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ORDERICUS VITALIS.
THE
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
ENGLAND AND NORMANDY,
ORDERICUS VITALIS.
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AND THE INTRODUCTION OF GUIZOT,
BY THOMAS FORESTER, M.A. '
VOL. II.
LONDON:
HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
MDCCCLIV.
D(\
MAY 15 1956
THE
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
OP
ORDERICUS VITALIS.
> BOOK IV.
CH. I. The Conqueror founds two abbeys at Caen, and Battle
abbey — Restores order in England — The great English
nobles submit — Aggrandizes his Norman followers.
IN the time of Pope Alexander II.,1 many states throughout
the world were a prey to severe calamities ; the nations
plunging into furious contests to their mutual ruin. This
was particularly the case with the western states, which
suffered great disasters. On the death of those excellent
kings, Henry of France, and Edward of England, the
French and English had long reason to lament their loss, as
the princes who succeeded were little like them for virtue
and gentleness of disposition. When these fathers of their
country were removed, they were followed by tyrants who
abused the royal authority. England, stained by the cruel-
ties and perjury of Harold, fell to decay, and deprived of its
race of native kings, became a prey to foreign adventurers,
the adherents of William the Conqueror, presenting a
melancholy subject for the pen of the feeling historian.
Writers of learning and eloquence found ample materials
for several works, having lived for many years at the court
of King William, and had opportunities of observing all he
did, and the varied and illustrious events of his reign; they
were privy to his most secret counsels, and by his muni-
1 September 30, 1061— April 20, 1073.
VOL. II. B
2 OHDEEICTJS VITALIS. [B.IV. CII.I.
ficence rose to wealth and eminence, to \vhich their origin
gave them no pretensions. The churches he erected, or
which were built in his time to the glory of God, both in
Normandy and England, are noble monuments of his devo-
tion and his liberality in providing for the service of God,
and have left to posterity an example worthy of their
imitation. His piety led him also to found a number of
monasteries, and to enlarge those which he and others had
already built, liberally endowing them with ample pos-
sessions, and taking them under his protection against all
adversaries. The two convents he founded at Caen, the
one for monks the other for nuns, are special witnesses of
his munificence. They were both erected in honour of the
King Eternal, while he himself was yet a duke only, select-
ing one for his own tomb, the other for that of his consort.1
The war in England being terminated, his enemies having
submitted to his victorious arms, and the royal crown being
placed on his head at London, William founded at Senlac,
where the decisive battle was fought, the abbey of the Holy
Trinity,3 endowing it with revenues and domains fitting a
royal foundation. Goisbert, a pious monk of Marmoutier,
was appointed the first abbot,3 under whose rule monastic
order and regular discipline were duly established. The
monastery at Marmoutier, begun by the most holy Martin,
bishop of Tours, became by God's grace an increasing semi-
nary of excellent men. In our times Albert and Bartho-
lomew, Bernard, and Hilgot, and afterwards William of
1 The abbey of the Holy Trinity was founded in 1066, and the church
dedicated on the 18th of June of the same year. The foundations of the
abbey of St. Stephen were also laid before the conquest, through tlie
exertions of Lanfranc, who became the first fibbot, but the works were
carried on much more slowly, and it was not consecrated until the 13th of
December, 1077.
* This abbey has always been better known as Sanctus Martinus de
Delta, or Battle Abbey. William determined, notwithstanding the opposi-
tion of the monks, to build it on the field of battle, so much, that the high
altar was placed on the spot where tbe body of Harold was found after the
battle, as some say, but as others, where the royal standard was taken.
Part of the church was built of Caen stone, until a quarry was discovered
in the neighbourhood.
3 The first abbot of Battle was not Goisbert, but Robert Blancard, who
was drowned in returning from Marmoutier. Goisbert succeeded him in
1076, nine years after the foundation of the abbey.
A.D. 1067 — 1068.] WILLIAM'S ADMINISTRATION. 3
Nantz, were abbots of that monastery;1 men by -whose
sanctity and virtues numbers were benefited, and whose
fame was diffused not only throughout the neighbourhood,
but in foreign countries. After Goisbert's death, Henry,
the prior of Canterbury, was promoted to the government of
Battle Abbey, an office which he worthily filled. On his
decease, he was succeeded by Eodolph, prior of Rochester,2
who was before a monk of Caen. He directed all his efforts by
a zeal for holiness and sound doctrine to secure his welfare
and that of his contemporaries, and persisted with ardour
in his spiritual exercises to a good old age. At length the
aged monk departed happily out of this world to God his
maker, in the 25th year of the reign of Henry, king of
England.
After his coronation at London, King William ordered
many affairs with prudence, justice, and clemency. Some
of these concerned the profit and honour of that city, others
were for the advantage of the whole nation, and the rest
were intended for the benefit of the church. He enacted
some laws founded on admirable principles. No suitor ever
demanded justice of this king without obtaining it : he con-
demned none but those whom it would have been unjust to
acquit. He enjoined his nobles to comport themselves with
grave dignity, joining activity to right judgment, having
constantly before their eyes the Eternal King who had
given them the victory. He forbade their oppressing the
conquered, reminding them that they were their own
equals by their Christian profession, and that they must be
cautious not to excite revolt by their unjust treatment of
those whom they had fairly subdued. He prohibited all
riotous assemblages, murder, and robbery, and as he
restrained the people by force of arms, he set bounds to
arms by the laws. The taxes and all things concerning the
royal revenues were so regulated as not to be burdensome
to the people. Bobbers, plunderers, and malefactors had
no asylum in his dominions. Merchants found the ports
and highways open, and were protected against injury.
1 Albert, 1037—1063 or 1064; Bartholomew, 1063 or 1064—1084;
Bernard, 1084—1100; Helgot, 1100—1105; William de Nantz (of which
he had been archdeacon), 1105 — 1124.
2 Prior of the cathedral church of St. Andrew at Rochester.
B 2
4 OBDEBICUS VITALTS. [u.IY. CH. I.
Thus the first acts of his reign were all excellent, and
eminent for the great benefits flowing from good government
conferred on his subjects, which were confirmed by perse-
verance in a right course, with plain indications of a suc-
cessful result.
The king, quitting London, spent some days at Barking,1
a place not far off, while some fortifications were completed
in the city for defence against any outbreak by the fierce
and numerous population. Edward and Morcar. the sons
of Earl Algar, and the most powerful of the English nobles
from their birth and possessions, now came to the king,
asking his pardon, if in aught they had offended him, and
submitting themselves and all they had to his mercy. Then
Earl Coxo,3 a nobleman of singular courage and prudence,
Turkil of Lime,4 Siward and Aldred, sons of Ethelgar,5 the
late king's grandson, with Edric surnamed Guilda, that is,
"The Wild,"6 nephew of the infamous prince surnamed
Streone, that is, " The Rapacious," and many others of high
rank and great wealth made their peace with William, and
taking the oath of fealty, were honourably restored to their
respective domainsi The king then made a progress through
several parts of the kingdom, making regulations to the
1 Or Berkhampstead ? The Tower of London was built after the plan
of the old Tower at Rouen, says Pommeraye in an inedited note to the
text of Ordericus Vitalis.
1 Edwin, earl of Mercia, and Morcar, earl of Northumbria. All the
other historians agree in describing the submission of these powerful earls
to have been made at Berkhampstead.
1 Coxo. His real name was Copsi. Though he governed all the country
north of the Tyne, under Morcar, it does not appear that he ever received
the title of earl himself.
4 Not Lyme Regis in Dorsetshire. Most probably this Tutkil was son
of Alwine, vicount of Warwickshire, who, according to Dugdale, styled
himself in the reign of William Rufus, Turkil de Earden, from the forest
of Arden. He held twenty-one manors. The name given him by our
author may be derived from Leming-tun, now Leamington Priors, on the
river Learn.
* This Siward is the same person as Siward Barn, who shut himself up
in the isle of Ely in 1071, with Earl Morcar and Bishop Egelwin. He
possessed a great nuirber of manors before the conquest. We do not find
any such person as Etheljrar, a nephew of King Edward, but there was an
Ethel ward banished by Canute in 1020, who may have been the same,
having one of Edward's three sisters for his mother.
• The domains of Edric were in the county of Hereford; as to the
infamous assassin, his father, see what is said in vol. i. p. 148.
A.D. 1067.] WILLIAM BETURNS TO EOEMANDY. 5
mutual advantage of himself and the inhabitants of the
country. He gave the custody of castles to some of his
bravest Normans, distributing among them vast possessions
as inducements to undergo cheerfully the toils and perils of
defending them.
He built a strong castle within the walls of "Winchester,
a fortified and wealthy city contiguous to the sea, and
placing in it William Fitz-Osbern, the best officer in his
army, made him his lieutenant in the south of the kingdom.
Dover and all Kent he committed to his brother Odo,
bishop of Bayeux, a prelate distinguished by great liberality
and worldly activity. These two were entrusted with the
chief government of the realm of England ; and he joined
with them Hugh de Grantmesnil, Hugh Montfort, William
de Warrene, and other brave warriors. Some of them
governed their vassals well ; but others, wanting prudence,
shamefully oppressed them.
CH. II. Rejoicings on William's arrival in Normandy —
Abbey churches consecrated — Death of Maurilius, arch-
bishop of Rouen — His epitaph, and successor.
THE king, having thus provided for the security of the
kingdom, rode to Pevensey, where many English knights
assembled to meet him. Here the stipendiary soldiers who
were returning to their own countries received handsome
pay. Bang William then set sail in the month of March,
and crossed the sea in safety to his native dominions. He
took with him, in honourable attendance, Stigand the arch-
bishop, Edgar Etheling, cousin of King Edward, and the
three powerful earls, Edwin, Morcar, and Waltheof,1 with
Ethelnoth, governor of Canterbury, and several others of
high rank and most graceful person. The king adopted a
courteous policy in thus preventing these great lords from
plotting a change during his absence, and the people would
be less able to rebel when deprived of their chiefs. Besides,
it gave him an opportunity of displaying his wealth and
honours in Normandy to the English nobles, while he de-
tained as a sort of hostages those whose influence and
safety had great weight with their countrymen.
The arrival of King William with all this worldly pomp
1 Wiiltheof held the earldoms of Northampton and Huntingdon.
6 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.IV. CH.II.
filled the whole of Normandy with rejoicings. The season
was still wintry, and it was Lent ; but the bishops and
abbots began the festivals belonging to Easter, wherever the
new king came in his progress ; nothing was omitted which
is customary in doing honour to such occasions, and every-
thing new they could invent was added. This zeal was
recompensed, on the king's part, by magnificent offerings of
rich palls, large sums in gold, and other valuables to the
altars and servants of Christ. Those churches also which
he could not visit in person were made partakers of the
general joy by the gifts he sent to them.
The feast of Easter1 was kept at the abbey of the Holy
Trinity at Fecamp, where a great number of bishops, abbots,
and nobles assembled. Earl Eadulph, father-in-law of
Philip king of France2 with many of the French nobility,
were also there beholding with curiosity the long-haired
natives of English-Britain, and admiring the garments of
gold tissue, enriched with bullion, worn by the king and his
courtiers. They also were greatly struck with the beauty of
the gold and silver plate, and the horns tipped with gold at
both extremities. The French remarked many things of
this sort of a royal magnificence, the novelty of which made
them the subject of observation when they returned home.
After Easter, the king caused the church of St. Mary on
the Dive to be consecrated,3 at which he himself reverently
assisted, with a great attendance both of the nobles and com-
monalty, on the calends [1st] of May. He there pro-
claimed by a herald, ordinances which were very beneficial
to his whole people. On the calends [1st] of July, he
ordered the consecration of the church of St. Mary at
Jumieges, and was present himself at the holy ceremony.4
He made large endowments on both of these churches out
of his own domains, and devoutly assisted at the celebration
of the holy mysteries. Maurilius, archbishop of Rouen,
with his suffragan bishops, humbly and reverently performed
1 Easter fell this year on the 8th of April.
* Ralph the Great, count of Valois.
3 The abbey of Notre-Dame, at St. Pierre-sur-Dive, was founded in
1046.
* The nave of this church, begun by Robert Champert in 1040, is still
standing.
A.D. 1067.] DEATH OF AECIIBISHOP MAUBILIL'S. 7
the consecration, and shortly afterwards took to his bed in
the twelfth year of his episcopate. Having fulfilled all the
duties of a devout servant of God, he departed to him
whom he had long served on the 5th of the ides [9th] of
August. His body was conveyed to the cathedral church,
which five years before [the first indiction] he had dedicated
to St. Mary, mother of God, and it was there interred with
high honours before the crucifix.1 His epitaph, composed
by Richard, son of Herluin, a canon of that church, and
inscribed in letters of gold on a plate of brass, runs thus : —
Men of Rouen ! drop a tear
On your honour'd Maurille's bier :
Monk and bishop, such the claim
Of that venerable name.
Lordly Rheims beheld his birth,
Academic Liege his worth,
While he wisdom's treasures gain'd,
From her triple fountain drain'd.
Citizens ! to him endear"d,
'Twas for you this fane he rear'd ;
Rais'd its pillar'd arches high,
Fill'd it with sweet minstrelsy,
And, amid your joyous throng,
Led the holy prayer and song.
Scarcely past the sacred mirth,
In the consecrated earth
Maurille's honour'd relics rest ;
While his soul is with the blest,
And, released from mortal clay
On the eve of Laurent's day,
Borne to mansions in the sky,
Keeps the laurelled feaat on high.
After the death of Maurilius, the church of Rouen elected
Lanfranc, abbot of Caen, archbishop, a choice which King
William with his nobles and the whole people gladly con-
firmed. But full of devotion to God and unfeigned humility,
Lanfranc refused to take upon himself the burden of this
' This expression always means the crucifix placed between the choir
and the nave. That Maurillius was interred between the choir and the
principal nave of the cathedral at Rouen, appears still from an inscription
near his tomb. This prelate was a native of Rheims, and had governed an
abbey at Florence. The consecration here spoken of by our author was
celebrated in the month of October, 1 063.
8 OBDEMCUS YITALIS. [fi.IV. CH.II.
high dignity, and used all his influence for the promotion to
it of John, bishop of Avranches.1 That this might be
canonically accomplished, he went to Borne and obtained
from Pope Alexander a licence for bishop John's conse-
cration, and brought back with the licence the pallium,
which conferred so much honour on himself and the whole
of Normandy.
In consequence John was translated from the see of
Avranches, which he had filled seven years and three months,
to the metropolitan chair of Eouen. He was animated by a
lively zeal for virtue both in his words and actions, and like
Phineas, his hatred of vice was fervent. As for worldly
honour, his birth was most illustrious, being a son of Kalph,
count of Baieux, the uterine brother of Eichard the elder,
duke of Normandy.2 He governed the metropolitan see
with firmness and activity ten years, taking severe measures
to separate incontinent priests from their concubines; and
when in a synod he prohibited their intercourse under pain
of excommunication, he was assailed with stones, and
forced to make his escape, on which occasion when flying
from the church he intoned with a loud voice the verse :
" 0 God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance." *
John was succeeded at Avranches by an Italian named
Michael, a prelate of great learning, and venerable for his
religious zeal, who was raised by canonical election to the
see of Avranches. He worthily filled the pastoral office
more than twenty years, and after a happy old age, died
in the time of i)uke Eobert. At his death Turgis was
1 John, surnamed d'Avranches, became bishop of Avranches in Sept.
1060; and archbishop of Rouen in 1067. He was celebrated for his
quarrels with the monks of St. Ouen, and for his great arrogance.
1 Ralph, count d'lvri and de Bayeux, was uterine brother of Richard I.,
aa being son of his mother, Sprote, and Asperleng, a rich miller of Vau-
dreuil (says the continuator of William de Jumieges), to whom she was
married after the death of William Longsword. This union may appear
leas disproportioned when it is recollected that she was only the duke's
concubine, he having a lawful wife, the .duchess Leutgarde, who after his
death married Theobald, count de Chartres. However this may be, this
count Ralph played a distinguished part in the court of his brother and
his nephew.
1 Psalm Ixxiz. 1. The acts of this synod, which caused this disturb-
ance, will be found in a further part of this work, under the year 107'2.
A.D. 1067.] THK ENOLIST EEVOLT. 9
appointed, and has now held that bishopric almost thirty
years.1
CH. III. Norman oppression. — The English secretly form
conspiracies. — Large bodies emigrate to Constantinople and
join the emperor's body-quard. — Attempt of Eustace, count
of Boulogne, to surprise Dover Castle.
MEANWHILE the English were oppressed by the insolence
of the Normans, and subjected to grievous outrages by the
haughty governors who disregarded the king's injunctions.
The chiefs of inferior rank, who had the custody of the
castles, treated the natives, both gentle and simple, with
the utmost scorn, and levied on them most unjust exactions.
Bishop Odo himself, and William Fitz-Osbern, the king's
lieutenants, puffed up with pride, gave no heed to the
reasonable complaints of his English subjects and disdained
to weigh them in the balance of equity. They screened
their men-at-arms who most outrageously robbed the people
and ravished the women, and those, only incurred their
wrath who were driven by these grievous affronts to be loud
in their remonstrances. The English deeply lamented the
loss of their freedom, and took secret counsel how they
might best shake off a yoke so insupportable, and to which
they were so little accustomed. They accordingly sent a
message to Sweyn,2 king of Denmark, entreating him to take
measures for recovering the crown of England, which his
ancestors Sweyn and Canute had formerly won by their vic-
torious arms. Some went into voluntary exile, either to
free themselves from the domination of their Norman
masters, or for the purpose of obtaining foreign aid to
renew the contest with their conquerors. Some, the very
flower of the English youth, made their way to distant
regions, and served valiantly in the armies of Alexius,
emperor of Constantinople,3 a prince of great sagacity and
: Michael was bishop of Avranches A.D. 1067 — 1094 ; Turgis, his
successor, 1094 — 1138. It appears, therefore, that this passage was written
in 1124.
8 Sweyn II. (Erickson), April 28, 1044—1074 or 1076. He was not a
ck'scondant of Canute the Great in the direct line, but hw nephew. His
mother, Estrith, married first Richard II., duke of Normandy, who
divorced her.
* There is no more certain fact than the existence of a corps of Danen,
10 OUDEEICTTS TITALTS. [B.IT. CH.1II.
astonishing munificence. Being attacked by Robert Guis-
card, duke of Apulia, with all his force in support of Michael,
•whom the Greeks hnd expelled from the imperial throne for
the despotism of his government, the English exiles met a
favourable reception, and were arrayed in arms against the
Norman bands with which the Greeks were unable to cope.
The emperor Alexius laid the foundations of a town called
Chevetot,1 beyond Byzantium, for his English troops, but as
the Normans gave them great annoyance in that post, he
recalled them to the imperial city, and committed to their
guard his principal palace and the royal treasure. In this way
the Anglo-Saxons settled in Ionia, they and their posterity
becoming faithfully attached to the holy empire, and having
gained great honour in Thrace, continue to the present day,
beloved by the emperor, senate, and people.
Provoked to rebellion by every sort of oppression on the
part of the Normans, the English sent messengers to Eustace,
count of Boulogne, inviting him to despatch a powerful fleet
to take Dover by surprise. They were formerly much at
variance with Eustace, but as differences had now risen
between him and the king, and they knew by fatal experi-
ence that he was a skilful and fortunate commander, they
Norwegians, and English in the service of the Greek emperors, who formed
their body-guard. They were armed with battle-axes, were exceedingly
brave and faithful, and possessed great privileges. They are called by tho
Greek historians Varanges or Baranges, a word of northern derivation,
signifying warrior (waring), and found in Normandy as a family name,
and in names of places, as Warrene, Varingeville. This body of Varangi
were employed at Constantinople so long back as the reign of the emperor
Michael the Paphlagonian, 1034 — 1041, and consequently at a time far
preceding that in which our author places the English exiles among them,
or the battle of Hastings. No doubt, the original band were Danes or
Norwegians, and the English were incorporated with them, as they suc-
cessively withdrew from the Norman yoke. Besides, the great body of the
English who adhered to Harold were of Dano-Norwegian extraction, as
indeed two thirds of the inhabitants of the north of England then were,
and it was quite natural for them to join their countrymen at Constantinople
with the allurements of high pay and distinction. In the end, their num-
bers became so great, that several Greek writers speak of the Varangi as
exclusively English.
1 The Chevetot of our author is called by Villehardoun, Chivetoi, and he
informs us that it was situated on the Gulf of Nicomedia, in the neighbour-
hood of Nice. The true name is Ki/3wroc. Ducange thinks that Alexis
Conme;j;ug only rebuilt the city, which was of older date.
AJ>. 1067 — 1068.] DOVER ASSAULTED. 11
were reconciled to him, and used their utmost efforts to
wrest Dover castle from the royal garrison and deliver it to
Eustace. He no sooner received the message of the Ken-
tish-men, than, his fleet being in readiness, he embarked his
troops and made a quick passage in the dead of the night,
hoping to find the garrison off their guard. He had with
him many knights, but all their horses were left behind,
except a very few. The whole neighbourhood was in arms,
and especially a strong body of Kentish-men who seconded
Eustace's attack with all their might. The bishop of Bayeux
and Hugh de Mountfort, who were principally charged with
the defence of the coast, were on the other side of the
Thames, and had drawn off with them the main part of the
troops. If the siege had been prolonged for two days, a
large body of the enemy would have assembled from a dis-
tance. But while the assailants made desperate attacks up-
on the place, the garrison were prepared for an obstinate
defence, and offered a determined resistance at the points
most open to attack. The conflict was maintained with fury
on both sides for some hours of the day. But Eustace
beginning to be doubtful of success, and being apprehensive
of a sally by the besieged, which might force him to a more
shameful retreat, gave the signal for retiring to the ships.
Upon this the garrison immediately opened the gates, and
falling on the rear-guard with spirit, but in good order,
killed a great many of them. The fugitives, panic-struck by
a report that the bishop of Bayeux had unexpectedly arrived
with a strong force, threw themselves in their alarm among
the crevices of the perpendicular cliffs, and so perished with
more disgrace than if they had fallen by the sword. Many
were the forms of death to which their defeat exposed them,
many, throwing away their arms, were killed by falling on
the sharp rocks ; others, slipping down, destroyed themselves
and their comrades by their own weapons ; and many, mor-
tally wounded, or bruised by their fall, rolled yet breathing
into the sea ; many more, escaping breathless with haste to
the ships, were so eager to reach a place of safety that they
crowded the vessels till they upset them and were drowned
on the spot. The Norman cavalry took prisoners or slew as
many as they could overtake. Eustace escaped by having the
advantage of a fleet horse, his knowledge of the road, and
12 ORDEBICUS TITAHS. [B.IV. CH.III.
finding a ship ready to put to sea. His nephew, a noble
youth who bore arms for the first time, was taken prisoner.
The English escaped through by-roads, the garrison of the
castle being too few in number to pursue a multitude who
thus dispersed themselves.
Not long afterwards Count Eustace effected a reconcilia-
tion with King William, and enjoyed his friendship for many
years afterwards. This count's origin was most illustrious,
as he was a descendant of Charlemagne, the mightiest king
of the Franks. His power also was very great, he being
sovereign prince of the three counties of Boulogne, Guines,
and Terouanne.1 He married Ida,2 a noble and religious
woman, who was sister of Godfrey, duke of Lorraine. She
bore him three sous, Godfrey, Baldwin, and Eustace, and a
daughter who married Henry IV., emperor of Germany.
While most of the English, sighing for their ancient liber-
ties, were plotting rebellion for the purpose of recovering
them, there were numbers of that nation who kept the faith
they had pledged to God, and were obedient to the king whom
he had set up, according to the apostle's precept : " Fear God,
honour the king."8 Earl Copsi, one of the most distin-
guished of the English nobles both by birth and power, and
still more by his singular prudence and entire honesty of pur-
pose, faithfully adhered to King William, and espoused his
cause with much zeal. His owu vassals were, however, very
far from following his example, being determined supporters
and friends of the malcontents. They therefore assailed
him in every way, using prayers, threats, and protestations,
to induce him to desert the party of the foreigners and
second the wishes of good men of his own race and nation.
But finding that his mind was too firmly fixed in the right
1 Eustace, second of the name, count de Boulogne, about 1049 — 1093,
was indeed descended from Charlemagne by his mother, Maud of Louvain.
As to his being count of Terouanne, no such title appears, and Guines
belonged to Baldwin I., count d'Ardres. Eustace's first wife was Goda,
sister of Edward the Confessor, whom he married in 1050.
2 Ida of Ardenne, daughter of Godfrey le Barbu, duke of Lower Lor-
raine, was married to Eustace II. in December, 1057, and died in the
odour of sanctity the 13th of August, 1113. Her only children were
Godfrey de Bouillon, Eustace III., and Baldwin I., king of Jerusalem
after his eldest brother.
1 1 Peter ii. 17.
A.D. 1068.] WILLIAM EETTJENS TO ENGLAND. 13
course to be diverted from its purpose, his country neigh-
bours rose against him, and he was treacherously slain on
account of his devoted fidelity.1 This excellent man thus
sealed with his blood the truth that their lord's dignity
ought always to be respected by loyal subjects.
Then Aldred, primate of Tork, and some other bishops,
rendered themselves serviceable to the king, in obedience to
justice, remembering the admonition of the wise man :
"My son, fear God and the king."2 At the same time
some of the most discreet citizens of the towns, and noble
knights of distinguished names and wealth, with many of the
commonalty, espoused the cause of the Normans against
their own countrymen with great zeal.
Meanwhile, King William was employing his residence in
Normandy to provide carefully for its tranquillity during a
long period. With the advice of wise counsellors, he
enacted just laws, and rendered equal justice to the poor as
well as the rich. He selected the best men for judges and
governors in all the provinces of Normandy. He freed the
holy monasteries and the domains granted to them from all
unjust exactions, by royal privileges and charters of
protection. He proclaimed by the voice of heralds security
to all, both natives and foreigners, throughout his dominions,
and at the same time the severest penalties against thieves,
rioters, and those who broke the peace of the country.
Cn. IV. William returns to England — Overawes the mal-
contents— Besieges Exeter — Queen Jtfatilda comes over and
is crowned — The English nobles break into open rebellion.
WHILE the king was thus occupied, reports reached him
from beyond sea, and, mingling evil with his best hopes,
caused him great disquietude ; for, the disaifection of the
English, joined by the efforts of the Danes and other
barbarous nations, threatened the Normans with great
losses. Leaving the government of Normandy to his Queen
1 He was assassinated at Newburn, about the middle of March, 1068,
by Osulf, his predecessor in his government. Copsi, attacked by surprise,
took refuge in a church, which was set on fire, and when he attempted to
escnpe from the flames, Osulf stabbed him.
3 Proverbs xxiv. 21.
14 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.IT. CH.IT.
Matilda, and his young son Robert,1 with a council of
religious prelates and valiant nobles to be guardians of the
state. He then rode on the night of the 6th of December
to the mouth of the river of Dieppe, below the town of
Arques,2 and, setting sail with a south wind in the first
watch of the cold night, reached in the morning, after a most
prosperous voyage, the harbour on the opposite coast called
Winchelsea. Hitherto the wintry winds had made the sea
very tempestuous, but the church was then celebrating the
feast of St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra, and prayers were
offered in Normandy on behalf of their pious prince. The
providence of God, therefore, which conducts all those it
favours when and where it wills, brought the good king to a
port of safety, amid the storms of winter. In his present
voyage he was attended by Roger de Montgomery,3 who, at
the time of his former expedition to invade England, was
left, with his wife, governor of Normandy. The king first
conferred on him the earldoms of Chichester and Arundel,
and, after a time, made him earl of Shrewsbury.
On the king's landing he was well received by the English,
and entertained with fitting honours, both by the monks and
secular officers. He kept the feast of Christmas at London,
treating the English bishops and nobles with great courtesy.
He received each with open arms, gave them the kiss of
welcome, and was affable to all. When they made any
request it was graciously granted, and he listened favourably
to what they reported or advised. By these arts the numbers
of the treasonably disposed were reduced. While he some-
times gave instructions to the Normans with equal care and
1 This prince could not have been older than thirteen years at this time
(A.D. 1067), as he died in 1134, at the age of eighty, at Cardiff Castle,
where he was detained prisoner by his brother after the battle of Tin-
chebrai, and if he was then, as it is supposed, twenty-four, he must have
been born in 1054. It appears by a charter of Srigand de Mesidon, that
he was declared by William his successor in the duchy of Normandy as
early as 1 063 ; and this charter bore his signature, though he was not then
more than nine years old.
2 The river Dieppe, which gave its name to the town built at its mouth
after this voyage, is now called the Bethune to its junction with the river
at Arques.
3 Ordericus's father probably accompanied his patron on this occasion,
and remained in England with him, where our author, who seems proud to
style himself an Englishman, was born about five years afterwards.
A.D. 1068.] SIEGE OF EXETEB. 15
address, at others he privately warned the English to be
continually on their guard, in all quarters, against the crafty
designs of their enemies. All the cities and provinces
which he had himself visited or had occupied with garrisons,
obeyed his will ; but, on the frontiers of the kingdom, in the
northern and western districts, the same wild independence
prevailed which formerly made the people insubordinate
except when they pleased, to the kings of England in the
times of Edward and his predecessors.
Exeter was the first to contend for freedom, but being
attacked with vigour by powerful troops it was compelled to
submit. It is a rich and ancient city, built in a plain, and
fortified with much care, being distant about two miles from
the sea coast, where it is reached by the shortest passage from
Ireland or Brittany. The townsmen held it in great force,
raging furiously, both young and old, against all Frenchmen.
In their zeal they had invited allies from the neighbouring
districts, had detained foreign merchants who were fit for
war, and built or repaired walls and towers, and added
whatever was reckoned wanting to their defences. They
had also engaged other towns, by envoys they sent, to join in
league with them, and prepared to oppose with all their
strength the foreign king, with whom before they had no
connection. When the king heard of these proceedings, he
commanded the chief citizens to take the oath of fealty to
him. But they returned this reply : " We will neither
swear allegiance to the king, nor admit him within our walls ;
but will pay him tribute, according to ancient custom." To
this, the king gave this answer : " It does not suit me to
have subjects 011 such conditions." He then marched an
army into their territories, and in that expedition called out
the English for the first time. The elders of the city, when
they learned that the king's army was approaching near,
went out to meet him, entreating for peace, promising to
obey all his commands, and offering him such hostages as he
required. When, however, they returned to their fellow
citizens, who were in great alarm at the guilt they had
incurred, they found them still determined to persist in
their hostilities, and for various reasons roused themselves to
stand on their defence. The king, who had halted four
16 ORDEEICTTS YTTALIS. [B.IT. CH.IT.
miles from the city, was filled with anger and surprise on
receiving this intelligence.
In the first place, therefore, he advanced with five hundred
horse to reconnoitre the place and the fortifications, and to
ascertain what the enemy was doing. He found the gates
shut, and crowds of people posted on the outworks, and
round the whole circuit of the walls. In consequence, by
the king's order, the whole army moved to the city, and one
of the hostages had his eyes put out before the gate. But
the mad obstinacy of the people neither yielded to fear nor
to commiseration for the fate of the other hostages ; but
strengthened itself in the determination to defend themselves
and their homes to the last. The king therefore strongly
invested the city on all sides, assaulted it with the utmost
force of his arms, and for many days continued his attacks
on the townsmen stationed on the walls, and his efforts to
undermine them from beneath.1 At length the chief
citizens were compelled, by the resolute assaults of the
enemy, to have recourse to wiser counsels, and humbling
themselves, to implore mercy, a procession of the most lovely
of the young women, the elders of the city, and the clergy,
carrying the sacred books and holy ornaments, went out to
the king. Having humbly prostrated themselves at his feet,
the king, with great moderation, extended his clemency to
the repentant people, and pardoned their offences as if he
had forgotten their obstinate resistance to his authority,
and that they had before treated with insult and cruelty
some knights he had sent from Normandy, and who were
driven by a storm into their port. The citizens of Exeter
were full of joy, and gave thanks to God at finding that, after
so much anger and such terrible threats, they had made
their peace with the foreign king better than they expected.
William refrained from confiscating their goods, and posted
strong and trusty bands of soldiers at the city gates, that the
army might not force an entrance, in a body, and pillage
the citizens. He then selected a spot within the walls for
erecting a castle, and left there Baldwin de Meules, son of
Count Gislebert, and other knights of eminence to complete
the works and garrison the place. Continuing his march
afterwards into Cornwall, the furthest extremity of Britain,3
1 The siege lasted eighteen days. a " Cornu- Britannia."
A.D. 1068.] QUEE5" MATILDA. CEOWXED. 17
and having everywhere restored order by his sudden move-
ments, he disbanded his army, and returned to Guent1 in
time for the vacation at the feast of Easter.
In the year of our Lord, 1068,2 King William sent persons
of high rank to Normandy to bring over his queen Matilda,
who quickly obeyed her husband's commands with a willing
mind, and crossed the sea with a great attendance of
knights and noble women. Among the clergy who were
attached to her court for the performance of sacred offices,
the most distinguished was Guy, bishop of Amiens, who
had composed a poem on the battle between Harold and
"William.3 Aldred, archbishop of York, who had crowned
and anointed her husband, consecrated Matilda to partake
in the honours of royalty, at the feast of Whitsuntide, in
the second year of William's reign. Being now a crowned
queen, Matilda, before a year was ended, gave birth to a
son named Henry,* who was declared heir to all the king's
dominions in England. This young prince had his attention
turned to a learned education as soon as he was of age to
receive instruction, and after the death of both his parents,
had a bold career in arms. At last, having distinguished
himself by his various claims to merit, he filled his father's
throne for many years.
The same year, Edwin and Morcar, sons of Earl Algar,
and young men of great promise, broke into open rebellion,
and induced many others to fly to arms, which violently
disturbed the realm of Albion. King William, however,
came to terms with Edwin, who assured him of the
submission of his brother and of nearly a third of the
kingdom, upon which the king promised to give him his
daughter in marriage. Afterwards, however, by a fraudu-
lent decision of the Normans, and through their envy and
covetousness, the king refused to give him the princess who
was the object of his desire, and for whom he had long
waited. Being, therefore, much incensed, he and his
brother again broke into rebellion, and the greatest part of
1 " Guentam," Winchester.
2 We have found our author sometimes reckon the commencement of
thf year from Christmas ; he, begins this from Easter.
1 See vol. i. p. 492.
4 Afterwards King Henry I., surnamed Deuu-elere.
VOL. II. C
18 OEDEEICUS YITALI3. [B.IT. CU.1T.
the English and AVelsh followed their standard. The two
brothers were zealous in the worship of God, and respected
good men. They were remarkably handsome, their relations
were of high birth and very numerous, their estates were
vast and gave them immense power, and their popularity
great. The clergy and monks offered continual prayers on
their behalf, and crowds of poor daily supplications.
Earl Algar had founded a monastery at Coventry,1 and
amply endowed it with large revenues for the subsistence of
the monks belonging to it. The countess Godiva also, a
devout lady, had contributed all her wealth to the monastery,
and employed goldsmiths to convert all the gold and silver
she possessed into sacred tapestries, and crosses, and images
of saints, and other ecclesiastical ornaments of wonderful
beauty, which she devoutly distributed. These excellent
parents, thus devoted to God and praiseworthy for their
piety, had a fine family which merited the greatest distinc-
tion, viz., Edwin, Morcar, and a daughter named Edith, who
was first married to Griffith, king of Wales, and after his
death to Harold, king of England.2
At the time when the Normans had crushed the English, and
were overwhelming them with intolerable oppressions Blethyn,
king of Wales,3 came to the aid of his uncles, at the head of a
large body of Britons. A general assembly was now held
of the chief men of the English and Welsh, at which uni-
versal complaints were made of the outrages and tyranny to
which the English were subjected by the Normans and their
adherents, and messengers were despatched into all parts of
Albion to rouse the natives against their enemies, either
secretly or openly. All joined in a determined league and
bold conspiracy against the Normans for the recovery of
their ancient liberties. The rebellion broke out with great
violence in the provinces beyond the Humber. The insur-
1 The abbey of Coventry was founded about the year 1043, by Leofric,
earl of Mercia, Algar's father, or rather by Godiva, his mother. She was
sister of Torold, sheriff of Lincolnshire, and her name appears several
times in the Domesday- book as tiodeva Comitissa. A passage in it proves
that she lived till after the Conquest.
a Our author is mistaken in making Edith, sister of Edwin and Morcar,
have for her first husband Griffith, king of Wales. See vol. i. p. 461.
* Blethyn-ap-Cynvyn, therefore, was not nephew of Edwin and Morcar.
lie was brother of Griffith.
A.D. 1068.] IXSUEftECTIONS — CASTLES BUILT. 19
gents fortified themselves in the woods and marshes, on the
estuaries, and in some cities. York was in a state of the
highest excitement, which the holiness of its bishop was
unable to calm. Numbers lived in tents, disdaining to dwell
in houses lest they should become enervated ; from which
some of them were called savages by the Normans.
In consequence of these commotions, the king carefully sur-
veyed the most inaccessible points in the country, and, select-
ing suitable spots, fortified them against the enemy's excur-
sions. In the English districts there were very few fortresses,
which the Normans call castles ; so that, though the English
were warlike and brave, they were little able to make a deter-
mined resistance. One castle the king built at Warwick, and
gave it into the custody of Henry, son of Roger de Beau-
mont.1 Edwin and Morcar, now considering the doubtful issue
of the contest, and not unwisely preferring peace to war, sought
the king's favour, which they obtained, at least, in appear-
ance. The king then built a castle at Nottingham, which he
committed to the custody of William PevereU.
When the inhabitants of York heard the state of affairs,
they became so alarmed that they made hasty submission, in
order to avoid being compelled by force ; delivering the keys
of the city to the king, and offering him hostages. But,
suspecting their faith, he strengthened the fortress within
the city walls, and placed in it a garrison of picked men. At
this time, Archill, the most powerful chief of the Northum-
brians, made a treaty of peace with the king, and gave him
his son as a hostage. The bishop of Durham,2 also, being
reconciled to King William, became the mediator for peace
with the king of the Scots, and was the bearer into Scotland
of the terms offered by William. Though the aid of Mal-
colm had been solicited by the English, and he had prepared
to come to their succour with a strong force, yet when he
heard what the envoy had to propose with respect to a peace,
he remained quiet, and joyfully sent back ambassadors in
company with the bishop of Durham, who in his name swore
fealty to King William. In thus preferring peace to war, he
best consulted his own welfare, and the inclinations of his
subjects ; for the people of Scotland, though fierce in war,
1 He was created earl of Warwick.
a Egclwin, bishop of Durham.
C 2
20 OB1JEBICUS TITALIS. [fi.IV. CH.IT.
love ease and quiet, and are not disposed to disturb them-
selves about their neighbours' affairs, loving rather religious
exercises than those of arms. On his return from this
expedition, the king erected castles at Lincoln, Huntingdon,
and Cambridge, placing in each of them garrisons composed
of his bravest soldiers.
Meanwhile, some of the Norman women were so inflamed
by passion that they sent frequent messages to their hus-
bands, requiring their speedy return, adding that, if it were
not immediate, they should choose others. They would not
venture as yet to join their lords, on account of the sea
voyage, which was entirely new to them. Nor did they like
to pass into England where their husbands were always in
arms, and fresh expeditions were daily undertaken, attended
with much effusion of blood on both sides. But the king
naturally wished to retain his soldiers while the country was
in so disturbed a state, and made them great offers of lands
with ample revenues and great powers, promising still more
when the whole kingdom should be freed from their opponents.
The lawfully created barons and leading soldiers were in
great perplexity, for they were sensible that, if they took their
departure while their sovereign, with their brothers, friends
and comrades, were surrounded by the perils of war, they
would be publicly branded as base traitors and cowardly
deserters. On the other hand, what were these honourable
soldiers to do, when their licentious wives threatened to stain
the marriage bed with adultery, and stamp the mark of
infamy on their offspring ? l In consequence, Hugh de
Grantmesnil, who was governor of the Gewissse, that is, of
the district round "Winchester,2 and his brother-in-law Hum-
phrey de Tilleul,3 who had received the custody of Hastings
from the first day it was built, and many others, departed,
deserting, with regret and reluctance, their king struggling
1 M. Thierry remarks on this passage : " Bitter, and not very decent
jests were directed against the Norman women who were in such haste to
recall their protectors and the fathers of their children; and imputations of
cowardice diffused witli reference to those who might abandon their leader
in a foreign land." — History of the Norman Conquest, Hazlitt's translation,
p. 215.
3 The present Hampshire; but the Gewissae, properly speaking, were the
inhabitants of a far more extensive district.
* Tilleul-en-Auge, two leagues north of Grant-mesnil.
A.D. 1069.] THE BEYOLT BECOMES GENEBAL. 21
amongst foreigners. They returned obsequiously to their
lascivious wives in Normandy, but neither they nor their
heirs were ever able to recover the honour and domains
which they had already gained, and relinquished on this
occasion.1
England was now a scene of general desolation, a prey to
the ravages both of natives and foreigners. Fire, robbery,
and daily slaughter, did their worst on the wretched people,
who were for ever attacked, trampled down, and crushed.
Calamity involved both the victors and their victims in the
same toils, prostrating them alternately by the sword, pesti-
lence, and famine, according to the dispensations of the
Almighty Disposer of events. The king, therefore, taking
into consideration the impoverished state of the country,
assembled the stipendiary soldiers he had in his pay, and,
rewarding their services with royal munificence, kindly per-
mitted them to return to their homes.
CH. V. Descent of the sons of Harold from Ireland in the
west of England — invasion of the east and north by the
troops of Sweyn, king of Denmark — They are joined by the
Anglo-Danish nobles and population — King William1 s cam-
paign in Yorkshire and Durham — Lays waste the country
between the Humber and the Tees — Marches against the
insurgents in Cheshire and the borders of Wales.
IN the third year of his reign, King William gave the
county of Durham to Robert de Comines, who soon after-
wards entered the city, with great confidence, at the head of
five hundred men. But the citizens assembled early in the
night, and massacred Robert and all his troops, except two,
who escaped by flight.2 The bravest of men were unable to
defend themselves, taken at disadvantage, at such an hour,
and overwhelmed by numbers.
Not long afterwards, Robert Fitz-Richard, the governor of
York, was slain with many of his retainers. Confidence
1 William's resentment against Hugh de Grantmesnil does not appear
to have been so lasting as our author represents it, for Hugh not only
returned to England, where at the time of making the Domesday survey
he possessed a vast number of manors, and where he filled important
offices, but his wife, Adeliza, held directly of the crown several manors in
her own name, a distinction granted to very few of the Norman ladies.
" This massacre took place on the 28th of January, 1069.
22 OEDEKICTJS YITALIS. [B.IT. CH.T.
now became restored among the English in resisting the
Normans, by whom their friends and allies were grievously
oppressed. Oaths, fealty, and the safety of their hostages,
were of little weight to men who became infuriated by the
loss of their patrimony and the murder of their kinsfolk and
countrymen.
Marlesweyn, Cospatric, Edgar Atheling, Archill, and the
four sons of Karol, with other powerful and factious nobles,
collected their forces, and joining a band of the townsmen
and their neighbours, made a desperate attack on the royal
fortress of Tork. William Malet, the governor of the castle,
was, therefore, compelled to inform the king that he must
surrender, unless his harassed troops received immediate
reinforcements. The king flew to the spot, and fell on the
besiegers, none of whom he spared. Many of them were
taken prisoners, numbers slain, the rest put to flight. The
king spent eight days in the city, making an additional for-
tification, and committed the place to the custody of the
earl William Fitz-Osbern. He then returned in triumph
to Winchester, where he celebrated the feast of Easter.
After the king's departure, the English re-assembled and
renewed their attack, menacing both the fortresses ; but
Earl AVilliam and his troops, falling on the insurgents in a
certain valley, defeated them, many being slain or taken
prisoners, and the rest, for the present, escaped by flight.
Being thus unceasingly occupied by revolts which broke
out in every quarter, King William sent back Matilda, his
dearly beloved wife, to Normandy, where, sheltered from tho
tumults with which England was distracted, she might have
leisure to devote herself to religious duties, and watch over
the safety of the province and of Robert her son. This
princess was cousin to Philip, king of France, and being
descended from the royal line of the French kings and the
emperors of Germany,1 she was no less distinguished by her
illustrious birth, than by the effulgence of her virtues. Her
august husband had by her an enviable family, consisting
both of sons and daughters : Robert and Richard, William
Rufus and Henry, Agatha and Constance, Adeliza, Adela,
and Cicely, who met with different fates in this uncertain
1 Queen Matilda was daughter of Adela of France, sister of Henry I.,
and consequently cousin-gennan of Philip I.
A.D. 1068.] EXPEDITION FEO1I IBELA5TD. 23
life, and have afforded ample materials from which eloquent
writers have composed voluminous works.1 Beauty of person,
high birth, a cultivated mind, and exalted virtue, combined
to grace this illustrious queen, and, what is still more worthy
of immortal praise, she was firm in the faith, and devoted to
the service of Christ. Her charities, which she daily
distributed with fervent zeal, contributed more than I am
able to express to the prosperity of her husband, continually
struggling in his warlike career.
The two sons of Harold,2 king of England, took refuge
with Dermot, king of Ireland, disconsolate at their father's
death and their own expulsion. Obtaining succour from
him and his chief nobles, they appeared off Exeter, with
sixty-six vessels, full of troops. Landing on the coast they
began boldly to ravage the interior of the country, subjecting
it to severe losses by fire and sword. But they were quickly
encountered by Brian, son of Eudes, count of Brittany,
and William Gualdi, at the head of an armed force, which,
after two battles on the same day, reduced their fearful
numbers so much that those who were left escaped in two
vessels, and on their return filled Ireland with grief. Indeed,
if night had not put an end to the conflict, not even one
would have returned home with tidings of the disaster. So
just a fate befell the tyrant's sons, attempting to revenge
him and those who aided them in such an enterprize.3
During these occurrences Githa, the wife of Godwin and
mother of Harold, secretly collected vast wealth, and from
1 The histories of the sons of William and Matilda are well known ; of
the daughters, Agatha, the eldest, was betrothed successively to Harold
and to Alphonso, king of Gallicia, but died while she was on her way to
Spain, as will appear hereafter. Constance married Afen Fergan, duke of
Brittany, nnd Adela, Stephen, count de Blois. Adeliza became a nun in
the convent of St. Leger-de-Preaux, and Cecilia in that of the Holy
Trinity at Cadiz, of which she was afterwards abbess.
a There were three, not two, sons of Harold, who claimed the protection
of Dermot, king of Leinster ; Godwin, Edmund, and Magnus.
* According to our English historians, this expedition, which was under-
taken in 1068, was neither so short nor disastrous as our author represents.
It was not Brian of Brittany, but Eadnoth, formerly Harold's master-of-
the-horse, who put himself at the head of the forces which resisted the sons
of his late master. He was killed in the battle, but the fleet though repulsed
at this point ravaged the coasts of Devonshire and Cornwall, returning to
Ireland loaded with the plunder of the two counties.
24 OBDEBICT78 TITALIS. [B.IV. CH.V.
her fear of King "William crossed over to France, never to
return.1
At that time Sweyn, king of Denmark, equipped with
great care a powerful fleet, in which he embarked both
Danes and English under the command of his two sons2
and his brother Osbern, with two pontiffs and three
distinguished earls, directing the armament against England.
For he had often been invited by the earnest prayers of the
English, accompanied by large sums of money, and he was
also moved by the loss of his countrymen recently slain in
the battle with Harold; and being the nephew of King
Edward, who was son of Hardicanute, his ambition was
excited by his near relationship to the throne. This king
was possessed of great power, and he assembled the whole
strength of his kingdom, which was augmented by aux-
iliary forces from neighbouring countries with which he
was allied. He was thus supported by Poland, Frisia, and
Saxony. Leutecia3 also furnished a body of stipendiary
soldiers hired with English wealth. That populous country
was inhabited by a nation which, still lost in the errors of
paganism, was ignorant of the true God, but, entangled in
the toils of ignorance, worshipped Woden, Thor, and Frea,
and other false gods, or rather demons. This nation was ex-
perienced in war both by sea and land, but Sweyn had often
gained victories over it under its king, and had reduced it
to submission. Grown arrogant by repeated successes, and
seeking to raise his power and glory to a still higher pitch,
Sweyn, as we have already mentioned, fitted out an expedi-
tion against King William. The Danes attempted a landing
at Dover, but were repulsed by the royal troops. Making
1 This princess, who is also called Edith, escaping from Exeter in 1067,
spent some time in concealment on the little island called the Flat-Holmes
near the mouth of the Severn. She afterwards reached the coast of Flan-
ders, and took refuge at St. Omer. Her name frequently appears in the
Domesday-book, where it is spelt Ghida, Gida, or Gueda. The entries
there prove that she held of the crown, before the conquest, 39,600 acres
of land.
2 The fleet was under the command of Sweyn's second son, Canute,
afterwards Canute IV., 1080— July, 108C, who was canonized in 1100.
3 "A country in the north of Germany, on the left bank of the Oder,
and near its mouth, and consequently to the north of Saxony." — Le Pri-
vosL " Probably the country of the Lettons, now called Lithuania." —
Dubois,
A.D. 10C9.] THE DANES LAND ON THE HTTMBEE. 25
another attempt at Sandwich, they were again repulsed by
the Normans. However they found an opportunity of
disembarking at Ipswich, and dispersed themselves to pillage
the neighbourhood ; but the country people assembled, and
slaying thirty of them, compelled the rest to save themselves
by flight. Having landed at Norwich for a similar incur-
sion, they were encountered by Ralph de Gruader, who put
numbers of them to the sword, caused many to be drowned,
and forced the rest to retire with disgrace to their ships
and put to sea. King William was at this time in the
forest of Dean following the chace, as it was his custom to
do. Receiving intelligence there of these descents of the
Danes, he instantly despatched a messenger to York, with di-
rections to his officers to be on their guard against the enemy,
and to summon him to their support if necessity required.
Those to whom the custody of the fortresses was entrusted
sent word in reply that they should need no succour from
him for a year to come. By this time the Atheling,1
"Waltheof, Siward, and other powerful English lords, had
joined the Danes, who landed at the mouth of the
broad river Humber. The Atheling had gone there on a
predatory excursion with his own followers, and was sepa-
rated from the allied troops. But they were unexpectedly
attacked by the king's garrisons, sallying forth from
Lincoln, who took them all prisoners, except two who
escaped with the Atheling, and destroyed their ship which
those who were left to guard it abandoned in alarm.
The Danes now invested York, their force being much
increased by the number of the natives who assembled to
support them. "VValtheof, Cospatric, Marisweyn, Elnoc,
Archill, and the four sons of Karol, marched in the van,
taking their stations in front of the Danes and Norwegians.
The garrison of the castle made a rash sally, and, engaging
within the city walls, fought at a disadvantage. Being
unable to resist the numbers of the assailants, they were all
killed or made prisoners. The castles having lost their
defenders were open to the enemy. The king was still en-
joying a false security when the news of this disaster reached
him. Report magnified the force of the invaders, and said
tliat they were prepared to join battle with the king himself.
1 " Adclinus," Edgar Atheling.
26 OEDERICUS YIT^LIS. [B.IT. CH.V.
William, roused by grief and anger, hastened his preparations
for advancing against them ; but they, fearing to measure
themselves with so renowned a commander, fled to the
Humber, and sailed over to the shore which borders on
Lindsey. The king pursued them with his cavalry, and
finding some marauders in the almost inaccessible fens, put
them to the sword and destroyed some of their fastnesses.
The Danes escaped to the opposite shore, waiting an oppor-
tunity of revenging themselves and their comrades.
At that time the West Salons of Dorset and Somerset,
and their neighbours, made an attack on Montacute, but by
God's providence they were foiled in their attempt ; for
the men of Winchester, London, and Salisbury, under the
command of Geoffrey, bishop of Coutances, came upon them
by surprise, slew some of them, and mutilating a number
of the prisoners, put the rest to flight. Meanwhile the
Welsh, with the men of Cheshire, laid siege to the king's
castle at Shrewsbury, aided by the townsmen under Edric
Guilda,1 a powerful and warlike man, and other fierce
English. The same thing was done at Exeter by the people
of Devonshire, and a host of men assembled from Cornwall.
It is the extreme point of the west of England towards
Ireland, from whence it derives its name of Cornu Bri-
tannia, the horn of Britain, or Cornwall. The citizens of
Exeter took the king's side, for they had not forgotten the
sufferings they had formerly endured. The king receiving
this intelligence lost no time in giving orders to two earls,
William and Brian,2 to march to the relief of the two
places which were attacked. But before they reached
Shrewsbury, the enemy had burnt the town and retired.
The garrison of Exeter made a sudden sally, and charging
the besiegerr with impetuosity, put them to the rout.
William and Brian, meeting the fugitives, punished their
rash enterprise with a great slaughter.
Meanwhile the king found no difficulty in crushing con-
1 Edric the Wild, see before, vol. L p. 147. The Normans called him
le Sauvage, the Forester.
* Probably William Fitz-Osborn, governor of Winchester, and Brian of
Rrittany, mentioned before, p. 23, who was the second son of Eudes,
count de Penthievre, and brother of Alan the Black and Alan the Red,
earls of Richmond in Yorkshire.
A.D. 1069.] WILLIAM'S CAMPAIGN nr THE ITOBTII. 27
siderable numbers of the insurgents at Stafford. In so
many conflicts blood flowed freely on both sides, and the
defenceless population, as well as those who were in arms,
suffered from time to time severe disasters. The divine law
was everywhere violated, and ecclesiastical discipline became
almost universally relaxed. Murders were wretchedly fre-
quent, men's hearts were stimulated to evil by the incentives
of covetousness and passion, and they were hurried in
crowds to hell, condemned by God whose judgments always
prove just. Upon King William's return from Lindsey he
left there his half brother Eobert Count de Mortaine,1
and Eobert Count d'Eu, to restrain the incursions of
the Danes. The invaders lurked for a while in concealment,
but when they supposed it was safe, they issued from their
dens to join in the festivals of the country people on what
are called their farms. Upon this the two earls fell upon
them unexpectedly, and mingling their blood with the feasts,
followed them up while they were in disorder, and pursued
them to their very ships, slaughtering them as they fled.
It was again reported that the brigands had gone to York,
to celebrate the feast of the nativity, and prepare themselves
for battle. The king was hastening thither from Notting-
ham, but was stopped at Pontefract, where the river was
not fordable, and could not be crossed by boats. He would
not listen to those who advised him to return ; and to those
who proposed to construct a bridge he replied that it was
not expedient, as the enemy might come upon them un-
awares, and take the opportunity of their being so engaged
to inflict a loss upon them. They were detained there
three weeks. At length, a brave knight named Lisois des
Moutiers, carefully sounded the river, searching for a ford
both above and below the town. At last, with great diffi-
culty, he discovered a place where it was fordable, and
crossed over at the head of sixty bold men-at-arms. They
were charged by a multitude of the enemy, but stoutly held
their ground against the assault. The next day, Lisoig
returned and announced his discovery, and the army crossed
the ford without further delay. The road now lay through
forests and marshes, over hills and along valleys, by paths
so narrow that two soldiers could not march abreast. In
1 The king's half-brother by his mother Arlotta.
28 ORDEEICITS VITALIS. [B.IY. CH.V.
this way they at last reached the neighbourhood of York,
when they learned that the Danes had already retreated.
The king, therefore, detached a body of men-at-arms, with
commanders and officers, to repair the fortresses inside the
city walls, and posted others on the banks of the Humber to
oppose the advance of the Danes ; while he himself con-
tinued his march through an almost inaccessible country,
overgrown with wood, in the full intention of pursuing the
enemy, without relaxation, into the fastness in which they
lurked. His camps were scattered over a surface of one
hundred miles ; numbers of the insurgents fell beneath his
vengeful sword, he levelled their places of shelter to the
ground, wasted their lands, and burnt their dwellings with
all they contained. Never did William commit so much
cruelty ; to his lasting disgrace, he yielded to his worst
impulse, and set no bounds to his fury, condemning the
innocent and the guilty to a common fate. In the fulness
of his wrath he ordered the corn and cattle, with the imple-
ments of husbandry and every sort of provisions, to be
collected in heaps and set on fire till the whole was con-
sumed, and thus destroyed at once all that could serve for
the support of life in the whole country lying beyond the
Humber. There followed, consequently, so great a scarcity
in England in the ensuing years, and severe famine involved
the innocent and unarmed population in so much misery,
that, in a Christian nation, more than a hundred thousand
souls, of both sexes and all ages, perished of want.1 On
many occasions, in the course of the present history, I have
been free to extol William according to his merits, but I
dare not commend him for an act which levelled both the
bad and the good together in one common ruin, by the
infliction of a consuming famine. For when I see that
innocent children, youths in the prime of their age, and
grey headed old men, perished from hunger, I am more
disposed to pity the sorrows and sufferings of the wretched
people, than to undertake the hopeless task of screening one
who was guilty of such wholesale massacre by lying flatteries.
I assert, moreover, that such barbarous homicide could not
pass unpunished. The Almighty Judge beholds alike the
1 This famine lasted nine years, but its ravages were most severe in the
years 1068, 1069, and 1070.
A.D. 1069 — 1070.] SUBMISSION OF THE ENGLISH. 29
high and low, scrutinizing and punishing the acts of both
with equal justice, that his eternal laws may be plain to all.
"While the Avar was in progres, William ordered the
crown and the other ensigns of royalty, and plate of value,
to be brought from "Winchester, aud stationing his army in
camps, went himself to York where he spent the feast of
Christmas. He learnt that a fresh band of the marauders
was lurking in a corner of the country defended on all sides
either by the sea or by marshes. There was only one ac-
cess to this retreat, by a sound strip of land not mor.e than
twenty feet wide. They had collected abundance of booty,
and lived in perfect security, believing that no force could
hurt them. However, when they heard that the royal troops
were at hand they quickly decamped by night. The indefatiga-
ble king pursued his desperate foes to the river Tees, through
such difficult roads that he was obliged sometimes to dis-
mount and march on foot. He remained seven days on the
Tees. There he received the submission of Waltheof in per-
son, and of Cospatric by his envoys who swore fealty on his
part. Their former allies, the Danes, were now exposed to
great perils, having become wandering pirates, tossed
by the winds and waves. But they suffered no less from
famine than from storms. Part of them perished by
shipwreck ; the rest sustained life by feeding on a misera-
ble pottage ; and these not only common soldiers, but the
princes, earls, and pontiffs. Meat entirely failed, even musty
and putrid as they had long eaten it. They did not venture to
land in search of plunder, nor even touch the shore, so great
was their terror of the inhabitants. At last the small re-
mains of that powerful fleet sailed back to Denmark, and
carried to Sweyn, their king, a miserable account of all the
misfortunes they had undergone, the savage courage of tho
enemy, and the loss of their comrades.
In the month of January, King William returned from
the Tees to Hexham, by a road hitherto unattempted by
an armv, where the peaked summits of the hills and the deep
glens were often covered with snow at a season when the
neighbouring plains were clothed with the verdure of spring.
The king passed it in the depth of winter during a severe
frost, but the troops were encouraged by the cheerfulness
with which he surmounted all obstacles. Still the march
30 OEDERICUS TITALIS. [B.IV. C1I.Y.
was not accomplished without great difficulty and the loss of
a great number of horses. Every one had enough to do in
providing for his own safety without having much' concern
for that of his chiefs or his friends. In these straits, the
king lost his way, having no escort but six men-at-arms, and
spent a whole night without knowing where they were.
Having returned to York he repaired the several castles in
that place, and ordered affairs advantageously for the city
and neighbourhood. He then engaged in another expedi-
tion against the people of Chester and the Welsh, who, in
addition to their other delinquencies, had lately besieged
Shrewsbury. The troops who had just gone through so
much suffering were apprehensive that they would be expo-
sed to still greater in the present enterprise. They dreaded
the ruggedness of the country, the severity of the winter,
the dearth of provisions, and the terrible fierceness of the
enemy. The soldiers of Anjou, Brittany, and Maine com-
plained that they were ground down with a service more
intolerable than that of guarding the castles, and made
vehement claims on the king for their discharge. They said,
for their justification, that they could not serve under a lord
who was venturing on enterprises which were unexampled
and out of all reason, nor carry into effect impracticable
orders. The king, in this emergency, imitated the example
of Julius Ca3sar, and did not condescend to reconcile them
to his service by earnest entreaties or fresh promises. He
proceeded boldly on his march, commanding the faithful
among his troops to follow him, and giving out that he
cared little for these who would desert him, considering
them as cowards, poltroons, and faint-hearted. He promised
repose to such as contended successfully with the difficulties
they had to surmount, declaring that there was no road to
honour but through toilsome exertions. With unwearied
vigour he made his way through roads never before travelled
by horses, across lofty mountains and deep valleys, rivers
and rapid streams, and dangerous quagmires in the hollows
of the hills. Pursuing their track they were often distressed
by torrents of rain, sometimes mingled with hail. At times
they were reduced to feed on the flesh of horses which
perished in the bogs. The king often led the way on foot
with great agility, and lent a ready hand to assist others in
A.]), 1070.] SYNOD AT W1NCHESTEB. 31
their dfficulties. At length he conducted hia whole force
safely to Chester, and put down all hostile movements
throughout the province of Mercia by the power of a royal
army. He then built a castle at Chester, and another on
his return at Shrewsbury, leaving strong garrisons and
abundant stores of provisions in both. From thence march-
ing to Salisbury, he recompensed his soldiers for all their
sufferings by an ample distribution of rewards, giving due
praise to all who deserved it, and dismissing them with
many thanks. To mark his displeasure with those who had
threatened desertion, he detained them forty days longer
than their comrades, a slight penalty for men who deserved
a much severer punishment.
CH. VI. King William 's care of the church in England —
Digression on its origin, eminent men, and monastic esta-
blishments— Lanfranc's early life ; he is appointed arch-
bishop of Canterbury.
AFTEB, these events, King William kept the feast of Easter
at Winchester, where certain cardinals of the Roman church
solemnly crowned him. For, at his request, Pope Alexan-
der had sent over to him, as his most beloved son, three
special legates, Ermenfrid, bishop of Sion,1 and two cardinal
canons. He detained them at his court for a year, listening
to and honouring them as if they were the angels of God.
They so ordered aifairs with respect to various places and
on several occasions, as to distinguish the districts which
needed canonical examination and orders.
But what was most important, a numerous synod was
held at Windsor2 in the year of our Lord 1070, at which
the king and the cardinals presided. In this synod, Stigaud,
who had been already excommunicated, was deposed. His
hands were stained by perjury and homicide, and he had not
entered on his archiepiscopal functions by the lawful door,
having been raised to his dignity by the two bishops of
Norfolk and Winchester, by the steps of an infamous am-
bition, and by supplanting others. Some suffragans were
also deposed for having disgraced the episcopal office by
1 In the Valais. The cHrdinals' names were Peter and John.
- The synod was not held at Windsor but at Winchester, immediately
after Easter.
32 ORDEBICUS VITALIS. [fl.IT. CII.VI.
their criminal life and ignorance of pastoral duties. Two
Norman prelates, chaplains of the king, were nominated
bishops, Walkelin of Winchester, and Thomas of York ;l the
first in the place of one who was deposed, the second of one
who was dead. Both of these prelates were prudent, full of
gentleness and humanity, venerated and beloved by men,
and venerating and loving God. Others were replaced by
bishops translated from France, men of letters, of excellent
character, and zealous promoters of religion.
King William exhibited in various ways his desire to
further what was good, and especially he always esteemed
true piety in the servants of God, on which the peace
and prosperity of the world depend. This is abundantly
proved by general report, and it is most clearly esta-
blished by his actions. When one of the chief shepherds
was at any time removed by death from the scene of his
labours, and the church of God deprived of her ruler was
sorrowing in her widowhood, the careful prince sent pru-
dent commissioners to the bereaved house, and caused an
inventory to be made of the goods of the church, that they
might not be wasted by sacrilegious guardians. He then
assembled bishops and abbots and other wise counsellors,
and with their assistance made inquiry who was most fit
and proper to have the government of the house of God,
both as regarded its spiritual and temporal wants. Accord-
ingly, the person recommended by them for his virtuous
life and proficiency in learning, was appointed by the king's
tender care to the vacant bishopric or abbey. He acted on
this principle during the fifty-six years2 he governed the
dukedom of Normandy and the kingdom of England, leaving
thus an excellent example and pious custom to his suc-
cessors. He held simony in the utmost detestation, being in-
fluenced in his choice of abbots and bishops by then- sanctity
and wisdom, and not by their wealth or power. He advanced
persons of worth to the government of the English monas-
1 Thomas, archbishop of York, was a native of Bayeux, of which he was
canon, but not a chaplain to the king. The nomination was made at
Whitsuntide.
a There is some exaggeration in this computation. William's govern-
ment, reckoning from his accession to the dukedom of Normandy, only
lasted fifty-two years, and as he was then only eight years old, he could
not have exercised much discretion in the choice of bishops and abbots.
A..D. 596 — 870.] MONASTEBIES IN ENGLAND. 33
teries, by whose zeal and discipline the monastic rule, which
had somewhat relaxed, became more strict, and, where it
seemed to have failed, was restored to its former vigour.
It must be recollected that Augustine and Lawrence,1
and the other first missionaries in England were monks, and,
instead of canons, piously established monks in their episcopal
sees, a system rarely found in other countries. They
founded a number of famous abbeys, and recommended to
their converts monastic institutions both by word and ex-
ample. This order, therefore, flourished in England with
great lustre for more than two hundred years, and Christian
perfection happily numbered among its votaries the English
kings Ethelbert and Edwin, Oswald and Ofia, with many
others, whom it raised for their souls' health to the highest
pitch of virtue, until the time that Edmund, king of the
East- Angles, and two other English kings received martyr-
dom at the hands of the pagans.2 After that, the Danish
kings, Oskytel and Ghithrum, Anwind and Halfdene, Inguar
and Hubba, invaded England with their heathen bands,
giving to the flames the monasteries and churches of the
monks and clergy, and butchering the flock of Christ like
sheep.
After some years, Alfred king of the Grewissae3 and son
of King Ethelwulph, made a bold stand against the pagans ;
and having, by God's help, slain, expelled, or subjugated his
enemies, was the first of the English kings who united in
his person the monarchy of the whole of England. In my
1 These missionaries, sent by Pope Gregory the Great, arrived in
England in the year 596. Augustine aud Lawrence were successively
archbishops of Canterbury.
* St. Edmund the Martyr was murdered on the 20th of November, 870.
The two other kings alluded to in this passage are Osbert and Ella, com-
petitors for the kingdom of Northumbria, who were killed by the Danes in
the year 866.
8 Gewissie is the Anglo-Saxon term for the people of the west of
England, signifying the " west." They were not, therefore, confined to the
small county of Hants, as M. Le Prevost observes. The Visigoths are a
name of similar signification. Wessex was Alfred's proper hereditary
kingdom, to which he succeeded in 87'2. Sussex had been long absorbed
in it; Kent and Mercia were annexed, and he gradually extended his sove-
reignty over all the kingdoms of the Heptarchy, the portions still possessed
by the Danes after his conquests being governed by tributary princes of
that nation. Alfred died on the 26th of October, 901.
VOL. II. D
34 OEDERICTTS VITALIS. [s.IV. CH.VI.
opinion he surpassed all the kings of England, before or
after him, in courage, munificence, and above all in pru-
dence, and after a glorious reign of twenty-nine years left
his sceptre to his son Edward the elder. When peace and
order were re-established throughout the realm, pious
princes and bishops began to employ themselves in restor-
ing the monasteries ; and as all the monks in England had
either perished or been driven out by the fury of the hea-
thens in the troublesome times already mentioned, they
commissioned a young man of high character whose name
was Oswald, to proceed to the abbey of Fleury in France,
built by Leodebod of Orleans on the banks of the Loire in
the time of Clovis, son of Dagobert, king of the Franks.1
The place is held in great reverence on account of the bones
of St. Benedict, the founder and master of the monastic
order, which the monk Aigulf sent by the abbot Mummo-
lus, translated from Beneventum to the country of Orleans.3
This happened after the devastation of the abbey of Monte
Cassino, which the holy father Benedict foretold with tears
to the monk Theoprobus, a worthy servant of God, as we
Tead in the second book of the dialogues which Pope
Gregory, the illustrious doctor of the church, so eloquently
addressed to Peter the sub-deacon.3
After the death of King Clepo, before his son Autarith
was of age to govern, when the whole Lombard nation,
having no king, was subject to thirty-four dukes ; some
Lombard brigands made an attack in the night with a view
to plunder and pillage the abbey of Monte Cassiuo ; but all
the monks, by God's protection, escaped in safety with their
Abbot Bonitus. For a hundred and ten years afterwards
the abbey remained desolate, until Petronax, bishop of
Brescia, went there, and by the help of Pope Zachary rebuilt
it in a style of great magnificence, and from that day to this
the abbey of Monte Cassino has continually increased in
splendour.4 During, however, the continuance of the deso-
1 This abbey was founded in the year 641, the fourth of the reign of
Clovis, by Leodebaud, abbot of St. Aignau, at Orleans.
2 The translation of the relics of St. Benedict was made about the year
653. See an account of it in the Ada SS. Ordinis S. Benedict!, t. ii.
3 Vita S. Benedict! ubbat. c;>p. xvii.
4 Ordericus states the destruction of Monte Cassino to have taken place
950 — 980.] INTRODUCTION OP THE BENEDICTINE ETTLE. 35
lation, and while the abbey was destitute of worshippers, the
house of Fleury was, according to God's will, enriched by
the possession of the precious remains of the illustrious
father Benedict, whose translation the Cisalpine monks
commemorate yearly, with solemn and pious offices, on the
fifth of the ides [llth] of July. To Fleury, therefore, was
the reverend youth Oswald sent, to be professed a monk,
and, being instructed in the monastic rule, order his own
life well according to the will of God, as well as conduct
others who should attach themselves to that discipline, in the
footsteps of the apostles, to the summit of their heavenly
vocation. And so it happened.
For, after some years, Oswald was sent back to England1
by the abbot of Fleury, at the courteous request of his
countrymen, and being distinguished by great sagacity, as
well as excellence, he was placed at the head of all the
monastic institutions in England. Those venerable men,
Dunstan and Athelwold, seconded him with all their
influence, and their first effort was to introduce the regular
discipline at Glastonbury and Abingdon. These doctors
were faithfully obeyed by Athelstan, Edred, Edmund, and
(especially) Edgar, son of Edmund, kings of England. In
their reigns Dunstan was raised to be metropolitan of
Canterbury, and Athelwold to be bishop of Winchester, and
Oswald became, first, bishop of Worcester and afterwards
archbishop of York. At their entreaty Abbo, a wise and
pious monk of Fleury, was sent over the sea and instituted
the monastic rule at Ramsey,2 and other English monasteries,
after the same manner in wrhich it was practised in France
at that period. He inspired the bishops just named with
some time between the death of Clepo, second king of the Lombards, 5th
of January, 575, and his son Autarith coming of age, 584. It appears to
have actually occurred about the year 582, when Bonitus was the sixth
abbot. St. Petronax, who was never a bishop, but abbot of Monte Cassino,
began to restore it from its ruins about the year 720, and died there the
6th of May, 750, or thereabout.
1 St. Oswald's residence at Fleury -sur-Loire appears to have been about
the middle of the tenth century; his return to England in 961 ; his pro-
motion to the bishopric of Worcester the year following; and to the
archbishopric of York in 970.
2 The abbey of Ramsey, in Huntingdonshire, was founded by Oswald in
971. Abbo appears to have undertaken his journey to England about the
year 980, remaining there nearly two years.
D 2
36 OBDEBICTJS VITALIS. [B.TT. CII.YI.
the love of holiness and all goodness, shedding lustre on
them by their doctrines, and the miracles they performed,
thus rendering great services to men of learning as well as
to the vulgar.
Bishop Athelwold then restored in the time of King
Edgar, in the town now called Burg, the abbey of Medes-
hamsted, which bishop Sexulf founded in the reign of
Wulfere, king of the Mercians.1 He also endowed with
great wealth the church dedicated to St. Peter, prince of the
apostles. Afterwards, Thorney abbey, Ely abbey,2 and
many other monasteries, were built in different places ; and
societies of monks, clerks, or nuns, were suitably established
in them. Abundant revenues were assigned to each of these
houses, sufficient to supply the servants of the altar with
meat and clothing, in order that they might not fail in the
divine service for want of necessaries.
Monastic discipline being thus restored in England, a
glorious army of monks was furnished with the arms of the
Spirit to contend against Satan, and taught to persevere in
fighting the Lord's battle until victory was gained. But
after the lapse of some years, in the time of King Ethelred,
son of Edgar, a violent storm rose in the north, to winnow
the wheat in which tares had abundantly multiplied. Sweyn,
king of Denmark, a bigoted idolater, sailed to the coast of
England with a powerful fleet, manned by pagans, and,
making a descent with formidable numbers when it was least
expected, drove the terrified king Ethelred, with his sons
Edward and Alfred, and his queen Emma, to take refuge in
Normandy.3 It was not however long before, by God's
providence, Sweyn, the cruel persecutor of the Christians,
was killed by St. Edmund, and Ethelred, on learning his
death, returned to his own kingdom. Then Canute, king
of Denmark, when he heard his father's fortunes, made
an alliance with Lacman, king of Sweden, and Olave, king of
Norway, and their allied forces landed in England. In the
i This abbey, afterwards called Peterborough, or Peter's " Burjr," was
founded about the middle of the seventh century, and restored by Bishop
Athe.-.rold in 972.
4 Thorney abbey was founded in 472 ; Ely restored in 970.
1 The events here recapitulated occurred in the year 1013, but Ethelred
did not at first accompany his wife and children to Normandv. but retired
for some time to the Isle of Wight.
A.D. 596 — 735.] LEABHED ECCLESIASTICS. 37
end, after many defeats, on the death of King Ethelred and
his son Edmund Ironside, he ascended the throne of England,
which he and his sons, Harold and Hardicanute, possessed
for more than forty years.1
During these events Canterbury, the metropolitan city,
was besieged and burnt, and St. Elphege, the archbishop,
was tortured by the heathen Danes and suffered martyrdom.2
At that time other cities were also burnt, and episcopal and
abbey churches destroyed, with their sacred books and
ornaments. The flock of the faithful was dispersed by
these storms through various quarters, and dreadfully torn
by the ravages of the wolves, to which it became a prey.
I have made a long digression, I trust to some advantage,
and collected facts from former annals, for the purpose of
showing to the attentive reader how it was that the
Normans found the people of England so clownish and
almost illiterate, notwithstanding the [Roman pontiffs had
long since supplied them with institutions best calculated
for their instruction. Gregory and Boniface had sent
excellent teachers, with sacred books and all the necessaries
for performing the offices of the church for the service of the
English people, and had taught them, as their dear children,
all that was good. After that, Pope Vitalian, in the reigns
of Oswy and Egbert, sent into England those learned men,
Theodore, archbishop, and Adrian, abbot, by whose labours
and intelligence the English clergy were well instructed,
both in Latin and Greek literature, and became much
distinguished. In the next age flourished Abbot Albinus
and Bishop Aldelm, whose learning and piety enlightened
numbers, and whose writings have handed down to posterity
memorable proofs of their virtues.3 All these and many
1 See before, b. i. vol. i. p. 146. The reign of Canute in England Listed
from 1017—1035; Harold- Harefoot, 1035 — 1040; Hardicanute, 1040—
1 042 ; which together are far from making up the forty years assigned to
these reigns by our author. For Lacman and Olave, see the preceding
reference.
2 The destruction of Canterbury Cathedral, and the murder of Arch-
bishop Elphege, occurred in the spring of the year 1011; the latter on
EHster Eve, the 19th of April, the former some weeks preceding.
3 The mission of Theodore and Abbot Hadrian took place in 668. See
Beile's Eccles. Hist. p. 171, Bohn's Edition. Albinus succeeded Hadrian
as abbot of St. Augustine's, Canterbury, in 709, ib. p. 276. Bede acknow-
38 OKDEBICUS YITALIS. [B.IT. CH.VII.
more have been rendered illustrious by the labours ot the
eloquent Bede, who has equalled them to the most
accomplished masters of the liberal arts, and inquirers into
the secrets of nature. This venerable man divided the life-
giving bread of the Old and New Testament among the
children of Christ, by his lucid commentaries, explaining in
his works more than sixty mysterious subjects, and thus
gained lasting honour, both in his own and foreign
countries.1
When the precious stones were happily set in the walls
of the heavenly Jerusalem, and the grains of wheat safely
housed in the garner of the true Joseph, the stones were
scattered in the streets, and the chaff was cast on the dung-
hill, and carelessly trodden under foot by those who passed
by. Thus, by the just judgment of Almighty God, when
his chosen servants had passed out of this transitory world
to that which is eternal, the Danes, as we have already seen,
restrained by no fear of God or man, long revelled in the
ruin of England, practising, without remorse, innumerable
breaches of the divine law. Human actions, always prone
to evil, become by an infamous course truly abominable,
when rulers, who ought to govern with the rod of discipline,
are taken away. This freedom from control had relaxed
the bonds both of the clergy and laity, and inclined both
sexes to every species of license. The abundance of meat
and drink led to excess, and levity and wantonness paved
the way to crime. "With the ruin of the monasteries,
religious discipline was enfeebled, and canonical rules were
not restored till the times of the Normans. '
For a long period the monastic life had fallen into decay
among the islanders, and the lives of monks little differed
from those of men of the world ; their dress and their name
ledges the assistance he received from this learned monk in the compilation
of his history. Aldelm, abbot of Malmesbury, became the first bishop of
the new see of Sherborne about the same time, and died in 709. His
works were published in London in 1842, in vols. i. and ii. of Patres
Eccletia Anylicante.
1 The venerable Bede flourished 673— May 26, 735. His well known
Ecclesiastical History has been several times translated, and is published
in the first volume of Bohn's Antiquarian Library. The Commentaries
on the Holy Scriptures, and other works alluded to by Ordericus Vitalis,
are enumerated in the preface to that volume.
A..D. 1070.] 1ANFBANC. 39
was a mere deception ; they were abandoned to gluttony, to
endless peculation, and foul prevarication. By the care of
King William the order was reformed according to the
canonical rules, and its blessed usages being restored, be-
came highly honoured. Some new abbots were appointed
by the king, and several monks received instruction in the
monasteries of France, who, placed by the king's command
in the English abbeys, perfected the discipline and gave
examples of a religious life. Scotland, an abbot, distin-
guished for his learning and great worth, was instituted
to the abbey of St. Peter, prince of the apostles, founded by
Augustine, the first doctor of the English nation. Born in
Normandy, of a noble family, and strictly educated at the
monastery of Mount St. Michael the archangel-in-peril-of-
the-sea, he was preferred by the Normans to be abbot for
the reformation of the monks of Canterbury.1 In like man-
ner there was a change of rulers in other monasteries,
which in some was profitable, in others dangerous, both to
those who governed and to those who were placed under
them.
The see of Canterbury, in which St. Augustine sat, and
which, by a decree of Pope Gregory, obtained the primacy
over all the bishops of Britain, was, on the deposition of
Stigand, committed to Lanfranc, abbot of Caen, by the
choice of the king and all his council. Born of a noble
family, in the city of Pavia, in Italy, he learnt from child-
hood in the schools the liberal arts, and applied himself
with zeal to the study of the civil law, according to the cus-
tom of his country, with the intention of continuing a
layman. The youthful orator, when pleading a cause, fre-
quently triumphed over his veteran opponents, and by a
torrent of eloquence won the prize from men long in the
habit of eloquent speaking. At a ripe age his opinions
were given with so much wisdom, that learned doctors,
judges, and praetors of the city, readily adopted them. But
when in exile, the former academician, like Plato, learnt to
philosophize, the light eternal flashed into his mind, and the
1 He was abbot of St. Peter's of Canterbury before the year 1092, when
he attended the synod at Winchester ; and died in September, 1087. M.
Le Prevost conjectures that he belonged to a Norman family which gave
its name to the village of Pontdcoulant, Pons-Scollandi.
40 OEDEKICTJS VITALIS. [B.IT. CH.TII.
love of true wisdom enlightened his soul. He saw with
Ecclesiastes, though he had not as yet learnt the use of
ecclesiastical writings, that the things of the world are but
vanity. Casting off the world therefore with sovereign con-
tempt, he took on himself the profession of religion, and
submitted to the yoke of the monastic rule. He selected for
his retreat the abbey of Bee in Normandy, for its secluded
site and poor endowment, enriching it by his prudent and
ever watchful care, and bringing it into a state of the most
perfect order, ruling the brotherhood with a discipline at
once mild and strict, and aiding the holy abbot, Herluins,
with profitable counsel.1 A novice and an exile, while he
mortified himself from sin and the world, and laboured most
for what was spiritual and heavenly, God, the searcher of
hearts, decreed, that his light should be set in a candlestick,
that it might lighten the spacious house of the Lord.
Forced from the quiet of the cloister by his sense of obe-
dience, he became a master, in whose teaching a whole
library of philosophy and divinity was displayed. He was
a powerful expositor of difficult questions in both sciences.
It was under this master that the Normans received the
first rudiments of literature, and from the school of Bee
that so many philosophers proceeded of distinguished at-
tainments, both in divine and secular learning. For before,
in the time of six dukes of Normandy, scarce any Norman
devoted himself to liberal studies, nor did any doctor arise
among them until, by the Providence of God, Lanfranc
landed on the shores of Normandy. His reputation for
learning spread throughout all Europe, and many hastened
to receive lessons from him out of France, Gascony, Brit-
tany, and Flanders.
To understand the admirable genius and erudition of
Lanfranc, one ought to be an Herodian in grammar, an
Aristotle in dialectics, a Tully in rhetoric, an Augustine
and Jerome, and other expositors of the law and grace, in the
sacred scriptures. Athens itself, in its most flourishing
state, renowned for the excellency of its teaching, would
have honoured Lanfranc in every branch of eloquence and
1 After spending some time at Avranches, Lanfranc came to Bee in
1042. He was named prior there in 1045, and immediately afterwards
opened bis school
A.D. 1045—1070.] LANFBAKC. 41
discipline, and would have desired to receive instruction
from his wise maxims. Our monk was full of zeal to cleave
asunder, with the sword of the word, whatever sects at-
tacked the Catholic faith. In the counsels of Rome and
Vercelli1 he crushed, with the weapons of spiritual elo-
quence, Berenger of Tours, esteemed by some an heresiarch,
condemning his doctrine, which made the consecrated host
the ruin instead of the salvation of souls. Lanfranc there ex-
plained, with deep reverence, and most conclusively proved,
that the bread and wine which are placed on the Lord's
table are, after consecration, the true flesh and the true
blood of the Lord our Saviour. He publicly defeated Be-
renger, after a most elaborate controversy, both at Eome
and at Tours, and compelled him to abjure his heresy, and
to profess in writing the orthodox belief. Afterwards the
blasphemous heretic, blushing for shame at having cast into
the fire at Eome, with his own hands, the books containing
his perverted doctrines, to save himself from being burned,
corrupted his disciples by his money and his deceitful
arguments, to conceal at home his latest writings, and after-
wards convey them to -foreign countries, that his old errors
might receive fresh support, and their duration be extended to
future years. To refute which Lanfranc published a work,
written in a clear and agreeable style, and founded on sacred
authorities, which treats on the subject of the eucharist*
with the strongest force of reasoning, and while it is lucid
with eloquent discourse, is not prolix and tedious. Many
churches earnestly desired to have Lanfranc for their bishop
or abbot, and even Home, the capital of Christendom, so-
licited him by letters to come there, and used prayers and
even force to detain him. So illustrious in the sight of all
1 The two councils here mentioned, in which Lanfranc confuted the
errors of Berenger, archdeacon of Angers, were held in the year 1 050, the
first after Easter, and that of Vercelli in the month of September. It is
very doubtful whether Lanfranc assisted at the council of Tours, but he
was present at that of Rome in April, 1059, when Berenger was compelled
to abjure his errors.
* Lanfranc's principal work against this heretic, to which he gave the
strange title of Liber Scintillarum, but which is commonly known
l>y that of De Corpore et Sanguine Domini, was written in the year
1079.
42 OBDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.VI. CH.VI.
men was one whom virtue and wisdom especially orna-
mented.
When the bishop of Sion had deposed Stigand, as before
related, he invited Lanfranc to undertake the primacy, and
announced to him the petition of the church of G-od in a
synod of the bishops and abbots of Normandy. Lanfranc,
in much distress of mind, and fearing to take on himself so
great a charge, begged for time to consider, holding it for
certain that the retirement of a monk and the active duties
of an archbishop could not be reconciled. Abbot Herluin
laid his commands upon him, and he was accustomed to
obey him as he would Christ. The queen and her son the
prince entreated him ; the elders of the council also who
were assembled earnestly exhorted him. He would not
give a hasty reply, because every word and act of his was
guided by the rule of discretion. He was unwilling to for-
feit his o'bedience, and to offend those who entreated, per-
suaded, admonished him. He, therefore, mournfully crossed
the sea to make his excuses, hoping for a happy return. The
king cordially received his coadjutor in Christian culture,
and, combating with dignity and grace the excuses his humi-
lity offered, succeeded in overcoming his reluctance.-
In the year of our Lord, 1070, Lanfranc, the first abbot
of Caen,1 was sent by divine providence, to become the
teacher of the English, and after a canonical election, and
lawful consecration enthroned in the archiepiscopal see of
the church of Canterbury on the fourth of the calends of
September [August 29th.] A number of bishops and
abbots, with a great concourse of the clergy and people, were
present at the ceremony. The inhabitants of the whole of
England, whether present or absent, were raised to the
highest pitch of joy, and would indeed have offered bound-
less thanks to God if they had known how much good
Heaven was then bestowing upon them.
In the church of Caen, Lanfranc was succeeded by
"William, son of Radbod, bishop of Seez, who, I think, nine
years afterwards was translated by King William to the
1 The French editors of Ordericus place the nomination of Lanfranc to
his abbey of St. Stephen at Caen in the middle of the year 1066, contrary
to the general opinion. See book iii. c. xii. (voL i. p. 466).
A.D. 1070.] BONNE-AME, ABBOT OF CAEN. 43
metropolitan see of Rouen. He was cousin of William
bishop of Evreux, son of Girard Fleitel, the influence of
which family was extremely powerful in Normandy in the
time of the Richards.1 As canon and archdeacon of Rouen
he was under Mauritius, archbishop of that see, and
becoming more ardent in his love of God, he went abroad
with Theodoric, abbot of St. Evroult, devoutly making a
pilgrimage to the glorious sepulchre of our Lord at Jerusa-
lem. After his return, being apprehensive of losing the
fruit of his former labours, he withdrew altogether from the
temptations of the world, and devoted himself with delight
to his holy warfare in the abbey of Bee. He was afterwards
sent with Lanfranc to instruct the novices who assembled
from all parts for the service of Christ in the city of Caen,
and in the course of time became their worthy father and
superior.
At the death of "William, bishop of Evreux, he was suc-
ceeded by Baldwin, the duke's chaplain, who regularly
governed the bishopric nearly seven years. At his decease
Grislebert Fitz-Osbern, canon and archdeacon of Lisieux,
became his successor. He held the see to its great benefit
more than thirty years, augmenting its revenues in various
ways, and skilfully regulating its affairs. On the death of
Ives, bishop of Seez, Robert, son of Hubert de Rie, succeeded
him, governing the see nearly twelve years, and being him-
self zealous for the service of Grod, was a kind friend to the
monks.2
CH. VII. TJie earls Edwin and Morcar slain or imprisoned
—Their vast estates distributed among the Norman lords —
Names and titles of the new possessors.
IN these times, by God's gracious providence, tranquillity
prevailed in England, and the brigands being driven to a
1 William Bonne- Ame, son of Radbod, bishop of Se"ez (1025—1032),
was made archbishop of Rouen after John d'Avranches in 1079. Our
author is right in stating him to be cousin of Gerard Fleitel, father of
William I., bishop of Evreux from 1046—1066. From a charter of his,
signed by William the Conqueror, giving the commune of St. Denis-du-
Bosc-Guerard, which derived its name from him, to St. Wrandrille's abbey,
it appears that he long survived the dukes Richard I. and Richard II.
8 It is supposed that a bishop named Michael intervened between
William Fleitel and Baldwin. The latter was bishop of Evreux before
44 OBDZBICUS VITALIS. [B.IV. CH.YII.
distance, the cultivators of the soil renewed their labours in
some sort of security. The English and Normans lived
amicably together in the villages, towns, and cities, and
intermarriages between them formed bonds of mutual
alliance. Then might be seen in some of the towns and
country fairs French traders with the merchandize they
imported, and the English, who before in their homely dress
cut a sorry figure in the eyes of the Normans, appeared in
their foreign garb a different people. No one dared any
longer to live by robbery, but all cultivated their lands in
safety, and, though this did not last long, lived happily with
their neighbours. Churches were built and repaired, and
the ministers of religion zealously performed in them the
service of God. The king's great activity watched over the
public good, and roused the people by all possible means to
profitable pursuits. He took some pains to make himself
master of the English language, to enable himself to hear
the complaints of his subjects without an interpreter, and
to render equal justice to all according to the rules of
equity ; but his time of life rendered this study a work ot
difficulty, and his attention was necessarily diverted to
other objects by the multiplicity of his occupations.1
But as the enemy of man goeth about like a roaring lion
seeking whom he may devour, fresh disturbances of a
serious character arose between the English and Normans,
so that the relentless furies were again let loose, and for a
long period wrought endless mischief. This originated in
the evil counsels which led King William, much to the
injury of his reputation, to a breach of faith in shutting up
the illustrious earl Morcar, in the Isle of Ely, where he was
besieged, though at the time he was in alliance with the
king, and neither plotted nor suspected any evil. Their
June, 1066. He died in 1070, and our author is mistaken as to the
number of years he held that see. Gislebert, his successor, filled it thirty-
four years, as we shall find hereafter. Ives de Belesme also died in 1070,
and Robert de Rie about 1082.
1 Hume charges the Conqueror with the preposterous design of eradi-
cating the English, and substituting the Norman language. The use of the
latter in the courts, generally alleged in evidence of this design, was only
the natural consequence of almost all the ecclesiastics, who were also the
lawyers, being Normans. The Conqueror's own charters are either in
Anglo-Saxon or Latin.
A.D. 1071.] EDWIN AND MOBCAK. 45
differences were fomented by wily newsmongers, who went
to and fro propounding the treacherous terms that the earl
should surrender himself to the king, and the king restore
him to his favour as a trusty adherent. The earl might
have defended himself for a considerable time in his inac-
cessible retreat, or when things came to the worst, have
taken advantage of the river which surrounded it to escape
by sea. But weakly listening to false representations, he
left the island, and came to court with his attendants in
peaceable guise. The king, however, was apprehensive that
Morcar would avenge the evils unjustly inflicted on himself
and his countrymen, and be the means of raising endless
disturbances in his English dominions ; he, therefore, threw
him into prison without any distinct charge, and committing
him to the custody of Roger de Beaumont, confined him in
his castle all the rest of his life.1 When Earl Edwin, that
handsome youth, heard of his brother's imprisonment, he
declared that he would prefer death to life unless he could
deliver Morcar from captivity, or have his revenge by a
plentiful effusion of Norman blood.2 For six months he
solicited aid from the Scotch, the "Welsh, and the English.
Meanwhile three brothers who were admitted to his fami-
liarity, and were his principal attendants, betrayed him to
the Normans, assassinating him, though he made a despe-
rate defence at the head of twenty men-at-arms. The high
tide, which rendered it necessary for Edwin to halt on the
bank of a stream, aided the Normans in perpetrating this
outrage, by cutting off his retreat. The report of Edwin's
death, spread throughout the kingdom, was the cause of
deep sorrow, not only to the English, but even to the Nor-
mans and French, who lamented his loss like that of a friend
1 Ordericus has not related these circumstances quite correctly. King
William did not shut up Morcar in the Isle of Ely, but the earl retired
there, and took refuge with Hereward to escape the king's persecutions.
We find that he was committed to the custody of Roger de Beaumont,
who probably guarded him in one of his castlea of Beaumont, Brionne, or
Pontaudemer. Morcar was restored to liberty by the Conqueror on his
death- bed, but almost immediately afterwards sent back to prison by
William Rufus.
8 It does not appear that Edwin was induced to become insurgent in
consequence of his brother's arrest, but that, on the contrary, he was the
first to -break with the Conqueror.
46 ORDEH1CTJS YITALIS. [B.IV. CH.TII.
or kinsman. This young nobleman was, as I have before
said, born of pious parents, and lent himself to all good
works as far as his multifarious engagements in difficult
worldly affairs allowed. The graces of his person were so
striking that he might be distinguished among thousands,
and he was full of kindness for the clergy, the monks, and
the poor. King William was moved to tears when he
heard of the treason which had cut off the young earl of
Mercia, and with a just severity sentenced to banishment
the traitors who, to gain his favour, brought him the head
of their master.
Thus far "William of Poitiers carries his history,1 which,
imitating the style of Sallust, eloquently and acutely recounts
the acts of King "William. This author was by birth a
Norman, being a native of the town of Preaux,2 where his
sister was abbess of a convent of nuns dedicated to St.
Leger. He is called "William of Poitiers, because in that
city he drank deeply at the fountain of learning. Returning
into his own country, he became eminent as the most
learned of all his neighbours and fellow students, and made
himself useful to Hugh and Gislebert, bishops of Lisieux, in
ecclesiastical affairs, as archdeacon of that diocese. He had
served with courage in a military career before he took
orders, fighting bravely for his earthly sovereign, so that he
was the better able to describe with precision the scenes of
war, from having himself been present and encountered
their perils. As age came on he devoted himself to science
and prayer, and was more capable of composing in prose or
verse than of preaching. He frequently wrote clever and
agreeable poems, adapted for recitation, submitting them
without jealousy to the correction of his juniors. I have
briefly followed, in many parts, his narrative of King Wil-
liam and his adherents without copying all he has written,
or attempting to imitate his elegant style. I come now,
with God's help, to recount events which took place among
1 If the history of William de Poitiers extended as far as this period, as
it is impossible to doubt after what our author here says, an important part
of it has been lost, for in the state we now possess it, the narrative goes no
further than the murder of Copsi.
7 Near Pont Audemer. There were two abbeys here; a convent of monks
dedicate 1 to J- 1. Peter, and one of nuns to St. Leger. A sister of William
de Poitiers, named Emma, was the first abbess of St. Leger.
A.D. 1071.] THE NORMAN LOEDS. 47
our neighbours in the times which succeeded, not allowing
myself to doubt that, as I have freely made use of what my
predecessors have published, so those who come after me and
are yet unborn, will diligently investigate the history of the
present age.
The two great earls of the Mercians having been got rid
of, Edwin by death, and Morcar by strict confinement, King
William distributed their vast domains in the richest
districts of England among his adherents, raising the lowest
of his Norman followers to wealth and power. He granted
the Isle of "Wight and the county of Hereford to William
Fitz-Osbern, high-steward of Normandy, giving him the
charge, in conjunction with Walter de Lacy and other tried
soldiers, of defending the frontier against the Welsh, who
were breathing defiance. Their first expedition was a bold
attack on the people of Brecknock, in which the Welsh
princes, Rhys, Cadogan, and Meredith,1 with many others,
were defeated. The king had already granted the city and
county of Chester to Grherbod of Flanders, who had been
greatly harassed by the hostilities both of the English and
Welsh. Afterwards, being summoned by a message from his
dependants in Flanders, to whom he had entrusted his
hereditary domains, he obtained leave from the king to
make a short visit to that country, but while there his evil
fortune led him into a snare, and, falling into the hands of
his enemies, and thrown into a dungeon, he had to endure
the sufferings of a long captivity, cut off from all the
blessings of life. In consequence, the king gave the earldom
of Chester to Hugh d'Avranches, son of Richard surnamed
Goz, who, in concert with Robert of Rhuddlan, and Robert
of Malpas, and other fierce knights, made great slaughter
among the Welsh. This Hugh was not merely liberal but
prodigal ; not satisfied with being surrounded by his own
retainers, he kept an army on foot. He set no bounds
either to his generosity or his rapacity. He continually
1 Rhys-ap-Owen, Cadogan-ap-Blethyn, and Meredith-ap-Owen. Orde-
ricus probably in his youth heard frequent mention of these Welsh chiefs
and others he has named before. Shrewsbury, the seat of his father's patron,
Roger, earl of Montgomery, was a frontier garrison, intended, like those
of Chester and Malpas also mentioned, to curb the inroads of the tribes of
North Wales.
48 ORDERICTTS VITALI3. [B.IV. CH.YII.
wasted even his own domains, and gave more encouragement
to those who attended him in hawking and hunting, than
to the cultivators of the soil, and the votaries of heaven.
He indulged in gluttony to such a degree as to become so
fat that he could scarcely walk. He abandoned himself
immoderately to carnal pleasures, and had a numerous
offspring of both sexes by his concubines, but they have
almost all been carried off by one misfortune or another.
He married Ermentrude, daughter of Hugh de Clermont, in
the Beauvais, by whom he had Bichard, who succeeded him as
his heir in the earldom of Chester, and when yet young and
childless perished by shipwreck in company with William,
son and heir apparent of Henry, king of England, and many
of the nobility, on the seventh of the calends of November
[26th October].1
King William gave first to Roger de Montgomery the castle
of Arundel and the city of Chichester, and afterwards the
earldom of Shrewsbury,2 which town is situated on a hill by
the river Severn. This earl was wise, moderate, and a lover
of justice ; and cherished the gentle society of intelligent and
unassuming men. For a long time he had about him three
well-informed clerks, Godebald, Odelirius,3 and Herbert,
whose advice he followed with great advantage. He gave
his niece Emerie and the command of Shrewsbury to
Warin the Bald,4 a man of small stature but great courage,
who bravely encountered the earl's enemies, and maintained
tranquillity throughout the district entrusted to his
government. Roger de Montgomery also gave commands in
his earldom to William, surnamed Pantoul, Picot de Say, and
Corbet,5 with his sons Roger and Robert, as well as other
1 Our author gives a full account, in the twelfth book of this history, of
the shipwreck of the Blanche-Nef, in which the young Earl of Chester,
and many others of the nobility, were lost on the 25th of November, 1119,
off Barfleur, with two sons and a daughter and niece of King Henry I.
See also Henry of Huntingdon's History, b. vii. p. 249, Dohn's edition.
8 Roger de Montgomery, earl of Shrewsbury in England, was count of
Belesme and Alen9on in Normandy, through his wife, Mabel de Belesme.
s Odelirius was the father of Ordericus Vitalis.
4 Warin is probably the person mentioned in the fifth book as Guarinut
Vicecomes.
4 William Pantoul was lord of Noron, near Falaise. See b. v. c. 16.
Piqot de Say, a place in the neighbourhood of Armenian. He had twenty-
nine manors in Shropshire, and a castle on the coast of Pembrokeshire, in
A.D. 1071 — 1080.] NOBMANS MADE ENGLISH EABLS. 49
brave and faithful knights, supported by whose "wisdom and
courage he ranked high among the greatest nobles.
King William conferred the earldom of Northampton on
Waltheof, son of Earl Siward,1 the most powerful of the
English nobility, and, in order to cement a firm alliance with
him, gave him in marriage his niece Judith,2 who bore him
two beautiful daughters. The earldom of Buckingham was
given to Walter Giffard,3 and Surrey to William de
Warrenne, who married Gundred, Gherbod's sister. King
William granted the earldom of Holdernesse to Eudes, of
Champagne, nephew of Count Theobald, who married the
king's sister, that is, Duke Robert's daughter;4 and the
earldom of Norwich to Ralph de Guader, son-in-law of
William Eitz-Osbern. To Hugh Grantmesnil he granted
the town of Leicester, and distributed cities and counties
among other lords, with great honours and domains. The
castle of Tutbury, which Hugh d'Avranches before held, he
granted to Henry, son of Walkelin de Ferrers,5 conferring on
other foreigners who had attached themselves to his
fortunes, such vast possessions that they had in England
many vassals more rich and powerful than their own fathers
ever were in Normandy.
What shall I say of Odo, bishop of Baieux, who was earl
palatine, and generally dreaded by the English people,
issuing his orders everywhere like a second king. He had
the command over all the earls and barons of the realm,
South Wales. It appears by Domesday Book, that Roger Corbet held
lands in Shropshire, where the family still flourishes.
1 King William did not confer on Waltheof the earldoms of Northamp-
ton and Huntingdon, as he possessed them before the conquest, but only
confirmed his right to them. His father, Siward, was earl of Northumbria,
but counties or earldoms were not yet strictly hereditary, and Henry of
Huntingdon informs us that on account of Waltheof's being of tender years
at his father's death, the earldom of that powerful and turbulent province
was conferred on Tosti, Earl Godwin's son. Siward himself, the stout earl
immortalized by Shakespeare in, Macbeth, was of Danish or Norwegian
extraction.
1 Judith was the daughter of William's half-sister Adelaide, countess
d'Aumale.
* Walter Giffard, lord of Longueville, near Dieppe.
* Our author is mistaken here ; Adelaide was daughter of Herluin de
Couteville, and not of Duke Robert.
5 In the county of Stafford, with seven lordships, and created him earl of
Derby.
VOL. II. B
50 ORDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.IT. CH.TI1.
and with the treasures collected from ancient times, was in
possession of Kent, the former kingdom of Ethelbert, son
of Ermenric, Eadbald, Egbert, and his brother Lothaire,
and where the first English kings were converted to the
faith of Christ by the disciples of Pope Gregory, and
obtained the crown of eternal life by their obedience to the
divine law. The character of this prelate, if I am not
deceived, was a compound of vices and virtues ; but he was
more occupied with worldly affairs than in the exercise of
spiritual graces. The monasteries of the saints make great
complaints of the injuries they received at the hands of
Odo, who, with violence and injustice, robbed them of the
funds with which the English had piously endowed them in
ancient times.1
Geoffrey, bishop of Coutances, of an ancient JsTorman
family, who rendered essential services and support at the
battle of Senlac, and was a commander of troops in other
conflicts, in which natives and foreigners crushed each
other, received for his share, by grant from King William,
two hundred and eighty vills, which are commonly called
manors, which, at his death, he left to his nephew De
Mowbray, who speedily lost them by his rashness and mis-
conduct.2
Likewise, Eustace de Boulogne, and Robert Morton,
"William d'Evreux, Eobert d'Eu, Geoffrey, son of Rotrou de
Mortagne, and other counts and lords, more than I can
enumerate, received from King William great revenues and
honours in England. Thus strangers were enriched with
English wealth, while her sons were iniquitously slain, or
driven into hopeless exile in foreign lands. It is stated that
the king himself received daily one thousand and sixty
pounds, thirty pence, and three farthings, Stirling money,
from his regular revenues in England alone, independently
of presents, fines for offences, and many other matters which
constantly enrich a royal treasury. King William also caused
1 Lnnfranc, with great firmness, claimed before the inquest of the county
•rended over by Geoffry, bishop of Coutances, certain estates of which
deprived the see of Canterbury, and obtained their restoration.
Geoffry de Mowbray, a commune in the canton of Perci, was made
bishop of Goutances m April, !048, and died the 2nd of February, 1093.
t will he-eafter appear how his ncnhew lest the immense heritage
bequeathed to him.
A.D. 1080 — 1086.] ECCLESIASTICAL ABUSES. 51
a careful survey to be taken of the whole kingdom, and an
accurate record to be made of all the revenues as they stood
in the time of King Edward.1 The land was distributed
into knights' fees with such order that the realm of England
should always possess a force of sixty thousand men, ready
at any moment to obey the king's commands, as his occasions
required.
CH. VIII. Tyranny of the conquerors — Abuses of ecclesias-
ical patronage — The English ejected to make way for
Normans — Story of Guitmond, afterwards bishop ofAversa.
POSSESSED of enormous wealth, gathered by others, the
Normans gave the reigns to their pride and fury, and put to
death without compunction the native inhabitants, who for
their sins were subjected by divine Providence to the
scourge. In them we find fulfilled the couplet of the Man-
tuaii Maro : —
O mortals ! blind of fate, who never know
To bear high fortune, or endure the low.*
Young women of high rank were subject to the insults of
grooms, and mourned their dishonour by filthy ruffians.
Matrons, distinguished by their birth and elegance, lamented
in solitude ; and, bereaved of their husbands and deprived of
the consolation of friends, preferred death to life. Ignorant
upstarts, driven almost mad by their sudden elevation, won-
dered how they arrived at such a pitch of power, and thought
that they might do whatever they liked. Fools and perverse,
not to reflect, with contrite hearts, that, not by their o\yi
strength, but by the providence of God, who ordereth all
things, they had conquered their enemies, and subjugated a
nation greater, and richer, and more ancient than their own ;
illustrious for its saints, and wise men, and powerful kings,
who had earned a noble reputation by their deeds, both in
war and peace ! They ought to have recollected with fear, and
1 This famous record is called The Domesday Book, and sometimes
Rotulus, or Liber Wintnnia, it having been kept in the treasury at Win-
chester. The survey was begun in 1080, and completed in 1086.
2 Nescia mens hominum fati, sortisque future,
Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis !
Virg. JEn. X. 501.
E 2
52 ORDEBICTJS VITA.LIS. [B. IV. CH.VIII.
deeply inscribed in their hearts, the word which says : " With
the same measure that ye mete, it shall be measured to you
again." l
Some churchmen, who, to all appearance, were wise and
religious, constantly followed the court, and became abject
flatterers, to the no small disgrace of their Christian pro-
fession, that they might obtain the dignities they coveted.
As the hire for their services is demanded of princes by
newly enlisted soldiers, so some of the laity repaid the
clergy for paying them court by gifts of bishoprics and
abbeys, wardenships, archdeaconries, deaneries, and other
offices of power and dignity, which ought to be conferred
for the merits of holiness and learning. The clergy and
monks now attached themselves to an earthly prince to
obtain such rewards, and, for their worldly advantage, lent
themselves without decency to a service which was incom-
patible with their spiritual duties. The old abbots were
terrified by the threats of secular power, and, unjustly
driven from their seats without the sentence of a synod, to
make way for hirelings, who, more tyrants than monks, were
intruded in their places. Then such traffic and agreements
took place between prelates of this class and the flocks com-
mitted to their charge, as may be supposed between wolves
and sheep having no protector. This may be easily proved
by what happened in the case of Turstin, of Caen, and the
convent of Glastonbury.2 This shameless abbot, attempting
to compel the monks of Glastonbury to disuse the chant
which had been introduced into England by the disciples 01
the blessed Pope Gregory, and to adopt the chant of the
Flemings or Normans, which they had never learned or
heard before, a violent tumult arose, which ended in
disgrace to the holy order. For when the monks refused
new fashions, and their haughty superior persisted in his
obstinacy, all of a sudden, laymen, armed with spears, came
to their master's aid, and surrounding the monks severely
beat some of them, and, as report says, mortally wounded
them. I could relate many such instances, if they would
edify the reader's mind ; but such subjects are by no means
1 Luke vi. 38.
1 Turetin was intruded on the monks of Glastonbury in 1081. The
tumulu here described broke out in 1083.
A.D. 1070.] THE MONK GT7ITMOIO). 53
agreeable, and, therefore, without dwelling on them, I gladly
employ my peii on other matters.
Guitmond was a venerable monk of the monastery called La
Croix d'Helton, where we read that Leudfred, the glorious
confessor of Christ, happily served the Lord forty-eight years
in the reigns of Childebert and Chilperic.1 Guitmond
crossed the sea on a royal summons, and was offered by the
king and great men of the realm a high ecclesiastical office,
but he positively refused to undertake the charge. He was
in the prime of years, devout and deeply learned ; having
left to the world a remarkable proof of his genius in the book
he wrote against Berenjrer, On the Body and Blood of our
Lord,3 as well as in his other works. When the king
entreated him to remain in England until he should have an
opportunity of suitably promoting him, Guitmond took time
to consider the matter carefully, and pointed out how much
his own views differed from the proposal which had been
made, in a long letter replying to the king to the following
effect : —
" I am averse to undertaking any ecclesiastic^ function for
many reasons, which I am not willing, nor would it become
me, fully to detail. In the first place, when I consider well
the infirmities, both bodily and mental, which I continually
suffer, I painfully feel my inability to undergo the scrutiny
of the divine Judge, for even now I lament that in my daily
struggles to keep the path of life I am in continual danger
of erring from the truth. But if I cannot safely rule my-
self, how shall I be able to direct the course of others in
the way to salvation ? Besides, after carefully considering
all circumstances, I do not see by what means I can fitly
undertake the government of a community whose foreign
manners and barbarous language are strange to me ; a
wretched people, whose fathers and near relations and
friends have either fallen by your sword, or have been disin-
herited by you, driven into exile, imprisoned, or subjected
to an unjust and intolerable slavery. Search the scriptures
1 La Croix St. Leufroi, between Evreux and Gaillon, in the diocese of
Evreux. St. Leufroi died about the year 738, in this monastery which he
founded, after governing it forty-eight years.
4 Guitmundi episcopi Aversani, de corporis et sanguinis veritate in
Eucharistia. This work was written in the year 1075.
54 ORDEBICTJS YITALIS. [B.IT. CU.TIIT.
and see if there be any law by which a pastor chosen by
enemies can be intruded by violence on the Lord's flock.
Every ecclesiastical election ought to be purely made in the
first instance by the society of the faithful who are to be
governed, and then confirmed by assent of the fathers of
the church and their friends, if it be canonical ; if not, it
should be rectified in a spirit of charity. How can that
which you have wrung from the people by war and bloodshed
be innocently conferred on myself and others who despise
the world and have voluntarily stripped ourselves of our own
substance for Christ sake ? It is the general rule of all who
take religious vows to have no part in robbery, and, for the
maintenance of justice, to reject offerings which are the
fruits of pillage. For the scripture saith : ' The sacrifice of
injustice is a polluted offering ;' and a little afterwards:
' Whoso offereth a sacrifice of the substance of the poor is
like one that slayeth a son in his father's sight.'1 Reflecting on
these and other precepts of the divine law, I cannot but
tremble. I look upon England as altogether one vast heap
of booty, and I am afraid to touch it and its treasures as if
it were a burning fire. As God commands every man to
love his neighbour as himself, I will tell you sincerely what
I learn from divine inspiration : what I think profitable for
myself is also for your good. Let not that which is spoken
in friendship be considered offensive ; but do you, brave
prince, and your fellow soldiers, who have encountered with
you the greatest perils, receive with kindness the expression
of my advice. Reflect every day of your lives on the
operations of the Lord, and in all your undertakings have
his judgments, which are incomprehensible, before your eyes,
BO weighing your course of life in the scales of justice accord-
ing to the will of God, that the righteous Judge, who orders
all things rightly, may be merciful to you in the day of
doom. Let not flatterers betray you into a deceitful secu-
rity, and from the success which has attended you in the
present life lull you into the death-sleep of worldly prospe-
rity. Vaunt not yourself that the English have been
conquered by your arms, but gird yourself carefully for that
more difficult and dangerous combat with your spiritual
enemies which still remains and is to be fought daily. The
1 Ecclus. xxxiv. 21 and 24.
A.D. 1070.] GUITMOXD'S LETTER TO WILLIAM i. 55
revolutions of earthly kingdoms are exhibited in the pages
of scripture in which the knowledge of past events is
divinely furnished. The Babylonians, under their king
Nebuchodnosor, subdued Judea, Egypt, and many other
countries, but seventy years afterwards they were themselves
conquered aud subjugated by the Medes and Persians under
Darius and his grandson Cyrus. Two hundred and thirty
years afterwards, the Macedemonians, under the command of
Alexander the Great, defeated Darius the king of Persia and
his innumerable hosts ; and many years afterwards, when the
.Romans sent forth their legions into every quarter of the
globe, the Parthians were utterly subdued under their king
Perseus. The Greeks, led by Agamemnon and the son of
Palamede, laid siege to Troy, and having slain the king
Priamus, son of Laomedon, and his sons Hector and Troilus,
Paris, Deiphobus and Amphimacus, after a ten years' siege,
destroyed with fire and sword the famous kingdom of
Phrygia. A remnant of the Trojans, with Eneas for their
chief, established themselves in Italy ; another band, under
the command of Antenor, after a long and difficult journey,
reached Denmark, and made a settlement there which their
posterity inhabit to the present time. The kingdom of Je-
rusalem, enriched by David and his powerful successors with
the spoils of other nations and aggrandized by their conquest
of the surrounding barbarous tribes, was overturned by the
Romans in the reigns of Vespasian and Titus, and the stately
temple of the Jews destroyed one thousand and eighty-nine
years after its foundation, eleven hundred thousand Jews
perishing by the sword or famine. The Franks formed an
alliance with the Gauls in the time of their duke Sunno, and
having resolutely shaken off the Roman yoke began to lord
over them. It is now almost six hundred years since the
Anglo-Saxons, under their chiefs Hengist and Horsa,
wrested by force or fraud the government of Britain from
the natives now called Welsh. The Guinili, driven by chance
from the Scandinavian island invaded that part of Italy now
called Lombardy in the reign of Alboin, son of Audo, and, long
resisting the Romans, have held possession of It to the pre-
sent day. All these great men whom I have described,
as elated by victory, not long afterwards miserably perished,
and together with their victims are subject to endless tor-
56 OKDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.IV. CH.VIII.
tures, under which they groan in the noisome caverns of hell.
The Normans, under their chief Rollo, wrested Neustria from
Charles the Simple, and have now held it for one hundred
and ninety years,1 against all the efforts of the French, not-
withstanding their frequent attacks. Need I speak of the
Gepidi and the Vandals, the Goths and the Turks, the
Huns and the Heruli, and other barbarous nations ? Their
whole business is to ravage and rob, and to tread under foot
• every vestige of peace. They lay waste the soil, burn
houses, disturb the world, scatter the means of subsistence,
butcher the population, spread every where barbarism and
confusion. Such signs as these are omens of the end of
the world, as we are plainly told in the word of truth :
' Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom ; and there shall be great earthquakes in divers
places, and famines and pestilences : and fearful sights and
great signs shall there be from heaven.'4
So sinks the reeling world with woes oppressed.
"Reflecting thoughtfully on these and such like revolutions
in human affairs, let not the conqueror glory in the ruin of
his rivals ; for he himself shall hold his footing no longer
than his Maker wills. I will now, 0 king, apply what I
have said to your own case, beseeching you to listen to me
Avith patience for youi soul's sake. Before you, no one of
your race obtained the kingly dignity ; that high honour
did not accrue to you by inheritance, but by the free gift of
Almighty God, and the kind preference of your kinsman
King Edward. Edgar Atheling and many other scions of
the royal stock, are, according to the laws of the Hebrews
and other nations, nearer in degree than yourself as heirs
to the crown of England. They have been set aside by the
lot which has led to your advancement: but the more
mysterious is God's providence, the more terrible is the
account you will have to give of the stewardship committed
to you. I submit these considerations to your highness
i Without its being necessary to follow the venerable monk through all
his historical disquisitions, it may be proper to remark that this calculation
would carry back the grant of territory made by Charles the Simple to
Hollo nnd his followers to the vear 880
» Lukexxl 11, 1-2.
A.D. 1077.] GUITMO2TD GOES TO EOME. 57
with the fullest good wishes, humbly beseeching you to be
ever mindful of what must come at last, and not to be
wholly engrossed with present prosperity, which is too often
followed by intolerable suffering, wailing, and gnashing of
teeth. And now I commit you, your friends and followers,
to the grace of God, intending, with your permission, to
return to Normandy, and leave the rich spoils of England
to the lovers of this world, as dross and dung. I truly pre-
fer, for my part, that poverty for the love of Christ which
was the choice of Anthony and Benedict, above all the
riches of the world which were the coveted portion of
Cro3sus and Sardanapalus, and when they afterwards
miserably perished, became the spoils of their enemies.
Christ, the good shepherd, has uttered the warning : ' "Woe
to the rich of this world,' who enjoy here vain and super-
fluous luxuries, while he promised the blessings of the world
to come to the poor in spirit ; which may He vouchsafe to
grant us, who liveth and reigneth through all ages. Amen."
The king, who with his great lords admired the firmness
of the venerable monk, treated him with deference, and
taking leave of him with marked respect, commanded him,
with fitting honours, to return to Normandy, and there wait
his own presence where he pleased. When G-uitmond re-
turned to the enclosure of his own monastery, it was noised
abroad that he had preferred monastic poverty to episcopal
wealth, and further, that he had in the presence of the king
and his nobles stigmatized the conquest of England with
the character of robbery, and accused of rapacity all the
bishops and abbots who had obtained preferment in England
against the feeling of the natives. These allegations of his
becoming known throughout the kingdom, and causing much
discussion, were very distasteful to numerous persons who
being little disposed to follow his example, were extremely
exasperated by what he had said. Not long afterwards, on
the death of John, archbishop of Rouen, the king and others
selected G-uitmond for his successor ; but his enemies, the
men he had so severely rebuked, did all in their power to
hinder his preferment. They found nothing, however, to
object to, in a man of his worth, but that he was the son of
a priest. Upon this, Guitmond, wishing to be clear of all
suspicion of covetousness, and preferring to suffer poverty in
58 OEDEBTCUS TITALIS. > [B.IV. CH. VIII.
a foreign country, rather than foment disturbances in his own,
applied respectfully to Odilo, the abbot of his monastery, and
humbly petitioned for permission to travel abroad, which was
granted. This illiterate abbot little knew what treasures
of wisdom were concealed under the humble exterior of the
learned monk, and so he made no difficulty in parting with
a philosopher of inestimable worth, who was received with
joy by Pope Gregory VII. on his arrival at Home, and made
a cardinal of the holy Roman church, and by Pope Urban,
after experience of his abilities, solemnly consecrated metro-
politan of Aversa.2 That city, built in the time of Leo IX.,
Dy the Normans when they first settled in Apulia was called
Adversa by the Romans, because it was founded by
their adversaries. Abounding in wealth, powerful from the
warlike character of its Cisalpine inhabitants,3 formidable
to its enemies, and respected by its faithful subjects and
allies, that city, by the determination of the Normans, was
immediately dependent in ecclesiastical affairs on the pope
himself, from whom it received the philosopher Gruitmond,
honoured with the mystical decoration of the pallium, as its
bishop. This prelate long governed the church entrusted
to his care, enjoying the apostolical privileges of his see free
from all the exactions of men. Having diligently taught
his flock, and given them the protection of his merits and
E ravers, after many struggles in the exercise of his virtues
e departed in the Lord.*
1 It could not be the result of this affair which induced Guitmond to
leave Normandy, for he went to Italy in 1077, and John d'Avranches did
not die till 1079. It may even be doubted whether William proposed »<>
prefer him to the archbishopric of Rouen two years after he had entirely
renounced his country to attach himself altogether to the court of Rome.
He went so far as even to change his name, and adopt that of Christian or
Cristin.
3 Guitmond was not made a cardinal. The see of Aversa was not an
archbishopric, but immediately dependent on the holy see. The city was
rebuilt by the Normans, on the site of the ancient Atella, not in the pope-
dom of Leo IX., 1048 — 1054, but about the year 1030. Ranulph, one of
their leaders, was invested with the title of Count d'Aversa by the emperor
Conrad in 1038.
1 Our author means the Normans, as coming from this side of the Alps.
* The precise date of Guitmond's death is unknown. Like his patron,
Pope Urban If., he probably died about the end of the eleventh century.
For his life and writings, see L'Histoire Littfraire de la France, t. viii.
A.D. 1067 — 1093.] DEATH OF WILLIAM FITZ-OSBEBN. 59
CH. IX. Affairs of Flanders — William Fitz-Osbern
killed in battle there — King William crosses over to Nor-
mandy.
IN the fifth year of his reign King William sent "William
Fitz-Osbern to Normandy to assist Queen Matilda in the
defence of the duchy. At that time there was great con-
tention in Flanders between the heirs to that province.
Baldwin, son-in-law of Eobert king of France, and count of
Flanders, of distinguished bravery had by his wife Adela
several sons and daughters of great merit. Robert, the
Frisian, Arnold, Baldwin, Odo, archbishop of Treves, Henry
the clerk, Queen Matilda, and Judith, wife of Earl Tostig, were
all children of Baldwin and Adela.1 Their characters and
the various occurrences of their lives, would furnish histo-
rians with matter for extended works. Robert the eldest,
having offended his father, and being banished by him,
sought the court of Florence, duke of Frisia, his father's
enemy, and, in reward for his services, received his
daughter's hand in marriage ; at this the duke of Flanders
was much incensed and in his anger gave his son Robert
the name of the Frisian, and, proclaiming him an outlaw,
appointed his second son Arnold his heir. A short time
afterwards, Duke Baldwin died, and Arnold held Flanders
for a short time. But Robert the Frisian invaded it vigo-
rously with a large body of Frisian and other troops. Philip
king of France, who was their kinsman, came to the aid of
Arnold, with a French army, summoning Earl William
[Fitz-Osbern] to attend him as governor of Normandy.
But Earl William joined the king with only ten men-at-
arms, and rode with him gaily to Flanders, as if he was only
going to a tournament. Meanwhile, Robert the Frisian,
had united his forces with those of the emperor, and on Sep-
tuagesima Sunday, the tenth of the calends of March [20th
of February], attacked the enemy by surprise early in the
morning, and Philip, king of France, and his army flying,
Arnold, and his nephew Baldwin, and Earl William were
slain.2 Robert afterwards held the dukedom of Flanders
1 Baldwin V. had only four children ; Arnold was his grandson, son of
Baldwin VI., who succeeded his father, Baldwin V., September 1, 1067.
2 This battle was fought at Bavinchove, near Cassel, the 20th of Feb.
60 OHDEEICUS TITALIS. [B.IV. C II. VIII.
for many years, and at his death left it to his sons Eobert
of Jerusalem and Philip.1 The body of Earl William was
carried to Normandy by his men-at-arms, and interred amid
much sorrow in the abbey of Cormeilles. He had founded
two abbeys on his patrimonial estates in honour of St. Mary,
Mother of God ; one at Lire, on the river Bille, where
Adeliza his wife was buried, and the other at Cormeilles
where, as I have just mentioned, he was himself interred.3
This baron, the bravest of all the Normans, was deeply
lamented by all who knew his generosity, his good humour,
and general virtues. King AVilliam thus distributed his
inheritance among his sons. William the eldest son had
Breteuil, Pacy, and the rest of his patrimonial estates in
Normandy which he possessed during all his life, nearly
thirty years. Roger, the younger brother, had the earldom
of Hereford and his father's other possessions in England ;
but he shortly afterwards lost all by his perfidy and folly,
as will appear in the sequel.
Though Matilda's government was powerful and her
resources vast, she was plunged into the deepest affliction
by the death of her father, her mother's bereavement, the
cruelty of one brother, which caused the loss of another, as
well as of her beloved nephew, and a number of her friends.
It is thus that the Almighty God punishes the inhabitants
of the earth when they forget him, casts down the proud, and
makes it plain that he is the Ruler of the universe. Robert
the Frisian now subjugated the whole of Flanders, and held
possession of it for almost thirty years,8 securing with ease
the alliance of Philip king of France. Those two princes
were cousins by descent, and both married daughters of
Florence, marquis of Frisia;1 and their sons are to the
1 07 1 . The person described by our author as nephew of Robert the Frisian,
was Baldwin, count d'Hainault, Arnold's eldest brother, but he did not
fall in the battle, living till the first crusade, which he joined.
1 Robert the Frisian died suddenly in October, 1093, leaving, as our
author states, two sons, and also three daughters ; but the sons did not
possess his states jointly or successively, the share of Philip being only the
buiyravate of Ypres.
1 Concerning these two abbeys, see before, vol. i. p. 384. Adeliza, wife
of William Fitz-Osbern, was daughter of Roger de Toni.
3 Only twenty-one years.
* These two princes were not brothers-in-law ; Philip married Bertha,,
A.D. 1072.] KI>TG WILLIAM VISITS NOBMA.NDT. 61
present day united in the same bonds of amity. But a new
cause of dissension between the Normans and Flemings
sprung out of the death of the queen's brother and other
relations, and especially that of Earl William [Fitz-Osbern].
Affairs in Normandy becoming thus disturbed, the king put
his English dominions into a good condition, and then
hastened over to Normandy that he might order things
there to the best advantage. The king's arrival being
known, the hearts of the peaceable were gladdened, but the
promoters of discord, and those stained with crimes, whose
consciences reproached them, trembled at the approach of
an avenging power. The king assembled the leading men
of Normandy and Maine, and in a royal speech recommended
them all to maintain peace and do justice. The bishops and
churchmen he exhorted to lead good lives, continually to
study Grod's law, to consult together for the welfare of the
church, to correct the morals of their flocks according to
the canonical decrees, and in all things to govern with
prudence.
CH. X. A synod held at Souen under John the archbishop —
Acts of the synod.
IN the year of our Lord 1072 a synod assembled in the city
of Eouen, the metropolitan see, in the church of the blessed
St. Mary, ever virgin, mother of God. John, archbishop of
that see, presided, and following in the steps of the fathers,
consulted on various points regarding the necessities of the
church with his suffragans, Odo, bishop of Bayeux, Hugh of
Lisieux, Robert of Seez, Michael of Avranches, and Gisle-
bert of Evreux.1 The doctrine of the church on the holy
and undivided Trinity was first taken into consideration,
which they affirmed, ratified, and made profession of their
belief with their whole hearts according to the decrees
of the sacred councils of Nice, Constantinople, the first of
Ephesus, and Chalcedon. After this profession of the
daughter of Florence, count of Holland, and Robert the Frisian, Gertrude
of Saxony, the count's widow, who was Philip's mother-in-law.
1 The account of this synod given by Ordericus Vitalis is the only record
we have of it.
62 ORDERICTTS TITALIS. [B.IT. CH.X.
Catholic faith, the following articles were added as they are
hereunder written.
First. It is ordered by us, that according to the decrees
of the fathers, the chrism, and the oil for baptism and the
holy unction, be consecrated at a convenient hour, that is,
after the second nones, as the aforesaid fathers decreed. The
bishop should take care that twelve priests, or as many as he
has with him, assist at the consecration in their sacerdotal
vestments.
Item. In some dioceses an odious practice has grown up
for the archdeacons, in the absence of the bishop, to obtain
from some other bishop small portions of oil and chrism,
and to mix them with oil of their own ; which custom is
condemned, and every archdeacon is to present the whole of
his chrism and oil to the consecrating bishop, the same as if
it was his own diocesan.
Item. The distribution of the chrism and oil shall be made
by the deans with the greatest care and reverence, so that
they wear albs while the distribution takes place, and it be
so ma'de in such vessels, that no portion be lost by care-
lessness.
Item. It is ordered, that no priest shall celebrate mass
without also communicating.
Item. No priest shall baptize a child unless he wear his
alb and stole, but upon urgent necessity.
Item. There are some priests who reserve the viaticum
and holy water beyond the eighth day, which is condemned.
Others, when they have no consecrated host, make a fresh
consecration, which is severely forbidden.
Item. It is ordered, that the gifts of the Holy Spirit shall
not be conferred without both givers and receivers having
fasted, nor the confirmation be made without fire [candles ?].
This is enjoined, that in conferring holy orders we may not
violate apostolical authority. For we read in the decrees of
Pope Leo, that holy orders shall not be given indiscrimi-
nately every day, but after Saturday in the beginning of the
succeeding night, the holy benediction be given, both those
who give and those who receive it being then fasting. The
same rule will be observed when the office is performed on
the morning of the Lord's day, the fast having been pro-
A.D. 1072.] ACTS OP THE SYNOD OF BOUEJT. 63
longed. This portion of time is a prolongation of the
commencement of the night preceding, and it is not to be
doubted that it belongs to the day of the resurrection as is
also declared in our Lord's passion.
Item. The observance of the four seasons, according to
the divine institution, is to be kept among us with general
accord at the proper periods ; viz., the first week in March,
the second in June, the third in September, and the same
in December, ux honour of the nativity of our Lord. It
would be unseemly that an institution of the saints should
be nullified by worldly cares and occupations.
Item. Clerks, who, without election, vocation, or the
intervention of a bishop, intrude themselves into sacred
orders ; those who have been ordained [priests] by the
bishop, supposing them to be already deacons ; and those
who are ordained priests and deacons, without having had
the minor orders ; all these ought to be deposed.
Item. Those who have received the tonsure, and afterwards
relinquished it, shall be excommunicated until such time as
they make due amends. Clerks offering themselves for
ordination are to present themselves at the bishop's residence
on the fifth day [Thursday].
Item. Monks and nuns, who, quitting their convents,
wander about from place to place, and those who have been
expelled for their offences, ought to be compelled by pastoral
authority to return to their convents. If the abbots shall
refuse to re-admit those who have been expelled, let them be
supplied with food as alms, or which they may earn by the
labour of their hands, until it be ascertained that they have
amended their lives.
Item. Forasmuch as the cure of souls is trafficked in by
buying and selling, both by the clergy and laity, and even by
monks, such practices are strictly forbidden.
Marriages are not to be solemnized in private, nor after
dinner ; but the bride and bridegroom shall receive the
nuptial benediction fasting, from a priest who is also fasting,
at the manse.1 And, before they are united, their family
shall be inquired into ; and if there be found to be any con-
1 " In monasteries." The French editor of Ordericus remarks that the
term, in writers of the middle ages, often means the parish church. See
the observations, vol. i. p. 396.
64 OBDERICUS TITALIS. [B.IV. CH.X.
sanguinity within the seventh generation, or if either of the
parties has been divorced, they must not be married. Any
priest who breaks this rule shall be deposed.
Concerning priests, deacons, and subdeacons, who have
taken women to live with them, the decree of the synod of
Lisieux shall be observed ; that they are not to have the care
of churches, neither of themselves, or by their vicars, and
shall receive no part of the revenues. Archdeacons, who
eught to enforce discipline, may not be allowed to have con-
cubines, or handmaids, or any women smuggled in; but
should set an example of continence and holiness to their
subordinates. Those should be chosen deans who know
how to reprove and correct the inferior clergy, whose life is
irreproachable, and who merit the preferment more than
others.1
Item. It is forbidden any one who, in the lifetime of his
wife, has been charged with adultery, after her death to
marry the woman with respect to whom he was accused.
For great mischief has ensued from this practice ; and men
have even murdered their wives.
Item. No one whose wife has taken the veil, shall marry
again while she is living.
Item. If the wife of any man who has gone in pilgrimage
or elsewhere, shall marry another before she has received
certain intelligence of his death, she shall be excom-
municated until she has made due satisfaction.
Item. It is decreed that those who fall publicly into mortal
sins shall not be very soon reinstated in holy orders. For,
as St. Gregory says, if the lapsed obtain license to return to
their order, the influence of canonical discipline is undoubt-
edly weakened, as the hope of being restored diminishes the
tear of encouraging the inclination to evil conduct. It should,
1 This canon caused a tumult, in which the archbishop barely escaped
with his life. The controversy about married priests caused great dis-
turbances throughout Europe. A similar decree was made by a synod
held at London in 1102. See Huntingdon's History, p. 241, 252.
No distinction was drawn between wives and concubines ; indeed the
words of this canon seem studiously to ignore the legal existence of the
former — " qui feminat us ur paver int." The term uxores is used by the
synod of London, but that is understood to apply both to wives and con-
cubines. The synod of Lisieux here mentioned was held in 1055. It
deposed Archbishop Mauger. Its acts are lost.
A.D. 1072.] ACTS OF THE SYNOD OF KOUEN. 65
therefore, be an established rule, that those who fall into
open sin, should on no account be restored to their former
rank, but under special circumstances, and after making
amends by a long penance.
Item. If any clerk who has lapsed, is liable to be deposed,
and a sufficient number of bishops, according to the canons,
cannot be assembled for that purpose, viz. six, in the case of
priests, and three, in that of deacons, any bishop who
cannot attend may substitute bis vicar-general with equal
authority.
Item. It is decreed, that during Lent, no one shall dine
till the hour of nones is passed, and vespers begin. No one
who eats before shall be considered as fasting.
Item. It is decreed, that, on the Saturday of Easter, the
office shall not commence before nones. For it has regard
to the night of our Lord's resurrection, in honour of which
the Gloria in Excelsis and Alleluia is sung. It is also
marked by the benediction of the candle at the beginning of
the office. The book of Offices 1 says that, on these two
days, the eucharist is not celebrated. By the two days are
meant the sixth day [Friday] and Saturday, on which the
grief and mourning of the apostles are commemorated.
Item. If the feast of any saint occurs on a day on which
it cannot be kept, it shall be celebrated not before but
within the octave.
Item. According to the decrees of the holy fathers, Popes
Innocent and Leo, we order that general baptism shall only
be administered on the Saturday of Easter and Whitsuntide ;
with this provision, that the washing of regeneration shall
not be denied to infants, at whatever time, or on whatever
day it is required. However, we entirely forbid the adminis-
tration of baptism on the eve or the feast of the Epiphany,
unless in case of sickness.
The decrees of this synod were subscribed by John, arch-
bishop of Rouen, Odo, bishop of Bayeux, Michael, bishop of
Avrauches, Gislebert, bishop of Evreux, and some venerable
abbots, who were at that time the honour of the monasteries
of Normandy, and maintained the monastic discipline.
1 This work, composed by Archbishop John while he was bishop of
Avrauches, was published at Rouen in 1G79.
VOL. ii. v
GO OBDEBICUS TITALTS. [u.IV. CH.XI.
CH. XI. Notices of eminent men in the alleys of Normandy
in the author's age— particularly in the alley of Sec.
I THINK it well to transmit to posterity an account of the
holy fathers who wisely governed the abbeys of Normandy,
in the time of King William, and whose study it was worthily
to serve the eternal King, who reigns unchangeably. Their
disciples, I think, have already committed to writing many
of their memoirs for the information of future times, but
there are some whom it is pleasant to me, as well as to my
superiors, at least to name in these pages, for the particular
regard I bear them, and not for any worldly advantage, but
simply from my love of learning, and the piety with which
they were divinely inspired.
The abbey of Fecamp, which stands in sight of the sea,
and is dedicated to the holy and undivided Trinity, Creator
of all things, was nobly founded by Richard I., duke of
Normandy, and afterwards richly endowed with lands and
possessions by Eichard II. After William of Dijon, a man
of great wisdom and zealous for religion, the venerable abbot
John governed this monastery fifty-one years. Next, it was
held for almost twenty-seven years by William de Eos, a
clerk of Bayeux and monk of Caen.1 Like the mystical
spikenard, he was an odour of sweet smelling in the house
of the Lord by his charity, munificence, and many virtues.
The works he diligently performed either before the world,
or in secret before few witnesses, bore witness to the spirit
which dwelt within him, and entirely possessing him, con-
ducted him to his crown before the throne of the Lord of
Sabaoth.
The monk Gontard was removed from the abbey of
Fontenelles2 by the election of prudent men. and appointed
ruler of the abbey of Jumieges, after the death of Abbot
Robert. He diligently spread the food of spiritual wisdom
before the flock committed to his charge, and sustained with
vigour the strictness of monastic discipline. He cherished
1 William de Dijon, 1001—1028 ; John, a native of the neighbourhood
>f Ravenna, 1028-1-V-bruary 22, 1079; William de Ros, 1079-March
'-(>, I 108.
2 This abbey, afterwards known by the name of St. Wandrille, its
patron saint.
A.D. 1079 — 1093.] AXSELiI ABBOT OF BEC. G7
and honoured the gentle and submissive, as a father treats
his children, but applied the rod of correction to the repro-
bate and contumacious and despisers of discipline, like a
severe master. At length, having accompanied his col-
leagues, the bishops of Normandy, to the council of Cler-
mont held by Pope Urban, A.D. 1095, the third iudiction,
Father G-ontard, by God's will, died there on the sixth of
the calends of December [November 26], He was suc-
ceeded by Tancard,1 prior of Fecamp, who proved to be
tierce as a lion^,
On the death of Herluin, who was the founder and first
abbot of the monastery of Bee,2 and being endowed with
spiritual graces in his lifetime, contributed much to the
profit of the children of the church, he was succeeded by
the venerable Anselm, a man of deep erudition, who, by
God's grace, filled the abbey much to its renown, with
devout and learned brethren. As the number of the
servants of God increased, their means of subsistence did
not fail, but there was abundant provision for the honour-
able entertainment of the noble friends and attached
brothers who nocked to the abbey from all quarters.
Learned men of eminence, both clergy and laity, resorted to
hear the sweet words of truth which flowed from his mouth,
pleasing to the seekers of righteousness as angels' dis-
courses. , Anselm, who was a native of Italy, had followed
Lanfranc to Bee, and as the Israelites carried off the gold
and wealth of the Egyptians, so he entered with joy the
land of promise with a full lading of the worldly erudition
of the philosophers. Becoming a monk, he gave himself up
to the study of theology, and poured forth abundantly the
honeyed streams of wisdom from the rich fountain of
wisdom. He skilfully cleared up the difficulties of the
obscure passages of scripture, threw light upon them by his
discourses and writings, and expounded with soundness the
mysterious predictions of the prophets. All his words were
valuable, and edified his attached hearers. His attentive
pupils committed to writing his letters and typical dis-
courses ; so that, being deeply imbued with them, they
1 Gontard, abbot of Jumieges, about 1078 — November 26, 1095, the
day on \vhich the council closed; Tancard, 1096— about 1101.
- 1034— August 26, 1078.
r 2
68 onDEBicrs TITALIS. [B.IT. CH.XI.
profited others as well as themselves, to no small degree.
