Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1140. And the earl stole out, and went after Robert, Earl of Glocester (age 41), and brought him thither with a large army. And they fought strenuously on Candlemas day against their lord, and took him; for his men forsook him and fled. And they led him to Bristol, and there put him into prison in close quarters. Then was all England stirred more than ere was, and all evil was in the land. Afterwards came the daughter of King Henry, who had been Empress of Germany (age 37), and now was Countess of Anjou. She came to London; but the people of London attempted to take her, and she fled, losing many of her followers. After this the Bishop of Winchester, Henry (age 42), the brother of King Stephen (age 46), spake with Earl Robert (age 41), and with the empress, and swore them oaths, "that he never more would hold with the king (age 46), his brother," and cursed all the men that held with him, and told them, that he would give them up Winchester; and he caused them to come thither. When they were therein, then came the king's (age 46) queen with all her strength, and beset them, so that there was great hunger therein. When they could no longer hold out, then stole they out, and fled; but those without were aware, and followed them, and took Robert, Earl of Glocester, and led him to Rochester, and put him there into prison; but the empress (age 37) fled into a monastery. Then went the wise men between the king's (age 46) friends and the earl's friends; and settled so that they should let the king (age 46) out of prison for the earl, and the earl for the king (age 46); and so they did. After this settled the king (age 46) and Earl Randolph at Stamford, and swore oaths, and plighted their troth, that neither should betray the other. But it availed nothing. For the king (age 46) afterwards took him at Northampton, through wicked counsel, and put him into prison; and soon after he let him out again, through worse counsel, on the condition that he swore by the crucifix, and found hostages, that he would give up all his castles. Some he gave up, and some gave he not up; and did then worse than he otherwise would. Then was England very much divided. Some held with the king (age 46), and some with the empress (age 37); for when the king (age 46) was in prison, the earls and the rich men supposed that he never more would come out: and they settled with the empress (age 37), and brought her into Oxford, and gave her the borough. When the king (age 46) was out, he heard of this, and took his force, and beset her in the tower.¹⁶⁵ And they let her down in the night from the tower by ropes. And she stole out, and fled, and went on foot to Wallingford [Map]. Afterwards she went over sea; and those of Normandy turned all from the king (age 46) to the Earl of Anjou (age 26); some willingly, and some against their will; for he beset them till they gave up their castles, and they had no help of the king (age 46). Then went Eustace, the king's (age 46) son, to France, and took to wife the sister of the King of France. He thought to obtain Normandy thereby; but he sped little, and by good right; for he was an evil man. Wherever he was, he did more evil than good; he robbed the lands, and levied heavy guilds upon them. He brought his wife to England, and put her into the castle at…¹⁶⁶ Good woman she was; but she had little bliss with him; and Christ would not that he should long reign. He therefore soon died, and his mother also. And the Earl of Anjou died; and his son Henry took to the earldom. And the Queen of France parted from the king (age 46); and she came to the young Earl Henry; and he took her to wife, and all Poitou with her. Then went he with a large force into England, and won some castles; and the king (age 46) went against him with a much larger force. Nevertheless, fought they not; but the archbishop and the wise men went between them, and made this settlement: That the king (age 46) should be lord and king (age 46) while he lived, and after his day Henry should be king (age 46): that Henry should take him for a father; and he him for a son: that peace and union should be betwixt them, and in all England. This and the other provisions that they made, swore the king (age 46) and the earl to observe; and all the bishops, and the earls, and the rich men. Then was the earl received at Winchester, and at London, with great worship; and all did him homage, and swore to keep the peace. And there was soon so good a peace as never was there before. Then was the king (age 46) stronger than he ever was before. And the earl went over sea; and all people loved him; for he did good justice, and made peace.

Note 165. The tower of the castle at Oxford, built by D'Oyley, which still remains.

Note 166. The MS. is here deficient.