that they within the castell of Warrham had no succour sent vnto them,
and therefore (according to the articles of their composition) they
yeelded vp the hold, after erle Robert had lien three wéekes before it.

[Sidenote: The ile of Portland. Circester.] This castell being thus
woone, earle Robert subdued also such as kept the ile of Portland, and
had fensed it after the maner of a fortresse: afterwards he came to
Circester, and there assembled all those that fauoured the part of the
empresse, meaning with all conuenient spéed to go to Oxford, & there to
giue battell to king Stephan, if he would abide it. Who after his
deliuerance from captiuitie, had assembled a great host of men,
[Sidenote: The empresse besieged in Oxford.] and comming to Oxford,
where the empresse then laie, suddenlie besieged hir, before she looked
for him. And to the end also that he might compell the townsmen to
yeeld, or else kéepe them from entring which would come to their
succors, he ranged abroad into the countrie with part of his armie,
wasting all afore him by fire & sword. This siege continued almost two
moneths, in maner from his deliuerie in the beginning of Nouember,
vntill Christmasse immediatlie following: in somuch that through lacke
of vittels they within the towne began to raise mutinies. The empresse
therefore doubting the sequele, and séeing hir prouision to decaie,
deuised a shift how to escape that present danger, which by force she
was vnlikelie to performe.

[Sidenote: _N. Triuet._ _Simon Dun._ _Wil. Paru._ _Ran. Higd._ _Matth.
Paris._ The empresse escapeth out of Oxford. _Polydor._ _Wil. Malm._
_Simon Dun._ _Matth. Paris._ Brian sonne to the earle of Glocester.] It
was a verie hard winter that yeare, the Thames and other riuers
thereabouts were frosen, so that both man and horsse might safelie passe
oner vpon the yce, the fields were also couered with a thicke and déepe