Chapter 27

128Robert de Gledstanes, who was elected Bishop of Durham in 1333, but was set aside by the Pope, and died soon afterwards. His labours are preserved in the Cottonian MS. Titus, A. ii.129“Habuit de familia sua xxvj. vexillarios.”Banneretswere most probably meant.130Rot. Parl. vol. i. p. 102,et seq.131This passage probably meant, that among the Bishop’s followers there were thirty-nine bannerets.132Dugdale’s Baronage, vol. i. p. 426.133During one of Edward’s progresses to Scotland, a palfrey belonging to the royal train threw and killed its rider; and Anthony seized the palfrey as a deodand: “dedeins sa fraunchise roiale.”134He gave 40s. for as many fresh herrings, “Aliis magnatibus tune in Parliamento ibi consistentibus pro nimiâ caristiâ emere non curantibus.”Grayst.c. 14. On another occasion, hearing one say, “this cloth is so dear, that even Bishop Anthony would not venture to pay for it;” he immediately ordered it to be bought and cut up into horse-cloths.—Ibid.135“Castissimè vixit, vix mulierum faciem fixis oculis aspiciens; unde in translatione S. Willelmi Eboracensis cum alii Episcopi ossa ejus timerent tangere, remordente eos conscientiâ de virginitate amissâ, iste audacter manus imposuit; et quod negotium poposcit reverenter egit.”—Ibid.136“Quietis impatiens vix ultra unum somnum in lecto expectans, dixit illum non esse hominem qui in lecto de latere in latus se verteret.”—Ibid.137“In nullo loco mansurus, continuè circuibat de manerio in manerium, de austro in boream; et equorum, canum et avium sectator.”—Ibid.And here one cannot avoid being reminded of the satirical lines of Piers Plowman:“And piked a boute on palfrays: fro place to manersHave an hepe of houndes at his ers: as he a Lord were.”Bishop-Middleham, then a fortress of the first class, appears, from the date of several charters, to have been Anthony Bek’s chief residence within the county of Durham. The reasons which led to this preference are obvious. Defended by a morass on two sides, and by broken ground to the north, the fortress presented an almost impregnable stronghold during the wars of the Border, whilst Auckland lay bare and defenceless, on the direct route of Scottish invasion. It is no wonder that, in after times, Middleham was deserted for the green glades of Auckland.The following lines are extracted from an inedited poem on the “Superstitions of the North.”“There Valour bowed before the rood and book,And kneeling Knighthood served a Prelate Lord;Yet little deigned he on such train to look,Or glance of ruth or pity to afford.There time has heard the peal rung out by night,Has seen from every tower the cressets stream:When the red bale-fire on yon western height,Had roused the Warder from his fitful dream;Has seen old Durham’s lion-banner floatO’er the proud bulwark, that, with giant pride,And feet deep plunged amidst the circling moat,The efforts of the roving Scot defied.“Long rolling years have swept those scenes away,And peace is on the mountain and the fell;And rosy dawn, and closing twilight gray,But hears the distant sheep-walk’s tinkling bell.And years have fled since last the gallant deerSprung from yon covert at the thrilling horn:Yet still, when Autumn shakes the forest sear,Black Hugo’s voice upon the blast is borne.Woe to the wight who shall his ire provoke,When the stern huntsman stalks his nightly round,By blasted ash, or lightning-shivered oak,And cheers with surly voice his spectre hound.”Of this black Hugh, take the following legendary account:—“Sir Anthon Bek, Busshop of Dureme in the tyme of King Eduarde, the son of King Henry, was the maist prowd and masterfull Busshop in all England; and it was com’only said that he was the prowdest Lord in Christienty. It chanced that, emong other lewd persons, this Sir Anthon entertained at his court one Hugh de Pountchardon, that for his evill deeds and manifold robberies had been driven out of the Inglische Court, and had come from the southe to seek a little bread, and to live by stalynge. And to this Hughe, whom also he imployed to good purpose in the warr of Scotland, the Busshop gave the lande of Thikley, since of him caulied Thikley-Pountchardon, and also made him his chief huntsman. And after, this blake Hugh dyed afore the Busshop: and efter that the Busshop chasid the wild hart in Galtres forest, and