584 ROGER OF WENDOVER, [A.D. 1-234. others to call them so ; they estrange your affections from your people, and those of your people from you, as is evident from the conduct of the marshal, who is the best subject in your dominions, and by the wicked lies which they tell you about your people, they pervert all their words and deeds. It was by the acting on tlic advice of this same man, the said bishop, that your father also lost lirst the affections of his people, afterwards Xormandy and some other territories, and finally all bis wealth, and almost the sovereignty of Kngland, and never enjoyed tranquillity afterwards. It was owing to this same man's counsels, that the kingdom was embroiled alid laid under an interdict, and these troubles at length brought on your father's death. By the same man's counsel in our own time the castle of Bedford was detained from you, and from this same cause you lost the town of Kochelle. Again, this insurrection which is now endangering your kingdom, has been caused by the evil counsels of these two men ; for if your people had been governed according to the rules of justice and the proper laws of the land, this disturbance would not have happened, you would not have had your possessions ravaged, and your money would not have been expended. We also say, on the allegiance wc owe to you, that your plans are not those which will give peace to your kingdom, but will only cause disturbances, for these men, since they cannot increase their wealth by peace, endeavour to do so by embroiling the people of the kingdom and by depriving others of their inheritance. Also, that they hold your castles and the strength of your dominions in their own bands, as though you could not place confidence in your own people. Also, that they have your treasury, and all the chief trusts and escheats under their own control, and what kind of an account they will render to you of them you will find out hereafter. Also, that there is scarcely any business of importance in the kingdom transacted under your seal, or by your warrant, without being also under the seal and by the warrant of Peter de Uivaulx, from which it is clear they do not consider you in the light of a king. Again, by the same counsel all the natural subjects of your kingdom have been dismissed from your court, therefore we entertain fears for you as well as the kingdom, inasmuch as we know that you are more under their rule than they under yours, as is evident in very many instances. Also, that they hold under their control the princess of Brittany and your sister, as well as several other noble dames and young women, with their wards and marriage portions, and these they disparage by giving in marriage to their own friends. Also that they misapply and pervert alike justice and the law of the land, which yon have sworn under penalty of excommunication to defend, whence it is to be feared that they will be excommunicated, anil you incur the sentence alsa for communicating with them. Also, that they do