DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0210
178 HISTORY OF
monks of the crime; and some of them consider the whole of it as a political
pretext for employing irregular means in order to carry on the Scotch war*.
In September, 1305, when King Edward proposed that a pacification should
take place with Scotland, which had lately been rendered subject to his arms, he
appointed two English earls, with as many bishops and abbots, as well as several
lay barons, to meet the Scottish commissioners at the New Temple, in order to
settle the form of it. De Wenlock was named, as one of the English abbots, to
assist in this interesting transaction.
In 1307, which was the last year of this abbot's life, a contention arose in the
house on the following occasion. It has been already related that a composition
had taken place between the abbot and monks in the time of Abbot Berkyng-f-;
and, after much domestic dispute, which was renewed by his successor De Crokes-
ley, it had been confirmed by the pope as well as by the king. De Wenlock,
however, having neglected to observe some of the conditions which he was bound
to fulfil, the prior had frequently remonstrated to him on his neglect; and finding
himself altogether disregarded on the subject, he at length thought it his duty to ap-
peal to the pope. The abbot felt, in a high degree, this indignity from an inferior
officer in his monastery; and not only deprived the prior of his situation, but ex-
communicated him, as well as a monk who had adhered to him in forwarding the
appeal: and, being determined to maintain his point against them, he gave two
hundred pounds to Pierce Gaveston, the powerful and obnoxious favourite of the
king, to secure the sovereign's interest in his favour. At the same time, to prje-
* In the year 1303, the Exchequer was robbed of no less a sum than one hundred thousand
pounds, as is pretended. The abbot and monks of Westminster were indicted for this robbery, but
acquitted. It does not appear that the king ever discovered the criminals with certainty; though his
indignation fell on the society of Lombard merchants, particularly the Frescobaldi, very opulent
Florentines.—Hume's Hist.
+ Archives of the Church.
monks of the crime; and some of them consider the whole of it as a political
pretext for employing irregular means in order to carry on the Scotch war*.
In September, 1305, when King Edward proposed that a pacification should
take place with Scotland, which had lately been rendered subject to his arms, he
appointed two English earls, with as many bishops and abbots, as well as several
lay barons, to meet the Scottish commissioners at the New Temple, in order to
settle the form of it. De Wenlock was named, as one of the English abbots, to
assist in this interesting transaction.
In 1307, which was the last year of this abbot's life, a contention arose in the
house on the following occasion. It has been already related that a composition
had taken place between the abbot and monks in the time of Abbot Berkyng-f-;
and, after much domestic dispute, which was renewed by his successor De Crokes-
ley, it had been confirmed by the pope as well as by the king. De Wenlock,
however, having neglected to observe some of the conditions which he was bound
to fulfil, the prior had frequently remonstrated to him on his neglect; and finding
himself altogether disregarded on the subject, he at length thought it his duty to ap-
peal to the pope. The abbot felt, in a high degree, this indignity from an inferior
officer in his monastery; and not only deprived the prior of his situation, but ex-
communicated him, as well as a monk who had adhered to him in forwarding the
appeal: and, being determined to maintain his point against them, he gave two
hundred pounds to Pierce Gaveston, the powerful and obnoxious favourite of the
king, to secure the sovereign's interest in his favour. At the same time, to prje-
* In the year 1303, the Exchequer was robbed of no less a sum than one hundred thousand
pounds, as is pretended. The abbot and monks of Westminster were indicted for this robbery, but
acquitted. It does not appear that the king ever discovered the criminals with certainty; though his
indignation fell on the society of Lombard merchants, particularly the Frescobaldi, very opulent
Florentines.—Hume's Hist.
+ Archives of the Church.