much_o more_o in_o story_n than_o i_o have_v already_o open_v which_o happen_v the_o rather_o as_o i_o think_v for_o that_o many_o private_a person_n within_o the_o shire_n of_o kent_n be_v of_o long_a time_n not_o only_o bind_v by_o their_o tenor_n of_o castlegarde_n to_o be_v ready_a in_o person_n for_o the_o defence_n but_o also_o stand_v charge_v in_o purse_n with_o the_o reparation_n of_o the_o same_o only_o i_o read_v in_o john_n rosse_n that_o king_n edward_n the_o four_o to_o his_o great_a expense_n which_o other_o reckon_v to_o have_v be_v ten_o thousand_o pound_n amend_v it_o throughout_o have_v therefore_o none_o other_o memorable_a thing_n touch_v the_o castle_n itself_o i_o will_v leave_v it_o and_o pass_v to_o the_o religious_a house_n dover_n lucius_z the_o first_o christen_v king_n of_o the_o briton_n build_v a_o church_n within_o dover_n castell_n to_o the_o name_n and_o service_n of_o christ_n endow_v it_o with_o the_o tolle_fw-la or_o custom_n of_o the_o haven_n there_o and_o eabaldus_n the_o son_n of_o ethelbert_n the_o first_o christen_v king_n of_o the_o saxon_n erect_v a_o college_n within_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o same_o which_o wyghtre_v a_o successor_n of_o his_o remove_v into_o the_o town_n store_v with_o two_o and_o twenty_o canon_n and_o dedicate_v it_o to_o the_o name_n of_o s_o martin_n this_o house_n be_v afterward_o new_a build_v by_o king_n henry_n the_o second_o or_o rather_o by_o william_n corbeil_n the_o archebishop_n in_o his_o time_n stuff_v by_o theobald_n his_o successor_n with_o benedict_n monk_n and_o call_v the_o priory_n of_o s._n martin_n trifle_n though_o common_o afterward_o it_o obtain_v the_o name_n of_o a_o new_a work_n at_o dover_n between_o this_o house_n and_o christ_n church_n in_o canterbury_n to_o the_o which_o king_n henry_n the_o second_o have_v give_v it_o there_o arise_v as_o it_o chance_v usual_o amongst_o house_n of_o religion_n much_o contention_n for_o certain_a superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o for_o voice_n and_o suffrage_n in_o the_o election_n of_o the_o archebishop_n for_o on_o the_o one_o side_n the_o prior_n and_o covent_n of_o dover_n claim_v to_o have_v interest_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o archebishop_n which_o the_o prior_n of_o christ_n church_n will_v not_o agree_v unto_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o prior_n of_o christ_n church_n pretend_v to_o have_v such_o a_o sovereignty_n over_o s._n martin_n that_o he_o will_v not_o only_o visit_v the_o house_n but_o also_o admit_v monk_n and_o novice_n at_o his_o pleasure_n which_o the_o other_o can_v not_o bear_v so_o that_o they_o fall_v to_o sue_v provoke_a and_o brawl_a the_o ordinary_a and_o only_a mean_n by_o which_o monk_n use_v to_o try_v their_o controversy_n and_o cease_v not_o appeal_n and_o plead_v at_o rome_n till_o they_o have_v both_o weary_v themselves_o and_o waste_v their_o money_n howbeit_o as_o it_o common_o fall_v out_o that_o where_o respect_n of_o money_n and_o reward_n guide_v the_o judgement_n and_o sentence_n there_o the_o mighty_a prevail_v and_o the_o poor_a go_v to_o wrack_n so_o the_o monk_n of_o canterbury_n have_v to_o give_v more_o and_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o minister_n be_v ready_a to_o take_v all_o poor_a dover_n be_v oppress_v and_o their_o prior_n in_o the_o end_n constrain_v to_o submission_n and_o here_o because_o i_o be_o fall_v into_o mention_n of_o controversy_n between_o ecclesiastical_a person_n of_o which_o sort_n our_o history_n have_v plenty_n i_o will_v touch_v in_o few_o word_n the_o evil_a entreaty_n that_o william_n longchampe_n the_o jolly_a bishop_n of_o elye_n and_o chancellor_n of_o all_o england_n use_v towards_o godfrey_n the_o king_n brother_n and_o bishop_n of_o york_n elect_v within_o this_o priory_n king_n richard_n the_o first_o ely._n be_v persuade_v by_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o clergy_n to_o make_v a_o expedition_n for_o the_o recovery_n of_o the_o holy_a land_n partly_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o that_o which_o the_o king_n his_o father_n have_v purpose_v to_o do_v in_o person_n and_o partly_o for_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o own_o vow_n which_o he_o make_v when_o he_o take_v the_o cross_n as_o they_o call_v it_o upon_o he_o set_v to_o port_n sail_v his_o kingly_a right_n jurisdiction_n and_o prerogative_n his_o crown_n land_n ferme_n custom_n and_o office_n and_o whatsoever_o