s._n guthlake_n be_v awake_a in_o the_o night_n time_n betwixt_o his_o hour_n of_o prayer_n as_o he_o be_v accustom_v of_o a_o sudden_a he_o discern_v all_o his_o cell_n to_o be_v full_a of_o black_a troop_n of_o unclean_a spirit_n which_o creep_v in_o under_o the_o door_n as_o also_o at_o chink_n and_o hole_n and_o come_v both_o oâ—t_n of_o the_o sky_n and_o from_o the_o earth_n fill_v the_o air_n as_o it_o be_v with_o dark_a cloud_n in_o their_o look_n they_o be_v cruel_a and_o of_o form_n terrible_a have_v great_a head_n long_a neck_n lean_a face_n pale_a countenance_n ill-favoured_a beard_n rough_a ear_n wrinkle_a forehead_n fierce_a eye_n stink_a mouth_n tooth_n like_o horse_n spit_v fire_n out_o of_o their_o throat_n crooked_a jaw_n broad_a lip_n loud_a voice_n burn_a hair_n great_a cheek_n high_a breast_n rugged_a thigh_n bunch_a knee_n bend_a leg_n swell_v ankle_n preposterous_a foot_n open_a mouth_n and_o hoarse_a cry_n who_o with_o such_o mighty_a shriek_n be_v hear_v to_o roar_v that_o they_o fill_v almost_o the_o whole_a distance_n from_o heaven_n with_o their_o bellow_a noise_n and_o by_o and_o by_o rush_v into_o the_o house_n first_o bind_v the_o holy_a maâ—_n than_o draw_v he_o out_o of_o his_o cell_n and_o cast_v he_o over_o head_n and_o ear_n into_o the_o dirty_a fen_n and_o have_v so_o do_v carry_v he_o through_o the_o most_o rough_a and_o troublesome_a part_n thereof_o draw_v he_o among_o bramble_n and_o brier_n for_o the_o tear_n of_o his_o limb_n cap._n thirty-nine_o from_o crouland_n i_o come_v to_o ely_n a_o island_n situate_a in_o the_o main_a body_n of_o this_o fen_n concern_v which_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o sundry_a memorable_a passage_n that_o do_v notable_o set_v forth_o the_o vastness_n and_o depth_n of_o the_o water_n which_o do_v environ_v it_o many_o year_n since_o whereof_o i_o shall_v give_v instance_n as_o they_o happen_v in_o order_n of_o time_n that_o this_o island_n be_v make_v choice_n of_o for_o a_o place_n of_o voluntary_a retirement_n by_o those_o who_o out_o of_o great_a piety_n forsake_v the_o vanity_n of_o this_o transitory_a world_n betake_v themselves_o whole_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o devout_a prayer_n frequent_a watch_n and_o strict_a abstinence_n i_o need_v not_o go_v about_o to_o manifest_v in_o particular_n it_o be_v so_o clear_a a_o truth_n evidence_v unto_o we_o from_o all_o antiquity_n that_o such_o person_n do_v sever_v themselves_o in_o the_o like_a kind_n from_o the_o world_n to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o may_v with_o the_o less_o disturbance_n apply_v themselves_o to_o those_o religious_a and_o holy_a duty_n s._n hierom_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o rusticus_n tell_v we_o praecipui_fw-la inventores_fw-la &_o cultores_fw-la monachatus_fw-la fuerunt_fw-la silij_fw-la prophetarum_fw-la in_o veteri_fw-la teâ—â—amento_fw-la qui_fw-la aedificabant_fw-la casulas_fw-la propè_fw-la fluenta_fw-la jordanis_n &_o turbis_fw-la &_o urbibus_fw-la derelictis_fw-la polenta_fw-la &_o herbis_fw-la agrestibus_fw-la victitabant_fw-la that_o the_o principal_a beginner_n and_o lover_n of_o a_o monastique_a life_n be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n who_o leave_v the_o town_n and_o conversation_n with_o people_n to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o may_v feed_v upon_o coarse_a bread_n and_o herb_n of_o the_o field_n and_o build_v themselves_o cottage_n near_o the_o stream_n of_o the_o river_n of_o jordan_n and_o though_o this_o be_v a_o special_a reason_n why_o these_o pious_a votary_n first_o seâ—led_v in_o this_o island_n as_o a_o place_n of_o so_o great_a retirement_n and_o solitude_n yet_o be_v there_o another_o viz._n the_o conveniency_n of_o fish_n that_o be_v the_o chief_a part_n of_o their_o food_n for_o after_o the_o rule_n of_o s._n benedict_n become_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o christian_a world_n which_o forbid_v the_o eat_n of_o flesh_n to_o any_o of_o those_o monk_n it_o have_v so_o high_a a_o esteem_n that_o not_o only_o all_o the_o monastery_n then_o in_o be_v in_o this_o realm_n do_v with_o great_a reverence_n entertain_v it_o but_o such_o as_o be_v erect_v for_o divers_a age_n afterward_o be_v of_o no_o other_o order_n as_o to_o the_o erection_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o give_v a_o brief_a touch_n with_o the_o occasion_n in_o regard_v it_o be_v in_o so_o great_a veneration_n whilst_o it_o stand_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o