A.D. 1070. This year Landfranc, who was Abbot of Caen, came to England; and
after a few days he became Archbishop of Canterbury. He was invested on the
fourth before the calends of September in his own see by eight bishops, his
suffragans. The others, who were not there, by messengers and by letter
declared why they could not be there. The same year Thomas, who was chosen
Bishop of York, came to Canterbury, to be invested there after the ancient
custom. But when Landfranc craved confirmation of his obedience with an
oath, he refused; and said, that he ought not to do it. Whereupon
Archbishop Landfranc was wroth, and bade the bishops, who were come thither
by Archbishop Landfranc's command to do the service, and all the monks to
unrobe themselves. And they by his order so did. Thomas, therefore, for
the time, departed without consecration. Soon after this, it happened that
the Archbishop Landfranc went to Rome, and Thomas with him. When they came
thither, and had spoken about other things concerning which they wished to
speak, then began Thomas his speech: how he came to Canterbury, and how the
archbishop required obedience of him with an oath; but he declined it. Then
began the Archbishop Landfranc to show with clear distinction, that what he
craved he craved by right; and with strong arguments he confirmed the same
before the Pope Alexander, and before all the council that was collected
there; and so they went home. After this came Thomas to Canterbury; and all
that the archbishop required of him he humbly fulfilled, and afterwards
received consecration. This year Earl Waltheof agreed with the king; but in
the Lent of the same year the king ordered all the monasteries in England to
be plundered. In the same year came King Sweyne from Denmark into the
Humber; and the landsmen came to meet him, and made a treaty with him;
thinking that he would overrun the land. Then came into Ely Christien, the
Danish bishop, and Earl Osbern, and the Danish domestics with them; and the
English people from all the fen-lands came to them; supposing that they
should win all that land. Then the monks of Peterborough heard say, that
their own men would plunder the minster; namely Hereward and his gang:
because they understood that the king had given the abbacy to a French
abbot, whose name was Thorold; -- that he was a very stern man, and was then
come into Stamford with all his Frenchmen. Now there was a churchwarden,
whose name was Yware; who took away by night all that he could, testaments,
mass-hackles, cantel-copes, and reefs, and such other small things,
whatsoever he could; and went early, before day, to the Abbot Thorold;
telling him that he sought his protection, and informing him how the outlaws
were coming to Peterborough, and that he did all by advice of the monks.
Early in the morning came all the outlaws with many ships, resolving to
enter the minster; but the monks withstood, so that they could not come in.
Then they laid on fire, and burned all the houses of the monks, and all the
town except one house. Then came they in through fire at the Bull-hithe
gate; where the monks met them, and besought peace of them. But they
regarded nothing. They went into the minster, climbed up to the holy rood,
took away the diadem from our Lord's head, all of pure gold, and seized the
bracket that was underneath his feet, which was all of red gold. They
climbed up to the steeple, brought down the table that was hid there, which
was all of gold and silver, seized two golden shrines, and nine of silver,
and took away fifteen large crucifixes, of gold and of silver; in short,
they seized there so much gold and silver, and so many treasures, in money,
in raiment, and in books, as no man could tell another; and said, that they
did it from their attachment to the minster. Afterwards they went to their
ships, proceeded to Ely, and deposited there all the treasure. The Danes,
believing that they should overcome the Frenchmen, drove out all the monks;
leaving there only one, whose name was Leofwine Lang, who lay sick in the
infirmary. Then came Abbot Thorold and eight times twenty Frenchmen with
him, all full-armed. When he came thither, he found all within and without
consumed by fire, except the church alone; but the outlaws were all with the
fleet, knowing that he would come thither. This was done on the fourth day
before the nones of June. The two kings, William and Sweyne, were now
reconciled; and the Danes went out of Ely with all the aforesaid treasure,
and carried it away with them. But when they came into the middle of the
sea, there came a violent storm, and dispersed all the ships wherein the
treasures were. Some went to Norway, some to Ireland, some to Denmark. All
that reached the latter, consisted of the table, and some shrines, and some
crucifixes, and many of the other treasures; which they brought to a king's
town, called ---, and deposited it all there in the church. Afterwards
through their own carelessness, and through their drunkenness, in one night
the church and all that was therein was consumed by fire. Thus was the
minster of Peterborough burned and plundered. Almighty God have mercy on it
through his great goodness. Thus came the Abbot Thorold to Peterborough;
and the monks too returned, and performed the service of Christ in the
church, which had before stood a full week without any kind of rite. When
Bishop Aylric heard it, he excommunicated all the men who that evil deed had
done. There was a great famine this year: and in the summer came the fleet
in the north from the Humber into the Thames, and lay there two nights, and
made afterwards for Denmark. Earl Baldwin also died, and his son Arnulf
succeeded to the earldom. Earl William, in conjunction with the king of the
Franks, was to be his guardian; but Earl Robert came and slew his kinsman
Arnulf and the earl, put the king to flight, and slew many thousands of his
men.
A.D. 1071. This year Earl Edwin and Earl Morkar fled out, and roamed at
random in woods and in fields. Then went Earl Morkar to Ely by ship; but
Earl Edwin was treacherously slain by his own men. Then came Bishop
Aylwine, and Siward Barn, and many hundred men with them, into Ely. When
King William heard that, then ordered he out a naval force and land force,
and beset the land all about, and wrought a bridge, and went in; and the
naval force at the same time on the sea-side. And the outlaws then all
surrendered; that was, Bishop Aylwine, and Earl Morkar, and all that were
with them; except Hereward alone, and all those that would join him, whom
he led out triumphantly. And the king took their ships, and weapons, and
many treasures; and all the men he disposed of as he thought proper.
Bishop Aylwine he sent to Abingdon, where he died in the beginning of the
winter.
A.D. 1072. This year King William led a naval force and a land force to
Scotland, and beset that land on the sea-side with ships, whilst he led his
land-force in at the Tweed; but he found nothing there of any value. King
Malcolm, however, came, and made peace with King William, and gave hostages,
and became his man; whereupon the king returned home with all his force.
This year died Bishop Aylric. He had been invested Bishop of York; but that
see was unjustly taken from him, and he then had the bishopric of Durham
given him; which he held as long as he chose, but resigned it afterwards,
and retired to Peterborough minster; where he abode twelve years. After
that King William won England, then took he him from Peterborough, and sent
him to Westminster; where he died on the ides of October, and he is there
buried, within the minster, in the porch of St. Nicholas.
