Part 14

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.