by God's purveyance at last came to London demanding and crying 'Becket! Becket!' for more English could she not; wherefore the people drew about her, what for the strange array of her, as for that they understood her not, and many a shrewd boy. So long she went till she came tofore Gilbert's door, and as she stood there, the servant that had been with Gilbert in prison which was named Richard, saw her and knew that it was she, and went in to his master, and told him how that this maid stood at his door; and anon he went out to see her. And as soon as she saw him she fell in a swoon for joy, and Gilbert took her up, and comforted her, and brought her into his house, and sith went to the bishops, which then were six at Paul's, and rehearsed all the matter, and after they christened her, and forthwith wedded her unto Gilbert Becket, and within time reasonable and accustomed was brought forth between them a fair son named Thomas. And after this, yet the said Gilbert went again to the Holy Land and was there three years ere he came again. And this child grew forth till he was set to school, and learned well and became virtuous, and when he was twenty-four years old his mother passed out of this world. And after this he served a merchant of London a while in keeping his charge and accompts, and from him he went to Stigand, archbishop of Canterbury, and he was in so great favour with him that he made him archdeacon and chief of his counsel, and well executed he his office in punishing the culpable and cherishing the good people. And divers times went to Rome for to support and help holy church. And after this