A.D. 1073. This year led King William an army, English and French, over
sea, and won the district of Maine; which the English very much injured by
destroying the vineyards, burning the towns, and spoiling the land. But
they subdued it all into the hand of King William, and afterwards returned
home to England.
A.D. 1074. This year King William went over sea to Normandy; and child
Edgar came from Flanders into Scotland on St. Grimbald's mass-day; where
King Malcolm and his sister Margaret received him with much pomp. At the
same time sent Philip, the King of France, a letter to him, bidding him to
come to him, and he would give him the castle of Montreuil; that he might
afterwards daily annoy his enemies. What then? King Malcolm and his sister
Margaret gave him and his men great presents, and many treasures; in skins
ornamented with purple, in pelisses made of martin-skins, of grey-skins, and
of ermine-skins, in palls, and in vessels of gold and silver; and conducted
him and his crew with great pomp from his territory. But in their voyage
evil befell them; for when they were out at sea, there came upon them such
rough weather, and the stormy sea and the strong wind drove them so
violently on the shore, that all their ships burst, and they also themselves
came with difficulty to the land. Their treasure was nearly all lost, and
some of his men also were taken by the French; but he himself and his best
men returned again to Scotland, some roughly travelling on foot, and some
miserably mounted. Then King Malcolm advised him to send to King William
over sea, to request his friendship, which he did; and the king gave it him,
and sent after him. Again, therefore, King Malcolm and his sister gave him
and all his men numberless treasures, and again conducted him very
magnificently from their territory. The sheriff of York came to meet him at
Durham, and went all the way with him; ordering meat and fodder to be found
for him at every castle to which they came, until they came over sea to the
king. Then King William received him with much pomp; and he was there
afterwards in his court, enjoying such rights as he confirmed to him by law.
A.D. 1075. This year King William gave Earl Ralph the daughter of William
Fitz-Osborne to wife. This same Ralph was British on his mother's side; but
his father, whose name was also Ralph, was English; and born in Norfolk.
The king therefore gave his son the earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk; and he
then led the bride to Norwich.
There was that bride-ale
The source of man's bale.
There was Earl Roger, and Earl Waltheof, and bishops, and abbots; who there
resolved, that they would drive the king out of the realm of England. But
it was soon told the king in Normandy how it was determined. It was Earl
Roger and Earl Ralph who were the authors of that plot; and who enticed the
Britons to them, and sent eastward to Denmark after a fleet to assist them.
Roger went westward to his earldom, and collected his people there, to the
king's annoyance, as he thought; but it was to the great disadvantage of
himself. He was however prevented. Ralph also in his earldom would go
forth with his people; but the castlemen that were in England and also the
people of the land, came against him, and prevented him from doing
anything. He escaped however to the ships at Norwich. And his wife was in
the castle; which she held until peace was made with her; when she went out
of England, with all her men who wished to join her. The king afterwards
came to England, and seized Earl Roger, his relative, and put him in
prison. And Earl Waltheof went over sea, and bewrayed himself; but he asked
forgiveness, and proffered gifts of ransom. The king, however, let him off
lightly, until he came to England; when he had him seized. Soon after that
came east from Denmark two hundred ships; wherein were two captains, Cnute
Swainson, and Earl Hacco; but they durst not maintain a fight with King
William. They went rather to York, and broke into St. Peter's minster, and
took therein much treasure, and so went away. They made for Flanders over
sea; but they all perished who were privy to that design; that was, the son
of Earl Hacco, and many others with him. This year died the Lady Edgitha,
who was the relict of King Edward, seven nights before Christmas, at
Winchester; and the king caused her to be brought to Westminster with great
pomp; and he laid her with King Edward, her lord. And the king was then at
Westminster, at midwinter; where all the Britons were condemned who were at
the bride-ale at Norwich. Some were punished with blindness; some were
driven from the land; and some were towed to Scandinavia. So were the
traitors of King William subdued.
A.D. 1076. This year died Sweyne, King of Denmark; and Harold his son took
to the kingdom. And the king gave the abbacy of Westminster to Abbot
Vitalis, who had been Abbot of Bernay. This year also was Earl Waltheof
beheaded at Winchester, on the mass-day of St. Petronilla; and his body was
carried to Croyland, where he lies buried. King William now went over sea,
and led his army to Brittany, and beset the castle of Dol; but the Bretons
defended it, until the king came from France; whereupon William departed
thence, having lost there both men and horses, and many of his treasures.
A.D. 1077. This year were reconciled the king of the Franks and William,
King of England. But it continued only a little while. This year was London
burned, one night before the Assumption of St. Mary, so terribly as it never
was before, since it was built. This year the moon was eclipsed three nights
before Candlemas; and in the same year died Aylwy, the prudent Abbot of
Evesham, on the fourteenth day before the calends of March, on the mass-day
of St. Juliana; and Walter was appointed abbot in his stead; and Bishop
Herman also died, on the tenth day before the calends of March, who was
Bishop in Berkshire, and in Wiltshire, and in Dorsetshire. This year also
King Malcolm won the mother of Malslaythe.... and all his best men, and all
his treasures, and his cattle; and he himself not easily escaped.... This
year also was the dry summer; and wild fire came upon many shires, and
burned many towns; and also many cities were ruined thereby.
A.D. 1079. This year Robert, the son of King William, deserted from his
father to his uncle Robert in Flanders; because his father would not let him
govern his earldom in Normandy; which he himself, and also King Philip with
his permission, had given him. The best men that were in the land also had
sworn oaths of allegiance to him, and taken him for their lord. This year,
therefore, Robert fought with his father, without Normandy, by a castle
called Gerberoy; and wounded him in the hand; and his horse, that he sat
upon, was killed under him; and he that brought him another was killed there
right with a dart. That was Tookie Wiggodson. Many were there slain, and
also taken. His son William too was there wounded; but Robert returned to
Flanders. We will not here, however, record any more injury that he did his
father. This year came King Malcolm from Scotland into England, betwixt the
two festivals of St. Mary, with a large army, which plundered Northumberland
till it came to the Tine, and slew many hundreds of men, and carried home
much coin, and treasure, and men in captivity.
A.D. 1080. This year was Bishop Walker slain in Durham, at a council; and
an hundred men with him, French and Flemish. He himself was born in
Lorrain. This did the Northumbrians in the month of May.
A.D. 1081. This year the king led an army into Wales, and there freed many
hundreds of men.
A.D. 1082. This year the king seized Bishop Odo; and this year also was a
great famine.
