aduertised by credible report, that the empresse sought for aid on all
sides, meaning verie shortlie to come into England. For this cause also
he thought good to procure the fréendship of Lewes king of France, which
he brought to passe, [Sidenote: He cōtracteth affinitie with the French
king.] by concluding a mariage betwéene his sonne Eustace and the ladie
Constance sister to the said Lewes. But within a few yeares after, this
Eustace died, and then was Constance maried to Raimond earle of
Tholouse.

[Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._ _Polydor._ _Matth. Paris._ Alberike de Uéer
pleadeth the kings cause.] In the meane time, namelie on the first daie
of September, a councell was holden at Winchester, wherein earle
Alberike de Ueer pleaded with great eloquence the kings case, in excuse
of his fault for imprisoning the bishops, which was sore laid to his
charge by his owne brother the bishop of Winchester, being also the
popes legat: who (togither with the archbishop of Canturburie and other
bishops) had called this councell for that purpose. Howbeit they got
nothing of the king but faire words, and promises of amendment in that
which had béene doone otherwise than equitie required which promises
were vtterlie vnperformed, and so the councell brake vp.

[Sidenote: The empresse landed here in England.] In the moneth of Iulie
the empresse Maud landed here in England at Portesmouth, & went strait
to Arundell, which towne (togither with the countie of Sussex) hir
mother in law Adelicia king Henries second wife, wedded to William de
Albenay, held in right of assignation for hir dower. There came in with
the empresse hir brother Robert and Hugh Bigot, of whom ye haue heard
before.

[Sidenote: What power she brought with hir.] Some write that the