Nor do I doubt that — as it may be to-morrow — ^my
just conduct will answer for me, by God's mercy.
And without doubt this exile has been of the greatest
benefit to the archbishop both as to his learning and
his character ; and I also have profited in some de-
gree, in that I am thankful for God's providence.
I will not indeed promise that I will not for the
future serve my lord of Canterbury, nevertheless God
is my witness that according to your desire I will in
future be a courtier. If God should open to me a
way of return, write if I should return with all my
baggage. For if so I shall want more horses and
many things that I do not at present possess.
About Hay, 1166.— Thomas to the king.
Materials, v., p. 278.
[In 1 166, before proceeding to extremities, the archbishop
addressed to the king three letters, increasing in se%'erity as he
received no favourable reply. The third is here given. This
was sent, says Herbert, by a fit messenger, a monk, Gerald ** the
shoeless," ascetic and zealous. The other letters are given m
Materials v., pp. 266 and 269.]

These are the words of the archbishop of Canter-
bury to the king of the English.
