A chronicle at large and meere history of the affayres of Englande and kinges of the same deduced from the Creation of the vvorlde, vnto the first habitation of thys islande: and so by contynuance vnto the first yere of the reigne of our most deere and souereigne Lady Queene Elizabeth: collected out of sundry aucthors, whose names are expressed in the next page of this leafe.

King Stephen. (Book Stephen)

STephen Erle of Boloigne, [unspec 1135/1] sonne of the Erle of Bloys and Adela daughter to king william the Conquerour, and nephewe vnto king Henry the first, tooke on him the gouernaunce of this Realme of England, the second day of December .1135. through the counsayle and ayde of many Lordes of Eng∣land, contrary to their othe made to Mawde the Empresse.

This was a noble man and hardy. But yet contrary to his othe y^t he made to Molde or Mawde the Empresse as aforesayde, hee tooke vpon him the Crowne of this Realme, and was crowned on Saint Stephens day in Christmas weeke at West∣minster of William Archebishop of Cauntorbury,* 1.1 which Bishop in lyke ma∣ner had made the lyke othe vnto the sayde Empresse, in the presence of the king her father as before is touched: In punishment of which periury as men suppose, the sayd Archebishop dyed shortly after.

The Lordes also of the whole realme as abouesaid had made like othes,* 1.2 and committed the lyke periury, and therfore scaped not punishment. A great part of this periury (as sayth one aucthour) was this: One Hugh Bygot Steward sometyme of king Henry the first, immediately after the decease of the sayde Henry came into England, and before the sayde Archebishop and other Lordes of the land, he tooke wilfully an othe, and sware that he was present a little before the kinges death, when king Henry admitted and chose for his heyre to be king after him Stephen his nephew,* 1.3 because Molde his daughter had displeased him: wherevnto the Archebishop & the other Lords gaue to hasty credence. But the sayde Hugh escaped not vnpunished, for he dyed miserably in a short tyme after.

When king Stephen was crowned he sware before the Lordes at Ox∣enford that he would not holde in his hande the Bishoprikes and benefices that were voyde,* 1.4 and that he would forgeue the Dane gelt as king Henry before him had done, with sundrie other thinges. And because this Stephen feared the commyng of Mawde the Empresse, he therefore gaue licence vn∣to

his Lordes that euery of them might buylde a Castell or strong fortresse vpon his awne ground. [unspec 1136/2] And soone after hee agreed with Dauid king of Scots who with Henry his sonne did homage vnto him for Scotland. The same tyme Stephen gaue also vnto Henry the sonne of the sayde Scottishe king,* 1.5 the Erledome of Huntyngdon and the towne of Bedford.

[unspec 1137/3] In the which tyme the king layed siege to the Castell of Bedford, the which was possessed and manned of the Scottishe king and wanne it. And that done he then made a voyage into Scotland, where he did not muche ey∣ther to his pleasure or profite. But yet Polydore wryteth, that whilest king Stephen made himselfe readie to set vpon the Scottishe armie, who were come to defende the borders of the Countrie: Dauid perceyuing himselfe to weake, and not able to withstand his power, sent his Ambassadors vnto him to entreate a peace, which at the length was graunted him vpon condition that he would be content to delyuer his sonne in hostage for the sure perfor∣maunce and holding of the Articles and couenants concluded betwixt them, the which was done.* 1.6 Then in his returne homeward he toke Alexander Bi∣shop of Lincolne & kept him in durance vntill he had giuen vnto him the Ca∣stell of Newarke. And then he chased Nigellus Bishop of Ely. But sayth Polidore, after he had thus finished the matter with the Scottes, in hys re∣turne againe into England he went to Wales and there besieged and wanne Ludlow the head towne of those partes, the which he founde possessed of his enimies, where Henrie prince of Scotland as he was in fight neere vnto the towne walles, was sodeynly of the aduersaries that were within the towne plucked from his Horsse with a crooked engine of Iron, and there∣with had beene taken vp into the towne, if God had not so prouyded that the King came foorthwith and rescued him in that present daunger.

