"King Stephan (by what title soeuer he obteined the crowne) immediatlie after his coronation, went first to Reading to the buriall of the bodie of his vncle Henrie, the same being now brought ouer from Normandie, from whence after the buriall he repaired to Oxenford, and there calling a councell of the lords & other estates of his realme; [Sidenote: The faire promises of king Stephan.] amongst other things he promised before the whole assemblie (to win the harts of the people) that he would put downe and quite abolish that tribute which oftentimes was accustomed to be gathered after the rate of their acres of hides or land, commonlie called Danegilt, which was two shillings of euerie hide of land."