By the Rev, Canon J. E. Jackson. 



33 



Kings of England at the College show that they often rested there. 

 It had peculiar rights of sanctuary ; on both sides of the street for 

 instance, but not in the middle, persons were free from arrest: and 

 that privilege extending to other adjoining ground, the consequence 

 \ in later times was that St. Martin's le Grand became the head- 

 quarters of all the rogues, felons, murderers, receivers of stolen 

 goods, pickpockets, and forgers in London, and caused it to be 

 such a nuisance that it was ultimately suppressed. 



Prince Henry came to the throne on the 1st of August, 1100 : 

 and the Dean of St. Martin's was immediately appointed Chan- 

 cellor. He filled the office with extraordinary ability, obtained 

 the King's entire confidence, and managed everything. "The 

 King knew not ought he had save the bread which he did eat." 

 TheDean was then made Bishop of Sarura,and at last, duringHenry's 

 absence in Normandy, had the whole management of the country 

 in his hands: "It was wonderful" says a contemporary writer, 

 " to see how well he did it." That in making his master rich he 

 should not forget himself, was to be expected ; but he was magnifi- 

 cent in his expenditure, especially in buildings. Among these 

 were a new Cathedral at Old Sarum, (not Salisbury Cathedral 

 as the French topographer, just now quoted, says; for that was 

 many years later), a castle at Sherborne, a castle and probably 

 Abbey Church at Malmesbury, a church or churches "ad Divisas." 

 Some of the Historians say that all this outlay was merely display, 

 but the remark seems ill-natured. The Bishop had vast means, 

 and he spent them in works intended to last, to do honour and to 

 be of use. If he found on his episcopal estates no houses or 

 churches, and built them, the more praise to him. True, in building 

 his castle here, he did bid the masons make the walls a few feet 

 higher and thicker than usual ; and whilst they were about it, put 

 in a few strong gates and portcullises: but in the state of the 

 country, and not knowing what might happen, it was well to be on 

 the safe side. He did not wish to keep his neighbours out; but 

 before long, possibly there might be some whom he might not 

 wish to let in. Why he chose this site for a castle is easily 

 accounted for. The whole Manors of Cannings and Potterne were 



VOL. IX. NO. XXV. D 