he_o have_v beside_o to_o raise_v money_n withal_o and_o so_o commit_v the_o whole_a government_n of_o his_o realm_n to_o william_n the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n his_o chancellor_n he_o commit_v himself_o and_o his_o company_n to_o the_o wind_n and_o sea_n this_o prelate_n have_v now_o by_o the_o king_n commission_n the_o power_n of_o a_o viceroy_n and_o beside_o the_o pope_n gift_n the_o authority_n of_o a_o legate_n and_o vicar_n and_o consequent_o the_o exercise_n of_o both_o the_o sword_n so_o rule_v and_o reign_v over_o the_o clergy_n &_o laity_n in_o the_o king_n absence_n that_o the_o one_o sort_n find_v he_o more_o than_o a_o pope_n the_o other_o feel_v he_o more_o than_o a_o king_n and_o they_o both_o endure_v he_o a_o intolerable_a tyrant_n for_o he_o not_o only_o over_o rule_v the_o nobility_n and_o outface_v the_o clergy_n spoil_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o of_o their_o live_n and_o promotion_n for_o maintenance_n of_o his_o own_o riot_n pomp_n and_o excess_n but_o also_o oppress_v the_o common_a people_n devour_v and_o consume_v wheresoever_o he_o become_v the_o victual_n of_o the_o country_n with_o the_o troop_n and_o train_n of_o man_n and_o horse_n be_v in_o number_n a_o thousand_o or_o fifteen_o hundred_o that_o continual_o follow_v he_o among_o other_o his_o practice_n have_v get_v into_o his_o hand_n the_o revenue_n of_o the_o archbishopric_n of_o york_n whereof_o godfrey_n the_o king_n brother_n be_v then_o elect_v bishop_n and_o busy_a at_o rome_n for_o to_o obtain_v his_o consecration_n and_o fear_v that_o by_o his_o return_n he_o may_v be_v defraud_v of_o so_o sweet_a a_o morsel_n he_o first_o labour_v earnest_o to_o hinder_v he_o in_o his_o suit_n at_o rome_n and_o when_o he_o see_v no_o success_n of_o that_o attempt_n he_o determine_v to_o make_v he_o sure_o when_o soever_o he_o shall_v return_v home_o and_o for_o that_o purpose_n he_o take_v order_n with_o one_o clear_a than_o sheriff_n of_o kent_n and_o constable_n of_o the_o castle_n of_o dover_n to_o who_o he_o have_v give_v his_o sister_n in_o marriage_n that_o he_o shall_v have_v a_o diligent_a eye_n to_o his_o arrival_n and_o that_o so_o soon_o as_o the_o archebishop_n do_v set_v foot_n on_o land_n he_o shall_v strip_v he_o of_o all_o his_o ornament_n and_o commit_v he_o to_o safe_a custody_n within_o the_o castle_n which_o thing_n be_v do_v according_o for_o the_o archebishop_n be_v no_o soon_o arrive_v and_o enter_v the_o church_n to_o offer_v to_o saint_n martin_n sacrifice_n for_o his_o safe_a passage_n as_o the_o gentile_n that_o escape_v shipwreck_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v to_o neptune_n but_o clear_a and_o his_o company_n come_v in_o upon_o he_o and_o do_v the_o chancellor_n commandment_n violent_o hale_v he_o and_o his_o chaplain_n to_o prison_n hereat_o john_n than_o the_o king_n brother_n but_o afterward_o king_n take_v just_a offence_n and_o adjoin_v to_o he_o for_o revenge_n the_o uttermost_a aid_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o baron_n his_o friend_n and_o ally_n raise_v a_o great_a power_n and_o in_o short_a time_n so_o strengthen_v the_o chancellor_n that_o he_o not_o only_o agree_v to_o release_n godfrey_n but_o be_v fain_v himself_o also_o abandon_v his_o late_a pomp_n and_o glory_n to_o get_v he_o to_o dover_n and_o lie_v with_o his_o brother_n clere_n as_o a_o poor_a private_a and_o despoil_a person_n howbeit_o not_o thus_o able_a to_o endure_v long_o the_o note_n of_o infamy_n and_o confusion_n whereinto_o he_o be_v fall_v he_o determine_v within_o himself_o to_o make_v a_o escape_n and_o by_o shift_n of_o the_o place_n to_o shroud_v his_o shame_n in_o some_o corner_n beyond_o the_o sea_n and_o therefore_o shave_v his_o face_n and_o attire_v himself_o like_o a_o woman_n he_o take_v a_o piece_n of_o linen_n under_o his_o arm_n and_o a_o yard_n in_o his_o hand_n mind_v by_o that_o disguise_n to_o have_v take_v vessel_n amongst_o other_o passenger_n unknown_a &_o so_o to_o have_v get_v over_o but_o he_o be_v not_o at_o the_o first_o in_o all_o his_o authority_n more_o unlike_o a_o good_a man_n them_z he_o be_v now_o in_o this_o poor_a apparel_n unlike_o a_o honest_a woman_n and_o therefore_o be_v at_o the_o very_a first_o discover_v he_o be_v by_o certain_a rude_a fellow_n open_o uncase_v well_o box_v about_o the_o ear_n and_o send_v to_o the_o next_o justice_n who_o convey_v he_o to_o john_n his_o great_a enemy_n and_o thus_o be_v all_o the_o gay_a glory_n
