Chapter VI: Front Matter (6)

This year men said and reported as certain, that Cnut King of Denmark, the son of King Swægn was bent hitherward, and that he designed to conquer this land, with the assistance of Robert Earl of Flanders, whose daughter he had married. When King William, who was then in Normandy, heard this, for England and Normandy were both his, he hastened hither with a larger army of horse and foot, from France and Britanny, than had ever arrived in this land, so that men wondered how the country might feed them all. But the King billetted the soldiers upon his subjects throughout the nation, and they provided for them, every man according to the land that he possessed. And the people suffered much distress this year: and the King caused the country near the sea to be laid waste, that if his enemies landed they might the less readily find any plunder. Afterwards when he had received certain information that they had been stopped, and that they would not be able to proceed in this enterprise, he let part of his forces return to their own homes, and he kept part in this land through the winter. At Christmas the King was at Gloucester with his Witan; and he held his court there five days; and afterwards the Archbishop and Clergy held a synod during three days; and Maurice was there chosen to the bishoprick of London, William to that of Norfolk, and Robert, to that of Cheshire; they were all chaplains of the King. After this the King had a great consultation, and spoke very deeply with his Witan concerning this land, how it was held and what were its tenantry. He then sent his men over all England, into every shire, and caused them to ascertain how many hundred hides of land it contained, and what lands the King possessed therein, what cattle there were in the several counties, and how much revenue he ought to receive yearly from each. He also caused them to write down how much land belonged to his Archbishops, to his Bishops, his Abbots, and his Earls, and, that I may be brief, what property every inhabitant of all England possessed in land or in cattle, and how much money this was worth. So very narrowly did he cause the survey to be made, that there was not a single hide nor a rood of land, nor--it is shameful to relate that which he thought no shame to do--was there an ox, or a cow, or a pig passed by, and that was not set down in the accounts, and then all these writings were brought to him.

1086.

This year the King wore his crown and held his court at Winchester at Easter, and he so journeyed forward that he was at Westminster during Pentecost, and there he dubbed his son Henry a knight. And afterwards he travelled about, so that he came to Salisbury at Lammas; and his Witan, and all the land-holders of substance in England, whose vassals soever they were, repaired to him there, and they all submitted to him, and became his men, and swore oaths of allegiance, that they would be faithful to him against all others. Thence he proceeded to Wight because he was to cross over to Normandy; and this he afterwards did, but first, according to his custom, he extorted immense sums from his subjects, upon every pretext he could find, whether just or otherwise. Then he went over to Normandy, and King Edward’s kinsman Edgar Ætheling left him, because he received no great honour from him: may Almighty God give him glory hereafter. And the Ætheling’s sister Cristina went into the monastery of Romsey, and took the holy veil. And the same was a very heavy year, and very disastrous and sorrowful; for there was a pestilence among the cattle, and the corn and fruits were checked; and the weather was worse than may easily be conceived: so violent was the thunder and lightning, that many persons were killed: and things ever went worse and worse with the people: may Almighty God mend them, when such is his will.

1087.

The year 1087 after the birth of Christ our Saviour, and the one and twentieth of King William’s reign, during which he governed and disposed of the realm of England even as God permitted him, was a very grievous time of scarcity in this land. There was also so much illness, that almost every other man was afflicted with the worst of evils, that is, a fever; and this so severe, that many died of it. And afterwards, from the badness of the weather which we have mentioned before, there was so great a famine throughout England, that many hundreds died of hunger. O how disastrous, how rueful were those times! when the wretched people were brought to the point of death by the fever, then the cruel famine came on and finished them.--Who would not deplore such times, or who is so hard hearted that he will not weep for so much misery? But such things are, on account of the sins of the people, and because they will not love God and righteousness. Even so was it in those days; there was little righteousness in this land amongst any, excepting the monks alone who lived piously. The King and the chief men loved much, and over much, to amass gold and silver, and cared not how sinfully it was gotten, so that it came into their hands. The King sold out his lands as dear as dearest he might, and then some other man came and bid more than the first had given, and the King granted them to him who offered the larger sum; then came a third and bid yet more, and the King made over the lands to him who offered most of all; and he cared not how iniquitously his Sheriffs extorted money from the miserable people, nor how many unlawful things they did. And the more men spake of rightful laws, the more lawlessly did they act. They raised oppressive taxes, and so many were their unjust deeds, it were hard to number them. And the same year, before harvest, St. Paul’s holy minster, the residence of the Bishops of London, was burnt, together with many other monasteries, and the greater and handsomer part of the whole city. At the same time likewise almost all the principal towns of England were burnt down. O how sad and deplorable was this year, which brought forth so many calamities.

