The Project Gutenberg EBook of Danes, Saxons and Normans, by John G. Edgar This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Danes, Saxons and Normans or, Stories of our ancestors Author: John G. Edgar Release Date: August 16, 2012 [EBook #40513] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DANES, SAXONS AND NORMANS *** Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) DANES, SAXONS, AND NORMANS; O R, Stories of our Ancestors. BY J. G. EDGAR, AUTHOR OF "BOYHOOD OF GREAT MEN," "CAVALIERS AND ROUNDHEADS," ETC. LONDON: S. O. BEETON, 248, STRAND. 1863. PREFACE. In the following pages I have endeavoured to tell in a popular way the story of the Norman Conquest, and to give an idea of the principal personages who figured in England at the period when that memorable event took place; and I have endeavoured, I hope not without some degree of success, to treat the subject in a popular and picturesque style, without any sacrifice of historic truth. With a view of rendering the important event which I have attempted to illustrate, more intelligible to the reader, I have commenced by showing how the Normans under Rolfganger forced a settlement in the dominions of Charles the Simple, whilst Alfred the Great was struggling with the Danes in England, and have recounted the events which led to a connexion between the courts of Rouen and Westminster, and to the invasion of England by William the Norman. It has been truly observed that the history of the Conquest is at once so familiar at first sight, that it appears superfluous to multiply details, so difficult to realize on examination, that a writer feels himself under the necessity of investing with importance many particulars previously regarded as uninteresting, and that the defeat at Hastings was not the catastrophe over which the curtain drops to close the Saxon tragedy, but "the first scene in a new act of the continuous drama." I have therefore continued my narrative for many years after the fall of Harold and the building of Battle Abbey, and have traced the Conqueror's career from the coast of Sussex to the banks of the Humber and the borders of the Tweed. For the same reason I have narrated the quarrels which convulsed the Conqueror's own family—have related how son fought against father, and brother against brother—and have indicated the circumstances which, after a fierce war of succession in England, resulted in the peaceful coronation of Henry Plantagenet, and the establishment of that great house whose chiefs were so long the pride of England and the terror of her foes. J. G. E. ANALYSIS OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE ROLFGANGER AND HIS COMRADES:—Rolfganger's banishment—Settles in France—Ludicrous incident during the ceremony of Rolfganger'staking the oath of fealty to Charles the Simple 1 CHAPTER II. WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR:—His birth and parentage—Duke Robert's pride in him—Is declared successor to Robert the Devil— Duke Robert's death—Opposition to William's succession—Conspiracy headed by Bessi and Cotentin—William flees from them—Defeat of the conspirators, and accession of William to the ducal throne of Normandy—Hiscruelty—Good qualities of William 8 CHAPTER III. THE DANES IN ENGLAND:—The Saxons come to the assistance of the Britons—Seize on Britain—Formation of the Kingdom of England—The first inroad of the Danes—Death of Ethelred, and accession of Alfred the Great to the throne of England— Alfred in the swineherd's cottage—Visits the Danish camp—Drives the Danes from England—Sweyn, King of Denmark, invades England—Is bribed to retire—Massacre of St. Brice—Sweyn again invades England—His sudden death—Canute succeeds him—Treachery and punishment of Edric Streone—Canute's marriage—Death of Canute—Accession of Harold Harefoot—His death—Accession of Hardicanute—His death 14 CHAPTER IV. EARL GODWIN:—Ulf and Godwin—Canute's partiality to Godwin—Godwin becomes Earl of Wessex—Marries the daughter of Sweyn, King of Denmark—Godwin espouses the cause of Hardicanute—Godwin procures the crown of England for Edward the Confessor 21 CHAPTER V. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR:—His parentage—Death of his brother Alfred—Edward demands justice of Hardicanute—Ascends the English throne—Edward and the leper—Edward marries Edith, daughter of Godwin 25 CHAPTER VI. THE KING AND THE KING-MAKER:—Edward's Norman friends—Dislike of the Normans by the English—Quarrel between Eustace of Boulogne and the townsmen of Dover—Godwin's quarrel with Edward—Godwin is outlawed—William of Normandy visits England—His reception—Godwin returns to England—Is restored to power—Godwin's awful death 29 CHAPTER VII. MATILDA OF FLANDERS:—William of Normandy determines to marry Matilda of Flanders—Matilda's pedigree—Her father's acquiescence in William's proposal—Her refusal to the espousal—William's love-making—Matilda's consent is obtained— The Pope's opposition to the marriage—William overcomes the Pope's scruples—Obtains a dispensation—Marries Matilda of Flanders 36 CHAPTER VIII. SIWARD THE DANE:—His appearance—The mystic banner—Siward's reception by Hardicanute—Tostig's raillery and its punishment—Battle between Eadulph, Earl of Northumberland, and Siward—Siward is sent by Edward the Confessor to defend the Northumbrian coast—Death of Siward 40 CHAPTER IX. HAROLD, THE SAXON KING:—Harold's personal appearance—Harold's first appearance in national affairs—His great military reputation—Harold proposes to visit Normandy—King Edward tries to dissuade him—He sets out—His cordial reception by Duke William—Harold accompanies William in a war against the Bretons—William extorts a promise from Harold to aid him in obtaining the English crown—Death of Edward the Confessor 45 CHAPTER X. DUKE WILLIAM AND HIS DIFFICULTIES:—William has news of Harold's accession to the English throne—Harold is summoned by the Court of Rome to defend himself on the charges of perjury and sacrilege—He refuses to acknowledge the jurisdiction of the See of Rome—William is ordered by the Pope to invade England—He prepares to set out—William Fitzosborne overrules the objections of the Norman nobles. 