FOOTNOTES:[1]“Inde vagos Vaga Cambrenses, hinc respicit Anglos;Qui cum jam ad ostium fere deveneritChepstowpræterfluit, id est, si è Saxonico interpreteris forum vel negotiationis locus Britannis,Castle Went, oppidum hoc est celebre quondam mœnibus nunc solum Castro firmum, cujus domini fuerunt è Clarensium familia nobiles, à proximo CastroStrighull, quod incolueruntStriguliæet Penbrochiæ Comites dicti quorum ultimus Richardus.”[2]Longitudo ecclesiæprioratusChepstow, 50 virgæ. latitudo eccl. prædictæ, 33 virgæ.—Will. de Worc.133.[3]Longitudo pontis de Chepstow, 126 virgæ.—Will. de Worc.133.[4]From the form of the British Channel, says De la Beche, and the absence of a free passage for the waters, such as exists at the Straits of Dover, in the English Channel, westerly winds force up and sustain a great body of water, thereby raising the sea above the mean level several feet. During such phenomena, it is said, the body of water in the river assumes a convex surface. In the great storm of 1703, the tide flowed over the top of Chepstow bridge, inundating all the low land, and washing away whole farm-yards and incalculable stock.[5]Life and Letters of Thomas Campbell, vol. ii. p. 278.—Note.[6]SeeCastles and Abbeys, vol. i. of this work, Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight. Upon the death of the renowned Fitzosborne, Dugdale, quoting the Monk of Utica, thus moralizes:—“After this short life of nature, there is a long life of Fame, who will blow her trumpet aloud to posterity, and plainly lay open to the world as well the bad as good actions of the most potent that shall be in their highest pitch of worldly power. ‘Veré ut gloria mundi flos feni,’ &c. Certainly the glory of this world fadeth and withereth as the flowers of the field; yea, it passeth away and vanisheth even as smoke. What,” he continues, “is become ofWilliam Fitzosborne, Earl of Hereford, vicegerent of the king, sewer of Normandy, that most warlike general! Was he not, in truth, the chief and greatest oppressor of the English, and he who cherished an enormous cause by his boldness, whereby many thousands were brought to miserable ends! Lo! the just Judge, beholding all things, rewardeth even man according to his demerits. Alas, is he not now slain? Hath not this hardy champion had his desert? As he slew many with the sword, so he suddenly received his death by the sword.”—Baronage, 67, quoting Orderic Vitulis.[7]Richardusvir infracto animo et projectissimis brachiisStrangbowcognominatus, quod arcu intentissimo uteretur, et nihil levi brachio ageret. Hiberniam Normannis primus sua virtute aperuit.—Camden.[8]“A full and particular relation of the manner of the late besieging and taking of Chepstow Castle, in Wales, by the forces of his Excellency the Lord Fairfax, expressed in a letter from Colonel Ewer to the Honourable William Lentall, Speaker of the House of Commons. The governor to the said castle within, that betrayed it to the King’s forces, was slain in this service; as also all the rest of the commanders and soldiers killed and taken. London: printed by Mathew Simmons, for Henry Overton, in Paper Head Alley, 1648.”[9]Historical and Descriptive Account, &c., of Chepstow Castle, 1808; Heath; Burke’s Commoners, &c.[10]The family of Kemeys is one of the most ancient in Monmouthshire. The late William Kemeys, Esq. of the Maindee, and the present J. Gardiner Kemeys, Esq. of Pertholy, are descended from the same family.[11]This report is somewhat different from that given by another authority, already quoted.[12]If such be the fact, it would almost lead to the conclusion that there was some truth in the story of the Parliament party having disposed of his remains in some unusual way; although, otherwise, the story seems very improbable, as that was not the form in which their cruelty was wont to show itself. They were likely enough to have seized his estate, his goods and chattels, and to have turned his family out of doors; but they had no respect for dignities or titles, and cared little for churches, churchyards, and dead bodies.[13]This lady showed Mr. Heath a document of Oliver Cromwell, of which the following is a copy:—Oliver P.It is our will and pleasure that you permit and suffer Colonel Edward Coke, with his company and hounds, to hunt, kill, and dispose of a Brace of Staggs, this season, in our Parke or Woodes neer Chepstowe, and that you, and every of you, be aydeing and assisting to him herein; and for your soe doing this shall be your sufficient warrant.Given at Whitehall, the 12 July, 1683.To Major Blethan, or, in his absence, to Lieutenant Phillips, or any other of the keepers of Chepstow Parke or Wentwood Chase.[14]See Burke’s Commoners, vol. iv.[15]This connection of the two Cromwells, through the Kemeys family, is worth notice.[16]Of the Tynte family, Burke gives the following account:—“The family ofTyntehas maintained for centuries a leading position in the west of England; of its surname, tradition has handed down the following derivation:—‘In the year 1192, at the celebrated battle of Ascalon, a young knight of the noble house of Arundel, clad all in white, with his horse’s housings of the same colour, so gallantly distinguished himself on that memorable field, that Richard Cœur-de-Lion remarked publicly, after the victory, that the maiden knight had borne himself as a lion, and done deeds equal to those of six crusaders; whereupon he conferred on him for arms, a lionguleson a fieldargent, between six crosslets of the first, and for motto,Tynctus cruore Saraceno.’”—Commoners.[17]C. J. Kemeys-Tynte, Esq., M.P., F.R.S.—whose father, C. Kemeys-Tynte, Esq., succeeded to the estates of his great-uncle, the last baronet—is coheir to the barony of Grey-de-Wilton; and in July, 1845, was declared by a committee for privileges of the House of Lords, to be senior coheir of the whole blood to the abeyant barony of Wharton.—Dod’s Parliam. Comp., 1847.[18]With regard to the tower called “Longine,” the tradition ran, that “it had been erected by one Longinus, a Jew, father of the soldier whose spear pierced the side of Christ. He was condemned either for some crime of his own, or for having given birth to a criminal, to repair to Britain, and there to erect a religious edifice on the river Wye. That edifice was the Chapel of our Lady in the castle; and although a Jew, the said Longinus appears to have had a fine Gothic taste.”[19]Of the supposed chapel, Mr. Williams says—“This is not in the usual style of such a building: the windows, arches, and other decorated parts were extremely rich, and in the finest Gothic taste. There are, however, several traces of plain Saxon arches filled up in the wall [arches of construction], which indicate a higher antiquity than the general decorations of the castle.”[20]By him the vote was proposed, that the King’s statues at the Royal Exchange and other places should be taken down, and the following inscription substituted:—“Exit Tyrannus, Regum ultimus, Anno Libertatis Angliæ Restitutæ primo,A.D.1648.” When it was proposed, “that the House of Peers in parliament was useless and dangerous, and ought to be abolished,” Marten proposed that the worddangerousshould be omitted, and thatuselessalone should be retained, and that it should be declared that the Lordswere useless, but not dangerous.—Parl. Hist.[21]Sir Henry Marten, his father, was one of the brightest ornaments of the age in which he lived. He was principal Judge of the Admiralty, twice Dean of the Arches, a Knight, and, in 1684, Judge of the Prerogative Court, in all of which offices he was allowed to be one of the most eminent civilians that ever filled them. He was in high favour with his sovereign, King James, who jocularly used to remark on Sir Henry, “that he was judge over the dead and over the living.” He died the 26th of September, 1641, aged 80, and was buried at his seat at Longworth, near Abingdon, in Berkshire.—Heath.[22]On the contrary, it is said by other writers that he was affectionately attended by his wife and daughters during his incarceration in Chepstow Castle.[23]This anecdote does credit to Marten’s spirit, and very little to Mr. Lewis, “who first violated the rules of good breeding towards a man who, at the very time, was expiating what power had made a crime, and then revenged himself by a petty inhospitality. It was punishment enough, surely, for poor Marten to have been imprisoned for twenty years, without having to accept a dinner on such terms.”[24]Old Antony Wood was not likely to speak well of any regicide, and from the hypothetical way in which he speaks of Marten’s penitence, he seems to have known of the anecdote with Mr. Lewis, or, at least, as much as it indicates.—See his character as given byMr. Carlyle.[25]As no such epitaph was at all likely to be permitted to be engraven, on the tombstone, if Marten was even allowed a tombstone, until after the Revolution, which took place nine years after his death, is it not more likely that these lines were composed by some quaint “Old Mortality” of the Cromwell school, than by the subject of them?—Correspondent.[26]How Mr. Seward or Mr. Heath could have applied this quotation to Marten, it is difficult to imagine.[27]Here follows a disquisition on the genuineness of the picture, which concludes:—“Such is the account attached to this picture, which, after what has been said, does not positively prove it to be the portrait of Henry Marten; but I am the more inclined to assent to the traditionary evidence, because it has all the character of such a man. It further seems to have been taken while he was in the army, from his wearing armour, being Cromwell’s major-general over the county of Surrey, in which command his conduct was marked by the most flagrant rapacity; so that the picture must have been brought to St. Pierre, and not painted during his residence in Monmouthshire. If, therefore, the picture must be received as the portrait of Harry Marten, I am led to believe that, when his family came to share in his confinement, they brought it with them to Chepstow, and, after Marten’s decease, gave it to Mr. Lewis’s ancestors. It is in the finest preservation.”[28]The Lords of Striguil were entitled to the prisage and butlerage of all wines brought into the ports of Swansea and Chepstow.[29]Tradition relates that an officer actually made his escape from this castle in the manner described, and, crossing the river by swimming, joined the Protector’s army on the Gloucester heights, where a battery was established.[30]During the siege, as the tradition runs, a barge lay at anchor immediately under this window, by means of which, if driven to extremity, the governor at least, and part of the garrison—desperate as the attempt must have been—might be enabled to make their escape. This becoming an object of suspicion, a soldier of the republican army volunteered to deprive the governor of this last resource. Throwing himself at midnight into the river, he swam to the barge, and there with a knife, which he had carried in his teeth for that purpose, severed the cable, sent the boat adrift, and then swam back to his comrades in triumph.