A .D. 1116.] DEDICATION OF ST. ALBAs's CHURCn. ' 467 queen Matilda bad borne to him. The same year, in the month of December, the sky suddenly became red as if it was on fire, and there was an eclipse of the moon.* Of the consecration of Ralph archbishop of Canterbury. A .D. 1115. Was consecrated Ralph, archbishop'of Canterbury, at Canterbury, by Anselm,f the pope's legate, on the 27th of June, and received also the pall from his hands. The same day the archbishop consecrated Theophilus to the see of Worcester, and Bernard to that of St. David's. A few days after, Thurstan, elect of York, was called on by the archbishop of Canterbury to receive from him the usual benediction, and make profession of obedience to himself and the see of Canterbury; but Thomas replied, that he would willingly receive a blessing from him, but would not make the required profession of obedience. King Henry, hearing this, protested loudly, that, if he would not make the required profession as his predecessors had done, he should be deprived of his archbishopric of York and the blessing too. A n appeal was then put in by the archbishop of Canterbury, to prevent his receiving consecration from any other than himself, and so the parties separated. Of the dedication of St. Alban's church, A.D. 1116. King Henry, at Christmas time, on the day of the Holy Innocents, was present at the dedication of the, church of the protomartyr St. Alban, dedicated by Robert bishop of Lincoln, who was called to discharge this duty by Richard the venerable abbat of that church.} A t the ceremony were present, the king, queen Matilda, Geoffrey archbishop of Rouen, Richard bishop of London, Roger of Salisbury, Ralph of Durham, with many earls both English and Norman, who were all entertained liberally by Richard * Matthew Paris adds :—" On the 29th of March, the Thames became ory rls well as the sea for twelve miles during two days. Ralph bishop of Rochester was elected to Canterbury on the 2Cth of April. There were also many severe storms at this time ; a comet appeared in the month of May, and the church of Canterbury was dedicated." t Nephew to the great Anselm. Î Matthew Paris substitutes for this the statement that Geoffrey of Rouen was going to dedicate the church, but finding the duty too heavy for him, gave place to the bishop of Lincoln. Π H 2