243 AXS US OF EOGEE DE HOVEDEN. A.D. 1145. kingdom by reason thereof, and the leader of his troops, falling from his horse at his inn,18 dashed out his brains and expired. In addition to this, the commander of his infantry, Reimer by name, whose habit it was to pull down churches or destroy fhem by fire, was crossing the sea with his wife, when, according to the statements of many, the ship became motionless. The sailors, astonished at this prodigy, made enquiry into the cause of the circumstance, by drawing lots, on which the lot fell upon Beimer. He, however, contradicting, with all his might, that this was the fact, the lots Avere drawn a second and a third time, and fell upon him still. Upon this, he was placed in a boat, with his wife and the money which he had most wickedly acquired, and immediately thereupon the ship ploughed the sea with the swiftest speed, just as before. The boat, however, with these most wicked people, being whirled round by a whirlpool suddenly formed, was sucked in and came to destruction. In the same year, pope Celestinus having departed this life, Lucius was appointed in his stead. In the year of grace 1145, being the tenth year of the reign of king Stephen, that king was at first occupied in business relative to the departure of Hugh Bigot. But, in the spring, earl Bobert, and the whole body of the king's enemies, built a castle at Ferendimer ;19 on which, the king, displaying his usual activity, collected his forces and hurried thither, taking with him a numerous and warlike body of Londoners. After having assailed the fortress for whole days together, while earl Robert and his supporters were not far from the king's army, waiting for additional troops, by a display of military prowess attended with the most laborious efforts, he gained possession of it, though not without great bloodshed. Then, at length, the king's fortunes began to change for the better, and to soar aloft. In the same year pope Lucius died, and was succeeded by pope Eugenius. In this year also, Alexander, bishop of Lincoln, went again to Borne, and was honorably entertained by Eugenius, the new pope, a man worthy of that highest dignity. 13 " Hospitio." This may possibly mean the portion of the monastery where the monks were in the habit of entertaining strangers. is · Ferendune " is a various reading. " Ferendimer " being probably a misprint. Faringdon, in Berkshire, is the place meant.