wisedome, as she was no lesse indéed) iudging that it stood hir vpon to
vse the victorie which fell to hir lot, slept not hir businesse, but
went forward, and setting from Glocester, she came to Winchester, where
she was honorablie receiued of bishop Henrie, though he was king
Stephans brother, and inwardlie lamented the misfortune of the king.
Then came she backe againe to Wilton, and so to Oxenford, from thence to
Reading, and then to S. Albons, into all which cities and townes she was
receiued with great triumph and honour.

[Sidenote: Shée cōmeth to London.] Hauing thus passed through all the
south parts of the realme on that side, she finallie came to London,
where the citizens welcomed hir in most ioifull and hartie maner. Now
being come to London, and consulting with those of hir councell for the
quieting of the whole state of the realme, [Sidenote: The quéene sueth
to the empresse for the deliuerie of hir husband.] queene Maud wife to
king Stephan (for so she was also called) made humble suit vnto hir to
haue hir husband set at libertie, promising that he should resigne his
whole claime and title into hir hands, and content himselfe with a
priuate life. But hir suit was so farre off from being granted, that she
was reiected and cast off with reprochfull words. Wherevpon she
conceiued a most high displeasure, and vnderstood well inough; that
peace was to be purchased by force of armes onelie, and not by any other
meanes: insomuch that with all diligence she sent to hir sonne Eustace
(then being in Kent) & willed him to prepare an armie, which he did most
spéedilie.

It chanced at the same time that the citizens of London made great and
laborious suit vnto the said empresse, that they might haue the lawes of
king Edward the Confessour restored, and the straight lawes of hir
father king Henrie abolished. But for so much as they could get no grant