Note 6 — THE CASTLE OF CHEPSTOW, Monmouthshire.

See Castles and Abbeys, vol. i. of this work, Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight. Upon the death of the renowned Fitzosborne, Dugdale, quoting the Monk of Utica, thus moralizes:—“After this short life of nature, there is a long life of Fame, who will blow her trumpet aloud to posterity, and plainly lay open to the world as well the bad as good actions of the most potent that shall be in their highest pitch of worldly power. ‘Veré ut gloria mundi flos feni,’ &c. Certainly the glory of this world fadeth and withereth as the flowers of the field; yea, it passeth away and vanisheth even as smoke. What,” he continues, “is become of William Fitzosborne, Earl of Hereford, vicegerent of the king, sewer of Normandy, that most warlike general! Was he not, in truth, the chief and greatest oppressor of the English, and he who cherished an enormous cause by his boldness, whereby many thousands were brought to miserable ends! Lo! the just Judge, beholding all things, rewardeth even man according to his demerits. Alas, is he not now slain? Hath not this hardy champion had his desert? As he slew many with the sword, so he suddenly received his death by the sword.”—Baronage, 67, quoting Orderic Vitulis.