Note 1568 — Chapter XVI · THE INTERREGNUM.[1503] October 15–December 25, 1066.
Reading edition
The expressions of Guy (663 et seqq.) seem distinctly to assert a siege. We read, for instance,
“Densatis castris a lævâ mœnia cinxit.”
And again,
“Ædificat moles, vervecis cornua ferro,
Fabricat et talpas urbis ad excidium.”
Yet it is impossible to reconcile this with the account in William of Poitiers. Guy’s description of Westminster (665) is worth notice;
“Dimidiæ leugæ spatio distabat ab urbe
Regia regalis, ante decora nimis,
Fertur ab antiquis quæ Guest vocitata colonis,
Post Petri nomen duxit ab ecclesiâ.
Providus hanc sedem sibi Rex elegit ad ædem,
Quæ sibi complacuit jure nec immeritò:
Nam, veluti patrum testantur gesta priorum,
Ex solito Reges hic diadema ferunt.”
Guy has a little exaggerated the antiquity of Westminster as a royal dwelling-place.