Chapter 2

[Sidenote: _Polydor._] [Sidenote: 1067.] After this, he tooke order how to keepe the realme in good and quiet gouernment, fortifieng the necessarie places, and furnishing them with garisons. He also appointed officers and councellers, such as he thought to be wise and discréet men, and appointed ships to be in the hauens by the coast for the defense of the land, as he thought moste expedient. [Sidenote: _Iohn Stow._] After his coronation, or rather before (as by some authours it should seeme) euen presentlie vpon obteining of the citie of London, [Sidenote: _Thos. Spot._] he tooke his iourney towards the castell of Douer, to subdue that and the rest of Kent also: which when the archbishop Stigand and Egelsin the abbat of S. Augustines (being as it were the chiefest lords and gouernours of all Kent) did perceiue, and considered that the whole realme was in an euill state; & that whereas in this realme of England, before the comming in of the forsaid duke William, there were no bondmen: [Sidenote: Seruitude & bondage of the Nobilitie and Commonaltie to the Normans.] now all, as well the Nobilitie as the Commonaltie were without respect made subiect to the intollerable bondage of the Normans, taking an occasion by the perill and danger that their neighbours were in, to prouide for the safegard of themselues and their countrie. They caused all the people of the countie of Kent to assemble at Canturburie, and declared to them the perils and dangers imminent, the miserie that their neighbours were come into, the pride and insolencie of the Normans, and the hardnesse and griefe of bondage and seruile estate. Whereupon all the people rather choosing to end their vnfortunate life, than to submit themselues to an vnaccustomed yoke of seruitude and bondage, with a common consent determined to méet duke William, and to fight with him for the lawes of their countrie. Also, the foresaid Stigand the archbishop, and the abbat Egelsin, choosing rather to die in battell, than to see their nation in so euill an estate, being encouraged by the examples of the holie Machabées, became capteins of the armie. And at a daie appointed, all the people met at Swanescombe, and being hidden in the woods, laie priuilie in wait for the comming of the foresaid duke William.

Now, bicause it cannot hurt to take great héed, and to be verie warie in such cases, they agréed before hand, that when the duke was come, and the passages on euerie side stopped, to the end he should no waie be able to escape, euerie one of them, as well horssemen as footmen should beare boughes in their hands. The next daie after, when the duke was come into the fields and territories néere vnto Swanescombe, and saw all the countrie set and placed about him, as it had beene a stirring and moouing wood, and that with a meane pace they approched and drew neare vnto him, with great discomfort of mind he woondered at that sight. And assoone as the capteins of the Kentishmen sawe that duke William was inclosed in the middest of their armie, they caused their trumpets to be sounded, their banners to be displaied, and threw downe their boughes, & with their bowes bent, their swords drawne, and their speares and other kind of weapons stretched foorth, they shewed themselues readie to fight. Duke William and they that were with him stood (as no maruell it was) sore astonied, and amazed: so that he which thought he had alreadie all England fast in his fist, did now despaire of his owne life. Therefore on the behalfe of the Kentishmen, were sent vnto duke William the archbishop Stigand, and Egelsin abbat of S. Augustines, who told him their message in this sort.

"My lord duke, behold the people of Kent come forth to méet you, and to receiue you as their liege lord, requiring at your hands the things which perteine to peace, and that vnder this condition; that all the people of Kent enioy for euer their ancient liberties, and may for euermore vse the lawes and customes of the countrie: otherwise they are readie presentlie to bid battell to you, and them that be with you, and are minded rather to die here altogither, than to depart from the lawes and customes of their countrie, and to submit themselues to bondage, whereof as yet they neuer had experience."

