A.D. 1070. This year Landfranc, who was Abbot of Caen, came to

England; and after a few days he became Archbishop of Canterbury.

He was invested on the fourth before the calends of September in

his own see by eight bishops, his suffragans. The others, who

were not there, by messengers and by letter declared why they

could not be there. The same year Thomas, who was chosen Bishop

of York, came to Canterbury, to be invested there after the

ancient custom. But when Landfranc craved confirmation of his

obedience with an oath, he refused; and said, that he ought not

to do it. Whereupon Archbishop Landfranc was wroth, and bade the

bishops, who were come thither by Archbishop Landfranc's command

to do the service, and all the monks to unrobe themselves. And

they by his order so did. Thomas, therefore, for the time,

departed without consecration. Soon after this, it happened that

the Archbishop Landfranc went to Rome, and Thomas with him. When

they came thither, and had spoken about other things concerning

which they wished to speak, then began Thomas his speech: how he

came to Canterbury, and how the archbishop required obedience of

him with an oath; but he declined it. Then began the Archbishop

Landfranc to show with clear distinction, that what he craved he

craved by right; and with strong arguments he confirmed the same

before the Pope Alexander, and before all the council that was

collected there; and so they went home. After this came Thomas

to Canterbury; and all that the archbishop required of him he

humbly fulfilled, and afterwards received consecration. This

year Earl Waltheof agreed with the king; but in the Lent of the

same year the king ordered all the monasteries in England to be

plundered. In the same year came King Sweyne from Denmark into

the Humber; and the landsmen came to meet him, and made a treaty

with him; thinking that he would overrun the land. Then came

into Ely Christien, the Danish bishop, and Earl Osbern, and the

Danish domestics with them; and the English people from all the

fen-lands came to them; supposing that they should win all that

land. Then the monks of Peterborough heard say, that their own

men would plunder the minster; namely Hereward and his gang:

because they understood that the king had given the abbacy to a

French abbot, whose name was Thorold;--that he was a very stern

man, and was then come into Stamford with all his Frenchmen. Now

there was a churchwarden, whose name was Yware; who took away by

night all that he could, testaments, mass-hackles, cantel-copes,

and reefs, and such other small things, whatsoever he could; and

went early, before day, to the Abbot Thorold; telling him that he

sought his protection, and informing him how the outlaws were

coming to Peterborough, and that he did all by advice of the

monks. Early in the morning came all the outlaws with many

ships, resolving to enter the minster; but the monks withstood,

so that they could not come in. Then they laid on fire, and

burned all the houses of the monks, and all the town except one

house. Then came they in through fire at the Bull-hithe gate;

where the monks met them, and besought peace of them. But they

regarded nothing. They went into the minster, climbed up to the

holy rood, took away the diadem from our Lord's head, all of pure

gold, and seized the bracket that was underneath his feet, which

was all of red gold. They climbed up to the steeple, brought

down the table that was hid there, which was all of gold and

silver, seized two golden shrines, and nine of silver, and took

away fifteen large crucifixes, of gold and of silver; in short,

they seized there so much gold and silver, and so many treasures,

in money, in raiment, and in books, as no man could tell another;

and said, that they did it from their attachment to the minster.

Afterwards they went to their ships, proceeded to Ely, and

deposited there all the treasure. The Danes, believing that they

should overcome the Frenchmen, drove out all the monks; leaving

there only one, whose name was Leofwine Lang, who lay sick in the

infirmary. Then came Abbot Thorold and eight times twenty

Frenchmen with him, all full-armed. When he came thither, he

found all within and without consumed by fire, except the church

alone; but the outlaws were all with the fleet, knowing that he

would come thither. This was done on the fourth day before the

nones of June. The two kings, William and Sweyne, were now

reconciled; and the Danes went out of Ely with all the aforesaid

treasure, and carried it away with them. But when they came into

the middle of the sea, there came a violent storm, and dispersed

all the ships wherein the treasures were. Some went to Norway,

some to Ireland, some to Denmark. All that reached the latter,

consisted of the table, and some shrines, and some crucifixes,

and many of the other treasures; which they brought to a king's

town, called ----, and deposited it all there in the church.

Afterwards through their own carelessness, and through their

drunkenness, in one night the church and all that was therein was

consumed by fire. Thus was the minster of Peterborough burned

and plundered. Almighty God have mercy on it through his great

goodness. Thus came the Abbot Thorold to Peterborough; and the

monks too returned, and performed the service of Christ in the

church, which had before stood a full week without any kind of

rite. When Bishop Aylric heard it, he excommunicated all the men

who that evil deed had done. There was a great famine this year:

and in the summer came the fleet in the north from the Humber

into the Thames, and lay there two nights, and made afterwards

for Denmark. Earl Baldwin also died, and his son Arnulf

succeeded to the earldom. Earl William, in conjunction with the

king of the Franks, was to be his guardian; but Earl Robert came

and slew his kinsman Arnulf and the earl, put the king to flight,

and slew many thousands of his men.

A.D. 1071. This year Earl Edwin and Earl Morkar fled out, (93)

and roamed at random in woods and in fields. Then went Earl

Morkar to Ely by ship; but Earl Edwin was treacherously slain by

his own men. Then came Bishop Aylwine, and Siward Barn, and many

hundred men with them, into Ely. When King William heard that,

then ordered he out a naval force and land force, and beset the

land all about, and wrought a bridge, and went in; and the naval

force at the same time on the sea-side. And the outlaws then all

surrendered; that was, Bishop Aylwine, and Earl Morkar, and all

that were with them; except Hereward (94) alone, and all those

that would join him, whom he led out triumphantly. And the king

took their ships, and weapons, and many treasures; (95) and all

the men he disposed of as he thought proper. Bishop Aylwine he

sent to Abingdon, where he died in the beginning of the winter.

A.D. 1072. This year King William led a naval force and a land

force to Scotland, and beset that land on the sea-side with

ships, whilst he led his land-force in at the Tweed; (96) but he

found nothing there of any value. King Malcolm, however, came,

and made peace with King William, and gave hostages, and became

his man; whereupon the king returned home with all his force.

This year died Bishop Aylric. He had been invested Bishop of

York; but that see was unjustly taken from him, and he then had

the bishopric of Durham given him; which he held as long as he

chose, but resigned it afterwards, and retired to Peterborough

minster; where he abode twelve years. After that King William

won England, then took he him from Peterborough, and sent him to

Westminster; where he died on the ides of October, and he is

there buried, within the minster, in the porch of St. Nicholas.

A.D. 1073. This year led King William an army, English and

French, over sea, and won the district of Maine; which the

English very much injured by destroying the vineyards, burning

the towns, and spoiling the land. But they subdued it all into

the hand of King William, and afterwards returned home to

England.

A.D. 1074. This year King William went over sea to Normandy; and

child Edgar came from Flanders into Scotland on St. Grimbald's

mass-day; where King Malcolm and his sister Margaret received him

with much pomp. At the same time sent Philip, the King of

France, a letter to him, bidding him to come to him, and he would

give him the castle of Montreuil; that he might afterwards daily

annoy his enemies. What then? King Malcolm and his sister

Margaret gave him and his men great presents, and many treasures;

in skins ornamented with purple, in pelisses made of martin-skins,

of grey-skins, and of ermine-skins, in palls, and in

vessels of gold and silver; and conducted him and his crew with

great pomp from his territory. But in their voyage evil befel

them; for when they were out at sea, there came upon them such

rough weather, and the stormy sea and the strong wind drove them

so violently on the shore, that all their ships burst, and they

also themselves came with difficulty to the land. Their treasure

was nearly all lost, and some of his men also were taken by the

French; but he himself and his best men returned again to

Scotland, some roughly travelling on foot, and some miserably

mounted. Then King Malcolm advised him to send to King William

over sea, to request his friendship, which he did; and the king

gave it him, and sent after him. Again, therefore, King Malcolm

and his sister gave him and all his men numberless treasures, and

again conducted him very magnificently from their territory. The

sheriff of York came to meet him at Durham, and went all the way

with him; ordering meat and fodder to be found for him at every

castle to which they came, until they came over sea to the king.

Then King William received him with much pomp; and he was there

afterwards in his court, enjoying such rights as he confirmed to

him by law.

A.D. 1075. This year King William gave Earl Ralph the daughter

of William Fitz-Osborne to wife. This same Ralph was British on

his mother's side; but his father, whose name was also Ralph, was

English; and born in Norfolk. The king therefore gave his son

the earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk; and he then led the bride to

Norwich.

There was that bride-ale

The source of man's bale.

There was Earl Roger, and Earl Waltheof, and bishops, and abbots;

who there resolved, that they would drive the king out of the

realm of England. But it was soon told the king in Normandy how

it was determined. It was Earl Roger and Earl Ralph who were the

authors of that plot; and who enticed the Britons to them, and

sent eastward to Denmark after a fleet to assist them. Roger

went westward to his earldom, and collected his people there, to

the king's annoyance, as he thought; but it was to the great

disadvantage of himself. He was however prevented. Ralph also

in his earldom would go forth with his people; but the castlemen

that were in England and also the people of the land, came

against him, and prevented him from doing anything. He escaped

however to the ships at Norwich. (97) And his wife was in the

castle; which she held until peace was made with her; when she

went out of England, with all her men who wished to join her.

The king afterwards came to England, and seized Earl Roger, his

relative, and put him in prison. And Earl Waltheof went over

sea, and bewrayed himself; but he asked forgiveness, and

proffered gifts of ransom. The king, however, let him off

lightly, until he (98) came to England; when he had him seized.

Soon after that came east from Denmark two hundred ships; wherein

were two captains, Cnute Swainson, and Earl Hacco; but they durst

not maintain a fight with King William. They went rather to

York, and broke into St. Peter's minster, and took therein much

treasure, and so went away. They made for Flanders over sea; but

they all perished who were privy to that design; that was, the

son of Earl Hacco, and many others with him. This year died the

Lady Edgitha, who was the relict of King Edward, seven nights

before Christmas, at Winchester; and the king caused her to be

brought to Westminster with great pomp; and he laid her with King

Edward, her lord. And the king was then at Westminster, at

midwinter; where all the Britons were condemned who were at the

bride-ale at Norwich. Some were punished with blindness; some

were driven from the land; and some were towed to Scandinavia.

So were the traitors of King William subdued.

A.D. 1076. This year died Sweyne, King of Denmark; and Harold

his son took to the kingdom. And the king gave the abbacy of

Westminster to Abbot Vitalis, who had been Abbot of Bernay. This

year also was Earl Waltheof beheaded at Winchester, on the mass-day

of St. Petronilla; (99) and his body was carried to Croyland,

where he lies buried. King William now went over sea, and led

his army to Brittany, and beset the castle of Dol; but the

Bretons defended it, until the king came from France; whereupon

William departed thence, having lost there both men and horses,

and many of his treasures.

A.D. 1077. This year were reconciled the king of the Franks and

William, King of England. But it continued only a little while.

This year was London burned, one night before the Assumption of

St. Mary, so terribly as it never was before, since it was built.

This year the moon was eclipsed three nights before Candlemas;

and in the same year died Aylwy, the prudent Abbot of Evesham, on

the fourteenth day before the calends of March, on the mass-day

of St. Juliana; and Walter was appointed abbot in his stead; and

Bishop Herman also died, on the tenth day before the calends of

March, who was Bishop in Berkshire, and in Wiltshire, and in

Dorsetshire. This year also King Malcolm won the mother of

Malslaythe.... and all his best men, and all his treasures, and

his cattle; and he himself not easily escaped.... This year also

was the dry summer; and wild fire came upon many shires, and

burned many towns; and also many cities were ruined thereby.

A.D. 1079. This year Robert, the son of King William, deserted

from his father to his uncle Robert in Flanders; because his

father would not let him govern his earldom in Normandy; which he

himself, and also King Philip with his permission, had given him.

The best men that were in the land also had sworn oaths of

allegiance to him, and taken him for their lord. This year,

therefore, Robert fought with his father, without Normandy, by a

castle called Gerberoy; and wounded him in the hand; and his

horse, that he sat upon, was killed under him; and he that

brought him another was killed there right with a dart. That was

Tookie Wiggodson. Many were there slain, and also taken. His

son William too was there wounded; but Robert returned to

Flanders. We will not here, however, record any more injury that

he did his father. This year came King Malcolm from Scotland

into England, betwixt the two festivals of St. Mary, with a large

army, which plundered Northumberland till it came to the Tine,

and slew many hundreds of men, and carried home much coin, and

treasure, and men in captivity.

A.D. 1080. This year was Bishop Walker slain in Durham, at a

council; and an hundred men with him, French and Flemish. He

himself was born in Lorrain. This did the Northumbrians in the

month of May. (100)

A.D. 1081. This year the king led an army into Wales, and there

freed many hundreds of men.

A.D. 1082. This year the king seized Bishop Odo; and this year

also was a great famine.