sanctity_n of_o s._n audrey_n the_o first_o foundress_n thereof_o to_o who_o shrine_n not_o a_o few_o resort_v for_o the_o many_o miracle_n there_o wrought_v as_o be_v then_o not_o only_o with_o much_o confidence_n affirm_v but_o undoubted_o believe_v â—_o etheldreda_n vulgar_o call_v audrey_n daughter_n to_o anna_n king_n of_o the_o east-angle_n be_v through_o the_o persuasion_n of_o her_o father_n marry_v to_o tombert_n a_o prince_n of_o the_o southern_a gyrvii_n or_o fen-man_n have_v this_o isle_n of_o ely_n give_v she_o in_o dower_n by_o her_o say_a husband_n unto_o which_o after_o his_o death_n she_o retire_v a_o pure_a virgin_n notwithstanding_o she_o be_v his_o wife_n almost_o three_o year_n and_o affect_v the_o place_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o difficulty_n of_o access_n to_o it_o as_o also_o that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o wilderness_n sever_v from_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n she_o there_o settle_a herself_o take_v to_o her_o company_n certain_a person_n with_o who_o she_o have_v contract_v friendship_n for_o religion_n sake_n but_o so_o it_o happen_v that_o about_o five_o year_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o such_o her_o retirement_n egfrid_n k._n of_o northumberland_n be_v high_o inflame_v with_o her_o beauty_n through_o the_o power_n of_o her_o friendsâ—_n obtain_v she_o for_o his_o wife_n howbeit_o after_o she_o have_v be_v wed_v about_o xij_o year_n she_o resolve_v no_o long_o to_o deâ—er_v the_o do_v of_o that_o which_o she_o have_v set_v her_o heart_n upon_o and_o without_o any_o free_a leave_n of_o her_o say_a husband_n as_o a_o queen_n and_o a_o virgin_n she_o repair_v to_o the_o monastery_n in_o coldingham_n in_o scotland_n where_o ebba_n her_o husband_n aunt_n be_v then_o abbess_n and_o there_o be_v veil_v a_o nun_n by_o bishop_n wilfrid_n where_o for_o the_o space_n of_o one_o whole_a year_n she_o learn_v that_o the_o yoke_n of_o christ_n be_v pleasant_a and_o his_o burden_n easy_a but_o then_o k._n egfrid_n desire_v to_o have_v she_o again_o as_o his_o wife_n endeavour_v to_o take_v she_o out_o of_o the_o say_v religious_a house_n and_o to_o that_o end_n forthwith_o go_v thither_o whereof_o the_o abbess_n have_v notice_n present_o advise_v she_o to_o hasten_v thence_o and_o to_o make_v no_o stay_n till_o she_o come_v to_o her_o own_o habitation_n at_o ely_n whereupon_o she_o depart_v much_o lament_v and_o sorrow_v and_o accompany_v with_o two_o holy_a virgin_n vice_n selbeâ—na_n and_o selbera_n ascend_v a_o great_a hill_n near_o colburthesheve_v at_o which_o time_n it_o please_v god_n to_o send_v such_o a_o rain_n that_o king_n egfrid_n who_o pursue_v she_o can_v not_o have_v access_n thereto_o in_o any_o place_n for_o the_o water_n where_o they_o continue_v without_o either_o meat_n or_o drink_n in_o prayer_n for_o the_o spâ—ce_n of_o seven_o day_n till_o the_o king_n without_o hope_n of_o get_v to_o she_o return_v with_o much_o amazement_n and_o go_v to_o york_n after_o which_o he_o can_v never_o endure_v s._n wilfride_n but_o long_o harbour_v revenge_n towards_o he_o do_v at_o length_n deprive_v he_o of_o his_o bishopric_n but_o these_o nun_n still_o continue_v on_o the_o top_n of_o that_o rock_n where_o almost_o faint_v for_o lack_v of_o water_n ebba_n the_o venerable_a abbess_n abovementioned_a advise_v audrey_n that_o she_o shall_v pray_v devout_o unto_o god_n that_o he_o who_o supply_v his_o people_n in_o the_o wilderness_n from_o the_o rock_n will_v vouchsafe_v water_n unto_o they_o in_o this_o their_o great_a necessity_n whereupon_o she_o pour_v out_o her_o prayer_n unto_o god_n with_o much_o fervency_n there_o immediate_o gush_v out_o a_o clear_a spring_n which_o not_o only_o satisfy_v their_o thirst_n at_o that_o time_n but_o ever_o since_o have_v be_v of_o such_o virtue_n that_o infirm_a people_n drink_v of_o it_o have_v thereby_o receive_v health_n to_o which_o miracle_n my_o author_n add_v one_o more_o viz._n that_o the_o footstep_n of_o this_o holy_a virgin_n be_v still_o to_o be_v see_v on_o the_o side_n of_o this_o hill_n both_o as_o she_o ascend_v and_o descend_v from_o it_o in_o as_o perfect_v a_o manner_n as_o if_o she_o have_v tread_v upon_o soft_a wax_n after_o this_o saint_z audrey_z for_o so_o my_o author_n now_o call_v she_o take_v with_o her_o the_o two_o maid_n beforementioned_a go_v thence_o and_o pass_v the_o river_n humbre_fw-mi land_v at_o wintringham_n in_o lincolnshire_n about_o ten_o furlong_n from_o which_o town_n they_o come_v to_o
