Queen Matilda Lifts the Siege
Queen Matilda Lifts the Siege The bishop’s summons proved no less effective than the Empress’s, bringing up loyalist barons, a troop of mercenaries, William of Ypres with his Flem…
The Burning of Winchester
The Burning of Winchester Bishop Henry ordered the town to be set on fire; the wind, which spared the cathedral, carried the flames northward as far as Hyde Abbey.…
Robert of Gloucester Withdraws
Robert of Gloucester Withdraws Robert of Gloucester, recognising the hopelessness of the situation, resolved that he must get his sister out at all costs.…
Matilda’s Escape to Gloucester
Matilda’s Escape to Gloucester As Matilda had barely ridden through the west gate, the bishop gave the signal for attack from his tower at Wolvesey, and the queen’s partisans rush…
Robert Captured at Stockbridge
Robert Captured at Stockbridge Earl Robert succeeded in covering his sister’s retreat and cut his own way out in another direction, but was overtaken at Stockbridge by William of…
Robert Imprisoned at Rochester
Robert Imprisoned at Rochester Earl Robert was brought back to Winchester and laid at the feet of the queen, who sent him under his captor’s charge into honourable confinement in…
Negotiations for an Exchange of Captives
Negotiations for an Exchange of Captives The next six weeks were spent in negotiations for the mutual release of Robert and Stephen.…
The Exchange Agreed
The Exchange Agreed The queen threatened that if Robert did not yield, she would send him to Boulogne in chains for life, but he knew his countess at Bristol would at once ship St…
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