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WILLIAM RUFUS, OR WILLIAM THE RED.
[Sidenote: 1087. An. Reg. 1.] William, surnamed Rufus or William the
Red, second sonne to William Conqueror, began his reigne ouer England
the ninth of September, in the yeare 1087. about the 31. yeare of the
emperour Henrie the fourth, and the 37. of Philip the first, king of
France, Urbane the second then gouerning the sée of Rome, and Malcolme
Cammoir reigning in Scotland. [Sidenote: _Polydor._ _Sim. Dunel._
_Matth. Paris._] Immediatlie after his fathers deceasse, and before
the solemnitie of the funerals were executed, he came ouer into
England with no lesse spéed than was possible, and following the
counsell of Lanfranke archbishop of Canturburie (in whome he reposed
all his trust) he sought to win the fauour of the Péers and Nobilitie
of the realme by great and liberall gifts. For although there were but
few of the homeborne states that bare rule in the land at this
season; yet those that remained, and whome his father in extreme sort
had wronged, he verie gentlie enterteined, promising them not onlie to
continue their good lord and souereigne, but also to make more
fauourable ordinances than his father had left behind him; and
furthermore to restore the former lawes and liberties of the realme,
which his said father had abolished. Thus by faire words and politic
he obtained his purpose. [Sidenote: _Sim. Dunel._ Marchar and Wilnot.]
Howbeit soone after he forgat himselfe, and imprisoned Marchar and
Wilnot, whom he had brought ouer with him from Normandie, being set at
libertie by his father.
[Sidenote: Lanfranke had fauoured him euen of a child. _Matth. Paris._
William Rufus is crowned the 26. of September. _Polydor._ His
bountifull munificence.] The nobles at the first wished rather to haue
had the elder brother duke Robert to haue gouerned them: howbeit by
the aide onelie of the said Lanfranke, whose authoritie was of no
small force amongst all the lords of the land, this William (according
to his fathers assignation) was proclaimed and crowned at Westminster
on the 26. of September (being Sundaie, the 6. kalends of October) and
the 11. indiction, as the best writers doo report. After his
coronation, to gratifie the people, he went to Winchester, where he
found great treasure which his father had laid vp there for his owne
vse: this he fréelie spent in large gifts, and all kind of princelie
largesse. He set verie manie prisoners at libertie, and did many other
things to benefit the people, wherein the diligence and good aduice of
Lanfranke did not a little preuaile. For he perceiued that there was
in the king a variable mind, an vnstable nature, and a disposition to
lightnesse and follie. Wherefore hée tooke oftentimes the more paines
in persuading him not onelie to liberalitie (which is none of the
least vertues in a prince) but also to vse a discreet and orderlie
behauiour in all his dooings. Moreouer, he sticked not to put him in
feare of an euill end, and troublesome regiment likelie to insue, if
he did giue himselfe to vice and wilfulnesse, & neglect the charge
thus by the prouidence of GOD committed to his hands. After this maner
did the said prelat trauell with the king, whom we will leaue at this
time as it were hearkening to his admonitions, and set foorth by the
waie what his brother Robert did, whilest William Rufus his brother
was occupied in such wise as you haue heard.
It happened that this Robert was abroad in Germanie, when king William
his father died (whither he went to raise a power, to the intent he
might therby obteine the possession of Normandie, which he trusted to
enioy in his fathers life time) where hearing newes of his death, he
hasted straightwaies into Normandie, and there being ioyfullie receiued,
was peaceablie proclaimed duke of that countrie, with great gladnesse
and shouting of the people.
[Sidenote: 1088.] After this, considering with himselfe how
dishonorable a thing it was for him, that his yoonger brother should
possesse the crowne of England, which of right (as he said) belonged
vnto him, by reason of his age; he determined with all expedition to
passe the seas with an armie, and recouer that into his hands, which
his father had giuen from him, partlie (as it is thought) for his
wilfulnesse and disobedience towards him, and partly also bicause he
doubted that if he should leaue it vnto him, he would through his too
much gentlenesse and facilitie, giue occasion to the English to resume
strength, and therby to reuolt. Wherefore he iudged his yoonger
brother the saied William (a man of a rougher nature) the meeter of
the twaine for the gouernement.
As duke Robert was thus mooued by his owne desire to bereue his brother
of the dominion of England, so he was not a little incensed thervnto by
such of the English Nobilitie and Normans, as came dailie ouer vnto him
out of the realme, complaining of the present state of the world, as
those misliked of the whole maner of regiment vsed in the beginning of
the reigne of his brother William. His vncle Odo also (then bishop of
Baieux) furthered the matter all that he might. This Odo was at first in
great estimation with his brother the Conqueror, and bare great rule
vnder him, till at length for enuie that the archbishop Lanfranke was
preferred before him, he conspired against him, who vnderstanding
thereof, committed him foorthwith to prison, where he remained, till
the said prince then lieng on his death-bed, released and restored
him to his former libertie. When the king was dead, William Rufus
tooke him backe into England, supposing no lesse but to haue had a
speciall fréend and a trustie counceller of him in all his affaires.
But yer long after his comming thither, he fell againe into the same
offense of ingratitude, wherof he became culpable in the Conquerors
daies: for perceiuing that Lanfranke was so highlie esteemed with the
king, that he could beare no rule, and partlie suspecting that
Lanfranke had been cheefe causer of his former imprisonment,
[Sidenote: Odo the bishop of Baieux conspireth against his nephue
William Rufus.] he conspired with the rest against his nephue, and
therevpon wrote sundrie letters ouer vnto duke Robert, counselling him
to come ouer with an armie in all hast, to take the rule vpon him,
which by his practise should easilie be compassed.
