A.D. IATO.] TAKING ΟΓ KOCHESTKK CASTI.K. of expelling and totally exterminating all the natives, and of possessing the land themselves hy perpetual right ; for the king had hy his charter, as was said, given to their leader, the said Hugh de 1 loves, the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, hut the grace of find altered their purpose for the better. Hut when ι he news of the loss of all these people was brought to th(! king's knowledge, he was dreadfully enraged and took no food that day, but remained until the evening as if he were possessed by madness.* The capture of the castle of Rochester, and imprisonment of those taken there. About this time the barons of Kngland, when they learned that \\ illiani d'Albiney and bis companions were, besieged in the castle of Rochester, became greatly alarmeli, because before William d'Aliliney would enter the castle, thev had sworn on the holy gospels that if he should happen to be besieged thev would all march to raise the siege. In order therefore that they might seem to be doing something in accordance with their oath and plighted faith, they immediately Hew to arms, and took their march towards the town of Deptford. thinking to force the king to raise the siege in one. assault ; but although only a mild south wind was blowing in their faces, which docs not generally annoy any one, thev retreated as though the}- had met a number of armed men. and left the expedition unaccomplished; and although we ought not too easily yield to every breath, they turned their backs on the besieged William and his followers, and returned to their old haunt. When they returned to the city of London, they well fortified it, and amusing themselves with the dangerous game of dice, drinking the. best of wines which they chose, at their own option, and practising all other vices, they left • Ileitis scarcely able to contain himself, he pined away in bitter fret-TINS*. I'1 tlio night on which Hugh de Bovcs was lost, there arose an unusual storm of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, such as had never been seen before. It happened that n certain monk of St. Albau's named Robert ile Weston, who was staving at Bingham, was going to Norwich to fulfil the duties of his calling, and at midnight, when he was about halfway on his journey that storm rose, and in the storm he saw a eoui tlcss army of men riding on very large black steeds, with torches of sulphur, and thev remained near the monk, observing a sort of order in their movements. VOL. II. I