A.D. 1198. EUSTACE CONSECRATED BISHOP QF EXT. from death. Bat the rear division of the flying army, in order fo secare the safety of the king, and to enable him to be dragged more readily out of the deep mud, returned to encounter king Richard, showing itself the most gallant portion of the French nation, which thus exposed themselves to danger of death for the safety of their lord. And, accordingly, that most bloody battle was there renewed, and the clang of arms and the crash of spears again resounded, but at length the side of king Richard prevailed, and three of the chief knights of the king of France were taken prisoners, namely, Matthew de Montmorenci, Alan de Rossi, and Fulk de Grenue ; and, besides these, there were taken in the actual conflict a hundred noble knights, and two hundred esquires, and tn innumerable host of men-at-arms. The king sent a consolatory epistle, with the news of this jjorious victory, to his prelates and friends who were remaintig in England. Therefore, the king of France, seeing that the force of the king of England was increasing day by day, entreated the pope to bring about a peace between them. Therefore, the pope sent a legate with a most special letter to Richard, king of England, entreating him, in an affecting manner, to be favourable to his desires in the matter of the arrangement of peace. Accordingly, king Richard accepted the promotion of his nephew, Otho, so that he should be crowned king of Germany, in reference to which he acquiesced in the prayers of his suppliant, and showed favour to the lord Innocent the pope, and approved of the advancement of the imperial dignity. Therefore, the two kings met together, and swore to a truce for five years, agreeing that the subjects and merchants of each king might go and return through both countries, and buy and sell without hindrance. And when this had been done, the king of England sent to Rome the abbot of the Charter House, and Raymond, a monk of Saint Alban's (who had at the same time been despatched on the affairs of his own church to the king at his court in Normandy), that they might complete the before-mentioned arrangement, and for the completion of the business, the king levied an aid of five shillings on every hide of land throughout the whole of England. The same year, there was an extraordinary storm of thunder and lightning, and rain, such as was never seen before. Eustace was consecrated bishop of Ely. Hugh of Chester died, in the habit of a monk, at Bee. Also, John, bishop of Worcester, and Peter, bishop of Saint David's, died.