A.D. 1083. This year arose the tumult at Glastonbury betwixt the Abbot
Thurstan and his monks. It proceeded first from the abbot's want of wisdom,
that he misgoverned his monks in many things. But the monks meant well to
him; and told him that he should govern them rightly, and love them, and
they would be faithful and obedient to him. The abbot, however, would hear
nothing of this; but evil entreated them, and threatened them worse. One
day the abbot went into the chapter-house, and spoke against the monks, and
attempted to mislead them; and sent after some laymen, and they came
full-armed into the chapter-house upon the monks. Then were the monks very
much afraid of them, and wist not what they were to do, but they shot
forward, and some ran into the church, and locked the doors after them. But
they followed them into the minster, and resolved to drag them out, so that
they durst not go out. A rueful thing happened on that day. The Frenchmen
broke into the choir, and hurled their weapons toward the altar, where the
monks were; and some of the knights went upon the upper floor, and shot
their arrows downward incessantly toward the sanctuary; so that on the
crucifix that stood above the altar they stuck many arrows. And the
wretched monks lay about the altar, and some crept under, and earnestly
called upon God, imploring his mercy, since they could not obtain any at the
hands of men. What can we say, but that they continued to shoot their
arrows; whilst the others broke down the doors, and came in, and slew some
of the monks to death, and wounded many therein; so that the blood came from
the altar upon the steps, and from the steps on the floor. Three there were
slain to death, and eighteen wounded. And in this same year departed
Matilda, queen of King William, on the day after All-Hallow-mass. And in
the same year also, after mid-winter, the king ordained a large and heavy
contribution over all England; that was, upon each hide of land, two and
seventy pence.
A.D. 1084. In this year died Wulfwold, Abbot of Chertsey, on the thirteenth
day before the calends of May.
A.D. 1085. In this year men reported, and of a truth asserted, that Cnute,
King of Denmark, son of King Sweyne, was coming hitherward, and was resolved
to win this land, with the assistance of Robert, Earl of Flanders; for
Cnute had Robert's daughter. When William, King of England, who was then
resident in Normandy (for he had both England and Normandy), understood
this, he went into England with so large an army of horse and foot, from
France and Brittany, as never before sought this land; so that men wondered
how this land could feed all that force. But the king left the army to
shift for themselves through all this land amongst his subjects, who fed
them, each according to his quota of land. Men suffered much distress this
year; and the king caused the land to be laid waste about the sea coast;
that, if his foes came up, they might not have anything on which they could
very readily seize. But when the king understood of a truth that his foes
were impeded, and could not further their expedition, then let he some of
the army go to their own land; but some he held in this land over the
winter. Then, at the midwinter, was the king in Glocester with his council,
and held there his court five days. And afterwards the archbishop and
clergy had a synod three days. There was Mauritius chosen Bishop of London,
William of Norfolk, and Robert of Cheshire. These were all the king's
clerks. After this had the king a large meeting, and very deep consultation
with his council, about this land; how it was occupied, and by what sort of
men. Then sent he his men over all England into each shire; commissioning
them to find out "How many hundreds of hides were in the shire, what land
the king himself had, and what stock upon the land; or, what dues he ought
to have by the year from the shire." Also he commissioned them to record in
writing, "How much land his archbishops had, and his diocesan bishops, and
his abbots, and his earls;" and though I may be prolix and tedious, "What,
or how much, each man had, who was an occupier of land in England, either in
land or in stock, and how much money it were worth." So very narrowly,
indeed, did he commission them to trace it out, that there was not one
single hide, nor a yard of land, nay, moreover (it is shameful to tell,
though he thought it no shame to do it), not even an ox, nor a cow, nor a
swine was there left, that was not set down in his writ. And all the
recorded particulars were afterwards brought to him.
A.D. 1086. This year the king bare his crown, and held his court, in
Winchester at Easter; and he so arranged, that he was by the Pentecost at
Westminster, and dubbed his son Henry a knight there. Afterwards he moved
about so that he came by Lammas to Sarum; where he was met by his
councillors; and all the landsmen that were of any account over all England
became this man's vassals as they were; and they all bowed themselves before
him, and became his men, and swore him oaths of allegiance that they would
against all other men be faithful to him. Thence he proceeded into the Isle
of Wight; because he wished to go into Normandy, and so he afterwards did;
though he first did according to his custom; he collected a very large sum
from his people, wherever he could make any demand, whether with justice or
otherwise. Then he went into Normandy; and Edgar Etheling, the relation of
King Edward, revolted from him, for he received not much honour from him;
but may the Almighty God give him honour hereafter. And Christina, the
sister of the etheling, went into the monastery of Rumsey, and received the
holy veil. And the same year there was a very heavy season, and a swinkful
and sorrowful year in England, in murrain of cattle, and corn and fruits
were at a stand, and so much untowardness in the weather, as a man may not
easily think; so tremendous was the thunder and lightning, that it killed
many men; and it continually grew worse and worse with men. May God
Almighty better it whenever it be his will.
A.D. 1087. After the birth of our Lord and Saviour Christ, one thousand and
eighty-seven winters; in the one and twentieth year after William began to
govern and direct England, as God granted him, was a very heavy and
pestilent season in this land. Such a sickness came on men, that full nigh
every other man was in the worst disorder, that is, in the diarrhoea; and
that so dreadfully, that many men died in the disorder. Afterwards came,
through the badness of the weather as we before mentioned, so great a famine
over all England, that many hundreds of men died a miserable death through
hunger. Alas! how wretched and how rueful a time was there! When the poor
wretches lay full nigh driven to death prematurely, and afterwards came
sharp hunger, and dispatched them withall! Who will not be penetrated with
grief at such a season? or who is so hardhearted as not to weep at such
misfortune? Yet such things happen for folks' sins, that they will not love
God and righteousness. So it was in those days, that little righteousness
was in this land with any men but with the monks alone, wherever they fared
well. The king and the head men loved much, and overmuch, covetousness in
gold and in silver; and recked not how sinfully it was got, provided it came
to them. The king let his land at as high a rate as he possibly could; then
came some other person, and bade more than the former one gave, and the king
let it to the men that bade him more. Then came the third, and bade yet
more; and the king let it to hand to the men that bade him most of all: and
he recked not how very sinfully the stewards got it of wretched men, nor how
many unlawful deeds they did; but the more men spake about right law, the
more unlawfully they acted. They erected unjust tolls, and many other
unjust things they did, that are difficult to reckon. Also in the same year,
before harvest, the holy minster of St. Paul, the episcopal see in London,
was completely burned, with many other minsters, and the greatest part, and
the richest of the whole city. So also, about the same time, full nigh
each head-port in all England was entirely burned. Alas! rueful and woeful
was the fate of the year that brought forth so many misfortunes. In the
same year also, before the Assumption of St. Mary, King William went from
Normandy into France with an army, and made war upon his own lord Philip,
the king, and slew many of his men, and burned the town of Mante, and all
the holy minsters that were in the town; and two holy men that served God,
leading the life of anachorets, were burned therein. This being thus done,
King William returned to Normandy. Rueful was the thing he did; but a
more rueful him befel. How more rueful? He fell sick, and it dreadfully
ailed him. What shall I say? Sharp death, that passes by neither rich men
nor poor, seized him also. He died in Normandy, on the next day after the
Nativity of St. Mary, and he was buried at Caen in St. Stephen's minster,
which he had formerly reared, and afterwards endowed with manifold gifts.