The same year also, before the Assumption of St. Mary, King William marched with an army out of Normandy into France, and made war upon his own Lord King Philip, and slew a great number of his people, and burned the town of Mante, and all the holy monasteries in it, and two holy men who served God as anchorites were burned there. This done King William returned into Normandy. Rueful deeds he did, and ruefully he suffered. Wherefore ruefully? He fell sick and became grievously ill. What can I say? The sharpness of death, that spareth neither rich nor poor, seized upon him. He died in Normandy the day after the Nativity of St. Mary, and he was buried in Caen, at St. Stephen’s monastery, which he had built and had richly endowed. O how false, how unstable is the good of this world, He, who had been a powerful King and Lord of many territories, He, then, of all his lands, possessed not more than seven feet of ground; and He, who was erewhile adorned with gold and with gems, lay then covered with mould. He left three sons: Robert the eldest was Earl of Normandy after him; the second, named William wore the crown of England after his father’s death; and his third son was Henry, to whom he bequeathed immense treasures.

If any would know what manner of man King William was, the glory that he obtained, and of how many lands he was Lord; then will we describe him as we have known him, we, who have looked upon him, and who once lived in his court. This King William, of whom we are speaking, was a very wise and a great man, and more honoured and more powerful than any of his predecessors. He was mild to those good men who loved God, but severe beyond measure towards those who withstood his will. He founded a noble monastery on the spot where God permitted him to conquer England, and he established monks in it, and he made it very rich. In his days the great monastery at Canterbury was built, and many others also throughout England; moreover this land was filled with monks who lived after the rule of St. Benedict; and such was the state of religion in his days that all that would, might observe that which was prescribed by their respective orders. King William was also held in much reverence; he wore his crown three times every year when he was in England: at Easter he wore it at Winchester, at Pentecost at Westminster, and at Christmas at Gloucester. And at these times, all the men of England were with him, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and Earls, Thanes, and Knights. So also, was he a very stern and a wrathful man, so that none durst do any thing against his will, and he kept in prison those Earls who acted against his pleasure. He removed Bishops from their sees, and Abbots from their offices, and he imprisoned Thanes, and at length he spared not his own brother Odo. This Odo was a very powerful Bishop in Normandy, his see was that of Baieux, and he was foremost to serve the King. He had an Earldom in England, and when William was in Normandy he was the first man in this country, and him did he cast into prison. Amongst other things the good order that William established is not to be forgotten; it was such that any man, who was himself aught, might travel over the kingdom with a bosom-full of gold unmolested; and no man durst kill another, however great the injury he might have received from him. He reigned over England, and being sharp-sighted to his own interest, he surveyed the kingdom so thoroughly that there was not a single hide of land throughout the whole, of which he knew not the possession, and how much it was worth, and this he afterwards entered in his register. The land of the Britons (Wales) was under his sway, and he built castles therein; moreover he had full dominion over the Isle of Mann (Anglesey): Scotland also was subject to him from his great strength; the land of Normandy was his by inheritance, and he possessed the Earldom of Maine; and had he lived two years longer he would have subdued Ireland by his prowess, and that without a battle. Truly there was much trouble in these times, and very great distress; he caused castles to be built, and oppressed the poor. The King was also of great sternness, and he took from his subjects many marks of gold, and many hundred pounds of silver, and this, either with or without right, and with little need. He was given to avarice and greedily loved gain. He made large forests for the deer, and enacted laws therewith, so that whoever killed a hart or a hind should be blinded. As he forbade killing the deer, so also the boars; and he loved the tall stags as if he were their father. He also appointed concerning the hares, that they should go free. The rich complained and the poor murmured, but he was so sturdy that he recked nought of them; they must will all that the King willed, if they would live; or would keep their lands; or would hold their possessions; or would be maintained in their rights. Alas! that any man should so exalt himself, and carry himself in his pride over all! May Almighty God shew mercy to his soul, and grant him the forgiveness of his sins! We have written concerning him these things, both good and bad, that virtuous men might follow after the good, and wholly avoid the evil, and might go in the way that leadeth to the kingdom of heaven.

We may write of many events which happened during this year. In Denmark, the Danes who were formerly accounted the most loyal of people, turned to the greatest possible perfidy and treachery, for they chose King Cnut, and submitted to him, and swore oaths of allegiance and afterwards they shamefully murdered him in a church.[BI] It also came to pass in Spain, that the heathen men went forth, and made war upon the Christians, and brought great part of the country into subjection to themselves. But the Christian King, whose name was Anphos (Alfonso), sent to all countries and begged assistance. And allies flocked to him from every Christian land, and they went forth, and slew or drove away all the heathens, and they won their land again by the help of God. The same year also many great men died in this land: Stigand Bishop of Chichester, and the Abbot of Saint Augustine’s, and the Abbots of Bath and of Pershore, and the Lord of them all William King of England, concerning whom we have spoken above.

