A.D. 1164.] LETTER OP KING HENRY his cause, but bearing before him our Lord's cross, as if he was entering the presence of a tyrant : that, nevertheless, the king's majesty was not offended, but committed the decision of the matter to the bishops, that in this manner every kind of suspicion might be set aside. It only remained for the bishop to decide the question, that the parties might again become friends and bury all animosity between them : that the other party started an objection to his being judged by the king, as detracting from the prerogatives of the holy see, not perceiving that, even if the dignity of the church should in any way be compromised, it was desirable to dissemble for a time that the church might have peace. He further urged, assuming to himself the name of father, that it was arrogant for sons to condemn their father, whereas it was necessary that the humility of the sons should temper the pride of the father, lest it should generate the father's hatred in the sons, The principal object of the ambassadors was, that the pope should send two legates to decide, without appeal, the dispute between the archbishop and the king. Lastly they endeavoured, by many promises, to induce the pope to confirm the customs and liberties of England, which the king called his hereditary customs, as having been transmitted to him by his grandfather Henry the First. But when the ambassadors, on their return, reported that they had failed in their mission, the king was violently excited, and sent round the following letter to the sheriffs of England. The king's letter to the sheriff of Kent against the clerks of the blessed Thomas* I hereby command you, if any one, either clerk or laic, in your bailwick shall appeal to the court of Borne, to have him arrested and put in ward until my pleasure shall be known. Also, that you seize into your own hands all the revenues and possessions of the archbishop of Canterbury's clerks, as Bandoli de Broc and my other officers shall signify to you. Also, to arrest the fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces of all the clerks who are with the archbishop, and * It is not to be supposed that this heading was affixed to the original letter. It was affixed by Roger de Wendover himself, long after the bishop's death, when it had become customary to call hirn " St. Thomas," and the " blessed Thomas." This letter has been translated from the more perfect copy in the Epistola: Gilberti Foliot. VOL. I. Ν Ν