hed and solemnly sung; and a book was written of all the whole story
thereof, and put into print; which ever since that time was commonly sold,
and went abroad among the people."

The miracle successfully accomplished, the residence at Aldington was no
longer adapted for an acknowledged and favoured saint. The Virgin informed
her that she was to leave the bailiff and devote herself to her exclusive
service. She was to be Sister Elizabeth, and her especial favourite; and
Father Bocking was to be her spiritual father. The priory of St.
Sepulchre's, Canterbury, was chosen for the place of her profession; and as
soon as she was established in her cell, she became a recognised priestess
or prophetess, alternately communicating revelations, or indulging the
curiosity of foolish persons, and for both services consenting to be paid.
The church had by this time spread her reputation through England. The book
of her oracles, which extended soon to a considerable volume, was shown by
Archbishop Warham to the king, who sent it to Sir Thomas More, desiring him
to look at it. More's good sense had not yet forsaken him; he pronounced it
"a right poor production, such as any simple woman might speak of her own
wit;"[323] and Henry himself "esteemed the matter as light as it afterwards
proved lewd." But the world were less critical censors: the saintly halo
was round her head, and her most trivial words caught the reflection of the
glory, and seemed divine. "Divers and many, as well great men of the realm
as mean men, and many learned men, but specially many religious men, had
great confidence in her, and often resorted to her."[324] They "consulted
her much as to the will of God touching the heresies and schisms in the
realm;" and when the dispute arose between the bishops and the House of
Commons, they asked her what judgment there was in heaven "on the taking
away the liberties of the church;" to which questions her answers, being
dictated by her confessor, were all which the most eager churchman could
desire. Her position becoming more and more determined, the eccentric
periods of her earlier visions subsided into regularity. Once a fortnight
she was taken up into heaven into the presence of God and the saints, with
heavenly lights, heavenly voices, heavenly melodies and joys. The place of
ascent was usually the priory chapel, to which it was essential, therefore,
that she should have continual access: and she was allowed, in consequen