Note 11 — HISTORY
Reading edition
Chron. William of Malmesbury, ed. Stubbs, i. 171.
An interesting story is told of the rescue by a bishop of a man in the year 1184. One, Gilbert Plumpton, actually had the rope round his neck when the bishop passed by. He ordered the executioners to let the man down, alleging that the day was Sunday, and besides the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. But he had heard the people crying out that Plumpton was innocent, and he believed them. On threat of excommunication the executioners loosed the rope. The bishop prevailed with the king to spare Plumpton’s life. Plumpton remained in prison till the death of the king (Chron. Roger de Hoveden, ed. Stubbs, ii. 286).