At the gate he took his cross from the attendant who usually bore it, and went forward alone to the hall where the bishops and barons were assembled.[177] They fell back in amazement at the apparition of the tall solitary figure, robed in full pontificals, and carrying the crucifix like an uplifted banner prepared at once for defence and for defiance; friends and opponents were almost equally shocked, and it was not till he had passed through their midst and seated himself in a corner of the hall that the bishops recovered sufficiently to gather round him and intreat that he would give up his unbecoming burthen. Thomas refused; “he would not lay down his standard, he would not part with his shield.” “A fool you ever were, a fool I see you are still and will be to the end,” burst out Gilbert Foliot at last, as after a long argument he turned impatiently away.[178] The others followed him, and the primate was left with only two companions, William Fitz-Stephen and his own especial friend, Herbert of Bosham.[179] The king had retired to an inner chamber and was there deliberating with his most intimate counsellors[180] when the story of the primate’s entrance reached his ears. He took it as an unpardonable insult, and caused Thomas to be proclaimed a traitor. Warnings and threats ran confusedly through the hall. The archbishop bent over the disciple sitting at his feet:--“For thee I fear--yet fear not thou; even now mayest thou share my crown.” The ardent encouragement with which Herbert answered him[181] provoked one of the king’s marshals to interfere and forbid that any one should speak to the “traitor.” William Fitz-Stephen, who had been vainly striving to put in a gentle word, caught his primate’s eyes and pointed to the crucifix, intrusting to its silent eloquence the lesson of patience and prayer which his lips were forbidden to utter. When he and Thomas, after long separation, met again in the land of exile, that speechless admonition seems to have been the first thing which recurred to the minds of both.[182] [177] Garnier (Hippeau), p. 60. Will. Fitz-Steph. (Robertson, _Becket_, vol. iii.), p. 57. Herb. Bosh. (_ibid._), p. 304. Alan Tewkesb. (_ib._ vol. ii.), p. 330. _Thomas Saga_ (as above), p. 209. [178] Garnier (Hippeau), pp. 60, 61. Will. Cant. (as above), p. 34. Alan Tewkesb. (_ib._ vol. ii.), p. 330. E. Grim (_ibid._), p. 394. Will. Fitz-Steph. (_ib._ vol. iii.), p. 57. Herb. Bosh. (_ibid._), pp. 305, 306. Anon. I. (_ib._ vol. iv.), pp. 46, 47. _Thomas Saga_ (as above), pp. 211–213. [179] Will. Cant. (Robertson, _Becket_, vol. i.), p. 34. Herb. Bosh. (_ib._ vol. iii.), p. 307. They only mention Herbert; William’s presence appears in the sequel.