A.D. 1083. This year arose the tumult at Glastonbury betwixt the

Abbot Thurstan and his monks. It proceeded first from the

abbot's want of wisdom, that he misgoverned his monks in many

things. But the monks meant well to him; and told him that he

should govern them rightly, and love them, and they would be

faithful and obedient to him. The abbot, however, would hear

nothing of this; but evil entreated them, and threatened them

worse. One day the abbot went into the chapter-house, and spoke

against the monks, and attempted to mislead them; (101) and sent

after some laymen, and they came full-armed into the chapter-house

upon the monks. Then were the monks very much afraid (102)

of them, and wist not what they were to do, but they shot

forward, and some ran into the church, and locked the doors after

them. But they followed them into the minster, and resolved to

drag them out, so that they durst not go out. A rueful thing

happened on that day. The Frenchmen broke into the choir, and

hurled their weapons toward the altar, where the monks were; and

some of the knights went upon the upper floor, (103) and shot

their arrows downward incessantly toward the sanctuary; so that

on the crucifix that stood above the altar they stuck many

arrows. And the wretched monks lay about the altar, and some

crept under, and earnestly called upon God, imploring his mercy,

since they could not obtain any at the hands of men. What can we

say, but that they continued to shoot their arrows; whilst the

others broke down the doors, and came in, and slew (104) some of

the monks to death, and wounded many therein; so that the blood

came from the altar upon the steps, and from the steps on the

floor. Three there were slain to death, and eighteen wounded.

And in this same year departed Matilda, queen of King William, on

the day after All-Hallow-mass. And in the same year also, after

mid-winter, the king ordained a large and heavy contribution

(105) over all England; that was, upon each hide of land, two and

seventy pence.

A.D. 1084. In this year died Wulfwold, Abbot of Chertsey, on the

thirteenth day before the calends of May.

A.D. 1085. In this year men reported, and of a truth asserted,

that Cnute, King of Denmark, son of King Sweyne, was coming

hitherward, and was resolved to win this land, with the

assistance of Robert, Earl of Flanders; (106) for Cnute had

Robert's daughter. When William, King of England, who was then

resident in Normandy (for he had both England and Normandy),

understood this, he went into England with so large an army of

horse and foot, from France and Brittany, as never before sought

this land; so that men wondered how this land could feed all that

force. But the king left the army to shift for themselves

through all this land amongst his subjects, who fed them, each

according to his quota of land. Men suffered much distress this

year; and the king caused the land to be laid waste about the sea

coast; that, if his foes came up, they might not have anything on

which they could very readily seize. But when the king

understood of a truth that his foes were impeded, and could not

further their expedition, (107) then let he some of the army go

to their own land; but some he held in this land over the winter.

Then, at the midwinter, was the king in Glocester with his

council, and held there his court five days. And afterwards the

archbishop and clergy had a synod three days. There was

Mauritius chosen Bishop of London, William of Norfolk, and Robert

of Cheshire. These were all the king's clerks. After this had

the king a large meeting, and very deep consultation with his

council, about this land; how it was occupied, and by what sort

of men. Then sent he his men over all England into each shire;

commissioning them to find out "How many hundreds of hides were

in the shire, what land the king himself had, and what stock upon

the land; or, what dues he ought to have by the year from the

shire." Also he commissioned them to record in writing, "How

much land his archbishops had, and his diocesan bishops, and his

abbots, and his earls;" and though I may be prolix and tedious,

"What, or how much, each man had, who was an occupier of land in

England, either in land or in stock, and how much money it were

worth." So very narrowly, indeed, did he commission them to

trace it out, that there was not one single hide, nor a yard

(108) of land, nay, moreover (it is shameful to tell, though he

thought it no shame to do it), not even an ox, nor a cow, nor a

swine was there left, that was not set down in his writ. And all

the recorded particulars were afterwards brought to him. (109)

A.D. 1086. This year the king bare his crown, and held his

court, in Winchester at Easter; and he so arranged, that he was

by the Pentecost at Westminster, and dubbed his son Henry a

knight there. Afterwards he moved about so that he came by

Lammas to Sarum; where he was met by his councillors; and all the

landsmen that were of any account over all England became this

man's vassals as they were; and they all bowed themselves before

him, and became his men, and swore him oaths of allegiance that

they would against all other men be faithful to him. Thence he

proceeded into the Isle of Wight; because he wished to go into

Normandy, and so he afterwards did; though he first did according

to his custom; he collected a very large sum from his people,

wherever he could make any demand, whether with justice or

otherwise. Then he went into Normandy; and Edgar Etheling, the

relation of King Edward, revolted from him, for he received not

much honour from him; but may the Almighty God give him honour

hereafter. And Christina, the sister of the etheling, went into

the monastery of Rumsey, and received the holy veil. And the

same year there was a very heavy season, and a swinkful and

sorrowful year in England, in murrain of cattle, and corn and

fruits were at a stand, and so much untowardness in the weather,

as a man may not easily think; so tremendous was the thunder and

lightning, that it killed many men; and it continually grew worse

and worse with men. May God Almighty better it whenever it be

his will.

A.D. 1087. After the birth of our Lord and Saviour Christ, one

thousand and eighty-seven winters; in the one and twentieth year

after William began to govern and direct England, as God granted

him, was a very heavy and pestilent season in this land. Such a

sickness came on men, that full nigh every other man was in the

worst disorder, that is, in the diarrhoea; and that so

dreadfully, that many men died in the disorder. Afterwards came,

through the badness of the weather as we before mentioned, so

great a famine over all England, that many hundreds of men died a

miserable death through hunger. Alas! how wretched and how

rueful a time was there! When the poor wretches lay full nigh

driven to death prematurely, and afterwards came sharp hunger,

and dispatched them withall! Who will not be penetrated with

grief at such a season? or who is so hardhearted as not to weep

at such misfortune? Yet such things happen for folks' sins, that

they will not love God and righteousness. So it was in those

days, that little righteousness was in this land with any men but

with the monks alone, wherever they fared well. The king and the

head men loved much, and overmuch, covetousness in gold and in

silver; and recked not how sinfully it was got, provided it came

to them. The king let his land at as high a rate as he possibly

could; then came some other person, and bade more than the former

one gave, and the king let it to the men that bade him more.

Then came the third, and bade yet more; and the king let it to

hand to the men that bade him most of all: and he recked not how

very sinfully the stewards got it of wretched men, nor how many

unlawful deeds they did; but the more men spake about right law,

the more unlawfully they acted. They erected unjust tolls, and

many other unjust things they did, that are difficult to reckon.

Also in the same year, before harvest, the holy minster of St.

Paul, the episcopal see in London, was completely burned, with

many other minsters, and the greatest part, and the richest of

the whole city. So also, about the same time, full nigh each

head-port in all England was entirely burned. Alas! rueful and

woeful was the fate of the year that brought forth so many

misfortunes. In the same year also, before the Assumption of St.

Mary, King William went from Normandy into France with an army,

and made war upon his own lord Philip, the king, and slew many of

his men, and burned the town of Mante, and all the holy minsters

that were in the town; and two holy men that served God, leading

the life of anachorets, were burned therein. This being thus

done, King William returned to Normandy. Rueful was the thing he

did; but a more rueful him befel. How more rueful? He fell

sick, and it dreadfully ailed him. What shall I say? Sharp

death, that passes by neither rich men nor poor, seized him also.

He died in Normandy, on the next day after the Nativity of St.

Mary, and he was buried at Caen in St. Stephen's minster, which

he had formerly reared, and afterwards endowed with manifold

gifts. Alas! how false and how uncertain is this world's weal!

He that was before a rich king, and lord of many lands, had not

then of all his land more than a space of seven feet! and he

that was whilom enshrouded in gold and gems, lay there covered

with mould! He left behind him three sons; the eldest, called

Robert, who was earl in Normandy after him; the second, called

William, who wore the crown after him in England; and the third,

called Henry, to whom his father bequeathed immense treasure. If

any person wishes to know what kind of man he was, or what honour

he had, or of how many lands he was lord, then will we write

about him as well as we understand him: we who often looked upon

him, and lived sometime in his court. This King William then

that we speak about was a very wise man, and very rich; more

splendid and powerful than any of his predecessors were. He was

mild to the good men that loved God, and beyond all measure

severe to the men that gainsayed his will. On that same spot

where God granted him that he should gain England, he reared a

mighty minster, and set monks therein, and well endowed it. In

his days was the great monastery in Canterbury built, and also

very many others over all England. This land was moreover well

filled with monks, who modelled their lives after the rule of St.

Benedict. But such was the state of Christianity in his time,

that each man followed what belonged to his profession--he that

would. He was also very dignified. Thrice he bare his crown

each year, as oft as he was in England. At Easter he bare it in

Winchester, at Pentecost in Westminster, at midwinter in

Glocester. And then were with him all the rich men over all

England; archbishops and diocesan bishops, abbots and earls,

thanes and knights. So very stern was he also and hot, that no

man durst do anything against his will. He had earls in his

custody, who acted against his will. Bishops he hurled from

their bishoprics, and abbots from their abbacies, and thanes into

prison. At length he spared not his own brother Odo, who was a

very rich bishop in Normandy. At Baieux was his episcopal stall;

and he was the foremost man of all to aggrandise the king. He

had an earldom in England; and when the king was in Normandy,

then was he the mightiest man in this land. Him he confined in

prison. But amongst other things is not to be forgotten that

good peace that he made in this land; so that a man of any

account might go over his kingdom unhurt with his bosom full of

gold. No man durst slay another, had he never so much evil done

to the other; and if any churl lay with a woman against her will,

he soon lost the limb that he played with. He truly reigned over

England; and by his capacity so thoroughly surveyed it, that

there was not a hide of land in England that he wist not who had

it, or what it was worth, and afterwards set it down in his book.

(110) The land of the Britons was in his power; and he wrought

castles therein; and ruled Anglesey withal. So also he subdued

Scotland by his great strength. As to Normandy, that was his

native land; but he reigned also over the earldom called Maine;

and if he might have yet lived two years more, he would have won

Ireland by his valour, and without any weapons. Assuredly in his

time had men much distress, and very many sorrows. Castles he

let men build, and miserably swink the poor. The king himself

was so very rigid; and extorted from his subjects many marks of

gold, and many hundred pounds of silver; which he took of his

people, for little need, by right and by unright. He was fallen

into covetousness, and greediness he loved withal. He made many

deer-parks; and he established laws therewith; so that whosoever

slew a hart, or a hind, should be deprived of his eyesight. As

he forbade men to kill the harts, so also the boars; and he loved

the tall deer as if he were their father. Likewise he decreed by

the hares, that they should go free. His rich men bemoaned it,

and the poor men shuddered at it. But he was so stern, that he

recked not the hatred of them all; for they must follow withal

the king's will, if they would live, or have land, or

possessions, or even his peace. Alas! that any man should

presume so to puff himself up, and boast o'er all men. May the

Almighty God show mercy to his soul, and grant him forgiveness of

his sins! These things have we written concerning him, both good

and evil; that men may choose the good after their goodness, and

flee from the evil withal, and go in the way that leadeth us to

the kingdom of heaven. Many things may we write that were done

in this same year. So it was in Denmark, that the Danes, a

nation that was formerly accounted the truest of all, were turned

aside to the greatest untruth, and to the greatest treachery that

ever could be. They chose and bowed to King Cnute, and swore him

oaths, and afterwards dastardly slew him in a church. It

happened also in Spain, that the heathens went and made inroads

upon the Christians, and reduced much of the country to their

dominion. But the king of the Christians, Alphonzo by name, sent

everywhere into each land, and desired assistance. And they came

to his support from every land that was Christian; and they went

and slew or drove away all the heathen folk, and won their land

again, through God's assistance. In this land also, in the same

year, died many rich men; Stigand, Bishop of Chichester, and the

Abbot of St. Augustine, and the Abbot of Bath, and the Abbot of

Pershore, and the lord of them all, William, King of England,

that we spoke of before. After his death his son, called William

also as the father, took to the kingdom, and was blessed to king

by Archbishop Landfranc at Westminster three days ere Michaelmas

day. And all the men in England submitted to him, and swore

oaths to him. This being thus done, the king went to Winchester,

and opened the treasure house, and the treasures that his father

had gathered, in gold, and in silver, and in vases, and in palls,

and in gems, and in many other valuable things that are difficult

to enumerate. Then the king did as his father bade him ere he

was dead; he there distributed treasures for his father's soul to

each monastery that was in England; to some ten marks of gold, to

some six, to each upland (111) church sixty pence. And into each

shire were sent a hundred pounds of money to distribute amongst

poor men for his soul. And ere he departed, he bade that they

should release all the men that were in prison under his power.

And the king was on the midwinter in London.

A.D. 1088. In this year was this land much stirred, and filled

with great treachery; so that the richest Frenchmen that were in

this land would betray their lord the king, and would have his

brother Robert king, who was earl in Normandy. In this design

was engaged first Bishop Odo, and Bishop Gosfrith, and William,

Bishop of Durham. So well did the king by the bishop [Odo] that

all England fared according to his counsel, and as he would. And

the bishop thought to do by him as Judas Iscariot did by our

Lord. And Earl Roger was also of this faction; and much people

was with him all Frenchmen. This conspiracy was formed in Lent.

As soon as Easter came, then went they forth, and harrowed, and

burned, and wasted the king's farms; and they despoiled the lands

of all the men that were in the king's service. And they each of

them went to his castle, and manned it, and provisioned it as

well as they could. Bishop Gosfrith, and Robert the peace-breaker,

went to Bristol, and plundered it, and brought the spoil

to the castle. Afterwards they went out of the castle, and

plundered Bath, and all the land thereabout; and all the honor

(112) of Berkeley they laid waste. And the men that eldest were

of Hereford, and all the shire forthwith, and the men of

Shropshire, with much people of Wales, came and plundered and

burned in Worcestershire, until they came to the city itself,

which it was their design to set on fire, and then to rifle the

minster, and win the king's castle to their hands. The worthy

Bishop Wulfstan, seeing these things, was much agitated in his

mind, because to him was betaken the custody of the castle.

