The chronicles of England from Brute vnto this present yeare of Christ. 1580. Collected by Iohn Stow citizen of London.

¶ King William Rufus. (Book William Rufus)

[illustration]

WIlliam le Rovvse or Rufus, the thirde sonne of William Con∣querour; beganne his raigne the* 1.1 ninthe daye of September, in the yeare of our Lorde 1087. and was crowned at Westminster by Lan∣franke Archbishop of Canturburie, y^• first day of October. He was vari∣able, inconstant, couetous, & cruel, hée burdened his people with vnreasonable taxes, pylled the ryche and oppressed the poore, and what he thus got, he pro∣digally spent in great banqueting and sumptuous apparel, for he woulde neyther eate, drinke, or weare any thing, but* 1.2 that it coste vnmeasurably déere. As for example it was in those dayes written (and for vs now to be noted) that in a mornyng hys Chamberlayne bringing him a newe paire of hosen, he demaunding what they coste, and the Chamber∣laine* 1.3 answering thrée shillings, the king being wroth, said,

away begger that thou art, are those méete hose for a King to weare, bring me a paire of a Marke, or thou shalte sore repent it, then his Chamberlaine fette another paire that were much worse than the first, and sayd ••h••y cost a Marke, wherewith King William was well pleased. Thus farre haue I noted the saying of King William, bycause it impor∣teth the simplicitie of apparell in those dayes vsed, so farre different from the excesse of this present time.

Odo Bishop of Bayon, and Earle of Kent, with his brother* 1.4 Robert Earle of Mortaigne and Hereford, and almost all the Nobles of England, raysed warre against King William, and would haue had Robert his eldest brother to be King: but King William▪ by f••irs words pacifying some of the princi∣pall conspirators, beséeged the residue in the Castell of Ro∣chester,* 1.5 and with muche labour lastly ouercame them.

An Earthquake ouerturned many houses and churches* 1.6 in England.

Lanfranke Archbishop of Canturbury deceassed. He renu∣ed* 1.7 the great Church of Canturbury, restoring xxv. manors to the same. He repaired the walles of that Citie, builded two Hospitals, the one of Saint Iohn the other at Harbal∣downe.* 1.8 He restored the Church of Rochester from four secular Clarkes, to fiftie Monkes. He alwayes attended his booke, and trauelled to correct the corruption of Writers.

When Lanfranke was dead, King Wilham kept in his owne hands the Churches and Monasteries of England af∣ter* 1.9 their pastours were dead, making great spoyle, and lot∣ting them out to ferme.

King William making warre against his brother Ro∣bert* 1.10 Duke of Normandy, tooke the Castels of Wallarroke and of Albemarle, making great spoyle in his brothers Coun∣trey: but at length agréemente was made betwéene them, that Robert should giue vp into the Kings hands, the Ca∣stels that he had gotten of him: and the King shoulde helpe him to get all that his father had, England only excepted: and also, if one of them dyed without issue, the other should suc∣céede

in the inheritance: to which couenant were sworne twelue Princes of the Kings side, and twelue Barons on the Dukes side.

Malcoline King of Scottes did homage and fealtie to* 1.11 King William. of England.

A great tempest sell on Saint Lukes day in ••imdry pla∣ces of England, specially in Winchcombe, where a great part of the Stéeple was ••uerthrowne with thundering and light∣ning, and in London the winde ouerturned 606. houses, and* 1.12 the rou••e of Bow Church in Cheape, wherewith some per∣sons were slayne: foure of the ••afters of 20. foote in length were with such violence pitched into the strée••e that scantly* 1.13 foure foote of them remayned aboue grounde, whiche were fayne to be ••••t euen with the same grounde, bycau••e they could not be plucked out.

