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STEPHAN EARLE OF BULLONGNE.
[Sidenote: 1135 An. Reg. 1.] Stephan earle of Bullongne, the sonne of
Stephan erle of Blois, by his wife Adela, daughter to William
Conquerour, came ouer with all speed after the death of his vncle, and
tooke vpon him the gouernement of the realme of England, partlie through
confidence which he had in the puissance and strength of his brother
Theobald earle of Blois, and partlie by the aid of his brother Henrie
bishop of Winchester and abbat of Glastenburie, although that he with
other of the Nobles had sworne afore to be true vnto the empresse and
hir issue as lawfull heires of king Henrie latelie deceased.
[Sidenote: A tempest. _Matth. West._] The same daie that he arriued in
England, there chanced a mightie great tempest of thunder, horrible to
heare, and lightning dreadfull to behold. Now bicause this happened in
the winter time, it séemed against nature, and therefore it was the more
noted as a foreshewing of some trouble and calamitie to come.
This Stephan began his reigne ouer the realme of England the second day
of December, in the yere of our Lord 1135. in the eleuenth yeare of the
emperour Lothair, the sixt of pope Innocentius the second, and about the
xxvii. of Lewes the seuenth, surnamed Crassus king of France, Dauid the
first of that name then reigning in Scotland, & entring into the twelfe
of his regiment. [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Wil. Mal._ _Simon Dun._] He
was crowned at Westminster vpon S. Stephans day, by William archbishop
of Canturburie, the most part of the Nobles of the realme being present,
and swearing fealtie vnto him, as to their true and lawfull souereigne.
Howbeit, there were diuerse of the wiser sort of all estates, which
regarding their former oth, could haue béene contented that the empresse
should haue gouerned till hir sonne had come to lawfull age;
notwithstanding they held their peace as yet, and consented vnto
Stephan. [Sidenote: Periurie punished.] But this breach of their othes
was worthilie punished afterward, insomuch that as well the bishops as
the other Nobles either died an euill death, or were afflicted with
diuerse kinds of calamities and mischances, and that euen here in this
life, of which some of them as occasion serueth shall be remembred
hereafter. [Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ The bishop of Salisburies
protestation.] Yet there were of them (and namelie the bishop of
Salisburie) which protested that they were frée from their oth of
allegiance made to the said empresse, bicause that without the consent
of the lords of the land she was maried out of the realme, whereas they
tooke their oth to receiue hir for queene, vpon that condition, that
without their assent she should not marrie with any person out of the
realme.
[Sidenote: The bishops think to please God in breaking their oth.]
Moreouer (as some writers thinke) the bishops tooke it, that they should
doo God good seruice in prouiding for the wealth of the realme, and the
aduancement of the church by their periurie. For whereas the late
deceassed king vsed himselfe not altogither for their purpose, they
thought that if they might set vp and creat a king chéeflie by their
especiall meanes and authoritie, he would follow their counsell better,
and reforme such things as they iudged to be amisse. But a great cause
that mooued manie of the lords vnto the violating thus of their oth,
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ Hugh Bigot.] was (as some authors rehearse)
for that Hugh Bigot, sometime steward to king Henrie the first,
immediatlie after the decease of king Henrie, came into England, and as
well before the archbishop of Canturburie, as diuers other lords of the
land, tooke a voluntarie oth (although most men thinke that he was hired
so to doo bicause of great promotion) declaring vpon the same that he
was present a little before king Henries death, when the same king
adopted and chose his nepheue Stephan to be his heire and successour,
bicause his daughter, the empresse had gréeuouslie displeased him. But
vnto this mans oth the archbishop and the other lords were so hastie in
giuing of credit. Now the said Hugh for his periurie, by the iust
iudgment of God, came shortlie after to a miserable end.
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._] [Sidenote: 1136.] [Sidenote: _Polydor._ _Simon
Dun._ _Matth. Paris._] But to our purpose. King Stephan (by what title
soeuer he obteined the crowne) immediatlie after his coronation, went
first to Reading to the buriall of the bodie of his vncle Henrie, the
same being now brought ouer from Normandie, from whence after the
buriall he repaired to Oxenford, and there calling a councell of the
lords & other estates of his realme; [Sidenote: The faire promises of
king Stephan.] amongst other things he promised before the whole
assemblie (to win the harts of the people) that he would put downe and
quite abolish that tribute which oftentimes was accustomed to be
gathered after the rate of their acres of hides or land, commonlie
called Danegilt, which was two shillings of euerie hide of land. Also,
that he would so prouide, that no bishop sees nor other benefices should
remaine void, but immediatlie after vpon their first vacation, they
should be againe bestowed vpon some conuenient person meet to supplie
the roome. Further he promised not to seize vpon any mans woods as
forfeit, though any priuate man had hunted and killed his déere in the
same woods, as the maner of his predecessour was. ¶ For a kind of
forfeiture was deuised by king Henrie, that those should lose their
right inheritance in their woods, that chanced to kill any of the kings
déere within the same.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._ _Ran. Higd._ Licence to build castels.] Moreouer,
he granted licence to all men, to build either castell, tower, or other
hold for defense of themselues vpon their owne grounds. Al this did he
chieflie in hope that the same might be a safegard for him in time to
come, if the empresse should inuade the land, as he doubted she shortlie
would. Moreouer he aduanced manie yoong & lustie gentlemen to great
liuings. [Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ In nouella historia.] For such as were
of any noble familie, and thereto through a certeine stoutnesse of
stomach sought preferment, easilie obteined of him the possession of
castels and great lordships, diuerse of whom he honored with titles of
dignitie, creating some of them earles and some lords. Now, such was
their importunate sute in demanding, that when he had little more to
bestow amongst them, hauing[1] alreadie giuen sundrie portions that
belonged to the crowne, they ceassed not to be in hand with him for
more, and being denied with reasonable excuses on his behalfe, they
thought themselues ill dealt withall, and so turning from him, fortified
their castels and holds, making open warre against him: as hereafter
shall appeare.