Alas! how false and how uncertain is this world's weal! He that was before
a rich king, and lord of many lands, had not then of all his land more than
a space of seven feet! and he that was whilom enshrouded in gold and gems,
lay there covered with mould! He left behind him three sons; the eldest,
called Robert, who was earl in Normandy after him; the second, called
William, who wore the crown after him in England; and the third, called
Henry, to whom his father bequeathed immense treasure. If any person wishes
to know what kind of man he was, or what honour he had, or of how many lands
he was lord, then will we write about him as well as we understand him: we
who often looked upon him, and lived sometime in his court. This King
William then that we speak about was a very wise man, and very rich; more
splendid and powerful than any of his predecessors were. He was mild to the
good men that loved God, and beyond all measure severe to the men that
gainsayed his will. On that same spot where God granted him that he should
gain England, he reared a mighty minster, and set monks therein, and well
endowed it. In his days was the great monastery in Canterbury built, and
also very many others over all England. This land was moreover well filled
with monks, who modelled their lives after the rule of St. Benedict. But
such was the state of Christianity in his time, that each man followed what
belonged to his profession -- he that would. He was also very dignified.
Thrice he bare his crown each year, as oft as he was in England. At Easter
he bare it in Winchester, at Pentecost in Westminster, at midwinter in
Glocester. And then were with him all the rich men over all England;
archbishops and diocesan bishops, abbots and earls, thanes and knights. So
very stern was he also and hot, that no man durst do anything against his
will. He had earls in his custody, who acted against his will. Bishops he
hurled from their bishoprics, and abbots from their abbacies, and thanes
into prison. At length he spared not his own brother Odo, who was a very
rich bishop in Normandy. At Baieux was his episcopal stall; and he was the
foremost man of all to aggrandise the king. He had an earldom in England;
and when the king was in Normandy, then was he the mightiest man in this
land. Him he confined in prison. But amongst other things is not to be
forgotten that good peace that he made in this land; so that a man of any
account might go over his kingdom unhurt with his bosom full of gold. No
man durst slay another, had he never so much evil done to the other; and if
any churl lay with a woman against her will, he soon lost the limb that he
played with. He truly reigned over England; and by his capacity so
thoroughly surveyed it, that there was not a hide of land in England that he
wist not who had it, or what it was worth, and afterwards set it down in his
book. The land of the Britons was in his power; and he wrought castles
therein; and ruled Anglesey withal. So also he subdued Scotland by his
great strength. As to Normandy, that was his native land; but he reigned
also over the earldom called Maine; and if he might have yet lived two years
more, he would have won Ireland by his valour, and without any weapons.
Assuredly in his time had men much distress, and very many sorrows. Castles
he let men build, and miserably swink the poor. The king himself was so
very rigid; and extorted from his subjects many marks of gold, and many
hundred pounds of silver; which he took of his people, for little need, by
right and by unright. He was fallen into covetousness, and greediness he
loved withal. He made many deer-parks; and he established laws therewith;
so that whosoever slew a hart, or a hind, should be deprived of his
eyesight. As he forbade men to kill the harts, so also the boars; and he
loved the tall deer as if he were their father. Likewise he decreed by the
hares, that they should go free. His rich men bemoaned it, and the poor men
shuddered at it. But he was so stern, that he recked not the hatred of them
all; for they must follow withal the king's will, if they would live, or
have land, or possessions, or even his peace. Alas! that any man should
presume so to puff himself up, and boast o'er all men. May the Almighty God
show mercy to his soul, and grant him forgiveness of his sins! These things
have we written concerning him, both good and evil; that men may choose the
good after their goodness, and flee from the evil withal, and go in the way
that leadeth us to the kingdom of heaven. Many things may we write that
were done in this same year. So it was in Denmark, that the Danes, a nation
that was formerly accounted the truest of all, were turned aside to the
greatest untruth, and to the greatest treachery that ever could be. They
chose and bowed to King Cnute, and swore him oaths, and afterwards dastardly
slew him in a church. It happened also in Spain, that the heathens went and
made inroads upon the Christians, and reduced much of the country to their
dominion. But the king of the Christians, Alphonzo by name, sent everywhere
into each land, and desired assistance. And they came to his support from
every land that was Christian; and they went and slew or drove away all the
heathen folk, and won their land again, through God's assistance. In this
land also, in the same year, died many rich men; Stigand, Bishop of
Chichester, and the Abbot of St. Augustine, and the Abbot of Bath, and the
Abbot of Pershore, and the lord of them all, William, King of England, that
we spoke of before. After his death his son, called William also as the
father, took to the kingdom, and was blessed to king by Archbishop Landfranc
at Westminster three days ere Michaelmas day. And all the men in England
submitted to him, and swore oaths to him. This being thus done, the king
went to Winchester, and opened the treasure house, and the treasures that
his father had gathered, in gold, and in silver, and in vases, and in palls,
and in gems, and in many other valuable things that are difficult to
enumerate. Then the king did as his father bade him ere he was dead; he
there distributed treasures for his father's soul to each monastery that was
in England; to some ten marks of gold, to some six, to each upland church
sixty pence. And into each shire were sent a hundred pounds of money to
distribute amongst poor men for his soul. And ere he departed, he bade that
they should release all the men that were in prison under his power. And the
king was on the midwinter in London.
A.D. 1088. In this year was this land much stirred, and filled with great
treachery; so that the richest Frenchmen that were in this land would betray
their lord the king, and would have his brother Robert king, who was earl in
Normandy. In this design was engaged first Bishop Odo, and Bishop Gosfrith,
and William, Bishop of Durham. So well did the king by the bishop [Odo]
that all England fared according to his counsel, and as he would. And the
bishop thought to do by him as Judas Iscariot did by our Lord. And Earl
Roger was also of this faction; and much people was with him all Frenchmen.
