Note 413 — Chapter XII · WILLIAM THE LION—1165–1214.

Hoveden 1174, p. 308. Newbridge, l. 2, c. 34, 37. Diceto improves upon the miracle of William’s capture by adding that on the very same day the Count of Flanders and the younger Henry dismissed the fleet which they had assembled at Gravelines. To make the story still better, Wendover raises a tempest and sinks most of the vessels. As the allies left Gravelines on account of a message from Louis, who had received intelligence of William’s capture (Hoveden), the knowledge of an event in France, on the very day on which it happened in Northumberland, would, in those days, have been undeniably miraculous.