[31]In 1696, the castle was garrisoned by the royal troops, the daily expense of which may be estimated by the following examples:—The governor, in addition to six captains’ pay, had 2s. a day; the gunner, 20d.; a mathorse, 10d.; fire and candle for the guard, 8d.; a company of foot, consisting of a captain, 8s.; a lieutenant, 4s.; two sergeants, at 1s. 6d. each, 3s.; three corporals and a drummer, at 1s. each, 4s.; sixty-two soldiers, at 8d. each, 41s. 4d. = £3. 5s. 6d.—Hist. of Chepstow.[32]Fosbroke—Local History and Guide.[33]His history is short and melancholy. In the course of the American war, he was appointed governor of the island of St. Vincent, where he expended a large sum from his own private resources in its fortification. Upon its fall, the minister of the day disavowed his claim for compensation. His creditors became clamorous, and he was cast into the King’s Bench prison, where he languished for twelve years. When released from his confinement, he was broken in health and spirits—suffering most of all from the domestic calamity which his fallen fortunes had produced in the insanity of his wife; and shortly after he died at the house of a relative in London. He was a generous and benevolent man, as the poor of his neighbourhood could well testify. On his departure for the West Indies, they came in troops to bid him a tearful farewell; and the muffled bells of the neighbouring church rang a funeral knell as he left the home of his love, and the scenes which he had embellished both by his taste and his life.—Roscoe’s South Wales.[34]Chepstow Guide.[35]“It may almost be said,” remarks the same writer, “that the last happy moments Gray knew in this world were spent upon the Wye; for, a few months after, we find him a prey to ill health and despondency—complaining of an incurable cough, of the irksomeness of his employment at Cambridge, and of ‘mechanical low spirits.’ He died in the course of the following summer, æt. 55.”—P. M. August, 1835.—See his Life by Mason.[36]The historian of the abbey here quoted has probably made some mistake in the name; as it was toNeathAbbey, not Tinterne, that King Edward retreated.—See Append.[37]In 1210, whenKing Johnsummoned all the ecclesiastics and religious orders to meet him at London, he levied fines, which were computed to amount to £100,000. The White orCistercianMonks alone paid £40,000 of silver additional; and their order, for a time, became so much reduced, that it was dispersed throughout all the other monasteries of England. From this condition, however, they speedily recovered; and of the seventy-five religious houses of this order that flourished at the Dissolution,thirty-sixwere superior monasteries.—Ecclesiast. Hist.[38]1287.—Conventus Ecclesiæ Beatæ Mariæ deTynternaintravit dictam ecclesiam ad celebrandum innovaecclesia. Et quinto nonas Octobris in anno sequenti Conventus intravit in choro, et prima missa celebrata fuit ad magnum altare. Dedicacio Ecclesiæ Tynterniæ, 28 die Jullii. F. littera.—Will. de Worc.[39]Citeaux—now Gilly-les-Citeaux—so famous for its abbey. “L’abbaye de Citeaux,” says a French tourist, “chef d’ordre d’où dependaient 3,600 couvents de deux sexes, fut fondée par Saint Robert, Abbé de Molesme en 1098.Saint Bernardy prit l’habit en 1113, et y jeta la même année, les fondements de l’abbaye de la Ferté sur Gròne; de celle de Pontigny en 1114; de celles de Clairvaux et de Morimont en 1115, appeléesles quatre filles de Citeaux.” Yet Citeaux, afterwards so famous, was a miserable desert at the arrival of St. Robert and his disciples:—“Qui locus (Cistercium) et pro nemorum, et spinarum tunc temporis opacitate accessui hominum insolitus, a solis feris inhabitabatur. Ad quem Viri Dei venientes locumq. tantó religione quam animo jamque conceperant et propter quam illuc advenerant, habiliorem quanto secularibus despicabiliorem et inaccessibilem intelligentes, nemorum et spinarum densitate prescissa et remota, Monasterium ibidem construere cœperunt.—Mon. Angl. art. Cister.v. iv. 695.[40]Quia etiam beatum Benedictum non in civitatibus, nec in Castellis aut in villis, sedin locis à frequentia hominum et populi semotis, Cœnobia construisse sancti viri illi sciebant, idem se æmulari promittebant. Et sicut ille monasteria constructa perduodenos monachos adjuncto patredisponebat, sic se acturos confirmabant.—Monast. Angl. ii.; art. Cisterc.Exuti ergo veterem hominem, novum se induisse gaudent: et quia nec in regula nec in vita SanctiBenedictieundem doctorem tegebant possedisse ecclesias, vel altaria seu oblationes aut sepulturas vel decimas aliorum hominum seu furnos vel molendinos aut villas aut rusticos, nec etiam fæminas monasterium ejus intrâsse, nec mortuos ibidem excepta sorore sua sepelisse, ideohæc omnia abdicaverunt, dicentes—ubi beatusBenedictusdocet ut monachus à secularibus actibus se faciat alienum, &c., &c.—Monast. Angl. iv.699.[41]It is added that, when Cœur-de-Lion was about to start for the Holy Land (A.D.1191), Folgius, a bold confessor of the church, exhorted the monarch to dismiss his three daughters before joining the Crusade. “Hypocrite!” said the king, “well thou knowest that I have no daughters.” “My liege,” rejoined the confessor, “you have three—Pride, Avarice, and Luxury.” “Aha!” exclaimed Richard, “why, then, the Templars shall have Pride—the Cistercians, Avarice—and as for Luxury, let my bishops and clergy share her among them, and then they will all be well provided for until my return.”—Thomas’s Tinterne.[42]They became so powerful at last, that they were said to “govern all Christendom;” but, if they did not govern, they had at least an influence in every government and kingdom of Europe. Cardinal de Vetri says, they neither wore skins nor shirts; never ate flesh, except in sickness; and abstained from fish, eggs, milk, and cheese; lay on straw-beds in tunics or cowls; rose at midnight to prayer; spent the day in labour, reading, and prayer; and in all they did, exercised a continual silence.—See Monast. Angl.[43]In quoregulasine ulla mitigatione ad apicem servaretur.—Mabillon, quoted by Fosbroke.[44]Brit. Monachism, p. 69.[45]Dev. Vie Monastique.—Brit. Monachism,note, page 70.[46]De Orig. et Progr. Monach., p. 313, quoted by Fosbroke, p. 70.[47]“Critics who censure the west window as too broad for its height, do not consider that it was not intended for a particular object, but to harmonize with the general plan; and had the architect diminished the breadth in proportion to the height, the grand effect of the perspective would have been considerably lessened.”—Coxe.[48]The following are the ancient admeasurements of the church and cloisters:—Longitudo ecclesiæSanctæ Maria Tynterniæcontinet 75 virgas.Item, in dicta ecclesia sunt ex parte australi 10 archus, et inter quamlibet columnam sunt 5 virgæ longitudinis cujuslibet dictorum 10 arcuum: item sunt in parte inferiori dictæ ecclesiæ ex parte australi 10 fenestræ de consimili operatione. Et 10 fenestræ principales ex parte boreali ecclesiæ, et quælibet fenestra continet duas magnas panellas fenestratas.Item, inle ovyrhistoryesunt consimiliter 10 fenestræ principales, et quælibet fenestra continet duas panas vitratas secundum proportionem, quamvis non secundum quantitatem fenestrarum totius ecclesiæ Westmonasterii apud Londoniam.—Will. de Worc.[49]Latitudoorientalis fenestræante magnum altare, continet 8 pannasglasatascum armisRogeri Bygot, fundatoris. Et in orientali parte duarum elarum orientalium, in earum duabus fenestris, quælibet fenestra constat ex tribus panis vitreatis sine armis. Item longitudoChoriconstat ex iiii. arcubus ultra quantitatem areæ quadratæ campanilis principalis in medio Chori qua; continet ... virgas. Sic in toto longitudo Chori cum area campanilis continet virgas.Item, altitudovoltætotius ecclesiæ ab area ecclesiæ continet xi. Anglicèvetheyms, et quilibet vetheym constat, &c.... pedibus seu ... virgis. Longitudo de leCrosseyle, id est brachiorum ecclesiarum, tam ex parte meridionali quam boreali continet 50 virgas, id est 150 pedes.Item, quadrature spacia areæ campanilis in medioChoriecclesiæ scitæ continet in longitudine 12 virgas.Item, dicta quadratura campanilis continet in latitudine 12 virgas.Item,fenestraprincipalismeridionalisatqueSeptentrionalisvitrea continet vi. pannas glasatas magnæ altitudinis.—Will. de Worc. ed. 1778, Cantab.[with various blanks.]Cloisters.—Ecclesiæ de Tynterna: Memorand.—The Cloysteris 37 virgæ in longit. et in lat. 33 virg.Item, tota eccles. continet 14 archus in una parte et 14 archus in altera parte.Item, pars fenestra borealis principalis 14 panellas glasatas.Item, latitudo dietæ fenestræ tam ex boreali quam oppositæ fenestræ ex parte meridionali continet iii. virgas.Itemthefermarge chyrchcontinet in longitudine 34 virgas, id est 60 steppys meas—quæ sunt 34 virgæ—et in latitudine viii. virgas.Item, capitulum in longitudine continet 18 virgas, in latitudine 9 virgas.Memorand., quod 24 steppys, sive gressus mei, faciunt 12 virgas.Item, 50 virgæ faciunt 85 gradus, sive steppys meas.—Will. de Worc.83.In all its parts, according to Dugdale, this church is a copy of Salisbury Cathedral, built only a few years previously.[50]Paper on the Abbey. Tinterne, which is coeval with Westminster Abbey, has a remarkable similarity in its whole plan and style of architecture, and was, in fact, arepetitionin miniature.—Dallaway’s Arts, p. 36.[51]A barge-builder at Tinterne severed the head from the trunk, and defaced the features, legs, and shield, leaving it in its present mutilated state.—Tinterne and its Environs.[52]In the early Church, “a fish was generally used by Christians as a symbol of the Great Founder of their faith, the letters of the Greek word, ιχθυς (a fish), forming theinitialsof the most important titles of our blessed Lord:”—Ι.Χ.Θ.Υ.Σ.—Pompeïana.Ίησους Χριστὸς Θεου Ύιὸς Σωτηρ[53]The naturalist will not leave the area of the Abbey without noticing an alder-tree in the northern transept, covered withaphides, to which a long train of black ants have for some years been observed continually coming and departing through the sacristy door, and pacing along the pediment of one of the lofty columns to the root of the tree. This is the onlyprocessionnow visible in the Abbey, and is formed, not for devotion, but for a lowlier, yet not less imperative purpose—the alder-tree is theirrefectory, and the sweetexuviæof the plant-lice form their food.