England_, vol. ii.
p.177, 3rd. Ed.
T.
Bath.
* * * * *
QUERIES
SAINT THOMAS OF LANCASTER.
Sir,--I am desirous of information respecting the religious
veneration paid to the memory of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster,
cousin-german to King Edward the Second. He was taken in open
rebellion against the King on the 16th of March, 1322, condemned by
a court-martial, and executed, with circumstances of great
indignity, on the rising ground above the castle of Pomfret, which
at the time was in his possession. His body was probably given to
the monks of the adjacent priory; and soon after his death miracles
were said to be performed at his tomb, and at the place of {182}
execution; a curious record of which is preserved in the library of
Corpus Christi College, at Cambridge, and introduced by Brady into
his history of the period. About the same time, a picture or image
of him seems to have been exhibited in St. Paul's Church, in London,
and to have been the object of many offerings. A special
proclamation was issued, denouncing this veneration of the memory of
a traitor, and threatening punishment on those who encouraged it;
and a statement is given by Brady of the opinions of an
ecclesiastic, who thought it very doubtful how far this devotion
should be encouraged by the Church, the Earl of Lancaster, besides
his political offences, having been a notorious evil-liver.
Pages:
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31