The early South-English legendary ; or, Lives of saints. I. Ms. Laud, 108, in the Bodleian library. Edited by Carl Horstmann.

27 ¶ Ici poez oyer coment seint Thomas de Kaunterbures nasqui. e de quev manere gent de pere e de Mere.

WOlle ȝe nouþe i-heore þis englische tale : þat is here i-write [folio 61] Of seint Thomas of Caunterburi : al-hou he was bi-ȝite? Of londone is fader was : A bordeys [r. borgeys] hende and fre, Gilbert Bekat was is name : þe bok tellez me. Line 4 Ake is Moder was of heþenesse. : nov sone ȝe mouwen i-heore Al-hou heo cam into engelonde : are heo i-cristned were. Gilebert him bi-þouȝte : þe Croiz for-to fo In-to þe holie lond : his penaunce þe bet to do. Line 8 So þat, þo he þudere cam : he was sone i-nome, Ase A sclaue forth i-lad : and i-don In prisone, And faste was i-gwiued : he and manie mo, And i-wust wel sikerliche : þat he ne scholde a-wei go. Line 12

Line 12 In þe Amirales prisone [orig. prisones] : heo hadden i-beo so longue, To ȝeres and an half : In bendes swiþe strongue, So þat god ȝaf þe Amiral : boþe heorte and wille Þe more to louien Gilebert : for he was meoke and stille. Line 16 Eche daie ȝwane þe Amiral : to is mete wolde go, he bad, Gilebert to is mete : scholde come also— gret auantage, for-soþe, it was : þat he miȝte so gon; Ake euere he hadde ane peire feteres : faste him up-on. Line 20 And ofte-siþes þe Amiral : dude for Gilebardes loue Auantage to is felawes : þat with him weren In prisone. hit bi-feol þat Amiral : Ane faire douȝter hadde— Childrene of is owene : none mo for-soþe he nadde. Line 24 priueliche heo dude for Gilebert : Auantages manie and fele. And ofte-siþe heo wolde speke with him : ȝwane heo miȝte to bi|stele— For heo ne dorste bi-fore hire fader : laste he it onder-ȝete Þat it were for gyle : þat heo with him speke. Line 28 Ȝeot it bi-feol In a dai : þat heo saiȝ þo heo miȝte: to Gillebert heo eode priueliche : and echste him ȝwat he hiȝte And of ȝwat bi-leue he were : and of ȝwyche londe, And ȝif he wolde for is louerdes loue : þene deth a-fonge. Line 32 Gilbert hire Ansuerede þo : In swiþe fair manere: "Of engelonde ich am, and cristine Man : þei ich beo nouþe here; Mi name is Gilbert beket : of Londene þe cite; gladliche icholde þane deth a-fongue : for is loue þat [MS. þad.] bouȝte me, Line 36 And for-to saui mi cristine-dom : and mine trewe bi-leue al-so." Þis womman to Gilbert wel sone : þeos wordes heo seide to: "Cristine-dom ichulle onder-fonge : for þe loue of þe, And þou a-non aftur-ward : treweliche weddi me." Line 40 Gilbert was ful sore a-drad : of þis wommane sawe, Laste heo wolde bi-Meldi him : ȝware-þoruȝ he were a-slawe. To ȝeres and an half he was sclaue : and þat him þouȝte longe: So þat he and is felawes : gonne heom onder-stonde Line 44 Þat heo wolden þet prison breke : and A-weiward gon; Sore heo weren alle a-ferd : for traison of þat womman. [folio 61b] Þat prison heo breken : riȝt þulke daie at eue;

Forth heo wenden alle a-wei : þare nolde non bi-leue. Line 48 In þe morewe-tide heo weren i-souȝt : bote þer nas non i-founde. Ak þo bi-þouȝte þat Maiden hire : In wel luyte stounde hov heo miȝte best on take : and ȝwat heo miȝte do; So þat heo porueide hire : and fort a-wei gan go. Line 52 Al-bi nyȝte heo wende a-wei : men nusten ȝware heo bi-cam. Ne heo ne couþe nanne wei : bote god was hire lodes-man. Þoruȝ godes grace heo was i-lad : with men þat onder-stoden hire langage, So þat heo cam to þe se : and redi fond hire passage. Line 56 Þane wei heo Axede In hire langage : In-to engelonde; So þat heo cam with pilegrimes : ase ich me onder-stonde, Ouer þe se sauf and wel : þoruȝ grace þat heo hadde Of Iesu crist, and socur of men : þat hire ouer ladden. Line 60 heo ne couþe no-þing conteini hire : ne speken no-þe-mo; Ake euere heo axede In hire langage : to londone for-to go. Mid pilegrimes and þoru grace of god : to londone heo cam. And þo heo was þudere i-come : þare ne knev heo no man, Line 64 Ne heo ne couþe speke ne hire bi-seo : bote ase a best þat a-strayed were. Þare-fore on hire gapede alday : swyþe muche fol[c] þere, boþe Men and wommen : and children suyþe fale— for hire continaunce was wonderful : and hire speche no Man ne couþe þare. Line 68 In Manie stretes heo hadde i-wandret— : þat Man may wel i-wite, So þat bi-fore gilbertes house : þe Noyse was onder-ȝite. For þe knaue þat hadde with him : In heþenesse i-beo, to þe dore he orn swyþe : þe dune for-to i-seo. Line 72 he i-saiȝ þat it was þe Amirales douȝter : þat al þe wondringue was on: hasteliche he tornede In a-ȝen : to is louerd a-non, And seide, þe Amirales douȝter was : In þe strete þare-oute, And suyþe gret prece of gurles and Men : comen hire al-a-boute; Line 76 he seide, "al þe gredinge is for hire : þat ȝe doth nouþe i-heore." "Louerd," seide gilbert, "ȝweþur heo beo : al-one with-outen fere?" he het is knaue loki sothþeliche : ȝif þat heo it were;

And bad hire leden to ane guode wyues house : and a-stunte with hire þere, Line 80 And þat heo hire scholde finde i-nouȝ : of al þat heo hadde neode, riȝt ase heo wolde is owene bodi : and he hire þar-of bede. Al-so tyme ase þis knaue : to þis Mayde cam, For Ioye heo ful a-doun i-swowe : opon þe harde ston. Line 84 Þo hire stat was a-ȝein i-come : þe knaue hire op nam, And heo wel gladliche with him eode : to þulke guode womman. An^d heo hire onder-feng swiþe faire : for gilberdes loue; heo makede hire wel an-Ayse : and was hire swyþe wel-come. Line 88 Gilbert him bi-þouȝte : a-non so he hadde i-ete, To þe bischop for-to gon : with him forto speke, Þare he was at seint poules : of him to habbe red a-non [folio 62] Al-ȝwat him were of þat Maide : is beste forto don. Line 92 Þane bischop of londone : for-soþe he fond þere, And fyue oþur bischopes : with him þare were; So þat he fond þare six bischopes : þe beste of Engelonde. And þo Gilbert i-saiȝ heom alle : bi-fore heom he eode stonde; Line 96 he bi-gan to telle is tale : þoruȝ is owene Mouth, And are he hadde al i-told : heo was swyþe selcouth. he tolde hou he In þe Amirales prisone : in heþenesse hadde i-be And hov þe Amirales douȝter to him seide : þat was so fair and fre, Al-hov þat heo wolde cristine bi-come : for enchaison of him Ȝif he wolde weddi hire : and for-saken al hire kun; Line 102 And hou he and is felawes : bi-twene hem alle bi-speke For drede of hire wordes : þat prison for-to breke, Line 104 ȜIf þat heo miȝten grace habbe : a-wei for-to gon, laste heo weren alle for hire : to stronge deþe i-don; And al-hou heo was to londone i-come : and fram so fer i-gon, gret wonder þar-of he hadde : for language ne couþe heo non. Line 108 Þo þis bischopes hadden i-heord : þat gilbert heom hadde i-told, Þe bischop of wynchestre it wel onder-stod : for he was wis and bold: Þat hit was al þoruȝ godes grace : þat heo was so fer i-come, Out of hire owene londe so fer : þat heo þoru miseise ne hadde i-be nome; [MS. nonome.] Line 112 For heo ne couþe language non : with men for-to speke,

With ȝwan heo miȝte i-winnen hire : herboruwe and drinke and mete. he seide, "with-oute faille : ȝif god hathþ i-porueid so þat heo for gilberdes loue : cristinedom wole onder-fo, Line 116 And gilberd hire wolde weddi : sum blede of hire schal come Þat schal holie churche holde to riȝte : and serui godes sone. For we it mowen wel i-wite : and we wollen us onder-stonde: Þat heo is in-to þis londe i-come : it is godes sonde. Line 120 for þat þing þat god helpe wole : ne schal nouȝt beo for-fare." Alle þeos oþure bischopes : a-cordeden to þis tale, And seiden þat gilberd scholde weddi hire : and holden hire to wiue, Ȝif heo wolde i-cristned be : and tuyrne to clene liue. Line 124 So þat a-non-riȝt þene moruwe : i-porueid it was al-ȝare At seint poules churche, þat heo scholde : Icristned beo riȝt þare. Þo þe baptisterie was al-redi : to hire baptizingue, Þe bischopes beden þat Men scholden : þe womman bi-fore heom bringe. Line 128 Þo heo cam bi-fore þe bischopes : heo axeden hire wel sone Ȝif heo wolde i-cristned beo : ase lawe was for-to done. heo answerede In hire langage : wel sone heom a-ȝen: Ȝif gilbert wolde hire weddi : i-cristned heo wolde ben Line 132 And bote he hire weddi wolde : heo nolde cristinedom a-fongue, heo seide heo wolde raþer tuyrne aȝen : In-to hire owene londe. Gilberd couþe hire language. : þare he stod wel stille: to þe bischopus he seide : he wolde don heore wille. [folio 62b] Line 136 So þat heo i-cristned was : ase god hire ȝaf þe grace, Of alle þe six bischopes : and i-spouse in þe place. hire heþene name ne j nouȝt telle : for-soþe ȝwat heo hiet, Þe name þat heo of cristindom hadde : i-wute ȝe schullen ȝet: Line 140 heo was i-nemd Alisaundre : as ich me onder-stonde; Seint Thomas was on hire bi-ȝite : pris-martyr of engelonde. Þo Gilbert [orig. Gilberd] hire hadde i-weddet : wel glad of him heo was. Þe furste Nijȝt þat he knovleiȝte hire : he bi-ȝat seint thomas. Line 144 Fram þe tyme þat he was bi-ȝite : for-to þat he was i-bore he ne lai non more bi hire : þane he dude bi-fore. Anon-riȝtes a-morewe : so gret wille him nam to þe holi londe for-to gon : þat he cam erore fram, Line 148

Line 148 Þat him þoute deiȝe he scholde : bote he wende a-ȝenward sone. Ake he bi-þouȝte him of is wiues stat : ȝwat were of hire to done, laste heo wolde mourny swyþe : ȝwane he were a-gon, And gret deol to hire nime— : for langage ne couþe heo non Line 152 Þat ani Man couþe onder-stonde : þat heo speke to, bote gilbert oþur [his] knaue. : þare-fore him [was] ful wo. So þat gilbert was in grete þouȝte : and bi-gan to sike sore, laste is wif gret harm habbe scholde : ȝwane he i-wend weore. Line 156 Þare-fore gilbert mournede muche : and siȝte stille and softe, laste is wif fur-fare scholde : he bi-þouȝte him ofte. for þe mourningue þat he makede : is wif it onder-stod, And for he siȝte i-lomeliche : þat i-chaunged was is mod. Line 160 his wif him axede swiþe ȝeorne : and a-raysonede him wel touȝte, Ȝif him mis-likede ani-þing : þat grefde him in þouȝte. So streitliche heo fraynede him : þat he ne miȝte no leng for-sake: he tolde hire hov gret wille he hadde : þene wei a-ȝein to take, Line 164 For-to trauaili is bodi more : ase euerech man wel ouȝte, Al for-to honouri Iesu crist : þat him so deore a-bouȝte. Þo heo saiȝ gilbertus wille : þat it was so guod, heo nolde no-þing a-ȝen him beo : for-to chaungi is mod, Line 168 Ake heo ȝaf him conseil þane wei to gon : þat he hadde In þouȝte, And forto queme Iesu crist : þat him deore bouȝte. Þare was i-sene þat heo was treowe : and of studefast mod! heo nolde letten hire louerd nouȝt to done : þat him þouȝte god, Line 172 Ake euere heo bad him þane wei gon : þat he hadde In þouȝt For-to serui is creatour— : þare-a-ȝein he^o nolde beo nouȝt, And ȝeorne he [= heo] bad for enchaison of hire : he ne scholde it nouȝt bi-leue. Saue [MS. sone] heo bi-souȝte gilbert : þat he one bone hire ȝeue: Line 176 Þat heo moste is knaue with hire habbe : þat hire langage couþe, And for he scholde hire solas beo : and speke to hire with mouþe. heo truste so muche to Iesu crist : þat to cristinedom ire hadde i-brouȝt, Þat heo ne scholde nouȝt fur-fare— : so treowe was hire þouȝt. Line 180 Gilebard lefde is knaue wit hire : his name was Richard Mone. [folio 63] he greiþede him wel haste-liche : and wende is wei wel sone. To þe holie londe he wende : In penaunce ase he dude er,

And þare he bi-lefde þo : fulle furthþe-half ȝer. Line 184 Þo he hadde þre ȝer þare i-be : and an half ȝer more, Into is owene londe : a-longued he was sore. Ȝif þat he was þare ouȝt i-knowe : I-ne can ou tellen non ende; bote, ase þe bok us tellez : hamward he gan þo wende. Line 188 And þo he to londene [MS. londe^ne] cam : Ichot wel, þare he founde his wif and thomas, is ȝonge sone : boþe hole and sounde. Welle, muche was þe Ioie : þat he makede with is sone, And also he dude with is wif : þo he was hom I-come; Line 192 And is wif gret Ioie made : with hire housebonde, For he was hire swiþe wel-come : In-to engelonde. Þat child heo setten to lore : are it were seue ȝer eld; Ich wot, it leornede swiþe wel : and wax swiþe quointe and beld. Line 196 Þo þat he was wel i-woxe : of bodi and of clergise, Þat þe bischop of londone : wilnede is seruise, he nolde serui þe bischope nout : ake he bi-lefde at-hom, And preide is fader wel ȝerne : þat he moste to schole gon. Line 200 Of is fader and of is moder : ȝe habbez i-heord telle, Acke of seint thomas him-selue : þat beste cometh nou to spelle.

¶ Hic Isci Comence la vie seint Thomas Erceeueske de Kaunterbury.

ENgelond, wel glad þov beo : for þou miȝt wel eþe, And al-so holi churche : for one Mannes deþe, Line 204 Þe erchebischop seint Thomas : þat [al. þat ou] wel deore bouȝte With is blod and with is brayn : þat þe scharpe swerd souȝte! Seint Thomas, þis holi Man : to Alle guodnesse he drovȝ. At londone he was i-bore : of guode Men i-nouȝ, Line 208 For of londone is fader was : a wel guod emne Man. Þis child was ȝong to schole i-set : And swiþe wel he bi-gan. His Moder him wolde al day rede : and wel ofte on him crie Chaste lijf and clene for-to lede : and for-sake lecherie, Line 212 And louien bi-fore al oþur þing : god and seinte Marie, And serui hem and holi churche : and bi-leuen alle folie. Þis child, þei it were ȝong : swiþe wel þis under-stod— For seli child is sone i-lered : þare he þenchez to beon guod. Line 216

Line 216 Þo þis child was bet in elde : and of to and twenti ȝer, his moder wende out of þis liue : þat so muchel him louede her. Þis child wolde lengore gon to scole : ake is fader him nolde finde— For þat child þat is modur for-leost : is help is muche bi-hinde. Line 220 Þis child þoruȝ is fader heste : ase man þat oþur red not, Seruede A borgeys of þe toun : and his a-countes wrot. So longe þat he cam to court : and was in guod offiz With þe erchebischop of Kaunterburi : sire tebaud, guod and wis. Line 224 He seruede him so hendeliche : þat In a luytel stounde he makede him his conseiller : so studefast he him founde; his ercedekne he makede him sethþe : and dude al bi is rede. Swyþe wel bi-gan þis Ercedekne : holi churche bi-lede, Line 228 And stifliche heold op hire riȝte— : þat alle Men i-seie, An þar-of nolde he þolien no wrong : þei he scholde þare-fore deie. Wel ofte he wende to rome : for holi churche al-so— Swuche prelatus al-to fewe : beoth nouþe In office i-do! Line 232 ¶ So þat henri king of Engelonde : after sire steuene þe blays— Duyk of Normandie— : y-maked was al In pays. Þis king henri þe ȝongue : þo he to londe cam, louede muche wel to do : and guode Men to him nam, Line 236 And fondede to habben guod conseil : and wis bi al is miȝte, For-to holden riche and pouere : euerech man to riȝte. Of þe Ercedekne Thomas : Men tolden him sone i-nouȝ, hov he was stable Man and wis : and to alle guodnesse drouȝ: Line 240 Þoruȝ þe Erchebischopes graunt : he makede him chaunceler— For euere Man mot him a-bouwie : þat hauez mest pouwer. Þo þis holi Man was i-torned : fram þe office of holi churche To a gret office of þe world : þare-after he moste wurche: Line 244 Al-to nobleie of þe worlde : his continaunce he brouȝte— Of swuche porture neuere Man i-holde nas— : þei oþur were is þouȝte. With more nobleie he rod i-nouȝ : þane he was i-wonet to do: his loreins weren al of seluer : stirapes and spores al-so; Line 248 pley he siwede of hauekus : and of houndes I-nouȝ; And ase men þouȝten, In euereche point : to alle pruyte he drouȝ. bote In is heorte it was an-oþur : hov-so he him bere; And euere he was chaste þoruȝ alle þing : hov-so it euere were. Line 252

Line 252 Ake euere he was for holi churche : and for pouere Men al-so, A-ȝen þe proute courteoures : þat a-ȝen heom wolden ouȝt do. [Both verses were orig. transposed in the MS.] ¶ To holden op holi churche riȝte : so muche wo he gan drie A-ȝen þe luþere courteours : þat a-nuyden him of is liue, Line 256 Also he tolde þe Erchebischope : wepinde swiþe sore, And oþere ofte In priueite : þat loueden him þe more: he wilnede mest of alle þinge : and on ore louerd he gan crie, Þat he moste with honour : bi-leue þulke baillie Line 260 And ech oþur seruise of court : with þe kingus gode wille, For he ne miȝte nouȝt is court paie : bote he wolde is soulle spille. Ake þe king him fond so stable : and so guod conseiller, Þat he nolde make for no-þing : non oþur chaunceler; Line 264 he ne truste to no man so muche : ne þare nas non so heiȝ Þat he tolde is priueite so muche : ne þat him were so neiȝ. So muche he caste is heorte on him : þat In his warde he let do his eldeste sone sire henri— : he was is .Eyr. al-so— Line 268 Þat he were is wardein : and al is ordeinour, Aftur is wille to wissi him : to þe kingus honur. [folio 64] Þe king wende In-to Normandie : for-to soiorni þere, And lefde is sone with seint Thomas : þat he is wardein were. Line 272 ¶ boþe þe fader and þe sone : mest heore heorte heo caste Ope seint thomas þe holi Man : þe ȝwile it wolde i-laste; Þare nas Man In engelond : þat hadde so gret power Of þe reaume ase seint thomas : boþe fer and ner. Line 276 Hit bi-fel þat sire Tebaut : ase god þe grace sende, Þe Erchebischop of Kaunterburi : out of þis liue wende. Þat word was sone wide couth : a-mong þeuwe and freo, Þat seint Thomas after him : scholde Erchebischop beo. Line 280 Þe king al-so In Noremandie : þo men tolden him þat cas, A-non bar is heorte him mest : to don þare seint thomas; Þat couent of Caunterburi : desirede him also. So ase ech Man it wolde : i-brouȝt he [al. it] was þar-to. Line 284 At West-munstre he was i-chose : to þat heie pouwer, Þe fifte ȝer þat he was i-mad : þe kingus Chaunceler; he was of elde þulke tyme : of foure and fourti ȝer— his owene deth he onder-feng : and is Martyr-dom þer. Line 288

Line 288 For þe king was In Normandie : Ipresented he was to henri, is sone, In Engelonde : þo non oþur kyng þere nas. Ake þei it were a-ȝen is wille : he nolde it nouȝt for-sake. ¶ Þo [MS. þo he Axede In ȝwuche Manere : þo Axede he in ȝwuche m.] Axede he in ȝwuche manere : þe croiz he scholde take. Line 292 Men seiden him þat he scholde a-fongue : holi churche so freo Þat he [MS. heo] ne scholde onder noman : bote onder þe pope beo, Ne no-þing þenche bote holden op wel : holi churche lawe. "In þis manere," quath seint thomas : "ich hire a-fongue fawe." Line 296 Þis was riȝt at wit-sonentid : þat þis dede cam to ende. Þis guode Man to Caunterburi : a-non bi-gan to wende. Al þe contreie, to don him honour : a-ȝen him cam and drov; Þare was for him In Caunterburi : Ioie and blisse I-nov. Line 300 Þat dai of þe Trinite : bischop i-sacret he was And onder-feng þis dignete : þe guode Man seint thomas. Sire henri, þe kingus sone : was at his sacringue, And sixtene bischopus al-so : þis dede to ende bringue. Line 304 Þo þis dede was i-don : heo gonne sende sone Aftur is palliun to rome : ase riȝt was for-to done. Alisaundre, þat was pope þo : he was at Mount-pellers: Þudere wenden þis wise men : þat weren is Messagers. Line 308 ¶ Þe Abbod Adam of Euesham : heore cheuenteyn huy nome, to þe pope Alisaundre : to Mount-pellers heo come. heore erinde heo hadden sone of him : for [he] hem no-þing ne wernde, And heo nomen heore leue of him : and hamward a-ȝein heo turnden. And þis pallion wel sone was : to seint thomas i-brouȝt: Þis holi Man it a-fonge : with wel milde þouȝt. ¶ Þo he was in is dignete : al clanliche i-do, [folio 64b] he chaungede euerech-del is lif : and is maneres al-so. Line 316 Þe here he dude on next is liche : is flesches maister to beo, Schuyrte and brech streit i-nov : a-non doun to is kneo— For him þouȝte þat he wel miȝte : of oþure habbe þe maistrie, Ȝif he hadde of is owene flesche : al-ovt þe seignorie; Line 320 Ȝif is soule Maister were : and is flesch is hyne, him þouȝte he miȝte is dignete : bringue to guode fine. Sethþe on-ouewarde þe here : þe Abite of Monek he nam,

