Somethinkthathewaskilled,andkilledbyCanute\'sorders.Nooneknows.
CHAPTERV-ENGLANDUNDERCANUTETHEDANE
CANUTEreignedeighteenyears.HewasamercilessKingatfirst.
AfterhehadclaspedthehandsoftheSaxonchiefs,intokenofthesinceritywithwhichhesworetobejustandgoodtotheminreturnfortheiracknowledginghim,hedenouncedandslewmanyofthem,aswellasmanyrelationsofthelateKing.\'Hewhobringsmetheheadofoneofmyenemies,\'heusedtosay,\'shallbedearertomethanabrother.\'Andhewassosevereinhuntingdownhisenemies,thathemusthavegottogetheraprettylargefamilyofthesedearbrothers.HewasstronglyinclinedtokillEDMUNDandEDWARD,twochildren,sonsofpoorIronside;but,beingafraidtodosoinEngland,hesentthemovertotheKingofSweden,witharequestthattheKingwouldbesogoodas\'disposeofthem.\'IftheKingofSwedenhadbeenlikemany,manyothermenofthatday,hewouldhavehadtheirinnocentthroatscut;buthewasakindman,andbroughtthemuptenderly.
NormandyranmuchinCanute\'smind.InNormandywerethetwochildrenofthelateking-EDWARDandALFREDbyname;andtheiruncletheDukemightonedayclaimthecrownforthem.ButtheDukeshowedsolittleinclinationtodosonow,thatheproposedtoCanutetomarryhissister,thewidowofTheUnready;who,beingbutashowyflower,andcaringfornothingsomuchasbecomingaqueenagain,leftherchildrenandwasweddedtohim.
Successfulandtriumphant,assistedbythevalouroftheEnglishinhisforeignwars,andwithlittlestrifetotroublehimathome,Canutehadaprosperousreign,andmademanyimprovements.Hewasapoetandamusician.Hegrewsorry,ashegrewolder,forthebloodhehadshedatfirst;andwenttoRomeinaPilgrim\'sdress,bywayofwashingitout.Hegaveagreatdealofmoneytoforeignersonhisjourney;buthetookitfromtheEnglishbeforehestarted.Onthewhole,however,hecertainlybecameafarbettermanwhenhehadnooppositiontocontendwith,andwasasgreataKingasEnglandhadknownforsometime.
TheoldwritersofhistoryrelatehowthatCanutewasonedaydisgustedwithhiscourtiersfortheirflattery,andhowhecausedhischairtobesetonthesea-shore,andfeignedtocommandthetideasitcameupnottowettheedgeofhisrobe,forthelandwashis;howthetidecameup,ofcourse,withoutregardinghim;
andhowhethenturnedtohisflatterers,andrebukedthem,saying,whatwasthemightofanyearthlyking,tothemightoftheCreator,whocouldsayuntothesea,\'Thusfarshaltthougo,andnofarther!\'Wemaylearnfromthis,Ithink,thatalittlesensewillgoalongwayinaking;andthatcourtiersarenoteasilycuredofflattery,norkingsofalikingforit.IfthecourtiersofCanutehadnotknown,longbefore,thattheKingwasfondofflattery,theywouldhaveknownbetterthantoofferitinsuchlargedoses.Andiftheyhadnotknownthathewasvainofthisspeechanythingbutawonderfulspeechitseemstome,ifagoodchildhadmadeit,theywouldnothavebeenatsuchgreatpainstorepeatit.IfancyIseethemallonthesea-shoretogether;theKing\'schairsinkinginthesand;theKinginamightygoodhumourwithhisownwisdom;andthecourtierspretendingtobequitestunnedbyit!
Itisnottheseaalonethatisbiddentogo\'thusfar,andnofarther.\'Thegreatcommandgoesforthtoallthekingsupontheearth,andwenttoCanuteintheyearonethousandandthirty-five,andstretchedhimdeaduponhisbed.Besideit,stoodhisNormanwife.Perhaps,astheKinglookedhislastuponher,he,whohadsooftenthoughtdistrustfullyofNormandy,longago,thoughtoncemoreofthetwoexiledPrincesintheiruncle\'scourt,andofthelittlefavourtheycouldfeelforeitherDanesorSaxons,andofarisingcloudinNormandythatslowlymovedtowardsEngland.
CHAPTERVI-ENGLANDUNDERHAROLDHAREFOOT,HARDICANUTE,ANDEDWARD
THECONFESSOR
CANUTEleftthreesons,bynameSWEYN,HAROLD,andHARDICANUTE;buthisQueen,Emma,oncetheFlowerofNormandy,wasthemotherofonlyHardicanute.Canutehadwishedhisdominionstobedividedbetweenthethree,andhadwishedHaroldtohaveEngland;buttheSaxonpeopleintheSouthofEngland,headedbyanoblemanwithgreatpossessions,calledthepowerfulEARLGODWINwhoissaidtohavebeenoriginallyapoorcow-boy,opposedthis,anddesiredtohave,instead,eitherHardicanute,oroneofthetwoexiledPrinceswhowereoverinNormandy.Itseemedsocertainthattherewouldbemorebloodshedtosettlethisdispute,thatmanypeoplelefttheirhomes,andtookrefugeinthewoodsandswamps.Happily,however,itwasagreedtoreferthewholequestiontoagreatmeetingatOxford,whichdecidedthatHaroldshouldhaveallthecountrynorthoftheThames,withLondonforhiscapitalcity,andthatHardicanuteshouldhaveallthesouth.Thequarrelwassoarranged;and,asHardicanutewasinDenmarktroublinghimselfverylittleaboutanythingbuteatingandgettingdrunk,hismotherandEarlGodwingovernedthesouthforhim.
