23. #John of Hertford# (1235-1260). He had been sacristan and afterwards
prior of the cell at Hertford. The Pope's bull confirming his election
required him to present himself at Rome every three years. The church
was again struck by lightning, notwithstanding the fact that the
impression of the Pope's seal, bearing an image of the Lamb of God, had
been duly placed on the top of the tower as a protection against
lightning. Abbot John built the guest-house, and devoted the revenues of
three rectories to the improvement of the quality of the ale, and for
the providing of better entertainment for guests. He repaired many of
the buildings belonging to the Abbey, the granary, water mills, houses
in London, etc. At the coronation of Henry III. the Abbot of St. Albans
took precedence of all the mitred abbots; and though afterwards the
Abbot of Westminster obtained precedence, yet in 1536 the signature of
Abbot Catton of St. Albans stands first, that of Abbot Benson of
Westminster following, in the list of names attached to the "Articles of
Faith" drawn up by Convocation. So it would appear that the Abbots of
St. Albans had by this time recovered their rights of precedence.
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