Duke Robert being thus animated on all sides, and yet wanting
sufficient monie to the furniture of this iournie, engaged a portion
of his duchie of Normandie, as the countie of Constantine to his
yoongest brother Henrie, for a great sum of gold, and therwith
returned answer to the foresaid bishop, that he should prouide and
looke for him vpon the south coast of England, at a certeine time
appointed. [Sidenote: The castell of Rochester.] Herevpon Odo
fortified the castell of Rochester, & began to make sore wars against
the kings friends in Kent: he procured others of the complices also to
do the like in other parts of the realme; [Sidenote: _Simon Dun._
_Wil. Malm._ The bishop of Constance taketh the town of Bath.] and
first on the west part of England, where Geffrey bishop of Constans
with his nephue Robert de Mowbray earle of Northumberland setting
foorth from Bristow, came toward Bath, which towne they tooke and
sacked, and likewise Berkley, with a great part of Wiltshire, and
brought the spoile and booties backe to Bristow, where they had a
castell stronglie fortified for their more safetie. In like maner
Roger de Bygod, departing from Norwich, with great forraies ouerrode
and robbed all the countries about, and conueied such riches as he had
gotten into the said citie. [Sidenote: Hugh Grandmesnill. _Hen. Hunt._
_Wil. Mal._] In like sort did Hugh de Grandmesnill at Leiceister,
spoiling and wasting all the countries about him.
[Sidenote: The earle of Shrewsburie.] The earle of Shrewsburie called
Roger de Mountgomerie, with a power of Welshmen set foorth from
Shrewsburie, and with him were William bishop of Durham the kings
houshold chapline, Barnard of Newmerch, Roger Lacie, and Rafe
Mortimer, (all Normans or Frenchmen) who ioyning their powers
togither, inuaded the countrie, and with fire and sword did much hurt
where they came, killing and taking a great number of people.
[Sidenote: Worcester assaulted.] Afterwards comming to Worcester, they
assaulted the citie, ouerran the suburbs, & set the same on fire. But
the citizens shutting fast the gates of their citie (though with the
sudden comming of the enimies they were somewhat afraid) made valiant
resistance; and conueieng their goods, their wiues, and their children
into the castell, got them to the walles and places of defense, to
repell and beat backe the enimies. [Sidenote: Bishop Woolstan.] Among
them in the towne was bishop Woolstan, whom the citizens would haue
compelled to go into the castell for his surer safegard, but he
refused it.
At length it chanced that the enimies (continuing the said siege)
began to wax negligent, and ranged abroad in the countrie, little
regarding watch and ward about their campe, wherevpon the English
within the citie tooke this oportunitie, being mooued thereto with the
comfortable exhortation of bishop Woolstan, and sailing foorth of the
towne did set on their enimies with great fiercenes, whome they got at
such aduantage, [Sidenote: They slue fiue hundred, and chased the
residue as saith _Simon Dunel._] that they slue and tooke that daie
aboue fiue M. men (as Henrie of Huntingdon recordeth.) For the English
bearing a continuall malice in their hearts against the French and
Normans, did now their best to be fullie reuenged of them, vpon so
conuenient an occasion offered. Those that escaped by flight, hid
themselues in the next townes, making such shifts for their liues as
the present necessitie could minister.
[Sidenote: The diligence of the archbishop Lanfranke.] Whilest the
realme was thus troubled on ech side, archbishop Lanfranke sendeth,
writeth, and admonisheth all the kings fréends to make themselues
readie to defend their prince. And after he vnderstood that they were
assembled togither for that purpose, he counselleth the king to march
into the field with them spéedilie, to represse his enimies.
[Sidenote: The great curtesie shewed to the Englishmen by Wil. Rufus.
_Simon Dun._] The king following his counsell, first appointed his
nauie to scowre and keepe the seas, and to withstand (if it were
possible) the arriuall of his brother by faire words. Also he
reconcileth Roger de Mountgomerie earle of Shrewsburie vnto him, and
therewith maketh large promises to the English, that he would out of
hand giue and restore vnto them such fauourable lawes as they would
wish or desire. Moreouer he commanded all vniust imposts, tolles and
tallages to be laid downe, and granted frée hunting in the woods,
chases and forrests. All which grants and promises he kept not long,
though for the time he greatlie contented the people with such a shew
of good meaning towards them. [Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._] This doone, he
goeth with a mightie armie into Kent, where the sedition began, and
first comming to the castell of Tunbridge, he compelled capteine
Gilbert to yeeld vp the fortresse into his hands. Then went he to
Horne castell, where he heard saie Odo was (but the report was vntrue,
for he had betaken himselfe to the castell of Pemsey) which when he
had ouerthrowne, he hasted forth vnto Pemsey, and besieged the castell
there a long season, which the bishop had stronglie fortified.
