109. #langfridæi#: see 85/101. The date in the Life is Wednesday before
Easter, March 22nd, 1144, but the chroniclers differ as to the year
(Plummer, ii. 311). A miraculous light in the sky led to the discovery
of the body. The charge of ritual murder at large has been investigated
by Dr. Strack in Das Blut im Glauben und Aberglauben der Menschheit,
München, 1900.
111. The body was first buried in the wood where it was found, then
about a month after in the monks’ cemetery, and after six years it was
translated to the chapter-house, probably the occasion referred to in
the text. It was afterwards moved twice at least.
114. David crossed the Tweed in April, 1138. The battle of the Standard
was fought at Cowton Moor on August 22nd.
116. #Albamar#: ‘Willelmus de Magna Villa, comes de Alba Mara apud
Gisortum,’ Ricardus Divisiensis, 389; William of Albemarle (Aumale),
recently created Earl of York. #þe#, to whom; see 46/292.
117. #euorwic#: OE. #Eoforwic#; see Zachrisson, 63. Other English
captains were Walter Espec, Walter of Ghent, Ilbert de Lacy, and Robert
Bruce. The English were greatly inferior in numbers to the invaders.
120. Robert landed with the empress at Arundel in September, 1139.
Leaving her at Arundel he rode across the south of England to Bristol
with a few followers; ‘ediscensque [Stephanus] a veris exploratoribus
comitem cum suis evasum Bristoam sub nocturno silentio tetendisse . . .
ipse ad capiendum comitem totus intendit,’ Gesta, 55.
122. #wart it war#: comp. 48/330, 203/204; #it# = of it, may be regarded
as an _acc._ of reference, comp. 192/518, 200/116.