His successors, "William and Boso, were deeply penetrated
with this spirit, and having drawn deeply at the source of
so much wisdom, were able to distribute large draughts of
the pure stream to their thirsting disciples. Anseltn was
courteous and affable, replying with kindness to all who
questioned him in simplicity. At the instance of his friends
he published books, keenly and profoundly written, on the
Trinity, on Truth, Freewill, the Fall of Satan, and the
question, Why God was made Man ? His disciples spread
the report of his talents through all the Latin world, and
the western church was filled to inebriation with the nectar
of his exalted character. The vast deposit of learning and
theology at the abbey of Bee, begun by Lanfranc, was nobly
added to by Anselm,1 and thence proceeded a succession of
enlightened teachers, careful pilots and spiritual cha-
rioteers,2 to whom were confided the helm and the reins by
which the church is divinely guided in the concerns of the
present world. The monks of Bee are thus become so
devoted to literary pursuits, and so exercised in raising and
solving difficult questions of divinity, and in profitable dis-
cussions, that they seem to be almost all philosophers ; and
those among them who appear to be illiterate, and might be
called clowns, derive from their intercourse with the rest
the advantages of becoming fluent grammarians. Delight-
ing in God's worship with mutual good-will and sweet
affection, and taught by true wisdom, they are unwearied in
the offices of devotion. The hospitality of the monks of
Bee I cannot sufficiently praise. Ask the Burgundians and
Spaniards, and their other visitors from far and near, and
their replies will tell truly with what kindness they are
entertained; and they will doubtless strive to imitate it
under similar circumstances. The gate of the abbey of Bee
stands for ever open to every traveller, and their bread is
never refused to any one who asks it for charity's sake.
? St. Anselm, abbot of Bee, 1079— March (?, 1093, was a native of
Aosta in Piedmont. For his works, consult the Hixloire JMteraire de la
France, t. ix. William de Montfort ; his successor, August 2, 1094—
April 16, 1124; Boson, 1124— June 24, 1136.
1 Providi nauta et tpiritnales a^rigec ; the latter phrase sounds
strangely in the French translation, " des cochers spirituels."
A.D. 1063 — 1092.] ABBOTS OF FONTENELLES, ETC. 69
What more can I say of the merits of the monks of Bee ? *
May He who graciously began and carries on the good
works which so eminently distinguishes them, keep them
stedfast in the right way, and conduct them safe to the
haven of salvation !
Gerbert de Fontenelles, Ainard of Dives, and Durand of
Troarn,2 three illustrious abbots, shone brilliantly in the
temple of the Lord like bright stars in the firmament of
heaven. They were no less distinguished by their piety
and charity, than by numerous accomplishments, among
which they were remarkably eminent for the zeal with
which they studied sacred psalmody in the house of God.
Standing in the first rank among the masters of music who
have applied their art to sweet modulation, they composed
some charming chants for antiphons and responses. The
King supreme, who is lauded by angels and archangels, and
all the company of heaven ; Mary, the immaculate virgin
who bore the Saviour of the world ; angels, apostles, and
martyrs ; confessors and virgins ; these were the themes
which drew from them mellifluous streams of heart-felt
praise ; and with these they carefully instructed the youth-
ful choristers of the church to sing praises to the Lord
with Asaph and Eman, Elthan and Idithun, and the sons
of Corah.
Nicholas, son of Eichard III., duke of Normandy, after
being from his boyhood a monk of Fecamp, governed for
nearly sixty years the abbey of St. Peter, prince of the
apostles, in the suburbs of Rouen. He began building a
church, remarkable for its size and elegance, in which
reposes the body of St. Ouen, archbishop of that city,
1 The abbey of Bee long continued to be a distinguished school of
learning, and the resort of men of letters and eminence. It gave another
archbishop to Canterbury in 1 1 39, in the person of Theobald, who w.is
abbot of Bee. Henry of Huntingdon, the English historian, accompanying
that prelate to Rome, soon after his appointment, they rested at Bee on
their journey, and there Huntingdon tells us, in his " Letter to Warin," he
met the celebrated monk Robert de Torigny, otherwise called Del Monte,
a great antiquarian, who showed him the work of Geoffrey of Monmouth
recently published, from which Huntingdon extracted his abridged account
of the ancient British kings.
a Gerbert, abbot of St. Wandrille, 1055— September 4, 1089; Ainard,
abbot of Notre-Dame de St. Pierre sur-Dive, 1046 — January 14, 1078;
Durand, abbot ol'Troarn, May 13, 1059— February 11, 1088.
70 ORDEEICUS YITALIS. . [B.IT. C1I.XII.
•with many other relics of saints.1 There were also in Nor-
mandy at that time many other superiors of monks, whose
numerous virtues I am compelled to omit, least I should
weary the reader by too great prolixity.
CH. XII. Popes Alexander II. and Gregory VII. (Hilde-
brand) — Singular nomination of Hoel to the see of Mans.
IK the year of our Lord 1073 (the eleventh indiction), Pope
Alexander II. departed this life, after filling the Eoman and
apostolical see eleven years ; and Gregory VII., whose baptis-
mal name was Hildebrand, succeeding him, sat in the chair of
St. Peter seventeen years.2 A monk from his childhood,
Gregory was deeply read in the law of God, and his fervent
zeal in the path of justice brought on him much persecution.
He launched his apostolical decrees through all the world,
and, sparing no one, thundered forth the holy oracles with
terrible effect, summoned all men to the marriage feast of
the Lord of Sabaoth with both prayers and threats. At the
request of this pope, the venerable Hugh, abbot of Cluni,
sent to Borne Oclo, prior of that monastery, who had been a
canon of Kheims, accompanied by other chosen monks, who
were joyfully received by the pope as fellow labourers sent
him by God.3 He selected Odo for his principal counsellor,
and made him bishop of Ostia, which see has the prerogative
of having its bishop elected by the clergy of Home, and
consecrated by the pope himself. Benedict also promoted
the other monks, as circumstances permitted, preferring
them to the government of different churches.
On the death of Arnold, bishop of Mans, King "William
said to Samson, bishop of Bayeux, his chaplain : " The
1 Nicholas, son of Richnrd, abbot of St. Ouen, 1 056— February, 1092.
The end of the north transept of the church here mentioned is still
standing. This striking ruin, which stands between the present church and
the hotel of the municipality, examined from the interior, iully justifies, by
its fine proportions, the admiration with which our autl.or viewed it.
* Pope Alexander II, September 30, 1061— April 21, 1073; Gregory
VII., April 22, 1073— May 25, 1085.
* It was not Gregory VII., but his successor, Urban II., who on giving
up the bishopric of Ostia, when rbised to the popedom, invited his old
contemporary at Cluni, the learned Odo, to succeed him in the see of
Ostia, which he held till the year 1101.
AJ). 1080.] HOEL NAMED BISHOP OF MANS. 71
bishopric of Mans being now void, I wish, by God's will, to
promote you to that see in his place. Mans, an ancient city
which derives its name from canine madness,1 has a popula-
tion which is always aggressive and blood-thirsty as regards
its neighbours, and insolent and rebellious to its lords. I
have, therefore, resolved to place the reins of its ecclesias-
tical government in your hands, having cherished and
dearly loved you from your childhood, and desiring now to
place you high among the great men of my dominions."
Samson replied: "According to the apostolical precept, a
bishop ought to be irreproachable ; but I hsve been far from
answering to that character, during the whole course of my
life, for 1 feel that before God I am polluted with sins, both
of body and mind ; and, wretched and unworthy as I am,
my manifold offences forbid me to aspire to so high a
dignity." The king said : " With your natural shrewdness
you see clearly that you act rightly in confessing yourself a
sinner; but I have set my mind on you, and shall not
depart from my purpose, unless you either accept the
bishopric, or recommend me another to take it in your
place." Simon heard this with joy, and replied: "My lord
and king, you have now spoken well ; and you will find me
ready, with God's help, to do what you wish. You have in
your chapel a poor clerk, who is well born and of good
conversation. Give him the bishopric, in the fear of the
Lord, for I think he is worthy of that honour. On the
king's inquiring who he meant, Simon replied: "His name
is Hoel, and he is a native of Brittany, and a humble and
truly good man." Hoel was presently summoned at the
king's command, without being informed for what purpose.
But when the king saw before him a mere vouth, in mean
apparel, and of emaciated aspect, he conceived a contempt for
him, and, turning to Simon, said : " Is this the person you
praised so highly ? " To which Samson replied : " Even so,
my lord ; I honestly recommend him without the slightest
hesitation, and it is not without reason that I prefer him to
myself and such as me. His gentleness and benevolence
make him fit to be a bishop. Do not despise him for his
emaciated appearance. His humble dress only makes him
1 A play upon the Latin term for Mans; cceno-manis a canind rabie
dicta.
72 OEDEEICUS VITA1I8. [B.IY. Cn.XII.
more estimable in the eyes of wise men ; Q-od himself does
not regard a man's exte'rior, but has respect unto the worth
concealed beneath it." The king, in his wisdom, reflected
on observations so full of sagacity, and, coming to a better
mind, and bringing his scattered thoughts under the control
of reason, hastened again to call the clerk we are speaking
of to his presence, and committed to him the charge and
temporalities of the bishopric of Mans. The royal will
being made known among the clergy, testimonies of Hoel's
good conversation were universally forthcoming. The faithful
offered their devout praises to God for so just and excellent
a selection, and the pastor-elect was introduced with fitting
honour to the sheepfold of his flock by the bishops and
other servants of God who received the king's commands.
The new bishop was not more astonished at his sudden pro-
motion than David, when he was scorned by his brethren, at
Samuel's raising him to the throne of Judah. Hoel, bishop
of Mans, thus elevated to the government of that see,
presided over it in great sanctity for fifteen years. He laid
the foundations of the cathedral church in which the
remains of St. Julian the confessor, and first bishop of Mans,
were deposited ; and began other works, which the church
required, labouring to complete them as opportunity offered.1
At his death, he was succeeded by Hildebert, a distinguished
versifier, who worthily filled the see for thirty years. He
completed the cathedral church begun by his predecessor,
which he solemnly consecrated amid the great rejoicings
of the people. Not long afterwards, in the year of our
Lord 1125, the fourth indiction, when Gislebert, arch-
bishop of Tours, died at Home, at the same time as Pope
Callistus II., he was called to the metroplitan see of Tours
in the time of Pope Honorius, by the demands and orders
of the holy church, and still continues to hold it with laud-
able care and exemplary conduct.
1 The appointment of Hoel to the see of Mans was not made in 1073.
but after ^the death of Arnold, his immediate predecessor, the 24th of
July, 1097. The historians of Mans repudiate the extraordinary circum-
stances related by our author on the subject of h;s election. According to
them, Hoel completed the cathedral begun by Vularin and Arnold, and
Hildebert only erected the chapter-house and sacristy. But as the con-
secration of the cathedral was not made till 1120, it is hardly probable
that it would have been deferred so long, if it had been finished by Hoel.
A.D. 1051—1062.] HEEBEET, COUNT OF MAINE. 73
CH. XIII. Affairs of Maine — Expedition of King William,
which established his power in that province.
As the ocean never remains in a state of complete rest,
but its troubled waves are always in motion ; and, though
its surface at times appears calm to the unobservant spec-
tator, those who navigate it are not the less in dread of
changes and fluctuations: so this world is in a constant
state of turmoil from the tide of events, and is always pre-
senting new forms of sorrow or joy. Thus, endless alterca-
tions are constantly arising and proceeding to extremities
among those unsatisfied worldlings, whose wishes the world
itself is insufficient to satisfy. While each strives to be first
and endeavours to tread under foot his rivals, the law of God
is broken in the disregard for justice, and human blood is
shed without mercy in the struggle to obtain what every one
covets. This is abundantly shown by the records of ancient
history, and modern reports tell the same tale in our very
streets and villages. It follows that some rejoice for the
moment, while others are filled with sorrow and trouble. I
have already treated shortly of some instances of this kind
in my present work, and shall add more, faithfully detailing
what I have heard from my seniors.
Herbert, count of Maine, who was, it is said, of the race
of Charlemagne, merited by his great bravery the name by
which he was commonly known, in bad Latin signifying
watch-dog. For after the death of Hugh his father, who
was subdued by the powerful Fulk the elder, he rose in
arms against the conqueror, and by his nightly expeditions,
frequently alarmed the men and dogs of the city and for-
tified towns, so that their fears made them be on the watch
against his formidable attacks.1
1 It has been remarked that Ordericus is very apt to multiply the number
of the descendants of Charlemagne, but it is well known that on the dis-
memberment of the Carlovingian empire, not only the sovereign princes of
the highest rank, but a vast number of the powerful nobles, who under
various titles carved out for themselves independent sovereignties in frag-
ments of the empire, strengthened their pretensions by connecting them-
selves with the common stock of honour and power among the Franks of
the ninth and succeeding centuries. Herbert Eveille-chien succeeded his
father, Hugh, in 1016, or earlier, and died the 15th of April, 1036. Our
author has before given, vol. i. p. 448, a different and far less natural account
of his strange surname.
74 OEDEKICCS VITALIS. [B.IT. CH.XIII.
Hugh, the son of Herbert, after Alan count of Brittany,
died in Normandy from poison given him by the Normans,
married hia widow Bertha, daughter of Theobald count de
Blois, by whom he had a son named Herbert and three
daughters;1 one of them was given in marriage to Azzo,
marquis of Liguria; another, named Margaret, was be-
trothed to Eobert, sou of "William duke of Normandy, but
died while she was his ward, before marriage. The third
married John, lord of the castle called Fleche, by whom she
had three sons, Goisbert, Elias, and Enoch.2
Geoffrey Martel, the brave count of Anjou, dying, was
succeeded by his two nephews, sons of his sister by Alberie,
count du Gatinois, one of whom, Geoffrey, a prince of
simple and gentle manners, obtained the county in right of
his being the eldest. After the death of the younger
brother Herbert, "William duke of Normandy acquired his
share of the inheritance, and Count Geoffrey conferred the
fief on llobert, with his daughter's hand in marriage,
receiving from him homage and fealty in the presence of his
father at Alen9on. Not long afterwards Fulk, surnamed
Rechin, revolted from Geoffrey his brother and liege lord,
and treacherously siezing him kept him prisoner in the
castle of Chinon more than thirty years. Such were the
revolutions which disturbed the province of Anjou and its
neighbours, and in which the nobles of the country took
different sides, according to their inclinations.
While Fulk himself was deeply grieved at seeing Maine
under the supremacy of the Normans, the turbulent citi-
zens and neighbouring garrisons, with some hired soldiers,
joined unanimously in a conspiracy against their foreign
masters, and, vigorously assaulting the citadel and other
1 Hugh, Herbert's son, succeeded him in 1036, and married Bertha,
daughter of Eudes, count de Bois and Champagne, and widow of Alan
III., duke of Brittany, who was poisoned in Normandy the 1st of October,
•40. Hugh died the 7th of April, 1051, leaving, notwithstanding what
our author says, only one son and one daughter.
7 Gereende, second wife of Azzo, marquis of Liguria, was sister, not
daughter, of Hugh II. The same may be said of Paule or Haberge, the
mother, and not the wife of John, lord of Fleche, of the family of the
lords of Beauquency. For the dates of the deaths of Herbert II. and
Margaret, ha sister, betrothed to Robert Court-hose, see before vol L
pp. 448 and 449.
A.D. 1073.] KING WILLIAM BEDUCES MAINE. 75
fortifications of the city, defeated and expelled Turgis de
Traci1 and William de la Forte, and the rest of the king's
officers. Some were slain, making a brave resistance, others
were cruelly thrown into prison, and, ample revenge was
taken on the Normans thus deprived of their liberty. All
the country was now in a state of disturbance, the Norman
power was eclipsed, and assailed by almost all, as by an
universal blight. In like manner Geoffrey de Mayenne and
other barons of Maine, formed a conspiracy and rose against
the Normans ; a few only, for their own reasons and under
various circumstances, maintained their allegiance to King
William.
When this great king heard the dreadful reports of the
massacre of his officers, his anger was roused, and he took
measures for checking the progress of his enemies, and
revenging, by arms, the rebellion of the traitors as it de-
served. The Normans and English were quickly summoned
to the field, and the several bodies of troops being formed
into one army, with horse and foot skilfully arrayed under
their several commanders, he marched at the head of this
formidable force into the country of Maine. He first be-
sieged the castle of Fresnai, where he knighted Eobert de
Belesine. Hubert, the governor, however, came to terms,
and, surrendering his castles of Fresnai and Beaumont2 to
the king, continued his submission for some time. Having
next laid siege to the castle of Sille, the governor gave him-
self up to the king and obtained peace. No one indeed was
able to make any resistance to the overwhelming force of
the royal army, but all the garrisons of the castles and the
country people, with the clerks and monks, decided on
receiving the king as the restorer of peace, with fitting
honours. At length he came before Maine, and investing
the place with several divisions of his army, made his royal
commands duly known, imperiously requiring the citizens
to consult their own safety by quietly surrendering the
place, and so avoiding an assault and the consequent horrors
of fire and sword. Listening to this wise counsel, the citi-
zens came the next day, bringing with them the keys of the
1 Turgis ile Traci, near Vire, where there are still the ruins of a
magnificent castle of the middle u-j;e.
2 i'resiuu and Beaumont, le Vicomte, both on the Sarthc.
76 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.IV. CH.XIII.
city, and offering their submission, which the king received
with favour. The rest of the people of Maine were terrified
at seeing so vast and fierce an army marcbing through their
territories, and they found that their fellow conspirators
and supporters were unable to make any stand against so
experienced a general. They therefore sent delegates to
the conqueror to ask for peace, and terms being made, they
gladly joined their standards with the royal ensigns, and
were permitted thenceforth to live in peace in their own
homes and under their vines, and enjoy themselves as they
pleased.
Order being thus restored in Maine without much fight-
ing, and the province continuing tranquil under the do-
minion of King William, Count Fulk l became mischievously
jealous, and his anger broke forth against some of the ad-
herents of the Normans. John de la Fleche, the most
powerful lord in Anjou, who was particularly obnoxious to
him on this account, having ascertained that the count was
ready to fall upon him with an armed force, summoned his
confederates in the neighbourhood to his assistance, and
demanded the support of King \Villiam, which was granted
him. For, without delay, the king sent to him William de
Moulins, Eobert de Vieux-Pont, and other brave and ex-
perienced knights, who were at once united by John with
his own followers in the defence of his towns. Fulk,
learning these dispositions, was much vexed, and immediately
collecting a body of troops laid siege to John's Castle.
Count Hoel* also came to the succour of Fulk with a large
force of Bretons, with which he did all in his power to
second the enterprise of Fulk. King William, knowing
that such large bodies of troops must completely surround
his own adherents, again issued a royal proclamation for
mustering the Normans and English and other people
under his rule, and like a resolute general led an army of
00,000 men, as report says, against the enemy. Meanwhile
the Angevins and the Bretons, on hearing of the approach
of the royal army, did not retire, but boldly crossed the
Loire, and after etfecting the passage destroyed their boats,
that the hope of retreat might not make them less des-
1 Fulk le Rlchin, count d'Anjou, April 4, 1067— April 14, 1109
a Hoel V., duke of Brittany, 10G6— April 15, 1084.
A.D. 1078.] SETTLEMENT OF MAINE. 77
perate in fighting. While, however, the two armies were
in face of each other, drawn out for battle, and many hearts
quailed at the fearful death, and the still more fearful fate
after death, which awaits the reprobate, a cardinal priest of
the Roman church, and some pious monks, interfered by
divine inspiration, and remonstrated with the chiefs of both
armies. They firmly forbade the battle in God's name, and
used exhortations and prayers to effect a peace. Their
endeavours were powerfully seconded by "William of Evreux
and Eoger [de Montgomery],1 and other counts and brave
soldiers, who, bold and forward as they were in legitimate
contests, were slack to engage in odious quarrels, brought
about by pride and injustice. The messengers of Christ
thus sowing the seeds of concord, the arrogance of the am-
bitious gave way, and the fears of the timid were gradually
allayed. Many conferences were held, a variety of proposals
were discussed, there was a contest of words ; but by the
power of God the ambassadors of peace were successful
with both parties. The count of Anjou ceded his rights in
Maine to the young prince Robert, the king's son, with all
the fiefs which the prince acquired by Margaret his wife
from Count Herbert. Finally, Robert performed due
homage to Fulk, as a vassal to his superior lord. John
and the other Angevins, who had borne arms for the king
against the count, were reconciled to their sovereign, while,
on the other hand, those of Maine, who had revolted with
the count against the king, were included in the treaty.
The grace of God thus reconciling the hearts of the princes,
offences were repented and forgotten on one side and the
other, and the good people made great rejoicings at the
peace which delivered them from the lowering storms that
disturbed their tranquillity. The peace between the king
and the count, which was concluded at a place commonly
called Blanch-Land or Blanche-Bruyerre,2 lasted all the
king's life to the advantage of the two states.
1 William, count d'Evreux, December 13, 1067 — April 18, 1 1 18 ; Roger
de Montgomery, earl of Belesme, Alenfon, and Shrewsbury, 1070— July
27, 10.94.
2 There is still a fkrm called Blancheland, near St. Mards de Cr6, at
one extremity of the vast sandy desert called the Landes, which at that
time extended south of the Loire from the suburbs of La Fleche to this
place.
78 ORDEHICUS VITALIS. [u.IV. CH.XIT.
CH. XIV. Conspiracy of the great English nobles against
King William — Arguments used to induce Earl Waltlieof
to join it — The rest break into open rebellion, and are
defeated.
AT the same period [A.D. 1074] there arose another violent
storm fraught with trouble and disaster to vast numbers in
England. Two powerful English noblemen, Roger, earl of
Hereford, and his brother-in-law, Balph, earl of Norwich,1
concerted together an open revolt, being resolved to wrest
the dominion of England from King William, and to set up
themselves as its sovereigns, or rather its tyrants. They
therefore, rivalled each other in fortifying their castles,
preparing arms, and mustering soldiers, sending frequent
messengers far and near to their trusty adherents, and
inviting, by entreaties and promises, all over whom they had
any influence to aid their enterprise. Having reflected on the
revolutions of affairs and the chances of the times, they said
to their confederates and allies :2 " All prudent men know
that a favourable moment must not be neglected, and that
when the right time is come, then it is that brave men
ought boldly to engage in a work of glory. But there never
was a more fitting opportunity than that which is now
afforded us by the mysterious dispensations of Providence
for aspiring to the throne. He who now bears the title of
king is unworthy of it as being a- bastard, and it must be
evident that it is displeasing to God such a master should
govern the kingdom. He is involved in endless quarrels in
his dominions over the sea, being at variance not only with
strangers but with his own children, and in the midst of his
difficulties his own creatures desert him. He has deserved
1 Roger de Breteuil, earl of Hereford; Ralph de Guader or de Gaol.
The Saxon Chronicle says that he was a Welshman on his mother's side,
and his father an Englishman named Ralph, and born in Norfolk. It
appears, however, that the family was of the -Armorican branch of the
Welsh, having come from Brittany and been settled in England before the
conquest. King William conferred on Ralph II. the earldoms of Norfolk
and Suffolk, with the daughter of William Fitz-Osbern in marriage.
* The conspiracy was formed at the bridal feast, where the two great
earls, with Waltheof and other nobles, and bishops, and abbots of the party
were assembled, and as the Saxon Chronicle quaintly says —
" They quaffed bride-ale,
Source of man's bale."
A.D. 1074.] THE ENGLISH NOBLES BEYOLT. 79
this by the crimes which are openly talked of all over the
world. He disinherited and drove out of Normandy William
Werlenc,1 Count de Mortain, for a single word. Walter,
Count de Pontoise, nephew of King Edward, and Biota his
wife, being his guests at Falaise, were both his victims by
poison in one and the same night.2 Conan, also, was taken
off by poison at William's instigation ; that valiant count
whose death was mourned through the whole of Brittany
with unutterable grief on account of his great virtues.3
These, and other such crimes have been perpetrated by
William in the case of his own kinsfolk and relations, and
he is ever ready to act the same part towards us and our
peers. He has impudently usurped the glorious crown of
England, iniquitously murdering the rightful heirs, or
driving them into cruel banishment. He has not even
rewarded according to their merits his own adherents, those
by whose valour he has been raised to a pitch of eminence
exceeding that of all his race. Many of these who shed
their blood in his service have been treated with ingratitude,
and on slight pretexts have been sentenced to death, as
if they were his enemies. To his victorious soldiers, covered
1 William Werlenc, earl of Mortaine, is only known by two passages in
our author's history, and by the nineteenth chapter of the seventh book of
William de Jumieges. As the circumstances connected with his being
deprived of his earldom appear to have been little honourable to his
sovereign, the Norman historians carefully abstain from enlarging upon
them.
* See an account of these persons, and the crime of which they were
victims, book iii. p. 448 of the first volume. Walter, count du Vexin, de
Chaumon, and Mantis, was son of Drogo, count of the Vexin and Amiens,
who died on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Robert, duke of Nor-
mandy, in 1035. He was nephew of Edward the Confessor, by his wife
Edith, a daughter of Ethelred and Emma.
8 This is one of the foulest acts imputed to William. Conan, duke of
Brittany (1040— 1066), finding that the duke was on the point of with-
drawing all his troops from Normandy for the invasion of England,
prepared to take advantage of it by making an incursion into Lower
Normandy. It appears that William could think of no other means of
parrying this attack than by procuring Conan 'a gloves and helmet to be
poisoned by one of his chamberlains who held lands in Normandy. This
atrocious scheme was entirely successful. According to Conan's epitaph,
he did not die till the llth of December, which suggests the conjecture
that the effects of the poison were not instant. See the Continuator of
William de Jumieges, book vii. c. 33.
80 ORDEBICFS VITALIS. [B.IT. CH.XIT.
\vith wounds, were allotted barren farms and domains depo-
pulated by the ravages of war ; and even these his avarice
subsequently compelled them to surrender in part or in
whole. These things cause him to be generally hated, and
his death would be the signal for universal joy. Now,
the greatest part of his army is detained beyond sea, busily
employed in continual wars. The English think of nothing
but cultivating their lands, they are more intent on feasting
and drinking bouts than on the thoughts of battle ; but,
notwithstanding, they thirst for revenge for the blood and
ruin of their relations." In such language as this the con-
spirators vented their treason, and encouraging themselves
by all sorts of motives to the execution of their wicked pro-
ject, they called to their councils Waltheof, earl of North-
ampton, and tempted him to join them by a variety of sug-
gestions, to this effect : " Brave sir, you may plainly see that
now is your time for recovering your forfeited honours, and
for securing vengeance for the unmerited injuries you have
lately suffered. Join our party, and support it without
faltering in your resolution, and the third part of England
shall be yours, by an equal division among ourselves. It ia
our object that the realm of England should be restored to
the same state in which it lately was in the time of Edward
our most pious sovereign. Let one of us be king, the other
two dukes, and thus all the honours of England will be
divided among us. William is now engaged beyond the
sea in endless wars which absorb his whole strength, and we
know for certain that he will never land again on the shores
of England. Come, then, noble sir, listen to counsels so
advantageous to you and your family, and act in the manner
which will prove the salvation of our enslaved fellow
countrymen."
Waltheof replied as follows : " In such enterprises the
utmost caution is required; and in all nations the fealty
sworn by every subject to his liege lord should be faithfully
kept. King William has received mine, lawfully given as
to his superior lord by one holding under him, and to secure
my fidelity he gave me his niece in marriage. He also gave
me a rich earldom, and admitted me into the number of
his familiar companions. How can I be faithless to such
a prince without entirely breaking my fealty to him ? I am
A.D. 1074.] THE CONSPIRATOBS DEFEATED. 81
well known in many countries, and far from me be the
disgrace which would attend my being proclaimed a sacri-
legious traitor. Never was there a song so sweet as to
charm away the disgrace of treason. All nations curse
traitors and turncoats, as they do wolves, thinking them
only fit to be hanged, and if they can catch them, condemn
them to the gibbet, with all the insults and tortures they
can devise. Ahitophel and Judas, both traitors aud apos-
tates, and each of them doomed to the gallows, to be
suspended between heaven and earth as fit for neither,
perished by their own hands. The law of England sen-
tences a traitor to lose his head, and on his attainder
the inheritance of his children is escheated. God forbid
that such a crime should taint my honour, and my name be
held up to scorn with such infamy throughout the world !
The Lord God, who showed his power in saving David from
the hands of Goliah and Saul, Adarezer and Absalom, hath
delivered me also from many dangers both by sea and land.
I commit myself entirely to his keeping, trusting in him
that my life will never be stained with treason, and that I
shall not be branded with apostacy like Satan and the fallen
angels."
When Ealph the Breton and Eoger heard the determi-
nation of Waltheof, they were sorely troubled, and bound
him by a terrible oath not to divulge their conspiracy. Not
long afterwards it suddenly burst forth into open rebellion
in all parts of England, and the opposition to the king's
officers became general. Upon this, William de Warrene,
and Richard de Bienfaite, son of Earl Gislebert, who had
been appointed chief justiciaries of England, summoned the
rebels to appear in the king's high court. They, however,
disdained to pay any attention to the precept, and, following
\ip this contempt of court, set the royal authority at de-
fiance. William and Richard, therefore, without further
delay, assembled the English army, and fought a severe
battle with the rebels on the plain called Fagadun.1 By God's
help they defeated the enemy, and taking them prisoners,
marked every one, without regard to his rank, by ampu-
tating his right foot. Ralph the Breton was pursued to his
own castle without being taken. They then concentrated
1 Beecham or Beechamwell, near Swaffham, Norfolk (?)
VOL. II. O
82 OEDEEICTJS YITALIS. [B-1V> CH-X1T-
their forces and invested Norwich, and adding to their
strength by their display of valour and military skill, they
harassed the besieged with constant assaults and their
engines of war, pressing the siege for three months with
unwearied vigour. The besieging army was continually aug-
menting, and was abundantly supplied with abundance of
food and other necessaries to prevent desertion. Ralph de
Guader, finding himself thus shut up and expecting no
relief from his accomplices, entrusted the fortress, with
many cautions, to the trusty garrison, and embarked at the
nearest sea-port to seek for help in Denmark. Meanwhile,
the king's lieutenants, William and Robert, pressed the
townsmen to surrender, while they despatched hasty messen-
gers over the sea to the king, giving an account of these
transactions and begging him to return with all speed for
the defence of the kingdom.
No sooner had the indefatigable king received these
tidings than he set in order the affairs of Normandy and
Maine, and all being arranged, crossed over to England
without loss of time. He then summoned all the great men
of the realm to attend his court, and having addressed in
flattering terms the lords who had been faithful to their
allegiance and proved their fidelity, he demanded of the
authors and supporters of the rebellion the reason why they
preferred wrong to right. The garrison of Norwich having
made terms, the place was given up to the king, and Ralph
de Guader, earl of Norwich, was disinherited~of his English
honours and domains. Being banished the kingdom, he
returned to Brittany with his wife and settled on his patri-
monial estates which his attainder by the sovereign of
England could not affect. In that province he had on his
domains two noble castles, Guader and Montfort, which his
sons possess by hereditary right to the present day. He
himself, some years afterwards, took the cross, and accom-
panying Robert II., duke of Normandy, in his crusade against
the Turks, and reaching Jerusalem, died, as well as his wife,
a penitent and a pilgrim.
Roger de Breteuil, earl of Hereford, having obeyed the
summons to attend the king's court, and an inquiry being
made, his treason was so plain that he could not deny it.
He was therefore judged by the Norman laws and sentenced
A.D. 1074.] EOGEB DE BEETEUIL IMPBISONED. 83
to the forfeiture of his lands and perpetual imprisonment.
Even there he often caused the king great annoyance, and
rendered him implacable by his obstinate contumacy. For
instance, on one occasion when the faithful were celebrating
the feast of Easter in due form, and the king had sent to
Earl Roger in prison, by the hands of his guards, a box con-
taining a suit of very valuable robes, the earl caused a large
fire to be made and committed to the flames the royal
presents, the surcoat, and silken tunic, and mantle of
the furs of precious ermines brought from abroad. The
king, hearing of this, exclaimed in great wrath : " He
is very insolent to put such an affront upon me ; but,
by God's light,1 he shall never get out of prison while I
live." And the royal will was so determined, and so firmly
carried out, that even after the king's death the earl was
detained in captivity until his own death released him from
it. His two sons, feeynold and Eoger, young men of great
promise, are now in the service of King Henry,2 and in great
distress, are waiting for the exercise of his clemency, which
appears to them sufficiently tardy.
Truly the world's glory droops and withers like the
flower of grass, and is spent and scattered like smoke.
Where now is William Titz-Osbern, earl of Hereford, the
king's lieutenant, high-steward of Normandy, and the valiant
commander of the royal troops ? He was, without excep-
tion, the first and greatest of the oppressors of the people
of England, and amassed an enormous fortune by his exac-
tions, causing the ruin and death of thousands by his severi-
ties. But the righteous Judge, who seeth all things, rewards
every man according to his deserts. Miserable fate ! Earl
William falls, and the bold warrior receives the punishment
he deserves. Many had fallen by his sword, and by the
sword he himself was suddenly cut off. After his death,
before five years elapsed, the spirit of discord stirred up his son
and son-in-law to hostilities against their lord and kinsman,
the same spirit which wrought in the Schechemites against
Abimelech whom they had set over them after slaying the
seventy sons of Jerobaal. I have thus correctly described
1 An oath frequently used by William the Conqueror.
* This paragraph, therefore, was written in the reign of Henry I. of
England, who died December ], 1135.
G 2
84 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.IV. CH.XT.
the crime for which the race of "William Fitz-Osbern
has BO entirely disappeared in England, that, if I mistake
not, the slightest trace of it cannot there be found.
CH. XV. Trial and execution of Earl Waltheof for alleged
complicity in the rebellion.
EA.BL WALTHEOF was summoned before the king, and
accused, on the testimony of his wife Judith, of having been
privy to and encouraged the conspiracy already spoken of,
and thus become guilty of treason against his sovereign.
The earl fearlessly acknowledged that the conspirators had
communicated to him their nefarious designs, but declared
that he had refused all concurrence in such wickedness. This
confession caused much discussion on the judgment to be
pronounced, and there being great difference in opinion
among the members of the court, it was deferred, by successive
adjournments, for a whole year. Meanwhile, the earl was
kept in close custody in the king's prison at AVincbester,
where he often deplored his offences, confessing them with
tears in his eyes to the good bishops and abbots who visited
him in his confinement. For the space of a year, under
the direction of the priests, he continued his penance,
chanting in his daily devotions the one hundred and fifty
psalms of David which he had learnt in his childhood.
Waltheof was in person tall and stout, very handsome, and
superior to thousands in generosity and courage; devoted
to God, he listened with humility to the instructions of
the clergy of every class, and was a kind friend to the
church and the poor. For these and many other Christian
virtues which distinguished him above all the rest of the
laity, he was much beloved both by his own people and by
strangers who had regard to the will of God, so that his
deliverance from prison was anxiously looked for during the
year's delay. At last his enemies assembled in such numbers
in the king's court as to form the majority, and after much
discussion prevailed in getting him sentenced to death for
having made himself a party to the treasonable conspiracy
of his fellow lords by not openly resisting their designs
against the king's life, or at once denouncing their criminal
projects. No time for respite was granted, as the Nor-
mans were apprehensive of his escape, and greedy to get
A.D. 1075.] EXECUTION OF EAEL WALTIIEOr. 85
posession of his ample domains and high honours. He was
therefore hurried, at dawn of day, while the people were yefc
asleep, to the hill on which the church of St. Giles, abbot
and confessor, was afterwards built j1 and having distributed
among the clergy and poor who happened to be present the
robes of honour which his rank of earl entitled him to wear,
he threw himself <on the ground and continued some time in
prayer to God, mixed with sobbings and tears. The execu-
tioners, dreading that the townsmen when they awoke
would rise in arms to resist the king's warrant, and, taking
the part of so noble a countryman, massacre the royal
guards, called to the kneeling earl : " Rise, sir, that we may
execute our lord's commands." To which he replied, " Wait
awhile, for the love of God Almighty, at least while I say
the Lord's prayer on your behalf and my own." As they
gave their consent, the earl rose from the ground, and on
bended knees, with eyes raised to heaven and hands up-
lifted, began to say aloud " Our Father which art in heaven."
But when he came to the last petition, having said, " Lead
us not into temptation," his tears fell so fast, and his sobbings
were so violent, that he was unable to conclude the prayer
he had begun. The executioner would wait no longer, but
drawing his sword severed the earl's head from his body
with a single stroke. But the head, after it was severed,2
uttered with a loud and distinct voice, in the hearing of all
present, the words: "But deliver us from evil. Amen!"
Thus Earl "Waltheof was beheaded at Winchester, on the
morning of the second of the calends of May [30th April].5
His body was, without ceremony, thrown into a hole dug on
the spot, which is now covered with the green turf. The
townsmen, roused from their sleep by reports of what was
going on, abandoned themselves to grief, men and women
1 The ruins of the hospital dedicated to St. Giles are still seen on the
hill here mentioned, which is separated from Winchester by the river
Itchin.
a We should have been glad to have avoided leaving any blemish on a
very affecting and interesting narrative, by using the phrase, " in the act of
being severed," but the text ia too stubborn to be so dealt with : caput,
poftquam prised urn fuit.
s Earl Waltheof was executed on the 31st of May, and not on the 30th
of April, 1075. Consult for further particulars Ingulphus, and the Vita et
passio Waldcvi Comitis; Chroniquet Anglo-Normandes, t. ii. Rouen, 1836.
86 OEDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.IT. CH.XVI.
joining in loud lamentations for the fate of Earl "Waltheof.
Fifteen days afterwards, at Judith's request and with the
king's permission, Ufkytel, abbot of Croyland, came to the
place, and raising the bloody corpse which exhibited no signs
of decay, the blood being as fresh as if the earl was just
dead, conveyed it to the abbey of Croyland, followed by the
lamentations of vast crowds of people, and there gave it
honourable interment in the chapter-house of the monks.
CH. XVI. Life of St. Guthlac, the hermit of Croyland,
abridged from the Acts of that saint, written by the monk
Felix.
I TAKE the liberty of inserting in this part of my poor
work an abridgment which I have lately made from the
Life of St. Guthlac, the hermit, at the desire of the venerable
prior Wulfine. A bishop of the East- Angles named Felix, a
native of Burgundy, and a prelate of great sanctity, wrote
an account of the acts of the holy hermit, which is very
long, and the style rather obscure.1 I have cleared up its
difficulties, to the best of my ability, in the short compi-
lation which I made in compliance with the flattering
request of the brethren of Croyland Abbey, where I resided
five weeks,2 the venerable abbot Geoffrey having kindly laid
his commands upon me to that effect. My account of Earl
Waltheof has given occasion to this notice of the holy
hermit, for the earl was a kiud brother and ally of the
monks of Croyland, as I shall carefully relate in the close of
this history from the reports of the older brethren. I have
no sort of doubt that the acts of the Saxon and English
saints, across the channel, would be no less profitable to the
faithful Cisalpines, than those compiled on Greek and Egyp-
tion saints by the zeal of the learned, delightful and useful
as those collections are. I think, moreover, that, little as
1 The history of St. Guthlac could not have been written by Bishop
Felix, who was raised to the see of Dunwich by Sigebert, king of East
Anglia, and filled it A.D. 629—632. It is the work of another Felix, a
disciple of Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, and monk of Jarrow, who
wrote it about the middle of the eighth century. Mabillon has inserted it
in the Ada SS. ord. S. Benedicti, sac. iii. p. 1.
3 Probably about the time of his visit to Worcester, the only occasion,
as it appears, on which Ordericus came over to England, after leaving it at
a tery early age.
A.D. 673 — 699.] su. GUTHLAC'S EARLY LIFE. 87
the former are known among our countrymen, they cannot
fail of giving satisfaction, so ardent was the charity with
which these saints were inflamed, and with such sorrow they
deplored their sins from the bottom of their hearts.
Guthlac was born in the time of Ethelred king of the
English,1 Gruthlac having Penvald, sprung from Icles lord of
the Mercians, for his father, and Tetta for his mother. At
his birth a sign in the heavens was manifest to the people ;
for a hand was seen stretched out from the clouds towards
a cross which stood before the door of the house where
Tetta was in labour. After eight days the child was bap-
tized, and named Guthlac, that is, the gift of war, from the
tribe which is called Guthlacingas. After a gentle child-
hood, when he felt the impulses of youth and studied
the valiant deeds of heroes, he collected his dependants
and gave himself up to the career of arms, ravaging and
destroying the villages and castles of his adversaries with
fire and sword. Gathering immense booty, he made volun-
tary restitution of a third part of the plunder, for the love
of God, to those from whom it was taken. After pursuing
this course of life for nine years, causing great losses to his
enemies in person and goods, he began to reflect on the un-
certainty of this mortal life and the instability of all human
things, and coming to himself in a state of alarm, arid
examining his conduct as if death was before his eyes, he
resolved to enter on a better course of life. He therefore
left his comrades and relations, quitting his own country,
and holding cheap even the companions of his childhood for
the sake of Christ, and in the twenty-fourth year of his age
renounced all worldly vanities and entered the monastery of
Eipandun, when he assumed the tonsure and clerical dress
under the abbess whose name was Elfrida.2 Prom that
time he abstained from excessive drinking and every kind of
debauchery with the utmost care, devoting himself to a
good and religious life with all the zeal which human nature
1 Ethelred, king of Mercia, 675 — 704, when he resigned his crown, and
became a monk at Bardney Abbey.
3 According to Mabillon, this is the monastery called Rapendum by
William of Malmesbury, and which was in Cheshire. It must not be
confounded with that of Ripon in Yorkshire, where there never was a.
convent of nuns. Another conjecture places it at Repton in Derbyshire
where there was a very ancient monastery.
88 OBDEBICTIS VITALIS. [E.IV. CH.XVI.
is capable of. For two years he was trained in sacred
studies and monastic discipline, but he was not content to
rest there, for it was his object to engage in the single
combat of a hermit's life and meet the enemy face to face.
Having at length obtained leave from his superiors, he
was ferried over in a fishing-boat to a place called Croyland
by a man named Tatwine. There lies in the middle district
of England a vast and inhospitable marsh, which begins
from the bank of the river G-ranta,1 and extends over a very
extensive tract from south to north, parallel with the sea.
The surface is broken into ponds and lakes, and sometimes
by dark watercourses, and islands covered with thick
underwood, among which the rivulets wind in irregular
channels. Many had made the attempt to settle themselves
in these fens, but had been so terrified by the strange mon-
sters which made it their habitation, and other alarming
objects, that they soon abandoned so gloomy a residence.
Q-uthlac, having surveyed Croyland in the summer season,
returned to his brothers and superiors, from whom he had
parted without taking leave ; but three months afterwards,
on the eighth of the calends of September [24th August],
he returned, in company with two boys, to the spot he had
chosen for his hermitage, being then of the age of twenty-
four years. It was the day on which the feast of St. Bar-
tholomew is observed, to whom he prayed to be his friend
and defender in all adversities.
For fifteen years the saint used neither woollen nor linen
garments, but was covered with skins, and lived on barley-
bread and muddy water, using these sparingly after the sun
was set. Satan tried a thousand ways to entangle him in
his nets, or at least to drive him from his hermitage.
Once he was beginning to despair of completing a work
on which he had laboured for three days, when suddenly
Bartholomew, his faithful patron, appeared to him visibly
during his morning watch, and allaying his fears with
spiritual comfort, promised him his continual help ; and he
faithfully fulfilled his promise on various accasions in which
he was tempted.
Another day two demons came to him in human shape,
1 Every one knows that this is the ancient name of the Cam. on which
Cambridge stand*.
A.D. 699 — 714.] THE HEBMIT OF CBOTLAKD. 89
and tempted him to endeavour to fast like Moses and Elias
and the Egyptian fathers ; but the saint began to sing, and
to show his contempt of them, proceeded to eat a piece of
barley-bread.
At one time \vhen the man of God was employed in
watching and prayer through the dreary hours of the night,
he saw troops of demons enter his cell from all sides.
Having bound him hand and foot, they carried him forth
and plunged him into a muddy pond. They then dragged
him through the roughest parts of the marsh, where the
thorns grew thickest, and having thus torn his flesh, com-
manded him to quit his hermitage. The saint refusing,
they scourged him with iron rods, and after subjecting him
to severe tortures, transported him into the cold regions
above the clouds. They then, accompanied by legions of
devils who assembled from the north, brought him with
threatening aspect to the gulf of Tartarus. On seeing the
gates of hell Guthlac began to be frightened, but despising
the demons' threats, he prayed inwardly to God. Instantly
St. Bartholomew stood by him arrayed in robes of celestial
light arid commanded his foes to carry him back* in perfect
safety to his own cell. The demons, groaning, obeyed the
apostle's commands, and angels rejoicing met him singing :
" The just shall go from strength to strength."1
Oitentimes and in various ways the demons tried to terrify
Guthlac, but, the Lord being his helper, he foiled all their
attempts. He stood fearless in the strength of his virtues,
endured severe struggles in the conflict, and defeated all
the attacks of the devil. In the time of Cenred, king of
Mercia,* Becelin, a clerk who was tempted by the devil to
kill the man of God while he was renewing his tonsure, was
rebuked by him for conceiving such a crime in his heart.
But the clerk, when he saw that his wickedness was known,
threw himself at the saint's feet, confessed his crime, and,
obtaining pardon, promised thenceforth to become his com-
panion.
A crow, having stolen a piece of parchment, let it fall on
some bulrushes hanging over the water in the middle of a
pool, but through the merits of the man of Goa, restored it
safe to the writer, who had been sorely afflicted at the loss.
1 Pa. Ixxxiii. 8. * Cenred, king of Mercia, 704—708.
90 OBDEBICUS VITAL1S. [B.IV. CH.IVI.
Two crows which frequented the island were very troublesome
to St. G-uthlac, destroying, throwing into the water, tearing
to pieces, tod fouling everything they could ; doing all this
mischief indoors and out, without any respect to the man of
God ; but he bore it all with patience, according to his vows.
The birds which wandered over that waste wilderness, and the
fishes which darted across its muddy waters, came flying and
swimming to his call, as sheep come to their shepherd's
voice, and took their food from his hand, as the instinct of
each required. In the presence of the venerable Wilfrid,
when two sparrows were flitting gaily about him, according
to their nature, and settled on his arms, and knees, and
bosom, singing, he put straw in his chimney, and so showed
them where to make their nest ; for they would not have
ventured to build it in Guthlac's hermitage without his
leave.
Wilfrid had one day brought the exiled Ethelbald1 to
vist the man of God, and having left his gloves in the boat
which brought them over, the mischievous crows carried
them off. The saint presently learned this, while sitting in
his porch, by divine inspiration, and mentioned it to Wilfrid
during their conference. Shortly afterwards his regrets
were ended by the gloves being restored by virtue of the
saint's faith and prayers.
Whitred, a noble youth of East Anglia, was possesed by
the devil, by whom he was miserably vexed for four year:<,
wounding and tearing himself and all he could get at with
wood and iron, his teeth, and his nails. At one time, when
a number of men tried to manacle him, he seized an axe, and
killed three of them. After the four years were ended, he
was brought to Croyland ; and the man of God, taking him
by the hand, led him into his oratory, and continuing iu
prayer and fasting three days delivered him from all vexa-
tions of the evil spirit.
Egga, Ethelbald's companion in his exile, was so possessed
by an unclean spirit that he neither knew what he was, nor
where he was, nor what he did. In this state he was brought
to the threshold of Guthlac, and, having put the saint's
girdle round his loins, he recovered his senses, and for the
1 Ethelbald became afterwards king of Mercia, and reigned prosperously
forty years, from 715 — 756.
A.D. 699 — 714.] ST. GTTTHLAC'S MIBACLES. 91
rest of his life kept the girdle, and continued to be of a
sound mind.
Moreover, Guthlac, the man of God, was gifted with the
spirit of prophecy, and was in the habit of predicting future
events, and telling to those who were with him what took
place in their absence. In this way he told to a certain
abbot, who came to him for a pious conference, all the
circumstances attending a visit by two of his clergy to a
widow's cottage, before the third hour, to get drunk. He
rebuked two other monks for concealing two bottles of beer
under the sands in the marsh, and kindly pardoned them as
they knelt before him, astonished at the extent of the saint's
knowledge.
St. G-uthlac's fame being noised abroad far and wide,
numbers of all ranks resorted to him ; abbots, monks, earls,
the rich, the poor, and the oppressed, from the neighbouring
districts of Mercia, and from remote quarters of Britain, all
seeking relief either for their souls or bodies ; and each one
who came in faith obtained what he sought: the sick, a
cure ; the sorrowful, joy ; the penitent, consolation ; and
every anxious soul received comfort from the conversation
and efficacious prayers of the man of God.
Obba, one of the companions of the exile Ethelbald,
when walking through a rough field, was wounded in the
foot by thorns, which were covered by the coarse grass, so
that his whole body swelled from his feet to his loins, and
the extreme pain would not allow him either to sit, stand, or
lie in quiet, and he could scarcely make his way to Croyland.
Presently he was brought to the man of God, and the cause
of his pain related, upon which Guthlac wrapped round him
the sheepskin rug in which he was used to pray, and the
thorn darted from his foot, as quick as thought, like an
arrow from a bow. The same hour all the inflammation
ceased, and the sick man, restored to health, gave thanks to
God with those who were witnesses of his cure.
It happened that Chad the bishop,1 with certain monks
and laymen, came to visit Guthlac, and during their journey
had various conversations about the holy man. The
bishop, finding the holy man enlightened by divine grace
and full of wisdom in expounding the holy scriptures, com-
1 St. Chad, bishop of Dorchester, 676— July 6, 705.
92 ORDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.IV. CH.XVI.
pelled him by his duty of inviolable obedience to receive the
office of the priesthood, after he had consecrated the church
of Croyland, on the twelfth of the calends of September
[August 21st]. On this occasion the holy man was forced
to dine with the bishop, contrary to his habits. While there
he observed Wigfrid, the librarian, sitting apart, and began
to question him relative to the promise he had made the day
before to his companions on the road, that he would find out
whether the hermit's piety was true or pretended. "Wigfrid,
blushing, threw himself on the ground and asked for pardon,
which he obtained; while all were astonished that their
conversation on the road was thus revealed by the Spirit of
God to the holy saint.
The very reverend abbess Egburg, daughter of King
Aldulf,1 having humbly requested Guthlac by her messenger,
he accepted from her a leaden coffin, with a shroud to wrap
his corpse after his death ; and when he was asked who
would be his successor in that place, he answered, that he
was still a heathen. This happened ; for Cessa, who after-
wards occupied his cell, was baptized some time afterwards
in Brittany. Child-Ethelbald,s who was driven from place
to place by the persecutions of King Ceolred,3 when hia
strength was exhausted by the sufferings he underwent,
came, as he was wont, to the man of God, that when human
counsels failed he might obtain those that were divine.
Guthlac administered to him the kindest consolations, pro-
mising him, by inspiration of the Spirit of God, the throne
of his kingdom and the government of the people, and the
subjection of his enemies ; and all this, not by force of arms,
and shedding of blood, but by the hand of the Lord. These
things came to pass in the 'manner the man of God pre-
dicted, for Ceolred died and Ethelbald ascended the throne.
After having spent fifteen years in his hermitage, the
venerable Guthlac fell sick four days before Easter; but
making an effort beyond his strength he got up and cele-
brated mass on Easter day. On the seventh day of his
sickness he gave orders to Beccel his servant, that when he
1 Aldulf, kin* of East Anglia in Bede's time, 664 — 680 or 683.
C/i/o; "Child and Etheling," were the Anglo-Saxon titles for the heir
apparent
* Ceolred, king of Mercia, 709—716.
A.D. 714.] DEATH OF ST. GUTHLAC. 93
was dead he should fetch his sister Pega to wind his corpse
in the shroud placed in the coffin which Egburg had sent
him. Then Beccel began to pray and conjure the man of
God to tell him before his death, who it was with whom he
heard him converse every morning and evening. The kind-
hearted champion of God, taking breath, after a short
interval replied : " My son, give yourself no concern on that
account. What I would not reveal to any one during my
life 1 shall now open to you. From the second year of my
dwelling in this hermitage, the Lord sent an angel morning
and evening to comfort me by his discourse ; and he made
known to me mysteries which it is not lawful for man to
relate ; he alleviated the sufferings of my painful labours
by heavenly consolations ; and he showed to me things
absent as if they were present. 0 my son, preserve my
words, and tell them to no one but to Pega or the hermit
Egbert." When he had finished speaking, so sweet an
odour proceeded from his mouth that the perfume filled the
whole house. The following night, while the brother Beccel
was watching, he perceived the whole house to be irradiated
with a brilliant light from midnight to the dawn of day.
As the sun was rising, the man of God, raising himself up
a little, and stretching out his hands towards the altar,
strengthened himself with the communion of the body and
blood of Christ. He then lifted his eyes to heaven and
raised his hands on high, and so his soul departed to
everlasting bliss in the year of our Lord 715. l
Meanwhile, Beccel beheld the house filled with celestial
light, and what seemed to be a tower of flame raised from
earth to heaven, compared with which splendour the sun
paled its fires like a candle at noonday. The vault of heaven
rung with angelic chants, while the whole island was per-
fumed with the essence of all fragrant and spicy odours.
The aforesaid brother, terrified at these wonderful signs,
and the flashings of intense light being insupportable, took
a boat, and passing over to Pega, the virgin of Christ, he
informed her of what had taken place, and communicated to
her the last commands of her brother. She mourned his
loss with deep sorrow : the next day she accompanied the
reverend brother to Croyland, and the third she interred
1 A.D. 714. Saxon Chronicle.
94 OBDERICUS VITALIS. [B.IT. OH. XVI.
Guthlac's blessed remains in the oratory, according to his
wishes. The Lord afterwards wrought there numerous
miracles by healing the sick, on account of the merits of
his faithful servant. On the anniversary of St. Guthlac,
his sister Pega assembled priests and others of the ecclesias-
tical order, and opened the grave in order to transfer the
corpse into another tomb. The body of the saint was then
found to be perfect as it was in his life-time, and the clothes
in which it was wrapped were as white as ever, and shone
with all their former purity. The whole company being
astonished and trembling at the miracle they saw, Pega,
moved by the Spirit, reverently inclosed the holy body in
the shroud which Egburg the abbess had sent for that pur-
pose during Guthlac's life, and caused the coffin to be
placed above-ground, as a monument ; and as such it is
preserved with reverence to the present day.
The exile Ethelbald, already named, on ^hearing of the
holy man's death, came to the spot in much affliction. He
was sleeping in a neighbouring hut after pouring out his
soul with tears and prayers at the tomb, when the saint
appeared to him, and, offering him consolation, promised
him that he should ascend the throne before a year was
past.1 On his asking a sign, the saint foretold, that before
the third hour of the morrow an unexpected supply of food
should be furnished for the maintenance of the dwellers in
Croyland ; which happened accordingly. Ethelbald, having
succeeded to the throne, caused the tomb of the venerable
Guthlac to be enclosed with buildings of admirable archi-
tecture and richly ornamented.
A certain master of a family, in the province of ~Wisa,J
lost his eyesight a whole year, and failed to recover it by
the application of any sort of ointment. At length he was
brought to Croyland, full of faith, and seeking a conference
with the holy virgin Pega, received permission to enter the
oratory and stretch himself by the side of the sacred re-
mains. Meanwhile Pega dissolved in water a particle of
1 As observed in a former note, Ethelbald succeeded to the throne of
Mercia in 716.
» In the narrative of Felix, it is called Wissa; the country of the
Huiccii or Wiccii, a British tribe, who inhabited Worcestershire, Warwick-
shire, and the north of Gloucestershire.
A.D. 716.] FOUNDATION OF CROYLAND ABBEY. 95
salt, which had been consecrated by the holy man, and
inserted some drops within the eyelids of the blind man.
As soon as the first drop touched his eyes the sight was
restored; and having recovered it by the merits of St.
Guthlac, the master of a family offered his thanks. Many
others, labouring under various infirmities, having heard
reports of the miracles of the blessed Guthlac, resorted to
the marshes of Croyland, where the holy remains repose,
and, recovering their health through his merits, gave thanks
to God.
Cn. XVII. Foundation of Croyland Abbey, by Ethelbald,
king of Mercia — Ravages of the Danes — Its restoration
by Turkytel — Series of abbots to Ingulphus and Godfrey —
Miracles wrought at the tomb of Earl Waltheof—his
epitaph.
THUS far I have followed the account of bishop Felix1 in
my short abridgment of the acts of St. Guthlac, inserted in
this work for the glory of God and the edification of the
faithful. "What now remains to be told of the building of
Croyland Abbey and its possession by the monks, I derive
from the exact recital made to me by Ansgot the sub-prior,
and others of the oldest monks. King Ethelbald, as his
blessed comforter was displaying his glory in the working
of miracles, visited his tomb with joy, and granted for ever
to the servants of the saint the possessions which he had
conferred on him on mounting the throne.2 For on one
occasion, the king coming to Croyland to visit his patron
before his departure, the man of God asked for the grant of
a quiet abode in the island, and Ethelbald gave him a tract
of land five miles long on the east, where it was bounded by
a ditch, called Asen-dyk,s three on the west, two on the
south, and two on the north, free from all rent, and secular
1 See note before, p. 86.
2 Ordericus seems to have forgotten that in the preceding chapter he
has made St. Guthlac's death precede Ethelbald's accession. We may
suppose that this gift may have been promised, or perhaps even made, in
anticipation ; but our author's language in the succeeding sentence is precise
as to an actual grant to the saint. Ingulphus gives the charter, the date of
which is 716.
s This ditch, which was in the neighbourhood of Spalding, lay to the
north, and not the east of Croyland.
96 ORDEBICUS TITALI8. [B.1V. CH.rVII.
customs and demands of every sort. The charter granting
it was sealed by Ethelbald in the presence of his bishops
and great men.
The soil of Croyland being marshy, as the name indicates,
(for Croyland signifies a crude or spongy land), it would
not allow of a foundation of masonry, and therefore king
Ethelbald caused an immense number of oak piles to be
driven into the ground, and hard earth to be conveyed in
boats from the uplands,1 at a distance of nine miles, and
mixed with the loose soil of the marsh. Thus he laid the
foundations of a stone church, which he afterwards com-
pleted, but St. Guthlac'had been content with an oratory of
wattled boughs. The king assembled there men devoted to
a religious life, founded a monastery, enriched it with orna-
ments, revenues, and other possessions, in honour of God and
the holy hermit to whom he had been firmly attached by
reason of the soothing consolation he had often received
from him during his banishment. He showed his regard for
the place all his life, and since its first foundation by this
king the house of Croyland has not ceased to be a settlement
of monks to the present day. Kenulf,2 who governed the
monastery of St. Guthlac for some time, had a great reputa-
tion in those days, and from him the boundary stone which
he set up between the abbey lands and those of the people
of Deeping,3 is still called Kenulf-stan.
England was soon afterwards shaken by the tempests of
successive wars, and the native kings being defeated by
Inguar, Halfdene, and Guthrum,4 and other Danish and
Norwegian chiefs, the abbey of Croyland was ravaged, like
many others ; it was stripped of its ornaments, the farms
laid waste, and subjected to laymen contrary to canonical
law. But the divine goodness, which sometimes allows the
wicked to prevail for a season to punish the people's sins,
saw fit, after their chastisement, to restore quiet times under
the government of their lawful rulers. The cruel tyrants
1 " Uppalonda:" our author has coined a Latin word to render literally
an old English phrase.
* Kenulf was a monk of Evesham when Ethelbald selected him to take
the charge of the new establishment at Croyland.
• Deepingenses. The village is situated to the west of Croyland.
Inguar, 870; Hdlfdene, 876; Guthrum, 877—890. The Danish
invasions began in the early part of the reign of Ethelwulf, 837—857.
A.D. 948 957.] ABBOT TUEKTTEL. 97
who had murdered St. Edmund, king of the East Angles, and
numbers of the faithful, and had given the churches of the
saints and the habitations of Christian men to the flames,
were, by God's help, destroyed, subjugated, or expelled ;
Alfred, son of King Ethelwulf, obtaining the ascendancy, and
being the first of the English kings who was monarch of all
England. After him, his son Edward, surnamed the Elder,
had a long and prosperous reign, and at his death left his
dominions to his three sons, Athelstan, Edmund, and Edred.
All these successively ascended the throne of England, and
each in his time exerted himself to govern well and benefit
his subjects.1
In the time of king Edred, a clerk at London named
Turkytel asked the king to give him the abbey of Croyland,
with which request the king willingly complied. This clerk
was of the royal race, and a relation of Oskytel2 metropolitan
of Tork ; he was very wealthy, having vast domains, all which
he thought of no value compared with the heavenly inheri-
tance. He had asked Croylaud of the king, as we have
already seen, not to increase his possessions, but because he
knew the religious men who dwelt in its solitudes surrounded
by swamps and marshes, and determined to devote himself
there to God's worship, spurning all the delights of the
present world. Having therefore ordered his affairs with
prudence, he became a monk of Croyland ; and the number of
monks having been increased by his zeal, he became their
superior and abbot, by the will of God and lawful election of
the brethren. Turkytel was an intimate friend of some of the
holy bishops who then presided over the English church.
1 It is singular that, among so many circumstantial details connected
with the history of Croyland abbey, our author, alter describing its flour-
ishing state at its first foundation, should proceed to give an account of its
restoration after the devastations of the Danes, without any particular
account of that memorable passage in its annals. This is the more
extraordinary as the preceding paragraph has the character of a peroration
preparatory to some precise information on the subject of this disaster, and
it would almost appear that a paragraph containing it is wanting.
2 Turkytel and Oskytel are clearly Danish names, as were those of some
of the first abbots and monks of Croyland after its restoration, and many of
their domains betray the same origin. In fact, Croyland became the
favourite religious house and seat of education of the Anglo-Danes, who
formed so large a part of the population of the middle and eastern districts
of England.
VOL. IT. H
98 ORDERICTJS VITALIS. [B.IY. CH.XTII.
Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury, Ethelwold, bishop of
Winchester, and Oswald, bishop of "Worcester, afterwards
archbishop of York, by -whose counsels he earnestly strove
to be guided. He was, as I have before remarked, of high
birth, and, inheriting sixty manors from his ancestors, he
gave for the good of their souls six vills to the abbey of
Croyland, viz., Wendlinburg, Beby, Wridthorpe, Elminton,
Cottenham, and Oakiugton.1 The charter was confirmed by
the seal of the powerful king Edgar, son of King Edmund.
Archbishop Dunstan also and his suffragans ratified the
grant of the aforesaid lands by making the sign of the cross
on the charter, and the archbishop denounced the penalty of
excommunication,* and eternal malediction on those who
should plunder the church of any of the possessions before
named, unless they made sufficient amends.
A long time afterwards, Turkytel having died on the
4th of the ides [12th] of July,3 was succeeded by his nephew
Egelric, who on his death left the ahbey of Croyland to
another Egelric, his kinsman. At his decease Oskytel, a
monk who was of the royal race, was made abbot. His
sister Leniova was abbess of Eynesbury,4 where the body of
St. Neot, abbot and confessor,4 then lay, but the service was
not such as befitted the memory of so great a saint. In
consequence, this lady removed to "Whittlesea, and invited
there abbot Oskytel her brother, and some monks of Croy-
land, and delivered to them the body of St. Neot, which she
had brought there with all honour, thinking them more
worthy than herself. The monks received with joy the gift
God had sent them, and deposited it with great ceremony
near the altar of St. Mary, mother of God, on the north
1 See the charter in Ingulphus. Its date is 966. Beby is in Leicester-
shire, Wridthorpe and Elminton in Northamptonshire, and Cottenham and
Oakington in Cambridgeshire.
* Dunstan's name appears subscribed to the charter of Edgar, but the
instrument denouncing the excommunication is a distinct document.
s In the year 957.
* In Huntingdonshire. The ancient name of this place was Arnulphs-
bury.
* St Neot was the founder of an abbey, which bore his name, near
Liskeard in Cornwall. He afterwards founded another at Eynesbury,
where he ended his days. He died about the year 877. St. Neot's in
Huntingdonshire became ultimately a priory of Bee.
A.D. 957 — 1052.] ABBOT OP CEOTLAJTD. 99
side of their church. To this day it is the object of the
faithful's veneration, and St. Neot's feast is kept on the
second of the calends of August [31st July]. On the death
of Oskytel, on the twelfth of the calends of November
[21st October],1 he was succeeded by Goodrich, who going
the way of all flesh on the fourteenth of the calends of
February [14th January],2 Brihtmer was appointed abbot.
At that time there was a convent at Pegeland,3 presided
over by an abbot named Wulfgate, a man of noble birth.
There Pega, St. Guthlac's sister, was for a long time a servant
of the Lord. After her brother's death, she used all her
endeavours to wear out her life for the love of Christ, by
still severer austerities. She therefore undertook a pilgrim-
age to Rome, to pray at the threshold of the holy apostles
for herself and her kinsfolk, and she there triumphantly
departed on the sixth of the ides [8th] of January.4 Her
remains repose in the church built at Borne to her honour
by the faithful, and are in high veneration for the many
benefits conferred by her on those who faithfully invoke
her.
Brihtmer, abbot of Croyland, having died on the seventh
of the ides [7th] of April,5 Wulfgate, the superior of the
monastery of Pegeland, asked permission of King Edward,
son of Ethelred, to unite the flocks of the two monasteries,
and to make of them, for God's glory, a single convent,
under one abbot and one rule, which the king soon af-
terwards graciously acceded to. After having the charge
of Croyland for a number of years, Wulfgate died on the
nones [7th] of July,6 and Ulfkytel, a monk of Peterborough,
by permission of his abbot Leofric, received the government
of the abbey of Croyland from King Edward. He held it
twenty- four years, and began the building of a new church,
the old one threatening to fall to ruins. His great patron
in this undertaking was Waltheof, earl of Northampton,
1 In the year 1005.
a In 1018.
' " Now Peakirk in Northamptonsire." — Le Privost.
* Pega's journey to Rome is supposed to have been made in the year
717, but we have no account of the honour paid to her memory, or of the
church dedicated to her in that city.
5 In the yeor 1048.
* In 1052 ; Wulfgate, therefore, was abbot only four years.
H 2
100 OBDEHICTTS VITALIS. [B.tV. CH.XTIT.
son of Siward, earl of Northumbria, who gave the vill of
Baraack1 to the servants of God and St. Guthlac. Not
long afterwards the malice of the Normans, who were
jealous of him, and feared his distinguished qualities, brought
him to the block, at Winchester, contrary to all justice, and
to the great grief of the people at large, on the day before
the calends of June [30th May], his body being carried to
Croyland by Abbot TJlfkytel, at the entreaty of his wife
Judith, and by permission of King William.
Not long afterwards, this abbot, who was English born,
and therefore disliked by the Normans, being accused by
his competitors, was deposed by archbishop Lanfranc,
and sent into confinement at Glastonbury.2 Upon this,
the abbey of Croyland was conferred by King William
on Ingulfus, a monk of Fontenelles ; and he governed it
twenty-four years in difficult circumstances. He was an
Englishman by birth, had been secretary to the king,3 and
made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On his return, he went
to Fontenelles and assumed the monastic habit under Abbot
Gerbert, from whom, having made proficiency in the con-
ventual rules, he received the oflice of prior. The king,
who had long known him, requested his abbot to give him
up, and sent him to preside over the monks of Croyland.
After he became abbot, he kindly used his influence with
King William on behalf of his predecessor, and obtained
permission for him to return to Peterborough abbey, of
which he had been a monk, and where he died some years
afterwards on the 7th of the ides [7th] of June.4
Meanwhile, abbot Ingulfus did all he could to benefit the
monastery of which he had undertaken the charge ; but he
had, by God's will, to struggle with many difficulties. In
the first place, part of the abbey church, with the sacristy,
Barnack in Northamptonshire, celebrated for its quarries.
In 1075. The installation of Ingulphus took place the 25th of
January, 1 076. See in his history details of the ceremony, and the circum-
stances which preceded it
3 He was employed by William in that capacity during his visit to
fingUad m I05J. When the invading expedition was fitting out in 1066,
Ingulphus, as prior of Fontenelles, or St. Wandrille, presented the duke, on
tie part of his abbot Gerbert, twelve knights and one hundred silver marks
as the contingent of that abbey.
* Ulfkytel died the 30th of September, 1085.
A.D. 107G — 1109.] INGULPH, ABBOT OF CROYLAND. 101
vestments, books, and many other necessary articles, were
consumed by a fire which broke out suddenly.1 Then, he
himself, being grievously afflicted with the gout, was in a
bad state of health long before his death, but his active
mind would not allow the society to suffer by his infirmities.
Ingulphus caused the remains of Earl Waltheof to be trans-
ferred from the chapter-house into the church, and ordered
warm water to be got ready to wash the bones. But when,
the lid of the coffin was removed, the corpse was discovered
to be as sound after its repose of sixteen years as on the
day it was buried, and the head was reunited to the body ;
only there was a red streak round the neck where the head
had been severed ; and this was seen by the monks and
several laymen who had gathered round. The body having
been thus translated into the church, and interred with
great ceremony near the altar,2 miracles were often per-
formed there. The truth of this is experienced by the sick,
who, seeking their cure in faith, frequently obtain the benefit
they implore.
At length, Abbot Ingulph, dying on the sixteenth of the
calends of December [16th November],3 he was succeeded
by Geoffrey, who conferred many benefits on the abbey of
Croyland and its inhabitants, through his love of goodness
and virtue. He was a Frenchman by birth, of the city of
Orleans, and having pursued liberal studies from an early
age, and become deeply versed in literature, took a distaste
to worldly objects, and, inflamed with divine love, devoted
himself to a monastic life in the abbey of St. Evroult,
which that saint had founded at Ouche in the time of
Childebert, king of the Franks.4 In that monastery where
piety is more abundant than wealth, Geoffrey becoming a
novice under Abbot Mainier, whose zeal procured him a great
reputation, after a time took the vows and became a monk,
and having worthily filled various offices was promoted to
1 This fire happened in 1091.
2 This translation was also made in the year 1091.
3 The real date of Ingulphus's death was the 1/th of December, 1109.
He was interred on St. Thomas's day, the 21st.
4 Childebert I. died in 558. St Evroult retired to the forest of Ouche
about the year 560. Our author probably means Childebert II., king of
Austrasia, who paid a visit to the holy monk about the year 593, as we find
in b. vi. c. 9.
102 OEDEBTCUS TITAL1S. [B.IT. CH.3TIT.
that of prior fifteen years after his profession. At last, in
the year of our Lord 1109,1 by command of Henry king of
England, he undertoook the government of the abbey of
Croyland. He began the new church in a splendid style cf
architecture, and many other useful works ; and during the
fifteen years he held the dignity of abbot, earnestly la-
boured for their completion, for the benefit of his own soul
and of those committed to his charge.
In the third year of abbot Ingulph, miracles began to
be wrought at the tomb of Earl "Waltheof, the news of which
caused great delight among his countrymen. The English
common people crowded in great numbers to his tomb,
hearing that God had honoured him with many significant
tokens of his merits, and both exhibiting their joy at this
new thing, and interceding for succour in their various ne-
cessities. On seeing this, a Norman monk whose name was
Audin, was much enraged, laughing at the crowd of votaries
and mocking and disparaging the earl himself, and giving
out that he was a base traitor and deserved to lose his head
for his crime, as he had done. Abbot Geoffrey, hearing of
this, mildly expostulated with Audin, as he was a foreigner,
reminding him that it was sinful to disparage the divine
operations, because God had promised to display his pre-
sence to the faithful to the end of the world, and had de-
clared that the sincerely penitent should drink of the
fountain of his inexhaustible mercy. However, while the
abbot was thus endeavouring to restrain his folly, and he
vented his spleen in words which became continually more
unbeseeming, he was suddenly seized with fainting at the
heart in the abbot's presence, and died a few days after-
wards in the church of St. Alban the first English martyr ;
•where he had made his monastic profession. The following
night, when Abbot Geoffrey was lying on his bed reflecting
anxiously on the events just related, he presently saw
himself in a vision at the tomb of Earl Waltheof, and
the holy saints, Bartholomew the apostle and Guthlac the
hermit, standing near in robes of shining white. The apostle,
as appeared in the vision, laid his hand on the head of the
earl reunited to the body, saying: "He is not headless."
Guthlac, who stood at the foot of the corpse, now took up the
1 Abbot Geoffrey was installed on Palm Sunday, 1110.
A.D. 112.] EAEL WALTIIEOF'S TOMB AND EPITAPH. 103
word, and said: "He was an earl". . . . The apostle inter-
rupted the speaker and thus finished the sentence : " And is
now a king."1 The abbot having heard these things and re-
ported them to the brethren, they were filled with joy and
gave glory to the Lord God, who in all ages never ceases to
show his mercy to those who believe in him. Having spent
fifteen years in his government, the venerable abbot and priest
Geoffrey died on the nones [5tb] of June ; and was succeeded
by Waltheof, an Englishman and monk of Croyland, who
was brother of Earl Cospatrick,2 and of high English lineage.
Miracles becoming more frequent at Croyland the monks
were filled with joy, and wishing to pay all the honour in
their power to the remains of the great earl, engaged Vita-
lis, the Englishman, to write his epitaph in heroic verse.
Paying a ready obedience to their request, after some
reflection, he repeated the following verses : —
Beneath this stone a noble warrior lies,
Earl Waltheof, great in arms, in council wise ;
Stout Siward's son, 'twas his an ancient race
Through Danish Juris, Northumbrian earls to trace.
But honours, power, and riches counting dross,
With contrite heart he knelt before the cross :
For Christ he loved, his righteous judgments feared,
His servants honour'd, and his saints revered.
But chief, where Croyland spreads her wide domain,
And holy Guthlac holds his mystic reign,
He joyed to tread the cloister's hallowed ground,
Her monks he cherish'd, and her altnrs crown'd.
On Winton's hill the patriot bow'd his head,
By Norman malice numbered with the dead.
Ah, fatal last of May !' Unrighteous doom !
Now marshy Croyland boasts her patron's tomb,
Where, living, oft he came an honour'd guest :
God rest his soul in mansions of the blest !
The death of Earl "Waltheof was the cause of much censure
1 This vision of the Abbot Geoff/ ey is related in much the same language,
but with some difference of circumstances, by Peter de Blois, the continuer
of Ingulphus. It falls under the year 1112, as well as the chastisement
divinely inflicted on the monk Audin.
* Cospatric was made earl of Northumbria after Copsi's death.
1 This date is exact, and it is difficult to understand how Ordericus, who
must have had it clearly in his memory, as the composer of these verses,
should have made the mistake respecting it which occurs just before. See
p. 85.
104) ORDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.IT. CH.XVIIT.
on King William from many quarters, and numerous were
the troubles, which by the righteous judgment of God he
afterwards suffered from various attacks which never after-
wards permitted him to enjoy any continuance of tranquillity.
He indeed, such was his resolution, still maintained a
manful struggle against all his enemies, but success did not
attend his enterprises as it had done before, nor were his
conflicts often crowned with victory. In the thirteen years
which he afterwards lived, he never won a pitched battle,
nor succeeded in taking a town he besieged. The Almighty
Judge disposes all events aright, suffering no crime to go
unpunished, in this world or the next.
CH. XVllI. King William invades Brittany and lays siege
to Dol — Precipitate retreat — The Duke Alan Fergan
marries the king's daughter Constance — Her character
and death.
KINO WILLIAM being desirous to extend the frontiers of
his dominions, and to reduce the Bretons under the same
subjection which they had formerly been forced to pay to
Eollo and "William [Long-sword] and other dukes of Nor-
mandy, he laid siege to the town of Dol, endeavouring to
terrify the townsmen with tremendous threats, and swearing
a great oath that he would not raise the siege till he had
taken the place. But by the overruling will of God,
things turned out very differently ; for while the king,
having pitched his tents, was swelling with pride, and
glorying in his riches and power, news was brought him
that Alan Fergan, earl of Brittany, was at hand with large
bodies of troops, hastening to the relief of the besieged
town. Alarmed at the intelligence, King "William patched
up a peace with the defenders of the place, who had as yet
received no account of the approaching succour, and de-
camped at once. But his retreat was attended with severe
loss, for in their haste the royal army was forced to abandon
their tents, baggage, arms, and all kinds of utensils and
equipments, the value of which was estimated, to their deep
grief, at 15,000 pounds sterling.1 The politic king, finding
1 This disastrous expedition of King William into Brittany belongs to
the year 1075, according to the opinion of Simeon of Durham and Roper
de Hoveden. His disgraceful retreat was caused not merely by the
A.D. 1075.] WILLIAM I. I5TVADES BEITTAXT. 105
that he could not conquer the Bretons by force of arms,
prudently adopted measures more advantageous to himseL
and his successors, concluding a treaty of peace with Alan
Fergan, and giving him his daughter Constance in marriage,
the ceremonies of which were conducted with great state at
Caen.1 Constance lived virtuously nearly fifteen years with
her husband, studying her subjects' good, and that of all
connected with her. Diffusing around her the balm of
peace, she was kind to the poor, and treated with great
respect all the servants of God, who were greatly afflicted
at her death, and the more so as she left no offspring. All
right-minded persons in Brittany would have been exceed-
ingly delighted if there had been any issue from this happy
marriage to govern them worthily, holding fairly, from their
innate goodness, the balance of justice among the indomi-
table Bretons, and curbing them by the restraints of the di-
vine law and civilization. Earl Alan Fergan, after the death
of Constance, married the count of Anjou's daughter, by
whom he had a son named Conan, to whom Henry, king of
England, lately gave his daughter in marriage to cement the
peace between them.*
CH. XIX. Short notice ofAinard, allot of St. Pierre-sur-
Dive — His epitaph.
ABOUT this time, the revered Ainard, first abbot of Dive,
Mas obliged to take to his bed, and, having caused all that is
befitting a servant of God to be done on his behalf, departed
this life on the nineteenth of the calends of February
[14th January] ? He was a native of Germany, and well
taught in both sciences, as well as accomplished in versi-
fying, chanting, and composing charming music. This is
approach of Alan Fergan, but by intelligence that the king of France in
person was marching to threaten his rear.
1 " We can hardly suppose that this marriage was contracted imme-
diately after the disastrous expedition against Dol, nor can we, with
Lobmeau, fix it in the year 1086, during which William did not quit
England. We therefore think that it took place about the year 1077." —
Le Prevost.
2 Constance died on the 13th of August, 1090, without leaving any
children. Alan Fergan married again, in 1093, Ermengarde, daughter of
Fulk le Rechin. Conan III., their son, married Matilda, the illegitimate
daughter of Henry I. This union produced bitter fruits, for he was under
the necessity of publicly disclaiming the only son who was the issue of it.
3 In the year 1078.
100 OBDEHICTJS YITALIS. [B.IY. CH.XIX.
proved by his histories of Kilian, bishop of "Wurtzbourg,1
Catherine the Virgin, and many elegant canticles which he
composed in praise of the Creator. Burning with zeal for
religion in his youth, he sought out Abbot Isembert, and
voluntarily submitted himself to his discipline for the love
of God, and made his profession as a monk in the convent
of the Holy Trinity founded by Groscelin d' Arques2 on the
hill at Eouen to the west of the city. Thence he was
removed by the rulers of the church in the year of our Lord
1046, and set upon a candlestick, that he might give light
to all that are in the house. Having been consecrated abbot
of Dive,3 built by the countess Lesceline, wife of "William
count d'Eu, he profitably filled the charge he had received,
both by his life and teaching, for thirty-one years, when at
last, old and full of days, he finished his course. The vene-
rable Durandus, abbot of Troarn, interred his body in the
church of St. Mary, and composed some memorable verses
to be engraved on the face of his tomb, in which the moral
virtues of Abbot Ainard, and the Christian graces with
which he was divinely inspired, are thus described : —
Odours breathe from AINARD'S tomb,
Like the spikenard's rich perfume ;
While his virtues blooming round
Flower in consecrated ground.
He with boundless cost and care
Reared this holy house of prayer ;
Here he spent his peaceful life,
Lamb-like, innocent of strife ;
Gave to learning all his days,
Speeding on in wisdom's ways :
Sober, honest, chaste, and mild,
Humble, simple as a child,
Save when, in his high degree,
Bearing modest dignity.
When the new year's wintry sun
Fourteen times its course had run,1
' St> ^jJif1' a? Injh bi"n°P. Preached the gospel in Franconia about
ofJulr*689 "U martvrd°m, with his two companions, the 8th
» Isembert, a fellow countryman of Aynard's, became in 1033, abbot of
the monastery founded near Rouen by the viscount Goscelin d'Arques,
"^f Ste X'eriL * *" ^ Wbidl * afterWar
For particulars respecting this abbey, see vol. L p. 382.
to
A.D. 1078.] EPITAPH OF ABBOT AIKAKD. 107
With shrunk form and hoary head
He was number'd with the dead.
Passing stranger ! breathe a prayer
That he may Christ's mercy share.
The widowed church of Dive, on. the loss of her former
lord, was given to Fulk, prior of St. Evroult, who was con-
secrated abbot by Robert bishop of Seez. He governed
that house for many years in the time of King William and
several under duke Robert II., and advanced it nobly as
opportunity occurred.2 This lord carried with him from St.
Evroult the monks Bernard, surnamed Matthew, his cousin,
Richard, AVilliam de Montreuil, and Turketel, quick and
skilful copyists, and well skilled in the services of the
church. These were his peaceful coadjutors, and took the lead
in zealously putting their shoulders to God's work both by
day and night, saying cheerfully to others their associates
by word and unwearied example, "Come with us to Bethel."3
CH. XX. Quarrels between the sons of King William —
Robert attempts to seize Rouen by surprise — Sis followers
dispersed — The Icing marches against the malcontents.
ROBEBT, the king's son, it is reported, was the cause and
fomenter of the disturbances which broke out as we have
seen, between the people of Maine and the Normans ; for
Duke William, both before the battle of Senlac,4 and after-
wards at a time when he fell sick, had declared his eldest
son Robert his heir, causing all his barons to do him fealty
and homage, which they had readily consented to. But the
young prince, after the death of his wife Margaret, urged
on by youthful ambition and the imprudent suggestions of
those about him, demanded of his father the honours which
he claimed as his right, viz., the sovereignty of Maine
and Normandy.5 His politic father, after much reflec-
1 Abbot Ainard died on the 14th of January, 1078.
7 Fulk, who was consecrated by Robert, bishop of Se"ez, disgusted the
monks by his great severity, and was obliged to retire beyond sea in 1092 ;
he was restored to his functions towards the close of the century, and died
at Winchester in the year 1 1 06.
8 Ordericus evidently means in this place to quote from the bible, but
his memory failed, for there is no passage in the Vulgate which can be
exactly referred to for this expression.
* It hns been already remarked that William's intentions with regard to
his son Robert were publicly declared as early as 1063.
* These pretensions of Robert Court-hose could not have been advanced
108 ORDEBICUS TTTALIS. [B.IY. CS.XX.
tion, refused to gratify his pretensions, and recommended
his son to wait for a more fitting opportunity of obtaining
what he desired. The prince was talkative and prodigal,
very bold and valiant, and a strong and sure archer ; his
voice was loud and clear ; his tongue fluent ; his features
dull and heavy; his body stout, and his stature short;
whence he commonly received the surname of Gambaron1
or Courte-heuse.
One day, when the king was preparing an expedition
against the inhabitants of the Corbonnais,2 and was enter-
tained at the house of Gkmher, in the village of Eicher
(which is called L'Aigle, on account of an eagle's nest
being found in an oak tree while Fulbert was building his
castle), a diabolical quarrel arose between the king's sons,
from which sprung afterwards endless contentions and
crimes.* For two of the brothers, William Rufus and
Henry, took their father's part, and thinking their strength
equal to their brother Robert's, were indignant that he
alone should make pretensions to their father's inheritance,
and affect equality with the king among the crowd of para-
sites who paid their court to himself. In consequence they
came to the castle of L'Aigle to visit Robert, who was
sojourning in the house of Robert Calcege, and there began
to play at dice in the gallery,* as the custom of military men
is. They then made a great noise, and threw water on the
heads of Robert and his hangers-on who were underneath.6
Upon which Ivo and Aubrey de Grantmesnil6 said to
till some years after the conquest of England, for at that period Robert
was not more than twelve years old.
" Gambaron:" gambes (jambes), rondes?— Ducange, Glossar.
* The Corbonnais was the ancient name of a district in Maine, bounded
on the east by the Commanche and L'Huisne, and on the north-west by
the Sarthe, and which obtained the name of Perche from the forest which
overspread the greatest part of it.
8 It is difficult to fix the period when these family quarrels burst forth.
There are several reasons for thinking that it was after the peace of
Blancheland, but they cannot be stated as entirely satisfactory.
* Solaria; a terrace or gallery in a house, where they walk to sun
themselves.
* In ccenaculum. If our author has not used the two words indis-
criminately, we must suppose that the two young princes had retired into
the banqueting-room after their sport in the gallery.
* They were the fourth and fifth sons of Hugh de Grant-mesnil and
Aucliza of Beaumont-sur-Dive.
A.D.. 1078 ?] QTJAEEELS OF KINO WILLIAM'S SONS. 109
Eobert : " Why do you put up with this insult ? see your
brothers have mounted above you, and shower their filth
upon you and us, in contempt. Do not you perceive what
they mean ? if you do not instantly resent this insult, you
are a lost man, and can never lift up your head again." This
speech roused his fury, and he hurried to the banqueting
room where his brothers were, determined to chastise them.
The clamour which ensued brought the king from his lodg-
ings, and by interposing his royal authority he put an end,
for the time, to his sons' quarrels. But the night after-
wards, Eobert and his attendants withdrew from the king's
troop of horse, and making for Rouen attempted to seize
the castle by surprise. However, Roger D'lvry, the king's
butler, who had the custody of the tower, having anticipated
the plot, put the fortifications in order to resist the treason-
able enterprise, and in all haste sent messengers to his lord
the king, to apprize him of the state of affairs. The king
in his wrath ordered all the malcontents to be arrested ;
hearing which they were in the greatest consternation.
Some were taken, others fled and secured their safety by
taking refuge in foreign countries.
Then Hugh de Chateau-Neuf, nephew and heir of Albert
Ribald, was the first to receive the exiles, and opened the
gates of Chateau-Neuf, Eaimalard, Sorel,1 and other places
belonging to him, hvorder that they might make predatory
incursions on Normandy. He was son-in-law of Earl
Roger, having married Mabel,2 sister of Robert de Belesme,
who had attached himself to the king's son, with Ralph de
Conches and many others. These deserters, embarking in
a wicked and detestable enterprise, had left their towns and
rich farms for vain hopes and worthless promises. The
king took their domains into his own hands, and with the
rents paid the stipendiary troops who fought against them.
These troubles caused great commotions among the inha-
bitants of the country and their neighbours, who flew to
arms in every quarter either for or against the king. The
French, the Bretons, the Manceaux, the Angevins, and other
people fluctuated in their opinions, and knew not which side
1 Remalard, in the department de 1'Orme ; Sorel in Eure et Loire.
a Mabel de Montgomery, third daughter of Count Roger and Mabel de
IJi.-lesme.
110 OBDEBICTTS VITALIS. [B.IV. CH.XX.
they ought to take. "War threatening them on all sides, the
king, full of determination, assembled an army, and marching
against the enemy, made terms with Botrou count de
Mortagne. This count had often pillaged the lands of the
church of Chartres, which is dedicated to St. Mary-ever-a-
Virgin, and having been frequently remonstrated with by the
bishop and clergy, and continuing incorrigible, had been ex-
communicated. By an infliction of divine justice, he became
deaf, and remained so to the end of his days. King William
took him into his pay, employing him with his own troops
in the siege of Raimalard, because it was a fief held of him.
He fortified four castles in the country round, and placed
garrisons in them. Meanwhile, on a certain day, Aimer de
villerai1 was conducting the steward of the king of France3
on his return to his master, and came with three men-at-
arms to his own castle, where King William's enemies
were protected, when it chanced that four knights of the
royal army sallied forth and stopped his way, just as he
had nearly reached the castle gate, and falling upon him
killed him on the spot. They then laid the body of the un-
fortunate freebooter across a horse, like the carcass of a pig,
and threw it down before the huts of count Eoger with
whom he had long been in hostilities. Groulfier, Aimer's son,
struck with terror at his father's fearful end, made peace
with the king, and he and his heirs remained faithful more
than fifty years.
The calamities which threaten the sons of earth are end-
less, and if they were all carefully committed to writing
would fill large volumes. It is now winter, and I am
suffering from the severity of the cold, and propose to allow
myself some respite for other occupations, and fatigued with
my work, shall here bring the present book to a close.
When the returning spring brings with it serener skies, I
will resume in the sequel, my narrative of matters which I
have hitherto treated cursorily, or which still remain to be
told, and, by God's help, employ my faithful pen in elucidat-
ing the causes of peace and war among my countrymen.
* Villerai, a castle in the neighbourhood of L'Huisne, near Alencon, on
the Sarthe.
'Probably Frederic, who was high steward of France in 1075, or
Robert, who held that office in 1079.
Ill
BOOK Y.
CH. I. The author gives a short account of himself and the
contents of two of his former books — Proposes to treat of
the abbey of St. Evroult and public affairs from the year
1075 to the death of William I.
TEEADING in the steps of those who have gone before us, it
is our duty to contend ceaselessly with enervating sloth,
devoting ourselves to profitable studies and healthful exer-
cises, by application to which the mind is purified from
vice, the life-giving discipline nobly arming it against all
wickedness. "Every slothful man," says Solomon, " is a
slave to his desires." And again : " The desire of the
slothful killeth him."1 He indeed is slothful and idle who
abandons himself to a vicious life for want of a good reso-
lution. That man may be considered as sunk in the lethargy
of idleness who fails to meditate on the law of God day and
night, that is, in prosperity and adversity, and does not
earnestly struggle to resist the wiles and assaults of Satan
that he may be worthy to obtain the reward of his heavenly
calling. Such a one, doubtless, hurtful " desire killeth ;"
drawing him into evil courses, while he is lulled to sleep by
prosperity, and sinking him into the pit of perdition by the
broad road of his own lusts. The ancients therefore strongly
condemn idleness and sloth as the enemy of the soul, in-
viting their followers to profitable labour and exertion, both
by word and example ; and on this point the heathen poets
agree with Christian writers. For Virgil says : —
Ah ! what avail his service, what his toil ?
Stern labour all subdues
And ceaseless toil that urging want pursues.2
1 Prov. xxi. 25. The preceding quotation is not to be found in the
Vulgate.
* Quid labor aut benefacta juvant ? . . .
"Virg. Gcorg. iii. 525.
Labor omnia vincit,
Improbus et duris urgens in rebus egestas.
Virg. Georg. i. 145.
112 OBDEBICTJS YITALIS. [B.T. CH.I.
Ovid also gives this advice to those who endeavour to
resist their passions and strive against Venus : —
Advised by me, all slothful habits shun,
Those foes to worth by manly vigour won.
'Tis idleness that fosters Cupid's arts,
And lights his torch and points his shining darts.1
Weighing with attention, father Warin, such sentiments as
these, I have determined to publish something which may be
useful and interesting to our brethren in the house of the
Lord, pursuing with diligence the task I have commenced,
that when the Lord cometh to judgment I may not be con-
demned, like the unprofitable servant, for having buried my
talent in the ground. In the first instance, I endeavoured
to obey the commands of the venerable abbot Eoger, and
yours also, received at a later period, by undertaking a short
account of the state of the abbey of Ouche, a work which
our predecessors have often called on each other to engage
in, but which none of them have been willing to undertake :
for they chose rather to be silent than to speak, preferring
tranquil leisure to the consuming toil of investigating past
transactions. They were willing enough to peruse the acts
of former abbots and brethren, and the annals of their own
house, which, having been slenderly endowed at first by poor
but pious founders, have been gradually aggrandized by the
indefatigable exertions of our reverend fathers ; but they
shrunk from bending their minds to the task of dictating or
writing the result of their researches. At length it fell to my
lot, a stranger and an Englishman, who coming here, when
only ten years old, from the furthest borders of Mercia,8
1 Otia corrodunt mentes et corpora frangunt.
This verse is not in Ovid. The other three are quoted from his poem
De Remedio Amoris, v. 133, 139, 140, with an unimportant transposition in
the first line :
Fac monitis fugias otia prima meis . . .
Otia si tollas, periere Cupidinis arcus,
Contemptque jacent et sine luce faces.
* Ordericus was born at Atcham, anciently Attinghatn, a village on the
banks of the Severn, three miles from Shrewsbury, on the 1 6th of February,
1075. His father, who was attached to the household of Roger, earl "of
Shrewsbury, and had followed him to England, received from that noble-
man grants of land in that neighbourhood, which was on the Welsh
borders of the ancient kingdom of Mercia. Ordericus was entered as a
novice at the abbey of St. Evioult in 1086. See the account of his life in
M. Guizot's Notice appended to the preface of this work.
A.D. 1076 — 1086.] ATITHOB'S ACCOUNT OF HIS WOBKS. 113
and rude of speech and manners, mixed with a people full
of intelligence, to compose, by God's help, a narrative of
Norman events and transactions for the use of the natives
of Normandy. I have already, by the divine assistance,
published two books,1 in which I have given a true account
of the restoration of our house and of three of our abbots,
with some public aifairs of that period which I have care-
fully collected from information given me by men of years
and experience.
1 now begin my third book from the %ear of our Lord
1075, meaning to treat of my own abbot and the society of St.
Evroult, as well as of public aifairs generally, during the suc-
ceeding period of twelve years, that is, to the time of King
"William's death.2 I choose the former year for the com-
mencement of my present undertaking, because it was then
I was born, on the fourteenth of the calends of March
[16th February], and was regenerated in the holy font of
baptism by the ministry of Ordericus the priest,3 at Atting-
ham, in the church of St. Eata the confessor,4 which stands
on the bank of the river Severn. Five years afterwards, my
father entrusted me to a noble priest, whose name was
Siward, for instruction in the first rudiments of learning, to
whose mastership I remained subject for five years. Then,
being in my eleventh year, I was separated from my father,
for the love of God, and sent a young exile from England to
Normandy to enter the service of the King Eternal. Here
I was received by the venerable father Mainier,5 and having
assumed the monastic habit, and become indissolubly joined
to the company of the monks by solemn vows, have now
1 Our author here speaks of the third and fourth books of his history.
The first and second were an afterthought, and not as yet written. He,
therefore, in the next paragraph calls this fifth book, which he is now
beginning, the third.
2 September 9, 1087.
8 It is elsewhere observed that in baptism, which took place on the
Saturday in Easter week (April 11), our author took the name of the
officiating priest, who was also his sponsor.
* For the life of St. Eata, a Saxon bishop of great sanctity in the seventh
century, see Bede's Eccles. Hist. pp. 161 — 229 (Bohria Edition), and
Acta SS. ord. Henedlcti, s<ec. iii. P. 1, p. 221.
s Mainier, the fourth abbot of St. Evroult, flourished from July 1G-
1066— March 5, 1080.
VOL. II. 1
114 OBDEBICTJS VITALIS. [B.Y. CH.T.
cheerfully borne the light yoke of the Lord for forty-two
years,1 and walking in the ways of God with my fellow
monks, to the best of my ability, according to the rules of our
order, have endeavoured to perfect myself in the service of
the church and ecclesiastical duties, at the same time that I
have always devoted my talents to some useful employment.
If our bishops and other rulers of the world were so
gifted with sanctity that, for them and by them, miracles
were divinely wrought, as was frequently the case with the
primitive father^ and these accounts scattered through
ancient books sweetly influence the readers' mind, refresh-
ing their memories with the glorious signs and wonders of
the early disciples ; I also would fain shake off sloth, and
employ myself in committing to writing whatever may be
worthy of the eager ken of posterity. But in the present
age, in which the love of many waxes cold and iniquity
abounds, miracles, the tokens of sanctity, cease,2 while crimes
and lamentable complaints multiply in the world. The
litigious quarrels of bishops, and the bloody conflicts of
princes, furnish more abundant materials for the writers of
history than the propositions of theologians, or the pri-
vations or prodigies of ascetics. The time of antichrist is
at hand, whose appearance, as the Lord intimated to holy
Job,3 will be preceded by the failure of miracles and the
rapid growth of outrageous vices in those who are given up
to their own fleshly lusts. Now, most reverend abbot, I
will resolutely apply myself, in the name of the Lord, to the
task I have undertaken, trusting with confidence that your
experience will correct whatever errors my own ignorance
may suffer to escape.
1 According to this statement, our author composed this fifth book of
his history in the year 1 128.
3 This is an important admission of our author. He has, indeed, like
other monkish writers, made free use of former legends, but he rarely
vouches for miracles when he comes to the history of his own times.
There seems nothing in the book of Job to justify this allusion. It
may be a question whether our author did not mean to refer to the epistle
of St. Jude, ver. 16, 18. But the failure of miraculous powers in the
church is not expressly predicted either there or in other passages of scripture
where the signs of the "last days," and of the coming of antichrist are
mentioned. See 2 Thess. i. 3; 1 Tim. iv. 1; 2 Tim. iii. 1; 2 Pet. iii. 3.
A.D. 1075 — 1127.] CECILIA, ABBESS OF CAE1T. 115
Cn. II. William's daughter Cecilia becomes a nun at Caen
— Mission of three English bishops to Rome — Consecration
of cathedrals and abbeys in Normandy — Anselm, abbot of
Sec, made archbishop of Canterbury.
[1075—1127.] IN the year of our Lord 1075, the four-
teenth indiction, King "William spent the holy feast of
Easter at Fecamp, and presented his daughter Cecilia to be
consecrated to G-od by the hands of Archbishop John.1 She
had been brought up with great care, and well educated in
the convent at Caen, where, being dedicated to the holy
and undivided Trinity, she became a nun under the vene-
rable abbess Matilda, faithfully submitting to the holy rule.
The reverend mother departing this life after governing
the convent forty-seven years, Cecilia succeeded her, and
having presided over the nuns for nearly fourteen years
with great credit, she expired on the third of the idea
[13th] of July, in the year of our Lord 1127. She thus
worthily devoted herself to the service of God, in the habit,
and order, and religious exercises of a nun, for fifty-two
years after she was first dedicated by her father,2 and her
death happened in the twenty-sixth year of the reign of her
brother Henry.
While King William was residing in Normandy, and, by
God's help, defended his dominions against all adversaries,
the English bishops, Lanfranc of Canterbury, Thomas of
York, and Eemi of Lincoln, undertook a journey to Rome,
and were received with great honours by Pope Gregory and
the Eoman senate.3 The wealth of England supplied pro-
1 It would appear by the charter of foundation of the abbey of Caen,
referred to by the French editor of Ordericus, that it was there, and under
Archbishop Maurillius, and not John, and in the year 1066, not 1075,
that William and Matilda caused their daughter Cecilia to be consecrated
a nun of the abbey of the Holy Trinity on the day it was dedicated. If
this be so, it is singular that our author should have fallen into error on
facts which, though not of any public importance, occurred so near his own
times.
* According to the correction just proposed, Cecilia's religious life
extended to sixty-one year?, of which she was abbess only seven. The
abbess Matilda died on the 6th of July, 1120.
8 The journey of the three prelates took place in 1071, when Alexander
II. was pope, not Gregory VII. Alexander having been a pupi! of
Lanfranc at Bee, condescendingly rose from his seat to receive him, saying
I 2
116 OEDEEICUS YITAIJS. [B.T. CH.II.
fuse presents for the greedy Romans, and the prelates
appeared to the Latins no less admirable for their munifi-
cence than for their eloquence and their learning, both
sacred and profane. The pope and clergy of Rome received
favourably the message of King William, accompanying the
offerings, of which the bishops were bearers, and readily
confirmed the privileges, formerly granted to his prede-
cessors, which the king demanded by his envoys.1
In the year of our Lord 1077,2 the bishops just named
returned to Normandy highly delighted, and the king with
all the Norman people were transported with joy at their
arrival. At that time several churches in Normandy were
consecrated with great ceremony, at which the king and
queen, with their sons Robert and William, and vast assem-
blages of the nobles and commons were present. The
mother churches of the bishoprics of Bayeux and Evreux
and the abbey church of Bee, were dedicated to the honour
of St. Mary, mother of God, always a virgin.
The same year, the abbey church of St. Stephen the pro-
to-martyr, at Caen, was also consecrated, being enriched by
the king and his nobles with valuable offerings and large
sums of money. The solemnities of these consecrations
were performed by John archbishop of Rouen and his suffra-
gans, the reverend metropolitans Lanfranc and Thomas being
present, with many abbots and a vast concourse of people.
The venerable abbot Herluin rejoiced in spirit at the
that he paid him this mark of respect, not to do honour to the archbishop
of Canterbury, but to his learned master.— William of Malmesbury, Antiq.
Lib. p. 324. The French editor of Ordericus remarks, that the two other
bishops were not so well received, and had to defend themselves, the one
for being the son of a priest, the other for obtaining the bishopric of
Lincoln in recompence for the supplies he had furnished William towards
the conquest of England. (See vol. L of this work, p. 465.) We find
nothing of this in the English historians we have consulted. Henry of
Huntingdon, who was a canon of Lincoln, gives a high character of Bishop
Remi. See his History, p. 220, and Letter to Warin, p. 304 of Bohn's
edition. Remi transferred the seat of the bishopric from Dorchester (in
Oxfordshire) to Lincoln.
1 Malmesbury inserts the acts of a synod on the subject of these
privileges, held in 1072, to which Pope Alexander had referred the
question. See Modern History, p. 321.
* This date is incorrect ; the three bishops were present at the synod at
London in 1072, having returned from Rome in the interval.
A.D. 1034—1109.] ASSELM. 117
consecration of the church of Bee, and, having witnessed
the accomplishment of his most ardent earthly hopes, was no
longer for this world. He had retired from military service
in the year of our Lord 1034, and changing his course of
life received the religious habit from the Lord Herbert,
bishop of Lisieux. Three years afterwards he was ordained
by the same bishop and appointed abbot. It was then that
the abbey of Bee was first established. He died on the
seventh of the calends of September [26th August], in
the year of our Lord 1078, being the eighty-fourth year of
his age, and the forty-fourth of his profession as a monk.
After an interval of a few days, Anselm, then prior of that
house, was elected abbot. The year following he was
consecrated abbot in the abbey church at Bee by the lord
Gislebert, bishop of Evreux, on the festival called " The
Chair of St. Peter." l He submitted to the monastic rule
when he was twenty-seven years old, and continued three
years in the cloister without being preferred to any office.
He then succeeded Lanfranc as prior, which rank he held
for fifteen years, and then, on the death of Herluin the first
abbot of Bee, was appointed to the government of the abbey
which he administered for another fifteen years. He was
afterwards raised to the archiepiscopal throne of Canterbury
on the demise of the venerable Lanfranc, and filled the see
for sixteen years, during which he was exposed to many
trials. He departed out of this life on the eleventh of the
calends of May [21st April], being the fourth day before
Holy Thursday, in the seventeenth year of his archiepiscopate,
the forty-fourth of his monkhood, and the seventy-sixth of
his age.*
Cn. III. Hugh, bishop of Lieux, his singular death — His
epitaph — He is succeeded by Giskbert Maminot — His
character.
[A.D. 1077.] FoBASiiucn as thoughtless mortals are apt
to be inflated by a false appearance of prosperity, while they
are driven to and fro, bending like reeds before the blasts
1 A feast observed at Rome on the 18th of January, at Antioch on the
22nd of February, in every year.
a St. Anselm, "born at Aosta about the year 1034, took the monastic
habit at Bee in 1060. He waa elected abbot immediately after the death
118 OEDEEICTT8 TITALIS. [B.V. CH.ITI.
of adverse fortune, the providence of G-od, which governs all
things, therefore mixes the rough with the smooth, to retain
within safe bounds the fickle enterprises of mankind. For
while King "William was much pulled up with worldly pomp,
and the people of Normandy abandoned themselves to every
sort of luxury, giving no thought to the punishment which
awaited their accumulated offences, a terrible thunder storm
burst over the sanctuary of the church of Lisieux, and the awful
crash struck down the people assembled on the pavement of
the cathedral church. It happened one morning on a Sun-
day in the summer season, when the holy mysteries of the
mass were being celebrated, and a priest named Herbert was
standing, mitred,1 at the altar, that there was suddenly a fear-
ful flash of lightning, immediately followed by a tremendous
crashand the falling of athunderbolt. Striking the crosswhich
stood on the pinacle of the tower, it shattered and threw it
down, and descending from thence into the body of the
church it was attracted by the crucifix, from which it tore
off a hand and foot and drew the iron nails which attached
them to the cross in a most singular manner. A dark
cloud concealed all objects from the trembling congregation,
and the lightning shot flashes through all the church, killing
eight men and one woman. It burnt the beards and hair of
men and women, and gave forth a most offensive smell.
One woman, whose name was Mary, preserved her footing,
under great alarm, in a corner of the church, from whence
she beheld the whole crowd of people lying apparently
lifeless on the floor of the church, while she herself was
ready to faint.
This occurred before the feast of the nativity of St. John
the Baptist, and soon afterwards Hugh, bishop of Lisieux,2
of the venerable Herluin, but was not consecrated by Gislebert, bishop of
Liseux, till the 22nd of February following. He resigned tbe government
of the abbey to succeed to the archbishopric of Canterbury on the Gth or
March, 1093, and was installed on the 25th of September following. He
died, aa here stated, on the 21st of April, 1109, in the seventy-sixth year oi
his age.
1 Infulatus; the ministrant being only a priest, the description, which is
literally translated, does not seem applicable.
9 Hu^h d'Eu, son of William, count d'Eu, and of Lesceline, the foundress
of the abbeys of Dive and St. Desiderius at Lisieux, was bishop of that see
from 1050— July 17, 1077.
A.D. 1050 — 1077.] HUGH, BISHOP OF LISLEUX. 119
fell sick. In the month of July, his disease increasing, the
bishop, perceiving that his death was at hand, began carefully
to examine himself as the servant of God summoned to his
Master's presence, and prepared himself with great reve-
rence to give an account of his stewardship. Purified by
confession and penance, washed with prayers and floods of
tears, and strengthened by the blessed communion of the
life-giving mysteries, he exhorted the clergy and laymen
who were assembled about him, and gave them absolution
and his blessing. As his end approached, he recollected
one thing which caused him especial regret, and in refe-
rence to which he thus implored all who were present : " I
know that I am now going the way of all flesh, but it
troubles me to think that I die at a distance from my see,
away from that spouse to which by God's ordinance I have
been lawfully united for almost forty years. I therefore
entreat all you whom I have formerly loved, nourished, pro-
moted, and raised to honour, that you carry me forth from
hence, and transport me to the spouse I have so dearly loved.
I have completed the church of St. Peter the apostle, which
my venerable predecessor Herbert1 began; 1 carefully em-
bellished it, supplied it with clergy, and furnished it with
the sacred vessels and all other requisites for divine worship.
Humbly commending it to the protection of the Lord of
heaven, in its sacred bosom I wish to repose, and there wait
in faith the second advent of our Lord." At these words
all present immediately arose, and, placing the bishop on a
convenient hand-litter, they carried him from the village of
Pont 1'Eveque to Lisieux, the clergy of the highest rank
and the most honourable among the laity bearing their
beloved father on their shoulders. But while they were
using their utmost efforts to reach the city as quickly as
posible, his death becoming imminent, they turned out of
the road on a piece of level turf, and tarried there expecting
every moment the bishop to breathe his last in the open air
amidst their prayers and tears : —
The sun in Cancer, flashing brightest rays,
Shrouded the dving prelate in its blaze.
Laid in the bright sunshine on this delightful spot, the illus-
1 Herbert, bishop of Liseux, 1022—1050.
120 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.Y. CII.III.
trious Bishop Hugh, surrounded by his attached friends, and
commended to God by their prayers, breathed his last on
the sixteenth of the calends of August [17th July].
Thus calmly died the venerable Hugh :
Such honours to their country are too few ;
The gem of priesthood, and the best of men,
Alas ! we ne'er shall see his like again.
May Christ, the chief bishop, whose vicar on earth he was
for a time, be ever propitious to him ! Pont 1'Eveque is four
leagues distant from Lisieux ; a cross was erected in the
field near the road, where the bishop died, which is called
to this day the Bishop's Cross.1 His body was carried to
Lisieux, but the funeral was deferred for eight days in con-
sequence of a dispute between the canons and nuns. For
the clergy wished to bury him in their cathedral, but the
nuns strongly remonstrated, saying : " Our father Hugh
built our abbey of Notre Dame ; he assembled us here to
serve Grod,2 and brought us up in the fear of the Lord -with
the love of a father to his daughters ; when death approached
he chose the church which he had founded for his burial
place ; cursed be he who should attempt to deprive us hia
daughters of our father's remains."
The case was brought before the king's court at Rouen,
and the question was argued on both sides, but the royal
decision was in favour of the weaker sex. Whereupon Wil-
liam sent for Archbishop John, and commanded to hasten
with all speed to Lisieux, and honourably inter the bishop's
corpse in the chapel of St. Mary. But the archbishop, being
a harsh and haughty prelate, and having a dreadful enmity
to the deceased bishop lurking in his bosom, was much
incensed, and, treating the royal command with contempt,
refused to go and bury his fello\v bishop. As he was
returning from the king's court, riding on his mule through
the city, speaking arrogantly about the present affair, he
1 It is supposed that this interesting scene took place on a spot now
called Pre"-FEveque.
* The nuns who were originally settled by Lesceline at the abbey of St.
Peter-sur-Dive, having been replaced by monks, were transferred to
Lisieux, where their new church was, like the former, dedicated to St.
Mary.
A.D. 1077.] EPITAPH OP BISHOP HUGH. 121
was seized with violent spasms, by the divine permission,
just as he approached his own house, and, falling to the
ground in the sight of the multitude, lost the use of his
speech for the two years he survived. Upon this, Gislebert,
bishop of Evreux, went to Lisieux, with a great concourse
of the faithful, and interred the bishop, as was becoming, in
the choir of the nuns, in the presence of Robert, Count
d'Eu, his brother. A suitable stone was laid over the grave
of this great bishop, and an epitaph in Adonic metre, which
consists of a dactyl and a spondee, was engraved in letters of
gold, on a brass plate, as follows :
Underneath lies Bishop HUGH,
Honoured lord of Lisieux :
Not more noble was his birth
Than the splendour of his worth.
Doubly gifted, he combined
Wit and sanctity of mind.
France's sceptre Philip sway'd,
England William's rule obey'd,
And the blazing lamp of day
On the verge of Leo1 lay,
When the bishop pass'd away.
Heavenly mercy speed him well,
With the blest above to dwell !
Gislebert, surnamed Maminot, the king's physician and
chaplain, was chosen bishop of Lisieux, and consecrated
by Michael, bishop of Avranches, in the presence of the
lord archbishop John, who, as we have just said, had lost the
use of his speech. He was the son of Robert de Courbe-
pine,2 a brave knight ; and, filling the see twenty-three years,
managed ecclesiastical affairs with a strong hand. Though
deeply skilled in the art of medicine, after he became bishop
he was unable to cure himself. He was eminent for his
learning and eloquence, abounded in wealth and the luxuries
it procured, but was a slave to his own gratification and the
care of the flesh. Ease and leisure were his great objects,
and he indulged frequently in dice and other games of
hazard. Negligent and slothful in his ecclesiastical duties,
he was ready and active enough in hunting and hawking.
He therefore devoted his life to worldly exercises and
1 The bishop died, aa stated before, on the 17th of July.
2 Near Bernai.
122 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.V. CH.HI.
employments, and did not give them up till age com-
pelled him. I could write more about him, but I
check my pen, because it was by him that I was
admitted to the order of subdeacon, with (as well as I can
recollect) three hundred others. But, as I have mentioned
some things that are not very creditable to him, it is but
right that I should record his merits and his doings which
are worthy of imitation. He gave alms freely to the poor, and
was distinguished for a stately sumptuousness and wise
liberality. In his judgments he keenly investigated the
truth, and was indefatigable in defending the right, dis-
pensing justice freely to all who came for it. He treated
with gentleness offenders who humbly confessed their sins,
and judiciously gave wise and salutary counsel to true peni-
tents. He performed the ceremony of conferring sacred
orders, and of consecrations, with care and devotion ; but he
was inert and difficult to be roused to undertake them, nor
would he engage in these offices until he was compelled by
the united entreaties of numbers. The church of Lisieux
at that time numbered among its clergy some honourable
persons and eminent archdeacons and canons ; such as
William de Glanville, dean and archdeacon, Eichard de
Angerville, and William de Poitiers,1 archdeacons, Geoffrey
de Triqueville the treasurer, Turgis the chanter, and his son
Balph, with many others who had been educated by Bishop
Hugh, and advanced to offices of dignity in the church. His
successor attached these persons to himself, and gave them
instructive lessons in the wide field of arithmetic, astronomy,
physics, and other profound sciences, receiving them as his
guests, and familiarly conversing with them, at his entertain-
ments.
CH. IV. John cTAvranches, archbishop of Rouen — his epi~
taph — William Bonne-Ame succeeds — His character —
Translates the relics of St. Romanus.
IN the year of our Lord 1079, the archbishop John died,
after governing his church eight years. He was buried in
the baptistery of his cathedral church, on the north side,
1 William de Poitiers, the historian, derived his surname from
having studied at Poitiers, but he was a native of I'reaux, near Pont-
Audemer.
A.D. 1079.] EPITAPH OF JOHN, ABCHBISHOP OF EOUEK. 123
under a tomb of alabaster, on which this epitaph was skil-
fully cut : —
Reft of thy patron, of thy glory shorn,
Thy honoured primate, widowed ROTTEN, mourn I
JOHN sleeps beneath, and, as in days of old,
Devotion flags, and priests again grow cold.
'Twas his with foul incontinence to strive,
The canon's rigour and the laws revive.
No venal bribes the priesthood's honour gain'd,
The church's state his liberal hand maintain 'd.
Alas ! this little stone, this narrow space —
Is all that genius, eloquence, and grace,
And noblest birth, and wisdom's highest aim,
And purest life, and excellence can claim.
Nine times September's sun had mounted high,1
And shed its brightness from the autumnal sky,
When bishop JOHN put off this mortal coil ;
God rest his soul, and with his grace assoil !
On the death of the primate John, William, abbot of
Caen, being canonically elected, was removed from his
monastery, where he had duly served God as a professed
monk, and called to govern the church of Rouen.8 He was
consecrated by the great Gislebert, bishop of Evreux, in the
church of St. Mary, mother of God, and was the forty-sixth
metropolitan of Ilouen from St. Nicasius, who was first
appointed by St. Dionysius, bishop of Paris, to the see of
Rouen.3 "William was good, cheerful, and courteous, and
continued shepherd of the flock divinely committed to him
for thirty-two years.4 He furnished the mother church with
ample stores of all the ornaments necessary for divine wor-
1 John d'Avranches, archbishop of Rouen, died on the 9th of Septem-
ber, 1079. He was probably* installed in the year 1069, so that he filled
the see longer than the term assigned by our author. His infirmities were
such, that the active pope Gregory VII. did not wait till his death in
taking measures for providing a successor.
* William Bonne-Ame, son of Radbod, bishop of Sdez, was abbot of
Caen, succeeding Laufranc, 1070 — 1079.
8 The story of St. Nicasius is very obscure. He is supposed to have
been commissioned by St. Denys to preach at Rouen about the middle 01
the third century. Having passed tho Epte, he suffered martyrdom with
his two companions, Quirinus, a priest, and Scuviculus, a deacon, in the
neighbourhood of Gani, to which place their bodies were carried.
* William Bonne-Ame died the 9th of February, 1110. Our author
states in book iii. (see vol. i. p. 419), that he filled the see nearly thirty-six
years. The real time was thirty -one years just commenced.
124 OBDEEICTJS VITALIS. [u.V. CH.III.
ship, and rebuilt from the foundations the cloisters of tho
bishop's palace and convenient offices.1 The relics of St.
Eomanus the bishop were translated with great ceremony
from his own church to the cathedral, and enshrined in a
coffer of gold and silver, exquisitely enriched with precious
stones. He appointed his feast to be celebrated throughout
the diocese on the tenth of the calends of November (Octo-
ber 23rd) ; and by a general decree ordered a solemn pro-
cession to be made every year to the deposit of the body of
the holy bishop without the city, inviting almost all the
inhabitants of the diocese to be present by monitions and
the promise of absolution and benediction.2 Like a tender
father, this bishop was kind to the clergy and monks, and all
who were under his rule. He occupied himself continually
with psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, #nd celebrated
regularly the sacred mysteries. He was a stranger to deceit
and malice, seeking no one's injury, but succouring the
indigent as occasion required. He had naturally a fine
voice, and was a skilful chanter ; was deeply versed in
ecclesiastical law, and had a great command of clear and
expressive language in preaching the word of Grod to the
uninstructed. His patience and benevolence charmed all
who enjoyed his society, and he committed without jealousy
a large share of* his official burdens to his deans and arch-
priests, admitting good men without reserve to a participa-
tion in the honours of his station.
Cn. V. Acts of the synod and assembly of nobles held at
Lillebonne, in the year 1080.
[A.D. 1080.] In the year of our Lo,rd 1080, King William
spent the feast of Whitsuntide at Lillebonne, where he
summoned William the archbishop, and all the bishops and
abbots, with the counts and other barons of Normandy to
attend him. The king's commands were obeyed. It was
in the eighth year of the papacy of Pope Gregory VII.,
1 No vestiges remain of the buildings here attributed to William Bonne-
Ame.
3 The translation of the relica of St. Romanus appears to have been
made in 1079, and probably on the 23rd of October. The procession here
mentioned seems to have been the origin of the celebrated fair still held at
Rouen on that day.
A.B. 1080.] SYNOD AT IILLEBOKNi:. 125
that the celebrated synod was held at Lillebonne, in which
the wants of the church and the state generally were care-
fully provided for by the wisdom of the king, with the
advice of his barons. I propose to insert here the canons
of the council, as they were faithfully committed to writing
by persons present, in order that posterity may know what
were the laws of Normandy in the time of King "William.
1. The Peace of God, or as it is commonly called, the
truce of God,1 is to be strictly observed, as our Duke William
established it at first ; and let it be proclaimed afresh in every
diocese, with the penalties of excommunication. If any
contumaciously refuse to observe it, or shall in any manner
break it, let the bishops take cognizance of the offence, and
do justice according to what is already decreed. But if the
offender will not submit to his bishop's decision, the bishop
shall report him to the lord under whom he holds his land,
and he shall carry into effect the bishop's sentence. And if
the lord shall disregard the order, let the king's viscount
execute it, all pretences to the contrary notwithstanding.
2. Let the bishops do justice, according to the canons, on
those who marry wives within the prohibited degrees of kin-
dred, and on wives who marry their kinsmen. The king
will not succour or defend any such, but, on the contrary,
admonishes and gives his support to the bishops in strictly
enforcing the divine law.
3. Let no priest, deacon, or subdeacon, nor any dean or
canon, have in his house a woman under any pretext : if
any one shall be found to have relapsed into this sin, after
having had the charge brought against him by the bishop's
officials, let him clear himself in the episcopal court. But
if one of his parishioners or liege lords before accused him,
let there be an adjournment till he can refer to the bishop ;
and if he designs to clear himself, let him do it in the pre-
sence of some of his parishioners in the presence of the
bishop's officers, who shall give their judgment on his
defence. But if he cannot clear himself he shall forfeit his
preferment for ever.
1 The Peace of God, a cessation of hostilities at certain holy seasons, is
commonly supposed to have been solemnly introduced in a synod held at
Caen in the year 1061; but there are traces in an old chartulary of its
having been so established as early as 1046.
126 OEDEBICUS TITALIS. [u.Y. CH.V.
The king has decreed this, not for the purpose of encroach-
ing, in perpetuity, on the judicial rights of his bishops, but
because the bishops of that time had been supine in that
matter ; but when he should find them doing their duty, he
would restore, as matter of grace, the power of which they
were temporarily deprived for their default.
4. Let no layman receive any part of the altar-dues, or
burial-fees, or of the third of the tithes ; nor take money in
any shape for their sale or grant. Let no priest do any ser-
vice for his preferment, except it be to carry a message from
his lord, but so that he return the same day to his duties in
the church. He may go with his lord as chaplain, if the
lord wishes it, but not out of Normandy'; being maintained
in the lord's household, and providing a curate to take charge
of his church while he is absent.
5. Priests shall not be compelled, by force or threats, to
give anything to the bishops or their officers, beyond their
just episcopal dues. No money shall be exacted from them
on account of their women.
6. The archdeacons shall hold visitations once a year
throughout their jurisdictions, at which they shall inspect
the vestments, vessels, and books belonging to the church ;
the bishop appointing three places only in every arch-
deaconry where the priests of the neighbourhood shall
produce them for inspection.
7. While the archdeacon is engaged in his visitations he
shall receive from the priests who attend it sustenance for
three days.
8. If a priest incurs any forfeiture in the king's forests
or those of his barons, the bishop shall receive no part of
the fine.
9. Once a year, about the feast of "Whitsuntide, the
priests shall cause processions to be made to the mother
church, and wax from each house of the value of a penny,
or the worth of it, shall be offered at the altar for lighting
the church. "Whoever neglects shall be compelled by the
priest, in exercise of his office, to pay the due without
deduction.
10. No layman shall prefer a priest to a benefice, nor
deprive him, without the bishop's cousent. But the bishop
A.D. 1080.] ACTS OF THE SYNOD OF LILLEBOXNE. 127
shall not refuse to institute any one who is duly qualified ;
nor admit any priest who is not fit.
11. In cemeteries which belong to churches, whether in
cities, castles, or burghs, the bishops shall retain whatever
rights they had in the time of Count Robert, or with the
consent of King William.
12. As for the cemeteries in the marches, if there be war,
and any persons come to dwell there while hostilities con-
tinue, and making the sacred inclosure their habitation on
account of the war, the bishop shall amerce them in no fine
except such as they incurred before they took refuge in the
churchyard. When peace is restored, those who thus sought
an asylum during the war shall be compelled to depart, or
shall become subject to the bishop's jurisdiction. Those
however who had ancient dwellings in the cemeteries, shall
possess their former holdings without disturbance.
13. The country churches shall preserve the same extent
of cemeteries which belonged to them in the time of Count
Robert, or up to the period of the present synod. The
bishops shall possess the same rights in those inclosures
which they had in the time of Count Robert, or now hold
with the consent of King William, unless they have given
any release for them with the king's permission.
14. If after this council a new church is built within any
village, the bishop shall make a cemetery with the concur-
rence of the lords of the soil and parishioners. But if a
new church is erected where there is no village, it shall have
five perches of land round it, allotted for a cemetery.
15. If a church be granted to monks, the priest who is
in possession of it shall enjoy whatever belonged to it before
it was given to the monks, and so much the more because
he is then connected with more holy men. On his death
or other avoidance, the abbot shall select a qualified
priest, and present him to the bishop, either in person or
by letters dimissory. If he is a fit person the bishop shall
institute him : but if the priest should wish to live with the
monks under their strict rule, let him see that the church
to which he has been instituted by episcopal licence, be
decently provided with vestments, books, and other things
necessary for divine service, according to its means. But if
128 OBDEBICTTS TITALTS. [B.V. CH. V.
the priest has no desire to live with the monks, let the
abbot make him such allowance from the revenues of the
church as will enable him to live comfortably, and to per-
form properly the service of the church. If the abbot
refuse, let him be duly compelled by the bishop. The
priest who has the cure is to be under the jurisdiction of
his bishop, and shall pay him the dues belonging to his see.
What remains, the abbot may take for the use of his
monastery ; let the same rules be observed with respect tc
churches held by canons.
16. Profanation of churches and churchyards, as it has
been before decreed, and offences causing interruptions to
divine worship, shall be punished by fines inflicted by the
bishops. Assaults on the road to church shall be punished
in the same manner.
17. Item. If any person shall pursue another in a rage
into the churchyard or church.
18. Item. If any one ploughs or builds in the churchyard
without the bishop's licence.
19. If a clerk commits a robbery or rape, or strikes,
wounds, or kills any one, or engages in a duel, without the
bishop's license, or accepts a pledge of battle, or makes an
assault, or seizes anything unjustly, or is guilty of arson,
or any one in his service, or dwelling in the church-
yard ; they shall be mulct by the bishop in a fine, in like
manner.
20. Item. If a clerk commits adultery or incest.
21. Item. If a priest forfeits his ministry.
22. Item. In the case of priests who neglect to attend the
synod.
23. Item. If any priest shall not pay the synod and
visitation fees at the appointed times.
24. Item. If a clerk shall give up the tonsure.
25. Item. If a monk or nun, not living under any rule,
put off the monastic dress.
26. Item. If priests excommunicate any persons, except
for breaking the truce of God, and robbery without the
bishop's licence.
27. If any stray cattle, commonly called waifs, come to
the yard of the priest, or of a clerk living in the churchyard,
they shall belong to the church or the bishop.
A..D. 1080.] ACTS OP THE SYNOD OP LILLEBONNE. 129
28. Whatever is left through a dispute, in the house of a
priest or a clerk, or in the yard of the priest or clerk or their
servant, shall belong to the bishop.
29. If any thing is lost and found in the church or church-
yard, it shall belong to the bishop.
30. If any one shall assault or strike a priest, rnonk^ or
nun, or shall seize them, or slay them, or burn their houses in
the churchyard, he shall be mulcted in the same way.
31. Item. If any man commits adultery or incest with his
mother, or his godmother, or his daughter.
32. Item. If a woman does the like.
33. Item. If a husband divorces his wife, or a wife her
husband without the bishop's licence.
34. Item. If any one consults ghosts, or has dealings with
magic.
35. Item. If any one repudiates or denies a crime with
which he is charged, and is convicted by the ordeal of hofc
iron, unless during the Peace of God.
36. Item. As to any one who, in contempt of a sentence,
suffers himself to be excommunicated.
37. The offences of parishioners which belong to the juris-
diction of the bishop, shall, where such is the custom, be
judged by the bishop.
38. If a sentence be disputed, let it be decided in the
bishop's presence.
• 39. If the ordeal by hot iron be sentenced, let it take
place in the mother church.
40. If the law is to be made clear, let it be done where
the plea was first commenced.
41. No one is allowed to preach in a bishop's diocese
without his license.
42. Whoever falls into these delinquences, and voluntarily
offers to do penance, shall have it assigned him according to
the nature of his offence, and no fine shall be exacted.
43. If a layman commits a robbery in the churchyard, he
shall be mulct to the bishop ; if the robbery is committed
elsewhere, whatever be its nature, the bishop shall have
nothing.
44. The bishops shall have their customary dues in those
places in which they possessed them in the time of Count
Robert, or now have them with the consent of King
YOL. II. K
130 ' OBDERICTJS Y1TALIS. [B.T. CH.T.
"William. Those which have been released shall have the
freedom which they have maintained till now. In all these
jurisdictions and customary rights, the king retains in his
own power what he has hitherto possessed.
45. If a priest disputes his lord's judgment for somo
ecclesiastical cause, and unjustly wearies him by proceedings
in the bishop's court, he shall pay a fine of ten shillings to
the lord.
46. If the bishops can prove in the king's court that they
possessed in the time of Count Robert or of King William,
with his consent, any thing which is not here mentioned, the
king does not deprive them of their right, only let them not
take seizin of it until they have shown in his court what it
is they claim. Likewise, the king, by this instrument,
takes none of their rights from the laity which they can
prove in his court to belong to them and not to the
bishops ; only let them not disseize the bishops, until they
have proved in the king's court that the bishops ought not
to have it.
This synod was held at a royal country-seat on the Seine,
where once stood an ancient city called Caletus. From
which the neighbouring district from the sea to Talou is
still called Caux. This city, as we read in ancient
annals of the Romans, was besieged by Julius Caesar, and
was destroyed on account of the obstinate defence made by
the warlike inhabitants. Having reduced the enemy in this
place to submit to his will, he was so struck with the
advantageous site, that he took the precaution of making it
a Roman garrison, and called it after his own name Julia
Bona, which the barbarians corrupted into the name it now
bears, of Lillebonne.1
CH. VI. Description and antiquities of the city of Rouen —
The mission and martyrdom of St. Nicaisius.
CJESAE, having over-run the whole of Neustria, commanded
the city of Rouen to be built in a desirable situation on the
river Seine, where, to the east of the place the rivera
1 No authority is to be found in any ancient history for any of th<t
statements in this paragraph ; and so far from Rouen being founded by
Julius Casar, it does not appear from his Commentaries that he ever set
foot in any part of Normandy.
DESCEIPTIOK OF EOUETT. 131
Aubette and Robec, and on the west, the Maromme, form a
junction with the Seine. It was called by its founders
Rodomus, signifying the house of the Romans,1 and became
the station of a Roman legion, to overawe and command the
provincials in the neighbourhood.
The city of Rouen is populous, and enriched by commerce,
its busy port, and flowing rivers, and pleasant meadows,
making it a cheerful residence. It abounds in fruits and fish,
and is affluent in its supplies of all commodities, is
surrounded on all sides by woods and hills, is strongly
fortified by walls, trenches, and bulwarks, and its public and
private buildings, its houses and churches, make a fine
appearance. St. Nicaisius the bishop, was commissioned to
come to this city with his companions by St. Denys, in the
time of the Emperor Domitian,2 but on the road he was
arrested by Sisinnius Fescenninus, at a place called Scamnis,*
and remaining constant in the faith of Christ was beheaded,
as well as Quirinus the priest, and Scuviculus the deacon,
on the fifth of the ides [llth] of October. Their bodies
were left by their persecutors to be devoured by birds of
prey, dogs, and wild beasts, but by command of the
Almighty God, angels preserved them untouched. The
heathen guards being withdrawn the night following, the
holy martyrs miraculously arose by God's help, and having
replaced their heads,* crossed the river Epte by a ford
unknown to man, and reposed themselves on a pleasant islet
in that river. The place has been called, in memory of the
saints, from that day to the present Yani, that is the ford of
Nicaisius ;5 and there the Almighty conferred many good
gifts on those who asked in faith, for the merits of the
1 This absurd etymology needs no serious refutation. The original
name of Rouen was Rotomagus, which has nothing in common with
Uom.inus. It was afterwards corrupted to Rotomas, Rodomus, &c.
3 See chap. iv. of this book. The mission of St. Nicaisius was not in
the time of Domitian. The mistake arises from the common error in the
middle ages of confusing St. Denys the Areopagite, with St. Denys, bishop
of Paris.
' Supposed to be the place since called Roche-Guion.
* The stories of saints carrying their own heads probably arose from
images which thus represented to the ignorant the nature of their martyr-
dom, and to which succeeding generations gave a literal interpretation.
* The author means, it may be supposed Fa-dum M-casii, a strange
etymology. Gam was, indeed, anciently called Vadiniacus.
132 OBDERICTTS TITALIS. [B.T. CH.TI.
martyrs. Its former heathenism long heldy possession of
Eouen, after the martyrdom of its missionary, and filled it
with idolatrous abominations until the time of St. Mellon
the archbishop.
CH. VII. Legends of St. Taurinus, the first lisJiop of
Evreux.
AT that time the faith of Christ savingly possessed and
illuminated the city of the Evantici, that is to say of Evreux,
situated on the river Iton. For St. Taurinus was sent there
by the blessed1 Dionysius, and by God's help wrought many
miracles, God being always with him and gloriously directing
all his works. For this he had chosen to undergo patiently
all the trials and sufferings of this present life ; and leaving
at Home Tarquinius Eomanus his father, and Eutychia his
most pious mother, with many other friends and relations,
by order of Pope Clemens, the young exile penetrated into
Gaul with Dionysius the Greek. When the second
persecution raged furiously against the Christians, under
Domitian, this Dionysius, who was then bishop of Paris,
ordained his godson Taurinus, who was now forty years
old, bishop, and, predicting many things he would have
to suffer, sent him among the inhabitants of Evreux, in the
name of the Lord. As the man of God drew near the gates
of the city, a demon encountering him in three different
shapes, that of a bear, a lion, and a buffalo, endeavoured to
terrify the champion of Christ. But he stood firm in the
faith like an impregnable wall, and completing his journey
was hospitably entertained in the house of Lucius. On the
third day, while Taurinus was preaching to the people, and
the charm of the new faith gained him willing hearers, the
1 Machario, Greek for blessed. The following legend is extracted from
that found in the Bollandists under 2nd of August. It is of the same
stamp as the other fabrications of the ninth or tenth centuries, when
all knowledge of the real facts was lost or corrupted, and it was sought to
supply them by fables very ill put together, and all servilely copied one
from another. Here we have the confusion before referred to between the
two St. Denys's, and the introduction of our old acquaintances, the magi-
cians Cambyses and Zara, to do honour to the miraculous powers of St.
Taurinus. All that is known with truth, is that Taurinus first preached
Christianity in these parts among the Aulcrci. about the beginning of the
fifth century.
LEGEND OF ST. TATTKINTJS. 133
devil in alarm began to torment Euphrasia, the daughter of
Lucius, and cast her into the fire. She immediately died,
but shortly afterwards Taurinus, praying, and commanding
her to arise, she was restored to life in the name of the Lord.
No signs of fire appeared about her. All who were
witnesses of this miracle were struck with fear and astonish-
ment, and believed in Jesus Christ. On that same day one
hundred and twenty men were baptized, eight blind men
received sight, four dumb were cured, and many more were
healed of their various infirmities in the name of the Lord.
Then Taurinus entered the temple of Diana, and compelled
Zabulon, by the power of God, to stand visible before all the
people, at which spectacle the heathen multitude was
greatly terrified. For he appeared to them in the shape of
an Ethiopian, black as soot, having a long beard, and
breathing out flames of fire from his mouth. Then there
came an angel of the Lord, shining like the sun, and in the
sight of all bound the demon's hands and carried him off.
On that day therefore, two thousand souls were baptized,
and all the sick were cured by divine interposition.
Deodatus, the brother of Euphrasia, seeing these things,
believed and was baptized, and being made a priest recorded
truly all that happened. Then Taurinus entered the
defiled temple of Diana, and, purifying it by exorcisms and
prayers, consecrated it as a Christian church in honour of St.
Mary, mother of God. He then proceeded to destroy the
idols every where around, and to dedicate churches to
Christ, visiting his whole diocese, making canonical
ordinations, and establishing hospitality every where.
Satan, becoming envious at beholding so much good, in
his despair devised many schemes for injuring the man of
God, and roused against him numerous enemies. Two
magicians, Cambyses and Zara, priests of Diana, groaned at
seeing the people converted to God, and incited twenty of
their disciples to kill Taurinus. But as they drew near
to him, they were discovered at some distance by the man of
God, who, making the sign of the cross against them,
caused them to stand fixed on the spot. At his command,
the second time, they were set free, and, throwing them-
selves at his feet, believed, and were baptized, in the name
of the holy and undivided Trinity. The magicians, fir. ding
134 OEDEBICUS TITALI8. [B.V. CH.TI.
that their devices could not prevail against the soldier of
Christ, stabbed themselves with their own knives.
Meanwhile, Licinius the consul hearing of the fame of the
holy bishop, he caused him to be presented to him at his
villa of Gisai.1 While he was being conducted there, he
met a paralytic man, and his sister, who was blind, deaf, and
dumb. He forthwith blessed water, and sprinkled the sick,
who were immediately made sound. The executioners,
seeing this miracle, instantly believed on the Lord. The
bishop and the consul, having sharply disputed concerning
idolatry and divine worship, the consul flew into a rage, and
commanded the bishop to be stripped naked and scourged
with rods ; but the holy man devoutly prayed to God, aud
presently a voice was heard from heaven, comforting him.
The hands, also, of the executioners immediately withered ;
but the wife of Licinius, interceding for the man of God,
the consul was so incensed, that he commanded her to be
tortured.
While this was passing, a messenger arrived with the
intelligence that his son had fallen down a precipice as he
was hunting in the neighbourhood of the castle of Alercus,8
and died on the spot, as well as his attendant. Licinius and
all his troops were thrown into the deepest sorrow at this
calamity, and by God's will he was compelled to implore
the aid of the man of God, whom he had begun to torture.
Then Taurinus, having prostrated himself in the church of
St. Mary and prayed, went with the people to the bodies
which were lying dead. There he poured forth devout sup-
plications to God ; and, having ended his prayers, took the
hand of his cousin 3 Marinus, and restored him to life in the
name of the Lord. Licinius, and his wife, and all his chief
men, seeing this, rejoiced greatly, and casting themselves at
the bishop's feet, begged to receive holy baptism. And that
day one thousand two hundred souls were baptized.
| Probably Gisai, between Broglie and La Barre, where ruins of Roman
buildings have been discovered, to which traditions of St. Taurinus art»
attached.
* Mediolanum Aulercorum, the Roman site of old Evreux, two leagues
and a half south of the present city, where traces of a castle of the middla
ages hstve been found.
3 Our author has omitted the passage of the legend in which Licinius ia
represented to have made the discovery that the saint was his uncle.
LEGEND OF ST. TATJEINUS. 135
Then Marinus entreating for his follower, Taurinus
assented, and, approaching the body, invoked God, and
called to Paschasius, who was immediately restored to life
by the power of God. Both, on their recovery, told each
other what they had seen in the place of the departed.
Paschasius predicted to Marinus that he would die on the
day he put off his white robes of baptism,1 which came to
pass ; for Marinus, being seized with a slight fever, died on
the eighth day after he was baptized.
By such miracles as these, Taurinus, the first bishop of
Evreux, became illustrious, and brought many thousands to
the knowledge of the truth and righteousness. At length
when Pope Sixtus filled the apostolic see, and -Sluis
Hadrian was emperor, Taurinus, full of years and virtues,
received a call from heaven, on the third of the ides [llth]
of August, and the church in which the people were assem-
bled was filled with a thick and odoriferous cloud. After
the space of an hour, the cloud was withdrawn, and the
bishop was seen sitting on his chair, with his hands stretched
out in the act of prayer, and his eyes lifted to heaven.
