Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 1.djvu/200

186 to the coast. It was at the end of November, and the weather was cold and stormy; but Becket preferred the risks of the sea to those which awaited him on shore, and, embarking in a small boat, reached the harbour of Grave-lines in safety. Thence he resumed his journey, as before, on foot. Having encountered many privations, the primate and his companions reached the monastery of St. Bertin, in the town of St. Omer.



Here Becket waited the result of the applications he had made to Louis of France, and to the Pope Alexander III. It was not long before replies were returned entirely in his favour. Louis was glad of an opportunity of annoying and injuring Henry by extending protection to the archbishop, and Alexander supported his cause, as being that of the Church and of justice. He was desired to retain the archi-episcopal dignity, which he had resigned into the hands of