SEAL OF ABBOT SAMSON. Frontispiece
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
page
Samson and his arch-eulogist—The Chronicle—Previous Editions of the Chronicle—The Chronicler—The Central Figure of the Chronicle—Samson in Subordinate Offices—Samson as Abbot—Relations with Church and State—Samson as an Author—Samson's Masterfulness—Samson as an Administrator—Epilogue [xv].-xliii.
CHAPTER I.
BURY ABBEY UNDER ABBOT HUGH.
The last years of Abbot Hugh—The monastery under a load of debt, and in the hands of Jew money-lenders—Inquiry by the Royal almoner—Caustic comment by Samson, master of the novices—Exemption obtained by Hugh from visitation by the Legate—Jocelin's reflection thereon—The Convent debt—Entertainment of strangers—Samson in various offices, but disliked by the Abbot—Accident to Hugh at Canterbury—His death—His house despoiled by his servants [1]-11
CHAPTER II.
THE MONKS DISCUSS THE VACANCY.
Wardens of the Abbey appointed by the King—Culpable Weakness of the Prior—William the sacrist—Activity of Samson as subsacrist—Jealousy of him—The Wardens stop further building operations—Much discussion by the monks as to the qualifications needed in the new Abbot—Samson silently notes all that is said—Jocelin's indiscretion in blurting out his private opinion [12]-23
CHAPTER III.
THE CHOICE OF A NEW ABBOT.
Henry II. orders the Prior and twelve delegates from the Abbey to attend him to make choice of a new Abbot—Selection of the twelve—Six electors appointed to choose three names to be given under seal to the delegates—The journey to the Court—Gossip and telling of dreams amongst the monks left behind—The delegates before the King at Bishop's Waltham—The sealed paper opened—Samson eventually selected—Approval of the King, and his comment on Samson's demeanour [24]-35
CHAPTER IV.
SAMSON'S INSTALLATION.