The duke séeing himselfe to be driuen to such an exigent & narrow pinch, consulted a while with them that came with him, prudentlie considering, that if he should take anie repulse or displeasure at the hands of this people, which be the key of England, all that he had done before should be disanulled and made of none effect, and all his hope and safetie should stand in danger and ieopardie: not so willinglie as wiselie he granted the people of Kent their request. Now when the couenant was established, and pledges giuen on both sides: the Kentishmen being ioyfull, conducted the Normans (who also were glad) vnto Rochester, and yéelded vp to the duke the earledome of Kent, and the noble castell of Douer. [Sidenote: The ancient liberties and lawes of England remaine in Kent onlie.] Thus the ancient liberties of England, and the lawes and customes of the countrie, which before the comming of duke William out of Normandie, were equallie kept throughout all England, doo (through this industrie and earnest trauell of the archbishop Stigand and Egelsin abbat of S. Augustines) remaine inuiolablie obserued vntill this daie within that countie of Kent. [Sidenote: _Wil. Thorne._] ¶ Thus far Thomas Spot, and after him William Thorne writeth the same. Of the which the former (that is Spot) liued in the daies of king Edward the first, and William Thorne in the daies of king Richard the second.

But now, before we procéed anie further in recitall of the Conquerours dooings, we haue here in a table noted all the noble capteins and gentlemen of name, aswell Normans as other strangers, which assisted duke William in the conquest of this land: and first, as we find them written in the chronicles of Normandie by one William Tailleur.

* * * * *

THE CATALOG OF SUCH NOBLEMEN, LORDS, AND GENTLEMEN OF NAME, AS CAME INTO THIS LAND WITH WILLIAM THE CONQUEROUR.

Odo bishop of Bayeulx. Robert erle of Mortaing. Roger erle of Beaumont surnamed _A la Barbe_. Guillaume Mallet seigneur de Montfort. Henrie seig. de Ferrers. Guillaume d'Aubelle-mare seign. de Fougieres. Guillaume de Roumare seig. de Lithare. Le seig. de Touque. Le seig. de la Mare. Neel le Viconte. Guillaume de Vepont. Le seig. de Magneuille. Le seig. de Grosmenil. Le seig. de S. Martin. Le seig. de Puis. Guillaume Crespin. Guillaume de Movenne. Guillaume Desmoulins. Guillaume Desgarennes. Hue de Gourney, _aliàs_ Genevay. Le seig. de Bray. Le seig. de Gouy. Le seig. de Laigle. Le seig. de Touarts. Le seig. de Aurenchin. Le seig. de Vitrey. Le seig. de Trassy, _aliàs_ Tracy. Le seig. de Picquigny. Le seig. d'Espinay. Osmond seig. du Pont. Le seig. de Estouteuile. Le seig. de Torchy. Le seig. de Barnabost. Le seig. de Breual. Le seig. de Seeulme. Le seig. de Houme. Le seig. de Souchoy. Le seig. de Cally. Le seig. de la Riuere. Euldes de Beanieu. Le seig. de Roumilly. Le seig. de Glotz. Le seig. du Sap. Le seig. de Vanuille. Le seig. Branchou. Le seig. Balleul. Le seig. de Beausault. Le seig. de Telleres. Le seig. de Senlys. Le seig. de Bacqueuille. Le seig. de Preaulx. Le seig. de Iouy. Le seig. de Longueuille. Le seig. de Aquigny. Le seig. de Passy. Le seig. de Tournay. Le seig. de Colombieres. Le seig. de Bolleber. Le seig. de Garensieres. Le seig. de Longueile. Le seig. de Houdetot. Le seig. de Malletot. Le seig. de la Haie Malerbe. Le seig. de Porch Pinche. Le seig. de Iuetot. The erle of Tanqueruile. The erle d'Eu. The erle d'Arques. The erle of Aniou. The erle of Neuers. Le seig. de Rouuile. Le prince de Alemaigne. Le seig. de Pauilly. Le seig. de S. Cler. Le seig. d'Espinay. Le seig. de Bremetot. Alain Fergant erle of Britaigne. Le seig. de la Ferte. Robert fils Heruays duc de Orleans. Le seig. de la Lande. Le seig. de Mortimer. Le seig. de Clare. Le seig. de Magny. Le seig. de Fontnay. Roger de Montgomery. Amaury de Touars. Le seig. de Hacqueuile. Le seig. de Neanshou. Le seig. de Perou. Robert de Beaufou. Le seig. Meauuon. Le seig. de Soteuile. Eustace de Hambleuile. Geoffray Bournom. Le seig. de Blainuile. Le seig. de Mauneuile. Geoffrey de Moienne. Auffray and Mauger de Carteny. Le seig. de Freanuile. Le seig. de Moubray. Le seig. de Iafitay. Guillaume Patais seig. de la Lande. Eulde de Mortimer. Hue erle of Gournay. Egremont de Laigle. Richard d'Aurinchin. Le seig. de Bearts. Le seig. de Soulligny. Bouteclier d'Aubigny. Le seig. de Marcey. Le seig. de Lachy. Le seig. de Valdere. Eulde de Montfort. Henoyn de Cahieu. Le seig. de Vimers. Guillaume de Mouion. Raoul Tesson de Tignolles. Anguerand erle of Hercourt. Roger Marmion. Raoul de Gaiel. Auenel de Viers. Pauuel du Montier Hubert. Robert Bertraule Tort. Le seig. de Seulle. Le seig. Doriual. Le seig. de la Hay. Le seig. de S. Iohn. Le seig. de Saussy. Le seig. de Brye. Richard Dollebec. Le seig. du Monfiquet. Le seig. de Bresey. Le seig. de Semilly. Le seig. de Tilly. Le seig. de Preaux. Le seig. de S. Denis. Le seig. de Meuley. Le seig. de Monceaux. The archers of Bretuile. The archers of Vaudreuile. Le seig. de S. Sain. Le seig. de Breansou. Le seig. de Sassy. Le seig. de Nassy. Le vidam de Chartres. Le seig. de Ieanuile. Le vidam du Passais. Pierre du Bailleul seig. de Fescampe. Le seneschal de Torchy. Le seig. de Grissey. Le seig. de Bassey. Le seig. de Tourneur. Guillaume de Colombieres. Le seig. de Bonnebault. Le seig. de Ennebault. Le seig. de Danuillers. Le seig. de Beruile. Le seig. de Creueceur. Le seig. de Breate. Le seig. de Coutray. The erle of Eureux. Le seig. de seint Valery. Thomas erle d'Aumale. The erle de Hiesmes.