This conspiracy was formed in Lent. As soon as Easter came, then went they
forth, and harrowed, and burned, and wasted the king's farms; and they
despoiled the lands of all the men that were in the king's service. And
they each of them went to his castle, and manned it, and provisioned it as
well as they could. Bishop Gosfrith, and Robert the peace-breaker, went to
Bristol, and plundered it, and brought the spoil to the castle. Afterwards
they went out of the castle, and plundered Bath, and all the land
thereabout; and all the honor of Berkeley they laid waste. And the men that
eldest were of Hereford, and all the shire forthwith, and the men of
Shropshire, with much people of Wales, came and plundered and burned in
Worcestershire, until they came to the city itself, which it was their
design to set on fire, and then to rifle the minster, and win the king's
castle to their hands. The worthy Bishop Wulfstan, seeing these things, was
much agitated in his mind, because to him was betaken the custody of the
castle. Nevertheless his hired men went out of the castle with few
attendants, and, through God's mercy and the bishop's merits, slew or took
five hundred men, and put all the others to flight. The Bishop of Durham did
all the harm that he could over all by the north. Roger was the name of one
of them; who leaped into the castle at Norwich, and did yet the worst of
all over all that land. Hugh also was one, who did nothing better either in
Leicestershire or in Northamptonshire. The Bishop Odo being one, though of
the same family from which the king himself was descended, went into Kent to
his earldom, and greatly despoiled it; and having laid waste the lands of
the king and of the archbishop withal, he brought the booty into his castle
at Rochester. When the king understood all these things, and what treachery
they were employing against him, then was he in his mind much agitated. He
then sent after Englishmen, described to them his need, earnestly requested
their support, and promised them the best laws that ever before were in this
land; each unright guild he forbade, and restored to the men their woods and
chaces. But it stood no while. The Englishmen however went to the
assistance of the king their lord. They advanced toward Rochester, with a
view to get possession of the Bishop Odo; for they thought, if they had him
who was at first the head of the conspiracy, they might the better get
possession of all the others. They came then to the castle at Tunbridge;
and there were in the castle the knights of Bishop Odo, and many others who
were resolved to hold it against the king. But the Englishmen advanced, and
broke into the castle, and the men that were therein agreed with the king.
The king with his army went toward Rochester. And they supposed that the
bishop was therein; but it was made known to the king that the bishop was
gone to the castle at Pevensea. And the king with his army went after, and
beset the castle about with a very large force full six weeks. During this
time the Earl of Normandy, Robert, the king's brother, gathered a very
considerable force, and thought to win England with the support of those men
that were in this land against the king. And he sent some of his men to
this land, intending to come himself after. But the Englishmen that guarded
the sea lighted upon some of the men, and slew them, and drowned more than
any man could tell. When provisions afterwards failed those within the
castle, they earnestly besought peace, and gave themselves up to the king;
and the bishop swore that he would depart out of England, and no more come
on this land, unless the king sent after him, and that he would give up the
castle at Rochester. Just as the bishop was going with an intention to give
up the castle, and the king had sent his men with him, then arose the men
that were in the castle, and took the bishop and the king's men, and put
them into prison. In the castle were some very good knights; Eustace the
Young, and the three sons of Earl Roger, and all the best born men that were
in this land or in Normandy. When the king understood this thing, then went
he after with the army that he had there, and sent over all England. and
bade that each man that was faithful should come to him, French and English,
from sea-port and from upland. Then came to him much people; and he went to
Rochester, and beset the castle, until they that were therein agreed, and
gave up the castle. The Bishop Odo with the men that were in the castle
went over sea, and the bishop thus abandoned the dignity that he had in this
land. The king afterwards sent an army to Durham, and allowed it to beset
the castle, and the bishop agreed, and gave up the castle, and relinquished
his bishopric, and went to Normandy. Many Frenchmen also abandoned their
lands, and went over sea; and the king gave their lands to the men that were
faithful to him.
A.D. 1089. In this year the venerable father and favourer of monks,
Archbishop Landfranc, departed this life; but we hope that he is gone to the
heavenly kingdom. There was also over all England much earth-stirring on
the third day before the ides of August, and it was a very late year in
corn, and in every kind of fruits, so that many men reaped their corn about
Martinmas, and yet later.
A.D. 1090. Indiction XIII. These things thus done, just as we have already
said above, by the king, and by his brother and by this men, the king was
considering how he might wreak his vengeance on his brother Robert, harass
him most, and win Normandy of him. And indeed through his craft, or through
bribery, he got possession of the castle at St. Valeri, and the haven; and
so he got possession of that at Albemarle. And therein he set his knights;
and they did harm to the land in harrowing and burning. After this he got
possession of more castles in the land; and therein lodged his horsemen.
When the Earl of Normandy, Robert, understood that his sworn men deceived
him, and gave up their castles to do him harm, then sent he to his lord,
Philip, king of the Franks; and he came to Normandy with a large army, and
the king and the earl with an immense force beset the castle about, wherein
were the men of the King of England. But the King William of England sent
to Philip, king of the Franks; and he for his love, or for his great
treasure, abandoned thus his subject the Earl Robert and his land; and
returned again to France, and let them so remain. And in the midst of these
things this land was much oppressed by unlawful exactions and by many other
misfortunes.