About this tyme also he tooke suche displeasure with his louing friend, Roger Bishop of Sarisbury,* 1.7 for that he suspected him as he did all those that had lately buylded any Fort or Castell to fauor the Empresse part, that he cast him into prison vntill the sayd Roger had rendred vnto him his two Castels: of V••ses and Sherborne the which himselfe had builded. For the which the sayde Roger in remembring the great ingratitude of the king, tooke suche thought that he dyed shortly after, and left behinde him in readie coyne in his sayde Castels fourtie thousand Markes, which after his death came to the Kings Cofers, and with that treasure (sayth Reynulph) he found the meanes to marry his sonne Eustace to Lady Constance the French kinges sister.

* 1.8About the fourth yere of his reigne, Dauid king of Scottes repenting him of his former agreement made with the king, entred of newe within the boundes of Northumberland about the ryuer of Thayse towarde the Pro∣uynce of Yorke,* 1.9 and brent and slue the people, and spoyled the Countrie in most cruell wise, not sparing neyther man woman nor chylde. Against whom Thurston Archbishop of Yorke by the kings commaundement was sent,* 1.10 who with his power did acquite himselfe so valiauntly, that he ouerthrewe the hoste of the Scottes, and slue ten thousand of them, and in fine compel∣led them to withdrawe againe into Scotland. Reynulph.

[unspec 1139/5] In the s xt yere of his reigne, and in the Moneth of Iuly, Mawde the Empresse with her brother Robert and other of her friends entred the lande at the hauen of Portesmouth, and from thence went to Arundell and tooke

the Castell there. Then Robert Erle of Gloucester leauing her in the sayde Castell, hauing with him onely ten horsemen, with so many Archers on hors∣backe, passed through his enimies Countries and sped him to Gloucester, as well to signifie vnto the people the landing of his sister the Empresse, as to cause an armie to ayde hir. And though the same towne were at his com∣ming manned with the kings power: Yet when the townesmen vnderstood that he was come, they of their owne accorde put the kings Garrisons out of the towne and receyued him, that done the sayde Erle not onely assembled an armie there, but found the meanes also that the places and Countrie ad∣ioinyng, willyngly submitted themselues vnto the Empresse.

Now when king Stephen who then layde siege to Wallyngford Castel vnderstood that the Empresse was landed, he incontinent brake vp his siege, and with his whole power spedely addressed himselfe to the towne of Aron∣dell and besieged the Castell. But when he had there continued his siege a certaine space, and nothing was yet done accordyng to his expectation, some of them which were secrete friendes and ayders of the Empresse, ceassed not to beate into his head that the same Castell was impregnable, and therefore his liyng there was but in vaine, saiyng further, that it were best for him to leaue his siege and suffer her to issue out, and to go to some other holde or place where he might more easily come by her, the which was done to this only ende, that she beyng now in the case that she was, not able to hold out a∣ny longer for lacke of victualles, might escape the present daunger she was in, and flie to some other place of more suretie, where shee might make her selfe more strong against her enemies. And so Stephen folowyng this de∣ceyuable counsayle, departed incontinent with his armie so farre that the enemies should not feare to issue out whether they would. The which thing the sayd Empresse perceyuyng, departed thence in the dead of the night, and so kept on her iourney to Bristowe, whether there came to her shortly after her commyng great succours out of all partes of the Realme: The whiche when king Stephen was enformed of, he repented him (but to late) that he had folowed the former euill counsayle. Wherefore he hastened him towards Bristowe to the entent to lay siege to the towne, and there to enclose his ene∣mie if he might by any meanes. But the Empresse hearyng of his comming, and vnderstanding his purpose, departed thence, and went first to Gloucester and then to Lyncolne, where she victualled the towne, and so fortefied it with men and munition, that she might safely there tary till eyther she were rescu∣ed by the Erle her brother and others of her friendes, or else by the fauour and ayde of the Commons, be restored to her right without bloudshed & bat∣tayle, and king Stephen deposed. But he beyng aduertised what was there by her done, pursued after withall haste and besieged the same Citie.

