and powers of the new king, which never in fact found
their answer so long as he lived. Meanwhile Henry
had raised up for himself a host of new difficulties.
The archbishop had a fresh grievance in the king’s
reckless contempt of the rights of Canterbury.
The Church party both in England and in Europe was
outraged at the wrong done to him. Many who had
before wavered, like Henry of Blois, now threw themselves
passionately on the side of Thomas. In the fierce
contention that soon raged round the right of the archbishop
to crown the king, and to deal as he chose with any
prelate who might infringe his privileges, all other
questions were forgotten. Not only the zealots
for religious tradition, but all who clung loyally
to established law and custom, were thrown into opposition.
The French king was bitterly angry that his daughter
had not been crowned with her husband. All Henry’s
enemies banded themselves together in a frenzy of
rage. So immediate and formidable was the outburst
of indignation that ten days after the coronation
the king no longer ventured to remain in England;
and on the 24th of June he hastily crossed the Channel.
Near Falaise he was met by the bishop of Worcester,
who had supported him at Northampton. The king
turned upon him passionately, and broke out in angry
words, “Now it is plain that thou art a traitor!
I ordered thee to attend the coronation of my son,
and since thou didst not choose to be there, thou
hast shown that thou hast no love for me nor for my
son’s advancement. It is plain that thou
favourest my enemy and hatest me. I will tear
the revenues of the see from thy hands, who hast proved
unworthy of the bishopric or any benefice. In
truth thou wert never the son of my uncle, the good
Count Robert, who reared me and thee in his castle,
and had us there taught the first lessons of morals
and of learning.” Earl Robert’s son,
however, was swift in retort. He vehemently declared
he would have no part in the guilt of such a consecration.
“What grateful act of yours,” he cried,
“has shown that Count Robert was your uncle,
and brought you up, and battled with Stephen for sixteen
years for your sake, and for you was at last made
captive? Had you called to mind his services
you would not have driven my brothers to penury and
ruin. My eldest brother’s tenure, given
him by your grandfather, you have curtailed.
My youngest brother, a stout soldier, you have driven
by stress of want to quit a soldier’s life and
give himself to the perpetual service of the hospital
at Jerusalem, and don the monk’s habit.
Thus you know how to bless those of your own household!
Thus you are wont to reward those who have deserved
well of you! Why threaten me with the loss of
my benefice? Be it yours if it suffice you not
to have already seized an archbishopric, six vacant
sees, and many abbeys, to the peril of your soul,
and turned to secular uses the alms of your fathers,
of pious kings, the patrimony of Jesus Christ!”
All this abuse, and much more besides, the angry bishop