In Parliament
Of Abbot Samson's public business we say little, though that also
was great. He had to judge the people as justice Errant, to
decide in weighty arbitrations and public controversies; to
equip his _milites,_ send them duly in war-time to the King;--
strive every way that the Commonweal, in his quarter of it, take
no damage.
Once, in the confused days of Lackland's usurpation, while Coeur-
de-Lion was away, our brave Abbot took helmet himself, having
first excommunicated all that should favour Lackland; and led
his men in person to the siege of _Windleshora_, what we now call
Windsor; where Lackland had entrenched himself, the centre of
infinite confusions; some Reform Bill, then as now, being
greatly needed. There did Abbot Samson 'fight the battle of
reform,'--with other ammunition, one hopes, than 'tremendous
cheering' and such like! For these things he was called 'the
magnanimous Abbot'
He also attended duly in his place in Parliament _de arduis
regni;_ attended especially, as in _arduissimo,_ when 'the news
reached London that King Richard was a captive in Germany.' Here
'while all the barons sat to consult,' and many of them looked
blank enough, 'the Abbot started forth, _prosiliit coram
omnibus,_ in his place in Parliament, and said, That _he_ was
ready to go and seek his Lord the King, either clandestinely by
subterfuge (_in tapinagio_), or by any other method; and search
till he found him, and got certain notice of him; he for one!
By which word,' says Jocelin, 'he acquired great praise for
himself,'--unfeigned commendation from the Able Editors of
that age.
By which word;--and also by which _deed:_ for the Abbot actually
went 'with rich gifts to the King in Germany;' Usurper Lackland
being first rooted out from Windsor, and the King's peace
somewhat settled.
As to these 'rich gifts,' however, we have to note one thing: In
all England, as appeared to the Collective Wisdom, there was not
like to be treasure enough for ransoming King Richard; in which
extremity certain Lords of the Treasury, _Justiciarii ad
Scaccarium,_ suggested that St. Edmund's Shrine, covered with
thick gold, was still untouched. Could not it, in this
extremity, be peeled off, at least in part; under condition, of
course, of its being replaced, when times mended? The Abbot,
starting plumb up, _se erigens,_ answered: "Know ye for certain,
that I will in no wise do this thing; nor is there any man who
could force me to consent thereto. But I will open the doors of
the Church: Let him that likes enter; let him that dares come
forward!" Emphatic words, which created a sensation round the
woolsack. For the Justiciaries of the _Scaccarium_ answered,
'with oaths, each for himself: "I won't come forward, for my
share; nor will I, nor I! The distant and absent who offended
him, Saint Edmund has been known to punish fearfully; much more
will he those close by, who lay violent hands on his coat, and
would strip it off!" These things being said, the Shrine was not
meddled with, nor any ransom levied for it.
For Lords of the Treasury have in all times their impassable
limits, be it by 'force of public opinion' or otherwise; and in
those days a Heavenly Awe overshadowed and encompassed, as it
still ought and must, all earthly Business whatsoever.