sodainly ther met with him Hugh de Pontchardon that was afore deid, on a wythe horse; and the said Hugh loked earnestly on the Busshop, and the Busshop said unto him, ‘Hughe, what makethe thee here?’ and he spake never word, but lifte up his cloke, and then he shewed Sir Anton his ribbes set with bones, and nothing more; and none other of the varlets saw him but the Busshop only; and the said Hughe went his way, and Sir Anton toke corage, and cheered the dogges; and shortly efter he was made Patriarque of Hierusalem, and he sawe nothing no moe; and this Hughe is him that the silly people in Galtres doe callLe gros Venour, and he was seen twice efter that by simple folk, afore that the forest was felled in the tyme of Henry, father of King Henry that now ys.”138“Sed ipso mortuo Radulphus filius Willelmi Dominus de Graystoke patronatum præfatæ Ecclesiæ per litem, obtinuit; et presentato per ipsum per Episcopum admisso et instituto, capella indotota remansit.”—Grayst.c. 22. The patronage still remains with the heir of Greystoke.139Castrum de Somerton curiosissimé ædificavit.—Grayst.c. 22.140Ibid.141“Ante illum enim ob reverentiam corporis S. Cuthberti non est permissum corpus mortuum ingredi ecclesiam Dunelmensem.” Anthony Bek was, therefore, the first who dared to bring“A slovenly, unhandsome corse,Betwixt the wind and his nobility.”142If, however, the funeral of the patriarch Bishop was conducted with the same solemnities as that of his successor Cardinal Langley, the breaking an entrance through the wall was a matter of necessity rather than superstition, for Langley’s hearse was drawn into the nave of the cathedral by four stately black horses, which, with all their housings of velvet, become the official perquisite of the sacrist.143John Hay Allan, Esq.144MacPhadian’s.145In this instance, it would rather seem that Henry has merely preserved the name as he found it latinized by Blair.146Book vii. l. 660.147Book vii. l. 674.148King’s highway.149N. H. Nicolas, Esq.150Vol. i. p. 218.151See some Remarks on the Titles and Surname of this Earl in the Archæologia, vol. xxi. p. 195, 196.152P. 327.153VideSiege of Carlaverock, edited by N. H. Nicolas, Esq.154Foedera, N. E. Vol. II. p. 203.The following translation may be acceptable to some readers.One gold ring, and a sapphire prepared by the hands of St Dunstan.One silver box, gilt, for containing a ring, to be worne round the neck of a man.A large ruby, not set in gold, which was found on Sir Piers de Gaveston when he was taken; value one thousand livres.Three large rubies, set in rings,—an emerald,—a diamond of great value (in a silver box enamelled), which was found on the said Piers when he was taken.Two seals, one large and one small; and one little seal, (une clief pendaunte)—a key attached to it, one crooked Sterling (i. e. silver penny), and a chalcedony, which were found in the purse when he was taken.In a coffer, iron-bound, one silver mirror, enamelled; one comb; one tooth-pick, which had been given to the King by the Countess de Bar at Ghent.Onecoronalof gold, and sundry precious stones, valued at one hundred marcs.Onechapeletof silver, ornamented with sundry precious stones, valued at twelve sols (doze soutz).In another coffer, a large silver pot, and three utensils (peiz) for heating water, weighing six livres fifteen sols and ten deniers.Three silver dishes for spiceries, and weighing four livres.Two silver fruit-dishes, with the arms of the King of England, weighing seventy-eight sols four deniers.One purse, of cloth of gold, containing two Jerusalem stones.One silver bit, and four gilt buttons, and twolionsfor each, of leather.One old seal cut, and a stone of chalcedony.Three silver forks for eating pears.One white girdle of silver lace.Onechapelet de Paris, value six sols eight deniers.In a bag, one burnished bacinet and vizor (od surcils).In another bag, one pair trappings with the arms of said Piers.Two surcoats of velvet for covering armour.One bridle for palfrey, with the King’s arms.Four shirts and three kerchiefsde Gascoigneembroidered.An old banner with the arms of said Piers.Forty-one stallions and hunters, and one palfrey.Nine sumpter-horses. Two cart-horses.Two carts and all the harness.155Siege of Carlaverock, by Walter of Exeter.156Vide, Siege of Carlaverock, edited by N. H. Nicolas, Esq.