With other lords and men of account in great numbers, whose names the author of the chronicles of Normandie could not come by (as he himselfe confesseth.) In consideration whereof, and bicause diuers of these are set foorth onlie by their titles of estate, and not by their surnames; we haue thought it conuenient to make you partakers of the roll which sometime belonged to Battell abbeie, conteining also (as the title thereof importeth) the names of such Nobles and Gentlemen of Marque, as came at this time with the Conqueror, whereof diuerse maie be the same persons which in the catalog aboue written are conteined, bearing the names of the places whereof they were possessors and owners, as by the same catalog maie appeare.

* * * * *

THE ROLL OF BATTELL ABBEIE.

A

Avmarle Aincourt Audeley Adgillam Argentoune Arundell Auenant Abell Auuerne Aunwers Angers Angenoun Archere Anuay Asperu Albeuile Andeuile Amouerduile Arcy and Akeny Albeny Aybeuare Amay Aspermound Amerenges

B

Bertram Buttecourt Brebus and Byseg Bardolfe Basset and Bigot Bohun Bailif Bondeuile Brabason Baskeruile Bures Bounilaine Bois Botelere Bourcher Brabaion Berners Braibuf Brande and Bronce Burgh Bushy Banet Blondell Breton Bluat and Baious Browne Beke Bickard Banastre Baloun Beauchampe Bray and Bandy Bracy Boundes Bascoun Broilem Broleuy Burnell Bellet Baudewin Beaumont Burdon Berteuilay Barre Busseuile Blunt Beaupere Beuill Barduedor Brette Barrett Bonret Bainard Barniuale Bonett Barry Bryan Bodin Beteruile Bertin Bereneuile Bellewe Beuery Busshell Boranuile Browe Beleuers Buffard Botelere Bonueier Boteuile Bellire Bastard Bainard Brasard Beelhelme Braine Brent Braunch Belesuz Blundell Burdet Bagot Beauuise Belemis Beisin Bernon Boels Belefroun Brutz Barchampe