Theyhadhardlybeguntodoso,andthetremblingpeoplewhohadhiddenthemselveswerescarcelyathomeagain,whenEdward,theelderofthetwoexiledPrinces,cameoverfromNormandywithafewfollowers,toclaimtheEnglishCrown.HismotherEmma,however,whoonlycaredforherlastsonHardicanute,insteadofassistinghim,asheexpected,opposedhimsostronglywithallherinfluencethathewasverysoongladtogetsafelyback.HisbrotherAlfredwasnotsofortunate.Believinginanaffectionateletter,writtensometimeafterwardstohimandhisbrother,inhismother\'snamebutwhetherreallywithorwithouthismother\'sknowledgeisnowuncertain,heallowedhimselftobetemptedovertoEngland,withagoodforceofsoldiers,andlandingontheKentishcoast,andbeingmetandwelcomedbyEarlGodwin,proceededintoSurrey,asfarasthetownofGuildford.Here,heandhismenhaltedintheeveningtorest,havingstilltheEarlintheircompany;whohadorderedlodgingsandgoodcheerforthem.But,inthedeadofthenight,whentheywereofftheirguard,beingdividedintosmallpartiessleepingsoundlyafteralongmarchandaplentifulsupperindifferenthouses,theyweresetuponbytheKing\'stroops,andtakenprisoners.Nextmorningtheyweredrawnoutinaline,tothenumberofsixhundredmen,andwerebarbarouslytorturedandkilled;withtheexceptionofeverytenthman,whowassoldintoslavery.AstothewretchedPrinceAlfred,hewasstrippednaked,tiedtoahorseandsentawayintotheIsleofEly,wherehiseyesweretornoutofhishead,andwhereinafewdayshemiserablydied.IamnotsurethattheEarlhadwilfullyentrappedhim,butIsuspectitstrongly.
HaroldwasnowKingalloverEngland,thoughitisdoubtfulwhethertheArchbishopofCanterburythegreaterpartofthepriestswereSaxons,andnotfriendlytotheDaneseverconsentedtocrownhim.
Crownedoruncrowned,withtheArchbishop\'sleaveorwithoutit,hewasKingforfouryears:afterwhichshortreignhedied,andwasburied;havingneverdonemuchinlifebutgoahunting.Hewassuchafastrunneratthis,hisfavouritesport,thatthepeoplecalledhimHaroldHarefoot.
HardicanutewasthenatBruges,inFlanders,plotting,withhismotherwhohadgoneoverthereafterthecruelmurderofPrinceAlfred,fortheinvasionofEngland.TheDanesandSaxons,findingthemselveswithoutaKing,anddreadingnewdisputes,madecommoncause,andjoinedininvitinghimtooccupytheThrone.Heconsented,andsoontroubledthemenough;forhebroughtovernumbersofDanes,andtaxedthepeoplesoinsupportablytoenrichthosegreedyfavouritesthatthereweremanyinsurrections,especiallyoneatWorcester,wherethecitizensroseandkilledhistax-collectors;inrevengeforwhichheburnedtheircity.HewasabrutalKing,whosefirstpublicactwastoorderthedeadbodyofpoorHaroldHarefoottobedugup,beheaded,andthrownintotheriver.Hisendwasworthyofsuchabeginning.Hefelldowndrunk,withagobletofwineinhishand,atawedding-feastatLambeth,giveninhonourofthemarriageofhisstandard-bearer,aDanenamedTOWEDTHEPROUD.Andheneverspokeagain.
EDWARD,afterwardscalledbythemonksTHECONFESSOR,succeeded;
andhisfirstactwastoobligehismotherEmma,whohadfavouredhimsolittle,toretireintothecountry;whereshediedsometenyearsafterwards.HewastheexiledprincewhosebrotherAlfredhadbeensofoullykilled.HehadbeeninvitedoverfromNormandybyHardicanute,inthecourseofhisshortreignoftwoyears,andhadbeenhandsomelytreatedatcourt.HiscausewasnowfavouredbythepowerfulEarlGodwin,andhewassoonmadeKing.ThisEarlhadbeensuspectedbythepeople,eversincePrinceAlfred\'scrueldeath;hehadevenbeentriedinthelastreignforthePrince\'smurder,buthadbeenpronouncednotguilty;chiefly,asitwassupposed,becauseofapresenthehadmadetotheswinishKing,ofagildedshipwithafigure-headofsolidgold,andacrewofeightysplendidlyarmedmen.ItwashisinteresttohelpthenewKingwithhispower,ifthenewKingwouldhelphimagainstthepopulardistrustandhatred.Sotheymadeabargain.EdwardtheConfessorgottheThrone.TheEarlgotmorepowerandmoreland,andhisdaughterEdithawasmadequeen;foritwasapartoftheircompactthattheKingshouldtakeherforhiswife.
