A.D. 1217.] l'UXISIIMENT OK ΤΠΕ F.EI1ELS. the barons. With regard to the prisoners, all those who had, before the arrangement of the peace, ransomed themselves, as well as those who had paid part of the money agreed on for their ransom, should not recover what had been paid ; but from whatever remained to be paid should be entirely released. Λ11 the prisoners taken at Lincoln, or in the seafight near Dover, whether on the side of the king, or on that of Louis, should be everywhere immediately set free without any difficulty, and without any ransom or tribute. After all this was settled Louis together with his followers was absolved according to the form of the church, and each and all gave one another the kiss of peace, many of them deceitfully pretending a joy that was but feigned ; after this Louts returned to London, where he received five thousand pounds sterling to meet his necessities, and then under the conduct of the grand marshal he went with all speed to the sea coast, and thence, in lasting ignominy, crossed to France. From the benefit of this absolution and pacification were excluded all the bishops, abbats, priors, canons, seculars, and a number of the clergy, wdio had given advice and shown favour to Louis and the barons, and especially master Simon de Langton, and master Gervase dc llobregge, who had gone so far in their obstinacy as to cause divine services to be performed for Louis and the excommunicated barons by excommunicated priests ; they therefore were excluded from all benefit, and were obliged by the legate to go to Rome. Immediately after Louis's departure from England, the legate sent inquisitors through all the counties of England, to find out all who were guilty of the slightest implications in the rebellion of whatever order or rani: they might be, and after suspending them and depriving them of all benefit, to send them to the legate, and he distributed all their benefices amongst his own clerks, and from the losses of others enriched all his own followers. Hugh bishop of Lincoln, too, came to England, and to regain his bishopric paid a thousand murks of sterling money for the pope's benefit, and a hundred to the legate ; and following his example several others, priests and religious men, regained the legate's favour at ruinous expen«e. Iiy such an immoderate draining he emptied the. rollers of the clergy and secular canons, so that, according to the word of the gospel, he collected in one place all that had been