1915] on The Archives of Westminster Abbey 465 



of the Crown. This document, then, which bears dats January 2, 

 1384, sets forth the offence, and for a fee paid to the Hauaper 

 pardons the offender for any prejudice or contempt thereby caused to 

 the King. The Priorship another took. Not, I suspect, because the 

 brethren thought Colchester unworthy of that office, but because they 

 needed his help at Rome, whither, as 1 learn from the Treasurers' 

 rolls, they again despatched him in 1:384-5 and 1385-6. The suit 

 with St. Stephen's College still dragged on, and he alone had the 

 knowledge to push it. Indeed, he must have known Rome as 

 familiarly as Westminster; and I suspect that his love for Westminster 

 increased steadily with his knowledge of Rome. 



As a second proof of confidence, we note that in 1382 he was 

 Archdeacon of the Convent. lie may have held the post earlier ; he 

 certainly held it in 1386. The office of Archdeacon is one that is 

 proverbially puzzling to the lay mind, and I sometimes think that 

 the Archdeaconry of AVestminster is a puzzle even to the other 

 Archdeacons. The fact is that the Abbot, in exercising jurisdiction 

 over his Westminster area, needed the services of an ecclesiastical 

 jurist in matters of divorce and the like ; and needed also some one 

 who would be his pastoral representative to those inhal)itants of his 

 area who were not actually on the foundation of the Convent. 

 Colchester's experience marked him out for such responsibilities. 



That these were extensive and peculiar may be gathered from 

 a letter * in Norman-French addressed to Abbot Litlington by one 

 who signs himself " William Conte de Salisbury," that is, William de 

 Montacute, the second Earl, who fought at Poitiers and through- 

 out the French wars of his time. He addresses the Abbot as his 

 dear and faithful friend, and then unfolds his story. His servant 

 Nicholas Symcok, a Jjondoner, has been robbed in the middle of 

 June by highwaymen, one of whom, Richard Surrey, is commonly 

 known as Richard atte Belle — or Dick Turpin. Having made his 

 bag of silver plate and £40 in cash, the said Richard has taken 

 sanctuary at Westminster ; hotly pursued, however, by his victim, 

 who finds all his lost property in the villain's pockets, less £5. 

 Thereupon he has lodged his recovered goods in the hands of Dan 

 William Colchester, one of his lordship's monks, who has placed his 

 official seal upon the package. "Therefore, my good lord," says 

 the Earl, " I pray you have these goods and chattels delivered to my 

 servant." The year is not given ; it must be before 1386 : and 

 possibly here is our William Colchester performing archidiaconal 

 functions, though the office is not mentioned. 



Fortunately, I have also one intimation of his personal circum- 

 stances as the holder of this office, dated November 9, 1386. It is 

 an indenture! of lease of sheep. It sets forth that Thomas Charlton, 

 the valet, and Henry Norton, the servant, of William Colchester, 



* Mun. 9615. t Mun. 5984. 



