DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0079
WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
47
But Dunstan seems not to have trusted entirely to his own power over the
royal mind, to incite it to acts of pious munificence, as it appears that he called
in the aid of the papal authority, to give an added ardour to the king's beneficent
disposition, by applying to the court of Rome to issue a bull for that purpose.
Pope John XIII. accordingly, in compliance with the request of Dunstan, ad-
dressed a letter to Edgar, dated at Ravenna, which begins thus: " Johannes, Epis-
copus Romce, Edgaro filio suo," &c. On the receipt of this bull, the king published
a charter, by which, after reciting the history of the church, the princes who had
been its benefactors, and the bull of Pope John, he confirms the former grants of
Hame, Winnington, Fentyn, Aldenham, Blakenham, or Bleccenham, and Loyerlege;
and then adds, as his own royal gift to the monastery, the following estates*.
At what time the mark was increased to thirteen shillings and four-pence is uncertain: it is known,
however, to have obtained that current worth in 1194, in the reign of King John. Camden is of
opinion, that the mancus and the mark are the same coin, as manca and mancusa are translated mark
in several ancient authors.
* That Dunstan was a distinguished friend to, and patron of, the Church of Westminster, is an
indisputable fact; and that, from his high ecclesiastical stations, popular character, and the influ-
ence he had acquired over some of the princes in whose time he lived, he possessed the most ample
means of fulfilling his wishes respecting it, must be equally acknowledged. Edgar seems to have
been especially devoted to him. "It is you, Dunstan," said that monarch, in a council of the
prelates and heads of religious houses; "it is you, by whose advice I have founded monasteries,
" built churches, and expended my treasure in the support of religion and religious houses. You were
" my counsellor and assistant in all my schemes : you were the director of my conscience: to you I
" was obedient in all things. When did you call for supplies which I refused you ? Was my as-
" sistance ever wanting to the poor? Did I deny support and establishments to the clergy and the
" convents? Did I not hearken to your instructions, who told me, that these charities were, of all
" others, the most grateful to my Maker ; and fixed a perpetual fund for the support of religion ?"
Sec. Sec.
47
But Dunstan seems not to have trusted entirely to his own power over the
royal mind, to incite it to acts of pious munificence, as it appears that he called
in the aid of the papal authority, to give an added ardour to the king's beneficent
disposition, by applying to the court of Rome to issue a bull for that purpose.
Pope John XIII. accordingly, in compliance with the request of Dunstan, ad-
dressed a letter to Edgar, dated at Ravenna, which begins thus: " Johannes, Epis-
copus Romce, Edgaro filio suo," &c. On the receipt of this bull, the king published
a charter, by which, after reciting the history of the church, the princes who had
been its benefactors, and the bull of Pope John, he confirms the former grants of
Hame, Winnington, Fentyn, Aldenham, Blakenham, or Bleccenham, and Loyerlege;
and then adds, as his own royal gift to the monastery, the following estates*.
At what time the mark was increased to thirteen shillings and four-pence is uncertain: it is known,
however, to have obtained that current worth in 1194, in the reign of King John. Camden is of
opinion, that the mancus and the mark are the same coin, as manca and mancusa are translated mark
in several ancient authors.
* That Dunstan was a distinguished friend to, and patron of, the Church of Westminster, is an
indisputable fact; and that, from his high ecclesiastical stations, popular character, and the influ-
ence he had acquired over some of the princes in whose time he lived, he possessed the most ample
means of fulfilling his wishes respecting it, must be equally acknowledged. Edgar seems to have
been especially devoted to him. "It is you, Dunstan," said that monarch, in a council of the
prelates and heads of religious houses; "it is you, by whose advice I have founded monasteries,
" built churches, and expended my treasure in the support of religion and religious houses. You were
" my counsellor and assistant in all my schemes : you were the director of my conscience: to you I
" was obedient in all things. When did you call for supplies which I refused you ? Was my as-
" sistance ever wanting to the poor? Did I deny support and establishments to the clergy and the
" convents? Did I not hearken to your instructions, who told me, that these charities were, of all
" others, the most grateful to my Maker ; and fixed a perpetual fund for the support of religion ?"
Sec. Sec.