My troops were disbanded; but the foreigners induced my lord not only to retain his own, but to issue his Herr-bann for the gathering of hosts far and near, even allies beyond the seas.

When I looked to London for the peaceful Witan, what saw I?
The largest armament that had been collected in this reign--that armament headed by Norman knights.

Was this the meeting where justice could be done mine and me?
Nevertheless, what was my offer?
That I and my six sons would attend, provided the usual sureties, agreeable to our laws, from which only thieves [89] are excluded, were given that we should come and go life-free and safe.

Twice this offer was made, twice refused; and so I and my sons were banished.

We went;--we have returned!" "And in arms," murmured Earl Rolf, son-in-law to that Count Eustace of Boulogne, whose violence had been temperately and truly narrated.