+Source.+--_Annals of Dunstable_, pp. 78-79. (_Annales Monastici_, vol.
iii.--Rolls Series.)
In the one thousand two hundred and twenty-third year after the
Incarnation of Christ, there took place at London a wrestling-match
between the household of the Abbot of Westminster and certain of the
younger citizens of London; but their joy was turned to mourning. For
though the household of the abbot had prevailed overnight, several being
wounded on either side, on the following morning the Londoners chose to
themselves a new Mayor, assembled armed mercenaries under the city
standard, and having appointed a commander, set out against the church
of Westminster. But some wise man's counsel turned them from this aim,
and instead they attacked the houses belonging to the abbot's seneschal,
alike within the city and without. And they carried off his
possessions--both animals and other chattels. Some days thereafter,
while Philip Daubeny, one of the household of our lord the King, was
residing in London, the Abbot of Westminster visited him bearing a
complaint of the violence to which he had been subjected; and the
Londoners, learning this, surrounded the house like bees, seized twelve
horses belonging to the abbot, and having beaten his servants and
ill-treated the knights who were in his company, attempted to take the
abbot himself. But while Philip strove in vain to stay the tumult, the
abbot secretly departed by the back of the house and entered a vessel on
the Thames; while the boatman rowed it away from the bank, stones were
cast after them by the citizens, but the abbot succeeded with difficulty
in escaping. When the news of these great disturbances reached the ears
of the Justiciar, he summoned the Mayor and chief men of the city, and
inquired who were the principal ringleaders in the riot. After the
inquiry Constantine Fitz-Athulf and two of his nephews, of noble birth,
were hung, because, when accused, they answered with insolence.
Thereafter the lord King, because the citizens murmured at this, took
from them sixty hostages, whom he sent to be kept in custody in
different castles; further, he deposed the Mayor of the city, and
appointed in his stead his own keeper. He also ordered a great gibbet to
be prepared; finally, the citizens, after severe reprimands from the
King and frequent consultations with the Barons, were reconciled with
the King, by paying a fine of many thousand marks.