d the story having lost nothing of its
marvel by the way,[313] the archbishop, who was fast sinking into dotage,
instead of ordering a careful inquiry, and appointing some competent person
to conduct it, listened with greedy interest; he assured Father Richard
that "the speeches which she had spoken came of God; and bidding him keep
him diligent account of all her utterances, directed him to inform her in
his name that she was not to refuse or hide the goodness and works of God."
Cobb, the bailiff, being encouraged by such high authority, would not keep
any longer in his kitchen a prophetess with the archbishop's imprimatur
upon her; and as soon as the girl was sufficiently recovered from her
illness to leave her bed, he caused her to sit at his own mess with his
mistress and the parson.[314] The story spread rapidly through the country;
inquisitive foolish people came about her to try her skill with questions;
and her illness, as she subsequently confessed, having then left her, and
as only her reputation was remaining, she bethought herself whether it
might not be possible to preserve it a little longer. "Perceiving herself
to be much made of, to be magnified and much set by, by reason of trifling
words spoken unadvisedly by idleness of her brain, she conceived in her
mind that having so good success, and furthermore from so small an occasion
and nothing to be esteemed, she might adventure further to enterprise and
essay what she could do, being in good advisement and remembrance."[315]
Her fits no longer recurred naturally, but she was able to reproduce either
the reality or the appearance of them; and she continued to improvise her
oracles with such ability as she could command, and with tolerable success.

In this undertaking she was speedily provided with an efficient coadjutor.
The Catholic church had for some time been unproductive of miracles, and as
heresy was raising its head and attracting converts, so opportune an
occurrence was not to be allowed to sleep. The archbishop sent his
comptroller to the Prior of Christ Church at Canterbury, with directions
that two monks whom he especially named, Doctor Bocking, the cellarer, and
Dan William Hadley, should go to Aldington to observe.[316] At first, not
knowing what was before them, both prior and monks were unwilling to meddle
with the matter.[317] They submitted, however, "from the obedience which
they owed unto their lord;" and they had soon reason to approve the