And a-boue al þan clerkene Robe : ase to is stat bi-cam; Line 324 So þat he was clerk with-oute : and with-Inne Monek al-so, Þoruȝ þe Abite þat he hadde on him : priueliche i-do. In penaunce and In fastingue : he was niȝt and dai, And In is oresones, bote som ȝwile : þat he slepe lai; Line 328 And ȝwane he scholde eten is mete : for þat he moste nede, Euere he preide ore swete louerd : þat he moste wel spede; And euere ȝwane he Masse song : he wep and siȝte sore; he hastede euere þare-with faste : ne miȝte no man more. Line 332 ¶ Swiþe faire he fedde him at is bord : with grete nobleie and pruyte And of þe beste him-sulf he et : ake ofte bote luyte. Of is ordres he was ful streit : and he was in grete fere For-to ordeinen ani Man : bote he þe betere were. Line 336 Idul nolde he neuere beo : ake euere doinde he was; In eche manere of betere liue : neuere no bischop nas. Sire henri, þe kingus sone : þat with him was er i-brouȝt, bi-lefde euere In is warde : fram him nolde he nouȝt. Line 340 Þe loue þat was hem bi-twene : nas neuere more i-seie, Ne of no Man þis child nadde : neuere more loue eiȝe. [al. ne eiȝe]

[Reditus regis.] HIt bi-fel þat þe king : ovt of Noremandie cam In-to Enguelonde, þe stat to loke : and al-so is kynedom. Line 344 Seint Thomas nam with him : sire hanri, is sone, And wel faire with honour : wende to south-hamptone. Þare was Ioie and blisse i-nouȝ : þo heo to-gadere come; heo custen and heo clupten faste : and hereden god i-lome. Line 348 Þe king bi-lefde In Engelonde : to wardi is kynedom. Seint thomas to is priueitez : euere-more he nam And heold him euere ase he dude er : is hexte conseiller; bi is wille he nolde habbe i-haued : non oþur chaunceler. Line 352 Euere ȝwane he ani-þing dude : þat were a-ȝen þe riȝte, Seint thomas it with-seide : euere with al is miȝte.— Hit bi-fel þat þe bischop of wirecestre : sone þere-after ded was, And þe bischop of hereforde al-so : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas. Line 356 Þe bischopriches fullen boþe : In-to þe kingus hond, For-to onder-fonge al þe prov þare-of : ase lawe was in þe lond. ¶ Þe king heom nolde nouȝt ȝiue sone : bote heold heom swiþe longe

In his hond, þat he miȝte þar-of : þe more prov a-fonge. [folio 65] Line 360 Hit ne likede nouȝt seint Thomas : þat holi churche so Scholde for a luytel coueitise : In þe kingus warde beon i-do; he þouȝte þat it was swiþe muche : a-ȝen ore louerdes wille, And þat þe king miȝte In swuche manere : holi churche a-spille. Line 364 he bad þe kinge In faire manere : þat he ne scholde it nouȝt bi-leue Þat þulke tweie bischoperiches : some guode Men he ȝeue. Þe king him grauntede mildeliche : and nas nouȝt a-ȝen is bone, Ake Þeos bischopriches boþe he ȝaf : twei guode Men wel sone. Line 368 ¶ Seint thomas þouȝte wel : þat he ne miȝte nouȝt paie þe kingue ne his conseil : bote he wolde holi churche bi-traie; In gret care and in soruwe he was : hov he miȝte best do, For he ne miȝte nouȝt paien Ihesu crist : and þene kingue also. Line 372 Seint Thomas halewede þat ilke ȝer : þe churche of Redinge, Þat i-founded was and a-rerd : þoruȝ henri þe oþur kingue, Þat ȝeot lith þare wel faire i-bured— : willames sone bastard. In þulke ȝere seint thomas : schrinede seint edward Line 376 At westmunstre, þare he lijth : þat bi-fore king willame was; bote king harald heom was bi-tueone : for-to is power no leng nas. Þe loue was euere gret i-nouȝ : bi-tweone seint thomas And þe kinge, for-to þe feond : destourbede hit, allas! Line 380 luyte an luyte þat contek sprong : for pouere Mannes riȝte: paie ore louerd and þe kinge : þis holi man ne miȝte. Þe furste tyme þat seint thomas : ovtliche him with-seide, hit was for þe king a-ȝen pouere Men : dude onriȝtful dede. Line 384 ¶ Þe king nam fro ȝer to ȝere : þoruȝ Engelond wel wide After is wille ane summe of panes : i-deld bi-eche side, And sethþe þoru an-queste : he let þoruȝ þe contreies an-quere hov muche ech Man scholde paiȝe : and hov muche is riȝte were. Line 388 So longue he nam taillage : þat he axede atþe laste Eche ȝere ane certeyne rente : þoruȝ al engelond wel faste. Ȝwat for eiȝe, ȝwat for loue : no man him ne with-seide; bote euere þouȝte seint thomas : þat hit was an onriȝtful dede. Line 392 he þouȝte al on god and on is soule : and bi-lefde al his manhede, And wende forth wel baldeliche : to þe king with-outen drede: "Sire," he seide, "ȝif it is þi wille : þou art riche and hende,

And king of gret pouwer i-nov— : ore louerd þe more sende. Line 396 A taillage þov taxt fram ȝer to ȝer : þoruȝ-out al þi londe, And axest it for a certeine rente : with onriȝte, ich onder-stonde; For riȝte rente þov dest it take : at a certein daie in þe ȝere, A certeyn summe a-signed : And so ne dude no king ere. Line 400 Ȝware-þoruȝ þat þat certein rente, me þinchez : þov ne miȝt it nouȝt make: A taillage it is, and sumdel : with vnriȝte i-take." ¶ "Thomas, thomas," quad þe king : "þou art mi chaunceler, Þou auȝtest more to holden op : þane to with-seggen mi power." Line 404 ¶ "Sire," quath þis holi Man : "ich habbe i-beo with þe, [folio 65b] And þou hast, ore louerd fur-ȝelde þe : gret guod i-don me: An oþur baillie ich habbe a-fongue : þei it were a-ȝen mi wille, And I ne mai nouȝt loki boþe wel : bote ich scholde min owene a-spille; Line 408 For ich am to luyte wuyrth : þat on for-to loke: Þanne dude he gret folie : þat boþe me bi-toke. Þare-fore ich þe ȝelde up here : al-out þe chauncelerie, And take me al to holi churche : to god and to seinte Marie." Line 412 Þo was þe king wel of I-nouȝ : wroþere þane he was er; Ake naþeles is heorte bar : euere to Thomas þer. Þat þridde þing ȝeot mest of alle : and sonest in wrathþe hem brouȝte: A preost, þat [al. þer] was a luþer Man : þat luyte of god rouȝte; Line 416 Þat of Manslauȝt was bi-cleoped : and þare-fore i-nome also And In þe bischopes prisone of Salesburi : þare-fore he was i-do. Þe Mannes frend þat was a-slawe : siweden ope him so faste, So þat þe preost to Iuggement : Ibrouȝt was atþe laste. Line 420 Men acuseden him faste of þe dede. : he ne answerede nouȝt þer-to, Acke heold him faste to holi churche : and ope none oþere he nolde him do. ¶ I-loked him was to puyrgi him : þoruȝ clergie, ȝif he miȝte, And dai him was þar-to i-set : þoruȝ holi churche riȝte. Line 424 Þo þe dai was i-come : he ne miȝte him puyrgi nouȝt: he was sone i-lad a-ȝen : and into prisone i-brouȝt. Þo was þe bischop in grete care : ȝwat þer-of were to done; For-to habbe þe wisore red : to seint thomas he sende sone. Line 428

Line 428 And he him sente word a-ȝen : þat he scholde þene preost take And on-ordeini him of euerech ordre : and ase a lewede Man him make, And sethþe don him in strongue warde : þat he neuer-eft þar-of ne wende, In penaunce and in pine i-nouȝ : his sunnes for-to a-mende. Line 432 Þe bischop of Salesburi : dude seint thomas heste; So þat þe preost was i-brouȝt : In tormenz bi þe meste. Þe tiþinge her-of sone : to þe kinge cam, Þat a luþer þef, a manquellare : hadde a so liȝt dom. Line 436 him þouȝte þat it nas nouȝt riȝt : ne þat it ne miȝte nouȝt beo so. And phelipe de boys, a Chanoyne : him hadde al-so mis-do: Þare-fore was ech oþur clerk : þe more him a-ȝen wille; him þouȝte þat swuch lawe scholde : þe pais of þe londe a-spille. Line 440 To westmunstre he let somony : alle þe bischopes of engelonde, And oþure, þe gretteste clerkes al-so : and þe hexte, ich onder-stonde. [Ait Rex.] ¶ "Beav seignours," þe king seide : "I not ȝwat ȝe habbeth i-þouȝt; Ȝif ȝe goth forth with ower wille : ore pais ne worth riȝt nouȝt. Line 444 Ȝif a clerk hath ane Man a-slawe : oþur strong þeffþe i-do, And he mouwe þanne desordeined beo : and to liue comen so, heo wollez þanne mis-don al day : and beon þare-oppe wel bolde, And so schal þe pays of þe londe : wel vuele beon i-holde. Line 448 Luyte heom wolde rechche : to leosen heore ordre so, Ȝwane heo for heore ordre ne spariez nouȝt : þefþe for-to do! [folio 66] And euere þe herre heore ordre is : me þinchez bi puyr lawe, þe strengore scholde heore dom beo : ȝwane heo wolden to þefþe drawe." [Ait Thomas.] ¶ "Sire, sire," quad seint Thomas : "ȝif it is þi wille, Lothz vs were any-þing to don : þi pays for-to a-spille. Line 454 Þe clerkus þat beot^h I-ordeynede : þov wost wel heo berez a signe Þat heo beoth lymes of holi churche : þat so noble is and digne; Line 456 Ȝif heo weren with þulke signe : to vile deþe i-do, A-viled were al-holi churche : and foule i-schend al-so. And ȝif heo beoth formest onordeined : and for þulke sulue dede Sethþe þoruȝ dom to deþe i-brouȝt : it nere nouȝt wel to rede: Line 460 For it nas neuere lawe ne riȝt : double dom to take For o trespas, ase ȝe wel wuteth : and sunne it were to make;

And vnwuyrþere þane a lewed Man : holi churche were so: A lewed Man for o trespas : bote o Iuggement nis i-do. Line 464 Þare-fore þine grace we biddeth þe : ȝif it is þi wille, Þat þov ne a-rere none newe lawe : holi churche to spille, For we biddez niȝt ant day : ase riȝt is for-to do, Þat god holde þe þine riȝte : and þine reavme al-so." Line 468 [Rex.] ¶ "beav sire," quath þe king þo : "þov seist wel i-novȝ. Ich hadde lothz bi mi concience : don holi churche wovȝ; For lawes þere beoth and costomes : þat habbethz euere beon i-holde Of bischopus þoruȝ al Engelond : ase ovre Aunceteres us tolde, Line 472 And bi þe kingus daye henries : þat ovre graunt-sire was I-confermede weren and i-holde : And no man þare-aȝen nas. Woltþu þulke lawes holde? : do me to witene sone!" "We schullen do," seint Thomas seide : "al þat is to done— [Thomas.] Line 476 Alle þe lawes and þe costomes : we schullen holde bi ore miȝte Þat beothz to holde and habbeth i-beo : sire,—sauue oure riȝte." [Rex.] "Sauue ouwer riȝte?" quath þe king : "bev sire, ȝwi seistþou so? bi þulke worde Ine scholde no-þing : aȝen þine wille do Line 480 Þat þov noldest segge þat it were : a-ȝen holi churche riȝte, And so þou miȝtest bringe al þat lond : In contek and In fiȝte. Ȝe moten holde þe lawes : for-soþe ich onder-stonde, Þat word me þinchez venimous : to þe pays of þe londe." Line 484 [Thomas.] "Sire," quath þis holi man : "ne meue ȝe ov riȝt nouȝt! Wel þov wost þat ech of us : are we weren here-to i-brouȝt, Trewenesse we þe sworen ase riȝt was : and eorþelich honour al-so, Sauue ore ordre and ore riȝte— : bote þat was out i-do. Line 488 hou scholde we, sire, nouþe oþur do? : ȝe ne Auȝten it us nouȝt beode. For godes loue hold us to riȝte : for nouþe we habbez neode." [Rex.] ¶ "Ich i-seo nouþe, thomas," quath þe king : "ȝware-to þou wult drawe; Þov art I-come to late : to bi-nimen us ovre lawe. Line 492 Þov woldest makien me more wrechche : þane euere ani kyng was: Þare-to þov art i-come to late : þou cast aumbes as." þe king [aros] in wrathþe a-non : and let heom sitte ech-one; [folio 66b] In-to is chaumbre he wende : and ne grette heom neuer one. Line 496 Fram londone he wende sone : In wrathþe ase þei it were,

he ne seide no man of is þouȝt : ake bi-lefde heom alle þere. Þe bischopus þouȝten þo ech-one : þat he was wroth i-nouȝ, Þare weren fewe bote seint thomas : þat toward him ne drouȝ. Line 500 ¶ On seint Thomas heo criden faste : is þouȝt forte wende, Oþuer he wolde al þat lond : for þulke one worde schende. kniȝtes and oþure ofte comen : þat with þe kinge were And beden seint Thomas ententifliche : þat he þat word for-bere, Line 504 And þat it were him gret folie : þe kinge In wrathþe bringe, And also destourbi al þat lond : for so luytel þingue. Seint thomas stod longe in þouȝte. : "leoue breþren," he seide, "A-ȝen þe kyngus honur I-ne schal : neuere don no dede, Line 508 Ake euerech word ichulle bi-leue : þat a-ȝen is honur is." Þo weren þis oþure glade i-nouȝ : þo heo i-heorden þis, And radden him wende to þe kinge : is wrathþe for-to stille. "Lef me were," quath seint Thomas : "with riȝte to don is wille." Line 512 He wende to þe kinge to Oxenford : and with him þare he fond grete Eorles and barones also : þe hexte of al þe lond. Þe king welcomede seint Thomas : ake he ne made him nouȝt fair chere; bischopes and Eorles he let cleopien : alle þat þere were. Line 516 [Rex.] ¶ "Bev sire," he seide, "ich am king : with riȝte of þis londe; Customes here weren bi-fore : I-vsed, ich onder-stonde, And so muche wrechche nam ich nouȝt : þat ich nelle þe lawes holde Þat ovre Auncestres heolden ȝwyle : ase ore conseil us tolde. Line 520 Þare-fore ichulle þat þulke lawes : i-confermede beoth ech-on Of mine eorles and mine barones al-so : heo ne with-seggez non. Þare-fore ich hote ov euerechone : þat ȝe beon þat ilke dai At mi maner at Clarindone : with-outen ani de-lai, Line 524 For-to confermi þis lawes. : ope peyne þat i schal ou sette, Ich hote þat ȝe beon þare ech-one— : þat non oþur ne lette." So departede þe court þo : and euerech to is In drouȝ; And euere was seint thomas : In care and soruwe i-nouȝ. Line 528 [Clarendon.] ¶ þis bischopes and þe baronie : alle comen to þe daiȝe to clarindone In wilte-schire : þe kingue for-to paye. Þo heo comen to þe parlement : þe king axede heom a-non Ȝweþur heo wolden holde þe lawes : ase heore Auncestres heolden ech-on. Line 532

Line 532 [Thomas.] ¶ "Sire, sire," quath seint thomas : "ȝif it þi wille is, Ech man mot speke for him-selue : and ich for me, i-wis. For mi stat and for holi churche : Ich answerie þar-to Þat alle þe olde guode lawes : And þat ȝeot beoth al-so Line 536 graunti ichulle for holi churche : for-to habben þin ore, Sauue ore riȝtes and ore ordre. : þou ne miȝt axi nonmore." ¶ Þe king was wod-wroth for þat word : þat him gan þo mislike, Seint Thomas wep In is heorte : and sore bi-gan to sike. [folio 67] Line 540 Al-to blodi was þat word i-seid : and deore it was a-bouȝt: Þare-fore was seint Thomas : to stronge deþe i-brouȝt. Þe bischop of Salesburi : and of Northwiche al-so Wepinde knevleden to seint thomas : þat he scholde anoþur do Line 544 And habbe revþe of al-holi churche : and of heom echone, "Þat we ne beon alle to grounde i-brouȝt : for þulke worde one." heiȝe Men þat with þe kingue weren : mani on al-s[o] wende And knevleden to seint Thomas : þat word for-to a-mende. Line 548 ¶ "Louerdyngues," quath seint Thomas : "ich am ȝet a ȝong man And luyte ȝwule habbe bischop i-beo : and þar-on luytel ich can: Þare-fore of ower olde lawes : transcrit ȝe me take, And þare-oppe ichchulle conseillen me : ȝwuche beon to for-sake." Line 552 þe king him let a traunscrit take : of þis customes echon. Seint Thomas grauntede some of heom : and with-seide mani on. [Prima lex.] ¶ Þe lawes þat ichulle nouþe telle : he grauntede wel fawe: 'Ȝif a bonde-man hath ane sone : þat to clergie beo i-drawe, He [MS. Ne] schal nouȝt with-oute is louerdes leue : noȝwere i-crouned beo, For þev-Man ne mai nouȝt beon i-maket : a-ȝen is louerdes wille freo.' [Alia lex.] ¶ An oþur lawe he grauntede al-so : þat ȝe mowen nouþe i-seo: 'Ȝif ani man of holi churche : halt ani-þing of lay-fe, Line 560 person, preost, oþur ȝwat-so he beo : he schal don þere-fore Þe seruise þat to þe kinge bi-fallez : þat is riȝte nere for-lore; And In plaidingue stonde in eche place : and In iuggement al-so, bote ȝware ani Man schal beon bi-leomed : oþur to deþe i-do.' Line 564 [Tertia lex.] ¶ He grauntede also, 'ȝif ani Man : þe kingues traytur were And ani man is chateus : to holi churche bere, Þat holi churche ne scholde nouȝt : þe chateus with strencþe lette, Ake þe king hem scholde wel baldeliche : ase is howene fette. Line 568

Line 568 For al þat þe kingus feloun hath : þe kingus catel it is, And ech man in holi churche : is owene take i-wis.' Seint Thomas grauntede bluþeliche : þeos and oþure mo, Ake þeos oþere he with-seide— : þat dude him muche wo: Line 572 [I^a contradicta.] ¶ 'Ȝif bi-twene tweie lewede men : were ani striuingue, Oþur bi-tuene a lewed man and a clerk : for holi churche þingue, Ase for Avouweson of churche : ȝweþur scholde þe churche ȝiue, Þe king wolde þat In his court : þat plai scholde beon i-driue, Line 576 ¶ for ase muche ase a lewed Man : þe o partye, was clanliche onder þe kingue : and onder no bischop nas.' [ija.] ¶ An oþur lawe was 'þat no bischop : ne clerk noþe-mo Scholde out of engelonde : with-oute þe kingus leue go, Line 580 And þanne heo scholden swerien heore oth : opon þe boke, i-wis, Þat heo ne scholden purchaci non vuel : þe kingue ne none of his.' [iij^a.] ¶ Þe þridde was, 'ȝif ani man : In mansingue were i-brouȝt And sethþe come to amendement : and a-ȝen riȝte nere nouȝt, Line 584 Þat he ne scholde nouȝt swerie op-on þe boke : ake borewes finde he scholde [folio 67b] to stonde to al þat holi churche : with riȝte him lokie wolde.' [iiij^a.] ¶ Þe ferþe was 'þat no man : þat of þe kinge heolde ouȝt In chief oþur In seruise : in mansingue nere i-brouȝt, Line 588 bote þe wardeins of holi churche : brouȝte [al. þat br.] him þer-to, Þat [al. þe kyng s.] seiden, oþur is baillifs : ȝwat he hadde mis-do, And lokede formest ȝweþer heo wolden : to amendement it bringe, And bote huy wolden, bi heore leue : þanne don þe mansingue.' Line 592 [v^a.] ¶ Þe fifte was 'þat no bischopriche : ne non Abbeie also, [al. þat bischopriches: & abbayes also] Þat were voyde with-oute prelat : In þe kingus hond were I-do And þe king scholde al þat lond : ase is owene take, For-to atþe laste þat him luste : ani prelat make; Line 596 And þanne scholde þilke prelat : of is chapele i-chose beo, Of is clerkus ȝwuch þat he wolde : þat benefiz to bi-seo; And þanne ȝwane he were i-chose : In is chapele þere homage he scholde don to him : are he j-confermed were.' Line 600 [vj^a.] ¶ Þe sixte was, 'ȝif ani plait : to chapitle were i-drawe And ani man made ani apel : ȝif men duden him a-ȝen lawe, Þat to þe bischop fram þe Ercedekne : his apel [he] [om.] scholde make,

And fram þe bischop to þe Erchebischop : and sethþe non herre take; bote þe Erchebischopes court : to riȝte him wolle [r. wolde] bringe, Þat he scholde fram þulke court : bi-cleopien to þe kinge, And fram þe kinge non herre'— : so þat atþenende Þe playdingue fram holi churche : to þe kingue scholde i-wende, Line 608 And þe king a-mendi scholde : þe Erchebischopes dede And beon chief of holi churche— : ake seint thomas it with-seide. [vij^a.] ¶ Þe seueþe was 'þat playdingue : þat of dette were, for-to ȝelde þoruȝ treuþe i-pliȝt : and nouȝt i-holde nere Line 612 Al-þei it þoruȝ treuþe were : þe playdinge scholde beon i-brouȝt bi-fore þe kinge and is baillifs : and to holi churche nouȝt.' [viij^a.] ¶ Þe eiȝteþe was 'þat In þe londe : citation non nere Þoruȝ bulle of þe pope of rome : Ake clanliche bi-leued were.' Line 616 [ix^a.] ¶ Þe Ninþe was 'þat peteres panes : þat men gaderiez mani on, Þe pope nere nouȝt on i-send : ake þe kingue euerech-on.' [x^a.] ¶ Þe teoþe was, 'ȝif ani clerk : ase felun were i-take And for kingus felon j-proued were : and he ne miȝte nouȝt for-sake, Þat men scholden furst desordeini him : and sethþe þoruȝ riȝte lawe And þoruȝ riȝt Iuggement of þe londe : bringe him of lijf-dawe.' Line 622 Þeos customes, and manie oþere : þe king pulte forth a-non, And het þoruȝ-out al þis lond : þat Men heom heolden echon. Line 624 Þene feorþe dai bi-fore candelemasse : þo þis was ido, Þe king het seint thomas a-non : and þe oþere bischopus al-so On þis chartre heore seles sette : þat non aftur-tale nere, Þat þulke costomes weren i-holde : þoruȝ al þe londe þere. Line 628 "Sire, sire," quath seint thomas : "for godes loue þin ore, to conseili us betere ȝif us furst : are we speken her-of more!" [folio 68] So þat respit was þar-of I-nome : and ech wende In his side. ¶ Seint thomas nam þat transcrit : and nolde no lengore a-bide, Line 632 to winchestre he wende þanne : with soruwe and care i-novȝ hov he miȝte holi churche schilde : fram þis muchele wovȝ. ȝwane oþur Men weren faste a-slepe : he wep and siȝte sore, "And Iesus [al. & bad god] helpe holi churche" : and cride him milce and ore. Line 636 he i-sai þat þer nas bote o wei : oþur he moste stif beo, Oþur holi churche was al bi-neþe : þat with riȝte was so freo. Sori and careful he was I-nov : þat he tok on so,