[Sidenote: The resort of strangers to serue king Stephan.] There came
ouer vnto him also a great number of Flemings and Britons to serue him
as souldiers, whom he reteined, to be the stronger and better able to
defend himselfe against the malice of the empresse, by whom he looked to
be molested he wist not how soone. Wherefore he shewed himselfe verie
liberall, courteous, and gentle towards all maner of persons at the
first, and (to saie truth) more liberall, familiar, and free harted than
stood with the maiestie of a king: which was afterward a cause that he
grew into contempt. ¶ But to such meanes are princes driuen, that
atteine to their estates more through fauour and support of others, than
by any good right or title which they may pretend of themselues. Thus
the gouernement of this prince at the beginning was nothing bitter or
heauie to his subiects, but full of gentlenesse, lenitie, courtesie, and
mildnes.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._] Howbeit whilest these things were a dooing,
certeine of the English Nobilitie, abhorring both the king and the
present state of his gouernment, went priuilie out of the realme into
Scotland to king Dauid, declaring vnto him what a detestable act was
committed by the lords of England, in that (contrarie to their oth made
vnto the empresse Maud, and hir issue) they had now crowned Stephan.
Wherefore they besought the said king to take in hand to reuenge such a
vile iniurie practised against hir, and to restore the kingdome vnto the
said empresse, which if he did, it should be a thing most acceptable
both to God and man.
[Sidenote: The king of Scots inuadeth the English marshes. _Sim. Dunel._
_Matt. Paris._ _Polydor._] King Dauid hauing heard and well weied the
effect of their request, foorthwith was so mooued at their words, that
in all possible hast he assembled an armie, and entring into England,
first tooke the citie and castell of Carleil: afterward comming into
Northumberland, he tooke Newcastell and manie other places vpon the
borders there. Whereof king Stephan being aduertised, streightwaies
assembled a power, and foorthwith hasted into Cumberland, meaning to
recouer that againe by force of armes, which the enimie had stolen from
him by craft and subtiltie. [Sidenote: K. Stephan encamped néere to his
enimie the K. of Scots.] At his approch néere to Carleil, he pitched
downe his field in the euening, thinking there to staie till the
morning, that he might vnderstand of what power the enimie was, whome he
knew to be at hand.
King Dauid also was of a fierce courage, and redie inough to haue giuen
him battell, but yet when he beheld the English standards in the field,
and diligentlie viewed their order and behauiour, [Sidenote: An accord
made betwixt the two kings Stephan and Dauid.] he was at the last
contented to giue care to such as intreated for peace on both sides.
Wherevpon comming to king Stephan, he entred a fréendlie peace with him,
wherein he made a surrender of Newcastell, with condition that he should
reteine Cumberland by the frée grant of king Stephan, who hoped thereby
to find king Dauid the more faithfull vnto him in time of need: but yet
he was deceiued, as afterwards manifestlie appéered. For when king
Stephan required of him an oth of allegiance, he answered that he was
once sworne alreadie vnto Maud the empresse. Howbeit to[2] gratifie him,
he commanded his son Henrie to receiue that oth, for the which the king
gaue him the earledome of Huntington to hold of him for euer.
[Sidenote: _Hec. Boetius._] ¶ The Scotish chronicles set out the matter
in other order, but yet all agrée that Henrie sweare fealtie to king
Stephan, as in the said historie of Scotland you may sée more at large.
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ _Matth. Paris._ _Simon Dun._ King Stephan
sicke.] Now after that king Stephan had concluded a peace with king
Dauid, he returned to London, and there kept his Easter with great ioy
and triumphes: who whilest he was yet in the middest of all his pastime,
about Rogation wéeke, he chanced to fall sicke of a litargie, by reason
whereof a rumor was spred ouer all the realme that he was dead. Which
though it was but a vaine tale, and of no importance at the first, yet
was it after the occasion of much euill. [Sidenote: False rumors what
hurt they oftentimes doo.] For vpon that report great sedition was
raised by the kings enimies amongst the people, the minds of his fréends
were alienated from him, & manie of the Normans (which were well
practised in periuries & treasons) thought they might boldlie attempt
all mischéefes that came to hand, and hervpon some of them vndertooke to
defend one place, and some another. [Sidenote: Hugh Bigot. Baldwin
Reduers. Robert Quisquere.] Hugh Bigot erle of Norfolke a valiant
chieftein entered into Norwhich, Baldwin Reduers tooke Excester, &
Robert Quisquere got certeine castels also into his hands.
King Stephan hearing what his enimies had doone, though he was somewhat
mooued with this alteration of things, yet as one nothing afraid of the
matter, he said merilie to those that stood about him: "We are aliue yet
God be thanked, and that shall be knowne to our enimies yer it be long."
