St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-03-02

seems 70 have been, that one Richard
Dc F0dlicote audaciously robbed the
refectOry Of the abbey, and in tho
course of his search for plunder no
ticed the insecure state of the treasury.
and discovered the nature of its con-
tents. In concert with some lay
friends and some Of the clerical
guardians. among them the subprior
and sacrist. plot was elaborated for
carrying of the money intended for
furnishing the King with the means Of
war. Early in the year 1908 this plot
was carried to . successful issue. and
the money distracted without at once
causing attention. The plunder was
not Immediately removed from the
precinct of the abbey. but buried In
the green inclOsed by the cl0ister.
To prevent the removal Of the
earth being noticed. crop
Of hemp was sown. partly
perhaps. to mark the spot, and also be-
cause Of its rapid growth. The gar
dener who usually trimmed the grass
was refused admission on various pre-
texts. the culprits fearing his scythe
might strike something richer than the
earth. As soon as the matter could be
arranged. the money was exhumed.
and conveyed across the river to the
Surrey shore. concealed in two largo
black panniers, and from that time was
lost. Where it went. no one but those
concerned knew, or who profited in the
possession Of so vast sum. The monk
Alexander OF Pershore. who carried it
over, returned to his place in the ab-
bey, and waited with the others tho
bursting of the inevitable storm. In
consequence of rumor. or tn draw out
further sums. the Kings officers soon
after the removal came to the treas
ury; aud what confusion met their
eyes-broken boxes. jewels lying about
broadcast. papers and seals strewing
the floor, the whole of the contents up
set. and. to crown all. the treasure
gone!
The subprior and sacrist were exc
cuted; and to mark the enormity Of the
ofYense. tradition AYERS the bodies were
flayed-let US hope after death-and
the skin nailed to the door of the chap
ell as a warning to those who might be
sacrilegiously minded. There is no
doubling that human skin was attached
to the doors. for portions we're submitted
to celebrated surgeon during the re-
storation of the abbey, and he pro-
nounced them human. Whether the
skin once covered the unfortunate sub
prior and sacrist remains doubtful. rs
some think the owners were certain
Danes who troubled English peace for
a time.
After the steed was stolen, the stable
door was locked; double doors were
put up and five or six locks added Or
security. Iron bars were fixed 70 the
windows, and the chamhc- educed ir
size BY q thick wall -. across it
After the Refc rm.slon the regalia
were renee So the tower. where
they car now be seen under the guard
ians. 10 If stalwart beef-eaters in their
mt costumes. or the more pr0saic
.,sue-coated police. The ''relics" were
probably converted into mundane coin
by the reforming spirit of the time.
The name pyx is derived from the
box or case in which are deposited the
coins. specimens Of the coinage Of the
realm. called trial pieces. Oncc in
every Ave years certain officers. ap-
pointed BY the Chancellor of the Ex-
cheQuer and tho Lord Chancellor. md
constituting jury. visited the chapel.
whose doors with the numerous locks
were opened by attendants bearing
mighty keys. The duties of the jury
were to inquire into the purity and
weight of the coinage by assay and
weighing, and give q written verdict
testifying their satisfaction with the
work of the master Of the mint On
arriving in the chapel the coins were
taken out Of the pyx. placed in paper
parcels. sealed and taken possession OF
BY the jury. Coins were selected at
hazard for testing by fire and scales;
and after these operations, and in the
afternoon of the same day. the verdict.
written out at length. was handed to
tho Lord Chancellor. The document
became q state paper. and probably
the curious-minded may see them in
the record Office. or wherever such pa
pers are deposited. ed.-Ctombev's Jour-
nuL