Past and Present

Chapter 13

Subscribe for ad free access & additional features for teachers. Authors: 267, Books: 3,607, Poems & Short Stories: 4,435, Forum Members: 71,154, Forum Posts: 1,238,602, Quizzes: 344

Of Abbot Samson's public business we say little, though that also

was great. He had to judge the people as justice Errant, to

decide in weighty arbitrations and public controversies; to

equip his _milites,_ send them duly in war-time to the King;--

strive every way that the Commonweal, in his quarter of it, take

no damage.

Once, in the confused days of Lackland's usurpation, while Coeur-

de-Lion was away, our brave Abbot took helmet himself, having

first excommunicated all that should favour Lackland; and led

his men in person to the siege of _Windleshora_, what we now call

Windsor; where Lackland had entrenched himself, the centre of

infinite confusions; some Reform Bill, then as now, being

greatly needed. There did Abbot Samson 'fight the battle of

reform,'--with other ammunition, one hopes, than 'tremendous

cheering' and such like! For these things he was called 'the

magnanimous Abbot'

He also attended duly in his place in Parliament _de arduis

regni;_ attended especially, as in _arduissimo,_ when 'the news

reached London that King Richard was a captive in Germany.' Here

'while all the barons sat to consult,' and many of them looked

blank enough, 'the Abbot started forth, _prosiliit coram

omnibus,_ in his place in Parliament, and said, That _he_ was

ready to go and seek his Lord the King, either clandestinely by

subterfuge (_in tapinagio_), or by any other method; and search

till he found him, and got certain notice of him; he for one!

By which word,' says Jocelin, 'he acquired great praise for

himself,'--unfeigned commendation from the Able Editors of

that age.

By which word;--and also by which _deed:_ for the Abbot actually

went 'with rich gifts to the King in Germany;' Usurper Lackland

being first rooted out from Windsor, and the King's peace

somewhat settled.

As to these 'rich gifts,' however, we have to note one thing: In

all England, as appeared to the Collective Wisdom, there was not

like to be treasure enough for ransoming King Richard; in which

extremity certain Lords of the Treasury, _Justiciarii ad

Scaccarium,_ suggested that St. Edmund's Shrine, covered with

thick gold, was still untouched. Could not it, in this

extremity, be peeled off, at least in part; under condition, of

course, of its being replaced, when times mended? The Abbot,

starting plumb up, _se erigens,_ answered: "Know ye for certain,

that I will in no wise do this thing; nor is there any man who

could force me to consent thereto. But I will open the doors of

the Church: Let him that likes enter; let him that dares come

forward!" Emphatic words, which created a sensation round the

woolsack. For the Justiciaries of the _Scaccarium_ answered,

'with oaths, each for himself: "I won't come forward, for my

share; nor will I, nor I! The distant and absent who offended

him, Saint Edmund has been known to punish fearfully; much more

will he those close by, who lay violent hands on his coat, and

would strip it off!" These things being said, the Shrine was not

meddled with, nor any ransom levied for it.

For Lords of the Treasury have in all times their impassable

limits, be it by 'force of public opinion' or otherwise; and in

those days a Heavenly Awe overshadowed and encompassed, as it

still ought and must, all earthly Business whatsoever.

Art of Worldly Wisdom Daily

In the 1600s, Balthasar Gracian, a jesuit priest wrote 300 aphorisms on living life called "The Art of Worldly Wisdom." Join our newsletter below and read them all, one at a time.

Email:

Sonnet-a-Day Newsletter

Shakespeare wrote over 150 sonnets! Join our Sonnet-A-Day Newsletter and read them all, one at a time.

Email: