Page:American Historical Review vol. 6.djvu/675

 The Risings in the English Jllonastic Towns 665 and a vast multitude from Oxford, headed by their mayor and prominent burgesses and accompanied by many of the more turbu- lent scholars, marched to Abingdon. On the way thither they destroyed the manor of Northcote, belonging to the abbey, and having entered Abingdon laid siege to the conventual buildings.' One of the great abbey gates was set on fire, in spite of the valiant defence of those within, who rained showers of stones and arrows on the attackers. Meanwhile others of the invading force had laid siege to the hospital of St. John, but met with so stout a resistance that an entrance could not be effected. Finally, however, a way was forced through the church of St. Nicholas and the rioters en- tered the abbey precincts. The gaol was immediately broken open and all the prisoners set free. Then the outer and inner gates of the monastery were set on fire and free ingress given to the rabble to plunder and pillage the monastic buildings. The terrified monks took sanctuary in the chapel, but this proved unavailing for Edmund de la Becke, leader of the attack, boldly invaded the sacred pre- cincts with his followers, wounded one of the older monks and dragged the others away and thrust them into prison. Other un- fortunate brethren fled with their abbot across the river and several of these were drowned in their hurried efforts to escape their pur- suers. The abbey buildings were robbed of everything of value that they contained. Vestments, books, jewels and all such mov- ables were taken away and much damage was wantonly done to the buildings. The treasury was emptied, and deeds and charters burnt and destroyed. Even the horses and cattle belonging to the monks were driven away." The day following the rioters held a meeting in Bagley Wood, between Abingdon and Oxford, at which three thousand were pres- ent. Messengers were dispatched to the prior and such monks as still remained in the convent. In fear and trembling the ecclesias- tics came before the threatening assembly, which demanded certain concessions from them as representing the abbot and convent. The men of Abingdon were to have a provost and bailiffs of their own, who should be annually elected and have custody of the town. The abbot and convent were to abandon all rights they might claim to possess in Abingdon by royal charter, and they were to forego any action for damages, injuries and obligations that might ensue from the attack on the abbey by the rioters. These, with other less ' Egerton MS. 2S2, p. 21, which says : " Afterwards entering the town, they made such horrid noises that the unusualness of it even frightened those who had invited them thither." 2Brit. Mus. MS. 2S666, p. 156; Egerton 282, p. 20; Cal. Pat.Rolh, 1327-1330,