Λ.I). 1171.J ΜΑΚΤΥΗΙΚ»! OF BECKF.T. ι: derision of the archbishop had maimed one of his horses loaded with provisions. After this, on the fifth day from Christmas-day, about the hour of vespers, as the archbishop was sitting with his clerks in his chamber, William do Tracy, Reginald Fitz-Crse, Hugh de Morvillc, and Richard Briton, coming from Normandy, burst into the. room, a.s if impelled by madness, and commanded him, in the king's name, to restore the suspended bishops and absolve those whom he had excommunicated. To this the archbishop answered that an inferior judge could not absolve from the sentence of his superior, and that no man could annul a decision of the apostolic see: if, however, the bishops of London and Salisbury and the other excommunicated persons would swear to comply with his mandate, he would, for the peace of the church and out of regard to the king, consent to absolve them. The men glowing with anger, and in haste to carry into effect what they had conceived, departed with violence : whilst the archbishop, by the advice of his chirks, and because the hour of vespers was at hand, entered the church for the service. The four ministers of evil meanwhile had put on their armour, and following close upon the archbishop, found that the doors had been by his orders left open behind him. " For," said he, " the church of God should be open as a place of refuge to all men ; let us not therefore convert it into a castle." The multitude now began to run together on all sides, and the four men irreverently entering the church, cried out, '"Where is this traitor to his king?— where is the archbishop?" lie, hearing himself called, turned back to meet them ; for he had already mounted three or four steps of the presbytery,* and said to them. " If you seek the archbishop, here he stands." Upon which they used harsh language towards him, mixed with threats. " I am ready to die," said he, " for I prefer the maintenance of justice and the liberties of the church to my own life: but these my adherents have done nothing for which they should be punished." The murderers now rushed on him with drawn swords, and he fell uttering these words, "T o timi and St. Marv, the patrons of this church, and to St. Dennis, I commend my sold and the cause of the church !" Thus was slain this glorious martyr before the altar of St. lìeucdiet, 1 The choir. VOL. II. ο