Nevertheless his hired men went out of the castle with few

attendants, and, through God's mercy and the bishop's merits,

slew or took five hundred men, and put all the others to flight.

The Bishop of Durham did all the harm that he could over all by

the north. Roger was the name of one of them; (113) who leaped

into the castle at Norwich, and did yet the worst of all over all

that land. Hugh also was one, who did nothing better either in

Leicestershire or in Northamptonshire. The Bishop Odo being one,

though of the same family from which the king himself was

descended, went into Kent to his earldom, and greatly despoiled

it; and having laid waste the lands of the king and of the

archbishop withal, he brought the booty into his castle at

Rochester. When the king understood all these things, and what

treachery they were employing against him, then was he in his

mind much agitated. He then sent after Englishmen, described to

them his need, earnestly requested their support, and promised

them the best laws that ever before were in this land; each

unright guild he forbade, and restored to the men their woods and

chaces. But it stood no while. The Englishmen however went to

the assistance of the king their lord. They advanced toward

Rochester, with a view to get possession of the Bishop Odo; for

they thought, if they had him who was at first the head of the

conspiracy, they might the better get possession of all the

others. They came then to the castle at Tunbridge; and there

were in the castle the knights of Bishop Odo, and many others who

were resolved to hold it against the king. But the Englishmen

advanced, and broke into the castle, and the men that were

therein agreed with the king. The king with his army went toward

Rochester. And they supposed that the bishop was therein; but it

was made known to the king that the bishop was gone to the castle

at Pevensea. And the king with his army went after, and beset

the castle about with a very large force full six weeks. During

this time the Earl of Normandy, Robert, the king's brother,

gathered a very considerable force, and thought to win England

with the support of those men that were in this land against the

king. And he sent some of his men to this land, intending to

come himself after. But the Englishmen that guarded the sea

lighted upon some of the men, and slew them, and drowned more

than any man could tell. When provisions afterwards failed those

within the castle, they earnestly besought peace, and gave

themselves up to the king; and the bishop swore that he would

depart out of England, and no more come on this land, unless the

king sent after him, and that he would give up the castle at

Rochester. Just as the bishop was going with an intention to

give up the castle, and the king had sent his men with him, then

arose the men that were in the castle, and took the bishop and

the king's men, and put them into prison. In the castle were

some very good knights; Eustace the Young, and the three sons of

Earl Roger, and all the best born men that were in this land or

in Normandy. When the king understood this thing, then went he

after with the army that he had there, and sent over all England.

and bade that each man that was faithful should come to him,

French and English, from sea-port and from upland. Then came to

him much people; and he went to Rochester, and beset the castle,

until they that were therein agreed, and gave up the castle. The

Bishop Odo with the men that were in the castle went over sea,

and the bishop thus abandoned the dignity that he had in this

land. The king afterwards sent an army to Durham, and allowed it

to beset the castle, and the bishop agreed, and gave up the

castle, and relinquished his bishopric, and went to Normandy.

Many Frenchmen also abandoned their lands, and went over sea; and

the king gave their lands to the men that were faithful to him.

A.D. 1089. In this year the venerable father and favourer of

monks, Archbishop Landfranc, departed this life; but we hope that

he is gone to the heavenly kingdom. There was also over all

England much earth-stirring on the third day before the ides of

August, and it was a very late year in corn, and in every kind of

fruits, so that many men reaped their corn about Martinmas, and

yet later.

A.D. 1090. Indiction XIII. These things thus done, just as we

have already said above, by the king, and by his brother and by

this men, the king was considering how he might wreak his

vengeance on his brother Robert, harass him most, and win

Normandy of him. And indeed through his craft, or through

bribery, he got possession of the castle at St. Valeri, and the

haven; and so he got possession of that at Albemarle. And

therein he set his knights; and they did harm to the land in

harrowing and burning. After this he got possession of more

castles in the land; and therein lodged his horsemen. When the

Earl of Normandy, Robert, understood that his sworn men deceived

him, and gave up their castles to do him harm, then sent he to

his lord, Philip, king of the Franks; and he came to Normandy

with a large army, and the king and the earl with an immense

force beset the castle about, wherein were the men of the King of

England. But the King William of England sent to Philip, king of

the Franks; and he for his love, or for his great treasure,

abandoned thus his subject the Earl Robert and his land; and

returned again to France, and let them so remain. And in the

midst of these things this land was much oppressed by unlawful

exactions and by many other misfortunes.

A.D. 1091. In this year the King William held his court at

Christmas in Westminster, and thereafter at Candlemas he went,

for the annoyance of his brother, out of England into Normandy.

Whilst he was there, their reconciliation took place, on the

condition, that the earl put into his hands Feschamp, and the

earldom of Ou, and Cherbourg; and in addition to this, that the

king's men should be secure in the castles that they had won

against the will of the earl. And the king in return promised

him those many [castles] that their father had formerly won, and

also to reduce those that had revolted from the earl, also all

that his father had there beyond, except those that he had then

given the king, and that all those, that in England before for

the earl had lost their land, should have it again by this

treaty, and that the earl should have in England just so much as

was specified in this agreement. And if the earl died without a

son by lawful wedlock, the king should be heir of all Normandy;

and by virtue of this same treaty, if the king died, the earl

should be heir of all England. To this treaty swore twelve of

the best men of the king's side, and twelve of the earl's, though

it stood but a little while afterwards. In the midst of this

treaty was Edgar Etheling deprived of the land that the earl had

before permitted him to keep in hand; and he went out of Normandy

to the king, his sister's husband, in Scotland, and to his

sister. Whilst the King William was out of England, the King

Malcolm of Scotland came hither into England, and overran a great

deal of it, until the good men that governed this land sent an

army against him and repulsed him. When the King William in

Normandy heard this, then prepared he his departure, and came to

England, and his brother, the Earl Robert, with him; and he soon

issued an order to collect a force both naval and military; but

the naval force, ere it could come to Scotland, perished almost

miserably, a few days before St. Michael's mass. And the king

and his brother proceeded with the land-force; but when the King

Malcolm heard that they were resolved to seek him with an army,

he went with his force out of Scotland into Lothaine in England,

and there abode. When the King William came near with his army,

then interceded between them Earl Robert, and Edgar Etheling, and

so made the peace of the kings, that the King Malcolm came to our

king, and did homage, (114) promising all such obedience as he

formerly paid to his father; and that he confirmed with an oath.

And the King William promised him in land and in all things

whatever he formerly had under his father. In this settlement

was also Edgar Etheling united with the king. And the kings then

with much satisfaction departed; yet that stood but a little

while. And the Earl Robert tarried here full nigh until

Christmas with the king, and during this time found but little of

the truth of their agreement; and two days before that tide he

took ship in the Isle of Wight, and went into Normandy, and Edgar

Etheling with him.

A.D. 1092. In this year the King William with a large army went

north to Carlisle, and restored the town, and reared the castle,

and drove out Dolphin that before governed the land, and set his

own men in the castle, and then returned hither southward. And a

vast number of rustic people with wives and with cattle he sent

thither, to dwell there in order to till the land.

A.D. 1093. In this year, during Lent, was the King William at

Glocester so sick, that he was by all reported dead. And in his

illness he made many good promises to lead his own life aright;

to grant peace and protection to the churches of God, and never

more again with fee to sell; to have none but righteous laws

amongst his people. The archbishopric of Canterbury, that before

remained in his own hand, he transferred to Anselm, who was

before Abbot of Bec; to Robert his chancellor the bishopric of

Lincoln; and to many minsters he gave land; but that he

afterwards took away, when he was better, and annulled all the

good laws that he promised us before. Then after this sent the

King of Scotland, and demanded the fulfilment of the treaty that

was promised him. And the King William cited him to Glocester,

and sent him hostages to Scotland; and Edgar Etheling,

afterwards, and the men returned, that brought him with great

dignity to the king. But when he came to the king, he could not

be considered worthy either of our king's speech, or of the

conditions that were formerly promised him. For this reason

therefore they parted with great dissatisfaction, and the King

Malcolm returned to Scotland. And soon after he came home, he

gathered his army, and came harrowing into England with more

hostility than behoved him; and Robert, the Earl of

Northumberland, surrounded him unawares with his men, and slew

him. Morel of Barnborough slew him, who was the earl's steward,

and a baptismal friend (115) of King Malcolm. With him was also

slain Edward his son; who after him should have been king, if he

had lived. When the good Queen Margaret heard this--her most

beloved lord and son thus betrayed she was in her mind almost

distracted to death. She with her priests went to church, and

performed her rites, and prayed before God, that she might give

up the ghost. And the Scots then chose (116) Dufenal to king,

Malcolm's brother, and drove out all the English that formerly

were with the King Malcolm. When Duncan, King Malcolm's son,

heard all that had thus taken place (he was then in the King

William's court, because his father had given him as a hostage to

our king's father, and so he lived here afterwards), he came to

the king, and did such fealty as the king required at his hands;

and so with his permission went to Scotland, with all the support

that he could get of English and French, and deprived his uncle

Dufenal of the kingdom, and was received as king. But the Scots

afterwards gathered some force together, and slew full nigh all

his men; and he himself with a few made his escape. (117)

Afterwards they were reconciled, on the condition that he never

again brought into the land English or French.

A.D. 1094. This year the King William held his court at

Christmas in Glocester; and messengers came to him thither from

his brother Robert of Normandy; who said that his brother

renounced all peace and conditions, unless the king would fulfil

all that they had stipulated in the treaty; and upon that he

called him forsworn and void of truth, unless he adhered to the

treaty, or went thither and explained himself there, where the

treaty was formerly made and also sworn. Then went the king to

Hastings at Candlemas; and whilst he there abode waiting the

weather, he let hallow the minster at Battel, and deprived

Herbert Losang, the Bishop of Thetford, of his staff; and

thereafter about mid-Lent went over sea into Normandy. After he

came, thither, he and his brother Robert, the earl, said that

they should come together in peace (and so they did), and might

be united. Afterwards they came together with the same men that

before made the treaty, and also confirmed it by oaths; and all

the blame of breaking the treaty they threw upon the king; but he

would not confess this, nor even adhere to the treaty; and for

this reason they parted with much dissatisfaction. And the king

afterwards won the castle at Bures, and took the earl's men

therein; some of whom he sent hither to this land. On the other

hand the earl, with the assistance of the King of France, won the

castle at Argence, and took therein Roger of Poitou, (118) and

seven hundred of the king's knights with him; and afterwards that

at Hulme; and oft readily did either of them burn the towns of

the other, and also took men. Then sent the king hither to this

land, and ordered twenty thousand Englishmen to be sent out to

Normandy to his assistance; but when they came to sea, they then

had orders to return, and to pay to the king's behoof the fee

that they had taken; which was half a pound each man; and they

did so. And the earl after this, with the King of France, and

with all that he could gather together, went through the midst of

Normandy, towards Ou, where the King William was, and thought to

besiege him within; and so they advanced until they came to

Luneville. There was the King of France through cunning turned

aside; and so afterwards all the army dispersed. In the midst of

these things the King William sent after his brother Henry, who

was in the castle at Damfront; but because he could not go

through Normandy with security, he sent ships after him, and

Hugh, Earl of Chester. When, however, they should have gone

towards Ou where the king was, they went to England, and came up

at Hamton, (119) on the eve of the feast of All Saints, and here

afterwards abode; and at Christmas they were in London. In this

same year also the Welshmen gathered themselves together, and

with the French that were in Wales, or in the neighbourhood, and

had formerly seized their land, stirred up war, and broke into

many fastnesses and castles, and slew many men. And when their

followers had increased, they divided themselves into larger

parties. With some part of them fought Hugh, Earl of Shropshire,

(120) and put them to flight. Nevertheless the other part of

them all this year omitted no evil that they could do. This year

also the Scots ensnared their king, Duncan, and slew him; and

afterwards, the second time, took his uncle Dufenal to king,

through whose instruction and advice he was betrayed to death.

A.D. 1095. In this year was the King William the first four days

of Christmas at Whitsand, and after the fourth day came hither,

and landed at Dover. And Henry, the king's brother, abode in

this land until Lent, and then went over sea to Normandy, with

much treasure, on the king's behalf, against their brother, Earl

Robert, and frequently fought against the earl, and did him much

harm, both in land and in men. And then at Easter held the king

his court in Winchester; and the Earl Robert of Northumberland

would not come to court. And the king was much stirred to anger

with him for this, and sent to him, and bade him harshly, if he

would be worthy of protection, that he would come to court at

Pentecost. In this year was Easter on the eighth day before the

calends of April; and upon Easter, on the night of the feast of

St Ambrose, that is, the second before the nones of April, (121)

nearly over all this land, and almost all the night, numerous and

manifold stars were seen to fall from heaven; not by one or two,

but so thick in succession, that no man could tell it. Hereafter

at Pentecost was the king at Windsor, and all his council with

him, except the Earl of Northumberland; for the king would

neither give him hostages, nor own upon truth, that he might come

and go with security. And the king therefore ordered his army,

and went against the earl to Northumberland; and soon after he

came thither, he won many and nearly all the best of the earl's

clan in a fortress, and put them into custody; and the castle at

Tinemouth he beset until he won it, and the earl's brother

therein, and all that were with him; and afterwards went to

Bamborough, and beset the earl therein. But when the king saw

that he could not win it, then ordered he his men to make a

castle before Bamborough, and called it in his speech

"Malveisin"; that is in English, "Evil Neighbour". And he

fortified it strongly with his men, and afterwards went

southward. Then, soon after that the king was gone south, went

the earl one night out of Bamborough towards Tinemouth; but they

that were in the new castle were aware of him, and went after

him, and fought him, and wounded him, and afterwards took him.