For-to entri into Answere : þare he ne ouȝte nouȝt to do, Line 640 Þat he a-feng þat transcrit : and respit hadde i-bede: For him þouȝte þat al-holi churche : In þat he misdude; For holi churche ne scholde : In none stude stonde to dome Ne Ansuerie kinge ne prince noþur : bote þe pope of rome. Line 644 ¶ Þe deol þat thomas makede : no tounge telle ne may. "Louerd," he seide, "alas, alas : þat ich euere i-saiȝ þis day, Þat ich þe warde of holi churche : so folliche scholde take, And so freo ase heo was er : þus þeu sethþe hire make! Line 648 heo þat was er so heiȝ and freo : bi mine Auncestres daye, Þat ich hire scholde bi-neoþe bringe : Allas! and so bi-traie, for þis Martyrs þat ȝwylene weren : for hire to stronge deþe i-do, heo is nouþe þev þoruȝ me i-maked! : Allas, ȝwi dude ich so? Line 652 luytel wuyrth ich am of holi churche : wardein for-to beo, And al-so vnwurthþeliche þar-to i-nome— : þat ech man may i-seo: For ich nam nouȝt, ase riȝt was : fram none ordre i-nome, Ake fram heiȝe kingus court to holi churche : and þat wolde vuele bi-come. Line 656 Of houndes ich was wardeyn : and of hauekes with þe king, And nov am wardein of soulene i-maked : and þat ne Ioyneth no-þing; Ich þat for-sok min owene : þe ȝwyle ich was chaunceler, So manie soulene habbe to loke : allas! ȝwat schal ich her? Line 660 Ich drede þat god habbe me fur-sake : hov tok ich on, alas!" Þe deol þat þis holi man makede : with-outen ende it was: he wep and siȝte nyȝt and dai : and heold him al for-lore. Ȝif he miȝte a-soilled beo : to þe pope he wolde þer-fore, Line 664 And wende toward Caunterburi. : sone þe kinge men tolde Þat þe Erchebischop nolde nouȝt : þe newe statuz holde. Þe king het his baillifs sone : and sende a-boute is sonde, Þat heo scholden greui seint thomas : ouer-al on is londes. Line 668 ¶ Þis baillifs weren preste i-novȝ : and ope is maneres wel faste, Nomen is bodene and greueden him— : heo wenden þare-with him a-gaste. Seint thomas let heom al i-worþe : and op-on ore louerd is heorte caste,

And wende him wel priueliche : bi nyȝte atþe laste Line 672 to þe se, toward rome : þat none of is men it nuste, bote twey Men þat he tok with him : þat is priuete mest wusten. Sethþe þo is men him misten : and nusten ȝware he bi-cam, [folio 68b] And seien þat heo with-oute louerd weren : euer-ech is red nam for-to don euerech is beste : ech wende In is side, Ase men þat weren louerdlese— : heo nusten ȝwat a-bide. Line 678 Þis holi Man wende him forth : and dude him In schipe sone, And wende forþeward in þe se : ase he þouȝte for-to done. Line 680 ¶ Þe wind cam ase ore louerd it wolde : and drof him a-ȝen to londe. Sethþe he wende eft in-to þe se : þe passage for-to fonde: Þe wind cam and drof him a-ȝein. : and ofte [al. eft] In he wende, And euere he was a-ȝen i-driue : ase ore louerd þe grace him sende. Þo i-saiȝ þis holi man wel : þat it nas nouȝt godes wille Þat he þe ȝeot of londe wende : he turnde aȝen wel stille. Line 686 On of is seriaunz sat a niȝt : þe ȝwile þat men woke, In his chaumbre at caunterburi [MS. caum|terburl] : þe chaumbre for-to loke; In þe Eueninge he bad is knaue : to steken þe dore faste. Þis knaue eode toward þe dore : is eiȝene a-boute he caste: Þo i-saiȝ he þis holi man : In one huyrne stonde. he orn and tolde his maister fore : and þonkede godes sonde. Line 692 Þe seriaunt ne lefde þat nouȝt : naþeles op he a-ros And fond seint Thomas In þe huyrne : and sum-del him a-gros. Þare was sone Ioye i-novȝ! : þat folk sone to him drovȝ And welcomeden him and maden him guod semblaunt : with Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ. Line 696 ¶ Heo setten bord and spradden cloth : and bi-gonne to soupe faste. Seint thomas tolde hem þo : wel Mildeliche atþe laste Ȝwodere he þouȝte to habbe i-went : and ȝwuch cas god him sende, And hou it nas nouȝt godes wille : þat he þe ȝwyt forth wende. Line 700 Þe tiþinge to þe kinge cam : þat þe guode Man sein thomas, Aȝen þe status of clarindone : of londe i-went he was— For þat o statuit was þat no bischop : ne scholde bi none ende With-oute leue of þe kinge : oute of londe wende. Line 704 Ake þe king sende is men sone : to saisi al is lond And al-so al is bischopriche : ase is traitores, In-to is hond.

Þis baillifs comen to caunterburi : ase heo i-hote were. ¶ Þo heo wenden to habben al heore wille : heo founden seint thomas þere: Line 708 No-þing ne miȝten heo saisi þo : heore wei heo hadden for-lore; Also huy comen heo wenden a-ȝen : and tolde þe kinge fore.— Ȝuyt seint thomas him bi-þouȝte : þat he wolde fondi more Ȝif he miȝte of þe kinge habbe : betere grace and ore: Line 712 he ȝarknede him wel mildeliche : and to him þane wei he nam, At is manere at wodestoke : to þe kinge he cam. Ase is erþeliche louerd : he grette him, faire i-novȝ. Þe king bi-heold him ful hokerliche : and a-scorn som-del louȝ. Line 716 "thomas," he seide, "hou is þis? : beo we so grete fon Þat we ne mowen in one londe wonie? : thomas, hov schal þis gon?" "Sire, sire," quath seint thomas : "god ne late hit neuere so beo, Ake god us sende, and holi churche : betere grace to þe, [folio 69] Line 720 And sende þe wille to louien hire bet : And Iesus for is miȝte Ne late me neuere a-ȝein þi wille : don þing with on-riȝte." ¶ Þe Erchebischop of Euerwyke : fondede for-to bringe A-cord and loue bi is pouwer : bi-twene thomas and þe king. Line 724 Þe king swor a-non is othþ : þat non oþur a-cord he nolde bote þat þe status of clarindone : ech bischop holde scholde; And nameliche þeos bi-fore alle oþure : 'ȝif a clerk hath mis-do And he þe kingus felun i-preoued were : and for þeofþe also, Line 728 Þat Men him [MS. him him] scholden desordeini : and sethþe a-non þoruȝ lawe to þe kingus baillifs deliueri him : to an-hangi oþur to-drawe.' Seint thomas i-saiȝ wel þo : þat þare nas wei bote on: Oþur he moste stif with-stonde : oþur is riȝtes for-gon. Line 732 ¶ he þouȝte þat he nolde neuere : holi churche bi-traye, Ne þat heo ne scholde beo in suyche seruage : neuere bi is daye; Raþur he wolde, ase oþere weren : to Martyrdom beon i-do, Þane holi churche were so bi-neoþe— : I-redi he was þar-to. Line 736 Neuere ne miȝten þe king ne he : no-þing a-cordi þer, Ake departeden al with wrathþe : ase heo hadden i-don ofte er. Þe king makede him wroth i-novȝ : þat so ofte in barate was For o man þat him with-seide : and non oþur a-ȝein him nas: Line 740 In grete wrathþe he swor is oth : þat he wolde of him beon a-wreke,

And þat þe holi Man scholde : anoþur with him speke. he let somony seint thomas : þat þe nexte þoresdaie he were At Norehamptoune bi-fore seint lucus dai : to ȝiuen him Answere; Line 744 And alle þe bischopus of þe lond : And þe baronie al-so, he het beon þare at þulke daie : is hestes for-to do. Alle seint thomas londes : in-to is hond his men nome, Ase it were for-to destreynen [MS. destruyen] him : þat he to his court come. Line 748 ¶ Ore louerd helpe nouþe seint thomas : for oþur frend nath he non, A-mong so manie tyraunz for-to come : þat weren alle is fon! bodi and soule he bi-tok : Iesu, godus sone, And to is daie ase he Isomoned was : wende to Norehamptone. Line 752 In þe castel sat þe motinge : of þis tyraunz ech-on. Þis holi man a-godes name : a-mong [MS. a mond] heom wende a-non. ¶ "Sire king," he seide, "god þe loke : and saui þi dignite! Somounz ich hadde at þis daie : here to Ansuerien þe. Line 756 Ake non Erchebischop of caunturburi : nas neuere i-somoned so, Ne so destreyned of no king. : I not ȝwat þov me þencst to do, I not ȝwat is þe newe statuit : þat þou þencst forth to drawe, bote hit beo on of clarindone : þat þou woldest bringe to lawe. Line 760 On me nastþu power non : swych destresse for-to do: Heued of holi churche ich am i-maked : þei ich onwuyrth beo þer-to. And also ich am þi gostlich fader : þei [MS. þei þou] of me luytel þov lete: It nas neuere riȝt ordre þat þe sone : is fader scholde bete, Line 764 Ne þat desciple beote is maister. : al þis were a-ȝen lawe. [folio 69b] Al þis, ho-so riȝt bi-halt : þov bi-ginnest forth to drawe. And þis bischopes al-so guod : þat wardeins beoth mid me to holde op þe honur of holi churche : and þe þi dignite, Line 768 heo beoth nouþe a-boute hire forto schende : and bringe In-to vilte. gret reuþe it is þat Man schal so : hire bringe bi-neþe for me; Ȝif þov wolt ouȝt to me : þov wost wel i-ne may nouȝt fiȝte, Ich am ȝare deth for-to a-fonge : for holi churche riȝte." Line 772 [Rex.] ¶ "I-nelle no man," quad þe king : "for holi churche quelle. beau sire, þov spext ase a fol : a-noþur þov schalt me telle. Acke com to-morewe bi speche-tyme— : þat þov þinne dai ne breke!— And Ansuere me of oþur þinge : þat ichulle to þe speke." Line 776 Þus departede þe court þo. : a-morewe, þene friday,

Seint thomas wende þudere a-ȝen : þo he þe time i-sai. Line 778 Þe king [sat] an hei in is sce : and a-coupede him wel faste. "Þov were," he seide, "mi chaunceler— : ake al-to longe it laste, Ich þe lende þo fif hondred pound : and þov ne ȝolde me nouȝt on: Sete me þar-of ane schorte day : for þov schalt heom ȝelde ech-on." [Thomas.] ¶ "Sire, sire," quath seint thomas : "god sende us bet þin ore! I-ne wende neuere of þulke panes : i-heore a-countes more. Line 784 For ich hadde þulke tyme : betere grace to ovȝ Þane ich habbe nouþe : and þat me þingchez wouȝ; guode grace ich hadde to þe : þou me louedest i-nouȝ þo, Þulke panes þo þov me ȝeue : and woldest ȝet wel mo. Line 788 Sire, þar-of ich am suyþe wel a-knowe : þat ich heom a-feng of þe: Of þine ȝifte with guode heorte : for-soþe þov ȝeue hem me, And so heiȝ man ase þov art : it miȝte wel beo stille to Axi þing þat þov ȝeue er : with þine so guode wille." Line 792 Þe king him axede ȝif ani man : þulke ȝifte i-saiȝ, And ȝweþur he miȝte prouen þe ȝifte. : Seint thomas seide nayȝ. [Rex.] ¶ "Nov, louerdingus," quath þe king : "alle ȝe i-heorez þis, Þat of þat tresor þat he is a-knowe : þat ich him tok i-wis, Line 796 Þe ȝifte ne mai he proui nouȝt : Ase alle ȝe mowen i-seo. Iugement ich axi of þis court : hou it þare-of schal beo." Þe court him lokede : ase he was : a-knowe of þat þing, And ne miȝte nouȝt þe ȝifte preoui : to ȝelden ech ferþing. Line 800 Þe king him het þe panewes ȝelde : oþur sikernesse him make, Oþur is Marschales scholden swiþe anon : is bodi to prisone take. Þis holi man of is bischopriche : hadde wel luytel guod, Ake al helples a-mong is fon : with-oute conseille he stod. Line 804 Þe Marchales i-redie weren : to prisone him lede a-non; heo heten him don heom sikernesse : oþur he scholde with hem gon. Þis holi man nuste non oþur red : bote soffri al heore wouȝ. ¶ Some guode men þat þare weren : hadden of him reuþe i-nouȝ: Line 808 Fif kniȝtes nomen hem to rede : and wenden to þe kingue And token an hond for seint thomas : of alle þulke þinge, [folio 70] euerech of an hondret pound : for þis seli man to paie. Þo was þis guode Man quit I-nov : ase at þulke daie. Line 812 ¶ A-Moruwe, þene saturdai : to court eft-sone he wende,

For-to heore þe kingus wille : ȝif is heorte wolde ouȝt a-mende. Þe kyng sat a-doun In is sce : thomas bi-fore him stod. "bel ami, þou hast," quad þe king : "i-stole me muchel guod. Line 816 Mi chaunceler þov were, al-to longe : and haddest In þin hond Abbeies and bischopriches : and muche del of þat lond, And þov ne ȝolde me þar-of none a-countes. : þat rewez me wel sore; Þar-of þritti þousent pound : þov me schalt, and wel more. Line 820 Þare-fore make þe ȝare i-nov : þine a-countes to ȝelde, Sikur þov beo þov schalt it do : ȝif ich þe may a-welde." Alle þat heorden þeos demaunde : In grete wonder stoden þere, And to [al. ech to o.] oþur seide þo : þat heo ne heorden þer-of neuer er, And þat seint thomas was al bi-neþe : and ope þe pointe he was Line 825 to beon i-cast In prisone : for non oþur wei þare nas. Seint thomas stod In þouȝte longue : and with riȝte þe kinge bed Þat he moste is conseil nime : of þat he hadde to him i-seid. Line 828 Þe bischopes he nam to is conseil : þe king ne wernde him nouȝt. In one Chaumbre, faste i-loke : alle heo weren i-brouȝt, Þat he ne scholden a-scapien : are heo hore answere seide. "Nov, louerdinges," quad þis guode man : "her-of ȝe moten me rede. For, al-so god me bringe of care : Ine habbe þar-of gult non, Ake me for-to schende he axeth þis : with on-riȝte ech-on. Line 834 For ich was with him er wel i-nov : and þat bringeth me nouþe in teone: Þare ne tok ich no witnesse : of þat us was bi-tweone." Line 836 [Consilium. episcopus Wincestrie.] ¶ Þe bischop henri of winchestre : furst bi-gan him rede. "S[i]re," he seide, "þus me þinchez : þov miȝt don of þis dede. For-soþe me þinchez with gret wrong : þe calangez þe king; Þo þov wendest of his seruise : he ne Axede þe no-þing, Line 840 And þo þov þe bischopriche a-fenge : so clene and so freo Þat þov of none oþur þinge : ne scholdest i-charget beo; And he quath þe quit al clanliche : of ech oþur wike þer, An ne axede þe no-þing : of þat þov haddest i-don er. Line 844 Ȝware-þoru me þinchez of none þinge : þou ne schal^t ansuerien nouȝt bote to god and holi churche— : of alle oþere þov art i-brouȝt." [episcopus london'.] ¶ Þe bischop gilbard of londone : seide þo his a-vis: "Sire," he seide, "ȝif þov þe bi-þenchest : ase a guod Man schal and wis, Line 848

Line 848 Ȝwat power þe king þe hath bi-take : and to ȝwuche guode i-br[o]uȝt, Al is wille þov most soffri : and a-ȝen him ne beo þov nouȝt! In muche wo þov bringst us alle : and holi churche also, And þin owene bodi In perile : bote þov is wille do. Line 852 Ȝif þov þis wel onder-stode : me þinchez for-soþe, i-wis, Þov woldest fondi him to paye : and elles þov dudest a-mis." [episcopus Wincestrie.] ¶ Þo seide þe bischop of wynchestre : "sire gilbert, beo stille! [folio 70b] We sospendiez swuch conseil : for it nis nouȝt wurth a fille. Line 856 Ȝif þe Erchebischop scholde beo : al to þe kynges wille, Þe honour of holi churche he lore : and is soule he miȝte so spille." [episcopus Cicestrie.] ¶ Þe bischop hyllarie of Chichestre : bi-gan to speke þo: "Sire," he seide, "mi conseil is : hou-so it euere go, Line 860 Forto fondi In faire manere : to paie þe kingues wille With faire bi-heste, for-to eft-sone : þat it were sumdel stille; Þanne we miȝten, ȝwane we weren : of þusse destresse i-brouȝt, Line 863 Þe betere a-cheui In ore conseille— : for nouþe ne do we riȝt nouȝt." [episcopus lincoln'.] ¶ Þe bischop Robert of lincolne : radde wel þare-to. "Sire Erchebischop," he seide : "for-soþe þov most it do; Oþur þov schalt leose þine bischopriche : and per-Auenture þi lif; Þanne bi-ȝete þov wel luyte : me þinchez, of þis strif." Line 868 [episcopus Exon'.] ¶ Þe bischop bartholmev of Eccetre : bi-gan to segge is þouȝt: "In al þe soruwe of þe world : and care we beoth i-brouȝt. betere it were þat on heued : In peril him brouȝte, Þane al-holie churche were bi-neþe : and i-do to nouȝte." Line 872 [episcopus Wigorn'.] ¶ Þe bischop Roger of wyrecestre : longe in þouȝte stod; "I-nelle ov segge on ne oþur : for i-not ȝwat is guod. Ȝif ich radde him for-ta-bouwien : al-to þe kingus wille, Min owene Mouth him-sulf demez : al-holi churche to spille; Line 876 And ȝif ich rede aȝen him to beo : In þis place sum is Þat wolde telle þe kinge fore : and maken him mi fo, i-wis—" bi þe bischope of londone : þat ilke word he sede; for he was euere a-ȝein seint thomas : with wordes and with dedes. "Þare-fore," he seide, "on ne oþur : I-nelle segge i-wis. guod conseil god us ȝiue— : for muche neod it is." Line 882 Þare nas non þat couþe is conseil : with menske bringe to ende, Ne þat wuste hov heo miȝten best : ovt of þe chaumbre wende. Line 884

Line 884 [Thomas.] ¶ Atþe laste ope seint thomas : þis conseil moste al gon. Tweie eorles of þe kingus hous : he let cleopie a-non, "Louerdingus," he seide, "we habbez i-speke : faste of þusse þinge, And al-so fer forth ase we mowen : we wollez paye þe kinge. Line 888 Ake for we nabbeth nouȝt i-redi here : ore conseil al-clene, For-to þe nexte daie we biddez furst : þat ȝe it graunti nouþe ene." So þat heom was respit i-graunted : and ech wende in is weiȝe. Manie of seint thomas men : bi-lefden him for eiȝe; Line 892 And kniȝtes þat with him weren : alle fram him heo drowe. Seint thomas nam pouere men : bi þe weie i-nowe, And ladde hem to is Inne : and to þe mete heom sette; he seruede heom is owene bodi : And i-novȝ mete and drinke heom fette. Line 896 "Þis beoth," he seide, "godes kniȝtes : þis oþur men me habbeth for|sake. Þeos kniȝtes ich loue more : to heom ichulle me take." Þene sonenday þare nas no court i-holde : for it was an heiȝ-day. And þe Monenday sore syk : þe bischop thomas lay, [folio 71] Line 900 In þe syknesse of maldeflanke : þat to him ofte cam And for þe care þat he was Inne : wel þe worse him nam. Men seiden þat he makede him sik : for he ne dorste to court wende. Þe king in grete wrathþe i-novȝ : after him gan sende. Line 904 "Wel ȝe i-seoth," quath seint thomas : "þat I-ne may come nouȝt, For-soþe to-moruwe ichulle : hov-so ich beo þudere i-brouȝt. Þei ich schulle beo þudere i-bore : In baruwe oþur In bere, Þudere ichulle, þoruȝ godes grace— : crist me helpe þere." Line 908 A-morewe, þane tywesday : ore louerd him gan a-rere, Þe furste dai after seint lucus dai : ase it fallez In þe ȝere. Þat dai he auȝte onder-stonde : and mani an oþur al-so: For bi custome alle is grete a-nuy : bi twyesdai cam him to. Line 912 Alle þe bischopes þane tywesday : erliche to him wende, And seiden, "sire, þov art in feble point— : god it þe a-mende. We habbez ore red þarof i-nome : and mid one mouþe ech-on to queme þe kinge we redez þe : hov-so it euere gon; Line 916 Oþur he þe wole bere on hond : þat þov art is traitur, And fur-swore ȝwore [al. ȝwane þu swore] him to don : eorþelich honovr,