But,althoughshewasagentlelady,inallthingsworthytobebeloved-good,beautiful,sensible,andkind-theKingfromthefirstneglectedher.Herfatherandhersixproudbrothers,resentingthiscoldtreatment,harassedtheKinggreatlybyexertingalltheirpowertomakehimunpopular.HavinglivedsolonginNormandy,hepreferredtheNormanstotheEnglish.HemadeaNormanArchbishop,andNormanBishops;hisgreatofficersandfavouriteswereallNormans;heintroducedtheNormanfashionsandtheNormanlanguage;inimitationofthestatecustomofNormandy,heattachedagreatsealtohisstatedocuments,insteadofmerelymarkingthem,astheSaxonKingshaddone,withthesignofthecross-justaspoorpeoplewhohaveneverbeentaughttowrite,nowmakethesamemarkfortheirnames.Allthis,thepowerfulEarlGodwinandhissixproudsonsrepresentedtothepeopleasdisfavourshowntowardstheEnglish;andthustheydailyincreasedtheirownpower,anddailydiminishedthepoweroftheKing.
Theyweregreatlyhelpedbyaneventthatoccurredwhenhehadreignedeightyears.Eustace,EarlofBologne,whohadmarriedtheKing\'ssister,cametoEnglandonavisit.Afterstayingatthecourtsometime,hesetforth,withhisnumeroustrainofattendants,toreturnhome.TheyweretoembarkatDover.
Enteringthatpeacefultowninarmour,theytookpossessionofthebesthouses,andnoisilydemandedtobelodgedandentertainedwithoutpayment.OneoftheboldmenofDover,whowouldnotenduretohavethesedomineeringstrangersjinglingtheirheavyswordsandironcorseletsupanddownhishouse,eatinghismeatanddrinkinghisstrongliquor,stoodinhisdoorwayandrefusedadmissiontothefirstarmedmanwhocamethere.Thearmedmandrew,andwoundedhim.ThemanofDoverstruckthearmedmandead.
Intelligenceofwhathehaddone,spreadingthroughthestreetstowheretheCountEustaceandhismenwerestandingbytheirhorses,bridleinhand,theypassionatelymounted,gallopedtothehouse,surroundedit,forcedtheirwayinthedoorsandwindowsbeingclosedwhentheycameup,andkilledthemanofDoverathisownfireside.Theythenclatteredthroughthestreets,cuttingdownandridingovermen,women,andchildren.Thisdidnotlastlong,youmaybelieve.ThemenofDoversetuponthemwithgreatfury,killednineteenoftheforeigners,woundedmanymore,and,blockadingtheroadtotheportsothattheyshouldnotembark,beatthemoutofthetownbythewaytheyhadcome.Hereupon,CountEustaceridesashardasmancanridetoGloucester,whereEdwardis,surroundedbyNormanmonksandNormanlords.\'Justice!\'
criestheCount,\'uponthemenofDover,whohavesetuponandslainmypeople!\'TheKingsendsimmediatelyforthepowerfulEarlGodwin,whohappenstobenear;remindshimthatDoverisunderhisgovernment;andordershimtorepairtoDoveranddomilitaryexecutionontheinhabitants.\'Itdoesnotbecomeyou,\'saystheproudEarlinreply,\'tocondemnwithoutahearingthosewhomyouhavesworntoprotect.Iwillnotdoit.\'
TheKing,therefore,summonedtheEarl,onpainofbanishmentandlossofhistitlesandproperty,toappearbeforethecourttoanswerthisdisobedience.TheEarlrefusedtoappear.He,hiseldestsonHarold,andhissecondsonSweyn,hastilyraisedasmanyfightingmenastheirutmostpowercouldcollect,anddemandedtohaveCountEustaceandhisfollowerssurrenderedtothejusticeofthecountry.TheKing,inhisturn,refusedtogivethemup,andraisedastrongforce.Aftersometreatyanddelay,thetroopsofthegreatEarlandhissonsbegantofalloff.TheEarl,withapartofhisfamilyandabundanceoftreasure,sailedtoFlanders;
HaroldescapedtoIreland;andthepowerofthegreatfamilywasforthattimegoneinEngland.But,thepeopledidnotforgetthem.
Then,EdwardtheConfessor,withthetruemeannessofameanspirit,visitedhisdislikeoftheoncepowerfulfatherandsonsuponthehelplessdaughterandsister,hisunoffendingwife,whomallwhosawherherhusbandandhismonksexceptedloved.Heseizedrapaciouslyuponherfortuneandherjewels,andallowingheronlyoneattendant,confinedherinagloomyconvent,ofwhichasisterofhis-nodoubtanunpleasantladyafterhisownheart-
wasabbessorjailer.
HavinggotEarlGodwinandhissixsonswelloutofhisway,theKingfavouredtheNormansmorethanever.HeinvitedoverWILLIAM,DUKEOFNORMANDY,thesonofthatDukewhohadreceivedhimandhismurderedbrotherlongago,andofapeasantgirl,atanner\'sdaughter,withwhomthatDukehadfalleninloveforherbeautyashesawherwashingclothesinabrook.William,whowasagreatwarrior,withapassionforfinehorses,dogs,andarms,acceptedtheinvitation;andtheNormansinEngland,findingthemselvesmorenumerousthaneverwhenhearrivedwithhisretinue,andheldinstillgreaterhonouratcourtthanbefore,becamemoreandmorehaughtytowardsthepeople,andweremoreandmoredislikedbythem.
