DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0213
WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 181
death, which took place in the year 1315. His successor, in the hope of evading
the remaining payment, pleaded that Pope Clement V.* to whom the engagement
was made, had ordered, that all monies due to him at his death, which happened
in 1314, should be remitted. But this plea, though it had the powerful support
of the king, was effectually resisted. At length, however, about the year 1320,
when five thousand five hundred florins had been paid, Pope John XXII. was
pleased to forego the remaining part of the original sum.
While the business of the confirmation was depanding, some irregular transac-
tions, as might be expected, took place in the monastery : the king accordingly
. issued out a commission to five persons-]-, all or most of them judges, to visit the
abbey, to investigate the causes of the prevailing discontents, and to punish the
persons with whom they originated.
De Sudbury is said to have followed the steps and consulted the honour of his
predecessor De Wenlock in the whole of his conduct; which indeed might natu-
rally be expected of him, as his election was carried by the friends and favourites
of that person.
The character of this abbot, and the great debt which he had contracted for
his confirmation, as well as the disposition of the then reigning prince, Edward II.
combine to check any expectation that this monastery would receive any pecu-
liar advantage from his administration of it. Flete remarks, that he did not leave
any fund for an anniversary service to commemorate him, and that he was almost
the only abbot who did not make a provision of this kind; but as he owed more
than he was able to pay, it may be presumed that it was owing rather/ to his po-
verty than his humility, that he appears so inattentive to posthumous honours.
He died April 9, 1315, having been abbot upwards of seven years, and was
* Rymer's Feed. torn. III. p. 679.
+ Archives of the Church.
death, which took place in the year 1315. His successor, in the hope of evading
the remaining payment, pleaded that Pope Clement V.* to whom the engagement
was made, had ordered, that all monies due to him at his death, which happened
in 1314, should be remitted. But this plea, though it had the powerful support
of the king, was effectually resisted. At length, however, about the year 1320,
when five thousand five hundred florins had been paid, Pope John XXII. was
pleased to forego the remaining part of the original sum.
While the business of the confirmation was depanding, some irregular transac-
tions, as might be expected, took place in the monastery : the king accordingly
. issued out a commission to five persons-]-, all or most of them judges, to visit the
abbey, to investigate the causes of the prevailing discontents, and to punish the
persons with whom they originated.
De Sudbury is said to have followed the steps and consulted the honour of his
predecessor De Wenlock in the whole of his conduct; which indeed might natu-
rally be expected of him, as his election was carried by the friends and favourites
of that person.
The character of this abbot, and the great debt which he had contracted for
his confirmation, as well as the disposition of the then reigning prince, Edward II.
combine to check any expectation that this monastery would receive any pecu-
liar advantage from his administration of it. Flete remarks, that he did not leave
any fund for an anniversary service to commemorate him, and that he was almost
the only abbot who did not make a provision of this kind; but as he owed more
than he was able to pay, it may be presumed that it was owing rather/ to his po-
verty than his humility, that he appears so inattentive to posthumous honours.
He died April 9, 1315, having been abbot upwards of seven years, and was
* Rymer's Feed. torn. III. p. 679.
+ Archives of the Church.