named Geffrey Clinton was accused to him of high treason. In this 31.
yeare of king Henries reigne, great death and murren of cattell began in
this land so vniuersallie in all places, that no towne nor village
escaped frée: [Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ In nouella historia. _Polydor._]
and long it was before the same discontinued or ceased. King Henrie
passing ouer into Normandie, was troubled with certeine strange dreames
or visitations in his sléepe. For as he thought, he saw a multitude of
ploughmen with such tooles as belong to their trade and occupation;
after whom came a sort of souldiers with warlike weapons: and last of
all, bishops approching towards him with their crosier staues readie to
fall vpon him, as if they meant to kill him. Now when he awaked, he lept
foorth of his bed, got his sword in his hand, & called his seruants to
come & helpe him. Neuerthelesse, repressing those perturbations, and
somewhat better aduising himselfe, partlie by his owne reason and
partlie by the counsell of learned gentlemen, was persuaded to put such
fantasies awaie, and was admonished withall, that whilest he had time
and space here on earth, he should redeeme his passed offenses and
sinnes committed against God, with repentance, almesdéeds, and
abstinence. Wherefore being moued herewith, he began to practise an
amendment of his former lewd life.

¶ Here it shall not be amisse to compare the two sonnes of William the
Conquerour; namelie William Rufus, and Henrie Beauclerke togither; and
to consider among other euents the supernaturall dreames wherewith they
were admonished, to excellent good purpose (no doubt) if they could haue
applied them to the end whereto they were directed. For William Rufus
(as you shall read in pag. 44.[16]) neglecting to be admonished by a
dredfull dreame wherewith he was troubled, shortlie after receiued his
deaths wound by casualtie or chancemedlie, euen in the prime of his
pastime and disport. This other brother H. Beauclerke had the like