Chapter XIV: The Temple (3)

[503] Tradidit Willielmo Marescallo, familiari suo, crucem suam Jerosolymam deferendam. _Hoveden_ ad ann. 1183, apud rer. Anglic. script. post Bedam, p. 620.

[504] _Chron. Joan Brompton_, apud X. script. col. 1158. _Hoveden_, p. 655, 666.

[505] Selden's Tit. of Honour, p. 677.

[506] _Hoveden_, p. 659, 660. _Radulf de Diceto_, apud X. script. p. 659.

[507] _Matt. Par._, p. 196. _Hoveden_, p. 792. _Dugdale_ Baronage, tom. i. p. 601.

[508] _Trivet_, p. 144. _Gul. Britt._, lib. vii. _Ann. Waverley_, p. 168.

[509] _Matt. Par._, p. 237.

[510] _Matt. Par._, p. 253-256, ad ann. 1215.

[511] See his eloquent address to the bishops and barons in behalf of the young king.--_Hemingford_, lib. iii. cap. 1. p. 562, apud _Gale_ XV. script.

[512] _Matt. Par._, p. 289, ad ann. 1216. Acta _Rymeri_, tom. i. p. 216.

[513] _Hemingford_, p. 565, 568. "These liberties, distinctly reduced to writing, we send to you our faithful subjects, sealed with the seal of our faithful William Marshall, earl of Pembroke, the guardian of us and our kingdom, because we have not as yet any seal." Acta _Rymeri_, tom. i. part 1. p. 146, ed. 1816. _Thomson_, on Magna Charta, p. 117, 130. All the charters and letters patent were sealed with the seal of the earl marshall, "Rectoris nostri et regni, eo quod _nondum sigillum habuimus_." Acta _Rymeri_, tom. i. p. 224, ed. 1704.

[514] _Matt. Par._, p. 292-296.

[515] Matthew Paris bears witness to the great superiority of the English sailors over the French even in those days.--Ibid. p. 298. _Trivet_, p. 167-169.

[516] Acta _Rymeri_, tom. i. p. 219, 221, 223.

[517] _Dugd._ Baronage, tom. i. p. 602, A. D. 1219. Willielmus senior, mareschallus regis et rector regni, diem clausit extremum, et Londini apud Novum Templum honorifice tumulatur, scilicet in ecclesia, in Ascensionis die videlicet xvii. calendas Aprilis.--_Matt. Par._ p. 304. _Ann. Dunstaple_, ad ann. 1219. _Ann. Waverley_.

[518] Miles strenuissimus et per universum orbem nominatissimus.--_Chron. T. Wikes_ apud _Gale_, script. XV. p. 39.

[519] _Monast. Angl._, p. 833, 834, 837, 843.

[520] MS. Bib. Cotton. _Vitellius_, F. 4. _Monast. Angl._, tom. i. p. 728, ed. 1655.

[521] _Matt. Par._, p. 182. ad ann. 1196.

[522] _Hoveden_ apud rer. Anglicar. script. post Bedam, p. 811.

[523] _Matt. Par._ p. 254, 262. _Lel._ col. vol. i. p. 362.

[524] Acta _Rymeri_, tom. i. p. 224, ad ann. 1217.

[525] _Dugd._ Baronage, vol. i. p. 545, 546.

[526] _Monast. Angl._, vol. vi. part ii. p. 838, 842.

[527] _Matt. Par._ p. 254, 256. _Lel. col._ vol. i. p. 841.

[528] _Matt. Par._ p. 317, ad ann. 1223.

[529] _Matt. Par._ p. 366. _Ann. Dunst._ p. 99. 134, 150.

[530] Eodem tempore, A. D. 1231, mense Aprili, Willielmus, Marescallus comes Pembrochiae, in militia vir strenuus, in dolorem multorum, diem clausit extremum, et Londoniis apud Novum Templum sepultus est, juxta patrem suum, XVII calend. Maii. Rex autem qui eum indissolubiliter dilexit, cum haec audivit, et cum vidisset, corpus defuncti palla coopertum, ex alto trahens suspiria, ait, Heu, heu, mihi! nonne adhuc penitus vindicatus est sanguis beati Thomae Martyris.--_Matt. Par._ p. 368.

