escaped and gotten to Wallingford, hasted thither with all spéed to
visit hir: [Sidenote: The empress hir sonne lord Henrie.] & (as some
write) brought with him hir sonne the lord Henrie that was come with him
from beyond the seas, to sée his mother: so that the empresse now
beholding both hir sonne and brother, receiued them with all the ioy and
honour that she could or might presentlie make them. Hir son remaining
vnder the gouernement of earle Robert, was then appointed by him to
abide within the citie of Bristow, & there continued for the space of 4.
yéeres, being committed to one Matthew his schoolemaister, to be
instructed in knowledge, and trained vp in ciuill behauiour.

King Stephan (after the spoiling of sundrie churches, the robbing and
burning of manie townes and villages by the hands of his hired
souldiers, who for the more part were Flemings) came at length with his
brother the bishop of Winchester stronglie armed vnto Wilton, [Sidenote:
The king commeth to Wilton.] where he tooke in hand to fortifie the
nunrie in steed of a castell, to resist the incursions and inrodes of
them of Salisburie, who in the behalfe of the empresse had doone manie
displeasures vnto his fréends: but earle Robert vnderstanding of his
dooings, got a power togither with all speed, and the first daie of
Julie about sunne setting came to Wilton, and suddenlie set the towne on
fire.

The king being lodged within the nunrie, and fearing no such matter,
after he heard of the sudden assemblie of his enimies, was put in such
feare, that he tooke himselfe dishonourablie to flight, leaning his men,
his plate, and other riches altogither behind him. [Sidenote: _Wil.
Par._ _Sim. Dun._ _M. Triuet._ _Matt. Paris._] The earles souldiers
egerlie assailed the kings people, killed and spoiled them at their
pleasure, rifled the kings treasurie without resistance, and satisfied