53 CHAPTER XI. TOSTIG, SON OF GODWIN:—Tostig is made Earl of Northumberland—His cruelty—The Northumbrians force him to flee—Harold is sent against the insurgents—Tostig is deposed—His anger is turned against Harold—The massacre of Hereford—Tostig repairs to Flanders—Obtains aid from William of Normandy—Tostig's unfavourable reception by Sweyn, King of Denmark 58 CHAPTER XII. HAROLD HARDRADA:—His personal appearance—Harold at the battle of Stiklestad is wounded—Harold with his companions goes to Constantinople and takes service as a varing—The varings—Goes to Africa and Sicily, and makes an armed pilgrimage to Jerusalem—Drives out the Moslems—Returns to Constantinople—Is enamoured of Maria, niece of the Empress Zoe—The Empress in love with Harold—Magnus, the illegitimate son of Olaf, usurps the throne of Norway— Harold, wishing to assert his superior claim, is detained in Constantinople by the Empress—Is delivered by a Greek lady— Rouses his companions, carries off Maria, and sets sail for Denmark—Hardrada shares the throne with Magnus—Death of Magnus—Tostig applies to Hardrada for assistance against Harold, King of England—Tostig makes a descent on England— Hardrada sails for England—The apprehensions of the Norwegians 62 CHAPTER XIII. THE ALARM IN ENGLAND:—Harold's indefatigable exertions for the welfare of England—Duke William claims fulfilment of Harold's promise—Harold's refusal—Duke William sends again to Harold—His offers again refused—William's threat—The alarm—Tostig lands in the North—Harold goes against him 66 CHAPTER XIV. THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE:—Tostig and Hardrada burn Scarborough, take York, and encamp on the river Derwent at Stamford Bridge—The approach of the English—Harold's proposition to Tostig—Tostig's refusal—The battle—Hardrada is slain—Harold a second time offers peace—Is refused—Tostig is slain—The defence of the bridge—Termination of the conflict—The Norwegians leave England—Harold claims the booty as his own—Discontent in the army—Harold receives news of William's landing 69 CHAPTER XV. PHILIP OF FRANCE:—William of Normandy seeks the assistance of Philip, King of France—The French barons refuse to aid him in his invasion 74 CHAPTER XVI. THE NORMAN ARMAMENT:—William decides to invade England in August, 1066—William's treatment of the Saxon spy—The weather not being favourable, the Normans are filled with superstitious fears—William's strategy to calm their apprehensions —The Normans set sail—William's ship sails away from the rest—The landing—William burns his fleet—Overruns the county of Sussex—Receives intelligence of the Saxons' approach 76 CHAPTER XVII. HAROLD'S HOST:—Harold arrives in London—His ill-timed rashness—Not being able to attack William unawares, Harold halts at Epiton,and fortifies his position—The Saxon chiefs advise a retreat—Harold refuses to listen to them—William denounces Harold as a perjurer and liar—The effect of William's message on the Saxons—Gurth advises Harold to quit the army—The night before the battle 81 CHAPTER XVIII. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS:—Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, blesses the Norman army—Arrangement of the Norman army—William in 1066—Superstitious fears of the Normans—William's address to his soldiers—Taillefer, the Norman minstrel—The attack —The Norman first division is repulsed—They renew the charge—Obstinate resistance of the Saxons—William's strategy— Its success—Harold and Leofwine are slain—Gurth's courageous resistance—Gurth is slain—Rout of the Saxons—William pitches his camp for the night 85 CHAPTER XIX. THE BODY OF HAROLD:—William returns thanks for his victory—Calls over the muster-roll—The Saxons seek to bury their dead —William refuses to allow the body of Harold to be buried—At the intercession of the monks of Waltham he relents—The search for the body—Harold's burial 91 CHAPTER XX. THE CONQUEROR AND THE KENTISHMEN:—William finding no allegiance paid him, takes Dover and marches towards London—Is opposed by a large body of Kentishmen—The advancing wood—Parley with the Kentishmen—William turns towards the west, and crosses the Thames at Wallingford—The Saxon Wigod's treachery—Berkhampstead is taken 93 CHAPTER XXI. EDGAR ATHELING:—The Londoners determine upon crowning Edgar Atheling—Edgar's birth and parentage—His popularity with the people—Harold, afraid of Edgar's popularity, treats him with great respect and honour—Edgar is proclaimed king— Ansgar, the standard-bearer of the City of London, excites the people to deliver the keys of London to the Conqueror— Edgar Atheling, the archbishops, and chief citizens pay homage to William 95 CHAPTER XXII. CORONATION OF THE CONQUEROR:—William marches towards London—The Abbot and inhabitants of St. Albans oppose him— William, doubting the propriety of accepting the crown, holds a council of war—The speech of Aimery de Thouars decides the council—Christmas day, 1066, is fixed for the coronation—The ceremony is performed by Aldred, Archbishop of York; Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury declining to crown him—Tumult during the coronation—The lion banner of Normandy is planted on the Tower of London, and the south and east of England given to William's followers—He embarks for Normandy—His enthusiastic reception—He refuses to take the oath of fealty to the Pope 99 CHAPTER XXIII. THE SIEGE OF EXETER:—During William's absence in Normandy, the Norman barons treat the Saxons with great cruelty—Saxon leagues are formed—William, receiving notice of the state of affairs in England, returns home—He ingratiates himself with the chiefs and the populace—William proceeds westward—Is opposed at Exeter—He attacks the town—Desperate resistance of the besieged—Exeter is taken—Somerset and Gloucester subjugated—Escape of Githa, Harold's mother—Bad treatment of the Saxon women 103 CHAPTER XXIV. MATILDA AND BRIHTRIK:—Matilda's arrival and enthusiastic reception in England—Origin of Matilda's popularity—Her vindictive spirit—In her early years becomes enamoured of Brihtrik—Brihtrik does not reciprocate her affection—Brihtrik leaves Bruges—Matilda's indignation at his coolness—Probability of Brihtrik's speaking too freely about the Duchess Matilda— Matilda, after