[Sidenote: _Polydor._] Thus when he had prouided for the suertie of Normandie, he returned againe into England, where he was no sooner arriued, but aduertisement was giuen him of a warre newlie begon with the Scots, whose king vnder a colour of obseruing the oth to the empresse, [Sidenote: The Scots inuade the English borders.] made dailie insurrections and inuasions into England, to the great disturbance of king Stephan and the annoiance of his people. Wherwith being somewhat mooued, he went streightwaies toward the north parts, and determined first to besiege Bedford by the waie, which apperteined to the earledome of Huntington, by gift made vnto Henrie the sonne of king Dauid, and therevpon at that present kept with a garison of Scotish men. [Sidenote: _Simon Dun._.] This place did the king besiege by the space of 30. daies togither, giuing thereto euerie daie an assault or alarme, in somuch that cōming thither on Christmasse daie, he spared not on the morow to assaile them, and so at length wan the towne from them by méere force and strength. [Sidenote: An. Reg. 3. 1138.] [Sidenote: King Dauid inuaded Northumberland. _Matth. West._ _Polydor._ _Matt. Paris._ _Simon Dun._] King Dauid hearing those newes, and being alreadie in armour in the field, entered into Northumberland, and licensed his men of warre to spoile and rob the countrie thereabout at their pleasure. Herevpon followed such crueltie, that their rage stretched vnto old and yoong, vnto preest and clearke, yea women with child escaped not their hands, they hanged, headed, and slue all that came in their waie: houses were burnt, cattell driuen awaie, and all put to fire and sword that serued to any vse for reléefe, either of man or beast. ¶ Here we see what a band of calamities doo accompanie and waite vpon warre, wherein also we haue to consider what a traine of felicities doo attend vpon peace, by an equall comparing of which twaine togither, we may easilie perceiue in how heauenlie an estate those people be that liue vnder the scepter of tranquillitie, and contrariwise what a hellish course of life they lead that haue sworne their seruice to the sword. We may consider also the inordinat outrages of princes, & their frantike fiersenes, who esteeme not the losse of their subiects liues, the effusion of innocent bloud, the population of countries, the ruinating of ample regions, &c.: so their will may be satisfied, there desire serued. [Sidenote: M. Pal. in suo Capric.] And therefore it was aptlie spoken by a late poet, not beside this purpose: Reges atque duces dira impelluntur in arma, Imperiúmque sibi miserorum cæde lucrantur. O cæci, ô miseri, quid? bellum pace putatis Dignius aut melius? nempe hôc nil terpius, & nil Quod magis humanâ procul à ratione recedat. [Sidenote: _Ouid._] Candida pax homines, trux decet ira feras.