He did not in this speak in his own name, but wrote as if the document were the work of Cnut.

It was worded as follows: "I, Cnut, a free Saxon and a leader of bowmen under King Richard in the Holy Land, do hereby pronounce and declare the statements of Sir Rudolph, miscalled the Earl of Evesham, to be false and calumnious.

The earldom was, as Rudolph well knows, and as can be proved by many nobles and gentlemen of repute who were present with King Richard, granted to Sir Cuthbert, King Richard's true and faithful follower.

When the time shall come, Sir Cuthbert will doubtless be ready to prove his rights.

But at present right has no force in England, and until the coming of our good King Richard must remain in abeyance.