DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0095
WESTMINSTER ABBEY. m
some degree, be considered as the last act of his life, was the consecration of it.
Accordingly, at the close of the year 1065, he is said to have summoned a great
council, to confirm the charter by which he endowed the royal foundation; when
Queen Editha, with all the lords both spiritual and temporal, assisted at the
solemnity.
The charter, after the recital of the pope's bull, contains this clause :—" The
" king, for the expiation of his own vow, and also for the souls of the kings his
" predecessors, as well as successors, has granted to Westminster Abbey all man-
" ner of liberty, as far as earthly power could reach; and that for the love of God,
" by whose mercy he was placed on the royal throne : and now, by the council
" and decree of the archbishops, bishops, earls, and others of his great men;
" and for the benefit and advantage of the said church, and all those who should
" belong to it, he has granted these privileges following, not only in present, but
" for future times." Then succeeds an exemption from all episcopal jurisdiction;
and also another clause, where he grants it the privilege of sanctuary :—" So that
" any one, of whatsoever condition he be, or for whatsoever cause, who shall fly
" unto that holy place, or the precincts thereof, shall be free and obtain full
" liberty." It concludes in the following manner:—" I have commanded this
" charter to be written and sealed; and have also signed it with my hand, with
" the sign of the cross, and have ordered fit witnesses to subscribe it, for its greater
" corroboration." The king's subscription then follows in these words :—" Ego
*' Edwardus, Deo largiente, Anglorum rex, signum venerandoe crucis impressi."
at the very gates of Rome. This high language, it is said, greatly astonished the pope; but he was
too well acquainted with the character of Tosti, which was daring, impetuous, and without principle,
not to apprehend that he would carry his threats into execution. An accommodation, therefore,
took place between them.
some degree, be considered as the last act of his life, was the consecration of it.
Accordingly, at the close of the year 1065, he is said to have summoned a great
council, to confirm the charter by which he endowed the royal foundation; when
Queen Editha, with all the lords both spiritual and temporal, assisted at the
solemnity.
The charter, after the recital of the pope's bull, contains this clause :—" The
" king, for the expiation of his own vow, and also for the souls of the kings his
" predecessors, as well as successors, has granted to Westminster Abbey all man-
" ner of liberty, as far as earthly power could reach; and that for the love of God,
" by whose mercy he was placed on the royal throne : and now, by the council
" and decree of the archbishops, bishops, earls, and others of his great men;
" and for the benefit and advantage of the said church, and all those who should
" belong to it, he has granted these privileges following, not only in present, but
" for future times." Then succeeds an exemption from all episcopal jurisdiction;
and also another clause, where he grants it the privilege of sanctuary :—" So that
" any one, of whatsoever condition he be, or for whatsoever cause, who shall fly
" unto that holy place, or the precincts thereof, shall be free and obtain full
" liberty." It concludes in the following manner:—" I have commanded this
" charter to be written and sealed; and have also signed it with my hand, with
" the sign of the cross, and have ordered fit witnesses to subscribe it, for its greater
" corroboration." The king's subscription then follows in these words :—" Ego
*' Edwardus, Deo largiente, Anglorum rex, signum venerandoe crucis impressi."
at the very gates of Rome. This high language, it is said, greatly astonished the pope; but he was
too well acquainted with the character of Tosti, which was daring, impetuous, and without principle,
not to apprehend that he would carry his threats into execution. An accommodation, therefore,
took place between them.