Page:The Queens of England.djvu/49

Rh enemies, amongst the bitterest of whom was now the Bishop of Winchester, who became as earnest in leveling her fortunes as he had formerly been anxious to exalt them. The citizens of London finding that their queen not only refused to mitigate the severity of the Norman laws, but made heavy exactions, implored her to moderate her demands. But she replied in a transport of rage, with her eyes sparkling, and her brows knit, "I understand you; you have given all to my enemy, to make him strong against me ; you have conspired for .my ruin; yet you expect that I shall spare you !" This greatly- exasperated them ; and new plots were formed against her, to escape which she hastily fled from the city and took the road to Oxford ; her brother and a small party accompanying her. From this time Matilda experienced many reverses. She was pursued from city to city, and only escaped by a thousand manoeuvres. At one time she found herself in danger of perish- ing by famine, unless she surrendered to her rival, Queen Ma- tilda, who was now triumphant. She resolved, therefore, to cut her way through the enemy, and, with a chosen band, among whom were her uncle, the King of Scots, and her brother, the Earl of Gloucester, set out from Winchester ; she succeeded in reaching Ludgershall, and, disguised in man's apparel, pro- ceeded thence on horseback to Devizes ; beyond this town the road was lined with soldiers, and to elude these, it is said she caused herself to be carried to Gloucester in a coffin, which escaped their examination. The King of Scotland was also thrice taken prisoner, but, not being recognized, he was re- deemed by his friends. The Earl of Gloucester, in his generous efforts to protect his sister, was discovered and captured, which so much affected Matilda that she could scarcely rejoice in her own safety. The earl endured his captivity with the utmost fortitude, and resisted the threats and persuasions of Stephen's wife, to in- duce him to desert the fortunes of his sister. At length an ex- change of prisoners was proposed, and the earl was liberated for Stephen's ransom. Having regained their freedom, the two leaders prepared to renew hostilities. Matilda consulted her friends, and the Earl of Gloucester was dismissed to procure aid from the Earl of Anjou, but returned with only a few troops, accompanied by Henry, the eldest son of Matilda, then scarcely nine years of age. In the absence of her faithful adherent, the earl, the empress