What that sentence was no one outside the royal council-chamber ever really knew. It was one thing to determine it there and another to deliver it to its victim, sitting alone and unmoved with the sign of victory in his hand. With the utmost reluctance and hesitation the old justiciar, Earl Robert of Leicester, came to perform his odious task. At the word “judgement” Thomas started up, with uplifted crucifix and flashing eyes, forbade the speaker to proceed, and solemnly appealed to the protection of the court of Rome. The justiciar and his companions retired in silence.[188] “I too will go, for the hour is past,” said Thomas.[189] Cross in hand he strode past the speechless group of bishops into the outer hall; the courtiers followed him with a torrent of insults, which were taken up by the squires and serving-men outside; as he stumbled against a pile of faggots set ready for the fire, Ralf de Broc rushed upon him with a shout of “Traitor! traitor!”[190] The king’s half-brother, Count Hameline, echoed the cry;[191] but he shrank back at the primate’s retort--“Were I a knight instead of a priest, this hand should prove thee a liar!”[192] Amid a storm of abuse Thomas made his way into the court-yard and sprang upon his horse, taking up his faithful Herbert behind him.[193] The outer gate was locked, but a squire of the archbishop managed to find the keys.[194] Whether there was any real intention of stopping his egress it seems impossible to determine; the king and his counsellors were apparently too much puzzled to do anything but let matters take their course; Henry indeed sent down a herald to quell the disturbance and forbid all violence to the primate;[195] but the precaution came too late. Once outside the gates, Thomas had no need of such protection. From the mob of hooting enemies within he passed into the midst of a crowd of poor folk who pressed upon him with every demonstration of rapturous affection; in every street as he rode along the people came out to throw themselves at his feet and beg his blessing. [188] Garnier (Hippeau), p. 67. Will. Cant. (as above), pp. 38, 39. Alan Tewkesb. (_ib._ vol. ii.), pp. 332, 333. E. Grim (_ibid._), pp. 397, 398. Will. Fitz-Steph. (_ib._ vol. iii.), pp. 67, 68. Herb. Bosh. (_ibid._), pp. 309, 310. Anon. I. (_ib._ vol. iv.), pp. 50, 51. Cf. _Thomas Saga_ (Magnusson), vol. i. p. 221, where the altercation is longer, but comes to the same end. [189] Anon. I. (as above), p. 51. [190] Garnier (Hippeau), p. 68. Will. Cant. (Robertson, _Becket_, vol. i.), p. 39. E. Grim (_ib._ vol. ii.), p. 398. Anon. I. (_ib._ vol. iv.), pp. 51, 52. Cf. Will. Fitz-Steph. (_ib._ vol. iii.), p. 68. [191] Garnier and Will. Cant. as above. Anon. I. (as above), p. 52.