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A.D. 1252.] THE ARCHBISHOP'S ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND. 539 the matter, sent word to many of the prelates of England, entreating one of them to make him a present of a palfrey; another to give him a church benefice; and giving them to understand that he would not refuse to accept any other presents they might offer, so that the donor might not seem to be despised by him. From the abbat of St. Alban's he obtained as an act of kindness a palfrey, and also a benefice, such as the Romans usually obtained from the chamber of any prelate, which means almost the same thing.