SEAL OF ABBOT SAMSON. Frontispiece

EDITOR'S PREFACE.
page

Samson and his arch-eulogist—The Chronicle—Previous Editions of the Chronicle—The Chronicler—The Central Figure of the Chronicle—Samson in Subordinate Offices—Samson as Abbot—Relations with Church and State—Samson as an Author—Samson's Masterfulness—Samson as an Administrator—Epilogue xv.-xliii.

CHAPTER I.

BURY ABBEY UNDER ABBOT HUGH.

The last years of Abbot Hugh—The monastery under a load of debt, and in the hands of Jew money-lenders—Inquiry by the Royal almoner—Caustic comment by Samson, master of the novices—Exemption obtained by Hugh from visitation by the Legate—Jocelin's reflection thereon—The Convent debt—Entertainment of strangers—Samson in various offices, but disliked by the Abbot—Accident to Hugh at Canterbury—His death—His house despoiled by his servants 1-11

CHAPTER II.

THE MONKS DISCUSS THE VACANCY.

Wardens of the Abbey appointed by the King—Culpable Weakness of the Prior—William the sacrist—Activity of Samson as subsacrist—Jealousy of him—The Wardens stop further building operations—Much discussion by the monks as to the qualifications needed in the new Abbot—Samson silently notes all that is said—Jocelin's indiscretion in blurting out his private opinion 12-23

CHAPTER III.

THE CHOICE OF A NEW ABBOT.

Henry II. orders the Prior and twelve delegates from the Abbey to attend him to make choice of a new Abbot—Selection of the twelve—Six electors appointed to choose three names to be given under seal to the delegates—The journey to the Court—Gossip and telling of dreams amongst the monks left behind—The delegates before the King at Bishop's Waltham—The sealed paper opened—Samson eventually selected—Approval of the King, and his comment on Samson's demeanour 24-35

CHAPTER IV.

SAMSON'S INSTALLATION.

Reception of the news at the Monastery—Samson blessed by the Bishop of Winchester—He journeys to Bury, and is welcomed by the Convent on Palm Sunday—His address in the chapter-house—Answer of Wimer the Sheriff—Jocelin made Abbot's Chaplain—New Seal struck with mitre graven thereon—Samson sets his household in order—General Court summoned—Demand of aid from his knights 36-42

CHAPTER V.

THE NEW ABBOT'S REFORMS.

Prepares an estate book—Buildings and repairs—Enclosure of parks—Hunting and dogs—Land improvements—Management of manors—General survey—Makes a kalendar—New regulations made in Chapter—Amount of the convent debts and their discharge—Dismissal of William the sacrist—Samson visits all the Abbey manors—His anxieties about the debts—His skill and energy in managing the estates—Appointed judge in ecclesiastical courts—Jocelin's excuse for Samson's fondness for betaking himself to his manors—The Abbot's complaint at the burden of his charge—His dream as a child—His control of temper—Order for production of convent seals—Thirty-three given up, all retained by the Abbot, except the prior's—Entertainment of guests 43-59

CHAPTER VI.

SAMSON'S PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS.

His personal appearance—His temperance and diligence—Abhors liars, drunkards and talkative folk—His eloquence—Preaches to the people in the Norfolk dialect—Management of his household—Strict regulation of expenses—Appoints none but fit persons to office—His treatment of his relatives—Gratitude for past kindnesses—Provides free lodgings for poor scholars—Expulsion of Jews from Bury—Purchase of the Manor of Mildenhall—Giving up of King Henry II.'s cup and its restoration—Samson's generosity—The Woolpit living—Samson recounts his visit to Rome in his early days, and his adventures 60-75

CHAPTER VII.

THE ABBOT AS PEER OF PARLIAMENT.

Dispute with Archbishop of Canterbury as to jurisdiction over manor of Eleigh—Quarrel with the Bishop of Ely, the Chancellor—Samson wishes to take the cross: the King refuses permission—Goes to siege of Windsor in martial array—Visits Richard I. in Germany—Excommunication by him of a company of roystering young knights—Embassies to Rome—The claim of the Earl of Clare to carry the Standard of St. Edmund in battle—Adam of Cockfield's inheritance—Herbert the dean and his windmill—Jocelin's New Year's gift—The Abbot's struggle with his rebellious knights 76-100

CHAPTER VIII.

THE CASE OF HENRY OF ESSEX.

Excesses of Henry of Essex—His cowardice in Wales—The wager of battle on the island near Reading—Henry's vision—His recovery and repentance 101-105

CHAPTER IX.

TROUBLES WITHOUT.

The Bishop of Ely outwitted as to timber asked for by him—Dispute as to town bailiffs—Murmurings of the monks—Toll-right dispute with London merchants—Dues of the burgesses—Samson grants a charter to the town 106-117

CHAPTER X.

TROUBLES WITHIN.

Inefficient cellarers—New arrangements criticised—The Archbishop of Canterbury claims authority to visit the Abbey as legate—Samson's successful appeal to the Pope 118-127

CHAPTER XI.

SAMSON'S CONTESTS WITH KNIGHTS, MONKS AND TOWNSMEN.

King Richard's levies—The abbot's difficulties in making his knights comply—Goes to Normandy and arranges matters with the King—Samson's generosity to the abbey—He takes the cellarer's department into his own hands—Consequent discontent—Hamo Blund's will, and Samson's comments thereon—Riots in the churchyard—Rioters reduced to submission 128-141

CHAPTER XII.

THE CARES OF OFFICE.

Restoration of the Coventry monks—Samson's hospitality at Oxford—His endowment of the Bury schools—Abbey improvements—The Abbot withstands King Richard over the wardship of Nesta of Cockfield—The King appeased by a present of horses and dogs 142-149

CHAPTER XIII.

THE CUSTOMS OF THE TOWNSHIP.

Old oppressive customs changed or abrogated by Samson—The Cellarer's difficulties in collecting rep silver—The hard case of Ketel—The Cellarer's dues—Lakenheath eels—Samson's reforms and his critics 150-161

CHAPTER XIV.

THE SHRINE OF ST. EDMUND.

Fire around the shrine—The shrine unhurt—Vain attempts to hush up the scandal—Samson dreams of St. Edmund despoiled—The saint's body uncovered—Samson and certain of the monks view the sacred relic 162-177

CHAPTER XV.

THE MONASTERY IN REVOLT.

Death of King Richard—King John visits the Abbey—Samson supports Ralph the porter against the monks—He withdraws from the convent—Disturbances in his absence—The monks submit—Reconciliation—Marshalling of the Knights—Further troubles about the manors and cellary 178-189

CHAPTER XVI.

ELECTION OF A NEW PRIOR.

Death of Robert the Prior—Herbert the chaplain and Hermer the sub-prior candidates for the post—Through the Abbot's influence Herbert is elected—Jocelin moralizes—The gibes of the unlearned 190-199

CHAPTER XVII.

THE ABBOT'S FOIBLES.

Samson's faults—The dam at Babwell—Trouble with the Ely monks—The Abbot summoned over sea to the King—Sets his house in order—His unfulfilled promises—The story breaks off 200-211

APPENDICES

GENERAL INDEX 279-285