His intrigues being discovered, the emperor drives him away, and in revenge he goes and founds a new sect. The story of the pigeon (which is not in Hildebert) is found in Vincent of Beauvais, Spec. Hist. lib. xxiii, c. 40. This story is said to be founded in truth. Neither of them are found in the Roman de Mahomet (by Alexander du Pont), written in the thirteenth century, and edited by MM. Reinaud and Michel, Paris, 1831, 8vo, a work which contains much information concerning the Christian notions relative to Mohammed in the middle ages. 10478. John xvi, 24. 10481, 10486. Matth. v, 13. 10499. _Ellevene holy men._ The eleven apostles who remained after the apostasy of Judas and the crucifixion of their Lord. 10550. _Ne fesauntz y-bake._ The pheasant was formerly held in the same honour as the peacock (see before the note on l. 7915), and was served at table in the same manner. It was considered one of the most precious dishes. See Le Grand d'Aussy, Hist. de la Vie privée des François, ii, 19. The Miroir de l'Ome (MS. in the possession of Mr. Russell Smith) says (punning) of the luxurious prelates of the fourteenth century,-- Pour le phesant et le bon vin Le bien-faisant et le divin L'evesque laist à nonchalure; Si quiert la coupe et crusequin, Ainz que la culpe du cristin Pour corriger et mettre en cure. 10553. Matth. xxii, 4. 10581. Mark xvi, 15. 10585. _So manye prelates._ 10699. _that huppe aboute in Engelond._ The pope appointed many titular bishops of foreign sees in which, from the nature of circumstances, they could not possibly reside, and who therefore were a burthen upon the church. Some of these prelates appear to have resorted to England, and to have exercised the episcopal functions, consecrating churches, &c. The church of Elsfield, in Oxfordshire, was consecrated by a foreign bishop. (See Kennett's Parochial Antiquities.) 10593. John x, 11. 10599. Matth. xx, 4, 7. 10606. Matth. vii, 7. 10617. Galat. vi, 14. 10632. _That roode thei honoure._ A cross was the common mark on the reverse of our English money at this period, and for a long time previous to it. The point of satirical wit in this passage of Piers Ploughman appears to be taken from the old Latin rhymes of the beginning of the thirteenth century. See the curious poem _De Cruce Denarii_, in Walter Mapes, p. 223. Another poem in the same volume (p. 38) speaks thus of the court of Rome:-- Nummis in hac curia non est qui non vacet; _Crux_ placet, rotunditas, et albedo placet. 10637. _Shul torne as templers dide._ The suppression of the order of the Templars was at this time fresh in people's memories. It was the general belief, and not without some foundation, that the Templars had entirely degenerated from their original sanctity and faithfulness, and that before the dissolution of the order they were addicted to degrading vices and superstitions; and they were accused of sacrificing everything else to their grasping covetousness.