stairs,andwasonlypreventedbytheKinghimselffromputtingthemtodeath.Thatsamenight,hehotlydepartedwithsomefollowersfromhisfather\'scourt,andendeavouredtotaketheCastleofRouenbysurprise.Failinginthis,heshuthimselfupinanotherCastleinNormandy,whichtheKingbesieged,andwhereRobertonedayunhorsedandnearlykilledhimwithoutknowingwhohewas.Hissubmissionwhenhediscoveredhisfather,andtheintercessionofthequeenandothers,reconciledthem;butnotsoundly;forRobertsoonstrayedabroad,andwentfromcourttocourtwithhiscomplaints.Hewasagay,careless,thoughtlessfellow,spendingallhegotonmusiciansanddancers;buthismotherlovedhim,andoften,againsttheKing\'scommand,suppliedhimwithmoneythroughamessengernamedSAMSON.AtlengththeincensedKingsworehewouldtearoutSamson\'seyes;andSamson,thinkingthathisonlyhopeofsafetywasinbecomingamonk,becameone,wentonsucherrandsnomore,andkepthiseyesinhishead.
Allthistime,fromtheturbulentdayofhisstrangecoronation,theConquerorhadbeenstruggling,yousee,atanycostofcrueltyandbloodshed,tomaintainwhathehadseized.Allhisreign,hestruggledstill,withthesameobjecteverbeforehim.Hewasastern,boldman,andhesucceededinit.
Helovedmoney,andwasparticularinhiseating,buthehadonlyleisuretoindulgeoneotherpassion,andthatwashisloveofhunting.Hecarriedittosuchaheightthatheorderedwholevillagesandtownstobesweptawaytomakeforestsforthedeer.
Notsatisfiedwithsixty-eightRoyalForests,helaidwasteanimmensedistrict,toformanotherinHampshire,calledtheNewForest.Themanythousandsofmiserablepeasantswhosawtheirlittlehousespulleddown,andthemselvesandchildrenturnedintotheopencountrywithoutashelter,detestedhimforhismercilessadditiontotheirmanysufferings;andwhen,inthetwenty-firstyearofhisreign(whichprovedtobethelast),hewentovertoRouen,Englandwasasfullofhatredagainsthim,asifeveryleafoneverytreeinallhisRoyalForestshadbeenacurseuponhishead.IntheNewForest,hissonRichard(forhehadfoursons)
hadbeengoredtodeathbyaStag;andthepeoplesaidthatthissocruelly-madeForestwouldyetbefataltoothersoftheConqueror\'srace.
HewasengagedinadisputewiththeKingofFranceaboutsometerritory.WhilehestayedatRouen,negotiatingwiththatKing,hekepthisbedandtookmedicines:beingadvisedbyhisphysicianstodoso,onaccountofhavinggrowntoanunwieldysize.WordbeingbroughttohimthattheKingofFrancemadelightofthis,andjokedaboutit,hesworeinagreatragethatheshouldruehisjests.Heassembledhisarmy,marchedintothedisputedterritory,burnt-hisoldway!-thevines,thecrops,andfruit,andsetthetownofMantesonfire.But,inanevilhour;for,asherodeoverthehotruins,hishorse,settinghishoofsuponsomeburningembers,started,threwhimforwardagainstthepommelofthesaddle,andgavehimamortalhurt.ForsixweekshelaydyinginamonasterynearRouen,andthenmadehiswill,givingEnglandtoWilliam,NormandytoRobert,andfivethousandpoundstoHenry.Andnow,hisviolentdeedslayheavyonhismind.HeorderedmoneytobegiventomanyEnglishchurchesandmonasteries,and-whichwasmuchbetterrepentance-releasedhisprisonersofstate,someofwhomhadbeenconfinedinhisdungeonstwentyyears.
ItwasaSeptembermorning,andthesunwasrising,whentheKingwasawakenedfromslumberbythesoundofachurchbell.\'Whatbellisthat?\'hefaintlyasked.TheytoldhimitwasthebellofthechapelofSaintMary.\'Icommendmysoul,\'saidhe,\'toMary!\'
anddied.
Thinkofhisname,TheConqueror,andthenconsiderhowhelayindeath!Themomenthewasdead,hisphysicians,priests,andnobles,notknowingwhatcontestforthethronemightnowtakeplace,orwhatmighthappeninit,hastenedaway,eachmanforhimselfandhisownproperty;themercenaryservantsofthecourtbegantorobandplunder;thebodyoftheKing,intheindecentstrife,wasrolledfromthebed,andlayalone,forhours,upontheground.OConqueror,ofwhomsomanygreatnamesareproudnow,ofwhomsomanygreatnamesthoughtnothingthen,itwerebettertohaveconqueredonetrueheart,thanEngland!
By-and-by,thepriestscamecreepinginwithprayersandcandles;
andagoodknight,namedHERLUIN,undertook(whichnooneelsewoulddo)toconveythebodytoCaen,inNormandy,inorderthatitmightbeburiedinSt.Stephen\'schurchthere,whichtheConquerorhadfounded.Butfire,ofwhichhehadmadesuchbaduseinhislife,seemedtofollowhimofitselfindeath.Agreatconflagrationbrokeoutinthetownwhenthebodywasplacedinthechurch;andthosepresentrunningouttoextinguishtheflames,itwasonceagainleftalone.
Itwasnotevenburiedinpeace.Itwasabouttobeletdown,initsRoyalrobes,intoatombnearthehighaltar,inpresenceofagreatconcourseofpeople,whenaloudvoiceinthecrowdcriedout,\'Thisgroundismine!Uponit,stoodmyfather\'shouse.ThisKingdespoiledmeofbothgroundandhousetobuildthischurch.
