Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (2 of 6) - England (1 of 12) William the Conqueror
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Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (2 of 6) - England (1 of 12) William the Conqueror

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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (2 of 6): England (1 of 12), by Raphael Holinshed This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (2 of 6): England (1 of 12 William the Conqueror Author: Raphael Holinshed Release Date: September 24, 2005 [EBook #16738] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRONICLES OF ENGLAND *** Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Louise Pryor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net HOLINSHED'S CHRONICLES OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND. IN SIX VOLUMES. VOL. II. ENGLAND. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON; F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON; T. PAYNE; WILKIE AND ROBINSON; LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME; CADELL AND DAVIES; AND J. MAWMAN. 1807. AMS PRESS INC. NEW YORK 1965 AMS PRESS INC. NEW YORK, N.Y. 10003 1965 MANUFACTURED in the U.S.A. [Original Title.] THE THIRD VOLUME OF CHRONICLES, BEGINNING AT DUKE WILLIAM THE NORMAN, COMMONLIE CALLED THE CONQUEROR; AND DESCENDING BY DEGREES OF YEERES TO ALL THE KINGS AND QUEENES OF ENGLAND IN THEIR ORDERLIE SUCCESSIONS: FIRST COMPILED BY RAPHAELL HOLINSHED, AND BY HIM EXTENDED TO THE YEARE 1577.

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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland(2 of 6): England (1 of 12), by Raphael Holinshed This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and withalmost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away orre-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License includedwith this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.netTitle: Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (2 of 6): England (1 of 12       William the ConquerorAuthor: Raphael HolinshedRelease Date: September 24, 2005 [EBook #16738]Language: EnglishCharacter set encoding: ISO-8859-1*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRONICLES OF ENGLAND ***DPirsotdruicbeudt ebdy  PJroonoaftrheaand iInngg rTaema,m  Laotu ihstet pP:r/y/owrw wan.dp gtdhpe. nOentlineHOLINSHED'SCHRONICLESFOENGLAND, SCOTLAND,DNAIRELAND.IN SIX VOLUMES.VOL. II.ENGLAND.
LONDON:PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON; F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON;T. PAYNE; WILKIEAND ROBINSON; LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND;EMROCADELL AND DAVIES; AND J. MAWMAN..7081AMNS EPWR EYSOSR IKNC.9156NEAW MYSO PRRK,E NS.SY I. N1C0.0035691MANUFACTURED in the U.S.A.[Original Title.]EHTTHIRD VOLUMEFOCHRONICLES,BEGINNING ATDUKE WILLIAM THE NORMAN, COMMONLIECALLED THE CONQUEROR;DNADESCENDING BY DEGREES OF YEERESTO ALL THEKINGS AND QUEENES OF ENGLANDIN THEIRORDERLIE SUCCESSIONS:FIRST COMPILED BYRAPHAELL HOLINSHED,AND BY HIM EXTENDED TO THEYEARE 1577.
NOW NEWLIE RECOGNISED, AUGMENTED, ANDCONTINUED(WITH OCCURRENCES AND ACCIDENTS OF FRESH MEMORIE)TO THE YEARE 1586.WHEREIN ALSO ARE CONTEINED MANIEMATTERS OF SINGULAR DISCOURSEAND RARE OBSERUATION,FRUITFULL TOA SNUTICQHU IATSI EBSE, STUDIOUS INROTAKE PLEAANSCIUERNET I NH ITSHTEO RGIRESO.UNDS OFWith a thbirodth t aobf lnea (mpeecs ualinadrl ime asteterrusi nmg ethmiso rtahibrlde .volume)HISTORIÆ PLACEANT NOSTRATES AC PEREGRINÆTO THERIGHT HONORABLE AND HIS SINGULAR GOOD,DROLSIR WILLIAM CECILL,BARON OF BURGHLEYGH, KNIGHT OF THE MOSTNOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER, LORD HIGHTREASURER OF ENGLAND, MAISTER OF THECOURTS OF WARDS AND LIUERIES, AND ONE OFTHE QUEENES MAIESTIES PRIUIE COUNCELL.Considering with my selfe, right Honorable and mysingular good Lord, how redie (no doubt) manie will be toaccuse me of vaine presumption, for enterprising to dealein this so weightie a worke, and so far aboue my reach toaccomplish: I haue thought good to aduertise your Honour,by what occasion I was first induced to vndertake thesame, although the cause that moued me thereto hath (inpart) yer this beene signified vnto your good Lordship.Whereas therefore, that worthie Citizen Reginald Wolfelate Printer to the Queenes Maiestie, a man well knowneand beholden to your Honour, meant in his life time topublish an vniuersall Cosmographie of the whole world,
