See Spelman's Glossary, in verbo Mancus.] [*** W.Malms, lib.ii.cap.

2.] [**** Asser.p.3.

W.Malms, lib.ii.cap.2.

M.
West.p.7, 8.] The ecclesiastics, in those days of ignorance, made rapid advances in the acquisition of power and grandeur; and, inculcating the most absurd and most interested doctrines, though they sometimes met, from the contrary interests of the laity, with an opposition which it required time and address to overcome, they found no obstacle in their reason or understanding.

Not content with the donations of land made them by the Saxon princes and nobles, and with temporary oblations from the devotion of the people, they had cast a wishful eye on a vast revenue, which they claimed as belonging to them by a sacred and indefeasible title.