This popular sanctuary was the tomb of a Scotch pilgrim
from Perth who had been a baker. "In charity he was so abundant that
he gave to the poor the tenth loaf of his workmanship; in zeal so
fervent that in vow he promised and in deed attempted, to visit the
places where Christ was conversant on earth; in which journey he made
Rochester his way, where, after he had rested two or three days, he
departed towards Canterbury. But ere he had gone far from the city,
his servant--a foundling who had been brought up by him out of
charity--led him of purpose out of the highway and spoiled him both of
his money and his life. The servant escaped, but his master, because
he died in so holy a purpose of mind, was by the monks conveyed to St
Andrews and laid in the choir. And soon he wrought miracles
plentifully."
The enormous fame of St William and the popularity of his shrine, not
only with those who were on the way to Canterbury, but with such as
were merely travellers to the coast, lasted for nearly a hundred
years, enriching the monks of Rochester. By the end of the thirteenth
century, however, this shrine of St William had been utterly eclipsed
by the fame of the shrine of St Thomas.
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