fourth before the Kalends of September, by eight bishops his suffragans; the rest who were absent signifying through messengers, and by writing, why they could not be
In his eleventh year, a council was held at Gloucester, wherein, by the king's order, and with the consent of Lanfranc, Thomas archbishop of York consecrated William to the bishopric of Durham; and because he could not be attended by the Scotch bishops his suffragans, the bishops Wolstan, Osbern, Giso, and Robert assisted at this ceremony by the command of Lanfranc. At this time Lanfranc sent letters rich in sacred lore to bishop Donald in Ireland.
In his sixteenth year Lanfranc consecrated Donatus, his monk at Canterbury, to the bishopric of Dublin, by the desire of the king, clergy, end people of Ireland. This year a council was held at Gloucester, wherein Lanfranc deposed Wulstcetel abbat of Croyland. He consecrated Robert to the bishopric of Chester, and William to that of Elmham, in one day, at Canterbury. At Winchester also he consecrated Maurice as bishop of London, who brought noble gifts to his mother church at Canterbury a few days afterwards.
In the eighteenth year of Lanfranc's prelacy, on the death of king William beyond sea, he acknowledged his son William, as he had done his father, and consecrated and crowned him in St. Peter's church, which is in the western part of London. The same year, and at his metropolitan city of Canterbury, he examined and consecrated Godfrey as bishop of Chichester, Wydo also as abbat of St. Augustine's and John as bishop of Wells. The next day Lanfranc on his own authority, and taking with him Odo bishop of Bayeux the king's brother, who was then at Canterbury, conducted the abbat Wydo to St. Augustine's and commanded the brothers of the order to receive him as their own abbat and pastor; but they, with one accord, answered that they would neither submit to him nor receive him. Thus Lanfranc came leading the abbat, and when he found that the monks were obstinate in resistance, and that they would not obey him, he commanded that all the refractory should come out one by one. When therefore nearly all had left the monastery, Lanfranc and his suite led in the abbat with much pomp, placed him in the chair, and delivered the church up to him. He also seized the prior, Elfrin by name, and as many others as he thought fit, and he put them forthwith into claustral imprisonment at Canterbury; but he sent those who had the greatest influence, and were the authors of this scandal, to the castle to be confined there. After he had returned home having finished all, he was informed that the monks who had left the monastery were assembled, near St. Mildred's church. Hereupon he sent to them, saying, that if they would, they might return to the church before the ninth hour, but that if they delayed longer, they would not be allowed free entrance, but he treated as renegadoes. Having heard this message they doubted whether to return or to remain, but at the hour of refection, when they became hungry, many repenting of their obstinacy sent to Lanfranc and promised submission. These he treated with lenity, and desired that they should return directly and confirm by oath their profession of obedience to the aforesaid abbat. Thus they returned and swore faithfulness and obedience to the abbat Wydo, upon