During this time, and about the fiftieth daie after the beginning of
the siege, word was brought to the king, that his brother duke Robert
was landed at Southampton, and minded with all possible spéed to come
to the succour of the bishop, and of other his fréends, whom he and
his power had not a little afflicted. [Sidenote: _H. Hunt._ _Simon
Dun._] ¶ Here authors varie: for some report that duke Robert came not
ouer himselfe the first at all, but sent a part of his armie, with a
certeine number of ships, which encountring with the kings fleet, were
discomfited. Others write that duke Robert hearing of the losse of his
men, came after himselfe, and landed with a mightie armie as before,
which is most likelie. [Sidenote: _Gemeticensis._ Eustace earle of
Bullongne.] And certeinlie (as Gemeticen. affirmeth) he might easilie
as then haue recouered England from his brother, if he had not lingred
the time, considering that Eustace earle of Bullongne, Odo bishop of
Baieux, and the earle of Mortaigne, with other lords of Normandie that
were passed to England, had alreadie taken Rochester, and diuers other
castels in the prouince of Canturburie, keeping the same a certeine
time, still looking that he should haue come ouer to their aid, which
he deferred to doo, till they were constreined by siege and lacke of
necessarie succor to returne into Normandie, leauing those places
which they had won vnto the king, and that to their great dishonor.
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._] But howsoeuer it was, the king still
continued the siege before Pemsey castell, till Odo (through want of
victuals) was glad to submit himselfe, and promised to cause the
castell of Rochester to be deliuered: but at his comming thither, they
within the citie suffered him to enter, and streightwaies laid him
fast in prison. Some iudge that it was doone vnder a colour by his
owne consent.
There were in Rochester a sort of valiant gentlemen (the flower in
maner of all Normandie) with Eustace earle of Bolongne, and manie
gentlemen of Flanders, which were in mind to defend the place against
the king: [Sidenote: Rochester besieged by the king.] who hearing what
was doone, came with his armie and besieged the citie of Rochester on
ech side so sharpelie, that they within were glad to deliuer it vp
into his hands. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 2.] [Sidenote: _Polydor._]
[Sidenote: 1089.] Thus lost bishop Odo all his liuings and dignities
in England, and so returned into Normandie, where vnder duke Robert he
had the chéefe gouernement of the countrie committed vnto him.
After this he ouercame diuers of his enimies some by faire and some by
fowle meanes. Notwithstanding this, there yet remained the bishop of
Durham, one of the chéefe conspirators, who withdrew himselfe into the
citie of Durham, there to lie in safetie, till he saw how the world
would go: but being therein besieged by the king, who came thither
personallie, he was at length forced to surrender the city, and yeeld
himselfe: [Sidenote: The bishop of Durham exiled.] wherevpon also he
was exiled the land, with diuerse of his complices. But within two
yeares after, he was called home againe, and restored to his church,
wherein he liued not long, but died for sorrow, bicause he could not
cleere himselfe of offense in the said rebellion, albeit that he
laboured most earnestlie so to doo, that he might thereby haue
atteined to the kings fauor againe.
[Sidenote: Lanfranke archbishop of Canturburie departeth this life.]
Whilest these things were thus in hand, the archbishop Lanfranke
falleth sicke and dieth, in the 19. yeare after his first entring into
the gouernment of the sea of Canturburie. This Lanfranke (as should
seeme) was a wise, politike, and learned prelate, who whilest he
liued, mollified the furious and cruell nature of king William Rufus,
instructing him to forbeare such wild and outragious behauiours as his
youthfulnesse was inclined vnto: and moreouer persuaded the English to
obey the same king as their loiall prince, whereby they should
occasion him to be their good lord and king, not vsing them
rigorouslie as his father had doon. So that Lanfranke could not well
haue beene spared in the time of the rebellion, without great danger
of subuerting the state of the commonwealth. He builded two hospitals
without the citie of Canturburie, for the releefe of poore people and
strangers, the one of S. John, the other at Harbaldowne. He aduanced
the church of Rochester from foure secular clerkes, to the number of
fiftie moonkes: [Sidenote: _Matth. Westm._ Paule abbat of S. Albons]
he repaired Christes church in Canturburie, and the abbey of S.
Albons, whereof he made one Paule that was his nephue abbat, which
Paule gouerned that house by his vncles assistance greatlie to the
aduancement thereof, as well in temporall as spirituall preferments,
as it was then iudged. Likewise the said Lanfranke was verie fortunate
in the gouernement of his church and sée of Canturburie, recouering
sundrie portions of lands and rents alienated from the same before his
daies, insomuch that he restored to that sée 25 manors. [Sidenote:
_Eadmerus._] For amongst other, whereas Odo the bishop of Baieux, who
also was earle of Kent, bearing great rule in England vnder his nephue
king William the Conquerour, had vsurped diuerse possessions which
belonged to the sée of Canturburie, and had seized the franchises
apperteining to the same Lanfranke, into his owne hands, by sute and
earnest trauell he recouered the same, and being impleaded about that
matter by the said Odo, he so defended his cause, that in the end
(though with much adoo) he had his will, and so remained in quiet
possession of his right after that so long as he liued, without any
trouble or vexation concerning the said possessions and liberties.
