. The greater abbeys of England. pacious gateway, remarkablefor its squared stones; a large brew-house, and stables formany horses. These he erected right from the founda-tion to their completion, and over and besides theseworks he gave many princely ornaments to the Church. King Henry II refused to allow the monks to elect asuperior on the death of Bishop de Blois, but he sent anofficial to manage the monastic revenues, which he keptin his own hands. During this time, and, indeed, notvery long after the death of the bishop, a fire destroyedmost of the monastic buildings. This happened in 1184
. The greater abbeys of England. pacious gateway, remarkablefor its squared stones; a large brew-house, and stables formany horses. These he erected right from the founda-tion to their completion, and over and besides theseworks he gave many princely ornaments to the Church. King Henry II refused to allow the monks to elect asuperior on the death of Bishop de Blois, but he sent anofficial to manage the monastic revenues, which he keptin his own hands. During this time, and, indeed, notvery long after the death of the bishop, a fire destroyedmost of the monastic buildings. This happened in 1184,and the old monastic chronicler thus bemoans the dis-aster: In the following summer, that is to say on day [May 25, 1184], the whole of the monastery,except a chamber constructed in the Chapel by AbbotRobert, into which the monks afterwards betook them-selves, and the bell-tower built by Bishop Henry, wasconsumed by fire. The beautiful buildings lately erectedby Henry of Blois and the Church a place so venerated [146]. GLASTONBURY by all and the shelter of so many saints, were reduced toashes. What sorrow was suffered 1 What groans arose!What tears were shed as the monks saw what had takenplace, and pondered over the losses they had precious treasures, not only the gold and silver, butthe stuffs and silks, the books and other ecclesiastical orna-ments were thrown into a state of confusion which mustbring tears to the eyes even of those who far away do buthear of these things. King Henry II determined to restore Glastonburyout of the monastic revenues which he still kept in hishands, and which were administered by the Kings offi-cial, FitzStephen. In the royal charter granted in 1184,Henry says: ^^ I, laying the foundation of the church atGlastonbury, which was reduced to ashes whilst it was inmy hands, have determined to repair it either by myselfor my heirs. Up to the time of the fire the old churchor lady chapel had remained, as originally built, awo
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