Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066 -- Sources
named Roger, threw himself into Norwich castle, and spread devastation
throughout that country: Hugo also was in no respect less formidable to
Leicestershire and Northampton. Bishop Odo, with whom these commotions
originated, departed to his Earldom of Kent, which he ravaged, and he
wholly laid waste the lands of the King and the Archbishop, and brought
all the plunder into his castle at Rochester. When the King had heard
all this, and with what treason they were acting towards him, he was
greatly disturbed in mind; and he sent for the English, and laid his
necessities before them, and entreated their assistance. He promised
them better laws than had ever been in this land, and forbade all
unjust taxes, and guaranteed to his subjects their woods and hunting.
But these concessions were soon done away. Howbeit the English came to
the aid of their Lord the King, and they then marched towards Rochester
desiring to seize Bishop Odo, for they thought that if they had him
who was the head of the conspiracy in their power, they might with
greater ease subdue the others.--Then they came to Tunbridge castle, in
which were the Knights of Bishop Odo and many others, resolved to hold
out against William. But the English came on, and stormed the castle,
and the garrison capitulated. They then proceeded towards Rochester
believing that the Bishop was there; but the King was told that he was
departed to his castle at Pevensey, and the King and his troops went
after him, and he besieged that castle full six weeks with a very large
army. In the mean time Robert Earl of Normandy, the King’s brother,
gathered together a great multitude, and thought that he should win
England with the aid of the disaffected of this country. And he sent
some of his troops to this land, intending to follow them himself.
But the English who guarded the sea attacked these men, and slew and
drowned more than any one can number. At length provisions became
scarce in the castle, on which the insurgents prayed for a truce and
surrendered the place to the King, and the Bishop took an oath that he
would depart from England, and never return unless the King sent for
him, and that he would also give up Rochester castle. After this the
Bishop proceeded thither that he might deliver up that fortress, and
the King sent his men with him, but then the soldiers who were in the
castle arose, and seized the Bishop, and the King’s men, whom they put
into confinement. There were very good knights in this castle: Eustace
the younger, the three sons of Earl Roger, and all the best born of
this land, and of Normandy. When the King knew this, he set forth
with all the troops then with him, and he sent over all England and
commanded that every man of mark, French or English, from town and from
country, should come and join him. Many were those who flocked to him
and he marched to Rochester and besieged the castle till the garrison
capitulated. Bishop Odo and those who were with him departed over sea,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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