A.D . 1140. ] KING STEPHEN A PRISONER. 493 that assailed him, and gained immortal honour by the destruction which he wrought on the chief of his enemies. If there had been a hundred like him, he would not have been taken captive, since even he alone was with difficulty overcome by a host of foes. He was taken prisoner on the day of the purification of the blessed Virgin, and led before the empress, by whom he was imprisoned in Bristol castle.* How the empress Matilda was recognized as their mistress by many of the people. In consequence of this success the empress Mafilda was recognized as their mistress by almost all the English, except the men of Kent, where the queen of king Stephen and William of Ypres still fought against her with all their strength. She was first recognized by Alberic, the Roman legate, and afterwards by William bishop of Winchester and the citizens of London ; but, soon afterwards, either by the suggestions of deceitful men, or by the providence of God, she was expelled by the Londoners, and gave orders for king Stephen to be placed in irons. Thus, after a few days, in conjunction with her uncle the king of Scots, and her brother carl Robert, and other troops, she besieged the tower of the bishop of Winchester ; but the bishop sending for the queen, William of Ypres, and other nobles, who favoured king Stephen, summoned them to his assistance, and making a fierce attack upon the empress's army, routed all the besiegers, and in the pursuit, among other captives, took earl Robert, the empress's brother, who had the custody of king Stephen, and by whose capture alone there was a chance of liberating the king. The earl was taken on the day of the elevation of the holy cross, and immediately the king was exchanged for him, and so both recovered their liberty. About the same time, Waleran count de Meulant, who was at the head of all the Norman nobles, made a treaty with Geoffrey count of Anjou, giving up to him the castles of Montfort and Falaise. Thus all the nobles surrendered to him, from the Seine to the coast of Risle, and did fealty to him. The same year died Gilbert bishop of London, surnamed the Universal, and was succeeded by Robert de Sigillo.')" • Matthew Paris adds,—" A dark and fearful eclipse of the sun took place, visible through all England." t Matthew Paris adds : " The same GeoiFrey de Mandevillc fortified