Berkshire, a well or fountaine flowed with bloud, in maner as before
it vsed to flow with water, and this continued for the space of three
daies, or (as William Malmes. saith) fifteene daies togither.

After the king had dispatched his businesse in Normandie, & was
returned into England (as he was making prouision to ride foorth on
hunting) a messenger came suddenlie vnto him, bringing word, that the
citie of Mans was besieged, and like to be surprised. [Sidenote: _Hen.
Hunt._ _Matth. Paris._] The king was then at dinner, meaning first to
make an end thereof, and after to take aduice in that matter: but
being reprooued by the messenger, for that to the great danger of his
subiects which were besieged he passed not to make delaies, rather
than to go and succour them with all spéed, he taketh the mans blunt
spéech in so good part, that he called straightwaie for masons to
breake downe the wall, to the end he might passe through the next way,
and not be driuen to step so farre out of his path, as to go foorth by
the doores: and so without any long aduisement taken in the cause, he
rode straightwaie to the sea, sending his lords a commandement to
follow; [Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._] who when they came in his presence,
counselled him to staie till his people were assembled. Howbeit he
would not giue eare to their aduice in that point, but said; Such as
loue me, I know well will follow me, and so went a shipboord, setting
apart all doubts of perils; and yet was the weather verie darke, rough
and cloudie, insomuch that the maister of the ship was afraid, and
willed him to tarrie till the wind did settle in some quiet quarter:
[Sidenote: The saieng of king William Rufus.] but hee commanded to
hoise vp sailes, and to make all spéed that could be for life,
incouraging the shipmaster with these words, "that he neuer heard as
yet of anie king that was drowned."