Whereas also not onelie Walkhem the bishop of Winchester, but diuerse
other bishops in England were in mind to haue displaced moonks out of
their cathedrall churches, and to haue brought canons into their
roomes, Lanfranke withstood them, and would tollerate no such
dislocation: [Sidenote: Lanfranke praised for holding with the
moonks.] an act at that time so well liked, that he was highlie
commended for the same. [Sidenote: The king giuen to sensuall lust and
couetousnesse.] After Lanfrankes death, the king began greatlie to
forget himselfe in all his dealings, insomuch that he kept many
concubines, and waxed verie cruell and inconstant in all his dooings,
so that he became an heauie burthen vnto his people. For he was so
much addicted to gather goods, that he considered not what perteined
to the maiestie of a king, insomuch that nothing tending to his gaine,
and the satisfieng of his appetite, was estéemed of him vnlawfull,
sith he measured all things by the vncontrolled rule of his roialtie,
and considered nothing what so high an office required. He kept the
sée of Canturburie foure yeares in his hands, to see who would giue
most for it, in the meane time taking the profits thereof, and making
the vttermost of the same that by any meanes could be deuised.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] The like he vsed when other benefices and
abbeies were vacant, and furthermore that little which the prince
spared, his officers and farmers, no lesse couetous than he, conuerted
to their aduantage: so that what by the king, and what by his
procurators, the church of England was now sore charged and fléeced of
hir wealth. Diuerse of hir prelates in like maner were not a little
offended, to sée their mother so spoiled of hir treasure and
liuelihood, insomuch that they practised a redresse: and to begin
withall, complained of the king to pope Vrban: but he was so busied
with other troubles of his owne néerer home, that he could haue no
time to séeke meanes how to redresse enormities a far off, [Sidenote:
_Wil. Malm._ _Matt. Paris._] whereby the lands and goods belonging to
the church here in England were still wastfullie spent and consumed
by the king and others, to whome he gaue or let them foorth to farme
at his owne pleasure, and to his most commoditie.
But albeit the prince was of such a disposition by nature, yet there is
one thing written of him which ought not to be forgotten, to admonish vs
that there is no man of so euill an affection, but that sometime he
dealeth vprightlie, though it be by hap or other extraordinarie motion.
It chanced that an abbeie was void of an abbat, wherein were two moonkes
verie couetous persons aboue the rest, and such as by scraping and
gathering togither, were become verie rich, for such (saith Polydor) in
those daies mounted to preferment. These two appointed to go togither to
the court, ech hoping at their comming thither to find some meanes that
he might be made abbat of that house. Being thus agréed, to the court
they come, and there offer verie largelie to the king to obteine their
sute: who perceiuing their gréedie desires, and casting his eies about
the chamber, espied by chance an other moonke (that came to beare them
companie, being a more sober man, and simple after his outward
appearance) whom he called vnto him, and asked what he would giue him to
be made abbat of the foresaid abbeie. The moonke after a little pause,
made answere, that he would giue nothing at all for anie such purpose,
since he entred into that profession of méere zeale to despise riches &
all worldlie pompe, to the end he might the more quietlie serue God in
holinesse & puritie of conuersation. Saiest thou so, quoth the king,
then art thou euen he that art worthie to gouerne this house: and
streightwaie he bestowed the house vpon him, iustlie refusing the other
two, to their open infamie and reproch.
[Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._] [Sidenote: An. Reg. 3. 1090.] But to
returne to our historie. After the expulsion of the bishop of Durham,
and other of his adherents, the king passed ouer into Normandie,
purposing to depriue his brother of that dukedome, and being arriued
there, he besieged and tooke S. Ualerie, Albemarle, and diuerse other
townes and castels, wherein he placed a number of his best souldiers,
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ Warres betwixt the king and his brother
Robert.] the better to mainteine warre against his foresaid brother.
Herevpon also the said Robert sent vnto the French king for aid, who
came downe at his request with a noble armie, and besieged one of
those castels which king William had latelie woone; howbeit by such
meanes as king William made, in sending to the French king an huge
summe of monie, he raised his siege shortlie & returned home againe.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 4 1091.] [Sidenote: _Gemeticensis._ A peace
concluded. _Simon Dun._ _Matth. West._ _Matt. Paris._] At length a
peace was concluded betwixt king William and the duke his brother, but
yet verie dishonorable to the said Robert: for it was accorded, that
king William should reteine & still inioy the countie of Ewe, with
Fescampe, the abbasie of mount S. Michell, Chereburg, and all those
other places which he had woone & gotten out of his hands in this his
late voiage. On the other side it was agréed, that king William should
aid the duke to recouer all other places beyond the seas, which
belonged to their father. Also, that such Normans as had lost anie of
their lands & liuings in England, for taking part with the duke in the
late rebellion, should be restored to the same. And furthermore, that
whether soeuer of both should die first, the suruiuer should be his
heire, and succeed in his dominions.
[Sidenote: _Gemeticensis._] This peace was concluded at Caen, and that
by procurement of the French king, at what time king William was verie
strong in the field neare vnto Ewe. After which conclusion, they
vnited their powers, and besieged their yoongest brother Henrie in the
castell of mount S. Michell, which (being situat in the confines of
Normandie and Britaine) he had stronglie fortified not long before for
feare of afterclaps. But when they had lien about it by the space of
all the Lent season, and had made manie bickerings with his men, more
to their losse than lucre, they raised their siege, and voluntarilie
departed. [Sidenote: _Sim. Dunel._] Not long after this, king William
depriued Edgar Etheling of his honor, which duke Robert had assigned
vnto him, banishing him out of Normandie for euer.
Shortlie after also the aforesaid Henrie wan a strong towne called
Damfront, and furnishing it at all points, he kept the same in his
possession as long as he liued, mauger both his brethren. Thus the war
waxed hot betwéene those three, howbeit suddenlie (I wot not vpon what
occasion) this Henrie was reconciled with king William and his brother
Robert, so that all debates being quieted on euerie side, they were made
friends and welwillers. King William also returned into England, hauing
his brother Robert in his companie, all men reioising at their
pacification and amitie, which happened in the yeare 1091, and fourth of
the reigne of the king.