Neither doubted he any thing but some secret practise of treason, and
therefore vsing all diligence, he made the more hast to go against his
enimies, whose attempts though streightwaies for the more part he
repressed, yet could he not recouer the places (without much adoo) that,
they had gotten, as Excester, and others: which when he had obteined, he
contented himselfe for a time and followed not the victorie any further
in pursuing of his enemies. Wherevpon they became more bold afterward
than before; in somuch that soone after they practised diuerse things
against him, whereof (God willing) some in places conuenient shall
appeare: howbeit they permitted him to remaine in quiet for a time.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._] But whilest he studied to take order in things at
home (perceiuing how no small number of his subiects did dailie shew
themselues to beare him no hartie good will) he began by little and
little to take awaie those liberties from the people, which in the
beginning of his reigne he had granted vnto them, and to denie those
promises which he had made, according to the saieng, "That which I haue
giuen, I would I had not giuen, and that which remaineth I will kéepe
still." This sudden alteration and new kind of rough dealing purchased
him great enuie amongst all men in the end. [Sidenote: Geffrey earle of
Aniou.] About the same time, great commotions were raised in Normandie
by meanes of the lord Geffrey earle of Aniou, husband to Maud the
empresse, setting the whole countrie in trouble: but yer any newes
thereof came into England, king Stephan went against Baldwin Reduers,
who being latelie (though not without great and long siege expelled out
of Excester) got him into the Isle of Wight, [Sidenote: _Simon Dunel._
_Wil. Paruus._ _Polydor._] and there began to deuise a new conspiracie.
Howbeit the king comming suddenlie into the Isle, tooke it at the first
assault, and exiled Baldwin out of the realme.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 2. 1137] [Sidenote: K. Stephan passeth into
Normandie.] Having thus with good successe finished this enterprise, and
being now aduertised of the businesse in Normandie, he sailed thither
with a great armie: and being come within two daies iournie of his
enimie the earle of Aniou, he sent foorth his whole power of horssemen,
diuided into three parts, which were not gone past a daies iournie
forward, but they encountred the earle, finding him with no great force
about him. [Sidenote: The earle of Aniou put to flight.] Wherevpon
giuing the charge vpon him, they put him to flight, and slue manie of
his people. Which enterprise in this maner valientlie atchiued, euen
according to the mind of king Stephan, [Sidenote: Lewes king of France.
Eustace son to king Stephan.] he ioined in freendship with Lewes the
seuenth king of France: and hauing latelie created his sonne Eustace
duke of Normandie, he presentlie appointed him to doo his homage vnto
the said Lewes for the same.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ Theobald erle of Blois.] Now whereas his
elder brother Theobald earle of Blois at that time in Normandie, found
himselfe greeued, that Stephan the yoonger brother had vsurped the lands
that belonged to their vncle king Henrie, rather than himselfe, Stephan
to stop this iust complaint of his brother, [Sidenote: K. Stephan
agréeth with the earle of Aniou.] and to allaie his mood, agréed with
him, couenanting to paie him yearelie two thousand marks of such current
monie as was then in vse. Furthermore, wheras Geffrey the earle of Aniou
demanded in right of his wife the empresse, the whole kingdome of
England, to be at an end with him, king Stephan was contented to
satisfie him with a yearelie pension of fiue thousand marks, which
composition he willinglie receiued.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._] Thus when he had prouided for the suertie of
Normandie, he returned againe into England, where he was no sooner
arriued, but aduertisement was giuen him of a warre newlie begon with
the Scots, whose king vnder a colour of obseruing the oth to the
empresse, [Sidenote: The Scots inuade the English borders.] made dailie
insurrections and inuasions into England, to the great disturbance of
king Stephan and the annoiance of his people. Wherwith being somewhat
mooued, he went streightwaies toward the north parts, and determined
first to besiege Bedford by the waie, which apperteined to the earledome
of Huntington, by gift made vnto Henrie the sonne of king Dauid, and
therevpon at that present kept with a garison of Scotish men.
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._.] This place did the king besiege by the space
of 30. daies togither, giuing thereto euerie daie an assault or alarme,
in somuch that cōming thither on Christmasse daie, he spared not on the
morow to assaile them, and so at length wan the towne from them by méere
force and strength. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 3. 1138.] [Sidenote: King Dauid
inuaded Northumberland. _Matth. West._ _Polydor._ _Matt. Paris._ _Simon
Dun._] King Dauid hearing those newes, and being alreadie in armour in
the field, entered into Northumberland, and licensed his men of warre to
spoile and rob the countrie thereabout at their pleasure. Herevpon
followed such crueltie, that their rage stretched vnto old and yoong,
vnto preest and clearke, yea women with child escaped not their hands,
they hanged, headed, and slue all that came in their waie: houses were
burnt, cattell driuen awaie, and all put to fire and sword that serued
to any vse for reléefe, either of man or beast.