And of those that were with him some they slew, and some they

took alive. Among these things it was made known to the king,

that the Welshmen in Wales had broken into a castle called

Montgomery, and slain the men of Earl Hugo, that should have held

it. He therefore gave orders to levy another force immediately,

and after Michaelmas went into Wales, and shifted his forces, and

went through all that land, so that the army came all together by

All Saints to Snowdon. But the Welsh always went before into the

mountains and the moors, that no man could come to them. The

king then went homeward; for he saw that he could do no more

there this winter. When the king came home again, he gave orders

to take the Earl Robert of Northumberland, and lead him to

Bamborough, and put out both his eyes, unless they that were

therein would give up the castle. His wife held it, and Morel

who was steward, and also his relative. Through this was the

castle then given up; and Morel was then in the king's court; and

through him were many both of the clergy and laity surrendered,

who with their counsels had conspired against the king. The king

had before this time commanded some to be brought into prison,

and afterwards had it very strictly proclaimed over all this

country, "That all who held land of the king, as they wished to

be considered worthy of protection, should come to court at the

time appointed." And the king commanded that the Earl Robert

should be led to Windsor, and there held in the castle. Also in

this same year, against Easter, came the pope's nuncio hither to

this land. This was Bishop Walter, a man of very good life, of

the town of Albano; and upon the day of Pentecost on the behalf

of Pope Urban he gave Archbishop Anselm his pall, and he received

him at his archiepiscopal stall in Canterbury. And Bishop Walter

remained afterwards in this land a great part of the year; and

men then sent by him the Rome-scot, (122) which they had not done

for many years before. This same year also the weather was very

unseasonable; in consequence of which throughout all this land

were all the fruits of the earth reduced to a moderate crop.

A.D. 1096. In this year held the King William his court at

Christmas in Windsor; and William Bishop of Durham died there on

new-year's day; and on the octave of the Epiphany was the king

and all his councillors at Salisbury. There Geoffry Bainard

challenged William of Ou, the king's relative, maintaining that

he had been in the conspiracy against the king. And he fought

with him, and overcame him in single combat; and after he was

overcome, the king gave orders to put out his eyes, and

afterwards to emasculate him; and his steward, William by name,

who was the son of his stepmother, the king commanded to be

hanged on a gibbet. Then was also Eoda, Earl of Champagne, the

king's son-in-law, and many others, deprived of their lands;

whilst some were led to London, and there killed. This year

also, at Easter, there was a very great stir through all this

nation and many others, on account of Urban, who was declared

Pope, though he had nothing of a see at Rome. And an immense

multitude went forth with their wives and children, that they

might make war upon the heathens. Through this expedition were

the king and his brother, Earl Robert, reconciled; so that the

king went over sea, and purchased all Normandy of him, on

condition that they should be united. And the earl afterwards

departed; and with him the Earl of Flanders, and the Earl of

Boulogne, and also many other men of rank (123). And the Earl

Robert, and they that went with him, passed the winter in Apulia;

but of the people that went by Hungary many thousands miserably

perished there and by the way. And many dragged themselves home

rueful and hunger-bitten on the approach of winter. This was a

very heavy-timed year through all England, both through the

manifold tributes, and also through the very heavy-timed hunger

that severely oppressed this earth in the course of the year. In

this year also the principal men who held this land, frequently

sent forces into Wales, and many men thereby grievously

afflicted, producing no results but destruction of men and waste

of money.

A.D. 1097. In this year was the King William at Christmas in

Normandy; and afterwards against Easter he embarked for this

land; for that he thought to hold his court at Winchester; but he

was weather-bound until Easter-eve, when he first landed at

Arundel; and for this reason held his court at Windsor. And

thereafter with a great army he went into Wales, and quickly

penetrated that land with his forces, through some of the Welsh

who were come to him, and were his guides; and he remained in

that country from midsummer nearly until August, and suffered

much loss there in men and in horses, and also in many other

things. The Welshmen, after they had revolted from the king,

chose them many elders from themselves; one of whom was called

Cadwgan, (124) who was the worthiest of them, being brother's son

to King Griffin. And when the king saw that he could do nothing

in furtherance of his will, he returned again into this land; and

soon after that he let his men build castles on the borders.

Then upon the feast of St. Michael, the fourth day before the

nones of October, (125) appeared an uncommon star, shining in the

evening, and soon hastening to set. It (126) was seen south-west,

and the ray that stood off from it was thought very long, shining

south-east. And it appeared on this wise nearly all the week.

Many men supposed that it was a comet. Soon after this

Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury obtained leave (127) of the king

(though it was contrary to the wishes of the king, as men

supposed), and went over sea; because he thought that men in this

country did little according to right and after his instruction.

And the king thereafter upon St. Martin's mass went over sea into

Normandy; but whilst he was waiting for fair weather, his court

in the county where they lay, did the most harm that ever court

or army could do in a friendly and peaceable land. This was in

all things a very heavy-timed year, and beyond measure laborious

from badness of weather, both when men attempted to till the

land, and afterwards to gather the fruits of their tilth; and

from unjust contributions they never rested. Many counties also

that were confined to London by work, were grievously oppressed

on account of the wall that they were building about the tower,

and the bridge that was nearly all afloat, and the work of the

king's hall that they were building at Westminster; and many men

perished thereby. Also in this same year soon after Michaelmas

went Edgar Etheling with an army through the king's assistance

into Scotland, and with hard fighting won that land, and drove

out the King Dufnal; and his nephew Edgar, who was son of King

Malcolm and of Margaret the queen, he there appointed king in

fealty to the King William; and afterwards again returned to

England.

A.D. 1098. In this year at Christmas was the King William in

Normandy; and Walkelin, Bishop of Winchester, and Baldwin, Abbot

of St. Edmund's, within this tide (128) both departed. And in

this year also died Turold, Abbot of Peterborough. In the summer

of this year also, at Finchamstead in Berkshire, a pool welled

with blood, as many true men said that should see it. And Earl

Hugh was slain in Anglesey by foreign pirates, (129) and his

brother Robert was his heir, as he had settled it before with the

king. Before Michaelmas the heaven was of such an hue, as if it

were burning, nearly all the night. This was a very troublesome

year through manifold impositions; and from the abundant rains,

that ceased not all the year, nearly all the tilth in the marsh-lands

perished.

A.D. 1099. This year was the King William at midwinter in

Normandy, and at Easter came hither to land, and at Pentecost

held his court the first time in his new building at Westminster;

and there he gave the bishopric of Durham to Ranulf his chaplain,

who had long directed and governed his councils over all England.

And soon after this he went over sea, and drove the Earl Elias

out of Maine, which he reduced under his power, and so by

Michaelmas returned to this land. This year also, on the

festival of St. Martin, the sea-flood sprung up to such a height,

and did so much harm, as no man remembered that it ever did

before. And this was the first day of the new moon. And Osmond,

Bishop of Salisbury, died in Advent.

A.D. 1100. In this year the King William held his court at

Christmas in Glocester, and at Easter in Winchester, and at

Pentecost in Westminster. And at Pentecost was seen in Berkshire

at a certain town blood to well from the earth; as many said that

should see it. And thereafter on the morning after Lammas day

was the King William shot in hunting, by an arrow from his own

men, and afterwards brought to Winchester, and buried in the

cathedral. (130) This was in the thirteenth year after that he

assumed the government. He was very harsh and severe over his

land and his men, and with all his neighbours; and very

formidable; and through the counsels of evil men, that to him

were always agreeable, and through his own avarice, he was ever

tiring this nation with an army, and with unjust contributions.

For in his days all right fell to the ground, and every wrong

rose up before God and before the world. God's church he

humbled; and all the bishoprics and abbacies, whose elders fell

in his days, he either sold in fee, or held in his own hands, and

let for a certain sum; because he would be the heir of every man,

both of the clergy and laity; so that on the day that he fell he

had in his own hand the archbishopric of Canterbury, with the

bishopric of Winchester, and that of Salisbury, and eleven

abbacies, all let for a sum; and (though I may be tedious) all

that was loathsome to God and righteous men, all that was

customary in this land in his time. And for this he was loathed

by nearly all his people, and odious to God, as his end

testified:--for he departed in the midst of his

unrighteousness, without any power of repentance or recompense

for his deeds. On the Thursday he was slain; and in the morning

afterwards buried; and after he was buried, the statesmen that

were then nigh at hand, chose his brother Henry to king. And he

immediately (131) gave the bishopric of Winchester to William

Giffard; and afterwards went to London; and on the Sunday

following, before the altar at Westminster, he promised God and

all the people, to annul all the unrighteous acts that took place

in his brother's time, and to maintain the best laws that were

valid in any king's day before him. And after this the Bishop of

London, Maurice, consecrated him king; and all in this land

submitted to him, and swore oaths, and became his men. And the

king, soon after this, by the advice of those that were about

him, allowed men to take the Bishop Ranulf of Durham, and bring

him into the Tower of London, and hold him there. Then, before

Michaelmas, came the Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury hither to

this land; as the King Henry, by the advice of his ministers had

sent after him, because he had gone out of this land for the

great wrongs that the King William did unto him. And soon

hereafter the king took him to wife Maud, daughter of Malcolm,

King of Scotland, and of Margaret the good queen, the relative of

King Edward, and of the right royal (132) race of England. And

on Martinmas day she was publicly given to him with much pomp at

Westminster, and the Archbishop Anselm wedded her to him, and

afterwards consecrated her queen. And the Archbishop Thomas of

York soon hereafter died. During the harvest of this same year

also came the Earl Robert home into Normandy, and the Earl Robert

of Flanders, Eustace, Earl of Boulogne, from Jerusalem. And as

soon as the Earl Robert came into Normandy, he was joyfully

received by all his people; except those of the castles that were

garrisoned with the King Henry's men. Against them he had many

contests and struggles.

A.D. 1101. In this year at Christmas held the King Henry his

court in Westminster, and at Easter in Winchester. And soon

thereafter were the chief men in this land in a conspiracy

against the king; partly from their own great infidelity, and

also through the Earl Robert of Normandy, who with hostility

aspired to the invasion of this land. And the king afterwards

sent ships out to sea, to thwart and impede his brother; but some

of them in the time of need fell back, and turned from the king,

and surrendered themselves to the Earl Robert. Then at midsummer

went the king out to Pevensey with all his force against his

brother, and there awaited him. But in the meantime came the

Earl Robert up at Portsmouth twelve nights before Lammas; and the

king with all his force came against him. But the chief men

interceded between them, and settled the brothers on the

condition, "that the king should forego all that he held by main

strength in Normandy against the earl; and that all then in

England should have their lands again, who had lost it before

through the earl, and Earl Eustace also all his patrimony in this

land; and that the Earl Robert every year should receive from

England three thousand marks of silver; and particularly, that

whichever of the brothers should survive the other, he should be

heir of all England and also of Normandy, except the deceased

left an heir by lawful wedlock." And this twelve men of the

highest rank on either side then confirmed with an oath. And the

earl afterwards remained in this land till after Michaelmas; and

his men did much harm wherever they went, the while that the earl

continued in this land. This year also the Bishop Ranulf at

Candlemas burst out of the Tower of London by night, where he was

in confinement, and went into Normandy; through whose contrivance

and instigation mostly the Earl Robert this year sought this land

with hostility.

A.D. 1102. In this year at the Nativity was the King Henry at

Westminster, and at Easter in Winchester. And soon thereafter

arose a dissention between the king and the Earl Robert of

Belesme, who held in this land the earldom of Shrewsbury, that

his father, Earl Roger, had before, and much territory therewith

both on this side and beyond the sea. And the king went and

beset the castle at Arundel; but when he could not easily win it,

he allowed men to make castles before it, and filled them with

his men; and afterwards with all his army he went to Bridgenorth,

and there continued until he had the castle, and deprived the

Earl Robert of his land, and stripped him of all that he had in

England. And the earl accordingly went over sea, and the army

afterwards returned home. Then was the king thereafter by

Michaelmas at Westminster; and all the principal men in this

land, clerk, and laity. And the Archbishop Anselm held a synod

of clergy; and there they established many canons that belong to

Christianity. And many, both French and English, were there

deprived of their staves and dignity, which they either obtained

with injustice, or enjoyed with dishonour. And in this same

year, in the week of the feast of Pentecost, there came thieves,

some from Auvergne, (133) some from France, and some from

Flanders, and broke into the minster of Peterborough, and therein

seized much property in gold and in silver; namely, roods, and

chalices, and candlesticks.

A.D. 1103. In this year, at midwinter, was the King Henry at

Westminster. And soon afterwards departed the Bishop William

Giffard out of this land; because he would not against right

accept his hood at the hands of the Archbishop Gerard of York.

And then at Easter held the king his court at Winchester, and

afterwards went the Archbishop Anselm from Canterbury to Rome, as

was agreed between him and the king. This year also came the

Earl Robert of Normandy to speak with the king in this land; and

ere he departed hence he forgave the King Henry the three

thousand marks that he was bound by treaty to give him each year.

