It wasn't very difficult for James to fast for three days, he had done so several times previously. He realized that his work in the library made fasting easier for him than it would otherwise be for those working in the fields. He feared the lashings though.
On the third day, James reported to the subprior to receive his lashes. The subprior was not going to administer the lashes, but would be observing to ensure that each lash was given with proper force.
As instructed, James removed his habit and turned his bare back to the brother that had been directed to perform the lashings. The shock of the first lash surprised James and he gasped. The leather that he had been given to hold between his teeth fell to the floor.
'You must nay cry oot,' said the subprior. 'That blow will nay be granted to you and any blow for which you complain will nay count either.'
The brother administering the lashes bent over and picked up the leather and placed it in James' mouth. When his mouth was near to James' ear, he said, 'Forgive me brother.' The subprior heard the comment and reprimanded the brother and cautioned him with lashes of his own should he not be able to administer the lashes in silence.
The next lash was as sharp as the first and every muscle of James' body winched in pain. The brother administering the lashes fell into a cadence and the lashes came at regular intervals. James tried to count, but the pain was too intense. Because of the regular pace of the lashes, James could anticipate the delivery and his muscles flexed in response. After several lashes, he felt moisture running down his back and knew that the lashes had broken skin. James lost consciousness before the twentieth stroke and when he awoke, he was laying face down on his bed.
He received word several days after the lashings that he was to be transferred to Saint Leonard's Priory near to Stamford. There was no explanation, but he expected that there was a connection between his thoughts on the trial of the Maiden and his transfer to a lesser priory.
James spoke with the prior several days before he was to leave and received permission to visit his mother and his father in Lambley on his way to Saint Leonard's. His visit with his mother and father had been very pleasant, but too short. While he was there, he heard his mother humming a tune that sounded faintly familiar to him.
'Whot is the tune that you are humming todee, mum?' James asked his mother, Elizabeth. James thought that her face looked a little flushed at the question.
'O, aye,' replied Elizabeth, 'it is a song that I of'ten sang to you when you were a wee boy.'
'Aye, it sounds familiar, boot I do nay remember the words.'
'The words are probably nay the words that a monk wuld sing.'
'Please do sing them for me, mum,' asked Richard.
'Very well then,' replied Elizabeth and she sang the song that Richard had sung to her so long before. 'Fair Maiden, flower of youth, from whence forth springeth thy charm....,' she sang.
James listened intently and then joined in singing with her a portion of the song. 'Aye,' said James when they finished, 'I remember ever so faintly that song.'
'When will we see you again sone?' asked Elizabeth. 'Stamford is so far.'
'Aye, it is far, boot I will return when I can. The bishop is in Lincoln and Not'ing'am is nay far oot of the way. So we will 'ave occasion to return each year I presume,' said James.
Thomas had finished with a customer in the bakery and had climbed the stairs and entered the room. 'James, me boy, remember that we are proud of you and luv you very much.'
'Aye, father, I luv you and mum very much. I 'ave missed being 'ere with you. Per'aps I shuld nay go to Saint Leonard's and shuld stay 'ere with you.'
'Nay, sone, you belong to the priesthood. You 'ave given your life to God and that is the way it shuld be. Your mum and me will be fine 'ere,' Thomas assured him.
'Aye, it is God's will. Boot, if you need me, you must send word with a brother from the priory. They will occasionally 'ave need to carry messages to Saint Leonard's and they can just as easily carry a message from you.'