TheoldEarlGodwin,thoughhewasabroad,knewwellhowthepeoplefelt;for,withpartofthetreasurehehadcarriedawaywithhim,hekeptspiesandagentsinhispayalloverEngland.
Accordingly,hethoughtthetimewascomeforfittingoutagreatexpeditionagainsttheNorman-lovingKing.Withit,hesailedtotheIsleofWight,wherehewasjoinedbyhissonHarold,themostgallantandbraveofallhisfamily.AndsothefatherandsoncamesailinguptheThamestoSouthwark;greatnumbersofthepeopledeclaringforthem,andshoutingfortheEnglishEarlandtheEnglishHarold,againsttheNormanfavourites!
TheKingwasatfirstasblindandstubbornaskingsusuallyhavebeenwhensoevertheyhavebeeninthehandsofmonks.ButthepeopleralliedsothicklyroundtheoldEarlandhisson,andtheoldEarlwassosteadyindemandingwithoutbloodshedtherestorationofhimselfandhisfamilytotheirrights,thatatlastthecourttookthealarm.TheNormanArchbishopofCanterbury,andtheNormanBishopofLondon,surroundedbytheirretainers,foughttheirwayoutofLondon,andescapedfromEssextoFranceinafishing-boat.TheotherNormanfavouritesdispersedinalldirections.TheoldEarlandhissonsexceptSweyn,whohadcommittedcrimesagainstthelawwererestoredtotheirpossessionsanddignities.Editha,thevirtuousandlovelyQueenoftheinsensibleKing,wastriumphantlyreleasedfromherprison,theconvent,andoncemoresatinherchairofstate,arrayedinthejewelsofwhich,whenshehadnochampiontosupportherrights,hercold-bloodedhusbandhaddeprivedher.
TheoldEarlGodwindidnotlongenjoyhisrestoredfortune.HefelldowninafitattheKing\'stable,anddieduponthethirddayafterwards.Haroldsucceededtohispower,andtoafarhigherplaceintheattachmentofthepeoplethanhisfatherhadeverheld.ByhisvalourhesubduedtheKing\'senemiesinmanybloodyfights.HewasvigorousagainstrebelsinScotland-thiswasthetimewhenMacbethslewDuncan,uponwhicheventourEnglishShakespeare,hundredsofyearsafterwards,wrotehisgreattragedy;
andhekilledtherestlessWelshKingGRIFFITH,andbroughthisheadtoEngland.
WhatHaroldwasdoingatsea,whenhewasdrivenontheFrenchcoastbyatempest,isnotatallcertain;nordoesitatallmatter.Thathisshipwasforcedbyastormonthatshore,andthathewastakenprisoner,thereisnodoubt.Inthosebarbarousdays,allshipwreckedstrangersweretakenprisoners,andobligedtopayransom.So,acertainCountGuy,whowastheLordofPonthieuwhereHarold\'sdisasterhappened,seizedhim,insteadofrelievinghimlikeahospitableandChristianlordasheoughttohavedone,andexpectedtomakeaverygoodthingofit.
ButHaroldsentoffimmediatelytoDukeWilliamofNormandy,complainingofthistreatment;andtheDukenosoonerheardofitthanheorderedHaroldtobeescortedtotheancienttownofRouen,wherehethenwas,andwherehereceivedhimasanhonouredguest.
Now,somewriterstellusthatEdwardtheConfessor,whowasbythistimeoldandhadnochildren,hadmadeawill,appointingDukeWilliamofNormandyhissuccessor,andhadinformedtheDukeofhishavingdoneso.Thereisnodoubtthathewasanxiousabouthissuccessor;becausehehadeveninvitedover,fromabroad,EDWARD
THEOUTLAW,asonofIronside,whohadcometoEnglandwithhiswifeandthreechildren,butwhomtheKinghadstrangelyrefusedtoseewhenhedidcome,andwhohaddiedinLondonsuddenlyprinceswereterriblyliabletosuddendeathinthosedays,andhadbeenburiedinSt.Paul\'sCathedral.TheKingmightpossiblyhavemadesuchawill;or,havingalwaysbeenfondoftheNormans,hemighthaveencouragedNormanWilliamtoaspiretotheEnglishcrown,bysomethingthathesaidtohimwhenhewasstayingattheEnglishcourt.But,certainlyWilliamdidnowaspiretoit;andknowingthatHaroldwouldbeapowerfulrival,hecalledtogetheragreatassemblyofhisnobles,offeredHaroldhisdaughterADELEinmarriage,informedhimthathemeantonKingEdward\'sdeathtoclaimtheEnglishcrownashisowninheritance,andrequiredHaroldthenandtheretosweartoaidhim.Harold,beingintheDuke\'spower,tookthisoathupontheMissal,orPrayer-book.Itisagoodexampleofthesuperstitionsofthemonks,thatthisMissal,insteadofbeingplaceduponatable,wasplaceduponatub;which,whenHaroldhadsworn,wasuncovered,andshowntobefullofdeadmen\'sbones-bones,asthemonkspretended,ofsaints.ThiswassupposedtomakeHarold\'soathagreatdealmoreimpressiveandbinding.AsifthegreatnameoftheCreatorofHeavenandearthcouldbemademoresolemnbyaknuckle-bone,oradouble-tooth,orafinger-nail,ofDunstan!