¶ Here we see what a band of calamities doo accompanie and waite vpon
warre, wherein also we haue to consider what a traine of felicities doo
attend vpon peace, by an equall comparing of which twaine togither, we
may easilie perceiue in how heauenlie an estate those people be that
liue vnder the scepter of tranquillitie, and contrariwise what a hellish
course of life they lead that haue sworne their seruice to the sword. We
may consider also the inordinat outrages of princes, & their frantike
fiersenes, who esteeme not the losse of their subiects liues, the
effusion of innocent bloud, the population of countries, the ruinating
of ample regions, &c.: so their will may be satisfied, there desire
serued. [Sidenote: M. Pal. in suo Capric.] And therefore it was aptlie
spoken by a late poet, not beside this purpose:
Reges atque duces dira impelluntur in arma,
Imperiúmque sibi miserorum cæde lucrantur.
O cæci, ô miseri, quid? bellum pace putatis
Dignius aut melius? nempe hôc nil terpius, & nil
Quod magis humanâ procul à ratione recedat.
[Sidenote: _Ouid._]
Candida pax homines, trux decet ira feras.
[Sidenote: K. Stephan maketh hast to rescue the north parts.] But to our
storie. King Stephan hearing of this pitifull spoile, hasted forward
with great iournies to the rescue of the countrie. [Sidenote: The Scots
retire.] The Scots put in feare of spéedie comming to encounter them,
drew backe into Scotland: [Sidenote: K. Stephan burnt the south parts of
Scotland.] but he pursued them, and entring into their countrie burned
and destroied the south parts of that realme in most miserable maner.
Whilest king Stephan was thus about to beat backe the forren enimies,
and reuenge himselfe on them, he was assailed by other at home, & not
without the iust vengeance of almightie God, who meant to punish him for
his periurie committed in taking vpon him the crowne, contrarie to his
oth made vnto the empresse and hir children. [Sidenote: Robert earle of
Glocester.] For Robert erle of Glocester, base brother vnto the
empresse, and of hir priuie councell, sought by all meanes how to bring
king Stephan into hatred, both of the Nobles and commons, that by their
helpe he might be expelled the realme, and the gouernment restored to
the empresse and hir sonne.
Such earnest trauell was made by this earle of Glocester, that manie of
his freends which fauoured his cause, now that king Stephan was occupied
in the north parts, ioined with him in conspiracie against their
souereigne. [Sidenote: Bristow taken.] First the said earle himselfe
tooke Bristowe; and after this diuerse other townes and castels there in
that countrie were taken by him and others, with full purpose to kéepe
the same to the behoofe of the empresse and hir sonne. [Sidenote: _Sim.
Dun._ Talbot.] Amongst other William Talbot tooke vpon him to defend
Hereford in Wales: [Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._ Louell. Painell. Fitz-John.
Fitz-Alain.] William Louell held the castell of Gary: Paganell or
Painell kept the castell of Ludlow: William de Moun the castell of
Dunestor: Robert de Nicholl, the castle of Warram: Eustace Fitz-John,
the castle of Walton; and William Fitz-Alain, the castle of
Shrewesburie.
When word hereof came to king Stephan, he was maruellouslie vexed: for
being determined to haue pursued the Scots euen to the vttermost limits
of their countrie, he was now driuen to change his mind, and thought it
good at the first to stop the proceedings of his enimies at home, least
in giuing them space to increase their force, they might in processe of
time growe so strong, that it would be an hard matter to resist them at
the last. [Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ _Matth. Paris._ The castle of Douer
deliuered to the quéene. _Polydor._] Herevpon therefore he returned
southward, and comming vpon his enimies, recouered out of their hands
diuers of those places which they held, as Hereford, and the castle of
Shrewesburie. About the same time one Walkeline yéelded the castle of
Douer vnto the quéene, who had besieged him within the same.
Now king Stephan knowing that the Scots were not like long to continue
in quiet, returned northwards againe; [Sidenote: Thurstan archbishop of
Yorke made lieutenant of the north ports.] and comming to Thurstan the
archbishop of Yorke, he committed the kéeping of the countrie vnto his
charge, commanding him to be in a redinesse to defend the borders vpon
any sudden inuasion. Which thing the couragious archbishop willinglie
vndertooke. By this meanes king Stephan being eased of a great part of
his care, fell in hand to besiege the residue of those places which the
rebels kept: but they fearing to abide the danger of an assault, fled
away, some into one part, and some into another; whom the kings power of
horssemen still pursuing and ouertaking by the way, slue, and tooke no
small number of them prisoners in the chase. Thus was the victorie in
maner wholie atchiued, and all those places recouered, which the enimies
had fortified.
[Sidenote: The Scots eftsoones inuade Northumberland.] In like maner
when king Dauid heard that the king was thus vexed with ciuill warre at
home, he entred England againe in most forceable wise: and sending his
horssemen abroad into the countrie, commanded them to waste and spoile
the same after their accustomed maner. But in the meane time he purposed
with himselfe to besiege Yorke: which citie if he might haue woone, he
determined to haue made it the frontier hold against king Stephan, and
the rest that tooke part with him. Herevpon calling in his horssemen
from straieng further abroad, he marched thitherwards, and comming neere
to the citie, pitched downe his tents.
[Sidenote: Archbishop Thurstan raiseth a power to fight with the Scots.]
