350 ROGER OK AVENDO VER. [A.D. 1210. Falkasius took tlio town of Ilamslape,* belonging to William Matidut ; and on the same day the, castle of Tunbridge, belonging to the earl of Clare, was taken by the castellans of Rochester. Soon after this time Falkasius arrived at the castle of Bedford and demanded it of the garrison who obtained a truce of seven days, and, finding that they received no assistance from their lord William de Beauchamp in that time, they surrendered the castle to the aforesaid Falkasius on the 2nd of December. The surrender of Iiehoir castle to the king. A. D. 1216. Which was the eighteenth year of king John's reign, he was at the castle of Nottingham on Christmas day, and on the day after he moved his cam]), and arrived at the. town of Langar, where he passed the night; in the morning he sent special messengers and with threats demanded its surrender from the garrison. This castle was in the charge of Nicholas a clerk, son of William d'Albiney, and the knights William dc Studham, and Hugh de Charneles, who immediately asked the opinion of their fellow knights, as to what should be done ; for they had been told on behalf of the abominable excesses perpetrated by the king and his wicked accomplices, their wives and daughters were exposed to insuit, they said sorrowfully, '* These are the acts of the well beloved son in Christ, of that pope who protects his vassaljn humiliating this noble kingdom in such an unusual way." Oh sorrow! lie who ought to heal his languishing people openly spreads poison amongst the paupers, whom we ouitht to call the church. " The more conspicuous the man is the gTeatcr is his crime." [Juvenal, 8. 140.] In the same year on the '2V\\i of November, Faulkcs took the castle of William dc Hanslape and Cestroycd it. On the same day the castellans of Rochester took the castle of Tunhridge, belonging to the earl of Clare. Soon afterwards Faulkcs went to the castle of Bedford and demanded its surrender by the garrison ; he however granted them a truce of seven days, and they, receiving no assistance during that time from their lord. William lieauchamp, surrendered the castle to Faulkcs on the 2nd of December. The king being »]uite under lhe power of Fauikes, who made no distinction between right and wrong, gave him the eastle of Bedford and a noble lady, Margaret dc Ripanis, for his wife, together with all her property, ami also gave him the lands of many of the barons of Kngland, that he might increase the rage of all of them against him. in the same year, on the day of the conversion of St. Faul, William de Cornhull was consecrated to tho bishopric of Chester, on the 'J'Jnd of February, master benedict, precentor of St. I'aul'f at London to that of Rochester, and master Richard dean of Salisbury to that of Chichester. * I'robably llounslow.