DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0103
WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 71
He likewise grants them liberty over their lands in the eity of London, which
he exempts from all municipal jurisdiction. This charter is directed to William,
Bishop, and Leofstan and Alfwy, Portreves, and all his burgesses in London.
These charters, conferring such especial liberties, are followed by two others to
the same purpose.
BENEFACTIONS SUBSEQUENT TO THE TIME OF EDWARD THE CONFESSOR,
AND PREVIOUS TO THAT OF HENRY III.
The reign of Harold was too short to admit of any display of public bene-
ficence. One act of piety, at least, is recorded of him, which was the endowment
of a religious institution at Waltham, in Essex. His successor, however, has
been ranked among the best friends and most generous patrons of Westminster
Abbey.
William I. better known by the name of the Conqueror, is said, on his
arrival in London, after the defeat and death of Harold, to have immediately
visited this church, to return thanks for the victory which he had obtained, as
well as to mark his regard to the memory of Edward the Confessor. He is
accordingly represented to have offered a rich pall to lay on the tomb of that
monarch, with two of inferior value, as well as fifty marks of silver; and to have
presented to the high altar a rich altar-cloth and two caskets of gold.
The mind of this prince never slept amidst the difficulties of his situation, and
his political sagacity was ever awake to the means of lessening or overcoming
them. Till he thought himself firmly established on the throne, the state, the
" domus invasionem, et mercatus interceptionem, in festo ct extra feslum, in burgo et extra, tam
" plene et libere quam agomet ipse habui. Et nolo ut liceat, quod quivis homo liabeat jus inipendi
" aliquod in illius terram, vel illius homines, sive in littore, sive in terra, nisi ipse abbas ad hujus
" monastcrii usum. Deus vos conservat."
He likewise grants them liberty over their lands in the eity of London, which
he exempts from all municipal jurisdiction. This charter is directed to William,
Bishop, and Leofstan and Alfwy, Portreves, and all his burgesses in London.
These charters, conferring such especial liberties, are followed by two others to
the same purpose.
BENEFACTIONS SUBSEQUENT TO THE TIME OF EDWARD THE CONFESSOR,
AND PREVIOUS TO THAT OF HENRY III.
The reign of Harold was too short to admit of any display of public bene-
ficence. One act of piety, at least, is recorded of him, which was the endowment
of a religious institution at Waltham, in Essex. His successor, however, has
been ranked among the best friends and most generous patrons of Westminster
Abbey.
William I. better known by the name of the Conqueror, is said, on his
arrival in London, after the defeat and death of Harold, to have immediately
visited this church, to return thanks for the victory which he had obtained, as
well as to mark his regard to the memory of Edward the Confessor. He is
accordingly represented to have offered a rich pall to lay on the tomb of that
monarch, with two of inferior value, as well as fifty marks of silver; and to have
presented to the high altar a rich altar-cloth and two caskets of gold.
The mind of this prince never slept amidst the difficulties of his situation, and
his political sagacity was ever awake to the means of lessening or overcoming
them. Till he thought himself firmly established on the throne, the state, the
" domus invasionem, et mercatus interceptionem, in festo ct extra feslum, in burgo et extra, tam
" plene et libere quam agomet ipse habui. Et nolo ut liceat, quod quivis homo liabeat jus inipendi
" aliquod in illius terram, vel illius homines, sive in littore, sive in terra, nisi ipse abbas ad hujus
" monastcrii usum. Deus vos conservat."