
De puis l’eure qu’ilz furent baptisiez,
Qui leur aideront tous certains en suez
Celle journée;
Et vesenci la bulle seellée,
Que le pappe de romme la louée
M’a envoié, et pour vous tous donnée,
Mes bons amis.
Vueilliez lui donc aidier ses ennemis
A conquerre, et vous en serez mis
Avecques ceux qui sont en paradis
Après la mort.’
Lors veissiez jeune, viel, feble, et fort
Murmure faire, et par commun accort,
Sans regarder ni le droit ni le tort,
Eulx émouvoir,
Cuidant que ce c’on leur fist assavoir
Feust vérité, tous le courent de voir;
Car de sens n’ont guères ne de savoir,
De telz y a.
L’arcevesque ce conseil cy trouva.”
“French metrical history of the deposition of King Richard II,” by Créton, edited and translated into English by Rev. J. Webb. “Archæologia,” t. xx. p. 310.
This speech is attributed by the chronicler to Thomas Arundel, {440} Archbishop of Canterbury, and is supposed to have been delivered at the time of the landing of Henry of Lancaster in 1399 (Henry IV).
XV (pp. [324], [327], [337]) ECCLESIASTICAL DOCUMENTS CONCERNING CHIEFLY ENGLISH PARDONERS
Richard de Bury on the Pardoners, A.D. 1340:
“Cum sit statutum in canone ne qui eleemosynarum quæstores ad prædicandum aut indulgentias clero et populo insinuandum sine literis dioecesanis aut apostolicis admittantur, literæque apostolicæ quæstoribus hujusmodi concessæ ante admissionem eorum per diocesanos examinari debeant diligenter: ex gravi tamen multorum querela ad nostrum pervenit auditum, quod nonnulli ex hujusmodi quæstoribus, non sine multa temeritatis audacia, motu suo proprio, in animarum subditorum nostrorum periculum et jurisdictionis nostræ elusionem manifestam, indulgentias populo concedunt, super votis dispensant, et perjuriis, homicidiis, usuris et peccatis aliis, sibi confitentes absolvunt, et male ablata, data sibi aliqua pecuniæ quantitate, remittunt, ac alias abusiones quamplurimas faciunt et exponunt, vobis in virtute obedientiæ, firmiter inhibemus et per vos omnibus rectoribus, vicariis et capellariis parochialibus, vestri archidiaconatus, inhiberi volumus et mandamus, ne aliqui quæstores hujusmodi, cujuscumque extiterint conditionis, ad prædicandum aut indulgentias aliquas insinuandum clero et populo in ecclesiis parochialibus ac locis aliis vestri archidiaconatus memorati, absque literis nostris et licentia speciali de cætero admittantur; pecuniam etiam et res quascumque, per hujusmodi quæstores, aut ad eorum instantiam collectas . . . indilate faciatis sequestrari. . . . Datum in manerio nostro de la Welehall’ octavo die mensis Decembris, Aº Di mºcccºxlº et consecrationis nostræ viimo.”
“Registrum Palatinum Dunelmense,” edited by T. D. Hardy, vol. iii. p. 325.
Provincial Synod of Dublin, 1348:
“Cap. xxii. De quæstoribus. Item, quia eleemosynarum quæstores nonnullas abusiones in suis prædicationibus proponunt, ut decipiant simplices tantum, et nonnulla alia bona subtili vel fallaci {441} potius ingenio extorqueant, nonnulla etiam mala in deceptionem animarum multiplicem perpetrentur; statuimus et ordinamus, quod nullus amodo quæstor sine literis archiepiscopi vel dioec. admittatur quovismodo. . . . Sacerdotes vero qui alio modo quam supra dicto, quæstores ad prædicandum voluntarie et scienter admittunt, per annum a celebratione divinorum ipso facto sint suspensi; et ipsi quæstores, si contra præmissa aliquid attentaverint, ipso facto sint excommunicati. Et si per quadraginta dies perseveraverint, ad significationem episcoporum capiantur et incarcerentur, quousque de talibus aliud fuerit per loci dioecesanum dispositum. Quascunque literas hujusmodi quæstoribus hactenus concessas revocamus, præmissarum sententiarum relaxatione sine absolutione loci dioecesani reservata. Et capellani pecuniam ea occasione receptam ecclesiis cathedralibus restituant triplicatam.”
