< previous page page_337 next page >

Page 337
Fortunately, there was more than enough going on to thrust personal problems into the background. On the opening day of the council, the Bishop of Salisbury returned to the attack, with the Bishop of London in support. The king had gathered support also, but the king's creatures shrank into silence before Roger of London's pale eyes. His was truly a martyr's face, marked by asceticism and denial, and the gorgeous robes that testified to the majesty and magnificence of the Church covered a hair shirt, which rasped a body torn by self-flagellation, unwashed and stinking to remind the mighty Church prelate of his own mortality and sinfulness.
Only Winchester stood his ground, but elaborate explanations and close reasoning failed before the single-minded flame of London's faith. What was Caesar's was rendered to Caesar, but what was God's belonged to His Church.
"Sanctuary was violated," the Bishop of London said firmly. "No one denies this. Hubert de Burgh must be returned to the spot from which he was seized in the condition in which he was taken."
Twice Salisbury was nearly drawn into an argument that could only lead to a victory for Winchester's more adroit, more legalistic mind. Each time London stopped him with a touch and repeated his statement. There was something about Roger of London that shook the soul. Even in the violence of his rage and frustration, Henry was weakening. He had crossed wills with Roger of London before and had lost. He remembered that and had already begun to wonder whether the contest was worthwhile. Sensing this, Winchester urged him to say he would take the matter under advisement, thereby ending the audience. Salisbury looked as if he were about to protest, but London stopped him again.
"Yes," he said in his thin but carrying voice, "think about it. Think whether it is worth imperiling your

 
< previous page page_337 next page >