be_v make_v the_o first_o bishop_n here_o at_o that_o time_n for_o aught_o i_o can_v find_v there_o be_v not_o any_o other_o access_n into_o this_o isle_n than_o by_o ship_n or_o boat_n this_o bishop_n therefore_o be_v desirous_a to_o have_v a_o causey_n through_o the_o fenn_n as_o it_o shall_v seem_v but_o doubt_v whether_o the_o monk_n will_v think_v the_o work_n fesible_a at_o all_o or_o if_o so_o with_o any_o indifferent_a charge_n so_o contrive_v the_o business_n that_o it_o be_v set_v upon_o without_o any_o fear_n of_o either_o and_o become_v accomplish_v according_o the_o story_n may_v perhaps_o to_o some_o seem_v fabulous_a but_o take_v it_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o leaguer_n a._n book_n of_o that_o monastery_n there_o appear_v in_o a_o vision_n unto_o a_o certain_a countryman_n who_o dwell_v at_o exning_n in_o suffolk_n s._n edmund_n the_o king_n and_o martyr_n in_o honour_n of_o whole_a memory_n that_o famous_a abbey_n of_o s._n edmundsbury_n have_v be_v long_o before_o found_v and_o awaken_n the_o man_n say_v thus_o to_o he_o good_a man_n listen_v well_o unto_o what_o i_o shall_v say_v unto_o thou_o and_o what_o i_o appoint_v thou_o to_o do_v fail_v not_o with_o effect_n to_o accomplish_v arise_v and_o go_v present_o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n and_o tell_v he_o in_o my_o name_n that_o he_o must_v make_v a_o way_n whereby_o i_o may_v visit_v s._n audrey_n who_o according_o make_v haste_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o acquaint_v he_o with_o this_o his_o vision_n and_o command_n the_o good_a bishop_n therefore_o weep_v for_o joy_n delay_v not_o to_o make_v enquiry_n how_o this_o business_n may_v be_v do_v and_o find_v that_o no_o man_n dare_v for_o what_o charge_n soever_o undertake_v to_o accomplish_v it_o there_o step_v out_o a_o certain_a monk_n of_o that_o abbey_n call_v john_n a_o soft_a man_n to_o all_o outward_a appearance_n who_o tell_v the_o bishop_n that_o he_o will_v by_o god_n help_n perform_v the_o work_n whereupon_o set_v in_o hand_n therewith_o he_o begin_v to_o measure_v the_o distance_n from_o soham_n to_o ely_n and_o to_o cut_v down_o the_o reed_n which_o stand_v in_o his_o way_n as_o also_o to_o make_v bridge_n over_o the_o river_n and_o so_o go_v on_o in_o raise_v of_o the_o say_a causey_n which_o he_o perfect_v in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n to_o the_o wonder_n of_o all_o man_n that_o then_o see_v it_o that_o causey_n be_v still_o call_v soham_n causey_n which_o place_n viz._n soham_n be_v also_o famous_a 30._o for_o two_o other_o thing_n first_o for_o the_o great_a mere_a that_o heretofore_o make_v the_o passage_n by_o ship_n and_o boat_n very_o dangerous_a to_o those_o who_o come_v into_o the_o isle_n that_o way_n before_o the_o say_a causey_n be_v make_v and_o next_o for_o that_o the_o body_n of_o faelix_fw-la bishop_n of_o the_o east-angle_n be_v translate_v from_o domuc_n hither_o which_o bishop_n die_v almost_o a_o thousand_o year_n since_o to_o hervaeus_n succeed_v nigel_n in_o that_o bishopric_n of_o who_o i_o may_v not_o omit_v to_o observe_v 9th_n that_o he_o discern_v this_o isle_n to_o be_v a_o place_n of_o such_o great_a security_n through_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o fen_n wherewith_o it_o be_v encompass_v that_o join_v with_o baldwine_n de_fw-fr rivers_n in_o the_o rebellion_n against_o king_n stephan_n he_o make_v a_o strong_a fort_n of_o lime_n and_o stone_n within_o the_o precinct_n thereof_o but_o that_o fort_n be_v by_o the_o power_n of_o s._n audrey_n as_o my_o author_n say_v often_o destroy_v he_o build_v one_o of_o timber_n near_o to_o his_o engine_n of_o war_n and_o wall_v in_o the_o round_a hill_n call_v the_o keep_v which_o be_v commit_v to_o his_o custody_n by_o geffrey_n de_fw-fr magnavill_n earl_n of_o essex_n and_o richard_n de_fw-fr clare_n earl_n of_o hertford_n whereof_o knowledge_n be_v give_v to_o certain_a great_a man_n of_o that_o country_n they_o make_v a_o confederacy_n with_o he_o but_o the_o king_n have_v intelligence_n thereof_o send_v his_o army_n to_o assault_v it_o yet_o prevail_v little_a therein_o till_o he_o himself_o come_v with_o his_o ship_n and_o then_o 8â—4_n have_v prepare_v a_o multitude_n of_o hurdle_n make_v with_o they_o a_o passage_n for_o his_o horse_n which_o when_o they_o within_o discern_v they_o throw_v down_o their_o arm_n and_o run_v away_o but_o the_o bishop_n escape_v and_o get_v to_o maud_n the_o empress_n and_o as_o for_o the_o reason_n before_o express_v