end_n that_o by_o his_o help_n she_o may_v take_v he_o up_o and_o cast_v he_o again_o into_o the_o river_n the_o clerk_n obey_v arise_v and_o wait_v on_o she_o towards_o the_o church_n but_o the_o good_a lady_n not_o wont_a to_o walk_v wax_v weary_a of_o the_o labour_n and_o therefore_o be_v enforce_v for_o very_a want_n of_o breath_n to_o sit_v down_o in_o a_o bush_n by_o the_o way_n and_o there_o to_o rest_v she_o and_o this_o place_n forsooth_o as_o also_o the_o whole_a tract_n of_o their_o journey_n remain_v ever_o after_o a_o green_a path_n the_o town_n dweller_n be_v go_v to_o show_v now_o after_o a_o while_n they_o go_v forward_o again_o and_o come_v to_o the_o churchyard_n dig_v up_o the_o body_n and_o convey_v it_o to_o the_o water_n side_n where_o it_o be_v first_o find_v this_o do_v our_o lady_n shrancke_v again_o into_o her_o shrine_n and_o the_o clerk_n peak_a home_n to_o patch_v up_o his_o break_a sleep_n but_o the_o corpse_n now_o eftsoon_o float_v up_o and_o down_o the_o river_n as_o it_o do_v before_o which_o thing_n be_v at_o length_n espy_v by_o they_o of_o gillingham_n it_o be_v once_o more_o take_v up_o and_o bury_v in_o their_o churchyard_n but_o see_v what_o follow_v upon_o it_o not_o only_o the_o rood_n of_o gillingham_n say_v they_o that_o a_o while_n before_o be_v busy_a in_o bestow_v miracle_n be_v now_o deprive_v of_o all_o that_o his_o former_a virtue_n but_o also_o the_o very_a earth_n &_o place_n where_o this_o carcase_n be_v lay_v do_v continual_o for_o ever_o after_o settle_v and_o sink_v downward_o this_o tale_n receive_v by_o tradition_n from_o the_o elder_n be_v long_a one_o both_o common_o report_v &_o faithful_o credit_v of_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n which_o although_o happy_o you_o shall_v not_o at_o this_o day_n learn_v at_o every_o man_n mouth_n the_o image_n be_v now_o many_o year_n sithence_o deface_v yet_o many_o of_o the_o age_a number_n remember_v it_o well_o and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o darkness_n haec_fw-la erat_fw-la in_o toto_fw-la notissima_fw-la fabula_fw-la mundo_fw-la but_o here_o if_o i_o may_v be_v so_o bold_o as_o to_o add_v to_o this_o fable_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o fabula_fw-la significat_fw-la i_o will_v tell_v you_o that_o i_o think_v the_o moral_a and_o mind_n of_o the_o tale_n to_o be_v none_o other_o but_o that_o this_o clerkly_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o talewriter_n i_o say_v and_o fableforger_n be_v either_o the_o fermer_z or_o owner_n of_o the_o offering_n give_v to_o our_o lady_n of_o chetham_n and_o envy_v the_o common_a haunt_n and_o pilgrimage_n to_o the_o rood_n of_o gillingham_n late_o erect_v ad_fw-la nocumentum_fw-la of_o his_o gain_n devise_v this_o apparition_n for_o the_o advauncement_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o deface_v of_o the_o other_o for_o no_o doubt_n if_o that_o age_n have_v be_v as_o prudent_a in_o examine_v spirit_n as_o it_o be_v prone_a to_o believe_v illusion_n it_o shall_v have_v find_v that_o our_o lady_n path_n be_v some_o such_o green_a trace_n of_o grass_n as_o we_o daily_o behold_v in_o the_o field_n proceed_v in_o deed_n of_o a_o natural_a cause_n though_o by_o old_a wife_n and_o superstitious_a people_n reckon_v to_o be_v the_o dance_a place_n of_o night_n spirit_n which_o they_o call_v fairy_n and_o that_o this_o sink_a grave_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o false_a fill_v pit_n of_o master_n clerk_n own_o dig_v the_o man_n be_v to_o blame_v thus_o to_o make_v debate_n between_o our_o lady_n and_o her_o son_n but_o since_o the_o whole_a religion_n of_o papistry_n itself_o be_v theomachia_n and_o nothing_o else_o let_v he_o be_v forgive_v and_o i_o will_v go_v forward_o alfred_n of_o beverley_n and_o richard_n of_o cicester_n have_v mention_n of_o a_o place_n in_o east_n kent_n where_o horsa_n the_o brother_n of_o hengist_n be_v bury_v and_o which_o even_o till_o their_o day_n do_v continue_v the_o memory_n of_o his_o name_n we_o have_v in_o this_o shire_n a_o town_n call_v hor_n smundene_a which_o name_n resolve_v into_o saxon_a orthography_n be_v horsgemyndene_n and_o sound_v as_o much_o as_o the_o valley_n of_o the_o monument_n or_o memorial_n of_o horsa_n but_o for_o as_o much_o as_o that_o lie_v in_o the_o south_n part_n of_o this_o country_n towards_o sussex_n and_o for_o that_o i_o read_v that_o horsa_n be_v slay_v at_o ailesford_n as_o you_o shall_v see_v anon_o in_o a_o encounter_n wherein_o he_o join_v with_o his_o