[164] “Teste Rege, apud Westmonasterium, 1º die Octobris [1399].” Rymer’s “Fœdera.” [165] See, for an example of a hermit settled at the corner of a bridge, an Act of resumption which formally excepts a grant of 14s. yearly to the “Heremyte of the Brigge of Loyne and his successours,” 4 Ed. IV, “Rolls of Parliament,” v. p. 546. Another example is to be found in J. Britton, “On Ancient Gate-houses,” “Memoirs illustrative of the History of Norfolk,” London, Archæological Institute, 1851, p. 137, where hermits are mentioned who lived on Bishop’s Bridge, Norwich, in the thirteenth century and after. [166] See before, pp. 41 ff. [167] See above as to the part taken by the clergy in the collection of offerings, and in the care and maintenance of bridges, chap. i. [168] 12 Rich. II, chap. vii, “Statutes of the Realm.” A sample of a hermit’s vow, with an analysis of a fourteenth-century text describing the ceremony for the consecration of a hermit, is in E. L. Cutts, “Scenes and Characters of the Middle Ages,” 1872, pp. 98, 99. A list is given, p. 111, of the still subsisting English hermitages. [169] “Piers Plowman,” Skeat’s edition, Text C, passus i. l. 30; passus x. l. 195. [170] Ibid., passus x. l. 188. [171] Look humbly to gain alms. [172] “Piers Plowman,” Skeat’s edition, Text C, passus x. ll. 140–152. [173] Text C, passus x. ll. 251–256. [174] “Li abis ne fet pas l’ermite; S’uns hom en hermitage abite Et s’il en a les dras vestus, Je ne pris mie deus festus Son abit ne sa vesteure, S’il ne maine vie aussi pure Comme son abit nous démonstre; Mes maintes genz font bele monstre Et merveilleux sanblant qu’il vaillent: Il sanblent les arbres qui faillent Qui furent trop bel au florir.” Le Dit de frère Denise. “Œuvres complètes de Rutebeuf,” ed. Jubinal, Paris, 1874, vol. ii. p. 63. [175] Printed in the “Archæological Journal,” vol. iv. p. 69. [176] “E, sire, les avant ditz William e Richart e plusours gentz de la ville de Lichfield sount menacé des ditz larons e lour maintenours qu’ils n’osent nule part aler hors de la dite ville.” [177] Richard II had several times to renew and confirm them, but without effect. In his first statute upon this subject he condemns the superabundance of retainers which many men, though of indifferent means, delight in; he declares “that divers people of small revenue of land, rent, or other possessions, do make great retinue of people, as well of esquires as of other, in many parts of the realm” (1 Richard II, cap. 7, A.D. 1377). The third statute of 13 Richard II, that of his 16th year (cap. 4), that of his 20th year (cap. 1 and 2), are likewise directed against the abuse of liveries and the number of retainers of the “lords spiritual and temporal.” Henry VI renewed these statutes, also without result. [178] 10 Ed. III, year 1336.