After the king had dispatched his businesse in Normandie, & was returned into England (as he was making prouision to ride foorth on hunting) a messenger came suddenlie vnto him, bringing word, that the citie of Mans was besieged, and like to be surprised. [Sidenote:  Hen.  Hunt. Matth.  Paris.] The king was then at dinner, meaning first to make an end thereof, and after to take aduice in that matter:  but being reprooued by the messenger, for that to the great danger of his subiects which were besieged he passed not to make delaies, rather than to go and succour them with all speed, he taketh the mans blunt speech in so good part, that he called straightwaie for masons to breake downe the wall, to the end he might passe through the next way, and not be driuen to step so farre out of his path, as to go foorth by the doores:  and so without any long aduisement taken in the cause, he rode straightwaie to the sea, sending his lords a commandement to follow; [Sidenote:  Wil.  Malm.] who when they came in his presence, counselled him to staie till his people were assembled.  Howbeit he would not giue eare to their aduice in that point, but said; Such as loue me, I know well will follow me, and so went a shipboord, setting apart all doubts of perils; and yet was the weather verie darke, rough and cloudie, insomuch that the maister of the ship was afraid, and willed him to tarrie till the wind did settle in some quiet quarter:  [Sidenote:  The saieng of king William Rufus.] but hee commanded to hoise vp sailes, and to make all speed that could be for life, incouraging the shipmaster with these words, “that he neuer heard as yet of anie king that was drowned.”

Thus passing the seas, he landed in Normandie, where he gathered his power, and made towards Mans.  When those which held the siege before the citie, heard of his approch, they brake vp their campe and departed thence:  [Sidenote:  Mans deliuered from an asseege.] howbeit, the capteine named Helias, that pretended by title and right to be earle of Mans, was taken by a traine; and brought before the king, who iested at him, as though he had beene but a foole and a coward. [Sidenote:  Helias.] Wherevpon, the said Helias kindled in wrath, boldlie said vnto him; “Whereas thou hast taken me prisoner, it was by meere chance, and not by thy manhood:  but if I were at libertie againe, I would so vse the matter with thee, that thou shouldest not thinke I were a man so lightlie to be laughed at.”  “No should (saith the king); Well then I giue thee thy libertie, and go thy waies, doo euen the worst that lieth in thy power against me, for I care not a button for thee.”  Helias being, thus set at libertie, did nothing after (to make anie account of) against the king, but rather kept himselfe quiet. [Sidenote:  Hen.  Hunt. Polydor.] Howbeit some write, that he was not taken at all, but escaped by flight.  To proceed king William being returned into England, and puffed vp with pride of his victories, and now seeing himselfe fullie deliuered from all troubles of warre, began after his old manner to spoile and wast the countrie by vnreasonable exactions, tributes and paiments.