128Robert de Gledstanes, who was elected Bishop of Durham in 1333, but was set aside by the Pope, and died soon afterwards. His labours are preserved in the Cottonian MS. Titus, A. ii.

129“Habuit de familia sua xxvj. vexillarios.”Banneretswere most probably meant.

130Rot. Parl. vol. i. p. 102,et seq.

131This passage probably meant, that among the Bishop’s followers there were thirty-nine bannerets.

132Dugdale’s Baronage, vol. i. p. 426.

133During one of Edward’s progresses to Scotland, a palfrey belonging to the royal train threw and killed its rider; and Anthony seized the palfrey as a deodand: “dedeins sa fraunchise roiale.”

134He gave 40s. for as many fresh herrings, “Aliis magnatibus tune in Parliamento ibi consistentibus pro nimiâ caristiâ emere non curantibus.”Grayst.c. 14. On another occasion, hearing one say, “this cloth is so dear, that even Bishop Anthony would not venture to pay for it;” he immediately ordered it to be bought and cut up into horse-cloths.—Ibid.

135“Castissimè vixit, vix mulierum faciem fixis oculis aspiciens; unde in translatione S. Willelmi Eboracensis cum alii Episcopi ossa ejus timerent tangere, remordente eos conscientiâ de virginitate amissâ, iste audacter manus imposuit; et quod negotium poposcit reverenter egit.”—Ibid.

136“Quietis impatiens vix ultra unum somnum in lecto expectans, dixit illum non esse hominem qui in lecto de latere in latus se verteret.”—Ibid.

137“In nullo loco mansurus, continuè circuibat de manerio in manerium, de austro in boream; et equorum, canum et avium sectator.”—Ibid.And here one cannot avoid being reminded of the satirical lines of Piers Plowman:“And piked a boute on palfrays: fro place to manersHave an hepe of houndes at his ers: as he a Lord were.”Bishop-Middleham, then a fortress of the first class, appears, from the date of several charters, to have been Anthony Bek’s chief residence within the county of Durham. The reasons which led to this preference are obvious. Defended by a morass on two sides, and by broken ground to the north, the fortress presented an almost impregnable stronghold during the wars of the Border, whilst Auckland lay bare and defenceless, on the direct route of Scottish invasion. It is no wonder that, in after times, Middleham was deserted for the green glades of Auckland.The following lines are extracted from an inedited poem on the “Superstitions of the North.”“There Valour bowed before the rood and book,And kneeling Knighthood served a Prelate Lord;Yet little deigned he on such train to look,Or glance of ruth or pity to afford.There time has heard the peal rung out by night,Has seen from every tower the cressets stream:When the red bale-fire on yon western height,Had roused the Warder from his fitful dream;Has seen old Durham’s lion-banner floatO’er the proud bulwark, that, with giant pride,And feet deep plunged amidst the circling moat,The efforts of the roving Scot defied.“Long rolling years have swept those scenes away,And peace is on the mountain and the fell;And rosy dawn, and closing twilight gray,But hears the distant sheep-walk’s tinkling bell.And years have fled since last the gallant deerSprung from yon covert at the thrilling horn:Yet still, when Autumn shakes the forest sear,Black Hugo’s voice upon the blast is borne.Woe to the wight who shall his ire provoke,When the stern huntsman stalks his nightly round,By blasted ash, or lightning-shivered oak,And cheers with surly voice his spectre hound.”Of this black Hugh, take the following legendary account:—“Sir Anthon Bek, Busshop of Dureme in the tyme of King Eduarde, the son of King Henry, was the maist prowd and masterfull Busshop in all England; and it was com’only said that he was the prowdest Lord in Christienty. It chanced that, emong other lewd persons, this Sir Anthon entertained at his court one Hugh de Pountchardon, that for his evill deeds and manifold robberies had been driven out of the Inglische Court, and had come from the southe to seek a little bread, and to live by stalynge. And to this Hughe, whom also he imployed to good purpose in the warr of Scotland, the Busshop gave the lande of Thikley, since of him caulied Thikley-Pountchardon, and also made him his chief huntsman. And after, this blake Hugh dyed afore the Busshop: and efter that the Busshop chasid the wild hart in Galtres forest, and sodainly ther met with him Hugh de Pontchardon that was afore deid, on a wythe horse; and the said Hugh loked earnestly on the Busshop, and the Busshop said unto him, ‘Hughe, what makethe thee here?’ and he spake never word, but lifte up his cloke, and then he shewed Sir Anton his ribbes set with bones, and nothing more; and none other of the varlets saw him but the Busshop only; and the said Hughe went his way, and Sir Anton toke corage, and cheered the dogges; and shortly efter he was made Patriarque of Hierusalem, and he sawe nothing no moe; and this Hughe is him that the silly people in Galtres doe callLe gros Venour, and he was seen twice efter that by simple folk, afore that the forest was felled in the tyme of Henry, father of King Henry that now ys.”

