In "Colyn Cloute" he incidentally attacked Wolsey in a general satire on the clergy. "Speke, Parrot" and "Why Come Ye nat to Courte?" are direct and fierce invectives against the cardinal. To avoid another arrest Skelton took sanctuary in Westminster Abbey. He was kindly received by the abbot, John Islip, who continued to protect him until his death. According to his biographer, Edward Braynewood, Skelton was buried before the high altar of Saint Margaret's Church with this inscription on alabaster: "Joannes Skeltonus vates pierius hic situs est" (Here lies John Skelton, Pierian bard).