HOPKINS: CHARACTKR AND OI'INIONS OK \VI 1,1.1AM l.AxNGLANO. 265 



minster Hall (C, XXIII., 132); and it also appears that bright nobles 

 could make "leal matrimony depart ere death come," and shape 

 divorces (Ibid., 139). 



The fullest enumeration of the evil deeds of judges and counselors 

 is found in Richard the Redeless (III., 317-345), but probably has 

 reference to the special abuses of a particular time. They foment 

 quarrels, prolong cases, bring false charges, give judgment before 

 giving evidence, and endanger the lives of those who complain. Mag- 

 istrates share in the general corruption under Meed (C, IV., 109). 



As toward the king, magistrates should judge justly, and as toward 

 the people should impose fines and punishments in love and kindness 

 (C, II., 157). All counselors should seek Truth, not gold or gifts 

 B, v., 53): and should give advice free to those who cannot afford to. 

 jjay (C, X., 44-57; B, VII., 39-58). 



C. DOCTRINES OF HOLV CHURCH. 



The €huroli. The source of the church is the Trinity. She is a 

 lovely lady descended from the castle of Truth (C, II., 4). In one 

 passage she calls herself the daughter of Christ and duchess of heaven 

 (C, III., 31); while in another is conveyed the more corrventional 

 idea that the church is the bride of Christ. More interesting than 

 these is the account of the church as the barn of Piers Plowman, 

 which becomes the church militant when assailed by Anti-Christ, 

 where Conscience is commander, and Peace gate-keeper. Meed is 

 tli.e bitter enemy of the church. The church has been poisoned by 

 the endowment of lands (C, XVIII., 220). From foes without, and 

 unworthy servants within, she has come to low estate, and needs to be 

 clothed new (C, VI., 180), but this is misfortune, not fault. Her law 

 is charity (C, XVIII., 124), belief, loyalty; and she is a refuge for all 

 men, except the evil who have not forsaken their wickedness (C, XL, 

 76). She is the custodian of the bodies of men after death (C, IX., 

 100); the guardian of the sick and helpless (C, IX., 138), of those 

 that lack full understanding, of fatherless children, poor widows and 

 helpless maids (B, IX., 66). Sponsors in the church must see that 

 their godchildren walk uprightly (B, IX., 74). 



Sin. The chief auxiliaries of Anti-Christ in this world are the 



seven deadly sins, of whorn, if any distinction may be made, Lang- 

 land seems to regard Pride, Avarice and Gluttony as chief; judging 

 from the fullness of his descriptions (C, VII. and VIIL). Gower's 

 treatment of this subject (Confessio Amantis) is more complete and 

 formal than Langland's. His list includes all the subordinates, as 

 follows: 



I. Pride; hypocrisy, disobedience, presumption, boasting, vain 

 glory. 2. Envy; grudging of good fortune, gladness at grief, de- 