Deep grief fell on the people of the diocese for the loss of
their bishop ; and, at the command of an angel, who appeared
to them in the shape of a person of eminence, the man of
God was buried outside the city, about the distance of one-
third of a mile on the west side. The place long remained
without any mark of respect, but now a chosen company of
monks have, by the grace of God, settled there, to carry on
their soul-saving warfare.2 An extraordinary thing hap-
pened at the funeral of the venerable bishop. While he
was being laid in the grave in the usual manner, and the
people were making great lamentations, he raised himself in
the pit, as if he were alive, and said : " My little children,
why do ye so ? Fear not : listen to a just one." And,
bending his head, he was again silent. Accordingly, as soon
as the servant of Christ was buried, an angel of the Lord
1 According to primitive custom and the canons of the church, the white
garments of baptism were worn for eight days.
* The place where the tomb of St. Taurinus stood, and where a
monastery was founded to his honour before the end of the seventh
century, is stili shown. Though now within the modern city of St. Evreux,
5t waa at a little distance from the Roman town.
136 OEDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.Y. CH.TII.
said to the people : " Depart quickly, lest ye be surrounded
by the enemy ; this city shall be destroyed, but none of you
shall be injured. This place shall remain unknown for a
long time." The angel then vanished, and all that he had
foretold came to pass. For the tomb of the holy bishop
and the anniversary of his departure were long concealed,
but at length became gloriously known by a divine revela-
tion.1 Some miracles are also daily wrought by him at
Evreux. For the demon which he expelled from the temple
of Diana still haunts the city, appearing in various shapes,
but hurting no one. The common people call it the G-ob-
lin,2 and assert that ib is restrained to this day from injuring
mankind by the merits of St. Taurinus ; and that because it
obeyed his commands by breaking its own idols, it was not
forthwith cast into the pit, but undergoes its punishment in
the very place where it had reigned supreme, by witnessing
the salvation of those whom it had before insulted and
tormented.
It is also said by the inhabitants, and it is true, that no
venomous animal can exist in Evreux. At one time the
rich soil, flooded by the waters of the river Iton, gave birth
to such numbers of ! vipers and snakes, that the city of
Evreux was full of reptiles of that kind. The citizens
complaining of this pest, St. Taurinus prayed to the Lord to
deliver them from the annoyance, and that no venomous
reptile should in future be suffered to live within the walls.
His prayers were heard. If by any accident an adder or a
1 Our author's abridgment of the legend ends here; it is not known
where he obtained the additional traditions.
a Gobilenus, from the Greek »:6/3a\oc, a demon (1) Du Cange, "vulgtx
feunus, folletus," [the follet and ku-follet of the French], He quotes
Caspian. Coll. 7, c. 32, to show that these merry sprites, lurking by the
road-side and in out-of-the-way places, delighted in mocking wayfarers, and
leading them astray, and thus annoying them, rather than in doing them
serious injury. Tnis object of vulgar superstition had, it appears, and still
retains the same name and character in Normandy as in England.
" You are that shrewd and knavish sprite
Called Robin Goodfellow . . .
Those that Hobgoblin call you, and sweet Puck."
Midsummer Nights' Dream.
See also Archives Wormandes, 1824 ; and La Stalislique du D6parte-
ment de fOrnte, par M. Du Bois.
MAETYES IK GAUL. 137
toad is introduced in a bundle of grass, the moment it comes
within the walls it dies.
A long time afterwards the religion of Christ spread, and
the clergy of Evreux, with the faithful inhabitants, made a
search for the tomb of Taurinus, their first bishop, and by
God's help found it.1 His remains were then reverently lifted
from the earth, and after a short time, translated by the
faithful to Fecamp. A venerable monastery of monks
devoted to the worship of God was built there, and the body
of the saint was deposited in a rich shrine.2
May God deliver us from all venom of sin, by the inter-
cession and merits of Taurinus, the benignant bishop ; and
shedding on us abundantly the perfect light of his holy vir-
tues, unite us to the company of his saints in the heavenly
mansions, where we may worthily pour forth praises to the
King of kings, through all ages. Amen !
CH. VIII. Sufferings of the Christians in Gaul during the
reigns of -Hadrian and Antoninus Pius — Martyrs in the
Diocletian persecution.
IN the time of the emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius,
the infant Christianity of Gaul was crushed by the rage of
its adversaries, and our holy mother the church deeply hu-
miliated for nearly one hundred and sixty years. History
does not distinctly inform us, what nation it was which into-
lerably oppressed both Christians and idolaters, or whence it
came, nor under what prince or tyrant it vented its fury.3
1 St. Landulf, then a clerk, and afterwards bishop, of Evreux, discovered
the relics of St. Taurinus in the beginning of the seventh century, when
he built a chapel on the spot.
a There are various accounts of the translation of the relics of St.
Taurinus. At the invasion of the Northmen they were taken to Lezoux
in Auvergne; afterwards, at the beginning of the tenth century, to Gigni in
Franche-Compte'. It is not known when they were brought back to Nor-
mandy, but spite of the claims of the abbeys of Gigni and Fecamp, and
those also advanced by the cathedral of Chartres, which pretends to have
received them after the pillage of Evreux by Philip-Augustus in 1 1 95, the
abbey of St. Taurinus possesses them, where they are preservi-d in an
exquisite reliquary of the thirteenth century, of which M. Le Provost has
published a description.
8 This pretended, invasion of Gaul is altogether apocryphal, and wag
invented by the legend-writers of the middle ages as a frame for their pious
frauds.
138 OEDEEICUS YITALIB. [fi.V. CH.Vin.
However it dearly appears in the acts of many of the saints of
that period, that during the reign of the emperors above named
an army of savage barbarians ravaged Gaul. At that time
there were no kings in Gaul, but the emperors of Rome, from
the time of Julius Caesar, had all the Cisalpine nations under
their dominion, appointing prefects and other magistrates in
the cities at their will.
The word of God was almost forgotten in Neustria after
the death of the holy bishop Taurinus, until the times of
Diocletian and Maximian, by whom the tenth persecution
was carried on with diabolical fury, and raged more fiercely
and longer against the church of Christ than any before.
But He who promised to be ever with his people, wonderfully
comforted and delivered his spouse in the storms of her deep
tribulation, protecting and exalting her and making her
triumphantly glorious. Moreover, he will reward her with
an eternal crown in the presence of his Father in the
heavenly Jerusalem. Her, therefore, he so much loved, he
did not leave long destitute of illustrious teachers during
the fury of her persecutors.
When the tenth persecution fatally harassed the Christians
for ten years, and innumerable multitudes of martyrs were
slain with every species of torture, ascending to heaven with
the glorious ornament of their precious blood, Quentin and
Lucian, Valerian, Rufinus and Eugenius, Mellon and Avi-
cian, and many others of the clergy and nobility of Borne,
went forth, and were scattered throughout Gaul faithfully
preaching the word of God. Quentin came to Amiens, and
Lucian to Beauvais ; Mellon with Avician and some other
distinguished persons to Rouen.1
1 St. Quentin, martyr in the Vermandois, October 31, 287 ; St. Lucien,
apostle of the Beauvais, about the same time ; St. Valerien, martyr at
Tournus, the 15th of September, 279; St. Rufinus, martyr in the diocese
of Soissons, about 237 ; St. Eugenius, martyr at Deuil near Paris, in the
third century. The time at which St. Mellon began to preach at Rouea
is not exactly known; but he was the first to introduce Christianity there,
and must have died before 314, the date of the council of Aries, at which
his successor, Avician, was present, and the acts of which, his name being
subscribed as bishop of Rouen. All the martyrs whose names are men-
tioned, suffered before the tenth persecution, which was not regularly
enforced until the year 303; it is therefore incorrect to say that these sainti
were led by it to leave Rome, and preach the gospel in Gaul. It ia
ST. MELLON", ABCHBISHOP OF BOTJEIT. 139
Diocletian and Herculeua Maximian voluntarily abdicating
their authority, Constans, a prince of great humanity, suc-
ceeded to the government in the provinces of the west from
which Herculeus retired.1 Constans displayed much cle-
mency to the people, great devotion to God. For, as
Eusebius of Caesarea attests, in spite of the fury of his
colleagues, he neither stained his reign with the blood of the
saints, nor destroyed with violence the oratories and conven-
ticles of the Christians as Maximian had done. This prince
built a city in Neustria which he called Constance [Coutan-
ces] from his own name ; and his concubine Helen came from
that province; she bore him Constantine the Great, the
founder of Constantinople.2
CH. IX. Series of the archbishops of "Rouen from l&ellon
(about A. D. 310) to Geoffrey, A. D. 1110— 1127— Contain-
ing also chronicles of other persons and public events.
AT that time the venerable Mellon, with some other faith-
ful men, settled at Rouen, where he was the first, who by
God's permission sat in the episcopal chair ; and from that
time to the present day the metropolitan dignity has been
vested there. It has six other cities as the seats of suffra-
gan bishops ; those of the Belocasi, that is Bayeux ; of the
Evantici, that is Evreux ; Lisieux, Avranches, Coutances, and
that of the Salarii, which is called Seez. The church of
Rouen has now had forty-six bishops, and the clergy of that
city have published for the information of posterity a distich
in heroic verse concerning each of them, which I propose to
insert in an agreeable order with some necessary additions.'
1. " St. Mellon was the first bishop who taught his
probable that St. Mellon himself began his apostolical labours before tne
end of the third century.
1 Constans was created Caesar and associated in the empire, March 1,
292; raised to the rank of Augustus, May 1, 305; and died 25th of July
of the year following.
2 It is not known when or where Constans married Helena, if sne wfis
his legitimate wife, as seems to have been the case, notwithstanding our
author; for it appears that he was compelled to divorce her in 292, when
he married Theodora, the daughter of Maximian Herculeus. The emperor
Constantine was born the 27th of February, 274.
3 These distichs, which contain v-ry meagre information, in barbarous
verse, are incorrectly attributed to our author by P. Pommerage in his
Histoire des Archevtques de Rouen.
140 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.Y. CH.IX.
doctrine to the people of Rouen." He flourished in the
time of popes Eusebius and Melchiades,1 and departing to
the Lord on the eleventh of the calends of November [22nd
of October], was buried in the crypt of the church of St.
Gervase the martyr, outside the city, where his remains long
reposed. His tomb indeed, is preserved there to this time,
but his body was removed for fear of the Danes, and trans-
lated to a castle in the Vexin called Pontoise. It is there
preserved in a church dedicated to his name, to which is
attached a celebrated convent of canons.8
2. " Immediately after Mellon, the devoted Avician
succeeded to the government, and ruled his charge like a
good master." He was present at the council of Aries,
which was held in the time of Pope Silvester under the
Emperor Constantine, who began his reign in the year from
the building of Rome,3 1061. It was then that the council
of Nice was held, attended by three hundred and eighteen
bishops, among whom were Nicholas, bishop of Myra, in
Lycia,4 and many other very eminent prelates.
3. " Severus came next, a bishop illustrious for his virtues,
of admirable conduct, and gentle to his flock." "He held the
see fifteen years,5 flourishing in the times of Constantine
1 May 20, 31 0— January 11,314. It is most probable that St. Mellon
was rather contemporary with the predecessors of these popes, as we have
Been that his own successor, Avician, was at the council of Aries in 314.
2 St. Mellon, as well as his successor, Avician, was in truth buried in a
crypt still remaining under the church of St. Gervase at Rouen; or to
speak more correctly, in the public cemetery on the road to Lillebonne,
where one of their successors (probably St. Victricius) built the existing
crypt over their tomb, after Christianity became established. M. Le Pr£
vost, considers it as the most ancient Christian monument to be found in
Normandy. There axe to be seen the two elliptic arches under which the
remains of the two archbishops long reposed. Those of St. Mellon,
removed to Pontoise to escape the ravages of the Danes, gave rise to the
foundation of an abbey which was afterwards converted into a collegiate
church of canons.
3 Our author here returns to the computation of venerable Bede. It
«hould be A.U.C. 1 059, A.D. 306, July 25.
* It is very doubtful whether St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra, assisted at
the council of Nice; indeed, the doubts connected with this bishop may be
carried still further.
* The dates assigned by Ordericus Vitalis to most of the bishops in the
ensuing series are very doubtful, but there exist no authentic records from
which they can be corrected.
AHCHBISHOPS OP EOTJEK. 141
and Constans, under Popes Mark and Julius. In his age,
Maximin bishop of Treves, Hilary of Poitiers, Athanasius of
Alexandria, Eusebius at Vercelli, and Dionysius at Milan,
were bright stars of the church.
4. " Eusebius, so gentle and so constant in the duties of a
bishop, sweetly displayed the flowers of his virtues." He
flourished twenty-five years, in the time of Popes Liberius
and Felix, and during the reigns of Constantino, Julian the
apostate, Jovian, and Valentinian.
5. "Marcellinus succeeded by the grace of Christ, an
eminent pastor, distinguished by the excellence of his life."
He laboured for the good of the church for twenty years, in
the time of Pope Damasus, and during the reigns of
Valentinian, Valens, Gratian, and Valentinian [II.] At that
time died Anthony, the most illustrious of the Egyptian
monks. Peter, an eminent orator, flourished at Saragossa :
Ambrose of Milan withstood the Arians, like an impregnable
wall. A council of one hundred and fifty fathers assembled
at Constantinople under Pope Damasus, against Macedonius
and Eunomius.
6. " Peter, the ever watchful guardian and worthy
protector of his people, piously filled the see committed to
him." He governed it nineteen years, in the time of Popes
Siricius and Anastasius, under Theodosius and Arcadius.
Then Martin of Tours, Maurilius of Angers, Basil of
Caesarea, and the eloquent preacher Augustine of Hippo, and
St. Jerom, the interpreter of the word of God, flourished.
7. " Victricius, the brave victor and avenger of sin, taught
the church of God his pious precepts." He held the see
eleven years,1 in the time of Pope Innocent, under
Arcadius and Honorius. In his age, Donatus, bishop of
Epirus, and John of Jerusalem, flourished. The discovery
of the body of St. Stephen, the proto-martyr, was made, by a
divine revelation to Lucian, a priest of Caphargamala
Then the priest Orosius, who wrote a history of the world
called the Hormesta,2 having been sent by Augustine to
1 It is, however, known that Victricius filled the see of Rouen at least
from the year 383 to 404.
- Sie note, vol. i. p. 2. The discovery of the relics of St. Stephen, and
the voyage of Orosius to Palestine occurred in 415. John II. was patriarch
of Jerusalem from 386 to 417.
142 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [u.V. CH.IX.
Jerora to consult him on some deep questions, met Lucian,
from whom he received the relics of St. Stephen, which he
conveyed to Spain for the priest Avitus.
8. " He was succeeded by Innocent, a pious bishop, who
re-established the church of God, and reformed the people."
He flourished nine years, in the time of popes Zosimus,
Boniface, and Celestine, under Honorius and his son
Arcadius. It was then that a council of two hundred
bishops was held at Ephesus, of which Cyril of Alexandria
was president. Palladius, ordained a bishop by Pope
Celestine, was sent as the first missionary to convert th«
Scots.
9. "Evodus1 succeeded: he was gifted with a holy
eloquence, firm and irreproachable, prudent, pious, and
modest." He flourished eight years, in the times of popes
Celestine and Sixtus. Then the Gauls rebelled against the
Romans, in conjunction with the Franks, who sprung from
the race of the Trojans. These two nations jointly* elected
Pharamond the Frank, son of Duke Sunno to be their king.
Maximus, bishop of Tours, was much esteemed for the
eloquence of his sermons.
10. " St. Silvester governed his see honourably, ruling it
justly, and prudently enriching it." He flourished tea
years, when Leo was pope, and Clodion and Meroveus were
kings of the Franks.
11. " Bishop Malson, relying on his divine doctrines, was
a shepherd held in veneration by the people in every
quarter." He flourished nine years, under Martian and
Valentinian, at the time that Pope Leo held a council of six
hundred and thirty bishops at Chalcedon, against Eutyches
and Dioscorus. In his time, the Saxons and Angles, under
Hengist and Horsa, passed over into Britain in three long
ships, and entered into engagements with Vortigern against
the Picts. Then Germanus of Auxerre was greatly distin-
guished.
12. "Germanus,* an illustrious prelate, the vigilant
1 It is supposed that St. Evodus flourished in the course of the fifth
century, but nothing more is known of him. The acts attributed to him
are apocryphal.
a Whatever our author may say, the Gauls had nothing to do with
Pharamond's election.
• All that is known of this bishop is that he was present at the first
council of Tours in 461
AECHBISHOPS OE BOT7EW. 143
guardian of his people, filled the episcopal see." This
bishop flourished eight years, while Childeric governed the
Gauls, and Leo the Romans. At this time Theodore, a
bishop of Syria, wrote his ecclesiastical history, from the end
of that of Eusebius to his own times, that is, to the reign of
Leo, in which he died.
13. " Crescentius was careful of his flock, adorning them
with eminent virtues, and causing them to increase in
goodness." He flourished twenty-six years, in the time of
popes Hilary and Simplicius, and of Leo the emperor.
Then Childeric, son of Meroveus, was king of the Pranks.
14. " Godard flourished, a holy and benevolent pastor,
generous and constant, and shedding abundantly the fight of
the word." He governed the church fifteen years, in the
times of popes Felix, G-elasius, Auastatius, and Symmachus,
under the Emperor Zeno, and he consecrated St. Leo bishop
of Coutances. At that time flourished Remi, bishop of
Rheims, and Solin of Chartres, and Vedast of Arras, who
baptized the Merovingian Clovis, king of the Pranks, in
the year of our Lord 488. ! The third year afterwards,
Mamertus, archbishop of Vienna, instituted processional
litanies, on account of the calamities which threatened the
city, that is, the rogations before Ascension day. Victorius
composed his Easter cycle for 532 years by command of
Pope Hilary. Odoacer, king of the Goths, took Rome,
which their kings, Theodoric, Triaricus, and Theodoric
Walamer afterwards held. Hunneric the Arian, king of the
Vandals in Africa, expelled more than three hundred and
thirty-six Catholic bishops, shut up their churches, and
persecuted the people with various punishments. Godard
of Rouen, and Medard of Soissons, had Nectard of Noyon
for their father and Protagia for their mother, and both
departed to the Lord on the sixth of the ides [8th] of
June.2 The illustrious Ouen composed these verses on
them : —
1 The conversion of Clovis took place in 496, and not in 488, as the
MS. of St. Evroult states, or 498, as the date stands in Duchesne's text.
* St. Godurd died before St. Medard was made a bbhop. The former
was present at the first council of Orleans in 511. St. Medard became
bishop of Noyon about 530, and of Tournay in 532, and died about 545.
The only possible circumstance in the traditions relating to them is that
they might be brothers.
144 OKDEEICTIS TTTALIS. [B.T. CH.IX.
Godard of Rouen, Medard of Soissons, twins,
Together issued from their mother's womb ;
White-robed were washed together from their sins,
Both went together, bishops, to the tomb.
15. "Flavius1 was radiant with the bright flowers of
virtue, and fed the people committed to his charge with the
divine word." He flourished during thirty-five years, in the
times of popes Symmachus, John, Felix, Boniface, John, and
Agapete, under the Emperors Anastatius, Justin the Elder,
and Justinian. After the death of Clovis, Sigismund,8
Childebert, and his other sons succeeded. Clotaire, who
survived them all, was king of the Franks fifty-one years ;
during whose reign, Laumer, Evroult, and other holy
men flourished in his kingdom. Thrasamond, king of the
Vandals, closed the Catholic churches, and banished two
hundred and twenty bishops to Sardinia, to whom Pope
Symmachus supplied food and clothing yearly. The
Emperor Anastatius, who favoured the Eutychian heresy,
was struck with lightning because he persecuted the
Catholics. In the time of Justin the Elder. Pope John gave
sight to a blind man at Constantinople, and on his return to
Havenna was slain by Theodoric. The king of the Goths
also put to death Symmachus the patrician, and Boethius,
and he himself was cut off suddenly the year following.
Athal;iric, his nephew, succeeded him. Hilderic, king of the
Vandals, recalled the bishops from exile, and commanded the
churches to be restored, after seventy-six years of
profanation by the heretics. Benedict, the abbot, was
illustrious for his virtues, respecting which Pope Gregory
wrote in his Book of Dialogues. Belisarius, the patrician,
being sent into Africa by Justinian, conquered the Vandals,
and sent their king Gelimer a prisoner to Constantinople.
Carthage was re-taken ninety-six years after its occupation
by the barbarians. Dionysius the Little wrote his Paschal
Cycle, beginning from the year of our Lord 532 ; and the
Justinian Code was promulgated the same year. Victor,
bishop of Capua, wrote a book respecting Easter, in which
he confuted the errors of Victorius. The senator, Cassio-
1 This bishop was present at the councils of Orleans in 533, 538, and 54 J .
a Clovis hud no sou named Sigismund.
ABCHBISHOPS OF EOTJEN. 145
dorus, and Priscian, the grammarian, and the sub-deacon,
Arator, flourished.
16. " Pretextatus suffered martyrdom by the command of
Queen Fredegunde. for the name of Christ." * He flourished
during forty-eight years, in the times of popes Agapetus,
Silverius, vigelius, Pelagius, John, and Pelagius, under the
Emperors Justin and Tiberius Constantino. In Italy, the
patrician, Narses, defeated and slew Totila, king of the
Goths. The Lombards, under their King Alboin, over-ran
all Italy, with famine and death in their train.
17. " Melantius2 governed the church for a long course of
years, instructing the people, and causing them to lead a
life of righteousness." He was bishop of Rouen twelve
years, in the times of Pelagius, Benedict, and the doctor,
Gregory the Great, under Maurice, the first Greek emperor
of the Komans. His conduct was base, because, as it is
reported, he betrayed his master Pretextatus, who was put to
death by Fredegunde, wife of King Chilperic.
18. " Hildulf nobly filled the see of Eouen, and studied
the doctrines of the word of God." He flourished for
twenty-eight years, in the times of popes Gregory, the great
doctor, Savinian, Boniface, Deusdedit, Boniface, and
Honorius, and during the reigns of the Emperors Maurice,
Phocas, and Heraclius. At that time Childebert, and his
sons Theodoric, Theodebert, and Lothaire the Great, were
successively kings of the Franks.8 In England, Ethelbert
was king of Kent, Edwin of Northumbria, Redwald of
"Wessex, and Penda of Mercia.1 Gregory sent there
1 St. Pretextatus appears to have been appointed to the archiepiscopal
see of Rouen about the year 550. He was present at the third council of
Paris in 557, and the second of Tours in 566. He was deposed by a
council held at Paris in 577» at the instigation of Fre"degonde and Chil-
peric, for having, the year preceding, married Merove and Brunehaut.
He was afterwards banished to Jersey. He was reinstated after Chilperic's
death in 584, was present at the second council of Macon in 585, and was
assassinated at the altar by the orders of Fre'de'gonde, then at Vaudreuil,
on Sunday, February 24, 586.
a Melantius, after having filled the place of Pretextatus during his
banishment, succeeded him at his death. He was still living in 601.
s The author here makes great mistakes, confounding Clotaire II. with
his grandfather, Clotaire I., and therefore misrepresenting his cotempo-
•aries, as well as their degrees of relationship.
* Ethelbert, king of Kent, 560—616; Edwin, king of Northumbria, 617
VOL. II. 1 «•
146 OBDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.Y. CH.IX.
Augustine, Mellitus, John, and several other monks who
feared the Lord, to preach the word of God, by whom the
English were converted to Christ. In Italy, Autarith, son
of Clepo, and Ago-Agilulf, with the excellent Queen
Theodelinda, governed the Lombards. In Neustria, St.
Evroult, abbot of Ouche, died, being then eighty years old,
on the fourth of the calends of January, [29th December], in
the twelfth year of King Childebert.1 About the same
time the abbey of Monte Cassino was attacked in the night
by the Lombards, when Bonitus was the fifth abbot, and the
monks were driven out and the place ruined. Before that
time, Benedict, Constantine, Simplicius, Vitalis, and Bouitus,
presided successively at Monte Cassino. Chosroes, king of
the Persians, made destructive inroads on the empire, and
grievously afflicted the holy church with fire, rapine, and
slaughter. Anastatius, a monk of Persia, received the
glorious crown of martyrdom with seventy others. The
Emperor Heraclius defeated the Persians, putting Chosroes
to the sword, and restored the cross of the Lord to
Jerusalem, releasing all the Christian captives.
19. " St. Bomanus, illustrious for his noble acts, was dis-
tinguished for the excellence of his life and his enlightened
knowledge of the word of God." His government of thir-
teen years, in the time of popes Honorius, Severinus, and
John, and under the Emperor Heraclius, was memorable for
the miracles he wrought, and he departed gloriously to the
Lord on the tenth of the calends of November [Oct. 23].*
At that time the Christian kings Dagobert and Clovis,
reigned in Gaul; and in England Oswald, Oswin, and
Oswy; in Italy, Agilulf, Adaloald, Arioald, Botarith, and
Bodoald. During the reign of Arioald, St. Columban, a Scot
by birth, after having founded in France the monastery of
Luxeuil, erected one at Bobbio, in the Cottian Alps.
20. " Ouen5 succeeded Bomanus, illustrious in the order
of bishops and eminent for his virtues." He nourished in
—633; Redwald, king of East-Anglia, 598 or 599—624; Pendai, king of
Mercia, 624 or 625—655.
1 St. Evroult died the 28th of December, 596; and consequently in the
twentieth, and not the 12th year of the reign of Childebert, king of
Austrasia.
7 It is supposed that St. Romanus died the 23rd of November 638
9 St. Ouen, 640— August 24, 683.
AECHBISHOPS OF EOUEN. 147
the times of popes Theodore, Martin, Eugenius, Vitalian,
Adeodatus, Donus, Agatho, Leo, Benedict, and John, when
Heracleon, son of Heraclius, and the three Constantines,
were emperors, living long and well, labouring earnestly,
and rendering hrilliant services to the church. I want the
power of relating with what grandeur and sanctity, with
what excellence of every kind his life was distinguished.
Pope Martin held a council of one hundred and five bishops
at Eome. He was afterwards carried off by the exarch
Theodore, at the command of Constantine, nephew of He-
raclius, and being banished to the Chersonesus, died there
in the odour of sanctity. Archbishop Theodore and abbot
Adrian being sent into Britain by Pope Vitalian, enriched
many of the English churches with the fruits of their doc-
trine. From the time that Pope Gregory sent the mission-
aries to sow the seed of the divine word in Britain, the
following bishops presided over the see of Canterbury ;
Augustine, Lawrence, Mellitus of London, Justus of Ro-
chester, Honorius, and Deusdedit; they brought -to the
faith of Christ the following kings of Kent, with their sub-
jects ; Ethelbert, Eadbald, Ercombert, and Egbert. Vigard1
was chosen the seventh archbishop by the kings Oswy and
Egbert, and sent to Eome to receive consecration. He died
there while he was waiting for the day appointed for the
ceremony ; and Theodore, a Greek, eminent for sanctity and
wisdom, was ordained in his place. In Neustria, Philibert,
a man illustrious for his birth, his holiness, and the splen-
dour of his miracles, by license from King Clovis and his
queen Bathilda, founded a monastery for eight hundred
monks at Jumieges : some years afterwards he set over it
St. Aicadre, who was removed from the abbey of Noirmou-
tier.2 Then also Wandrille built a monastery at Fonte-
nelles,3 and collected there almost four hundred monks for
the service of God, out of whom the church of God
afterwards delighted to select several bishops and abbots
worthy to govern it. Sidonius, also, and Eibert, Geremar,
Leufroi, and many other monks arrived at eminence in the
1 Wighard; see Bcde's Eccles. Hist. p. 166.
2 St. Philibert founded the abbey of Jumieges in 654, gave it up to St.
Aicadre about 682, and died the 20th of August, 684. St. Aicadre died
in 687.
s St. Wandrille, 648— June 21, 667.
L2
148 OBDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.T. CH.IX.
diocese of Rouen, who were all favoured by the care and
assistance of the venerable Archbishop Owen, as the zealous
reader will find clearly in the accounts of their acts. In
Italy, on the death of Aribert at Pavia, after a reign of nine
years, he was succeeded by his two sons, who were yet very
young; Q-odebert fixing his seat of government at Pavia,
and Bertarith at Milan. A short time afterwards Grimo-
ald, the powerful duke of Beneventum, slew Godebert and
drove out Bertarith, and obtained their throne, with their
sister's hand, reigning securely and prosperously nine years.
On his death, Bertarith reigned eighteen years, associating
in his government Cunipert his son by the Queen Rode-
linda. Both were lovers of justice, devoted to God and his
church, and protectors of the poor. Alacheris, duke of
Brescia, rebelled against them, and kept the whole province
in alarm by frequent incursions, until they were put an end
to by his death in battle with Cunipert. Pope Agatho, at
the request of the most pious emperors Constantine, He-
raclius, and Tiberius, sent John, bishop of Ostia, John tho
deacon, and other legates of the holy Roman church, to
Constantinople ; and held there, under their presidency, a
council of one hundred and fifty bishops against George,
bishop of the imperial city, Macharius, bishop of Antioch,
and other heretics. At the termination of the controversy
George stood corrected, but Macharius and his confederates
were condemned.
21. " The illustrious Ansbert, arriving at the highest
pitch of merit, well governed the church which his sanctity
ennobled." He held the see eighteen years,1 in the time of
popes Leo, Benedict, John, Conon, and Sergius, under the
emperors Constantine and Justinian the younger : then
Lothaire, Theodoric, and Hilderic, were kings; and Leo-
degar, Ebroin, and Pepin were the first mayors of the
palace.
22. " Grippo was eminently distinguished as the succes-
sor in the sacred order, a prelate of great merit, and a
venerable pastor." He flourished during twenty-four years,
in the time of popes John, Sisinnius, Constantine, and
Gregory. Leo, Tiberius, Justinian, Philippicus, Anastasius,
and Leo, were then emperors ; and Clovis, Chudebert, and
1 683— February 0, 693 or 695.
AECHBISHOPS OF EOTJEK. 149
Dagobert the younger, were kings of the Franks. In
Britain, the life of the most reverend Cuthbert, who, from
a hermit became a bishop, was illustrious for miracles from
infancy to age.1 His body was found undecayed by Ealph,
bishop of Eochester, in the time of Henry, king of England,
and his vestments were changed in the presence of Alex-
ander, king of the Scots, who stood reverently by with the
clergy and monks.
23. " Radiland2 threw lustre on his order by bis justice,
his compassion for all, and his surpassing merits." He held
the see three years in the time of Pope Gregory, when Leo
was emperor. On the death of Dagobert, the Franks raised
Daniel, a clerk to the throne. The Saracens besieged Con-
stantinople with an immense army for three years ; but
although the citizens resisted more with prayers than with,
arms, they were defeated, and drew off, their numbers
thinned with famine, cold, and pestilence. Liutprand,
king of the Lombards, at the instance of Pope Gregory,
confirmed the donation of the patrimony of the church in
the Cottian Alps, which Aripert had sent to Borne in let-
ters of gold, and he had renewed. He also redeemed the
relics of St. Augustine, the doctor, at a vast expense, and
translated them from Sardinia, which the Saracens had pro-
faned and devastated, to Pavia, where they were honourably
interred.
24. " The venerable Hugh8 was a great benefactor to the
Lord's people, and set before his flock the doctrines of a
holy life." He was cousin of Pepin, prince of the Franks,
and was archbishop eight years in the time of Pope Gregory
II. He had also presided over the churches of Paris and
Bayeux, and the abbeys of Jumieges and Fontenelles. His
body was translated to Lorraine with the relics of St.
1 The life of St. Cuthbert (664 — 687), bishop of Lindisfarne, is given in
liede's Eccles. Hist. b. iv. ch. 27, 28, 29. The translation of his relics
here mentioned took place on the 24th of August, 1104, under the care of
Ralph, then abbot of St. Martin at Seez, and successively bishop of
Rochester and archbishop of Canterbury. Alexander, afterwards king of
Scotland (January 8, 1107— April 24, 1124), was present
2 Mabillon doubts the existence of this bishop, but he may have filled
the see of Rouen about 713.
* St. Hugh, archbishop of Rouen about 720, bishop of Paris, abbot of
Fontenelle and Jumieges, April 8, 730.
150 ORDEEICtrS VITALIS. [B.V. CH.LX.
Aichadre by the monks of Jumieges, where it is preserved
to this day with hoiiour in a silver shrine, at a place called
Aspes, in the territory of Cambray. Constantine was then
emperor. The Englishman Bede, a servant of Christ, and
a priest of the monastery of the holy apostles, SS. Peter and
Paul, at Wearmouth, near Jarrow, now flourished. He was
born on the domains of that monastery, and when seven
years old was entrusted by his relations to the most re-
verend abbot Benedict, and afterwards to Ceolfrid, for
education ; and spent his whole life as an inhabitant of that
monastery, giving himself up to meditation on the holy
scriptures ; but, besides his observance of the regular dis-
cipline, and his daily duty of chanting in the choirs, he
found pleasure, as he tells us himself, in always having
something either to learn, or to teach, or to write. In his
nineteenth year he received the order of deacon, and in his
thirtieth that of priest, at the hands of the most reverend
Bishop John, in submission to the directions of his Abbot
Ceolfrid, on both occasions. Even after he was admitted to
the priesthood, he never relinquished his useful studies till
the fifty-ninth year of his life, but made many short com-
mentaries on the holy scriptures, from the writings of the
venerable fathers, and took care to add them to the text to
explain and interpret it. The fruits of his labours and
studies were most valuable to the church of Christ ; for he
composed seventy-two books on the law of God and the
inquiries connected with it, all which he exactly enumerates
and describes at the end of his English History.1 At the
same time Paul, a monk of Monte-Cassiuo, flourished in
Lombardy ; and Fortunatus, the excellent bishop of Poitiers,
in Gaul.2
25. "Eadbert, succeeding worthily to the pastoral chair,
was eminent for his sanctity and lived a holy life." He
filled the see four years, in the time of Pope Gregory II.
and the emperor Constantine,8 when Charles Martel/that
is, " of the hammer," governed Trance ; together with Duke
1 See note in the preceding page, and the account of Venerable Bede's
life and works, prefixed to Doha's edition of the Eccles. Hint.
a There was more than a century between St. Fortunatus (born about
530, died about 600) and St. Hugh.
3 About A.D. 730.
ARCHBISHOPS OF BOUEX. 151
Eudes, he gave battle to the Saracens in Aquitaine, where
three hundred and twenty-five thousand fell.1 He also gave
them a severe defeat with great slaughter in the province of
Narbonne.
26. " Grrimo, a devout pastor, pious and active in his
duty, undertook the government of the church according to
the divine law." He held the see of Rouen four years in
the time of Pope Gregory III. In England, on the death
of Bertwald, archbishop of Canterbury, he was succeeded by
Tatwine. At that time two English kings, Coenred king of
Mercia, and Offa, son of Sighere, king of the East Saxons,
renounced their earthly sceptres for Christ's sake, and
going to Rome,2 became monks, with the blessing of
Pope Constantine, abiding at the threshold of the apostles
to the day of their death in prayers, fasting, and alms.
"Wilfrid, the venerable archbishop of York, died in the forty-
fifth year of his episcopate in the province of Undalum,3
during the reigns of Coenred, and Osred, son of Alfrid, kings
of .Northumbria. Not long afterwards the very learned
abbot Adrian died, and was succeeded by bib accomplished
disciple Albinus.
27. " Rainfrid raised to the highest rank of a pastor, was
magnificent in all his acts, and rebuilt the episcopal mansion."
He governed the see seventeen years, in the times of popes
Zachary and Stephen. Carloman and Pepin were then
mayors of the palace.
28. " Remigius the bishop, sprung from the royal race,
lived devoutly, and was diligent in instructing the people
committed to his charge." He was son of Charles Martel,
and brother of King Pepin. After Rainfrid was expelled
1 Our author is wrong in placing the battle of Poitiers before that of
Toulouse. It was in the latter (A.D. 721) the Arabs suffered this immense
loss, but Charles Martel was not engaged in it.
8 Coenred and Offa retired to Rome in 708.
3-4 In the province of Undalum." This word puzzled the French
editors of Ordericus. M. Dubois's remark on it is, " Mot defigur6, sans
doute, par les copistes." M. Le Provost gave an incorrect note, which he
amended in the errata at the end of the volume from information supplied
by Mr. Stapleton. Our author has faithfully followed Bede both as to the
place and date of Wilfred's death. The former is Oundle, in Northamp-
tonshire, a monastery to which he retired when deprived of his bishopric.
He was interred at Ripon. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. b. v. c. 19; Saxon
Chronicle, A.D. 709.
152 OEDEBICUS YITALIS. [B.T. CH.IX.
he governed the church of Rouen seventeen years1 in the
time of popes Paul, Constantine, and Stephen. The em-
peror Constantino, son of Leo, assembled at Constantinople
a council of three hundred and thirty bishops. Pope
Stephen, harassed by the persecutions of Astolphus, king of
the Lombards, repaired to France and consecrated King
Pepin and his sons Charles and Charlemagne. At that
time Boniface, archbishop of Mayence, and Guy, abbot of
Fontenelles, flourished. Constantine, and Abdallas emir,
king of the Saracens, rivalled each other in persecuting the
orthodox. Leo the son of Constantine, the seventy-first
emperor from Augustus, reigned five years. King Pepin
died the eighth of the calends of October [24th September^,
in the year of our Lord 768, and was succeeded by his son
Charlemagne.
29. " Bishop Meginhard, full of the odour of sanctity,
taught his flock and purified them from the foulness of sin."
He flourished in the time of Pope Adrian for eight years.2
Charles undertook an expedition to Rome in the sixth year of
his reign ; on his return he took Pavia, and making prisoner
Desiderius king of the Lombards, who had grievouly
harassed Pope Adrian, he led him captive to France, and
expelled his son Adolgiso out of Italy. This Desiderius
was the thirty-first king of the Lombards. On account of
his crimes, the royal dignity ended with him, and the Lom-
bard people never afterwards had a king of their own, but
has been always subject to the kings of the Franks or the
emperors of Germany. The first chiefs of the Guiuili were
Ibor and Aio, who, with their mother Gambara, led those
tribes from the island of Scandinavia.3 The names of their
1 A.D. 755 — January 19, 772.
* A.D. 772—799.
3 The ancients included Sweden, Norway, and an indefinite portion of
the north of Europe adjoining, in what they called the island of Scan-
dinavia. Those two kingdoms, with Denmark, have been more properly
designated the Scandinavian peninsula in modern times.
It would be impossible, in the compass of a note, to consider the
question of the Scandinavian origin here attributed to the Lombards
by our author, in common with Paul the deacon. Every one knows
that this name was attached to them after their migration to the borders
of civilization. Our author constantly calls them Guinili or Winili, and
the best geographers place them between the Elbe and the Oder in the
AECHBISHOPS OF ROTTEN. 153
kings in succession were : Agelmund, Lamissio, Lethu,
Hildehoc and Godehoc, Clepho and Tato, Wacho, Waltarith,
Audoin, and Alboin. Agelmund led the Lombards into
Bulgaria, Audoin into Pannonia, and Alboin, with the aid
of the patrician N arses, into Italy. King Alboin was killed
by his armour-bearer Helmechis, at the instigation of his
wife Eosamond, upon which Clepho was elected king by the
people. He was succeeded by his son Flavius Autarith, who
married Theodilind, daughter of Garibald, king of the
Bajoari. Autarith was poisoned after reigning six years,
and Agilulf Ago, duke of Turin, obtained his queen and
kingdom, which, on his death twenty-five years afterwards,
he left to his. son Adoloald. That young prince, with his
mother Theodelind, governed the Lombards for ten years,
and was succeeded by Eotharith, a brave king, but infected
with the corruptions of the Arian heresy. After reigning
sixteen years, he abdicated in favour of his son Eodoald,
who, five years [months ?] afterwards, being surprised in
adultery, was killed by his Lombard rival. Aripert, son of
Gondoald and nephew of Queen Theodelind, succeeded,
and after a reign of nine years left the kingdom to his sons
Bertharith and Godibert. Meanwhile Grimoald, duke of
Beneventum, had married Eodelind, daughter of King Ari-
pert, and got rid of her brothers, — Godibert, by putting him
to death, and Bertharith, by driving him out of the king-
dom. On his death, nine years afterwards, Bertharith
recovered his throne, having ejected Garibald, the son of
Grimoald, who had occupied it three months. Bertharitli
reigned eighteen years, and after him Cunipert twelve years;
on whose death the Lombards had four kings in two years ;
viz., Liutpert, son of Cunipert, Eaginpert, son of Godibert
and duke of Turin, Aripert his son, and Eotharith, duke of
Bergamo. In the end, Aripert, being the most powerful,
slew Liutpert and Eotharith ; he expelled Ansprand, Liut-
pert's guardian, from the island of Comacine,1 and put out
reigns of Augustus and Trajan. The assertion of their Scandinavian origin
is attacked by Cluverius, a native of Prussia, Germania Antiq. 1. 3, c. 26,
p. 102, &c., and defended by Grotius, the Swedish ambassador, Prolegom.
ad Hint. Gottornm, p. 28.
1 This island gave its name to the Lake of Como, anciently called the
Larian Lake.
154 OEDEEICTJS TITALIS. [B.T. CH.IX.
the eyes of his son Sigisbrand, reigning afterwards nine
years, and granting to St. Peter more than his predecessors
had wrested from the apostolic see. At last, while swim-
ming in the Po, he sunk from the weight of gold he had
about him, and was drowned. Ansprand, though a sagacious
prince, reigned only three months, but Liutprand, his bold
son, maintained himself on the throne nearly thirty-two
years. His nephew Hildebrand, who succeeded him, died
two years afterwards. Then Ratchis and Astolphus, sous of
Penmon duke of Friuli, seized the crown, but the first-
named voluntarily abdicated and became a monk at Rome.
Astolphus harassed the church in various ways while Stephen
was pope, but at last, by the judgment of God, was pierced
by an arrow while he was hunting. Finally, Duke Desi-
derius was made king of the Lombards by the aid of Pope
Stephen, but having secured the crown, he commenced hos-
tilities against the pope and clergy and people of Rome.
This made it necessary for Pope Adrian to invite the help of
the Franks, who crushed, and to this day have trodden down,
the fierce power of the Lombards. This took place in the
time of Mainard, bishop of Rouen, in the year of our Lord
774.
30. "Bishop Willebert1 succeeded; he was firm but gentle,
and the faithful shepherd of his flock." He held the see
forty-eight years in the times of popes Adrian, Leo, Stephen,
and Paschal, while Contantine, Leo, Nicephorus, and his
son Stauracius, Michael, Leo (the Armenian), and Michael,
were emperors of Constantinople. Charles, king of the
Franks, rose to the summit of power, and extended his
dominion surprisingly over all his neighbours. He razed
the walls of Pampeluna, took Saragossa by siege, reduced to
submission Grascony, Spain, and Saxony, and ravaged the
territories of the Bavarians, the Sclaves, who are called
Wiltzes, and the Huns. In the time of Constantino and
his mother Irene, a stone coffin was found at Constantinople
with a man's body lying in it, and which had this inscription,
" Christ shall be born of the Virgin Mary, and I believe in
him. When Constantine and Irene are emperors, O sun,
1 All that is known of Bishop Willebert is that he was one of the missi
dominici, or imperial commissioners, in 823. He filled the see, not forty-
eight years, but at furthest twenty-eight.
AECHBISHOPS OF BOUEN. 155
thou shalt see me again."1 In the time of Pope Leo, there
was a great earthquake which shook almost all Italy, and
threw down great part of the roof and timber work of St.
Paul's. In the year of our Lord 800, the eighth indiction,
King Charles received the imperial crown from Pope Leo,
and was received by the Eoman people with acclamations of
Augustus. At the time of Charles's death his reign had
lasted forty-seven years ; he was succeeded by his own son
Lewis, who reigned twenty-seven years. Archbishop Guille-
bert was of his privy council.
31. " Eainoward,* happily, came next in order : he fostered
the meek, and kept the rebellious in subjection." He held
the see ten years in the times of popes Eugenius, Valentine,
and Gregory IV., under the emperor Theophilus. In his
time there were great troubles in France arising out of the
rebellion of Lothaire against his father Lewis the Pious. The
Northmen also began to ravage Britain and other countries.
In consequence the body of St. Philibert was translated
from the island of Noirmoutier.8
32. " Gumbald4 pursued the even tenor of a just life,
regarding his people with the feeling of a venerable pastor."
This bishop governed the see of Eouen eleven years in the
times of popes Gregory and Sergius, and during the reigns
of the emperors Michael and his son Theophilus. The em-
peror Lewis died on the twelfth of the calends of July [20th
June], 840 ; and Archbishop Drogo, his brother, caused his
body to be carried to Metz for interment. The empire was
divided between Lewis's three sons, Lewis, Lothaire, and
Charles the Bald, but not without hostilities, for a bloody
battle was fought near Auxerre on the seventh of the calends
of July [25th June], in which Christian nations put each
other to the sword without mercy. The relics of St. Ouen were
removed at the time the Northmen ravaged Eouen and burnt
liis monastery, on the ides [15th] of May.
33. " The 'illustrious Paul,5 worthy of the episcopal dig-
1 Our author has already told this story in precisely the same terms, in
book i. See vol. I p. 132.
3 Rainoward, or Ragnoard, 828—837 or 838.
8 See book i. vol. i. p. 135.
* Guntbald, 833— January, 848.
5 Paul, January 6, 849—855.
156 OBDEBICUS YITA1IS. [B.V. CH.IX.
nity to which he was raised, distinguished himself both by
his teaching and the excellence of his life." He held the
see six years, in the time of Pope Sergius and the emperor
Michael. Lothaire retained that part of Prance which his
father had allotted to him, with the title of king, which is
now called Lorraine, that is the realm of Lothaire. Charles
the Bald, a pious and powerful prince, was king of the
Franks and emperor of Eome.
34 " Wanilo,1 a wise prelate, deeply versed in sacred learn-
ing, taught his flock the laws of eternal salvation." He
flourished eleven years in the times of popes Leo, Benedict,
and Nicholas. In the fifth year of his episcopate, there was
hard frost from the day before the calends of December to
the nones of April [30th November — 5th April],
35. " Adelard,2 remarkable for the natural goodness of his
disposition, religiously defended the rights of the highest
order of the clergy." He held the see three years in the
time of Pope Nicholas. Basil killed his master Michael at
Constantinople, and reigned in his stead twenty years.
A severe famine, and mortality, with a murrain among the
cattle, raged throughout the world for three years.
36. "Eiculfus,8 the fortunate and good, sprung from a
noble stock, added large domains to the territories of the
church." He held the see three years, in the times of popes
Nicholas and Adrian.
37. " John,4 by divine right, an eminent bishop, shone
brightly in the ranks of his order by the light of his virtues."
He was archbishop of Rouen two years.
38. " Witto,5 ascending the pontifical throne, became
eminent for his prudence and holy doctrine." He held
the see one year in the times of Pope Adrian and the empe-
ror Basil.
39. " Franco6 succeeded ; the kind protector of the people,
he baptized Eollo in the holy font." This bishop flourished
fourty-four years, in the times of popes John, Marinus,
1 Wanilo, 855—871.
2 Adelard, 871— March, 872.
3 Riculfus, 872 — 875. There are extant an original charter of this
bi-hop, and another addressed to him by Charles the Bald.
* John I., 875— at least till 888.
* Witto, at least 892—909.
6 Franco, 909?— 919.
ARCHBISHOPS OF BOTJEIT. 157
Adrian, and Stephen. Then Leo and Alexander, the sons of
Basil, reigned twenty-two years. In the year of our Lord
876, Eollo and his followers invaded Neustria, and for thirty
years afterwards ravaged Prance with fire, sword, and rapine.
He fought against Eichard, duke of Burgundy, and Ebblis of
Poitou, with other French princes, and puffed up with his re-
peated triumphs, grievously harassed the Christians. At last
Charles the Simple, son of Lewis Faineant,1 no longer able to
resist Eollo, came to terms with him, giving him his daughter
GHsla in marriage, and ceding Neustria. At that time Alex-
ander and Constantine, with their mother Zoe, and Eomanus
the Armenian, were emperors at Constantinople.
40. " Gunhard,2 next filled the episcopal seat ; rendering
great services to the people, and prudently conciliating."
He held the see with distinction twenty-three years, in the
time of the emperors Eomanus, the Armenian, and Constan-
tine. Duke Eobert now usurped the crown of France ; the
same year King Charles attacked and killed the traitor, but
in the end Hugh, son of the deceased duke, prevailed. Soon
afterwards Herbert, count de Peronne, brother-in-law of
Hugh the Great, got possession of the king's person by a
stratagem, and kept him ia prison till he died, three years
afterwards. Lewis, the king's son, with his mother Edgiva,
took refuge in England with Athelstan his uncle, son of King
Edward the Elder; and Eodolph, the illustrious son of
Eichard, duke of Burgundy, and Charles's nephew, usurped
the throne seven years. On his death "William Long-sword,
duke of Normandy, was moved by the entreaties of the
French to invite Lewis to return from England, and restored
him to his father's throne as the lawful heir.4 Agapete,
Basil, Stephen, Formosus, John, and Stephen filled the
apostolic see. William, the son of Eollo, restored the abbey
of Jumieges,5 and had a strong desire to retire there and
1 Ludovici Nihilfecit. This surname is often attached to Lewis-le-
Begue (the stammerer) by the chroniclers of the middle ages. See the
notes in p. 136 of vol. L, respecting our author's account of Hollo.
3 Gunthard, 919—942?
8 Louis-d'Outre-Mer, so called from his having taken refuge beyond
sea, was restored in 936. M. Le Prevost observes that he was brought
over by William, archbishop of Sens.
4 William Long-sword restored the monastery of Jumiegea in 940 by
means of thirteen monks, whom he brought for the purpose from Poitiers,
158 OBDERICUS VITALIS. [u.V. CII.IX.
become a monk under Abbot Martin, but the abbot deferred
it until William's son was old enough to take the govern-
ment. Meanwhile the duke, having administered it with
firmness twenty-five years, and reduced his enemies and
neighbours either by force or policy, was murdered by Arnulf,
count of Flanders, on an island in the Somme, where he un-
suspectingly went to a conference with him on the fifteenth
of the calends [15th] of January. Bichard his son, sur-
named Sprotiades, who was then only ten years old, succeeded
to the dukedom. Duke William and Gunhard, archbishop
of Rouen, both died in the year of our Lord 942, when
Louis d'Outrcmer was king of France.
41. " Hugh1 succeeded Gunhard ; a violator of the law of
God, a prelate of illustrious birth, but who failed to be
illuminated by the light of Christ." He held the bishopric
forty-seven years, but is not spoken of in terms of praise by
any of the writers who have given accounts of him and his
by the intervention of his sister Gerloc, countess of Perth. M. Le Prevost
remarks that nothing short of this could have induced monks to go and
settle in the middle of brigands, such as the Normans were at this time.
He says with respect to William's personal intentions : " Our historians
represent him as aspiring to the monastic life for himself. If one may
believe them, it was with the greatest reluctance he submitted to the delay
enjoined him by Abbot Martin, who had more sense than his prince, and
was not to be satisfied till he had extorted from him a gown and a cowl,
which he carefully enclosed in a chest, the silver key of which he always
carried hanging by a string to his neck. Unfortunately, the impartial
Frodoard gives a flat refutation to all these monkish tales, by describing
William as engaged that year more than ever in warlike enterprises, and
heading an expedition against Rheims. Another historian, in reference to
events which occurred in 940, calls him the most ferocious duke of Nor-
mandy. The monk Richer, who often brings him on the scene, can find no
other description so fitting for him as that of ' Prince of the Pirates,' and
exhibits him as not having the slightest disposition to the abnegation and
gentleness of the monastic life."
1 It was towards the end of 942, and consequently a year before his own
tragic end, that William Long-sword summoned Hugh from the abbey of
St. Denys to raise him to the see of Rouen. It would have been difficult
at that time to have made a more promising selection, but the bishop
disappointed all the expectations formed respecting him. He completely
abandoned the monastic life to give himself up to the pomps of the world
and the works of the flesh, having a numerous offspring, and alienating the
domains of his church. Among others, he gave Tobeni to his brother
Ralph, who thus became founder of the family of the lords of Tooeni and
Conches, and of Stafford in England.
ARCHBISHOPS OF EOUEK. 159
predecessors. Indeed, they plainly intimate that he was a
monk by his habit only, and not by his conduct. In hia
time, Marinus, Agapete, Octavian, Leo, Benedict, and John,
filled the apostolical see ; and the kingdoms of the world
were agitated by great revolutions. King Lewis got
possession of Rouen, and, taking Richard the duke captive
by surprise, brought him to Laon, and there threw him into
prison ; but by God's providence and the prudence of
Osmond, his guardian, he made his escape. Then Harold,
king of Denmark, at the instance of Bernard, the Dane,
landed in Normandy at the head of an army to punish King
Lewis for the murder of William Long-sword. A battle
was fought on the river Dive, in which Herluin, count of
Montreuil, with his brother Lambert, and sixteen other
French counts were slain, and Lewis was taken prisoner and
sent captive to the tower of Eouen. Q-erberg, queen of
France, who was daughter of Henry, the Trans-Rhenish
emperor, made peace with the Normans, by the advice of
Hugh the Great, giving as hostages for the observance of the
treaty her son Lothaire and two bishops, Hilderic of
Beauvais, and Guy of Soissons. In consequence, the king
was set at liberty, and the Count Richard, the father of his
country, was established in power.1 The emperor Otho
over-ran Italy; Stephen and Constantino, the sons of
Romanus, deposed their father Romanus from the throne of
Constantinople, but Constantino expelled them in turn, and,
having associated his son Romanus in the government, they
reigned sixteen years, and were succeeded by the Emperor
Nicephorus. Ludolf, son of King Otho, died, after having
subdued Italy, and Otho, an infant, was raised to the
throne at Aix-la-Chapelle. Nicephorus, having been
murdered by his wife, was succeeded by John, whose niece
was married to the Emperor Otho. In England, King
Edmund was traitorously murdered in the sixth year of his
reign, and his brother Edred was raised to the throne. At
his death, Edgar, Edmund's son, succeeded, and during a
long reign rendered great services to the people and the
church. At that time, Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury,
1 The taking of Rouen, the captivity of Louis-d'Outre-mer, and the
restoration of Duke Richard, seem all to belong to the year 945, or the
beginning of 946.
160 OBDERICUS YITALIS. [fi.V. CH.XI.
and Oswald, of York, with Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester,
ruled the church with great lustre ; and, by their care and
exertions, seconded by the favour and assistance of King
Edgar, twenty-six abbeys were erected in England. After
the death of Lewis, his son Lothaire reigned six years.
He was the last of the race of Charlemagne who sat on the
throne of France : for Charles, and the other sons of King
Lothaire were placed in confinement, and Hugh the Great,
son of Hugh the Great, was elected king.
42. "Robert, an eminent prelate, of most illustrious
origin, after governing happily, ended his days devoutly."
He was son of Duke Richard the Elder by Gunnor, and
was for forty-eight years archbishop of Rouen and count of
Evreux, in the time of Robert, king of France, and his son
Henry. During that period Agapete and Silvester
[Gerbert], John and Benedict, and another John and
Benedict, filled the see of Rome. Otho, Henry, and
Conrad, were emperors in lawful succession. Archbishop
Robert was amply endowed with the goods of this world,
and took a deep interest in the secular affairs of his city, nor
did he observe the continence which was becoming his order.1
For, in his character of count, he took a wife named
Harleve, by whom he had three sons, Richard, Ralph, and
William, to whom he bequeathed his county of Evreux, and
his other ample honours and possessions, according to the
secular laws. But, as he advanced in years, he became
sensible of his errors, and repenting of them was struck
with alarm at his many and great offences. He therefore
distributed alms largely to the poor, and began to rebuild
from the foundations the cathedral church of Rouen,
dedicated to the holy mother of God; and he completed a
considerable part of the new erection.2 Richard II., duke
of Normandy, governed the province thirty years with
signal success. He was a great friend to the poor in
Christ, the clergy and monks, treating them as a father, and
augmented and protected three monasteries which his
1 Robert was archbishop of Rouen from 989 or 990 — 1137. He was
also count of Evreux. Our author's suggestion that it was in that character
he married, though as an ecclesiastic he was bound to celibacy, is rather
amusing.
* It was finished by Archbishop Mauritius, and consecrated in 1065.
AECHBISHOPS OF BOUEIT. 161
father had founded, viz., that of Fecamp, St. Ouen in the
suburbs of Eouen, and St. Michael-in-peril-of-the-Sea.1 Ho
also restored the abbey of Eontenelles,2 and ratified by his
charter all the endowments made in its favour by Turstin,
and Gerard Fleitel, and other barons. At his death he
bequeathed his dominions to his sons Richard the younger
and Eobert, who did not enjoy their honours more than nine
years. For Richard III. was taken off by poison before two
years were over, and after seven years and a half, his
brother Robert undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On
quitting his country never to return, he left the dukedom to
his son William, a boy eight years old, appointing his
cousin Alan count of Brittany to be his guardian.3 At
this time, Alfred and Edward, the young English princes,
became exiles in Normandy ; for Richard II. had given his
sister in marriage to Ethelred king of England, who had
by her Alfred, and Edward, who was afterwards king. That
princess after her husband's death sent her sons to
Normandy, and married Canute king of Denmark, to whom
she bore Hardicanute, king of Denmark and England, and
G-unilde who was married to Henry, emperor of the
Romans.4
1 Richard I. settled regular canons in the ancient convent of nuns at
Fecamp, founded by Waninge in 658. The church was dedicated the
16th of May, 990, by the new archbishop. Richard II. substituted
monks under the blessed William of Dijon in 1001. About the same
epoch lived Hildebert, first abbot of St. Ouen after the Norman invasion,
«nd probably a disciple of William. Monks were substituted for canons at
Mont St. Michael in 965.
* The abbey of Fontenelles, now called St. Wandrille, was restored about
the year 950, by Mainard, a monk of Ghent.
* Alan III., duke of Brittany, was, by his mother, Hawise, daughter of
Richard L, cousin -german of Robert, in 103(> Alain came (o the aid 01
the young duke William, and was poisoned on the 1st of October, 1040, at
Vimoutier, while carrying on the siege of the castle of Montgomery. He
was buried at Fecamp.
4 Emma, daughter of Richard I., married Ethelred in 1002, and had by
him Edward the Confessor, Alfred, and Edith, Code, or Godeve, married
first to Dreux, count de Vexin and Amiens, and afterwards to Eustace II.,
count de Boulogne. She afterwards married Canute the Great in 1017, by
whom she had Hardicanute and Gunilde. After an eventful life, she died
at Winchester the 6th of March, 1052, and was interred in the cathedral
there. Her daughter Gunilde died at Bruges the 21st of August, 1042,
with such reputation for personal charms, that three centuries afterwards
she was still described as the most lovely of women.
TOL. II. M
162 OUDEEICTJS TITALIS. [B.V. C1I.IX.
43. " Mauger was still young when he was elevated to
the highest ecclesiastical rank : he was illustrious only for
his birth and not for his actions." He was the son of
Richard II. by his second wife named Papia, and governed
the see of Rouen eighteen years, in the times of popes
Clement, Damasus, and Leo, without the apostolic
benediction and the pallium.1 He was unbecomingly
addicted to the desires of the flesh, and involved in worldly
pursuits ; he had a son named Michael, a brave and honest
knight, who is now in England in the decline of life, and
much beloved and honoured by King Henry. There were
at this time great commotions in the world, grievously
harassing and afflicting the nations. The Saracens
invading Sicily, Italy, and other Christian kingdoms,
carried fire, and sword, and rapine, into every quarter.
Manichetus,2 emperor of Constantinople, assembled the
imperial forces, and, after many disasters, attacked and
defeated the infidels, and delivered the frontiers of Christen-
dom from their ravages. He also translated the bones of
St. Agatha, virgin and martyr, and the relics of many other
saints from Sicily to Constantinople, that they might not be
profaned in fresh irruptions of the infidels. Diogenes3
succeeding him, Osmund, Drengot, and Drogo, and other
Normans began to settle in Apulia, and to turn their arms
manfully against the Arabs and pseudo-Christians.4 In the
1 The date of Mauger's elevation is unknown, but he was deposed in a
council held at Liseux in 1 055. He was then banished to the island of
Jersey, where there are still many traditions concerning him, and even
claims of filiation. For the particulars of his death, see Wac.e, t. ii. p. 61,
inc. Being a native of Jersey, his information was good.
2 The name should be written Maniaces. He assumed the purple in
1042, but was not acknowledged emperor, being killed in battle on his
march to Constantinople for the purpose of dethroning the emperor Con-
stantino Monomachus. He brought back the relics of St. Agatha from
Catania to Constantinople about the year 1040, whence they had been
carried to Sicily in 1 127.
3 Romanus Diogenes, emperor in 1068, did not succeed Maniaces, as
we have just seen. There was an interval of twenty-six years between
them.
4 Osmund, or Godfrey Drengo, and the other Normans, had established
themselves in the south of Italy long before this. They first made their
appearance there in 1016, took service under Melo in 1017, and had
rendered him great assistance in 1019, when the loss of a battle reduced
their numbers from two hundred and fifty to ten. Melo, who went to
AKCHBISHOPS OF EOUEN. 163
end, Eobert Guiscard, after long hostilities, obtained, first
from Harduin the Lombard and his nephew Melo, and
afterwards from Pope Leo, a grant of Apulia, on condition
of his for ever defending it against the enemies of St.
Peter. By the help of God he bravely held it, extending
his power into Sicily, Calabria, and Bulgaria, and be-
queathing his territories to his children as their hereditary
right.1
In Normandy many crimes were perpetrated at this time.
The Normans took off by poison Alan, count of Brittany,
their own duke's guardian, and defeated his successor,
Count Gislebert, in a bloody battle, the two nations
massacring each other incredibly in almost daily encounters.
Likewise, Turketil de Neufmarche, and Eoger de Toni, and
Osbern, steward of Normandy, and William and Hugh, the
two sons of Roger de Montgomery, and Eobert de
Beaumont, "Walkelin de Ferrers, and Hugh de Montfort,
and many other powerful knights, made war on each other
in turn, causing great confusion and distress in the country,
which was now deprived of its natural protectors.2
implore the aid of the emperor of Germany against the Greeks, died at
Bamburg in 1020. A new band of Normans then came into Italy under
Drengo, who was compelled to leave his country in consequence of having
killed William Repostel, the favourite of Richard II. Ranulf, one of
their chiefs, was created count of Aversa in 1030. At that time they
joined the Greeks and Lombards in driving the Saracens out of Sicily.
Our author calls the Greeks pseudo-Christians, on account of their being
schismatics from the church of Rome. In 1042 Drogo became lord of
Venosa, and his brother, William Bras-de-fer, of Ascoli. In 1043,
William was proclaimed count of Apulia. Drogo succeeded him, and was
assassinated in 1051.
1 Robert Guiscard did not become count of Apulia until 1057, after the
death of his brother Humphrey. He had nothing to do with Harflouin
or Melo, who were dead before his arrival. It waa Humphrey who
received from Pope Leo IX., in 1054, the investiture of all the territories
gained, or which he should conquer, from the Greeks, though these
dominions never belonged to the holy see. But Pope Nicholas II., in
1060, changed Robert's title of count of Apulia, to that of Duke of
Apulia and Calabria. The conquest of Sicily was begun in 1061, by
Roger, Robert's brother, and completed by taking Palermo from the
Saracens in 1072. The invasion of Epirus took place in 1081, and was
still prosecuted when Robert Guiscard died in the island of Cephalonia,
the 17th of July, 1085, leaving the principality of Tarentum to his eldest son,
Boemond, and the duchy of Apulia and Calabria to his second son, Roger.
2 This important paragraph adds some valuable details to the account
M 2
164 OEDEEICITS VITALIS. [B.T. CH.IX.
In England, on the death of King Hardicanutc, Edward,
his half-brother succeeded, and reigned worthily and
prosperously twenty-three years. In Brittany, Eudes
succeeded his brother Alan, and held his principality for
fifteen years as freely as if he owed no fealty to a superior
lord.1 God also gave him seven sons, who became remark-
able for the singular and changeable events of their lives.
The studious might compose a long and pleasing history,
from true accounts of their various fortunes.
44. " Maurilius, a prelate enlightened with sound learn-
ing, and of exemplary life, was no less distinguished by his
good deeds." A native of Mayence,2 he had governed a
monastery at Florence, with the rank of abbot, but exposing
himself to the hatred of offenders by the severity of his
discipline, he detected them in mixing poison in some
beverage which was offered to him. Upon this, he imitated
the example of the most holy father and doctor, St.
Benedict, and, leaving those incorrigible sinners, accom-
panied his countryman Gerbert, a learned and pious monk, to
Normandy, where he came to Fecamp in the time of Abbot
John, and chose that house dedicated to the worship of the
holy and undivided Trinity for his fixed abode. Some time
afterwards he was taken from thence and raised by a
given in book i. c. 24 (vol. i. p. 149, &c.) of the fierce intestine quarrels
which distracted the court of the young duke during his minority. It
appears that these disorders did not commence until after the Normans
had rid themselves of Alan, duke of Brittany, by poisoning him, the 1st
of October, 1040. Turketil, governor of the young prince, here called
lord of Neuf-Marche'-en-Lions, must be the same person who is designated
by William de Jumieges as Turold. Perhaps the name is only a diminu-
tive of Turold, as Ansketel is of Hans. On the circumstances attending
the death of Gislebert, count de Brionne, see before, vol. i. p. 391; and
some details are given with respect to the other persons mentioned in this
paragraph, in the notes to pp. 149, 150, of vol. L
1 Eudes, Count de Penthievre, November 20, 1008— January 7, 1009,
never assumed the title of duke of Brittany, but was regent for twenty -seven
years. His nephew, Conon II., was only three months old at the death of
Alan III.
^ 2 Maurilius, archbishop of Rouen. September, 1055— August 9, 10G7.
The Acts of the archbishops of Rouen are far from agreeing exactly with the
account given by our author. They, as well as his epitaph (see book iv.
p. 7), describe him as born at Rheims, studying at Liege, and residing for
some time at Fecamp before he went into Italy. These accounts are
most probably correct.
AECHBISHOP8 OF BOTJEN. 165
canonical election, on the deposition of Mauger, to the
metropolitan throne of Eouen. He filled it for twelve years,
in the times of popes Victor, Stephen, Nicholas, and
Alexander, and consecrated the metropolitan church in the
ninth year of his episcopate. He removed with great
ceremony the bodies of the dukes Eollo and William into
the new church he dedicated, depositing the remains of
Eollo near the south door, and those of Duke "William
within the north door, and caused their epitaphs to be
inscribed in letters of gold. This is the inscription on
Eollo's tomb : —
HOLLO the brave lies buried here,
A name to Normans ever dear ;
They glory on this tomb to see
His style of Duke of Normandy.
In battle's front his followers' shield,
His sword made boldest foeman yield :
In the far north his ancient sires,
From whom he breathed his martial fires,
To king or lord ne'er bowed the knee,
But held their lands from service free.1
And first he fleshed his maiden sword,
With bands obedient to his word,
On kindred Danes, whose numerous hosts
Before him hushed their warlike boasts.
Then Hainault's sand, and Frisia's fen,
And coast of marshy Walcheren,
Poured forth their mingled bands to feel
The terrors of the Northmen's steel ;
But Frisons, spite their neighbours aid,
Their tribute and their homage paid.
From firths and islets of the north,
Again he launched his galleys forth,
And boldly sailing o'er the main,
Burst like a tempest on the Seine.
The plains of France were stained with gore,
Her bravest sons he backward bore ;
1 M. Le Prevost remarks that this and the following epitaph are
founded on the fabulous traditions connected with the first two dukes of
Normandy, which were current in the middle ages. One thing is, however,
certain, however the author of these lines gained his information, that he
gives here a very exact description of the independence of the old Scandi-
navian landholders, among whom the feudal tenures, with their burden-
some services, were never introduced. It may be further observed, that in
Norway the free udal rights have continued in force, through all revolu-
tions, to the present day.
166 OBDEEICTJS VITALIS. [u.T. CH.IX.
Now Bayeux yielded to his arms,
And sweeping on with war's alarms
In the full tide of victory,
Twice regal Paris groaned to see
The Northmen thundering at her gates.
For thirty years the cruel fates
Gave France to rapine, sword, and fire,
Till helpless Charles the conqueror's ire
Soothed by his gifts, to stay the strife,
A province and a royal wife.
Then the fierce heathen humbly bent
Before the Christian sacrament ;
And Franco on that happy day
Washed in the font his sins away.
The savage wolf a lamb became,
May God, propitious, cleanse his shame !
A funeral elegy was engraved in letters of gold on the
tomb of William Long-sword, which stands on the north
side.
DUKE WILLIAM'S friends who dared assail !
Against his arms who could prevail !
Princes and kings his will obeyed,
Imperial Henry's mind he swayed.
Five times five years his skill and might
The Normans led through field and fight.
He reared Jumieges's mouldering towers,
And raised again her cloistered bowers ;
While to her shades his willing feet,
Fain would have turned in habit meet,
And, heaven-taught, in that holy school,
Submitted to St. Bennett's rule.
But wiser MARTIN checked his zeal,
And bade him seek his country's weal.
'Twas not for him in peaceful cell
With pious anchorites to dwell,
But still in arms to spend his life,
And end it by the assassin's knife,
Where on the Somme's translucent streair
An islet's shadows softly gleam :
Arnold the Fleming planned the deed.
May heavenly grace the victim speed
In the last awful day of need ! l
1 The two epitaphs preserved by our author were not engraved on the
new tombs to which the remains of the first dukes of Normandy were
transferred after the cathedral of Rouen was rebuilt. These are still to be
seen, one in the north, the other in the south transept of the church in the
first two chapels towards the nave.
AECIIBISHOPS OF HOTTER. 167
In the year of our Lord 1063, in the month of October, iu
the second indiction, Archbishop Mauritius consecrated with
great ceremony the metropolitan church of St. Mary, mother
of God, in the city of Rouen, which Robert had begun.
This was the eighth year of the reign of the emperor Henry
IV., and the fourth of that of Philip, son of Henry king of
France. The same year the Normans obtained possession
of the city of Mans. It was also the tenth year from the
battle of Mortemer, and the seventeenth from that fought
between William and Guy at Valesdunes.1 At the same
time Michael drove his father-in-law Diogenes from the
imperial throne at Constantinople, and seized the crown
which he not long afterwards disgracefully lost. In
England, there was great dissension on the death of King
Edward, Harold, the perjured son of Godwin, who had no
claim to royal blood, having usurped the throne by fraud
and violence.
History's ancient annals fix
The year one thousand sixty-six
(Then a fiery comet whirled,
Dreadful omen, round the world),
As the time when England's lord
Fell before the Norman's sword.
The same year the battle of Senlac was fought, in which
Harold was slain. It was on the second of the ides [14th]
of October that "William obtained this victory, and he was
crowned on the following Christmas day.
45. " John, raised to the see of Rouen, was a vigilant
pastor, and studied to observe the lessons of the apostolical
law." He was the son of Ralph, count de Bayeax, and
having been originally bishop of Avranches, was elevated to
the primacy, which he held for ten years in the time of
popes Alexander and Gregory VII.2
46. " Next, "William, a prelate of high birth and great
benevolence, canonically governed the people of Rouen."
1 The year 1063 was, in point of fact, the fourth of Philip I. (August,
29, 1060), and the eighth of the emperor Henry IV. It was also the
seventeenth after the battle of Valesdunes, and the tenth after that of
Mortemer. In the text of Duchesne, the reference to the battle of Mor-
temer is omitted, and the date attached to it is given to that of Vaiestlune?.
a See before, p. 123, respecting the period and duration of the episcopate
of John d'Avranclies.
1G8 ORDEIilCTJS VITALJS. [u.Y. CH.IX.
He was the second abbot of Caen, from whence he was
removed to the archbishopric, which he filled thirty-two
years,1 in the time of popes Gregory, Victor, Urban, and
Paschal. He buried King William and his queen Matilda
at Caen. Their son Eobert succeeded to the duchy of
Normandy, and "William to the kingdom of England.
In the year of our Lord 1095, there was a great drought
and mortality, and falling stars were seen in the heavens on
a night in the month of May. Pope Urban held a great
council at Clermont, and preached the crusade to Jerusalem
against the infidels.2 At the same time there was a severe
famine in France. In the year of our Lord 1099,3 the
seventh indiction, Jerusalem was taken by the holy pilgrims,
the infidels who had long held it being conquered ; and the
abbey church of St. Evroult at Ouche was consecrated on
the ides [13th] of November. The year following, William
Kufus, king of England, was pierced by an arrow in
hunting, and died on the 4th of the nones [2nd] of August.
He was buried at Winchester, and his brother Henry
ascended the throne, and was crowned at London on the
nones [5th] of August. It is now the twenty-seventh
year since he began his reign.4 By God's providence, he
has enjoyed a full share of worldly prosperity, mixed
however with some adverse events among his family and
friends, arising from disturbances among his subjects.
Philip, king of France, died, after a reign of forty-eight
years, and his son Lewis succeeded in the ninth year of
King Henry.5
47. " The Breton, Geoffrey, wise, eloquent, and severe,
raised to the highest episcopal rank, fed the people with
spiritual food." He had been dean of the church of Mans,
in the time of the venerable bishops Hoel and Hildebert,
and becoming the forty-seventh metropolitan of Rouen, has
1 William Bonne- Ame, July, 1079— February 9, 1110. See rol. i. p.
419, and p. 123 of the present volume, respecting this prelate.
* This council opened the 18th, and closed the 26th November, 1045.
3 On Friday, the 15th July, 1099.
4 It appears from this passage that Ordericus wrote his fifth book
between the 5th of August, 1 127, and the 5th of August, 1 128.
* Philip I. died at Melun, the 29th of July, 1108, after a reign of
forty-nine years, two months, and six days, and Lewis the Fat was
crowned at Orleans the 2nd of August following.
ARCHBISHOPS OF ROUEN". 169
now governed the church seventeen years,1 in the time of
popes Paschal, Grelasius, Calixtus, and Honorius. Henry I.,
and Lothaire, governed the Latins, and Alexius and John,
his son, the Greeks. During this period many memorable
events occurred in the world, which my pen will have to
record faithfully in their several places, for the information
of posterity, if my life is spared and attended by divine
goodness and mercy.
Kind reader, I entreat your indulgence, now that I am
about to resume the regular thread of my narrative. I
have made a long digression while giving an account of the
archbishops of Rouen, as I was extremely desirous to put
on record, in full detail, their continuous succession for the
benefit of those who come after us. For this reason I have
traced the annals of nearly eight hundred years, and have
enumerated the whole series of Roman apostles,8 from Pope
Eusebius to Lambert of Ostia, who, under the name of
Honorius, now fills the apostolic see.3 I have also inserted
in my work the names of all the emperors, from Constan-
tine the Great, the founder of Constantinople, to John, the
son of Alexius, the reigning emperor there,* and to Lothaire,
the Saxon, who is now emperor of the Romans.5 I shall
now return to my own times and to my own country, and
endeavour to relate what happened in Normandy under
King William, after the council of Lillebonne.
CH. X. Quarrels between William I. and Ms eldest son —
Robert leaves his father's court — William besieges him in
Oerberoi — They are reconciled for a time — Robert finally
separates from his father.
[A.D. 1077 ?6] A set of factious young men took advantage
1 According to another passage in our author, Geoffrey was elevated to
the see of Rouen in 1111, but it appears from a charter of Henry I. that
he filled it before the 2nd of March, 1110.
4 Our author means the popes who are commonly called aposloiles in
the Romance tongue.
3 Honorius II., December 21, 1 1 24— February 14, 1130.
4 John Commenus, August 15, 1118 — April 8, 1143.
& Lothaire II., September 13, 1 1 25— December 4, 1137.
8 It is extremely difficult, as already observed, to assign certain dates to
170 OBDEBICTTS TITALIS. [B.V. CH.X.
of the inexperience of the king's son Robert, by continually
flattering him, and urging him to fruitless enterprises.
Their language was of the following description : " Most
illustrious son of the king, how is it that you are suffered
to live in such, extreme indigence ? Your father's courtiers
so securely guard the treasury that you can scarcely extract
a penny from it to serve a friend. It is a great disgrace to
you, as well as loss to us and to many more, that you are
thus excluded from all share in the royal wealth. Why do
you submit to this ? He it is who deserves to have money,
who has the heart to distribute it freely among those who
ask it. Alas ! your great liberality is miserably curtailed
by the poverty to which your father's parsimony restricts
you ; and, not content with chosing his own attendants, he
imposes upon you men of his own choice for yours. How
long, brave prince, will you bear this ? Rouse yourself
manfully, and demand from your father a share of the
kingdom of England, or at least claim the duchy of Nor-
mandy, which he long ago granted you in the presence
of a numerous assemblage of the barons, who are ready to
support you. It does not become you to submit any
longer to be lorded over by those who are born to be your
servants, and to have your demands for your hereditary
domains rejected, as if you were a stranger and a mendicant.
If your father agrees, and grants your request, your natural
spirit and incomparable goodness will be magnificently dis-
played. But if, on the other hand, he persists in his
obstinacy, and, giving way to his avarice, refuses you the
dominions which are your right, assume the lion's part, drive
from your presence those who are a disgrace to you while
they serve you, and rely on the counsels and support of
the long series of quarrels between William I. and his eldest son. A
passage in book iv. (p. 78) would seem to prove that they commenced as
early as the year 1074, but we are not able to place the occurrences at
L'Aigle, which seem to have caused Robert's first departure, earlier than
the year 1078. One of our principal reasons is the extreme youth, even
then, of Henry, one of the princes concerned in them, who was born in
1068. Perhaps we ought, with Florence of Worcester, to assign these
occurrences to the year 1077, and place the discussion between Robert
and his father, which our author here proceeds to relate, before the
attempt of the former to surprise the tower of Rouen, which was followed
by his taking refuge with Hugh de Chateau-ncuf.
A.D. 1077 ?] EGBERT CURT-HOSE REBELS. 171
your friends. Depend upon it, you will find us ready to
second all your wishes."
Prince Robert, listening like a raw youth to speeches of
this sort, had his wrath and ambition violently inflamed, so
that he went to his father and said : •' My lord the king,
put me in possession of Normandy, which you granted me
long ago, before you crossed the sea to make war on
Harold."1 To which the king replied: "What you ask,
my son, is not convenient. It was by Norman valour that
I made the conquest of England. Normandy is mine by
hereditary descent, and I will never, while I live, relinquish
the government." Eobert then said : " But what am I to
do, what have I to bestow on my followers ?" His father
answered : " Be obedient to me in all things, as becomes
you, and be wisely content to share my power in all my
dominions, as a son under his father." But Robert re-
torted : " I am not content to act for ever the part of a
mercenary. I desire to have an establishment of my own,
that I may be able worthily to recompense my attendants
for their services. I therefore pray you give up to me the
dukedom which is my own, that while you are king of
England, I may be duke of Normandy, but subject always
to fealty to you." But the king replied : " What you ask,
my son, is quite preposterous. It is shameful to wish to
deprive your father of the dominions, which, if you are
worthy, you will receive from him in due course, with the
willing assent of the people and the blessing of God.
Choose good advisers, and drive from your presence the
rash young men who imprudently tempt and urge you to
criminal enterprises. Remember what Absalom did ; how
he rebelled against his father David, and how ill it turned
out, not only to himself but to Ahitophel and Amasa, and
his other councillors and abettors. The Normans, always
restless, are eagerly longing for some disturbance. They
are endeavouring to incite you to some absurd attempt, in
order that in the confusion which would ensue, they may
give the reins to their own insubordinate desires, and
commit evil with impunity. Do not listen to the persua-
1 It has been already stated that William named his son Robert as his
successor in the duchy of Normandy long before the conquest of England,
but there was no idea of its being given up to him during his father's life.
172 OBDERICTTS YITALIS. [n.V. CH.X.
sions of a parcel of headstrong youths, but be advised by
the archbishops William and Lanfranc, and other men of
wisdom, and experienced nobles. If you carefully attend
to what I say to you, you will in the end be glad of your
good conduct. But if, on the other hand, you follow the
example of Rehoboam, who treated with contempt the
counsels of Benaiah and other wise men, and suffer yourself
to be led by these foolish youths, you will long suffer to
your own cost the humiliation and contempt which he
experienced before his own people and strangers." Kobert
then said : " My lord the king, I did not come here to hear
speeches, of which I have had enough, and more than
enough, to my infinite disgust from my teachers of grammar;
answer me plainly concerning the dominion which is my
right, that I may know what I have to do. One thing I am
resolved on, and I wish every one to know it, that I will no
longer do service to any one in Normandy in the mean
condition of a dependant."
The king was greatly incensed at this language, and re-
plied : " I have already told you plainly enough, and I have
no hesitation in most distinctly informing you that I will
never suffer my native land of Normandy to pass out of my
hands as long as I live. Nor will I, neither is it advisable
that I should, during my life, divide the kingdom of Eng-
land which I have acquired by immense exertions ; for, as
our Lord says in the gospel, ' Every kingdom divided against
itself is brought to desolation.'1 He who gave me the king-
dom will dispose of it according to his will. I wish it to be
understood by all as my fixed purpose that, so long as I live,
I will not abdicate my prerogative in favour of any one, and
no human being shall share my kingdom. The consecrated
crown was solemnly placed on my head by Christ's repre-
sentatives, and the royal sceptre of Albion was given to me
alone to bear. It is therefore unbecoming, and altogether
unjust, that while life remains, I should suffer any one to
become my equal or my superior within my dominions."
Upon hearing his father's irrevocable determination, Robert
said : " Compelled, like Polynices the Theban, to betake my-
self to a foreign land, henceforth I shall serve strangers, and
see whether by fortune's favour I cannot gain in exile those
1 Luke xi. 17.
A..D. 1077 — 1078.] BOBEBT CUBT-HOSE AK EXILE. 173
honours and advantages which are shamefully withheld from
me in my father's house. Would that it may be mine to
find a prince like the old Adrastes, to whom I can cheerfully
offer the tribute of my faithful service, and from whom I
may receive a grateful acknowledgment."
Having said this, Robert left his father's presence in
great anger, and departed from Normandy. There went
with him Robert de Belesme,1 William de Breteuil,2 Roger,
son of Richard de Bienfaite, Robert de Moubray,3 William
de Molines, William de Rupierre, and several others of high
birth and chivalrous courage, swelling with pride, terrible in
their fierce encounters with enemies, and ready to undertake
any enterprise however formidable or unjust. At the head
of a band of such associates, the young Robert wandered in
foreign lands for five years to no purpose.4 He had already
freely distributed among them his private patrimony, making
vain promises of aggrandizing their possessions. On their
part they exalted his hopes by empty professions ; and they
thus mutually deceived each other by false representations.
When Robert first quitted his native land, he joined his
uncle Robert the Frisian, count of Flanders, and his brother
Eudes, who was archbishop of Treves.8 He afterwards
visited other noble kinsmen, dukes, counts, and powerful
lords of castles in Lorraine, Germany, Aquitaine, and Gas-
cony. To these he stated his grievances, in which he often
mixed falsehood with truth. Many listened readily to his
complaints, and the higher nobles made him liberal presents ;
but he foolishly lavished on jugglers, parasites, and harlots,
the supplies he received from his generous friends. When
they were thus improvidently spent, he was compelled by
his extreme necessities to have recourse to begging, and, an
1 Robert de Belesme, son of Roger de Montgomery.
1 William de Breteuil, son of William Fitz-Osbem.
8 Robert de Moubray, nephew of Geoffrey, bishop of Coutances.
4 Our author confounds Prince Robert's first emigration with his second,
to which only the five years here spoken of can apply.
8 According to the French genealogists, Eudes, who was archbishop of
Treves, 1067 — 1079, was indeed brother of Robert the Frison and Queen
Miitilda, but the French editor of Ordericus remarks that this is a great
mistake. This prelate, who was son of Everard, count de Nellembourg in
STabia, having no connexion with the house of Flanders.
174 ORDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.V. CH.X.
exile and poor, he sought loans of money from foreign
usurers.
Queen Matilda, compassionating her son's distresses with
a mother's tenderness, often sent him, without the know-
ledge of her husband, large sums of gold and silver, and
other things of value. The king, discovering this, forbade
her with terrible threats from continuing to do so ; but
finding shortly afterwards that she contumaciously repeated
the offence, he said to her, in great wrath, " A wise man
remarked truly, as I myself have reason to find, that —
' A faithless woman is her husband's bane.'
"Who in the world can henceforth reckon on finding a mis-
tress who will be faithful and devoted to him ? Behold my
own wife, whom I love as my very soul, and who is entrusted
by me with my treasures and jurisdiction through my whole
dominions, succours my enemies who are plotting against
my life, enriches them with my wealth, carefully supplies
them with arms to attack me, and abets and strengthens
them in every way." To this Matilda replied : " Do not
wonder, I pray you, my lord, that I have a tender affection
for my first-born son. By the power of the Most High,1 if
my Robert was dead, and buried seven feet in the earth out
of the sight of living men, and I could bring him to life at
the expense of my own blood, I would freely shed it for
him, and I would undergo sufferings greater than can be
expected from female weakness. How can you suppose that
I can take any delight in the abundance of wealth, while I
suffer my son to be crushed by the extremity of want and
distress ? Far from me be such hardness of heart, nor
should you, in the fulness of your power, lay such an injunc-
tion upon me."
At hearing this the stern prince turned pale, and he
became so enraged that he ordered one of the queen's
messengers, whose name was Samson, a Breton by birth, to
be apprehended, and .to have his eyes forthwith put out.
However, learning the king's animosity by intelligence from
those the queen trusted, he made his escape to avoid the
1 This appears to have been the form of oath used by Queen Mitilda,
as her husband, William, swore by God's light, par la resplendor Di.
A.D. 1077 — 1078.] A HERMIT'S PREDICTION. 175
barbarous command, and took refuge in all haste at the
abbey of St. Evroult. He was admitted, at the queen's
request, by Abbot Mainier, and entered on the monastic life
for the safety equally of his soul and body. He was
shrewd, talked well, was continent, and lived as a monk
twenty-six years.
At this time there lived in some part of the Teutonic
country a hermit, who was a devout and holy man, and
among his other gifts and graces had the spirit of prophecy.
To this man, Queen Matilda sent messengers and presents,
earnestly entreating him to pray for her husband and her
son Kobert, and besides to send her a prediction of what
would happen to them in time to come. The hermit gra-
ciously received the messenger of so great a queen, and
begged time to the third day for making his reply. When
the third day dawned, he summoned the queen's envoys and
said to them : " Go, carry back this message from me to
your mistress. According to your request I have prayed to
Grod and have seen a vision, in which he revealed to me the
things I will relate to you. I saw a certain meadow, beau-
tifully clothed with grass and flowers, and in it there was a
fierce horse feeding. Herds of cattle stood all round, keenly
desiring to graze in the meadow, but the wild horse drove
them away, not suffering any animal to come there and crop
the grass and the flowers. Unfortunately, the stately and
high-bred horse suddenly disappeared, and a lascivious heifer
undertook the guardianship of the luxuriant meadow. Forth-
with, the whole herd of animals which stood outside ran
freely in, and depasturing the meadow in every part, de-
stroyed all its former beauty, without fear of its guardian,
treading it under foot, and defiling it with their dung. On
seeing this I was much astonished, and asked my conductor
what it meant. He therefore explained the whole, saying :
' The meadow which you behold is Normandy, and the grass
is the multitude of people, living in peace and in abundance
of all things. The flowers represent the churches, where
are to be found the chaste companies of the monks and
clergy and nuns, and where faithful souls are continually
engaged in holy contemplations. The unbridled horse sig-
nifies William, king of the English, under whose protection
176 OUDERICUS VITALIS. [B.V. CH.X.
the sacred orders of the devout securely war for the king
of angels.1 The greedy animals which stand around are the
Franks, the Bretons, and the men of Picardy and Anjou,
and other neighbouring people, who are jealous of the pros-
perity of Normandy, and are ready to pounce upon its
resources, like wolves on their prey, but are repelled by the
unconquerable might of King William. But when, accord-
ing to the laws of human nature, he shall be taken away,
his son Robert will succeed him in the dukedom of Nor-
mandy. Then her enemies will gather around her on all
sides, and, as she will have lost her protector, they will
invade her rich and noble territory, despoil her of her
honour and her wealth, and holding in contempt her weak
ruler, nefariously tread under foot the whole country. He,
like the lascivious heifer, will abandon himself to lust and
sloth, and set others the example of plundering the property
of the church, and spending it on filthy pimps and lechers.
To such he will give up his dominions, and they will be his
counsellors in his urgent necessities. In the dukedom of
Eoburt, favourites and effeminate persons will bear rule,
and under their government crime and misery will abound.
The cities and villages will be burnt, and the churches of
the saints shamefully profaned. The societies of the faith-
ful, of both sexes, will be dispersed, and thousands of
human beings will perish by fire and sword, many of them
unabsolved and without the last sacraments, so that for
their sins they will be plunged at once into the bottomless
pit. Such calamities will fall upon Normandy, and as of
old she was enormously puffed up, as the conqueror of
neighbouring nations, so under a lax and debauched prince,
she will be held in contempt, and will be long and miserably
exposed to the arms of her enemies. The weak duke will
have only the name of prince, while in truth rogues will
have the rule, both over him and the distracted province, to
the general loss.' Such was the vision which 1 lately had
in answer to my prayers, and such the explanation which
my spiritual guide gave of it. But you, venerable lady, will
not witness the calamities with which Normandy is threat-
1 There is a play of words in the original text : Regem Amjlorum . . .
rc^i Angelorum.
A.D. 1079.] SIEGE OF GEBBEBOI. 177
ened ; for, after a good confession, you will die in peace, and
neither behold your husband's death, nor the misfortunes of
your son, nor the desolation of your beloved country."
Having received this message from the hermit, the messen-
gers returned and related to the queen the prophecy in
which good was mixed with evil. The men of the succeeding
age, who were partakers in the disasters of Normandy and
saw the fires and other ravages, found to their cost that the
prophecy of the horrible calamities and destruction which
awaited them was but too true.
At last, after many useless peregrinations, Eobert began
to repent of his folly, but still he was unwilling to return
frankly to his incensed father whom he had so inconsiderately
left. He therefore repaired to his cousin Philip, king of
France, and earnestly entreated him to render him aid. He
was well received, and the castle of Q-erberoi assigned to him
for his residence, because it stands in the Beauvais on the
borders of Normandy, and is a very strong fortress
both from its site and its walls and other defences. Elias
the vidame, and his fellow governor of the castle, received
the royal exile with great good-will, promising all sorts of
succour to him and his followers. For it is the custom of
that castle that it has two equal lords,1 and that all
fugitives are harboured there from whatever quarter they
come. Eobert collected in this place a troop of horse,
promising them and the barons of France who flocked about
him, in return for their assistance, more than he could ever
perform. Many evils ensued from this arrangement, the
sons of perdition taking arms and devising mischief against
the peaceable and defenceless, and contriving endless iniqui-
ties. Numbers who to all appearance had been peaceably
inclined, and gave good words to the king and his adherents,
now unexpectedly joined the enemies of the state, betraying
their kinsfolk ancl lords to the disinherited exiles. Thus Nor-
mandy had more to suffer from her own people than from
strangers, and was ruined by intestine disorders.
Meanwhile, the undaunted king had levied numerous bodies
of troops with prudent forethought, and quartered them in
the castles of his own province which stood nearest the
' Two collateral branches of the same family possessed jointly the title
and authority of vidames of this place.
VOL. II. IT
178 OEDEBICTJS VITALIS. [B.T. CH.X.
enemy's borders, making head against his adversaries in all
quarters, and suffering no one to make inroads on his
territories with impunity. He was also much annoyed that
his enemies had chosen a post so near his own frontier,
nor would he submit to it any longer without a sharp
contention. He therefore, although it was mid-winter,
assembled his mailed troops, as soon as Christmas was
past, and paid a visit to the enemies' quarters at Gerberoy
from which he had received threatening messages ; and for
three weeks he besieged the garrison with great vigour. The
chiefs on both sides had frequent encounters, and often chal-
lenged each other to the conflict with a select number of
followers chosen for their bravery and skill in arms. On one
side the Normans, with the English and the king's auxiliaries
from the immediate neighbourhood, made fierce onslaughts,
on the other, the French and King "William's enemies on
the borders, who took the side of Robert, made a desperate
resistance. In these conflicts many were unhorsed, horses
were killed, and the combatants suffered considerable losses.1
The king having returned to Rouen, his faithful coun-
sellors took into consideration the means of reconciling the
father and son. "With this view Roger, earl of Shrewsbury,
Hugh de Gournay and Hugh Grantmesnil, Roger de Beau-
mont, with his sons Robert and Henry,2 and many others
assembled. They addressed the king in the following
terms : " Great king, we humbly approach your highness,
beseeching you favourably to receive our supplications.
Tour son Robert has been led astray by the pernicious
advice of evil counsellors, from which violent dissentions
and much mischief have arisen. He now repents of his
1 Our author's account of the sie?e of Gerberoi is far from complete.
He has omitted to inform us that Philip I. joined William, the duke, in
besieging his son Robert in the very place he had assigned him for his
refuge. This appears from a charter signed jointly by the two kings while
engaged in the siege, which also fixes the date of its commencement, in the
month of January, 1079. Ordericus haa also omitted the well known
story of Robert's having wounded and dismounted his father in one of the
chivalrous encounters under the walls of Gerberoi, and, discovering him by
his voice, having remounted him on his own horse after vainly imploring
his forgiveness. It was probably in consequence of this occurrence, and at
nil events after it, that the lords of William's council named by Ordericus
succeeded in effecting a temporary reconciliation.
* Robert, count de Meulan, and Henry, earl of Warwick.
A.D. 1079.] WILLIAM I. AND HIS SON EGBERT. 179
errors, but he cannot venture to approach your presence
without receiving your commands. He humbly implores
your clemency to take pity on him, and he seeks to obtain
your favour through our interference, who are your devoted
subjects. He acknowledges himself to [be guilty of many
and grave offences, but he confesses them, and promises to
conduct himself better in future. We all, therefore, join in
imploring your clemency to extend your gracious pardon to
your repentant son. Correct your erring child, permit him
to return home, and mercifully accept his penitence." The
assembled nobles also earnestly interceded with the king on
behalf of their sons, brothers, and kinsmen, who accom-
panied Eobert in his exile. The king replied to them as
follows : " I am surprised that you so earnestly plead the
cause of a traitor, who has dared to make a most infamous
attempt on the peace of my dominions. He has stirred up
intestine disturbances against me, and seduced the flower of
my young nobility whom I myself have educated and in-
vested with the ensigns of chivalry. He has also brought
on me Hugh de Chateauneuf,1 and other foreign enemies.
"Which of my predecessors, from the time of Eollo, has
been subjected to such a conflict on the part of his sons as
I have ? Look at William, the son of the great Eollo, and
the three Richards, successively dukes of Normandy, and
my own father Eobert, and see how faithfully they obeyed
their fathers to the hour of their death. This youth en-
deavoured to wrest from me the dukedom of Normandy and
the earldom of Maine, and he has formed against me a
powerful combination of the French, the people of Anjou
and Aquitaine, and many others. If it were in his power
he would arm the whole race of mankind against me,
and put me, and yourselves too, to the sword. According
to the law of God given by Moses, he is worthy of death :
his offence is like that of Absalom, and should meet with
the same punishment."
Still the nobles of Normandy had frequent conferences
1 Chateauneuf in the Thimirais ; see before, book iv. p. 109. This
passage strengthens the opinion that the quarrel began at L'Aiglc, on
occasion of the liberties taken by William Rufus and Henry with their
brother Robert, and that this occurrence can only be assigned to the
summer or autumn of the year 1077-
N 2
180 OBDEBICUS TITALIS. [u.V. CH.X.
with the king, and endeavoured to mollify his resentment
by gentle remonstrances and entreaties. The bishops, also,
and other men of religion, tried to soften the hardness of his
heart by lessons drawn from the word of God. The queen,
also, and the envoys of the king of France, and the neigh-
bouring nobles who were in alliance with him, used their
efforts to restore peace. At last the stern prince, giving
way to the entreaties of so many persons of rank, and
moved likewise by natural affection, was reconciled to his
son, and those who had been leagued with him. He also,
with the concurrence of his nobles, ratified and renewed the
grant which he had made to him, when he was sick at
Bonneville,1 of the succession to the duchy of Normandy
after his own death. The restoration of peace caused great
joy to the people of Normandy and Maine, who had now
grievously suffered for many years from the calamities of
war. But this long-wished-for tranquillity, arising from the
reunion of father and son, was speedily overclouded. For
the obstinate young prince was too proud to attend or obey
his father, and the passionate monarch often loaded him in
public with accusations and reproaches for his disobedience.
He, therefore, after a time, again left his father's court2 ac-
companied by a small number of adherents ; nor did he ever
return until his father on his death-bed sent Count Aubrey*
1 Bonneville sur Touque. The text of Duchesne ; for Villam-Bonam,
reads Juliam-Bonam, Lillebonne. The resemblance of these two names
of the residences of the dukes of Normandy causes them to be often
mistaken the one for the other. It is the same of the ports Barfleur and
Harfleur.
2 The precise time when the king and his son again quarrelled cannot
be ascertained, but it did not occur till after Robert's expedition, under-
taken by his father's orders, into Scotland, during which he founded an
English Chateau-neuf. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This was in the autumn of
1080.
8 Aubrey, before this, earl of Northumberland, who must not be con-
founded with Aubrey de Vere, the ancestor of the earls of Oxford. Little
is known of the Aubrey mentioned by our author. At the time the
survey recorded in Domesday-book was taken, his estates were in the king's
hands, having probably been wrested from him on account of his incapacity.
After a disastrous expedition to Greece, induced by his credulity in the
promises of astrologers, which leaves no great opinion of his judgment, he
returned to Normandy, and was there, it is said, married to a lady who
bore the name of the country he had been silly enough to think of con-
quering.
FAMILY OF KIITG WILLIAM I. 181
to him in France to invite him to take possession of the
duchy of Normandy.
CH. XI. Account of the family of William I., particularly
his son Richard, killed when young, and his daughters.
IF William, though a father, sometimes cursed in his anger
his rebellious son, and wished him all sorts of evil for the
attempts which have been just related, his sons William and
Henry, who had been always dutiful, received his hearty
blessing. As for his son Richard, born after Robert, and
who had not yet received the honour of knighthood, while
he was hunting in the new forest not far from Winchester,
and running down a stag at full speed, he sustained a violent
blow on the pommel of the saddle from a stout hazel bough,
and was mortally injured. Receiving the same week the
supports of confession and absolution, and the last sacra-
ments, he shortly afterwards died to the great sorrow of
many of the English.1 William Rufus and Henry having
always been devoted to their father obtained his blessing,
and had for many years been advanced to the highest pitch
of power both in the kingdom and the duchy. His daughter
Agatha, who had been betrothed to Harold, was afterwards
demanded in marriage by Alphonzo, king of Gralicia,2 and
delivered to his proxies to be conducted to him. But she,
who had lost her former spouse who was to her liking, felt
extreme repugnance to marry another. The Englishman
she had seen and loved, but the Spaniard she was more
averse to because she had never set eyes on him. She,
therefore, fervently prayed to the Almighty that she might
never be carried into Spain, but that he would rather take
her to himself. Her prayers were heard, and she died a
virgin while she was on the road. Her corpse was brought
1 This calamitous event, which was supposed to be judicial, is generally
assigned to the year 1081, but there is reason to place it several years
earlier.
* Alphonzo, king of Leon, the Asturias, and Oviedo, in 1065, of Castile
in 1072, and of Galicia the year following. The Spanish historians, who
call Agatha, Agueda, place the marriage in 1068, when Alphonzo was as
yet only king of Leon. It was, therefore, in that year the young princess
died. Alphonso still continued to seek alliances in France, for in 1074 he
married Agnes, daughter of William, count de Poitiers, and afterwards, in
1080, Constance, daughter of Robert, duke of Burgandy.
182 OEDEEICUS TITALIS. [B.T. CH.XI.
back by her attendants to her native country, and interred
in the church of St. Mary-ever-a- Virgin, at Bayeux. King
William's daughter Adeliza, who was very beautiful, when
she reached the age of marriage, piously devoted herself to
G-od, and made a holy end under the guardianship of Roger
de Beaumont.1 Constance was given amid great rejoicings
at Bayeux to Fergan, count of Brittany, son of the count of
Nantes ; and she died in Brittany without leaving any
children.2
Stephen, palatine count de Blois,8 wishing to make a firm
alliance with King William, demanded his daughter Adela
in marriage, who, by the advice of his counsellors, gave his
consent, and they were united with gVeat rejoicings. The
espousals took place at Breteuil, and the marriage was
celebrated at Chartres. Stephen was son of Theobald,*
count palatine, and nephew of Bertha, countess of Brittany
and Maine.5 His two most powerful counts were his
brothers Odo and Hugh,8 and he had four sons by his wife
first mentioned, William, Theobald, Stephen, and Henry,
the three first of whom are puissant lords, and rank with
the highest nobles of France and England. William, the
1 She retired to St. L6ger-de-Pre"aux, a convent for nuns founded by
Humphrey de Vieilles, father of Roger de Beaumont, and Aubrey, his
mother, and afterwards endowed by Roger himself. William de Jumieges
confounds Adeliza with her sister Agatha.
2 This marriage is mentioned before, vol. i. p. 185, where our author
says that it was celebrated at Caen. (See also the note, book ii. c. 5.)
Alan Fergan was not son of a count of Nantes, but grandson of Alan
Pugnart, count de Cornwall.
3 Stephen, count de Blois, in 1081, and who married Adela the same
year, became count de Chartres about the year 1090, after his father's
death, and was slain in battle against the Saracens in Palestine in 1101.
He had returned there to wipe off the disgrace of having deserted from the
first crusade before the deliverance of Jerusalem. Ordericus is mistaken
in giving him the title of count Palatine, which was first borne by his great
grandfather, Eudes II., count of Blois and Champagne, and passed to the
branch of the family which succeeded to the latter. The title was purely
honorary.
* Theobald III., count de Blois, Tours, and Chartres, in 1037, after-
wards count Palatine de Champagne, in prejudice of his nephew Eudes,
about 1048.
5 Bertha, sister of Theobald, first married in 1027 to Alan III., duke of
Brittany, and afterwards to Hugh II., count du Mans.
6 Hugh, count de Champagne; Eudes, count de Troyes; besides Philip,
bishop of Chalons-sur-Marne, omitted by our author.
FAMILY OF BLOIS. 183
eldest, son-in-law and heir of G-illon de Sully, is a worthy,
quiet man, whose family and wealth make him powerful.1
Theobald, who succeeded to the hereditary states, is distin-
guished by his valour and merits.2 Stephen, who is son-in-
law and heir of Eustace, count de Boulogne, has had the earl-
dom of Moreton, in Normandy, and many English honours
conferred on him by his uncle king Henry.3 The fourth
son, Henry, was devoted from infancy to the service of the
church at the abbey of Cluny, and under the monastic rule
was fully instructed in sacred learning. Should he persist
in this religious life he will be an heir of the kingdom of
heaven, and present a memorable example of contempt for
the world to earthly princes.4 Let what I have shortly
noted respecting the decendanta of King William suffice
for the present, for I am urged onward by an earnest
desire to complete my undertaking, and unceasingly
actuated by the determination to fulfil my promise.
1 William, the eldest son, who married Agnes de Sully, was put aside
from the succession by the intrigues of his mother and on account of his
incapacity. He was also deformed and stammered. Our author just
gives him the negative character suited to his deserts.
* The second son, Theobald, called the Grand, succeeded his father ia
1102, as count de Blois, &c., and in 1125 became count of Champagne by
inheritance or purchase of his uncle.
* Stephen de Blois, the third son, played a distinguished part in history.
Count de Boulogne, in right of his wife Matilda, and earl of Morton by
creation of his uncle, Henry I., at the time when Ordericus wrote this
book, his future honours as king of England could not then be anticipated.
Having seized the throne in December, 1135, his reign lasted till October,
1154.
4 Henry, the fourth and youngest son, was the famous Henry de Blois,
bishop of Winchester, who took a leading part in the wars foi the
succession to Henry I. of England. He was originally, it appears, a monk
of Cluny, but in 1 126, two years before our author wrote this book, though
he does not seem to have been aware of it, Henry had been made abbot of
Glastonbury. He was raised to the bishopric of Winchester in 1129. The
hypothetical form in which Ordericus frames this short reference to the
early promise of this ambitious and worldly prelate, seems to indicate an
impression that his hopes were not likely to be fulfilled. Some years
nfterwards, when still his character was not fully developed, Henry of
Huntingdon speaks of him in these terms : " Henry, the king's son, who
promises to exhibit a monstrous spectacle, compounded of purity and cor-
ruption, half a monk, half a knight." — Letter to Walter on the Bishop*
and Illustrious Men of his Times, p. 315, Bohn's Edition.
184i OBJDEKICTJB YITALIS. [B. V, CH.XII.
CH. XII. Mainier, fourth abbot of St. Evroult — Began the
new church — His administration — Men of rank become
monks — State of the church in Normandy after the con-
version of the Danes.
THE eternal Disposer of all events impels by his power and
guides by his wisdom, his bark, the church, through the
storms of this world, and mercifully gives his daily support
to the labourers in his vineyard, strengthening them by his
holy inspirations for their toils and dangers. He thus
providentially guides his church among the tumults of wars
and battles, and secures its advancement in a variety of
ways. This has been most especially shown with respect
to the abbey of St. Evroult, which, though founded in a
poor country, and surrounded by worthless people, has been
defended by divine help against all the threats and malice
of its enemies. Abbot Mainier undertook the charge of
this abbey in the month of July, and has now presided
over it with great advantage twenty-two years and eight
months.1 He introduced into the Lord's fold ninety-two
monks, prudently selected to do his work ; and diligently
instructed them how they ought to conduct themselves in
it. He also began to erect the new church, and suitable
houses for the residence of the monks, and by God's aid
completed them with all the beauty so desert a country per-
mitted. The good reports of their religious life raised the
abbey of St. Evroult to high honour, and gained them the
love of great numbers of persons of all ranks. Many
hastened there to connect themselves with this society, and
become worthy of partaking of its benefits in divine things.
They gave their worldly possessions in order to 'receive
heavenly ones from God.
Some, inflamed with divine love, entirely renounced the
world, resigning their wealth to the monastery, according to
the monastic rule, and enforcing on their friends and relations
similar conduct, by their advice and entreaties. Among
1 Mainier, son of Goscelin d'Echaufour, was fourth abbot of St. Evroult.
He was consecrated by Huph, bishop of Lisieux, the 16th of July, 1066.
Our author has considerably varied in his calculations of the period of
Mainier's administration. It appears to have lasted twenty-two years and
seven months, and that he died on the 5th of March, 1089.
A.D. 10G6 — 1087.] MAINIER, ABBOT OF ST. EVB.OULT. 185
these were Koger de Sap and his brother Odo, Serlo de
Orgeres, Razso son of Ilbert, Odo of Dole, Geoffrey of
Orleans, and John of Rheims, and many more who were
both well imbued with learning and fit for God's service.
Some were men of high birth, and took charge of the exter-
nal affairs of the abbey. Among these, Drogo, son of
Geoffrey de Neuf-Marche,1 and Roger, son of Erneis de
Coutauces, nephew of William Warrenne, and Arnold, son
of Humphrey de Tilleul, nephew by his sister of Hugh de
Grantmesnil, and the physician Goisbert, were men about
the court, through whose exertions lands, churches, and
tithes, were obtained for their brethren. Mainier did not
fail to make use of such supporters, and by their means
the abbey increased its advantages, its means, and its pious
inmates.
This abbot chose for his assistant in the management of
the house Pulk de Guernanville, a clever and proper per-
son, to whom he committed the superintendence of the
monastery. He was son of Fulk, dean of Evreux, and
being full of zeal for his order, diligently seconded his
abbot in all things, besides inducing his father to enter the
abbey, and endow it with a great part of his patrimony.
The dean was one of the pupils of Fulbert, bishop of Chartres,
and held a knight's fee by inheritance from his father.
According to the custom of that period, he had a noble
partner,2 whose name was Orielde, who bore him a numerous
offspring. He had eight sons and two daughters, whose
names are as follows : Warin, Christian, Ralph, William,
Fulk, Fromont, Hubert, and Walter, surnamed Tyrrel;8
Avise, and Adelaide. At this time, and ever since the com-
1 We have seen before, vol i. p. 455, that Duke William deprived
Geoffrey of the castle of Neuf-Marche, of which he was the lawful heir
(probably as son of Turketil, its former governor), and after in vain trying
others, committed this important fortress to the custody of Hugh de
Grantmesnil, whose abilities and courage were guarantees for his holding in
submission his turbulent neighbours, especially the inhabitants of Mill! and
G^rberoy.
* Sociam ; wife or mistress! It seems that at this periodc anons at
least were not bound to celibacy, nor indeed any of the secular clergy, as
appears from the sequel of this curious paragraph.
3 This person must not be confounded with his namesake, Walter
Tyrrel, second lord of Poix, who is supposed to have bceii the unintentional
murderer of William Rufus.
186 OKDEEICTT8 YITALIS. [B.V. CH.XII.
ing in of the Normans, the celibacy of the clergy was so
little preserved, that not only priests, but even bishops,
used freely the beds of concubines, and openly boasted of
their numerous families of sons and daughters. This cus-
tom generally prevailed among the neophites who were
baptized at the same time as Rollo, and who took posses-
sion of the unpopulated country, not versed in letters but
in arms. These priests of Danish origin, with very little
learning, obtained possession of the parishes, and were
always ready to take up arms to defend the lay fees by
military service. At length, Bruno of Lorraine, bishop of
Toul, was called to Rome, and by the providence of God,
became pope, under the name of Leo. While he was
journeying to Rome, he heard the angels singing : " I know
the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord,
thoughts of peace and not of evil," &C.1 This pope applied
himself to do much good, and rendered great services to
those who were committed to his charge, both by his good
deeds and his faithful teaching. He came into France in
the year of our Lord 1049, and consecrated the church of
St. Remigius, the archbishop, at Rheims, on the calends
[1st] of October ; and at the instance of Abbot Hermar,
translated the body of the saint with great ceremony to the
place where it is now held in veneration. He then held a
general council at Rheims, and among other canons for the
good of the church, one was made prohibiting priests from
carrying arms and having wives.2 From that time the fatal
practice began gradually to decline. Priests have now
readily ceased from bearing arms, but they are still reluc-
tant to give up their concubines, and observe celibacy.
[1066 — 1089.] Dean Fulk, before mentioned, after being
denied by a long continuance in corrupt habits, turned his
mind to better things, and now bent with age, was induced
by the advice and admonitions of his son Fulk to flee to
Ouche, where he entreated admission as a monk, not indeed
so much giving up the world, as that the world gave him
up. When he became a monk, he gave to St. Evroult
1 Jeremiah xxix. 1 1 . This paragraph is before inserted in nearly the
same terms, book i. ch. xxiv. See vol. i. p. 151, and the note.
2 We do not find any injunctions respecting celibacy in the canons of
the council of Rheims, though there is one against the clergy bearing arms.
BEKEFACTOES TO ST. EVKOULT. 187
the church of Q-uernanville, and the land belonging to it ; he
also gave another farm he possessed in the same village,
which Hugh, bishop of Bayeux, had given him, and which
he had long held under "William Fitz-Osbern, nephew of
the same bishop.1 "William, the son and heir of Fulk, pub-
licly ratified these grants in the chapter, and joined his
father in offering the deed of gift on the altar of St. Peter,
whereupon he received by the good-will of the monks an
ounce of gold as an acknowledgment. The grant was also
confirmed by William de Breteuil and Gislebert Crispin
with his two sons, and the witnesses present were, Roger
de Clare, Hugh de L'Ane,2 Robert d'Estoteville, Rodolph
de la Lande, Rodolph des Fourneaux, Walter de Chaumont,
and William de Longueville and Gruernanville. These lands
were also granted by William Grastinel, in the presence of
Richer de L'Aigle, and he received for it an ounce of gold.
The witnesses were AVilliam Halis, Morin du Pin, Robert,
son of Heugo, and Rodolph Cloeth.
CH. XIII. Founders and benefactors of the abbey of St.
Evroult, particularly Roger de Montgomery, afterwards
earl of Shrewsbury.
I propose here shortly to enumerate the possessions of the
abbey of Ouche, that the endowments piously made may be
known to the novices, and that by reference to this account
it may be ascertained by whom or at what time they were
made, or for what price they were purchased. The greedy
owners of worldly possessions are engrossed with these
passing interests, and think little of those which are
supreme and eternal, and men in general scarcely attempt to
do any thing for the hope of heaven, unless they find it for
their temporal advantage. Tithes, which the Lord required
by Moses to be devoted to his service for the use of the
sanctuary and the Levites, are withheld by our temporal
lords, who refuse to restore them to the ministers of the
church, except they are redeemed at a great price.3 The
1 This bishop held vast estates in the department of L'Eure, as the son
of Ralph, count d'lvri.
* This person was a vassal of William Fitz-Osbern, on his domains in
the county of Hereford.
3 We may be well surprised to find the vast amount of tithes and
188 OBDEBICTJS VITA.LIS. [B.V. CH.X1II.
stewards of the alms for the poor admonished laymen to give
back the tithes to the church of God, and in their zeal to
obtain them by any means have often given large sums for
them, in ignorance that the sacred canons absolutely
prohibit any bargains of this sort. Even in modern
councils, the holy bishops have pronounced an anathema
against this traffic, but from merciful considerations have
passed by former offences of the kind, and allowed the
possessions which the church then held to remain in her
hands, under the sanction of this episcopal authority.
The founders of the abbey of St. Evroult were men of
moderate fortune, who, erecting it on an unfertile soil,
endowed it with some small possessions, widely dispersed,
according to their moderate means, for the support of the
brethren. Their neighbours all around them were ground
down by poverty, and driven by want and their evil dis-
positions to live by dishonesty, fraud, and robbery, so that
the monks at Ouche were compelled to procure food for
themselves and their visitors from a great distance. But as
they submitted themselves to regular discipline from the
time of their first institution, great nobles and pious
prelates conceived a high regard for them, and providing for
their necessities by gifts of tithes, and churches, and other
endowments, came to be held in great respect.
Thus Ealph de Conches, son of Eoger de Toni, the
renowned standard-bearer of Normandy, intending to go
into Spain,1 came to Ouche, and, attending a chapter of St.
church lands in Normandy, which had become the property of laymen
before the age when our author wrote. Every one knows that in England
such possessions did not get into lay hands till the time of Henry VIII.,
on the dissolution of the monasteries. In Normandy, and the case was the
same elsewhere in France, the tithes and church lands appear to have
become the prey of the various lords of all degrees who established their
independence in the ninth and tenth centuries, when no law was known
but that of the strongest. There might have been some justice in the
unceasing efforts of the monks in our author's time to influence or extort
the re-grant of the tithes to their legitimate owners, but the only excuse for
their appropriation to the abbeys consists in the very low state to which the
secular or parochial clergy appear to have sunk at that period, both as to
learning and morals.
1 His father, Roger, lord of Toni and Conches, had also been in Spain,
and obtained his surname from it. See vol. i. p. 149. Both were standard-
bearers of Normandy. Ralph de Toni, or Toeni, as the name was spelt,
QUANTS OF EALPH DE lOffl. 189
Evroult, implored pardon from the abbot and monks for
having some time before abetted Arnold d'Echaufour when
he burned the town of Ouche. He then made recompense
to the monks, and laid his gage on the altar, making many
pious vows in case of his safe return. He likewise recom-
mended to them his physician Goisbert, whom he much
loved, who, as soon as he was departed made his profession
as a monk, and firmly kept it for nearly thirty years to the
end of his days. The aforesaid knight returning home some
time afterwards, did not forget his vow, but, coming to St.
Evroult, gave two acres of vineyard which he had at Toui
for the service of masses in the abbey. He further gave all
that he had at Guernanville, that is to say his land and the
pasnage, so that the first, that of the servants, was not granted,
but the second or third was granted, and none was to be
given for the monks.1 He also gave three yearly tenants,2
one at Conches, another at Toni, and the third at Acquigni,
which Gerald Gastinel had held of him, and voluntarily
ceded to St. Evroult. Ralph de Toni some years afterwards
took Goisbert the monk with him to England, and through
his means gave to the monks of St. Evroult two farms, one
named Caldecot in Norfolk, and another in the county of
Worcester, called Alvington. All these grants King
"William confirmed, and ratified them by a royal charter in
the presence of his great nobles. Likewise Elizabeth, the
aforesaid knight's wife, and Roger and Ralph, his sons,
freely joined in the grant. The witnesses to the charters of
these grants were Roger de Clair, Walter d'Espagne,
William de Pacey, Robert de Romilly, Gerald Gastinel,
Gislebert son of Thorold, Roger de Mucegros, and Walter
do Chaumont.
was the founder of the great family of Stafford in England. At the time
of the Domesday record he possessed one hundred and thirty manors, the
most part in Staffordshire. The first Ralph de Toni was descended in the
female line from Malahulcius, uncle of Hollo, first duke of Normandy.
1 It would be difficult now to assign a precise meaning to the grant
contained in the preceding sentence. The pasnagium was the right of
feeding hogs or cattle in the forest?, or the dues paid for it.
2 " Yearly tenants," hospites, a term which often occurs in Ordericus, and
to which we can hardly attach an exact sense. Du Cange says they were
inhabitants of tenements in vills or hamlets, under yearly rents, thus " dif-
fering from slaves and villeins attached to the soil.'* We have elsewhere
translated the word " cottiers."
190 OBDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.V. CH.XIII.
Also, Bobert de Vaux gave to St. Evroult one moiety of
two parts of the tithes of Berners. His son Roger, after
his father's death, confirmed the aforesaid gift in Prank
Almoign, receiving forty shillings of the currency of Dreux,
and his wife had ten shillings from the monk's charity.
This was freely confirmed by the aforesaid Ralph, who was
the chief lord, and he kindly procured the concurrence of hia
wife and children. This Ralph [de Toni] gained great glory
in the wars, and was reckoned among the first of the
Norman nobles for honours and wealth, serving bravely in
the armies of King William and Duke Robert his son,
princes of Normandy, for nearly sixty years. He carried
off by night Agnes, his half-sister, daughter of Richard,
count of Evreux, and married her to Simon de Montfort.
He obtained, in return, the hand of Isabel, Simon's
daughter, who bore him noble children, Roger, and
Rodolph, and a daughter named Godehilde, who was first
married to Robert, count of Mellent, and then to Baldwin,
son of Eustace, count of Boulogne.1 At length Ralph the
elder, after various turns of fortune, good and bad, died, on
the ninth of the calends of April [2-.lth March], and Ralph
his son held the patrimonial estate nearly twenty-four years.
Both on their death were buried with their ancestors in the
abbey of St. Peter at Chatillon.2 Isabel, having been for
some time a widow, repenting of the sinful wantonness in
which she had too much indulged in her youth, gave up the
world, and took the veil in a convent of nuns at Haute-
Bruyere,3 where she reformed her life and worthily per-
severed in the fear of the Lord.
When Count William Fitz-Osbern fell in battle in
Flanders, King William divided his honours and estates
between his two sons, giving Breteuil and all his father's do-
mains in Normandy to William, and to Roger the earldom of
Hereford in England. William, who was more gentle than
his father, had a great regard for the abbey of St. Evroult,
1 He was the youngest brother of Godfrey de Bouillon, and, following
him to the first crusade, was first created count of Edessa in 1097, and on
the death of his brother, in 1100, elected king of Jerusalem.
9 More generally called the abbey of Conches.
* A priory of the order of Fontevrauld, at St. Remi-l'Honor6, near
Montfort-l'Amauri.
CHABTEB OP WILLIAM DE BBETEU1L. 191
and made it great gifts for the repose of the souls of his
father aud mother. He sent by the monk Boger de Sap a
copy of the gospels, enriched with ornaments of gold, silver,
and jewels ; he also confirmed all the grants his vassals had
made to St. Evroult, either by gift or sale. He also granted
them a yearly payment of one hundred shillings out of his
tolls at G-los, and freely executed in presence of his principal
men a charter to the following effect : —
" I, William de Breteuil, son of Count William, do give
and grant to St. Evroult and his monks, out of the tolls of
Glos, one hundred shillings yearly to buy fish at the begin-
ning of Lent, for the repose of the souls of my father and
mother, and that of my own ; and that their anniversaries
and my own may be observed by all the monks as a feast ;
and that on each of our anniversaries, a portion of meat and
drink equal to a monk's share be given to the poor. During
my life also a mass of the Holy Trinity is to be sung for
me in the abbey every Sunday. I also grant to the monks
one burgess in Breteuil, and whatever my mesne-tenants,
Bichard Fresnel, William Halis, and Kalph de La Cunelle,
and others, have granted to them I also give and confirm.
All this I grant by these presents, and I faithfully promise
them hereafter my counsel and aid and other privileges.
Whoever, after my death, shall take away or diminish the
things granted, let him be accursed." This charter was
ratified and witnessed by the signatures of William de
Breteuil himself, Ralph his chaplain, William the steward,
son of Barno, Arnold, son of Arnold, and Robert de Lou-
viers.
In the year of our Lord 1099, the seventh indiction,
William, so often mentioned before, was present at the
consecration of the church of Ouche, when he added one
hundred shillings from the rents of Glos, to the like sum
which he had before given to St. Evroult. He deposited
the deed of gift on the altar still wet with the holy water
sprinkled in the consecration, in the presence of three
bishops, five abbots, and the whole clergy and people stand-
ing round. He died at Bee not long afterwards, on the
second of the ides [12th] of January,1 and lies buried in the
cloister of the abbey of Lire, which his father founded on
1 A.D. 1102.
192 ORDERICTJS YITALIS. [u.V. CH.XIIT.
his own domains : his anniversary is kept as a festival every
year at St. Evroult. The charter of the aforesaid grant of
two pounds was afterwards confirmed by the seal of Henry,
king of England, and Eustace and Ralph de Guader, and
Robert of Leicester,1 William's successor, renewed the grant
to the monks, and have regularly paid it to this day.
William de Molines, with the consent of his wife Albe-
rede, gave to St. Evroult the church of Maheru, with the
tithes, and all the priest's land, and the cemetery belonging
to the same church. He also gave the church of St.
Lawrence in the town of Molines, and his demesne-land
near the castle, in the same manner as he himself held it.
He made this grant in the chapter before his chief men
Walter d'Apres and Everard de Ray, with some others. It
was thus he merited the good offices of the church, as a
brother and munificent benefactor. Then abbot Mainier
offered to the aforesaid marquis,2 as a free gift from the
brethren, fifteen livres in pennies, and conducted him to
the altar with Alberede, Gruitmond's daughter, whose
inheritance it was, to confirm the gift. They freely granted
all that has been described in the presence of the whole
convent, and confirmed it by a charter duly offered on the
altar of St. Peter. Sometime afterwards, the aforesaid
knight granted to St. Evroult the church of Bonmoulines,
with all the tithes of corn, and of the mill and oven ; to
which Reynold the Little, who at that time had the affairs
of the monks in that place entrusted to him, charitably
added thirty shillings.
After Alberede had borne her husband two sons, William
and Robert, a divorce took place between her and her
husband on account of consanguinity. The proceedings for
the divorce before the bishop having been completed,
William married another wife, Duda, daughter of Waleran
de Mellent, who bore him two sons, Simon and Hugh, who
were both cut off in their youth by cruel death, leaving no
children. Meanwhile, Alberede embraced a religious pro-
1 Ralph de Guader was nephew of William de Breteuil, to whom
Eustace resigned the family estates in 1119; Robert, earl of Leicester was
his son-in-law.
* Marquis is used here in its original and proper sense of Lord Marcher,
at warden of a frontier.
FAMILY OF MOLINES. 193
fession, and ended her days in a monastery of nuns. Tho
aforesaid William was son of Walter of Falaise, and being
a gallant soldier, King William gave him Guitmund'a
daughter, with the whole fief of Molines. He was too fond
of vain and empty glory, in pursuit of which he was guilty
of indiscriminate slaughter. It is reported that he shed
much blood, and that his ferocity was so great that no one
who was wounded by him, however slightly, escaped with
life. Through prosperity and adversity, he lived to grow
old, and so far as this world is concerned, spent his days in
honour. At length he died at his own castle on the four-
teenth of the calends of November [19th October], and lies
buried in the chapter-house at St. Evroult.
His son Robert, inheriting the domains of his ancestors,
was not unmindful of his eternal salvation; he therefore
came to Ouche and renewed the grants of all that his father
and mother had given to the abbey, and freely confirmed all
that the tenants in his lordship had either given or sold to
St. Evroult. This grant he laid on the altar upon the copy
of the gospels, and afterwards received as a free-gift from
the monks five marks of silver and the best horse. For fif-
teen years he justly governed his paternal fief, defending it
stoutly against his neighbouring enemies, for he was a brave
soldier, though rather slow in his movements. He even
transgressed the command of King Henry, and attacked
Engerraud, surnamed D'Oison, with whom he had frequent
conflicts. This exasperated the king against him, and his
anger being, enflamed by malicious accusations, he disin-
herited him ; after which he left Normandy and went to
Apulia, with his wife Agnes, daughter of Robert de Grant-
mesnil, to whom he was lately married, and he died there
some years afterwards, having been a wanderer among the
dwellings of strangers. The eldest brother being thus vio-
lently thrust out from his inheritance by the duke, Simon
succeeded to it, and freely confirmed, with the concurrence
of his wife Adeline, all that his predecessors had granted to
St. Evroult.
Roger de Montgomery possessed for twenty-six years,
after the fall of the family of Griroie, all their patrimony of
Echaufour and Montreuil, and at first, as long as his wife
Mable lived, was, at her instigation, a very troublesome
VOL. n. o
194 OEDEBICTJS VITALIS. [B.Y. CH.XIII.
neighbour to the inmates of Ouche, she having been
always opposed to the family of Griroie, the founders of the
abbey of St. Evroult. At last the righteous Judge, who
spares repentant sinners but exercises vengeance on the im-
penitent, permitted that cruel woman, who had caused many
great lords to be disinherited and to beg their bread in
foreign lands, to fall herself by the sword of Hugh, from
whom she had wrested his castle on the rock of Ige,1 thus
unjustly depriving him of the inheritance of his fathers. In
the extremity of his distress, he undertook a most audacious
enterprise ; for with the assistance of his three brothers,
who were men of undaunted courage, he forced an entry by
night into the chamber of the countess at a place called
Bures2 on the Dive, and there, in revenge for the loss of his
inheritance, cut off her head, as she lay in bed just after
enjoying the pleasures of a bath. The death of this cruel
lady caused much joy to many persons ; and the perpe-
trators of the bold deed instantly took the road for Apulia.
Hugh de Montgomery, who was then in the place with
sixteen men-at-arms,8 on hearing of his mother's murder,
instantly pursued the assassins, but was unable to come up
with them, as they had taken the precaution to break down
behind them the bridges over which they crossed the rivers,
to prevent their falling into the hands of Mabel's avengers.
It was the winter season, the night was dark, and the
streams being flooded, there were such obstacles in the way
of pursuit, that the assassins, having satiated their revenge,
were able to escape out of Normandy. The brethren of
Troarn, where Durandus was then abbot, gave burial to the
mangled corpse on the nones [5th] of December,4 and caused
the following epitaph to be inscribed on her tomb, due more
to the partiality of her friends than to her own merits : —
Sprung from the noble and the brave,
Here MABEL finds a narrow grave.
1 La Roche d'Ige, canton de Belleme.
1 Bures, near Troarn.
3 Hugh de Montgomery succeeded his father as earl of Shrewsbury in
] 094. The word here translated " men-at-arms," is milites, the sense of
which much varies. It might have been rendered " knights," but sucli a
retinue would seem to be too great even for a son of this powerful
nobleman.
* The 5th of December, 1082.
MABEL, COUNTESS OF MONTOOMEnY. 195
But, above all woman's glory,
Fills a page in famous story.
Commanding, eloquent, and wise,
And prompt to daring enterprise ;
Though slight her form, her soul was great,
And, proudly swelling in her state,
Rich dress, and pomp, and retinue,
Lent it their grace and honours due.
The border's guard, the country's shield,
Both love and fear her might revealed,
Till Hugh, revengeful, gained her bower,
In dark December's midnight hour.
Then saw the Dive's o'erflowing stream
The ruthless murderer's poignard gleam.
Now, friends, some moments kindly spare,
For her soul's rest to breathe a prayer !
After the murder of Mabel, count Roger married a
second wife, Adeliza, daughter of Everard du Puiset, one of
the highest of the French nobility. The earl had by his
first wife five sons and four daughters,1 whose names are as
follows : Robert de Belesme, Hugh de Montgomery, Eoger
the Poitevin, Philip, and Arnold : Emma, a nun and abbess
of Almenesches, the countess Matilda, wife of Robert, earl
of Morton, Mabel, wife of Hugh de Chateauneuf, and
Sybil, wife of Robert Fitz-Hamon. By his second wife he
had only one son whose name is Everard, and who being
brought up to learning, became attached to the courts of
William and Henry, kings of England, as one of the royal
chaplains. The successor to the former countess was of quite
a different character ; for she was remarkable for her good
sense and piety, and frequently used her influence with her
husband to befriend the monks and protect the poor.
In consequence, the earl repented of the ill turns he had
often done the monks, and prudently endeavoured to efface
his former errors, by his subsequent amendment of life. In
1 1. Robert, count d'Alen9on; 2. Hugh de Montgomery, earl of
Shrewsbury; 3. Roger of Lancaster (see p. 203); 4. Philip the Grammarian,
who died at the siege of Antioch in the first crusade; 5. Arnulph de
Montgomery, keeper of Pembroke castle. The daughters were, 1. Emma,
abbess of Almenesches, who died the 4th of March, 1113; 2. Matilda,
wife of Robert, earl of Morton, half-brother to William the Conqueror ;
3. Mabel, who married Hugh, lord of Chateauneuf, and was living in 1131 ;
4. Sybil, wife of Robert Fitz-Hamon, lord of Creulli in Normandy, and of
Tewkesbury, 6cc., in Gloucestershire.
o 2
193 OBDEBICITS YITALIS. [B.V. CH.XITI.
short, he afterwards strongly supported the monks, and
made them large grants both in Normandy and England.
His charter, made freely before the great officers of his
household, is in these terms : —
" I, Roger, by the grace of God, earl of Shrewsbury,
desiring to honour the monastery of the holy father St.
UJvroult, hereby give thereto, for the repose of my own soul
uid those of my ancestors, as follows : I order that every
year, at the beginning of Lent, thirty shillings sterling of
Maine be paid out of my rents at Alen9on, for lights to be
burnt day and night in the church of St. Evroult, before the
crucifix of the Lord.1 I also grant to the monks, out of my
own rights, free passage at Alen9on, and release them from
all tolls and customs throughout my territories ; and I give
right of pasture for the monk's swine in all my forests for
ever. At Echaufour, I irrevocably give one plough land,
and the tithes of the mill, and of all the rents of that place ;
and I freely add, of my own part, the tenth of the fair at
Planches. Of my own free will, and for the love of God,
I grant the church of Radon and all the tithes which William
Sor gave to St. Evroult, and the church of St. Jouin, and all
the tithe which Reginald the priest gave, and Odo de Peray
released ; and the altar of St. Leonard, in the church of
Baliol, and one part of the tithe of the same village, and
the land which Reginald de Baliol, and Aimeria his wife,
my niece, gave to the monks. Likewise, in England, I give
two manors, Onne and Merston, in Staffordshire,* the tithe
of my cheese and wool at Paulton, and all that I have at
Melbourne, in Cambridgeshire, and one hide of land at
Graf ham in Sussex, and the land of "Wulfine, the goldsmith,
at Chichester. Moreover, I confirm whatever Warin my vis-
count,3 and "William Pantulf, and Hugh de Medavi, and my
1 It has been remarked before that the crucifix (par excellence) was
always placed in ancient churches between the choir and the nave. It
stood in what was called " The Rood-loft," in the English churches.
s Dugdale, Monasticon, ii. 966, gives the Conqueror's confirmation
charter, " S. Ebrulfo Rogerius, comes Scrobesburise, dedit Othnam et
Merestonam, in Estaforde-scira."
3 This Warin, viscount of Shrewsbury, has been mentioned before under
the name of Warin-the-bald. The reader probably understands that at
thig period the vice-count was the representative and executive officer of
the count or earl of the shire, answering to the present sheriff (shire-reeve),
ABOUT 1083.] FOUNDATION OF SHEEWSBUEY ABBEY. 197
other mesne-tenants have before given to St. Evroult, in
England or Normandy. All this, with the consent of my
sons Bobert de Belesme, Hugh, and Philip, I thus grant,
before God, for the repose of my soul, and of those of
Mabel and Adeliza my wives, and those of my ancestors,
and my future heirs, and ratify this instrument with the
sign of the cross, and whosoever shall diminish, annul, or
abstract, the premises, let him be anathema."
Earl Eobert granted this charter, and ratified it with his
signature ; and after him it was subscribed at Aleii9on by
his sons, Eobert and Hugh, and Philip the Scholar, and by
others, his chief officers, Eobert, son of Theobald, and Hugh
his son, Gislebert, the constable, Hugh the son of Turgis,
Fulk du Pin, Engelbert, the master of the bousehold,
Eeginald de Baliol, William Pantulf, Odo de Pire, and
several others.
CH. XIV. Foundation of the abbey of Shreiosbury by Roger
de Montgomery — The share of the author's father, Ode-
lirius, in that work — Sis character, and death, and that
of the earl his patron.
MOEEOVEE, Earl Eoger made many grants to other monas-
teries, such as Troarn, Seez, Almeneches, Cluny, Caen, and
several others, of domains he had acquired which were not
part of his hereditary estates. He also began the erection
of a new monastery in honour of St. Peter, prince of the
apostles, near the east gate of his own capital town of
Shrewsbury, on the nver Meole, where it runs into the
Severn. There stood on that spot a chapel built of tember1
and that it was an office held during pleasure, or at least for life. It
appears from the charter of foundation of the abbey of Shrewsbury, that
Warin was the brother of Reginald de Baliol, here also mentioned by
our author, and who had four manors in Staffordshire. The Conqueror's
charter, just referred to, confirms Warm's grant to the abbey of St
Evroult, of Newton and the church of Hales, and tithes of Weston in
Staffordshire. In the Domesday-book, Reginald Baliol appears as tenant in
capite of Weston and Newton.
1 Sxich were probably a large proportion of the ancient Anglo-Saxon
churches in country places, built cheaply and quickly out of the thick
forests which were close at hand. One singular specimen of such structures
has escaped the ravages of time, the church of Greensted, near Ongar, in
Essex. The walls are formed of trunks of trees set upright closely
together side by side, the interstices being filled with clay. It is twenty-nine
198 OBDEBICTTS TITALIS. [B.T. CH.XIT.
which had been erected in former times by Siward, son of
Ethelgar, a cousin of King Edward,1 and which then be-
longed to Odelirius of Orleans, son of Constantius, a man
of talent and eloquence, as well as of great learning, it
having been granted to him by Earl Eoger. He was
much devoted to pious objects, and being of the privy
council of the earl, took convenient opportunities of ex-
horting him to erect the monastery, and when there were
some difficulties about the spot on which it should be
founded, and the means of prosecuting so great an under-
taking, Odelirius addressed to him advice of the following
nature.2
" You are surrounded, noble sir, by a number of persons
who are actuated by different motives in their efforts to
serve your lordship, both by word and deed. Some, in their
cupidity, are more anxious to secure advantages to them-
selves from your munificence than to counsel you to seek
for possessions which will not pass away. But he who
endeavours to serve you faithfully ought always to have in
view your interest more than his own, and never to shrink
from proposing to you what is for the good of your soul.
feet nine inches long, fourteen feet wide, and only five feet six inches high
at the eaves, and is probably a counterpart of Siward's church at Shrews-
bury, where our author, when a boy first assisted at the service. It does
not appear that the Northmen introduced into England their singular
architecture in timber churches, of which some specimens still remain of
most elaborate workmanship in the Byzantine or Gothic style, of large
proportions and vast antiquity, in the central and western districts of Nor-
way. See Forester's Norway in 1848, p. 177. The Domesday-book
calls Siward's wooden church " a monastery." For what is meant by the
use of the term in such cases, see vol. i. p. 396.
1 The expression priscis temporibus, "former times," probably means
before the arrival of the Normans; for Siward was still living, and it was by
«ome arrangement with him that this site of the future Benedictine abbey
of Shrewsbury had come into the hands of Roger de Montgomery, and
under him of Odelirius. As to this Siward, see before, book iv. p. 4,
where he ia mentioned with his brother Aldred as sons of Ethelgar, or
Aigar, and great nephews of the king. The king's name is here added as
Edward, but it was probably not Edward the Confessor, but Edward the
Elder, his youngest son being father of Ailward Snow, whose son Algar was
probably the father of Siward Barn and Aldred, as well as of Brightrie,
who had the largest possessions in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and
Shropshire.
a Odelirius, it will be recollected, was the father of our author. See
the introduction to this work.
ABOUT 1083.] ODELIEITJS'S COUNSEL. 199
Tou,most noble lord, have entertained the project of founding
a monastery, but you have received little encouragement
towards so arduous an undertaking from those about you,
who, in their eagerness to receive benefits for themselves,
are jealous of what is given to others. Now, it appears to
me most desirable that you should found this monastery,
and carefully establishing in it a society of monks belonging
to the holy order of St. Benedict, endow it largely out of
your vast possessions with the means of providing food
and raiment for the true poor in Christ. Consider well
how it is that the well-disciplined brethren are constantly
employed in the monasteries which are under strict rule.
In them, innumerable good deeds are performed daily, and
war is manfully waged against the devil by the soldiers of
Christ. There can be no doubt that the severer be the
conflict to the resolute champion, the more glorious will be
his victory, and the greater his triumphant reward in the
heavenly kingdom. Who can recount the watchings of the
monks, their chants and psalmody, their prayers and
alms-givings, their daily offerings of the mass with floods of
tears ? Followers of Christ, they have but one object, to
crucify themselves, that so they may please God in all things.