the siege of Exeter keeps Brihtrik's possessions as her share of the spoil—Brihtrik is imprisoned—His death 106 CHAPTER XXV. THE NORMANS IN NORTHUMBERLAND:—State of the county of Northumberland in 1068—The Conqueror marches northward— York is taken—Robert Comine is deputed to extend the conquest as far as Durham—Eghelwin, Bishop of Durham's advice to Comine—The vengeance of the Northumbrians—The King of Denmark sends a fleet to the assistance of the English—The Saxons and Danes march upon York—The Normans are driven into the citadel—The citadel is taken—William's wrath at the death of Comine and the destruction of York—He bribes the Danes to depart—William again marches upon York— York is once more taken by the Normans—After ravaging Northumberland, the Normans reach Durham—The bishop and clergy of Durham set out for Holy Island—William enters Durham, and surprises the Saxons—William's guides, marching to Hexham, lose the way, and are separated from the rest of the army—The army is regained—William halts at Hexham—The subjugated territory is divided amongst William's nobles—The Normans erect castles for the better governance of the Northumbrians 109 CHAPTER XXVI. COSPATRICK AND THE CONQUEROR:—William determines to conciliate the Northumbrians—Cospatrick—His birth and parentage —The crimes of the house of Godwin—Cospatrick's enmity to Harold—Cospatrick claims the earldom of Northumberland —William's bargain with Cospatrick 115 CHAPTER XXVII. SAXON SAINTS AND NORMAN SOLDIERS:—The saving of the church of St. John of Beverley—The inhabitants of Beverley take refuge in the church of St. John—The Normans hear reports of the riches lodged within the walls of the church—Toustain heads the Normans in the pillage of the church—Toustain's misadventure—Superstitious terror of the Normans 118 CHAPTER XXVIII. THE REDUCTION OF CHESTER:—William determines to take Chester—The soldiers murmur—William marches into Chester— Gherbaud, a Fleming, made Earl of Chester—Gherbaud, finding the earldom too much trouble, resigns—Hugh le Loup is appointed in his stead—His parentage—Nigel joins Hugh le Loup at Chester—Gilbert de Lacy is granted the domain of Pontefract—Blackburn and Rochdale succumb to him 121 CHAPTER XXIX. LANFRANC OF PAVIA:—The Pope's legates arrive in London—Deposition of the Saxon bishops—Lanfranc is appointed to the Archbishopric of Canterbury—Lanfranc's birth-place—His fame at Bec-Hellouin—Lanfranc gains the friendship of William the Norman—Lanfranc opposes William's marriage—He gains a dispensation for William—Is restored to favour—Is made Abbot of Caen—William's delight at Lanfranc's appointment to the province of Canterbury—The Pope's letter to Lanfranc— Lanfranc's entry into Canterbury—The church in ruins—Lanfranc gains the primacy of England for Canterbury—Undertakes a revision of the Scriptures—The Saxons averse to the revision—Lanfranc the people's champion 124 CHAPTER XXX. EDWIN AND MORKAR:—Their personal appearance—Edwin the handsomest man of his age—They took no part in the battle of Hastings—Aspire to the throne—Edgar Atheling's adherents too strong—Go to York—Their plans—William attempts to conciliate them—William promises his daughter in marriage to Edwin—Edwin and Morkar accompany William to the Continent—William refuses to give his daughter to Edwin—Edwin and Morkar escape from Court—Their enterprise fails— Reconciliation to William—A mighty conspiracy formed—The camp of refuge—Morkar is deluded by William's promises and imprisoned—Edwin resolves to leave Ely—Is betrayed by three of his officers—Is attacked by the Normans—Attempts to escape—Edwin's death—William's grief 128 CHAPTER XXXI. IVO TAILLE-BOIS:—His unpopularity—His marriage to Lucy, sister of Edwin and Morkar—His tyranny—His various modes of annoyance—His oppression of the monks of Spalding—The monks leave Spalding—Some Angevin monks are substituted in their place 133 CHAPTER XXXII. HEREWARD THE SAXON:—Hereward, living in Flanders, is told by some exiles of the spoliation of his home—He sets out for England—Assembles his friends and retakes his paternal home—His popularity—Is made captain of the camp at Ely—Is admitted a member of the high Saxon militia—Is sneered at by the Norman knights—Turauld, the fighting churchman— Turauld is appointed Abbot of Peterborough—Hereward makes a descent on the abbey and carries off the crosses, sacred vestments, &c.—Turauld arrives at Peterborough—Ivo Taille-Bois proposes to Turauld to attack the camp of Ely— Hereward attacks Turauld's soldiers at the abbey, seizes upon the abbot and his attendants, and detains them prisoners— Sweyn, King of Denmark, fits out a fleet for the assistance of the Saxons—Sweyn joins Hereward at Ely—William bribes him to return—Departure and sacrilege of the Danes—The Normans commence siege operations—Hereward attacks the workmen—Hereward is suspected of being in league with the Evil One—Ivo Taille-Bois procures the services of a witch to disenchant Hereward's operations—Hereward's bonfire—Blockade of the Isle of Ely—Treachery of the monks of Ely— Rout of the Saxons—Hereward's escape—His daring attack on the Norman station—Exploits of Hereward and his followers—Hereward's marriage—Hereward accepts the king's peace—His treacherous assassination—Valorous defence —Asselm's remark 137 CHAPTER XXXIII. BUILDING OF BATTLE ABBEY:—William begins to build Battle Abbey—Deficiency of water—William's promise—The abbey built —Endowment of the abbey 147 CHAPTER XXXIV. MALCOLM CANMORE:—William determines to invade Scotland—Malcolm's parentage—Siward, upon Malcolm's flight from Scotland, protects him—Edward the Confessor's court—The Scots request the restoration of Malcolm—Malcolm prepares to attack Macbeth—Defeat of Macbeth—His death—Lulach attempts to usurp the throne—His death—Malcolm is crowned at Scone—A conspiracy is formed to dethrone Malcolm—The conspirators defeated—Malcolm's ingratitude to the English—Northumberland devastated by the Scots—Malcolm shelters Edgar and Margaret Atheling—Malcolm marries Margaret Atheling—Malcolm raises an army to vindicate Edgar Atheling's right to the English throne—Treaty with William 148 CHAPTER XXXV. THE DEATH OF COSPATRICK:—Cospatrick attempts to draw Malcolm