[196] "Licet ei (regi sc.) peperceritis, dissimulare non audetis excessus et crimina sacerdotum." This letter is a curious revelation of the arrogance and subtlety of Becket.--Giles, iii. 77. [197] It is called the Pax. [198] Becket disclaims vengeance: "Neque hoc dicimus, Deo teste, vindictam expetentes, quum scriptum esse noverimus, non quæres ultionem ... sed ut ecclesia correctionis exemplo possit per Dei gratiam in posterum roborare, et poena paucorum multos ædificare."--Giles, iii. 76. [199] See Becket's account.--Giles, iii. p. 81. [200] Lambeth says: "Visum est autem nonnullis, quod incircumspectè literarum vindictâ post pacem usus est, que _tantum pacis desperatione fuerint datæ_"--p. 116. Compare pp. 119 and 152. [201] Lord Lyttelton has drawn an inference from these words unfavorable to the purity of Idonea's former life; and certainly the examples of the Magdalene and the woman of Egypt, if this be not the case, were unhappily chosen. [202] Fitz-Stephen, pp. 281, 284. [203] Becket calls York his ancient enemy: "Lucifer ponens sedem suum in aquilone." [204] Becket accuses the bishops of thirsting for his blood! "Let them drink it." But this was a phrase which he uses on all occasions, even to William of Pavia. [205] "Si vero ita eidem Archiepiscopo et Cantuarensi Ecclesiæ satisfacere inveniretis, ut poenam istam ipse videat relaxandam, vice nostrâ per illum volumus adimpleri."--Apud Bouquet, p. 461. [206] "Ipse tamen Londonias adiens, et ibi missarum solenniis celebratis, quosdam excommunicavit."--Passio, iii. p. 154. [207] Since this passage was written an excellent and elaborate paper has appeared in the Quarterly Review, full of local knowledge. I recognize the hand of a friend from whom great things may be expected. I find, I think, nothing in which we disagree, though that account, having more ample space, is more particular than mine. (Reprinted in Memorials of Canterbury, by Rev. A. P. Stanley.) [208] Fitz-Stephen, De Bosham, Grim, _in loc._ [209] See, on the former history of these knights, Quarterly Review, vol. xciii. p. 355. The writer has industriously traced out all that can be known, much which was rumored about these men. [210] Tuesday, Dec. 29. See, on the fatality of Tuesday in Becket's life, Q. R. p. 357. [211] Grim, p. 71. Fitz-Stephen. [212] For the accurate local description, see Quarterly Review, p. 367. [213] Grim, 70. [214] John of Salisbury. Bouquet, 619, 620. [215] Giles, iv. 162; Bouquet, 467. It was fitting that the day after that of the Holy Innocents should be that on which should rise up this new Herod. [216] See the letter of Arnulf of Lisieux.--Bouquet, 469.