About this time, one Iustinus sonne to Gurguntus▪ Earle* 1.14 of Glamorgan, and Morgannoke, refusing to obey Rhesus▪ sonne to Theodore Prince of South-wales, sente Aeneas,* 1.15 sonne to Gedi••orus, sometyme Lorde of Deme••ia, into En∣gland, to take muster of Souldioures, and there receyued a great Armie, vnder the conduct of one Robert Fitzhamon, and ioyning with other tables out of Went and Brecini••, met with Rhesus in Blacke h••ll, and there ••••ewe him, and s•• paying the Englishmen their wages, discharged them. But they taking regard vnto the goodnesse of the soyle, and the great variance which was then amongst the Welchmen, as in foretime the Saxons had done, they turned their force of armes against those which had entertayned them, and soone displaced them wholly of all the Champion, and the best of the Countrey, which Robert Fitzhamon diuided amongst twelue Knightes whiche he broughte with him, reseruing the better parte to hymselfe, who building there certayne Castels, and ioyning their power togither, defended their Farmes and Lordships▪ whiche they had taken and posses∣sed, whose heires peaceably▪ enioy the same vnto this day: but Iustinus scarsely reserued to himselfe and his, the hilly

Countrey. The names of the twelue Knightes were these.

• 1 William Lowdon.
• 2 Richard Granuille.
• 3 Paganus Turberuille.
• 4 Robert Saintqui••ti••••.
• 5 Richard Siward.
• 6 Gilbert Vmfreuill.
• 7 Roger Berkerowle.
• 8 Reynald Sully.
• 9 Peeter Soore.
• 10 Iohn Fleming.
• 11 Oliuer Saint Iohn.
• 12 Williā Easterling, now for shortnes called S••radling.

Thus was the Lordship of Glamorgan & Morgannoke wonne out of the Welchmens hands, whiche Lordship conteyned in length from R••mid bridge on the East side, to Pallekinan in the West side 27. miles. The breadth from the Hauen of Aber∣thaw on the South side▪ to the confine of Breknokeshire, about Morleys Castell, is 22. mi••••••▪

In this Prouince are neath vpon a Riuer of the same name Pontfaine, that is to say, Stone bridge, sometimes cal∣led Cowbridge, Lantwid, Wenny▪ Dinwid▪ Townes, and Castels, besides Caer Phili, a most antient Castell & fortresse, which by reporte was erected by the Romanes, and Caerdid, the* 1.16 principall Towne of the Shire, standing vpon the Riuer Tafe, Englishmen tearme it Cardid or Gardife.

Also, within the body of the said Lordship, were eightene Castels, and ••6. Knightes fées and a halfe, that helde of the same Lordship by Knights seruice, besides a great number of frée holders. Also, the saide Lordship being a Lordship Marcher, or a Lordship Royall, and holden of no other Lordship, the Lordes thereof, euer since the winning of the same, owing their obedience only to the Crowne, haue vsed therein Iura regalia, with the triall of all actions, as well re∣all as personall, and pleas of Crowne, with authoritie to pardon all offences, Treason only excepted.

King William▪ W〈…〉〈…〉 Northumberland, where he re∣paired* 1.17 such Castels as the Scottes had impayred, and buil∣ded the newe Castell on Tine. Osmond Bishop of Sarisburie founded the Cathedrall Church of old Sarisburie, and on the morrow after the dedication thereof, the Stéeple was fiered by lightning.

In England fell wonderfull abundance of rayne, and af∣ter* 1.18 ensued so great frost, that horsses and cartes passed com∣monly ouer great Riuers, which when it thawed, the Yse brake downe many great bridges.

Hugh Lupus Earle of Chester, sente into Normandy for* 1.19 Anselme, by his counsell to builde an Abbey at Chester of Saint Werbridge.

King William lying sicke at Glocester, for feare of death,* 1.20 promised to correct the wicked Lawes.

He gaue the Archbishoprike of Canturbury to Anselme,* 1.21 and to his Chancellour Robert Bloet, the Bishoprike of Lincolne▪ but when the King had recouered his health, he was sorie that he had not sold the Bishoprike of Lincolne.