After which season the Erle Robert, and Reynulph before named with a great power of Welshemen, and the power of the Empresse, came agaynst the king intendyng to rayse the siege. Where when both armies were redye to ioyne. The Erle Reynulph of Chester spake to his knightes and sayde,* 1.11 I requyre you, that I that am cause of your perill, may be the first that shall en∣ter into perill. Then aunswered Erle Robert and sayd, it is not vnworthie to thee that askest the first stroke and dignitie of this fight: for vnto thee it is sittyng, for noblenesse of blood and vertue of strength in the which thou pas∣sest

other men: But the kinges false othe moueth men to warre and fight, wherein we must nowe eyther winne the maystry or be ouercome. And hee that hath none other succour, is constreyned to defende himselfe by knightly and strong dedes of armes and of manhood, and so shall we ioyne with them that are blemished with guile & wickednesse, as Robert Erle of Mel∣lent, the Erle also of Albemarle, and Simon of Hampton, the which is a man of great boast and small might.

* 1.12Then king Stephen prepared to set forward his people, and Erle Bald∣wyn had wordes of comfort to the kinges people, and sayde: Vnto men that shall fight there are three speciall thinges to be considered. The first is the quarrell,* 1.13 least men fall into perill of the soule. The second is the number of men of armes, least men be ouerlayde and oppressed with to great a multi∣tude. And the thirde is, the lustinesse, courage, and strength of knightes, that the matter quayle not for lacke of stoute, hardie courage, and assured fightyng in the tyme of neede. As touchyng which three poyntes, I trust we be well sped. And furthermore if we note well what enemies we haue. First we haue against vs Robert Erle of Glocester, who vseth great threates, and performeth small deedes. In mouth and countenaunce lyke a Lyon, but in heart a very sheepe. He is glorious in speeche, and darke in vnderstandyng. There is also Reynulph Erle of Chester, a man without reason, and full of foolishehardinesse, redy and prompt to all conspiracie, and vnstedfast in al his deedes and attemptes: hastie and furious of heart, and vnware of perilles. He assayeth oft to atchieue great deedes, but he bringeth none to effect. And what he fiercely and freshely beginneth, he cowardly and fayntly forsaketh, as infortunate and vnhappy in all his dedes, and is ouercome in euery place, for he is a companion with banished men and sculkers, and the mo of them that are in a company, the sooner they be ouerthrowne: and feeble they be in fightyng, for eyther of them putteth his trust in his felow, whyle he hymselfe is ouerthrowen.

* 1.14But, before he could finishe his wordes, the crie of the enemies wyth noyes of Trumpettes, and neeyng of horses were heard on euery syde, the battayles approched and ioyned together, and forth flew the arrowes, and a grifely and cruell fight was vpon both sydes so long as it endured. By rea∣son of which fight and the slaughter thereof, the greene fielde was turned in∣to a perfite red, so that many a pale and wanne visage was there sene yelding vp of the ghost, with armes and legges disseuered and departed from the bo∣dyes. A long while this fight stood in doubt, whether partie should obteine victory. But in the ende king Stephens partie gaue backe and fled, but hee valiauntly abode in the fielde with a fewe of his knightes and was taken, and so he was brought vnto the Empresse:* 1.15 the which commaunded him to be conueyed vnder sure keepyng vnto Bristow, where he was kept as a pri∣soner, from Candlemas vnto holy Rood day then next ensuyng.

