[1] These things being thus bruted abroad, the Peeres of the realme resorted to hir, as they that well re|membred how in time past by oth of allegiance they were suerlie bound to hir and hir issue. The king in the meane time besieged the castle of Wallingford,K. Stephan besiegeth Wallingford. but after he vnderstood that the empresse was got|ten to Bristow, repenting himselfe for his light cre|dit giuen to euill counsell, he left off the siege of Wallingford, and drew towards Bristow, that he might (if it were possible) inclose his aduersaries within that walled citie. But the empresse, being ad|uertised of his determination (by such of hir fréends as were resident about him) first went to Gloce|ster, and after to Lincolne, where she prouided vit|tailes and all other things necessarie for hir armie and defense: purposing to remaine in that citie, till the matter were either tried by chance of warre be|twixt hir and king Stephan, or that by the peoples helpe reuolting to hir side, he might be driuen out of the realme, and she restored to the whole gouerne|ment. The king followed hir verie earnestlie, and comming vnto Lincolne besieged it, Anno Reg. 6. 1141 assaieng on e|uerie side which waie he might best find meanes to win it, & enter into the same. Sim. Dunel. R. Houe. K. Stephan winneth Lincolne. Ran. Higd. Simon Dun. At length the empresse found shift to escape from thence, and within a little while the king got possession of the citie. But short|lie after, Robert earle of Glocester, and Ranulph earle of Chester, Hugh Bigot, and Robert of Mor|ley assembling their power, aswell of Welshmen as others, to come to the succour of those that were thus besieged, came to Lincolne, Polydor. N. Triuet. & pitching downe their tents néere to the enimies, they rested the first night without making any great attempt.