[546] As well as that of the author of the poem. This immensely popular work of unknown date was in existence anyhow in the XIIth century. See “Mirabilia Urbis Romæ, the Marvels of Rome,” with notes by F. M. Nichols, London, 1889.
[547] “Le Saint Voyage de Jhérusalem du Seigneur d’Anglure,” ed. Bonnardot and Longnon, “Société des Anciens Textes Français,” 1878, pp. 3, 4.
[548] On the normal cost of such journeys (from Rouen to St. James of Compostela, in 1377, 343 fr. of our present money), see d’Avenel, “Histoire économique,” vi. 621.
[549] Toulmin Smith, “English Gilds,” pp. 157, 177, 180, 182, 231.
[550] Devon’s “Issues of the Exchequer,” 1837, p. 159.
[551] Mandate from the Archbishop of York, Feb. 1, 1351–2, in Raine, “Historical Papers from the Northern Registers,” p. 402.
[552] “Chronica monasterii de Melsa,” ed. E. A. Bond, 1868, vol. iii. p. 88, Rolls Series. The Abbot declares that Clement VI replied to the reproaches of his confessor as to his bad life: “Quod facimus modo facimus consilio medicorum.” About his theory of the “treasury,” see supra, p. [314]. The Pontiff, Pierre Rogier, a Frenchman, of great learning and extraordinary memory, of knightly manners, fond of festivities and amusements, had been an opponent of Edward III in the matter of benefices, which may have still increased the Abbot’s animosity. His decision as to the angels was inserted in his bull on jubilees, which were to recur every fifty years instead of every century; it concerns pilgrims coming to the jubilee.
[553] “In which year (1350) there came into England certain penitents, noblemen and foreigners, who beat their bare bodies very sharply, to the effusion of blood, now weeping, now singing; yet, as was said, they did this too unadvisedly, being without licence from the apostolic see.” Walsingham, “Historia Anglicana,” Rolls Series, vol. 1. p. 275. See also Robert de Avesbury, “Hist. Edwardi Tertii,” ed. Hearne, Oxford, 1720, p. 179. The flagellants whipped themselves with knotted cords furnished with nails, they prostrated themselves to the ground singing, with their arms extended cross-wise.
[554] The flagellants were condemned by Clement VI in 1349; he ordered the archbishops, bishops, &c., to have them imprisoned. Labbe, “Sacrosancta Concilia,” Florence ed., vol. xxv. col. 1153.
[555] Letter of the Archbishop of York to his official, “Historical Papers from the Northern Registers,” ed. Raine, pp. 397–399. The guilty were not worthless vagabonds; one has the title of magister, another is professor of civil law.