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Bath being held for Stephen, the Bristol, men in rebellion 

 wished to get it, the more especially as it could be easily 

 fortified ( eo quod facilis esscf ad muniendum). A party therefore 

 marched out stealthily in the dusk of early morning, carrying 

 ladders and other implements for scaling the wall (scalis que secum 

 et cdiis machinulis ad murum conscendendum convedis), and took 

 post under cover of a hollow, while scouts reconnoitred to 

 choose the most advisable point for attack. Geoffrey Talbot, and 

 Gilbert de Lacy, his cousin, were selected as scouts, and went out 

 hoping to do theu' work unobserved; but the guards within 

 espying them they sallied out upon them, and after a struggle 

 secured Geoffrey as their prisoner — took him and put him in 

 fetters and threw him into their deepest dungeon ; Gilbert, 

 stronger and more wary, escaped and returned to tell of the 

 mischance. A curious picture this, these resolute citizens struggling 

 with the two knights, who were, presumably, in the chain armour 

 of the time. Then one would like to know where this dungeon 

 was. Determined to liberate Geoffrey, the Bristolians approached 

 Bath and summoned the Bishop (Robert) to come out and treat 

 with them, promising him safe conduct and safe return. The 

 Bishop '•■ dwelling in his house with simplicity," giving credit to 

 their words, went out accordingly, when he was quickly seized 

 and held a prisoner. He was then covered with abuse, and 

 threatened with hanging unless he released Geoffrey. As soon 

 as it was known within that the Bishop was captured, the citizens 

 closed the gates and manned the walls (condusis portis nd muros 

 defendendos concurrerant ) ; no assistance or succour consequently 

 could be sent out and the Bishop was obliged to order that 

 Geoffrey should be set at liberty. The Chronicler endeavours to 

 excuse this, first, as being a clemency more becoming a bishop, 

 and also because reason did not require him either to expose 

 himself to insult, or to sacrifice his life. For Geoffrey, however, 

 he had no blessing, but duly doomed him to the usual torment. 

 The Bishop, being free, became emboldened, and charged his 



