第4章

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