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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Polydor. Howbeit whilest these things were a dooing, cer|teine of the English Nobilitie, abhorring both the king and the present state of his gouernment, went priuilie out of the realme into Scotland to king Dauid, declaring vnto him what a detestable act was committed by the lords of England, in that (contra|rie to their oth made vnto the empresse Maud, and hir issue) they had now crowned Stephan. Where|fore they besought the said king to take in hand to reuenge such a vile iniurie practised against hir, and to restore the kingdome vnto the said empresse, which if he did, it should be a thing most acceptable both to God and man.