—Thomas’s Tinterne, p. 26.bHe enumerates the following as indigenous in the fruitful vale of Tinterne:—Delphinium consolida, Aquilegia vulgaris, Saponaria officinalis, Eriophorum polystachion, Galanthus nivalis, Narcissus pseudo-narcyssus, Allium Carinatum, Ornithogalum Pyrennaicum, Acorus calamus, Euphorbia Cyparissias, Anemone pulsatilla, A. Appenina, A. nemorosa.[54]If thou would’st view fair Melrose aright,Go visit it by the pale moonlight;For the gay beams of lightsome dayGild but to flout the ruins gray....Then go—but go alone the while—And viewSt. Mary’sruin’d pile;Then, home returning, soothly swearWas never scene so sad and fair![55]Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature.[56]Prædictus conquestor dedit manerium de Wolleston et manerium de Tudenham in parte; et similiter dedit ei licentiam conquerendi super Wallenses postea, &c.—Monast. Angl.iv. 725.[57]Is bruder SirGileberd, that eir was of the londe,He bitoke mid gode wille the eritage an hond.—Robert of Gloucester.[58]Baronage, 208.[59]“He died untimely,” says the historian, “on the nones of April, 1176, and was buried in the Chapterhouse at Gloucester.”[60]Bar. Monast.[61]In the “New Temple” or Temple Church, as recorded by Robert of Gloucester:—And WillamMarchaldeide tho, that longe worth in mone,And attenywe templewas iburied at Londone.—Vol. ii. p. 518.[62]Mat. Paris, 1245.[63]Bp. of Fernis, a Cistercian monk, and an Irishman by birth.[64]William, eldest son of the above-named Earl Marshall, gave a charter to the Abbey of Tinterne, dated March 22,A.D.1223. Pro salute animæ meæ et pro animabus bonæ memoriæ Walteri filii Ricardi, filii Guilberti Strongbow, avi mei, et Willielmi Mariscalli, patris mei, et Ysabellæ Matrisque meæ et antecessorum, hæredum et successorum nostrorum.[65]Dugdale’s Baronage.[66]His deeds, assassination, and burial, are thus recorded by Robert of Gloucester:—“As noble bodi in he smot, he nolde longe abide,He slou to ground her and ther, vaste on either side,More prowesse ne mizte of bodi be,Than me mizte ofRichardthemarschalthere ise.”Then describing the nature of the wound given him by an assassin—“in aboute the fondement as he vnarmed was,” adds—“At Kildar he was aslawe that inYrlondeis,And at thefrere prechorsibured, at Kilkenni, iwis.Tho vrKyng Henryhurde of is deth telle,And of the prowesse that he dude, ar me him mizte quelle,And he vnderstod of his wit, and of is wisdom,Him thozte it was a gret love to al is kinedom,Vor is deth he made deol inou, and for is soule he let doAlmes dede mani on, and mani masse al so.”[67]Baronage. Mat. of Paris. Mat. Westm. “Being suspected of overmuch gallantry towards the wife of Llewellyn, Prince of Wales (sister of King Henry), he was by him subtilely invited to an Easter feast, but after the entertainment was over, he was charged therewith, and cast into prison, where he suffered death by a barbarous murder. Some say he was hanged, and the princess with him.”—Dugdale. Bar.419.[68]Rogerus Bygod, Comes Norfolciæ, dedit ecclesiæ de Tynterna dominium de Eccle ac ecclesiam S. Edwardi de Halbergate ē omnibus eorum pertinenciis.[69]The hospitaler was allowed to drink with any orderly person, for the sake of sociality, at the direction and request of that person, without asking leave.—Licet hostilario, etc.[70]St. Bernardinduced all his brothers, five in number, to follow his example of retirement. His onlysisterstill remained in the world; but coming to visit themonasteryin the dress, andwith the attendance of a lady of quality, she found herself treated with so much neglect, that, bursting into tears, she said, “True it is, I am a sinner, yet, nevertheless, it was for such thatJesusdied.” Moved by expressions so truly evangelical, Bernard remitted his severity, gave her directions suitable to the taste of the age, and probably still better advice; but all thatGulielmus, the writer here quoted, has thought fit to record, is, that Bernard’s sister became a nun, and resembled her brother in piety.—Life of St. Bernard.[71]Brit. Monach.: art.Guest-Hall.[72]“From due oblation, at the vaulted door,The enteringmonksstood, each one with his mate,At the two tables of the lowest floor,Their looks directing to the spiry stateOf chair much sculptured, where thePriorsate;To this, where transversely, a board was spread,Inferior lordlings of the convent ate;As passed the Prior, all depressed the head;Loud rang a tinkling bell, and wonted grace was said.”[73]“ThePriorgave the signal word; aloudThe reader ’gan the love of God reveal;At the first stated pause, the holy crowdTurned to the board in instantaneous wheel,And solemn silence marked their instant meal;The Prior to the reader bow’d, againThey turned; theSacristrang a tinkling peal,Last grace was said; and, carolling a strainOf David, two and two withdrew the hooded train.”Brit. Monach.—Monastic Æconomy, 401.[74]“At noon-hour—did no fleshless day betide—On posied trenchers the plain cates were spread,The snow-white egg, the fish’s corned side,Domestic fowl, by barn-door plenty fed,And, best of nutriment, fermented bread;No thirst was theirs but what that juice could pall,The sugar’d ears of bearded barley shed;An aged monk was marshal of the hall,There walking to and fro, the servitours to call.”—Poem quoted.[75]Pinguia concedens quæ suntaffinia carni,Sic tamen ut nunquam sitmanifestacaro.—Spec. Stultor.Brit. Mon.[76]“Nullus et monachus habeat colloquium cum maliere cognata aut extranea, in temporibus indebitis, sicut, prandii, et coenæ, et horæ meridianæ, aut tempore potûs assiguati.”—MS. Cott. Jul. II. 2. f. 159.Quoted by Fosbroke, p. 220.[77]Seeante op. cit.[78]Brit. Monach. new Ed. p. 287.
FOOTNOTES:
[1]“Inde vagos Vaga Cambrenses, hinc respicit Anglos;Qui cum jam ad ostium fere deveneritChepstowpræterfluit, id est, si è Saxonico interpreteris forum vel negotiationis locus Britannis,Castle Went, oppidum hoc est celebre quondam mœnibus nunc solum Castro firmum, cujus domini fuerunt è Clarensium familia nobiles, à proximo CastroStrighull, quod incolueruntStriguliæet Penbrochiæ Comites dicti quorum ultimus Richardus.”
[1]
“Inde vagos Vaga Cambrenses, hinc respicit Anglos;
“Inde vagos Vaga Cambrenses, hinc respicit Anglos;
“Inde vagos Vaga Cambrenses, hinc respicit Anglos;
Qui cum jam ad ostium fere deveneritChepstowpræterfluit, id est, si è Saxonico interpreteris forum vel negotiationis locus Britannis,Castle Went, oppidum hoc est celebre quondam mœnibus nunc solum Castro firmum, cujus domini fuerunt è Clarensium familia nobiles, à proximo CastroStrighull, quod incolueruntStriguliæet Penbrochiæ Comites dicti quorum ultimus Richardus.”
[2]Longitudo ecclesiæprioratusChepstow, 50 virgæ. latitudo eccl. prædictæ, 33 virgæ.—Will. de Worc.133.
[2]Longitudo ecclesiæprioratusChepstow, 50 virgæ. latitudo eccl. prædictæ, 33 virgæ.—Will. de Worc.133.
[3]Longitudo pontis de Chepstow, 126 virgæ.—Will. de Worc.133.
[3]Longitudo pontis de Chepstow, 126 virgæ.—Will. de Worc.133.
[4]From the form of the British Channel, says De la Beche, and the absence of a free passage for the waters, such as exists at the Straits of Dover, in the English Channel, westerly winds force up and sustain a great body of water, thereby raising the sea above the mean level several feet. During such phenomena, it is said, the body of water in the river assumes a convex surface. In the great storm of 1703, the tide flowed over the top of Chepstow bridge, inundating all the low land, and washing away whole farm-yards and incalculable stock.
[4]From the form of the British Channel, says De la Beche, and the absence of a free passage for the waters, such as exists at the Straits of Dover, in the English Channel, westerly winds force up and sustain a great body of water, thereby raising the sea above the mean level several feet. During such phenomena, it is said, the body of water in the river assumes a convex surface. In the great storm of 1703, the tide flowed over the top of Chepstow bridge, inundating all the low land, and washing away whole farm-yards and incalculable stock.
[5]Life and Letters of Thomas Campbell, vol. ii. p. 278.—Note.
[5]Life and Letters of Thomas Campbell, vol. ii. p. 278.—Note.
[6]SeeCastles and Abbeys, vol. i. of this work, Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight. Upon the death of the renowned Fitzosborne, Dugdale, quoting the Monk of Utica, thus moralizes:—“After this short life of nature, there is a long life of Fame, who will blow her trumpet aloud to posterity, and plainly lay open to the world as well the bad as good actions of the most potent that shall be in their highest pitch of worldly power. ‘Veré ut gloria mundi flos feni,’ &c. Certainly the glory of this world fadeth and withereth as the flowers of the field; yea, it passeth away and vanisheth even as smoke. What,” he continues, “is become ofWilliam Fitzosborne, Earl of Hereford, vicegerent of the king, sewer of Normandy, that most warlike general! Was he not, in truth, the chief and greatest oppressor of the English, and he who cherished an enormous cause by his boldness, whereby many thousands were brought to miserable ends! Lo! the just Judge, beholding all things, rewardeth even man according to his demerits. Alas, is he not now slain? Hath not this hardy champion had his desert? As he slew many with the sword, so he suddenly received his death by the sword.”—Baronage, 67, quoting Orderic Vitulis.
[6]SeeCastles and Abbeys, vol. i. of this work, Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight. Upon the death of the renowned Fitzosborne, Dugdale, quoting the Monk of Utica, thus moralizes:—“After this short life of nature, there is a long life of Fame, who will blow her trumpet aloud to posterity, and plainly lay open to the world as well the bad as good actions of the most potent that shall be in their highest pitch of worldly power. ‘Veré ut gloria mundi flos feni,’ &c. Certainly the glory of this world fadeth and withereth as the flowers of the field; yea, it passeth away and vanisheth even as smoke. What,” he continues, “is become ofWilliam Fitzosborne, Earl of Hereford, vicegerent of the king, sewer of Normandy, that most warlike general! Was he not, in truth, the chief and greatest oppressor of the English, and he who cherished an enormous cause by his boldness, whereby many thousands were brought to miserable ends! Lo! the just Judge, beholding all things, rewardeth even man according to his demerits. Alas, is he not now slain? Hath not this hardy champion had his desert? As he slew many with the sword, so he suddenly received his death by the sword.”—Baronage, 67, quoting Orderic Vitulis.
[7]Richardusvir infracto animo et projectissimis brachiisStrangbowcognominatus, quod arcu intentissimo uteretur, et nihil levi brachio ageret. Hiberniam Normannis primus sua virtute aperuit.—Camden.
[7]Richardusvir infracto animo et projectissimis brachiisStrangbowcognominatus, quod arcu intentissimo uteretur, et nihil levi brachio ageret. Hiberniam Normannis primus sua virtute aperuit.—Camden.