In this meane while the archbishop Thurstan, to whom the charge of
defending the countrie cheefelie in the kings absence apperteined,
called togither the Nobles and gentlemen of the shire and parties
adioining, whom with so pithie and effectuall words he exhorted to
resist the attempts of the Scots (whose cruell dooings could kéepe no
measure) that incontinentlie all the power of the northparts was raised,
[Sidenote: _Sim. Dunel._ Capteines of the armie.] and (vnder the leading
of William earle of Albermarle, Walter Espeke, William Peuerell of
Nottingham, and two of the Lacies, Walter and Gilbert) offered euen with
perill of life and limme to trie the matter against the Scots in a pight
field, and either to driue them out of the countrie, or else to loose
their liues in the quarel of their prince.
It chanced at this time, that archbishop Thurstan was sicke, and
therefore could not come into the field himselfe, [Sidenote: Rafe bish.
of Durham supplieth the roome of the archbishop.] but yet he sent Rafe
bishop of Durham to supplie his roome, who though he saw and perceiued
that euerie man was readie enough to encounter with their enimies; yet
he thought good to vse some exhortation vnto them the better to
encourage them, in maner as here ensueth.
[Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._ _Sim. Dun._] "Most noble Englishmen, and ye
right valient Normans, of whose courage the Frenchman is afraid, by you
England is kept vnder, by you Apulia dooth flourish, and vnto you
Jerusalem and Antioch haue yéelded their subjection. We haue at this
present the rebellious nation of Scotland (which of right ought to be
subiect to the crowne of England) come into the field against vs,
thinking for euermore to rid themselues of their submission, and to
bring both vs and our countrie into their bondage and thraldome. Now
albeit I see in you courage sufficient, to beat them backe from any
further attempt; yet least when you shall come to the triall, by any
manner of chance, you should loose any péece thereof, I lamenting the
state of my countrie (whose gréeuances I wish you should redresse) doo
meane to vse a few words vnto you, not for that I would exhort you to
doo any man wrong, but rather to beat them backe which offer to doo you
iniurie. Consider therefore that you shall here fight with that enimie,
whom you haue oftentimes vanquished, and oftentimes offending in
periurie, haue oftentimes most worthilie punished: whome also (to be
bréefe) raging after the maner of cruell robbers, wickedlie spoiling
churches, and taking awaie our goods, you did latelie constreine to
lurke in desert places and corners out of sight. Against this enimie (I
say) therefore worthie of reuengement for his so manifold outrages, shew
yourselues valiant, and with manlie stomaches driue him out of our
confines. For as far as I can perceiue, the victorie is yours, God
surelie will aid you, who cannot longer abide the sinnes of this people.
Wherefore he that looseth his life in so iust a quarell (according to
the saieng of our sauiour) shall find it. Let not their rash and
presumptuous boldnesse make you afraid, sith so manie tokens of your
approoued valiancie cannot cause them to stand in doubt of you. You are
clad in armour, and so appointed with helmet, curase, greiues, and
target, that the enimie knoweth not were to strike and hurt you. Then
sith you shall haue to doo with naked men, and such as vse not to weare
any armour at all, but more méet for brablers and ale-house quarrellers
than men of warre vsed to the field: what should you stand in doubt of?
Their huge number is not able to stand against your skilfull order and
practised knowledge in all warlike feats and martiall discipline. A rude
multitude is but a let, rather than a furtherance to atchiue the
victorie. A small number of your worthie elders haue oftentimes
vanquished great multitudes of enimies." As the bishop was thus speaking
to the English armie, and before he grew to an end of his exhortation,
the Scots approched with their battels, & first certeine of their bands
of horssemen were sent afore, to take the higher ground: [Sidenote: The
Englishmen set vpon the Scots.] which when the Englishmen perceiued,
they staied not till the enimies should begin the battell, but
straightwaies caused their trumpets to sound, and so giue the onset.
The Scots were as readie to encounter with them, so that the battell
began to be verie hot, and euen at the first out flew the arrows, and
then the footmen ioined, who fought most fiercelie on both sides.
[Sidenote: The Scots of Lodian disorder the Englishmen. _Simon Dun._
_Matth. Paris._] Herewith a wing of them of Lodian, which were in the
Scotish vauntgard, brake in vpon the vauntgard of the English: but yet
closing togither againe, they kept out the enimies, and casting about
with a wing, compassed the Scotish horssemen round about, and panching
their horsses, they slue a great number, and constreined the residue to
retire. Which thing when their felowes in the other wing saw, their
hearts began to faint, and by and by betooke them to their heeles.
The rumor of this flight being notified to the maine battell of the
Scotish men, where king Dauid himselfe was fighting with his enimies,
discomfited them also, in such wise, [Sidenote: The Scots put to
flight.] that they in like began to shrinke backe: first by parts, and
after by heapes togither. The king did what he could to staie them: but
the English pressed so vpon them, that there was no recouerie. Wherefore
he himselfe was glad in the end to beare his men companie, in séeking to
saue himselfe by flight, and make such shift as he could amongst the
residue.
[Sidenote: Henrie earle of Huntington his valiancie.] His sonne Henrie
the earle of Huntington more regarding his honour, than the danger of
life, neither mooued with the flight of his father, nor the ouerthrow of
the other, came in amongst his men, being readie to turne their backes,
and with bold countenance spake these or the like words vnto them, as
the shortnesse of the time would permit. "Whither go you good fellowes?