WithinaweekortwoafterHarold\'sreturntoEngland,thedrearyoldConfessorwasfoundtobedying.Afterwanderinginhismindlikeaveryweakoldman,hedied.Ashehadputhimselfentirelyinthehandsofthemonkswhenhewasalive,theypraisedhimlustilywhenhewasdead.Theyhadgonesofar,already,astopersuadehimthathecouldworkmiracles;andhadbroughtpeopleafflictedwithabaddisorderoftheskin,tohim,tobetouchedandcured.Thiswascalled\'touchingfortheKing\'sEvil,\'whichafterwardsbecamearoyalcustom.Youknow,however,Whoreallytouchedthesick,andhealedthem;andyouknowHissacrednameisnotamongthedustylineofhumankings.
CHAPTERVII-ENGLANDUNDERHAROLDTHESECOND,ANDCONQUEREDBYTHE
NORMANS
HAROLDwascrownedKingofEnglandontheverydayofthemaudlinConfessor\'sfuneral.Hehadgoodneedtobequickaboutit.WhenthenewsreachedNormanWilliam,huntinginhisparkatRouen,hedroppedhisbow,returnedtohispalace,calledhisnoblestocouncil,andpresentlysentambassadorstoHarold,callingonhimtokeephisoathandresigntheCrown.Haroldwoulddonosuchthing.ThebaronsofFranceleaguedtogetherroundDukeWilliamfortheinvasionofEngland.DukeWilliampromisedfreelytodistributeEnglishwealthandEnglishlandsamongthem.ThePopesenttoNormandyaconsecratedbanner,andaringcontainingahairwhichhewarrantedtohavegrownontheheadofSaintPeter.Heblessedtheenterprise;andcursedHarold;andrequestedthattheNormanswouldpay\'Peter\'sPence\'-orataxtohimselfofapennyayearoneveryhouse-alittlemoreregularlyinfuture,iftheycouldmakeitconvenient.
KingHaroldhadarebelbrotherinFlanders,whowasavassalofHAROLDHARDRADA,KingofNorway.Thisbrother,andthisNorwegianKing,joiningtheirforcesagainstEngland,withDukeWilliam\'shelp,wonafightinwhichtheEnglishwerecommandedbytwonobles;andthenbesiegedYork.Harold,whowaswaitingfortheNormansonthecoastatHastings,withhisarmy,marchedtoStamfordBridgeupontheriverDerwenttogivetheminstantbattle.
Hefoundthemdrawnupinahollowcircle,markedoutbytheirshiningspears.Ridingroundthiscircleatadistance,tosurveyit,hesawabravefigureonhorseback,inabluemantleandabrighthelmet,whosehorsesuddenlystumbledandthrewhim.
\'Whoisthatmanwhohasfallen?\'Haroldaskedofoneofhiscaptains.
\'TheKingofNorway,\'hereplied.
\'Heisatallandstatelyking,\'saidHarold,\'buthisendisnear.\'
Headded,inalittlewhile,\'Goyondertomybrother,andtellhim,ifhewithdrawhistroops,heshallbeEarlofNorthumberland,andrichandpowerfulinEngland.\'
Thecaptainrodeawayandgavethemessage.
\'WhatwillhegivetomyfriendtheKingofNorway?\'askedthebrother.
\'Sevenfeetofearthforagrave,\'repliedthecaptain.
\'Nomore?\'returnedthebrother,withasmile.
\'TheKingofNorwaybeingatallman,perhapsalittlemore,\'
repliedthecaptain.
\'Rideback!\'saidthebrother,\'andtellKingHaroldtomakereadyforthefight!\'
Hedidso,verysoon.AndsuchafightKingHaroldledagainstthatforce,thathisbrother,andtheNorwegianKing,andeverychiefofnoteinalltheirhost,excepttheNorwegianKing\'sson,Olave,towhomhegavehonourabledismissal,wereleftdeaduponthefield.ThevictoriousarmymarchedtoYork.AsKingHaroldsatthereatthefeast,inthemidstofallhiscompany,astirwasheardatthedoors;andmessengersallcoveredwithmirefromridingfarandfastthroughbrokengroundcamehurryingin,toreportthattheNormanshadlandedinEngland.
Theintelligencewastrue.Theyhadbeentossedaboutbycontrarywinds,andsomeoftheirshipshadbeenwrecked.Apartoftheirownshore,towhichtheyhadbeendrivenback,wasstrewnwithNormanbodies.Buttheyhadoncemoremadesail,ledbytheDuke\'sowngalley,apresentfromhiswife,upontheprowwhereofthefigureofagoldenboystoodpointingtowardsEngland.Byday,thebannerofthethreeLionsofNormandy,thediversecolouredsails,thegildedvans,themanydecorationsofthisgorgeousship,hadglitteredinthesunandsunnywater;bynight,alighthadsparkledlikeastarathermast-head.Andnow,encampednearHastings,withtheirleaderlyingintheoldRomancastleofPevensey,theEnglishretiringinalldirections,thelandformilesaroundscorchedandsmoking,firedandpillaged,wasthewholeNormanpower,hopefulandstrongonEnglishground.