brother_n hengist_n again_o the_o briton_n ailesford_n which_o at_o that_o time_n inhabit_v kent_n it_o be_v the_o most_o reasonable_a to_o affirm_v that_o he_o be_v bury_v at_o horsted_n a_o place_n lie_v in_o this_o parish_n towards_o ailesford_n and_o now_o yet_o know_v by_o the_o same_o name_n which_o signify_v the_o place_n or_o steed_n of_o horse_n captain_n this_o horsa_n and_o his_o brother_n hengist_n both_o who_o name_n be_v synonuma_n and_o signify_v a_o horse_n be_v the_o captain_n and_o chief_a leader_n of_o the_o first_o saxon_n that_o come_v in_o aid_n of_o king_n vortiger_n as_o we_o have_v before_o show_v and_o after_o the_o death_n of_o horsa_n his_o brother_n hengist_n never_o cease_v to_o war_n upon_o the_o briton_n till_o he_o have_v drive_v they_o out_o of_o kent_n and_o make_v himself_o king_n as_o hereafter_o in_o fit_a place_n we_o will_v further_o declare_v frendsbury_n in_o some_o saxon_a copy_n freondesbyrig_n that_o be_v the_o friend_n court_n in_o other_o frinondesbyrig_n stroude_a it_o befall_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o first_o by_o occasion_n of_o a_o great_a &_o long_a drought_n of_o the_o air_n that_o the_o monk_n of_o rochester_n be_v agree_v amongst_o themselves_o to_o make_v a_o solemn_a procession_n from_o their_o own_o house_n through_o the_o city_n and_o so_o to_o frendsbury_n on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o water_n of_o a_o special_a intent_n and_o purpose_n to_o pray_v to_o god_n for_o rain_n and_o because_o the_o day_n of_o this_o their_o appoint_a journey_n happen_v to_o be_v vehement_o boisterous_a with_o the_o wind_n the_o which_o will_v not_o only_o have_v blow_v out_o their_o light_n and_o toss_v their_o bamner_n but_o also_o have_v stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o their_o se_a man_n and_o have_v toil_v themselves_o in_o that_o their_o heavy_a and_o mask_a attire_n they_o desire_v licence_n of_o the_o master_n of_o stroud_n hospital_n to_o pass_v through_o the_o orchyard_n of_o his_o house_n whereby_o they_o may_v both_o ease_v their_o company_n and_o save_v the_o glory_n of_o their_o show_n which_o otherwise_o through_o the_o injury_n of_o the_o weather_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v great_o blemish_v the_o master_n assent_v easy_o to_o their_o desire_n and_o take_v it_o to_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n never_o make_v his_o brethren_n of_o the_o house_n privy_a thereunto_o but_o they_o so_o soon_o as_o they_o understand_v of_o this_o determination_n call_v to_o mind_n that_o their_o hospital_n be_v of_o the_o foundation_n of_o gilbert_n glanvil_n sometime_o a_o bishop_n of_o rochester_n between_o who_o and_o the_o predecessor_n of_o these_o monk_n there_o have_v be_v great_a heat_n for_o the_o erection_n of_o the_o same_o and_o therefore_o fear_v that_o the_o monk_n pretend_v a_o procession_n intend_v to_o attempt_v somewhat_o against_o their_o privilege_n as_o in_o deed_n all_o order_n in_o papistry_n be_v exceed_a jealous_a of_o their_o prerogative_n they_o resolve_v with_o all_o their_o might_n to_o resist_v they_o and_o for_o that_o purpose_n they_o both_o furnish_v themselves_o and_o procure_v certain_a companion_n also_o who_o the_o history_n call_v ribaldes_n with_o club_n &_o bat_n to_o assist_v they_o and_o so_o make_v their_o ambush_n in_o the_o orchyard_n they_o await_v the_o monk_n come_v it_o be_v not_o long_o but_o the_o monk_n have_v make_v all_o thing_n ready_a approach_v in_o their_o battle_n array_n and_o with_o banner_n display_v and_o so_o mind_v no_o harm_n at_o all_o enter_v bold_o into_o the_o house_n and_o through_o the_o house_n pass_v into_o the_o orchard_n mere_o chant_v their_o latin_a letaine_n but_o when_o the_o brethren_n and_o their_o ribald_n have_v espy_v they_o within_o their_o danger_n they_o run_v upon_o they_o and_o make_v it_o rain_v such_o a_o shower_n of_o club_n and_o coulestave_n upon_o the_o monk_n cope_n cowl_n &_o crown_n that_o for_o a_o while_o the_o miserable_a man_n know_v not_o what_o way_n to_o turn_v they_o after_o a_o time_n the_o monk_n call_v their_o wit_n and_o spirit_n together_o and_o then_o make_v virtue_n of_o the_o necessity_n they_o make_v each_o man_n the_o best_a shift_n for_o himself_o that_o they_o can_v some_o traverse_v their_o ground_n decline_v many_o of_o the_o blow_n and_o yet_o now_o &_o then_o bear_v off_o with_o