[531] _Dugd._ Monast. Angl. ut sup. p. 820.

[532] Margaretam _puellam elegantissimam_ matrimonio sibi copulaverat.--_Matt. Par._, p. 432, 404.

[533] _Matt. Par._ p. 483.

[534] Ib. p. 431, 483, 516, 524.

[535] In crastino autem delatum est corpus Londinum, fratre ipsius praevio, cum tota sua familia comitante, juxta patrem suum et fratrem tumulandum.--Ib. p. 565. ad ann. 1241.

[536] _Dugd._ Monast. Angl., p. 833.

[537] "Paucis ante evolutis annis, post mortem omnium suorum filiorum, videlicet, quando dedicata est ecclesia Novi Templi, inventum est corpus saepedicti comitis quod erat insutum corio taurino, integrum, putridum tamen et prout videri potuit detestabile."--_Matt. Par._ p. 688. Surely this must be an interpolation by some wag. The last of the Pembrokes died A. D. 1245, whilst, according to Matthew Paris's own showing, the eastern part of the church was consecrated A. D. 1240, p. 526.

[538] _Mill's_ Catalogues, p. 145. _Speed_, p. 551. _Sandford's_ Genealogies, p. 92, 93, 2nd edition.

[539] Ex Registr. Hosp. S. Joh. Jerus. in Anglia, in _Bib. Cotton_, fol. 25 a.

[540] Ib.

[541] _Nicolas_, Testamenta Vetusta, p. 6.

[542] P. 899, 900.

[543] Ante, p. 255.

[544] _Joan Sarisburiensis._ Polycrat. lib. vi. cap. 1.

[545] Acta _Rymeri_, tom. iii. p. 296, 297.

[546] Cart. vi. E. 2. n. 41. _Trivet._ cont., p. 4. _T. de la More_, p. 593.

[547] Pat. 8. E. 2. m. 17. The Temple is described therein as "de feodo Thomae Comitis Lancastriae, et de honore Leicestrie."

[548] Processus contra comitem Lancastriae. Acta _Rymeri_, tom. iii. p. 936. _Lel._ coll. vol. i. p. 668. _La More, Walsingham._

[549] Cart. 15. E. II. m. 21. Acta _Rymeri_, tom. iii. p. 940.

[550] _Dugd._ Baron., vol. i. p. 777, 778.

[551] Rot. Escaet. 1. E. III.

[552] _H. Knyghton_, apud X. script. col. 2546. 7. _Lel._ Itin. vol. vi. p 86. _Walsingham_, 106.

[553] Claus. 4. E. III. m. 9. Acta _Rymeri_, tom. iv. p. 461.

[554] There was in those days an _escheator_ in each county, and in various large towns: it was the duty of this officer to seize into the king's hands all lands held _in capite_ of the crown, on receiving a writ _De diem clausit extremum_, commanding him to assemble a jury to take inquisition of the value of the lands, as to who was the next heir of the deceased, the rents and services by which they were holden, &c. &c.

[555] Claus 3. E. III. m. 6. d. Acta _Rymeri_, tom. iv. p. 406.

[556] Claus. 4. E. III. m. 7. Acta _Rymeri_, tom. iv. p. 464.

[557] Pat. 6. E. III. p. 2. m. 22. in original, apud Rolls Garden ex parte Remembr. Thesaur.

[558] Rot. Escaet. 10. E. 3. 66. Claus 11 E. 3. p. 1. m. 10.

[559] Sunt etiam ibidem claustrum, capella Sancti Thomae, et quaedam platea terrae eidem capellae annexata, cum _una aula_ et camera supra edificata, quae sunt loca sancta, et Deo dedicata, et dictae ecclesiae annexata, et eidem Priori per idem breve liberata.... Item dicunt, quod praeter ista, sunt ibidem in custodia Wilielmi de Langford infra Magnam Portam dicti Novi Templi, _extra metas et disjunctiones praedictas_, una _aula_ et quatuor camerae, una coquina, unum gardinum, unum stabulum, et una camera ultra Magnam Portam praedictam, &c.

[560] In memorandis Scacc. inter recorda de Termino Sancti Hilarii, 11. E. 3. in officio Remembratoris Thesaurarii.

