Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066 -- Sources
“In the 18th year of Lanfranc’s prelacy, on the death of King William
beyond sea, he acknowledged his son William, as he had done his father,
and consecrated and crowned him in St. Peter’s Church, which is in
the western part of London. The same year, and at his metropolitan
city of Canterbury, he examined and consecrated Godfrey as Bishop of
Chichester, Wido also as Abbot of St. Augustine’s and John as Bishop of
Wells. The next day Lanfranc, on his own authority, and taking with him
Odo Bishop of Baieux the King’s brother, who was then at Canterbury,
conducted the Abbot Wido to St. Augustine’s and commanded the Brothers
of the Order to receive him as their own Abbot and Pastor; but they,
with one accord, answered that they would neither submit to him nor
receive him. Thus Lanfranc came leading the Abbot, and when he found
that the Monks were obstinate in resistance, and that they would not
obey him, he commanded that all the refractory should come out one by
one. When therefore nearly all had left the monastery, Lanfranc and his
suite led in the Abbot with much pomp, placed him in the chair, and
delivered the church up to him. He also seized the Prior, Elfrin by
name, and as many others as he thought fit, and he put them forthwith
into claustral imprisonment at Canterbury; but he sent those who had
the greatest influence, and were the authors of this scandal, to the
castle to be confined there. After he had returned home having finished
all, he was informed that the monks who had left the monastery were
assembled, near St. Mildred’s church. Hereupon he sent to them, saying,
that if they would, they might return to the church before the 9th
hour, but that if they delayed longer, they would not be allowed free
entrance, but be treated as renegadoes. Having heard this message they
doubted whether to return or to remain, but at the hour of refection,
when they became anhungered, many repenting of their obstinacy sent to
Lanfranc and promised submission. These he treated with lenity, and
desired that they should return directly and confirm by oath their
profession of obedience to the aforesaid Abbot. Thus they returned and
swore faithfulness and obedience to the Abbot Wido, upon the relics of
St. Augustine. Lanfranc seized those who remained behind and placed
them in various monasteries of England, confining them till he brought
them to profess their submission. About the same time he seized one
of them named Ælfred, who had attempted to flee, and confined him
loaded with irons at Canterbury, together with some of his fellows: and
he exercised upon them the utmost severity of their order. But when
these monks were thought to be sufficiently humbled and had promised
amendment, Lanfranc taking pity on them, had them brought from the
several places whither he had banished them, and reconciled them to
their Abbot.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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