Wilkins, “Concilia,” 1737, vol. ii. p. 750.
Bull of Pope Urban V, “contra quæstores hospitalis Jerusalem in Anglia,” 1369:
“Urbanus . . . archiepiscopo Cant. ejusque suffraganeis, salutem. . . . Nuper dilectis filiis Johanne Sancti Dunstani West., Ricardo B. Mariæ Wolnoth, rectoribus, et Philippo de Braunton, ac Willelmo de Eya, perpetuis vicariis parochialibus ecclesiarum London. Exon. et Norwicen. dioec. ac nonnullis aliis rectoribus . . . nobis referentibus percepimus, quod quæstores priorum, præceptorum et confratrum domorum hospitalis S. Johannis Jerusalemitani in Anglia, de voluntate, conniventia, ratihabitione, seu mandato dictorum priorum . . . in pluribus contra juris et rationis metas impudenter excedunt. . . . nonnulli tamen quæstores priorum et confratrum prædictorum, gratia quæstus hujusmodi . . . ad rectorum et vicariorum hujusmodi ecclesias accedentes, et se ad prædicandum seu exponendum populo hujusmodi negotia quæstuaria offerentes, licet congrue et legitime requisiti, literas sedis apostolicæ vel dioecesani loci eisdem rectoribus seu vicariis sic requirentibus, ostendere seu exhibere penitus non curarunt neque curant; quin verius de voluntate, conniventia seu mandato de quibus prædicitur, denegarunt expresse contra constitutiones canonicas . . . prætendentes ipsos priores et fratres pro se et eorum quæstoribus in ea parte fore notorie privilegiatos, licet hoc neque notorium fuerit neque verum; et ut quadam astutia colorata ipsos rectores, et vicarios exhibitionem literarum hujusmodi sic petentes, acrius fatigent laboribus et expensis, ipsos eo quod exhibitionem literarum hujusmodi sic {442} deposcebant et deposcunt, tanquam injuriatores contra eorum privilegia manifestos, et quæstuum suorum impeditores proclamarunt et proclamant, ipsosque ea occasione coram eorum conservatoribus seu subconservatoribus ad loca diversa et quandoque valde remota fecerunt et faciunt ad judicium evocari, et per conservatores sive subconservatores hujusmodi contra eosdem processus indebitos fieri, eosque nonnunquam excommunicari, aggravari et denunciari licet de facto, ac alia eis gravamina quamplura inferri procurarunt et procurant, in ipsorum rectorum et vicariorum grave præjudicium et scandalum plurimorum: et insuper quæstores prædicti frequenter et potissime, quando satagunt alicui rectori seu vicario nocere, ad ipsius rectoris seu vicarii ecclesiam in aliquo die festo, præcipue quando populus solitus est offerre, accedunt, et ibidem quæstuare, seu nomina fratriæ seu fraternitatis suæ legere incipiunt et continuant usque ad talem illius diei festi horam, qua missa ibidem pro illo die convenienter non potest celebrari; sicque rectores et vicarios hujusmodi suis faciunt oblationibus, quæ eis in missis hujusmodi obveniunt, nequiter defraudari. Insuper in ecclesiis et locis ad eos seu dictum hospitale nullatenus pertinentibus, licet publice interdictis seu pollutis divina faciant etiam publice celebrari, et in eis pro eorum libito per se et alios sepeliunt corpora defunctorum; officium quoque seu negotium quæstuandi personis simplicibus et quasi illiteratis committunt, qui simplices aliis simplicibus erroneum præstantes ducatum, generaliter, ut de spiritualibus taceamus, in populo diffundunt errores.”