Malcolme King of Scottes comming into Englande, was* 1.22 met withall, and sodeinly ••••ayne, with his sonne and heire also, by Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland.

Iohn Bishop of Welles, by noynting the Kings handes,* 1.23 transposed his Bishops seate to Bathe.

William Waren first Earle of Surrey, and Gundred his wife, founded the Abbey of Lewes in Sussex.

King William builded againe the Citie of Carelile which was destroyed by the Danes 200. yeares before. He also builded a Castell there, and out of the South parts of En∣gland sent men to inhabit.

This yeare was a great famine, and after, so great a mortalitie, that the quicke were scant able to bury the dead.

King William made great warres in Normandy against his brother Robert, through the whiche both England and Normandy were fore oppressed with exactions.* 1.24

The Welchmen spoyled the Citie of Glocester with a

part of Shrewsburie and woonne the Is••e of Anglesey.

The Bishopricke of Thetford was translated to Norwich,* 1.25 by Herbert Losing, Bishop there.

King William sent his brother Henry into Northumber∣land with a great power, bycause Robert Mowbrey Earle of that Countrey refused to come to the Kings Court: the Countrey was spoyled, the Earle was taken, and many were disherited. Some had their eyes put out &c.

King William with a great power entred Wales, but not* 1.26 being able to followe the Welchmen among the hilles, he builded two Castels in the borders and returned.

Great preparation was made by the Christians to goe* 1.27 against the Infidels at Hierusalem, Peter the Hermite being their first leader, and after Godfrey of Lorraine, called God∣frey of Bolleine.

Robert Duke of Normandy tooke his iourney towards* 1.28 Hierusalem and layde Normandy to gage to his brother King William for 6666. poundes of siluer.

The Dukes, Godfrey Beamonde and Robert, beséeged the Citie of Niece, with 6000. horsemen, and 10000. foote∣men, and tooke the same, with the wife of Soliman, and his sonnes. They also tooke the Citie of Antioch.

King William with an armie of horsemen and footemen wente the seconde time into Wales, meaning to kill all the male kinde there, but he could vnneth kill or take any one of them.

All the lands in Kent▪ that sometime belonged to Earle* 1.29 Godwine, by breaking in of the Sea, were couered with Sands, and therefore is yet called Godwine Sands.

King William was in Normandy▪ and gaue himselfe to* 1.30 warres there, so that with exactions and tributes he did not only shaue, but flea the people of England.

Hugh, Earle of Shrewsburie was slayne in Anglesey by the Irishmen.

The Christians tooke the Citie of Hierusalem, and placed there a King and a Patriarche.

After King Wilham was come out of Normandy, he kept his Courte at Westminster in the new Hall, which he had then caused to be builded, the length whereof is 270. foote,* 1.31 and the breadth 74. foote, and hearing men say it was too bigge, he answered, this Hall is not bigge ynough by the one halfe, and that it was but a Chamber in comparison* 1.32 of that he was about to make. A diligent searcher might* 1.33 yet find out the foundation of the Hall which he had purpo∣sed to builde, stretching from the Thames side vnto the com∣mon strééte.

King William being a hunting in the new Forest, word was brought him that his people were beséeged in Mayne: he forthwith tooke shipping, though he were vehemently perswaded to the contrary, for that there was at that time a great tempest, to whome he answered, he neuer heard that any King was drowned. At this time he gote more honor* 1.34 than euer he did in all his life, for he chased his enemies, and returned with victory.

In this Sommer, bloud sprang out of the earth at Fin∣chamstede* 1.35 in Barkeshire.

King William on the morrow after Lammas day hun∣ting* 1.36 in the new Forrest of Hampshire, in a place called Cho∣rengham, Sir Walter Tirell shooting at a Déere, vnawares hitte the King in the brest, that he fell downe starke dead, and neuer spake worde: his men (specially that Knighte) gate them away, but some came backe agayne, and layde his body vpon a Colyars Cart, whiche one sillie leane beast did draw vnto the Citie of Winchester, where he was* 1.37 buryed on the morow after his death, at whose buryall men could not wéepe for ioy.

