Richard Poore, 1217—1229. 229 



done to himself and his Canons, and to the church of the Blessed 

 Mary, in the time of the persecution, and adding that such founda- 

 tion should not be in derogation of the rights of the King or of 

 the kingdom ; and further asking from the King, as from his own 

 lord, a helping hand \_maims adjutrices^. The King graciously 

 assented to the Bishop^s prayer, and moreover gave him permission 

 to go to the Supreme Pontiff at Rome, asking for his sanction also 

 for the building of his church. Whereupon the Bishop, giving 

 thanks to God, and placing his manors, and his chattels moveable 

 and immoveable [catalla mobilia et immobilioL\, as a pledge in the 

 King^s hands, went to the Court of Rome, and asked from the Pope 

 a license to found the aforesaid church. The supreme Pontiff not 

 only assented, but graciously gave the Bishop a letter addressed 

 to the King, in which he urged him, as far as he might, to assist 

 the Bishop in carrying out his work. The Bishop left the Pope 

 with joy, and was hastening back to his own country. Whilst 

 on the way, there met him a messenger who told him that the King 

 of England was dead. When the Bishop heard this he began to 

 meditate seriously within himself, fearing lest all his trouble had 

 been in vain. But when eventide was come, and the holy man had 

 given himself to sleep, there appeared to him in his dream the 

 glorious Virgin \yirgo gloriosd], who straightway consoled him, and 

 bidding him cast away his fears, and with perseverance carry out 

 the wishes of his heart, promised to be his helper [adjutrix) in all 

 his difficulties. Awaking from his sleep the Bishop was not a little 

 comforted, and straightway hastened homewards. Meanwhile a new 

 King (Henry III.) had been crowned, and was tarrying awhile at 

 Westminster. To him therefore the Bishop, the first to approach 

 him with a prayer after his coronation, went without fear, and asked 

 permission to transfer his church from the castle at Sarum. The 

 King, guided by sound counsel, assented to the Bishop's prayer, and 

 withal gave a royal charter bestowing upon him and his successors, 

 and on the church of the Blessed Mary at Sarum, royal privileges; 

 adding sundry gifts, and promising more. As soon as the holy 

 pastor returned to his flock he called them all together, priests and 

 people [clericum et pop2ilum\ , and then told them what he had done, 



VOL. XVIH. NO. LIU. R 



