06.03.2019 Views

In England from Wicliffe to Henry VIII - James Aitken Wylie

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Tower.<br />

On Saturday, September 23rd, 1413, Lord<br />

Cobham was brought before Archbishop Arundel,<br />

who, assisted by the Bishops of London and<br />

Winchester, opened his court in the chapter-house<br />

of St. Paul's. The primate offered him absolution if<br />

he would submit and confess himself. He replied<br />

by pulling out of his bosom and reading a written<br />

statement of his faith, handing a copy <strong>to</strong> the<br />

primate, and keeping one for himself. The court<br />

then adjourned till the Monday following, when it<br />

met in the Dominican Friars, on Ludgate Hill, with<br />

a more numerous attendance of bishops, doc<strong>to</strong>rs,<br />

and friars. Absolution was again offered the<br />

prisoner, on the old terms: "Nay, forsooth will I<br />

not," he replied, "for I never yet trespassed against<br />

you, and therefore I will not do it." Then falling<br />

down on his knees on the pavement, and extending<br />

his hands <strong>to</strong>ward heaven, he said, "I shrive me here<br />

un<strong>to</strong> thee, my eternal living God, that in my frail<br />

youth I offended thee, O Lord, most grievously, in<br />

pride, wrath, and glut<strong>to</strong>ny, in cove<strong>to</strong>usness and in<br />

lechery. Many men have I hurt, in mine anger, and<br />

76

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!