CHAPTER XXV.

THE NORMANS IN NORTHUMBERLAND:--State of the county of Northumberland in 1068--The Conqueror marches northward--York is taken--Robert Comine is deputed to extend the conquest as far as Durham--Eghelwin, Bishop of Durham's advice to Comine--The vengeance of the Northumbrians--The King of Denmark sends a fleet to the assistance of the English--The Saxons and Danes march upon York--The Normans are driven into the citadel--The citadel is taken--William's wrath at the death of Comine and the destruction of York--He bribes the Danes to depart--William again marches upon York--York is once more taken by the Normans--After ravaging Northumberland, the Normans reach Durham--The bishop and clergy of Durham set out for Holy Island--William enters Durham, and surprises the Saxons--William's guides, marching to Hexham, lose the way, and are separated from the rest of the army--The army is regained--William halts at Hexham--The subjugated territory is divided amongst William's nobles--The Normans erect castles for the better governance of the Northumbrians