glorious apostle S. Peter, and gave largely alms to poor people, and franchised all England of the tribute that was used yearly to be paid to the Danes for evermore.
On a time when King Edward was at Westminster, there came to him a cripple, born in Ireland, which was named Giles Michell. And this cripple had no feet, but went upon his hands and knees, having in either hand a little stool to go with. His legs were both bent backward and cleaved to his thighs, and his toes grew fast to his buttocks. This cripple entered boldly into the king's palace, and came to the king's chamber door. And one Hulin, the king's chamberlain, demanded him sharply what he did there. To whom the cripple said: 'Let me not, I pray you; for I must needs speak to the king; for I have been out of this land six times to visit the holy relics of the holy apostle S. Peter, to the intent to be healed, and S. Peter denied me not, but bade me go into England and let the king bear me on his back into the church of S. Peter, and then I shall be made perfectly whole.' Which thing was told to the king by the same Hulin, and anon the king had pity on the poor man, and disdained not, but took him on his shoulders and bare him, whom the cripple beclipped with his foul and scabby hands and arms, and so, in the bearing, his sinews loosed and were reached out. And of kernels and botches of his face, and of scurvies, there ran great plenty of blood and matter on the king's clothes, which was told to the king, and also that he was all whole; but the king took none heed thereto, but bare him to the high
