' And he also said, 'Where can I die better than in
my own Cathedral?'
Since the bells were ringing, and it was understood that the Bishop
was actually going to dare the peril, Griff and others of the
defenders decided that it was better to attend the service and fill
up the nave so as to hinder outrage. He said it was a most strange
and wonderful service. Chants and Psalms and Lessons and prayers
going on their course as usual, but every now and then in the pauses
of the organ, a howl or yell of the voice of the multitude would
break on the ear through the thick walls. Griff listened and hoped
for a volley of musketry. He was not tender-hearted! But none
came, and by the time the service was over, the mob had been greatly
reinforced and had broken into the prisons, set them on fire, and
released the prisoners. They were mustering on College Green for an
attack on the palace. Griff aided in guarding the entrance to the
cloisters till the Bishop and his family had had time to drive away
to Almondsbury, four miles off, and then the rush became so strong
that they had to give way. There was another great struggle at the
door of the palace, but it was forced open with a crowbar, while
shouts rang out 'No King and no Bishops!' A fire was made in the
dining-room with chairs and tables, and live coals were put into the
beds, while the plunder went on.
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