After his death, his son William, of the same name with his father, took to himself the government, and was consecrated as King in Westminster by Archbishop Lanfranc three days before Michaelmas: and all the men of England acknowledged him, and swore oaths of allegiance to him. This done, the King went to Winchester and examined the treasury, and the hoards which his father had amassed; gold and silver, vessels of plate, palls, gems, and many other valuables that are hard to be numbered:--The King did as his father before he died commanded him; he distributed treasures amongst all the monasteries of England, for the sake of his father’s soul: to some he gave ten marks of gold, and to others six, and sixty pennies to every country church, and a hundred pounds of money was sent into every county to be divided among the poor for his soul’s sake. And before he died he had also desired that all who had been imprisoned during his reign should be released. And the King was at London during Christmas.

1088.

This year the land was much disturbed, and filled with treason, for the principal Frenchmen here would have betrayed their Lord the King, and have had his brother Robert instead, who was Earl of Normandy. Bishop Odo was the chief man in the conspiracy, together with Bishop Gosfrith, and William Bishop of Durham.--The King esteemed the Bishop so highly, that the affairs of all England were directed after his counsel, and according to his pleasure, but the Bishop purposed to do by him as Judas Iscariot did by our Lord. And Earl Roger was concerned in this conspiracy, and many others with him, all Frenchmen. This plot was concerted during Lent; and as soon as Easter came, they marched forth, and plundered, and burned, and laid waste the lands of the crown; and they ruined the estates of those who remained firm in their allegiance. And each of the head conspirators went to his own castle, and manned and victualled it, as best he might. Bishop Gosfrith and Robert the Peace-breaker went to Bristol, and having plundered the town, they brought the spoils into the castle; and afterwards they sallied forth and plundered Bath, and all the surrounding country, and they laid waste all the lordship of Berkeley. And the chief men of Hereford and all that county, and the men of Shropshire, with many from Wales, entered Worcestershire, and went on plundering and burning, till they approached the county town, and they were resolved to burn this also, and to plunder the cathedral, and to seize the King’s castle for themselves. The worthy Bishop Wulfstan seeing this, was much distressed in mind, because the castle was committed to his keeping. Nevertheless his retainers, few as they were, marched out, and through the mercy of God, and the good desert of the Bishop, they slew or took captive 500 men, and put all the rest to flight.--The Bishop of Durham did as much harm as he could in all the northern parts: one of the conspirators named Roger, threw himself into Norwich castle, and spread devastation throughout that country: Hugo also was in no respect less formidable to Leicestershire and Northampton. Bishop Odo, with whom these commotions originated, departed to his Earldom of Kent, which he ravaged, and he wholly laid waste the lands of the King and the Archbishop, and brought all the plunder into his castle at Rochester. When the King had heard all this, and with what treason they were acting towards him, he was greatly disturbed in mind; and he sent for the English, and laid his necessities before them, and entreated their assistance. He promised them better laws than had ever been in this land, and forbade all unjust taxes, and guaranteed to his subjects their woods and hunting. But these concessions were soon done away. Howbeit the English came to the aid of their Lord the King, and they then marched towards Rochester desiring to seize Bishop Odo, for they thought that if they had him who was the head of the conspiracy in their power, they might with greater ease subdue the others.--Then they came to Tunbridge castle, in which were the Knights of Bishop Odo and many others, resolved to hold out against William. But the English came on, and stormed the castle, and the garrison capitulated. They then proceeded towards Rochester believing that the Bishop was there; but the King was told that he was departed to his castle at Pevensey, and the King and his troops went after him, and he besieged that castle full six weeks with a very large army. In the mean time Robert Earl of Normandy, the King’s brother, gathered together a great multitude, and thought that he should win England with the aid of the disaffected of this country. And he sent some of his troops to this land, intending to follow them himself. But the English who guarded the sea attacked these men, and slew and drowned more than any one can number. At length provisions became scarce in the castle, on which the insurgents prayed for a truce and surrendered the place to the King, and the Bishop took an oath that he would depart from England, and never return unless the King sent for him, and that he would also give up Rochester castle. After this the Bishop proceeded thither that he might deliver up that fortress, and the King sent his men with him, but then the soldiers who were in the castle arose, and seized the Bishop, and the King’s men, whom they put into confinement. There were very good knights in this castle: Eustace the younger, the three sons of Earl Roger, and all the best born of this land, and of Normandy. When the King knew this, he set forth with all the troops then with him, and he sent over all England and commanded that every man of mark, French or English, from town and from country, should come and join him. Many were those who flocked to him and he marched to Rochester and besieged the castle till the garrison capitulated. Bishop Odo and those who were with him departed over sea, and thus the Bishop lost the station he held in this land. The King afterwards sent an army to Durham, and besieged the castle, and the Bishop capitulated, and surrendered it, and he gave up his Bishoprick and went to Normandy. Many Frenchmen also left their lands, and went over sea, and the King gave their estates to those who had held fast to him.

1089.