from Northumberland—Durham cathedral in disorder— Deposition of the Bishop of Durham—Cospatrick is deprived of the earldom of Northumberland—He goes to Flanders— The clergy enemies to Cospatrick—Cospatrick's pilgrimage to the Holy Land—His illness—Sends to Melrose for the hermits Aldwin and Turgot—Cospatrick's gifts—His death—His son—Burial in Norham church—Norham a memorial of his greatness 153 CHAPTER XXXVI. ATHELING AND HIS ALLIES:—Malcolm Canmore promises to aid Edgar Atheling—Malcolm's inability to do so—Atheling seeks a reconciliation with William—Obtains it—Atheling being suspected, again flies to Scotland—Personal appearance of Edgar Atheling—Atheling seeks allies in Flanders—Is disappointed—Philip of France offers his assistance—Offers Atheling the fortress of Montreuil—Atheling's misfortunes—His fleet lost at sea—Determines to seek peace with William—Joins William at Rouen—His amusements 157 CHAPTER XXXVII. FITZOSBORNE AND DE GAEL:—The marriage at Norwich—William's disapproval thereof—The marriage feast—Signs of a coming storm—The conspiracy—The conspirators apply to Sweyn, king of Denmark,for aid—Roger Fitzosborne raises an army at Hereford—Is stopped at Worcester—Fitzosborne excommunicated—The battle at Worcester—Defeatof Fitzosborne—De Gael raises his standard at Cambridge—Is defeated at Fagadon—De Gael escapes—Flies to Norwich—Goes to Brittany for aid—The Bretons expelled from England—Sweyn's descent on the eastern coast—Fitzosborne refuses William's present at Easter—William's anger 162 CHAPTER XXXVIII. WALTHEOF, SON OF SIWARD:—Tostig usurps the earldom of Northumberland—Waltheof figures as Earl of Huntingdon— Waltheof submits to the Conqueror—He joins the Northumbrians in their insurrection—His share in the death of Comine— Prodigies of valour—Reconciliation with William—Marriage to Judith—Friendship with Vaulcher—Fitzosborne and De Gael try to persuade him to join their conspiracy—Promises secrecy—Is betrayed by his wife—Is confined in Winchester Castle —Sentenced to death—Fearing a riot, Waltheof is privately executed—Judith, Waltheof's wife, is destined for Simon de Senlis—Her dislike to the match—Judith repairs to Croyland—Her death in poverty 167 CHAPTER XXXIX. WULSTAN, BISHOP OF WORCESTER:—Wulstan accompanies Edgar Athelingto make his submission to William—Wulstan a simple weak-minded man—Wulstan is confirmed in his diocese—His services to the Norman king—Lanfranc reports Wulstan incapacitated—Is summoned to the great council in Westminster church—Is commanded to give up his robes and staff— Resigns his staff at the tomb of the Confessor—Wulstan is entreated to resume his episcopal robes—Wulstan beloved by the Saxons 173 CHAPTER XL. ROBERT CURTHOSE:—William's dismal forebodings—Robert, his eldest son—Robert recognised as heir of Normandy—Badly trained—His good qualities—His nickname—Robert claims Maine—William refuses to cede it to him—Robert's indignation —William Rufus' and Henry Beauclerc's practical joke—Its evil consequences—Robert attempts to seize Rouen—His failure —Robert's bad counsellors—Robert asks Normandy,or part of England, of his father—Being refused, he leaves Normandy and goes to Flanders—Is everywhere well received—His waste of money 176 CHAPTER XLI. THE CONQUEROR AND HIS HEIR:—Curthose craves support from Philip of France—Repairs to Gerberoy—Curthose's reception at Gerberoy—Matilda sends money to Curthose—William's displeasure—Matilda still sends to Curthose—William upbraids her—Matilda's maternal affection—William orders Samson the Breton to have his eyes put out—Samson escapes— Curthose raises an army—William besieges Curthose in Archembrage—Curthose's sally—His success—Hand to hand with his father—William unhorsed—His rescue—William refuses to be reconciled with Curthose—Forgives Curthose—Malcolm Canmore invades England—Curthose is sent to repulse him—Malcolm retreats into Scotland—Curthose founds Newcastle —Matilda of Flanders dies—William's quarrel with Curthose again breaks out 180 CHAPTER XLII. ODO, BISHOP OF BAYEUX:—Odo, regent of England—William enriches his relations on his mother's side—Odo, no shaveling— The warrior-monk—Odo celebrates mass at Hastings—Leads the cavalry at that battle—Odo is created Grand Justiciary of England—Earl of Hereford—Odo, during William's absence, behaves badly—The murder of Liulf—Vaulcher attempts to mediate between Leofwin and Gislebert, and the relations of Liulf—Meets the Saxons at Gateshead—Eadulf, the Saxon spokesman—Eadulf incites the Northumbrians to slay the bishop—Odo marches northward to punish the murderers—The Saxons, unable to take Durham, disperse—Odo's cruelty—Odo prepares to leave England for Italy—Reasons for doing so —William much displeased at Odo's intention—Odo intercepted off the Isle of Wight—Arraigned before the council of barons—William's impeachment of Odo—William sentences Odo—Odo defies his authority—Odo is carried to Normandy and imprisoned 184 CHAPTER XLIII. DOOMSDAY BOOK:—William begins to think about casting up his subjects' accounts—His commissioners—Bad understanding between the king and the barons—The manner of carrying out the undertaking—The council for the discussion of the Doomsday Book—The Goddess of Discord in the council—William asserts himself proprietor of all the land that belonged to Edward the Confessor, Harold, and the house of Godwin—Several barons renounce their allegiance—Their descendants 189 CHAPTER XLIV. THE CONQUEROR'S DEATH:—Louis le Gros—Curthose and Beauclerc at Conflans—The quarrel between Louis and Beauclerc— Philip ravages Normandy—William goes against him—Christina Atheling is persuaded to take the veil—Edgar is sent on a pilgrimage—The bone of contention—William's lying-in—Curthose joins Philip—William reaches Mantes—The town on fire —The accident—William is removed to the priory of St. Gervase—Conscience-stricken—William's bequests—Death of William 192 CHAPTER XLV. THE BURIAL AT CAEN:—Consternation in Rouen—Inside the priory of St. Gervase—The conqueror's body deserted—The Archbishop of Rouen attends to the funereal honours—Interruption of the ceremony—Fitzarthur is recompensed—The Anglo-Norman barons decide for Robert as King of England 199 CHAPTER XLVI. THE RED KING:—William Rufus—Personal appearance—Gains the support of Lanfranc—Wulnoth and Morkar committed to prison—Odo, bishop of Bayeux, at the head of a conspiracy to dethrone William—Lanfrancas prime minister—Rufus conciliates the Saxon Thanes—The insurgents repulsed at Rochester—Curthose is bribed to let William remain on the throne —William forgets his promises to the Anglo-Saxons—Lanfranc's disgust at his perfidy—Death of Lanfranc—Rufusa bachelor—His dissolute morals—Ravages committed by William's followers—London Bridge built—Westminster Hall founded—Discontent in the land 203 CHAPTER XLVII. RUFUS AND THE JEWS:—The Jews in England—Favour with Rufus—The disputation—Conversion of the young Jew—William's avarice 210 CHAPTER XLVIII. RUFUS AND THE SCOTS:—William's longings for Normandy—Atheling being expelled from Normandy, once more takes refuge with Malcolm Canmore—Canmore invades England—William patches up a peace with Curthose, and prepares to march against the Scots—Malcolm falls back—Everything wrong with the English—Malcolm's defiance—Peace—Rufus being sick, sends for Malcolm to settle disputes—Rufus treats him badly—Malcolm ravages Northumberland as far as Alnwick—The castle of Ivo de Vesci besieged—Hammond Morael—His deliverance of the garrison—Malcolm's death—Morael's escape —The sally—Rout of the Scots—Malcolm's burial—Donald Bane usurps the Scottish throne—Atheling returns to England 213 CHAPTER XLIX. ROBERT DE MOUBRAY:—Possessions of Moubray—The conspiracy—Moubray suspected—The King marches northward— Tynemouth taken—Bamburgh impregnable—Erection of Malvoisin—Moubray captured—Moubray's wife defends the Castle of Bamburgh—Surrender of Bamburgh—Moubray imprisoned at Windsor—His death 218 CHAPTER L. HENRY BEAUCLERC:—Personal appearance of Beauclerc—A native of England—His manners—His learning—Military education —Addicted to gaming—Beauclerc's avarice—Beauclerc lends money to Curthose—Lord of Cotentin—Selection of a chaplain—Takes part with Curthose in the defence of Normandy—Firm dealing at Rouen—Curthose comes to terms with Rufus—They besiege Henry in the Castle of Mont St. Michael—The Red King in danger—Defence of the saddle—Want of water in the fortress—Curthose grants permission to Beauclerc to get water—Beauclerc defeated—Departs to Brittany— Beauclerc feels assured he will ascend the throne of England—Is elected governor of Damfront—Rufus, jealous of Beauclerc, invites him to England—Joins his brother—Fondness for the chase—"Deersfoot"—Presentiments 221 CHAPTER LI. THE DEATH OF RUFUS:—Rufus at Malwood—His vision—The Abbot of Gloucester's despatch—The breakfast—The six arrows —Departure for the chase—Tyrel and Rufus hunt together—The King's bow-string breaks—Commands Tyrel to shoot— The King's death—Tyrel escapes to France—The King's last ride 227 CHAPTER LII. A CHANGE OF FORTUNE:—Beauclerc goes to Winchester—William de Breteuil protests against Henry having the keys— Beauclerc secures the public money and regal ornaments—Is crowned at Westminster—Curthose's adherents—Beauclerc marries Edith, daughter of Margaret Atheling—Edith changes her name to Maude—Godrick and Godiva—Where is Curthose? 231 CHAPTER LIII. CURTHOSE AT THE CRUSADE:—Peter the Hermit—Success of his preaching—Curthose and Atheling resolve to take part in the Crusade—Rufus supplies them with money—Curthose's popularity—Edgar Atheling does not go with Curthose—Atheling sets out for Scotland, to dethrone Donald Bane—Curthose meets the other princes at Constantinople—Curthose's valour— At Antioch—Edgar Atheling joins Curthose—Atheling and Curthose the terror of the Saracens—Election of the King of Jerusalem—Curthose declines the honour—Death of Odo, Bishop of Bayeux—Curthose at Conversano—The territory of Conversano—Curthose marries Sybil, daughter of the Count of Conversano—Waste of time 234 CHAPTER LIV. BEAUCLERC AND CURTHOSE:—Ralph Flambard, "the fighting bishop," is imprisoned—Flambard incites Curthose to invade England—Curthose embarks for England—Curthose sells his birthright—Resigns his pension in favour of the queen—His indignation at finding himself duped—The castle of Rouen—Beauclerc proposes to purchase Normandy—Being refused, he prepares to take it by force—Tinchebray—The battle—Fortune against the English—Treason!—Nigel de Albini—Curthose and Atheling captured—Curthose imprisoned in Cardiff—Attempts to escape—Is subjected to a rigorous durance—Edgar Atheling's old age 242 CHAPTER LV. AFTER TINCHEBRAY:—William Clito—Louis of France attempts to place Clito on the throne of Normandy—Death of Clito— Beauclerc's reputation not so good—The Queen Maude's popularity—Death of Henry's son—Geoffrey of Anjou—His marriage to the daughter of Henry—Stephen of Bouillon seizes the crown of England—The treaty of Wallingford—Henry II. —Conclusion 247 INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE ALTAR 39 ANDIRON 212 APPEAL TO HAROLD HARFAGHER, HILDA'S 1 ARCHERS, ENGLISH 247 ARMS 235 BARBACAN 52 BATTLE ABBEY, HASTINGS 84 BATTLE-FIELD, THE 90 BAYEUX TAPESTRY, FROM THE 184 BODY OF RUFUS, BRINGING HOME THE 227 BONDMAN, SAXON (FROM STRUTT) 98 BOOKS, THE DOOM'S-DAY 189 BOSS 127 BOSTON, FEN COUNTRY NEAR 146 BOUILLON, GODFREY DE, ELECTED KING OF JERUSALEM 239 BOWS 73 BRACKET 147 BRINGING HOME THE BODY OF RUFUS 227 BROTHER HAROLD, TOSTIG'S PARTING SPEECH TO HIS 58 BRUGES, BELFRY AT 106 BUTTRESS 91 CHARLES THE SIMPLE, ROLFGANGER PAYING HOMAGE TO, 6 CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, JERUSALEM 236 CHURCH PORCH 120 CLOISTERS 202 COMMOTION DURING THE CROWNING OF WILLIAM 99 CONQUEROR, EDWIN, EARL OF MERCIA, AND THE DAUGHTERS OF THE 128 COOKS—FROM BAYEUX TAPESTRY 188 CROSSBOW 73 CROZIER 173 CRUSADE, PETER THE HERMIT PREACHING THE 234 CURTHOSE AND THE SARACEN 237 DEATH OF MALCOLM CANMORE 213 DEATH OF SIWARD WITH HARNESS ON HIS BACK 40 DEATH, SWEYN STRUCK BY THE HAND OF 14 DELIVERANCE FROM HIS EASTERN DUNGEON, HARDRADA'S 62 DISTAFF, WOMAN WITH 226 DOOM'S-DAY BOOKS, THE 189 DOOR OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY 66 DOVER, SHAKESPEARE'S CLIFF 203 EDWIN, EARL OF MERCIA, AND THE DAUGHTERS OF THE CONQUEROR 128 ENGLISH ARCHERS 247 FEN COUNTRY NEAR BOSTON 146 FERN ISLANDS, OFF THE COAST OF NORTHUMBERLAND 152 FLINT CASTLE, ON THE