"At Hales, in the county of Glocester, there had been shown, during
several ages [1270-1539], the blood of Christ, brought from
Jerusalem; and it is easy to imagine the veneration with which such
a relic was regarded.
A miraculous circumstance also attended this miraculous relic; the
sacred blood was not visible to any one in mortal sin, even when set
before him; and till he had performed good works sufficient for his
absolution, it would not deign to discover itself to him.
At the dissolution of the monastery [1539], the whole contrivance was
detected. Two of the monks, who were let into the secret, had taken
the blood of a duck, which they renewed every week: they put it in a
phial, one side of which consisted of thin and transparent crystal,
the other of thick and opaque. When any rich pilgrim arrived, they
were sure to show him the dark side of the phial, till masses and
offerings had expiated his offences and then, finding his money, or
patience, or faith, nearly exhausted, they made him happy by turning
the phial."