PROCEEDINGS OF THE COTTESWOLD CLUB 243 



record of Thomas Marlborough, who spent the greater 

 part of his Hfe there, and died as Abbot in 1236. His 

 narrative is mainly occupied with two subjects : the 

 claim of the Abbey to be exempt from episcopal visitation; 

 and the deposition of an Abbot for gross misconduct. 

 Having a knowledge of the law, Marlborough was 

 appointed to plead the claim to exemption before Pope 

 Innocent HI, and he was successful. But the victory 

 brought trouble with it, for the freedom of the Abbey was 

 interpreted by the Abbot as freedom for himself to 

 indulge further in his career of misconduct. For eight years 

 Marlborough struggled for the deposition of his superior, 

 and at last the Papal Legate listened to his cry and visited 

 the Abbey. A sad story did he hear from the half-starved 

 monks. Their meals were never regularly served, and 

 for many days they had only the coarsest bread and 

 water. I'hey could not attend Church or Chapter or 

 celebrate divine service, for want of sufficient clothing. 

 They were forced to wander about against rule, and beg 

 the means of living. Hospitality was wholly neglected, 

 and some members of the household had died of actual 

 starvation. 



The lands of the Abbey were alienated, the buildings 

 were suffered to fall into ruins, the property was wasted, 

 and debts incurred. Meanwhile the Ai)l)Ot disregarded 

 the rules of the Order in living, dress, and discipline, and 

 openly boasted that he had taken care to provide ample 

 means of securing himself against any accusation. There 

 were also graver charges of immorality behind, which 

 Marlborough only brought forward under pressure. 

 Again Marlborough succeeded, and the Abbot was 

 deposed. This autobiography of Marlborough is an 

 unconscious revelation of one of the chief causes of the 

 fall of the Monasteries. Year by year they became more 

 and more alienated from the national religious organization 

 and from national feeling, and became as Professor Stubbs 

 says " colonies of Roman partisans." 