Here shall you find armour and force, neither shall you, whilest life
remaineth in your capteine (whom ye ought to follow) depart without the
victorie. Therefore choose whether yee had rather trie the matter with
the enimies by battell, or to be put to a shamefull death at home after
your returns thither." The Scots mooued with these vehement words of
their valiant capteine, recoiled vpon their enimies, and began to make
hauocke of them: but being no great number, and beset with the English
footmen before, and the horssemen behind, they were shortlie brought to
distresse, and for the more part either taken or slaine.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._ _Hen. Hunt._ The number. _Simon Dun._ _Matth.
Paris._ _Wil. Paru._ _Polydor._] At length earle Henrie perceiuing how
the matter went, and that there was no hope left of recouerie, fled also
with those that could escape, bitterlie cursing the frowardnesse of
fortune, and mishap of that daies chance. The number of them that were
killed at this battell was aboue ten thousand. In which number there
were not manie of the English: but yet among other, Walter Lacie the
brother of Gilbert Lacie, one of their cheefe capteines is remembered to
be one. This battell was fought in the moneth of August, in the fourth
of king Stephan, who hearing of this victorie, greatlie reioised, and
gaue infinite commendations to his subiects (the Englishmen and the
Normans) but principallie praised archbishop Thurstan and the bishop of
Durham for their faithfull and diligent seruice shewed in this behalfe.
On the other side he himselfe vsing the like good successe amongst the
rebels at home, ouercame them, and chased them out of the land.
[Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ Castels recouered by king Stephan.] For in this
meane time he had taken the castels of Hereford, Glocester, Webbeley,
Bristowe, Dudley, and Shrewesburie. Likewise Robert earle of Glocester
not being able to resist the king thus preuailing against his
aduersaries on ech hand, fled into France vnto his sister the empresse.
[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ _Simon Dun._ _Matth. Paris._] After this, about
Aduent, the popes legat one Alberike bishop of Hostia, held a synod at
London, within Paules church, where by the kings consent, [Sidenote:
Theobald archbishop of Canturburie.] Theobald abbat of Bechellouin was
consecrated archbishop of Canturburie, being the 37. archbishop which
had ruled that see, after Augustine the moonke.
[Sidenote: An. Reg. 5. 1140.] The king hauing now accomplished his
purpose, taken the castell of Leides, and brought the state of the
realme to a meetlie good staie, thought it expedient after the late
ouerthrow giuen to the Scots, to pursue the victorie, and vtterlie to
subdue them with all expedition. [Sidenote: _Polydor._ _Matth. Paris._
K. Stephan inuadeth Scotland.] He brought his armie therefore into
Scotland, first wasting and spoiling the countrie, and afterward
preparing to fight with such Scots as came foorth to defend their goods
and houses. K. Dauid perceiuing himselfe to be too weake, made sute to
the king for peace, which with much difficultie he obteined at length,
[Sidenote: A peace concluded betwéene the two kings of England and
Scotland.] by deliuering his sonne Henrie vnto king Stephan in pledge
for the sure performance of couenants concluded vpon betwixt them.
Herevpon king Stephan hauing thus ended his businesse in Scotland,
returned into England: and after directing his iornie towards Wales, he
came to Ludlow: [Sidenote: Ludlow wun.] which towne (being held by his
aduersaries) he wan yer long out of their hands.
After this he went to Oxenford, where whilest he remained, a great brute
was spred abroad, that the empresse was comming with hir brother, the
earle of Glocester: which caused him to put the lesse trust in his
people from thenceforth, in so much that he began to repent himselfe
(although too late) for that he, had granted licence to so manie of his
subiects to build castels within their owne grounds. [Sidenote: Roger
bishop of Salisburie. Alexander B. of Lincolne. _Wil. Malm._] For he had
them all in suspicion: and amongst other, he vehementlie suspected Roger
bishop of Salisburie (who had doone verie much for him) and Alexander
bishop of Lincolne nephue to the said bishop of Salisburie, or (as some
thought) more néere to him in kindred than his nephue, I meane, his
sonne. [Sidenote: Castels built by the bishop of Salisburie.] For the
said Roger had builded diuerse castels, as at Shierborne, at the Uies,
and at Malmesburie. The said Alexander likewise following his vncles
example, bestowed his monie that way verie fréelie, hauing builded one
castell at Newarke, and another at Sléeford.
[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ Newarke castel built by the bishop of Lincolne.]
The king therefore hauing committed both these bishops to prison,
[Sidenote: The B. of Elie banished.] and furthermore sent Nigell or
Neill the bishop of Elie into exile (which Nigell was nephue also to the
foresaid bishop of Salisburie) he threatened to keepe them without
either meate or drinke, if they would not cause these castels to be
deliuered into his hands, whereby he obteined them, and moreouer found
in the bishop of Salisburies cofers 40. thousand marks, which he tooke
to his owne vse, by way of confiscation for his disloiall demeanor.
[Sidenote: The bishop of Salisburie dieth of thought. _Wil. Malm._ In
nouella historia.] This ingratitude of the king wounded the bishops
hart, insomuch that taking thought for the losse of his houses and
monie, he pined awaie, and died within a while after.
The quarrell which was first picked at these bishops, rose by occasion
of a fraie betwixt the bishops men and the seruants of Alaine duke of
Britaine, about the taking vp of Innes at their comming to Oxenford. In
which fraie one of the dukes men was killed, his nephue almost slaine,
and the residue of his folkes sore beaten and chased. Herevpon were the
bishops first committed to ward, and afterward handled at the kings
pleasure, as partlie ye haue heard.