Toward the end whereof, and vpon the fift daie of October, a
maruellous sore tempest fell in sundrie parts of England, but
especiallie in the towne of Winchcombe, where (by force of thunder and
lightning) a part of the steeple of the church was throwne downe, and
the crucifix with the image of Marie standing vnder the rood-loft, was
likewise ouerthrowne, broken, and shattered in péeces; then folowed a
foule, a noisome, and a most horrible stinke in the church. [Sidenote:
A mightie wind.] On the 17. daie of the same moneth much harme was
doone in London with an outragious wind, the violence whereof
ouerturned and rent in péeces aboue fiue hundred houses, at which time
and tempest the roofe of S. Marie bowe church in cheape was also
ouerthrowne, wherewith two men were slaine. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 5.
1092.] Moreouer, at Salisburie much hurt was doone with the like wind
and thunder, for the top of the stéeple and manie buildings besides
were sore shaken and cast downe. But now we will speake somewhat of
the doings of Scotland, as occasion moueth. [Sidenote: The scots
inuade England.] Whilest (as yée haue heard) variance depended
betweene king William and his brother duke Robert, the Scotish king
Malcolme made sore wars vpon the inhabitants of Northumberland,
carrieng great booties and preies out of that countrie, which he
inuaded euen to Chester in the street. Wherefore king William, soone
after his returne, gathered his power togither, and sped him
northwards. But king Malcolme hearing of his puissance & great
strength sent to him for peace, which was granted in the end.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ _Sim. Dun._] Some writers affirme, that king
William prepared a great armie both by sea and land against Malcolme;
and that his nauie being abroad on the seas, was lost by tempest, and
the most part of his ships drowned; that the armie by land entring
into Scotland, suffered manie damages through want of vittels, and so
recoiled: finallie, that duke Robert lieng on the borders with an
armie in his brothers name (wherby it should appeare that the king
himselfe was not there) by the helpe and furtherance of Edgar
Etheling, who then serued K. Malcolme in his wars, concluded a peace
betwixt his brother and the said Malcolme, vpon certeine articles, by
vertue wherof certeine places in Northumberland were restored vnto
Malcolme, which he had held in William Conquerours daies. Some other
write in like maner, that king Malcolme did homage to king William and
duke Robert that brought the said Edgar Etheling into the fauour of
the king.
Howsoeuer the truth of the storie dooth stand in this behalfe,
certeine it is, that the king returned out of Northumberland into the
west parts of the realme, reteining still with him duke Robert, who
looked dailie when he should performe such couenants as were concluded
vpon betwixt them in their late reconciliation. But when he saw that
the king meant nothing lesse than to stand to those articles, and how
he did onlie protract and delaie the time for some other secret
purpose, he returned into Normandie in great displeasure, and tooke
with him the said Edgar Etheling, of whom he alwaies made verie great
account. [Sidenote: The repairing and new peopling of Carleil.] Soone
after king William returned into the north parts, and (as it chanced)
he staied a few daies about Carleil, where being delited with the
situation of the towne (which had beene destroied by the Danes two
hundred yeares before) he set workemen to repaire the same (meaning to
vse it in steed of a bulworke against the Scots on those west borders)
which when he had fensed with walles, and builded a castell in the
most conuenient place thereof, he caused churches and houses to be
erected for the benefit of such people as he had determined to bring
vnto the same. This being doone, he placed a colonie of southren men
there with their wiues and children and gaue large priuileges vnto the
towne, which they inioy at this daie.
[Sidenote: _Matth. West._] ¶ Here haue I thought good to aduertise you
of an error in Matth. West. crept in either through misplacing the
matter by means of some exemplifier, either else by the authors
mistaking his account of yeares, as 1072. for 1092. referring the
repairing of Carleil vnto William Conquerour, at what time he made a
iournie against the Scots in the said yeare 1072. And yet not thus
contented; to bewraie the error more manifestlie, he affirmeth that
the king exchanged the earledome of Chester with Rafe or Ranulfe de
Micenis, aliàs Meschines, for the earledome of Carleil, which the said
Meschines held before, and had begunne there to build and fortifie
that towne: whereas it is certeine that Ranulfe de Meschines came to
enioy the earledome of Chester by way of inheritance, as after shall
appeare. For better proofe whereof ye shall vnderstand, that we find
by ancient records, how one Hugh Lou or Lupus enioied the earledome of
Chester all the daies of the Conqueror, and long after, which Hugh was
sonne to Richard earle of Auranges and the countesse Emma daughter of
a noble man in Normandie named Herlowin, who maried Arlet the daughter
of a burgesse in Falois, and mother to William Conquerour. So that the
said Hugh, being sisters sonne to the Conqueror, receiued by gift at
his hands the earledome of Chester, to hold of him as fréelie by right
of the sword, as he held the realme of England in title of his crowne.
For these be the words: "Tenendum sibi & hæredibus ita liberè ad
gladium, sicut ipse (Rex) totam tenebat Angliam ad coronam."
