_King John at Lincoln_ (Vol. iii., p. 141.).--There is no question of Matt.
Paris alluding here to the old prophecy which forbade a king's wearing his
crown in Lincoln, or, as some think, even entering the city. Although he
makes John the first to break through the superstition, yet the same is
attributed to his predecessor Stephen, who is described by H. Huntingdon as
entering the city fearlessly--"prohibentibus quibusdam superstitiosis."
This was after the great disasters of Stephen's reign; but as the
succession eventually departed from his line, Lord Lyttleton observes that
the citizens might nevertheless be strengthened in their credulity; and
Henry II. certainly humoured it so far as to wear his crown only in the
suburb of Wigford. John seems to have been very partial to the place, and
visited it repeatedly, as did many of his successors. Many parallel
superstitions might, no doubt, be gathered, as that of Oxford, and
Alexander the Great at Babylon, &c.