Letters161 Letter CLXI. To the lori) pope innocent (A.D. 1133)

Against the murderers of Archembald, Subdean of Orleans.

The voice of the blood of Archembald, subdean ot" Orleans, cries with a loud voice for vengeance. For, alas! that I should have to say it, according to the Prophet, blood toucheth blood (Hos. iv. 2), and when once they are joined they call to you still more loudly from France. The blood of both calls and shouts with so loud a shout that it might even strike the palace of heaven itself, so piteously that it might soften hearts of stone. What are you doing, O friend of the bridegroom, O guardian of the Bride of Christ, O shepherd of the sheep of Christ? Do you think that it will be sufficient to ponder upon a remedy to meet this infamous and unheard of evil? Certainly one must be [not only thought of, but found which may bring relief for the present to the wound lately inflicted on the Church, and may act as a caution for the future. Therefore gird thee with thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most mighty. If Phinehas does not stand forth even now and make atonement the terror will not cease. If the Church's vigour spare those men, John, and Theobald Notier, by whose assent, and perhaps at whose instigation, if not by whose hand, innocent blood has been poured forth on the earth, then who is there that sees not what is to follow? How many in the ranks of the clergy will the impunity of these men cause to be promoted from fear of their friends rather than from what their holy living deserves! New diseases must be met with new remedies. It seems to many that the Apostolic sword would act with most expedience and justice in cutting off these men from every ecclesiastical dignity, so that they may be both deprived of what they have, and be prevented from ever rising to any others.