The citizens héerewith in a great furie, got them to armor, and
set vpon the earle and his retinue, of whom they slue twentie persons
out of hand, & wounded a great number of the residue, so that the
earle scarce might escape with one or two of his men from the fraie,
[Sidenote: The earle complaineth to the king.]
& with all spéed returned backe to the king, presenting gréeuous
information against them of Canturburie, for their cruell vsing of
him, not onlie in sleaing of his seruants, but also in putting him in
danger of his life. The king crediting the earle, was higlie offended
against the citizens, and with all speed sending for earle Goodwine,
declared vnto him in greeuous wise, the rebellious act of them of
Canturburie, which were vnder his iurisdiction.

The earle who was a man of a bold courage and quicke wit, did perceiue
that the matter was made a great deale woorse at the first in the
beginning, than of likelihood it would prooue in the end, thought it
reason therefore that first the answere of the Kentishmen should
be heard, before anie sentence were giuen against them. Héerevpon,
although the king commanded him foorthwith to go with an armie into
Kent, and to punish them of Canturburie in most rigorous maner, yet
he would not be too hastie, but refused to execute the kings
[Sidenote: Earle Goodwine offended with the king for fauouring
strangers.]
commandement, both for that he bare a péece of grudge in his mind,
that the king should fauour strangers so highlie as he did; and
againe, bicause héereby he should séeme to doo pleasure to his
countriemen, in taking vpon him to defend their cause against the
rough accusations of such as had accused them. Wherefore he declared
to the king that it should be conuenient to haue the supposed
offenders first called afore him, and if they were able to excuse