In this year also at Hamstead in Berkshire was seen blood [to

rise] from the earth. This was a very calamitous year in this

land, through manifold impositions, and through murrain of

cattle, and deficiency of produce, not only in corn, but in every

kind of fruit. Also in the morning, upon the mass day of St.

Laurence, the wind did so much harm here on land to all fruits,

as no man remembered that ever any did before. In this same year

died Matthias, Abbot of Peterborough, who lived no longer than

one year after he was abbot. After Michaelmas, on the twelfth

day before the calends of November, he was in full procession

received as abbot; and on the same day of the next year he was

dead at Glocester, and there buried.

A.D. 1104. In this year at Christmas held the King Henry his

court at Westminster, and at Easter in Winchester, and at

Pentecost again at Westminster. This year was the first day of

Pentecost on the nones of June; and on the Tuesday following were

seen four circles at mid-day about the sun, of a white hue, each

described under the other as if they were measured. All that saw

it wondered; for they never remembered such before. Afterwards

were reconciled the Earl Robert of Normandy and Robert de

Belesme, whom the King Henry had before deprived of his lands,

and driven from England; and through their reconciliation the

King of England and the Earl of Normandy became adversaries. And

the king sent his folk over sea into Normandy; and the head-men

in that land received them, and with treachery to their lord, the

earl, lodged them in their castles, whence they committed many

outrages on the earl in plundering and burning. This year also

William, Earl of Moreton (134) went from this land into Normandy;

but after he was gone he acted against the king; because the king

stripped and deprived him of all that he had here in this land.

It is not easy to describe the misery of this land, which it was

suffering through various and manifold wrongs and impositions,

that never failed nor ceased; and wheresoever the king went,

there was full licence given to his company to harrow and oppress

his wretched people; and in the midst thereof happened oftentimes

burnings and manslaughter. All this was done to the displeasure

of God, and to the vexation of this unhappy people.

A.D. 1105. In this year, on the Nativity, held the King Henry

his court at Windsor; and afterwards in Lent he went over sea

into Normandy against his brother Earl Robert. And whilst he

remained there he won of his brother Caen and Baieux; and almost

all the castles and the chief men in that land were subdued. And

afterwards by harvest he returned hither again; and that which he

had won in Normandy remained afterwards in peace and subjection

to him; except that which was anywhere near the Earl William of

Moretaine. This he often demanded as strongly as he could for

the loss of his land in this country. And then before Christmas

came Robert de Belesme hither to the king. This was a very

calamitous year in this land, through loss of fruits, and through

the manifold contributions, that never ceased before the king

went over [to Normandy], or while he was there, or after he came

back again.

A.D. 1106. In this year was the King Henry on the Nativity at

Westminster, and there held his court; and at that season Robert

de Belesme went unreconciled from the king out of his land into

Normandy. Hereafter before Lent was the king at Northampton; and

the Earl Robert his brother came thither from Normandy to him;

and because the king would not give him back that which he had

taken from him in Normandy, they parted in hostility; and the

earl soon went over sea back again. In the first week of Lent,

on the Friday, which was the fourteenth before the calends of

March, in the evening appeared an unusual star; and a long time

afterwards was seen every evening shining awhile. The star

appeared in the south-west; it was thought little and dark; but

the train of light which stood from it was very bright, and

appeared like an immense beam shining north-east; and some

evening this beam was seen as if it were moving itself forwards

against the star. Some said that they saw more of such unusual

stars at this time; but we do not write more fully about it,

because we saw it not ourselves. On the night preceding the

Lord's Supper, (135) that is, the Thursday before Easter, were

seen two moons in the heavens before day, the one in the east,

and the other in the west, both full; and it was the fourteenth

day of the moon. At Easter was the king at Bath, and at

Pentecost at Salisbury; because he would not hold his court when

he was beyond the sea. After this, and before August, went the

king over sea into Normandy; and almost all that were in that

land submitted to his will, except Robert de Belesme and the Earl

of Moretaine, and a few others of the principal persons who yet

held with the Earl of Normandy. For this reason the king

afterwards advanced with an army, and beset a castle of the Earl

of Moretaine, called Tenerchebrai. (136) Whilst the king beset

the castle, came the Earl Robert of Normandy on Michaelmas eve

against the king with his army, and with him Robert of Belesme,

and William, Earl of Moretaine, and all that would be with them;

but the strength and the victory were the king's. There was the

Earl of Normandy taken, and the Earl of Moretaine, and Robert of

Stutteville, and afterwards sent to England, and put into

custody. Robert of Belesme was there put to flight, and William

Crispin was taken, and many others forthwith. Edgar Etheling,

who a little before had gone over from the king to the earl, was

also there taken, whom the king afterwards let go unpunished.

Then went the king over all that was in Normandy, and settled it

according to his will and discretion. This year also were heavy

and sinful conflicts between the Emperor of Saxony and his son,

and in the midst of these conflicts the father fell, and the son

succeeded to the empire.

A.D. 1107. In this year at Christmas was the King Henry in

Normandy; and, having disposed and settled that land to his will,

he afterwards came hither in Lent, and at Easter held his court

at Windsor, and at Pentecost in Westminster. And afterwards in

the beginning of August he was again at Westminster, and there

gave away and settled the bishoprics and abbacies that either in

England or in Normandy were without elders and pastors. Of these

there were so many, that there was no man who remembered that

ever so many together were given away before. And on this same

occasion, among the others who accepted abbacies, Ernulf, who

before was prior at Canterbury, succeeded to the abbacy in

Peterborough. This was nearly about seven years after the King

Henry undertook the kingdom, and the one and fortieth year since

the Franks governed this land. Many said that they saw sundry

tokens in the moon this year, and its orb increasing and

decreasing contrary to nature. This year died Maurice, Bishop of

London, and Robert, Abbot of St. Edmund's bury, and Richard,

Abbot of Ely. This year also died the King Edgar in Scotland, on

the ides of January, and Alexander his brother succeeded to the

kingdom, as the King Henry granted him.

A.D. 1108. In this year was the King Henry on the Nativity at

Westminster, and at Easter at Winchester, and by Pentecost at

Westminster again. After this, before August, he went into

Normandy. And Philip, the King of France, died on the nones of

August, and his son Louis succeeded to the kingdom. And there

were afterwards many struggles between the King of France and the

King of England, while the latter remained in Normandy. In this

year also died the Archbishop Girard of York, before Pentecost,

and Thomas was afterwards appointed thereto.

A.D. 1109. In this year was the King Henry at Christmas and at

Easter in Normandy; and before Pentecost he came to this land,

and held his court at Westminster. There were the conditions

fully settled, and the oaths sworn, for giving his daughter (137)

to the emperor. (138) This year were very frequent storms of

thunder, and very tremendous; and the Archbishop Anselm of

Canterbury died on the eleventh day before the calends of April;

and the first day of Easter was on "Litania major".

A.D. 1110. In this year held the King Henry his court at

Christmas in Westminster, and at Easter he was at Marlborough,

and at Pentecost he held his court for the first time in New

Windsor. This year before Lent the king sent his daughter with

manifold treasures over sea, and gave her to the emperor. On the

fifth night in the month of May appeared the moon shining bright

in the evening, and afterwards by little and little its light

diminished, so that, as soon as night came, (139) it was so

completely extinguished withal, that neither light, nor orb, nor

anything at all of it was seen. And so it continued nearly until

day, and then appeared shining full and bright. It was this same

day a fortnight old. All the night was the firmament very clear,

and the stars over all the heavens shining very bright. And the

fruits of the trees were this night sorely nipt by frost.

Afterwards, in the month of June, appeared a star north-east, and

its train stood before it towards the south-west. Thus was it

seen many nights; and as the night advanced, when it rose higher,

it was seen going backward toward the north-west. This year were

deprived of their lands Philip of Braiose, and William Mallet,

and William Bainard. This year also died Earl Elias, who held

Maine in fee-tail (140) of King Henry; and after his death the

Earl of Anjou succeeded to it, and held it against the king.

This was a very calamitous year in this land, through the

contributions which the king received for his daughter's portion,

and through the badness of the weather, by which the fruits of

the earth were very much marred, and the produce of the trees

over all this land almost entirely perished. This year men began

first to work at the new minster at Chertsey.

A.D. 1111. This year the King Henry bare not his crown at

Christmas, nor at Easter, nor at Pentecost. And in August he

went over sea into Normandy, on account of the broils that some

had with him by the confines of France, and chiefly on account of

the Earl of Anjou, who held Maine against him. And after he came

over thither, many conspiracies, and burnings, and harrowings,

did they between them. In this year died the Earl Robert of

Flanders, and his son Baldwin succeeded thereto. (141) This year

was the winter very long, and the season heavy and severe; and

through that were the fruits of the earth sorely marred, and

there was the greatest murrain of cattle that any man could

remember.

A.D. 1112. All this year remained the King Henry in Normandy on

account of the broils that he had with France, and with the Earl

of Anjou, who held Maine against him. And whilst he was there,

he deprived of their lands the Earl of Evreux, and William

Crispin, and drove them out of Normandy. To Philip of Braiose he

restored his land, who had been before deprived of it; and Robert

of Belesme he suffered to be seized, and put into prison. This

was a very good year, and very fruitful, in wood and in field;

but it was a very heavy time and sorrowful, through a severe

mortality amongst men.

A.D. 1113. In this year was the King Henry on the Nativity and

at Easter and at Pentecost in Normandy. And after that, in the

summer, he sent hither Robert of Belesme into the castle at

Wareham, and himself soon (142) afterwards came hither to this

land.

A.D. 1114. In this year held the King Henry his court on the

Nativity at Windsor, and held no other court afterwards during

the year. And at midsummer he went with an army into Wales; and

the Welsh came and made peace with the king. And he let men

build castles therein. And thereafter, in September, he went

over sea into Normandy. This year, in the latter end of May, was

seen an uncommon star with a long train, shining many nights. In

this year also was so great an ebb of the tide everywhere in one

day, as no man remembered before; so that men went riding and

walking over the Thames eastward of London bridge. This year

were very violent winds in the month of October; but it was

immoderately rough in the night of the octave of St. Martin; and

that was everywhere manifest both in town and country. In this

year also the king gave the archbishopric of Canterbury to Ralph,

who was before Bishop of Rochester; and Thomas, Archbishop of

York, died; and Turstein succeeded thereto, who was before the

king's chaplain. About this same time went the king toward the

sea, and was desirous of going over, but the weather prevented

him; then meanwhile sent he his writ after the Abbot Ernulf of

Peterborough, and bade that he should come to him quickly, for

that he wished to speak with him on an interesting subject. When

he came to him, he appointed him to the bishopric of Rochester;

and the archbishops and bishops and all the nobility that were in

England coincided with the king. And he long withstood, but it

availed nothing. And the king bade the archbishop that he should

lead him to Canterbury, and consecrate him bishop whether he

would or not. (143) This was done in the town called Bourne

(144) on the seventeenth day before the calends of October. When

the monks of Peterborough heard of this, they felt greater sorrow

than they had ever experienced before; because he was a very good

and amiable man, and did much good within and without whilst he

abode there. God Almighty abide ever with him. Soon after this

gave the king the abbacy to a monk of Sieyes, whose name was

John, through the intreaty of the Archbishop of Canterbury. And

soon after this the king and the Archbishop of Canterbury sent

him to Rome after the archbishop's pall; and a monk also with

him, whose name was Warner, and the Archdeacon John, the nephew

of the archbishop. And they sped well there. This was done on

the seventh day before the calends Of October, in the town that

is yclept Rowner. And this same day went the king on board ship

at Portsmouth.

A.D. 1115. This year was the King Henry on the Nativity in

Normandy. And whilst he was there, he contrived that all the

head men in Normandy did homage and fealty to his son William,

whom he had by his queen. And after this, in the month of July,

he returned to this land. This year was the winter so severe,

with snow and with frost, that no man who was then living ever

remembered one more severe; in consequence of which there was

great destruction of cattle. During this year the Pope Paschalis

sent the pall into this land to Ralph, Archbishop of Canterbury;

and he received it with great worship at his archiepiscopal stall

in Canterbury. It was brought hither from Rome by Abbot Anselm,

who was the nephew of Archbishop Anselm, and the Abbot John of

Peterborough.

A.D. 1116. In this year was the King Henry on the Nativity at

St. Alban's, where he permitted the consecration of that

monastery; and at Easter he was at Odiham. And there was also

this year a very heavy-timed winter, strong and long, for cattle

and for all things. And the king soon after Easter went over sea

into Normandy. And there were many conspiracies and robberies,

and castles taken betwixt France and Normandy. Most of this

disturbance was because the King Henry assisted his nephew,

Theobald de Blois, who was engaged in a war against his lord,

Louis, the King of France. This was a very vexatious and

destructive year with respect to the fruits of the earth, through

the immoderate rains that fell soon after the beginning of

August, harassing and perplexing men till Candlemas-day. This

year also was so deficient in mast, that there was never heard

such in all this land or in Wales. This land and nation were

also this year oft and sorely swincked by the guilds which the

king took both within the boroughs and without. In this same

year was consumed by fire the whole monastery of Peterborough,

and all the buildings, except the chapter-house and the

dormitory, and therewith also all the greater part of the town.

All this happened on a Friday, which was the second day before

the nones of August.