head_n &_o shoulder_n other_o use_v the_o staff_n of_o their_o cross_n behave_v themselves_o like_o pretty_a man_n other_o make_v pike_n of_o their_o banner_n pole_n and_o other_o fly_v in_o to_o their_o adversary_n wrest_v their_o weapon_n out_o of_o their_o hand_n among_o the_o rest_n one_o save_v his_o charity_n lay_v load_n upon_o a_o marry_a priest_n absolve_a he_o as_o my_o author_n say_v a_fw-la culpa_fw-la but_o not_o a_o paena_fw-la another_o drive_v one_o of_o the_o brethren_n into_o a_o deep_a ditch_n &_o a_o three_o as_o big_a as_o any_o bull_n of_o basan_n espy_v at_o the_o length_n the_o postern_n or_o back_o door_n of_o the_o orchyard_n whereat_o he_o run_v so_o vehement_o with_o his_o head_n &_o shoulder_n that_o he_o bear_v it_o clean_o down_o before_o he_o and_o so_o both_o escape_v himself_o and_o make_v the_o way_n for_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o fellow_n who_o also_o with_o all_o possible_a haste_n convey_v themselves_o out_o of_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o hospital_n and_o then_o shake_v their_o ear_n fall_v a_o fresh_a to_o their_o orgia_n i_o shall_v have_v say_v to_o their_o former_a orison_n after_o this_o storm_n thus_o blow_v or_o rather_o bear_v over_o i_o do_v not_o marvel_v if_o the_o monk_n as_o the_o reporter_n say_v never_o seek_v to_o carry_v their_o procession_n through_o stroud_n hospital_n for_o avoid_v of_o the_o wind_n for_o indeed_o it_o can_v not_o light_o blow_v more_o boisterous_o out_o of_o any_o quarter_n and_o thus_o out_o of_o this_o tragical_a history_n arise_v the_o bywoord_n of_o frendsbury_n clubs_n club_n a_o term_n not_o yet_o forget_v eslingham_n the_o land_n of_o frendsbury_n be_v long_o since_o give_v by_o offa_n the_o king_n of_o midle_n england_n to_o eardulph_n then_o bishop_n of_o rochester_n under_o the_o name_n of_o eslingham_n cum_fw-la appendicijs_fw-la although_o at_o this_o day_n this_o other_o bear_v countenance_n as_o the_o more_o worthy_a of_o the_o twain_o the_o benefice_n of_o frendsbury_n together_o with_o that_o of_o dartford_n be_v at_o the_o suit_n of_o bishop_n laurence_n benefice_n and_o by_o grant_n of_o the_o pope_n convert_v to_o a_o appropriation_n one_o amongst_o many_o of_o those_o monstruous_a birth_n of_o covetousness_n beget_v by_o the_o man_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o dark_a night_n of_o superstition_n and_o yet_o suffer_v to_o live_v in_o this_o day_n light_a of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o great_a hindrance_n of_o learning_n the_o empoverishment_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o the_o infamy_n of_o our_o profession_n rochester_n be_v call_v in_o latin_a dorobrewm_fw-la durobrewm_fw-la dorubernia_n and_o durobrivis_n in_o british_a dourbryf_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o swift_a stream_n in_o saxon_n hrofesceastre_n that_o be_v rofi_n civitas_fw-la rofe_v city_n in_o some_o old_a charter_n rofi_n brevi_fw-la some_o man_n desirous_a belike_o to_o advance_v the_o estimation_n of_o this_o city_n have_v leave_v we_o a_o far_o fetch_v antiquity_n concern_v one_o piece_n of_o the_o same_o affirm_v that_o julius_n caesar_n cause_v the_o castle_n at_o rochester_n as_o also_o that_o other_o at_o canterbury_n and_o the_o tower_n at_o london_n to_o be_v build_v of_o common_a charge_n but_o i_o have_v not_o hitherto_o read_v any_o such_o thing_n either_o in_o caesar_n own_o commentary_n or_o in_o any_o other_o credible_a history_n dare_v not_o avow_v any_o other_o beginning_n of_o this_o city_n or_o castle_n then_o that_o which_o i_o find_v in_o beda_n lest_o if_o i_o shall_v adventure_v as_o they_o do_v i_o may_v receive_v as_o they_o have_v i_o mean_v the_o just_a note_n of_o more_o read_n &_o industry_n they_o of_o reason_n or_o judgement_n and_o although_o i_o must_v city_n &_o will_v free_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v a_o city_n before_o that_o it_o have_v to_o name_n rocester_n for_o so_o a_o man_n may_v well_o gather_v of_o beda_n his_o word_n yet_o see_v that_o by_o the_o injury_n of_o the_o age_n between_o the_o monument_n of_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o this_o place_n and_o of_o innumerable_a such_o other_o be_v not_o come_v to_o our_o hand_n i_o have_v rather_o in_o such_o case_n use_v honest_a silence_n then_o rash_a speech_n and_o do_v prefer_v plain_a unskill_n and_o ignorance_n before_o vain_a lie_v and_o presumptuous_a arrogance_n for_o true_o the_o credit_n of_o our_o english_a history_n be_v no_o one_o way_n somuch_o impair_v as_o by_o the_o blind_a boldness_n of_o some_o