When the Empresse had wonne this victorye, and had committed the king to warde, as before ye haue heard, she was not therewith a little exal∣ted, but thought in her mynde, that she was in a suretie of the possession of the whole Realme: But she was deceyued, for the Countie of Kent tooke partie with king Stephen. And after this victory she departed thence, and toke the towne of Cicester, and afterwardes went vnto Winchester, where shee was

solemply receyued of the Bishop and the people with procession, and from thence came to Wilton, to Oxford, to Reding, and to Saint Albones,* 1.16 into the which Cities and townes she was ioyfully receyued withall honour, but es∣specially was she welcomed of Theobaldus then Archebishop of Cantorbu∣ry, and many of the nobilitie besydes. Lastly, she came to London for to en∣ter the state of the land, and while she remayned there,* 1.17 the Quene king Ste∣phens wyfe made earnest labor for the deliuery of the king her husband, pro∣mising that he should surrender the land into her possession, and he to become a religious man, either else a pilgrim to his lyues ende. But all was in vaine, for she could purchase no grace as then vpon no maner of conditions.

The Citizens of London also made great labour that they might vse the lawes of king Edward the Confessor,* 1.18 as they were graunted by William the Conquerour, and not the lawes of her father, which were of more streight∣nesse, whereof in no wyfe they could get any graunt.

For this the Citizens were discontented, and knowyng that the Coun∣trye of Kent which fauoured king Stephen would strength theyr party,* 1.19 pur∣posed to haue taken her. But she beyng thereof warned, departed in haste, and left behinde her her store of housholde, and so fled vnto Oxenford, where she abode, but her people was deuyded and scattered. And in this while she sent vnto Dauid the king of Scottes and her vncle for to ayde her, who in all haste came vnto her, and so went to Winchester, where she layde siege to the Bishoppes Tower, the which, the Bishop beyng the Kinges brother at that tyme helde with great strength.

Then the Queene with the ayde of her friendes, that is to say, of Ken∣tishe men and other, made a strong hoste, whereof was chiefe Capitayne a Knight named Guylliam Ypres.* 1.20 When the Empresse heard of the great strength of the Queene, and sawe that her awne dayly minished rather than encreased, was in such feare that she caused her selfe to be caryed in a horse Litter to Gloucester as though shee had bene dead. But Erle Robert her brother was taken soone after, and put in prison, and Dauid king of Scots heeryng of this returned into Scotland.

Then meanes was made vpon either side for the deliuery and exchaunge of prisoners, so that in y^e end it was agreed,* 1.21 that the king should be deliuered for Erle Robert. But before this agreement was fully concluded, great losse and mischiefe was done within this Realme euery way,* 1.22 for the Empresse pilled and spoyled on her partie, and the Queene by manaces and promises borowed and tooke vpon the othersyde, and the Souldiours stale, extorted, and spoyled vpon both parties, so that riche men were made needy, and the poore oppressed on euery side.

In this meane while the Empresse returned againe to Oxenforde,* 1.23 and victualled it and manned it in her best maner. And lastly the king was deli∣uered vpon holy Rood day in Haruest, and soone after he compassed Oxen∣ford with a great armye, from the tyme of Michaelmasse vnto Christmasse next folowyng, at which tyme and season, the Empresse vsed a newe guile for constraint and necessitie of victuall.

In that tyme great plentye of snowe fell vpon the ground,* 1.24 and the frost was therewithall so great, that Thames with other great riuers were then frosen ouer, so that man and horse might passe vpon the Ise. The Empresse

then constreyned by neede (as aforesayd) apparelled her and her company in white clothing,* 1.25 which a farre of semed like snow, and so vpon a plumbe going together as neere as they might,* 1.26 escaped the daunger of their enemyes, and so came first to the pyle or Castell of Shereborne, and then to Wallingford. And from thence in short time, she departed with a small company into Nor∣mandy vnto her husband.

So soone as the Empresse was thus departed from Oxenford the towne was yelded vnto the king, where the king had much of the Empresse stuffe, aswell harnesse as other stuffe of houshold. Then the king entended to haue pursued her, but tidynges came vnto him that Reynulph Erle of Chester with an hoste of Welshemen was commyng towardes him: But by media∣tion of friendes this Reynulph in the ende was reconciled to the king,* 1.27 and was with him fully agreed. But shortly after sayth Reynulph, in a Parlia∣ment holden at Northamton, he was taken of the king by a traine, and not deliuered againe before he had geuen vp the Castell of Lincolne.

