Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066 -- Sources
This year King William gave the daughter of William Osbearn’s son in
marriage to Earl Ralph: the said Ralph was a Welchman on his mother’s
side, and his father was an Englishman named Ralph, who was born in
Norfolk. Then the King gave the Earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk to
his son, who brought his wife to Norwich, but there the bridal feast
was the bane of all: for Earl Roger and Earl Waltheof were there,
and Bishops and Abbots, and they took counsel to depose the King of
England. And this was soon reported to the King then in Normandy, and
it was told him withal that Earl Roger and Earl Ralph were the heads
of the conspiracy, and that they had brought over the Welch to their
side, and had sent eastward to Denmark for a fleet to assist them. And
Earl Roger departed to his earldom in the west, and gathered his people
together in rebellion against the King, but he was checked in his
attempt. And Earl Ralph also being in his earldom would have marched
forth with his people; but the garrisons of the castles of England,
and the inhabitants of the country came against him, and prevented his
effecting any thing, on which he took ship at Norwich: and his wife
remained in the castle, and held it till she had obtained terms, and
then she departed from England with all her adherents. And after this
the King came to England, and he took his kinsman Earl Roger and put
him in prison; he also seized Earl Waltheof. And soon afterwards 200
ships arrived from Denmark, commanded by two chieftains, Cnut the son
of Swegn, and Earl Hacon, but they durst not risk a battle with King
William, and they bore away for Flanders. And the lady Eadgith died at
Winchester seven nights before Christmas, and the King caused her to be
brought to Westminster with great pomp, and to be laid by her Lord King
Edward. And the King was at Westminster during Christmas, and there all
the Welchmen who had been at the bridal feast at Norwich were brought
to justice; some were blinded, and others banished. Thus were put down
the traitors to William.
1076.
This year Swægn King of Denmark died, and Harold his son succeeded to
the kingdom. And the King gave Westminster to Vithele, who had before
been Abbot of Bernay. Earl Waltheof was beheaded at Winchester, and his
body was carried to Croyland. And the King went over sea and led his
army into Britanny, and besieged the castle of Dol, and the Bretons
defended it till the King of France came up, and then William departed,
having lost both men and horses and much treasure.
1077.
This year a peace was made between the King of France and William King
of England, and it lasted but a little while. And this year, one night
before the Assumption of St. Mary, there was a more dreadful fire in
London than had ever happened since the town was built. And this year
Ægelwig Abbot of Evesham died on the 14th of the calends of March.
Bishop Hereman died also on the 10th of the calends of March.
1079.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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