C

Camois Camuile Chawent Chauncy Conderay Coluile Chamberlaine Chamburnoun Comin Columber Cribett Creuquere Corbine Corbett Chaundos Chaworth Cleremaus Clarell Chopis Chaunduit Chantelow Chamberay Cressy Curtenay Conestable Cholmeley Champney Chawnos Comiuile Champaine Careuile Carbonelle Charles Chereberge Chawnes Chaumont Caperoun Cheine Curson Couille Chaiters Cheines Cateray Cherecourt Cammile Clerenay Curly Cuily Clinels Chaundos Courteney Clifford

D

Denauille Dercy Diue Dispencere Daubeny Daniell Denise and Druell Deuans Dauers Dodingsels Darell Delaber Delapole Delalinde Delahill Delaware Delauache Dakeny Dauntre Desny Dabernoune Damry Daueros Dauonge Duilby Dalauere Delahoid Durange Delee Delaund Delaward Delaplanch Damnot Danway Dehense Deuile Disard Doiuille Durant Drury Dabitot Dunsteruile Dunchampe Dambelton

E

Estrange Estuteuile Engaine Estriels Esturney

F

Ferrerers Foluille Fitz Water Fitz Marmaduke Fleuez Filberd Fitz Roger Fauecourt Ferrers Fitz Philip Filiot Furniueus Furniuaus Fitz Otes Fitz William Fitz Roand Fitz Pain Fitz Auger Fitz Aleyn Fitz Rauff Fitz Browne Fouke Freuil Front de Boef Facunberge Fort Frisell Fitz Simon Fitz Fouk Filioll Fitz Thomas Fitz Morice Fitz Hugh Fitz Henrie Fitz Waren Fitz Rainold Flamuile Formay Fitz Eustach Fitz Laurence Formibaud Frisound Finere and Fitz Robert Furniuale Fitz Geffrey Fitz Herbert Fitz Peres Fichet Fitz Rewes Fitz Fitz Fitz John Fleschampe

G

Gvrnay Gressy Graunson Gracy Georges Gower Gaugy Goband Gray Gaunson Golofre Gobion Grensy Graunt Greile Greuet Gurry Gurley Grammori Gernoun Grendon Gurdon Gines Griuil Greneuile Glateuile Gurney Giffard Gouerges Gamages

H

Haunteney Haunsard Hastings Hanlay Haurell Husee Hercy Herioun Herne Harecourt Henoure Houell Hamelin Harewell Hardell Haket Hamound Harcord

I

Iarden Iay Ieniels Ierconuise Ianuile Iasperuile

K

Kaunt Karre Karrowe Koine Kimaronne Kiriell Kancey Kenelre

L

Loueny Lacy Linneby Latomer Loueday Louell Lemare Leuetot Lucy Luny Logeuile Longespes Louerace Longechampe Lascales Lacy Louan Leded Luse Loterell Lornge Longevule Loy Lorancourt Loions Limers Longepay Laumale Lane Louetot

M

Mohant Mowne Maundeuile Marmilon Moribray Moruile Miriell Manlay Malebraunch Malemame Mortimere Mortimaine Muse Marteine Mountbother Mountsoler Maleuile Malet Mounteney Monfichet Maleherbe Mare Musegros Musard Moine Montrauers Merke Murres Mortiuale Monchenesy Mallory Marny Mountagu Mountford Maule Monhermon Musett Meneuile Manteuenant and Manfe Meapincoy Maine Mainard Morell Mainell Maleluse Memorous Morreis Morleian Maine Maleuere Mandut Mountmarten Mamelet Miners Mauclerke Maunchenell Mouet Meintenore Meletak Manuile Mangisere Maumasin Mountlouel Mawreward Monhaut Meller Mountgomerie Manlay Maulard Mainard Menere Martinast Mare Mainwaring Matelay Malemis Maleheire Moren Melun Marceans Maiell Morton

N

Noers Neuile Newmarch Norbet Norice Newborough Neiremet Neile Normauile Neofmarch Nermitz Nembrutz

O

Oteuell Olibef Olifant Osenel Oisell Olifard Orinall Orioll

P

Pigot Pery Perepount Pershale Power Painell Perche and Pauey Peurell Perot Picard Pinkenie Pomeray Pounce Pauely Paifrere Plukenet Phuars Punchardoun Pinchard Placy Pugoy Patefine Place Pampilioun Percelay Perere and Pekeny Poterell Peukeny Peccell Pinell Putrill Petiuoll Preaus Pantolf Peito Penecord Preudirlegast Perciuale