Wilkins, “Concilia,” London, 1737, vol. iii. p. 83.
Letter of Simon Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, A.D. 1378:
“Simon, etc., dilecto filio commissario nostro Cantuar. generali, salutem, etc. Ad nostrum audientiam est perlatum, quod licet eleemosynarum quæstores, nisi apostolicas vel dioecesani episcopi literas exhibuerint, admitti non debeant, vel permitti indulgentias sibi concessas insinuare, et populo prædicare; nonnulli tamen quæstores, qui non sine multa temeritatis audacia, et deceptione multiplici animarum, ac elusione populi christiani, indulgentias remissionesque falsas et frivolas, et alia erronea . . . prædicant abusive, tam per vos, quam per official. archidiaconi nostri Cantuar. de diebus in dies indifferenter illicite admittuntur, nos, abusus hujusmodi omnimodo abolere volentes, vobis . . . inhibemus et per vos dicto officiali ac omnibus aliis nobis subditis . . . inhiberi volumus et mandamus ne quæstores hujusmodi absque nostris literis {443} sufficientibus in hac parte, ac vobis et ipsis liquere possit literas apostolicas quæstorum hujusmodi si quas habent, per nos examinatas primitus extitisse, admittatis ibidem de cætero vel admittant.”
Wilkins, “Concilia,” vol. iii. p. 131.
Bull of Pope Boniface IX, A.D. 1390:
“Ad audientiam nostram, non sine magna mentis displicentia fidedignorum quamplurimum relatio perduxit quod quidam religiosi diversorum etiam mendicantium ordinum et nonnulli clerici sæculares etiam in dignitatibus constituti, asserentes se a nobis aut a diversis legatis seu nuntiis sedis apostolicæ missos, et ad plura peragenda negotia diversas facultates habere per partes, in quibus es pro nobis et Ecclesia Romana thesaurarius deputatus, discurrunt, et veras vel prætensas, quas se habere dicunt, facultates fideli et simplici populo nunciant et irreverenter veris hujusmodi facultatibus abutentes, suas fimbrias, ut vel sic turpem et infamem quæstum faciant, impudenter dilatant, et non veras et prætensas facultates hujusmodi mendaciter simulant, cum etiam pro qualibet parva pecuniarum summula, non pœnitentes, sed mala conscientia satagentes iniquitati suæ, quoddam mentitæ absolutionis velamen prætendere, ab atrocibus delictis, nulla vera contritione, nullaque debita præcedenti forma (ut verbis illorum utamur) absolvant; male ablata, certa et incerta, nulla satisfactione prævia (quod omnibus sæculis absurdissimum est) remittant; castitatis, abstinentiæ, peregrinationis ultramarinæ, seu beatorum Petri et Pauli de urbe aut Jacobi in Compostella apostolorum, et alia quævis vota, levi compensatione commutent; de hæresi vel schismate nominatim aut incidenter condemnatos, absque eo quod in debita forma abjurent et quantum possunt debite satisfaciant, non tantum absolvant, sed in integrum restituant; cum illegitime genitis, ut ad ordines et beneficia promoveri possint, et intra gradus prohibitos copulatis aut copulandis dispensent, et eis qui ad partes infidelium absque sedis prædictæ licentia transfretarunt, vel merces prohibitas detulerunt, et etiam qui Romanæ aut aliarum ecclesiarum possessiones, jura, et bona occuparunt, excommunicationis et alias sententias et pœnas, et quævis interdicta relaxent, et indulgentiam quam felicis recordationis Urbanus Papa VI prædecessor noster, christifidelibus certas basilicas et ecclesias dictæ urbis instanti anno visitantibus concessit, et quæ in subsidium Terræ Sanctæ accedentibus conceduntur, quibusvis elargiri pro nihilo ducant, . . . et quæstum, quem exinde percipiunt, nomine cameræ apostolicæ se percipere asserant, et nullam de illo nihilominus rationem velle reddere videantur: Horret et merito indignatur animus, talia reminisci. . . . {444}