which_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o commit_v it_o to_o write_v and_o want_v either_o through_o their_o own_o slothfulness_n or_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o time_n true_a understanding_n of_o the_o original_n of_o many_o thing_n have_v not_o stick_v without_o any_o modesty_n or_o discretion_n to_o obtrude_v new_a fantasy_n and_o folly_n of_o their_o own_o forgery_n for_o assure_a truth_n and_o undoubted_a antiquity_n as_o for_o example_n of_o this_o kind_n although_o there_o be_v at_o hand_n many_o in_o number_n and_o the_o same_o most_o fond_a and_o ridiculous_a in_o matter_n yet_o because_o it_o shall_v be_v both_o odious_a for_o the_o author_n tedious_a to_o the_o reader_n and_o grievous_a for_o myself_o to_o enter_v into_o they_o i_o will_v not_o make_v enumeration_n of_o any_o but_o stay_v myself_o upon_o this_o general_a note_n i_o will_v proceed_v with_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o place_n that_o i_o have_v take_v in_o hand_n the_o which_o may_v apt_o as_o i_o think_v be_v break_v into_o four_o several_a portion_n the_o city_n itself_o the_o castle_n the_o religious_a building_n and_o the_o bridge_n the_o city_n of_o rochester_n take_v the_o name_n as_o beda_n write_v of_o one_o rof_o or_o rather_o hrof_o as_o the_o saxon_a book_n have_v it_o which_o be_v sometime_o the_o lord_n and_o owner_n of_o the_o place_n this_o name_n leland_n suppose_v to_o have_v continuance_n in_o kent_n till_o this_o our_o time_n mean_v as_o i_o suspect_v rolf_n a_o family_n well_o enough_o know_v what_o so_o ever_o the_o estate_n of_o this_o city_n be_v before_o the_o come_n in_o of_o the_o saxon_n it_o seem_v that_o after_o their_o arrival_n the_o maintenance_n thereof_o depend_v chief_o upon_o the_o residence_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o religious_a person_n and_o therefore_o no_o marvel_n be_v it_o if_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o place_n be_v not_o at_o any_o time_n very_o great_a since_o on_o the_o one_o side_n the_o ability_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o canon_n incline_v to_o advance_v it_o be_v but_o mean_a and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o calamity_n of_o fire_n and_o sword_n bend_v to_o destroy_v it_o be_v in_o manner_n continual_a for_o i_o read_v that_o at_o such_o time_n as_o the_o whole_a realm_n be_v sunder_v into_o particular_a kingdom_n and_o each_o part_n war_v for_o superiority_n and_o inlarginge_v of_o bound_n with_o the_o other_o eldred_n than_o king_n of_o mercia_n invade_v lothar_n the_o king_n of_o this_o country_n and_o find_v he_o unable_a to_o resist_v spoil_v the_o whole_a shire_n and_o lay_v this_o city_n waste_v the_o dane_n also_o which_o in_o the_o day_n of_o king_n alfred_n come_v out_o of_o france_n sail_v up_o the_o river_n of_o medwey_n to_o rochester_n and_o beseige_v the_o town_n fortify_v over_o against_o it_o in_o such_o fort_n that_o it_o be_v great_o distress_v and_o like_a to_o have_v be_v yield_v but_o that_o the_o king_n paeonia_n manu_fw-la come_v speedy_o to_o the_o rescue_n and_o not_o only_o raise_v the_o siege_n and_o deliver_v his_o subject_n but_o obtain_v also_o a_o honourable_a booty_n of_o horse_n and_o captive_n that_o they_o besieger_n have_v leave_v behind_o they_o the_o fame_n people_n have_v miserable_o vex_v the_o whole_a realm_n in_o the_o day_n of_o king_n ethelred_n come_v at_o the_o last_o to_o this_o city_n where_o they_o find_v the_o inhabitant_n ready_a in_o arm_n to_o resist_v they_o but_o they_o assail_v they_o with_o such_o fury_n that_o they_o compel_v they_o to_o save_v they_o self_n by_o flight_n and_o to_o leave_v the_o place_n a_o pray_v to_o their_o enemy_n the_o which_o be_v somewhat_o the_o less_o worthy_a unto_o they_o because_o king_n ethelred_n himself_o not_o long_o before_o upon_o a_o displeasure_n conceive_v against_o the_o bishop_n have_v besiege_v the_o city_n and_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n depart_v thence_o before_o he_o have_v a_o hundred_o pound_n in_o ready_a money_n pay_v he_o and_o these_o harm_n rochester_n receive_v before_o the_o time_n of_o king_n william_n the_o conqueror_n in_o who_o reign_n it_o be_v value_v in_o the_o book_n of_o doomsday_n at_o .100_o s_o by_o the_o year_n &_o after_o who_o day_n beside_o sundry_a particular_a damage_n do_v to_o the_o city_n during_o the_o siege_n lay_v to_o the_o castle_n as_o shall_v appear_v anon_o it_o be_v much_o deface_v by_o a_o great_a fire_n that_o happen_v in_o the_o