A.D. 1091. In this year the King William held his court at Christmas in
Westminster, and thereafter at Candlemas he went, for the annoyance of his
brother, out of England into Normandy. Whilst he was there, their
reconciliation took place, on the condition, that the earl put into his
hands Feschamp, and the earldom of Ou, and Cherbourg; and in addition to
this, that the king's men should be secure in the castles that they had won
against the will of the earl. And the king in return promised him those
many [castles] that their father had formerly won, and also to reduce those
that had revolted from the earl, also all that his father had there beyond,
except those that he had then given the king, and that all those, that in
England before for the earl had lost their land, should have it again by
this treaty, and that the earl should have in England just so much as was
specified in this agreement. And if the earl died without a son by lawful
wedlock, the king should be heir of all Normandy; and by virtue of this same
treaty, if the king died, the earl should be heir of all England. To this
treaty swore twelve of the best men of the king's side, and twelve of the
earl's, though it stood but a little while afterwards. In the midst of this
treaty was Edgar Etheling deprived of the land that the earl had before
permitted him to keep in hand; and he went out of Normandy to the king, his
sister's husband, in Scotland, and to his sister. Whilst the King William
was out of England, the King Malcolm of Scotland came hither into England,
and overran a great deal of it, until the good men that governed this land
sent an army against him and repulsed him. When the King William in
Normandy heard this, then prepared he his departure, and came to England,
and his brother, the Earl Robert, with him; and he soon issued an order to
collect a force both naval and military; but the naval force, ere it could
come to Scotland, perished almost miserably, a few days before St. Michael's
mass. And the king and his brother proceeded with the land-force; but when
the King Malcolm heard that they were resolved to seek him with an army, he
went with his force out of Scotland into Lothaine in England, and there
abode. When the King William came near with his army, then interceded
between them Earl Robert, and Edgar Etheling, and so made the peace of the
kings, that the King Malcolm came to our king, and did homage, promising
all such obedience as he formerly paid to his father; and that he confirmed
with an oath. And the King William promised him in land and in all things
whatever he formerly had under his father. In this settlement was also
Edgar Etheling united with the king. And the kings then with much
satisfaction departed; yet that stood but a little while. And the Earl
Robert tarried here full nigh until Christmas with the king, and during this
time found but little of the truth of their agreement; and two days before
that tide he took ship in the Isle of Wight, and went into Normandy, and
Edgar Etheling with him.
A.D. 1092. In this year the King William with a large army went north to
Carlisle, and restored the town, and reared the castle, and drove out
Dolphin that before governed the land, and set his own men in the castle,
and then returned hither southward. And a vast number of rustic people with
wives and with cattle he sent thither, to dwell there in order to till the
land.
A.D. 1093. In this year, during Lent, was the King William at Glocester so
sick, that he was by all reported dead. And in his illness he made many
good promises to lead his own life aright; to grant peace and protection to
the churches of God, and never more again with fee to sell; to have none but
righteous laws amongst his people. The archbishopric of Canterbury, that
before remained in his own hand, he transferred to Anselm, who was before
Abbot of Bec; to Robert his chancellor the bishopric of Lincoln; and to many
minsters he gave land; but that he afterwards took away, when he was better,
and annulled all the good laws that he promised us before. Then after this
sent the King of Scotland, and demanded the fulfilment of the treaty that
was promised him. And the King William cited him to Glocester, and sent him
hostages to Scotland; and Edgar Etheling, afterwards, and the men returned,
that brought him with great dignity to the king. But when he came to the
king, he could not be considered worthy either of our king's speech, or of
the conditions that were formerly promised him. For this reason therefore
they parted with great dissatisfaction, and the King Malcolm returned to
Scotland. And soon after he came home, he gathered his army, and came
harrowing into England with more hostility than behoved him; and Robert, the
Earl of Northumberland, surrounded him unawares with his men, and slew him.
Morel of Barnborough slew him, who was the earl's steward, and a baptismal
friend of King Malcolm. With him was also slain Edward his son; who after
him should have been king, if he had lived. When the good Queen Margaret
heard this -- her most beloved lord and son thus betrayed she was in her
mind almost distracted to death. She with her priests went to church, and
performed her rites, and prayed before God, that she might give up the
ghost. And the Scots then chose Dufenal to king, Malcolm's brother, and
drove out all the English that formerly were with the King Malcolm. When
Duncan, King Malcolm's son, heard all that had thus taken place (he was then
in the King William's court, because his father had given him as a hostage
to our king's father, and so he lived here afterwards), he came to the king,
and did such fealty as the king required at his hands; and so with his
permission went to Scotland, with all the support that he could get of
English and French, and deprived his uncle Dufenal of the kingdom, and was
received as king. But the Scots afterwards gathered some force together,
and slew full nigh all his men; and he himself with a few made his escape.
Afterwards they were reconciled, on the condition that he never again
brought into the land English or French.
A.D. 1094. This year the King William held his court at Christmas in
Glocester; and messengers came to him thither from his brother Robert of
Normandy; who said that his brother renounced all peace and conditions,
unless the king would fulfil all that they had stipulated in the treaty; and
upon that he called him forsworn and void of truth, unless he adhered to the
treaty, or went thither and explained himself there, where the treaty was
formerly made and also sworn. Then went the king to Hastings at Candlemas;
and whilst he there abode waiting the weather, he let hallow the minster at
Battel, and deprived Herbert Losang, the Bishop of Thetford, of his staff;
and thereafter about mid-Lent went over sea into Normandy. After he came,
thither, he and his brother Robert, the earl, said that they should come
together in peace (and so they did), and might be united. Afterwards they
came together with the same men that before made the treaty, and also
confirmed it by oaths; and all the blame of breaking the treaty they threw
upon the king; but he would not confess this, nor even adhere to the treaty;
and for this reason they parted with much dissatisfaction. And the king
afterwards won the castle at Bures, and took the earl's men therein; some of
whom he sent hither to this land. On the other hand the earl, with the
assistance of the King of France, won the castle at Argence, and took
therein Roger of Poitou, and seven hundred of the king's knights with him;
and afterwards that at Hulme; and oft readily did either of them burn the
towns of the other, and also took men. Then sent the king hither to this
land, and ordered twenty thousand Englishmen to be sent out to Normandy to
his assistance; but when they came to sea, they then had orders to return,
and to pay to the king's behoof the fee that they had taken; which was half
a pound each man; and they did so. And the earl after this, with the King
of France, and with all that he could gather together, went through the
midst of Normandy, towards Ou, where the King William was, and thought to
besiege him within; and so they advanced until they came to Luneville.
There was the King of France through cunning turned aside; and so afterwards
all the army dispersed. In the midst of these things the King William sent
after his brother Henry, who was in the castle at Damfront; but because he
could not go through Normandy with security, he sent ships after him, and
Hugh, Earl of Chester. When, however, they should have gone towards Ou
where the king was, they went to England, and came up at Hamton, on the eve
of the feast of All Saints, and here afterwards abode; and at Christmas they
were in London. In this same year also the Welshmen gathered themselves
together, and with the French that were in Wales, or in the neighbourhood,
and had formerly seized their land, stirred up war, and broke into many
fastnesses and castles, and slew many men. And when their followers had
increased, they divided themselves into larger parties. With some part of
them fought Hugh, Earl of Shropshire, and put them to flight. Nevertheless
the other part of them all this year omitted no evil that they could do.
This year also the Scots ensnared their king, Duncan, and slew him; and
afterwards, the second time, took his uncle Dufenal to king, through whose
instruction and advice he was betrayed to death.