And ne dost him non ake tricherie— : he þe wole bere on honde, And bi-nime þe þi stat : and perantur bringue þe out of londe." Line 920 ¶ "Mine leoue breþren," quad seint thomas : "ȝe i-seoz wel echon Þat al þe world grat on me one : and alle [beoz] mine fon; And þat [is] ȝuyt mest reuþe of alle : þat ȝe þat mine breþren beoz, And me, þei ich sunful beo : ouwer fader In torment i-seoz, Line 924 Ȝe beoz mine meste fon of alle : and also ȝe bez al-ȝare In seculer court to demen me : and þat nolde nouȝt wel fare. For ȝe habbez þis a-mong ov to-day : bi-speke swyþe i-lome. Nov god helpe al-holi churche : and take þar-to gome! Line 928 Ake In obedience ich ov hote : þat ȝe þare-neiȝ ne beon Ȝif ich am i-brouȝt to Iuggement : ake þat ȝe raþur fleon. And ȝif ani man hond on ov [al. me] set : ich ov hote al-so Þat ȝe þe sentence of holi churche : for swuche violence ȝe [om. ȝe] do; Line 932 And holdez vp holi churche riȝte : þat ov is bi-take— Man ne schal for none drede of deþe : hire riȝtes for-sake." Þe bischopes weren þo wroþe i-nouȝ : ant wenden to court ech-one. Nou god helpe þis holi man : for he was þare al one! Line 936 bote þe bischop of wynchestre : þere ne lefde with him nouȝt on, And Iocelin, þe bischop of Salesburi : þat ne weren alle fram him i-gon. ¶ Þis holi man truste muche to god : and greiþed him a-non, And song ane Masse of seinte steuene : are he come a-mong is fon. Line 940 he song þulke masse i-lome : for al-so heo bi-ginnez, Þe furste offiz is propre inov : to þe stat þat he was Inne— Þe bi-ginninge of þulke masse : In englischs so is þis: "For ȝwane þe princes habbez i-sete : and aȝen heom men spekez, [al. aȝen me speke] i-wis, And luþere men pursiweden me : louerd, min help þov beo!" [folio 71b] [Ps. 119.] Manie seiden þat þis i-heorden : "novþe we mouwen wel i-seo Line 946 Þat he singuth þis Masse for þen-ones : for þe kinge and for alle his, And þat he halt heom alle luþere : þat aȝen him spekez, i-wis." Line 948 Þis word cam to court wel sone— : ȝware-þoruȝ heo weren ech-on In þe more wrathþe a-ȝein him : and wel þe more is fon. ¶ Þo seint thomas hadde is masse i-songue : his chesible he gan of weue; Alle is oþur uestimenz : on him he let bi-leue— Line 952 Oþur Armure nadde he non : for holi churche to fiȝte;

A-boue he caste is cope : þat bi-feol to is riȝte. he tok godes flechs and is blod : with him swiþe stilleliche, Ane Creoyz he nam in is hond : and wende forth baldeliche. Line 956 Þe uestimenz was is Armure : ase bi-feol to swuche ane kniȝte; Þe fourme of þe creoiz was is baner : for holi churche to fiȝte. Forth wende þis guode kniȝt : a-mong alle is fon— Swete Iesus beo is help : oþur frend nadde he non. Line 960 Þe creoiz in is hond he bar forth : and a-rerde op is baner. Þe bischop Robert of hereford : bi-gan to gon him ner, "Sire," he seide, "ich crie þin ore : þi chapeleyn ich mote beo, bi-fore þe lat me bere þe croiz : for it ne fallez nouȝt to þe." Line 964 "Þe ȝwyle ich hire bere," quad seint thomas : "and þe fourme i-seo, Ich ne drede me of no man : þe hardiore ich may beo." Þanne seide þe bischop of londone : þat euere was is fo: "I-ne rede nouȝt þat þou bi-fore þe kingue : In swyche manere go; Line 968 For wrathi he wole him a-non : and a-wreken him In þe place." ¶ "Ich bi-take me," quath seint thomas : "al to godus grace." "Þov hast euere al þi lif," þis oþur seide : "a muche fol i-beo, And þi folie nelt neuere bi-leue : ase men mai nouþe i-seo." Line 972 [Curia.] Þis holi Man wiz is creoiz : In-to þis court gan gon. [Rex.] And þo þe king i-saiȝ him so come : he wrathþede him a-non. ¶ "Louerdinges," he seide, "here ȝe i-seoz : hov þis man me schent! In ȝwuche manere is he In-to þis court : among us hidere i-went! Line 976 Ase þei we ne lefden nouȝt on cristindom : ne In godes name. Ne mot ich nedes awreke me? : ne doth he me gret schame?" Þo seide al þe court a-non : "sire, wel ȝe mouwen i-seo Þat [he] is prouȝt and conteckor : and euere hath i-beo; Line 980 In despijt of þe and alle þine : þis dede he hath i-do. For ȝif þou wolt, þou miȝt beon i-war : eft-sone to take on so, to bringe men In so gret povwer : swiche ase he is, to beon þe hexte of þine londe : ase þou madest him, i-wis. Line 984 Þare-fore we ne bi-menez þe nouȝt : þou noldest beo i-war bi-fore. We seggez bi him echone : þat he is puyrliche for-swore: And ase bi a swuch Man þou do bi him : and ase bi þine fon! For he þe swor eorthþelich honur : and nele don þe non." Line 988 Þe budeles and þe oþur schrewes : grenneden on him faste,

And euere a-biden þe kinges heste : In prisone him to caste. [folio 72] ¶ Þe king let crie a-non a-boute : ȝif ani so wod were Þat stode In conseile wit seint thomas : oþur felauȝschipe him bere, Ase þe kingus traitour : Men scholden him nime a-non, And laten him al one stonde : and fondi ȝwodere he wolde gon (!). Line 994 Þe bischop of Eccestre to seint thomas : he feol a-doun a-kne, "For godes loue þin ore! : for soruwes þat þov miȝt i-se, Line 996 haue reuþe of þe and of us : oþur þou wolt us alle schende; Alle we worþez i-brouȝt to nouȝte : bote þov þi þouȝt wende." "Sire bischop," quad seint thomas : "ase wel þou miȝt be stille. go henne fram me ȝif þov wolt : and lat ech man don is wille." Line 1000 Þe bischopes wenden to-gadere ech-one : and heore conseil nome. And þo heo hadden heore fourme i-set : to þe kinge a-ȝen heo come. ¶ "Sire," heo seiden, "ȝe beoth a-nuyd : and þat us for-þinchez sore; For-ȝif us þat ȝe on us berez : we nellez þe mis-don non-more. Line 1004 Wel we wutez þat þis wrechche : þat scholde ore chief beo, he is fals and for-sworen : and [þat] [om.] mai ech man wel i-seo: For he suor to holde þe eorþelich honur : and hath i-broke is oth; And þat man mai wel proui on him : ȝif ȝe nellez nouȝt beo wroth. Fur-ȝif us þine wrathþe, we biddez þe : ant to rome we wollez wende to bi-nimen him is Erchebischopriche : and ase a wrechche him schende: Line 1010 Puyrliche for-suore we schullen him preoui : sire king, bi eovwer rede." Þe king bi-het heom gret honur : to don þat ilke dede. Line 1012 to seint thomas, þare he was : heo wenden alle a-non. Þe bischop hyllarie of Chichestre : tolde for heom ech-on. "Sire," he seide, "ore gostliche fader : þov were here-bi-fore, For fader we fur-saketh [þe] : þov art fals and for-swore. Line 1016 For þou suore þe kynge eorþelich honour : and nelt don him non. Þare-fore to þe court of rome : we bi-cleopiez þe echon, to ansuerien us bi-fore þe pope : of þat þov hast ido a-mis." "Louerdingus," quath þis holie man : "ich i-heore wel al þis." Line 1020 ¶ Nov suete Ihesu beo is freond : ȝwane alle oþure were is fon! Þe king him let cleopien faste : þat he come forth a-non. Þe Eorl Robert of lecestre : and oþur men mani on Comen after him and heten him sone : bi-fore þe kingue gon. Line 1024

Line 1024 "Louerdingues," quath seint thomas : "ȝe wuyten wel ech-on hou wel ich was with þe king : þei ich habbe nouþe manie fon: Erchebischop he made me— : for-soþe a-ȝein mi wille, For euere ich dradde for oncunninge : mi soule forto spille. Line 1028 ¶ Þo axede ich bifore al þat folk : In ȝwuche manere he me toke Þe Maistrie of holi churche : to wardi and to loke. holi churche me was bi-take : In eche manere so freo, Þat ich were quit of alle oþure courtes— : and ȝeot with riȝte it scholde so beo. Line 1032 And ȝwane holi churche is so freo : I-nelle ansuerien þe kingue Ne non oþur in his court : of none eorþeliche þinge. For gold ne passez nouȝt so muche : In bounte led, i-wis, [folio 72b] Al-so dignete of þe preost : herre þane þe kingus is. Line 1036 And is gostliche fader ich am : ȝif he wolde nime ȝeme, And it nere no lawe þat þe sone : þe fader scholde deme. Þare-fore i segge at o word : þat I-nelle me no-þing take to Iuggement of kingus court : ake clanliche it wolle for-sake, Line 1040 And take me to holi churche : and to none erþeliche dome: And Ich bi-cleopie ov here ech-one : to þe court of rome. Al þe stat of holi churche : and al mi dignite ¶ Þoruȝ Ihesu crist it beo i-wardet : ȝwan it ne mai oþur beo. Line 1044 And ou bischopus ich bi-cleopie : to þe court of rome also, for ȝe Anourieth more ane erþeliche king : þane ȝe god al-miȝti do. And so þoruȝ þe riȝte of holi churche : fram þis court ich wende, to bringe þeos cause of holi churche : bi-fore þe pope to ende." Line 1048 Þis holi Man wel mildeliche : out of þis court gan gon. Þe king, and þat mid him was : wrathþeden heom a-non; heo criden on þis holi man : and beleweden ech-on Wit Also [MS. A^hso] grete noyse : ase anie Men miȝten don; Line 1052 heo ne miȝten makie non more cri : þei al þe toun were a-fuyre, Ase [al. þane] heo duden opon þis holi man : þat wide men it miȝten i-huyre. Þis guode man eode softe forth : ase him no-þing ne rouȝte— for ȝuyt more men schenden Ihesu crist : þo men him to deþe brouȝte. he werth opon is palefrai : and to is Inne he wende also. Vnneþe he miȝte with is hondene : þeos þre þingus do: Line 1058 blessi þat folk and bere þe croiz : and is bridel wisse.

Þat simple folk orn a-bouten him : with Ioye i-novȝ and blisse; Line 1060 for heo wenden þat he hadde i-beo : atþe court faste i-nome, heo þonkeden muche Ihesu crist : þat he moste a-mong heom come. ¶ to is In, at seint Andreues : heo siweden him faste i-novȝ; Seint thomas alle þe pouere men : with him to þe mete he drovȝ, And seide, "comiez here forth with me : for mine freond ȝe beoth; Ine habbe none freond bote eov : ase alle men nouþe i-seoth." Line 1066 he let heom Alle fede wel : a gret hous-ful neiȝ; Þe guode man wel þe gladdore was : þat he heom alle i-seiȝ. Line 1068 Ase þis holi man sat at is mete : þei he grete wille þer-to nadde, Þis word þat ore louerd het : is redare bi-fore him radde: "Ȝif Men ov pursiwiet In one toune : In-to anoþur toun ȝe fleo." Þis holi man þouȝte þat bi him-self : þat word miȝte wel soth beo And þat it godes wille was : In-to An oþur londe gon, As þe holi godspel seith : a man for-to fleo is fon. Line 1074 Þis holi man was þo wel þe hardiore : of londe for-to wende, Ȝwane he miȝte a-schapie wel : and god wolde þe time sende. Line 1076 ¶ Þo it was to-war[d] eue : twei seriaunz þare come, Sore weopinde, and warneden him : þat he sum red him nome, For þe kyngus Men hadden i-swore : þoruȝ heste of þe kinge, [folio 73] Ȝware-so heo him miȝten finde : to stronge deþe him bringe. Line 1080 Seint thomas þouȝte an-oþur. : he let maken is bed aȝen niȝt Op Inþe heie churche : bi-twene twei weuedes riȝt. Þo alle oþur men weren a-slepe : and no man nas him neiȝ, he aros up and bi-heold : on þe ymage an heiȝ; Line 1084 bi-fore þe auter he feol don a-kne : and on ore louerd bi-gan to crie, And formest he seide þe seuen salmes : and sethþe þe letanie; Al wepind ech haluwe he bad : is help for-to beo; bi-fore ech ymage he op aros : and eft he sat a-doun a-kne. Line 1088 Þo he hadde iseid is beden : stilleliche he gan gon, A luyte bi-fore þe cockes crowe : out of þe churche a-non, And wende him out-ward of engelonde : þat no man with him nas bote a frere of Semplingham : þat wel priue to him was. Line 1092 Þis guode Man flev al Engelond : for holi churche riȝte; Of al is wo ne ȝaf he nouȝt : ȝif he it a-mendi miȝte. ¶ Þe tiþingue cam of þis cas : to þe kingue ful sone.

Þe heiȝe men nomen heore red : ȝwat were þar-of to done. Line 1096 Þe king and al is baronie : and þe bischopes echon, Þat auȝten with seint thomas habbe i-be : and weren mest is fon, to þis conseil euer-ech-one : heo concenteden at þen ende: Þat þe king scholde of is hexte Men : to þe court of rome sende A-ȝen him ȝwane [he] þudere come : and þe pope don onder-stonde Þat he was fals and for-swore : and destourbour of þe londe. Line 1102 For-to don þis grete neode : þe wiseste Men heo nome, And þat is þing were al in pais : for-to heo aȝen come. Line 1104 Þe Erchebischop of Euerwike : and þe bischop of Eccestre to rome [MS. rome rome] heo wenden for þis neodes : and þe bischop of Cicestre And þe bischop of londone : and of winchestre al-so, And also eorles and barouns : and manie clerkes þer-to, Line 1108 to beren witnesse of þe fals-hede : ȝwane heo to court come. Noble ȝiftes and oþur Iueles : with hem al-so heo nome— Þare-with man mai ofte at court : þe riȝte bringe to wouȝ. Nouȝ crist helpe þis holi man : for he is ȝuyt pouere i-nouȝ! Line 1112 he nadde none ȝiftes forto ȝiue : to holden up is riȝte; Fram Norehamptone bar he eode : for holi churche to fiȝte. ¶ Fram seint Andreues þis holi man : of Norehamptone he wende With a frere of Semplingham : are god þane dai heom sende. Line 1116 Fiue and twenti mile he wende : to þe toune of graham Are he stunte in anie stude : with þe frere of Sempringham— Al North-ward he drouȝ him furst : a-wei al fram þe se, Þat þe kinges Men ne scholden him finde : to nimen ne for-to sle. Sethþe he wende fram graham : fiue and tuenti Mile al-so to þe toun [added later.] of lincolne : are he wolde reste i-fo. Line 1122 Þene moruwe ope seint lucus day— : tiwes-dai it was þo, he departede fram þe kingus court : with much seoruwe and wo [MS. we] ; his wei þane wodnes-niȝt : out of þe toune he nam; [folio 73b] Sone morewe þene þores-dai : to lincolne he cam: Line 1126 At one follares house : his In he nam riȝt þare. [þare corr. to þere] And bi niȝte euere he eode is wei : þat he a-waited ne ware. Line 1128 At lincolne he dude him into watere : are god þane dai sende, And þane fridai fourti mile : al bi watere he wende, to þe Ermitage of Sempling-ham : þat a-midde þe watere is;

And þare he bi-lefde al hardiliche : þre dawes, i-wis. Line 1132 And sethþe he wende to seint botulf : þat was heonnes ouer ten mile: Þare he dude him eft In-to watere : and cam in a luytel ȝwile to þe hous of hauer-holt : þat of Simpling-ham is— Þe frere him ladde bi þulke house : þe sikerore to beon, i-wis. Line 1136 Fram þannes he wende to eistreþe [r. estreye] : his o maner with riȝte, Þe Erchebischopes of kaunterburi : ȝif he hadde ani miȝte; Þare he was neiȝ þe se i-novȝ : he a-bod wel þere And a-waitede is point to passi ouer : ȝwane hit best tyme were. ¶ Seue-niȝt he bi-lefde þare : for-to alle soulene dai; In A Chaumbre riȝt bi þe churche : daiȝ and niȝt he lai, Line 1142 Þat no man no scholde him onder-ȝite : ne i-war of him beo; Þoruȝ þe churche he made an hol : þe sacringe for-to seo Line 1144 And for-to heren þare is masse— : and Men þat to churche come Nusten nouȝt þat he was so neiȝ : ne þer-of heo ne token none gome. An alle soulene dai, þene tywesdaiȝ : are god þene dai sende, he bi-tok god al holi churche : and In-to þe se he wende. Line 1148 heo roweden forth al þane dai : and a-ȝen þe eueninge bi-sides ane hauene heo a-riueden : þat men cleopez graueninge, In Flaundres, ase god it wolde. : bote hors ne hadde he non: Þis holi man al a-fote : forth is wei gan gon. Line 1152 Þat no man ne scholde him knowe : þe Abite of frere he nam And al-so a frere forth he eode : þo he to Flaundres cam. blac was is cope a-boue : is Cuyrtel ȝwijt blaunket; Opon is rugge is cope he bar : ȝif he miȝte go þe bet. Line 1156 Þe reyn was gret and suyþe st[r]ong : and þe wei ful deop: Swiþe weri was þe holi man : onneþe he bar up is fet. he was so trauailled In þe weie : and in þe se bi-fore, Þat he sat a-doun and ne miȝte no fer : bote he were i-bore. Line 1160 Þo wende forth a man, þat with him eode : and huyrde him a mere, For an Englichs peni, with an haltre : þis holi man to bere. Þe holi Man is cloþes tok : and op-on þe Mere heom caste, And werth op a-boue alle is cloþes : and rod him forth wel faste. ¶ Allas þat suych a noble man : vuele was it is riȝte So febleliche ouer lond to wende— : wel muche is godes miȝte; Line 1166 Vuele was it is riȝte to gon a-fote : oþur ope swuch a best to ride—

holi churche he a-bouȝte deore : þat men tellez of wel wide! Line 1168 With one haltre ope þe mere : forth rod þis holi man As þei it were a frere, and let him cleopie : frere cristian; [folio 74] For he nolde nouȝt lie : þat cristian he was, And he was a-drad to beon i-knowe : ȝif man cleopede him thomas. At one gode mannes house : his In a-niȝt he nam; At þe bordes ende he sat : Ase vuele it him bi-cam, Line 1174 And al with-Inne seten is men : as þei he lowest were. his oste nam wel gode ȝeme : hov heo heom alle bere. Line 1176 he tok kepe of þe holi man : þat sat atþe bordes ende, hou milde he was a-mong alle : and mest corteis and hende, And hou hendeliche he delde is mete : heom þat bi-fore him stode, And hov luytel he .et. him-selue : with wel simple mode; Line 1180 his limes al-so he bi-heold : hou faire heo weren and freo, Þe hondene faire and longe fingres : fairore ne miȝten none beo; his face was brod and long al-so : his fore-heued large i-novȝ: And euere mest bi-fore alle oþere : is heorte to him drouȝ. Line 1184 ¶ Of þe Erchebischope of Caunterburi : he gan him vnderstonde, Þat it was couth ouer-al aboute : þat he was i-wend out of londe: his heorte him bar þat it was he. : In gret studie he was i-brouȝt; he rounede in is wiues ere : and tolde hire al is þouȝt. Line 1188 his wijf after þulke tyme : þat soþe al-so þouȝte: heo bi-gan to serui þis holi man : and deinteþes to him brouȝte, Applene. & peoren. and notes also : and fondede in alle manere A-mong alle þis oþur men : to gladien wel þene frere; Line 1192 heo bi-lefde to serui alle þe oþere : and opon him was al hire þouȝt. Seint thomas it vnder-ȝat : and þare-with ne paide him nouȝt. So þat he bi-heold a-boute : a-non after soper, Wel mildeliche he bad is oste : for-to comen him ner Line 1196 And to sitte bi him a-doun : for solaz, one stounde. "A, sire, merci," quad þis oste : "Ichulle sitte on þe grounde, And sat him a-doun at is fet. : seint thomas him bad arise. "Certes, sire," quad þis oste : "I-nelle In none wise. Line 1200 ¶ Nolde god þat ich bi þe sete! : mi louerd, i-hered þou beo, Þat In mine house þov scholdest come : and þat ich þane dai miȝte i-seo."

"Luyte deinte," quat seint thomas : "of a swuch pouere man, Of swuch a frere ase ich am : i-cleoped frere cristian." Line 1204 "Sire, þin ore," quat^h þis oste : "wel ich onderstonde, Þov art Erchebischop of Caunterburi : i-wend out of engelonde." "Ȝwy seistþov so?" quad seint thomas : "þov hauest selde i-seiȝe Þene Erchebischop of caunterburi : wende in swuche manere bi weie!" "Sire," quad þe oste, "þov it art : al-so me seith mi þouȝt, And ich bidde þe for þe loue of god : ne with-sak it a-ȝein me nouȝt." Þis holi man him bi-þouȝte : þat oþur he moste lie Oþur beo bi-knowe þat he [MS. heo] it was : so heo gonnen on heom [al. so þe oþer gan on him] crie. Ate laste he was a-knowe : ake with him a-morewe he nam his oste, þat he ne scholde him wreiȝe : forto he aftur [r. a fer] weie cam. Line 1214 to [þe] Abbeie of seint Bertin : þis holi man i-wende, [folio 74b] And þare he bi-lefde : forto ore louerd oþur grace him sende.— Þe bischopus of engelonde : and þe barones al-so, toward þe court of rome he^o wenden : heore erinde forto do. Line 1218 to þe kinge of Fraunce heo comen : and lettres with heom bere fram þe king of engelond : þat þus muche an Englisch were : Line 1220 "to is louerd þoruȝ godes grace : sire lowis þe kinge, henri king of engelonde : sende loue and gretinge. ¶ Thomas, þat Erchebischop was : of caunterburi bi-fore, Out of mine londe he is i-wend : ase mi traitore and for-suore. Line 1224 Þare-fore ase min erþeliche louerd : ich bidde þe bi mine sonde, Þat þov ne suffri nouȝt þat he beo : Irecetted In þine londe." Þo þis king þis bone i-heorde : ane ȝwile in þouȝte he stod. "Certes," he seide, "ase me þinchez : þis bone nis no-þing god. Line 1228 So strong þeof nis non in engelonde : ȝif he in Fraunce come, Þat he ne miȝte In Fraunce duelle : ase heo doth i-lome; And wel raþur scholde a suych heiȝ man : ne come he no so sone. Ake noþur ich ne þe king of engelonde : with ore bischopes nabbez to done; Line 1232 For mine bischopes with holi churche : heore wille ich late heom do, And fairore were þe kinge anouri him : and late him i-worþe also." ¶ Ne miȝten þis heiȝe men of him : non oþur word a fonge; So þat he^o wenden forth heore wei : þo heo hadden a-bide longe. Maister herebard of Boseham : and oþure sethþe i-wende

to þe kinge lowis of Fraunce : ase seint thomas him sende, And tolden þe kinge of al þe wo : þat seint thomas hadde with wouȝ. Þe king weop, þo he i-heorde þis : and made deol inouȝ, Line 1240 And tolde heom hov þe kingus men : at him weren bi-fore, And ȝwuch ansuere he heom ȝaf : þat heore [wei] [om.] was for-lore. Þis gode men with ioie inov : heore leue of him heo nome, And þannes heo wenden sone i-nouȝ : to þe court of rome. Line 1244 Þare neren heo nouȝt faire onder-fonge : for þe bischopes comen bi-fore And desclaundreden seint thomas : þat he was fals and for-suore. Ake naþeles þe grace heo hadden : þat to þe pope heo miȝten go. him-sulue heo tolden in priuete : al seint thomases wo: Line 1248 Of þe status of clarindone : hou heo furst forth come, And hou he was i-brouȝt at norehamptone : bi-fore þe kinge to dome, And hov he wende out of engelonde : In muchele miseise and wo, And al-hov he chaungede is name : þe sikerloker forto go. Line 1252 [papa.] ¶ Þe pope bi-gan to siche sore : and [al. om.] with ful dreori þouȝt, Þe teres fullen out of is eiȝene : he ne miȝte with-holden heom nouȝt, he þonkede god þat swuch a prelat : under him moste beo, Line 1255 So studefast to holi churche : and þat he miȝte þane dai i-seo.— A-morewe comen þis bischopes : and þe eorles also, To procuri seint thomas al þat vuel : þat heo miȝten do; bi-fore þe pope, ase [he] sat : ful nobleliche heo come, And bi-fore þe cardinales : and al þe court of rome. [folio 75] Line 1260 [episcopus london'.] ¶ Þe bischop of londone : þat euere luþur was, bi-gan formest to telle is tale : a-ȝein seint thomas. he stod up bi-fore al þe court : "beu pere," a-non he seide, "To þe we comieth to make ore mone : of strong lif þat we ledez. Ower riȝte it is up to holde : alle þat guode beoth, And foles to bringuen of heore folie : ȝwane ȝe heom i-seoth. Line 1266 A destaunce þare is i-sproungue : liȝtliche in Engelonde, Þat destourbez al þat lond : with onriȝte, ich onder-stonde. Line 1268 Þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : is al aȝein ore wille, Folliche he bi-gan In engelonde : holi churche for-to spille, And to bi-nime þe kynge is fraunchise : and is riȝtes also. Line 1271 Ake he ne miȝte us make for no-þing : concenti þer-to. [This verse on the margin.]