“And piked a boute on palfrays: fro place to manersHave an hepe of houndes at his ers: as he a Lord were.”

Bishop-Middleham, then a fortress of the first class, appears, from the date of several charters, to have been Anthony Bek’s chief residence within the county of Durham. The reasons which led to this preference are obvious. Defended by a morass on two sides, and by broken ground to the north, the fortress presented an almost impregnable stronghold during the wars of the Border, whilst Auckland lay bare and defenceless, on the direct route of Scottish invasion. It is no wonder that, in after times, Middleham was deserted for the green glades of Auckland.

The following lines are extracted from an inedited poem on the “Superstitions of the North.”

“There Valour bowed before the rood and book,And kneeling Knighthood served a Prelate Lord;Yet little deigned he on such train to look,Or glance of ruth or pity to afford.There time has heard the peal rung out by night,Has seen from every tower the cressets stream:When the red bale-fire on yon western height,Had roused the Warder from his fitful dream;Has seen old Durham’s lion-banner floatO’er the proud bulwark, that, with giant pride,And feet deep plunged amidst the circling moat,The efforts of the roving Scot defied.“Long rolling years have swept those scenes away,And peace is on the mountain and the fell;And rosy dawn, and closing twilight gray,But hears the distant sheep-walk’s tinkling bell.And years have fled since last the gallant deerSprung from yon covert at the thrilling horn:Yet still, when Autumn shakes the forest sear,Black Hugo’s voice upon the blast is borne.Woe to the wight who shall his ire provoke,When the stern huntsman stalks his nightly round,By blasted ash, or lightning-shivered oak,And cheers with surly voice his spectre hound.”

“Long rolling years have swept those scenes away,And peace is on the mountain and the fell;And rosy dawn, and closing twilight gray,But hears the distant sheep-walk’s tinkling bell.And years have fled since last the gallant deerSprung from yon covert at the thrilling horn:Yet still, when Autumn shakes the forest sear,Black Hugo’s voice upon the blast is borne.Woe to the wight who shall his ire provoke,When the stern huntsman stalks his nightly round,By blasted ash, or lightning-shivered oak,And cheers with surly voice his spectre hound.”

Of this black Hugh, take the following legendary account:—“Sir Anthon Bek, Busshop of Dureme in the tyme of King Eduarde, the son of King Henry, was the maist prowd and masterfull Busshop in all England; and it was com’only said that he was the prowdest Lord in Christienty. It chanced that, emong other lewd persons, this Sir Anthon entertained at his court one Hugh de Pountchardon, that for his evill deeds and manifold robberies had been driven out of the Inglische Court, and had come from the southe to seek a little bread, and to live by stalynge. And to this Hughe, whom also he imployed to good purpose in the warr of Scotland, the Busshop gave the lande of Thikley, since of him caulied Thikley-Pountchardon, and also made him his chief huntsman. And after, this blake Hugh dyed afore the Busshop: and efter that the Busshop chasid the wild hart in Galtres forest, and sodainly ther met with him Hugh de Pontchardon that was afore deid, on a wythe horse; and the said Hugh loked earnestly on the Busshop, and the Busshop said unto him, ‘Hughe, what makethe thee here?’ and he spake never word, but lifte up his cloke, and then he shewed Sir Anton his ribbes set with bones, and nothing more; and none other of the varlets saw him but the Busshop only; and the said Hughe went his way, and Sir Anton toke corage, and cheered the dogges; and shortly efter he was made Patriarque of Hierusalem, and he sawe nothing no moe; and this Hughe is him that the silly people in Galtres doe callLe gros Venour, and he was seen twice efter that by simple folk, afore that the forest was felled in the tyme of Henry, father of King Henry that now ys.”