They despise the world and lovers of the world, counting
its delights as dung, and its treasures as nothing compared
with their eternal hopes. They have chosen for their lot
coarse and mean garments, insipid and scanty food, and the
entire sacrifice of their own wills for the love of Jesus their
Lord. I need not speak of the chastity of the monks, their
perfect continence, their silence, their modesty of deport-
ment, their profound submission. My mind is bewildered
in recounting so many virtues, and I feel that my tongue
fails entirely in the attempt to describe them. Monks who
are worthy of the name are inclosed in royal cloisters, as if
they were king's daughters, lest they should wander forth
like Dinah, Leah's daughter, and be shamefully defiled, as
she was by Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite,1 to the
distress of her righteous father, and the dishonour of her
cruel brethren. Shut out from the world they become their
own" guardians against offences, and if they lapse they are
their own accusers in the depth of their retirement, proving
1 Genesis xxxiv. 2.
200 onuEincus VITALIS. [B.V. CH.XIV.
themselves, like gold in the furnace, that they may be
purified from all sinful dross. I believe, therefore, that
their prayers on behalf of those for whom they are offered
ascend direct to the mercy-seat, and obtain from the Lord
of Sabaoth what they supplicate. I have been in most
intimate communication with monks from my earliest youth,
and had a most familiar acquaintance with their proceedings
by close observation. When, therefore, I reflect on the
conduct of all classes of persons who inhabit this earth, and
especially examine the lives of hermits and canons, I con-
sider them all to be inferior to monks, who live canonically
and observe the rules of their order. I therefore offer to
you, most noble earl, my faithful advice, that while it is in
your power, you cause a stronghold for monks against Satan
to be built for the service of God in the chief seat of your
earldom, which is not yours by inheritance from your
ancestors, in order that these cowled combatants may with-
stand the devil in a continual conflict for the good of your
soul. »
" There stands on the river Meoel, a homestead which you
lately granted me, on which I have commenced building a
church of stone, in fulfilment of a vow I made last year
when at Rome before the altar of St. Peter, prince of the
apostles. This church, which, as I said before, I lately com-
menced building in performance of my vow, with the home-
stead and all my property appertaining to it, I freely offer
to Almighty God, and promise that I will aid the work in all
things according to the best of my ability in the name of
Jesus Christ. Come to an immediate decision, resolutely
begin and prosecute worthily this work of God : —
""Tis dangerous to delay a work resolved on.'1
" Fellow labourers in the good work will not be wanting,
nor those who will offer devout prayers for you after your
death. In the first place, as soon as the monks arrive with
masons to lay the foundations of the abbey, I will advance,
as a beginning, fifteen pounds sterling. In the next place, I
will devote myself with my son Benedict, who is now five
years old, and all that I possess to the service of the
1 Lucan Pharsal. 5. 281.
A.D. 1087.] BUILDING THE ABBEY. 201
monastery, under the condition that whereas one moiety of
all shall pass with myself under the power of the monks,
the other moiety shall be held by my son Everard as a fief of
the abbey. Having placed my eldest son Ordericus for
some time, under a learned master to acquire the rudi-
ments of a liberal education,1 I have secured him a safe
retreat among the servants of God at the abbey of St.
Evroult in Normandy, paying out of my substance thirty
marks of silver to his future superiors and fellows as an
offering on his reception. I thus surrender my eldest son for
the love of my Saviour, and destine him to banishment over
the sea, that, a voluntary exile, he may enter the service of
the King of heaven among foreigners, where, free from all
family ties and hurtful affections, he may be the more de-
voted to the monastic duties and the worship of the Lord.
All this I have long wished, by God's inward motions, and
have above all things desired to devote myself and my chil-
dren to this way of life, that I may be found worthy by
God's grace to be numbered with them among the elect at
the day of account."
Accordingly, in the year of our Lord 1083,8 the fourth
indiction, Earl Roger, approving the prudent advice of his
faithful counsellor, summoned his viscount Warin, and Pigot
de Say,8 and the rest of his great officers, to meet on Saturday
1 The master was Siward, the " noble priest," so often mentioned, who
lived in the suburbs of Shrewsbury, which may thus claim our author for
its first scholar. Ordericus, in the next paragrnph, dates the foundation of
the abbey in ) 083, and as he was not sent to St. Evroult until the year 1086,
if the words he puts into his father's mouth on this occasion are under-
stood to speak of that journey as an accomplished fact, the date assigned
for the foundation is too early, as will presently appear on other grounds.
It has, indeed, been suggested, that as Ordericus frequently retouched his
MS., which lay by him for many years, he may have introduced and some-
what loosely expressed this trait,forgetting its'inconsistency with what follows.
8 The preparatory works may have begun in 1083, but it appears
by a charter of William Rufus, and the local histories concur in the state-
ment, that the arrangements for building the new abbey were not com-
pleted and the work commenced till 1087.
3 For Warin, see before, note, p. 196. Pigot de Sai, in the canton of
Argentan, in which family the surname of Pigot (in Norman-French 2'icot)
appears to have been hereditary. Pigot de Sai having been a follower of
Roger de Montgomery, received from him the grant of twenty-nine manors
in Shropshire. Our author has mentioned him before, book iv. p. 48. He
202 OBDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.T. CH.XIV.
the fifth of the calends of March [25th February]. Having
made known his design, it was generally approved ; upon
which the earl, attended by his chief men, proceeded to the
church of St. Peter the apostle, where he took a vow before
many witnesses that he would erect an abbey on that spot,
and he gave to St. Peter the whole suburb situated outside
of the east gate, in token of which he pledged his gauntlets
on the altar.1 The same year two monks of Seez, Reginald
and Frodo, came over for the first time, and with the aid of
Odelirius, Warin, and many others, began to erect the monks'
lodgings. The eloquent Fulchred was the first abbot of this
monastery in the reign of William Eufus, and he was suc-
ceeded by Godfrey in that of King Henry. Both were
learned and pious pastors, who for nearly forty years care-
fully nurtured the Lord's flock. Under their superintendence
the external affairs of the new monastery became prosperous,
and they established within an excellent discipline among their
disciples for the good of souls. Odelirius (the father of
Vitalis2), who has been so often mentioned, fully performed
all that he had promised, offering his son Benedict to God in
that society with two hundred silver livres ; and he himself
took the monastic habit there after the death of Earl Eoger.
He served God in that monastery as a monk under the rule
of the holy father St. Benedict seven years, and after many
labours for God, having penitentially confessed his sins and
had also large possessions in Pembrokeshire. In Normandy, Jordan de
Sai founded the abbey of Aulnai about the year 1131.
1 Instances frequently occur in our author of the ratification of covenants
or gifts by some token of this description. Allied to these emblems of
possession were the investitures in the temporalities of ecclesiastical
dignities by the staff or crozier, of which wo have instances in our author
on the appointment of abbots, and which soon afterwards became the
source of violent controversies between the pope and the sovereigns of
Europe. Thus also publicity, as well as effect, was given to grants of lands
by delivery of a turf or twig, a necessary ceremony in the species of convey-
ance called a feoffment, till very recently in common use in this country;
as copyhold lands are still transferred by delivery of a rod from the
steward of the manor to the new tenant ; and the induction to livings is
made by delivery of the key of the church, or laying the hand on the ring
of the church door.
2 The words in a parenthesis are not in the autograph MS. of our author
from St. Evroult. It will be perceived that they refer to him.
A.D. 1094.] DEATH OF BOGER DE MONTGOMEBY. 203
received absolution, holy unction, and the viaticum, he died
on the third of the nones [3rd] of June, being the sixth-day
in Whitsun week.1
Earl Roger survived William the Bastard six years, the
aged lord being among the greatest of the English nobles.
The abbey, of which I have related the foundation, he
moderately endowed with lands and rents. He died there
in the year 1094,2 on the sixth of the calends of August
[July 27], and was buried with distinguished honour in the
new church, between the two altars. His son Eobert suc-
ceeded to all his fiefs in Normandy, and being both cruel
and proud, as well as unjust, he was guilty of endless crimes.
Hugh de Montgomery succeeded to the earldom of Shrews-
bury, but some years afterwards he was pierced suddenly
by the stroke of a javelin3 by Magnus, brother of the king
of Norway, and died on the sea-shore ; but his corpse was
conveyed to Shrewsbury with great lamentations, and buried
by the monks in the abbey cloister. The prudent old earl
obtained earldoms for his two remaining sons, Roger* and
Arnulph,5 who, after his death, lost them both for their trea-
sonable practices in the reign of King Henry.
I have thus made a short digression respecting the foun-
dation of the abbey on my father's property, which is now
occupied by Christ's family, and where he, at the age of
sixty, if my memory serves me, voluntarily submitted to the
Lord's yoke till the end of his life. Forgive me, I pray you
good reader, and let it not be thought wearisome, if I have
1 The year 1102 is that which may be assigned to this event with the
greatest probability. The Friday in Whitsun week fell that year on the
31st of May, four days before the 3rd of June. We may suppose that our
author's father did not assume the monastic habit till the course of the year
following the death of his patron, Earl Roger.
8 This date is a late interpolation in the MS. of St. Evroult.
3 The circumstances of this catastrophe will be examined in book x.,
where it is more fully related.
4 Roger has been improperly called earl of Lancaster; he had great
possessions in that county, but it does not appear that its earldom was
conferred upon him. It would appear that his title was personal only,
though, in general, titular earls were first created by King Stephen.
s Arnulph de Montgomery was indeed keeper of Pembroke castle, and
buiit that of Carew in the same neighbourhood, but our impression is that
the first earls of Pembroke were 01 the family of De Clare, and that
Arnulph had no such title.
291 ORDEEICTTS TITALIS. [B.V. CH.XT.
committed to •writing these few short particulars respecting
my father, whom I have never seen since the day when, for
the love of the Creator, he sent me into exile as if I had
heeu a hateful step-son. It is now forty-two years since
that time,1 a period during which there have been many re-
volutions in the affairs of the world. Often meditating on
these, I insert some of them in my pages, and, as I have
ever been an enemy to idleness, I thus employ myself in
composition. I return again to the subject I have under-
taken, meaning, though a foreigner, to inform my juniors,
who are natives, of things which they might otherwise be
unacquainted with, and thus render them, by God's help, a
profitable service.
CH. XV. Further benefactions to the abbey of St. Evroult.
[ABOUT A.D. 1075.] When Goisbert, a citizen of Chartres,
came to make his profession, as before related,2 he sold an
excellent house, which he possessed in that city, for thirty
pounds sterling of Chartres, and gave the whole to the
monks of St. Evroult with the utmost satisfaction. In per-
son he was tall and thin, of a kind disposition, conversible,
magnanimous, and liberal. His great skill in medicine made
him well known, and an intimate and useful friend to many
persons. It was through him that Fulcher of Chartres,
Peter de Maule,3 and several others, became acquainted
with the monks of St. Evroult, and, respecting their worth
and piety, gave them a becoming share of their property.
Fulcher was of noble birth, and inherited a large estate
from his father, and being tolerably well educated, became a
canon in the church of the holy Mother of God. He made
a charter of the possessions he granted to St. Evroult, which
Eobert Andrew, an excellent scribe, wrote down from his
clear and agreeable dictation in the following terms : —
" I, Fulcher, son of Gerard, an unworthy canon of the
church of St. Mary at Chartres, frequently reflecting on my
own condition and the state of mankind in general, have
1 The preface to this work contains some observations on this tribute of
filial piety and the author's recollections of his early years.
2 See pp. 185 and 139.
1 Maule, a large village on the Mauldre; in the department of Seine-et-
Oisc.
A.D. 1075 — 1076.] BENEFACTIONS TO ST. EVBOULT. 205
found that almost all things under the sun are, as Solomon
says, vanity, and that there is nothing on earth which can
bring a blessing to men after the troubles of this life, unless
they have done some good action while they lived. Moved
by these considerations, and in great alarm at the enormity
of my sins, as every one must give an account to God of all
his actions, it has seemed fitting to me (I believe inspired
by God) to make over to St. Evroult some part of my pos-
sessions for the repose of my own soul and those of my
friends ; so that my dear brothers who dwell there may have
something towards the sustenance of their bodies, and may,
in consequence, sometimes be willing to hold me in remem-
brance. For as to what we leave to our posterity by the
right of inheritance, I not only say that it can be of no
benefit to ourselves after we are dead, but more, that if
we bequeath it ill, it will be greatly injurious. Be it
known therefore to all faithful members of holy church,
that of my own free will, and to the end that provision may
be made for my future welfare, I do hereby grant to St.
Evroult and his monks, to be held by them for ever, the fol-
lowing hereditaments, though small, as hereinafter mentioned,
that is to say : The church of Moulicent, and one moiety of
the tithes of that village, the church-yard and three acres
of land behind it; also the right of safe keeping at the
manse as Goscelin held it, and the tithe of my mill; if I
establish a market there, they shall also have the tithe of it :
also, the monk who resides at Moulicent shall never pay toll
for his corn. If he desires to grind at his own mill, let him do
so ; if he choose rather to grind at mine, let him be toll-free.
Also whatever I possess in Marcheville, the lands, the
manse, the mill, all these I give to the monks for ever.
Moreover I give one plough-land and the manse in the vil-
lage of Landelles. I also give the tenth of my woods, viz.,
of the dues for pasture, and of the honey and beasts-of-chace
there taken. Also, the monks' swine shall be subject to no
dues for pasturage. Neither shall the monks be liable to
any work, or service, or expedition, for me or my heirs, at
any time. And if any of my mesne-tenants shall desire to
give or sell anything to St. Evroult, I grant them full power
to do so without fear of me. All these gifts I freely offer
to Almighty God, to whom I owe my being, and to St.
206 OBDEBICTTS VITALIS. [fl.T. CH.XY.
Evroult, the glorious confessor ; and if any evil-minded or
senseless person shall, either by force or fraud, attempt to
lessen, violate, or take them away, let him lie under an
everlasting curse, and not see the goodness of the Lord in
the land of the living, unless he repent and make an ample
satisfaction. At my request the Lord Robert, bishop "of the
church of Chartres, in whose fief the premises before-men-
tioned are situated, has willingly confirmed this present gift
out of my poor means. My brothers, canons of the said
church, and my wife Alpes and my sons, have also con-
firmed it."
The monks of St. Evroult have held for fifty years the
property which the worthy person just mentioned granted to
them, and which his heirs, Bartholomew, surnamed Boel,
and Gerard his son willingly confirmed. There have lived
upon it Aimer, Ealph, Hugh the Englishman, "William de
Merle, and several other monks distinguished for their
eloquence and virtues, who were kindly patronized by
Robert, and Q-eoifrey, Ivo, and Geoffrey II., bishops of
Chartres.1 In this manner, by the zeal of the monks and
the assistance of good men, the church of Marchesville was
erected, and consecrated to St. Mary, mother of God,
through whom the Saviour of the world came.
At the same time, Landric, Geoffrey, and Gunhier, gave to
St. Evroult all the land of Charancei. Isnard, of whom they
had long held it, releasing it to the monks from all claims,
received six pounds from Abbot Mainier. Afterwards,
Landric and the others before named received back one
moiety of the land, and did fealty for it to the abbot in the
presence of Isnard by joining hands. The same three,
before Isnard and several others, granted the church of that
village with its appurtenances, and the whole tithes, both of
the land which belonged to Isnard and of that which belonged
to St. Stephen or any one else. This grant was made in the
presence of Gerard the priest and many others.
1 Robert, second of that name, 1075—1076 ; Geoffrey L, July, 1077 —
1089; Ives, 1090—1115; Geoffrey II., 1116— January 24, 1149.
A.D. 1073.] GKANTS BY WILLIAM PANTULF. 207
CH. XVI. History of William Pantulf, a Norman and
English TcnigJit — Robert, ex-abbot of St. Evroult pays a
visit to Normandy.
IN the year of our Lord 1073,1 the tenth indiction, and in
the reign of William the Great, king of England and duke
of Normandy, the knight named William Pantulf,2 at the
instance of his friend the venerable Abbot Mainier, and with
the permission of his lord, the Earl Roger, gave to St.
Evroult the churches at Noron,8 one of which was built in
honour of St. Peter, and the other of St. Cyr the martyr,
with his own enclosed park,4 and part of the wood of Pont-
Ogeret, and his share in a farm called Molinx, and of
another situated over the brook commonly called Ruptices.
He also gave the whole fee of William de Maloi, comprising
about thirty acres of land. Thereupon he received from the
charity of the monks sixteen pounds of Rouen money to
enable him to undertake a pilgrimage to St. Giles. He also
gave to St. Peter all the land which Walter, son of Rufa
sold to Robert the monk, for which the aforesaid monk gave
him a hundred shillings of Rouen. Moreover, the said
William gave to the monks sixty acres of land in the same
place, the mill at Hommet and the tithes of a moiety of the
mill at Xoron. He gave also the church of EmievilJe,5 with
the tithes and all the rents belonging to the church, and in
the same vill the land of one vavasor, and two sheaves of
the tithes of his own estate, and of all his mesne-tenants in
Mesnil-Baclai, and the whole tithe of the mill of Roiville.
He gave to St. Peter all the land which his mother
Beatrice held in his fief Des Fosses, and the cottier's free
1 Duchesne reads it 1074.
* It appears before, book iv. p. 197, that William Pantulf was one of
the officers to whom Roger de Montgomery entrusted the administration of
affairs in his earldom of Shropshire.
3 Noron is near Falaise; St. Cyr only is now standing, and is the parish
church.
4 Proprium plesseitium. French, Plessis. Ducange says that the
term is sometimes applied to a country house, or rrfaison [query, rather
jardin] de plaisance, but that Joseph Scaliger considers plessis to signify a
fence or paling of wood, surrounding parks, as in the present use of the
word by our author.
* Eraieville, between Caen and Troarn.
208 OEDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.V. CII.XYI.
tenements at St. G-ennain-d'Aubri.1 Helvis, sister of the
said William, gave to St. Peter all her dowry in Aubri,
which the said William confirmed. He also added the tithe
of his tenants Raimbault, Robert the heretic, and Walo, son
of Saffred. Moreover, the same William gave to St. Peter
de Noron all his churches and the tithes of all places in his
possession in England or Normandy, or which he should
thereafter acquire ; together with the tithe of all his chattels,
such as mares, cows, and cheese, and every thing else which
would admit of tithing. In like manner he confirmed what-
ever his tenants should give or sell to St. Evroult, so that
the fealty due to himself should not be parted with. As for
his effects, he gave them in such wise that after his death
the monks of St. Evreux should have one half, and the monks
of Norun the other.
All this, William Pantulf, and Lesceline his wife freely
gave to Grod (as before mentioned), for the repose of their
souls and of those of their friends, and they ratified the gift
in the chapter of the monks of St. Evroult, convened
generally, before many witnesses. William at the same time
paid forty marks of silver towards the support of the monks,
who were about to proceed to Norun to build a cell there.
Afterwards, Abbot Mainier and Fulk the prior, with
William Pantulf, went to Earl Roger, who was then residing
at Belesme, and humbly petitioned him to confirm the said
knight's grants by his own charter. He, being pious and
liberal, received favourably their lawful petition, and rati-
fied all their demands, in the presence of those who, on
various affairs, were then attending his court. The feast of
St. Leonard was then being celebrated at Belesme,2 to pay
due honour to which the count, with his usual munificence,
had assembled a great number of guests. Among these
were Hoel, bishop of Mans,* and Eobert, bishop of Seez ;
also the abbots Ainard of Dive, Durand of Troarn, Eobert
of Seez, and Hugh of Lonlai, with Emma, abbess of Alme-
1 Now Aubre-le-Ponthou, near Vimoutier.
* The feast of the , dedication of the church built at Belesme by William
the first of that name who was count de Belesme, to receive the relics of
St. Leonard, was annually held with great pomp on the 26th of June.
3 Hoel, who was made bishop of Mans the 29th of November, 1080,
could not in that character at least have been one in an assembly of
prelates with Hugh, bishop of Lkieux, who died the 17th of July, 1077.
A.D. 1077.] AFFAIBS IN APULIA. 209
nesches;1 also Herve, chaplain to the bishop of Lisieux,
Roger Faitel, Hugh, son of Foucault, Eobert, son of Theo-
deline, Eoger Gulafre, and many others, both clerks and
laymen, who were witnesses to the above-mentioned charter.
In the year of our Lord 1077, the fifteenth indiction, Eo-
bert, the noble abbot,2 brother of Hugh de Grantmesnil,
sought an interview with "William, king of England, in Nor-
mandy, and at the king's request pardoned him for having
unjustly driven him into exile. He had received an in-
vitation from Philip, king of France, who wished to make
him bishop of Chartres, but, as the French disliked sub-
mitting to Normans, Geoffrey, nephew of Eustace count de
Blois, was appointed to the see. Therefore the illustrious
Eobert, having assisted at the consecration of the churches
of Caen, Bayeux, and Bee, which took place that year, and
having had friendly intercourse with King William, and
others his friends and relations whom he had not seen for
many years, went back to Apulia, taking with him William
Pantoul, and Eobert de Cordai,3 his nephew, with many
other gallant knights. At that time Eobert Guiscard com-
manded in Apulia, and had acquired the dukedom of Gisulf
duke of Salerno.4 He was the son of Tancred de Hauteville,
a person of moderate station, who, by his bravery and good
fortune, had succeeded in acquiring great power in Italy.
With the aid of his brothers and others of his countrymen
who joined him, he imposed his yoke on the people of
Apulia, and having most unexpectedly risen to great emi-
nence, he was exalted above all his neighbours, amassed
great wealth, and was continually enlarging his territories.
1 Hugh, bishop of Lisieux, 1049 — July 17, 1077; Robert, bishop of
Se'ez, 1070 — 1082; Ainard, abbot of Notre Dame de St. Pierre-sur-Dive,
1046 — January 14, 1078; Durand, abbot of Troarn, May 13, 1059 — Feb. 11,
1088; Robert, abbot of Seez, 1056?— January 13, 1089; Emma, abbess of
Almenesches, daughter of Roger de Montgomery, by whom they were
entertained, 1074— March 4, 1113.
a The ex-abbot of St. Evroult, now abbot of St. Euphemin in Apulia.
See book iii. vol. i. p. 438. {
* Cordai, to the south of Falaise.
* The conquest of Salerno by Robert Guiscard was accomplished in the
course of this same year, 1077 ; but if Robert de Grantmesnil was present
at the dedication of the abbey of Bee, which took place on the '.-'3rd of
October, it is hardly probable that he arrived in the kingdom of Naples
before 1078.
TOL. II. P
210 OBDEBICITB VITALIS. [B.V. CH.XYII.
He received William Pantoul with distinguished honours,
and making him great promises, tried to retain him in his
service on account of his merit. He made him sit by his
side at dinner on the feast of Easter, and offered him three
towns if he would remain in Italy.
Meanwhile, the Countess Mabel had perished by the
sword of Hugh D'Ige, the revengeful knight;1 and this
murder was the cause of great troubles after William
Pantoul's return from Apulia. For he was accused of
treason, and the charge was prosecuted with great ani-
mosity by some of his rivals. The deceased lady had taken
possession of the castle of Perai, which had been given to
William; on which account there had long existed a
violent hostility between them. It was hence suspected
that William had contrived her death, particularly as he
was on terms of intimacy and frequent communication
with Hugh. Earl Eoger therefore and his sons seized his
whole estate, and sought an opportunity of putting him to
death. In consequence, William and his wife took refuge at
St. Evroult, where they remained for a long time under the
protection of the monks, but in the greatest alarm. The
knight boldly denied the crime of which he was accused ;
and no one was able to convict him of it by certain proof,
but while he asserted his innocence, no opportunity was
allowed him of lawfully clearing himself of the charge, as he
offered to do. At length however, by the interference of
many of the nobles, it was determined by the king's court
that the accused should purge himself from the stain at-
tached to him, by undergoing the ordeal of hot iron at
Bouen, in the presence of the clergy, which was done ; for
having carried the flaming iron in his naked hand, by
God's judgment, there was no appearance of its being
burnt, so that the clergy and all the people gave praise to
God. His malicious enemies attended the trial in arms,
intending, if he was declared guilty by the ordeal of
fire, to have immediately beheaded him. During the
troubles to which William Pantoul and his family were
exposed, he was much comforted by Abbot Mainier and the
monks of St. Evroult, who rendered him all the help they
could both with God and man. This increased their mutual
1 On the 5th of December, 1082. See before, p. 1 94.
A.D. 112.J THE KNIGHT WILLIAM PANTOUL. 211
regard, and "William offered to St. Evroult four of the
richest palls he had brought from Apulia, out of which were
made four copes for the chanters in the church, which are
preserved there to this day, and used in the solemn services
of divine worship.
After the death of William, king of England, "William
made another visit to Apulia, and on his return brought
with him the relics of the body of the holy confessor of
Christ, St. Nicholas, with which he enriched the church of
Noron, where they were deposited. He afterwards gave
to the monks of that place a manor in England, called
Trotton,1 with the church and mill of that village, and the
tithes of six hamlets, which belonged to that church. In
the year of our Lord 1112, that is to say, the twelfth year
of the reign of Henry, king of England, and the fourth of
that of Lewis, king of France, "William Pantoul came to St.
Evroult, it being the fortieth year after he founded the cell
for monks at Noron, and mindful of his former friendship
and the grants which, as we have already related, he before
made, he recapitulated them, and, with his wife Lesceline,
confirmed them all in a general chapter of the monks. At
the same time Philip, Ivo, and Arnulph, his sons, confirmed
all the grants of their father to the monks of St. Evroult,
and they all, that is to say, William and Lesceline, and their
three sons, Philip, Ivo, and Arnulph, laid the grant on Ihe
altar together. Kobert the Bald, Geoffrey and Ascelin, and
several other pious monks, occupied the cell at Noron,
while four bishops, Eobert, Gerard, Serlo, and John, were
bishops of Seez,2 and living in the fear of God and love to
man, they set the rustics examples of an honest life.
William Pantoul, so often mentioned, lived long, respecting
the clergy and being kind to the poor, to whom he was
liberal in alms ; he was firm in prosperity and adversity,
put down all his enemies, and exercised great power through
his wealth and possessions. He gave sixty marks of silver
towards building the new church at St. Evroult, under-
taking a work of great beauty to the honour of God, which
death prevented him from completing. His sons succeeded
1 In the county of Sussex.
1 Robert, 1070—1082; Gerard, 1082— January 23, 1091 ; Serlo, June
22, 1091— October 27, 1118; John 1, April 24, 1124—1143.
P 2
212 OBDEBICT7S TIT ALTS. [fi.V. CH.XVII.
to his estates, Philip in Normandy, Robert in England,
but they have failed of prosecuting their father's enterprises
with equal spirit.
CH. XVII. The family of Mount-Pinion (near Falaise),
benefactors to the abbey of St. Evroult.
RALPH of Mount-Pin9on, steward of "William the Great,
king of England, devoted himself with entire fidelity to St.
Evroult, and humbly requested the lord abbot Mainier,
that some clerk, fit for God's service, should be admitted
into the monastery, and made a monk, for the purpose of
constantly offering prayers to God for the souls of himself
and his wife. And this was accomplished; for by God's
5rovidence a certain scholar of Rheims, whose name was
ohn, was then a postulant for admission to the order. He
was accordingly taken to court, and engaged with the knight
to give him the benefit of his prayers, and of the duties
which he was about to undertake for Christ. Ralph was so
greatly delighted that he humbly kissed the scholar's feet
before all who were present. Upon this the monks most
willingly admitted this John, and had good reason to rejoice
at having him, for he was an excellent grammarian, and
devoted himself unremittingly to useful studies, until he
was advanced in years. The said knight, in consideration of
his maintenance, gave to St. Evroult for ever five mills,
three at Jort, the fourth at a place they call Heurtevent,
and the fifth at Mont-Pn^on j1 also, two sheaves of the
tithes of the villeins of Vaudeloges, and one moiety of the
tithes of Epanai, with two acres of meadow at Emendreville.
Some years afterwards Ralph, the steward, died on the ides
[13th] of February, and his body was carried to Ouche, and
there buried by the monks in the cloisters at St. Evroult
with great honours. His two sons were present, with their
mother Adeliza, and truly devoted themselves, and all that
their father had given, to St. Evroult, before many witnesses
who were assembled at the funeral of so great a baron.
Thirty years afterwards, Hugh de Mont-Pin9on paid a visit
1 Mont-Pinfon, the chief seat of this family, and the other places here
named, are in the neighbourhood of Lisieux and Falaise, except Emendre-
ville, which is now called St. Sever, a suburb of Rouen on the right bank
of the Seine.
FAMILY OP MOTTNT-PINCON. 213
to his spiritual brothers at St. Evroult, bringing with him
his eldest son Ralph and his wife Matilda, the daughter of
Hugh de Grantmesnil, who was in trouble for the recent
death of her sister Adeline.1 Hugh now renewed his
brotherhood with the monks which he had accepted in his
childhood, and entreated their prayers for his brother Ealph,
who had died on the road while performing a pilgrim-
age to Jerusalem. Ealph, Hugh's son, a young boy, was
adopted by the monks as his relations had been, and being
led round the chapter by Walter the Bald, a talkative
knight, he kissed the brethren, and then consented to the
grants made by his father and uncle to St. Evroult.
At length Hugh also died at Rouen when he was sixty
years old on the nones [7th] of March, and by order of his
wife and sons his body was carried to St. Evroult, where
the monks buried their brother's remains with high honour
in the chapter-house, and his sons, Ralph, William, and
Arnulf devoted themselves and all that their ancestors had
granted to the church of St. Evroult. Ralph, the eldest,
married the daughter of Ranulph, chancellor to King Henry,2
and dying soon afterwards, was buried by the convent in the
chapter-house by the side of his father. William then suc-
ceeded to the patrimonial estates in Normandy. Arnulf
went into Apulia to seek his uncle William de Grantmesnil.
Matilda, their mother, after her husband's death, fell in love
with a young adventurer named Matthew, in whose company,
deserting her relations and friends, she undertook a journey
to Jerusalem ; but both were cut off by premature deaths
in the same year, Matthew dying in Apulia, on the journey
outward, and Matilda at Joppa, on her return.
CH. XVIII. Account of John of RJieims, a learned monk
of St. Evroult.
HAVING shortly referred before to John [of Rheims],3 I
1 Adeline, eldest daughter of Hugh de Grantmesuil, wife of Roger
d'lvri, the king's cupbearer.
2 Ranulph, an astute and grasping lawyer in the time of Henry I. His
character is well drawn,1 and his death by an accident related, in Henry of
Huntingdon's History and Acts of Illustrious men. See pp. 250 and 310,
Bohn's Edition.
* See pp. 185, 212. For an account of John of Rheims and his works,
•ee L'Histoire Htt6raire de France, t. xi. pp. 15—20.
214 OBDEBICTJS TITALIS. [B.Y. CH.XYIII.
now purpose to bring more clearly before the reader's mind
who he was, and in what manner and how long he lived
under the monastic rule. His genius was acute, and he was
persevering in his studies ; he spent nearly forty-eight years
in the practice of his duties as a monk, and employed him-
self indefatigably in searching out the meanings of difficult
passages he found in books. He entered the Lord's fold,
being admitted by Abbot Mainier, when he was a young man,
and continuing his service, and being promoted to the priest-
hood under Serlo and Roger, he engaged others, both by
precept and example, to fight the good fight, and at last died
in the confession of Christ on the tenth of the calends of
April [23rd March],1 when Warm was abbot. He long held
the office of subprior, and often supplied the abbot's place
in preaching the word of God. By order of abbot Roger,
he went to Rome in the time of Pope Urban with the de-
posed abbot Fulk;2 during which journey he suffered greatly
from sickness, and encountered many hardships. As old
age came on, he suffered for more than seven years from stone
in the bladder; but though he was thus afflicted with a
chronic disease, he did not take to his bed, but rose every day
to join in the divine offices, giving thanks to God; and
being, as I believe, well-prepared, departed in the beginning
of a stormy night. As he was a great versifier, Vitalis the
Englishman,3 his disciple, in the midst of his tears, com-
posed some verses to his memory on the day he went to his
rest, when the funeral was over, to the following effect : —
Thrice had Maich, lowering, windy, cold, and bleak,
Held her inclement course throughout a week;
Dark, stormy night closed a tempestuous day,
When JOHN'S pure spirit calmly passed away.
Poncia to Rheimish Ilbert gave him birth,
Numbered among the humblest sons of earth.
1 A.D. 1125.
2 Fulk, abbot of Notre Dame de Saint-Pierre-sur-Dive. This journey
was made in the year 1092. See before, book iv. p. 107.
8 It need hardly be observed that our author speaks of himself. We
would once for all take the opportunity of entreating the readers' indul-
gence in the difficult task we have undertaken, while attempting to give the
metrical compositions contained in this work a version which, preserving the
thoughts and, as far as possible, the language of the original, may not be
unacceptable to modern taste.
A.D. 1125.] JOHN OP EHEIMS. 215
His destiny, to learn the cobbler's art,
John early changed, to choose a nobler part,
Gave all his youthful hours to wisdom's lore,
With manhood left the low paternal door,
And, Rheims deserting, traced his venturous way
To where St. Evroult's distant cloisters lay.
Enrolled among the faithful band, to heaven
For fifty years his ardent vows were given.
Nor, sheltered in that safe retreat, the monk
In slothful ease and useless leisure sunk ;
But well his subtle genius exercised,
And learning's hoarded treasures keenly prized,
Turning with eager hand the fruitful page
Which held the records of an older age.
Still, first, Christ's claims his earnest care he made,
In daily service, nightly vigil, paid.
By word and deed he true religion taught,
His whole discourse with sacred wisdom fraught.
Sagely he culled for each the doctrines fit,
With lessons chosen well from holy writ ;
In every heart strove heavenly thoughts to raise,
And trained the novices in wisdom's ways ;
Gave counsel, comfort, and with sharp rebuke,
When duty called, the sinner's conscience shook;
As bees which honey bear beneath their wings,
For time of need are also armed with stings.
His pregnant genius shone in prose and verse,
His matter copious, but his style was terse.
To Christ, the Virgin, and the Saints most blest,
He noblest praise in tuneful songs addressed,
And paid our sainted patron honour due,
Singing the virtues of the good Evroult,
(A work his reverend father, Ralph of Rheims,1
The duteous offering of his pupil claims).
Nor was our monk from spite and envy free,
Who in this evil world can perfect be ?
But still the shafts of malice pointless fell
From one who kept the rule of life so well.
'Twas others' sins gave venom to the dart,
For others flowed his tears, for others bled his heart.
At length, with sharp disease by power divine
His flesh was given for seven long years to pine:
Scourged by a Father's hand, he kissed the rod,
In meek submission to the will of God ;
And prayed that, having run his painful race,
He might in heaven behold his Saviour's face.
Then from the storms and tumults of the world,
When equinoctial hours around it whirled,
1 Ralph le Verd, archbishop of Rheims, 1108—1124.
216 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.Y. CH.XIX.
Our holy monk's pure spirit passed away,
And soared to mansions of celestial day.
Christ grant him light serene, eternal rest,
In those abodes of peace, among his saints most blest !
CH. XIX. History of the Priory of Maule, near Paris,
a cell to the Abbey of St. Evroult; and of the family of that
name, benefactors to the monks.
IK the year of our Lord 1076, the fourteenth indiction,
when Goisbert the physician was visiting his countrymen
and friends in France, and giving the benefit of his science
to the poor and needy, he found out several of his friends
and acquaintances to whom he had before rendered assist-
ance by his art, and kindly entreated them to give alms out
of their superfluities for their eternal salvation, especially
admonishing them to give to the monks of St. Evroult such
of their possessions as it did not become laymen to hold.
Sojourning for a time with Peter de Maule, the son of
Ansold, a rich Parisian, and conversing with him in a familiar
and friendly manner, he begged him to make a gift of the
churches at Maule to the monks of St. Evroult. Peter, being
of a gay and liberal disposition and ready to engage in any
large schemes, either good or bad, was easily induced to
consent, and made a deed of gift before his principal tenants.
The text of the charter is as follows : —
" The shortness of human life, men's want of faith, and the
revolutions of the world, and desolation of states, daily
warn us that the end of the world is at hand. He that was
Truth itself taught us this when it was said to the disciples :
' When ye shall see these things come to pass, the kingdom of
heaven is nigh.' * The careful ant ought to provide more
carefully, on it perceiving winter rapidly approaching, so to
lay up her store of corn, that when the frost destroys the
grass she may have an abundant supply of meal. It is also
said in a certain place to those who halt in the way of life :
' Look well that your flight be not on the sabbath-day or in
the winter." Considering these things, I, Peter, unworthy
sinner as I am, wishing to make some provision for my
1 Matt. xxiv. 33; Mark xiii. 29. This quotation does not exactly cor-
respond with the Vulgate.
2 Matt. xxiv. 20.
A D. 1076.] PEIOliT OF MATJLE. 217
future welfare, desire to bring the bees of God's hive into
my orchards, that they may make honey and fill their cells
with honey-comb, rendering thanks to their Creator, and
sometimes bearing in mind their benefactor. I therefore
freely make these trifling offerings from my possessions to
St. Evroult, that the brethren dwelling there may have
wherewith to sustain life and may be better able to remem-
ber me before God. Whereas, whether we will or no, we
must leave all things here, and after death, nothing can
profit us but the good we may have done in our lives, I have
given and granted, and do give and grant, these lands and
hereditaments to St. Evroult ; and by this instrument in
writing under my hand do, for the good of my soul, ratify
and confirm the same for ever. I give the two churches iu
the village of Maule,1 that is to say, the church of St. Mary,
and the church of SS. Germain and Vincent, with the church-
yards, and all which belongs to the parsonage : also, one
plough-land and four cottiers' tenements, and land for a
habitation for the monks, with one orchard, and the quit-
rent of three half-acres in the vineyard of La Meniere,
which Walter the Blind, and his nephew Hugh, sumamed
Muscosus, gave to St. Mary. All these I give for ever to
the monks of St. Evroult, to hold as freely as I hold the
same. Also, if any of my tenants should wish to give any-
thing to the holy monks in frank-almoign, whatever shall be
so given, without prejudice to my claims of fealty and
without interfering with my right of jurisdiction, I freely
grant for myself and my heirs, in such sort and with this
irrevocable provision, that if any of them should forfeit his
fief for any default, nevertheless the church shall not lose
what it so holds in frank-almoign. All this is confirmed by
my wifo Windesmoth, and my sons Ansold, Theobald, and
William, who religiously engage to defend this charitable
gift, as long as they live,. against all impugners to the utmost
1 Maule, where stood the priory affiliated to the abbey of St. Evroult of
which our author gives an account in this chapter, is situated not far from
Paris, between Poissy and Mantes. The church of Notre Dame here
mentioned is the parish church, being now dedicated to St. Nicholas.
The site of the priory may still be traced on the south of the church, with
some vestiges of the buildings. The church of St. Vincent has completely
disappeared since the revolution, except the base of the tower, which has
been worked into a house.
218 OEDEEICTJS VITALIB. [B.V. CH.XXX.
of their power. Those also who owe me fealty, seeing my
good-will towards the servants of God and encouraged by
my good example, have joined the brotherhood of the monks
and have made them liberal endowments out of their lands.
All the knights of Maule have earnestly sought to belong to
their society, and have been admitted faithful members of
their fraternity, that, aided by the prayers of the convent,
they may be the better able to resist the assaults of the evil
spirits.
" Thus Hugh, son of Odo, who was distinguished among
his fellow townsmen for wealth and property, gave to the
church of St. Mary and the monks of St. Evroult all the
tithes of his lands in Maule, viz., of corn and wine, of the mill
and oven, of pigs, sheep, geese, wool, hemp, flax, and all
things from which tithes are due. And if his tenants should
plough fresh land, the monks shall have the same tithe as
Hugh himself would have done. His son Paganus-Odo at
first refused to confirm this grant, but afterwards, being
taken prisoner by the French at Mellent, he thought better
of it, and, compelled by the power of God, both he and his
wife Elizabeth and their sons Hugh and Simon absolutely
granted the before mentioned tithes to St. Mary, laying
the deed of gift on the altar in my presence and before my
son Ansold and Peter who was yet a child, and many others.
The monks gave to Paganus ten pounds in pennies, and twenty
shillings to his wife. Also, Adelelm de Gaseran committed
to the monks his son Amauri, with the tithes of Puiseux,1
granting the tithes to the church for ever, for seven pounds,
if the boy died within seven years. But the boy grew up,
and lived to become a priest, long holding the tithes of Pui-
seux, and at his death bequeathing them to the monks very
justly, as they had brought him up and carefully educated
him. Also, Hugh the son of Walo, surnamed Fresnil,
before he became a monk, gave three cottier's tene-
ments2 to St. Mary ; and Stephen the son of Gilbert gave
to the monks half a plough-land at Goupillieres ; and although
this did not belong to my fief, I have nevertheless confirmed
the grant by my charter. All these lands and premises,
1 There are two places of this name, one near Pontoise, the other
between Dreux and Chartres.
= Tres hospites. See note, p. 189.
A.D. 1076—1100.] PEIOBT OF MATTLE. 219
given by me and my friends to the monks, I fully grant ; and
I also, as a benefactor to the abbey of St. Evroult, assent to
whatever gifts my mesne-tenants may make, saving only
their fealty to me and my rights of jurisdiction. Moreover, I
trust that if any one, instigated by the malice of the devil,
should be so envious or perverse as to have the presumption to
violate or infringe these our grants, he will forthwith repent of
his insane attempt, lest he should be condemned by the righte-
ous Judge in the day of judgment to have his part with the
reprobate and the doubly dead,1 for the sin of his iniquitious
and sacrilegioxis aggression."
The noble person before mentioned confirmed this char-
ter with his own signature, and gave abbot Mainier seisin
of the afore-mentioned lands in the presence of many credi-
ble witnesses. There were present his own sons, Ansold,
Theobald, and "William, and his sons-in-law "Walter de Poissi,
and Baudri de Dreux ; together with the chief men of Maule,
Hugh and Stephen, Walter the priest, and "Walter, a knight
whose surname was La Cote, with Richer the provost, Fulk
son of Fulcher, Hugh and Odo sons of Walo, Herve son of
Everard, and the greatest part of the parishioners of Maule.
Abbot Mainier then appointed Goisbert prior of that cell,
and he shortly afterwards finished the little church which
Godfrey, a priest of great simplicity and innocence, had
begun building. Not long afterwards, the monks gaining
ground both within and without, and the worthy parishioners
rejoicing at their progress, the old church of St. Mary was
taken down, and the foundations of a new and handsome
structure being laid, the work was carried on in an ele-
gant style of architecture, as occasion offered, for twenty
years, while Goisbert, Guitmond, Roger, and Hugh were
priors.2 Many monks have dwelt there up to the present
day, piously devoted to God's service.
1 liiothanatis. This word properly signifies those who perish by a
violent death, but the translation adopted is the false signification given it
in the middle ages, after Isidore of Seville.
a M. Le Provost remarks on this passage, that what our author says
about the rebuilding the church of Maule must not be taken quite literally.
A personal inspection satisfied him that Goisbert and his successors did not
level to the ground the erection of Prior Godfrey, but were content with
adding to it. In particular, the apsis appeared to be evidently their work,
except some older remains very easy to be distinguished. But the whole
220 OBDEEICTJS YITALIS. [B.T. CH.IIX
Peter, lord of Maule, lived to a good old age, and the eccle-
siastical foundation and congregation of the people there,
thanks to his liberal patronage, continually gained ground.
He was much beloved by his tenants and neighbours, because
his manners were frank, and he did not entrench himself
with craft and deceit. His alms were bountiful and he de-
lighted in the practice, but he had no liking for fasts, and
as far as it was in his power shunned having any thing to do
with them. He was free in giving promises and sometimes
made away with things of value for a worthless price. He
was, at once both covetous and prodigal. It was no
concern of his from whence his good cheer came, nor did he
care whether his means of living were obtained by robbery
or paid for fairly, nor, again, however they were gotten, how
lavishly they were bestowed ; so that he had never the com-
mand of much money. Peter had four sons by his wife
"Windesmoth, Ansold, Theobald, "Warm, and "William, and as
many daughters, Hubeline, Erenburge, Odeline, and Her-
sende. They brought him many grandchildren, who, experi-
encing the vicisitudes of this uncertain life, met with various
fortunes, according to Grod's providence which rules all
things. At last, worn out with age, he died on the second
of the ides [12th] of January, and was buried in the monks'
cloister on the south side 01 the church.1 John of Eheims
wrote his epitaph in these terms : —
Lord PETER, born of noble race,
And heir to lands of boundless space,
Lies buried in his native earth,
Among the tokens of his worth.
But though a knight of high degree,
'Twas not by deeds of chivalry
He won a never dying name;
Such honours blazon not his fame.
He prudent shrunk from war's alarms,
And feasting pleased him more than arms :
of the north wall of the nave, and even a small portion of the south wall,
towards the west end, appeared to him to be the remains of Godfrey's
church. Perhaps the short and massive pillars, and rustic arcades above
(which recall to the Norman observer the nave of Briquebec), belong also
to the older building. The accounts given of churches completely levelled,
to make room for others, in the middle ages, and particularly in the llth
and 12th centuries, must be received with some reserve.
1 There are no remains of this cloister.
A.D. 1100.] EPITAPH OF PETEE DE MATTLE. 221
Good humoured, lavish, jovial, free,
He spent his days in revelry.
His liberal bounty never failed,
He lived beloved and died bewailed.
Devotion stirred him, highest praise,
In Mary's name this house to raise.
0 Virgin Mother, intercede
To speed him well in day of need !
Revolving centuries ten and one,
In the world's age their course had run.
And now six times the new year's sun
In clouds and gloom the zenith won,
When good lord Peter bowed his head,
Numbered among his fathers dead.
Ye men of Paris, him lament,
With you his youthful days he spent.
And saints ! your merits be the price
To win him rest in Paradise !
Ansold, Peter's son, was in many respects unlike his
father ; his virtues were more eminent, or, to say the least,
they were equal. His disposition was excellent and magna-
nimous, he was tall and powerful in person, and a most gal-
lant soldier ; he exercised his authority with great dignity,
and his decisions were marked by justice ; he was prompt and
eloquent in argument, and might almost be reckoned a phi-
losopher. He was a constant attendant at church and
listened with attention to the sacred discourses delivered
there. He studied history in the works of ancient writers,
diligently investigating their learned records, and commit-
ting the lives of the men of old, which he heard related, to
his tenacious memory. He held in abhorrence unfaithful
narratives, and those who corrupted the word of God, and
were greedy for base gains ; and he delighted in publicly con-
futing dangerous sophisms which might lead astray simple
minds. He paid great respect to his pious mother, VVindes-
moth, and obeyed her in all things like a dutiful son. She
was descended from a noble family in the district of Troyes,
and, surviving her husband, lived nearly fifteen years in
widowhood and devotion to God. Happy mother, whose
old age was solaced in her husband's chamber by the affec-
tionate care of her son. Having him at her side as her
steadfast supporter, she received there the last sacraments
and then departed. Being thence conveyed to the tomb
222 OEDEBICUS TITALI8. [B.T. CH.XIX.
with great respect by her loving son, her corpse was in-
terred with high honour in the body of the church by the
bide of the partner of her bed.
This knight was distinguished in his youth by his noble
acts ; for, leaving all his acquaintance, kinsfolk, and relations,
he displayed his innate valour in foreign countries. Italy
was his choice ; where he joined the brave duke G-uiscard in
his expedition into Greece, and fought gallantly in the bat-
tle in which Alexius, emperor of Constantinople, was defeated
and put to flight.1 After a time he was prevailed on, by the
earnest entreaty of his father, to return to France, and he
then married a noble and virtuous young lady, whose name
was Adeline, daughter of Ralph surnamed Malvoisin,2 who
had the castle of Mantes. This man of arms might have
been taken for a model even by persons living under the mo-
nastic rule ; such was the frugality with which he led all who
associated with him to a prudent course of life, and such the
limits of temperance to which he restricted himself. He
never tasted apples in an orchard, grapes in a vineyard,
or nuts in the woods, taking food only when the table was
spread at regular hours ; for he said that it was the part of a
beast, and not of a man, to eat what chance offered without
regard to time or place. Content with lawful marriage, he
was strictly chaste, and instead of attacking licentiousness and
obscenity like a layman in vulgar phrases, he distinctly con-
demned it with the pointed observations of a doctor of the
church. Fasting and all bodily abstinence he praised in
others, and resolutely practised himself, so far as it is re-
quired of a layman. He made no predatory incursions, but
carefully husbanded his own property and the fruit of his
labours ; making however the lawful payments of tithes, first-
fruits, and alms which his ancestors had granted to the
servants of God. He not only gave nothing to strollers,
1 This battle was fought near Durazzo, " the western key of the Greek
empire," in Epirus, on the 18th of October, 1081. The Anglo-Danes in
the service of Alexius, the celebrated Varangi, who formed the emperor's
body guard, were the main strength of his army. Having fled from
Norman oppression in the west, they encountered their former enemy on
new ground. See chap. iii. of our author's present book, p. 10, and the
note.
* This family, which was originally of Mantes, settled in Normandv,
where it had domains near Evreux, and at Serquigni near Bernai.
A.D. 1106.] THE THIED CEUSADE. 223
buffoons, and dancing girls, but would have no kind of
intercourse or familiar conversation with them. He had
seven sons and two daughters by his lawful wife, whom he
had married when she was very young, forming her docile
mind to modesty and virtue. Their names are: Peter,
Ralph, Warin, Lisiard, G-uy, Ansold and Hugh ; Mary and
Windesmoth ; of whose lives the page of history may record
something in the proper place.
In the year of our Lord 1106, towards the end of
February, when a comet was seen in the west, emitting a
long and fiery tail,1 Bohemond, the famous duke came to
France after the capture of Antioch, and married Constance,
daughter of Philip, king 'of France.2 The marriage was
celebrated with great ceremony at Chartres, the Countess
Adela providing every thing necessary with profuse
liberality. At that time the third crusade of the people of
the West to Jerusalem was set on foot, and a vast concourse
of many thousands advanced through Thrace,3 threatening to
tread under foot the Byzantine dynasty. But the righteou.
providence of Grod frustrated the enterprises of those who
burned with desire to invade their neighbour's property ; so
that this proud gathering of the ambitious missed the prize
which they vainly thought was within their reach. The
same year, three weeks after the comet appeared, Ansold de
Maule, actuated by his fears of divine vengeance, presented
himself humbly in the court held at St. Mary's church, and
with tears of penitence made voluntary satisfaction for some
contentions he had with the monks. He then, in the
presence of all his barons, who were assembled in the monk's
dormitory, granted to the church and St. Mary of Maule all
the lands that his father Peter, and Hugh, Paganus, and
1 It is supposed that this comet is the one which appeared in 1680. It
was visible in the west of Europe from the 7th of February till an advanced
period of the month of March. Notwithstanding what our author says, it
was more remarkable for its brightness than for the length of its tail.
8 Antioch was taken by the crusaders in 1098. In 1104 Bohemond
returned to Italy, and from thence came to France, where he married, in
the spring of 1 1 06, Constance, daughter of Philip I. and Bertha of Holland.
She had been married, in 1101, to Hugh, count of Champagne, and though
divorced on account of nearness of kindred in 1104, the Countess Adela
continued to treat her as her sister-in-law.
5 Contra Thraces is the exact reading. There is another contra Turcos.
224 OBDEBICTTS YITALIS. [B.V. CH.XIX.
Anastasius, Bobert the son of Hubeline, and Herve son of
Everard, Odo son of Walo, and Fulk, and Bicher, sons of
Fulcher, and other his liege-men, of whatever condition, had
given or should give, excepting always the fealty due to
himself; with this provision, that if either of them should
forfeit his fief for any default, the church should nevertheless
not lose her rights of frank-almoign. Ansold also granted
that the tithe which his sister Hersende received as her mar-
riage portion, and before her death had given to St. Mary, by
the delivery of a rod1 into the hand of John, monk and
priest, should, after the death of his nephew Peter freely
belong to the church. He also gave to St. Mary the quarry
of mill-stones in the wood of Beule,2 so that for each mill-
stone two pence should be given towards the lights in the
church, and whoever should defraud the church should forfeit
six pence. Before, sixty pence were paid for an offence of
this description, but as the ecclesiastical law is more humane
than the civil, fifty-five pence were remitted, and only five
taken. Ansold and his wife Adeline, and his two sons Peter
and Balph, placed the deed of gift of these possessions on
the altar of St. Mary by the side of the missal ; at which
ceremony all the knights of Maule were present.
Ansold declared his eldest son Peter heir to his whole
estates, and the boy received the homage and fealty of all the
knights of Maule, Goscelin de Mareil being their spokes-
man and scribe. There were present "William, Ansold's
brother, and Bobert his nephew, the knight Guibold,
son of Balph Malvoisin, Odo-Paganus son of Hugh, and
Gilbert Fitz-Haimon, Odo son of Walo, and his sons
Peter and Arnulf, Pulk son of Fulcher, and his two
nephews, G-eoffrey and Odo, Grimold son of Alman, and
Walter son of Fulk.
The knight so often mentioned administered justly the
iurisdiction he inherited from his fathers for eighteen
years, being in all things the faithful patron of the monks,
and having daily edifying conferences with them. So far
from diminishing their endowments, he made, as before
1 See note, page 202.
a Mill-stone quarries are still worked in this wood, and in other spots in
the neighbourhood.
CHAETEE OF ANSOLD DE MATTLE. 225
observed, some augmentations, and his deed of gift is couched
in these terms : —
" I, Arnold, do give and confirm all that my father Peter
on behalf of his ancestors, Arnulph and Warin, and his
other relations, gave to God and St. Mary, and the monks
of St. Evroult, in the same manner and form that he granted
the same. The tithes also of Maule, which my two sisters
hold as their marriage dowry, viz., Eremburge the wife of
Baudri de Dreux, and Hersende wife of Hugh de Voisins,1
if the monks can obtain them from my grandsons either by
gift or bargain, I freely grant as far as concerns myself
and my children. I know that tithes are the portion of
God, and that he thought fit in the old times to retain them,
through Moses, for the support of the Levites. No wise
man can therefore, I think, be ignorant that whosoever
persists in living by such robbery exposes himself to a
terrible retribution hereafter. Moreover, I give the mill-
stone quarry in the wood of Beule2 to St. Mary, in such wise
that two pence be given for each mill-stone towards the
lights of the church. And whoever makes default shall pay
five pence, instead of the sixty hitherto forfeited. Adeline
my wife, and Peter and Ealph my sons, confirm this grant.
In return we have the good offices of the monks, and the privi-
lege of being associated with them ; and in testimony thereof
I have received as a gift from the monks one horse, worth a
hundred shillings, which belonged to Grimold de Saulx-
marchais. I therefore, with my wife and sons, grant this
charter, by which I freely and without reserve make this
irrevocable donation to the church, that through God's mercy
I may be admitted into the society of the faithful. Amen."
Germund Rufus of Montfort, when he was dying, gave to
St. Mary and the monks living at Maule the half of all his
possessions in Puisieux, for the repose of his soul, his wife
Eremburge, of whose dowry the land formed a part, and his
sons Hugh and Walter, consenting. It was then appointed
that the heirs who should hold the land should perform all
the service due to the lord in whose fief it was, and the
returns from the woods and the open field should be collected
wherever it was agreed on both sides, and divided in equal
1 Probably Voisins le Bretonneux, to the south-west of Versailles.
* See note in the preceding page.
YOL. II. Q
226 OKDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.T. CH.XIX.
shares. At that time Hugh de Gace was prior of Maule,
who stood by with several others when the deed of gift was
placed on the altar of St. Mary, before the corpse of the
deceased was committed to the earth. Afterwards, when
Walter, the son of the before mentioned Germund, was
made a knight, he denied his having agreed to this donation,
asserting that his father had given the land to him before the
gift to the monks. Wherefore the monks went to Amauri,
count de Montfort, and lodged a complaint with him of the
disturbance given them by Walter. The count, taking
jurisdiction of the affair, the following agreement was made
between the disputants. The monks paid the young Walter
forty shillings at Montfort, and he granted them the lands
above mentioned in the presence of Richelde, Amauri's wife.
On the next Sunday, both brothers, Hugh and Walter,
confirmed the grant at Maule, placing the deed of gift on the
altar, in the presence of David the prior and the rest of the
monks, and of Ansold, and his son Peter, and all the clergy
and people assembled in the church. Afterwards, their
brothers Engenold, and Herve, made the same grant. This
was done the year that Henry king of England attacked the
castle of St. Clair in France,1 while, on the other hand,
Lewis king of France built the castle of Gani in Normandy,
from whence ensued cruel wars between them, attended with
great losses.
Nivard de Hargeville gave all his lands of Boinville to the
monks of Maule and half the tithes thereof, for which he
received by the goodwill of the monks twenty-eight shillings.
His brother Simon confirmed the gift, whereupon Hugh the
prior gave him a pair of Cordovan shoes. Peter, also, and
Guarimbold, sons of Nivard, confirmed the gift their father
had made, and each of them received shoes worth six pennies.
On the following Sunday, Mvard came to Maule, and
deposited the deed of gift on the altar before all the parish-
ioners.
Geoffrey de Marcq, having taken on himself the monastic
rule at Maule, gave to the monks of St. Evroult the whole
church of Marcq, with half the churchyard and half the
tithes. Emmeline his wife, and their sons William, Simon,
1 Saint-Clair-sur-Epte. The events which are merely alluded to here
are described in the beginning of our author's twelfth book.
GttANTS TO THE PEIOET OP MAULE. 227
Hugh, Stephen, and Paganus, confirmed the same. After-
wards Hugh Bufus de Fresnai, under whose fief Geoffrey
held, came to Maule, and, on the petition of the monks,
released what Geoffrey had given from all services ; so that
whether the inheritors of Marcq did their fealty, or made
default in the service due from them, the monks should
for ever hold in frank-almoign. His brother "Walter granted
the same.
Walter, son of Heldeburge, after having received a mortal
wound, gave to the monks at Maule all the tithes which he
had at Puisieux, of the fief of Herve, son of Everard. His
wife Isemburge, with "Walter's three brothers, Bichard,
Theobald, and Geoffrey, were present, and ratified the gift.
Herve also confirmed all the tithes of Puisieux which
belonged to him, and Simon de Toiri gave to the monks that
part of the tithes which was in his lordship. The monks,
also, to satisfy all claims, gave to Herve one house, with many
chattels, for four pounds in pennies and one arpent of vine-
yard at La Gard, which Walter, son of Alpes, had given to
St. Mary; and to Adeline his wife, of whose dowry it was
part, one piece of fustian ; also to Simon twenty shillings,
and to his wife, of whose inheritance it was part, three
shillings.
Baldric the Bed, of Montfort, on his becoming a monk,
gave to the monks of St. Evroult the rent which he had at
Mantes, viz. ten shillings and a sestary of salt.1 The monks
of Fecamp, who had a cell at Mantes, paid this at the feast
of St. Bemi. Baldric also gave whatever interest be had in
the church and tithes of Jumeauville, and twelve pence,
which the sons of Burge paid him for quit-rent of a farm
called La Concie. His wife also confirmed this, and received
for it one cow. Geoffrey his son also granted the same to
the monks, and received from them a horse worth sixty
shillings, and also twenty shillings in money. The sure
witnesses were Ansold, lord of Maule, and Peter his son,
Geoffrey, son of Bicher, and Grimold, son of Alman,
Amauri Floenel, and many others. On the death of Baldric,
his son disputed the property, but, in consideration of
twenty shillings more, paid to him, he renewed the grant.
In consequence, he went to Mantes with David the prior,
1 A measure holding about a pint and a half, or twenty-four ounces.
Q 2
228 OBDEBICUS YITALIS. [B.T. CH.XIX.
and gave directions to the monks of Fecamp, who lived at
St. George, that they should pay yearly to the monks of
Maule the six shillings and sestary of salt which they used
to pay to his father. Also, William, son of Henry de
Richebourg, in whose lordship it was, granted it to the
monks, and he received from them ten shillings and half a
muid of wine as a gratuity.
Eremburge, daughter of Peter de Maule, and Amauri her
son restored to the church the moiety of the tithes which
they had unjustly detained, and deposited the deed of gift
on the altar of St. Mary, mother of God, before all the
people. The lord Ansold, the proposer and faithful upholder
of this grant, was present, and confirmed it, with his sons
Peter and Ralph. Then the monks, to redeem the tithes,
which were mortgaged to William de Maule for twenty
pounds, gave ten pounds to Eremburge, and granted three
arpents of vineyard to him and his heir. But when Erem-
burge took the veil, she and the forenamed Amauri, her
son, gave their part of the aforesaid tithes to God, and
deposited the deed of gift on the altar as before, by the side
of the gospels. There were present William de Maule, and
Robert his nephew, and Geoffrey his brother-in-law, with
Odo-Paganus, and Odo, son of Walo, and Eulk the clerk,
and Geoffrey, son of Richer, who gave thanks to God, who
had delivered this woman from the fatal burden of an impious
rapacity.
Thus the priory at Maule grew rich by the address of its
occupants and the gifts of those who flocked to it ; but it
suffered a great loss in the death of Ansold its worthy
patron. Having borne arms for fifty-three years, old age
coming on, he fell sick, and having lingered for nearly seven
weeks, prepared himself for appearing before the judgment-
seat of the Most High by confession and penitence. He
did not take to his bed, but went daily to the offices of the
church, and retained complete possession of his faculty of
memory and gift of speech, but, notwithstanding, he was
sensible of the entire decay of the bodily powers, from
which physicians prognosticate that men will either sink or
rally, and that there was no escaping the imminent approach
of death. Anxious, therefore, for the salvation of his soul,
he turned to the Lord with all his heart, and applied himself
A.D. 1118.] ANSOLD'S LAST DATS. 229
zealously to fulfil what wise men had taught him, and he had
carefully committed to memory. In consequence, hearing
one night the church bell, he got up and went to the church,
attended by one faithful servant, and prayed to Q-od to
accept his offering, and to accomplish his desires. When
matins were ended, he summoned the monks to his side, and,
opening his mind to them, entreated them to admit him
into their brotherhood. David was then prior, and there
were with him the worthy monks and priests John of
Bheims, Osbern, and Odo. "With these it was Ansold's
fervent desire to be associated in their monastic habit, as
well as in spirit ; saying, that he had now divested himself
of all concern about his wife and children, that he had done
with worldly power and possessions, that death was near,
and his only desire was to draw closer to God, and that his
request ought not to be refused. The monks rejoiced much
at hearing his pious wishes, but deferred acceding to them
for two days, in consequence of the absence of his eldest
son and heir. Ansold bore the delay with impatience, so
eager was his desire for the spiritual rewards which the
Master of the household reserves for his watching servants.
He declared that all he wished and hoped for was to live
and die with the poor in Christ, that he might be a partaker
in the promises which Q-od has made to such his children.
The two days being elapsed, he summoned his son and his
wife to his presence, and giving many directions to his son
before several knights, thus addressed him in the hearing of
a number of persons of both sexes and different ages : —
" My dearly beloved, son, whom I have brought up with
great care, that I might leave an heir and successor accept-
able to God and man, lay up carefully in your memory what
I am about to say to you very seriously. In the first place,
love God at all times and before all things. Fear and
honour your bishop and king as your earthly superiors, and
endeavour to obey their commands as far as in you lies.
Pray daily to God for their prosperity, that by the watcliful
care and merits of your excellent bishop, your soul may
obtain eternal salvation, and under the government of a
peaceful king you may enjoy your temporal possessions in
quietness and security. Extend to your liege-men the pro-
tection which you owe them, ruling them, not as a tyrant,
230 OEDEEICUS YITALIS. [s.T. CH.XIX.
but as a gentle master. Maintain, prudently, the rights
belonging to your fief, whether in fields, woods, meadows, or
vineyards, and be careful not to diminish them by impru-
dent grants. Meddle not with the property of others, and
have nothing to do with thieves and robbers. Guard your
own substance by lawful means, and beware of laying vio-
lent hands on that of other people. Prom thence arises
anger, then quarrels ; robbery, fire and slaughter follow,
with other evils too numerous to mention. A prudent man
will be on his guard against those causes of mischief which
he sees affecting others. Observe well these my last injunc-
tions. Always love and frequent our holy mother church.
Daily listen to the word of God, the food and life of our
souls, and attend the mass and other divine offices. Honour
the servants of God both by word and deed, and more
especially venerate and support the monks, our masters and
brothers, who are the ministers of this church, to the
utmost of your power ; assisting them both by your advice
and your exertions, as occasion may require. Freely confirm
them in the peaceable possession of the estates which my
father and I have granted them for the good of our souls.
Do not encroach on their lands and revenues, nor suffer any
of your tenants to injure them. If you study to show your-
self their firm adherent, their prayers to God for you will
be constant. Never, then, have any ill-will towards them,
or be jealous of their wealth, but treat them kindly, and, if
the Lord shall give you length of days and prosperity, aug-
ment it. If you observe and do what I command you, I
give you, in the name of God, the blessing which our fore-
fathers left to their heirs, earnestly beseeching Him, that it
may descend and rest upon you. But if you should do
otherwise, which God forbid, I leave you my curse, by the
authority of God and the holy fathers."
Having concluded this exhortation to his son, the excel-
lent lord thus addressed his wife Adeline : " My sweet sister
and amiable wife, Adeline, I pray you lend a favourable ear
to my requests. Thus far we have faithfully kept our mar-
riage vows, and by God's help have lived together more
than twenty years without quarrels and shameful conten-
tions. Worthy offspring have been born to us in lawful
wedlock, and you must lead them by your earnest admo-
A.D. 1118.] AXSOLD DIES A MONK. 231
nitions to obey their Maker's will. My end is approaching,
and whether I will or not, I am near at death's door. I am
going the way of all flesh, and have to pay the common debt
of nature. I am unwilling to trouble you with a long dis-
course. Tour life may serve as a lesson to numbers, add
one more to your good works, and henceforth live chastely
in holy widowhood. Grant me also your permission to be-
come a monk, and, quitting the showy garments belonging
to my worldly estate, put on the black robe of our holy
father Benedict. It is my desire to be admitted into the
society of those who relinquish the delights of the world for
Christ's sake. Release me therefore I pray you, my lady,
from the bonds of marriage, and commend me earnestly to
God, that, relieved from all secular ties, I may be in a con-
dition to receive the monastic habit and the tonsure. I ask
this from the bottom of my heart ; this is the object of my
most earnest wishes, that my soul may be numbered in the
company of the monks, and, renewed by being invested with
the religious garb, may sing in the present life, ' I am black,
but comely.'1 I am black because I wear a dark, shapeless,
and coarse robe, but comely because it covers the humility
of a holy purpose, and a devotion well pleasing to God."
When Ansold had concluded his discourse to this pur-
pose, his good wife, who had never resisted his will and now
obeyed her husband as she was wont, granted his request
with a respectful modesty, shedding a flood of tears, though
she did not give way to noisy lamentations. At that
season holy church was celebrating the eve of our Lord's
nativity, and there was a violent tempest which shook the
world, overthrowing woods, houses, and other buildings, and
did much damage both by sea and land, to the great terror
of mankind. Leave having been given, the novice was ton-
sured, and put on the religious habit, in which, having worn
it three days, he was also buried, that in it he might rise
again. On the third day, finding that death was near, he
caused his brethren to be summoned, and begged them to
recite the prayers for the dying. When they were ended,
he asked for holy water and a crucifix. On their being
brought, he sprinkled himself with holy water, and bowing
before the crucifix, thus commended himself to Him who
1 Canticles i. 5.
232 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [u.v. CH.XIX.
hung on the cross, adopting the words which had been used
by some man of wisdom : " Lord God, I, once a sinner but
now a penitent, commend my spirit into thy hands as a ser-
vant should submit to his master." With these words he
expired, as we believe, happily. Then vigils were chanted
and psalms and prayers said, and masses solemnly per-
formed, with much grief for his decease. All which being
duly performed, on the day when the feast of the assumption
of St. John was kept by the church,1 his body was com-
mitted to the earth, the mother of all, to be preserved and
given up again. Odo of Montreuil assisted at the funeral,
performing what belonged to the priest's office, and has
comprehended in a short notice, his name and rank, and the
day of his death, with a devout prayer on his behalf.
Stranger, dost thou wish to know
Who lies buried here below ?
ANSOLD was his name, a knight
Once the foremost in the fight.
Six days 'fore the year begun
Its due course of time to run,
He was summoned to his rest :
God reward him with the blest !
[1118 — 1128.] Peter, who now became lord of Maule, was
distinguished for his conduct in war and made himself for-
midable to his neighbours, but in some of his doings he did
did not follow his father's steps. For he was led by youth-
ful levity to delight in players and gamblers, and listening
to the persuasions of the young men about him engaged in
rapine, and frequently oppressed the cultivators of his own
domains and those of others. He ravaged without mercy
his neighbour's property and foolishly wasted his own.
Hence, while he inflicted great evils on the inhabitants of
other villages, the freebooters of the neighbourhood took
every opportunity of making secret inroads on him and
his tenants. "When in a passion, his threats were severe,
when he was pleased, he rashly made promises which were
difficult to be performed ; so that he was often false in both.
After his father's death, he married a wife of a very noble
1 It appears before, in book ii. c. vi. (vol. i. p. 247) that our author adopted
the opinion of St. Ephrem and others respecting the Assumption of St.
John, which was not held in the time of Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus,
and was consequently posterior to the second century after Christ.
A.D. 1118 — 1128.] PETEB ii., ANSOLD'S SON. 233
family, Ada, niece of Bouchard de Montmorenci and daugh-
ter of the Count de Guinea.1 As far as words go, he pays
due respect to the monks and clergy, and takes their re-
proofs in good part, veiling his follies under the excuse of
his youth, and promising to amend his life in riper years,
which may God grant ! I will now give a short account of
the possessions which were given to the monks by him, or
in his fief.
Ansold, before he died, bequeathed his best palfrey to the
monks, in lieu of which, Peter gave them, at his father's re-
quest, the land of Montmarcien ; and at the same time he
confirmed to them all that his predecessors had granted.
John de St. Denis, and Mary his wife, and Arnulf their son,
had freely given to St. Mary the vineyard of Clairfont, but
afterwards, undertaking a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, they sold
it to a certain Breton of Montfort named Fulk, notwith-
standing the claims of the monks. The Breton being
disseized of it by a sentence of the bishop, it fell into
Peter's hands, but Providence shortly afflicting him with
disease, on making his confession he restored it to St. Mary
discharged of all quit-rent. He also gave the crop of grapes
that year to purchase an image of the holy Virgin.
Grimold, nephew and heir of Stephen de Maule, gave to
the monks all the tithes of his lands, both in the lordship of
Ansold and in that of Paganus, together with the tithes of
his mill and vineyards, and, together with Petronilla his
wife, deposited the deed of gift on the altar. Afterwards,
on her death, he granted to the monks two arpents of land
at Montjubert, and added a third in the same place at his
daughter's obit. He went to Jerusalem with Stephen
Count de Blois,2 and, having undergone many sufferings in
that expedition, lived uprightly after his return.
Gerald, surnamed La Cote, Grimold's brother-in-law,
falling sick, was so terrified by the divine chastisement, that
he gave to the monks certain tithes which he possessed in
the territory of Marole, and his part of the churchyard of
the same village ; his wife, part of whose dowry it was, con-
1 JLD. about 1091—1137. He married Ada, daughter of Manasseli,
count of Guines (about 1091 — 1137), and Emma de Tankerville, widow
of Odo of Folkstone.
* See before, note, p. 182.
£34 OEDEBICTJS VITALIS. [B.V. CH.XIX.
senting, as well as Peter, lord of Maule, in whose fief it was.
Aubrey de Marole, also, gave to the monks twelve acres of
land on the brow of the hill to the west of Marole.
Odo, son of "Walo, an honourable knight, at the death of
his son Arnulf, gave to the monks of Maule three acres of
land which were at that time cultivated by Fulk the priest.
He also gave them three muids of wine, and granted the
same quantity to be furnished yearly out of his vineyards ;
so that the church should not lose the endowment in conse-
quence of any succession or change of the heirs of Maule ;
and the monks were constantly to make due prayers for the
souls of his sons Peter, Arnulf, Milo, and his other friends.
It happened a few days afterwards that Odo fell sick, and
wishing, like a good son, to reap profit from the visitation
by his father's rod, he called together his wife Beliarde,
his daughter-in-law Cornelia, his daughter Cicily, and his
son-in-law Godfrey, and with their consent gave the whole
of his tithes to God and St. Mary. The aforesaid women
and Godfrey, by Odo's command, then went to the church
and laid the donation on the altar. After this was done,
his sickness increasing, he became a monk there and lay in
the monks' infirmary ten days. Meanwhile, "Walter the
Bold, his son, hastening from Troyes, where he had long dwelt,
found his father alive. At his request he confirmed what
his father and relations had given to the church of God ;
viz., three acres of land, two muids of wine yearly, and all
the tithes his father possessed, whether of corn, wine, or first-
fruits. All which, after his father was dead and buried, Walter
granted by an instrument which was laid by a book on the
altar of St. Mary, mother of God ; and, in imitation of his
father, has been a good neighbour to the monks to the
present time.
In the time of Hugh de Gace, David, and other priors, who
laboured usefully at Maule, -it was commonly well known,
and I wish it to be handed down to posterity, that Tesza,
wife of Bernard the Blind, gave to the monks of St. Evroult
dwelling at Maule, one moiety of the farm of St. Columb,
both plain and wood, besides two arpents of land which he
also gave them, that they might build a house and have cot-
tages without any one's interfering with them. He did this
with the assent of his lords, Gosceline, who held the other
GIFTS TO THE PEIOET OF MATJLE. 235
moiety of the land in demesne, because of default in the
services due, and Guaszo de Poissi, who was the chief lord.
The monks at different times gave large sums to these lords,
hoping to increase the property of the church by legitimate
means, and secure advantages for their successors. Hugh,
who was enterprising and magnanimous, began the affair
when he was prior, giving to Tesza, beforenamed, ten shil-
lings, and a piece of fustian to her son Odo, and ten
shillings to her son-in-law William. He also gave to
Gosceline one horse of the value of four pounds, to his wife
twenty shillings, and to Gruaszo twenty-five shillings, with a
horn cup, and another to his wife. These things and others
they received from the generosity of the monks, and made a
firm deed of gift, which they deposited on the altar before
many witnesses. But they afterwards iniquitously falsified
their engagements in various ways : especially, Guaszo, the
most powerful among them, who ought to have corrected
the others if they went astray, disturbed the endowment,
pillaged the cottiers, and destroyed their houses ; so that
the place became waste as it was before, and the monks
were compelled for the present to abandon the spot. Some
years afterwards Amauri, son of Guaszo, was slain : the
monks then went to him while he was in tribulation for the
death of his son, and requested him to abate the injury he
had done them. Softened by his affliction, he made a
humble reply, promising to cure the evil he had done. He
therefore committed the affair to Gosceline and Amauri de
Beauvoir, to whom he had lately restored the fief, and of
whom Gosceline then held it. They in consequence met at
Fresnes, and treated respecting the adjustment of the busi-
ness, and at the demand of Guaszo and the monks, Amauri
confirmed the grant which Tesza had made, and Guaszo and
Gosceline had ratified. By common agreement, therefore, of
all parties, Amauri and Gosceline publicly enfeoffed the
monks in the presence and hearing of Grimold de Maule and
Roger his son, and many others. Finally, Amauri came to
Maule on a day appointed, and deposited on the altar of
St. Mary the donation which he had made at Fresnes, re-
ceiving from the generosity of the monks twenty shillings
of Mantes.
In this manner the cell at Maule rose through the
236 OEDEBICTJS TITALIS. [B.V. CH.XIX.
exertions of careful monks, and was suitably endowed by the
generous contributions of its supporters, to the praise of
God. The place was well situated for vineyards and fertile
fields, and watered by the river Mauldre,1 which has its
course through them. It is well protected by a number of
noble knights. These give freely to the church, during their
lives, of their lands and substance, and the order of monks is
treated by them with great respect ; and at the hour of death
their aid is earnestly sought for the salvation of their souls.
The knights frequent the monk's cloister, and confer with
them on practical and theoretical subjects. Thus it is the
school of the living, and the refuge of the dying.
In the time of Peter the elder, Abbot Mainier went to the
court of King Philip, and humbly sought his confirmation of
the grants which had been made to the monks of St.
Evroult of possessions in Prance. The king not only
graciously ratified all the endowments already made, but
kindly and cheerfully exhorted those who were about him to
further gifts. This took place on the road between Epone
and Mantes. Afterwards, in the time of Peter the younger,
King Lewis came to Maule, and, being incensed with Peter
on account of some excesses he had committed in the
insolence of youth, razed the fortified wall with which the
prudent Ansold had surrounded his house, and demolished
the house itself. The king accepted the hospitality of the
monks at the priory, and confirmed to them by his royal
charter all that had been given them, or they had purchased,
in the time of the three lords, Peter, Ansold, and the other
Peter. Warin of Seez, a prudent and learned monk was
then prior, and made use of his attendance upon, and
familiar intercourse with, the king, to obtain his sanction to
all the endowments of that cell which had been procured by
Goisbert, and Guitmond, William, and Hugh, David, and
Halph, and other priors. This may suffice for what I have
to say of Maule in the present book.
CH. XX. Guitmond, second prior of Maule — Other bene-
factions to the abbey of St. Evroult.
GOISBEBT, the famous physician, having laid the foundations
of the church at Maule, as we have before related, consulted
1 A rivulet which falls into the Seine near Epone, not far from Mantes.
GUITMOJTD, PEIOE OF MATJLE. 237
some of his acquaintances and friends for the common good
of his own monastery. With their concurrence he earnestly
entreated his abbot to entrust the priory of Maule to fresh
hands, in order that he might be free to prosecute other
affairs. This was done ; G-uitmond, who had been a priest at
Soulangi,1 an excellent man, being appointed in his place,
while the physician made pressing instances to several
French knights on behalf of his brethren. Some he gained
by his medicinal care and assistance, others by presents, and
all by his eloquent discourse.
Humphrey, surnamed Harenc, and Havise his wife, and
the sons of the same Havise, Paganus, Alexander, and Roger
de Rolleboise, with his wife Basile and her son Gruiard,
gave to G-od and St. Evroult the church of St. Villegast,
with the tithes thereto belonging, and one plough-land.
They also gave the herbage of the whole vill, free from any
commonage, and all the land in the parish, whether in grass
or tillage,2 to be cultivated by the tenants settled there,
reserving only the champarty3 to himself. This grant was
made before the lord Robert at Ivri, and was confirmed by
him and his sons Ascelin, Q-oel, and William. He granted
all that he had in the same vill, for which he received the
seignory of the place and an ounce of gold. Not long after-
wards he was, by (rod's providence, afflicted with a painful
disease in his privy-parts, and having the fear of death before
his eyes became a monk in the abbey of Bee. His son
Ascelin Goel succeeded to his domains by right of inherit-
ance, and was a long time eminent among his neighbours
for his gallant actions. He built a very strong castle at
Breval, and filled it with fierce freebooters who ruined num-
bers. He surprised the castle of Ivri by a skilful stratagem,
defeating and making prisoner William de Breteuil its
1 Near Falaise.
s Tarn in mangurls quarn in rupturis ; whether of the old homesteads,
or land fresh broken up?
3 Camparto. " The portion of the produce which the farmer gives to
the owner of the soil ; from campum partiri.'' — Ducange. The French
call this tenure " Metayer ;" it was very common in France to a late
period, and we believe is still prevalent in some districts. Arthur Young
devotes part of a chapter to the exposure of a system which he considers
nlike ruinous to the landlord and occupier. Travels in France, vol. i. p.
406.
238 OBDEBICTJS VITALIS. [B.T. CH.XI.
master, whom he threw into close confinement. For his
ransom he extorted violently a thousand livres of Dreux
and the stronghold of Ivri, taking to wife his daughter
Isabel, by whom he had seven sons. He, with his wife and
sons, released all the lands which St. Evroult had in his lord-
ship, viz., Villegast, and one moiety of the tithes of Mon-
tigni, for which he received from the monks a gratuity of sixty
shillings, and he sealed his charter of confirmation at Breval.
The same Ascelin, in the monks' house at Hillier, released
to the monks of St. Evroult all tolls for passage, as well in
that lordship as in all his other lands. Eobert and William,
surnamed Louvel, his sons, afterwards confirmed the grant,
and strictly observed its tenor for a long time.
Hugh Paganus, Grosse-Langue, with his wife Agnes, and
his son Guy, granted to St. Evroult the viscounty, that is,
the voierie,1 as much as they had in Villegast, from which
the monks received at one time ten shillings and a
deer-skin, at another time twenty shillings. The son
received ten shillings of Mantes for his release. John of
Eheims wrote out the charter of this covenant before the
tower of Breval, Hugh Fresnel dictating it; and Hugh
Paganus and his sons confirmed it. Some time afterwards
Hugh became a monk, and his sons Eodolph, Simon, and
Eobert, attempted to deprive the monks of the viscounty ;
but they, to hold their possessions in peace, gave to Eodolph,
the eldest, one hundred and ten shillings of money .of
Mantes, to Simon five shillings, and to Eobert, Cordovan
shoes.
The year that Q-oe'l died, Alexander and Gilbert gave
to St. Evroult, in the presence of Eobert de St. Nicholas,
a field belonging to the farm of a certain villein named
Eobert, although he complained that he had not land suffi-
cient for one plough. Fulk de St. Aubin having given part
of his lands in Villers to St. Evroult, Theodoric and Eainier
his heirs, with their wives Emmeline and Tesceline, through
1 Viariam; Ducange remarks that Ordericus confounds the rights of
the viscount (answering in some measure to our sheriff) with those of the
seigneur, voyer. It is well known that rights of seignorage and jurisdiction
often passed to the monks, with the domains granted to them. The word
may have been vicariam, the deputyship, right of being judges in small
causes.
CELLS TO THE ABBEY OF ST. ETEOULT. 239
whom they inherited, confirmed the grant, retaining a
certain part for their own entertainment ; Alexander, in
whose fief the land was, consenting.
I have given a long account of the possessions granted to
the church of St. Evroult, but have not been able to include
them all in the present book ; for there are small portions ob-
tained from persons of the middle rank, either by fair words,
or extorted by violent means, or purchased, or gained in
some other way, which lie dispersed in different dioceses.
In these a certain number of monks are settled according to
the extent of the property, who serve the Lord daily on
behalf of their benefactors with hymns and prayers, and a
life of continence. "What remains shall be faithfully col-
lected in the sequel of this work, and clearly related for the
benefit of those who shall succeed us in labouring in the
field of the Lord.
240 OEDEBICUS VITALIS. [E.TI. CH.I.
BOOK VI.
CH. I. Introduction, containing remarks on scurrilous criti-
cism, and the decay of piety among the prelates of the au-
thor's age.
THE human mind has continual need of heing usefully
exercised, so that it may be well directed in a virtuous
coxirse for the future, by its researches into the annals of
the past, and its observation on what is passing around.
It is every man's duty to be daily learning how he ought to
live, by having the examples of ancient worthies ever present
before his eyes, and profiting thereby. It sometimes happens
that many events present themselves to the ignorant as
unheard-of things, and new circumstances are frequently
occurring in modern times on which no light can be thrown
to inexperienced minds but ' by reference to former transac-
tions. Studious persons therefore inquire into the obscure
passages of history with anxious care, and set a high value
on whatever can profit a well-disposed mind. Animated in
their labours by this good design, they unfold the past to
posterity with perfect impartiality, while, notwithstanding
their ability, senseless men snarl at their works and tear
them in pieces with their currish fangs. Smarting under
such attacks, even wise men sometimes flag in their energies,
abandoning their undertakings and shutting themselves up
in perpetual eilence. Thus it happens that from some frivo-
lous circumstance, the world suffers a lamentable loss. If
this were not irreparable, and a kindly-feeling posterity could
recover what it had lost, it would shake off its indifference
and joyfully rouse itself to gather with eagerness the flowers
and the fruit of the labours thus subjected to malicious
attacks, and to study them with lively and careful attention.
We often find complaints of this sort in ancient writers, and
unite with our illustrious masters in their lamentations over
the injuries heaped upon them by their envious contempo-
raries. We hear St. Jerome and Origen, and other doctors
of the church complaining in their works of the cavils of
scurrilous critics, and it is a cause of regret that on this
account we have been deprived of many important commu-
DECAY OF PIETY. 241
nications ; able men preferring to rest in peace rather than
employ their talents in skilfully treating difficult subjects,
when by so doing they exposed themselves to malicious
attacks. Let those, I beg and entreat, observe silence, who
neither produce any thing of their own, nor accept the
labours of others in a friendly spirit, nor correct with temper
any thing which dissatisfies them. Let them learn what they
are ignorant of, and if they are incapable of learning, at least
let them suffer their fellow disciples to publish what they
think right.
The primitive state and the fall of man, the revolutions of
the passing age, the vicissitudes in the lives of our prelates
and princes, the events of peace and war, and the never-
ending chances which affect mankind, offer a vast field for
any writer to expatiate on. As for miracles and wonders
wrought by the saints, they are now of such rare occurrence
in the world that authors have little need of bestowing
much attention on stories of that kind. Time was when
our ancient fathers, Martial and Taurinus, Silvester, Martin
and Nicholas, and other admirable men, whose tongues were
the keys of heaven, and who were full of supernatural graces
and gifts, shone in the church like the light of the sun, and
in the power of the Almighty gave laws to the elements of
nature and the power of the air ; but these now enjoy the
rest of the blessed with their heavenly King, from whom they
have received everlasting rewards. Their present successors,
who are raised to the summit of power, and, sitting in Moses'
seat are called Rabbi, while they revel in worldly riches and
pomp, of which most of them are too fond, are far from
being equally illustrious as their predecessors for the merits
of sanctity and miraculous powers and influences. Still we
may faithfully relate the revolutions of the world and the
course of human events, and history can be made the vehicle
for the praise of Him who is the Maker and righteous
Governor of all things. The eternal Creator works without
ceasing and disposes all things in a wonderful order ; let
every one treat devoutly of those glorious acts, according as
his inclination and ability prompt him and as he shall be
divinely instigated.
YOL. H.
242 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.TI. CH.n.
CH. II. Some account of Hugh <F Avranches, earl of Chester
— His character — His excellent chaplain Gerald.
IK the year of our Lord 1066, the fifth indiction, the race
of the great king Edgar having so degenerated that none of
his descendants were able to sustain the weight of the royal
sceptre, William, duke of Normandy, crossed over to England
with many thousand troops, and on the field of Senlac slew
Harold the usurper of the English throne. Soon afterwards
on Christmas day, he was crowned at Westminster by Aldred
archbishop of York, with the acclamations of both Normans
and English, and governed the kingdom of Englandwitha strong
hand twenty years, eight months and sixteen days.1 Under
his rule the native inhabitants were crushed, imprisoned,
disinherited, banished and scattered beyond the limits of
their own country ; while his own vassals and adherents
were exalted to wealth and honours and raised to all
the offices of the state. Among these Hugh D'Av-
ranches, son of Bichard surnamed Goz, was highly dis-
tinguished among the chief nobility, and invested with the
earldom of Chester by the advice of the king's counsel after
Gerbod of Flanders had returned home.3 This Hugh was
fondly attached to the world and worldly pomps, in which
he considered the highest portion of human happiness to
consist. He was a brave soldier, lavish in his liberalities,
and took great delight in riotous sports, in jesters, horses
and dogs, with other vanities of that sort. He was always
surrounded by a numerous household, in which a crowd of
young men of all ranks both low and high continually
revelled. But the earl also entertained about him many
honourable men, clerks as well as knights, and was well
pleased to share with them both his cares and his riches.
Attached to his chapel was a clerk from Avranches, named
Gerald,8 who was eminent for piety and virtue as well as
for learning. This chaplain performed daily the service of
God and frequently celebrated the holy offering with great
devotion. He used his best offices with the courtiers of his «
1 December 25, 1066 — September 9, 1087.
1 Our author has given some further particulars of Hugh d' Avranches,
earl of Chester, in b. iv. c. 7. See before pp. 47, 48.
8 Gerald assumed the monastic habit in the Benedictine Abbey attached
to the cathedral of Winchester.
I
GEBALD, CHAPLAIN OP HUGH D'AVBANCHES. 243
lord, by setting before them tbe example of those who had
gone before, to move them to amendment of life. He observ-
ed in many, and justly condemned, their headstrong tendency
to carnal pursuits, and mourned over the neglect of divine
worship generally shown. Great barons, simple knights, and
noble youths all received their share of his salutary admoni-
tions, and he drew both from the Old Testament and the
more recent Christian records copious accounts of holy
warriors who were worthy of their imitation. He described
with eloquence the combats of Demetrius and George, The-
odore and Sebastian, of Maurice, tribune of the Theban legion,
and Eustachius, the illustrious commander of the forces,
•with his comrades, who obtained heaven by the crown of
martyrdom.1 To these he added the history of "William the
noble champion, who after a long military service renounced
the world and gloriously fought the fight of faith under the
monastic rule. Many profited by Gerald's exhortations,
and like gallant ships were towed through this world's
waves and safely moored in the haven of a regular life.
CH. III. The story of St. William (Court-nez) duke of Sep-
timania and count of Toulouse and Barcelona under Char-
lemagne— His wars with the Saracens — Becomes a monk
— -founds the abbey of St. Saviour in the Herault.
HAVING happened to mention St. William, I take the oppor-
tunity of inserting in my history a short account of his life.
I am satisfied that it is very little known in this province,
and there are many persons who will be gratified by being
furnished with a faithful memoir of so distinguished a saint.
Anthony, a monk of Winchester, brought it here not long
since, and, complied with our eager desire to see it. There
is indeed a story in verse concerning St. William which is
commonly %ung by glee-men,1 but the preference must be
1 An opportunity will occur in b. ix. of our author's history, for giving
some account of the first three saints here mentioned, who belonged to the
Greek church. St. Maurice, and his soldiers of the Theban legion,
suffered martyrdom on September 22, 286, under the emperor Maximian,
at a place then called Agaunum, but now well known as St. Maurice in
the Valais. St. Sebastian was martyred at Rome about the year 288
(Jan. 20). St. Eustachius also suffered martyrdom at Rome under
Adrian (Nov. 1).
8 These songs on the acts of St. William, called William Court-Nez,
B 2
244 OBDERICTJS VITALI3. [B.TI. CH.III.
justly given to an authentic narrative, written with care
by learned monks, and which is respectfully recited by
studious readers in the presence of the assembled brethren.
But as the bearer was in haste to depart and the severe
winter's frost prevented me from writing, I made a short
abridgment on my tablets,1 which I now hasten to transfer
correctly to parchment and thus spread abroad the fame of
the brave lord-marcher.
In the time of Pepin, king of the Franks, count Theodoric3
had by his wife Aldana a son named William. The boy
was taught letters from his childhood, and afterwards took
arms in the service of Charlemagne. He obtained the title and
office of a count and the command of the first cohort in the
army. Charles afterwards made him duke of Aquitain,3 and
confided to him an expedition against king Theodebald,4 the
Spaniards and Saracens. Having lost no time in marching
into Septimania, he crossed the Ehone and laid siege to the
city of Orange which he reduced, defeating the invaders.
He then fought many battles with the infidels from beyond
sea and the Arabs of the neighbourhood, his sword, by G-od's
help, giving safety to the faithful, enlarging the bounds of
are preserved in the Royal Library at Paris. See description of the MSS.
by M. Pauslin. Paris, t. iv. p. 113 and 172.
1 The author again speaks of his sufferings from the cold at the close of
the present book. The climate of Normandy does not appear to have
been much improved since he wrote, for even at a recent period Mr. St.
John, in his entertaining journal of a residence near Caen, describes the
•winter to have been so severe as to have often incapacitated him for literary
occupation, much in the same terms as Ordericus used eight hundred years
before. The nature and scarcity of the fuel must, doubtless, have added
to the distress. Our author seems to indicate that the frost interfered less
with his tracing his extracts on tablets coated with wax, using a hard stile
or pen, than with his writing on parchment with pen and ink, which is per-
fectly natural.
2 Some authors have supposed that this Count Theodoric is the same
person as the Theodoricus comes described by Eginhard as a relation of
Charlemagne.
* St. William was not created duke of Aquitain by Charlemagne in
789, but count de Toulouse, in the place of Corson, with the title of
duke, probably of Septimania.
* We find no such name as this among the Saracen kings and emirs
with whom St. William was in conflict during his long military career,
789 — 806, in the time of Hatchem and El-Hakem, successively caliphs of
Cordova.
WILLIAM, COUNT OF TOULOUSE. 245
the Christian empire, and subduing the Saracens.1 William
built a monastery in honour of St. Saviour and the twelve
apostles in the territory of Lodeve in a valley called Grellone
surrounded by rocks,2 placing in it an abbot and a company
of devout monks, and largely endowing it with all things
necessary for them, and he had their grants confirmed by
his own and royal charters. His two sisters Albana and
Bertha became nuns there and continued perseveringly in
the service of God.
A long time afterwards, William coming to France on the
summons of Charles* was honourably received and disclosed
to him his desire of becoming a monk. The king could not
refrain from tears in granting his permission, and bid him
take whatever he would from his treasury to carry to his
church. However William rejected all worldly riches, but
asked for and obtained a reliquary containing a portion of
the wood of the holy cross. It had been sent to Charles by
Zachariah, patriarch of Jerusalem, a prelate of great worth,
while the king was at Rome in the first year of his reign.
When William's intention to change his state of life became
known, the king's court was agitated and all the city in an
uproar. A crowd of nobles forced their way into his presence,
and sorrowfully entreated him not to desert them. He
however, inflamed with divine ardour, abandoned all, and,
being brought on his way with great honour, bidding them
farewell, at length left the army of the Franks amid their
tears and groans. When he reached the town of Brives he
offered his armour on the altar of St. Julian the martyr,4
hanging his helmet and splendid shield over the martyr's
tomb in the church, and suspending outside the door his
1 It does not appear that the invasions of the Saracens during the
government of Duke William ever reached the banks of the Rhone, and
still less the territory of Orange. His most remarkable exploit was the
taking of Barcelona in the year 801.
* The little valley of Gellone, near its junction with that of the Herault,
in the canton of Lodeve.
3 According to the original legend, the emperor did not send for the
count. This intercourse took place in the year 806.
4 The altar of the church of the celebrated chapter of St. Julian of
Brives in the Limosin. The arms offered by St. William were still pre-
served in the eleventh and twelfth centuries in the treasury of this chapter,
and attested by their weight, as well as their dimensions, the strength and
size of the warrior who bore them.
246 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.TI. CH.III.
quiver and bow w'th his long lance and two-edged sword,
as an offering to Grod. He then set forth in the guise of a
pilgrim of Christ and passed through Aquitain to the monas-
tery which he had built a short time before in the wilderness.
He drew near to it with naked feet and with hair-cloth
about his body. When the brethren heard of his approach,
they met him at the cross roads, and forming a festive pro-
cession against his will, conducted him to the abbey. He
then made his offering of the reliquary more precious than
gold, with gold and silver vessels and all kinds of ornaments,
and having proffered his petition gave up the world with all
its pomps and enticements.
In the year of our Lord, therefore, 806, in the fifth ' year
of the reign of the Emperor Charles, on the feast of SS.
Peter and Paul, Count William became a monk, and was
suddenly changed and made another person in Christ
Jesus. For after his profession he was taught without
being offended, and corrected without being angry. He
suffered blows and injuries unresistingly and without
having recourse to threats. He rejoiced to be subject, and
delighted in every kind of humiliation, being ready to serve,
obey, and submit to all. He made daily progress in all
sanctity and religion and the observance of the sacred rule,
like gold made bright in the furnace. He completed,
according to his design, the monastery which was in an
unfinished state when he became a monk, receiving the aid
of his sons Bernard and William (to whom he had resigned
his counties2), and of other counts in the neighbourhood.
He made a road to the monastery by a sharp and difficult
ascent through the mountains, cutting the rocks with
1 It should be the sixth year.
* M. Le Prevost remarks that " our author, following his original, here
represents the pious monk as disposing of his dignities just as if he had
lived several generations later." The titles of duke, count, Sue., certainly
were not hereditary in the time of Charlemagne, nor till long afterwards.
They were merely personal, and conferred official rank and power as
governors of provinces, &c., at the will of the emperor or king. Still St.
William, as a favourite general of Charu magne, may have obtained per-
mission to resign his governments in favour of his sons. In point of fact,
we find Bernard, the eldest, in possession of the duchy of Ssptimania
and the counties of Toulouse and Barcelona, but not till the year 817. as
to the tirst, and 820 as far as concerns the two last.
THE COUNT'S LABOTJES AS A MONK. 247
hammers and pickaxes and other iron tools, and with the
fragments laid the base of a causeway along the river
Herault and abutting on the heights.1
Lewis, king of Aquitain, the son of Charlemagne, at the
request of "William, gave to the monastery, with great
willingness, several fiefs in his territories, and confirmed the
grant by a royal charter sealed with his ring.2 Meanwhile,
William caused vineyards and oliveyards, and several gardens
to be laid out on the ground surrounding the monastery, and
clearing the valley of the woods which naturally grew there,
planted fruit-trees in their place. He devoted himself with
intense industry to these and similar works, labouring with
his own hands, for the love of God, in rural occupations, and
continually thus employed himself with true humility and
religion. He often prostrated himself before the abbot and
brethren, beseeching that for God's mercy, he might be
allowed still greater self-renunciation and humiliation. He
sought the lowest offices in the monastery ; it was his
desire to be considered the vilest of all, and to be held in
contempt. He would be a beast of burthen, and as an ass's
colt bear the burthens of the brethren in the house of the
Lord. He who had been a mighty duke was not ashamed
to mount a miserable ass with a load of bottles. See the
Lord William from a count become a cook, from a duke
become a menial, loading his shoulders with faggots, carry-
ing vessels of water, lighting and extinguishing fires. With
his own hand he washes the bowls and platters, gathers
vegetables, makes the soup and mixes the pulse with it.
When the hour of refection is come, without delay he
spreads the table for the monks in due order, while he
himself, still fasting, watches and guards the house. He
1 The Herault, which now gives its name to a department of France,
rises in the Cevennes, and runs into the gulf of Lyons between Montpelier
and Narbonne. The abbey of St. Saviour being built in a rocky valley,
surrounded by mountains, far up towards the source of the river, the diffi-
culties St. William had to contend with in making the road may be easily
conceived. But the old general seems to have been a good engineer ad
well as planter and gardener, to say nothing of the more humble offices
ascribed to him in this most amusing legend, in which truth and fiction are
strangely mingled. .
2 The royal charter bears date, Dec. 28, 808. The lands granted are in
the district of Beziers.
248 OEDEEICUS TITALIS. [B.TT. CH.IIT.
undertakes the baking, heats the oven, places the loaves in
it and draws the bread when it is baked.
Once, when wood for baking was scarce, he was forced to
gather twigs, straw, and whatever he could lay hands on,
which he threw into the oven in order to heat it quickly.
But as time pressed and those within sharply chid this
servant of God because the usual hour for the brethren's
meal was somewhat passed, and he had nothing that would
serve to clear out the ashes, he invoked Christ, and making
the sign of the cross, entered the oven and did all that was
needful without sustaining any injury. Throwing out the
hot cinders with his naked hands, he collected the ashes in
his cowl without its being singed, put the oven in order
and sprinkled it for putting in the loaves. Though "William
thus stood in the fire for some time, neither his body nor his
clothes were scorched. After this, however, the abbot, by
the advice of the brethren, forbad his engaging in any servile
works, and, allotting him a suitable cell, enjoined him to
apply his leisure to prayer and holy meditation. Thus
having had a long experience of active exercises, he began
to take rest in a life of reflection, and, having performed
the service and busy occupations of Martha, joined with
Mary in the delights of heavenly contemplation.
When, at length, "William was full of perfection in virtue,
he was endowed with the spirit of prophecy, and his course
of life was shown him by divine revelation. He predicted
the day of his death to the abbot and brethren, and even
announced it in writing to many of the neighbours. He also
sent a messenger to Charlemagne to inform him distinctly by
what sign he should know the hour of his death. At last,
after all offices had been duly performed, the blessed
William departed on the fifth of the calends of June,1 [May
28], to the joy of angels and the grief of men. There im-
mediately followed in all the churches, great and small,
throughout the neighbouring districts, a loud and strange
tolling of the bells, both tenor and treble ;2 and the knell
was rung and the small bell tinkled for a long space of time,
1 In the year 812.
1 " II est visible que dans ce passage, signum ordinairement Fynonyme de
tympana, a et6 employ^ dans le Bens de clochettes ou grelots, tintinnabula."
— Le Provost.
THE COUNT CANONIZED. 249
although no human hands pulled the ropes or swung the
clappers, but solely by divine power acting on them from
heaven. The holy body of the illustrious saint was honourably
interred in the abbey of St. Saviour, and the praises of God
were devoutly sung "for many miracles gloriously performed,
The venerable monastery remains there to the present day,
in which a great company of monks, the army of the Lord
God of Sabaoth triumphantly serves, and by the merits of
St. "William, who from an illustrious knight became a pious
monk, crowds of sick people receiving health rejoice in
Christ Jesus, who gives eternal glory to all who are united
to him.
CH. IV. Gerald of Avranches, prior of Cranbourn — after-
wards abbot of Tewksbury — Robert Fitz-Hamon, its
founder — Roger Fitz-Warrene a noble monk of St.
Evroult.
IT was thus that Gerald of Avranches frequently re-
counted the triumphs of the invincible soldiers of Christ,
and stirred up the knights with whom he associated, and
their well-born squires, both by persuasions and alarms, to a
similar course of life. The result was, that in the first
instance five men of eminence quitted the earl's household,
whose names are these ; Roger, son of Erneis, nephew of
William Warrene, earl of Surry, Arnulf, son of Humphrey
de Tilleul, nephew of Hugh de Grantmesnil, viscount of
Leicester, and Guy of Mantes his squire ; Dreux, son of
Geoffrey de Neuf-Marche ; and Odo, son of Arnulf of
D61, and chaplain to the earl. At the suggestion of Ar-
nulf, whose kinsmen had assisted in building the abbey
of St. Evroult, all these went to Ouche and were gladly
received into the monastery by abbot Mainier. They lived
there regularly for a long time, and contributed to the
prosperity of the community by their exertions and care.
Thus Gerald had by preaching the word of God stirred
up to better things those who were sunk in fatal oblivious-
ness in the gulf of the world's temptations, as the cock
rouses those who are sleeping in the dead of the night. He
now shook his wings, and casting off his sluggishness, with
a lively effort prepared to follow his disciples, who have just
been named, to St. Evroult. But God's providence com-
250 OHDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.VI. CH.IV.
pelled him to remain in England. For, having reached
Winchester, he was taken very ill, and, in fear of death,
devoutly assumed the monastic habit in the old monastery
of St. Peter, where he long lived a regular life under the
abbot Walkeline, and G-odfrey the religious and learned
prior.1 Some time afterwards he was canonically advanced
to ecclesiastical rule, and was appointed the first abbot of
Tewksbury, when Samson of Bayeux2 was bishop of
Worcester. Robert Eitz-Hamon3 had founded this abbey
of Tewksbury, on the river Severn, in the reign of William
the younger, king of England, and richly endowed it.4 Ge-
rald, now raised to the summit of pastoral care, diligently ful-
filled the holy duty of preaching, which he had willingly per-
formed while he was only a clerk, and by that means drawn
many from the depths of debauchery and rapacity to purity
and innocence of life. He gave the regular institutions of
the order to his new society, admitted a number of novices
lGodfrey de Cambray was made prior of Winchester in 1082, when his
predecessor Vauquelin was appointed abbot of Ely. He died in the odour
of sanctity, Dec. 27, 1107.
* He was brother of Thomas, archbishop of York, and was consecrated
bishop of Worcester, June 15, 1096, and died, May 5, 1112.
3 Robert, earl of Gloucester, the natural son of Henry I., married the
daughter and heiress of this Robert Fitz-Hamon, and succeeded to his
great estates. Hamon-aux-Dents, lord of Creulli and Torigni, who was
killed at the battle of Valesdunes (1047) left two sons, Hamon, steward of
King William, and Robert, who appears to have died without children
before the Domesday book was compiled. Hamon, the steward, was
viscount of Kent, and one of the judges in the cause between Lanfranc
and Odo, bishop of Bayeux. He had two sons, the eldest of whom was
this Robert Fitz-Hamon, and the second was named Hamon, like his
father and grandfather.
* It was originally a priory, founded as early as the year 715. Alward,
or Ethelward, surnamed Mew, was its patron in the time of King Ethelred
and St. Dunstan. About the year 980 he founded a small monastery on
his domains at Cranbourn in Dorsetshire. Brictric Mew was his lineal
descendant and heir. His estates were given to Queen Matilda, and after her
death, by William Rufus to Robert Fitz-Hamon. That king, and afterwards
his brother Henry in 1 1 00, confirmed to the abbey of St. Mary at Tewks-
bury the endowment made by Robert Fitz-Hamon, who, at the instance
of his wife Sibyl, and Gerald d'Avranches, abbot of Cranbourn, deter-
mined in 1102 to rebuild the church of Tewksbury from the foundation,
and to transfer there the monks of Cranbourn, except a prior and two
brethren. The union of the two establishments dates only from this
period and not from the time of Alward.
AFTER A.D. 1096. J OEBALD MADE ABBOT OF TEWKSBUEY. 251
under the monastic rule, and gave them the best regulations
for a life of strictness. He took part with those who were
under his government in religious offices, and sometimes
even exceeded the juniors in the labours to be undergone;
while he managed the aifairs of the monastery both internally
and externally with diligence and prudent address. How-
ever, after some years the malice of Satan was directed
against the Lord's flock, grievously afflicting the tender
sheep by the trouble iniquitously caused to their shepherd.
For, after Eobert Fitz-Hamon's death, Eobert of Brittany
brought some false charges before King Henry against his
abbot, by whom he had been admitted into the monastery.
The abbot being summoned before the king declined to
enter into long explanations, but, satisfied with the con-
sciousness of his innocence, voluntarily resigned to the king
the government of his abbey, and after submitting to
Martha's toilsome services, chose with Mary the better part,
by returning again to his retirement in the monastery at
Winchester. To finish his history, he sometime afterwards
received an invitation from the venerable Ralph, bishop of
Rochester,1 and at the request of many persons, went to the
bishop for the purpose of conferring with him on sacred
subjects ; but while there, at the summons of God, he took
to his bed, and having duly performed all that was fitting
for a servant of God died in sanctity.2
Roger de Warrenne, who was converted, as we have
already seen, by the exhortations of Gerald, escaping as it
were from the destruction of Sodom, went to St. Evrpult
with four of his companions to become a monk, and lived
there nearly forty-six years, filled with zeal for the duties
of his order, and abounding in all virtues. Though his
person was handsome, he chose to disfigure it by a mean,
dress. A respectful modesty marked his whole demeanour,
1 He was born near St. Pierre-sur-Dive, and assumed the monastic habit
at St. Martin-de-S£ez, of which he became abbot in 1089. Being obliged
to leave Normandy on acconnt of the tyranny of Robert do Belcsme, he
took refuge in England in 1103, was made bishop of Rochester in 1103,
and translated to the archbishopric of Canterbury, April 26, 1114.
2 It appears from the chronicle of Tewksbury, that Gerald (who is
cailed Giralde) was at first abbot of Cranbourn, before the change men-
tioned in the preceding note. He was therefore the first abbot of the new
monastery, as our author says, and the last of the old.
252 ORDEEICUS VITALIS. [3. VI. CH.IV.
his voice was musical, and he had an agreeable way of
speaking. His strength of body enabled him to undergo
much toil, while he was at all times ready to sing psalms
and hymns. He was gifted with pleasing manners and
courteous towards his brother monks. He was abstemious
himself but generous to others, always alive for vigils, and
incredibly modest. He did not plume himself with carnal
ostentation on account of his noble birth, but obeyed the
rule with unhesitating humility, and chose with pleasure to
perform the lowest offices required of the monks. For
many years he was in the habit of cleaning the brethren's
shoes, washing their stockings, and cheerfully doing other
services which appear mean to stupid and conceited persons.
He ornamented a book of the gospels with gold, silver, and
precious stones, and procured several vestments and copes
for the chanters, with carpets, and curtains, and other
ornaments, for the church. He got all he could from his
brothers and relations, as occasion offered, and what he
wrested from their bodily gratifications he applied with joy
to divine offices for the good of their souls.
Richard de Coulonces, the brother of this Roger, came to
St. Evroult and gave to the abbey the church of Etouvi,
which lie bad redeemed from one Ernest, his tenant, adding
the tithe of two mills. The grant of these possessions, in
which Adelaide, his wife, and tho aforesaid Ernest, joined,
he placed on the altar. In return for this grant, the monks
gave to Richard eight livres, and to Robert de Mowbray,1
who was the paramount lord, a hundred shillings, where-
upon he forthwith, in the orchard of Turstin de Soulangi,*
confirmed the grant of the church of Etouvi as the monks
required. This Richard de Coulonces became very rich,
and being a favourite with King Henry rose to eminence
among his peers. His prosperity continued to an advanced
age, and he had by his wife eleven sous and four daughters,
whose names are here given : Hugh, Geoffrey, Richard.
John, Robert, Odo, Henry, Ivo, Rodolph, William, and
Henry; Rohais, Adeliza, Matilda, and Avicia. Of these,
two were dedicated to God from their infancy ; for John
1 Robert de Mowbray, earl of Northumberland, nephew of Geoffrey,
bishop of Coutances.
3 boulangi, near Falaise.
A.D. 1081.] ST. EVROULT ABBEY-LANDS IK ENGLAND. 253
was admitted a monk at St. Evroult, and Adeliza became a
nun in the convent of the Holy Trinity at Caen.
Eichard de Coulonces died on the seventeenth of the
calends of October [September 15], in the year of our Lord
1125 ; and the year following his son Hugh came to St.
Evroult, and making an offering to God upon the altar, of a
golden salver, truly confirmed the grant of all that his father
had given as before-mentioned, placing also the charter on
the altar. He also devoted himself to St. Evroult.
CH. Y. Abbot Mainier's journey to England — Obtains
grants of lands and tithes for St. Evroult — The charter
of William I. — Queen Matilda's visit — Abbots Roger-du
Sap and Warin des-Essarts.
ENCOURAGED by the serenity shed on affairs by prosperous
times, Abbot Mainier crossed the sea to England in the
fourteenth year of his government,1 having in his company
Eoger de Warrene and Dreux de Neuf-Marche. He pre-
sented himself at the court of King William, from whom
he had often received invitations, and paid friendly visits to
Lanfranc the archbishop, and others, to whom he was greatly
attached. He was treated with great respect by the king
and his nobles, and took the opportunity of addressing pru-
dent admonitions to the brethren of St. Evroult, who had
left Normandy to better their fortunes, and obtained
promotion in England. These distinguished monks were
also received with favour by the great lords of the realm,
whose kindness to the strangers was shown by the gifts
heaped upon them out of the wealth acquired with violence
in a foreign land. The king and his nobles joyfully made
them gifts of farms, sums of money, and ornaments for their
church, commending themselves to their prayers with confi-
dence and devotion. At this time the possessions, churches,
and tithes, which the friends and neighbours of the monks
of St. Evroult had granted to them, were recorded in a
charter for the better knowledge of posterity. The charter
by which the illustrious William freely confirmed the grants
made by himself and his liege-men to the abbey of St.
Evroult, by his royal authority, is in these words : —
" William, by the grace of God, king of England, duke of
1 In the year 1081.
254 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.TI. CH.T.
Normandy and prince of Maine, to all who profess the
catholic faith and keep the peace of the church, sends full
and infinite joy. Whereas the life of man is short, and all
things are transitory from one generation to another, we
are pleased to confirm the statutes of our time by an instru-
ment in writing, that what we duly execute, of our own
right and the power given to us by Q-od, none of our suc-
cessors may presume to violate, lest he should be found to
withstand Him who disposes kingdoms according to his will.
I therefore William, by the grace of God king, have deter-
mined to endow, in frank-almoign, in the kingdom commit-
ted to me by G-od for my eternal profit, the convent of St.
Evroult ; and whatever my faithful subjects lawfully dedicate
to God, for the common salvation of all, out of the pos-
sessions given them by me I ratify, and by these presents,
under my hand, make known the confirmation to all now
living, and to all the faithful in time to come. In the first
place therefore I give, out of my domains, to the abbey of
Ouche, which Evroiflt the holy confessor of Christ built in
the wilderness, the ville called Rawell, that is, Goatswell,
in Gloucestershire,1 and, in Lincolnshire, the church of Net-
tleham,2 with all its appurtenances. Moreover, the lords
who hold under me having given the following domains to
St. Evroult, have demanded that they should be secured by
the authority of a royal charter against all pretenders.
Roger of Shrewsbury hath given all that he holds at
Melbourne, in Cambridgeshire,3 together with Onne and
Marston4 in Staffordshire, and one hide of land in Graff-
1 Before the conquest this manor belonged to the Saxon Ulward. The
monks of St. Evroult exchanged it, by licence from Ed. I., with those of
Winchcomb for twenty pounds rent out of their manors of Drymarston
and Admington.
2 Nettlehum, three miles from Lincoln. Domesday book contains no
record of this grant to St. Evroult. The patronage of the church has be-
longed from time immemorial to the bishop of Lincoln.
* Melbourne and Meldreth, two parishes in the present hundred of
Armingford in Cambridgeshire, are recorded in Domesday book as belong-
ing to Roger de Montgomery.
4 Little-On, in the parish of Church-Eaton, Staffordshire; the church is
of Norman architecture. Marston is a manor near Stafford, and gave
name to a prebend in the collegiate church of St. Mary there. In
Domesday book, Marston is appropriated to the abbey of St. Evroult, under
Eaxl Roger. The manor afterwards belonged to the Giffards of Chillington.
A.D. 1081.] CHARTEB OP WILLIAM I. 255
ham,1 and the land of Wulfine the goldsmith, at Chichester,
and the tithes of cheese and wool at Poulton,2 and the tithes
of Shengay in Cambridgeshire. Likewise Mabel, the said
earl's daughter, gave out of her rents in England sixty
pence sterling for the lights of the church. Warm, viscount
of Shrewsbury, gave to St. Evroult Newton3 and the church
and tithes of Hales, with the tithes of "Weston in Stafford-
shire. All these Earl Eoger his lord confirmed. Moreover,
Hugh de Grantmesnil, (who, with his brother Bobert and
his uncles William and Eobert, sons of Giroie, rebuilt the
abbey of St. Evroult), gave the following hereditaments in
England to hold for ever: all the land he had in Little
Pillerton in Warwickshire, and two parts of the tithes of
all his lands, together with sixteen villeins to collect the
tithes, and nine churches. He gave also three villeins at
Shilton,* two at Ware,4 two at Belgrave, one at Stoughton,
one at Laughton, one at Tormodeston, one at Kirkby,6 one
at Merston, one at Oxhill,7 one at Charlton, and one in the
other Charlton.8 He also gave the church of Ware, with all
the tithes belonging thereto, and two plough-lands ; and
1 Graffham, a parisn near Midhurst in Sussex.
8 Poulton, in the hundred of Highworth, Wilts.
3 Newton, a hamlet in the parish of Blithfield, Sherriff-Halea (from
Warin the viscount), and Weston-under-Lizzard, all in Staffordshire.
Newton and Weston were held of the king in capile at the time of
making Domesday book, by Reginald de Baliol, who married 'the widow of
Warin the viscount, and succeeded him in his office. Hales was at the
same time held in capite by Earl Roger, and under him by Reginald de
Baliol. It afterwards became the chief seat in England of the family of
Pantoul, called also Paunton, Pantulf, or Pandulf. William Pantoul
was a great benefactor to St. Evroult, and the connexion continued after
the family settled in England. See b. v. c. 16.
* Earl-Shilton, a manor and chapel in the parish of Kirkby-Malory, in
the hundred of Sparkenhoe in Leicestershire.
5 Ware in Hertfordshire, a priory dependent upon the abbey of St.
Evroult. The prior acted as general proctor for the abbey in England, not
only as regarded the possessions of that house, but also for those of its
priories of Noyon and Neuf-Marche.
6 Belgrave, near Leicester ; Stoughton, a hamlet in the parish of
Thornby; Church-Langton, near Market-Harborough; Tormodeston (Thur-
meston), a hamlet and chapel in the parish of Belgrave; Kirkby-Malory,
mentioned before, in Leicestershire.
7 Dutlers-Merston ; Oxhill (Ostesilvp.) ; parishes in the hundred of
Kineton in Warwickshire.
B Charlton-Curlicu, Leicestershire, and Charlton-upon-Olmoor, Oxford-
shire.
256 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.TI. CII.V.
the church of Turchillestone, the tithes thereto belonging,
and two yard-lands ; the church of Grlendfield, with .all the
tithes, and two yard-lands; the church of Charlton with
the tithes, and five yard-lauds ; the church of Nosley1 with
the tithes, and two yard-lands ; the church of Mergrave,
now called Belgrave, with the tithes and eleven yard-lands ;
with "Wilcot,3 and whatever Hugh the clerk of Sap held
under him in England; the church of Merston3 with the
tithes and land thereto belonging; also the church of
Pilardenton, with the tithes and tenements appertaining to
the church; the church of the other Charlton, with the
tithes and three yard-lands ; the church of Cotesford,4
with the tithes and one hide of land ; and the church of
Peatling, with all that Leofric held there under him.5 These
are the possessions which Hugh de Grantmesnil hath given
to St. Evroult with my consent. Also Ealph de Conches
hath given to the said saint two manors, Alvinton in Wor-
cestershire and Caldecot in Norfolk ;6 and Hugh, the son of
Constantius, hath given the church of G-uafra and one hide
of land.7 Moreover, Hugh, earl of Chester, hath dedicated
his son Robert to God, as a monk in the abbey of St.
Evroult, and hath given to the same church one hide of
1 Turchillestone (Thurcaston) Glendfield, NosJey, all in Leicestershire.
3 Wilcot, a manor and hamlet in the parish of Quinton, Gloucestershire.
3 Merston; Butler's-Merston, already mentioned. The patronage of the
church did not rest with the abbey of St. Evroult, which possessed only
the tithes. Ralph-the-Butler gave it to the abbey of Alcester.
4 Cotesford, a parish in the hundred of Ploughley, Oxfordshire. The
manor had been granted to Ralph d'lvri, Hugh de Grantmesnil's son-in-
law, when Domesday book was compiled. His wife, Adeline de Grant-
meonil, gave it to the abbey of Bee, with several other manors composing
her dowry, and her sister Rohais, married to Robert de Courci, gave to
the same abbey a manor she held by the same title at Cotesford. The
monks of St. Evroult ceded the patronage of this church to the priory
of Okebourne, a cell of Bee.
* In Leicestershire ; part of the domains of Adeliza, Hugh de Grant-
mesnil's wife, when Domesday book was made, which says that Leofric
held under her eight plough-lands and a half. Peatling was called a priory
until about the year 1379, when it is described as a dependency on Ware.
6 Alton, a hamlet in the parish of Rock, hundred of Doddingtree,
Worcestershire ; Caldecot, a hamlet, formerly a parish, in the hundred of
Guenhow, Norfolk.
7 Guafra, Wara, Over, Churchover, in the hundred of Knighton,
Warwickshire. In Domesday book it is part of the fief of Rob.-rt de
Stafford, brother of this Ralph de Conches, or Toni.
A.D. 1081.] CHAUTEB OF WILLIAM I. 257
land in Little Pilardenton,1 and the tithes of one farmer iu
the vill called Birch-hill,2 and the tithes of Shenley in
Buckinghamshire. Also Robert de Ehuddlan, with the con-
sent of his lord, the said Hugh, earl of Chester, gave Kirby,3
with two churches, one in the village itself, and the other at
the manor lying near, surrounded by the sea ; together with
the church of St. Peter the apostle and its appurtenances,
in the city of Chester ;4 and the church of St. Lawrence at
Marston, in Northamptonshire, with its appurtenances ; and
in the same county the church of Byfield, with two plough-
lands.5 Also other mesne-tenants of Earl Hugh gave to St.
Evroult tithes in Lincolnshire, viz., Boscelin of Staiuton,
Osbern, son of Tezson, of Newbold, Baldric de Fairford,6
the tythe with one villein ; Koger de Millai,7 and Brisard,
and Kobert Pultrel5 in Leicestershire. All these gave their
tithes to St. Evroult, and the aforesaid earl freely con-
firmed the grant. All the aforesaid lands which I have
given to the abbey, often before mentioned, from my own
demesne, and which my barons and I have confirmed to the
same, I ratify by this present charter, made at the city of
1 Little Pillerton, in the hundred of Kineton, Warwickshire.
a There are three adjoining parishes of this name in the hundred of
Newport, Buckinghamshire. Shenley, in the same hundred, has been
mentioned before.
1 West Kirby, a parish in the hundred of Wirra!, Cheshire. The
church is dedicated to St. Bridget. The other church here mentioned is
St. Mary's, in Hilburg-Eye (Norsk for an islet), now Hillbree, and annexed
to the parish of St. Donald, belonging to the cathedral of Chester.
* The abbey and convent of St. Evroult afterwards gave up to the monks
of St. Werburgh at Chester all their rights in this and the two preceding
churches, in consideration of a yearly rent of twenty pounds issuing out of
the manor of Peatling in Leicestershire.
8 Marston-St.-Lawrence, a parish in the hundred of King-Sutton; By-
field, in that of Chipping- Warden, both in Northamptonshire. These two
manors formed part of the hundred of the earl of Chester, and were held
under him by Robert de Rhuddlan when Domesday-book was compiled.
* All in the division of Lindsey in Lincolnshire. These three places
were part of the domains of Earl Hugh, and the names mentioned in the
charter are included among his vassals in Domesday-book.
7 Roger de Millai was also a mesne tenant of Earl Hugh in Tedding-
worth. His surname was brought with him from Normandy, very probably
from the parish of M£lai in Cinglais.
8 This Robert de Pultrel gave his name to Hotton, a hamlet of the
parish of Pustwold, also held of Earl Hugh. The name of Poultrel is
Btill common in Normandy.
VOL. II. S
258 OfiDEEICt/S VITAL1S. [B.TI. CH.T.
Winchester, in the year of our Lord 1081, the fourth indic-
tion ; and I deliver this instrument to be executed with the
mark of the holy cross, to those my capital tenants, who
have given their lands in frank alinoign or their sureties,
that this endowment may be for ever ratified by royal au-
thority, and that sacrilegious invaders of sacred rights may
incur the penalty of an irrevocable anathema, unless they
repent of their crime."
In consequence "William, the great king of England, first
affixed the sign of the holy cross to this charter, and after
him the following nobles also subscribed, whose names are
hereuuder written : viz. Bobert and William, the king's sons
and earls of the highest rank; Eoger of Shrewsbury, Hugh of
Chester, Ealph de Conches, and William de Breteuil, Hugh
de Grantmesnil and his nephew Robert de Ehuddlan,1 Eobert
son of Murdac,2 Groulfier de Villerai,3 William de Molines,4
Eicher de Laigle, Eudes the steward, and Warin, Viscount
of Shrewsbury.5
On his return from England, Abbot Mainier brought with
him this charter and laid it up in the archives of the church.
Then Queen Matilda, hearing a goof: report of the life of the
monks, came to St. Evroult to pay her devotions, and being
received by the brethren with due honours offered a mark of
gold on the altar, and commended herself with her daughter
Constance to the prayers of the brethren.8 She also ordered
1 Rhuddlan in Flintshire.
2 This noble family, which has extended its branches both in Normandy
and England, and a member of which was archbishop of York in the
twelfth century, appears to have been originally lords of Courtonne-la-
Meurdrac, near Lisieux. In Domesday-book we find Robert, son of Mur-
dac, described as tenant in capite of two manors, one in Oxfordshire, the
oilier in Hampshire.
3 Seeb. iii. c. 19.
4 See b. v. c. 1 3.
* Warin, the viscount, often mentioned before. See p. 196. He was
not, however, the brother of Reginald de Baliol, but his first wife's
husband.
8 It appears from this passage that Queen Matilda remained in Nor-
mandy while William was in England. M. Le Prevost remarks that he
was mistaken in fixing the marriage of Constance with Alan Fergan, duke
of Brittany, about the year 1077, when she was quite young. See c. 1!!,
p. 105. She may have been betrothed about that time (1076), but the
marriage did not take place till 1086.
QUEEN EMMA TISITS ST. ETEOTJLT. 259
that a refectory of stone, for their common use, should be
built at her expense. She further gave to St. Evroult a
chasuble enriched with gold and jewels, and an elegant cope
for the chanter, with a promise to make further offerings if
she lived ; but she was prevented by death from fulfilling it.
Likewise Adeline, wife of Roger de Beaumont,1 gave to the
monks of St. Evroult an alb fringed with gold, which the
priest was used to wear when celebrating mass on solemn
occasions. In like manner many persons of both sexes made
offerings of various kinds to the abbey, desiring to participate
in the spiritual benefits which were there conferred by the
Maker of the universe.
At this time three brothers served God with merit in the
monastic habit at St. Evroult ; Roger, surnamed Nicholas,
Roger and Odo. They were the sons of a priest named
Gervase de Montreuil, who had been long ago transferred by
abbot Theodoric from being curate of the parish of Les
Essarts to that of Sap. The three brothers made their
profession while they were youths, and becoming remarkable
among the brethren for their worth, were highly esteemed
both by God and man. The eldest was an unlearned man,
but a devoted lover of virtue, and he skilfully superintended
the work of building the new church. The two others were
eminent scholars and priests, firm supporters of their superior,
and his able vicars, both within and without the convent.
The abbot made Odo prior of his monastery, for though he
was the youngest brother he was the best speaker and most
fitted for active affairs. Roger the eldest brother who had
made the greatest advances in learning, was sent to England
on affairs of the church. In this he promptly obeyed his
superior's command ; he also made by his own efforts a shrine
to hold relics of the saints, which he elegantly ornamented
with silver and gold.2 His skill procured many treasures for
the church, such as a variety of furniture, and copes and
vestments for the chanters, sconces, silver dishes, and other
1 She was daughter of Waleran, and sister of Hugh, count de Meulan,
who became a monk at Bee in 1077, and died in 1079 or 1089. She
married Roger de Beaumont in 1036, and died in 1081.
3 A chasse, or reliquary, of very ancient and curious workmanship,
which may possibly have been that here mentioned, escaped the plunder
of the revolution, and is still preserved at St. Evroult.
8 2
260 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.YI. CH.TI.
ornaments used in divine service. He was gentle and
modest, temperate in food, drink, and sleep, and beloved by
all for his kind disposition. Having filled the various offices
which the monastic system requires for twenty years, he was
afterwards promoted, by common consent of the brethren, to
succeed Mainier and Serlo in the government of the abbey of
St. Evroult.1 He held it for thirty-three years through good
and evil fortune, but finding himself broken by the infirmi-
ties of age, he committed it to one of his disciples named
"Warin, and for three years before his death, made him, as
far as possible, his deputy and successor.8 But of these
affairs, if life be spared me, I shall, with God's help, give a full
account in the sequel of this history. I now return to the
enumeration of the possessions granted to the abbey of
St. Evroult.
CH. VI. Sow the tithes of Lommoie were granted to the abbey
of St. Evroult.
THE young Ralph, son of Albert de Cravent, at the com-
mencement of his military career, fell in with Q-uitmond the
monk3 in the valley of Guyon, coming from Maule, attended
by a servant ; and unhorsing the monk, carried off the
palfreys. The monk made his way to Paci on foot, and in
great tribulation implored Albert's protection against his
son.4 The knight however replied superciliously, and at once
refused to render him any assistance in the recovery of his
horses. Upon finding this, Alberede his wife began making
lamentations, tossing her hands, and tearing her hair, and
mourning for her son as if he were just dead. She cried out
like a distracted person, exclaiming with mingled groans and
tears : " My son Ralph, you have begun your career in folly
rather than in arms. Alas ! you have listened to detestable
teachers, and, foolish boy ! have been led astray by their fatal
sophisms, by which you are miserably drawn to the brink
1 Roger du Sap was consecrated abbot of St. Evroult the 24th of
August, 1099.
2 Warin des Essarts was consecrated on Ascension day, the 24th of
May, 1123. His predecessor survived till January 13, 1126 or 1127.
8 Prior of Maule. See book v. c. 1 9.
4 Paci-sur-Eure. Albert probably had a command in the garrison.
The valley of Guyon must have lain between it and Maule.
PLUNDEHIN& A MONK. 261
of perdition. "What a sad message have you sent me ! what
bitter grief have you occasioned me ! misguided young man !
what shall I say to you ? Ton have incurred fatal degrada-
tion by unjustly treating an unarmed servant of Christ. O
my son Ralph ! what were you doing in your folly when your
first passage in arms was against the Almighty ? I am
persuaded full well, that I shall have small cause for joy and
abundant sorrow for your exploit. Do not all the doctors
of the church agree in asserting unanimously, that the Most
High dwells in his saints and shares with them good and
evil ? And you, his father, come to the aid of your infatuated
son, and use all diligence to have the stolen horses restored
to the disconsolate monk, lest your only son should, for such a
crime, be forthwith given over to the devil." The prudent
mother thus supplicating for her son's welfare, and seriously
endeavouring to console the distressed monk, Albert and all
his household were moved and frightened, and his mule being
returned he sent his men-at-arms with him as far as Breval,
and having severely reprimanded his son insisted on his
instantly giving up every thing he had taken from him.
Gruitmond therefore, recovering his horses, departed for Paci,
having returned thanks to Albert and his wife, both of whom
solicited and obtained his pardon for the offence which had
been committed. Alberede was daughter of Hugh bishop of
Evreux,1 and was highly esteemed by the neighbours for her
great worth, as far as things were in her power.
The same year the young man just spoken of fell sick, and
repenting of his crime sought for pardon from the monks of
St. Evroult. and devoted himself and all he posessed to the
saint. At his death his sorrowing father caused his corpse
to be conveyed to the abbey, and gave one moiety of the
tithes of Lommoie to St. Evroult, free as he himself possessed
it. The other moiety was held of him by the monks of
Coulombs,8 under the agreement that they should pay and
perform on his behalf all episcopal dues and all services which
were reserved. This grant was made to St. Evroult in the
year of our lord 1070, when Philip was king of France and
Geoffrey (nephew of Keginald, bishop of Paris) was bishop
1 Hugh, bishop of Lisieux, who died at the council of Rheims, held in
October, 1049, was eldest son of Ralph, count d'lvri, uncle of Richard II.
8 An abbey on the right bank of the Eure, near Nogent-le-roL
262 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.VI. CH.YII.
of Chartres.1 Ralph Malvoisin, who was the lord of the fee,
freely granted at Medan, on the request of abbot Mainier,
the tithes of Lommoie, which as before related belonged to
the church.
Not long afterwards Albert himself died, and his body-
was carried to St. Evroult, and the gift of the tithes was con-
firmed by his heirs, Guy his son-in-law, Everard de Rai his
son, and Ealph de La Cunelle, and others who have succeeded
to the present time ; and the monks of St. Evroult, by God's
mercy, have quietly possessed them for nearly sixty years
under three bishops, Geoffrey, Ivo, and Geoffrey.2
CH. VII. Foundation of the priory of Aufay near Dieppe, a
cell to St. Evroult — Possessions belonging to it in Normandy
and England.
I WISH now to commit to writing for the benefit of
posterity how and at what time the cell of Aufay, in the
county of Talou,8 was erected, and subjected to the monks of
St. Evroult, in the time of King William and Archbishop
John, and to record in this work the charter of donation
and confirmation which was authorized by King Henry.
As human life is constantly fleeting, and mortal man must
irrecoverably part with the possessions which he has used
the greatest exertions to acquire, every one ought faithfully
to obey the commandments of God while he lives and has it
in his power, that, holding transitory things in contempt, he
may by God's grace obtain those that are eternal. Taking
this into his serious consideration, a noble Norman knight,
named Gilbert, son of Richard de Heugleville,* at the instance
1 From July 30, 1077—1089. The date given in the text is incorrect,
though it is written at full length in the MS. of St. Evroult. It should
probably have been 1080. This Geoffrey, bishop of Chartres, has been
mentioned before, book v. c. 16.
1 Geoffrey I., 1077—1089; Ives, 1090—1115; Geoffrey II., 1116—
1 149. This paragraph must have been written some time about the year
1140.
8 The priory of Aufay, in the county of Talou, on the Sie, a rivulet
which discharges itself into the sea a little to the west of Dieppe. Aufay
is the second station on the railroad to Rouen, as Longueville, presently
mentioned, the original seat of the Giffards, earls and dukes of Bucking-
ham, is the first.
* Heugleville-sur-Sie.
PBIOEY OF ATJFAT, UEAE DIEPPE. 2C3
of his wife Beatrice, determined to establish monks on his
patrimonial domains at Aufay, by whose intercessions and
merits he might be aided in the day of account. His nephew
Dreux had lately retired from his worldly service, and become
a monk in the monastary of St. Evroult the confessor, for
which reason Gilbert had become much attached to abbot
Mainier and the monks, and gave them the church of St.
Mary d' Aufay, with all his prebends ; in such wise that six
monks should be appointed instead of the six canons who
then served the church, and should succeed to their prebends
when the canons died or gave up their secular calling for a
stricter rule of life. The aforesaid lord gave also to the
same monks all the vill of Pare,1 with the church and entire
tithes of the same vill, as free and discharged from all
burdensome services, as he held it himself. He released the
men of Pare from all compulsory service, except they were
summoned by the duke of Normandy in a general levy. He
gave for yearly tithes from his mill at Aufay two bushels of
wheat, and half a bushel of any sort of grain from another
mill on the Sie. He also granted liberty for the monks to
receive daily two ass-loads of fire-wood from his forest of
Herichards. The aforesaid knight had the fee of two waggon
loads of wine yearly from the duke of Normandy, out of
which he granted for ever to the monks one muid for use
in celebrating the mass. He further gave two churches,
with all the tithes and land belonging to them, one at Pare
which was built in honour of St. Mary, mother of God, and
the other at Beaunai, dedicated to St. Peter, prince of the
apostles. These being prebends of the church of Aufay were
then held by two of the canons. Ralph served the church
of Pare, but some time afterwards he was overtaken by a tem-
pest as he was returning from England, and the ship being
wrecked, perished in the sea with all on board. Walter
had the church of Beaunai, but he soon afterwards became
a monk of St. Evroult.
All these Gilbert, with his wife Beatrice, freely gave to
the church of God for the good of his soul, and he often
used his best efforts to persuade his tenants and friends to
augment his endowment. Geoffrey therefore, one of his
knights, gave to St. Mary the church of St. Denys* with all
1 Notre-Dame-du-Parc. * St. Denys-sur-Sie.
264 OHDERICUS TITALIS. [B.VI. CH.\II.
the tithes, recovering for the church by entreaties and
purchase the portions thereof which three knights, Osbern
Capes, and two sons of Aszo, Bernard and Ralph, held of him.
He also gave a farm, with the villeins and all the services
due from them, in La Rue-Sauvage. Robert, a knight of
Heugleville, gave to the monks the church of St. Aubin with
the tithes, receiving a gratuity of sixteen livres of Rouen.
Bernard, son of Geoffrey de Neuf Marche, granted to St.
Mary the church of Speen1 with the land belonging to it, and
all the tithes which Everard the priest held, and gave for
exchange of the churches of Burghill and Brinsop2 twenty-
pence of the rents of Newbury, at the feast of St. Michael.
Baldric son of Nicholas, gave one burgess at Dieppe,3 and
Ralph son of Ansered one cottier at Hotot.*
In the year of our Lord 1079, the second indiction, in the
fourteenth year of "William the Great,5 king of England and
duke of Normandy, the aforesaid Gilbert and Beatrice his
wife deposited the donation of the possessions before men-
tioned on the altar of St. Mary, in the presence of the
following witnesses : Gilbert, Ralph, Walter, and John, the
four canons of that church ; Bernard de Neuf- Marche,
Geoffrey de St. Denys, Osbern Capes, and Osbern Buflo,
Eustace de Carcuit, and Eustace de Torci, Robert de
Heugleville, Roger de Pare, and many others.
At last, Gilbert dying on the eighteenth of the
calends of September [the 15th August], and having been
honourably interred by the monks he had established on
his domains, his son Walter succeeded to the fief, and con-
firmed the grant of all that his father and his vassals had
1 Speen, near Newbury, Berkshire.
8 Burghill and Brinsop, two parishes in Herefordshire.
8 Dieppe had been recently built. It appears not to have been in
existence as a town when William first embarked there on his return to
England in 1067. (See book iv. c. 4.) There might have been a few
scattered huts near the mouth of the river Arques from an early period, as
Roger de Toni, who was contemporary with Duke Richard L, gave his
vill of Dieppe to the abbey of Conches ; but the place really owed its
foundation to the intercourse with England which sprung up after the
conquest.
* Hotot-sur-Dieppe.
B As the donation here referred to was made before the 1 5th of August,
1079, it must have been in the thirteenth year of William I., reckoning
hia reign from Christmas, 1066.
ENDOWMENTS OF AUFAY. 265
given to St. Mary. Again also, in the time of Robert duke
of Normandy, having married Avicia, daughter of Herbrand
de Sackville, at her instance he ratified the endowment
made by his father and mother by his own act. He also
added the tenth of the tolls of Aufay, and six burgesses,
with all their services, entirely releasing them from all obli-
gation to himself, except in respect of the general service
due to the duke of Normandy. He also granted to the
monks liberty to fish at their pleasure in all his waters.
