Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

§ 160. In England, saith William Malmsbury, and Binnius out of him, p. 1325. two Bishops (of Salisbury and Lincoln) built the great Castles of Newark, Shirburne, Devises, Malmesbury, and held the Castle at Salisbury, &c. The Nobles complained to the King of the Bishop's greatness, and building so many Castles, as of ill design. At an Assembly or Parliament at Oxford, the ⟨p. 381⟩Servants of some Earls and these Bishops fought for Quarters: The Bishops Servants prevailed, and Blood was shed, and the Nephew of an Earl wounded near to death, and all was on an uproar. The King (Stephen) took the advantage, and made the two Bishops deliver up the Keys of their Castles, lest they prepared to be for the Empress Maud in time. The Bishop the King's Brother was the Pope's Legate; he calls a Council at Winchester, and summoneth the King, where he and other Bishops pleaded against the King, that he violated the Canons, wronged the Church, invaded the Bishops Propriety, &c. But a French Bishop of Rouen pleaded for the King, that no Canon allowed them those Castles, and that in danger of Wars all Princes would secure such places; and so far got the better, as that they durst not proceed against the King, who told them that if any went to Rome to complain against him, they must not think easily to return into England.

§ 160. In England, saith William Malmsbury, and Binnius out of him, p. 1325. two Bishops (of Salisbury and Lincoln) built the great Castles of Newark, Shirburne, Devises, Malmesbury, and held the Castle at Salisbury, &c. The Nobles complain'd to the King of the Bishop's greatness, and building so many Castles, as of ill design. At an Assembly or Parliament at Oxford, the ⟨p. 381⟩Servants of some Earls and these Bishops fought for Quarters: The Bishops Servants prevailed, and Blood was shed, and the Nephew of an Earl wounded near to death, and all was on an uproar. The King (Stephen) took the advantage, and made the two Bishops deliver up the Keys of their Castles, lest they prepared to be for the Empress Maud in time. The Bishop the King's Brother was the Pope's Legat; he calls a Council at Winchester, and summoneth the King, where he and other Bishops pleaded against the King, that he violated the Canons, wronged the Church, invaded the Bishops Propriety, &c. But a French Bishop of Rouen pleaded for the King, that no Canon allowed them those Castles, and that in danger of Wars all Princes would secure such places; and so far got the better, as that they durst not proceed against the King, who told them that if any went to Rome to complain against him, they must not think easily to return into England.