The Curse Upon Mitre Square — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ANNIHILATION OF THE MONASTERY. 39 murdered dead haunted them ; they longed to leave the accursed spot, and atone for the sin of their wicked brother. And the man whose schemes had worked the misery, Sir Thomas Audley, afterwards to be Lord High Chancellor, what was his next step? Threats were sent to the Prior, threats of instant exposure, if he did not surrender the monastery to the king. The poor weak Prior, beside himself with grief and misery, consulted the monks, and they counselled him to hold out, and for some time there was a sort of interregnum. All traces of the murders were apparently obliterated; and the monks attempted to burn out the stain of blood, but finding this impossible, they hollowed out the stone. This done, they sent an emissary to the Pope, and in resignation awaited for the interdict. But whether their messenger was intercepted or whether the interdict was sent is not known; certainly it was never placed upon the buildings. Sir Thomas Audley informed the king of the murders which had taken place, which he pretended to have unexpectedly discovered, and the king, glad of an opportunity of repaying Sir Thomas for the salary owed to him as Speaker of the House of Commons, gave the Royal permission for the sup- pression, provided Audley could by threats induce the Prior to make a show of giving up his charge. Audley called in Thomas Cromwell, and the two sent another message to the Prior, containing renewed threats that if the monastery were not cS (Elo) m EGOmMlGooOo