InthegreatnameofGOD,Ihereforbidhisbodytobecoveredwiththeearththatismyright!\'Thepriestsandbishopspresent,knowingthespeaker\'sright,andknowingthattheKinghadoftendeniedhimjustice,paidhimdownsixtyshillingsforthegrave.
Eventhen,thecorpsewasnotatrest.Thetombwastoosmall,andtheytriedtoforceitin.Itbroke,adreadfulsmellarose,thepeoplehurriedoutintotheair,and,forthethirdtime,itwasleftalone.
WhereweretheConqueror\'sthreesons,thattheywerenotattheirfather\'sburial?Robertwasloungingamongminstrels,dancers,andgamesters,inFranceorGermany.Henrywascarryinghisfivethousandpoundssafelyawayinaconvenientchesthehadgotmade.
WilliamtheRedwashurryingtoEngland,tolayhandsupontheRoyaltreasureandthecrown.
CHAPTERIX-ENGLANDUNDERWILLIAMTHESECOND,CALLEDRUFUS
WILLIAMTHERED,inbreathlesshaste,securedthethreegreatfortsofDover,Pevensey,andHastings,andmadewithhotspeedforWinchester,wheretheRoyaltreasurewaskept.Thetreasurerdeliveringhimthekeys,hefoundthatitamountedtosixtythousandpoundsinsilver,besidesgoldandjewels.Possessedofthiswealth,hesoonpersuadedtheArchbishopofCanterburytocrownhim,andbecameWilliamtheSecond,KingofEngland.
Rufuswasnosooneronthethrone,thanheorderedintoprisonagaintheunhappystatecaptiveswhomhisfatherhadsetfree,anddirectedagoldsmithtoornamenthisfather\'stombprofuselywithgoldandsilver.ItwouldhavebeenmoredutifulinhimtohaveattendedthesickConquerorwhenhewasdying;butEnglanditself,likethisRedKing,whooncegovernedit,hassometimesmadeexpensivetombsfordeadmenwhomittreatedshabbilywhentheywerealive.
TheKing\'sbrother,RobertofNormandy,seemingquitecontenttobeonlyDukeofthatcountry;andtheKing\'sotherbrother,Fine-
Scholar,beingquietenoughwithhisfivethousandpoundsinachest;theKingflatteredhimself,wemaysuppose,withthehopeofaneasyreign.Buteasyreignsweredifficulttohaveinthosedays.TheturbulentBishopODO(whohadblessedtheNormanarmyattheBattleofHastings,andwho,Idaresay,tookallthecreditofthevictorytohimself)soonbegan,inconcertwithsomepowerfulNormannobles,totroubletheRedKing.
Thetruthseemstobethatthisbishopandhisfriends,whohadlandsinEnglandandlandsinNormandy,wishedtoholdbothunderoneSovereign;andgreatlypreferredathoughtlessgood-naturedperson,suchasRobertwas,toRufus;who,thoughfarfrombeinganamiablemaninanyrespect,waskeen,andnottobeimposedupon.
TheydeclaredinRobert\'sfavour,andretiredtotheircastles(thosecastleswereverytroublesometokings)inasullenhumour.
TheRedKing,seeingtheNormansthusfallingfromhim,revengedhimselfuponthembyappealingtotheEnglish;towhomhemadeavarietyofpromises,whichhenevermeanttoperform-inparticular,promisestosoftenthecrueltyoftheForestLaws;andwho,inreturn,soaidedhimwiththeirvalour,thatODOwasbesiegedintheCastleofRochester,andforcedtoabandonit,andtodepartfromEnglandforever:whereupontheotherrebelliousNormannoblesweresoonreducedandscattered.
Then,theRedKingwentovertoNormandy,wherethepeoplesufferedgreatlyunderthelooseruleofDukeRobert.TheKing\'sobjectwastoseizeupontheDuke\'sdominions.This,theDuke,ofcourse,preparedtoresist;andmiserablewarbetweenthetwobrothersseemedinevitable,whenthepowerfulnoblesonbothsides,whohadseensomuchofwar,interferedtopreventit.Atreatywasmade.
Eachofthetwobrothersagreedtogiveupsomethingofhisclaims,andthatthelonger-liverofthetwoshouldinheritallthedominionsoftheother.Whentheyhadcometothislovingunderstanding,theyembracedandjoinedtheirforcesagainstFine-
Scholar;whohadboughtsometerritoryofRobertwithapartofhisfivethousandpounds,andwasconsideredadangerousindividualinconsequence.
St.Michael\'sMount,inNormandy(thereisanotherSt.Michael\'sMount,inCornwall,wonderfullylikeit),wasthen,asitisnow,astrongplacepercheduponthetopofahighrock,aroundwhich,whenthetideisin,theseaflows,leavingnoroadtothemainland.Inthisplace,Fine-Scholarshuthimselfupwithhissoldiers,andherehewascloselybesiegedbyhistwobrothers.Atonetime,whenhewasreducedtogreatdistressforwantofwater,thegenerousRobertnotonlypermittedhismentogetwater,butsentFine-Scholarwinefromhisowntable;and,onbeingremonstratedwithbytheRedKing,said\'What!shallweletourownbrotherdieofthirst?Whereshallwegetanother,whenheisgone?\'Atanothertime,theRedKingridingaloneontheshoreofthebay,lookingupattheCastle,wastakenbytwoofFine-
Scholar\'smen,oneofwhomwasabouttokillhim,whenhecriedout,\'Hold,knave!IamtheKingofEngland!\'Thestorysaysthatthesoldierraisedhimfromthegroundrespectfullyandhumbly,andthattheKingtookhimintohisservice.Thestorymayormaynotbetrue;butatanyrateitistruethatFine-Scholarcouldnotholdoutagainsthisunitedbrothers,andthatheabandonedMountSt.Michael,andwanderedabout-aspoorandforlornasotherscholarshavebeensometimesknowntobe.