This year the venerable father and patron of monks Archbishop Lanfranc departed this life, but we trust that he hath entered into the kingdom of heaven. There was also a great earthquake throughout England on the 3d of the ides of August. And it was a very late year both as to the corn, and fruits of all kind, so that many men reaped their corn about Martinmas, and even later.

1090.

Things being in the state we have described, as regarding the King, his brother, and his people, William considered how he might take the surest vengeance on his wretched brother Robert, and win Normandy from him. To this end, he gained the castle and port of St. Valeri by stratagem or bribery, and also Albemarle Castle, and he placed his knights in them, and they did much harm, ravaging and burning the country. After this he got possession of more castles in that land, and in these also he stationed his knights. When Robert Earl of Normandy found that his sworn liege-men revolted and gave up their castles to his great injury, he sent to his Lord Philip King of France, who came into Normandy with a large army; and the King and the Earl with an innumerable force besieged a castle defended by the King of England’s soldiers: but King William of England sent to Philip King of France, and he, for love of William or for his great bribes, deserted his vassal Earl Robert and his land, and returned to France, leaving things as they were. During all these transactions, England was greatly oppressed by unlawful taxes, and many other grievances.

1091.

This year King William held his court at Westminster at Christmas, and the following Candlemas he departed from England to Normandy, bent on his brother’s ruin: but whilst he was in that country, peace was made between them, on condition that the Earl should give up Fescamp, the Earldom of Eu, and Cherbourg, to William, and withal that the King’s men should be unmolested in those castles of which they had possessed themselves in the Earl’s despite. And the King, on his side, promised to reduce to their obedience the many castles conquered by their father, which had since revolted from the Earl, and also to establish him in the possession of all their father’s territories abroad, excepting those places which the Earl had then given up to the King. Moreover all who had lost their lands in England on account of the Earl were to regain them by this treaty, and the Earl also was to receive certain estates in England then specified. It was also agreed that if the Earl died leaving no legitimate son, the King should be heir of all Normandy, and in like manner if the King died, that the Earl should be heir of all England. Twelve of the chief men on the part of the King and twelve on that of the Earl guaranteed this treaty by oath; yet it was observed but a short time. During this peace Edgar Ætheling was dispossessed of those lands which the Earl had granted him, and he departed and went from Normandy into Scotland, to the King his brother in law, and his sister. Whilst King William was out of England, Malcolm King of Scotland invaded this country, and ravaged great part of it, till the good men to whom the keeping of the land was entrusted, sent their troops against him and drove him back.--When King William heard this in Normandy, he hastened to return, and he came to England and his brother Earl Robert with him. And they called out a fleet and army, but almost all the ships were lost, a few days before Michaelmas, ere they reached Scotland. And the King and his brother proceeded with the army: and when King Malcolm heard that they sought to attack him he marched with his array out of Scotland into Lothian in England, and remained there. And when King William approached, Earl Robert and Edgar Ætheling mediated a peace between the Kings, on condition that King Malcolm should repair to our King, and become his vassal, in all the like subjection as to his father before him; and this he confirmed by oath. And King William promised him all the lands and possessions that he held under his father. By this peace Edgar Ætheling was reconciled to the King. And the Kings separated in great friendship, but this lasted during a short time only.--Earl Robert abode here with the King till Christmas drew near, and in this time he found little good faith as to the fulfilment of the treaty, and two days before the feast he took ship from Wight and sailed to Normandy, and Edgar Ætheling with him.

1092.

This year King William went northward to Carlisle with a large army, and he repaired the city, and built the castle. And he drove out Dolfin who had before governed that country, and having placed a garrison in the castle, he returned into the south, and sent a great number of Englishmen thither with their wives and cattle, that they might settle there and cultivate the land.

1093.

This year, in Lent, King William was very sick at Gloucester, insomuch that he was universally reported to be dead: and he made many good promises in his illness; that his future life he would lead in righteousness--that the churches of God he would guard and free--and never more sell them for money--and that he would have all just laws in his kingdom. And he gave the Archbishoprick of Canterbury, which he had hitherto kept in his own hands, to Anselm who was before this Abbot of Bec, and the Bishoprick of Lincoln to his Chancellor Robert; and he granted lands to many, monasteries, but afterwards, when recovered, he took them back, and he neglected all the good laws that he had promised us. After this the King of Scotland sent desiring that the stipulated conditions might be performed; and King William summoned him to Gloucester, and sent hostages to him in Scotland, and afterwards Edgar Ætheling and others met him and brought him with much honour to the Court. But when he came there he could neither obtain a conference with our King, nor the performance of the conditions formerly promised him, and therefore they departed in great enmity: and King Malcolm returned home to Scotland, and as soon as he came thither, he assembled his troops and invaded England, ravaging the country with more fury than behoved him: and Robert Earl of Northumberland with his men lay in wait for him, and slew him unawares. He was killed by Moræl of Bamborough, the Earl’s steward, and King Malcolm’s own Godfather: his son Edward, who had he lived would have been King after his father, was killed with him. When the good Queen Margaret heard that her most beloved Lord, and her son were thus cut off, she was grieved in spirit unto death, and she went with her priest into the church, and having gone through all befitting rites, she prayed of God that she might give up the ghost. And then, the Scots chose Dufenal the brother of Malcolm for their King, and drove out all the English who had been with King Malcolm. When Duncan the son of King Malcolm heard all this, for he was in King William’s Court, and had remained here from the time that his father gave him as an hostage to our King’s father, he came to the King, and did such homage as the King required; and thus with his consent he departed for Scotland, with the aid that he could muster, both English and French, and he deprived his kinsman Dufenal of the throne, and was received as King. But then some of the Scotch again gathered themselves together, and slew nearly all his men, and he himself escaped with few others. They were afterwards reconciled on this condition, that Duncan should never more bring English or Frenchmen into that country.

