Audley was besieged for Dearly a year, and as, though the besiegers repeatedly requested aid from king John, none came to them, Roger, the constable of Chester, who was accounted the chief of the besieged garrison, a most gallant and warlike man, with many other illustrious knights, began, their victuals failing, to waste away with hunger. And-when those princes, becoming enfeebled, had become sure of the treacherous inactivity of John, they preferred being slain in their armour to perishing shamefully by famine. They sallied out of the castle, and dashed into the midst of the enemy, slaying the finest of their horses, and slaughtering the enemy on every side with their flashing swords, and shedding much French blood. At last, when the multitude of their enemies collected in close order and attacked them, they were taken prisoners, reeking with the blood of many of their enemies ; and in this way, the castle of Roch Audley fell into the power of the French king, on the fifth of March. And when the garrisons of other cities and castles in Normandy on the side of king John saw this, they informed him in what a strait they were placed ; and that, unless they received more prompt and effectual assistance, they must go over to the French king, whether they would or no. To which he replied, that each of them must provide for himself as appeared to him to be most for his advantage. In the mean time, king John went on, wretched indeed, but undeserving of any one's pity, indulging his gluttony and luxury with his wanton queen, while lying in whose bosom he thought that he was in possession of every joy, relying on the money which he had sworn to extort from England. The same year, on the first of April, in the first watch of the night, such a great redness was seen in the heaven towards the east and north, that the firmament seemed on fire, in which excessive redness, however, brilliant stare appeared, which was a terrible and marvellous thing. And this appearance lasted till midnight. At the same time, Godfrey, bishop of Winchester, died, and was succeeded by Peter de Roche, who, at the instigation of king John, went to Rome, where by the distribution of Uberai hospitality he deserved to be promoted to the supreme pontificate of the church of Winchester, and to be consecrated in that city. The same year, Easter day fell on the day of the feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist. This year also an eclipse of the moon took