Chapter XX - A Voice from the Cloister

Summary

We are now in a position to estimate the value of this little Scottish book which, to my mind, is more illuminating for the history of later monasticism in that country than any other single document.

The author calls himself Robertus Richardinus: let us call him Robert Richardson. He has sometimes been identified, and probably enough, with the Robert Richardson who, in 1538, went over to Protestantism, and, in 1543, was preaching in Scotland on Henry VIII’ recommendation, but was compelled to seek refuge again in England. Within seven years, at a time like that, any man might very honestly change his mind; we have seen in our own days conversions no less startling, yet obvious in their sincerity, whether we approve of the change or not. But, whether this identification be correct or incorrect, it is plain that Richardson was not unorthodox in 1531. His little book is that of a writer honestly loyal to the Church and to his own monastic Order, and only concerned with helping the struggle to restore that Order to something like its earlier regularity. He was a canon of Cambuskenneth, and wrote his book at the bidding of his abbot, Alexander Myln, who was one of the ablest and most trustworthy ecclesiastics of the day, President of the new Court of Session and administrator for Holyrood and St Andrews during the infancy of the royal bastards who held those great monasteries in commendam.