A.D. 1117. All this year remained the King Henry, in Normandy,

on account of the hostility of the King of France and his other

neighbours. And in the summer came the King of France and the

Earl of Flanders with him with an army into Normandy. And having

stayed therein one night, they returned again in the morning

without fighting. But Normandy was very much afflicted both by

the exactions and by the armies which the King Henry collected

against them. This nation also was severely oppressed through

the same means, namely, through manifold exactions. This year

also, in the night of the calends of December, were immoderate

storms with thunder, and lightning, and rain, and hail. And in

the night of the third day before the ides of December was the

moon, during a long time of the night, as if covered with blood,

and afterwards eclipsed. Also in the night of the seventeenth

day before the calends of January, was the heaven seen very red,

as if it were burning. And on the octave of St. John the

Evangelist was the great earthquake in Lombardy; from the shock

of which many minsters, and towers, and houses fell, and did much

harm to men. This was a very blighted year in corn, through the

rains that scarcely ceased for nearly all the year. And the

Abbot Gilbert of Westminster died on the eighth day before the

ides of December; and Faritz, Abbot of Abingdon, on the seventh

day before the calends of March. And in this same year....

A.D. 1118. All this year abode the King Henry in Normandy on

account of the war of the King of France and the Earl of Anjou,

and the Earl of Flanders. And the Earl of Flanders was wounded

in Normandy, and went so wounded into Flanders. By this war was

the king much exhausted, and he was a great loser both in land

and money. And his own men grieved him most, who often from him

turned, and betrayed him; and going over to his foes surrendered

to them their castles, to the injury and disappointment of the

king. All this England dearly bought through the manifold guilds

that all this year abated not. This year, in the week of the

Epiphany, there was one evening a great deal of lightning, and

thereafter unusual thunder. And the Queen Matilda died at

Westminster on the calends of May; and there was buried. And the

Earl Robert of Mellent died also this year. In this year also,

on the feast of St. Thomas, was so very immoderately violent a

wind, that no man who was then living ever remembered any

greater; and that was everywhere seen both in houses and also in

trees. This year also died Pope Paschalis; and John of Gaeta

succeeded to the popedom, whose other name was Gelasius.

A.D. 1119. All this year continued the King Henry in Normandy;

and he was greatly perplexed by the hostility of the King of

France, and also of his own men, who with treachery deserted from

him, and oft readily betrayed him; until the two kings came

together in Normandy with their forces. There was the King of

France put to flight, and all his best men taken. And afterwards

many of King Henry's men returned to him, and accorded with him,

who were before, with their castellans, against him. And some of

the castles he took by main strength. This year went William,

the son of King Henry and Queen Matilda, into Normandy to his

father, and there was given to him, and wedded to wife, the

daughter of the Earl of Anjou. On the eve of the mass of St.

Michael was much earth-heaving in some places in this land;

though most of all in Glocestershire and in Worcestershire. In

this same year died the Pope Gelasius, on this side of the Alps,

and was buried at Clugny. And after him the Archbishop of Vienna

was chosen pope, whose name was Calixtus. He afterwards, on the

festival of St. Luke the Evangelist, came into France to Rheims,

and there held a council. And the Archbishop Turstin of York

went thither; and, because that he against right, and against the

archiepiscopal stall in Canterbury, and against the king's will,

received his hood at the hands of the pope, the king interdicted

him from all return to England. And thus he lost his

archbishopric, and with the pope went towards Rome. In this year

also died the Earl Baldwin of Flanders of the wounds that he

received in Normandy. And after him succeeded to the earldom

Charles, the son of his uncle by the father's side, who was son

of Cnute, the holy King of Denmark.

A.D. 1120. This year were reconciled the King of England and the

King of France; and after their reconciliation all the King

Henry's own men accorded with him in Normandy, as well as the

Earl of Flanders and the Earl of Ponthieu. From this time

forward the King Henry settled his castles and his land in

Normandy after his will; and so before Advent came to this land.

And in this expedition were drowned the king's two sons, William

and Richard, and Richard, Earl of Chester, and Ottuel his

brother, and very many of the king's household, stewards, and

chamberlains, and butlers, and men of various abodes; and with

them a countless multidude of very incomparable folk besides.

Sore was their death to their friends in a twofold respect: one,

that they so suddenly lost this life; the other, that few of

their bodies were found anywhere afterwards. This year came that

light to the sepulchre of the Lord in Jerusalem twice; once at

Easter, and the other on the assumption of St. Mary, as credible

persons said who came thence. And the Archbishop Turstin of York

was through the pope reconciled with the king, and came to this

land, and recovered his bishopric, though it was very undesirable

to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

A.D. 1121. This year was the King Henry at Christmas at Bramton,

and afterwards, before Candlemas, at Windsor was given him to

wife Athelis; soon afterwards consecrated queen, who was daughter

of the Duke of Louvain. And the moon was eclipsed in the night

of the nones of April, being a fortnight old. And the king was

at Easter at Berkley; and after that at Pentecost he held a full

court at Westminster; and afterwards in the summer went with an

army into Wales. And the Welsh came against him; and after the

king's will they accorded with him. This year came the Earl of

Anjou from Jerusalem into his land; and soon after sent hither to

fetch his daughter, who had been given to wife to William, the

king's son. And in the night of the eve of "Natalis Domini" was

a very violent wind over all this land, and that was in many

things evidently seen.

A.D. 1122. In this year was the King Henry at Christmas in

Norwich, and at Easter in Northampton. And in the Lent-tide

before that, the town of Glocester was on fire: the while that

the monks were singing their mass, and the deacon had begun the

gospel, "Praeteriens Jesus", at that very moment came the fire

from the upper part of the steeple, and burned all the minster,

and all the treasures that were there within; except a few books,

and three mass-hackles. That was on the eighth day before the

ides of Marcia. And thereafter, the Tuesday after Palm-Sunday,

was a very violent wind on the eleventh day before the calends of

April; after which came many tokens far and wide in England, and

many spectres were both seen and heard. And the eighth night

before the calends of August was a very violent earthquake over

all Somersetshire, and in Glocestershire. Soon after, on the

sixth day before the ides of September, which was on the festival

of St. Mary, (145) there was a very violent wind from the fore

part of the day to the depth of the night. This same year died

Ralph, the Archbishop of Canterbury; that was on the thirteenth

day before the calends of November. After this there were many

shipmen on the sea, and on fresh water, who said, that they saw

on the north-east, level with the earth, a fire huge and broad,

which anon waxed in length up to the welkin; and the welkin undid

itself in four parts, and fought against it, as if it would

quench it; and the fire waxed nevertheless up to the heaven. The

fire they saw in the day-dawn; and it lasted until it was light

over all. That was on the seventh day before the ides of

December.

A.D. 1123. In this year was the King Henry, at Christmastide at

Dunstable, and there came to him the ambassadors of the Earl of

Anjou. And thence he went to Woodstock; and his bishops and his

whole court with him. Then did it betide on a Wednesday, which

was on the fourth day before the ides of January, that the king

rode in his deer-fold; (146) the Bishop Roger of Salisbury (147)

on one side of him, and the Bishop Robert Bloet of Lincoln on the

other side of him. And they rode there talking together. Then

sank down the Bishop of Lincoln, and said to the king, "Lord

king, I die." And the king alighted down from his horse, and

lifted him betwixt his arms, and let men bear him home to his

inn. There he was soon dead; and they carried him to Lincoln

with great worship, and buried him before the altar of St. Mary.

And the Bishop of Chester, whose name was Robert Pecceth, buried

him. Soon after this sent the king his writ over all England,

and bade all his bishops and his abbots and his thanes, that they

should come to his wittenmoot on Candlemas day at Glocester to

meet him: and they did so. When they were there gathered

together, then the king bade them, that they should choose for

themselves an Archbishop of Canterbury, whomsoever they would,

and he would confirm it. Then spoke the bishops among

themselves, and said that they never more would have a man of the

monastic order as archbishop over them. And they went all in a

body to the king, and earnestly requested that they might choose

from the clerical order whomsoever they would for archbishop.

And the king granted it to them. This was all concerted before,

through the Bishop of Salisbury, and through the Bishop of

Lincoln ere he was dead; for that they never loved the rule of

monks, but were ever against monks and their rule. And the prior

and the monks of Canterbury, and all the other persons of the

monastic order that were there, withstood it full two days; but

it availed nought: for the Bishop of Salisbury was strong, and

wielded all England, and opposed them with all his power and

might. Then chose they a clerk, named William of Curboil. He

was canon of a monastery called Chiche. (148) And they brought

him before the king; and the king gave him the archbishopric.

And all the bishops received him: but almost all the monks, and

the earls, and the thanes that were there, protested against him.

About the same time departed the earl's messengers (149) in

hostility from the king, reckless of his favour. During the same

time came a legate from Rome, whose name was Henry. He was abbot

of the monastery of St. John of Angeli; and he came after the

Rome-scot. And he said to the king, that it was against right

that men should set a clerk over monks; and therefore they had

chosen an archbishop before in their chapter after right. But

the king would not undo it, for the love of the Bishop of

Salisbury. Then went the archbishop, soon after this, to

Canterbury; and was there received, though it was against their

will; and he was there soon blessed to bishop by the Bishop of

London, and the Bishop Ernulf of Rochester, and the Bishop

William Girard of Winchester, and the Bishop Bernard of Wales,

and the Bishop Roger of Salisbury. Then, early in Lent, went

the archbishop to Rome, after his pall; and with him went the

Bishop Bernard of Wales; and Sefred, Abbot of Glastonbury; and

Anselm, Abbot of St. Edmund's bury; and John, Archdeacon of

Canterbury; and Gifard, who was the king's court-chaplain. At

the same time went the Archbishop Thurstan of York to Rome,

through the behest of the pope, and came thither three days ere

the Archbishop of Canterbury came, and was there received with

much worship. Then came the Archbishop of Canterbury, and was

there full seven nights ere they could come to a conference with

the pope. That was, because the pope was made to understand that

he had obtained the archbishopric against the monks of the

minster, and against right. But that overcame Rome, which

overcometh all the world; that is, gold and silver. And the pope

softened, and gave him his pall. And the archbishop (of York)

swore him subjection, in all those things, which the pope

enjoined him, by the heads of St. Peter and St. Paul; and the

pope then sent him home with his blessing. The while that the

archbishop was out of the land, the king gave the bishopric of

Bath to the Queen's chancellor, whose name was Godfrey. He was

born in Louvain. That was on the Annunciation of St. Mary, at

Woodstock. Soon after this went the king to Winchester, and was

all Easter-tide there. And the while that he was there, gave he

the bishopric of Lincoln to a clerk hight Alexander. He was

nephew of the Bishop of Salisbury. This he did all for the love

of the bishop. Then went the king thence to Portsmouth, and lay

there all over Pentecost week. Then, as soon as he had a fair

wind, he went over into Normandy; and meanwhile committed all

England to the guidance and government of the Bishop Roger of

Salisbury. Then was the king all this year (150) in Normandy.

And much hostility arose betwixt him and his thanes; so that the

Earl Waleram of Mellent, and Hamalric, and Hugh of Montfort, and

William of Romare, and many others, went from him, and held their

castles against him. And the king strongly opposed them: and

this same year he won of Waleram his castle of Pont-Audemer, and

of Hugh that of Montfort; and ever after, the longer he stayed,

the better he sped. This same year, ere the Bishop of Lincoln

came to his bishopric, almost all the borough of Lincoln was

burned, and numberless folks, men and women, were consumed: and

so much harm was there done as no man could describe to another.

That was on the fourteenth day before the calends of June.

A.D. 1124. All this year was the King Henry in Normandy. That

was for the great hostility that he had with the King Louis of

France, and with the Earl of Anjou, and most of all with his own

men. Then it happened, on the day of the Annunciation of St.

Mary, that the Earl Waleram of Mellent went from one of his

castles called Belmont to another called Watteville. With him

went the steward of the King of France, Amalric, and Hugh the son

of Gervase, and Hugh of Montfort, and many other good knights.

Then came against them the king's knights from all the castles

that were thereabout, and fought with them, and put them to

flight, and took the Earl Waleram, and Hugh, the son of Gervase,

and Hugh of Montfort, and five and twenty other knights, and

brought them to the king. And the king committed the Earl

Waleram, and Hugh, the son of Gervase, to close custody in the

castle at Rouen; but Hugh of Montfort he sent to England, and

ordered him to be secured with strong bonds in the castle at

Glocester. And of the others as many as he chose he sent north

and south to his castles in captivity. After this went the king,

and won all the castles of the Earl Waleram that were in

Normandy, and all the others that his enemies held against him.

All this hostility was on account of the son of the Earl Robert

of Normandy, named William. This same William had taken to wife

the younger daughter of Fulke, Earl of Anjou: and for this reason

the King of France and all the earls held with him, and all the

rich men; and said that the king held his brother Robert

wrongfully in captivity, and drove his son William unjustly out

of Normandy. This same year were the seasons very unfavourable

in England for corn and all fruits; so that between Christmas and

Candlemas men sold the acre-seed of wheat, that is two seedlips,

for six shillings; and the barley, that is three seedlips, for

six shillings also; and the acre-seed of oats, that is four

seedlips, for four shillings. That was because that corn was

scarce; and the penny was so adulterated, (151) that a man who

had a pound at a market could not exchange twelve pence thereof

for anything. In this same year died the blessed Bishop Ernulf

of Rochester, who before was Abbot of Peterborough. That was on

the ides of March. And after this died the King Alexander of

Scotland, on the ninth day before the calends of May. And David

his brother, who was Earl of Northamptonshire, succeeded to the

kingdom; and had both together, the kingdom of Scotland and the

earldom in England. And on the nineteenth day before the calends

of January died the Pope of Rome, whose name was Calixtus, and

Honorius succeeded to the popedom. This same year, after St.