Moreover, his wife Avicia, in her zealous love of God,
gave to the monks sixty pence out of her rents payable on
the calends [1st] of October to buy, yearly, oil and wax for
lights in the church, together with incense ; and she offered
the deed of gift with her husband on the altar of St. Mary.
The witnesses to these grants were Adam and William, sons
of Tedfred, Osbern Buflo, and Eustace de Torci, Robert de
CropUs,1 and Robert, son of Godmond, John-Catus, and
many others. Some years afterwards the same Walter and
Avicia his wife, making progress in devotion to God, de-
manded from Roger, abbot of St. Evroult, twelve monks, and
assigned for their necessary sustenance the mill of Pare,
which paid eleven bushels, and five acres of land at Heugle-
ville, with three cottiers paying fifteen pence of yearly rent,
and the church of the Holy Trinity, with the whole tithe,
at the ville called " The Hundred Acres."
All these grants to the monks of St. Evroult by Gilbert
and his mesne-tenants, were ratified by the confirmation of
William, king of England, and John and William, arch-
bishops of Rouen. Afterwards Robert II., duke of Nor-
mandy, granted to the monks of St. Evroult all that Walter,8
son of Gilbert, added to his father's endowment ; and also
granted them licence to hold a fair at Pare on the nativity
of St. Mary, and, by Walter the elder, surnamed Giffard,
entirely prohibited every one from having any toll or privi-
ledge in it except the monks. Moreover, his brothers
William Rufus and Henry, kings of England, and Geoffrey
the archbishop, granted to the monks of St. Evroult all the
1 Cropus, to the N.E. of Aufay. Walter de Cropus settled in Breck-
nockshire after the conquest.
a Walter Giffard, second of that name, earl of Buckingham and lord of
Longueville.
266 OBDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.TI. CH.V1II.
premises before mentioned, which they have now peaceably
possessed for many years. The canons gave place to monks,
perceiving that the latter excelled them in virtues to which
they were unable to attain. Guinimar, Benedict, and John
his son, associated themselves with the monks for many
years, and their infirmities increasing, at last departed. But
Gilbert, who was far the most intelligent of the canons, and
Walter, voluntarily embraced the monastic rule, and, engag-
ing in a stricter course of life, died worn out with age.
CH. VIII. Account of the lords ofAufay and their connections
— Bernard de Neuf-Marche, lord of Brecknock and others
— The author advocates the practice of endowing monas-
teries.
IT is now my intention to give some account of the origin
of the lords of Aufay, and their acts. Gilbert, surnamed
the Advocate of St. Valeri,1 married a daughter of -Duke
Richard, by whom he had Bernard, father of Walter de
St. Valery and Richard Heugleville. Richard was long
employed in the military service of his uncle, Richard, duke
of Normandy, from whom he received in marriage the
noble Ada, widow of the elder Herluin of Heugleville, with
all her inheritance. The duke also made him many presents,
and promised him more ; which promises he would have libe-
rably performed if Richard had taken pains to please him.
He built a town at the place formerly called Isnelville, on
the river Sie, and called it from the hill above it overspread
with beech-trees, Aufay [Alfagium], introducing among hia
colonists the customs of Corneilles. This Richard was
distinguished for his military conduct and great liberality,
whereby he was formidable to his enemies, and faithful to
his friends.
1 Advocatus. It is meant that the lords of St. Valery (sur Somme)
did not hold the fief in their own right. They were tributaries to the
abbey founded there by Clothaire in 013, to which the lordship belonged.
It was not likely, that as this was the port from which the Norman fleet
sailed for the conquest of England, its lords would be forgotten in the
division of the spoil. We find, accordingly, Walter de St. Valery
possessed, among other domains, of the extensive manor of Isleworth,
Middlesex, which continued to be part of the English barony of St. Valery.
It was still held by Robert, count de Dreux, in 1220, in right of his wife
Annora, daughter and heiress of Thomas, lord of St. Valery-sur-Soinuie.
A.D. 1066 — 1091.] BEBNABD DE JTEUF-MABGUfe. 267
During the non-age of "William, Duke Robert's son, when
"William d'Arques revolted against the duke,1 and almost all
the lords of Talou likewise deserted the cause of the bastard
prince, Richard alone held his castle near the church of
St. Aubin against the rebels, and endeavoured to defend the
country round in its allegiance to the duke against the
irruptions of the garrison of Arques. He was seconded in
this enterprise by his sons-in-law Geoffrey and Hugh de
Morimont, both sons of Turketil de Neuf-Marche ;2 but
Hugh having been suddenly surrounded, with his followers,
by the people of Arques near Morimont, they were cut to
pieces, defending themselves bravely. As for Geoffrey, he
had two sons by Ada, daughter of Richard, Bernard and
Dreux, whose lots were very different. Dreux relinquished
military service and devoted himself to a religious life at
St. Evroult ; becoming a monk, he learnt letters, and rose
through the different gradations of holy orders to the priest-
hood. On the contrary, Bernard continued in the career
of arms till an advanced age, and served in the wars under
three kings of England with great bravery.3 In the time of
"William Rufus, he fought a battle with Rhys, king of Wales,
and having slain him, built the castle of Brecknock, and
possessed the kingdom of the Welsh, of which Talgarth was
the capital for many years.4 He also built a church in
honour of St. John the Evangelist in his town of Brecknock,
1 This rebellion broke out in 1053.
2 As to Geoffrey de Neuf-Marche", see book iii. c. 10, and book v. c. 12.
3 For Bernard de Neuf-Marche", lord of Brecknock, and his wife Nesta
or Agnes, daughter of Trahaern-ap-Caradoc, king of North Wales, and
their posterity, see Dugdale'i Monast. Anglic, vol. i. p. 319.
At the time Domesday-book was compiled, Bernard did not possess any
estates in England. The manor of Speen belonged to Humphrey Vis-de-
Lew; Burghill and Brinsop to a Saxon named Alfred de Marlborough,
and Newbury was not yet built on the territory of Speen. Bernard's
signature appears on the charter of William the Conqueror to Battle
Abbey, but it is probable that he did not acquire the domains here
mentioned till the time of William Rufus.
4 Rhys-ap-Tewdor, king of South Wales, was slain in 1091, at the age
of ninety-eight, gallantly defending his country and throne, in the battle
fought near Brecknock with Robert Fitz-Hamon and his confederates.
His tomb is seen in the cathedral of St. David's. Talgarth is situated ten
miles N.E. from Brecknock.
2G8 OEDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.VI. CH.YTII.
and settling monks there, endowed them with the tithes of
all his possessions.1
Gilbert, Richard's son, married Beatrice, daughter of
Christian de Valenciennes,2 an illustrious captain, who bore
to her husband Walter, Hugh and Beatrice. This lord, the
duke's kinsman, fought by his side at the head of his vassals
in all the principal actions during the English war. But
when William became king and peace was restored, Gilbert
returned to Normandy, notwithstanding William offered
him ample domains in England ; for with innate honesty of
character, he refused to participate in the fruits of rapine.
Content with his patrimonial estates, he declined those of
others, and piously devoted his son Hugh to a monastic
life under abbot Mainier in the monastery of St. Evroult.
He lived long with his religious wife, who was a cousin of
Queen Matilda, and continued to the end in the practice of
almsgiving, prayers, and other good works. The venerable
Beatrice survived her husband three years, and died in a
holy confession on the second of the nones [4th of January].
AValter was a young man of elegance but little wisdom ;
in consequence of which he paid a ready submission to
Edmund and other false teachers. Frequenting the society of
spendthrifts, he wasted his inheritance by their pernicious
advice, and troubled the monks and clergy and tenants with
frequent and unjust attacks. Having been knighted, he
married Avicia, the accomplished and beautiful daughter of
Herbrand,3 by whose counsels and wise influence he was in
a measure withdrawn from his evil ways. She was prudent,
fluent in speech, and devoted to God from her youth, exer-
cising herself in good works to the utmost of her power.
She had three brothers, Jordan, William, and Robert,
distinguished knights, by whose assistance their brother-in-
law prevailed against his crafty advisers, and recovered much
which he had dissipated and lost by fraud and robbery.
Avicia bore her husband twelve sons and daughters, most of
whom died prematurely in their infancy. She herself, after
1 Bernard made the priory of Brecon a dependency on Battle Abbey.
8 This lady probably came into Normandy with the Duchess Matilda,
being her cousin, as we are told towards the close of the paragraph.
3 De Sackville.
HAV1SE AND WALTEE D'ATJFAY. 2G9
living fifteen years with her husband, died on the eighth of
the calends of March [22nd February], and was buried in
the cloisters of the monks she so much loved, near the
church door. Prior Warin caused an arch of stone to be
built over her grave, and Vitalis the Englishman composed
her epitaph, as follows : —
HAVISE, a noble lady, lies below,
May Christ on her eternal rest bestow !
Her life to excellence in virtue's ways
She framed with earnest zeal — her highest praise.
Still she was fair, and to her beaming face,
Wisdom gave eloquence, and talent grace.
To God her earliest years she willing lent,
Her steps to mass and vespers daily bent ;
Then WALTER D'ACFAY'S honoured wife became,
Bore him twelve scions of his ancient name,
And fifteen years maintained her spotless fame.
For sacred rites this priory she endowed,
With her own ornaments the altars glowed ;
Nor cost nor care for priests and monks she spared,
And widows, sick, and poor, her bounty shared.
When February's latter days gave promise fair,
And holy church kept feast of " Peter's chair," l
High festival, o'ershadowed then with gloom,
Saw pious Havise summoned to the tomb.
Ye men of Aufay, mourn your lady lost ;
Christ, number her among the heavenly host ! Amen.
Walter survived his wife's funeral nearly three years, and
suffering under a lingering disease, assumed the habit of a
monk, and soon afterwards, having made his confession and
received absolution, he died on the sixth of the calends of
June [26th May]. Prior Hildegord buried him at the feet
of his wife, and Yitalia made the following verses upou
him: —
SIR WALTER, LORD OP AUFAY, here finds rest ;
Peace be his endless portion with the blest !
A cloistered monk, he went from hence to heaven,
When May's bright suns had numbered twenty-seven.
His sins confessed, his lingering tortures ceased,
Christ's mercy shield him, from his guilt released ! Amen.
1 The 22nd of February, the day on which the church celebrates the
anniversary of the installation of St. Peter as patriarch of Antioch, which
is supposed to have taken place on the 22nd of February, 37. His
installation at Rome has the date assigned il of January 18, 44. These
two feasts, which are of very high antiquity, bear the name of " St. Peter's
Chairs."
270 OBDEKIC'US VITALIS. [fi.TI. CH.TIII.
Walter left at his death four orphan children ; Richard,
Jordan, "Walter, and Elias ; who fell to the guardianship of
King Henry, and he entrusted the government of the
lordship of Aufay to Robert the viscount, for two years.
Meanwhile, Jordan de Sackville obtained the whole fief by
his services and presents to the king, and had the custody
of his nephews to bring them up out of their own patri-
mony, which for four years he managed well and improved.
Richard, however, died when he was only twelve years old,
and was buried in the church of St. Mary, mother of God.
Jordan then succeeded his brother ; he was a handsome
youth, and his conduct was excellent. Having learnt his
military exercises in the court of Henry, that king gave him
a prudent and handsome wife, Juliana, the daughter of
Godescalch, who had followed Queen Adelaide to England
from the country of Louvaine.1
Thus far I have frequently spoken of the affairs of St.
Evroult, which fill the greatest part of my book. I entreat
my reader not to be displeased, if, mindful of benefits con-
ferred, I make mention of our benefactors. It is indeed my
desire to fix firmly in the memory of postery the history of •
our founders and their benevolent fellow labourers, that the
children of the church may be mindful before God, in the
presence of angels, of those by whose endowments subsis-
tence is provided for them while they perform the services
of the Creator of all things. Thus when Abram returned
victorious from the slaughter of the four kings, and recovered
his nephew Lot, with his fellow captives of both sexes and
all his substance, he commanded his confederates to take
their share of the spoils of Sodom. By Abram, which
signifies the supreme father, are to be understood those
men of perfection who contend daily with evil spirits and
the sins of the flesh, overcoming the world and the prince
of this world, and treading under foot and esteeming as
dung worldly vanities and the temptations of the flesh. By
Lot led into captivity by the barbarians, but nobly delivered
1 Adelaide, Adeliza, or Alice, de Lourain, daughter of Godfrpy I.,
count of Brabant and Louvain, and Ida of Namur, was married to Henry
I. in 1121, his first queen, Matilda, daughter of Malcolm, king of Scot-
land, having died in 1118. Adeliza was remarkable for her great beauty.
See Huntingdon's History, p. 249 (JBohn's edition).
BENEFITS OF MONASTIC ENDOWMENTS. 271
by the active valour of his spiritual uncle (Lot signifying
one bound or led aside), is meant the carnal mind or brutal
people, enchained in Sodom, that is in sinful delights, and
which fast bound in the embraces of sin, is led astray from
God and made captive by evil spirits. By the confederates
of Abram who, as we read, fought in his company, are
justly signified those faithful laymen who at his command
are said to have received a share of the spoils. For thus it
is written in the book of Genesis : " And the king of Sodom
said unto Abram, Give me the persons and take the goods
to thyself. And Abram replied to him, I will not receive
anything that is thine, save only that which the young
men have eaten and the portion of the men which came
with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre : let them take their
portion."1 Many of the laity are distinguished by their
courteous and decorous manners, are united in faith and
good-will to the regular soldiers of Christ, and kindly cheer
them in their manful conflicts with the demons. But they
do not give up the fleeting world, nor entirely relinquish its
advantages, they are bound to it by a legal servitude, and
they offend God by repeated transgressions of his law ; but
they expiate their sins by alms, as Daniel counsels. They
found monasteries for the service of God, from the portions
they receive of the spoils of the enemy, and from the
mammon of iniquity they piously erect hospitals for the sick
and poor, and provide food and clothing for the votaries
of heaven out of their substance. Moreover, the king
of Sodom, when congratulating Abram on his victory,
represents the devil who daily tempts the saints with a
thousand artifices, assailing them night and day with
blandishments and terrors, and craftily employing all the
delights of the world, its wealth and its honours, to the sole
purpose of drawing souls into his own pit of perdition.
We find, however, that Abram despised the king's smooth
flatteries, and disdained to accept either his praises or his
gifts, only suffering his companions in arms to receive their
portions, and what was necessary for their subsistence. So
it is that holy men while they spend the time of their war-
fare in this present life despise all worldly things in their
1 Genesis xiv. 21 — 24. Our author, as usual, is not very exact in his
quotations from the sacred writings.
272 OHDEEICTJS TITALIS. [B.TI. CII.VIII.
desire after heavenly, and desire no reward for their sanctity.
Still they warn the great men of the world, who are their
fellow heirs of the catholic faith and the hope of everlasting
bliss, that they ought to endow the monasteries with some
portion of their domains and fortunes, and thus support by
their gifts the poor and the despisers of the world, that they
may claim eternal glory from Christ who saith, that he
dwells with the poor. It may be proved by many authorities
and examples that men are the gainers towards their
eternal salvation to the full extent of all they mercifully
distribute in alms, according to our Saviour's precept ;
for what they lavishly spend in carnal delights, or throw
away to no purpose on the empty splendour of worldly
felicity, passes away like flowing water never to return.
Those also who amass great wealth to leave it to their heirs
often, alas ! lay up for themselves an increase of perversity
and wretchedness, and only take pains to bring up their chil-
dren to many misfortunes, while they themselves, abandoned
to robbery, rapine, and all kinds of wickedness, deservedly
perish, undergoing the vengeance merited by their crimes.
Thus it happens that they are neither fit for heaven or
earth, and while their ungrateful heirs succeed to their
ample possessions, those who have gathered enormous riches
for unworthy successors are subject to the maledictions of
many.
Wise and provident men make themselves friends of
the mammon of unrighteousness, who, while they receive
their carnal things for the sustenance of life, repay their
benefactors by their merits and prayers with spiritual and
eternal benefits. Evroult of Bayeux took great pains to
obtain such debtors. I have already related many things
concerning him in the present work ; I shall now enter into
further particulars of this father, shortly abridging his acts
as they have been handed down to us from old times, either
in writing or by tradition, and endeavouring to insert his
life in these pages for the edification of my readers.1
1 This legend of St. Evroult is very inferior, both in point of antiquity
and as a composition, to that published by Mabillon in the Ada SS. ord.
S. lienediclt, saec. I., from the the two MSS. of Bee and Conches. But
both literally agree in all the details.
A.D. 517 — 560.] LIFE OF ST. EVBOULT. 273
CH. IX. The life of St. Evroult, the founder of the abbey of
that name in the forest of Ouche, in the sixth century.
THE venerable father Evroult was descended from a noble
family, and born at Bayeux.1 His parents educated him
•with great care, and entrusted him to teachers of the
catholic faith. Such was the facility with which he pursued
his studies both in divinity and human learning that he is
said to have excelled his masters while he was yet a boy.
For divine grace, which foresaw that he would become a
doctor of religion, efficaciously rendered him docile in all
things. Nor did he, by the pride or self-conceit natural to
his age, spoil the dignity of his exalted character. His person
was graceful and his discourse agreeable, and no fickleness of
temper ever led him to be severe to any one. Illustrious,
as we have just remarked, by birth, and already marked
out by the prescience of Almighty God, he presently became
known to King Clothaire, son of Clovis, who was the first of
the Frank kings who became Christian, and was baptized
by St. Kemigius, bishop of Rheims, with three thousand of
his nobles. Clothaire, discovering who Evroult was and his
high nobility, ordered that he should be forthwith presented
to him, judging that one so gifted with brilliant talents
should serve in the offices of the state. Notwithstanding
his humility, the Supreme Ruler gave him such favour with
the earthly sovereign that he was preferred before others, and
obtained the highest appointment in the palace. Endowed
with great eloquence, he took his seat among the most
learned officers of the court who had the administration of
affairs. But while thus applying himself to secular affairs
he never diverted his mind from the contemplation of
heavenly love.
As on him rested the hope of continuing the line of his
father's family, he was induced by the frequent well-intended
instances of his friends to choose a wife of fitting birth.
Marrying for the sake of offspring and not for carnal
pleasure, he frequently meditated on the divine precepts,
1 Mahillon places the birth of St. Evroult in the year 517. The
flourishing state of the church of Bnyeux during the first half of the sixtli
century is very remarkable. It then produced the two first heiuls of
monastic establishments in Normandy, S*. Marcellus and St. Evroult.
TOL. II. T
274 OBDEEICUS VTTALTS. [B.VI. CH.IX.
which he devoutly fulfilled. The man of God thus fully
enjoyed temporal blessings, while using great care not
to displease his Maker in the use of his benefits ; and be-
coming very wealthy, delighted more in good works than in
the abundance of his possessions. It was his anxious study
to transfer to himself the virtues of the old fathers of whom
he read accounts in many volumes. Multiplying his alms,
and prayers, and vigils, he induced his wife to join him in
the same holy course, so that, herself pious, her piety was
increased by that of her husband. Thus living, though as
yet a layman, he seemed scarcely to differ from those who
were under the restraints of monastic discipline.
While this blessed man was thus worthily living under a
certain rule of his own, and zealously submitting to the
evangelical precepts, he happened to be struck with what
was said by our Lord to his disciples in the gospel : " If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take
up his cross, and follow me."1 The man of God had deeply
stored in his mind, as the sum of perfection, that which
truth itself promises to the contemners of this world :
" Verily, I say unto you, that ye which have forsaken all
things for my name's sake shall receive an hundredfold,
and shall inherit eternal life."2 Inflamed by these divine
promises Evroult no longer confined himself within the
boundary of his former discretion, but sold all that he had,
and gave whatever was in his power to the poor. The wife
he had married in order to become a father, he caused to take
the veil, espoused to a heavenly husband, whilst he himself
hastened to a monastery, like one escaped from shipwreck, .
and becoming a monk remained there for some time serving
God in all humility ; and the love of that holy state of life
increased in him more and more.
The author of his life has not told us the name of the
monastery to which the holy man retired. I think it, there-
fore, worth while shortly to note for the information of
posterity what I have learnt from the reports of old persons
respecting it. The venerable Martin, abbot of Vertou,3 had
1 Luke ix. 23. z Matthew xix. 29.
3 The history of this saint may be found in the Ada SS. ord. lienedicti,
sa;c. i. p. 371. He was a native of Nantes, and founded the abbey of
Vertou, near that city, about the 24th of October, 600.
A.D. 560—596.] ST. EYEOULT BECOMES A MONK. 275
founded a monastery in a place which from ancient times
was commonly called Deux Jumeaux,1 from the restoration
to life of the twins which old accounts represent to have
taken place there. For the twin children of a powerful lord
had died prematurely and without baptism, which occasioned
excessive sorrow to both their parents. But the blessed
Martin, on his return from England, found his friends
plunged in grief, and, imploring Heaven to give them relief,
restored the twins to life by his prayers and merits, and
dedicated them to God as monks on their own property.
The village preserves to the present day the ancient name
it derived from this occurrence, and great masses of stones,
which formed the foundations of buildings, and ruined walls,
prove that the territory of Bayeux was formerly the residence
of men of great dignity. It is reported that Evroult, while
yet a layman possessed of great wealth and honours, was a
liberal contributor to the erection of this monastery. He
aided with his counsel those who undertook it, encouraged
the hesitating, and forwarded the new work by supplying
funds, and in various other ways. At length he stripped
himself of every thing, and retiring there became truly
one of the poor in Christ, embracing the monastic rule,
and engaging in the Christian warfare with the arms of
obedience, so that he was a bright example to all observers.
When, however, the glorious confessor Evroult began to
be honoured by the brethren on account of the grace of
sanctity, he felt the danger he incurred of self-elation, and
determined without delay to plunge into the wilderness and
devote himself altogether to the contemplation of God,
taking with him three monks who were attached to him by a
familiar intercourse, and were as he knew well fitted for the
struggle after the highest perfection. Passing therefore
through the district of Exmes, they came to a place called
Montfort,2 and resting there, because the spot was pleasant
and abounded with woods and springs, they led for awhile a
solitary life according to the rules of holiness. But as there
1 In the canton of Isigni. It is possible that a monastery may have
existed in this place in the sixth century, and even that St. Evroult may
have assumed the habit there. But it could not have been under St.
Martin de Vertou, whose foundation was not anterior to that of St. Evroult.
* St. Evroult de Montfort, half a league north of Gace".
T 2
c
276 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.TI. CH.
were two castles in the neighbourhood, Exmes and Gace1 to
which a number of people were attracted by judicial proceed-
ings, the servants of God were often exposed to inter-
ruptions by the resort of so many strangers. It is reported
that these towns existed in the time of Cesar2 and stoutly
resisted him, and that they were the seats of princes for
many ages. It now happened that numbers of persons of
all ranks, both high and low, to whom the noble lord was
known when he was in an exalted station, came to visit him
while he was fervently devoting himself to heavenly con-
templations, and by their multiplied conversations on affairs
in which they were interested, disturbed his mind when he
was meditating on divine things. The venerable men there-
fore quitted the spot ; on which a church was afterwards built
in honour of St. Evroult, which is standing at this day.
In their ardour for a hermit's life, the monks then struck
into a forest which the people of the neighbourhood call
Ouche. It was fearfully gloomy from its depth of shade,
the frequent resort of robbers after their predatory excur-
sions, and the abode of ferocious animals.3 However, they
traversed its vast solitudes with fearless steps, without being
able to find a spot suited to their devotional purposes,
when at length St. Evroult, in the fervour of his pure spirit,
prayed to the Lord, saying : " 0 Lord Jesus Christ, who
shewedst thyself to thy people Israel as their faithful guide
in their journey through the wilderness by a column of cloud
and of fire, vouchsafe mercifully to show us, who desire to
1 Roger de Montgomery was viscount D'Exmes. Gac6 is a little bourg
on the post road from Lisseux to Alenfon. Gace stands on the skirts of
the forest, through which it is a pleasant walk to St. Evroult.
a Our author evidently obtained the references he makes to the Roman
antiquities of Normandy from a fabulous composition which was popular
in the eleventh century under the title of Gesta Romanorum, but is now
lost. There is no foundation for the accounts of Julius Cassar's proceed-
ings in this part of Gaul. See a preceding note respecting Lillebonne, p.
130.
3 This forest still overspreads the country in a circuit of fifty or sixty Eng-
lish miles. Like most of the French forests, it is for the most part denuded
of timber, but while traversing its dense thickets on a gloomy evening for
three leagues in one direction, the scene struck us as even now possessing
many of the features ascribed to it by our author. The forest abounds
with wild animals, including wolves, numbers of which are killed every
winter.
A.D. 560 — 596.] CELL IX THE FOBEST OF OUCHE. 277
escape the condemnation of Egyptian servitude, a place of
liberty and an asylum for our weakness." Scarcely had he
finished his prayer when an angel of the Lord appeared to
the holy man, commissioned to point out what he desired.
Following his guidance, the solitaries came to springs well suit-
ed for drinking, which, issuing from several sources shortly
collected in one large pond. Kneeling down on this spot
they offered fervent praises to God their conductor, who never
forgets his servants who trust in him. After this thanks-
giving, they invoked the name of the Lord, and built a hut with
boughs and leaves, just large enough to shelter its intended
inhabitants ; and having made an inclosure round it by a
slight fence of the same materials, settled themselves in it,
having obtained the quiet resting place they had long co-
veted. The freer their service now was, the more acceptable
it proved to be to God. Trampling under their feet all the
turmoils of the world, they gave their thoughts entirely to
heavenly contemplations, and having abandoned all earthly
things, had nothing left but God only. They might well
• therefore say with the Psalmist : " Thou art my portion, O
Lord ; I have promised to keep thy law." l Obedient to the
law of the most high God, they sought him as their only
portion.
While, however, their whole attention was directed to their
spiritual progress, and neither the wildness of the place nor
fears of savage beasts diverted them from their object, it
happened that one of the robbers who made their resort in
the woods paid them a visit. Admiring their resolution
and perseverance in the service of Christ, he said to them :
" 0 monks, what disturbances have driven you to take
shelter in these thickets ? How can you venture to make
your abode in such a desert ? You have not chosen a fitting
spot. Do you not know that this is a place for robbers, and
not for hermits ? The inhabitants of this forest live by
plunder, and will not suffer among them those who live by
the labour of their hands. Here you cannot long be safe.
Besides, you will meet with nothing but a barren and
unproductive soil, on which' your labour would be spent to
no purpose." To this the venerable father Evroult, as he
was a man of eloquence, replied with reference to each pro-
1 Psalm cxix. 57.
278 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [fi.VI. CU.IX.
position : " In truth, brother, it is no swelling tumult, but
the providence of Almighty God which has conducted us
here ; nor do we come to usurp this place, but to have mor
liberty to bewail our sins. And as the Lord is with us,
having him for our defence, we fear not the threats of men,
since he himself hath said : ' Pear not them which kill the
body, but are not able to kill the soul.'1 As to what you
said last concerning our labours, you should know that the
Lord is able to prepare a table for the sustenance of his
servants in the wilderness. You also, my son, may be par-
taker of his abundance, if you turn from your evil courses
and promise devoutly to serve the living and true God.
For saith the prophet : ' In the day that the sinner turneth
away from his wickedness, our God shall deliver to oblivion
all the evil that he hath done.' 2 Do not despair therefore,
my brother, of the goodness of God on account of the enor-
mity of your sins, but follow the admonition of the Psalmist :
' Flee from evil and do good,' 3 understanding of a surety that
' the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are
open unto their prayers.' But I would not have you igno-
rant that the same passage contains a terrible threat : ' The
countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil, to
root out the remembrance of them from the earth.' 4 If the
regards of divine mercy are present with the just, it is
doubtless plain that they must be turned away from the
unjust, that their wickedness may be some time severely
punished." The robber, touched to the heart by grace from
above as he listened to this discourse, presently departed.
When however morning was come, he left all that he had,
and, taking with him only three cakes, baked on the embers,
and a honey-comb, returned with hasty steps to the servants
of God, and throwing himself at the feet of St. Evroult made
a holy offering, and shortly afterwards, inspired by the Holy
Ghost, promised to amend his life and there first assumed
the profession of a monk. Following his example many
robbers, who infested the same forest, either became monks
through the preaching of the holy man, or abandoning their
life of rapine became cultivators of the soil. His fame and
merits being noised abroad, some came to him also from the
1 Matthew x. 28. 2 Ezek. xviii. 21.
3 Psalm xxxiv. 14. * Psalm xxxiv. 17.
A.D. 560 — 596.] ABBEY OF ST. EVBOULT FOUNDED. 279
neighbouring districts desiring to see his angelical counte-
nance and hear his delightful discourse. They supplied him
with things necessary for his bodily wants and returned home
with joyful hearts refreshed with his spiritual gifts. Some
of them also entreated him to admit them into his holy com-
pany that they might have the advantage of constant inter-
course with him, so that from the numbers who frequented
it, the forest soon lost its character for solitude.
As the number of the brethren increased, so also grace and
virtue increased in the blessed Evroult. His patience was
singular, his abstinence remarkable, his prayers incessant,
his exhortations fervent. He did not permit himself to be
elated by prosperity nor cast down by adversity. What
was brought to him by pious people who flocked about him
he ordered to be distributed to the poor, saying that monks
ought not to be anxious for the morrow.
One day when there was not sufficient bread, a poor man
came to the gate and asked for alms. As the minister to
whom he applied informed him that they had nothing to
give him, the venerable father said : " Brother, why do you
disregard the cries of the needy ? give alms, I pray you, to
this poor man." Upon which he answered; "My father, I
have only half a loaf which I have kept for our poor children,
all the rest I have distributed according to your orders."
But he said ; " Son, you ought not to hesitate, have you not
read what the pvophet saith : ' Blessed is he that considereth
the poor and needy ; the Lord shall deliver him in the time
of trouble ?' * Never, indeed, will the faithful Creator of all
things fail to nourish those for whom he condescended to
shed his precious blood, nailed to the cross." The minister
on hearing these words of the venerable father gave the half
loaf which he had reserved for the children to one of the
servants, saying : " Run quickly, and give this to the poor
man, but do not call him back." The servant, in obedience
to his commands, ran after the poor man until he overtook
him at the distance of almost a stadium from the monastery,
and addressed him saying : " Take, master, the alms which
the abbot sends you," whereupon he stuck in the ground
the staft' which he carried, and received the offering of cha-
rity in both hands. But when he withdrew the staff which
1 Psalm xlL 1.
280 OEDEEICUS ViTALIS. I^.VI. CH.1X.
lie had planted in the ground, before the bearer of the alms
had left the spot a plentiful spring of water suddenly burst
forth on the spot following the point of the staff, and it con-
tinues flowing there to the present day.1 Many diseases have
been cured at that place, and persons afflicted with fevers
are attracted from distant quarters in the hope of obtaining
relief. Many also received visions commanding them to
seek out the forest of Ouche, and, for the recovery of their
health, drink of the spring which flows there. Several came
from Burgundy, Aquitaine, and other parts of Prance, and
made inquiries for Ouche under great difficulties, for the
place was desert and unknown, so that it was scarcely pos-
sible to find it out. When at length they had discovered
the fountain, and drawn the water and drunk it in faith,
invoking the holy name, or bathed the head or limbs, they
had the happiness to recover their health, and giving thanks
to Grod, returned joyfully home.
Miracles were wrought at this place for many ages, until
the times of Henry, king of France,2 when, in consequence
of the ravages during the Danish invasions, the district of
Ouche had become thinly populated, and was thrown out of
estivation. At that time a certain peasant named Beranger
succeeded by inheritance to that farm, and inclosed the
spring with a hedge to prevent the sick people who resorted
to it from treading down his crops ; for the farmer was often
incensed and grieved because his meadows, gardens, and all
his land round about were trampled upon by strangers who
flocked there for the benefit of their health. Thenceforth
miracles of healing ceased to be performed as long as
Beranger and his heirs, Lethier, AVilliam, and Grervase,
possessed the farm.
1 About a league from the abbey there is a hollow in the wood
covered with green sward, and shaded by scattered forest trees, beneath
which the spring mentioned in the legend bursts forth, still bearing the
name of the fountain of St. Evroult. Its cool and pellucid waters
collected in a large tank of solid masonry, are still resorted to by pilgrims
and sick persons in reliance on their virtues. On the bank above stands
a little chapel, with a statue of the saint in a niche over the door. The
building had fallen to decay, but was under repair in the autumn of 1853,
the bishop of Sedz being expected to re-open it with solemn services in the
ensuing summer.
* July 20, 1031— August 29, 10CO.
MIRACLES AT THE ABBEY OF ST. EYBOULT. 281
St. Evroult, having caused the bread to be given to .the
poor man, lo ! before sunset a beast of burden was seen to
stop before the door of the cell with a full load of bread
and wine. The conductor called the minister ; and, saying
that he was a borrower at usury, delivered to him what he
had brought, adding, " Go, brother, and give it to your
abbot:" so saying, he mounted the horse, as if to hasten
his journey, and quickly departed ; so that, when the holy
father wished to see him, he was told with what despatch he
had taken his leave. He therefore understood that the
provisions were sent by God ; and, rejoicing in spirit, gave
thanks to His unbounded loving kindness, who magnifies his
mercy to his servants, and makes a rich return for small
offerings. Prom that day there never failed to be a sufficient
supply of what human wants required.
The temporal goods of the new society, through the
merciful providence of the Lord, beginning to increase, two
fierce robbers from another province, hearing that their sub-
stance was multiplied, directed their steps towards the cell
of the holy man, and seizing a herd of swine, hastened to
make their escape from the forest ; but, instead of doing
so, found themselves repeatedly following the same track in
a circuit round the inclosure. Being unable -to discover
any free way of exit, they were astonished at what happened ;
when, just as they were worn out with wandering, they
heard the bell which summoned the brethren to assemble to
their usual office of prayer.1 The sound struck them with
excessive terror, and leaving the swine, they came with all
haste to the man of God, and, confessing the crime of which
they had been guilty, became monks on the spot.
To render the glory of the master more conspicuous, we
must not omit what the sevenfold grace of the Spirit per-
formed by means of one of the disciples of so illustrious a
saint. A crow which had built its nest near the monastery,
secretly stole eggs, and getting into the refectory by one of
the windows, put everything in disorder, and carried off to
its nest all that it found. Then one of the brethren, whose
1 This circumstance concurs with others of the same kind mentioned by
Gregory of Tours, to prove that the use of bells in the western church was
far anterior to the time of Pope Sabinian to which its introduction is
frequently attributed.
282 OBDEHICUS VITALIS. [B.TI. CII.IX.
duty it was to look after the refectory, praying with sim-
plicity, said : " 0 Lord, avenge us of the enemy who carries
off what thy mercy has bestowed on us." And the bird
was forthwith found dead under the tree where she had
made her nest. Thus whoever attempted to injure the
monks, either quickly perished, or, repenting of it, engaged
in a better course of life.
God, who beholds all things, regarding with favour the
glorious conflict of his beloved servant Evroult, strength-
ened his heart with all the firmness of faith, that, persevering
in his good work, he might become a model of regular
discipline to others. He, indeed, longed to retire to the
deepest recesses of the wilderness, and free himself entirely
from human companionship ; but wiser counsels led him to
consider how best his presence might profit the band of
combatants, whose leader and master he had become.
Fearing, therefore, that if he, the founder of the establish-
ment, withdrew, the work, in its infant state, would receive a
shock, he took precautions that he might not cause injury
to others, while he was providing a quiet retreat for himself,
In consequence, as the general of this militant body, he
remained at his post, fighting in the ranks as a private
soldier, and also exalting himself by his eminent virtues as
a brave commander in front of the ranks. His great
reputation for sanctity, being spread abroad through many
provinces, attracted numbers of wealthy, resolute, and God-
fearing persons, to enrol themselves for the same conflict.
They surrendered to the holy man, their houses, farms,
possessions, and families, entreating him to cause monas-
teries to be built for them ; and that, as their wise pastor,
he would give them a rule under which to live. The saint
granted their petitions, arid founded fifteen monasteries for
men and women, with regular institutions, appointing a
person of approved conduct to govern each. He himself
continued to preside over the convent which he first built,
exhorting the brethren to make a loftier progress, and to
shun the multiform snares of the devil. At length the
fame of the sanctity of so eminent a father reached the ears
of the princes who then held the reins of government among
the Franks, recently brought into subjection to the light
yoke of Christianity.
A/D. f>Gl — 613.] THE KINGS OP THE FRANKS. 283
Clotaire the elder reigned fifty-one years,1 and at his
death divided his kingdom into tetrarchies among his sons.
Caribert fixed the seat of his government at Paris, Chilperic
at Soissons, G-ontran at Orleans, and Sigebert at Metz.
Sigebert, the youngest, was the first to marry, taking for hia
wife JBrunehaut, daughter of the king of Galicia,2 who
bore him Childebert, who became king, Ingoude, wife of
Herminigilde, king of the Goths and martyr,3 Bertha, wife
of Ethelbert king of Kent,4 and Beuve, who became a nun.5
Eight years afterwards 6 Sigebert was slain by the treachery
of his brother Chilperic, and Childebert, who was yet a
child, mounted the throne, with his mother Brunehaut
as regent. He maintained himself in it resolutely twenty-
five years, as it is related in his acts ; but, after many diffi-
culties, was taken off by poison.7 He left the two portions
which belonged to hia father and his uncle Gontran to his
sons Theodebert and Theodoric,8 with whom Clotaire the
Great, son of Chilperic, was at variance for nearly twenty
years. At length he slew King Theodebert in battle, and
caused Brunehaut, who was now advanced in age, to be
cruelly bound to the tails of wild horses, and this powerful
queen, whose favour had been humbly implored by Pope
1 511 — after November 10,561.
8 Youngest daughter of Athanagilde, king of the Visigoths, 554 — 567.
We do not understand why our author makes him king of Galicia, as he
made Toledo the capital of his kingdom of the Visigoths.
* Ingonde was married in 580, and died in 585. Herminigilde suffered
martyrdom the 13th of April, 586.
* Bertha married Ethelbert, king of Kent, in 566, and he was converted
in 597. She was not the sister of Ingonde, but her cousin-german, and
daughter of Caribert, king of Paris.
s St. Beuve, abbess of Rheims, was not a daughter of Sigebert I.
Frodoard supposed her to be daughter of Sigebert II., but she was
probably his niece.
6 It does not appear from what event our author reckons these eight
years, unless from Brunehaut's marriage in 566, or 568. We know,
however, that Sigebert, king of Metz in 561, was assassinated in 575 by
Fredegonde's emissaries.
7 Childebert, king of Austrasia, was poisoned in 596, his reign having
then lasted only twenty years, in the twenty-sixth year of his age. His
government did not merit the epithet applied to it by our author.
8 Theodebert II., king of Austrasia, 596—612. Theodoric II., king of
Orleans and Burgundy, 596 — 613. Theodebert II. was killed at Chaloas-
sur-Saone by Theodoric and Brunehaut.
284 OEDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.TI. CH.1X.
Gregory (as it is stated in the Pontifical Acts and the
Register), was torn to pieces.1 Thus Clotaire, having got
rid of all his rivals, reigned sole king of France, and at his
death left the kingdom to his son Dagobert, whose history
is very well known to the French.
At that time, while these princes governed the Franks,
Justinian and Justin the younger, Tiberius, Maurice,
Phocas, and Heraclius were emperors of Home ;2 and the
apostolical see was filled by Hormisdas, John, Felix, Boni-
face, John, Agapete, Silverius, Vigilius, Pelagius, Gregory
the great doctor, Sabiuian, Boniface, Deusdedit, and Boni-
face, famous for the dedication of the church of All-Saints.8
In those times Flavius, Pretestatus, Melantius, Hildulfus,
and Romanus, the celebrated son of Benedict, were metro-
politans of Rouen.*
I have collected these particulars from the Chronicles,
and shortly noted them for the reader's benefit, in order
that it may clearly appear in what times the holy father St.
Evroult, whose life was prolonged for eighty years,8 nou-
rished in the world. I must now endeavour to retrace my
steps for the purpose of relating some circumstances which
I have not found in books, but have learned from stories
told me by old persons. The writings of the ancients, as
well as the churches and monasteries, were destroyed in the
furious storms which devastated Normandy in the time of
the Danes ; and with whatever ardour posterity thirsts for
them, the most zealous students of our day have failed to
recover them. Some, which were adroitly saved from the
hands of the barbarians by the care of our predecessors,
have since perished, shame to say, by the culpable negli-
gence of their successors, who took no pains to preserve the
profound wisdom contained in the works of their spiritual
fathers. With the loss of the books, the actions of the men
of former ages sunk into oblivion, and all the efforts of
1 In 613, at Reneve, in Burgundy, five miles from Dijon. The
Register was the name given to a collection of St. Gregory's Epistles.
* The reigns of these emperors embraced the period from 527 to Feb.
11.641. See vol. i. pp. 114— 11.9.
* These popes filled the papal chair from the month of July, 514, to
the 21st of October, 625. See vol. i. pp. 338—349.
* For these archbishops, see before, pp. 145 — 147.
* St. Evroult lived from A.D. 517— December 29, 596.
ABOUT A.D. 593.] YISIT OF KINO CHILDEBERT. 285
modern times to retrace them are fruitless, these ancient
monuments having disappeared with the revolutions of the
world from the memory of men, like hail or snow lost in the
waters of some rapid river, and flowing onward, past
recovery, in its mingled current.1
The names of the places at which father Evroult founded
the fifteen monasteries, and of the fathers he set over the
religious societies, as vicars of Christ, have been lost in the
various revolutions of four hundred years, during the reigns
of the numerous kings who have governed France from
Lothaire the Great and Childebert to Philip and his son
Lewis.2 Nevertheless, some old men, bowed down with
years, have related to their sons with natural garrulity what
they saw and heard, which these again retained by strong
efforts of a tenacious memory, and handed down to the
succeding age. These traditions of things worthy of
remembrance they make known to their brethren, thereby
stirring up the hard hearts of men to the love of their
Creator, and not hiding their talent in the earth with the
useless servant, and incurring his condemnation. Listen,
then, to what I heard myself, when a boy, from our old
fathers, and magnify with me the wonderful works of
God in his saints.
The fame of the holy father Evroult being noised abroad
far and near, reached the ears of Childebert king of France,
who, impelled by a strong desire to see him, undertook a
journey to Ouche with his wife and some of his family.3
Approaching the monastery of the man of God, at the
place where the church dedicated to St. Mary, mother of
God, now stands,4 he dismounted from his horse, and com-
1 This noble image recalls to memory a passage in the bible which con-
tains the same idea : " Let them fall away like water that runneth apace."
Ps. Iviii. 6.
a This passage was written in the reign of Lcwis-le-Gros, and con
sequently before the month of August, 1137, the date of that king's death.
s See note to book iv. c. 16 (p. 101). This visit of Childebert and his
queen to St. Evroult probably took place shortly after the 28th of March,
893, when Gontran left to his nephew vast possessions in the west of
France, of which Childebert might wish to take possession in person.
4 Probably the church now called Notre-Dame-du-Bois, built on the
site of the oratory, under the same invocation, acquired by Abbot Theodoric.
See vol. i. p. 399. The church stands on the right bank of the Charenton,
286 OEDEHICUS YITALI8. [B.VI. CH.LX.
manded all to prepare themselves duly for meeting the
saint. Then the clerks who were in his train stood ready in ,
their vestments, laying their hands on the crosses and relics
which they had spread on palls ; but when they attempted
to remove them, they could by no means do so. All, there-
fore, in great tribulation, threw themselves on the ground,
and humbly prayed for God's mercy. The queen, also,
bound herself by a vow, saying : " If Almighty God shall
give us the power of safely removing the holy things which
we have here deposited, I will cause a venerable church to
be built on this spot in honour of his mother." After she
had said this, the clerks again laid their hands on the sacred
things, but to no purpose. Then the queen was very
sorrowful, and said with tears : " I know that I deserve for
my sins not to see the servant of God; but if God the
Creator of all things shall, by the intercession of the saint
himself, take pity on us, and permit us to remove the holy
relics, I will have a marble altar made at my own expense,
and cause it to be brought to the holy man." When she had
uttered these words, all the relics moved of themselves, and
they took them up, and went in joyful procession to meet
the man of God. Already the blessed man was on his way,
attended by a body of the monks ; and a crowd of people of
both sexes hastened with him in great triumph towards the
king. Being received into the monastery, the king
remained there three days. On the third day he signed a
charter granting ninety-nine vills to St. Evroult, and then
returned homewards rejoicing.
The queen, remembering her vow, caused a church to be
built in honour of Mary, mother of God, always a virgin, on
the hill which stands between the rivulet of Charenton and
the wood,1 and also sent the marble altar which she promised
to the venerable man, which remained for many years in the
overlooking the valley in which the abbey of St. Evroult stood on the other
side of the river. The French editor of Ordericus here corrects a note
which is inserted in vol. i. p. 399, describing this church as having been
originally the mother-church of the parish in which the abbey was built.
However that may be, it is the parish church at the present day.
1 The church of Notre-Dame-du-Bois stands on the side of the hill
above the Charenton, and must formerly have been surrounded by the
forest, the verge of which in the course of time has receded to some little
distance.
A.D. 582 — 596.] CHTJECH OF NOTRE-DAME-DU-BOIS. 287
same place. Long afterwards, in the course of years, a
worthless fellow attempted to transfer part of the marble
to another place ; but it happened to break in the middle.
It was plain to all that this act was displeasing to God, and
he did not suffer it to remain long unpunished, for before
the year was past the man lost his life.
In the church built by the queen, as I have just stated,
two altars were consecrated ; one of them dedicated to the
Holy and Undivided Trinity the other to the pure virgin
mother of God. It is reported that there was there a
convent of monks, and a cemetery for the monks and men
of distinction. Their bodies were carried thither for inter-
ment, because the ground in the valley was marshy, and in
the winter wherever it was dug, the water forthwith sprung
up, and, overflowing, filled the graves. Traces of a building
of importance are discovered near the church of the Virgin
Mother, and to this day stately tombs are preserved there,
which are believed to have certainly belonged to eminent
persons. After this description, I proceed to relate what
further remains.
The man of God, seeing that he could not bear the crowds
of people who flocked to him, set his convent in order, and
withdrawing from it privately, concealed himself for three
years in a crypt, so that none of the monks knew where he
was, except one whose name was Malchus, a godson of the
saint, who knew his secrets better than the rest. The crypt
stood by the side of a rivulet under a wooded hill, and was
almost half a league distant from the monastery.1 Mean-
while, the devil, that enemy of all that is excellent, perceiving
that the brethren were growing in good works, sought to
fill them with the gall of bitterness, and to cause lamenta-
ble disturbances among them. He therefore raised a
tumult, which was carried so far that two were killed and
the rest were plunged in unutterable grief. "When the god-
son of the holy man perceived this incurable wound in the
body of the brethren, he ran with all haste to the abbot.
The man of God, seeing him from a distance thus running,
concluded that it was not without reason he made such
haste, and going to meet him inquired the cause of his
1 This crypt was probably in the neighbourhood of the fountain of St.
Evroult, described in a former note.
288 OEDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.VI. CH.IX.
coming. Upon this, Malchus related at length how the
monks had been stirred up to insurrection by the instigation
of the devil. Hearing this, the holy man, inflamed with zeal
for God, shuddered, and hastened to accompany the mes-
senger on his return. When he drew near to the convent,
and had reached the spot where the church founded in
honour of him now stands, all the bells of the monastery
began to ring of their own accord. So also did the bells in
the church of St. Mary, and in that of St. Martin, called
The Elegant, at a place commonly called La Bercoterie.
Then the devil, perceiving that the saint was come, as-
sumed a human form, and began to flee. The holy man
seeing this, said to his godson : " My brother, do you see
that man running?" He replied, "My lord, I see no
one." Then said the saint, " Lo, the devil flees, trans-
figured into the form of a man, and fearing to remain any
longer in this place." As he said this, he pursued Belial
as he fled ; but when he was come to the village now called
by the inhabitants, Echaufour, Satan, not having permission
to flee any further, stood still. Upon which the blessed
Evroult boldly went up to trim, and threw him into a fiery
oven which was heated in readiness for baking bread, and
immediately closed its mouth with an iron stopper which
he chanced to find. From this circumstance the place took
its name of Echaufour.1 The women who had brought their
loaves to be baked, seeing with astonishment what was done,
said to the man of God, " What, sir, shall we do with our
loaves ?" To which he replied, " God is able to bake your
loaves without corporeal fire ; clear well the hearth before
the oven, and lay your loaves in order upon it, and when
they are thoroughly baked, depart to your homes, which
was done accordingly ; all who saw it giving glory to God.
Then the blessed Evroult returned to his monastery and
having commanded the two monks who had been killed
to be brought before him, laid himself prostrate on the
1 From echauffer, to heat ; four, an oven. Echaufour is a small bourjr,
with a fine old church, on the verge of the forest, about three leagues from
St. Evroult, the monks of which had large possessions in the parish.
There was a castle here, probably on the site of the present chateau, about
a mile from the village, which was the scene of a surprise described in
vol. i. p. 433.
A.D. 582 — 596.] ACTS or ST. EYBOULT. 289
ground, and continued praying until such time as the
brethren were roused from the sleep of death. Having con-
fessed and communicated with the Lord's body, they again
gave up the ghost, to the joy and astonishment of all who
saw it. The venerable father ordered them to have honour-
able burial, and being assured of their salvation, gave devout
thanks to God.
Old men report these and many such miracles performed
by Evroult, adding that they had seen at Ouche a very aged
monk named Natalia, who had a large volume filled with
accounts of the miracles and actions of this servant of the
Lord. One day, mass being ended, a lighted candle was
carelessly left on the altar, and while the attendants were busy
about other matters, the wick burnt down till it set fire
to a napkin, and the flame caught the altar-cloth, which was
utterly destroyed, as well as the book, of which we have
never been able to discover another copy ; and every thing
on and about the altar which was of a combustible nature
was burnt. All joined in lamenting this irreparable loss
of the record of past events : but as the monks wre illite-
rate, they did not supply it by writing, but transmitted
verbally to the younger members of the society the particu-
lars of what they had seen and heard. When they were
removed by death, the thick clouds of ignorance overspread
their successors, and hid under an impenetrable veil the
knowledge of past events, except only what some erudite
man made, a short abstract of the life of St. Evroult to be
read in the church. Having already inserted in my work
the first part of this recital, I will now proceed to relate
from it the end of the holy father's life and labours in a
profitable manner without any false colouring.
Twenty-two years having passed since the monks began
their settlement in the depth of the wilderness, the monas-
tery was subjected to the ravages of a plague producing
sudden death, by the assaults of the great deceiver of man-
kind.1 The blessed Evroult did not act as a mercenary who
1 The same plague appears to have ravaged at this time the rising
convent of Glanfeuil, now St. Maur-sur- Loire. It is also mentioned by
Gregory of Tours as having prevailed in 580. The date here given by
our author enabled Mabillon to calculate the time of the establishment of
St. Evroult in the forest of Ouche, which he fixed in 560.
YOL. II. V
290 OEDEEICUS TITALIS. [B. VI. OH. IT.
took to flight and left the sheep in the midst of the wolves,
but like a true shepherd, engaged with them in the conflict,
and, fulfilling the apostle's admonition, "rejoiced with them
that did rejoice, and wept with them that did weep."1 Ad-
dressing them in words of exhortation, he said, " Brethren,
strengthen your hearts, and be prepared. Be courageous
and comforted in the Lord, knowing that tribulation worketh
patience.2 Be renewed in the spirit of your minds and
fight against the old serpent. Be of one heart and one
mind in the Lord. Behold the day of our vocation is near,
when our works shall be made manifest, and the righteous
Judge will give to every man according to his merits. Watch,
then, and pray, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.
Blessed is that servant who, when the Lord cometh, shall be
found watching." By these and such like evangelical dis-
courses, the wise preacher addressed himself to the con-
sciences of the brethren, enlarging on the joys prepared for
the good, and the torments which awaited evil doera.
Sudden deaths becoming frequent, it happened, in order
to exhibit in a clearer light the powers of the saint, that one
of the monks named Ansbert died without receiving the
viaticum. The brother who had the care of him immediately
oame to the abbot, saying : " Father, pray for your son who
has just departed out of this life most unhappily. Let your
intercessions prevail to bring him safely on the way, seeing
that he was not strengthened for it by the communion of the
blessed sacrament. St. Evroult severely blamed himself for
this occurrence, as if it happened from his own negligence, and
hastening to the bed of the deceased, shed tears, and threw
himself in the dust, using the arms of prayer, on which he
relied. When however he felt within himself the presence
of the divine power, he arose from the earth, and called on
the dead man. At the sound of that voice, he who had lost
his sight raised his head and opened his eyes, and perceiving
the restorer of his freedom, said, " Welcome, my liberator,
welcome ! your prayers have saved me, having unravelled
the devices of the enemy, who had claimed me as his own,
because he found me without communion. Shut out from
the feast of the blessed, I was condemned, as not having
received the viaticum to the torments of cruel hunger.
1 Rom. xii. 15. a Rom. vii. 3.
A.D. 582 — 596.] ACTS OF ST. EVEOTTLT. 291
Wherefore, kind father, I pray you not to delay allowing
me to partake of the life-giving host." Need I say more ?
The sacrament \vas ordered to be brought, and as soon as he
had received it, while all were wondering at his revival, he
again gave up the ghost by the wise dispensation of God.
The glorious saint exults in the certainty of the brother's
salvation ; the monks exult, praising God for this new
miracle. Evroult rejoiced because he had restored to life,
by the accepted way, a brother snatched from death ; the
monks rejoiced that they had a father at whose prayers hell
trembled. Great as they felt the perils of the pestilence
which threatened them with destruction, with such a leader
and guide they were encouraged to be less fearful of being
cut off unprepared. However, the mortality was so great,
that eighty-eight of the monks died of the pestilence, and
the loss among the domestics was not less.
I must not pass over in silence what happened to one of
the number, a most useful officer of the abbey, who breathed
his last on the very day of our Lord's nativity. Everything
having been properly arranged for bis funeral, he was borne
forth from the monastery to the spot where the place of burial
lay. There the corpse was deposited until the mass was
finished preparatory to its being committed to the grave.
The whole society grieved for the loss of so worthy a servant.
He was a most active steward, and managed the affairs of
the monks with great industry, so that he was held in high
esteem by them all. While they were thus plunged in
general grief, St. Evroult felt the Holy Spirit conceived
within him, and trembling with awe, while he compassionated
the sorrow of the brethren, had recourse to his familiar
remedies. His prayers were fervent, he smote his breast,
and he shed tears, and continued his intercessions until
such time as the domestic for whom they were offered rose
to life and threw himself at the holy father's feet, giving
thanks for his restoration. Then shouts rose to heaven ;
the name of the Holy Trinity was blessed by all, and Evroult
was acknowledged to be illustrious and apostolical, because
he raised the dead. The servant restored to life resumed
his duties, and lived for many years afterwards. At length,
through divine mercy, this fatal pestilence terminated.
Notwithstanding, however, the mortality ceased, the
TJ 2
292 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.YI. CH.IX.
good shepherd continued to pray for the departed, believing
that true charity is more concerned about the soul than
about the body. Although his head was become grey with
venerable age, he was far from being bowed down by the
burden of years, but prolonged his labours of reading and
praying into the night, according to what the psalmist says
amongst other descriptions of the man who is blessed : " He
meditates in the law of the Lord both day and night."1
Inflamed with ardent charity, he devoted himself more
zealously to the exercise of all virtues. Though he was
compassionate to sinners, he carefully guarded his own dis-
course. Neglecting the care of his person, his hair was
cut only three times in a year. He was never known to
return evil for evil. When any loss of transitory things
was reported to him, his constant reply was : " The Lord
hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."2 He
had such a happy art of reconciling differences that, however
much at variance persons came to him, they returned at
peace, soothed by his honeyed words. Indeed, all who
approached him, high and low, poor and pilgrims, met with
a cheerful reception. He made himself pleasant to all, and
seldom any one was permitted to retire from his presence
without receiving some little present. The sick, who
regained their health by his benediction, departed, joy-
fully giving thanks to Grod. It was restored to all who
resorted to the holy man in the hope of recovering it.
Many, also, who were so prostrated by the violence of fever
that they could not come into the presence of the saint, sent
messengers to entreat that, of his goodness, he would send
them some token, such as a girdle which he had made him-
self from rope, or some fragment of his clothing ; and those
who handled these things with faith regained their former
health.
A certain mother of a family, who could not obtain a cure
from any physician, hearing a report of the virtues of the
blessed man, sent to beg the fringe of his garment, and
having received it, she was relieved from her disorder, as
were many others. Behold this admirable physician, who
not oaly granted the gift of health to those who hastened to
his presence, but failed not when absent to impart it to those
i Psalm L 2. a Job i. 21.
A.D. 596.] ST. EVBOTTLT'S DEATH. 293
who were at a distance. Those felt his influence who never
saw his face.
"While all flocked to him in their several necessities, one
poor wretch among the rest came from a strange country.
Perceiving that his whole frame was wasted by severe disease,
and that he was bent to the knees as he walked, the most
compassionate saint said to him : " Brother, how could you
bear the fatigue of such a journey, seeing under what debi-
lity you labour?" He replied: "My lord, it was under
compulsion by a double necessity that I determined to come
to your holiness ; first, I was hungry and wanted employ-
ment, and secondly, I was infirm and depended upon you
for a cure." The holy man told him to remain there, and
immediately restoring his health, made him a monk, and set
him to work in the garden. So he who came with two
requests, rejoiced at obtaining three benefits, for he escaped
the danger of famine, found a remedy for his infirmity, and
was admitted to the profession of a better course of life.
Another pauper presented himself who, though he was in
sound health, pretended to be sick and somewhat palsied, in
order to obtain something more than the others. Presently,
however, when he had received alms from the man of God,
he was struck with fever, what he had feigned becoming a
reality ; and he breathed his last a few days afterwards in
the monastery, having confessed his wicked fraud.
In the midst of so many striking proofs of his miraculous
powers, the aged soldier of Christ, having attained the age
of eighty years, fervently desired to see the face of him he
had so long served; regarding him as an unbelieving servant
who would wish to avoid the presence of his master. For
forty-seven days, during which he was afflicted with a fever,
he was never seen to take food, except occasionally the
sacrament of the body of the Lord Jesus, and was inces-
santly engaged in imparting the mysteries of the divine word
to the brethren, as if he suffered no inconvenience. And
when pious persons of the neighbourhood came to see him,
and begged of him to accept something, as an offering of
their love, which might serve to sustain his feeble body, he
said to them : " Cease, brethren, cease from persuading me
to receive what I altogether loathe." Truly he was in no
need of earthly food who was nourished within by the Holy
OKDEKICTJS TITALIS. [B.YI. CH.IX.
Spirit. He was fed by the sweet hope of eternal delights,
and assured of enjoying a blessed immortality as the reward
of his labours. At length the day approaching on which it
was his desire to be dissolved and to obtain the wished-for
vision of his Maker, he called, together the brethren, and as
they were sorrowing at his departure, and considering what
they should do when their shepherd was dead, he thus
addressed them : " My children, continue to be of one mind,
united by the bond of charity ! Let there be divine love
among you, one toward the other! Be not betrayed into
the deceitful snares of the devil, and study to fulfil your
vows to God ! Be lovers of temperance ; observe strict con-
tinence ; cultivate humility ; esohew pride, and let each
strive to excel the others in good works ! Receive with
benevolence pilgrims and strangers for the sake of Him who
said, 'I was a stranger and ye took me in.'"
The glorious Evroult uttering these and other his last
words to the same purpose, and having given his blessing to
the brethren, his most holy soul departed from the body, and
immediately his face shone with so much brightness, that no
one doubted that his free spirit was already triumphing
among the angels in heaven. He left the world on the
fourth of the calends of January [December 29], in the
time of Robert bishop of Seez, and in the twelfth year of the
reign of King Childebert.3 The brethren carried the corpse
into the church with great reverence, and chanted hymns
and praises to God for three days and nights, while they
carefully watched the holy body, waiting for the assembling
of the servants of God. When it was known at Seez that
the benefactor of the whole country was removed from the
world, all the inhabitants flocked together to the monastery
to have the happiness of being present at his solemn
funeral.8 The poor lamented him who was indeed one of
1 Matt. xxv. 43.
3 It should be Clotaire, which is the ancient reading of the MS. of St.
Evroult. In fact, St. Evroult died the 29th of December, 596, in the
eightieth year of his age, which was the twelfth of the reign of Clotaire,
and the twentieth of that of Childebert, king of Austrasia, 575 — 596.
The notice here taken of Robert, bishop of Seez, 584—628 ? is the only
trace of that prelate to be found in history.
8 fe'e"ez, the smallest city in France, is about thirty miles distant from
St. Evroult, which belonged to the diocese. The cathedral is a fine
A.D. 596 — 7.] ST. EYEOULT'S MIEACLES. 295
Christ's poor ; the rich, him who was rich in spiritual bless-
ings ; children, a father ; the aged, one stricken in years.
All had found him a common friend, and all lamented their
common loss.
I think I ought not to omit mentioning that remarkable
proof of his goodness which, amongst others, the holy man
gave, when he was now in the enjoyment of eternal light.
One of the brethren, distinguished for his piety and the
grace of obedience, had served in the monastery, and was
raised to the rank of deacon. Evroult loved him much on
account of his merit of sanctity. When this deacon found
that he was deprived of so great a father, he became
overwhelmed with grief, and said : " Alas ! wretched man
that I am, what shall I do ? Why, my father, have you left
him whom you confessed you loved ? Why have you suf-
fered him who was in your entire confidence to be separated
from you ? Do you treat as an enemy him you called your
son ? Assuredly I never deserved that you should wish to
descend into the tomb before me."
" In sighs and tears thus vented he his grief:" *
And behold, on the very night of the circumcision of our
Lord, the deacon, by God's will, gave up the ghost. This
plainly appears to have been accomplished through the
intercession of the holy father Evroult, that he whom he
loved might not become the sport of the world, and that he
himself might exhibit his readiness to hear the petitions of
those who invoked his aid. Thus the monk, according to
his wishes, was carried out for burial on the morrow, at the
same time with his abbot. Oh, glorious death, more precious
than life ! It secured him in heaven what he lost on earth.
As far as I can conjecture, it was better thus to die than to be
restored from death to life. For now, assured of his salvation,
he has not to fear being defiled by sin. If he were raised up
again, he would have to struggle with uncertain hope against
edifice, with one of those deep porches for which the French churches are
remarkable, flanked by two spires, and a nave of the early pointed style.
1 " Talia perstabat memorans, lacrymasque ciebat."
The first part of this verse is taken from Virgil, ./En. ii. 650 ; the second
from /En. vL 46U.
296 OBDEBICUS VITALT8. [B.VI. CH. I.
a double danger. This miracle is therefore not to be consi-
dered less than that of the resurrection of dead persons
before related.
The venerable father Evroult was interred in a marble
tomb of admirable workmanship in the church of St Peter,
prince of the apostles, which he had built himself of stone.
To this day many persons are there healed of their infirmi-
ties, and by the goodness of our merciful Redeemer the
sorrowful find consolation. To Him be honour and power,
with the Father and the Holy Ghost, throughout all ages !
Amen.
CH. X. — Materials for history destroyed by the Northmen —
Relics of saints dispersed — Those of St. Evroult translated
to Orleans — The abbey deserted — Its restoration — Notices
of public events — Letter of Abbot Warin, in the name of
Jifervey, bishop of Ely.
I have thus faithfully described the life of the holy father
Evroult, inserting it in this work, as it was compiled by our
predecessors, that the knowledge of so exalted a patron may
profit the reader, and my labour and regard be pleasing to
the Lord God, while I have endeavoured to publish the
glorious actions of my nursing father to the praise of Him
in whom we live, and move, and have our being. But, from
the time that this illustrious man was taken from the world,
who and what his successors were in the convent of Ouche
for four hundred years, or what were the fortunes of the
monks or the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, I am
entirely ignorant. In the times which succeeded, as I have
already distinctly stated on several occasions, bands of pirates
issued from Denmark, first with Hasting for their leader, and
afterwards Hollo, invaded Neustria, and ignorant of Chris-
tianity and of the pure worship of Q-od, inflicted the most
cruel disasters on the believing natives. They burnt Noyon
and Rouen, and many other cities, towns, and villages,
destroyed a number of monasteries of venerable sanctity,
devastated a vast extent of country with their incessant
ravages, and having either exterminated or driven out the
inhabitants, reduced the towns and villages to utter solitude.
In the midst of so much desolation, the defenceless monks,
not knowing what to do, were often in the greatest terror ;
A.D. 841 — 876.] ABBEYS BAVAGED BY THE NOBTHMEff. 297
and in their tribulation gave vent to their distress in conti-
nual lamentations, and waited their end in caverns and
thickets, absorbed in grief. Some indeed in terror at the
savage cruelty of the barbarians, fled to foreign lands which
had hitherto escaped the hostile attacks of the pagans. Some
also bore with them the remains of their fathers, whose souls
reign with the Lord of Sabaoth, whom they devoutly served
while on earth. The fugitives also carried abroad with them
the writings which contained the acts of these same fathers
in the Lord, and accounts of the possessions of the churches,
their nature and extent, and by whom they were given ; but
great part of these documents was swept away in the
storms of the times, and alas ! irrecoverably lost amidst such
fearful commotions.
This is what the monks of Jumieges and Fontenelles did j1
overtaken by a terrible disaster they never brought back
what they carried away. The monks of Jumieges translated
to Haspres * the relics of St. Hugh the archbishop and abbot
Aicadre, which the inhabitants of Cambray and Arras pre-
serve in precious shrines, and venerate to this day. The
monks of Fontenelles carried to Ghent the relics of the holy
confessors Wandrille the abbot, and Ansbert and Wulfran,
archbishops,3 which are in the possession of the Flemings to
1 Both these abbeys stood in the valley of the Seine, and were therefore
particularly exposed to the devastations of the Northmen. For some
account of Jumieges, see a note towards the close of the present chapter,
under date of the year 1050. The abbey of St. Wandrille, originally
Fontenelles, was founded in 648. Its ruins are now seen embosomed by
woods in a glen which issues on the road from Rouen to Havre, about
three miles from Caudebec. The refectory exhibits the only relics of the
Norman structure, and with some pointed arches of the church destroyed at
the revolution, is the principal remains of this once stately abbey.
2 Haspres, between Cambray and Valenciennes. It appears that Pepin
d'Herinstal, towards the end of the sixth century, founded a priory in this
place, which he attached to Jumieges. The remains of St. Aicadre and
St. Hugh, archbishop of Rouen, were translated there to secure them
from the outrages of the Northmen, but it must have been after their first
devastation of Jumieges, which took place the 24th of May, 841.
3 The relics of St. Wandrille and St. Ansbert, after several migrations
from Fontenelles to Boulogne-sur-Mer, and from thence to Chartres and
back again to Boulogne, between the years 858 and 944, found their final
resting place on the 3rd of September of the latter year in the abbey of
St. Peter at Blankenberg, near Ghent. The account of the translation of
the relics of St. Wulfraii is not so clear, but there are formal records 01
298 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.VI. CII.X.
the present time, and are held by them in high veneration.
The monks of several other abbeys did the same thing,
whose names I omit partly from want of information (as I
have not discovered them all), and partly that I may avoid a
wearisome prolixity on matters of small importance.
Dudo, dean of St. Quintin, wrote with care concerning
the arrival of the Normans and their barbarous cruelty, and
dedicated his work to Eichard II., son of G-onnor, duke of
Normandy. William, surnamed Calculus, a monk of Jumi-
eges made a skilful use of the materials furnished by Dudo
cleverly abridging them, and adding the history of Richard's
successors to the conquest of England, finished his narrative
with the battle of Senlac.1 He addressed his work to King
William, the greatest of his native princes. As others have
published magnificent accounts of sublime actions dedicated
to exalted personages, and have voluntarily offered them-
selves to describe important events in fitting colours, I too,
moved by their example have undertaken a similar enter-
prise, and have already written an account at some length,
of the monastery in the forest of Ouche which was honoura-
bly restored in the time of William, who was first, duke of
Normandy, and afterwards king of England. However, I have
been able to find no written records of ancient times after the
decease of father Evroult, and I shall therefore more especially
endeavour to commit to writing the traditions I have col-
lected from old persons respecting the translation of the re-
mains of the holy confessor from his own abbey of Evroult.
A short account is to be found at Rebais, which I do not
altogether approve, and it seems to have been drawn up by
an ignorant writer, not fully informed with any certainty, as
it appears to me, of dates and circumstances. As therefore
I cannot rely on the narrative of another writer, I propose
their having also been carried to Blankenberg, with the others already
mentioned. On the other hand, the monka of St. Wandrille (Fontenelles)
maintained that the body of St. Wulfran, discovered in their monastery in
1027, had never been removed from it ; while the inhabitants of Abbeville
also claim the possession of these remains on respectable authority, as
having been conveyed there direct from Fontenelles. See Mabillon, Ada
S. Benedict, saec. iii. part i. pp. 365, 366 .
1 Some account of these two Norman historians is given in the notes to
pp. 375 and 37b' of vol. i. of the present work.
A.D. 943.] LEWIS D'OTJTliE-MEB INVADES XOB1IANDY. 299
to commit to writing a clear account of what I have myself
gathered from old inhabitants of Ouche respecting the time
and manner of the French obtaining possession of the pre-
cious remains of the venerable Evroult.
In the year of our Lord 943, after Arnulph count of
Flanders had slain William Long-sword, duke of Normandy,
and Richard son of Sprote, his son then aged only ten years,
had succeeded to the dukedom and received at Eouen before
his father's funeral the homage and fealty of all the barons,
Lewis D'Outre-Mer, king of France entered Normandy with
an army and succeeded by fraud in carrying off the young
duke to Laon, promising the Normans on oath that he
would bring him up as his own son, and have him fitly edu-
cated in his royal court for governing the state. But things
turned out otherwise ; for king Lewis, at the instigation of
the traitor Arnulph, resolved to put the boy to death, or at
least to deprive him of the power of bearing arms by ampu-
tating some of his limbs. Osmund, the youth's tutor, learn-
ing this from Ives de Creil,2 grand master of the royal
ordnance, he secretly persuaded Richard to feign sickness,
that he might thereby induce his guards to be less vigilant.
One day, while the king was at supper, and every one was .
engaged in his own concerns or those of others, Osmond
bought a truss of green forage, and ascending the castle rolled
it round the young duke. Then descending the tower he
made all haste to his quarters with the truss of grass and
spreading it before his horse, concealed the lad. When the
sun was set, he got out of the town, cautiously taking the
prince with him, and made for Couci where he gave him in
charge to Bernard, count de Senlis, his uncle.*
Meanwhile, Bernard the Dane, who was governor of Nor-
mandy, sent envoys to Harold, king of Denmark, announcing
to him the death of Duke William, and that his son was
deprived of his inheritance. Harold, in consequence, sailed
to Normandy with a powerful fleet, and, being received in
the Cotentin by order of Bernard, waited two years for a
1 Near Senlis.
* Bernard, count de Senlis and Valois, son of Pepin II., a descendant
of Charlemagne. He was not Richard's uncle, bnt cousin-german of the
Duchess de Leutegarde, William Long-sword's queen.
300 OBDEHICUS VITALTS. [B.YI. CH.X.
favourable opportunity of falling on the French, but at length
took a bloody revenge for the murder of his cousin William
and the banishment of that duke's son. For, hostilities
breaking out during a conference between the Danes and
French, he seized king Lewis, and put to the sword Herluin
and Lambert, with sixteen barons and numbers of inferior
rank.
While however, Eichard, the young duke, was detained
for nearly three years in exile, and the king of France
supposed that Normandy was entirely his own, he had some
apprehension of Hugh the Great, duke of Orleans, rendering
aid to the Normans, and he therefore ceded to him Exmes,
Bayeux and all the district of the Cotentin as far as Mont St.
Michel-in-peril-of-the-sea, giving him strict orders to reduce
the rebellious Normans with a strong force, and get possession
of their fortified places. The ambitious marquis received
these commands with great satisfaction, and, at once break-
ing the treaties which he had previously entered into, invaded
Normandy with a powerful army. Hugh himself established
himself with his household at Gace, while his troops overspread
the whole province. Herluin, the duke's chancellor, and Ralph
de Tracy, were quartered at Ouche, and lodged in the con-
vent of St Evroult the confessor. Both were men of piety
and lived in the fear of God. The simple monks rejoiced to
entertain such distinguished men, and rendered them all
hospitable attentions in their power with the utmost kind-
ness. Conducting them without reserve through their
chapels, oratories, and secret recesses, they showed them, to
their loss, the shrines and relics of the saints which they
contained. The strangers examined with great reverence
these objects preserved with so much secrecy, and on their
departure offered their prayers and gifts ; but they returned
shortly afterwards, like the Chaldeans to Jerusalem, and
cruelly carried off the holy vessels of the church, and all its
valuable treasures.
Hugh the Great sat down before Exmes with his array,
but the garrison made a brave resistance and prevented his
further advance. At the same time, the king of France en-
tering the country of Evreux with a strong force spread
fire and rapine through all Normandy. Bernard the Dane
944.] PABT OF NOBMANDY CEDED TO HUGH THE GBEAT. 301
being apprized of these incursions, and receiving sure ac-
counts of the devastation of the country, was in great dismay
at his inability to withstand the attacks of such powerful
princes, with only his Norman levies. In consequence,
having keenly surveyed the state of affairs, his crafty genius
devised the means of extricating himself and the people he
governed from the difficulties in which they were placed.
He therefore met the king with the air of a suppliant and
thus addressed him : " What are you doing, my lord the king ?
Tour undertaking is impious and unbefitting your rank.
All this Normandy, which you are ravaging, is your own.
Kouen and the other cities, with the villages and strong places,
throw open their gates at your command, and the whole
population, both rich and poor, submits to you, and having
no other lord respect and love you. Who can have given
you the disastrous counsel to ravage your own property with
the sword of the destroyer, and to butcher a people devoted
to you ? He must be a wicked traitor who has persuaded you
to devastate your own states with fire and sword." The
king's heart was softened by this specious language, so that
he dismissed his army and entered Rouen with Bernard.
Bernard gave him a brilliant reception, surrounded with
the citizens full of joy, and having prepared for him a mag-
nificent banquet entertained him for several days with great
respect. However, as the king was sitting one day after
dinner in the great hall, conversing cheerfully with those
about him on affairs of state, the crafty Barnard addressed
them in ambiguous terms : " We have," he said, " O Norman
lords, great cause for joy, and let us render thanks to God for
it, as we ought. Hitherto we have obeyed a duke of the race
of Bollo ; now, by God's will, we are the subjects of a great
king of the race of the emperor Charlemagne. To this time
we have been ducal, now we are royal, and, what is more,
imperial." All the company applauding this discourse, and
deceiving the French by flattering words, Bernard again
entreated silence, and thus proceeded while there was gene-
ral attention : " I acknowledge the shrewdness of the French
in many affairs, but there is one thing my lord the king baa
done which I cannot approve, for I perceive in it his own dis-
advantage and great dishonour. We all know that Hugh
the Great is a traitor, and the son of a traitor ; and yet the
302 ORDEHICTJS TITALI3. [B.TI. CH.X.
king has aggrandized him, as I think, to his own great injuiy,
by giving him the districts of Exmes and the Cotentin, with
many thousand men bearing arms. Some pestilent adviser
has taken advantage of his master's simplicity, and, to speak
the truth, has plunged a dagger into his heart by persuading
his lord to strengthen his enemy against himself. I wonder
much, my lord the king, that you have so entirely forgotten
the past. It is plain to all the world, for such crimes cannot
be committed in private, that Robert,1 Hugh's father, was a
traitor, and having rebelled against your father Charles, and
breaking his oath of allegiance usurped the crown and de-
servedly fell in battle. Hugh was a party to these designs,
and disturbed France for seven years while you were an
exile with your uncle Athelstan in England.2 Is it not
clear as the light to any sensible person that he is guilty of
high treason who wickedly suggests to the king that strip-
ping himself of his own estates, he should lessen his own
dominions to augment the strength of an enemy who will
turn it against yourself. Let no one have a share in
the duchy of Normandy, but the king of France be the
sole ruler of the Normans who pay him their willing obe-
dience."
On hearing this, the king became anxious about the gift
he had voluntarily made to Hugh, without any application
on his part, and asked to be advised what he should do jn
the affair. The crafty Dane replied that the king ought
without hesitation to annul his engagements, and give a posi-
tive command to Hugh to raise the siege of Exmes ; and if
he should rebelliously resist the order, they should fall upon
him with their united forces. Bernard selected two knights
for this embassy, and the king dictated to them the impe-
rious orders they were to carry to Hugh. Thereupon, the
envoys made all haste to the camp of Hugh, and reported
to him faithfully the king's message : " Your presumption,"
they said, " is intolerable in invading the dominions of your
lord the king of France, and besieging the castle of Exmes,
1 Robert, duke of France, second of the name, was son of Robert the
Strong, king of France, June 24, 922 — June 15, 923.
3 Louis d'Outre-Mer, who was born in 920, resided at the court of his
uncle Athelstan nearly thirteen years, from the captivity of King Charles,
his father, in 923 to 936, when he was crowned at Laon.
A.T>. 944.] HUGH EVACUATES THE PBOVINCE. 303
which has been a royal seat from ancient times.1 Hoar now
his commands in this matter; and on the fealty you owe
him, obey them without delay. Raise the siege before sun-
set, and give account of your rash enterprise to the king at
Laon, with the advice and judgment of his peers, when he
shall appoint a time. Otherwise, prepare yourself and your
people for battle, for the king your lord, if he finds you here,
will attack you with the forces of Prance and Normandy
before the week is passed."
This message violently enraged Hugh the Great, and
rousing him to the highest pitch of resentment, he exclaimed
to his attendants : " This weak king must be demented to
send me such a message while I am supporting him with
all my power. I never coveted the possession of Normandy,
or demanded any part of it from him ; but he made me the
voluntary offer of the whole country on this side of the
Seine, as far as the sea, and required my assistance to sub-
due these indomitable pirates. Does he not manifest his folly
to all the world when he threatens to fight me at the very
time I am obeying his orders. The man who serves an
unjust master is much to be pitied, and he who submits to
one who is at once faithless and weak is a fool himself. Let
us make a hasty retreat ; but see that you devastate the
whole country, ruin the churches, burn the houses, level the
ovens and mills, drive oif the flocks and herds of cattle, and
carry away with you, never to return, every sort of plunder,
and, loaded with booty, leave those miscreants to them-
selves."
Receiving such orders, the troops dispersed themselves
like bands of robbers throughout the province, and taking
the country-people by surprise, while they thought them-
selves safe under the duke's protection, executed his orders
without mercy. Then Herluin, the chancellor, and Ralph
de Tracy did not trouble themselves about the cattle or the
goods of the peasantry, but recollecting their sojourn at
Ouche, returned thither, and unexpectedly entered the con-
vent with their followers. While the monks who suspected
no evil, stood aghast, the armed band burst into the church
with violence, and penetrated into its secret recesses, and
1 M. Le Prevost remarks that Exmes had never any pretensions to be
a renal residence.
304 OEDZKICTTS TITALIS. [B.TI. CH.I.
even broke open the tombs. Taking the bodies of the three
saints Evroult, Evremond,1 and Ansbert2 out of their coffins
and wrapping the bones in deer-skins, they carried them off
with the relics of other saints. The armed retainers pene-
trated into every corner of the abbey and irreverently laid
hands on all that was serviceable to human existence, in
spite of the lamentations of the weeping monks. Setting
no bounds to their rapacity, and respecting no one, they
pillaged the books, vestments, and various articles of furni-
ture belonging to the monks and their servants, and
ransacking every place which the brethren themselves had
opened to them on a former occasion, as already related,
they swept every thing away. They then joined the rest of
the invaders, and the whole, united in one body, marched out
of Normandy, and hastened back to their own country with
the booty they had collected. The monks of Ouche were
overwhelmed with grief at their sad desolation, and were at
a loss 'to determine what they should do or where they should
go now that they had been stripped of all. After consider-
ing, however, all circumstances, they resolved to leave the
country, and follow the relics of their sainted founder.
A venerable old man, whose name was Ascelin, filled at
that time the office of prior of Ouche, diligently performing
its functions according to the circumstances of the times.
Seeing the monks and their servitors plunged in excessive
grief, and all preparing to leave together their now desolate
abode and follow their blessed patron among hostile bands,
after much careful reflection he determined to wait the time
of his dissolution in that place in the fear of the Lord. He,
therefore, called the brethren together, and when they were all
assembled, thus spoke: "For our sins, and those of our fathers,
1 St. Evremond was a native of Bayeux, as well as St. Evroult, and
their legends are very similar. St. Evremond quitted the world to retire
into a solitude in another part of the diocese of Se"ez, Fontenay-les-
Louvets, after previously founding a monastery half a league from thence.
Annobert, bishop of S6ez, drew him from his retreat to take the govern-
ment of another convent, called Mons Major, supposed to be Montme're',
between Argentan and Seez, where he died in the odour of sanctity about
the year 720.
a This saint is the monk restored to life by St. Evroult, in order that he
might receive the viaticum, and not St. Ansbert, archbishop of Rouen,
mentioned before, p. 290.
A.D. 941.] ABBEY OF ST. EVBOULT DESEBTED. 305
the scourge of God has fallen upon us, and its terrible stroke
has levelled us and ours, and brought us to irreparable ruin.
Behold the Judge Almighty, as he destroyed Jerusalem by
the hands of Nebuchodnosor and the Chaldees, justly
humbling his own sanctuary, so he has punished this house
by the hands of Hugh and the French with afflictions of
various kinds, but principally (which is most to be lamented)
by depriving us of the bones of the blessed father Evroult
and other saints. As for you who propose to follow the
relics of your founder, for various reasons, I do not venture
to prohibit your enterprise, as this whole neighbourhood is
now a desert, and defenceless monks would starve while
princes are in arms. Go, with God's blessing, and be faith-
ful servants to the kind father who has hitherto sustained
you in his own country, becoming now pilgrims with him in
a strange land. For myself I shall not desert Ouche, but
shall still serve my Creator in this place where I have
enjoyed so many blessings, and never quit it while life
remains. I know that the bodies of many saints repose
here, and the spot was pointed out to our holy father by an
angelic vision, for the exercise of his spiritual warfare to the
profit of numbers. A great company of the faithful have
here offered to the King Most High the acceptable incense
of a devout life, of which they are now receiving the crown
and the rewards in paradise. Here, then, I shall remain
after your departure, and in imitation of our founder,
become the guardian of these solitudes in the name of the
Lord, until, through his mercy who is King of kings, better
times shall dawn upon us."
At these words, the afflicted brethren parted. There-
upon, the monks of St. Evroult and their attendants aban-
doned their home, and joining their enemies, followed
weeping the relics of their patron. Their number, including
their domestics, was about thirty, and they all marched on foot
in company with the [duke's] chaplains. The latter knew
the monks well enough, but showed them no courtesy, as
they suspected and feared that their object was privately to
rob the French of their precious treasure. But the merciful
Lord, who chastises the erring to bring them back to the
right way, treats those who are converted with fatherly
VOL. II. X
30G OEDEEICUS TITALIS. [B.YI. CH.X.
kindness, and gives his aid in a wonderful manner to those
who need it.
The troop encamped the first night after leaving Nor-
mandy at a place called Champs,1 and after supper some of
the duke's boon companions fell into bantering and unseemly
talk. One of these jesters said jocosely to the duke : " Have
you heard, my lord duke, what your chancellor Herluin and
your chamberlain Ealph have done ? They have dug up the
bodies of some Norman peasants, and deluding themselves
with the notion that they are holy relics, they have deposited
them in your chapel, and are reverently conveying them
into France." The duke asking the names of those whose
bodies they were carrying, the jester said: "Evroult,
Evremond, and Ansbert;" whereat the French, to whom
these names were not familiar, and who were ignorant of the
glory to which the blessed saints were exalted in heaven,
indulged in much idle banter about the relics. But in the
first night-watch, when all were asleep, the Almighty thun-
dered awfully out of heaven, and shooting forth his lightning
in bright flashes, struck the buffoon and his companions who
had made light of the holy relics. Their sudden death
caused no small alarm to the duke and his whole army ;
whereupon he assembled the troops very early in the morning,
and commanding the chancellor to bring the relics reverently
into his presence, he made every one offer their devotions
to them before they began their march. He also summoned
before him the weeping monks and their attendants, and
requiring from them some account of Evroult and his com-
panions, listened with pleasure to the history they gave of
the venerable men, and called on the Belgian nobles2 to hear
the marvels. He was also touched by the worth and sim-
plicity of the monks of Ouche, and being moved to compas-
sion towards them by the inspiration of Grod, who shows
mercy to his faithful servants on all occasions, he said to
them : " I esteem above gold and silver the relics of your
founder which you voluntarily follow. For his sake, too, I will
1 Champs, in the canton of Torouvre, the church of which is dedicated
to St. Evroult, probably in memory of this circumstance.
3 Our author is mistaken in his references to the Roman topography of
Gaul. The nobles who followed Hugh in his expedition did not belong to
the Belgian provinces.
A.D. 94 i.] BELICS OF ST. EYBOTJLT DISPEBSED. 307
show you favour and take you under my protection, ordering
my chancellor to take charge of you and treat you well, and
to permit you to receive all the offerings made to the holy
relics, until you shall reach Orleans, the capital of my
duchy,1 when I will provide for your sufficient main-
tenance."
The prospects of the monks of Ouche in a strange
country now began to brighten, and they daily received
large o'fferings from the faithful, and, through God's mercy,
were comforted by the abundant gifts which flowed from the
necessities of the sick or the benevolence of the devout.
"When they arrived at Orleans, the troops of soldiers with
their squires and horses, filled all the houses and buildings
in the city, so that the monks with the holy relics took
refuge in a bakehouse, where they rested the first night.
The citizens afterwards built a church on the spot, dedicated
to St. Evroult, and through the merits of the saints many
miracles of healing were performed there. Herluin the
chancellor was abbot of St. Peter-en- Point, where he depo-
sited the holy relics by command of Hugh the Great.2 Then
Ralph de Tracy claimed his part of the spoil, and would not
relinquish it at any price. He was an eminent citizen of
Soissons and the duke's first chamberlain, possessed large
domains, honours, and wealth, and was distinguished by his
piety and other virtues. No one dared to wrong so powerful
a lord, and by a general order the relics were brought into
court and divided in the presence of the judges. Herluin
being a priest, and abbot of the canons of St. Peter, as well
as first chaplain to the duke, retained for his share the head
and the greatest part of the bones of St. Evroult, also a book
and a portable altar plated with silver, the gown and
girdle of St. Evroult, and the charters of donation ; the rest
of the body he yielded to Ralph. There was no difficulty
about the division of the other relics, for the Orleannois
chose the bones of St. Evremond the abbot for their share,
1 Orleans was not Hugh's capital as duke of France, but as count of
Orleans.
4 This monastery became afterwards a collegiate and parochial church,
and the anniversary of the translation of the relics of St. Evroult was
annually celebrated in it till the revolution. Its site is now occupied by
a Rotunda lately built for Protestant worship.
x 2
308 ORDEEICTJS YITALIS. [B.TI. CH.X.
and left those of St. Ansbert, the monk, to Ealph. He
hastened with this precious treasure to Rebais,1 and devoutly
offered it to that abbey of which he was a brother and
friend. The monks of Rebais, in white and silken vestments,
came forth in procession with lighted tapers and censers
fuming with incense to receive the relics in great triumph,
and they preserve them with reverence to this day. Then
Ealph, wishing to augment the property of the church out of
his own domains, gave them Port d'Aunois and Bonneil,3
and that there might be abundant means for supplying
shrines for the relics he added large sums of gold and silver.
In return for these offerings, this lord at his death was
buried in the church.
In such changes foreign worshippers are sometimes de-
ceived, but as their object is good, they easily obtain pardon
for unintentional error. They venerate, indeed, the relics
which chance gave them, to the utmost of their power;
being mistaken, however, in their notions respecting Ans-
bert, a stranger to them, and exalting him beyond his due
by making him to have been archbishop of Kouen. But I
boldly assert what I have learnt from careful inquiries, that
this Ansbert was the young monk who, having died sud-
denly without the viaticum, was soon afterwards restored to
life by St. Evroult, and having received the communion
departed in the Lord, and was admitted to partake in the
feast of the saints. As for Ansbert of Eouen, his remains
are preserved at Fontenelles with those of abbot Wandrille
and Wulfran, archbishop of Sens, and are daily honoured by
the devotions of the faithful.3 Thus I have given a faithful
account of the division of the relics of St. Evroult, as I
received it myself long ago from truthful and religious old
persons.
On the death of Hugh the Great, his son, also called
1 The abbey of Rebais in Brie was founded by St. Ouen in 634. It
was at first called Jerusalem, but afterwards took the name of the stream
on which it was built. St. Agile was the first abbot, and it was under him ,
that St. Philibert, the founder of Jumieges, embraced the monastic
profession.
2 Probably the hamlet of Aunois, on the bank of the Marne, between
Chateau-Thierre and Bonneil.
3 See what our author says of the translation of these relics, and the
notes, p. 297.
AFTEB 956.1 EELICS BKOTJGIIT TO ANGEBS. 309
Hugh the Great,1 succeeded him in the duchy, and disturb-
ances breaking out between Charles and the nobles of the
realm, Hugh usurped the crown, which has descended to his
heirs to the present day. Geoffrey,2 son of the count of
Anjou, was this Hugh's godson, and having been brought
up by him until he arrived at man's estate, received at his
hands the honour of knighthood. Having learnt with sor-
row at court that his father was dead, he demanded of the
king to be invested in his hereditary domains, at the same
time earnestly beseeching him to give him some part of the
bones of St. Evroult, whose miracles he had often witnessed
while residing at Orleans. Hugh had a great regard for the
young man, and he therefore granted him his father's
estates, and gave him some of the relics of St. Evroult. It
was therefore through him that the relics of St. Evroult
were obtained, which still receive the veneration of the
faithful in the church of St. Main-beuf at Angers.3 The
monks of Ouche, who expatriated themselves with the holy
body found, by God's providence, a welcome home among
their foreign hosts, and receiving abundance of bread and
wine, and also of fish, which the Loire supplies, ended their
days in France, after experiencing the many changes of
unstable fortune.
Meanwhile the aged Ascelin remained in the wilderness
at Ouche with a few poor inhabitants, bringing up his
nephew Ascelin, with Guisbert de Gace and Harmoud de
la Tillaie, and some other youths whom he taught reading,4
that they might perform the daily service of God in that
place. One day he assembled all the scattered dwellers in
1 It does not appear that Hugh Capet ever bore the surname of Hugh
the Great as well as his father. The author has committed the same
error before. See vol. i. p. 141, where the dates of the events here referred
to are given.
* Geoffrey, first count of Anjou of that name, who succeeded his father
in 958, could not have been the godson of Hugh Capet, nor received
knighthood or the investment of his county from him, as ha was much his
junior. But as Geoffrey lived till the 21st of July, 987, it is very
probable that he was on friendly terms with Hugh Capet, and received
from him some relics of St. Evroult.
3 The collegiate church of St. Mainbeuf at Angers. It would appear
from what follows that all the relics of St. Evroult which were deposited
at Orleans, were afterwards translated to Angers.
*_" Communes literas edocuit." Taught them their letters.
310 OBDEBICTJS TITALIS. [B.TI. CH.X.
those solitudes, and announced to them his intention to hold
a festival, which at the appointed time he celebrated to the
best of his power, and after a solemn mass delivered this
discourse to the people who were present : — " We ought to
fear the divine threatenings, but our hearts are so hardened
that we take no account of the warnings addressed to us,
until, like the wicked servant, we feel the rod with which
we are scourged, and its sharp strokes cause us to wail and
lament. When formerly the Danes, who were then pagans,
ravaged Neustria under Hasting, and returned with new
fury under the command of Rollo, they ruined numberless
churches and monasteries, cities, and fortified places, but we,
living in a wild and barren country, escaped, under God's
protection, the swords of the invaders, although we were
subject to great alarm and severe penury.1 Now, alas ! the
day of the Lord's wrath is come unexpectedly upon us, and
we have been robbed of the sacred relics which we valued
above all precious things by those we trusted on the score
of the hospitality we had shown them. We read in the holy
Scriptures that God forsook the tabernacle in Silo and de-
livered his tent that he had pitched among men to the
uncircumcised, that is the falsely accusing, Philistines.2 A
like judgment has now fallen upon us ; we have lost the
bodies of the saints, in which we placed our main dependence,
and our brethren having followed the coffins of our fathers
into a foreign country, we are left alone, few and weak in
this wild solitude. But although the French have trans-
lated the sacred bones, and carried off our books, vestments,
and other precious articles, they have still left us the tombs
and the most sacred ashes of the saints' bodies, through
God's mercy, to our great consolation, with other holy
things which they could not remove. It is our duty to use
diligence, in carefully concealing and preserving with re-
verence, what our enemies have left us. We still have, by
1 M. Le Provost considers that our author is perfectly correct in stating
that St. Evroult and the country round escaped the devastations of the
Northmen. He remarks that it was too poor and too remote to attract the
pirates from the neighbourhood of the navigable rivers. Ordericus falls
into the error, common to the Norman historians, of perpetually introduc-
ing the name of Hasting into a province in which, as far as is known, he
never set foot.
* Psalm Ixxviii. 61.
A..D. 994 — 996.] HELICS CONCEA.LED AT ST. ETROTJLT. 311
God's mercy, a hair of the apostle St. Peter's beard, which
Pope Romanus sent to St. Evroult at the dedication of this
church. We also know of other precious relics which have
been hidden in this church by the old fathers. I now pro-
pose, if it is agreeable to you, to examine and inspect all
these memorials, and conceal them in a place of safety, to
preserve them from sacrilege, until they shall be discovered
by a revelation of God to future worshippers." All who
were present approving his design, the old monk finished
the mass, and when the service was ended gave the benedic-
tion and dismissed the people, retaining however the young
scholars to carry the candles and censer of incense. He
then proceeded, accompanied by a mason, to the grave of
St. Evroult, and causing the stone which covered it to be
removed with reverence, collected some nodules of the
sacred dust. He also took out several cases and reliquaries
inscribed with the names of the relics they contained. Then
desiring the youths to go to dinner, he caused the mason,
with the assistants required, all of whom were of mature
age, to build up the relics in a place of concealment, having
dismissed the youths that they might not learn the secret.1
I received this account from themselves many years after-
wards, but the exact spot where the relics were deposited I
was unable to discover, because, as I have already said, my
informants were excluded at the time of their concealment.
These events happened in the time of Duke Eichard I.,
who governed Normandy fifty-two years, and, as it has been
before related, was at first driven into exile and enduivu
many tribulations, but afterwards, by God's help, subdued
his enemies and became powerful. In the midst of furious
storms, the good old Ascelin continued to live under tho
monastic rule until he was bowed down with age, and at his
death committed the guardianship of Ouche to his nephew
1 It is very difficult to reconcile this statement with the dates furnishr-d
by our author. He says, just afterwards, that the circumstances took piace
in the time of Duke Richard I., who died in 995, and Asceline may h-ivft
lived till about the same period, and probably did not conceal the relics till
his end was approaching. But supposing the choristers to have been ton
years old at that time, they would have been one hundred in 1085, when
Ordericus, at the age of eleven, was admitted a novice at St. Evroult. The
account has an air of great probability, but a link in the chain of traditioas
appears to be wanting.
312 ORDEBICTJS TITALIS. [B.VI. CH.X.
Ascelin, who was a clerk. This young man, in the ardour
of youth, became disgusted with his rude and solitary life,
and longed after the enjoyments of a town ; and betaking
himself to France for the purpose of gaining instruction, he
was so captivated by all sorts of pleasures, that he lived
there almost fifty years, rising by the regular steps to the
rank of priest. Enslaved by carnal delights, and inflated by
growing prosperity during his residence in Prance, he lost
all recollection during his long life, even to old age, of what
his predecessors had entrusted to him in Normandy.
Meanwhile, by the death and departure of its inhabitants,
Ouche returned to its original solitude, and all vestiges of
human life having disappeared, the oratories and houses be-
came overgrown with thick wood, and for a long period were
the resort of wild animals. Then it was said in a vision to
a certain priest named Restold, who lived in the province of
the Beauvaisis ; " Go to St. Evroult in Normandy, and you
will enjoy there length of days, and a life full of joy and
pleasure." The priest therefore left his native country, and
journeying through Normandy searched for the house of St.
Evroult, but although he continued his inquiries for many
days, he could find no one to point it out. At last he found
the old church of St. Evroult at Montfort,1 and sojourned
there for some time, in the belief that it was the spot
assigned by his heavenly oracle to him and his posterity.
A peasant of the name of Fala, in the territory of
Bauquence, had a bull which, frequently separating from
the herd, ran into the forest, and though the owner sought
for it a long time with his servants and dogs, he never could
find it, but at the end of five or seven days, when it was
supposed to be irrecoverably lost, it made its appearance in
good condition. This happened so repeatedly that it be-
came a customary thing. It became a joke among the
neighbours who observed it, and the bull had free leave to
go and come when he pleased. After a time, however, the
curiosity of the herdsmen was roused, and attempts were
made to trace the bull's wanderings in the forest, and it was
followed through the thickest brakes. Fala obtained the
assistance of an experienced hunter, whose name was Dui-
lett, and he tracked the bull with the sagacity of a hound,
1 Near Gac6.
ABOUT 1030.] THE ABBEY CHUECH EEBTJILT. 313
until it was discovered lying before the altar of St. Peter
the apostle as if it were at prayers. The walls of the
church were shattered and held together by roots of ivy,
and the ruins of ancient buildings could be traced by the
observers. A dense wood had sprung up both within and
without, no one having lived there for fifty years. Upon
this discovery grey-headed old men recollected, that accord-
ing to what their fathers had told them, St. Evroult and
many others, who held the world in contempt, had dwelt
there.
Restold also had a new vision, which rebuked him for not
having justly obeyed the former command ; and upon the
priest's anxiously inquiring by what means he could bet-
ter fulfil the injunctions laid on him, he was told to go
to Ouche, and there serve God as the follower of St.
Evroult. Eestold therefore left his first habitation at Mont-
fort, and going to Ouche with his wife and his son Ilbert,
was the first who now took up his abode there.
There was at that time a noble knight, named Gaston de
Montfort, who, inspired by the fear of the Lord, formed the
design of restoring all the churches in his neighbourhood
which had fallen to decay from age and neglect during the
many troubles I have before mentioned ; and to this good
work he devoted his whole attention, and consecrated all the
means in his power. In consequence, he repaired the old
church of St. Peter at his own expense, endeavouring to
propitiate Almighty God by this undertaking. One morn-
ing, as his herdsman was keeping his oxen on a hill, washed
at its base by the rivulet of Charenton,1 and was resting
among the ruins where the herbage was most luxuriant, all
of a sudden, one in the guise of a pilgrim stood before him,
and appearing wearied by his journey, sat down and began
to converse with him: " Go," said he, "quickly to Gaston,
and tell him to come to me without delay." The herdsman
1 The Charenton is only a rivulet in this part of its course, but has
worked for itself a deep channel in the soft bed of the valley. Alter its
confluence with the Risle, their united waters discharge themselves into the
estuary of the Seine, between Honfleur and Quillebceuf. The Orne, also,
and the Dive, the Touques and the Iton, all take their rise in the elevated
forest district about St. Evroult which is the water-shed between the rivers
which discharge themselves into the Manche, and the Sarthe, the Huine,
and other rivers and streams flowing into the Loire.
314 ORDEBICUS YITALIS. [B.VI. CH.X.
hastened to his master and gave him the pilgrim's message,
but Gaston was idly disposed and would not obey the sum-
mons, but desired the pilgrim, through his servant, to come
to him. The pilgrim repeated his message to G-aston a
second and a third time, but being occupied by I know not
what affairs, he obstinately refused to come. When there-
fore the herdsman returned the third time and told this to
the pilgrim, the old man said, " Come with me and mark
carefully what I say: this place was sanctified in ancient
times by the divine benediction, and is rich in most sacred
relics." Thus saying, the hoary speaker rose and pointed
out, in the middle of the area, the site of the altar of the
holy Mary, mother of G-od,1 and to the east that of the
holy and undivided Trinity. He then said further to the
astonished herdsman : " If your master had come to me as I
required him by you, I would have discovered to him hidden
treasures, by means of which he might have repaired this
old church, and I would have made known to him another
secret, which would have caused great joy throughout all
Normandy. Upon hearing these last words, the servant
retraced his steps and repeated them to Gaston, who im-
mediately mounted his horse and came with all speed to the
place pointed out, but the pilgrim had disappeared. He
was now extremely sorry for the indifference he had mani-
fested, and eagerly questioned the herdsman as to all he had
heard about the holiness of the place and the two altars.
He then had a conference with Ralph Fresnel,2 son of
Thorold, who was then lord of the soil, and with God's help
undertook the restoration of the church of St. Mary-always-
a-virgin. The labourers cleared out the old ruins, in which
they found a prodigious quantity of stones, enabling them
to carry on the work with great dispatch. They found the
tombs of many noble persons, in which old men declare,
from certain marks they discovered, the bodies of kings and
bishops were laid.
1 The church here spoken of is that built by Queen Faileube in honour
of the Virgin, and on the site of which Notre-Dame-du-Bois now
stands.
2 A person of this name is related in the sequel to have built the castle
of La Ferti-Fresnil. His sons William and Robert are mentioned before,
vol. i. p. 399.
A.D. 1050.] ABBEY OF ST. EVBOTJLT RESTOnED. 315
Some miracles were also wrought there. A knight named
Harduin, having observed a large block of stone among the
ruins of the church, desired to appropriate it to his own use,
and caused it to be transported to his house and converted
into a cistern for himself and his cattle ; but when they
began to hollow it out, he fell ill. During1' his illness,
Gunfold de Touquette,1 a knight of that country, had a
vision ; instructed by which he visited Harduin, who was
lying sick, and admonished him to restore the block of stone
to its original site, otherwise he would inevitably die. On
hearing this, the sick man immediately called his servants,
ordered them to harness four yoke of oxen to a waggon, and
earnestly begged them to carry back the stone to the church
of the holy Virgin Mother. The block of stone being loaded
on the waggon, he caused himself to be lifted on it, and
thus conveying it back to the holy building from which he
had purloined it he confessed his sin, and invoking the
mercy of the Almighty Lord, was immediately cured.
Many other miracles were wrought in this place which
have fallen into oblivion by the death of the neighbours
then living, not having been committed to writing, from the
great dearth of penmen at that time in Normandy.
When, at last, the church was erected on a wooded hill,
all the inhabitants of the district were full of joy, and the
cure of it with the government of the parish was committed
to Eestold of the Beauvaisis, as well by G-aston and Ealph,
as by the bishop of Evreux, in whose diocese it stood.
At that time William, son of Giroie,2, was lord of Echau-
four, and heard of the existence in the forest of the fountain
of St. Evroult and the old church of St. Peter the apostle on
the rivulet called Charenton. Led by curiosity, he surveyed
this spot, and, perceiving it to be a fitting place for the
worshippers of God, honoured it with respect, and settled
there the priests B-estold and Ingeran, providing them a
sufficient maintenance out of the revenues of Echaufour. In
process of time, as is fully related in the third book of the
present work, the abbey of St. Evroult was restored by this
William Giroie and his brothers and nephews, and received
Touquette, a commune to the west of St. Evroult.
3 A full account of William Giroie is given in vol. i. p. 384, &c. The
abbcv church of St. Evroult was dedicated to St. Peter.
316 OBDEEICUS TITALIS. [B.VI. CH.X.
regular institutions by the labours and means of the monks
of Jumieges.
In the year of our Lord 1051 Theodoric, a monk of
Jumieges, undertook the administration of the abbey, edu-
cating the voung flock with piety and prudence for eight
years,1 and instructing them to work worthily in the law of
the Lord according to the rule of St. Benedict. Afterwards,
as I have already related, he shrank from the burden of the
government, and resigning it, to the great grief of the pre-
lates Mauritius of Rouen, and Hugh of Lisieux, he became
a pilgrim in foreign lands, treading under foot worldly
things, and, longing for the heavenly Jerusalem, laboured to
reach the terrestrial. But he died in the island of Cyprus,
in the church of St. Nicholas, before the altar, on the calends
[1st] of August, and was interred with respect by the con-
vent of monks, in that place, which he made illustrious by
frequent miracles in healing the sick. I composed the
following epitaph in heroic verse, to his memory : —
Trained in Jumieges' holy school,
Thence called St. Evroult's monks to rule,
1 Our author states in b. iii. p. 387, that Theodoric was appointed in
1050. There is a further mistake here respecting the period of his admi-
nistration. It lasted from October 3, 1050, to August 29, 1057. Jumieges,
founded by St. Philibert in 654, was one of the most magnificent of those
Benedictine abbeys which were celebrated for their learning in the dark
ages. A short notice of William Calculus, one of the monks who wrote
the histories of the dukes of Normandy, and who died in 1090, is given in
a note, p. 376, of vol. i. The situation of the abbey on a peninsula round
which the Seine makes a bold sweep, almost encircling it with its
stream and high wooded banks, was well calculated for a studious and con-
templative life. The remains are among the most considerable and the best
preserved of the monastic buildings of Normandy. The west front of the
abbey church is still surmounted by two lofty octagonal towers, but one
side only of the great central tower is standing. The nave, with its
massive pillars and columns supporting circular Norman arches, remains
entire. These parts of the building are of the date 1067. The choir has
been razed to the ground, except part of the apsis, and some arches exhi-
biting the pointed style of the thirteenth century. The site is strewed
with interesting fragments of the building and monumental slabs and
effigies, which are carefully preserved though the ruins have repeatedly
changed owners. Many portions of the conventual buildings may still be
traced. The gate-house has been converted into a residence, and a lofty
wall surrounds the large enclosure formerly the convent gardens, and now
a well planted park, over the trees and shrubberies of which the grey ruins
tower with a most picturesque effect.
A.D. 1058.] EPITAPH OP ABBOT TIIEODORIC. 317
THEODORIC taught the discipline
Which thirty years his task had been,
While Satan's malice he defied,
And triumphed o'er his hellish pride.
The flock he reared in forest glade
Eight years his gentle sway obeyed ;
Religion in the wilderness
He nurtured in her humblest dress,
And, pattern of wise industry,
The scribe's art practised skilfully.
At length inspired with ardent zeal,
Before the Saviour's tomb to kneel,
The pilgrim found a hallowed grave,
Where Cyprus fronts the eastern wave;
The last of July saw him die,
Christ give him endless life on high !
The monks of St. Evroult, profoundly grieved at not pos-
sessing the body of their patron, have made various efforts
to obtain its restoration, but hitherto without success.
Having been unable to fulfil their wishes in this respect,
they have procured several relics by various ways, and, by
God's favour, recovered some at different times.
Fulk, prior of St. Evroult, who was afterwards abbot of
Dive, was sent by "William the Bastard, king of England, to
the countess Bertha, at Brie, on particular business. While
there he obtained from a chaplain of the countess, a Norman
who belonged to the church of Eebais, a tooth of St. Evroult,
which on his return he restored to the abbey at Ouche to
the joy of all.
During the reign of King Lewis,1 there was a canon at
Paris named Fulbert, who possessed one of the vertebral
bones of St. Evroult, which a chaplain had purloined from
the chapel of Henry king of France, and had presented to
him long before as a pledge of his regard. Fearing how-
ever, on various accounts, to keep it in his possession,
Fulbert, through the intervention of Fulk, a priest of Maule,
sought an interview with "William de Montreuil, prior of
Maule,2 and delivered the relic to him for transmission to
the church of St. Evroult. The prior received the present
with great delight, and speedily fulfilled the errand. "While
1 Lewis !e Gra«, August 3, 1108 — August 1, 1137.
9 According to b. v. c. 19 (p. 236), this William was third prior of
Maule.
318 ORDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.VI. CH.X.
he was still speeding on his way, he experienced the holy
father's aid ; for without being aware of it he partook of
poison in hrs food, which the exercise of riding diffused
through his limbs and entrails. Finding that death was ap-
proaching his vitals, he cried to God in great anguish of
mind praying that, for the merits of St. Evroult, he would
have mercy on him. His prayers and invocations being
ended, he vomited the poison, and was soon cured ; so that,
having returned thanks to God, he arrived safely at St.
Evroult, where he deposited the relic with great joy, en-
closing it decently in a silver shrine.
In the year of our Lord 1130, Warin seventh abbot, of
St. Evroult, paid a visit to Rebais, where he understood one
half of the saint's body was deposited. He was attended by
two monks, Odo of Montreuil, and Warin of Seez, in this
search after their holy father's remains, in which they met
with considerable difficulties. Natalis, the abbot of Eebais,1
was absent at that time, and it was the pleasure of the con-
vent to receive them not with hospitality, but with hostility.
They found the neighbours equally averse to them, and they
were warned to depart with threatening language. How-
ever, their good resolution was only strengthened, and
pushed them forward to the object they had in view.
Abbot "Warin therefore, leaving his two companions at
Rebais, and laying aside his state as abbot, undertook a toil-
some journey, and riding as a poor monk, was not ashamed
of being met on the road. Determined to find Abbot JNa-
talis, he went first to the court of Count Theobald at Eugni ;2
and on the second day he was introduced to the abbot, but
did not tell him who he was or what he wanted. Natalis
told him that it 'was his intention to go to Clairvaux, and
offered to conduct him there. In consequence, they went in
company to Clairvaux, with their attendants, and were
kindly received by the brethren of that monastery, who en-
deavour to practise the rule of St. Benedict to a letter.
They presented themselves to the Lord Bernard,3 abbot of
1 Natalis, abbot of Rebais in 11 33, was chance_or of France in 1140.
He retired to end his days at Cluny, and died there in 1 145.
2 Rugni, near Tonnere. Theobald the Great, count of Champagne.
3 St. Bernard, first abbot of Clairvaux, which he founded in 1115. The
two abbots were fortunate in meeting him in his monastery this year, for
A.D. 1130.] EELIC8 OF ST. ETEOTJLT RESTOEED. 319
that monastery, and, conversing with him, made many
inquiries, and were struck with his profound wisdom. He
commented with clearness on the sacred scriptures, satisfy-
ing all their questions and demands. On hearing the claims
of the monks of St. Evroult, he kindly supported Abbot
Warm, and gave letters of exhortation to the convent at
Eebais. The abbots "Warin and Katalis now returning
thither, found the monks Odo and "Warin in good spirits
and on most friendly terms with the monks of Eebais ; for
they were both of mature age, courteous and modest and
well founded in both sacred and profound learning. But
though they were equally distinguished for their eloquence
and erudition, Odo, in his loving zeal, did all in his power to
have Warin preferred to himself. Indeed, Warin had much
grace and wisdom in discoursing on religion, and during the
eight days they staid there he gave, at the request of
Amaury the prior, exhortations to all who were in the
cloister ; so that he obtained the good opinion of the whole
convent, and was no longer regarded as an enemy, but as a
faithful friend. Abbot Warin delivered the letter of the
venerable Abbot Bernard, which was well received by the
chapter of Eebais, and when it was read they determined to
comply with the request. By G-od's will, Stephen1 bishop of
Paris, and Burchard 2 bishop of Meaux, were present, and
earnestly exhorted the monks of R-ebais that they should
comfort those of St. Evroult with a sweet charity. A day
was therefore appointed by the bishops when, by common,
consent, the relics of the saints reserved there should be
exhibited together, and the people of the neighbourhood be
assembled to see them and made joyful with a multiplied
benediction ; whereupon the monks of St. Evroult should
receive what they desired and return home.
But now Abbot Natalis changed his mind, and gave un-
easiness to the monks of St. Evroult by his caution and incon-
hc was twice absent on remarkable occasions; first in April, to attend the
council of Etampes at which he presided, and secondly, to have an inter-
view with Henry I., king of England, and induce him to embrace the cause
of Innocent II. in the schism which then divided Christendom.
1 Stephen, bishop of Paris in 1 1 24, had been chancellor of France in
1106—1119, and died May 6, 1142. He was son of Guy de Seulis, lord
of Chantilly and Ermenonville.
• Burchard, bishop of Meaux, 1120—1134.
320 ORDEBICTJS YITALI3. [B.VI. CH.X.
sistency ; for he said, that without Count Theobald's consent
lie would never part with what he had given to the convent.
It was, therefore, agreed that Odo of St. Evroult should
proceed to Normandy and see the count, who had gone
there to confer with his uncle, King Henry. The monk,
obedient to his orders, undertook this toilsome journey, and
following the count, arrived at Vernon,1 where, in the first
instance, he made known his secret object to the king him-
self, begging him to further it. The king promised his
assistance, and interfered with his nephew on behalf of the
monks. The count acceded to his uncle's request, and
transmitted his consent to the monks of Rebais by his
steward Andrew, who, however, did not appear on the day
when the relics were exhibited, but remained at Coulom-
miers, the duke's castle. In consequence, the abbot of St.
Evroult, with "Warin of Seez, and Andrew of Coulommiers,1,
proceeded to the steward, who received them graciously, and
commending himself to their prayers, informed them of the
count's consent, and declared himself his master's envoy and
commissioner in the affair. Abbot Warin and his compa-
nions now returned to Eebais with great joy, and Abbot
Natalis, that hearing the count's licence was obtained, and
repenting of the vexation he had caused the monks of
St. Evroult, granted their petition. (The prior, Amaury,
therefore, assembled the chapter the following morning, and
led the way to the church with the monks of St. Evroult ;
the whole assemblage forming a procession to the sacristy.
The silver coffer, which contained the memorials of St.
Evroult8 was then opened, and the relics reverently taken
out, consisting of the right arm, and a casket full of frag-
ments of bones. The monks of St. Evronlt now returned to
Normandy, arriving at Ouche on the seventh of the calends
of June [May 26th]. They were met by a vast multitude
of both sexes to the number of four thousand, who assem-
bled to partake of the blessings of their great patron, and
to obtain by their prayers his intercession with God. Those
who were labouring under various disorders hastened to
1 Vernon-sur-Seine.
* Coulommiers in Brie, too leagues from Rebais, and on the same river.
3 An ancient chasse, or reliquary, supposed to have contained the relics
of the saint, is still preserved at St. Evroult.
A.D. 1133.] A MIEACULOTJS ESCAPE. 321
implore the Most High to relieve them of their pains, for
the merits of the good father Evroult, of whom numbers
having their petitions granted, triumphantly confided in the
merits of the holy saint.
There was a man named Geoffrey, a native of Brittany,
but living in the Corbonnais,1 who, as he related himself, was
in his youth addicted to rapine and theft, but after a time,
by God's grace, changed his course of life for the better.
He took a wife in lawful marriage whose name was Hilde-
burge, and listening to her good advice, dismissed his fierce
and bloody followers, and laboured with his own hands for
the means of existence. He even gave alms of what he
procured by the sweat of his brow, distributing among the
poor, the clergy, hermits, and monks all the superfluity he
thus earned, beyond what was absolutely necessary for the
subsistence of himself and his family. He frequented the
society of the monks of St. Evroult, and becoming their
brother in Christ, maintained well the bond of fraternity.
He was always present in the abbey at the principal festivals
of the saints, and remembering the precepts of the law, did
not come empty handed.
A singular occurrence happened two years before the
death of King Henry. On the night of the Nativity of
the Holy Innocents,2 a snow storm came on suddenly with
such violence that the like had not been seen in the memory
of any man living, or of those who were their teachers. All
entrance to the houses was blocked up, the surface of the
roads was covered, valleys were filled to the level of hills,
birds and animals were suffocated, and even men were buried
in the drifts, and numbers of the faithful were prevented
from attending the service in the churches on that day.
Geoffrey, however, got up while the storm was raging, and,
disregarding the depth of snow, loaded a pack-horse with
bread made of wheaten flour,3 took his son with him and set
forth to attend the feast of the holy father, St. Evroult.
1 Also called La Perche, lying to the south of Normandy, and the
east of Maine.
2 The night of Thursday, December 28, 1133. The feast of St. Evroult
was held on the morrow, December 29.
3 Bread made of the flour of wheat was at that period esteemed a great
luxury. Several centuries afterwaids the meal used in making bread wa»
composed of one part of wheat, one of barley, and one of oats.
VOL. II. T
322 ORDEBICTJS YITALIS. [B.VI. CH.X.
But when he reached the water called the Bisle,1 over which
there was no bridge, he found that it was not fordable as
the waters were in flood, and in great terror and dismay he
cried to the Lord of merer, and implored his aid. He
immediately became sensible of the divine support in the
pious undertaking in which he was engaged, and found him-
self carried over the river without any visible conductor.
But he stood there alone, discovering that his son and the
beast, with its burden, were still on the other side of the
stream. At last the son, whose faith and merits were
perhaps less than his father's, trembling, entered the water,
up to the middle, and dragged the horse with its load of
bread after him, getting safe through with some difficulty.
Although the loaves intended for God's servants were
plunged in the stream, they remained dry and uninjured, so
that they were in a fit state for the use of Christ's house-
hold, being miraculously preserved in the midst of the waters.
Father and son then proceeded in company to their place of
destination, and triumphantly described the perils they had
escaped, both on the roads and in the waters, attributing
their safety to the merits of St. Evroult, for whose feast
they were bound. The crowds collected at this solemnity,
having heard their account, glorified the Lord God of
Sabaoth, who is for ever the Saviour of his people.
At that time Warin was abbot of St. Evroult,2 and he
had a great regard for G-eoffrey, and respected him much for
his fervent devotion to God. The abbot himself was zealous
in the performance of divine worship, and set an example
by his constant attendance. He highly esteemed religious
men, giving place to them with the greatest marks of
respect ; and he also applied himself diligently to useful
studies. Deeply learned as he was, he readily divested him-
self of his magisterial authority, and putting himself on a
level with his juniors, joined as one of themselves in the
pursuits suited to their age with an alacrity which aiforded
1 To reach St. Evroult from the south-east, this rivulet, not the
Charenton, would have to be crossed. They afterwards form a junction.
See note, p. 313.
2 This paragraph was written, as it appears, after the death of Abbot
Warin des Essarts, which happened on June 21, 1137. He was then of
the age of sixty-six years, forty-six of which he had spent in the abbey.
A.D. 1115 — 1116.] WABIJT, ABBOT OF ST. ETEOULT. 323
an excellent example to all who were under his government.
Geoffrey was of middle stature, tall and thin, so that not
being burdened with flesh, his activity was remarkable. In
his humility he heard with attention the words of instruc-
tion and doctrine which fell from the lips of others, and
frequently made diligent inquiries from his equals and
inferiors on subjects with which he was very well acquainted,
listening to them with the deference of a disciple. He
handled the lessons of the divine law with overflowing elo-
quence, and skilfully explained the most profound doctrines
by his lucid dissertations. Having assumed the profession of
a monk when he was a young man of > the age of twenty-three
years, he was a soldier of the most high King forty-six years,
and gave to the world the fruits of his penetrating genius
and deep meditations in metrical poems, eloquent epistles,
and other works. I will extract from them, and insert' in
this book of mine, an account of one miracle which he learnt
when he was at Thorney Abbey in England with Abbot
Robert,1 and committed to writing, at the request of the
bishop of Ely2 and the convent of monks. The following ia
the text of the letter :3 —
" To all the faithful sons of holy church, and especially to
those who are subject to the rule of the excellent father
Benedict, Hervey, the humblest servant of the servants of
God and the unworthy minister of the church of Ely, send-
eth greeting, and trusts that what is well begun may be
happily ended. It is our wish to publish for the praise and
honour of St. Benedict, the patron of monks, a circumstance
worthy to be recorded as most agreeable to those who hear
it, most useful to those who retain it in their memories, and
perhaps very profitable to those who are at present ignorant
of it.
"In the time of Henry, king of England and duke of
Normandy, in the sixteenth year of his reign over England and
the tenth of his government of the duchy,* there was on the
1 Robert was abbot of Thorney (in Cambridgeshire), 1113 — 1151.
* Hervey, first bishop of Ely, 1108—1130, Henry I. having erected the
bishopric in October; 1108.
8 This letter, though bearing the name of the bishop of Ely, was in fact
written by Warm des Essarts, as our author tells us.
* Henry I., crowned king of England, August 5, 1100, obtained
T2
324 OBDEBICUS YITALIB. [B.VI. CH.X.
possessions of our church a certain free- ten ant called Bric-
stan, who lived at Chatteris.1 This man, according to the
testimony of his neighbours, never injured any one, and,
content with what he had, meddled not with what belonged
to others. Neither very rich nor very poor, he conducted his
affairs and brought up his family, in moderate independence,
according to the habits of laymen. He lent money to his
neighbours who wanted it, but not at usury, while, on account
of the dishonesty of some of his debtors, he required security.
Thus holding a middle course, he was considered not better
than other good men, nor worse than the ill-disposed. Being
thus at peace with all mankind, and believing that he had not
a single enemy, he was inspired by divine influence (as it
appeared in the sequel) to entertain the desire of submitting
himself to the rule of St. Benedict, and assuming the habit.
In short, he came to our convent dedicated to St. Peter the
apostle and St. Etheldrida,2 implored the favour of the
monks, and engaged to put himself and all he had under
their rule. But, alas ! the evil spirit, through whose malice
Adam fell in paradise, will never cease from persecuting his
posterity to the last man who shall exist. God, however,
whose providence ordereth all things in mercy and goodness,
in his omnipotence bringeth good out of evil, and out of
good what is still better. When, therefore, the news was
spread abroad (for Bricstan, though his acquaintance was
not extensive, was sufficiently well known), a certain man
who was in King Henry's employment, but more especially
a servant of the devil, interfered with malicious spite.
" We must make a short digression that you may under-
stand what sort of man this was. His name was Robert
Malart (which signifies in Latin malum artificeni) and
not without reason. He had little else to do but to
make mischief against all sorts of persons, monks, clerks,
soldiers, and country folk ; in short, men of all ranks, whether
possession of the duchy of Normandy, September 28, 1100. The circum-
stance here related occurred, therefore, between September, 1115, and
1116.
Cliatteris, in the fens, ten miles from Ely. At the time when Domes-
day-book was compiled, it was divided between the abbeys of Ely and
Ramsey.
8 See vol. L p. 124, for an account of this saint.
A.D. 1115 — 1116.] THE STOET OF BBICSTAN. 325
they lived piously, or the contrary. That I may not be
accused of calumny, this was his constant practice, wherever
he was able to vent his malice. He slandered every one
alike to the best of his ability, and exerted himself to the
utmost for the injury of others. Thus mischievous to one
and another, he may be counted among those of whom it is
said that ' they rejoice to do evil and delight in the froward-
ness of the wicked.'1 When he failed of truth for hia
accusations he became a liar, inventing falsehoods by help
of the devil, the father of lies. It would be impossible for
any one, even if he had been his constant companion from
childhood, to recount, much more to commit to writing, all
the evil doings of this man, who was truly called Thousand-
craft ;2 let us, therefore, proceed with our story.
"When Robert heard the news that Bricstan wished to
assume the habit of a monk, he lost no time, in accordance
with the teaching of his master the devil, who is always
lying and deceiving, in presenting himself at the convent.
Having a false account to give, he began with a falsehood,
saying: 'This Bricstan is a thief; he has fradulently appro-
priated the king's money in secret, and wishes to become a
monk, not to save his soul, but to save himself from the
sentence and punishment which his crimes merit. In short, he
has found a hidden treasure, and has turned usurer with
sums clandestinely subtracted from what is the king's by
right. Being therefore guilty of the grave offences of theft
and usury, he is afraid to appear before the king or the judges.
In consequence, I have the royal authority to forbid your
receiving him into your convent.' Whereupon, having heard
the king's prohibition, and dreading his anger, we refused to
admit the man into our society. What shall I say more ?
He gave bail and was brought to trial. Ralph Basset was
judge,3 and all the principal men of the county were assem-
'led at Huntingdon, according to the custom in England : I,
il
1 Prov. ii. H.
a Mille-Artifex ; a name commonly given to the devil in the middle
ages. Our author has made use of it in the legend of St. Martial, vol. i.
p. 304.
1 Ralph Basset was one of the minions of Henry I., whom he raised,
from a low origin, to the highest offices in the state, in preference to his
nobles.
326 OBDEBICTTS VITALIS. [B.YI. CH.X.
Hervey, was also there with Beginald, abbot of Bamsey,1 and
Robert abbot of Thorney, and many clerks and monks.
Not to make the story long, the accused appeared with his
wife, the charges falsely made against him were recapitulated.
He pleaded not guilty, he could not confess what he had not
done ; the other party charged him with falsehoods, and made
sport of him ; he was indeed rather corpulent, and was short
in stature, but he had, so to speak, an honest countenance.
After having unjustly loaded him with reproaches, they pre-
judged him, as in the case of Susannah, and sentenced him
and all his substance to be at the king's mercy. After this
judgment, being compelled to surrender all that he possessed,
he gave up what he had in hand, and owned where his effects
were, and who were his debtors. Being however pressed to
give up and discover more, he replied in the English tongue :
Wat min Laert Godel Mihtin that ic sege soth, which means
' My Lord G-od Almighty knows that I speak the truth.'
He often repeated this, but said nothing else. Having
delivered up all that he had, the holy relics were brought
into court, but when he was called upon to swear, he said to
his wife: 'My sister, I adjure you by the love there is
between us, not to suffer me to commit perjury ; for I have
more fear of perilling my soul than of suffering bodily
torments. If therefore there is any reservation which affects
your conscience, do not hesitate to make it known. Our
spiritual enemy covets more keenly the damnation of our
souls, than the torture of our bodies.' To this she replied :
Sir, besides what you have declared, I have only sixteen
pence and two rings weighing four drachms.' These being
exhibited, the woman added: 'Dearest husband, you may
now take the oath in safety, and I will afterwards confirm,
on the testimony of my conscience, the truth you have sworn
by the ordeal of carrying hot iron in my naked hand, in the
presence of all who desire to witness it, if you so command.'
In short, Bricstan was sworn, he was then bound and
carried in custody to London, where he was thrown into a
gloomy dungeon. There, heavily ironed with chains of unusual
weight, in a most cruel and outrageous manner, he suffered for
some time the horrors of cold and hunger. In this extremity
1 Reginald, abbot of Ramsay (in Huntingdonshire), from 1114— May
20, 1133.
APPABITION OF SS. BENEDICT AND ETHELDEIDA. 327
of distress, he implored divine assistance according to the best
of his ability, inspired by his urgent necessity. But as he
felt that his own merits were but very small, or to speak the
truth, of no account whatever, having no confidence in them
he incessantly invoked, with sorrowful heart and such words
as he could command, St. Benedict, to whose rule, as we have
seen before, he had unfeignedly proposed to devote himself,
and the holy virgin St. Etheldrida in whose monastery he
intended to make his profession. In this dark dungeon,
loaded with chains, tortured with cold, and wasted with
hunger, he wore out five wretched months, and would rather,
in my opinion, have chosen to die at once than live thus
miserably. But still, seeing no hopes of human help, he
continued to call on SS. Benedict and Etheldrida with sighs
and groans and tears, and with heart and mouth. To pro-
ceed ; one night when the bells in the city were ringing for
lauds, and Bricstan, in his dungeon, besides his other
suiferings, had received no food for three days, so that he was
quite exhausted and entirely despaired of his recovery, he
repeated the names of the saints with a sorrowful voice.
Then at last, the clement and merciful God, the never-failing
fountain of all goodness, who never despises those that are
in adversity, and chooses none for their wealth or power,
at last vouchsafed to show his loving-kindness to the
supplicant. It had been long indeed implored, but it was de-
ferred, that the earnestness of his supplications might be more
intense and the mercy shown be more ardently loved. For
now St. Benedictand St. Etheldrida, withher sister Sexburga,1
stood before the sorrowful prisoner. The light which pre-
ceded their appearance was so extraordinary that he screened
his eyes with his hands ; and when the saints were seen
surrounded by it, Etheldrida spoke first : ' Bricstan,' she said,
'why do you so often pour out your griefs before us.
What do you implore us, with such earnest prayers, to grant?'
But he, spent with fasting, and being now thrown into a
sort of trance by excessive joy and the supernatural visita-
tion, could say nothing in reply. Then the holy virgin
1 Sexburga, eldest sister of St. Etheldrida, was married to Ercombert,
king of Kent. She founded a monastery in the isle of Sheppy, and after-
wards succeeded her sister as abbess of Ely. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p.
205, of Bohn's Antiquarian Library.
328 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.YI. CH.X.
said : ' I am Etheldrida, whom you have so often invoked,
and this is St. Benedict under whose rule you devoted
yourself to the service of Gk>d, and whose aid you have
continually implored. Do you wish to be set free ?' On
hearing this his spirit revived, and waking, as it were, from
a dream, he said : ' My lady, if life can by any means be
granted me, I should wish to escape from this horrible
dungeon, but I find myself so worn out by sufferings of every
description, that my bodily powers are exhausted and I have
no longer any hope of obtaining my liberty.' Then the holy
virgin turning to St. Benedict, said : ' Holy Benedict, why
do you hesitate to do what the Lord has commanded you.'
At this, the venerable Benedict laid his hand on the fetters,
and they fell in pieces, so that the prisoner's feet were
released without his being sensible of any act, the saint
appearing to have shattered his chains by his word alone.
Having detached them, he threw them indignantly against
the beam which supported the floor of the prison, making a
great opening, and waking the guards, who lay in the gallery,
in great alarm at the crash which took place. They supposed
that the prisoners had made their escape, and lighting
torches hastened to the dungeon, and finding the doors fast
closed, they opened them with the keys and went in. Upon
seeing the prisoner they had left in fetters freed from his
chains, their astonishment increased, and upon their demand-
ing an account of the noise they had heard, and who had
caused it, and how his fetters were struck off, Bricstan said
nothing, but a fellow prisoner replied : ' Some persons, I
know not who, entered the prison with a great light, and
talked with this man my companion, but what they said or
did I know not ; ask him who knows best.' Then the
guards turning to Bricstan, said : ' Tell us what you saw
and heard.] He replied : ' St. Benedict, with St. Etheldrida
and her sister Sexburga appeared to me and struck the
fetters off my feet : if you will not believe me, at least
believe your own eyes.' As they did not doubt the miracle
they saw, the gaolers sent in the morning to queen Matilda,1
who happened to be in the city at the time, to tell her of it.
1 Matilda, a princess of great piety and excellence, daughter of
Malcolm, king of Scotland, and Margaret, sister of Edgar Atheling, waa
married to Henry I. in December, 1100, and died May, 1 1118.
A..D. 1115—1116.] BBICSTAN'S BELEASE. 329
The queen sent Ralph Basset to the prison, the same who
had before doomed Bricstan, who said that magical art
was now employed. Ralph entering the dungeon addressed
the prisoners derisively, as he had done on the former occa-
sion : ' What has happened Bricstan ? Has God spoken to
you by his angels ? Has he visited you in your prison ?
Tell me what witchcraft you have been practising.' But
Bricstan made no more reply than if he had been dead.
" Then Ealph Basset, perceiving that his fetters were
broken, and hearing from his fellow prisoners of the three
persons who entered the dungeon surrounded by light, the
words they had spoken, and the crash they had made, and
perceiving the hand of God in these events, began to weep
bitterly ; and, turning to Bricstan, he said : ' My brother, I
am a servant of St. Benedict and the holy virgin Etheldrida;
for the love of them speak to me.' He replied : ' If you
are a servant of those saints, you are welcome. Be assured
that what you see and hear about me is the truth, and not
the effect of magic.' Ralph, then, taking charge of the
prisoner, conducted him with tears of joy into the pre-
sence of the queen, where many nobles were present.
Meanwhile the report flew swifter than a bird throughout
London, and coming to the ears of almost all the citizens,
they raised shouts to heaven, and people of both sexes and
every age praised together the name of the Lord, and
flocked to the court where it was reported Bricstan was
taken ; some shedding tears of joy, and others wondering at
what they saw and heard. The queen, rejoicing in so
great a miracle (for she was a good Christian), ordered the
bells to be rung in all the monasteries throughout the city,
and thanksgivings to be offered by the convents belonging
to every ecclesiastical order. Bricstan went to many of the
churches to return thanks to God in the fulness of his joy
for his liberation, great crowds preceding and following
him through the suburbs, and every one being anxious to
see him, as if he were some new man. When he reached
the church of St. Peter, called in English Westminster,
Gilbert,1 the abbot of that place, a man of great eminence
1 Gilbert Crespin, abbot of Westminster, son of William Crespin,
governor of Neaufle, one of the greatest benefactors to the abbey of Bee.
Gilbert was one of the most able and voluminous writers of the age. It
330 OBDEEICTTS YITALIS. [B.TI. CH.X.
in sacred and profane literature, came forth to meet htm
outside the abbey in a procession formed of the whole body
of monks, with all the pomp of the church ; for he said : ' If
the relics of a dead man are to be received with ceremony
in a church, we have much more reason for giving an
honourable reception to living relics, namely such a man as
this : for as to the dead, we who are still in this mortal life
are uncertain where their spirits are, but for this man, we
cannot be ignorant that he has been visited and delivered
by God before our eyes, because he has not acted unjustly.'
" "When thanksgivings had been offered to God, to the best
of their ability, according to what in their estimation was
due for Bricstan's deliverance, the queen sent him with great
honour to the abbey of St. Etheldrida in the isle of Ely. I
went myself, attended by the whole convent of monks, to
meet him, with candles and crosses, chanting Te Deum
laudamus. Having conducted him into the church with
befitting ceremony, and offered thanksgivings to God, we
delivered to him, in honour of the blessed Benedict his
liberator, the monastic habit he had so long desired. "We
also hung up in the church, in view of the people, the
fetters with which he was bound, that they might be a
memorial of this great miracle, to the honour of St. Bene-
dict, who broke them, and of St. Etheldrida, who was his
colleague and assistant; and they long continued to be
suspended there to keep alive the remembrance of these
events.
" I have been desirous of making known to the sons of holy
church these acts of the venerable father Benedict, not
because he had not performed greater wonders, but because
they are more recent, and such miracles appear in our days
to be infrequent in England. Nor, as regards our blessed
father Benedict, let any one be surprised that he wrought
great and inconceivable wonders ; for, according to Pope
Gregory, he may be equalled to Moses for having brought
water out of the rock ; to Elijah for receiving the ministry of
a raven ; to Elisha for raising iron from the bottom of a pit
and to Peter for having caused a disciple to walk on the water
appears that he was still living in 1123. For his life and writings, see th«
Itatoire Literairc de France, i. x. p. 192 — 201.
EULOGY OF ST. BENEDICT. 331
at his command.1 St. Benedict likewise, as is well known,
showed himself to be a prophet by predicting events to
come, and an apostle by the miracles he wrought ; and to
sum up all in few words, he was full of the spirit of all the
just. Since, therefore, we know with certainty that he
obtains from the Lord all that he desires, let us continue
joyfully in his service, knowing that through his intercession
we shall not lose our reward : and if St. Benedict did not
refuse his aid to one who had engaged to become a monk,
what must be the protection he will afford to those who
are actually bound by their voluntary engagements to the
rules of his discipline ? It is clearly manifested by many
evident tokens that our kind patron, who is now glorified
by God in heaven, unceasingly intercedes for his suppliant
disciples, and daily renders them effective aid in their
necessities. "We then, who have submitted to the light yoke
of Christ, and labouring in his vineyard, bear the burden
of the day with constancy and perseverance, may, through
the divine goodness, be assured that Almighty God will
save and protect us for the merits and prayers of our
wonder-working master. Let us, therefore, earnestly sup-
plicate the Creator of the universe that he will bring us out
of Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans, and conduct us
to Jerusalem by the observance of his laws, and that He who
is the Almighty and merciful God will give us a place in the
company of the citizens above, to praise him who liveth and
reigneth for all ages. Amen."
Having thus far discoursed on various subjects, I am
weary of my task of writing, and bring to an end this sixth
book of the Ecclesiastical History, in another volume,2 by
1 The four special miracles of St. Benedict here alluded to are described
in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th chapters of his history by St. Gregory.
a That this is the volume which was saved by M. Du Bois from the wreck
of the library of the abbey of St. Evroult, and deposited at Alen9on, as
related in the introduction to this work, p. xiii. appears from its exact
coincidence with the description here given by our author. The two
volumes of the Colbert library, mentioned in the introduction comprising
the first six books, are evidently of the same age, and written by the same
hands, for the author dictated to scribes and in the commencement of the
ninth book complains of the want of them. They are, therefore, con-
sidered to have formed part of the MS. of St. Evroult, and there is little
doubt that we thus possess the original manuscript dictated by, and in
Borne places the autograph of, the learned and pious author.
332 OKDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.VI. CH.VI.
God's help, I have already completed seven books, in
which I have, in addition, given accounts of the death of
King William, of his three sons, of the crusade to Jerusalem,
and of various events which have occurred in my own times.
The Omnipotent Creator, as he did from the beginning, still
wonderfully directs the course of time, and instructs the
docile minds of the inhabitants of the earth, calling them off
from the dangerous pursuit of worthless objects, and rousing
them to better desires, by the display of memorable deeds.
For mankind receives continual lessons from the fall of the
proud and the exaltation of the humble, the damnation of
the reprobate and the salvation of the just, that it may not
lapse into impiety by an execrable warfare against God, but
may constantly fear his judgments and love his commands,
avoiding the fault of disobedience and offering perpetually
faithful service to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
One God, the King of ages, and Lord of the universe, who
liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.
Guide us, O Virgin Mother, gate of heaven,
Whose gentle aid in every storm is given ! l
Monks, knights, priests, nobles, crowd the busy stage,
Vitalis notes them in his lively page;
Courts, abbeys, camps, in varying shades he blends,
And here the fourth book of his story ends.*
1 Although these verses appear in the manuscript of St. Evroult, they
are evidently a subsequent addition, and it_appears plain that they are not
the author's composition.
