the countrie set and placed about him, as it had beene a stirring and
moouing wood, and that with a meane pace they approched and drew neare
vnto him, with great discomfort of mind he woondered at that sight. And
assoone as the capteins of the Kentishmen sawe that duke William was
inclosed in the middest of their armie, they caused their trumpets to be
sounded, their banners to be displaied, and threw downe their boughes, &
with their bowes bent, their swords drawne, and their speares and other
kind of weapons stretched foorth, they shewed themselues readie to
fight. Duke William and they that were with him stood (as no maruell it
was) sore astonied, and amazed: so that he which thought he had
alreadie all England fast in his fist, did now despaire of his owne
life. Therefore on the behalfe of the Kentishmen, were sent vnto duke
William the archbishop Stigand, and Egelsin abbat of S. Augustines, who
told him their message in this sort.

"My lord duke, behold the people of Kent come forth to méet you,
and to receiue you as their liege lord, requiring at your hands
the things which perteine to peace, and that vnder this
condition; that all the people of Kent enioy for euer their
ancient liberties, and may for euermore vse the lawes and
customes of the countrie: otherwise they are readie presentlie to
bid battell to you, and them that be with you, and are minded
rather to die here altogither, than to depart from the lawes and
customes of their countrie, and to submit themselues to bondage,
whereof as yet they neuer had experience."

The duke séeing himselfe to be driuen to such an exigent & narrow
pinch, consulted a while with them that came with him, prudentlie
considering, that if he should take anie repulse or displeasure at the
hands of this people, which be the key of England, all that he had