And for wrathþe þat we nolden : alle is wille do, Op-on us he caste is owene gult : and opon þe kinge also. And atþe laste, ase þei it were : þut lond forto blende, Þo noman ne dude him strencþe : of londe he gan i-wende: Line 1276 for men nusten nouȝt þe soþe : þat heo scholden onder-stonde Þat þe king him dude onriȝth : and driue him out of londe." Þo he hadde al is tale i-told : and i-maked is grete wise, [episcopus Chichestrie.] he sat a-doun; an þe bischop of chichestre : sone gan op a-rise. ¶ "bev pere," he seide to þe pope : "me þinchez it fallez to þe To on-don ech þing þat fallez to harme : In þe communaute, Line 1282 Þat o Man ne beo i-soffred : to gon forth mid is wille, to bring al þat lond to schame : and holi churche to spille. Line 1284 Þat hath þe Erchebischop i-þouȝt : and þat is i-sene, i-wis, Ȝwane ech man of al þat lond : faste a-ȝein him is." [Archiepiscopus Eboracensis.] ¶ Þe Erchebischop of Euerwike : þo he is tyme i-seiȝ, Aros op and bi-gan to telle : is tale al on heiȝ. Line 1288 "Sire," he seide, "no man ne knoweth : so wel ase ich do Þene Erchebischop of Caunterburi : ne þe bischopriche al-so. Þe Erchebischop is willesful : and ȝwane he is alles i-brouȝt In ani wille þat is luytel wuyrth : he nele bi-leue it nouȝt; Line 1292 Þat man ne may for no-þing : bringe him of is þouȝt. he is nouþe In swuyche folie— : þat we habbeth deore a-bouȝt; liȝtliche he is þare-Inne i-come : ake he it nele lete neuere mo, bot ȝe þoruȝ ower pouwer : bringe us out of wo." Line 1296 [episcopus Exon'.] ¶ "Sire," quath þe bischop of eccetre : baldeliche he spac þo, "Þis cas ȝe moten a-mendi sone : hov-so it euere go. And ȝe ne leuen nouȝt þe soþe : þat men doth ov to onder-stonde, Send with us fot with fot : ane legat in-to Engelonde, Line 1300 And lat him of-gropi þe soþe þere : and þare-after þu lat him wurche. for-soþe, bote ȝe þaron [al. oþer] þenche : ȝe schendez holi churche." [Comes Arondelie] ¶ Þe Eorl of Arundel aros op þo : a man of gret dignete. "Sires," he seide, "for godes [MS. guodes] loue : ane stounde herkneth me! Line 1304 Þe lewede Men þat here beoth : þat ne connen latin non, We ne onder-stondez nouȝt : of þat ȝe habbez i-told ech-on; [folio 75b] Ake In langage þat we conne : swuche men ase we beoth, heiȝe barouns and noble kniȝtes : ase ȝe nouþe i-seoth, Line 1308

Line 1308 ¶ Tellen ichulle for us alle : ȝwy we beoth hidere i-wend. For ore louerd þe king of Engelonde : Þat hauez us hidere i-send to schewi furst þe reuerence : and grete loue also Þat he hath to eov i-bore : and euere he þenchez to do; Line 1312 And þare-of he sent þe word bi us : ase we bi-fore þe stondez, Eorles, barones, and bischopes : þe hexte of þe londe— Ȝif he hadde ani herre i-haued : hidere he hadden i-wend. Ake to one so heiȝe court ase þeos is : he hath us hidere i-sent, Line 1316 to schewi eov furst in his name : þat, also wid ase þe world is, So trewe prince nis onder god : ne þat so muche ov loueth, i-wis, Ne þat so muche Anoureth holi churche : and euere hath i-do. Þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : is a noble man also, Line 1320 Þat, ȝif omanere of him nere : ase ich me onder-stonde, Þare nere no lond In cristinedom : a-ȝeinest engelonde, [MS. engelonge] Ne holi churche so wel i-wust : and i-schild fram ech wouȝ, Onder noble prince and prelat : boþe guode men i-nouȝ. Line 1324 Ake þes thomas, þis guode Erchebischop : so hath a luyte wille, Þat muchel a-peirez his guodnesse : and bi-guynneth þat lond to spille. his wille is suych þat, ȝwane he is : icomen in fole þouȝt, [This verse on the margin.] he nele þoruȝ conseil ne þoruȝ no rerd : þarof beo i-brouȝt. Line 1328 In swuche folie he is nouþe i-come— : ore louerd is þouȝt wende! bote men mouwen is þouȝt wenden : þat lond he wole al schende. Þare-for mi louerd þe king ov bit : þat ȝe with us sende Ane legat into engelonde : to ofgropi al þen ende, Line 1332 Oþur certus he is ope þe poynte : al þat lond to spille; And þat ȝe him chasti þoruȝ riȝte lawe : & bi-nime him is fole wille." Of alle þe clerkes þat þare seten : non of heom þar nas Þat ne preisede muche þis heiȝe man : for he so renable was. Line 1336 [papa.] ¶ "Louerdingues," quath þe pope : "wel we onder-stondez i-nouȝ Þat [ȝe] to-ward þe Erchebischop tellez : with riȝte oþur with wouȝ. Ake we ne mouwen þar-of non dom ȝiue : bote him-sulue here were, For we ne mowen bi-hinden him no Iuggement ȝyue : ne no riȝt i-wis it nere." Line 1340 [comes.] ¶ "Sire," quath þe Eorl of Arundel : "ȝe moten bet onder-stonde. A certein dai us is i-set : to come in-to engelonde,

And þane dai ne dorre we nouȝt breke : for ore louerd þe kingue. Þare-fore ȝe moten us grace don : sumdel of þis þinge: Line 1344 Ȝe moten, ȝif it is ower wille : ane legat wis [r. wiz] us sende, And þene Erchebischope hoten also : to Engelonde i-wende; And ase þe legat þare enquereth : þar-aftur he mai do." ¶ "Certes, beu frere," quat þe pope : "I-nelle nouȝt take on so. Line 1348 Ȝwane þe erchebischop hidere comez : I-not ȝwat he wole telle; Þare-fore are ich i-heore him speke : no-þing don þar-of i-nelle." "Certes, sire," seide þis oþur : "we ne dorren a-bide nouȝt." "Nov de pardeus," quath þe pope : "doth ase ȝe habbeth i-þouȝt!" [folio 76] Þis oþure weren wroþe i-nouȝ. : wel faire heore leue heo nome And wenden heom forth in grete wrathþe : And to londone heo come.— Line 1354 Seint Thomas was þo In Flaundres : In huydinge ase þei it were, In þe Abbeie of seint Bertyn : and longe he hadde i-beo þere. Line 1356 Atþe laste he aros bi niȝte : and out of Flaundres wende Al priueliche In-to Fraunce : ase ore louerd him grace sende. Þe king of Fraunce þat was þo : louwis guod and hende, heorde telle of þis holi Man : he let sone after him sende. Line 1360 Þo þis holi Man to him cam : gret Ioye he gan him make, And het him in eche stude opon is lond : j-novȝ of his take, ¶ to spene to him and alle his : ȝware-so heo euere come. Nolde seint thomas nouȝt a-bide : are he come to rome. Line 1364 Þe king him fond spence i-novȝ : to him and alle his, And sende with him guod conduyt : to bringe him þare, i-wis. ¶ þo seint thomas to Rome cam : faire he was onder-fonge; And sumdel þe pope was anuyd : þat he hadde i-beo so longe. Line 1368 Men a-coupeden him of þulke trespas : þat þe bischopes tolden er, And beden him ansuerie for is stat : and aleggi þare-fore þer. Seint thomas wolde op arise : Men beden him sitte a-doun, And he bigan a-godes name : and schewede þis reson. Line 1372 "Sire," he seide, "ich am I-maked : þei ich onwuyrth beo, to wardi þe churche of Caunterburi : ase ȝe mowen iseo. Þulke churche was i-woned to beo : Ase lauedi, and schynde wide briȝte ase þe sonne a-mong alle oþure : of al þe west-side. Line 1376 Þe sonne þat was erore so cler : deork heo is bi-come,

brode cloude and strongue i-nouȝ: þat [om. þat?] hire liȝt habbeth bi-nome; Ouer-cast heo is with þis cloudene: þat heo ne ȝifth lijȝt non And alle þe churchene of Engelonde: deorke beoth ech-on. Line 1380 Þe kyng, þat hire scholde up-holde: he bi-nimez al hire riȝte And ase þe cloudene hire ouer-cast: þat heo ne mai no leng liȝte. Ich þat scholde hire wardein beo: þare-aȝein ich mot fiȝte And stonde aȝen and with-segge: þe luþere costomes bi al mi miȝte. For þei ich hadde a þovsend liues: ase ich nabbe bote on, raþur þane ich it þolie wolde: ȝyue ich wolde ech-on. Line 1386 Þe costomes aȝen holi churche: þat þe king hath forth i-brouȝt, here ȝe mouwen heom i-heore: ȝif heo buth to graunti ouȝt." Line 1388 ¶ Þis holi man bi-gan to rede þe luþere lawene: ase he heom hadde i-write; he wep þat þe teres ornen a-doun: þat deol it was to wite. Þe pope and alle is cardinales: þat seiȝen him wepe so sore And heordene alle þe luþere lawene: heo ne miȝten for-bere non|more, Line 1392 Ake bi-gonnen to wepe faste ech-one: and hereden god al-so Þat heo miȝten finde a swuch prelat: ouer holi churche i-do, Þat holi churche so heold to riȝte: and ne soffrede no wovȝ; heo þonkeden god of swuch a Man: and honoureden him inovȝ. Line 1396 Þe pope het is clerkes alle: þat [om. þat?] þoruȝ al cristindome [folio 76b] Þat heo wit-seiden suyche luþere lawes: ȝware-so huy euere come, And [om. And] þat heo neren i-soffrede nouȝware: hov-so heo comen to ende, And þat heo ȝeuen heore lijf þare-fore: raþur þane holi churche schende. Line 1400 [Thomas] ¶ Þo spac eftsone seint thomas: wepinde swyþe sore: "I-nabbe nouȝt," he seide, "so muche wo: þat i-nere wurþe wel more. For þoruȝ strencþe of eorþeliche manne: In þis pouwer ich am i-do, Ake ich me drede a-ȝen godes wille it be: for onwuyrth ich am þar-to; Þare-fore ore louerd for riȝte wreche: vuel biginninge me deth sende, And ich drede for mine wrechche gultes: þat worse worth þe ende. Þare-fore, þat holi churche: ne beo to grounde i-brouȝt For mine sunnes and for mine onmiȝte: þat I-ne may hire wardi nouȝt, Line 1408 Ich ȝelde ov op here þe bischopriche—: an oþer ȝe moten þare do

Þat mowe bet loki holi churche: for onwuyrth ich am þarto." ¶ his Ryng he nam and bi-tok þe pope: and op ȝeld þe bischopriche. Þe pope swiþe deolfulliche: and wel Inliche bigan to siche. Line 1412 Þerof conseillede al þe court: ȝwat þe beste red were: to laten him witien holi churche: oþur to don a-noþur þere. "Me þinchez," quath a cardinal: "In swuch cas ase nouþe is, best it were to don an oþur: In his stude, i-wis, Line 1416 Forto paien bet þe kinge: and swuc[h] cas miȝte bi-falle Þat þe kyng wolde a-swagi and bi-leue: is luþere lawene alle. Line 1418 For betere it were In faire manere: ho-so it miȝte to ende bringue, Þane contec arere In swuche londe: and nameliche aȝen þe kingue. And man miȝte purveien þis gode manne: an al-so guod ase þat is. I-ne wot ȝwat conseil ȝe wollez rede: for i-chulle reden þis." Þo seide an oþur cardinal: "Ine rede nouȝt so, i-wis, For þat wolde ȝiuen men an-saumple: al dai to don a-mis; Line 1424 For ȝwane þe king were wroth with ani bischop: for anie cunnes þinge, to don þane bischop a-non a-doun: þe mo vuele lawene he wolde bringe, And þanne were holi churche i-schend: þat lauedi scholde be. For þis red me þinchez feble: a betere ȝe moten bi-seo." Line 1428 [papa.] ¶ Þe pope nam þo seint thomas: and tok him a-ȝein is ring, to bi-leue erchebischop forth: and stable þoruȝ alle þing, studefastliche to holden up: al-holi churche riȝte, And he him wolde aȝen ech man: helpen bi is miȝte; Line 1432 Ake he ne scholde nouȝt þe ȝeot: to engelonde wend[e], Ake a-bide betere grace of þe king: ȝif god it wolde sende. To þe grete Abbeie to pountenie: forto soriourni þere, he sende þis holi Man: for-to it betere were. Line 1436 With luytel folk and luytel aise: þare he dude bi-leue, For he nadde him-sulf nouȝt to spene: bote ase heo him ȝeue. his men he broȝte In seruise: heore mete to wynne þere, And him-sulf he was al one neiȝ: þei he heiȝ Man were. Line 1440 hard lijf he ladde i-novȝ!: And he hadde of harde here Schuyrte and brech streit i-novȝ: hardore neuere nere; [folio 77] Þe strapeles weren swiþe streite: with mani a knotte al-so; A-non to is þies þe schuyrte tilde: þe brech riȝt to is to; Line 1444

Line 1444 Þe knottes gnowen al is flechs: a-boute bi eche side. Swiþe on-aisi was is brech: a-boute for-to ride; harde miȝte he sitte a-doun: and harde ligge al-so. Louerd, deore a-bouȝte he heuene: wel auȝte he come þer-to!— Line 1448 ¶ Þe bischopes of Engelonde: þat a-ȝein him weren at rome, Þe Eorles and þe oþere heiȝe Men: þo heo to Engelond come, heo tolden þe kinge al heore cas: hov heo hadde i-sped. Þo was þe king boþe sori and wroth: þat he was neiȝ a-wed. Line 1452 ¶ "A," he seide, "þilke traitour: þat ich habbe forth i-brouȝt, Þat he me schal swuch schame don nouþe!: Ine may it þolie nouȝt. And he fleuȝth [r. fleuȝch?] out of londe: þat Ine may to him come, I-chulle me of is cunne a-wreke: heo schullen a-bugge some." Line 1456 he let seche out clene al is kun: and is oþur frend ech-on: Ovt of Engelonde he let heom driue: þat þare ne moste leue non, Sike ne feble, . ȝung ne old: ne womman þat was with childe, Ne þe children þat soukinde weren: —muche was he on-milde! Line 1460 In hire Armes þe moder bar þat child: and In heore wombene some. Þare hadde þe king, ase me þinchez: a feble wreche i-nome! I-harlede heo weren in grete Miseise: out of londe, alas! Ech guod man hadde revþe of heom: þat heorden of þat cas, Line 1464 And seiden stilleliche bi-twene heom: þat he a luþur king was. Mo luþere dedene þe king bi-þouȝte: ȝeot ope seint thomas: Þeos Men þat he of londe drof: were heom lef oþur loth, Ech aftur oþur he made heom swerie: opon a boke gret oth Line 1468 Þat heo ne scholden in none stude: bi-leue none stounde Are heo to þe Erchebischope comen: ȝware-so heo him founden, And tellen him fore hov heo weren: out of londe i-brouȝt, to bringue him jn þe more sor: ȝif heo miȝten tuyrne is þouȝt. Line 1472 ¶ Ȝeot þe king bi-þouȝte a luþer dede: more ope seint thomas: he for-bed þoruȝ al Engelond: ase fer ase his pouwer was, Þat no man ne scholde for him bidde: In churche ne elles ȝware, Ase men doth nouþe for Erchebischopes: and habbez i-don wel ȝare. Louerd, muche was þe schame þo: þat holi churche bi-tidde, Ȝwane heo ne moste a-mong oþur men: for so holi a man bidde!— Þat folk of seint thomas kunne: wel þicke a-bouten him drouȝ— Aldai heo weren i-flemde for him—: In miseise and soruwe i-nouȝ;

Heo weopen and criden deolfulliche : and tolden him al heore cas, hov heo weren for him defoulede : and ȝwuch hore soruwe was. Seint thomas bi-heold heom deolfolliche : and bi-gan to siche sore; And euere he maked^e fair semblaunt : to conforti heom þe more, And seide þis word to gladie hem : þat men onder-stoden wel longe: "Ech lond," he seide, "is owene contreie : to þulke þat beoth stronge"— Ase Man þat seith, þei ȝe beon here : In vnkouþe londe i-brouȝt, [folio 77b] Ȝif ȝe beoth stronge in godes lawe : it ne schal ov greui nouȝt. Line 1488 Alle þe heiȝe men of þe londe : þat heorden of þat cas, Corseden þe kinge, and seiden al-so : þat he a luþur man was. Þis selie men a-boute men nomen : for loue of seint thomas And founden heom liflode i-nouȝ : þat in miseise neuer on nas.— Þo þeos tiþinges to þe kingue : of Engelonde cam Line 1493 þat þis folk was wel onder-fonge : gret deol to him he nam. "Certes," he seide, "ȝwane I-ne may : in þis manere is heorte buye, In more miseise ichulle him bringe : þat is lijf him schal a-nuye." ¶ Greye Monekes of Cistevs : fram ȝere to ȝere Line 1497 A Chapitre makeden generale : of Abbodes þat þere were; For euerech Abbod of greie Monekes : to þulke chapitle cam With-Inne þre ȝer, [al. a terme] ase [huy] ȝuyt doth : þoruȝ al cristindom. Line 1500 Þo þe chapitle plenere was : þudere þe king sende to þe Abbotus alle plenereliche : þat to þulke chapitle wende, And sende heom word þat him þouȝte wunder : more þane i-nouȝ Þat heo wolden him so muche do : on-kuynde dedes and wouȝ Line 1504 for-to susteiny is wiþerwyne : a-mong heom and is fo In þe house of pounteneye : þat brouȝte him in swuch wo; And bote heo wolden him bi-leue : and ne susteyni him non-more, Alle þe greye Monekes of Engelonde : a-bugge it scholden sore; Line 1508 For heo susteineden is fo : ne [r. no] wonder he seide it nere Þei he awreke him of þat hous : þat ine his londe were. Þo þeos lettres to Cisteus : a-mong þis Abbotes come, Of þe þretningue heo dradden heom sore : and conseil þarof heo nome. So þat heo beden seint thomas : his heste forto do, For heo ne dorsten nouȝt aȝen þe kingus wille : non-more holden him so. Line 1514 Þo seint thomas þis i-heorde : he gan forto siche sore,

And bad Ihesu crist him helpe þo : and cride him milce and ore. ¶ "Louerdingus, ȝe þat habbez me : I-susteyned mani a day [Thomas.] Line 1517 In mine grete neode, Ihesu crist it ov ȝelde : þare ich mi-sulf ne mai. Þe king þretnez ov so faste : þat ȝif [r. ȝif þat?] ȝe holdez me here ouȝt longe: Ȝif crist wole, ȝe ne schullen neuere : for me harm a-fongue; Ȝware-so ich euere mai on eorþe beo : fram eov ichulle wende, Line 1521 Þat ȝe ne beon for me a-peirede— : ore louerd is grace me sende. Þat ȝe habbeth on me i-spend : after me cometh on Þat swyþe wel it wole [MS. it wole it wole] a-quiten : hou-so it euere gon. [v. 1523-4 al. om.] For ich mai ȝuyt mine mete bidde : I-nam nouȝt to guod þer-to, Line 1525 Ore louerd þat fedeth þe wilde bestes and foules : he mai me fede al-so. Ake hov-so it euere of me bi-come : god, ȝif it is his wille, holde up þe riȝtes of holi churche : þat heo fulliche naspille." Line 1528 Ase þis holi man in þouȝte stod : ȝwodere he miȝte wende, Þe king of Fraunce, þat was so guod : sone he gan him word sende Þat he wolde bi-leue op-on is londe— : ȝware is heort best drouȝ Cheose he him-sulf, and he wolde : finden him spense i-nouȝ. [folio 78] For it is soth i-seid, ȝwane a man is : In mest soruwe and teone, Þanne is ore louerdes grace next— : ase it was þare i-sene. Line 1534 ¶ Þis holi man nam is leue þare : mildeliche and softe, And sore wepinde he wende forth : he ȝoxede and siȝte wel ofte. Line 1536 [Abbas ponten'.] Þe Abbot of pounteneye : sumdel forth-ward him brouȝte, And Axede him ȝwi he were : In so deolfule þouȝte. "Ichulle þe telle," quath seint thomas : "ȝwi ich carie so— bot þat þov ne telle no man fore : are mine ende-day beo i-do! Line 1540 Ich am siker þat i schal ȝeot : deie in Martyrdom. [Sompnium.] For to-niȝt ase ich was a-slepe : a wonder [MS. ȝonder] metinge me com. ¶ In þe churche of Caunterburi : me þouȝte i stod, i-wis, And striuede for holi churche : aȝen þe kinge and his : Line 1544 Þo comen þere four kniȝtes gon : and smiten me opon þe croune Ech after oþur, þat mi brayn : schedde al a-brod þare doune. For [me] nouþe [al. me] ich þonki Ihesu crist : þat i schal deiȝen so, Ake for mine Men i siche sore : I-not ȝwat heo schullen do." Line 1548 Þis holi man wende forth : In care and deol bi weiȝe, Forto he cam to senouns : twelf mile fram pounteneie.