1094.

This year, at Christmas, King William held his Court at Gloucester: and there came messengers to him out of Normandy from his brother Robert, and they said that his brother renounced all peace and compact if the King would not perform all that they had stipulated in the treaty; moreover they called him perjured and faithless unless he would perform the conditions, or would go to the place where the treaty had been concluded and sworn to, and there clear himself. Then at Candlemas the King went to Hastings, and whilst he waited there for a fair wind, he caused the monastery on the field of battle to be consecrated; and he took the staff from Herbert Losange, Bishop of Thetford.--After this, in the middle of Lent, he went over sea to Normandy. When he came thither he and his brother Earl Robert agreed that they would meet in peace, and they did so, to the end that they might be reconciled. But afterwards, when they met attended by the same men who had brought about the treaty, and had sworn to see it executed, these charged all the breach of faith upon the King; he would not allow this, neither would he observe the treaty, on which they separated in great enmity. And the King then seized the castle of Bures and took the Earl’s men who were in it, and he sent some of them over to this country. And on the other hand the Earl with the assistance of the King of France, took the castle of Argentses (Argentan) in which he seized Roger the Poitevin and 700 of the King’s soldiers; and he afterwards took the castle of Hulme; and frequently did each burn the towns and take captive the people of his rival. Then the King sent hither and ordered out 20,000 Englishmen to aid him in Normandy, but when they reached the sea, they were desired to return, and to give to the King’s Treasury the money that they had received; this was half a pound for each man, and they did so. And in Normandy, after this, the Earl with the King of France and all the troops that they could collect, marched towards Eu, where King William then was, purposing to besiege him therein, and thus they proceeded until they came to Longueville, and there the King of France turned off through treachery, and on this the whole army dispersed. In the mean time King William sent for his brother Henry who was in the castle of Domfront, and because he could not pass through Normandy in security, he sent ships for him, with Hugo Earl of Chester. And when they should have made for Eu, where the king was, they directed their course instead to England, and landed at Southampton on the eve of All Saints’ day; and they then remained in this country, and were in London at Christmas. The same year also the Welsh gathered themselves together, and made war upon the French in Wales, or in the neighbouring parts, where they had been before deprived of their lands, and they stormed many fortresses and castles, and slew the men, and afterwards their numbers increased so much, that they divided themselves into many bodies; Hugo, Earl of Shropshire fought with one division, and put it to flight, but nevertheless the others abstained not, during the whole year, from committing every outrage in their power. This year also the Scots conspired against their King Duncan and slew him, and they afterwards took his uncle Dufenal a second time for their king; through whose instructions and instigation Duncan had been betrayed to his death.

1095.