HaroldbrokeupthefeastandhurriedtoLondon.Withinaweek,hisarmywasready.HesentoutspiestoascertaintheNormanstrength.Williamtookthem,causedthemtobeledthroughhiswholecamp,andthendismissed.\'TheNormans,\'saidthesespiestoHarold,\'arenotbeardedontheupperlipasweEnglishare,butareshorn.Theyarepriests.\'\'Mymen,\'repliedHarold,withalaugh,\'willfindthosepriestsgoodsoldiers!\'
\'TheSaxons,\'reportedDukeWilliam\'soutpostsofNormansoldiers,whowereinstructedtoretireasKingHarold\'sarmyadvanced,\'rushonusthroughtheirpillagedcountrywiththefuryofmadmen.\'
\'Letthemcome,andcomesoon!\'saidDukeWilliam.
Someproposalsforareconciliationweremade,butweresoonabandoned.InthemiddleofthemonthofOctober,intheyearonethousandandsixty-six,theNormansandtheEnglishcamefronttofront.Allnightthearmieslayencampedbeforeeachother,inapartofthecountrythencalledSenlac,nowcalledinremembranceofthemBattle.Withthefirstdawnofday,theyarose.There,inthefaintlight,weretheEnglishonahill;awoodbehindthem;
intheirmidst,theRoyalbanner,representingafightingwarrior,woveningoldthread,adornedwithpreciousstones;beneaththebanner,asitrustledinthewind,stoodKingHaroldonfoot,withtwoofhisremainingbrothersbyhisside;aroundthem,stillandsilentasthedead,clusteredthewholeEnglisharmy-everysoldiercoveredbyhisshield,andbearinginhishandhisdreadedEnglishbattle-axe.
Onanoppositehill,inthreelines,archers,foot-soldiers,horsemen,wastheNormanforce.Ofasudden,agreatbattle-cry,\'Godhelpus!\'burstfromtheNormanlines.TheEnglishansweredwiththeirownbattle-cry,\'God\'sRood!HolyRood!\'TheNormansthencamesweepingdownthehilltoattacktheEnglish.
TherewasonetallNormanKnightwhorodebeforetheNormanarmyonaprancinghorse,throwinguphisheavyswordandcatchingit,andsingingofthebraveryofhiscountrymen.AnEnglishKnight,whorodeoutfromtheEnglishforcetomeethim,fellbythisKnight\'shand.AnotherEnglishKnightrodeout,andhefelltoo.Butthenathirdrodeout,andkilledtheNorman.Thiswasinthefirstbeginningofthefight.Itsoonragedeverywhere.
TheEnglish,keepingsidebysideinagreatmass,carednomorefortheshowersofNormanarrowsthaniftheyhadbeenshowersofNormanrain.WhentheNormanhorsemenrodeagainstthem,withtheirbattle-axestheycutmenandhorsesdown.TheNormansgaveway.TheEnglishpressedforward.AcrywentforthamongtheNormantroopsthatDukeWilliamwaskilled.DukeWilliamtookoffhishelmet,inorderthathisfacemightbedistinctlyseen,androdealongthelinebeforehismen.Thisgavethemcourage.AstheyturnedagaintofacetheEnglish,someoftheirNormanhorsedividedthepursuingbodyoftheEnglishfromtherest,andthusallthatforemostportionoftheEnglisharmyfell,fightingbravely.Themainbodystillremainingfirm,heedlessoftheNormanarrows,andwiththeirbattle-axescuttingdownthecrowdsofhorsemenwhentheyrodeup,likeforestsofyoungtrees,DukeWilliampretendedtoretreat.TheeagerEnglishfollowed.TheNormanarmyclosedagain,andfelluponthemwithgreatslaughter.
\'Still,\'saidDukeWilliam,\'therearethousandsoftheEnglish,firmsasrocksaroundtheirKing.Shootupward,Normanarchers,thatyourarrowsmayfalldownupontheirfaces!\'
Thesunrosehigh,andsank,andthebattlestillraged.ThroughallthewildOctoberday,theclashanddinresoundedintheair.
Intheredsunset,andinthewhitemoonlight,heapsuponheapsofdeadmenlaystrewn,adreadfulspectacle,allovertheground.
KingHarold,woundedwithanarrowintheeye,wasnearlyblind.
Hisbrotherswerealreadykilled.TwentyNormanKnights,whosebatteredarmourhadflashedfieryandgoldeninthesunshinealldaylong,andnowlookedsilveryinthemoonlight,dashedforwardtoseizetheRoyalbannerfromtheEnglishKnightsandsoldiers,stillfaithfullycollectedroundtheirblindedKing.TheKingreceivedamortalwound,anddropped.TheEnglishbrokeandfled.
TheNormansrallied,andthedaywaslost.
Owhatasightbeneaththemoonandstars,whenlightswereshininginthetentofthevictoriousDukeWilliam,whichwaspitchednearthespotwhereHaroldfell-andheandhisknightswerecarousing,within-andsoldierswithtorches,goingslowlytoandfro,without,soughtforthecorpseofHaroldamongpilesofdead-andtheWarrior,workedingoldenthreadandpreciousstones,laylow,alltornandsoiledwithblood-andthethreeNormanLionskeptwatchoverthefield!
