A.D . 1215.] Ι1ΚΛΤ1Ι OF H1SII0P Kl'STACK. Chester, he hail promised to restore tliose laws and ancient liberties, and was bollini by bis own oath to observe them. The king, hearing the bold tone of the barons in making tliis demand, much feared an attack from them, as he saw that they were prepared for battle; he however made answer that their demands were a matter of importance and difficulty, and he therefore asked a truce till the end of Kaster, that he might, after due deliberation, be able to satisfy them as well as the dignity of his crown. After much discussion on both sides, the king at length, although unwillingly, procured the archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop of Kly, and William Marshal, as his sureties, that on the day pre-agreed on he would, in all reason, satisfy them all, on which the nobles returned to their homes. The king however, wishing to take precautions against the future, caused all the nobles throughout Kngland to swear fealty to him alone against all men, and to renew their homage to him; and, the better to take care of himself, he, on the day of St. Mary's purification, assumed the cross of our Lord, being induced to this more by fear than devotion. In the same year Kustace bishop of Kly, a man well skilled in divine as well as human knowledge, died at Heading. Of the principal persons xcho compelled the kiny to ijrant the taxes and liberties. In Kaster week of this same year, the above-mentioned nobles assembled at Stamford, with horses and anus; for they had now induced almost all the nobility of the whole kingdom to join them, and constituted a very large army ; for in their army there were computed to be two thousand knights, besides horse soldiers, attendants, and foot soldiers, who were variously equipped. The chief promoters of this pestilence were Hubert Kitz-Walter, Eustace de Ve.-cv, Richard de Percy, Robert de Roos, Peter de Bruis, Nicholas de Stuteville, Naer earl of Winchester, R. carl of Clare, II. carl Clare, earl Roger Rigod, William de Munbray, Roger de Creissi, Ranulph Fitz-Robert, Robert de Vere, Knlk Fit/.-Warine, William Mallet. William dc Montacute, William de Reaiichanip, S. de Kinic. William Marshall junior, William Maudut, Roger de Monl-Regon, dolili Fitz-Robert, John Fitz-Alan, G. de I.aval, O. Fitz-Alan, W. de llobrcgge, U. des Vaux, G. de Gant, VOL. il. χ