this_o isle_n have_v be_v in_o those_o former_a time_n of_o trouble_n esteem_v a_o place_n of_o such_o great_a security_n so_o be_v it_o afterward_o upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n for_o after_o the_o death_n of_o eustace_n bishop_n of_o ely_n which_o happen_v about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o king_n john_n time_n the_o monk_n praesul_fw-la have_v elect_v one_o robert_n a_o yorkshire_n man_n who_o not_o only_o take_v the_o profit_n of_o the_o bishopric_n for_o five_o year_n without_o any_o consecration_n but_o adhere_v unto_o lewes_n son_n to_o the_o king_n of_o france_n at_o that_o time_n in_o this_o realm_n and_o the_o king_n enemy_n as_o our_o historian_n do_v at_o large_a set_v forth_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o fear_v leave_v he_o shall_v receive_v the_o say_a lewes_n into_o this_o isle_n make_v a_o very_a great_a complaint_n 13._o thereof_o to_o the_o pope_n whereby_o represent_v that_o danger_n he_o call_v it_o optima_fw-la munitio_fw-la regni_fw-la the_o best_a fort_n in_o all_o his_o kingdom_n and_o therefore_o humble_o beseech_v the_o pope_n that_o he_o will_v provide_v a_o better_a pastor_n for_o this_o church_n which_o he_o according_o do_v nor_o have_v it_o less_o account_n as_o it_o seem_v in_o 49o._o of_o that_o king_n reign_n for_o after_o the_o battle_n of_o evesham_n wherein_o the_o army_n of_o the_o rebellious_a baron_n be_v vanquish_v divers_a of_o those_o that_o flee_v betake_v themselves_o to_o this_o place_n among_o which_o john_n the_o eyvile_a and_o robert_n de_fw-fr wileby_n be_v 379._o the_o chief_a commander_n against_o who_o i_o find_v that_o the_o king_n about_o two_o year_n after_o prepare_v a_o army_n appoint_v 24._o his_o faithful_a subject_n will._n charles_n to_o bring_v barge_n and_o soldier_n from_o the_o sea_n coast_v of_o norff._n and_o suffolk_n for_o the_o assault_a thereof_o this_o be_v the_o time_n that_o the_o king_n himself_o with_o some_o force_n come_v 345._o private_o to_o ramsey_n near_o which_o place_n he_o slay_v and_o take_v prisoner_n divers_a of_o those_o his_o rebel_n who_o have_v issue_v out_o of_o the_o say_a isle_n and_o plunder_v the_o part_n thereabouts_o but_o notwithstanding_o this_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o subdue_v for_o the_o next_o year_n after_o it_o appear_v 379._o that_o henry_n de_fw-fr hastings_n be_v the_o principal_a officer_n and_o governor_n of_o this_o isle_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o those_o rebel_n and_o now_o have_v by_o these_o sundry_a remarkable_a instance_n show_v how_o vast_a and_o deep_a a_o fenn_n this_o great_a level_n ancient_o be_v my_o next_o endeavour_n shall_v be_v to_o declare_v what_o i_o have_v observe_v to_o have_v be_v do_v in_o order_n to_o the_o drayn_n and_o improvement_n thereof_o or_o any_o part_n of_o the_o same_o beginning_n where_o i_o leave_v viz._n on_o the_o northside_n of_o it_o cap._n xlii_o kesteven_n on_o the_o southern_a part_n of_o this_o province_n lie_v depe_v fenn_n which_o be_v now_o at_o least_o ten_o mile_n in_o breadth_n whereof_o the_o most_o ancient_a mention_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v be_v about_o the_o begin_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o confessor_n reign_n egelric_n who_o have_v be_v 30._o a_o monk_n of_o peterborough_n but_o at_o that_o time_n bishop_n of_o durham_n then_o make_v 30._o a_o firm_a causey_n of_o wood_n &_o gravel_n over_o it_o from_o depe_v to_o spalding_n for_o the_o advantage_n of_o passenger_n opus_fw-la sumptuosum_fw-la valdè_fw-la primâ—que_fw-la necessarium_fw-la quod_fw-la usque_fw-la nunc_fw-la &_o semper_fw-la in_o futurum_fw-la quamdiu_fw-la duraverit_fw-la de_fw-la factore_fw-la egelrico_fw-la cognomen_fw-la habet_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la elriche_fw-it road_n say_v 30._o ingulphus_n a_o most_o costly_a work_n but_o of_o extraordinary_a necessity_n which_o now_o do_v and_o as_o long_o as_o it_o shall_v last_v will_v bear_v his_o name_n at_o that_o time_n part_n of_o this_o province_n be_v a_o forest_n ibid._n as_o well_o as_o a_o fen_n and_o possess_v by_o leofrike_a earl_n of_o mercia_n for_o he_o be_v then_o lord_n 30._o of_o brune_n and_o the_o marsh_n adjoin_v from_o which_o leofrike_n it_o come_v to_o hereward_n his_o young_a son_n of_o who_o i_o have_v make_v ample_a mention_n in_o my_o discourse_n touch_v the_o isle_n of_o ely_n and_o by_o his_o daughter_n and_o heir_n turfrida_n unto_o 10._o hugh_n de_fw-fr evermiâ—eâ—_n â—_z then_o lord_n of_o depe_v so_o also_o by_o the_o sole_a daughter_n and_o
