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WIlliam sirnamed Rufus,* 1.1 notwithstanding that Robert Curtoise his eldest Brother was living; yet by the mediation and assistance of Lanfrank Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Wol∣stane, he gained the voices of the Councel, and was Crowned, A. D. 1087. But Odo Bishop of Bayeux (to take revenge for his sufferings under
the Conqueror) instigated Duke Robert to re∣pair into England, and recover his right, which he promised should soon be effected. Now Robert, that Money, the sinews of War, might not be wanting for the carrying on of this de∣sign, mortgaged the Province of Constantine to his Brother Henry; and with him many of the English sided. William on the other hand by fairly promising to abolish the over-hard Laws made by his Father, and to take off the Taxes and Imposts, drew the people generally to stand in his defence; by whose aids he regained divers strong holds that the Nobles had seized for Duke Robert. He also besieged Rochester wherein Odo was, from which siege he sent forth his Proclamation throughout the Land, commanding all men to repair thereto, and that whosoever would not, should be reputed a Niding. A word so disgraceful and hateful to the English (signifying a Coward or base-hearted fellow) that made multitudes hast with all speed to that service. Whereupon the Castle was yielded, and Odo banished, and his goods confiscated. But whilst these things were acting, Robert Duke of Normandy Landed at Southampton, and very shortly returned again into his own Territories, upon his Brother Williams promise to pay him Three thousand Marks yearly, and to resign the Kingdom to him, or his Heirs at his death. About this time Lanfrank Arch-Bishop of Canterbury dyed, and the King kept that See vacant above Four years. So did he by many other Ecclesiastical promotions, and set to sale the rights of the
Church, preferring those therein that would give the most; and yet his exchequer became never the richer. He was wont to say, That Christs bread is sweet, dainty, and most delicate for Kings. His Brother Roberts Territories in Normandy he invaded, taking divers strong holds and Castles, inforcing Robert to make a Peace with him. After which, these two Bro∣thers unite their forces against their Brother Henry. But he fearing after-claps, had strong∣ly fortified the Castle of Mount St. Michael in Normandy, wherein they besieged him. In which time of Siege, King Williams life was in great hazard; for some of the besieged sallying forth, William more boldly than wisely rode against them, and a Knight encountring him, slew his Horse under him, and had slain him too, had he not made himself known by his voyce. Whereupon the armed men with great reve∣rence took him up, and brought him another Horse, when the King not staying for the stir∣rup, sprang into the Saddle, and with angry countenance, demanded who it was that over∣threw him, and the Knight as boldly answered and shewed himself who he was. By Lukes face, quoth the King, thou shalt be my Knight, and be inrolled in my Check. with a fee answera∣ble to thy worth.
Prince Henry in the time of this siege being sorely distressed for Water, sent to his Brother Robert (knowing him to be of the better tem∣per) desiring him, that he might have that permitted him which God had made common. Duke Robert commanded him to be supplied;
whereat King William was wroth.* 1.2 To whom Robert sayd, And dost thou esteem more of water which is every where to be got, than of a Brother, having no more but him and me? In short time after these. Three brethren were reconciled, and in short time after that, the two elder again disagreed. The Peace of England was also disturbed by Malcolme King of Scots; but by the Ambushment of Mowbray Earl of Nor∣thumberland, he was slain, with his Son Edward. Then Mowbray grown proud turns Rebel; but was taken and committed to Windsor.
Duke Robert preparing for the Holy Wars, mortgaged his Dukedom to his Brother Willi∣am, for the sum of Six thousand six hundred sixty six pounds of Silver; for the making up of which sum, King William made the Religi∣ous Houses to ransack their Coffers. Normandy therefore was now the Kings concern to keep as his own, wherefore (a while after) hearing as he sate at meat, that Main a City in Normandy was straitly besieged, and his Subjects sorely distressed, he swore his wonted Oath, By St. Lukes face, that he would not turn his back till he was with them. And thereupon commanded the wall of the House to be broke down, that he might go forth the next way to Sea, leaving order for his Nobles straight-way to follow him. But the Winds being contrary, and Seas raging, his Pilate humbly desired him to stay a while, till the winds and Seas were appeased. To whom the King said, Hast thou ever heard that a King hath been drowned? Therefore hoise up the sails I charge thee, and be gone. Which
accordigly being done, the King making such hast, relieved the City before it was expected. Then setling his affairs in that Countrey, he returned into England, where, as he was Hunt∣ing in New-Forest, Sir Walter Tyrrel a French Knight, shooting at a Stag, the Arrow glanced against a Tree, and struck the King into the breast, with which he immediately dyed, Aug. 1. A. D. 1100. His body layd in a Col∣liers Cart, was drawn with one poor Jade through a very dirty way till the Cart broke, where for a while the Corps was left in the dirt; but afterwards was conveyed to Win∣chester, and there buryed in the Cathedral Church. The bones since have been taken up, and laid into a Coffer with the bones of Canu∣tus. At Westminster he laid new foundations of a most stately Palace, and finished that stately building, called the great Hall, which he found fault with because no bigger, accounting it scarce worthy the name of a Bed-chamber, in respect of that which he intended to build. He new built the City Carlisle which 200 years before had been spoiled by the Danes, built the Church of St. Saviours in Southwark, and founded an Hospital in York to the Honour of St. Peter.
In this Kings reign the Bishops See was tran∣slated from Selsey to Chichester, anciently called Cissancester.
In his Reign happened a most dreadful Earth-quake, vehement Lightning leaving an intolerable stink behind it. An exceeding tempest of Wind, that in London drove down
Sixty Houses, blew off the Roof of Bow-Church, with the Beams, Six of which in their fall were driven Twenty three foot deep into the ground (the Streets of the City lying then unpaved.) A Blazing-Star appeared, and o∣ther Stars seemed to shoot Darts one against another. The Sea broke over its Banks, drowning an abundance of people; and in Kent overwhelmed the Lands that sometime were Earl Goodwins, which now are called Goodwins Sands, very dangerous for Navigators. A Well of Blood for Fifteen days rose out of the ground at Finchampstead near Abingdon. Pestilence, and Scarcity.
Robert of Glocester hath a pretty passage of King William in these Lines.
As his Chamberlain him brought, as he rose on a day, A morrow for to wear, a pair of Hose of Say, He asked what they costned, three Shillings be seid, Fie a dibles, quoth the King, who sey so vile a deed, King to wear so vile a Cloth, but it costned more, Buy a pair for a Mark, or thou shalt ha cory fore. A worse pair enough, the other swith him brought, And seyd they costned a Mark, and unneath he them bought. Aye bel-amy, quoth the King, these were well bought. In this manner serve me, or ne serve me not.
A. D. 1096, and in the Reign of William Rufus, by reason of the Pestilence then raging, and the oppressions under which the English groaned, the tillage of the earth was neg∣lected,
whereby ensued great scarcity the year following throughout all England.
A. D. 1087.
Anselme, A.B. Cant.