Α.Ι. 117.Ί.] DKSTIiL'CTION OF I.EICESTKK. 2) Rouen, apparently unconcerned at what was going on, and more than usually intent on the chase, whilst to all who came to him he presented a cheerful and smiling countenance. Hut those whom he had maintained about him from his earliest years now fidi off' from him, for they thought that bis son bad every prospect of soon being king in bis stead. The king of France was now, with the young king, besieging Vcrneuil, when king Henry sent messengers to him, warning him to leave Normandy without delay, or he would march against him on that very day. The king of France, knowing the king of England to be a most powerful prince and of a most bitter temper, chose to retreat rather than to tight ; wherefore he withdrew from before the face of king Henry, and retired with all speed into France. Of the destruction of Leicester, The saint! year, on the 4th of July, by the king's command, the city of Leicester is said to have been besieged, because the earl, its lord, had left the king and taken part with the young king his son. When the greater part of the city had been burned, the citizens began to treat of peace, on condition of paying three hundred marks to the king, and having leave to remove to whatever place they chose. Permission was therefore granted them to go and reside in the king's cities or castles,* and after their departure the gates of the city and pare of the walls were destroyed, and a truce granted to the soldiers in the castle until the feast of St. Michael; and thus on the 2Sth of July the siege was at an end. After this, William king of Scotland claimed of the king the province of Northumberland, granted to his grandfather king David, who had held it for some time, but the English king refused it him ; upon which William, collecting an army of Welsh and Scots, marched securely across the territories of the bishop of Durham, burned several vil * Matthew l'ari* here make* the following insertion : •'The nobles of the city were dispersed ; and having offended the kin^ by the defence el their city, they nought » place of refuse to avoid his threat- ami an^er. They therefore fled to the territory of St. AIIKUI'S the proln-ii-.artvr of Knj:land, ami to the town of St. Kdnuind's the kin:; and niictw, .f I» a protecting bosom, because Ihese martvr* were at that time held in such fcrent reverence, that the inhabitant* of those places tttiurdcd an asylum and sate protection from their enemies to all refugees."