+Source.+--_Walter of Hemingburgh's Chronicle_, vol. ii., p. 6. (English
Historical Society Publications.)
Not long afterwards, the King disturbed some of the nobles by demanding
to know, through his justices, by what warrant they held their estates;
and if they could not produce a good warrant, he straightway seized
their lands. Among others, the Earl of Warrenne was summoned to appear
before the King's justices. He, when asked by what warrant he held his
lands, produced an old and rusty sword, saying: "This, my lords, is my
warrant; for my ancestors came over with William the Bastard and
conquered their lands by the sword, and by the sword I shall defend them
from whoever shall desire to take them; for the King did not conquer and
subdue the whole country by himself, but our ancestors also took part
and assisted him." The other nobles, placing themselves on his side and
supporting his reasoning, departed in excitement and anger. But the
King, when he was informed, feared for himself, and desisted from his
mistaken course.