a_o little_a village_n call_v alfham_n almost_o compass_v about_o with_o the_o fen_n where_o continue_v a_o few_o day_n she_o erect_v a_o church_n unto_o the_o lord_n thence_o take_v her_o journey_n be_v much_o weary_v with_o travel_n she_o lay_v down_o in_o a_o shady_a place_n to_o sleep_v and_o when_o she_o awake_v find_v her_o staff_n which_o be_v when_o she_o stick_v it_o down_o at_o her_o head_n old_a and_o long_o wither_v not_o only_o clothe_v with_o a_o new_a green_a bark_n but_o bud_v with_o verdant_a branch_n and_o leaf_n which_o be_v by_o her_o lâ—ft_n there_o grow_v to_o be_v the_o large_a ash_n tree_n in_o all_o those_o part_n and_o the_o place_n ever_o afterward_o call_v etheldrede_n stow_z id_fw-la est_fw-la the_o rest_a of_o s._n etheldrede_n whâ—re_v a_o church_n afterward_o be_v also_o build_v in_o honour_n of_o our_o bless_a lady_n and_o jesus_n christ._n but_o at_o length_n s._n audrey_n come_v to_o her_o own_o estate_n at_o ely_n with_o her_o two_o maid_n and_o be_v there_o receive_v with_o great_a honour_n huna_n a_o priest_n short_o follow_v she_o where_o desire_v to_o erect_v a_o monastery_n many_o person_n strive_v to_o have_v their_o child_n instruct_v by_o she_o among_o which_o werburge_n the_o daughter_n of_o wolpherus_fw-la then_o king_n of_o merica_n and_o of_o queen_n ermenilde_a his_o wife_n be_v one_o and_o in_o that_o place_n by_o the_o help_n of_o king_n athulf_n her_o brother_n she_o build_v a_o religious_a house_n of_o nun_n in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n dclxxiij_o and_o give_v the_o whole_a island_n unto_o it_o send_v her_o dear_a friend_n s._n wilfride_n to_o rome_n for_o confirmation_n thereof_o who_o obtain_v the_o same_o from_o pope_n benedict_n with_o great_a immunity_n and_o privilege_n and_o have_v accomplish_v this_o foundation_n be_v also_o make_v abbess_n there_o it_o be_v observe_v that_o she_o never_o after_o do_v wear_v any_o linen_n but_o content_v herself_o with_o woollen_a garment_n and_o very_o seldom_o except_o on_o the_o great_a festival_n do_v eat_v often_o than_o once_o in_o one_o day_n and_o moreover_o if_o by_o some_o infirmity_n she_o be_v not_o hinder_v from_o the_o time_n of_o matin_n until_o break_v of_o the_o day_n she_o always_o continue_v at_o her_o prayer_n in_o the_o church_n but_o about_o seven_o year_n after_o that_o she_o have_v take_v upon_o her_o the_o degree_n of_o abbess_n she_o depart_v this_o life_n on_o the_o ixth_o kalend_n of_o july_n in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n dclxxix_o and_o be_v bury_v in_o a_o wooden_a coffin_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o her_o fellow_n nun_n as_o she_o herself_o have_v appoint_v that_o holy_a man_n huna_n the_o priest_n beforementioned_a celebrate_v her_o funeral_n who_o soon_o after_o her_o death_n retire_v to_o a_o little_a island_n not_o far_o from_o this_o of_o ely_n found_v a_o church_n there_o and_o live_v in_o great_a solitude_n the_o same_o be_v thereupon_o call_v huneye_n to_o this_o holy_a woman_n in_o the_o place_n of_o abbess_n succeed_v that_o devout_a virgin_n sexburge_n her_o sister_n who_o sixteen_o year_n after_o take_v up_o her_o body_n which_o with_o the_o linen_n wherein_o it_o be_v wrap_v be_v find_v incorrupt_a and_o cuâ—ing_n many_o disease_a people_n with_o the_o touch_n thereof_o have_v wash_v the_o body_n again_o and_o put_v new_a vestment_n upon_o it_o she_o bring_v it_o into_o the_o church_n of_o our_o lady_n so_o build_v by_o she_o as_o have_v be_v say_v and_o there_o place_v it_o in_o a_o new_a coffin_n of_o white_a marble_n find_v at_o grantcester_n and_o bring_v thither_o it_o be_v not_o a_o little_a observable_a that_o in_o the_o place_n where_o her_o body_n be_v first_o bury_v there_o stream_v out_o a_o fountain_n of_o pure_a water_n upon_o that_o translation_n thereof_o which_o still_o remain_v say_v my_o author_n to_o these_o famous_a virgin_n succeed_v other_o under_o who_o strict_a rule_n and_o holy_a discipline_n this_o monastery_n flourish_v with_o great_a honour_n till_o the_o year_n dccclxx_o id_fw-la est_fw-la cxcvij_o year_n that_o the_o dane_n than_o pagan_n lead_v by_o inguar_n and_o ubba_n make_v a_o invasion_n into_o this_o realm_n and_o destroy_v it_o for_o such_o be_v the_o depth_n of_o the_o water_n which_o compass_v this_o isle_n extend_v to_o the_o sea_n that_o they_o have_v a_o easy_a access_n unto_o it_o by_o ship_v as_o the_o mâ—_n history_n thereof_o b._n speak_v of_o that_o