TheScotchbecameunquietintheRedKing\'stime,andweretwicedefeated-thesecondtime,withthelossoftheirKing,Malcolm,andhisson.TheWelshbecameunquiettoo.Againstthem,Rufuswaslesssuccessful;fortheyfoughtamongtheirnativemountains,anddidgreatexecutionontheKing\'stroops.RobertofNormandybecameunquiettoo;and,complainingthathisbrothertheKingdidnotfaithfullyperformhispartoftheiragreement,tookuparms,andobtainedassistancefromtheKingofFrance,whomRufus,intheend,boughtoffwithvastsumsofmoney.Englandbecameunquiettoo.LordMowbray,thepowerfulEarlofNorthumberland,headedagreatconspiracytodeposetheKing,andtoplaceuponthethrone,STEPHEN,theConqueror\'snearrelative.Theplotwasdiscovered;
allthechiefconspiratorswereseized;somewerefined,somewereputinprison,somewereputtodeath.TheEarlofNorthumberlandhimselfwasshutupinadungeonbeneathWindsorCastle,wherehedied,anoldman,thirtylongyearsafterwards.ThePriestsinEnglandweremoreunquietthananyotherclassorpower;fortheRedKingtreatedthemwithsuchsmallceremonythatherefusedtoappointnewbishopsorarchbishopswhentheoldonesdied,butkeptallthewealthbelongingtothoseofficesinhisownhands.Inreturnforthis,thePriestswrotehislifewhenhewasdead,andabusedhimwell.Iaminclinedtothink,myself,thattherewaslittletochoosebetweenthePriestsandtheRedKing;thatbothsidesweregreedyanddesigning;andthattheywerefairlymatched.
TheRedKingwasfalseofheart,selfish,covetous,andmean.Hehadaworthyministerinhisfavourite,Ralph,nicknamed-foralmosteveryfamouspersonhadanicknameinthoseroughdays-
Flambard,ortheFirebrand.Once,theKingbeingill,becamepenitent,andmadeANSELM,aforeignpriestandagoodman,ArchbishopofCanterbury.Buthenosoonergotwellagainthanherepentedofhisrepentance,andpersistedinwrongfullykeepingtohimselfsomeofthewealthbelongingtothearchbishopric.Thisledtoviolentdisputes,whichwereaggravatedbytherebeinginRomeatthattimetworivalPopes;eachofwhomdeclaredhewastheonlyrealoriginalinfalliblePope,whocouldn\'tmakeamistake.
Atlast,Anselm,knowingtheRedKing\'scharacter,andnotfeelinghimselfsafeinEngland,askedleavetoreturnabroad.TheRedKinggladlygaveit;forheknewthatassoonasAnselmwasgone,hecouldbegintostoreupalltheCanterburymoneyagain,forhisownuse.
Bysuchmeans,andbytaxingandoppressingtheEnglishpeopleineverypossibleway,theRedKingbecameveryrich.Whenhewantedmoneyforanypurpose,heraiseditbysomemeansorother,andcarednothingfortheinjusticehedid,orthemiseryhecaused.
HavingtheopportunityofbuyingfromRobertthewholeduchyofNormandyforfiveyears,hetaxedtheEnglishpeoplemorethanever,andmadetheveryconventsselltheirplateandvaluablestosupplyhimwiththemeanstomakethepurchase.Buthewasasquickandeagerinputtingdownrevoltashewasinraisingmoney;
for,apartoftheNormanpeopleobjecting-verynaturally,I
think-tobeingsoldinthisway,heheadedanarmyagainstthemwithallthespeedandenergyofhisfather.Hewassoimpatient,thatheembarkedforNormandyinagreatgaleofwind.Andwhenthesailorstoldhimitwasdangeroustogotoseainsuchangryweather,hereplied,\'Hoistsailandaway!Didyoueverhearofakingwhowasdrowned?\'
YouwillwonderhowitwasthateventhecarelessRobertcametosellhisdominions.Ithappenedthus.IthadlongbeenthecustomformanyEnglishpeopletomakejourneystoJerusalem,whichwerecalledpilgrimages,inorderthattheymightpraybesidethetombofOurSaviourthere.JerusalembelongingtotheTurks,andtheTurkshatingChristianity,theseChristiantravellerswereofteninsultedandillused.ThePilgrimsboreitpatientlyforsometime,butatlengtharemarkableman,ofgreatearnestnessandeloquence,calledPETERTHEHERMIT,begantopreachinvariousplacesagainsttheTurks,andtodeclarethatitwasthedutyofgoodChristianstodriveawaythoseunbelieversfromthetombofOurSaviour,andtotakepossessionofit,andprotectit.Anexcitementsuchastheworldhadneverknownbeforewascreated.
ThousandsandthousandsofmenofallranksandconditionsdepartedforJerusalemtomakewaragainsttheTurks.ThewariscalledinhistorythefirstCrusade,andeveryCrusaderworeacrossmarkedonhisrightshoulder.
AlltheCrusaderswerenotzealousChristians.Amongthemwerevastnumbersoftherestless,idle,profligate,andadventurousspiritofthetime.SomebecameCrusadersfortheloveofchange;
some,inthehopeofplunder;some,becausetheyhadnothingtodoathome;some,becausetheydidwhattheprieststoldthem;some,becausetheylikedtoseeforeigncountries;some,becausetheywerefondofknockingmenabout,andwouldassoonknockaTurkaboutasaChristian.RobertofNormandymayhavebeeninfluencedbyallthesemotives;andbyakinddesire,besides,tosavetheChristianPilgrimsfrombadtreatmentinfuture.Hewantedtoraiseanumberofarmedmen,andtogototheCrusade.Hecouldnotdosowithoutmoney.Hehadnomoney;andhesoldhisdominionstohisbrother,theRedKing,forfiveyears.Withthelargesumhethusobtained,hefittedouthisCrusadersgallantly,andwentawaytoJerusaleminmartialstate.TheRedKing,whomademoneyoutofeverything,stayedathome,busilysqueezingmoremoneyoutofNormansandEnglish.
