Hugh also was one, who did nothing better either in
Leicestershire or in Northamptonshire. The Bishop Odo being one,
though of the same family from which the king himself was
descended, went into Kent to his earldom, and greatly despoiled
it; and having laid waste the lands of the king and of the
archbishop withal, he brought the booty into his castle at
Rochester. When the king understood all these things, and what
treachery they were employing against him, then was he in his
mind much agitated. He then sent after Englishmen, described to
them his need, earnestly requested their support, and promised
them the best laws that ever before were in this land; each
unright guild he forbade, and restored to the men their woods and
chaces. But it stood no while. The Englishmen however went to
the assistance of the king their lord. They advanced toward
Rochester, with a view to get possession of the Bishop Odo; for
they thought, if they had him who was at first the head of the
conspiracy, they might the better get possession of all the
others. They came then to the castle at Tunbridge; and there
were in the castle the knights of Bishop Odo, and many others who
were resolved to hold it against the king. But the Englishmen
advanced, and broke into the castle, and the men that were
therein agreed with the king. The king with his army went toward
Rochester. And they supposed that the bishop was therein; but it
was made known to the king that the bishop was gone to the castle
at Pevensea. And the king with his army went after, and beset
the castle about with a very large force full six weeks. During
this time the Earl of Normandy, Robert, the king's brother,
gathered a very considerable force, and thought to win England
with the support of those men that were in this land against the
king. And he sent some of his men to this land, intending to
come himself after. But the Englishmen that guarded the sea
lighted upon some of the men, and slew them, and drowned more
than any man could tell. When provisions afterwards failed those
within the castle, they earnestly besought peace, and gave
themselves up to the king; and the bishop swore that he would
depart out of England, and no more come on this land, unless the
king sent after him, and that he would give up the castle at
Rochester. Just as the bishop was going with an intention to
give up the castle, and the king had sent his men with him, then
arose the men that we