empresse brought with hir a great armie, to the intent that ioining with
Ranulph earle of Chester (who tooke part with Robert erle of Glocester,
bicause the same Rob. had maried his daughter) she might fight with king
Stephan, and trie the battell with him. [Sidenote: _Wil. Malm._
_Polydor._] Other declare that she came to England now at the first, but
with a small power (as seuen score horssemen or men of armes as we may
call them) in hope of Gods assurance (who seldome faileth those that
fight in a rightfull cause) and againe vpon trust of aid of freends, who
for the benefits receiued at hir fathers hands, would be readie to go
against king Stephan. Wherevpon hir brother earle Robert leauing his
sister in the castle of Arundell, rode with all spéed vnto Glocester
thorough his enimies countrie, not taking with him past 12. men of
armes, and as manie archers on horssebacke, that vpon his cōming thither
he might leuie an armie with so much speed as was possible. [Sidenote:
Earle Robert commeth to Glocester.] Now when he came to Glocester,
though the citie was kept with a garison of soldiours placed there by
king Stephan, yet the townesmen, after they heard that their earle was
approched to the gates, they droue out the garison, & receiued him into
the towne, where he remained a time, partlie to assemble an armie, and
partlie to practise with other townes and castels thereabouts, to reuolt
vnto his sister. [Sidenote: _Matt. Paris._ Brian the earle of Glocesters
sonne. Miles earle of Hereford.] Amongst all other, the earles sonne
Brian, and Miles of Glocester were right ioifull of the news of the
empresses arriuall, and gladlie prepared themselues to fight in defense
of hir cause.

[Sidenote: _Polydor._ The empresse besieged in Arundell castel.] In the
meane time king Stephan, hauing knowledge of the landing of the
empresse, and other his enimies, came strait to Arundell, where he
besieged hir in the castle, and spent his labour certeine daies in vaine