His men crossed the moat on the ice, and, burning down the great gate, easily overpowered the scanty garrison.  “As if he were the only ruler of the kingdom,” says the Canon of Barnwell, “he sent letters signed with his seal to the mayors of the cities of England, granting his peace to all merchants engaged in plying their trades, and allowing them free licence of going and coming through his castles.”  Nothing in the annals of the time puts more clearly this revival of the old feudal custom that each baron should lord it as king over his own estates.

Albemarle’s power did not last long.  He incurred the wrath of the Church, and both in Kesteven and in Northamptonshire set himself against the interests of Randolph of Chester.  Before January was over Pandulf excommunicated him, and a great council granted a special scutage, “the scutage of Bytham,” to equip an army to crush the rebel.  Early in February a considerable force marched northwards against him.  The Earl of Chester took part in the campaign, and both the legate and the king accompanied the army.  Before the combined efforts of Church and State, Albemarle dared not hold his ground, and fled to Fountains, where he took sanctuary.  His followers abandoned Fotheringhay, but stood a siege at Bytham.  After six days this castle was captured on February 8.  Even then secret sympathisers with Albemarle were able to exercise influence on his behalf, and Pandulf himself was willing to show mercy.  The earl came out of sanctuary, and was pardoned on condition of taking the crusader’s vow.  No effort was made to insist on his going on crusade, and within a few months he was again in favour.  “Thus,” says Roger of Wendover, “the king set the worst of examples, and encouraged future rebellions.”  Randolph of Chester came out with the spoils of victory.  He secured as the price of his ostentatious fidelity the custody of the Honour of Huntingdon, during the nonage of the earl, his nephew, John the Scot.

A tumult in the capital soon taught Hubert that he had other foes to fight against besides the feudal party.  At a wrestling match, held on July 25, 1222, between the city and the suburbs, the citizens won an easy victory.  The tenants of the Abbot of Westminster challenged the conquerors to a fresh contest on August 1 at Westminster.  But the abbot’s men were more anxious for revenge than good sport, and seeing that the Londoners were likely to win, they violently broke up the match.  Suspecting no evil, the citizens had come without arms, and were very severely handled by their rivals.  Driven back behind their walls, the Londoners clamoured for vengeance.  Serlo the mercer, their mayor, a prudent and peace-loving man, urged them to seek compensation of the abbot.  But the citizens preferred the advice of Constantine FitzAthulf, who insisted upon an immediate attack on the men of Westminster.  Next day the abbey precincts were invaded, and much mischief was done.  The alarm was the greater