Chapter XXV

THE NORMANS IN NORTHUMBERLAND:--State of the county of
Northumberland in 1068--The Conqueror marches northward--York is
taken--Robert Comine is deputed to extend the conquest as far as
Durham--Eghelwin, Bishop of Durham's advice to Comine--The
vengeance of the Northumbrians--The King of Denmark sends a
fleet to the assistance of the English--The Saxons and Danes
march upon York--The Normans are driven into the citadel--The
citadel is taken--William's wrath at the death of Comine and the
destruction of York--He bribes the Danes to depart--William
again marches upon York--York is once more taken by the
Normans--After ravaging Northumberland, the Normans reach
Durham--The bishop and clergy of Durham set out for Holy
Island--William enters Durham, and surprises the
Saxons--William's guides, marching to Hexham, lose the way, and
are separated from the rest of the army--The army is
regained--William halts at Hexham--The subjugated territory is
divided amongst William's nobles--The Normans erect castles for
the better governance of the Northumbrians