“Attendentes igitur quod nostra interest super tot tantisque malis de opportunis remediis salubriter providere, fraternitati tuæ de qua in iis et aliis specialem in domino fiduciam obtinemus, per apostolica scripta committimus et mandamus, quatenus religiosis et clericis sæcularibus hujusmodi, ac eorum familiaribus, complicibus, et collegiis, et aliis, vocatis qui fuerint evocandi, summarie, simpliciter, et de plano, ac sine strepitu et figura judicii, etiam ex officio super præmissis, auctoritate nostra, inquiras diligentius veritatem, et eos ad reddendum tibi computum de receptis et reliqua consignandum, remota appellatione, compellas, et quos per inquisitionem hujusmodi excessisse, vel non verum aut non sufficiens seu ad id non habuisse mandatum inveneris, capias et tandiu sub fida custodia teneas carceribus mancipatos, donec id nobis intimaveris.”
Baronius’ “Annales ecclesiastici”; continuation by Raynaldus, ed. 1752, vol. vii. p. 525.
Opinion of the University of Oxford on Pardoners, A.D. 1414:
“Articulus tricesimus nonus; contra falsas prædicationes quæstorum.—Quia inverecundi quæstores turpissimos suos quæstus ad firmam emunt cum Simone, indulgentias vendunt cum Gyesi, et adquisita consumunt cum filio prodigo inhoneste, sed quod magis est detestabile, cum non sint in sacris ordinibus constituti, publice prædicant, ac false prætendunt quod absolvendi a pœna et a culpa tam superstites quam defunctos plenam habeant potestatem, cum aliis blasphemiis, quibus populum spoliant ac seducunt, et verisimiliter ad tartara secum trahunt, præstantes spem frivolam et audaciam ad peccandum. Abusus igitur hujusmodi sectæ pestiferæ ab ecclesiæ limitibus deleantur.”
Articuli concernentes reformationem universalis ecclesiæ, editi per universitatem Oxon. Wilkins, “Concilia,” vol. iii. p. 365.
Suppression of pardoners by the Council of Trent, A.D. 1562:
“Cum multa a diversis antea conciliis, tam Lateranensi ac Lugdunensi, quam Viennensi, adversus pravos eleemosynarum quæstorum abusus remedia tunc adhibita, posterioribus temporibus reddita fuerint inutilia, potiusque eorum malitia ita quotidie magno fidelium omnium scandalo et querela excrescere deprehendatur, ut de eorum emendatione nulla spes amplius relicta videatur, statuit ut posthac in quibuscumque christianæ religionis locis eorum nomen atque usus penitus aboleatur, nec ad officium hujusmodi exercendum {445} ullatenus admittantur; non obstantibus privilegiis, ecclesiis, monasteriis, hospitalibus, piis locis et quibusvis cujuscumque gradus, status et dignitatis personis, concessis, aut consuetudinibus etiam immemorabilibus. Indulgentias vero aut alias spirituales gratias, quibus non ideo christifideles decet privari, deinceps per ordinarios locorum, adhibitis duobus de capitulo, debitis temporibus populo publicandas esse decernit. Quibus etiam eleemosynas, atque oblata sibi charitatis subsidia, nulla prorsus mercede accepta, fideliter colligendi facultas datur, ut tamdem cœlestes hos Ecclesiæ thesauros, non ad quæstum sed ad pietatem exerceri, omnes vere intelligant.”
“Conciliorum generalium Ecclesiæ catholicæ, Pauli V Pont. Max. auctoritate editus.” Tomus iv, Rome, 1628, second paging, p. 261.
