DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0160
128 HISTORY OF
RICHARD DE BERKING,
Having been bred a monk of this church, was advanced to the office of
prior, and afterwards elevated to the dignity of abbot. He availed himself of
the liberty he enjoyed from the award of the arbitrators so lately mentioned; and
preferred the inauguratory benediction of the Bishop of Winchester to that of the
Bishop of London, which he received on the 18th of September, 1222*.
In the same year, according to Matthew Paris-f-, though a contemporary
author mentions the circumstance as having occurred in the year following}:, a
furious quarrel took place between the citizens of London and the people of
the abbey; which, as it became a very serious affair, and is mentioned by all the
historians, demands a particular attention.
On St. James's day, it was usual for the citizens of London and the
suburbians of Westminster to contend in wrestling and other sports of strength
and activity. On this occasion, the Londoners having proved victorious in their
several contests, the steward of the abbey, who was mortified at the event, and
zealous for the honour of his neighbours, appointed another trial of skill on the
1st of August; when, having secretly armed his people, they employed the
advantage which they possessed in ill-treating the citizens; who, not suspecting
the design, were by no means prepared to contend against such a stratagem.
Irritated at this unmanly treatment, the latter hurried back into the city, rang
the alarum-bell, and having assembled a numerous body of the Londoners,
began to deliberate in what manner they should revenge the affront which had
been received.
The mayor, whose name was Serle, manifested his prudence and discretion
by advising them to apply to the abbot, who would inflict a punishment on the
* Matt. Westminster.
+ P. 315.
% Chronicon de Dunstaplt.
RICHARD DE BERKING,
Having been bred a monk of this church, was advanced to the office of
prior, and afterwards elevated to the dignity of abbot. He availed himself of
the liberty he enjoyed from the award of the arbitrators so lately mentioned; and
preferred the inauguratory benediction of the Bishop of Winchester to that of the
Bishop of London, which he received on the 18th of September, 1222*.
In the same year, according to Matthew Paris-f-, though a contemporary
author mentions the circumstance as having occurred in the year following}:, a
furious quarrel took place between the citizens of London and the people of
the abbey; which, as it became a very serious affair, and is mentioned by all the
historians, demands a particular attention.
On St. James's day, it was usual for the citizens of London and the
suburbians of Westminster to contend in wrestling and other sports of strength
and activity. On this occasion, the Londoners having proved victorious in their
several contests, the steward of the abbey, who was mortified at the event, and
zealous for the honour of his neighbours, appointed another trial of skill on the
1st of August; when, having secretly armed his people, they employed the
advantage which they possessed in ill-treating the citizens; who, not suspecting
the design, were by no means prepared to contend against such a stratagem.
Irritated at this unmanly treatment, the latter hurried back into the city, rang
the alarum-bell, and having assembled a numerous body of the Londoners,
began to deliberate in what manner they should revenge the affront which had
been received.
The mayor, whose name was Serle, manifested his prudence and discretion
by advising them to apply to the abbot, who would inflict a punishment on the
* Matt. Westminster.
+ P. 315.
% Chronicon de Dunstaplt.