Aquilonalibus igitur partibus derelictis occidentalium terminos insequitur; et ad locum, qui nunc usque secundum ueteres Acresburh (id est: Urbs agri) dicitur, obsequentium turbis transmissis ipse non longe cum reuerentissimo antistite Henrico in uilla episcopij eius ibidem proxima spaciaturus cum numeroso comite resedit. Porro regis discessu diuulgato turba diripientium cateruatim regias curias inuadere rerumque prouisores ibidem edibus exturbare, omnia inuestigantibus oculis auaris inspicere, manibus queque proxima diripere, uniuersa porcorum more subuertere, regalium stipendiorum reliquias, quas uorando deglutire nequiuerant, pedibus conculcando proterere.

Et quid amplius? Ut in Dauid legitur, confirmato malignitatis consilio uniuersa multitudo iter aggreditur; regia uestigia alii propriis, quidam cornipedum pedibus insequuntur, edicto proposito statuentes, ut aut religiosi principis memoriam solo eripiant aut eum a regni iure depellant. Reuerentissimus uero pontifex, qui eo, ut prediximus, tempore secum regem gloriosum detinebat, non insperato aduentu uesanę legionis audito sediciosos cuneos cum prudentibus adiit et sermone placido, ut ab insolentia haud sano admodum consilio cępta se compescant, instigat et, ne ad infamiam uniuersi orbis deueniant, fas nefasque proponens facundissime perorat.

Leaving the northern regions behind, he proceeded toward the western regions. He sent the bulk of his followers ahead to the place long known, according to ancient usage, as Aggersborg (“the fortress of the fields”), while he himself remained nearby with the most reverend Bishop Henrik, staying at the bishop’s estate with a considerable company.

Once the king’s departure became known, bands of looters rushed to invade the royal estates. They drove the stewards of supplies from the buildings, searched everything with greedy eyes, seized whatever lay nearest at hand, overturned everything like swine rooting in filth, and trampled underfoot what remained of the royal provisions — those things they could not consume outright.

And what more? As it is written of David, when the plot of wickedness had been firmly agreed upon, the whole multitude set out. Some followed the king’s tracks on foot, others on horseback, declaring openly that they would either wipe out entirely the memory of the devout prince or drive him from his royal authority.

The most reverend bishop, who at that time — as we have said — was with the glorious king, upon hearing of the sudden approach of the raging host, went out with prudent men to meet the rebellious ranks. With calm speech he urged them to restrain themselves from their reckless and ruinous purpose, and, lest they bring disgrace upon the whole world, he argued eloquently, laying out right and wrong before them.