[8]“A full and particular relation of the manner of the late besieging and taking of Chepstow Castle, in Wales, by the forces of his Excellency the Lord Fairfax, expressed in a letter from Colonel Ewer to the Honourable William Lentall, Speaker of the House of Commons. The governor to the said castle within, that betrayed it to the King’s forces, was slain in this service; as also all the rest of the commanders and soldiers killed and taken. London: printed by Mathew Simmons, for Henry Overton, in Paper Head Alley, 1648.”
[8]“A full and particular relation of the manner of the late besieging and taking of Chepstow Castle, in Wales, by the forces of his Excellency the Lord Fairfax, expressed in a letter from Colonel Ewer to the Honourable William Lentall, Speaker of the House of Commons. The governor to the said castle within, that betrayed it to the King’s forces, was slain in this service; as also all the rest of the commanders and soldiers killed and taken. London: printed by Mathew Simmons, for Henry Overton, in Paper Head Alley, 1648.”
[9]Historical and Descriptive Account, &c., of Chepstow Castle, 1808; Heath; Burke’s Commoners, &c.
[9]Historical and Descriptive Account, &c., of Chepstow Castle, 1808; Heath; Burke’s Commoners, &c.
[10]The family of Kemeys is one of the most ancient in Monmouthshire. The late William Kemeys, Esq. of the Maindee, and the present J. Gardiner Kemeys, Esq. of Pertholy, are descended from the same family.
[10]The family of Kemeys is one of the most ancient in Monmouthshire. The late William Kemeys, Esq. of the Maindee, and the present J. Gardiner Kemeys, Esq. of Pertholy, are descended from the same family.
[11]This report is somewhat different from that given by another authority, already quoted.
[11]This report is somewhat different from that given by another authority, already quoted.
[12]If such be the fact, it would almost lead to the conclusion that there was some truth in the story of the Parliament party having disposed of his remains in some unusual way; although, otherwise, the story seems very improbable, as that was not the form in which their cruelty was wont to show itself. They were likely enough to have seized his estate, his goods and chattels, and to have turned his family out of doors; but they had no respect for dignities or titles, and cared little for churches, churchyards, and dead bodies.
[12]If such be the fact, it would almost lead to the conclusion that there was some truth in the story of the Parliament party having disposed of his remains in some unusual way; although, otherwise, the story seems very improbable, as that was not the form in which their cruelty was wont to show itself. They were likely enough to have seized his estate, his goods and chattels, and to have turned his family out of doors; but they had no respect for dignities or titles, and cared little for churches, churchyards, and dead bodies.
[13]This lady showed Mr. Heath a document of Oliver Cromwell, of which the following is a copy:—Oliver P.It is our will and pleasure that you permit and suffer Colonel Edward Coke, with his company and hounds, to hunt, kill, and dispose of a Brace of Staggs, this season, in our Parke or Woodes neer Chepstowe, and that you, and every of you, be aydeing and assisting to him herein; and for your soe doing this shall be your sufficient warrant.Given at Whitehall, the 12 July, 1683.To Major Blethan, or, in his absence, to Lieutenant Phillips, or any other of the keepers of Chepstow Parke or Wentwood Chase.
[13]This lady showed Mr. Heath a document of Oliver Cromwell, of which the following is a copy:—
Oliver P.It is our will and pleasure that you permit and suffer Colonel Edward Coke, with his company and hounds, to hunt, kill, and dispose of a Brace of Staggs, this season, in our Parke or Woodes neer Chepstowe, and that you, and every of you, be aydeing and assisting to him herein; and for your soe doing this shall be your sufficient warrant.
Given at Whitehall, the 12 July, 1683.
To Major Blethan, or, in his absence, to Lieutenant Phillips, or any other of the keepers of Chepstow Parke or Wentwood Chase.
[14]See Burke’s Commoners, vol. iv.
[14]See Burke’s Commoners, vol. iv.
[15]This connection of the two Cromwells, through the Kemeys family, is worth notice.
[15]This connection of the two Cromwells, through the Kemeys family, is worth notice.
[16]Of the Tynte family, Burke gives the following account:—“The family ofTyntehas maintained for centuries a leading position in the west of England; of its surname, tradition has handed down the following derivation:—‘In the year 1192, at the celebrated battle of Ascalon, a young knight of the noble house of Arundel, clad all in white, with his horse’s housings of the same colour, so gallantly distinguished himself on that memorable field, that Richard Cœur-de-Lion remarked publicly, after the victory, that the maiden knight had borne himself as a lion, and done deeds equal to those of six crusaders; whereupon he conferred on him for arms, a lionguleson a fieldargent, between six crosslets of the first, and for motto,Tynctus cruore Saraceno.’”—Commoners.
[16]Of the Tynte family, Burke gives the following account:—
“The family ofTyntehas maintained for centuries a leading position in the west of England; of its surname, tradition has handed down the following derivation:—‘In the year 1192, at the celebrated battle of Ascalon, a young knight of the noble house of Arundel, clad all in white, with his horse’s housings of the same colour, so gallantly distinguished himself on that memorable field, that Richard Cœur-de-Lion remarked publicly, after the victory, that the maiden knight had borne himself as a lion, and done deeds equal to those of six crusaders; whereupon he conferred on him for arms, a lionguleson a fieldargent, between six crosslets of the first, and for motto,Tynctus cruore Saraceno.’”—Commoners.
[17]C. J. Kemeys-Tynte, Esq., M.P., F.R.S.—whose father, C. Kemeys-Tynte, Esq., succeeded to the estates of his great-uncle, the last baronet—is coheir to the barony of Grey-de-Wilton; and in July, 1845, was declared by a committee for privileges of the House of Lords, to be senior coheir of the whole blood to the abeyant barony of Wharton.—Dod’s Parliam. Comp., 1847.
[17]C. J. Kemeys-Tynte, Esq., M.P., F.R.S.—whose father, C. Kemeys-Tynte, Esq., succeeded to the estates of his great-uncle, the last baronet—is coheir to the barony of Grey-de-Wilton; and in July, 1845, was declared by a committee for privileges of the House of Lords, to be senior coheir of the whole blood to the abeyant barony of Wharton.—Dod’s Parliam. Comp., 1847.
[18]With regard to the tower called “Longine,” the tradition ran, that “it had been erected by one Longinus, a Jew, father of the soldier whose spear pierced the side of Christ. He was condemned either for some crime of his own, or for having given birth to a criminal, to repair to Britain, and there to erect a religious edifice on the river Wye. That edifice was the Chapel of our Lady in the castle; and although a Jew, the said Longinus appears to have had a fine Gothic taste.”
[18]With regard to the tower called “Longine,” the tradition ran, that “it had been erected by one Longinus, a Jew, father of the soldier whose spear pierced the side of Christ. He was condemned either for some crime of his own, or for having given birth to a criminal, to repair to Britain, and there to erect a religious edifice on the river Wye. That edifice was the Chapel of our Lady in the castle; and although a Jew, the said Longinus appears to have had a fine Gothic taste.”
[19]Of the supposed chapel, Mr. Williams says—“This is not in the usual style of such a building: the windows, arches, and other decorated parts were extremely rich, and in the finest Gothic taste. There are, however, several traces of plain Saxon arches filled up in the wall [arches of construction], which indicate a higher antiquity than the general decorations of the castle.”
[19]Of the supposed chapel, Mr. Williams says—“This is not in the usual style of such a building: the windows, arches, and other decorated parts were extremely rich, and in the finest Gothic taste. There are, however, several traces of plain Saxon arches filled up in the wall [arches of construction], which indicate a higher antiquity than the general decorations of the castle.”
[20]By him the vote was proposed, that the King’s statues at the Royal Exchange and other places should be taken down, and the following inscription substituted:—“Exit Tyrannus, Regum ultimus, Anno Libertatis Angliæ Restitutæ primo,A.D.1648.” When it was proposed, “that the House of Peers in parliament was useless and dangerous, and ought to be abolished,” Marten proposed that the worddangerousshould be omitted, and thatuselessalone should be retained, and that it should be declared that the Lordswere useless, but not dangerous.—Parl. Hist.
[20]By him the vote was proposed, that the King’s statues at the Royal Exchange and other places should be taken down, and the following inscription substituted:—“Exit Tyrannus, Regum ultimus, Anno Libertatis Angliæ Restitutæ primo,A.D.1648.” When it was proposed, “that the House of Peers in parliament was useless and dangerous, and ought to be abolished,” Marten proposed that the worddangerousshould be omitted, and thatuselessalone should be retained, and that it should be declared that the Lordswere useless, but not dangerous.—Parl. Hist.
[21]Sir Henry Marten, his father, was one of the brightest ornaments of the age in which he lived. He was principal Judge of the Admiralty, twice Dean of the Arches, a Knight, and, in 1684, Judge of the Prerogative Court, in all of which offices he was allowed to be one of the most eminent civilians that ever filled them. He was in high favour with his sovereign, King James, who jocularly used to remark on Sir Henry, “that he was judge over the dead and over the living.” He died the 26th of September, 1641, aged 80, and was buried at his seat at Longworth, near Abingdon, in Berkshire.—Heath.
[21]Sir Henry Marten, his father, was one of the brightest ornaments of the age in which he lived. He was principal Judge of the Admiralty, twice Dean of the Arches, a Knight, and, in 1684, Judge of the Prerogative Court, in all of which offices he was allowed to be one of the most eminent civilians that ever filled them. He was in high favour with his sovereign, King James, who jocularly used to remark on Sir Henry, “that he was judge over the dead and over the living.” He died the 26th of September, 1641, aged 80, and was buried at his seat at Longworth, near Abingdon, in Berkshire.—Heath.
[22]On the contrary, it is said by other writers that he was affectionately attended by his wife and daughters during his incarceration in Chepstow Castle.
[22]On the contrary, it is said by other writers that he was affectionately attended by his wife and daughters during his incarceration in Chepstow Castle.
[23]This anecdote does credit to Marten’s spirit, and very little to Mr. Lewis, “who first violated the rules of good breeding towards a man who, at the very time, was expiating what power had made a crime, and then revenged himself by a petty inhospitality. It was punishment enough, surely, for poor Marten to have been imprisoned for twenty years, without having to accept a dinner on such terms.”
[23]This anecdote does credit to Marten’s spirit, and very little to Mr. Lewis, “who first violated the rules of good breeding towards a man who, at the very time, was expiating what power had made a crime, and then revenged himself by a petty inhospitality. It was punishment enough, surely, for poor Marten to have been imprisoned for twenty years, without having to accept a dinner on such terms.”
[24]Old Antony Wood was not likely to speak well of any regicide, and from the hypothetical way in which he speaks of Marten’s penitence, he seems to have known of the anecdote with Mr. Lewis, or, at least, as much as it indicates.—See his character as given byMr. Carlyle.
