quisition certified that those heirs and their
progenitors held their lands of the abbey of _Peterburgh_, the right of
disposal of those heirs did therefore belong to the abbot, which the
king, understanding, desisted." This right of disposal is well worthy
of notice, as it illustrates the spirit of the time better than a great
deal of writing.

Godfrey was remarkable for his generosity and sumptuous entertainments.
The king and queen, with all their retinues, were provided for at the
monastery, and once Prince Edward came with Peter Gaveston, and the
abbot presented them with two magnificent robes.[13]

Godfrey added many beautiful improvements to his monastery, and built
"the great gate-tower, over which was the chamber called the knights'
chamber," being the gateway leading to the Bishop's Palace. The walls
of this room were carved with knights and their coats of arms.

[Illustration: Peterborough Cathedral--Remains of Cloisters.]

Whilst Edward was preparing for war against Scotland, he sent five
successive times to this abbey for money to assist him in carrying on
his enterprise, and Godfrey gave him in all about L500. His other gifts
and entertainments were sumptuous and large, and the sum of money which
he expended during his abbacy was L3646 4s. 3d. This remarkable man
died in 1321, after a splendid rule of twenty-two years. The value of
the monastery possessions in his time, about _Peterborough_ alone,
was L621 16s. 3d; but this sum was but a small portion of the vast
property which then belonged to the church.

Adam de Boothby was the next abbot. He entertained the king, queen, and
royal household, in the year 1327, which cost him L327 15s. Prince
Edward, with his sisters and servants, were likewise hospitably treated
at this abbey during a stay of eight weeks. Like Godfrey, Boothby was a
generous man, but the expenses which the royal family cost him and his
predecessors must have been a heavy impost upon the monastery. He died
in 1338, in the eighteenth year of his rule.

Henry de Morcot was installed in February, 1338. There is nothing of
any moment recorded of him, except that he was engaged in successful
litigation with a baron for the recovery of some church lands. He died
in 1346, having ruled eight years.

"Henry being dead, was buried betwixt the quire and the great altar,
near unto his predecessor Adam. His grave being, in the year 1648,
opened to receive the body of John Towers, late head bish