the other prelates, nominated by Henry, received consecration from the hands of Anselm, in 1107. *

The honours and favours of our fortunate prelate did not terminate with his elevation to the episcopal dignity. He was raised to the high office of Justiciary; † though with real or affected modesty, he declined this important trust, till he was constrained to accept it, by the instances of the archbishop of Canterbury, and even of the pope himself. But it was in the post of treasurer, which he seems to have held during almost the whole reign of Henry, that he exercised all the functions of a prime minister, and displayed those distinguished talents, which had been obscured in a private station.

To the favour and confidence of the monarch, our prelate probably owed a privilege, eagerly coveted by the turbulent nobility of the times, when the consequence of individuals was estimated by the strength and splendour of their fortified residences. He built a castle at Devizes, § which was considered as one of the most sumptuous and stately edifices in England; and a second at Sherborne, little inferior; and he repaired and

* Eadmer, p. 52-91. Diceto-Brompton-Twysd. p. 500. 1000.

It was an antient custom of the kings of England to administer justice in person. In process of time, however, this office was confided to a deputy, who, under the norman sovereigns, bore the title of Justiciary of England. The Justiciaries continued till the erection of the courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas. The last who held the office was Philip de Basset, in 1261.

Diceto. Twysd. p. 652.

§ No documents have been found to ascertain when Devizes was annexed to the see of Sarum. If it was the THEODULVESIDE, mentioned in Domesday, among the lands held by the king, as Mr. Wyndham conjectures, it was probably one of the gifts of Henry the First to bishop Roger, At least, it was certainly not regarded in the same light as Malmsbury, which he received from king Stephen; for Henry the Second obtained a formal renunciation of the castle from bishop Joceline, as will be seen in a subsequent page. The town was long afterwards a dependency of the see.

strengthened the castle of Sarum, which was intrusted to his custody. He also expended large sums in completing and embellishing his cathedral, which had been injured by a storm, soon after its dedication. Indeed, some of our chroniclers distinguish him by the title of "the great Builder of churches, and castles." Above all, he merits a particular commemoration, in the History of the See, for the extensive possessions which, through his interposition, were conferred on his church. *

In addition to the vast wealth, which flowed from his numerous places and preferments, his great interest enabled him to advance his relations to honourable posts. One of his nephews, Alexander, was first made archdeacon of Sarum, next chancellor, and finally, in 1123, raised to the see of Lincoln. His second nephew, Nigellus, was nominated to a prebend in the church of St. Paul's, then to the office of treasurer, and, in 1133, to the see of Ely.

Hitherto we have contemplated the favourable parts of his character : his liberality and magnanimity; his fidelity, diligence, prudence, and integrity. In him we have beheld merit prosperous, and worthy of prosperity. It is painful to reverse the picture, and mark the prevarication, meanness, and selfish ambition, which dishonoured his latter years. Henry the First, having prematurely lost his only son, William, who was drowned, in 1120, was anxious to secure the reversion of his crown to his daughter, Matilda, or, as she is more generally called, from the rank of her husband, the empress Maud. Accordingly, he assembled the states of the realm, to swear fealty to his daughter; and our prelate was not remiss in offering this pledge of attachment. The ceremony was afterwards repeated, by the

* See the Charter of Henry the First. Part 2, ch. 1.

states of England and Normandy. But, on the death of Henry, which happened in 1135, Roger speedily forgot his obligations to his benefactor, as well as his own solemn engagements. He joined in the intrigues of Henry de Blois, bishop of Winchester, to raise to the throne Stephen, earl of Blois; and he essentially contributed to the success of the scheme, by delivering up the treasure, which the deceased monarch had intrusted to his care. He even attempted to justify his tergiversation, under the frivolous pretence, that as Maud had married a second time without the consent of the states, she had thereby forfeited her claims to their allegiance.