[unspec 1144/10] About this tyme as certeyne write, the Iewes then beyng in England crucifyed a childe named William in the Citie of Norwiche in derision of the Christian religion.* 1.28 And in the time of Henry the second, about the .vj. yere of his reigne (as sayth Reynulph) they crucifyed another at Gloucester.

[unspec 1146/12] In the .xij. yere of his reigne, king Stephen was againe crowned at Lincolne after the geuyng vp of the sayd Citie where neuer none of his pre∣decessors had bene euer crowned before.

Robert Erle of Gloucester made also new warre vpon the king, at Wil∣ton,* 1.29 so that he was in great perill, and like to haue fallen into Roberts daun∣ger, and escaped but verye narowly. And there was taken a Barron of the kinges named Sir William Martell, for whose raunsome and deliuery, the king gaue after to the sayd Erle the Castell of Sherborne. And that done, the sayd Erle Robert began to buyld a strong Castell at Faringdon: Whereof the king beyng enformed, assembled his knightes and sped him thetherward, by meane whereof the worke was for that tyme empeached and let. These thinges done (sayth Polidore) the rage of warre ceased for a tyme. In the meane while, the king went vnto London, and there helde a Parliament, in the which he spake vnto his Nobles and Prelates as foloweth.

Where you haue hetherto (my most deare and trusty Lords all) followed me as chiefe and head Capitaine in defending your libertie, I desire you that you will not nowe forsake me but do the lyke hereafter, and continue as loyall and faythful vnto me your souereigne liege Lord, as you haue hether∣to bene: for as concerning me, though I haue not yet (I confesse) done my duetie in the princely regiment committed vnto me, accordingly yet certes it hath not bene for want of good will, but for that time hath not serued thervn∣to, neyther can I now accomplish the same without your ayde and assistance. And because you shall not thinke that hetherto little or nothing hath beene done of any importaunce: you shall vnderstand that our enimies are already so weakened by my meanes, that will they nyll they, they must needes yeeld them shortly to our grace and mercie. There remayneth onely that you will for your partes helpe to maintaine those warres which by oure consent and counsayle were first begonne and taken in hande by mee, for the defence of the common wealth. And manye other wordes spake he vnto them of lyke

sentence, to the entent to moue them to contribute to the aforesayde warres as the present necessitie should require.

When he had thus spoken euery man promised wyllingly to ayde him with that they might, aswell for their awne safetie, as for the defence of the com∣mon libertie of the Realme. The Bishops and Priestes also, because it was not lawfull for them to fight, were contented yet to ayde him with money. For the which thing, he being desyrous to gratefie them againe, caused it to be ordeyned and enacted in the Parliament, that whosoeuer from that daye forwarde layde violent handes vpon any that was within holy orders, or did arrest any such, for what cryme soeuer it were, or take them prisoners with∣out the ordinaries processe and expresse commaundement, should be accoun∣ted accurssed, and neuer to be assoyled againe, but of the Bishop of Rome.

In the .xv. yere of his reigne, [unspec 1149/15] the Ryuer of Thamys was so strongly ouer frosen that Horse and Carte passed ouer vpon the Ise.

It is also written by Robert a Chronicler that king Stephen concey∣uing great displeasure against the Citie of Worcester, because they recey∣ued the Duke of Gloucester and Mawde the Empresse, did therefore cause the same Citie to be set on fyre and brent to coles.

