Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-03-06
The FTiaT of Norwich.
AN ENGLISH LEGEND.

Among the gallant knights who accom-
panied King Edward the First to his wars in
France was one whose name Is yet famous in the
annals 0fchiyalrv. After an active and ariu-
GUS campaign, obtaining leave of absence. he
hastened back to his own country. anxious
TO behold the fair bride from whom he tad
SO long been separated. Joyous was the
meeting between the tw0-and no less wei
come was the intelligence that Sir Hugh had
been appointed Governor Of the city Of Nor
wich. near which his castle was situated.
Adjoining the knights abode was small
religious house-the inmates consisting of an
abbot and twelve friars, pious men and
worthy, whose DAYS were passed I'm minister
ing To the spiritual necessities of the sur
rounding population, and whose nights were
occupied with prayers and fasting. / have
said D." pious and worthy but I should add
with perhaps two exceptions. Friar John and
Friar Richard. These two brethren. the
LATEST in the community, were at continual
culuity, and could never agree five minutes
at q time. Often did their conduct-S1 out
of keeping with the holy services of the
h0use-distress the heart Of the kind Supe-
ulr, and many were the penanees and flag
gellations inflicted upon them by his orders.
But apparently little good did his admoni-
tions or his punishment do-for the two
friars hated each other with such a holy hor-
Tor that they more than once came to Esti-
cuffs, TO the great scandal Of the order
Observing strictly the duties of religion,
Sir Hugh and hls lady Elenore attended daily
mathis in the chapel adjoining the castle.
Friar John at sight Of the fair dame fell des-
peratelv in love with her, and made bold to
send the lady letter, expressing IN terms far
from guarded his desire TO have a private IN
terview Surprised and indignant, Elenore
hastened to lay the epistle before her lord.
After permitting his Indignation to subside.
Sir Hugh bade his wife address a reply 20
the loye-sick friar, bidding him come to the
castle on the following night, when her
husband would be absent.
At twelve clock on the following night.
the friar hasten- to the castle Knocking at
a side gate. he isadmitted TO an inner room,
when Sir Hugh suddenly enters m COM
uauv with a man-at-anns. and seizing the
poor friar. without giving him even time 10
breathe a PRAYER. strangles him on the spot.
The deed perpetrated. the murderer, filled
with alarm at the Nervousness of his crime
and the strict penalty Of the law therefor.
the forfeiture Of his life and estatates con
7iutiH lloN it 'ii ifNtll t4i' i7is anu llit'7
gain time to repent Of the first
4 thought strikes him, and be determines
10 convey the remains Of the hapless triar
into the convent ward adjoining. After con
sultation with the witness Of the deed, the
two lay hands upon the body, and by means
of d ladder surmouut the wall. Placing the
corpse upright in an out-house, the two re-
turn back to the castle, in their haste forget
ting the ladder.
In a short time Friar Richard has reason
for going into the convent yard, and entering
the clubhouse heholds by the bright light Of
the moon Friar John standing before him.
He speaks u him. and of course receives no
answer He again addresses his companion,
but still getting no reply. he snatches up
large stone and hurls it at the unfortunate
John. The missile fails in Its aim, but
-,rikes the dcfunct in the breast, tumbling
MIN headlong to the ground. Rushing to the
side % the body, Friar Richard attempts to
raise 1t. but perceiying no motion nor signs OF
life. veriig believes he has slain his old adj
versary. ~ hat shall hc do now The
gates Of the house are locked. So flv he can
not. While thinking how to make his es-
cape. he espies the ladder left by the knight
in his hurry. and straightway resolves upon
plan He lifts the mortal part Of the la5e
Eriar john upon his shoulders. and by the
help of the same ladder conveys 1t over the
wall to the porch of the castle. where BE
leaves it and hastens back to the convent.
In the meantime. Sir Hugh, troubled in
conscience. can by no means sleep so De
wake- up his man, and bids him goand listen
n he can hear any unusual noise upon the
discovery Of the murder Forth goes he
from MS masters chamber. and purpOsing to
20 through the yard, finds Friar John stand
ing in the porch Starting at tbe sioht. he
runs back afflighted and tells his master .
the latter proceeds hastily down. and there
with his own eyes beholls the stranoa oh
iect. For a moment the knight Is SIRE
alarmed. feeling within himself that murder
is one Of those crying sins that can never be
concealed Plucking up his couage, how
ever, he determines upon another mode o
getting rid Of the unwelcome guest He re
members an old stallion that had served
through the wars. in his stables. and com
1nands the broken-down steed TO b
brought-as also a rusty suit Of arm0r iron
the arnorv. The horse is saddled and ca
parisoned, the armor put upon the triar, an
he bound fast in the seat, the lance tied
his wrist, the lower end put in the rest, an
his head piece clasped on with the beaver up
Thus accoutred like champion in search Q
adventure, the ghostly rider is disnisse'
through the gate.
While the dead friar is thus being accou
tired. the conscienee-perplexed Richard doe
not feel himself safe, even after his dispose
of the corpse. Fearing when morning dawn
his crime will be found out, he resolves t
put many league between himself and tn
scene Of his guilt. He recOllects that ther
is mare in the shed, employed in carryin
corn TO and from the mill, a distance Of ha
an hours ride lie calls up the baker
charge Of the animal, and tells him that q
there is meal to be ground that day. he wi
take it to the mill. and thus save him the Fl
tigue Of the journey. The fellow, willing