Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 1.djvu/123

A.D. 1088.] and many of whom may have had relatives or friends within the walls, made appeals to the mercy of the king. "We," they said, "who have been with thee in great dangers,

that when the garrison quitted the castle the bugles of the king's troops should not sound in token of triumph, as was the custom in those days. Rufus replied angrily that he would not grant such a request for a thousand marks of gold.

After much entreaty, the king permitted the besieged to leave the town with their arms and horses. Not satisfied with this concession Odo had the arrogance to demand entreat thee to spare our countrymen, who are thine also,and who have fought with thy father."