This year King William was at Hwitsand during the first four days of Christmas, and after the fourth day he set sail and landed at Dover. And the King’s brother Henry remained in this country till Lent, and then he went over sea to Normandy, with much treasure to be employed in the King’s service against their brother Earl Robert: and he gained ground upon the Earl continually, and did much damage to his lands and subjects. Then at Easter the King held his Court at Winchester, and Robert Earl of Northumberland would not repair thither; therefore the King’s anger was greatly stirred up against him, and he sent to him, and sternly commanded that if he would remain in peace he should come to his Court at Pentecost. This year Easter fell on the 8th of the calends of April, and after Easter, on the night of the feast of St. Ambrose the 2d of the nones of April, there was seen all over the country a great multitude of stars falling from heaven during nearly the whole of the night, not one or two at a time, but so thickly that no man might number them. After this at Pentecost the King was at Windsor, and all his Witan with him, excepting the Earl of Northumberland, for the King would neither give hostages nor pledge his troth that he should come and go in security. On this the King called out an army, and marched against the Earl into Northumberland, and as soon as he came thither he seized almost all the chief men of the Earl’s court in a certain fortress, and he put them in confinement. And he besieged Tinmouth castle until he took it, and there he seized the Earl’s brother, and all who were with him: thence he proceeded to Bamborough, and there he besieged the Earl; and when the King found that he could not reduce him, he caused a castle to be built over against Bamborough, and called it in his speech Malveisin, which is in English “the evil neighbour,” and he garrisoned it strongly, and afterwards he departed southward. Then one night soon after the King’s return into the south, the Earl went out of Bamborough towards Tinmouth, but those in the new castle being aware of his design, pursued and attacked him, and they wounded him, and afterwards took him prisoner, and some of his followers were slain, and some taken alive. In the mean time the King was told, that the Welch had stormed a certain castle in Wales, called Montgomery, and had slain Earl Hugo’s men who defended it; on this he commanded another army to be called out in haste, and after Michaelmas he proceeded into Wales. He divided his forces, and his troops made their way through all parts of the country, and met at Snowdon, on All Saints’ day. But the Welch ever fled before him to the mountains and moors, so that no man could get near them, and the King at length returned homewards, because he found that he could do no more there that winter. When the King came back, he commanded his people to take Robert. Earl of Northumberland and lead him to Bamborough, and to put out both his eyes, unless the besieged would surrender the castle, which was defended by his wife, and his steward Moreal, who was also his kinsman. On this, the castle was given up, and Moreal was received at William’s Court; and through him many were discovered, both clergy and laity, who had aided this rebellion with their counsel. Then the King ordered some of them to be imprisoned before Christmas, and he straightly commanded throughout the kingdom, that all who held lands of him should be at his Court on that festival, as they would retain his protection. And the King had Earl Robert brought to Windsor, and confined there in the castle. This year also, a little before Easter, the Pope’s Legate came to England; this was Walter Bishop of Alba, a man of a very virtuous life, and at Pentecost he presented Archbishop Anselm with his pall from Pope Urban, and he received it at his metropolitan city of Canterbury. And Bishop Walter remained here great part of this year, and on his return the Romescot, which had not been paid for many years before, was sent with him. This year also the weather was very unseasonable, so that the fruits of the earth were much injured over all the country.

1096.

This year King William held his Christmas Court at Windsor; and William Bishop of Durham died there on New Year’s day. And the King and all his Witan were at Salisbury on the octaves of Epiphany. There Geoffrey Bainard accused William of Eu the King’s relation, saying that he had been concerned in the conspiracy against the King, and for this cause he fought with him and overcame him in single combat, and after he was vanquished the king commanded that his eyes should be put out; and the king also caused his steward named William, who was his aunt’s son, to be hanged on the gallows.--Then also Eoda Earl of Champaigne the King’s uncle, and many others, were deprived of their lands, and some were brought to London, and there executed. At Easter, this year, there was a very great stir in this country and in many others also, through Urban, who was called Pope, though he was not in possession of the See of Rome: and an innumerable multitude of men, with their wives and children, departed to go and conquer the heathen nations. The King and his brother Earl Robert were reconciled in consequence of this expedition, so that the King went over sea, and received from the Earl all Normandy for a sum of money, according to contract. And thereupon the Earl departed, and with him went the Earls of Flanders and of Boulogne, and many other chieftains. And Earl Robert and those who accompanied him abode in Apulia that winter. But of those who went by Hungary, many thousands perished miserably there, or on the road, and many, rueful and hunger-bitten, toiled homewards against winter. These were very hard times to all the English, as well because of the manifold taxes, as of the very grievous famine which sorely afflicted the land. This year also the nobles who had charge of this country frequently sent forth armies into Wales, and thus they greatly oppressed many and for no purpose, but with much loss of men and of money.

1097.

This year King William was in Normandy at Christmas, and before Easter he sailed for this land, intending to hold his Court at Winchester, but he was kept at sea by bad weather till Easter eve; and Arundel was the first place to which he came, therefore he held his Court at Windsor. After this, he marched into Wales with a large army, and his troops penetrated far into the country by means of some Welchmen who had come over to him, and were his guides. And William remained there from Midsummer till near August, to his great loss of men and horses and many other things.

When the Welch had revolted from the King they chose several leaders from among themselves, one of these was named Cadugan, he was the more powerful of them all, and was the son of King Griffin’s brother. The King seeing that he could not effect his purpose returned into England, and he forthwith caused castles to be built on the marches. Then at Michaelmas, on the 4th of the nones of October, an uncommon star appeared shining in the evening, and soon going down: it was seen in the south-west, and the light which streamed from it seemed very long, shining towards the south-east; and it appeared after this manner nearly all the week.--Many allowed that it was a comet. Soon after this, Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury obtained permission from the King, though against his inclination, to leave this country and go over sea, because it seemed to him that in this nation little was done according to right, or after his desires. And at Martinmas the King went over sea to Normandy; but whilst he waited for a fair wind, his train did as much injury in the county in which they were detained, as any Prince’s retinue, or even an army could have committed in a peaceable land.