[ad Senon'.] ¶ Þare he bi-lefde In soiourninge : alþe ȝwile þat he wolde, And þe king him fond to spene i-novȝ : of seluer and of golde. Line 1552 Þis guode Man bi-lefde þere : In pais and reste i-novȝ; An euere he carede for holi churche : þat þe king dude hire wouȝ. he sende to þe kinge of Engelonde : þat he scholde late beo stille And ne weorri non more op-on holi churche : ȝif it were is wille. Line 1556 Sone þas [al. seþþe] þe king of Engelonde : ase is wille him nam, Ouer se wende, ase god it wolde : and in-to Fraunce he cam. ¶ Þe king of Fraunce was a-boute : ȝif god wolde him grace sende, A-cordi him and seint thomas : ȝif he miȝte it bringe to ende. Line 1560 So þat heo weren to-gadere i-brouȝt : at one daiȝe I-set. Seint thomas cam bi-fore þe king : and ase is louerd him gret, And to is fet fel a-kne : he wep and cride is ore, "haue reuþe of holi churche : and ne weorre þov hire non-more, Line 1564 And þine wille i-chulle do : ase ich seide er, bi mine miȝte, Saue mine louerdes honur : and holi churche riȝte." ¶ Þe king makede him wroth i-novȝ for þat word : ase he hadde ofte i-beo. "Novþe ȝe movwen," he seide, "ech-one : his falshede i-seo, Line 1568 For man [al. i-ne] ne miȝte don ope is [al. þis] worde : noþing aȝen is wille Þat he ne wolde segge þat icholde : al-holi churche spille And þat it [al. ic] were aȝen godes lawe— : and In swyche manere he miȝte Þat lond destourbi and me bi-nime : mi fraunchise and mi riȝte. And gode bischopes þare habbez i-beo : bi-fore him ase [ȝe] wyten, i-wis; Ake, þat ȝe i-seon alle mine treowenesse : and þat al þe wronge is his : And [al. as þe] wiseste and þe beste bischopes : þat bi-fore him were, A-ȝen þe meste fole kinge þat bi-fore me was : faire heo heom bere: Do he al-so aȝen me nouþe : and ich me paiȝe wel i-novȝ; [folio 78b] And ȝif he is aȝen þis fourme : me þinchez he hauez wouȝ: Line 1578 Oþur him þinchez þat neuere bischop : so wis ase he non nas, Oþur he me halt þe meste wrechche king : þat euere i-bore was." Line 1580 [rex francie.] ¶ Þo seide þe king of Fraunce : and alle þat heorden þis: "Certes, þov bedest him loue i-novȝ : al þat wrong is his." [thomas.] ¶ Seint thomas stod and bi-þouȝte him : and gan to siche sore, "Þei ichabbe i-haued a-nuy : to come me is wel more. Line 1584

Line 1584 "Ȝif þe bischopus," he seide, "bi-fore me : hadden i-do heore miȝte, hit ne hadde i-beo non [r. nou?] neod þare-fore : to contecki ne to fiȝte, For are þis it were stable i-novȝ : þoruȝ gode mannes siȝte. Nouþe god for is grace : sende holi churche hire riȝte! Line 1588 For þat þe bischopus bifore me weren to nesche : ase ich nouþe i-finde, Þe studefastore i mot beo : oþur it worth al bi-hinde. Ich wot wel þat heo habbeth here-bi-fore : þe customes in engelonde .I.-vsed heom al-to muche : holi churche to schonde; Line 1592 And þei heo habben i-beon suffred longe : and to custome i-drawe, Þare ne may no man for-soþe segge : þat heo beoth riȝt ne lawe. For ore louerd louez riȝt and sothnesse : and none vuele costomes, i-wis, And þat he schewez wel bi o word : þat In þe godspel is: Line 1596 For ore louerd euenez him-self : to sothnesse þere, Ake he ne eueneth him in none stude : to costome þat aȝein þe riȝte were. Þare-[fore] me þinchez riȝt it is : þat we to sothþnesse drawe, And destourbi þe vuele costomes : þat beth a-ȝein þe lawe; Line 1600 Þare-fore i-nelle none costomes : soffri bi mine miȝte Þat aȝein sothnesse beoth : and a-ȝen holi churche riȝte." here man mai i-se þat vuele lawes : no guod Man nele a-fonge, Ake destourbi heom mid al is miȝte : þei heo habben i-beo i-holde longe; Line 1604 For he þat sosteinez vuele lawes : ase wel he haueth sunne, bote he heom a-legge ȝif he may : ase he þat heom deth bi-gynne.— Þo þe king of Fraunce i-heorde : and oþure þat þare were, Þat seint thomas ne dude þe kinges wille : no-þing apayd heo nere. [rex francie.] ¶ "Sire bischop," quath þe king of Fraunce : "Ich i-seo wel novþe þi wrong: Þe king þe beot loue i-nov : þet strif is nov on þe i-long. Line 1610 Wolt [r. wost] þov nouþe is lawes him bi-nime : þat neuere him nere bi-nome, Þe kingus heo[m] habbeth alle i-holde : þat bi-fore him habbeth i-come, gret Maister þov woldest a-londe beo : to muche were þi power. to muche ich habbe honouret þe : In mine londe her; Line 1614 bote þov suffri him is riȝte lawes : Ichulle bi-come þi fo, And ȝif we beoth þine fon boþe : I-not ȝwodere þov miȝt go." Line 1616

Line 1616 ¶ Seint thomas heold him euere In on. : þe kingues heom makeden wroþe, And departede fram him [MS. heom] so : In grete wrathþe boþe; huy þretneden and maden noyse i-nov : seint thomas heold him stille, Raþur he wolde deth a-fonge : þane þolie heore luþere wille. Line 1620 Nov help crist seint thomas : for neode he hath þere-to! Nov boþe þe kingus beoth is fon : ȝware may he nov go? [folio 79] I-flemd he was out of Engelonde : and out of Fraunce also. Alle is men maden deol i-nov : heo nusten ȝwat forto do, Line 1624 And nameliche is cunnes-Men : þat for him i-flemd were. "Louerd," heo seiden, "allas, allas : þat we lifles nere! For i-driue we beoth out of Engelonde : and neiȝ of Fraunce al-so; Louerd, ȝwat scholde more sorewe : þane us is i-come nouþe to?" Line 1628 ¶ Seint thomas made him glad i-nov : and confortede is men a-non; "beth stille," he seide, "ȝe makiez deol : neodeles nouþe ech-on;" And seide "ȝe mouwen of-swinke ouwer mete : ase guode men doth mani on; For beo ȝe fram me, huy wollez beo ouwer freond : þat nouþe beot ower fon. Line 1632 Ȝe ne habbez hate of no man : bote for me, with wouȝ, And beo ȝe fram me i-wend : men wollez louien ov i-nouȝ." "A, sire, merci," þis oþure seiden : "we wuten wel al þis, For us-sulf nis us nouȝt : bote for þe, i-wis; Line 1636 We schullen wel nouþe ore mete i-winne : ake we nuten ȝwat þov schalt do, bote þov schulle for honger deiȝe. : louerd, ȝweþer þov schulle so?" "Ich mai bidde mine mete," quath seint thomas : "for i-nam nouȝt to guod þer-to; Ore louerd it ȝelde heom alle þat ani guod : for his loue me habbez [r. wollez] i-do. Line 1640 bi-twene borgoyne and prouence : ase men doth me onder-stonde, gvode men beoth and al-mes-fole : þoruȝ kuynde of þe londe: Ȝif I-ne mot In Fraunce beo : þudere ichulle i-wende And bidde mine mete for godes loue : ȝif he me wole it sende. Line 1644 Ȝeot sum [MS. sun] guod man me may i-seo : and it beo godes wille,

And habbe revþe of me and beon min help : þat miseise me ne spille." His men for him and for hem [MS. him] sulf : makeden deol i-novȝ; Þe guode man among al is wo : confortede heom and louȝ. Line 1648 Allas þe deol þat þare was : þat swuch an heiȝ man bi-tidde, Þat þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : is mete scholde bidde! Deore a-bouȝte he holi churche : and holi churche riȝte! Wel auȝte ech man here-after drede : a-ȝen holi churche to fiȝte.— Line 1652 Ase ech man at oþur is leue nam : a-boute for-to wende, And þe holi man In his side : ȝwodere god him wolde sende, Þare ase god wolde to bidde is mete : fort god him sende betere won, god sende is grace a-mong heom alle : þat sorie weren ech-on. Line 1656 ¶ Þe kingus Messager of Fraunce : to seint thomas cam gon, And seide þat is louerd him bad : come to him a-non. ¶ Fort^h wende þis holi man : ake he nuste for ȝwuche þinge; he tok him al-to godes wille : and cam bi-fore þe kinge. Line 1660 ¶ A-non so þe king him saiȝ come : a-ȝen him he gan gon And ful a-doun to is fote a-kne : and cride him merci a-non; "blind," he seide, "ich habbe i-be : and þat novþe ich onder-stonde. Al mi lond to þine wille : ich take þe an honde; Line 1664 Þe ȝwule ich am in Fraunce king : ichulle finde þe i-novȝ, For ich onder-stonde þe soþe nouþe : þat þe king hath al þe wouȝ." ¶ Þe king sende þis holi man a-ȝen : to Senouns, i-wis, [folio 79b] And fond him þere spense i-nouȝ : him and alle his. Line 1668 More he dude is miȝte ȝeot : and bi-tuene he sende is sonde For-to bringue a-cord bi-twene him : and þe kinge of enguelonde. At Momartre In Fraunce : þis dai was i-nome, Þudere weren þis kingues boþe : and seint thomas i-come. Line 1672 Þe king of Fraunce dude is miȝte : þat heo weren to a-cord i-brouȝt; Ake þo heo hadden to-gadere i-speke : al it was undo for nouȝt: For þe king swor euere grete oþus : þat a-cord he nolde non bote þe status of Clarindone : i-holde weren euerech-on; Line 1676 And seint thomas swor þat bi is daiȝe : he nolde þarof holde non, Raþur he wolde deth a-fonge : bote þare were oþur i-won. So þat heo departeden with wrathþe : þo heo nolden non oþur do. Seint thomas bi-gan to siche sore : and Inliche wep al-so, Line 1680 "Louerd," he seide, "help me nouþe : for þine swete fif wounde,

Oþur holi churche is ope þe pointe : to beon i-brouȝt to grounde." Maister bernard of bosham : þat [MS. þaf] is .o. clerk was, In priueite bi-twene heom to : seide to seint thomas: Line 1684 "Sire," he seide, "þe mount-martre : þis hul i-cleoped is Þare ase ȝe [MS. ase ȝe ase ȝe] habbez pais bi-speke : of holi churche i-wis: And ase þe name seith of þis hulle : ase ich douti in mi þouȝt, Þoruȝ þi martyrdom holi churche : worth formest to pais i-brouȝt." ¶ Sore sichinde seint thomas seide : "god wolde þat it were so And þoruȝ mine deþe holi churche : Into riȝt pais were i-do, Line 1690 And þat ich hadde with mine blode : and with mine liue i-bouȝt Þat heo were in riȝte lawe : and Into guod pais i-brouȝt!"— Line 1692 A-ȝein Midsomer it bi-ful : þat þe king him gan onderstonde And In wrathþe of seint thomas : wende In-to engelonde, For-to saisi sire henri is sone : mid al is kinedom And for-to crouny him—longe him þouȝte : are he þare-to com. Line 1696 And is conseil seide þat it was : mest of alle þinge Holi churche and seint thomas : In vnriȝte for-to bringe; For þe Erchebischopes riȝte it were : þat of Caunterburie is To crouny þene kyng of Engelonde : and non oþur bischop, i-wis. Þe king in preIudice of him : and to bi-nimen him is riȝte, Let oþur bischopes crouni is sone : and [cud]de a luyte miȝte. Line 1702 ¶ Four bischopus him crouneden : a-ȝen riȝte and a-ȝein þe wone: Þe Erchebischop of Euerwyke : and þe bischop of londone Line 1704 And þe bischop of salesburi : and of roucestre al-so; In seint peteres churche at west-Munstre : þeos dede was ido. Þe fader seruede þe sone : at þe mete a-dai, And with [þe] reaume saisede him : ase al þat folk i-sai. Line 1708 Þe tyþingus of þusse þingue : to seint thomas huy come: Of þulke on-riȝte he sende sone : to þe court of rome. Þe pope him sende lettres aȝen : and bulle þat he scholde A-mansi þe king and is conseil : ȝwuch tyme þat he wolde, [folio 80] And suspendi þe bischopes : þat swuch on-riȝt duden þere, And entre-diten al engelond : for-to it a-mendet were. ¶ Seint thomas heold þe lettres to him : for-to god him grace sende Þat he miȝte him-sulf þe neodes [al. dede] do : ȝwane he to engelond wende.— Ȝuyt cam king henri þe olde : eft-sone into Fraunce.

Þe king of Fraunce was euere a-nuyd : of þulke desturbaunce Line 1718 And wende a-boute to makien a-cord : and bi-tweone he sende faste; So þat heo weren, ase god it wolde : a-cordut at-þe laste. Line 1720 A-seinte Marie dai Maudeleyne : Idon was þis dede, In ane Mede þat men cleopiez ȝuyte : "þe traitores mede"— Al-so ferde þulke a-cord : ase þe Mede i-cleoped was, For þer-aftur a luyte stounde : no-þing i-sene it nas. Line 1724 Muche heo speken In priueite : and in grete loue heo wenden a-two, And seint thomas wende þat þe king : al is wille wolde do. Maister herebard of boseham : to þe kinge he sone wende For þe foreward þat heo hadde bi-speke : ase seint thomas him sende, Line 1728 And bad him hote ȝelde a-ȝen : ase forth ase he miȝte Þat is baillifs in is bischopriche : nomen with onriȝte. "Ȝe," quath þe king, "wolde he so? : ȝeot he schal a-bide, Ichulle i-wite hov he wole him bere : formest In oþur side; Line 1732 par-auntur so faire he may : bere him a-ȝen me, Þat ichulle ȝelden him ech feorþing. : þare-fore cheose he." ¶ Maister herebard wende a-ȝein : ant tolde seint thomas fore. "Ȝe," þouȝte seint thomas : "þis pais is al-for-lore." Line 1736 Sethþe seint thomas him-sulue : to þe kinge he wende, to speken more of þe a-cord : ȝif he it miȝte a-mende. Þe king him welcomede al liȝtliche : ase he ne heolde nouȝt þer-to, And wende him forth to heren is masse : and seint thomas al-so. he was i-woned to habbe is masse : ase it ful to þe daiȝ, [MS. daiȝe] And þo he let singen him þe soule-masse : þat no-þing þare-to ne laiȝ, For he nolde nouȝt atþe peⁱs : cussen seint thomas. Þe holi Man þouȝte wel : ȝwat þe Anchaisoun was. Line 1744 Wel narewe þe king him gan bi-þenche : to derne is luþere þouȝt, Ake to him þat wot ech derne þing : þing [om. þing] it nas [to] hele nouȝt. Þo þe Masse was i-do : In conseil longue heo stode; Wel ofte þe king him opbraid : þat he dude him er of guode, Line 1748 And ȝwuch a lovȝ man he cam to him : and In ȝwuche pouwer he him brouȝte, And þat he auȝte vuele a-ȝein him beo : ȝif he him wel bi-þouȝte. So þat heo weren to-gadere longe : and þo heo hadden al i-do,

Þei it luytel ȝwile i-laste : with loue heo departeden ato.— Line 1752 ¶ Seint thomas bi-gan to sike sore : þo he gan him onder-stonde [reprimacio thome.] Þat he hadde longe i-beo : oute of engelonde; Þei it were a-ȝein is wille : it þouȝte him luþer dede Þat is bischopriche so longe was : with-oute conseille and rede: Line 1756 to þe king of Fraunce he wende furst : and to oþere guode and hende [folio 80b] And faire he tok is leue at heom : to engelond for-to wende; he þonkede heom of alle honur : þat heo him hadden i-do; With fair conduyt and gret loue : fram heom he wende so. Line 1760 Fram Fraunce he wende with gret honour : toward engelonde; At one hauene he gan a-bide : þat Men cleopiez ȝwit-sonde. [[near Calais]] Þe lettres þat he hadde of rome : to Engelond he sende, to don þe sentence al a-brod : bi-fore him ase he wende. Line 1764 Þe Erchebischop of Euerwyke : In sentence he let do And þene bischop of salesburi : and of londone al-so; for heo hadden i-crouned þene ȝonge king : a-ȝen þe dignete With onriȝte In is bischopriche : he a-mansede hem alle þre. Line 1768 ¶ Þo þe tiþinge to heom cam : heo maden heom wroþe i-novȝ, And þretneden þis holi man : þei it were with wouȝ. Seint thomas eode toward þe schipe : In-to engelonde for-to wende: A man þare cam fram engelonde : aȝen heom, [r. him] guod and hende. Line 1772 "A, sire," he seide, "for godesloue : ne passe nouȝt þe se, For þare beoth kniȝtes in Engelonde : Iporueide þe for-to sle; At eche hauene Men a-waytiez : to kepe þe, mani on; Ȝif þou comest a-mong heom ovȝt : þov worst a-slawe a-non." Line 1776 "Certes," quath þis holi Man : "Inelle no leng a-bide, to Engelonde Ichulle me drawe : tide ȝwat bi-tide; Þei ich beo drawe lime mele : I-nelle bi-leue non-more, to longe ich habbe þaunes i-beo : þat rewez me wel sore. Line 1780 Þe soulene þat ich habbe þare for-to loke : six ȝer and more, i-wis, With-oute wardein habbez i-beo : allas! to longe it is. A-slawe ich worþe, wel ich wot : þare, are come ouȝt longe, Ichulle for holi churche riȝte : gladliche þene deth a-fonge. Line 1784 Ake biddez for me Ihesu crist : i bidde eov par charite! bi-fore alle oþere nameliche : o þing biddeth for me:

Þat god for is holi grace : to Caunterburi me sende, Þat ich mote a-liue oþur ded : In-to mine owene churche [wende]; Line 1788 Ȝif i-ne mai þudere a-liue come : are ich i-martred beo, Þat mi bodi mote ȝwan ich am ded— : god it graunti me." his leue he nam wel deolfolliche : and to schipe he wende so; he þonkede heom al honour : þat Men him hadden i-do, Line 1792 And bi-teiȝte al Fraunce Ihesu crist : and blessede it wel faste; Þat folk wep and makede sorewe gret : heore deol longe i-laste.— ¶ At douere were kniȝtes ȝare : þat heorden of him telle, Sone ase he come op þere : al aredi him to quelle: Line 1796 Sire Reinaud of wareygne : and sire Randolf þe brok; And also Gerueis þe schyrreue : gret folk with him tok, to kepe þis holi Man at douere : ase he come op of þe se, And bote he wolde heore wille do : al-ȝare him for-to sle. Line 1800 to þe hauene of sandwiche : þat schip wel euene drouȝ— Þe oþere a-biden him alle at douere : with þretninge and bost i-nouȝ. In þe schipes seile an heiȝ : þis holi man let do [folio 81] Ane Croiz, þat Man fer isaiȝ : Iseuwed faste þer-to: Line 1804 Þat was signe of is baner : oþur ne kepte he non. Men stoden at sandwich and bi-heolden : þe Croiz wel manion, And seiden, "we i-seoth nouþe hider-ward come : oure bischop thomas;" Þe ȝuyt he was fer in þe se : heo wusten ȝwat he was. Line 1808 Þat cri was sone wide couth : þat folk orn faste i-novȝ, And are he were to londe i-come : muche folk a-ȝein him drouȝ. heo criden and þonkeden Ihesu crist : þat heo mosten him a-liue i-seo, And welcomeden him with Ioye i-novȝ : non more ne miȝte beo. Þene þridde day of þe Aduent : bi-fore cristemasse it was Þat he to Engelonde cam : þe guode man seint thomas; Line 1814 Þe seuenþe ȝer þat he wende furst : out of engelonde— Six ȝer and a Monthþe he was fleme : ase ich me onder-stonde. Line 1816 Þis was endleue hondret ȝer : and sixti ȝer and tene After þat ore swete louerd : In is moder a-liȝte, ich wene.— [Accusatio militum.] ¶ Þat word to þe kniȝtes cam : to douere of þis cas, hov seint thomas þe holi man : at sandwych a-riued was: Line 1820 to sandwich heo wenden faste. : seint thomas heo founden a-non;

With [MS. withith] luþer semblaunt and fals heorte : heo welcomeden him ech-on, And seiden, "hou hauestþov þene wei : to engelonde i-nome, Þat destourbest al þat lond : sone so þov art i-come, Line 1824 And al-so al-holi churche : ase we alle i-seoth, Þat þov a-mansest þus þeos bischopes : þat þine felawes beoth! Þov auȝtest mid alle lawe : loue and pais a-rere, And þare nas neuere a-londe pais : sethþe þov bischop were! Line 1828 Ȝif þov wenest wel for-to do : with-drauȝ þine dede sone; Oþur Man schal bi þe do : ase with swuch a man is to done." [Responsio thome.] ¶ "Mine leue freond," quath seint thomas : "sothþ it is i-novȝ þe mansinge þat ich let do : it was with riȝte and nouȝt with wouȝ, And bi mine louerdes leue þe king : þat ech man in riȝte were, Þat so gret trespas ne wende forth : þat it a-mendet nere, Line 1834 And were eft-sone after-ward : with on-riȝte and a-ȝein lawe In desertison of mine churche : to costome i [MS. it] -drawe." Line 1836 Þo þe kniȝtes heorden þat þe king : consentede þer-to, heo bi-leueden al heore grete mod : and heore þretningue al-so, And in faire Manere beden him : ondon is Mansingue, to norisi loue with is felawes : and bi-twene him and þe kinge. Line 1840 So þat respit bi-tuene heom : of þis Ansuere heo nome, For-to seint thomas a-moruwe : to Caunterburie come. [Aduentus Cantuar.] ¶ Seint thomas a-moruwe : to Caunterburi him drouȝ. Al þe contreie a-ȝein him cam : with Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ. Line 1844 Ech preost somonede is paroche : clanliche in euerech ende to beon alle ȝare a-ȝein him : with procession for-to wende: So þat with processiones : manie and faire i-novȝ, With croyz and with taperes : þe contreie a-ȝein him drouȝ. [folio 81b] Line 1848 Þare was Ioie and blisse i-nouȝ : more ne miȝte non beo; heo þonkeden ȝeorne Ihesu crist : þat a-liue him mosten i-seo. Of bellene and of tabours : so gret was þe soun, Of eche manere gleo and of song : þo he cam into toun, Line 1852 Þat man ne miȝte i-heore non oþur þing : bote þe noise þat was so gret; Non more ioie ne miȝte beo : þane þare was In euereche stret. ¶ Ase ore louerd a-palme-sonenday : honovred was i-novȝ Þo he rod into Ierusalem : and toward is deþe drovȝ, Line 1856

