practised in periuries & treasons) thought they might boldlie attempt
all mischéefes that came to hand, and hervpon some of them vndertooke to
defend one place, and some another. [Sidenote: Hugh Bigot. Baldwin
Reduers. Robert Quisquere.] Hugh Bigot erle of Norfolke a valiant
chieftein entered into Norwhich, Baldwin Reduers tooke Excester, &
Robert Quisquere got certeine castels also into his hands.

King Stephan hearing what his enimies had doone, though he was somewhat
mooued with this alteration of things, yet as one nothing afraid of the
matter, he said merilie to those that stood about him: "We are aliue yet
God be thanked, and that shall be knowne to our enimies yer it be long."
Neither doubted he any thing but some secret practise of treason, and
therefore vsing all diligence, he made the more hast to go against his
enimies, whose attempts though streightwaies for the more part he
repressed, yet could he not recouer the places (without much adoo) that,
they had gotten, as Excester, and others: which when he had obteined, he
contented himselfe for a time and followed not the victorie any further
in pursuing of his enemies. Wherevpon they became more bold afterward
than before; in somuch that soone after they practised diuerse things
against him, whereof (God willing) some in places conuenient shall
appeare: howbeit they permitted him to remaine in quiet for a time.
[Sidenote: _Polydor._] But whilest he studied to take order in things at
home (perceiuing how no small number of his subiects did dailie shew
themselues to beare him no hartie good will) he began by little and
little to take awaie those liberties from the people, which in the
beginning of his reigne he had granted vnto them, and to denie those
promises which he had made, according to the saieng, "That which I haue
giuen, I would I had not giuen, and that which remaineth I will kéepe
still." This sudden alteration and new kind of rough dealing purchased
him great enuie amongst all men in the end. [Sidenote: Geffrey earle of