Earle Hugh then established in possession of this earledome, with most
large priuileges and fréedoms, for the better gouernement thereof,
ordeined vnder him foure barons; [Sidenote: Foure barons. Nigell or
Neal. Piers Malbanke. * Eustace whose surname we find not. Warren
Vernon.] namelie, his cousine Nigell or Neal baron of Halton, sir
Piers Malbanke baron of Nauntwich, sir Eustace * baron of Mawpasse,
and sir Warren Uernon baron of Shipbrooke. Nigell held his baronie of
Halton by seruice, to lead the Uauntgard of the earles armie when he
should make anie iournie into Wales; so as he should be the foremost
in marching into the enimies countrie, and the last in comming backe:
he was also conestable and Marshall of Chester. [Sidenote: The
Lacies.] From this Nigell or Neal, the Lacies that were earles of
Lincolne had their originall. When earle Hugh had gouerned the
earledome of Chester the terme of 40. yeares, he departed this life,
in the yeare 1107. He had issue by his wife Armetrida, Richard the
second earle of Chester after the conquest; Robert, abbat of Saint
Edmundsburie: and Otnell, tutor to the children of king Henrie the
first. [Sidenote: _Iohn Bohun._] Moreouer, the said earle Hugh had a
sister named Margaret, that was maried to John Bohun, who had issue by
hir, Ranulfe Bohun, otherwise called Meschines, which Ranulfe by that
meanes came to enioy the earledome of Chester in right of his mother
(after that earle Richard was drowned in the sea) and not by exchange
for the earledome of Carleil, as by this which we haue alreadie
recited may sufficientlie be prooued.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 6.] Now to returne where we left. After that king
William Rufus had giuen order for the building, fortifieng, and
peopling of Carleil, he returned southwards, and came to Glocester,
where he fell into a greeuous and dangerous sicknesse; [Sidenote:
1093.] so that he was in despaire and doubt of his life: [Sidenote:
_Simon Dun._ _Hen. Hunt._ _Matth. Paris._ The king being sicke
promiseth amendment of life. _Polydor._ _Eadmerus._] wherefore he
repented him of his former misdéeds, and promised (if he escaped that
dangerous sicknesse) to amend and become a new man. But when he had
his health, that promise was quickelie broken, for his dooings which
were so bad and wicked before his sicknesse, being compared with those
which followed after his recouerie, might haue béene reputed good and
sufferable.
[Sidenote: Anselme elected archbishop of Canturburie.] Moreouer,
whereas he reteined and kept in his hands the bishoprike of
Canturburie the space of foure yeares, he now bestowed it vpon
Anselme, who was before abbat of Bechellouin in Normandie; and for
certeine abbeis which he had held long time in his possession, he
ordeined abbats: by meane wherof all men (but especiallie the
spiritualtie) began to conceiue a verie good opinion of him.
[Sidenote: _Eadmerus._] The yere wherein Anselme was thus elected, was
from the birth of our Sauiour 1093. on the sixt of March, being the
first sundaie in Lent (as Eadmerus recordeth.) [Sidenote: _Matth.
Paris._ _Polydor._ Robert Bluet L. Chancelor elected bishop of
Lincolne.] Furthermore he gaue the see of Lincolne (being void by the
death of Bishop Remigius) to his councellour Robert Bluet; but
afterward repenting himselfe of such liberalitie, in that he had not
kept it longer in his hands towards the inriching of his coffers, he
deuised a shift how to wipe the bishops nose of some of his gold,
which he performed after this maner. He caused the bishop to be sued,
quarelinglie charging him that he had wrongfullie vsurped certeine
possessions, togither with the citie of Lincolne, which appertained to
the sée of Yorke. [Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._] Which although it was but a
forged cauillation, and a shamefull vntruth; yet could not the bishop
be deliuered out of that trouble, till he had paid to the king fiue
thousand pounds. And as he dealt with the spiritualtie, so he caused
diuerse of the Nobilitie to be put to gréeuous fines, for
transgressing of his lawes, though the fault were neuer so little. He
also caused the archbishop Anselme to paie him a great summe of monie,
vnder colour of a contribution which was due in Lanfrankes daies,
though it was certeinlie knowne that Lanfranke had paied it. Thus grew
king William from time to time more sharpe and rigorous to his
subiects, so that whosoeuer came within the danger of the laws, was
sure to be condemned; and such as would plaie the promooters and giue
informations against any man for transgressing the lawes, were highlie
rewarded.
In this sixt yeare there chanced such an excessiue raine, and such high
flouds, the riuers ouerflowing the low grounds that lay néere vnto them,
as the like had not béene seene of many yeares before; and afterwards
insued a sudden frost, whereby the great streames were congeled in such
sort, that at their dissoluing or thawing, manie bridges both of wood
and stone were borne downe, and diuerse water-milles rent vp and caried
awaie.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._] Furthermore king William perceiuing that by his
cruell and couetous gouernment, sundrie of his subiects did dailie
steale out of the realme, [Sidenote: A proclamation that none should
depart the realme.] to liue in forreine countries, he published a
proclamation, charging that no man should depart the realme without
his licence and safe-conduct. Hereof it is thought, that the custome
rose of forbidding passage out of the realme, which oftentimes is vsed
as a law, when occasion serueth. Soone after, he went against the
Welshmen, whom he vanquished in battell néere to Brecknocke, and slue
Rees their king, who had doone much hurt within the English borders,
when he was their incamped. [Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ Rées king of Wales
slaine.] This Rise or Rées was the last king that reigned ouer the
Welshmen, as authors affirme: for afterwards, though they oftentimes
rebelled, yet the kings of England were reputed and taken as supreme
gouernors of that part of the Iland. [Sidenote: _Wil. Thorne._]
Moreouer, to haue the countrie the better in quiet, he did cut downe
their woods, and builded manie castels and piles in places conuenient,
by meanes whereof they were somewhat tamed, and trained in due time to
obedience, though not at the first, nor in the daies of sundrie of his
successors.