In the .xvij. yere, Reynulph Erle of Chester dyed, [unspec 1151/17] and was the fourth Erle after the Conquest, and his sonne Hugh was Earle after hym, which was a man of great strength and power.* 1.30 And in the same yere (as sayeth Guydo and other) dyed Geoffrey Plantagenet husband of Mawde the Em∣presse. After whose death, Henry short Mantell that was the sonne of the sayde Geoffrey and Mawde, was made Duke of Angeow and Normandy, who in fewe yeres after maried Elianour the daughter of the Erle of Poy∣towe, the which Elianour was before maried vnto Lewes king of France, and from him deuorced for neerenesse of blood, when he had receyued of her two daughters named Mary, and Alice, as sayth the French Chronicle. And so this Henry was Erle of Angeow by his father, and Duke of Normandy by his mother, and Erle of Poytowe by his wyfe.

It was not long after, that Eustace the sonne of King Stephen, wyth aide of the French king, warred vpon Henry Duke of Normandy, the which (as some write) was practised by Stephen his father, to the intent to let or stop him that he should not come into England to clayme his inheritaunce. But Duke Henry defended himselfe so knightly, that the saide Eustace wan thereby lyttle honour and lesse profite.

An olde Chronicle sheweth that king Stephen entended to haue crow∣ned the sayd Eustace his sonne king of Englande by his dayes, but the By∣shoppes refused that deede by the commaundement of the Bishop of Rome.

In the .xviij. yere, the king layde siege vnto the Castelles of Newbury, [unspec 1152/18] of Walyngforde, and of Warwike & Warwell, the which had bene kept by the Empresse friendes, from the time of her departure vnto that day, and hoped of reskues by Henry Duke of Normandy. But the king then wan the Castelles of Newbury and of Warwell, but Warwike and Wallyngford de∣fended themselues vntill the commyng of Henry the Duke,* 1.31 the which in the ende of the sayde yere with a great armye entred England, and first wanne the Castell of Malmesbury.

And thence he went to London, and wanne the Tower, asmuch by pol∣lecy

and by fayre promises, as by strength. And such stuffe of victuall and ar∣mour as he found therein, he sent to Walingrord. And that done, he went to the towne of Walyngford, and wanne suche holdes as were thereabout, and diuerse other townes and Castelles mo. Then king Stephen with his power drewe towarde the Duke. And finally, by meane of mediators, as Thibalde Archbishop of Cauntorbury and other, both Princes to common of peace, met nere vnto the water of Vrine, or Vrne. But as fast as some labou∣red for peace, so fast other laboured to haue warre, so that at that communi∣cation the peace was not concluded.

After the king and the Duke were departed, the king went toward Ips∣witch in Suffolke: And the Duke tooke the way towarde Shrewesbury, where he wanne the Castell of the sayd towne. From thence he went to No∣tyngham, and wan that towne, but would not meddle with the Castell, be∣cause he thought it to strong to be wonne. Wherefore the Souldiours that held the said Castell, seeing that the towne toke partie with the Duke, brake out in the night, and set the towne on fyre, and brent a great part thereof.

* 1.32In this meane tyme Eustace the sonne of king Stephen, was by misad∣uenture drowned, and was buried at Feuersham in Kent, in the Abbey y^t his father before had builded,* 1.33 howbeit for al this Thibald Archbishop of Cātor∣bury let not to labor & conclude the peace betwene the king & the Duke, and endeuored himselfe therin so diligently, that with the assistance of other of the Nobles,* 1.34 in the yere folowing a peace was concluded at Walingford, vpon di∣uerse conditions: wherof one was that the king should continue as king du∣ring his life, and that immediately after the conclusion of this peace, the sayd Henry should be proclaymed in all the chiefe cities & townes of England for heire apparant,* 1.35 & be king after the death of the said Stephen, & that the king should take him for his sonne by adoption & rightfull heyre vnto the crowne. To the which couenauntes iustly to be holden, the king was first sworne, and then his base sonne William and after his Lordes spirituall and Temporall, and so went both vnto London, where they were roially receiued. And when the king had feasted the Duke, and geuen vnto him riche gittes, he tooke his iourney toward Normandy.* 1.36 But the English Chronicle sayth that the accord was made vpon the deuision of the land betwene them, that is to say, that both should reigne together, and either of them to enioy halfe the lande. But how that deuision was made, or which part of the land eyther of them should holde, no mention thereof is made. And the former accorde should be concluded .viij. [unspec 1153/19] dayes folowyng the Epiphany of our Lorde in the towne of Oxford: and the king dyed in the moneth of October folowyng, when he had reigned .xviij. yeres .x. monethes and .xxiiij. dayes, leauyng no lawfull issue behynd him, and was buryed in the Abbey of Feuersham whereof he hym∣selfe was founder.