Q

Qvinci Quintiny

R

Ros Ridell Riuers Riuell Rous Rushell Raband Ronde Rie Rokell Risers Randuile Roselin Rastoke Rinuill Rougere Rait Ripere Rigny Richemound Rochford Raimond

S

Souch Sheuile Seucheus Senclere Sent Quintin Sent Omere Sent Amond Sent Legere Someruile Siward Saunsovere Sanford Sanctes Sauay Saulay Sules Sorell Somerey Sent Iohn Sent George Sent Les Sesse Saluin Say Solers Saulay Sent Albin Sent Martin Sourdemale Seguin Sent Barbe Sent Vile Souremount Soreglise Sanduile Sauncey Sirewast Sent Cheueroll Sent More Sent Scudemore

T

Toget Tercy Tuchet Tracy Trousbut Trainell Taket Trussel and Trison Talbot Touny Traies Tollemach Tolous Tanny Touke Tibtote Turbeuile Turuile Tomy and Taverner Trencheuile Trenchelion Tankeruile Tirell Triuet Tolet Trauers Tardeuile Turburuile Tineuile Torell Tortechappell Trusbote Treuerell Tenwis Totelles

V

Vere Vernoun Vescy Verdoune Valence Verdeire Vauasour Vendore Verlay Valenger Venables Venoure Vilan Verland Valers Veirny Vauurvile Veniels Verrere Vschere Veffay Vanay Vian Verneys Vrnall Vnket Vrnafull Vasderoll Vaberon Valingford Venicorde Valiue Viuille Vancorde and Valenges

W

Wardebois Ward Wafre Wake Wareine Wate Watelin Wateuil Wely Werdonell Wespaile Wiuell

[Sidenote: _Sim. Dunel._] When king William had set all things in order through the most part of the realme, he deliuered the guiding thereof vnto his brother Odo, the bishop of Bayeux, and his coosine William Fits Osborne, whom he had made erle of Hereford. [Sidenote: King William goeth ouer into Normandy. _Hen. Hunt._ _Polychron._ _Sim. Dun._] In Lent following he sailed into Normandie, leading with him the pledges, and other of the chéefest lords of the English nation: among whom, the two earles Edwine and Marchar, Stigand the archbishop, Edgar Etheling, Walteoff sonne to Siward sometime duke of Northumberland, and Agelnothus the abbat of Glastenburie were the most famous. [Sidenote: Edricke Syluaticus.] Soone after his departing, Edricke surnamed Syluaticus, sonne to Alfricke that was brother to Edricke de Streona, refusing to submit himselfe vnto the king, rebelled and rose against such as he had left in his absence to gouerne the land. [Sidenote: Richard Fits Scroope.] Wherevpon those that laie in the castell of Hereford, as Richard Fitz Scroope and others, did oftentimes inuade his lands, and wasted the goods of his farmers and tenants: but yet so often as they attempted to inuade him, they lost manie of their owne souldiers and men of war. Moreouer, the said Edricke calling to his aid the kings of the Welshmen, Bleothgent and Rithwall, about the feast of the assumption of our Ladie, wasted the countrie of Hereford, [Sidenote: The riuer of Wye.] euen to the bridge of the riuer of Wye, and obteined out of those quarters a maruellous great spoile. [Sidenote: King William returneth into England.] In the winter also following, and after king William had disposed his busines in Normandie, he returned into England, and euen then began to handle the Englishmen somewhat sharpelie, supposing thereby to kéepe them the more easilie vnder his obedience. He also took awaie from diuerse of the Nobilitie, and others of the better sort, all their liuings, and gaue the same to his Normans. [Sidenote: _H. Hunt._] Moreouer, he raised great taxes and subsidies through the realme: nor any thing regarded th' English Nobilitie, so that they who before thought themselues to be made for euer by bringing a stranger into the realme, doo now see themselues troden vnder foot, to be despised, and to be mocked on all sides, [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] insomuch that many of them were constreined (as it were for a further testimonie of seruitude and bondage) to shaue their beards, to round their heare, and to frame themselues as well in apparell as in seruice and diet at their tables after the Norman manner, verie strange and farre differing from the ancient customes and old vsages of their countrie. [Sidenote: Englishmen withdraw them to the woods as out lawes.] Others vtterlie refusing to susteine such an intolerable yoke of thraldome as was dailie laid vpon them by the Normans, chose rather to leaue all both goods & lands, & after the maner of outlawes got them to the woods, with their wiues, children, and seruants, meaning from thencefoorth wholie to liue vpon the spoile of the countries adioining, and to take whatsoeuer came next to hand: wherevpon it came to passe within a while that noe man might trauell in safetie from his owne house or towne to his next neighbors, and euery quiet and honest mans house became as it were an hold and fortresse furnished for defense with bowes and arrowes, bills, polaxes, swords, clubs, and staues, and other weapons, the doores kept locked and stronglie boulted in the night season, for feare to be surprised as it had beene in time of open warr and amongst publike enimies. Praiers were said also by the maister of the house, as though they had beene in the middest of the seas in some stormie tempest, and when the windowes or doores should be shut in and closed, they vsed to saie _Benedicite_, and others to answer, _Dominus_, in like sort as the preest and his penitent were woont to doo at confession in the church.

