Chapter XIII

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