[132] Dugdale’s Baronage, vol. i. p. 426.
[133] During one of Edward’s progresses to Scotland, a palfrey belonging to the royal train threw and killed its rider; and Anthony seized the palfrey as a deodand: “dedeins sa fraunchise roiale.”
[134] He gave 40s. for as many fresh herrings, “Aliis magnatibus tune in Parliamento ibi consistentibus pro nimiâ caristiâ emere non curantibus.” _Grayst._ c. 14. On another occasion, hearing one say, “this cloth is so dear, that even Bishop Anthony would not venture to pay for it;” he immediately ordered it to be bought and cut up into horse-cloths.--_Ibid._
[135] “Castissimè vixit, vix mulierum faciem fixis oculis aspiciens; unde in translatione S. Willelmi Eboracensis cum alii Episcopi ossa ejus timerent tangere, remordente eos conscientiâ de virginitate amissâ, iste audacter manus imposuit; et quod negotium poposcit reverenter egit.”--_Ibid._
[136] “Quietis impatiens vix ultra unum somnum in lecto expectans, dixit illum non esse hominem qui in lecto de latere in latus se verteret.”--_Ibid._
[137] “In nullo loco mansurus, continuè circuibat de manerio in manerium, de austro in boream; et equorum, canum et avium sectator.”--_Ibid._ And here one cannot avoid being reminded of the satirical lines of Piers Plowman:
“And piked a boute on palfrays: fro place to maners Have an hepe of houndes at his ers: as he a Lord were.”
Bishop-Middleham, then a fortress of the first class, appears, from the date of several charters, to have been Anthony Bek’s chief residence within the county of Durham. The reasons which led to this preference are obvious. Defended by a morass on two sides, and by broken ground to the north, the fortress presented an almost impregnable stronghold during the wars of the Border, whilst Auckland lay bare and defenceless, on the direct route of Scottish invasion. It is no wonder that, in after times, Middleham was deserted for the green glades of Auckland.
The following lines are extracted from an inedited poem on the “Superstitions of the North.”
“There Valour bowed before the rood and book, And kneeling Knighthood served a Prelate Lord; Yet little deigned he on such train to look, Or glance of ruth or pity to afford. There time has heard the peal rung out by night, Has seen from every tower the cressets stream: When the red bale-fire on yon western height, Had roused the Warder from his fitful dream; Has seen old Durham’s lion-banner float O’er the proud bulwark, that, with giant pride, And feet deep plunged amidst the circling moat, The efforts of the roving Scot defied.