Kyng Alla, which that hadde his mooder slayn,
Upon a day fil in swich repentance
That, if I shortly tellen shal and playn,
To Rome he comth to receyven his penance;
And putte hym in the Popes ordinance
In heigh and logh, and Jhesu Crist bisoghte
Foryeve his wikked werkes that he wroghte.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Man of Law’s Tale. King Alla has a troubled conscience over having his mother Donegild slain, so he goes on a pilgrimage to Rome to receive his penance and seek forgiveness for his wicked deed.