Line 1856 Al-so was þis holi man : ase men miȝten i-seo þere; For ore louerd wolde þat is deth : semblable to his were. Are seint thomas þe holi man : to is churche come, Þe Monekus with procession : a-ȝein him þene wei heo nome. Line 1860 Of is palefrai he liȝte a-don : and custe þe Monekes ech-on; to þe weuede wel mildeliche : heo ladden him a-non. Þo he hadde at churche i-do : al þat him was to done, With is men wel mildeliche : to is In he wende sone.— Line 1864 [Milites retro veniunt.] ¶ Seint thomas ne hadde i-beo : at is paleis nouȝt longe, Þat þe kniȝtes ne comen : heore answere forto afonge. heo beden him ase heo beden er : on-don is mansinge And a-soilli þe bischopes [MS. bischepes] : þat he let þare-Inne bringe. "bev freres," quath seint thomas : "þat ne mai i do nouȝt, For heo beoth In mansinge : þoruȝ þe pope i-brouȝt, Line 1870 And .I.-ne mai nouȝt on-do is dede : ȝe wuten wel, in none place. Ake nouȝt-for-þan ich truste wel : so muche In his grace, Line 1872 Þat ichulle a-soilli heom : In þusse fourme fawe: Þat heo don sikernesse for-to stonde : at holi churche lawe And to þe lokinge of holi churche— : ake in oþur fourme non." Þe knyȝtes, þo heo herden þis : chidden faste ech-on, Line 1876 And þo heo nadden non oþur word : in wrathþe forth heo wende And tolden þe bischopes heore ansuere : þat heom þudere sende. Þe bischopes maden heom wroþe i-nouȝ : ant þretneden him wel faste. Ake naþeles þe tweyne of heom : with-drowen heom atþe laste: Line 1880 ¶ Þe bischop of salesburi : and of londone al-so; to holi churche heo wolden stonde : and to is lokinge al-so. ¶ Ake þe Erchebischop of Euerwik : a-non-riȝt heom with-sede: "Daþeheit habbe þat so atstonde : so folliche at ower rede, Line 1884 For-to don us in is grace : þat euere hath i-beon ore fo And hath i-don us mani a schame : and þanne he wolde wel mo! Þei he habbe ouer ov power : ouer me ne hauez he non, For erchebischop ich am, wel ȝe wutez : ase wel ase he is on. Line 1888 Ich habbe a luytel Coffre : þat stant hol and sount, Atþe leste þare beoth Inne ȝeot : Eiȝte hundret pound: Ȝare ich am to spene þat : and ȝeot me þinchez to luyte, For-to a-wreken us wel of him : and for-to a-legge is pruyte. Line 1892

Line 1892 Wende we to þe kinge a-non : and telle him of is dede, [folio 82] Þat him ne tit neuere pais : bote he þarof him rede." [hic ueniunt ad regem.] ¶ Þeos þreo bischopus hasteliche : ouer se þene wei nome. A luyte bi-fore cristemasse : to þe kinge heo come, Line 1896 And founden him in Normandie. : a-doun heo fullen a-kne, heo beden him holden op his honour : stifliche hore help to beo, And tolden him hov þis holi Man : þo he to londe cam, Destourbede al-holi churche : and is kynedam Line 1900 And hov he hadde with gret pruyte : In mansinge i-do Al þat maden is sone king : and consenteden þare-to, And hov in despit of him : he dude swuch luþer dede, And þat he ne scholde neuere in pais beo : bote he nome an-oþur to rede. Line 1904 [Rex iratus.] ¶ Þe king, þo he heorde þis : for wrathþe he was neiȝ wod, he eode op and doun ase witles : and ofte in þouȝte stod. "Ȝif he a-mansez alle þat maden : mine sone king," he seide, "Mid þe furste he a-mansez me : for it was min owene dede. Line 1908 Þe traitur a-spillez al þat lond : and bringez us in wrechhede, ho miȝte In swuch soruwe : longe eni lif lede?" Ofte he corsede alle þeo : þat he hadde forth i-brouȝt, Of þe false preost and is fo : þat heo ne a-wreke him nouȝt, Line 1912 Þat destourbede al þat lond : and brouȝte in wrechhede; Ase he eode op and doun [MS. don doun] : ofte þat word he seide. ¶ Þe kniȝtes þo [heo] heorden þis : stoden some stille, And bi-þouȝten heom wel priueliche : to paie þe kinges wille. Line 1916 Þe foure þat mest schrewes weren : bi-þouȝten hem of guyle: Sire reynaud le fiz ovrs : and sire huwe de moruile And sire willam traci : and sire Richard de bruiz— heore names for heore schrewehede : ne beoth nout for-ȝite ȝuyt. Line 1920 huy nomen heom to rede stilleliche : to passi þe se, to paie þe kingus wille : seint thomas for-to sle. Stilleliche heo wenden forth : þat no man it nuste; heo weren neiȝwat atþe se : are þe king it wuste. Line 1924 Þo þe king it onder-ȝat : After heom he sende Þat heo bi-lefde heore folie : and aȝenward to him wende. Ake þis messager ne miȝte nouȝt : ouer-take heom for none ginne,

For are he cam to þe se : heo weren fer with-Inne. Line 1928 Þo made þe king deol i-nov : þat heo weren forth i-wend And þat is messager ne ouer-tok heom nouȝt : þat he after heom hadde i-send.— [Predicatio thome.] ¶ Seint thomas at Caunterburi : a-midewynteres dai Stod and prechede al þat folk : þat mani a man i-sai. Line 1932 In is prechingue he bi-gan : to siche swiþe sore, And deol and sorewe made i-nov : ne miȝte no man more; Swiþe sore he gan to wepe : þe teres ornen a-doun. Þare was mani wepinde Eiȝe : wel sone ȝeont al þe toun. Line 1936 "Mine leue freond," quath þis holi man : weopinde suyþe sore, "Ouwer preost ich habbe ane ȝwyle i-beo : ake i-ne mai no lengore more, [This v. added on the bottom.] [folio 82b] For min ende-dai is neiȝ i-come : I-ne worþe here nouȝt longe; Ich am redi for holi churche riȝte : deth for-to afonge. Line 1940 biddez for me for godes loue : and for holi churche al-so, Þat geth al-mest nouþe to grounde : bote god nime ȝeme þar-to. Deth ichulle wel fain take : ȝwan it is godus wille, For þe riȝte of holi churche : raþur þane heo spille." Line 1944 bok and candele he nam a-non : and a-mansede riȝt þere Alle þat werreden [MS. weṛ^rṇ^eden] holi churche : and a-ȝein hire riȝtes were, And nameliche sire randolf þe brok : and sire robert de bruyz [r. Brok] also, Þat þe Erchebischope of Caunterburi : gret on-riȝt habbez i-do. Line 1948 For þe ȝwuyle þat he was out of londe : þe king henri bi-tok Þe bischopriche al for-to loke : sire Randolf þe brok, And he mad Robert de brok : is clerk þat was þo, Of al þis wardein onder him. : þat dude is londe wel wo; Line 1952 For he destruyde al þe bischopriche : and to him-sulf nam i-novȝ, And dude him fair bold a-rere : of þat he nam with wouȝ. Þer-inne a-criste-masse dai : þo þe mansinge was i-do, he sat and .et. wel nobleliche : and manie with him al-so. Line 1956 Seint thomas (!) [r. he (so the other MSS.)] caste houndes of is bred : þat bi-fore him lai, And euerech hound it for-sok : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ. Þo handlede he oþur bred : and let menge hit at þe laste Wit oþur bred þat lai bi-side : and to þe houndes let it caste. Line 1960 Al þat he i-handlet hadde : þe houndes al for-lete,

And chosen out þat oþur þare-a-mong : and wel clanliche it ete. Þe guodnesse [al. mansinge] was on him i-sene : a-non-riȝt þat ilke dai, Ȝwane þe houndes þat bred for-soken : þat bi-fore him lai. Line 1964 ¶ bi a fridai þulke ȝeres : was cristemasse-dai, [Milites.] Þare was gret miracle of god : þat al þat folk i-sai.— ¶ Þis four luþere kniȝtes : of ȝwuche we gunne telle, to engelonde wel sone comen : seint thomas to quelle. Line 1968 to þe castel of salt-wode : a-seint Iohanes dai heo come, Six milene fram caunterburi : and þare heore In heo nome; And sire Randolf þe brok : to hem cam wel sone. heore conseil heo nomen þulke niȝt : þe luþere dede to done. Line 1972 Þene morewe, a-childre-masse dai : þo god þene dai sende, Sire Randulf þe brok wel stilleliche : to Caunterburi he wende, For-to enqueri of seint thomas : ȝware heo miȝten him finde, Þat he ne drowe him nouȝt a-wei : ne hudde him noȝwere bi-hinde. [Milites.] ¶ Þis kniȝtes þene Tywesdai : no lengore nolden bi-leue, Ake wenden heom to Caunterburi : wel are it were eue. Line 1978 A luyte bi-fore compelin : to seint thomas heo come; Þene riȝte wei ful baldeliche : In-to is chaumbre heo nome. Line 1980 heo comen and founden him stilleliche : In is chaumbre stonde With priue clerkes : and gret conseil hadden on honde. Sire Reynaud le fiz ours : grimliche forth i-wende, "Sire," he seide, "ore louerd þe king : in message us hidere sende, [folio 83] Fram him out of Normandie : Ane heste we habbez i-brouȝt, Þat þov do is heste— : ne bi-lef þov it nouȝt, Line 1986 And þat þou wende sone to is sone : þat ȝong king i-maked is, For-to a-mendi aȝeinest him : þat þov hast is fader i-don a-mis, Line 1988 And swer þene othþ to beon him trewe : and of þe baronie al-so Þat þou halst of him in chef : do þat þo[u] auȝtest him for-to do. Þe clerkes þat þov bringest with þe : ȝif here-ate heo wollez at-stonde, Schullen suerie þe kinge trewe to beo : oþur heo schullen out of londe." [Thomas.] ¶ "Bev frere," quath seint thomas : "I-nelle þe no-þing lie, Þe kinge ichulle don riȝt and lawe : of þe baronie. Line 1994 Ake nolde it god þat holi churche : onder fote were so Þat ich oþur mine clerkus : scholden ani othþ þe kinge do. Line 1996 For þov wost wel alle þe lewede Men : þat beoth In his londe,

Ne sweriez him nouȝt þene oth : as ich me onder-stonde. Nov wolde ȝe holi churche : In grete seruage do, In more þane ani lewede man beo? : nai, it ne worth nouȝt so." Line 2000 [Miles.] ¶ "Me þinchez wel," quath sire Reynaud : "þat þov nelt do no-þing Of þe heste þat we bringez : fram ore louerd þe king! Al-so in is half we hotez þe : þat þov a-soili al-so his bischopes þat þov hast : In mansinge i-do." Line 2004 [thomas.] ¶ "bev frere," quathþ [MS. quathy] seint thomas : "it nis mi dede nouȝt, Ake þoruȝ þe popes owene mouthþ : in sentence heo beoth i-brouȝt: ¶ And þou wost wel it ne fallez nouȝt to me : þe popus dede on-do." [Miles.] "Þei þe pope it hete do," quat sire Reynaud : "þoruȝ þe it is i-do." ¶ "ȝif þe pope hath," quath thomas : "In sentence i-brouȝt [thomas.] Line 2009 heom þat habbez me mis-don : he ne mis-paiez me nouȝt." [Miles.] ¶ "In eche manere þov schewest wel" : sire Reinaud seide þo, "For-to a-nuye ore louerd þe king : and þat þov art is fo. Line 2012 Ȝware-þoruȝ we i-seoth wel : þat þov wilnest to don him wo, And woldest beo king in is stude— : ake þou ne worst neuere so— And ȝif þou miȝtest, bi-nime him is crovne— : ake so ne schal it nouȝt go." [both lines transposed in other MSS.] ¶ "Certes, bev frere," quath seint thomas : "I-ne þenche no-þing þer-to, Line 2016 Ake raþur ichulle him þer-to helpe : so muche so ich mai, And for him and for his honour : ich bidde niȝt and dai. For þare nis nouþe man on eorþe : þat ich louie, i-wis, So muche ase him, sauue is fader : þat ȝeot mi louerd is. Line 2020 A-seinte Marie dai Maugdeleyne : for-soþe i segge þe, Þo þe a-cord was formest i-maked : bi-twene mi louerd and me, he seide me þat ich lete a-mansi : alle þat hadden mis-do Line 2023 Mine churche þat is his owene Moder— : and ich habbe idon so." ¶ "A-voy, sire preost," quath þis oþur : "to muche þov spext neiȝ, Þov desclaundrest þin owene louerd : þov ne art noþer guod ne sleiȝ! [Miles.] Seistþov þat mi louerd þe king : In mansinge let do Alle þat maden is sone king? : ne consentede he þer-to? Line 2028 Nas it al is owene dede : and bi none oþur mannes lore? [folio 83b] A-voy, sire preost, bi-þench þe bet : ne seie þov so namore." ¶ "Certes, sire," quath seint thomas : "þou wost wel it was so, [thomas.]

For þou were þare þi-self þo : and manie oþere þer-to, Line 2032 bischopus and Erchebischopus ek : and oþere grete and heiȝe, Ȝe fif hundred men and mo : al-so þov wel i-seiȝe." [Miles.] ¶ "beo stille," quath þis luþere kniȝt : "hold þinne mouthþ, ich rede, Þov mis-seist mi louerd þe king : daþeit alle þat it seide! Line 2036 ho miȝte soffri swuch sclaundre : bote he nome þar-of wreche? bi þe fei þat schal to god : man schal þe an-oþur teche!" his felawes euerechone : heore Armes a-brod caste And ferden ase Men þat weren wode : and þretneden him wel faste. to þe Monekus heo wenden a-non : "comieth here forth," he seide, "Ȝe holdeth here þe kingus fo : witiez him wel, ich rede; Þat ȝe to þe kingus wille : is bodi ȝe [om. ȝe] habben al-ȝare, Oþur he schal ouwer londes aboute : and ower maneres maken wel bare!" Line 2044 [thomas.] ¶ "Sire Reynaud," quath seint thomas : "wenstþou þat ichulle fleo? Nai par deu, nouȝt a fote : for þe king ne for þe." Line 2046 [Miles.] ¶ "bi god, sire bischop," quath þis oþur : "bi þat þou wost þen ende, Þi fleoinge schal beo luyte wurth : þou ne schalt nouȝt wel fer wende." Þis kniȝtes in grete wrathþe þo : wenden heom forth ech-on, And leten heom army swyþe wel : and comen a-ȝen a-non, W[i]th suerdes and with axes : and with oþere armes mo; Robert de brok, þe luþere clerk : he was with heom þo. Line 2052 Into þe cloistre of Caunterburi : with grete noyse heo comen weue, Þe Monekus songen Euesong : for it was wel-neiȝ eue. Some for þe grete noyse : fullen a-doun for fere, And some bi-gonne to fleon a-boute : ase men þat witlese were. Line 2056 Seint thomas nam ane Croyz : ake oþure armes non, And þare-with wel baldeliche : he eode a-ȝein is fon. Þis Monekus ornen [MS. ornem] to him some : "sire, merci," heo seiden, "For godes loue a-bid ȝut here : ore louerd þe mai ȝuyt rede; Line 2060 Soffre þat we helpen þe : oþur þat we with þe deiȝe." Some wolden makien þe doren : þo heo þat folk i-seiȝe. "bi-leuez," quath þe holie Man : "ȝe ne doth nouȝt as þe wise, Singuth forth ower auesong : and doth ore louerd is seruise. Line 2064 Man ne schal of holi churche : castel maken non. latez foles ane stounde a-wede : and in heore folie gon!"

Þe kniȝtes comen reken In : heore folie for-to do, And seiden, "ȝware is nouþe þis traitour : and þis false bischop also?" Line 2068 [thomas.] ¶ Seint thomas bar þe Croiz on honde : and answerede is fon : "Ich am here, godus preost : ake traitour nam ich non. Sechez him þat wole ov fleo : oþur þat drede ovwer þretninge : Non rediore ne beoth ower swerdes : me to deþe bringue Line 2072 Þat min heorte prestore nis : þene deþ for-to take; For þe riȝtes of holi churche : I-nelle nouȝt det for-sake." [folio 84] Þare wende forth on of heom : and is huyre of him drouȝ, And is mantel a-non after-ward : with gret uilte i-nouȝ. Line 2076 Sire Reynaud le fiz ours : pursiwede him anon. ¶ "Sire Reynaud," quat seint thomas þo : "hov schal þis nouþe gon? Ofte ich habbe þe guod i-do : and manie oþure mo." "Þov schalt sone," quath þis oþur : "i-wite hou it go. Line 2080 Traitour, þou art ded a-non : non oþur nelle ich do." "For-soþe," quath þis holi man : "wel prest ich am þer-to, For þe riȝtes of holi churche : deiȝe ichulle wel fawe, Ȝif heo miȝte þere-after-ward : in pais beo and in lawe. Line 2084 Ak ich ov bidde ȝif ȝe sechez me : in ovre louerdes name, Þat ȝe ne comen neiȝ non oþur man : harm ne do ne schame; For non oþur gulti nis : of þat ȝe witez me, heo buth alle gultlese bote ich one : þar-of sikere ȝe beo; Line 2088 And al-so ase heo gultlese beoth : harmles latez heom wende." Þe guode man sat a-doun a-kneo : þo he sai al þe ende; Forto a-fonge þene stronge deth : is heued he buyde a-doun, And softe, ase some i-herden : he seide þis oresoun : Line 2092 [Oratio thome.] ¶ "Ore louerd and seinte Marie : and seint Denis al-so And alle þe avouwes of þis churche : In ȝwas ore ich am i-do, Ich bi-take mine soule here : and holi churche riȝte." Ȝeot he bad for holi churche : þo he nadde non oþur miȝte! Line 2096 Sire Reynaud le fiz ovrs : mest schrewe of ech-on, For-to smite þis holi man : is swerd he drouȝ a-non. ¶ Ake Edward grim, þat was is clerk : in g[ra]unte-brugge i-bore, his louerd to helpe ȝif he miȝte : his Arm he pulte bi-fore. Line 2100 he woundede is Arm swyþe sore : þat blod orn faste a-doun.

W[i]th þulke dunte he smot al-so : seint thomas ope þe croun, Þat blod orn bi [MS. bi corr. to to] is face a-doun : In is riȝt half of þe wounde. Lovde gradde þis luþere kniȝt : "smitez alle to grounde!" Line 2104 Edward grim and [MS. and and] alle is men : þat þo a-boute him were, At-ornen a-boute ech in is side : ope þe weuedes for fere. Ase it bi ore louerd ferde : þo þe giwes him nome : his desciples flovwen anon : men nusten ȝware heo bi-come; Line 2108 For in þe godspel it is i-writen : þat ore louerd him-self seide "Ȝwane a man smit þene schepherde : þe schep wollez to-sprede"; And ore louered bad for is desciples : þat men ne scholden hem [MS. him] non harm do. Þaron þouȝte seint thomas : he bad for is men al-so. Line 2112 An oþur kniȝt smot seint thomas : in þulke sulue wounde, And made him bouwie is face a-doun : and loke toward þe grounde. Þe þridde in þulke sulue stude : þare-after him smot a-non, And makede him loute a-doun : is face to þe ston. Line 2116 In þulke stude þe feorþe smot : þare þe oþere hadden er i-do, Þat þe point of is swerd brak : In þe Marbre ato.— ¶ Ȝeot þat ilke point at Caunterburi : þe Monekus doth wite, [folio 84b] For honour of þe holi man : þat þare-with was i-smite.— Line 2120 With þulke stroke he smot al of : þe scholle and þe croune, Þat þut brain ful on þe pauement : al a-brod þare doune. þat ȝwite brayn [MS. braym] was i-meind : with þe rede blod þere, Þat colur was wel fair to seo : þei ich [al. hit] reulich were. Line 2124 Al round it orn a-boute is heued : ase it were a dyademe, And al-round þare-a-bouten it lay : ȝware-of men token grete ȝeme. For ȝwane men peyntiez an Anletnesse [al. halewe] : ȝe ne seoth it nouȝt bi-leued Þat þere nis depeint a Roundel : al-a-boute þe heued: Line 2128 Þat rondel men cleopiez þe diademe. : for manie i-seien þat cas, [al. as me seȝ þer a fair cas] bi þe diademe of is brayne : þat he holi was. Þo þis holi man i-martret was : þis kniȝtes graden ech-on, "Þis traitour is to deþe i-brouȝt : wende we henne a-non. Line 2132 Siwieth us ȝe kingus men alle : and alle þat with him beoth! Of þis traytur ȝe beoth a-wreke : ase ȝe nouþe i-seoth. he þouȝte beo herre þane þe king : and bi-nimen him is croune And bringe to nouȝt al engelond : ake nouþe he lijth þare doune."

