“In his 6th year he gave the bishoprick of Rochester to Hernost, a monk of Christ Church, whom he also consecrated at London. A council was held at Winchester: and the same year Hernost departed this life.

“In his 7th year, he gave the bishoprick of Rochester to Gundulf, whom he consecrated at Canterbury. This year Thomas Archbishop of York sent letters to Lanfranc, requesting that he would send two Bishops to consecrate a certain priest, who had come to him with letters from the Orkneys, to the intent that he might be made Bishop of those islands. Lanfranc consenting to this, commanded Wolstan Bishop of Worcester, and Peter Bishop of Chester, to go to York, and to assist Thomas in completing the ceremony.

“In his 8th year, a council was held at London, in which Lanfranc deposed Ailnod Abbot of Glastonbury.

“In his 11th year, a council was held at Gloucester, wherein, by the King’s order, and with the consent of Lanfranc, Thomas Archbishop of York consecrated William to the Bishoprick of Durham; and because he could not be attended by the Scotch Bishops his suffragans, the Bishops Wolstan, Osbern, Giso, and Robert assisted at this ceremony by the command of Lanfranc.—At this time Lanfranc sent letters rich in sacred lore to Bishop Donald in Ireland.

“In his 16th year Lanfranc consecrated Donatus, his monk at Canterbury, to the bishoprick of Dublin, by the desire of the King, clergy, and people of Ireland. This year a council was held at Gloucester, wherein Lanfranc deposed Wulstcetel Abbot of Croyland. He consecrated Robert to the bishoprick of Chester, and William to that of Elmham, in one day, at Canterbury. At Winchester also he consecrated Maurice as Bishop of London, who brought noble gifts to his mother church of Canterbury a few days afterwards.

“In the 18th year of Lanfranc’s prelacy, on the death of King William beyond sea, he acknowledged his son William, as he had done his father, and consecrated and crowned him in St. Peter’s Church, which is in the western part of London. The same year, and at his metropolitan city of Canterbury, he examined and consecrated Godfrey as Bishop of Chichester, Wido also as Abbot of St. Augustine’s and John as Bishop of Wells. The next day Lanfranc, on his own authority, and taking with him Odo Bishop of Baieux the King’s brother, who was then at Canterbury, conducted the Abbot Wido to St. Augustine’s and commanded the Brothers of the Order to receive him as their own Abbot and Pastor; but they, with one accord, answered that they would neither submit to him nor receive him. Thus Lanfranc came leading the Abbot, and when he found that the Monks were obstinate in resistance, and that they would not obey him, he commanded that all the refractory should come out one by one. When therefore nearly all had left the monastery, Lanfranc and his suite led in the Abbot with much pomp, placed him in the chair, and delivered the church up to him. He also seized the Prior, Elfrin by name, and as many others as he thought fit, and he put them forthwith into claustral imprisonment at Canterbury; but he sent those who had the greatest influence, and were the authors of this scandal, to the castle to be confined there. After he had returned home having finished all, he was informed that the monks who had left the monastery were assembled, near St. Mildred’s church. Hereupon he sent to them, saying, that if they would, they might return to the church before the 9th hour, but that if they delayed longer, they would not be allowed free entrance, but be treated as renegadoes. Having heard this message they doubted whether to return or to remain, but at the hour of refection, when they became anhungered, many repenting of their obstinacy sent to Lanfranc and promised submission. These he treated with lenity, and desired that they should return directly and confirm by oath their profession of obedience to the aforesaid Abbot. Thus they returned and swore faithfulness and obedience to the Abbot Wido, upon the relics of St. Augustine. Lanfranc seized those who remained behind and placed them in various monasteries of England, confining them till he brought them to profess their submission. About the same time he seized one of them named Ælfred, who had attempted to flee, and confined him loaded with irons at Canterbury, together with some of his fellows: and he exercised upon them the utmost severity of their order. But when these monks were thought to be sufficiently humbled and had promised amendment, Lanfranc taking pity on them, had them brought from the several places whither he had banished them, and reconciled them to their Abbot.

“The same year the dissentions were renewed, and the monks plotted the death of their Abbot, but one of them, named Columban, being taken, Lanfranc caused him to be brought to him. And as he stood there before him, Lanfranc asked if he desired to murder his Abbot. And the monk forthwith replied “Yes! if I could I would certainly kill him.” Then Lanfranc commanded that he should be tied up naked by the gates of St. Augustine’s and suffer flagellation before all the people, that his cowl should then be torn off, and that he should be driven out of the city. This order was executed, and thenceforth during Lanfranc’s life, sedition was repressed by the dread of his severity.

“In the 19th year of his prelacy, died the venerable Archbishop Lanfranc, and he was buried at his metropolitan see of Canterbury, of which he had been possessed eighteen years, nine months, and two days. His deeds, his buildings, alms, and labours, are only in part recounted in the writing which is read on his anniversary, for they were very numerous. After his death the monks of St. Augustine’s, openly rebelling against their aforesaid Abbot Wido, stirred up the citizens of Canterbury, who, with an armed force, attempted to slay him in his house. But his family made resistance, and when many had been wounded, and some killed on both sides, the Abbot with much difficulty escaped unhurt from amongst them, and fled for refuge to the mother church of Canterbury (Christ Church). On the report of this disturbance Walkelm Bishop of Winchester, and Gundulf Bishop of Rochester, suffragans to the see of Canterbury, with some noblemen sent by the King, hastened to Canterbury, that they might take vengeance on the delinquents; and when they had enquired into the causes of the sedition and had found the monks unable to clear themselves, they condemned them to suffer public punishment because they had transgressed openly. But the prior and monks of Christ Church, moved with piety, pleaded against this sentence, lest, if they were to receive their discipline before all the people, they should henceforth be accounted infamous, and so their profession and office come to be despised. Wherefore it was granted on their intercession, that the punishment should take place in the church, into which the populace should not be admitted, but those only who were appointed to see it executed. And two monks of Christ Church, Wido and Norman, were called in, and they inflicted the punishment at the command of the Bishops. Then the rebellious monks were dispersed into various monasteries of England; and 24 monks of Christ Church were substituted in their place, together with the prior, named Anthony, who had been sub-prior at Christ Church. The townsmen who entered the Abbot’s hall in arms were seized, and those who were convicted of having struck him lost their eyes.

“After the death of Lanfranc the see remained vacant four years, nine months, and nine days, during which time it suffered much adversity. At length, in the year of our Lord’s incarnation 1093 and on the 2d of the nones of March, the Archbishoprick of Canterbury was given to Anselm Abbot of Bec, a good and an upright man, of great learning, and amongst the most noted of his time. He came to Canterbury on the 7th of the calends of October, his earlier arrival having been prevented by many sufficient causes, and he was consecrated on the 2d of the nones of December.”

1071.