blind the law which they designed to uphold. Nor did they yield to either the promises or entreaties of any men, however powerful ; but earnestly examining the truth, they as speedily as possible punished all evil deeds. And when they had arrived at Ware, where they were to examine into the state of the county of Hertford, they caused all the people from the liberty of Saint Alban's, that whoever chose to bring forward a complaint, or anything of the sort, on any subject, or against any one, might come before them, to receive justice at their hands. But as it was known to the abbot of Saint Alban's, and to his council, that this was contrary to the liberties and customs of their church, they would not acquiesce in it. About the same time some formal ambassadors of the lord the pope landed in England, being two of the Minor Brothers, with two Masters, namely, the chancellor of the king of Germany, who had been a long time delayed at the court of Rome, and another person, whose name I know not, but he was a noble and discreet man ; and they, in compliance with the injunction of the pope, came with the special purpose of having a conference with the king of Germany, who was at that time sojourning in England. They also brought him letters from the pope, and messages, having reference to the dignity of the Roman empire, which was now without dispute granted and offered to him. And they were bearers of similar messages of exhortation on the same subject, addressed to all the nobles of Germany, begging them to urge their king to embrace the promotion to the empire, in accordance with the decree of the Apostolic See. And, that prince Manfred was very eagerly desirous this honour might not be beforehand with and supplant him, they urged him, relying on the favour and assistance of the Roman court, to put himself forward and vigorously to claim the empire thus offered to him. And after the ambassadors had been honourably received and reverently listened to with many thanks, the king of Germany sent them on to his kingdom, in order that they might there fully deliver to his nobles the message with which they were charged, and carefully discuss the pope's message with them, being informed that he was unwilling to undertake so important and laborious a journey without full preparation, and, on account of the numerous obstacles which he saw, to submit himself without due consideration to the wheel of fortune.