they_o call_v focalia_n no_o good_o then_o white_a kerchief_n or_o kitchenstuffe_n although_o both_o the_o law_n of_o god_n make_v the_o accomplishment_n honourable_a amongst_o all_o man_n &_o the_o law_n of_o this_o country_n have_v without_o any_o check_n allow_v it_o in_o priest_n till_o their_o own_o time_n for_o henry_n of_o huntingdon_n write_v plain_o that_o anselme_n in_o a_o synod_n at_o london_n prohibuit_fw-la sacerdotibus_fw-la vxores_fw-la ante_fw-la non_fw-la prohibitas_fw-la forbid_v priest_n their_o wife_n which_o be_v not_o forbid_v before_o and_o william_n of_o malmesburie_n affirm_v that_o he_o there_o decree_v ne_o inposterum_fw-la filij_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la sint_fw-la haeredes_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la patrum_fw-la svorum_fw-la that_o from_o thencefoorth_o priest_n son_n shall_v not_o be_v heir_n to_o their_o father_n benefice_n which_o i_o note_v short_o to_o the_o end_n that_o man_n shall_v not_o think_v it_o so_o strange_a a_o matter_n in_o this_o realm_n for_o priest_n to_o have_v wife_n as_o some_o peevish_a papist_n go_v about_o to_o persuade_v but_o to_o return_v to_o gundulphus_n from_o who_o i_o be_o by_o occasion_n digress_v he_o as_o i_o say_v réedify_v the_o great_a church_n at_o rochester_n erect_v the_o priory_n and_o where_o as_o he_o find_v but_o half_a a_o dozein_n secular_a priest_n in_o the_o church_n at_o his_o come_n he_o never_o cease_v till_o he_o have_v bring_v together_o at_o the_o jest_n three_o score_n monk_n into_o the_o place_n then_o remove_v he_o the_o dead_a body_n of_o his_o predecessor_n and_o with_o great_a solemnity_n translate_v they_o into_o this_o new_a work_n and_o there_o also_o lanfranc_n be_v present_a with_o his_o purse_n and_o of_o his_o own_o charge_n incoffen_v the_o body_n of_o paulinus_n the_o third_o bishop_n of_o rochester_n who_o have_v leave_v there_o the_o pall_v of_o the_o archbishopric_n of_o york_n that_o be_v not_o recover_v long_o after_o in_o curious_a work_n of_o clean_a silver_n to_o the_o which_o shrine_n there_o be_v afterward_o according_a to_o the_o superstitious_a manner_n of_o those_o time_n much_o concourse_n of_o people_n and_o many_o oblation_n beside_o this_o they_o both_o join_v in_o suit_n to_o the_o king_n and_o not_o only_o obtain_v restitution_n of_o sundry_a the_o possession_n withhold_v from_o the_o church_n but_o also_o procure_v by_o his_o liberality_n and_o example_n new_a donation_n of_o many_o other_o land_n &_o privilege_n beside_o to_o be_v short_a gundulphus_n over-living_a lanfranc_n never_o rest_v building_n &_o bege_v trick_v &_o garnish_v till_o he_o have_v advance_v this_o his_o creature_n to_o the_o just_a wealth_n beauty_n and_o estimation_n of_o a_o right_n popish_a priory_n but_o god_n who_o moderate_v all_o thing_n by_o his_o divine_a providence_n show_v he_o self_n always_o a_o severe_a visitor_n of_o these_o irreligious_a synagogue_n god_n i_o say_v set_v fire_n on_o this_o build_n twice_o with_o in_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o erection_n of_o the_o same_o and_o furthermore_o suffer_v such_o discord_n to_o arise_v between_o gilbert_n glanvil_n the_o bishop_n of_o rochester_n and_o the_o monk_n of_o this_o house_n that_o he_o for_o displeasure_n bereave_v they_o not_o only_o of_o all_o their_o good_n ornament_n and_o write_n but_o also_o of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o land_n possession_n and_o privilege_n and_o they_o both_o turmoil_v themselves_o in_o suit_n to_o rome_n for_o remedy_n and_o be_v drive_v for_o maintenance_n of_o their_o expense_n to_o coin_n the_o silver_n of_o paulinus_n his_o shrine_n into_o ready_a money_n which_o thing_n turn_v both_o to_o the_o great_a empoverish_v of_o their_o house_n and_o to_o the_o utter_a abase_v of_o the_o estimation_n and_o reverence_n of_o their_o church_n for_o that_o as_o in_o deed_n it_o common_o fall_v out_o amongst_o the_o simple_a people_n that_o be_v much_o lead_v by_o the_o sense_n the_o honour_n and_o offering_n to_o this_o their_o saint_n end_v and_o die_v together_o with_o the_o gay_a glory_n and_o state_n of_o his_o tumb_n by_o this_o mean_n therefore_o gilbert_n become_v so_o hate_v of_o the_o monk_n that_o when_o he_o die_v they_o commit_v he_o obscure_o to_o the_o ground_n without_o ring_v of_o bell_n celebration_n of_o service_n or_o do_v of_o any_o other_o funeral_n obsequy_n but_o to_o these_o their_o calamity_n be_v also_o add_v one_o other_o great_a loss_n sustain_v by_o the_o