Note 1114 — Chapter V · THE YOUNG KING 1223–1227

“Jurato autem stare mandatis Ecclesiae, in ruborem et confusionem meam, Londoniis in die dedicationis ejusdem Sanctae Trinitatis, affectata presentia plurimorum, idem archiepiscopus nudari me faciens, sermonem ad populum facto ... tandem absolutum post verba multa et probra me dimisit.” Quer. Falc., p. 268. We are not obliged to accept Falkes’s description of Stephen’s discourse as containing “blasphemias infinitas,” nor to believe that the words which he proceeds to give as a quotation from it (ib.) were actually spoken by the Primate. His date—“die dedicationis ejusdem S. Trinitatis”—is absolutely unintelligible to me; but the safe-conduct given him on 19th August was to last till the 25th; and 25th August is also the date of his final act of surrender, which would no doubt be made directly after his absolution. That he was absolved before he made it is stated in the deed itself.