A.D. 1169.] EXCOMMUNICATION OF GILBERT. 563 from regard to our sacred duty, and to the requirements of the law, we have for just and manifest causes passed sen tence of excommunication on you, and cut you off from Christ's holy body, which is the church, until you make condign satisfaction. W e therefore command you, by virtue of your obedience and in peril of your salvation, your episco pal dignity, and priestly orders, to abstain, as the forms of the church prescribe, from all communion with the faithful, lest by coming in contact with you, the Lord's flotk be con taminated to their ruin, whereas they ought to have been instructed by your teaching, and led by your example to everlasting life." Now, although the bishop had appealed before the sentence was passed upon him, he humbly obeyed the archbishop's commands, and abstained from entering the church. And the archbishop, by letter directed to the dean and clergy of London, commanded them by virtue of their obedience to abstain wholly from communion with the bishop. This same year also, Eleanor, king Henry's daughter, married Alfonso king of Castile. The king's letter to Gilbert bishop of London. 'Henry, king of England, to his beloved and faithful Gilbert bhhop of London, health and love.—I have heard of the outrage which that traitor and enemy of mine, Thomas, has inflicted on you and on other of my subjects, and I am as much displeased as if it had fallen on my own person. Wherefore be it known to you for certain, that I will do my best, through our lord the pope, the king of France, and all my friends, that henceforth he shall not have it in his power to injure us or our dominions. It is my will and advice, that you do not suffer this matter to prey upon your mind, but defend yourself to the best of your ability, and either come over to me here at once into Normandy, or remain in England, as you may think most expedient : for I leave this to your own discretion. But you may be assured that, if you determine to come and wish to proceed to Borne, I will furnish you with every thing necessary for your journey, or that may conduce to maintain my own dignity." ο ο 2