This King was taken out of the world in the middest of his vnrighteousnesse, who being wicked to his owne people and to strangers, was most wicked to himselfe.

The Countreys about him he prouoked with warres: and England was so miserably oppressed vnder him, that it* 1.38 could not recouer, for he and his trayne spoyled and subuer∣ted

all things. He reigned twelue yeares and eleuen monethes lacking eyght dayes.

He gaue vnto the Monkes, called De Charitate, in South∣warke,* 1.39 the great newe Church of Saint Sauioure of Barmonds eye, and also Barmonds eye it selfe.

He also founded of an olde Monasterie of Monkes, a* 1.40 goodly Hospitall in the Citie of Yorke, called Saint Leonards, for the sustentation and finding of the poore, as well men as women. He gaue the Churche of Saint Peeter in the Citie of Bathe to be a Bishops Sea, and the mother Church of Somersetshire.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anno reg. 1.
• * 1.2

  W. Malme. Robert of Glocest. S. Albons Cronicl.
• * 1.3

  The best paire of hose three shillings.
• * 1.4

  1088 The Nobles ••ebes••.
• * 1.5

  W. Malme.
• * 1.6

  An Earthquake.
• * 1.7

  Anno reg. 2. 1089
• * 1.8

  Hospitall of Saint Iohn and Harbaldovvne.
• * 1.9

  Mathew Paris. G. Lilly.
• * 1.10

  Anno reg. 3. 1090 King VVilliam made vvarre on his brother.
• * 1.11

  King of Scots did homage. Mathew Paris. Great tempest.
• * 1.12

  606. houses ouerturned.
• * 1.13

  Wil. Malme. Gualter Couen.
• * 1.14

  Anno reg. 4.
• * 1.15

  The vvinning of Glamorgan and Morga∣noke out of the VVelchmens hands.
• * 1.16

  Humfrey L••••yd.
• * 1.17

  1091 Nevv Castell. Sarisburie. Anno reg. 5
• * 1.18

  1092 Great Frost. Mathew Paris. Wil. Malme.
• * 1.19

  Abbey of Che∣ster.
• * 1.20

  Mathew Paris.
• * 1.21

  Anselme Arch∣bishop.
• * 1.22

  King of Scottes flayne.
• * 1.23

  Bishopricke at Bathe. Levves in Suffex. Anno reg. 6. 1093 Carelile repay∣red, and the Castell builded. Famine. ••••▪ Beuerla. Thomas Rudburn.
• * 1.24

  Exactions. VV••l••chmen vvon Angle••ey.
• * 1.25

  Bishopricke at▪ Norvvich. Anno reg. 7. 1094 Northumber∣land spoyled.
• * 1.26

  King VVilliam inuaded vvales.
• * 1.27

  Anno reg. 8. 1095 〈…〉〈…〉 to Hie∣rusalem.
• * 1.28

  Anno reg. 9. 1096 Normandy pavvned. An. reg. 10. 1097 Nice and An∣tioch vvoon.
• * 1.29

  Hector Boetius. Godvvin sands.
• * 1.30

  Exactions. An. reg. 11. 1098 An. reg. 12. 1099 Hierusalem vvonne.
• * 1.31

  VVestminster Hall. P. Patauiensis.
• * 1.32

  Io. Euersden.
• * 1.33

  Mathew Paris. Io. Rouse.
• * 1.34

  VVord of VVilliam Ru∣fus. Mathew Paris.
• * 1.35

  Anno reg. 13
• * 1.36

  1100 There stande•••• a Chappell. King VVilliam slayne. Wil. Malme. Mathew Paris. Radulphus Niger.
• * 1.37

  Radul. Cogshal.
• * 1.38

  Io. Rouse.
• * 1.39

  Register of Berna••dsey.
• * 1.40

  Ex C••••••