XVI (p. [344]) THE FIRST RECORDED CRUCIFIX IN ENGLAND SCULPTURED FROM LIFE
Thomas of Burton, Abbot of Meaux, near Beverley, writes: “Dictus autem Hugo abbas xvus crucifixum novum in choro conversorum fecit fabricari. Cujus quidem operarius nullam ejus formosam et notabilem proprietatem sculpebat nisi in feria sexta, in qua pane et aqua tantum jejunavit. Et hominem nudum coram se stantem prospexit, secundum cujus formosam imaginem crucifixum ipsum aptius decoraret. Per quem etiam crucifixum Omnipotens manifesta miracula fecerat incessanter. Unde tunc etiam putabatur quod, si mulieres ad dictum crucifixum accessum haberent, augmentaretur communis devotio, et in quam plurimum commodum nostri monasterii, redundaret. Super quo abbas Cistercii a nobis requisitus, suam licentiam nobis impertivit ut homines et mulieres honestæ accedere possent ad dictum crucifixum, dum tamen mulieres per claustrum et dormitorium seu alia officina intrare non permittantur. . . . Cujus quidem licentiæ prætextu, malo nostro, feminæ sæpius aggrediuntur dictum crucifixum, præcipue cum in eis frigescat devotio, dum illuc ut ecclesiam tantum introspiciant accesserint, et sumptus nostros augeant in hospitatione earundem.”
“Chronica monasterii de Melsa,” edited by E. A. Bond, 1866–68, vol. iii. p. 35, Rolls Series. {446}
XVII (p. [141], [362]) THE PILGRIMAGE OF REYNARD
Tired of his sins, duly shriven, ordered by the hermit to go to Rome, and there receive absolution, Reynard,
“Escrepe et bordon prent, si muet,
Si est entres en son chemin,
Molt resemble bien pélerin,
Et bien li sist l’escrepe au col.”
He does not care to travel alone and, like most pilgrims, prefers company:
“Mes de ce se tint il por fol
Qu’il est meüz sans compaignie,
Le grant chemin n’ira il mie,
Ançois l’avoit laissié à destre,
Une sente torne à senestre,”
and leads him to a place where he finds
“dan Belin
Le moton qui se reposoit,”
and whom he persuades to go with him, thus avoiding, he suggests, being eaten by his owners. A third member, the donkey, is soon added to their party:
“En lor chemin en sont entrè,
Mes il n’orent guères erré,
Qant trovent Bernart l’archeprestre
En un fossé les cardons pestre,”
and he is easily persuaded to follow. They enter the forest. Night comes. Where shall they find shelter? Why should we, Reynard remarks, look for any other “ostel” than the fine grass under this tree?
“Et nos queil ostel querrion
Fors la bele erbe soz cest arbre?
Meus l’eim que un paleis de marbre.”
Appealing as must have been the fine grass to him, Belin objects, the wood being so dangerous. So they continue their journey until they reach the “ostel Primaut,” that is the house of Primaut the Wolf, who was away. There they find
“Char salée, formache et oes . . .
Si i trovent bone cervoise.
Tant boit Belins que il s’envoise;
Si a commencié à chanter
Et l’archeprestre à orguaner,
Et dan Renart chante en fauset.”
Concluding speech of Reynard, after the siege of the house by the wolves, and the miscarriage of the pilgrimage:
“Segnor, dist Renart, par mon chef,
Cest eires est pesant et gref;
Il a el siécle meint prodome
Qu’ onques encor ne fu à Rome:
Tiex est revenuz de sept seinz
Qui est pires qu’il ne fu einz.
Je me voil metre en mon retor,
Et si vivrai de mon labor
Et gaaignerai léelment,
Si ferai bien à povre gent.
Lors ont crié: outrée, outrée!
Si ont fete la retornée.”
“Le roman de Renart,” ed. Ernest Martin, Strasbourg and Paris, 1882 ff, 7 vols.; i. pp. 269 ff.
