[Sidenote:  A fraie in Canturburie betwixt the earle Bullongne and the townsmen.] The citizens heerewith in a great furie, got them to armor, and set vpon the earle and his retinue, of whom they slue twentie persons out of hand, & wounded a great number of the residue, so that the earle scarce might escape with one or two of his men from the fraie, [Sidenote:  The earle complaineth to the king.] & with all speed returned backe to the king, presenting greeuous information against them of Canturburie, for their cruell vsing of him, not onlie in sleaing of his seruants, but also in putting him in danger of his life.  The king crediting the earle, was higlie offended against the citizens, and with all speed sending for earle Goodwine, declared vnto him in greeuous wise, the rebellious act of them of Canturburie, which were vnder his iurisdiction.

The earle who was a man of a bold courage and quicke wit, did perceiue that the matter was made a great deale woorse at the first in the beginning, than of likelihood it would prooue in the end, thought it reason therefore that first the answere of the Kentishmen should be heard, before anie sentence were giuen against them.  Heerevpon, although the king commanded him foorthwith to go with an armie into Kent, and to punish them of Canturburie in most rigorous maner, yet he would not be too hastie, but refused to execute the kings [Sidenote:  Earle Goodwine offended with the king for fauouring strangers.] commandement, both for that he bare a peece of grudge in his mind, that the king should fauour strangers so highlie as he did; and againe, bicause heereby he should seeme to doo pleasure to his countriemen, in taking vpon him to defend their cause against the rough accusations of such as had accused them.  Wherefore he declared to the king that it should be conuenient to haue the supposed offenders first called afore him, and if they were able to excuse themselues, then to be suffered to depart without further vexation:  and if they were found faultie, then to be put to their fine, both as well in satisfieng the king, whose peace they had broken, as also the earle, whom they had indamaged.

Earle Goodwine departed thus from the king, leauing him in a great [Sidenote:  A councel called at Glocester.  Siward earle of Northumberland, Leofrike earle of Chester, Rafe earle of Hereford. Will.  Malmes.] furie:  howbeit he passed litle thereof, supposing it would not long continue.  But the king called a great assemblie of his lords togither at Glocester, that the matter might be more deepelie considered.  Siward earle of Northumberland, and Leofrike earle of Chester, with Rafe earle of Hereford, the kings nephue by his sister Goda, and all other the noble men of the realme, onlie earle Goodwine and his sonnes ment not to come there, except they might bring with them a great power of armed men, and so remained at Beuerstane, with such bands as they had leauied, vnder a colour to resist the Welshmen,