[561] Pat. 12. E. 3. p. 2. m. 22. _Dugd._ Monasticon, vol. vii. p. 810, 811.

[562] Ex registr. Sancti Johannis Jerus. fol. 141. a. _Dugd._ Monast., tom. vi. part 2, p. 832.

[563] Ibid. ad ann. 1341.

[564] Rex omnibus ad quos &c. salutem. Sciatis quod de gratia nostra speciali, et pro bono servitio quod Rogerus Small nobis impendit et impendat in futuro, concessimus ei officium _Janitoris Novi Templi_ London Habend. &c. pro vita sua &c. pertinend. &c. omnia vada et feoda &c. eodem modo qualia Robertus Fetyt defunct. Qui officium illud ex concessione domini Edwardi nuper regis Angliae patris nostri habuit.... Teste meipso apud Westm. 5 die Aprilis, anno regni nostri 35. Pat. 35. E. 3. p. 2. m. 33.

[565] Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. The wages of the Manciples of the Temple, temp. Hen. VIII. were xxxvis. viiid. per annum. Bib. _Cotton._ Vitellius, c. 9. f. 320, a.

[566] Annal. Olim-Sanctae Mariae Ebor.

[567] _Walsing._ 4 Ric. 2. ad ann. 1381. Hist. p. 249, ed. 1603.

[568] Rot. claus 5. E. 2. m. 19. Acta _Rymeri_, tom. iii. p. 292, 293, 294.

[569] Unam robam per annum de secta liberorum servientium, et quinque solidos per annum, et deserviat quamdiu poterit loco liberi servientis in domo praedicta. Ib. m. 2. Acta _Rymeri_, tom. iii. p. 331, 332.

[570] Quolibet anno ad Natale Domini unum vetus indumentum de veteribus indumentis fratrum, et quolibet die 2 denarios pro victu garcionis sui, et 5 solidos per annum per stipendiis ejusdem garcionis, sed idem garcio deserviet in domo illa. Ib.

[571] Thomas of Wothrope, at the trial of the Templars in England, was unable to give an account of the reception of some brethren into the order, quia erat _panetarius_ et vacabat circa suum officium. _Concil. Mag. Brit._, tom. ii. p. 355. Tunc panetarius mittat comiti duos panes atque vini sextarium.... Ita appellabant officialem domesticum, qui mensae panem, mappas et manutergia subministrabat. _Ducange_, Gloss. verb. panetarius.

[572] _Regula Templariorum_, cap. lxvii. ante p. 25.

[573] _Concil. Mag. Brit._, tom. ii. p. 371 to 373, ante, p. 235.

[574] _Dugd._ Orig. Jurid., p. 212.

[575] Nullus clericus nisi causidicus. Will. Malm., lib. iv. f. 69. _Radulph de Diceto_, apud Hist. Angl. Script. Antiq., lib. vii. col. 606, from whom it appears that the chief justitiary and justices itinerant were all _priests_.

[576] _Spelm._ Concil., tom. ii. ad ann. 1217.

[577] INNOCENTIUS, &c. ... Praeterea cum in Angliae, Scotiae, Walliae regnis, causae laicorum non imperatoriis legibus, sed laicorum consuetudinibus decidantur, fratrum nostrorum, et aliorum religiosorum consilio et rogatu, statuimus quod in praedictis regnis _leges saeculares_ de caetero non legantur. _Matt. Par._, p. 883, ad ann. 1254, et in additamentis, p. 191.

[578] Et quod ipsi quos ad hoc elegerint, curiam sequantur, et se de negotiis in eadem curia intromittant, et alii non. Et videtur regi et ejus concilio, quod septies vigenti sufficere poterint, &c.--_Rolls of Parl._ 20. E. 1. vol. i. p. 84, No. 22.

[579] _Dugd._ Orig. Jurid., cap. xxxix. p. 102.

[580] Ante, p. 118. Mace-bearers, bell-ringers, thief-takers, gaolers, bailiffs, public executioners, and all persons who performed a specific task for another, were called servientes, serjens, or serjeants. --_Ducange_ Gloss.

[581] _Pasquier's_ Researches, liv. viii. cap. 19.