Afterthreeyearsofgreathardshipandsuffering-fromshipwreckatsea;fromtravelinstrangelands;fromhunger,thirst,andfever,upontheburningsandsofthedesert;andfromthefuryoftheTurks-thevaliantCrusadersgotpossessionofOurSaviour\'stomb.TheTurkswerestillresistingandfightingbravely,butthissuccessincreasedthegeneraldesireinEuropetojointheCrusade.AnothergreatFrenchDukewasproposingtosellhisdominionsforatermtotherichRedKing,whentheRedKing\'sreigncametoasuddenandviolentend.
YouhavenotforgottentheNewForestwhichtheConquerormade,andwhichthemiserablepeoplewhosehomeshehadlaidwaste,sohated.
ThecrueltyoftheForestLaws,andthetortureanddeaththeybroughtuponthepeasantry,increasedthishatred.ThepoorpersecutedcountrypeoplebelievedthattheNewForestwasenchanted.Theysaidthatinthunder-storms,andondarknights,demonsappeared,movingbeneaththebranchesofthegloomytrees.
TheysaidthataterriblespectrehadforetoldtoNormanhuntersthattheRedKingshouldbepunishedthere.Andnow,inthepleasantseasonofMay,whentheRedKinghadreignedalmostthirteenyears;andasecondPrinceoftheConqueror\'sblood-
anotherRichard,thesonofDukeRobert-waskilledbyanarrowinthisdreadedForest;thepeoplesaidthatthesecondtimewasnotthelast,andthattherewasanotherdeathtocome.
Itwasalonelyforest,accursedinthepeople\'sheartsforthewickeddeedsthathadbeendonetomakeit;andnomansavetheKingandhisCourtiersandHuntsmen,likedtostraythere.But,inreality,itwaslikeanyotherforest.Inthespring,thegreenleavesbrokeoutofthebuds;inthesummer,flourishedheartily,andmadedeepshades;inthewinter,shrivelledandblewdown,andlayinbrownheapsonthemoss.Sometreeswerestately,andgrewhighandstrong;somehadfallenofthemselves;somewerefelledbytheforester\'saxe;somewerehollow,andtherabbitsburrowedattheirroots;somefewwerestruckbylightning,andstoodwhiteandbare.Therewerehill-sidescoveredwithrichfern,onwhichthemorningdewsobeautifullysparkled;therewerebrooks,wherethedeerwentdowntodrink,oroverwhichthewholeherdbounded,flyingfromthearrowsofthehuntsmen;thereweresunnyglades,andsolemnplaceswherebutlittlelightcamethroughtherustlingleaves.ThesongsofthebirdsintheNewForestwerepleasantertohearthantheshoutsoffightingmenoutside;andevenwhentheRedKingandhisCourtcamehuntingthroughitssolitudes,cursingloudandridinghard,withajinglingofstirrupsandbridlesandknivesanddaggers,theydidmuchlessharmtherethanamongtheEnglishorNormans,andthestagsdied(astheylived)fareasierthanthepeople.
UponadayinAugust,theRedKing,nowreconciledtohisbrother,Fine-Scholar,camewithagreattraintohuntintheNewForest.
Fine-Scholarwasoftheparty.Theywereamerryparty,andhadlainallnightatMalwood-Keep,ahunting-lodgeintheforest,wheretheyhadmadegoodcheer,bothatsupperandbreakfast,andhaddrunkadealofwine.Thepartydispersedinvariousdirections,asthecustomofhuntersthenwas.TheKingtookwithhimonlySIRWALTERTYRREL,whowasafamoussportsman,andtowhomhehadgiven,beforetheymountedhorsethatmorning,twofinearrows.
ThelasttimetheKingwaseverseenalive,hewasridingwithSirWalterTyrrel,andtheirdogswerehuntingtogether.
Itwasalmostnight,whenapoorcharcoal-burner,passingthroughtheforestwithhiscart,cameuponthesolitarybodyofadeadman,shotwithanarrowinthebreast,andstillbleeding.Hegotitintohiscart.ItwasthebodyoftheKing.Shakenandtumbled,withitsredbeardallwhitenedwithlimeandclottedwithblood,itwasdriveninthecartbythecharcoal-burnernextdaytoWinchesterCathedral,whereitwasreceivedandburied.
SirWalterTyrrel,whoescapedtoNormandy,andclaimedtheprotectionoftheKingofFrance,sworeinFrancethattheRedKingwassuddenlyshotdeadbyanarrowfromanunseenhand,whiletheywerehuntingtogether;thathewasfearfulofbeingsuspectedastheKing\'smurderer;andthatheinstantlysetspurstohishorse,andfledtothesea-shore.OthersdeclaredthattheKingandSirWalterTyrrelwerehuntingincompany,alittlebeforesunset,standinginbushesoppositeoneanother,whenastagcamebetweenthem.ThattheKingdrewhisbowandtookaim,butthestringbroke.ThattheKingthencried,\'Shoot,Walter,intheDevil\'sname!\'ThatSirWaltershot.Thatthearrowglancedagainstatree,wasturnedasidefromthestag,andstrucktheKingfromhishorse,dead.
BywhosehandtheRedKingreallyfell,andwhetherthathanddespatchedthearrowtohisbreastbyaccidentorbydesign,isonlyknowntoGOD.Somethinkhisbrothermayhavecausedhimtobekilled;buttheRedKinghadmadesomanyenemies,bothamongpriestsandpeople,thatsuspicionmayreasonablyrestuponalessunnaturalmurderer.MenknownomorethanthathewasfounddeadintheNewForest,whichthesufferingpeoplehadregardedasadoomedgroundforhisrace.