[24]Old Antony Wood was not likely to speak well of any regicide, and from the hypothetical way in which he speaks of Marten’s penitence, he seems to have known of the anecdote with Mr. Lewis, or, at least, as much as it indicates.—See his character as given byMr. Carlyle.
[25]As no such epitaph was at all likely to be permitted to be engraven, on the tombstone, if Marten was even allowed a tombstone, until after the Revolution, which took place nine years after his death, is it not more likely that these lines were composed by some quaint “Old Mortality” of the Cromwell school, than by the subject of them?—Correspondent.
[25]As no such epitaph was at all likely to be permitted to be engraven, on the tombstone, if Marten was even allowed a tombstone, until after the Revolution, which took place nine years after his death, is it not more likely that these lines were composed by some quaint “Old Mortality” of the Cromwell school, than by the subject of them?—Correspondent.
[26]How Mr. Seward or Mr. Heath could have applied this quotation to Marten, it is difficult to imagine.
[26]How Mr. Seward or Mr. Heath could have applied this quotation to Marten, it is difficult to imagine.
[27]Here follows a disquisition on the genuineness of the picture, which concludes:—“Such is the account attached to this picture, which, after what has been said, does not positively prove it to be the portrait of Henry Marten; but I am the more inclined to assent to the traditionary evidence, because it has all the character of such a man. It further seems to have been taken while he was in the army, from his wearing armour, being Cromwell’s major-general over the county of Surrey, in which command his conduct was marked by the most flagrant rapacity; so that the picture must have been brought to St. Pierre, and not painted during his residence in Monmouthshire. If, therefore, the picture must be received as the portrait of Harry Marten, I am led to believe that, when his family came to share in his confinement, they brought it with them to Chepstow, and, after Marten’s decease, gave it to Mr. Lewis’s ancestors. It is in the finest preservation.”
[27]Here follows a disquisition on the genuineness of the picture, which concludes:—“Such is the account attached to this picture, which, after what has been said, does not positively prove it to be the portrait of Henry Marten; but I am the more inclined to assent to the traditionary evidence, because it has all the character of such a man. It further seems to have been taken while he was in the army, from his wearing armour, being Cromwell’s major-general over the county of Surrey, in which command his conduct was marked by the most flagrant rapacity; so that the picture must have been brought to St. Pierre, and not painted during his residence in Monmouthshire. If, therefore, the picture must be received as the portrait of Harry Marten, I am led to believe that, when his family came to share in his confinement, they brought it with them to Chepstow, and, after Marten’s decease, gave it to Mr. Lewis’s ancestors. It is in the finest preservation.”
[28]The Lords of Striguil were entitled to the prisage and butlerage of all wines brought into the ports of Swansea and Chepstow.
[28]The Lords of Striguil were entitled to the prisage and butlerage of all wines brought into the ports of Swansea and Chepstow.
[29]Tradition relates that an officer actually made his escape from this castle in the manner described, and, crossing the river by swimming, joined the Protector’s army on the Gloucester heights, where a battery was established.
[29]Tradition relates that an officer actually made his escape from this castle in the manner described, and, crossing the river by swimming, joined the Protector’s army on the Gloucester heights, where a battery was established.
[30]During the siege, as the tradition runs, a barge lay at anchor immediately under this window, by means of which, if driven to extremity, the governor at least, and part of the garrison—desperate as the attempt must have been—might be enabled to make their escape. This becoming an object of suspicion, a soldier of the republican army volunteered to deprive the governor of this last resource. Throwing himself at midnight into the river, he swam to the barge, and there with a knife, which he had carried in his teeth for that purpose, severed the cable, sent the boat adrift, and then swam back to his comrades in triumph.
[30]During the siege, as the tradition runs, a barge lay at anchor immediately under this window, by means of which, if driven to extremity, the governor at least, and part of the garrison—desperate as the attempt must have been—might be enabled to make their escape. This becoming an object of suspicion, a soldier of the republican army volunteered to deprive the governor of this last resource. Throwing himself at midnight into the river, he swam to the barge, and there with a knife, which he had carried in his teeth for that purpose, severed the cable, sent the boat adrift, and then swam back to his comrades in triumph.
[31]In 1696, the castle was garrisoned by the royal troops, the daily expense of which may be estimated by the following examples:—The governor, in addition to six captains’ pay, had 2s. a day; the gunner, 20d.; a mathorse, 10d.; fire and candle for the guard, 8d.; a company of foot, consisting of a captain, 8s.; a lieutenant, 4s.; two sergeants, at 1s. 6d. each, 3s.; three corporals and a drummer, at 1s. each, 4s.; sixty-two soldiers, at 8d. each, 41s. 4d. = £3. 5s. 6d.—Hist. of Chepstow.
[31]In 1696, the castle was garrisoned by the royal troops, the daily expense of which may be estimated by the following examples:—The governor, in addition to six captains’ pay, had 2s. a day; the gunner, 20d.; a mathorse, 10d.; fire and candle for the guard, 8d.; a company of foot, consisting of a captain, 8s.; a lieutenant, 4s.; two sergeants, at 1s. 6d. each, 3s.; three corporals and a drummer, at 1s. each, 4s.; sixty-two soldiers, at 8d. each, 41s. 4d. = £3. 5s. 6d.—Hist. of Chepstow.
[32]Fosbroke—Local History and Guide.
[32]Fosbroke—Local History and Guide.
[33]His history is short and melancholy. In the course of the American war, he was appointed governor of the island of St. Vincent, where he expended a large sum from his own private resources in its fortification. Upon its fall, the minister of the day disavowed his claim for compensation. His creditors became clamorous, and he was cast into the King’s Bench prison, where he languished for twelve years. When released from his confinement, he was broken in health and spirits—suffering most of all from the domestic calamity which his fallen fortunes had produced in the insanity of his wife; and shortly after he died at the house of a relative in London. He was a generous and benevolent man, as the poor of his neighbourhood could well testify. On his departure for the West Indies, they came in troops to bid him a tearful farewell; and the muffled bells of the neighbouring church rang a funeral knell as he left the home of his love, and the scenes which he had embellished both by his taste and his life.—Roscoe’s South Wales.
[33]His history is short and melancholy. In the course of the American war, he was appointed governor of the island of St. Vincent, where he expended a large sum from his own private resources in its fortification. Upon its fall, the minister of the day disavowed his claim for compensation. His creditors became clamorous, and he was cast into the King’s Bench prison, where he languished for twelve years. When released from his confinement, he was broken in health and spirits—suffering most of all from the domestic calamity which his fallen fortunes had produced in the insanity of his wife; and shortly after he died at the house of a relative in London. He was a generous and benevolent man, as the poor of his neighbourhood could well testify. On his departure for the West Indies, they came in troops to bid him a tearful farewell; and the muffled bells of the neighbouring church rang a funeral knell as he left the home of his love, and the scenes which he had embellished both by his taste and his life.—Roscoe’s South Wales.
[34]Chepstow Guide.
[34]Chepstow Guide.
[35]“It may almost be said,” remarks the same writer, “that the last happy moments Gray knew in this world were spent upon the Wye; for, a few months after, we find him a prey to ill health and despondency—complaining of an incurable cough, of the irksomeness of his employment at Cambridge, and of ‘mechanical low spirits.’ He died in the course of the following summer, æt. 55.”—P. M. August, 1835.—See his Life by Mason.
[35]“It may almost be said,” remarks the same writer, “that the last happy moments Gray knew in this world were spent upon the Wye; for, a few months after, we find him a prey to ill health and despondency—complaining of an incurable cough, of the irksomeness of his employment at Cambridge, and of ‘mechanical low spirits.’ He died in the course of the following summer, æt. 55.”—P. M. August, 1835.—See his Life by Mason.
[36]The historian of the abbey here quoted has probably made some mistake in the name; as it was toNeathAbbey, not Tinterne, that King Edward retreated.—See Append.
[36]The historian of the abbey here quoted has probably made some mistake in the name; as it was toNeathAbbey, not Tinterne, that King Edward retreated.—See Append.
[37]In 1210, whenKing Johnsummoned all the ecclesiastics and religious orders to meet him at London, he levied fines, which were computed to amount to £100,000. The White orCistercianMonks alone paid £40,000 of silver additional; and their order, for a time, became so much reduced, that it was dispersed throughout all the other monasteries of England. From this condition, however, they speedily recovered; and of the seventy-five religious houses of this order that flourished at the Dissolution,thirty-sixwere superior monasteries.—Ecclesiast. Hist.
[37]In 1210, whenKing Johnsummoned all the ecclesiastics and religious orders to meet him at London, he levied fines, which were computed to amount to £100,000. The White orCistercianMonks alone paid £40,000 of silver additional; and their order, for a time, became so much reduced, that it was dispersed throughout all the other monasteries of England. From this condition, however, they speedily recovered; and of the seventy-five religious houses of this order that flourished at the Dissolution,thirty-sixwere superior monasteries.—Ecclesiast. Hist.
[38]1287.—Conventus Ecclesiæ Beatæ Mariæ deTynternaintravit dictam ecclesiam ad celebrandum innovaecclesia. Et quinto nonas Octobris in anno sequenti Conventus intravit in choro, et prima missa celebrata fuit ad magnum altare. Dedicacio Ecclesiæ Tynterniæ, 28 die Jullii. F. littera.—Will. de Worc.
[38]1287.—Conventus Ecclesiæ Beatæ Mariæ deTynternaintravit dictam ecclesiam ad celebrandum innovaecclesia. Et quinto nonas Octobris in anno sequenti Conventus intravit in choro, et prima missa celebrata fuit ad magnum altare. Dedicacio Ecclesiæ Tynterniæ, 28 die Jullii. F. littera.—Will. de Worc.
[39]Citeaux—now Gilly-les-Citeaux—so famous for its abbey. “L’abbaye de Citeaux,” says a French tourist, “chef d’ordre d’où dependaient 3,600 couvents de deux sexes, fut fondée par Saint Robert, Abbé de Molesme en 1098.Saint Bernardy prit l’habit en 1113, et y jeta la même année, les fondements de l’abbaye de la Ferté sur Gròne; de celle de Pontigny en 1114; de celles de Clairvaux et de Morimont en 1115, appeléesles quatre filles de Citeaux.” Yet Citeaux, afterwards so famous, was a miserable desert at the arrival of St. Robert and his disciples:—“Qui locus (Cistercium) et pro nemorum, et spinarum tunc temporis opacitate accessui hominum insolitus, a solis feris inhabitabatur. Ad quem Viri Dei venientes locumq. tantó religione quam animo jamque conceperant et propter quam illuc advenerant, habiliorem quanto secularibus despicabiliorem et inaccessibilem intelligentes, nemorum et spinarum densitate prescissa et remota, Monasterium ibidem construere cœperunt.—Mon. Angl. art. Cister.v. iv. 695.