[Sidenote: Fortunes inconstancie. _Wil. Paru._] ¶ Héere by the way, good
reader, thou hast one example worthie to be marked of fickle fortunes
inconstancie, whereof the poet speaketh verie excellentlie;
[Sidenote: M. Pal. in suo scor.]
---- variat semper fortuna tenorem,
Diuerso gaudens mortalia voluere casu,
Nam qui scire velit, cur hunc fortuna vel illum
Aut premat aut sursum tollat, nimis ardua quærit:
Terrarum sequidem est illi concessa potestas
Maxima, & huic illam præfecit Iuppiter orbi.
For this Roger bishop of Salisburie, was in the daies of William Rufus a
poore préest, seruing a cure in a village néere the citie of Caen in
Normandie. Now it chanced, that the lord Henrie the kings brother came
thither on a time, and called for a préest to say masse before him.
Whervpon this Roger comming to the altar, was by and by readie and
quicke at it, and therewithall had so speedilie made an end thereof,
that the men of warre then attendant on the said lord Henrie, affirmed
that this préest aboue all other, was a chapleine meet to say masse
before men of warre, bicause he had made an end when manie thought he
had but newlie begun. Herevpon the kings brother commanded the preest to
follow him, insomuch that when oportunitie serued, for his diligent
seruice, and readie dispatch of matters, when Henrie had atteined the
crowne, he was by him aduanced to great promotions: [Sidenote: The
bishop of Salisburie made lord chancelour.] as first to be Chancelour of
England, & after bishop of Salisburie, growing still into such
estimation, that he might doo more with the king than any other of the
councell.
But to returne to king Stephan, who after he had thus imprisoned the
aforesaid bishops, manned those castles which he tooke from them with
his owne soldiers, in like maner as he had doone all the rest which he
had taken from the rebels, that he might the better withstand the
empresse and hir sonne, whose comming he euer feared. He began also to
shew himselfe cruell towards all men, and namelie against those that had
chieflie furthered his title to the obteining of the crowne. ¶ This (as
manie tooke it) came to passe by the prouidence of almightie God, that
those should suffer for their periuries, which contrarie to law and
right had consented to crowne him king.
[Sidenote: K. Stephan doubts whom to trust.] In déed he wist not well
whom he might trust, for he stood in doubt of all men, bicause he was
aduertised by credible report, that the empresse sought for aid on all
sides, meaning verie shortlie to come into England. For this cause also
he thought good to procure the fréendship of Lewes king of France, which
he brought to passe, [Sidenote: He cōtracteth affinitie with the French
king.] by concluding a mariage betwéene his sonne Eustace and the ladie
Constance sister to the said Lewes. But within a few yeares after, this
Eustace died, and then was Constance maried to Raimond earle of
Tholouse.
[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ _Polydor._ _Matth. Paris._ Alberike de Uéer
pleadeth the kings cause.] In the meane time, namelie on the first daie
of September, a councell was holden at Winchester, wherein earle
Alberike de Ueer pleaded with great eloquence the kings case, in excuse
of his fault for imprisoning the bishops, which was sore laid to his
charge by his owne brother the bishop of Winchester, being also the
popes legat: who (togither with the archbishop of Canturburie and other
bishops) had called this councell for that purpose. Howbeit they got
nothing of the king but faire words, and promises of amendment in that
which had béene doone otherwise than equitie required which promises
were vtterlie vnperformed, and so the councell brake vp.
[Sidenote: The empresse landed here in England.] In the moneth of Iulie
the empresse Maud landed here in England at Portesmouth, & went strait
to Arundell, which towne (togither with the countie of Sussex) hir
mother in law Adelicia king Henries second wife, wedded to William de
Albenay, held in right of assignation for hir dower. There came in with
the empresse hir brother Robert and Hugh Bigot, of whom ye haue heard
before.
[Sidenote: What power she brought with hir.] Some write that the
empresse brought with hir a great armie, to the intent that ioining with
Ranulph earle of Chester (who tooke part with Robert erle of Glocester,
bicause the same Rob. had maried his daughter) she might fight with king
Stephan, and trie the battell with him. [Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._
_Polydor._] Other declare that she came to England now at the first, but
with a small power (as seuen score horssemen or men of armes as we may
call them) in hope of Gods assurance (who seldome faileth those that
fight in a rightfull cause) and againe vpon trust of aid of freends, who
for the benefits receiued at hir fathers hands, would be readie to go
against king Stephan. Wherevpon hir brother earle Robert leauing his
sister in the castle of Arundell, rode with all spéed vnto Glocester
thorough his enimies countrie, not taking with him past 12. men of
armes, and as manie archers on horssebacke, that vpon his cōming thither
he might leuie an armie with so much speed as was possible. [Sidenote:
Earle Robert commeth to Glocester.] Now when he came to Glocester,
though the citie was kept with a garison of soldiours placed there by
king Stephan, yet the townesmen, after they heard that their earle was
approched to the gates, they droue out the garison, & receiued him into
the towne, where he remained a time, partlie to assemble an armie, and
partlie to practise with other townes and castels thereabouts, to reuolt
vnto his sister. [Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._ Brian the earle of Glocesters
sonne. Miles earle of Hereford.] Amongst all other, the earles sonne
Brian, and Miles of Glocester were right ioifull of the news of the
empresses arriuall, and gladlie prepared themselues to fight in defense
of hir cause.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._ The empresse besieged in Arundell castel.] In the
meane time king Stephan, hauing knowledge of the landing of the
empresse, and other his enimies, came strait to Arundell, where he
besieged hir in the castle, and spent his labour certeine daies in vaine
about the winning of it. Howbeit at that present he did not preuaile,
for there were certeine with him, who in fauour of the empresse bare him
in hand, that it was not possible to win that fortresse, and therefore
aduised him to raise his siege, and suffer the empresse to be at
libertie to go to some other place, where he might with more ease and
lesse damage get hir into his hands. [Sidenote: The king raiseth his
siege.] The king not perceiuing the drift of those secret practisers,
followed their counsell. Wherevpon the empresse being now at libertie,
went from place to place to trie and solicit hir fréends: and as a riuer
increaseth in the passage, so the further the ladie went, the more hir
power increased. About the midst of the next night after the siege was
raised, she departed out of the castle, [Sidenote: The empresse goeth to
Bristow.] and with great iournies sped hir towards Bristow; which was
alreadie reuolted to hir side.