A.D. 1095. In this year was the King William the first four days of
Christmas at Whitsand, and after the fourth day came hither, and landed at
Dover. And Henry, the king's brother, abode in this land until Lent, and
then went over sea to Normandy, with much treasure, on the king's behalf,
against their brother, Earl Robert, and frequently fought against the earl,
and did him much harm, both in land and in men. And then at Easter held the
king his court in Winchester; and the Earl Robert of Northumberland would
not come to court. And the king was much stirred to anger with him for
this, and sent to him, and bade him harshly, if he would be worthy of
protection, that he would come to court at Pentecost. In this year was
Easter on the eighth day before the calends of April; and upon Easter, on
the night of the feast of St Ambrose, that is, the second before the nones
of April, nearly over all this land, and almost all the night, numerous and
manifold stars were seen to fall from heaven; not by one or two, but so
thick in succession, that no man could tell it. Hereafter at Pentecost was
the king at Windsor, and all his council with him, except the Earl of
Northumberland; for the king would neither give him hostages, nor own upon
truth, that he might come and go with security. And the king therefore
ordered his army, and went against the earl to Northumberland; and soon
after he came thither, he won many and nearly all the best of the earl's
clan in a fortress, and put them into custody; and the castle at Tinemouth
he beset until he won it, and the earl's brother therein, and all that were
with him; and afterwards went to Bamborough, and beset the earl therein.
But when the king saw that he could not win it, then ordered he his men to
make a castle before Bamborough, and called it in his speech "Malveisin";
that is in English, "Evil Neighbour". And he fortified it strongly with his
men, and afterwards went southward. Then, soon after that the king was gone
south, went the earl one night out of Bamborough towards Tinemouth; but they
that were in the new castle were aware of him, and went after him, and
fought him, and wounded him, and afterwards took him. And of those that were
with him some they slew, and some they took alive. Among these things it
was made known to the king, that the Welshmen in Wales had broken into a
castle called Montgomery, and slain the men of Earl Hugo, that should have
held it. He therefore gave orders to levy another force immediately, and
after Michaelmas went into Wales, and shifted his forces, and went through
all that land, so that the army came all together by All Saints to Snowdon.
But the Welsh always went before into the mountains and the moors, that no
man could come to them. The king then went homeward; for he saw that he
could do no more there this winter. When the king came home again, he gave
orders to take the Earl Robert of Northumberland, and lead him to
Bamborough, and put out both his eyes, unless they that were therein would
give up the castle. His wife held it, and Morel who was steward, and also
his relative. Through this was the castle then given up; and Morel was then
in the king's court; and through him were many both of the clergy and laity
surrendered, who with their counsels had conspired against the king. The
king had before this time commanded some to be brought into prison, and
afterwards had it very strictly proclaimed over all this country, "That all
who held land of the king, as they wished to be considered worthy of
protection, should come to court at the time appointed." And the king
commanded that the Earl Robert should be led to Windsor, and there held in
the castle. Also in this same year, against Easter, came the pope's nuncio
hither to this land. This was Bishop Walter, a man of very good life, of
the town of Albano; and upon the day of Pentecost on the behalf of Pope
Urban he gave Archbishop Anselm his pall, and he received him at his
archiepiscopal stall in Canterbury. And Bishop Walter remained afterwards
in this land a great part of the year; and men then sent by him the
Rome-scot, which they had not done for many years before. This same year
also the weather was very unseasonable; in consequence of which throughout
all this land were all the fruits of the earth reduced to a moderate crop.
A.D. 1096. In this year held the King William his court at Christmas in
Windsor; and William Bishop of Durham died there on new-year's day; and on
the octave of the Epiphany was the king and all his councillors at
Salisbury. There Geoffry Bainard challenged William of Ou, the king's
relative, maintaining that he had been in the conspiracy against the king.
And he fought with him, and overcame him in single combat; and after he was
overcome, the king gave orders to put out his eyes, and afterwards to
emasculate him; and his steward, William by name, who was the son of his
stepmother, the king commanded to be hanged on a gibbet. Then was also
Eoda, Earl of Champagne, the king's son-in-law, and many others, deprived of
their lands; whilst some were led to London, and there killed. This year
also, at Easter, there was a very great stir through all this nation and
many others, on account of Urban, who was declared Pope, though he had
nothing of a see at Rome. And an immense multitude went forth with their
wives and children, that they might make war upon the heathens. Through
this expedition were the king and his brother, Earl Robert, reconciled; so
that the king went over sea, and purchased all Normandy of him, on condition
that they should be united. And the earl afterwards departed; and with him
the Earl of Flanders, and the Earl of Boulogne, and also many other men of
rank . And the Earl Robert, and they that went with him, passed the winter
in Apulia; but of the people that went by Hungary many thousands miserably
perished there and by the way. And many dragged themselves home rueful and
hunger-bitten on the approach of winter. This was a very heavy-timed year
through all England, both through the manifold tributes, and also through
the very heavy-timed hunger that severely oppressed this earth in the course
of the year. In this year also the principal men who held this land,
frequently sent forces into Wales, and many men thereby grievously
afflicted, producing no results but destruction of men and waste of money.
A.D. 1097. In this year was the King William at Christmas in Normandy; and
afterwards against Easter he embarked for this land; for that he thought to
hold his court at Winchester; but he was weather-bound until Easter-eve,
when he first landed at Arundel; and for this reason held his court at
Windsor. And thereafter with a great army he went into Wales, and quickly
penetrated that land with his forces, through some of the Welsh who were
come to him, and were his guides; and he remained in that country from
midsummer nearly until August, and suffered much loss there in men and in
horses, and also in many other things. The Welshmen, after they had
revolted from the king, chose them many elders from themselves; one of whom
was called Cadwgan, who was the worthiest of them, being brother's son to
King Griffin. And when the king saw that he could do nothing in furtherance
of his will, he returned again into this land; and soon after that he let
his men build castles on the borders. Then upon the feast of St. Michael,
the fourth day before the nones of October, appeared an uncommon star,
shining in the evening, and soon hastening to set. It was seen south-west,
and the ray that stood off from it was thought very long, shining
south-east. And it appeared on this wise nearly all the week. Many men
supposed that it was a comet. Soon after this Archbishop Anselm of
Canterbury obtained leave of the king (though it was contrary to the wishes
of the king, as men supposed), and went over sea; because he thought that
men in this country did little according to right and after his instruction.
