The surgeon and antiquarian William Barrett was attempting to write the history of Bristol when he was introduced to the teenage poet Thomas Chatterton. Chatterton presented him with documents that he claimed were produced by an 18th Century monk called Thomas Rowley, which Barrett published. In fact, Chatterton had created them himself. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement though- Chatterton wanted to please Barrett and be associated with a genuine scholar, Barrett needed evidence for his publication. They both wanted to present their beloved Bristol as a historically important city. When the truth was finally revealed, Barrett was embarrassed by the damage to his reputation and continued to argue that Rowley's work was authentic.