Here we have the proper formula under the assize of Clarendon,[274] with which we may compare clause V. in the Inquest of Sheriffs (1170):
De catallis fugitivorum pro assisa de Clarendune, et de catallis eorum qui per assisam illam perierunt, inquiratur quid actum sit ... et an aliquis retatus relaxatus fuerit, vel reus, pro præmio vel promissione vel amore, et quis inde præmium acceperit.
Here we have Henry denouncing in 1170 that escape of criminals through bribery, which we have seen him, above, refusing to connive at four or five years later, when he was offered “quingentas marcas”—Miss Norgate says “five thousand”; but one must not be severe on a lady’s Latin.
But if the accuracy of the ‘Gesta’ tale is thus remarkably confirmed, we can hardly accept its description of the man whose chattels produced so little for the Crown as one of the richest of Londoners. I have not observed him elsewhere on the rolls, so that probably he was only a youthful member of his family.
To return. Andrew “of the oily mouth” must have ceased to occupy his high office shortly after Stephen’s writ of 1139, for we soon find it held by no less interesting a man than Osbert “Octodenarii,” otherwise “Huitdeniers.” This was no other than Becket’s kinsman and employer, whom Garnier terms
Un riche hume Lundreis
Ke mult ert koneiiz et de Frauns et d’Engleis.
Other biographers of Thomas describe him as “vir insignis in civitate et multarum possessionum, ... qui non solum inter concives, verum etiam apud curiales, grandis erat nominis et honoris.”[275] It has been concluded that the future primate was in Osbert’s employment somewhere about 1139–1142,[276] and, according to William Fitz Stephen, “receptus est in partem sollicitudinis reipublicæ Londoniensis.” From the evidence now about to be adduced we learn that Osbert was actually in power at the very time when his young kinsman is believed to have been in his employment. The agreement, therefore, is curiously complete.
Stephanus rex Anglie etc. Osberto octoden[arii] et omnibus Baronibus et vic[ecomiti] et ministris suis London[ie] salutem. Precipio quod faciatis resaisiri ecclesiam Sancti Martini London[ie] et canonicos de terra et de domibus suis de Aldersgate unde filii Huberti juvenis eos injuste et sine judicio dissaisierunt sicut inde saisiti fuerunt antequam episcopus Sar[esberiensis] captus fuisset apud Oxon[iam], et sicut precepi per aliud breve meum. Et quod ipsi postea ceperunt reddi facite juste. Et postea si ipsi quicquid in terras clamaverint Episcopus Wintoniensis cuius ecclesia est et canonici teneant eis inde rectum. Et videte ne audiam amplius inde clamorem.[277]