Ase þe giwes bi ore louerd seiden : þo heo wolden him to deþe do, Þat he made him kin[g] and non nas : and godes sone al-so. Þo þis luþere kniȝtes weren : fram þis holi man igon, Robert de brok him bi-þouȝte : and turnede him a-ȝen a-non Line 2140 And þoruȝ þe scolle smot is swerd : deope with-Inne is heued, Þo þe scolle al amti was : and no brayn Inne bi-leued. Ase þe giwes leten smite ore louerd : to þe heorte grounde After þe deþe with a spere : and maden þe fifte wounde. Line 2144 ¶ Þis luþere men alle in one stude : smiten seint thomas, In þe scolle riȝt euene a-brod : þare is croune was. he nas nouȝt þe man þat he wolde : is heued enes with-drawe Ne fondi for-to fleo heore strokes : ne enes a-weiward wawe, Line 2148 Ne nouȝt enes groni ne makien cri : bote mildeliche and softe Euere he heold is heued forth : al-þei heo smiten him ofte.— Þis luþere kniȝtes wenden a-non : to is tresorie, breken is doren and is coffres : and duden gret robberie; Line 2152 heo nomen is cloþes and is hors : and is tresor al-so. Chartres and oþur priue writes : þat in is coffres weren i-do, heo it bi-token sire Randolf de brok : þat he þare-with wende to þe kinge in-to Noremandie : and segge þat heo him sende Line 2156 And þat he dude þare-with ȝwat he wolde : and ȝif þare ani were Aȝen is wille oþur is fraunchise : þat he [MS. heo] sone to-tere. A-mong is tresor heo founden al-so : tweie wel stronge heren : Line 2159 Wel filliche heo casten heom a-wei : ase þei heo nouȝt wurth nere. Ake naþeles heo bi-þouȝten heom þo : and weren somdel in fere, And seiden bi-twene heom stilleliche : "guod man we wenez he were." Sire willam traci tolde sethþe : of þis guode man seint thomas Þe bischope of Eccetre in is schrifte : ase he of him i-schriue was: [folio 85] Þat þo þe guode man was a-slawe : and heo ovtward were, So sore heom a-gros þat heo weren : neiȝ witlese for fere; Line 2166 For heom þouȝte euere ase heo eoden outward : ne wenden heo no so bliue, Þat þe eorþe openede onder heom : for-to swolewen hem a-liue.— ¶ Þo þis guod man i-martred was : and þe kniȝtes weren out i-gon, In-to al þe toun of Caunterburi : couth it was anon. Line 2170 Þat folc cride deolfulliche : and to churche heo drowe

And onovreden þat holi bodi : and custen it ofte i-nowe. Line 2172 Þe Monekus comen sone þer-to : and þis holi bodi toke And leiden faire In one bere : and bi-fore þe Autere it bi-woke. Þat face was ȝwyȝt and cler i-nouȝ : and no blod nas þar-inne, bote fram þe riȝt half of is frount : toward þe left chinne Line 2176 A smal rewe þere was of blode : þat ouer is nose drouȝ; More blod þar nas in al is face : ase folk i-saiȝ i-nouȝ. Þe woundene bledden al þe niȝt : and men henten þare-of, i-wis— And In þe churche of Caunterburi : of þulke blode ȝeot is. Line 2180 Ake he nas neuere of þe worse hewe : for al þat he bledde þere, bote in guode heowe and cler inov : riȝt ase he liues were, And somdel leyȝinde with þe mouþe— : he lai ase þei he slepe. Muche folk was a-boute him : þat blod for-to kepe, Line 2184 And forto gaderi of þe blode : þat i-sched was on þe grounde, And of þat eorþe þat was bi-bled : and glade weren ȝwan heo it founden— ¶ For þat nolde heom noman werne— : þicke a-wei men it drouȝ; And ho-so miȝte enes þat bodi cusse : he was glad i-nouȝ. Line 2188 A-morewe þe luþere kniȝtes : Armeden heom eft-sone And with-oute toun nome heore red : ȝwat heom was to done; heo bi-radden for-to nime þat holi bodi : and with wilde hors to-drawe And sethþe hangen it on a waritreo— : heo seiden þat it was lawe, For he nas nouȝt wuyrþe to beon i-bured : In churche ne In churche|ȝerd. Þe Monekus þouȝten þis swiþe wel : and weren ful sore a-ferd: Line 2194 heo bureden þat holi bodi : hasteliche þere-bi-side With luyte solempnete i-novȝ : for heo ne dorsten no leng a-bide: Þis holi bodi was i-bured : In þe munstre of ihesu crist, bi-fore seint Austines weuede : and seint Iohanes þe baptist. Line 2198 heo ne dorsten nouȝt so longue : for-to þat bodi i-wasche were, Al ongreiþet to leggen it In : [heo] heiȝeden bliue for fere. Line 2200 Ase heo strepten of is cloþes : al a-boue heo founde Clerkene cloþes ase him to bi-feol : and oþere bi þe grounde: Monekene Abite with-Inne : ase heo founden þere, boþe Covele and stamin : he founden next is here. Line 2204 So þat he was Monek with-Inne : and seculer with-oute—

Nuste no man is priueite : of þa[t] him was a-boute. And next is flesche þe here was : with knottes mani on, Þat deope in is flesche seten : some riȝt to þe bon; Line 2208 Þar-of he hadde schurte and brech : luytel aise he miȝte i-fele, [folio 85b] So þat he was þare-inne i-bounde : fram þe scholdre to þe hele; With luytel aise he miȝte sitte : and ful on-aisi-liche ride, And on-aisiliche ligge also : opon eþur side. [This v. on the margin.] Line 2212 Ful of wormes was is flesch : to al oþur wo, In none creature, ich onderstonde : neuere ne weren i-seie mo; For in euereche stude of is flesche : so þicke heo weren i-sete, Þat þe grete ne miȝten for þe smale : comen to heore mete; Line 2216 Faste heo schouen and cropen al-so : ase ametene [formice overwr.] al a-boute, Ake þe smale cleoueden faste to : þe grete bi-lefden with-oute. ¶ he deide endleue houndret ȝer : and seuenti and on After þat ore swete louerd : of is moder nam flesch and bon. Line 2220 Of þreo and fifti ȝeres elde : him-sulf he was þo— Mani a fair dai he hadde i-leoued : in care and in wo.— Þe king was in normandie : and her-of nuste nouȝt: he made deol and sorewe i-nouȝ : þo þe tiþinge him was i-brouȝt. In þe Castel of Argenteyn : he soiornede þo; With-oute þe ȝates ne cam he nouȝt : fourti daiȝes ne mo, Line 2226 Ake euere he heold him in priuete : In wepinge and oþur wo; For none neode þat Man miȝte habbe : with-oute he nolde go; Line 2228 Ne rouȝte he no-þing of þe world : wel luyte he eat al-so; Þe sorewe and þe deol þat he made : ne miȝte neuere beo i-do. he sende a-non to Caunterburi : for þis deolful dede And bad þe Monekus pitousliche : þat heo for him bede; Line 2232 And sende heom þat it nas : no-þing bi is rede, Ake þat þe kniȝtes wenden forth : and no-þing him fore ne seide, And þat he sende after heom : for-to comen a-ȝe, ¶ And are þe messeger were to heom i-come : huy weren fer in þe se. to þe pope al-so god : þe king sende sone And bad is conseil pitousliche : ȝwat him were to done, Line 2238 he bad him for þe loue of god : In swyche anguise him rede, Þat he were i-schriue and a-soilled : of so luþer a dede. Line 2240 Þe pope hadde ful gret pite : þat he swuch word him sende,

¶ And gret Ioye for he hadde wille : is lif for-to amende. twei cardinales he sende him : wise men boþe to, to schriuen him of þulke sunne : and a-soilli him al-so, Line 2244 And þe bischopus for-to a-soilli al-so : þat weren in mansinge. Welle, þat þe Cardinales : welcome weren þe kinge! Þe king bad heom deolfulliche : to schriuen him of þe dede, And bi-het heom studefastliche : to stonden al-to heore rede. Line 2248 he swor on þe halidom : þat þoruȝ him nas it nouȝt, Ne bi is wille, ne bi his heste : þat he was to deþe i-brouȝt; And ȝet he seide þat for is fader deþe : so sori man he nas, Ne for is moderes no-þe-mo : Ase he for is deþe was; Line 2252 And he seide he wolde with guode heorte : alle þe penaunces a-fonge Þat heo wolden on him legge : ne weren heo no so stronge: For he was enchaison of is deþe : and of is anuy al-so: [folio 86] Þe kniȝtes, for-to paien him : brouȝten him þer-to. Line 2256 ¶ Þo þe Cardinales i-seiȝen þis : þat he to repentaunce drouȝ. heo a-soileden him and setten on him : stronge penaunce i-nouȝ, In priuete ase riȝt was : þat no man þar-of nuste, And þis al-so þat ichulle novþe telle : þat alle Men of wusten. Line 2260 his priue penaunces some weren : fastinge for-to make, [vv. 2261-2 om. in the other MSS.] And In fale tymes linne cloth and schurte of selk : for is sunnes for-sake. In-to þe holie londe he scholde finde : to hundret knyȝtes, to fiȝte Al ane ȝer with þe templers : for holi churche riȝte; Line 2264 ¶ And þat he scholde þe status of Clarindone : al clanliche with|drawe, Þoru ȝwuche statuz þis holi man : i-brouȝt was of lijf-dawe; And þat he clanliche ȝolde a-ȝein : al þat bi-nome was Þe bischopriche of Caunterburi : for wrathe of seint thomas; Line 2268 And þat he scholde is vuele wille : also clanliche for-ȝiue Alle þat he hadde out of londe : for wrathe of him i-driue. Þe king grauntede al heore wille : weopinde swiþe sore, And seide þat it was to luyte : and bad on him legge more, Line 2272 And ȝeot, "al to ouwer wille here : mi bodi ich bi-take, Ȝiueth me penaunces i-nowe : I-nelle neuer on for-sake." he wende out atþe Churche dore : a-soiled forto beo,

And seide þat he nas nouȝt wurthe : þat men scholde him with-inne i-seo; Line 2276 And with-oute churche pitousliche : he sat a-doun a-kne. Ake þe Cardinales nolden nouȝt : is bodi al on-wreo, And somdel a-boue is cloþes : heo a-soileden him riȝt þere; For deol heo weopen pitousliche : and manie þat þare were. Line 2280 his sone al-so made one bi-heste : with wel dreorie chere: Þe faderes penaunce to folfulle : ȝif he of power nere Line 2282 Oþur ȝif he felle in-to feble stat : þat he ne miȝte it nouȝt ful-ende, Opon him-self þe charge he nam : and dude ase guod and hende. Þus was þe holi man : i-brouȝt to martyrdom; Mani was þe fair miracle : þat for him sone com. [Both verses are written in one line.] — [Jerusalem.] ¶ For In Ierusalemes londe men wusten : of is martyrdom With-Inne þe furste fourtene-Niȝt : þat he þe det nam. Line 2288 For a Monek in þulke londe : In is deþe vuele lai, And is Abbod cam to him : bi-fore is ende-dai [Both verses are written in one line.] And conIurede him [MS. him þat him] þat he scholde : after is deþe þere to him comen and tellen him fore : in ȝwuch stat he were. Line 2292 So þat þis Monek deide sone : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas. to is Abbod sethþe he cam : ase he I-conioured was, And seide þat he i-saued was : In þe Ioie of heuene an heiȝ; he tolde him muche of þe Ioye : þat he þare i-seiȝ. Line 2296 he tolde him þat þulke tyme : þat he to heuene cam Þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : þolede martyrdom, And þat is soule þulke tyme : to heuene wende a-non; "Fair was þat processioun : þat a-ȝen him cam gon Line 2300 Of Aungles and of patriarks : and of apostles al-so, Of Martirs and of confessours : and of virgines þer-to. heo nome alle þeos holi soule : And bi-fore ore louerd sone [folio 86b] brouȝten hire with Ioye and blisse : ase he sat in is throne. Line 2304 his croune was al of i-smite : and blodi was is heued, And is brayn was al i-sched : þare nas nouȝt bi-leued. ¶ 'Thomas, thomas,' quath ore louerd : 'þus it fallez to þe To þine louerdus court to come : In swuche manere to me! Line 2308 For þi seruise ich þe ȝyue : ase muchel Ioie and blis Ase ich ȝaf seint peter : þat min Apostel is.'

he sette ane Croune op-on is heued : of golde cler and guod, Swyþe wel bi-cam þat briȝte gold : op-on þe rede blod. Line 2312 More Ioie ne miȝte non beo : þane In heuene for him was, For þe Erchebischope of caunterburi : is name was seint thomas. Þe Tywesdai after Cristemasse : þe furste þat þere cam, Þis holi man in Engelonde : þolede martyrdom; Line 2316 And ȝwan þov i-heorst of is deþe telle : of Men of Engelonde, Þov i-leue me of þis tale : and þe soþe onder-stonde." Þe Abbod sone a-morewe : ne fur-ȝat nouȝt seint thomas, Ake þe patria[r]cke of Ierusalem : he tolde al hov it was. Line 2320 So þat forþere in þe ȝere : it was wel onder-stonde, Þo pilegrimes þudere comen : out of Engelonde, In ȝwat manere he was a-slawe : and ȝwuch tyme he was ded: Þe pilegrimes tolden al þe soþe : ase þe Monek hadde er i-seid. Line 2324 Þus was i-kud In Ierusalem : þe deth of seint thomas With-Inne þe furste fourtene nyȝt : þat he i-martred was.— [Guerra regum.] ¶ þe fifte ȝer, ich onder-stonde : after is martyr-dom bi-twene kyng henri and is sone : gret contek þare bi-com. Line 2328 Þe sone bi-cam prout a-non : for is kynedom, And of is fader tolde luyte : and werre ope him nam. Þe meste del was with is sone : of al Engelonde, And þe kyng of Fraunce al-so : and þe king of scotlonde. Line 2332 So þat þis seli oldeman : In sorewe was I-novȝ. Al he it wuste þe luþere dede : þat man seint thomas a-slouȝ. he wende him out of Normundie : to-ward Engelonde, Are he come to Caunterbiri : he nolde nouȝwere at-stonde; Line 2336 And þo he cam fer w[i]th-oute þe toun : he gan to liȝte a-doun, Al a-fote and bare-fot : he wende into þe toun. In is Curtel one and on-gurd : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ, Riȝt so he wende to þe stude : þere seint thomas lai. Line 2340 At is toumbe he feol a-doun a-kneo : wepinde wel sore, he heold op is hondene deolfolliche : and cride him milce and ore. ¶ Wepinde in is oresones : al fastinde he lai At þis holi mannes toumbe : a nyȝt and al a dai; Line 2344 Of euerech Monek of þe hous : he tok is discipline With a smart ȝeorde, and ȝeot him þouȝte : þere was to luyte pine.

he bad heom alle deolfulliche : bidden for him one, And swor he wolde legge a-doun : þe luþere lawene ech-one. [folio 87] ¶ So þat he let singe ane masse : are he þannes wende, In þe honour of seint thomas : þat he is grace him sende. Line 2350 Þe ȝwyle men þe masse songe : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas, Þe kyng of Scotlond was i-nome : þat mest is fo was; Line 2352 And manie oþere also with him : þat weren is stron[ge] fon; So þat heo þat weren vn-nome : to him nadden power non. his folk dude þe bataille : þe ȝwyle þe masse i-laste [MS. staste] ; Þar-to heo hadden luyte help : and weren wel sore agaste, Line 2356 Ake ore louerd for seint thomas loue : his grace wel sone him caste, So þat heore fon weren some [m MS. sone] i-nome : and some flouwen wel faste. So þat þis seli olde king : þat al bi-neþe er was, Al a-boue was sone i-brouȝt : þoruȝ bone of seint thomas; Line 2360 And is sone was al bi-neþe : and so he bi-ȝat wel luyte For-to weorri aȝein is fader : for is sori pruyte. bi him men mowen nime ensaumple : to beon to hastiue: to ȝiuen heore sones op heore lond : þe ȝwyle heo hem-sulue beoth a-liue. Line 2364 Þe kingus sone þare-after-ward : prouede vuele i-novȝ, And wel longe bi-fore þe fadere : toward þe deþe he drouȝ And fur-pinede in þe menisone : þat is lif him þouȝte long; he deide sethþe deol-folliche : in gret pine and strong. Line 2368 his broþer also, sire Geffrei : þat Erl of brutayne was, Deide al-so in þe menison : In þulke sulue cas. Line 2370 So þat after is fader deþe : þare ne lefde eir non bote heore ȝongue broþer king Richard : and sethþe þe king Iohan— Ake sire Geffreies child : with riȝte lawe of londe Þe heritage scholde habbe i-bore : ase ich me onder-stonde.— [Mors Militum.] ¶ Þeos luþere kniȝtes alle foure : þat slowen seint thomas Deiden in stronge deþe i-nouȝ : ase wel riȝt it [MS. it it] was. Line 2376 heo weren echone repentaunt : ne miȝten none men more, euere heo criden on seint thomas : to ȝiuen heom milce and ore. Sone after-ward þat he was a-slawe : al heore guod huy lete And wenden to þe holi lond : heore sunnes for-to bete. Line 2380 Ake sire Willame traci ne wende nouȝt : forth with þe oþere þreo,

he hopede here In Engelonde : Inouȝ repentaunt to beo. [These two verses are tr. in the MS.] Þare-after-ward he bi-cam : in grete meseise and strong: his flesch bi-gan to breken out : and rotede an fovle stonk, So longue þat he stonk so foule : þat deul it was to se, Þat onneþe ani man miȝte : for stunche neiȝ him beo. Line 2386 his flesch rotede on him al-so : and al dai ful awei, Þat is bones weren al bare— : þo ne likede him no plei! Line 2388 Wit is hondene he to-drouȝ al-so : his flesch atþe laste, pece and oþur al a-brod : a-wei fram him he caste; hondene and Armes he to-drovȝ : mest of ech-on, Þat þere nas no flesch bi-leued : bote senue and bare bon. Line 2392 Manie men it þouȝten wel : þat bi is wille it were, [folio 87b] Al for-to biete [MS. bi^ete] is sunnes here : þat is soule in helle nere. Wrechchedore gost ne miȝte non beo : þane þis prisun was; And euere he cride deolfulliche : "merci, seint thomas." Line 2396 Atþe laste he let is lijf : In wel stronge pine, And ȝif ore louerdes wille was : he cam to guode fine. Þis kniȝtes aftur heore luþere dedene [al. dede] : deiden sone ech-on, So þat with-Inne þe þridde ȝere : a-liue ne lefde þer non. Line 2400 For þe sauter seith þat swuche men : þat of tricherie beoth, Ne schullen nouȝt halue heore dawes libbe : ase ȝe alda[i] i-seoth; Þei heo beon swyþe repentaunt : ase þis kniȝtes weren, ich wene, Ȝuyt ne libbeth heo nouȝt half heore lif : ant þat was bi heom i-sene.— ¶ Seint thomas þis holi man : onder eorþe he lay, Are þat he I-schrined were : wel mani a long day; Line 2406 he lai þere nine [al. inne] and fourti ȝer : and half a ȝer þer-to And a-boute ane Eiȝte dawes : are he were of eorþe i-do. Line 2408 god wolde a-bide ane guode tyme : to don so noble þing: Þat þare weren boþe guode : Erchebischop and king. For þe king Iohan þat longue was : euere of luþere rede, luyte þouȝte bi is daie : to don so guode dede. Line 2412 ¶ Ake þe king henri, is ȝonge sone : nolde nouȝt longe a-fine, After þat he was king i-mad : are seint thomas were in schrine. he nas nouȝt þrettene ȝeres old : þo he dude þis noble þing, And it was in þe feorþe ȝere : þat he was i-mad ȝong king. Line 2416 Þe guode Erchebischop steuene : radde faste þer-to:

So þat bi hore boþe redes : þis dede was i-do. Line 2418 Þe pope honorie, þat was þo : hidere he gan sende Ane legat fram Rome, þat het pandulf : to bringe þis dede to ende. Þe pope ȝaf alle pardon : þat þudere wolden gon, Þat men nusten in Engelonde : suuych pardon non. Þare-fore, for-to honouri þis holi man : þere cam folk i-novȝ; Of bischopes and of Abbodes : mani on þudere drouȝ, Line 2424 Of priores and of persones : and manie oþur clerkes al-so; Of Eorles and of barones : and manie kniȝtes heom to; Of seriaunz and of squiers : and oþere house-bondes i-nowe; And þe simple men of þe londe : so þicke þudere drowe Line 2428 Þat al þe contreie þare-a-boute : þe tounes wide and longe [MS. londe] Vnneþe miȝten al þat folk : þat þudere cam a-fonge. ¶ So þat þis heiȝe men : þat scholden þis dede do Weren in care hov heo miȝten : for prece comen þer-to; Line 2432 So þat Erchebischop steuene : of ȝwam ich er ov seide, And þe bischop Richard of Salesburi : þar-of heom nomen to rede, And prior water of þe house : and þe couent al-so, Wenden heom in priuete : þis dede for-to do. Line 2436 bi niȝte, þo men weren a-slepe : and luyte þar-on þouȝte, heo nomes [r. nomen] op þe holi bones : and in one cheste brouȝte, [folio 88] And setten heom in a priue stude : for-to þe time was i-come þat [MS. hit] was i-crid into al þat lond : þat heo scholden beo up i-nome. Line 2440 It was in þe monþe of Iulie : euene þene seuenthe dai, bi a tiwesdai it was þo : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ. Þo þe dai was i-come : to þe munstre heo wenden a-non, Kyng henri þat ȝonge child : an þe heiȝe men ech-on; Line 2444 A-boute onderne of þe daie : to þis holi bones heo come. PAndulf wende furst þer-to : þat legat was of rome, And þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : and þe Erchebischop of reins al-so, Þat for þulke þinge cam : fram bi-ȝeonde se þer-to, Line 2448 And sire hubert de boruȝ : þat þo was heiȝ Iustise. Þeos foure grete louerdes : þat noble men weren and wise, On heore scholdres huy nomen up : þis holi bodi a-non; ¶ Bischopus and Abbodes al-so : it beren ful mani on. Line 2452

Line 2452 to þe heiȝe weuede of þe trinite : þe holie bones heo bere, And leiden þe Cheste al þare-with : In a noble schrine þere. Þis king henri was so ȝong : þat he ne dorste nouȝt With þe oþere bere þat holi bodi : laste men him hurten ouȝt. Line 2456 It was bi a tiwesdai : þat heo þe bones op nome; Alle is chaunces þat he hadde : bi tiwesdawes him come. In a tiwesdai he was i-bore : and of is moder wombe he cam; And also ase men bringuth ane þeof : for-to a-fonge is dom, Line 2460 bi-fore þe kynge at Norehaumptone : op-on a tiwes-daiȝ Wit gret schame he was i-brouȝt : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ— Filloker þane ani þef : folk him þare schende; bi tiwesday he was i-flemd al-so : and out of londe he wende; Line 2464 And bi a tiwesdaiȝ at pounteneie : ore louerd to him com And seide to him þat swete word : of is martyrdom— ¶ "Thomas," seide ore swete louerd : "ȝeot schal of þine blode Al mi churche honoured beo—" : þis wordes weren wel guode; Line 2468 bi a tiwesdai also gud : to engelonde he cam, After þat he was i-flemd : to a-fonge is martirdom; bi a tiwesdai at Caunterburi : to deþe he was i-do; And sethþe bi a tiwes-dai : Ischrined he was al-so. Line 2472 Þeos seuen Auntres bi tiwesday : him comen atþe leste: Þare-fore we i-seoth manie men : makien one bi-heste to bi-leue flesch þene tiwesdai : oþur to o mel faste, For-to heo comen to Caunterburi : oþur þe ȝwyle heore lif i-lastez. Nov Iesu crist for þulke loue : þat seint thomas on þouȝte, Ȝyue us part of þulke Ioie : þat he so deore a-bouȝte. Line 2478