their_o incursion_n in_o these_o word_n import_v huius_fw-la siquidem_fw-la communis_fw-la tribulationis_fw-la &_o miseriae_fw-la nullatenus_fw-la expers_fw-la fuit_fw-la eliensis_n insula_fw-la praesertim_fw-la cum_fw-la paludes_fw-la &_o aquae_fw-la quibus_fw-la circumcingitur_fw-la in_o mare_fw-la porrigantur_fw-la sit_fw-la ab_fw-la ipsis_fw-la aestuantis_fw-la aequoris_fw-la fluctibus_fw-la quorumlibet_fw-la navium_fw-la ad_fw-la eandem_fw-la insulam_fw-la non_fw-la difficilis_fw-la accessus_fw-la in_o hanc_fw-la vecta_fw-la est_fw-la aliquando_fw-la gens_fw-la eadem_fw-la cum_fw-la multis_fw-la navibus_fw-la etc._n etc._n at_o which_o time_n such_o be_v the_o savageness_n of_o that_o barbarous_a people_n that_o have_v turn_v out_o the_o nun_n and_o ransack_v the_o church_n of_o all_o the_o ornament_n and_o wealth_n then_o in_o it_o they_o burn_v it_o to_o the_o ground_n and_o one_o of_o they_o more_o inhuman_a than_o the_o rest_n suppose_v some_o treasure_n to_o have_v be_v hide_v in_o the_o tomb_n of_o s._n audrey_n make_v a_o hole_n into_o it_o with_o a_o pick-ax_n whereupon_o through_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n his_o eye_n present_o fall_v out_o of_o his_o head_n so_o that_o he_o die_v with_o which_o judgement_n the_o rest_n be_v so_o terrify_v that_o they_o dare_v not_o presume_v to_o meddle_v there_o any_o more_o but_o such_o be_v their_o cruelty_n that_o they_o also_o fall_v upon_o the_o clergy_n kill_v some_o and_o imprison_v many_o other_o insomuch_o as_o this_o place_n lie_v whole_o desolate_a until_o that_o after_o some_o year_n eight_o of_o they_o come_v thither_o again_o repair_v the_o porch_n of_o that_o ruin_a church_n and_o celebrate_v divine_a service_n therein_o howbeit_o to_o these_o priest_n there_o succeed_v those_o who_o live_v not_o only_o irregular_o but_o irreligious_o nay_o the_o superior_a himself_o out_o of_o a_o wicked_a curiosity_n desire_v to_o be_v satisfy_v whether_o the_o body_n of_o that_o holy_a virgin_n s_o audrey_n be_v corrupt_v or_o not_o say_v that_o if_o it_o be_v not_o god_n will_v have_v wrought_v many_o miracle_n thereby_o whereupon_o one_o of_o his_o fellow_n tell_v he_o that_o divers_a miracle_n have_v be_v there_o do_v by_o virtue_n thereof_o make_v instance_n of_o these_o several_a cure_n viz._n of_o a_o woman_n that_o be_v trouble_v with_o a_o palsy_n for_o six_o year_n a_o young_a man_n dumb_a for_o seven_o year_n a_o maid_n blind_a from_o her_o birth_n after_o ten_o year_n restore_v to_o sight_n a_o youngman_n that_o have_v a_o wither_a have_v a_o maidservant_n unto_o who_o hand_n a_o tool_n whereof_o she_o make_v use_v to_o get_v up_o root_n out_o of_o a_o garden_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n stick_v so_o fast_o for_o the_o space_n of_o five_o year_n that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v pull_v out_o but_o notwithstanding_o these_o instance_n the_o say_v superior_a call_v to_o he_o four_o young_a man_n of_o his_o society_n thrust_v into_o that_o hole_n of_o the_o coffin_n which_o the_o dane_n have_v former_o make_v divers_a branch_n of_o fennell_n that_o lie_v upon_o the_o floor_n and_o desire_v to_o see_v whether_o her_o vestment_n be_v perish_v take_v a_o candle_n and_o fasten_v it_o to_o a_o stick_n put_v it_o into_o the_o say_a hole_n which_o fall_v from_o the_o stick_n continue_v flame_v till_o it_o be_v total_o consume_v yet_o burn_v not_o any_o part_n of_o they_o neither_o do_v they_o yet_o cease_v but_o sharpen_v the_o stick_n at_o the_o one_o end_n thrust_v it_o into_o the_o say_a vestment_n and_o draw_v they_o to_o the_o hole_n and_o be_v embolden_v because_o they_o have_v no_o hurt_n one_o of_o they_o take_v a_o knife_n and_o cut_v off_o a_o piece_n other_o lay_v hold_n on_o the_o remainder_n endeavour_v withal_o their_o strength_n to_o pull_v it_o out_o but_o can_v not_o it_o be_v draw_v back_o again_o with_o so_o much_o force_n as_o if_o two_o strong_a man_n have_v tug_v at_o it_o but_o see_v the_o event_n of_o this_o sacrilegious_a practice_n a_o great_a plague_n seize_v by_o and_o by_o upon_o the_o family_n of_o that_o priest_n whereof_o his_o wife_n and_o child_n with_o all_o his_o offspring_n die_v and_o carry_v he_o likewise_o within_o a_o few_o day_n to_o hell_n as_o say_v my_o author_n because_o he_o have_v not_o by_o great_a penance_n purge_v himself_o from_o this_o wicked_a deed_n and_o of_o his_o associate_n therein_o two_o of_o they_o happen_v to_o be_v slay_v the_o three_o after_o he_o be_v make_v priest_n lose_v his_o sense_n at_o