[582] _Will. Tyr._, lib. i. p. 50, lib. xii. p. 814.

[583] _Dugd._ Hist. Warwickshire, p. 704.

[584] Et tunc Magister Templi dedit sibi mantellum, et imposuit pileum capiti suo, et tunc fecit eum sedere ad terram, injungens sibi, &c.--_Acta contra Templarios._ _Concil. Mag. Brit._, tom. ii. p. 380. See also p. 335.

[585] It has been supposed that the coif was first introduced by the clerical practitioners of the common law to hide the _tonsure_ of those priests who practised in the Court of Common Pleas, notwithstanding the ecclesiastical prohibition. This was not the case. The early portraits of our judges exhibit them with a coif of very much larger dimensions than the coifs now worn by the serjeants-at-law, very much larger than would be necessary to hide the _mere clerical tonsure_. A covering for that purpose indeed would be absurd. The antient coifs of the serjeants-at-law were small linen or silk caps fitting close to the top of the head. This peculiar covering is worn universally in the East, where the people shave their heads and cut their hair close. It was imported into Europe by the Knights Templars, and became a distinguishing badge of their order. From the _freres serjens_ of the Temple it passed to the _freres serjens_ of the law.

[586] Ex cod. MS. apud sub-thesaurarium Hosp. Medii Templi, f. 4. a. Dugd. Orig. Jurid. cap. 43, 46.

[587] MS. in Bib. Int. Temp. No. 17. fo. 408.

[588] _Burton's_ Leicestershire, p. 235.

[589] After the courts of King's Bench and Exchequer had by a fiction of law drawn to themselves a vast portion of the civil business originally transacted in the Common Pleas alone, the degree of serjeant-at-law, with its exclusive privilege of practising in the last-named court, was not sought after as before. The advocates or barristers of the King's Bench and Exchequer were, consequently, at different times, commanded by writ to take upon them the degree of the _coif_, and transfer their practice to the Common Pleas.

[590] _Malcom._ Lond. Rediviv., vol. ii. p. 282.

[591] MS. _Bib. Cotton._ Vitellius, c. 9, fol. 320, a.

[592] MS. _Bib. Cotton_, c. 9, fol. 320, a.

[593] _Hargrave,_ MS. No. 19, 81. f. 5. fol. 46.

[594] MS. in Bib. In. Temp., No. 19, fol.

[595] In. Temp. Ad. Parliament, ibm. XV. die Novembris Anno Philippi et Mariae tertio et quarto, coram Johe Baker Milite, Nicho Hare Milite, Thoma Whyte Milite, et al. MS. Bib. In. Tem. Div. 9, shelf 5, vol. xvii. fol. 393.

[596] Ex registr. In. Temp., f. 112, 119, b. Med. Temp., f. 24, a. _Dugd._, Orig. Jurid., p. 310, 311.

[597] Ante, p. 180.

[598] _Dugd._ Orig. Jurid. p. 316. _Herbert_ Antiq., p. 223 to 272.

[599] _Leigh's_ Armorie, fol. 119. ed. 1576.

[600] _Naunton's_ Fragmenta Regalia, p. 248.

[601] _Chalmer's_ Dict. Biograph., vol. xvii. p. 227.

[602] _Dugd._ Orig. Jurid., p. 150. Ex registro Hosp. In. Temp. f. 123.

[603] _Whitelock's_ Memorials, p. 18-22. Ed. 1732.

[604] _Dugd._ Orig. p. 157. _Biog. Brit._ vol. xiv. p. 305.

[605] _Dugd._ Orig. p. 158.

[606] _Harleian_ MS., No. 830.

[607] MS. Bib. _Cotton._ Vitellius, c. 9. fol. 320 a.

[608] See the examination of Brother Radulph de Barton, priest of the order of the Temple, and _custos_ of the Temple Church, before the papal inquisitors at London.--_Concil. Mag. Brit._, tom. ii. p. 335, 337, ante, p. 221, 222.

[609] _Peck_, Desiderata Curiosa, lib. xiii. p. 504, 505. Ed. 1779.

Transcriber's Notes:

Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_.

The original text includes Greek characters. For this text version these letters have been replaced with transliterations.