[39]Citeaux—now Gilly-les-Citeaux—so famous for its abbey. “L’abbaye de Citeaux,” says a French tourist, “chef d’ordre d’où dependaient 3,600 couvents de deux sexes, fut fondée par Saint Robert, Abbé de Molesme en 1098.Saint Bernardy prit l’habit en 1113, et y jeta la même année, les fondements de l’abbaye de la Ferté sur Gròne; de celle de Pontigny en 1114; de celles de Clairvaux et de Morimont en 1115, appeléesles quatre filles de Citeaux.” Yet Citeaux, afterwards so famous, was a miserable desert at the arrival of St. Robert and his disciples:—“Qui locus (Cistercium) et pro nemorum, et spinarum tunc temporis opacitate accessui hominum insolitus, a solis feris inhabitabatur. Ad quem Viri Dei venientes locumq. tantó religione quam animo jamque conceperant et propter quam illuc advenerant, habiliorem quanto secularibus despicabiliorem et inaccessibilem intelligentes, nemorum et spinarum densitate prescissa et remota, Monasterium ibidem construere cœperunt.—Mon. Angl. art. Cister.v. iv. 695.
[40]Quia etiam beatum Benedictum non in civitatibus, nec in Castellis aut in villis, sedin locis à frequentia hominum et populi semotis, Cœnobia construisse sancti viri illi sciebant, idem se æmulari promittebant. Et sicut ille monasteria constructa perduodenos monachos adjuncto patredisponebat, sic se acturos confirmabant.—Monast. Angl. ii.; art. Cisterc.Exuti ergo veterem hominem, novum se induisse gaudent: et quia nec in regula nec in vita SanctiBenedictieundem doctorem tegebant possedisse ecclesias, vel altaria seu oblationes aut sepulturas vel decimas aliorum hominum seu furnos vel molendinos aut villas aut rusticos, nec etiam fæminas monasterium ejus intrâsse, nec mortuos ibidem excepta sorore sua sepelisse, ideohæc omnia abdicaverunt, dicentes—ubi beatusBenedictusdocet ut monachus à secularibus actibus se faciat alienum, &c., &c.—Monast. Angl. iv.699.
[40]Quia etiam beatum Benedictum non in civitatibus, nec in Castellis aut in villis, sedin locis à frequentia hominum et populi semotis, Cœnobia construisse sancti viri illi sciebant, idem se æmulari promittebant. Et sicut ille monasteria constructa perduodenos monachos adjuncto patredisponebat, sic se acturos confirmabant.—Monast. Angl. ii.; art. Cisterc.
Exuti ergo veterem hominem, novum se induisse gaudent: et quia nec in regula nec in vita SanctiBenedictieundem doctorem tegebant possedisse ecclesias, vel altaria seu oblationes aut sepulturas vel decimas aliorum hominum seu furnos vel molendinos aut villas aut rusticos, nec etiam fæminas monasterium ejus intrâsse, nec mortuos ibidem excepta sorore sua sepelisse, ideohæc omnia abdicaverunt, dicentes—ubi beatusBenedictusdocet ut monachus à secularibus actibus se faciat alienum, &c., &c.—Monast. Angl. iv.699.
[41]It is added that, when Cœur-de-Lion was about to start for the Holy Land (A.D.1191), Folgius, a bold confessor of the church, exhorted the monarch to dismiss his three daughters before joining the Crusade. “Hypocrite!” said the king, “well thou knowest that I have no daughters.” “My liege,” rejoined the confessor, “you have three—Pride, Avarice, and Luxury.” “Aha!” exclaimed Richard, “why, then, the Templars shall have Pride—the Cistercians, Avarice—and as for Luxury, let my bishops and clergy share her among them, and then they will all be well provided for until my return.”—Thomas’s Tinterne.
[41]It is added that, when Cœur-de-Lion was about to start for the Holy Land (A.D.1191), Folgius, a bold confessor of the church, exhorted the monarch to dismiss his three daughters before joining the Crusade. “Hypocrite!” said the king, “well thou knowest that I have no daughters.” “My liege,” rejoined the confessor, “you have three—Pride, Avarice, and Luxury.” “Aha!” exclaimed Richard, “why, then, the Templars shall have Pride—the Cistercians, Avarice—and as for Luxury, let my bishops and clergy share her among them, and then they will all be well provided for until my return.”—Thomas’s Tinterne.
[42]They became so powerful at last, that they were said to “govern all Christendom;” but, if they did not govern, they had at least an influence in every government and kingdom of Europe. Cardinal de Vetri says, they neither wore skins nor shirts; never ate flesh, except in sickness; and abstained from fish, eggs, milk, and cheese; lay on straw-beds in tunics or cowls; rose at midnight to prayer; spent the day in labour, reading, and prayer; and in all they did, exercised a continual silence.—See Monast. Angl.
[42]They became so powerful at last, that they were said to “govern all Christendom;” but, if they did not govern, they had at least an influence in every government and kingdom of Europe. Cardinal de Vetri says, they neither wore skins nor shirts; never ate flesh, except in sickness; and abstained from fish, eggs, milk, and cheese; lay on straw-beds in tunics or cowls; rose at midnight to prayer; spent the day in labour, reading, and prayer; and in all they did, exercised a continual silence.—See Monast. Angl.
[43]In quoregulasine ulla mitigatione ad apicem servaretur.—Mabillon, quoted by Fosbroke.
[43]In quoregulasine ulla mitigatione ad apicem servaretur.—Mabillon, quoted by Fosbroke.
[44]Brit. Monachism, p. 69.
[44]Brit. Monachism, p. 69.
[45]Dev. Vie Monastique.—Brit. Monachism,note, page 70.
[45]Dev. Vie Monastique.—Brit. Monachism,note, page 70.
[46]De Orig. et Progr. Monach., p. 313, quoted by Fosbroke, p. 70.
[46]De Orig. et Progr. Monach., p. 313, quoted by Fosbroke, p. 70.
[47]“Critics who censure the west window as too broad for its height, do not consider that it was not intended for a particular object, but to harmonize with the general plan; and had the architect diminished the breadth in proportion to the height, the grand effect of the perspective would have been considerably lessened.”—Coxe.
[47]“Critics who censure the west window as too broad for its height, do not consider that it was not intended for a particular object, but to harmonize with the general plan; and had the architect diminished the breadth in proportion to the height, the grand effect of the perspective would have been considerably lessened.”—Coxe.
[48]The following are the ancient admeasurements of the church and cloisters:—Longitudo ecclesiæSanctæ Maria Tynterniæcontinet 75 virgas.Item, in dicta ecclesia sunt ex parte australi 10 archus, et inter quamlibet columnam sunt 5 virgæ longitudinis cujuslibet dictorum 10 arcuum: item sunt in parte inferiori dictæ ecclesiæ ex parte australi 10 fenestræ de consimili operatione. Et 10 fenestræ principales ex parte boreali ecclesiæ, et quælibet fenestra continet duas magnas panellas fenestratas.Item, inle ovyrhistoryesunt consimiliter 10 fenestræ principales, et quælibet fenestra continet duas panas vitratas secundum proportionem, quamvis non secundum quantitatem fenestrarum totius ecclesiæ Westmonasterii apud Londoniam.—Will. de Worc.
[48]The following are the ancient admeasurements of the church and cloisters:—
Longitudo ecclesiæSanctæ Maria Tynterniæcontinet 75 virgas.Item, in dicta ecclesia sunt ex parte australi 10 archus, et inter quamlibet columnam sunt 5 virgæ longitudinis cujuslibet dictorum 10 arcuum: item sunt in parte inferiori dictæ ecclesiæ ex parte australi 10 fenestræ de consimili operatione. Et 10 fenestræ principales ex parte boreali ecclesiæ, et quælibet fenestra continet duas magnas panellas fenestratas.Item, inle ovyrhistoryesunt consimiliter 10 fenestræ principales, et quælibet fenestra continet duas panas vitratas secundum proportionem, quamvis non secundum quantitatem fenestrarum totius ecclesiæ Westmonasterii apud Londoniam.—Will. de Worc.
[49]Latitudoorientalis fenestræante magnum altare, continet 8 pannasglasatascum armisRogeri Bygot, fundatoris. Et in orientali parte duarum elarum orientalium, in earum duabus fenestris, quælibet fenestra constat ex tribus panis vitreatis sine armis. Item longitudoChoriconstat ex iiii. arcubus ultra quantitatem areæ quadratæ campanilis principalis in medio Chori qua; continet ... virgas. Sic in toto longitudo Chori cum area campanilis continet virgas.Item, altitudovoltætotius ecclesiæ ab area ecclesiæ continet xi. Anglicèvetheyms, et quilibet vetheym constat, &c.... pedibus seu ... virgis. Longitudo de leCrosseyle, id est brachiorum ecclesiarum, tam ex parte meridionali quam boreali continet 50 virgas, id est 150 pedes.Item, quadrature spacia areæ campanilis in medioChoriecclesiæ scitæ continet in longitudine 12 virgas.Item, dicta quadratura campanilis continet in latitudine 12 virgas.Item,fenestraprincipalismeridionalisatqueSeptentrionalisvitrea continet vi. pannas glasatas magnæ altitudinis.—Will. de Worc. ed. 1778, Cantab.[with various blanks.]Cloisters.—Ecclesiæ de Tynterna: Memorand.—The Cloysteris 37 virgæ in longit. et in lat. 33 virg.Item, tota eccles. continet 14 archus in una parte et 14 archus in altera parte.Item, pars fenestra borealis principalis 14 panellas glasatas.Item, latitudo dietæ fenestræ tam ex boreali quam oppositæ fenestræ ex parte meridionali continet iii. virgas.Itemthefermarge chyrchcontinet in longitudine 34 virgas, id est 60 steppys meas—quæ sunt 34 virgæ—et in latitudine viii. virgas.Item, capitulum in longitudine continet 18 virgas, in latitudine 9 virgas.Memorand., quod 24 steppys, sive gressus mei, faciunt 12 virgas.Item, 50 virgæ faciunt 85 gradus, sive steppys meas.—Will. de Worc.83.In all its parts, according to Dugdale, this church is a copy of Salisbury Cathedral, built only a few years previously.