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The inducements which had tempted our prelate, into an action so imprudent in itself, and so unworthy of his character, were soon obvious. He experienced from king Stephen the same outward consideration and regard, as from Henry. His advice was received with the most marked respect, and his very wishes anticipated. To an attendant, who probably expressed surprise at such a singular condescension towards a subject, Stephen replied, 'By the nativity of God, if he were to ask of me one half of my kingdom, I would grant it him, till this season be past. He shall sooner be tired of asking, than I of giving." The bishop of Ely, his nephew, was again placed in the office of treasurer; and his natural son, Roger, appointed chancellor. Besides other gifts, our prelate himself obtained a grant of lands at Lavington, and the burgh of Malmsbury. At the latter place he displayed his characteristic fondness for building, by commencing a stately castle, like those of Devizes and Sherborne. †

It was, however, impossible for Stephen to feel respect for a man who had been equally wanting in gratitude and duty. The increasing alienation

* Malmsb. Sav. p. 175.

+ Chapter Records and Will. Malmsb. Sav. p. 181.

of the monarch was quickly discovered, and his jealousy inflamed, by the insinuations of the courtiers. Accordingly, Stephen had no sooner secured himself on the throne, than he determined to ruin a subject, who might exert that power to his detriment, which had been successfully employed in promoting his elevation.

With this view, Stephen called a great council at Oxford, in June, 1139, to which bishop Roger, his son, and two nephews, were summoned. The royal order reached him at Malmsbury, where he was probably employed in superintending his buildings. He was too deeply versed in the wiles of courts, to be ignorant of the danger which awaited him; and alleged ill health, and the infirmities of age, in excuse for his absence. But his plea was not admitted: a message was sent that weighty affairs were in agitation, and that his great experience rendered his counsels absolutely necessary. He feared the consequence of disobedience; but, according to the account given by William of Malmsbury, who was an eye witness, he commenced the journey with melancholy forebodings. As if dreading violence or surprise, he was escorted by a numerous retinue of armed followers. *

On arriving at Oxford, he was received with the most flattering marks of respect. But, by secret contrivance, a quarrel was raised between his attendants and those of Alan, earl of Britanny, in which one of the retinue of the earl was killed, and another dangerously wounded. This affray was made the pretext for executing the plot which had been formed against him. He, with his son and nephews, were called before the king, and ordered to

* Will. Malmsb. Sav. p. 181.

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deliver up their castles. They all complied, except the bishop of Ely, who fled to the castle of Devizes, and prepared for resistance.

Enraged at this contumacy, Stephen hastened to Devizes, carrying with him the bishop of Sarum, and his son, as prisoners. Ely, refusing to yield, the king caused a gallows to be erected; and ordered Roger, the bishop's son, to be immediately executed. The aged prelate supplicated for mercy, and with difficulty obtained a respite, by solemnly promising to taste no food till the fortress was surrendered. But his inexorable nephew suffered him to fast three days, and then submitted with reluctance.

The treasures which Roger had amassed, during a long period of prosperity, fell into the hands of the king. In this castle were found no less than forty thousand marks of silver, besides gold, plate, and jewels. The castle of Sherborne shared the same fate; and the immense treasure, which it contained, swelled the plunder seized at Devizes.

The ingratitude of Stephen towards the bishop of Sarum, and the violence offered to the church, in the person of one of its most distinguished members, alienated even his own brother, the bishop of Winchester. That prelate employed his authority as papal legate, to convene a synod at Winchester, before which he cited the king, to answer for the outrage he had committed. Roger attended; pleaded his cause with all the energy of a vigorous mind; and threatened, if justice was denied, to appeal to the pope. But the arguments and address of Aubrey de Vere, an able lawyer, who appeared on the part of the king, disconcerted the assembly. A pause ensued, and it was agreed to wait the who was to attend the following day. decided against the disgraced bishops;

arrival of the archbishop of Rouen, Contrary to expectation, that prelate and the proceedings were terminated