Book Two - Chapter 3

Of sailors in peril.

CERTAIN merchants, when their ships were laden with divers household goods in the hope of profit, committed themselves to the fickle winds and uncertain sea, making for London to layout their merchandise with advantage. But when they had started from the shore of Flanders and were ploughing the seas with swift course, lo, the sun's ray was overspread with black clouds, the face of the sky was changed, the air resounded horribly with storm and thunder, and all the elements portended an early death for the wretched sailors. And though, shortly before, eleven craft had loosed forth with joy from the haven of the calm harbour, by an unfortunate chance and lamentable mishap, in a short time they were thrown apart from each other by the fury of the winds. There was among the others which were in peril one big ship [terrimis] which was struck with such violence of contrary wind as to be caught by the dark sand-banks so that it was almost -- as far as a man may tell -- held in the sand below up to its middle band. Here, however, among those wailing and distrusting, one man more advanced in age, offering to God the sacrifice of a contrite and humble heart, said --

"I address you, Oh, ye my faithful partners of old in labour performed and extreme peril, hitherto the goodness of heaven has been favourable to us, let us not be unthankful for the past benefits of our Creator; let us join in praising our Maker for the gifts of His abundant grace which we have received, and let us support with equanimity these evils which we endure justly as required by the merits of our life. Now already, as ye see, the day of our judgement is at hand. Lo, already we are come -- willing or unwilling -- by our sins to the goal of all flesh. Nevertheless, O my men, have confidence, hope still remains; still there is room for pardon, and God is powerful to deliver us from the ills that threaten us. No counsels bind Him; no shortness of time keeps Him away from those who call upon Him in truth, the will of whose divinity precedes in eternity, surpasses in dignity and excels in power every creature. Let us confess to Him our sins; let us show the nakedness of our manhood; now, at all events, let us begin to blush for the wickedness of our shameful conversation. Let us call upon the citizens of the court of heaven; let us earnestly demand the help of the Blessed Mary Mother of God that she may reconcile to us the King of Eternal Glory. There is yet a little space; hear me, I beg, with one mind; for if ye hear me patiently, immediately there will open for us a way of safety, a harbour of happiness, a door of escape. Oft have I heard of one special saint, a chief in heaven. I have heard of St. Bartholomew, that among the knights of the King above he is easily entreated and readily condescends to the suits of them that ask; let us then offer our vows to so great a patron, so that he may deign by his own glorious prayers to free us our vessel and our merchandise from this shipwreck; let us stretch our hands to the stars and vow with the most cheerful devotion that after we shall have come, as we purpose, to London, we will at our joint cost bear a little silver ship, after the form of our vessel, to the church of St. Bartholomew to the honour of that saint and in memory of our deliverance."

Scarcely had he ceased to speak, when all with one accord raised their hands on high and made their vows and called upon St. Bartholomew. And not indeed in vain. For while they all beheld and awaited the hour of imminent death, the most blessed Bartholomew was at hand to help, drawing the prow with his holy hand. And he, walking with firm step on the surface of the sea, pushed the boat from the sand.bank to where it could freely float.

Then at last all were glad and, a favourable breeze blowing, they rejoiced to have arrived at the harbour of the desired city. And so, disembarking from the ship, they bore rejoicing to the church of the blessed apostle a little boat fashioned out of silver, and summoning the prior and some of the canons they related to them the whole story in order, giving thanks to Almighty God and His glorious apostle the noble martyr Bartholomew.

 

The Book of the Foundation of St. Bartholomew's, Smithfield Rendered into Modern English from the original Latin version preserved in the British Museum, numbered Vespasian B. IX, by Mr. Humphrey H. King and Mr. William Barnard for use in the Records of St. Bartholomew's Priory by E.A. Webb.

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