_R. Houed._] he came first to Woodstocke, and there promised the king to
obserue his lawes, Bona fide, Faithfullie, and without all collusion or
deceit.

[Sidenote: 1164.] [Sidenote: _Ger. Dor._ A councell at Clarendon.]
Shortlie after, in the feast of S. Hilarie, a councell was holden at
Clarendon, whereto the archbishop, and in manner all the lords
spirituall and temporall of the land made their repaire. Here the
archbishop would haue willinglie started from his promise, if first the
bishops, and after the earles of Leicester and Cornewall, [Sidenote:
_Ger. Dor._] Robert and Reignald (which Reignald was vncle to the king)
and lastlie two knights templers, had not mooued him to yéeld to the
kings will. But (amongst the rest) these two knights, namelie Richard de
Hastings, and Hosteus de Boloigne were verie earnest with him, & at
length preuailed, though not for conscience of dutie, wherewith he
should haue beene touched; yet with feare of danger, which (by refusing
to satisfie the kings will) he should haue brought not onelie vpon
himselfe, but also vpon the other bishops there present.

These knights séemed to lament his case, as if alreadie they had séene
naked swords shaken about his eares. And indeed, certeine of the kings
seruants that attended vpon his person after the manner of a gard, went
to and fro, rushing vp and downe the chambers, shaking their bright
battell axes readie appointed, and looking as if they would forthwith
run vpon the bishops. Wherevpon the archbishop being touched with
remorse, and séeming to striue against his determinat purpose, consented
to obey the kings pleasure, and so promised in the word of a préest,
[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._ The archbishop Becket receiueth an oth.]
swering furthermore, that he would obserue the kings lawes and customes,
without expressing these words, Saluo ordine meo, Mine order saued,