and thus the Bishop lost the station he held in this land. The King afterwards sent an army to Durham, and besieged the castle, and the Bishop capitulated, and surrendered it, and he gave up his Bishoprick and went to Normandy. Many Frenchmen also left their lands, and went over sea, and the King gave their estates to those who had held fast to him. 1089. This year the venerable father and patron of monks Archbishop Lanfranc departed this life, but we trust that he hath entered into the kingdom of heaven. There was also a great earthquake throughout England on the 3d of the ides of August. And it was a very late year both as to the corn, and fruits of all kind, so that many men reaped their corn about Martinmas, and even later. 1090. Things being in the state we have described, as regarding the King, his brother, and his people, William considered how he might take the surest vengeance on his wretched brother Robert, and win Normandy from him. To this end, he gained the castle and port of St. Valeri by stratagem or bribery, and also Albemarle Castle, and he placed his knights in them, and they did much harm, ravaging and burning the country. After this he got possession of more castles in that land, and in these also he stationed his knights. When Robert Earl of Normandy found that his sworn liege-men revolted and gave up their castles to his great injury, he sent to his Lord Philip King of France, who came into Normandy with a large army; and the King and the Earl with an innumerable force besieged a castle defended by the King of England’s soldiers: but King William of England sent to Philip King of France, and he, for love of William or for his great bribes, deserted his vassal Earl Robert and his land, and returned to France, leaving things as they were. During all these transactions, England was greatly oppressed by unlawful taxes, and many other grievances. 1091.