When the time shall come Sir Cuthbert will doubtless be ready to prove his rights.

But at present right has no force in England, and until the coming of our good King Richard must remain in abeyance.

Until then, I support the title of Sir Cuthbert, and do hereby declare Sir Rudolph a false and perjured knight; and warn him that if he falls into my hands it will fare but badly with him, as I know it will fare but badly with me should I come into his." At nightfall the cartel of Sir Rudolph was torn down from the church and that of Cnut affixed in its place.

The reading thereof caused great astonishment in Evesham, and the rage of Sir Rudolph, when the news came to his ears, was very great.

Cuthbert was sure that this affair would quicken the intentions of Sir Rudolph with regard to the Lady Margaret, and he received confirmation of this in a letter which the abbess sent him, saying that she had received another missive from Sir Rudolph, authoritatively demanding in the king's name the instant surrender of Lady Margaret to him.