CHAPTERVIII-ENGLANDUNDERWILLIAMTHEFIRST,THENORMAN
CONQUEROR
UPONthegroundwherethebraveHaroldfell,WilliamtheNormanafterwardsfoundedanabbey,which,underthenameofBattleAbbey,wasarichandsplendidplacethroughmanyatroubledyear,thoughnowitisagreyruinovergrownwithivy.Butthefirstworkhehadtodo,wastoconquertheEnglishthoroughly;andthat,asyouknowbythistime,washardworkforanyman.
Heravagedseveralcounties;heburnedandplunderedmanytowns;helaidwastescoresuponscoresofmilesofpleasantcountry;hedestroyedinnumerablelives.AtlengthSTIGAND,ArchbishopofCanterbury,withotherrepresentativesoftheclergyandthepeople,wenttohiscamp,andsubmittedtohim.EDGAR,theinsignificantsonofEdmundIronside,wasproclaimedKingbyothers,butnothingcameofit.HefledtoScotlandafterwards,wherehissister,whowasyoungandbeautiful,marriedtheScottishKing.Edgarhimselfwasnotimportantenoughforanybodytocaremuchabouthim.
OnChristmasDay,WilliamwascrownedinWestminsterAbbey,underthetitleofWILLIAMTHEFIRST;butheisbestknownasWILLIAMTHE
CONQUEROR.Itwasastrangecoronation.OneofthebishopswhoperformedtheceremonyaskedtheNormans,inFrench,iftheywouldhaveDukeWilliamfortheirking?TheyansweredYes.AnotherofthebishopsputthesamequestiontotheSaxons,inEnglish.TheytooansweredYes,withaloudshout.ThenoisebeingheardbyaguardofNormanhorse-soldiersoutside,wasmistakenforresistanceonthepartoftheEnglish.Theguardinstantlysetfiretotheneighbouringhouses,andatumultensued;inthemidstofwhichtheKing,beingleftaloneintheAbbey,withafewpriestsandtheyallbeinginaterriblefrighttogether,washurriedlycrowned.
Whenthecrownwasplaceduponhishead,hesworetogoverntheEnglishaswellasthebestoftheirownmonarchs.Idaresayyouthink,asIdo,thatifweexcepttheGreatAlfred,hemightprettyeasilyhavedonethat.
NumbersoftheEnglishnobleshadbeenkilledinthelastdisastrousbattle.Theirestates,andtheestatesofallthenobleswhohadfoughtagainsthimthere,KingWilliamseizedupon,andgavetohisownNormanknightsandnobles.ManygreatEnglishfamiliesofthepresenttimeacquiredtheirEnglishlandsinthisway,andareveryproudofit.
Butwhatisgotbyforcemustbemaintainedbyforce.ThesenobleswereobligedtobuildcastlesalloverEngland,todefendtheirnewproperty;and,dowhathewould,theKingcouldneithersoothenorquellthenationashewished.HegraduallyintroducedtheNormanlanguageandtheNormancustoms;yet,foralongtimethegreatbodyoftheEnglishremainedsullenandrevengeful.OnhisgoingovertoNormandy,tovisithissubjectsthere,theoppressionsofhishalf-brotherODO,whomheleftinchargeofhisEnglishkingdom,drovethepeoplemad.ThemenofKenteveninvitedover,totakepossessionofDover,theiroldenemyCountEustaceofBoulogne,whohadledthefraywhentheDovermanwasslainathisownfireside.ThemenofHereford,aidedbytheWelsh,andcommandedbyachiefnamedEDRICTHEWILD,drovetheNormansoutoftheircountry.Someofthosewhohadbeendispossessedoftheirlands,bandedtogetherintheNorthofEngland;some,inScotland;
some,inthethickwoodsandmarshes;andwhensoevertheycouldfallupontheNormans,orupontheEnglishwhohadsubmittedtotheNormans,theyfought,despoiled,andmurdered,likethedesperateoutlawsthattheywere.ConspiraciesweresetonfootforageneralmassacreoftheNormans,liketheoldmassacreoftheDanes.Inshort,theEnglishwereinamurderousmoodallthroughthekingdom.
KingWilliam,fearinghemightlosehisconquest,cameback,andtriedtopacifytheLondonpeoplebysoftwords.Hethensetforthtorepressthecountrypeoplebysterndeeds.Amongthetownswhichhebesieged,andwherehekilledandmaimedtheinhabitantswithoutanydistinction,sparingnone,youngorold,armedorunarmed,wereOxford,Warwick,Leicester,Nottingham,Derby,Lincoln,York.Inalltheseplaces,andinmanyothers,fireandswordworkedtheirutmosthorrors,andmadethelanddreadfultobehold.Thestreamsandriverswerediscolouredwithblood;theskywasblackenedwithsmoke;thefieldswerewastesofashes;thewaysideswereheapedupwithdead.Sucharethefatalresultsofconquestandambition!AlthoughWilliamwasaharshandangryman,Idonotsupposethathedeliberatelymeanttoworkthisshockingruin,whenheinvadedEngland.Butwhathehadgotbythestronghand,hecouldonlykeepbythestronghand,andinsodoinghemadeEnglandagreatgrave.
TwosonsofHarold,bynameEDMUNDandGODWIN,cameoverfromIreland,withsomeships,againsttheNormans,butweredefeated.
Thiswasscarcelydone,whentheoutlawsinthewoodssoharassedYork,thattheGovernorsenttotheKingforhelp.TheKingdespatchedageneralandalargeforcetooccupythetownofDurham.TheBishopofthatplacemetthegeneraloutsidethetown,andwarnedhimnottoenter,ashewouldbeindangerthere.Thegeneralcarednothingforthewarning,andwentinwithallhismen.Thatnight,oneveryhillwithinsightofDurham,signalfireswereseentoblaze.Whenthemorningdawned,theEnglish,whohadassembledingreatstrength,forcedthegates,rushedintothetown,andslewtheNormanseveryone.TheEnglishafterwardsbesoughttheDanestocomeandhelpthem.TheDanescame,withtwohundredandfortyships.Theoutlawednoblesjoinedthem;theycapturedYork,anddrovetheNormansoutofthatcity.Then,WilliambribedtheDanestogoaway;andtooksuchvengeanceontheEnglish,thatalltheformerfireandsword,smokeandashes,deathandruin,werenothingcomparedwithit.Inmelancholysongs,anddolefulstories,itwasstillsungandtoldbycottagefiresonwinterevenings,ahundredyearsafterwards,how,inthosedreadfuldaysoftheNormans,therewasnot,fromtheRiverHumbertotheRiverTyne,oneinhabitedvillageleft,noronecultivatedfield-
howtherewasnothingbutadismalruin,wherethehumancreaturesandthebeastslaydeadtogether.
Theoutlawshad,atthistime,whattheycalledaCampofRefuge,inthemidstofthefensofCambridgeshire.Protectedbythosemarshygroundswhichweredifficultofapproach,theylayamongthereedsandrushes,andwerehiddenbythemiststhatroseupfromthewateryearth.Now,therealsowas,atthattime,overtheseainFlanders,anEnglishmannamedHEREWARD,whosefatherhaddiedinhisabsence,andwhosepropertyhadbeengiventoaNorman.WhenheheardofthiswrongthathadbeendonehimfromsuchoftheexiledEnglishaschancedtowanderintothatcountry,helongedforrevenge;andjoiningtheoutlawsintheircampofrefuge,becametheircommander.Hewassogoodasoldier,thattheNormanssupposedhimtobeaidedbyenchantment.William,evenafterhehadmadearoadthreemilesinlengthacrosstheCambridgeshiremarshes,onpurposetoattackthissupposedenchanter,thoughtitnecessarytoengageanoldlady,whopretendedtobeasorceress,tocomeanddoalittleenchantmentintheroyalcause.Forthispurposeshewaspushedonbeforethetroopsinawoodentower;butHerewardverysoondisposedofthisunfortunatesorceress,byburningher,towerandall.ThemonksoftheconventofElynearathand,however,whowerefondofgoodliving,andwhofounditveryuncomfortabletohavethecountryblockadedandtheirsuppliesofmeatanddrinkcutoff,showedtheKingasecretwayofsurprisingthecamp.SoHerewardwassoondefeated.Whetherheafterwardsdiedquietly,orwhetherhewaskilledafterkillingsixteenofthemenwhoattackedhimassomeoldrhymesrelatethathedid,Icannotsay.HisdefeatputanendtotheCampofRefuge;and,verysoonafterwards,theKing,victoriousbothinScotlandandinEngland,quelledthelastrebelliousEnglishnoble.
HethensurroundedhimselfwithNormanlords,enrichedbythepropertyofEnglishnobles;hadagreatsurveymadeofallthelandinEngland,whichwasenteredasthepropertyofitsnewowners,onarollcalledDoomsdayBook;obligedthepeopletoputouttheirfiresandcandlesatacertainhoureverynight,ontheringingofabellwhichwascalledTheCurfew;introducedtheNormandressesandmanners;madetheNormansmasterseverywhere,andtheEnglish,servants;turnedouttheEnglishbishops,andputNormansintheirplaces;andshowedhimselftobetheConquerorindeed.
But,evenwithhisownNormans,hehadarestlesslife.TheywerealwayshungeringandthirstingfortherichesoftheEnglish;andthemorehegave,themoretheywanted.Hispriestswereasgreedyashissoldiers.WeknowofonlyoneNormanwhoplainlytoldhismaster,theKing,thathehadcomewithhimtoEnglandtodohisdutyasafaithfulservant,andthatpropertytakenbyforcefromothermenhadnocharmsforhim.HisnamewasGUILBERT.Weshouldnotforgethisname,foritisgoodtorememberandtohonourhonestmen.
Besidesallthesetroubles,WilliamtheConquerorwastroubledbyquarrelsamonghissons.Hehadthreeliving.ROBERT,calledCURTHOSE,becauseofhisshortlegs;WILLIAM,calledRUFUSortheRed,fromthecolourofhishair;andHENRY,fondoflearning,andcalled,intheNormanlanguage,BEAUCLERC,orFine-Scholar.WhenRobertgrewup,heaskedofhisfatherthegovernmentofNormandy,whichhehadnominallypossessed,asachild,underhismother,MATILDA.TheKingrefusingtograntit,Robertbecamejealousanddiscontented;andhappeningoneday,whileinthistemper,toberidiculedbyhisbrothers,whothrewwateronhimfromabalconyashewaswalkingbeforethedoor,hedrewhissword,rushedup-