and therewith also certaine particular histories of eueryknowne nation, amongst other whom he purposed to vsefor performance of his intent in that behalfe, he procuredme to take in hand the collection of those histories, andhauing proceeded so far in the same, as little wanted tothe accomplishment of that long promised worke, itpleased God to call him to his mercie, after fiue andtwentie yeares trauell spent therein; so that by hisvntimelie deceasse, no hope remained to see thatperformed, which we had so long trauelled about.Neuerthelesse those whom he put in trust to dispose histhings after his departure hence, wishing to the benefit ofothers, that some fruit might follow of that whereabout hehad imployed so long time, willed me to continue mineindeuour for their furtherance in the same. Which althoughI was redie to doo, so far as mine abilitie would reach, andthe rather to answere that trust which the deceassedreposed in me, to see it brought to some perfection: yetwhen the volume grew so great as they that were todefraie the charges for the impression, were not willing togo through the whole, they resolued first to publish thehistories of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with theirdescriptions; which descriptions, bicause they were not insuch readinesse, as those of forren countries, they wereinforced to vse the helpe of other better able to doo it thanmy selfe.Moreouer, the Charts, wherein Maister Wolfe spent a greatpart of his time, were not found so complet as we wished:and againe, vnderstanding of the great charges andnotable enterprise of that worthie Gentleman maisterThomas Sackford, in procuring the Charts of the seuerallprouinces of this realme to be set foorth, we are in hopethat in time he will delineate this whole land so perfectlie,as shall be comparable or beyond anie delineationheretofore made of anie other region; and therefore leauethat to his well deserued praise. If any well willer willimitate him in so praiseworthie a worke for the two otherregions, we will be glad to further his endeuour with all thehelpes we may.The histories I haue gathered according to my skill, andconferred the greatest part with Maister Wolfe in his lifetime, to his liking, who procured me so manie helpes to thefurtherance thereof, that I was loth to omit anie thing thatmight increase the readers knowledge, which causeth thebooke to grow so great. But receiuing them by parts, andat seuerall times (as I might get them) it may be, thathauing had more regard to the matter than the aptpenning, I haue not so orderlie disposed them, asotherwise I ought; choosing rather to want order, than todefraud the reader of that which for his furthervnderstanding might seeme to satisfie his expectation.I therefore most humblie beseech your Honour to acceptthese Chronicles of England vnder your protection, andaccording to your wisedome and accustomed benignitie tobeare with my faults; the rather, bicause you were euer soespeciall good Lord to Maister Wolfe, to whom I was
singularlie beholden; and in whose name I humbliepresent this rude worke vnto you; beseeching God, that ashe hath made you an instrument to aduance his truth, so itmay please him to increase his good gifts in you, to hisglorie, the furtherance of the Queenes Maiesties seruice,and the comfort of all hir faithfull and louing subiects.Your Honours most humble to be commanded,Raphael HolinshedEHTPREFACE TO THE READER.It is dangerous (gentle reader) to range in so large a fieldas I haue here vndertaken, while so manie sundrie men indiuers things may be able to controll me, and manieexcellent wits of our countrie (as well or better occupied Ihope) are able herein to surpasse me; but seeing the bestable doo seeme to neglect it, let me (though least able)craue pardon to put them in mind not to forget their natiuecountries praise (which is their dutie) the incouragement oftheir woorthie countriemen, by elders aduancements; andthe daunting of the vicious, by foure penall examples, towhich end (as I take it) chronicles and histories oughtcheefelie to be written. My labour may shew minevttermost good will, of the more learned I require theirfurther enlargement, and of fault-finders dispensation tillthey be more fullie informed. It is too common that the leastable are readiest to find fault in matters of least weight,and therefore I esteeme the lesse of their carping, buthumblie beseech the skilfull to supplie my want, and tohaue care of their dutie; and either to amend that wherein Ihaue failed, or be content with this mine endeuour. For itmay please them to consider, that no one can be eie-witnesse to all that is written within our time; much lesse tothose things which happened in former times, andtherefore must be content with reports of others. Therein Ihaue beene so carefull, that I haue spared no paines orhelpe of freends to search out either written or printedancient authors, or to inquire of moderne eie-witnesses forthe true setting downe of that which I haue here deliuered:but I find such want in writers for the necessarieknowledge of things doone in times past, and lacke ofmeanes to obteine sufficient instructions by reporters ofthe time present; and herewith the worthie exploits of ourcountriemen so manie, that it greeueth me I could notleaue the same to posteritie (as I wished) to their welldeserued praise. But I haue here imparted what I couldlearne, and craue that it may be taken in good part. Myspeech is plaine, without any rhetoricall shew of