1 Instead of these verses, the MS. of St. Evroult has the following
words in a hand of the thirteenth century : Explicit quarta pars Vitalis,
" here ends the fourth part of Vitalis." Although now the sixth, it was
the fourth book in the author's first arrangement.
333
BOOK VIL1
CH. I. Annals of the Carlovingian kings of the Franks — and
of the succeeding kings of France from Hugh Capet to
Philip I.
IN the year of our Lord's incarnation 688, Pepin the Aus-
trasian, mayor of the royal palace, assumed the government
of the Franks.1
In the year of our Lord 711, Childebert king of the Franks
departed this life.3
In the year of our Lord 712, Pepin the elder died, and his
son, who was called Charles Martel, usurped the throne.4
In the year of our Lord 715, on the 14th of the calends of
February [19th January] died Dagobert the younger, after
having reigned in France five years.4 In the second year
after his death, the prince Charles Martel fought his first bat-
tle with Radbod, near Cologne, under the reign of Theodoric,
son of the before-named Dagobert the younger.8 At this
time the heathen nation of the Vandals began to ravage
France, when churches were destroyed, monasteries ruined,
cities taken, habitations made desolate, castles demolished,
innumerable numbers slaughtered, and there was a vast
effusion of human blood in every quarter. During this
period the furious tempest of the Vandal invasion raged
1 In Duchesne's edition of Ordericus, which divides the History into
three parts, the third, commencing with this seventh book, and including
the remaining six, has this notice of the contents prefixed: . . . " In which
many things are related concerning the death of King William and his
three sons, as well as the expedition to Jerusalem, and other contemporary
events."
* This.date is correct. It was in 687 or 688 that, after a struggle from
the year 680, the power of Pepin d'Heristal was firmly established through-
out the whole of France.
3 Childebert III. died April 14, 711, and was buried in the church of
St Stephen, at Choisi-sur-Aisne.
* Pepin died Dec. 16, 714, but it was not till the following year that
Charles Martel escaped from the prison in which his mother-in-law Plec-
trude had immured him, and seized the reins of power in Austrasia.
5 Dagobert III. died June 24, 715, after a reign of four years.
6 This battle was fought in 715. Our author might have added that
Charles Martel sustained a defeat.
331 OEDEEICUS YITALIS. [u. Til. OH. I.
through the whole of France, which was laid waste with fire
and sword. Sitting down before the city of Sens they
assaulted the place with all the force of projectiles and
engines of war. Perceiving which, the bishop, whose name
was Eboba,1 made a sally at the head of the citizens, trust-
ing in divine aid, and repulsed the besiegers, pursuing the
fugitives until they were driven out of their territories.
In the year of our Lord 741, the prince Charles Martel
died, and was buried in the church of St. Denys at Paris.1
The exigencies of continual wars caused him to make over
the possessions of the churches to laics. At his death, his
sons Carloman and Pepin succeeded to the government.
In the year of our Lord 750, Pepin was elected king, and
Childeric, the last representative of the royal race of Clovis,
received the tonsure.8 With him the line of that king became
extinct.
In the year of our Lord 768, King Pepin died,* and his
sons Charles, the emperor, surnamed the Great, and Carlo-
man, were elected kings.
In the year of our Lord 771, Carloman died.*
In the year of our Lord 809, died Alcuin the philospher
who was abbot of St. Martin at Tours.6
In the year of our Lord 814, the emperor Charles the Great
died,7 and his son Lewis, surnamed the Pious, became king
of the Franks and emperor of the Romans. In his time the
1 For Eboba read Ebbo, and for Vandals in this paragraph, substitute
Saracens. Their siege of the city of Sens appears to have been laid in
the year 732.
2 Charles Martel died at Quierzi-sur-Oise, October 22, 741, and was
interred at St. Denys, as our author states.
* Pepin was proclaimed king in the general assembly of the nation at
Soissons in March, 752, and crowned a few days afterwards by St.
Boniface, archbishop of Mayence. Childeric was sent into confinement at
St. Berlin, and his son Theodoric to Fontenelles, now called St. Wandrille.
See note, p. 297.
4 Pepin died of dropsy at St. Denys, Sept. 24, 768.
* Carloman died at at Samouci, near Laon, Dec. 4, 771.
* Alcuin, abbot of Tours in 796, died May 19, 804.
1 Charlemagne died, as every one knows, at Aix-la-Chapelle, Jan. 28,
814. It will also be understood, that by Pagans the author means the
Northmen ; but their ravages in Ponthieu were much later. They endea-
Toured, indeed, to land on the coast of Flanders, but were vigorously
repulsed. The invasion of the valley of the Somme did not take place
until after that of the valleys of the Seine and the Loire.
A.D. 840.] LEWIS-THE-PIOITS. 335
pagans overran the province called Ponthieu. In the
twentieth year of the reign of the emperor Lewis the Pious,
his son Lothaire rebelled against him and wrested from him
the kingdom of the Franks ; but the same year his father
Lewis collecting a great army recovered his kingdom which
his son had deprived him of.1
In the year of our Lord 840, the twelfth of the calends of
July [20th June], the emperor Lewis the Pious died.2 The
same year there was an eclipse of the sun on the fourth day
before the feast of our Lord's Ascension, being the second
of the nones [5th] of May, at the ninth hour of the day.
The year following, on Ascension-day, a battle was fought
at Fontenai3 in Burgundy, between the four sons of Lewis
the Pious, namely, Charles Lothaire, Lewis, and Pepin, in
which there was a great effusion of human blood. Of these,
Charles, surnamed the Bald, was acknowledged king of the
Franks and emperor of the Romans :4 Lothaire obtained that
part of France which to the present day is called from him
the kingdom of Lorraine ; and Lewis secured Burgundy,
and was anointed king.5
1 The first deposition and restoration of Lewis le Debonnaire (or Pius,
as the Italians called him), belongs to the year 830. The second deposition
took place in the Champ Rouge, or Champ du Mensonge, near Colmar, in
the beginning of July, 833. It was confirmed in the month of October at
Compiegne, and Lewis recovered his authority the spring following. It is
of the first of these depositions our author speaks.
3 Lewis le Debonnaire died June 20, 840. The eclipse here mentioned
occurred on Wednesday, May 5, the eve of Ascension day. Our author
is mistaken in fixing it at nine o'clock instead of mid-day.
* Near Auxerre. This battle of Fontenai was fought on Saturday, June
25, 840. Its issue, with the partition treaty of Verdun made shortly after-
wards, completed the dismemberment of the empire of Charlemagne.
Pepin was not the son, but grandson, of Lewis le Debonnaire.
4 Charles the Bald was not elected emperor till Dec. 25, 875, many
years after his accession to the throne of the Franks, which took place
June 20, 840.
4 Lorraine formed but a small part of the states of Lothaire, and it
took its name, not from the emperor Lothaire, but from his second son of
the same name, who reigned from Sept. 22, 853 — Aug. 8, 867. By the
treaty of Verdun, the Carlovingian empire was thus divided : Lothaire,
the emperor, had Italy and all the country comprised within the Alps,
the Rhine, and the Scheld, together with the ancient kingdom of Bur-
gundy, comprising the territories from the source of the Saone to its con-
fluence with the Rhone, and along the left bank of the Rhone to the sea.
To Lewis, of Bavaria, was allotted all Germany beyond the Rhine, with
836 OEDEBICTJS VITAMS. [B.TIL CH.I.
In the year of our Lord 867, Charles the emperor, sur-
named the Bald, son of the most pious emperor Lewis, as he
was on a journey to Borne for the second time, died on the
road on the third of the calends of October, at the city of
Vercelli, and was buried in the church of St. Eusebius the
martyr.1 After resting there seven years, the body was
brought to France in compliance with a vision, and honour-
ably interred in the church of St. Denys the Martyr at
Paris.* His son Lewis succeeded him in the kingdom of the
Franks. The year following, John, the pope of Eome, came
into France with Formosus bishop of Porto, bringing with
him very precious relics, and disembarking at Aries, passed
through Lyons and other cities till he reached Troyes, where
he had a conference with King Lewis, son of Charles the
the three cities of Worms, Spire, and Mayencc, on its left bank. Charles
the Bald retained the countries situated between the Scheld, the Meuse,
the Rhone, the Ebro, and the two seas.
1 Charles the Bald died in a poor cottage on this side of the Mont-
Cenis, on the 6th of October, 877, in returning from Rome, and not on his
journey there. The contemporary chronicles call the place where the
violence of his disorder compelled him to stop, Brios. It is certain that it
must have been between the summit of the pass, which he had just crossed,
and the town of St. Jean-de-Maurienne, where the Empress Richilde, at
his instance, came to attend him. The principal places on the route are
St. Michel, Modane, and Lanslebourg, but these are considerable bourgs,
and would have afforded better accommodation to the dying emperor than
the " miserable cottage " spoken of by the chronicles. Besides, the road
did not then run by Modane. Every one who has crossed the Mont-Cenis
must have observed the succession of secluded villages in the beautiful
valley leading down to St. Jean-Maurienne, on the right bank of the Arc,
which the rp:id followed till the year 1688. One of these is named
Avrievx, which appears to be the Brieux or Brios mentianed in the
chronicles. It is about eighteen English miles from St. Jean-Maurienne.
Ordericus deserves commendation for having rejected the imputations cast
by the ecclesiastical historians on Sedecias, the Jewish physician of Charles
the Bald, of having ended his days by administering poison; the more
improbable, as although his health was already undermined, he survived his
seizure eleven days.
3 It was proposed to carry the corpse of Charles to St. Denys at once,
but it so infected the air, that they were compelled to deposit it at the
abbey of Nantua, where, under the care of Helmodeus, the eighth abbot, it
was interred near the high altar; and an epitaph, which has been preserved
in the obituary of the abbey, engraved on the wall. Seven years after-
wards the remains were removed to the royal resting place of the Frank
kings at St. Denys.
A.D. 878 — 898.] INVASIONS OF THE UOBTHilEff. 337
Bald,and then returned to Italy.1 After this,Lewis king of the
Franks, the son of Charles the Bald, died, leaving a son of
tender years named Charles the Simple, whom he entrusted
with his kingdom to the guardianship of the Prince Eudes.2
At that time the pagan Northmen overran all France,
venting their fury in rapine, slaughter, and every kind of
barbarity. Thereupon the chiefs of the Franks, the Bur-
gundians, and the Aquitaui, assembling together, unanimously
elected Eudes king.3 But he dying on the calends [1st] of
January, Charles the Simple, the son of Lewis, recovered
his throne.* At this same time the Normans advanced into
Burgundy as far as St. Florentin, but Richard duke of Bur-
gundy met them with his army at Tonnerre, and attack-
ing them on the nones [8th] of June ; numbers of them
fell by the edge of the sword, and the rest were put to
flight.3 The same year there was an earthquake near the
monastery of St. Columb the Virgin, on the fifth of the ides
[9th] of January.6 About the same period the pagans
besieged the city of Chartres, whereupon Richard, duke of
Burgundy, and the prince Robert, collecting an army,
attacked them on Saturday the thirteenth of the calends of
August [20th July], put to the sword six thousand eight
hundred, and took hostages of the few that were left, the
Divine mercy assisting through the intercession of St. Mary,
mother of God. After this, in the middle of the month of
March, a star appeared in the north-west for nearly four-
teen days emitting very luminous rays.1
1 Pope John VIII. arrived at Aries the llth of May, 878. There
must have been more than a single conference at Troyes between the king
and the pope, for the pope crowned Lewis on Sunday, the 7th of Septem-
ber of that year,
8 Lewis-le-Begue died at Compiegne on Holy Thuraday, April 10, 879.
The Norman chronicles are wrong in stating that this prince left Charles
the Simple under the guardianship of Eudes, the count of Paris.
3 Eudes was not elected king until after the death of Lewis III. and
Carlomun.
* The 3rd of January, 898. Charles had been crowned on the 28th of
January, 893, in opposition to Eudes.
8 The battle was fought at Argenteuil, three leagues and a half from
Tonnerre, in 848,
* The monastery of St. Columb was an abbey of Benedictines in the
Buburbs of Sens.
1 A.D. 912. The comet was named at Constantinople Xippias, because
it presented somewhat the appearance of a sword.
VOL. II. Z
338 OBDEBICT7S VITALI3. [B.V1I. CH.I.
The year following, there was a great famine throughout
France. About five years afterwards, on the calends
[1st] of February, fiery armies were seen in the heavens
of various colours pursuing each other in a wonderful
manner. The same year there was a sharp quarrel between
the king and his barons, which caused much slaughter of
Christian people, but through the mercy of God that con-
troversy was brought to an end.
In the third year after this calamity, Rodolph, duke of
Burgandy, died on the day before the calends [1st] of
September, and was buried in the church of St. Columb in
the oratory of St. Symphorian1 the martyr. The second
year after his death, Robert the prince revolted against
Charles the Simple, and received the royal unction on the
third of the calends of July [29th June]. Before a year
was expired, Charles the Simple gave battle to Robert at
the city of Soissons, in which battle Robert the pretender
tj the throne of the Pranks was slain.2 While, however,
Charles was retiring victorious from the carnage of the
battle,3 Herbert, the most abandoned of traitors, met him
and, under cover of pretended amity, induced him to accept
his proffered hospitality in the castle of Peronne, where
having thus deceitfully inveigled him, he detained him
prisoner : for Robert had married Herbert's sister,* from
which union sprung Hugh the Great. In this strait Charles,
with the advice and consent of Hugh the Great, son of the
said Robert, and his nobles of France, raised to the throne
Rodolph, the illustrious son of Richard, duke of Burgundy,
whom he had held at the baptismal font.5 Charles the
1 It was not Rodolph, but his father Richard, who died at the end of
August, 921, and was buried the 1st of September, in the church of St.
Columb.
* Robert was crowned the 20th of June, 922. The battle of Soissons
was fought the 15th of June, 923.
* Charles did not assume an air of triumph after the battle : " He
retired to Belgium without any spoils." It was on his return from thence,
and not from Soissons, that Herbert seized his person, and conducted him
us a prisoner to Soi&sons.
* Beatrix, second daughter of Herbert, count de Vermandois.
5 Charles took no part in the election of Rodolph, and it does not
elsewheie appear that he was his godfather. Charles died in prison at
Peronne, the 7th of October, 929. Rodolph was crowned at fcoissons,
with his wife Emma, on the 13th of July, 923.
A.D. 936 — 954.] LEWIS D'OUTRE-MEB. 339
Simple himself, after undergoing the sufferings of a long
captivity, died in confinement, and was buried in the church
of St. Fursey the confessor, within the castle of Peronne.
Rodolph was consecrated king in the city of Soissons ou the
fourth of the ides [13th] of July.
At this time the pagans again devastated Burgundy, and
there was a battle between them and the Christians at
Mont Chalaux1 on the eighth of the ides [6th] of De-
cember, in which many thousands of the Christians were
slain by the pagans.
King Eodolph dying on the eighteenth of the calends of
February8 [15th January], he was buried in the church of
St. Columb the Virgin. On his death, Hugh the Great
with the Franks applied to Duke William, surnamed Long-
sword,3 to undertake a mission to Ogive, wife of Charles the
Simple, and bring back his son Lewis, who had taken refuge
with his uncle the king of England for fear of Herbert and
Hugh. William, therefore, proceeding to England, and
Laving given hostages, under the sanction of an oath, to the
mother of the young prince, returned with him to France.
Thereupon, Lewis, son of Charles the Simple, was anointed
king at Laon on the eighteenth of the calends of July
[19th June].4 Two years afterwards, on the sixteenth of
the calends of March [14th February], at the time of cock-
crowing till the dawn of day, there was the appearance of
armies dyed in blood over all. the face of the heavens. The
month following, on the ninth of the calends of April
[25th March], the Huns, who were still pagans, began to
ravage France, Burgandy, and Aquitain with fire and sword.
After this, the Frank nobles, and especially Hugh the
Great, revolted against King Lewis.5 The same year a
1 Near Clameci, in the Nievre.
* Rodolph died at Auxerre of the morbus pedicularis, on the 15th of
January, 936, and was buried in the abbey at Sens.
s Ordericus, following the error or misrepresentation of his prede-
cessor, Dudon, substitutes here Duke William Long-s>word for William,
archbishop of Sens.
* First at Laon, as here stated, by William, archbishop of Sens, who
brought him back from England, and a second time at Rheims, by arch-
bishop Arnold.
s This league, formed in 938, seized Rheims in 940, and compelled
Lewis d'Outre-Mer to take refuge with Charles Constantine, prince of
z 2
340 OBDEHICUS VITALIS. [B. VII. CH.I.
severe famine prevailed throughout all the kingdom of the
Franks, so that a muid of wheat was sold for twenty-four
pence. Not long afterwards King Lewis, son of Charles
the Simple, was, by contrivance of Hugh the Great,
treacherously made a prisoner by the Normans in the city of
Bayeux, where many of the Franks were massacred by the
people. After this, on Tuesday in the month of May,1 it
rained blood upon the labourers at work in the fields. The
same year, in the month of September, King Lewis having
spent his whole life in straits and mortifications, came to
his end and was burid at Rheims, in the cathedral of
St. Eemi.2
The month following, the second of the ides [[12th] of
November, his son Lothaire, then a boy, was crowned at
Bheims, and Hugh the Great was made duke of France.3
Two years afterwards, in the month of August, Hugh the
Great laid siege to the city of Poitiers, but without success ;
for while he was engaged in the siege, on a certain day the
thunder of the Lord crashed»terribly, and the duke's tent was
rent by a whirlwind from top to bottom, so that both he and
his army were struck with horror, and being in fear for their
lives, took to flight, and abandoned the siege. The Al-
mighty did this through the intercession of St. Hilary, the
constant guardian and protector of the city of Poitiers.*
The same year died Gilbert, duke of Burgundy, leaving
the Duchy to Otho, son of Hugh the Great, who had mar-
ried Gilbert's daughter :5 two years afterwards Hugh him-
self, duke of France, died on the sixteenth of the calends
of July [June 16], at Dourdan, and was buried in the
Vienne. He returned by AquitaiA, and reached Poitiers the 5th of
January, 942.
1 A.D. 954.
8 Lewis d'Outre-Mer terminated his miserable existence at Rheims the
1 Oth of September, 954, from the effects of a fall from his horse.
3 Hugh the Great had been confirmed as long before as 943 in the
dignity of duke of France. If there was a fresh confirmation after the
coronation of Lothaire, it was a mere form. He died at Dourdan the 16th
of June, 956, and his son, Hugh Capet, was invested in 90'0 with the
duchy of France, the counties of Paris and Orleans, and the abbeys held
by his father.
* See vol. i. p. 139.
* Gilbert died on the 8th of April, 956, and his son-in-law Otho, son of
Hugh the Great, the 23rd of February, in 965, according to Frodoard.
A.D. 956 — 965.] BATTLE NEAB SENS. 341
church of St. Denys the martyr, at Paris. He was suc-
ceeded by his sons, Hugh, Otho, and Henry, born of the
daughter of Otho, king of the Saxons. Hugh became duke
of the Franks, and Otho of the Burgundians, and on Otho'a
death, his brother Henry succeeded him as duke of Bur-
gundy.1
About the same time there was a quarrel between An-
segise, bishop of Troyes, and Count Kobert. Whereupon
bishop Ansegise, being expelled from his see by the count,
went into Saxony to the Emperor Otho, and returning with
an army of Saxons, sat down before the city of Troyes in
the mouth of October, and besieged it for a long time. The
Saxons having made an attack on Sens, with the inten-
tion of pillaging the city, Archembold the archbishop, and
the aged Count Rainard, encountered them with a large
body of troops at a place called Villiers,2 and the men of
Sens were victorious in the battle, the Saxons, with Helpo
their general, being put to the sword. Helpo had threat-
ened to burn the churches and villages on the river Vanne,3
as far as the city of Sens, and to drive his spear into the
gate of St. Leo. But he was slain, as we have said, with
his followers, by the men of Sens, and his corpse was
carried back by his servants to his own country in the
Ardennes, as pursuant to the commands of his mother
Warna. Count Eainard and Archbishop Archembold de-
plored his death in deep affliction, for he was their kinsman.
His fellow leader, Bruno, who conducted the siege of
Troyes, on the loss of Helpo and his troops, returned home.4
Not many days afterwards King Lothaire, assembling a
large force, recovered possession of the kingdom of Lor-
raine, and obtaining an entrance, without resistance just at
1 The dates of the succession of Hugh Capet and Otho are alrendy
given. Hudwide, or Hadwidge, their mother, second wife of Hugh the
Great, was sister, not daughter, of the Emperor Otho I., and consequently
daughter of Henry I. of Saxony, surnamed the Fowler, king of Germany.
Henry, duke of Burgundy, called the Great, succeeded his brother Ottio
in 965, and died about 1002.
1 Villiers- Louis, about eight leagues east of Sens.
3 The Vanne takes its rise in the department of the Aube, passes a
league and a half to the south of Villiers, and joins the Yonne near, and to
the south, of the city of Sens.
* See vol. i. p. 139.
342 ORDERICTJS YITALIS. [B.VII. CH.I.
the hour of dining, into the palace at Aix-la-Chapelle, where
the Emperor Otho and his wife were residing, Lothaire and
his followers feasted on what was provided for the emperor's
table, who, with his wife and attendants, made their escape
from the palace. It was pillaged by King Lothaire, as well
as the whole province, and he then returned into France
without molestation, no one opposing him.1
After that the Emperor Otho, having assembled his army,
marched on Paris, where his nephew Otho and many others
were slain before the city gate, having set fire to the sub-
urb, and insolently boasted that he would fix his lance in
the gate. King Lothaire summoned Hugh duke of France,
and Henry duke of Burgundy, to his aid, and joined by
their forces attacked the Lorrainers, whom they defeated
and pursued as far as the city of Sens. . Retreating across
the river Aisne they missed the ford, and numbers perished.
More indeed were drowned than fell by the sword, and the
channel was choked with the corpses of the dead, the river
being then in flood. King Lothaire pursued the survivors
for three days and three nights, until they reached a river,
which takes its course near the Ardennes or Argonne,
putting multitudes of the enemy to the sword.2 He then
drew off his troops and returned into France in great
triumph, while the Emperor Otho, with the remnant of his
army, retired into his own states. After this defeat neither
the Emperor Otho nor his army again invaded France. The
same year King Lothaire concluded a peace with Otho at
Rheims, contrary to the wishes of his brothers Hugh and
Henry and of his own army. King Lothaire ceded to Otho
the kingdom of Lorraine, to be held as a fief of his own
crown, and this cession caused great dissatisfaction in the
minds of the principal Frank nobles.3
In the year of our Lord 976 King Lothaire departed this
life, far advanced in years ;4 he was buried in the church of
1 This surprise, which our author has also before related (vol. i. p. 140),
took place towards the end of June, 977.
a This invasion was made in the month of October, 977.
3 The treaty by which Lothaire ceded Lorraine to Otho II., reserving
that suzerainty, was made at Rheims in 980.
* The second figure in the text is incorrect in all the editions ; this
prince died the 2nd of March, 986, at the age of only forty-five years.
JL.\). 987.] HUGH CAPET KING OF FRANCE. £43
St. Remi at Rheims, and his son Lewis, then a youth, suc-
ceeded to the throne of France.
In the year of our Lord 977, the young King Lewis died,
having reigned over the Franks six years.1 He was interred
in the church of St. Cornelius at Compiegne. He was suc-
ceeded by his brother Charles, son of King Lothaire. The
same year Hugh, duke of France, revolted against him,
because he had married the daughter of Herbert count of
Troyes. Hugh assembled a very large army and laid siege
to Laon, where Charles had taken up his residence with his
queen. The king marched out of the city, and routing
Hugh and his army, burnt the huts in which they had been
quartered. Duke Hugh, finding that he could not conquer
Charles by open force made a league with Ascelin, an old
traitor, who had intruded himself into the bishopric of
Laon, and was counsellor of King Charles. In consequence,
Ascelin betrayed the city to Hugh, duke of the Franks, in
the night-time, while the citizens were asleep, and Charles
and his wife were thrown into chains and conducted to
Orleans. He had not yet been anointed as king by reason
of Duke Hugh's opposition. While he was detained prisoner
in the Tower at Orleans, his wife bore him two sons, Lewis
and Charles. The same year Duke Hugh was crowned at
Rheims as king of the Franks, and in the course of the
same year his son Robert was also consecrated king. Thus
ended the dynasty of Charlemagne.2
At that time Arnulph, a mild and excellent prelate, who
was brother of King Lothaire by a concubine of his father,
held the archbishopric of Rheims. He was hated by King
Hugh, who wished to exterminate the family of King
Lothaire. He therefore assembled a synod at Rheims, to
which he invited Sewin, archbishop of Sens, with his suffra-
gans. In this council he caused the Lord Arnulph, the
archbishop of Rheims, to be degraded to the annoyance of
his nephew,3 whom he detained in prison, declaring that the
1 Louis V. died the 21st of May, 987, at the age of about twenty years.
He suffered more from misfortune and treason than from indolence or
incapacity. His reign lasted less than two years aflei the death of his
father, and seven years after his coronation.
2 On these events, see vol. i. p. 14J.
3 Charles was not the nephew, but just the contrary — the uncle of
Arnulph.
344 OEDEiiicus YITALIS. [B.TII. CH.I.
son of a concubine was unfit to be a bishop. In his place
he procured the consecration of the Lord Gerbert, the
monk and philosopher, who had been the tutor of his son
King Robert and of Leotheric, the archbishop who suc-
ceeded the venerable Sewin. Arnulph was committed to
prison in the city of Orleans. But the worthy archbishop
Sewin was no party to the degradation of Arnulph and the
consecration of Gerbert. Some other bishops, with great
reluctance, were induced, by the king's threats, to degrade
the one and consecrate the other ; but Sewin, fearing God
more than an earthly sovereign, refused his consent to the
iniquitous transaction, and, not only so, but he opposed to the
utmost of his power the royal wish, in consequence of which
the king's wrath was inflamed against him. The king
having caused Arnulph to be shamefully expelled from the
church of St. Mary, mother of God, at Rheims, thrust him
bound into prison, and then removed him in chains to a
dungeon at Orleans, where his nephew was a prisoner ; and
he was confined there three years. These transactions were
reported to the pope of Rome, who, in great indignation,
suspended all the bishops who had degraded Arnulph and
consecrated Gerbert. He also sent the abbot Leo as legate
of the apostolic see to the Lord Sewin, archbishop o&^Sens,
with instructions to summon a synod at Rheims as the
pope's vicar, and commanding him, without delay, to recall
Arnulph from his confinement and degrade Gerbert. The
synod therefore being assembled, Arnulph was released from
his imprisonment by the apostolical command, and restored
with great honour to his own see. Gerbert being sensible
that he had illegally usurped the archiepiscopal authority
submitted to penance. The instructive controversy between
him and the abbot Leo may be found at length in the
archives of the archbishop of Rheims. After this the Lord
Gerbert was elected bishop of Ravenna by the Emperor
Otho and the people of that city, and having held the see
many years, was, on the death of the pope of Rome, called
by acclamation of the whole Roman people to succeed him.
He was therefore removed from Ravenna and consecrated
pope in the city of Rome.1
1 See the account of these transactions and the notes, vol. i. pp. 144.
145.
A..D. 999.] EGBERT I. KING OF FBANCE. 345
In the year of our Lord 918, the king Hugh departed this
life,1 and was interred in the church of St. Denys at Paris.
He was succeeded by his son Eobert, the most pious and
temperate of kings.
In the year of our Lord 999, the venerable Archbishop
Sewin began to restore the abbey of St. Peter at Melun from
the foundations, and establishing there a fraternity of monks,
appointed Walter their abbot. The same year, the knight
Walter and his wife betrayed the castle of Melun to Count
Eudes. Upon this, King Robert assembled a strong force
with Count Bouchard, and calling in the Normans under
their Duke Richard, laid siege to Melun. The castle being
taken, Walter and his wife were hung on a gallows, and
Melun was restored to Count Bouchard its former lord.2
Now, Rainard, the old count of Sens, came to his end
after many evil practices, and was buried in the church of
St. Columb the virgin. He was succeeded by his son Fro-
mond who had married the daughter of Reynold, count of
Rheims.
In the year of our Lord 1000, the thirteenth in diction,
on the sixteenth of the calends of November [17th October],
the venerable Sewin, metropolitan bishop, departed in Christ.
After his death the church of Sens was deprived of the epis-
copal benediction for a whole year. All the people demanded
with acclamation that the Lord Leotheric, of a noble family,
who was then archdeacon and eminent for his virtues, should
be ordained. But opposition was made by some of the
clergy who aspired themselves to the archiepiscopal throne.
More especially Count Fromond, son of the old Rainard,
and thus sprung from a bad stock, forbade the appoint-
ment, because he had a son named Bruno in holy orders, and
he desired to make him bishop. However, by God's provi-
dence, the suffragan bishops of the diocese of Sens, having
the authority and consent of the apostolical see and regard-
less of the fear of man, solemnly consecrated the lord Leo-
theric, and installed him in the episcopal throne to govern
the diocese of Sens.3
1 October 24, 996.
9 Bouchard, count of Vcnd6me, eldest son of Fulk the Good, count of
Anjou, received from Hugh Capet the county and castle of Melun, with
the hand of Elizabeth, wife of Aimon, count of Corbeil.
* Sewin died October 27, 999. Bruno his competitor with Leotheric,
346 OHDEHTCTTS YITALIS. [B.TTI. Cn.T.
In the year of our Lord 1001, Henry duke of Burgundy
died without issue, and the Burgundians rebelled against King
Robert, whom they refused to acknowledge as their sove-
reign. In consequence, Landri, Comte de Nevers, occupied
the city of Auxerre.1
In the year of our Lord 1003, King Robert having called
in the Normans with their Duke Richard, and assembled a
very large army, ravaged Burgundy and besieged Auxerre
for a long time. The Burgundians, being by no means dis-
posed to submit to him, were unanimous in their resist-
ance ; but he besieged the castle of Avalon for nearly three
months, and at length it was compelled by famine to
surrender to King Robert, who then returned to France.2
On the death of Fromont, count of Sens, he was succeeded
by his son Rainard, a most worthless infidel. His perse-
cution of the churches of Christ and his faithful servants
was such as has not been heard of from heathen times to
the present day. Archbishop Leotheric was consequently
plunged into such difficulties that he knew not which way
to turn. Committing himself, however, entirely to the
Lord, he implored Christ in prayers and vigils that of his
heavenly mercy he would vouchsafe to aiford relief.
Thereupon, in the year of our Lord 1016, the thirteenth
indiction, on the tenth of the calends of May [22nd April],
the city of Sens was taken possession of by Leotheric, by
the advice of Reynold bishop of Paris, and was given up to
King Robert. Rainard was forced to betake himself to
flight and escaped naked. His brother Fromond and some
other knights took refuge in a tower which stood within the
city. The king, however, reduced it, after an assault of
was second son of Fromond II., count of Sens. It required two journeys
by Leotheric to Rome and an express order of Silvester II. (Gerbert), his
former tutor, to determine them to consecrate him in opposition to the
count. The ceremony was performed, in 1001, in the church of St. Fare.
1 Henry the Great died in 1002.— Mabillon. Otho- William, his son-in-
law, and also his adopted heir, took possession of the duchy. King Robert
seized the province in 1003, with the aid of thirty thousand Normans,
commanded by their duke, Richard II.; but he was compelled to retire
without taking Auxerre, which was defended by Landri, count de Nevers,
and son-in-law of Otho-William.
4 The siege and taking of Avalon belong to the campaign of 1005, in
the course of which the king also took Sens, and besieged Dijon in vain.
It was defended by Otho-William in person, and his most gallant knights.
A.T). 1031.] ISSUE OF BOBEET, KTJfG OF FEAtfCE. 347
many days' duration, and taking Fromond captive, sent him
to Orleans, where he died in prison.1
Eobert, king of the Franks, reigned thirty-seven years.*
He married Constance, a princess celebrated for her wisdom
and virtue. She bore him a noble offspring, Henry, Eobert,
and Adele. King Eobert died in the year of our Lord
1031, the fourteenth indiction, and Henry his son reigned
nearly thirty years. Eobert had the duchy of Burgundy,
and was the father of three sons, Henry, Eobert, and Simon.
Henry, the eldest, had two sons, Hugh and Eudes, but he
died before his father. Hugh therefore succeeded his
grandfather in the duchy, which he governed for three
years with distinguished merit. He then abdicated in favour
of his brother Eudes, and inflamed by divine love, became a
monk of Cluni, where he piously served God fifteen years.
Adele, the daughter of King Eobert, was given in mar-
riage to Baldwin count of Flanders, to whom she bore a
numerous offspring, Eobert the Frisian, Arnulph, and
Baldwin, counts ; Eudes, archbishop of Treves, and Henry,
a clerk ; also Matilda queen of England, and Judith the
wife of Earl Tostig.
During this period, while Eobert and Henry were kings of
1 The archbishop made the engagement to deliver the city to the king
on April '22, 1015 ; but it required a regular siege to triumph over the
resistance of Rainard and his eldest brother Fromond, whom he had called
to his aid. Fromont finished his days in prison in the castle of Orleans,
but Rainard, having taken refuge with Eudes II., count de Champagne,
built with his assistance the castle of Montreuil-sur-Seine, which he
afterwards ceded to him, and, forcibly re-establishing himself in Sens, lived
afterwards in peace with the king and the archbishop until the death of
Leotheric (June 26, 1031).
2 October 24, 996 — July 20, 1031. Robert and Constance had four
sons, Hugh, Henry, Robert, and Hugh, and two daughters, Adelaide, or
Havise, and Adele. Henry I. died August '29, 1060, after a reign of
twenty-nine years. Robert I., duke of Burgundy, called the Elder,
received that province of his brother Henry in full sovereignty in the year
1032. This prince had four sons and two daughters. Hugh I., who
succeeded in 1075, was son of Henry his second son. He resigned the
duchy in 1078 to his brother Eudes Borel, in order to retire to Cluni,
where he died in 1093, after having been ordained priest. Adele de
France, first married to Richard III., duke of Normandy, and afterwards
to Baldwin, count of Flanders, died in 1071. The archbishop of Treves
must be excluded from this genealogy. His parentage is otherwise given
elsewhere.
318 ORDEBICTTS VITALIS. [B.TII. CH.II.
France, ten popes filled successively the apostolic see ; that
is, Gerbert the Philosopher, who assumed the name of
Silvester, John, Benedict, and John his brother, Benedict
their nephew, Clemens, Damasus, eminent for his nobility
and love of justice, Leo, Victor, Stephen and Nicholas.1
Henry, king of the Franks, married Bertrade, daughter of
Julius Claudius king of Eussia,2 by whom he had Philip, and
Hugh the Great, Count de Crepi. Philip reigned after his
father's death forty-seven years, and espoused Bertha,
daughter of Florence duke of Frisia, who bore him Lewis-
Theobald and Constance.3
CH. II. Short notices of the battle of Val-des-Dunes — Of
Sing William's marriage and children — Of the invasion
of Normandy by King Henry of France — And the battle
of Mortemer.
ITT the year of our Lord 1047, the fifteenth indiction,
"William the Bastard, duke of Normandy, invited King
Henry into Neustria,4 and with his assistance fought a
battle against his kinsfolk at Val-des-Dunes, in which he
defeated Guy of Burgundy and other rebels, forcing some to
submit, and putting others to flight. After this, his power
being established, he married Matilda, daughter of Baldwin
marquis of Flanders, who bore him four sons and five
daughters ;5 Robert, Richard, William, and Henry, Agatha,
1 Silvester II.; John XVII. (John XVIII.; Sergius IV.); Benedict
VIII.; John XIX.; Benedict IX. (Gregory VI.); Clement XI.;Da:nasus
II.; Leo IX.; Victor II.; Stephen IX.; and Nicholas II.
* Henry I. married in 1061 Anne, daughter of Jaroslaw, duke of Russia,
by whom he had two sons, king Philip, and Hugh, count of Vermandois in
1102.
8 Philip I. reigned nearly forty-eight years (August 29, 1060 — August
3, 1108). It was in 1071 that he married Bertha, daughter of Florence,
count of Holland, by whom he had Lewis-le-Gros, and Constance, married
first to Hugh, count de Champagne, and afterwards to Bohemond, prince
of Antioch.
* William threw himself at the feet of King Henry at Poissi to implore
succour against the league, at the head of which WHS Guy of Burgundy,
his uncle according to the customs of Brittany (son of Reynold, count of
Burgundy, and Adeliza, daughter of Duke Richard II ). Guy was defeated
in 1047 at the battle of Val-des- Dunes, three leagues to the south-east of
Caen. See the dying discourse of King William in the fifteenth chapter of
this book.
6 The marriage of William and Matilda probably soon followed the
A.D. 1054.] HENET I. rtTVADES NOBMANDY. 349
Adeliza, Constance, Adele, and Cecilia. A variety of for-
tunes was the lot of this illustrious progeny, and each in
their day was subject to mischance, as my pen has elsewhere
sufficiently noted. In course of time seditions burst forth,
and the seeds of dissension were sown among these princes,
which gave rise to great wars between the French and Nor-
mans, wherein much blood was shed.
At length, in the year of our Lord 1054, King Henry
invaded the territory of Evreux, and made great devasta-
tions, both by pillage and fire ; at the same time causing his
brother Eudes to cross the Seine with many thousand troops
by the Beauvaisis. Meanwhile Duke William hung with
his force on the flank of King Henry's army watching for a
favourable opportunity of bringing him to an engagement.
Moreover, he ordered Roger de Mortemer and the Cauchois
to throw themselves on the royal troops [commanded by
Eudes]. Obeying his orders without delay, they encoun-
tered the French at Mortemer, and having gained the
victory, took prisoner Gruy count of Ponthieu, and put
to flight Eudes and Ralph count de Mont-Didier, many of
their followers falling by the sword.1 Then Pope Leo died
in the sixth year of his pontificate,2 in the second year of
which the abbey of St. Evroult was restored, and Theodoric,
the first abbot, was consecrated on the nones [the 7th] of
October. Eight years afterwards he went on a pilgrimage,
and died in the island of Cyprus, on the calends [the 1st]
of August, many miracles being wrought on his tomb.3
CH. III. A fragment, containing part of the genealogy of
Edward the Confessor.
EDWAHD, king of England, after a reign of twenty-three
successful issue of this contest, which established the young duke's power.
For the children who were the issue of this marriage, see before, pp. 22, 23.
1 More full details of this double invasion of Normandy by King
Henry are given in the discourse supposed to have been made by William
1. on his death-bed, for which see the fourth chapter of the preseut book.
1 Leo IX. Feb. 1049— April 19, 1054.
3 The abbey of St. Evroult was restored and the blessed Theodoric
consecrated abbot Oct. 5, 1050 ; he went in pilgrimage to the Holy Lane
in the beginning of September, 1057, and died in the ehurch of St.
ISieholas, in the island of Cyprus, August 1, 1058, as already related. Se
b. iii. iv. vol. i. pp. 402—422.
350 OEDEEICUS YITA.LIS. [B.TII. CH.IV.
years * departed this life in the sixth year of Philip king of
Prance. His genealogy from Shem, the son of Noah, may be
thus traced. Shem begat Arphaxad and Beadung ; Beadung
begat Wala; Wala begat Hatra; Hatra begat Itermod:
Itermod begat Heremod ; Heremod begat Sceldunea ;
Sceldunea begat Beaw ; Beaw begat Cetuna ; Cetuna begat
Geata ; whom the heathen long since worshipped as a god.
Geata begat Findggoldwulf, the father of Fidhulput ; of
whom came Fealap, the father of Frithowald. From him
sprung Woden, from whom the English call the sixth day,
Woden's day.2 He was highly exalted among his people
and attained great power.
#*#**»
CH. IV. The Emperor Henry IV. supports the Anti-pope
Guibert (Clement III.) — besieges and takes Home — Gre-
gory VIIL (Hildebrand) retires into Apulia.
IN the year of our Lord 1084, Henry king of the Germans,
having assembled a great multitude of Saxons, Germans,
Lorrainers, and other people, made a violent inroad into Italy
which he overran and besieged and assaulted Eome. The
Kornans surrendering, being tempted by the rewards pro-
1 Edward the Confessor succeeded to the throne of England June 8,
1042, but was not crowned till Easter in the following year. For this
reason our author counts only twenty-three years in his reign, which ended
Jan. 5, 1066. The genealogy here ascribed to this king is found in most
of the English chronicles.
4 It was not the sixth but the fourth day which was consecrated to
Odin in the primitive religion of our Saxon ancestors, and which still bears
his name.
8 The conclusion of this chapter appears to be lost. Dur.hesne appends
the following note to the fragment preserved : " Some things are wanting
here which seem to have been a recapitulation of those events which the
author had related more at large in former books, viz., from the expedition
of Duke William to England until the year of Christ, 1083." M. Le
Prtvost observes, that it cannot escape the reader's observation that the
preceding chapter (the third) consists of detached paragraphs strung
together without order. Some persons, he says, have supposed that it
belonged originally to b. iii., others to b. iv. He applies to chap. iii.
what Duchesne says of the recapitulation, which consists of events already
related in books iv. and v. M. Le Prdvost, while acknowledging the
evident existence of a chasm in the history, is unable to offer any
conjecture on its extent, its contents, or the place it filled in the author's
original plan.
1084.] THE EMPEEOB HENEY IT. AND POPE GEEGOET Til. 351
mised them, he took possession of the city. Having
expelled Gregory VII. from the apostolic see, he shamefully
intruded in his place Guibert metropolitan of Ravenna.
Thereupon Gregory retired to Beneventum, and a great
schism was created throughout the world, which caused
much evil to the sons of the church, and long continued to
the injury of many persons.1 Pope Gregory, whose name in
baptism was Hildebrand, had been a monk from his child-
hood, and his whole life was a pattern of wisdom and
religion, maintaining a perpetual conflict against sin.
He rose through the several degrees of the ecclesiastical
orders to the popedom the summit of all, in which for sixteen
years he applied himself diligently to the observance of the
divine law. Inflamed with zeal for truth and justice he
denounced every kind of wickedness, sparing no offenders,
either through fear or favour. He therefore suffered perse-
cution and exile from the stubborn and insubordinate, who
refused to submit to the Lord's yoke ; yet no device of
theirs prevailed against him to the hour of his death.
Pope Gregory repeatedly admonished and corrected, and
at length excommunicated Henry, king of the Germans,
as an incorrigible transgressor of the divine law. For that
prince deserted his wife, the daughter of the illustrious
count Eustace de Bouillon, and like a swine wallowing in
the mire abandoned himself to foul and adulterous pleasures,
disregarding the commandments of God and the admonitions
of good men. However, Godfrey duke of Lorraine, incensed
at the shameful repudiation of his sister, declared war
against Henry, and, collecting together a force of several
thousand troops, gave him battle, and forcing him to quit
the field in a shameful flight, thus revenged his sister's
wrongs.8
1 The emperor Henry IV., called by our author king of the Germans,
and the anti-pope Guibert, made their solemn entry into Rome on
Tuesday, March 21, 1084, by the Lateran gate; and on Palm Sunday,
the 24th of the same month, Guibert was consecrated at St. Peter's under
the name of Clement III. After Henry's departure, and the raising of
the siege of the castle of St. Angelo, to "which Gregory VII. had retired,
and the sack of Rome by Robert Guiscard, the pope retired to Monte
Cassino and Salernum.
5 All this paragraph is incorrect. The emperor did not marry the sister
of Godfrey de Bouillon, and so far from their being at war, Godfrey
352 ORDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.TII. CH.IV.
Henry often treacherously invited to his court the
nobles whose wives or daughters or estates he coveted, and,
causing them to be privately way-laid by his emissaries, had
them despatched on the road when they expected no evil.
This abandoned king disgraced himself by these and many
such enormities, dragging with him the numerous accom-
plices of his crimes to a common ruin. Pope Gregory,
receiving complaints of these iniquities, frequently implored
Henry to amend his life, but he wickedly laughed to scorn
his physician and doctor, and disregarded his remonstrances.
Gregory therefore held frequent councils with a great
number of prelates, consulting on the means of affording
relief to the Christian empire which Henry so foully and
infamously polluted. At last, finding that notwithstanding
his frequent admonitions Henry obstinately persisted in his
crimes, the pope excommunicated him according to the
sentence of a synod, deprived the obdurate prince of the
imperial power which he had damnably usurped, and by his
apostolical authority caused Count Conrad to be anointed
king by the hands of an assembly of bishops. In conse-
quence Henry, deprived of his sceptre, remained quiet a
whole year in his own abode, shutting himself up in the
county which was his own by right of inheritance. Mean-
while, he lavishly employed the treasures he had amassed to
secure himself allies. Having thus collected a force of
many thousand accomplices, this public enemy, in contempt
of the decree of excommunication, broke into rebellion,
engaged in battle with King Conrad, and overthrew and
killed him, routing his army with losses of all kinds.1
Elated with this victory, Henry re-assumed his imperial
received from the emperor's hands the investiture of the duchy of the
Lower- Lorraine in 1093.
1 This paragraph is not more correct than the preceding one. It was
not till 1093, and, consequently, ei^ht years after the death of Gregory
VII., that Conrad, son of Henry IV., revolted against his father at the
instigation of the Countess Matilda, his aunt, and caused himself to be
crowned king of the Normans. Our author has confounded Conrad with
Rodolph, duke of Swabia, elected king of Germany in the place of his
brother-in-law Henry, in March, 1077, by the influence of Gregory VII.
It was Rodolph who was slain fighting with Henry at the battle of
Marsbourg (Oct. 15, 1080). We are informed that he received his mortal
wound from the lance of Godfrey de Bouillon, who is represented by our
author as the determined enemy of the emperor.
1081 — 1085.] GBEGOBY VII. EXPELLED FROM ROME. 353
authority, coerced his rebellious subjects, and, having
strongly reinforced his army, laid siege to Home, directing
all his efforts against Pope Gregory.1 It had, I consider,
entirely escaped his memory how Absalom, having gathered
a large force against his father David, had by the advice of
Ahithophel the Gilonite levied arms against him, attacking
his own father and his followers as they were departing from
Jerusalem, and caused at length the death of many thousand
warriors, but miserably perished when he had accomplished
his impious project to the loss of many. Thus Henry took
up arms against his father, and justly merited in return to
be cruelly persecuted by his own offspring. When he was
asked how he presumed to engage in such fearful enterprises
against the head of the church, he replied, laughing, that
the cause of this great quarrel between himself and the pope
was that the physician had recourse to remedies too violent
for an unruly patient.
The lawless monarch therefore vigorously urged the siege
of Rome, alarmed the citizens with assaults and menaces,
seduced them with bribes and promises, and by such means
won over the people and got possession of the city. The
Romans thus deserting his cause, Pope Gregory took refuge
in Apulia, and, being received by the Normans with distin-
guished honours, dwelt there four years and, having given
rules of life to the sons of the church, ended his labours.4
Thereupon the emperor Henry uncanonically intruded into
the Lord's fold, Guibert, metropolitan of Ravenna, whom
they called Clement ; on account of which a long and grievous
1 The emperor arrived under the walls of Rome with the anti-pope
Guibert, a few days before Whitsuntide, 1081. The wege was not
interrupted from that period until the city was taken in 1084.
2 The pope retired from Rome in 1084, and died at Salernum, May 2.%
1085, long before the four years of which Ordericus speaks. The anti-
pope Guibert continued the struggle long after the death of Gregory VII.,
maintaining his position at Rome. There is a well known epigraph in
which he rallied his rival, Urban II., on the unsuitableness of the name he
assumed to his condition as an exile from the city.
Diceris Urbantis, cum sis projeclus ab urbe ;
Vel muta nomen ; vcl reyrediaris ad urbem.
How can you call yourself Urban when you are banished from the city
(ab urbe) I You would do well to change your name if you cannot return
to Rome (ad urbem).
VOL. II. A A
354i OBBEBICUS YITAIIS. [B.TII. CH.T,
schism throughout the Christian world caused the ruin o/
numbers of persons by a twofold death. The people of
Milan and Mayence, and many others who espoused the party
of Guibert, not only excommunicated the friends of Gregory
but cruelly rose in arms against them. On the other hand
Gregory and his supporters invited the erring partisans of
Guibert to return to the unity of the church, and upon their
refusing to obey the summons excommunicated them accord-
ing to ecclesiastical right.
Eudes, count of Sutri, who was nephew of the in-
truder Guibert, used every exertion, by violent measures
and entreaties, to bring over all he could, whether foreigners
or natives, to his criminal faction, either tormenting or put-
ting to death those who opposed him, and refused to submit
to the unfounded claims of a heretic.1 The Catholic church,
involved in these dark clouds, and full of grief, sent up her
prayers to the Lord, the source of true light and of justice,
beseeching him to humble and remove out of the way the
fomentors of discord, and to restore peace and truth on
earth among the men of good-will.
CH. V. The Emperor Alexius Commcnus ascends the throne
of Constantinople — Expedition of Robert Guiscard and his
son Bohemond to the coast of Greece — Durazzo besieged
and taken — Robert Guiscard recalled by the affairs of
Italy.
AT this time, Greece, the mother of eloquence, was shaken
by the storms of war ; and, afflicted with grievous calamities,
was overwhelmed with grief and alarm. For the Greek
Bitinacius, impelled by his overweening ambition and
arrogant temper, usurped the government, expelling
Michael, the emperor of Constantinople ; and, putting out
the eyes of his son who ought to have succeeded him on the
throne, threw him into a dungeon, imprisoning also the two
daughters of Eobert Guiscard, one of whom was betrothed
1 Sutri is an episcopal city belonging to the patrimony of St. Peter.
Although its lord joined the party opposed to the pope, and persevered in
his hostility to the pontificate of Urban II. as we shall find in the succeed-
ing book, its bishop acted quite differently. That prelate, who wa-
eminent for his piety and learning, was taken prisoner by the emperor in
the campaign of 1083.
A.D. 1078 — 1081.] THE EMPEBOB ALEXIUS COMMENTJS. 355
to the young prince. The discomfited Michael sought
refuge in Italy, humbly imploring the aid of the Normans
on behalf of himself and his family. The illustrious Duke
Guiscard received the imperial exile with due honours,
soothed his misfortunes by attentions and good offices, and
readily promised him his powerful aid. Nor did he delay in
taking determined measures for accomplishing the revenge
he had promised.1 But such not being the will of God, all
his vast preparations ended in vain threats, and it was not
permitted him to carry out the designs which he anxiously
entertained.
Alexius, the general of the army, had by Michael's order
gone into Paphlagonia at the head of the Greek troops to
oppose the Turks, who claimed Nice, a city of Bithynia, as a
pledge of peace. Having received intelligence of the
expulsion of the lawful emperor, and the mad tyranny of
the traitorous usurper, he harangued his troops, and
demanded of them what was to be done. Alexius was
prudent and virtuous, brave, liberal, and a general favourite.
He was therefore received with universal acclamations, and
the whole army declared itself ready to obey his commands.
He therefore exhorted the troops to join unanimously in
besieging Byzantium, and manfully wrest it from the reck-
less usurper of the imperial throne. Constantinople was
consequently closely invested for some days ; but it was
opened to the besiegers by Eaimond of Flanders, in concert
with the citizens, he being the chief warder of the gates,
and having the custody of the place entrusted to him.
Alexius took possession of the imperial palace, hurled
Bitinacius2 from the throne, and, causing his long beard to
1 Nicephorus Botaniates, after having dethroned Michael Parapinaces,
made his solemn entry into Constantinople, March 25, 1078. All that
Ordericus here says on the cruelties inflicted on prince Constantine, and
of the emperor Michael having taken refuge with Robert Guiscard is con-
troverted. It is certain, however, that the marriage of Constantine with
his daughter was broken off in consequence of the revolution which had
jutt taken place.
s Botaniates. " The life of the emperor Alexius Commenus has been
delineated with laudable though partial zeal by his learned daughter Anna
Commend." Ordericus, in describing him MS engaged in the siege of Nice,
has confounded the movement which placed him on the throne with (hat
of Nicephoras Melissens, which, in point of fact, was simultaneous with
it, or with that of Botaniates himself which occurred three ytars belbre.
A A 2
356 OEDEBICTJS VITALIS. [B.TII. CH.V.
be shaved, threw him into a dungeon, without further
injury. Assuming the imperial sceptre and diadem,
amidst general rejoicings, he reigned thirty years with
firmness and dignity, both in prosperous and adverse
circumstances. He was a prince of great sagacity, com-
passionate to the poor, a brave and magnanimous soldier,
affable to his army, to which he made liberal largesses, and
a devout observer of the Divine law. At the beginning of
his reign, he released from prison the son of Michael, who,
as before mentioned, had been deprived of sight, and placed
him under the care of the abbot of St. Cyrus. The young
prince, whose worldly career was ended, became a monk in
that monastery, and spent the rest of his life with the
servants of Grod. Alexius affectionately regarded and
kindly treated the daughters of Ghiiscard, as if they had
been his own, and nurtured them for almost twenty years
with the utmost indulgence. Their office was, every
morning, when the emperor had risen from his bed and was
washing his hands, to present him with a towel, and holding
an ivory comb, to dress the emperor's beard. Such was
the light and easy service assigned to these noble
females by a generous prince ; and in the course of years
they were sent back to Roger, count of Sicily, by the kind
offices of their imperial friend.1
The changes of the reeling world afford
Proof of the wisdom of the Sacred Word.
"With the same measure that ye mete, it shall be
measured to you again."2 Thus, as Michael had driven his
1 M. Le Prevost considers the office assigned to these ladies about the
person of the emperor as indelicate and improbable. But such light
services about the person of the sovereign, partaking of the nature of
grand-serjeanty, were considered honourable, and are characteristic of the
age. Every one must remember that of loosing the royal sandals after
battle, assigned by our great novelist to the baron of Bradwardine, and which
he has so humorously travestied. Our author says nothing about the
isolation of these ladies at the court of Alexius, as M. Le Prevnst appears
to intimate. Not only their cousin Constantine Humbertopoule, son of
Humbert de Hauteville, who assisted in the emperors elevation, was to be
found there, but the crusade drew to Constantinople all the flower of the
Norman chivalry. It is questioned whether more than one of the daughters
of Robert Guiscard was sent there — the eldest, called by the Greeks
Helena, who, after Robert's death, was sent back to his brother Roger.
a Luke vi. 38.
A.D. 1081.] THE EMPEROB ALEXIUS COMMEXUS. 357
father-in-law from the imperial throne, he himself was hurled
from it by Bitinacius, who, in his turn, was dethroned by
Alexius.
In concert with the patriarch of the royal city, and the
wise men and senators of the Greek state, Alexius
resolved that the holy empire should not be restored to
Michael, who had sought refuge with the public enemy,1 and
had entrusted himself and his fortunes to the faithless
Normans, whose practice it was not to replace their allies in
their dominions, but to usurp their states, and to subject to
their own rule, and strip of their honours, by a refinement
of cruelty, those whom it should have been their duty to
liberate, and to aid in the recovery of their lawful authority.
Alexius therefore formed a close connection with the
English, who, with their chiefs, quitted England after the
death of King Harold, and, flying from the face of King
William, embarked on the Black Sea, and landed in Thrace.
He committed to their custody his principal palace, and the
royal treasures, and even made them the guards of his own
person and household.2 From the four quarters of the
globe bands of warriors assembled for the prize, which their
efforts to deprive him of his life and his throne might secure.
But all their efforts were fruitless; for under God's
protection he escaped the many plots of his enemies, and
living to a good old age associated with himself his son John
in the imperial title.3 Thus it is evident to all judicious
observers, that no human power can overthrow and ruin
those who have God for their supporter and protector.
1 Michael, " whose character," as described by Gibbon, " was degraded
rather than ennobled by the virtue of a monk and the learning of a
sophist," does not appear to have made any further preten»io7is to the
throne ; but having been decorated with the title of archbishop of
Ephesus, found so much charm in a monastic life and manual labour
that he returned to his convent to devote himself to them without inter-
ruption.
1 M. Le Prevost considers that our author has exaggerated the services
of the English Varangian guards ; we may, however, be permitted to
remark, with great respect, that no facts ore better authenticated. See the
note in vol. i. pp. 9, 10.
3 John Commenus took possession of the throne on August 15, 1118,
rather with the tacit consent of the dying emperor, than by any formal act
of association. The opposition of the empress Irene, up to the last
moment, to this transmission of the imperial authority is well known.
358 OKDKRTCUS YITALIS. [B.TII. CH.T.
While the storms of the revolution of which we have now
spoken were raging in Illyricum, and Michael1 was
imploring the aid of the Italians with lamentations and
tears, Robert GKiiscard assembled a powerful force of
Normans and Lombards from all parts of his duchie» of
Apulia and Calabria, and, having equipped a powerful fleet,
entered the port of Otranto. He then sailed with a favour-
able wind for Durazzo,2 the citizens of which offering a
formidable resistance, towards the end of June he laid siege
to the place. His army did not consist of more than ten
thousand troops, but he relied more on the valour than on
the numbers of his soldiers to strike the enemy with terror,
in his invasion of G-reece renowned for its warlike character
since the times of Adrastus and Agamemnon. Robert
Griffard and William de Grantmesnil,3 with other gallant
young soldiers, who had recently arrived from Normandy,
took part in this expedition. Mark Bohemond, the son of
Guiscard by a Norman lady, seconded his father in his
absence, led a division of the army with great prudence, and,
exhibiting much discretion in the conduct of affairs, gave
promise of his future worth. His brother Robert,
surnamed Bursa, remained in Apulia by his father's orders,
and took charge of the duchy, the succession of which
belonged to him in right of his mother.
The emperor Alexius, roused by the complaints of the
1 The false Michael, who was only a monk named Rector, the puppet
of Robert Guiscard, was paraded by that prince through the whole of
Southern Italy. Gregory VII seems to have been really the dupe of this
imposture, and recomended the pretended Michael with all his influence to
the support of the friends of the church.
1 On the opposite shore of the Adriatic, near Jannina, the modem
capital of Albania. Robert Guiscard sailed from the port of Brundusium
about the end of June, 1081, and while he was engaged in the conquest of
Corfu detached his brother Bohemond to the continent with fifteen vessels.
Both arrived together before Durazzo on July 14, the fleet of Bohemond
laving been dispersed by a violent storm. The Norman army was reduced
to 15.000, not 10,000 men.
3 Robert Giffard belonged to the family of Giffard of Longueville, being
probably brother of Walter Giffard, the second of that name, who was
earl of Buckingham, and not a younger son of the family of Tillieres, or
Fougeres, according to an erroneous statement of the continuator of Wil-
liam de Jumieges, to he found in Duchesne, Hist. Norm. Script, p. 312.
Ot William, second son of Hugh de Grantmesnil, there will be many
opportunities to speak in the sequel.
A.D. 1081.] BATTLE OF DURAZZO. 359
inhabitants of Durazzo, assembled a powerful army, and
prepared to defeat the besiegers of his city in engagements
both by sea and land. While, however, the imperial mes-
sengers were despatched in every direction, and bands of
soldiers were being collected from the islands and adjacent
provinces, it happened that one day Mark Bohemond going
out to forage at the head of fifty men-at-arms, found himself
unexpectedly in face of five hundred light-armed troops,
who were in advance of the enemy's army, to carry succours
to the besieged. As soon as they perceived each other a
sharp encounter ensued, in which the Greeks, not being
able to sustain the charge of the Normans gave way and
abandoned a considerable booty. In this engagement they
left the brazen cross which the emperor Constantine, when
lie was about to give battle to Maxentius, made in imitation
of the cross he had seen in the sky. The Normans, return-
ing from the conflict, spread the greatest joy and hope of
xictory among their comrades ; while the Greeks were in
the greatest tribulation and despair at the loss of our
Lord's cross, which they strove hard to redeem for a very
large sum of gold.1 But Guiscard disdained any such bar-
ter, esteeming for Christ's merits the brazen cross more
precious than all the gold in the world. He therefore
carried it with him through many dangers, and since his
death the convent of the Holy Trinity at Venosa reverently
preserves it to this day, honouring it with many other relics
of the saints.
In the month of October the emperor Alexius ap-
proached Durazzo at the head of his legions, composed of
different nations. Battle was joined, with great effusion of
blood and vast loss on both sides in the severe encounter.
At length, however, the Almighty had regard to the small,
but faithful and resolute, band of the pilgrims from the
West, and giving them the victory, terrified and scattered
1 Alexius began his march for the relief of Durazzo at the end of
August, after two successful naval engagements with Bohemond, one by
the Venetians, the other by the Greeks, which had not discouraged Robert
Guiscard. The emperor did not arrive before the besieged city until
October 15, when the skirmish between Bohemond and his advanced guard
here related occurred. The Labarum was not lost on this occasion, but at
the battle of Durazzo.
360 ORDEBICUS VITALIS, [B.TII. CH.T.
with disgrace the forces of the East, who trusted in their
own might. Then Duke Robert, encouraged by so signal
a triumph, departed from Durazzo, and, after a long inarch,
wintered his army in Bulgaria ; for the country about
Durazzo had been so devastated during the three months'
siege, that no subsistence was left there either for men or
horses.1
At this time Duke Robert received envoys from Rome,
who were the bearers of apostolical letters, and humbly
saluting him, said, " Most valiant duke, Pope Gregory
earnestly and suppliantly entreats you, as a father his son,
to come to the aid of the apostolical see with your invin-
cible courage, and not to suffer, for the love of God, any
excuse whatever to interfere with this succour: for
Henry, king of Germany, has laid siege to Rome, and
closely invested the pope and the clergy who adhere to him
in the castle of Crescens.2 Shut up in that fortress, with
a crowd of the faithful people, he is apprehensive of being
betrayed by the defection of the Roman populace, who are
greedy and versatile, and of being shamefully delivered into
the hands of his enemies. He has therefore sent us to you
to demand yoxir speedy assistance in his urgent need. By
God's favour your might is established over all your foes,
nor can mortal power resist it while you are in arms for the
cause of God and are obedient to the vicar of St. Peter, the
prince of the apostles."
On receiving this message the mighty lord was deeply
troubled, for he had a great desire to hasten to the succour
of the venerable pope, worried by fierce lions like Peter in
Herod's prison ; while he strongly hesitated at leaving his
army, which he reckoned to be weak in numbers, among
hosts of crafty and cruel enemies, in a foreign land, without
a leader, like sheep among wolves. At length, having men-
1 The battle was fought on October 1 8, three days after tbe arrival of
Alexius. Robert distributed his troops in winter quarters in the territory
of the besieged city, particularly at Glabinniza and Jannina. Durazzo sur-
rendered on February 18.
3 Originally the tomb of Adrian, converted into a fortress in the middle
a«es, and now Called the Castle of St. Angelo. The pope did not shut
himself up in it until 1083. The emperor broke up his army from their
winter quarters at Ravenna in the spring of 1082, and again sat dowu
before Rome with a powerful force ; but the siege made little progress.
1081 — ]082.] EOBEKT GUISCAED EECALLED TO ITALY. 361
tally raised his eyes to the Lord, from whom all good
proceeds, he assembled his troops with his son Bohemoud
and thus addressed them : " It is our duty to obey God
who speaks to us by the common pastor of the catholic
church.1 By his help I shall comply with the pope's injunc-
tions, endeavouring to return to you as quickly as I can.
Meanwhile remain quiet in this province, and be very cir-
cumspect, surrounded as you are by enemies on every side.
If any one should venture to give you battle, in God's name
make a stout resistance. Take care however not to com-
mence hostilities, nor to give the enemy an opportunity of
fighting, nor provoke the natives until I shall return. I
will undertake the service enjoined me by the Lord, and if
life is spared will soon be with you. I swear by the soul of
Tailored my father, and give you my solemn oath, that until
I return to you I will neither use the bath, nor have my
beard shaved, or my hair cut."
After this speech the brave warrior set sail with a small
number of companions in arms, and by God's guidance
landed in Apulia, from whence, having assembled troops, he
marched to Borne. Meanwhile the Emperor Henry, having
received a true report of the victory which Duke Robert
had gained over the emperor of Constantinople, and learn-
ing that he was unexpectedly hurrying, with the speed of
lightning, to the pope's assistance, and taking these various
circumstances into mature consideration, he became greatly
alarmed, and having concluded a peace with certain of the
Roman nobles, and obtained possession of some part of the
city, he withdrew to the western provinces of his empire.
Eor he chose rather to take his departure freely in honour
and safety, than to wait for the arrival of his furious ad-
versary, and involve himself in a whirlwind of war for which
he was unprepared.
1 Notwithstanding all the fine words which our author has put into the
mouth of Robert Guiscard, his ardent zeal for the defence of the church
anil its head, did not prevent his directing his first efforts exclusively to tha
safety of his own states, which were threatened by local revolt* and the
hostile demonstrations of the emperor. It was not until 1084, after
Rome was taken by the emperor, and the close investment of the castle of
St. Angelo that be determined, at the earnest entreaty of the pope, to
march to his aid.
362 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.VII. C II. VII.
Cii. VI. Death of Robert de Grantmemil, at first abbot of
St. Evroult, and afterwards of St. Euphemia.
WHILE the world was agitated by these severe commotions,
and wars were raging in every quarter, so that the kingdoms
of the world reeled like a ship tossed by the waves, the vene-
rable Eobert, abbot of St. Euphemia, after his return from
the battle at Durazzo, fell sick, it is said of poison taken in
his food, on the eleventh of the calends of December [21st
November.] * It appears that a certain Saracen was
employed as a baker in the convent at Brescia. This man
had married the sister of the prior William, son of Ingram,
and for some unknown and trifling cause, nurtured a secret
hatred of the abbot. In consequence, at the instigation of the
devil, he mixed poison with his food, following the example
of his father Ishmael, who, by a criminal artifice, endea-
voured to delude the unsuspecting Isaac. The man of G-od
languished for thirteen days, surrounded by the weeping
monks, and having made his confession and received the
holy communion, expired on the second of the ides [12th]
of December. He was interred in the church of St.
Mary, Mother of God, which he himself had built from
the foundations, and the anniversary of his death was
appointed to be reverently kept every year to his memory.
This is willingly done by the monks whom he carefully
brought up in the house of God, as a father does his
children. It is also the custom to distribute liberal alms to
the poor on that day, on behalf of their deceased pastor.
CH. VII. Restoration of Gregory VII. and the sack of Home
by Robert Ouiscard — Battle of Durazzo — Death of Bohe-
mond — And of Robert Guiscard.
AT the approach of Guiscard, the proud Eomans gathered
in great indignation that the capital of the world should be
exposed to the attack of foreign assailants. Encouraging
themselves therefore with mutual exhortations, they flew to
arms, and marched out to meet the enemy. But they were
1 Robert de Grantmesnil was at first abbot of St. Evroult, and afterwards
of St. Euphemia. See vol. i. pp. 422, 438. Our author continues in this
paragraph his former error of placing the latter in the neighbourhood of
Brescia. Robert died on November 21, probably in the year 1082.
A..D. 1084.] GTJISCARD SACKS KOHE. 363
instantly repulsed by a charge of the veteran and dis-
ciplined Norman troops, who entered the city mingled
with the retreating citizens, and by order of their furious
duke, set flames to the houses.1 Guiscard thus forced an
entrance into Eome by fire and sword ; nor did any of the
citizens afterwards venture to mutter a word against him.
As he drew near to the castle of Crescens, the pope with
his clergy came out to meet him, and returned him thanks
for the toil he had undergone in coming to his aid, absolved
him from his sins as a reward for his obedience, and implored
for him the eternal benediction of Almighty God.
After a conference had taken place between these illus-
trious men, and the pope had given an account of his
vexations, the incensed duke gave vent to his anger in
threatening language to this effect : " The citizens of Eome
are worthless traitors ; they are, and always will be, un-
grateful to God and his saints for the innumerable benefits
conferred upon them. Eome, which was formerly called
the capital of the world, and the fountain of health for
sinful souls, is now become the habitation of dragons and
the foul pit of all iniquity. I shall therefore destroy this
den of thieves with the sword or with fire, and root out its
vile and impious inhabitants. The persecution of their
bishops, of which the Jews set them the example, the
Romans have obstinately persisted in accomplishing. As
the Jews crucified Christ, have not the Romans crucified
his members ? Did they not martyr Peter and Paul f Need
I speak of Linus and Cletus, Clemens and Alexander, Sextus
and Telesphorus, Calixtus and Urban, Cornelius and Fabian?
All these laboured, as bishops, for the cure of the diseased
souls of their flock, and were cruelly butchered by their
1 Robert Guiscard disgraced his entry into the capital of the Christian
•world by the most fearful devastations of a city which had preserved till
that time the greatest part of the monuments of its ancient splendour.
The Romans did not march out to encounter him, but contented them-
selves with manning the walls. Towards evening he forced an entry by
the Flaminian gate. His occupation of the city only lasted three days,
during which it -was abandoned to pillage, fire, and rape. To excuse the
Normans, the main barbarities are attributed to the Sarncens, of whom, it
is said, there were great numbers in the army. The pope, restored to the
palace of the Lateran, had great difficulty in preventing the destruction of
Borne of the churches.
864 ORDEEICUS TITALIS. [B. VII. CH. VII
fellow citizens whom they strove to save. Shall I mention
Sebastian, pierced by them with arrows in a sewer and hung
in chains P1 What shall I say of Lawrence, who was placed
on a gridiron over burning coals and broiled like a fish ?
"What of Hippoly tus, bound to wild horses and torn asunder ?
What of Hermes, Tiburtius, Zeno, Valentine, and other
saints whose numbers are beyond the power of memory to
recount ? It is commonly reported, and affirmed by the
assertions of many persons, that entire Rome reeks with the
precious blood of martyrs, and unnumbered bodies of the
aaints lie concealed in the Roman catacombs. The same
ferocity which formerly actuated the pagans, now animates
the fury of pseudo-Christians, who inflamed with covetous-
ness ally themselves with the excommunicated, and lend
their aid to senseless heretics against the catholic church.
They merit not that any pity should be extended to them.
I will punish the impious with the avenging sword ; I will
give the bloody city to the flames ; and, by God's help, I
will restore it to a better condition, and fill it with inhabit-
ants from the Transalpine nations."
Then the pope threw hmself at the duke's feet,2 and
bathed in tears, exclaimed, " Far be it from me that Rome
should be destroyed on my account ! I was not elected its
pastor for the destruction of the city, but for the salvation
of the people. I would rather follow the steps of our Lord
Jesus Christ to death than cruelly avenge my injuries by the
punishment of sinners. They are the enemies of our Creator
who despise his statutes, maliciously trouble the order of
the church, and scatter the Lord's flock like ravening
wolves. The injury and the vengeance are alike his, the
service and the reward. He knows his faithful servants, and
abhors his furious enemies. I therefore commit myself and
my concerns to his Almighty disposal, and implore him
with a full heart to cut off with the sword of discipline all
that is opposed to his holy law, and to guide me according
to his good pleasure."
1 Gumfo, which signifies a chain, is a word used in the Acts of St.
Sebastian.
2 Pope Hildebrand was not in the habit of throwing himself at the feet
of any man. Robert himself did so the first time he met the pope, at
Aquino, in the month of June, 1080.
A.D. 1084.] BATTLE OF LAKISSA. 365
In this manner the pope calmed the incensed duke, and,
having prevailed with him to accept his counsel, came forth
from the tower of Crescens, and, followed by his clergy, and
attended by the duke and a strong band of troops, repaired
to Albano. That city was founded by Ascanius Julius, the
son of ^Eneas, and was given by the emperor Constantine
to Pope Silvester ; thereupon, the duke having received the
apostolical benediction, marched in haste to the coast, and
crossing the sea without delay, rejoined his army as he had
sworn.
Meanwhile, the crafty Greek emperor, when he learnt
that Robert was gone to Italy, thought that it would be in
his power to reduce the power of the Normans while their
leader was absent : he therefore, collecting a large body of
troops, marched against them, and compelled them to fight
a battle which they would have willingly avoided. In the be-
ginning of the conflict, the Normans betrayed some weakness,
and at the first onset being under alarm on many accounts
were nearly worsted ; for disheartened by their inferiority of
numbers, and the absence of their successful leader, they had
scarcely commenced the battle, when they began to think of
flight. While, however, Bohemond and his troops were in
this state of hesitation and dismay, and in his anxiety he
fervently called upon G-od, he suddenly experienced the
divine aid, and a voice from heaven sounded in his ears :
" Bohemond, why do you shrink from the conflict ? Fight
it out bravely ; for he who was your father's support will be
yours also, if you trust in him and faithfully maintain his
cause." The courage of the Normans was restored by
these words, and pressing onwards they charged the Greeks
with energy, so that they were repulsed by this sudden
attack, and taking to flight, left an immense booty to the
foreigners, who were in great need of supplies.2
1 The duke did not conduct the pope to Albano, having left him at the
palnee of the Lateran. He did not depart himself for Illym till the
month of September. Gregory VII. did indeed sojourn at Albano, but it
was in the year 1074, when hq was on his way to Monte Cassino and
Capun. He arrived at Monte Cassino in the month of August, and did
not leave Capua on his return to Rome till the middle of November.
1 Several statements in this paragraph are contrary to the facts. Bohe-
mond, who was victorious at Jannina, and afterwards at Arta, ended by
OBDERICTTS VITALIS. [B.YII. CH.TII.
On his return from Tuscany, Guiscard found his troops
highly rejoicing at their success, and he also exulting at so
signal a triumph returned thanks to God. Bohemond, who
had been wounded in the battle, was sent for his cure to the
surgeons of Salerno, whose reputation for skill in medicine
was established throughout the world.1
Meanwhile, the citizens of Durazzo, taking into account
that the Normans had penetrated far into Bulgaria, and had
detached by force of arms several provinces from the
Byzantine empire, as well as that they were entirely cut
off from receiving succours from the Thracians, Macedo-
nians, and all their neighbours, began to lose their confi-
dence, and consulted among themselves how they might
best escape from their difficult position. At length, the
most resolute among them determined on their course ;
they secretly despatched a messenger to the duke, asking for
peace, and faithfully promising to deliver up the defence of
the city to his troops. The duke granted their demands,
and detached three hundred soldiers to take possession of
the place. The Normans arriving before it at night, were
admitted within the walls, and having established themselves
securely, peace was made between them and the citizens.3
Sichelgade, wife of Robert Guiscard, was daughter of
Gaimard duke of Salerno,3 and sister of Gisulf who was
deprived of his duchy by the ambitious usurpation of his
brother-in-law.4 This princess conceived a violent hatred of
Bohemond her step-son, apprehending that as he was much
braver and superior in sense and worth, her son Roger would
forfeit in his favour the duchy of Apulia and Calabria to
which he was heir. In consequence, she prepared a deadly
potion and sent it to the physicians of Salerno, among whom
she had been brought up and by whom she had been
being nearly beaten at the battle of Larissa, and was obliged to cross into
Ittly in consequence of the mutiny of his troops.
1 It was towards the close of the year 1084, after a naval victory over
the Greeks and Venetians, that Bohemond was compelled to seek medical
assistance in Italy.
J Durazzo capitulated as early as February 18, 1082.
3 Guimard IV., prince of Salerno, 1027— 11)52.
* Gisulf II., youngest son of Gaimard IV., 1052—1077. This prince
appears to have retained the sovereigpty of Amain" as long as the veer
10«8, and not to have died till 1092.
A.D. 1084 — 1085.] BOHEMOND POISOITBD. 367
instructed in the use of poisons. The physicians lent them-
selves to the wishes of their lady and scholar, and gave the
deadly poison to Bohemond whom it was their duty to heal.
Having taken it, he was reduced to death's door, and
instantly despatched a messenger to his father informing him
of his danger. The shrewd duke became immediately aware
of his wife's treachery, and calling her to him in great dis-
tress thus interrogated her. " Is my lord Bohemond still
alive?" To which she replied: "I know not, my lord."
Upon which he said : " Bring me a copy of the holy gospels
and a sword." On their being brought, he took the sword
and swore as follows upon the sacred writings : " Listen to
me, Sichelgade, I swear by this holy gospel that if mv son
Bohemond dies of the malady under which he labours, 1 will
plunge this sword into your bosom." Alarmed at this
menace, she prepared a sure antidote and forthwith sent a
messenger with it to the physicians at Salerno who had
been her instruments for poisoning Bohemond, urging them
with prayers and promises to extricate her from the peril to
which she was exposed. The physicians learning that the
treachery was detected and the embarrassment of their lady,
prayed that the duke's terrible threats might not be put in
execution, and used every effort which their skill in the art
of medicine suggested to restore the young prince to health
Through Gop's blessing, who designed him for the scourge
of the Turks and Saracens, the enemies of the faith, Bohe-
mond recovered ; but such had been the virulence of the
poison that his countenance was pallid all the rest of hia
life.
Meanwhile, the treacherous and wily woman reflected
within herself, in a state of great alarm, that if her messen-
ger should meet with any delay in crossing the sea, and the
sick prince should die before he arrived, there would be no
escaping the death which her husband had sworn to inflict
on her. She therefore devised another murderous and
execrable scheme. Sad to say, she gave poison to her
husband. And as soon as he began to sicken, having no
doubt of the inevitable result, she assembled her attendants
and the rest of the Lombards in the middle of the night, and
hurrying to the sea shore embarked with her partisans in.
the swiftest ships, burning the rest that she might not be
368 OEDEEICUS TITALIS. [B.VII. CH.VII.
pursued by the Normans. Having reached the coast of
Apulia, one of the knights who attended her landed privately
and hastening to Salerno by night suddenly appeared before
Bohemond, saying : " Eise quickly and fly and save yourself."
On his inquiring the reason, the bearer of the tidings replied :
" Tour father has perished, and your mother has landed in
Apulia. She is hurrying here to seek your death." Bohe-
mond, on hearing this alarming intelligence, was greatly
agitated, aud mounting an ass, clandestinely withdrew from
the cityandfled to Jordan, prince of Capua, his cousin, 'by whom
he was kindly received, and thus escaped from the machina-
tions and threats of his stepmother. She was much mortified
on arriving at Salerno, that she had been outwitted by the
object of her persecutions. Her son Eoger, surnamed
Crumena, secured the succession to the rich duchy of his
ancestors lying on this side of the sea.2
The Normans who found themselves in a foreign country
with their great and brave leader in the utmost peril from a
woman's wiles were overwhelmed with anxieties. They felt
also that the strength of their army was diminished by the
defection of the Lombards who had secretly departed in
attendance on their mistress, and that they could not return
to Italy without great difficulty and delay, as their ships
were burnt. The noble duke therefore summoned to his
bide Robert count de Loritello,3 and GreoiFrey de Conversana,
his nephews, Hugh Le Borgne of Clermont,'4 and William de
G-rantmesnil, with Hugh the good marquis,5 his brother-in-
law, and others his kinsmen and chief counsellors, and
inquired of them what they proposed to do. But as they
all whispered together and were unable to propose any
certain plan, he thus addressed them : " The divine vengeance
1 Jordan, prince of Capua, April 5, 1 078— December 19 or 20, 1091 ;
he was cousin-german of Bohemond by his mother Fredeline, sister of
Robert Guiscard.
2 The only truth in this paragraph is the death of Robert Guiscard,
which took place July 17, 1085, in the island of Cephalonia (where Bohe-
mond and Sichelgade went to receive his last breath), and the favouritism
shown to Roger in the division of his territories.
3 See vol. i. p. 453.
* Hugh, the first of that name, count de Clermont in the Beauvoisis,
was then living, but does not appear to be the person here spoken of.
6 Odo, the good marquis, was father of the celebrated Tancred.
A.D. 1085.] LAST SPEECH OF EOBEET GTJISCARD. 369
scourges us for our sins, and punishes us for our ambition.
The Lord justly chastises his servants and plainly teaches
us that worldly glory is not to be coveted. Let us give him
thanks for all the favours which he has vouchsafed to confer
upon us, and implore him with our whole hearts that he will
always show mercy to us. We were sprung from poor and
obscure parents, and leaving the barren fields of the Cotentin
and homes ill supplied with the means of existence, we set out
for Rome, and it was not without great difficulty and much
alarm that we passed beyond that place. Afterwards, by
God's aid, we got possession of many great cities. But we
ought to attribute our success not to our own valour or
merits, but to divine Providence. Now at length, for the
sins of the natives, we have wrested from the empire of
Constantinople as much country as it has taken us fifteen
days to penetrate. Tou know well, that I was invited to
undertake the protection of the emperor Michael who was
unjustly driven from his throne by his subjects, my daughter
having been lawfully betrothed to his son. I had deter-
mined, if it pleased God, that Constantinople, which is in.
possession of an unwarlike people abandoned to pleasure and
lasciviousness, should be subjugated to Catholic warriors,
who would deliver Jerusalem, God's holy city, from the
Turks, and expelling the infidels by their victorious arms
enlarge the bounds of Christendom. It was for this purpose
that I undertook so vast an enterprise, so perilous a conflict.
The mysterious will of Almighty God has otherwise ordered.
David formed the design of building the temple at Jerusalem
to God's honour, biit God decreed that this should be accom-
plished with great triumph by his son Solomon. So I con-
ceive that my enterprise will be completed in future years,
aud the fruit of my labours will one day appear, and they
will be profitably cited to posterity as an incitement to the
like virtues. Receive then, brave men, prudent counsel, and
do not lose yoiir former courage which I have often proved
in difficulties and dangers. I am but a single Avarrior,, and
mortal, as others ; but ye are many, and by the goodness of
God in the possession of many advantages. You have per-
formed great actions which are published far and near;
ancient history affords no examples of greater achievements
wrought by a small number of obscure men, than those
VOL. II. B B
370 OBDEBICUS TITAI.IS. [B.TII. CH.TII.
which, by God's help, you have accomplished. Choose
amoug yourselves the bravest and wisest of your number, and
appoint him your leader. Do not evacuate this rich country
which you have made your own by such exertions and in so
short a time. My son Bohemond, if life and health are spared
him, will soon fly to your succour."
The duke having said this and more to the same purpose,
Peter, a Frenchman, and others his friends, after keenly
canvassing the duke's proposals, thus replied; "There is
much danger and great difficulty in the injunctions you lay
on us. Our enemies are countless, while we are few in
number, and we have opposed to us a powerful and saga-
cious emperor, to whom at your instance we have often
given grave offence. We are unable to resist his prowess
and widespread power, for his rule extends over many
kingdoms and nations. Would to God we could return in
peace and safety to the homes from which we departed."
The duke groaned deeply on hearing these sentiments, and
began calling upon God, with tears, .and lamenting his son
with bitter grief: "Alas! what sorrows surround me in my
misfortunes ! In times past I have done much injury, and
many of my actions have been unjust ; now the punishments
which I deserved long since have accumulated upon me.
Most High God, spare me ! merciful God, have pity upon me
a sinner ! Almighty God, succour thy people whom I have
led hither ! O my son Bohemond, the equal of Epaminondaa
the Theban in valour and wisdom, where shall I find thee ?
Bohemond, thou noble warrior, who may be compared in
arms to the Thessalian Achilles or Eoland the Frank, do
you yet live, or are you detained for your destruction ? What
has happened to thee ? What has become of your proved
courage,? If you were in health as I left you when I parted
for Italy, you would quickly be here and take possession of
this rich region of Bulgaria conquered by our arms. For
I feel assured that, if you live, such is your resolution that if
divine providence allowed you to be present at my death,
you would by God's help never cede the rights I have gained
by arms. Courage, my valiant comrades ! consider carefully
among yourselves, and weigh well that you are far away
from your own homes. Eecollect what great deeds the
Normans have wrought, and how often our fathers have
A.D. 1085.] EOBEET OUISCAED's DEATH. 371
resisted the French, the Bretons, and the people of Maine,
and bravely conquered them. Becall to your minds the
great exploits you have performed, with me for your leader, in
Italy and Sicily, when you reduced Salerno and Bari,
Brundisium and Tarento, Bismano1 and Reggio, Syracuse and
Palermo, Cosenza and Castro- Giovanni, and many other
cities and towns. By God's assistance, you subdued under my
command Gisulf duke of Salerno, Waszo, count of Naples,2
and many other powerful princes. Strive therefore not to
lower your position by the loss of your former magnanimity.
Choose one of yourselves, as I said before, by mutual agree-
ment, and retain with honour the fertile provinces which
you have now gained."
Of all those who were present at this council, no one dared
to assume the command, all preferring to provide for their
safety by flight. At length, in the year of our Lord 1085,
Robert Guiscard, the illustrious duke of Apulia, a man
whose equal can scarcely be found in our times, having con-
fessed and been absolved from his sins, and fortified by
receiving the holy communion, as the hour of death approach-
ed, was taken from the world, not struck down by a warrior's
arm, but infected by a woman's crime as at first Adam was
driven out of paradise, not the victim of war but of poison.
As soon as he was dead, the Normans preserved his body in
salt, aud demanded permission to depart in peace to their own.
country. Though the emperor rejoiced at being freed from
his formidable enemy, yet he wept with much feeling over
the deceased duke who had never turned back in battle.3
1 JJismanus, Bismantus, Bismantum, Bismantoa, a villnge and mountain
in the Modenese, in the neighbourhood of Reggio, which our author
transposes into Calabria, misled, probably, by both having a town with
the common name of Reggio. Bismano is now called Pietra Bismantova,
and is a mountain which bounds on the north-west the valley of the
Secchia, between that river and the village of Castelnuovo ne' Monte, to
the south-west of Curpineti, about eighteen miles from Reggio, and twenty-
two from Modena.
1 It is not known with certainty of whom our author speaks. Surgius VI.
was prince of Naples when Richard, prince of Capua, made u fruitless
siege of it in 1077 — 1078 ; but it does not appear that Robert Guiscard,
who was then engaged in the siege of Beneventum, took any active part in
that of Naples.
1 The tears of Alexius Commenus, on hearing of the death of his most
formidable enemy, do him honour. Durazzo was speedily restored to hia
B B 2
372 OBDERICTJS VITALIS. [B.VII. CH.YIII.
He therefore gave his willing consent to those who desired
it, that all his household might return to Italy with the
corpse of their prince, while he offered high pay to others
who were willing to remain and enter his service. Thus those
who had vigorously attacked the Byzantine monarch after-
wards faithfully served him. The rest, returning to Apulia,
carried the body of Gruiscard to Venosa,1 and there buried it
with great lamentations in the monastery of the Holy Trinity.
That convent was presided over by the venerable abbot
Berenger, the son of Arnold, the sou of Helgo; he had been
brought up by the pious abbot Theodoric at St. Evroult, and
abbot Robert had brought him in his company from thence
to Calabria.2 Pope Alexander3 consecrated him abbot of tho
monastery of Yenosa, and some years afterwards, for his
virtuous life and sound doctrine he was promoted by pope
Urban to the bishopric of that city.
CH. VIII. Ode, bishop of Bayeux, takes measures for succeed-
ing Hildebrand in the papacy — fie is arrested by King
William for abusing his authority, and imprisoned at
Rouen.
WHILE the storms which we have just described were
agitating the world, certain sorcerers at Rome applied their
art to discover who would succeed Hildebrand in the
papacy,4 and found that after the death of Gregory,5 a prelate
dominion, either re-taken by the Venetians or by Bodin, king of Servia. A
remnant of the Normans in 'the isle of Cephalonia entered his service,
among whom was Peter d'Aulps, the founder of the powerful Byzantine
house of the Petraliphos, and who is supposed to be one of the ancestors
of the family of Blacas, of which there will be occasion to speak in the
next book.
1 Some disasters were experienced in fulfilling Robert Guiscard's direc-
tions that his body should be interred at Venosa. The ship which was
freighted with the corpse encountered a violent storm off Otranto, and the
coffin was washed overboard. It was, indeed, recovered, but notwithstand-
ing the rude embalmment mentioned by our author, the body was in such a
state of decomposition that it was necessary to deposit the heart and
entrails at Otranto. William of Malmesbury has preserved Robert Guis-
card's epitaph. See his account of this celebrated Norman chief, b. iii. p.
294— 296.— ttohn's Antiq. Lib.
* See vol. i. p. 439.
8 Alexander II., Sept. 30, 1061— April 21, 1073.
* Urban II., March 12, 1088— July 29, 1099.
* Gregory VII., April 22, 1073— May 25, 1085. The last words of
A.D. 1082.] BISHOP ODO ASPIBES TO THE PAPACY. 373
of the name of Odo would be pope of Borne. "When
Odo, bishop of Bayeux, who, under his brother King
William, had the chief rule over the Normans and English,
heard this, he made light of the authority and wealth which
the government of a western kingdom conferred, and aspired
to the papal power which would give him wider sway and
raise him above all earthly princes. He therefore despatched
his emissaries to Home, where he purchased a palace, and
conciliating the senators by magnificent gifts, he ornamented
his residence with lavish expense and costly superfluities.
Attaching to his person Hugh, earl of Chester, and a goodly
company of distinguished knights, he engaged them to attend
him to Italy, by prodigal promises added to his entreaties.
The Normans are ever given to change and desirous of
visiting foreign lands, and they therefore readily joined
themselves to the aspiring prelate whose ambition was not
satisfied by the dominion of England and Normandy. In
consequence they resolved on abandoning the vast estates
which they possessed in the west of Europe, and pledged
themselves to attend the bishop beyond the Po.1
this pope, pronounced at the point of death, are well known : " I have
loved justice and hated iniquity ; therefore I die in exile." But the mag-
nificent reply of one of the prelates who attended him is not so commonly
known: " You, my lord, cannot die in exile, for as the vicar of Christ and
his apostles, you have received the nations for your inheritance, and the
utmost, parts of the earth for your possession."
1 M. Le Prevost remarks that, notwithstanding the vanity and ambition
of Odo were equal to his avarice, there is difficulty in believing that the
bishop ever seriously contemplated obtaining the papacy, or even fixing his
residence near a pontiff of such rigid morals and resolute character as
Gregory VII., in the midst also of all the difficulties and dangers which
arose out of the contest between the chief of the church and the emperor,
seconded by the anti-pope Guibert, which was then at its highest pitch
of violence. Our brother editor conjectures that Odo, ill-informed of the
obstacles which these two personages raised to free communication with
the legitimate pope, only proposed to exhibit his pomp at the council con-
voked for the autumn of the following year. It is, however, scarcely to
be supposed that the bishop of Bayeux would have taken the steps related
by our author for a merely temporary purpose. History is not without an
example of English wealth spent for a more chimerical purpose in the
case of Richard's (earl of Cornwall) ambition for the empty title of king
of the Romans. Wolsey, too, whose character in many respects was
singularly identical with that of Odo, made pretensions to the papacy. On
the whole we are led to conclude that the bishop's real intentions had
transpired, and that our historian's statements are at least founded on
374 ORDERICUS TITALIS. [B. Til. CH. Till.
The wise king William speedily heard of these prepara-
tions, but the scheme did not meet his approbation, for he
considered that it was fraught with injury to his own king-
dom as well as to others. He therefore lost no time in crossing
the sea, and at the isle of Wight presented himself unexpect-
edly to bishop Odo, when he was on the point of sailing for
Normandy with a pompous retinue. Having assembled the
great nobles of the realm in his royal court, the king thus
addressed them : —
" Illustrious lords, listen attentively to what I shall say,
and give me, I pray you, salutary counsel. Before I went
over to Normandy, I entrusted the government of England
to my brother the bishop of Bayeux. There were in
Normandy many who revolted against my authority, and, if
I may so say, both friends and foes set themselves against
me. Even my own son Eobert, and the young nobles whom I
had brought up and invested with the ensigns of knighthood
rebelled against me, while some traitorous vassals and my
border foes eagerly joined the ranks of the malcontents. But
by God's help, whose servant I am, they failed of success, and
got nothing from me but the sword which pierced them with
wounds. By the terror of my arms I restrained the people of
Anjou, who were leagued for war against me, and I also
curbed the rebellious inhabitants of Maine. Thus occupied,
I found myself embarrassed by affairs beyond sea, and was
long detained labouring earnestly for the public good.
Meanwhile, my brother grievously oppressed the English,
robbing the churches of their lands and revenues, and
stripping them of the ornaments with which our forefathers
enriched them ; while he seduced my knights, whose duty it
was to defend England against the Danes and Irish, and
other enemies who threatened hostilities, ' and has made
preparations, in contempt of me, for transporting them into
foreign regions beyond the Alps. My heart is overwhelmed
with grief, especially on account of the injury he has done to
the churches of God. The Christian kings who reigned
before me were devoted to the church, on which they heaped
what he thought credible authority. The accurate Malmesbury says that
Odo, " by stuffing the scrips of the pilgrims with letters and money, had
nearly purchased the Roman papacy from the citizens." — B. iii. p. 307,
Bohn's Antiq. Lib.
A.D. 1082.] BISHOP ODO ARBESTED. 375
honours and gifts of every kind, and hence, as we believe,
they now repose in the seats of bliss, rejoicing in their
glorious rewards. Ethelbert, Edwin and St. Oswald,
Ethelwulfa and Alfred, Edward the elder and Edgar, with
Edward my cousin and most dear lord, richly endowed our
holy church, which is the spouse of Christ. And now, my
brother, to whom I entrusted the care of my entire kingdom,
has laid violent hands on her substance, has cruelly oppressed
the poor, has seduced my knights on frivolous pretences, and
has spread disorder through the whole of England by his
unjust exactions. Consider then prudently what is to be
done, and let me know, 1 pray you, what you advise."
All the council, however, being restrained by fear of the
powerful prelate, and hesitating to make a decision against
him, the stout-hearted king said: "A dangerous ambition
must always be curbed, and an individual must not be
spared, for favour or affection, to the public detriment.
Let this man therefore who disturbs the state be arrested,
and closely confined, that he may not do further mischief."
No one however daring to lay hands on a bishop, the king
was the first to seize him, upon which Odo cried out, " I am
a clerk, and the Lord's minister ; it is not lawful to condemn
a bishop without the judgment of the pope." To which the
prudent king replied : " I do not condemn a clerk or a
bishop, but I arrest an earl I have myself created,1 and to
whom, as my vicegerent, I entrusted the government of my
realm, it being my will that he should render an account of
the stewardship I have committed to him."
In this manner the royal authority was exerted to arrest
the bishop, who was conducted to Normandy, and being
imprisoned in the castle of Rouen, was kept there in close
custody four years, that is, as long as the king lived.2 The
chief disturber of the peace being thus laid low, the knights
returned to their duty, and, by the king's wisdom, his throne
was fortified against all attacks from within or without.
In this prelate we see clearly exemplified what Fulgentius
1 William had created his brother earl of Kent.
1 The Saxon Chronicle, followed by Roger de Hoveden and others,
places the arrest of Bishop Odo in the year 1082 (in the autumn),
consequently his captivity must have continued for five, or nearly five,
years. _
.376 OBDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.TII. CH. IX.
says, in his book on Mythology:1 "The man who makes
pretensions to which he is not entitled, will sink lower than
he is." The bishopric of Bayeux, and the rich earldom of
Kent, and the exercise of royal power in common with his
own through England and Normandy, was not enough for
one clerk, who aspired to the government of the whole
world, moved neither by Divine inspiration nor a canonical
election, but by the impulses of his own insatiable ambition.
He lost therefore what he already possessed, was left to pine
in captivity, and has left a warning to posterity not to be too
eager in the pursuit of honours.
CH. IX. Death of Queen Matilda — Her epitapli — She is
buried in the abbey of the Holy Trinity, at Caen — Succes-
sion of the abbesses.
AT this time, the seventh indiction, Matilda, queen of
England, fell sick, and, her illness being prolonged and
becoming serious, she confessed her sins with bitter tears,
and having duly performed all the offices which the Christian
profession requires, and been fortified by the life-giving
sacrament, she died on the third of the nones [the 3rd] of
November.2 Her body was carried to the convent of the
Holy Trinity, which she had founded at Caen for nuns, and
interred with great respect by many bishops and abbots,
between the choir and the altar. The monks and clergy
celebrated her obsequies with a great concourse of the poor,
to whom she had been a generous benefactress, in the name
of Christ. A tomb was erected to her memory, admirably
ornamented with gold and jewels, and the following epitaph
was elegantly engraved on it in letters of gold : —
This stately momiment Matilda's name
In gold and marble gives to endless fame.
High was her birth, sprung from a royal race,
To which her virtues lent a nobler grace.
Her fair Adele to Flemish Baldwin bore,
The crown of France whose sire and brother wore.
1 Planciates Fulgentius, supposed to have been bishop of Carthage in
the sixth century. His work on mythology in three books, addressed to a
priest named Catus, has been printed at Augsburg in 1507, at Bale in 1543,
and at Geneva in 1599.
2 Queen Matilda died on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1083.
A.D. 1083.] QUEEN MATILDA'S EPITAPH. 377
When conquering William made her England's queen,
'Twas here her noblest, holiest work was seen,
This fane, this house, where cloistered sisters dwell,
And with their notes of praise the anthem swell,
Endowed and beautified, her earnest care.
Nor others failed her liberal alms to share;
The sick, the indigent partook her store,
She laid up wealth by giving to the poor.
To heaven by pious deeds she won the way,
Departing on November's second day.1
The Abbess Matilda carefully governed the convent at
Caen, dedicated to the holy and undivided Trinity, for
forty-seven years, ably educating and instructing in the
service of God, according to the monastic rule, Cecilia, the
king's daughter, and many other noble ladies.1 On her
death, she was succeeded by the illustrious Cecilia, who
tilled the office of mother of the nuns for several years, in
the time of her brother, King Henry. After her, the
daughter of Count William, who was son of Stephen of
Blois, undertook the government of the convent, but she
held it only for a short time, being cut off by a premature
death.
Cn. X. Disturbances in Maine — Protracted siege ty King
William's troops of the castle of Sainte Suzanne.
AFTEB the death of the glorious Queen Matilda, King
William, who survived her almost four years, was deeply
involved in severe troubles, which closed around him like
stormy clouds. First, some of his subjects in Maine, a
people of naturally unsettled temper, and ever ready to
1 The slab of black marble on which this epitaph was engraved is still
in existence. After the tomb was first demolished by the protestants in
1562, and a second time by the revolutionists in 1793, when it was placed
in a lateral chapel of the church of St. Stephen, it was brought back to
the choir of the convent of nuns, and a third tomb was erected for the
royal foundress by the care of M. le Comte de Montlivault in 1819. The
original epitaph which it bears, presents very few changes in orthography
from the copy our author gives of it.
3 The administration of the Abbess Matilda appenrs, by an authentic
document, to have lasted fifty-four years, and not forty -seven only, as our
author states. She died July 6, 1120, and the princess Cecilia, who
succeeded her, July 13, 1127. Isabelle, or Elizabeth, whose government
lasted only one year, was the eldest daughter of Stephen, count de Blois,
and consequently great niece of Cecilia.
378 OttDEKICUS YITALIS. [B.TII. CH.X
disturb the peace of others, and disquiet themselves by their
love of change, flew to arms against the king, and occasioned
great expenditure and damage in their own state, as well
as to many others. Hubert, the viscount, son-in-law of
William, Comte de Nevers,1 gave umbrage to the king at
first on some trivial occasions, but his delinquencies after-
wards increasing, he retired from his castles of Beaumont
and Fresnai,2 and established himself, as a public enemy,
with his wife and all his followers, at the castle of 3*.
Suzanne.3 The fortress in which he took refuge stands on
a high rock above the river Erve, on the borders of Maine
and Anjou. He assembled there a band of soldiers, and
lost no time in inflicting loss on the Normans, who were
employed in guarding the country of Maine, and keeping
them in constant alarm. The viscount was a man of
illustrious lineage, distinguished for his talent and conduct,
and full of courage and enterprising boldness, qualities
which established his reputation far and wide. The
garrisons of the city of Mans, and the neighbouring castles,
were kept in constant alarm by Hubert's incursions, in
consequence of which they laid their complaints before King
William, and implored his aid.
Upon this the king assembled troops in Normandy
without delay, and, summoning such of the people of Maine
as were friendly to him, entered the enemy's country with a
powerful force. He did not however venture to lay siege to
the castle of Ste. Suzanne, it being rendered impregnable by
its position on rocks, and the dense thickets of vineyards
which surrounded it, nor could he closely confine the enemy
within the fortress as he desired, as he was strong enough to
command supplies, and was master of the communications.
The king therefore constructed a fortified camp in the
Valley of Bonjen,4 and placed in it a strong body of troops to
1 Hubert de St. Suzanne, viscount of Maine, married, Dec. 6, 1067,
Ermengarde, daughter of William I., count de Nevers.
2 Beaumonte-le-Vicomte, and Fresnai-sur-Sarte.
8 St. Suzanne, on the river Erve, in the arrondissement of Laval. This
place consisted of a castle with a detached keep, and a walled town about
1000 feet in circumference.
* The remains of this fortification may still be traced. It was divided
into tvro enclosures separated by a ditch, each being about eighty feet long
A.D. 1083 — 1085.] SIEGE OF SAIKTE SUZAlTCfE. 37D
check the enemy's incursions, being obliged to return into
Normandy himself on weighty affairs. The royal troops,
under the command of Alan-the-Red, count of Brittany,1
made a brilliant display of wealth, feasting, and military
array, but the garrison of the castle was superior in valour
and numbers. For knights of established fame hastened to
Hubert's standard from Aquitain, Burgundy, and other
provinces of France, anxious tor an opportunity of rendering
him earnest aid and displaying their own intrepidity.
Hence it happened that the castle of Ste. Suzanne waa
supplied at the expense of those who were encamped at
Bonjen, and their means of resistance were continually
increased. Many wealthy nobles of Normandy and
England were taken prisoners, and their ransoms honour-
ably enriched the viscount, and Robert of Burgundy, whose
niece he had married, with his other comrades. In this
manner Hubert resisted the Normans for three years, and,
growing rich by his enemies' wealth, foiled all their assaults.
In this war, Eobert de Vieux-Pont, Robert d'Ussi, and other
gallant Norman knights were slain. On the fourteenth of
the calends of December [18th November], while the
Norman troops were on the march to attack the enemy, a
beardless youth, concealed in the bushes by the road-side,
nhot an arrow, which mortally wounded Richer de Laigle, son
of Engenulf,3 piercing his eye. His followers rode up,
burning with rage, and, seizing the youth, would have
avenged the noble Richer by putting him to death on the
spot, but the dying baron saved his life. For when they
were on the point of cutting the youth's throat, the
wounded man with a violent effort cried out : " Spare
him, for the love of God ; it is for my sins that I am
called thus to die." His assassin being dismissed, the
lamented lord confessed his sins to his companions in arms,
and expired before they could convey him to the city. The
corpse waa borne to the convent of monks which his father
by forty wide. The walls appear to have been about six feet high, and the
trenches four feet bro:id.
1 Alan the Red, earl of Richmond in England, was fourth son of Eudes,
count de Panthievre.
* Richer de Laigle, second ion of Engenulf, who waa killed at the battle
of Hastings.
380 OBDEBICTJS VITALIS. [B.TII. CII.X.
Richer had founded on his domains in honour of St.
Sulpitius, bishop of Bourges;1 and he was buried there,
with great lamentations of his kinsfolk and connexions, by
Gilbert, the venerable bishop of Evreux.
This lord was deservedly regretted by his acquaintance
for the many virtues with which he was endowed. In
person he was strong, handsome, and active; a faithful
observer of the divine law, courteous and humble with men
of religion, prudent and eloquent in worldly affairs, and
gentle and liberal in all his conduct. He married Judith,
daughter of Richard of Avranches,2 surnamed G-oz, and
sister of Hugh^ earl of Chester, by whom he had Gilbert
de Laigle, Engenulf, Matilda, and several other sons and
daughters. They all died except Gilbert, who became the
heir to his father's virtues, estates, and honours. He married
Juliana, daughter of Geoffrey, the brave count de Mortagne,
who bore him Richer, Engenulf, Geoffrey, and Albert ; the
second and third of whom perished by shipwreck with
William the Etheling,3 King Henry's son, and many other
nobles, on the eighth of the calends [25th] of November.4
His sister Matilda,5 married Robert de Mowbray, the
powerful earl of Northumberland,* who rebelled the same
year against William Ruf'us, king of England. But, being
taken prisoner shortly afterwards, he was detained in cap-
tivity for nearly thirty-four years by that king and his
brother Henry, living to an advanced age without having
any children. I now return to the events from which I
have somewhat digressed.
In the month of January, William de Warrene, Baudri
de Guitri, son of Nicholas, and Gilbert de Laigle, who
sought to avenge the death of his brother Richer, made a
desperate assault on the garrison of S". Suzanne, with a
strong band of Normans, but they gained nothing but the
steel in their wounds. In this attack William, count
1 St. Sulpice-sur-Risle, near Laigle.
* On thib family of Avranches, see before, p. 47.
* Our author gives King Henry's son the title generally appropriated to
the heir apparent to the crown in the Anglo-Saxon times.
* In the shipwreck of the Blanche-Nef.
' Robert de Mowbray, earl of Northumberland, was nephew of Geoffrey,
bishop of Coutancfs.
6 Richer 'b younger brother.
A.D. 1083 — 1085.] SIEGE OF SAINTE SUZANNE. 381
d'Evreux,1 was made prisoner, and Matthew de Vitot,2 son of
Godfrey the Little, mortally wounded. Being carried to
his quarters by his sorrowing squires and comrades, a priest
was sent forth, and having confessed his sins and received
the comfort of the holy viaticum, he was then prepared for
the approach of death.
The Normans who held the entrenched camp in the
valley of Bonjen, having suffered serious losses, and had
their numbers thinned by the swords of the bravest knights,
were apprehensive of still greater discomfiture. Finding
that they were no match for Hubert, either by their valour
or good fortune, they changed their plan, and tried to bring
him to an agreement with the king. The viscount, although
in the present contest he had greatly advanced his power
and wealth, was so sensible of the value of peace and
security, that he prudently fell in with the plans of the
mediators. No time was lost in despatching envoys to the
king, who was now in England ; and William, finding that
Kerrey the Breton, whom he had appointed to the command
of the troops,3 with Richer and other brave knights, had
fallen in battle, and that his adversary, in the enjoyment of
his good fortune, found his position become daily stronger,
was careful not to make matters worse by an obstinate per-
sistance in hostilities. He, therefore, prudently pardoned
the viscount for all his past offences, and having granted
him a safe conduct, Hubert crossed the sea, and, coming to
court on terms of amity, was honourably restored to all hia
father's rights. The people of Normandy and Maine, who
had deeply suffered for four years * in the prolonged conflict,
made great rejoicings.
1 William, count d'Evreux, Dec. 13, 1067— April 18, 1118.
a Matthew de Vitot, near Neubourg. For this person and his uncle,
see vol. i. pp. 449, 450.
* He must have been second in command, under Alan the Red, earl of
Brittany and Richmond.
4 It is thought that Ordericus has greatly exaggerated the duration of the
siege of the castle of Stc. Suzanne. While it is agreed on all hands that it
commenced in the year 108C, it is considered impossible that it could have
been prolonged beyond 1085, a period when the alarm of a Danish
invasion induced the king to return to England with all the troops he
could muster, even including the volunteers and stipendiaries he levied on
the continent, as afterwards appears. The Saxon Chronicle, however,
tells us that William disbanded part of these forces in the course of the
382 OBDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.TII. CH.XI.
Hubert continued faithful to the king during the remain-
der of William's life, rejoicing in his independence, and
happy in the possession of his domains, which at his death
he bequeathed to his sons Ealph and Hubert.
CH. XI. Threatened invasion of England by Canute, king
of Denmark — The armament dispersed — Canute (St.) is
murdered in a church at Odensee.
AT this period King "William caused a record to be made of
all the knights' fees in his realm of England, which were
found to amount to sixty thousand ; ' and he commanded all
who were subject to him by military tenure to be prepared
for service in case of need; for at this time Canute the
younger, king of Denmark,2 was fitting out a powerful fleet,
and making preparations for the invasion of England, to
assert his claims in right of his ancestors Sweyn and
Canute, who had formerly subjugated it. This king was
distinguished for his piety to Grod, his great worldly power,
and his many virtues. By his threats and preparations he
occasioned much alarm to the Normans who were in posses-
sion of England, but he was prevented by various circum-
stances from carrying them into effect during the life
of the Bastard king. In the reign, however, of William
the younger,3 a large fleet was fitted out, and being moored
same year. As to his having returned to England, OUT author tells us that
it was there the viscount came to terms with him.
1 This is a reference to Domesday-book, the survey for which was
commenced in 1080, and the record presented to William at Winchester,
where it was deposited, at Easter, 1086. It is mentioned in nearly the
same terms in b. iv. c. 7. See before, p. 51.
3 Canute (St.) IV., king of Denmark in 1080, assassinated, Friday,
July 10, 1086, canonized in 1101. The project of the invasion of
England seems to have been suggested to this prince by Robert the
Frisian, earl of Flanders, his father-in-law, and brother-in-law of William.
Our author is mistaken in representing that the census taken of the tenant*
of the crown subject to military service had reference to this threatened
invasion. As just observed, the survey was commenced long before; and
the precaution which William took consisted in drawing forces from the
continent, who were quartered on the the convents and barons. When
the alarm of invasion had blown over, part of these mercenary troops
were dismissed, and the rest followed the king to Gloucester where he
fpent Christmas (1085).
* These occurrences did not take place in the reign of William Rufus
A.D. 1086.] MABTYEDCm OF KING (ST.) CANUTE. 383
to the shore, the crews were employed in embarking the
troops destined for the invasion of England, for which the
wind was then favourable. Meanwhile King Canute,
desirous of learning the will of God, entered a church, and
humbly kneeling before the altar, besought him with tears
to direct his course according to his goodwill. His brother,
coming to the church at this moment, and seeing the
king unattended and prostrate before the altar, the thought
struck him what vast difficulties and serious perils impended
over thousands on account of one man, and what a sudden
and decided change would be made if he were removed
out of the way. Without reflection he drew his sword,
and cutting off the head of the prostrate king, forthwith
fled into exile. On receiving the melancholy intelligence,
the army quickly dispersed, each one returning to his own
affairs.1 The elders of the nation raised to the throne
Calomanoth, the lung's brother, the assassin being banished.
The body of King Canute was honourably interred in the
church, where many miracles were performed at his tomb.
A great convent for monks was afterwards built, and the mo-
nastic discipline there established, after the same order as
that of Evesham in England.;, For from thence it waa
as our author supposes, but more than a year before the Conqueror's
death.
1 Ordericus has given an entirely erroneous account of the circumstances
connected with the tragic end of the Danish king. After the assemblage
of the armament intended for the invasion of England in the gulf of Lym-
tiord, in Finland, some delays occurred which created impatience among
the troops, and they deputed the prince Olaf to remonstrate with the
king his brother. Canute, however, was greatly irritated at this insubordi-
nation, and suspecting Olaf of having fomented it, sent him prisoner
under arrest to the earl of Flanders. The armament then dispersed, and
Canute treated the malcontents with excessive rigour, and imposed a tax
in the shape of tithes most odious to the Scandinavian nations. At last
the people broke into open rebellion, and the king took refuge in Zealand.
There a traitor named Black invited him to Odensee, representing that his
presence would appease the people ; but he had scarcely entered the
church of St. Alban, accompanied by his two brothers, Benedict and Eric,
when Black introduced the conspirators. Canute was slain after a short
resistance in which Benedict and some of the officers of his suite felL
Olaf, whom he had shortly before invested with the duchy of Sleswig, and
who was still in Flanders, succeeded him, and reigned till 1095.
3 The monastery at Odensee wiis at first a priory attached to the abbey
of Evesham in Worcestershire. It was dedicated'to St. Alban the proto-
384 OEDEEICTTS YITALIS. [B.VII. CH.XII.
that the first monks sent missionaries among the Danes,
and carefully instructed them in conventual rule to the
admiration of the barbarous natives. This King Canute
was held in deserved honour by the monks and others
devoted to a religious life. For he was the first to correct
the manners of his people, who were new converts and
lived disorderly. He also founded metropolitan and epis-
copal sees according to the canons, and introduced monks,
who were before unknown to and disliked by the Danes,
liberally providing them with fitting sites for their establish-
ment in his kingdom.1
CH. XII. Legend of the translation of the relics of St.
Nicholas, bishop and confessor, fror/i Myra, in Asia Minor,
to Bari, in Italy.
IN the year of our Lord 1087, the tenth indiction, on the
nones [9th] of May, the body of St. Nicholas, archbishop
and confessor, was translated from Myra to Bari. John,
archdeacon of Bari, has eloquently related in what manner
and by whom this translation was effected.2 I propose to
make some extracts from his narrative, and insert in my
present work a short notice of this remarkable event, for
martyr of England, whose relics by soine unaccountable means are said to
have found their way to Denmark, and have been deposited in this church.
One account says that they were carried off from the abbey at St. Albans
in 914, at a time when the invaders were still (for the most part at least)
heathens; another that they were purloined from Canterbury, and translated
to Odensee in 1085, the monk Elnoth, the biographer of Canute, accom-
panying them, and the transaction escaping the cognizance of King Wil-
liam. They were deposited in a wooden church at first dedicated to the
Virgin, but which speedily assumed the name of its new patron.
1 The relics of St. Canute, which had been inclosed in a magnificent
shrine after his canonization, were ejected from it at the era of the Re-
formation, but were visited in the years 1582 and 1696, and again dis-
covered, Jan. 24, 1833, in a cavity in the east wall of of the stone church
which had been substituted for the wooden edifice just mentioned.
3 It bears this title : " Translatio S. Nicolai episcopi ex Myra Lycia?
urbe ad Apuliae oppidum Barium vel Barim, scripta ab Jchanne archi-
diacono Barensi jubente Ursone Barensi et Canusino archiepiscopo, circa
annum Domini 1088, apud Surium die nono Maii." There is another
cotemporary account of this translation by Niccphorus, a monk of the
convent of St. Benedict at Bari, published by Falconius in hia Ada
primiyenia S. Nicolai, of which the substance is given by Father Beatillo
of Bari, in his history of St. Nicholas.
A.D. 1087.] BELICS OF ST. NICHOLAS AT MYRA. 385
the information of students who have not seen the arch-
deacon's book, if they condescend to cast an eye on what I
write.
In the time of the emperor Alexius, the Turks and other
infidel nations vented their fury by making an irruption
beyond their frontiers, and, by God's permission, devastated
Lycia and other Christian countries, destroyed the churches
for the sins of the faithful, profaned the crosses, and images,
and sanctuaries of Christ, and gave to the flames a number
of cities with their inhabitants. Their ravages continued
for many years, and multitudes of Christians fell a sacrifice
to their cruelty.
During this time Myra, the capital of Lycia,1 fell into the
hands of the Turks, being evacuated by its own citizens, for
the punishment of their sins. Meanwhile, some people of
Bari, who were on their way to Antioch, in three ships,2
for the purpose of trade, approaching joyfully to the huts
which some of the Myrians occupied, sent forward a certain
pilgrim to the church of St. Nicholas, which stands in the
town,3 to make observations. On his return he reported
that a great number of Turks were assembled to perform
the obsequies of the head man of the town, who then lav
dead. On hearing this, the Barians forthwith set sail, and
tumiug the prows of their vessels towards Antioch, having
a favourable wind, they reached Myra 4 in the course of a few
1 This conquest of Lycia by Solyman must have occurred at the time
when he overran Caramania, that is, in 1084 and 1085. It appears that
Myra was not taken till 1086.
3 Sixty persons were embarked in the three ships, viz. forty-seven
inhabitants of Bari (among whom were two priests and a clerk, the others
being merchants and armed mariners), a pilgrim, and twelve foreign
passengers. The ships were on their voyage to Antioch with cargoes of
wheat, lor which they were to receive in return the products of the East
for the merchants of Bari. On the voyage they fell in with eleven other
vessels engaged in the same trade, whose crews, like their own, had resolved
on carrying off the relics of St. Nicholas.
3 This church, which is now deserted and used only as a burying place,
with the adjoining convent inhabited by a few caloyers, are all that remains
of the town of the middle ages. Plans and drawings of them are given in
the Atlas of M. Charles Texier's Travels. The caloyers pretend that they
are in possession of the remains of their patron saint.
* This reading should clearly be Antioch. Having found there the
Venetian ship, the Barians, as soon as they discovered the intentions of the
crew, hurried their own departure in order to reach Myra before them.
VOL. II. C C
386 ORDEB.ICUS TITALIS. [B. Til. CH.7CII.
days. Finding there a ship from Venice, the crews began,
as people are wont, to inquire of each other for news. It
happened that among the men from Bari, there were some
friends and acquaintances of the Venetians, and they began
talking together about the body of the saint. The Venetians
made no reserve in disclosing their intentions, acknow-
ledging that they were furnished with iron crowbars and
hammers ; and they hastened to take their dinner in order
that there might be no delay in carrying their purpose into
execution. The Barians, on learning this, were the more
resolved to engage in and complete the enterprise which
they likewise had determined on, not so much for their own
glory and honour, nor for the advantage of their country,
as for the love they bore to so eminent a confessor. They
therefore hastened to complete the business which had drawn
them to Antioch, and then, under God's guidance, set sail
on their return. But when they drew near the coast of
Myra with a favourable wind, their zeal flagged and they
would have sailed onward, had it not changed to the north
and become contrary by Grod's providence.1 The south wind
failing, the mariners of Bari were forced to come to anchor.
Learning from thence the Divine will, they immediately
seized their arms, and leaving a small party to guard the
ships in their absence, the rest,2 being well armed, and using
the same precautions as if they had to encounter an enemy,
proceeded in a body to the church, which stood about three
miles from the shore. At length they reached the enclosure
surrounding the church, and, laying down their arms, entered
the sacred building with deep humility, and began to
address their prayers to the holy bishop. Having finished
their devotions, they demanded of the sacristan where the
body of St. Nicholas was deposited.3 Accordingly he
pointed out the spot, and drawing out a portion of the
1 The wind being, at first, favourable for their homeward voyage to
Bari, they were unwilling to lose the opportunity of prosecuting it, but
changing to the north, it drove them to the coast of Myra, and they were
induced to resume their original design.
* To the number of forty-seven, it may be supposed all the crew who
belonged to Bari.
3 It appears that the convent stood apart, but not far distant, from the
houses; un pezzetto, ae the Italian author says. Therj were four monks,
not three, ns Ordericus states.
A.D. 1087.] THE EABIASS PI£BLOIN THE RELICS. 387
holy liquor, gave it to them. Thereupon, Lupus, a priest of
Bari, received the holy unguent in a glass bottle, and
deposited it on a high shelf for its safe preservation ; but it
chanced that while they were conversing, the bottle fell on
the marble pavement, but was not broken, remaining unin-
jured, to the wonder of all present. Meanwhile, the
Barians began to confer with three monks who remained
there to guard the relics, trying to seduce them from their
duty : " We wish," they said, " to bear off this holy body,
and transport it to our own country. "We are come here in
three ships, commissioned by the pope of Borne to effect
this. If you will consent to our doing it, we will give you
a hundred pieces of gold from each ship."
On hearing this the monks were struck with surprise and
alarm, and replied : " How shall we dare to engage in an
enterprise which no human being has yet attempted with
impunity ? Who is there so audacious as to venture to be
either the buyer or seller in such a traffic ? What is there so
precious and so admirable as to be put in comparison with
so vast a treasure ? l If the rulers of the earth have never
attempted such an enterprise rashly, however they may
have urged it with prayer and supplications, how can you
succeed ? Relinquish the further prosecution of this
impious design, for it is ddious to the Divine Majesty.
But you may make the trial; behold the place!" They
said this, believing that it was impossible for the Barians to
effect their purpose ; for it was nearly two hundred Olym-
piads since the death of St. Nicholas,2 who is said to have
departed during the Nicene council held under Pope Sil-
vester and the emperor Constantiue, and hitherto no person
had been able either to purloin by stealth, or obtain by
open violence or by prayers to the Lord, any portion of his
relics. The men of Bari now began to be alarmed, for they1
were in a strange place, they were few among many, the
1 Our author's nurrative abounds with accounts not only of the extreme
value attached to the relics of saints in the middle ages, but of the unscru-
pulous means constantly resorted to for obtaining possession of things
esteemed so holy.
* The exact date of the death of St. Nicholas cannot be ascertained.
Since the council of Nice, there had now been one hundred and ninety
Olympiads and a half, which, consisting each of four years, makes 762
years.
c c 2
388 OEDEBICUS YITALIS. [*B.YII. CH.XII.
sun was near setting, and their return to the ships was
attended with danger. But, divinely supported, they first
seized the monks and kept them closely guarded, and also
.sent out videttes with great caution, to observe all who
might approach the spot, while they stationed themselves in
arms at regular distances to guard the avenues. Thus, forty-
four1 young men, full of courage, were ready to make a
determined resistance without, while two priests, Lupus
and Grimoald, with a few others, were doing what was
necessary in the church, and began the prayers called lita-
nies; but they were in such a state of alarm that their
voices faltered in the service they had commenced.
Meanwhile Matthew, one of the mariners,2 manfully
seized an iron mallet, and striking violently the marble
pavement, shattered it, and discovered masonry under it,
which being broken up and thrown out, the face of a
marble urn quickly appeared. This discovery filled them
with joy and inspired them with ardour to dig still deeper,
so that, having rent asunder and reduced to fragments the
joints of the ancient masonry with a small pickaxe, they threw
out the rubbish in great haste. When this had been cleared
out and the urn3 was uncovered, one side of it being broken
an exquisite odour exuded which intoxicated "all who were
present with its delicious fragrance. The young man then
inserting his hand only at first, the urn, which was of consider-
able size, appeared to be full of liquor as iar as the middle.
He then thrust in his right arm, and, feeling the invaluable
treasure which it was the object of his most ardent wishes
to secure, began fearlessly to extract it without loss of time.
At last in searching for the head, he plunged bodily into
the full urn, and groping about with his hands and feet
while endeavouring to find it, he came out with his whole
person and his garments dripping with the sacred liquid.
1 The whole number of the armed crew mustered only forty-seven, and
from these must be deducted the two priests and the clerk, with the " few
others " who entered the church with them, BO that forty-four is too high a
figure for the guard left without. ,
- In the original legend this Matthew is described as a very young man,
and is said to have drawn his sword and threatened to kill the monks if
thev did not comply with the demands of his comrades.
8 Pila. It is afterwards called an urn. It appears to have been a sarco-
phagus of white marble.
1087.] THE EELIC8 OF ST. NICHOLAS BKOUGHT TO BAKI. 389
This took place on the twelfth of the calends of May
[April 20th],1 nearly eight hundred years after the death of
St. Nicholas.
And now, as they were not prepared with any receptacle
for the relios, so sudden and unexpected was their success,
the Barians wrapped them as well as they could in the
vestment of Lupus,2 and followed him in procession as he
carried the holy burden. Thus they hastened to the sea-
side, giving thanks to God for the inestimable prize which
they had snatched, not from an enemy's hands, but from
the treasury of the Lord. Some of them also carried away
the fragments of the broken urn, from which many altars
and tables were consecrated by the bishops in several parts
of Italy. "When they reached the port, a contention arose
among the sailors as to which of the ships should bear the
precious freight, for all were desirous of securing the com-
panionship of so powerful a patron. At last it was settled,
with general concurrence, that Matthew's ship should carry
the treasure, he first taking a solemn oath that he would
faithfully keep company with the rest ; which was the case.
Upon this, they embarked full of joy, and wrapping the
relics in an additional covering of new white cloth, they
enclosed them in a wooden vessel, such as sailors use for a
wine-cask.3 It is needless to describe the grief of the people
of Myra for the loss they had sustained, when they w-ere
informed of what had happened. As soon as the report
reached their ears in the town, which stands on a hill not
more than a mile from the church,* they nocked together in
1 April 20, 1087.
* The relios were wrapped in a white vestment belonging to Grimoald,
not Lupus; probably his alb or surplice. According to the narrative of
Nicephorus, the sailors attempted to carry off a picture of the saint which
stood upon the altar, but were unable to detach it. The white vestment
with which the relics were covered during the voyage was afterwards
partod among several cathedral churches in Italy, as well as all the frag-
ments of the lid 6f the sarcophagus on which the party could lay their
hands.
3 Beatillo calls it " una piccola botta a portar acqua."
* This does not agree with the previous statement, that the church was
in the town or its suburbs ; but in that case it would have been hardly
possible that such an outrage could have been committed without the
inhabitants being alarmed, and running to rescue the relics of their patron
from the violence ottered to them.
390 OEDEUICUS VITALIS. [B.VII. C1I.XII.
crowds, and hastened to the shore full of rage and grief,
tearing their hair and beards, and, wailing for the loss
of their pastor and patron, joined with one accord in a
mournful chant :
>Vh wretched day ! Ah foul disgrace !
Ah sad dishonour to our race !
The gift of God, the glorious prize,
Has vanished from our longing eyes.
Not lost upon the battle-field,
By thronging numbers forced to yield,
But ravished by a skulking crew,
(Alas ! the deed was done by few).
We wail our country's treasure gone,
Too easily by pirates won.
Where now our Lycia's proudest boast,
Her fame renowned o'er every coast,
The strength her sainted patron gave,
The glory shed around his grave ?
Mourn, Myrians, mourn, this day of gloom,
The offerings lost, the rifled tomb !
O FATHER NICHOLAS, hast thou left
Thy country and thy home bereft
Of the, fond care and sheltering aid
Thou gav'st her, for her homage paid,
When raging foes around her prest,
And storms of trouble her distrest.
For this, thy home, thy native soil,
Beheld thee through life's lengthened coil,
In youth, in age, her fortunes share ;
She thy beloved, thy flock, thy care,
Hanging upon thy every word.
And thou her pastor, patron, lord.
Here pilgrims flocked from every shore
Thy intercession to implore ;
Before thy tomb their offerings laid,
And sought in faith thy healing aid.
But when the sad report is spread,
Of rifled shrine and spirit fle.i, «
Who then our hallowed courts will throng,
With votive gifts, and prayer, and song ?
The wonders wrought, the ancient glory,
Will only fill the page of story.
And now, O shepherd, who shall keep
From ravening wolves thy faithful sheep ?
Deprived of thee, our guardian, guide,
Our hope, our comfort, and our pride,
Where shall we turn to find relief
From shame and suffering, fear and grief !
A..D. 10S7.J THE LAMENT OF THE MYBIANS. ' 391
VVoe to the base marauding band,
Who dared with sacrilegious hand
To violate the sacred soil,
And bear away the holy spoil !
Alas ! alas ! a glorious prize
Rewarded their bold enterprise ;
But we, forlorn and desolate,
Are left to mourn our hapless fate.1
While the Myrians, unable to avenge their grief, were
giving utterance to it in loud lamentations, the exulting
Barians quickly unmoored, and setting sail reached the
island of Cacabus2 the same night, from whence they con-
tinued their course to the Magestran islands.3 Here the
crew took to their oars in urgent haste, and reaching the
shores of Makry,4 were detained there three days by contrary
north winds. This caused them great uneasiness, and they
began to doubt their really having on board the relics of St.
Nicholas, or whether it was the saint's pleasure to be
transported further by them. Then one of them, whose
name was Eustace,* had his doubts removed by a dream, but
was terrified by seeing in the vision his tongue bloody with
the bites of leeches.
In consequence all the crews, with general consent,
brought into the common stock the minute fragments of the
1 The pains bestowed in illustration of our author's account of the
translation of the relics of St. Nicholas may appear misspent But it
must be recollected how characteristic it is of the feelings and habits of
the middle ages; and that, considering it only as a religious romance,
the popular literature of those times was, as 11. Guizot remarks in his
Histoire de la Civilisation, principally composed of such legends. The
present narrative, however, has an intrinsic value from the vividness with
which the details of a bold enterprise are presented to the reader.
* The isle of Kakava, the Dolichistos of the ancients, not far from
Myra, to the south-west.
3 Probably the island of Megista, to the west of Kakava, with the
numerous islets surrounding it. This island, which was also named
Cisthenes, is now called Castelorizo or Cailelrosso. The ships of Bari
•ought anchorage there, the island of Kakava not offering it. From thence
they made Patara, the country of St. Nicholas, " come se avesse voluto
egli," says Father Beatillo, " prima di Venire in Italia, visitar la sua partria,
e prenderne, come si dice, grata licenza." Patara is near the mouth of
the Xanthus, to the W.N.W. of Castelorizo.
* The Gulf of Makry (the Glaucus Sinus of the ancients), to the
N.N.W., is very near Patara. Makry is the Tetmistus of the ancients.
* Stafio (Eustace) Stanuaria, of a distinguished family in Ban.
392 OBDEEICITS TITALIS. [B.TII. CH.XII.
relics they had individually purloined, making solemn
asseverations that they retained no portion of what they
had thus appropriated. Eomoald produced two teeth and
some small bones which he had concealed, and in like
manner all the rest surrendered the various particles they
had secretly taken, that they might be re-united with the
other parts of the saint's remains. After this, the adven-
turers were favoured with a fair wind, and while their keels
were ploughing the wide sea, St. Nicholas appeared in a
dream to one of the sailors, Disigio by name, and gave him
the encouraging promise that they should enter the port of
Bari on the twentieth day after that on which they had
borne off his relics. The report of this vision to his ship-
mates filled them with entire confidence.
A little bird also was suddenly seen by the -sailors flitting
about the ship, and inspired them with hope by its repeated
visits.1 They were also frequently sensible of a most fragrant
odour, and encouraged by other delightful indications of
the saint's presence, so that as they drew near to the shores
of their own country their spirits were raised to a high pitch
of joy and exultation.
At length piloted by the providence of God, the mariners
moored their vessels in the port of St. George, distant some
five miles from the walls of Bari.2 Announcing their
arrival to the clergy and people of the place, the unexpected
news threw the whole city into a tumult of delight, and the
entire population of every age and both sexes flocked to the
port. Meanwhile the mariners had entrusted the coffer5
1 The sailors considered this bird an apparition of St. Nicholas.
* The port of St. George, about four miles to the E.S.E. of Bari,
affords now only anchorage to vessels of small burden. It is the nearest
place of anchorage, after Bari, in this direction. We need not be surprised
at finding a place which is now only a roadstead, described as a port in the
middle ages. It is the natural consequence of the deposits made by the
sea, and the gradual increase of the land, on all this part of the coast.
Porto San Giorgio must not be mistaken for another anchorage, called
Torre di San Giorgio, on the same coast, two miles east of Monopoli.
The three ships arrived in the port of St. George on the evening of Satur-
day, the 8th of May.
* During the voyage the relics were transferred from the cask which had
served at first to hold them, into a wooden chest made expressly for that
purpose, and the remains of which were preserved with great care to the
cKse ol the seventeenth centuiy, — probably to the present day.
RECEPTION OF THE RELICS OF ST. NICHOLAS AT BAR!. 393
containing the relics to Elias, the devout abbot of the
monastery of St. Benedict which stands near the harbour,
and receiving with respect the sacred deposit, he and his
monks placed it in their church on the ninth of the month
of May and there carefully guarded it three days.1
At that time Urso, archbishop of Bari,2 a pious prelate,
acceptable to God, and the intimate acquaintance and friend
of the Italian princes, was absent from his see. A ship
had been equipped and was ready for sea at Irani,3 and the
archbishop had determined to embark on the morrow with
the intention of undertaking a voyage to offer his devotions
at Jerusalen. He was, however, met at Trani by a
messenger with letters from the citizens of Bari informing
hirn of the intelligence which had filled them with joy. In
consequence Urso deferred his pilgrimage without hesitation,
and lost no time in returning to Bari, highly rejoicing. The
body was then transported by the townsmen to that city, the
solemnity of the translation being fixed for the seventh of
the ides [the 9th] of May. It was carried at first to the
palace of the Catapan,4 and there deposited, with great
reverence, at the request of the mariners and all the
citizens in the church of St. Stephen the proto-martyr,
which had been erected by the archbishop three years
before.5
1 Here our author's narrative is very incomplete. The ships were
moored in the port of Bari in the morning of Sunday, the 9tn of May,
which was in the octave of the Ascension. Violent disputes then arose as
to the disposal of the relics, which were terminated, for the present, by the
offer of abbot Elias to take charge of them provisionally, and they were
accordingly deposited in the church of St. Benedict, before the close of the
same day, and rested there till the Thursday following.
" Urso, archbishop of Bari and Canosa, June, 107U — Feb. 14, 1089.
8 Trani, an arrhiepiscopal city in the kingdom of Naples, on the"
Adriatic, nine leagues to the north-west of Bari.
* " Curia Catapana." Beatillo calls this residence Curia del Capitano,
the palace of the Catapan, as the governor, who resided at Bari, in the last
days of the Greek empire in Italy, was called. It stood on the sea-shore.
* The archbishop, who arrived from Trani on the Sunday evening, was
zealous in his endeavours to have the relics of St. Nicholas deposited in his
cathedral; but the mariners and their friends, after a struggle which cost
the lives of two youths, carried off their precious deposit about ten o'clock
on Thursday morning by a private door, and lodged it in the palace of the
Catapan. The oxen which drew the carriage, frightened by the tumult,
turned out of the road, and made towards the sea. The spot on the shore
891 OKDEEICTTS VITALTS. [B.VII. CH.XII.
The foundations of a church dedicated expressly to St.
Nicholas were immediately laid, and the holy relics, with the
offerings of the faithful, and the carrying on of the work
were entrusted to the venerable abbot Elias, who was
appointed overseer of the whole undertaking by general
consent, with the approbation of the archbishop. Multitudes
speedily flocked to the spot from all parts of Italy, and
innumerable signs and miracles were daily wrought by the
power of God. The very first day, while the holy relics
were deposited, as it has been just related, in the church of
St. Benedict, more than thirty sick persons of both sexes and
every age were freed from various infirmities, and having
recovered perfect health returned with hearts full of joy
and uttering thanksgivings, to their own homes. As for
the succeeding times, we shall not attempt to give a par-
ticular account, or to reckon the numbers, of the demoniacs,
the deaf, lame, dumb, and blind, with others suffering from
a variety of disorders, who were effectually relieved and
cured. In short, as we have before clearly intimated, the
number is infinite and beyond our knowledge.1
John, archdeacon of Bari, of whom I have already spoken
where they stopped was afterwards selected as the site of the high altar in
the new church, and to commemorate this circumstance two oxen and a
car of white marble were sculptured over the door. From this place the
coffer was borne on the shoulders of priests to the palaqe, and placed in a
church built three years before, and dedicated to St. Stephen. Here they
were again entrusted to the care of abbot Elias, as well as the rich offerings
which devotion and gratitude soon poured in from all quarters.
1 The superintendence of the building a new church was also confided
to abbot Elias, and he pushed forward the work with such activity, that as
early as the 30th of September, 1089, Pope Urban II. was able to come and
consecrate the lower church and altar, where the relics of St. Nicholas were
deposited. Two days afterwards he ordained the pious abbot, who had
been his fellow scholar in the monastery of La Cava, as archbishop of Bari.
It was in this church that the same pope opened, on the 1st of October,
1099, the celebrated council in which were discussed the controverted points
between the Latin and Greek churches, and especially the procession of
the Holy Ghost. The distinguished part which Anselm, the Norman
archbishop of Canterbury, took in these weighty theological discussions, is
well known. It appears that the zeal with which the building the upper
church had been carried on was afterwards relaxed, for it was not until the
22nd of June, 1199, a century afterwards, that by delegation of Pope
Pascal II., it was consecrated by Conrad, bishop of Heldesheim and chan-
cellor of the Aulic Council of the emperor Henry IV.
ABOUT 1090.] EELIC OF ST. NICHOLAS AT VENOSA. 395
and from whose book I have made this brief extract,
enumerates distinctly twelve signal miracles. But it was
not in his power, or that of any other writer, to hand down
to posterity all the cures and other benefits which Almighty
God has conferred in his mercy on his servants faithfully
imploring it for the merits of the most holy bishop St.
Nicholas from that time to the present. Afterwards, by
God's permission, several churches obtained portions of the
sacred relics of St. Nicholas, and not only Italians and
Greeks, but other nations also give thanks to God for the
precious deposit. One Christopher, a knight, who had
assisted at the translation of the illustrious Nicholas, con-
cealed one of the ribs in his sleeve, and not long afterwards
falling sick retired to the monastery of Venosa, imploring
the abbot Berenger to admit him as a monk. Having
obtained his request, he presented the rib of St. Nicholas
which he had in his possession to the abbey of the Holy
Trinity, and was cured of his malady.
CH. XIII. Some relics of St. Nicholas carried from Sari to
Venosa — Also, by William Pantoul, a Norman knight, to
Noron.
ABOUT the same time, Stephen, the chanter of the monas-
tery which the elder Count Fulk erected to the honour of
of St. Nicholas in the city of Angers,1 went to Apulia, and
by express permission of the lord Natalis, his abbot,
divested himself of the monastic habit and lived as a clerk
at Bari, where he established familiarity, and afterwards
influence, with the sacristans of the church dedicated to the
holy bishop. At length, watching hie opportunity, he
secretly purloined an arm of St. Nicholas, which, set in
silver, was kept outside the shrine, for the purpose of giving
the benediction to the people.* He then attempted to
withdraw into France, that he might enrich his own monas-
1 This abbey had been founded by Fulk Nerra in 1020.
2 The custom of removing an arm from the skeleton of a saint, to place
it in a special reliquary, existed also in Normandy. The arm of St.
Aubert at Mont St. Michael was not only used in giving the benediction,
but also to sanction oaths taken upon it. The magnificent chartulary
of this abbey contains many nets in which this formality is mentioned,
and on some of its beautiful illuminations there are drawings of the
reliquary so used.
896 OEDERICUS VITALI8. [B.VI1. CH.XIII.
tery with the precious treasure. The people o£ "Bari,
however, speedily discovering the loss they had sustained,
despatched messengers to their neighbours, their friends and
patrons, and had all the avenues on the road to France
carefully guarded to prevent the thief s escape. Notwith-
standing, Stephen reached Venosa safely, where he passed
the winter in great alarm, trying to conceal himself; but while
waiting for the spring to bring fair weather he fell sick, and
his means of subsistence failing he was compelled to detach
the silver from the holy relic and apply it for his support.
