25. #John of Berkhamstead# (1290-1301). This Abbot was installed on St.
Alban's Day, 1291. The King, Edward I., visited the Abbey during the
vacancy, and again after the appointment of the new Abbot. The conduct
of the King's agent before the election had been very extortionate. The
claim of the Warden of Hertford Castle to certain tolls within the
Abbot's liberty was the subject of a long investigation; in the end the
claim was disallowed. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert of
Winchelsea, sent a message that he wished for hospitality in the Abbey,
but the Abbot refused to entertain him unless he would sign a paper
undertaking that his visit should not in any way prejudice the
privileges granted by the Pope, the Abbey being stated to belong "ad
Romanam Ecclesiam, nullo medio." The Archbishop declined to sign this
document, and so had to put up with lodgings outside the Abbey
precincts. When he arrived the bells of St. Stephen's Church were not
rung in his honour, whereupon the Archbishop put the church under an
interdict; but the clergy paid no attention to this, and conducted the
services as usual. During his rule the body of Queen Eleanor rested at
St.
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