138“Sed ipso mortuo Radulphus filius Willelmi Dominus de Graystoke patronatum præfatæ Ecclesiæ per litem, obtinuit; et presentato per ipsum per Episcopum admisso et instituto, capella indotota remansit.”—Grayst.c. 22. The patronage still remains with the heir of Greystoke.

139Castrum de Somerton curiosissimé ædificavit.—Grayst.c. 22.

140Ibid.

141“Ante illum enim ob reverentiam corporis S. Cuthberti non est permissum corpus mortuum ingredi ecclesiam Dunelmensem.” Anthony Bek was, therefore, the first who dared to bring“A slovenly, unhandsome corse,Betwixt the wind and his nobility.”

141“Ante illum enim ob reverentiam corporis S. Cuthberti non est permissum corpus mortuum ingredi ecclesiam Dunelmensem.” Anthony Bek was, therefore, the first who dared to bring

“A slovenly, unhandsome corse,Betwixt the wind and his nobility.”

142If, however, the funeral of the patriarch Bishop was conducted with the same solemnities as that of his successor Cardinal Langley, the breaking an entrance through the wall was a matter of necessity rather than superstition, for Langley’s hearse was drawn into the nave of the cathedral by four stately black horses, which, with all their housings of velvet, become the official perquisite of the sacrist.

143John Hay Allan, Esq.

144MacPhadian’s.

145In this instance, it would rather seem that Henry has merely preserved the name as he found it latinized by Blair.

146Book vii. l. 660.

147Book vii. l. 674.

148King’s highway.

149N. H. Nicolas, Esq.

150Vol. i. p. 218.

151See some Remarks on the Titles and Surname of this Earl in the Archæologia, vol. xxi. p. 195, 196.

152P. 327.

153VideSiege of Carlaverock, edited by N. H. Nicolas, Esq.

154Foedera, N. E. Vol. II. p. 203.The following translation may be acceptable to some readers.One gold ring, and a sapphire prepared by the hands of St Dunstan.One silver box, gilt, for containing a ring, to be worne round the neck of a man.A large ruby, not set in gold, which was found on Sir Piers de Gaveston when he was taken; value one thousand livres.Three large rubies, set in rings,—an emerald,—a diamond of great value (in a silver box enamelled), which was found on the said Piers when he was taken.Two seals, one large and one small; and one little seal, (une clief pendaunte)—a key attached to it, one crooked Sterling (i. e. silver penny), and a chalcedony, which were found in the purse when he was taken.In a coffer, iron-bound, one silver mirror, enamelled; one comb; one tooth-pick, which had been given to the King by the Countess de Bar at Ghent.Onecoronalof gold, and sundry precious stones, valued at one hundred marcs.Onechapeletof silver, ornamented with sundry precious stones, valued at twelve sols (doze soutz).In another coffer, a large silver pot, and three utensils (peiz) for heating water, weighing six livres fifteen sols and ten deniers.Three silver dishes for spiceries, and weighing four livres.Two silver fruit-dishes, with the arms of the King of England, weighing seventy-eight sols four deniers.One purse, of cloth of gold, containing two Jerusalem stones.One silver bit, and four gilt buttons, and twolionsfor each, of leather.One old seal cut, and a stone of chalcedony.Three silver forks for eating pears.One white girdle of silver lace.Onechapelet de Paris, value six sols eight deniers.In a bag, one burnished bacinet and vizor (od surcils).In another bag, one pair trappings with the arms of said Piers.Two surcoats of velvet for covering armour.One bridle for palfrey, with the King’s arms.Four shirts and three kerchiefsde Gascoigneembroidered.An old banner with the arms of said Piers.Forty-one stallions and hunters, and one palfrey.Nine sumpter-horses. Two cart-horses.Two carts and all the harness.

