Bouchet tells one of his strange stories of a monk of this monastery, which is curious, as it relates to that dangerous and powerful subject of the harassed King of England, Henry II., who must have had enough to do to circumvent the art and cunning of the wily archbishop who was always working for his ruin and the exaltation of the Church.

The annalist relates that-- "At this period, Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury, in England, was a fugitive from his country, because the English princes desired to kill _and_ put him to death: for that he would not agree to certain constitutions, statutes, and ordinances, that Henry II.

and the princes of England had made against the liberties and privileges of the Church, and the holy canons thereof.

For they wished to confer dignities and other benefices and take the fruits, thereby profaning the sanctuary of God.

And the said archbishop was seven years, or thereabouts, in France, which land is the refuge of popes and holy personages; and he had great communication and familiarity with the said Pope Alexander, he being in the town of Sens, where he chiefly staid while in France.