So Friar Tuck clambered over the wall, crossed the road, and came to the church, where the old friar was still laboring with the great key, the lock being somewhat rusty and he somewhat old and feeble.

“Hilloa, brother,” quoth Tuck, “let me aid thee.”  So saying, he took the key from the other’s hand and quickly opened the door with a turn of it.

“Who art thou, good brother?” asked the old friar, in a high, wheezing voice.  “Whence comest thou, and whither art thou going?” And he winked and blinked at stout Friar Tuck like an owl at the sun.

“Thus do I answer thy questions, brother,” said the other.  “My name is Tuck, and I go no farther than this spot, if thou wilt haply but let me stay while this same wedding is going forward.  I come from Fountain Dale and, in truth, am a certain poor hermit, as one may say, for I live in a cell beside the fountain blessed by that holy Saint Ethelrada.  But, if I understand aught, there is to be a gay wedding here today; so, if thou mindest not, I would fain rest me in the cool shade within, for I would like to see this fine sight.”

“Truly, thou art welcome, brother,” said the old man, leading the way within.  Meantime, Robin Hood, in his guise of harper, together with Little John and Will Stutely, had come to the church.  Robin sat him down on a bench beside the door, but Little John, carrying the two bags of gold, went within, as did Will Stutely.

So Robin sat by the door, looking up the road and down the road to see who might come, till, after a time, he saw six horsemen come riding sedately and slowly, as became them, for they were churchmen in high orders.  Then, when they had come nearer, Robin saw who they were, and knew them.  The first was the Bishop of Hereford, and a fine figure he cut, I wot.  His vestments were of the richest silk, and around his neck was a fair chain of beaten gold.  The cap that hid his tonsure was of black velvet, and around the edges of it were rows of jewels that flashed in the sunlight, each stone being set in gold.  His hose were of flame-colored silk, and his shoes of black velvet, the long, pointed toes being turned up and fastened to his knees, and on either instep was embroidered a cross in gold thread.  Beside the Bishop rode the Prior of Emmet upon a mincing palfrey.  Rich were his clothes also, but not so gay as the stout Bishop’s.  Behind these were two of the higher brethren of Emmet, and behind these again two retainers belonging to the Bishop; for the Lord Bishop of Hereford strove to be as like the great barons as was in the power of one in holy orders.

When Robin saw this train drawing near, with flash of jewels and silk and jingle of silver bells on the trappings of the nags, he looked sourly upon them.  Quoth he to himself, “Yon Bishop is overgaudy for a holy man.  I do wonder whether his patron, who, methinks, was Saint Thomas, was given to wearing golden chains about his neck, silk clothing upon his body, and pointed shoes upon his feet; the money for all of which, God wot, hath been wrung from the sweat of poor tenants.  Bishop, Bishop, thy pride may have a fall ere thou wottest of it.”