eloquence, hauing rather a regard to simple truth, than todecking words. I wish I had beene furnished with soperfect instructions, and so many good gifts, that I mighthaue pleased all kinds of men, but that same being so rarea thing in any one of the best, I beseech thee (gentlereader) not to looke for it in me the meanest.But now for thy further instruction, to vnderstand the courseof these my labours. First concerning the historie ofEngland, as I haue collected the same out of manie andsundrie authors, in whome what contrarietie, negligence,and rashnesse sometime is found in their reports; I leaueto the discretion of those that haue perused their works: formy part, I haue in things doubtfull rather chosen to shewthe diuersitie of their writings, than by ouer-ruling them,and vsing a peremptorie censure, to frame them to agreeto my liking: leauing it neuerthelesse to each mansiudgement, to controll them as he seeth cause. If some-where I shew my fansie what I thinke, and that the samedislike them; I craue pardon, speciallie if by probablereasons or plainer matter to be produced, they can shewmine errour; vpon knowledge whereof I shall be readie toreforme it accordinglie. Where I doo begin the historic fromthe first inhabitation of this Ile, I looke not to content echmans opinion concerning the originall of them that firstpeopled it, and no maruell: for in matters so vncerteine, if Icannot sufficientlie content my selfe (as in deed I cannot) Iknow not how I should satisfie others. That which seemethto me most likelie, I haue noted, beseeching the learned(as I trust they will) in such points of doubtfull antiquities tobeare with my skill: sith for ought I know, the matter is notyet decided among the learned, but still they are incontrouersie about it, and as yet Sub iudice lis est. Well,howsoeuer it came first to be inhabited, likelie it is, that atthe first the whole Ile was vnder one prince and gouernour,though afterwards (and long peraduenture before theRomans set any foot within it) the monarchie thereof wasbroken, euen when the multitude of the inhabitants grew tobe great, and ambition entred amongst them: which hathbrought so manie good policies and states to ruine anddecaie.The Romans hauing once got possession of the continentthat faceth this Ile, could not rest (as it appeareth) till theyhad brought the same also vnder their subiection: and thesooner doubtlesse, by reason of the factions amongst theprinces of the land, which the Romans (through theiraccustomed skill) could turne verie well to their mostaduantage. They possessed it almost fiue hundrethyeares, and longer might haue doone, if either theirinsufferable tyrannie had not taken awaie from them theloue of the people as well here as else-where; either thattheir ciuill discord about the chopping and changing oftheir emperours had not so weakened the forces of theirempire, that they were not able to defend the same againstthe irruption of barbarous nations. But as we mayconiecture by that which is found in histories, about thattime, in which the Romane empire began to decline, thisland stood in verie weake state: being spoiled of the most
part of all hir able men, which were led[1] awaie into forrenregions, to supplie the Romane armies; and likewise(perhaps) of all necessarie armour, weapon, and treasure:which being perceiued of the Saxons, after they werereceiued into the Ile, to aid the Britons against the Scotsand Picts then inuading the same, ministred to themoccasion to attempt the second conquest, which at lengththey brought to passe, to the ouerthrow not onelie of theBritish dominion, but also to the subuersion of theChristian religion here in this land: which chanced (àsappeareth by Gildas) for the wicked sins andvnthankefulnesse of the inhabitants towards God, thecheefe occasions and causes of the transmutations ofkingdoms, Nam propter peccata, regna transmatantur àgente in gentem.The Saxons obteining possession of the land, gouernedthe same, being diuided into sundrie kingdoms, andhauing