pasturage_n for_o their_o cattle_n take_v advantage_n of_o a_o false_a rumour_n then_o spread_v of_o king_n henry_n the_o second_o be_v death_n it_o be_v the_o xxxv_o and_o last_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o he_o then_o beyond_o sea_n and_o bear_v themselves_o not_o a_o little_a on_o their_o strength_n and_o wealth_n think_v that_o they_o may_v oppress_v the_o poor_a monk_n of_o crouland_n without_o any_o control_n whereupon_o gerard_n de_fw-fr bamvill_n fulke_n d'oiri_fw-la thomas_n de_fw-fr multon_n the_o elder_a and_o conan_n son_n of_o helyas_n who_o be_v much_o displease_v with_o the_o say_a monk_n of_o crouland_n for_o other_o respect_n associate_a to_o themselves_o richard_n de_fw-fr flet_n and_o walter_n with_o many_o other_o come_v to_o nicholas_n then_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o move_v he_o to_o be_v their_o leader_n and_o to_o augment_v the_o number_n all_o the_o chief_a man_n of_o ellow_a wapentake_n some_o few_o except_v conspire_v with_o they_o sometime_o have_v their_o meeting_n in_o the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n barn_n at_o uuestone_n and_o sometime_o in_o the_o church_n at_o holbeche_n when_o therefore_o the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n according_a to_o custom_n keep_v up_o his_o marsh_n as_o every_o year_n he_o have_v use_v to_o do_v about_o rogation_n week_n and_o to_o the_o end_n that_o his_o hay_n may_v have_v the_o better_a growth_n cause_v proclamation_n to_o be_v make_v upon_o the_o bridge_n at_o spalding_n that_o the_o man_n of_o holland_n and_o other_o shall_v keep_v their_o cattle_n from_o come_v thereinto_o they_o not_o only_o refuse_v so_o to_o do_v but_o drive_v in_o many_o more_o than_o they_o have_v former_o do_v whereupon_o the_o abbot_n servant_n impound_v they_o the_o man_n of_o holland_n grow_v very_o angry_a and_o have_v set_v a_o day_n viz._n the_o feast_n of_o nereus_n and_o achilleius_fw-la they_o then_o come_v into_o the_o say_a marsh_n of_o crouland_n all_o arm_a as_o it_o have_v be_v to_o battle_n to_o the_o number_n of_o above_o three_o thousand_o whereof_o the_o abbot_n have_v notice_n he_o forthwith_o accompany_v with_o a_o few_o of_o his_o own_o family_n meet_v they_o at_o the_o bank_n call_v asendic_n which_o be_v the_o boundary_a of_o crouland_n fen_n and_o earnest_o entreat_v peace_n with_o they_o for_o he_o fear_v that_o they_o have_v a_o purpose_n to_o destroy_v the_o abbey_n and_o to_o that_o end_n be_v so_o come_v together_o but_o they_o answer_v he_o scornful_o and_o pass_v through_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o fen_n share_v it_o among_o themselves_o according_a to_o the_o situation_n of_o their_o to_n and_o have_v so_o do_v pitch_a tent_n and_o make_v hut_v on_o every_o side_n the_o abbey_n wherein_o they_o place_v guard_n of_o arm_a man_n to_o keep_v each_o part_n thereof_o and_o likewise_o dig_v turf_n cut_v down_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o wood_n and_o aldergroves_n of_o crouland_n and_o burn_v they_o depasture_v their_o meadow_n and_o carry_v away_o the_o hay_n with_o divers_a other_o violence_n by_o the_o space_n of_o xv_o day_n the_o abbot_n and_o monk_n with_o their_o servant_n be_v all_o this_o while_n shut_v up_o so_o that_o they_o dare_v scarce_o go_v out_o of_o their_o church_n door_n in_o this_o lamentable_a condition_n therefore_o they_o resolve_v to_o make_v complaint_n to_o the_o king_n justice_n and_o to_o that_o end_n dispatch_v a_o messenger_n to_o geffrey_n fitz_n piers_n then_o dwell_v at_o clive_n in_o northamptonshire_n who_o hear_v of_o these_o great_a outrage_n send_v six_o knight_n from_o northampton_n to_o be_v better_o inform_v thereof_o which_o knight_n come_v first_o on_o the_o east_n side_n of_o the_o abbey_n there_o find_v the_o tent_n of_o sutton_n man_n who_o be_v tenant_n to_o geffrey_n de_fw-fr canvill_n and_o have_v all_o sort_n of_o weapon_n with_o they_o and_o say_v that_o they_o be_v there_o by_o their_o master_n command_n so_o likewise_o do_v all_o the_o rest_n answer_n the_o tent_n of_o spalding_n man_n be_v the_o last_o but_o the_o abbot_n himself_o be_v most_o sensible_a of_o these_o high_a oppression_n get_v out_o private_o and_o make_v all_o the_o haste_n he_o can_v to_o london_n where_o he_o represent_v to_o hubert_n walter_n substitute_n to_o ranulph_n de_fw-fr glanvill_n the_o king_n chief_a justice_n then_o beyond_o sea_n with_o the_o king_n and_o to_o his_o fellow_n judge_n these_o great_a injury_n and_o abuse_n show_v they_o the_o king_n