[Sidenote: Malcolme king of Scots commeth to Glocester. _Wil. Malm._
_Polydor._] Hauing thus finished his iournie into Wales, Malcolme king
of Scotland came vnto Glocester to sée the king, and to common with
him of sundrie matters touching the peace betwixt both the realms, as
he returned homewards: but bicause king William disdained to
enterteine him in such pompous maner as he expected and made account
of; [Sidenote: K. Malcolme inuadeth England.] and forsomuch as he did
not at the verie first admit him to his presence, the said Malcolme
returned into Scotland in great displeasure, and immediatelie raising
a power, entred into England, destroieng the country vnto Alnewike
castell, where he was so enuironed with an ambushment laid by Robert
earle of Northumberland, that he and his eldest sonne Edward were
slaine. At which mishap his whole host being vtterlie discomfited,
fled out of the field with the losse of manie, whereof some were
slaine, and some taken by pursute. [Sidenote: _Simon Dun._] Thus came
king Malcolme to his end (by the iust prouidence of God) in that
prouince which he had wasted and spoiled at fiue seuerall times, as
first in the daies of king Edward, when earle Tostie was gone to Rome;
the second time, in the daies of William Conquerour, when he spoiled
Cleueland; thirdlie, in the same Conquerours daies, whilest bishop
Walkher possessed the see of Durham, at what time all the countrie was
spoiled and forraied, euen to the riuer of Tine; fourthlie, about the
fourth or fift yeare of the reigne of this William Rufus, at which
time he entered the land as farre as Chester in the stréet, whilest
king William was in Normandie; the fift time was now, when he lost
his life on saint Brices day, by the hands of a verie valiant knight
named Morkell. King Malcolme being thus surprised by death, his bodie
was buried at Tinmouth (as in the Scotish histories more plainelie
appeareth) where also ye may find, how the sonnes of king Malcolme
were aided by king William Rufus to obteine the crowne of Scotland,
wherevnto they were interessed; whereas otherwise by the force and
practise of their vncle Donald they had beene kept from the scepter
and crowne of the kingdome.
[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._] [Sidenote: An. Reg. 7. 1094] This yeare
England and Normandie were sore vexed with mortalitie both of men and
beasts, insomuch that tillage of the ground was laid aside in manie
places, by reason whereof there folowed great dearth & famine.
[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ _Wil. Malm._ _Simon Dun._ Death & murren of
cattell. Strange woonders. _Matth. Paris._ _Polydor._ _Simon Dun._]
Manie grizelie and hideous sights were seene also in England, as hosts
of men fighting in the aire, flashes of fier, stars falling from
heauen, and such like strange wonders. About this time new occasions
of breach of amitie grew betwixt the king and his brother Robert, who
accused him of periurie, for not obseruing the articles of the last
peace concluded betwixt them: wherefore he purposed to saile ouer into
Normandie, and so came vnto Hastings, about the first of Februarie,
where he soiourned for a time, and caused the church of Battell abbeie
to be dedicated in the honour of S. Martin. He depriued Herbert bishop
of Thetford of his bishops staffe, because he meant to haue stolen
awaie secretlie to Rome, and there to haue purchased absolution of
pope Urban for his bishoprike, which he had bought of the king for
himselfe; and likewise for the abbasie of Winchester, which he had
purchased for his father, paieng for them both a thousand pounds.
[Sidenote: King William passeth ouer into Normandie.] After this,
about midlent he passed ouer into Normandie with an armie, purposing
to trie the matter with his brother in plaine battell, that thereby he
might rather grow to some certeine point of losse or lucre, than to
stand ouer vpon vncerteinties, whether to haue peace or war, that he
must be constreined to be at all times in a readinesse to defend
himselfe. [Sidenote: Wars betwixt the king and his brother.] But after
he was come into Normandie, & had forraied part of the countrie once
or twice, he fell to a parle with his brother duke Robert, & in the
end condescended to put the matter in compromise to the arbitrement of
certeine graue persons, whose iudgement the king reiected, bicause
they gaue not sentence on his side. [Sidenote: _Matth. West._]
Herevpon both parts prepared for war afresh, insomuch that the king
perceiuing how his brother was aided by the French king, and that his
power was too weake to withstand them both, he sent his commission
into England for the leuieng of 20. thousand men, commanding that they
should be sent ouer vnto him into Normandie by a daie, which was
diligentlie performed. But as they were come togither about Hastings,
readie to enter a shipboord, immediatlie commeth the kings lieutenant
with a countermand, and signifieth to them, that the king minding to
fauour and spare them for that iournie, would that euery of them
should giue him 10. shillings (as Matt. Paris hath, or 20. shillings
as others haue) towards the charges of the war, and therevpon depart
home with a sufficient safeconduct; which the most part were better
content to doo, than to commit themselues to the fortune of the sea,
and bloudie successe of the wars in Normandie. [Sidenote: _Polydor._]
In deed king William changing his mind, was now determined to end the
matter with monie, and not with the sword, as it afterward appeered;
for by bribing of king Philip, in whom duke Robert had reposed his
whole trust, [Sidenote: A peace concluded betwixt the king and his
brother Robert.] he concluded peace vpon such articles and conditions
as he himselfe required.
