Note 1090 — Chapter VI · THE LAST YEARS OF HENRY II. 1183–1189.

See Pet. Blois, Ep. ii.(Giles, vol. i. pp. 3–5); Gir. Cambr. as above, c. 9 (pp. 31, 32); W. Map, De Nug. Cur., dist. iv. c. i. (Wright, pp. 139, 140); and Th. Agnellus (Stevenson, R. Coggeshall), pp. 265–273. The tone of the real historians of the time is however somewhat different. The Gesta Hen. is perfectly colourless, and even on the young king’s death the writer adds not a word of comment, good or bad. Rog. Howden, on the other hand (Stubbs, vol. ii. p. 279), openly gives vent to a feeling which may be expressed by “So perish all the enemies of King Henry,” and grows almost impatient with Henry’s grief. R. Diceto (Stubbs, vol. ii. pp. 19, 20) is as usual very cautious in the expression of his personal opinions, but they also appear to be somewhat opposed to the popular sentiment. The point of view taken by Gerv. Cant. (Stubbs, vol. i. p. 305) is probably unique. The one really judicial commentator on the whole affair is William of Newburgh (l. iii. c. 7—Howlett, vol. i. pp. 233, 234).