CHAPTERX-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHEFIRST,CALLEDFINE-SCHOLAR
FINE-SCHOLAR,onhearingoftheRedKing\'sdeath,hurriedtoWinchesterwithasmuchspeedasRufushimselfhadmade,toseizetheRoyaltreasure.Butthekeeperofthetreasurewhohadbeenoneofthehunting-partyintheForest,madehastetoWinchestertoo,and,arrivingthereataboutthesametime,refusedtoyielditup.Uponthis,Fine-Scholardrewhissword,andthreatenedtokillthetreasurer;whomighthavepaidforhisfidelitywithhislife,butthatheknewlongerresistancetobeuselesswhenhefoundthePrincesupportedbyacompanyofpowerfulbarons,whodeclaredtheyweredeterminedtomakehimKing.Thetreasurer,therefore,gaveupthemoneyandjewelsoftheCrown:andonthethirddayafterthedeathoftheRedKing,beingaSunday,Fine-
ScholarstoodbeforethehighaltarinWestminsterAbbey,andmadeasolemndeclarationthathewouldresigntheChurchpropertywhichhisbrotherhadseized;thathewoulddonowrongtothenobles;
andthathewouldrestoretothepeoplethelawsofEdwardtheConfessor,withalltheimprovementsofWilliamtheConqueror.SobeganthereignofKINGHENRYTHEFIRST.
ThepeoplewereattachedtotheirnewKing,bothbecausehehadknowndistresses,andbecausehewasanEnglishmanbybirthandnotaNorman.Tostrengthenthislastholduponthem,theKingwishedtomarryanEnglishlady;andcouldthinkofnootherwifethanMAUDTHEGOOD,thedaughteroftheKingofScotland.AlthoughthisgoodPrincessdidnotlovetheKing,shewassoaffectedbytherepresentationsthenoblesmadetoherofthegreatcharityitwouldbeinhertounitetheNormanandSaxonraces,andpreventhatredandbloodshedbetweenthemforthefuture,thatsheconsentedtobecomehiswife.Aftersomedisputingamongthepriests,whosaidthatasshehadbeeninaconventinheryouth,andhadworntheveilofanun,shecouldnotlawfullybemarried-
againstwhichthePrincessstatedthatheraunt,withwhomshehadlivedinheryouth,hadindeedsometimesthrownapieceofblackstuffoverher,butfornootherreasonthanbecausethenun\'sveilwastheonlydresstheconqueringNormansrespectedingirlorwoman,andnotbecauseshehadtakenthevowsofanun,whichsheneverhad-shewasdeclaredfreetomarry,andwasmadeKingHenry\'sQueen.AgoodQueenshewas;beautiful,kind-hearted,andworthyofabetterhusbandthantheKing.
Forhewasacunningandunscrupulousman,thoughfirmandclever.
Hecaredverylittleforhisword,andtookanymeanstogainhisends.AllthisisshowninhistreatmentofhisbrotherRobert-
Robert,whohadsufferedhimtoberefreshedwithwater,andwhohadsenthimthewinefromhisowntable,whenhewasshutup,withthecrowsflyingbelowhim,parchedwiththirst,inthecastleonthetopofSt.Michael\'sMount,wherehisRedbrotherwouldhavelethimdie.
BeforetheKingbegantodealwithRobert,heremovedanddisgracedallthefavouritesofthelateKing;whowereforthemostpartbasecharacters,muchdetestedbythepeople.Flambard,orFirebrand,whomthelateKinghadmadeBishopofDurham,ofallthingsintheworld,HenryimprisonedintheTower;butFirebrandwasagreatjokerandajollycompanion,andmadehimselfsopopularwithhisguardsthattheypretendedtoknownothingaboutalongropethatwassentintohisprisonatthebottomofadeepflagonofwine.Theguardstookthewine,andFirebrandtooktherope;withwhich,whentheywerefastasleep,helethimselfdownfromawindowinthenight,andsogotcleverlyaboardshipandawaytoNormandy.
NowRobert,whenhisbrotherFine-Scholarcametothethrone,wasstillabsentintheHolyLand.HenrypretendedthatRoberthadbeenmadeSovereignofthatcountry;andhehadbeenawaysolong,thattheignorantpeoplebelievedit.But,behold,whenHenryhadbeensometimeKingofEngland,RobertcamehometoNormandy;
havingleisurelyreturnedfromJerusalemthroughItaly,inwhichbeautifulcountryhehadenjoyedhimselfverymuch,andhadmarriedaladyasbeautifulasitself!InNormandy,hefoundFirebrandwaitingtourgehimtoasserthisclaimtotheEnglishcrown,anddeclarewaragainstKingHenry.This,aftergreatlossoftimeinfeastinganddancingwithhisbeautifulItalianwifeamonghisNormanfriends,heatlastdid.
TheEnglishingeneralwereonKingHenry\'sside,thoughmanyoftheNormanswereonRobert\'s.ButtheEnglishsailorsdesertedtheKing,andtookagreatpartoftheEnglishfleetovertoNormandy;
sothatRobertcametoinvadethiscountryinnoforeignvessels,butinEnglishships.ThevirtuousAnselm,however,whomHenryhadinvitedbackfromabroad,andmadeArchbishopofCanterbury,wassteadfastintheKing\'scause;anditwassowellsupportedthatthetwoarmies,insteadoffighting,madeapeace.PoorRobert,whotrustedanybodyandeverybody,readilytrustedhisbrother,theKing;andagreedtogohomeandreceiveapensionfromEngland,onconditionthatallhisfollowerswerefullypardoned.ThistheKingveryfaithfullypromised,butRobertwasnosoonergonethanhebegantopunishthem.
