Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/178

 ]l^ THE MU.VIMENTS OF THE ABBEY OF WESTMINSTER. of Goods " we have some very interesting lists anil other documents, as also under the heading "Jurisdiction." The documents under the title "Law Suits, etc.," com- prise many accounts of the expenses of the Abbot and members of the monastery when travelling upon the busi- ness of the house, including those of Abbot Wenlock going to Rome, and brother Colchester also engaged abroad, and chii'tly at Uonie. Of the intimacy existing between the King and the Abbot we have an instance under the title " London." It is a receipt by John de Xorthwich, citizen and goldsmith, for goods seized by the King and placed for safe custod}'^ in the care of the Abbot of Westminster, 45 Edw. IIL There are man}' deeds relating to the transactions of the great Italian companies of merchants who lent money to the Abbots of Westminster in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, under the heading " ][ercatores Florentini." Under that of " Monks — their vows," are twenty-one original subscriptions of such persons on entering the monastery. In these days of rapid correspondence and "clearing-houses" there is an item under the title " Pope — payments to him " that reads very strangely. It is an " Acknowledgment b}' the Bishop of St. David's of the return of .£200 deposited with the treasurer of the Abbot of Westminster, because no London merchant or other person could be found to transmit the same to the Pope; A. 1). 1297." Under the same title we have an entry showing how actively the papal oflicials behaved in a case of arrears due from the Abbot in 1318, how they sequestered some of the Abbey manors, and made a peremptory order for payment under threat of excomnumication -this was for the money borrowed by Abbot Ware in Rome. Of the disputes between members of the monastery and other scandals of the lii>use we have many illustrations among the Records. Under the titN; "Records, &c.," is an item which may have some special interest as regards the Chapter House. It is an " Indenture witnessing the delivery, in the Chapter House of Westminster and in tlic presence of witnes.ses, by Tliomas Archbishop of York (Ciianccllor of rhigland) to the Abbot of Westminster, of ccrt.-iin pnp;tl I'lilIsMtid odirr docii- monts to 1)0 l)y them kept in .-i ccilaiii lilllc cdllcr ; IS Ki'li.'ir.j il." Abbot Colchester was a great favduritc wiili