'Henry had made many bishops in England without the Pope's
leave. I know not the rights of the matter, but only Rahere dared
jest about it. We waited on the King's next word.
'"I think Rahere is jealous of you," said he, smiling, to Nigel
of Ely. He was one bishop; and William of Exeter, the other -
Wal-wist the Saxons called him - laughed long. "Rahere is a priest
at heart. Shall I make him a bishop, De Aquila?" says the King.
'"There might be worse," said our Lord of Pevensey. "Rahere
would never do what Anselm has done."
'This Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, had gone off raging
to the Pope at Rome, because Henry would make bishops
without his leave either. I knew not the rights of it, but De Aquila
did, and the King laughed.
'"Anselm means no harm. He should have been a monk, not a
bishop," said the King. "I'll never quarrel with Anselm or his
Pope till they quarrel with my England. If we can keep the King's
peace till my son comes to rule, no man will lightly quarrel with
our England."
'"Amen," said De Aquila. "But the King's peace ends when
the King dies."
'That is true. The King's peace dies with the King. The custom
then is that all laws are outlaw, and men do what they will till the
new King is chosen.
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