AmongthemwastheEarlofShrewsbury,who,onbeingsummonedbytheKingtoanswertofive-and-fortyaccusations,rodeawaytooneofhisstrongcastles,shuthimselfuptherein,calledaroundhimhistenantsandvassals,andfoughtforhisliberty,butwasdefeatedandbanished.Robert,withallhisfaults,wassotruetohisword,thatwhenhefirstheardofthisnoblemanhavingrisenagainsthisbrother,helaidwastetheEarlofShrewsbury\'sestatesinNormandy,toshowtheKingthathewouldfavournobreachoftheirtreaty.Finding,onbetterinformation,afterwards,thattheEarl\'sonlycrimewashavingbeenhisfriend,hecameovertoEngland,inhisoldthoughtless,warm-heartedway,tointercedewiththeKing,andremindhimofthesolemnpromisetopardonallhisfollowers.
ThisconfidencemighthaveputthefalseKingtotheblush,butitdidnot.Pretendingtobeveryfriendly,hesosurroundedhisbrotherwithspiesandtraps,thatRobert,whowasquiteinhispower,hadnothingforitbuttorenouncehispensionandescapewhilehecould.GettinghometoNormandy,andunderstandingtheKingbetternow,henaturallyalliedhimselfwithhisoldfriendtheEarlofShrewsbury,whohadstillthirtycastlesinthatcountry.ThiswasexactlywhatHenrywanted.HeimmediatelydeclaredthatRoberthadbrokenthetreaty,andnextyearinvadedNormandy.
HepretendedthathecametodelivertheNormans,attheirownrequest,fromhisbrother\'smisrule.Thereisreasontofearthathismisrulewasbadenough;forhisbeautifulwifehaddied,leavinghimwithaninfantson,andhiscourtwasagainsocareless,dissipated,andill-regulated,thatitwassaidhesometimeslayinbedofadayforwantofclothestoputon-hisattendantshavingstolenallhisdresses.Butheheadedhisarmylikeabraveprinceandagallantsoldier,thoughhehadthemisfortunetobetakenprisonerbyKingHenry,withfourhundredofhisKnights.AmongthemwaspoorharmlessEdgarAtheling,wholovedRobertwell.Edgarwasnotimportantenoughtobeseverewith.TheKingafterwardsgavehimasmallpension,whichheliveduponanddiedupon,inpeace,amongthequietwoodsandfieldsofEngland.
AndRobert-poor,kind,generous,wasteful,heedlessRobert,withsomanyfaults,andyetwithvirtuesthatmighthavemadeabetterandahappierman-whatwastheendofhim?IftheKinghadhadthemagnanimitytosaywithakindair,\'Brother,tellme,beforethesenoblemen,thatfromthistimeyouwillbemyfaithfulfollowerandfriend,andneverraiseyourhandagainstmeormyforcesmore!\'hemighthavetrustedRoberttothedeath.ButtheKingwasnotamagnanimousman.HesentencedhisbrothertobeconfinedforlifeinoneoftheRoyalCastles.Inthebeginningofhisimprisonment,hewasallowedtorideout,guarded;butheonedaybrokeawayfromhisguardandgallopedof.Hehadtheevilfortunetorideintoaswamp,wherehishorsestuckfastandhewastaken.WhentheKingheardofitheorderedhimtobeblinded,whichwasdonebyputtingared-hotmetalbasinonhiseyes.
Andso,indarknessandinprison,manyyears,hethoughtofallhispastlife,ofthetimehehadwasted,ofthetreasurehehadsquandered,oftheopportunitieshehadlost,oftheyouthhehadthrownaway,ofthetalentshehadneglected.Sometimes,onfineautumnmornings,hewouldsitandthinkoftheoldhuntingpartiesinthefreeForest,wherehehadbeentheforemostandthegayest.
Sometimes,inthestillnights,hewouldwake,andmournforthemanynightsthathadstolenpasthimatthegaming-table;
sometimes,wouldseemtohear,uponthemelancholywind,theoldsongsoftheminstrels;sometimes,woulddream,inhisblindness,ofthelightandglitteroftheNormanCourt.Manyandmanyatime,hegropedback,inhisfancy,toJerusalem,wherehehadfoughtsowell;or,attheheadofhisbravecompanions,bowedhisfeatheredhelmettotheshoutsofwelcomegreetinghiminItaly,andseemedagaintowalkamongthesunnyvineyards,orontheshoreofthebluesea,withhislovelywife.Andthen,thinkingofhergrave,andofhisfatherlessboy,hewouldstretchouthissolitaryarmsandweep.
Atlength,oneday,therelayinprison,dead,withcruelanddisfiguringscarsuponhiseyelids,bandagedfromhisjailer\'ssight,butonwhichtheeternalHeavenslookeddown,awornoldmanofeighty.HehadoncebeenRobertofNormandy.Pityhim!
AtthetimewhenRobertofNormandywastakenprisonerbyhisbrother,Robert\'slittlesonwasonlyfiveyearsold.Thischildwastaken,too,andcarriedbeforetheKing,sobbingandcrying;
for,youngashewas,heknewhehadgoodreasontobeafraidofhisRoyaluncle.TheKingwasnotmuchaccustomedtopitythosewhowereinhispower,buthiscoldheartseemedforthemomenttosoftentowardstheboy.Hewasobservedtomakeagreateffort,asiftopreventhimselffrombeingcruel,andorderedthechildtobetakenaway;whereuponacertainBaron,whohadmarriedadaughterofDukeRobert\'s(byname,HelieofSaintSaen),tookchargeofhim,tenderly.TheKing\'sgentlenessdidnotlastlong.Beforetwoyearswereover,hesentmessengerstothislord\'sCastletoseizethechildandbringhimaway.TheBaronwasnotthereatthetime,buthisservantswerefaithful,andcarriedtheboyoffinhissleepandhidhim.WhentheBaroncamehome,andwastoldwhattheKinghaddone,hetookthechildabroad,and,leadinghimbythehand,wentfromKingtoKingandfromCourttoCourt,relatinghowthechildhadaclaimtothethroneofEngland,andhowhisuncletheKing,knowingthathehadthatclaim,wouldhavemurderedhim,perhaps,butforhisescape.
