Et od noble chevalerie
Passa mer, vint à Porecestre.”
On the castle and church of Portchester, see the Winchester Volume of the Archæological Institute. The Chronicler gives the date as “xii. nihtan toforan Hlafmæssan,” which would be July 20. Florence says “circa ad Vincula S. Petri,” that is August 1; and William of Malmesbury says “mense Augusto.” It is safer to keep to the more definite statement in the Chronicle.
[1031] Flor. Wig. 1101. “Statim versus Wintoniam exercitum movens, apto in loco castra posuit.” So Wace, as we shall see presently. Orderic says more vaguely, “Protinus ipse dux a proceribus regni, qui jamdudum illi hominium fecerant, in provinciam Guentoniensem perductus, constitit.”
[1032] Wace, 15453;
“D’iloc ala prendre Wincestre;
Maiz l’en li dist ke la réine
Sa serorge esteit en gésine,
Et il dist ke vilain sereit,
Ki dame en gésine assaldreit.”