ly Church
looketh not kindly on their evil doings. That ill priest, John
Wycliffe, who is accounted their leader, hath done more hurt to the
faith than any heretic these many years."

"Thou art but ill affected unto them, I trow," said Sir Ralph, jokingly.

"Ill affected!" exclaimed Lord Marnell, bringing down his hand violently
upon the arm of his chair, with a blow which made Margery start. "I cry
you mercy, fair mistress--but if I knew of any among my kin or meynie
[Household retinue] that leaned that way--ay, were it mine own sister,
the Prioress of Kennington--I tell thee, Ralph, I would have her up
before the King's Grace's council, and well whipped!"

Margery shuddered slightly. Sir Ralph leaned back in his chair, and
laughed heartily.

"Well said, fair cousin mine! But I pray thee, tell me what doctrines
hold these men, that thou wouldst have them all up afore the King's
Grace's council, and well whipped?"

"All manner of evil!" answered Lord Marnell, wrathfully. "They hold, as
I hear, that the blessed Sacrament of the Altar is in no wise the true
body of Christ, but only a piece of bread blessed by the priest, and to
be eaten in memory of His death; for the which reason also they would
allow the lay folk to drink Christ's blood. Moreover, they say that the
blessed angels and God's saints be not to be worshipped, but only to be
held in reverence and kindly memory. Also, they give to the common
people the Scriptures of God's Word for to read, which we wot well is
only fit for priests. And in all things which they do, I find not that
these evil wretches do hold any true thing as taught by Holy Church, but
one, which is masses for souls departed. I wis not much concerning
them, for they move mine anger."

"I pray your good Lordship," asked Sir Geoffrey, "can you tell me
whether these men be in great force in London or thereabouts at this
time? Find they any favour in the Court?"

"They be ever increasing," said Lord Marnell "so much so that the King's
council have seen good to prepare some orders against them--forbidding
of their assemblages, and such like--for to present unto the Parliament.
These orders provide, as my good friend holy Abbot Bilson did tell me,
that all convicted to be Lollards shall suffer close prison, for longer
or shorter time, as pleaseth the King's Grace. I trow they find not
favour at Court with many, but the few that look well on them be unhaply
of the highest. I have h