The nobles, whose power had become exorbitant during the reign of Stephen, and whom the prudence of Henry the Second had scarce reduced to some degree of subjection to the crown, had now resumed their ancient license in its utmost extent; despising the feeble interference of the English Council of State, fortifying their castles, increasing the number of their dependants, reducing all around them to a state of vassalage, and striving by every means in their power, to place themselves each at the head of such forces as might enable him to make a figure in the national convulsions which appeared to be impending.
Fittyet hánytak az államtanács erőtlen tiltakozásainak, meg­erősítették várkastélyaikat, mind nagyobb szolgasereggel vették körül magukat, és a környék egész népes­ségét jobbágysorsra kárhoztatták. Minden rendelkezésükre álló eszközzel igye­keztek minél nagyobb fegyveres csapatot szervezni, hogy megnöveljék hatalmukat a várható belső villon­gások idejére.