suzerain the earl of Flanders. Aubrey, though then, it is said, honourably engaged in the service of King Stephen, forthwith obeyed the summons, and from that time became entitled to the style of comte.
However, it is further related, by the same chronicler,[1] that he preferred a residence at the English court to the requisite superintendence of his matrimonial domains. His wife was in too delicate a state of health to enjoy his society; and in consequence, though continually sent for by his father-in-law, he obstinately prolonged his absence, until the patience of his barons was fairly exhausted. The result was one of those petty intestine wars which were then so frequent; and it was carried on for some time in the unhappy comté of Guisnes with various success. On one side were ranged the comte's bailiff, Arnold of Hammes, and the father of the comtesse, Henry castellan of Bourbourg. Arnold de Gand, the pretender to the comté, headed the insurgent party, and one of his chief supporters was Baldwin lord of Ardres. This Baldwin, being severely wounded, sought comfort in his sickness in the counsels of the abbot of la Chapelle Thierry, and, at his instigation, he withdrew from the cause of Arnold de Gand. In brief, it was concluded that Baldwin of Ardres would make a better sovereign for the men of Guisnes than either Arnold or the Englishman whom they never saw. Aubrey de Vere, on his part, seems to have been readily persuaded to relinquish so troublesome and unpromising an alliance. He assented to a divorce. The wishes of Baldwin of Ardres were accomplished; he was married to the comtesse Beatrice; but she survived for only a few days, and finally Arnold de Gand succeeded to the comté in peace.
These events took place about the year 1144. It was consequently for about seven years that Aubrey de Vere was comte of Guisnes. There are several English charters extant in which he uses the title of comte; and one to the monastery of Hatfield, in Essex, is particularly remarkable, as proving that he did so whilst his father was living. He styles himself therein Albericus comes, filius Alberici de Ver, and his father is the first of the witnesses.[2] His father, the king's chamberlain, was slain in London, during a riot of the citizens, on the 15th of May, 1140.