Andrew's mass, and before Christmas, held Ralph Basset and the

king's thanes a wittenmoot in Leicestershire, at Huncothoe, and

there hanged more thieves than ever were known before; that is,

in a little while, four and forty men altogether; and despoiled

six men of their eyes and of their testicles. Many true men said

that there were several who suffered very unjustly; but our Lord

God Almighty, who seeth and knoweth every secret, seeth also that

the wretched people are oppressed with all unrighteousness.

First they are bereaved of their property, and then they are

slain. Full heavy year was this. The man that had any property,

was bereaved of it by violent guilds and violent moots. The man

that had not, was starved with hunger.

A.D. 1125. In this year sent the King Henry, before Christmas,

from Normandy to England, and bade that all the mint-men that

were in England should be mutilated in their limbs; that was,

that they should lose each of them the right hand, and their

testicles beneath. This was because the man that had a pound

could not lay out a penny at a market. And the Bishop Roger of

Salisbury sent over all England, and bade them all that they

should come to Winchester at Christmas. When they came thither,

then were they taken one by one, and deprived each of the right

hand and the testicles beneath. All this was done within the

twelfth-night. And that was all in perfect justice, because that

they had undone all the land with the great quantity of base coin

that they all bought. In this same year sent the Pope of Rome to

this land a cardinal, named John of Crema. He came first to the

king in Normandy, and the king received him with much worship.

He betook himself then to the Archbishop William of Canterbury;

and he led him to Canterbury; and he was there received with

great veneration, and in solemn procession. And he sang the high

mass on Easter day at the altar of Christ. Afterwards he went

over all England, to all the bishoprics and abbacies that were in

this land; and in all he was received with respect. And all gave

him many and rich gifts. And afterwards he held his council in

London full three days, on the Nativity of St. Mary in September,

with archbishops, and diocesan bishops, and abbots, the learned

and the lewd; (152) and enjoined there the same laws that

Archbishop Anselm had formerly enjoined, and many more, though it

availed little. Thence he went over sea soon after Michaelmas,

and so to Rome; and (with him) the Archbishop William of

Canterbury, and the Archbishop Thurstan of York, and the Bishop

Alexander of Lincoln, and the Bishop J. of Lothian, and the Abbot

G. of St. Alban's; and were there received by the Pope Honorius

with great respect; and continued there all the winter. In this

same year was so great a flood on St. Laurence's day, that many

towns and men were overwhelmed, and bridges broken down, and corn

and meadows spoiled withal; and hunger and qualm (153) in men and

in cattle; and in all fruits such unseasonableness as was not

known for many years before. And this same year died the Abbot

John of Peterborough, on the second day before the ides of

October.

A.D. 1126. All this year was the King Henry in Normandy--all

till after harvest. Then came he to this land, betwixt the

Nativity of St. Mary and Michaelmas. With him came the queen,

and his daughter, whom he had formerly given to the Emperor Henry

of Lorrain to wife. And he brought with him the Earl Waleram,

and Hugh, the son of Gervase. And the earl he sent to

Bridgenorth in captivity: and thence he sent him afterwards to

Wallingford; and Hugh to Windsor, whom he ordered to be kept in

strong bonds. Then after Michaelmas came David, the king of the

Scots, from Scotland to this land; and the King Henry received

him with great worship; and he continued all that year in this

land. In this year the king had his brother Robert taken from

the Bishop Roger of Salisbury, and committed him to his son

Robert, Earl of Glocester, and had him led to Bristol, and there

put into the castle. That was all done through his daughter's

counsel, and through David, the king of the Scots, her uncle.

A.D. 1127. This year held the King Henry his court at Christmas

in Windsor. There was David the king of the Scots, and all the

head men that were in England, learned and lewd. And there he

engaged the archbishops, and bishops, and abbots, and earls, and

all the thanes that were there, to swear England and Normandy

after his day into the hands of his daughter Athelicia, who was

formerly the wife of the Emperor of Saxony. Afterwards he sent

her to Normandy; and with her went her brother Robert, Earl of

Glocester, and Brian, son of the Earl Alan Fergan; (154) and he

let her wed the son of the Earl of Anjou, whose name was Geoffry

Martel. All the French and English, however, disapproved of

this; but the king did it for to have the alliance of the Earl

of Anjou, and for to have help against his nephew William. In

the Lent-tide of this same year was the Earl Charles of Flanders

slain in a church, as he lay there and prayed to God, before the

altar, in the midst of the mass, by his own men. And the King of

France brought William, the son of the Earl of Normandy, and gave

him the earldom; and the people of that land accepted him. This

same William had before taken to wife the daughter of the Earl of

Anjou; but they were afterwards divorced on the plea of

consanguinity. This was all through the King Henry of England.

Afterwards took he to wife the sister of the king's wife of

France; and for this reason the king gave him the earldom of

Flanders. This same year he (155) gave the abbacy of

Peterborough to an abbot named Henry of Poitou, who retained in

hand his abbacy of St. John of Angeli; but all the archbishops

and bishops said that it was against right, and that he could not

have two abbacies on hand. But the same Henry gave the king to

understand, that he had relinquished his abbacy on account of the

great hostility that was in the land; and that he did through the

counsel and leave of the Pope of Rome, and through that of the

Abbot of Clugny, and because he was legate of the Rome-scot.

But, nevertheless, it was not so; for he would retain both in

hand; and did so as long as God's will was. He was in his

clerical state Bishop of Soissons; afterwards monk of Clugny; and

then prior in the same monastery. Afterwards he became prior of

Sevigny; and then, because he was a relation of the King of

England, and of the Earl of Poitou, the earl gave him the abbacy

of St. John's minster of Angeli. Afterwards, through his great

craft, he obtained the archbishopric of Besancon; and had it in

hand three days; after which he justly lost it, because he had

before unjustly obtained it. Afterwards he procured the

bishopric of Saintes; which was five miles from his abbey. That

he had full-nigh a week (156) in hand; but the Abbot of Clugny

brought him thence, as he before did from Besancon. Then he

bethought him, that, if he could be fast-rooted in England, he

might have all his will. Wherefore he besought the king, and

said unto him, that he was an old man--a man completely broken--that

he could not brook the great injustice and the great

hostility that were in their land: and then, by his own

endearours, and by those of all his friends, he earnestly and

expressly entreated for the abbacy of Peterborough. And the king

procured it for him, because he was his relation, and because he

was the principal person to make oath and bear witness when the

son of the Earl of Normandy and the daughter of the Earl of Anjou

were divorced on the plea of consanguinity. Thus wretchedly was

the abbacy given away, betwixt Christmas and Candlemas, at

London; and so he went with the King to Winchester, and thence he

came to Peterborough, and there he dwelt (157) right so as a

drone doth in a hive. For as the drone fretteth and draggeth

fromward all that the bees drag toward [the hive], so did

he.--All that he might take, within and without, of learned and lewd,

so sent he over sea; and no good did there--no good left there.

Think no man unworthily that we say not the truth; for it was

fully known over all the land: that, as soon as he came thither,

which was on the Sunday when men sing "Exurge quare o D---- etc."

immediately after, several persons saw and heard many huntsmen

hunting. The hunters were swarthy, and huge, and ugly; and their

hounds were all swarthy, and broad-eyed, and ugly. And they rode

on swarthy horses, and swarthy bucks. This was seen in the very

deer-fold in the town of Peterborough, and in all the woods from

that same town to Stamford. And the monks heard the horn blow

that they blew in the night. Credible men, who watched them in

the night, said that they thought there might well be about

twenty or thirty horn-blowers. This was seen and heard from the

time that he (158) came thither, all the Lent-tide onward to

Easter. This was his entry; of his exit we can as yet say

nought. God provide.

A.D. 1128. All this year was the King Henry in Normandy, on

account of the hostility that was between him and his nephew, the

Earl of Flanders. But the earl was wounded in a fight by a

swain; and so wounded he went to the monastery of St. Bertin;

where he soon became a monk, lived five days afterwards, then

died, and was there buried. God honour his soul. That was on

the sixth day before the calends of August. This same year died

the Bishop Randulph Passeflambard of Durham; and was there buried

on the nones of September. And this same year went the aforesaid

Abbot Henry home to his own minster at Poitou by the king's

leave. He gave the king to understand, that he would withal

forgo that minster, and that land, and dwell with him in England,

and in the monastery of Peterborough. But it was not so

nevertheless. He did this because he would be there, through his

crafty wiles, were it a twelvemonth or more, and come again

afterwards. May God Almighty extend his mercy over that wretched

place. This same year came from Jerusalem Hugh of the Temple to

the king in Normandy; and the king received him with much honour,

and gave him rich presents in gold and in silver. And afterwards

he sent him into England; and there he was received by all good

men, who all gave him presents, and in Scotland also: and by him

they sent to Jerusalem much wealth withal in gold and in silver.

And he invited folk out to Jerusalem; and there went with him and

after him more people than ever did before, since that the first

expedition was in the day of Pope Urban. Though it availed

little; for he said, that a mighty war was begun between the

Christians and the heathens; but when they came thither, then was

it nought but leasing. (159) Thus pitifully was all that people

swinked. (160)

A.D. 1129. In this year sent the King to England after the Earl

Waleram, and after Hugh, the son of Gervase. And they gave

hostages for them. And Hugh went home to his own land in France;

but Waleram was left with the king: and the king gave him all his

land except his castle alone. Afterwards came the king to

England within the harvest: and the earl came with him: and they

became as good friends as they were foes before. Soon after, by

the king's counsel, and by his leave, sent the Archbishop William

of Canterbury over all England, and bade bishops, and abbots, and

archdeacons, and all the priors, monks, and canons, that were in

all the cells in England, and all who had the care and

superintendence of christianity, that they should all come to

London at Michaelmas, and there should speak of all God's rights.

When they came thither, then began the moot on Monday, and

continued without intermission to the Friday. When it all came

forth, then was it all found to be about archdeacons' wives, and

about priests' wives; that they should forgo them by St. Andrew's

mass; and he who would not do that, should forgo his church, and

his house, and his home, and never more have any calling thereto.

This bade the Archbishop William of Canterbury, and all the

diocesan bishops that were then in England, but the king gave

them all leave to go home. And so they went home; and all the

ordinances amounted to nothing. All held their wives by the

king's leave as they did before. This same year died the Bishop

William Giffard of Winchester; and was there buried, on the

eighth day before the calends of February. And the King Henry

gave the bishopric after Michaelmas to the Abbot Henry of

Glastonbury, his nephew, and he was consecrated bishop by the

Archbishop William of Canterbury on the fifteenth day before the

calends of December. This same year died Pope Honorius. Ere he

was well dead, there were chosen two popes. The one was named

Peter, who was monk of Clugny, and was born of the richest men of

Rome; and with him held those of Rome, and the Duke of Sicily.

The other was Gregory: he was a clerk, and was driven out of Rome

by the other pope, and by his kinsmen. With him held the Emperor

of Saxony, and the King of France, and the King Henry of England,

and all those on this side of the Alps. Now was there such

division in Christendom as never was before. May Christ consult

for his wretched folk. This same year, on the night of the mass

of St. Nicholas, a little before day, there was a great

earthquake.

A.D. 1130. This year was the monastery of Canterbury consecrated

by the Archbishop William, on the fourth day before the nones of

May. There were the Bishops John of Rochester, Gilbert Universal

of London, Henry of Winchester, Alexander of Lincoln, Roger of

Salisbury, Simon of Worcester, Roger of Coventry, Geoffry of

Bath, Evrard of Norwich, Sigefrith of Chichester, Bernard of St.

David's, Owen of Evreux in Normandy, John of Sieyes. On the

fourth day after this was the King Henry in Rochester, when the

town was almost consumed by fire; and the Archbishop William

consecrated the monastery of St. Andrew, and the aforesaid

bishops with him. And the King Henry went over sea into Normandy

in harvest. This same year came the Abbot Henry of Angeli after

Easter to Peterborough, and said that he had relinquished that

monastery (161) withal. After him came the Abbot of Clugny,

Peter by name, to England by the king's leave; and was received

by all, whithersoever he came, with much respect. To

Peterborough he came; and there the Abbot Henry promised him that

he would procure him the minster of Peterborough, that it might

be subject to Clugny. But it is said in the proverb,

"The hedge abideth,

that acres divideth."

May God Almighty frustrate evil designs. Soon after this, went

the Abbot of Clugny home to his country. This year was Angus

slain by the army of the Scots, and there was a great multitude

slain with him. There was God's fight sought upon him, for that

he was all forsworn.

A.D. 1131. This year, after Christmas, on a Monday night, at the

first sleep, was the heaven on the northern hemisphere (162) all

as if it were burning fire; so that all who saw it were so

dismayed as they never were before. That was on the third day

before the ides of January. This same year was so great a

murrain of cattle as never was before in the memory of man over

all England. That was in neat cattle and in swine; so that in a

town where there were ten ploughs going, or twelve, there was not

left one: and the man that had two hundred or three hundred

swine, had not one left. Afterwards perished the hen fowls; then

shortened the fleshmeat, and the cheese, and the butter. May God

better it when it shall be his will. And the King Henry came

home to England before harvest, after the mass of St. Peter "ad

vincula". This same year went the Abbot Henry, before Easter,

from Peterborough over sea to Normandy, and there spoke with the

king, and told him that the Abbot of Clugny had desired him to

come to him, and resign to him the abbacy of Angeli, after which

he would go home by his leave. And so he went home to his own

minster, and there remained even to midsummer day. And the next

day after the festival of St. John chose the monks an abbot of

themselves, brought him into the church in procession, sang "Te

Deum laudamus", rang the bells, set him on the abbot's throne,

did him all homage, as they should do their abbot: and the earl,

and all the head men, and the monks of the minster, drove the

other Abbot Henry out of the monastery. And they had need; for

in five-and-twenty winters had they never hailed one good day.