TheyouthandinnocenceoftheprettylittleWILLIAMFITZ-ROBERT
(forthatwashisname)madehimmanyfriendsatthattime.Whenhebecameayoungman,theKingofFrance,unitingwiththeFrenchCountsofAnjouandFlanders,supportedhiscauseagainsttheKingofEngland,andtookmanyoftheKing\'stownsandcastlesinNormandy.But,KingHenry,artfulandcunningalways,bribedsomeofWilliam\'sfriendswithmoney,somewithpromises,somewithpower.HeboughtofftheCountofAnjou,bypromisingtomarryhiseldestson,alsonamedWILLIAM,totheCount\'sdaughter;andindeedthewholetrustofthisKing\'slifewasinsuchbargains,andhebelieved(asmanyanotherKinghasdonesince,andasoneKingdidinFranceaverylittletimeago)thateveryman\'struthandhonourcanbeboughtatsomeprice.Forallthis,hewassoafraidofWilliamFitz-Robertandhisfriends,that,foralongtime,hebelievedhislifetobeindanger;andneverlaydowntosleep,eveninhispalacesurroundedbyhisguards,withouthavingaswordandbucklerathisbedside.
Tostrengthenhispower,theKingwithgreatceremonybetrothedhiseldestdaughterMATILDA,thenachildonlyeightyearsold,tobethewifeofHenrytheFifth,theEmperorofGermany.Toraisehermarriage-portion,hetaxedtheEnglishpeopleinamostoppressivemanner;thentreatedthemtoagreatprocession,torestoretheirgoodhumour;andsentMatildaaway,infinestate,withtheGermanambassadors,tobeeducatedinthecountryofherfuturehusband.
AndnowhisQueen,MaudtheGood,unhappilydied.Itwasasadthoughtforthatgentlelady,thattheonlyhopewithwhichshehadmarriedamanwhomshehadneverloved-thehopeofreconcilingtheNormanandEnglishraces-hadfailed.Attheverytimeofherdeath,NormandyandallFrancewasinarmsagainstEngland;for,sosoonashislastdangerwasover,KingHenryhadbeenfalsetoalltheFrenchpowershehadpromised,bribed,andbought,andtheyhadnaturallyunitedagainsthim.Aftersomefighting,however,inwhichfewsufferedbuttheunhappycommonpeople(whoalwayssuffered,whatsoeverwasthematter),hebegantopromise,bribe,andbuyagain;andbythosemeans,andbythehelpofthePope,whoexertedhimselftosavemorebloodshed,andbysolemnlydeclaring,overandoveragain,thathereallywasinearnestthistime,andwouldkeephisword,theKingmadepeace.
Oneofthefirstconsequencesofthispeacewas,thattheKingwentovertoNormandywithhissonPrinceWilliamandagreatretinue,tohavethePrinceacknowledgedashissuccessorbytheNormanNobles,andtocontractthepromisedmarriage(thiswasoneofthemanypromisestheKinghadbroken)betweenhimandthedaughteroftheCountofAnjou.Boththesethingsweretriumphantlydone,withgreatshowandrejoicing;andonthetwenty-fifthofNovember,intheyearonethousandonehundredandtwenty,thewholeretinuepreparedtoembarkatthePortofBarfleur,forthevoyagehome.
Onthatday,andatthatplace,therecametotheKing,Fitz-
Stephen,asea-captain,andsaid:
\'Myliege,myfatherservedyourfatherallhislife,uponthesea.
Hesteeredtheshipwiththegoldenboyupontheprow,inwhichyourfathersailedtoconquerEngland.Ibeseechyoutograntmethesameoffice.Ihaveafairvesselintheharbourhere,calledTheWhiteShip,mannedbyfiftysailorsofrenown.Iprayyou,Sire,toletyourservanthavethehonourofsteeringyouinTheWhiteShiptoEngland!\'
\'Iamsorry,friend,\'repliedtheKing,\'thatmyvesselisalreadychosen,andthatIcannot(therefore)sailwiththesonofthemanwhoservedmyfather.ButthePrinceandallhiscompanyshallgoalongwithyou,inthefairWhiteShip,mannedbythefiftysailorsofrenown.\'
Anhourortwoafterwards,theKingsetsailinthevesselhehadchosen,accompaniedbyothervessels,and,sailingallnightwithafairandgentlewind,arriveduponthecoastofEnglandinthemorning.Whileitwasyetnight,thepeopleinsomeofthoseshipsheardafaintwildcrycomeoverthesea,andwonderedwhatitwas.
Now,thePrincewasadissolute,debauchedyoungmanofeighteen,whoborenolovetotheEnglish,andhaddeclaredthatwhenhecametothethronehewouldyokethemtotheploughlikeoxen.HewentaboardTheWhiteShip,withonehundredandfortyyouthfulNobleslikehimself,amongwhomwereeighteennobleladiesofthehighestrank.Allthisgaycompany,withtheirservantsandthefiftysailors,madethreehundredsoulsaboardthefairWhiteShip.
\'Givethreecasksofwine,Fitz-Stephen,\'saidthePrince,\'tothefiftysailorsofrenown!MyfathertheKinghassailedoutoftheharbour.Whattimeistheretomakemerryhere,andyetreachEnglandwiththerest?\'
\'Prince!\'saidFitz-Stephen,\'beforemorning,myfiftyandTheWhiteShipshallovertaketheswiftestvesselinattendanceonyourfathertheKing,ifwesailatmidnight!\'
ThenthePrincecommandedtomakemerry;andthesailorsdrankoutthethreecasksofwine;andthePrinceandallthenoblecompanydancedinthemoonlightonthedeckofTheWhiteShip.