This year was in all respects a very heavy time, and the weather was singularly bad at the seasons when men should till their lands and gather in the harvest; and the people had nevertheless no respite from unjust taxes. Many shires, moreover, which are bound to duty in works at London, were greatly oppressed in making the wall around the tower, in repairing the bridge which had been almost washed away, and in building the King’s hall at Westminster; these hardships fell upon many. This year also, at Michaelmas, Edgar Ætheling, with the King’s aid, led an army into Scotland, and won that country by hard fighting, and drove out the King Dufenal, and established his kinsman Edgar the son of King Malcolm and Queen Margaret, as King holding of William, and then he returned into England.

1098.

This year King William was in Normandy at Christmas; and Walcelin Bishop of Winchester, and Baldwin Abbot of St. Edmund’s, both died during this festival. This year also died Turold Abbot of Peterborough. Moreover in the summer Of this year a spring of blood burst out at Finchamsted, in Berkshire, according to the declaration of many men of credit, who said that they had seen it. And Earl Hugo was slain in Anglesey by foreign pirates; his brother Robert succeeded him, having obtained this of the King. Before Michaelmas-day the heaven appeared as it were on fire, almost all the night.--This was a year of much distress, caused by the manifold oppressive taxes; nearly all the crops in the marsh lands failed also from the great rains, which ceased not the whole year.

1099.

This year King William was in Normandy at Christmas; and at Easter he came hither; and at Pentecost he held his Court for the first time in the new building at Westminster, and there he gave the Bishoprick of Durham to his chaplain Rannulf, who had long been the chief manager and director in all the king’s councils held in England. And soon afterwards William went over sea, and drove Earl Elias from Maine, and brought that province into subjection; and at Michaelmas he returned to this land. This year also, on St. Martin’s day, there was so very high a tide, and the damage was so great in consequence, that men remembered not the like to have ever happened before, and the same day was the first of the new moon. And Osmond Bishop of Salisbury died during Advent.

1100.

This year, at Christmas, King William held his Court in Gloucester; and at Easter in Winchester; and at Pentecost in Westminster. And at Pentecost blood was observed gushing from the earth, at a certain town of Berkshire, even as many asserted who declared that they had seen it. And after this, on the morning after Lammas day, King William was shot with an arrow by his own men, as he was hunting, and he was carried to Winchester and buried there. This was in the thirteenth year from his accession. He was very powerful, and stern over his lands and subjects, and towards all his neighbours, and much to be dreaded, and through the counsels of evil men which were always pleasing to him, and through his own avarice, he was ever vexing the people with armies and with cruel taxes; for in his days all justice sank, and all unrighteousness arose, in the sight of God and the world. He trampled on the Church of God, and as to the Bishopricks and Abbacies, the incumbents of which died in his reign, he either sold them outright, or kept them in his own hands and set them out to renters; for he desired to be the heir of every one, churchman or layman, so that the day on which he was killed he had in his own hands the Archbishoprick of Canterbury, the Bishopricks of Winchester and Salisbury, and eleven Abbacies, all let out to farm, and in fine, however long I may delay mention of it, all that was abominable to God and oppressive to men was common in this island in William’s time: and therefore he was hated by almost all his people, and abhorred by God as his end sheweth, in that he died in the midst of his unrighteousness, without repentance or any reparation made for his evil deeds. He was slain on a Thursday, and buried the next morning; and after he was buried, the Witan who were then near at hand, chose his brother Henry as King, and he forthwith gave the Bishoprick of Winchester to William Giffard, and then went to London; and on the Sunday following he made a promise to God and all the people, before the altar at Westminster, that he would abolish the injustice which prevailed in his brother’s time, and that he would observe the most equitable of the laws established in the days of any of the Kings before him: and after this Maurice Bishop of London consecrated him as King, and all the men of this land submitted to him, and swore oaths and became his liege-men. And soon afterwards, the King, by the advice of those about him, caused Rannulf Bishop of Durham to be taken and brought into the Tower of London, and confined there. Then before Michaelmas Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury came to this land; King Henry having sent for him by the advice of his Witan, because he had left the country on account of the injustice done him by King William. And soon afterwards the King took for his wife Mahald the daughter of Malcolm King of Scotland and of the good Queen Margaret King Edward’s kinswoman, of the true Royal line of England; and on Martinmas day she was given to him with great pomp at Westminster, and Archbishop Anselm wedded her to Henry, and afterwards consecrated her as Queen. And soon after this Thomas Archbishop of York died. This year also, in the autumn, Earl Robert came home into Normandy, and Robert Earl of Flanders and Eustace Earl of Boulogne also returned from Jerusalem, and on Earl Robert’s arrival in Normandy he was joyfully received by all the people, excepting those in the castles which were garrisoned with King Henry’s men, and these he made many efforts to win.