once subdued the Britons, or at the least-wiseremooued them out of the most part of the Ile into odcorners and mountaines; fell at diuision amongthemselues, and oftentimes with warre pursued ech other,so as no perfect order of gouernement could be framed,nor the kings grow to any great puissance, either to moouewarres abroad, or sufficientlie to defend themseluesagainst forren forces at home: as manifestlie wasperceiued; when the Danes and other the Northeasternepeople, being then of great puissance by sea, beganmisserablie to afflict this land: at the first inuading as itwere but onelie the coasts and countries lieng neere to thesea, but afterwards with manie armies they entred into themidle parts of the land. And although the English people atlength came vnder one king, and by that meanes were thebetter able to resist the enimies; yet at length those Danessubdued the whole, and had possession thereof for a timealthough not long, but that the crowne returned againe tothose of the Saxon line: till shortlie after, by the insolentdealings of the gouernours, a diuision was made betwixtthe king and his people, through iust punishment decreedby the prouidence of the Almightie, determining for theirsinnes and contempt of his lawes, to deliuer them into thehands of a stranger; and therevpon when spite and enuiehad brought the title in doubt, to whom the right insuccession apperteined, the Conquerour entred, and they remained a prey to him and his: who plucked all the headsand cheefe in authoritie so cleerelie vp by the roots, as fewor none of them in the end was left to stand vp against him.And herewith altering the whole state, he planted suchlawes and ordinances as stood most for his auaile andsecuritie, which being after qualified with more milde andgentle lawes, tooke such effect, that the state hath euersithens continued whole and vnbroken by wise andpolitike gouernement, although disquieted sometime byciuill dissention, to the ruine commonlie of the firstmoouers, as by the sequele of the historie you may see.For the historie of Scotland, I haue for the more partfollowed Hector Boece, Iohannes Maior, and Iouan FerreriPiemontese, so far as they haue continued it, interlaced
somtimes with other authours, as Houeden, Fourdon, andsuch like; although not often, bicause I meant rather todeliuer what I found in their owne histories extant, than tocorrect them by others, leauing that enterprise to theirowne countrimen: so that whatsoeuer ye read in the same,consider that a Scotishman writ it, and an Englishmanhath but onelie translated it into our language, referring thereader to the English historie, in all matters betwixt vs andthem, to be confronted therewith as he seeth cause. Forthe continuation thereof I vsed the like order, in suchcopies and notes as Maister Wolfe in his life time procuredme; sauing that in these last yeares I haue inserted somesuch notes as concerned matters of warre betwixt vs andthe Scots, bicause I got them not till that part of the Englishhistorie was past the presse.For Ireland, I haue shewed in mine epistle dedicatorie inwhat sort, and by what helps I haue proceeded therein;onelie this I forgot to signifie, that I had not GiraldusCambrensis, and Flatsburie, vntill that part of the bookewas vnder the presse, and so being constreined to makepost hast, I could not exemplifie what I would out of themall, neither yet dispose it so orderlie as had beeneconuenient, nor pen it with so apt words as might satisfieeither myselfe, or those to whose view it is now like tocome. And by reason of the like haste made in theimpression, where I was determined to haue transposedthe most part of that which in the English historie I hadnoted, concerning the conquest of Ireland by Hen. thesecond, out of Houeden & others, I had not time thereto;and so haue left it there remaining where I first noted it,before I determined to make any particular collection of theIrish histories, bicause the same commeth there wellinough in place, as to those that shall vouchsafe to turnethe booke it may appeare.For the computation of the yeares of the world, I had byMaister Wolfes aduise followed Functius; but after hisdeceasse, M. W. H. made me partaker of a Chronologie,which he had gathered and compiled with most exquisitdiligence, following Gerardus Mercator, and other lateChronologers, and his owne obseruations, according tothe which I haue reformed the same. As for the yeares ofour Lord, and the kings, I haue set them downe accordingto such authors as seeme to be of best credit in thatbehalfe, as I doubt not but the learned and skilfull inhistories it shall appeare. Moreouer, this the reader hath toconsider, that I doo begin the yeare at the natiuitie of ourLord, which is the surest order (in my fansie) that can befollowed.For the names of persons, townes, and places, as I hauebeene diligent to reforme the errours of other (which are tobe ascribed more to the vnperfect copies than to theauthors) so may it be that I haue some-where committedthe like faults, either by negligence or want of skill torestore them to their full integritie as I wished. But what Ihaue performed, aswell in that behalfe as others, theskilfull reader shall easily perceiue, and withall consider (I