Meanwhile the report that the arm of St. Nicholas was
stolen by the French spread through the whole of Italy and
Sicily, and the robbery becoming the subject of frequent
conversation, and being much canvassed among the peo-
ple, the silver covering was seen and recognized by some
of the inhabitants of Venosa and servants of the convent.
The tidings thus reached the ears of the monks, whereupon
Erembert, an active brother, suddenly presented himself
with the servants before the ex-monk, who was lying sick,
and with great vehemence, demanded the arm of St.
Nicholas as if it had been expressly committed to his charge.
The sick, man, perceiving that he was detected, and not
knowing where to turn in his emergency, all pale and
trembling, produced the precious relic to the resolute monk,
who joyfully seizing it, carried it to the abbey of the Holy
Trinity, the monks and citizens returning thanks to God.
To this day, St. Nicholas there miraculously succours in
their several necessities those who faithfully implore his
aid in virtue of the sacred relic. This Erembert, a Norman
by birth, was before his conversion a brave soldier, and after-
wards becoming a monk was a zealous member of his order.
In these times a certain Norman knight, named William
Pantoul,1 betook himself to Apulia, and having a great
respect for St. Nicholas, made diligent inquiries after his
relics. By God's blessing on his endeavours he obtained
from those who had translated the body one tooth and two
fragments of the marble urn. William Pantoul was a
gallant soldier, endowed with great talents, and well known
1 A further accunt of William Pantoul, or Pantulf, will be found in
book v. c. 16. It appears that he undertook this (his second) journey to
Apulia after the death of King William. See btfore, pp. 208 — 21 1.
A.D. 1092.] RELICS OF ST. NICHOLAS IK NOEMANDT, 397
among the nobles of England and Italy as one of the
wisest and richest among his neighbours. Having obtained
the tooth of so great a man, he returned to Normandy, and
on an appointed day called together a number of persons at
his own domain called Noron to receive the relics in a
worthy manner.
Accordingly, in the year of our Lord 1092, the tooth of
the blessed confessor Nicholas, with other relics of the saints
brought by William Pantulf from Apulia, was deposited
with great reverence in the church of Noron erected in
ancient times in honour of St. Peter. He invited Roger,
abbot of St. Evroult and Ralph, who was at that time abbot
of Seez but who afterwards became archbishop of Canterbury ,'
to be present at the ceremony, and in the month of June
they received the holy relics amid great devotion of the
monks and rejoicings of the laity, carefully placing them in
a silver coffer liberally provided by the before mentioned
knight. The deposit so often spoken of became in frequent
request by persons suffering from fevers and other maladies,
whose devout prayers aided, by the merits of the good
bishop Nicholas obtained what they desired in the recovery
of their health.
Soon afterwards, this knight laid the foundation of a new
church, and having given twenty marks of silver for the
work, completed a considerable part of the building.
Unfortunately its progress was stopped by unfavourable
events, and in consequence of the founder's death it was
not finished. He died on the sixteenth of the calends of May
[16th April], and his wife Lesceline on the eleventh of the
calends of October [21st September] ; both were interred in
the monk's cloister. Their sons Philip, Robert, Ivo, and
Arnulph have not hitherto made any efforts to carry into
execution their parent's designs in matters of religion.2
Having thus introduced a faithful account of the transla-
1 For an account of Ralph d'Ecures, archbishop of Canterbury, see
before, p. '2.51.
a Nearly the same details are given in book v. c. 16. One of these
personages, Robert Pantoul, figures among the robbers of the abbey of
nuns at Caen after the death of King William, and the losses it sustained
by his devastations are valued in the chartulary at six pounds of silver.
From this conduct, it may be easily conceived that he was in no hurry to
complete the religious establishments commenced by his parents.
398 ORDEBICTTS TITALI8. [B.TII. CH.XIT.
tion of the relics of St. Nicholas in this my work I devoutly
implore him who worked so many miracles, that mindful of
those who have had him in remembrance, his pity may be
bestowed upon us while he continually intercedes with Grod
on our behalf. Let us now return to the course of our
history, from which I have somewhat digressed.
CH. XIV. Disturbances on the banks of the Eure in the Vexin
— Account of the cession of that district by Henry I. oj
France to Robert, duke of Normandy — King William's
expedition to recover it — He burns the town of Mantes
— and falls mortally sick.
[1087.] The old funds between the Normans and Trench
being renewed, hostilities again burst forth, and the flames
of war occasioned the most serious losses both to the clergy
and laity. For Hugh, suruamed Stavel, and Ralph Malvoi-
sin,1 and other inhabitants of the fortified town of Mantes
took up arms against King William, and collecting a large
band of freebooters made frequent predatory excursions into
Normandy. Crossing in the night, at the head of their
troops, the river Eure which divides Normandy from France,*
they threw themselves unexpectedly on the diocese of Evreux
determined on committing the most cruel devastations. The
brunt of the inroad fell on the domains of "William de Breteuil
in the neighbourhood of Paci, and those of Roger de Ivri,3
from which they drove off herds of cattle, and carried away
many prisoners, so that deriding the Normans, they were be-
yondmeasure elated at their success. This inducedthe warlike
King William, who was excessively enraged, to lay claim to
the whole province of the Vexin, requiring Philip, king of
France, to surrender Pontoise, Chaumont,4 and Mantes, and
making terrible threats against his enemies if he was not
1 S_»e book v. c. 19.
* It is very probable that at a remote period the Eure, during a great
part of its course, formed the boundary between Evreux and that portion
of the territory of the Carnutes which is near to Mantes, but in the
eleventh century, as in the eighteenth, such was not the case, except be-
t-.veen St. Georges- sur- Eure and Garennes.
8 Paci, Ivri, both places on the left bank of the Eure. Roger d'lvri
was butler to William the Conqueror. See before, pp. 109, 2.13.
* Chaumont in the Vexin.
A.D. 1032.] THE VEII3T CEDED TO DTJZE EOBEET. 309
restored to his lawful rights. The grounds of his claim were
as follows.
King Henry, son of Kobert king of France, after the death
of his father, was heir to the crown as his eldest son, but he
was opposed with a step-mother's hatred by Queen Constance
who used every effort to elevate his brother, Robert duke of
Burgundy, to the throne of France in his place. Henry
therefore, by the advice of Amauri, lord of Montfort, son of
William de Hainault, came with twelve attendants to
Fecamp,1 and humbly besought the assistance of Robert
duke of Normandy, in the state of misery and exile to which
his mother's perfidy had reduced him. The duke gave him
an honourable reception befitting his lawful right as suzerain
of the duchy, and liberally entertained him during the
celebration of the feast of Easter. He then assembled the
forces of Normandy from every quarter, and making a hasty
irruption into France, assaulted Orleans with Norman
impetuosity and set fire to and burnt the place. Having
lowered the pride of the French by inflicting on them
immense losses, Robert restored the young king to his throne.
Thus reinstated, King Henry returned thanks to the duke,
and for his service ceded to him the whole of the Vexin from
the river Oise to the Epte. Dreux, the count of that pro-
vince,2 assented willingly to this arrangement, and doing
homage to the duke served him faithfully as long as he lived.3
Both the duke and the count were distinguished for their
merits, their regard was mutual, and each delighted to
honour the other and advance his friend's interests.
Dreux, as I have before remarked, was descended from
Charlemagne, king of the Franks.4 Duke Robert had given
him in marriage his cousin G-oda,5 sister of Edward, king of
England, by whom he had the Counts Ralph and Walter, and
the venerable Fulk, bishop of Amiens.6 The young princess
1 This journey of Henry I. to Fecamp was undertaken in the month o
March, 1032. Easter fell that year on the 2nd of April.
Dreux, count of the Vexin, about 1027—1035.
1032— June, 1035.
By his mother Alice, or Adele, daughter of Herbert, comte de Senlia.
Edith, or Goda, sister of Edward the Confessor.
Walter, only, was count after his father; there is no trace in history of
Ralph, who must have been the second son. Our autbr omits Amauri
de Pontoise, called the Delicate. ,
400 OBDERICUS VTTALT8. [B.TII. CH.XIV.
had become an exile in Normandy with her brother, at the
time when Canute, king of Denmark had taken forcible
possession of England, having expelled the two heirs to the
crown, Alfred and Edward, and cut off by the treason of
Edric Prince Edmund, and Edwin, the presumptive heir.1
After some years, on the death of Duke Robert at Nice, a
city of Bithynia, the Norman barons revolted against
William, who was then a boy ; for when his father set out
on his pilgrimage to Jerusalem in company with Count
Dreux, William was only eight years old,2 and was entrusted
to the guardianship of his cousin Alan, count of Brittany.3
Robert and Dreux dying,son their journey, and Alan being
carried off by poison treacherously administered by the
Normans while he was besieging Montgomery, their heirs
became iniquitously deprived of their natural protector, so
that King Henry, by the advice of the French who are
always at variance with the Normans, was able to take
advantage of it, and re-annex the country of the Vexin,
which he afterwards retained in, his own power. William
was at that time prevented from asserting his rights, on
account of his youth ; and afterwards being occupied with
more important affairs in Maine and England, he suffered the
matter to drop, and deferred^ taking up arms for the recovery
of the Vexin against Philip, his liege-lord, or his son Philip.
At length, twenty-one years after he had ascended the
throne of England, William addressed his claims to the
county of the Vexin to Philip, king of France. That prince
however adopted the frivolous subterfuges suggested by the
insurgents, and treated with contempt, and altogether dis-
regarded, the demands of the English king. Upon this,
William made his appearance suddenly before Mantes, at
the head of an army, in the last week of the month of July,*
and his troops entered the city mixed with the .garrison.
For the townsmen had stolen out of the place to observe the
1 " Edwinum Clitonem." See vol. i. p. 147.
"He was between seven and eight years of age at his father's death, for
William was not sixty when he died, the 9th of September, 1087. He
was, therefore, born at the latter part of 1027, or the beginning of 1028.
1 Alan III., duke of Brittany, died of poison at Viraoutiers the 1st of
October, 1040.
* This week begaji on Sunday, the 25th of July.
A.D. 1087.] WILLIAM THE CONQTJEBOB's LAST ILLNESS. 401
devastations which Ascelin Goel1 had made with the Norman
troops the day before the king's arrival, by burning the
standing corn, and rooting up the vines. The royal army
thus rushing in pell-mell with the garrison, passed the gates,
and in their fury set fire to the castle, which was burnt, with
the churches and houses.2 It was there that King William,
who was very corpulent, fell sick from the excessive heat and
his great fatigues,3 languishing six weeks with severe
sufferings. There were some who rejoiced at this calamity,
hoping to have free scope for pillage and robbing their
neighbours' substance, others, who looked for security in
peace, greatly feared the death of their lord, on whom it
depended. The king, who during his whole life had followed
the advice of wise counsellors, had feared God as became his
faithful servant, and had been the* unwearied protector of
holy mother church, maintained his exalted reputation to the
end. His death was worthy of his life. To 'the very last,
through all his illness, his intellect was clear and his
conversation lively; repenting of his sins he confessed them
to the priests of God, and humbly strove to appease his
wrath according to the rites of the Christian church. The
bishops, abbots, and men of religion never left him, and were
indefatigable in opening to the dying prince the salutary
doctrines of eternal life. The noise of Rouen, which is a
populous place, becoming insupportable to the sufferer, the
king gave orders that he should be conveyed out of the city
to the church of St. Gervase, standing on a hill to the west,4
1 For Ascelin Goel, lord of Breval, see before, p. 237.
1 The Conqueror was severely reproached for having set fire to this
place, and even burnt the churches, and it appears to have weighed on his
conscience in his last hours. But the circumstance which most roused the
public indignation, was the cruel death of two nuns (Malmsbury says one
only), " who did not think it justifiable to quit their cells even under such
an emergency." We know how profound was the sympathy inspired by
such recluses in the pious generations of the middle ages.
3 Ordericus speaks very vaguely of the accident which caused the death
of William, but we know from other authorities that the king, who was
very corpulent, was seriously injured in the bowels by the pommel of the
saddle as his horse was leaping a ditch.
* That is to say, in the priory attached to this church. St. Gervase was
originally only an oratory raised by the piety of the faithful over the
tombs of the first two bishops of Rouen, St. Mellon and St. Avicien,
whose tombs are still shown under two low arches in the crypt St.
VOL, II. D D
402 OKDEBICUS TITALT8. [B.VII. Cn.XIV.
which his grandfather, Duke Richard, had given to the
monastery of Fecamp. There, Gilbert, bishop of Lisieux,1
and Guntard, abbot of Jumieges,2 with some others, well
skilled in medicine, carefully watched over him, devoting
themselves zealously to their master's welfare, both spiritual
and temporal.
At length, his disorder continually increasing, and
perceiving that inevitable death was becoming imminent, he
became anxious about the future, which was veiled from his
sight, reflecting on which with deep concern, he was
frequently moved to sighs and groans. He summoned to his
side his sons William Rufus and Henry, who were in.
attendance on him with some of his friends, and gave them
many wise and prudent directions for the regulation of hia
states. Robert, his eldest son, had long since entered on a
course of repeated quarrels with his father, and had recently
taken umbrage in consequence of some new follies, and
retired to the court of the king of France.
The wise king hastened to make provision for the future
welfare of himself and others, ordering all his treasures to be
distributed among the churches^ the poor, and the ministers
of God. He exactly specified the amount to be given to
each, and gave directions to the notaries to reduce it to
writing in his own presence. He also contritely sent large
donations to the clergy of Mantes, to be applied to the
restoration of the churches he had burnt. He gave
admonitions to all who were present relative to the
maintenance of justice and good faith, keeping the law of
God and peace, the privileges of the churches, and observing
the rules o£ the fathers. His eloquent discourse, worthy to
be held in everlasting remembrance, and at times interrupted
b*y tears, was to the~following effect.
Victrix, it is believed, having obtained some relics of St. Gervase and St.
Proteus (discovered by St. Ambrose in 386), placed this church under
their invocation. It is at least certain that the crypt is the most ancient
Christian monument in Normandy. Roman bricks are built into the wall.
Duke Richard II. gave this church to the abbey of Fecamp. The priorv
erected by the monks, and in which King William breathed his last, stood
to the south of the church.
1 Gilbert Maminot, bishop of Lisieux, 1077 — August, 1101. See
an excellent account of this prelate in book v. p. 117, &c., of the present
volume.
2 GouUird, abbot of Jumiegcs, 1078— November 26, 1095.
A.D. 1087.] THE CONQUEROR'S DYINQ WOEDS. 403
CH. XV. Discourse of King William the Conqueror on Jiis
death-bed, in ivhich he recapitulates the principal events of
his life — His disposition of his treasure and states.
" I tremble," he said, " my friends, when I reflect on the
grievous sins which burden my conscience, and now about
to be summoned before the awful tribunal of God, I know
not what I ought to do. I was bred to arms from my child-
hood, and am stained with the rivers of blood I have shed.
It is out of my power to enumerate all the injuries which I
have caused during the sixty-four1 years of my troublesome
life, for which I am now called to render account without
delay to the most righteous Judge. At the time my father
went into voluntary exile, entrusting to me the duchy of
Normandy, I was a mere youth of the age of eight years,
and from that time to this I have always borne the weight
of arms. I have now ruled this duchy fifty-six years,*
amidst the difficulties of incessant wars. My own subjects
have often conspired against me, and shamefully exposed me
to serious losses and great injuries. They have perfidiously
put to death Turketil my guardian,3 Osberne, son of Hirfast,4
steward of Normandy ; Count Gilbert, the father of his
country,5 and many others, who were the pillars of the state.
In these trials I had proof of the fidelity of my people :
often by night I was secretly taken from the chamber of
my palace by my uncle Walter,6 through fear of my own
1 This reckoning is inexact, as is shown in a former note, p. 4nO-
Indeed, William just afterwards corrects it himself, saying that he was only
eijjht years old in 1035.
2 For 56 read 52.
* Turketil du Neuf-Marche", son of Geoffry du Neuf-Marche". See
before, vol. i. p. 455, and vol. ii. p. 185. For Hugh de Morimont, who
was killed at the same time, see ib. p. 267.
* Osberne de Cr6pon, surnamed the Pacific, son of Hirfast, and brother
of the Duchess Gonnor, was assassinated at Vaudreuil when sleeping in
the chamber of William, who was yet a child, by William de Montgomery,
eldest son of Roger I. de Montgomery ^ Barnon de Glos, Osborne's
steward, avenged his lord's death by surrounding and setting on fire the
house in which the assassin and his accomplices were.
* William speaks too favourably of Count Gilbert, for notwithstanding
the odious circumstances which attended his death, he received only the
just punishment of his rapacity towards the orphans he had unjustly
rol.bed of their inheritance. See vol. i. p. 391.
6 This person, of whom history furnishes no other notice, appears to
have been a brother of Harlotta, William's mother.
I) D 2
4.04 OEDEEICUS TITALIS. [B.TII. CU.XT.
relations, and conducted to the dwellings and retreats of the
poor, that I might escape from discovery by the traitors who
sought my death.
" The Normans, when under the rule of a kind .but firm
master, are a most valiant people, excelling all others in the
invincible courage with which they meet difficulties, and
strive to conquer every enemy. But under other circum-
stances they rend in pieces and ruin each other. They are
eager for rebellion, ripe for tumults, and ready for ever)'
sort of crime. They must therefore be restrained by the
strong hand of justice, and compelled to walk in the right
way by the reins of discipline. But if they are allowed to
take their own course without any yoke and like an un-
tamed colt, they and their princes will be overwhelmed with
poverty, shame, and confusion. I have learnt this by
much experience. My nearest friends, my own kindred,
who ought to have defended me at all hazards against the
whole world, have formed conspiracies, and rebelling against
me, nearly stripped me of the inheritance of my fathers.
" Guy, son of Reynold, duke of Burgundy,1 by my aunt
Adeliza, returned me evil for good. I had kindly received
him on his arrival from a foreign country, and treated him
with the regard due to an only brother, giving him Vernon,
Brionne,2 and an important part of my Norman territories.
Notwithstanding this, he did all in his power to injure me,
both by word and deed, calling me bastard, degenerate and
unworthy to reign, and defaming me as if I had been his
enemy. Need I add more ? Breaking his fealty, he rebelled
against me, seduced from my service Kanulf de Bayeux,3
Haymon-aux-Dents,* Nigel du Cotentin,4 and many others,
forcing them by his nefarious counsels to be partakers of
his perjury. Regardless therefore of the homage and fealty
which he had sworn to me, he strove to strip me of the
whole of Normandy. Thus, while I was yet a beardless
1 Guy, second son of Reynold, count (not duke) of Burgundy, 1027 —
September 3, 1057, and Adeliza, daughter of Richard IL See vol. i. p.
150.
2 Vernon-sur-Seine, and Brionne.
3 Ranulf de Briquessart, viscount of Bayeux, father of Ranulf, earl of
Chester.
* Haimon-aux-Dents, lord of Torigni, Creuilli, &c.
5 Nigel, or Ne"el de St. Sauveur, vicomte du Cotentin.
A.D. 1087.] THE CONQUEROR'S DYING AVOBDS. 405
youth, I found myself compelled to take up arms against
him, and to fight on the plain of Val-des-Dunes1 against my
cousin and liege man. Then, by the help of G-od,2 the
righteous, judge, I conquered my foes between Caen and
Argences,3 and having, by His permission utterly defeated
them, I obtained entire possession of my paternal rights. I
then laid siege to the fortress of Brionne, in which Guy,
who fled wounded from the field of battle, had shut himself
up, and I did not depart until I had driven the public
enemy out of Normandy, and obtained possession of all his
strong holds.4
" Shortly afterwards a still more grievous calamity befell
me. My uncles, Mauger,5 archbishop of Rouen, and his
brother William,6 to whom I had gratuitously given Arques
and the county of Talou, treated me with contempt as a
bastard, and inducedj King Henry and Engelran, count of
Penthieu, to take up arms against me. I received this in-
1 The battle of Val-es- Dunes, fought in 1047. This name, of which the
roost active researches have failed to discover any trace in the district,
appears to mark a part of the elevated plateau on which stands the church
of Bellengreville, in the neighbourhood of Caen. See also the note, vol. i.
p. 151.
* William appears to have forgotten that he obtained this victory not
only by God's help, but by the powerful assistence of Henry, king of
France, which he implored on his knees at Poissy. Vol. i. p. 1 50.
* Argences, not Argentan, is incontestibly the right reading. See, on
the details of this battle, Wace (t. ii. pp. 27 — 43), who gives them with
great tare and knowledge of the localities. The king of France, who
marched by way of Valmerai, made a circuit round the valley of the river
Semillon, instead of traversing it as William did. The Val-es-Dunes,
surrounded by the river to the south and south-west, is situated in the
parishes of Chichebovelle and Bellengreville.
* We shall see presently that Guy was blockaded in his castle of
Brionne three years before he capitulated. It was not, therefore, till 1050
that this rebellion was extinguished, 'ihe ruins of the keep of the strong
castle of Brionne, surrounded by the Risle> are yet to be seen.
5 Mauger, archbishop of Rouen, 1037 — May, 1055. He was son of
Richard II. and Papia, and must have been very young when he succeeded
his uncle Archbishop Robert. See before, p. 102.
* William Comte de Talou. Arques, near Dieppe, was part of the,
appanage given him by his nephew, and was an important military post
from the time of the arrival of the Normans. But this count must be
considered as the founder of the castle, and he was the first who substituted
the title of Arques for that of Talou. Engelran, count of Ponthieu, was
his brother-in-law.
406 OBDERICTJS YITALIS. [B.VII. CH.XV.
•
telligence in the Cotentin,1 and lost no time in beginning
my march contrary to the opinions of most of my advisers.
Sending forward to Arques some light troops who were
eager for the fray, I followed myself* with the main body,
which was far from considerable, to lay siege to the castle.
But before 1 reached the country between the two rivers,
the Sie and the Garenne, the advanced guard fell in with
Count Engelran pushing forward to occupy the fortress, and
killed him, fighting bravely, for he was a valiant knight, and
routed his squadrons. Pressing the siege closely, I com-
pelled the perjured count to go into banishment, and did
not permit him to return to the domains he lost during all
the days of his life.3 I also, by virtue of a papal decree, de-
posed the insolent archbishop, who neither observed his
fealty to me, nor his duty to God, and raised to the see the
venerable monk Maurilius who was providentially sent from
Florence, an Italian city.4
" Henry, in all the plenitude of his royal power and the
fervour of his chivalrous spirit, has been often seen at the
instigation of my enemies, to trample me under his feet as a
defenceless man, endeavouring to crush me and impose upon
me unjust conditions. He has made frequent irruptions
into my territories at the head of large armies, but he has
never been able to triumph in the spoils and booty he has
gained, or the captives he has made among my subjects. He
has often crossed the frontiers with great military pomp,
and terrible menaces, but he has never returned to his own
kingdom without sorr6w and shame. He has brought in
his train numbers of most valiant men, who, alas ! never
saw their own country again, having fallen by ray sword and
the arms of my followers.
1 The Cotentin was the name given to a district in the extreme north-
west of Normandy, nearly surrounded by the sea, in which was situated
Valognes, one of the residences most frequented by the duke in his early
years.
2 Wace has preserved the names of most of the places through which
the duke passed. He rode so hard that six only of the men-at-arms who
formed his escort when he left Valognes were with him when he arrived
before Arques.
3 This revolt occurred in the year 1053. Further details will be found
in the narratives of William of Jumieges and Wace.
4 For Maurilius, archbishop of Rouen, see before p. 164, anil hia
epitaph, p. 7.
A.D. 1087.] WILLIAM THE COKQTTEllOB's A.CTS. 407
" On one occasion, King Henry, was so enraged against
me, that he invaded my territories with a vast army in two
divisions, in order to overwhelm them by a double attack.1
He led one body of troops himself into the diocese of Evreux,
and ravaged the whole country on this side the Seine, while
ho gave the command of the other division to his brother
Eudes,2 with Eeynold de Clermont, and the two counts,
Ralph de Montdidier,3 and Guy de Ponthieu,4, with orders to
enter Normandy by the fords of the Epte,5 and, carrying fire
and sword through Brai and the Talois, with the whole dis-
trict of Rouen, to continue their devastations to the sea-
1 This double invasion of Normandy by the French was made in the
beginning of spring, 1054, before Lent (February 16). It appears to have
been intended to revenge the ill-success of the former campaign before
Arques.
a Eudes, fourth son of King Robert and Constance, who died without
having been married, appears to have been a prince of slender abilities.
Odo namque uimis stullus erat, is the blunt language of a cotemporary
chronicler.
3 Ralph III., called the Great, comte de Valois and Amiens in 1030, in
right of his father, Ralph II., re-united to it Pontoise, Mantes, and great
part of the Vexin, after the death of his cousin Walter in 1063. See
before, p. 79. He never bore the title of Comte de Montdidier given him
by our author, and only possessed that place by depriving his cousin-
german, Hot ha is daughter and heiress of Eudes, comte de Montdidier of
it. Having married twice, he divorced his second wife to marry the queen,
Anne of Russia, widow of Henry 1. Faithful to his habits of violence
and usurpation, towards the close of his life (about 1071 or 1072) he seized
the castle of Peronne, of which exploit he was so proud that he afterwards
used no other title but that of Ralph de P^ronne. He died at Montdidier,
Sept. 8, 1074, under excommunication for his divorce, and was buried in
the priory of Notre-Dame in that town.
Simon de Cr^pi, his son and successor, led a life as pure and holy as
that of Ralph had been violent and criminal. One of his first cares was
to restore Montdidier to the right heirs, and to disinter his father's body,
and have it conveyed to his own patrimony at Cre'pi. This exhumation
was made on March 22, 1076. Simon, who was present, was so shocked
at the appearance of his father's corpse, that it was a new motive for 1m
quitting the world and devoting himself to a monastic life, which he
shortly afterwards did, although his friends, to withdraw him from it,
brought about his marriage with Judith, daughter of Robert Comte
d'Auvergne. The new married pair made vows of chastity on the day of
their union, and both embraced a religious life. Simon was one of tho
nearest relatives and most devoted friends of Queen Matilda.
4 Guy comte de Ponthi?u, 1053 — October 13, 1101.
* It was probably not by the fords of the Epte, but by those of the
Bresle, that the French army reached Mortemer.
408 OEDEBTCUS VITALIS. [B.VII. CH.XT
coast. Receiving intelligence of these movements, I lost no
time in preparing to meet them. Stationing myself with
part of my troops along the bank of the Seine against the
king's tents, I kept him in check, and was ready to fall upon
the enemy at whatever point he attempted to ravage my
territories. Meanwhile, I detached against Eudes and his
division Robert, Count d'Eu, with Roger de Mortemer,1 and
other distinguished knights ; who, encountering the French
n'ear the castle of Mortemer, the line of battle was formed by
both armies, and a desperate engagement ensued, in which the
carnage was enormous, for the combatants on both sides were
full of ardour and resolved not to yield but with their lives. On
one side, the French made furious assaults, inspired by the
hope of gaining the spoils of the victory ; on the other, the
Normans struck home, animated by their determination to
repel the enemy and defend their lives and possessions.
This battle was fought beyond the Seine in the winter
season, before Lent, eight years after that of Val-des-Dunes.2
Guy, count of Ponthieu, was taken prisoner and Eudes,
Reynold, and others were put to flight, owing their escape
to the speed with which they ran away. Count Ralph [de
Valois] would also have been taken, if Roger, my com-
mander-in-chief, had not favoured his escape on account of
the fealty he had formerly sworn to him. In acting thus,
in the hour of the count's utmost need, he paid him a noble
and legitimate service ; receiving him in his castle, where he
entertained him three days, and afterwards conducting him
in safety to his own territories. Notwithstanding, for this
breach of his duty to me, I banished Robert from Nor-
mandy, but, being soon afterwards reconciled with him,
restored him all his domains, except the castle of Mortemer,
in which he had sheltered my enemy ; which I think he
justly forfeited, and I granted it to his cousin William de
Warrene,3 one of my loyal young vassals. Gruy, count of
1 Roger de Mortemer, brother of William de Warrene, son of Walter
(or Ralph), who married a niece of the Duchess Gonnor.
a As the battle of Val-des-c!unes was fought in 1047, not more than
seven years had elapsed in February, 1054. \
3 Although Roger de Mortemer, Roger's son, fought bravely at the
battle of Hastings, the castle of his ancestors was not restored to him. In
the treaty of 1 153, between King Stephen and Duke Henry, by which the
domains of Earl Warrene were ceded to William, the king's son, the castles
A.D. 1087.] WILLIAM: THE COXQUEBOB'S ACTS. 409
Bayeux, was detained a captive during my pleasure; but
two years afterwards I received his fealty on the terms of
his being always my faithful subject and doing military
service every year, wherever I should appoint, with a
hundred men-at-arms. I then heaped favours upon him
and dismissed him in peace thus honoured.
" As soon as I received certain intelligence of the issue of
the battle of Mortemer, I despatched Ealph de Toni1 td the
of Bellencombre and Mortemer appear in the first line. A charter of
Reginald de Boulogne, in T204, mentions the castle of Mortemer, quod
fuit comilis Garenniee.
1 Ralph de Toni, or Toeni, and Conches (see vol. i' p. 462), was here-
ditary standard-bearer of Normandy. His youngest son Robert was. the
founder of the great family of Stafford in England. — Erdeswick's Survey^
p. 118.
William, as we have just seen, had marched in person against the king
of France, who had crossed the Seine. It was between their two camps,
separated, probably, by only a small interval, that Ralph de Toni executed
his commission. According to Robert Wace, he climbed up into a tree,
but Ralph de Diceto says he stood on a hillock : " It was night when,
standing on a neighbouring hill, he began to shout aloud, ' My name is
Ralph de Toni, and I bring you melancholy news; hasten with your
chariots and cars to Mortemer, to carry off the bodies of the slain. The
French have chosen to encounter the Norman chivalry, and have found its
assault more severe than they expected. Elides, the king's brother, has
fled, and Guy, count of Ponthieu, is a captive. All the rest are either
prisoners or slain, or have saved their lives by the speed with which they
liave run away. The duke of Normandy sends this message to the king of
France.'" A balJad of a later age is to the same purport : —
" Reveillez-vous et vous levez,
Franpois, qui trop dormi avez ;
Allez bientdt' voir vos amis,
Que les Normands ont a mort mis
Entre iScouis et Mortemer :
La vous convient les inhumer.
These verses may be thus paraphrased: —
Wake, Frenchmen, wake! you sleep too sound,
Your friends, upon the bloody ground
Sleep a sounder sleep afar,
Between Fjcouis and Mortemar.
Haste, Frenchmen, haste! if not to save,
At least to give an honoured grave
To gallant knights and comrades brave,
Who fell before the tide of war,
Between l^couis and Mortemar.
Mortimer (mortuum-mare) eu- Lions, on the river Caulne, not Mortemer-
410 OEDEKICUS YITALTS. [B.TII. CH.XT.
king of France with an account of what had occurred on
the left bank' of the Seine. On hearing the news, which
reached him in the dead of the night, King Henry lost not
a moment in putting his troops in motion, and, having made
a precipitate retreat, from that hour he has never reposed
for a single night on my territories.
" Thus, from my very infancy, I have been continually
involved in numberless embarassments, but, by God's mercy,
I have freed nyself from them all with the highest honour.
I became in consequence an object of jealousy to all my
neighbours, but by His aid in whom I always put my trust,
none of them were able to prevail against me. The Bretons
and Anjevins have found this ; the French and Flemings
are witnesses of it ; the Manceaux have severely felt it.
" Geoffrey Martel, count of Anjau,1 Conan, duke of
Brittany,2 and Robert the Frisian, count of Flanders,3
engaged in perfidious enterprises against me ; but as God
was my protector, though they made great efforts and laid
many snares for me, they were never able to accomplish
their designs. I have placed on my brow a royal diadem,
which none of my predecessors wore, having acquired it by
the grace of God, not by hereditary right. It would be dif-
ficult for me to recount my labours beyond sea, and the
perilous conflicts in which I have been engaged with the
people of Exeter, Chester, and Korthumbria, with the Scots
and Welsh, Norwegians, Danes, and other adversaries who
attempted to deprive me of the crown of England : in all
which I obtained the victory. But much as human ambition
is disposed to triumph in such successes, I am a prey to
cruel fears and anxieties when I reflect with what bar bari-
en-Brai, was the scene of this conflict ; it was, therefore, a mistake of the
later writer to place it near Ecouis. The language of the former has
all the air of his being a cotemporary perfectly acquainted with the
localities.
1 Called also Geoffrey of Mayjerme. Malmesbury gives an account of
this expedition, which probably took place in 105-2, the year preceding
the revolt of William d'Arques before mentioned. Anliq. Lib. p. 266.
2 King William here refers to a transaction which was perhaps the most
dishonourable of his whole career. See before, p. 449.
8 Allusion is made to the battle of Ravenchoven, near Cassel, February
22, 1071, in which William Fitz-Oshorne fell (see before p. 59), and also
to the preparations made for invading England in 1005 concerted between
Robert the Frisian and St. Canute, king of Denmark.
A.D. 1087.] THE CONQUEBOE'S CAEE OP THE CHTJECH. 411
ties they were attended. I therefore humbly entreat you,
the priests and ministers of Christ, to commend me in your
prayers to Almighty God for the forgiveness of the sins
with which my conscience is burdened, and that through
his inexhaustible mercy he will vouchsafe to grant me salva-
tion among his elect. I direct my treasure to be given to
the churches and the poor, that what was amassed in crime
may be dispersed among the saints and applied to holy
uses. For you ought to remember how dearly I have loved
you, and how stoutly I have defended you against all your
enemies.
" I have never injured the church of God, which is our
mother, but have always paid her, as circumstances demanded,
due honour. I never sold ecclesiastical dignities. I pro-
hibited simony, which I always detested. In the election of
prelates my choice was directed by meritorious conduct and
wise doctrine, and as far as it has been in my power the
government of the church has been committed to the most
worthy. This may be truly proved by my selection of Lan-
franc, archbishop of Canterbury ; of Anselm, abbot of Bee ;
Gerbert, abbot of Fontenelles ; Durand, of Troarn; and
many other doctors of my realm, whose praise, I think, is
spread to 'the ends of the earth. Such were the associates
with whom I conversed, and in whose society I learnt the
maxims of wisdom and truth ; so that I always delighted to
receive their counsels.
" Nine abbeys of monks and one of nuns, founded in
Normandy1 by my predecessors, have, under God's blessing,
been augmented by my care, nobly enriched with the splen-
did endowments of various kinds I have conferred upon
them. Moreover, during the time I have governed the
duchy, seventeen convents of monks and six of nuns have
been erected,3 in which the full service is regularly
1 The nine abbeys of monks here referred to were probably St. Ouen, at
Rouen, St. Wandrille, Jumieges', Mont St. Michel, Fecamp, Bernai.Mont
St. Catherine, Cerisi, and Bee; the abbey of nuns, Montivillieis.
1 Grestain, St. Pierre-de-Preaux, Notre-dame-de-St. Pierre-sur-Dive,
Lire, St. Sauveur-le-Vicomte, St. Evroult, St. Martin de Seez, Conches,
Troarn, Lessai, Le Tre'port, Corneilles, St. Stephen at Caen, St. Sever, St.
Georges de Bocherville, St. Victor-en Caux.and Bonne-Nouvelle (a priory).
We can only discover five convents of nuns : St. Leger-de-Preaux,
Almeneches, St. De'sir de Lisieox, or Notrt-Dame-du-Pre, St. Sauv^ur
d'Evreux, La Trinit6 de Caen.
412 OBDEBICUS VITA.LIS. [B.TII. CH.XV.
performed, and large alms are daily distributed for the
love of the King Supreme. With such fortresses Normandy
is well protected, and in them men are taught to combat the
demons and the sins of the flesh. By God's inspiration all
these abbeys have been either of my creation or foundation,
and I became their zealous benefactor and kind promoter.
Moreover, all the endowments, whether in lands or other
revenues, which my barons have given to God and his saints,
for the good of their souls, both in Normandy and England,
I have graciously confirmed, and have gratuitously ratified
by my princely authority the charters granting them, against
all claims and pretensions.
" Such have been my cares from my earliest years, and
these duties I leave to my successors to be observed in all
time to come. In these, my sons, constantly follow my
example, that you may be honoured for ever before God
and men. I especially exhort you, who are my own flesh,
to cultivate unceasingly the society of good and wise men,
and to submit to their rule in all things, if you desire to
possess durable glory. From the teaching of pious philoso-
phers you will learn to discern good from evil, to adhere to
justice on all occasions, and to spare no pains in avoiding
iniquity ; to be merciful protectors of the weak, the poor,
and the pious, while you bridle and put down the proud and
malicious : to refrain from injuring simple folk, to frequent
with devotion the services of holy church, to love the wor-
ship of God above all riches, and to observe unweariedly
the divine law by day and by nightj in prosperity and in
adversity.
" I granted the dukedom of Normandy to my son Eobert,
because he was the eldest,1 before I fought against Harold
on the heath2 of Senlac. He has already received the
homage of nearly all the barons of this land. The grant
thus made and ratified I cannot annul. But I know for
certain that the country which is subject to his dominion
will be truly wretched. He is a proud and silly prodigal,
and will have long to suffer severe misfortune.
1 It has been already remarked that the nomination of Robert to
the succession of the duchy was made at least as early as 10C3. See
before, p. 14.
* Epitumo, query epithymum ? a word found only in our author's work,
referring, probably, *o the odoriferous plants which arc found on heaths.
A.D. 1087.] THE CONQUEROR CONFESSES HIS CRUELTIES. 413
" I appoint no one my heir to the crown of England, but
leave it to the disposal of the Eternal Creator, whose I am,
and who ordereth all things. For I did not attain that high
honour by hereditary right, but I wrested it from the per-
jured king Harold in a desperate battle, with much effusion
of human blood, and it was by the slaughter and banish-
ment of his adherents, that I subjugated England to my rule.
\ I have persecuted its native inhabitants beyond all reason.
Whether nobles or commons, I have cruelly oppressed
them ; many I unjustly disinherited ; innumerable multi-
tudes, especially in the county of York, perished through
me by famine or the sword. Thus it happened : l the Deiri
and other people beyond the Humber called in the troops of
Sweyn, king of Denmark, as their auxiliaries against me,
and put to the sword Eobert Comyn and a thousand soldiers
within the walls of Durham, as well as others, my barons
and most esteemed knights, in various places.2 These events
inflamed me to the highest pitch of resentment, and I fell
on the English of the northern counties like a raving lion.
I commanded their houses and corn, with all their imple-
ments and furniture, to be burnt without distinction, and
large herds of cattle and beasts of burden, to be butchered
wherever they were found. It was thus that I took revenge
on multitudes of both sexes by subjecting them to the
calamity of a cruel famine ; and by so doing, alas me !
became the barbarous murderer of many thousands, both
young and old, of that fine race of people. Having, there-
fore, made my way to the throne of that kingdom by so
many crimes, I dare not leave it to any one but God alone,
lest after my death worse should happen by my means. I
trust that my son William, who from bis earliest years has
always attached himself to me, and been dutiful under all
trials to the best of bis power, may live long and prosperous
in the influence of the Spirit of God, and should it be the
1 A full account of William's campaign in the north of England, and of
the frightful devastations which attended its progress, is given by Ordericus
in the fifth chapter of his fourth book (see p. 21 of the present vol.),
which for its clear and vivid details, the boldness of the Anglo-Norman
monk's strictures on William's cruelties, and the style of composition, ia,
perhaps, the best specimen of his historical powers this work affords.
1 In this passage the king inverts the order of events.
OBDEKICUS VITALIS. [B.TII. CH.XTI.
divine will that he succeed to the throne, his reign may be
illustrious."
CH. XVI. Odo, bishop of Bayeux, exempted from the general
amnesty — The last hours and death of William the Con-
queror— His funeral — and character.
WHILE King William discoursed thus, with much more to
the same effect, and the bystanders who cautiously scanned
the dim prospects of the future, were lost in amazement,
Henry, his youngest son, hearing that no provision was
made for him out of the royal wealth, said sorrowfully to the
king : " And what, my father, do you give me ? " to which
the king replied : " I bequeath to you five thousand pounds
of silver from my treasury." Upon which Henry said:
" What shall I do with this money, having no corner of
earth which I. can call my own?" To which the king
answered : " My son, be contented with your lot, and trust
in the Lord. Suffer patiently your elder brothers to precede
you. Robert will have Normandy, and William England.
J3ut you, also, in your turn, will succeed to all the dominions
which belong to me, and you will surpass your brothers in
wealth and power." After he had said this, the king,
fearing lest in such extended territories some sudden tumults
might burst forth, addressed a letter to Lanfranc the arch-
bishop, on the appointment of a successor to the throne, and
affixing his seal, gave it to his son William Bufus, com-
manding him to embark for England without delay. He
then kissed him, and, giving him his blessing, directed him
to hasten his departure and cross the sea to secure the
crown. The prince lost no time in riding to the port of
Wissant,1 and there he received intelligence of his father's
death. Henry was equally prompt in securing the money
allotted to him. He had it carefully weighed that there
might be no deficiency, and, summoning bis intimate friends
in whom he could confide, sought a place of safety in which
to deposit his treasure.
Meanwhile the physicians and royal attendants in charge
1 Wissant, which was a celebrated port in the middle ages, is situated
between Boulogne and Calais, about four leagues and a half from the
former; In his tenth book our author makes SViliiam Rufus embark at
the port of Touque.
A.D. 1087.] A GENEBAL AMNESTY. 415
of the dying prince,' together -with the nobles who had come
to visit him, took an opportunity of speaking in favour of
the captives who were detained in prison, humbly entreating
him to have pity on them and grant their release. The king
replied to them : " I have long kept in captivity Morcar,
the noble English earl ; in this I have been unjust, but my
fear has been that if he were liberated he would raise
disturbances in the kingdom of England.1 I threw into
prison Eoger de Breteuil2 who opposed me with bitter
animosity, and stirred up against me his brother-in-law
Ealph de Guader and many others, and I swore that he
should not be set free as long as I lived. In like manner I
confined many persons to punish them for their own offences,
and others to prevent their causing future rebellions. Justice
requires this, and the divine law, through Mosesj commands
the rulers of the world to restrain the guilty that the inno-
cent may not perish.5 Being now, however, at the point
of death, as I hope to be saved and, by God's mercy,
absolved from my sins, I order that the prison doors shall
be forthwith thrown open, and all the prisoners, except my
brother, the bishop of Bayeux, be released and suffered to
go free, for the love of God, that He also may have mercy
on me. But they are not to be liberated, but on condition
that they first take an oath to my ministers, for the security
of the state, that they will use every means to preserve
the peace both in Normandy and in England, and will
stedfastly resist the enemies of tranquillity to the utmost of
their power."
When Eobert, earl of Morton, heard that by the king's
decision his brother was condemned to perpetual imprison-
ment he was much distressed. Herluin de Conteville4 had
married Harleve, the concubine of Duke Robert, by whom
he had two sons. Odo and Eobert. William, who was first
duke and afterwards king, had heaped honours and posses-
sions on his father-in-law both in Normandy and England,
and had enriched with large domains his sons, Ealph, born
' See before, b. iv. c. 7, P- 45.
3 See ib. p. 82.
3 We are not able to discover any passage of this kind in the Penta-
teuch.
* Conteville-sur-mer, near the mouth of the Risle.
416 OBDEBICUS VITALI3. [B.VII. CH.XVT.
of another wife,1 and Robert and Odo, his own uterine
brothers. For having expelled from Kormandy on slight
pretences William, surnamed Werlenge, count of Morton,
son of Count Mauger,2 he had conferred the county of Mor-
ton on Robert, son of Herluin, and thus his own brother.
Moreover, on the death of Hugh, bishop of Bayeux, son
of Count Mauger,3 he gave that bishopric to his brother
Odo, whom he afterwards made earl of Kent in England.
At length, King William arrested him in the Isle of
Wight,4 on account of his overweening pride, as I have
before fully related, and having detained him four years in
prison, was unwilling, such was the insolence of Odo, to
release him even when he was himself at the point of death.
In consequence, the earl of Morton, of whom I have lately
spoken, was sorely afflicted, and, by his own supplications
and those of his friends on behalf of his brother, wearied
the suffering prince.
The king was exhausted by the numerous solicitations
from so many quarters for the release of the bishop of
Bayeux ; but at length he said : " I wonder that your
penetration has not discovered the character of the man for
whom you supplicate me. Are not you making petitions for
a prelate who has long held religion in contempt, and who is
the subtle promoter of fatal divisions ? Have I not already
incarcerated for four years this bishop, who when he ought
to have proved himself exemplary in the just government
of England, became a most cruel oppressor of the people,
and destroyer of the convents of monks? In desiring the
liberation of this seditious man, you are ill-advised, and are
bringing on yourselves a serious calamity. It is clear that
my brother Odo is a man not to be trusted, ambitious,
given to -fleshly desires, and of enormous cruelty ; and that
he will never be converted from his whoredoms and ruinous
follies. I satisfied myself of this on several occasions, and
therefore I imprisoned, not the bishop, but the tyrannical
1 This is the only notice we have of this eldest son of Herluin de Con-
teville, and half-brother of the Conqueror.
3 William de Jumieges (b. vii. c. 19) relates the circumstances under
which William Werlenc forfeited the earldom of Morton.
1 Ralph comte d'lvri. It was in 1040 that William gave his brother
vhe bishopric of Bayeux, vacant by the death of William d'lvri.
* See before, c. viii. p. 372, et seq. for the details of this transaction.
A.D. 1087.] CASE OF TUB BISHOP Of BATEUX. 417
earl. There is no doubt that if he is released, he will
disturb the whole country and be the ruin of thousands. I
say this uot from hatred, as if I were his enemy, but as the
lather of my country, watching for the welfare of a Christian
people. It would indeed give me inexpressible and heart-
felt joy to think that he would conduct himself with chastity
and moderation, as it always becomes a priest and minister
of God."1
All the friends of the bishop pledging themselves for hie
reformation, the king further said : " Whether I will or
not, your petition shall be granted, but after my death there
will immediately be a violent change in affairs. It is
against my own judgment that I permit my brother to be
liberated from confinement, for be assured that he will
cause the death or the grievous injury of many persons. Fur-
ther, as I have declared the .forfeiture of all the lands of
Baudri, son of Nicholas,2 as a punishment for his folly in
quitting my service and going to Spain without my licence,
1 now restore him his domains for the love of God. I do
uot think that a braver knight exists, but he is prodigal and
inconstant, and loves to wander in foreign countries."
Thus King William, though tormented with excruciating
pains in his intestines, preserved throughout the full pos-
session of his clearness of intellect and power of expressing
himself with his usual vivacity ; and gave with readiness
useful counsels to all who addressed themselves to him on
the affairs of the state.
At length, on Tuesday, the fifth of the ides [the 9th] of
September,3 the king waking just when the sun was begin-
ning to shed his rays on the earth, heard the sound of the
1 Whatever amplifications our author may have made in the speeches
which he has put into the king's mouth (a practice we find him frequently
pursuing in common with most ancient historians), it doea appear that
Odo was excepted from the general amnesty, and the sequel of the history-
will show how well his brother, had penetrated the real character of ^his
voluptuous and turbulent prelate.
a Buudri de Guitri. This offence must have been very recent, as we
liave seen Baudri, in 1085, fighting bravely in William's service in Maine.
This lord held a fief at Bocquence under the abbey of St. Evroult, and
must have been personally known to our author, who makes frequent und
honourable mention of him.
3 William died, as before stated, on September 9, 1037.
TdL. II. E E
418 OBDEBICTTB TITALTS. [B.VIT. CH.XYI.
great bell of the cathedral of Rouen. On his inquiring
what it meant, his attendants replied : " My Lord, the bell
is tolling for primes in the church of St. Mary." Then the
king, raised his eyes to heaven with deep devotion, and
lifting up his hands said : " I commend myself to Mary,
the holy mother of God, my heavenly mistress, that by her
blessed intercession I may be reconciled to her well-
beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ." Having said this he
instantly expired. The physicians and others who were
present, who had watched the king all night while he slept,
his repose neither broken by cries or groans, seeing him
now expire so suddenly and unexpectedly, were much
astonished, and became as men who had lost their wits.
Notwithstanding, the wealthiest of them mounted their
horses and departed in haste to secure their property.
But the inferior attendants, observing that their masters
had disappeared, laid hands on the arms, the plate, the robes,
the linen, and all the royal furniture, and leaving the corpse
almost naked on the floor of the house hastened away.
Observe then, I pray you, my readers, how little trust can
be placed in human fidelity. All these servants snatched up
what they could of the royal effects, like so many kites, and
took to their heels with their booty, lloguery thus came
forth from its hiding place the moment the great justiciary
was dead, and first exercised its rapacity round the corpse
of him who had so long repressed it.
Intelligence of the king's death was quickly spread, and,
far and near, the hearts of those who heard it were filled with
joy or grief. In fact, King William's decease was known in
Home and in Calabria to some of the exiles he had dis-
inherited, the same day he died at Rouen, as they afterwards
solemnly asserted in Normandy. For the evil spirit was
frantic with joy on finding his servants, who were bent on
rapine and plunder, set free by the death of their judge.
0, worldly pomp, how despicable you are when one
considers that you are empty and fleeting! Ton are justly
compared to watery bubbles, since at one moment you are
inflated and rise, and vanish the next. Behold this mighty
prince, who was lately obsequiously obeyed by more than a
hundred thousand men in arms, and at whose nod nations
trembled, was now stripped by his own attendants, in a
A.D. 10S7.J WILLIAM THE CONQTJEHOR's DEATH. 419
house which was not his own ; and left on the bare ground
from the hour of primes to that of tierce.
Meanwhile, the citizens of Eouen having heard the
death of their prince, were in the greatest state of alarm ;
almost all of them lost their reason, as if they had been
intoxicated, and were thrown into as much confusion as if
the city had been threatened with an assault by a powerful
army. Each quitted the place where he received the news,
and ran to confer with his wife, or the first friend or
acquaintance he met, as to what was to be done. Every one
removed, or prepared to remove, his valuables, concealing
them with alarm, lest they should be discovered.
At length the religious, both clergy and monks, recovering
their courage and the use of their senses, formed a
procession ; and, arrayed in their sacred vestments, with
crosses and censers, went in due order to St. Gervase,
where they commended the spirit of the departed king to
God, according to the holy rites of the Christian faith.
Then William, the archbishop, ordered the body to be
conveyed to Caen, and interred there in the abbey of St.
Stephen the protomartyr, which the king himself had
founded. His brother and other relations had already
quitted the place, and all his servants had deserted him, as
if he had been a barbarian ; so that not one of the king's
attendants was found to take care of his corpse. However,
Herluin, a country knight, was induced by his natural
goodness to undertake the charge of the funeral, for the love
of God and the honour of his country. He therefore
procured at his own expense persons to embalm and carry
the body ; and, hiring a hearse, he caused it to be carried to
the port on the Seine ; and, embarking it on board a vessel,
conducted it by water and land to Caen.
Then* Gilbert, the lord abbot,1 with the whole convent of
monks, met the hearse in solemn procession, accompanied by
a sorrowing multitude of clerks and laymen, offering prayers.
But at this moment a sudden calamity filled the minds of all
with alarm. For a fire broke out in one of the houses, and,
shooting up prodigious volumes of flame, spread through
great part of the town of Caen, doing great damage. The
crowds, both of clergy and laity, hastened with one accord to
1 Gilbert d'e Coutances, abbot of St. Stephen at Caen, 1079—1101.
££2
420 ORDERICUS TITAL13. [B.VII. CII.XTI.
extinguish the fire, so that the monks were left alone to
finish the service they had begun, and they brought the royal
corpse into the abbey church, chanting psalms.
Afterwards, all the bishops and abbots of Normandy
assembled to perform the obsequies of the illustrious duke,
who was the lather of his country. I will insert in this
work a short list of some of the number, for the information
of posterity. William, archbishop of Rouen ; Odo, bishop
of Bayeux ; Gilbert, bishop o^" Evreux ; Gilbert Maminot,
bishop of Lisieux ; Michael, bishop of Avranches ; Geoffrey,
bishop of Coutances ; and Gerard, bishop of Seez. Among
the abbots were the following : Anselm, of Bee ; William de
Boos, of Fecamp ; Gerbert, of Foutenelles ; Guntard, of
Jumieges; Mainier, of St. Evroult; Fulk, of Dive; Durand,
of Troarn ; Robert, of Seez ; Osbern, of Beruai ; Roger, of
St. Michael-in-peril-of-the-sea ; the two abbots of Rouen,
Nicholas, of St. Ouen, and Walter, of Mont-de-la-Saiiite-
Trinite ; with many more, whom it would be tedious to
enumerate. All these assembled at the funeral of the illus-
trious Baron, and buried him in the sanctuary, between the
choir and the altar.
The mass ended, when the coffin was already lowered into
the grave, but the corpse was still on the bier, the great
Gilbert, bishop of Evreux, ascended the pulpit, and pro-
nounced a long and eloquent discourse on the distinguished
character of the deceased prince. He expatiated on AVil-
liam's having extended by his valour the bounds of the
Norman dominion, and raised his people to a pitch of
greatness surpassing the times of any of his predecessors ;
and on his having maintained peace and justice in all his
states, wisely chastising thieves and robbers with the
scourge of the law, while he firmly defended the clergy and
monks, and defenceless people, with his meritorious sword.
When he had concluded his discourse he addressed himself
to the congregation, who were shedding affectionate tears
and attested his assertions, and added this supplication:
" As in this present life no man can live without sin, I be-
seech you, for the love of Christ, that you earnestly inter-
cede with Almighty God on behalf of our deceased prince,
and that you kindly forgive him, if in aught he has offended
aca!nst you."
A.D. 1087.] rUXERAL OF THE CONQUEBOR. 421
Then Ascelin, son of Arthur, came forward from tho
crowd, and preferred the following complaint with a loud
voice, in the hearing of all : " The land," he said, " on which
you stand was the yard belonging to my 'father's housp,
which that man for whom you pray, when he was yet only
duke of Normandy,1 took forcible possession of, and in the
teeth of all justice, by an exercise of tyrannical power, here
founded this abbey. I therefore lay claim to this land, and
openly demand its restitution, and in G-od's name I forbid
the body of the spoiler being covered with earth which is
my property, and buried in my inheritance." The bishops
and other great men, on hearing this, and finding from
inquiries among his neighbours that he spoke the truth,
drew the man aside, and, instead of offering him any vio-
lence, appeased his resentment with gentle words and came
to terms with him. For the small space in which the grave
was made, they paid him on the spot sixty shillings, and
promised him a proportionable price for the rest of the land
which he claimed. This agreement they soon afterwards
fulfilled, for the good of -the soul of the master they dearly
loved.2
1 That is, before the conquest of England, when the abbey was built; at
which time William was oniy duke of Normandy.
1 The narrative of Wace entirely agrees with that of our author. Ac-
cording to William of Malmesbury, his son Henry, afterwards king of
England, was present wt the funeral, and paid to Ascelin, whom he calls n
" knight and a brawler, a hundred pounds of silver to quiet his audacious
claim." — B. iii. p. 311 of the edition in Bohn's Anlig. Lib.
Two cotemporary facts may serve for a fitting conclusion to our author's
account of the last hours of William the Conqueror. The^iist is supplied
by William of Malmesbury, if>. p. 307. Honouring his father's memory,
he had sent a person in his confidence to remove the body of Duke Robert,
which had been interred at Nice, and bring it to Normandy. The mes-
senger, having proceeded on his pious errand, received the intelligence of
his sovereign's death while he was in Apulia, on his return home with
Robert's remains. He, therefore, interred them there. The place where
they were deported is unknown, but might Be probably discovered by the
rest arches of travellers in the south of Italy.
The other fact present a curious contrast between two destinies which
were terminated within a few days of each other. The tourist who visits
the church of St. Saviour at 'Bruges will find a leaden tablet, trans-
ferred from the church of St. Donat in the same city, which records that
Gunilde, born of illustrious parents in England, being the daughter of the
powerful Earl Godwin, by Githa a noble lady of Danish extraction, having
422 OKDER1CUS TITAL1S. [B.TII. CH.XTI.
However, when the corpse was lowered into the stone
coffin, they were obliged to use some violence in forcing it
in, because through the negligence of the maaons it had
been made too short, so that, as the king was very corpu-
lent, the bowels burst, and an intolerable stench affected
the by-stauders and the rest of the crowd. The smoke of
incense and other aromatics ascended in clouds, but failed
to purify the tainted atmosphere. The priests therefore
hurried the conclusion of the funeral service and retired as
soon as possible, in great alarm, to their respective abodes.
I have thus carefully investigated, and given a true ac-
count of all the manifestations of God's providence at the
duke's death, not composing a well-feigned tragedy for the
lucre of gain, nor a humorous comedy to provoke the
laughter of parasites, but a true narrative of the various
events for the perusal of studious readers. In the midst of
prosperity adverse circumstances were permitted to arise,
that the hearts of men might be impressed with the fearful
warnings.
A king once potent, and warlike, and the terror of the
numberless inhabitants of many provinces, lay naked on the
floor, deserted by those who owed him their birth, and those
he had fed and enriched. He needed the money of a
stranger for the cost of his funeral, and a coffin and bearers
were provided, at the expense of an ordinary person, for him,
who till then had been in the enjoyment of enormous wealth.
He was carried to the church, amidst flaming houses, by
trembling crowds, and a spot of freehold land was wanting
for the grave of one whose princely sway had extended over
so many cities, and towns, and villages. His corpulent
stomach, fattened with so many delicacies, shamefully burst,
to give a lesson, both to the prudent and the thoughtless, on
what is the end of fleshly glory. Beholding the corruption
devoted herself to a life of chastity, and refused the highest offers in
marriage, left England when it was conquered by William the Norman,
and her brother, King Harold, was slain. She spent some years of her
exile at St. Ouen in Flanders, charitable to the poor, gentle and agree-
able to her attendants, courteous to strangers, and only severe to herself.
She afterwards removed to Bruges, and, after some years spent in the
exercises of virtue, departed in the Lord on August 24, 1087. The death-
bed of this chaste and pious princess was exempt from the remorse and the
scandals which disgraced the last hours of the enemy of her iamily.
A.D. 1087.] BEFLECTIONS ON THE CONQUEIiOR's END. 423
of that foul corpse, men were taught to strive earnestly, by
the rules of a salutary temperance, after better things than
the delights of the flesh, which is dust, and must return to
dust.
There is but one lot for rich and poor ; both become the
prey of death and corruption. Trust not then, 0 sons of
men, in princes who deceive, but in the true and living God,
who created all thjngs. Turn over the pages of the Old and
New Testament, and take from thence numberless examples
which will instruct you what to avoid and what to desire.
Expect nothing from iniquity, and covet not the goods of
others. " If riches increase, set not your heart upon them."
" All flesh is grass, and the glory thereof as the flower of hay.
The grass fadeth, and the flower thereof perisheth ; but the
word of the Lord remaineth for ever."
I have determined to conclude this seventh book of the
history of St. Evroult with the end of King William's reign.
In the eighth book, it is my design to leave to posterity
some account of that king's sous, and of the various
disturbances by which both Normandy and England were
long grievously afflicted.
424
BOOK VIII.
CH. I. William the Conqueror's tomb and 'epitaph — William
Rufus crowned — Robert succeeds as duke of Normandy —
His feeble character — The Norman barons become turbu-
lent— Odo, bishop of Sayeux, his character and acts —
Robert sells the Cotentin to his brother prince Henry.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 1087,1 the tenth in-
diction, William the Bastard, king of England, died at
Rouen on the fifth of the ides [9th] September, and his
remains were interred at Caen, in the church of St. Stephen,
the proto-martyr. His son Robert then became, in name
at least, duke of Normandy and lord of Maine, but aban-
doning himself to sloth and indulgence, his government was
never remarkable for virtue and justice. William Rufus de-
livered his father's letter2 to Archbishop Lanfranc, on pe-
rusing which that prelate hastened with the young prince
to London, and crowned him in the old church of St. Peter
the apostle, called Westminster, on the feast of St. Michael.
His reign lasted twelve years and ten months ;8 and, as to
the affairs of this world, he endeavoured to follow his
father's example in some things, being distinguished for his
valour and secular magnificence, while he was but too prone
to pride, lust, and other vices. But he had but scanty zeal
for the worship of God and frequenting the services of the
church.
He delivered to Otho the goldsmith4 a large quantity of
gold, silver, and precious stones, ordering him to erect a
monument of extraordinary magnificence over his father's
tomb. Accordingly, in obedience to the royal commands,
1 The Paris edition (1845) of Ordericus gives the date in the text as
1082; but it is probably a misprint, as the learned editor, in a note in the
same page, fixes the accession of William Rufus in 1087, which is the true
date of the death of William the Conqueror. The text of Duchesne, and
the French edition published in 1826, give it correctly.
a See before, p. 414.
3 September 24, 1087— August 2, 1100.
* This person is mentioned in Domesday -book, among the king's gold-
smiths, as Otto Aurifaber. His son William was living. in 1130.
1087 — 1088.] THE CONQTJEKOB'S TOMB AND EPITAPII. 425
he executed the work in an admirable manner, and the tomb
may be now seen resplendent with gold, silver, and gems.
Skilful versifiers have composed a number of noble and ele-
gant poems on this great man, whose life furnished so
copious a theme for their poetical genius, but I shall only
insert the epitaph written by Thomas, archbishop of York,1
out of respect for his metropolitan dignity.
Here WILLIAM, greatest of his princely race,
A home, a tomb, finds in this narrow space.
Him the fierce Normans faithful homage paid,
And lordly Maine his stern commands obeyed ;
But mightier still, he England's sceptre swayed,
The glorious prize, when Senlac's bloody field a
Saw her brave sons before the Conqueror yield.
When seventeen days his course the August sun*
'Mid the bright Virgin's stars his course had run,
To Him who rules on high he bowed his head,
And the proud king was numbered with the dead.*
Many of the Xorman nobility died the same year as their
sovereign. During his last illness his cousin Gilbert d'Au-
fay,5 son of Eobert de Hougleville, a worthy and simple-
minded man, paid the debt of nature on the nineteenth of
the calends of September [August 14], and was interred in
the church of St. Mary, which he had endowed for the
maintenance of six monks of the abbey of St. Evroult.
Four years afterwards the pious lady, his wife Beatrix,"
\\ as also buried there on the second of the nones [9th] of
1 Thomas, nrchbishop of York (August, 1070— November 18, 1100),
was a native of Bayeux, and brother of Samson, bishop of Worcester.
2 The reader will have observed that this is the name invariably given
by our author to the battle of Hastings.
3 The verse in the original gives the date ter septem atque duobits, but
William died on the 9th of September, which corresponds with the seven-
teenth, not the twenty-third degree, of the constellation of the Virgin.
* The magnificent tomb erected, as our author relates, by William
Rufus over the Conqueror's grave, was destroyed, the grave broken
open nnd the bones scattered, by the Huguenots in 15G2. It was again
opened by the prefect C'lfarelli in 1793, after having escaped the ravages
of the revolutionists. The stone coffin then contained some fragments of
bones, which fell to dust, and one thigh-bone, which was re-interred. A
grey marble sliib in the pavement before the high altar, with a simple
inscription, now marks the spot.
* See before, p. 26'2
" See ibid.
426 OEDEEICU8 VITALIS. [B.TIII. CII.I.
January. At the death of their duke many of the Normans
were plunged into grief, if not for him, at least for their
friends and relations who died about the same period,
among whom were Simon de Montfort,1 son-in-law of
Richard, Count d'Evreux, Hugh Paganel,2 Hugh, sou of
Hugh de G-rantmesnil,3 a young man of distinguished
bravery, and his cousin Robert de Rhuddlan,4 William
d'Avranches,6 son of Witmond,* with many other men of
1 Simon de Montfort, father of Amauri de Montfort, who inherited the
county of Evroux after his uncle William's death. Our author has
already related that this marriage was effected by carrying off in the night
Agnes d'Evreux, with the aid of Ralph, lord of Conches, her half-brother,
and Simon's brother-in-law.
* William Paganel, lord of Montiers-Hubert, which is supposed to have
been the original seat of this ancient family, and not their estates in the
Cotentin. William was probably the eldest brother of Ralph Paganel,
sheriff of Yorkshire, who possessed forty-five lordships at the time Domes-
day-book was made, and founded the priory of the Holy Trinity at York
in the reign of William Rufus. Fulk, the founder of the family of
the Paganels of Dudley, who was living in 1130, was grandson of this
William.
Ralph Paganel had a son also named William, whose daughter was
married first to Richard de Courci, and secondly to Robert de Gant. His
eldest son, Alexander, was the founder of the family of the Paganels of
Hooton in Yorkshire.
William Paganel (II.) also held the lordships of Drax, West-Rasen,
&c., by grant from the king. He died about 1150, leaving four children,
the eldest of whom received from Henry II., then count of Anjou and
duke of Normandy, all his father's barony in Normandy and England,
except Br6hal. From this Hugh descended the branch who were lords of
West-Rasen in Lincolnshire, who lost their family estate of Montiers in the
time of Philip Augustus; and from Fulk, his eldest brother, those of the
Paganels of Hamby, lords of Drax. Having settled in Normandy, and
entirely attached himself to the kings of France, Drax was taken from him
and given to Hugh Paganel,' to indemnify him for the loss of Montiers.
3 Hugh, third son of Hugh de Grantmesnil. It will appear hereafter
that this young nobleman was buried at St. Evroult.
4 Robert de Rhuddlan will be spoken of in the third chapter of the
present book.
* William d'Avranches was son of Guitmond, lord of Haie-Painel. He
married Matilda, daughter of Baldwin de Meules, and granddaughter of
Gilbert, lord of Sap and Meules, and sheriff of Devonshire. She brought
him the estate of Dolton in that county. William d'Avranches was lord
of Folkstona in Kent, which remained in the possession of his male heirs
until the beginning of the thirteenth century. At this time it passed by
marriage to the family of Crevecoeur. William's son, Robert d'Avranchej,
was living in 1130. Besides his daughter, married to William Paganel, ha
had a natural daughttr, afterwards legitimated, who was called Matilda
A.D. 1087 — 1088.] STATE OF NOEMAN1JT. 427
eminence. Happy those who, departing thus opportunely,
were spared the pain of seeing their country desolated and
having no protector !
At that time affairs in Normandy suffered a great revolu-
tion ; the unarmed population shuddered with alarm, while
the powerful gave full vent to their towering ambition with-
out any check. Robert de Belesme1 had been on his way to
court to confer with the king on urgent affairs, but on
arriving at the gate of Brionne he learnt the king's death.
Thereupon he immediately turned his horse round, and
hastening to Alen9on2 took the royal garrison by surprise
and drove them out of the castle. He did the same at
Belesme and all his other strongholds, and not only in bis
own, but in those of such of his neighbours as he conde-
scended to consider as his equals. All these he either got
into his power by introducing his own adherents, or razed
to the ground to prevent their offering him any resistance
thereafter. William, Count d'Evreux, also expelled the
royal warders from the keep of his castle, and "William de
Bretcuil, Ralph de Conches, and all the rest, got their for-
tresses into their own hands, so that every one might be
able to prosecute with impunity his infernal feuds against
his neighbours, and those whose territories bordered on his
own. In this manner the Norman lords drove out the royal
garrisons from their castles, and alternately ravaged the
country, which was rich and flourishing, with bands of their
own retainers. The* wealth which had been plundered from
the English and other nations was thus deservedly lost by
rapine and violence.
All the world knew that the Duke Robert was sunk in
d'Avnmches, who brought to Robert, the bastard son of Henry I. (and
earl of Gloucester), one half of the lordships of Sap and Meules.
This family of Avranches must not be confounded with that of the
viscin'iits d'Avranches, calls of Chester.
1 Robert became count de Belesme (the second of his name) on the
death of his mother, the countess Mabel, so often mentioned by our author,
although his father, Roger de Montgomery, was still living, and did not
die till 1094.
2 In the middle ages there were two roads from Alen9on to Rouen, one
by Bernai and Brionne, the other by Orbec and Pontaudemer. Robert
de Belesme probably chose the former, as the shortest, and passing by
Bernai, his father's domain.
428 OBDERICUS VITALIS. [B. Till. C IT. I.
sioth and carelessness, so that he was despised by men of
enterprise who fomented traitorous insurrections at their
pleasure. The duke was personally brave and daring, and
had many merits ; was a good speaker, but inconsiderate in
conducting his affairs, profuse in spending, and liberal in his
promises, while no dependence could be placed upon them ;
he was compassionate to those who implored his mercy, but '
too gentle and easy in executing justice on offenders ;
changeable in his resolutions, and too affable and conde-
scending in his general behaviour, he was held in contempt
by the evil-minded and those who wanted discretion ; his J
figure was short and corpident, from which his father gave 1
him the surname of Curt-hose. Endeavouring to please I
all, he gave, promised, or yielded, what every one asked, j
His prodigality led him. daily to lessen the domains of his I
ancestors, absurdly granting whatever was demanded of him, I
so that he impoverished himself while he augmented the I
power of others to injure him. He gave to William de 1
Breteuil, Ivri, where there is a well-fortified caatle, erected I
by his grandmother Alberede ;l and he granted to JJoger de I
Beaumont, who had the custody of Ivri, under King I
William, Brionne, a strong fortress in the heart of his terri- 1
to'ries.
Odo, bishop of Bayeux, being released from prison, re- j
gained all his former possessions in Normandy, and became 1
the counsellor of the young duke, his nephew. This prelate J
was a person of distinguished eloquence and high spirit ; he J
was liberal, and his bravery would have become a secular
man : but he treated men of religion with great respect,
protecting his clergy resolutely both by word and arms, and
enriching the churches with valuable ornaments wherever j
they were needed. The buildings he erected are proof this,
with the splendid vessels and vestments in gold and silver
which his liberality furnished for the use of the churches
and clergy. His near relationship to Duke William pro-
cured for him the bishopric of Bayeux while he was very
young, and he was actively employed during the fifty years
he held it.z The spirit had a praiseworthy pre-eminence in
1 Alberede, wife of Ralph, count of Ivri and Bayeux, and half-brcthejr
of Richard I.
* Odo was not preferred to the see cf Bayeux until the death of his I
A.D. 1087 — 1088.] ODD, BISHOP OF BAYEUX. 429
Borne parts of his conduct, in others the flesh was sadly pre-
dominant over the spirit. Led away by carnal passions, he
had a son named John, who is now about the court of King
Henry,1 where he is eminent for his eloquence and virtues.
But while, in some things, Bishop Odo lent himself to
worldly vanities, externally he did much for the advantage
of the church. He laid the' foundations of the church of
St. Mary, mother of God, and completed it in a beautiful
style of architecture, amply providing it with wealth and
ornaments.2 He established monks in the church of St.
Vigor,* bishop of Bayeux, which stands outside the city-
walls, and appointed as their superior, Eobert de Tombe-
lainc, a pious and learned man, who, among other monu-
ments of his ability, has left the church a short and clear,
but profound, commentary on the Canticles. After Bishop
Odo was thrown into prison, Abbot Eobert, abandoning
all, went into foreign countries, and arriving at Home,
was detained by Pope Gregory VII. who paid him great
respect, and he served the Roman church faithfully until
his death.* The bishop who founded it being in confine-
ment, and the abbot detained in Italy, the newly formed
predecessor, which occurred while he was attending the Council of Rheinis
in October, 1049. Odo himself died at Palermo in February, 1097.
1 It appears, therefore, that this chapter was written before the death of
Henry I., which occurred in 1 135.
4 All tlie upper part of this church was destroyed by fire by Henry I. in
1 106. The crypt under the choir is, perhaps, the only part of the original
church built by Bishop Odo, which now remains. It is supported on
twelve pillars with rude capitals. The west end of the nave of the present
edifice consists of florid Norman arches and pillars, attributed to Henry II.,
but which M. Le i're'vost considers to be part of Bishop Odo's building.
The end nearest the transept , and the choir, were built in the pointed
Btyle by Bishop Henry de Beaumont in 1205.
4 This foundation was made in 1066. Odo took Robert de Tombelaine,
as well as five other monks, from the abbey of Mont St. Michael, making
him abbot of the new foundation. Tombelaine is a rock near the former
«bbey, standing in the middle of the sands, and surrounded by the sea at
high tiilee. There are still some ruins of the houses and castle which were
i:> existence as late as the fifteenth century.
* For the life and works of Robert de Tombelaine, see L'Histoire
Lillgraire de France, t. viii. p. 334, &c. It is not certain that he resided
at Rome till his death, as our author states. It is believed, on the con-
trary (dull. Christ, t. xi. p. 404), that having lost his patron, Gregory
VII., he returned to Mont St. Michael, and there spent the rest of his
days.
430 OEDESICTJS TITALIS. [B.TIIT. CH.T.
convent of monks dispersed, and each one settling himself
where he could, they never returned to that monastery.
In the end, Bishop Odo gave it to Jarenton, abbot of
Dijon, and it continues to this day to be a cell of the monks
of that abbey.1 It is thus plain that the prelate of whom I
am speaking had a strong regard for the monastic order.
He also -sent intelligent young clerks to Liege and other
places where he knew that the study of philosophy flourished
most, making them liberal allowances for their maintenance,
that they might, uninterruptedly and for a long period, em-
ploy themselves in the pursuit of learning.2 Among the
scholars he thus supplied with the means of education were
Thomas, archbishop of York,3 and his brother Samson,4
bishop of Worcester, William de Boos,5 abbot of Fecamp, and
Thurstan, abbot of Glastonbury, with many others who flou-
rished during my time in the church of God, and largely pro-
fited the flocks committed to their charge with the excellence
of their teaching, and the example of their eminent virtues.
In this manner, although Bishop Odo was deeply entangled
in secular affairs, much that was laudable mixed itself with
his evil deeds, and what he iniquitously amassed was freely
bestowed on the churches and the poor. Afc length, by the
will of G-od, he left all in the year of our Lord 1096, the
fourth indiction, and accompanied his nephew, Duke Eobert,
in his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, as, with God's permission,
we shall more particularly relate hereafter. He died at
Palermo in the presence of Gilbert, bishop of Evreux ; his
body was interred in the church of St. Mary, where Roger,
1 The two charters, one of Bishop Odo and the other of Duke Robert,
creating and confirming this foundation, are both dated in 1096, in the
eighteenth and nineteenth years of Robert's reign. The date is curious,
because it shows that Robert assumed that he was invested with the duke-
dom as far back as 1077, and consequently before the siege of Gerberoi.
2 Here again the parallel features in the characters of Odo and VVolsey,
to which we have before drawn attention, become apparent ; witness the
latter's foundation of Christ Church, Oxford, &c.
3 See note before, p. 425.
4 Samson was bishop of Worcester, June 15, 1097 — May 5, 11 12.
5 William de Roos, abbot of Fecamp, 1079 — March 24, 1108.
6 Thurstan, abbot of Glastonbnry in 1081, was compelled to return to
Normandy in consequence of his violence to the monks in 1083. See •
before, p. 52, and Malmsbury, p. 308, Bohn's Antiq. Lib.
1087 — 1088.] PBINCE HENBY PTJBCHA.SES THE COTEKTIX. 431
count of Sicily,1 caused a splendid tomb to be erected for
him.
Eobert, duke of Normandy, distributed his wealth among
his knights with a liberal hand, attaching to his person a
number of young aspirants to arms who coveted his favour
and rewards. His treasury beginning to fail, he sent to his
brother Henry, requesting a supply from his abundant
wealth — a demand Henry was by no means disposed to grant.
The duke then sent word that he was ready to sell him a
part of his territories ; and when Henry understood this, he
was most ready to comply with his brother's proposal. Terms
were therefore concluded between them, by which Henry
paid the duke three thousand pounds of silver, and received
in exchange the whole of the district of the Cotentin, which
is a third of all Normandy.2 In this way Henry first ob-
tained Avranches and Coutances, Mont St. Michael-in-
peril-of-the-Sea, and the entire of the lordship which Hugh,
earl of Chester, held in Normandy. Prince Henry governed
the Cotentin discreetly, and employed his early years in
worthy pursuits. From his very childhood, his parents had
devoted him to the study of letters, and he became admi-
rably imbued with the knowledge both of moral and natural
philosophy. Lanfranc, archbishop of Canterbury, as soon
as the young prince was of a fitting age, armed him for the
defence of the kingdom, clothing him with a breastplate,
putting a helmet on his head, and giving him the belt of
knighthood, in the name of the Lord, as the king's son, and
born on the steps of the throne.3 During the twelve years
of the reign of William Eufus in England, Henry had an
active life with various changes of fortune, and acquired ex-
perience, both from prosperity and adversity. At length,
on his brother's death, he ascended the throne, which he has
1 Roger I., count of Sicily, 1072— July, 1101.
1 Avranches, being a part of the ceded territory, roust be added, as well
as the lordship of Vire, which belonged of right to the earl of Chester.
But even with these additions, the statement that the Cotentiu formed a
third of Normandy is an exaggeration.
' This passage can only mean that Archbishop Lanfranc, as Prince
Henry's tutor, presented him for knighthood. It was conferred upon him
by the king his father, while he held his court at Westminster, in 1086 (not
Winchester, 1087, as the French editor states). See Saxon Chronicle.
432 . OEUERICU8 TITALIS. [B.VIII. CU.II.
now filled nearly thirty-three yeara.4 It is my purpose, with
God's permission, if my life is spared, to give an account of
his life and actions in their proper place. I now return to
the course of my narrative, and shall instruct posterity in
the history of my own times.
CH. II. The Norman lords in England league and revolt
against William Rufus — Invite Robert Curthose — The
insurrection breaks out in several counties — Siege of
Rochester — Bishop Odo taken and banished.
IN the first year of the government of the two brothers,
there was a meeting of the great men of both states, to con-
sult among themselves on the circumstances in which they
were placed by the division of the sovereignty formerly
lodged in the same hands. " We are suddenly involved,"
they said, " in a serious difficulty, and threatened w'ith a great
diminution of our power and wealth. Hitherto we have
maintained ourselves with honour, under illustrious dukes, in
the possession of Normandy, which our ancestors who came
with Rollo from Denmark, two hundred and twelve years
ago,2 gained with their daring valour. Afterwards we
crossed the sea with Duke William, and subduing the Anglo-
Saxons by the might of our arms, seized their lands and
wealth, for which we freely shed our blood. Alas ! we are
now witnesses of a great revolution, and the sudden over-
throw of our power. What are we to do ? On the death
of our old sovereign, he is succeeded by two young princes,
and the dominion of England and Normandy is suddenly
divided. How can we conveniently serve two lords so dif-
ferent and so remote from each other ? If we do our duty
to Robert, the duke of Normandy, we shall offend his
brother William. It wdll follow that we shall forfeit our
great revenues and high honours in England. On the
other hand, if we keep our fealty to King William, -Duke
Robert will take from us our patrimonial estates in Nor-
mandy. It behoves us to avoid such a separation under
1 This passage fixes the date at which this part of Ordericus's History
was written as at the close of the year 1 1 32, or the commencement of 1 ] 33.
8 Our author adopts the opinion generally current in the middle ages of
the settlement, or at least the first invasion, of Nonnandv bv Rollo in
876.
,
THE BABOSS LEAGUE AGAINST WILLIAM BUFFS. 433
these princes as occurred among the Israelites in the time
of Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Then one people was divided
among itself between two rulers, and the law, the temple
and the worship of Grod being neglected, fell into apostacy.
At length one part of them were carried captives into
Media by the Assyrians and never returned, and the rest
underwent the Babylonish captivity under the Chaldeans.
What happened to the Thebans under the two brothers,
Eteocles and Polynices ? Did not many thousands perish
on both sides ? At last both brothers fell in mutual en-
counter, and left the succession of their inheritance to
strangers. It behoves us carefully to consider these and
such-like instances, and to take prudent precautions that
we may not be ruined by the policy of these youthful
princes. Let us therefore enter into a firm and inviolable
league, and having deposed King William or put him to
death, as he is the youngest and most arrogant, and we
owe him nothing, let us make Duke Robert, who is the
elder brother, and of a more pliable temper, and to whom we
have already sworn fealty during his father's life,1 sovereign
both of England and Normandy, that the union of the two
states may be maintained.
This resolution was taken, with common consent, by
Odo, bishop of Bayeux, Eustace, count of Boulogne,8 Robert
de Belesme, and many others, and their intentions were an-
nounced to Duke Robert. That thoughtless and inconside-
rate prince was highly delighted with their empty promises,
and pledged himself to second their undertaking in all points
and shortly afford them effectual succour for the successful
prosecution of so great an enterprise. Accordingly, after
our Lord's Nativity,3 the before mentioned lords crossed
1 This fealty was probably sworn at the time from which Robert
assumed his association with his father in the government of Normandy —
1077. The truth is, that although William nominated him his successor
in the duchy before his invasion of England, he always resolutely withheld
from him any share in the government. See his reply to the duke's
demand to be invested in the duchy, pp. 171, 172 of the present volume.
* This nobleman, who was an entire stranger to Normandy, joined his
fortunes to those of the duke rather than William Rufus in consequence
of his connexion with Bishop Odo, under whom he held vast possessions in
the county of Kent.
1 According to Florence of Worcester, this league was not entered into
VOL. II. F F
434 OBDEBICTTS VITALTS. [B.VIII. CH. II.
over to England, and, putting their castles into a state of
defence, very soon raised insurrections against the king
through great part of the country.
Odo, as I have said before, was earl palatine of Kent, and
several earls and powerful lords owed him fealty. Roger,
earl of Shrewsbury, Hugh de Grrantmesnil, who had the
government of Leicestershire, with Robert de Rhuddlan his
nephew, and other knights of distinguished bravery, favoured
the conspirators, and fortified their castles with trenches,
increasing the garrisonSj and drawing in abundant supplies
of food both for men and horses. Already rapacious free-
booters began to pillage the peasants eagerly anticipating
the arrival of Duke Robert, who had determined to follow
his precursors with the returning spring, at the head of a
large body of troops. At the same time Osbern, son of
Richard, surnamed Scroop,1 with Bernard du Neuf Marche s
his son-in-law, and others in league with them, who held the
frontiers of Mercia, made a savage inroad into the territory
of W orcester, pillaging and slaughtering the inhabitants, in
spite of the prohibition and excommunication directed
against them by the man of God, Wulstan, bishop of
Worcester.3 Meanwhile King William finding that his
till Lent in 1088. and began to take its measures after Easter. The two
authors may be reconciled by supposing that the first idea of the con-
spiracy was formed in Normandy in the course of the autumn, but that it
was not fully organized in England till the following Lent. He reckons
among the malcontent nobles, in addition to those named by Ordericus,
Robert, earl of Morton, Geoffrey de Mowbray, with his nephew Robert,
earl of Northumberland, and even William, bishop of Durham, who till
that time had been the principal adviser of t.ie young king.
1 He appears by Domesday-book to have held in capite estates in
Worcestershire.
8 For Bernard du Neuf-Marche, see before, p. 267. Florence of Wor-
cester adds to the list Roger do Lacy from Herefordshire, and Ralph de
Mortemer, who led the men of Shrewsbury ; and says that these border-
lords were followed by bands of robbers, Norman, English, and even
Welsh.
3 St. Wulstan, bishop of Worcester, 1062— Jan. 19, 1095. The flames
burst forth at several other points. Robert de Mowbray, who was with
his uncle, the bishop of Coutances, at Bristol, pillaged and burnt Bath,
ravaged Wiltshire, and attacked Gloucester, where he was repulsed by the
inhabitants. William d'Eu overran Gloucestershire and seized Berkeley
Castle. Robert Bigot at Norwich, and Hugh de Grantmesnil at Leices-
ter, also took part in the revolt.
A.D. 1088.] THE ENGLISH RALLY BOUND THE KINO. 435
nobles had formed desperate designs against him in his own
kingdom, and that, the mischief spreading, affairs were
getting worse and worse, he was far from skulking like a
frighted fox in the depths of caverns, but roused himself
boldly with a lion's courage, to strike a terrible blow on the
rebels. He therefore summoned a great council of the
archbishop with his suffragans and the earls and native
English, and laid before them the attempts of his adver-
saries, and his own wish to give them battle. Those who
were present exhorted the king to put down the disturbers
of the peace, and promised to support him with the utmost
eeal. Thirty thousand Englishmen1 voluntarily enrolled
themselves an the royal service, demanding that the base
traitors should be punished without respect of persons.
" Act," they said, " with firmness as the son of a king, and,
yourself placed lawfully on the throne, command with con-
fidence all your subjects. See you not our numbers who
have already flocked to your standard, and give you willing
obedience ? Send your orders through all England, and
crush the rebels with the weight of your lawful power. "We
will fight for you to death, and never shall another prince
usurp your place in our affections. It would be indeed a
folly and a crime to prefer a foreign enemy to a well-known
king. The nation which breaks its allegiance to its prince,
must be held accursed. Death to the band which exults in
the ruin of ita lord ! Search well the histories of the
English, and you will find them to have been always faithful
to their kings."
"William Eufus? was so much encouraged by the temper
of his native subjects, that he immediately took the field
with the great army he had thus assembled, and marched at
1 There appears to be some exaggeration in this number, which does
not ngree with the expression mediocris, which Florence of Worcester
applies to the army of the young king. That author informs us that
it was not till some time after the insurrection broke out, and after
the first movements in the campaign, as we shall presently see, that,
finding himself unable to cope with his powerful Norman barons, who had
almost all declared against him, he summoned the English to his aid by a
levy en masse, branding as niderings all who should not follow their
sovereign's standard.
1 Ordericus, in this and other passages, calls William simply ret rufus,
the red king.
F I- 2
43(> OBDEBICttTS TITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.II.
once against the rebels to give them battle. Upon this,
Odo, bishop of Bayeux, shut himself up in the city of
Rochester with five hundred men-at-arms, determining to
wait the arrival of Duke Robert, with the auxiliary forces
he had promised to bring ; for the league, although they
were very numerous, and had great resources in money and
arms, and vast supplies, did not dare to meet the king in
open fight within his own realm. They therefore, with
great prudence, selected Rochester, because, if the king did
not blockade them in the city, the position was central for
making sudden eruptions and plundering London and Can-
terbury, and they could also take advantage of the sea, which
lies very near, and the neighbouring islands, to despatch mes-
sengers to obtain assistance. The resolute king, however,
anticipated their projects, and, in the month of May, in-
vested the place with a powerful army ; and, erecting two
forts, shut up the enemy within the walls, so that every
avenue of egress was closed. As I have said before, Bishop
Odo, Count Eustace, and Robert de Belesme,1 with many
nobles, as well as persons of moderate station, held the
place, expecting, in vain, succours from Duke Robert, who
was detained by sloth and indulgence. However Roger,
earl of Mercia,2 and many other Normans who were in the
besieging army gave secret aid to the besieged, as far as it
was in their power, although they did not venture to appear
openly in arms against the king. All the bishops of Eng-
land joined the English people in loyally supporting the
king, and laboured to restore in the country that tranquil-
lity which good men love. Also Hugh, earl of Chester,
Robert de Mowbray, earl of Northumberland,3 William de
1 If we could be surprised at anything in so strange a character, which
will be further developed hereafter, we might wonder to find Robert de '
Belesme among the partisans of Henry Curt-hose after the activity he had
shown in expelling the duke's garrisons from his own castles of Belesme
and Alencon, and in even inducing the lords of Evreux, Conches, and
Breteuil to do the same. However, he had before the death of William
the Conqueror been one of the partisans of the young duke, so far as to
accompany him in some of his emigrations,
* Roger de Montgomery, earl of Shrewsbury, was Robert de Belesme's
father. See before, p. 194.
3 Wo have just seen that Florence of Worcester reckons this noble-
man, with his uncle Geoffrey, among the insurgents.
A.D. 108f8.] SIEGE OF BOCHESTEE. 437
Warenne, and Eobert Fitz-Hamon, -with other loyal and ex-
perienced barons, maintained their fealty to their sovereign
and gave him useful aid, both with their arms and their
counsels, against the common enemy.
A plague, like the plague of the Egyptians, made its
appearance in the town of Rochester, the Almighty, who, in
all ages, superintends human affairs and orders them aright,
having chosen to renew an ancient miracle in modern times.
For as the flies tormented the Egyptians, and did not cease
a moment from whizzing round them, in the same manner
these flies grievously annoyed the besieged with -their
incessant attacks ; for all egress from the castle was pre-
vented, and many of those who were thus blockaded fell
sick from their various sufferings, and, their disorders in-
creasing, at length died. Innumerable flies were engendered
in the dung of men and horses, and being nourished by the
heat both of the summer, and of the atmosphere caused by
the breath of so many inhabitants closely pent up, their
swarms horribly infested their eyes and noses, food and
drink. So severely was the insolent band of rebels afflicted
with the annoyance of the swarms that they could not eat
their meals, either by day or night, unless a great number
of them were employed, in turn, in flapping them away
from their comrades' faces. In consequence, Odo and his
allies could no longer suffer the miseries of the siege ;L they
1 Florence of Worcester gives a somewhat different account of these
transactions. He says that Robert Curl-hose despatched the earls of
Boulogne and Bel&sme, with a body of auxiliaries, to support Bishop Odo,
promising to follow himself with a larger force. This was the first notice
the king had of the danger which threatened him, and he immediately
summoned such of the barons as he could rely on, and assembling a small
body of troops at London, more English than Normans, marched for
Rochester, biking Tunbridge in the way. He reduced that castle after
two days' siege, having wounded Richard de Bienfacte> one of the con-
spirators, who held it, and forced him to capitulate. On the king's
approach to Rochester, after this success, Odo made his escape, and took
refuge in Pevensey Castle with his brother, the earl of Morton. The king,
however, deferred the siege of Rochester, the garrison of which, in the
meantime, ravaged the whole neighbourhood, and followed the bishop to
Pevensey. It was at this period that the insurrection burst forth in
several quarters, as mentioned in preceding notes. Pevensey surrendered
to the king's troops after holding out 8 x weeks, and Bishop Odo was
taken, and, as Henry of Huntingdon says (p. 225, Bohn' s Antiq. Library),
solemnly swore to depart the realm, and to deliver up the city of
438 OEDEBICTTS TITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.IT.
therefore sent envoys to the king, asking for peace and offer-
ing to surrender the place. The terms proposed were these :
that they should be re-instated in the lands, the fief's, and all
the possessions they before had, and should, for the future,
serve him loyally as their natural lord. The king was
greatly incensed at these proposals, and, so far from making
any concession, and accepting the terms offered by the
envoys, he swore that he would seize, by force of arms, the
perfidious traitors shut up in the town, and forthwith hang
them on gibbets, or sweep them from the eartli by other
kinds of death. When, however, those who were engaged
in the siege in the royal cause perceived that the king was
so inflamed with passion against their relations and friends
within the fortress as to threaten their execution, they came
about him with deep supplications, and endeavoured to pro-
pitiate him by earnest prayers and flattering words. Thus
they said : " Praise be to God who is ever the helper of
those who trust in him, and grants that good parents shall
succeeded by worthy children." Lo ! these aspiring youths,
and old men blinded by their ambition, have sufficiently
learnt, that the royal authority in this land is not yet
extinct; for those who flocked here out of Normandy, to
prey upon us like ravenous kites, have discovered, through
the interposition of God, that "William the younger is not
less powerful than "William the elder. Already half con-
quered they submit to your arms ; and, confessing your
might, approach you as suppliants. We too, who have
stood by you in the hour of your greatest peril, as we did
by your father, now humbly approach you with earnest in-
treaties on behalf of our fellow countrymen. It befits you,
who have subdued by your valour these senseless and trem-
bling men, to extend your clemency to them now that they
are humbled and penitent. Let mercy temper the king's
severity, and a glorious victory satisfy the claims of your
Rochester. Being conducted there for that purpose, he broke or eluded
his oath, and having got into the city remained there until, on its
surrender, he became again a captive. It was at this period, Florence of
Worcester informs us, that the king summoned the great body of his
English subjects to his side, with such success that the Normans in
Rochester, brave and numerous as the garrison was, could no longer resist
the numbers which flocked to the king's standard; and the garrison was
compelled to surrender at discretion.
A..D. 1088.] TEKMS Of CA.PITULA.TIoy. 439
distinguished valour. The great King David pardoned
Shimei who cursed him,1 and entreated Joab and Abishai
and his other generals, not to slay Absalom his adversary.2
Examples of this sort abound in the sacred volume, and the
lines of the sagacious poet, in his work on the Wonders of
the World, are to the same purport.
" 'Tis lion-like to spare a fallen foe,
And lion-hearted kings should thus their greatness show." 3
King William replied to these observations ; " I confess
that it is through your prowess I have subdued the enemy,
and, by God's help, with your valour, the victory is almost
gained. But you ought to be the more cautious not to
induce me by your supplications to deviate from the course
of strict justice. When we spare perjurers and robbers,
plunderers, and execrable traitors, we destroy the peace and
•ecurity of the well-disposed, and sow the seeds of endless
slaughter and pillage among the innocent and defenceless.
In what have I offended these criminal men ? What injury
have I done them ? Why have they sought to destroy me
by every means in their power, and raised insurrections
among the people wherever they could, to so much public
loss ? I confirmed them in all their rights, and have given
them no cause to revolt against me ; and yet they are be-
come my determined enemies. I consider it just to follow
rigidly the judgment of the great king David, whose ex-
ample you set before me; thus, as Baanah and Eechab,
the sons of Eimmon, the Beerothite, who beheaded Ishbo-
sheth in his own house, were by David's sentence con-
demned to be hung,* so these seditious men shall be fearfully
punished, that men of this and future ages may be deterred
and restrained by the report of this terrible vengeance."
1 2 Samuel xvi. 5 — 11.
* 2 Samuel xviii. 5.
* In the original quotation,
Parcere prostratis sit nobilis ira leonis !
Tu quoque fac simile, quisquis dominaris in orbe !
The author, whoever he was, had probably in his mind the well-known
line—
" Parcere dejectis et debellare superbos."
4 2 Sam. iv. 2—12.
440 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.T1II. CH.II.
To this the nobles replied, " "We admit all that you say,
our lord the king, to be right and just, nor can we contra-
dict any of your reasons. But we are compelled by our
feelings of humanity humbly to implore your mightiness to
consider who these persons are, on whose behalf we so
earnestly implore your clemency. Odo, of Bayeux, is your
uncle, and has been consecrated a bishop. He assisted your
father in his conquest of England, and to his great peril
stood by him in many straits. What can you do with a man ol
his eminence ? Far be it from you to lay hands on a priest
of the Lord, and shed his blood for such a cause. Recollect
what Saul did at Nob,1 and what he suffered in Mount
Gilboah ?s AVho will be so wicked as to venture to advise
you to condemn the Lord's bishop, and your own uncle ?
No one. It is therefore our unanimous request that you
will extend your clemency to him, and permit him to depart
without injury to his own diocese in Normandy. The count
of Boulogne was also faithful to your father, and his valiant
supporter and comrade in many a desperate battle. Robert
de Belesme likewise, who was much esteemed by your father,
and promoted by him to great honours, has now obtained
mastery of great part of Normandy, and being possessed of
the strongest castles, holds the first rank among his neigh-
bours, and the Norman lords. If you temper your animosity
against these great men, and treat them graciously here, or
permit them to depart iu safety, you may advantageously
use their amity and service, on many future occasions. ' He
who is your enemy now, may be your useful friend another
time.3
" Under their ensigns there are many young aspirants to
the honours of chivalry who are ready to serve under your
standard, and whose services you, O king, ought not to
despise. Those, therefore, whom you have now subjugated
by means of your power, your wealth, and your eminent
bravery, attach to your person by generosity and cle-
mency."
In consequence, the noble-minded king, vanquished by
the prayers of his faithful followers, granted their request,
1 1 Sam. xxii. 19.
a 1 Siim. xxxi. 1, 2.
' Idem gut l&dit, furs post ut amicus obedil.
A.D. 1088.] THE GABEISON MABCH OUT. 441
and relieving the besieged from the sentence of death or
mutilation, granted them leave to depart from the place
with their horses and arms. But he utterly refused them
all expectation of having any inheritance or lauds within the
realm of England, as long as he was on the throne. Then
bishop Odo attempted to procure the king's command that
the trumpeters should not sound a flourish while the gar-
rison marched out, as is the custom when an enemy is
conquered, and a fortresss is taken by storm. But the king
fell into a great passion, and would not listen to what was
asked, asserting that he would not grant it for a thousand
marks of gold. The garrison therefore marched out with
sorrow and dejection, while the royal trumpets sounded in
notes of triumph, and the crowds of English who were on
the king's side shouted aloud, " Halters, bring halters,1 and
hang this traitor-bishop with his accomplices on a gallows.
Great king of England, why do you permit this author of
all our woes to escape safe and sound ? This perjured homi-
cide, who has caused the death of thousands by his plots
and his cruelties, ought not to be suffered to live." The
crest-fallen bishop and his associates were compelled to
listen to the foul reproaches which were heaped upon them,
but although they were threatened with a bitter fate, per-
mission was not granted for the populace to wreak their ven-
geance on them. Thus the unholy bishop was banished from
England, and his vast domains were forfeited, so that the
prodigious wealth which he had iniquitously amassed, was,
by the just judgment of God, lost with signal disgrace. He
retired in confusion to Bayeux, and never again set foot in
England.*
It was thus, that in the first year of king "William's reign,
at the commencement of summer, the city of Kochester was
surrendered to him, and the criminal enterprise of those who
had taken arms to disturb the peace of the realm was de-
feated. For the malignants and evil-doers, when they under-
stood the king's bold and resolute character, became alarmed
on account of the pillage and slaughter, and other wicked-
1 Torques, torques afferte.
* The bishop of Durham also was forced to take refuge in Flande1?
but, according to Henry of Huntingdon, not until the king had beiiegeu
him in Durham itself. P. 2*23, Bohn's Antiq. Lib.
442 OBDEBICTJS VITALIS. [u.VIII. CH.m.
ness, of which they had been guilty in so much haste, and
during the twelve years of the king's reign they did not
dare to mutter a word against him. Meanwhile, William
acted with great caution, watching his opportunity for
taking revenge. The factious attempts of some of his ene-
mies he punished with the utmost severity of the law, but
designedly winked at the offences of others. The old barons
who had shown some signs of disaffection to him, were pru-
dently spared, both out of regard to his father's memory, to
whom they had been loyally attached, and from respect to
their age ; for he shrewdly thought that disease and death
would soon prevent their giving him any trouble. Some,
however, served him the more faithfully in after times, on
account of their having been deeper involved in the crime of
treason, and tried to render themselves acceptable to him by
their gifts, their services, and their flatteries.
CH. III. — History of Robert de Rhuddlan — His successes
in curbing the Welsh — Is slain by Gryffith-ap-Conan.
Icing of ' North Wales — Buried at St. Evroult — Elegy to
his memory.
IN consequence of the shock which England received from
the violence of the storm we have just described, and of the
wounds which were daily inflicted by its inhabitants on
each other, divided as they were into two parties, one of
which tried to depose the king, while the other stoutly
maintained his cause, Grryflith, king of Wales,1 at the head
of an array, made an inroad on the English borders, and
devastated the country about Rhuddlan with fire and sword,
taking much booty and many captives. On the return of
Eobert, lord of Rhuddlan, from the siege of .Rochester,2 he
received k^eLigence of these barbarities and his severe
losses which filled him with grief, and drew from him in his
1 Gryffith-ap-Conan, who after his victory over Howel-ap-Owen in 1 076,
reigned, it is said, at least at intervals, until 1136. Gryffith was allied to
the Anglo-Saxon kings, being eon-in-law of King Owen, the grandson of
Grono, who married Ethefleda, widow of Edmund Ironsides.
1 Robert dc Rhuddlan had joined the league against William Rufus,
but after the siege of Rochester, as it here appears, returned to his duties
lin Wales. He belonged to the great family of Grantmesnil by the father's
side, and to that of Giroie, of which our author gives so much detail in the
first volume, by his mother's.
ROBEBT DE HHUDDLAW. 443
wrath the most terrible threats. He was a brave and active
knight, free of speech, a formidable enemy, but generous,
and celebrated for his many deeds of valour. He had been
one of king Edward's squires, and received from him the
belt of knighthood. His father, Umfrid, was son of Amfrid
of Danish race : his mother, Adeliza, was sister of Hugh
de Grantmesnil, of the noble family of Giroie. This dis-
tinguished warrior, in the midst of his military employments,
did not neglect the church, constantly treating the clergy and
monks with great respect, and giving liberal alms to the
poor, according to his means.
The abbey of St. Evroult, where his brothers Arnold and
Roger were monks, and his father and mother and other
relations lay buried, was much beloved by him, and he en-
dowed it to the best of his power. In consequence, he gave
to it the church of Tilleul,1 and his portion of the church of
Damblainville,2 with the presbytery, and all that belonged to
him in the church of Corneres.3 He added the tithe of his
mills, and of all his rents, with an additional tenth from his
butlery and cellar.4 The same Robert gave to the monks of
St. Evroult, of his possessions in England, Little-Cwm,8
comprising two plough-lands, and twenty villeins ; also, the
tithes, and the whole vill called Kirkby,6 with the church and
presbytery, and the church of the Island,7 and the church of
St. Peter-in-theMarket, and three cottages in the city of
Chester: and that St. Evroult might possess all these in
perpetuity and without molestation, he came in person to a
chapter at Ouche, and confirmed his grant of all that has
been mentioned, before abbot Mairiier, and the convent of
1 Either Tilleul-en-Auge, in the canton of Dive, or Notre-Dame-du
Tilleul, canton of Merlerault.
* Damhlainville, canton of Fnlaise.
* Supposed to be Cormier, near Evreux.
* Redecimationem promptuariorum suoriim. The French translator
renders it " La dime de la dime de sa table."
* The parish of Cwm, which in Welsh signifies a valley, adjoins
Rhuddlan. It comprises a smaller valley, which is lateral to the vale of
Clwyd, and there seems no doubt but that it is the same which Ordericui
designates by the diminitive Cumbi-nellam.
* Kirkby, Chircabia. It afterwards belonged to the church of St.
Peter-in-the-Markct, at Chester.
7 This is probably "the manor surrounded by the sea," described
among Robert de Rhuddlan '• grants to the abbey of St. Evroult, in the
charter of King William I. See before, p. 257.
444 ORDEEICUS VITALIS. [fi. VIII. CH. III.
monks. There were with him at the chapter, Easzo the
dean, Hugh de Mellai, William the Butler, son of Grimold,
Roger, son of Giroie, Durant, Burnell, Osbern d'Orgeres,1
and Walter the provost. These were present when Robert
proceeded to the church, and laid on the altar the charter
containing the grant of these premises.
I have inserted this short notice of the donations which
the aforesaid lord made to the church of St. Evroult, and
I think the judicious reader will not, on consideration, be
disposed to ridicule me when I conform my narrative, as
occasion offers, to the title of my work.
Eobert, son of Umfrid, came over to England with his
father while he was quite young, and was in the service of
King Edward, both in his household and army, until he was
knighted by that king. Then, newly invested with splendid
armour, and enriched with honourable tokens of the royal
favour, he formed the design of visiting his relations,
and having obtained the king's licence, returned to his
own country radiant with delight. After the battle of
Senlac, while King William was engaged in making head
against repeated insurrections, the young knight, with hia
cousin Hugh,2 son of Richard d'Avranches, surnamed Goz,
again came over to England, and distinguished himself in all
the actions where military glory was to be obtained. After
many exploits, he was attached to the service of Hugh before
mentioned, who was made earl of Chester and appointed
Robert commander of his troops, and governor of his whole
province. At that time the Britons on the borders, who
are commonly called Gael, or Welch, took arms with great
fury against King William and all his adherents. A fortress
was therefore built at Rhuddlan3 by the king's command, to
1 Orgeres, near Gace\
9 Hugh, viscount d'Avranches in Normandy, and afterwards created
earl of Chester in England, where lie is better known as Hugh Lupus.
His young nephew held by grant under him large possessions, including
two cantrefs in Flintshire or Denbighshire, of which Tegengle was one,
and, in the end, the whole kingdom of Gwyned, or North Wales. He
also held in farm, at forty pounds rent, the capital and royal palace of
Aberfraw in the island of Anglesey.
3 Rhuddlan, from which he derived his surname, was Robert's principal
seat. It was one of the most important fortresses in Wales, and was often
taken and re-taken in the long succession of wars from early times. .It
was not " built " by Robert, as our author states ; he probably added to it,
and strengthened the fortifications. A battle was fought here between the
BOBEET DE BIIfDDLAN CUEBS THE WELSH. 445
over-awe the Welch, and the custody of it committed to
Robert that he might defend the English frontier against
the inroads of those barbarians. The warlike lord-marcher
had frequent encounters with that turbulent people, in
which much blood was shed. The British inhabitants were,
however, repulsed after some desperate engagements, and
Robert enlarging his territories, erected a strong castle on
mount Diganwy, close to the sea.1 For fifteen years he
severely chastised the Welsh, and seized their territory ;
notwithstanding that, proud of their ancient independence,
they had refused all tokens of submission to the Normans.
Making inroads into their country, through woods and
marshes, and over mountain heights, he inflicted losses on
the enemy in every shape, Some he butchered without
mercy, like herds of cattle, as soon as he came up with them.
Others he threw into dungeons, where they suffered a long
imprisonment, or cruelly subjected them to a shameful
slavery. It is not fit that Christians should so oppress their
brethren who have been regenerated by holy baptism in the
faith of Christ.
Ambition and avarice, those mainsprings of human
action in every part of the world, were the powerful stimu-
lants which urged Robert, the lord-marcher, to the indis-
criminate pillage and slaughter which afterwards plunged
him into the pit of destruction. It happened that, on the
third of July, Qryffyth, king of Wales,1 came to land with
Saxons and Welsh as farly as 795, on occasion of which a plaintive air
was composed by the bards called Aforfa Rhuddlan, or the Red Marsh,
which is still played with enthusiasm by the national harpers. Camden
says that the castle was built by LJewelJyn-ap Sylt in 1015, or 1020, and
became the palace of the Welsh princes. It was burnt down by Harold
during his irruption into Wales in 1063, being then, as the Saxon Chronicle
says, King Gryffyth's. It having been again occupied by the Welsh, Robert
re-took it, and by command of the Conqueror restored and fortified it, as we
have already seen.
1 Diganwy, which stood on the heights commanding the entrance of the
river Conway, was also a very ancient fortress. It is supposed to ha»e
been the Roman etation Dictum, and is mentioned in the Welsh Chronicles
as esirly as 810. It was, therefore, only restored and strengthened by
Robert de Rhuddlan. Conway Castle, which stands on the opposite or
western bank of the river, was not built till 1284.
* Gryffyth-ap-Conan, king of North Wales, was engaged in a continual
contest for the defence of his kingdom and independence. This is not the
only instance of his daring enterprises against Robert of Rhuddlan. The
Norman lord, on one occasion, received a visit from the Welsh prince to
446 OEDEBICUS VITALIS. [B. Till. CH. III.
three ships under a mountain called Horma-heva,1 and the
band of pirates presently spread itself over the country for
pillage, like ravening wolves. Meanwhile, the tide ebbed,
and the ships were left dry on the beach ; Gryffyth and his
followers scouring the coast and carrying off men and cattle,
with which they made a hasty retreat to their vessels thus
lying on the strand.
Under these circumstances, Robert was roused from his
noon-day sleep by the people's cries, which made him aware of
this hostile inroad on his territories. He sprung up quickly,
unarmed as he was, and without delay despatched messen-
gers to summon his vassals to arms through all the district.
Meanwhile, he pursued the "Welsh, without further prepa-
ration, at the head of a few soldiers, and reaching the top of
mount Horma-heva, which is very lofty, saw, beneath, the
pirates binding the captives and driving them to their ships
with the cattle. Upon this, the noble lord-marcher, bold as
a lion, shouted aloud to his small band of followers, few and
unarmed as they were, calling on them to rush on the
Welsh on the dry sands before the return of the tide. They
however excused themselves on account of their scanty
numbers and the difficulty of descending the precipitous
face of the mountain. Upon this, Robert, who saw that
the enemy was only waiting the return of the sea to make
their escape, was overwhelmed with grief, and impatient of
delay, scrambled down the mountain side to throw himself
on the enemy without armour and with only one follower,
a man-at-arms whose name was Osbern d'Orgeres. Seeing
him coming to attack them, protected by his shield only and
supported by a single soldier, the Welsh in a body hurled
their spears at him, and, piercing the shield with the insup-
portable weight, mortally wounded the brave Osbern. But as
long as Robert was able to stand and clasp his shield, no one
ventured to come to close quarters and attack him sword in-
hand. At length the intrepid warrior fell on his knees,
pierced with darts, and his strength failing, the shield, heavy
ask his aid, which was granted ; but on some quarrel, Gryffyth attacked
him in his own castle, took and burnt the bailey or yard, and killed such a
number of his men that very few escaped into the tower.
1 The lofty promontory, conspicuous from the Menai Straits and the
Irish Channel, which forms the extreme north-west of Carnarvonshire, and
is now called Great Orm's head.
EOBEET DE EHUDDLA.N SLAIJT. 447
with the weight which clung to it, dropped from his hand ;
and he commended his soul to the Almighty and St. Mary,
mother of God. Then the whole band rushed on him, and
cutting off his head in the sight of his people, fixed it at the
mast-head as a trophy of their victory. Many witnessed
this spectacle from the summit of the mountain with grief
and rage, but they were unable to render their lord any
succour. At last the country people flocked in from the
whole district ; but it was too late ; they were unable to
save their lord-marcher, who was already slain. However,
they manned some ships and pursued the pirates, as they
were making their course over the sea, in a tumult of grief
at seeing their lord's head carried off" on the mast of the
enemy's ship. Gryffyth and his crew, finding that they were
chased, and observing that their pursuers' rage was inflamed
by the insult to their lord, took down his head from the
mast and threw it into the sea. On seeing this, Robert's
followers ceased the fruitless chace. His body was lifted
from the sea-shore with loud lamentations both of the English
and Normans, and being carried to Chester, was buried in
the abbey of St. "Werburgh the virgin. That monastery
had been lately built by Hugh, earl of Chester, who, ap-
pointing Eichard, a monk of Bee, abbot there, established
a body of men devoted to the service of God in the midst of
the brutish bands of that border fortress.1
Some years afterwards, Arnold the monk, son of TJmfrid,
crossed over to England, and, with the licence of Robert de
Limesi, bishop of Lichfield,2 took up his brother's remains
and transferred them to the abbey of St.Evroult in Normandy.
They were received with due honours by Abbot Roger and
the convent of monks, and interred in the monks' cloister on
the south side of the church. This Arnold, with four noble
companions, Guy, Roger, Dreux, and Odo, quitted the mili-
tary service in his youth, and becoming a monk, laboured
more abundantly than his associates in the duties of his
1 The abbey of St. Werburgh, founded by Edgar, king of Mercia, in
358. It was restored by Hugh Lupus, earl of Chester, and his wife,
Ermentrude, in 1093. >
2 Robert de Limesi was consecrated as bishop of Lichfield by Arch-
bishop Lanf'ranc in 1085 (December 25). He transferred the seat of his
bishopric to Coventry the 18th of April, 1 102j and died the 30th of August,
1117.
448 OBDEBICTTS VITALIS. [B.VIII. CH.IIT.
order, which he performed zealously for almost fifty years.
He devoted himself to promote the interests of his abbey,
for which he several times crossed the British sea, as well
as penetrated into Apulia, Calabria, and Sicily, that he
might procure supplies for the monastery from the gifts of
his relations. In these journeys he visited his brother
William, who was abbot of St. Euphemia, and William de
Grantmesnil his cousin,1 as well as other wealthy relations
in Italy, and by a gentle violence carried off all he could to
enrich his own abbey. In this way he procured from his
kinsmens' stores ornaments and other things required for
his own church, making his kindred subservient to the de-
mands of the abbey. He had to bear many slights and
rebuffs on several occasions, but he was not to be deterred
from his undertaking by the obstacles which he sometimes,
indeed frequently, met with. Nothing induced him to relax
his zeal in the cause he espoused ; and it was at his charge
that the arch of stone, which is still standing, was built over
his brother's tomb. Reynold the painter, who had the sur-
name of Bartolomeo, decorated the arch and tomb with
painting in a variety of colours, and Vitalis the Englishman,
at the earnest entreaty of Arnold, composed an epitaph in
elegiac verses, to the following purport : —
I.
Here in the soil that gave him birth,
As mortals all return to earth,
ROBERT OF RHUDDLAN'S tomb you see ;
The flower of Norman chivalry,
Old Urafrid's son, of Danish race,
While beaming yet with youthful grace,
And foremost 'mong the bold and brave,
Fated to find an early grave.
What though a stormy life he led,
The fierce lord-marcher bowed his head
To holy church, the spouse of Christ ;
And gave her wealth, for well he wist
"i'was shame to turn from open door,
The priest, the pilgrim, or the poor.
II.
Where Gwyned* meets the western wave,
And Clwyd's floods the meadows lave,
1 William, second son of Hugh de Grantmesnil, and son-in-law of
Robert Gulcard.
* GwyneJ, North Wales.
ROBEBT DE BHUDDLAN's EPITAPH. 449
He Rhuddlan's Castle built, a name
Which gives him never-dying fame ;
And fenced it well, 'mid wars' alarms,
To curb a savage race in arms.
O'er Snowdon's heights and Cefyn's stream1
Full oft they saw his armour gleam ;
For in the fierce and wild foray
Nor stream nor mountain stopped his way.
And chief, when princely Blethyn fled3
Before the scanty band he led,
Successful by a bold surprise,
A glorious booty was the prize.
Prince Howell 3 groaned in Chester's towers,
And royal Gryflfyth* counted hours
Of dark and sad captivity ;
And prostrate Trahaern bowed the knee
To Robert, flushed with victory.
III.
AlasJ how short his bold career!
See reckless, without pause or fear,
Alone he rushes on the foe,
Where on the sandy beach below
Orm's beetling cliffs frown fearfully ;
'Twas on the third of bright July.
Too rashly left Diganwy's walls,
Pierced by a hundred darts he falls,
And Gryffyth takes his gory head,
Sad trophy of the ruthless deed.
Fierce Owen raised triumphant song,8
Prince Howell's bards the notes prolong ;*
1 Cefyn, the Welsh name of the Conway.
8 BLETHYN- A p-CoNWYN, prince of North Wales and Powis; at first,
jointly with Rywallon (1060 — 1066), and afterwards solely until 1073.
The expedition of which our author speaks must have taken place in 1 072.
3 HoWEL-Ap-OwEN and his brother, Rhys-Ap-Owen, princes of South
Wales, were defeated at the battle of Pwll-Getty in 1076, and having
been made prisoners, were both put to death. .
* GRYFFYTH-Ap-CoMAN, having endeavoured to dethrone Trahaern-Ap-
Caradoc, seized the isle of Anglesey, and then landed on the coast of
Carnarvonshire, where he fought a battle at Bron-yr-Erw in 1073, in
which he was defeated, and probably sent at once prisoner to Chester.
Having recovered his liberty, he attacked Trahaero again, and gained a
victory on the moutains of Carno in 1079.
B Owen, son of Edwyn-Ap-Grono, afterwards made king of North Wales
by the Normans.
6 Howel-Ap-Grono, though originally only lord of Tegengle, from his
right of suzerainty may have well been called prince or king by the Welsh.
<J O
450 OEDEBICUS VITALI8. [B. VIII. CH.IT,
The brave lord-marcher's country weeps,
While here his mangled body sleeps,
Hesting in Evroult's cloistered shade ;
The good saints' merits be his aid !
IV.
Now, reader kind, some moments spare;
To breathe for Robert's soul a prayer ;
ALMIGHTY FATHER, grant him rest,
In the bright mansions of the blest !
, CHRIST, who life's breath and second birth
Dost give to sinful sons of earth,
Author of immortality,
Propitious to thy servant be ;
Snatch him from dreary shades below,
From fires of purgatorial woe,
And, by thy cross, his ransom's price,
Waft him to light and paradise !
And, MART mild, the sinner's friend,
Thy powerful intercession lend ;
For when his foes around him pressed,
And Gwyned's spearmen pierced his breast,
Robert to thee his prayers addressed,
Invoked thee in the hour of death,,
And sighed to thee his latest breath.
CH. IV. — Robert Curthose, by Ms feeble government, suffers
Norinandy to be the prey of violence and rapine — In a mo-
ment of alarm he arrests and imprisons his brother Henry,
and Robert de Belesme.
WHILE William Rufus, having established his authority-
through all parts of England, was employed in keeping
down the insurgents by the strong hand of his princely
power, the ambitious Odo, banished from England, betook
himself to his diocese of Bayeux, and finding duke Robert
sunk in slothful ease, set himself to acquire the mastery
over the whole of Normandy. The entire province was in a
state of dissolution ; bands of freebooters overran the vil-
lages and country-side, and the unarmed peasantry were
every where at the mercy of thieves and robbers. Duke
Robert imposed no restraint upon the evil-doers, who, for
eight years under that feeble-minded prince, vented their
fury on the defenceless people. They harassed without
remorse, even holy church, and wrung from her by force of
arms, or devastated, the possessions with which she had been
A.D. 1088.] WBETCHED STATE OF NORMANDY. 451
endowed by their worthy ancestors. The monasteries were
full of grief at their desolation, and the monks and nuns
were reduced to penury.1 In the midst of these pestilent
disorders, no honour was shown to persons and things dedi-
cated to God ; no respect. Fire, robbery ' and homicide
were matters of daily occurrence, and the people were over-
whelmed with calamities and trouble. Normandy gave birth
to wicked sons, who abandoned themselves to every sort of
crime, and cruelly devoured their mother's bowels. The
Venus of Sodom stalked boldly in the midst of such scenes
with her wanton enticements, defiling the effeminate, who
were only fit to be burnt. The marriage bed was polluted
by open adultery, and every part of the divine law was en-
tirely neglected. The bishops excommunicated the outlaws
by their divine authority, and theologians gave the warnings
of God to the guilty in their discourses ; but vain were all
these against the irresistible influence of pride and avarice,
and the vices which follow in their train. Strong places
were every where constructed without lawful authority,
where the sons of robbers were nourished like wolves' whelps
to mangle sheep. The malignants sought causes of offence,
that in their mutual quarrels they might have opportunities
of resorting to places in the neighbourhood, and that burn-
ings and plunderings might result from their enterprises.
The depopulated country and crowds of widows and in-
firm persons, lamenting the calamities brought upon them,
are witnesses to this day of the truth of my statements.
Thus quickly vanished and fell into decay, confusion, and
disgrace, through the sloth of the careless duke, all that had
oeen created by the vigour and ability of a wise prince and
nis assistants, and had long flourished in Normandy.
In the course of the summer, as soon- as certain intelli-
gence of the surrender of Rochester was received beyond
sea, Henry, the heir-apparent, now count of the Cotentin,
crossed over to England, and demanded of his brother the
1 Some idea of these devastations may be formed from the fearful
account given in the Chartulary of the Holy Trinity at Caen (Uiblioth&qne
Royale, 5650) of those which were suffered by that abbey from the
neighbours of its domains. The greatest men in the country, William,
count d'Evreux, Richard de Courci, Robert Bertran, Robert de Mowbray,
and even Prince Henry himself did not blush to take part in these ravages.
ft ft 2
452 OEDERICUS TITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.T.
investiture of his mother's domains. King William received
him graciously as became a brother, and granted him frater-
nally all that it was in his power to bestow. Having accom-
plished his business, in autumn he took leave of the king,
and embarked on his return to Normandy, with Robert de
Belesrne, who, through the mediation of powerful friends, had
made his peace with the king. Meanwhile, their arrival had
been anticipated by certain malevolent sowers of discord
who mix falsehood with truth, and who sent tidings to duke
Robert that his brother Henry, and Eobert de Belesme had
not only made peace with the Bed King, but had also bound
themselves by an oath to the duke's disadvantage. In con-
sequence, the duke knowing them to be powerful and valiant
knights, and being in great fear of their enterprises, took
counsel with the bishop of Bayeux, and caused them to be
arrested. Before they could undertake anything, and while
landing in security from their ships on the sea shore, they
were seized and fettered, and committed to the custody
of the tyrannical bishop, one at Bayeux, the other at
Neuilly. When Roger, earl of Shrewsbury, heard that his
son Robert was a prisoner, he hastened over to Normandy,
having obtained the king's licence, and put all his castles in
a state of defence against the duke. But Odo, of Bayeux,
like a dragon struck to the earth and vomiting flames, and
full of rage at the haughty treatment he had received from
the king, raised all sorts of commotions in Normandy, that
by some means or other he might foment evil to his nephew,
by whom he had been disgracefully expelled. The duke was
much afraid of him, and followed his advice in some things,
while he made light of it in others.
CH. V. — Odo, bishop of Bayeux, counsels Robert Curthose —
Jfp takes up arms aqainst Robert de Belesme — JBelesme's
extraordinary career and character.
THE malcontents in Normandy being every where in arms,
and threatening more mischief, the turbulent bishop Odo
came to the duke at Rouen, and reviewing the state of
the country at large thus addressed him : — " Whoever would
worthily govern the state, and rule the people of Grod,
among whom there is so much diversity of conduct, should
be both gentle and severe, according to circumstances. He
A.D. 1088.] BI81IOP ODO'S ADVICE. 453
should be gentle as a lamb to the good, the submissive, and
the humble ; fierce as a lion to the wicked, the rebellious and
the proud. Consider this well, my lord the duke, that you may
well govern this noble duchy of Normandy, which, by the
grace of God, you have inherited from your ancestors.
Take courage, and act with firmness. You see that mis-
creants and outlaws are revelling throughout the land, more
like Pagans than Christians in their evil courses, and, if I may
be permitted to say so, equalling the former in the enormity
of their crimes. The monks and the widows cry to you,
and you sleep. Unutterable delinquencies are frequently
reported to you, and you make light of them. It was not
thus that holy David, and the great Alexander acted : not
thus, Julius Caesar and Severus,1 the African ; not thus
Hannibal the Carthaginian, Scipio Africanus, Cyrus the
Persian, and Marius the Roman. But I waste time in
mentioning barbarians, whose very names are unknown to
you. Let us turn to those which are more familiar, and
belong to our own race. Think of your fathers and fore-
fathers, whose firmness of mind and courage made them
formidable to the warlike race of the French. I speak of
Hollo, William Long-sword, the three Richards, your grand-
father Eobert, and lastly, your father, "William, who was
more illustrious than all his predecessors, I beseech you to
emulate their firmness and ability, as they inherited the
vigour and industry of their ancestors, who by their pro-
digious exertions, became arbiters of the fate of kingdoms,
put tyrants under their yoke, and subdued barbarous nations.
Rouse yourself, and, assembling the invincible army of Nor-
mandy, lead it to the city of Nantes. There is a garrison of
your own soldiers in the citadel which your father built,
and the whole city, with the venerable Hoel, the bishop,
render you willing homage. Summon all the leading men
of Maine to attend you there, and receive graciously, and
address courteously, those who obey your summons ; but
take arms against such as treat it with contempt, and lose
no time in besieging their castles if they do not surrender
them. Having secured the submission of the people of
Muine, march against Earl Roger,2 and rid yourself alto-
1 Septimius Severus.
3 Koyer de Montgomery, earl of Shrewsbury, who, as Ordericus hn*
451 OBDEKICU8 VITALTS. [B.VIIT. CH.T.
gether of him and his sons, by utterly expelling them
from Normandy. Fear not ; trusting in the power of the
Lord. Carry yourself manfully, and be guided by the
counsels of the wise. Already you have in prison Robert,
earl Roger's eldest son, and if you make a bold eifort,
such as becomes a brave prince, it is in your power utterly
to expel that disloyal family of Talvas from your duchy. It is
a cursed race ; it breeds mischief, and contrives it as their
inheritance. This is proved by their horrible ends ; death
coming upon none of them in the ordinary course of nature.
This family of Talvas,1 if it be not now extirpated, will, in
my opinion, yet prove very troublesome to you, and even
irresistible. They hold a number of the strongest fortresses,
Belesme, Lurson, Essai, Alen9on, Domfront, St. Ceneri, La
Roche d'Ige, for which the bold Hugh assassinated Ma-
bel,* and Vignas, with many more stately castles, built by
"William de Belesme, Robert, Ivo and Warin, and their suc-
cessors, or which they wrested from their lawful owners or
their neighbours, either by force or stratagem. Their whole
conduct has been steeped in fraud and crime, nor have they
ever kept faith with any one with whom they were con-
nected by the ties of friendship, or alliance. They have
prospered by getting rid of their unsuspecting neighbours
by death or captivity, and their stately houses and strong
fortifications have been bxiilt at the expense of the blood ot
the peasants. Now is your opportunity, most noble duke,
for stripping them of these strongholds with perfect justice,
if you will only resolutely follow the example of your mag-
nanimous father and his great actions. As for him, he was
master of all these fortresses as long as he lived, and com-
mitted the custody of them to those he thought fit. But
this Robert, as soon as he received intelligence of the king's
death, arrogantly expelled your own garrisons from your own
castles, and disinherited you by getting them into his own
power. Reflect wisely on what I have said, and like a good
prince, exert yourself worthily for the peace of holy mother
church, and the defence of the poor and defenceless, while
you crush the rebellious by the force of your arms. If you
break the horns of the leaders who raise their heads against
just informed us, hastened over to Normandy as soon as he heard of his
son Robert de Belesme's arrest.
1 See Tol. i. pp. 385—389. * S«e p. 194 of the present volume.
A.D. 1088.] AFFAIRS OF MAINE. 455
you, the rest will be terrified by the ruin of their associates,
and submit to your commands without opposition. Thus
the people of God will rejoice in peace and security under
the shield of your protection, and offer devout prayers
to the Almighty for your safety. All orders in your
dominions will constantly celebrate divine worship, and the
law of God be duly observed in general security."
The bishop's exhortations were cordially approved by all
who were present, and they cheerfully placed themselves at
the duke's disposal for the defence of the country. Duke
Bobert therefore, having assembled troops, led them to
Mantes, where he was received with joy, both by the clergy
and citizens. On hearing his messages, Geoffery de
Mayenne,1 Robert the Burgundian,2 Elias son of John,3 and
many others came and offered their services to the Duke.
The Norman troops were under the command of the bishop
of Bayeui, William count of Evreux, Ralph de Conches,
and his nephew, William de Breteuil,4 and many other
knights of distinguished merit. Paganus de Montdoubleau
with other malcontents held possession of the castle of Bal-
lon, and made an obstinate resistance, when the duke and
his army proceeded to invest it. In that engagement, Os-
mund de Gaspree, a handsome and honourable knight was
slain on the calends [1st] of September: His body was
brought to St. Evroult by- the monk Arnold, and buried in
the porch before the church door.
After many losses on both sides, the garrison of Ballon
made peace with the duke, and afterwards the united forces
of the Normans and Manceaux, under the duke's command,
laid siege to the castle of St. Ceneri. The family of Robert
1 Geoffrey, lord of Mayenne (1059—1099). See vol. i. p. 449. He
was the moat formidable of the opponents of Norman domination in
Mayenne in 1063. Having been reconciled with Duke William, he
accompanied him in his expedition to England. He married Hildeburge,
daughter of Judicael, count of Nantes, but formed an attachment to
Hersende, eldest daughter of Huch III., and wife of Azzo.
8 Bobert de Nevers, surnamtd the Burgundian, lord of Sabl£, in right
of Avicia de Sable, his first wife.
* Elias de Beaugenci, lord of La Fl&che, son of John de Beangenci,
and grandson of Faule, daughter of Herbert Eveille-jchien, count of Maine.
See vol. i. p. 448.
4 Son of Adeline, sister of Ralph de Conches.
456 OBDEBICUS YITAL1S. [B.TIII. CH.V.
de Belesme had taken refuge there, and it was committed
to the keeping of Robert Quarrel, a knight of great spirit
and resolution, who was encouraged by Earl Roger to offer
a determined resistance to the besiegers ; but their pro-
visions failing the castle was taken, and by order of the
enraged duke, Robert Quarrel, the governor, was deprived
of sight. Many others also, who had joined in the obstinate
resistance to the Norman prince, suffered mutilation of
their limbs by a judgment of his court.
Then Geoffrey of Mayenne, with the lords of that pro-
vince, sought an audience with the duke, and presented to
him Robert Giroie, son of Robert Giroie.1 " This man,
my lord duke," said Geoffrey, " is your cousin, and has
long dwelt in Apulia with your kinsmen, who are very pow-
erful in that country. He now comes, in full confidence, to
you, his lord and cousin, offering you his fealty and service,
and demanding this castle as his right, his father having
held it all his life by inheritance, and died there." Duke
Robert readily granted this claim, and restored the castle of
St. Ceneri to Robert Giroie. He held it for nearly thirty-
six years afterwards, and fortified it with walls, and ditches,
and watch-towers. At his death he left it to his sons,
William and Robert.
The inhabitants of this place seldom enjoyed any peace
or respite from the attacks of the Normans and Manceaux.
The rocky hill on which it stands is surrounded on three
sides by the windings of the Sarthe. St. Generic, the ve-
nerable confessor,2 dwelt there in the -time of Milehard,
bishop of Seez. He founded there a convent of monks, be-
coming the Lord's soldier among the noble company, and
after a well-spent life, departed in Christ happily on the
nones [7th] of May. At length, in the reign of Charles the
Simple, at the time Hasting the Dane, with his heathen
band, was ravaging Neustria, the holy remains were trans-
lated by the faithful to Chateau-Thierri, the monks were
dispersed, and the monastery ruined. In the times that
followed it changed its inhabitants. Some cruel freebooters
1 See vol. i. pp. 390, &c.
a St. Ceneric, who 'is called in Normandy St. Ceneri, and even St
Cenerin, established himself about the year 670 in the place which beais
his name, and died there on the 7th of May, as OUT author states.
A.D. 1088.] CHARACTER OF ROBERT DE BELESME. 457
established a den of thieves where the despisers of worldly
things had lived orderly under the rule of St. Generic, bear-
ing the Lord's yoke according to the monastic discipline to
the end. It is reported that one hundred and forty monks
laboured there in the vineyard of the Lord of Sabaoth.
Their grave-stones in the church, and all around, bear open
testimony to travellers of the worth and reverence of the
men who there lie buried. The miscreants who succeeded
them in their habitation suffered, as they deserved, many
calamities ; fires, massacres, and numberless other miseries,
being their frequent lot.
The garrisons of Alen9on, Belesme, and other fortresses,
hearing of the sad fate of Robert Quarrel and his comrades,
were much terrified, and consulted together on the pro-
priety of surrendering the castles on the duke's approach.
But Robert's exhibition of spirit quickly failed, and his love
of ease and quiet soon led him to terminate the campaign,
disbanding his army, and suffering each man to depart to his
own home.
Earl Roger was much delighted at the dissolution of the
united forces of Normandy and Maine, and sent fair-speak-
ing envoys to the duke demanding peace and his son's
release, with many empty promises. The duke, who was
imprudent aud fickle, easy to be persuaded, and lax in the
execution of justice, accepted unexpectedly the frivolous
offers of his disloyal vassals, making peace with Earl Roger,
and granting his demands, and releasing Robert de Belesme
from confinement. But as soon as he had obtained his
liberty he became more insolent than ever, paid little atten-
tion to the orders or threats of the duke, and, mindful of
the affront he had received, took a long and multiplied venge-
ance for his wrongs. In fact, during the fifteen years he
and the duke remained afterwards in Normandy together,1
his rage was unbounded, and he was seldom at a loss for
opportunities to raise commotions in the province. By his
crafty devices he drew over to his side many of the duke'a
servants and adherents, and lessened the domains which his
predecessors had possessed and largely augmented. Robert
1 This calculation is not exact, the two Roberts were only fourteen
years together in Normandy, and they were reconcrled before the battle of
Tinchebrai.
458 OEDEUICUS YITATIS. [B.VIII. CH.V.
Belesme1 was of a subtle genius, deceitful and wily: in
person he was stout and of great strength ; intrepid and
formidable in war ; he was a fluent speaker, but desperately
cruel ; his avarice and lust were insatiable ; he was an able
manager of important affairs, and toiled with the utmost
patience through the greatest worldly trials ; he displayed
great skill in constructing buildings and machines and
other difficult works, and inexorable cruelty in tormenting
his enemies. He did not honour, cherish, and clothe holy
church as a son should a mother, but dishonoured, op-
pressed, and stripped it as a step-son would treat his
mother-in-law. After numberless offences and traitorous
conspiracies, King Henry, by God's judgment, has most
righteously committed him to close confinement, having
thus made himself the stern avenger of the wretched under
the special influence of divine revelation. But we shall
speak of this in another place.
This lord, with the assistance of King "William, by whom
he was much beloved for his father's and mother's (Roger
and Mabel) sake, obtained for wife a daughter of Guy,
count of Ponthieu, Agnes by name ; he had by her a son
called William, who inherited their large domains scattered
through Normandy and Ponthieu. By means not only of
his wealth but his domineering spirit, Robert established his
pre-eminence over all his brothers, and, disinheriting them,
usurped the entire patrimony of their ancestors both in
Normandy and the county of Maine, of which for a long
period he had sole possession. He used his utmost efforts
to reduce to subjection the lords of his neighbourhood, his
equals in birth, and with some, actuated by his insatiable
ambition, he succeeded, either by treachery and insupport-
able hostilities, or by insidious attacks. This was the case
1 The character of this extraordinary man, whose great talents dis-
tinguished him from most of the turbulent nobles of this age, seems to
have inspired all the contemporary historians with horror. Henry of
Huntingdon says, " He was a very Pluto, Megaera, Cerberus, or anything
you can conceive still more horrible," and gives details of his cruelties
which are omitted by Ordericus. William of Malmesbury pnrticularly
enlarges on the powers of dissimulation, by means of which his victims
became his prey. Huntingdon's Letter to Warin on the Illustrious Men
of his Time, p. 311. Malmesbury' s History, p. 432. Bohris Anliq.
Library.
A.D. 1088.] GEOXTHEY, COUNT DE MOETAGNE. 453
with Hugh de Nonant,1 Paganus,2 and Eobert de St. Ceneri,3
Bernard de la Ferte,1 and several others whom he frequently
troubled, terrified, and perplexed in various ways. Many he
humbled by seizing their domains and burning their castles,
or reduced them to the utmost poverty by ravaging their
lands, or, what was worse, he made them worthless by maiming
their limbs, so that they became halt and lame, or by depriving
them of sight. By such tyranny of the cruel lord-marcher
while he was aiming to crush all his neighbours, the wretched
country was reduced to desolation ; they, on the other hand,
proud of their nobility, which was equal to his, defending
to death their former independence. Thus immense inju-
ries were constantly inflicted, loss beng added to loss, either
through revenge or covetousness, until the people of the
country were threatened with want.
Geoffrey, son of Eotro, count de Mortagne, took up arms
against Eobert, and set fire to Echaufour* and several other
villages around,from which he swept off much booty,and made
many prisoners. This count was magnanimous, handsome, and
strong ; he feared God, was a devout friend of the church, a,
staunch protector of the clergy and poor ; in peace, he was
gentle and courteous, and of most obliging manners ; in war
he was powerful and successful, and became formidable to
the neighbouring princes, who were all his enemies. The
nobility of his own birth, and that of his own wife Beatrice,
rendered him illustrious above all his compeers ; and he had
among his subjects warlike barons and brave governors of
castles. He gave his daughters in marriage to men of the
rank of counts: Margaret, to Henry earl of Warwick,6 and
Juliana to Gilbert de Laigle,7 from whom sprung a noble
race of handsome children. The glory of Count Geoffrey
was exalted by such a progeny, and he maintained it by his
1 Nonant, a bourg to the north of S£ez.
2 The family of Paganel were lords of Hauterive, near Alencon.
d This person must be Robert Giroie, oftened mentioned by Ordericus,
who was in constant hostility with Robert de Belesme.
* Paganel, as well as Robert de St. Ceneri. were probably vassals of
Robert de La Ferte-Bernard, who was also of the family of Giroie.
5 Echaufour, near St. Evrouit. See p. 288.
* Henry was eldest son of Roger de Beaumont, earl of Warwick.
7 Gilbert, lord of Laigle, on the death of his father, Richer, mentioned
in book vii.
460 OEDEEICUS VITALIS. [B.YIII. CII.TI.
valour and courage, his wealth and alliances. Above all,
having the fear of God, he feared no man, but marched
boldly, with a lion's port. Laying claim to the strong castle of
Domfront and other domains, as his right, he endeavoured
to dispossess his cousin Robert of them. He was grieved
to harass the unarmed and innocent, but he could not
bring the public enemy with whom he had a just quarrel to
a fair field for deciding it. Robert de Belesme, who was the
terror of so many others, was not the less in constant appre- '
hension of them, and did not dare to join issue with his adver-
sary in open fight. He therefore prudently skulked within
the shelter of his fortifications, and even permitted, with
regret, freebooters to ravage his territories, rather than ven-
ture to march against them, brave as he was. For, in his
extreme caution, he was apprehensive that if he took the
field, his own vassals might leave him in the enemy's hands.
In consequence, the quarrel between the two lords-marchers
was long .protracted, and was the cause of severe losses and
much bloodshed among their dependants. There were
similar germs of evil among the nobles in other parts of
Normandy, which growing to a head, produced a fruitful
crop of tragic occurrences.
CH. VI. — Durand, abbot of Troarn — His death, and epitaph
— The sister abbies of Troarn, and St. JMJartin, at Se'ez, both
founded by Roger de Montgomery — Prince Henry released.
WHILE Normandy under an inert prince was a prey in
every quarter to the turbulent enterprises of her factious
lords, and the peaceful sons of the church, exposed to the
loss of their property by fire and frequent depredations,
vented their sorrow in groans and sighs, the merciful Ruler
of mankind took pity on his servants, and snatched some of
his veteran followers from the lake of misery and valley of
tears, the abode of mortals, and, -as we believe, enrolled them
in the company of those who had been their fellow soldiers
in the same service, among the delights of the blessed
paradise.