[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._ _Simon Dun._ The Welshmen inuade England.]
Hauing dispatched his businesse in Normandie, he returned into
England, where he happened to méet with new and more dangerous wars:
for the Welshmen hearing of the variance betwixt the brethren, after
their accustomed maner begin to inuade the English marshes, taking
booties of cattell, destroieng the countries, killing and spoiling
many of the kings subiects, both English and Normans. [Sidenote: The
castell of Mountgomerie won by the Welshmen.] After this (waxing proud
of their good successe) they besieged the castell of Mountgomerie,
where though the garison made stout resistance for a time, yet in the
end the enimie finding shift to ouerthrow the walles, entred
perforce, and slue all that they found within. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 8.
1095.] Wherewith though king William was offended when he heard of it,
yet could he not remedie the matter as then, being troubled with a
conspiracie newlie kindled against him by Robert earle of
Northumberland, [Sidenote: Robert earle of Northumberland refuseth to
come to the king.] who vpon displeasure conceiued against him (bicause
he was not rewarded nor thanked at his hands for his good seruice
shewed in the killing of Malcolme king of Scotland) refused to come
vnto him being sent for by letters, and herewith began to practise
with certeine other Noble men of that countrie, how to depose king
William. But yer he could bring anie peece of his purpose to passe,
the king hauing aduertisement of his attempts, [Sidenote: _Matth.
Paris._] first appointed his brother the lord Henrie to go thither
with an armie, and foorthwith foloweth himselfe; and comming to
Newcastell, where the most part of his complices were assembled, he
surprised them yer they could haue time to prouide for their safetie.
That doone, he went to Tinmouth, and in the castell tooke the earles
brother there, and after came to Banbourgh castell, which the said
earle with his wife and children did hold for their better safegard
and defense.
[Sidenote: _Hen. Hunt._] Some authors write, that when the king
perceiued it would be hard for him to win Banbourgh castell (by reason
of the great strength thereof) without famine, [Sidenote: Maluoisin a
fortresse built against Banbourgh.] he builded vp an other castell or
bastilion fast by it, calling the same Maluoisin, wherein he placed a
great power of men, by whose meanes at length the earle was so
narrowlie driuen, that when he sought to haue escaped by night, he was
espied, [Sidenote: _Polydor._] and therewith pursued so closelie by
the kings souldiers, that he was forced to take sanctuarie within the
church of S. Oswins at Tinmouth, from whence he was quicklie taken,
and brought as prisoner to the kings presence. Notwithstanding, those
that remained within the castell vpon trust of the strength of that
place, would not yeeld by anie meanes; but stood still to their
tackling: wherevpon the king caused the earle their maister to be
brought foorth before the gates, and threatened that he should haue
his eies put out, if they within did not streightwaies giue vp the
hold into his hands. [Sidenote: Banbourgh yéelded to the king.] Here
vpon it came to passe, that the castell was yéelded, and those that
kept it were diuerslie punished, some by banishment, some by loosing
their eares, & diuerse by the losse of their hands, in example to
others. The earle himselfe was conueied to Windsor castell, and there
committed to prison.
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ The earle of Ewe.] Some write that the meaning
of the earle and his complices (amongst whom was William earle of Ewe,
who renouncing his allegiance to Robert duke of Normandie, was become
the kings man) was to haue displaced the king from his roiall throne,
and to haue set vp his sonne William de Albemarle, whom he had
begotten of his concubine. But whatsoeuer their purpose was, after
that the king had quieted his countrie in the north parts, [Sidenote:
_Matth. Paris._] he bent all his force against the Welshmen, who the
yeare before had destroied and ouerthrowne the castell of Moungomerie,
and slaine the Normans that laie there in garison to defend it,
whereat he was verie much offended, [Sidenote: King William inuadeth
Wales.] & therefore entering into Wales, he began to spoile and wast
the countrie. For he saw that the Welshmen would not ioine in battell
with him in the plaine field, but kept themselues still aloofe within
the woods and marishes, and aloft vpon mountaines: albeit oftentimes
when they saw aduantage, they would come foorth, and taking the
Englishmen and Normans at vnawares, kill manie, and wound no small
numbers, he still pursued them by hils and dales, though more to the
losse of his owne people than the hurt of the Welshmen, who easilie
eschewed the danger of battell, and still at the straites and
combersome passages distressed manie of their enimies: whereby the
king at length perceiuing that he could not preuaile against them,
ceassed further to follow on with his purposed voiage, and therewith
returned home, not without some note of dishonor.[Sidenote: The king
returneth out of Wales with dishonour. _Eadmerus._ Murcherdach king of
Ireland.]
About the same time Murcherdach king of Ireland, with the clergie and
people of the citie of Dublin, elected one Samuell a moonke of S.
Albons, an Irish man borne, to the gouernement of the church and bishops
sée of Dublin, and (according to the ancient custome) presented him by
sufficient letters of testimonie vnto Anselme archbishop of
Canturburie, to be consecrated of him, who (according to their request)
did so, and receiued from him a promise of his canonicall subiection,
after the old vsuall maner, hauing foure bishops (suffragans to the sée
of Canturburie) ministring to him at that consecration.