Reg. 19.] in the xix. yeare of his reigne,
and not in the xvj. [Sidenote: _Simon Dun._] But in what yeare soeuer
it was, and howsoeuer the writers agr?e or disagree herein; certaine
it is, that the same was exacted, to the great gr?efe and
impouerishment of the people, who sore lamented the miserable estate
whereinto they were brought, [Sidenote: _Polydor._ _Matth. Paris._]
and hated the Normans in their harts to the verie death. Howbeit, the
more they grudged at such tolles, tallages, customes, and other
impositions wherewith they were pressed; the more they were charged
and ouerpressed. [Sidenote: The Conquerour s?eketh to k?epe the
English men low.] The Normans on the other side with their king
perceiuing the hatred which the English bare them, were sore offended,
and therefore sought by all meanes to k?epe them vnder. [Sidenote:
_Polydor._] Such as were called to be iustices, were enimies to all
iustice; wherevpon greater burdens were laid upon the English,
insomuch that after they had b?ene robbed and spoiled of their goods,
they were also debarred of their accustomed games and pastimes.
[Sidenote: The forrests seized into the kings hands. _Matth. Paris._]
For where naturallie (as they doo vnto this daie) they tooke great
pleasure in hunting of d?ere, both red and fallow, in the woods and
forrests about without restraint, king William seizing the most part
of the same forests into his owne hands, appointed a punishment to be
executed vpon all such offendors; namelie, to haue their eies put out.
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