Thus Durand, the aged abbot of Troarn, who had been a
monk from his childhood, and was celebrated for his piety
and wisdom — a doctor of great skill in church music, and of
deep erudition in sacred learning, severe to himself, gentle
A.D. 1088.] DUEAND, ABBOT OF TROAKW. 461
to others — took to his bed after long labours in the worship
of God, and having well prepared himself, like a prudent
and faithful servant, for going worthily to his court, he
departed out of this life on the the third of the ides [the
llth] of February. At his death, an extraordinary circum-
stance occurred. The corpse appeared to be of two colours ;
the left side of the face, and the whole body down to the
feet, were of a snowy whiteness : the right side was of a
leaden hue, which entirely tinged that half of the corpse
from the crown of the head to the feet, while the other be-
came white. This unusual appearance of different shades of
colour struck £he beholders with terror, and supplied those
who studiously inquired into the cause of such a phenome-
non an opportunity of exhibiting their subtlety in specu-
lation. Some said one thing, some another. It is not my
business to insert in this short account all the clever ob-
servations which were made in abundance. Some, indeed
interpreted the difference between the left and the right, as
that of the active and contemplative, or the present and
future, life. Others thought that the prodigy was a sign of
future events.
Durand's devout disciples reverently buried the corpse
of their pious master in the chapter, and inscribed the
following epitaph ou a white stone which covered the
grave : —
Here venerable DURAND finds a tomb ;
February th' eleventh bears record of his doom
When, from the burden of the flesh released,
His life of bliss began, his earthly labours ceased.
This sacred fane to God's high praise he reared,
Whose laws he honoured and whose frown he feared;
And here, as abbot, held his gentle sway,
Nursed us for heaven, and showed, himself, the way.
Sure, he, we mourning lay in holy ground,
Has for his pious deeds God's heavenly mercy found.
Having interred their pastor, the monks of Troarn elected
Arnulf, prior of Seez, and requested their ecclesiastical and
temporal rulers 10 appoint him their superior. Arnold under-
took the government of the abbey of Troarn with their full
consent and approbation, and conducted it wisely for nearly
twenty-two years,1 edifying his flock, both by his writings
1 1088—1112.
462 OEDEEICtJS VITALIS. [B.VIII. CH.VII.
and his excellent example. The two monasteries just named
were founded by one nobleman, and drew from one source
their usages in divine service, and their monastic discipline.
For Roger de Montgomery established the convents of
monks in both, and the abbey of Fechamp supplied the
the rules for their regular life. The two societies were
united by a mutual regard, and they were both under the
protection of the miracle-working Martin, archbishop of
Tours. The monks of Seez received their first abbot from
the brethren of Troarn,1 and now in his life-time sought a
return of the favour in the person of one of his disciples.
They returned thanks to God for the superior that was sent
them, and profited much by the talents of the good shep-
herd.
Then Robert, duke of Normandy, in compliance with the
entreaties of his barons, pardoned his brother Henry, and
released him from the confinement into which he had been
thrown with Robert de Belesme.
CH. VII. Gregory VII. dies — Victor III. succeeds him —
Then Urban II. — Guibert, the anti-pope — Affairs of the
Normans in Apulia.
ABOUT this time, Pope Gregory died in the city of Beneven-
tum,2 and Desiderius, abbot of Monte- Cassino, was elected
pope, and enthroned by the name of Victor.3 The body of
the deceased pope was interred in the church which contains
the relics of St. Bartholomew the apostle,4 where abundant
miracles were performed by his merits, on behalf of those
who asked them in faith. Lepers begged the water in which
his body was washed, and after washing themselves in it with
faith, were immediately cleansed.
Pope Victor having been elevated to the papacy, began to
chant his first mass on the holy day of "Whitsuntide. But
by God's will he fell suddenly ill, and was compelled by
1 His name was Robert. He was brother of Dreux, abbot of Tr^port,
and flourished 1050 — January 15, 1089.
3 Gregory VII. did not die at Beneventum, but at Salerno, the 25th of
May, 1085.
3 Victor III., elected May 24, 1086, consecnited May 9, 1087.
4 Gregory VII. was not buried in the church of St. Bartholomew at
Beneventum, but in that of St. Matthew at Salerno.
A.D. 1086 — 1088.] POPES TICTOE III. AND URBAN II. 4G3
diarrhoea to retire thrice during the service ; so that he
scarcely performed a single mass while he was pope. He
was a man of high birth, of great wisdom, and ardent piety,
and governed the .monastery at Monte-Cassino a long time.
Removed from thence to the popedom, he suddenly fell sick,
as I have said before, languishing from Whitsuntide until
August, when he died.1 On his death, the Roman clergy
assembled, and elected Odo, who from a monk had become
bishop of Ostia, pope, by the name of Urban. The God of
Israel made him powerful against the Mahometans," and gave
him the tower of David with its bulwarks against the side
of Damascus.3 This pope was a native of France, of distin-
guished birth and manners ; he was born at Sheims,4 and
had been a monk of Cluni ; of the middle age, stout in
person, of great modesty, earnest piety, and remarkable wis-
dom and eloquence. Guibert, the intruder into the
apostle's see, still troubled the church of God, and either by
fair words or persecution drew all he could from the unity
of peace to join in his schism.8 Odo, count of Sutri,6 was
his nephew, and caused many vexations to the supporters of
ecclesiastical unity.
Pope Urban, trusting in the Lord of heaven, who does not
long suffer the rod of sinners in the lot of the righteous,7 sent
legates and letters, with the authority of Rome, to the
French, the Greeks, and other nations of the world, exhorting
them to persist steadfastly in the Catholic faith, and care-
fully avoid all schism from the law of God, and the body of
Christ, which is the church. Only Henry, and the emperor
of Germany, and his allies, adhered to Guibert; but the
1 The 16th 01 September in the same year. He was, as our author
intimates, of the family of the counts of Capua, and governed the abbey of
Monte-Cassino, when, after a long struggle, he consented to accept the
papacy.
* Allophlloi; the adorers of Allah.
3 Canticles iv. 4.
4 Urban II. was a native, if not of the city, of the territory of Rheims.
He is supposed to have been born at Bainson, near Chatillon-sur-Marne,
of which his father was lord, as well as of Lageri.
5 The anti-pope Guibert, archbishop of Ravenna, who was elected at
Brixen the 27th of June, 1080, lived till September, 1100.
* Sutri, an episcopal city in the patrimony of St. Peter.
7 Psalm L-SXV. 3.
464 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.VIII. CH.VIII.
French and English arid almost all other nations piously
supported Urban.
In Apulia, the Normans favoured with one accord the
catholic pope ; but they had bitter divisions among them-
selves, and brothers waged with each other worse than
civil wars. Roger, surnamed Crumena, which signifies a
purse, had sole possession with his mother of the duchy of
Calabria, to the great grief of his brother Bohemond, who
lived in exile at the court of Jourdan, prince of Capua. In
consequence, with the aid of Jourdan, his brother-in-law,
and his other relations and friends, he took up arms against
his brother, and began to recover part of his father's terri-
tories, which he had assisted him in conquering. His
brother and step-mother could not withstand this attack,
and were compelled to listen to prudent advice from their
friends. By the persuasions of Roger, count of Sicily, and
their other neighbours, they made peace, and ceded to Bohe-
, mond, Bari and Tarentum, with two other cities, and a num-
ber of towns.1 The two brothers having made this treaty,
gave their sister Mabel2 in marriage to William de Grant-
mesnil,3 and, as he was very brave, placed several casfcles
under his command. The Normans prudently connecting
themselves by alliances of this sort, are masters to this day
of great part of Italy, which Dreux, Umfrid, and Richard,4
and above all Robert Q-uiscard conquered.
CH. VIII. Ralph, abbot of Seez, becomes afterwards arch-
bishop of Canterbury — William Rufus severely taxes the
English — Has their estates re-valued — Appropriates epis-
copal revenues — Ralph, his chancellor, a, sharp lawyer, tlie
instrument of his exactions — His character.
IN the year of our Lord 1089, the twelfth indiction, Robert,
the first abbot of the monastery of Seez, a worthy and sim-
ple-minded man, took to his bed in the month of January,
and having received the Lord's sacraments, departed this
life on the eighteenth of the calends of February [15th of
January]. He was succeeded by Ralph, son of Silfred
1 These events recurred in the year 1088.
8 Surnamed Courte-Louve, fifth daughter of Robert Guiscard.
3 William, second son of Hugh de Grantmesnil.
4 Richard, prince of Capua, son of Ansquetil de Quarrel.
A.D. 1089.] . ENGLISH PBELATES. 465
d'Escures, a monk of the same abbey.1 Being deeply
learned, as well as fluent of speech and good humoured, he
was generally liked. In his youth he quitted a distin-
guished family to enter on a monastic life, and humbly
served ten years, through the various degrees in the offices
which fell to the monks. At last, in his eleventh year, he
succeeded to the government of the abbey by the command
of Grirard, bishop of Seez, who consecrated him ; and he
administered it piously for sixteen years, while the storms
of war were raging around. With Q-od's help, he diligently
increased the possessions of the church, as far as the times
permitted. But he was compelled to take refuge in Eng-
land from the increasing severities of Eobert de Belesme,
and was retained there by King Henry, who treated him
with great respect, and through bishop Gundulph, raised
him to the see of Rochester. Some years afterwards he
was promoted to succeed the venerable archbishop Anselm,
and presided over the metropolitan see of Canterbury nine
years.
In the third year of "William Eufus, king of England,
Lanfranc, archbishop' of the metropolis of Canterbury, de-
parted this life,2 and was buried before the crucifix in the
church of the Holy Trinity, which he had built with great
magnificence. Anselm, abbot of Bee, composed an elegy in
heroic verse to the memory of his countryman, and by
God's providence was, after three years, promoted by ca-
nonical election to the see of Canterbury.3 Afterwards,
within the ten years of the reign of William Eufus, Thomas,
metropolitan of York, followed his brother archbishop to
the tomb,4 as well as many other bishops and abbots. Wul-
1 His father was lord of Escures, a hamlet in the suburbs of S6ez, not
Escures near Falaise. Ralph became a monk at St. Martin de S6ez in
1079, succeeded Robert I. in 1089, and was made bishop of Rochester the
9th of August, 1 108. succeeding bishop Gundulph. He was raised to the see
of Canterbury the 26th of April, 1114, and died the 20th of October, 1 122.
4 The 20th of May, 1089.
* Anselm was named to the metropolitan see when William Rufus lay
on his sick bed, by the universal agreement of those who were present, on
the 6th of March, 1093, and consecrated the 4th of December following.
* Thomas, archbishop of York, the first of that name, elected May 24,
1 070 — November 18,11 00. It is not quite exact to say that this bishop
tlieil during the reign of William Rufus, who expired on the 2nd of August
of the same year.
VOL. II. H H
466 ouirEBicus VITALIS. [B.VIII. CH.VIII.
stan, bishop of Worcester,1 Robert, bishop of Hereford,2
Osmund, bishop of Salisbury,* and Walkeliu, bishop of
Winchester,4 also Baldwin, the archdeacon, who was abbot
of St. Edmund's,5 bishop and martyr, Thurstan, abbot of
Glastonbury,6 and Reynold, abbot of Abingdon,7 and several
other bishops and abbots, died ; whom I refrain from naming
individually, lest I should weary the reader.
At this time a certain clerk named Ralph8 gained the
confidence of William Rufus, and acquired pre-eminence
over all the king's officers by his subtlety in prosecutions
and his skill in flattery. This man was of an acute intellect
and handsome person, a fluent speaker, fond of the pleasures
of the table, and addicted to wine and lust ; he was, at the
same time, cruel and ambitious, prodigal to his own ad-
herents, but most rapacious in his exactions from strangers.'
Sprung from poor and low parents, and rising to a level far
beyond that to which his birth entitled him, his arrogance
was by swelled the losses he inflicted on others. He was
the son of one Thurstan, an obscure priest of the diocese of
Bayeux, and, having been brought up from his earliest years
among the vile parasites of the court, was better skilled
in crafty intrigues and verbal subtleties than in sound
1 St. Wulstan, bishop of Worcester, September 8, 1062 — January 19,
1095.
2 Robert Losing, bishop of Hereford, December 29, 1079— June 2G,
1095.
3 Osmund, bishop of Salisbury, 1078— December 3, 1099.
4 Walkelin, bishop of Winchester, May 23, 1070 — January 3, 109H.
5 Baldwin, a monk of St. Denis, afterwards abbot of St. Edmund's,
1065— December 29, 1097.
• Thurstan, abbot of Glastonbury, 1083—1102.
7 Reynold, abbot of Abingdon, 1084 — 1097.
8 This was another of the remarkable characters of the age. Henry 01
Huntingdon paints it in a few short sentences, in muph the same colours as
Ordericua. See his Notices of the Distinguished Men of his own Times, p.
310 (Antiq. Lib.). The Saxon Chronicle calls him the king's chaplain,
who held his courts (gemot) all over England. Ralph appears to have been
a sort of judge in eyre, or of circuit, and a very corrupt one. Ingram
quotes a curious notice of him from the Chronicle of Peterborough, pub-
lished by Sparke, typis Bowyer, 1723, from which we learn that he wrote
a book, now lost, ON THE LAWS OF ENGLAND. Ingram says, " He may,
therefore, be safely called the father of English lawyers, or at least law-
writers. It was probably the foundation of the later woiks of Bracton,
Fleta, Fortescue, and others."
A.D. 1089.] THE LANDS BE- VALUED. 4G7
learning. Inflated with ambition to raise himself above
the eminent men who adorned the court of the great king
William, he undertook many things without orders, and of
which that prince was ignorant, making impertinent and
vexatious accusations in the king's court, and arro-
gantly over-awing his superiors as if he was supported by
the royal authority. In consequence Robert, the king's
steward,1 gave him the surname of Flambard, which, indeed,
prophetically suited his genius and conduct; for, like a
devouring flame, he tormented the people and turned the
daily chants of the church into lamentations, by the new
practices he introduced into the country. He disquieted
the young king by his perfidious suggestions, recommending
him to revise the record which had been taken of all pro-
perty throughout England, and, making a new division of
the lands, to deprive his subjects, both native and alien
of all that exceeded a certain amount. Having obtained
the king's consent, he had all the plough-lands, which are
called in English hides,2 accurately measured and registered,
and setting aside the larger admeasurement which the
liberal-minded English had made use of by order of king
Edward, and lessening the estates of the farmers, aug-
mented the royal revenues. By this diminution of the
former extent of their estates, and the heavy burdens of new
and increased taxation, he shamefully oppressed the king's
faithful and humble subjects, impoverishing them by the
loss of their property, and reducing them from affluence to
great indigence.
By Ealph's advice, the young king, on the death of the
prelates, took their churches with the domains attached to
them from ancient times, into his own hands, and set his
. courtiers over the convents of monks, and the deans and
canons of the episcopal sees, allowing these a small pit-
1 Dlspensator ; from whence Despenser became the family name. This
Robert is so described in the Domesday -book. He was brother of Urso
d'AbitoL The castle of Tamworth, the honour of Scrivelsby, and his
other manors in England, were held in the reign of Henry L by Roger
Marmion, son of Robert Marmion, and son-in-law or grandson in the
female line of the family of Despenser.
3 According to Gervase, a hide contained one hundred acres. Ordericus
describes the admeasurement to have been made funiculo, by a small rope
or cord, as we now use the chain in surveying.
H H 2
468 OEDEEICUS TITALIS. [B. Till. CH. Till.
tance out of the revenues for their maintenance, and apply-
ing the rest to his own purposes. The king's covetousness
thus impoverished the churches of God, and the iniquitous
practice which commenced at that time has continued to the
present day to the loss of many souls. For the avaricious
king, with this object, deferred appointing pastors to the
churches, so that the people, having no guides and the flocks
no shepherds, became a prey to the attacks of wolves, and
perished from wounds inflicted by the winged arrows of their
own manifold sins. This inordinate covetousness gathered
into the royal treasury the wealth which the ancient English
kings had freely and piously devoted to God ; such as
were Ethelbert, Edwin, Offa, Ethelwulf, Alfred. Edgar, and
other princes, as well as their great nobles. They indeed,
having been converted to the faith, devoutly worshipped God,
and out of their abundance made large endowments on the
monks and clergy, that those special servants of the Divine
law might enjoy ample means of subsistence, and be able day
and night, without hindrance, to perform cheerfully the offices
of divine worship, and keep perpetually the appointed vigils
in places consecrated to the service of God. Thither pil-
grims and wayfarers resorted in security, and there found a
short repose after their fatigues, and, according to the fun-
damental institutions of such places, a plentiful repast, after
their privations. Returning thanks to God for such unex-
pected refreshment, they offered devout prayers to the Creator
of all things for the benefactors, long since 'departed, who
had secured them the enjoyment of such privileges.1
Before the Norman conquest, it was the practice in Eng-
land, on the death of the superiors of monasteries,2 for the
bishop in whose diocese they were to take an accurate ac-
count of the possessions of the convents, and become their
1 Our author has drawn in this passage a pleasing picture of monastic
hospitality in the middle ages.
a Hectares ecclctiarum ; the rectors of churches. XI. Dubois gives the
literal translation, observing that the clergy with cure of souls are still
styled " rectors" in England, while in France they are called cures. Our
own opinion, however, is, from the sequel of the passage, that Ordericus
intended thus to designate the abbots and priors, who administered the
government of the monasteries; the revenues of which must have bet-n
more tempting objects, and called for a more especial guardianship in those
days, than the tithes or other endowments of the parochial clergy.
A,D. 3089.] ECCLESIASTICAL BEVENUES SEIZED. 469
pnardiaua until the new abbots were canonically ordained.
In like manner, on tbe death of a bishop, the archbishop took
charge of the property of the see, and, with the advice of the
officers of the church, appropriated it either to the relief of
the poor, the repair of churches, or other pious uses. "Wil-
liam JRufus, in the beginning of his reign, was induced by
Elambard to abolish this custom, so that he suffered the
metropolitan -see of Canterbury to remain vacant three
years,1 and seized its revenues for his own use. It is evi-
dently unjust and contrary to all reason that what has been
devoted to God by the liberality of pious kings, or laudably
acquired by the stewards of the property of the church
should fall again into lay hands, and be iniquitously devoted
to secular uses. Nor can we doubt that as, on the one hand,
thos£ who have consecrated to God part of their wealth have
received from Him the just reward of their good deeds ; so,
on the other, sacrilegious intruders into sacred things will
be brought to punishment by the avenging hand of God, and
stripped of the possessions they have usurped to their eternal
disgrace. Such is the Almighty's sure and immutable law.
Recompense is graciously promised to righteous doers, while
transgressors are threatened with fearful vengeance for their
crimes. Every page of the sacred writings sets forth this
mercy and severity, so that they are as clear as light to every
well informed mind. It is, therefore, surprising that the
human heart is so prone to evil, and covets present and
fleeting advantages more than future and everlasting re-
wards, when it is known that all things are open to the view
of the Almighty, and that nothing can escape the penetration
of the divine scrutiny.
The metropolis of Canterbury having languished in fear
and grief and a state of widowhood, deprived of its bishop,
for three years, the righteous Judge, who beholds from heaven
the children of men and perceives all the world running after
the vanity of vanities, visited with a severe disease the king
of England who was polluted by the guilt of so many crimes.
Thus punished by sickness, he had recourse to the priests of
the Lord, and laying open to those physicians of the soul
1 May 28, 1089— March 6, 1093 : and even then the kins was only
induced by an alarming illness and the importunities of his ministers to fill
up the vacancy, as we shall presently find.
470 OEDERICUS VTTALIS. [B. Till. CH. Till.
•
the wounds of his conscience by humble confession, pro-
mised amendment of life and commanded the rulers of the
church to choose an archbishop according to -the will of
God. It happened that at that time Anselm, abbot of Bee,
had crossed over to England on the affairs of his monastery.
On hearing that the king had given orders for the election of
a metropolitan, holy church was filled with joy and an assem-
bly of her leading rulers was held- to treat of the business on
which they were summoned. At length, taking into consi-
deration the sanctity and wisdom of the venerable Anselm,
he was unanimously elected in the name of the Lord, and,
very unwillingly on his part, elevated to the metropolitan
see of Canterbury. Having been solemnly enthroned, this
able pastor was often in great tribulation when he carefully
weighed the serious and difficult burthens imposed upon
him. So far from being lifted up by his high promotion, he
was filled with alarm lest many of those placed under his
government, who were erring from the right way, should
come to perdition. He found a variety of things in his
diocese which required correction. It was often his duty to
censure a sinful monarch and a stubborn nobility. This ex-
posed him to their repeated attacks, and he was twice driven
into exile for his zeal in the cause of justice. Both by
word and good example, he strove to improve the perverse
habits of his flock ; but some of them were so hardened in
iniquity that he could not succeed as he wished. For, as
Solomon says, the perverse are difficult to correct, and the
number of the foolish is infinite.
In those days the light of true holiness was dim among all
orders in the state, and the princes of the world with their
subjects abandoned themselves to deeds of darkness. Wil-
liam Rufus, king of England, was a young man of loose and
debauched morals, and his people but too readily followed
his example. He was imperious, daring, and warlike, and
gloried in the pomp of his numerous troops. His great de-
light consisted in conferring the honours of knighthood on
account of the worldly splendour with which it surrounded
him. He took no care to defend the country folk against
his men-at-arms, so that their property was at the entire
mercy of his young knights and squires. The king's me-
mory was very tenacious, and his zeal either for good or evil
A.D. 1089.] THE KINO'S DESIGNS ON NOBMANDY. 471
was ardent. Bobbers and thieves felt the terrible weight of.
his power, and his efforts to keep the peace throughout his
dominion were unceasing. He so managed his subjects, either
by making them partake of his bounty, or curbing them
by the terror of his arms, that nt> one dared whisper a word
in opposition to his will.
CH. IX. The king resolves on invading Normandy — Death
and epitaph of William de Wiarrenne, founder of the priory
of Lewes — His countess Oundrede — The king comes to an
understanding with some Norman Ivrds.
WILLIAM Eurus being now firmly established on the
throne, he assembled his barons at Winchester and opened
his mind to them in the following discourse : — " You are
well aware," he said, " illustrious lords, in what manner my
brother Robert has kept faith with me, and how much trou-
ble he has occasioned me. It does not require many words
to tell you what numbers of my liegemen he has caused to
rebel against me, and how he conspired to deprive me of my
crown and my life. It is well known that in the very first
year of my reign he would have involved me in insupport-
able difficulties, had not divine goodness in its great mercy
averted the evil. And now our holy church addresses to-
me her lamentable complaints from parts beyond the sea,
bathed daily in tears of the deepest grief, because being
without a just patron and protector she finds herself among
her malignant enemies like a sheep in the midst of wolves.
He who takes no care to defend his own dominions from
rapacious attacks, makes it his object to usurp mine by fraud
or force. It is for this reason that I warn you who were my
father's liegemen, and who held fiefs of him both in Nor-
mandy and England, to support me loyally, manfully, and
with unanimity, in my just enterprises. We ought not to
suffer dens of robbers to exist in Normandy, and harass the
faithful and ruin the abbeys which our fathers founded with
so much zeal. The whole country is a prey to robbery and
murder, and is often forcibly reminded of the great duke
William who delivered it from war both foreign and internal.
It becomes me who inherit both his name and his crown,
to pursue zealously the same course that he did for the
defence of his country. Meet therefore, I pray you, iu
472 OEDEEICUS TITALIS. [B.TIII. C1I.IX.
council, and consult with prudence, and then give me your
advice what ought to be done in this state of affairs. If you
approve of it, I will send over an army to Normandy and
make reprisals, for the mischief which my brother without
any provocation has contrived against me. I will succour
the church of Grod, protect widows and orphans, and punish
robbers and assassins with the sword of justice."
All the assembly concurred in these proposals, and lauded
the king's intrepid spirit. At that time King "William made
"William de Warrenne earl of Surrey j1 but not long after-
wards he was snatched away by death which spares no one.*
The Cluniac monks whom he had established at Lewes,3 in-
terred his body in their chapter, and recorded his character
and merits in verses inscribed on his tomb on a white marble
slab : —
Who seeks EARL WARRENNE'S tomb, may look around,
And mark the buildings on this holy ground ;
For here, with pious zeal, his wealth he spent
In rearing this his noblest monument.
1 Our author states here, correctly, that William de Warrenne was made
earl of Surrey by William Rufus ; but in his fourth book (see before, p.
49) he has committed the error of attributing that appointment to William
the Conqueror.
4 William de Warrenne died June 24, 1089. He was son of Ralph (or
Walter) de Warrenne, who has been already mentioned (see note, p. 408).
He had, also, it has been supposed, a brother also named Ralph, men-
tioned in the Chartulary of the Trinite'-du-Mont, who came over to
England, according to Domesday-book, and was engaged in the rebellion
of Ralph de Gauder, if the passage referred to does not apply to the latter
from a confusion of the names. This illustrious family was originally of
Bellencombre near St. Saens.
3 The priory of Lewes was founded by William de Warrenne and Gun-
drede, his wife, about the year 1078, in the meadows below the castle,
which was the earl's principal seat. The church, on the site of which a
small chapel stood before the conquest, was dedicated to St. Pancras.
Both the earl and countess were interred there. Gundrede's grave-stone, a
slab of black marble, the greater part of the inscription on which is legible,
was carried off from the ruins after the Reformation, but recovered some
years since, and deposited in the church at Southover adjoining the town
of Lewes. Recently, in cutting a line of railway through the ruins of the
priory, the coffins containing the remains both of William de Warrenne
and Gundrede were discovered. They have been removed to Southover
church, and placed, with other relics, in a small chapel or oratory erected
on the south side of the chancel for their reception. See a paper addressed
by M. A. Lower to the British Archaeological Association) Nov. 19, 1845.
A.D. 1089.] WILLIAM DE WARBENNE's EPITAPH. 473
Here the poor brethren whom his bounty fed
With dirge and requiem laid his honoured head ;
ST. PANCRASI here his mouldering ashes guards,
May the good Saint secure him rich rewards,
And grant him with the blest above to reign,
Who to St. Pancras raised this stately fane.
The earl was succeeded by his two sons, "William and Key-
nold, with their mother Gundrede,2 and they flourished for a
long period under William and Henry, kings of England,
being distinguished for their valour, worth, and power.
King William likewise conferred great honours and pos-
sessions on Robert Fitz-Hamon,3 so that he ranked among
the greatest of the English nobles. He married Sibylle,
daughter of Earl Roger, who bore him a daughter, called
Matilda, afterwards married to Eobert, son of King Henry.
Stephen d' Aumale,4 who was the first in rank of the Nor-
1 St. Pancras was born in the third century of noble parents in Phrygia,
and coming to Rome, at the age of fifteen embraced Christianity, and was
baptized by St. Cornelius. The emperor Diocletian endeavoured to win
him back to his ancient faith, but, preferring martyrdom, he was beheaded
on the Aurelian Way. His feast was kept on the 4th of the ides (12th)
of May.
* Gundrede did not survive her husband William de Warrenne. She
died in child-birth, at Castle Acre in Norfolk, the 27th of May, 1 085.
The Conqueror's charter of foundation of the priory of Lewes discloses the
curious fact, which no historian of the time has mentioned, that Gundrede
was a daughter of Queen Matilda. Her epitaph at Lewes calls her stirps
ducttm, and in the charter of donation of the priory of Walton in Norfolk
to St. Pancras at Lewes by William the Conqueror, the copy of which is
not however very exact, that prince calls her his daughter. But it boa
been well conjectured that she was, in fact, as well as her brother Gerbode,
the issue of Matilda by a former marriage. She must, therefore, have
been divorced when she married William, and that might have been the
reason for Pope Leo's offering so strenuous an opposition to that marriage.
Gerbode, who had the earldom of Chester conferred upon him by the
Conqueror (see before, p. 47), appears to have been in 1086 high-steward
of the abbey of St. Bertin, as well as another person of the same name
mentioned in charters of the years 1028 and 1056. This may have been
Queen Matilda's first husband.
8 For Robert Fitzhamon and his family, see before, p. 250.
4 Stephen, count d'Aumale, son of Adeliza, sister of William the Con-
queior, by Eudes, count of Champagne, her third husband. The con-
tinuator of William de Jumieges is for making this lady only half-siater of
the king. But that is clearly an error, for her son would never ha»e been
king of England if he had been only the descendant of lierluin de Contcville.
47-1 OKDEBICUS VITALTS. [B.YIII. CH.IX.
mans, and son of Eudes, count of Champagne, sent his ad-
hesion to the king, at whose expense he strongly fortified
his castle on the river of Eu,1 and received into it a royal
garrison for its defence against the duke. His example was
speedily followed by Gerard de Gournai,* who put into the
king's hands Grournai, La Ferte,3 Gaillefontaine, and all hi*
other fortresses, and strove to bring his neighbours over 'to
the royal side. Afterwards, Robert, count d'Eu, Walter
Giffard,4 and Ralph de Mortemer,8 with almost all who
lived in the country beyond the Seine, as far as the sea
leagued themselves with the English, and were supplied by
the king with large sums of money to enable them to fortify
their residences and arm their vassals.6
Meanwhile, duke Robert, to prepare a barrier of defence
against so many enemies, gave his daughter, by a concubine,
in marriage to Elias, son of Lambert of St. Saens, with
Arques, Bures, and all the neighbouring country for her
marriage portion, to enable him to resist the enemy and de-
fend the province of Caux. Elias addressed himself man-
fully to his duties, for he never failed in his fealty towards
Duke Robert and his son William, which drew upon him
much persecution during the reigns of William and Henry,
kings of England, when he was disinherited-, and suffered
many losses, exile, and perils.
1 The Bresle ; the castle of Aumale stands above it.
2 Gerard de Gournay, son of Hugh de Gournay and Basile, daughter of
Richard Flaitel, was son-in-law of William Warrenne, earl of Surrey, whoso
death has been just related.
3 La Ferte'-en-Brai, Gaillefontaine. The castle was burnt by Henry II.,
who made himself master of it in 1151.
4 Walter Giffard, lord of Longueville and earl of Buckingham.
5 Ralph Mortemer, son of Roger, and, as well as his father, a benefactor
to St. Victor-en-Caux. See before, p. 408.
6 Our author, in enumerating the nobles who opened their gates to the
troops of Wi'liam Rufus, should not have omitted Walter de Sft. Valleri,
eldest brother of Gilbert d'Aufay (see chapters 7 and 8 of book vi. pp. '2(31
and 2G6), as their harbour of St. Valleri-sur-Somme was so valuable to
him for keeping up his communication with the strong places he secured
in this part of Normandy. The commission given to the commanders of
his troops was to devastate all the neighbourhood, and there is little doubt,
from what we know of the practice of these times, that it was effectually
accomplished. This understanding with the Norman lords appears to have
been entered into in the autumn of 1089.
1089—1090.] FtTLK, COUNT OF ANJOTT AUD BERTBADE. 475
Cu. X. Fulk, count of Anjou, succeeds in deferring the
insurrection in Maine — The terms of the compact made
by Robert Curthose — Long-peaked shoes, and other new
fashions of the Hermans.
N the people of Maine learned that the Normans were
at variance, they thought it a convenient opportunity for
throwing off their insolent yoke, an attempt they had often
made in the time of William the Great, king of England.
Duke Robert discovering this, sent ambassadors with pre-
sents to Fulk, count of Anjou,1 earnestly entreating him to
deter the Manceaux from their bold enterprise, and to join
him in Normandy, where he was suffering from severe ill-
ness. Fulk readily accepted the invitation, and found the
duke already convalescent. They had many friendly con-
ferences, in the course of which the count said to the duke :
" There is one thing which I have much at heart, and if you
will bring it to pass I will undertake to reduce the Manceaux
to submission, and will become from henceforth your faithful
ally. I have formed an attachment for Bertrade, daughter of
Simon de Montfort, and niece to William, count of Evreux,
who is brought up by her guardian, the countess Heloise.* I
pray you to accomplish my marriage with her, and I will per-
form all I have promised you." The duke immediately sent
for the couut of Evreux to speak with him on the subject.
The count then consulted with his most intimate friends and
anxiously inquired what course he ought to take. At last,
having fully weighed the proposal, he returned to the duke's
court, and, among other conversation, addressed him thus :
" My lord duke, you ask what is very contrary to my wishes
when you demand that I should give my niece, who is now a
mere girl, and whose guardianship was entrusted to me by
my brother-in-law, in marriage to a man who has been
already twice married.3 You look well to your own interests
1 Fulk-le-Rechin. * Eloise de Nevers, countess of Anjou.
* The count of Anjou had been already married, not twice, but thrice.
1. To Hildegarde de Beaugenci; 2. To Hermengarde de Bourbon; and, 3,
to Arengarde de Chatillon. He had divorced the two last, who were
living at the time of his fourth marringe, which we shall find in ch. xx. did
not turn out better than the others.
476 OEDERICUS VITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.X.
and disregard mine. Tou wish through rny niece to get the
county of Maine into your power, but you deprive me of my
own inheritance. Is what you propose reasonable ? I shall
not comply with your wishes, unless you restore me Bavent,
Noyon,1 Gace, Graven£on and Ecouche,2 with the other fief's
of my uncle Ralph, who, on account of the extraordinary size
of his head and his shaggy hair was humorously surnamed
Tete d'Ane (Ass's-head).3 I also require that my nephew,
William de Breteuil, shall be re-instated in Pont-St.-Pierre,
and other estates which we can prove to be legally and
reasonably ours by right of inheritance. I have lawful and
credible witnesses that Robert de Gace, the son of my uncle
Ralph, whom I named before, left me heir of all his domains.
But King William, who was our cousin, being more powerful
than we were, appropriated to himself all the portions of our
inheritance, as a lion would in sharing a stag. When, my
lord duke, you have well considered all this, do what is right
towards us, and we will obey your commands."
The duke, having heard this reply, determined, on con-
sultation with his council, to concede the lesser objects, that
he might not lose what was more important. At that time,
Edgar Atheling,4 Robert de Belesme, and William d'Arques,
a monk of Moleme,5 were his principal councillors. The
duke therefore granted the demands of William d'Evreux,
and his nephew William de Breteuil, and ceded to them the
places before named, with the lands, appertaining to them,
except Ecouche, which was held by Gerard de Gournai, who
was of the same family, being the son of Basile, daughter of
1 Bavent, near Troarn, and Noyon-sur-Audelle, now Charleval.
2 Gravencon, near Lillebonne, and Ecouch6, near Argenton.
3 Ralph Tele-d'An, second son of Archbishop Robert, count d'Evreux.
See vol. i. p. 449.
* This unfortunate prince, the heir of the Saxon line of kings, who
appears to have been of no great capacity, had always th« misfortune to be
on the losing side. This was not the only time he attached himself to the
fortunes of Robert Curthose. He was afterwards with him and Robert de
Belesme at the battle of Tinchebraie, " having gone over from the king a
short time before." Being taken prisoner, King Henry exhibited his
compassion, or his contempt, by " letting him depart unhurt."
5 This monk of Moleme (in Burgundy) was now one of the duke's
confidential advisers; in a subsequent chapter (xviii.) of this book we shall
lind the duke resorting to him in very critical circumstances.
ABOUT 1090.] NEW TASHIOKS IN DEESS. 477
Gerard Flaitel, and so powerful, that no one dared to offer
him violence. Upon this, the count of Anjou, to his great joy,
secured the prize he so much desired — marrying a third wife
while he had two already living. Bertrade bore him a son
who was named Fulk. Faithful to hia engagements, Fulk
then went among the people of Maine, and endeavouring to
keep them quiet, more by entreaties and promises, than by
force of arms, succeeded at last in deferring the threatened
revolt for a year. This count was very blameable, and even
infamous in many parts of his conduct, and abandoned him-
self to all sorts of vices. His feet being deformed, he had
shoes made of an unusual length, and very sharp at the toes,
so that they might conceal the excrescences, commonly
called bunnions, which caused his feet to be so ill-shaped.
This new fashion became common throughout the west, and
wonderfully pleased light-minded persons, and the lovers of
novelty. In consequence, the shoemakers, in making shoes,
shape them like scorpions' tails, vulgarly called pigaces,1 a
fashion which almost all the world, both rich and poor, are
wonderfully taken with, while in former times, shoes with
round toes, fitted to the form, were in common use both
by rich and poor, clergy and laity. But now men of the
\\ orld sought in their pride fashions of dress which accorded
with their perverse habits ; and what formerly honourable
persons thought a mark of disgrace, and rejected as in-
famous, the men of this age find to be sweet as honey to
their taste, and parade on their persons as a special dis-
tinction.
A debauched fellow named Eobert, was the first about the
court of William Rufus who introduced the practice of
filling the long points of the shoes with tow, and of turning
them up like a ram's horn. Hence he got the surname of
Cornard ; and this absurd fashion was speedily adopted by
great numbers of the nobility as a proud distinction, and sign
1 Pigaceas; Ordericus appears to have Latinized a Norman- French
term of the day, not now to be found in any vocabulary. The curious
account of the fashions of the age supplied by our author shows that
nothing escaped his observation, recluse as he was. That of the long-
peaked shoes, with the toes trussed and fastened upwards, soulifri a la
poulaine, pulley shoes, as the French called them, flourished for three
centuries, and was not given up till it was severely denounced by kings
and popes.
478 OUDEBICTJS TITALTS. [s.TIIT. CII.X.
of merit. At this time effeminacy was the prevailing vice
throughout the world. Men revelled in vice without re-
morse, and odious wretches, who ought to have been food for
the flames, shamefully abandoned themselves to the foulest
Sodomitical practices. The habits of illustrious men were
disregarded ; the admonitions of priests derided ; and the cus-
toms of barbarians adopted in dress and in the mode of life.
They parted their hair from the crown of the head on each side
of the forehead, and let their locks grow long like women, and
wore long shirts, and tunics, closely tied with points. They
wasted their time, spending it according to their own fancy,
and without regard to the law of God, or the customs of their
fathers. The night was devoted to banqueting and drunk-
enness, to silly talk, dice, tables, and other games. Thus, after
the death of Pope Gregory, and "William the Bastard, and
other religious princes, the simple habits, of our fathers
were abandoned in almost all the west of Europe. They
used a modest dress, well fitted to the proportions of their
bodies, which was convenient for riding and walking, and
for all active employments as common sense dictated.
But in our days, ancient customs are almost all changed for
new fashions. Our wanton youths are sunk in effeminacy,
and the courtiers study to make themselves agreeable to the
women by every sort of lasciviousness. They insert their
toes, the extremities of their bodies, in things like serpents'
tails, which present to view the shape of scorpions. Sweep-
ing the dusty ground with the prodigious trains of their
robes and mantles ; they cover their hands with gloves too
long and wide for doing anything useful, and, encumbered
with these superfluities, lose the free use of their limbs for
active employment. The fore-part of their heads is bare
after the manner of thieves, while on the back, they nourish
long hair like harlots. In former times, penitents, captives,
and pilgrims usually went unshaved, and wore long beards,
as an outward mark of their penance, or captivity, or pil-
grimage. Now, almost all the world wear crisped hair and
beards, carrying on their faces the tokens of their filthy lust,
like stinking goats. Their locks are curled with hot irons,
and, instead of wearing caps, they bind their heads with
fillets. A knight seldom appears in public with his head
uncovered, and properly shaved according to the apostolic
A.D. 1090.] TICES OF TUB AGE. 479
precept.1 Their exterior appearance and dress thus exhibit
what are their inward thoughts, and how little reverence
they have for God.
In consequence, the Almighty Judge who sits on his throne
in the heavens, perceiving the heart of man a prey to
iniquity, visits the people lost in ignorance, and the unbridled
populace, with a variety of inflictions. He permits men to
be worn down with sickness and disquieted by wars ; and
gives up to hypocritical rulers those whom he finds to be
opposed to his will, and the ready transgressors of his law.
Meanwhile, the elect, inflamed with the zeal of Phineas, are
often incensed at these evil ways, and cry to the Lord with
the prophet, " I beheld the transgressors and was grieved,
because they kept not thy word."2 In consequence, holy doc-
tors rebuke, entreat, and threaten them, with patience and
wisdom. But their efforts are set at nought by the hardness
of their depraved hearts, which foster and harbour all the
pollutions of sin. If Persius and Plautus, and other bitter
satirists were now living, and keenly observed the manner in
which people in our times give the run to their passions, in
public and private, they would easily find abundant opportu-
nities for exercising their talents in sarcasm and ridicule.
Remarking the countless scandals, which disgraced the
world, Giroie Grossive, in a letter which he addressed to
Gilbert Maminot, bishop of Lisieux, says among other
things :•*—
fnce Virtue's flame had bathed the earth in light,
But new to brighter worlds has sped its flight ;
While manly worth is buried with the dead.
Nor from the shades shall lift again its head.
Who to be honest, good, and virtuous dares !
Who for the prize of honour, virtue cares 1
The zealous scholar has spoken hyperbolically of the
enormous wickedness which he saw generally prevalent. So
1 The apostolical admonitions alluded to by our author are in 1 Cor. xii.
vcre. 7 and 14.
Ver. 7. For a man, indeed, ought not to cover his food, forasmuch as
lie is the image and glory of God.
Ver. 14. Dolh not even nature itielf teach you, that, if a man have long
hair, it is a shame unto him 1
» Psalm cxix. 158.
480 OB-DEBICTTS YITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.XI.
also Blitero the Fleming,1 has finely painted in his elegies,
the revolutions of the world, and human miseries. Many
other learned philosophers have also uttered loud complaints
of the flagitiousness and calamities of the present age. Fol-
lowing in their steps, I have briefly noticed in this chapter
the era of the introduction among the Cisalpine nations'of
the absurd fashions of long-toed shoes, and of a superfluity of
hair, as well as of trains sweeping the dust to no purpose.
It would be far pleasanter to write about the holiness
and miracles of the saints, than on the follies and frivolous
extravagancies of silly men, if our ' princes and prelates
were deeply imbued with divine graces, and prodigies
abounded, which are the heralds of sanctity. But it is out
of my power to compel them to walk in the ways of righteous-
ness. This being the case, I can only give a faithful account
of things as they are, and I now return to the regular course
of my history.
CH. XI. Revolt of the Manceaux — Hugh, son of Azo, mar-
quis of Tuscany, made Count — Resigns in favour of his
cousin Elias.
IN the year of our Lord 1090, the thirteenth indiction, the
people of Maine revolted against the Normans, and expelling
their garrisons from the fortresses, set up a new prince of
their own choice. During King William's life, they had
made frequent attempts to rise in arms against him, and the
instant he was dead, they took measures for throwing off
their yoke. They sent envoys to the sons of Azo, marquis
of Liguria,1 and intimated their wishes to them. " Why are
you so cowardly and inert, as not to claim your inheritance
which we voluntarily defend for you ? All the direct heirs
1 This poet is very little known. The authors of the Histoire Littiraire
de la France, who had not discovered any other notice of it than that
given by Ordericus, attribute to him an elegy on the death of Charles the
Good, count of Flanders. M. Le Gay, in his Notes on Balderic, has
quoted him in reference to another poem on the same subject. It is very
probable that Blitero was the canon of the church of Utrecht named by
Albert Le Mire (Diplom. Belg. 1, 174) among the members of the chapter
who in 1134 subscribed the charter of foundation of the abbey of Berna,
near Bois-le-Duc.
2 Azo, marquis of Liguria (Tuscany), was the second husband of
Gersende, eldest daughter of Herbert ]£veille-cb.ien, count of Maine.
A.D. 1090.] REVOLT IN MAINE. 481
to the county of Maine have failed, and there is none now
left who is nearer than yourself. William, himself, the un-
just usurper of so many states, is now dead, having too long
enslaved us by means of Margaret, Herbert's daughter, whom
he wished to marry to his son Robert.1 His sons, one of
whom is king of England, and the other duke of Normandy,
are mutually waging a murderous war, burning and pillaging
their respective territories, and, in their fury, are ready to
cut each other's throats. Meanwhile we the people of
Maine hold our city and towns in peace, and we invite you
in all sincerity to come among us and take the government
which is yours by right of inheritance." The people of
Maine sent this message to the Ligurian chiefs, not for the
love they bore them but to find some reasonable excuse for
shaking off the Norman yoke, which for nearly thirty years*
had sharply galled their stubborn necks.
The two sons of Azo, who received this proposal in Liguria,
were greatly delighted with it, and took counsel with their
intimate friends what was to be done. It was at length de-
termined that Fulk, the eldest, should retain their father's
fiefs in Italy, while his brother, Hugh, should assert his pre-
tensions to the state of Maine, in right of his mother. In
short, Geoffrey of Mayenne, Elias,3 and other citizens and
lords of castles, received Hugh on his arrival, and for some
time lent him aid in recovering his mother's inheritance.
Notwithstanding, the venerable Hoel, who had been made
bishop by the choice of King William,4 always remained faith-
ful to him and his sons. As far as was in his power, he now
opposed a revolt which must be attended with bloodshed,
launching an interdict against those who were most obsti-
nate, and excommunicating them by his episcopal authority,
he cut them off from the communion of holy mother church.
This roused against him the anger of the promoters of the
rebellion, who threatened to wreak their vengeance upon
1 See vol. i. p. 448.
' Twenty-eight years, their submission having been yielded in the year
1063.
3 Eli-is was both nephew, according to the custom of Brittany, of Hugh,
by his aunt Paula, daughter of Herbert iSveille-chien, and his grandson bj
the same lady, according to nil the genealogies.
4 See the singular details of King William's nomination of the good
Bishop Hoel, book iv. c. 12, p. 7", of the present volume.
VOL. II. I I
482 OBDERICUS YITALI3. [u. VIII. CH.XI.
him. While, therefore, he was riding through his diocese,
attended by his clerks, and duly performing his episcopal
functions, Elias de la Fleche seized him, and throwing him
into prison, detained him there till such time as Hugh should
have obtained possession of the city of Mans. Meanwhile,
the church shared her bishop's sorrows ; the holy images of
the Lord, with the crucifixes, and the shrines containing the
relics of saints were laid prostrate on the floor, the clnirch-
doors were hedged with thorns, the bells ceased to ring, the
chants were hushed, all the usual solemn offices were sus-
pended, and thus the widowed church abandoned herself to
grief.
The people of Maine, finding their new count destitute of
sense as well as of wealth and courage, began to repent
of their imprudent act, and despised and detested him, as
the Shechemites did Abimelech.1 He was, indeed, an im-
becile, a coward, and an idler, and totally unfit to hold the
reins of government in so high a station. He had married
the daughter of Robert G-uiscard,2 but such a poltroon could
not brook the spirit of a high-minded woman, and he there-
fore repudiated her ; for which he was excommunicated by
Pope Urban. The Allobroges3 detested him and were glad
of an opportunity of turning him over to the fierce Cisalpinea.
Ignorant among the well informed, a coward among gallant
knights, he was considered a craven count ; for such were his
alarms, that he frequently fainted, and only thought of flight
as his best remedy. The people of Maine discovering this,
were filled with joy and endeavoured, through the elders* of
the land, to increase his terrors.
At last Elias, his cousin, came to him, and conversing on
the pressure of circumstances, said : " My lord, I hear it
whispered among the people that you are thinking of return-
ing to your own country and abandoning this land of an in-
1 Judges ix., in which the fine apologue of the nobler species of trees
refusing the pre-eminence offered them, and the highest rank at last
devolving on the bramble, is applied to the choice of unworthy rulers.
* This marriage took place in 1077-
8 The pre>ent Dauphiny and Savoy, not Tuscany, were the proper
country of the Allobrogt'S.
* Sempecias. The word is borrowed from the rule of the order of St.
Benedict, in which it signifies the veteran monks, who alter fifty yeari'
profession, were no longer subjected to any severe duties.
A.D. 1090.] ELTAS BUYS THE COUXTY OF MAINE. 483
dependent race and fierce habits. In truth, your friends
should not dissuade you from this purpose. For while your
disposition is gentle, and you are a lover of peace and tran-
quillity, the people of this country are always ready for war
and impatient of repose. Moreover, the implacable Normans
lay claim to Maine and most ferociously threaten to inflict
the greatest severities on its inhabitants. The sons of King
William, who were at variance, have been reconciled, and are
now assembling a vast army in N&rmandy, with which they
intend to make a sudden irruption into our territories, and
to attack and pursue without mercy us who have revolted
against them. You may fully believe that it is for this pur-
pose King William has crossed over to Normandy with so
much pomp, and I have no doubt his arrival will cause us
great alarm and find us much to do." On hearing this,
Hugh plainly told Elias that it was his wish to sell his rights
in the county of Maine and return to his own country. Elias
replied : " My lord, I am your cousin, and it was by my
support you were made count, an honour which you can give
or sell to no one but myself. For the daughter of count
Herbert married Lancelin de Beaugenci, and bore him
Lavicelin, father of Ealph,1 and John, who was my father. I
have thus plainly shown that I, as well as you, am descended
from count Herbert. Now, then, receive from me what
shall be agreed on between us, and resign in my favour the
dignity of count, as in truth it ought to be mine from near-
ness of kin. The object of my ambition is attended with
serious difficulties, and I shall scarcely ever possess it in
peace so long as either of the three sons of King William
are alive. It appears to be disgraceful to such powerful
princes, who can surround us with a hundred thousand
troops, that they should patiently suffer an affront from a
kindred race who live on their frontier, or lose in any man-
ner without a fearful struggle any rights which their father
gained by some sort of treaty. Nevertheless, I am inspired
by this love of independence, and rightfully contending for
mv grandmother's heritage, I shall be animated by trust in
God."
1 1-iilph, lord of Heau<rcnci, was son-in-law of Hugh, count de Verman-
dois, becoming by that alliimcc, which took place in the summer of thia
same year (1090), nephew of King Philip.
I I 2
484 OBDEBICTJS TTTALIS. [B.TTII. CH.XII.
The cowardly Allobrogan consented to the proposal, and
sold the county of Maine for ten thousand shillings of Mans
currency. On the retirement of Hugh, Elias became count
of Maine, which he held bravely twenty years.1 He suc-
ceeded also to the domains of his father-in-law, G-ervase de
Chateau-du- Loire, whose daughter he married.2 He had by
her a daughter, named Eremburge, who was married to the
son of Fulk, count of Anjou, his suzerain. On attaining
power, he greatly mended* his conduct and became eminent
for his virtues, worthily honouring the clergy and church of
God, and attending daily at mass and divine service. He
governed his people with equity, and, as far as was in his
power, protected the poor in peace.
CH. XII. Feuds and hostilities between tlie Norman lords —
Surprise of the castle of Exmes, and surrender of Ivri —
Gilbert, lord of Laigle, assassinated — William de Breteuil
taken prisoner.
AT this period the most outrageous iniquity prevailed in
Normandy; it abounded in all quarters and grievously
harassed the wretched inhabitants. The clang of arms gave
token of frequent conflicts, and the soil was watered with
the blood of the slain.
The second year after king William's death,3 Ascelin, sur-
named Goel,4 took by surprise the castle of Ivri from Wil-
liam de Breteuil, his lord, and traitorously delivered it to
Duke Eobert. William, however, unwilling to lose it, re-
deemed it from the duke for fifteen hundred livres. Having
recovered his castle, to punish Goel, he deprived him of its
custody, and stripped him of everything he held in his
1 It will be found in the sequel that Elias did not retain his rights as count
of Maine without encountering serious difficulties from the opposition of
the dukes of Normandy.
* Elias married Matilda, the only daughter of Gervase, who died before
Easter, 1099. Their daughter, Eremburge, conveyed the county of Maine
to Fulk, count of Anjou, whom she married in 1 100.
* A.D. 1089.
1 This person and his family, with the surprise of the castle of Ivri, are
mentioned before. See p. 237. Robert, father of Ascelin ile Goel, was
lord of Breval, but not of Ivri, though he may have had the custody of it
for the duke of Normandy or William de Breteuil. Breval is situated
between Paci and Septeuil.
A.D. 1089 — 1091.] B AEONS' WARS IN NOEMANDY 485
lordship. Hence arose hostilities between them which
lasted a long time, so that the neighbourhood was exposed
to rapine and fire, with loss of life. Amauri de Montfort,
who had his surname of Le Fort, on account of his valour,
became formidable by his daring and cruel acts to all his
neighbours within his reach. But making an inroad on the
lands of William de Breteuil, like a raging lion, and en-
gaging, singly, in combat with two men-at-arms, he was
pierced in the side by the lance of one of them, so that he
died the same day. On his decease, his brother Bichard
succeeded to the domains of his father, and zealously devoted
himself to take vengeance on William de Breteuil for his
brother's death.
Duke Eobert frequently employed in his wars Gilbert,
son of Ingenulf de Laigle, on account of his great bravery,
and gave him the castle of Exmes as his recompense, and
for the defence of the country. This gave great offence to
Robert de Belesme, whose rage and jealousy were so roused,
that he assembled troops, and in the first week of January
beset the castle for four days, assaulting it with great
vigour, notwithstanding the winter's frost and snow. Gil-
bert had but a small number of followers within the fortress,
but they were brave, and made a stout resistance. Hurling
spears and stones on the assailants, they precipitated them
into the ditch, wounding some and killing others ; mean-
while, the young Gilbert, lord of Laigle, came to his aid with
eighty soldiers, and, getting into the castle by night, this
addition to the garrison with provisions and arms enabled
his uncle to maintain the defence. Upon this, the tyrant
Belesme, finding how strongly the place was fortified, and
the stout resistance made by its defenders, did not venture
to prolong the siege, and drew off his troops with rage and
mortification, having gained nothing but his followers'
wounds. The year following, as Gilbert, the knight just
named, was returning from the Su- Scholasse, he halted at
1 De L'Aigle, or De Aquela. Gilbert was fourth son of Engenulf, lord
of Laigle. The eldest brother's (Roger) death is mentioned in book iv. c.
5, vol. i. p. 427 ; and the assassination of the second brother, Richer, lord
of Laigle, p. 379 of the present volume. Gilbert, his eldest son, succeeded
him.
* Sainte- Scholasse sur-Sarthe.
486 ORDERICTJS VITALIS. [B. VIII. CH. XII.
Moulins, to converse with Puda, the lady of that castle.
After their conference, he chanced to leave his armour there
with one Anthony, surnamed Haren, and towards evening,
thus unarmed, departed in haste, attended by his squires.
He was instantly pursued by Gerard Chevreuil, and .Roger
de Ferrers,1 with some men-at-arms of the Corbonnais2 to
the number of near thirteen, who endeavoured to take him
alive. He spurred his horse to a gallop, but while endea-
vouring by his speed to get away from his enemies, he
was struck in the side by one of their spears, and the noble
knight died the same day, to the great grief of those by
whose hands he fell. On the morrow, which was the bissextile
day,3 his corpse was carried to St. Sulpice,4 and there amid
universal sorrow buried by the side of his parents ; Gilbert,
bishop of Evreux, and Serlo, abbot of St. Evroult, officiating.
Geoffrey, count de Mortagne, reflecting that his vassals
who had perpetrated this foul deed had sown the seeds of
infinite mischief to his territories by the murder of the brave
baron, accommodated matters with his nephew Gilbert de
Laigle, giving him his daughter Juliana in marriage ; by
whom he had three sons, Richer, Geoffrey, and Gilbert. The
prudent count did well for his people and his heirs, in
smothering the growth of evil from this flagrant offence by
the endearments of conjugal affection, lest multiplied dis-
asters should spring from the root, and gaining fresh vigour
in after times, should grow from worse to worse. The peace
between the kindred heirs of the two families has been in-
dissolubly preserved to the present day, and the connection
has established a cheerful and agreeable concord between
them.5
The same week, in which, as we have just seen, Gilbert
1 See before, p. 192.
* La Ferriere-aut-Doyers, near Moulins. Our author is mistaken in
placing it in the Corbonnois, to which, however, it is very near. Gurard
Caper (Capreolus) is mentioned in the chartulary of Chartres under the
year 10?7.
3 Wednesday, the 29th of February, 1092.
4 St. Sulpice-sur-R;sle, a priory at Tiron, near Laigle. See before, p.
380.
* Recollecting that this paragraph was written about 1133, a period of
forty years had then elapsed, during which there h;id been continued peace
between the counts of Perch and the lore's of Laigle. An alliance of such
1091, 1092.] THE CASTLE OP ITRI STJBBENDERED. 487
perished on the road from Moulins to Laigle, (Joel attacked
his Lord William de Breteuil in the open field, and being
supported by Richard de Montfort, and a large body of
Frenchmen, defeated his enemy's troops. William himself
was taken prisoner, with many others, and, thrown into a
noisome dungeon, suffered much during the ensuing1 Lent,
BO that for his sins he was compelled to endure the rigours
of that penitential season. At last, the matter brought to-
gether Richard de Montfort, Hugh de Montgomery,*
Gervase de Neufchatel,8 and many 'others, both French and
Normans, who made peace between William and Groel, at
Breval,* after which, William, according to the terms of the
treaty, gave his daughter Isabel in marriage to Goel, and
ransomed himself at the expense of a thousand livres of
Dreux, besides the delivery of horses, arms, and many other
things. With great sorrow and regret he added also the
rastle of Ivri. The infamous freebooter enriched with these
fruits of enterprise grew intolerably insolent, and enclosed
his castle, which was in very deed a den of thieves, with deep
ditches and stout pallisades, spending his existence there in
continual rapine and bloodshed, to the ruin of many. He
had seven sons5 by his wife Isabel, who, as they grew in years,
increased in wickedness, so that the cries of the widow and
poor followed their evil deeds.
On. XIII. Claims of the family of Beaumont to tlie castle of
Ivri — Roger de Beaumont takes Brionne.
AT the same time, another disturbance broke out in Nor-
mandy. Robert, earl of Mellent came over from England,
and, swelling with arrogance in consequence of gifts and
long duration was rare at that time between the Norman lords, who were
ulways ready for mutual hostilities.
1 Sequenli. But Lent had already commenced, on Wednesday the 1 1th
of February.
1 Hugh de Montgomery, earl of Shrewsbury.
* He was son-in-law of Hugh, lord of Chateau-Neuf, in Thimerai, men-
tioned before, p. 109. Hujjh married Mabel, third daughter of Roger de
Montgomery, by Mabel de Belestne.
4 Breval, a strong castle on the confines of Normandy and Maine. See
bt'bre. p. 237.
* Of these, we only know Robert, lord of Ivri, William Louvel, and
Roger- Ie-Be0'ue.
488 OEDEBICUS TITALIS. [B.VTII. CH.XI1I.
promises made him by King "William, went to the duke at
Rouen, and insolently demanded the restoration of the
castle of Ivri. The duke replied, " I gave Brionne, a noble
castle, to your father in exchange for that of Ivri." But the
earl of Mellent said, " I do not agree to that exchange, and
I choose to have what your father gave to mine,1 otherwise,
by St. Nicaise ,2 I shall do what will be very disagreeable to
you." The duke was greatly incensed, and caused Eobert
to be arrested, and thrown into prison in the castle of Bri-
onne, under the custody of Eobert, son of Baldwin.3 The
crafty old Roger de Beaumont, hearing that his son was a
prisoner, applied himself for some days to other affairs, just
as if he had received no intelligence of his son's misfortune,
hiding his grief under a smiling face. At last, when he
thought the duke's wrath was somewhat abated, he sent him
presents, and then went to his court. Having offered his
respects to the duke, and being saluted in return, he thus
addressed him : " My lord duke, 1 return your highness
thanks for having chastised the arrogance of my son with
princely severity. Had I sufficient spirit at my advanced
age, I should have long ago done it myself, for his insolence
and disregard of my admonitions have often pained me. It
is therefore high time that he should be rebuked, and taught
to know how to conduct himself when addressing his supe-
riors and seniors."
With language of this sort, Eoger contrived to conciliate
the duke, who, not knowing what was to follow, eagerly
swallowed the flattery. Roger was now familiarly admitted
to the duke's councils, and it afterwards appeared that these
steps were all leading to his son's liberation. He was one
of the old and honoured nobles of Duke Robert, and King
1 See before, p. 428. It was not the ownership, but only the custody of
the castle of Ivri, of which the duke deprived Roger de Beaumont; and
he received an ample indemnification in Brionne, which stood in the
heart of the country and of his own domain of Beaumont and Pont-
Audemer.
2 Robert de Meulan or Mellent appears to have had a particular vene-
ration for St. Nicaise, patron of the city of Menlan, by whom he swears.
He founded a priory to the saint's honour in 1101.
3 Robert, son of Baldwin de Meules, and grandson of Gilbert, count de
Brionne. In some MSS., instead of Robert, we read Roger de Bienfaite,
which we shall presently see is incorrect.
A.D. 1090.] BOBEBT, EABL OF MELLENT, BELEASED. 489
William ; son-in-law of Waleran, count de Mellent, and
brother-in-law of Hugh j1 of approved faithfulness and loy-
alty, supported by powerful connections, both friends and
relations ; and in possession of ample wealth, lordships, and
domains, with strong castles and brave vassals. He had
besides valiant and noble sons, one being count of Mellent,
in France, and the other earl of "Warwick in England.
Thus strong in good sense, wealth, and supporters, he one
day came to the duke, and said, " You ought to deal
graciously with me, my lord duke, recollecting that I have
always been loyal to the princes of Normandy. I never
broke my fealty to iny liege lord, but on the contrary, have
done and suffered much in his cause. You have been your-
self witness of this in the battle when I fought against the
rebels under your father's eyes,2 where Roger of Spain, with
his sons Albert and Elinance fell, besides many others. I
learnt from childhood the duty of firm perseverance in loy-
alty. I received it as the heritage of my father, Thorold,
and my grandfather TJmfrid, and I have zealously performed
it all my life, both in prosperity and adversity. Far be it
from me in my old age to commit a breach of faith, which I
have always detested, and from my youth upwards used
every effort to avoid. Your father, therefore finding me ever
at his side, and firmly maintaining my allegiance, as well
as manfully sustaining the evils to which my fealty to him
exposed me, always admitted me to his most secret coun-
cils in preference to his other nobles." The duke replied
as follows, " I know well, Sir Roger, from many witnesses,
your great fidelity to my predecessors, and therefore, aa they
highly esteemed you, and adopted your judicious advice, I
also, taking advantage of your wisdom, embrace your sugges-
tions. If I have imprisoned your sou, I did it from no ill-will
to you, but in consequence of his own folly and insolence, in
importuning and threatening me." Roger then said, " I
thank your highness from the bottom of my heart, for the
chastisement you inflicted on the rash youth. But now if
it please your highness, I pray you to pardon him. Release
1 Waleran II., de Meulan, 1015?— October 8, 1069 or 1070. Hugh
II., his son and successor, became a monk at Bee in 1077.
1 For an account of this battle, see vol. i. pp. 150 and 401. See also
William de Jumieges, book vii. c. 3.
490 OKDEEICTJS YITA.LIS. [B.VIII. CH.XIII.
him now that he has been punished, and he will be your
faithful servant." The duke, won by this sort of language,
set at liberty the count of Mellent, and permitted him to
depart with his father.
Not long afterwards Eoger and his son begged the duke
to restore Brionne to them, accompanying the request with
an offer of a large sum ; whereupon the duke, who was in
want of money, lent a ready ear to their proposals, and
ordered Robert, who had the custody of the castle, to give
it up to Eoger. His answer to the duke was this : " If it
be your desire to have Brionne in your own hands, as your
father held it, I will make no difficulty in delivering it to
you ; but otherwise I will keep what is my own inheritance,
and yield it to no man while I live. It is well known to all
the inhabitants of this province that Eichard the elder, duke
of Normandy, granted Brionne with the county belonging
to it, in full right to his son Godfrey, and that on his death
he left it to his son Gilbert. "When Count Gilbert was
cruelly murdered by infamous assassins, his sons, under the
care of their guardians, fled for safety from his enemies to
the court of Baldwin, count of Flanders, whereupon your
father attached part of the domains to the fief of my grand-
father, distributing the rest among strangers. A long time
afterwards, having married the daughter of this Baldwin of
Flanders, the duke, at his request, restored to my father
Baldwin, Meules and Le Sap,1 and gave him his aunt's
daughter in marriage. At the same time, he restored
Bienfaite and Orbec to his brother Eichard. At length, by
your favour, my lord, whom it is my desire to obey in all
things, I am now in possession of Brionne, the principal
seat of my grandfather, and, God supporting my right, I
will keep it to the end."
When Eoger heard this, he earnestly encouraged the
duke not .to give way, but instantly collecting a body of
troops to crush his refractory vassal, and laying siege to the
strong fortress, which lay in the very heart of his dominions,
compel its surrender. Accordingly in Whitsun-week Duke
Eobert sat down before Brionne, where Eobert, son of
1 Baldwin, like his father, bore a variety of names; we find him
successively called Baldwin Fitz-Gilbert, Baldwin de Meules, Baldwin du
Sap, Baldwin the Viscount, and Baldwin of Exeter.
A.D. 1090.] CASTLE OF BBIONNE SET ON FIBE. 491
Baldwin, had only six knights1 to defend it against an army.
The lord of Beaumont and the count of Mellent had col-
lected large bodies of soldiers and closely invested the
fortress on all sides to prevent any succour or supplies of
victuals being thrown in ; and, pressing their advantage,
after the ninth day made a vigorous assault. It being the
commencement of summer, the weather was very warm, and
there was a great drought, of which the besiegers took
advantage ; for they* adroitly heated the iron points of their
missile weapons in a furnace which was built for the oc-
casion, and all of a sudden hurled them on the roof of the
great hall of the castle, where the red-hot steel of the arrows
and javelins, driven with great force into the shingles,2 set fire
to the dry moss which in course of time had overspread the
roof, so that the whole was quickly in a blaze. Meanwhile
the garrison were fighting stoutly on the fortifications, and
not expecting any such manoeuvre, were in great spirits
until they found the flames rising over their heads. When
however they discovered that the whole building above them
was falling to ruins, the flames within spreading through
every part, they surrendered at discretion. Thus Duke
Robert, by an assault which only lasted from nine o'clock
till sunset, gained possession of Brionne, which it took his
lather, William, with the aid of Henry, king of France,
three years to reduce, when Guy, son of Reynold of Bur-
gundy, shut himself up in it after the battle of Val-des-
Dunes.
1 Militibits. The chroniclers using this word for knights as well as
common soldiers, there is often difficulty in giving the right yereion, unless
the context is clear. In the present case, six soldiers would, indeed, be a
small garrison for such a fortress as Brionne, but that number of knights,
with their retainers, might possibly have made a stout resistance against H
considerable force. M. Le Prevost suggests, however, that the reading
may have been, not sex, but sexaginta, sixty.
* It appears that the roof of the castle was covered with shingles of
wood, instead of slates or tiles. This is still the case with respect to many
of the towers of the country churches in the Lieuvin and the Roumois, and
if the shingles were not painted, they might be overgrown with mosses and
lichens.
This castle is not the same of which some ruins, the keep, still exist,
built, it is supposed, by the lords of Harcourt. It did not stand on the
same site, hut on an island in the river Kisle, as William de Poitiers clearly
points out. The island was probably that which lies between the two
biiilges, near an oil-mill.
492 ORDERICUS VITAHS. [B.VIII. CH.XIII.
Gilbert de Pin1 commanded the troops employed in the
present attack of the castle of Brionne, making a skilful dis-
position of the force from Pont-Audemer and Beaumont,2
and leading them with great daring iu their irresistible
assault. But while BO doing he was mortally wounded in
the head by a dart hurled from above, and immediately car-
ried, in a fainting state, by his sorrowful comrades from the
throng of battle. Recovering shortly from his faintness,
the wounded man began shouting to the by-standers with
piercing cries : " Wretched, wretched men ! what are you
doing ? For what are you spending your lives ? Why do
you covet worldly vanities, forgetting the things which are
really for your good and are eternal ? If you only knew
the misery and torments which await you as evil-doers, and
could only see for one hour the horrors which I have just
witnessed, you would thenceforth hold cheap all the pleasures
of this fleeting world." He tried to add more, but his
speech failed, and thus the renowned soldier gave up the
ghost.
The siege being ended, the duke granted Brionne to
Roger, and taking compassion on Bobert, who had the
custody of it, promised to restore him his paternal fief:3 for
1 There are three communes of this name in Normandy: this was
probably Pin-au-Haras, near Exmes, of which Robert de Meulan was lord.
Or Gilbert might have been a native of Pin in the Lieuvin, between Lisieux
and Cormeilles, which is at no great distance from the vast domains of
Roger de Beaumont about, Pont-Audemer.
2 The two chief seats of Roger de Beaumont's possessions.
* We have seen before, p. 428, that Robert Curthose had deprived
Roger de Beaumont of the custody of the castle of Ivri to confer it on
William de Breteuil, who received Brionne as an indemnity. It was
against this exchange that the count de Meulan, Roger's son, protested.
The office of keeper of the castle of Ivri must not be confounded with
the subaltern appointment of provost of Ivri, which Ascelin Goe'l held
hereditarily before the castle was given up to him by William de Breteuil,
as we find in the sequel.
According to the continuator of William de Jumieges, it was Roger de
Bienfaite, and not Robert de Meules, who claimed Brionne ; but Roger
de Bienfaite was already indemnified by the lands of Hommet in Nor-
mandy, and Tuubridge in England, while Baldwin de Meules and his
descendants had hitherto received no equivalent for their share of the
succession. The duke Robert could not have entrusted the custody of
Brionne to any one more interested in defending it against the lords of
Beaumont than Robert de Meules, grandson of the first proprietor, Count
A.D. 1090."] GILBERT COUNT OF BBIOIWE. 493
he was strongly supported by his friends and kinsmen, and
had many partisans in the duke's court. It has been
already stated that King William had an especial regard for
Richard and Baldwin, the sons of Count Gilbert, and ad-
vanced them in the world, both on account of their nearness
of blood and their own valour ; enriching them with many
fiefs, manors, and lordships, both in England and Nor-
mandy. Both the brothers also made excellent marriages
with wives of noble families. Richard married Rohais,
daughter of Walter Giffard,1 who bore him several sons as
well as daughters. The sons were Roger, Gilbert, Walter,
Robert, and Richard a monk of Bee, who has been made
abbot of Ely by King Henry. Baldwin's sons were, Robert,
William, Richard, and Viger, a bastard. All these distin-
guished themselves in the stirring times of King William
and his sons, floating on the waves of this troublesome
world as they were driven by the changeable gales of un-
stable fortune. Viger the youngest voluntarily retired from
secular conflicts, and receiving the tonsure in the abbey of
Bee, lived there as a monk nearly forty years, under the
venerable abbots, William and Boso.2
CH. XIV. Hostilities between the count of Evreux and the
lord of Conches, fomented by their wives' quarrels — The
castle of Conches besieged — Peace restored — Dreams of
young Roger de Conches, and Baldwin, afterwards king of
Jerusalem.
WHILE the storm of battle was raging in all parts ot
Normandy, the province of Evreux could enjoy no tranquil-
Gilbert. Emma, mother of Robert de Meules, was daughter of an aunt of
King William, perhaps Adelaide, wife of Reynold of Burgundy. In that
case Robert would have an additional title to Brionne, as nephew of Guy
of Burgundy.
With respect to the castle of Tunbridge, which was given to Richard de
Bienfiiite in exchange for Brionne, the continuator of William de Jumieges
gives the following story : " A league was measured with a rope round
Brionne, and the same rope was carried over to England, and employed in
measuring a league round Tunbridge, so that in the measurement as many
miles were allotted to Tunbridge as Brionne was proved to contain."
1 Walter Giffard, son of Osbern de Bolbec.
* William de Montfort, October, 1093— April 16 1124. Boso, 1124—
June 24, 1136.
491 OttDERICTTS VITALIS. [B.YIII. dl.XTV. .
lity ; for there a worse than civil war was waged between
two powerful brothers, and the mischief was fomented bv
the spiteful jealousy of their haughty wives. The Countess
Havise1 took offence at some taunts uttered by Isabel de
Conches,2 and used all her influence with Count William3
and his barons to induce them to have recourse to arms.
Thus, through women's slights and quarrels the hearts of
brave men were stirred to rage, and their hands speedily
imbrued in the blood of their fellow mortals, while burning
farms and villages completed the horrors. Both the ladies
who stirred up these fierce hostilities were great talkers,
and spirited as well as handsome ; they ruled their hus-
bands, oppressed their vassals, and inspired terror in va-
rious ways. But still their characters were very different ;
Havise had wit and eloquence, but she was cruel and
avaricious. On the contrary, Isabel was generous, enter-
prising and gay, so that she was beloved and esteemed by
those about her. She rode in knightly armour when the
vassals took the field, and exhibited as much daring among
belted knights and men-at-arms as Camilla, the renowned
virgin of Italy among the squadrons of Turnus. Nor was
she inferior to Lampedona and Marseppa, Hyppolyta, and
Penthesilia, and the other warrior-queens of the Amazons,
spoken of by Pompeius Trogus4 and Virgil, and other writers
of history, with whom the kings of Asia formed connexions,
and who, for fifteen years, ruled the Asiatic nations. The
people of Evreux had many allies, so that they harassed
those of Conches by continually burning their property,
and carried off much booty. But there was no great dis-
parity, and the others, in turn, took their revenge. Mean-
while Ealph5 went to the court of Duke Robert, and laying
1 Havise, daughter of William, count de Nevers, and wife of William,
count d'Evreux, died in 1114.
* Isabel, or Elizabeth, de Montfort L'Amauri, was daughter of Simon,
lord of Montfort, and wife of Ralph, lord of Conches and Toeni. Conches
stands about four leagues to the south-west of Evreux.
3 Her husband, the count of Evreux.
4 This is no place for commenting on the fabulous history of the
Amazons, but we may be permitted to take the opportunity of expressing
our regrets for the loss of the great historical work of Trogus Pompeius,
which is the more singular as the cotemporaries of Ordericus possessed it.
* Ralph II., lord of Conches, Elizabeth's husband.
A.D. 1090.] FAMILY FEUDS. 495
before him an account of the losses to which he was exposed
by the aggressions of his neighbours, demanded the aid
which he had a right to expect from his liege lord ; but his
complaints were fruitless and he obtained no redress. Upon
this he turned his attention to another quarter, being com-
pelled to seek a protector where he could. He therefore
made application by his envoys to the king of England, and
laying his distressed circumstances before him, promised
him the fealty of all his estates if he would afford him suc-
cour. The king was highly pleased at the proposal, and
promised efficacious aid to the suppliant who so much
needed it. In consequence he gave orders to Count Ste-
phen1 and Gerard de Gournai, with the other officers who
were in command of his retainers in Normandy, that they
should render every assistance to .Ralph, and throw supplies
of all kinds into his castles. Accordingly they obeyed with
alacrity the royal commands and gave their support to
Kalph, striving earnestly to do the king's pleasure.
In the month of November Count William assembled a
large body of troops- and laid siege to Conches. His two
nephews, William de Breteuil and Richard de Montfort,
with their vassals, joined him in the attack upon the people
of Conches. Then Richard de Montfort, while taking pos-
session of the abbey of St. Peter de Chatillon,2 regardless of
the respect due to the monks, who cried to the Lord with
bitter lamentations, died the same day to the great grief of
both parties ; for he was Isabel's twin-brother as well as
nephew of Count William by his sister. Both parties there-
fore deplored the death of the brave marcher, who perished
while persisting in an evil deed, urged on by his pride and
rashness. His followers bore their lord's body to his native
place, and he was buried in the churchyard of St. Thomas
the Apostle, at Epernon.3 There the monks of Marmoutier
regularly serve God,4 and there also the old Simon, son of
Amauri, and his sons, are buried.
Not long afterwards the people of Evreux assembled
again, and made an irruption into the territory of Con-
1 Stephen, count d'Aumale.
* At Conches, by which name it was afterwards generally known.
s Epernon is four leagues from Montfort-Amauri.
4 This priory i-t.mdn in the suburb called the bourg St. Thomas.
496 OKDERTCUS TITALIS. [B.VIII. CII.XIV
ches to avenge their discomfiture. At this time Ralph
had in the castle a very strong body of his' own and the
king's adherents ; but when the young knights were eager
to sally forth, he said to them : " Arm yourselves and stand
ready, but do not leave the fortress until I give the order.
Permit the enemy to encumber himself with booty, and we
will fall upon him as he is retiring." The youthful soldiers
were ready to obey the 'commands of so brave and ex-
perienced a commander, and pursuing the people of Evreux
when they were loaded with booty, charged them with great
fury, and putting them to flight, recovered the spoil. William
de Breteuil and many others were taken prisoners ; and, in
consequence, peace was proposed. The count of Evreux
and his party were ashamed that, having commenced hostili-
ties through their arrogance, they had suffered the greatest
losses, and therefore after the war had been carried on three
years, they consented to an accommodation, and a meeting
being held, the following terms were agreed on: "William1
paid his uncle three thousand livres for his ransom, and
made his cousin Roger, Ralph's son, heir to the whole of his
fief. The count of Evreux appointed the same Roger,2 who
was his own nephew, his successor in the county. But
Divine Providence, which is not ruled by the will of man,
provided otherwise. The young Roger was of an excellent
disposition and much beloved by his companions and the
vassals and neighbours. He had a great regard for the
clergy and monks, paying them due reverence. Rejecting
the pomp of dress, in which the nobility too much gloried,
his whole demeanour was simple and modest. Upon one
occasion, when the knights were amusing themselves in the
hall at Conches3 with various games, and talking on different
subjects, as the custom is, the Lady Elizabeth 4 being present,
one of them said: "I had a dream lately, which much
alarmed me : I saw the Lord on the cross, his whole body
livid and writhing with torture, while I fixed my eyes upon
him in great terror." At this account his companions
remarked : " This dream of yours was solemn and fearful,
1 William de Breteuil.
3 Roger de Toeni, second son of Ralph de Conches.
8 Some ruins of the castle, of which this hall was pnrt, are still standing.
4 Elizabeth, his mother, lady of Conches, before called Isabel.
A.D. 1090.] A VISION AT CONCHES. 497
and seems to forebode some terrible judgment of God upon
you." Baldwin, son of Eustace, count of Boulogne, then
said : " I too, lately saw in a dream the Lord Jesus hanging
on the cross ; but in my vision he was bright and glorious,
and smiled benignantly upon me, graciously making the sign
of the cross on my head." Upon this the by-standers
observed ; " This vision seems to promise you some singular
grace and favour."
The young Eoger having heard what passed said to his
mother, " I know a person, not far off, who lately had a
vision of the same kind." His mother's curiosity was ex-
cited, and she pressed him to tell who it was, and what was
seen ; but the youth blushed, and was unwilling to make it
public. At length, however, he yielded to her repeated
entreaties, in which his friends present joined, and thus
replied : " A certain person lately saw in a vision the Lord
Jesus laying his hand on his head, who graciously blessed
him, calling him in these words : ' Come quickly to me,
beloved, and I will give thee the joys of life.' I therefore
affirm most assuredly that one who I know has been called
by the Lord, will not live long."
Soon afterwards, the three young men experienced differ-
ent fates, corresponding with what each had related. The
first was severely wounded while engaged in a hostile inroad,
and died without having confessed and received the viati-
cum. Baldwin, Ralph de Conches' son-in-law, took the sign
of the cross on his left shoulder,1 and, on the summons of
Pope Urban, joined the pilgrimage against the infidels. In
that expedition he distinguished himself beyond all his
compeers, being gloriously sustained by the Divine cross-
bearer he had seen in his dream. First, he was made duke
of Rages, that is of Edessa, a most flourishing city, and some
years afterwards, on the death of his brother, he was elected
king of Jerusalem, where he long reigned. He was con-
stantly engaged in wars with the infidels, in which, by
God's help, he nobly triumphed. As to Roger, he took to
his bed the same year the visions were seen, and having de-
1 Every one knows that this was the badge of the Crusaders. Baldwin,
who was afterwards count of Edessa and king of Jerusalem, married God-
childe, daughter of Ralph de Conches, and widow of Robert de Neubourg.
In the next book there is an account of her death during the first crusade.
VOL. II. K K
498 OBDERICTJS TITALIS. [s.VIII. CH.XV.
voutly performed all that becomes a Christian, departed on
the ides [15th] of May, and was buried, amidst general
grief, with his ancestors at Chatillon, where he rests.
CH. XV. Insurrection at Houen — Fomented by William
Rufus — Quelled by Prince Henry — Traffic end of Conan,
its leader.
AT the same time, Prince Henry ably governed the Coten-
tin, and stood on his guard with great firmness against his
brothers. He was exasperated with the duke for the cap-
tivity he had recently undergone at his hands. He was no
less at variance with King William in regard to his mother's
lands in England, of which his brother had disseised him,
and then granted them to Robert Fitz Hamon.1 In this
state of affairs, he kept his fortresses always prepared for
war, and wisely conciliated the favour of several of his
father's barons, who became his adherents. Among his
principal castles were Avranches, Cherbourg, Coutances,
and Gavrai : while Count Hugh,2 Eichard de Eeviers,3 and
the other lords of the Cotentin, except Eobert de Mowbray,4
joined him, and gathering aid on all sides, either by fair
words or rewards, his strength was daily on the increase.
Normandy was therefore a prey to unceasing calamities, and
the infernal furies made human beings, villages, and houses,
the victims of fire and slaughter.
The influence of the English king extended through
1 See before, p. 250.
* Hugh, viscount d' Avranches, earl of Chester.
* Richard de Reviers, near Creuilli, son of Baldwin, whose name appears
as subscribing the charter of the Abbaye-aux Dames in 1082, was descended,
it is said, from Osmond de Centevilles, viscount de Vernon, and a niece of
the duchess Gonnor ; but this descent is very doubtful, as far as the male
line is concerned. The castellans of Vernon were not called Osmund, but
Hugh and William, and the latter survived to the conquest. As to the
female line, there is more probability, and our author's account of the
descent is confirmed by a document in the chartulary of Carisbrook, which
calls Richard de Reviers nephew of William Fitz-Osberne, who was him-
self nephew of the duchess Gonnor. Perhaps it was Adeliza, wife of
Richard de Reviers, who was daughter and heiress of the lords of Vernon.
It was in right of the castle of Vernon that Ordericus reckons Richard
among the inhabitants of the Cotentin.
* Robert de Mowbray, oftened mentioned before, nephew of Geoffrey,
bishop of Coutances.
A.D. 1090.] INSUEEECTIOK AT BOTJEN. 499
almost every part of Normandy, and having gained over the
barons by means of his wealth, the province, in which its
own prince had lost all power, lay at his feet. Even the
citizens of Rouen, allured by the royal promises and bribes,
began to talk of deposing Robert, and consulted the means
of giving up the capital of Normandy, with their drowsy duke,
to the king. Conan, son of Gilbert Pilet,was at the head of the
conspirators ; a person of great influence, as he was the rich-
est man in Rouen. Having made a league with the king for
putting him in possession of the place, his immense wealth
made him very powerful, and enabled him proudly to main-
tain in his household a crowd of soldiers and retainers in
opposition to the duke. The greatest part of the townsmen
were of his faction ; some however were for maintaining
their allegiance to the. duke, and resisted and hindered by all
the obstacles in their power his traitorous design. But
Conan, relying on the concurrence of his fellow citizens,
fixed a time, and on the appointed day summoned the
king's troops from G-ournai, and the other fortified places
which were in their possession, directing them to march on
Rouen without loss of time. Meanwhile, the duke, discover-
ing the serious conspiracy on foot against him, called to his
councils his most trusted friends. In this juncture he made
alliances with his brother Henry and some others with
whom he had been at variance, and despatched hasty mes-
sengers to William, count of Evreux, Robert de Belesme,
William de Breteuil, Gilbert de Laigle, and his other
adherents, to inform them of his danger. Henry was the
first to come to his succour, bringing a reinforcement which
enabled him to inflict condign punishment on the traitor
Conan.
On the 3rd of November Gilbert de Laigle arrived with
a troop of horse for the duke's service, and crossing the
bridge over the Seine reached Rouen on the southern side1
at the same time that Reynold de Warrenne,2 at the head of
1 Gilbert's cavalry approached Rouen on the south side, by the bridge
over the Seine, which then stood on the same spot as that afterwards
erected by the Empress Matilda in 1167, where the suspension bridge now
stands. Not only the bridge, but great part of what is now the rue Grand-
Font, was then outside the city.
3 Reynold de Warrenne, second son of William de Warrenne, earl of
Surrey, was on the king's side.
K K 2
500 OllDEBICUS YITALIS. [B.VIII. CH.IT.
three hundred men-at-arms, galloped up to the gate of
Chaux.1 Upon this Gilbert shouted to his followers : " Be
on the alert, and get your arms in order, there is no time
for delay ; see, the enemy is approaching from the south to
attack us, and our gallant comrades are rapidly advancing
from the west to our support; be ready then to receive
both our allies and our enemies as we ought ; open your
ranks to admit our friends, and close them firmly against
our foes." One body of the townsmen fled to arms to resist
Gilbert and his troop, while others flocked to the western
gate, and set to work to force it open and give admission to
Reynold and his followers. Besides this, some of the king's
adherents had already contrived to find their way into the
place, and having watched secretly for the moment of
action, were quite ready to support the rebellion, waiting
with impatience the delay of the outbreak.
At last the tumult began to rage both among the troops
and the citizens, whose shouts were heard on all sides, the
whole place being thrown into confusion, and venting its
fury in mutual attacks ; for many of the townsmen fought at
both the gates against their relations and neighbours, one
part rallying for the duke, the other for the king. The
duke perceiving the struggle that was taking place in the
city issued forth from the castle,2 with his brother Henry
and his troops, and hastened to the sliccour of his party in
the town. But while all was in the confusion of this wild
tumult, and the citizens hardly knew which side to take,
the duke was persuaded by his friends to make his escape
with a few followers, from apprehension that he was fool-
ishly exposing himself to perils which could bring him no
1 " We suppose that the gate of Chaux stood at that time on the site or
the present great clock-tower (Grosse Horloge). A few lines further, our
author calls this the west gate. It is probable that the circuit of the walls
of Rouen had then only four gates at the four cardinal points." M. Le
Privost. We do not understand, however, how Gilbert could point his
men to support coming from the west, if Reynold de Warrenne and the
troops of William Rufus were just making their appearance at that gate.
Nor does it appear who were the enemy on their own track from the
south, but they were probably the auxiliary forces of William de Breteuil,
the count de Belesme, and the lord of Laigle, as we presently find them
in the city.
a The castle of Rouen stood at the south-east angle of the square
mentioned in a preceding note. It is now railed the Old Tower.
A.D. 1090.] THE IKSUEBECTION QUELLED. 501
honour, and to the eternal ridicule of all the Normans. He
therefore went out at the east gate,1 and was dutifully re-
ceived as their lawful sovereign by the inhabitants of the
suburban village, called Mal-Palu.a A boat was then got
ready, and embarking on the Seine he left the storm of bat-
tle behind, and proceeded by water, in great alarm, to the
village of Emendreville.3 He was received on his landing
by William d'Arques, a monk of Moleme,4 and waited there,
in the church of Notre-Dame-du-Pre,4 the issue of the
insurrection.
Gilbert de Laigle, having forced an entrance through the
southern gate by the intrepidity of his followers, aided by
the exertions of the citizens who had not taken the side of
the traitors, he joined Prince Henry and the duke's other
auxiliaries, and charged the rebels who had possession of
the city. These presumptuous and guilty traitors, failing
in their wicked enterprise, the party of the duke now took
courage, and Gilbert furiously assaulted and crushed the
enemy. There was great slaughter of the townsmen, and
Conan, the leader of the insurgents, was taken prisoner
with many others. The city resounded with cries of grief
and terror, the women making loud lamentations, while the
men were fighting, falling, and fleeing. The innocent and
guilty alike were everywhere butchered, or captured or
driven to flight. When it appeared that the citizens were
divided among themselves, and that severe misfortunes were
impending, the royal troops withdrew in confusion, and
hastily gaining the shelter of the neighbouring woods, con-
cealed themselves there until under cover of night, they,
with some difficulty, escaped the risk of death or captivity.
Meanwhile, Conan was conveyed by the victors into the
castle, and Prince Henry having taken him to the summit of
the tower said to him ironically : " See, Conan, what a beauti-
ful country you have tried to become master of. There, to the
1 This gate stood at the end of the rue St. Remain.
* Being now included in the city, it has left its name to a street so
called.
* Now the faubourg of St. Sever.
* This monk is mentioned before as one of the counsellors of Robert
Curthose.
4 The priory of Notre-Dame-du-Pre", now Bonne-Nouvelle, a dependency
on the abbey of Bee, which was founded by William and Matilda.
502 OBDERICUS VITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.XT.
south, a delightful park l is spread before your eyes : see its
wooded glades, well stocked with beasts of chace. There
flows the Seine, abounding in fish, washing the city walls,
and bearing daily on its bosom ships loaded with rich
cargoes of merchandise to the port of .Rouen. See, on the
other side, that populous city, with its strong walls, and
churches, and stately houses, the capital of Normandy from
the earliest times." Conan, trembling at the prince's ironi-
cal insult, groaned aloud, and imploring his clemency, said :
" I confess my guilt, which has justly subjected me to con-
demnation, but I beg for mercy, in the name of God, the
Creator of all things. I will give, my lord, for my ransom,
all the gold and silver which can be found in my own coffers
and in those of my friends, and I will efface the crime of
my disloyalty by dutiful allegiance to the end of my days."
Henry, however, replied : " By the soul of my mother,2 I
will take no ransom for a traitor ; the death he has deserved
shall be instant." Then Conan cried aloud with a lament-
able voice : " For the love of God, allow me first to have a
confessor." But Henry, impatient to avenge his brother's
wrongs, in the fury of his passion paid no regard to the
prayers of the wretched man,s and seizing him with both
hands, dashed him backward from the tower window. The
wretch's limbs were broken by the fearful fall, but he had
ceased to live before he reached the ground. The corpse
was fastened to the tail of a horse, and dragged with dis-
grace through all the streets of Rouen, to strike terror into
the rebels. The* place where the deed of vengeance was
wrought is called to this day " Conan's leap."
Duke Eobert returning from the church of Notre-
Dame-du-Pre to the castle, and learning what had hap-
pened, was touched with compassion and deeply lamented
the miseries of the citizens ; but the sterner coun-
sels of the nobles prevailed, and he was not allowed to
pardon the guilty. Eobert de Belesme and William de
1 The park of the dukes of Normandy, on the south bank of the Seine,
included the lands of Sotteyille, Grammont, St. Etienne-du-Rouvrai, the
forest of Kouvrai, Le Petit Couronne, and the priory of St. Julien.
* Henry's respect for his mother, Queen Matilda's, memory, did not,
however, prevent his pillaging the domains which she gave to the Abbaye-
aux-Dames, as we shall shortly see.
A.D. 1090.] CALAMITIES OF irOKMAlTDT. 503
Breteuil bad arrived, and they treated the inhabitants of
Rouen as if they had been aliens and robbers, carrying them
off and throwing them into loathsome dungeons. Wil-
liam, son of Ansger, one of the richest of the citizens, was
led away captive by "William de Breteuil, and after long
undergoing the horrors of a prison, was permitted to ran-
som himself for three thousand livres.1 Thus the people of
Belesme and Laigle, and the duke's other auxiliaries, exer-
cised the greatest cruelties against their own fellow country-
men, and evil-entreated the citizens of the capital of
Normandy, dragging them away captives, and stripped of
everything as if they had been barbarian enemies.
To what calamities was now reduced that proud Nor-
mandy which so lately triumphed in the conquest of Eng-
land, and destroying or expelling her native sons, usurped
their lands and their government ! The prodigious wealth
which was wrung from others, and enriched by which she
exalted herself to her own destruction, has now, so far from
turning to her advantage, become the source of the severest
torments. Now, like Babylon, she drinks herself of the cup
of tribulation, which she gave to others. At the sight of so
many evils the impoverished clergy weeps, the convents of
monks lament, and the helpless people are everywhere deso-
late and sorrowful. They only rejoice, and their triumph
will be of short duration, who can rob and thieve without
restraint. Alas ! the respect for the priesthood, to which
once all did reverence, is nearly extinct in the flood of
calamities which so violently rages. Why have the furies
such unbounded licence to revel in Normandy, crushing its
inhabitants and overwhelming them in its ruins ? In the
days when there was no king or ruler in Jerusalem, the re-
bellious people sacrificed to the golden calves of Jeroboam
in Dan and Bethel.2 Therefore it was that Joel wept for
and exhorted the transgressors of the law, harassed by the
palmer-worm, the canker-worm, the locust, and caterpillar.
By the four plagues mentioned by the prophet3 are sig-
nified, fear, desire, grief, and joy. Fear and desire stimu-
1 Exactly the snmc ransom which we have eeen William de Bretueil
pay to his uncle, Ralph de Conches.
1 1 Kings xii. 28.
» Uoel i. 4.
504 OEDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.XTI.
late and corrode the hearts of men, and overwhelm and
destroy them with fatal joy or grief. Joys minister to
lust, sorrows lead to cruelty. Virgil speaks of them thus
in his poem :l
Desire and fear by turns possess their hearts,
And grief and joy : nor can the grovelling mind
In the dark dungeon of the limbs confined,
Assert its native skies, or own its heavenly kind.
Those who are plunged in the gloom of the world's troubles
can neither enjoy the light of true wisdom nor extricate
themselves from the snares of vice. I see many passages in
the sacred writings which are so adapted to the circum-
stances of the present times, that they seem parallel. But
I leave to studious persons the task of inquiry into these
allegorical quotations and the interpretations applicable to
the state of mankind, and will endeavour to continue the
history of Norman affairs a little further in all simplicity.
CH. XVI. Robert de Belesme erects castles, and commences
hostilities with Hugh de Grantmesnil and his kindred —
Lays siege to Gourd — Even ts of the siege — The pacification —
William Itufus crosses over to Normandy, and is reconciled
with the duke, Robert Curthose.
HAVING now described the reverses of the people of Evreus,
and the revolt and sufferings of the citizens of Rouen, I
purpose to relate the contests and calamities of the people
of Oxmes.2 Robert de Belesme built a castle on an elevated
spot which is commonly called Fourches, and, transferring
there the inhabitants of Vignats, sought to reduce all the
neighbours under his tyranny. He erected another fortress
called Chateau Groutier,3 at La Courbe,* on the river Orne,
by which he would be enabled to impose his yoke, however
unjustly, on all the district of the Houlme.5 Thus aggran-
dized far beyond his parentage and ancestors, he attacked his
1 H'vnc mctuunt, cupiuntque ; dolent, gaudentque ; neque auras
'Respiciunt, clauses tenebris et careers cesco. — ^En. vi. 734, 735.
3 The inhabitants of the Hiemois.
8 Chateau Goutier, on the neck^of a peninsula formed by the Orne.
* La Courbe, in the canton of Ecouche.
5 The Houlme formed the western part of the diocese of S4ez.
A.D. 1090.] FAMILY OF GBANTMESNIL. 503
equals almost every where in Normandy, where a protector of
just rights was not to be found, and began to harass his im-
mediate neighbours. Finding this, the Norman nobles were
much disturbed, and their disquietudes grew to such a pitch
that they had long and frequent consultations on the subject
of resisting these inroads. The first to take arms, because they
were the nearest to the tyrant's borders and most exposed
to his nefarious attempts, were Hugh de Grantmesnil1 and
Eichard de Courci,2 who drew supplies of arms and pro-
visions to their castles and strengthened the garrisons.
These knights were now grey-headed, but their spirit was
high and noble, and their intimate connection increased
their power; for Robert, Hugh's son, had married Hugh's
daughter,8 and she had borne her husband five sons.
The noble Hugh de Grantmesnil was in his youth distin-
guished for his valour, and married a very beautiful lady,
Adeliza,4 daughter of Ivo, count de Beaumont, by whom he
had Eobert, William, Hugh, Ivo, and Aubrey ; Adeline,
Havise, Eohais, Matilda, and Agnes. This large and
promising family was a prey to various misfortunes, so that
none of them except Eobert lived to old age. He was the
eldest, and, surviving all his brothers and sisters, was thrice
married before he was advanced in years. His first wife
was Agnes, daughter of Eanulf of Bayeux,8 the second,
Emma, daughter of Eobert D'Estoteville,4 and he married
lastly Lucy, daughter of Savaric Fitz-Cane.7 William and
1 Hugh de Grantmesnil, viscount or sheriff of Leicestershire, and
governor of Winchester.
a Richard, lord of Courci-sur-Dive.
3 Rohais, or Rohesia, third daughter of Hugh de Grantmesnil.
* Adeliza, daughter of Ivo II., count de Beaumont-sur-Oise, founder of
the priory of Conflans, by Judith, his first wife.
5 Ranulf de Briquesart, viscount de Bayeux, nephew and heir of Hugh,
earl of Chester.
8 Robert D'Estoteville, surnamed Grand-Bois, lord of Estoteville-sur-
mer, canton of Yerville, is the first person on record of this illustrious
family.
7 She was married to Ralph, viscount of Maine. Their son, Saveric,
was half-brother of Hubert de Sainte Suzanne, of whom we have heard
before (p. 3?8). He was still a minor in 1060, when he was a consenting
party to a donation in favour of t^.e monks of Vivoin. His sons were
Ralph, Savaric Fitz-Savaric, and Godwin. A charter of King Richard,
dated at Gorron, March 31, 1190, confirms to Francis de Bohun several
506 OBDEEICTJS YITALIS. [B.YIII. CH.XYI.
Ivo were also married. The first took to wife, in Apulia,
Mabel, daughter of Bobert Guiscard ; l and the other, in
England, a daughter of Gilbert de Gand.2 Adeline married
Roger d'lvri,8 and Rohais, Robert de Courci ; Matilda,
Hugh de Mont-Pin9on ;* Agnes, William de Say ;5 and
Havise died just as she became marriageable.
Hugh de Grantmesnil therefore, thus surrounded by sons
fiefs in Normandy, and, among others, Bohun, as fully as Savaric Fitz-
Savaiic held the same at the time of his death ; and moreover, Midhurst
and other lordships in England, as Savaric, son of Cane, held the same
under Henry I. and Henry II. Ralph and Savaric, the second of that
name, having died without issue, their possessions, together with one
moiety of the fief of Bohun, which they inherited from Engelger de
Bohun, passed to this Francis, who was son of their brother Godwin, and
became the ancestor of the barons of Bohun and Midhurst
1 Mabel, who had the surname of Courte-Louve, fifth daughter of Robert
Guiscard and Sichelgade.
2 Our English genealogists consider this person to have been the son of
Baldwin de Mons, brother of Queen Matilda, of whom we know no other
descendants but Arnulf and Baldwin. The truth is, that Gilbert was
brother of Baldwin de Gand, lord of Alost, and son of Ralph. His name
appears as witness to a document at Alost, on his return from England,
the 25th of May, 1075. By his wife, Alicia de Montfort, he had a son
named Hugh, founder of the family of the lords of Montfort, barons of
Cocquanilliers. He survived his eldest son, named also Gilbert. His
third son, Walter, inherited all his estates in England. He had, besides,
two daughters, married, the one to William, constable of Chester, the
other, Emma, to Alan de Percy. He received a vast number of manors
in capite by grant from William the Conqueror. He was the restorer of
Bardney Abbey in Lincolnshire ; and he was one of the small number of
Normans who escaped the massacre by the Danes at York in 1069. He
is supposed to have died about 1094.
1 See before, pp. 109 and 212. Roger d'lvri held of Bishop Odo two
manors in England (Domesday-book). A singular act of fraternity was
made between this Roger and Robert D'Oyley: Memorandum that Robert
ifOyley and Roger d'lvri came to the conquest of England with William the
Bastard, as sworn brothers and confederates, pledged to each other by
their mutual solemn oaths. The following passage in the Scriptum de
servitiis militaribus qua debentur duci Normania, concerns one of his
descendants, and not his father, as Kennett supposes. . . . Waleran d'lvri
one man-at-arms Jor his butlership, and three and a half for himself ; the
same has from fvri eight men-at-arms and a half, and to render to the
king at the king's pleasure. His wife, Adeline, appears in Domesday-
book as tenant in capite on her own account.
* Hugh de Mont Pincon. See before, p. 212.
5 William de Say; this person subscribed the charter of Henry I. in
favour of St. Evroult, in 1128. Concerning the family of Say, near
Argentan, and in England, see before, p. 201.
A.D. 1091.] BEyCOTTSTEES OF KNIGHTS. 507
and sons-in-law, as well as many friends, took the lead
actively in hostilities against Eobert de Belesme, and by the
aid of his distinguished allies, made a bold resistance to his
tyranny. Eobert, however, relying on the support of his
brothers Roger and Arnulph,1 and his numerous vassals, put
his neighbours to defiance, and set himself to injure them
by frequent inroads and devastations on their territories.
Matthew, count de Beaumont,8 William de Warrenne,3 and
many other knights, flocked to these encounters to exhibit
their prowess in such lists. There, however, Theobald, son
of W alter de Breteuil,4 and Guy the Red, were slain.
Theobald, whose steed and all his appointments were white,
was called the white knight, and Guy was called the red,
because his were of that colour.5 Robert de Belesme, find-
ing that he was unable alone to cope with his illustrious
neighbours, who were so eminent for their noble bearing,
and the intrepidity and prowess they exhibited, both in sus-
taining and daring the shock of arms, won to his side the
duke of Normandy by his humble supplications and specious
promises, so that he prevailed with him by his earnest
entreaties to march to his aid.
In the year, therefore, of our Lord 1091, the thirteenth
indiction, in the month of January, the duke laid siege to
Courci,6 but unwilling to come to extremities with his great
nobles, he took no measures for closely investing the be-
sieged. Robert, however, used every resource of open attack
and stratagem against the enemy for three weeks, employing
various engines of war in his assaults on the fortress ; but
the garrison being numerous and making a resolute defence,
he was repulsed with shame. He caused a vast machine,
1 Roger and Arnulph de Montgomery, improperly called earls by the
French editor of Ordericus and some English genealogists. See the note,
p. 203.
* Matthew, count of Beaumont-sur-Oise, brother-in-law of Hugh de
Grantmesnil, and chamberlain of France in 1139, died in 1151 or 1152.
3 William de Warrenne, the second earl of Surrey.
4 This Waleran did not belong to the family of the lords of Breteuil,
but was one of their vassals.
8 The reader who is conversant with the chronicles and romances of the
middle ages, or even with some modern works of fiction, will here recognize
a well known practice.
* Courci-sur-Dive.
508 OBDEBICirS VITALIS. [B.YIII. CH.XVT.
called a belfry,1 to be erected over against the castle walls,
and filled it with all kinds of warlike instruments, but even
this failed of compelling the garrison to submit; for as
often as he began an assault on Courci, the powerful force
from Grantmesnil hastened to the rescue, and charging the
assailants with fury drew them off from their intended
attack. Meanwhile the garrison took prisoners William de
Ferrers2 and William de Hupiere,3 whose ransoms were a
great assistance to the besieged. But the lot of war is
uncertain, and the victors often have to yield to those they
have defeated. Thus Ivo, Hugh's son,4 and Richard, Gil-
bert's son,5 and several others, were made prisoners by the
besiegers, and had some experience of the horrors of Robert
de Belesme's dungeons. Hugh de Grantmesnil did not
bear arms himself, on account of his advanced age, but in
council his shrewdness and wisdom enabled him to take the
lead. The long continuance of the siege caused him ex-
treme pain, and in consequence he sent the following
message to the duke who was engaged in it : "I long
served your father and grandfather, and suffered much in
their service. I have also been always loyal to you. What
have I done ? in what have I given you offence ? how have
I merited at your hands this hostile attack ? I openly
acknowledge the fealty I owe you as my liege-lord, and on
that account I will not appear in arms against you ; but I
offer you two hundred livres to withdraw where it may suit
your pleasure for one single day, that I may take that
opportunity of fighting Eobert de Belesme: it is clear
enough, that his principal reliance is upon your protection,
and that the besieged are more restrained by their loyalty
to you than by any fear they have of their enemies."
1 Berfredum ; a wooden tower on four wheels, with a great number of
stages or floors, employed in sieges to assault and command the fortifica-
tions.
2 William, lord of Ferricres St. Hilaire, near Bernai, and son of
Henry, who was present at the battle of Hastings.
3 This lord gave the church of Frenouville to the abbey of Troam, and
in 1099 added the tithe to his former grant.
* Ivo, fourth son of Hugh de Grantmesnil.
8 Richard de Clare, or de Bienfaite, son of Gilbert, count of Brionne.
It will appear afterwards that he did not long survive the sufferings he
endured during his captivity.
A.D. 1090.] SIEGE OF THE CASTLE OF COTJECI. 509
An oven had been built outside the fortifications between
the castle gate and the assailants' belfry, and there the baker
baked the bread required for the use of the garrison, because
the siege was begun in such haste that they had no time to
construct an oven within their new defences. It followed
therefore that the thickest of the fight often raged around
this oven, much blood was shed there, and many spirits
departed by violence from the prison of the flesh. For the
people of Courci stood in arms to defend their bread, while
Belesme's followers tried to carry it off, so that many
desperate conflicts occurred. It happened that one day
while the loaves were being baked in the oven, and the two
hostile parties were engaged in a violent quarrel, the troops
on both sides came up, and a desperate conflict ensued, in
which twenty men were killed and more wounded, who
never tasted the bread their blood had purchased. Mean-
while, the friends of the besieged daily entered the castle
in sight of the besiegers, and the duke taking no care to
prevent it, conveyed to their comrades fresh supplies of
arms and provisions to give them courage and support.
On one occasion, Robert and his troops having been
repulsed from an assault, those who pursued them made a
squire mount into the belfry and set fire to it on the north
side. The machine was therefore burnt by the righteous
judgment of G-od, it having been irreligiously constructed
by a tyrannical order during the days when the feast of ou *
Lord's Nativity is observed.1
Gerard,2 the politic bishop of Seez, came during the pro>
gress of the siege to use his efforts to restore peace betweer
the contending parties in his diocese, and took up his abod*
at the convent of Dive.* He proposed terms of accommoda-
1 The Frem-h editor of Ordericus remarks that the machine must have
been constructed in anticipation of the siege, if it did not begin till the
month of January, as our author states, and therefore conjectures that
Ordericus counted the calends of' January as belonging to that month.
That would carry back the date of the commencement of the siege to the
fourteenth of December; but perhaps the true solution is that, as every one
knows, the feast of Christmas does not terminate till Twelfthday, the sixth
of January, or even its octave the 13th. The machine, if brought to the
spot ready framed, might be put together in a few days.
* Gerard, bishop of Seez, 1082 — 1091.
9 The abbey of Notre-Dame-de-St.-Pierre-8ur-Dive, at a short distance
from Courci.
610 OKDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.3TI.
tion, but was grieved to find that the spirit of discord -was
too powerful and caused them to be rejected. He was also
much distressed at a gross insult offered him by Robert de
Belesme. A certain youth who was in the bishop's service
was one day riding through the camp amusing himself in a
boyish way, when Robert caused him to be pulled off the
horse and thrown into prison, retaining also the horse for
his own service. The boy was called Richard de Gapree, he
was son of Sevald, and his relations had long struggled with
all their might to defend themselves from Robert's encroach-
ments. When the bishop heard that his clerk was arrested
by Robert without any cause of offence, he commanded him.
to release him instantly, or otherwise he would lay the
whole army under an interdict. After some days the young
clerk was set at liberty, and the bishop was carried back in
a languishing disorder to his own see at Seez. He then
received the holy sacraments and died surrounded by his
disciples on the tenth of the calends of February [23rd Jan-
uary].1 His body was interred in the church of St. Gervase
the martyr.
The same week,2 William Rufus, king of England, crossed
over to Normandy with a great fleet. The duke was alarmed
at his arrival, and with Robert de Belesme and the other
besiegers retired from Conches, and every one went to his
own home. Almost all the Norman lords presently paid
their court to William with great zeal, offering him presents
in the expectation of receiving still greater in return. The
French also, and the Bretons and Flemings, as well as many
from the neighbouring provinces, when they heard that
William was residing at Eu in Normandy, resorted to him.
.They admired his great magnificence, and, on their return
home, exalted him above all their own princes for his
wealth and generosity. At last, the two brothers met
amicably at Rouen and were reconciled, their former
quarrels being buried in oblivion. At this interview the
duke received presents of great value from the king, and
ceded to him the counties of Eu and Aumale and the entire
fiefs of Gerard de Gournai and Ralph de Conches with all
1 A.D. 1091.
3 This week extended from Sunday, the 19th, to Saturday, the 2ith of
January.
A.D. 1091.] A YISIOST OF PUfiGATOBY. 511
the castles in their hands or held of them by their depend-
ants. The king and his court resided at Rouen from Jan-
uary to the calends [the 1st] of August in all the splendour
of regal magnificence.1
CH. XVII. Narrative of a vision of departed and reprobate
spirits seen, at the time of the siege of Gourd, by a priest
who related it to the author.
1 CONSIDER that I ought not to suppress and pass over in
silence what happened to a certain priest of the diocese of
Liseux in the begining of January.2 In a village called
Bonneval there was a priest named Walkelin who served
the church of St. Aubin of Anjou, who from a monk became
bishop and confessor.3 At the commencement of the month
of January, 1091, this priest was summoned in the night
time, as the occasion required, to visit a sick man who lived
at the furthest extremity of his parish. As he was pursu-
ing his solitary road homewards, far from any habitation of
man, he heard a great noise like the tramp of a numerous
body of troops, and thought within himself that the sounds
proceeded from the army of Eobert de Belesme on their
march to lay seige to the castle of Courci.* The moon,
1 From the last day of January, 1091, to the 1st of August in the
game year.
Florence of Worcester gives with more precision than our author the
terms of the arrangement made between the two brothers. It was agreed,
1. That the duke should cede to William the county of Eu, the abbevs
of Fecamp and Mount St. Michael, Cherbourg, and all the castles which
had been given up to him.
2. That the king should reconquer for his brother Maine, and the castles
which had refused to submit to his authority.
3. That the king should restore to the Normans in England the estates
they may have forfeited for having taken the side of Robert ; and should
also grant to Robert the domains which he had promised him before their
differences.
4. That the survivor should inherit the dominions of the other. This
convention was confirmed by the oaths of twelve barons on each side.
4 The 1st of January.
3 St. Aubin de Bonneval, between Orbec and Sap, and not far from St.
Evroult St. Aubin, bishop of Angers, March 1 , 550.
' The siege, then, described in the preceding chapter had commenced, or
was on the point of commencing, on the 1st of January, which confirms
our conjecture that the great machine used in it was put together in the
512 OIlDEillCUS VITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.XVII.
being in her eighth day in the constellation of the Earn, shed a
clear light, so that it was easy to find the way. Now the priest
was young, undaunted, and bold, and of a powerful and
active frame of body. However, he hesitated when the
sounds, which seemed to proceed from troops on the march
first reached his ears, and began to consider whether he
should take to flight to avoid being laid hold of and discour-
teously stripped by the worthless camp followers, or man-
fully stand on his defence if any one molested him. Just
then he espied four medlar-trees' in a field at a good distance
from the path, and determined to seek shelter behind them,
as fast as he could, until the cavalry had passed. But as he
was running he was stopped by a man ofr enormous stature,
armed with a massive club, who, raising his weapon above
his head, shouted to him, " Stand ! Take not a step further !"
The priest, frozen with terror, stood motionless, leaning on
his staff. The gigantic club-bearer also stood close to him,
and, without offering to do him any injury, quietly waited
for the passage of the troop.2 And now, behold, a great
crowd of people came by on foot, carrying on their heads
and shoulders, sheep, clothes, furniture, and moveables of all
descriptions, such as robbers are in the habit of pillaging.
All were making great lamentations and urging one another
to hasten their steps. Among them the priest recognized a
number of his neighbours who had lately died, and heard them
bewailing the excruciating sufferings with which they were
tormented for their evil deeds. They were followed by a
course of the week before Twelfthday. This was not Robert de Belesme's
road to Courci, but terror seems to have already turned the head of the
worthy curate.
1 Normandy was famed for its orchards from very early times.
3 The memory of this vision, and of the spot where :t occurred, still
lingers in the neighbourhood. The story is thus told :
" At a very remote period, the cure" of Bonneval returning in the night-
time from administering the sacrament to a rich parishioner in the village
of Bosc, had reached the foot of a field called Olivet, at the cross-roads
called Fosses-Malades (on account of the adjoining graves in which the
dead were buried during a pestilence which ravaged the parish), when he
fell in with some thirty men, dressed in red, some of whom were on foot
and the rest on horseback. These men led the cure to the top of the field,
and solicited him to abjure his religion and deny God. Their instances
proving fruitless, they departed, leaving the good priest to return safe to
his dwelling."
A.D. 1091.] A VISION OP PURGATORY. 513
troop of corpse-bearers, who were joined by the giant
already mentioned. These carried as many as fifty biers,
each of which was borne by two bearers. On these were
seated a number of men of the size of dwarfs, but whose
heads were as large as barrels. Two Ethiopians also carried
an immense trunk of a tree, to which a poor wretch was
rudely bound, who, in his tortures filled the air with fearful
cries of anguish; for a horrible demon sat on the same
trunk and goaded his loins and back with red-hot spurs
until the blood streamed from them. "Walkelin distinctly
recognized in this wretch the assassin of Stephen the priest,
and was witness to the intolerable tortures he suffered for
the innocent blood he shed two years before, since which he
had died without penance for so foul a crime.
Then followed a crowd of women who seemed to the
priest to be innumerable. They were mounted on horseback,
riding in female fashion, with women's saddles which were
stuck with red-hot nails. The wind often lifted them a
cubit from their saddles, and then let them drop again on
the sharp points. Their haunches thus punctured with the
burning nails, and suffering horrible torments from the
wounds and the scorching heat, the women pitiably ejacu-
lated, woe ! woe ! and made open confession of the sins for
which they were punished, undergoing in this manner fire
and stench and unutterable tortures for the obscene allure-
ments and filthy delights to which they had abandoned them-
selves when living among men. In this company the priest
recognized several noble ladies, and beheld the palfreys and
mules with the women's litters of others who were still alive.
The priest stood fixed to the spot at this spectacle, his
thoughts deeply engaged in the reflections it suggested.
Presently, however, he saw pass before him a numerous com-
pany of clergy and monks, with their rulers and judges, the
bishops and abbots carrying croziers in their hands. The
clergy and bishops wore black copes, and the abbots and
monks cowls of the same hue. They all groaned and wailed,
and some of them called to Walkelin, and implored him, iu
the name of their former friendship, to pray for them. The
priest reported that he saw among them many who were
highly esteemed, and who, in human estimation, were now
associated with the saints in heaven. He recognised in the
VOL. II. L L
514 OBDEBICUS VITALIS. [B.VIII. CH.XVII.
number Hugh, bishop of Lisieux,1 and those eminent abbots
Manier of Evroult and Q-erbert of Fontenelles, with many-
others whose names I either forget, or have no desire to
publish. Human judgment is often fallible, but the eye of
God seeeth the inmost thoughts ; for man looks only to out-
ward appearances, God searcheth the heart. In the realms
of eternal bliss the clear light of an endless day is shed on all
around, and the children of the kingdom triumph in the joys
•which attend perfect holiness. Nothing that is unrighteous
is done there ; nothing that is polluted can enter there ; no
uncleanness, no impurity, is there found. All the dross of
carnal desires is therefore consumed in the fires of purga-
tory, and purified by sufferings of various degrees as the
Judge eternal ordains. So that as a vessel cleansed from
rust and thoroughly polished is laid up in a treasury, so the
soul, purified from all taint of sin, is admitted into Paradise,
where it enjoys perfect happiness unalloyed by fear or
care.
The priest, trembling at these appalling scenes, still
rested on his staff, expecting apparitions still more terrible.
And now there followed an immense army in which no
colour was visible, but only blackness and fiery flames. All
were mounted on great war-horses, and fully armed as if
they were prepared for immediate battle, and they carried
black banners. There were seen Kichard and Baldwin, the
1 Dante did not scruple to assign a special place of torment not only iu
purgatory, but in hell itself, to popes even who had been guilty of simony
and other scandalous crimes.^
Chi e colui, maestro, che si cruccia,
Guizznndo piu che gli altri suoi consorti,
Diss* io, e cui piu rossa fiamma succia ?
...... Bonifazio.
V Inferno, Cant. xix. 31, 53.
But it could scarcely have been expected that, in our author's age,
either the worthy priest of Bonneval, or the monk who has supplied us
with so vivid a description of his vision, would have included a goodly
number of " bishops, abbots, clergy, and monks " among the tormented.
At any rate, we may be surprised to find Hugh, bishop of Lisieux, and
Marnier, abbot of St. Evroult, among the motley company of rapacious
freebooters, grasping lawyers, and debauched women, as our author has
given high characters to both those prelates, and a particularly interesting
account of the bishop'* happy end. See before, pp. 1 19— 123, and 1 U4.
A.D. 1091.] A VISION OF PURGA.TOBY. 515
sons of Count Gilbert,1 who were lately dead, with so manv
others that I cannot enumerate them. Among the rest,
was Landri of Orbec, who was killed the same year, and
who accosted the priest, and uttering horrible cries, charged
him with his commissions, urgently begging him to carry :i
message to his wife. Upon this the troops who marched
before and after him interrupted his cries, and said to the
priest: "Believe not Landri, for he is a deceiver." This
man had been a viscount and a lawyer, and had raised him-
self from a very low origin by his talents and merit. He
decided causes and affairs according to his own pleasure,
and perverted judgment for bribes, actuated more by avarice
and duplicity than by a sense of what was right. He was
therefore justly devoted to flagrant punishment, and publicly
denounced by his associates as a liar. In this company no
one flattered him, and no one had recourse to his cunning
loquacity. He, who while it was in his power had shut his
ears to the cries of the poor, was now in his torments,
treated as an execrable wretch who was unfit to be heard.
Walkelin having seen these countless troops of soldiers
pass, on reflection, said within himself: "Doubtless these
are Harlequin's people ;f I have often heard of their being
seen, but I laughed at the stories, having never had any
certain proofs of such things. Now, indeed, I assuredly
behold the ghosts of the departed, but no one will belit-vr
me when I tell the tale unless I can exhibit to mortal eyes
some tangible proof of what I have seen. I will therefore
mount one of the horses which are following the troop with-
out any riders, and will take it home and show it my neigh-
bours to convince them that I speak the truth." Accordingly
he forthwith snatched the reins of a black steed, but the
1 Richard de Bienfaite and Baldwin de Meules, son of Gilbert, count de
Brionne.
8 1 fer /echini. M. Le Prevost says in a note on this passage, " It is
what is still called in our country -places Henneqttins hunt. This Hen-
nekin, as the tradition run*, was a great hunter who, having sold himself
to the devil, is compelled to return every year during the storms in tin-
night which occur in Advent, attended by his huntsmen and dogs, whose
bowlings many persons have declared to me they have distinctly heard.
It is curious to remark the identity of the primitive name of this vi«ion»ry
hunter (Herlechinus) with that of the comic character in a parti- coloured
dress, which originated at Bergamo."
L L 2
516 OBDEEICTTS TITALIS. [B.TIII. CH.XTII.
animal burst violently from his hold and galloped away
among the troops of Ethiopians. The priest was disap-
pointed at the failure of his enterprise ; but he was young,
bold, and light-hearted, as well as agile and strong. He
therefore stationed himself in the middle of the path, pre-
pared for action, and the moment a horse came up, laid his
hand upon it. The horse stopped, ready for him to mount
without difficulty, at the same time snorting from his nos-
trils a cloud of vapour as large as a full-grown oak. The
priest then placed his left foot in the stirrup, and, seizing
the reins, laid his hand on the saddle, but he instantly felt
that his foot rested on red-hot iron, and the hand with
which he held the bridle was frozen with insupportable
cold which penetrated to his vitals.
While this was passing, four terrific knights came up and
littering horrible cries, shouted to him : " What do you want
with our horses ? You shall come with us. No one of
our company had injured you, when you began laying your
hands on what belongs to us." The priest, in great alarm,
let go the horse, and three of the knights attempting to seize
him, the fourth said to them : " Let him go, and allow me to
speak with him, for I wish to make him the bearer of a mes-
sage to my wife and children." He then said to the priest,
who stood trembling with fright : " Listen to me, I beseech
you, and tell my wife what I say." The priest replied : " I
know not who you are, or who is your wife." The knight
then said : " I am William de Glos,1 son of Barno, and was
once the renowned steward of William de Breteuil and his
father William, earl of Hereford.2 While in the world I
abandoned myself to evil deeds and plunder, and was guilty
of more crimes than can be recounted. But, above all, I
am tormented for my usuries. I once lent money to a poor
man, and received as security a mill which belonged to him,
and as he was not able to discharge the debt I kept the
mortgage property and left it to my heirs, disinheriting my
debtor's family. You see that I have in my mouth a bar
of hot iron from the mill, the weight of which 1 feel to be
more oppressive than the tower of Rouen. Tell, therefore,
1 Glos-la-Ferridre, now Glos-sous-Laigle, in the neighbourhood of St.
Evroult.
» William Fitz-Osbern.
A.D. 1091.] A VISION OF PUKOATOBT. 517
my wife Beatrice, and my son Roger, to afford me relief, by
speedily restoring to the right heir the pledge from which
they have received more than I advanced." The priest
replied : "William de Glos died long ago, and this is acorn-
mission which no Christian man can undertake. I know
neither who you are, or who are your heirs. If I should
venture to tell such a tale to Roger de Glos, or his brothers,
or to their mother, they would laugh me to scorn as one out
of his wits." However, William continued still to persist
in his earnest entreaties, and furnished him with many sure
and well-known tokens of his identity. The priest under-
stood very well all he heard, but pretended not to compre-
hend it. At length, overcome by importunities, he consented
to what the knight requested, and engaged to do what was
required. Upon this, William repeated again all he had
said, and impressed it on his companion during a long conver-
sation. The priest, however, began to consider that he durst
not convey to any one the execrable message of a dammed
spirit.1 " It is not right," he said ; " to publish such things ;
I will, on no account, tell to any one what you require of
me." Upon this, the knight was filled with rage, and seizing
him by the throat dragged him along on the ground, utter-
ing terrible imprecations. The prisoner felt the hand which
grasped him burning like fire, and in this deep extremity cried
aloud : " Help me, 0 holy Mary, the glorious mother of
Christ." No sooner had he invoked the compassionate
mother than the aid of the Son of God was afforded him,
according to the Almighty's disposing will. For a horseman
immediately rode up, with a sword in his right hand, and
brandishing it over Roger's head, exclaimed : " Will ye kill
my brother, ye accursed ones ? Loose him and begone ! '
The knights instantly fled and followed the black troops.
When they had all passed by, the horseman, remaining
alone in the road with Walkelin, said to him, " Do you
not know me?" the priest answered "No." The other
said : " I am Robert, son of Ralph le Blond,* and your
1 Hiothanatl; this word, which in its original signification wa« applied
to those who put an end to their own lives, means here the damned, the
reprobate, the suicide of his soul.
a Several persons of the name of Le Blond are mentioned in Domesday-
book, among others Gilbert Le Blond, who about the year 1100 founded
518 OBDERICU8 YITALIS. [B.VIII. CH.XYII.
brother." The priest was much astonished at this unex-
pected occurrence, and much troubled at what he had seen
and heard, as we have just related, when the knight began
to remind him of a number of things which happened in
their youth, and to give him many well-known tokens. The
priest had a clear recollection of all that was told him, but
not daring to confess it, he stoutly denied all knowledge of
the circumstances. At length the knight said to him : " I
am astonished at your hardness of heart and stupidity ; it
was I who brought you up on our parents' death, and loved
you more than any one living. I sent you to school in
France,1 supplied you plentifully with clothes and money,
and did all in my power to benefit you in every way. You
seem now to have forgotten all this, and will not even con-
descend to recognise me. At length the priest, after being
abundantly furnished with exact particulars, became con-
vinced by such certain proofs, and bursting into tears,
openly admitted the truth of what he had heard. His
brother then said : " You deserve to die, and to be dragged
with us to partake of the torments we suffer, because you
have rashly laid hands on things which belong to our repro-
bate crew ; no other living man ever dared to make such an
attempt. But the mass you sang to-day has saved you
from perishing. It is also permitted me thus to appear to
you, and unfold to you my wretched condition. After I
had conferred with you in Normandy, I took leave of you
and crossed over to England, where, by the Creator's order,
my life ended, and I have undergone intense suffering for
the grievous sins with which I was burdened. It is naming
armour which you see us bear, it poisons us with an in-
fernal stench, weighs us down with its intolerable weight,
and scorches us with heat which is inextinguishable !
Hitherto I have been tormented with unutterable suffer-
the priory of Ixworth in Suffolk. There is also a Robert Le Blond, but
we are told that he was in possession of his manors in the time of Edward
the Confessor, and therefore he could not be the brother of the young and
vigorous priest of Bonneval, without a great difference in their ages.
1 This curious passage proves that, notwithstanding the high reputation
in which the school of Bee was held at this time, some, at least, of the
Normans destined to ecclesiastical functions resorted to France (and
probably to Paris) to complete their studies. It was the same at the
period when Wace was engaged in his.
A.D. 1091.] A VISION OF PUBGATOEY. 519
ings, but when you were ordained in England, and sang
your first mass for the faithful departed, your father Ralph
was released from purgatory, and my shield, which was a
great torment to me, fell from my arm. I still, as you see,
carry a sword, but I confidently expect to be relieved of
that burden in the course of a year."
While the knight was thus talking, the priest attentively
listening to him espied a mass of clotted gore, in the
shape of a man's head, at the other's heels, round his spurs,
and in great amazement said to him : " Whose is this clotted
blood which clings to your spurs ? " The knight replied :
" It is not blood but fire ; and it weighs me down more than
if I had Mount St. Michael to carry. Once I used sharp
and bright spurs when I was hurrying to shed blood, and
now I justly carry this enormous weight at my heels, which
is so intolerably burdensome, that I am unable to express
the severity of my sufferings. Men ought to reflect on these
things without ceasing, and to dread and beware lest they,
for their sins, should undergo such chastisements. I am
not permitted, my brother, to converse longer with you, for
I must hasten to follow this unhappy troop. Remember
me, I pray you, and give me the succour of your prayers and
alms-. In one year after Palm Sunday I trust to be saved ;
and by the mercy of the Creator released from all my tor-
ments. And you, consider well your own state, and pru-
dently mend your life which is blemished by many vices, for
know, it will not be very long. Now be silent, bury in your
own bosom the things you have so unexpectedly seen and
heard, and do not venture to tell them to any one for three
days."
With these words the knight hastened away. The priest
was seriously ill for a whole week ; as soon as he began to
recover his strength, he went to Lisieux and related all that had
happened to Bishop Gilbert,' in regular order, and obtained,
on his petition, the salutary remedies he needed. He after-
wards lived in good health almost fifteen years, and I heard
what I have written, and more which has escaped my
memory, from his own mouth, and saw the mark on his face
left by the hand of the terrible knight. I have committed
the account to writing for the edification of my readers, that
1 Gilbert Maminot, bishop of Lisieux.
520 OEDERICUS VITALIS. [B.VTII. CH. XVIII.
the righteous may be confirmed in their good resolutions,
and the wicked repent of their evil deeds. I now return to
the history I have commenced.
CH. XVIII. Prince Henry prepares for war in Normandy —
he is besieged at Mount St. Michael by his brothers William
Rufus and Robert Curthose — retires into exile in France
— Serlo, abbot of JSvroult, made bishop of Seez.
IN the year of our Lord 1091, the thirteenth indiction, in
the month of January, William Eufus, king of England,
crossed over to Normandy with a large fleet, and upon hear-
ing of his arrival Duke Robert abandoned the siege of
Courci, and Robert de Belesme and his associates retreated.
The king remained in Normandy till August, and used his
royal authority in tranquillizing such of the insurgents as
were willing to listen to his advice. Meanwhile, Prince
Henry, who had serious causes of complaint against both his
brothers, and claimed some part of the ample territories of
his glorious father, but could obtain nothing from their
obstinate tenacity, collected troops in Brittany and Nor-
mandy, and putting Coutances, Avranches, and his other
fortresses into a state of defence, prepared for war with all
his might. But Hugh, earl of Chester, and his other
adherents reflecting on his small means, and dreading the
vast wealth and mighty power of William Rufus, deserted
the illustrious prince while he was embarked in the war, and
surrendered their castles into the king's hands. In conse-
quence, about the middle of Lent,1 King William and Duke
Robert laid siege to Mount St. Michael, where they block-
aded their brother, and reduced him and his troops for nearly
fifteen days to great straits for want of water. The prudent
young prince, seeing himself thus pressed by his brothers
and deserted on all sides by his relations and friends, as well
as by the neighbours with whom he was leagued, and also
finding himself in want of almost all the necessaries of life,
weighed well in his own mind the state of affairs, and reflect-
ing on the variety of human mischances, determined on
abandoning his rash enterprise and reserving himself for
better times. At length, therefore, he demanded from the
1 Lent commenced in the year 1091, the 26th of February, and ended
the 13th of April.
A..D. 1091.] PBINCE HENRY RETIRES TO FRANCE. 521
besiegers free egress for himself and his allies from the
Mount, which they willingly granted, permitting him to
march out honourably with all his equipments.1 Henry,
having surrendered his fortresses, passed through Brittany,
returning thanks to the Bretons, who alone had rendered
him aid, and then crossed the borders of France. The illus-
trious exile spent not quite two full years in the Vexin,
seeking an asylum in different places. Living in obscurity,
he was contented with a suite consisting of only one knight,
a clerk, aud three squires. Thus a king's son learnt in
exile how to endure poverty, that when he became king him-
self he might know how to compassionate the wretched and
the poor, succouring them in their distress or penury, by his
royal power or munificence, and, having himself experienced
the lot of the humble, might kindly sympathize with them.
At this time Duke Robert ceded great part of Normandy
to King William, and for nearly two years the country was
free from hostilities. After the feast of Pentecost,* William
the archbishop assembled at Rouen a synod of the bishops
and abbots, and consulted with his suffragans respecting the
bishopric of Seez. By the result of their deliberations,
Serlo, abbot of St. Evroult, was chosen bishop and the see of
Seez committed to him ; much against his wishes. At length,
on the tenth of the calends of July [22ud June] the archbishop
summoned the monk just named to Rouen and gave him
canonical consecration in the church of St. Mary, mother of
God. The venerable Serlo bore worthily the burden of the
episcopacy thirty-two years and four months,3 and laboured
with zeal and ability for the benefit of the church of God
both in prosperity and adversity. But he had some hard-
1 Our author's account of the siege of Mount St. Michael by the king
and the duke is very imperfect To complete it, reference must be made
to Wace, and more especially to Florence of Worcester and William of
Malmesbury. The first furnishes us with the positions taken by the two
divisions of the army; the second mentions William's departure, wearied
by the length of the siege ; the third supplies us with some traits of
intrepidity and magnanimity in the king after he had been thrown from his
horse in the melee, and his severity towards his young brother whom he
was besieging, contrasted with the goodness and affectionate language of
Robert
* Whitsuntide fell that year on the 1st of June.
3 June 22, 1091— October 27, 1118.
522 OBDEBICUS VTTALIS. [B. VIII. CH. XVIII.
ened and insolent men in his diocese, such as Robert de
Belesme, Eotro de Mortagne and their fellows, who had
cruel feuds with each other, frequently viokted the peace of
the church, dispersed by their hostile inroads the Lord's flock
who were redeemed by the blood of Christ, and oppressed
and made havoc of them by their various enterprises.
Serlo boldly bared the sword of the word of God against
these evil men, several times excommunicating them when
they persisted in their iniquities, but he seldom or ever was
able to teach wisdom or preserve in peace his rebellious
subjects, so that during the whole period he held the see he
was perpetually involved in tumults and disturbances, and
on several occasions, when Robert's fury was highest, was
compelled to become an exile in England or Italy, such was
the state of alarm and distress in which he lived.
The abbey of St. Evroult, when their late ruler was raised
to the bishopric of Seez being anxious about a successor,
invited their former pastor to Ouche on the twelfth of the
calends of August [the 21st July], and having observed a
fast for three days, began to treat of the election of an abbot.
There were present also three abbots, Fulk of Dive,
Arnulf of Troarn, and Ralph of Seez.1 Having read the
lesson concerning the apointment of an abbot in the rule of
St. Benedict, the lord Roger de Sap, was chosen abbot of
St. Evroult. He was a monk of the same house, simple
minded, eminent for his learning, his great worth, and gentle
manners. Then Herman the prior, with Arnold de Tilleul,
and several others conducted him to the duke's court, but
were disappointed in their hope of finding him in Normandy.
Secret conspiracies had been formed by the islanders against
the peace and security of the realm, on receiving sudden
information of which, both the brothers very unexpectedly
passed over to England,2 to the surprise of all the world.
In consequence Herman returned to conduct affairs at St.
1 Fulk, abbot of Notre-Dame de St. Pierre-sur-Dive.
Arnulph, abbot of Troarn, 1088 — 1 1 12.
Ralph d'Escures, abbot of Seez, 1089—1110.
2 The two brothers went to England in the early part of August, in
consequence of the invasion of Northumberland by Malcolm, king of Scots.
The irruption took place in the month of May; and before the arrival of
William Rufus, Malcolm, finding a more determined resistance than he
expected, had already retired to his own country with very little booty.
A.D. 1091.] ROGER DE SAP ABBOT OF ST. EVROULT. 523
Evroult, while Arnold with the abbot elect followed the
princes across the sea. On their arrival at the royal vill,
called Windsor, they exhibited to duke Robert the act con-
taining the election by the monks, confirmed by the autho-
rity of the bishop of Seez and the three abbots. The duke
gave his willing consent to the appointment aud committed
to Roger before named, by delivery of the pastoral statf, as
the custom then was, the monastic cure in exterior affairs.
He also issued his mandate to the bishop of Lisieux, requir-
ing him to perform all that was canonically necessary in the
business. King William also at the same time received the
monk and abbot elect with great courtesy and confirmed the
grants of all that his father and his barons had formerly
given to the abbey of St. Evroult, ratifying them of his royal
authority by a fresh charter.1
Having accomplished the object of their journey, Roger
returned to Ouche on the fifteenth of the calends of January
[18th December], and being received by the brethren with
due solemnity, governed the abbey thirty -four years.2 He
admitted a hundred and fifteen postulants to be monks of
that house. The changes of fortune were exhibited in their
various lives; for some of them, being eminent for their
virtues, with God's help, obtained the reward of their
heavenly vocation, while others through the snares of Satan
relapsed into the foul depths of sin to receive their deserts
from the righteous Judge.
Six of the monks admitted by the venerable Roger we
have seen become abbots, namely, Warin des Essarts,
Geoffrey of Orleans, Gilbert de Glos, Robert de Pruniers,s
William de Bas, and Lewis. Of these, Warin succeeded his
master, and governed the abbey of St. Evroult many years ;
Robert de Pruniers ruled well Thorney abbey in England,4
1 This charter has not been preserved.
r-* This is not quite correct. It is very true that Abbot Roger survived
till the year 1 126 or 1127 ; but at his own request his successor was nomi-
nated on Ascension day, May 24, 1123.
3 " De Pruniers, or de Pruni&res, is a very common name of places in
Burgundy, Languedoc, Dauphiny, La Touraine, Orleans, and Bern." —
Dubois. " We think that this person WJIB a native of Moutiere-en-Aujte,
one of the two churches of which belonged at this pcviod to St. Evroult,
and was called Slits. Gervasius de P> uneleio." — Le Prtvnst.
* Robert was appointed abbot of Thorney (in Cambridgeshire), August
15,1113.
524 ORDEEICUS YITALIS. [B.VIII. CH. XVIII.
Geoffrey of Orleans was abbot of Croyland1 for nearly fifteen
years ; William Basset long governed the monastery of St.
Benedict at Hulm •? and Lewis,3 when by a decree of their
•superiors, the canons were expelled from Bocherville, first
established the monastic rule with five monks in the
church of St. George the martyr. As for Gilbert de Glos,
a man of noble birth and great eloquence, he was abbot of
Lire for nearly ten years, much to its benefit. The monks
of St. Evroult were thus drawn forth from the recesses of
. their monastery and raised to the ranks of the prelacy for
the general good, that they might shine as lights set in a
candlestick, and show the way of salvation to those who
strove to enter the house of the Lord by the way of righte-
ousness. But unfortunately, the disturbances in worldly
affairs which take place from the negligence or misconduct
of earthly princes often interfere with ecclesiastical order and
monastic discipline, as was found by all who wished to devote
themselves to a religious life in Normandy and on its confines
in the time of Duke Robert and Philip king of France.
1 Eulandensi, an error in the text for Crulnndens, there being no
abbey of the former name in England. On the subject of Croyland Abbey,
see before, pp. 95 — 98. Geoffrey of Orleans, after assuming the monastic
habit at St. Evroult, under Abbot Mainier, was made abbot of Croyland in
1109. We have learnt before (p. 86) that Ordericus, on a kind invitation
received from Abbot Geoffrey spent five weeks at Croyland, where he
wrote, at the request of the monks, his abridgment of the life of St.
Guthlac, together with an epitaph on Earl Waltheof (pp. 86, 103). This
visit was quite recent when our author composed the fourth book of his
History. He speaks of Wulfin, the prior, and Ansgot, the sub-prior, and
itjhas been remarked by Mr. Stapleton, that the anonymous continuator of
Ingulph, who conceals himself under the name of Peter dd Blois, and
wrote in the thirteenth century, treats them as his cotemporaries by a gross
anachronism, in a letter written to Henry de Longchamps, abbot of Croy-
land, 1190—1196.
* Hulm, or Holm, an abbey at Horning, in the hundred of Tunstead,
Norfolk, founded by Canute. William Basset (Bassus), or le-Bas, suc-
ceeded Conrad in. 1127, and died in 1137. He gave to Richard Basset
his relation (son of Ralph Basset, who succeeded his father aa justiciary of
England), the manor of Higham during his life.
* Lewis, abbot of St. Georges de Bocherville, 1114— October 12, 1137.
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