When,atlast,sheshotoutoftheharbourofBarfleur,therewasnotasoberseamanonboard.Butthesailswereallset,andtheoarsallgoingmerrily.Fitz-Stephenhadthehelm.Thegayyoungnoblesandthebeautifulladies,wrappedinmantlesofvariousbrightcolourstoprotectthemfromthecold,talked,laughed,andsang.ThePrinceencouragedthefiftysailorstorowharderyet,forthehonourofTheWhiteShip.
Crash!Aterrificcrybrokefromthreehundredhearts.ItwasthecrythepeopleinthedistantvesselsoftheKingheardfaintlyonthewater.TheWhiteShiphadstruckuponarock-wasfilling-
goingdown!
Fitz-StephenhurriedthePrinceintoaboat,withsomefewNobles.
\'Pushoff,\'hewhispered;\'androwtoland.Itisnotfar,andtheseaissmooth.Therestofusmustdie.\'
But,astheyrowedaway,fast,fromthesinkingship,thePrinceheardthevoiceofhissisterMARIE,theCountessofPerche,callingforhelp.Heneverinhislifehadbeensogoodashewasthen.Hecriedinanagony,\'Rowbackatanyrisk!Icannotbeartoleaveher!\'
Theyrowedback.AsthePrinceheldouthisarmstocatchhissister,suchnumbersleapedin,thattheboatwasoverset.AndinthesameinstantTheWhiteShipwentdown.
Onlytwomenfloated.Theybothclungtothemainyardoftheship,whichhadbrokenfromthemast,andnowsupportedthem.Oneaskedtheotherwhohewas?Hesaid,\'Iamanobleman,GODFREYbyname,thesonofGILBERTDEL\'AIGLE.Andyou?\'saidhe.\'IamBEROLD,apoorbutcherofRouen,\'wastheanswer.Then,theysaidtogether,\'Lordbemercifultousboth!\'andtriedtoencourageoneanother,astheydriftedinthecoldbenumbingseaonthatunfortunateNovembernight.
By-and-by,anothermancameswimmingtowardsthem,whomtheyknew,whenhepushedasidehislongwethair,tobeFitz-Stephen.\'WhereisthePrince?\'saidhe.\'Gone!Gone!\'thetwocriedtogether.
\'Neitherhe,norhisbrother,norhissister,northeKing\'sniece,norherbrother,noranyoneofallthebravethreehundred,nobleorcommoner,exceptwethree,hasrisenabovethewater!\'Fitz-
Stephen,withaghastlyface,cried,\'Woe!woe,tome!\'andsunktothebottom.
Theothertwoclungtotheyardforsomehours.Atlengththeyoungnoblesaidfaintly,\'Iamexhausted,andchilledwiththecold,andcanholdnolonger.Farewell,goodfriend!Godpreserveyou!\'So,hedroppedandsunk;andofallthebrilliantcrowd,thepoorButcherofRouenalonewassaved.Inthemorning,somefishermensawhimfloatinginhissheep-skincoat,andgothimintotheirboat-thesolerelaterofthedismaltale.
Forthreedays,noonedaredtocarrytheintelligencetotheKing.
Atlength,theysentintohispresencealittleboy,who,weepingbitterly,andkneelingathisfeet,toldhimthatTheWhiteShipwaslostwithallonboard.TheKingfelltothegroundlikeadeadman,andnever,neverafterwards,wasseentosmile.
Butheplottedagain,andpromisedagain,andbribedandboughtagain,inhisolddeceitfulway.Havingnosontosucceedhim,afterallhispains(\'ThePrincewillneveryokeustotheplough,now!\'saidtheEnglishpeople),hetookasecondwife-ADELAISorALICE,aduke\'sdaughter,andthePope\'sniece.Havingnomorechildren,however,heproposedtotheBaronstoswearthattheywouldrecogniseashissuccessor,hisdaughterMatilda,whom,asshewasnowawidow,hemarriedtotheeldestsonoftheCountofAnjou,GEOFFREY,surnamedPLANTAGENET,fromacustomhehadofwearingasprigoffloweringbroom(calledGen坱inFrench)inhiscapforafeather.Asonefalsemanusuallymakesmany,andasafalseKing,inparticular,isprettycertaintomakeafalseCourt,theBaronstooktheoathaboutthesuccessionofMatilda(andherchildrenafterher),twiceover,withoutintheleastintendingtokeepit.TheKingwasnowrelievedfromanyremainingfearsofWilliamFitz-Robert,byhisdeathintheMonasteryofSt.Omer,inFrance,attwenty-sixyearsold,ofapike-woundinthehand.AndasMatildagavebirthtothreesons,hethoughtthesuccessiontothethronesecure.
Hespentmostofthelatterpartofhislife,whichwastroubledbyfamilyquarrels,inNormandy,tobenearMatilda.Whenhehadreignedupwardofthirty-fiveyears,andwassixty-sevenyearsold,hediedofanindigestionandfever,broughtonbyeating,whenhewasfarfromwell,ofafishcalledLamprey,againstwhichhehadoftenbeencautionedbyhisphysicians.HisremainswerebroughtovertoReadingAbbeytobeburied.
Youmayperhapshearthecunningandpromise-breakingofKingHenrytheFirst,called\'policy\'bysomepeople,and\'diplomacy\'byothers.Neitherofthesefinewordswillintheleastmeanthatitwastrue;andnothingthatisnottruecanpossiblybegood.
Hisgreatestmerit,thatIknowof,washisloveoflearning-I
