Such matters as these did the common people freely discuss. In the course of time, however, in eonsequenee of the shocking events whieh were kindled through the frantic perfidies of the Normans, whatever Henry had done, either in a tyrannical manner, or as befitted a king, seemed most excellent, in comparison with doings still worse. For after this, without delay, Stephen, the younger brother of Theobald, earl of Blois, repaired thither, a man of great activity and boldness ; and although he had taken the oath of fealty, in the English kingdom, to the empress and her son Henry, still, like a tempest, he rushed upon the crown of the kingdom of England. William, arehbishop of Canterbury, who had been the first to take the oath, oh shame! consecrated him king; in eonsequenee whereof, God pronounced the judgment against him which he had pronouneed against the high priest, the smiter of Jeremiah,82* namely, that he should not live beyond that year. In like manner, Roger, bishop of Salisbury, who had been the seeond to take the before-mentioned oath, and had dietated it to the rest, gave him the crown and the support of his assistance ; in consequence of whieh, by the just judgment of God, at a subsequent period, being taken prisoner by him whom he had created king, and. consigned to torture, he met with a miserable end. But why make any further remark? All who had taken the oath, both bishops as well as earls and ehief men, gave in their adherence to Stephen and did homage to him. This was, indeed, a bad sign, that thus suddenly all England, without any delay or resistance, as though in the twinkling of an eye, became subjeet to him. KING STEPHEN. In the year of grace 1136, on Saint Stephen's day, king Stephen was erowned, and held his court at London. At his coronation, according to report, the " Pax Domini" [Peace of the Zorf\ was neither said at the mass, nor repeated before the people when this sacrament was performed. As yet the body of king Henry remained unburied in Normandy ; for he had died on the first day of Deeember. His body was brought to Rouen, where his entrails, brains, and m* Alluding to the fate of Pashur, son of Immer, the priest, who smote Jeremiah. Jer. xx. 2—6. 226 ANNAIS OF EOGEE VE HOVEDEN. A.D. 1136.