It was William's interest and intention to treat a town which had submitted
so readily as lightly as possible, but the soldiers, possibly suspecting that
the booty of the rich seaport was to be withheld from them, got out of hand
for once, and the town was set on fire. William attempted to make good the damage
to the citizens, but found it impossible to punish the offenders as he wished,
and ended by expelling a number of Englishmen from their houses, and placing
members of his army in their stead. Eight days were spent at Dover, during which
the fortifications of the castle were brought up to an improved standard.--Stenton