[Sidenote:  The archbishop Lambert defended his cause.] This separation continued all the life time of the archbishop Lambert, although he trauelled earnestlie to mainteine his prerogatiue.  Now, for that he still defended his cause, and would not reuolt from his will, Offa depriued him of all his possessions & reuenues that he held or inioied within anie part of his dominions.  Neither was Offa satisfied herewith, but he also tooke into his hands the possessions of manie other churches, and fleeced the house of [Sidenote:  Offa alieth himselfe with other princes.] Malmesburie of a part of hir reuenues.  Because of these & other his hard dooings, doubting the malice of his enimies, he procured the friendship of forren princes.  Vnto Brightricke king of the [Sidenote:  Matt.  Westm.] Westsaxons he gaue his daughter Ethelburga in mariage.  And sending diuers ambassadours ouer vnto Charles the great, that was both emperor & king of France, he purchased his friendship at length, although [Sidenote:  The intercourse of merchants staied.] before there had depended a peece of displeasure betwixt them, insomuch that the intercourse for trade of merchandize was staied for a time.  One of the ambassadours that was sent vnto the said Charles [Sidenote:  Alcwine an Englishman.] (as is reported) was that famous clearke Albine or Alcwine, by whose persuasion the same Charles erected two vniuersities, as in place due and conuenient may more largelie appeare.

Finallie king Offa (as it were for a meane to appease Gods wrath, which he doubted to be iustlie conceiued towards him for his sinnes [Sidenote:  Polydor.] and wickednesse) granted the tenth part of all his goods vnto churchmen, and to poore people.  He also indowed the church of Hereford with great reuenues, and (as some write) he builded the abbeie of Bath, placing moonkes in the same, of the order of saint Benet, as [Sidenote:  775.] before he had doone at saint Albons.  Moreouer he went vnto Rome, about the yeare of our Lord 775, and there following the example of Inas king of the Westsaxons, made his realme subiect by way of tribute [Sidenote:  Peter pence, or Rome Scot. Will.  Malmes. 797.] vnto the church of Rome, appointing that euerie house within the limits of his dominions, should yearelie pay vnto the apostolike see one pennie, which paiment was after named, Rome Scot, and Peter pence.  After his returne from Rome, perceiuing himselfe to draw into yeares, [Sidenote:  Offa departed this life.] he caused his sonne Egfrid to be ordeined king in his life time:  and shortlie after departing out of this world, left the kingdome vnto him, after he had gouerned it by the space of 39 yeares.