war_n of_o king_n john_n who_o in_o his_o siege_n against_o the_o castle_n of_o rochester_n so_o spoil_v this_o church_n and_o priory_n that_o as_o their_o own_o chronicle_n report_v he_o leave_v they_o not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o poor_a pix_n to_o stand_v on_o their_o altar_n it_o be_v now_o high_a time_n therefore_o to_o devise_v some_o way_n whereby_o the_o priory_n and_o church_n of_o rochester_n may_v be_v if_o not_o altogether_o restore_v to_o the_o ancient_a wealth_n and_o estimation_n yet_o at_o the_o least_o somewhat_o relieve_v from_o this_o penury_n nakedness_n and_o abjection_n and_o therefore_o laurence_n of_o saint_n martin_n the_o bishop_n of_o rochester_n perceave_v the_o common_a people_n to_o be_v somewhat_o draw_v by_o the_o fraud_n of_o the_o monk_n to_o think_v reverent_o of_o one_o william_n that_o lie_v bury_v in_o the_o church_n and_o know_v well_o that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o way_n so_o compendious_a to_o gain_v rochester_n as_o the_o advauncement_n of_o a_o pilgrimage_n procure_v at_o the_o pope_n court_n the_o canonisation_n of_o that_o man_n with_o indulgence_n to_o all_o such_o as_o will_v offer_v at_o his_o tomb_n underprop_a by_o mean_a of_o this_o new_a saint_n some_o manner_n of_o reverend_a opinion_n of_o the_o church_n which_o before_o through_o deface_v the_o old_a bishop_n shrine_n be_v decline_v to_o naught_o but_o to_o the_o end_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o what_o hard_a shift_n of_o saint_n these_o good_a father_n be_v then_o drive_v and_o how_o easy_o the_o people_n be_v then_o delude_v you_o shall_v hear_v out_o of_o nova_fw-la legenda_fw-la itself_o what_o great_a man_n this_o saint_n william_n of_o rochester_n be_v he_o be_v by_o birth_n a_o scot_n of_o perthe_n now_o common_o call_v saint_n john_n town_n by_o trade_n of_o life_n a_o baker_n of_o bread_n and_o thereby_o get_v his_o live_n in_o charity_n so_o abundant_a that_o he_o give_v to_o the_o poor_a the_o ten_o loaf_n of_o his_o workmanship_n in_o zeal_n so_o fervent_a that_o in_o vow_n he_o promise_v &_o in_o deed_n attempt_v to_o visit_v the_o holy_a land_n as_o they_o call_v it_o &_o the_o place_n where_o christ_n be_v conversant_a on_o earth_n in_o which_o journey_n as_o he_o pass_v through_o kent_n he_o make_v rochester_n his_o way_n where_o after_o that_o he_o have_v rest_v two_o or_o three_o day_n he_o depart_v towards_o canterbury_n but_o ere_o he_o have_v go_v far_o from_o the_o city_n his_o servant_n that_o wait_v on_o he_o lead_v he_o of_o purpose_n out_o of_o the_o high_a way_n and_o spoil_v he_o both_o of_o his_o money_n and_o life_n this_o do_v the_o servant_n escape_v and_o the_o master_n because_o he_o die_v in_o so_o holy_a a_o purpose_n of_o mind_n be_v by_o the_o monk_n convey_v to_o saint_n andrew_n lay_v in_o the_o quire_z and_o promote_v by_o the_o pope_n as_o you_o hear_v from_o a_o poor_a baker_n to_o a_o bless_a martyr_n here_o as_o they_o say_v show_v he_o miracle_n plentiful_o but_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o mad_a folk_n offer_v unto_o he_o liberal_o even_o until_o these_o latter_a time_n in_o which_o the_o beam_n of_o god_n truth_n shine_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n do_v quite_o chase_v away_o and_o put_v to_o flight_n this_o and_o such_o other_o gross_a cloud_n of_o will_n worship_n superstition_n &_o idolatry_n beside_o this_o priory_n which_o be_v value_v by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o late_a suppression_n at_o .486_o pound_n by_o year_n there_o be_v none_o other_o religious_a build_n in_o rochester_n only_o i_o read_v that_o gundulphus_n the_o bishop_n before_o remember_v build_v there_o a_o hospital_n without_o the_o east_n gate_n which_o he_o call_v saint_n bartilmewes_n hospital_n now_o therefore_o be_o i_o come_v to_o the_o bridge_n over_o medway_n not_o that_o alone_o which_o we_o present_o behold_v but_o a_o other_o also_o much_o more_o ancient_a in_o time_n though_o less_o beautiful_a in_o work_n new_a which_o neither_o stand_v in_o the_o self_n place_n where_o this_o be_v neither_o yet_o very_o far_o off_o for_o that_o cross_v the_o water_n over_o against_o stroud_n hospital_n and_o this_o latter_a be_v pitch_v some_o distance_n from_o thence_o towards_o the_o south_n and_o somewhat_o near_o to_o the_o city_n wall_n as_o to_o a_o place_n more_o fit_a both_o for_o the_o fastness_n of_o the_o soil_n and_o for_o the_o break_n of_o the_o swiftness_n of_o the_o stream_n to_o