1101.

This year, at Christmas, King Henry held his Court at Westminster, and at Easter at Winchester. And soon afterwards the chief men of this land entered into a league against the king, both from their own great treachery, and through Robert Earl of Normandy who had hostile designs upon this land. And then the King sent out ships to annoy and hinder his brother, but some of them failed at time of need, and deserted from the King and submitted to Earl Robert.--At Midsummer the King posted himself with all his troops at Pevensey to oppose his brother, and he waited for him there. And in the meantime Earl Robert landed at Portsmouth twelve nights before Lammas, and the King marched against him with all his forces; but the chief men interfered and made peace between them, on condition that the King should give up all those places in Normandy which he then detained from his brother by force of arms; and that all who had lost their lands in England on the Earl’s account should have them again, and that Earl Eustace should also have his father’s estates in this country, and that Earl Robert should receive yearly 3000 marks of silver from England; and it was stipulated by this treaty that whichever of the brothers outlived the other, he should inherit all England together with Normandy, unless the deceased left legitimate issue. And twelve men of the highest rank on either side confirmed this treaty by oath: and the Earl afterwards remained here till after Michaelmas; and his men did much harm wherever they went, whilst the Earl staid in this land. This year also, at Candlemas, Bishop Rannulf escaped by night from the Tower of London, in which he was confined, and went to Normandy. It was at his incitement chiefly, that Earl Robert was spirited up to invade this land.

1102.

This year King Henry was at Westminster during the feast of the Nativity, and at Easter he was at Winchester. And soon afterwards a difference arose between the King and Robert of Belesme, who held the Earldom of Shrewsbury in this country, which his father Earl Roger had enjoyed before him, and who had other great possessions both here and abroad; and the King went and besieged Arundel castle, and when he found that he should not be able to take it speedily, he caused castles to be built before it, and garrisoned with his men; and then he led all his troops to Bridgenorth, and remained there till he had reduced the castle, and deprived Earl Robert of his lands, and he took from him all that he possessed in England, so the Earl departed over sea, and the King’s soldiers were disbanded and returned home. On the Michaelmas following the King was at Westminster, with all the head men of this land, both clergy and laity; and Archbishop Anselm held a synod, at which many decrees were made touching the Christian religion; and many Abbots, both French and English, lost their staffs and their abbacies, because they had obtained them unlawfully, or had lived unrighteously therein. And the same year, in Pentecost week, there came robbers, some from Auvergne, some from France, and some from Flanders, and they brake into the monastery of Peterborough, and carried off much treasure of gold and silver; crosses, chalices, and candlesticks.

1103.

This year King Henry was at Westminster at Christmas. And soon afterwards the Bishop William Giffard departed from this land, because he would not against right, receive consecration from Gerard Archbishop of York. And at Easter the King held his Court at Winchester; and afterwards, Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury journeyed to Rome, as he and the King had agreed. This year also Earl Robert of Normandy came to this land, to speak with the King, and before he departed hence he gave up the 3000 marks which King Henry should have paid him yearly according to the treaty. This year blood was seen gushing out of the earth at Hampstead, in Berkshire. This was a year of much distress from the manifold taxes, and also from a mortality among the cattle, and from the failure of the crops, both of the corn and all fruits of trees. In the morning also of St. Lawrence’s day, the wind did so much damage to all the fruit of this land, that no man remembered the like to have ever happened before. The same year died Mathias Abbot of Peterborough, who had not lived more than one year after he was made Abbot. After Michaelmas, on the 12th of the calends of November, he was received in procession as Abbot, and the same day the year following he died at Gloucester, and there he was buried.

1104.

This year, at Christmas, King Henry held his Court at Westminster, at Easter at Winchester, and at Pentecost again at Westminster. This year the first day of Pentecost was on the nones of June, and on the Tuesday after, at mid-day, there appeared four circles of a white colour round the sun, one under the other as if they had been painted. All who saw it wondered, because they never remembered such before.--An alliance was afterwards formed between Robert Earl of Normandy and Robert of Belesme, whom King Henry had deprived of his estates, and driven out of England, and from this, the King of England and the Earl of Normandy became at variance. And the King sent his people over sea into Normandy, and the head men of that country received them, and admitted them into their castles in treachery to their Lord the Earl, and they greatly annoyed the Earl by plundering and burning his territories. This year also, William Earl of Moreton (Mortaigne) departed to Normandy, and being there, he took arms against the King, on which the King confiscated all his possessions and estates in this country. It is not easy to describe the misery of this land, which it suffered at this time through the various and manifold oppressions and taxes that never ceased or slackened: moreover wherever the King went his train fell to plundering his wretched people, and withal there was much burning and manslaughter. By all this was the anger of God provoked, and this unhappy nation harrassed.

1105.