h
infirmity, nor be deemed to be under such compulsion so that they be
excused by the counsel of such suitable Confessors as may be chosen from
your body.

Likewise that each Prelate of your several churches shall have authority
with regard to vows to make pilgrimage across the seas, to the shrine of
the Blessed Peter and Paul, or other places of pilgrimage which ought to
be paid by you, or any one of you, from time to time, to commute the same
to other acts of piety.

Furthermore and by the authority aforesaid he doth grant to the followers
of your devotion this concession:

Whereas Indulgences have been granted by the Apostolic See to faithful
persons all and sundry who from year to year devoutly visit certain
churches in the which "stations" are appointed for certain days--and of
these churches some are within, and some without the city--and whereas
these Indulgences are granted to persons who visit the said churches on
the days for which stations for this purpose are appointed;

Now therefore he doth grant that each and all of you, being truly
penitent and having made confession, may and ought to enjoy the benefits
of such Indulgences just as if ye had actually and in person visited the
churches aforesaid.

And this concession shall avail both for the present and time to come for
ever, so that it hold good for those of you only who shall continue to
live in common, and in your own community (that is under the General
Chapter), and shall persevere in the observance of the said rule.

A LETTER CONCERNING THE FIRST INSTITUTION OF THE MONASTERY AT WINDESEM.

Here beginneth the preface to the work following: with the whole
affection of my heart and mind, and with the service of my voice do I
exalt God, the Invisible, the Almighty, and His only begotten son our
Lord Jesus Christ.

My most beloved Brother of old, when I told the tale of the former state
of this House, of the Fathers and Brothers thereof, and their blessed
deeds, and when I related also the origin of this foundation, thou didst
seem to lend an ear somewhat readily thereto. Furthermore, thou didst
make request that some memorial thereof should be committed to writing
(for so it seemed good to thee), because they who saw and knew the former
members of the House and the fervour of their lives, are now almost all
dead; and I am as it were the dregs of the cup, the very last of all; and
being already worn with age, it is like that I shall not b