Notwithstanding all this, K. William sought to tame & vanquish those of the English Nobilitie, who would not be at his becke. They againe on the other side made themselues strong, the better to resist him, choosing for their chéefe capteines and leaders, the earles Edwine & Edgar Etheling, who valiantlie resisted the Normans, and slue many of them with great rage and crueltie. And as they thus procéeded in their matters, king William being a politike prince, forward and painefull in his businesse, suffered them not altogither to escape cléere awaie, but did sore annoy and put them oft to remediles losses, though he abode in the meane time many laborious iournies, slaughters of his people, and damages of his person. [Sidenote: _Polydor._ _Anno Reg. 2._ _Matth. Paris._ _Matth. West._ Diuers of the English Nobilitie forsake their natiue countrie.] Herevpon the English Nobilitie euer after, yea in time of peace, were hated of the king and his Normans, and at length were kept so short, that being mooued partlie with disdaine, and partlie with dread, they got them out of the realme, some into Scotland, some into Denmarke, others into Norway; and among these, the two earles Edwine and Marchar, with certeine bishops & others of the cleargie, besides manie also of the temporaltie, escaped into Scotland. Marleswine & Gospatricke, with a great number of other the Nobles of Northumberland, Edgar Ethling with his mother Agatha, and his sisters Christine and Margaret, chanced also to be driuen into Scotland by tempest, as they sailed towards the coasts of Germanie, purposing to haue returned into Hungarie, where the said Edgar was borne: howbeit being arriued in Scotland, he found so friendlie entertainment there, that finallie Malcolme the third then king of that realme, tooke his sister Margaret to wife, and Christine became a nunne, as in the Scotish chronicles more plainelie dooth appéere. [Sidenote: _Polydor._] King William héereby perceiuing daily how vnwilling the Englishmen were to be vnder his obeisance, was in feare of rebellious commotions; [Sidenote: Two at York, wherein he left fiue hundred men in garrison.] and therefore to subdue them the better, he builded foure castels, one at Notingham, another at Lincolne, the third at Yorke, and the fourth néere vnto Hastings, where he landed at his first comming into England.

[Sidenote: _Simon Dun._ The Conquerour taketh frō the Englishmen their armour.] Moreouer, to reduce the English people the sooner vnto obedience and awe, he tooke from them all their armour and weapons. He ordeined also that the maister of euerie houshold about eight of the clocke in the euening, should cause his fire to be raked vp ashes, his lights to be put out, and then go to bed. [Sidenote: Couer few first instituted.] Besides this, to the end that euerie man might haue knowledge of the houre to go to rest, he gaue order, that in all cities, townes, and villages, where anie church was, there should a bell be roong at the said houre, which custome is still vsed euen vnto this daie, and commonly called by the French word, _Couer few_, that is, _Rake vp the fier_.