ESTUARY OF THE DEE 123 FOREST LAWS, OLD 133 FOREST, THE 93 FORUM AT ROME, RUINS OF THE 124 GIRDLE AND PURSE 105 GODFREY DE BOUILLON ELECTED KING OF JERUSALEM 239 GODWIN, THE JUDGMENT OF GOD ON 29 GOOD SHIP MOIRA, THE, WILLIAM OF NORMANDY, OWNER 76 HAND OF DEATH, SWEYN STRUCK BY THE 14 HARDRADA'S DELIVERANCE FROM HIS EASTERN DUNGEON 62 HARFAGHER, HILDA'S APPEAL TO HAROLD 1 HAROLD HAS NEWS OF WILLIAM'S LANDING 80 HAROLD, TOSTIG'S PARTING SPEECH TO HIS BROTHER 58 HAROLD, WILLIAM EXTORTING A PROMISE FROM 45 HART, THE 231 HASTINGS, BATTLE ABBEY 84 HAWK 117 HAWKING 221 HAWK STRIKING THE QUARRY 161 HENRY BEAUCLERC AND LOUIS LE GROS, THE QUARREL OF 192 HERALDIC VANE 233 HERDSMAN (FROM STRUTT) 175 HERMIT, PETER THE, PREACHING THE FIRST CRUSADE 234 HEXHAM, WILLIAM'S MARCH ON 109 HILDA'S APPEAL TO HAROLD HARFAGHER 1 HOLY SEPULCHRE, JERUSALEM, CHURCH OF THE 236 HOMAGE TO CHARLES THE SIMPLE, ROLFGANGER PAYING 6 HUNTING 218 INITIAL LETTER A 81 INITIAL LETTER A 148 INITIAL LETTER A 214 INITIAL LETTER A 242 INITIAL LETTER I 53 INITIAL LETTER O 8 INITIAL LETTER O 21 INITIAL LETTER O 162 INITIAL LETTER O 199 ISLANDS, FERN, OFF THE COAST OF NORTHUMBERLAND 152 JERUSALEM, CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE 236 JERUSALEM, GODFREY DE BOUILLON ELECTED KING OF 239 JERUSALEM, PILGRIMS IN SIGHT OF 238 JUDGMENT OF GOD ON GODWIN, THE 29 KNIGHTS JOUSTING (FROM STRUTT) 209 LAWS, OLD FOREST 133 LINCOLNSHIRE, TATTERSHALL CASTLE 137 LOCH LOMOND 157 LONG BOW 73 LOUIS LE GROS, THE QUARREL OF HENRY BEAUCLERC AND 192 LOVE-MAKING, WILLIAM'S 36 MALCOLM CANMORE, DEATH OF 213 MINERVA 102 MOIRA, THE GOOD SHIP, WILLIAM OF NORMANDY, OWNER 76 MUNDANE TREE OF THE SCANDINAVIANS, YGGDRASILL 44 NORMAN PRELATES BLESSING THE TROOPS 85 NORMAN RUSTIC (FROM STRUTT) 136 NORMAN RUSTIC, ELEVENTH CENTURY 191 NORWEGIAN CHAMPION AT THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE, THE 69 OLD FOREST LAWS 133 PARTING SPEECH TO HIS BROTHER HAROLD, TOSTIG'S 58 PEASANT, WILLIAM AND THE 13 PETER THE HERMIT PREACHING THE FIRST CRUSADE 234 PILGRIMS IN SIGHT OF JERUSALEM 238 PROMISE, WILLIAM EXHORTING A, FROM HAROLD 45 PURSE AND GIRDLE 105 QUARREL OF HENRY BEAUCLERC AND LOUIS LE GROS, THE 192 QUARRY, HAWK STRIKING THE 161 "RAVEN OF EARTHLY TERROR," THE 172 ROCHESTER 205 ROLFGANGER PAYING HOMAGE TO CHARLES THE SIMPLE 6 RUINS OF THE FORUM AT ROME 124 RUFUS, BRINGING HOME THE BODY OF 227 RUSTIC, NORMAN (FROM STRUTT) 136 RUSTIC, NORMAN, ELEVENTH CENTURY 191 SARACEN, CURTHOSE AND THE 237 SAXON BONDMAN (FROM STRUTT) 98 SCANDINAVIANS, YGGDRASILL, THE MUNDANE TREE OF THE 44 SEPULCHRE, CHURCH OF THE HOLY, JERUSALEM 236 SHAKESPEARE'S CLIFF, DOVER 203 SHIELDS 114 SIWARD, DEATH OF, WITH HARNESS ON HIS BACK 40 STAMFORD BRIDGE, THE NORWEGIAN CHAMPION AT THE BATTLE OF 69 SWEYN STRUCK BY THE HAND OF DEATH 14 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER I. 7 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER II. 13 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER V. 28 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER VIII. 57 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER XV. 74 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER XXXV. 156 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER XLI. 183 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER XLIV. 198 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER LI. 230 TAILPIECE TO CHAPTER LIV. 246 TAPESTRY, FROM THE BAYEUX 184 TATTERSHALL CASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE 137 THOR 167 TOSTIG'S PARTING SPEECH TO HIS BROTHER HAROLD 58 TRIESTE 241 TROOPS, THE NORMAN PRELATES BLESSING THE 85 TYNEMOUTH 217 VANE, HERALDIC 233 WESTMINSTER ABBEY, DOOR OF 66 WILLIAM AND THE PEASANT 13 WILLIAM, COMMOTION DURING THE CROWNING OF 99 WILLIAM EXTORTING A PROMISE FROM HAROLD 45 WILLIAM'S LANDING, HAROLD HAS NEWS OF 80 WILLIAM'S LOVE-MAKING 36 WILLIAM'S MARCH ON HEXHAM 109 WOMAN WITH DISTAFF 226 YGGDRASILL, THE MUNDANE TREE OF THE SCANDINAVIANS 44 DANES, SAXONS, AND NORMANS; OR, Stories of our Ancestors. I. Hilda's appeal to Harold Harfagher. ROLFGANGER AND HIS COMRADES. One day towards the close of the ninth century, Harold, King of Norway, exasperated at the insubordination and contumacy of the chiefs among whom that land of mountain, and forest, and fiord was divided, vowed not to cut his fair hair till he had reduced the whole country to his sovereign authority. The process proved, as he doubtless foresaw, somewhat difficult and slow. Indeed, the chiefs of Norway, who were, in fact, petty kings, disputed the ground inch by inch, and Harold was occupied for so many years ere consummating his victories, that his hair, growing ridiculously long and thick, led to his receiving the surname of "Hirsute." Even after having sustained numerous defeats on the land, the fierce chiefs—all Vikings, and, like their adversaries, worshippers of Odin—taking to the sea, ravaged the coasts and islands, and excited the Norwegians to rebellion. Harold, however, resolved to do his work thoroughly, went on board his war-fleet, sailed in pursuit of his foes, and, having sunk several of their vessels, forced the others to seek refuge in the Hebrides, where the exiled war-chiefs—many of them ancestors of the Anglo-Norman nobles—consoled themselves with horns of potent drink, with schemes for conquering kingdoms, and with the hope of better fortune and brighter days. It appears that in the long and arduous struggle which gave him the sole and undisputed sovereignty of Norway, Harold had been faithfully served by a Jarl named Rognvald; and it was to this Jarl's timber-palace, in Möre, that the victorious King repaired to celebrate the performance of his vow. Elate with triumphs, perhaps more signal than he had anticipated, Harold made himself quite at home; and having, before indulging in the Jarl's good cheer, refreshed himself with a bath and combed his hair, he requested Rognvald to cut off his superfluous locks. "Now, Jarl," exclaimed Harold, when this operation was over, "methinks I should no longer be called 'Hirsute.'" "No, King," replied Rognvald, struck with surprise and pleasure at the improvement in Harold's appearance; "your hair is now so beautiful that, instead of being