These things being thus bruted abroad, the Peeres of the realme resorted
to hir, as they that well remembred how in time past by oth of
allegiance they were suerlie bound to hir and hir issue. [Sidenote: K.
Stephen besiegeth Wallingford.] The king in the meantime besieged the
castle of Wallingford, but after he vnderstood that the empresse was
gotten to Bristow, repenting himselfe for his light credit giuen to
euill counsell, he left off the siege of Wallingford, and drew towards
Bristow, that he might (if it were possible) inclose his aduersaries
within that walled citie. But the empresse, being aduertised of his
determination (by such of hir fréends as were resident about him) first
went to Glocester, and after to Lincolne, where she prouided vittailes
and all other things necessarie for hir armie and defense: purposing to
remaine in that citie, till the matter were either tried by chance of
warre betwixt hir and king Stephen, or that by the peoples helpe
reuolting to hir side, he might be driuen out of the realme, and she
restored to the whole gouernement. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 6. 1141.] The
king followed hir verie earnestlie, and comming vnto Lincolne besieged
it, assaieng on euerie side which waie he might best find meanes to win
it, & enter into the same. [Sidenote: K. Stephen winneth Lincolne, _Ran.
Higd._ _Simon Dun._ _Polydor._ _N. Triuet._] At length the empresse
found shift to escape from thence, and within a little while the king
got possession of the citie. But shortlie after, Robert earle of
Glocester, and Ranulph earle of Chester, Hugh Bigot, and Robert of
Morley assembling their power, aswell of Welshmen as others, to come to
the succour of those that were thus besieged, came to Lincolne, &
pitching downe their tents néere to the enimies, they rested the first
night without making any great attempt.
[Sidenote: The ordering of the kings armie readie to giue battell.
_Simon Dun._ _Matt. Paris._] In the morning being the second daie of
Februarie, so soone as it was daie, they set their men in order of
battell, and brought them foorth in sight of the king and his host: who
were on the other side, not meaning to refuse the conflict, ordered his
men readie to encounter them, whome he diuided into 3. seuerall battels.
The chiefest part of his armed men he appointed to remaine on foot,
amongst whom he placed himselfe, with certeine noble men, as earle
Baldwin, and others. The residue being horssemen, he disposed into two
seuerall wings, [Sidenote: The earles of Norfolke, Hampton, Mellent, &
Waren.] in one of which were Alaine duke of Britaine, Hugh Bigot earle
of Norfolke, Simon earle of Hampton, and two other earles, Mellent and
Waren: Howbeit they were not furnished with such number of men as had
béene requisit; for as it fell out, they brought no great retinues with
them. [Sidenote: The earle of Albermarle, William de Ypres.] The other
wing was gouerned by the earle of Albemarle, and William de Ypres.
[Sidenote: The ordering of the battels on the kings aduersaries part.]
Now on the aduersaries side, the earle of Chester led the fore ward, and
those whome king Stephan had disherited, were placed in the middle ward.
In the rere ward the earle of Glocester with his companie had the rule.
And besides those thrée battels, the Welshmen were set as a wing at one
of the sides.
Here the earle of Chester (to vtter the good will which he had to fight)
appointed in faire armour as he was, [Sidenote: The oration of the earle
of Chester. _Ran. Higd._] spake these words in effect as followeth,
directing the same to the earle of Glocester, and other the capteines,
saieng: "I giue you hartie thanks, most inuincible chiefteine, and you
my fellow soldiers, which declare your hartie good wils towards me, euen
to the ieoparding of your liues at this my request and instance. Sith
then I am the occasion of your perill, it is conuenient that I make the
first entrance, and giue the onset of the battell vpon that most
disloiall king, who granting a truce, hath broken the peace; and
swearing to be a subiect, is now prooued a most wicked vsurper: I
therefore trusting both vpon reuenge of the vniust dealings of this
king, and also vpon mine owne force and courage, shall straitwaies
breake in sunder the arraie of his armie, and make waie through the
middest of the enimies with sword in hand. It shall be your parts then
to follow me, who will lead you the waie: for euen now my mind giueth
me, that I shall passe thorough the battels, tread the capteines vnder
foot, and run the king through with this my sharpe sword."