and by his industry, soon won his way to intimacy and familiarity with him.- Of his services and labours for the cause of God's church, who' he more than once visited the threshold of the apostles on matters of business, and how he successfully discharged his commissions, it is not easy to relate, seeing that his whole mind was devoted to examining and deciding causes and to instructing the people. He was first promoted by the archbishop to be archdeacon of Canterbury, and shortly after he was made king's chancellor, in which capacity he wisely and prudently checked the rapacity of those kites, who, in servility to the king, had conspired to plunder the property both of the provincials and of the church. This may suffice for the present concerning the previous life of archbishop Thomas, that the reader may the better understand what we shall have to say of him hereafter. Of the final settlement of the differences between the churches of St. Alban's and of Lincoln. This year, was finally and amicably settled, a difference between the church of Lincoln and the monastery of St. Alban's. The cause of Lincoln church was maintained by its bishop, Robert du Chaisney, and that of the abbey by Rodert de Gorham, its prior, in the presence of king Henry II., Thomas archbishop of Canterbury, and Roger of York ; besides the following bishops :—Henry of Winchester, William of Norwich, Joceline of Salisbury, Bartholomew of Exeter, Hilary of Chichester, Hugh of Durham, Richard of Coventry, Gilbert of Hereford, and Godfrey of St. Asaph. Robert earl of Leicester, also, justiciary of England, was present, together with earls, barons, abbats, archdeacons, and an immense multitude of people, at Westminster, on the Thursday before Easter, when the following charter was signed :— Robert, by the grace of God, bishop of Lincoln, to all the children of our holy mother church, health ! Be it known to all of you, that the controversy which I raised against Robert abbat of St. Alban's, and his brethren, concerning the monastery itself, and the fifteen privileged churches which they held on their own lands, and whichclaimed as their bishop, to be in subjection and obedience to myself, is now for ever at an end, I having with the consent