Page:The reign of William Rufus and the accession of Henry the First.djvu/100

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with them in the fortress. If danger should be pressing, they would feel themselves all the safer, if such an one as he were among them. Wulfstan agreed to their proposal, and set out on the short journey which he was asked to make, a journey which the encroachments of the Sheriff had made shorter than it should have been. On his way he was surrounded by the inhabitants of Worcester of all classes, all alike ready for battle. He himself had, after the new fashion of Norman prelates, a military following, and the soldiers of the King and of the Bishop, with all the citizens of Worcester, now came together in arms. From the height of the castle mound, Wulfstan and his people looked forth beyond the river. The foes were now advancing; they could be seen marching towards the city, and burning and laying waste the lands of the bishopric. Soldiers and citizens now craved the Bishop's leave to cross the river and meet the enemy. Wulfstan gave them leave, encouraging them by his blessing, and by the assurance that God would allow no harm to befall those who went forth to fight for their King and for the deliverance of their city and people. Grieved further by the sight of the harrying ofmagna belli jam fervebat insania; contumaciter enim episcopi contemnentes mandata, in terram ipsius posuerunt incendia." On the order of events, see Appendix D.]*