Blanquerna

When the Bishop had resigned his bishopric, and had set himself to Study Arabic, the canons met in the chapterhouse to make ordinance concerning the eledtion of a paftor. One of the canons said that they ought to enquire of the Bishop as to which of them he thought should be Bishop in his Stead, for since he had been Bishop and had renounced his sec, desiring to die in honour of Jesus ChriSt, it was fitting that they should enquire of him and that he should have a vote in the chapter. All the canons found this counsel good. So he that was aforetime Bishop came to the chapter-house, and in the presence of all said that they should eledt for their Bishop the Abbot Blanquerna, for he knew none that was so worthy of the office ; yet he thought not that Blanquerna would desire to be Bishop. And if Blanquerna refused eledtion, his counsel was that they should eledt his successor according to the manner and art of eledtion.

2. Greatly was the Archdeacon displeased at that which was said by him that was aforetime Bishop, and certain of the canons were displeased likewise, for they were canons secular, and feared that, if the Abbot Blanquerna were eledted, he would cause them to become canons regular; but the greater number of the canons found it good that the Abbot Blanquerna should be Bishop; nevertheless they desired to make eledtion by following the art of election. But the Archdeacon, together with certain of the canons, opposed the holding of an eledtion according to the art. Wherefore the reft, who desired that Blanquerna should be Bishop, cledted him to the office without the art ; but

as Bishop; but the greater number of the canons sent againft him an advocate, begging that their lord the Pope would make commandment that the Abbot Blanqucrna should be Bishop.

4. When the Pope had heard either side, he spake these words: “Any semblance soever of simony is a thing to be shunned in an election, and opposition to it is a thing mo£l fitting; wherefore it seems to us that the Abbot Blanquerna, who desires not to be Bishop, nor to pass from a cloiftered life to a sphere of life more ample, is worthy to be eledted Bishop.” So the Holy Father willed that at all hazards Blanquerna should be Bishop, and sent to him the commandment that he should so become. Great was the displeasure of the Abbot and of all the community at the commandment of the Pope, and Blanquerna sent to the Pope two monks to excuse him, and to show the right which he had so to do; for (said they) if he that was aforetime Bishop could resign his diocese that he might choose a Waiter life, it was evident that Blanquerna

HO IV BLANQUERNA ORDERED HIS DIOCESE

could refuse eleflion, since he had taken the habit of a monk, to the end that he might lead a life of greater con-

5. So the monks went to Rome, and begged of their lord the Pope that he would not take from them the Abbot Blanquerna, for greatly would they be impoverished thereby, and great things had he done for the monaftery, and moS of all they made this prayer because he himself desired to be excused for the reasons aforesaid. But the Pope desired at all hazards that the Abbot Blanquerna should be Bishop, that he might do great things for his diocese even as he had done for the monaftery ; therefore the Pope was pleased to command him by his obedience that he should accept the office of Bishop. So the Abbot was compelled to leave his office, and to accept the office of Bishop. Greatly were all the monks displeased thereat, and great pleasure had the canons who had elected him.