Many great and memorable events took place in the Hall, apart from the grand functions of State, or beside them. For instance, here began the massacre of the Jews at the coronation of Richard I. Here, in the same reign, the Archbishop and the Lords sat to pronounce sentence upon William Longbeard, who came with thousands of followers, so that they dared not pronounce sentence upon him. Here they brought the prisoners of Lincoln, a hundred and two Jews charged with crucifying a child, Hugh of Lincoln. That must have been a strange sight, this company of aliens who could never blend with the people among whom they lived: different in face, different in ideas, different in religion. They are dragged into the Hall, roped together: the prospect of death is before them; they are accused of a crime which they would not dare to commit, even at the very worst time of oppression; even when the wrongs and injustices and hatred of the people had driven them well-nigh mad. At the end of the Hall sit their judges; the men-at-arms are at their side to let none escape; the Hall is filled with people eager for their blood. The witnesses are called: they have heard this said and that said; it is all hearsay--there is nothing but hearsay; and at the close eighteen of them are sentenced to be hanged, and the rest are driven back to prison, lucky if, after many years, they live to receive the King’s release. Stalls and shops for books, ribbons, and other things were set up along the sides of the Hall; and it was always a great place for lawyers. Lydgate says, speaking of the Hall: Within this Hall, neither riche nor yet poore, Wolde do for aught, althogh I sholde dye: Which seeing I gat me out of the doore, Where Flemynge on me began for to cry, Master, what will you require or by? Fyne felt hatts or spectacles to rede, Lay down your sylver and here you may spede. And so enough of Westminster Hall and the History of England. CHAPTER III. THE ABBEY--I. [Illustration: Laurentius]