A.J. 1250. THE EMPEBOR PREDER1C DIES. 311 tham and the citizens of London, as they had invited them by letters, also feasted them : and the brethren were four hundred and more in number. About the same time, the seal of the kingdom was committed to Master William of Kilkenny, a prudent and circumspect man, and of great skill in the law. About the same time, a certain knight, who had formerly lu1 «w lib stwupsnion, and his successor in the office of ranger of the forests, by name Geoffrey de Langley, traversing the northern parts of the kingdom, and making enquiry into the transgressions of the laws of the forests and of hunting, fined so heavily all whom he could convict, extorting money from them, that the quantity of treasure collected for the king's use, would create amazement in the hearts of those who heard it. On the day of Saint Kenelm, there arrived news of the captivity of the king of France, and of the route of the whole Christian army, than which news none were ever received, or ever came to the knowledge of the Catholics, of a more mournful nature, especially in France, so that all Christendom wasted away with grief and sorrow. The same year, in the month of October, the first day of the new moon, and the first day of the month, the sea began to be disturbed by a great darkness, and being disturbed, to rise beyond its usual bounds, and occupying part of the shore where no one recollects having ever seen it before, it caused great injury to those who dwelt near it. The same year, too, on the day of Saint Lucia, about three o'clock, an earthquake took place in England, and it is a very marvellous thing that such an event should take place in that country, nor has such a thing ever taken place within any one's recollection, except in this instance. For the island is solid, and rocky, and very destitute of caverns. Moreover, with the earthquake, there was also a terrible noise as of thunder, and a subterranean roaring, events which were said to presage some impending pestilence of no small importance, or some revolution in the kingdoms, or the death of some famous prince. And, accordingly, that same year, and that very same day, died the greatest of princes, the wonder of the world, the emperor Frederic ; and the same year, William de Bale, bishop of Winchester, died, in foreign parts, namely, at Tours, where he had remained about twelve months ; and the monks of Winchester, at the instigation of the lord the king, elected JSlmar, his uterine brother, as the shepherd of their