Anno 1..6601trust) what trauell I haue bestowed to his behoofe in thishuge volume; crauing onelie, that in recompense thereofhe will iudge the best, and to make a freendlieconstruction of my meaning, where ought may seeme tohaue escaped my pen or the printers presse, otherwisethan we could haue wished for his better satisfaction.Manie things being taken out as they lie in authors, maybe thought to giue offense in time present, which referredto the time past when the author writ, are not onelietollerable, but also allowable. Thereforé (good reader) Ibeseech thee to weigh the causes and circumstances ofsuch faults and imperfections, and consider that the likemay creepe into a far lesse volume than this, and shew meso much fauour as hath beene shewed to others in likecauses. And sithens I haue doone my good will, acceptthe same, as I with a free and thankefull mind doo offer itthee; so shall I thinke my labour well bestowed. For theother histories, which are alreadie collected, if it pleaseGod to giue abilitie, shall in time come to light, with somesuch breefe descriptions of the forren regions whereof theytreat, as may the better suffice to the readers contentation,and vnderstanding of the matters conteined in the samehistories, reduced into abridgements out of their greatvolumes. And thus I ceasse further to trouble thy patience,wishing to thee (gentle reader) so much profit, as byreading may be had, and as great comfort as Gods holiespirit may endue thee with.FINIS.EHTPOLITIKE CONQUESTFOWILLIAM THE FIRST.This William Duke of Normandie, base son of Robert thesixt Duke of Normandie, and nephew vnto Edward king ofEngland, surnamed the Confessor, hauing vanquished theEnglish power, and slaine Harold in the field (as you mayread at large towards the end of the historie of England)began his reigne ouer England the xv. daie of Octoberbeing Sundaie, in the yeare after the creation of the world5033, (as W. Harison gathereth) and after the birth of ourSauiour 1066, which was in the tenth yeare of theemperour Henrie the fourth, in the sixt of pope Alexanderthe second, in the sixt of Philip king of France, and aboutthe tenth of Malcolme the third, surnamed Camoir, king ofScotland.]1[
Immediatlie after he had thus got the victorie in a pightfield (as before ye haue heard) he first returned toHastings, and after set forward towards London, wastedthe countries of Sussex, Kent, Hamshire, Southerie,Middlesex, and Herefordshire, burning the townes, andsleaing the people, till he came to Beorcham. In themeane time, immediatlie after the discomfiture in Sussex,the two earles of Northumberland and Mercia, Edwin andMarchar, who had withdrawne themselues from the battelltogither with their people, came to London, and with allspeed sent their sister quéene Aldgitha vnto the citie ofChester, and herewith sought to persuade the Londonersto aduance one of them to the kingdome: as Wil. Mal.writeth. But Simon of Durham saith, that Aldred archbishopof Yorke, and the said earles with others would hauemade Edgar Etheling king. Howbeit, whilest manie of theNobilitie and others prepared to make themselues redie togiue a new battell to the Normans (how or whatsoeuerwas the cause) the said earles drew homewards with theirpowers, to the great discomfort of their freends. Wil. Malm.séemeth to put blame in the bishops, for that the lordswent not forward with their purpose in aduancing EdgarEtheling to the crowne. For the bishops (saith he) refusedto ioine with the lords in that behalfe, and so through enuieand spite which one part bare to another, when they couldnot agrée vpon an Englishman, they receiued a stranger,insomuch that vpon king William his comming vntoBeorcham, Aldred archbishop of Yorke, Wolstane bishopof Worcester, and Walter bishop of Hereford, EdgarEtheling, and the foresaid earles Edwin and Marcharcame and submitted themselues vnto him, whom hegentlie receiued, and incontinentlie made an agréementwith them, taking their oth and hostages (as some write)and yet neuerthelesse he permitted his people to spoileand burne the countrie.But now, when the