A Similar Circumstance Happened In Our
Time In Denmark.
A certain unknown priest paid court to the
archbishop, and, from his obsequious behaviour and discreet conduct,
his general knowledge of letters and quick memory, soon contracted a
great familiarity with him.
Conversing one day with the archbishop
about ancient histories and unknown events, on which topic he most
frequently heard him with pleasure, it happened that when the
subject of their discourse was the incarnation of our Lord, he said,
amongst other things, "Before Christ assumed human nature, the
demons had great power over mankind, which, at his coming, was much
diminished; insomuch that they were dispersed on every side, and
fled from his presence. Some precipitated themselves into the sea,
others into the hollow parts of trees, or the clefts of rocks; and I
myself leaped into a well;" on which he blushed for shame, and took
his departure. The archbishop, and those who were with him, being
greatly astonished at that speech, began to ask questions by turns,
and form conjectures; and having waited some time (for he was
expected to return soon), the archbishop ordered some of his
attendants to call him, but he was sought for in vain, and never re-
appeared. Soon afterwards, two priests, whom the archbishop had
sent to Rome, returned; and when this event was related to them,
they began to inquire the day and hour on which the circumstance had
happened? On being told it, they declared that on the very same day
and hour he had met them on the Alps, saying, that he had been sent
to the court of Rome, on account of some business of his master's
(meaning the archbishop), which had lately occurred. And thus it
was proved, that a demon had deluded them under a human form.
I ought not to omit mentioning the falcons of these parts, which are
large, and of a generous kind, and exercise a most severe tyranny
over the river and land birds. King Henry II. remained here some
time, making preparations for his voyage to Ireland; and being
desirous of taking the diversion of hawking, he accidentally saw a
noble falcon perched upon a rock. Going sideways round him, he let
loose a fine Norway hawk, which he carried on his left hand. The
falcon, though at first slower in its flight, soaring up to a great
height, burning with resentment, and in his turn becoming the
aggressor, rushed down upon his adversary with the greatest
impetuosity, and by a violent blow struck the hawk dead at the feet
of the king. From that time the king sent every year, about the
breeding season, for the falcons {117} of this country, which are
produced on the sea cliffs; nor can better be found in any part of
his dominions. But let us now return to our Itinerary.
CHAPTER XIII
Of the progress by Camros and Niwegal
From Haverford we proceeded on our journey to Menevia, distant from
thence about twelve miles, and passed through Camros, {118} where,
in the reign of king Stephen, the relations and friends of a
distinguished young man, Giraldus, son of William, revenged his
death by a too severe retaliation on the men of Ros.
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