charter_n which_o set_v forth_o the_o bound_n of_o those_o their_o fen_n who_o thereupon_o much_o compassionate_v the_o say_a abbot_n and_o his_o monk_n send_v forthwith_o in_o the_o king_n name_n to_o the_o say_v geffrey_n fitz_fw-fr piers_n and_o require_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v call_v before_o he_o the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o all_o those_o man_n of_o holland_n and_o to_o do_v the_o say_a abbot_n right_a upon_o they_o whereof_o these_o riotor_n hear_v they_o present_o burn_v their_o cabin_n and_o go_v to_o their_o own_o home_n at_o the_o summons_n therefore_o of_o the_o beforementioned_a geffrey_n fitz_fw-fr piers_n the_o say_a prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o the_o other_o delinquent_n meet_v he_o at_o depe_v to_o which_o place_n the_o say_v geffrey_n bring_v many_o eminent_a person_n with_o he_o upon_o the_o friday_n in_o whitsun_n week_n where_o the_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n chardged_a they_o with_o the_o breach_n of_o the_o king_n peace_n and_o all_o the_o violence_n and_o wrong_a before-specified_n there_o be_v likewise_o seven_o particular_a man_n who_o stand_v up_o and_o on_o the_o say_v abbot_n behalf_n lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o seven_o of_o the_o principal_a offender_n that_o each_o of_o they_o have_v damnify_v the_o abbot_n to_o the_o value_n of_o xx_o mark_n whereupon_o some_o of_o they_o be_v send_v to_o prison_n to_o northampton_n some_o to_o rokingham_n and_o some_o to_o other_o place_n the_o particular_n touch_v this_o suit_n for_o it_o last_v five_o year_n will_v be_v too_o much_o trouble_v to_o rehearse_v but_o at_o length_n the_o abbot_n prevail_v and_o recover_v the_o possession_n of_o those_o marsh_n the_o business_n be_v determine_v in_o the_o year_n mcxcxiij_fw-la 5_o r._n 1._o but_o though_o this_o suit_n have_v then_o a_o end_n the_o prior_n of_o spalding_n renew_v his_o former_a claim_n yet_o in_o the_o end_n they_o come_v to_o a_o amicable_a agreement_n 7._o by_o a_o fine_a levy_v betwixt_o they_o in_o 18_o h._n 3._o whereby_o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o shall_v impound_v any_o cattle_n of_o they_o the_o say_a abbot_n and_o prior_n or_o their_o tenant_n of_o crowland_n spalding_n pinchber_n langtoft_n baston_n and_o depe_v depasture_v within_o the_o fen_n of_o the_o say_a town_n nor_o take_v in_o any_o stranger_n cattle_n into_o those_o fen_n about_o this_o time_n will._n de_fw-fr albinci_n a_o great_a man_n in_o these_o part_n challenge_v right_o of_o common_a in_o divers_a of_o these_o fen_n whereupon_o by_o a_o fine_a 7._o levy_v at_o lincoln_n in_o 24_o h._n 3._o betwixt_o the_o then_o abbot_n of_o crouland_n and_o prior_n of_o spalding_n and_o the_o say_v william_n it_o be_v determine_v that_o he_o the_o say_v william_n and_o his_o heir_n shall_v have_v common_a of_o pasture_n for_o all_o manner_n of_o cattle_n belong_v to_o himself_o and_o all_o his_o tenant_n of_o uffington_n caswike_n and_o tallington_n in_o the_o fen_n of_o crouland_n spalding_n pinchbec_n langtoft_n and_o baston_n in_o ....._o h._n 3._o there_o be_v a_o presentment_n a._n exhibit_v to_o the_o justice_n itinerant_a at_o lincoln_n by_o the_o juror_n for_o the_o wapentake_n of_o ellowe_n set_v forth_o that_o there_o be_v two_o course_n of_o water_n in_o the_o common_a river_n of_o croyland_n the_o one_o near_a and_o the_o other_o more_o remote_a and_o that_o the_o near_a current_n be_v the_o right_a channel_n and_o of_o sufficient_a depth_n wherein_o they_o that_o do_v go_v with_o barge_n and_o boat_n may_v well_o pass_v too_o and_o fro_o but_o that_o the_o abbot_n of_o croyland_n have_v by_o plant_v willow_n thereon_o so_o obstruct_v &_o straitghn_v the_o say_a course_n of_o that_o stream_n that_o boat_n and_o barge_n can_v not_o pass_v as_o former_o they_o have_v but_o it_o be_v afterward_o adjudge_v both_o by_o the_o say_a juror_n and_o likewise_o by_o the_o justice_n itinerant_n for_o this_o county_n who_o pass_v that_o way_n to_o view_v the_o same_o that_o the_o current_n of_o the_o say_a water_n be_v much_o more_o proper_a and_o commodious_a in_o the_o place_n where_o then_o it_o go_v than_o there_o where_o the_o juror_n present_v the_o default_n to_o be_v provide_v that_o it_o may_v continue_v as_o wide_a and_o deep_a as_o it_o then_o be_v and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v straight_o and_o not_o bend_v as_o the_o old_a one_o be_v and_o therefore_o they_o conclude_v and_o order_v that_o it_o