of France and Flanders. But by the diligent ministration and unwearied preaching of the divines of the orders of Minors and Preachers, and especially of Master Robert, a brother of the order of Preachers, surnamed Bugre, they were converted from that error, and their superstition was confused and re futed, and those who refused to be converted Robert caused to breathe forth their miserable souls in the fire. In those days also, a great slaughter of the Jews took place in the countries of Italy, so that many of them fled for refuge to France and England. At that time also, the noble knight, William de Albiney, died. Also about the same time, the lord Frederic, the emperor, sent formal ambassadors to the king of England, to demand, with great earnestness, a considerable sum of money, which the king had promised him with his sister. This year also, a great many large springs burst out, and unusual streams, full of river fish. And the day after the festival of the blessed Martin, and also the day week after, a violent storm of wind, accompanied by noise as if of thunder, raised up the waves of the sea, and causing them to exceed their usual bounds, so that on the borders of the sea, and in the marshes, as for instance at Wisbeach, and other similar places, boats were lost, and much cattle, and a great number of human beings perished. About this time too, the bishop of Winchester returned from the countries beyond the sea. Pecuniary aid is required, and amendment promised. A.D . 1237. King Henry held his court at Christmas, at Winchester ; and immediately afterwards he sent letters from the king through all the provinces of England, ordering all the subjects of the English crown, that is to say, the archbishops, bishops, abbots, installed priors, counts and barons, to meet, without any omission or excuse, on the day week after the Epiphany, at London, tò consider of royal matters affecting the whole kingdom. And the nobles having received this command, immediately obeyed the royal order, believing that they should have to discuss some messages from the pope or emperor, affecting' the general state of affairs. Accordingly, on the appointed day the whole body of the nobles of the kingdom met at London ; and when they had taken their seats in the palace of the monastery, to listen to the king's wishes, William de Rale, one of the secular clergy, who was an intimate friend of the king, rose up in the midst of them,