feast of Christs natiuitie (commonliecalled Christmas) was at hand, he approched to the citie ofLondon, and comming thither, caused his vauntgard first toenter into the stréets, where finding some resistance, heeasilie subdued the citizens that thus tooke vpon them towithstand him, though not without some bloudshed (asGemeticen. writeth) but as by others it should appéere, hewas receiued into the citie without anie resistance at all;and so being in possession thereof, he spake maniefréendlie words to the citizens, and promised that hewould vse them in most liberall & courteous maner. Notlong after, when things were brought in order (as wasthought requisite) he was crowned king vpon Christmasdaie following, by Aldred archbishop of Yorke. For hewould not receiue the crowne at the hands of Stigandarchbishop of Canturburie, bicause he was hated, andfurthermore iudged to be a verie lewd person and anaughtie liuer.At his coronation he caused the bishops and barons of therealme to take their oth, that they should be his true andloiall subiects (according to the maner in that caseaccustomed.) And being required thereto by theSim. Dun.QEduéwienn ea nAdl dMgiatrhcah saer.nt toChester.Wil. Mal. Simon Dun.Wil. Malm. The bishopsblamed.The archbishop of Yorke &other submit themselues toking William.Gemeticensis.William Conquerourcrowned 1067, according totheir account which beginthe yeare on the daie ofChrist his natiuitie.]2[
1.760archbishop of Yorke, he tooke his personall oth before thealtar of S. Peter at Westmister, to defend the holie church,and rulers of the same, to gouerne the people in iustice asbecame a king to doo, to ordeine righteous lawes & kéepethe same, so that all maner of bribing, rapine, and wrongfuliudgements should for euer after be abolished.After this, he tooke order how to keepe the realme in goodand quiet gouernment, fortifieng the necessarie places,and furnishing them with garisons. He also appointedofficers and councellers, such as he thought to be wiseand discréet men, and appointed ships to be in the hauensby the coast for the defense of the land, as he thoughtmoste expedient. After his coronation, or rather before (asby some authours it should seeme) euen presentlie vponobteining of the citie of London, he tooke his iourneytowards the castell of Douer, to subdue that and the rest ofKent also: which when the archbishop Stigand andEgelsin the abbat of S. Augustines (being as it were thechiefest lords and gouernours of all Kent) did perceiue,and considered that the whole realme was in an euillstate; & that whereas in this realme of England, before thecomming in of the forsaid duke William, there were nobondmen: now all, as well the Nobilitie as theCommonaltie were without respect made subiect to theintollerable bondage of the Normans, taking an occasionby the perill and danger that their neighbours were in, toprouide for the safegard of themselues and their countrie.They caused all the people of the countie of Kent toassemble at Canturburie, and declared to them the perilsand dangers imminent, the miserie that their neighbourswere come into, the pride and insolencie of the Normans,and the hardnesse and griefe of bondage and seruileestate. Whereupon all the people rather choosing to endtheir vnfortunate life, than to submit themselues to anvnaccustomed yoke of seruitude and bondage, with acommon consent determined to méet duke William, and tofight with him for the lawes of their countrie. Also, theforesaid Stigand the archbishop, and the abbat Egelsin,choosing rather to die in battell, than to see their nation inso euill an estate, being encouraged by the examples ofthe holie Machabées, became capteins of the armie. Andat a daie appointed, all the people met at Swanescombe,and being hidden in the woods, laie priuilie in wait for thecomming of the foresaid duke William.Now, bicause it cannot hurt to take great héed, and to beverie warie in such cases, they agréed before hand, thatwhen the duke was come, and the passages on euerieside stopped, to the end he should no waie be able toescape, euerie one of them, as well horssemen asfootmen should beare boughes in their hands. The nextdaie after, when the duke was come into the fields andterritories néere vnto Swanescombe, and saw all thecountrie set and placed about him, as it had beene astirring and moouing wood, and that with a meane pacethey approched and drew neare vnto him, with greatdiscomfort of mind he woondered at that sight. Andassoone as the capteins of the Kentishmen sawe thatPolydor.Iohn Stow.Thos. Spot.Seruitude & bondage of theNobilitie and Commonaltieto the Normans.
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