Here failed him all his mighty crafts. Now it behoved him, that

he crope in his skin into every corner, if peradventure there

were any unresty wrench, (163) whereby he might yet once more

betray Christ and all Christian people. Then retired he into

Clugny, where he was held so fast, that he could not move east or

west. The Abbot of Clugny said that they had lost St. John's

minster through him, and through his great sottishness. Then

could he not better recompense them; but he promised them, and

swore oaths on the holy cross, that if he might go to England he

should get them the minster of Peterborough; so that he should

set there the prior of Clugny, with a churchwarden, a treasurer,

and a sacristan: and all the things that were within the minster

and without, he should procure for them. Thus he departed into

France; and there remained all that year. Christ provide for the

wretched monks of Peterborough, and for that wretched place. Now

do they need the help of Christ and of all Christian folk.

A.D. 1132. This year came King Henry to this land. Then came

Abbot Henry, and betrayed the monks of Peterborough to the king,

because he would subject that minster to Clugny; so that the king

was well nigh entrapped, and sent after the monks. But through

the grace of God, and through the Bishop of Salisbury, and the

Bishop of Lincoln, and the other rich men that were there, the

king knew that he proceeded with treachery. When he no more

could do, then would he that his nephew should be Abbot of

Peterborough. But Christ forbade. Not very long after this was

it that the king sent after him, and made him give up the Abbey

of Peterborough, and go out of the land. And the king gave the

abbacy to a prior of St. Neot's, called Martin, who came on St.

Peter's mass-day with great pomp into the minster.

A.D. 1135. In this year went the King Henry over sea at the

Lammas; and the next day, as he lay asleep on ship, the day

darkened over all lands, and the sun was all as it were a three

night old moon, and the stars about him at midday. Men were very

much astonished and terrified, and said that a great event should

come hereafter. So it did; for that same year was the king dead,

the next day after St. Andrew's mass-day, in Normandy. Then was

there soon tribulation in the land; for every man that might,

soon robbed another. Then his sons and his friends took his

body, and brought it to England, and buried it at Reading. A

good man he was; and there was great dread of him. No man durst

do wrong with another in his time. Peace he made for man and

beast. Whoso bare his burthen of gold and silver, durst no man

say ought to him but good. Meanwhile was his nephew come to

England, Stephen de Blois. He came to London, and the people of

London received him, and sent after the Archbishop William

Curboil, and hallowed him to king on midwinter day. In this

king's time was all dissention, and evil, and rapine; for against

him rose soon the rich men who were traitors; and first of all

Baldwin de Redvers, who held Exeter against him. But the king

beset it; and afterwards Baldwin accorded. Then took the others,

and held their castles against him; and David, King of Scotland,

took to Wessington against him. Nevertheless their messengers

passed between them; and they came together, and were settled,

but it availed little.

A.D. 1137. This year went the King Stephen over sea to Normandy,

and there was received; for that they concluded that he should be

all such as the uncle was; and because he had got his treasure:

but he dealed it out, and scattered it foolishly. Much had King

Henry gathered, gold and silver, but no good did men for his soul

thereof. When the King Stephen came to England, he held his

council at Oxford; where he seized the Bishop Roger of Sarum, and

Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, and the chancellor Roger, his

nephew; and threw all into prison till they gave up their

castles. When the traitors understood that he was a mild man,

and soft, and good, and no justice executed, then did they all

wonder. They had done him homage, and sworn oaths, but they no

truth maintained. They were all forsworn, and forgetful of their

troth; for every rich man built his castles, which they held

against him: and they filled the land full of castles. They

cruelly oppressed the wretched men of the land with castle-works;

and when the castles were made, they filled them with devils and

evil men. Then took they those whom they supposed to have any

goods, both by night and by day, labouring men and women, and

threw them into prison for their gold and silver, and inflicted

on them unutterable tortures; for never were any martyrs so

tortured as they were. Some they hanged up by the feet, and

smoked them with foul smoke; and some by the thumbs, or by the

head, and hung coats of mail on their feet. They tied knotted

strings about their heads, and twisted them till the pain went to

the brains. They put them into dungeons, wherein were adders,

and snakes, and toads; and so destroyed them. Some they placed

in a crucet-house; that is, in a chest that was short and narrow,

and not deep; wherein they put sharp stones, and so thrust the

man therein, that they broke all the limbs. In many of the

castles were things loathsome and grim, called "Sachenteges", of

which two or three men had enough to bear one. It was thus made:

that is, fastened to a beam; and they placed a sharp iron

[collar] about the man's throat and neck, so that he could in no

direction either sit, or lie, or sleep, but bear all that iron.

Many thousands they wore out with hunger. I neither can, nor may

I tell all the wounds and all the pains which they inflicted on

wretched men in this land. This lasted the nineteen winters

while Stephen was king; and it grew continually worse and worse.

They constantly laid guilds on the towns, and called it

"tenserie"; and when the wretched men had no more to give, then

they plundered and burned all the towns; that well thou mightest

go a whole day's journey and never shouldest thou find a man

sitting in a town, nor the land tilled. Then was corn dear, and

flesh, and cheese, and butter; for none was there in the land.

Wretched men starved of hunger. Some had recourse to alms, who

were for a while rich men, and some fled out of the land. Never

yet was there more wretchedness in the land; nor ever did heathen

men worse than they did: for, after a time, they spared neither

church nor churchyard, but took all the goods that were therein,

and then burned the church and all together. Neither did they

spare a bishop's land, or an abbot's, or a priest's, but

plundered both monks and clerks; and every man robbed another who

could. If two men, or three, came riding to a town, all the

township fled for them, concluding them to be robbers. The

bishops and learned men cursed them continually, but the effect

thereof was nothing to them; for they were all accursed, and

forsworn, and abandoned. To till the ground was to plough the

sea: the earth bare no corn, for the land was all laid waste by

such deeds; and they said openly, that Christ slept, and his

saints. Such things, and more than we can say, suffered we

nineteen winters for our sins. In all this evil time held Abbot

Martin his abbacy twenty years and a half, and eight days, with

much tribulation; and found the monks and the guests everything

that behoved them; and held much charity in the house; and,

notwithstanding all this, wrought on the church, and set thereto

lands and rents, and enriched it very much, and bestowed

vestments upon it. And he brought them into the new minster on

St. Peter's mass-day with much pomp; which was in the year, from

the incarnation of our Lord, 1140, and in the twenty-third from

the destruction of the place by fire. And he went to Rome, and

there was well received by the Pope Eugenius; from whom he

obtained their privileges:--one for all the lands of the abbey,

and another for the lands that adjoin to the churchyard; and, if

he might have lived longer, so he meant to do concerning the

treasury. And he got in the lands that rich men retained by main

strength. Of William Malduit, who held the castle of Rockingham,

he won Cotingham and Easton; and of Hugh de Walteville, he won

Hirtlingbury and Stanwick, and sixty shillings from Oldwinkle

each year. And he made many monks, and planted a vine-yard, and

constructed many works, and made the town better than it was

before. He was a good monk, and a good man; and for this reason

God and good men loved him. Now we will relate in part what

happened in King Stephen's time. In his reign the Jews of

Norwich bought a Christian child before Easter, and tortured him

after the same manner as our Lord was tortured; and on Long-Friday

(164) hanged him on a rood, in mockery of our Lord, and

afterwards buried him. They supposed that it would be concealed,

but our Lord showed that he was a holy martyr. And the monks

took him, and buried him with high honour in the minster. And

through our Lord he worketh wonderful and manifold miracles, and

is called St. William.

A.D. 1138. In this year came David, King of Scotland, with an

immense army to this land. He was ambitious to win this land;

but against him came William, Earl of Albemarle, to whom the king

had committed York, and other borderers, with few men, and fought

against them, and routed the king at the Standard, and slew very

many of his gang.

A.D. 1140. In this year wished the King Stephen to take Robert,

Earl of Gloucester, the son of King Henry; but he could not, for

he was aware of it. After this, in the Lent, the sun and the day

darkened about the noon-tide of the day, when men were eating;

and they lighted candles to eat by. That was the thirteenth day

before the kalends of April. Men were very much struck with

wonder. Thereafter died William, Archbishop of Canterbury; and

the king made Theobald archbishop, who was Abbot of Bec. After

this waxed a very great war betwixt the king and Randolph, Earl

of Chester; not because he did not give him all that he could ask

him, as he did to all others; but ever the more he gave them, the

worse they were to him. The Earl held Lincoln against the king,

and took away from him all that he ought to have. And the king

went thither, and beset him and his brother William de Romare in

the castle. And the earl stole out, and went after Robert, Earl

of Glocester, and brought him thither with a large army. And

they fought strenuously on Candlemas day against their lord, and

took him; for his men forsook him and fled. And they led him to

Bristol, and there put him into prison in close quarters. Then

was all England stirred more than ere was, and all evil was in

the land. Afterwards came the daughter of King Henry, who had

been Empress of Germany, and now was Countess of Anjou. She came

to London; but the people of London attempted to take her, and

she fled, losing many of her followers. After this the Bishop of

Winchester, Henry, the brother of King Stephen, spake with Earl

Robert, and with the empress, and swore them oaths, "that he

never more would hold with the king, his brother," and cursed all

the men that held with him, and told them, that he would give

them up Winchester; and he caused them to come thither. When

they were therein, then came the king's queen with all her

strength, and beset them, so that there was great hunger therein.

When they could no longer hold out, then stole they out, and

fled; but those without were aware, and followed them, and took

Robert, Earl of Glocester, and led him to Rochester, and put him

there into prison; but the empress fled into a monastery. Then

went the wise men between the king's friends and the earl's

friends; and settled so that they should let the king out of

prison for the earl, and the earl for the king; and so they did.

After this settled the king and Earl Randolph at Stamford, and

swore oaths, and plighted their troth, that neither should betray

the other. But it availed nothing. For the king afterwards took

him at Northampton, through wicked counsel, and put him into

prison; and soon after he let him out again, through worse

counsel, on the condition that he swore by the crucifix, and

found hostages, that he would give up all his castles. Some he

gave up, and some gave he not up; and did then worse than he

otherwise would. Then was England very much divided. Some held

with the king, and some with the empress; for when the king was

in prison, the earls and the rich men supposed that he never more

would come out: and they settled with the empress, and brought

her into Oxford, and gave her the borough. When the king was

out, he heard of this, and took his force, and beset her in the

tower. (165) And they let her down in the night from the tower

by ropes. And she stole out, and fled, and went on foot to

Wallingford. Afterwards she went over sea; and those of Normandy

turned all from the king to the Earl of Anjou; some willingly,

and some against their will; for he beset them till they gave up

their castles, and they had no help of the king. Then went

Eustace, the king's son, to France, and took to wife the sister

of the King of France. He thought to obtain Normandy thereby;

but he sped little, and by good right; for he was an evil man.

Wherever he was, he did more evil than good; he robbed the lands,

and levied heavy guilds upon them. He brought his wife to

England, and put her into the castle at... (166) Good woman she

was; but she had little bliss with him; and Christ would not that

he should long reign. He therefore soon died, and his mother

also. And the Earl of Anjou died; and his son Henry took to the

earldom. And the Queen of France parted from the king; and she

came to the young Earl Henry; and he took her to wife, and all

Poitou with her. Then went he with a large force into England,

and won some castles; and the king went against him with a much

larger force. Nevertheless, fought they not; but the archbishop

and the wise men went between them, and made this settlement:

That the king should be lord and king while he lived, and after

his day Henry should be king: that Henry should take him for a

father; and he him for a son: that peace and union should be

betwixt them, and in all England. This and the other provisions

that they made, swore the king and the earl to observe; and all

the bishops, and the earls, and the rich men. Then was the earl

received at Winchester, and at London, with great worship; and

all did him homage, and swore to keep the peace. And there was

soon so good a peace as never was there before. Then was the

king stronger than he ever was before. And the earl went over

sea; and all people loved him; for he did good justice, and made

peace.

A.D. 1154. In this year died the King Stephen; and he was buried

where his wife and his son were buried, at Faversham; which

monastery they founded. When the king died, then was the earl

beyond sea; but no man durst do other than good for the great

fear of him. When he came to England, then was he received with

great worship, and blessed to king in London on the Sunday before

midwinter day. And there held he a full court. The same day

that Martin, Abbot of Peterborough, should have gone thither,

then sickened he, and died on the fourth day before the nones of

January; and the monks, within the day, chose another of

themselves, whose name was William de Walteville, (167) a good

clerk, and good man, and well beloved of the king, and of all

good men. And all the monks buried the abbot with high honours.

And soon the newly chosen abbot, and the monks with him, went to

Oxford to the king. And the king gave him the abbacy; and he

proceeded soon afterwards to Peterborough; where he remained with

the abbot, ere he came home. And the king was received with

great worship at Peterborough, in full procession. And so he was

also at Ramsey, and at Thorney, and at.... and at Spalding, and

at....