surnamed 'Hirsute,' you must be surnamed 'Harfagher.'" It happened that Rognvald, by his spouse Hilda, had a son named Rolf, or Roll, who was regarded as the foremost among the noble men of Norway. He was as remarkable for his sagacity in peace, and for his courage in war as for his bulk and stature, which were such that his feet touched the ground when he bestrode the horses of the country. From this peculiarity the son of Rognvald found himself under the necessity of walking when engaged in any enterprise on the land; and this circumstance led to his becoming generally known among his countrymen as Rolfganger. But the sea appears to have been Rolfganger's favourite element. From his youth he had delighted in maritime adventures, and in such exploits as made the men of the north celebrated as sea-kings; and one day, when returning from a cruise in the Baltic, he, while off the coast of Wighen, shortened sail, and ventured on the exercise of a privilege of impressing provisions, long enjoyed by sea-kings, and known as "strandhug." But he found that, with Harold Harfagher on the throne, and stringent laws against piracy in force, the rights of property were not thus to be set at defiance. In fact, the peasants whose flocks had been carried away complained to the King; and the King, without regard to the offender's rank, ordered him to be tried by a Council of Justice. Notwithstanding Rognvald's services to the King and his personal influence with Harold Harfagher, Rolfganger's chance of escaping sentence of banishment appeared slight. Moved, however, by maternal tenderness, Hilda, the spouse of Rognvald, made an effort to save her son. Presenting herself at the rude court of Norway, she endeavoured to soften the King's heart. "King," said she, "I ask you, for my husband's sake, to pardon my son." "Hilda," replied Harold, "it is impossible." "What!" exclaimed Hilda, rearing herself to her full height; "am I to understand that the very name of our race has become hateful to you? Beware," continued she, speaking in accents of menace, "how you expel from the country and treat as an enemy a man of noble race. Listen, King, to what I tell you. It is dangerous to attack the wolf. When once he is angered, let the herd in the forest beware!" But Harold Harfagher was determined to make the laws respected, and, notwithstanding Hilda's vague threats, a sentence of perpetual exile was passed against her tall son. Rolfganger, however, was not a man to give way to despair. Fitting out his ships in some rocky coves, still pointed out, he embarked at an island off the mouth of Stor-fiord, took a last look at his native country, with its rugged scenery, its rapids, cataracts, and fiords, forests of dark pine and mountains of white snow, herds of reindeer and clouds of birds, and, sailing for the Hebrides, placed himself at the head of the banished Norwegians, who speedily, under his auspices, resolved on a grand piratical enterprise, which they did not doubt would result in conquest and plunder. Having cut their cable and given the reins to the great sea-horses—such was their expression—the Normans made an attempt to land in England, where Alfred the Great then reigned. Defeated in this attempt by the war-ships with which the Saxon King guarded the coast, they turned their prows towards France, and, entering the mouth of the Seine, sailed up the river, pillaging the banks as they proceeded, and, with little delay, found themselves admitted into Rouen, on which they fixed as their future capital. It was the year 876 when Rolfganger and his comrades sailed up the Seine; and on becoming aware of their presence in France, Charles the Simple, who then, as heir of Charlemagne, wielded the French sceptre with feeble hand, summoned the warriors of his kingdom to stop the progress of the Normans. An army, accordingly, was mustered and sent, under the command of the Duke of France, to encounter the grim invaders. Before fighting, however, the French deemed it prudent to tempt the Normans with offers of lands and honours, on condition of their submitting to King Charles, and sent messengers to hold a parley. But the Normans treated the proposals with lofty disdain. "Go back to your King," cried they, "and say that we will submit to no man, and that we will assert dominion over all we acquire by force of arms." With this answer the ambassadors returned to the French camp, and ere long the Normans were attacked in their entrenchments. But Rolfganger and his comrades rushed to arms, and fought with such courage that the French suffered a complete defeat, and the Duke of France fell by the hand of a fisherman of Rouen. The Normans, after vanquishing the host of King Charles, found themselves at liberty to pursue their voyage; and Rolfganger, availing himself of the advantage, sailed up the Seine, and laid siege to Paris. Baffled in his attempt to enter the city, the Norman hero consoled himself by taking Bayeux, Evreux, and other places, and gradually found himself ruling as a conqueror over the greater part of Neustria. At Evreux, he seized as his prey a lady named Popa, the daughter of Count Beranger, whom he espoused; and, becoming gradually more civilized, he rendered himself wonderfully popular with the inhabitants of the district subject to his sway. Meanwhile the French suffered so severely from the hostility of the Normans, that Charles the Simple recognised the expediency of securing the friendship of warriors so formidable. With this object he sent the Archbishop of Rouen to negotiate with Rolfganger, and the result was that the Sea-King consented to become a Christian, to wed Gisla, the daughter of Charles, and to live at peace with France, on condition that the French monarch ceded to him the province of Neustria. Matters having reached this stage, preparations were made to ratify the treaty in a solemn manner, and for that purpose Charles the Simple and Rolfganger agreed to hold a conference at the village at St. Clair, on the green-margined Epte. Each was accompanied by a numerous train, and, while the French pitched their tents on one side of the river, the Normans pitched theirs on the other. At the appointed hour, however, Rolfganger