27 - Hugh De Eversden

Summary

From here to the death of Abbot Thomas is from the study of Thomas de Walsyngham, precentor

When the body of Abbot John, of blessed memory – who had obeyed the call of his creator on the eve of the feast of Matthew the apostle – was buried with honour, on the day appointed the election of the forthcoming abbot was carried out. By common assent, we elected Brother Hugh of Eversden, who had been cellarer. Even among the most fine-looking of men he was distinguished for his stature and his good looks and his liberality among friends. In idiomatic English and French he was second to none but he had got hold of little Latin. When he had been elected and given his acceptance the story goes that he said openly, ‘My brothers, I know perfectly well you could have chosen as your leader a cleverer and more learned man, but I am certain that you could not have found anywhere a more friendly abbot.’ His proctors went to the Curia and showed the confirmation of his election to the high pontiff. They stayed there a long time, incurring horrific expenses for the various gifts needed, but it was useless. In the end they were compelled to return, bearing the unwelcome reply that it was essential for the [abbot] elect to make the journey and present himself in person to the pontiff, who wanted to see the face of the elect, for the confirmation of whose election he had received the fervent appeals of so many magnates, prelates, the king and even the queen. So with nothing to show for all the earlier expense, the elect was forced to go to the Curia, he who feared nothing more than the Latin language, in which he was so little learned.

After various adventures he arrived there and when he had greeted the Lord Pope he made it his first care to sweeten the officials, so that they might deal more kindly with him. This done, and a favourable report of the fitness of his person presented to the pontiff, and accepted, and his election confirmed, he showed such generosity to the Lord Pope and the whole Curia that even the most avaricious of men praised his munificence.