hauing all those bishops within the limits of king Offa his dominion
suffragans vnto him; namelie, Denebertus bishop of Worcester,
Werebertus bishop of Chester, Eadulfus bishop of Dorcester, Wilnardus
bishop of Hereford, Halard bishop of Elsham, and Cedferth bishop of
Donwich. There remained onelie to the archbishop of Canturburie, the
bishops of London, Winchester, Rochester, and Shireburne.

[Sidenote: The archbishop Lambert defended his cause.]
This separation continued all the life time of the archbishop
Lambert, although he trauelled earnestlie to mainteine his
prerogatiue. Now, for that he still defended his cause, and would
not reuolt from his will, Offa depriued him of all his possessions &
reuenues that he held or inioied within anie part of his dominions.
Neither was Offa satisfied herewith, but he also tooke into his hands
the possessions of manie other churches, and fléeced the house of
[Sidenote: Offa alieth himselfe with other princes.]
Malmesburie of a part of hir reuenues. Because of these & other his
hard dooings, doubting the malice of his enimies, he procured the
friendship of forren princes. Vnto Brightricke king of the
[Sidenote: _Matt. Westm._]
Westsaxons he gaue his daughter Ethelburga in mariage. And sending
diuers ambassadours ouer vnto Charles the great, that was both emperor
& king of France, he purchased his friendship at length, although
[Sidenote: The intercourse of merchants staied.]
before there had depended a péece of displeasure betwixt them,
insomuch that the intercourse for trade of merchandize was staied for
a time. One of the ambassadours that was sent vnto the said Charles
[Sidenote: Alcwine an Englishman.]
(as is reported) was that famous clearke Albine or Alcwine, by
whose persuasion the same Charles erected two vniuersities, as in