[49]Latitudoorientalis fenestræante magnum altare, continet 8 pannasglasatascum armisRogeri Bygot, fundatoris. Et in orientali parte duarum elarum orientalium, in earum duabus fenestris, quælibet fenestra constat ex tribus panis vitreatis sine armis. Item longitudoChoriconstat ex iiii. arcubus ultra quantitatem areæ quadratæ campanilis principalis in medio Chori qua; continet ... virgas. Sic in toto longitudo Chori cum area campanilis continet virgas.Item, altitudovoltætotius ecclesiæ ab area ecclesiæ continet xi. Anglicèvetheyms, et quilibet vetheym constat, &c.... pedibus seu ... virgis. Longitudo de leCrosseyle, id est brachiorum ecclesiarum, tam ex parte meridionali quam boreali continet 50 virgas, id est 150 pedes.Item, quadrature spacia areæ campanilis in medioChoriecclesiæ scitæ continet in longitudine 12 virgas.Item, dicta quadratura campanilis continet in latitudine 12 virgas.Item,fenestraprincipalismeridionalisatqueSeptentrionalisvitrea continet vi. pannas glasatas magnæ altitudinis.—Will. de Worc. ed. 1778, Cantab.[with various blanks.]
Cloisters.—Ecclesiæ de Tynterna: Memorand.—The Cloysteris 37 virgæ in longit. et in lat. 33 virg.Item, tota eccles. continet 14 archus in una parte et 14 archus in altera parte.Item, pars fenestra borealis principalis 14 panellas glasatas.Item, latitudo dietæ fenestræ tam ex boreali quam oppositæ fenestræ ex parte meridionali continet iii. virgas.Itemthefermarge chyrchcontinet in longitudine 34 virgas, id est 60 steppys meas—quæ sunt 34 virgæ—et in latitudine viii. virgas.Item, capitulum in longitudine continet 18 virgas, in latitudine 9 virgas.Memorand., quod 24 steppys, sive gressus mei, faciunt 12 virgas.Item, 50 virgæ faciunt 85 gradus, sive steppys meas.—Will. de Worc.83.
In all its parts, according to Dugdale, this church is a copy of Salisbury Cathedral, built only a few years previously.
[50]Paper on the Abbey. Tinterne, which is coeval with Westminster Abbey, has a remarkable similarity in its whole plan and style of architecture, and was, in fact, arepetitionin miniature.—Dallaway’s Arts, p. 36.
[50]Paper on the Abbey. Tinterne, which is coeval with Westminster Abbey, has a remarkable similarity in its whole plan and style of architecture, and was, in fact, arepetitionin miniature.—Dallaway’s Arts, p. 36.
[51]A barge-builder at Tinterne severed the head from the trunk, and defaced the features, legs, and shield, leaving it in its present mutilated state.—Tinterne and its Environs.
[51]A barge-builder at Tinterne severed the head from the trunk, and defaced the features, legs, and shield, leaving it in its present mutilated state.—Tinterne and its Environs.
[52]In the early Church, “a fish was generally used by Christians as a symbol of the Great Founder of their faith, the letters of the Greek word, ιχθυς (a fish), forming theinitialsof the most important titles of our blessed Lord:”—Ι.Χ.Θ.Υ.Σ.—Pompeïana.Ίησους Χριστὸς Θεου Ύιὸς Σωτηρ
[52]In the early Church, “a fish was generally used by Christians as a symbol of the Great Founder of their faith, the letters of the Greek word, ιχθυς (a fish), forming theinitialsof the most important titles of our blessed Lord:”—Ι.Χ.Θ.Υ.Σ.—Pompeïana.
Ίησους Χριστὸς Θεου Ύιὸς Σωτηρ
Ίησους Χριστὸς Θεου Ύιὸς Σωτηρ
Ίησους Χριστὸς Θεου Ύιὸς Σωτηρ
[53]The naturalist will not leave the area of the Abbey without noticing an alder-tree in the northern transept, covered withaphides, to which a long train of black ants have for some years been observed continually coming and departing through the sacristy door, and pacing along the pediment of one of the lofty columns to the root of the tree. This is the onlyprocessionnow visible in the Abbey, and is formed, not for devotion, but for a lowlier, yet not less imperative purpose—the alder-tree is theirrefectory, and the sweetexuviæof the plant-lice form their food.—Thomas’s Tinterne, p. 26.bHe enumerates the following as indigenous in the fruitful vale of Tinterne:—Delphinium consolida, Aquilegia vulgaris, Saponaria officinalis, Eriophorum polystachion, Galanthus nivalis, Narcissus pseudo-narcyssus, Allium Carinatum, Ornithogalum Pyrennaicum, Acorus calamus, Euphorbia Cyparissias, Anemone pulsatilla, A. Appenina, A. nemorosa.
[53]The naturalist will not leave the area of the Abbey without noticing an alder-tree in the northern transept, covered withaphides, to which a long train of black ants have for some years been observed continually coming and departing through the sacristy door, and pacing along the pediment of one of the lofty columns to the root of the tree. This is the onlyprocessionnow visible in the Abbey, and is formed, not for devotion, but for a lowlier, yet not less imperative purpose—the alder-tree is theirrefectory, and the sweetexuviæof the plant-lice form their food.—Thomas’s Tinterne, p. 26.
bHe enumerates the following as indigenous in the fruitful vale of Tinterne:—Delphinium consolida, Aquilegia vulgaris, Saponaria officinalis, Eriophorum polystachion, Galanthus nivalis, Narcissus pseudo-narcyssus, Allium Carinatum, Ornithogalum Pyrennaicum, Acorus calamus, Euphorbia Cyparissias, Anemone pulsatilla, A. Appenina, A. nemorosa.
[54]If thou would’st view fair Melrose aright,Go visit it by the pale moonlight;For the gay beams of lightsome dayGild but to flout the ruins gray....Then go—but go alone the while—And viewSt. Mary’sruin’d pile;Then, home returning, soothly swearWas never scene so sad and fair!
[54]
If thou would’st view fair Melrose aright,Go visit it by the pale moonlight;For the gay beams of lightsome dayGild but to flout the ruins gray....Then go—but go alone the while—And viewSt. Mary’sruin’d pile;Then, home returning, soothly swearWas never scene so sad and fair!
If thou would’st view fair Melrose aright,Go visit it by the pale moonlight;For the gay beams of lightsome dayGild but to flout the ruins gray....Then go—but go alone the while—And viewSt. Mary’sruin’d pile;Then, home returning, soothly swearWas never scene so sad and fair!
If thou would’st view fair Melrose aright,Go visit it by the pale moonlight;For the gay beams of lightsome dayGild but to flout the ruins gray....Then go—but go alone the while—And viewSt. Mary’sruin’d pile;Then, home returning, soothly swearWas never scene so sad and fair!
[55]Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature.
[55]Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature.
[56]Prædictus conquestor dedit manerium de Wolleston et manerium de Tudenham in parte; et similiter dedit ei licentiam conquerendi super Wallenses postea, &c.—Monast. Angl.iv. 725.
[56]Prædictus conquestor dedit manerium de Wolleston et manerium de Tudenham in parte; et similiter dedit ei licentiam conquerendi super Wallenses postea, &c.—Monast. Angl.iv. 725.
[57]Is bruder SirGileberd, that eir was of the londe,He bitoke mid gode wille the eritage an hond.—Robert of Gloucester.
[57]
Is bruder SirGileberd, that eir was of the londe,He bitoke mid gode wille the eritage an hond.—Robert of Gloucester.
Is bruder SirGileberd, that eir was of the londe,He bitoke mid gode wille the eritage an hond.—Robert of Gloucester.
Is bruder SirGileberd, that eir was of the londe,He bitoke mid gode wille the eritage an hond.—Robert of Gloucester.
[58]Baronage, 208.
[58]Baronage, 208.
[59]“He died untimely,” says the historian, “on the nones of April, 1176, and was buried in the Chapterhouse at Gloucester.”
[59]“He died untimely,” says the historian, “on the nones of April, 1176, and was buried in the Chapterhouse at Gloucester.”
[60]Bar. Monast.
[60]Bar. Monast.
[61]In the “New Temple” or Temple Church, as recorded by Robert of Gloucester:—And WillamMarchaldeide tho, that longe worth in mone,And attenywe templewas iburied at Londone.—Vol. ii. p. 518.
[61]In the “New Temple” or Temple Church, as recorded by Robert of Gloucester:—
And WillamMarchaldeide tho, that longe worth in mone,And attenywe templewas iburied at Londone.—Vol. ii. p. 518.
And WillamMarchaldeide tho, that longe worth in mone,And attenywe templewas iburied at Londone.—Vol. ii. p. 518.
And WillamMarchaldeide tho, that longe worth in mone,And attenywe templewas iburied at Londone.—Vol. ii. p. 518.
[62]Mat. Paris, 1245.
[62]Mat. Paris, 1245.
[63]Bp. of Fernis, a Cistercian monk, and an Irishman by birth.
[63]Bp. of Fernis, a Cistercian monk, and an Irishman by birth.
[64]William, eldest son of the above-named Earl Marshall, gave a charter to the Abbey of Tinterne, dated March 22,A.D.1223. Pro salute animæ meæ et pro animabus bonæ memoriæ Walteri filii Ricardi, filii Guilberti Strongbow, avi mei, et Willielmi Mariscalli, patris mei, et Ysabellæ Matrisque meæ et antecessorum, hæredum et successorum nostrorum.
[64]William, eldest son of the above-named Earl Marshall, gave a charter to the Abbey of Tinterne, dated March 22,A.D.1223. Pro salute animæ meæ et pro animabus bonæ memoriæ Walteri filii Ricardi, filii Guilberti Strongbow, avi mei, et Willielmi Mariscalli, patris mei, et Ysabellæ Matrisque meæ et antecessorum, hæredum et successorum nostrorum.
[65]Dugdale’s Baronage.
[65]Dugdale’s Baronage.
[66]His deeds, assassination, and burial, are thus recorded by Robert of Gloucester:—“As noble bodi in he smot, he nolde longe abide,He slou to ground her and ther, vaste on either side,More prowesse ne mizte of bodi be,Than me mizte ofRichardthemarschalthere ise.”Then describing the nature of the wound given him by an assassin—“in aboute the fondement as he vnarmed was,” adds—“At Kildar he was aslawe that inYrlondeis,And at thefrere prechorsibured, at Kilkenni, iwis.Tho vrKyng Henryhurde of is deth telle,And of the prowesse that he dude, ar me him mizte quelle,And he vnderstod of his wit, and of is wisdom,Him thozte it was a gret love to al is kinedom,Vor is deth he made deol inou, and for is soule he let doAlmes dede mani on, and mani masse al so.”
[66]His deeds, assassination, and burial, are thus recorded by Robert of Gloucester:—
“As noble bodi in he smot, he nolde longe abide,He slou to ground her and ther, vaste on either side,More prowesse ne mizte of bodi be,Than me mizte ofRichardthemarschalthere ise.”