crossed the Epte, approached the chair of state, placed his hand between those of the King, took, without kneeling, the oath of fealty, and then, supposing the ceremony was over, turned to depart. "But," said the Frenchmen, "it is fitting that he who receives such a gift of territory should kneel before the King and kiss his foot." "Nay," exclaimed Rolfganger; "never will I kneel before a mortal; never will I kiss the foot of any man." The French counts, however, insisted on this ceremony, and Rolfganger, with an affectation of simplicity, made a sign to one of his comrades. The Norman, obeying his chief's gesture, immediately stepped forward and seized upon Charles's foot. Neglecting, however, to bend his own knee, he lifted the King's foot so high in the effort to bring it to his lips, that the chair of state was overturned, and the heir of Charlemagne lay sprawling on his back. Rolfganger paying homage to Charles the Simple. At this ludicrous incident the Normans raised shouts of derisive laughter, and the French held up their hands in horror. For a few moments all was confusion, but fortunately no serious quarrel resulted; and soon after, Rolfganger was received into the Christian Church, and married to Gisla, the King's daughter, at Rouen. Rolfganger, having begun life anew as a Christian and a Count, divided the territory of Neustria among his comrades, and changed its name to Normandy. Maintaining internal order by severe laws, and administering affairs with vigour, he soon became famous as the most successful justiciary of the age. Such was the security felt under his government, that mechanics and labourers flocked to establish themselves in the newly-founded state, and the Normans applied themselves to the arts of peace with as much ardour as they had previously exhibited in their predatory enterprises. Gradually adopting the French tongue, and refining their manners, Rolfganger's comrades and their heirs were metamorphosed from a band of pagan sea-kings and pirates into the most refined, the most chivalrous, and the most religious race in Christendom—orators from their cradle; warriors charging in chain mail, with resistless courage, at the head of fighting men; and munificent benefactors to religious houses, where holy monks kept alive the flame of ancient learning, and dispensed befitting charities to the indigent and poor. II. WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. glorious afternoon in the autumn of the year 1023, some damsels of humble rank were making merry and dancing joyously under the shade of trees in the neighbourhood of Falaise, when, homeward from the chase, accompanied by knights, squires, and grooms, with his bugle at his girdle, his hawk on his wrist, and his hounds running at his horse's feet, came, riding with feudal pride, that Duke of Normandy whom some, in consideration, perhaps, of substantial favours, called Robert the Magnificent, and whom others, in allusion to his violent temper, characterized as Robert the Devil. Not being quite indifferent to female charms, Duke Robert reined up, and, as he did so, with an eye wandering from face to form and from form to face, the grace and beauty of one of the dancers arrested his attention and touched his heart. After expressing his admiration, and learning that she was the daughter of a tanner, the duke pursued his way. But he was more silent and meditative than usual; and, soon after reaching the Castle of Falaise, he deputed the most discreet of his knights to go to the father of the damsel to reveal his passion and to plead his cause. It appears that the negotiation was attended with considerable difficulty. At first, the tanner, who had to be consulted, treated the duke's proposals with scorn; but, after a pause, he agreed to take the advice of his brother, who, as a hermit in the neighbouring forest, enjoyed a high reputation for sanctity. The oracle's response was not quite consistent with his religious pretensions. Though dead, according to his own account, to the vanities of the world, the hermit would seem to have cherished a lingering sympathy with human frailty. At all events, he declared that subjects ought, in all things, to conform to the will of their prince; and the tanner, without further scruple, allowed his daughter to be conducted to the castle of Robert the Devil. In due time Arlette gave birth to a son, destined, as "William the Conqueror," to enrol his name in the annals of fame. It was the 14th of October, 1024, when William the Norman drew his first breath in the Castle of Falaise. Arlette had previously been startled with a dream, portending that her son should reign over Normandy and England; and no sooner did William see the light than he gave a pledge of that energy which he was in after years to exhibit. Being laid upon the floor, he seized the rushes in his hands, and grasped them with such determination, that the matrons who were present expressed their astonishment, and congratulated Arlette on being the mother of such a boy. "Be of good cheer," cried one of them, with prophetic enthusiasm; "for verily your son will prove a king!" At first Robert the Devil did not deign to notice the existence of the boy who was so soon to wear the chaplet of golden roses that formed the ducal diadem of Normandy; but William, when a year old, was presented to the duke, and immediately won the feudal magnate's heart. "Verily," said he, "this is a boy to be proud of. He is wonderfully like my ancestors, the old dukes of the Normans, and he must be nurtured with care." From that time the mother and the child were dear to Duke Robert. Arlette was treated with as much state as if a nuptial benediction had been pronounced by the Archbishop of Rouen: and William was educated with more than the care generally bestowed, at that time, on the princes of Christendom. At eight he could read the "Commentaries of Cæsar;" and in after life he was in the habit of repeating a saying of one of the old counts of Anjou, "that a king without letters is a crowned ass." It happened that, about the year 1033, Robert the Devil, reflecting on his manifold transgressions, and eager to make atonement, resolved on a penitential pilg...