A.D. 1145.] STEPHEN TAKES FAK1NGD0N. 497 being slain by the earl, the work was abandoned. The same year Robert Marmiun, a warlike knight, who had expelled the monks of Coventry from their monastery, and turned the church into a castle, was slain one day in front of the monastery, as he was fighting against his enemies, though he was in the midst of his gang of robbers, and no one was hurt but himself : as he died excommunicate, he has death for his portion for ever. At the same time Geoffrey earl of Mandeville, who had perpetrated the same act of wickedness in the monastery of Ramsey, was pierced with an arrow by a low foot-soldier and died : this event happened in front of the same church,as the earl was fighting in the midst of his troops ; and the church, whilst it was made use of as a castle, sent forth blood in abundance from its walls, in manifestation of the divine displeasure. Arnulf, also, son of the same earl, who, after his father's death, held the church as a castle, was taken by the king and banished the kingdom, and the leader of his troops fell from his horse and expired on the spot. Reiner, also, commander of the infantry, who was in the habit of burning and destroying monasteries, was sentenced to exile, and, whilst he was crossing the sea, his ship suddenly remained motionless in the water, and when the sailors drew lots, the lot three times fell upon Reiner, whereupon he was put into a little boat with his wife, his children, and all that he had ; the boat immediately sank and all the wretched family perished : whilst the ship sailed over the tranquil sea without difficulty or hindrance. The same year Geoffrey count of Anjou was received in due form by the citizens of Rouen, and from that time had the title of duke of Normandy. How king Stephen took the castle of Faringdon. A.D. 1144. King Stephen drove away the earl of Gloucester and several others of his enemies from building Faringdon castle, and took that town into his own keeping. How king Stephen took the earl of Chester. A.D . 1145. King Stephen took Ralph earl of Chester as he was coming to him in a peaceful manner to Northampton, and kept him in prison, until he restored to him the castle of Lincoln with the other fortresses which he had in his hands ; and thus the king carried his crown in state at Lincoln. VOL. ι. κ κ