ting the desired result.

(M77)

Matters assumed an entirely different aspect when Stephen was made
prisoner at Lincoln in the following year (2nd Feb., 1141). Henry of
Winchester forsook his role of arbitrator, and entered into a formal
compact with the empress who arrived before Winchester with the laurels of
her recent success yet fresh, agreeing to receive her as "Lady of
England," (_Domina Angliae_) and promising her the allegiance of himself
and his followers so long as she would keep her oath and allow him a free
hand in ecclesiastical matters.(114)

(M78)

This compact was entered into on the 2nd March, and on the following day
the empress was received with solemn pomp into Winchester Cathedral. It
remained for the compact to be ratified. For this purpose an
ecclesiastical synod was summoned to sit at Winchester on the 7th April.
The day was spent by the legate holding informal communications with the
bishops, abbots, and archdeacons who were in attendance, and who then for
the first time in England's history claimed the right not only of
consecration, but of election of the sovereign.(115)

On the 8th April, Henry in a long speech announced to the assembled clergy
the result of the conclave of the previous day. He extolled the good
government of the late king who before his death had caused fealty to be
sworn to his daughter, the empress. The delay of the empress in coming to
England (he said) had been the cause of Stephen's election. The latter had
forfeited all claim to the crown by his bad government, and God's judgment
had been pronounced against him. Lest therefore, the nation should suffer
for want of a sovereign, he, as legate, had summoned them together, and by
them the empress had been elected Lady of England. The speech was received
with unanimous applause, those to whom the election did not commend itself
being wise enough to hold their tongue.

(M79)

But there was another element to be considered before Matilda's new title
could be assured. What would the Londoners who had taken the initiative in
setting Stephen on the throne, and still owed to them their allegiance,
say to it? The legate had foreseen the difficulty that might arise if the
citizens, whom he described as very princes of the realm, by reason of the
greatness of their city (_qui sunt quasi optimates pro magnitudine
civitatis in Anglia_), could not be won over. He had, therefore, sent a
special safe conduct for their attendance