And the king thereafter upon St. Martin's mass went over sea into Normandy;
but whilst he was waiting for fair weather, his court in the county where
they lay, did the most harm that ever court or army could do in a friendly
and peaceable land. This was in all things a very heavy-timed year, and
beyond measure laborious from badness of weather, both when men attempted to
till the land, and afterwards to gather the fruits of their tilth; and from
unjust contributions they never rested. Many counties also that were
confined to London by work, were grievously oppressed on account of the wall
that they were building about the tower, and the bridge that was nearly all
afloat, and the work of the king's hall that they were building at
Westminster; and many men perished thereby. Also in this same year soon
after Michaelmas went Edgar Etheling with an army through the king's
assistance into Scotland, and with hard fighting won that land, and drove
out the King Dufnal; and his nephew Edgar, who was son of King Malcolm and
of Margaret the queen, he there appointed king in fealty to the King
William; and afterwards again returned to England.
A.D. 1098. In this year at Christmas was the King William in Normandy; and
Walkelin, Bishop of Winchester, and Baldwin, Abbot of St. Edmund's, within
this tide both departed. And in this year also died Turold, Abbot of
Peterborough. In the summer of this year also, at Finchamstead in
Berkshire, a pool welled with blood, as many true men said that should see
it. And Earl Hugh was slain in Anglesey by foreign pirates, and his
brother Robert was his heir, as he had settled it before with the king.
Before Michaelmas the heaven was of such an hue, as if it were burning,
nearly all the night. This was a very troublesome year through manifold
impositions; and from the abundant rains, that ceased not all the year,
nearly all the tilth in the marsh- lands perished.
A.D. 1099. This year was the King William at midwinter in Normandy, and at
Easter came hither to land, and at Pentecost held his court the first time
in his new building at Westminster; and there he gave the bishopric of
Durham to Ranulf his chaplain, who had long directed and governed his
councils over all England. And soon after this he went over sea, and drove
the Earl Elias out of Maine, which he reduced under his power, and so by
Michaelmas returned to this land. This year also, on the festival of St.
Martin, the sea-flood sprung up to such a height, and did so much harm, as
no man remembered that it ever did before. And this was the first day of
the new moon. And Osmond, Bishop of Salisbury, died in Advent.
A.D. 1100. In this year the King William held his court at Christmas in
Glocester, and at Easter in Winchester, and at Pentecost in Westminster.
And at Pentecost was seen in Berkshire at a certain town blood to well from
the earth; as many said that should see it. And thereafter on the morning
after Lammas day was the King William shot in hunting, by an arrow from his
own men, and afterwards brought to Winchester, and buried in the
cathedral. This was in the thirteenth year after that he assumed the
government. He was very harsh and severe over his land and his men, and
with all his neighbours; and very formidable; and through the counsels of
evil men, that to him were always agreeable, and through his own avarice, he
was ever tiring this nation with an army, and with unjust contributions. For
in his days all right fell to the ground, and every wrong rose up before God
and before the world. God's church he humbled; and all the bishoprics and
abbacies, whose elders fell in his days, he either sold in fee, or held in
his own hands, and let for a certain sum; because he would be the heir of
every man, both of the clergy and laity; so that on the day that he fell he
had in his own hand the archbishopric of Canterbury, with the bishopric of
Winchester, and that of Salisbury, and eleven abbacies, all let for a sum;
and (though I may be tedious) all that was loathsome to God and righteous
men, all that was customary in this land in his time. And for this he was
loathed by nearly all his people, and odious to God, as his end testified:
-- for he departed in the midst of his unrighteousness, without any power of
repentance or recompense for his deeds. On the Thursday he was slain; and
in the morning afterwards buried; and after he was buried, the statesmen
that were then nigh at hand, chose his brother Henry to king. And he
immediately gave the bishopric of Winchester to William Giffard; and
afterwards went to London; and on the Sunday following, before the altar at
Westminster, he promised God and all the people, to annul all the
unrighteous acts that took place in his brother's time, and to maintain the
best laws that were valid in any king's day before him. And after this the
Bishop of London, Maurice, consecrated him king; and all in this land
submitted to him, and swore oaths, and became his men. And the king, soon
after this, by the advice of those that were about him, allowed men to take
the Bishop Ranulf of Durham, and bring him into the Tower of London, and
hold him there. Then, before Michaelmas, came the Archbishop Anselm of
Canterbury hither to this land; as the King Henry, by the advice of his
ministers had sent after him, because he had gone out of this land for the
great wrongs that the King William did unto him. And soon hereafter the
king took him to wife Maud, daughter of Malcolm, King of Scotland, and of
Margaret the good queen, the relative of King Edward, and of the right
royal race of England. And on Martinmas day she was publicly given to him
with much pomp at Westminster, and the Archbishop Anselm wedded her to him,
and afterwards consecrated her queen. And the Archbishop Thomas of York
soon hereafter died. During the harvest of this same year also came the
Earl Robert home into Normandy, and the Earl Robert of Flanders, Eustace,
Earl of Boulogne, from Jerusalem. And as soon as the Earl Robert came into
Normandy, he was joyfully received by all his people; except those of the
castles that were garrisoned with the King Henry's men. Against them he had
many contests and struggles.
A.D. 1101. In this year at Christmas held the King Henry his court in
Westminster, and at Easter in Winchester. And soon thereafter were the
chief men in this land in a conspiracy against the king; partly from their
own great infidelity, and also through the Earl Robert of Normandy, who
with hostility aspired to the invasion of this land. And the king
afterwards sent ships out to sea, to thwart and impede his brother; but some
of them in the time of need fell back, and turned from the king, and
surrendered themselves to the Earl Robert. Then at midsummer went the king
out to Pevensey with all his force against his brother, and there awaited
him. But in the meantime came the Earl Robert up at Portsmouth twelve
nights before Lammas; and the king with all his force came against him. But
the chief men interceded between them, and settled the brothers on the
condition, "that the king should forego all that he held by main strength in
Normandy against the earl; and that all then in England should have their
lands again, who had lost it before through the earl, and Earl Eustace also
all his patrimony in this land; and that the Earl Robert every year should
receive from England three thousand marks of silver; and particularly, that
whichever of the brothers should survive the other, he should be heir of all
England and also of Normandy, except the deceased left an heir by lawful
wedlock." And this twelve men of the highest rank on either side then
confirmed with an oath. And the earl afterwards remained in this land till
after Michaelmas; and his men did much harm wherever they went, the while
that the earl continued in this land. This year also the Bishop Ranulf at
Candlemas burst out of the Tower of London by night, where he was in
confinement, and went into Normandy; through whose contrivance and
instigation mostly the Earl Robert this year sought this land with
hostility. |