154Foedera, N. E. Vol. II. p. 203.

The following translation may be acceptable to some readers.

One gold ring, and a sapphire prepared by the hands of St Dunstan.One silver box, gilt, for containing a ring, to be worne round the neck of a man.A large ruby, not set in gold, which was found on Sir Piers de Gaveston when he was taken; value one thousand livres.Three large rubies, set in rings,—an emerald,—a diamond of great value (in a silver box enamelled), which was found on the said Piers when he was taken.Two seals, one large and one small; and one little seal, (une clief pendaunte)—a key attached to it, one crooked Sterling (i. e. silver penny), and a chalcedony, which were found in the purse when he was taken.In a coffer, iron-bound, one silver mirror, enamelled; one comb; one tooth-pick, which had been given to the King by the Countess de Bar at Ghent.Onecoronalof gold, and sundry precious stones, valued at one hundred marcs.Onechapeletof silver, ornamented with sundry precious stones, valued at twelve sols (doze soutz).In another coffer, a large silver pot, and three utensils (peiz) for heating water, weighing six livres fifteen sols and ten deniers.Three silver dishes for spiceries, and weighing four livres.Two silver fruit-dishes, with the arms of the King of England, weighing seventy-eight sols four deniers.One purse, of cloth of gold, containing two Jerusalem stones.One silver bit, and four gilt buttons, and twolionsfor each, of leather.One old seal cut, and a stone of chalcedony.Three silver forks for eating pears.One white girdle of silver lace.Onechapelet de Paris, value six sols eight deniers.In a bag, one burnished bacinet and vizor (od surcils).In another bag, one pair trappings with the arms of said Piers.Two surcoats of velvet for covering armour.One bridle for palfrey, with the King’s arms.Four shirts and three kerchiefsde Gascoigneembroidered.An old banner with the arms of said Piers.Forty-one stallions and hunters, and one palfrey.Nine sumpter-horses. Two cart-horses.Two carts and all the harness.

One gold ring, and a sapphire prepared by the hands of St Dunstan.

One silver box, gilt, for containing a ring, to be worne round the neck of a man.

A large ruby, not set in gold, which was found on Sir Piers de Gaveston when he was taken; value one thousand livres.

Three large rubies, set in rings,—an emerald,—a diamond of great value (in a silver box enamelled), which was found on the said Piers when he was taken.

Two seals, one large and one small; and one little seal, (une clief pendaunte)—a key attached to it, one crooked Sterling (i. e. silver penny), and a chalcedony, which were found in the purse when he was taken.

In a coffer, iron-bound, one silver mirror, enamelled; one comb; one tooth-pick, which had been given to the King by the Countess de Bar at Ghent.

Onecoronalof gold, and sundry precious stones, valued at one hundred marcs.

Onechapeletof silver, ornamented with sundry precious stones, valued at twelve sols (doze soutz).

In another coffer, a large silver pot, and three utensils (peiz) for heating water, weighing six livres fifteen sols and ten deniers.

Three silver dishes for spiceries, and weighing four livres.

Two silver fruit-dishes, with the arms of the King of England, weighing seventy-eight sols four deniers.

One purse, of cloth of gold, containing two Jerusalem stones.

One silver bit, and four gilt buttons, and twolionsfor each, of leather.

One old seal cut, and a stone of chalcedony.

Three silver forks for eating pears.

One white girdle of silver lace.

Onechapelet de Paris, value six sols eight deniers.

In a bag, one burnished bacinet and vizor (od surcils).

In another bag, one pair trappings with the arms of said Piers.

Two surcoats of velvet for covering armour.

One bridle for palfrey, with the King’s arms.

Four shirts and three kerchiefsde Gascoigneembroidered.

An old banner with the arms of said Piers.

Forty-one stallions and hunters, and one palfrey.

Nine sumpter-horses. Two cart-horses.

Two carts and all the harness.

155Siege of Carlaverock, by Walter of Exeter.

156Vide, Siege of Carlaverock, edited by N. H. Nicolas, Esq.

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