They on the other part make as
stout resistance; and perceiuing that it stood them vpon, either to
vanquish or to fall into vtter ruine, they raise a mightie strong
host, and make Edgar Etheling their capteine, a comelie gentleman and
a valiant, in whome also the whole hope of the English nation was
reposed, as appeareth by this his accustomed by-word, Edgar Etheling
Englands dearling. Amongst other noble men that were chiefe dooers in
the assembling of this armie, Frederike abbat of S. Albons, a prelate
of great wealth and no lesse puissance, was a principall.
The king perceiuing his estate to be now in no small danger, is in a
great perplexitie what to doo, in the end, he counselleth with the said
Lanfranke archbishop of Canturburie, how he might remedie the matter;
who told him that in such a desperate case, the best waie for him should
be to s?eke by faire words and friendly offers to pacifie the English
Nobilitie, which by all meanes possible would neuer ceasse to molest him
in the recouerie of their liberties. Wherevpon he made meanes to come to
some agr?ement with them, and so well the matter proc?eded on his side,
that the Englishmen being deceiued through his faire promises, were
contented to common of peace, for which purpose they came also vnder the
conduct of the abbat Frederike vnto Berkamsted, where (after much
reasoning and debating of the matter for the conclusion of amitie
betwixt them) king William in the presence of the archbishop Lanfranke
and other of his lords, tooke a personall oth vpon all the relikes of
the church of S.
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