"Because it was not needed; nor could I leave my refuge in the woods, where I had my own little flock to attend to, the few poor sheep saved from the Norman wolf. Pardon me, for ye are Normans."
"We are Benedictines," said Lanfranc, reprovingly; "English or Normans, the children of our father Benedict are brethren, even as there is neither Jew nor Gentile, bond nor free, in Christ."
"But why hast thou now come?" said Geoffrey.
"Hast thou not heard that the Camp of Refuge has fallen?"
"And what then?"
"Wilfred of Aescendune was a refugee therein."
"And is he taken?"
"He was sent, together with Egelwin, Bishop of Durham, as prisoner to Abingdon, and will be brought to trial, when William arrives there next week, and, unless thou savest him, will undoubtedly die the death."
"He shall not die," said Geoffrey, "if we can save him. William must acquit him if he hear all."
"Acquit him, yes," said Lanfranc, "of sacrilege and parricide; but not, I fear, of the guilt of rebellion against his lawful king {[xxiv]}."