“As noble bodi in he smot, he nolde longe abide,He slou to ground her and ther, vaste on either side,More prowesse ne mizte of bodi be,Than me mizte ofRichardthemarschalthere ise.”
“As noble bodi in he smot, he nolde longe abide,He slou to ground her and ther, vaste on either side,More prowesse ne mizte of bodi be,Than me mizte ofRichardthemarschalthere ise.”
Then describing the nature of the wound given him by an assassin—“in aboute the fondement as he vnarmed was,” adds—
“At Kildar he was aslawe that inYrlondeis,And at thefrere prechorsibured, at Kilkenni, iwis.Tho vrKyng Henryhurde of is deth telle,And of the prowesse that he dude, ar me him mizte quelle,And he vnderstod of his wit, and of is wisdom,Him thozte it was a gret love to al is kinedom,Vor is deth he made deol inou, and for is soule he let doAlmes dede mani on, and mani masse al so.”
“At Kildar he was aslawe that inYrlondeis,And at thefrere prechorsibured, at Kilkenni, iwis.Tho vrKyng Henryhurde of is deth telle,And of the prowesse that he dude, ar me him mizte quelle,And he vnderstod of his wit, and of is wisdom,Him thozte it was a gret love to al is kinedom,Vor is deth he made deol inou, and for is soule he let doAlmes dede mani on, and mani masse al so.”
“At Kildar he was aslawe that inYrlondeis,And at thefrere prechorsibured, at Kilkenni, iwis.Tho vrKyng Henryhurde of is deth telle,And of the prowesse that he dude, ar me him mizte quelle,And he vnderstod of his wit, and of is wisdom,Him thozte it was a gret love to al is kinedom,Vor is deth he made deol inou, and for is soule he let doAlmes dede mani on, and mani masse al so.”
[67]Baronage. Mat. of Paris. Mat. Westm. “Being suspected of overmuch gallantry towards the wife of Llewellyn, Prince of Wales (sister of King Henry), he was by him subtilely invited to an Easter feast, but after the entertainment was over, he was charged therewith, and cast into prison, where he suffered death by a barbarous murder. Some say he was hanged, and the princess with him.”—Dugdale. Bar.419.
[67]Baronage. Mat. of Paris. Mat. Westm. “Being suspected of overmuch gallantry towards the wife of Llewellyn, Prince of Wales (sister of King Henry), he was by him subtilely invited to an Easter feast, but after the entertainment was over, he was charged therewith, and cast into prison, where he suffered death by a barbarous murder. Some say he was hanged, and the princess with him.”—Dugdale. Bar.419.
[68]Rogerus Bygod, Comes Norfolciæ, dedit ecclesiæ de Tynterna dominium de Eccle ac ecclesiam S. Edwardi de Halbergate ē omnibus eorum pertinenciis.
[68]Rogerus Bygod, Comes Norfolciæ, dedit ecclesiæ de Tynterna dominium de Eccle ac ecclesiam S. Edwardi de Halbergate ē omnibus eorum pertinenciis.
[69]The hospitaler was allowed to drink with any orderly person, for the sake of sociality, at the direction and request of that person, without asking leave.—Licet hostilario, etc.
[69]The hospitaler was allowed to drink with any orderly person, for the sake of sociality, at the direction and request of that person, without asking leave.—Licet hostilario, etc.
[70]St. Bernardinduced all his brothers, five in number, to follow his example of retirement. His onlysisterstill remained in the world; but coming to visit themonasteryin the dress, andwith the attendance of a lady of quality, she found herself treated with so much neglect, that, bursting into tears, she said, “True it is, I am a sinner, yet, nevertheless, it was for such thatJesusdied.” Moved by expressions so truly evangelical, Bernard remitted his severity, gave her directions suitable to the taste of the age, and probably still better advice; but all thatGulielmus, the writer here quoted, has thought fit to record, is, that Bernard’s sister became a nun, and resembled her brother in piety.—Life of St. Bernard.
[70]St. Bernardinduced all his brothers, five in number, to follow his example of retirement. His onlysisterstill remained in the world; but coming to visit themonasteryin the dress, andwith the attendance of a lady of quality, she found herself treated with so much neglect, that, bursting into tears, she said, “True it is, I am a sinner, yet, nevertheless, it was for such thatJesusdied.” Moved by expressions so truly evangelical, Bernard remitted his severity, gave her directions suitable to the taste of the age, and probably still better advice; but all thatGulielmus, the writer here quoted, has thought fit to record, is, that Bernard’s sister became a nun, and resembled her brother in piety.—Life of St. Bernard.
[71]Brit. Monach.: art.Guest-Hall.
[71]Brit. Monach.: art.Guest-Hall.
[72]“From due oblation, at the vaulted door,The enteringmonksstood, each one with his mate,At the two tables of the lowest floor,Their looks directing to the spiry stateOf chair much sculptured, where thePriorsate;To this, where transversely, a board was spread,Inferior lordlings of the convent ate;As passed the Prior, all depressed the head;Loud rang a tinkling bell, and wonted grace was said.”
[72]
“From due oblation, at the vaulted door,The enteringmonksstood, each one with his mate,At the two tables of the lowest floor,Their looks directing to the spiry stateOf chair much sculptured, where thePriorsate;To this, where transversely, a board was spread,Inferior lordlings of the convent ate;As passed the Prior, all depressed the head;Loud rang a tinkling bell, and wonted grace was said.”
“From due oblation, at the vaulted door,The enteringmonksstood, each one with his mate,At the two tables of the lowest floor,Their looks directing to the spiry stateOf chair much sculptured, where thePriorsate;To this, where transversely, a board was spread,Inferior lordlings of the convent ate;As passed the Prior, all depressed the head;Loud rang a tinkling bell, and wonted grace was said.”
“From due oblation, at the vaulted door,The enteringmonksstood, each one with his mate,At the two tables of the lowest floor,Their looks directing to the spiry stateOf chair much sculptured, where thePriorsate;To this, where transversely, a board was spread,Inferior lordlings of the convent ate;As passed the Prior, all depressed the head;Loud rang a tinkling bell, and wonted grace was said.”
[73]“ThePriorgave the signal word; aloudThe reader ’gan the love of God reveal;At the first stated pause, the holy crowdTurned to the board in instantaneous wheel,And solemn silence marked their instant meal;The Prior to the reader bow’d, againThey turned; theSacristrang a tinkling peal,Last grace was said; and, carolling a strainOf David, two and two withdrew the hooded train.”Brit. Monach.—Monastic Æconomy, 401.
[73]
“ThePriorgave the signal word; aloudThe reader ’gan the love of God reveal;At the first stated pause, the holy crowdTurned to the board in instantaneous wheel,And solemn silence marked their instant meal;The Prior to the reader bow’d, againThey turned; theSacristrang a tinkling peal,Last grace was said; and, carolling a strainOf David, two and two withdrew the hooded train.”Brit. Monach.—Monastic Æconomy, 401.
“ThePriorgave the signal word; aloudThe reader ’gan the love of God reveal;At the first stated pause, the holy crowdTurned to the board in instantaneous wheel,And solemn silence marked their instant meal;The Prior to the reader bow’d, againThey turned; theSacristrang a tinkling peal,Last grace was said; and, carolling a strainOf David, two and two withdrew the hooded train.”Brit. Monach.—Monastic Æconomy, 401.
“ThePriorgave the signal word; aloudThe reader ’gan the love of God reveal;At the first stated pause, the holy crowdTurned to the board in instantaneous wheel,And solemn silence marked their instant meal;The Prior to the reader bow’d, againThey turned; theSacristrang a tinkling peal,Last grace was said; and, carolling a strainOf David, two and two withdrew the hooded train.”Brit. Monach.—Monastic Æconomy, 401.
[74]“At noon-hour—did no fleshless day betide—On posied trenchers the plain cates were spread,The snow-white egg, the fish’s corned side,Domestic fowl, by barn-door plenty fed,And, best of nutriment, fermented bread;No thirst was theirs but what that juice could pall,The sugar’d ears of bearded barley shed;An aged monk was marshal of the hall,There walking to and fro, the servitours to call.”—Poem quoted.
[74]
“At noon-hour—did no fleshless day betide—On posied trenchers the plain cates were spread,The snow-white egg, the fish’s corned side,Domestic fowl, by barn-door plenty fed,And, best of nutriment, fermented bread;No thirst was theirs but what that juice could pall,The sugar’d ears of bearded barley shed;An aged monk was marshal of the hall,There walking to and fro, the servitours to call.”—Poem quoted.
“At noon-hour—did no fleshless day betide—On posied trenchers the plain cates were spread,The snow-white egg, the fish’s corned side,Domestic fowl, by barn-door plenty fed,And, best of nutriment, fermented bread;No thirst was theirs but what that juice could pall,The sugar’d ears of bearded barley shed;An aged monk was marshal of the hall,There walking to and fro, the servitours to call.”—Poem quoted.
“At noon-hour—did no fleshless day betide—On posied trenchers the plain cates were spread,The snow-white egg, the fish’s corned side,Domestic fowl, by barn-door plenty fed,And, best of nutriment, fermented bread;No thirst was theirs but what that juice could pall,The sugar’d ears of bearded barley shed;An aged monk was marshal of the hall,There walking to and fro, the servitours to call.”—Poem quoted.
[75]Pinguia concedens quæ suntaffinia carni,Sic tamen ut nunquam sitmanifestacaro.—Spec. Stultor.Brit. Mon.
[75]
Pinguia concedens quæ suntaffinia carni,Sic tamen ut nunquam sitmanifestacaro.—Spec. Stultor.Brit. Mon.
Pinguia concedens quæ suntaffinia carni,Sic tamen ut nunquam sitmanifestacaro.—Spec. Stultor.Brit. Mon.
Pinguia concedens quæ suntaffinia carni,Sic tamen ut nunquam sitmanifestacaro.—Spec. Stultor.Brit. Mon.
[76]“Nullus et monachus habeat colloquium cum maliere cognata aut extranea, in temporibus indebitis, sicut, prandii, et coenæ, et horæ meridianæ, aut tempore potûs assiguati.”—MS. Cott. Jul. II. 2. f. 159.Quoted by Fosbroke, p. 220.
[76]“Nullus et monachus habeat colloquium cum maliere cognata aut extranea, in temporibus indebitis, sicut, prandii, et coenæ, et horæ meridianæ, aut tempore potûs assiguati.”—MS. Cott. Jul. II. 2. f. 159.Quoted by Fosbroke, p. 220.
[77]Seeante op. cit.
[77]Seeante op. cit.
[78]Brit. Monach. new Ed. p. 287.
[78]Brit. Monach. new Ed. p. 287.