Compare 1577 edition: 1 Simon Dun. But to our purpose. King Stephan (by what ti|tle soeuer he obteined the crowne) immediatlie after his coronation, went first to Reading to the buri|all of the bodie of his vncle Henrie, the same being now brought ouer from Normandie, Polydor. Simon Dun. Matth. Paris. from whence after the buriall he repaired to Oxenford, and there calling a councell of the lords & other estates of his realme;The faire pro|mises of king Stephan. amongst other things he promised before the whole assemblie (to win the harts of the people) that he would put downe and quite abolish that tri|bute which oftentimes was accustomed to be gathe|red after the rate of their acres of hides of land, com|monlie called Danegilt, which was two shillings of euerie hide of land. Also, that he would so prouide, that no bishops sees nor other benefices should re|maine void, but immediatlie after vpon their first vacation, they should be againe bestowed vpon some conuenient person meet to supplie the roome. Fur|ther he promised not to seize vpon any mans woods as forfeit, though any priuate man had hunted and killed his déere in the same woods, as the maner of his predecessour was. ¶ For a kind of forfeiture was deuised by king Henrie, that those should lose their right inheritance in their woods, that chanced to kill any of the kings déere within the same.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Polydor. Ran. Higd. Licence to build castels,Moreouer, be granted licence to all men, to build either castell, tower, or other hold for defense of them|selues vpon their owne grounds. Al this did he chief|lie in hope that the same might be a safegard for him in time to come, if the empresse should inuade the land, as he doubted she shortlie would. Moreouer he aduanced manie yoong & lustie gentlemen to great liuings. Wil. Malm. In nouella hi|storia. For such as were of any noble familie, and thereto through a certeine stoutnesse of stomach sought preferment, easilie obteined of him the posses|sion of castels and great lordships, diuerse of whom he honored with titles of dignitie, creating some of them earles and some lords. Now, such was their importunate sute in demanding, that when he had little more to bestow amongst them, hauing alreadie giuen sundrie portions that belonged to the crowne, they ceassed not to be in hand with him for more, and being denied with reasonable excuses on his behalfe, they thought themselues ill dealt withall, and so tur|ning from him, fortified their castels and holds, ma|king open warre against him: as hereafter shall appeare.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 There came ouer vnto him also a great number of Flemings and Britons to serue him as souldiers,The resort of strangers to serue king Stephan. whom he reteined, to be the stronger and better able to defend himselfe against the malice of the em|presse, by whom he looked to be molested he wist not how soone. Wherefore he shewed himselfe verie libe|rall, courteous, and gentle towards all maner of persons at the first, and (to saie truth) more liberall, familiar, and free harted than stood with the maiestie of a king: which was afterward a cause that he grew into contempt. ¶ But to such meanes are prin|ces driuen, that atteine to their estates more through fauour and support of others, than by any good right or title which they may pretend of themselues. Thus the gouernement of this prince at the beginning was nothing bitter or heauie to his subiects, but full of gentlenesse, lenitie, courtesie, and mildnes.