Of dyuerse authours, as Reynulph and other, it is recorded that this Stephen liued in great vexation and trouble all the time of his reigne.

And as before ye haue heard in the latter ende of the story of king Wil∣liam the Conquerour, that king Henry the second, and king Stephen, came of two sisters, after the opinion of some wryters which were the daughters of king Henry the first who had maryed Molde the daughter of Malcolyne king of Scottes, whereof the elder was named Molde maried to Geoffrey

Plantagenet of whome he begat king Henry the second: And the other sister named Mary was the mother of king Stephen:* 1.37 So also is it to be vnder∣stand, that by king Henry the seconde returned the blood of the Saxons to the crowne of England, and so it did by Stephen, but yet more properly by king Henry the first, as by the discent of his mother expressed before in the ende of the story of William Conquerour may apere. By which reason it fo∣loweth,* 1.38 that the blood of William Conquerour reigned ouer England but lxviij. yeres, one moneth and .xvj. dayes, if it be accompted from the first yere of king William Conquerour, vnto the last yere of king Hen∣ry the first: But if we reckon it to the ende of the reigne of king Stephen, then was it .lxxxvij. yeres, and .xij. dayes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  King Steu•• crowned.
• * 1.2

  Periury.
• * 1.3

  Wilfull per∣iury punished
• * 1.4

  Dane gelt.
• * 1.5

  Homage of the Scottes.
• * 1.6

  Alexander Bishop of Lincolne.
• * 1.7

  Roger bishop of Sarisbury
• * 1.8

  11••8/4
• * 1.9

  Scottes rebell.
• * 1.10

  Thurston Archebishop of Yorke o∣uerthrew the king of Scottes.
• * 1.11

  Strife who should fight first in battel.
• * 1.12

  The oracion of Erle Baldwin.
• * 1.13

  Thre things are requisite to such as fight in bat∣tayle.
• * 1.14

  A terrible Battaile.
• * 1.15

  King Ste∣phen taken prisoner.
• * 1.16

  The trium∣phing of Mawde the Empresse.
• * 1.17

  A large pro∣mise which was neuer purposed to be performed.
• * 1.18

  The Em∣presse was somewhat to streyght laced.
• * 1.19

  The fleyng of the Em∣presse.
• * 1.20

  A wise and couragious woman.
• * 1.21

  Prisoners exchaunged.
• * 1.22

  Pilling and spoyling of the Realme.
• * 1.23

  The returne of the Em∣presse vnto Oxenford.
• * 1.24

  A prety in∣uention.
• * 1.25

  A hard scape.
• * 1.26

  The maner of departure of the Em∣presse.
• * 1.27

  Parliament at North∣hamton.
• * 1.28

  Iewes cru∣cified a child.
• * 1.29

  Robert Erle of Gloucester well rewar∣ded of the king.
• * 1.30

  The death of Groffrey Plātagenet.
• * 1.31

  The landing of Henry Duke of Normandy.
• * 1.32

  Eustace the sonne of king Stephen drowned.
• * 1.33

  Thibald Archebishop of Cātorbury
• * 1.34

  A peace con∣cluded be∣twene king Stephen and Henry Duke of Normādy.
• * 1.35

  Henry Duke of Normādie proclaymed heyre appa∣rant.
• * 1.36

  Duke Henry returned into Normandy.
• * 1.37

  By king Hē∣ry the second the blood of the Saxons was restored againe.
• * 1.38

  The blood of the Normās how long is reigned o∣uer vs.