Note 1328 — Chapter IX · HENRY AND ENGLAND. 1154–1157.
Reading edition
[1324] Joh. Salisb. (ib.·/·Enthet. in Polycrat. (Giles, vol. ii.), p. 305. Cf. Anon. I. (ib.·/·Robertson, Becket, vol. iv.), p. 12; and Thomas Saga (Magnusson), vol. i. p. 59.
[1325] See Will. Fitz-Steph. (Robertson, Becket, vol. iii.), p. 19.
[1326] Joh. Salisb., Entheticus, v. 1357 (Giles, vol. v. p. 282).
[1327] Joh. Salisb. Enthet. in Polycrat. (Giles, vol. iii.) p. 3.
[1328]
“Hic est qui regni leges cancellat iniquas, Et mandata pii principis æqua facit.”
Joh. Salisb., Enthet. in Polycrat. (Giles, vol. iii.) p. 2. This seems to be the earliest version of the jest about law and equity, and sums up, in a playful shape, the chancellor’s relation to both.
[1329] Although Thomas was “slightly stuttering in his talk.” Thomas Saga (Magnusson), vol. i. p. 29. The statement occurs in none of the extant Latin lives, but from its very strangeness can hardly be anything but a touch of genuine tradition. The impediment however can only have been a very slight one, and was most likely nothing more than the effect of his extreme impetuosity. It certainly did not hinder him speaking his mind fully and forcibly upon any important occasion when his feelings were deeply stirred.