The most lucrative branch of its trade, however, reflects no credit on its burghers. All the eloquence of S. Wulfstan and all the sternness of the Conqueror had barely availed to check for a while their practice of kidnapping men for the Irish slave-market; and that the traffic was again in full career in the latter years of Henry I. we learn from the experiences of the canons of Laon. They eagerly went on board some of the vessels in the harbour to buy some clothes, and to inspect the strange wares brought from lands which can have had little or no intercourse with the inland cities of Gaul. On their return they were solemnly implored by their friends in the city not to run such a risk again, as they would most likely find the ships suddenly put to sea and themselves sold into bondage in a foreign land.[82] [76] See the description of Bristol in _Gesta Steph._ (Sewell), p. 37. [77] Seyer, _Memoirs of Bristol_, vol. ii. pp. 18–27. [78] _Gesta Steph._ (Sewell), p. 37. [79] See the description of the “Higra,” and of Bristol, in Will. Malm. _Gesta Pontif._, l. iv. cc. 153, 154 (Hamilton, p. 292). [80] _Gesta Steph._ (Sewell), p. 37. [81] In _Gesta Steph._ (Sewell), p. 21, Exeter is called the fourth city in the realm. As London and Winchester are always counted first and second, the third can only be Bristol. [82] Herman. Mon., l. ii. c. 21 (D’Achéry, _Guib. Noviog. Opp._, p. 541).